Fire Retardant…
October 19, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Guest Posts
This is a guest post from Pastor Lynn Hayden, founder of Dancing for Him Ministries, a Spirit Filled, biblically based organization whose primary purpose is to minister to the body of Christ the heart of God through creative expressions of worship, prophesy and dance.You can read her blog here.
Where is your faith? Even as a grain of mustard seed, where has it gone? It is My desire that you trust in Me and not in the flesh. As many cloak unbelief in the mask of religion and platitudes of created religious sayings, I say put aside those masks and lay it all down for faith and trust in Me. Many have put on this mask for protection like a fire retardant suit from My loving correction, but I say. Let me burn off the suit. Let me burn off the mask. Come closer, into the fire of My love. For as the works of the flesh and the retardant suit are burned off, there will emerge a pure vessel, holy and consecrated to do My work on earth.
Yes, it is by My grace that I allow you to dance, play and sing, preach and minister even with the fire suit on your back. I say let me burn off the suit and burn off the mask so you may be free in Me. You think that it is a protection, but do not be afraid of my fire, as through the burning and my burning desire for you, you will be free and your freedom will cut you loose from the law of sin and death. Lay down your entire prideful paradigm and allow the fire to burn off your dross-your fire retardant. You will be clean and pure. Once this suit and mask is removed, your dancing, singing or playing, preaching and ministry will flourish and be a plentiful bounty for My kingdom. I long to hold you and speak to you. Do not be afraid of what I long to say to you. I do not come to condemn, but to set you free. Let me burn off the mask. Let me burn off the fire retardant suit.
Do you see how things all around you are beginning to fall apart like springs popping up from an old time bed mattress? This is because you have taken your eyes off my fire and placed your trust in your own strength and ability. Lay down all your own giftings. Lay down all your own pride of accomplishments. Lay down all your own ingenuity. Lay down all your own personal desires. Look to me. Come into My fire of Love and I will direct and guide your every step. How many steps do you take on your own? How many decisions do you make without Me? I desire to help you in even the tiniest decisions. What seems insignificant to you is monumental to me because if you lay down your own decision making and give it to me, this means that you are willing to be obedient. Every act of strict obedience is rewarded with a closer walk in the spirit. The more you walk close to my fire and in My spirit, the less you will walk in the flesh. Therefore you will own My peace and you will know joy. This is greater than any human accomplishment or worldly acquisition. Come closer, my child. Let me burn off your fire retardant.
Lakita’s Note: If you would like to submit a guest post, feel free to contact me for more information!
Standing Ovation
April 29, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Encouragement, Guest Posts
This is a guest post from Evangelist Tracy Gibson, founder and director of Done Unto the Lord Ministry. The original text was sent as an email April 29th and is reprinted with permission in it’s entirety.
Greetings,
As I worshipped this morning and spent time in study, I was reminded of Stephen. No, he was not a dancer, but he was a man who’s life and Spirit were sold out to Jesus. Stephen surrendered his whole life to Christ’s will and purpose. The more Stephen poured out his life for Christ, the more Christ poured His life into Stephen. The word says Stephen was full of faith, grace and power doing great wonders and miracles among the people – so much that the people were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake (Acts 6:8-10).
Stephen’s life was a great testimony to those of us who stand before the people of God to lead them into intimate places of worship, deliverance and freedom – that we must continue to walk worthy of our calling. Stephen was faithful, righteous, powerful, honest, forgiving, committed, determined, a worshipper, a servant and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him even into death. Stephen had one brief performance (ministry), one time on stage (the dance floor) to shine (for Jesus), but it shaped the lives of many and changed the kingdom for ever. There was one man holding the coats in the back who needed to see and hear Stephen on that day and his name was Saul (Acts 7:58). Not only was Saul later converted to Paul, but on that day as Stephen gave his all – he received the best standing ovation anyone could ever receive. The word of God says
"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55-56)
As dancers when we seek to surrender every part of our life to the Father and fulfill God’s purpose, allowing the Holy Spirit to have complete control we become the very image of heaven’s dance on earth. Beth Moore puts it best, "A person full of the Holy Spirit cannot be full of one’s self." Let us as the Levites live a life that will honor the Father and bring Him great joy. Just as Stephen stood before the people and his face shown like an angel, when we stand to minister, let it be the radiance of the Holy Spirit that people see. Let us loose ourselves in God so much that people are not able to resist the spirit by which we speak (the movement of our body for Christ). Let us remember the testimony of Stephen and walk worthy of our calling. Let us proclaim and decree that we will be faithful to our Lord and our ministry of dance. Let us announce that we will walk in righteousness and power and live a life of integrity before a Holy King.
Let us shout to the world that we are a minister of the dance that is loving and forgiving, who is committed to the call on our life to be a Levite. Let us stand and declare that we are determined to continue taking dance back from the world and build the Kingdom of God with it as we worship in Spirit and in Truth. Why? Because we are servant of the Lord. When we move in Christ and for Christ if we reach one soul we will receive the most important standing ovation any dancer can ever receive – that of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. So, Minister as you dance and dance as you minister for the Father has need of your life – your whole life.
Take a look at the picture I have attached. I captured this image of Deacon Bonnie Wilson on Sunday April 26, 2009 at the "Victorious In Motion" Praise Dance Anniversary Celebration. Some may say "Yeah, it’s just the focus of the camera", but look around at everything else as it stays in focus. I believe and others who have seen this photo – believe that this is how we look as we minister through the power of the Holy Spirit – which is the anointing we move in "Jesus Christ" Himself. I believe this is what Heaven sees and those who are transformed by our anointed movement. I believe this is what Stephen looked like as he stood before the people and the Heavens were OPENED! Be blessed and continue to move for the one who moves you and "His Glory shall be REVEALED". Great blessings.
His Servant,
Evangelist Tracy Gibson
Founder & Director
www.doneuntothelord.com
