AS IT IS WRITTEN....IN COVENANT - WITH WISDOM COMES LONG LIFE (2)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gertrudster/517683661/

with thanks for usage of photos on your website. May God bless you richly

 

  

BLUE ZONES

WHERE PEOPLE LIVE UP TO 120 YEARS OF AGE

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Aging Gracefully: Blue Zones

http://www.lacera.com/healthcare/StayingHealthyTogether/ag_blue_zones.html
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BlueZones.com DR OZ 
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Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-204894/How-live-100-years-old.html#ixzz2LdMs3uh5



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Ikaria Share

BBC REPORT

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The Island Where People Forget to Die - NYTimes.com

www.nytimes.com/.../the-island-where-people-forget-to-die.html?...al

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REPORT:

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ikaria-greece-longevity-secrets-2012-7?op=1#ixzz2LdT8tfC0

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Sardinia, Italy | Blue Zones

www.bluezones.com/live-longer/education/.../sardinia-italy 

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THE BLUE ZONES ARE:

SARDINIA, ITALY

IKARIA, GREECE

OKINAWA, JAPAN

NICOYA, COSTA RICA

LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA

Could we all be living to the age of 100 with the right food and lifestyle? Around the world there are communities where people live for up to 120 years.
Here, we reveal the five longevity 'hot spots', their health secrets - and what you can learn from them

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Japan - The Okinawa Archipelago

a group of 161 coral islands
in the East China Sea

is home to the Earth's longest-living people. They have the lowest levels of heart disease and strokes in the world.   



Diet:
The traditional Okinawan diet is based on sweet potatoes, leafy greens and whole grains, and is supplemented with fish, rice, pork and soya products, all foods rich in anti-cancer and anti-ageing antioxidants which fight the free radical cells that cause cancer.
Freshly caught fish: eaten two or three times a week, is a good source of omega 3 essential fatty acids.Soya: eaten by Okinawans regularly, protects against cancers and lowers levels of 'bad' cholesterol. Whole grains and noodles: constitute a third of the diet. Noodles made from buckwheat contain anti-cancer vitamin B17.
Meat: they love pork but eat meat with the fat trimmed off and usually boiled. Salt: used sparingly so they do not suffer from illnesses associated with high salt intake such as high blood pressure. Green tea: drunk three times a day scented with jasmine flowers, it has more antioxidants than any other food or drink, as well as catechins, thought to stop cancer cells reproducing.
Lifestyle: Most Okinawan islanders are fishermen or farmers and work outdoors even into their 80s, taking regular aerobic exercise, including martial arts and traditional dance, as well as gardening and walking. They also meditate regularly, which, studies suggest, can slow the ageing process.

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Greek Island of Symi

On the Greek island of Symi, situated off the Turkish coast about an hour by sea from Rhodes, inhabitants regularly live to their 90s.
Diet Symiots enjoy olive oil, fish, tomato sauces, vegetables, salads and little meat. Raw or lightly cooked vegetables form the bulk of the meals and there are plenty of the right types of fat, low amounts of saturated fat and an absence of refined or processed foods.
Extra virgin olive oil: consumed with everything, it raises levels of 'good' cholesterol and aids digestion.Fruit and vegetables: artichokes, green beans, stuffed vine leaves, potatoes and Greek salads are a key part of the diet.
Tomatoes:
researchers believe the tomato is a source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red colour.Garlic: eaten with everything and contains at least 12 different antioxidants, including selenium and zinc.
Capers: used in salads and in rabbit and fish dishes. They are thought to ease stomach ailments and other conditions. Homemade wholemeal bread: Made with wholemeal wheat and sesame seeds which contain fibre, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin E.
Organic feta cheese and yoghurt: feta is made from ewe's or goat's milk, which is easier on digestion.Wine: drunk with most meals and credited for the low rates of heart attacks.
Lifestyle: Islanders enjoy low stress and happy families, and some experts believe that Mediterranean men's ability to express their feelings may lower stress and help to make the heart healthy.

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Greek Island of Ikaria

Aegean Sea

The remote island of Ikaria in Greece is one hotspot of exceptional human longevity. Here, there are more healthy people over 90 than any other place on the planet.

Buettner and his team spent 15 months studying the centenarians of Ikaria. The trip was documented in a series of videos, in which the researchers identified eight major secrets to reaching a record-setting age. 

First, some geography. Ikaria is an isolated Greek island in the Aegean Sea.

For centuries, the natural hot springs on the Greek island of Ikaria (or Icaria) have attracted healthy minded visitors....

More recently it has been identified as one of a small number of so-called "blue zones" by the author Dan Buettner and National Geographic, where residents enjoy great longevity. Other places include Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, and Loma Linda in California. 

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BLUE ZONE RECIPES

 

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BLUE ZONE RECIPES

INTERNET WEBSITES

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 The Garum Factory | Great food, real life

thegarumfactory.net/Cached

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We're back on course to the next Blue Zone* – the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica! ... But the Blue Zone of the Nicoya Penisula does not include the coast – it is ...

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01 Blue Zones Recipes www.bluezones.com/wp-content/.../02/01-Blue-Zones-Recipes.pdf

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BLUE ZONES' TARO AND KIDNEY BEAN STEW. Serves 6 a main course. • This dish is an old winter specialty from Ikaria. The recipe is adapted from a small ...

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Blog | Blue Zones | Live Longer, Better www.bluezones.com/blog/Cached

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Bring the flavors of Ikaria, Greece into your home with our Blue Zones eggplant salad. This fresh and filling recipe is flavored by herbs you can grow in your ...

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5 healthy meal ideas from the Blue Zones | Recipes | Eat Well | Best ...
www.besthealthmag.ca › Eat Well › RecipesCached

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Jun 26, 2012 – Try these meal ideas from the areas of the world where people live the longest.

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Ageless Living with Dr. Oz: Secrets of the Blue Zone - Oprah.com
www.oprah.com/.../Ageless-Living-with-Dr-Oz-Secrets-... - United StatesCached

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Nov 25, 2008 – Get healthy recipes from America's only blue zone; Dan Buettner's book is The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've ...

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Recipes from areas where people live longer | abc7.com
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May 30, 2011 – The Blue Zones are areas around the world where people live measurably longer. So what are they doing differently?

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Blue zones: Longevity tips and tricks | Food Freedom News foodfreedomgroup.com/2012/.../blue-zones-longevity-tips-and-tricks...Cached

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Mar 11, 2012 – Eat meat in small portions (the size of a deck of cards) fewer than twice weekly. For recipe ideas download our Blue Zones Recipe Booklet. 6.

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Sardinian Secrets: Foods of the Longest-Lived - Cooking Light
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In Blue Zones, such as Sardinia, people live to 100 at unusually high rates. Learn what their ... The best recipes are rustic, hearty, straightforward preparations.

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Blue Zone Super Foods | LIVESTRONG.COM  www.livestrong.com › ... › Super Diet Foods › Blue Zone Super FoodsCached - Similar

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May 3, 2011 – In his book, The Blue Zones, author Dan Buettner identifies several areas throughout the world where ... 4 Ways to Cook Zone Diet Recipes ...

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Cooking with Diane on the Blue Zone Island of Ikaria | Greek Food ... dianekochilas.com/classes-tours/ikaria-cooking-school - United StatesCached

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JOIN US FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEK ON THE BLUE ZONE ISLAND OF IKARIA. ... Greek Food – Greek Cooking – Greek Recipes by Diane Kochilas 

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Greek Longevity Diet | Diane Kochilas | Zester Daily  zesterdaily.com/recipe/greek-longevity-cuisine/Cached

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Feb 16, 2011 – greek longevity diet and taro and kidney bean stew recipe. ... Two years ago, Dan Buettner, author of “The Blue Zones,” a book on the areas in ...

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Homemade Minestrone Soup – Italian Recipe of Longevity

If you ask a long time resident of Sardinia what their “secret of longevity” is, chances are they’ll tell you it’s Minestrone Soup (vegetable soup). In a recent news story about a family of siblings ranging in age from 89-105, Minestrone is made and eaten regularly. It’s called the Italian Recipe of Longevity. However, the type of Minestrone we’re talking about is not something you eat from a can of Campbell’s. It’s homemade with fresh vegetables picked from the backyard garden. Part of the “secret” is the fact that many of the siblings still work in the garden and that gives them a “natural” form of exercise. I’m sure none of them have spent much time, if any, in a gym or aerobic’s class.

This particular recipe is filled with fresh onions, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, celery, green beans, kidney, cannellini beans (white kidney), and orzo. One of the other elements that the siblings mentioned, was their secret infusion of herbs, that they use regularly in their recipes. I wish it was possible to find out exactly what their mixture is, but that will have to remain a secret. It certainly may include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil and sage. Maybe some hot red pepper too if you like it a little spicier.

Either save vegetable broth from steamed veggies or purchase a box or can that is low in salt.

The fresher the veggies the better but if they aren’t available, you can use whatever is available either fresh, frozen or in a can.

I have to say this is THE most delicious minestrone recipe I’ve tasted.

Enjoy your Homemade Minestrone Soup with freshly grated parmesan, or a nice chunk of goat or sheep cheese, freshly baked bread, and a nice glass of red wine. Eat like a Sardinian and live a long healthy, and enjoyable life!

Baby Boomstercom

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Blue Zones

The Healthiest Places on the Planet

TED Talk on the “Blue Zones”

Watch the video where National Geographic writer and explorer, Dan Buettner, study the world’s “Blue Zones” to find the path to long live and health:
 
TED Talk – Dan Buettner on “How to Live to be 100+”

 

The Book on “Blue Zones”

Dan Buettner wrote a book on the Blue Zones. It’s a New York Times Bestseller with rave reviews.

• The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest

 

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And the LORD said

My spirit shall

not always strive with man

for that he also is flesh

yet his days shall be

an hundred and twenty years

(GEN 6:3)

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WHEN BLOOD GETS

THICKER THAN WATER

KENNETH COPELAND

BELIEVER’S VOICE OF VICTORY MAGAZINE APRIL 2000

WHEN I WAS A KID, I ALWAYS WANTED A BLOOD BROTHER. I WANTED ONE SO BAD, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I NEVER HAD ANY BROTHERS OR SISTERS, SO I TRIED TO GET MY FRIENDS TO BECOME BLOOD BROTHERS.

I REMEMBER THINKING, INDIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BLOOD BROTHERS….

I NEVER COULD FIND ANY WHITE BOYS WHO WANTED TO SEE THEIR OWN BLOOD. IT WAS NEAT IN THE MOVIES, BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO MAKE ‘THE CUT’ THEY DIDN’T WANT ANY PART OF IT.

TODAY, IN OUR CIVILISED SOCIETY, WE ARE NOT VERY AWARE OF OR CONSCIOUS OF COVENANTS - AT LEAST, NOT LIKE OUR ANCESTORS WERE- PARTICULARLY, BLOOD COVENANTS.

IN ANCIENT DAYS, AMONG ALL TRIBES OF PEOPLE AND ALL CIVILIZATIONS, THERE WAS THE COMMON PRACTICE OF COVENANTS MADE BY BLOOD. THESE BLOOD COVENANTS WERE A MATTER OF TOTALLY GIVING ONESELF TO ANOTHER FOR LIFE WITHOUT ANY RESERVATION. IT MEANT COMPLETE LOYALTY. WHAT’S MORE, ONCE A BLOOD COVENANT WAS CUT BETWEEN TWO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES, THAT COVENANT WAS AN AGREEMENT THAT LASTED FOR AT LEAST EIGHT GENERATIONS.

WITH THE PASSING OF TIME, HOWEVER, AND THE MORE ‘SOPHISTICATED’ OUR CULTURES BECAME, THE HUMAN FAMILY STRAYED FROM SUCH COVENANTS. CONSEQUENTLY, TODAY, MANY BELIEVERS ARE UNAWARE OF THEIR OWN BLOOD COVENANT WITH GOD. THEY HAVE NO REAL UNDERSTANDING OF ETERNAL PROMISES WRITTEN IN THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS.

IN THAT COVENANT OF BLOOD, GOD HAS PROVIDED EVERYTHING WE NEED TO TAKE AUTHORITY OVER OUR FLESH AND LET THE IMAGE OF CHRIST BE FULLY FORMED IN US. GOD’S COVENANT HAS GIVEN US THE POWER TO SUCCEED IN EVERY TASK AND FULFILL EVERY DREAM HE HAS PUT IN OUR HEARTS. SO, LET’S TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE RICH DEPTH AND RANGE OF PROMISES GOD MADE IN HIS COVENANT WITH US, SEALED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

IN THE DAYS OF THE ANCIENT HEBREW NATION, FAMILIES CUT COVENANT AS WELL. IN FACT, THE HEBREW WORD FOR COVENANT LITERALLY MEANS “A CUT WHERE BLOOD FLOWS”. THESE BLOOD COVENANTS WERE THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND SCRIPTURES SUCH AS PROVERBS 18:24 WHICH SAYS, ‘…THERE IS A FRIEND THAT STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.’ THEY WERE ALSO THE REASONING BEHIND PHRASES SUCH AS, ‘BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER.’

THE MOTIVE BEHIND BLOOD COVENANTS WAS QUITE SIMPLY, DIFFERENCES - THAT IS, COVENANTS WERE BASED ON THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED. FOR INSTANCE, ONE FAMILY OR TRIBE MIGHT BE GOOD FARMERS, WHILE A NEIGHBOURING FAMILY OR TRIBE MIGHT BE KNOWN FOR BEING SUPERIOR WARRIORS. SO, WHY NOT COME TOGETHER AND CUT COVENANT AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF EACH OTHER - ESPECIALLY IF THE FARMERS WERE ALWAYS GETTING ROBBED AND THE WARRIORS WERE ALWAYS GOING HUNGRY.

BEFORE THESE COVENANTS COULD BE MADE, HOWEVER, THERE WERE USUALLY LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES. AFTER ALL, AN AGREEMENT MADE IN BLOOD SPANNING EIGHT GENERATIONS WAS SERIOUS BUSINESS.

TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLOOD COVENANTS, AS WELL AS OUR COVENANT WITH GOD, IT WOULD HELP US TO WALK THROUGH THE SEVEN STEPS OF A TRADITIONAL HEBREW COVENANT CEREMONY.

STEP 1 EACH FAMILY, OR PARTY, CHOSE A COVENANT REPRESENTATIVE

THE PERSON REPRESENTING THE FAMILY WAS ALWAYS THE FAMILY’S BEST - THE SMARTEST, THE STRONGEST, FLEETEST OF FOOT.

LIKEWISE THE ANIMALS TO BE USED IN THE COVENANT CEREMONY WERE ALWAYS THE BEST. THEY WERE CAREFULLY SELECTED AND PREPARED. THE HEBREW PEOPLE HAD LEARNED THIS EARLY ON WHEN GOD INSTRUCTED THEM TO OFFER ONLY THE BEST WHEN BRINGING SACRIFICES TO HIM. HE DIDN’T WANT ONE-EYED, DISEASED ANIMALS ON HIS ALTAR.

CONSEQUENTLY, THIS IS WHERE THE TERM THE FATTED CALF COMES FROM. IN TODAY’S TERMS, WE COMMONLY THINK OF THE FATTED CALF BEING THE BEST OF SOMETHING TO CONSUME OURSELVES.

ACTUALLY, IT WAS THE CHOICEST ONE SET ASIDE FOR COVENANT CEREMONIES AND SACRIFICES.

FINALLY, A COVENANT SITE WAS CHOSEN, AND THE FAMILIES WOULD COME TOGETHER. EACH FAMILY’S COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS PLACED WHERE THEY COULD WATCH CLOSELY, AND HEAR EVERY WORD SPOKEN.

STEP 2 THE COVENANT CUT WAS MADE

IN THE ANCIENT HEBREW COVENANT CEREMONY, THE CUTTING OF THE SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS WAS DONE DIFFERENTLY FROM EVERY OTHER SACRIFICE OR CEREMONY.

THE COVENANT CUTS WERE MADE FROM THE BASE OF THE ANIMAL’S SKULLS, LENGTHWISE DOWN THEIR BACKBONES. THE ANIMALS WERE SPLIT AND THEN PARTED DOWN THEIR BACKBONES. EACH HALF WAS MADE TO FALL SIDE TO SIDE, BUT THEN PROPPED UP SO THE BLOOD WOULD FLOW DOWN A PATHWAY.

THE COVENANT ANIMALS USUALLY INCLUDED A CALF AND A LAMB. THE CALF REPRESENTED MONETARY VALUE. IT REPRESENTED THE FAMILY’S POSSESSIONS. THE LAMB REPRESENTED TOTAL DEFENSELESSNESS. IN FACT, THE LAMB USED IN THE CEREMONY WAS SO YOUNG THAT IT DID NOT YET HAVE TEETH. IT HAD NO DEFENSE.

BY SACRIFICING THESE ANIMALS, EACH FAMILY WAS SAYING, ‘WE FREELY BRING OUR BLOOD TO THIS COVENANT. WE COME WITH NO MALICE -TOTALLY FREE, TOTALLY LOYAL.’ ONCE THE ANIMALS WERE CUT AND THEIR BLOOD SHED ON THE GROUND, THE COVENANT CEREMONY BEGAN.

STEP 3 THE REPRESENTATIVES EXCHANGED COATS

EACH REPRESENTATIVE WALKED THROUGH THE PATHWAY OF THE ANIMALS’ BLOOD TWICE, AND THEY DID SO IN A FIGURE OF EIGHT. AFTER THEY WALKED THROUGH THE BLOOD THE FIRST TIME, THEY STOPPED AND EXCHANGED COATS WHILE MAKING CERTAIN PROMISES ABOUT WHO THEY WERE, WHAT THEY HAD, AND WHAT THEY MEANT TO THE OTHER PERSON. THIS WAS SIMILAR TO OUR MODERN MILITARY TRADITIONS.

IN OUR SOCIETY, WE KNOW YOU CAN TELL A SOLDIER’S RANK BY THE COAT THAT HE OR SHE WEARS. THEIR COATS REPRESENT THEIR AUTHORITY, THEIR OCCUPATION OR SPECIFIC TASK, THEIR BRANCH OF SERVICE, AND SO ON. WE ALSO KNOW WHEN A PRIVATE WALKS INTO A ROOM FILLED WITH SOLDIERS, NOT MUCH HAPPENS. WHEN A GENERAL WALKS IN, HOWEVER, EVERYONE STOPS EVERYTHING TO JUMP TO ATTENTION AND SALUTE.

BUT NOW, IMAGINE A PRIVATE - WEARING A GENERAL’S UNIFORM - WALKING INTO THE ROOM. THAT PRIVATE WOULD GET THE SAME RESPONSE AS THE GENERAL. WHY? BECAUSE IT’S THE GENERAL’S UNIFORM THAT DOES THE TALKING.

THE SAME HELD TRUE FOR THE BLOOD COVENANT CEREMONY. A FARMER, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD COME TO THE CEREMONY WITH A COAT REPRESENTING HIS FAMILY AND HIS AUTHORITY. A WARRIOR WOULD COME WITH HIS. THEN, AT THIS POINT, THEY WOULD EXCHANGE THEIR COATS, AND THEREBY, THEIR IDENTITIES.

THIS ADDS GREATER INSIGHT AS TO WHY THE APOSTLE PAUL EXHORTS US TO ‘PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD.’ (EPH 6:11). IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO IS WEARING IT - IT’S THE ARMOUR THAT DOES THE TALKING!

STEP 4 THE REPRESENTATIVES EXCHANGE WEAPONS

AFTER THE REPRESENTATIVES WALKED THROUGH THE PATHWAY OF THE ANIMALS’ BLOOD IN A FIGURE EIGHT THE SECOND TIME, THEY STOPPED AGAIN AND EXCHANGED WEAPONS.

IN THOSE DAYS, WHEN MEN WENT TO WAR, THEY WORE A GIRDLE, OR BELT. IT WAS A GIRDLE BECAUSE THEIR OUTER GARMENTS WERE LIKE LONG, FLOWING ROBES. TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT, RUN, OR WALK COMFORTABLY, THEY HAD TO REACH BETWEEN THEIR LEGS AND PULL THE BACKSIDE OF THEIR ROBE UP TO THE FRONT AND FASTEN IT UNDERNEATH THEIR BELT. STRAPPED TO THEIR BELTS WERE ALSO THEIR WEAPONS.

NOW, IF THE FARMER DIDN’T HAVE ANY WEAPONS, HE AT LEAST HAD HIS FIGHTING KNIFE, AND MAYBE A GOOD AXE HANDLE TO FIGHT WITH. THE WARRIOR, MEANWHILE, PROBABLY HAD AN ASSORTMENT OF FEROCIOUS LOOKING WEAPONS STRAPPED TO HIS BELT.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY HAD, THEY EXCHANGED WEAPONS AND BELTS SAYING, ‘HERE’S MY AUTHORITY AND POWER IN WAR. I GIVE IT TO YOU. ANY ENEMY THAT COMES AGAINST YOU IS MY ENEMY. ANYONE WHO CURSES YOU, I CURSE. ANYONE WHO THREATENS YOU, HAS TO ANSWER TO ME.

JUST AS THIS ANIMAL HAS BLED AND DIED, I WILL BLEED AND DIE FOR YOUR FAMILY THE SAME AS I WOULD MINE.’

STEP 5 THE REPRESENTATIVES CUT THEIR FLESH

ONCE MOST OF THE COVENANT PROMISES AND BLESSINGS WERE MADE, THE TWO REPRESENTATIVES CUT THEIR OWN FLESH SO THEIR BLOOD WAS VISIBLE TO ALL THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS. THEN THEY BROUGHT THEIR HANDS TOGETHER, MINGLED THEIR BLOOD AND LIFTED THEIR HANDS TO GOD. THIS WAS WHEN THE MOST PRECIOUS OF THE VOWS WERE MADE BETWEEN THE FAMILIES.

BY LIFTING THEIR HANDS TO GOD, THEY WERE MAKING THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH THIRD PARTY TO THEIR COVENANT, BELIEVING ALMIGHTY GOD TO WATCH OVER THEIR AGREEMENT. EACH SWORE BY GOD TO KEEP THE PROMISES THEY HAD MADE.

BY BRINGING THEIR HANDS TOGETHER AND MINGLING THEIR BLOOD, THEY WERE CALLED ONE FAMILY.

FROM THAT DAY ON, THE SEAL OF THE COVENANT WAS THE SCAR ON THE BODY OF EACH REPRESENTATIVE. IF YOU SAW SOMEONE WITH A COVENANT SCAR, YOU REALLY DIDN’T KNOW WHO YOU WERE MESSING WITH, AND YOU WOULD PROBABLY THINK TWICE ABOUT STIRRING UP TROUBLE WITH THEM. THAT SCAR MEANT THERE WAS A BLOOD BROTHER HANGING AROUND SOMEWHERE.

REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID IN MATTHEW 18:19-20? ‘AGAIN I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT IF TWO OF YOU SHALL AGREE ON EARTH AS TOUCHING ANY THING THAT THEY SHALL ASK, IT SHALL BE DONE FOR THEM OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN. FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME, THERE AM I IN THE MIDST OF THEM.’

THE CHURCH HAS NEVER REALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT THAT MEANS - BUT IT’S COVENANT. WHEN JESUS SAID IT, HE MEANT IT. WE JUST HAVE NOT HAD A COVENANT CONSCIOUSNESS TO UNDERSTAND IT FULLY.

STEP 6 THE COVENANT MEAL

THE MIGHTY CLIMAX OF THE WHOLE COVENANT CEREMONY WAS THE REMEMBRANCE PARTY.

IN THE BIBLE, THE WORD REMEMBER IS POWERFUL. EXODUS 2 TELLS US THAT GOD REMEMBERED HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB. IT DOESN’T SAY, ‘HE HAPPENED TO REMEMBER IT.’ GOD DOESN’T FORGET. THE WORD REMEMBER, THERE, LITERALLY MEANS ‘THE CLAW’. IT REFERS TO THE TALON OF A MIGHTY EAGLE.

AMONG SOME OF THE HEBREW TRIBES, PEOPLE CUTTING COVENANT WERE KNOW TO TAKE AN EAGLE’S CLAW AND PUT IT IN THEIR FACE AND SAY, ‘MY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU IS AS THOUGH I WERE STILL IN THE BLOOD, PROMISING YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE. MY COVENANT WITH YOU IS LIKE A CLAW IN MY BRAIN. I CANNOT EVEN SEE EXCEPT FOR SEEING YOU IN MY FACE.’

THIS REMEMBRANCE PARTY OR COVENANT MEAL, WAS WHERE THE FAMILIES BEGAN EATING BREAD, DRINKING WINE, DANCING AND CELEBRATING. THEY WOULD ACTUALLY FEED BREAD TO ONE ANOTHER, SAYING, ‘THIS IS MY BODY. I WILL LET YOUR FAMILY HAVE MY BODY, BEFORE I WILL LET THEM STARVE.’

THEN, SHARING WINE, THEY WOULD REMIND EACH OTHER THAT IT REPRESENTED THE BLOOD THEY HAD JUST WALKED IN, MAKING THEM ONE FAMILY.

STEP 7 THE FAMILIES EXCHANGED NAMES

BY THE TIME THE COVENANT CEREMONY WAS COMPLETED, BOTH PARTIES OR FAMILIES HAD NEW NAMES. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE FARMERS AND THE FIGHTERS CUT COVENANT, PHIL FARMER WAS NOW PHIL FIGHTER-FARMER, AND FRED FIGHTER BECAME FRED FARMER-FIGHTER.

SUCH COVENANT NAMES WERE ANOTHER INDICATION FOR TROUBLEMAKERS TO LEAVE PHIL, THE FARMER, ALONE. THAT WAS NOT JUST PHIL FARMER ANYMORE. THAT WAS PHIL FIGHTER-FARMER. THAT WAS NOT JUST FRED FIGHER, EITHER. THE FARMER-FIGHTER FAMILY NOW HAD PLENTY OF FOOD TO SELL. THEY HAD COVENANTED WITH THE FARMER FAMILY. THEY WERE NOW ONE LARGE, POWERFUL FAMILY.

TODAY, WE OFTEN SEE NAMES OF FAMILIES THAT HAVE A HYPHEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THEM. THAT MEANS, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, THOSE TWO FAMILIES CAME INTO COVENANT.

EPHESIANS 3:15 SAYS‘THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS NAMED’ OF JESUS. BY COVENANT, WE BEAR THE NAME OF JESUS -THAT NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME. AND BY COVENANT, WE GO INTO ALL THE WORLD BEARING THAT NAME (MARK 16:15-18).

YOU HAVE A BIG BROTHER

TO UNDERSTAND JUST HOW PASSIONATE GOD IS ABOUT THIS COVENANT HE HAS MADE WITH YOU IN THE BLOOD OF HIS OWN SON JESUS, LOOK AT 2 CORINTHIANS 6:16-18, ‘…FOR YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD: AS GOD HATH SAID, I WILL DWELL IN THEM, AND WALK IN THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPARATE… AND I WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU, AND YE SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY.’ THIS WAS PAUL QUOTING FROM ISAIAH 52 AND EZEKIEL 20.

OLD TESTAMENT WRITERS USED A COVENANT WORD, WHICH IN HEBREW IS HESED. IT IS TRANSLATED AS ‘EVER LOVINGKINDNESS; TENDERNESS; MERCY.’ THESE TRANSLATIONS, HOWEVER, MISS THE DEPTH AND POWER OF ITS MEANING.

HESED IS BEST DESCRIBED, PERHAPS, AS WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE A MOTHER OR A FATHER WHEN THEIR CHILD IS THREATENED. ONLY, IT GOES FAR BEYOND THAT.

HESED IS THE FORCE THAT RISES INSIDE A COVENANT BROTHER CAUSING HIM TO WANT TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIS COVENANT BROTHER, OR COVENANT FAMILY. IT IS A DRIVE THAT FAR EXCEEDS ANY OTHER DRIVE KNOWN TO MANKIND. WE’VE ONLY TASTED A SMALL BIT OF IT.

FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE, HESED MIGHT BEST BE DESCRIBED USING JOHN 3:16: ‘FOR GOD SO HESED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON…’

LONG BEFORE GOD EVER CREATED MAN, HE PROVIDED A COVENANT LAMB, A LAMB WITHOUT SPOT, OR BLEMISH, SO IF MAN DID MESS UP, IT WOULD KEEP HIM FROM LOSING EVERYTHING - AND IT WOULD KEEP GOD FROM LOSING THE FAMILY HE SO LONGED FOR.

AFTER ADAM DID COMMIT HIGH TREASON AND BOWED HIS KNEE TO SATAN, HE LOST THE PRESENCE AND REVELATION OF GOD. WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THE FIRST THING GOD DID WAS TO KILL AN ANIMAL IN ORDER TO CLOTHE ADAM. HE HAD BEEN CLOTHED WITH THE VERY GLORY OF GOD, BUT WHEN HE SINNED, THE GLORY LIGHT WENT OUT.

LATER, HOWEVER, GOD FOUND FOR HIMSELF A MAN, ABRAM, A MAN WITH WHOM HE COULD CUT COVENANT, A MAN WHO WOULD TEACH HIS CHILDREN THAT COVENANT (GENESIS 18).

BUT WHY DID GOD REQUIRE THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS? HE DID NOT HAVE ANY BLOOD OF HIS OWN TO SHED. WHEN ABRAM SINNED, GOD SAID, I’LL TAKE THE BLOOD OF AN ANIMAL, RATHER THAN HIM. I’LL TREAT HIM AS THOUGH HE DIDN’T SIN. I’LL ACCOUNT IT TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS - BECAUSE HE BELIEVED ME (GALATIANS 3).

ABRAHAM BELIEVED THE PROMISES OF GOD, THE PROMISES THAT WERE TO HIM AND HIS SEED.

GALATIANS 3:13-14 SAYS, ‘CHRIST [THE ANOINTED ONE AND HIS ANOINTING] HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, BEING MADE A CURSE FOR US… THAT THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM MIGHT COME TO THE GENTILES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.’

THE APOSTLE PAUL GOES ON TO SAY THAT, WHEN GOD MADE THOSE PROMISES TO ABRAHAM, HE WAS ALSO MAKING THEM TO JESUS, WHO HAD NOT YET BEEN BORN INTO THIS EARTH. GOD WAS MAKING A BLOOD COVENANT WITH A MAN AND HE EXPECTED THAT COVENANT, THOSE WORDS, TO PRODUCE A BODY WITH BLOOD - JESUS-WHEREIN HE COULD SWEAR.

JOHN 1:14 SAYS, ‘THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US…’

YOU AND I ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED. WE ARE HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE (GAL 3:29). IT IS NO LONGER BY THE BLOOD OF COWS AND SHEEP, BUT BY THE BLOOD OF ALMIGHTY GOD, HIMSELF.

OURS IS A COVENANT BETWEEN A RESURRECTED, IMMORTAL MAN, JESUS, AND A HOLY AND INFALLIBLE GOD.

WHICH OF THEM DO YOU THINK COULD EVER BREAK THE COVENANT? NEITHER.

WHAT’S MORE, WE CANNOT BREAK IT. WE MAY STEP OUT OF FELLOWSHIP WHEN WE SIN. BUT ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS CONFESS OUR SIN AND STEP BACK INTO THAT FELLOWSHIP (1 JOHN 1:9).

WE’VE BEEN GRAFTED INTO A COVENANT BETWEEN GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, AND JESUS, OUR BLOOD BROTHER. KNOWLEDGE OF AND TRUST IN THAT COVENANT WILL REMOVE THE FEARS OF INSUFFICIENCY AND LACK THAT MEN FEED WITH SUCH THINGS AS OVEREATING AND COMPULSIVE SPENDING. IT WILL REMOVE THE FEARS OF REJECTION THAT HAVE CAUSED SO MANY TO SEEK COMFORT IN WRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND IN WHAT THEY PUT IN THE BODY AND ON THE BODY INSTEAD OF WHAT THEY FEED THE SPIRIT. GOD’S COVENANT LOVE REMOVES MEN FROM TRUST IN THE WORLD’S WAYS FOR THEIR SECURITY AND SUCCESS AND BUILDS THEIR LIVES ON THE UNSHAKEABLE FOUNDATION OF GOD’S WAY OF DOING THINGS.

ALL WE EVER NEED TO DO, NOW, IS BEING DEVELOPING A CONSCIOUSNESS OF JESUS’ BLOOD, A CONSCIOUSNESS OF OUR BLOOD COVENANT WITH GOD. WHEN THE DEVIL COMES AGAINST YOU, WHEN SICKNESS AND DISEASE COME AGAINST YOU, WHEN FEAR, WORRY, HARM OR POVERTY COME AGAINST YOU - REMEMBER THE COVENANT!

REMEMBER THE BLOOD. REMEMBER THE PROMISES. REMEMBER THE WORD.

YOU HAVE A BLOOD BROTHER, JUST TURN IT OVER TO HIM. YOU’LL SOON REALISE JUST HOW THICK HIS BLOOD REALLY IS!

BVOV

_________

A COVENANT
MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

BY MELANIE HEMRY

KENNETH COPELAND MAGAZINE - BELIEVER’S VOICE OF VICTORY

TRUE REPORT

NO!  LANE SCREAMED AS THE BUMPER KNOCKED CAILA DOWN AND THE TRUCK RAN OVER HER HIP AND CHEST.

LANE SEAL GLARED AT THE HEART MONITOR ATTACHED TO HER INFANT DAUGHTER; FIERCELY DARING IT TO SOUND AN ALARM AGAIN.  SHE’D LEARNED TO TAKE WHAT LIFE DISHED OUT TO HER WITH GRIM DETERMINATION, AND THERE WASN’T MUCH THAT SCARED HER ANYMORE.  SHE’D RIDDEN SOME OF THE MEANEST, MOST CONTRARY HORSES OVER THE YEARS - AND GENTLED THEM.  IF SHE COULD GET A ROPE AROUND THE INSIDIOUS DISEASE THAT WAS TRYING TO KILL HER BABY, SHE WOULD DESTROY IT WITH HER BARE HANDS.

LANE DIDN’T BACK DOWN FROM ANYTHING.  BUT SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS) LEFT BOTH HER AND HER HUSBAND, CHUCK, WEAK IN THE KNEES.  THE DOCTOR SAID THAT A PART OF CAILA’S BRAIN HADN’T FULLY MATURED WHEN SHE WAS BORN.  IT WAS THE PART OF THE BRAIN THAT TRIGGERED CAILA TO BREATHE.  OFTEN, THEIR BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY DAUGHTER SIMPLY STOPPED BREATHING.

BEFORE SIDS, CHUCK AND LANE HAD BEEN MAKING ENDS MEET FINANCIALLY - BARELY, WITH TWO BABIES A YEAR APART.  CHUCK’S MINIMUM WAGE POSITION IN THE LOUISIANA PRISON SYSTEM PROVIDED INSURANCE WHICH THEY NEEDED DESPARATELY WHILE DEALING WITH SIDS.  LANE’S JOB PAID MORE, BUT WHEN CAILA WAS SENT HOME ON A HEART MONITOR, SHE QUIT HER JOB TO PROVIDE AROUND THE CLOCK CARE.  SINCE THEN, THEY HAD LOST MOST OF THE PRECIOUS LITTLE THEY OWNED.

LANE STEPPED OUTSIDE AND TOOK A GOOD LOOK AT THE DISMAL PLACE WHERE THEY LIVED.  THEIR MOBILE HOME, WHICH HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THEM, WAS SO RUN DOWN.  THEY HAD NO CAR, NO PHONE, NO TELEVISION - NOT EVEN A RADIO.  THEY LIVED AT THE END OF A DEAD-END COUNTRY ROAD, WHICH PRETTY MUCH DESCRIBED THEIR SITUATION.

LANE STILLED AS IF LISTENING TO SOME DISTANT SOUND.  THERE IT WAS AGAIN, WHISPERS OF WORDS SHE REMEMBERED FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN CHURCH.  ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU:  SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU.

SHE SEARCHED THE HOUSE UNTIL SHE FOUND A STIFF NEW BIBLE THAT CHUCK’S MOTHER HAD GIVEN HIM FOR GRADUATION.  TURNING, SHE MARCHED TO THE BACK PORCH AND LIFTED IT UP TOWARD HEAVEN.  IT WAS HIGH TIME THEY HAD A TALK.

‘LOOK, I DON’T BELIEVE YOU’RE THE KIND OF GOD WHO WANTS US TO LIVE THIS WAY!  THE BABY’S SICK, OUR BILLS AREN’T PAID, WE HAD TO GIVE THE TRUCK BACK AND WE DON’T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR FOOD.  I’VE GOT THIS BIBLE, BUT I DON’T UNDERSTAND THOSE ‘THEES’ AND ‘THOUS’.  I’M GOING TO START READING IT ANYWAY.  IF I NEVER UNDERSTAND A THING ABOUT IT, THEN I SAY IT’S YOUR FAULT.’

TRUE TO HER WORD, LANE SPENT TIME EVERY DAY FOR THREE MONTHS READING THE BIBLE.  ONE DAY SHE READ THAT GOD’S CHILDREN WOULD NEVER BEG FOR BREAD.  ‘SOMETHING’S WRONG HERE, GOD!’  SHE SAID. ‘IF IT WASN’T FOR THE HANDOUTS AND DONATIONS, WE WOULDN’T EAT MOST DAYS.’

DISCOVERING BLOOD COVENANT

DURING ONE OF THEIR VISITS TO BETHANY CHURCH TO GET FOOD, SOMEONE STUCK A SET OF CASETTE TAPES ON TOP OF THE SACK.  LANE HAD NEVER HEARD OF KENNETH COPELAND, AND THE TITLE OF THE SET THE BLOOD COVENANT GAVE HER THE SHIVERS.  BESIDES, THEY DIDN’T EVEN OWN A CASSETTE PLAYER.

CHUCK STARTED A JOB AWAY FROM HOME PAINTING STRIPES ON THE ROAD.  IT PAID 5.60 DOLLARS A HOUR.  HE ONLY SAW HIS FAMILY ON WEEKENDS.  ONE WEEKEND, HE CAME HOME WITH AN OLD FASHIONED CASEETTE PLAYER THAT HE BOUGHT AT A GARAGE SALE.

THE NEXT WEEK, LANE SAT DOWN AND STARTED LISTENING TO THE TAPES.  HE’S OUT OF HIS MIND!  SHE THOUGHT.  DETERMINED TO PROVE KENNETH COPELAND WRONG, SHE LOOKED UP EVERY SCRIPTURE THAT HE MENTIONED.  SHE LISTENED TO ONE TAPE AFTER ANOTHER - AND SHE WAS FURIOUS! 

SHE’D SPENT HER WHOLE LIFE IN CHURCH.  HER GRANDMOTHER WAS ON THE CHURCH BOARD.  HER GRANDFATHER WAS CHOIR DIRECTOR.  SHE’D BEEN IN THE PEW FOR EVERY SERVICE AND IN THE CHOIR FOR EVERY PRACTICE.  AND NOBODY  HAD EVER TOLD HER ABOUT THE BLOOD COVENANT.

IF I’D ONLY KNOWN, NONE OF THESE THINGS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

LANE HAD SUFFERED YEARS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE AND THREATS ON HER LIFE.  SHE HAD SURVIVED THE ATTACK OF A NEAR FATAL DISEASE.  AND NOW, THE DEVIL WAS TRYING TO KILL HER DAUGHTER!

LANE RANTED TO GOD ABOUT 30 WASTED YEARS OF NOT KNOWING HER COVENANT RIGHTS.  INSTEAD OF AN APOLOGY, THE LORD SAID, ARE YOU THROUGH NOW?

‘YES.’

THINK ABOUT  WHAT YOUR LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE IF YOU’D BEEN RAISEDKNOWING THESE THINGS.  YOU HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS.  RAISE THEM IN THE COVENANT.

LANE LOOKED AT COTY AND CAILA, THEN WHISPERED, ‘THAT’S A DEAL.’

LANE KNEW THAT CHUCK HAD TO HEAR THOSE TAPES.  SO BEFORE HE CAME HOME THAT WEEKEND, SHE MARKED EVERY SCRIPTURE WITH A TAB SO HE COULD JUST FLIP TO THEM AS HE LISTENED.  BUT HE DIDN’T WANT TO LISTEN TO TAPES.  HE JUST WANTED TO PLAY WITH HIS BABIES AND ENJOY HIS FAMILY.  LANE FINALLY STOMPED HER FOOT AND SAID, ‘CHUCK SEAL, THOSE SIX TAPES CAN CHANGE OUR LIVES!’

‘IF IT MAKES YOU THAT UPSET, I GUESS I’D BETTER LISTEN TO THEM,’ HE AGREED.

HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIRST TAPE, HE ASKED, ‘IS THIS THE TRUTH?’

‘THAT’S WHY I’M SHOWING YOU THE SCRIPTURES THAT GO WITH IT.’

CHUCK LISTENED TO ALL SIX TAPES.  THE NEXT DAY HE LISTENED TO THEM AGAIN.  ‘WHAT WE’RE GOING THROUGH IS NOT OF GOD!’  HE DECLARED.

‘THERE HASN’T BEEN ENOUGH FOOD!’ LANE AGREED.

‘MY DADDY DIDN’T HAVE TO DIE!’

‘IF WE’D ONLY KNOWN!’

SHORTLY AFTER THAT, A RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL WHO OWNED A DAIRY FARM NEARBY SHOWED UP AT THE SEAL’S HOME AND OFFERED TO HIRE THEM TO HELP MILK COWS.  LANE TOOK THE BABY AND HEART MONITOR WITH HER FOR THE 2 AM MILKING.  IN ADDITION TO PAY, THE FARMER SENT THEM HOME WITH A GALLON OF RAW MILK.  CAILA WAS THROWING UP EVERYTHING THEY FED HER.  IN DESPARATION, LANE FILLED A BOTTLE WITH THE FRESH MILK.  CAILA DRANK THE WHOLE BOTTLE AND HANDED IT BACK FOR MORE.  SHE DIDN’T THROW IT UP.  WITHIN THREE WEEKS THE EHART MONITOR STOPPED SIGNALING AND SIDS WAS A THING OF THE PAST.  FASCINATED BY HER RECOVERY, CAILA’S PEDIATRICIAN RESEARCHED RAWMILK AND SIDS.  TODAY MANY DOCTORS RECOMMEND IT AS TREATMENT.

BECAUSE LANE AND CHUCK DIDN’T OWN A CAR, THEY STILL COULDN’T GO TO CHURCH.  SO LANE STARTED SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE AT NIGHT JUST PRAISING AND WORSHIPPING GOD FOR HIS COVENANT.  IT WAS THERE, ALONE, THAT SHE RECEIVED THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

‘I LEARNED TO PRAY AND FOLLOW THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UNDER THE STARS,’ SHE REMEMBERS. 

EVENTUALLY, THE SEALS WROTE A PRAYER OF AGREEMENT, ASKING THE LORD FOR A TRUCK OF THEIR OWN ON EASTER SUNDAY THAT YEAR.  WHEN THAT MORNING ARRIVED, THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE TRUCK, BUT THEY DIDN’T CARE.  DETERMINED TO GO TO CHURCH, THEY BORROWED A FARM TRUCK THAT HAD A CHICKEN COOP ON THE BACK.

AFTER SERVICE, THE PASTOR INVITED THEM BACK.  ‘WE TOLD HIM WE’D BE BACK AS SOON AS WE GOT THE TRUCK WE WERE BELIEVING FOR’ LANE RECALLED.  ‘AS WE WALKED AWAY, A MAN IN THE CHURCH WALKED UP TO THE PASTOR AND SAID, ‘I KNEW I WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING THAT OLD TRUCK TO CHURCH TODAY FOR SOME REASON.’ 

‘THE NEXT DAY THE PASTOR AND ANOTHER MAN SHOWED UP AT OUR HOUSE,’ LANE SAID.  ‘I WAS SO EMBARRASSED BECAUSE I DIDN’T EVEN OWN A COFFEEPOT.  THEY LEFT US WITH A HALF-TON DODGE TRUCK.’

CHUCK GOT A JOB AT HOME AND THEY BEGAN GOING TO CHURCH REGULARLY.  THEY BEGAN TITHING OFF THEIR MEAGER INCOME.  SOON, CHUCK WAS PROMOTED TO FOREMAN.  SIX MONTHS LATER, HE BOUGHT A CANDY APPLE RED DUALLY TRUCK.  CHUCK AND LANE SPENT THE NEXT YEAR LISTENING AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT THEIR COVENANT WITH GOD.

A COVENANT OF PROTECTION

ON NOVEMBER 18, 1992, LANE, ALONG WITH 2 YEAR OLD CAILA, 3 YEAR OLD COTY AND CASEY, HER 15 YEAR OLD SON FROM A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE, RETURNED HOME IN THE TRUCK.  A HORSE TRAILER WAS ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.  ‘I’M GOING TO OPEN THE GATE,’ LANE TOLD CASEY.  ‘I’LL LET YOU PULL THE TRUCK THROUGH.’

LANE STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK AND SWUNG THE GATE OPEN.  TURNING, SHE SAW THAT CAILA HAD SLIPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK AND WAS STANDING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT TIRE.  CASEY COULDN’T SEE HER.

‘NO!’ LANE SCREAMED AS THE BUMPER KNOCKED CAILA DOWN AND THE TRUCK RAN OVER HER HIP[ AND CHEST.  IT SEEMED AS THOUGH ALL THE AUTHORITY OF GOD CAME UP OUT OF HER SPIRIT IN A BALL OF FLAME AND SHOT STRAIGHT UP TO HEAVEN.  CASEY, HEARING HIS MOTHER SCREAM, LET UP ON THE GAS AND CLUTCH ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL BACKWARD.

CAILA LAY FACE DOWN IN THE ROAD WITH HUGE TIRE TRACKS IMPRINTED ON HER RED SHIRT.  LANE TURNED HER DAUGHTER OVER AND FLET BROKEN BONES MOVING.  PICKING UP THE SCREAMING CHILD, SHE RACED THE QUARTER MILE DOWN THE ROAD TO HER SISTER-IN-LAW’S HOUSE.  LANE AND HER SISTER-IN-LAW THEN JUMPED INTO HER TRUCK TO MAKE THE 25 MILE DRIVE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL IN ZACHARY, LA.

HOLDING CAILA IN HER ARMS, LANE SQUEEZED HER EYES SHUT AND PRAYED IN THE SPIRIT JUST LIKE SHE’D DONE ALL THOSE NIGHTS ALONE UNDER THE STARS.  EVERYTHING SHE’D LEARNED WAS ON THE LINE.  ONCE AGAIN THE DEVIL WAS TRYING TO KILL HER CHILD.  ONCE AGAIN, HE WANTED TO DESTROY HER LIFE.  ONLY THIS TIME THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE.

LANE KNEW ABOUT THE BLOOD COVENANT.  

THEY’D REACHED THE CROSSROADS AT AMROSIA, LA, WHEN CAILA SUDDENLY STOPPED SCREAMING.  FOR A MOMENT SHE LAY SILENT AND STILL.  THEN SHE OPENED HER BROWN EYES AND SMILED.  ‘MAMA, I’M GOING TO BE OK.’

‘I KNOW, BABY, I KNOW.’

THEY HADN’T BEEN IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM LONG BEFORE SHE HEARD A DISTRAUGHT CHUCK SHOUTING, ‘WHERE’S MY BABY?’

LANE RUSHED FROM THE EXAM ROOM AND SLAMMED HIM AGAINST THE WALL.

‘STOP AND THINK ABOUT HOW YOU’RE GOING TO WALK INTO THAT ROOM!  IT’S UP TO US WHETHER OUR CHILD LIVES OR DIES.  REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!’

CHUCK SQUARED HIS SHOULDERS, TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND SAID, ‘LET’S GO SEE OUR BABY.’

‘THAT’S MY MAN’.

THE X-RAYS REVEALED THAT CAILA HAD SUFFERED A CRUSHED PELVIS.  A SURGICAL TEAM WAS CALLED IN TO DO RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY.  MEANWHILE, NEWS SPREAD TO THE CHURCH WHERE SERVICES WERE GOING ON.  THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION STOPPED, KNELT AND PRAYED FOR CAILA.  LATER, PASTORS AND CHURCH MEMBERS ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL TO PRAY.

THE WAITING ROOM WAS FULL WHEN THE SURGEON WALKED OUT - SHAKING HIS HEAD AS THOUGH BEWILDERED.  ‘THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN,’ HE SAID.  ‘WHEN WE GOT HER TO SURGERY IT CAME TO ME THAT WE NEEDED MORE X-RAYS, SO I ORDERED THEM.  WE COULDN’T FIND ANYTHING WRONG EXCEPT THAT HER RIGHT HIP WAS OUT OF SOCKET.  THERE WAS NO CRUSHED PELVIS.  WE PUT HER UNDER ANESTHESIA TO SURGICALLY CORRECT HER HIP, BUT IT POPPED BACK INTO PLACE!  THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!  THERE ARE NO CHIPS, NO BREAKS OR CRACKS TO THE JOINT, AND NOT A LIGAMENT TORN OR PULLED.’

CAILA’S FIRST WORDS AFTER AWAKENING WERE, ‘JESUS TOOK CARE OF ME, MAMA.’

FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS BEWILDERED DOCTORS REPEATED X-RAYS BUT FOUND NO BROKEN BONES.  EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CAST USED TO HOLD HER HIP IN PLACE WAS REMOVED.  THE X-RAY SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A FRACTURED FEMUR IN HER THIGH - THAT WAS COMPLETELY HEALED.

IN 1995, CHUCK AND LANE SEAL PRAYED AND ASKED GOD TO MOVE THEM TO FORT WORTH, TEXAS, SO THEY COULD WORSHIP AT EAGLE MOUNTAIN INTERNATIONAL CHURCH ON THE GROUNDS OF KENNETH COPELAND MINISTRIES.  IN 1999, CHUCK OVERHEARD SOMEONE AT WORK MENTION THAT THE COMPANY HAD A POSITION OPEN IN FORTH WORTH.  THAT SAME YEAR THEY MADE THE MOVE AND JOINED EMIC.  ON NEW YEAR’S EVE AS THEY ENTERED 2000, CHUCK AND LANE OFFERED TO THE LORD AND TO KCM THE MOST PRECIOUS THING THEY OWNED.

A TINY, COVENANT-RED SHIRT MARKED WITH TIRE TRACKS.

THE SEALS HAVE ONE THING TO SAY TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN.

‘IT’S YOUR COVENANT TOO.’

BVOV

YOUTH RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLES

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS

SETS ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

LORD, ALL YOUR PROMISES ARE YES AND AMEN IN CHRIST JESUS.  I STAND ON BLOOD COVENANT BETWEEN YOU AND ME.  I SPEAK:

FOR THERE IS ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS, WHO GAVE HIMSELF AS A RANSOM FOR ALL MEN. (1 TIM 2:5-6).

FOR CHRIST IS THE MEDIATOR OF A NEW COVENANT, THAT THOSE WHO ARE CALLED MAY RECEIVE THE PROMISED ETERNAL INHERITANCE - NOW THAT HE HAS DIED AS A RANSOM TO SET THEM FREE FROM THE SINS COMMITTED UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT. (HEBREWS 9:15).

THIS IS THE COVENANT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THAT TIME, DECLARES THE LORD.  I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MINDS AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.  I WILL BE THEIR GOD AND THEY WILL BE MY PEOPLE. (HEBREWS 8:10).

YOU ARE TO UNDERGO CIRCUMCISION, AND IT WILL BE THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND YOU. (GEN 17:11).

I SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE TAKES ME CAPTIVE THROUGH HOLLOW AND DECEPTIVE PHILOSOPHY, WHICH DEPENDS ON HUMAN TRADITION AND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD RATHER THAN ON CHRIST.  FOR IN CHRIST ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD DWELLS IN BODILY FORM, AND I HAVE BEEN GIVEN FULLNESS IN CHRIST WHO IS THE HEAD OVER EVERY POWER AND AUTHORITY.  IN HIM I WAS ALSO CIRCUMCISED, IN THE PUTTING OFF OF THE SINFUL NATURE, NOT WITH THE CIRCUMCISION DONE BY THE HANDS OF MEN, BUT WITH THE CIRCUMCISION DONE BY CHRIST, HAVING BEEN BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM AND RAISED WITH HIM THROUGH MY FAITH IN THE POWER OF GOD, WHO RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. (COL 2:8-12).  

IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU ASK WHATEVER YOU WISH, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN YOU.’ (JOHN 15:7)

IT IS WRITTEN:

 I OPERATE BY THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS.

 THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS

 SETS ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

AND IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED CHRIST JESUS FROM THE DEAD IS LIVING IN ME (WHICH HE IS) HE WHO RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD WILL ALSO GIVE LIFE TO MY MORTAL BODY THROUGH HIS SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN ME. (ROMANS 8:11).  I STIR UP THE ANOINTING.  QUICKEN MY BODY WITH LIFE EVERY TIME THE ANOINTING IS STIRRED, AND EVERY DAY ANYWAY JUST BECAUSE YOUR SPIRIT LIVES IN ME AND I STAND ACCORDING TO COVENANT SCRIPTURE THAT YOU WILL DO IT.

IF THERE IS .. A MEDIATOR, … A RANSOM .. - THEN RENEW MY FLESH LIKE A CHILD’S; IT IS RESTORED AS IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH.  I PRAY TO YOU AND FIND FAVOUR WITH YOU, I SEE YOUR FACE AND SHOUT FOR JOY, I AM RESTORED TO MY RIGHTEOUS STATE. (JOB 33:23-26),  I SPEAK 1 TIM 2:5-6 AND HEBREWS 9:15.  I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST. (ROM 3:22).  I COMMAND MY FLESH RENEWED LIKE A CHILD’S, RESTORED AS IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH, IN JESUS NAME.

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, BLESS HIS HOLY NAME.  BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: … LORD, SATISFY MY MOUTH/DESIRES WITH GOOD THINGS (PHYSICAL FOOD AND WORD OF GOD) SO THAT MY YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLES. (PSALM 103:5).   MAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD. (MATT 4:4).

LORD, I PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU SAY, I LISTEN CLOSELY TO YOUR WORDS.  I DO NOT LET THEM OUT OF MY SIGHT, I KEEP THEM WITHIN MY HEART; FOR THEY ARE LIFE TO THOSE THAT FIND THEM AND HEALTH TO MY WHOLE BODY.  ABOVE ALL ELSE, I GUARD MY HEART, FOR IT IS THE WELLSPRING OF LIFE.  (PROV 4:22-23).

YOU GIVE STRENGTH TO THE WEARY AND INCREASE THE POWER OF THE WEAK.  EVEN YOUTHS GROW TIRED AND WEARY, AND YOUNG MEN STUMBLE AND FALL, BUT I HOPE IN THE LORD.  I RENEW MY STRENGTH.  I WILL SOAR ON WINGS LIKE AN EAGLE, I WILL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, I WILL WALK AND NOT BE FAINT.  (ISA 40:29-31)

I RUN IN THE PATH OF YOUR COMMANDS, FOR YOU HAVE SET MY HEART FREE. (PS 119:32).

DEFEND MY CAUSE AND REDEEM ME; RENEW MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR PROMISE. (PS 119:154).

HOW SWEET ARE YOUR PROMISES TO MY TASTE, SWEETER THAN HONEY TO MY MOUTH! (PS 119:103).  fEed ME also with the finest of wheat: and with honey out of the rock satisfY ME (PS 81:16).   PS 19:7: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8: The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9: The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11: Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward (PS 19:7-11)

PROV 24:13: My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

14: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

WISDOM, LIKE AN INHERITANCE, IS A GOOD THING AND BENEFITS THOSE WHO SEE THE SUN.  WISDOM IS A SHELTER AS MONEY IS A SHELTER, BUT THE ADVANTAGE OF KNOWLEDGE IS THIS: THAT WISDOM PRESERVES THE LIFE OF ITS POSSESSOR. (ECCL 7:11-12).  BLESSED AM I WHO FINDS WISDOM, WHO GAINS UNDERSTANDING, FOR WISDOM IS MORE PROFITABLE THAN SILVER AND YIELDS BETTER RETURNS THAN GOLD, SHE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES; NOTHING YOU DESIRE CAN COMPARE WITH HER.  LONG LIFE IS IN HER RIGHT HAND; IN HER LEFT HAND ARE RICHES AND HONOUR.  HER WAYS ARE PLEASANT WAYS AND ALL HER PATHS ARE PEACE.  SHE IS A TREE OF LIFE TO THOSE WHO EMBRACE HER; THOSE WHO LAY HOLD OF HER WILL BE BLESSED. (PROV 3:13-18).  THE FEAR OF THE LORD LEADS TO LIFE; THEN ONE RESTS CONTENT, UNTOUCHED BY TROUBLE.   And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.  (GEN 6:3).

I ACCEPT INSTRUCTION FROM YOUR MOUTH AND LAY UP YOUR WORDS IN MY HEART.  YOU ARE MY GOLD AND CHOICEST SILVER TO ME.  I FIND DELIGHT IN YOU AND LIFT UP MY FACE TO YOU.  I PRAY AND YOU HEAR ME.  I DECREE A THING AND IT IS ESTABLISHED FOR ME.  (JOB 22:22-28).  I LAY MY HANDS ON MY HEAD AND COMMAND ‘ROOTS TURN THE ORIGINAL COLOUR, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.  AND YOU WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL I SAY SO.’

FROM THE FRUIT OF MY MOUTH MY STOMACH IS FILLED; WITH THE HARVEST FROM MY LIPS I AM SATISFIED.  (PROV 18:20).

LORD, TO YOU WHO LOVE ME AND HAVE FREED ME FROM MY SINS BY YOUR BLOOD, AND HAS MADE ME TO BE A KINGDOM AND PRIEST TO SERVE MY GOD AND FATHER - TO YOU BE GLORY AND POWER FOR EVER AND EVER! AMEN.  LORD, I AM A KING AND PRIEST TO SERVE MY GOD. (REV 1:6).  I SPEAK THE PRIESTLY BLESSING ACCORDING TO NUMBERS 6:22-27:  THE LORD BLESS ME AND KEEP ME, THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON ME AND BE GRACIOUS TO ME; THE LORD TURN HIS FACE TOWARDS ME AND GIVE ME PEACE.  SO I PUT YOUR NAME ON ME, AND YOU WILL BLESS ME.

THE TONGUE HAS THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH, AND THOSE THAT LOVE IT WILL EAT IT’S FRUIT.  (PROV 18:21).  LORD, I CHOOSE LIFE AND BLESSINGS, SO THAT I AND MY CHILDREN MAY LIVE, AND THAT I MAY LOVE THE LORD MY GOD, LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, AND HOLD FAST TO HIM  FOR THE LORD IS MY LIFE AND HE WILL GIVE ME MANY YEARS IN THE PROMISED LAND. (DEUT 30:19).

REMEMBER ME, O LORD, WHEN YOU SHOW FAVOUR TO YOUR PEOPLE (PS 106:4).  FOR HE WHO FINDS WISDOM FINDS LIFE AND RECEIVES FAVOUR FROM THE LORD.  (PROV 8:35).  BLESSINGS CROWN THE HEAD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. (PROV 10:6).  SURROUND ME WITH YOUR FAVOUR AS A SHIELD.

I HAVE SPOKEN COVENANT SCRIPTURE LORD (HEB 8:10; 10:16).  YOU WATCH OVER YOUR WORD TO PERFORM IT (JER 1:12).  I WATCH TO SEE SIGNS AND WONDERS FOLLOWING THE SPOKEN WORD (MARK 16:20).  



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