Author: Iris Godfrey

I am a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who is also the President of a non-profit Christian ministry. I am ordained through Elim Fellowship and enjoy a very diverse interdenominational fellowship.

Birthed into Hope

Iris Godfrey

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy birthed us from above into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, being kept in the heavens into us who by the power of God are being guarded through faith, into a deliverance to be uncovered in the last time.” (personal translation)1 Peter 1:3-5

“… according to His great mercy He has birthed us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” All of this greeting is linked organically together with each expression being dependent upon the next expression upon the next… you get the idea. They are all concepts of truth linked by their shared nature in Jesus Christ. To understand one is to open for the understanding of the other. Sometimes in teaching, in an effort to help reach for a fuller understanding of one, it can become an isolated thought instead of a piece of the whole. As we read and study, let’s reach for each without loosing sight of the whole. This we often call, “keeping things in their context.” It is one very important to understand. We can often misunderstand a portion of Scripture if that portion is not held in oneness with its surrounding portion. 

 

 In His great mercy – that which is out of Him, through Him, in Him, – He birthed us into a living hope. Our birth in Him (often called “born again” – best understood as “born from above) is into a living hope. First notice it is “into” not just “in.” There is a huge difference in the words. We are being born into something. Like being born into a family. In this family we are born into a living hope. Something living, eternal, never fading and the substance of this living thing is hope. Biblical hope is “confident expectation.” It is not a wish, as we might think in today’s usage. 

We are always expecting Him and all His promises to unfold goodness and righteousness before our eyes and in our hearts. Hope is a vital element in continuing to live for without it the human spirit will quickly grow discouraged and begin to die. Hope is living in Jesus and it is in mercy, precious mercy and love that this is given and given in abundance. 

We have been birthed into this marvelous expectation through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead. Once again, we are included in all He did. He did all not only for us but as us. This is a huge understanding that immediately enfolds us within.

Lord, thank you. We are so thankful to be included in You. As we enjoy today in You, may the emotional healing of belonging and inclusion in You begin to be our embraced placement in your heart with such living expectation of life.

   

Eternal – That’s Us

Iris Godfrey

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy birthed us from above into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, being kept in the heavens into us who by the power of God are being guarded through faith, into a deliverance to be uncovered in the last time.” (personal translation)1 Peter 1:3-5

Our English translations do pretty well with this passage, but I have chosen to translate it for this post so I can bring out some interesting things that might easily be missed.

The word used for “Blessed” is the normal one used for that word. In essence it means “to speak well of” and we get our word “eulogy” from it. Many translations use “praise” here instead,  and although that carries the idea, I think to understand that when I bless my Father, I am speaking well of Him in every way. Indeed it is praise, and then some. It is a verbal pronouncement of His goodness and love in every dimension. So Peter begins with what is burning in his heart by allowing the blessing of the Father be to the Father. Such things begin to fill us to overflowing in gratitude and love as we ponder who He is to us and for us.

The next phrase, “who in His great mercy,” is again another form of blessing. (Have you noticed that as you bless Him you feel it both directions? I bless Him, but that is in reference to how He has and is blessing me – so the circle of fellowship in the word is complete). This is the heart of the matter. This entire passage (which we will study for a bit of time) is really all about fellowship in Him, with Him and through Him. He is relational – everything here is about fellowship in Him. His great mercy, expressed through our Lord Jesus Christ is awesome. Mercy is an entire concept that we so often just read over.

Our Father’s great mercy is Jesus Christ – In Him He has given us everything Jesus Is. None of it based on us, except for the fact that He loves us. All of it is based on the love action of provision from our Father that we would have fellowship with Him. And not just fellowship, but a recognition that we originate in Him. We have been “born again,” or better put, “born from above.” The actual Greek word means “regenerated.” So now through Christ Jesus, we are sons and daughters of the Most High God through birth.

Think of the awesomeness of that – we come from Him. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that He chose us before the foundation of the world. He is now my beginning – and He has no such thing – so we have no such thing either. He has no end, neither do we. Being born from above means we are also as He is – eternal.

That is awesome to contemplate – especially when one is my age. However, age really has nothing to do with anything. This is not a “time” belonging (although a close examination of “time” in Revelation will reveal that it does not end – eternity is endless time), but an eternal belonging, fellowship, inclusion. WOW! Just preached myself happy!

More later.

Into Obedience

Iris Godfrey

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ:

To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.

May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 1 Peter 1:1-3 HCSB

(This translation does this verse quite well. With most English translations, although they were a bit more literal, the “theology” understanding of “foreknowledge,” “sanctifying,” etc., was getting in the way of understanding just what the Holy Spirit is telling us. My Greek text sent me hunting for something clearer). 

We are so loved and included by our Father! He has, through what He knows, provided all that is needful for us to be fully His. “Set apart by the Holy Spirit into obedience,” would even be better. As we “choose to be chosen” we are instantly set apart (true meaning of “to sanctify”) by the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives into obedience. Obedience is our natural-spiritual delight. This is in and because of the cleansing of the blood! Yes!

When obedience is hard, we need to re-do our thinking about that action. When I see what the Father see’s about that action, I begin to understand I have been placed “into” that action. It all comes down to how we think and what we are choosing to see. As we begin to allow the Scripture to determine what we think, say and feel – we are not eliminated. We are enriched. This is our true destiny – to be as He is in this world. (1 John 4:17c)

“His kindness (goodness) leads us to change our mind.” That is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 7:10. When we begin to eliminate our arguments and allow His goodness to overtake us in all things, we begin to choose what He has chosen. We find ourselves being placed “into” obedience. He has done what is needed. As we choose to believe that, even in our seeming lack, our agreement in Him begins to align our faith with His Word, and we begin to embrace His supply. It first comes about in our mind/heart. Then it becomes something we are able to rest in. All is of faith. 

The last phrase of this greeting is “May grace and peace by multiplied to you.” Literally, may grace (the total favor and provision of God) and peace (total rest and ceasing from stress and strive) be increased to you. Peter is extending to them and at the same time reminding them of the normal state of existence for the believer – wherever they live. We have the total favor in our Father, because of the work of Jesus on our behalf, so we relax and know He is delighted to be a part of our lives and there is no need that is not answered. Then we are empowered to rest without stress and anxiousness because of the peace He has brought. 

My heart longs for some “how-to” to make this easier to understand and to allow. The reality in Jesus is that it is all relational. He has known us long before the foundation of the world, created us to be who we really are, and provided every avenue possible to discover His love and power. He invites each of us to rest in Him a bit more today and allow our confidence in Him to rise and empower our lives. May we stop a few minutes and allow Him to rise in us and cover all we are called to do and be.  

These are the ways of the Kingdom. These are the ways of Heaven. Now, “may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We choose for that to be true today in us – in you, Precious Lord Jesus!

 

Alive!!!

Iris Godfrey

Alive!!!

Just a Resurrection Day greeting to all. I have been down and out for a few days with a cold virus, but am much better today, so wanted to send this greeting to all.

Have a Blessed Resurrection Day!

“This is how grace rescued us: sin left us dead towards God, like spiritual corpses; yet in that state of deadness and indifference, God co-quickened us together with Christ. Sin proved how dead we were. Grace reveals how alive we now are. Before anyone but God believed it, he made us alive together with him and raised us up together with him. …we are co-included in his resurrection. We are also elevated in his ascension to be equally present in the throne room of the heavenly realm where we are co-seated with him in his executive authority. We are fully represented in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:5-6 Mirror Translation

HE IS ALIVE! IN HIM WE ARE ALIVE! GLORY!!!

The Foreknowledge of God

Iris Godfrey

“To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.” 1 Peter 1:1-3 TNIV

In our last post study, we worked with the very beginning of this letter’s introduction. Today we will look at the testy subject of God’s “foreknowledge.” In the Greek, the word is literally the two words for “for or forward” and the word for knowledge. So we have our English word very accurate to the thought process of the Holy Spirit. 

Our God is awesome in every way. His mind encompasses all of creation, time and eternity. My brain “goes into knots” (as one of my friends says) just to try to think about holding such concepts. Just the thought of that – WOW – more than we can conceive. The thrust in this verse is that our Lord has known us, “in His mind,” before the foundation of the world. I believe this is true both individually and collectively. Ephesians 1:4 is very clear about that fact. 

His “foreknowledge” never interferes with our freedom to choose. I have four precious children, three sons and one daughter. When they were all young children I learned (limited thought I am in my mind) their choices based on who they were and what they usually would choose. When having a choice between ice cream and fruit, everyone would pick ice cream, except my youngest, David. David would always choose fruit. Just because I knew before I asked did not mean I chosen for them. They still had their own minds and choices of the freedom God gave them in their imaging of Him. 

That is a small example of how my mind works with the foreknowledge of our awesome God. He loves us so deeply and knows ahead of time, yet allows us to choose to be chosen. I know it can get really complicated when we study this out theologically. I have done that, and it produces more “brain-knots” for me. This is my simple way to receive and be blessed by my marvelous God knowing and loving and receiving. 

Nothing about me surprises Him. Nothing about you surprises Him. We have been in His heart and mind all along. Awesome!

God’s Elect – Chosen

Iris Godfrey

“To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood.”

This is the way the Apostle Peter begins his first letter. I should say, his first letter that we have on record. I am certain he wrote many more letters, both personal and in the line of his apostolic ministry. However, this is the first one we have recorded for us by the Holy Spirit. These beginnings are so revealing regarding the writer and their relationships with those who were the recipients of the letter.

First, it is Peter. Beloved Peter who went from  having his foot in his mouth, to being one of the foremost apostles of all times. Here he is writing to “God’s elect,” a term of fondness to those in the 1st century church. They are the ones who have chosen to believe and follow the Lord in a time of persecution and difficulty. Let’s watch as we study this letter, the terms Peter uses for what we group as “church.” Nothing right or wrong intended here, just an observation.

He also calls them strangers in the world. He returns to the term “strangers” later in the chapter. Again just watching. They are scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. If you will look at the New Testament maps at the back of some of your Bibles, you will find those designations to the top of the maps above Israel’s area. Many of you will remember that Paul wanted to go this direction on his second missionary journey but was  restrained by the Holy Spirit from going through some of them (Acts 16:6-7). It is thought that Peter visited these areas on his journeys.

The Holy Spirit is the one to govern our actions. If we are to follow Him, He will lead us to do and go where He needs us to go and do. The Holy Spirit is best able to direct us (and all ministry and church work). Our minds, demographics, observations of obvious needs, etc… are very poor substitutes for His direction.

We need to return to listening. He lives within us to lead and guide. Yet, we choose our own thoughts over Him so much of the time. May He help us to be alert to His presence – every moment. Really good to do when God Himself actually lives inside us, don’t you think? More later.

New Home – New Domain!

Iris Godfrey

Well, a new face! Thats’ nice. I have chosen to return to Word Press with Mannaword, and have been able to get the domain name. So as you will see, we are now just Mannaword.com. 

This will enable much more, and I am excited about working with Word Press again. Thanks Blogger for the years of holding and publishing. Now it is time to take this step and move further. 

So welcome everyone, to our new home. 

Back to Blogger

Iris Godfrey

I am taking this blog back to Blogger for the present time. I have enjoyed WordPress, but without investing funds, there is not a way to add video to my posts and I would like to do that. So if you have been reading here, please click: www.mannaword.blogspot.com Thank you.

Better Late Than Never

Iris Godfrey

Here is the final lecture I attended at the Elim Leadership Conference – the last week in May. So sorry to be so late – just hit the ground running – so to speak and then have not returned to finish this.

The speaker was David Ireland and he spoke from Judges 6 on Gideon

God Wants Us To Become Mighty Warriors. 

Judges 6:1-12 v.12 12 – -When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’ Gideon is threshing wheat inside when he should be outside. He hiding from his enemies by doing it inside a cave. He was a wimp. Gideon in his state of discouragement hears the words, “You, mighty warrior.” Gideon’s response; Judg 6:13  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

We think our questions will release us of the responsibility of doing what the Lord has asked. It comes from discouragement. We become, like Gideon, discouraged by our circumstances. “God where are your miracles, There have been many times we have needed you and you did not show. We are living in caves – where are you and your miracles.” Judg 6:14

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

The Lord is the same. He calls us Mighty Warriors – He send us to go with the strength you have. “Gideon, step up to it and take the responsibility.”

You bring yourself to the table. One of the greatest way to discourage discouragement – then challenge God. Step up and tell the Lord, “Here I am, use me.” We wear our discouragement like a badge. We wear our trouble instead of stepping up in faith.

Gideon’s answer: Judg 6:15     “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”  You’ve got the wrong guy – I’m a nobody – I come from a nobody family – you are mistaken.” God’s answer, “I will be with you.”

When God’s with you it makes all the difference in the world – it doesn’t matter how many are against you. If you look at yourself at being insignificant, then God will never be seen as significant to you. We must see God is a very present help in time of trouble. Gideon all you need is me – we will do great things. The wisdom of God, always baffles people.

Change your paradigm – change your questions and your attitude toward yourself – God is with you – trust Him.

Discouragement makes us complacent, it makes us stop dreaming, sends us into doubt where we doubt God. Shake it off – does not let it light.

Is that really you God – show me a sign. When we allow fear to cripple us – we cannot do anything for God. Gideon, I will help you through your fear.

Isa 35:3-4 (Hebrews 12) 2 Tim. 1:7 Your Goliath needs you to conquer it so you can go to the next level.

Be a trend setter. Don’t wash the car in the garage. Do what you do for the light to shine and for others to know you are standing.

Throw away your excuses – you are a warrior – Get to the work.

The message was very encouraging. Even re-reading it stirs me to shake off the sin and discouragement that so easily gets in my way and press forward toward the goal of the upward call in Christ Jesus!

 

Elim continued…

Iris Godfrey

The conference continues to be very, very good. I attended the Women’s Luncheon on Wednesday and was blessed with meeting new friends and getting to touch base with people I know. After lunch, we gathered for a time of being together and a testimony. A young woman from Africa, Nadine Feser, who is the Artestic Director for Pamoja Ministries in Tanzania, shared her heroic and miraculous recovery from a nearly fatal fall of 262 ft., and her journeys with the Lord in the process of moving toward healing and a new type of life. It was an unusual presentation with her singing her original heart songs through-out the presentation. It was excellent.

We received word Wednesday morning that Ruth Veach, mother of Nancy Clark and long time Elim precious one, went home to the Lord on Wednesday morning. Nancy was at the lunch and shared some of her heart with us. It was a very excellent program.

Wednesday evening, Lisa Bevere was not able to be here, due to her plane being rounded in  Chicago and all flights cancelled due to bad weather. Robert Morris spoke to us once again and I am including my notes below. It, once again, was a precious blessing. I urge you to examine the notes closely and learn much. Bless you and thanks for reading. I know these are a bit longer than my normal posts, but I believe they have great value.

Robert Morris – Wednesday Evening

Luke 15 & Hebrews 4

Luke 15 – Prodigal – a person lacking restraint

Why do we become prodigals – because we are three parts – Gen. 2: 7 -Spirit, soul, body

When God wanted something, He spoke to what He wanted it made of, sustained by and returned to. He both created and made some things – not the same action. Creation = out of nothing; other things He spoke to what He wanted them to come out of; trees, animals come from dirt and are sustained by dirt and return to dirt.

When God wanted mankind He spoke to Himself.  Gen. 1:26. My body was made out of dirt. I was created in His image. What would happen if a plant turned to the dirt and said “I’m pulling out.” It would die. Man said to God, “I’m pulling out.” and his body dies. But the Spirit is not sustained by dirt, but by Him.

He created to my spirit to relate to Him; He created my body to relate to earth; He made my soul to relate to both Him and the earth.

Our spirits were dead when we were born. So we have primarily related to God through our soul: mind=thoughts; will = desires; emotions=feelings. We continually relate the things of God through our soul. We must learn to relate though Spirit.

Have you ever read anything in Scripture that does not applied to you? “God always leads us in triumph.” Just what is our experience with that one? (Several other illustrations given.) Some statements are related to spirit, some to soul, and some to body.

My spirit is redeemed –  it’s done – Ephesians 1 – work that is done.

Hebrews 10:39 – those who believe to the saving of the soul; James 3:21 – word able to save your souls. etc…

Salvation = Greek work – Soso – my spirit has been made whole; my soul is being made whole – renewing my mind; my body will be made whole.

Why would a Christian ever become a prodigal? Because they are relating to God through their soul.

1.The soul is extremely selfish. We relate to God and His creation only through what we can see feel and know. Truth: your mind is far, far, beyond any computer. Your mind has everything that has ever happened to you. The strongholds are things that cause one to make decisions based on past experiences – determines how we relate to people and to the Lord. When our minds become renewed (through and in the Word) then we begin to think His thoughts instead what has happened – now we remember volumes of scriptures that relate to this situation. The renewed mind goes to scripture – not to past experiences.

The soul must submit to the spirit – Romans 9:7 – Jacob & Esau. In the NT – represents the soul and the spirit. “flesh” is the soulish part. The soul must submit to the spirit.We need to feed the spirit and renew the mind. Psalm 131 – “I have calmed and quieted my soul.” He told his soul to be quiet and to bless the Lord. Like a weaned child. 1 Corinthians. 3 – I cannot speak to you as “spiritual” but as “fleshly” Hebrews 5 – you need milk and not solid food; youre unskilled in the word of “righteousness.”  The soul thinks your trying to kill him so he screams and throws a fit. In reality you are trying to kill him. If you let your soul die, you will save it.

The soul must die. It has to die – “I die daily.”

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the soul and the spirit and of joint and marrow and a discerning of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and there is no creature hidden from His sight and open and laid bare before Him with whom we have to do.  “open” from Greek = throat/to expose the throat for execution. God has big plans for your soul. That is what He wants to do with your soul – what you think and how you feel about it is of no consequence. Phil 2:5-11. What He did to Jesus, He wants to do to you. The soul must be killed. The sword of the Spirit (word of God) does the action.

Dead men don’t argue with their wives. (explanation – dead men don’t need to be right). If I die to how I think about it, feel about it, my desires in it, then ask Jesus what He wants to think about it. Then I am beginning to relate according to the spirit in me and not my soul.

Is there an area of my life where I am sitting up in a casket? (I am supposed to be dead to much). Lord I ask you to reveal to us in our lives, where have we resurrected ourselves? Then take the sword of your Spirit and kill those areas so we begin to relate in spirit. In Jesus Name. Amen.