The Hand of The Lord - Part I

Ezekiel 37:1-14 

The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet bearing the same name, which means "God will strengthen." A Hebrew from the tribe of Levi, he was among the elite of Judah who were captured by Nebuchadnezzar and carried away to Babylon.

We know that the vision that God gave to Ezekiel was speaking primarily to his fellow captives among the children of Israel. It must have looked as if their national identity was forever gone and they would never again return to their Promised Land. One purpose of this vision was to inspire Israel with hope that God would someday revive them as a nation.

This prophecy also speaks about what God will do for spiritual Israel, which is His church today. The theme of the vision is that God can resurrect dry bones and that He can literally bring life to that which is dead and inanimate. It is a message that He can revive His people and turn them into a mighty army.

It also speaks to us individually and assures us that no matter how dried up and worthless we may feel, God can and will restore us to life through His Spirit and His Word.

In the ancient world they believed that if the bones were strong and firm, then the soul was strong . God had taken Ezekiel to an actual battlefield where battles had been fought. As the prophet looks over the valley he see's that it is full of "very dry bones" (verse 2).
 

When something is "dry" what happens to it? It becomes parched, drained of life, in other words, these "very dry bones" symbolized a situation that looked completely hopeless in the natural.

In verse 3, God asked Ezekiel a question "can these bones live"? And with no reservations Ezekiel answers God with "Oh Lord God, Thou knowest."

God knows everything and He doesn't ask us questions, because He doesn't know the answer, He asks in order to get us to think deeply about what He has asked. At this point we either trust Him and have hope in Him or we don't. There is no in-between.

If Ezekiel had responded to God's question based on what he saw with the natural eye, he probably would have answered  "no way." Anyone can see that there is no life in these dry bones and they certainly cannot come back to life!

How many times have you faced a situation in which any possibility of recovery seemed to be impossible? What may appear hopeless and dead to you and me is actually a valley full of
possibilities and miracles for the Lord. It is through these times of tests and trial that God can and does reveal to us who He is and just how much He cares.

Again God speaks to Ezekiel to "Prophesy over these bones, and say unto them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord" (verse 4).

Can you imagine standing in the middle of a valley that is filled with dry bones and the Lord says to you to prophesy to them? How can something that is dead hear?

The word "Prophesy" in Hebrew is "Naba" and means: To cause to bubble up, to pour forth words abundantly, to speak by divine power.

In the New Testament it is described as the: "Dunamis Power" the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to "Prophesy" and speak forth the word of God with power and authority. The Holy Spirit is the fire that lights the dynamite that dwells in us.

We sometimes forget just how powerful the word of God is, because when the Holy Spirit and the Word of God speak that, that was once dead will come alive and live, and those who were spiritually deaf, will hear.

The word of God tells us in Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be ( to have life, breathe, exist and live) which goes forth (towards a point ahead in space or time) from my mouth; It shall not return to Me empty (void, lacking content or meaning), Without accomplishing (carrying through to completion, achieve, fulfill) what I desire, And without succeeding ( to turn out as planned, deliver, bear fruit) in the matter for which I sent it."

Wow! How could we ever doubt God, once we have read and understand what this scripture is saying to us. God doesn't let the natural boundaries of man's thinking or faith dictate to Him what His word can and will do.

Part II to follow.

Blessings,


 Elma Garlock 

A Word for 2015

 

 

    Many are asking me Lord, what's going to be new for me in this New Year? What new revelation are you wanting to bring forth and confirm to your people? I say, go to my word and seek out the truth. In Ecclesiastes David wrote "That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.  But I say, everything comes full circle in the world I have created, everything and everyone goes through a series of changes that ultimately leads back to their original source of creation, and I AM, THAT I AM.

 

     In this time of world events you are experiencing major changes, change in the weather, in government and life as you have seen and experienced in the past. In my word I have warned you of last day events that would take place as the world stands at the door of eternity. I stand at the door of eternity, I ALWAYS WAS, I AM NOW, AND FOREVER I WILL BE.

 

     There are doors of opportunity that will be opened for my people due to the prayers of not only the saints of yesterday, but also because of the prayers of the saints today. For there is a time for everything and a seasons that bring change.

 

     Don't be deceived, for God is not mocked for what so ever a man sews, that will he also reap in these last days says the Spirit. What have you sown? and what have you done with the gifts I have given unto you? Some have locked them away as a treasure that is kept hidden so no one can see, but there are others that have shared their gifts and have changed the lives of people forever. I know your heart and I see the desire, and that desire will be fulfilled. For a refreshing rain is going to fall that will water the dry places and that, that has been hidden shall come forth with new life.

 

     What do I require is the word for today. Do I require sacrifice? No! Do I require the offerings of men? No! But what I do require is your faithfulness and faith. But I hear you say; God, I don't have enough faith and I feel like I haven't been faithful to the call; how can I go and how can I believe for the things you have spoken unto me? I say, trust me and you will see the salvation of my promise and the goodness of My heart. How can I move if you keep Me in your box all wrapped up with a bow? I say, take off the wrappings of who you think I am and what you think I can do.

 

     Don't rely on yesterdays manna or the rancid oil from days gone by. For today I do a new thing in your lives, and you will see Me work, speedily and swiftly upon the earth and in your life. For darkness is coming and life as you have know it shall change and those who have prepared me a habitation their will I dwell, but those who have denied me into that place will suffer and be effected by the enemies hand. This is a warning for all man kind!

 

     Look through the eyes of My Spirit and not the eyes of the world. Allow me to remove the veil that blinds you so you can see what's ahead.  This is a critical time in history and you were destined for this time. God has set things in motion that He will not stop, because there is destiny yet to be fulfilled in you and nothing that the enemy tries to do shall stop it. Keep focused and running, and reaching for the prize. For the vision is for an appointed time and the time is now! So decree and declare the word that I have spoken to you, because when you speak, those words are put into action and the gates of hell will not prevail against them or stop them. I say fulfillment is at hand so be encourage in this day, says the Spirit of God.

Blessings,

Elma Garlock
 

 

 

 



Part II "If You're Stuck - Then To Heal You Must Reveal"

                                          How Do We Get Unstuck?

     1. We make a decision not to walk in denial, but to walk in truth and forgiveness.

     2. We reveal, confess and bringing those hidden things into the light of God's word

     3. We make a decision not to run from the problem or our past and face them head on.

     4. We identify the problem, addiction, sin and any abnormal behavior.

     5. Take ownership and responsibility for our part in the healing, restorative and changing

          process.
     6. Trust God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our life.

 

     So when we begin to "reveal", what are we doing?  We are uncovering all that was once hidden and veiled in darkness and exposing it to the light, and once the light comes in they become visible and open to view.

Let me ask you a question?

     When you hear the words "secret", "conceal" and "cover up" what things come to mind that are in your life?

     If we look up the word "hidden" in the dictionary it says; they are things that are unseen, buried, unknown, out of sight, obscure, shrouded and concealed.  So when we hide things, what are we really doing?  We are covering up the truth about ourselves or our circumstances. We are trying to keep from being exposed and becoming vulnerable, judged and rejected by people. Some of us have secrets that we've buried in a dark corner of our soul,( which make up the mind, will and emotions), and they have hardened our hearts. So in order for us to be healed emotionally, physically and spiritually they must be revealed and brought out into the light. Our growth, maturity, liberty and freedom are determined by our willingness to be honest and open with God and ourselves. But if we continue to keep things buried, they will eventually eat away at us like a cancer and effect our relationships and our intimacy with God.

In Ephesians 5:11, 13 tells us:
  
          Verse 11: " Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deed and enterprises of darkness, but instead (let your lives be so in contrast as to) expose and reprove and convict them".
          Verse 13:  "But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light".

     Many times we wear masks of disguise and we masquerade as someone else. We walk in deception camouflaging our brokenness, hurt and weakness to the world and those around us.  We'll work hard to keep things hidden and in the shadows where they are obscured from view. But once the darkness is revealed and exposed to the light we it can not stay.

 But how does Satin use these secret, concealed and hidden things against us?

     1.  By blinding us from the truth.
     2. By building strongholds in our mind and hearts.
     3. By keeping us in emotional and mental bondage.
     4. By keeping us in torment, trauma, confusion, fear, doubt and unbelief.
     5. By persuading us that there is no hope or future.
     6. By robing us of our peace, joy and keep us bound to self pity.

     Ask yourself these questions.  Why am I keeping things hidden and who do I think I'm kidding?  Is it because of shame or guilt and why do I feel so condemned? I know this is a strong word and you may feel convicted, and that's a good thing, because beloved, God loves you to much to leave you where we're at, and that's "Stuck in your past". Some times we need to be challenged and take inventory of our life.  We also need to be honest and open to the quickening of the Holy Spirit and act on what He is telling us to do.

     We know that Satin is the ruler of this world and the kingdom of darkness. If we are consciously making the wrong decisions to have fellowship with darkness, then we are by an act of our own free will choosing darkness over light.

Going back to Ephesians 5, let's read verse 8 & 9 and see what the Lord is telling us.

     Verse 8:  "For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light".
     Verse 9:  "For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth".

The word "darkness" means: to be restrained, stopped and spiritual darkness.

     When we are overcome by "darkness" (sin), what happens? It blinds us from receiving or seeing the truth. We can't move forward or progress and we end up groping around in the darkness and stumbling through life as one who sleep walks. 

    And the word "truth" is:  Unveiled reality and facts that are lying at the basis of everything and everyone.

      Truth acts like a powerful laser beam that penetrates the darkness with light and can beam through the hardest of hearts and cut away the layers of deception.  It can slash through layers of sin and kill the cancer of bitterness, resentment, anger and unforgiveness. Truth will expose the deepest roots that are binding and blinding us from receiving, acting and standing in truth. Satins target has been our heart and our soul (which is the mind, will and our emotions) where he has planted seeds of deception, lies and a defeated attitude and mentality. But once the Holy Spirit shines the light of truth in our hearts, layers of hardness begin to be pealed away, a supernatural unveiling takes place, and the lies of the enemy are revealed.    

     Today many of us are standing at a crossroads in our life and ministry. There are decision we must make today that will catapult us into our tomorrows, and forever changing our destiny. We've been stirred in our spirit, but fear has held us back.  Are we willing to go through the fire of cleansing and the sanctification process?

     Some of us know exactly why we are stuck and we desperately want and need to be set free.  

John 8:36 " If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed".

 

     The word "free" means:  To deliver and liberate, being unrestrained and no more a slave.

     Beloved, Jesus wants to set us free, because when we are truly "free" we are able to act and respond to the will of the Father.  We are no longer bound to our past, but we are free to be who God has called us to be and free to move forward into God's promises and blessings. 

Blessings,

Elma Garlock


    




    

     

 

 

"Blog Update"

 

 

     In April of 2013, I injured my back and was unable to sit, stand or even concentrate for any length of time. It's only been in the last month that I have not been in constant pain.

     Through this whole experience there were times when I thought I would never be able to write or minister again, but God in his grace and mercy has touch me and I am in the process of recovery and now able to begin blogging once again.

     I will be posting part II of "In Order to Heal You Must Reveal" this week and pray that you will once again join me as I continue to bring messages from the word of God and a Prophetic word.

     May the Lord richly bless you as you continue to pursue the truth.


Blessings,

Elma Garlock