Encouraging Words for 2017! 

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Happy New Year Beautiful People! I know it’s later in the day, yet wanted to share some hopefully encouraging words for 2017! You are so deeply loved! 

Behold I do a new thing! 

Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already – you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there,~Isaiah 43:19.

I love listening to God’s heart about new seasons. The Jewish New Year began in Autumn of 2016. We entered 5777. Now we are crossing over into 2017. 

Thank You God for another year. Thank You for seeing us through it all. For those who faced so many challenges or loss in 2016, I ask for a breathing of new life. I ask for healing, comfort, wisdom, fresh perspective, restoration, and expectation for even GREATER awareness of Your goodness in 2017. 

These are some notes from time with God. Certainly pray over them, ask God for confirmation, and test the words typed here. 

Expectation. Raise the bar on what you are expecting from God:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen,~Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV). 

Faith is the currency of heaven. I see the Lord moving even moreso in mountains being cast in the sea, parting of Red Seas, strategically moving people into places of greater territory for His glory. There will be more reports of miracles and creative miracles. No man or woman will be able to glory. He will get the glory due Him. 

Those who have been contending for a long time, I see them being renewed in the realm of their faith. As they stand in a place of GREATER expectation, God is moving towards them with answers. My encouragement is to speak life even to the dead places, dry places, and difficult places. 

New Eyes to See: 

There will be greater understanding and revelation for the spiritually hungry. Jesus is the way, truth, and life. Those who seek Him will experience greater heavenly perspective, more profound understanding of His word, and they will see with His purified vision. 

New Mantles: 

Mantles (anointing/ability in the Holy Spirit) will be placed on those who have stated they are not qualified or equipped. I see those saying, “This isn’t my gifting or calling,” being blessed by God, commissioned by God, and sent just as He sent Moses (Exodus 3). 

Many will sense new passions and desires they had not before. There will be a launching into new territory and uncharted waters. He will speak His assignment and confirm His calling. So there is no need to worry about, “Is this for me?” 

Those who have felt disqualified or as though there is no hope to be a partner with God will have refreshing of their minds to see all that Jesus paid for on the cross. The old man was crucified on the cross. The new has come. God is the Qualifier. 

Lost Coins Found/Season of Restoration: 

Prodigals are being pursued by the Holy Spirit and called by name. I see the Holy Spirit hovering and moving around them. Do not stop praying for your lost loved ones. Even if they seem to reject you or God, keep declaring His life giving words over them. 

“So I will restore to you the years that the 

swarming locust has eaten,

The crawling locust,

The consuming locust,

And the chewing locust,

My great army which I sent among you.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

And praise the name of the Lord your God,

Who has dealt wondrously with you;

And My people shall never be put to shame.

Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:

I am the Lord your God

And there is no other.

My people shall never be put to shame,”~Joel 2:25-27. 

I see Jesus walking through devastated fields and crops. They have been damaged. Yet with one move of His hand over the fields the dead crops come to life. I hear the words, “I will restore what the locusts have eaten. I will shift the season.” 

Unleashing the Lions and Lionessess: 

…God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,~2 Timothy 1:7. 

This will be a season for many of the timid to rise up out of the ashes and into their destiny with Jesus. Some have been beat up by rejection or persecution. Some have been battling a spirit of fear. I see the Lord releasing His Spirit of truth to break lies of agreement with the enemy. Those individuals need to renounce their agreement with the spirit of fear and timidity. As they do, they move beyond self focus and their eyes are planted on Jesus, the Deliverer. They go from cowering to roaring!

Deeper Revelation of the Love and Power of Jesus: 

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,~John 3:16. 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another,~John 13:34-35. 

There will be a rise in reception and demonstrations of God’s love and power on the earth. There will be such a heart transplant to love the unloveable and walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh. 

Those who are hungry and desperate for God will be filled (Matthew 5:6). 

Many in the Body of Christ will begin to move beyond bench dwelling at weekend services to partnership with God for the least, last, and lost outside the worship service gatherings. The great commission will take on greater meaning, it’s not for certain people-it is for every believer. 

Freedom from Affliction/Torment: 

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him,~Acts 20:38 (NASB)

There are so many people tormented and afflicted by spirits that are not the Holy Spirit. I see the Lord pulling people out of ashes, unlocking spiritual cages, and healing even more tormented souls. Deliverance will become a more important part of ministries. 

Appearing Before the Bride: 

I have continued to hear Jesus talk of cleaning, purifying, and preparing His true Bride. During this season I see the Lord appearing before His Bride and asking her to exchange her idols and view Him as He is. He is appearing in such love and grace. He is restoring true worship. 

Programs of man will be interrupted by the flow of the Holy Spirit. People will encounter God, not the god made in man’s image. 

The Bride will rise and reflect Him in better ways as her intimacy with Him increases. The world will see a Bride more similar to her groom. I see Him lifting the Bride in His arms and loving her to greater life. 

Community/Unity/Families: 

There has been such a spirit of division, offense, and misunderstanding unleashed on people. I see the Lord bringing people together across the racial divide, the political divide, the relational divide, denominational divide, and knitting things together that build His Kingdom. 

Misunderstandings will be cleared up and some key bridges built. 

Glory on Earth:

I could see the earth in the hands of God, there was darkness, yet with His breath the darkness was pushed back and the glory of the Lord covered the earth. 

May this upcoming year be flooded with glory, unity, freedom, breakthrough, and profound encounters with Jesus! God is good and He will have the last say.

Recounting Some of the Miracles of 2016 

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Recounting miracles of 2016

I recounted some the miracles of 2016. Hope they inspire you that nothing is impossible for God. 

Thank you God for prolonging the life of my friend with Stage IV cancer. You extended life far beyond what doctors said was possible. They were blown away!!!

Thank You God for allowing my business teacher to allow me pray for the sick in class and for You healing a classmate of thyroid cancer and my teacher of chronic pain. 

Thank You for healing the lady with breast cancer. Her doctors were baffled at the disappearing of tumors. 

Thank You for opening deaf ears. It was joy watching a person hear, enjoy sound. 

Thank You for pulling several patients/family out of ICU or the hospital and doctors saying, “No surgery is needed.” 

Thank You for healing/restoring people with dissociative identity disorder and chronic demonic harassment. For accomplishing in several hours what takes doctors years. 

Thank You for delivering power! 

Thank You for healing the mentally ill. 

Thank You for the baby given to the women who had a hysterectomy. Doctors could not figure out how someone with no womb could be pregnant with a child. 

Thank You for healing my dad’s close friend of chronic, crippling bulging disk pain. Thank You he went on to tell everyone what Jesus did for him, leading others to believe in Jesus. 

Thank You for the family members that gave their hearts and lives to Jesus. Thank You so much Jesus. 

Thank You for more volunteers for street ministry and a multiethnic/multi denominational/multigenerational team. 

Thank You for saving my life from death or great harm over and over. 

Thank You for the backs healed, the knees healed, the lifting of chronic pain. Healing that prevented surgeries. 

Thank You for those You provided free medical and dental care for through the free clinic. 

Thank You for healing the two people with internal bleeding. You did in a moment what would have required so much more. 

Thank You for speaking life to dry and dead bones! Live! Thank You for everything You brought to life at Your command. 

More than what You do, thank You for all You are. Thank You God. 

May you and I believe for greater things in 2017.

Love in Christ, 

Erin Lamb 

The Greatest Gift (Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah) 

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On this glorious Sunday morning, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah. 

Though scholars have estimated Jesus was most likely born in Autumn, it is still wonderful to celebrate His birth. 

What a life! If I were to name one hero who walked this earth, it would be Jesus. 

Love came down to a world filled with chaos and sin. He left paradise for a sinful, broken world. He did not come as a fully grown man. He humbled Himself to enter the world as we do, as a baby. 

He grew, learned to navigate through our world with the limitations of being human. 

He did not remain a baby, He grew to be a man of wisdom, and authority. Jesus demonstrated what one person fully yielded to God the Father could accomplish. 

The same Jesus who was before the foundations of the earth, took on flesh, dwelt among us, and eventually took on our sins on a rugged cross. 

He did not give His life for the innocent. He gave His life for the guilty. 

You and I were enemies of God. Yet He chose to pay a price we could not pay. 

What a gift! What a Savior!!

This is a time of year where people spend time buying gifts or giving gifts. I can think of no better gift than God. The Father gave His Son. The Son gave His life. All so you and I could have everlasting life. He is the gift that keeps on giving. 

We have been given through the Son: 

  • Access to God the Father. No longer must be perform cleansing rituals to be in His presence. 
  • Forgiveness of Sins and New Life. There is nothing we can do to make ourselves righteous before God. So He, through our repentance and faith, gives us His Righteousness. 
  • Our Names Written in the Lambs Book of Life. Those in Christ have a destiny sealed in eternity, with God (Revelation 21:27).
  • Every Spiritual Blessing in the Heavenlies in Christ Jesus. Read Ephesians 1:3. 
  • Relationship with God. The greatest gift of all. 
  • And So Much More! 

Today and every day may you and I give thanks for the greatest gift to ever be given to our world. May we not only celebrate family and friendships, and enjoy the passing of gifts to one another, may we celebrate the greatest gift of all; God. 

He has blessed the world with so many miracles, too many to count. He has provided for His people. He has done great wonders. He has been the greatest gift throughout the centuries. God is the gift that will never grow old nor decay. It is His sustaining life that awakened us today! 

From my home to yours I bless you! May you feel the warmth of God’s incredible embrace and reflect on all He is and all He has done for you. 

Warm Wishes and Great Love, 

Erin Lamb 

God Wants to Connect with You (Devotion) 

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Morning Reflection: He is an everyday kind of love. Grow in intimacy with God. 

I love gathering with other believers to celebrate Jesus and love the Body of Christ. Yet following Jesus is more than going to a building on the weekend. 

Following Jesus is being with God Monday through Sunday, chatting with Him daily, communion with God, intimacy with God, hearing His heartbeat, responding to His incredible love. It is a habitation not a visitation, immersion in His glory, partnership with God, being a conduit of His love and power in a dark world. 

The Gospel is not a me centered story or a church centered story. It is God’s story. He is the Author, Finisher of our faith. Jesus is central in the Gospel. 

Following Jesus moves far beyond activity into profound intimacy (knowing God, being with God, and being known by God). Activity will never surpass friendship and sonship. God is after heart, why we do what we do. He is more interested in connection and relationship than our busyness to try to please Him. 

Being with God is far more important than doing for God. Being leads to doing with the proper motive and the grace to accomplish the activity. 

Being with God is not about laziness or passivity. It is about love. Love seeks to give. We surrender all of who we are to all of who He is. He does the same. Can we simply sit for a moment each day and love the One who loves us most? 

If we are driven by activity instead of intimacy and abiding with God, our source is flesh. Only what flows through His Spirit is pure. Apart from God there is not abundant good fruit (John 15:4-5). May you and I continually invest in knowing God for who He is and not the God made in our own image. May we pursue Him for who He is, not for what He has to offer. May we surrender and worship because He is worthy, not so He can bless us. God is good. He is worthy of it all. 

In every season may we dive deeper into God’s love, and get to know Him. 

God bless you! You are SOooooo deeply loved.

Love in Christ, 

Erin Lamb 

I See You Poem-Love Letter from Papa God (Book Excerpt) 

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I have not posted anything from the book lately, so I thought it might be time. In a busy world one may feel invisible or that God’s love is a blanket love. Both are false. God sees you. He loves you. He cares about every detail of your life. He also loves each of us as if there were only one of us. His heart cries out, “I see you. I know you. I love you. I will always love you.” 

I See You

Written by Erin Lamb (Copyright 2011)
Original pen date July 29, 2010

“A Love Letter from Abba.”

I see you,

when the walls have closed in,

the winds have raged too long,

and your heart is tattered and worn.

I see you

in your moments of desperation,

when all else has failed you

and your heart says, “I just can’t 

take it anymore.”

I see you,

when your tears are so great

they have drowned out faith

and left their stains on your face.

I see you,

when you feel isolated and alone.

I see you,

when the doors have slammed

and you don’t know where to turn.

I see you,

when others seem to look away.

I see your distress

and your shattered dreams.

I see the aches and the distress

that you carry from day-to-day.

I see you.

I know you.

I am near to you.

I see you.

I love you,

and I can heal your every pain.

I see you.

I desire you to know;

My love can fill every vacant area in 

your heart.

I have been here to love you from 

the start.

I see you;

the things inside you

that even you can’t see.

My love pierces into the depths of 

where you need mended,

your heart tended,

and the places where the healing 

needs to take place.

I see you,

and only I can make you fulfilled in 

Me.

There is no other love that will take 

you to the highest heights,

so you overflow

and continue to spill over with love, 

joy, and peace.

The sincere desire of My heart is for 

you to know

that I will never let you go.

My love for you will not fail.

My love for you will not end.

My love for you is here for the 

taking.

So when your heart aches,

look up and notice My arms 

reaching for you.

I am here waiting to hold you in an 

affectionate embrace.

I see you,

and I love you.

I will love you, always.

Copyright © 2011 Erin Lamb. Excerpt from, “I Thought I Knew What Love Was.”

All rights reserved. No part of the material may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the written permission of the Publisher, Westbow Press (www.westbowpress.com), or Author, Erin Lamb. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

To read more…Books are available via: http://www.westbowpress.com, http://www.barnesandnoble.com http://www.amazon.com

You are so deeply loved! 

Erin 

Know Your True Enemy 

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Post from my personal blog. It is important to know our true enemy. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus comes that we may have life and to the fullest. Hope this blesses you. You are SO deeply loved.

Erin Lamb's avatarJust Thinking Aloud


Morning Devotion: Understand your opponent. The key to continual victory is understanding your true enemy.

People are not the enemy, though there are people who cooperate with the devil to accomplish his will on earth. He requires human agreement.

People say Eve was gullible and that’s why the serpent chose to go to her first. I disagree. Eve was given the same mandate as Adam; fill and subdue the earth, have dominion (Genesis 1). She had authority. God did not say, “Adam have dominion, Eve go pick berries, clean the Garden, do whatever Adam tells you to do.” God said to both of them to have domion.

God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that…

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Oneness, Intimacy, and Covenant (Sunday Devotion)

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Sunday Morning Devotion: God is the Source we are the conduits. Let’s talk about oneness with God, intimacy, and marriage (oneness with another). 

If you want me to talk your ear off, ask about intimacy with God. It is my greatest pursuit; I ask Him questions/ search His Word for greater revelation. I am still learning and on this journey with Him. I hope you join me. I hope this post blesses you. 

God invites each person into personal relationship with Him. The invitation is personal, it is a 24/7 lifetime covenant relationship. It is the strongest covenant (commitment) a person can enter into (see Hebrews 8-9 for the new covenant info). 

God does not come simply for weekend visitations. He comes for a habitation-an indwelling of His Spirit. He comes to take up residence. He knocks on the door of our hearts saying, “I want to live here with you, abide in you, and you in Me.” He wants to be one with us. 

How on earth is God one with us? What is this oneness? Well, let’s start off talking about what it is not.

1. We Do Not Become the Other Person

Marriage is a good example of this. Husband and wife are to become one. This does not mean they become the other person (though some twist (pervert) it that way). They do not become conjoined twins who can not function without the other. They do not share a brain or body parts. They are still two individuals with their own likes, brains, dislikes, free wills, and personalities. God is not asking them to morph into the same person. 

God unites two people so they can agape love (unconditional, sacrificial, unselfish love), have a higher level of intimacy (knowing and being known), and so the blessings of each one can flow into the other. They connect deeply and like a conduit there is a flow back and forth. It is intended for mutual blessing, love. 

Spiritually and in the soul they connect through covenant and physical intimacy on a level that goes beyond just friends. Their bodies, souls, and spirits connect. Hence sex being so powerful. You are saying, “Whatever is in your soul or spirit, I invite it into me. Let’s be one, joined together.” 

In the spirit and soul realm, husband and wife are connected (This happens with all other sexual relationships too (1 Corinthians 6:16)). They are not the same person. That’s why when spouses die, or cheat, or are involved in pornography/immorality…one spouse may feel it. 

In death or divorce/breakup spouses may feel a part of them died. Why? They were connected and in covenant. Yet they are not the same person. If that were so, if one died they both would need to die. If one sinned, they would both be guilty. Yet we know this to be untrue. Each individual will give account for their individual life to God (Romans 14:12). 

God enters our lives through an eternal covenant. We repent and receive through faith in His Son Jesus. For born again believers the objective is for the Holy Spirit to take up residence in us (2 Timothy 1:14, Romans 8:11). If we do not have His Spirit, we do not belong to God (Romans 8:9). He is our seal, guarantee of what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:22). 

The Spirit of God (Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost) is connected to the Son, and the Father. They are one. Yet the Father is not the Son, the Son is not Holy Spirit. They are the Godhead manifested in unique, yet connected forms. 

So being one with God does not make us God. God does not become us. He comes in covenant with agape love, gifts, and the blessings of God flow in and through us. We also gain the highest form of intimacy-knowing God and being known by Him. He is the only One who will know everything about us. Through covenant we become the truest and best versions of ourselves. The love He gives, we give it back to Him. 

2. We Do Not Possess Unlimited Authority 

I am one with God, through Jesus. I am not Jesus. I am not Father God. I am not Holy Spirit. Even Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing and say what I hear Him speaking (John 5:19).” 

It is dangerous to try to use authority that has not been given. Authority comes from the top down. God alone has ultimate authority. Even with ultimate authority He works within the framework He created to allow humans to choose. This means control, manipulation, and abuse of authority are a no go. Being one with God does not give us ultimate authority over everything and everyone. We are not demi gods. We do not have ultimate authority over everything or everyone. 

3. We Are Not Equal to God 

We are made in the image of God. We are His workmanship created for His glory. We are, if we are in Christ, raised up and seated with Him in heavenly places. We become joint heirs with Jesus. We do not become equal to God. God reaches down low to raise us up. He does not remove Himself from His throne and place us there. 

As Pastor TD Jakes says, “If God is on the throne, my flesh is on the cross. If I am on the throne, I am trying to put Jesus back on the cross.” 

We are not equal to God. We are children of God. He chooses to adopt us and work through us. He will always be God, the Great I AM, the Creator. 

Nothing God created is equal to His majesty. He values us tremendously, yet does not surrender His throne to us. Why? He is God. He also knows anything and anyone we worship other than Him brings bondage and is fueled by pride. Look what happened to Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-17). God alone is 100% good. 

This is important in the picture of marriage too. God gave earthly marriage as a picture, not for the picture to replace Him or reality. What do I mean? Jesus is God. God alone is to be worshipped. 

Husbands are not God; they are not to be worshipped. They are to be respected and loved just like wives are to be respected and loved. The Church is to worship God. The wife is to worship God. He said, “Have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3).”

Husbands are to imitate Jesus in their sacrificial, unconditional, unselfish love for their wives. Part of Christ being the Head of the Church is He is the Chief Cornerstone, providing the most support and He sacrificed the most even to the laying down His life. Wives are to respond to that love and support with agape love, respect, and a willingness to yield to what honors God. Husbands too are to be willing to yield (Ephesians 5:21). All believers are to be willing to yield (submit)-same verse Ephesians 5:21. 

Both husband and wife are to yield to God, then each other. Neither is to become God for the other person. If that were so, God would have said, “You must worship two Gods-Me and your spouse.” He did not give us God alternatives. Our primary allegiance is to always first be to God. 

If a spouse tells us to do something that violates our relationship with God or is immoral or illegal, we are to forsake yielding to them and yield to God. Spouses are also to point each other to God. So going along with abuse or what is sinful or wrong is unGodly. 

Husbands who use their position in the family to abuse, hurt, control, manipulate, dominate, or mistreat their wives and/or children will be held accountable to God. 

Jesus told the disciples, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28).” 

God views authority as a vehicle to protect from the attacks of the enemy, empower others, sacrificially and unselfishly love, honor, and serve. 

Jesus is the perfect model for leadership, authority, a disciple, a yielded (submitted) One. Jesus is the perfect model of a pastor or man or human or husband or leader. 

The one given the highest authority has been given the greatest capacity for sacrifice and is to abide in God to agape love. The highest calling isn’t boss or dictator-those are anti God leadership models for humans. The highest calling is agape (unconditional, sacrificial, unselfish, laid down love) and being a servant. 

Confusion comes when the picture of Jesus and the church is misused and misapplied in marriage.

Let’s jump back to oneness with God…

So becoming one with God comes through covenant and His Holy Spirit. God does not become us. We do not become God. We connect with God. Our spirit connects with His Spirit. His Spirit is to take up residence in our physical house. It is a connection that is meant to flow from this life into eternity. It is the only eternal covenant. Marriage is an earthly covenant that breaks at death, or in some cases divorce. 

Oneness with God provides us with: 

  • Intimacy with God/Friendship with God (the ability to know Him) 
  • Joint Heirship with Jesus 
  • Access to God (we do not need a liaison aside from Jesus-He is the mediator between God and mankind (1 Timothy 2:5))
  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Supernatural wisdom, revelation, and insight
  • Forgiveness of Sins/the Gift of Repentance 
  • New Identity in Christ 
  • Divine Deliverance 
  • Profound Understanding of His Word
  • Manifestations of His Glory/His love/His power
  • Partnership with God 
  • Name Written in the Lamb’s Book of Life 
  • Ability to Bless the World
  • Every Spiritual Blessing in the Heavenlies in Christ 
  • Advocate in Christ
  • An Eternal Covenant  

May you and I pursue deeper intimacy with God and increased revelation of oneness with Him. 

Here are some additional scriptures to back up this post: Ephesians 1, Ephesians 5, Exodus 20:3, John 17:20-24, Mark 10:7-9, Colossians 3:19, 21, Romans 14:12, Hebrews 8 and 9, 2 Timothy 1:14, Galatians 5:13-26, Romans 8

Everything God Allows Is Not Necessarily His Will (Wednesday Devotion)

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Morning Devotion: This was all God’s plan or was it? Everything God allows is not necessarily His will. Everything stated or predicted to be true is not necessarily God. 

God is good (Mark 10:18). Evil exists because of the abuse of free will (Romans 5:12). We can choose evil over good. We can choose our way over God’s way. Why? Because love involves freedom. The desire to control people is demonic. 

Nothing happens outside God’s knowledge. He does not prevent every horrible thing from happening. 

This does not mean the following: 

1. God is cruel or loves to punish people. 

The Bible says He is slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). He is merciful wanting all to come to repentance. 

2. Everything that happens is God’s perfect will. 

God desires that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), yet we know millions will. 

3. When things happen, God caused it to happen. 

Allowing and causing are two vastly different concepts. To cause something to happen is to have motivations and intentions that pursue that outcome. All the evil we see in the world came from Adam choosing to obey the devil instead of God (Romans 5:12). Did God cause sin? No. Did He give choices? Yes. 

God hates sin. Yet He allows us to choose sin. 

There will not be anyone in heaven who chose the devil over God or chose themselves over God. Why? God will not force anyone to love Him. 

This concept of humans have no personal responsibility due to the sovereignty of God is false. 

God gave both Adam and Eve dominion on the earth (Genesis 1). They were to fill, subdue, reign on earth. They were given authority and dominion. They surrendered it through sin. 

Jesus regained what was lost. Jesus restored what was broken in the Garden. Yet there is still a world in chaos. Why? People can still choose sin. Sin leads to destruction and death. Sin hurts us and others. 

Death, sickness, destruction, brokenness, broken relationships, hurt, sorrow, lust, greed, and all evil were not a part of the Garden pre fall. God knew man would sin, so there was already a plan for redemption. The fall of man happened. It does not mean God caused it to happen. 

God’s sovereignty is also not an excuse for prayerlessness or not doing our part. Saying, “Oh this is just the way it is,” or “God will fix it,” or “I am waiting on God to show up,” or “This is God’s plan or will,” are sometimes excuses to not do our part. God gave us brains, feet, hands, vocal chords, and resources so we could use them. 

I love what Joyce Meyers says. She says, “You know what happens when you do not pray? Nothing. Nothing happens.” 

God enters situations He is invited into. Someone invited God; He revealed His power. 

I want to take you further along this path with the prophetic. Ready? 

Every prophetic word that is true or comes true is not necessarily from God. Say what? Indeed. 

When Jesus walked the earth demons would sometimes cry out, “You are the Son of God.” He would tell them to be quiet because His time had not yet come (Luke 4:41). 

When Paul delivered the woman with the spirit of divination, she was speaking the truth. Her source was not God (Acts 16:16-18). 

Demons and the devil can speak truth. The devil knows the Bible better than most people. Demons also network to understand the workings, patterns, desires, and ways of humans. Just because something true is spoken or predicted does not necessarily mean it was God who inspired the vocalization. 

More examples…Just because it’s spoken and happened, does not mean it was inspired by God. 

I have met several woman over the years who were prophesied to who their spouse would be. I truly believe God speaks and may tell someone. These ladies ended up with men who did not truly love God or them. Two were told, “You will marry this person.” There was no bliss on the other side of “I do.” There was a whole lot of hell; some of those marriages ended in divorce. Some were deeply wounded by the dreams, words, visions that were not reality or did not become reality.

I have had at least a dozen “prophetic” words from people about who my spouse will be, and when he will come. Guess what? None of them match, nor have they come true. Since God is not the author of confusion, what could be the source? 

1. Flesh or soul. 

We have a spirit, a body, and a soul. The soul can sense things too. It does not mean it’s God. 

2. Evil spirits. 

They can interject thoughts, dreams too. Sometimes with people they can insert thoughts that are first person, “I hate my life,” or “I am so ugly.” They can implant words, “You will marry this person.” Hence scripture telling us to test every spirit to see if it is God. 

For relationships, please examine the way the person treats you. Look at the fruit in their life. Look at who they spend their time with and how they treat people who can do nothing for them. Look at how they respond to not getting their way. Look at their life. Is it a hot mess? How well do they love God? Do they truly love Him. How they treat God is how they will treat you. 

God is good. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of Lights. Gifts from God are good. People are not perfect, yet when God brings a gift there is blessing tied to it. 

I highly recommend with some words, visions, pictures to sit them on the shelf and to also pray, “God I cancel any enemy assignments of deception. I only want to hear Your voice. I want to walk in Your truth. Holy Spirit lead and guide me.” 

There are false Holy Spirits too…will touch on that in a deliverance/freedom post later. They work to hurt and bring deception. You will hear people say, “God told me to do this immoral, harmful thing.” No He did not. Holy Spirit will not violate the word of God. 

Papa God, help us to colabor with You. Help us to be people of wisdom, prayer, and doing what we see Jesus doing. Help us to have heavenly vision, ears that hear Your truth above the noise, and discernment to know what is You, what is our flesh, what is the devil/his minions, and what is coming from our souls. Anything not of You, please uproot it. Replace it with Your love, truth, and power. In Jesus powerful name. Amen. 

God bless you! You are in my thoughts and continual prayers. You are so deeply loved. 

Erin Lamb 

Saturday Devotion (Love looks like Jesus) 

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Photo credit: overlyxclusive 

Morning Devotion: Love is costly. If it cost us nothing, it means nothing. Love looks like someone; Jesus. 

Love is a misunderstood word and overused word in our world. 

God is love. He is agape love. Agape is unconditional, sacrificial, and unselfish love. This love would die to save the guilty, most wretched sinner. 

Jesus gave His life for us while we were yet sinners. We were God haters, slanders, selfish, indifferent, prideful, full of lust, greed, and immorality. 

The Father said, “I love you so much, I am willing to give My most precious Son in exchange for you.” Jesus said, “Take My life instead and save them.” 

We all know He did not remain dead, yet He suffered greatly to love us to life. He turns around in John 13:34 and says, “As I have agape loved you, agape love one another.” 

As I have laid down all pride, lay yours aside. 

As I have laid down selfishness, lay yours aside. 

As I have sought to empower others, empower others. 

As I have forgiven, so you must forgive. 

As I have chosen a life of love, abide in Me and choose love. 

As I have come to serve and not be served, seek to serve others. 

As I have demonstrated lavish love, demonstrate lavish love. 

As I have loved those who do not love Me, love those who do not love you. 

As I surrendered fully to the Father, you surrender fully to the Father. 

He walked the way of love. Love will cost us something. Agape only flows from God through us. He is the Source. We must receive first from Him for it to flow through us to others. 

Our flesh wants to promote, “Me first. What about me. Bless me. Help me. Be there for me. What is best for me (all the time-not just in cases where it is quite necessary to consider your needs about another’s wants).” 

God loves says, “What about you? How can I bless you? How can I serve you? How can I be there for you? What can I do to add value?” 

If you love like God, let Him love through you, be prepared for the following. It happened to Jesus, it will happen to you. 

If you love like Jesus, you will be misunderstood. People will question your motives. 

If you love like Jesus, you may have your heart broken. People grieve the Holy Spirit too. We can hurt God.

If you love like Jesus, you may encounter those who seek to take and never give. They will see your love as an opportunity for selfish gain.

If you love like Jesus, you may find God is one of the only ones who loves you like this.

Let’s be positive…

If you love like this, you will bring so much glory to God and fulfill His command to love others as He loves you (John 13:34). 

If you love like this, you are a champion in heaven racking up heavenly rewards. 

If you love like this, thank you for being light-a demonstration of Jesus in a dark world. 

If you love like Jesus, you possess a superpower that wages war against all the powers of hell. Love is a mighty weapon that cuts through all the darkness. 

The devil can not love like God. He can lust, boast, pretend, say love is accepting sin (not love at all) and even preach the word. He knows Bible; He cannot live it or love like God. He cannot agape. He can try to mimic love, yet he fails to walk in  love because there is no love in him.  

When you and I agape love-we show the world Jesus and the Father. 
Love looks like someone; Jesus. 

Just in case no one tells you today, you are so deeply loved. I pray for you. Jesus lives to intercede for you. You are not alone in this great big world! God bless you, exceedingly, abundantly, above ALL you could ask or imagine. 

Love in Christ, 

Erin Lamb 

A Heartfelt Apology for the Behavior of Christians 

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Photo Source: Wordswag, Used with permission. 

I normally do not post this close together. I felt so strongly in my spirit the need to apologize for the church’s behavior to the world and each other. 

I stand in the gap to say, “I am grieved by the behavior of some believers. Please do not judge God by our actions.” 

I pray if you have been deeply wounded by the church, a professing Christian, there would be great healing. You are so deeply loved and valued by God. 

The Body of Christ deeply wounds people sometimes and for this I am sorry. 

If you have been negatively impacted or wounded by Christians, myself included, I am deeply sorry. I ask for forgiveness. We are flawed, imperfect people in need of the same grace, forgiveness, and mercy as everyone else. We are not better than anyone else. Our professed salvation does not negate our responsibility for our actions. We are accountable to others and God for what we do and say. 

We are not demi gods or little saviors on earth. 

I wish I could say look to us to know what God is like, yet you will be disappointed. God is still working on us to look, love, and behave like Him. 

Look to Jesus who perfectly represents the Father. Start there. Jesus! Jesus who gave His very life, while we were yet sinners. Start with Jesus. He is the earthly manifestation of the Father. 

I can say this..

God is not cold hearted, nor ego driven.

God is not a control freak or bully. 

God is not manipulative. 

God is not selfish.

God is not greedy. 

God is not uncompassionate nor lacking love.

God does not use people. 

God does not condone abuse of any form (emotional, verbal, sexual, or spiritual).

God is not racist; He created one race-human. Humans created the boxes for black, white, asian, latino, etc…it is a man made thing that has no validity in heaven. 

God is not sexist; He places high value on women and does not see them as sex objects, servants, or gullible children. He highly esteems women. He made woman and said, “It is very good.” 

God is not a politician or political party. They too are not a part of heaven. Heaven has a King. His reign eternal. 

God is not filled with hatred. 

God is not easily angered. 

God is not impatient. 

God is not rude. 

God does not behave like a lunatic. 

God is not the author of confusion. 

God cares about everyone, not just those who agree with Him. 

God cannot lie. 

God is faithful to His word. 

God is not wishy washy or a flake. 

God is not a sinner. He is holy. 

God is not a hypocrite. 

God is not out to destroy people; He seeks to redeem them. 

God is not a snob; He gets low to lift others higher. 

God is not unjust; He brings righteous justice to every situation. His timing just isn’t the same as ours. 

God is not blind to pain, nor does He pretend He does not see you when you are hurting. 

God is not after your money; He wants your heart. 

God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, he reaps. 

God does not talk about love and do nothing else. He demonstrates love. 
God is good. It is not always our idea of good, yet God works all things together for eventual good for those who love Him. He will correct us, rebuke us, challenge us, and prune us. Yet His ultimate goal is not to control us, demean us, or hurt us…it is to make us more fruitful-the best version of ourselves. 

Once again, may we look to God to know Him. My prayers are His Bride comes into looking more and more like Him. He is glorious. Please forgive us for not loving you like Jesus loves you!