LAM Newsletter, April 2003

When is Enough, Enough?

I believe that any revelation we receive is life changing; however, some are more life changing than others, and this is one—hot off the press!

Have you ever felt that you aren’t doing enough? I didn’t think I was doing enough. I recall during this time Tom would comment saying, "You always think you aren’t doing enough." As I thought about it, I saw that I even compete with myself! When I planned events, I would make it a BIG deal. Instead of just having hot dogs and potato chips for a gathering, I would end up with tri-tip steaks and potato salad. What I did was never enough! When is enough, enough?

One evening, Tom and I were talking about some ideas I had for the property and within minutes the Lord gave me a revelation about this whole, "when is enough, enough" stuff. He said, "You think you have to give me back what I have given you. What I have given you is your inheritance." (Ezekiel 46:17-18) When I thought on that, I discovered that was exactly what I was doing. I felt that if I didn’t do something with what He gave me, He would take it away! I recalled the story of the talents and learned that if you don’t use what you have, it will be taken away. But see, that’s when I discovered that our interpretation of scripture incorrectly could cause bondage. I was freed from that relation because it’s not the same. Now with the gifts within me that God has given me, if not used, then I can lose, but it has nothing to do with the things He’s blessed me with personally. As quoted in Ezekiel, "Only gifts to His sons are permanent." As His daughter, the blessings He’s given Tom and I are permanent. I didn’t realize that all along trying to use my home for ministry was a way I was trying to pay back God for His gift (inheritance) to me. And by the way, not only was I using my inheritance, I was trying to use Tom’s too! Tom was very glad when I shared this newfound revelation with him. He would tell me over and over again, "This is our sanctuary." Now I finally get it!

The Lord showed me that I was trying to give substance to people when all along it was Him He wanted me to give. Sure, giving to the homeless is for every person to do, and many of you know I conduct outreach to do that. But in my daily living, I didn’t feel like talking to someone was enough, yet it was MORE than enough. I was helping people become equipped spiritually so that they would receive healing and accept their inheritance as well. In a way, to be truthful and open with you, I was attempting to out give God! I didn’t even know I was doing that. See, I was trying to equip my home for holding seminars and accommodating a larger number of individuals. I had wanted to create a park-like setting so people could wander around the property and enjoy the scenery and quietness and enjoy deer passing by once in awhile. I wanted to share all I had with others. Then the Lord told me that what He gave Tom and I was a gift, to receive it. The Bible says, "Judgment begins in the house of God." And my house is the house of God. Our home is our sanctuary. This is the place God is using to prepare me to go out from. The Bible also says to "go out into the world." Go out from where? Our homes.

My heart was right to give, but I was trying to give what God intended for me to have. I recalled many times when I’d share a big revelation with Tom—the first thing I wanted to do was write it down and put it in a newsletter or use it at my next teaching. Tom would say very lovingly, "Maybe you need to meditate on what God showed you for YOU for awhile before sharing it with others." But I was too stubborn to see that—
I wanted others to be free just as quickly as possible. But He was right; before the "thing" had time to root in my spirit I was out giving it away. I have to first HAVE what I need to give. Then when I’m equipped in a certain area, then give it away. In the area of substance, the Lord told me that no amount of food, accommodations or clothing would ever be the same as giving Him to others. It reminds me of the saying, "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach the man how to fish and he will eat for life." I also recall Peter walking by a poor man and said to him, "Riches have I none, but what I have I give to you. By the name of Jesus rise and walk." This is what God intends me to give. Life to every believer; truth to everyone who will hear; love to those who don’t know how to love; and patience with those who oppose themselves. This is what He wants me to give. But, in the meantime if I want to open my house, then so be it; but not to make a bigger house, bigger building, and so forth, to accomplish those things. This truly has impacted my life. It’s one of those "road to Damascus" revelations. For those who don’t know what I mean, Saul (later renamed Paul) was knocked off his horse, blinded by God and received a great revelation from the Lord Jesus. This was like one of those times. This was life changing for me. Tom was SO elated when I told him that I didn’t need to build a building to accomplish what God has for my life. He felt that He got his home back! And I’m glad too.

The events and activities I am involved in are still very much alive, just now with a healthier motive and attitude. I’m very excited what God has planned for my life. I’m very excited, now that I have been ordained, about where He will lead me. And as I continue to learn and grow, I thank God for His patience as He teaches me what He wants me to learn. And what’s truly awesome is that I’m not ashamed or feel guilty for the blessings God has given Tom and I, but to be thankful for all He’s given us. That is enough!

Something to Ponder:

Have you ever asked for a vision from God? I don’t mean to see some great thing, but to see what He has in store for your life? I think we are all in the same boat from time to time, and this was my time. I wanted a vision and a goal to work toward. I suppose I am goal oriented. I know that when I plan a vacation, I want to know my destination. My husband, Tom, on the other hand, just wants to go and come what may. So the Lord gave me a vision with regard to our home and property. It is my desire and hope to build a retreat center and conduct seminars and meetings. I was so excited and began telling my husband my desire. He saw it totally possible. And we began discussing some plans on how to accomplish it. I’ve often thought about this type of facility since we lived in this house because of the serene environment, but it really wasn’t tangible at the time. Well, it still isn’t, and here’s why. God gives visions for us to have hope and press on, but doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll come together within the next day or two. I’m one to see things come to pass—yesterday, if you know what I mean. But in all this, I was learning about God’s timing. This is what He said to me: "Don’t let the vision I gave you cause you to lose sight of the day." I found myself looking toward what I was "going" to do, and I was losing the day. What an eye-opener, and I was made freer that day.

Driven vs. Determined

The difference between determination and drivenness is that determination is something you do because you want to do it, but drivenness is doing something for approval and acceptance. If you are someone still needing approval, confess this to God, and get a revelation in this area that you ARE approved of by Him. He is saying to you, "You ARE my beloved son/daughter, in whom I am well pleased, stop all your trying to be loved and accepted because you already are." We have to stop allowing the past to dictate our present. We may have had an abusive parent, unloving home, or whatever; it’s time to forgive those who knew no better and believe God and accept His perfect and acceptance toward us and get on with life. (If you need further ministry along these lines, please contact the LAM office at (530) 620-2712 or email us at truthfrees@mindsync.com).

Practical Application

I have many opportunities to practice what I preach—ask those closest to me; they get to go on the journey with me. I have one I can share. It’s along the lines of taking every thought captive. I was working on a project with a woman at work who has been a joy to work with. One day while working with her she lost her patience with me. She even raised her voice and was condescending to me. By the time I got done with our meeting, I felt about one inch tall. This was at the end of the workday so I left feeling very small and quite frankly, stupid. So I pondered that most of the way home. I began saying things to myself like, "You are so stupid, how can you be doing seminars and talking in front of people. Who will listen? You might as well just quit while you are ahead." All these thoughts were bombarding me and I was feeling even lower. If I didn’t know better, I would think you could see my back parts dragging on the pavement! I began to feel sorry for myself and even began to shed a tear and just then, out of my mouth I said, "Linda you are just tired." See, I had not faced the truth up until that moment that I was simply tired. When I said that out of my mouth, something happened. Every thought that I was dwelling on was now gone, completely. I even felt like I sat higher in my car seat. The lowly feeling was gone, and I felt rejuvenated. I learned through this that even though my "mind" thought these things and my body even began responding, it doesn’t become my "sin" until it comes out of my mouth in agreement. What I mean is that I didn’t say out of my mouth, "Oh, you are stupid, why even continue teaching." Instead I said, "Linda, you are just tired." That was the truth! And the truth sets us free.

Issue of the Month:

PATIENCE

Yes, patience. In my years of seeking God, changing and learning, patience is the #1 key factor in living a victorious life. Let me start out with a scripture. James 1: "Count it all joy when you fall into divers (different types) of temptation, knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing." Well, that says it all, don’t you think? Let’s take a look at this scripture closely. We are to stay joyful when we are tempted because that means our faith is working to bring us into more patience. Because it’s patience that causes us to "do" the right things all the time and have all we need to live every day. Is that what it says to you? That’s what it says to me.

Let’s look at another scripture that indicates without patience there is NO peace. How many of us say, "I just want peace of mind." Did you know that every time you fall into sin it has to do with lack of patience? Think about it. When you lose your patience, you lose your peace. The Bible says over and over, "keep your peace." We have heard the phrase, "Don’t lose your patience." Why? Patience and peace are power over the enemy. Did you know that if the devil had one good attribute it would be patience? He "waits" patiently for the most opportune time to attack. He waits until you are at your lowest. He waits until you are at your highest. He waits and waits. If we can out wait the devil, we will beat him. Patience will do that.

But let me share how to receive patience. Yes, it comes by trials, but trials with endurance and peace. We first need to understand peace. I heard Pastor Anita from Pleasant Valley Ministries say over and over, "Take your peace." That one phrase, if that was all I went there for, changed my life forever. Peace is not just a laying-on-of-hands thing; it’s something we have to actively pursue. Scripture says to pursue peace. Put on the shoes of peace. It’s something we have to "take," like Anita says. The Bible tells us that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. When you find out who you truly are in God, you will begin to have more patience. Because you have that indwelling peace on the inside of you so that when something happens, you won’t lose your cool (or, in other words, lose your patience).

Peace also brings health. When our hearts are in peace there is no stress, anxiety, worry, fear, heart problems, and the like. It is medically proven that our body produces the correct amount of chemicals for sustaining our homeostasis (balanced system) for perfect health, but when that is interrupted with upset, the chemicals begin to decrease or increase depending on the nature of the upset. So now we begin having chemical imbalances in our bodies producing either a lack of chemicals or too much. Over 60 diseases are rooted in chemical imbalance. I had a phone call the other day from someone who knows a lot about the hypothalamus gland and its function in the body. This person had a chemical imbalance going on. Because of that disease, the one thing that I pointed out to them was that they may have lost their peace or never had it to begin with. They totally agreed, and because they agreed they have a problem in this area we can now begin ministry.

Peace comes from knowing God intimately. If we truly knew God and His unconditional love and His character, we wouldn’t be acting the way we do. We wouldn’t be upset all the time trying to figure out how we are going to pay the bills. We wouldn’t be impatient with our family members, boss or even ourselves. We wouldn’t get frustrated. We wouldn’t be so fearful. We wouldn’t worry about every little thing. The Bible says, "Those who believe DO enter into His rest." Believe what? Believe who God is and who we are in Him. That has to be a real part of our life. That is the foundation to victorious living. We have to know we are righteous right now in Christ Jesus and truly understand what that means. "My people perish for lack of wisdom." (Hosea 4:6) If we don’t understand the mind and character of God, how can we be like Him? Isn’t that what we all ask for? Lord, I want to be more like you? But we have to know Him first so we can be like Him.

So I leave this with you. Take your Peace! Every time you are tempted to lose your patience, stop and say, "I take my peace, I will not let the enemy steal it away from me." And your patience will grow and peace will abound.