NO SHAME!!!

I am so thankful that the Lord’s grace is so much greater than ALL our sin.  The last few weeks or so have been really tough and I have had an onslaught of mental attack.  I was doing as much “in my own power” to “try” to do what needed to be done(SO NOT FAITH), but only causing myself to bring more shame upon myself for not being “better” than I ought to be.  I had “bitter” things come up in me and I HATED IT! It was like being tortured every day and not being able to walk in any power whatsoever (HIS LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE).  I wanted to run and hide and not face anyone for fear of “messing up”.  If I couldn’t “behave” in my thoughts then I didn’t want to chance hurting others with my “Stinking thinking”.  My family has to put up with me when I get that way and I hate it for them. I can assuredly say though that EVERY TIME I have gotten off track, God uses it and brings blessings to my family (learning to pray for those who are hurting you and forgiveness.  I have prayed that HE PROTECT THEM FROM MY FAULTS) andthat far outweigh any “mistakes” I could make.  I am also learning to “forgive” more quickly and not to allow hidden frustrations to carry me.  I am learning to reject the shame and guilt (not perfect by any means but on my way and doing OK) and learning that it’s ok.  I have Jesus and HE IS PERFECT.  There are some that would try to hold me to that standard and I have allowed their feelings and attitudes to control me and manipulate me to where I have actually started condemning myself.  THAT IS SIN……  I was in SIN and didn’t realize what was happening. I had gotten so wrapped up in seeing myself as never being able to overcome that I was walking in condemnation and NOT JESUS…..

I love how the Lord allows circumstances to come our way and teaches us that He is still God even when we are a mess. It has NEVER been about my performance.  HE IS DOING THE WORK AND HE IS FAITHFUL even when I CAN’T PERFORM.   I am SO THANKFUL that though people might betray us, GOD NEVER WILL and He will walk with us holding our hand in the midst of persecution and suffering and cause our heads to be lifted up.  HE truly is the lifter of our heads.  When I couldn’t lift my head, HE LIFTED ME!! Hallelujah!! I can’t thank the Lord enough for rescuing me from the fowler’s snare!! I am still walking this one out and this will be a continual battle, BUT TODAY, I AM CHOOSING LIFE!!! He loves me and He is not sitting back telling me “I told you so” so I repent before God and everyone for ever telling my children or anyone else that.  I am going to trust that God will hear the cries of my heart to not walk in that place ANYMORE.  I will trust HIM to do the changing and I will keep my eyes on HIM…..  I have truly seen the shame that it brings and I don’t want to hurt anyone. Sin brings Shame and Shame destroys the power of God working in me.  I am not going to walk in a form of Godliness and deny His power by God’s grace.  I am choosing to walk in LOVE.  Thank you Lord for being a strong tower to run to when the storms seem to be so overpowering. As always, Be strong in us, Give us YOUR PEACE, and teach us YOUR WAYS in the depths of our souls.  Keep us far from sin and hide us in the shadow of your wings when temptations come.  YOU ALONE ARE OUR ROCK AND REDEEMER.  Thank you for your precious blood! What you have spoken in the dark places, let it be brought to light!  Here is a message I received this morning after an attack from the enemy.  I love God’s confirming Word.  THAT’S MY DADDY!!! HE IS ALL POWERFUL AND HE IS SO FAITHFUL!!!!

The Secret to True Boldness – Bobby Conner

An extremely wise man penned these thought-provoking words:

"The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1).

Within this short Scripture, we discover an exceptionally significant truth: The righteous are bold as a lion. This truth helps to unlock the mystery of our chronic, spiritual weakness and daily struggles to become Christ like. What is that mystery?

It is a mystery that the devil, the foe of our soul, knows – and a truth that few Believers understand. If the righteous are bold as a lion, then it follows that purity produces power! What else follows? The corollary truth: If purity produces power, then sin produces weakness.

In light of this truth, what is the devil's strategy? He seeks to sidetrack us into as much contamination as he possibly can to render us powerless in the Kingdom of God. Sin brings shame, and shame produces timidity and fear.

By this sobering truth we may judge our true spiritual maturity: If we lack power, we lack holiness. We may have received Christ's righteousness imputed to us at our salvation, but we are still walking in the flesh as carnal Christians. Take this to heart, brothers and sisters in Christ: A lack of demonstrated power is a testimony to our carnality.

We must walk in purity if we are to walk in real power (see Psalm 66:18).

Once we discover the foremost reason for our lack of genuine power – a lack of genuine holiness – we can move forward with a repentant heart. We can ask the Lord to deliver us from everything that separates us from Him, be it carnal thoughts, bitter root judgments, toxic emotions, or disobedient, ungodly habits and attitudes. Without question, our sin is the principle reason for our continual failure to walk like Christ.

The Word tells us, "As He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). If we are not Christlike – loving like Christ, behaving like Christ, and thinking like Christ – then we have a sin problem, plain and simple. Don't allow sin to rob you of your joy and fruitfulness.

Never forget the devil always attempts to counterfeit the gifts of God. Therefore, if godly purity results in true boldness, the devil's counterfeit is arrogance produced by human pride. God likewise always resists the proud, but offers outstanding, overflowing grace to the humble (see 1 Peter 5:5).

God's warning is exceedingly clear: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14 NIV).

We must live lives of radical holiness, no matter the consequences – but don't confuse holiness with man-made legalism. True holiness is born of the law of the Spirit and produces overflowing life and peace, while religious legalism is born of the letter of the law and produces only barrenness and death. Remember, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (see 2 Corinthians 3:17).

Join me in David's prayer and ask God to create within us a pure, clean heart (see Psalm 51:6), knowing that God is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and sin (see 1 John 1:9). He freely gives us the clean heart we desire (see Psalm 51:10).

Lift up your head and rejoice! Reject sin and shame, knowing you have been forgiven. You have been given a fresh start in Christ our righteousness.

God bless you on your journey into Christlikeness!

Bobby Conner

Eagles View Ministries

Story on my sister (I am So Proud)

by Donna Gaddis
Each month we have been spotlighting an employee who exemplifies the true purpose of Falcon Children’s Home. Previously, we focused on our 2012 Employee of the year. In each edition of our Guardian, we would like to continue to focusing on the employees who are the backbone of Falcon Children’s Home; our houseparents.
In this edition, we chose to focus on a houseparenting couple that has heard and followed the call of the houseparent. Below is Jason and Nicole Thomas’ story and their journey to the center of God’s will.
“About a year ago, I was a homeschooling, stay at home mom. My husband, Jason, was working as a foreman for a construction company that he had worked with for over 18 years. We had been praying and seeking God's will in our lives as a family. We felt that God had a different calling for our lives and we were in constant prayer about the direction in which He was leading us. Then, on March 2, 2012, God began to work mightily as an F2 tornado ripped though our community, leaving us homeless. About a month later, Jason be- gan to feel the call of God stronger in his heart. Completely stepping out on faith, Jason began a new job. I became his assistant. The job had very little pay, with no initial pay. Feeling a sense of hopelessness, we began to wonder if we had listened and done as God wanted us to do. Why would He call us to
a job that did not pay? Even in the midst of our despair, however, God still met our needs and even gave us many desires of our hearts. As we were searching in our relationship with Him as to where He wanted us to go and what He wanted us to do, God led us to the decision to become house parents.
We had friends that had been house parents and knew a little about the world of such a tremendous ministry. We had no home, no job, and any move would be a step up...and we knew God would be moving us soon. In our Christian walk, we have learned that He does not take away or allow something to be taken away without something much greater to take its place.
Once Jason and I were in agreement, we started searching, but this time it was through the internet. We came across a job posting for house parents at Falcon Children's Home. Prayerfully, we applied for the job. Within two hours of submit- ting the applications and paperwork, we received our first phone call. Two weeks later, we were on campus, starting our new roles God had called us to. Looking back, I can see how each circumstance God allowed Jason and I to go through prepared us for this moment of our lives and we are eternally grateful to our Lord for such blessings.
Since being here, we have grown closer to God and our relationship with Him has continued to develop. In the short time that we have been here, we have already had so many wonderful moments...moments of confirmation that God has called us to this place He calls His own. As house parents, we have been faced with tribulations that have tested our faith. It is tough to withstand the arrows with which Satan tries to attack...but each attack reminds us that on the other side, lies a healthier, stronger, more beautiful relationship with each child, allowing ministry to take place to each one on a deeper level. It’s those situations that allow our children to see what it is like to have someone stay through the hard times without giving up, as most people in their lives have done. The toughest times are the times when you head into the spiritual battle, but the best times come only after you have withstood
the attacks and shared the love of Jesus Christ throughout the entire trial.”
Jason and Nicole are lead house parents on McCartney cottage, which hous- es middle teenage girls. They have 2 children, Jessica, 15, and Anthony, 10. Thank you, to the town of Dodson Branch, in middle Tennessee for sending the Thomas’ our way.

HE IS LORD OF HOSTS

Lately, I have been encountering the Lord as THE LORD OF HOSTS. He has been letting me know HE is fighting the enemies of my soul. HE is the one that goes before me and I am to fear NO MAN. I have never encountered Him quite like this before and it was almost missed. I was trying to reason things away. I thank God for orchestrating things in my life. I want to KNOW HIM, REALLY KNOW HIM in a greater way than before. I feel like Job who knew OF HIM with his mind but got greater REVELATION of Him after an encounter with several disasters. It doesn't take too many disasters for me but just a few mental breakdowns. ;) Anyway here is what I got today.


Francis Frangipane:
The Lord Whose Sword Is Drawn
Of all the names that the heavenly Father could have given His Son, it is most significant that He chose the name "Jesus," fAshua." Joshua, you recall, was the Hebrew general who led God's people into war. To be prepared for greater victories, we need a greater revelation of Jesus Christ; we need to see Him as He will be revealed in the last moments of this age: a Holy Warrior, dressed for battle.

Will You Recognize Jesus When He Comes?

Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" Joshua 5:13

There is something about the time just prior to a move of God that causes many to wonder if the Lord is for them or against them. He seems confrontational – too intense, too "different" from the One we have learned to trust. Yet during these last few years, this is exactly the situation in the Lord's relationship with the Church. The Lord has stood before us with His sword drawn. He is calling us to follow Him in war.

Perhaps you have been through a time where the tip of Christ's sword seemed aimed straight at your heart. Let me reassure you, God is for you. In fact, it is His expressed purpose to release this same "sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17), through your words and prayers. But before the Lord's sword will come through your mouth, it must first pass through your heart.

Do not withdraw or be terrified at this new unveiling of the Son of God, for He is, in fact, fitting you for battle. By the time you are fully trained, you will be a fearless warrior in His army. Yet we must be realistic about our current state: most of us have been pampered and undisciplined. We have not understood the day of warfare that looms before us. Nor are we prepared for the final raging of satan as his time shortens (see Revelation 12:12).

Isaiah tells us that "The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13). We have known the Lord as our Savior and our Shepherd. These revelations of our beloved Master are no less true because a new aspect of His nature is revealed. It is simply that this new dimension is so startlingly different from how we have known Him. Be of good cheer, this frightening Warrior King, with His sword drawn, with the shout of war upon His lips, is the same blessed Savior who died on the Cross for our sins.

Yet in truth, we cannot soften the shock of this great unveiling of Christ. Our immediate dismay shall be in no way less dramatic than that which was revealed to Joshua on the plains of Jericho. Our concepts will be shaken and fears confronted.

Looking again at Joshua, truly he had already known the Lord in a wonderful, intimate way in the wilderness tabernacle. But here standing before him was a new revelation of the Lord. The Son of God Himself had come as Captain of the Host to lead His people into war.

Ultimately, these refugees from Egypt and their wilderness children would defeat many nations stronger and more numerous than themselves (see Deuteronomy 9:1). They would do the impossible through the power of the Lord.

Though initially Joshua was taken aback, both Joshua and the people with him were more prepared for this battle than they realized. Their time in the wilderness had conditioned them for war.

Likewise, the wilderness for you has not been a time of punishment but a season of preparation and of learning obedience. You have watched in fear the decline and spiritual death of church leaders who repeatedly disobeyed the Lord. But you have not stumbled over their disobedience; you have learned from it. Today you walk in the fear of God and are not blinded by the sin of presumption.

Before Jesus returns, those who have passed the wilderness tests will receive another revelation: Christ will be revealed to them as Captain of the Host. They will be ready to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

...And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, "What has my lord to say to his servant?" The captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, "Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:14-15

This new unveiling of the Lord is holy. Overnight the Lord brought down atheistic communism in the former Soviet Union. Since then, hundreds of millions of people from many nations have found salvation in the Son of God. God is touching many nations. Let us not gainsay nor criticize what we may not fully understand. We are beginning to perceive the Lord as He truly is and as He will be released in the last days. He is the Lord of Hosts.

The promise of the Lord, which we read earlier, is that He "will go forth like a warrior. ...He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13). Within the ranks of the advancing Church, Jesus is raising a war cry. Can you hear His shout in the intercession? There is new authority being raised up, a new generation whose voice thunders with the cry of prophetic prayer. Through the Church, Christ Himself is prevailing against His enemies. Indeed, the gates of Hell shall not stand against the Church Jesus is building (see Matthew 16:18). The hour has come for us "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is [our] head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15), the Warrior King!

This message was adapted from a chapter in Pastor Frangipane's book, The Three Battlegrounds published by Arrow Publications, Inc.

Francis Frangipane

The Heart of the Lamb- John Belt

John Belt:
The Heart of the Lamb of God
It is an awe-inspiring thing to think that God came down in the form of a man, Jesus. He came down to our level to rescue us from darkness. Jesus did not come down to promote Himself or start a religion, but to save and deliver mankind from the curse of sin. In this we see God's love manifested through Jesus Christ. He was and is the "perfect man."

Every day Jesus laid down His life to do the will of the Father. He had laid down His life many times before He came to the Cross. His dependency on the Spirit and the Father enabled Him to accomplish the work that He was called to. Because He made Himself a Servant, humbling Himself to serve the Father's plan, He became the Servant of all mankind, ultimately laying down His life as the Lamb of God.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.

In our own lives God looks for a certain quality that is rare to find. It is the characteristic of a faith in God that is willing to let go and let Him have the reins. Usually when our faith is most tested is when we are tempted to retaliate or say something we shouldn't. A life yielded to the Spirit learns that there is only one response. That is to respond in prayer to God, allowing Him to fix the situation.

When we live a life connected to the Holy Spirit, there is such an overflow of grace that we automatically respond with the love that God gives. Because our lives are connected there is a reservoir of grace to draw from. If that reservoir is empty, there is nothing to draw from; with this people don't respond to things in a way that pleases God. Jesus knew about this reservoir of grace because He lived a life example for us of how to draw from the Holy Spirit.

Tenderized Hearts

At the same time, there are some who have seared their conscience in some areas of life, having justified their actions over and over. Essentially, they have closed the door to the Holy Spirit in those areas, thus blinding themselves to the truth of how they should really live and think.

In a sense, we have different chambers of our hearts. We choose where we are going to allow God to come and where not. When we choose to justify our actions in certain areas for extended periods of time, that area of the heart hardens, thus closing the door to that chamber, where it makes it more difficult for the Spirit to speak in that area. This would be the searing of the conscience where it no longer seems wrong to do this or that.

For this reason, it is important for us to ask the Spirit to tenderize our hearts to receive the "fullness" of Who Christ is within us, not just the aspects we enjoy to look at. The Father had the entire heart of Jesus to work with, not just a portion. That is why He was able to follow the Father's plan fully. Jesus was entirely man and entirely God, but emptied Himself of the divine attributes, making Himself a man completely dependent on the Holy Spirit to accomplish the Father's work.

The yielded life is essential for us to walk in the fullness of what God has for our lives. He has only good things in store as we empty ourselves of the things we hold on to, allowing Him to have His perfect work within us. In this way, we become partakers in "the Lamb of God" who was slain before the foundation of the world.

The Blood Makes ALL THINGS NEW!

Bobby Conner:
Triumph Over Your Past - and Boldly Face Your Future
God Restores and Refreshes

Dear Believer, we have entered a new season. It is the season of a fresh start! We are in a divinely appointed time of refreshing and restoring Joel 2:25:

"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame."

This is a new day in which you may boldly declare, "Old things have passed away!" (Isaiah 48:6-7).

God Offers Forgiveness

One of the sweetest words in any language is the word forgiven! God promises that even if your sins are red like crimson bright, obvious, glaring, unmistakable they have been forgiven, washed white as snow because of the crimson Blood of Christ (Isaiah 1:18).

Not just a few sins or a handful of mistakes, but each and every betrayal, sin and offense is under the Blood of Christ. Each and every mistake is forgotten and erased. Truly, beloved, it makes no difference how twisted and tangled your life has been or now is: through the shed Blood of Christ at Calvary, God has made all forgiveness and grace abound toward you!

Heaven and earth may pass away, but "His compassions fail not" (Lamentations 3:22). Why? Because Christ Jesus already bore our sins and iniquities!

"Because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12

God Forgets Your Past

Through our repentance, God always makes a way to free us from our past. Brothers and sisters in Christ, take this encouragement to heart: do not let your past failures keep you from experiencing your future victories! Remember this vital promise:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2

The Lord has already lavished you with abundant, extravagant forgiveness and grace to empower you to leave behind every single past sin and failure in the days of regret, doubt and fear, the many missed opportunities and failed relationships, the seasons of backsliding and passivity, the detours of the works of the flesh.

As we believe His Word of forgiveness and set our heart to seek the Lord, we will find overwhelming grace and mercies for each day (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Never give up; never give in again to a mindset of guilt and failure (Hebrews 10:35). You were created by your Maker to carry His glory and Presence into a lost and dying world. God has confidence in you (Deuteronomy 28:13). Remember, you are His choice (Ephesians 2:10), chosen for "such a time as this" (Esther 4:14).

God Redeems Your Wounds

Truly, it was by the stripes of Jesus Christ that we were healed (Isaiah 53:5). Take comfort in this, dear Believer: even the wounds that you have suffered will become great avenues of healing. When we are healed from our wounds, then we receive grace for healing others!

We bring Christ's healing and comfort to others in the areas in which we ourselves have been afflicted (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

God Brings Breakthrough!

God is even now releasing divine favor to us for accomplishing great exploits for His glory. In Psalm 84:11 (NLT), we learn how He lavishes His blessings of grace and glory:

"For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right."

Even if you have not succeeded in previous days and years, do not lose heart! God is saying, "Try again!" It is time to regroup and try again, knowing that failure is never God's plan (Jeremiah29:11). You will see doors open that were closed to you previously. God is granting breakthrough.

I pray that your entire family will experience the overwhelming love and favor of God as you leave the past behind and boldly take hold of the blessings and promises of God!

Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
Email: manager@bobbyconner.org

Song "Storm" by Lifehouse

The other night as I was crying out to the Lord, i kept saying "If I could just see Your face, I know it will be ok" This song has melted me to tears today. Here are the lyrics:

how long have i been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
waters getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if i could just see you
everything would be alright
if i had to see you
this darkness would turn into light

and i will walk on water
and you will catch me if i fall
and i will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

i know u didn't bring me out here to drown
so why am i ten feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause i'm so used to living underneath the surface

if i could just see you
everything would be alright
if i could see you
this stormness would turn into light

and i will walk on water
and you will catch me if i fall
and i will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright

and i will walk on water
and you will catch me if i fall
and i will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and now everything is alright
everythings alright

Jesus Calling and Jesus Today devotional

“Jesus Today” by Sarah Young
Hope for What you DO NOT SEE; EAGERLY wait for it with perseverance. Among the five senses, sight is often the one that people value the most. I created the world gloriously beautiful, and I want you to appreciate beauty when you see it. However, even more beneficial than sight is hope, which is itself a kind of vision. It enables you to see—through the eyes of your heart—things that are NOTH YET. The most stunning example of this is the hope of heaven. Your ultimate destiny is to share in MY GLORY! This is MY PROMISE to you, secured through MY FINISHED WORK on the CROSS and MY RESURRECTION. Practice hoping for things you do not see—both for this life and the next. Ask Me to guide you into hopes and dreams that are in line with My will. Train the eyes of your heart to “see” these blessings, while praying for My will to be done fully and ONLY. Discipine yourself to wait eagerly—with your focus on ME and the longed for outcome. Remain hopeful and expectant as you waith WITH PERSEVERANCE.

If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance- Romans 8:25

The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as WE are one.- John 17:22

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality. (Faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses) –Hebrews 11:1


“Jesus Calling”- by Sarah Young
I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND SHIELD. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way, Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me, My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am YOUR SHIELD, but unlike inanimate armor, I AM ALWAYS alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you WHEREVER YOU GO.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song, I PRAISE HIM- Psalm 28:7

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?- Psalm 56:3-4

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you- Genesis 28:15