U Have It, So SAY It!

Matthew 25:29 -  ‘For 2 everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

Have u come across people who have little, yet even that little is taken away from them? On the other hand, there are those who already have much, yet they receive even more.

Jesus said, “To everyone who has, more will be given. From him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t go on 2 say what it is we have. He simply says, “But 2 everyone who has.”

Jesus is talking about a firm belief in God’s Word that gives one the courage 2 say, “I have it!” If u say that u have it, u have it, and more will be given 2 u. But if u say that u don’t have it, when u actually do bcoz God has freely given us all things (Romans 8:32), then even what u have will be taken away — not by God but by the devil! The devil does not want u 2 walk in God’s blessings. So when u say that u don’t have it, he can rob u of your blessings bcoz he has your agreement!

When u need something, God says that u are 2 ask of Him. And when u ask, believe that u receive it. (Mark 11:24) SAY u already have it even if u don’t see it in the physical realm yet, and one day, u will see it!

God is not saying, “Oh come on, pretend that u see it. And if u pretend long enough, u will have it.” This is not a game! God is telling us 2 call forth those things which don’t exist as though they do. (Romans 4:17)

Today, we are talking about the haves and have-nots in the church. If u believe that it is yours, u will have it.   U will see yourself possessing it and enjoying it, and more will be given 2 u. But if u say, “Well, I don’t feel it and I’m not sure if it will come,” in essence, u are saying that u don’t have it when u actually do. Then, even what u have will be taken away. So SAY u have it today!

Discerning The Lord’s Body

1 Corinthians 11:24 - ...and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for u; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Have u ever taken a close look at the Matzah bread that the Jews eat during their Passover meal? The bread, which is unleavened, is pierced with rows of little holes forming stripes. It is also slightly burnt. Many churches today use this bread for the Holy Communion.

Do u know why the bread is pierced, striped and burnt?

My friend, the bread that u hold in your hands when u partake of the Lord’s Supper speaks of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ when He bore our sins and sicknesses on the cross.

Like the bread, He was pierced in His brow by the crown of thorns as well as in His hands and feet by the nails. He was also pierced in His side by a soldier’s spear. The prophet Isaiah says, “He was pierced for our transgressions…” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV)

Like the bread, He was scourged on His back until His flesh was all torn and bloody, and His bones were exposed, so that today, u can say, “By His stripes I am healed!” (Isaiah 53:5)

What about the burnt marks on the bread? The full fire of God’s wrath fell on Jesus, burning up our sins into ashes, and at the same time, bringing out the fragrance of the offering of Jesus. Today, your sins and lawless deeds are but ashes, and your Father in heaven remembers them no more! (Hebrews 8:12)

So the next time u partake of the bread during the Holy Communion, know that Jesus was pierced for your sins and scourged for your healing. He bore God’s fiery judgment so that u will never be judged for your sins! He also bore your diseases and carried your pains so that u can walk in divine health!

When u discern these precious truths about our Lord’s body, u are partaking of the Holy Communion in a worthy manner. And u will not be weak and sickly, nor die b4 your time (1 Corinthians 11:27–30) No, u will be strong and healthy, and u will live long!
 

The Lord Is Your Refuge

Psalm 91:1–2 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 - I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

Every day, we are bombarded with news of conflicts, natural disasters, diseases and new strains of drug-resistant viruses. We also hear of people losing their loved ones in freak accidents. And we ask ourselves, “Is there a place where I can take refuge from a world gone mad?”

Yes, there is! God foresaw all these things and He has promised in His Word protection from every evil known 2 man. There is no trap set by the devil that our Father cannot deliver us from, if we trust in Him and take Him as our refuge. That is His promise in Psalm 91.

Whether it is an earthquake at midnight, a crazy sniper, an unknown virus or a terrorist attack, God says, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” (Psalm 91:5–6)

Because u have made Him your dwelling place, angels are watching over u right now. (Psalm 91:9–11) They give heed 2 the voice of God’s Word, so u should give voice 2 God’s Word. This means that u should agree with and speak what God’s Word says about His preserving and protecting u. Then, angels are sent 2 minister for u. (Hebrews 1:14)

My friend, don’t say, “If it can happen 2 them, it can also happen 2 me!” Say, “A thousand may fall at my side and 10,000 at my right hand, but it will not come near me!” (Psalm 91:7) The world says that u cannot but expect danger all around. God says, “You are in this world but not of this world. U have My protection bcoz u are of Me and in Me.” (John 17:14–23)

You have access by faith into the secret place of the Most High where NO evil can touch u. There is no need 2 fear living in the end times bcoz the Lord is your refuge and fortress. His Word says so. And those who trust His Word completely find His Word completely true!

God’s Love Makes U Strong

Ephesians 3:19 - .. know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that u may be filled with all the fullness of God.

If u were 2 thank God for something today, what would it be? For me, it would be thanking God for giving me Jesus. For when I see Jesus on the cross, I see the love of God overcoming everything for me. It causes me 2 say, “Thank you, Jesus! I love you, Jesus! I worship u, Jesus! Bless u, Jesus! Hallelujah!”

And as we worship and celebrate the love of Jesus in our lives, we will find ourselves changed, and we will see the mighty power of God displayed for us and through us.

This was the case in the life of David. His personal times of worship, of being absorbed in God’s love for him, changed him from a mere shepherd boy 2 a lion killer, bear killer, giant killer and finally, a king over Israel.

Now, no one on earth, no matter how strong he is, let alone a youth, can come against a lion and prize open its mouth 2 snatch back his sheep which the lion had carried away, unless God’s anointing is on him. And this was indeed what happened 2 David the shepherd boy who went after the lion, caught it by its beard, struck and killed it, and thus delivered the lamb from its jaws. (1 Samuel 17:34–37)

My friend, no man can truly enjoy living in this world without God’s strength in his life, God’s favor in his work and relationships, God’s protection for him and his family, God’s increase in his finances, and God’s health and healing for his body. Likewise, no woman can survive emotionally, socially or physically without God’s tender touch, loving presence, sweet assurance and words of life in times of need.

Beloved, as u feed on Jesus’ love for u, u will be filled with the fullness of God. Like David, God’s anointing will begin 2 operate powerfully in your life. And when u encounter spiritual lions, even the devil himself — when he comes like a roaring lion against u, your loved ones or your possessions — u will grab hold of his mouth and tear him apart!

Don’t Look Inside The Ark

1 John 2:2 - And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.In the movie, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, the people who tried 2 look inside the ark were struck dead. What was inside the ark that brought judgment 2 those who looked into it?

The Bible tells us that the ark held the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, the pot of manna and Aaron’s rod. (Hebrews 9:4) These items were tokens of man’s rebellion. The two tablets of the Ten Commandments represented man’s rejection of God’s standards. The manna represented man’s rejection of God’s provision, and Aaron’s rod, man’s rejection of God’s appointed priesthood.

God did not want 2 look at these tokens of rebellion. He wanted 2b merciful 2 His people, so He instructed them 2 place the items in the ark and 2 cover the ark with its mercy seat, which is also the place where the blood of the animal sacrifices was sprinkled.

Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies 2 sprinkle on the mercy seat the blood of the animal that had been sacrificed. The two cherubim on the mercy seat stood as guardians of God’s righteousness and holiness.

Representing God’s eyes too, they looked at the blood on the mercy seat. As long as the blood was there, the entire nation of Israel was forgiven. God’s judgment passed over them and they were blessed for another year. (Leviticus 16)

Today, the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat is not the blood of bulls and goats, but the precious, eternal blood of the Son of God! (Hebrews 9:12) Jesus is our “mercy seat” for “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world”. The word “propitiation” in the original Greek text is the same word as “mercy seat”. (Romans 3:25, Hebrews 9:5)

Beloved, God does not see your sins and count them against u bcoz He sees His Son’s blood. He sees His Son’s perfect work that has more than satisfied Him. God does not want u 2 see your sins either. He does not want u 2 look inside the ark by focusing on your sins. He wants u 2 focus on Christ and His finished work!

Beat The Odds With The Favor Of God

Ruth 2:2 - So Ruth the Moabitess said 2 Naomi, “Please let me go 2 the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said 2 her, “Go, my daughter.”

Do u look at yourself and see only lack in the natural? Do u say, “I don’t have a good education”, “I am poor”, “I am too old” or “I am a divorcee”? I have good news for u. As a blood-bought believer and child of God, u have the supernatural favor of God! 

In the Bible, Ruth was a poor Moabite widow who went with her mother-in-law 2 live in Bethlehem, a Jewish town where the inhabitants considered Moabites outcasts. But she did not wallow in self-pity and moan about being a poor widow of the wrong race in the wrong place. Instead, she believed that God would favor her and she declared, “I will find favor in the field that I glean from.” 

In the natural, Ruth had everything going against her. But bcoz she trusted in the favor of God, she not only became the wife of Bethlehem’s richest man when Boaz married her, she also became the great-grandmother of David and had her name included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ even though she was not a Jewess! That is what God’s supernatural favor did for her. That is the kind of blessing God’s supernatural favor can give u. 

A church member shared how, due 2 unforeseen circumstances, she was late for a job interview. But she confessed God’s favor on herself b4 the interview and miraculously, the interviewers shortlisted her for a 2nd interview. 

There were about 40 other applicants with the right experience. And though she lacked the relevant experience, by the favor of God, she got the job which came with better pay and a car allowance that fully subsidized her car loan. Her new company was even willing 2 pay for her petrol and cell phone expenses — all bcoz she believed and confessed that she had the favor of God! 

Do not look at what u do not have in the natural and see lack. Trust in the favor of God and u will see blessings which your natural abilities cannot bring!

Prayers That Proclaim

Luke 13:12 - But when Jesus saw her, He called her 2 Him and said 2 her, “Woman, u are loosed from your infirmity.”

When u have a need, do u pray or do u plead? Do u begin your prayers with words like, “Please God, please! God, I beg You 2 have mercy!"

Prayers that plead and beg imply that your heavenly Father is not willing 2 do it. Yet, He is far more gracious and willing 2 give 2 u than u are willing 2 ask, think or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) He desires above all things that u prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2) 

In fact, long b4 u have a need, God has already met that need. Long b4 u knew u needed a Savior, He sent His Son 2b your Savior. This is your God! He is a good God. So when u beg Him for something, u are actually saying that He is reluctant 2 give and needs 2b persuaded strongly b4 He will move. Yet, He is not like that. 

Jesus knew the heart of the Father. When He saw the woman bound with a spirit of infirmity, He did not pray, “Oh Father! She has been suffering for 18 long years! I beseech You, Father, have mercy on her. Please, please heal her!” No, when Jesus saw her, He immediately proclaimed, “Woman, u are loosed from your infirmity,” bcoz He knew the heart of the Father. He knew that the Father wanted her delivered from her crippling condition. 

At the end of a church service, I don’t stand and pray, “Oh God, please bless Your people. Oh God, do keep them. Oh God, be ever so gracious 2 them!” Instead, I proclaim, “The Lord bless u. The Lord keep u. The Lord make His face shine on u and be gracious 2 u!” 

Beloved, when u pray, proclaim your healing, protection and provision bcoz your Father’s heart overflows with love for u. And when u declare it, He sanctions it. When u declare it, He establishes it!

Past Preparation Meets Present

Carol Kelley:

Past Preparation Meets Present Opportunity

Along with many others, I have been seeking the Lord over the last several months to see what He would desire to say about 2012. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead, and want to press forward into His goals and call (Philippians 3:14).

2011 was a year of great transition in the life of my family, friends, and many others. The Lord told me in the fall of 2010 that there would be significant changes and transition during the next year (see my word on The Elijah List from November 26, 2010: "2011 - A Year and Season of Great Transition for Everyone!"). But the number and magnitude of these changes during 2011 exceeded what I could have anticipated!

One daughter returned home to live with us last January; our second son married and completed his Masters degree; our youngest graduated from college. My husband, Dave, broke his arm and moved into a time of physical therapy and transition as the bone healed. I took a two-month substitute music teaching assignment at our local high school. Three of our children began new jobs, all within a few weeks of each other; and both daughters-in-law also experienced employment changes. My widowed father, assisted by various family members, prepared to move out from his own house into my sister's home. On 11/11/11 (the number "11" represents transition) came the biggest change of all: Dave was clearly led by the Lord as he decided to leave his workplace of 18 years in order to move on to the next phase of our ministry (which God is still defining). His last day was December 2, 2011.

Four Things to Come in 2012

In the fall of 2011, God told me four things to come in 2012:

1. There will be increasing outreach to the nations.

2. Increased apostolic and prophetic partnering will result in "fullness," a multiplication of His harvest on the earth.

3. Past preparation will meet present opportunity. (See Dave Kelley's word from April 3, 2008, "Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!") God will open up new opportunities for His children who have already been prepared and positioned by Him to move into these strategic alignments.

4. 2012 will be a year to sow seeds of generosity.

Four Principles of Generosity

He also showed me four principles of generosity:

1. Give joyfully, not out of guilt or legalism (see II Corinthians 8:2-3; 9:7). Dave and I like to call this "giddy giving"! The Lord wants to break the fear of "not enough."

2. Give ourselves first to the Lord (see II Corinthians 8:5); then He will show us how and when to give of ourselves to others. Be prepared for Him to change some of your expectations!

3. Be ready and prepared to act according to His instructions (see II Corinthians 9:2-5).

4. God is more than able to supply and multiply (see II Corinthians 9:10-11). He will increase our harvest, to His praise and glory!

Four Ways God Provides for His Children

Early in January of this year, the Lord revealed to me at least four ways He can provide for and give prosperity to His children:

1. A return of what was lost or taken. (Genesis 14:16 – Abram recovered what had been taken from him.)

2. A transfer of wealth. (Genesis 15:14 – It was prophesied beforehand to Abram, and took place in Exodus 12:35-36.)

3. Supernatural multiplication. (Genesis 26:12 – Isaac sowed his seed, and God multiplied it a hundredfold in the same year!)

4. God gives a strategy, an idea, an invention, etc., then blesses it. (Genesis 30:31-43; 31:1-12)

May the Lord bless you with new opportunities, strategies, provision and blessings during this coming year!

Carol Kelley
Email: opendoor2012@gmail.com

Carol Kelley and her husband Dave are prophetic ministry leaders, teaching prophecy classes and mentoring younger prophets. They received a call from the Lord in 1985 to minister prophetically, and have a vision for active schools of prophets to emerge within the Body of Christ. Their passion is to help others hear and recognize God's voice, and receive His healing. Carol, a prophet, musician, teacher and sixth-generation Oregonian, has a heart to intercede prophetically for Oregon and the Northwest, as well as cities and nations. A writer and composer, her music is published with Hal Leonard Corporation and Alfred Music Publishing. Dave moves in an apostolic anointing to help God's people become empowered as conduits of financial blessing. He has over 37 years of financial experience working in Christian organizations, most recently as Assistant Vice President of Finance at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Dave and Carol are the parents of two sons and two daughters, as well as two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law.