Bible Promises Spoken - A Testimony of Overcoming

Why would a busy, overburdened Mom spend over a year putting up 90+ Bible Promise videos on YouTube? Because HE told her to.

I needed fed, but I just can't sit around and watch videos all day. I needed something that would target the areas I was struggling with.. I needed to hear the opposite of the enemy's rant.. I needed God's Promises! When I could only find videos with pretty music and pictures, but no spoken Word... God's still small voice said... "You do it." And so I did. But little did I know the opposition I would face, and conversely, the amazing growth I would encounter!

In all the steps involved I was reading, hearing and speaking the Word of God over and over.. it's absolutely the most valuable thing I've ever done!

The steps... (and asterisks to show a minimum of times I am ingesting the Word of God, only in creating them.)
1.) Using existing Bible promise books for their topical gleaning as well as online and research on my own.*
2.) Taking each scripture verse and using the chosen NAS version and formatting it for reading and posting within videos. (and checking for errors!)*
3.) Going into my sound booth (ie. closet) and reciting the scripture.*
4.) Editing the recitation for flow.. cutting out all the coughing and distractions in an audio editing program and exporting.*
5.) Filming, taking pictures, getting music permissions...
6.) Putting it all together in a video editing program and again...checking for errors.*
7.) Exporting - Checking the final, and then Uploading ...*

Why show you this?? Because the process is a discipline-- imagine if every Christian did this?! This is why I encourage others to duplicate what I'm doing... especially in other languages because you will not only be helping others, but you will have tremendous growth in your own life = )

And Lastly, this series is dedicated to all 'single parents' out there. Those of you that are raising your kids up in the Lord... you give, give, give, but need fed and replenished. It is hard.. He has shown me, and my heart goes out to you.
I honor you... you are my heroes!

www.hearingGod.tv

Witnessing to Occultists

I recently did a video called "Planting Seeds Among Occultists" (the video appears in this post)... but I wanted to share a few more 'hands on' ways that I've planted seeds on YouTube.

I often get 'friend requests' and 'subs' from occult dabblers on YouTube. I take the same approach as I do with 'Halloween'.... if you want to come to my door, you can find candy AND Jesus!

I absolutely make the most of everyone that steps onto 'my turf' by taking the time to plant seeds for Jesus. I thoughtfully seek the Lord for the best approach that meets them where they are at but without compromising my stance as a follower of Jesus.

Now I'd like to simply share a couple examples of posts I've made to those that have welcomed me as a friend or sub...

This first one is to someone that boasted they were raised as a 'christian', so note how I target that issue, and end with an encouragement to find Truth in the Word of God:

"anyone that comes up some other way is a thief and a robber".... which means... biblical precepts will work no matter what label you put on them.
a 'bad christian' experience doesn't mean the God of the bible is wrong... it means we put man upon a pedestal and them blamed God for our stupidity--- IF we were older. if we were young and suffered abuse... welcome to the real world influenced by a certain fallen angel. if we continue to reject God because of that abuse-- blaming Him, when He clearly says WHY bad things can happen, then the ruler of this world has won. the only way for true peace is to trust in the Words alone... those precepts that works for anyone.... but to go through the gate-- no pasted labels over top, else it's all for loss.

This second one was for a 'self-help' type of guru that specializes in teaching everything to help people but completely void of Jesus; again, I give warning that it's 'same but different' approach has an ending consequence that is worth seeking out:

"anyone that comes up some other way is a thief and a robber".... which means... biblical precepts will work no matter what label you put on them. whether it's 'love, light' or 'the secret' or..... the easiest way to cut thru the slop is to simply go to the source with no man or spirit's commentary or claims as a filter, believing that the bible really is what it says it is. to be open as the bible is opened... to ask, seek and knock and believing that the answer will be given by any means under the heavens.... BUT according to that word. if it's not according to that word but contains power....it's not by Him... and although it 'works' now... the Author says there's only one way... a blessing to understand it now and move in His power now and pass through the door, as opposed to moving in power now and being shut out of the door of eternity.
Truth in Jesus,
f1

www.hearingGod.tv

Spiritual Tips 4 - Tips for Teachers

Are you a God-ordained 'Teacher' of the 5-fold, in that the gifts have not passed away? If your drive is to open up and bless the body of Christ with any morsel of revelation of the kingdom of God. this is for you.

1.) Go with what you know. Nothing regurgitated. nothing from a book that you've read but not personally been through or God hasn't specifically shown you Himself. God gives all of us a facet if it weren't so then we wouldn't need a 'body of Christ'. There's nothing wrong with building upon more facets already out there, but if you hop on a bandwagon of sorts and it's not coming from the heart, it benefits no one and if it's not birthed from HIM, it's your own bad-self Pride that you need to be dealing with!
Some people put themselves in this position because they have a 'ministry' a 'following' that is expecting them every wednesday night at 7pm. Be careful people only do what you see the Father doing and don't get swept down the river with that old feeding trough trap.

2.) Go with what you know AND have Conquered, because--- you'll be tested by your words. If you haven't conquered something and blab it out prematurely guess what? You're going to deal with it some more. It's not only the devil that stands before God and says, "Hey, they say they are over it, I just had them a moment ago, talk is cheap, I ain't go'in nowhere unless they therefore STAND". But the enemy also enlists human weapons to rail against you, to whittle your faith down and make it even harder for you. Hey, let's face it the enemy is ruthless he knows you well. Your good witness is more important to snuff out than a christian that's minding their own business in unspiritual Logos-land. Teachers you know you're more accountable. If you don't have your 'stuff' together and the pressure is great and you fall what happens to the people that were listening to you?
I know, it's hard you start to get freedom and revelation and you get excited. But hold up lil' buck-a-roo don't let your excitement be captured by the enemy pushing you.

Part of the lie the enemy often pushes on people is that YOU HAVE TO BE FIRST. this is something 'new'. Nope, nothing new under the sun. There is no hurry if you are trusting in the Lord. You will absolutely know when the time is right to deliver the message of the Lord you'll be inspired, it will come out with an unmistakable anointing upon it; you will have peace and there won't be any feeding pearls to swine.

3.) God will bless you where you are at. No task He commissions you with is too small or unimportant. I have an immense burden to teach but one day He told me to do the bible promise series here on YouTube. That doesn't require teaching, just reciting from the good book. What I didn't realize is what an important tool, weapon and blessing it is for me! BUT, He knows! Now it's a referral I use when helping others.
The same with doing 'Children's Church'. I simply turn on the camera when I teach the kiddies & then spend some time editing & then what happens? My kids LOVE the episodes! Not only do they sit through it once but they watch the fun video after the fact! Do I want the word of God in me? Do I want it rooted in my kids? YES!

3a.) God will bless you where you are at because God gives us these teachings first for ourselves! As I go through old teachings, I find blessings there. Teacher, if you're not finding blessing in your own teachings-- if you don't feel that anointing there that excites you to go deeper--- analyze, was it 'you' or God-ordained?

4.) Look at me vs. Look at God. When you start a teaching as led by God, stay the narrow road. Are you equipping people or are you looking for accolades? People want to know how to go on deeper with God and how to be free. We are called to use our testimony, but there's a fine line there. Point to Jesus. Educate the people. And be 'Real' in your delivery-- don't only tell half of it cuz rest brings down your posh reputation. If you've conquered it, it shouldn't bug you anyways!

5.) Be You. God has designed you and equipped you just as you are. Don't squish yourself into the preacher on t.v. box of the month if that's not you. I have people call me a fake christian cuz I'm goofy instead of serious and stoic. But hey, I'm reaching who I'm supposed to all you cool people that watched this to the end!
www.hearingGod.tv

Spiritual Tips 2 Share It!

'The Skinny on sharing your Testimony'

Why do it?

1.  Why we need to testify...  It's plain in the word of God.... in the book of Revelation 12:11 "But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." 

I also want to add that by stepping out verbally is part of a process...

In 1 Corinthians 2:4&5 we hear Paul say, "My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God."

Your testimony is a shoe-in for people to be receptive to the power of God, and the process we go through is less and less of Us (as Paul was talking of those 'persuasive words of wisdom') but instead more and more of the physical presence of God flowing through us touching people.  So He's laid this burden upon my heart to encourage people in sharing their testimonies...  like an athlete has to train the body, we too should be taking heed of the scriptures and step out into being a vessel for the power of God.

2.  Multiplication with a video is wisdom.  If you find yourself repeating your testimony to people, consider all the people out there that could benefit from it that you don't personally run across.  Consider getting it out there 24/7 for people to come across and be blessed by it, by the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Seems like a no-brainer.  If you cast the net, Jesus will fill it, but the key is that you have to get that net out there.  Want to catch one fish... tell your neighbor.... want to allow God to do more, put it in a medium that can reach many.

3.  Reaching the one.  It's not about quality. The Spirit of God on a piece is felt regardless... and although multiplication is wisdom, as far as quantity... we could be used as a shepherd that goes after the 1 from the 99. So-- after publishing a video, and not getting responses, don't lose heart... you could be the only one to reach one that would then turn around and reach millions. Can you see the honor in that?  Some sow, some water and some harvest... each cannot live without the hand of the other and each is equally important in the Kingdom.

4.  Builds our own faith.  When our past is healed, we can give praise to God, which of course, encourages others (if you got through it, I can get through this too!).  The very act of delivering your testimony can be a powerful signpost for you.

So let's talk about Getting Hands-on and doing it!

From 'Bystander' to Participant

1.  Go with what bears. As I exhort you to share your walk of faith, I'm not asking you to throw all your pearls to swine.  If you have victory and you are at peace with a segment of your walk... maybe you are to only give a chapter in your life or just one experience.  There's nothing wrong with testimony blog style, so long as it doesn't focus on 'poor ole' me', NO, remember a testimony is 'look what the Lord has done!'.   

For some, you hold your audience better with small chapters of your walk then an exhaustive commentary of everything from birth to what you prayed this morning.  So also think of your audience... think of a person having one problem and your one segment of testimony perhaps only addressing that one issue.  I personally share tidbits of testimony throughout teachings…everyone is different, seek Yeshua for personal direction, Father knows best!

If inevitably, your sharing will be sharing pearls with swine  ..and you know what I mean... (Matthew 13:30a Let both grow together until the harvest..") sometimes it's better to reach the lost then some 'christians', who like to vaunt themselves over having a cleaner past then you might've had... anyways, if this is an issue but it still bears on your heart to share... get another youtube account, blur your image or put a picture backdrop with your testimonial voiceover.  Let there be no hindrance to the fruit you have to bear to help others draw near to Christ!

2.  Be real & don't sugarcoat!  People give the results & are too proud to elaborate that they 'know this' because they failed.... hey, I started to do this & God said "Ah, ah, ah... that's not what Really happened... you need to be real", and this is why; if you are too proud to admit the process...it just looks unattainable to people.  I think this is called humility  : )  So this is really the difference between a sermon and a testimony... a sermon says do this or that because of the character in this 'story' (again recall, Paul's mention of 'persuasive words of wisdom' in 1 Corinthians 2).... but a testimony says don't do it or do it because I'm a living witness to it's result.  There is real power in being the living breathing witness.

3.  On a technical note... you may not have a great camera or video editing software, but you can be aware of your surroundings.  Turn your camera on and speak a bit, then watch what you just created.  Are there any distractions... do you have a bobble head in the window sill? Not loud enough? Kids fighting or a cat meowing in the background, that might turn people off from taking your word of testimony seriously?  There are some quality issues you can control so take full advantage of doing the best you can... remember this isn't some story... this is a precious testimony of Faith in the creator of the Universe!

4.  Do you have stage-fright?  Consider writing out your testimony as a script you can scroll through on your computer screen as you record.  Or, invite a friend over and have them behind the camera and just focus on them as you speak or allow them to interact with you interview-style.  Worst case scenario... pick a spirit-filled person that your testimony has personally touched and have them share for you.

5.  Don't give up!  I can always tell when God is flowing out my mouth in power... it's because there is so much adversity in producing a video.  Everything you can imagine happens to try to thwart the production process. A video that should take a couple of hours from start to finish ends up taking days.

The enemy is going to throw all kinds of FEAR at you and excuses, but it's time you come off the sidelines and quit believing that you have nothing new to offer.  You have lots to offer.  This isn't about being a christian rockstar of sorts, or a ministry mogul.. this is about been there, done that... and my Redeemer Lives.
www.hearingGod.tv