Receiving the Holy Spirit

There is a chorus that goes “All over the world the Spirit is moving”. I say Amen to that.

Brendan and I are just back from a mission to Slovakia. We were well received in the Conference and other small groups we were invited to.

Brendan majored on teaching on how to receive the Holy Spirit with speaking in the language God gives. He says if it was good enough for Mary, Jesus mother and Peter and the other apostles why not receive like they did. It’s a big shock for some to know that Mary spoke in tongues. I majored on deliverance and healing.

The Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost to give the disciples Power to be witnesses for Jesus. The church was born.

The devil has power. He said to Jesus in the wilderness when he took Jesus to a high place “If you bow down and worship me I will give you all these kingdoms. ” Jesus replied you must worship God alone so get out of here.

When Jesus was crucified on the cross and died He defeated Satan. He broke the power of death and hell and sin to save the whole world from the power of Satan. People don’t know they are under the power of Satan if they don’t believe and obey Jesus.

Jesus told his mother, family and his disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive power from on high. The Holy Spirit came and gave them power to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead.

The Holy Spirit is described in Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 22 as the river that flows from the temple. Wherever the water flows everything shall live. There will be no curse. Salty water becomes fresh with fish living in it. Trees grow on each side of the river bearing fruit. The leaves do not wither but are for healing the nations.

If you want to live, be healed, bear fruit and catch fish get planted beside the river of God and let your roots grow deep. Pray in the Spirit at all times and you will not sin or get sick and you can do the work Jesus gave you to do.

Your work may be being a father, a mother, a schoolgirl or boy, farmer, pensioner, doctor, lawyer, servant etc. You will have power to do it well.

You Will Never Thirst Again

Where am I?

You can find me on Google map. We had someone visit us recently. Before she came she checked out our address on google map . When she arrived she kept looking up at a neighbour’s chimney. She said where is the tree? On google map she had noticed a small sapling growing out of a chimney. You’ll be pleased to say it was removed earlier in the year. The whole chimney had to be dismantled and rebuilt at great expense to the owner.

Back to this morning. I having coffee in my local Cafe Nero’s. Outside the window two lorries parked up. Men unloaded disbatches of boxes of alcohol to the neighbouring shop, an off licence. Plenty of bottles of wine, cans of larger and spirits. The shop is restocking its supplies for the holiday weekend.

Many people are thirsty. Will the alcoholic drinks quench their thirst? No they don’t. Next day one can awake and be thirsty again. Jesus said to the woman at the well He would give her water she would never thirst again. What is this water?

The Holy Spirit is the water Jesus promised. Believe in Jesus and receive this water that will quench your thirsty soul. The water will bring healing, restoration, refreshing and new life. It doesn’t bring a hangover or pain or guilt.

What is so special about this weekend. Do you know? To me it is very special. I am reminded of the One who came from heaven to live and show me that God is my Father. He died for me on the cross, rose from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit to help me and comfort me and lead me into truth. He raised me from nearly dying of cancer and I am alive.

It’s Okay to Express How You Feel

King David in the Psalms wasn’t afraid to speak and write about his despair and distress. He didn’t stay there. He trusted God and called out to him for help. There is plenty going on in our world that can cause us to fear. Sickness, no job, Climate change, wars, poverty, etc.

Psalm 143 says

Hear my prayer, O Lord; answer my plea because you are faithful to your promises. ⁴ I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. ⁵ I remember the glorious miracles you did in days of long ago. ⁶ I reach out for you. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. ⁷ Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens; don’t turn away from me or I shall die. ⁸ Let me see your kindness to me in the morning, for I am trusting you.“

Robin Mark is a successful Christian Singer from Belfast. I listened to him sing a song All is Well” back in January 2021. I was coping with the change that was happening to Brendan and myself. We were moving from our home on the shores of Strangford Lough. We had filled it with beautiful things; furniture, paintings, family photos and memories. I had a workshop where I whiled away many hours making mosaics and boats from sea glass and wood found along the shore. For me the home was beautiful inside and outside.

The brochures don’t tell one of the colourful sunrises and sunsets; the low winter sun reflecting off the water giving warmth and light to my kitchen. Or the full moon lit nights around Christmas when family was home sitting on the veranda at the log fire. Or the collections of shrubs and bulbs all selected by Brendan to bloom at different seasons.

The amount of work needed to downsize overwhelmed me. I felt paralysed. I could not start packing up. I listened to Robin Mark. God was comforting me through the words. All is Well. I also found a small painting my sister Rosaleen gave me with the words All Is Well.

Seven months on we are settled in Belfast. All belongings are stored or got rid off. Life is simpler. Not as much housework. My children can call by to see us. They are caring for us. I can sit at Cafe Nero in the sunshine and enjoy a different view. All the nations pass by.

Four weeks ago Covid hit Brendan and I. Isolation, fever, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, mental anguish encompassed us.

The scripture “Out of the depths I cry to you” is how I felt. I was depressed. I was fearful. Would I get better? The whole world is under fear because of the reports of what Covid will do. I felt that fear. David felt fear as he describes in Psalm 143.

One night while I was sick I felt the Holy Spirit hovering over us saying By the stripes of Jesus we are healed. God prompted me to sing and listen to Isaiah 53, By His stripes we are healed. He reminded me of how He healed me before and He will heal me again,

You see God is faithful to me. He promises to be my shepherd and care for me. I gave my life to him many years ago and He has been faithful to give His life to me. His power rises up to defend me when I am in trouble. He did it again to raise Brendan and I from our sick bed.

He will do the same for you. Give your life to Jesus and He will give His life to you. Take action. Do something. Engage with God. Believe He exists and He is a rewarder of all those who seek Him. Knock and the door will be opened unto you. That is what I did. God has rewarded me with many blessings, family, healings, peace and joy. I am like other people. I live in this world as well. But I believe in the One who made this world and in His power to help me while I live here.

I listened to Robin Mark tonight. I am recovering. I am healed by His stripes. Yes All is Well.

How to Access my New Book, The Grapes are Worth It.

http://www.irishprophet.com.

If you look up my husband’s website, as above, you will find my book The Grapes are Worth there. I wrote the bare bones of my story and Brendan who is a gifted writer, added the flesh.

it is a testimony of how God helped my husband Brendan and myself in our life together and how He helped us raise fourteen children.

God rewarded my Faith in Him. I believe in what His Word, the Bible says. John”s gospel says The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. This is Jesus who was born, lived in a family like us, healed and delivered anyone who came to him, and died a cruel death on the Cross.

I availed of this historical fact. Jesus body did not stay in the grave. And he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans’ v 4

When I believed in Jesus I received the blessings He won for me by His death on the cross. Forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, deliverance from demons, and restoration of relationships and the promise of eternal life.

Our marriage would have ended because of our life style of rebellion. I turned to God because I wanted my marriage to survive and raise my two children. God turned my life around from cursing to blessing. Deuteronomy 28. Leviticus 26

Pentecost

It’s Pentecost Sunday!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1.

The Holy Spirit is still hovering over us, bringing order to our troubled lives. Jesus said Let not your heart be troubled. In this world you will have trouble but be of good cheer because I have overcome the world.

There is plenty of things going on in the world to make us despair. War in Israel, babies being destroyed, youth descending into drugs, family life eroded, creation groaning, climate change, corona virus and more.

I need to take my mind off all that is going on that I can’t do much about. I take hope in Jesus who came as a baby on earth and lived like us. He came to destroy the works of the devil. All the destruction, disease and death is caused by the devil.

Jesus overcame the devil by His death on the cross. He shed His Blood to take the keys of death and hell from Satan. The war between God and Satan is finished. Jesus won the war. As we join Jesus on the winning side we can be sure of forgiveness, deliverance, healing and restoration of ALL THE DEVIL HAS STOLEN. In the name of Jesus we have the victory. We can claim back what has been stolen.

Jesus disciples were in the Upper room hiding from the Religious leaders who had killed Jesus. God sent the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost. The people were transformed from being fearful to bring full of faith. They went out and boldly declared the good news about Jesus. No more fear.

Many of us are full of fear today. Don’t look at the troubles around you. Look up to heaven and ask God to send the Holy Spirit to fill you . The Holy Spirit is not a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. God will give you peace and change your chaos to faith, order and protection.

It is finished. The war is over. Celebrate with the winning team. You are part of the Church, the body of Christ. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. God will build us up. We are not defeated. Enjoy that victory today. Join the winning team. Don’t look on from the sideline.

We think Jesus death is history, something that happened long ago that has no relevance today. No no. The Blood and the name of Jesus are powerful today. Just say the name of Jesus. The demons will flee. In the name of Jesus I am healed from fourth stage cancer. I am not dead. My eyes are fixed on Jesus and I am dead to this world.

Receive the Fire

Speak the name of Jesus boldly over and over. Keep using His name. What a powerful name, the name of Jesus. Receive your transformation today in Jesus name.

It Is Finished

My husband and I were invited to a friend’s seventieth birthday recently. Many of the people there had grey hair like ourselves and were ex hippies. I introduced myself to a man called Tommy. He told me a bit about himself.

He grew up in Belfast in the sixties but when the troubles started he moved to London. There he got involved with others who were drinking and taking drugs. He became homeless, living on the streets of London. His health deteriorated. His body became covered in sores. I was reminded of the man in the bible, Lazarus, who was covered in sores that the dog licked. Somehow Tommy returned to Belfast.

His mother welcomed the prodigal home and she washed his sores till he was healed. He was just eighteen years old at the time. He was invited to a friend’s home where someone was speaking about Jesus Christ and what he did for mankind. Tommy heard the words “It is finished”. These words stuck in his mind.

I was reading these words from the bible today.
The one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:5-7‬ ‭

The One sitting on the throne is God our Father in heaven. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. Jesus came on earth to show us the Father. He came on earth to destroy the works of the devil. He showed the kindness of the Father by forgiving people their sins and healing their diseases. He died on the cross and shed his blood to forgive sin and heal us who are alive today. God sent the Holy Spirit who comes to us when we believe in Jesus. He is still working today over the earth.

We have just finished feativities all over the world celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Do we realise why he was born?  In the middle of our sumptuous meals in our comfortable homes, do we remember he was born with animals and his bed was made of straw.

God made everything new for Tommy that day. He believed Jesus forgave his failings and he received Jesus forgiveness. He was healed body, soul and spirit. He got a new beginning. He was delivered from the drink and drugs.

God made everything new for me ten years ago.  I was dying form fourth stage cancer.  I am healed by the power of the blood of Jesus and staying alive.

Is there any better day than today, the beginning of a new year to have a new beginning in your life? Jesus is offering you that new beginning. Are you thirsty? Jesus told the woman at the well that he would give her water so that she would never thirst again. Jesus promises to give us waters of life, which is the Holy Spirit.

We may make New Year resolutions to be good. After a few weeks we fail miserably. We can’t do it ourselves. We can do nothing with out Jesus. We are living on the earth. There are many unseen forces against us. The devil and his demons are out to rob, steal and destroy. We are born in sin whether we realise it or not. There is a heaven and hell. Jesus is the only one who can bring us to heaven. The Holy Spirit brings about the change in our life on the earth and promises to bring us to heaven when we die.

Jesus is speaking to you today as he spoke to the woman at the well. Will you receive the water today so that you will never thirst again! It doesn’t cost any money to be free from your burdens of sin. There is power in the blood of Jesus.

That is what happened to Tommy. He went on to get married and raise a family. He is amazed how God was gracious to him and is forever thankful.

May you have a happy New Year indeed.

Water in the Dry Valley

“The Holy Spirit is often referred to as water in the scriptures. Jesus told his disciples before he was going to his death that he needed to go so he could send the comforter, the Holy Spirit to them. The Holy Spirit gave them power to be witnesses for the Saviour and to work miracles, signs and wonders like Jesus did when he was on earth.

I was excited to read the story in 2 Kings 3 about the King of Israel, the King of Judah and the King of Edom going to war against the King of Moab. The three kings and their armies had travelled through the wilderness for seven days. They were in big trouble because they had no water for their men, horses and cattle. They were afraid the King of Moab would defeat them.

King Jehosophat called for the prophet Elisha a man of God. He asked God to help.

Elisha said, “Now bring me someone who can play the harp.” While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he said, “This is what the Lord says: Make this dry valley full of ditches. You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. “

But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab! You will conquer the best of their towns, even the fortified ones. You will cut down all their good trees, stop up all their springs, and ruin all their good land with stones.” ‭‭‬‬

The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared! It was flowing from the direction of Edom, and soon there was water everywhere.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭3:9, 15-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God worked a miracle by providing water for so many people.
Can the same God not send his Holy Spirit to the dry valleys of our lives? Yes he can.
I pray that God will pour out his Spirit on anyone who is dry and thirsty today in Jesus name. Amen.

Sent from my iPhone

The Happiest Elephants on Earth.

I love to watch programmes about nature when I can. There was a series recently about Earth’s Great Rivers on BBC. The film crews followed the course of three rivers The Mississippi, the Amazon and the Nile from source to sea. Each of these rivers provide water for the vegetation, crops, wild life and people that live along their banks. There is a ready supply for water and food for the inhabitants. They will never run dry, there is no famine or wilderness. The leaves of the trees and vegetation are always green.

I am reminded of Psalm 1 where I read, Blessed is the man who does not stand in the way of sinners, but his delight is in the law of God. He is like a tree planted by streams of living water, whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. In John
7 v 37 Jesus stood up and said If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink and if he believes in me out of his belly will flow rivers of living water. The Holy Spirit is described in Revelation as a river that flows from the throne of God. On every side, trees are growing and their leaves are for the healing of the nations.

I was excited as I watched these great rivers influence all the lands they flowed through. Each river reminded me of the river in Revelation that flows from the throne of God. On every side are trees and their leaves are for the healing of the nations. When one receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit he can be a river that touches others around him giving life and encouragement from God.

The River Nile is the longest river in the world. It is 4000 miles long. At one part of its path it spreads out into vast swamplands called the Sud. There is a ready supply of vegetation and water for the wild animals that live there. It is a big contrast to the open savanna lands that dry up in the hot seasons when vegetation and water is sparse, causing the wild animals to leave to find other pastures. In the savanna lands the elephant can’t travel very far to find food. They live on sparse vegetation from the leaves of trees and scrub, while waiting for the rains to come.

But in the Sud the elephants that live there are in heaven. There is a ready supply of green vegetation and water all the year round. They can spend time swimming and wallowing in the deep waters of the Nile instead of searching for food. Their trunks act as snorkels as they play in the water. There is no danger of the young drowning. Their bodies are bouyant. One elephant was lying back in the water kicking up his legs. This family of elephants were having a fun time together frolicking about in the deep. What a wonderful sight.c

This is a picture of abundance. There is plenty of food and water for all the wild life around the River Nile in the Sud. Large animals live together; the hippo, the elephant and the crocodile. When we trust God and let the Holy Spirit move in our lives we can live in abundance without famine. God will supply all our needs. And there will be fun times too.

Stay in His Presence

God’s word tells us where two or three are gathered in my name there he is in the midst of us.

Just meditate on that. Welcome his presence. Enjoy his presence. Take time to stay in his presence and enjoy being with God as you acknowledge him. Don’t run away to the busyness of work, shopping, demands of others. You will soon run out of energy and feel empty. Stop and and breath in God’s presence. Acknowledge what Jesus has done for you and thank him. He is our saviour, he is the Messiah, He died in our place. He forgives our sins and heals our anxieties and worries. He gives us peace. There is no other God.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit have helped me in my life. The power of the Holy Spirit has given me the strength to live and rear fourteen children. He has given me the strength to be healed and remain healed of cancer. I live and move and have my being in God. He gives me authority over all the power of the devil and nothing will harm me.
He gives me power to forgive those who hurt me. He gives me love to love myself and others. I don’t have to strive to receive his goodness. I learn to receive and let him change the things I can’t change in me or in those who are near to me.

The heavens declare the Glory of the risen Lord.  Photo by James Kennedy.

He fights for me. Just like God did for kings of Israel when their enemies came up against them, God sent angels to fight against those that were gathered up against them and spoke against them.

Things may be falling around us in the world. Don’t worry. Open up, look up and ask God to help. If one draws near to God he will draw near to us. Don’t stand afar because of guilt or condemnation. God doesn’t judge, he forgives and remembers your sins no more. It’s the devil who brings to mind your sins and makes you feel condemned. Jesus is the light of the world he is shining brighter than the sun. He wants you to receive him today and stay in his presence forever from this day and into the life after death.

He puts you in family. You are not alone. Join with others who believe. Remember where two or three are gathered in his name God is present.

The Shadow of The Lord

 

The house is quiet after the hustle and bustle of family staying for Christmas. I am awake early. I walk into the room across the way. The curtains are open. The sky is dark. No moon. The only light in my view is a flashing green light on a buoy out in the middle of Strangford Lough. It will be a few more hours before the sun rises.

On the lawn below I see my shadow cast by the light in the room. My outline is magnified and covers a large area of the lawn.

I am reminded of verses from scripture that tell me about other shadows.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”
Psalm 91

God is speaking to me through the image of my shadow on the lawn. He is telling me that even though he is God Almighty his shadow is covering me and I can rest secure under his protection. Even though it may be dark in life circumstances all around, he is with me.

There is a story about Peter in the Acts 5.

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:12, 15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The power of God was with Peter in those days soon after Jesus died and arose from the dead, that even his shadow healed people. Jesus wants us to believe in him in these days so that signs and wonders will follow us so we can help others.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:12, 15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

One may feel that other dark shadows cover us, for example fear may overwhelm one and leave one unable to move. The pain of death, grief, betrayal, sickness, and other shadows may come to disable us but take heart. God will help. The word of God tells us 365 times not to be afraid. When God Almighty is with us all the darkness has to flee from the shadow of his wings covering us. Alleluia. We need not fear. Only believe in God, his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit who is hereto help us.

At the airport the bookshop is full of people browsing deciding what book to take down and read on their journey.  There are many books on “How to”, get rich quick, loose weight or meet the right one in your life.  I recommend the simple book of the Bible.  It is full of power, truth, success and life.

God bless you this morning and may this word from The Lord break you free from your darkness today.