Author: newbeginninginternational.net

Sherry Edwards Mackey Founder of New Beginning Christian Ministries International since February 1990. Authors “Catch Of the Day” a prophetic word in season revealing the heart and mind of God. The gospel must be preached and “published” throughout the whole world before the coming of the Lord. We believe we will witness the greatest out pouring of revival the world has ever seen, empowering many with Holy Ghost Fire causing the great end time harvest to be gathered in.

The Eagle’s Nest

As Christians, we should strive to be a blessing to others, not judging them with a critical, judgmental spirit. Even if they smell or look rough, who are we to judge?

I imagine there are a lot of folks like Lazarus is up in heaven. We have them all around us.
We all have habits, weakness, flaws, issues, faults and sin in our lives.

We try to hide behind our defenses, so that others will not see the real US. If people knew the secrets about US, what would they say?

We don’t want others knowing how messed up our life is, even though God continues to love, bless, mature and teach us. Thank GOD!

It’s Grace all the way beloved. The same way you met Jesus, is the same way you walk on with Him. By Faith! We all have good and bad days. We are not always on the mountain with Him the way we wish we could be.

Humility is a state of existence. As we stay dependent on Jesus we remain humble. We desperately need our Jesus!

Remember Peter, when he awoke from sleep to see he was in a meeting with Jesus, Moses and Elijah? He wanted to make a contribution! He was also the Disciple whom Jesus told; “Get behind me satan!” Did Jesus kick him to the curb and tell him he was too bad and that he was no longer needed?

We can try to make ourselves perfect in the flesh beloved, however in this flesh will be NO perfection in our life time. When we try to be perfect, we burn out over and over again until we learn that it is all God from beginning to the end.

Yes, we are to strive to be more like Jesus and that will take a life time. We never come to a level of maturity, where we get so big in God, that we won’t need the Holy Spirit our colleagues and each other. There will never come a place in God where we don’t need His Grace and Mercy.

I have watched as Christians try to gang up on a brother about a habit and tell him how bad he is! Those people knew not the nature and character of God regarding this. Nor did they rightly check their own faults and failures in their hypocrisy.

We must realize in comparison to Gods Word, there is no sin or flaw worse than the other except for Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. How come no one speaks about gluttony? It’s in there!

Beloved, I think the majority of us deal with that sin more than we care to say. Yet people want to hold to their own version of how God judges and corrects.

We say, “Did you see sister so-and-so react in such pride?!”

Let me ask an important question; Are we the Holy Ghost?

Are we supposed to be doing HIS job? NO! Yet “we,” the church, continue to judge others based on our version of how things are done.

This is important for us to understand; The religious spirit gets fuel from such attitudes and seeks out those in God who are not with their program! They say get with the program; You know the drill. So religious churches thrive with such protocol that NO ONE can live up to.

So-and-so finally falls out, and burns out. Those inside that religious institution tell each other, “Well so-and-so was not cut out for this life.” Thank God so-and-so burnt out! The LORD lets us burn out to teach us it’s all about Him from beginning to end. Christ in us, the hope of all glory!

If the LORD doesn’t do something, who are we to think we can?

We try to help Him out don’t we? How do we know He isn’t doing His job?

No one knows the path of a believer, except for God. We all have habits, flaws etc. If the believer felt they could talk to you, they would tell you they wish they could stop those sins.

If we Love God and excepted Jesus as our LORD and Savior, it’s done. Our life after the cross is a journey with Christ. We received a new nature when we got saved, and we no longer want to sin or miss the mark.

However, we all do things we don’t want to do!

I thank God He makes room for us, for truly, how can we open our mind and heart to let people in, when we can’t trust nobody? The Only one to trust, is God.

That’s is why in relationships, we need to use wisdom and get to know people slowly. It takes time to know a person. Once they feel free enough, they will open up. This applies to leadership as well. It takes time for God to make room for them and ordain them.

It is Gods will to deliver them and raise them up. What is our goal? Simply to pray for them and bless them and support them as part of the body of Christ! Amen?

How we look and act toward others is being watched, you know why? When you sow judgmental words you will reap them.

When we look into a mirror we see the reflection of who we are. God tells us to look into the perfect law of liberty! Look to the Word of God. God wants us reflecting his Word when we pray, help and prefer our brother, loving them. How we look and behave towards others is so important. We need to see them as Jesus did and still does.

Dealing with up-coming leadership is important in so many ways, as we need to live above reproach. However we try to not put a stumbling block before anyone.

Leaders must give an account to the LORD for their calling. We don’t want to do anything that would cause the ministry to be blamed. As leaders, we must look to Jesus’ example. Look to others as Jesus would have us look to us. We are to know those that labor among us.

There is a strong message God has for discipleship; It is SO needed! As we submit to being in God’s army, we must be disciplined and on guard. We lead by example. Good leaders go before the army of God and train, build up and exercise his troops. These troops are prepared and well trained in the furnace of affliction.

The Bible says, lay hands suddenly on no man. We can get into things prematurely and not be ready to handle what comes.

The Bible also teaches that we should not advance people in authority who are novices. We are to know those who labor among us. I got to KNOW those who labor for me and not just let anyone in my head or spirit.

A premature release into leadership could cause damage. In this case there is not enough time to know them and for the LORD to make it clear. When God makes room for our gifts, everyone who has need to know will know. A premature release could cost a life. Why? They are not prepared by God fully.

Scripture is clear not to release a novice, lest they be lifted up in pride, fall into the trap of the enemy.

Leaders are accountable for those who they release. People need pastors, teachers as well as all the five fold ministry. God has apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelist who are needed to prepare God’s people for works of service. Again, we must KNOW those who labor among us and that takes time.

In closing, we must align ourselves with God’s word and do it His way. Knowing God’s Word is paramount and understanding what damage we can do when we deal with others is so important.

The church is a hospital, so a lot of sick people come in. Will we be those nurses, technicians or doctors, to help the hurt, wounded and afflicted souls?

Our goal is to provide a place of protection; Like a Nest.

This place would be where you can come in as a new believer, or seasoned believer and learn from those who are called to be part of your life. Also in this place you can learn to grow and become leaders and have the freedom to exercise your gifts without being thrown out the door for trying.

You will learn in the nest. Even in correction, you learn how things work and have many opportunities to exercise your gifts. Once you are out there in ministry, doing what God called you to do, you will always have a place you can come back to even if you miss it.

The church is a live vibrant force to be reckoned with. When we follow God’s standard of HIS Word, we will have his blessing and that is why we do what we do isn’t it?

We want souls won to the Kingdom!

We want souls to be changed and Abba God to be happy and proud of us as we learn to be like him! Amen? Amen!!

PS: Please read these following scriptures as part of your Bible Study, they are good for your soul.

All King James Version:

“And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him,” Luke 9:29-35.

“But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men,” Mark 8:33.

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” Romans 14:19-23.

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our LORD. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin,” Romans 7:14-25.

“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. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together,” Romans 8:1-17.

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you,” Hebrews 13:17.

“These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
I charge thee before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure,” 1 Timothy 5:11-22.

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee,” 1 Timothy 4:8-16.

“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil,” 1 Timothy 3:6.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Consider what I say; and the LORD give thee understanding in all things,” 2 Timothy 2:2-7.

“And the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will,” 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the LORD delivered me.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works,” 2 Timothy 3:10-17.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” 2 Timothy 4:1-7.

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

Experiencing the Shekinah Glory!

I don’t share this very much, however I was told and strongly led today by God to share this portion of my own testimony. I pray it blesses you!

During 1984, The LORD led me to a week day Bible Study at the base Military Chapel, led by one of the ministers wives. There was a lady in ministry holding a three day conference on prayer. The woman name was Evelyn Christenson.

A group of the women from the Bible Study decided to go. I knew it was a non denominational gathering, and some of the people at the conference during praise, would lift their arms and hands in worship. As I watched, some of those in our group were scoffing at those who expressed their emotion to the LORD, as they held up their arms to Him. Those who scoffed, were out of line, in my thinking. Who were they to judge someone else’s expression of worship?

During that conference, I learned about prayer. I swallowed it all. After that conference, I began to incorporate prayer into my daily routine. I began to get up at 5:00 a.m. to pray and use the things I learned from the conference. I began to sense the LORD and I became ravenous for the study of the Word. Not long after this I met Rhonda.

Rhonda quickly became my friend and we would talk for hours about the LORD. She would tell me stories about her mom and dad. Rhonda’s parents were involved with the Assembly of God Church and called to be deliverance ministers.

Rhonda would tell me things that went on in their home as a child. The conversations were fascinating, because I really didn’t think people dealt with demons in this day, nor did I know God was moving like she said. You know, I still believed that old doctrine that I learned as a Baptist.

Rhonda and her family attended Military Chapel services with us, and on Sunday nights, they would go to a little Christian Servicemen’s Center downtown. It was a mission set up by the Church of God out of Cleveland, Tennessee. Rhonda would play the piano for the services and she was helping to get the ministry off the ground.

She would always talk to me about the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. One Sunday she invited us to the Christian Servicemen’s Centers service. As we went in, I noticed the shouting and hand clapping. I thought cool, these folks are alive.

As the service progressed and the minister offered altar call, a woman came up to the front for prayer. The minister laid his hand on her head, and she fell down on the hard concrete floor. I had never been exposed to this before.

As I watched this, I wondered why she fell and why no one was trying to help her up! She just laid there and then people started speaking in words I could not understand. The way it sounded, made me feel like I was in India, with a southern accent.

Needless to say, I freaked! We left and I was stunned at what I witnessed. Rhonda called me to check on me, but I was still freaked out.

Rhonda shared with me, “Sherry, I can’t make you believe what happened and what you witnessed, but ask God if it is real. Also, ask God if it is His will for you to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to show you the truth. I also asked Him to manifest Himself to do whatever HE wants for me.” Rhonda also suggested to fast a meal to seek the truth in Gods Word and to see what He says.

I thought about what she said a long time, and I got very serious about seeking Him, because I found scriptures that backed up everything she told me. I determined to devote all of my free time to seeking God.

I had never fasted before for Spiritual reasons, but decided to do so since I found scriptural backing for that too. I fasted two meals a day and devoted my time for seeking the truth about the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. I read everything I could get my hands about the Baptism of Holy Ghost both in the Bible and some books I had received.

I started a three day fast. On the first day I kept learning. My prayer was, “LORD if this is for me, then manifest yourself to me because I want this if it’s your will.”

The second day came and I was feeling the hunger pains, but determined to get an answer, I kept pressing in.

The third day I was able to get the children down early for the night, and by this time, I was learning a lot about the Spirit and couldn’t get enough. I was hungry for more. Then the third night came.

I was in our living room laying on the couch, reading the Word and a book about the Baptism of the Spirit. It was late at night, but I couldn’t sleep. As I laid there on the couch, I felt a presence enter that room and I had never felt it before, and the only way I can describe it, was that it felt like a major storm was in my house. I felt that inside my locked door house!

That presence entered every place in that house. I got up turned on every light in the house and decided I would go to bed and read. I knew something was in that room but with my limited experience and understanding, I didn’t comprehend yet! I was hoping that what I felt was just my imagination.

I must say this here; there was no storm outside that evening or any bad weather, only it was hot.

As I laid there, that presence came into my bedroom like rolling thunder. I could feel it in the atmosphere! However, I didn’t realize It was the awesome presence of GOD!

I kept my nose in the book about how to be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Next thing I know, I hear with my ears a thunderous voice speak to me saying, “IT”S TIME!”

I sat straight up in bed and said “Time for What!” I looked up and there was a white puffy cloud in my room! It was visible to my eyes! I did not know what the cloud was, or what it meant, so I freaked out.

I wondered what was happening to me and I called Rhonda and begged her to come over. I told her over the phone what was happening and she was excited and said God wants to Baptize you in His Holy Ghost Fire and she said she would come.

The only way I can describe this presence, was that it felt like a massive thunder storm had come into my house! You know, the awesome feel you get when a storm approaches? That was in my house!

As I waited, freaked out, I prayed and my heart was pounding! I kept my eyes closed and prayed then when the knock on the door came the visible cloud disappeared, but the presence did not leave.

When Rhonda came, she brought the associate pastors wife. As soon as they walked into the property and house, they both said that the LORD was in this place. I told them what happened and we all began to praise the LORD.

I had never lifted my arms to God before but as we praised God, I lifted my arms for the very first time in praise and worship. It felt like an electrical jolt touch my fingers. It didn’t hurt, but it was like everything electrical could ever be and jolted me and it began to inch down my arms, and I started jerking like I was holding a live wire!

I was a bit scared even with the ladies there, and I asked God to please let me be totally filled like that Sunday night in that Christian Serviceman’s church where I had been invited to by Rhonda. All of this was brand new to me. I didn’t know God could be so real. As I requested, the electrical surges began to subside and I was stunned.

The ladies stayed till early morning. I didn’t want them to leave when they did. I could sense the presence and it didn’t leave my house! I could not sleep, eat or drink anything for three days after that. I determined to receive whatever it was that God wanted me to have. I did not know at that time what the cloud meant.

Later I found out it was the Shekinah Glory of God! Watch how you pray! I prayed for Him to manifest Himself to me……… and He did!

“And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD,” 1 Kings 8:10-11.

I knew that when I went to that Mission Church that Sunday night, I was going to receive the whole Baptism. When I walked in the church, I went to the second row. When the music started, I raised my hands like before at home and told God I wanted everything He had for me.

As I was praising God, that same presence was over my head and I felt my head and body leaning backwards, it was very hard for me to stand. The effort was unbearable I finally leaned back in my chair.

The electrical current I felt before, slowly increased its way into my arms, this time, all the way to my toes. I stood there shaking and jerking under the power of God.

I was so overwhelmed and overcome by the revelation of His power, that I was in shock. The Pastor’s wife said she saw an aura of light around me that came out quite a distance from my body. Whatever happened to me that day, ignited a fire that refused to be put out. I believe I was Baptized by fire.

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,” Luke 3:16.

Everything changed after that! My husband thought I was nuts. The Bible Study I went to in the morning was just handed over to me to conduct. The Pastor’s wife urged me to lead it. I don’t think she knew what she was asking for. The Military Chapel services are very subdued, and here I come, a live wire. Needless to say, the Bible study got fired up. Women got saved, healed and filled. I thought wow, this Holy Ghost thing is powerful.

Next, then the Pastor comes to me and tells me I can’t talk about controversial things. At the time I didn’t know what controversial things were. I pointed out to him that everything I did or said was in the Bible, but that didn’t seem to matter to him.

I went through a hard lesson with him and didn’t come through very godly. My zeal was without knowledge and I got hurt. Being new to this Holy Ghost stuff, I had a lot to learn. So I was fired from that Bible study. The women protested and wanted me back, but he said no. So I went to the other church on Sunday nights at the Christian Servicemen’s Mission.

I cried a lot, because I couldn’t understand why, when people are changing, why would they want to hinder them from receiving and why would they want to stop the flow?

During this time, I had angelic visitations. I saw one at the foot of my bed, standing over looking at me with a concerned look. There was so much peace and love radiating from the angel, that my sadness was overcome. I knew that God had sent angels to comfort me.

During this time, I asked the LORD why this happened and what was His purpose that He had for me. One day in prayer, the LORD spoke “Prophet” to me.

I didn’t know what that was, nor what it meant. I really didn’t think much about it for awhile. But the LORD kept showing me scriptures about it. I kept arguing, “I can’t do that! I’m a woman!” In the Baptist church, they don’t believe in women in ministry except for missionaries in other countries.

I continued praying and learning more in the Bible but it wasn’t until I began to see events before they happened that I got some clue what God meant.

One day Rhonda called me and shared a vision she received which pertained to me. In the vision she saw a huge iceberg. The LORD revealed the size of it above and beneath the water. Rhonda said, “The LORD said you haven’t even touched the tip of the iceberg in the ministry He is calling you to.”

I continued to pray, seeking God early and incorporated fasting into my spiritual life.

Those times were so awesome. I often think of them and how God manifested himself to me when I had NO idea what Holy Ghost power was nor did I know about the Shekinah Glory Cloud.

It was a major life event and changer and since then that presence has manifested in my life at various times. However, I do sense He will be manifesting much more and in a greater degree in these end times.

With the lie of new age and cults, people are seeking supernatural power, and oh, the Church of Living God!

LISTEN! He HAS the true power if we just seek Him with our whole hearts!

There are souls for His Kingdom in our reach and those who want and need to be discipled, and to be shepherded, equipped and released.

We need true REVIVAL! Many of our fires have grown dim, and so many lost souls and those who need that TRUE POWER OF GOD!

God wants us to live in His presence and help others to know His presence so others can know the true move of God. God always backs up his WORD and that WORD is our final authority!

As I close this portion of my testimony about the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, there may be those who read this and it sparks the desire for more of God. As you are reading this there are those who want everything God has for you. Yes, seek Him with all your heart and ask Him for everything He has for you. However, don’t be surprised when He shows up in a powerful way!

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

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The Greatest Test of Our Hearts

Many new places and boundaries are coming into being. So many of us don’t know where we fit, or how we fit. We try to incorporate old ways, thinking it’s better and safer. Many feel insecure about all the changes.

What we must remember to never compare ourselves among ourselves, because every time we do that, we limit God in us. For when we measure ourselves among ourselves we are not wise.

We must know who we are in Christ and know why we have been sent. Then we wait on God to make room for our gift.

If you don’t know who you are, then people will tell you who you are. You will become who they want you to be, instead of who God wants you to be. The refinement of men pleasers goes into action when we fail to know who we are in Christ. Leave your destiny to God and not man.

Humans always gravitate toward the herd mentality and what is popular. It takes a strong identity in God to go against the herd mentality. The devil and man wants to snuff out your identity.

Shall we be men pleasers or God pleasers?

Jesus lost his identity on the cross because of our sin when he hung there. That means, you will never have to loose your identity in Him. The LORD will be there to affirm you. The LORD has not changed HIS mind towards you.

Elijah stood against a whole nation when he confronted Baal that day. The people were like lost sheep who had lost their way. They didn’t know who was right, until God proved His Way! Oh yes! Don’t think because a great victory comes that it will keep you esteemed highly in the eyes of man!

The spirit of Jezebel sits in her lurch ready to launch a massive campaign to discredit and kill the prophet, because her works are being destroyed. So what did Elijah do? He ran to hide in the cave and wondered why God would ever choose to use such wishy-washy thing like him.

In those secret places with our Master, we receive the assurance and our confidence in Him. This will give us the determination to go once again as he directs our pathway and makes it straight.

God will keep us in the wilderness and caves to humble us, so we will learn to trust and be dependent on Him. These times are never wasted times, but are for the purpose to further the Gospel.

Afflictions reveal the depths of our heart and produces a desperation within us. This can cause us to seek God with greater fervency.

These pressures are designed for our growth. Why? Because pressure produces character and as living epistles (walking letters) we are seen and read of all men. We must therefore be His witness to the end of the earth, by showing His nature and character.

It doesn’t matter how anointed we are! Why? Because the character issues are what bring us down to discredit our message.

I think a lot of saints get confused. They see the anointing, so they think because the anointing is in operation, that God is always pleased with the individual. Let us not be deceived. The anointing is on the person for Gods people. Not to approve of their bad behavior.

The LORD has a place for all of us in His body and like puzzle pieces, He connects us to each other to form a greater picture of His purpose. The LORD said He would provide Shepherds after His heart who would guide and protect His flock. We must stay where God leads us, and not run because of conflicts. Conflicts are just another method we can yield to and grow by, instead of run from.

In our family we learn how to deal with one another in love. When in crisis, we don’t run from them, we learn to work things out and how to love difficult people. Jesus said to judge by the fruit. The LORD created us for His pleasure and His desire is that we awake with His likeness. That means, the fruit of the Spirit is formed in us. Fruit cannot grow on a plant that continues to uproot itself and run.

Fruit forms by being rooted firmly by the river of Life and by going through the seasons of life and the pruning process, which are all difficult times; however through the difficulty, comes the fruit at the time of harvest.

Our goal should be, the nature and character of Christ in us. When we awake with His likeness, all of the discipline it took to change the mindsets to the mind of Christ, will be evident to all who see and know us.

Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations. Making disciples is not easy. You first must have willing vessels that allow the discipline of the LORD to come into their lives.

You never follow a leader blindly, you follow them as they follow Christ. And when God plants you, you don’t move until He says move.

Leaders make many mistakes, but our job is to pray for them so they are free to hear and obey God on our behalf. Before you lead, you follow. And sometimes you won’t like to follow, but the LORD is tempering you, testing and refining you in servant hood. Leadership is servant hood.

Because of the condition of people, they become threatened and insecure by anything they cannot control. A religious establishment that departs from following the LORD, usually becomes an organization that resists Him.

For where sin abounds grace much more abounds. We must show more love, more grace, for it is His loving kindness that leads men to repentance. We must kill them with kindness. We must learn to love the devil out of them, and give space for God to work. Love covers a multitude of sin and iniquities.

I believe one of the greatest tests of our hearts doesn’t come in the form of our enemies, but in the presence of our friends that are close to us. It is in these testing times that God is making sure He can release His message in us. In this test, it will be mixed with His character with all the right ingredients of His Word and timing. Amen and Amen!

“We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province and proper limit, but will keep within the limits (of our commission which) God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches and includes even you. For we are not overstepping the limits of our province and stretching beyond our ability to reach, as though we reached not (had no legitimate mission) to you, for we were (the very first) to come even as far as to you with the good news ( the Gospel) of Christ. We do not boast therefore, beyond our proper limit, over other men’s labors, but we have the hope and confident expectation that as your faith continues to grow, our field among you may be greatly enlarged, still within the limits of our commission, so that (we may even preach the Gospel in lands (lying) beyond you, without making a boast of work already done in another (man’s) sphere of activity (before we came on the scene). However, let him who boasts and glories, boast and glory in the LORD. For (it is) not (the man) who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but (it is the person) whom the LORD accredits and commends,” 2 Corinthians 10:13-18 AMP.

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

Kingdom Relationships

When we see others and a wrong word or action happens and the spirit of offense is given place, what are we to do? How would Jesus act? He accepts people where they’re at on their own level. So how would Jesus act?

We must learn to use our Godly sense to see where people are in their journey. Our outreach is critical.

We must seek God about their situation. How would the LORD have us behave?

As we remain humble, we keep looking to try and see their point of view. How would you want to have that happen to you. We reflect like a mirror. May we reflect Jesus to them in the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

We must learn to cover our brother’s and sister’s. How would we want to be dealt with when we miss it? Jesus didn’t separate himself from Peter and the other disciples when they missed it. As disciples we learn to cover each other like Noah’s sons backed up to him to cover his nakedness.

We all have issues at times when we need grace and mercy to cover our mistakes and nakedness.

Being a Christian and knowing intimate issues about those who we are around, must be handled in a spirit of meekness and forgiveness.

I have known people who get satisfaction out of others mistakes, nakedness and sin. That is a slippery slope when we all need mercy and forgiveness. We must be mindful to respect each other.

How would we want to be dealt with if we messed up like Noah? Satan wants us to look at each others faults, guilt, in a condemning critical and judgmental spirit.

The Spirit of Grace is everlasting and love covers a multitude of sin and iniquity.

Satan strategy is to cause us to attack and expose those who have been caught up in sin and iniquity.

We that labor together must meet in that place where concerns and issues need to be dealt with. We are to give no place to the devil. In this place we need instructions and strategy against divisive spirits that wish to kill, steal and destroy our union.

We can run people off by not being sensitive to where each person is. Especially the unbeliever. We also can run saints off by not being sensitive to their growth. We are to meet people where they are. In that place we meet them in unconditional love. When we look at the condition of the person, we need to ask ourselves, how would I want to be spoken to if the table was turned. It takes a short prayer to ask God this. Love covers a multitude of sin and iniquity.

As we become closer in relationships, we can recognize issues because we are familiar with the people. However as leaders when we get too familiar we loose our ability to effect them. There must be effective boundaries that we set in order. We are to respect healthy boundaries as we expect the same in each other. As leaders, if we allow the flock to become too familiar with the leader we will loose the ability to effect them for good. There must boundaries and we must learn them. Respect one another in love and in their boundaries. Familiarity breeds contempt.

When we see things that are wrong, we must especially not say, but pray for them. We as a body of believers must learn to cover each others backs. Living above reproach is a goal we should strive for. However, this walk is from beginning to end and is a walk of faith.

As intercessors we see things as we pray and God reveals personal things and we must keep them private. What we see must stay within the boundaries of that group or individual. God would not show us if we were untrustworthy.

I am afraid to say this, that a lot of people think they have discernment and it isn’t. It’s a critical and judgmental spirit and in this they rejoice when they see a brother or sister fall. They wait to see our demise. What is said in private is private. What is said in the group stays in the group.

To become mature, the journey will always continue in motion, and we move on regardless of how we grow through it. It is a good thing to learn to be quick to hear, slow to wrath.

We learn how to forgive bitterness and resentment and bearing no grudge or anger. We are not born this way. It is acquired by our relationship with Christ.

Now there is more accountability on the mature; Especially if they hold leadership roles. The religious drive people like cattle. The Shepherd gently leads the flock. When we get pressured to act on things, we must actively pull back and wait on the LORD.

Our first relationship is Jesus. He is our first love. That relationship must be first before any other person, place or thing.

It will be a ongoing battle in life to keep our first love position. Jesus gets jealous of our time and our intimacy with him. Whatever in life pulls us away from that intimacy must be resisted. It will always be our number one purpose in life is our first love relationship.

If we have ought against our brother, what do we do? First we always pray when we see and war on their behalf. God will always give us opportunities to be stretched.

We don’t have to prove who we are in God or to NO one. God proves and elevates, promotes and then everyone knows it. Our ministry is of reconciliation and restoration. Humility always comes before honor.

The good news is prophecy is good, even when we have to correct. What I see in others must be first lived in my life. Yes, but there are consequences to our behaviors and sin.

To have kindness we become kindness to others. We develop the fruit of the Spirit as we abide in the vine. So to combat hatred, we love and we are kind as we abide in the vine. In these testing times is how His fruits remain with us.

We are ambassadors of reconciliation. We are to seek and look through the eyes of Jesus.

We are to learn and understand where people are at in life. As we trust God and pray, miracles can happen with us in relationships. Humility is so needed when dealing with the lost and deceived. If you were in their shoes how would you want someone to speak to you to encourage or reach you?

The gospel is good news. This is all about establishing relationships and maintaining them as we are all part of each other. Amen? Amen!

“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican,” Matthew 18:14-17 KJV.

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey