The Fragmented Heart Part II

     Let's continue now with part II of "The Fragmented Heart". 

 

                                     

     Our old (natural) brain is formed step by step, into four different sections.  Although you get a whole new heart once you receive the Lord into your life, the mind must be transformed in stages and in levels.  Going back to conception, the heart forms and beats before the brain is created.  Then it grows from the bottom up, starting with the Medulla, Amygdala, Cerebral Cortex and finally the frontal lobes. 

     Within the front/forehead area lies a part of our brain know as: The Frontal Lobes - where decision making takes place that determines appropriate emotional responses. Below the frontal lobes is the:  Amygdala - which is our emotional memory center that compares emotionally familiar experiences with new information.  Next is our Cerebral Cortex that is at the upper top center of the brain is our thinking center that strategies, plans, reflects, inspires and imagines.  The fourth area is the stem that lies deep inside our Medulla - that contains our nerve centers that regulate breathing, heart rate and other bodily functions.

       In our brain lies what are know as Synaptic Pathways.  These pathways are built and formed by repeated behavior either good or bad.  Everything we do and think is governed by impulses firing across these Synapses that guide communication in the brain.  When any behavior or pattern is repeated enough, the Synaptic Pathways associated with that pattern get used to being accessed and as a result, it becomes easier for impulses to travel along those pathways, and the behavior seems natural and one action triggers the next. Some scientists say that it takes 21 to 30 days to hard wire new information(habits) into the neural pathways of our brains and to unwire a negative behavior, habit or response could take even longer. 

     The bible tells us in Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by it's new ideals and it's new attitude) so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
                                                                                                                

     And how do we do that?  By "reading and meditating" on God's Word.  By allow it to penetrate the depths of our heart, mind (the brain) so it can begin to heal the emotional hurts and memories. When we meditate on Gods Word, we are concentrating our mind on one thing and that is the Word of God, in order to aid our mental and spiritual development and healing.   This is God's prescription for us, "His Word" and His Word has everything we need, so all we have to do is apply it.  It acts the same way as an antibiotic does that the doctor has prescribed for you that heal an infection or an open wound.  It has all the ingredients necessary for a complete recovery and healing of your heart and mind. 

 

     In Hebrews 4:12 it says:  For the Word of God is alive and full of power, making it active, operative, energizing and effective; it is sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow (of the deepest parts of our nature) exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

 

     God's word penetrates with it's healing power to the very depths of your mind and like a laser beam cutes to the very core of the wound so healing and wholeness can come.  It energizes your heart and mind as it accomplishes God's will.  It can never be stagnated.  It goes down into the intricate parts of the soul (that makes up the mind, the will and the emotions) and dissects everything it finds there. 

 

     When the Word takes up residence in your mind, it operates with divine power and produces good fruit.  Your mind will embrace the Word as it receives it and will act upon it as it identifies with its truths.  And as we continue to apply those truths we will then be able to stop responding negatively. Those old thought pattern that trigger the memory, that triggers the hurt, will begin to fade and we will no long act or think through hurt emotions.  The tormented mind will be at peace and those who felt stuck in unforgiveness will be able to forgive. No longer will you be a victim, but a victor. 

     Psalms 34:18 tells us: The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. 

     If we don't forgive and act upon His Word, we won't receive the "Increase" He wants to give us.  let's look at this word "Increase" so we can better understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.  The dictionary says that it means:  To become larger or greater....to expand to make more substantial by adding more details, extend, to cover a wider area....To intensify to cause something such as an emotion or reaction to be stronger or more extreme and to amplify for a greater effect. 

     This is what the Word of God does, it brings "INCREASE" into every area of our lives.  It heals, restores, renews, convicts, saves, sanctifies, washes, teaches, instructs, directs, discerns, judges, exposes, delivers, builds, unveils, speaks, prospers, supplies, active, powerful, effective, sharp, cuts, it's life, love, breath, our food and so much more.

     He will bring the "Increase" as you allow Him to heal your broken heart and renew your mind with His Word.  He is watching and waiting for you to act.   Will you trust Him?

Blessings,

Elma Garlock



The Fragmented Heart Part I

     At the beginning of this year 2012, the word that the Lord gave me for the body of Christ was "Increase" and that this year would be the beginning of new "Kairos" (seasons, timing and the opportune time) for His people and that one of the areas to be revealed in this season would be the condition of our "hearts".  So as I began to seek the Lord, the word that came was "fractured". 

     You might be thinking, what in the world does the word "fractured" have to do with "increase" and "kairos"?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  Let's first look at the word "kairos" and what it means.  The dictionary says:  It's opportunity that implies that it is not the convenience of the season, but it is the necessity of the task at hand whether the time provides a good, convenient opportunity or not. 

     OK, so what does this have to do with the message?  If we go back to the last part of the meaning "kairos", the key words that I want you to take notice of are the words "season" and "necessity".

     Here is what the Lord showed me.  That in seasons passed all of us have experienced a "fracturing of the heart" and that it is of the utmost "necessity" in this "season" of God's "timing"  weather we think the opportunity (which is a set of circumstances that presents itself and can either be grasped or lost) will ever come.....but that the Lord has set in motion precise circumstances, specific situations and Divine appointments in our lives that will bring about healing, restoration, deliverance and prosperity for His people. 

     And so He says; seasons have come and gone and you've not seen change and you've felt no strength, yet He says; I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT YOU.  I am coming in a new way for this season of your lives and the times you thought.....this must be the time....but it wasn't.... and so you built wall of resentment towards me and I tried to come in, but you shut me out....and I say to you that the Son of Righteousness shall arise within you that will transform you and bring healing to your heart and you will soor with ME and I will take you upon MY healing wings and I will bring about the change. For I am taking MY people from last season into today's season....a season of change....for some a season of new beginning....for others a season of advancement and development.  Receive the new and leave behind the old, for I have kept the best for last.... so look farther beyond the natural rising of the sun and see the SON as He arises in your midst with greater anticipation and expectation for I will come....I will not delay ,because this is the season I have chosen and this is the timing I have planned....for I say; My plans and purposes shall be established in your hearts and that, that was once broken shall be mended and made new.  My people, discern the times that your living in and stand at your post and above all else, guard your heart.... be alert and consider the matters of the heart, says the Spirit of God.

     Beloved, there is so much in the heart of the Father that He wants to say to us, things He wants to do for us and things He wants to show His people.

     Now let's look at this word "fragmented".  This word comes from the word "fragile" which means:  Something that is easily broken, damaged, easily destroyed, something that is not strong, sound or secure and unlikely to withstand any severe stress or strain that may be put on it.

     So if something has been "fragmented" what do you think happens?  That, that has been fragmented becomes disconnected parts that are lacking coherence which is the substance or source that keep's them connected to the whole.

     Coherence is:  The quality of being logically consistent, with all separate parts fitting together to form a harmonious whole.

     ***A good example that will help you to understand what I am talking about is a bone that has been broken.  We know that there are different degrees of fractures that can happen to a bone and the degree of the fracture is determined by the severity of the blow and trauma that has taken place.

     And so what can happen to us in the natural with the fragmenting of a bone, can and does happen to our heart; which is the seat of our emotions and affects our thoughts, our judgment and our understanding of situations, circumstances and life as a whole.

     All of us at one time or another in our life has had our heart broken by someone, but for some of us it's been broken many times.  What the Lord has shown me is that some of us are still walking around with "fractured hearts" like the one at the top of the page. 

     I want to talk for a minute about our physical heart and give you some general information of it's functions.  The encyclopedia says that the normally the heart will last for seventy to eighty years without maintenance or replacement.  During this time, it beats around one hundred thousand times a day, roughly forty million times a year; almost three billion beats in a lifetime.  The heart pumps two gallons of blood per minute adding up to more than one hundred gallons per hour through a vascular system that is long enough to wrap around the earth two times - over sixty thousand miles. That blows my mind! 

     The heart is like a nuclear power plant generating five thousand times more energy than the brain and why the heart has been called the "center" of our being. Even more amazing, it has it's own nervous system that is called the "brain of the heart".  This heart brain has more than forty thousand nerve cells.  The natural heart is also able to feel, sense, learn and remember, and how do we know that?  Through science.

     Scientists have observed that the heart sends emotional and intuitive signals to the brain and body that help to govern our lives, but how does it do that?  Through a chemical called "Atrial Peptide", nicknamed "The balance hormone".  And how it works is it regulates our brains functions and keeps it balanced and also motivates our behavior.

     In Proverbs 14:30 confirms this, and this is what it says: A tranquil heart(one that is free from agitation and is peaceful) is life to the body, but passion (anger, indignation) is rottenness to the bones.

     Proverbs 15:13b tells us:  By sorrow(grief, sadness, distress, disappointment, worry, torment) of heart the spirit is broken.

     Proverbs 14:20 says:  The heart knows(distinguishes, sees, recognize, discerns, identifies, understands, comprehends and experiences) its own bitterness. 

     So you can see that when our hearts have been "fractured" and we have anger, bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts, our emotions are out of balance.  Our thoughts are not aligned to receive understanding and truth, and the way we perceive things gets distorted.

     In Psalms 147:3 it tells us:  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (curing their pains and their sorrows)

     Proverbs 17:22 says:  A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing.

Next week part II

Blessings,

Elma Garlock   

Speak Life IV

                                                                                

                   We will begin part IV in Proverbs 2 and starting with verse 1, so let's begin. 

 

          Verse 1:  My son if you will receive(obtain, accept, take delivery of, grasp as if you had found a priceless treasure) my words, and hide(bury, concil) my commandments with you.

 

          Verse 2:  So that you incline(bend the head or body when bowing being revent) unto wisdom, and apply (join, fix to, attach to achieve a result to) your heart to understanding ( if you will humble yourself and open up your heart to grasp, perceive and have the ability to comprehend what wisdom is saying)

 

          Verse 3:  Yea, If you Cry(pursue after, call and earnestly seek) after knowledge(which are facts, truths, principles, clear awareness of, experience and learn from) and lift up your voice(increase the sound and direct it upward from a lower level to a higher position so it can be heard by those you seek) to understanding.

 

          Verse 4:  If you seek(search, strive for, pursue, go after) her (wisdom) as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure (a prize, pearl or gem that has been conceiled and difficult to find)

 

          Verse 5:  Then you will understand the fear the Lord, and find the knowledge of God (the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened and clear and a reverential fear will come from your heart, because you know the truth and it has and will continue to set you free)

 

          Verse 6:  For the Lord gives(He provides, furnishes, delivers and gives us) wisdom, out of His mouth comes (originates, arises, extends, does produce) knowledge and understanding.

 

          Verse 7:  He lays up (hides by covering over or reserve to protect because of its value) sound wisdom for the righteous, He is a buckler (a shield, a protector) to them that walk uprightly (these two words when used together mean:  come on and completeness, so what it's saying to us is to come on into completeness in the Lord)

 

          Verse 8:  He keeps(guards and protects) the paths of judgement, and preserves (keeps us protected from anything that would cause our current quality or our condition to change or deteriorate that would cause the fall of) His saints.

 

          Verse 9:  Then(if you have acted in obedience to what I have said) you will understand righteousness (you will be upright, blameless and have virtue), judgement and equity (fair dealings, justice in every area and relation) yes, every good path (you will understand, discern the way to go and what path God has for you)

 

          Verse 10:  When (skillful and Godly) Wisdom enters into your heart(when it moves in and takes over He writes His wisdom upon your heart and you are joined with Him and healing comes) and knowledge shall be pleasant unto your soul.

 

     Remembering that the "soul" is the mind, the will and your emotions and the condition of your heart affects all of these areas in your life. 

 

          Verse 11:  Discretion (discernment to know the plan, intent or thoughts) shall preserve (watch over) you, understanding shall keep (guard, preserve, maintain, watch over and shelter) you.

 

          Verse 12:  To deliver you from the way of the evil man (these are the people who have spoken evil, perverse things to you, lied to you and hurt you deeply) from the man that speaks froward things (the word froward here comes from a root word that means:  To turn about or over, to change, to prevent)

 

     What this scripture is  saying to us is that evil men speak, act and think from a perverse and wounded heart.  Everything he thinks is distorted because it is filtered through his mind that has not been transformed by the word of God and can't understand righteousness.  And if his soul is full of hate, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger and hurt from his past, then out of the abundance of his heart his mouth will speak.   

 

     Verse 13, 14 and 15 goes on to tell us that if we make a willful choice to forsake the paths of uprightness, if we choose to forsake the path and path that God has placed us on and walk in our misery, destructive ways, ignorance, sorrow and obscurity, then we will walk in the ways of darkness.  Darkness which is opposite of light and truth.  We make a willful decision to harden our hearts and you become that evil man.  We end up turning our thoughts back into our past and the enemy feeds on those wounds if they haven't been healed.  He will make sure you keep your focus on the one who hurt you and not on the one who can heal you. And you will find yourself speaking out death again where before you spoke life.

 

     In Proverbs 3: 5-6 the Lord tell us:

 

          Verse 5:  Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

 

          Verse 6:  In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. 

    

     So what the Lord is saying to us is:  Be confident and trust Me as you allow Me to heal your broken heart.  Don't react, think or speak from the past or the hurts  of the past, nor listen to words of death.  But lean on Me and my understanding because I know your heart and I see what it is made of.  Walk in My ways of forgiveness and I will direct you, yes I will make your path plain and clear before you. 

 

     My prayer is that you stop and think before you speak.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you catch yourself before that negative word is spoken and understand the power of your words. I know a lot of us react to specific words, people and situations that trigger either a negative thought or feeling from our past. These are the matters of the heart and soul that need to be healed.  Open up your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what's really in there.  I know you will be surprised and humbled by what He will show you.

 

     The Lord wants so much to heal you of all the hurts that have been inflicted by words, but it is a process, a step by step process that must take place.  The sooner you stop looking at the one who hurt you and stop justifying your feelings and look at yourself, the sooner the process will begin.

 

     I know there will be big hurtles that you will have to overcome, but the only way you can is by first recognizing the problem, open up your heart, confess it, give it to Jesus and allow Him to heal you.  He wants so much for you to be all that He has called you to be, but your stuck where you're at and you can't go on until you go to the throne of grace. 

Blessings,

Elma Garlock 

Speak Life Part III

     God always spoke to man before He did anything.  And some great examples are:

     1.  When He spoke through the prophets of the Old Testament to Israel and Judah to repent.
     2.  When He spoke to Moses in the desert and called him to deliver His people from the bondage of Egypt.
     3.  When He spoke to Abraham and Sara about a son that would be born unto them.

     And all through the New Testament it tells us:  "and Jesus said".

     Even Jesus had to speak "the word" before anything could happen.  He had to speak it into existence first just as God did in the beginning to show us how powerful the "spoken Word" is.

     But what did Jesus speak?  "Life"- "The words of God" as John 3:34 tells us:

          Verse 34:  For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God (proclaims God's own  message) God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit. 

      Jesus only spoke that which the father told Him to speak.

It's interesting to note that the word, "Words" here in this verse mean:  "Rhema"

      Rhema:  Is a word spoken, a statement, command or instruction.  It is as the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, not spoken as the whole bible but undivided scripture spoken with power and authority.  A Rhema word that brings life, hope, peace and confirmation.

     The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said:  Many of my people are not speaking life but are speaking death.  They are speaking words of discouragement and legalism and why?  Because they lack the wisdom that comes from knowing My Word and how to apply it.

     In Proverbs 1:20 it says:  Wisdom cries aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the markets.

     We really don't realise the effect and the power of our words, because once we speak them out into the atmosphere they are released and can't be taken back.  They then cause things to be put into action in the physical realm and the spiritual realm, either good or bad.

     This is interesting that the word "wisdom" here in verse 20 means:  The wisdom that has its source and beginning in God.  It means to act wisely, to be intelligent, be prudent, have knowledge, experience and to have insight in a positive way. 

     The Hebrew "wisdom" or the interpretation of the word "wisdom" to the Jewish people was very different from the ancient world view.  Israel believed that there was a personal God who is holy and just.  He expected them to live their lives according to His principles.  They emphasized the human will of the heart, not the intellect.  It was based on what God revealed about right and wrong, and this all applied to daily life. 

     In verse 21:  it goes on to say:  She (meaning wisdom) cry's in the chief place (meaning the chief place of your heart) of concourse (the war, the rage and great commotion of your heart) In the openings of the gates, (a place to estimate or think your mind) in the city (a guarded place) She (being wisdom) uttering her words saying.

    Verse 22:  (Wisdom goes on to say) How long you simple ones will you love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge.

     The word "simple" in this scripture means:  Foolish and deceived. 

     Verse 23:  Turn you at my reproof (correction) behold I will pour out my Spirit (which is breath and life) unto you, I will make known my words (Gods answers or affairs) unto you.

     Verse 24:  Because I have called (chosen) and you refused.  I have stretched out my hand ( God is saying; I have gone out of my way to guide you) and no man regarded. (hearkened, attended, as to perk up the ear to listen)

     Verse 25:  But you have set at naught (neglected) all My counsel (God's plan, design and wisdom) and would none of my reproof (you would not hear my correction when it came from my Spirit)

     Verse 26:  I also will laugh at your calamity (oppression) I will mock when your fear comes.

     Verse 27:  When your fear comes as desolation and your destruction comes as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish comes upon you.

     Verse 28:  Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer, they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.

     Verse 29:  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.

     Verse 30:  They would none of my counsel, they disposed all my reproof.

     Verse 31:  Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Hear what the Spirit is saying:  We have and will continue to reap death and destruction in our lives and why?  Because of the fruit of our words and the condition of our hearts.  Just look around you....what do you see?  Fear everywhere, desolation and destruction, but it doesn't stop there.  America is reaping exactly what it has sown and we are living in a time when things are changing fast.  God is doing a quick work in us and calling us to seek Him as never before.  He is wanting to bring maturity into our lives and get us ready for what is about to take place in and upon our land .  And so I ask you this question?  Will you listen to the call that wisdom speaks?  Will you take counsel in His correction that is designed to keep you in His peace. Will you refuse the Spirit when He stretches out His hand to guide you into his wisdom? 

Fear is a spirit and he brings torment to your mind and to your heart. If you let fear have it's way, it will only bring death.  It's goal is to stop your growth, the flow and the fruits of the Spirit in your life.....It will drain you of your joy, peace, trust and faith in ME, but I AM wisdom and I understands, I comprehend and apply MY power to your life. Beware of the leaven of the world, because it takes only a small amount in your life to produce fear and a hardened heart.....so put away the leaven out of your house.....And those who will hearken unto ME, shall dwell in safety, and shall be at peace from the fear and the evil of this world. Allow ME to rent (tear open,) your heart so I can make you whole and mend the broken pieces of your life.

Next week Part VI

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

A Word in Due Season for the Body of Christ 2012

A Word in Due Season for the Body of Christ

2012

around them and not on the ONE who created it, everything in it and on it. God is either completely forgotten, put in a box for convenience sake so they can control or try and manipulate Him.

As you know we are weeks away from the Presidential Elections and hearing time and time again that if Obama is re-elected into office America will forever change as we know it today. I see what's happening in our beloved United States and I am truely grieved to see where we are headed. But in the midst of it all, God is working behind the scenes and He will ultimately have His way and use the impossible to manifest Himself to those who deny Him.

We know the Anti-Christ spirit is alive and well and working in our government. It has infiltrated into every arena of influence in Washington, our states and our local government. But through all the darkness we will see the "Son's of Righteourness" rise with healing in their hands to touch the nations. And as the enemy advances forward into the land to bring discord between cultures, false religions that distorts the truth, blinds them, deafens their hearing and binds them to the voice's in the world they will hear them say; there are many gods and many paths to God. Even though the voice's that we hear claim they will bring peace, love and a new world order, who's voice is this? It is the voice of darkness that speaks in the land.

But there is a greater voice that speaks in the land and it says; REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Who's voice are you going to listen to?

      In the midst of uncertainty, unrest, riots, wars, famine, destruction and devastation lays THE TRUTH that has withstood time and eternity, but is so easily forgotten. The natural man's inclination is to focus on the world, what's going on around them and not on THE ONE who created it, everything in it and on it. God is either completely forgotten, put in a box for convenience sake so they can control or try and manipulate Him.

      As you know we are weeks away from the Presidential Elections and hearing time and time again that if Obama is re-elected into office America will forever change as we know it today. I see what's happening in our beloved United States and I am truly grieved to see where we are headed. But in the midst of it all, God is working behind the scenes and He will ultimately have His way and use the impossible to manifest Himself to those who deny Him.

     We know the Anti-Christ spirit is alive and well and working in our government. It has infiltrated into every arena of influence in Washington, our states and our local government. But through all the darkness we will see the "Sons of Righteousness" rise with healing in their hands to touch the nations. And as the enemy advances forward into the land to bring discord between cultures, false religions that distorts the truth, blinds them, deafens their hearing and binds them to the voice's in the world they will hear them say; there are many gods and many paths to God. Even though the voices that we hear claim they will bring peace, love and a new world order, who's voice is this? It is the voice of darkness that speaks in the land.

     But there is a greater voice that speaks in the land and it says; REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. (Matthew 3: 2.3).

Whose voice are you going to listen to?

Blessings,

Elma Garlock 

Speak Life Part II

Speak Life

     In Matthew 15:17-20 the scripture asks us a question?

          Verse 17: Do you not understand that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

          Verse 18:   But those things which proceed out of the heart, and they defile the man.

          Verse 19:  For out of the heart proceed evil (hurtful) thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication's, thefts, false whiteness and blasphemies.

          Verse 20:  These are the things which defile a man.

     Beloved, hear me;  you will either be justified by your words or you will be condemned by your words.

     I feel that I am to share with you from my own past experience, if I may, concerning words that have hurt me, wounded my spirit and almost broke my heart.

     Many times the people I loved the most spoke words of death directly to me either willingly or unwillingly.  They hurt me so deeply and I took those words so personal that I thought my heart would break from grief.

     For many years I would react out of my own insecurities, wounds and issues from my past and not even realize what I was doing.  The enemy took full advantage of my weaknesses, hurts and fears to keep me in bondage and blinded from the truth.  He took the rejection I had experienced and magnified it through more hurtful words and more rejection. I found myself always on the defensive unable to see my own faults and would blame the other person thinking there was nothing wrong with them.  Many times I found myself running from that relationship to get away from the trauma so I didn't have to face the hurt anymore.  I walked around so devastated and traumatized that I truly was as one walking around but dead emotionally.  But thank God, one day the Holy Spirit revealed to me that by running from the hurt and not facing my issues I was delaying the healing process.  And in order for me to be well and whole I knew I would have to face some things head on and not cower back like I had always done before. 

     During this time of healing, the Holy Spirit lead me to Proverbs 21:2 that really opened up my eyes and here is what it says:

          Verse 2:  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the heart.

     You see, my problem was my heart.  Yes, those that hurt me were wrong in what they said and in how they hurt me, but bottom line was that I had to take a long hard look at myself and allow the Holy spirit to show me where I was wrong and be assured, He did.

     The Holy Spirit helped me to be able to look beyond there hurtful words and understand why they had reacted towards me in such a hurtful way.  I found out that people will either:

     1.  Speak out of their own hurts, rejections and unresolved issues.
     2.  Speak out of anger, because of unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment in their lives.
     3.  Speak out of their own pride and a haughty spirit.
     4.  Speak out in a defensive way, because of their own insecurities.

     Remember:  Hurting people will always end up hurting other hurting people and the cycle will go on until they are healed, delivered and set free.

     These that I have listed are all issues of the heart.  And whatever effects the heart, effects the soul, the spirit, the mind and emotions of a man.  All through Proverbs the Word of God tells us what words will do, what they will cause, what to do with the heart and how words effect the heart, soul and spirit of a man. Proverbs tells us to:

     Proverbs 4:20-23  Attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings, keep then in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all there flesh.  Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.
                              
     Proverbs 12:25  Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop.

     Proverbs 18:14  The Spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who can bear.

     Proverbs 16:24  Pleasent words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones.

     Proverbs 17:22  A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
               
     Let's go to Proverbs 18:21 that plainly states:  Death and Life are in the power of the tongue.

     What do these words "Death" and "Life" mean to us?  "Death" and "Life" to what?  Answer: "Death" or "Life" to the Spirit, Soul and the Heart of man.

     The word "Death" we find in Proverbs relates to a deadly wound or strike.  And an example would be a fiery dart that the enemy sends to wound our heart; that effects our soul and strikes a blow at our spirit. These are the wounds from the enemy that are meant to stop you from growing, maturing and fulfilling God's plan for your life.  How many times has a word wounded you so deeply that you thought you would die from the pain?  And the enemy would replay the hurt over and over in your mind and you found yourself unable to move forward in your life? If the enemy can keep you paralyze in your past then he has won the battle with his words of death.

     Proverbs 12:18 says it so well:  There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

     And what does the word "Life" mean?  The Greek word for "Life" is "Zoe" and is life in all its manifestation, life in activity.  It is resurrection life and eternal life.  It comes from a root word that means: To revive, keep, quicken, recover and to be whole.

In John 1: 1-4 tells us:
  Verse 1: In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Himself)
  Verse 2: He was present originally with God.
  Verse 3: All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that was made that has come into being.
  Verse 4: In Him was "LIFE", and the Life was the Light of men.

     Ok, we know that the Word here is referring to Jesus being the Word, but there is a two fold meaning of this word.

     1.  Christ being the "Word", and the "Word" becoming flesh that would bring "Life" to all men.
     2.  The verbal words being spoken and the words becoming and bringing "Life"

Ponder this:  One spoken word can either bring peace or confusion....love or hate....hope or despair....faith or doubt.  What kind of words will you speak today?

Next week Part III

Blessings,

Elma Garlock              

 

Fire on the Mountain

 

A word from the Lord for the body of Christ

 

Deuteronomy 4:11  And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the very heart of the heavens: darkness, cloud and think gloom.

 

     Verse 12:  Then the Lord spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form-only a voice.

 

 

     Just as God had called Israel to the mountain of the Lord to remind them of His covenant that He commanded them to perform (that is His Commandments) and how the Lord told them not to act corruptly and make no graven image for themselves, so is the Lord calling us.

 

     God had tried to speak to Israel through the fire, but they could not see Him and they did not recognize His voice.  They were a rebellious, idolatrous and stubborn people and they followed after strange gods and strange fire.  Time and time again God would manifest Himself to them, deliver them from their enemies, provide for them and still they continued in their sin and rebellion. But there came a time when God said enough is enough and judgement came and because of their disobedience they wondered in the wilderness for forty years.

 

     Are we any different from them?  God says NO! 

 

     The Lord has blessed His people, (the church) and we have seen and herd of many outpourings of the Holy Spirit in days gone by.  We have read how God visited His church with signs, wonders and miracles and maybe you have even experienced it. But there is a sound I hear that is calling us to go up to the mountain of the Lord so we can experience his fire, because there is a consuming fire that we have not seen.  This fire will be a fire for the cleansing of His body, a fire for purification, a fire that will burn out everything that is not of Him that will be superseded by the repentance of His people.

 

     And for those that will allow the fire to come into their lives, and for those who will seek the Lord with all of their heart and with all of their soul, and if they will repent and turn back to their first love, then He will visit you and fill you with His Holy fire. For our God is a consuming fire and He wants to consume you so there is nothing left of the flesh.  And so the Spirit calls:

 

      Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths. Isaiah 2:3

 

     Beloved, He wants to meet you there.  He wants to teach you and equip you for what is about to take place in this world and the only way we will be ready is by going up to the mountain.  There He can speak to you, instruct you and give you the battle plan and strategy to fight the enemy. Things are winding down fast and the enemy is going to try and knock you off of the path the Lord as set for you, because there is a spirit of deception that has come into the church and seduced the people of God. They have been lulled to sleep by the enemy so they could not hear and they sit in a stooper so they can not move.  But when God says enough and trouble seems to be on every side we know that this is when God can show Himself strong.

     For out of the ashes of fire shall come a people filled with fire in their eyes, fire in their belly and fire shut up in their bones. And my word shall go forth out of their mouth like flames of fire that will burn through the deception and lies of the enemy...it will burn out the shaft from the wheat and there will not even be the smell of smoke on them...for it will be a pure word, a sure word of prophecy that will exalt Jesus to the stature He deserves and all those who have been exalted above Jesus will fall from their towers of pride and exaltation because He will not share the glory with any man....and those who will humble themselves and come to my altar I will pour the incense of heaven upon them and it will be a sweet smell of the Holy Spirit.

     Hear what the Spirit is saying...pray and ask Him to show you the revelation of what He has just said because He wants to show each of you something new and different. 

Blessings,
Elma Garlock



Speak Life Part I

      Speak Life

     There are two words that I want to talk about that will set a foundation for this message and they are the words "speak" and "life". We need to understand the power of words and there ability to create or destroy and the consequences of the words that we speak. 

     Let's start with the word "speak".  In the Greek language it means:  To command, call, grant and is an action word.  The dictionary says that when we speak we express, voice, declare and communicate words with sound that express feelings. These words  and the statements we speak forth from our mouth can either be good or bad and bring life or death.

     When we speak it causes a chain reaction that can either create or destroy in the physical realm as well as in the spiritual realm. Have you ever noticed how just one word can change the atmosphere in a room or how it can affect a persons mood and their countenance can change from happy to sad in an instant?

     The bible tells us in Proverbs 15:4 - A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the Spirit.

     Our second word is the word "life".  In the Greek language it means:  "Zoe" which is life as God has in Himself that he gave to Jesus, and that life, Jesus has given unto us.  It is life in its highest and best.

     This word "Zoe" comes from a combination if two Greek words.

          1.  "Zao" which means:  To live
          2.  And "Psuche" meaning:  Breath of life.

     In Genesis 2:7 we can see the results of what "speaking life" does.

          Verse 7:  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

     Let's now go to Genesis 1:3 and talk about the creative process of the first day.

          Verse 3:  And "God said".

     The Hebrew word for "said" in this verse is "amar-aw-mar" and means:  To say, to speak, command and demand with great freedom of not being restricted to distance, choice or action.

     So when God was creating the earth and everything in it, He would just "speak "and "life" would be created.  There was an action that took place, a coming together of His creative power as He spoke. Wow! if you'll stop for a moment and think about what I just said I think you will find that it is hard for us to comprehend this in it's totality and the magnitude of power it took to cause atoms and all the chemical elements to come together to accomplish life.  This simply blows my mind and I can't take it all in at once.  When you think about the universe, the galaxy's, the planets, the plants, animals and human life that He created by just simply opening His mouth, forming the right words and sounds of life  were herd throughout eternity and out of nothingness everything was formed and life was birthed.  What a mighty God He is and how could we ever not trust the one who gave us this life and the beautiful world we can enjoy.

     At the beginning of each day, the bible tells us that "God said".  These two words were spoken 10 times within the 7 days of creation and always at the beginning of each day.  This is an interesting side note and that is what the number 10 means scripturally and that is "perfection in order".

     There is a great example of Jesus speaking life in John 11:43,44 and this is what it says.

          Verse 43:  And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

          Verse 44:  And he that was dead came forth.

     When God speaks, everything He has created has to stop, listen and obey.  I'm reminded of the time when Jesus said to His disciple's let us go over to the other side.  Leaving the multitude they all got into the boat and a  strong wind came up and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was filling up with water.  The disciple's by this time were fearing for their lives but Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat so the disciple's woke Him up and said to Him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?  And immediately seeing what was going on He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, hush, be still. 

     Getting back to our scripture John 11:43,44;  it wasn't because Jesus spoke out loud so all of those around Him could hear what He was saying, but it was so Jesus could "speak life"into Lazarus through the power of His Word. In John 6:63 Jesus said:

          Verse 63:  It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.

     All through the scriptures, Jesus but spoke only a few words and life was restored and created.  And a good example is John 4:50  that tells us about the nobleman's son that was dieing and Jesus said to him, go thy way, thy son liveth.  And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 

     Where ever Jesus went, he "spoke life". He "created life" out of what was called dead; dead not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually.  Remember when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well and how He spoke of everlasting life to her heart.  He did not speak words of condemnation or words to make her feel guilty, but He spoke words of love and life that penetrated to her very heart and soul. 

     In Luke 6:45 it tells us:

          Verse 45:  A good man out of the good (valuable) treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good.  And an evil (hurtful) man out of the evil (hurtful) treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil (hurtful).  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

     It's interesting that the word "heart" in this verse means:  The thoughts or feelings in the middle and refers to the broken hearted as Proverbs 18:8 says:

          Verse 8:  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

     Many people speak out of their own hurts because they have been wounded and rejected by people they thought loved them and I'm sad to say even by Christian's. All of us have been hurt through past experiences and suffered times and degrees of verbal, emotional, psychological and physical abuse from someone.  Some of us have carried these hurts into our adult lives that have affected us at a very deep level and so we find ourselves speaking out from that hurt that wounds others. 

     God has given us a powerful tool that we can use to "speak life" with or "speak death" with as Proverbs 18:21 tells us:

          Verse 21:  Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

    I know that part of the process of healing is understanding why we say, respond, react and act when under pressure.  Even in these times of uncertainty in the world, the economy and what the next few years are going to unveil, please know that God is always working behind the scenes and seeing to every small detail of our lives.  He has, is and will continue to take us through sanctification and deliverance as long as we are on this earth. One of the important things on His heart is that you live an abundant life and that you walk in joy, peace and experience His love in all that you see and do.  There is a life beyond the limitations that we walk in today and His desire is for you to experience so much more of Him. It is a life knowing with assurance that no matter what happens in the world today that God has a plan and a purpose for you and that He has, is and always will "speak life" into your future.  He is just a breath away and "HE SPEAKS LIFE TO YOU".

Next week part II

Blessings,

Elma Garlock

Hannah A Woman Of Prayer And Faith Part IV

     As Hannah continued to pray it tells us in verse 11 of I Samuel 1 that Eli the priest noticed that her mouth was moving, but nothing audibly was coming out and why?  Because Hannah was speaking to God in her heart and pleading with tears out of her desperation for a son.

     How many times have you poured out your heart before God in desperation for an answer to a prayer?  Maybe you've needed direction for your life or you've needed wisdom to make a life changing decision?  Maybe you find yourself in a state of depression over circumstances that never seem to change?  Or maybe your seeking to find that place in Him where intimacy calls? Beloved, what ever you are going through right now or whatever trial, circumstance or situation you are in today, it's out of these times of despair, hopelessness and depression we can touch the heart of the father. 

     A key we need to remember when we pray is to first ask ourselves; what is the motive of my heart.  Hannah approached God with an open heart, a heart that was pure yet a heart that was broken and desperate. It tells us in verse 15  that she said to Eli the priest that she was a woman oppressed in spirit.

     The word "oppressed" means:  One who has or is being brow beaten, to be broken in a negative way, demoralized and exploited.

     Isn't that exactly what Peninnah was doing to Hannah?  And isn't that what the enemy tries to do to us through people?  Sometimes it comes through the people we love most and then sometimes through perfect strangers, because the enemy will use whom ever and who every he can. 

     Hannah goes on the tell Eli in verse 15;  "I have poured out my soul before the Lord"

     What happens when you pour out the contents that are in a container?  It becomes empty, void and depleted of all that was contained in that vessel. 

     Sometimes this is exactly what we need to do and that is to pour out to God from that broken place.  To pour out our hurt, our despair, our failure, our disappointment, our depression, our hopelessness and our brokenness.  Allow Him to cleans us and purge us of all that is not of Him, because if we don't, it will act like leaven that permeates and will poison our heart, mind, soul, spirit and physical body's. Hannah could have continued to hold onto her hurt and despair and continue to wallow in self pity, but she didn't.  She made a leap of faith that day and put her destiny and future completely into the hands of God. 

     Is you're faith at the level that you can trust God enough to be completely open and vulnerable before Him?  Do you trust Him and are you assured that He will work things out for your good in every situation that you have, will or are facing today? No matter how long it takes, no matter how many years it's been, don't give up. Your answer, your healing, your deliverance and your change will be right on time.  Sometimes, we ourselves delay things because we try and solve it in the flesh and that, that we have been promised falls short of God's perfect plan and timing.  Sometimes we get ahead of God and the vision and ministry we've been pregnant with is born immature and lacks the strength and maturity that it needs.  Beloved, wait on the Lord, trust Him, put your faith into action and let Him bring destiny and purpose to you in His timing. 

     In verse 17 Eli the priest tells Hannah to:  Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him.

    The word "peace" in this scripture is the Hebrew word  "Shalom" which means:  Health, prosperity, rest, welfare and all is well.

      Something happened to Hannah that day. Eli which was the High Priest and was speaking as a representative of God, spoke comfort, faith and assurance to her.  In a sense this was a promise and a prophecy to Hannah.  I believe that the Holy Spirit ministered to her at a very deep level that day and caused her faith to rise even higher.

     Because in verse 18 Hannah says to Eli: Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.  So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

     The Holy Spirit had not been poured out yet in those days.  We read about a few occasions when the Holy Spirit came upon people at particular times, but because of Jesus each one of us can personally know the Holy Spirit and experience Him in our lives. 

      In Romans 8:26 it says:  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words can not express and He who searched our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance the God's will. 

     Verse 20 goes on to tell us:  Hannah became pregnant and in due time bore a son and named him Samuel (heard of God), because, she said, I have asked him of the Lord.

     Let's look at the words "in due time" and see what God is saying to us.  If we look up the word individually.

     The word "in" here means:  Something or somebody is within or inside something and indicates a place or a state.

     And the word "due" means:  Expected to arrive, ready for something to prosper and appropriate or something due.

     Our last word is "time" and means:  An appointed moment or limited period chosen for an action, process or conditions to exists so the event can take place.  

     And Hannah conceived "in due time" because it was her appointed moment that God had chosen for her.  It was her time to prosper and appropriate God's blessings.  She became pregnant with the seed of life and gave birth to a son in the natural. And this is what God wants to do for us in the spiritual.  He wants us to become pregnant in the womb of our spirits so our prayers can be birthed to life.  Some of us are caring seeds that have laid dormant for many years and represent promises from God, prophecy's not fulfilled, visions and words that been spoken over us that are waiting to be birthed.  God wants to speak life into them and cause them to grow and mature so the birthing process can take place at the right time and season of your life.

     God turned Hannah's hopelessness into joy....her curse into a blessing....her longing into reality.  Little did she know or even comprehend what God hand planned for her and the son that God was going to give her.  Because out of all the hurt, despair, rejection and barrenness, God birthed Samuel that means:  Asked of God.

     He became a great leader, judge, prophet and priest in the history of Israel.  He even established schools of the Prophets for guiding Israel and was chosen by God to anoint Saul which was the first king over Israel. 

     Only our God can turn a tragedy into triumph and barrenness into fruitfulness.  This is what He can and what He will do in your life if you will but wait for your "in due time".

Blessings,

Elma Garlock