Seeing From Heaven's Perspective!

Enjoy this encouragement from Karena Lout (captivatedbytheking@gmail.com), an elder of Blazing Fire Church who, along with her husband Todd, are amazing pastors of our on-fire teenagers!

We've all heard the saying "Some see the glass half empty and some see it half full." Perspective is everything. Do we only see what's missing or do we see an opportunity for more? At the beginning of March, Jesus encouraged me to keep a journal for 30 days, writing down three things.

1. Something I'm thankful for

2. Something I saw God do that day

3. A declaration of something GREAT to come

I have to admit, I haven't always been very consistent with keeping a journal but this seemed pretty feasible. And after all, how could I say no to being encouraged! I soon found myself being thankful for rain on days when others were less than happy about it. I saw God do some pretty amazing things that I may not have noticed before I began looking for His goodness. When you focus on what God IS doing and not on what you think He isn't doing, you see everything through Heaven's perspective. This isn't to say that we ignore difficulties, pain and tragedy that so many are facing. But when you contemplate on what Christ has done, you become part of the solution that so many are looking for. You can't help but be encouraged! Jesus is after all, the eternally extreme optimist! His glass is ALWAYS FULL! And so is yours!

So I encourage you to take some time to thank Him for the simple things, the monumental things, the ways He's moving in your life and on the earth. Believe me, it won't be difficult and you will not be disappointed. Each day is an opportunity to breathe in and savor the goodness of a God who is so in love with you!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" Psalm 107:1

"Becoming affectionately acquainted with Throne Room thoughts will keep you from being distracted again by the earthly realm" Col. 3:2 (The Mirror Translation)

Here's to a BRILLIANT New Year!

The New Year is traditionally a time of reflection where we examine where we are, where we are going and what we would want life to be like in the near future. We think about change and we make a wish list of resolutions that usually fails to make it beyond January.

I think it fails because we make the wrong sort of list for the wrong motives. We usually make a list of what we most want to change about our situations or ourselves. Most of the items on that list are negatives.

"I'm not going to be a doormat for people this year. I'm going to lose all this weight. I'm going to stop being angry. I hate the fact that I'm so impatient. I really need to stop being so anxious. Why am I so pessimistic?! I need to change that?"

Our motive is improvement, increase, upgrade. We want something better and more of it. Our difficulty is that when we focus on a negative we become drawn into its cycle. We become obsessed by what we are not. We fall back into the pit from which we are trying to escape.

We cannot change a negative by being involved with the negativity. Our lives can never be distinguished by the absence of something. When we focus on a negative we make a feature of an identity that is in itself debilitating. It is easier for us to repeat a defeat, step into denial, and disagree with our own potential.

A negative in photographic terms is an image from which positive prints can be made. Therefor in terms of personal change we must have a process by which our negative image goes through a series of steps in order that our vision of ourselves can be upgraded positively.

Firstly, make a list of the negative things you would like to change about yourself.

Secondly, convert each item on that list into a positive.

For example:

"I'm not going to be a doormat for people"
becomes: I'm going to have a bigger sense of my own worth and value.
"I'm going to lose all this weight"
becomes: I'm going to enjoy getting fit and getting healthy.
"I'm going to stop being angry"
becomes: I am going to practice being more loving.
"I hate the fact that I'm so impatient"
becomes: I'm going to make better use of my own time; smile more and be kind.
"I really need to stop being so anxious"
becomes: I am going to enjoy being more trusting, carefree and happy.
"Why am I so pessimistic?"
becomes: I am going to live a life that attracts joy and laughter to me.

You get the picture. Convert the negative into a positive and then deal with who you want to be; not who you are not. (The CD Turning Passivity Into Prophecy deals with this at www.BrilliantBookHouse.com)

Thirdly, please remember that the old you is actually dead. As we convert the negative list into a positive one we move our focus from your old nature to your new nature in Christ. Read Romans 6:2-14. This is a template for walking in newness. If we are going to be successful, happy and powerful then this passage is the basis for all of our story and journey in Christ. In Him we are already dead to the old (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) which has passed away and everything is new. Be alive to your new self in God and crucially do not allow people to resurrect the old you. Take joyful possession of your new self in Jesus and have fun establishing that reality.

Fourthly, don't try to become the new person. Accept that in Christ you are already there! You do not become a new person by changing your behavior. You accept the person you already are in Christ and behave accordingly. Abiding is the key new testament desire and delight. Stay, dwell and remain in Christ. Do not allow yourself to be moved away from His reality within your heart. As you focus on Him, it is His peace, love, joy and calm wisdom that will surface in every situation.

Lastly, enjoy the journey! Remember that you do not live in your circumstances. You live in Christ. Stay there! Focus from there. Practice life from there. See from His perspective. That is the nature of Abiding! Let joy walk with you this year. The joy of the Lord shall be your strength, courage, firmness, health, stamina, energy, power and intentionality.

Have a Brilliant new year!

Graham

Letter From Jesus!

"I no longer call you servants...I call you friends!"
John 15:15

I Am so excited to spend this life with you! Thank you for accepting My invitation. I hope you will enjoy this lifetime of love and romance that I have created just for you. You are the one I dream of, my heart is overflowing with love for you. When you look at Me, I can barely restrain Myself! You ravish Me with a single one of your glances!

“The King greatly desires your beauty, He is your Lord, the One you adore!” (Ps 45:11) Please join me every day in this celebration of our love! Look into My eyes and you will see just what you mean to Me!

“The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our door is pleasant fruit, both new and old, that I have prepared for you, my lover.” (Song of Songs 7:13)

Oh, my beautiful one, will you come to my table? I have prepared a feast for you, designed to delight your senses! Your perfume has
captivated me, love is in the air! Taste and see how sweet my love is for you, let me woo you daily!

“He leads me into a banquet room and looks at me with love.” (Song of Songs 2:4)

Darling, you are My guest of honor! Sharing a love feast with you is the desire of my heart. Seeing your shining eyes smiling at me across the table makes my heart beat faster! You are the Princess-Bride I always dreamed of, no one but you will do for Me! Your beautiful feet are perfect, you are the very one I've been searching for. I love you with all My heart. I AM Your Knight in Shining Armor!

"...as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God rejoices over you." (Isa. 62:5)

I cherish you, Beloved, I have written your name on My hand. I can't take My eyes off you, even while you sleep. Your beauty enraptures Me! All day long I dream of ways to show you how great My love for you truly is, and all night long I sing love songs and lullabies over you while I guard your sleep. When you smile at Me, I am undone! I long for you to know the depths of My passion for you, my Sister, my Bride!

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Ps 119:103)

How wonderful you are, My Love! Before the world was created, My love for you overflowed like a fountain, like a spring that could not be contained! My thoughts dance like light on the water as I plan our future together. You are the delight of My Spirit, You are the apple of My Father's eye! My family is your family. I Am eagerly waiting for the day when you dance with Me before My Father's throne! You are my Joy, and I love you beyond forever.

“I have entered my garden, my treasure, My bride! I gather myrrh with My spices and eat honeycomb with My honey. I drink wine with My milk. Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love! Your love delights Me, my treasure, My bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.” (Song of Songs 5:1, 4:10)

My radiant one, my precious Bride, thank you for saying Yes to me. Thank you for loving me with abandon, for not holding your love back from Me. Thank you for taking My name as your own, and giving me every part of yourself. My vows to you are stronger than death, and I promise you, nothing will ever come between us! You are everything to Me. Come away with me now to the secret place, to the garden I have created for us. Come and rest in my arms, lean on me and let me carry you away. Draw close to Me and you will find that I Am closer to you than your breath. Stay with Me awhile, dream with me among the lilies.

I Am your husband, the Lover of your soul! ~ Jesus

This amazing letter was penned by Lisa-Anne Wooldridge, OpenHeaven@gmail.com

Letter From Papa!

"I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."
Hebrews 8:10-12

My child, you are my absolute joy! You are everything I ever wanted! At times I miss your company when you wander, but I am never angry with you. My son, Jesus, took all of that away forever for you.

It's time that we go places together that I have planned for a very long time. It's time to set your sights in the direction of My Kingdom alone. You are great beyond measure and I have been building you up to believe this. I am making you believe this because of where we are going together. I have given you great favor and I have massively blessed your life. I HAVE loved you with an everlasting love and I WILL maintain my love for you to the end--although in reality there is no end!

You and I are on a journey, climbing mountains, forging streams, flying above the clouds, even hiking deep ravines and valleys--but it's a great adventure and I will never leave your side. You are my beloved child and I love you! Always have--always will!

Get to know me even more. I'm still far better than what you've experienced thus far and even what you've spoken to others about me. But find out why. Go deeper still! This is a brand new phase of your journey with me. Trust me! Enjoy me! I have such plans for you--plans to touch the world through you--plans to release the oppressed--Plans to draw you in deeper and to have you sit longer in my refreshing, restoring Presence as I share my secrets with you about myself and my Kingdom.

I love to share my secrets with the one I love! That's you, ya know!

New Beginnings!

I want to share with you an encouraging message from Blazing Fire sister, Tammy Von Horn, who is one of the founders of Pockets of Dreams

(www.pocketsofdreams.com), an amazing company that makes girls clothing with the proceeds directly helping mothers in developing countries to expand their own sewing businesses to support their children. Tammy also hosts "Amazing Women Parties" once a month, so if you are a woman needing massive encouragement and want to be invited, write to Tammy at: tammy@pocketsofdreams.com.

Enjoy Tammy's encouragement:

Happy February! As much as I am thrilled to start a new month, can you believe that January 2011 is already history?

For those of you who vowed changes in this year, how are your resolutions coming? Mine? Well, I've yet to loose or gain the things on my list but, OH WELL!!

Oh well? You say? No guilt or regret Tammy? My answer, no, not so much. Sure, I wish I could brag of a smaller waist, fatter wallet or an emptier calendar, but from my view point, I am blessing with "New Beginnings" all the time.
Consider the following:

- 1 time every 365 days, I get a brand new year. But if I need a new 'new year' I can decide to celebrate. . .
- Chinese New Year in February (Gong Xi Fa Cai!) or
- Rosh Hoshanah, Jewish New Year, in September
- 4 times each year, I get a new season. . . winter, spring, summer and fall
- 12 times each year, I get a brand new month. . . Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec
- Every 24 hours, I get a brand new day and if I want to start that day in prayer, I can:
- Pray in the morning hours, the traditional start of the day in the Western world or (and this is good news for us non-morning people)
- Pray in the evening, since the new day starts at sundown according to Jewish tradition

New Beginnings are an absolute constant in life. God promised that His mercies were renewed every day - literally guaranteeing that every morning we start with a fresh start, a clean slate, and a renewed opportunity to live. Because of His goodness, we are invited to leave behind yesterday and boldly step into today.

If this year seems to be moving too fast or if you just want a new start, just wait, your new day is just hours away. :)

Constantly Renewed,
Tammy

P.S. The best part of all of these new beginnings is that you don't get to just start-over with the leftovers from yesterday but instead He makes all things new!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Declarations Part II

Saturday night, January 1st, at Blazing Fire Church, we had a powerful time of making declarations. Below are the second half of the declarations we made that night together that Lonnie Ellis led us in. Declare God's truth out loud as often as you can!



· I am a child of the King!
· I have been adopted into the family of God
with full rights and privileges!
· I am perfectly loved by my Heavenly Father!
· I have received Jesus as my Forgiver & my
Leade!
· He has redeemed me from hell!
· He has given me a new destiny!
· I am saved by grace through faith. And not 
by my own work!
· Jesus delivered me from the domain of darkness!
· He transferred me into His Kingdom!
· I have been forgiven of all my sins!
· I am fully acceptable to God!
· I am a co-heir with Jesus!
· All Jesus bought and paid for is my inheritance!
· Jesus destroyed the works of the devil!
· He disarmed the rulers and the authorities!
· Jesus triumphed over them through His shed blood on the cross!
· Jesus now has all authority in heaven and on earth!
· Jesus has given me authority over sin!
· Jesus has given me authority over sickness!
· Jesus has given me authority over death!
· Jesus has me authority over the works of the devil!
· I am united with Jesus, Jesus and I are ONE. I have been crucified with Christ!
· I have been buried with Jesus!
· I was raised with Jesus!
· I am seated with Jesus in the heavenly places far above all rule, all power, all authority and above every name that is named. Not only in this age, but also the age to come!
· Because I am ONE with Jesus!
· I am perfectly righteous!
· I am completely holy!
· I am a saint!
· I live above sin!
· Because I am prone to do righteousness!
· I am not prone to do sin anymore!
· I am a new creature!
· The old one is gone!
· The new has come!
· Because of my oneness with Christ!
· I have authority over sickness, over sin, over the flesh, over demons, and over the world!
· I can resist the devil and he will flee from me!
· I will displace the darkness!
· I have the full armor of God!
· I am the salt of the earth!
· I am the light of the world!
· I will not live in fear!
· My trust is in the Lord and the power of His might!
· I live a victorious life!
· I am not a victim!
· I am more than a conqueror!
· I can do all things through Christ!
· I have over come in this world!
· I have overcome sickness through Jesus!
· I live in divine health!
· I am 100%, emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally healed and whole!
· I have the mind of Christ!
· I release divine healing to others!
· Because greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world!

AMEN!
We love you!
Pastors Brent & Suzanne Lokker

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Declarations Part I

Saturday night, January 1st, at Blazing Fire Church, we had a powerful time of making declarations and then moving through a victory tunnel as the Spirit of God was blowing as a tailwind to launch us forward. Below are the first half of the declarations we made that night together (I will send the 2nd half next time). Declare God's truth out loud as often as you can!

· Daddy, You LOVE me!!

· I am Yours and You are mine forever!

· Nothing will ever change your great heart for me!

· I am wanted, loved, accepted and celebrated by You!

· I love you, Papa!

· I have been paid for IN FULL!

· God, You have judged in my favor!

· The Old Covenant is Dead!

· I am FREE!

· Sin has lost its power!

· Grace is the New Order!

· I am LOVED, FORGIVEN and JUSTIFIED!

· I am HOLY & BLAMELESS and Right with God!

· I am PERFECT in Christ!

· I am EMPOWERED and VICTORIOUS!

· IT IS FINISHED!!!!!

· I have a covenant with God, and by the blood of Jesus I release my

divine protection and divine provision!

· My angels are carrying out the Word of God on my behalf!

· Any adversity, attack, accidents and tragedies that were headed my way

are diverted right now in Jesus’ name!

· I speak to the raging waters in my life: “Peace, be still!” I say to my

mind: “Peace, be still!” I say to my emotions: “Peace, be still!” I say to my

body: “Peace, be still!” I say to my home: “Peace, be still!” I say to my

family: “Peace, be still!”

· Now I speak to every mountain of fear, every mountain of depression,

every mountain of lack and insufficiency, and I say, “Be removed and cast into

the sea in Jesus’ name!”

· And I speak to this day and I call you blessed! I declare that I serve

a mighty God who today will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that I can

ask or think. I say, “You are a GOOD God and I eagerly anticipate your

goodness today!”

· I set the course of my life with my declarations

· God is on my side! Therefore, I declare that I cannot be defeated,

discouraged, depressed or disappointed.

· I am the head, not the tail. I have insight. I have wisdom. I have

divine ideas and divine strategies. I have authority!

· As I speak God’s promises, they come to pass. They stop all attacks,

assaults, oppression and fear from my life.

· I have the wisdom of God today. I will think the right thoughts, say

the right words, and make the right decisions in every situation I face.

· I expect to have powerful divine appointments today to heal the sick, to

raise the dead, to prophesy life, to lead people to Christ, to bring

deliverance, to release signs and wonders and to bless every place I go!

· I expect the best day of my life spiritually, emotionally, relationally,

and financially in Jesus’ name!

The Offering Declaration:

· As we receive today’s offering, we are believing the Lord for: Jobs and

better jobs, Raises and bonuses, Benefits, Sales and commissions, Favorable

settlements, Estates and inheritances, Interests and income, Rebates and

returns, Checks in the mail, Gifts and surprises, Finding money, Debts paid

off, Bills decrease, Blessings and increase!

· Thank you Lord for meeting all of my financial needs that I may have

more than enough to give into the Kingdom of God and promote the Gospel of

Jesus Christ! HALLELUJAH!!!!!

We love you!

Pastors Brent & Suzanne Lokker