God's Got It All In Control Part III

     We know that the chastening of the Lord is intended to instruct, train, mature and build our character as His children.  And God has designed that chastening to discipline us when we need it. (ouch)

     But God does not want us to see him as a hard task master or someone who is going to hit us over the head or slap our hand if we get out of line.

     So many of us have a distorted picture of God.  We often subconsciously think God will discipline us like our earthly fathers did as children.  Some of us had very loving fathers that were tender and yet stern when they disciplined us.  And then some of us were dealt with very harshly and all we remember is the anger.  Then there are some of us who were verbally abused and disciplined with control and think God will deal with us in the same way. We naturally impose the relationship we had with our earthly father onto our heavenly father because that's how we think a father acts or reacts. 

     Beloved, He loves you and wants to bring healing to the wounds and scars of your childhood.  He wants to mend your broken heart and set you free of the hurt.  Allow Him to pour upon you and into you the oil and the wine and you will begin to see Him as a father of mercy, grace and peace. 

     Going back to our main scripture text found in Hebrews 12:5 what is God saying to us:

          Verse 5:  Nor faint when thou are rebuked of Him.

     Let's key in on the word "faint" and it's meaning is:  To loose, to realize, grow weary, to lack courage, loose heart, become fainthearted from the effect of tribulation.

     This word expresses the opposite of "to gird up".  The words "to gird up" or "to gird up the loins" means:  putting one's self in readiness for any service that might be required.  In I Peter 1:13 tells us:

          Verse 13:  Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for that grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

     Satin will try and come against the mind of God's children if we don't gird ourselves up and faint not when we are going through testings.  The enemy  would like nothing more than for you to just lay down and give up, Amen!

     Now let's take the word "rebuke".  The writer of Hebrews is exhorting us not to become discouraged, sad or cast down; even though the rebuke of God is hard to accept some times. 

     If we look up the word "rebuke" in the Greek it says:  To convict or convince.

Ok, let's go back to Hebrews and talk about verse 6 of chapter 12.

          Verse 6:  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

     Do we really comprehend the love that the Lord has for us?  Do we realise what "agape love" means?  We know that "agape love" is explained as "God's perfect love" that is unconditional.  But have we really grasped the depth, the height, the length or understood the width of that kind of love? 

     How many of you have been tested in the area of unconditional love?  This message was birthed while going through much pain and heart ache while God was instructing and teaching me about His love.

     In I Corinthians 13, the word of God tells us how important love is.  It is the most important fruit of the Spirit.  Everything that God is and does for us is motivated by love.  Are you able to say that love is your motivator? 

     The Love Outpouring

     Many years ago I had a love encounter with the Lord that I have never forgotten.  I remember lying in my bed one night just looking up at the ceiling and I began to crying due to emotional pain and trauma I had experienced earlier that day.  Needless to say, my heart had been broken and then suddenly from deep within me feelings of desperation, rejection, loneliness and betrail began to flood my mind.  I felt unloved, unappreciated and hopelessness began to to set in.  All I wanted was to be loved and to be able to feel love, but all I was experiencing at that moment was pain and brokenness in my heart.

     Then suddenly I felt a rush of love flow all over me.  I could feel it rushing through me into every fiber of my being from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.  It was so strong and overpowering that it almost took my breath away and I remember thinking, Lord I can't take much more or I will explode.  I instantly knew that It was the love of the Lord; His unconditional love and it was perfect and filled me up to overflowing. 

     He than began to explain to me that the love I was feeling was just a small portion of the love that He has and feels for us. He told me that His love was so far beyond what we could ever know, comprehend or experience in our earthly body and that flesh could never contain or stand in the presence of the fullness of His love.  

     Beloved, His love is perfect and He loves the imperfect vessel.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

A Christmas Card

Merry Christmas

To all of my facebook friends and family

May this be a time of blessings, joy, peach and love.

And may Christ be the center of your celebration.

Elma Garlock

Love Reaching Out Ministries

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE ESTHER GATHERING

       The Spirit and The Bride say "COME"    

   This will be a day to honor the King.

  A day set aside to strengthen and encourage the Bride

 Day:       Saturday, January 14, 2012

 Time:    10:30am - 3:30pm     

Place:    Led By The Holy Spirit Worship Center

                 670 East Parkridge Avenue

                 Corona, Ca.  92879   

                                                               

                     

     Come join us for a time of worship, prayer, fellowship and body ministry.  Come and hear the Lord speak to His Esters.  "And who knows but that you have come to the Kingdom of God for such a time as this and for this very occasion?  Esther 4:14

       Our Morning speaker will be:  Elma Garlock

                                               "Standing in Your Authority and Power"



And

Our Afternoon speaker will be:  Dr. Pat Miles

"What Is Your Goliath"

Free no signup fee
Lunch will be served

The Chastening Of The Lord Part II

     Have you ever tried on thick horned rimmed glasses that belonged to someone else?  And did you try reading with them and everything you looked at was blurred, distorted and you couldn't make out what was in front of you?

     This is how we sometimes see things when we are in the center of a situation or circumstance that is out of our control.  It's as if we walk about with blinders on and not seeing the word of God in the light of Jesus. We forget His promises that says that; "He will never leave us or forsake us" and we begin entertaining fear and fear leads to hopelessness and despair.  

     Beloved, we don't know what tomorrow holds for us, only God does.  And even thought we have made decisions out of the will of God, don't despair or give up hope.  Keep pressing in and keep pressing on, because there is nothing you have done nor ever do that will keep God from working everything out for your good and for His glory.

     He's bigger than your wrong decisions.  He's bigger than that problem.  He's bigger than that sickness or that disease.  Stop putting God in a box and trying to figure everything out.  In Isaiah 54:2 it tells us:

          Verse 2:  Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

     Allow the Lord to do the impossible in you life.  Start thinking bigger and better, look at things on a larger scale, widen your scope and release your faith.  Don't say:  God, this is even to big or to hard for you to fix.

     If God could create the Stars and the Galaxies and hold them in place; If He could cause the Sun and the Moon to orbit around the Earth and keep every planet in it's rightful place don't you think He can take control of your life and bring you through every circumstance and situation?  It's all about faith.... learning to trust Him and allowing Him to instill in your heart His will...His plan... and His purpose for your life.  It's about praying;  Lord not my will, but thy will be done.

     Quit beating yourself over the head wondering God, have I made the right decision?  Practice what James 1:5-8 tells us to do.

          Verse 5:  If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God (who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
          Verse 6:  Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting)  For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
          Verse 7:  For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything (he asks for) from the Lord.
          Verse 8:  For being as he is a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), he is unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything (he thinks, feels, decides).

     Don't let satin come in and start putting doubts in your mind, because with doubts comes confusion.  Pray and make that decision to stand on God's word and you will see Him begin to move in your life in a mighty way.  He is waiting for you to move from fear into faith so victory can come.

                                                                The Dream

     I remember seeing a large stage and I was standing in the middle of that stage.  I then looked out at what seemed to be a large auditorium of empty seats. I began to look to my left and to my right and I could see curtains on either side of the stage that had been drawn opened. As I fixed my gaze to my right I could see Jesus standing right behind the curtain.  I knew in my spirit that He had been waiting patiently for me to make a decision about something He had been dealing with me about.  He let me know that He had never left me nor would He ever forsaken me, but that I had been the one that had forsaken and ignored Him.

     The next thing I noticed was my hands, legs, head and body had been strung up and attached to something or someone and I looked like a puppet that was being manipulated and controlled by an unknown source.  The Lord then began to speak to me and told me that He had been waiting patiently behind the scene for me to call on Him and allow Him to control my life instead of the enemy.  He said that the enemy had been playing me just like a puppeteer plays, controlls and manipulates every move of his puppet by pulling it's strings.

     He than revealed to me that the strings represented bondage's in my life and that the bondage's were because of rebellion and unforgiveness. This began a healing and deliverance process in me that enabled me to call upon the Lord and trust Him once more with my life. I was then able to pray Lord not my will be done, but Thy will be done in my life.    

     Beloved, He is waiting patiently for you. Trust Him and allow Him to come into your situation and your circumstances. He delights in proving Himself to His children.  He is a God that can turn your mourning into joy and your failures into victories.  He longs to prove Himself strong, faithful and to show you His grace in your life.  HE LOVES YOU!

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

The Chastening of The Lord Seems Long and Hard but, "God's Got It All In Control" Part I

     Tell them "I HAVE IT ALL IN CONTROL".  And that it doesn't matter what circumstances they are facing or the situation they find themselves in, no matter how dark it seems to get.... know that my light can and will overtake that darkness because "I HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL BE IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS". 

     Today more than ever the body of Christ needs to be encouraged, uplifted and to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. It seems everyone you talk to from leaders to laymen are saying the same things and that is that they are under heavy attack and feel like they are walking through the fire of testings.

     I pray this series of messages will help all of us to better understand why and how God chastens His children and why He allows trials that test us and what seems to be uncertain circumstances and unfavorable situation to come into our lives.

     The chastening of the Lord will hit us at a very deep level in certain areas and seasons of our lives and why? because He is trying to work within us the fruits of the Spirit that are:

          1.  Love                                     
          2.  Joy                                                                   
          3.  Peace
          4.  Long suffering-Patience
          5.  Gentleness
          6.  Goodness
          7.  Faith
          8.  Meekness
          9.  Self Control-Temperance

     These are the qualities/characteristic needed in order for God to use us effectively in the area of ministry He has called us to and for us to live an overcoming life.  Let's begin with two key words that will help us better understand the reasons and purposes of God in the chastening process.

     Our first word is the word "chasten". 

      If we look up this word in the Hebrew language it means:  To instruct, correct, reform, reprove and to punish in some instances.

     And in the Greek is means:  Disciplinary correction and instruction.

     The dictionary says that to "chasten" means: To subdue, to make somebody less self satisfied or self assertive and to moderate the intensity of something or someone. 

     Our second word is the word "control". 

     And it means:  To be restrained or limited, managed so as to exercise power or authority over and also is the ability to run, manage or direct with authority successfully.

     Think and ponder on these words and what they mean.

Our main text that I will be teaching from is Hebrews 12:5-12 so let's begin.

     Hebrews 12:5b (KJV)  My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord.
and the Amplified version says:  My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him.

     Let's take the word "despise" and find out what it means in this scripture:  To regard with loathing, contempt, reject, refuse, cast off as to set aside and dislike intensely.

     So what is God telling us here?  Not to reject, refuse or cast off what He knows to be the best thing for us and think that there just has to be a better or easier way to get through or accomplish what needs to be done in our lives or situation.  How many times have we maybe made that statement to others or thought it?

     God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11   For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you says the Lord, thoughts and plans for good, welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

     "Hope" this is the key word in this scripture.  So what is "hope"?  The dictionary defines "hope" as:  Confident desire of good, the source of success or relief, favorable expectation concerning the unseen future.  It is having confidence concerning the unseen and trust that there is a future.

     So what happens to us when we are right in the center of a crisis, trial, uncertain circumstances or unfavorable situations?  We become blinded and caught up in our present condition and the uncontrollable situation and all we can see is what's in the here and now.  We see things through tunnel vision and we can't seem to see beyond or get past the now which causes us to lose "hope".

     In Romans 5: 1-5 the word encourages us:

          Verse 1:  Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
          Verse 2:  Through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
          Verse 3:  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
          Verse 4:  And perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
          Verse 5:  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

     What is this "hope" that doesn't disappoint?

          H - Having our hearts
          O - Open to the Holy Spirit so He can
          P - Pour into us His Peace that will allow us to
          E - Enter into Gods rest.
        

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom Part IV

       This week we will continue with our study on the Seven Pillar of Wisdom. Our next pillar we need to put into position for a strong spiritual foundation is:  The V Pillar which is  "Instruction"  Proverbs 4:13 tells us: 

    Verse 13:  Take fast hold of instruction let her not go, keep her, for she is your life.  

      The word "instruction" in this scripture means:  Reproof, warning, chastening, a check, correction and discipline.  It can also be used as the act of teaching, giving instruction and can mean giving an order or direction.

     This is really interesting that the word "life" in this scripture means:  Alive, fresh water, living thing and maintenance.

     So what this scripture is saying to us is:  Grasp firmly with both hands and use her as a support that will keep you in place (balance) and give you instruction. And if we will accept her, she will teach us, correct us, discipline us and give us direction in understanding and applying God's wisdom. She is our source that quenches our thirst when we are dry, she sustains us and provides us with life that is active and alive.

     All through the book of Proverbs, the scriptures give us precise directions on why we need to accept "instruction" and if we don't what the consequences will be as believers. Here are some of the consequences we will have to face if we don't accepting "instruction" and they are:
                   1.  Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses "instruction".
                   2.  He shall die without "instruction".
                   3.  I hated "instruction" and would not listen, therefore sinned.
                   4.  Fools despise wisdom and "instruction".
                   5.  He that refuses "instruction" despises his own soul.

     Beloved, we will never get to old in age or mature in character that we will not need to be instructed or taught.  We need to stay teachable, open to correction and discipline, be accountable to and willing to receive counsel. 

     The VI Pillar is:  "Righteous".  In Proverbs 2:7 says:  He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous.

     So to be "righteous" it means:  Being straight or even (so as to take the straight way or path of life) to be balanced, justified, in right standing with God, pleasing and agreeable. 

     The word "righteous" in this scripture is used as an adjective that describes something.  All through Proverbs there are scriptures that describe what being "righteous" does, how it acts and what it produces. 

     1.  What are some of the things Proverbs says about what being "righteous" does?
                a. The thoughts of the "righteous" are right.
                b. The light of the "righteous" rejoices.
                c.  The "righteous" eat to the satisfying of his soul.
                d. The "righteous" does sing and rejoice.

     2.  How does being "righteous" act?
                a.  The "righteous" gives and spares not.
                b.  The "righteous" are bold as a lion.
                c.  The lips of the "righteous" feed many.

     3.  And what does it produce?  Good fruit, the fruits of the Spirit, which are:  Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.  But our foundation must be established in the word of God in order for us to yield this fruit.

    Because in Proverbs 11:30 tells us:  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.  And in Proverbs 12:12 it says:  But the root of the righteous yields the fruit. And lastly in Proverbs 12:3 states:  But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.          

     So again, being "righteous" does something - it acts a certain way - and it produces what?  Good fruit.     

     In Proverbs 9:1 it lets us know that:  Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.

     The word hewn in this scripture means:  To cut by blows with an ax or other sharp edged instruments and to be shapen with an instrument.

     Each of these seven pillars is in reality an attribute, a quality and are the characteristics of wisdom.  They are available to us for the asking but are not easily possessed and why?  Because of the difficulty of the process we must go through in order to possess them. 

     In the natural, before they can begin shaping a piece of stone or marble into a pillar they have to cut deep into the rock quarry in order to find the best quality of material to work on.  Once they have removed the chosen piece they begin to chip away at its outer core in order to expose it's inner beauty. 
     
     They cut out the defects and begin the shaping process.  Then it is sanded and polished so its beauty can shine.  It's then placed and attached into position upon it's foundation and the pillar and foundation become one in strength and the house is built.

     This is exactly what the Master builder does in our lives.  He takes us just as we are in our raw state and cuts away at the flesh to expose the beauty within.  He then builds the foundation, line upon line, precept upon precept to make ready for it's pillars. Then they are placed into position and the house becomes firm and has strength to withstand time, and it's storms.   

     So let's refresh our memory and go over the Seven Pillars of Wisdom needed for a Spiritual Foundation again and they are:

     1.  The Fear of the Lord - We have a reverential fear and a positive feeling of awe.
     2.  Understanding - Insight & reason
     3.  Knowledge - Intelligence to discover and to know
     4.  Integrity - Unimpaired moral principles and honesty
     5.  Instruction - We are teachable & we take correction
     6.  Humility - Obedience & lack of resistance towards God
     7.  Righteous - Balanced, pleasing and agreeable.  It does something, it acts a certain way and produces good fruit.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom Part III

    The III Pillar of Wisdom that's needed to build our spiritual foundations on is: "Knowledge" Proverbs 10:14  tells us:
          Verse 14:  Wise men store up Knowledge.

     And also in Proverbs 24:4,5 says: 
          Verse 4:  And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
          Verse 5:  A wise man is strong, yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.

     The Hebrew meaning for the word "Knowledge" is:  Intelligence, discernment and implies discovery and to know.

     This word comes from the Hebrew word "Yada" which means:  To know by seeing and out of this word is where we get the word "Seer" or "Prophet".

     Let's break up some of the words in verse 4 & 5 we just read so we can better understand what the Lord is telling us here.  We will begin with verse 4.

    1.  The word "chambers" in this verse means:  Innermost part, within or a private place.
    2.  And our next word is "precious" meaning:  Brightness, clear and fat (due to storing up God's word in your spirit).
    3.  Our third word in verse 4 is "pleasant" and it means:  Sweet, agreeable and to be a delight.
    4.  The our last words are:  "increases strength" which is described as:  The ability to  expand, enlarge, increase and rise to a greater number, quality or degree, to be firm and having the capacity to produce, power and wealth. WOW!

     So if we put this all together this is what the Lord is telling us in verses 4 & 5.

    Verse 4:  And by knowledge shall the innermost part, the private chamber of your heart( where the Holy Spirit dwells), be filled with all brightness and clarity (because it has stored up the word of God) that comes from Him and is sweet to the spirit and agreeable to your soul.

     Verse 5:  A wise man is strong, yea a man of knowledge has the ability to expand, enlarge, and rise above to the greatest quality and degree so they can increase in might, power and have the ability to overcome all obstacle's.

The IV Pillar of Wisdom that is needed to build our spiritual foundations on is:  "Integrity" Proverbs 2:7 tells us:  He (God) stores up wisdom for the upright, He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.

     The Hebrew meaning for the word "integrity" is:  Completeness, the quality of being whole or undivided, unimpaired moral principles and honesty.

     This is interesting that the word "integrity" is the plural for the word Thummin which was one of the objects in the High Priests breast plate. This was an emblem that represented complete truth and perfection in determining the will of God.  The other stone that was used was the Urim that ment: "light".

     So by us producing the fruitful wisdom of integrity, we walk in an unimpaired state of honesty and purity.  We produce the character of uncorrupted virtue, especially in relation to truth and fair dealings.  We don't compromise, we avoid deception, we are loyal to the truth and we are teachable.

     Beloved, I pray that you walk in the knowledge of knowing, through experience, that He loves you and cares for you so much more than you could ever comprehend.  He wants to reveal unto you, even in the small things of life, that He cares and is concerned.  God is walking with us on this journey called life and will prove to you that He is nearer to you than your very breath, because when you speak His name, the name of JESUS, all of heaven stands at attention.  Every obstacle in our path is removed and made clear.  Every mountain that has stood so tall before us and unpassable becomes His opportunity to reveal Himself in a mighty way.  May you produce the fruit of integrity and know that you are complete in Him, through Him and because of Him.  He is the wisdom and He is the light that will guide you through any and every trial that you may face.  He is a faithful God and will continue to be faithful no matter what we go through or where He takes us.  This journey has purpose and destiny that will be fulfilled.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom Part II

     Last week I talked about what I believe are the seven pillar that represent seven fruitful characteristic's that should be working in our lives in order for us to have Godly wisdom. 

     So let's begin with the first Pillar of Wisdom and that is:


I.  The Fear of the Lord - Proverbs 9:10 tells us:  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

     The word "Fear" in this scripture means:  A reverential or reverence for God and a positive feeling of awe.

     Did you know that there are three different types of fears that we can have for God?

          1.  Superstitious:  which is fear of the unknown or mysterious in connection with religion and ignorance.

     This is the kind of fear I had for God as a child.  I thought He was this big man with a white beard that just sat up in heaven pointing His finger at me in judgement and this caused me to fear Him, but in a negative way.  I couldn't see that He was a loving, caring and giving God because of growing up with so much legalism in my home.  My parents were Christians but our particular denomination taught that we couldn't go to the movies, wear make up, play cards or go to dances and as a teenager growing up I couldn't understand why?  It was obeying and following the rules exactly or I would go to hell.  It wasn't until years later would I realize just how legalistic I had grown up. But thank God, He set me free from all of that wrong thinking and the religious works that were unfruitful.  Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying I approve, but I was so bound with the fear of failing God, my parents and always strived to be religious and looking good in everyone's eyes that I became a slave to that fear. Thank you Jesus, that today I walk in freedom and not fear and my relationship with God is not just religious but realtionial because I understand who I am in Christ. 

The second type of fear we can have for God is:

          2.  Servile:  This fear is having the characteristics of a slave or servant and can have a negative aspect to it or a positive.  I got to thinking about the difference between being a slave verses a servant and this is what I found out. 

     The word for slave in the Greek is "Doulos" and is one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will altogether consumed in the will of the other. The negative aspect would be someone who is unwillingly enslaved as a slave that is bound to not only someone but something.  And the positive side would be someone who willingly is 
submissive, yielding and obedient as a slave.

     And the word servant in the Greek is "Diakonos" which means:  A minister, servant, deacon, bishop or overseer and derives from "Dioko" to pursue, not servile, but voluntary serve.

     I hear the voice of the Spirit and He is saying:  Whom will you serve, your fears, your doubts, your unbelief?  Why do you look to others for the answers while I am speak directly to you.  I ask you, what have you enslaved yourself to and how far will you go?  I am knocking at your hearts door and asking to come in, because there is a place in Me that is found in serving and a security in knowing that I am not a hard task master. For the call is at hand and who will answer it's call?    

And the third type of fear we can have for God is:

          3.  Filial:  It is relating or appropriate to a child's relationship with or feelings towards his or her patents.  It is love and care not to offend God and to please Him in all things as his sons and daughters.

        The second Pillar of Wisdom needed for a spiritual foundation is:

     II.  Understanding - Which is the ability to grasp a meaning, to perceive and explain the meaning or nature of somebody or something.  It is being able to interpret a belief or opinion based on your understanding and have a sympathetic or tolerant recognition of someones situation.

     In Proverbs 2:1-6, 9 & 11 instructs us:

          Verse 1:  My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you,
          Verse 2:  Making your ear attentive to skillful and Godly wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding (applying all your powers to the quest for it);
          Verse 3:  Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
          Verse 4:  If you seek (wisdom) as for sliver and search for skillful and Godly wisdom as for hidden treasures,
          Verse 5:  Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of (or omniscient) God.
          Verse 6:  For the Lord gives skillful and Godly wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
          Verse 9:  Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing (in every area and relation); yes, you will understand every good path.
          Verse 11:  Discretion (discernment) shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you.

     This word "Discretion" in verse 11 is closely related to the idea of "Understanding" and means:  Being able to distinguish between good and evil.  The kind of understanding we need is not just accumulating information, but a superior knowledge and knowing how to apply it and use it wisely.

     In Proverbs 24:3 it tells us:  By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.

     So when understanding comes, it establishes us, instructs us and teaches us to:  Stand firm in a fixed position, situation or condition permanently.  We are prepared and set in order as first intended, we continue securely knowing that we can be all that God has called us to be because wisdom has built the house. Beloved, hear what the Spirit is saying.  Study these scriptures, meditate on them and let the Lord reveal unto you more understanding of what the Lord wants to do in your life. 

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

Intimacy In Him Part VII

     This week we will finish our teaching on Intimacy In Him and continue with our main scripture text found in Acts 17:28 that says:  In Him we Live and Move and have our Being.

     What does it means to Have Our Being in Him?  If we look up the word "Have" in the dictionary this is the meaning it gives us:  To catch a hold of, own, to be the possessor of a quality or character, to be in a specified personal relationship to, experience and be effected by something.

     Now let's dig a little deeper and find out what the word "Being" means:  The essential nature or character of a living thing, especially one conceived of as supernatural and is the existence and the substance or essence of a person or thing. (remember these words)

     So how can we "Have our Being" in Him and what does that consist of?  We have to possess a personal, intimate relationship with Him and contained within that relationship has to be the very substance and essence of Christ.  Because that, that we have in Him is essential ( which means is necessary and is of the highest importance and of perfect form or embodiment of) our very existence spiritually. 

     A good example of this would be if you think of a single egg.  We know an egg has a yoke and within this yoke lays the germ or what science calls a germ spot that's about the size of a pin head.  The germ, which is within the egg yoke, if fertilized and if kept under suitable conditions develops into an embryo and that embryo totally relies on the yoke for nourishment to grow.

     You see, that embryo is representative of our spirit man that relates to God and effects our relationship with Him.  Just as the embryo in an egg depends on the yoke to grow and develop, so are we dependent on the Holy Spirit to draw us deeper into Him, to nourish and heal our mind, body, soul and heart and to reveal to us the revelation of God word.  Our spiritual growth and our relationship with God will develop to its fullest potential and the intimacy with Him will be a normal natural experience once we allow the Holy Spirit to come in and do His work.

     Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we cease to be full and alive in Christ, because He is the substance and the essence of God that has been deposited into our hearts through faith as Ephesians 3:17, 18 & 19 tell us:

           Verse 17:  May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell (settle) down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts!  May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.
          Verse 18:  That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints (God's devoted people, the experience of that love) what is the breadth and length and height and depth (0f it);
          Verse 19:  That you may really come to know (practically, through experience for yourselves) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge (without experience); that you may be filled (through all your being) unto all the fullness of God (may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself)!  If that's not Intimacy In Him then what is?

     Earlier I mentioned that He is the Substance which is:  The material of which a thing is made.  And what is this in us?  It is the fullness and the power of God that works in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

     And also He is the Essence which is:  The most significant part of a persons nature.  So what is the essence of God?  HIS LOVE!

     If a person doesn't have the Holy Spirit in their lives, they are only a shell of a person that is void, empty and lifeless. 

     In Colossians 2: 6,7 it says: 

          Verse 6:  As you have therefore received Christ even Jesus the Lord, so walk, regulate your lives and conduct yourselves in union with and conformity to Him.
          Verse 7:  Have the roots of your being firmly and deeply planted (built up) in Him, fixed and founded in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.

     So if we have our "Being In Him" we are in "Union with Him" means:  We are allowing the Holy Spirit to adjust us, lead us, manage our lives and we are in total unity to, harmony and agreement with God and with His word just as Christ is.

     To sum it all up when we are "In Him" we learn to:
               a.  Dwell in Him
               b.  Rest in Him
               c.  Abide in His Love
               d.  We are united to Him as a branch is to a vine

     And when we learn to "Live In Him"  we live:
               a.  In the Spirit
               b.  We have Spiritual and Emotional Intimacy with Him and those we love

     We learn to "Move In Him":
               a.  We move out of fear and we move into peace.
               b.  We move out of defeat and despair and we move into faith.
               c.  We move out of complaining and doubt so we can move into trust and rest in
                    God's promises.
      And when we "Have our Being In Him":
               a.  We have our substance, which is the fullness, the power of God working in us by the Holy Spirit and the essence of Christ which is His love.
               b.  We have total unity, harmony and are in agreement with God and His word.
               c.  Our roots (foundations) are firmly and deeply planted and anchored in Him.

     Beloved in closing, I want to encourage you to seek Him, so that you may know Him and to listen that you may hear Him.....because there is a sound that is coming from heaven that we haven't heard and a song that we haven't sang.  It's the sound of Heaven calling you to go higher...to dig deeper..... and go wider and remove the restrains of the flesh and come away with Him.  It's a sound of war that is bring peace....it's a sound of power that will bring strength...... and a sound of judgement that will bring an alignment to those who have fallen from grace.  Lift up your heads for salvation comes from the Lord and this is the day for salvation that brings deliverance, healing, soundness, forgiveness, regeneration, sanctification, joy and peace to His people.  He hasn't forgotten you nor has He abandoned you but has allowed you to go through this season for His purpose and for His plan...every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weights the hearts and this is a heart issue with God.  He sees what's lacking and says He will supply.....and the longing in your heart will be satisfied with His love and peace.....and the grace will be there for the task that lies ahead.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

Intimacy In Him Part VI

     Going back to our main scripture found in Acts 17:28, let's continue to dig deep into the meaning of these words and listen to what the the Holy Spirit is saying to us:  "In Him we Live, and Move and have our Being". 

     We've talked about the words "In Him" and that in order to "Live in Him" we needed to learn to dwell, rest, be united to and learn to abide in His love. We also talked about healing that sometimes needs to take place in our heart and soul in order for us to have  "Emotional and Spiritual Intimacy" with God and with others. 

     So today let's talk about the word "Move" and find out what the Holy Spirit wants to teach us and what this word really means.

      Strong's and Websters dictionary says it means:  to go, to stir so as to remove or away from, to take action, progress, move forward, to have motion, purpose and to change the location or position of where you're at. 

     As I was putting this message together the Lord reminded me of Moses, Israel and their exodus out of Egypt.  In Exodus 14: 1-9 describes to us what seemed to be an impossible situation that Moses and the children of Israel were facing.  God had instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to make camp by the Red sea not realizing that Pharaoh was right behind them and in hot pursuit with 600 chosen chariots to capture them and bring them back to Egypt. 

     In verse 10 it says that:  When Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked up, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and the Israelites were exceedingly frightened and cried out to the Lord.

      Then in verse 12 Israel began to complain and blame Moses and this is what they said:  Did we not tell you in Egypt, let us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?  For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness. 

     And in verse 13 & 14 Moses responded and said:  Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today.  For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.

    Verse 14:  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.

     In verse 15 The Lord said to Moses, why do you cry to Me?  Tell the people of Israel to go forward!

     So in order for them to escape the Egyptian army(the enemy) they had to do what?  They had to take action, move forward and trust God that He would protect and rescue them.

     To Israel, this looked like certain death.  But God was using this situation to test Israel and reveal Himself to them.  God was not only working on their behalf in the natural by performing a miracle right before their eyes, but He was also building within them trust, faith and to have confidence in their God.  God not only sent them out to find their promise land, but to reveal Himself to His people that He was a Supernatural God.  He would relate and reveal Himself in ways they had not know Him before. The heart of God was to connect with and establish Intimacy with His people so they could move forward into all that He had destined for them.  So what was their part in all of this and what did they have to do?
          a.  They had to Move out of fear before they could Move into faith and walk in the peace of the Lord.
          b.  They had to Move out of defeat and despair before they could Move into confidence and hope in their God.
          c.  They had to Move out of complaining and doubt before they could Move into trust and rest in God's promises.

     So what is God saying to you through this?  And what is it that you need to Move out of or away from, So He can move you through and into what He has for you? 

     All of us have experienced the hot pursuit of the enemy and we know he is determined without mercy to capture us and take us back to Egypt.  But God in this hour is getting ready to show forth His power of deliverance, salvation, restoration and His glory to those who will have eyes to see and ears that will listen to the voice of the Spirit. 

     He is saying to you:  GO FORWARD... for I Am lifting up My rod so you may pass under it and you will know the security and protection because you are in My care.  And as you step out and begin to move with purpose away from your Egypt, I will begin to stir within you change that will position you and cause an alignment in your life that will bring great changes in you.  And I will place in your hand a Rod that represents my Power and Authority to perform miracles in these last days.  So lift up that Rod and Stretch out your hand and you will see Me part the waters of adversity in your life and in your circumstances. Move and GO FORWARD and possess your promise says the Lord.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

Intimacy In Him Part V "The Healing"

                        "The Healing"

     Last week I shared with you two visions that the Lord had given me which you can found in my message on Intimacy In Him Part IV. 

     First I want to give you a little background before I explain to you the healing that took place in me. How I felt about my earthly father and how it affected my relationship with my heavenly father  before the visions. 

    
      I had always imagined God to be this very stern, judgemental and legalistic father that had white hair, a white beard and always had a stern look on His face all of the time. I could just imagine Him up in Heaven watching my every movement and waiting for me to make a mistake so He could point His finger of judgement and condemnation at me.  Believe me, I feared Him, but it wasn't the right kind of fear.

     Truthfully I wasn't sure that He really loved me and I always felt like there was this great gap between us.  I knew in my heart that I could pray and that He would hear me, but the Intimacy I longed to have with Him seemed to be out of my reach and I couldn't understand why. 

     I would cry out in desperation to Him and say, Lord what's wrong with me?  I wanted so much to be able to call Him Papa Daddy and to say those words to Him in love and feel it in my heart, but I just couldn't get those words out.  Emotionally I just couldn't relate to Him as a loving, caring, nurturing heavenly father. 

     Immediately after coming out of the visions I realized that God had performed a very powerful healing in my heart and in my soul.  He then began revealing to me what He had done and why?  

      He took me back to my childhood and reminded me of an emotional experience that took place in the family room of the house I grew up in.  I was just a young girl at the time and I remember feeling like I didn't even know my earthly father.  One evening I was sitting in our family room watching television all by myself and my father walked into the room and sat down in his lounging chair. For some reason I remember feeling uncomfortable around him and not knowing what to say.  It was as if I couldn't even breath and that he was like a stranger sitting there, yet I knew he was my father. The feeling was so strong that I had to get up and leave the room. 

     I loved my dad but I never felt any love from him, nor did he show it outwardly to me.  He was a good provider, took us to church and prayed for us when we were sick and at times tried to make us laugh when we were sick. But never was there any hugs and kisses from him that I remember.  Mom was the loving and nurturing one that I could always count on.  She and my three other sisters were very close and mom tried to give us enough love to make up for what my father didn't.  It wasn't until years later did I realized that my earthly father did love me and that realization came on my wedding day.  As we started down the isle walking arm in arm he started to cry and I realized for the first time in my life that he did love me. This was the beginning of the healing process for me.

     After the visions the Lord showed me that I had been relating to God the same way I had related to my earthly father.  And every negative and distorted image I had of my earthly father was affecting the way I saw and related to God.  I hadn't felt or experienced the love, acceptance and affection from my earthly father that was so important in a little girls formative years. So later in my teen years the insecurities and low self esteem surfaced. This caused a void and a hole in my heart that only God could fill.  I was insecure and self conscious, because I felt rejected and unloved. Those tender years of emotional, psychological development and growth had been distorted and stunted.  And the effects of stuffing and burying the hurt, rejection and insecurity caused me to built up walls of protection so no one could get in.....not even God.  My Soul was sick and wounded and desperately needed to be healed.   

     This drastically effected the way I perceived things in my mind and the way things were filtered through my soul.  So as I began to walk with the Lord, study His word and confirmation after confirmation came to confirm the call on my life, I knew there had to be more.  It was like he wouldn't let me rest and stay comfortable in the place that I was in our relationship.  I knew I needed to keep pushing into Him and the scripture that kept ringing in my ear was:  Matthew 7:7-8

     Verse 7:  Ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.
     Verse 8: For everyone who ask received, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.

      As I continued asking God to show me what was blocking the Intimacy between us, He would tell me to keep seeking Him and allow Him to knock at the door of my heart.  Little did I realize that the key He would use for healing would be to open up and expose the things in my soul. 

       Right before the visions began, He revealed to me that the groaning and pain I felt was coming from deep within my very being that houses the emotions, soul & spirit. He was using this to break open and expose all the hurt and insecurity's so deeply buried years ago. In the first vision if you remember, I was sitting on the lap of Jesus and He was tenderly loving me and making me feel secure in His presence.  Through this He showed me that He came in and replaced the rejection with His acceptance. The lack of affection from my earthly father was being replaced with the love of the father.  And through His touch He healed my heart and cleansed my mind.  And I could now call Him Papa Daddy and mean it from the bottom of my heart.

      And  Intimacy was birthed with my heavenly father and an understanding and forgiveness came for my earthly father. The door to Intimacy In Him was opened and through this Intimacy I was able to reach higher, grow deeper and mature in character. I then knew who I was as a woman, minister and I knew I was His child.

     Be encourage, He's not finished with us yet:  "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians. 1:6

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

Intimacy In Him Part IV " The Healing"

Let's continue now with the message on Intimacy In Him.

     What is Spiritual Intimacy?  It is going beyond the normal limits of our natural/carnal emotions and feelings of the heart, the soul and the spirit.  It's being able to relate with deep affection towards God and man in a supernatural way.

     So what do I mean by being able to relate?  If we look up this word in the dictionary this is the meaning that it gives:  Having a significant connection with, to show or establish a relationship between and to be able to understand and respond favorably to someone. 

     How many of us have had or now have people in our lives that we just can't seem to relate to?  Is it God? Someone in your workplace, a family member or a friend?  You've prayed about the relationship, but you just can't seem to breakthrough those feelings of frustration and disconnect. You can't seem to understand why, when or how you got to this point.  It's like you know something is wrong but you just can't seem to put your finger on it.  Could it be that you have built up walls and barriers of protection? And that they have been there for so long they now stand as monuments of the hurts, disappointments, sorrow, bitterness,  unforgiveness, trauma and the anger in your life?  Beloved, God wants and will come into your life in a supernatural way if you will trust him and put your faith in Him and His mighty healing power.

     You might be thinking what does she mean by a Supernatural way?   If we look up the word supernatural this is what it means:  Not being able to be explained in terms of the known laws which govern the material (natural) or the spiritual realm. 

          Super meaning:  greater in quality, amount or degree and something that surpasses.
          Natural meaning:  Not artificial.
    
    In John 17:21 & 23 (AMP) it tells us:

          Verse 21:  That they all may be one, (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.

          Verse 23:  I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me.

     Jesus and the Father had Supernatural Intimacy and how were they able to have and keep this?  By being perfectly united in oneness of spirit, heart, mind, soul, purpose, goal and focus.   

     They have perfect integration which means:  The coordination, organizing and unification into a balanced whole.

     So to put this all together; In order for us to live in Him, be united with Him, have Intimacy with Him as He and Jesus have and desires to have with us, there must be a healing process that takes place first.  The first thing that must be healed is the broken heart and the wounds in our souls where things have been filtered through distorted and perceived incorrectly must be rooted out and destroyed.  There must be a healing of our minds where all of the negative things have been stored and play over and over in your mind when triggered through circumstance and situations that come up in your life.  All of these things and more effect our ability to have Emotional and Spiritual Intimacy. 

                                                                      The Healing

     I was upstairs in my office praying and seeking God in desperation wanting, desiring and longing for more of Him.  I had prayed so many times before and my heart was crying out for Intimacy with Him but always feeling like there was something in the way. I then turned on a worship tape and began singing and worshipping the Lord.  I don't know how much time had passed or how long I had been paying, but all of a sudden I began to cry out with deep groaning and prevail that were so powerful that it almost took my breath away.  In the depths of my stomach I then felt a sharp stab that was so painful that it actually caused my legs to buckle up underneath me and in order to break my fall I fell forward into a small love seat I had in my office.  By this time I was sobbing uncontrollably and all of a sudden I had two visions.

     In my first vision I saw myself sitting in the lap of Jesus.  He was sitting on a chair that had a tall back with arms that were golden in color. I looked like I was about five or six years old and I remember I was wearing a ruffled dress that had a big bow tied in the back and on my feet were white socks and black patten leather buckle shoes.  My hair was long and curled just like my mom always kept it and Jesus was so very lovingly touching the top of my head and stroking my hair as a loving father would. He began telling me how much He loved me and with every stroke of His hand there came a feeling of security, safety and I was surrounded in His love.

     In the next vision I saw a beautiful walking path that was lined with beautiful flowers one row on the left and one row on the right just waiting to be picked.  On each side of this path  was beautiful green grass that seemed to go for miles and miles in front of us and as I looked to the left and to the right of us.  It was so green and inviting to look at yet cool and soft if you were to lay on it.  I then saw Jesus and myself and He was holding my right hand. We were skipping, laughing and playing as we traveled down this beautiful path.  I remember seeing Him actually laugh and giggle and we were playing like two children would do and yet it seemed so natural.  As I came out of the visions the Lord revealed to me what He had done and why? 

     Next week I will talk about the miracle that took place in my life through these visions.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock