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Lessons from Jonah 1 

3/31/2014

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I read through Jonah in the NRSV at the beginning of March and Holy Spirit spoke some very specific things to my spirit. The wisdom and understanding given to me isn't what's usually taught in church from the book of Jonah. I know it's commonly taught; but if it was taught in churches the way the Lord taught me I think it would serve as meat for the Body and not the milk that's often addressed in this book. Keep in mind my churching has been limited to seven churches throughout my lifetime, and neither of those churches were spirit-filled to the point that they allowed the Holy Spirit to have free reign. At this point in my life I want Holy Spirit to have free reign because honestly ... I screw things up. When I will to be led by the Spirit things work out for my great - my love for the Godhead and others grows stronger and I'm continually seeking after Them for more. That being said, this may not be revelation for you but I know it is for someone.

  1. Jonah 1:1-2 Now the Word of the Lord came to Jonah saying, "Go at once to Ninevah. - God can give a word to ANYONE (even someone He's knows will disobey; look at me) and send them to the nations as a prophetic voice to deliver it. A nation can be one person, a few folks or it can be a group of people (Abraham = I will make you a nation/Jacob = Israel).
  2. Jonah 1:3 He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish so he PAID HIS FARE and went on board. - We often finance our own destruction. He made a conscious decision to disobey God. How many times do we do that? I know we want to criticize Jonah, but seriously, we do this all the time. I know I do; 90% less than in the past but still. There are commands in the Bible cover to cover that we ignore every day because we want/choose to. God said forgive, but so many in the Body are sick and under demonic oppression because of unforgiveness. God said to take care of the poor, needy, widows and orphans but there are many who receive nothing. That's all disobedience which is sin which opens the door to the demonic realm. 
  3. Jonah 1:4 The Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up. - This is the first warning and offer to repent and obey. God loves us so much that He will send angelic hosts to 'stir the waters' in our lives so that we snap out of the deception that makes us think consequences won't follow disobedience and to save us. I'm a supreme witness of this. But our human nature loves to fight against the very things that protect us (see Numbers 22:22-25). 
  4. Jonah 1:5 They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten it for them. - Our disobedience will cost everyone we're connected to. Covenant makes blessings spread to them, but it also makes consequences fall on them as well. My son had to suffer the consequences of my disobedience. We have to take God seriously - the written and rhema.
  5. Jonah 1:6 The captain came and asked Jonah, "What are you doing sound asleep? Get up and call on your god! Perhaps the god will spare us a thought so that we don't perish. - People connected with us recognize our complacency and choice not to act, repent and acknowledge the need for supernatural help. God always sends a prophet (a dream, a word ... something) that tells us we're trippin' and need to get it together before something worser happens. Six months before I lost everything my son woke up out of sleep (at 8 years old, mind you) and said God told him that if I didn't stop worrying about everything I didn't have I'd lose more. He was the prophet sent to deliver the word of wisdom to set me straight. Obviously I didn't listen.
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I've spent a little time studying this part of the Bible.
  • Jonah 1:9-10 "I am a Hebrew. I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. Then the men were even more afraid and asked him, "What is this you've done!" - When God is trying to redirect us, our consequences will bring the fear of the Lord onto those connected with us. Even if they're quote unquote not believers in Messiah Jesus. When God is moving others will get a spirit check to alert them that a powerful presence is at work.
  • Jonah 1:12 Jonah told them to throw him overboard. - Two things come up here. 1. Jonah was still trying to run from God's presence and instruction. I believe this is true because he got on the boat in the first place going in the opposite direction honestly believing he could hide from God. So he either thought he'd be hiding still or at least die and not have to obey. 2. He had prophetic knowledge that the ship's crew wouldn't be delivered until they cut ties with him. Associations matter (watch the video Soul Ties). 
  • Jonah 1:13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land but they couldn't. - These men understood covenant. They were trying to save Jonah even though he'd brought destruction upon them because they entered into an agreement for his safety (life) in traveling from one place to another. They tried to save him even though he had no serious concern for their well being. Or his for that matter. Think over your life and see if you've known someone caught in that level of destruction. Someone so bent on following their own path they have no concern for consequences, themselves or others.
  • Jonah 1:14 Then they cried out to the Lord, "Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man's life." - These non/pre-believers had more fear, and therefore knowledge, of God than Jonah who was brought up with the Torah. That's like some of us who grow up in chuch/religion but don't get the Godhead on the heart level. I was this way for many years. I could quote the Bible but had no evidence of relationship, the Kingdom or power in my life (1 Corinthians 4:20).
  • Jonah 1:15 So they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea. - They had to cut ties with Jonah. Who do you need to cut ties with so that you can get back in God's will? This is a common church lesson ... cutting ties with those we need to. The reverse is true, too. Sometimes you're the one holding someone back and they need toss your tush. You can't get upset if someone needs to leave you to do what God has called them to do.   
  • Jonah 1:16 Then the men feared the Lord even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. - This is wild. Jonah isn't fazed after disobeying God or the life-threatening storm, but these pagan seaman have received revelation about who God is and acted on it. They have now entered into relationship with God Most High. These non/pre-believers understood more about covenant than Jonah did and he was raised in covenant as Abraham's offspring. This is a type and shadow of us gentiles who are now in covenant with God because of our belief in Christ Jesus. He went first to the Jews (Jonah) but their disobedience allowed us (the pagan sailors) to come in.
  • Jonah 1:17 But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah and he was in the belly three days and three nights. - This, of course, is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ who was dead three and three. It's also, of course, another picture of Passover (Jesus, is our Passover Lamb so we don't have to die) and of God as Jehovah Jireh - The God who Sees and Provides provided the large fish so Jonah didn't have to die (Jehovah Jireh provided the ram so Isaac didn't have to die). When Jonah was in the fish he overcame, when Jesus was in hell taking the keys He overcame and now we overcome.

I pray that this teaching brought some revelation for you and that you never read the Bible in the same way again. Holy Spirit will speak to you as you read if you invite Him to. I am a witness. 


If you'd like to learn how to commune with Holy Spirit as you read, my book O Lord, Teach Me Your Ways is an excellent instruction manual and if you read it with intention there's an impartation to be received for supernatural wisdom and understanding. 

Copyright © 2014  Zari Banks, M.Ed
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Soul Ties

3/23/2014

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Soul ties can be healthy or ungodly. While we want to be tied to our spouses, children and other believers we work and serve with in appropriate, healthy soul ties, we want to be sure that we sever all demonic ties to others we've come into agreement with. In this teaching we pray to break ungodly ties and then walk into the freedom Christ has for you.
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She Didn't Steal Your Man, He Was Already Hers in the Spirit! by Linda Dominique Grosvenor-Holland 

3/16/2014

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Linda Dominique Grosvenor-Holland is the bestselling author of the award-winning book The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate (Feb, 2010) which has been called, “unadulterated spiritual relationship guidance for modern times,” and The Love Better Manual (Feb, 2013). Her expertise on dating and relationship issues has been used in articles for more than 150 publications including Modern Bride, Honey Magazine and MORE Magazine. She is a blissfully happy wife married to her soulmate Calvin and enjoys writing books that help assist people with having the best relationships of their lives.

It has always been said that men are visual creatures, but a woman can lock eyes with a well-put-together man and begin desiring him, craving him and dusting off a spot in her life for him before he's even said,"Hello," or asked her name. There is nothing as uncomfortable as wearing someone else's shoes, especially when they don't fit or don't match what you're wearing. But so many relish the smile on his face that they know they didn't put there, and the way he laughs that is reserved only for her and begin plotting to get him because they want him for themselves. For some, they act like the man doesn't even have a say in the matter. If they discover that someone else is taking an interest in this particular man they make it as clear as they can to them that he's been reserved without coming right out and saying, "He's mine, backoff!"

Maybe you offered yourself to him sexually as a down payment on the love you hoped to one day receive from him and that "one day" hasn't come yet; you're still waiting. Perhaps after spending your last dollar on an outfit you couldn't afford and positioning yourself near the right pew where he would notice you when church let out; all you got was a generic, "Good morning," like everyone else. It could be that when the pastor preached about love, relationships and marriage you perked up and prayed that he'd look your way and finally acknowledge that you are the one for him. But weeks later they're reading his wedding announcement at the podium and you're not the bride. Of course, you're furious, bitter and plotting revenge, but it's all because you're claiming something that isn't yours and was never intended to be yours in the first place.

You might tell anybody who will listen that another woman stole your man to soothe your hurt feelings, but it isn't true. Giving him sex didn't make him yours. Having daydreams in your mind about how your lives would be together didn't make him yours either and neither did trying to keep the other women in the church away from him because God can do anything and He will draw two people together from wherever He chooses—even in different states—just to further the purpose of His Kingdom. What you need to understand is that like the key to a secret diary nobody can open his heart except the woman that God has ordained to open it. He may allow others to skirt the edges of it, flirting, giggling or dipping in for a season. But when it comes to fully disclosing his hand and giving himself totally to the woman he can marry and spend the rest of his life celebrating a wise man who is tired of making mistakes will let God choose.

A man who is intent on growing and pleasing God comes to a point where he realizes that miscellaneous sex, random flirting and uncommitted companionships are temporal pleasures. Sure sex is good within the confines of a marriage, but God desires him to have a woman that he can relate to outside of the bedroom, too—a woman who has some right standing in His Kingdom. God has released many blessings to believers that are only visible in the spirit realm and we only need to tap into it to see and take hold of them before they manifest in the natural. That is how a true man of God finds his woman of God. He gets deep in the spirit to find out who is his. In the spirit realm you can't see a short skirt and fishnets or curly hair and diamonds dripping from her fingers—you see the heart: a heart that loves and obeys God. That's why you can't claim something that isn't yours or someone God didn't give you, because when the truth is revealed, if you're not the one, sadly it will be all over.

I've known my husband for more than 20 years, but we weren't married all that time. It's safe to say my blessing already existed in the spirit realm all that time because God always knows what will one day be. Now that we've been revealed to each other and we're in a marriage covenant we know there isn't another living soul that can claim either one of us. When two people are designed before the foundations of the world to be together it is evident in what they're doing for the Kingdom. God brings people together to make a difference, not to satisfy lusts and hidden agendas. When he brought us together it wasn't just chance. It was from the beginning and continues to be, to do His will and to help others learn to love better. That's why when we finally came together God didn't hesitate manifesting our purpose in each others' lives.

The crux of the lesson here is that you need to make certain when you begin to meditate on any man and you allow your feelings to flourish and get attached that it's because God said so, not your flesh. The flesh will have you embarrassed and have your girlfriends wondering what you were imagining that you had with this man as he walks down the aisle with another woman. Understand that there is a man out there with your name written on his spirit and you won't have to wear a certain thing or smile a certain way to get his attention. He's already yours and you just need to walk into the manifestation of that. Trust me, when a man is yours in the spirit, there is nothing that even the prettiest woman in stilettos can do about that. Now get deep in prayer, forgive who you need to forgive, let the past go and watch God do the rest!



© Linda Dominique Grosvenor-Holland 2014
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My Money Grows on Trees - Excerpt

3/9/2014

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Zari Banks, M.Ed - You won’t be much use to the Kingdom of God if you don’t break through.  Breaking through is smashing through spiritual walls, gates, or locked doors that separate us from the deep things of God.  Breakthrough is spiritual warfare.  The enemy wants to keep you on the flesh (natural) side of the spiritual realm if they’re not able to bring you into their kingdom.  That’s not God’s will for you.  He wants you growing in wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) and understanding of the things of His Kingdom.  

   We have to adopt a mindset of warfare.  We have to decide that we believe every word of God’s Bible, every word He speaks to our spirits, through prophets, signs, and wonders.  After setting our minds we have to push forward through every type of opposition that would attempt to change our minds and move us away from the will of God.

   My mentor often reminds his protégés that everything good is hated by everything evil.  In John 10:10 Jesus promises us abundant life.  He actually died, went to hell and destroyed the legal contracts the enemy holds on our lives until we come to Him, and rose again releasing the power of Holy Spirit into our lives in a dynamic manner.  Abundance is our right and a gift of God through grace.  All of the gifts of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).  Abundance is good and is God’s will for us so you’d better believe the enemy is going to fight and block and deceive and steal to stop you from receiving what’s rightfully ours. 

   God thinks of everything and He’s given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), so even though we have to break through to receive godly wealth and abundance, God has already made a way for us to be victorious in our efforts.  As I said before, the first way to break through in finances–actually in every area of life–is to fix our minds to believe God regardless of circumstances, feelings, time of day, thoughts of worry, or naysayers.  

   It takes “work” to change a mindset.  Not work in the sense that we’re working to earn our gifts from God, but effort.  The Christian life is a participatory one; even as baby Christians (new converts or immature believers) we have to learn to do well (Isaiah 1:7), seek after wisdom more than silver and gold (Proverbs 3:14), and study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15) so that we don’t perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).  When we’re seeking Him earnestly we’re rewarded with the fullness of His gifts of revelation, health, wealth, love, peace, and spiritual gifts that honor Him and bless the Body.  If we’re working we’ll be tired and frustrated from doing things in our own strength and with the wrong heart motives.  When we operate in faith we move into a place of intimacy gained from seeking Him that actually changes our DNA into that of Christ’s and our hearts become flesh instead of stone (Ezekiel 11:19) and are submissive and attentive to His Spirit.  The works completed in faith are the works that Christ would actually do through the new heart (motives) He’s given us.  This is the essence of being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).  This is living in the Kingdom of God on earth.

SPECIAL OFFER: If you're ready to get on your personal path to godly wealth and provision, copy the discount code in the upper righthand corner and click the book to purchase now. If you'd like to try before you buy, please request a sample of My Money Grows on Trees via email with "TRYING BEFORE BUYING" in the subject line. This offer is available until Saturday, March 15, 2014. 

Copyright © 2014 by Zari Banks, M.Ed - All Rights Reserved.

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Faith – How It's Made! by Mechelle Stephens

3/2/2014

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Prophetess Mechelle Stephens, a native of Georgia, is the daughter of Patricia A. Peeks and the late John Willie Peeks.  Prophetess Stephens accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of fifteen at New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Powder Springs, Georgia. Gripped by the continuous call from God and operating under the evidential anointing of God, Prophetess Stephens embraced her call to the Gospel ministry at age 37 and was licensed in 2002 and was later ordained in 2003 under the leadership and direction of her current Pastor Rev. A.L.Zollicoffer.

During her tenure at New Friendship, Prophetess Stephens has served in various capacities including:  The Women’s Department Assistant, Director of The Women’s Department, Assistant Youth Pastor, Youth Pastor and now serves as the Director of Social Service Referral Program.  Utilizing her gift in Administration, Prophetess Stephens has developed and implemented several ministries that have provided a much needed, targeted focus on our young men and young women, namely L.O.V.E (Ladies of Victory walking in Excellence), M.O.V.E (Men of Victory Walking in Excellence), the Junior Deacons Ministry, the Pool of Bethesda Recovery Ministry and ... READ MORE.


Many of you may be familiar with the show, “How It’s Made.”  How It’s Made (Science Network) is a series that shows how products in our everyday lives are made.  Well, I don’t think there could ever be a show done on how faith is made. How can one make TRUST; how can one make BELIEF? There is no app for it; it is not auctioned off to the highest bidder. Yet there is a formula on how faith is produced … faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. 

So what would faith sound like if we were to hear it speak to us … maybe it would sound like this to you: “Your greater is coming.” Maybe to another sounds like this, “Trouble don’t last always!” To another your faith may be screaming, “Hold out until ... until … until … your change comes!” To yet another faith my sound like, “God said He would never put more on me than I can bear!” Maybe the faith statement you are hearing says in a whisper, “Things are going to get better, because the Word says the righteous will never be forsaken nor his seed begging bread!” 

Your faith allows you to look past the giants and possess the land. The formula to how faith is made is in the book– in the FAITH BOOK – the Word of God. Faith is there even when we can’t see it; we just have to TRUST AND BELIEVE. 

As an endnote, when I looked up faith in my bible it said see also TRUST and BELIEVE!

The Word of God … Like it on FAITH BOOK.


© Mechelle Stephens 2014

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