Jesus Loves Me This I Know

The Word of the LORD came unto me saying….

I kept hearing this over and over a couple of days ago….Every time I heard it, my spirit just plain got excited!!

I pray the Word daily….I mean every day…7 days a week…of every year for nine years…I pray a blanket of prayer over my tent…my family, my friends, my community, my state, my nation….and I pray over all that come to me on fb from all over the world…

I pray for all I’ve known in the past…and all that I will know in the future…as well as those I know now.

I pray for that everywhere I place my foot, or car, or whatever I’m in…and all that have gone before me…are there with me…and all that come after me.

I pray them allllllll saved!!!!!! The LORD is not willing that any perish, neither am I!

The Word has become and is becoming more wonderful to me every day!

I am more full of the Word…sometimes increasing by the day…but at least more aware daily of the Word in me…issues of living water…rising up and gushing over…much like a geyser!

I have more coming to me each day for prayer. How amazing is that?!

I often hear, "Please pray for me or  I want you to pray for me…or your prayers are powerful!

My prayers are not powerful.  Many times my prayers won’t even reach the ceiling…much less Heaven!

What do I mean? I prayed my prayers for years…a hit or a miss…no consistency whatsoever…and I never knew if it was my prayer or someone else’s…wasn’t thanking God for answered prayer because I wasn’t seeing my prayers answered. 

It is prayer coming out of my mouth…but I don’t pray my prayers.  I fill on the Word each and every day…

I mean in my life…today…I am saturated daily!!! I mean I’m leaving wet spots…spiritually speaking that is!! It’s amazing to me.

I have asked for this position…and I never want to moved from it…I am standing on and in a living river of water…and I am moving around just like everyone around me…I do all the mundane things and all the family things…and I sit by some of you…and we talk and laugh and are quiet…or whatever…

But I’m on gushpoint at any moment…I can pray on the spot…after stopping mid-walk…and take the enemy down…the stronghold…set the captive free…heal the sick…or whatever the need is…not me but Holy Spirit in me.

I know…and have known awhile…that it’s not me that’s anointed…but the anointing is the Word…and now that it’s in me…the anointing is gushing!!!

Crazy-sounding I know!! I’m not fun with the fun crowd of the world.  Many can’t stand to be around me…to hear my voice…of sit near me…or whatever…because I used to say an occasional Praise the LORD…or look happy most of the time…

But, today, a retired teacher…a retired political activist for the family…a mother of adults…a grandparent  of 5 granddaughters…and aunt to many nephews and nieces…and greats …and a great-great nephew…and friend to any and all that will be or want to be my friend…in my Jerusalem, my Judea, my Samaria, and in the uttermost parts of the world.

I have many spiritual sons and daughters and family the world over and that family is growing daily. This ministry, Women Who Pray, began praying 9 years ago daily…and my son created a website for us to pray on…and we wrote a mission statement that we were going to take this prayer ministry…to reach the world…by internet.

Well, we have the potential, today, to reach over 1500+ people over the world…all continents but Antarctica…each day…we have that many that have made us friends on fb.

Don’t you love to hear, “It’s not about me!” Well, that is the truest  statement in the world.  Nothing I could have begun in me could have gotten me here.

I kept asking the LORD, where was it LORD that I heard…”The Word of the LORD came unto me saying…”

I heard Ezekiel…

You might ask, “How did you hear?”

Well, if you turn to Ezekiel 33: 1, you will find the words:

…the word of the LORD came unto me saying…

It was this chapter  that was read to me and the WORD here that called me into the Pro-family/Pro-Life movement in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s…

It says here that when the watchman sees the sword coming upon the land…if he blows the trumpet and warns the people…then, it is not his responsibility whether they heed the warning or not…if they don’t, then their blood is on their own head.  However, if he fails to warn the people…then, the people will be taken away in their own iniquity…but their blood will God require at the watchman’s hand.

Now, I was 29 years old when I heard the Word of the LORD here calling me as a watchman.  I had asked the LORD to be an intercessor…to give me a heart to care about the lost…the ones I didn’t know.

I saw the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) as extremely dangerous. The feminists were encouraging young women like me to help destroy their own homes through all the material that was coming our way.  Divorce increased 10-fold at least since all that began!

I’m sure there have been multiplied billions of unborn babies world-wide as a result of the feminist movement.  I was at the forefront of that movement…but I, along with Phyllis Schlafly, Beverly LaHaye, Katherine Dunaway, and so many others were against the feminist agenda. 

Georgia was one of the 4 states that had to stand against the ERA, in order that it not become part of the law of our land.  Mothers On the March helped do that! I was the president of MOM!

After that victory…lullsville for me…I mean I did not know who I was! I was not longer a Christian, who believed that the gifts of the spirit were for the past…I was now a Bapti-costal…with nothing the media found of interest since the ERA years were over. I was on the back-side of a mountain it seemed for many years.

I spent much time in the Word and prayer alone.  Many journals fill my shelves that I prayed daily. The Secret Place of the Most High was very special to me.

Then, all of a sudden, while I was still a homemaker, and homeschool teacher to my youngest son, the LORD clearly said to me that I was going back to school.

“Why, LORD?” I queried.  “To teach!”  was what He said.

I taught Middle School for 19 years.  In order to have time with Him each day, I had to rise early…before my household awakened, or I would never have been able to do what my career required of me.

My mother had done that, and she told me that if I wanted to remain close to the LORD, that that’s what she had had to do.  Strange as it was, I was the daughter that questioned and balked as a young person, but I believed her and followed her advice most always as an adult. No one was more excited that I was going back to college to teach! Quite a Bible teacher was my Mom!

During the 19 years I taught, my oldest joined the army, my all 3 got married and became fathers of girls, my parents came to live with me, both spending much time in and out of hospitals, my hubby and I grew together weathering whatever came our way, and I retired after 19 years and 7 months of sick leave..June 2010.

Right before retirement, I created the Womenwho Pray wall…which has grown to over 1500 people. 

Women Who Pray has witnessed many miracles…many strongholds demolished over the 9 years of praying from and living in the Secret Place of the Most High.  Our ministry on fb has multipled that many times over!

The realization of only in the last few days that the reason I hear Him so clearly is because the Word of the LORD comes to me saying.  I mean if you are around me, you are likely to hear the WORD.  My grandgirls do…my 5-yr-old told her other grandmother that Mimi sure knows a lot about God.  

We bless the food no matter where we are, go to AWANAS, and/or play the Bible dvd often…especially if there’s one of the older girls here.

If they act out, they know we don’t do these things or we do these things…why…because who lives in our heart?...and what would He do…and they always know.  I don’t just take out the Bible and read occasionally, though, that’s great to do…we say our prayers, too, at nap time or sleepovers.  Their Dads and Moms know that we will bless the food…and sometimes they pray with us aloud as we all hold hands.

Now, I must share why I’m writing this today!!

I will try to say it in English…that does not mean I speak another language…it means that this is so intimate and experience and I’m so close to  that Holy Fire at this moment…because it just happened like an hour ago…and I was sent by the LORD to write it down.

Pray right now for understanding…for your spirit to receive this Truth.

I walked back to the back of the house…and the Spirit of the LORD is still all over me…

I delight myself in the LORD not just every day for 10 or 15 minutes…or even and hour.  Besides the prayer blanket I pray…I am in 4 Bible Studies.  I meet with one every other week and have for over 10 years. We are studying The Power of a Woman’s Words with Sharon Jaynes.  I have studied three of Beth Moore’s studies since spring of 2011, with a bff from high school and her ladies…Believing God, Why Godly People Do ungodly Things, and now the Patriarchs. 

We also studied Sheila Walsh’s study on promises of God. I’ve also been over night to 2 conferences that Sheila Walsh was there in person.  

Since January, I have read 1 Samuel, the book of Romans, and am presently reading 2 Samuel and on chapter 9 today.  

I write a blog at www.womenwhopraybiblestudy.blogspot.com  and I put the prayer blanket on our website www.womenwhopray.net every day.

Now, people say to me, “I don’t see how you do what you do.”

I don’t do it! I mean it’s my body…Teddi Holt is the vessel…but I am driven by a power …a dunamis power in fact…the same origin as our word for dynamite.  Holy Spirit in me is doing it.

 

I have found that if I seek the Kingdom first…all these things are added to me…just as promised. All my needs are met.

Now, anyone that knows me knows that I could moan and groan just like others do.  I could see the empty glass instead of the full glass.  I could be anxious, fearful, angry, or fall out of love.  I’ve been there and done that! Blech! Praise God forevermore I don’t have to stay in the pit…as Beth Moore says in that book…Get Out of the Pit!!

It’s all choice!!!

The LORD says, “ I set before you life and death…and says choose life and be blessed!!! 

Now, to that moment today…

I had spent time with my precious baby sister this weekend and our precious sister in-law.  My sister and I married nextdoor neighbors. My husband’s sister also married my sister’s husband’s brother. It never is easy to say or understand…but we are 3 families…though 6 people.

 

We’ve had the young and more selfish years…I mean we all came through the same high school…and all the younger marriage and parenting years…with all the children involved in many things.  A lot of life lived under our belts.

We are bffs and I mean that with all my heart…I mean both of their husbands are not only my husband’s brother in-laws…but those guys love each other and would and do anything for each other.

Crisis is what bonded us…we women…tighter than ever! Parents and all that has gone with the loss of all of our parents…I mean these two women are admired much by me! They are two mighty mights! I mean I’m the larger of we three, but I don’t know how I would have made it without either of them!!

I in fact, have three of the best sisters ever! All are to be admired much! 

I know that daughters rise and bless mothers, but this sister rises and blesses my sisters! Little Women is my favorite movie about sisters and Jo says it so wonderfully…nothing tops the bond of sisters! And, I know she meant blood sisters…but my sisters and that sister in-law all are also my sisters in Christ. No greater bond for sure!

Well, this weekend, a neighbor of ours at our cabin at the foot of Mt. Yonah, who lost her husband to lymphomas about 5 months or so ago, came out to greet my sister in-law and me as we road by her house.  She was so lonely and my sister in-law said you can come see us.

I love this woman and had had the privilege of ministering to her and her husband, but I wouldn’t have thought of inviting her up that night with we three couples and dinner already cooking.  Usually people say no or say yes and don’t mean it…make excuses later…but there was something in her eye that made you think she might come.

When we got back, we mentioned to the guys and my sister, who had not been with us. We all continued to prepare dinner, and just before it was going to the table, I saw her coming. I went to greet her, all six of us guys and gals, spent time with her and rethought how to put the food on the table.

With potatoes and steaks cut up and salad, we had a bountiful amount of food, with more food left over than had we had done our original way. All were fully satisfied…not nearly as miserable. 

The neighbor said the nicest things of what her husband said of me and my husband…and, when she had met my sister, she had said, “Oh…her sister.”

My sister’s response was, “Your realizing I’m her sister made you even more glad to meet me.” She smiled and nodded.

Hold on to that thought as I continue to tell you…

My sister made a point to tell me how sweet and giving that was of me. ..but I quickly placed that blame on the giving heart of our sister in-law.

Now, you need to hear the message in today’s www.Shinegirlsshine.blogspot.com Bible Study today from 2 Samuel 9:

David is looking all over…and having others look all over for anyone that is alive from Saul’s family.  This is after all that happened between David and Saul, and David is King of all Israel in this chapter. Finally, the king’s servant returns to tell that there is one found that was related to Jonathan…one with two lame feet. He is Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson, named Mephibosheth.  He fell prostrate before David. David told him not to fear, that he would surely show him kindness for his father’s sake, and that he would restore to him all the land of Saul your grandfather, and that he would eat bread at David’s table continually.  Mephibosheth said basically why me? A dead dog.  But David called Ziba, Saul’s servant and commanded him and his sons and servants to work the land for Mephibosheth and bring it to harvest that your master’s son will have food to eat, but he will eat at my table. Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants. Ziba gave his word…all were blessed…and Mephibosheth ate at David’s table everyday.

Well, as always, as the Word is penetrating my being, I’m getting excited over what this might mean.  I was just walking around…don’t know why I went into what was my office…where I had received and written many Truths at my dinosaur…now not working computer. I don’t know what I went in there for now, but ….now get ready….

As I realized that David, the king…hear it?...listen to every word here…the king did not know the lame man.  He knew his father and his grandfather. His grandfather had not been good to David, but Jonathan had made covenant with him. And, because of the faithfulness of his father, the son was eating daily with the king.

I thought the Truth was so wonderful….then,…..

The presence of the LORD was soooooooooo magnanimous …the Glory of the LORD ever present…as I was receiving what this meant to and for me…and all that concerns me…

For the sake of my Mama…for her prayers…her devotion to the LORD…for her service to the Most High God …her prayers for me before I was born…her speaking the Word of Truth…her love for her disciples…her girls…so many daughters…as teacher for so many years…and sons also in later years…sons in-laws and grandsons and greats and great-great…her visits to the sick…her prayers for the sick…her love for babies…for people…I could go on and on…but for her sake…the LORD communes with me and we are daily at His table , Manna and living water!!

I mean He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own!!! I know I’m His servant…His daughter…but because I obey Him and abide in Him…I’m His friend!!! I am a friend of God!!!

And now, the Words He spoke oh so long ago…”If you will follow me, I’ll bring them all!”

I know that I know that I know that I know that I know that I know!!!!!!!!!!! For my sake, He’s bringing them allllllll!!!!!!

Can you hear me saints? If you’ve been thinking what’s the use? My kids are a mess…and my grandkids…and my siblings!!! 

He’s only looking for one for each household…

in order to say…for Rebekah’s sake, or Betsy’s sake, or Beth’s sake, or Diane’s sake…or whoever’s sake!!!

It’s not just whosoever will!!! It’s whosoever and their household!!!

Gloooorrrrrryyyyyy!!!!!

I lift up a memorial to you LORD!!!! Jehovah Shammah!!!!

Just like when You called me…You presented Yourself to me…and I was prostrate before You , in Toccoa Ga at that retreat…and You said, “Teddi, I want you to quit praying your prayers and pray my prayer! “  I was crying in gut-wrenching silence…my friend hovered over me not knowing what I was doing. Others could have come by…but they didn’t…it was just me, the LORD, and our witness to this covenant to pray the WORD only!!! 

The WORD is the LORD’s prayer. The Bible includes stories, but the stories are for demonstration and explanation of the God and His promises!!

Today, in Your presence, LORD, in my house…I also was prostrate before you as you said over and over to me…for your mother’s sake….

As I have typed this today, You have gone a step further…as You do LORD everytime I grasp the Truth of Your promise…for my sake…for my faithfulness…You will save my children…and You are for her sake as well!!!

To You, LORD, be all the Glory….

Amen and Amen!!!!

Spurring One Another Toward Love March 13 2012

 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews 10:24-25

This could be written as the Word for Today!! Wouldn't it be great if this is what the Headline was in the newspaper? Or the 1st for us to see in our email...or on fb...or twitter?  I mean really...how much the better for the household of God to always be...in each other's face...like a coach...or beside each other's side... as a teammate...or just leading with JOY!!! 

All about us...depression...despair...hopelessness...darkness...but we are the children of light! We are counting it all joy when we go through the diverse (different) trials and tribulations...because we have the Hope of Glory in us!  We know He is about to show up and show out!!! He is about to do something magnanimous!!! 

As a younger prayer warrior...just learning to war...when I got to the helmet of Salvation...I would put it on...yanking it down...and say..."pulling down over my ears so I can't hear the lies of the devil."  If God says so...then, everything that says "not" is a lie!!! 

Let me repeat! If God says it is so!!! I mean that's what Amen means...SO BE IT!!! Whatever it is!!  It is so!! I can read and walk away every day and not remember what I read.  Hellloooo???? Are you there? A few minutes here or there in the Word...jumping around...even if it is a promise of God for me...won't get it!! I have to know the whys and wheres and whats about the promise...I have to grab hold of it...I don't just know it's in the Bible...that's only step number uno!!! Step 1 is to know.  

I've known about the Bible all my life.  I grew up in church with parents that taught the Bible every Sunday. My parents prayed together and with me all my life.  I carried my Bible to church every Sunday.  I checked off Bible reading on my envelope...and if I just happened to pick it up for any reason each day and glance over some words...I checked it!  

I mean I was saved...right? My whole family saw me get Baptized when I was 8 years old...they knew that I had even forgotten a very important part of clothing...tee hee...I mean who could forget that night...right? 

I mean I argued with my high school peers about creation versus evolution.  I believed God created...just said...poof and it was there! I never could believe the junk about spontaneous generation...where a spark just started...and a germ...and then,.....misssinnngggg links galore....and an ape...and finally me.??? HUH??  I know that's not exact...but very close.

I mean as I look at creation...and I could do this as a young one...no one could convince me that all that perfect order...that divine design...just happened through an explosion...or I mean I even had textbooks that I was supposed to teach from that said this mess...but I could not each it.  I could only say that this pre-history stuff is all before the story was written down... and it takes faith to believe any of it.  I chose from a very young age to believe that if this was not in my Bible...I would not believe it.

That makes me know that God and I had an understanding, and every time I felt that I had moved away from Him, I rededicated my life.  I walked the aisle at least 4 times ...maybe a 1/2 dozen times before I got it right.  Before I believed that God was who He said He was and would do what He said He would do!

My oldest sister got assurance of her salvation, and then, went after her sisters to make sure we were saved.  We were all insulted that she would doubt that we were saved.  Well, on March 9, 1975, all 3 sisters were saved...the other 2 in the morning...me that night...at a revival.  That was 37 years ago!!! Woo Hoo!!!

I was mother of 2 at the time...a 4-year-old son, and a 13-month old son.  I've never turned back again...I was on a great adventure that I remain on until this day!!!   I'm sooo thankful my sister spurred us on to love and good works.  She felt so alone...because we had all been sooo insulted...so just plain mad at her...but her obedience has always had the best of results...so many saved a a result of her faithfulness to Jesus and her family.

Years later, my Daddy...wonderful father, grandfather, Bible teacher, deacon, and on and on...became a concern of my mother.  She said if she did not know that he was saved, she would think he was not. She asked that oldest sister of mine and me to pray.  We did together and separately.  I fasted for the 1st time in my life on only water for 3 days and then, only juice for several.  A revival was at my church that Sunday, and Daddy came without Mama (she felt bad)...which was a surprise in itself.

The next night, he came back.  Surprise again!!! When the invitation was given, he bolted down the aisle...almost broke the lady beside him's foot!  Now, I was in shock!! He said that he had dreamed that he saw himself in the pit. He settled it all that night! Mama didn't get it...she did not believe that he had not been saved all that time...until she saw the change in his life.  My TeddyBear daddy had become my Patriarch!! Glorryyy!!!

I saw my mother in-law saved that same week at that revival.  She said it was the words in the song that caused her to receive Christ.  My sister in-law and her husband had been saved but not baptized.  All four of them were baptized the same night.  It was an amazing time in my life!!! 

In the next couple of years, I shared the gospel with my father in-law...and I even took it to my Mama.  I remember this woman...the one who had taught me about Jesus as a child...and had taken me to church...look at me that night...and say, Do you think I'm not saved?  I shared, that I knew she was saved, but something was missing...the Joy of her Salvation.  A short time later, during a revival, she went down to regain the Joy of her Salvation...and was rebaptized!

God had really done a move on a family that had gone through the motions...in fact, we had done what we believed we needed to do...but the scripture that says Today is the Day of Salvation really means much to me! That's what I ask people...where are you in your walk with Christ today! Today is the Day of Salvation! Not, where were you 10 years ago...or at first...but have you left your 1st LOVE?? 

I really didn't mean to cover all that...but the Holy Spirit did! I pray everyday Proverbs 16, where it says Man makes a plan, but the LORD directs his steps.  He doesn't direct us when we are planless...without a plan.  Holy Spirit directs us when we have a plan.  My plan was to share spurring one another toward love...and Holy Spirit directed back through the years of us...2 parents and 4 daughters...spurring each other.

I mean the reason I'm a pro-life advocate...and intercessor and advocate for the unborn...is because my sister who would be the 2nd of the four girls led me to a meeting.  I had recently miscarried my 3rd son.  She had not encouraged me to go at 1st, she thought I needed time to heal before I saw pictures of aborted babies.  I was never the same after I went!  Spurred forever on for the unborn citizens of this nation and of this world.  

If the fruit of the womb is God's reward...then, who the heck gave me or anyone else the right to kill His heritage.  If He is the creator of all life...and He is...not doubt about it...then, He is the one we are sinning against when we take the life of any segment of life of the human being. It is not the same as killing a bug or killing animals for food.  The LORD, Himself, killed...shed life of animals...to cover Adam and Eve.  He told us Thou Shalt not Kill.  War is also different as is self-defense, for the LORD called forth the armies of Israel, and His callings don't change.  He also expects us to protect our children...our families.

I shudder to think of facing my God...having allowed evil to overcome good...of just lying down and taking what my adversary would do to me.  That's why I war daily...I am a prayer warrior!! I take the Kingdom by the force of the Holy Spirit...in my home...in my city...in my nation...and around the world.  

The LORD says Go ye therefore into all the world and make disciples of all the nations! I have been on mission to do this for 37+ years...and the more I am willing to take for His Kingdom...the more He allows me to take.  

I know I sound a bit wild...a little foreign at times...even to me...but the longer I am here in this earth...this world...I am more and more realizing that I'm merely a sojourner...here to do the will of the Father as His minister...as His servant and friend.  It's not about me anymore...it never was, but I didn't know that.  I thought that me and my husband and my children and my parents and my sisters and my grandchildren and my nieces and my nephews and my friends and my nation and my world...notice the my over and over.

As long as I had the my view, I was anxious, and I was working so hard to perfect...and I was failing constantly...not realizing that it's not about me.  It is all about Him...and it all belongs to Him...His creation...His children...His family...His nation...His world.  

He tells me that I am ...we are...a chosen generation...we are His nation.  Our forefather Abraham...he was the father of Ishmael and Isaac...but Isaac was the child of the promise...the one that was to be the father of many nations...that includes all the gentiles who have come in through Jesus...who was in the loins of Abraham.  

The Church and Zion and New Jerusalem...all are to be ONE!! The LORD has made a way for us all.  He so loved the world that He gave us Jesus...the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  I have a story to tell you that is as new as today...I mean this day...March 13, 2012...but as old as Bible days.

I am on my fb prayer page...Womenwho Pray...every day.  I recently have been tried, tested, and am just now reaping from passing the test...regarding my mission in Women Who Pray which is to reach to the uttermost by internet...taking the good news.  

I have a Muslim friend on fb, who first asked me for prayer though we had different gods, she said.  I've heard from her over this last year...and recently she's brought to me a vision she had to interpret.  I've not always understood my own pictures...not at first anyway...so I had to lean hard on Holy Spirit for revelation.

She saw herself taken up and looking over her city...not the one she's from but the one she's in.  When she was delivered back to earth, she saw that she had stuff in her hands, and she dropped something.  Out of no where, a man appeared and handed her what she dropped...the Bible.

The Muslim woman told me she was seeking the Truth.  She had friends who were Christians, and she had attended a church for awhile.  The friend that had 1st taken her to the church left and went home to her country.  This woman had become disappointed with some hypocrisy in the church...among the members and was turned off.  

However, she had chatted with me before...asking for prayer...and I had shared the good news of the gospel that I believed...so she believed I'd tell her the Truth about her vision.  We talked awhile, and she said she trusted me.  I shared with her that the vision was clear to me.  She was asking for Truth...Quran? or Bible? or?? and I told her I believed that God had visited her with this vision and was saying the Bible was the Truth.  Another vision she had soon after this one was of Jesus and the LORD's supper.  I told her that I believed God was saying Jesus is the Word and He is the Truth that she is seeking.

I must tell you that I am amazed at our awesome God! I knew He had found me when I was lost, but I for some reason wasn't realizing how very much He is seeking the lost to save them...that He would bring together for her after she was seeking Truth...the vision...and a prayer minister from very far away to tell her that the LORD loves her very much.

Recently in a Beth Moore Bible Study, I believe it's Why the Godly do the ungodly...anyway, Beth was talking about Rahab...known eternally through history as the prostitute...who when she met Joshua, she told him she believed in his God...and she hid him and another...and they told her to leave the thread out her window...and when Jericho was destroyed...and plundered by Israel...she and her household were saved.  .

Then, in Sheila Walsh's Bible Study on promises, she talked of the Samaritan woman...and how Jesus went out of His way to be at the well when she came to it ... to give her to drink of the eternal water of life!!! Glorryyyy!!! LORD...another Arabian woman...not of Israel...again.


Then, what about Hagar? Ishmael's mother...and the Egyptian handmaiden of Sarah, Abraham's wife.  Sarah sent her husband, Abraham, into Hagar to have the son that God promised.  Ishmael, however, was not the son of promise.  Sarah did eventually get so offended with her, that Sarah had Abraham send Hagar and her child, Ishmael away.  

Get ready...can you hear it?...can you hear that Hagar, too, was a what?...an Arabian woman...not of Israel.  Yes, Egyptian, but mother of Ishmael the father of the Arabs. One of the greatest names of our God...El Roi...is shown to us here with Hagar...meaning that He sees!  

Just like in Abraham, there was a promise to all nations...yes, through Israel...but God loved all the world...and He made Abraham the Father of many nations...through Jesus...we are also sons of Abraham...and we claim the promises of Abraham.  

The Muslim people...they are of Arabian descent...they are of Abraham...but not through Sarah...and the promise! They are of Ishmael...through Hagar...but God did not forget them.  Through the good news of Jesus Christ...we, the Church...of every nation and people...are told to love our neighbors as ourselves.


Of course, we know the story of the Good Samaritan.  Those headed to the temple...did not stop to help...but the Samaritan did.  This story teaches us how to love our neighbors as ourselves...and that the hurt man was our neighbor.  

We are called to go into every nation and preach the gospel! We are told...even in these last days...when the means of going is not only by foot, and then horse, and then ships, and then trains, and then airplanes, and now, the internet...to go ye therefore!!! 

I love it!!! I love that I can share with a Muslim girl from across the world from me the good news of the gospel.  I can pray with you...yes, I mean you, the reader...that she receive the Truth and be saved and her Household.  

I believe God is who He says He is! I believe God will do what He says He will do! I believe I am who God says I am! I believe I can do all things through Christ! I believe the Word is active and living in me! I believe You, GOD!!! 

Have a blessed day, night, week, and rest of your life!!! His mercies are new every day!!! 

Love you much!

Teddi

Learning to love...cont'd... March 10 2012

Here's another Truth from the book, The Inner Woman of the Heart.  I was so young when the LORD was giving me these Truths. I mean I was like 28 years younger...ummmmmm....that would have made me like 33.  A long time ago!! ....but....O soooooooo rich!!!!!! Just listen:

As I studied God’s WORD, I read about how Paul rebuked the Church at Corinth for this same reason:

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men?

(1 Corinthians 3: 1-3)

I said,

“Lord, that’s exactly what is going on in your body. Jealousy, quarreling and division abound.  I meet people who I know love you and are serving you to the best of their ability; and the next thing I know, they are criticizing someone else who I know is also your child.  I’ve been guilty of doing the same thing, myself.  Please forgive me!”

Then, the Lord said,

“My children are just like your children.  They begin on milk, and just like any newborn baby, they cry out to me for every little thing.  As tiny babies, all they can do is cry.  If they study my WORD, they begin to crawl and jabber; and, then they toddle and speak one word at a time.  As they begin to walk, they should also begin speaking a little louder and a little clearer.

Learn from me.  Do not give your children more responsibility than they can handle, but do not allow them to remain babies with no responsibilities either.  Do everything in order.  Let you toddler get up on his feet.  Let Franklin walk, and let him fall.  Be there as a loving parent, just as I AM there for you when you fall.

In the spiritual realm, the toddler’s fall represents sin.  As you confess your sin, I forgive you and help you to your feet.  If you fail to confess your sin, you continue to struggle and cry, sometimes never returning to your walk.

Do not carry your children while they are learning to walk, unless they are tired, for they must learn to walk if they are to be mature men.  It is the same with your spiritual children, both your husband and sons and your brothers and sisters in Christ who follow behind you.  Let them walk, but let them know that you are there to lend a helping hand.

My children fight among themselves causing me much heartbreak.  Just as your children make you sad when they argue and fight, so do my children make me sad. Teach them to "love one another”, as I have loved them.  Allowing my love to flow through your family assures eternal life.

I AM LOVE!  I AM LIFE!  I AM GOD!  Therefore, love flowing through your family means that I flow through your family.  My Baptist children must love my Pentecostal children; my Methodist children must love my Presbyterian and Episcopal children; and on, and on. 

For there is only One God – One Spirit of God -- One Eternal Life – One Love!  I AM no respecter of persons.  Whether black, white, man, woman, Jew, Gentile, Baptist, or Catholic, when you receive ME, you become My CHILD – My PEOPLE – you are a CHRISTIAN, a BELIEVER!  All other titles are behind you as far as I AM concerned.”

How exciting it is to realize that Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth – is my Father!  He wants me to call Him, Abba Father, which means Father in the context of the very familiar and intimate name, Daddy.  I also believe that it is very exciting when He speaks to me specifically – when He tells me how to treat my children.

You know I have people ask me do I really hear the LORD! You know, I do! I do hear Him!! He's my Shepherd, and He says that His sheep hear His voice.  To say differently is to deny His Word...or to call Him a liar.  

I used to have to ask Him, "LORD, is this You?" I had to find Word that agreed with what He said to me, and then, I was sure.  Now, I have so much Word in me, that I know when He's speaking...He never disagrees with or contradicts His Word!!

Enough to chew on again...

Glad it's His will that I meditate on what He says!!  

Chewing and Chewing as I leave you tonight...

Love you all!!! God bless!!!

Learning to Love.. March 9 2012

Jesus loves me this I know! How? Why? Because He tells me so! Not only in the Word, but in the Walk.  He walks with me and talks with me! I am a friend of God! I love that song, and I love being a child of Abraham, who is called His friend in the Word.

 

I've had several days, where I've been like...in labor...that's right...labor...like when we women birth a baby.  I haven't been in pain in m physical body, but I've not been able to write to you...and I know God wants me to write.

He's the one who has made me like I am! I can just pour and pour...full to the brim and over-flowing...and then...nothing! In the natural...known as writer's block...but not so much that...as...knowing, "LORD, what do you want me to share? I'm Your vessel...and we both know I can run off in the wrong direction...or...I can say more than what You want said...lol!...that's been the greatest miracle in me...that Being Still and Knowing HE is GOD!!!!

Well in this training camp...learning to listen...to heed...to stop on a dime...like not going on a trip to the Bahamas...Who would think that I would need to do such...but, for now at least, my place is here at the helm of this ministry...under the umbrella of my husband's leadership.  The LORD just made me stop where I was...and pay close attention! Like when the Captain says, "Attttteeeeennnntttttiiiiioooonnnnnn!!" Hear and Heed!!!!

For a couple of days, I was like looking for something...not in the house...or outside...or on the internet...but in my mind...my memory? Was it just out of reach? I couldn't clearly think on it, but it followed me. Do I make any sense? I may not because it's hard in the natural to explain...like an inner yearning for...something...not new...but familiar.

Then, yesterday, I got a glimpse...a picture sort of...and I said, "That's in my book, LORD, I think...I'll have to look it up.  So, I went on a hunt. 

A few weeks ago, I had a friend back up what was on my old computer on one of those little stick things that hold a lot of memory.  The computer had been on the blink, and since that day, I've not been able to get it to stay on.

I pulled out the stick, and I looked for...but could not find...my book.  I wrote the book, publishing it in 1984.  My family helped me...mostly my hubby...with the money we raised.  It cost $1000 to produce 100 copies, and we sold them by word of mouth for $7.50.  No profit. 

It's purpose had not been for profit...it was to share with the Body of Christ.  Funny, how many, many times over these years, I've shared a truth from it.  I still do this. 

After checking the stick, and finding no Teddi's Book, I went to the dinosaur computer.  It took several tries before it would even stay up, and then, I saw that the book had been deleted.  I had done that to save memory to help save the dinosaur, after copying to the stick.

All this time, I had called and had prayer agreement with my prayer partner of so many years, Emily, and we had bound malfunction and dysfunction.  We also had asked El Roi to help us find the book.  El Roi is God's name that He called Himself to Hagar in the Old Testament.  El Roi means all-seeing.

 Now, I went back to the stick, and I searched and searched! Finally, I found it!  I felt sooo loved when I found it!  I knew that El Roi had found it for me! I call on God's different names often...Jehovah Rophe...the LORD who heals me.  Jehovah-Jireh is my provider! Glorrryyyy!!!!

I began reading a little last night…and now again this morning.  I believe God wants me to share with you some Spiritual glimpses…Truths that He taught me when I wrote this book…almost 30 years ago…and that I live by today.  Some Truths I’ve shared over and over.  Some I will share with this audience for the 1^st time.  J

Be sure that this is a prize possession of mine…I learned these Truths at His feet when I was a young wife…my youngest, who is now 31, was a baby/toddler.  The other 2 were older…like 10 and 13.  God was so faithful! As I sought Him, daily, He was there…I would find Him not sometimes…but every time!!

Here’s the 1^st excerpt that I will share…sit back and enjoy…I am! J

                                                                           Chapter 1

                                                                   My Learning Ground

One day, as I stood at my kitchen sink, washing dishes and daydreaming about the Believer’s Conference that was coming to Atlanta, the Lord spoke to me.  I had been trying to decide how I was going to attend as many sessions as possible when I heard Him say, “There is no doubt that you would learn a lot by attending all those sessions; but, Teddi, will such attendance disrupt your home?”

Aaugh!  Why had He asked me that question?  I mean, He knew how very much I wanted to go; He even admitted how very much I would learn – why did He have to ask me that question??  I’d be lying if I said that attending a lot of sessions would not disrupt my home.  

Each morning, I would have to take my two older sons to school, and I would have to leave my baby son with a sitter. Then I could not even stay through all the sessions because I had to pick my boys up at school.   In order to go back at night, I would have to leave them all with a sitter or maybe with their daddy, leaving,  them all at home, not to mention being rushed every night with dinner and not being at home to get my children to bed or to go to bed with my husband.

I answered, “Of course all that running around will disrupt my home, but, Lord, it is only one week, and what’s a little disruption compared to all the wonderful new truths that I’ll learn? Not to mention, how wonderfully spiritual I will feel.  Isn’t the sacrifice worth it, Lord?  Won’t I know so much more about your Word, and won’t I be a better wife and mother for it?”

God’s answer was astounding!  It has made a tremendous impact on my life as a Christian wife, mother and homemaker.

He said: “My daughters try to please me by going to all sorts of religious services and listening to every minister they can. They attend Bible studies and prayer groups; and they buy all sorts of books and tapes, spending much time reading and listening to my men and women.  This is not bad; in fact, it is good.  However, I do not want only what is good for my children – I  want what is best!

Remember, I told Saul that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice!’  Disruption, caused by your running around away from home – to Bible studies, prayer groups and other meetings – brings confusion and strife into your home.  Therefore, that is not the best place for you to learn the truths of my WORD.  Your greatest learning ground is your home!

I will teach you your relationship to me through your relationship to your children; so, you must spend much time with them.  I will also teach you the relationship between Christ and the Church through your relationship with Tim.  Listen to me and I will give you peace.  I will tell you which sessions to attend.”

I began to realize that God had been teaching me Bible truths through my children for quite a while; only, I had not received all of their meaning.  I began to think back, looking at each truth as a piece of a great puzzle. 

As I laid the pieces out, I could see that God was using my home to teach me the vast mysteries of His Word – that through my home He was revealing to me “revelation knowledge.”  These truths had been there all along – for any wife and mother to receive – and, yet, I had not begun to realize their richness nor their depth.  I realized that if I would listen to my Lord as He speaks to my heart, that I could know just “Who is woman?”  “Why did God create her?”  “What is her purpose?”  And, by answering these questions, I would know just “Who am I?” “Why am I here?”  “What is my purpose as a ‘New Woman’ in Christ?” 

Even though God had tried to teach me many things with my two older sons; until my baby son, Franklin, was born – 18 months ago, I had not been a very good student.  One of the first things God taught me was “How to Ask?”

After studying a while one night, only a few weeks after Franklin was born, I found in my Strong’s Concordance that the Greek word for Ask was aiteo (pronounced ahee-the’), which means “a demand of what is due.”  In other words, when God’s Word says, “Ask anything in my name, and I will do it,” it means to “demand what is due.”  Boy, was that heavy!  In my church and in my denomination, that was close to blasphemy or heresy.  I mean, “to demand of God” was unheard of! 

Finally, about midnight, I went to bed, saying,  “O.K., LORD, You’ve got to reveal this to me! I’m very confused.  I know that if your Word says to demand what is due, that it means what it says, because I believe that the whole Word is Truth!  But, Lord, ‘to demand of you’!?”

About 2:30 a.m., my precious baby, who was screaming at the top of his lungs, awakened me.  As I leaned over to pick him up, I heard my Lord say,

“Teddi, Franklin is demanding what is due!  He is your child, and he is hungry.  Does that make you angry?”

I answered, “Of course not, LORD.”

He said, “Neither does it make me angry when you demand what is already yours from me.  You are my child just as Franklin is your child, and, it is my responsibility to supply all your needs, just as it is your responsibility to supply all Franklin’s needs.  I have equipped you to meet your children’s needs, just as I AM equipped to meet all your needs.”

Wow!  What a revelation!  The next day He continued to explain to me that when my older sons, Timothy (11 ½) and Ted (8), say, “I’m hungry, what’s for dinner?” that I was wrong to feel anger or resentment. They are only demanding what is due. It is my responsibility as their parent to supply their needs.

In fact, He said, “Meet all your children’s needs but only give them the desires that will not hurt them.  When I say, ‘I will give you the desires of your heart,’ I mean that as you delight in my WORD, I will place my desires in your heart.  So, as your children learn the WORD, I will place my desires in their hearts.”

 I said, “Lord, what if I can’t meet their needs right then when they ask me?”

The Lord said, “I do not ask you to do anything that I have not first equipped you to do, or provided the means for you to do it.  Your children’s needs are your need, and I shall supply all your needs by my riches in glory just so long as you obey my WORD. THE DOER OF THE WORD REAPS THE HARVEST!

Some good food to chew on...a little meat...huh?? It has been more like steak for me...or a wonderful pork chop on the grill.  It has taken time...to grow in me...but coming boldly to the throne of Grace and asking...has become a life pattern.  The more I've practiced the more I've seen results!!

God is good all the time!!! Woo Hoooo!!! 

Jesus Loves You and Me March 4 2012

An amazing thing that Jesus loves us all.  In John 3:16, we find a great love verse for each of us:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have eternal life! 


What a wonderful promise!  Does He say He loves only the Jews in this chapter?  What about only the Christians?  No, He says in His Word here that He so loved the world.

Jesus came to seek and to save who? the lost.

As a Christian, it is very easy to see that we are His children...so, we are the chosen ones.

Though this is very true, and Jesus loves me...and Jesus loves you...He loves His Body...the Church...very much!! We must remember this and know that all of His promises in His Word are for us!

However, we have misunderstood a few things.  We have believed that even if we walk at a distance the promises are ours.

We forget that there was an original olive tree...and that that olive tree...Israel...was grafted out...so that we, the Church could be grafted in.  (Romans 11: 22-29).  In fact, it says in verse 20 of the same chapter, that they were broken off because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3:7-11 tells us not to harden our hearts as Israel did in the wilderness, and says in verse 19 that they could not enter His rest because of unbelief.

Since the Day of the LORD is approaching us, and we are told to be ready, I believe that it is the hour for the Church to stop acting as babies and spoiled brats.  We need to come to order! We need to understand that we've been on the milk way to long, and it's time to eat the meat of the Word.

We've been told to count the cost! We've been told to take up our cross and follow the LORD Jesus wherever He leads us!

Most of us have done this for awhile, and then, a we've stopped...taken in R&R time...read novels, watched tv, fixed ourselves to the computer, worked excessively, or whatever else just to keep from staying in the Word and prayer.

We've acted like how we live and vote has nothing to do with how we believe! God is not mocked! He knows our hearts, and He know whether we have aligned ourselves with Him or the enemy!

I dare say, the early Church, would roll over in their graves...if they were there instead of with Jesus...at the attitude most of the children of God have...Fear of God is not first place in their lives!

Most of the Church breaks God's laws, not because they actually bow to an icon...a religious idol, or because they kill someone or rob a bank.

The children of the Most High seem to still think like a child as 1 Cor. 13 tells us to stop doing.  Most of us break God's laws because we do not Love the Lord our God with all our heart and our Neighbor as ourselves.  If we did, we'd be obeying the LORD in all things!!!

We wouldn't be afraid...anxious about so many things...when the Word says that perfect Love casts out fear! 

The LORD gives us direct orders...search me early...search me and you will find me...abide in the Secret Place and no plague shall come night you...meditate on the Word day and night...hide the Word in your heart that you not sin against me...transforming your mind by the washing of water by the Word..

He spoke clearly to me yesterday while I was praying the prayer blanket...all Word...that I pray daily and have for nine years! He said, Instead of a rudder or wing or paddle or something in the back or under ...the Word is the engine...taking you where You go! By the Force of the Holy Spirit!!


Well, all I can say is WOW!!!! He also said, When we speak to the mountain...we must expect what we say..whether we see it or not.  It's like looking at a building that is being imploded. We can't see with the natural eye but by Faith we know ...the  substance of things hoped for...the evidence of things not seen.


Another WOW!!!

I've had some diversions lately...things tempting me to not stay my position.  I'll try to explain.

Recently, I was tested with regard to my position as helpmate...submissive to my husband. I had to allow others to not understand, as I did what my husband said.  It was truly a test for me, and I was not comfortable with things that took place...with regard to people being unhappy with me.

I had the LORD even tell me it was a test.  I passed that one, and then, another came .

I was just going away on a little R&R...I was to be away from my husband, my family and one that I keep daily, and from this prayer ministry for 5 days.  As the day approached, I was finding myself dreading going...I couldn't put my finger on it...but instead of looking forward to it...I was heavy...not light...then, a dear friend just died...he was here watching a race and just went to sleep.

Well, that heaviness continued and continued...I began to be under a duress of sorts...until I said to my husband...I would rather stay here.  He had been telling me go and have a good time...but after his dear friend as close as a brother died so suddenly...he said I didn't have to go.

I dreaded telling my bff, but I knew she'd understand...and I didn't get my money back...but after I set my face to stay... the LORD spoke to me again...

I have a position ...a station...to man. No one can take my place.  I'm helpmate, keeper, and prayer minister! Being away from my station/position for 5 days would have thrown things into chaos!! I would be out of order, and I would have been out of alignment for blessings and promises.

I know some of you may not like hearing this...however, I'm called to tell the Truth.  And, as I minister Women Who Pray, the blessings and anointing flow from the top.  If I'm out of line, then, others will miss the blessings and anointing.  Remember how the plum line can be just a fraction off at the top and be a long distance at the bottom.

Since, I made my decision to stay in place...to be still and know that He is God!!..I have seen several wonderful blessings.

Little things...just family and daily stuff...that concerned me...just falling in place...little breaches healed...etc.

And, for the wonderful answer to prayer that happened yesterday, as I was here...just home from church with my hubby...a person that I had not talked to in awhile was there to chat with me. She is Egyptian, working in another country...and Muslim.

She had asked for prayer like 9 months ago...though we served different gods she said.  I had prayed for her, and it was because of her and a couple of other Muslims that we had added to the prayer blanket about Muslims coming to our prayer page to our God who is LOVE.

Well, she had tried to have me unfriend her on fb about 7 months ago, but I told her I couldn't.  I didn't believe it was an accident that she came to me, and I believed she'd be saved.  That was like in October. She had been to a church with friends, and she said she was seeking truth.

Yesterday, she was there wanting me to interpret a vision she had had.  She told me about being in a lift in her house and being raised high so that she could look down and see the land she was in.  She was brought back to land and had things in her hand...and dropped something.  It was a Bible.  Then, out of no where a black man told her to guard the Bible. That was it, she said.

I was awed!!! I said to her, WOW!!! How much God loves her that He would send her a vision that told her to protect the Word of God.  I told her I believed God wanted her and her whole household saved...all her tent.  Like Rahab, I told her, in the Joshua story of the Bible of Jericho, who was saved...her and her family.

She said, I'm not ready.  I said, The LORD says to you Get Ready...He's coming soon and He's coming for all that come to Him. We ended because she had to leave work, and she said, "Be happy Teddi, we'll talk again.  I said, "Yes, we will!"

I told Gloria, my sister and mentor in intercession for always...who may have won as many to the LORD as any one on one street evangelist...can't wait to meet them all in Glory! She's as excited as I am, and we are together so amazed and so blessed to know that our God is more Faithful everyday ...that we are receiving new mercies every day.

We glory in the fact that He still loves the whole world...and He's still giving His son...that whoever believes will have everlasting life!! We His Church...need to realize it is just not about us!!! It's about Him!!! And He loves the world!!!! Our Jesus came to seek and save the lost...the world...and we must seek and save the world to be working with and in Him!!!

Seeking Him first...each day...and not being anxious about what we eat, drink, or wear...He knows we have needs and He will meet them if we'll seek the Kingdom...seeking and saving the lost...every day...

Glooorrrrrrrryyyyy!!!!! He loves me and you...and all the world!!!! Not His will that any perish but all come to repentance...sending visions and dreams...angels...to those we've given up on or don't think about...His ways are not our ways...His thoughts are higher than ours!!!

I'm sooo glad that He's God!!! His mercy endures forever!!!! and ever!!!!!   Amen and Amen!!