Hummingbirds in the Spring

While completing a 7-day transformation challenge with Prophetess Amanda Ferguson, I saw for the very first time in my life a beautiful hummingbird outside of my window extracting nectar from my blooming plant.  What’s funny is that I’ve never seen a hummingbird before (other than pictures or figurines) but instinctively I said with awe, “Look! A hummingbird!”  It was the most beautiful experience and it was the perfect moment.  I was able to get a few awkward photos before it disappeared for the first time and then moments later, it returned for my one final glance.  Prophetically, I knew that this hummingbird sighting meant something special so I started researching this colorful creation.

” But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you…”  Job 12:7 NKJV

Hummingbirds are extraordinary (very unusual or remarkable; astonishing; exceptional; amazing; astonishing) birds in that they are the smallest species of birds, they can fly backwards.  They are the only species of birds that can hover up/down, and can go from flying full speed to an instant stop!  Their wings beat up to 80 beats per minute which creates the iconic “humming” sound.  What’s more is their undeniable beauty and their remarkable ability to move their small wings in the pattern of the circle eight recognized as the infinity symbol.  In fact, the number eight turned sideways is the actual symbol of the infinity sign 🙂

What does this tell us?

The number eight from a biblical standpoint means “new beginnings” or a new order of creation denoting Resurrection or Regeneration.  The infinity symbol is a ancient Latin concept used in mathematics and physics that means unboundless or limitless; It can also mean eternity-forever-never ending!  Hummingbirds are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but I do believe in my heart that my hummingbird sighting was a beautiful reminder from God to behold his wonderful creation!

O Lord, how manifold are your works!  In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures…” Psalm 104:24 ESV

 

Spiritual Elevation

When I was a little girl, I used to climb trees.

In fact, I could climb a tree faster and better than most boys.  While up in the treetop there was a sense of peace, solitude, and comfort.  It was a time of deep thought and reflection for me.  Honestly, it gave me a much better view or perception of what was going on around me in the neighborhood.

View:  extent or range of vision; a mode or manner of looking at or regarding something; the foreseeable future

Perception:  a mental image; awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation; a capacity for comprehension; enhancement of understanding; discernment

Zacchaeus was a (short) man who used vision and perception to get a better look at The One who ultimately changed the trajectory of his life.  In Luke 19, as Jesus passed through Jericho many wanted the opportunity to be in his presence.  Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree because he wanted a better “view” of Jesus.  This life changing move was a type of spiritual elevation that he needed to bring salvation to his entire household!  Read the text to see how Zacchaeus’ life changed:

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.² And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.³ And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.⁴ And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.⁶ And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.⁷ And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.⁸ And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.⁹ And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  Luke 19: 1-10 KJV

Thus far, can you see how your positional authority, view of life, or how you perceive things can be a game changer not only for you, but for your entire household?  It may take for you to come up a little higher in your thinking, views, or mental awareness so that your foreseeable future is one that encompasses Jesus coming to abide at your house.  Spiritual elevation is equivalent to advancing in the kingdom of God but with that you must activate discernment and a capacity for understanding what is going on in your realm of influence.  Just like the Sons of Issachar, we must understand the times (1 Chronicles 12:32)!

Transition by Alexis N. Washington

Guess who’s back?  Your inspirational blogger!  I have been in transition over the last 8 months and I am almost at a place of bringing forth.  What does that mean?  Well, God spoke to me about the incubation stage and it is a season of an initiation for elevation just before one assumes their position ordained by God (Price, Paula A. The Prophet’s Dictionary. Whitaker House. page 273).

The incubation stage emulates these characteristics:  detachment, alienation, and isolation. The incubation stage often embarks upon a radical lifestyle shift!  An incubation season is a holding place where critical development occurs and is associated with the four stages of creativity:

• Preparation- collection and gathering of facts, truth, data, resources in order to find a solution to the problem
• Incubation- unconscious or subconscious thought process to begin solving the problem
• Illumination- The Aha! moment (eureka experience).  Creative ideas suddenly begin to become clear.  Revelation occurs at this moment and the eyes of your understanding are enlightened
• Verification- an evaluation is done to make absolute certain that you have applied the correct solution to the problem.  If the correct solution is not found in this process, it usually starts over from the beginning

It is at this place in life where it is important to wait on God for divine instruction so that you do not abort what God intends for you to birth.  A seasoned mid-wife will nurture you through the incubation process causing you to get into position (divine alignment) for a healthy and safe passage.

During this incubation season there has been a topic of interest stirring in my spirit entitled:  “The Weight of His Glory!”

Stay connected for this next blog, I know that it is going to bless you!

Your Business Is Your Business Author Alexis N. Washington

Discretion and Prudence are not used much today in a world where social media is prominent.  Almost everything that happens in daily life is shared via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ or the like.  There was a saying many years ago, “bad news travels fast.”  Well now both good and bad news travels at the speed of lightening!  The down side to that is most individuals lose sight of making wise decisions on what information should be shared and what obviously shouldn’t.

“A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.” -Psalms 112:5 NKJV

Discretion  is the quality of being discreet; To be wise or judicious in avoiding mistakes or faults; prudent; circumspect; cautious; not rash; exercising good judgment tempered with these attributes in order to arrive at a final decision or outcome.

Prudence means to be cautious; practical wisdom; good judgment; discretion; exercising caution in preparing for the future in a judicious (having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense) manner.

One main benefit of exercising discretion is preservation and deliverance!

“Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things.” -Psalms 2:11-12 NKJV

You have to think of discretion as a caution sign that is used as a traffic control device.  It is a warning indicator that a hazard ahead on the road may be present that may not be readily apparent to a driver.  This visible sign warns the driver to slow down, take precaution, and proceed with safety. It will keep you from making bad decisions that you will regret later.

Prudence and Discretion provides the means of self-control.  It will cause you to examine a situation carefully and weigh the outcome of a given situation based on how you conduct yourself.  In other words, change you defense mechanism on how you would “normally” respond to a situation.  Stop lashing out in anger or “ranting” especially on social media.  Everything said or done by others does not necessarily deserve a response. Choose your responses wisely to your own glory (praise, honor, or distinction).  Be unpredictable!  It will remove any preconceived notions others may have of you.

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” -Proverbs 19:11 KJV

For someone to “guide his affairs with discretion” means for him to do things according to the will of God. The absence of discretion and prudence demonstrates why many have self-destructed in their course of life.  They most often reject godly-advice and wisdom especially from their parents. Doing things according to God’s will takes effort on behalf of the individual and the end result is peace and blessings.  Read the scripture in the upcoming text and set your heart in agreement with all the Word commands us to do to attain the attributes of discretion and prudence. Take note of the bold words- they are all action verbs; therefore something is required of you to acquire discretion and prudence.

“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, So that you incline you ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding. If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” -Psalms 2:1-5

In conclusion, the Hebrew word Mezimmah, translated in KJV as “discretion” simply means “good sense.”  In other words, please be mindful to guide all of your affairs, or conduct all of your business, based on good sense.  Like I tell my kids in school when they are on the verge of making bad choices…”Please don’t lose control!”

And remember…

Keep Your business- Your business!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noise Makers In The Spirit Author Alexis N.Washington

I recently attended a Women’s Conference and it was truly amazing!  A true time of refreshing, deliverance and uplifting of downtrodden souls is what we experienced.  I personally went with expectation-to receive from God.  I experienced a touch from the Master!  He restored my soul, lifted the heavy burden and broke yokes over my life by the anointing that was on the Speaker of the Hour.

Right around the time of praise and worship, I heard these words:  “Noise Makers In the Spirit.”  I ignored it at first but then I heard it a second time, “Noise Makers In The Spirit.”  I quieted my spirit to tune in to the voice of God.  I started listening to the voices that were in the conference as they offered up the sacrifices of praise and worship.

“Noise Makers In The Spirit” 

Almost immediately, I started to get a little aggravated.  Should I feel guilty about listening to the people praise God and have the feeling of aggravation?  Maybe or maybe not.  But that is just what noise does-it aggravates.  In fact, Webster defines noise as a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance.  It is synonymous with the words clamor, racket, uproar, tumult, commotion, pandemonium, and babel (confused noise).

You might begin to ask, how can the sound of praise and worship be a noise that aggravates?  Read John 4:21-24 KJV

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.   Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

What God desires is our TRUE worship.  We cannot continue to worship out of formality-under the conditions of which we are accustomed to.  Worship out of your spirit.  It is communion with God.

Now here is the message…The Word!

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV

Another translation..

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT

Yet another translation…

If I shall speak with every human and Angelic language and have no love in me, I shall be clanging brass or a noise-making cymbal.   1 Corinthians 13:1 Aramaic Bible In Plain English

If you do not have LOVE, no matter if you speak in tongues of men or of angels you will just be a “Noise Maker In The Spirit”.

Charity is a benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity.  Furthermore, God is love!

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  1 John 4:8 NKJV

That is how a person can worship what they do not know as the scriptures read in John 4:21-24, because if you do not love- you do not know God.

 Praise, worship, and salvation is directly connected to LOVE.  Love is the lifeline…It is the catalyst that allows one to worship in spirit and in truth.

Love draws and it sustains!

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:  “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.  Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

Another thing LOVE does is -it cast out fear!  Fear has torment:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  1 John 4:18 KJV

Love is so powerful that it alone is able to cast out the evil spirits of fear and torment.

 Now back to the conference…

Before the Lord spoke “Noise Makers In The Spirit”, I was apart of the crowd as well until I quieted my inner man so that I could hear what we sounded like in the spirit realm…”Noise Makers”.  I am not saying “them”, I’m saying “we”.  Not everyone that was offering up the sacrifices of praise and worship may have been the “Noise Makers” but the clanging brass and tinkling cymbal was audible enough to be a loud, aggravating sound to my spiritual ears.  I can only imagine how God ears must have felt…

“We must examine our love for others; to be sure our rod of love has not fallen down.” -Pastor Creflo Dollar

I remember hearing Pastor Creflo Dollar preach this sermon years ago when I  watched him on television.  I searched for the sermon and found the bible study notes on his website:   http://www.creflodollarministries.org

It can be found in the archives under the title “Understanding and Living the Life of Faith:  What is Faith?  The Faith-Love Connection”

I will be studying this myself.  This is not only a corporate Word it is a personal Word whereby we can all examine our rod of love.  We can start sharing our love for God and others today!  It’s always a good time to let someone know how much you love and care for them, not only in words but in deeds as well.  Remember to love your enemies too and show mercy.

“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. ³⁶ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.               Luke 6:32-36 NKJV

WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE Author Alexis N. Washington

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds”

2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV

We use our hands for a multitude of things to carry out our daily agendas on a day-to-day basis.  It is interesting to come into the knowledge that our hands are lethal weapons against the enemy!  When we clap our hands together under the unction of the Holy Spirit we are waging war in the heavenlies against satanic attacks. 

“Thus saith the Lord God, Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! For they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.”  Ezekiel 6:11 KJV

When you strike your hands together it is equivalent to the sword of the Lord.  Every strike is delivering a blow and every time you stomp your feet in the spirit you are crushing the head of the enemy. 

“So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike twice, even three times. It is a sword for slaughter– a sword for great slaughter, closing in on them from every side.”  Ezekiel 21:14 NIV

A sword as defined by Webster dictionary is a weapon with a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard, used for thrusting or striking; often used as a symbol of honor or authority.

Striking your hands together under the anointing causes a sound in the realm of the spirit that causes our enemies to fall down blow by blow and become weakened by the power of God. 

I have researched this mighty weapon (striking of the hands) and was amazed at how we don’t use it as often as we should in spiritual battle.  When in the heat of the battle we often forget that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.  We don’t have to fight in flesh and blood.  No! Our weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  Will you allow the power of God to flow through your hands as you strike them together to win your spiritual battle? 

Here is a testimony that I found from Prophetess Michelle Y. Harvey while doing my research on this topic:

In 2012 during the summer time, I remember I woke up with night sweats one night.  When I went to my prayer closet to pray I realized that my voice was gone.  My throat began to scream with pain, and I couldn’t pray in tongues.  I was alarmed. However, I remembered my former pastor mention during one his sermons about the founder of the Church of God in Christ, Elder/Overseer Mason.  He mentioned that Elder Mason wanted to conduct a revival meeting at a hotel back in the 19th century.  When the hotel realized that Mason was a black man, they refused him to use the banquet hall to conduct the meeting in their hotel.  He was, of course disappointed.  Mason was about to leave the hotel, but he saw the empty hall.  Mason then saw a chair.  Mason then placed the chair in middle of the room and began clapping his hands (by the instruction of the Holy Ghost).  The people at the hotel, didn’t realize it was just him clapping his hands, but they thought it was a crowd of people to attack them.  At any rate, when the Lord instructed Mason to stop clapping his hands, he stopped.  When he was about the leave the place, somebody from the hotel saw Mason and told him he could use their hotel to hold the revival-LOOK AT GOD, JESUS IS LORD!  At any rate, when I remembered that story, I began to clap my hands, praising God.  It took almost week, but the Lord healed me from that attack of the enemy.      www.faithrevivaldeliverancecenter.org/blog.  Pastor Chelle Blog

These are real testimonies of two people who utilized their mighty weapons during warfare and defeated the enemy.  Please be reminded that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (Ephesians 6:12 KJV). 

The purpose of this blog is to bring to our remembrance one of the strategies that God used in biblical times to protect His people and cause them to be triumphant and victorious.  While in prayer, I found myself striking my hands together and speaking in tongues-warring in the spirit.  The power that rose up in the midst of the battle gave me the resolute assurance that the enemy was defeated.  I have only experienced the striking of the hands as spiritual warfare on very few spontaneous occasions before this occurred recently.  This experience motivated me to search out the scriptures to see what the Word says about clapping hands in battle and I wanted to share the results on inspirationalblogging2.wordpress.com.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow…Amen!

 

Is Your Seed Still In The Barn? Author Alexis N. Washington

Have you ever thought that you work so hard but can never seem to get ahead?  If so, this message is for you!

In the Book of Haggai, which is only two chapters long, we witness the prophet to the Jewish people admonishing them to see that their priorities were out of order and blessings were being held back because of their neglect and current condition of the House of God.   A spirit of apathy (lack of interest, enthusiasm, feeling, emotion, excitement or concern) crept in among them and caused the people to forget about restoring their place of worship and instead they focused solely on their own dwelling places.  These people lived in well maintained houses while the house of God laid in ruins:  Haggai 1:3-11 KJV:

³ Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,⁴ Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?  ⁵ Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.  ⁶ Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.  ⁷ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.  ⁸ Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.  ⁹ Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.  ¹⁰ Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.  ¹¹ And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

Consider your ways!  No really…!  Think about it.  You get up early and go to a job with a systematic approach to perform your job duties and requirements.  You collect your paycheck, pay your bills, take care of your children, your household, put something up for a rainy day, and maybe even treat yourself every now and again “IF” you have something left after all of your obligations have been met.  By the time Monday rolls around you barely have enough gas money.  Have you ever received some money and before you knew it, it was all gone?  Does this sound familiar?  Aren’t you tired of living from paycheck to paycheck?  Here is a synopsis of the aforementioned conduct that the bible scriptures speaks about:

• You have sown much, but reap very little
• You eat, but it is not enough
• You drink, but you are not full
• You clothe yourselves, but are not warm
• You earn money, but it’s like putting it in a bag with holes in it
• You brought the money home, but God blew on it

These things speaks volume in the areas of un-fulfillment, lack, destitution, brokenness, poverty, non-productive, unsatisfied and most of all it speaks about a cycle or a negative repeated pattern known as a generational curse.

So what is the answer to annihilate this cycle of destitution?  Your seed!  But wait, where is your seed?  Oftentimes I hear people say, I cannot afford to tithe, give an offering, etc.  Or they will simply say, “I don’t have it.”  These are all excuses and no truth is found in any of these statements.  The problem is found in the priorities of the individual.

2 Corinthians 9:10 Amplified says, “And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for the eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

So you see for yourselves that a seed will always be provided to you from God and He will also multiply your resources for sowing, therefore we are never left without a seed for sowing!

So again I ask…Where is your seed?  Haggai 2:18-19 NKJV says,

‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it: ¹⁹ Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’”

Is your seed still in the barn?  The “barn” can be your pocketbook, the grocery store, the mall, the boutique, Toys R Us, your bank account, your hairdresser, your heart, or wherever you choose to  put your seed  that has become first place over the building up of the Kingdom of God. You cannot expect a harvest if you have not planted anything.  Lack does not yield increase; or more simply put in the words of my grandmother, “no deposit, no return.”  You have to take the seed out of the barn and sow it in the ground if you expect to yield a harvest.  While some may continue to say, “I can’t afford to sow,” others who are willing and obedient and those that are tired of the cycle of poverty are ready to redirect their finances, put their priorities in order and receive their harvest in abundance.

Last, please do not neglect your responsibility to the House of the Lord.  Repent of being bound by the spirit of apathy; seek deliverance and ask the Lord for a stirring in your spirit concerning your church.  He may be asking you to restore worship, the youth ministry, the men’s ministry, etc.  Maybe the outreach ministry could use some restructuring.  Whatever the need is in the church, become a yielded vessel that God can use to bring glory to Him. Your willing heart and obedience is the act of taking your seed out of the barn and sowing it in the ground.  Sow with expectation!  Expect a change in your finances, your marriage, your life, your children, your ministry, etc. when you decide to put God first in your life.

I pray that this message stirs up your spirit so that you can come into a greater victory by learning how to get your seed out of the barn and into the ground so that you can yield your harvest!

God’s Purifying Power Author Alexis N. Washington

I had the unction to put salt around my front door last week after I came out of prayer.  I didn’t question what stirred in my spirit, I just did it.  I put salt in the two corners of the entryway to the front door and holy anointing oil. Every time I entered or exited my home there was a clean and fresh aroma on the doorsteps.  After a few days I began to wonder what the sprinkling of the salt meant and I went to the most convenient resource:  Google!  This search resulted in pages of demonic rituals that had associations with black magic, voodoo, hoodoo, etc.  I began to wonder if I should go straight home and wash my front porch off and repent…

I did not open any of the pages from the google search once I saw that the introductions linked the website to demonic avenues.  However, I didn’t feel pressed to “wash” my porch off either.

While sitting in my car a few days later, I opened my bible and began to read a very familiar passage of scripture, 2 Kings 2: 1-25.  I was reading the Amplified version of my bible when I came across  verses 18-22:

¹⁸ They returned to Elisha while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not go’?”¹⁹ Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Look, this city is in a pleasant place, as my lord [Elisha] sees; but the water is bad and the land is barren.” ²⁰ He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt [the symbol of God’s purifying power] in it.” So they brought it to him. ²¹ Then Elisha went to the spring of water and threw the salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘I [not the salt] have purified and healed these waters; there shall no longer be death or barrenness because of it.’” ²² So the waters have been purified to this day, in accordance with the word spoken by Elisha.

Glory to God Almighty! For He is faithful and just to reveal truth to His people.  The revelation that flowed from this passage of scripture blessed my soul.  The enemy tried to twist my thoughts concerning the unction that I received and acted upon last week.  His ultimate goal was to “try” to convince me that what I did was associated with the demonic so that I could go home and wash the salt and anointing oil off of my doorpost.  I was in error when I searched for truth on the internet, I should have searched the hidden and infinite wisdom of God-the Scriptures.

When I read that the salt is a symbol of God’s purifying power, I came into agreement with what was already taking place in the spiritual realm concerning my household.  God knows what His children need and He promises in His Word that  ^“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand “John 10: 27-28. 

Let’s look a little further… purify means to remove contaminants from; extract something from; to make ceremonially clean.  It is synonymous with clean, decontaminate, to cleanse, refine, filter, clarify, freshen, deodorize, sanitize, purge, unburden, sanctify, redeem, disinfect, deliver.  Take notice that the waters were purified AND healed! Heal means to make healthy, whole, or sound; restore to health; free from ailment.  To bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity; settle; reconcile.

For the past two years my household has been in turmoil.  I’m talking about trouble that has been coming from within.  This is the kind of trouble that you cannot run away from because it is IN your house!  But today I decree and declare that my home is purified AND healed in the Name of Jesus!

YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH…

Representation of Water Author Alexis N. Washington

I am preparing to speak at a Gala tomorrow evening for a non-profit organization that serves and equips the homeless citizens in the community of Savannah, Georgia with bottled water, food, and clothing.  I met the founder of the organization about a year and a half ago and what a remarkable woman she is!  Ms. Georgette Jackson of Divine Rest. Inc. is on  a mission to build a place of rest for those who find themselves living in the homeless campsites in the community.   During our telephone conversation, the Holy Spirit intervened and gave us both revelation on the mission of taking bottled water into the community for the homeless.

In the natural sense, water is used for medicinal purposes, cleansing, purifying, to quench thirst and also used to cook with.  It is an essential of life- one cannot go without water for a very long time.  A person may survive for a month or so without eating food, but only a week or so without water.  Plants need water to survive, animals need water to live.  In fact, water is so vital that three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered with water and the human body is more than 60% water. Water is an ancient symbolism of refreshing, irrigation, and growth.

However, in the spiritual sense, Jesus gives us the best use of water.  Symbolically, water is Eternal Life; it is the representation of the Holy Spirit, and it is the Word of the Lord!

Jesus admonishes in John chapter 4 that, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst.  But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

If we read a little further in the 7th chapter of John we see Jesus crying out saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.

The message is clear, Jesus is not offering a physical quench of thirst with natural water!  The water that Jesus speaks of is the Holy Spirit.  The promised Comforter that will dwell in the believers after Jesus was glorified.  This water will never leave you thirsty, it is fulfilling and offers hope for an expected end-Eternal Life.

Every mission into the homeless campsites to deliver water is symbolic of taking the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of those who need impartation and intervention with the Comforter.  This is a mandate that takes a very special person to execute…Ms. Georgette is that very special person.  We love you and we love the people that you serve!

Enlarge My Territory Author Alexis N. Washington

While worshipping God, I heard these words—“The place you are in up until now is too small for you”.  Wow!   Tears began to stream down my face in slow burning streams as I received these words, I wondered what does this mean?  I have always been taught that if you receive a prophetic word in the spirit it should always be confirmed through the Word of God, so I began my search and here is what I found:

And Jabez called on God of Israel saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”  1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)

For your waste and desolate places, And the land of your destruction, Will even now be too small for the inhabitants; and those who swallowed you up will be far away.  Isaiah 49:19 (NKJV)

 

Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.  For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make desolate cities inhabited. 

Isaiah 54: 2,3 (NKJV)

 

A couple of definitive key words come to mind as I meditate on these scriptures are expansion, growth, new areas, opportunities, change,  protection, crossing over, strength, power, leadership, blessings, open wombs, and harvest.  I can continue as I write this blog however, this is a start of what the Spirit is speaking hot off the press.

When you are in a place that is too small for you, one can begin to look around at his/her current situation and realize that I have outgrown the place that I am in right now so I must gather my belongings and move to something more spacious that have the capacity to hold all that belongs to me.

I can use the analogy of shoes that have gotten too small for an individual to better explain this.  You brought the shoes and you got them in your correct shoe size.  You wear the shoes and they protect your feet everywhere you walk.  As time passes on, something happens!  You cannot physically see your feet growing but one day, you put those same shoes on and you discover that they are too small for you.  They no longer fit.  You continue walking around in them and notice increasingly that your feet hurt and you are very uncomfortable.  You take the shoes off to inspect them and maybe even blame the tightness to swelling in your feet.  Then you wear them on a different day for another occasion and the realization that you have outgrown your shoes have become a reality in your life.  The most obvious thing happens at this point,  you toss those shoes to the side and you go and purchase a new pair of shoes that provide the comfort and protection that your feet deserves.

If you notice the picture of the tent above, it has cords and stakes.  I chose this picture to illustrate Isaiah 54: 2,3  so that you can visualize the expansion and stretching that is getting ready to take place in this season.  Take a moment to meditate on that visual and take note of what comes to your mind as the stretching, pulling, and the increase, and the harvest, and the ability to store more of what God is about to pour out in this hour over your life.  Let those thoughts resound quietly in your inner man – yet allow them to burst forth within you on every side because another glory is on the way!

More anointing, more power, increased discernment, new and profitable businesses, witty ideas, the abundance of rain, an exceeding harvest of soul winning, abundant blessings, divine protection, more finances, more of Him, more, more, more, more, more of whatever God has in store for you.  What are you believing God for in this hour?  In the words of Bishop T.D. Jakes, “Get ready, get ready, get ready” because God is getting ready to shake the very foundations  in order to move those stakes and cords further out on the right  and the left side.

You may not understand what is taking place in your life right now.  Your inability to adapt to your current environment and the very fact that you are out of your comfort zone is the first sign of growth.  The hurt and pain of your present trial is a good indication that you are growing and the place that you are in up until now is too small for you!  God is still in control and He has you inscribed in the palms of His hands therefore He has not forgotten about you.  Begin to see yourself expanding, growing, your territory being enlarged as new opportunities come your way.

Until next time…