All posts by Ann Miesner

ANN MORGAN MIESNER was known for many years as the 'book lady' when she was a distributor and Area Manager of Successful Living Products, selling and placing inspirational book racks in stores in South-Central Kansas and all of Oklahoma. Her company's motto was to "go to where the people are." She is still a Good Book lady, and that is still her motto as owner of CROWN Connections: CROWN: Calling Real Ordinary [Wo]men NOW. Miesner and her husband Jim have been married from three weeks after his return from Vietnam. Their military family is comprised of four children and their growing families. They have overcome about twelve deployments so far and many other trials. Their family continues to fight the good fight of faith daily. Be sure to watch her videos on the home page at: https://www.godwhoareyou.org

SPIRIT OF COUNSEL, WHAT HE IS AND IS NOT, HOW TO KNOW HIM AS YOUR PERSONAL COUNSELOR

Have you ever had something terrible happen to you and through it all, you felt Someone, the Spirit of Counsel. had gone ahead of you and was with you, helping you all along the journey to get through it? That just happened to me.

We came back home from a beautiful wedding. I splurged with some foods I had not been used to eating, then topped it off with a snack of peanuts. Immediately, BOOM, intense gastrointestinal pain hit me hard.

Our son called and while he was on the phone with my husband, I asked him if he had any advice for me. Having a naturopath doctor himself, he told me exactly what to do. I ordered the products he advised.

Meanwhile, a friend sent me an invitation to a meeting where a lady would be ministering to pray for healing. It was still almost a week away!

The night before the meeting, my husband asked me, “Ann, have you ever had your appendix removed?” I had been holding my right side.

“No! If that was it, I would have been dead by now.”

Inside, I knew that surgery was where I was headed, because fever was starting to come upon me, and tenderness over the appendix had been there for a while.

The next morning, I knew I had two choices: go to the meeting, or to the Emergency Room.

I went to the house meeting. When it came time for Joanna Coe Herndon to pray, she looked at me and said, “When you came in, I knew you needed a miracle TODAY!” I nodded yes.

She laid hands on me and prayed. I got up and bent over. The pain was gone. When I got up the next morning, I felt new inside, I could walk normal and put on real clothes.

But I knew I had to learn what the underlying problem had been. Before this happened, we had ordered a book for no special reason, Time Bomb: A Genocide of Deadly Processed Foods by Joe Horn and Allie Anderson. What happened to me had happened to him time and time again until he lost 16 inches of his intestines—which was not necessary. I told Jim, “Give me that book!”

The products I ordered came in and they helped me heal fully and feel even better. I learned how to change my diet and what foods and chemicals to avoid; how to read labels, etc. Throughout the whole ordeal, I felt the Holy Spirit with me, and He taught me more about Himself.

Spirit of Counsel

In this fourth of the Seven Spirits of God series we will discuss what is the Spirit of Counsel from Isaiah 11:2: The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him (Jesus), the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (NKJV).

The Spirit of Counsel is not a ‘what’ or ‘it.’ He is a ‘who’ – a Person with a capital P, a personal Helper, not merely an energy force that brings a person to a state of consciousness of ones’ own divinity and ‘oneness’ with all things.

Who Is The Spirit of Counsel—the Helper?

The Seven Spirits of God are one: The Spirit of the Lord. Yet, each of the seven are one aspect of His wonderful and mighty, eternal Being. Just too wonderful, deep and incomprehensible! But let us try to comprehend.

John 14:26 NKJV tells us the Counselor is the “Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” He is our Helper. Other translations, for the word Helper, say Advocate, Intercessor, Comforter, Strengthener and Standby.

At Jesus’ birth, it was prophesied he would be called Emmanuel, meaning God with Us. How much more can God be with us than to be a 24/7 Helper and Comforter? The interesting thing is, though, that Jesus could not even be all this to his disciples when He was on earth. They found themselves fearful many times when Jesus was not right there with them.

Only after Jesus’ death and resurrection, was He able to send the Holy Spirit who would indwell their hearts to truly be with them 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Thus, the words of Jeremiah were fulfilled: “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people . . . For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Jer. 31:33-34 NIV).

What the Spirit of Counsel is NOT?

Sadly, western society has embraced the notion that we can be our own god; in other words, we don’t need to surrender our heart and deepest self to a higher Being outside our body.

Caryl Matrisciana reveals the truth about New Age enlightenment and writes her story in her book Out of India. She was born in India and lived there for 19 years, witnessing the effects of Hinduism and Yoga that kept India in bondage. It frightened her as a child.

Her family moved back to London, England, after India gained its independence. In London, she was introduced to “A New Spiritual Gospel,” the “New Age Movement,” and discovered its roots were in the religion she thought she’d left behind.

This discovery was during the production of HAIR and the song, Age of Aquarius. The new way of thinking was to travel into their bodies and into inner worlds, led through guided imagery, visualization, rhythmic music, and enthusiastic energy – to merge with the universe.

Through powerful suggestion, colors meshed, and individuals joined together in one cosmic force – a force she eventually learned to call “God.” From there, the worshipers were invoked to chant, ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna.”

Did these people know they were actually praying to an Indian deity? She thought. Why were Westerners so enthralled with a religious activity that didn’t incite much enthusiasm even among its own people in India?

Just as Hare Krishna was glorified, so was Yoga! And its association with drugs, reincarnation and a new spiritual experience. The Yoga Caryl remembered in India was a serious, intense, arduous discipline. Its disciples were taught by avowed spiritual masters to be prepared for death.

Caryl had many misgivings about it all, but at age 20, she yearned to find the ‘light’ promised in this new way of thinking. She was being conditioned in the 60s by a powerful religious and political structure: globalism as the goal, and peace as the promise.

This spiritual enlightenment can be encapsulated in these four points of the New Age:

1. God is seen more as a flowing energy or creative force that exists in all things rather than as a personal God who is distinct from man and creation.

2. Man is seen as divine, essentially a part of God. [Is this not humanism?]

3. Salvation for the soul is something attained when one becomes an awakened soul by understanding one’s divinity and ‘oneness’ with all. This awakening comes about through the use of various rituals and mystical practices that help remove one’s attachment to the world.

4. The gap between good and evil is eradicated. In other words, there is no evil – all is divine. It casts the more serious charge that the ‘old ways’ only serve to impede the progress of a society bent on an upward evolution to a higher consciousness – the new power.

“Christian Yoga” – in reality, there can be no such thing. The positions and movements have meaning for the Hindu. The West is deceived into thinking they can divorce yogic practice from its spiritual aspects simply by ignoring or redefining them. Eastern meditation in general has been given a new ‘look.’

For example, Thomas Keating in his book, Open Mind, Open Heart, renames Eastern meditation techniques as “centering,” “contemplative prayer,” and “transformed into Christ.” Pastors and doctors are teaching Yoga. The YMCA has adopted it.

At the Hindu University of America in Orlando, Florida, a professor of Yoga philosophy and meditation states, “Yoga is Hinduism.” And its purpose is to bring a god-consciousness and death [stopping body functions and breathing] through reincarnation in order to postpone having to face the true reality – the real Creator God. Their supreme being is Brahma, the infinite, all-embracing ever blissful consciousness. Everything is part of this deity – cows, monkeys, and idols of half man, half animals.

This worship’s goal, also, is to invoke the Kundalini serpent power, to open pathways in the spine for the flow of Kundalini energy. This opens the third eye. When this is released, body movements become serpent-like. Drugs and Yoga both shut down life’s reality. However, Yoga is endorsed as a beneficial mind-body exercise.

During a casual conversation with a spirit-filled pastor, he said, “In a prayer line, a lady came up to me and started manifesting like a snake.” He nor I did not know the origin of this evil at the time. Now I know, and so do you. We can cast it out in the name of Jesus, and share the Truth.

Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. –Leviticus 19:31 NKJV).

Spirit of Counsel

How Does the Holy Spirit Counsel?

During the morning before the prayer/healing meeting I opened my Passion Translation bible and read Psalm 139: 4-5. I didn’t know at that time how much comfort it would bring.

3–4 You are so intimately aware of me, Lord.
You read my heart like an open book
and you know all the words I’m about to speak
before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.
5 You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way,
    and in kindness you follow behind me
to spare me from the harm of my past.[a]
You have laid your hand on me!

This is a perfect example of what Psalm 119:24 means, “Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.” God’s word is His Word to us. Simple, but Oh! So comforting to the soul and to our hearts when they come at just the right time.

The Holy Spirit Counsels Through Godly People

Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king in Judah. “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart (2 Chronicles 25:2 NKJV).

When he was to make war against Edom, he hired 100,000 men from Israel to help him fight. But a man of God came to him advising him not to let these men go with him. He listened to this advice and released the men from war.

However, ‘after Amaziah came from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of his enemies, set them up to be his gods, and bowed down before them and burned incense to them.

“Therefore, the anger of the Lord was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?” (2 Chron. 25: 14-15).

Amaziah’s heart revealed his lack of surrender to the One and Only Lord God, and he worshipped gods that could not even rescue his enemy. He listened to one godly man, but not the prophet.

He said to the prophet, “Have we made you the king’s counselor? Cease! Why should you be killed?” Then the prophet ceased, and said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”

In the process of time, a conspiracy was made against Amaziah, and he was killed by his enemies. Nowhere in the Scripture does it say he sought the Lord’s counsel and God’s heart about any decision he needed to make. In contrast, the Psalms are full of King David’s conversations with the Lord and God’s counsel to him.

What Does the Christian Believe to Be Able to Know the True Spirit of Counsel?

1)      The Lord himself exalts above all things His name and His word, the holy Bible. For any person who comes along beside Him to do the same, He will bring signs following (Psalm 138:2; Mark 16:19).

2)      There is only one God, the Creator and Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father’s name is Yahweh (Hebrew); Jesus’ name is Yeshua (Hebrew), and He is God.

3)      Jesus, the Christ and Messiah, was born of the Virgin Mary, incarnate without human father––through the power of Holy Spirit. Jesus led a sinless life, took on himself our sin on the cross, was brutally crucified, suffered and died, and went to hell so we don’t have to go there. He paid the price for our sin, but LIFE eternal is only for those who believe and accept this free gift of grace.

4)      Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today, sits at the right hand of the Father, and through the Holy Spirit empowers people on earth, who believe, accept and receive Him by faith.

5)      We are accountable to God to live a life separated from sin and to seek love to be the highest aim. It is our responsibility to contribute by word and deed to the spread of this Gospel of Jesus, the Christ – the Messiah.

6)      We believe that Jesus died and rose again and will return again. According to the Lord’s own word . . . “we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive, and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1Thessalonians 4: 14-18 NIV).

We Can Bring Comfort of Peace and Joy to Others

These words from Psalm 139: 5:

You know every step I will take before my journey even begins.
5 You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way,
    and in kindness you follow behind me

in the New King James Version of the Bible say, “You have hedged me behind and before.” Meaning, the Christian is in God’s grasp, and nothing or nothing can take him/her out of His hand.

In addition, by having accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. we have the Spirit of Counsel in our hearts.  We then also become counselors of peace and joy (Prov. 12:20). Thereby, we will comfort those with which we have been comforted by God.

All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort. He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TPT

What trial have you come through with the Spirit of Counsel’s help with which you can comfort others? This points to your purpose in life.

# # #

You may find this chapter from my e-course helpful: How to Hear God’s Voice in Making Decisions – Line up the 3 Harbor Lights: God’s Word 80%; Godly Counselors 10%; Circumstances 10%

More Scriptures of Spirit of Counsel and Comfort

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has informed Him? Isaiah 40:13

Wow to the rebellious children, says the Lord, who take counsel, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin. Isaiah 30:1

Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. Proverbs 15:22

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 24:6

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What is the Spirit of Power and Might and How Can I Get it to Overcome Fear and Discouragement?

“Don’t spend those three dollars; keep it for the babysitter tonight,” Jim told me.

“Okay.” A friend was taking me to a women’s meeting the next morning and driving, so I didn’t need gasoline; I thought, no problem.

It was October 12, 1978, and our last payroll check had been spent. The last of our savings was gone, too. I totaled the bills: $252.00! We had expected to have another job by now, but we didn’t. We prayed over the bills and gave them to the Lord.

The longer I looked at the bills, the more frightened I became. Confused and desperate, I decided to take a shower. I didn’t know it would be with my own tears. Fear as I had never known enveloped me.

I thought about the words of Jesus after he said not to worry about what we shall eat or drink or wear, “Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33). But Really? How can this possibly be true for a time like this?

After my shower, I put away the bills, got out my Bible, sat down, and turned to Ephesians 6. It read, “Wherefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

I said, “Lord, we have presented ourselves to you, no strings attached, and nothing has happened yet as we had expected. We’ve done all we know to do in order to obey you, and we will stand.” Immediately, peace flooded my soul.

I thought, this must be the peace that passes all understanding that the Bible talks about, (see Phil. 4:7). I began to see that Jesus and His Word truly are one and the same and that His Word is powerful. His living Word dispelled all fear and discouragement!

This was just the beginning of when I learned what it meant to overcome in God’s power and might, rather than my own. I will share the rest of the story soon but know that by the time you finish reading this article, you will know that God’s purposes will ONLY be accomplished by the Spirit of Power and Might in our lives and on this earth. In fact, no good thing will stand without it, for without HIM, we can do NOTHING! (John 15:5).

The Spirit of Power and Might: What is His Name?

As a reminder, Isaiah’s seven-spirit prophecy says a BRANCH will grow (Jesus Christ), and “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and MIGHT the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2 NKJV).

“For Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called” (Isaiah 54:5 Amplified).

The Lord of hosts’ Hebrew name is Jehovah-Sabaoth. It has a dual meaning – that of our Bridegroom who is coming for His Bride, the Church worldwide, very soon, and as Supreme Commander of the Universe.

Host means, tsâbâ’, “The basic meaning is service done for a superior, usually military service . . . . Although the title of tsâbâ’ has military overtones, it points directly to Jehovah’s rulership over the entire universe. He stands ready to intervene for His people at any moment.”5 The Lord of hosts took David from among the sheep to rule over His people Israel (see 2 Sam. 7: 8).

He did this by working through David who killed the giant Goliath saying, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted” (1 Sam. 17:45 NASB); thus, the Lord of hosts intervened for Israel in defeating the Philistines through one willing vessel—David.

What is The Meaning of ‘Might’?

The Hebrew word for might is chayil, meaning strength, POWER, force, might–especially an army; valor, substance, wealth. It basically means force, especially military strength. This definition defines Jehovah-Sabaoth who is more powerful than any force on earth. He is assembling His military army bride today.

The Hebrew word tsâbâ’ (Sabaoth) for ‘host’ is derived from a verbal root which means to amass (an army or servants), to assemble, to muster (soldiers, 11 Kings 25:19; Jer. 52:25), to collect, to fight, to perform, to go forth to war, to wage war (Num. 31:7: Isa. 29:7, 8; 31:4. Zech. 14:12) to do military service.9

Psalm 110:3 speaks of people who will volunteer freely in the day of His power—as in military service of the Lord. Are we not seeing this today among ordinary people?

The Power of God Is Shown Best Through Vessels of Clay

The greatest displays of God’s power are not necessarily episodes of military force, mighty acts, or creative splendor. Rather, the supremacy of God’s power is seen in the way He accomplishes His purposes through mere vessels of clay made mighty because He has infused them with His power by His Spirit. They are His Bride.

The book of Zechariah gives an overall picture of the might and power of God at work in Earth and in our lives. Except for the book of Ezekiel, Zechariah prophesies the most details of the coming of Messiah/Jesus four hundred years before He is born.

The prophet Zechariah calls the Israelis to repent after 50,000 of them returned to Jerusalem which was destroyed by Babylon. After 70 years of captivity, under an edict of Cyrus with the leadership of Zerubbabel, they quickly rebuilt the altar and began repair on the temple.

We soon learn that the temple would not be finished through muscular power or physical stamina of the workmen; rather, it would be accomplished by the empowering of the Spirit of God.

It’s NOT by Might, nor by POWER, but only by God’s Spirit Anything Is Accomplished

Before long, apathy set in as they were opposed by Samaritans who got an order from the Persian government to halt construction. For twelve long years construction was halted by discouragement and preoccupation with other pursuits.

Zechariah urged the people to return to the Lord and His purpose to restore the ruined temple. The Spirit of the Lord gave him visions that encouraged the people.

One vision was to encourage Zerubbabel who was about to succumb to discouragement. From the Message Bible you will recognize this from Revelation 4:5 and the “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God”––the menorah, as described in my previous article:The 7 Spirits of God Key to Supernatural Life of a Christian.

Menorah 7 Lamps of fire
The 7 Spirits of God – Menorah

A Lampstand and Two Olive Trees: The Spirit of Power and Might

The Messenger-Angel again called me to attention. It was like being wakened out of deep sleep.

The Lampstand

He said, “What do you see?”

I answered, “I see a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top. Seven lamps, each with seven spouts, are set on the bowl. And there are two olive trees, one on either side of the bowl.”

Then I asked the Messenger-Angel, “What does this mean, sir?”

The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?”

“No, sir,” I said.

Then he said, “This is God’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill. He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’”

After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!”

Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes of God probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.”

The Two Olive Trees

“And the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand?” I asked. “What’s the meaning of them? And while you’re at it, the two branches of the olive trees that feed oil to the lamps—what do they mean?”

He said, “You haven’t figured that out?”

I said, “No, sir.”

He said, “These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide.” – Zechariah, chapter 4

This passage says, ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

The New King James Version says, it’s ‘Not by Might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Discouragement can always be answered with God’s ability to grace and empower the human soul. His might is seen by what He does through the weak, the insignificant, the powerless – a Babe born in Bethlehem, a timid fearful Gideon, a melancholy Jeremiah, a band of twelve ordinary men, and a remnant Church of weary warriors.

As long as the heart is turned toward Him in childlike trust, He will enable anyone to complete the work to which He has called them. And so, they completed repairing the temple.

What is the Spirit of Power and Might and How Can I Get it to Overcome Fear and Discouragement

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Zechariah Had Two Visions That Show God’s Supreme Power on Earth

The following two short visions from Zechariah, chapter 5, I believe, are being fulfilled as well as other end-time prophesies from his book.

The Flying Book shows God’s power and judgment over evil. The size of the book denounces the sins of perjury and of thieves. God is reaping and dividing the tares from the wheat––which is written to only be done at the end-time harvest (Matthew 13:30).

The Flying Book

I looked up again and saw—surprise!—a book on the wing! A book flying!

The Messenger-Angel said to me, “What do you see now?”

I said, “I see a book flying, a huge book—thirty feet long and fifteen wide!”

He told me, “This book is the verdict going out worldwide against thieves and liars. The first half of the book disposes of everyone who steals; the second half takes care of everyone who lies. I launched it”—Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies—“and so it will fly into the house of every thief and every liar. It will land in each house and tear it down, timbers and stones.”

A Woman in a Basket

This vision shows forth God’s ultimate power over sin and wickedness in the earth:

The Messenger-Angel appeared and said, “Look up. Tell me what you see.”

I said, “What in the world is that?”

He said, “This is a bushel basket on a journey. It holds the sin of everyone, everywhere.”

Then the lid made of lead was removed from the basket—and there was a woman sitting in it!

He said, “This is Miss Wickedness.” He pushed her back down into the basket and clamped the lead lid over her.

Then I looked up and to my surprise saw two women flying. On outstretched wings they airlifted the bushel basket into the sky.

I said to the Messenger-Angel, “Where are they taking the bushel basket?”

He said, “East to the land of Shinar. They will build a garage to house it. When it’s finished, the basket will be stored there.”

As it says in “Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

We know Jesus Christ died once for ALL mankind. He paid the price for ALL sin and overturned the state of the sin nature in man which came upon him through the sin of Adam and Eve.

But ONLY those who receive what Jesus did for him/her personally will receive eternal life and be saved from eternal death and punishment in hell. We will be held accountable for sin and the choice we make, and if we choose against the blood Jesus shed for us, we will pay the price in our body that He paid for us in His body on the cross.

What is the POWER God gives us and how can we get it?

I continually see people striving to achieve eternal life in their own power. They are believing doctrines of demons telling them lies that they can reach a higher state of consciousness looking within for their own strength––that they can be God.

Without realizing it, I was there, too, until one day God spoke in my ear the words, no good in me. I wondered if these words were in the Bible. I found them in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells, for to will is present with me; but how to perform what is good I do not find.”

Immediately, I realized I was trying to be good in my own strength, and that I could never attain God’s‘good’ Spirit of Power and Might in my life. He gave me a vision that when He looked at me, He saw Jesus’ red blood He shed for me. He saw Jesus’ perfection––His goodness only.

It would not be long until Acts 1:8 caught my attention: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

When we receive the Spirit of Almighty God, we are receiving the same dynamos power that raised Jesus from the dead. He comes to live inside us, for “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).

What is the Spirit of Power and Might and How Can I Get it to Overcome Fear and Discouragement?

My journey in how to receive this power from God is documented in detail in my booklet I give away on this site, Eyes Wide Open. Life has been a powerful and exciting journey ever since. I know it will help you.

The Bible records 695 times in the New Testament where Jesus talks about His power and the giving of it to his disciples; there are 655 occurrences in the Old Testament.

My favorite in the O.T. is Psalm 62:11, “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: That Power belongs to God!”

My favorite in the N.T. is Jesus speaking in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

What Should I Do with God’s Power and Might and HOW?

The first step in knowing what to do with the power God gives us is to know what He has NOT given us. He has NOT given us the spirit of fear which is from Satan.

I challenge you to memorize from the Amplified version, 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God did NOT give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power, and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

When you are faced with a fear of any kind: a need of healing, health in midst of plagues (remember Psalm 91), marriage problems, parenting problems, whatever, speak aloud God’s Word over it and yourself and you will find peace that passes understanding.

Be obedient to what God reveals to you. You will experience God’s power over the situation. He is the One who makes you an over comer! Click here for Scripture printable pdf: Quick Start Guide to Supernatural Answers to Your Concerns

When You Don’t Know How to Pray for the Spirit of Power and Might for Peace

When you don’t know how to pray, confess the Zechariah 4:6 Rock:

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” – “being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

My problem just so happened to be money in 1978. Money has not been a problem since that whole year without steady employment and every need met:

The ending of my beginning story:

The next morning my friend came to pick me up. The meeting was like nothing I had ever attended. The speaker spoke about victory in all our trials and that we will have many Jordan Rivers to cross in our lifetime.

At the conclusion, the attendees were asked to give an offering. Small envelopes were on the table for that gift. I thought about the three dollars in my purse and what Jim had said. Then, my thoughts wandered to the widow Jesus observed giving into the temple treasury. “Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny” (Mark 12:41-42).

Jesus told his disciples that she had put in more than all the others. “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43).

I wondered, what happened to that poor widow who gave all she had? The Bible doesn’t say. So, without hesitating, I pulled out the three dollars and stuffed it in the envelope. After the meeting, I saw a hand, out of the corner of my eye, put something in my outside purse pocket.

Retreating to the car, heart beating wildly, I opened the envelope. There was $11.00—a ten- dollar bill plus one dollar for the tithe! I was overcome with the feeling I was in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, who says that whoever believes in Him, streams of living water will flow from within him—a never-ending stream of joy (see John 7:38). I asked my friend if she had put that envelope in my purse. She had not.

Jim gave $5.00 to our Bible study leaders (to God) that night, leaving $5.00 for the babysitter and one dollar for us. After the meeting, our leader said, “It’s time we give our tithe to the Lord from the proceeds of these meetings. We do that by giving away one night’s offering.” Then he said it would go to us. We had not told him about our situation, but he said he would call us later with the amount. It was $254.00—two dollars over our immediate needs we had written down and taken to the Lord, and one dollar was the tithe returned to us. I thought, in determining our needs, why hadn’t we added in the tithe?*

My soul, wait ONLY upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He ONLY is my ROCK and my SALVATION; He is my DEFENSE and my FORTRESS. I shall not be moved! Psalm 62:5-6 NKJV

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21 NKJV

*The above story is an excerpt from the workbook God gave me in 2008. Forty other people’s stories, besides my family’s, help the reader understand who they are by knowing who God is . . . and what faith is and how to implement it to receive all God has for them. Since then, I’ve taught it in small groups and one on one to help new and nominal believers understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and be ready for His return. I’ve seen no better workbook to accomplish this goal. You can check it out here: GOD Who Are You? AND Who Am I? Knowing and Experiencing God by His Hebrew Names.

What is the Spirit of Power and Might and How Can I Get it to Overcome Fear and Discouragement

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Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, Used by permission of Zondervan

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How I Am Learning the 7 Pillars of Wisdom Essential to Build Life

I’m still learning, but  I’m convinced that the 7 pillars of wisdom are like supporting beams in our house and have to do with personal relationships, or how we deal with our family or any community in which we are involved.

This post is one in the Seven Spirits of God series. There are so many aspects of Wisdom that it would take seven posts just for this one subject, so we will narrow it down to the 7 Pillars of Wisdom:

What are the 7 Pillars of Wisdom?

Have you ever heard of the 7 pillars of wisdom? And if you have, do you know what they are? I recently read this phrase as I was reading Proverbs, chapter 9, on the 9th day of one recent month.

Since there are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs written by the wisest man in the world, King Solomon, reading one per day is what many Christians do. Until this day, I never gave this phrase a second thought. And, I wondered, what are those 7 pillars?

As I began to meditate on this chapter, the thought came to me that maybe this wise man would not mention them without telling us what they were. And, just maybe he did not number them like we would today. I was astounded at what I discovered. Also, I believe that without a recent encounter with a ‘scorner’ I would not have recognized these 7 pillars. Please learn from my mistake

The first verse says, “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out and set up her seven [perfect number of] pillars” (Amplified).

Webster’s dictionary defines house as a “household; a family under the same roof; a religious community in residence.” Thus, that is why we are looking at relationships – present and future.

It’s in verses 6 through 12 where we find the nuggets of gold: insight and understanding; discernment; reprove not a scorner; look for the FAT; a reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord; promise of long life; and wisdom is for oneself.

How I Am Learning the 7 Pillars of Wisdom

Number 1 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Insight and Understanding

Verse 6 says, “Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding” (NKJV). The Amplified version includes the word ‘insight.’ Spiritual insight can come only from taking time to dig deep to get understanding from the Word of God.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Proverbs 4:7: “in all thy getting, get an understanding.” This is the verse that changed my life when my children were young. It alerted me to the fact that I had to put in effort with discipline to learn Wisdom, I had to seek God, and that I could learn from Him myself.

Verse 5 shows exactly how to get insight and understanding, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the spiritual wine” – this is the Word of God. This is Jesus Himself who is the Word made flesh and blood. He calls to us to hear and listen to His voice and open the door. He promises, “I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he will eat with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

Number 2 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Discernment

Verse 7: “He who rebukes a scorner heaps upon himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man gets for himself bruises.” Okay, here’s the problem. How do we know when to try to correct in love and when to withhold our tongue or texts? Namely, to have discernment.

The Bible tells us “if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). Many have given the wisdom to learn from other’s mistakes, so that you don’t have to make all of them yourself. I hope you can learn from my lack of wisdom.

A fellow brother in community took offense with a situation which involved several of my friends. He immediately took to the internet to spout abusive words against them by name. I prayed about the situation a lot and felt led to write him a letter of encouragement with just a hint of correction with a Scripture from Isaiah the Lord showed me.

In Isaiah 65:2, God laments that He has “stretched out His hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts [and opinions].” Did you catch that?

God equates REBELLION to a person’s own thoughts and opinions in contrast to hearing and heading HIS THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS!

God equates REBELLION to a person's own thoughts and opinions in contrast to hearing and heeding HIS THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS! Click to Tweet

The Bible also says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. I did not mention that in the letter, but maybe I should have; this person responded to my email just fine, but the behavior did not change.

I was extremely concerned about this situation and kept praying until the Lord gave me a dream. I saw a baby spit up a whole bunch. The Lord seems to say, “What do you do when this happens?”

“Well, Lord, I wipe it up and throw it away.”

“Exactly, and, remember this is my baby. Only I can make it grow. Just keep praying, and trust Me.”

Discernment of when to CONFRONT IN LOVE is not easy, but it’s getting easier  – because of the next pillar.

Number 3 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Reprove Not a Scorner

How I Am Learning The Seven Pillars of WisdomHere it is, just plain and simple:  DO NOT reprove the scorner, scoffer or mocker!! As plain as day, just don’t do it God says! I wish I’d learned this sooner.

Verse 8, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” So, what is a scorner anyway? Webster’s for scorn: “to reject or dismiss as contemptible or unworthy; open dislike and disrespect or derision often mixed with indignation.”

Discernment calls for recognizing this in an individual and to just stay away. Let it go! “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Timothy 2:23).

“A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise” (Prov. 15:12). This person has never prayed, “Lord, change me,” nor, gone to the Word for insight and understanding himself.

On the other hand, “rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.” Thankfully, I’ve experienced this. The surprise response was, “Thank you.”

Number 4 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Look for the FAT

Verse 9, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” How do we discern the wise man or woman? Here is what I learned from my friend GRETCHEN’S STORY. Look for FAT people:

F – Faithful

A – Available

T – Teachable

As a Bible study leader, I’ve found it hard  to find faithful, available and teachable people. Hard in the sense that they are few. These are ones who have come to the end of themselves, and discovered they are powerless without The Rock to stand on. These are hurting people in crisis mode who are ready to put in the effort to become very wise.

Number 5 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Have a reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord

Verse 10, “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The Knowledge of the Holy One – it’s taken years of walking with the Lord to realize that His ways and His thoughts are so much higher than mine (Isaiah 55:9). He taught me that there are seasons that begin and end in my life.

Our city-wide women’s group lasted only seven years. These are the women you are reading about in GOD Who Are You? AND Who Am I? e-course on this site.  In year eight, the Lord no longer brought women to me who were ready and willing to share their testimony, and everyone I had to go to and ask, turned me down. What is going on here, Lord? I thought.

A wise woman said to me, “I’ve found there are seasons in our lives and that they change.”

A wise woman said to me, “I’ve found there are seasons in our lives and that they change.” Click to Tweet

Shortly, my husband retired, and we moved from town to our next assignment. Many could not understand; we did not really understand, but it’s as the Word says, “Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?” (Proverbs 20:24).

Number 6 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Promise of Long Life

Verse 11, “For by me [Wisdom from God] your days shall be multiplied, and years of your life shall be increased.” This is straightforward. What a great God we serve who is always ready to reward those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11: 6). There is no end to His promises!

Number 7 of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom: Wisdom is for Oneself

Verse 12, “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scorn, you alone will bear it and pay the penalty.” Be wise for yourself. Here is the crux of it all:

We need wisdom to know our seasons.

Daniel 2:21 makes it clear, “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding!”

We may not be able to understand our season, possibly that we are only moving from one to the next, and that the only way to get there is to remove our feet from one bank of the river to get to the other side. Our responsibility, though, is to know when it’s time to get on the offensive team to be ready for the next assignment from the Lord He has planned for us.

We need wisdom to discern God’s plans and purposes for our life

No one else can understand what God is doing in our life. Even then, most times it’s only when we get beyond the present circumstances that we can look back and understand those plans and purposes.

Even Jesus was hardly ever understood; how much more should we expect to be misunderstood? This is one of the hardest things to endure, and I call it spiritual persecution. Jesus tells us that it is those from our own household where division will come.

We need wisdom to not merely live to please others

Consequently, we cannot live to please other people.  PLEASERS do not know who they are, nor who God is. They are not happy and will never take a stand;  merely a chameleon changing with everyone else’s thoughts and opinions.

Pleasers will never be able to move forward and to claim the promise given for a long, happy and productive life with the 7 pillars of wisdom essential to build LIFE.

Not One Of These 7 Pillars Can be Missing for LIFE

I know that not one of these 7 pillars can be missing from our life if we want to have peace, and lack of anxiety and turmoil in all the choices we make. In other words, they are essential for life and to be able to move forward and to claim the promise we’re given for a long, happy and productive life.

I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you (Psalm 32:8-9).

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid (Prov. 12:1).

Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die (Proverbs 15:10).

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