How Can You Hear?

How can you hear if you don’t listen?

How can you listen if you don’t first ask?

Asking for clarity, wisdom, and direction on a specific course of action is an absolute necessity. You must expect answers when you ask.

Do not put barriers on where, how and who the answer may come from. God uses every occasion to show us His answers.

Clarity of thought comes through praying in the spirit. Jude 1:20 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,”  The revealer of all truth, the Holy Spirit, will speak or communicate through revelation, clear and concise thoughts and images. John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”

Wisdom comes from God. The beginning of all wisdom starts with the fear, worshipful reverence of the Lord. When we ask for wisdom we must be confident that we receive it. There is no need to sit and wait for a lightening bolt or a bell to sound, “Ok I have wisdom now!” Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Direction: Trusting that the Lord will and does direct your footsteps. When we are fully convinced that God points out every direction, we can walk into our destiny.

It all comes down to having confidence in :

God cannot lie, His word is true.

Our relationship with Him is solid and based on His love for us.

We hear His voice.

Reaching Thousands

WOW! Imagine preaching to hundreds of thousands of people all at the same time. People receiving the Word of God and their lives being impacted and changed. Bodies healed, relationships restored, financial increase. Can you just see it? I can. Why? Because that is precisely what we are doing.

Every week we are speaking into the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Yes, through internet and broadcast radio. Something I never really considered doing as part of this ministry.

How did this all come about? By praying and listening getting the vision down on the inside and taking steps towards the goal.

Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision. And make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”

That is such simple advice from God, yet many of us never take that first step. Write out that vision. See it in front of you and get a word picture of what He has already placed inside you. He gives us the desires of our heart, according to Psalm 37. The Lord has placed in you desires to great exploits for His glory.

We also sowed financially into a ministry that already has radio programs. I like to think of it as sealing it. I put faith in action by supporting a work that is doing what I am called to do. The Bible tells us that whatever a man sows that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 paraphrased.)

As the vision unfolded before us, we took the initiative to get understanding. The who, what, where, and how to do this. Then as we continued to speak and confess what the Lord had said for us to do, His favor was in action behind the scene. Not long after He told us to go on broadcast radio, we were contacted by a broadcast company that owns several stations. They found us! Not only did they find us, they gave us a great timeslot. That not only happened once but twice now.

What is the Lord telling you, showing you in your spirit? Start today and get His vision for your life in front of your eyes. Take steps towards that vision and watch the Lord do mighty works through you.

Sanctified!

   As we continue to grow and transform into who we really are in Christ, we go through a process. This isn’t something we like to hear, however it is what we need. The Word of God tells us in Leviticus 20:7-8 (KJV) “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And you shall keep my statutes, and do them: I AM the Lord that sanctifies you.” That word sanctify, does not mean “act religious.” It means to set yourself apart or to be separated from the world’s way of doing things, for God’s purposes. We are not just some folks that go to church on Sunday and then act like the rest of the world Monday through Saturday. We don’t look like the world, we don’t conduct ourselves like the world, and we don’t talk like the world. At least we shouldn’t be like the world. We are set apart ones. We are His children, His offspring by His plan. Before He created the earth He knew the plans He had for us, plans for good and not for evil. His plan is for us to glorify Him in our daily lives. To show others what the Father looks like. There’s an old saying, ”The only Jesus people may ever see is you.” It may seem cliché but it has a truth to it. Romans 12:2 (KJV) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In other words, change your thinking and your actions. When Jesus prayed for His disciples and for us, in John 17, verse 17 says “Sanctify them through Your truth Your Word is truth.” The Word of God, Jesus is the Word. We have the written word and the Word Himself revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. We need to take time to read the Bible as well as spend time with the Lord. The Holy Spirit is our guide and He will guide us unto all truth. Look at Hebrews 10:14 (AMP) “For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.” He did it and now we are holy. Now before you get all ruffled, let’s get things right. Your spirit man IS holy, sanctified, consecrated, and cleansed. Your carnal or flesh man, the soul is NOT. This is where the process is. This is why we renew our minds. The process is NOT God sending sickness, disease, pain, and suffering to teach you a lesson. The process of being sanctified is in your mind, will and emotions. Being changed from self-centered to Christ-centered. Face it! Sometimes that’s harder than having some physical symptom. The good news is that as we go through that process and we mature in Christ, it becomes less aggravating to our carnal-man. Actually, our spirit-man has more control. So, go forward into sanctification and experience God’s glory, His perfect will in your life! We love you much and call you blessed! Eric and Laura Menefee “Growing in the Word” radio program can now be heard on three different stations! Every Saturday mornings at 11:30am eastern time/10:30am central time on www.WOFR.org worldwide. Every Saturday mornings at 11:00am eastern time on WFAX AM 1220 in the Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland areas. www.wfax.com Every Sunday mornings at 6:30am and 11:00am central time on AM 600WVOG in the New Orleans area and the entire Gulf South. www.600wvog.com You can listen in on the internet, too.

Partnership

What is a partner? Why is it important for a ministry to have partners?
First let’s look at the definition.
A partner is…
1archaic : one that shares : partaker
2 a : one associated with another especially in an action : associate, colleague b : either of two persons who dance together c : one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side d : a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple
3 a member of a partnership especially in a business; also : such membership

A person that is of like-faith can partner with another person or ministry to accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God. Jesus had partners, not only the disciples, but people who supported His ministry. Let’s look at Luke 8:2,3 – “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” Ministered means “served.” Do you see that? There were people who supported His ministry by giving food, finances or whatever was needed. Jesus didn’t go around dirt-poor begging for anything. People that God had called to help Him in preaching the Gospel gave continuously. OK, not enough you say? That was Jesus. What about Paul? In his letter to the church of the Philippians chapter 4:15-19 he wrote…”15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
You may not be called to go across the nation preaching and teaching and laying hands on the sick, but you can receive credit for the work we do. In the Amplified Bible, verse 17 says …”I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account].” You have an account in heaven that builds up for you when you support this ministry.
Our prayer is that all who contribute to the spreading of the Gospel through this ministry be blessed and in good health. We pray for you daily.
We ask that you prayerfully consider being part of this ministry by praying for us and sowing in to The Gathering Place International on a regular basis.
May God prosper you and keep you in health even as your soul prospers and that your heavenly account be full at all times.

The definition of partnership according to Webster’s Dictionary is…
1 the state of being a partner : participation
2 a : a legal relation existing between two or more persons contractually associated as joint principals in a business b : the persons joined together in a partnership
3 a relationship resembling a legal partnership and usually involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities

Doing Your Part

We ALL have a part/role within the Kingdom of God. Each person has been gifted to do good works, as Ephesians 2:10 says. We should find our place and work within the Church.

The book of Nehemiah gives a great picture of how the Church should function. As Nehemiah followed the vision that God gave him to rebuild the walls, he showed it to the people and they did their part. Each family was assigned an area to work on and they helped each other accomplish the work.

This is how the local church should function. The Pastor has the vision and teaches or imparts the vision into the congregation. The congregation should then take the instruction of the Pastor and perform the work. There needs to be leadership in place to help carry out the vision, not force people or try to control people. There is one Pastor and one vision. Any other way will only bring confusion to the body and the vision will not come to fruition.

First of all, we all need a Pastor to lead us, guide us and bring us up in the things of God. Secondly, we need to be plugged in, participating in the activities and events of the church. There are no lone-rangers. Thirdly, we need to submit to the vision.

It is not the job of the Pastor to do all the work. Pastors are to equip the saints so that the saints (congregation) are able to do the work. Too many times people want the Pastor to do everything.

Find your place. God will give you grace to do what you’ve been called to do. There may be a time of stretching and learning how to function in your call, but the frustration level will not be unbearable. Challenges will come but they don’t have to overtake you.

Get behind your Pastor and fully engage in his or her vision. Show up on time and be ready to go to work. Great exploits will follow commitment.

Read the book of Nehemiah, Eph. 2:10, 4:11-13, 2Timothy 3:16,17, and Prov. 29:18

Faith is an attitude of expectancy!!!

Don’t deny the power.

Why do I expect things to happen when I pray? The power of God is in me. I don’t deny the power that is at work within me or the authority that I have.

As a believer, we are told that WE have the power and authority to cast out demons, to heal the sick, to raise the dead. Jesus said this in Mark 16. This is how we are supposed to live. Jesus had that expectation with the disciples and with everyone that is part of the body of Christ.

Read the book of Ephesians. In chapter 1 Paul tells us that God has given US every spiritual gift. In chapter 2 he said that we have been created to do good works, healing, restoring, reviving. Chapter 3 it is made clear that we are and have the fullness of God dwelling in us, propelling and launching us into doing great exploits for Him. This them continues on through 4 and 5 and in chapter 6 capped it all off.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might.

Don’t deny the earth shaking, healing, yoke destroying, bond breaking power that is on the inside of you.

When Kingdoms Invade and Expand

Throughout history we can see evidence of kingdoms and how they expanded. The Spaniards conquered much of what is now Central and South America. Yes they had superior armies and weaponry as well as strategies. They not only beat their opponents but change everything about the land they conquered. They changed the culture. Over many centuries the area was controlled and influenced by native culture and religion. Once the Spaniards took control everything changed, became Spanish. The language was changed, the religion was changed, the currency changed. Why? They understood colonization. The British also were very good at this. Native religions and customs were transformed into catholicism. Today the vast majority of the population, of these countries, is catholic.What happened?
They influenced the culture and advanced the kingdom of Spain. That is the goal for every kingdom. Explore, expand, and enlarge the kingdom. Expanding the reach of the kingdom is what every believer must consider. In Genesis 1 the Lord said go forth and multiply, replenish the earth and have dominion. In the Gospel of Mathew Jesus said All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, unto the end of the world. Now this makes it pretty clear what our assignment is and has been from the very beginning. Go out and expand the Kingdom of God.