The Comforter

If you have ever had to appear to defend yourself in court or before the government, you know what a harrowing experience it can be. Although our American justice system dictates that a person is innocent until proven guilty, that's rarely how an individual in that situation actually feels. What you feel is powerless, alone, and hurting. Oh, how you long for someone to help you bear the burden.

I have good news! In a spiritual sense, this is exactly what the Holy Spirit does. The Lord said, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16).

Jesus, in this verse is promising another Comforter. The word comforter in the Greek language is paraclete - meaning, "one called alongside to help." In natural terms, a paraclete is like a defense attorney, an advocate, a helper who will fight your battles. In spiritual terms, the Holy Spirit does all this and more. He is a Helper who is so good at what He does that He calms your restless fears and stills your troubled heart.

Mere words are totally insufficient to express the depth of my love toward the Holy Spirit for the many ways and the many times He has helped me. He has truly been my constant Helper and Comforter. And when I stand before the people to preach the gospel, He is there beside me, helping me.

As Paul said, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Praise God for our Comforter!

© 2008 Benny Hinn Ministries. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the written consent of the publisher.
Photo by fania simon

Be A Visionary: ‘Repositioning Yourself’, Upgrading Your Thinking and Voila! Release Greatness!

There is something so beautiful inside of you and I am wondering… do you see it? Are you even conscious of it enough to look for it? See, as a matter of fact, I know that many people around you can’t se it, and many more don’t even want to see it. However, the most important issue is: DO YOU SEE IT? Do you see your greatness?

Well, I see it and I know you have the ability inside of you to get a hold on it. All you have to do is: repositioning your thoughts and your reaction to the thoughts of negative people towards you. Show them the spirit of the Creator in you. But to do this, you must “overstand/” understand, your power to be that God gave you!!
Let me kindly direct your attention to the “inner self.” Tell me, what do you see in you? Can’t you see all those seeds inside of you? See, you are the only one living with yourself, and beside The Lord thy God, who else do you think knows you or see you better than yourself?

And if you do believe in your seeds or your “to be power,” then, why do you drag yourself around in hopelessness and ALLOW people to fold you up and place you in their little storage box? In other words, why do you consent to people wrapping negativity around you, to the point where you allow it to affect your progress in life? Know that by being passive and fearful, you are playing a negative part in keeping “The dream killers” in control of you!!!

Looka here: I am telling you, you were given the power to prophesy greatness into your own life. Know that everything you possess on the inside of you is a seed? Yes a seed! A world of seeds!!!Without seeds you could not stay alive. You [we] are like Farmers. We need SEEDS like faith to plant in the earth for the purpose of our own consumptions!! THINK ABOUT IT, can you live without food??? Well, faith is food for the spirit. EVERYTHING place here on earth is food for the body, the spirit and the soul. Now, which part or parts of your being will you sow into sweet harvest?

Some people put ALL their faith in a piece of paper to show the world’s validation of their existence. But, they don’t realize that God gave them much more! Look, we have “inner seeds certificates?” yes that’s what I call it. See, a real teacher can only teach you and me to arrange and groom our seeds—but no real teacher can create the seeds in our lives. Moreover, no real teacher or student will ever give more credit to a piece of paper and ignore the Creator and the co-creator of their seeds!

Here’s an example of what I am saying:

See, this post is inspired by an email I received from a spammer about "career fakers." (I’ll add the link at the end) However, since I am a sower, I received that negative message and decided to transform it from its negative state into a positive state,in order to bring forth this metaphorical, fruitful message.

Words have power. We can use it to shred a vision or use it to love, inspire and uplift.

See, from this link, I see the reinforcement of the world’s myth, which is: one needs to wait until he or she finishes “school” with a degree before he or she can start a career and become successful. Ok, I got the message; however, my common sense did shred and delete that illusion. For I know many (including Dr. Phil) who have done great things that even those with a degree can not do.

It is a fact that "common sense is not common." Thus, many do not know/ understand its common language. Therefore, I have volunteered to be a translator.

COMMON SENsE is Speaking to Help Build your faith:

Common sense says, “NO WAY! One does not have to wait to accumulate degrees before beginning to do great things on earth…. “Common sense says, “Before your birth, you were given a world of seeds from your Creator. He knew you and ordained you to be able to release the ability to harvest all the way, to your fulfilled destiny.” Common sense added, “Why do you think God gave you NATIVE INTELLIGENCE and not just send you to earth as a robot?” See, COMMON SENSE is saying the same thing I am saying. “All you need is faith in God and in yourself to achieve greatness for the only one who can stop you from greatness is you!!!

Now let me ask you again, what are you doing with the seeds God gave you? How are you planting them wisely or are you still waiting for YEARS until you collect a brook of degrees before you can start YOUR ULTIMATE LABOR to success? And besides, what is success anyway? The way people view your achievement? Or, achieving what the Creator breathed inside of you to co-create?

The world taught you to wait in order to later get its approval into a “class” or to define your “intellect”… but don’t you see the myth? Don’t you see the big FAT illusion?! Now ask yourself this question, what is more important to you, the world’s approval, or God’s approval for your life?

“oh yee of little faith!” know that most successful people in this world are those who had enough faith/guts to leap into the unknown with a vision. See, “to leap is an action verb” and please, don’t get me wrong, all “schools/degrees” do have its own merit…although LIFE is the highest and the only university or force where you’ll learn how to bring into play your native intelligence in order to stay fruitful and alive in this worldly jungle. To be a success, use your ability to maintain a vision and reposition yourself. Transform and upgrade and transform yourself in the word of the Creator in order to reach to the level that was designed for you. (That’s the power to be.)

See the devil is in fear that you will discover all the powerful seeds inside of you and thus you will rise in faith and do great things and dismiss him/her. See, the devilish energy already knows your ability or power to discover the will of God for your life and so all the way from the womb of your mother, it tried to kill your power. It tried to discourage you from greatness!!!

So, can you see it now? Seeds and treasures are inside of you, but they are not there for competition. They are there for you to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. So, stop spending ALL your time on fixing the outside and Start using your precious time and energy to fix your inside. Don’t let “DREAM KILLERS” influence your thinking. Stop him. Stop her. PROTECT your seeds, and be the co-creator you are here to be. Go on, try it. Acknowledge and sow your seeds!

©Fania Simon
Message inspired by this link:

Top 6 Biggest Career Fakers
http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/career-fakers-2008?ncid=AOLCOMMjobsemnlnews0002

The Cross We Bear

Every once and a while, a seemingly-simple email comes around that ends up being quite profound. This is one of them.
































We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain.... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call.... He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear... Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

Author:Unknown

Don't Hate Your Enemies...Just Step on Them!

Retail Price: $14.99
Our Price: $11.54

OR Don't Hate Your Enemies...Just Step on Them! (w/CD)

Author: E E Jenkins
Pub date: July 03, 2006
Format: Trade Paper
Inventory: In Stock
ISBN#: 885713000406
SKU#: 885713000406

In his latest work, Don't Hate Your Enemies... Just Step on Them! Bishop E.E. Jenkins explores the biblical concept that we are indeed mandated by God to love our enemies - even those who intentionally hurt or abuse us. At first glance, it may seem ludicrous for Jesus to challenge us with the lofty and seemingly impossible test of loveing those who do not wish us well. However; in the acts of loving such people, caring for them and ministering to their needs, we display God's genuine love. -- Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr.

Gossip... Criticism... Betrayal.. Hatred...

Life-altering actions that have left you wounded, and in some cases deeply scarred. You have been forced to face the emotional pain inflicted by others’ words and actions. But the deeper issue is: Have you been able to identify the true enemy, forgive, and move forward?

The truth is, people irritate one another. However, those who irritate you are not meant to hurt you. Without a true understanding of the real enemy and his purpose, it is easy to misunderstand the people he uses. Know this: People are not your enemies! Your real enemy may use people; but they are not your true adversaries.

Do Not Hate Your Enemies. They Are Not Powerful. Just Step on Them!

In the flesh, it is not easy and will never be easy to love those who hate you. However, what is love anyway if there is no mercy? Personally, I testify that it is extremely difficult to love those who try to bind me and wish me death. But still, I KNOW that the spirit of evil itself is not from the enemies but from their evil father, the devil. The enemies are just cracked, weak vessels and because of their spiritual cracks, they leak out all good and thus left dry to be coached by the devil, to willingly offer their bodies to him as a living sacrifice for destructions and thus, the deification of the kingdom of darkness.

See, regardless of how difficult it is to swallow hatred, criticism, gossip and confusion; believers (in God) must continue to step (higher) and press through the dark clouds by faith, for the pilot of the believers' spiritual plane is God (The Maker of the Universe). Believers must relax, sit upright, fasten their seatbelt, and love the enemies because if we (believers)spiritually do our part, Jah, Jehovah will do His part and make "loving our enemies" easy.

True believers know in their heart and soul that their enemies are not as powerful as others think they are. While evil is looking for those he/she may steal from, kill and devour, we (believers) must keep keeping on through the journey! Like a spiritual plane, we must unfold our strong unbreakable wings, shift upright and fly (within/spiritually) for the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven!

Reference: Luke 17:21, "The kingdom of God is within you."

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? LEAP IN FAITH. SHIFT IN FAITH. LOVE IN FAITH. AND FLY IN FAITH!

Fania Simon

This thought is inspired by “DON’T HATE YOUR ENEMIES….JUST STEP ON THEM!”
Thank you Bishop E.E Jenkins for such a powerful book.

An Analogy: Message From a Sinner

"All (not some, but all) who call on the name will be saved." Romans 10:13

When Grace brought me (a sinner) home to the Father,
I then believed.
I then believed 'cause in here, I could always feel that he knows.
He knows the voice of "the just" and the voice of "the sinner."
Sinner, thus by Grace, He knows my voice!

My voice be still; let evil be and laugh and tease...
Tease that I'll never be and reach heaven high!
High, o' Heaven! I am laughing strong at the crash
CRASH! of the mind that is human
Human, now I know my Saviors' map to your exit.

Exit! For He has drawn simple and fine saving Adamic lines.
Lines of loving the sinner and hating the sin.
And hating the sin... for trapping sinners, and praising sin!
O' sin, I am not! but sinner, I am.
I am drunk by the Spirit of Elohim.

Elohim o' Maker of the Universe! In this crazy road; I drive.
Drive under the influence of Your Grace.
Grace, the gate keeper!
Keeper, usher me home from this crash

Crash by human "knowledge" and of destiny's claim,
Claim "wisdom" that I'll always be nothing.
Be nothing but a sinner to never see heaven?
Heaven, o' I see false prediction in fate!
Fate, sweet like Grace smiling me home!

Home in my private heart,
Heart in devotion, no abomination, I then rise.
I then rise tall to sing my heart in gracious trance
In gracious trance, I bow down in silence,
In silence before authority of His majestic dance.
Dance Gracious Father! And I sing, o' the redemption song!

Song by lyrics from my own voice and tongue.
Tongue in my own voice speaking, and singing heaven,
Heaven thus my soul redeem. And finally, I'm home!
HOME, not by evil's law or laws and ethic codes.
Codes sowed from Abrahimic mysteries of goodness' Grace.
Grace, o' Grace! How I love thy skinless seeds and face!

Face o sinless face! True righteousness in redeemed love!

© fania simon
Picture by fania simon
Inspired by the Eternal Redeemer who died for my sin.

Let me back up everything I wrote in the poem: Jesus tells us in Luke 17:21, "The kingdom of God is within you." So, what devil in hell can keep me from reaching heaven? I'VE GOT INVISIBLE WINGS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO MY HEART. THUS I BELIEVE: RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE and JOY are all in me-RIGHT NOW AND FOREVER MORE!

Thank you for reading...
I love you more!!!

Words of Life: A Lesson I Learned From My Dog

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that
he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

I recently had a retreat with several men at South Texas ranch, where
we spent time ministering in small groups. Betty and I went down
together with our dog Princess, a miniature Dachshund. Princess is
really a hound--she loves to hunt. I wish I could know what her
nose is telling her. She loves to chase rabbits, lizards, mice,
squirrels and anything else she can pursue. She rides in the pickup
truck, staring over the steering wheel just trying to see something
move.

You just say the word "truck" and she jumps and yelps,
anxious to get into the truck, stand in my lap and peer over the
dashboard. She is too cute. Her little eyes peer out the window like
an excited child. When we see a rabbit or squirrel, I often let her
out to chase it, but not this time. We were too busy during the
retreat as I ministered to the men throughout the day.

As we sat around the room, Princess waited politely, quietly and
patiently in the corner, hoping to go hunting later. When I would
leave, she was excited because she thought we were off to hunt--a
real adventure. But I was tired and wanted to spend some time with
Betty, so Princess did not get to hunt. This went on for a couple of
days. On the third day, after spending time with the men and watching
Princess behave so beautifully, I could sense her disappointment. A
little Dachshund can look somewhat like a Bassett Hound when they get
down. They look so sad!

I came in the house and told Betty, "I've got to take
Princess hunting." She said, "James, you're tired
and it's hot outside." I said, "But honey, she has
been so good I have to take her.

Princess had waited so patiently, expressing her excitement and but
never getting what she really wanted. She was a perfect little lady.

I began to think about children who often manipulate their parents to
get what they want. They do some chores, cleaning up their room or
helping in the kitchen, because they want to go somewhere, buy
something, or do something with their friends. Of course, parents may
play along because we want to see our children have fun, but we
understand that there is some manipulation going on.

Princess has begged plenty of times, too, knowing what she wants. But
this particular time, it was totally different. I had to take Princess
out. Why? Because she was just so good.

I felt like God spoke to me very clearly and said, "Remember the
times when you began to notice that your children were just good. They
were doing things well because 'good is good.' They did
things right because 'right is right.' Do you remember how
earnestly you wanted to bless them--to do something special for
them because you knew they were being good not to get something, but
just because it is right to do right?"

I think this is what it means to have God's word "written in our
hearts" and not just carried around in a leatherbound book. As I
thought about it, God touched my heart and seemed to say, "You
know, I saw your children doing this, too, and I've one-upped
you. I've gone way beyond. Look how blessed they are in their
marriages and with their families. They learned to do good not just
because they were Robisons or because they had a ministy family and
everyone expected them to do what was right. They decided to do what
was best because it was best, to do right because it was right. Look
what has happened in their relationships, their choices, their
decisions and their futures."

Sometimes, it seems like it's easier to love a dog than to love
people, but if we can love our pets and our children, how much more
does God love us? We love it when an animal is faithful to us, but God
loves it even more when His people are faithful to Him.

When we do right simply because it's right, our Heavenly Father
will reward us. He is far more faithful than a dog, a child or any
other human. And He rewards us just because He is good and wants to
see us happy.

I took Princess out that afternoon to chase rabbits and she was as
happy as a little dog can be. I shared in her joy, too. And I smiled
as I understood a little more about God's love for us and His
desire to bless us when we live a life of obedience and faithfulness.

This Week
Do right, just because it's right. This pleases God.

Prayer
"Lord, I want to live according to Your will. Thank you for
being faithful beyond my comprehension. Help me to live a life
that's pleasing to You."

By James Robinson
Lifetoday.org

"LIKE THIS ROSE, YOU MAY BE PRESSED BY A HARD CONCRETE...BUT...YOU CAN STILL GROW... FOR WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP YOUR DREAM ALIVE." fania simon

Just a quick thought for today. Enjoy!

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again...

A young woman went to her mother and talked to her about her life
and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was
going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting
and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one
arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water
and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the
first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the
last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil,
without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the
carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and
placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it
in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you
see." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She
did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the
daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell,
she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the
daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its
rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after
being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its
liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its
inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the
boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on
your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee
bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but
with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my
strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with
the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a
financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and
stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter
and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot
water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water
gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the
bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the
situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you
elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are
you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to
make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to
make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of
everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along
their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you
can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and
heartaches.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean
something to you (I JUST DID); to those who have touched your life
in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really
need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when
you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to
those who are so meaningful in your life.


May we all be COFFEE!!

Author: unknown
_________________
"Retreat but not defeat..." Yes aya!
"A big head is only heavy when the NECK is not strong." Yoruba saying...

www.lulu.com/faniasimon

Be Great in Two-Thousand Eight!

Standing at the invisible gate of mercy
Just to inspire the blowing wind on the polluted sea.
But first,let me make my request be known
For you are here for the asking.
In the Lord's Year of two thousand eight
I take authority over everything I am created to be
Before I was born You knew me ...And you designed me to be great
Therefore, I declare and claim all Your greatness in my restoration.
Let faith in Your healing be my heavenly soft spot to sleep
Like the waves on the restored sea.

fania simon
Inspired by the MOst High Jah!

O' Father I Thank You

O' Father I thank you!
I thank you!
For I see someone so real
Coming down from the sand up the hill
Way out of the East land sunset...

O' Father I thank you!
I thank you!
For your messenger, the x-pottery seller
Is sitting up high on her Camel's back
With the word inside her poetry sac.

I know she'll be here sooner than time
To infect us with the message
That You sent for our redemption
O' Father, I thank you!
For I can see her coming from way up high...

And I can see everything else
Like Camel dung laying on the road to curse them.
But the vision is as huge as a Camel fair!
...Plus, with You directing traffic, I know the trip will be smooth
She'll just ignore the gathering crew.

O' Father, I can see her holding on
To the center of it all!
Ah! I trust You completely....
For through poetry, you shall restore!!

"[I] know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture
is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy
was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved
by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
2 Peter 1:20-21

Poem: Fania Simon
Picture info: An Afar nomadic woman traveling to the next water site and pasture land with all her belongings tied to her camel. Photo © Lorna Chiu