Tag: God’s heart

Confidence Comes From Knowing God

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Morning Devotion: God Did Not Create Insecure People. Sin Brought In Insecurity, Fear, Shame, Rejection, Abuse, Hatred, Self Hatred, and Low Self Esteem. Insecurity Is the Root of Many Problems, Let’s Pursue Freedom.

Jesus is our truest model of a healthy person. Jesus was not prideful nor insecure. He knew exactly who He was in relation to the Father. Jesus did not wonder whether or not the Father would provide for Him nor if the Father loved Him.

Jesus was not driven by people pleasing or the demands of the crowd. Jesus often left people without an explanation. They were offended, yet His agenda was to do the will of His Father.

We see in Jesus holy boldness and godly confidence. He was not arrogant, nor bossy, nor did He try to force His will on others through manipulation or control. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28).

A secure person can get low and take the lowest place. A secure person can refrain from pushing themselves to the front of the line. A secure person does not need to dominate nor control others. They lead by example and others follow. They inspire and influence in a good way. A secure person has no desire to push others into the dirt. There is zero abuse or mistreatment that flows from a secure person.

How Did We Become So Insecure?

It started in a garden. God created two powerful people to coreign together. Adam and Eve were created to coreign together and have dominion on earth. They were not intended to be competitors, nor for Adam to rule over Eve.

After sin entered God simply stated what would happen, not His desire for what would happen. Because of Eve’s choice, she would seek to please her husband (become a people pleaser) and he would seek to rule over her. Insecurity entered the world through two imperfect humans. One (Eve) would diminish her worth and seek to please. The other would blame her and seek to have dominion over her. Inflated ego and suppressed ego are both rooted in insecurity. When we know our true worth we do not seek to diminish ourselves nor dominate other people. Some of what people call normal male ego is simply insecurity and sin. And female self deprecation is also sin.

When we know who God is, what Jesus paid for, and who we are in Him-insecurity must bow it’s head to the Soveriegn Lord.

People state our world is suffering from a sin crisis. I disagree. Our world, since the fall of mankind, has been suffering from an identity crisis. If we do not pursue intimacy with God, we will not have healthy/godly self worth and esteem nor a healthy identity. Why? We can not know the value, worth, identity, or purpose of something without knowing its Creator.

The frame of reference must be God. The things of this world pass away: beauty can fade, jobs can be lost, spouses can leave, money can be stolen, identity outside God can be confused. In the end, we need something (someone) who is eternal. God is steadfast and eternal.

Every human life came from God and is incomplete without a revelation of God. Yes mankind may attempt life anti God and with the mantra of “I don’t need God,” yet there is a part of us that was created to know Him and thrive out of that relationship.

Insecurity is the root of fear, worry, self hatred, abuse, abusing others, putting others down/mistreatment/bullying, racism, sexism, excessive competition, comparison, people pleasing, not setting proper boundaries, overindulging, promiscuity, using people, lack of love, self loathing, putting yourself down, bad relationships, control, manipulation, unbelief, and so much more!

There is a cure and it comes from God. God’s love smashes shame, insecurity, rejection, and self loathing under the weight of it’s power. God says we were worth dying for on that rugged cross. The love of God comes in like a wrecking ball and demolishes strongholds of fear and uncertainty.

Knowing God intimately builds our confidence because our trust is not ultimately placed in us (flawed human beings); it is placed in God. God is undefeated, unshakable, steadfast, dependable, loving, kind, good, hope filled, and pursues the bests interests of those who love Him.

We are not filthy worms just scurrying along waiting on God to pity us. If we are in Christ, we are a new creation! Our spirit is regenerated. Just like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. The butterfly does not crawl back into the cocoon and say, “Oh what a wretched worm am I!” No! The butterfly flaps it’s wings and flies. It recognizes it is not who it was.

God invites us to live out of His thoughts and the truest identity in Him. He invites us into a bold and confident life! We were not intended to live as worms.

Is Confidence Pride?

Some say if you like yourself or love yourself then it’s pride. False. God said love your neighbor AS you love yourself. We have too many people who hate or dislike themselves trying to love other people. You cannot give away what you do not possess. Insecurity is actually sin; it is choosing to exalt our opinions of who we are above Gods. It is disagreeing with God who says:

We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).

God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world (1 Corinthians 7:23).

Made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

Yet what honor you have given to men,

created only a little lower than Elohim,[d]

crowned like kings and queens[e] with glory and

magnificence.

You have delegated to them

mastery over all you have made,

making everything subservient to their authority,

placing earth itself under the feet of your image-bearers. [f]~Psalm 8:5-6.

d. Psalm 8:5 This is the same Hebrew word used for the Creator-God in Gen. 1:1.

e. Psalm 8:5 The concept of kings and queens is implied in the text by the word crowned.

f. Psalm 8:6 The Septuagint translation of 8:5–7 is quoted in Heb. 2:6-8. Today, all things are not yet under our feet. Even mosquitoes still come to defeat us. But there will be a time of restoration because of Christ’s redemption, when everything will rest beneath our authority. See Isa. 11:6-9; 65:25; Matt. 19:28; Rev. 20:4-6.

The righteous are as bold as lions (Proverbs 28:1). I have yet to see an insecure lion. They do not need to boast of being a lion, nor cower in the corner. They know their strengths. They stand tall (if they are not napping). God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)! It’s time for a healthy group of believers to stand on who God says they are and thrive baby thrive!

Love,

Erin Lamb

P.S Check out Confident & Free! Available on Amazon.com or my store on https://www.empowered-free.com.

Raise Your Level of Expectations With God!

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God longs to exceed our expectations! Is our dream too small and our expectations too low?

Sometimes God blocks that door, opportunity, friendship, relationship, allows that sabotage, allows the heartbreak, or opportunity to pass by because He has a better idea!! As C.S Lewis so eloquently stated in the Weight of Glory, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

God is in the business of increase and upgrades for those who love Him. Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). God does exceedingly, abundantly, above ALL we could ask or image.

Sometimes our dream is too small and our expectations too low. The greatest pleasure is found in God. The secondary pleasure is in His custom gifts for us.

As a loving Father, God will allow doors to close where we are mistreated or will not be valued. Sometimes that thing that did not work out was a rescue mission by God. Sometimes that opportunity that did not pan out was protection from drama, trauma, and heartache!

God is always looking out for our best interests even when we can not see it, feel it, or know. He is a loving Father who withholds nothing good from us! Thank God for the no!

One freeing thought God gave me once. He said, “I will never allow someone to overlook you who needs to see you.” Rejection is often His protection. And some will not value you until someone they value acknowledges you; that is an opportunist, not a true friend.

Be blessed today and dream BIGGER with God.

Love,

Erin Lamb

God Loves Family!

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Morning Devotion: Jesus stated His family were those who did the will of His Father. Blood is not thicker than Spirit. Find and invest in a spiritual family. One of the functions of the church is to be a global family and body. There are no outcasts or step children or unwanted children in God’s family.

Jesus’ True Family

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking for him to come out and speak with them. Then someone said, “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to have a word with you.” But Jesus just looked at him and said, “Let me introduce you to my true mother and brothers.” Then gesturing to the disciples gathered around him, he said, “Look closely, for this is my true family. When you obey my heavenly Father, that makes you a part of my true family.”~Matthew 12:46-49 the Passion Translation.

Some of my best relationships and substantial support has come from spiritual family. I acquired some spiritual siblings who treat me exceptionally well, some older siblings who invested wisdom and love, and even a few mentors who fathered me (all my focused long term mentors have been male).

I am thankful for spiritual family. Some say blood is thicker than water. I say the Spirit of God is thicker and a stronger bond than blood. Our blood relatives may not even inherit the Kingdom, sad but true. Our blood relatives may share our natural DNA yet that’s it.

We are to love our natural family to the best of our ability, yet our highest priority is to do the will of our heavenly Father. The natural family of Jesus did not always get His agenda. He chose to do the will of the Father over their desires.

Who is My Family?

The people who come along side you, support you (what is godly-not what is ungodly), love you, are loyal to you, and speak truth in love are family. The Godhead is my greatest family, support, and through them I acquired an amazing family that will continue on in eternity. My hope is to also cultivate safe places for others in His Kingdom to have family. I open my home at least one holiday to those without natural family to be loved on, fed, and included. Why? My family reaches beyond those who share my DNA. God’s family became my family when I entered covenant with Jesus.

Jesus had siblings, Mary and Joseph had additional children which would be His half siblings (see the passage at the beginning of this devotion). One of His siblings was named Jacob who wrote the book of James.

One would think growing up with Jesus who did not sin, there would be some form of validation of the diety of Jesus. Yet the natural family of Jesus did not always see who He was nor understand what He was called to do.

When Jesus was younger He stayed behind in the temple and when His parents confronted Him about it, He replied, “Did you not know I would be about My Father’s business?”

After being separated from him for three days, they finally found him in the temple, sitting among the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard Jesus speak were astounded at his intelligent understanding of all that was being discussed and at his wise answers to their questions.

His parents were shocked to find him there, and Mary scolded him, saying, “Son, your father and I have searched for you everywhere! We have been worried sick over not finding you. Why would you do this to us?”

Jesus said to them, “Why would you need to search for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be here in my Father’s house, consumed with him?”

Mary and Joseph didn’t fully understand what Jesus meant,~Luke 2:46-50 the Passion Translation.

We may be called to things by God our friends and natural family do not understand. We may be the black sheep, scapegoat, or outcast in our own natural family. We may be misunderstood, persecuted, ignored, or mistreated by the ones who share our DNA. This is sad, yet there is an eternal family excited to know us. We are never without family if we are in Jesus. We become grafted into a holy family. There is not perfection in the church, yet there is in God. There are some really great people who do love well, who are supportive, who will celebrate the way God created us. God sets us in families and the natural family is not the only one.

If your natural family is not a safe, loving, supportive, or good place-know God has a family for you and it’s His family. If you lost loved ones and have no natural family living, know God has a family for you and it’s His family. If you have a deep longing for community and love, know God has a family and it’s His family. You are not alone nor without family. Someone may just be praying for someone like you. You belong in the greatest, most noble, and royal family.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus,~Ephesians 3:6.

You have all become true children of God by the faith of Jesus the Anointed One! It was faith that immersed you into Jesus, the Anointed One, and now you are covered and clothed with his anointing. And we no longer see each other in our former state—Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor, male or female—because we’re all one through our union with Jesus Christ with no distinction between us,~Galatians 3:26-28 the Passion Translation.

If you do not have a spiritual family, ask God for one. God loves to set up family. Family is more than a spouse and kids. Family is a committed group of people who choose love over and over and over. It is a committment to love. God wants us in a community where we are valued, cared for, celebrated, honored, supported (what is godly is supported), and treated with respect/dignity. God will answer our prayers to be connected to a healthy, thriving tribe.

Papa God I ask for true family for everyone who reads this. I ask that your Holy Spirit wash over each person and fill any voids from natural family. I ask for divine appointments to find their tribe and may it be a safe place, loving place, healing place, and full of your goodness. I ask God for every person to have connections where they are genuinely loved. Set up the divine appointments for godly family. Help each one to invest in those families and thrive! Heal any wounds created by natural families and heal any grief from lost families. In Jesus powerful name.

Love in Christ,

Erin Lamb

P.S Book 2 Confident & Free will be released this month 7/7/2018. I hope you pick it up on Amazon or my company website https://www.empowered-free.com.

New Books Coming!

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First let me say thank you for subscribing to the book blog! Thank you. You are prayed for and loved.

I wanted to let you know of upcoming books.

It has been quite a while since I Thought I Knew What Love Was was published. I hope you check it out! People have stated it was a source of encouragement and helped them connect with the heart of God. It has a 5 star rating.

Book update:

I have been working on several books. One will be released this year. It is entitled Confident & Free. It is a devotional book designed to help others connect with the heart of God in areas of overcoming; overcoming fear, overcoming trauma, overcoming rejection, overcoming persecution, and even overcoming when facing death. God created us to live confident and free. The Spirit of God is one of an overcomer.

My hope after Confident & Free is released is to send out book 3 which is Killing Insecurity.

We live in a world that seems to be plagued by violence, abuse, mistreatment of human beings. We also live in a world where there is money to be made off of insecurity. Marketing says, “Tell them who and what they have is not enough.”

God designed us in love (God=Love), to be loved, THEN to love. We have too many people trying to love others when they do not love themselves.

Some people say societal issues center around mental illness. I disagree. I believe at the root is fractured identity and insecurity. Insecure people cannot love their neighbor because they do not love themselves. We can not give away what we do not possess. We cannot value another while hating ourselves.

Insecurity is the root of bullying, abuse, racism, sexism, murder, jealousy, domination, competition, many addictions, mistreatment…lack of healthy identity and love creates systemic problems. We can deal with fruit all day, yet change happens when we pull up the roots.

Our world has an identity crisis and love deficit. These things can be overcome by the power and love of Jesus. These books are not designed to be self help. They are written to hopefully lead the reader into an encounter with the truth of who God is and an encounter with His heart. Once we truly encounter Jesus our lives are never the same. The securest identity is in Jesus.

My prayer for us today is we would know the height, depth, width, and vast expanse of God’s love!

I will let you know when Confident & Free is released! I hope you pick up a copy and leave some feedback. Most importantly, know whether you get a book or not, you are prayed for and deeply loved!

Love in Christ,

Erin L Lamb

OperationGodisLove.org (Missions/Street Ministry Website)

P.S Check out facebook.com/erinlambauthor for daily devotions!

God Cares How We Love, Live, and Represent Him

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Morning Devotion: God Looks at How We Love, How We Live, and Steward What He Gives. It Matters How We Live and Love.

It does not matter the title, position, influence in Christiandom, where you travel, who celebrates you, if you stand on a platform or stage, how much money is made, what celebrity Christian applauds you, the miracles-signs-or wonders, how many books are sold, who you marry, how many kids you have, how big the church is, if you are on tv, how many conferences you preach at, who thinks you are the who’s who on earth, how many supernatural encounters are had, etc…God cares how we love. He cares how we treat people. He cares how we live and how we represent Him. Does the world see anything in us that looks like Jesus?

Jesus did not come to earth and build a fan club or try to sell Jesus swag. He came and made disciples. He came and did the will of the Father. When people encountered Jesus they encountered heaven on earth. Jesus did not have a roped off section from the poor, destitute, and marginalized. Jesus got low and washed feet. Jesus stated, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Jesus modeled Kingdom of Heaven. The behavior of Jesus reflected the character of the Father. He did not live for the praise or applause of men. He lived for the already given applause of the Father. Jesus did not need to buy followers, nor force people to follow Him. The authenticity of Jesus compelled people to follow Him.

What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and lose their soul? Heaven does not care how popular we are on earth. What causes the applause of man is not what causes the applause of heaven. Heaven looks at what we did with the knowledge of Jesus, how we loved, and how we stewarded what He gave us. God does look at obedience and stewardship (Matthew 25:14–30). Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7).

The voice of Jesus:

‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” but you do not do what I tell you?’A person comes to me. He hears what I say and obeys me. I will show you who he is like.He is like a man who built a house. He dug down deep in the ground and made it stand on a rock. The water in the river came up high. The water beat hard against the house. But the house did not move, because it was built on a rock,~Jesus from Luke 6:46-48 (WE)

My heart mourns because some will hear at the end of their lives, “Depart from Me, I never knew you,” from Jesus. They may have preached in His name, attended churches, collected offerings, preached all over the world, cast out demons, seen the sick healed, yet they did not have life union and intimacy with Jesus. See Matthew 7:23. I pray I do not betray Jesus nor make my life more about doing for Jesus than being with Jesus.

Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 13 (The Passion Translation):

If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the heavenly tongues of angels,[yet I didn’t express myself with love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal.

And if I were to have the gift of prophecy with a profound understanding of God’s hidden secrets, and if I possessed unending supernatural knowledge, and if I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains, but have never learned to love, then I am nothing.

And if I were to be so generous as to give away everything I owned to feed the poor, and to offer my body to be burned as a martyr, without the pure motive of love, I would gain nothing of value.

Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.

Perfect Love

Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, but when love’s perfection arrives, the partial will fade away. When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways.

For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.

The love that Paul speaks about is love from God, it comes through abiding and relationship with God. It is a transformative love that brings about a greater representation of who He is in us. It is impossible to love like God without intimacy and life union with God. Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches. If we abide in Him, we will bear abundant fruit (John 15:4-5). The fruit of God is goodness (love, peace, joy, gentleness, etc). If we abide in Him, the fruit of our lives will be good.

May we receive the great love of God and abide in His love. I know I need to abide, to soak, and God continually places me in situations to grow in love. I am still on the Potter’s Wheel. Thankful God continues to reveal more and more of who He is and His great love.

May you and I live for the applause of heaven! It matters far more to hear a well done from the Lord than from people. At the end of our lives, every person (believers included) will give an account to God for how they lived, how they loved, and how they stewarded who and what God gave them (Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 25:14–30, Matthew 25:40, 45).

May we live and love for an audience of 1. May we steward everything God gives well. May we understand even as believers we are held accountable for how we love, live, and steward what belongs to God.

Love in Christ,

Erin Lamb

The Greatest Gift is God

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Painting: Christ Art

Morning Devotion: The Best Gift is God, Not What He Gives or Has Created.

The best gift God gave the world, in my thoughts, is Himself. Even before the foundation of the earth God was. Before let there be light, there was the Light; the Light of the world.

God is amazing and my worst day with God surpasses my best day without Him. One of the things I prefer about God over people is God is stable, consistent, keeps His word, reliable, pure love, unselfish, and desires the best for everyone.

God does not love me today and sing my praises then tomorrow say, “I changed my mind about you.” God does not ignore me, play games, cause confusion, try to embarrass or humiliate me. God is not mean spirited or flakey (hot then cold). God is not unkind, rude, intrusive, pushy, hateful, or without compassion.

God actually cares about my dreams, hopes, desires. He cares about yours too!

God is not selfish.

God does not just show up when He has something for me to do. God is not kind to me nor does He give gifts to try to convince me to do something. He gives out of pure love.

God just loves me. God loves the world. God so loved the world He gave! See John 3:16. I do not know of anyone who loves more than God.

God, though the Creator of the Universe, does not spend each day bossing me around, “Now Erin do this, then that. Do I need to remind you that you were created for Me? You are the weaker one. I am the strong one, get low peasant and serve me. Oh and if you truly love me here are all the things you can accomplish for me before the day ends.”

God leads by love. God is kind, merciful, compassionate, holy, beautiful, gracious, serves the most, and overflowing with joy. Because God loves so well and infuses my heart with His love, I desire to love Him with all of my heart, soul, and mind. I serve because I love God. I give because I love God. I lay my life down because I love God. The love of God compels me to pour love back onto God and infuses our covenant.

Abiding in the steadfast love of God is life. Everything on this earth will pass away, yet His Kingdom will remain. Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything you need will be added unto you. Set your mind on eternal things, not the temporal which will fade away. God is the center of it all. It is His story for His glory. We are invited into the story of God.

Before mankind was, God existed. He is the Alpha and Omega, the bright and morning star. He is the reason all of life has it’s being. I truly believe He alone is worthy of our worship. I truly believe this love, His love, is the love worth most pursuing and knowing.

There is no greater love than the love God pours out on us. Some go looking for love in all the wrong places with all the wrong faces and it leads to heartache.

There is a God void inside of every human being that can only be satisfied with God. He fills to overflowing. He satisfies completely. He is the living water that quenches our thirst and satisfies our greatest cravings. Nothing in this world can surpass His great love. Nothing in this world can surpass the friendship of God and His wisdom.

If you desire a true, lasting, and eternal love, connect with Jesus. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through the Son.” He gave His life as an atoning sacrifice so we could put on His righteousness and stand before a holy God. This love cost the Father His Son, and the Son His life.

What manner of love is this to lay down His life to save us while still sinners. My mind cannot fully grasp the intensity of God’s love for humanity. My question is, “Do you know Jesus?” My second question is, “Have you made Jesus the center of it all?” The love that comes through the Son of God is remarablle. It is beyond comprehension. It is available to all.

How to know Jesus: https://ithoughtiknewwhatlovewas.com/how-to-know-jesus/

God thank you for everything, especially who you are. You are amazing, beyond amazing. I cannot thank you enough. I ask that this year would overflow with your deep love. May we know the height, depth, width, and vast expanse of your love. Fill us to overflowing. Draw us into the profound corridors of your heart. Show us what real love is. Thank you for Jesus and your precious Holy Spirit. Thank you.

Photo Source: Embracing Jesus (Pinterest)

You are so deeply loved!

Erin Lamb

Know God and the Bible for Yourself (Testing Revelation)

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Morning Devotion: Knowing God’s voice.

Every voice is not God. Our soul and spirit speak too. The evil one can give impressions, contaminate dreams, visions, and implant thoughts. Believers are called to test every spirit and all prophetic words/dreams/visions. Today’s post covers testing words, impressions, dreams, visions, and “God told me.”

I have met numerous people in my life who have derailed their life with “God told me.” The voice they heard or the dream/vision did not come from God at all yet it was never tested. The person had followed either their own voice or a false Holy Spirit. Yes, there are demonic spirits who pretend to be God. This is why the Bible says, “Test every spirit and see if it’s of God.”

Everything that looks good or sounds good is not God. The Bible should be the standard or compass. God is not going to tell someone to sin. God is also not double-minded, tossing someone back in forth in confusion. When God speaks, He means what He says and will fulfill what He said.

Trouble can come in several different ways:

1. The person does not cultivate intimacy with God. They are highly dependent on other people telling them what God said instead of reading the Bible for themselves, listening and testing with God.

Jesus said, “My sheep will know My voice and the voice of a stranger they will not follow.” Intimacy with God helps us to know His voice from our voice and our voice from the enemy.

2. They do not ask others to test what they are hearing. They have their own isolated bubble with zero feedback and they end up in a ditch.

A prophetic and Spirit-filled community also helps with learning the voice of God. This is where we invite others into what we think we are hearing from God and accept feedback. Those who refuse any feedback or loving correction do not grow.

3. Pride. “I know I hear from God, and therefore I am not in need to test this word, vision, dream, impression. I am accurate or seasoned.” Pride is the devil’s playground. Those who think they are standing sometimes fall because they refuse to acknowledge the fact that they may not have seen or heard correctly. They do not accept accountability or feedback. Or they surround themselves with people who are yes men and women, they have no one to challenge their thoughts or expressions. Pride is one way to miss fully or clearly seeing and hearing what God is doing.

4. A critical spirit or grossly wounded soul can contaminate what God is saying or doing. Our deep wounds can fracture our lenses and cause what we see or hear to not match what God has said or shown us. Our interpretation can be flawed because our wounds are guiding our seeing/hearing. Our vantage point can become our place of woundedness instead of the heart of God. Jesus spoke from the heart of God.

5. Deception. The person has partnered with a spirit of deception by believing lies. God’s word is a great place to soak to bypass gross deception and knowing God for ourselves. A prophet who does not read and study the Bible can be in big trouble as well as every believer. Know the word of God for yourself.

So how do we test?

A. Hold up whatever it is against the word and character of God. God will not tell a person to sin. He will not tell a person to run around in confusion or double-mindedness. One day God says go left, another day turn around…I have seen people run around in utter confusion because they refused to test what they sensed was God. God is not hateful, nor critical. God is not crazy. Cultivating intimacy with God and learning His character is vital to hearing clearly. You can not repeat something from someone you don’t know.

B. Pray and ask others to pray. There are several things in my life that looked good or sounded good yet I paused and prayed. I asked God to show me what was really going on and to confirm if it was Him. I did nothing until I had more insight from God. Thankful because after praying, “God show me your truth about this person, this situation, this dream or vision or prophetic word,” there was an increased clarity and wisdom given by God. Asking others to pray with me and for me or test what I think God is saying has been helpful as well.

C. Write it down and come back later. I have found that God when He gives something, knows the perfect timing for its release. God is not pushy, not in a mega hurry. He is okay with sitting something aside to pray, weigh, test, examine, etc…Sometimes in the process of writing it out and coming back later, a person can see where their soul was speaking and it does not sound like God at all.

D. Ask God for deeper revelation, insight, and to confirm what is Him. I have had several people tell me that God brought them into my life and it was a lie, lie, lie. The devil brought them across my path. As I prayed over their words, character, etc…God revealed their heart was not good. I have had numerous marriage words that were false. I tell people don’t just run with something someone tells you or even your own dreams/visions/words. Ask God, “Show me who this person really is. Show me God the heart of this person. Confirm if this is from you. Show me the source of this dream, information.” You pray and PAY ATTENTION. Some bypass red flags because, “God told them,” and they end up in devastation. Watch how that person treats you. Watch their character. Watch how they treat other people. I have seen God unravel things over time that looked like Gold in the beginning and it was gold plated.

I had a lady tell me she was my Jonathan and she later brought hell, confusion, pain, and craziness into my life. If I had taken what she said and asked God for confirmation, then I could have bypassed some crazy. I did not. I trusted her because she said she knew God and seemed to be on fire for Jesus. She also had another set of voices that needed cast out and deep brokenness that caused “Prophalying.” I learned a valuable lesson. Love everyone, test everything.

Some will be attracted to the anointing on your life, not you. If that anointing does not benefit them or ceases to fill their need bucket, they will go find the next person who will. There is a great difference between who loves you and who loves what they think you can do.

I have also had people drawn to who they think I am and when they find out I am not the tell you just what you want to hear, they abandon the relationship. They said, in the beginning, they prayed for someone like me and God answered, yet the reality was, I think and could be wrong, they saw something they wanted and put it on God. When it did not meet their expectations, God obviously changed His mind and they left the connection. If God leads us to someone, like He did with David and Jonathan, it is not an “I’m in as long as you do and say what suits me.” It is a committed love. It is mutual and not one sided.

E. Examine the heart and nature of God. God is not pushy nor manipulative. God allows choice. Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane had a choice. God did not force Him, pressure Him, nor try to bully Him into the cross. Adam and Eve had a choice. We get to choose.

Caution: Be careful with the God told me to hire this person, marry this person, connect with this person, etc…I have seen people get a word, have a dream, yada yada and they never tested it. They hired that person, connected with that person, married that person or were rejected by that person and blamed God (He was not the source of that intel), and end up in a ditch. God does not force connections. God will introduce two people and let them choose. He does not force marriages or partnerships. And I have only met a few people who God told them who their spouse was and it was a great marriage, the rest married into hell. They did not test what they heard or saw.

Truly believe God wants us to know Him for ourselves and cultivate intimacy with Him. I also believe there are false prophets in the world and knowing God, testing what we see or hear is vital. God told us to do it. Leaning on the words of internet prophets or platform prophets or even the local prophet is not wisdom. Wisdom is getting in the word and secret place with God. Wisdom is testing ALL things. “God is this really you? I will not move or act until I know that this is you and not my soul or spirit and not the voice of the enemy trying to deceive me. God keep me in a place of humility where I am continually submitting what I see and hear to you and when needed seeking wise counsel. Help me to be an accountable prophet or prophetic person. Heal my soul of any wounds or deception so I can see, hear, and speak the clear uncontaminated word of God”

Art: Yongsung Kim

Love in Christ,

Erin L Lamb

Jesus the Greatest Prophet

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Morning Devotion: The Role & Purpose of a Prophet. Prophets do more than prophesy (speak forth the word and will of God), they are transformational agents who deliver solutions and reveal the heart of the Father.

The greatest prophet to walk this earth is Jesus of Nazareth. It was not Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Deborah, or Moses. Jesus is the perfect model for the prophet. If you desire anyone’s anointing, let it be Jesus.

Jesus walked in love, wisdom, and power. He knew when to be direct and when to speak in parables. He knew how to address religious leaders and hypocrites and could sit with the sinner. He overflowed with compassion and love.

There was no pride nor a critical spirit in Jesus. When He saw problems He also saw and spoke solutions. His agenda was repentance, restoration, and reconciliation of a sinful world to the Father.

Prophets are more than ones who speak, they initiate change and point to repentance. Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Look and see what God is doing, get on board. Turn your ear and hear what God is saying, adjust your mind to align with His.

God is the ultimate authority and calls and commissions agents of transformation on earth. Prophets have an assignment and linked to that assignment is mandate to release, speak, and see heaven invade the earth. Prophets shift not only the spiritual atmosphere, they shift culture, organizations, and congregations.

Prophets see and/or hear the heart of the Father and their role is not just to tell people like it is. It is to provide revelation that increases intimacy with God. People are transformed by intimacy with God. Flowery words are not the same as a prophetic key that unlocks a heart which unlocks a destiny. Intimacy with God increases revelation which leads to transformation. Transformed people transform cities. Transformed cities, transform lives.

The true prophet reveals the heart and will of the Father. Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing.” A true prophet is rooted in the love of God.

It is false a prophet is a fortune teller and also false their role is to hand out candy coated words that make people feel good yet never connect them with the will of God. Jesus did not do that, nor did any true prophet of the Bible. Being rude, critical, and harsh are also not the model of Jesus, nor is denying truth or repentance. Jesus did not lie nor tell people what they wanted to hear. He told them the truth in love.

The prophet wipes the smeared lenses to reveal a clearer picture of who God is, what God is highlighting, and the will of God. The prophet often stands up for God’s truth in a time of compromise and immorality. The prophet stands against oppression, idolatry, immorality, and injustice. The prophets of old were persecuted greatly for cutting against the grain and upholding God’s truth which was counter to culture.

Heaven is constantly moving towards intimacy with humanity. Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents. Heaven is looking for relationship and not second hand relationship. Prophets do not replace God, they point to God. They issue an invitation that invites humanity into relationship with the heart and will of God.

Everyone who prophesies is not a prophet. Prophets are chosen, selected, called, commissioned, and assigned by God. True prophets are not self appointed, they are God ordained. God sets up His own training program for prophets. Many prophets go on to train other prophets. Prophets do not just speak, they equip and invite others into learning and hearing the voice and heart of God.

Once again if we are to ask for anyone’s leadership in the prophetic or call of a prophet, may it be Jesus. May we desire the anointing of Jesus to flow uncontaminated. He is the visible representation of the heart and will of the Father.

Love,

Erin Lamb

God is Unlimited; Raise Your Level of Expectation!

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Morning Devotion: Their limitation is not your limitation. God is unlimited. Come up higher to the level of expectation of God.

I believe God is unlimited in His ability. There are two thing that can block the flow of God in our lives, unbelief and agreement with the evil one.

God has not ceased to be God. So, the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is alive and active today. The same God who parted the Red Sea to free His people, fed them manna and quail, is able to provide today. The same God who overshadowed a young girl name Mary to birth the Messiah is able to overshadow your situation and birth the miraculous. The same God who did miracles in the past is still doing miracles today!

Who’s report will we believe and who’s report will we repeat?! I say this to you again because I want it to sink into your spirit. Who’s report will we believe and who’s report will we repeat?!

A supernatural life begins with faith and is maintained through the renewal of the mind. Where the mind goes, the body will follow. A negative and limited mindset will not produce an abundant life.

The Bible says this…

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things,~Phil 4:8.

Think on the things of God. Meditate on the things of God. Focus on the things of God. Abide in Him and allow His thoughts to become your thoughts.

When the ship is sinking, examine what you are thinking. What is your focus? Which report are you rolling around over and over? What report are you repeating? It is not the water that surrounds the boat which causes it to capsize. It is the water that gets into the boat.

Sometimes the unbelief is fueled by a negative audience. Haters or those filled with unbelief/fear do not make great life partners. Why? God has called you to speak life and they speak death.

Death words consist of the following:

1. God is not going to do that for you.

2. Who do you think you are.

3. No one is going to support this.

4. You can’t do this.

5. God did this in the past or for someone else. It’s not for you.

Life words including the following:

1. God is unlimited!

2. God+Nothing=Everything!

3. Put your plans in God’s hands and watch them suceed.

4. It’s not impossible for God.

5. I believe in you!

6. God believes in you!

7. God’s word never fails. It accomplishes all it is sent out to do.

8. God supplies all your needs according to His riches in glory.

9. God is who He says He is and will do evetything He said He would do.

10. God’s got you!

Living an abundant life means agreeing with God. What has God said in His word? Repeat those things. Meditate on those things. Remaining attached to what is negative and limited chokes out life and creativity. Connect with those who speak LIFE! Connect with those who impart life. Saturate your spirit with His words of life.

God is not limited in His ability!

Let’s raise the level of expectation.

Papa God I am expecting you to move mightily on our behalf today. I bind the spirit of unbelief! I bind every negative word spoken over them or me that would come to choke out destiny. Be cancelled and cut off at the root. Bear no more fruit. Papa I ask you would send angels to remove every plot, plan, and scheme of the enemy! Break down demonic communication and cut off every voice that is not yours. Holy Spirit have your way. Come in like a mighty rushing river and clear out all debri. Elevate our thinking. Elevate our expectations. Have your way God. In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Love in Christ,

Erin Lamb

Empowered to Make a Difference

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“Don’t worry about the numbers, help one person at a time and always start with the person closest to you,”~Mother Teresa.

God blessed every human being with something to add value to the world. Your smile or kind word can make a difference in the life of another person.

The goal of life is not to pursue being a consumer. We were created by love (God), to be loved, then to love.

Part of the work of Holy Spirit is to reveal to us Jesus. Jesus is perfect love and compassion in action. If we see Jesus, encounter Jesus, we encounter the Father. Jesus went about doing good and destroying the works of the devil. Jesus did more than preach the Gospel, He reached out to those in great need.

Love looks like someone, Jesus.

I love the following verses…

Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others,~Phil 2:4 (AMPC).

It is quite easy to see the problems. It requires creativity and courage to see the solution. The problems we face today need heavenly solutions. We can read in the online feeds and see it on the news. Yet who will be part of the solution? Who will move beyond being a critic to being a catalyst for change?

We have the wonderful opportunity to be a blessing in the world, in our generation, and leave the world better than before we came.

You and I cannot do everything, we can do something. We can move beyond being spectators to being activists, revivalists, instruments of change, and humanitarians.

We each have a sphere of influence which needs salt and light. We need light in the dark places. We need salt to preserve. We need those truly led by Jesus to be involved in every sphere of influence. Our world needs Christ in us, the hope of glory.

I encourage seeking the heart and face of God for His assignments in the days and years to come. The world needs a church where ALL the members do their part. A body needs every part engaged and mobile to be fully effective. If only my arms work, I will not go very far. I need my legs. If the church is truly a body, then everyone will have some role to play and need to participate in some way.

Speaking of outreach, what is new with Operation God is Love:

This past year one of the ministries I oversee expanded to include missions. We will be taking teams into the Nations to share the Gospel, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, see the deliverance of the oppressed. You may read more about our work at Operation God is Love or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/OperationGodisLove.

I recently sat for a Skype interview with Convergence Ministries out of LA and spoke about God’s vision for helping the poor. You may watch it here: Interview with Convergence Ministry. As stated before, we cannot do everything, we can do something.

Papa God highlight for each of us the ways we can bless the world. Highlight for us our assignments, divine appointments, and divine alignments. Show us who we are in you and how we can be your hands, feet, mouthpiece, and heart in a hurting and lost world!

Love in Christ,

Erin Lamb