Tag: Scripture

Learning to Lean All Over Again

Iris Godfrey

Isn’t life interesting? Oh I know people, specifically and in general, are very interesting creatures. But I think when we think of ourselves, interesting is probably not the word we would use. Yet, I do find my life interesting.

Not so interesting because of who I am. No so interesting because of what I do? Not so interesting because of where I live, or why I live there. No so interesting because I have traveled to places that are interesting, because I’ve not traveled broadly at all. But interesting because of what the Lord does in me and through me.

Who knew that at my age, (Presently 83) my Lord Jesus, would teach and require an entirely different approach to teaching and writing and almost everything I do? Let’s just take teaching His Word. I have taught the Bible to others since I was 15 when I first began to teach Sunday School in my Dad’s congregation. There was no one else to do it in our little congregation, so he put me there. Well, I began to do more than just read the Word every day, (a chapter a day in the New Testament every day as per Dad’s instructions since I was 9), but now learn a little more in order to teach the younger ones.

Later still, as a young mother I began doing some teaching beyond my Sunday School class – now teaching the young women in whatever congregation I was a part of as a married woman with a small child, there were changes to the way and the method and the expressions the Lord led me in. And on and on it has gone.

Yet, the biggest change required to the many and diverse methods, in-depth studies required in Institute teaching, on the radio, and TV – over and above all these changes and growths the Lord made as I grew in Him, He yet requires something so totally beyond me now that I am often overcome with wonder as He begins to open His Word over and over again in revelations I have never before seen or known.

Now the call changes once again. The Holy Spirit speaks, “Iris, no notes. I am their teacher as well as yours, so as you study (where I lead you to study – not where you might want to study) you listen and think with Me and study Me as well as with Me.” I know I am so totally and utterly unable to do as asked, so I simply lean into the Spirit and choose to do as He said and stand before people with only Him in my being and His Word in my hand and heart. “Open your mouth and I will fill it” echos in the caverns of my being as I begin to speak as He speaks and teach as He leads and open venues of “knowing” unknown before.

Such is the wonder of my life. Its so beyond anything I have ever known before, but I am finding more and more people who have been this way before me, except now they are way beyond somewhere while I learn and follow steps that will take me to where He is in them and beyond.

Worship – Drastically Different

Iris Godfrey

Well, my “New Beginnings” did not go for very long, as you can clearly see. So shall we begin again? I do have in mind a study here – like the one I had started last July, and we will see if that is what my Lord appoints.  He desires me to share in this post some of what He has done in and with Psalm 19 Ministries in the past year. 

As with all ministries, Covid has had its effect. Many of us have lost dear ones and it has been extremely hard on all.  I took the months of January and February of 2021 to seek the Lord about what Psalm 19 was to do. I had heard several prophets speak to the period of beginning again by saying, “Do not try to go back to normal. The Lord has allowed the shaking of the church, and we need to be doing what He instructs – not just trying to return to the old “normal.” Well, I had just gone back to normal. I took the two months off so I could hear Him. I felt helpless in it as I didn’t have any idea what to do differently. So I prayed and listened!

He is so wonderfully faithful. He began to speak and I began to understand. He and I had an awesome time as He reviewed for me His instructions regarding worship, teaching, ministry in general, and fellowship. I will not try to explain here all of it, for it is continuing to unfold as we move forward. However, because our time of “worship” is so different, I want to explain why we do what we are doing. I am aware that “worship” is to be our entire life expression in His love. However, I am talking about the time we sing and praise together as a body in our meetings. 

The Lord reviewed for me what I was seeing in the church (and I speak broadly – as what I am about to say is very broad and includes all expressions – but especially the born-again, Spirit-filled communities). The time of “worship” is assigned to a “worship band” or at least as many instrumentalist and singers we can get out of our congregation. They lead the songs and we sing what they have (hopefully) prayed with and selected. The musicians do a good job, musically, and at times really do follow the Holy Spirit. However, except for a few (front row, upfront, first few rows of people) the “audience” is minimally involved. 

He highlighted to me the truth of 2 Corinthians 3:17 (which the KJV translates it almost correctly. However, I have not found another translation that even comes close). The verse in the Greek reads: “Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit is Lord, there is liberty.” I will only introduce this, but will in another post teach the passage. 

So in our meetings at this point in time, we sing only what the Holy Spirit leads, not what is generated by a leader, or leaders, or instrument, or group, but by the congregation that has gathered, either large or small. Honestly, this is tough- on all of us. It takes effort. We have learned to sit passively and receive, but not to engage. Worship is not about receiving (although it is impossible to truly worship and not receive. Another post will follow).We do have one instrumentalist backing what is done in the congregation, and we are expecting that number to increase, but the primary worship is done from out of the congregation. There are no words fed to us on our beautiful 65” TV. We shout, sing in tongues, sing a chorus, read scripture, give a prophetic word and do as the Lord leads, according to 1Corinthians 14:26.

His instructions about worship are to bow, clap, dance, make a joyful noise, make melody in our hearts to Him, shout, sing +. So we are choosing to actively be involved together and flow together in it all. 

This is effectively training all of us to not only be actively involved with the Holy Spirit in worship, but also to hear and to listen Him and one another. The congregation is also not sitting in rows with all looking toward to raised platform. Instead, the chairs are arranged in a tear-drop design on each side of the platform, facing one another. Our instrumentalist is on the platform simply because we need the room. The teaching and all other activity occurs in the middle of the tear-drop on the floor. 

Our teachings are shorter and more fully releasing what the Spirit is saying in His Word. It is always from “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” as written in Ephesians 1:13.

Immediately following the 30 minute (give or take a minute or two) teaching, we have ministry to the Body that has gathered. The Lord has brought a powerful Holy Spirit-moving ministry team together to work in His flow in all the miracles that are and will follow. It is not uncommon for some to fall in the power of the Holy Spirit even before they get to us to minister to them. It has been awesome! 

Then (oh yes, still going), we have some announcements and fellowship together with some light refreshments. It is such a joy to get to know folk we have not known before, and or, the catch up with those who we already know. 

There are other “new” expressions that are beginning to occur, and I will share those as I can. 

If you live in the Syracuse, NY area, please feel free to come and experience Him in this dimension. 

The Gathering, 3 PM every 2nd and 4th Sundays – 6138 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13205 – psalm19.org.

My Weakness – His Strength

Iris Godfrey

Much, Much better today! Thanks so much for all the prayers as you read. This cold/flu stuff is not nice. I cannot remember ever hurting as much for such. Now that I am doing much better, it is time to get on with matters at hand. There is always more than I can do in a day, if I open my eyes. So I lean on our Lord within me to accomplish what is before me. He is good and strengthens my weakness.

In fact, Paul said his weakness was what he would brag about, not any supposed strength of his own. In 2 Corinthians 12, after Paul had talked about his visions etc, he said this, “Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited I was given a thorn in my flesh, a mesasenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with The Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Now this is definitely not putting your best foot forward. (Side note: the teachings of the world are never useful in regard to the government of the Kingdom of God. His ways are very different than any form or self-exaltation). He stood head-and-shoulders above any other apostles in visions and revelations. Yet, this was not what he chose to brag about. He was instead willing to brag about his weaknesses.

I do not believe Paul's “thorn” was any form of illness, simply because the use of that term in the Scripture is always associated with irritation, temptations, testings, etc…. So I believe he was given a constant reminder of some sort of the fact that he was a very weak and easily tested human being. That being so, it becomes even more amazing that he was who he was.

Accepting our weakness is the first real step in understanding the strength of our Savior. He is strong and I can simply trust Him for the strength needed to accomplish for my day. I need not be undone because I find myself week. Neither do I need to give weakness its intended result – making my reslove weak in Him. Instead, leaning into His strength, I am strengthened in ways I never thought possible and led to accomplish matters too difficult for me.

I have my limitations; He has none. Glory. Now that is truly awesome. That means, me released in Him and He released in me is able – whatever. His goodness is amazing.

What about 1 Peter? Oh I will probably get back there soon. Just have a few items on my heart to share, so am taking the space to do just that.

I am typing this on my iPad Mini, and learning to use the program designed for blogging. I have done some with it before, but find I use my iPad much more than my computer, and it is usually with me. So there you are. Blessings on all who read.

 

And The Government . . .

Iris Godfrey

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB

“And the government will rest on His shoulders…” That phrase simply means everything about the government will be supported by Him, led by Him, kept by Him and determined by Him. Nothing outside of Him will be responsible for anything. 

The government of the Kingdom of God rests on our Lord Jesus Christ. In truth, according to Romans 13:1 “every” authority is from Him. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” This Scripture is true wherever one lives on this globe. Whether in the US where a democracy is the form of government, or in Cuba where a dictator is seemingly responsible for all. 

If the government is really on His shoulders, then much of what we concern ourselves with is irrelevant. Whether it is the government of the land where we live, or whether it is our own personal lives, His is the government. 

This is amazing when we begin to consider what He allows and expects from us in using our free-will. He seems to incorporate our choices into His governing as we move forward in time, call, vision and purpose. He does not over ride us, nor does He leave it all up to us. Yet in this boundless inclusion, we are asked to move in harmony with His governing choices. 

We are given hints as the needs we have to come into this awareness  in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 where the Holy Spirit lets us know we will judge the world and angels. So He has an expectation of us that we have not often understood. We need to know the Book, Beloved, and not just to right our behavior, but to be able to inter-act with His heart in this government, now in this life. It is a call to a supernatural awareness of His love and HIs purposes, so we can relate to Him in ways of honor and friendship in co-operation. Such is the Vision in HIs heart. 

Guess we better move our thought patterns to the Spirit world. Let’s see Colossians 3:1-2 says this, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” 

Thank you Lord, for lifting us out of our mire and grime into the glorious realms where worlds are governed. We are yours. 

 

 

That Child of Hope!

Iris Godfrey

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB

“For a child will be born to us,…” oh yes, the hope of all hopes. In any family when a child is born there is an automatic rejoicing deep within the hearts of family members, regardless of the circumstances of that birth. Why? Simply because now the family line will proceed. Now there is the hope of life. Now there is the hope of moving forward in time with the family name, characteristics and many more very obvious things.

Now when we understanding this passage, it was not just any child, but the Child who had been promised with the first words spoken by Almighty God, “Light be!” (Literal rendering from Genesis 1:3) I am aware that we are taught in Bible School that the first prophecy about this Child was in Genesis 3:15, but when we take a look at the entire revelation of God in the Scriptures, we find that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) and He says we are the light of the world also (Matthew 5:14). Then we add to that the description in Revelation 21:22-23, “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it for the gory of God has illumined it, and it lamp is the Lamb,” we are aware that the first recorded words from our Father were deeply prophetic regarding this Child as well as all who would call on His name. (Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have been included in the first recorded words from our Father!)

So this Child of all children has brought the hope of eternal light and understanding of our Father and all he is about. The light that enlightens all who will allow has come and is illuminating any and all who will. This is hope beyond hope. This is hope that lifts us and thrusts us into a realm of believing and existing that we have not know previously. It is the hope of the ages. 

Here we are in this season, once again, wrapped in His joy, hope, promise and glory celebrating Him and the light He has brought to us. Rejoice this day and season that we know Him – that Child of hope!

Seeing Pieces-Parts

Iris Godfrey

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you concerning things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things. 1 Peter 1:10-12 HCSB

(Precious Readers, I am choosing to go back to Scripture instead of trying to summarize the Elim Conference. There was so much poured out and I need time to process it. You may find some of it in a post occasionally, but let’s go back to the main thing for our time right now. Bless you for reading).

Many do not understand that Peter had much the same revelation on grace and its Messiah as Paul. He does not write nearly as much (evidently was not appointed to do so), yet I think his writings reveal a much deeper thinker and “seer” than is commonly thought. In this passage he begins to explain that the Old Testament prophets knew they saw only “pieces-parts” and they searched to see what we now have plainly before us when we read the Scriptures. They wanted to know “when” and “how” as “the Spirit of Christ within them” was indicating as they talked about the coming Messiah. 

Well, that will rock some of our theology. Peter plainly says that “the Spirit of Christ” was within the prophets of old, well so much for believing the “within” was only in the New Covenant. Back to the drawing board on that one. Isn’t it beautiful how the Lord has a way of giving us truth that far exceeds our own understanding? Indeed! So as we study, much of our divisions, and understanding of dispensations etc… finds challenge. I knew John the Baptist had the Spirit within, for he had the Spirit from conception. (See Luke 1:39-45). But now we see that all the Old Testament prophets who prophesied of the birth of Christ, were inhabited by the Spirit of Christ.

They were not told “when” nor “how.” But revelation came and let them know their prophecies were serving those who would live in the future. Their ministry was a service to us. How awesome! We have such purpose living in the strength and revelation of grace. They longed to see and understand. But were given simply the knowledge of their service. 

Can’t you see, in your mind, a crusty old Isaiah, writing out words. Then stopping and inquiring of the Lord about them, searching deeply all avenues of study and Torah to try to find answers. In the Spirit, Isaiah washed our feet – served us who would come later. Now we, in this age are the recipients of this service and grace.

“Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and no one is like Me. I declare the end from the beginning and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: ‘My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.'” Isaiah 46:10 HCSB