Today is a day of reflection.  A day to consider all that Jesus accomplished for us.  In the book of John, Jesus prays to the Father regarding the life He led before men.  How He glorified the Father on earth and how He will glorify Him on the cross.  When I think of Jesus, the cross and His blood; I also consider the example He gave us.  He showed us how to live as sons of God on the earth in such a way that we will glorify the Father.   He also finished the work He came here to do.  I pray that God will empower us to represent Him even as Jesus did, in such a way that will bring Him glory and that we may also finish the work we have been assigned to do.  Have a Blessed Resurrection day and Passover.

 Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven,
and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may
glorify thee: 
Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 
Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou
gavest me to do. 
Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I had with thee before the world was. 
Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the
world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy
word.

We are very excited to announce that we will shortly be opening our Community Outreach Center in North Wilkesboro.  We will keep you posted with Event updates. 

TAKE BACK YOUR APPOINTED TIMES!
By Cherie Sheridan

 Recently the Lord had me working  in Isaiah chapter 14.  He told me to take apart every word with the concordance. 
 What was revealed to me was quite amazing.  It really clarified for me some things that really didn't seem to flow and make sense as I read it.  Realizing that this is the season where God is pouring out His revelation and understanding of His word.  The books are being opened to us that in times past, even during it's writing were not fully understood.

 Isa 14:11  Thy pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and worms cover thee. 
Isa 14:12  How art
thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down
to the ground, that didst lay low the nations! Isa 14:13  And thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north;
Isa 14:14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. 
New America Standard version

Let's start with the word“viols” in verse 11.  The Hebrew word nebel.  It means a skin bag (from collapsing when empty.) 

Now in other translations they use the word strings instruments.  But if you look up in the concordance there are many words for translation that could be placed here, but none of them represent “stringed instruments” at the most it would have to be like a bag pipe or something where wind fills and collapses the bag.  Yet in verse 16, the scripture refers to Lucifer as a man.

Isa 14:16  They that see thee shall gaze at thee, they shall consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 

So following the flow of the scripture we are looking at a man in a“skin bag” who will be covered in maggots and go down to Sheol. So this is Lucifer, a skin bagfilled with wind, covered with maggots. The wind was his pride or pomp.  His self-inflated notion of who he is and his authority.  I'm sure that he doesn't like this true identity of himself, but since I don't care about what Lucifer thinks, too bad.

Next in verse 12 the scripture addresses his fall from heaven (or a lofty place or position).  Now we are told his name Lucifer, son of the morning.  This statement tells us that Lucifer had a measure of authority over the day.  If we look at Gen chapter 1:5.  There was the evening and the morning were the first day.  So on the first day the son of the morning was present.  We see in Gen 1:14-16 that the day and night was set for signs and season, and for days and years.  In verse 16 we see that God gave the Sun rule over the day, and the Moon rule over the night.  He gave them authority, that is why men worshiped the Sun and the Moon.  They misunderstood their (sun & moon) dominion and made them gods.  Now let us go back to Isaiah 14.

Verse 13 tells us that Lucifer said in his heart that he would ascend into heaven (which was not his domain) and I will exalt my throne (or my place of rule or dominion) above the stars (princes or rightfully set ones) of God.  He continues to say “I will”  this is a pride statement sit on the mount (mountain, or a place of promotion) he falsely promoted himself to the mount of the congregation.  Interestingly, again, congregation is not the correct interpretation for this word here. 
[Mo ed] is the Hebrew word here and it means appointment, fixed time or season.  So because of Lucifer's authority as son of the morning He has illegally placed himself in position over the appointments and set times that God has ordained for us. Let's confirm this further.  Look with me at Daniel 
7:25.

“Dan 7:25  And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he
shall think to change the times and the law;”

Here we see him attempting to change the times(seasons) and the laws (decrees) of God for the purposes of wearing out the saints.  Answered prayers being delayed, provision being delayed...all for the purposes of getting us not to trust and
believe in God!  

This is one of the seven mounts of God referred to in the book of Revelations 17:9.  This is a mountain that God is having us take back in this season!

Let's Decree...Father God, in the name of Jesus I take back the Mount of Appointment for the Kingdom of God!  I decree and declare that the times and seasons ordained of God for my life and my family, for the body of Christ will no longer be delayed, blocked, hindered, sped up or diverted!  I decree and declare that I am moving in the timing and seasons of God, and meeting with God at His appointed times in Jesus mighty name!  Everything that God has promised to me, comes to me now in His appointed time, every blessing, every breakthrough. Praise the Lord!

Be blessed and watch things unfold to you that were held up...Whoo Hooo!

The is a message we all need to hear.  Have you been waiting for a healing or a breakthrough for years?  God could be hiding the thing in your heart you need to

"Be grateful for the little things and the big things will come." Tom Sheridan

Put your speakers on loud.  The audio fluctuates.  We're working on it.

Remember we  are in this world, but we are not of this world.  There are alot of changes taking place all around us.  The Lord says to keep our eyes upon Him in this next season.  This will keep us from the deception that is taking place.  Many church leaders are falling into the humanism and the new age movement.  They are  promoting doctrines of devils.  Even the people that are out there trying to  share the deceptions are at risk of being deceived themselves because they are  continuing to look at the problems instead of the Lord.  We don't have to be  ignorant, but these things are irrelevant to the Truth.  God can and will take  care of us.  We must dwell in the "Secret place of the Most High" and abide  under His shadow.  Did you ever wonder why it was called a "Secret place"?  It's  because it's hidden, only God Himself can reveal it to us.  Not everyone will be  able to find it, the only way to find it is to be in close communion with Him

 Luk 8:22  Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat,
himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth.
Luk 8:23  But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.
Luk 8:24  And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish.. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and There was a calm.
Luk 8:25  And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and thewater, and they obey him? 

Recently the Lord gave me a vision concerning the circumstances that can surround us.  I wanted to draw a picture of what He showed me, but for now I will attempt to draw it with words.  I saw a vision with a path laid before me.  It was strewn with obstacles.  As I continued to look at the vision I saw the arm of the Lord sweep all the obstacle out of the way.  The path was clear as to walk on.  Then some time later the Lord gave me another vision.  I saw this path that I was on, with huge waves roaring from both sides like walls that could fall and collapse upon me at any moment.  In side the waves I saw financial problems, health issues, family, foreclosure, lack, poverty all manner of problems roared in these waves. The path was still before me, somewhat overshadowed by these waves.  Just like walking through a forest, you may have to duck now and then to avoid a tree limb or a vine, but the way before you is still clear.  Just like the children of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea.  The walls of water could have fallen in on them just as easily as it did upon the Egyptians but the Lord held back the waters, just like He will hold back the waters for us now if we will believe and trust Him.  
 
God has a destination for each one of us to obtain. We must be fixed, and un-moveable, locked on that target to obtain it.  If we look to the left or to the right all we will see is the raging of the storm that can fall upon us at any moment.  But if we look ahead at the finish line that has been set before us all we will see is God.  I have said this in times past, whatever we look upon becomes big.  If we look upon Jesus and stay fixed upon Him these waves will become like little trickles of water that flow after a hard rain, nothing to worry about.  

Father God has been developing in each one of the character of Jesus.  He has been causing us to become strong and totally dependent upon Him, fully trusting in His word and His promise to us to perform it.  He has been bringing us to a place where we are not moved by what we see or hear.  We are only moved by Him.  We wait upon Him, receive our instruction from Him for the circumstance and move forward knowing “He’s got this”.

If you have been your resource, if you have trusted in “your” abilities to take care of yourself and say that you still trust God; you will find out very soon how much you really trust Him. If in all your efforts you still can’t pay your bills, not matter what you do you can’t lose weight, no matter how well you eat you still suffer in your body, not matter how many doctors you have seen you can’t get well…. God will let you exhaust all your options, He doesn't need our help and He will just wait until you turn to Him. If you don’t, He will allow you to perish in the storm. Why? Because He’s God and He is the only one who can move the obstacles out of your way. God does not say He helps those who help themselves, He says, "He helps those who trust in Him." Your eyes must be fixed on Him. People suffer panic attacks and heart attacks for fear. Fear is not from God. Fear has torment. Fear comes from looking at the storm. It comes from looking at the problem and not the Answer. Jesus says is this way. Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?

Contrary to the popular belief that God’s people if they are blessed won’t have storms, it’s because we are pressing into the things of God that we have storms.  It’s for our growth and development in the Kingdom of God.  God permits us to go “through” this training to bring us into “Christ” likeness.  We have to be like Jesus if we are going to walk like Jesus.  Jesus walked upon the storms and the sea; He was not overtaken by them.

 Mat 14:25  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 
Mat 14:27  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

When we are ready to get out of the safety of the boat, Jesus will bid us to come walk on the water in the midst of the storm with Him.  This is part of our spiritual growth.  Jesus was headed to His destination, He was not going to let raging storms stop Him, neither can we.

Mat 14:28  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto  thee on the water.
Mat 14:29  And he said, Come.And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 
Mat 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 
Mat 14:31  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 
Mat 14:32  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 
 
Just like Jesus we are called to command the wind and the seas to obey us.  Not just physically rains and storms, but every kind of storm that rises up against us.  As sons of God we have authority over the systems of this world just like Jesus.  We just have to be hearing God constantly to know what we are specifically to address.  We are spiritual people in a carnal world.  We have been trained to think and address things carnally, but as sons of God we are commanded to address them spiritually.  The ultimate purpose for circumstances is to develop us as sons of God and release others from captivity to become sons of God.  We are not called to get involved with everything that is going on around us.  We are called to influence it.  The only way we can do that is by walking in“the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ”.  God is calling His people to walk in“Extraordinary Faith”.  The only way we can do that is to have the faith of Jesus in us.  That’s why we go through the storms.  Jesus had to learn how to walk on the water through the storms and so do we.  We can’t be those who just seek after Jesus for the provision and the things which are temporary.  We must seek after Him for the Kingdom of God, for those things that are eternal.

 Joh 6:26  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled.
Joh 6:27  Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed. 

You know when you are beginning to walk in “faith” because you have peace in the midst of the storm.  That despite the raging of the storm around you, you are not moved and are continuing in forward progress toward your destination.  You are not making excuses as to why you cannot accomplish the tasks which the Lord has set before you.   Even if it’s not clear, when you first start toward your destination, as you continue to “go”the image in the distance will become more clear.  You will not be pulled off of your assignment by distractions around you, no matter what they are.  You will stay fixed and un-moveable, ever abounding in the work of the Lord.

 1Co_15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

 
God Bless You.

Are you having trouble sleeping at night?  Having nightmares?  Thoughts just plaguing your mind?  Cherie Sheridan discusses biblical ways to make it stop.  So you can have peaceful and restfull sleep without taking sleeping pills.

I am very excited about our new video series "How's Your Heart?" .  I've been working diligently to get many teachings uploaded and available.  Sign up to our You Tube channel to receive video updates.  Look for our newest teaching  "Sleeplessness".

TOUCH NOT
9/11/2011
Cherie Sheridan

19  When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20  And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21  He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22  Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23  Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24  Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
1CHR16:9-4

14  He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15  Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Ps 105:15

God repeated this statement twice in scripture “touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm”.  When He says something twice He is bringing emphasis to what He is saying.

For years I have heard many people use this scripture to protect themselves in leadership.  But actually this is saying more than that.

Here God is saying He separated Israel, His anointed (as a people) unto Himself. He then went further to separated the “prophets” of God; those that represent Him here on the earth, those that have been separated by God and set apart as Holy unto Him. 

We read in the Old Testament that Moses was special to God; He is a type of Jesus that ever makes intercession for us before the Father.  He spoke with Him face to face.  Aaron was anointed by Moses to be the High Priest of God.  Aaron was Holy and separated unto the Lord.  He had to stay in the temple.  He could not do anything He wanted.  He could not be defiled by anything unclean.  Yet, Aaron did not have the same relationship with God as Moses.  As a matter of fact, God almost destroyed Aaron for allowing the golden calf to be built.  Moses interceded on Aaron’s behalf to spare his life.  (Exodus 32) Another time Aaron and Miriam questioned who Moses married and God struck Miriam with leprosy.  Moses interceded once again for their lives. (Num 12)

God clearly made a distinction between someone who just speaks on God’s behalf and someone who is like a friend.

6  And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7  My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8  With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?  Num 12-8

Here God is addressing presumption.  Clearly God says how he will speak to a prophet in a vision or a dream; but there is another level in God and that is where we are His friend and He speaks to us face to face.  God has this special relationship reserved for those that are faithful in His house and truly are seeking after Him. Their hearts have been purified by His fire and they are praying always for others, ever making intercession for them. They are praying “God” prayers, not soulish prayers.  They have pressed into the heart of the Father and are viewing situations from His perspective and are praying accordingly. Just a side note here, this doesn’t mean those that are faithful to the church.  This means God’s house.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

God didn’t tolerate presumption.  This is a horrible sin before the Lord, He wouldn’t have it in the camp.

12  And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.Duet 17:12

He also doesn’t like us to say, “Thus says the Lord”, if it’s not coming from Him.  God says to disregard what they say.  That being said, some of the things that the previous prophets have spoken have not all come to pass yet.  Enough of what they have said has, so we know the rest will; same thing with a prophet today.  We must take all things before the Lord and ask Him if it was Him.  Some things can take many years before they come to pass.

22  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. Duet 18:2210  

 These are presumptuous people walking in their flesh and just talking junk about whoever they please.  These are suppose to be God’s people, yet they are living out of their flesh and not the Spirit.

 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 2Pet 2:10:11

Then God separated the Levites unto Him as His inheritance and to serve Aaron in the temple.  They were there to help Aaron or the current High Priest.  Yet, the Levites led by Korah thought to question Moses and Aaron’s authority before God and God opened the ground up and swallowed them, their families, their belongings and their herds alive, and then closed the ground back up.  Duet 16

We’ve got several very important elements going on here.  Sin of presumption which in the Old Testament meant you were to be stoned.  Praise God for His mercy and Grace! 

We also have people assuming positions of authority that they were not given by God.  That’s a big one in the church today!  Too many individuals are behind the pulpit mis-directing God’s people that were not placed there by God.

Additionally, we are not to touch God’s anointed that are not given to us.

The word touch comes from the Hebrew word na^ga’ which means to lay hand upon (for any purpose); to reach, to aquire, to arrive; violently, to strike, come nigh, draw near, join.

 Assumption

1. The act of taking to or upon oneself: assumption of an obligation.
2. The act of taking possession or asserting a claim: assumption of command.
3. The act of taking for granted: assumption of a false theory.
4. Something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof; a supposition: a valid assumption.
5. Presumption; arrogance.

12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12

Jesus states that there were those that God gave Him while He was here to work with.  Jesus didn’t work with everyone that came across His path.  He only poured Himself into those that God instructed Him to.  We are not to join ourselves with just anyone to serve our purposes or theirs.

This is the main reason for this message.

I was sitting at my table eating lunch and the Lord visited me in a vision.  I saw a man of God with a prophet’s mantle on him and I saw a hand go forward to touch him and to lay claim to him.  I immediately heard the scripture “touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm”.  The interpretation of the vision the Lord gave me is that someone was laying claim to this person without the authority of God.  They were making an assumption.

 Unfortunately this kind of things happens all too often in the church.  Leaders see a gift in a person and immediately start determining how they can best use that gift in their ministries.  They make an assumption that that is why God placed them there.  They should instead seek the Lord for that individuals purpose in their midst and inquire of the Lord if He wants them used at all.  We as individuals also have to grow to a place of maturity in Christ that our identity comes from Him and not in what we do.  Too often, in the body of Christ people get involved in things because they want to be seen as productive or simply because they need to be involved out of their soul.   We all have to know who we are and what our calling is.  It can be intimidating sometimes when someone in a leadership position questions why you will or will not be involved with something.  We have to be steadfast in what we know God has personally told us to do.  If you know that you are where God has placed you then you need to listen to what leadership is speaking to you.  Take everything to God and ask how to apply it in your life.  If God says it’s not for you, then discard it.  We will be standing alone before God, we will be accountable only to Him; without excuse.  We must be able to hear and discern His voice for ourselves; this will protect us.

God says all that are His are His anointed (spiritual Israel) and then there is the Prophets.  This is not to glorify the Prophetic office, but this is to place back in the church the reverential fear of God that rests upon His prophets.  Anyone who is a true prophet of God would rather have another call.  It’s a hard life, it’s a separated life.  Many times they are misunderstood and rejected.  They must endure things and face trials that the other five-fold ministries are not called to.  Just as Moses had to put himself out there and believe the Word of the Lord before all Israel, so must the Prophet.  Above all else, his words and actions represent God.  He must proclaim what God is saying to the leaders, to the kings, to the congregation and point the people back to God.  Much goes on in the church that has nothing to do with God.  We get into a flow, a routine.  Leaders make assumptions with people based on past experience and it’s NOT God!  We MUST always inquire of the Lord concerning every person and every situation.  No two people are the same.  Two people may be having the same problem but when the time is taken to inquire of the Lord He will give different solutions to go with the individual.  WE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS!  We must always inquire of the Lord.

Going back to the vision, we must ask God what our role is in the lives of the people that God places in our path.  Is it momentary?  Is it for us to walk with them for a season?  Are we there to help them?  Are they there to help us?  If you are a Pastor you have the responsibility of inquiring of the Lord if this is one of the sheep you are responsible for.  If not, “DON’T TOUCH”.  If our whole motivation for ministering to someone is to fill a church seat then the motive is not of God.  We are to help one another have a closer walk with the Lord and to point them to Jesus; not make them reliant on us¸ but on Him. We are supposed to be empowering and raising up Sons of God.  If it was what Jesus had to do, then we must do the same.

Too often the statement is made of Prophets that they are not submitted to authority.  I beg to differ.  In my experience there is a season of training within the body for foundational instruction; then, God will send them to be with other Prophets for the next level of their training.  The final stage of a prophet is full submission to God.  They don’t move until they’re told.  They don’t get to go to every meeting. They don’t live inside the church, they live before God.  This process can take a long time up to 20 or 30 years, it doesn’t mean you won’t be operating in the office of a prophet with it’s gifting early in ministry but God is after your character and character development takes time.  I might add most of God’s leaders recognize each other.  A mature prophet is moved only by God.  He doesn’t have to make a seen, but He will if instructed to do so.  However, if it is God, God makes the way clear for what needs to be said or done by His man or woman.

If you research the Bible you will see that the Prophets went to prophet schools.  Most of them stayed at their homes before the Lord; then God would send them before Kings and rulers and to the congregation of Israel.  Look at John the Baptist, he was alone in the wilderness eating locust and honey.  There is a reason for this separation.  A Prophet cannot be influenced by anyone other than God Himself.  A true Prophets word must not fall to the ground.  Accompanying the Prophet should be the Presence of God.  Prophets are accountable to other Prophets and five-fold ministries.  All of God's children are accountable to one another.  I'm not giving a license to go in an blast the churches.   I'm just saying that, as a Prophet you may find yourself not permitted to be involved in everything or with everyone.

I know we are call called to be Kings and Priest, but don’t be like Korah and presume a position of authority that you have not been given by God.  The Fear of God must come back again upon the people of God. 

In conclusion, God wanted to expand our understanding of “Don’t touch”.   We are not supposed to speak about our leaders or come against them.  That is one understanding of this scripture.  This second level understanding is for those in leadership, toward the people of God; additionally between those in the body of Christ.  We must seek God on whom we are to join ourselves with.  Sometimes God has us join with people we don’t like or don’t want to be around; but the decision must be God’s and not ours.  Remember Jesus had Judas (the son of perdition) in his group, knowing that he would betray Him.  There are people that will be placed in our lives that will speak truth into it.  We may want to run every-time this person comes around, but if God has placed them in our lives we need to receive what He is sending; even if they are not a part of “your” church.    There may be others in our life, that are completely full of the devil and God will use them to refine you. We must know each person by the Spirit.  The point is, good or bad, we only want the people in our lives that God wants in it for His purpose and His allotted time.

Let’s pray:

Father I thank you that I can come boldly before your throne of Grace through the precious blood of Jesus.  Father I repent for sins of presumption and assumption in my life.  Please reveal to me the people that I assumed should be a part of my life and/or ministry that should not be.  Please forgive me for not receiving those that you have sent to me with Your truth.  Help me to be sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit.  Lord help me to walk in Reverential Fear of You.  I do not want to walk in the sin of presumption like Korah.  Please separate from me those you have not chosen for me to walk with.  Help me not to touch your anointed nor do your prophets harm.  Father if I have touched your people that I should not have, I take my hand off them in the spirit and release them to you.  I thank you Father.   In Jesus name.  Amen.

God Bless you.

This months teaching is about being Sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  Click on the link for the pdf file to open.

Being Sensitive to the Holy Spirit

17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
Is 24

We are about to enter into a time of great change.  A short season of blessing will be completed soon.  It is vital in this coming season that our eyes be fixed upon the Lord.  That we are properly clothed in the spirit for this coming season.  Let us not be deceived by our current condition.  Take time to be before the Lord so that He may reveal things that must be changed in us that must be removed.  Let Him wash you in the Blood of Jesus and His word.

I would suggest you read all of Is 24.  I have had a series of visions and dreams that I do not have the liberty to share.

But suffice it to say, we must be very alert in the spirit and standing rightly before the Lord.  Our spiritual ears must be sharply attuned to the frequency of heaven.  We must be immediately obedient to every unction of the Spirit.  There will be no time for delays. 

The Lord told me a little while back, My people are not ready.  But I will make up the difference. 

The Outpouring of God's Presence will be simultaneous with the persecution that will be coming.  It will be dark times, but we will be clothed in His presence.

Isaiah 60 tells us "Arise and shine, for your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.  (outpouring of the glory of God on us) For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people (see that it is dark while God is outpouring His Glory on us).  And His glory will be seen upon you.

The people will be drawn to us, good and bad.  "and kings to the brightness of your rising".  There will be opposition.  Remember we are a part of a great army.  We are about to enter into battle.  There will be deaths in this war.  We must be willing to complete our call to the end.  "They loved not their lives unto death."  Are you willing to except your call?  Even unto death?  The time for comfortable chrisitanity is coming to an end.  Let us be sober-minded considering the times we are now entering in.

This months trip to Eagle Butte, SD was very eventful.  The ministers that came received as much ministry or more than the people who came to the meetings.

One thing that we all have in common is there is something going on in each of our lives.  We were never told it would be easy to serve the Lord.  There is a heavy price to being obedient.  Though it is always much better to obey the Lord and do His will, it is not always easy.

We must be fixed and resolute in our mission as we go forth for Jesus.  Knowing that God will deal with the things we cannot and be with our families when we can't be.  Paul said it like this..

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Phillipians 3:13-14

We must pick up our own cross daily to serve the Lord. We are entering into a new day, a time where it will not always be easy to identify ourselves with Christ.  The media  and the powers that be are diabolically coming against Christianity.  Just yesterday the horrific massacre was pinned on a radical christian group.  There will be more of these in the days to come as this "New World Order" agenda continues to establish itself.  Don't be surprised when the persecution comes, be surprised when it doesn't.  If you are truly living for God, living a life of Holiness and walking as a disciple of Jesus persecution will come.  Paul didn't say lightly  "From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. NLT Gal 6:7"  These marks were literal and spiritual marks that identified Paul with Jesus.

But we know that we have the victory in Jesus!  Our eyes must be fixed upon the Lord, not our circumstances.  God must be big in us in this hour.  Many great miracles and breakthroughs are and are about to take place; but only for a short time. Then we will see the persecution start here in America.  Yes there will be a great Outpouring of God's presence, but it will be during the persecution that is about to come.  It was when the church was persecuted that it spread out and grew, things will be no different in the time to come.

It's not a time to be afraid, just soberminded.  It's time to take our heads out of the clouds.  Our eyes must be fixed and unmoveable upon the Lord!  Time is short there is a harvest to reap, we (all of us) must be busy about the Father's business.  Go Forth! Go Forth! Go Forth in Jesus name!

By:  Cherie Sheridan


14.  Wherefore they cried unto Jehovah, and said, We beseech thee, O Jehovah, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Jehovah, hast done as it pleased thee. 15.  So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.  Jonah 1:14-15

As I was spending time with the Lord, He gave me the above mentioned scripture out of Jonah.

He began to tell me, if we know we are obeying God and yet there seems to be storms all around us and the sea is raging we must see who is in the boat with us.

2.  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. Jonah 1:2

God had commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh to release a word of warning.  Jonah, however, did not want to obey God and began going in the opposite direction of where God wanted to send him.  He hopped on a boat to a completely different destination.

We find in the case of Jonah, and I believe with anyone who is called of God, it is not so easy to disobey the command of God.

3.  But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah.

 4.  But Jehovah sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Jonah 1:3-4

God pursued Jonah in the storm.  Jonah’s self-will brought God’s storm into the lives of those on the boat with him.

So I’ll ask you are you going through a storm that God is pursuing YOU in?  Or, do you just happen to be on the boat with someone He is pursing?

Either way you have to determine what needs to be done to stop the storm.  In Jonah’s case, he had to be tossed overboard.  Basically, everyone had to abandon Jonah and leave him to God.  You can run from God, but God has plans to get your attention if you do.  How about some down time in the belly of a great fish? 

17.  And Jehovah prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17

Our human emotions in a storm situation can get us all killed.  The people on the boat with Jonah did not want to abandon him.  Jonah insisted they throw him overboard.  He knew it was because of him everyone else was in the storm.  When the men on the boat cast lots to inquire of the Lord, the Lord told them who the source of the problem was.

7.  And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

Jonah 1:7

When the Lord shows us in the storm the source of the problem, we must obey God and turn the individual who is the source of the problem back to God.  We can not keep them in the boat with us, or we will perish with them.

Interestingly enough, Jonah didn’t perish when the men threw him overboard.  God immediately stopped the storm and took over Jonah’s care.  He incarcerated him for a few days, with the bones of this great fish acting as his jail cell, and then had him spit back out onto dry land.  He didn’t get spit back out into the ocean.  He got placed back onto dry land where he could get his footing again.

1.  Then Jonah prayed unto Jehovah his God out of the fish's belly.

 2.  And he said, I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, And thou heardest my voice.

 3.  For thou didst cast me into the depth, in the heart of the seas, And the flood was round about me; All thy waves and thy billows passed over me.

 4.  And I said, I am cast out from before thine eyes; Yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

 5.  The waters compassed me about, even to the soul; The deep was round about me; The weeds were wrapped about my head.

 6.  I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed upon me for ever: Yet hast thou brought up my life from the pit, O Jehovah my God.

 7.  When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; And my prayer came in unto thee, into thy holy temple.

 8.  They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy.

 9.  But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of Jehovah.

 10.  And Jehovah spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. 

Jonah 2

What were the weeds that were wrapped about Jonah’s head,  all the thoughts and worldly images (greed, lusts, perversions, drugs, alcohol, idolatry, people) that prevented him from yielding to God;  selfish, rebellious behavior that continuously fought against God.  God had to get Jonah into a quite place, a place that would be a sensory depravation center; a place that would cause him to faint and cease from resisting God.  Then Jonah, remembered God.  It wasn’t until God cut off everything else in Jonah’s life that He was able to get Jonah’s attention.  God had to allow the affliction in order to get Jonah back on track and pointed in the right direction.  Jonah had to acknowledge that salvation is of Jehovah.  We can’t do it ourselves.  We can’t run away from God.  He will pursue us.

So I’ll ask the question again, are you being pursued by God as a storm or are you on the boat with someone who is?

If you are just on the boat, separate yourself from the person who God is pursuing and toss him into the raging sea so God can rescue them. 

If you are the one running from God, what kind of storm will it take for you to throw yourself into His hands?  To finally recognize He is the only one who can save you from your mess?  Let me tell you, God has a way of getting our attention when He wants it.

Listen, there are storms that come from being righteous and then there is God in hot pursuit of us.  If you have people praying for you, watch out.  We know where we stand with God.  We may be able to fool others, but we can’t fool ourselves or God.

Are you sitting in a jail cell right now?  What is the storm that brought you to this place?  Did people try to intervene in your life? Did they try to warn you? Did they tell you, you were heading in the wrong direction?  Yet, you weren’t going to be told what to do.  Being headstrong, defiant, rebellious and proud got you where you are right now.  That’s what Jonah was. The scripture says “they that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy”.  God created the circumstances that got His attention.  But when you continue on in the deception you give up your right to receive God’s mercy on your behalf.  You can be mad at God or repent and recognize you are fortunate that the God of all creation loves you so much to pursue you.  He loves you so much that He will not allow you to miss what He has for you.  It’s time for you to humble yourself before the mighty hand of God.  Stop fighting God and start yielding to Him.  He is love.  Everything about God is love, even His storms.  He sees you as who He created you to be.  He wants you to see yourself that way too.   

What should you do next?  You can’t use God as a “get out of jail” free card.  He knows when you truly mean what you say; it comes from your heart.  Jonah cried out to God and repented.  God is Holy; He is righteous, Awesome and All-powerful.  He could squash us like a bug if He wanted to, but He doesn’t.  He created us for His good pleasure, to bring praises and thanksgiving to Him; to have a relationship with Him.  Not as some distant Unknown God, but as a personal Father.  A Father, that loves us and wants us to personally know Him.  A Father, that hears our prayers and cares what we have to say and what is going on in our lives.  A Father, that speaks to us and wants to reveal Himself to us. 

God is worthy of our love, affection, obedience and loyalty.  You were placed here on this earth for a purpose, a purpose God created you for.  Only He can revel to you what that is.  It’s time to awaken from sleep.  It’s time to awake to your call, your purpose and your destiny.  Awake! Awake! Awake! O sleeper, Awake!

Repentance is recognition and turning away from your sin.  You first have to recognize that your life is filth before a Holy God.  He can not even look upon it.  Then you ask Him for His forgiveness from your sin.  You accept that Jesus went to the cross and shed His blood to wash away your sin so that you may come before a Holy God.  Then thank Him. 

How do you know if you have received the Lord’s salvation?  His peace will flood your being.  You will fill clean.  You will not want to participate in sin anymore.  You will suddenly want to know everything you can about your Loving Father.

Lastly, ask Holy Spirit to fill you.  He will lead and guide you into all Truth.  He is the spirit of Truth.  He will comfort you and teach you.  Get a bible, before you read it ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it means.  Now you are on your way to finding out who you are and what your purpose and destiny is.  Holy Spirit will reveal it to you as you spend time with Him.

Recently during my quiet time with the Lord He asked me if I was ready for Transformation?  My answer was, Lord you know, but I want to be ready.

God has been working on me for years, probably since I was first saved; that I would do the works that Jesus did and greater. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.”  John 4:12  

Lately He has been showing me that there is a people that will truly be “Jesus” people.  That will do the works that Jesus did and greater; a people that will walk in the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ. “ till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”. Eph 4:13   A people, like Jesus, that will be the Way, the Truth and the Life.   We will be the image of Jesus.  He will be living so much through us that it will be like Paul said, “It is no longer I that liveth.   “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. Gal 2:20.

All the trials and testings have been used to bring us to a place of knowing the “Name” of God.  We cannot properly represent a God we do not know.  When God wanted to reveal Himself to Moses, He did it by revealing to him His name.  5.  And Jehovah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Jehovah.  6. And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, 7.  keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. 8. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. Ex 34: 5-6.   Moses yielded himself immediately to Jehovah upon the revealing of His name.   It’s in His name that we walk as sons of the Most High God.   It’s in His name that we do the works that Jesus did and greater.  It’s in His name we receive the revelations of who He is in our lives.

Look back at the many trials you have had to walk through.  What are the revelations of God’s name that He revealed to you during each trial?  The Lord my Redeemer, The Lord my Savior, The Lord my Healer, The Lord my Deliverer, The Lord my Provision, The Lord my Strength, The Lord my Peace, The Lord my Protector, The Lord my Justice, The Lord who is Faithful, The Lord who is Trustworthy, The Lord my Defense, The Lord my Friend, The Lord who is Love …. And the many, many more facets of the Lord and His name.

Each revelation we receive of His name, the closer we become to His image because that is one more area of our life that we can know fully embrace Him in.

What does this transformation mean to those of us desiring to be like Jesus?  Psalm 17 tells us. 5.  As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form (likeness). 

There are a few things I believe the Lord place on my heart that will accompany transformation. One, we will see our physical bodies healed.  Two, we will see relationships restored.  Three, we will see finances restored.  Whatever has been stolen; children, flocks, business….will be restored.  This restoration will be for the purpose of finishing our Kingdom purpose here.    Just like Job, once we have been stripped we will be restored.

Interesting note:  The Lord prompted me to look up the meaning of the name for Joplin, MO.  After all the tornadoes and destruction that came through, I knew there was a greater meaning to this than just what was at the surface.  I found out that Joplin comes from the name Job.  Here is one definition of Job that I believe you will find interesting.  This meaning comes from “The Name Book” by Dorothy Astoria. 

Job:  Inherent meaning:  afflicted.   Spiritual connotation:  Delivered  Scripture reference:  Job 36:15  He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression.  Another version says it like this:  But by means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer,  For He gets their attention through adversity. 

I would have to say this is what happened in Joplin, but greater than that, this is what I believe is happening world-wide and will continue to happen.

Another part of the transformation is that we will not walk in fear.

I John 4: 16-18 And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him. 17.  Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.  18.  There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 

I don’t know about you, but often times in the past when reading this I just gave mental assent to it.  I didn’t have the revelation of what the Lord was saying here.  Jesus was the embodiment of perfected Love.  If we are to be like Him, then we must fully abide in God’s love. 

This is not emotional love or mushy love.  This love is “power”.  This love has substance.  This love has the power to completely displace fear.  Faith works by love.  Gal 5:6.  Love is the fuel for our faith to work.

Fear has torment.  Think about this for a moment.  Fear just isn’t fear by itself.  Something always comes with fear, torment.

tor·ment( tôr“mµnt”) n. 1. Great physical pain or mental anguish. 2. A source of harassment, annoyance, or pain. 3. The torture inflicted on prisoners under interrogation. v. t  American Heritage Dictionary

1. (n.) A sensation of physical or mental pain:

    · suffering · agony · anguish · distress · hurt · misery · pain · sorrow · heartache tribulation · anxiety

Have you been suffering any of these things listed under torment?  According to the scripture this is tied directly to fear.  I know a lot of people do not want to hear this.  The first thing out of our mouths is, “I’m not afraid”.  Evidently God’s definition of Fear is different than our understanding of the definition.  Fear is the opposite of Faith.  Torment, according to this scripture is the opposite of Love.  The perfect of Love of God is an empowering force that literally cast out fear.   God showed me Love like a colloidal gel-like fluid force that will displace all fear.

So what does this mean?  During the transformation we will be perfected in Love.  That’s the only substance powerful enough to heal and transform our lives.  If we are suffering pain or sickness in our bodies that should be revealing to us that we are not perfected in Love, why?  Because fear has torment, sickness and disease are a form of torment.  Anywhere we do not have God’s peace is and area we need Love to be perfected in.

Please don’t let condemnation try to jump on you here.  Just rejoice in the revelation of the Truth and ask God to send His Love into those areas where you need fear cast out.

I fight physical battles and emotional battles just like everyone, so believe me I am first in line here. 

This is what the Lord had me begin to do.  I asked the Lord to reveal the areas in my life that I have fear.  Any area where I do not have peace in my mind or body, then I asked Him to send His love into those areas and cast out the fear and torment.  How do you know if this has worked?  You should experience a change, a freedom, a healing in your body and circumstances.  What if it didn’t work right away?  Keep pressing into the Lord.  Keep believing, keep letting the Lord reveal the areas in your life where His Love needs to fill you.

The purpose for having God’s love perfected in us is so that we will have boldness in the face of judgment.  What does that mean?  It means when all the catastrophes and storms hit we will not be moved because God lives in us and our confidence is in Him.

I look forward to seeing the Transformation each one of us!

Many of us, my self included have had to go through some very tremendous trials.  Maybe your in one right now.  The loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, unexpected tragedy.  The list is endless.  We can get mad at God during these times.  Even blame Him.  This however, will not help us through these seasons.  Our perspective must change in these trial in order for us to make it through them.

How?

God has entrusted us with these trials.  We must see that God has allowed us to go through these circumstances because He knew we could.  He is going to use these events to cause us to grow in the things of His Kingdom.

Believe me, I don't say these things lightly.  I have been through some very hard trials, I still go through them.  How?

I look to God.  I trust Him implicitly.  I know that He cannot lie and if He gave me a promise; He will do it.  I set my face like flint and look only upon Him.  The apostles had to endure hardship, what make us any different?

 9.  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
 10.  We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
 11.  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
 12.  And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
 13.  Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.  1 Cor  4:9-13


Fact is, we as believers in Jesus want to walk in all the power that He walked in but that takes responsibility, sacrifice and training.

God said this world is temporary, it will pass a way.   We are learning how to reign throughout eternity by the things we endure here.

 20.  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 1 Peter 2:20

If you went to military boot camp would you get mad at the drill instructors as they pushed you past your limits?  No, if you did anyway it wouldn't do any good.

The drill instructor, by his experience and training, knows that what you think are your limits are just preconceived limits.  He must retrain your thinking to create in you a new set of limits, things you didn't know you were capable of.  It is  the intensity of the training that brings out the true nature of your capacity.  It changes your perspective of you.

What is your current perspective of yourself?  How do you think Jesus sees you?  Do you think He sees the same person as you see?  Do you put limits on yourself?  Do you put limits on God?

God wants all these barriers and limits removed from us.  He is an infinite and limitless God, of infinite power and might.  We must first change our perspective of Him before we can change the perspective and image we have of ourselves. 

 6.  I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
 7.  But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.   Psalm 82:6-7

What are these verses saying to us?  We are children of the most High God but we can't perceive it.  Therefore instead of living as Sons of a Most High God, we live way below our privilege.

That's why we go "through" trials.  If we could just change our perspective of things and start thinking vertically instead of horizontally events in our lives would effect us differently.  The conflict and the warfare start in us first, our emotions, our fear, our doubt and unbelief.  We must pursue the peace of God in the midst of crisis.
In my experience, I must get my spirit quiet enough to hear God and get His direction.  Am I able to do that immediately?  No, not yet.  But it takes less and less time. 

Funny thing about crisis.  People in crisis mode want you to jump in on their wild ride.  They want you to get frantic and crazy like them.  When you stay in God's peace, it may almost seem like you don't care about what is going on.  You may even be accused of that.  I have found the best place to be is in God's peace.  Then He gets right in the middle of the circumstance instead of me.  I only act when He tells me to.  If I need extra prayer I ask for it.  Ultimately, these trials are FOR us and not against us.

Often in these trials the Lord will say to me, "Trust Me Cherie, I got this".

Jesus trusts the Father implicitly; because of this trust He did great things, miraculous things.  Yes He is the Son of God, but so are we.  We've just been so program to distrust and fear that it is difficult to trust God our Father. 

When we begin to see our lives and our circumstances more as a training ground our perspective of life and it's events will change.  We won't feel so beat up.   We have been given a great challenge, that's to complete our race.  To finish our objective.  The real reason why you are here.

 3.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  2 Tim 2:3-

Consider it a privilege and and honor that He has found YOU worthy to go through His training.  You win as long as you don't quit.

The Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree all full of lights
With the star atop shining bright

Fills me with peace within
When I consider all it means

The green branches which smell so sweet
Makes me consider the life I lead

Is my life as green and sweet?
With fruits of righteousness great to eat

What do people see when they look at me?
Do they see lights upon this tree

Or are my branches turning brown and old
When people look at me what do they behold?

I desire to be a living tree with lights
With a star that shines brightly in the night

How do I become this tree?
I wish someone would tell me

I know the answer, It comes from within
It starts with who I consider I am

A sinner saved by grace
by the precious blood of the Lamb

I am happy now when I consider me
A tree of Light for all to see

Cherie Sheridan
11/9/99