Rereward – A devotional | Streetfire Ministries

By Mark DeLap

Isa 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.

Rereward: Your protection from behind

Next time you feel that your back is against the wall, remember that HE is that wall behind you. He IS that bulwark, or, “defensive” wall.

“In case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.” I Timothy 3:15

This book is dedicated to the great men of God who have spoken into my life. They are men of God who have an intense love and

knowledge of the Word of God.

They are mentors, they are fathers, they are friends.

Pastor Jack West, Missionary Spud Dement, Pastor Jack Hayford, Apostle Mansfield Samples, Evangelist Alonzo Stewart, Pastor E. J. Edmonds, Pastor Rex Gwaltney, Pastor William Hewitt, Pastor Stan Carlson, Pastor Irwin Keller, and especially, one of my spiritual father’s…

Pastor Jim Wilcox.

Introduction:

As I was asked by my publisher to create an autobiography, I stood at a crossroads. Ironically, as I put this project together, I am also the Senior Pastor at Crossroads Church. Part of me wrestled with putting out a “tell all” book since I am, for the most part, a private person. And as I thought about it, I decided to put together a book of my most private times. A book that described what I did and what I learned behind the closed doors of the private study and prayer closet in my home.

I am going to share with you some things that came in some of the most intimate times with the lover of my soul. The one who purchased me at Calvary. The one who loved me first. Jesus Christ.

One day I decided that I needed to make myself more visible to my congregation and I felt that to do such a thing, I had to open a daily dialogue with each and every one of the precious people that God had entrusted to my care. Each day except Sunday when I am able to teach them face to face I reach out and knock on their electronic door. I gather fresh bread each morning. I bless it. I break it. And of course, I share it via email and our website.

So, for the past four years, I arise each morning and spend my first hours with Him. In worship, in prayer and in study. Without fail, each day the Lord gives me something new and something fresh and something that no doubt, someone needs to hear… and most times, that someone is me. So I write a word for their day based upon my early morning times with my Father. It’s not a “must read”, or a mandatory edict from the Pastor… but everyone knows that it’s there if they’re hungry and need something to eat.

I hope that this book will shine a light upon who I am, what I think, what I feel and how I live. I have chosen some of my favorite messages to put into this compilation and I hope this will give you just what you need for your day. More than knowing who I am, though… I would hope that these excerpts would shine a greater light upon who HE is to you.

Some may find it as a word that comes at the right time a few times a month. Some may find it as a daily devotional that propels them into a new realm of study. Some may find it as a voice from Heaven confirming what they are going through. Whether you pick it up once a month or once a day… if you are still reading this introduction, I promise He has something for you in these pages.

I will encourage you to worship FIRST before you read the words. When flesh comes face to face with the supernatural, there is a healthy breaking in your soul and soil that is broken up will receive the word with much power. Find a good worship CD or “soaking worship” and come into His presence. Break up fallow ground so this seed can be sown.

I pray that these words will minister to you as they have ministered to me.

Finney’s Orange Crate
It all has to start here:

I took my first pastorate with the Church of God in southwestern Wisconsin in 1984. Backing up a bit farther, I had given Jesus Christ the keys to my vehicle on June 9, 1971. I still haven’t fully learned how “NOT” to be a back seat driver. We were attending Falls Bible Church in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Every now and again the church would do things together as a group. This “gathering” in June of 71 initiated a change in my life. On a very warm afternoon we all took a church bus to McCormick Place in Chicago where we witnessed “the Jesus people” banding together and forming an interlocked arm brigade to stop protesters who were going to charge the stage and upend the teaching of a man named Billy Graham.

I saw and felt things that day that I couldn’t possibly explain. All I knew was that it felt like someone knocking on the inside of my heart and in that moment, I opened the door to the most amazing man I’d ever met. It was Jesus… and Revelation 3:20 was presented to me in a way that has kept that door open all these years.

I was called to follow Him in 1971. In July of 1971 I taught my very first Bible lessons to kids at Vacation Bible School in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In July of 1976 I felt a calling to youth ministry as I experienced the infilling of the Holy Ghost while I was a youth counselor at Spencer Lake Youth Camp in Waupaca, Wisconsin.

I took my first job as a Senior Pastor with the Church of God organization. The town was Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Five months into this job I preached on prayer and intercession. What happened in January of 1985 was something that nobody could have predicted. As the prayer room grew, so grew the intensity of the Spirit.

By the end of January, we were in the midst of a sovereign move of the Holy Ghost that we could neither have predicted nor understood. We weren’t having “good services”. We were in the midst of the “genuine” and it went night after night for 23 straight weeks. It was like an explosion in our midst. When I first got to the church in 1984 there were seven people. By the time the Good Friday service rolled in the following spring, we were packed out. You had to come to church an hour early just to get into the building.

I am not here to list all the signs, wonders and miracles, for that in itself would take volumes to write. What I will tell you is about the experience in the midst of this revival that was a defining moment in my life.

As the church grew, there was a need for a bigger building. 12 weeks into this revival we had outgrown the maximum capacity allowed by the local fire department. The talk started to shift from the things God was doing to the things we needed to have in the natural. We became very material minded. We talked of building a new building and carpet colors and roofing materials and perk testing and suddenly we were ablaze and inundated by the things of man instead of the things of God. Oh but we justified it by saying we were “doing great things for God”… “building great things for God”… “taking valuable ground for God”.

Being a very young pastor, I was also not seasoned enough with the Word and preparing for messages were also limited due to the excess of the material. I was preaching about the power and had taken two nights to speak about Charles Finney. How he used to take an old orange crate from city to city. While he was in the country, he would fit his head and upper body into that crate while his knees and lower body were outside on the ground. He would intercede there. After he had prayed through, he would take that crate to the cities of his day and stand on top of it as his pulpit so he could see over the massive crowds that would gather to hear him preach. It seemed that I was noticing a parallel to Finney and what was happening there in Wisconsin.

The Lord came in like a mighty rushing wind and without realizing it, we were installing windshields. The revival was a great gift of His presence and our consciousness of it. We began to put Him on a back burner. This all started with 6 AM prayer for the men. It continued with a noon prayer meeting at Aunt Bee’s home. Then it was back to prayer an hour before service. Prayer wasn’t a labor, it was like an oasis in a very dry place called life.

One morning I awoke for prayer at 5:45 and had a hard time rolling out of bed. My head was filled with my daily “to do” list which had grown considerably during the past six weeks. On this particular day I had appointments with contractors, decorators, builders and I was trying to get it all sorted out as I walked into the prayer room that morning.

I was having a hard time praying, and in fact did not get through to a brokenness that I had become accustomed to. There were no tears. Only schedules in my head and a lack of focus on the things that “aren’t seen”. That night, God moved as usual. It was one of those nights when people in worship began to get slain in the Spirit without anyone near them. Healings abounded. We were in the altars praying and worshipping and ministering until somewhere past 2 AM. As the bus ministry loaded up those overcome with the Spirit and everyone had left, I thought to myself about how hard it would be to get up that morning with only a little over 3 hours of sleep.

As I was turning out the lights and heading for the back door, I heard the Lord speak in such a sweet way, but there in the darkness, it startled me. He only spoke a few words, but they were words that I remember to this day.

He said, “Well done this night. Tomorrow in our time together, I am going to take you to the greatest cathedral ever built for me”. That was it. He was done and I was motivated to get to prayer no matter how little sleep I would get.

That morning I came with a renewed passion and excitement. God was going to give me some pointers so that I could build our Prairie du Chien church and perhaps pattern it after the greatest cathedral ever built!

He met me immediately and we began to walk and talk together as we had done for so many years together. I can remember that we were talking about the revival the night before and as we started to walk, I looked around and saw that we were in a very large city with skyscrapers and many people. I thought perhaps he was going to take me to a church like PTL or perhaps the Prayer Tower at ORU… or even back in time to perhaps Solomon’s temple. THE GREATEST CATHEDRAL.

Well… He has a way of getting into a discussion with me that I barely notice the things and scenery around us as we walk. About 15 minutes in, I noticed that we had walked out of that city and were now in what I assumed were suburbs with track houses and subdivisions. Again, He gained my attention and my focus and it was perhaps another 15 minutes and we were in a rural setting with maybe a house every mile or so, until there were no houses or buildings at all.

Perhaps He was taking me to our new plot of ground on the outskirts of Prairie! We talked and laughed and sometimes His words brought tears.

In what seemed like an abrupt heartbeat, He stopped and He was silent. When He is speaking and then there is nothing but silence… it is very loud. I looked around and we were standing at a crossroads. A gravel road crossed a dirt road and there were fields of crops in full bloom, forests in the distance, the weeds had overgrown the sides of the road we were on and the sun was very bright and very warm.

His voice shattered the silence. “There. There is the greatest cathedral that has ever been built for me.” I looked around and noticed nothing but nature and blue skies. “OH, I get it,” I said in my own attempt at being wise, “out here in nature, the sky as the roof of the tabernacle and no walls to box us in. Your Father built it.”

I was feeling very smart and somewhat proud when He burst my bubble with the word, “No. Over there.” And he pointed to the weeds next to the road. I looked to where He was pointing and saw an old broken orange crate.

Finney’s orange crate. The one I preached about. It was broken by time and weeds had almost covered it over. He then spoke as my eyes focused. “That is the greatest cathedral that has ever been built for me. It was where my son came and in his travail, most holy faith was built. We wept there together. We travailed there together. We laughed and we reasoned and we danced and we worshipped and we patched up old wounds and we ate there in the midst of our enemies… and we built the temple that the Holy Ghost dwells in. And each day we would build a little more. We would do maintenance on what we had built. It was a magnificent view when you were standing in Heaven looking down on it. What natural building could you build for me that hasn’t already been built? If you build this cathedral, I will take care of every other want and need and building in your life.”

And just as quickly as we were standing there, I was slumped on the dark floor of that little church – reevaluating my focus and my natural building plans and with that morning’s tears, I began to partner with Him to build the greatest cathedral. I had much to do. I had been given an orange crate that was to be turned into a tabernacle.

We need to realize that when we are weak, then are we strong. When we are broken, then are we whole. When we focus on the things not seen, then can we see. When we forsake building our own kingdom, then can we begin to build His.
2.

Dare To Disagree With Your Enemy

Today culminated with one of the most powerful prophetic worship nights we have ever had. Calling it that… it is God speaking to us in the midst of our worship. The power and presence of God was so humbling and so intense. It is so hard to put it into words, but suffice to say – it was beyond anything we could have thought or imagined.

I want to talk a bit about our authority as believers. Most times in our life, we do not use the authority we’ve been given. We forget that we’re the head and not the tail.

In Luke 10:19 Jesus tells us that we have power. Power over ALL power of the enemy. So… why do we not use that authority that we’ve been given?

Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

I see something kind of interesting in Mark 3. If Satan is divided against himself, he can not stand. If Satan is divided within your mind which is where most of us give him access… he can not stand – and I love the ending words of Mark 3:26. “… he can not stand, but has an end.”

If you are being pursued and overtaken by the enemy, you need to bring something inside that he can’t agree with. If Satan can not agree with you – it will cause a division and a battle. According to our authority – we have power over all his power.

Satan can not agree with God’s word. He may be able to agree with man made doctrine, but he can NOT agree with God’s word. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the WORD of our testimony… or HIS word working in us.

Another thing the enemy can’t line up with is true worship – when it’s done in spirit and in truth. When we find ourselves doing more than just singing songs. Satan loves a sing-along, but He can’t abide true worship. He does not want to remain in a place where true worship is taking place. Our authority is one thing, another thing is to actually exercise it.

Five steps in exercising our authority:

First and foremost – your life must be right. You must not only know you a child of the King, but you have to BE royalty to have the authority in that kingdom. To be able to exercise your authority – you must be within your jurisdiction. You can’t live in and for the world and in the same breath try to use your spiritual authority.

You can’t be a “double agent” in the things of God.

Secondly – You must be taking time for true worship. John 4:24 tells us that the “true” worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Have you entered His gates with thanksgiving in your heart and have you entered His courts with praise?

Third – You need to be able to find a place in prayer where He will give you direction as to taking your authority, the timing of the commands and what weapon will be used in eradicating the vermin. Jesus said that He could do nothing except what He’s SEEN the Father do. Jesus experienced the healings, but He saw those things FIRST in the spiritual realm… on His knees.

Fourth – Go and DO what God has directed you to do. Follow His instructions to the LETTER. You must obey His commands and His timing for your authority to become power. Some get to this step and then step back due to fear or circumstance. Be bold and be strong – and remember that the perfect love of God will cast out all fear.

Fifth – Your motivation is VERY important. Jesus reminded the 70 not to rejoice in the fact that they had power over the demonic realm – but to rejoice in that they were children of the King and that their names were written in Heaven. (Luke 10:20)

Would you be willing to have a prayer ministry if you never got the credit for praying for the one who got the miracle? It deals here with your humility – and exercising your authority not to receive the fame and praise of man – but because you love your Father and lived for His praise.

Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

A People Of Five Senses

This morning I remember a line from a song that is for all intents and purposes, scriptural. “… if I can see it, I can do it”. Remember that Jesus said He couldn’t do anything that He didn’t see the Father do. (John 5:19) Many times, even the secular song can come from an influence of God’s hand and God’s word.

It is easy to say that God is doing great things when we can see the things He’s doing. I know… “duh”. During the deliverance from captivity in around 539 BC, we see it written in Psalm 126:1-3: When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Today as we move farther and farther away from the literal cross and closer and closer to a literal eternity, the enemy really doesn’t want us to be able to tap into the realm of the spirit. It must be a catch 22 for him. He wants to be noticed and glorified, but at the same time, he doesn’t. His glory comes through the flesh of man and through the fall of man.

As time has passed and science and logic have come to the forefront, there is a majority of people in the world who have a hard time believing in a supernatural realm. They fail to realize that there are two worlds coinciding and that very soon these two worlds shall collide.

Because we are a people that are governed by our five senses and have learned to be comfortable with those senses, we have a sense of accomplishment and security in them. We feel no need to go outside our realm… until… a crisis arises which we can not understand, nor do we have any answers for. It is a crisis where our senses are keen to the problem, but there is no comfort from anything we are equipped with.

These limited senses do not have the capability of seeing into or believing into the future. They can only know what has transpired in the past. What we have done, is mastered the art of hindsight. We can see where God has been, how He’s worked, miracles that have occurred, things have been accomplished with no logic or reasoning – and when all reason and logic have been exhausted, then and only then do we spout a statement like… “Maybe there really is a God”.

The children of Israel were standing before an impossible and angry sea in the middle of a dark night. The cloud that was before them removed itself and went behind them as a protection from their past which was even then at the door. The people were frozen in fear, and so the cloud went between their eyes and their enemy. Only then did they turn around toward the sea.

I am very sure that those people who had seen miracle after miracle were saying, “yeah, I know what God did before, but what about this time?” There it is. The failure to walk in a supernatural realm until after the miracle occurs.

Before the miracle occurs… be careful what comes from your mouth. Fear generates horrible consequences when it is stirred up by your five senses. And in this case, the Lord put a cloud to cover their eyes – but unfortunately, their ears still heard the snorting of horses, the chinking of armor and the threats of a very angry enemy.

There was not one person standing before that sea that was proclaiming that they were going to go through it and not get their feet wet. They were a huddled mass of wet mess – fearing for their lives and crying into the night air. They were slaves. They were not allowed to learn to swim. When you don’t learn to conquer something, it can terrorize you.

IN FACT: MOSES PANICKED:

Exo 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

Exo 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

Exo 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

The Lord then stepped in quite quickly and pretty much told Moses to essentially “SHUT UP”. God didn’t want them to stand still… He wanted them to go forward into their miracle! God didn’t want them to never see the Egyptians again… He wanted them to witness the corpses of the enemy for closure and to know that they could never harm them ever again!! (Exo 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.)

Exo 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Exo 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

There are times when it looks as if God has abandoned you. When you look ahead and can’t see the glory of God any longer. This angel went behind the camp of Israel. WHY? So that they which were looking back would not be afraid. As I said, they could still hear the chinking of the enemy army – but could not see them. The enemy works in our lives like that today… we can hear him, but we MUST NEVER fear him!

Suddenly Moses stretched forth his hand. His bony old natural blood filled hand over the sea. At least, that’s what everyone saw. But his hand, when moved by the word of God caused each and every one to believe that they could move into a supernatural realm.

And they walked in the midst of a miracle. Trouble on every side in the form of angry waves perhaps some 60 to 70 feet high. (that much water displaced for 6 million people had to stack at least that high) I don’t believe the Bible records one word from one of those millions of Jews. Not one word of praise. Not one word of worship. Silence.

And then… as the last Jew was coming to step into the land of Midian, the dawn broke and it was written: Exo 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.

The enemy thought they were more powerful than they were and began to charge through the immense fog bank toward the Israelites. Egyptian and Israelite alike, watched in the midst of silence as God replaced the water. One thing you must know is that the enemy can not walk in the midst of your miracle! The fire of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah was a miracle fire where the enemy could not go.

The place of the cross is a place the enemy could not hang. Sometimes the most horrible places to the flesh are the most miraculous in the Spirit. But your senses will never have enough courage to take you there.

And what was really revealing to me happened not as this frightened band of senseless people who only relied upon their five senses walked through their silence, but what happened afterward.

In the 15^th chapter of Exodus and the first verse… look at the first word of the first verse. The word is: “THEN”. Then and only then did they begin to sing and praise and worship. Oh, they had a Pentecostal praise gathering. Dancing. Singing. Telling of how God “had” triumphed gloriously. They said in the second verse… “The Lord IS my strength and song…” What they were really saying was… “the Lord WAS my strength and song”

Where was that dance in Egypt? Where was that song during the long night of deliverance? Where was that proclamation of God being called “LORD” as they crossed on to foreign soil?

Oh, we will cheer God on after the fact, but what about right now – when you are still in Egypt? What about right now when you are in the longest walk of your life through a darkness that seems to span eternity? What about the ability to jump your five senses and see into the five senses of the spiritual realm? What about the ability to call those things which are not… as though they were?

Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

We can jump all over those poor Israelites for not cheering in the midst of the miracle, but look in the mirror and see that we are related. We have their eyes of fear. We have their mouths of unbelief. We have their hands that hang down. We have their mouths that only taste the bitter. We only hear the clanking of enemy armor.

Faith is still the substance of things HOPED FOR and the evidence of things NOT SEEN. (Hebrews 11:1)

Blessed are they who can believe before the miracle occurs… or in the midst of the miracle… AS WELL AS after the miracle. (yes, it is important to believe AFTER the miracle – because there are those who attribute signs, wonders and miracles to logical circumstances.)

Jesus, after He ascended to Heaven and spilled His blood on the mercy seat came back to let his disciples know that “the coast was clear”. He wanted to rejoice with them that salvation had been secured and that one had crossed over on dry ground to Heaven… making a way for all others; including them.

How His heart must have broken when He returned just as He said, and Thomas was still speaking out of his five natural senses… “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)

People in a five sense realm are proclaiming sadly today… “I will not believe”.

Thomas did eventually believe. He eventually got to the other side of his sea and saw the enemy destroyed. He eventually believed it was true. But not because of faith. Not because of his ability to walk in the Spirit.

Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Yes, we can jump all over Thomas, but again… look in the mirror… many of us are related to him too.

We are like the Jews in Psalm 126 – we rejoice after the deliverance. “Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing.”

I believe that God is looking for someone to bless. Someone who will stand on the shores of their Egypt with the past and the darkness threatening them… who will be dancing… who will be singing… who will be proclaiming WHO GOD IS.

God is working. Whether you see Him or not. Whether you see evidence or not. He’s working and He is worthy of praise. I know that I use this scripture many times, but again, we must be people who can dance before the ark gets home. We must be able to sing from inside the inner prison. And we must be able to proclaim in the midst of darkness that He is the Light.

There are five natural senses. There are five books in the Pentateuch. I believe it is no coincidence that God is telling us that we can escape our five senses that hold us captive and prevent us from the freedom we can experience in the parallel realm.

Hab 3:15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.

Hab 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Hab 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

We must proclaim before we are delivered. We must sing before we are safe in the fortress and we must shout while our feet are still on miry clay:

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

The Critical Change of Revelation

The critical change of revealing your abundance. Now that’s a mouthful.

In seven days we have seen such a swing in the temperature! We shouldn’t be surprised as God changed the world in 7 days. Things change. Seasons change. Days change. I look at the sequence of events surrounding the passion and I see the heart of a man change between sundown and dawn.

Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luk 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

Luk 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Was it really in Peter’s heart to deny Jesus, or was he just overcome with a wave of fear? Excuse doesn’t justify what is in our heart – but it explains what is in our heart. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth will open and speak. (Matthew 12:34)

Is it really in our hearts to judge, criticize and speak against one another – or are we having a bad day. After the damage comes the justification. “I only said that because I was frustrated” or “I only lashed out because I am having a bad day”. No. You revealed what is abundant in your heart and excuses try to justify the content.

“I’m sorry” is a lobbyist for removal. “I’m justified” is championing a cause for the retention of sin.

God allows us to be overwhelmed. He allows us to have our backs against the wall. He allows us to be cornered. He allows us to be criticized, ostracized, demeaned and come against.

Not because He doesn’t care… but to compassionately show us what is abundant in our heart. We can hide what is in our heart when everything is going good… when we are in a Sunday service in the eye of the public… when everyone is on our side.

But when we are in critical situations, it is like an olive press – crushing the pit of our being and yielding what manner of oil is within us.

Jesus is so smart. Many times he won’t come to us and tell us that we have anger in our hearts or jealousy or malice or hatred. If He did, we be all “spiritual Christian” and start rebuking the enemy to cover our tracks.

Instead… He brings us to a boil and we can see for ourselves exactly what is there. It’s right there – in the change. There is something about changes that stress us. But it’s there in the change where we can really see what is being manufactured in the depths of our own heart. Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I heard the story of the Dutch KLM 4805 airliner that collided with a Pan-Am 1736 jumbo jet in the Canary Islands. One plane had just filled up with jet fuel. The other had begun to taxi and was taking off down the same runway at about 200 mph. A heavy fog bank had covered the airport and nobody could see that both of these jets were on the same runway – coming straight at each other. The KLM pilot tried to take off over the other plane and sliced through the fuselage like a knife through butter, spilling ever ounce of it’s jet fuel all over the lower plane and passengers. When the spark ignited, it instantly sent both planes into two fiery explosions.

They recovered the black box from the KLM cockpit, or what was left of it, and eerily had the last words of the pilot calling upon God to damn the situation as he took 583 lives into eternity with him.

We can fool a lot of people when we are in the public eye. We can portray the picture of perfection on Sunday morning. What we can’t do is hide what is inside in the midst of a critical change. We can only pray that God will cause us to see it and will give us enough time and courage to change it.

Those of us who continue to hold on to the things that are killing us from the inside out, no doubt have been warned many times – and have gone through many critical changes without changing our abundance. And usually when we hear the word “abundance” from pulpits, it is with a positive stroke. Be careful of the evil in abundance that we harbor in our every day lives.

The following scripture chills me to the bone: Pro 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Suddenly be destroyed. That applies to those who have been in the critical changes… often – and have resisted the word to retain the sin. Those who say, “How come I am always going through this – why can’t things ever turn around for me?”

Perhaps it’s a retention of the very thing we need to release to God. The thing we hold on to. The thing that perhaps defines us… brings us security… brings us comfort. Always being able to fall back on blaming and anger and violence to make our flesh feel better when that crushing change comes.

David prayed what we all need to pray: Psa 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The refreshing thing is this. If you will look back at Luke 22:32 – Jesus said something about what was going to happen during the change. He said, “I have prayed for thee”. He didn’t say, I am going to pray for you. It was already a done deal. It was done – BEFORE THE CHANGE. In the critical… the path has already been laden with prayer. In the change… someone is watching over you. In the change… Jesus Himself is on your side.

Next time you say, “nobody understands” or “I am all alone in this mess” or “you don’t understand because you are not going through it” or “you don’t know how bad I hurt right now” or “you don’t feel my pain”. Those are lies. Lies from an enemy who wants you to go down in flames in the critical change of revealing your abundance.

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Achieving Your Destiny

This morning I want to review something I left you with yesterday as I closed the book on the church at Ephesus. A church where “potential” was in it’s spiritual DNA – but remained in the shadow of a pagan temple because it had left it’s first love.

The key to achieving your destiny and reaching your potential is “working faith” – and faith can only work by LOVE. This church had walked away from it’s love because it was too busy competing and trying to become like the mega church in it’s community.

In the end, the temple of Diana became one of the seven wonders of the world and even it’s ruins remain… while the church of Ephesus drifted away into oblivion and even it’s ruins were destroyed and covered by time… buried in the dust of the earth.

We can lose sight of the essentials when our eyes are on natural things. (repeat that out loud)

You can accomplish all that God has called you to…. IF you keep in mind that the things you do, must be IN Him and not FOR Him. In your church sing TO Him not About Him. Take time WITH Him – don’t just read ABOUT Him. You must return to your first love as often as you return to your daily dinner table.

God is all about the family eating together at the supper table. (Luke 14:16-24) We read yesterday about the great supper and those who excused themselves because of the: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Those three things will cause us to make excuses as to why we can’t come to supper. But I know that this very hour, that clarion call is going forth like a dinner bell to the earth… Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Come; for all things are now ready.

When we return to our first love and to His table – we can surely reach the potential He put within us and we can achieve the destiny He intended for us.

Come when He calls and you’ll surely be filled. Let your prayer be today and every day as you go to His feet….

Open my ears so I can hear YOU. (Isaiah 29:18)
Order my steps. (Psalm 37:23)
Give me courage to take those steps. (Joshua 1:9)
Let this path be well lit with your word (Psalm 119:105)

I desire my love to be constant, my anointing to be full and fresh and that your presence in me be powerful. That I accomplish all you have called me to.

Faith can not “work” except by love. And without faith that is alive and working, it is impossible to please Him. Ephesus lost its ability to go forth into what God destined for it.

Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. (II Chron6:40)

“My People Are Afraid To Love”

I am sure that there is going to be more given to me on this topic, and I probably should wait until I get more on it, but I am excited at the prospect of what He has been “brewing” in my spirit for the past few days.

I hear in the gentle winds of Heaven again this morning, “My people are afraid to love”. That is an interesting statement and concept… “afraid to love”. Lord… give me the full version of what this means!!

I will open with a scripture to begin the discourse: 1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

There is no fear in love. When we are able to love – it is only because we have overcome fear. Why would anyone be afraid to love someone? Fear. Fear of rejection, fear of guilt by association, fear of losing something within ourselves – like self esteem, fear of being made fun of, fear of being mocked, fear of being shunned. These are all fears brought by the enemy when “love” is not only a possibility, but a command.

I can think of several examples… When you love your father that your mother hates – it jeopardizes the relationship with your mother… so you either love under cover or choose not to love at all. Or, perhaps loving someone who has a serious illness… fear that it would take so much of your time to care (or to show love). Loving someone of a different denomination or ideal or persuasion in the midst of a zealot in your own family – fear of violence and persecution breaks out. I know of someone whom I loved greatly that died – and that was not loved by some of those that are still alive – I find myself trying not to even speak about the one in the presence of those living.

I also had a friend who once went to prison because of a sin that was very grievous. To say I loved him or that I wanted to visit him was like speaking blasphemy in the presence of the religious and self-righteous people.

Fear keeps us from loving. We need to understand that just because we choose to love someone – it doesn’t mean we adopt or condone their sin or that we have chosen sides to love one greater than the other – it just means we’ve adopted God’s character to love in the midst of the adversity.

To choose not to love because of fear. This IS a spirit. To be prompted by the Lord to love someone unconditionally and with all of our heart is a Godly characteristic that is fought with great effort by the enemy. I think the greatest example is found in two places at the day of the salvation of man.

Mat 26:74 Then Peter began to curse. He said, “I swear to God, I don’t know the man!” As soon as he said this, a rooster crowed.

Mat 26:55-56 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Why do you come to get me with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal. Every day I sat in the Temple area teaching. You did not arrest me there. But all these things have happened to show the full meaning of what the prophets wrote.” Then all of Jesus’ followers left him and ran away.

Everyone wants to be loved and accepted… all the time… but when you choose a path to love, this will not always happen. The enemy will come with “swords and clubs” as if you were a criminal.

To love is never an easy choice – and to follow that choice with an action of proclamation or action itself is just an inkling of what Jesus went through when He chose to love. God chose to love and they crucified His son. Jesus chose to love and they ran from Him. The Holy Spirit chooses to love and people say “it’s not from God”.

Today – when you are presented an opportunity to love… count the cost and realize that to love always comes with a battle.

1Pe 4:11-13 If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from God. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that God gives. Then it is God who will be praised in everything through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Assign Your Agreement

Today I was thinking about “following” in my daddy’s footsteps. Doing what He would do and thinking the thoughts He would think. Some once said, “God doesn’t have to work very hard – He just creates a lot of things with His words”. I don’t know if all that is true, but I do know that if we can learn to follow His speech… The King’s speech… and we would be amazed at how our lives would change.

To learn to:

Speak AS He speaks (relationship)
Speak When He speaks (timing)
Speak What He speaks (doctrine)
Speak Where He speaks (obedience)

I have been thinking a lot lately about healing. About the provision made on it’s behalf… the events surrounding it’s timing… the hanging on in the midst of the battle for it… the motivation behind it’s appearing. When we learn “God speech” – we can better understand and can “obtain”.

In the battle for healing that I’ve been fighting lately, I start asking myself questions… what is HE saying about it, what is His timing for it, how does HE call it forth. The only thing I don’t know is the timing.

So… when I am engaged in the battle for my own healing…. I am looking at the strategy for the battle.

Yes – the truth is – God heals
Yes – the truth is – God loves me
Yes – the truth is – God and I have a relationship
Yes – the truth is – I can hear His voice
Yes – the truth is – I know His word
Yes – I can be patient until the fruit is ripe

When you are battling – the enemy will come against you – and try to alter God’s word and bring a lie. I challenge you to put up your list of truths against the lie of the enemy – and see how that lie will fall in the midst of your list. Just as Satan talks you into the lie… truth will talk you back out of it.

Putting my agreement to His word and putting my agreement to what I hear is a big plus in the battle. Though I wake up feeling weak… I put my agreement to the word that tells me in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that I am strong. When I feel as if I can’t do something… I put my agreement to Phil 4:13 – I can do ALL things. When we put our agreement to something – it’s not necessarily that we “feel” it – but when we speak it – we put our agreement to it.

When you speak – you are assigning an agreement. You either agree with how you feel or the truth which is God’s word – and those two things can be quite different. You agree with your anger or your forgiveness. I thought of all the years I have put my agreement with my natural man, with my human emotion, with my carnal feelings… instead of with my Father. He never comes into agreement with the carnal… so why should we?

I mean… Here is the one who established a system of creation with words. Read that sentence again… CREATED A SYSTEM TO CREATE WITH WORDS. It would be wisdom to align with Him… put your agreement with that… and forsake everything else.

Listen to what He is speaking right now into your life… into your circumstance – step out onto your troubled water with faith and put your agreement to it!!!

Mat 18:19 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. (you actually could interpret that second one in agreement with you here on earth as the Holy Ghost!!!)

A Recipe For The Critical Situation

Mar 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Many times we can “revert” or “adapt” in an uncomfortable or an impossible situation. We tend to revert back to what we have been taught or lean to the teaching of quick fixes. Even if it didn’t work when we learned it, we revert to it because it is so engrained into us. It is comfortable to us. Or we try a way that sounds too good to be true… and it always is.

I think of the years that we spent trying to sell our house in North Carolina after the housing market crashed. We tried everything to no avail and were so very frustrated. Someone told us that there was an “easy fix”. They told us that all we had to do was take a statue of St. Anthony and bury him in our backyard, upside down – and in a short time, the house would sell.

At the same time, another friend who was actually DOING this and finding no success got into a discussion with a group of friends that were with me watching a football game. A third friend listening intently piped up and said, “Well, there’s your problem. You have been burying St. Anthony instead of St. Joseph. That is of course why it’s not working. And good luck now, finding anything that you’ve lost because you just buried the patron saint of lost causes.”

I sit and marvel at all the quick fixes that are absolutely ridiculous. It’s kind of like the commercial where people are doing strange superstitious things so their football team will win the game. The tag line is: “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.”

As I Christian, I must say… It’s ALWAYS weird, win OR lose. It’s like these people become marionettes with strings pulled by the enemy to make God’s powerful creation look like monkeys. And, thus their teaching on evolution appears eerily on point.

We have got to be Christians of the Word. Not the world. God’s word tells us that we need to be obedient and willing. If we are… we shall eat the good of the land. (Isaiah 1:19)

God told us to ask. (John 14:13) Ask Him what to do in the critical situation. Don’t ask Him to bless what YOU’VE come up with as a solution. Don’t just react to circumstance by what has made you feel comfortable in the past. Don’t react because of what you have learned in the past. In other words… for each NEW circumstance, there is a NEW solution. It’s kind of like the reverse of the opening scripture. If you apply a worn out idea to a new problem, it will make the problem worse… or let me say it another way. If you use your “new and great idea” on an old problem… again, it will become worse.

Moses was a man trained in Egypt. He was brought up knowing NO manual labor because he was royalty. When he wanted something, he called for it, and when it didn’t come – he used force to get it. Some royalty is like a spoiled child that stomps his feet and beats the dog when he can’t get his own way.

Moses, was in the desert, surrounded by many whining complainers who were very thirsty. God had instructed Moses to “speak” to the rock and that rock would bring forth water. Speak to the ground that it would release a well of water. Even the smartest of people know that when you need water in a desert place, you have to strike the ground. Psalm 84 tells you to “Dig a well”.

Moses got frustrated with the criticism and gave in to his comfort zone. He became royalty all over again, and reverted to what he learned as a child. If you can’t get what you want, use force. I mean, the people are already mocking him because there is no water and he hadn’t led them to a decent place where water was abundant. People started calling him a poor leader, inadequate, uninsightful, “wrong-way Moses” who couldn’t lead them to water, much less a promised land.

Nobody identified who their God was. Moses, in a panic, struck the rock that was moist. Twice. You can read the account here:

Num 20:4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?

Num 20:5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

Num 20:6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.

Num 20:7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Num 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

Num 20:9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

Num 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

Num 20:11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Num 20:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

We can not “revert” as a dare from the enemy or when we are under duress. We can not blindly start tossing forth scripture like a machine gun – spraying the ammunition everywhere hoping we will hit something. We need to learn how to follow the recipe for each critical situation… decently. In order. Line upon line. Precept upon precept. Here a little. There a little. (Isaiah 28:13)

Stop. This means stop walking, stop talking. BE STILL.
Listen. You don’t have to describe the situation, you don’t have to call 100 of the top American evangelists to pray for you. You just have to be still and listen.
He will put forth a solution. He may tell you to speak a word. He may tell you to stand still. He might tell you to be quiet. He may tell you to rub your head three times, push your belly out and shout, “HMMMM”. Whatever He tells you to do… listen carefully.
After and only after listening… DO exactly what He told you.
When is seems like it’s not working… BE PATIENT. Let Him Work His Plan.

And finally…. To those who say… I’ve done what God told me to do, and still – NOTHING!!! I have just one word to tell you. The water will come.

The water, Moses… will come IF you did what you were supposed to do and IF you respect the timing of the Lord. Read that sentence again you Moses’ out there who are waiting for water.

Don’t revert back to what you did before. Don’t revert to the world’s great ideas. Don’t lean to your own understanding. And DON’T LET WHO YOU WERE YESTERDAY DEFINE WHO YOU ARE TODAY. You are a part of a higher royalty that needs not use force to secure your blessing.

And an “oh, by the way”. Should you hear God’s answer, think it’s ridiculous, and do it your own way… you just MIGHT get water the old fashioned way. Go ahead and get your blessings outside the word of God and outside of the boundaries He set up.

Of course, consider Moses, who was then disqualified from participating in the bigger picture and the promise of a new land where you couldn’t use sticks and stones to knock down Jericho’s walls. God was trying to teach a spoken word ministry which was the perfect tool for the problems in the promised land.

Have you been banging your head against a door that won’t open? This is a new door and a new lock… get a new key.

Lam 3:22-23 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Pro 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

The assault on Judah

In the past few days, I have been doing a private study on Judah and those who are called, according to John 4, to be true worshippers. They are those who will worship in Spirit and in Truth. True Judah will be led to true north on their life’s compass.

To review, we know that when we go to be the “true Judah” – worship is a place where self (who we are) goes to die… and in the prayer of our Gethsemane we find the place where our will (what we desire) goes to die.

There are two enemies that have come to invade, compromise and destroy the true JUDAH. We are warned about these enemies in Isaiah 7. It deals with two assassins of anointing… Pride for Fame and Compromise for Prosperity.

I will comment in the midst of the passage in all caps:

Isa 7:1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin (DELIGHTING IN ONE’S SELF OR SELF SEEKING) the king of Syria, (HIGH AND MIGHTY) and Pekah (EYES WIDE OPEN – PRIDE OF THE EYE, LUST OF THE EYES) the son of Remaliah, (TO BECOME LIKE GOD – DECKED OUT LIKE A GOD) king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem (A SAFE PLACE WHERE GOD’S WORD AND GOD’S ANOINTING FLOW UNENCUMBERED) to war against it, but could not prevail against it. (THERE ARE SPIRITS THAT WORK WITHIN THE HOUSE OF GOD TO FIGHT AGAINST WORSHIP – STATEMENTS COMING FROM A WORSHIP TEAM SUCH AS… “DID I SOUND GOOD?” OR “DID I LOOK OK?” OR “DID YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WORSHIPPED?”)

Isa 7:2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria (pride) is confederate with Ephraim. (prosperity) And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. (WHEN PRIDE IN THE LORD AND PROSPERITY OF THE SOUL ARE EVIDENT – IT WORKS OPPOSITE TO WHAT WE SEE HERE – BOTH SYRIA AND EPHRAIM CONFEDERATE TO FIGHT AGAINST TRUE WORSHIP. ONE OF THE WAYS TO STIFLE TRUE WORSHIP IS TO SCRIPT IT, MAKE IT REPETATIVE, OR TO DO IT AS TO MAKE A HUMAN BEING LIFTED UP OR TO MAKE A PERSON “STAND OUT”)

Isa 7:3 Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, (PROPHETIC) Go forth now to meet Ahaz, (ROYALTY) thou, and Shearjashub (A REMNANT) thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field; (THE PROPHETIC REMNANT MUST MEET THE KING FACE TO FACE)

(WHAT TO DO WHEN IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD ON BEHALF OF TRUE WORSHIP)

Isa 7:4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. (BE CAREFUL. COME IN A SENSE OF REVERENCE AND AWE… AND BE QUIET… AND BE CAREFUL TO LISTEN. REMOVE ALL FEAR AND BE OF GOOD COURAGE)

Isa 7:5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, (HUMAN PRIDE, MATERIAL PROSPERITY, ACT OF SIN BY WAY OF THE LUST OF THE EYES, COME AGAINST WORSHIP TO “VEX” IT)

Isa 7:6 Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, (THIS LITERALLY MEANS TO “CUT OFF THE HARVEST” THAT TRUE WORSHIP YIELDS) and let us make a breach therein for us, (LET US RIP TRUE WORSHIP TO PIECES) and set a king (LET’S MAKE WORSHIP A PLACE WHERE SELF IS GLORIFIED AND HUMAN BEINGS HAVE THEIR OWN WAY – LET’S SET A HUMAN KING OVER HUMAN WORSHIP) in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal: (A CHEERLEADER. A god IN THE MIDST OF MEN. A CELEBRITY. LET’S MAKE OUR WORSHIP LEADERS CHRISTIAN IDOLS… CELEBRITIES… FAMOUS.)

Now…. I have thus far only commented on the first six verses of this great assault on true worship. It is so infamous that it makes me sick to my stomach when I see the direction that worship travels in dead churches… and sometimes in live churches.

Worship is a place where fallow ground must be broken up so that the seeds of the Word can come forth and be planted in good, tilled soil. It is also like the place of threshing in times of harvest, separating the human from the supernatural… the power of man from the power of God… the faux from the genuine… the wheat in your life from the tares.

Isa 7:7 Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. (THIS IS A GREAT PROMISE FROM THE LORD – AND WHEN JUDAH IS ATTACKED BY PRIDE AND COMPROMISE – IT CAN NOT STAND, NOR WILL IT BE SUCCESSFUL!)

Isa 7:8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. (THOSE THAT ATTACK AND INSULT WORSHIP WILL NOT COME TO FRUITION)

Isa 7:9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. (IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU NEED EITHER OF THESE TO BUILD A WORSHIP TEAM OR A BIGGER CHURCH – YOUR WORSHIP WILL NOT BE ESTABLISHED)

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isa 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

Isa 7:16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

Isa 7:17 The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria. (WHEN THE CHURCH DEPARTS FROM TRUE WORSHIP – TROUBLED TIMES WILL ARISE. BELOW YOU WILL SEE ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS TEXT FROM ISAIAH)

Isa 7:17 “But the LORD will bring troubled times to you. These troubles will be worse than anything that has happened since the time Israel separated from Judah. This will happen to your people and to your father’s family when God brings the king of Assyria to fight against you. (THE CHURCH MUST NOT SEPARATE FROM TRUE WORSHIP – AND YOU PERSONALLY, AS THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY GHOST MUST NEVER LEAVE YOUR CALL TO WORSHIP)

Isa 7:18 “At that time the LORD will call for the ‘Fly’ that is now near the streams of Egypt, and he will call for the ‘Bee’ that is now in the country of Assyria. Those enemies will come to your country. (THE ENEMIES OF THE FLY AND THE BEE ARE EVIDENT IN THE SCRIPTED AND THE DEAD CHURCHES OF TODAY. FROM THE MEANING OF THE WORD FLY WE FIND A “STINGING NATURE” AND FROM THE WORD BEE WE FIND “REHEARSED. GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS IN AN ORGANIZED WAY”)

Isa 7:19 They will settle in the deep valleys and in the caves, by the thornbushes and watering holes. (THE WORSHIP SHALL NOT BE A PROTECTION AND IT SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO MINISTER AS AN OASIS IN THE DESSERT. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE OR YOUR LIFESTYLE)

Isa 7:20 The Lord will use Assyria to punish Judah. Assyria will be hired and used like a razor to shave off Judah’s beard and to remove the hair from his head and body. (THE GLORY WILL DEPART FROM YOUR WORSHIP. INSTEAD OF MINISTERING TO THE LORD, YOU WILL ONLY BE SINGING SONGS)

Isa 7:21 “At that time someone might keep only one young cow and two sheep alive.

Isa 7:22 But there will be enough milk for them to eat milk curds. In fact, everyone left in the country will eat milk curds and honey. (THEY WILL SETTLE FOR LESS THAN THE LORD HAS ORDAINED FOR THEM)

Isa 7:23 There are now fields that have 1000 grapevines, and each grapevine is worth 1000 pieces of silver. But those fields will be covered with weeds and thorns. (GRAPEVINES SYMBOLIZE THE RICHNESS AND THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY GHOST. IT REPRESENTS THE JOY THAT WAS PLANTED IN YOU AS A WORSHIPPER. THE HARVEST AND MOVING OF THE HOLY GHOST WILL CEASE TO MOVE AS MAN TAKES OVER)

Isa 7:24 That land will be wild and used only as a hunting ground where people go with bows and arrows. (THERE WILL BE COMPETITION. THERE WILL BE NO SAFETY. CRITICAL SPIRITS WILL ARISE AND DESTROY)

Isa 7:25 People once worked the soil and grew food on these hills, but at that time they will not go there, because the fields will be covered with weeds and thorns. It will be a place where cattle graze and sheep wander.” (THIS TO ME IS A VERY SAD PLACE. TO GO TO A CHURCH WHERE THE THIRST IS NOT QUENCHED AND THE WANDERING OF SHEEP IS CONTINUAL)

The essence of true worship as outlined in John 4 speaks of worshipping the Father in Spirit and in truth. When our worship is attacked and invaded by pride and when the emphasis is on material prosperity – it becomes lifeless. It becomes a show and the worshippers become entertainers.

Jack Hayford said something very powerful. “If worship doesn’t change your life, it’s time to change your worship.”

True worship was never intended to be defined and refined for human ears or for human consumption. It is for HIS glory and was meant to be set apart – for Him only. It is an entering in and dying to self. It is not to develop your talent or to give you a platform to be seen and heard. It is a place to lead people to another realm. It is a place where pride has to die – not where pride is developed and encouraged.

If anything secular is included… or if your music is split between music in the church and music in the world… it is a spirit of compromise and the worship will be tainted. If the worship platform is a place where people are lifted up and “seen” by others… it will be tainted.

You can’t “take pride” in this work. You must not be afraid to be broken down… right in the midst of the fray. Praise will take you through His gates. Worship will take you into His courts. Brokenness will take you into the Holy of Holies.

When worship doesn’t break you… when it leaves you in the gates, or in the courts – you have fallen short of true worship. The true Judah will experience the fallow ground being broken and will be granted an entry to the Holy of Holies.

If your worship can’t take you to the feet of God with your broken alabaster box, then you need to reexamine you worship.

10.

He Changes Both Time And Season

50 years ago. I was 7. I was in the third grade at Riverside Elementary School in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Most of us over 50 remember that day as well as the current generation remembers 9-11. It was a dreary day… a mild day for November… and after lunch our principal came into the room and shared something with my teacher, Miss Wickman. It surprises me that I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning and yet I can remember events of that day.

Because I was an American, growing up in America, it might have meant a little more perhaps to my family as my aunt was a worker for the Democratic election campaign. A president was assassinated. The 35^th president. The only president I had ever shook hands with in my life. (I can still remember the crowd at Serb Hall when John F. Kennedy was campaigning. I shook his hand and he gave me a PT-109 tie tac.) He was gone – and the country was in mourning.

It was a day that changed the course of a country and would ever be upon the hearts of all Americans. (That being said, I am not taking sides, pro or con for the president as a human being, nor am I going to bash the dead.) I can remember that school was released early on that day. I walked home wondering if my parents had heard the news. I got home and remember the sight of my mom standing, ironing at her ironing board in front of the television and sobbing.

I remember that all television was preempted for four days and on Monday there was no school. People all over the country were watching by television the scene of the horse without a rider and the limbers and caissons bearing the flag draped coffin which held the remains of one of the most powerful leaders of his generation.

And everyone remarked… “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

As this infamous anniversary rolls through November this year, I am reminded of the statement that Daniel made: Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

When we look around we can see in hindsight the hand of God in each event that shaped our lives. If we look hard enough we will find that there is a sovereign God who controls the ebb and flow of each tide – and HE truly has left both footprints and fingerprints in each of our pasts.

A nation was shocked with circumstances that they could neither change nor alter – but in our time of shock we had two choices. We could grow angry and withdraw and cease to live – or we could pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and continue forward. And that’s what we did. From accomplishing space exploration to renewing a 16^th President’s vision for civil rights – as a country, we moved forward.

Things may happen in your life that chill you to the bone. I think of Job who had pretty much lost everything as the enemy rode through his camp and took all that Job thought he needed to survive.

In Job 42:10 he finds a seed, that when planted, could cause the vineyard to once again prosper. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

The key words in that verse were “he prayed”. He went to the one who isn’t moved by circumstance. He went to the one who is not shocked when the election results come in. You’ll never hear God saying the morning after an election, “huh… didn’t see that coming”. He came face to face with the one who tells us that He is, indeed… in charge. YOU can’t turn things around… but you can go to the only one who can.

Back to what Daniel says… He changes the times and seasons. Sometimes it’s time to grow cold. Sometimes a warm front. In one hemisphere leaves fall and at the same time, in another hemisphere, buds mark the new beginning of growth and purpose.

You see… it matters what we do… but then again… it really doesn’t alter His will and purpose. Time will, as they say, march on. The weather will be cold tomorrow in Michigan whether you get angry about it or not. Leaves will continue to fall in spite of your great faith.

Kennedy had a bronze plaque on his desk with the Breton Fisherman’s prayer… “oh God your sea is so great and my boat is so small.” He was quoted as saying: Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.

It doesn’t matter if you liked the man or if you didn’t. That’s not what this word is about. It’s about the going forward in the face of adversity while trusting a God who shows us by His love and His path that HE is in charge.

And… if you are HIS, then He is also in charge of you.

This was the scripture read at that funeral 50 years ago: It touched my heart as a 7 year old and it touches my heart now.

Ecc 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecc 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Ecc 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

Ecc 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

I learned at an early age that timing is everything… and His timing is divine. As we take a look back at history – we find out that it has this quirky little habit of repeating itself.

The same wind keeps circling the globe. The seasons continue to grow, change and die… and grow again. Leaders, heroes, killers, thieves – they all have one thing in common. They come and they go. And God has the final say in all of it.

I said… GOD HAS THE FINAL SAY IN ALL OF IT. So… Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

So… why do we feel discouraged, defeated, and leveled by the circumstances? Your attitude and your faith in the midst of the turning will cause you to go forward. And I know… that I have said this before, but I must again remind you – that your ability to go forward is in the nugget of seeking His face and finding His presence when everything around you has gone crazy.

Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Though the winter has found you today… the warmth of His life will carry you forward.

11.

Supernatural Beings Are Not Necessarily Rocket Scientists

This morning I was in the gospel of Mark and came across a passage that has always challenged me as to the understanding. One thing that I saw this morning is kind of contrary to how Christians perceive demonic spirits.

Mar 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Mar 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Mar 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

Mar 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

Mar 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

Mar 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Mar 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Mar 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Mar 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

Mar 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

I have seen demonic possession overseas, but I have not witnessed a lot of it here in America, although I have seen it from time to time. I will most likely teach on that at some point, and will prompt many questions with just a nugget this morning.

First of all, I don’t believe a demon spirit can possess a real Christian (the word of emphasis there is, “real”) covered by the blood of the lamb. I do not believe that Satan or his minions can cross the blood. That power was taken from them at Calvary. I do believe that I have seen Christians “oppressed” and “influenced by” the enemy, but not a full blown possession. Until you’ve seen one of those… you just don’t know, and to speak as though you do know, can be dangerous.

He can and does oppress with thoughts spoken to you as if they were your own thoughts. A thought like… “take a look at that girl over there in the red dress!” He then watches your eyes to see if you are listening to him. If your eyes travel, he knows you are listening… and he engages you in conversation. Thought planter is much different than mind reader.

Remember that in this story told by Mark in the fifth chapter, Christ had not yet shed blood and Christians were people who followed Jesus, but had not yet been redeemed. With that being said, I am not going to teach today on “where” or “who” they can inhabit, but of their level of intelligence.

As Christians, we deem supernatural beings to have supernatural intelligence. We think that the enemy is omnipresent and omniscient, but he in fact, is not. Satan and all that are under his power are deluded and walk in a realm of utter chaos and confusion. Only when they come in contact with the Holy Ghost, Jesus or the Father do their compasses come to true north and they come to a place where they can be coherent. In possessions, they seek to utilize the rational mind of a human being and as the human being gives up ground, the rational mind that the demonic spirits desire to have begins to diminish. They find themselves stuck in a catatonic body with no exit in sight.

Possession in a body is a battle for the human mind. The enemy seeks the peace of the human spirit and the rationality of the human mind, but in fact, when the human mind is conquered, it becomes irrational as does the behavior. One totally possessed is reduced to a zombie like state that can not function. The very thing that the enemy goes after – he can not have.

The case of the man in Gadera (a region that was controlled by gentiles and under heavy Roman influence with a Hellenistic religion) was a man who had been reduced to a monster. The enemy was entrapped in a man that could no longer be rational.

One thing we do see is that the man (“he”) had just enough mind left to run to Jesus. Mark 5:6 “He (the man) ran and worshipped.” Satan and his armies will one day bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but that day has not come yet and they refuse to worship God, and in fact run from God. In our worship services they do everything in their power to STOP and confuse the worship. No… they will not at this time run to worship God, nor will God accept forced and coerced worship.

Now in Mark 5:7, the distinction is not made as to “he” but the verbiage is simply, “And cried” – translating out that there was a cry that came from something or someone within the man.

That someone was a closely knit group of demonic spirits that had one leader and one spokesman in the presence of Christ. Out of Christ’s presence, I believe that nobody could distinguish the thousands of voices that were all speaking at the same time. Christ’s presence commands order and respect.

The devils believe because they know who Jesus is, and although they tremble, they will refuse to worship, but they must obey. In that presence, the demons inside were livid and afraid and asked to be sent into a herd of swine.

This speaks to the confusion and the lack of intelligence in this group. Upon the death of the pigs, they are released into the restless, dark and dry void.

They think they come up with great ideas, but their ideas always end in destruction. When they can’t inhabit a host, Matthew is clear as to where thy dwell: Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Remember that a dry place can not be a living being, for living beings are made up of water – and this word “dry” is translated out as “a place without water”.

There is no rationality in the enemy. There are no good ideas. Their paths lead to destruction and they take as many with them as they possibly can. Think of them as a swarm of unruly and irrational beings without direction, without a defined leader, no sense and no intelligence. And this is who the gentile world listens to? And sadly… some Christians as well.

Can you see the enemy influence in the world right now? The enemy is leaving footprints from the statements of politicians to the actions of suicide bombers. One thing the enemy isn’t… is bright. He moves in darkness, he lives in darkness and he tries to run from darkness.

Hindsight must always be painful for the enemy.

12.

Evidence Of A Living God In Us

The enemy always has scheduled the most vile and intense plans for us as Christians. In Psa 34:19 it tells us that, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

As children of the most high God, we need to focus on the promise – not the problem. We need to meditate on “what thus saith the Lord”. But it’s hard at times, isn’t it?

As the enemy inflicts more pain, more threats, more discomfort, the human body rebels at going to a place in the spirit. It is natural to think of ways and means to get out of the trouble. We are children who have been taught to focus on the problem and stay focused until we figure a way out.

In pain, in turmoil and in tribulation – as people who are “born again” – we must retrain our minds and our focus to step into the spiritual realm. We must focus on the promises of a God we can not see rather than a problem that is attacking our flesh.

This morning I was visiting the book of Daniel and a scripture really stood out:

Dan 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Here were natural men – wearing the garments of the natural… “bound in their natural garments” – and placed into a situation that was very real, very natural and very threatening. The intent was that they were not only to be killed, but the intention was to burned them to ash.

According to John 10 – the enemy comes with no other purpose but to kill. To steal. And to destroy.

As we continue the story in Daniel:

Dan 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

They were cast down. The Bible says they “fell down” into the middle of the trial. But these men were called of God, ordained of God, purposed of God and strengthened of God.

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

These men – in the midst of one of the darkest trials in their life – called upon the Lord and Jesus was there. As He appeared to them, He also appeared to those who threw them in the fire. We must never forget that when we have Jesus walking with us in the midst of a trial, the world will see that same Jesus in us – AND in our trial.

In the trial – the world sees us “cast” or “thrown” into the fire. They see us as we “fall down” into the heat of that tribulation. If we focus on, gather in the name of and call upon Jesus – He comes into the trial with us. The world will then see us “arise”, “walking” and “loosed”. They will see the evidence of a LIVING GOD… not a fable or a character in history, who was simply a “good man”.

Do we show Jesus alive and walking with us today? Some of us show it in church or with our Christian friends, but what do the people on your jobs see? What do the enemies that threw you under the bus see? What does the world see and hear when you are in the dire fire of your affliction?

2Co_3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

People are reading you like a book. And… others will ask what THEY are reading. We can portray the living Christ or we can portray a form of godliness while denying the power of His reality. Someone’s watching, or should I say… shhhh, someone’s reading.

13.

Are You Offending The Offender?

In this world, we are offended by the offender of our soul. He caused problems in Heaven and led a mighty rebellion that took with him 1/3 of the angels. He is “offensive” to us. What if I could tell you that WE could be offensive to him?

What do you get out of these next few verses?

Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The above are scriptures that give us direction in our adversity… offenses…. Infirmity. All things that are common to man. Jesus called something “impossible”. Can you imagine? The Son of God calling something “impossible”?

Luk 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

The enemy WILL bring offences. The definition of Jesus word “offences” as a “trap”, “displeasure” “sin” “stumbling block” – something that will cause you to stumble. Sickness and infirmity for confessing Christians can be a stumbling block.

Or… it can be a place to prove the enemy wrong. You see, sickness, infirmity, adversity, suffering – were all allowed in the book of Job to prove God (the Word) wrong – but in the end, it was the disproving of the enemy.

Paul said… “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Now… pay close attention here… Paul didn’t glory FOR his infirmities… but IN his infirmities. These are the things that grow along the path of this life that we have been called to walk in. And sometimes we get tangled in these “things” – and these “things” are there to make us lose focus and to lose sight of the path we are on. And more importantly, we are tested to see if we will let go of our integrity and our faith.

The recipe on dealing with these “things” are in the first scriptures I gave you. Notice that Job “arose” – to deal with the things about him and then “fell down” and WORSHIPPED!!!

It was an occasion to Praise. It was an opportunity to Worship. It was a chance to “offend the offender”. The enemy lies in wait along our path. When he plans an obstacle, it is with the intent of revealing our true character and proving God wrong. When we praise instead of perjure… when we worship instead of wallow (in our self pity)… when we dance in the midst of destruction… when we sing in the midst of sickness… when we rejoice in the midst of reconstruction… when we delight in the midst of death – it offends the offender. It makes HIM a liar – not God.

Habakkuk said… in the midst of the offenses – “YET will I rejoice”!!

I preached a message yesterday that was not recorded… but suffice to say, it was about the trials of Peter… the storms of his life. In the first storm after becoming a “Christian” – he went into a panic. He looked at Jesus asleep in the back of the boat on a soft cushy pillow and was enraged!!! How can you be so calm in the midst of this storm??? Jesus’ answer to him… “how is it that you have NO faith”?

In the second storm Peter was not only NOT scared in the boat, but had the courage and then the faith to walk on the water. His faith got him a little farther. Jesus said “Oh ye of little faith”. This was a step up into another realm with just a little faith.

Peter weathered many storms after that and through each storm – his faith grew and his focus turned from the storm to his path. In Peter’s final storm – the most intense of his life… what had he learned?

Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Act 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

Peter had learned what the Master had taught him during that first storm. How to focus on the path and not upon what was surrounding it. Jesus told them in that second storm… “Go to the other side” – and they lost sight of their purpose and their orders and their path due to the circumstances.

Now – here was Peter at the end of his life. He was soon to be martyred. He was heading to “the other side” – asleep in the boat – fully focused on his path. Peter first asked the Lord in Mark 4:38 “Don’t you care”? He had now come through his storms with great faith and great confidence inasmuch as he wrote in his epistle… 1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. And in the midst of this storm, Peter was fast asleep.

These “externals” that are surrounding our purpose and our path can come in the form of poverty, sickness, storms, and about a million other “offenses”. Focus on your path – not the winds and the waves. And add to your focus – Praise, Worship, Glory and Truth. Build your faith through the storms. It is one of the reason for them. With the kind of faith that Peter had built, he was able to get across a troubled sea of life and he found his way home.

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

14.

It Must Be Personal

I had a chance to do something that a lot of preachers my age never get to do today. I got to watch a man preach who spoke the words that were instrumental in getting me to Christ. It was after a Billy Graham crusade in 1971 that I gave my heart to God. It was a crusade that was surrounded by protests from a self proclaimed “hippie” culture and it was a crusade where Rev. Graham preached amongst boos from those protesters. When the protesters that night tried to take a small gathering to the stage, a group of “Jesus people” linked arms and caused the protesters to disseminate as their chant of “JESUS” caused the protesters to be overwhelmed and very powerless. They just sort of “disappeared” back into shadows.

“At a Chicago Graham crusade in the summer of 1971, Jesus People surrounded disruptive demonstrators, praying for them, and chanting the name of Jesus to drown out their blasphemies. Later in the crusade a young suburban Chicago discipleship-group leader, Ron Rendelman, passed along the message: “Tell Billy Graham the Jesus People love him.” – Christ Armstrong; Christianity Today

It was a violent time in America – under that 60’s banner of “peace” was tremendous hatred and violence in a generational war that this country had never seen before. I believe many young men and women were called from the midst of that conflict to become soldiers of the cross. I was one of them.

It was June 9 – 1971. My family and I took a church bus from Milwaukee to Chicago to attend the crusade. Looking back now, it was a defining point in my life. I had gone on from there to teach vacation Bible School to elementary kids during the summers and we went to Elmbrook Church where Stuart and Jill Briscoe were just taking over what would eventually be one of Milwaukee’s first mega-churches.

June 9^th. Four years later – just four short years later… and to the day… I was having surgery to repair a broken neck which had almost and certainly should have taken my life. It is amazing what time can do – with it we can grow in Christ or we can travel away from Him – but He always has a way of bringing us back to the exact place in time where we first started.

I heard Billy Graham preach a fiery message this morning about the cross – and how it’s an offense to the sinner because it reminds them that they are going to hell unless they yield to it. The cross – in it’s day was filthy and wretched and symbolized one of the world’s most vile ways to punish, torture and take a man’s life. Isaiah said of Christ on the cross… there “is no beauty that we should desire him”. (Is 53:2) Contrary to popular belief, the crucifixion was so nauseating that only those who were hired or those who were vile could even bear to watch it.

It was not a place for public spectacle – and in fact the place of crucifixion was taken away from any public contact. To have a family member crucified was of the utmost disgrace and if you came to watch, you wouldn’t want to get close due to the smells of the bodily fluids and wastes and rotting; the screams of pain and terror and the cursing of the demonic spirits that had inhabited those soon to be lifeless bodies.

The Bible said that “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; It was not a place where anyone would desire to be – and yet, Christ went there willingly… for us.

As I spoke about in the men’s conference about Nehushtan, I feel that you must link the old testament snake on the staff to the new testament’s account of the crucifixion.

http://www.crossroadsionia.com/home/index.php?option=com_sermonspeaker&view=sermon&id=158:mens2013sundaynight1&Itemid=585)

A very important message on facing and admitting our sin. We must attend our own trial and we must bring all the evidence that will fully convict us. We must prove our own guilt. We must be found completely guilt with our confession. We must receive a death sentence because that is the wage of sin. Finally the crucifixion… we must watch Him pay our price. This should not be easy for you. It should be an offense. It should turn your stomach to the point of sickness. It is a cross experience that makes what He did, very personal. We can’t just continually come and bring a garbage bag full of sin in a darkened back room and tell Him to just take care of it.

Go to your concordances and realize that nobody worshipped at the cross except the Lord…. And He became the sacrifice… and we didn’t offer Him… He gave Himself because we were guilty and someone needed to pay a price. We need to again go to the cross not to offer Him – but to surrender our sins and to let Him offer Himself for us. And we need to witness it with a burning ache in the pit of our stomachs that will bring true repentance and Godly sorrow. It should never be portrayed as an “easy” place to go. It will cost you something.

I gave Him the rights to my life in 1971 – but didn’t live for Him. I begged Him to spare my life in 1975 – but I didn’t understand the price. I preached one of the longest recorded revivals in Wisconsin history, and in the midst, on June 9, 1985… 10 years after I should have died. Still I went from that place not fully understanding what it would take for me to get through this life without the ravages of sin. Here I am climbing to a mountain called “60” – and I pray each morning that I never get too far from remembering my best friend who died in my place. In a few months, June 9^th will come visit me again as it does every year – and it’s my day for “inventory” and “reflection” and what will happen on that day will, I believe, be reflective on how I’ve proceeded to change my daily “reflections” and my time with Him.

The message of the cross is harsh. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s like someone buckling you in because of the amusement you’ve chosen to ride. The tighter the “snug” – the safer the journey.

It’s not just repeating the sinner’s prayer. It’s going to the cross and waiting there until He is finished. It’s watching every drop of blood fall to the earth and realizing that I am the reason He is there.

15.

The Battle For Holiness

Thank you to everyone who made yesterday’s service so incredible!! The worship and ministry were so powerful that by 12:45 we realized that it was a God service and no word from the lips of man were to come forth. I have to tell you – I haven’t felt that in a very long time and it feels like revival is about to break forth! All I could think of was “whirlwind” or “tornado” – when a warm front meets a cold heart – and God just simply has His way.

We are getting to the point where we are learning to use the weapons of the Lord – and one of them is the dance. The enemy hates it. He’ll let you or, I should say… will encourage you to dance in the world at social gatherings – and then when we get to church, the enemy wants you to feel shame in the dance before the Lord.

But in Psalm 149:3, it says – “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.” LET THEM. To the powers and naysayers of darkness – it’s time that we bust through the shame – eliminate the embarrassment and proclaim… LET THEM PRAISE HIS NAME IN THE DANCE!!!!

As a precious sister in the Lord read that yesterday – it bore witness to what the Spirit was saying to the church… The Dance is a weapon of God’s vengeance – and it will put the enemy in chains and fetters of iron!! We sing… “As the Spirit of the Lord moves in my heart, I’ll dance as David danced” – and it’s so funny because we sing it in churches where there are no feet moving. Dance is defined as something where movement of the body is performed. To move your feet. How many have seen dancers dance without moving their feet??? I love the song that says that the dancers will dance upon injustice. The injustice is the enemy bringing shame to those who praise in the dance!

When we do… (move our feet) – it is fulfilling prophecy in Genesis that we will “bruise Satan’s head”. Oh Glory to God!!!

Now… early this morning as I am watching and meditating on the Lord, I hear a clarion call from the throne of grace that there is a battle raging in the heavenlies. It is a battle for holiness. The enemy doesn’t care if the church is righteous – he just doesn’t want it holy. Righteousness and Holiness are two very different things.

There is a difference between righteousness and holiness. As we study the church at Ephesus, we find a church that is staunchly practicing righteousness and performing righteous acts… but there is no holiness there. And without holiness they are in danger of losing their day. Their day to eat from the tree of life.

In some churches, holiness is defined as how one dresses or appears on the outward (categorized by the eyes of man) – but God is looking for holiness – and that is only found in the heart. “…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

There was a King named Amaziah who ruled and reigned in Israel for 29 years, and his appearance was very good. His acts were in the right place. He did and said all the right things… being a righteous king… BUT – He lacked holiness which is of the heart.

2 Chronicles 25:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

David referred to this area of a man’s maturity as “presumptuous sins” – hidden in the heart – and far from the eye of man. Sins that hide there can be jealousy or bitterness or lust or gossip or perversion or anger… the hits just keep on comin’!

When God has you doing all the right things… that is a very good place to be – but not a place of a finished work. He will then go forth and deal with the hidden sin and the perverse thoughts and the illegal motives – the place of holiness. If you are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16) then the holy of holies… or “the place where holiness dwells” is deep within your heart.

And thus… the battle for your holiness. Definition of a “shame” is doing everything the right way but with an errant and hollow heart.

Now… this is an area that man can not see or deal with. We can fool people with our actions, but our intents and motives and thoughts of the heart are only seen of the Lord. And trust me… He does see them. Whether you want to live in the denial or not… He does see them.

Ask the Holy Ghost to come and reason with you concerning holiness.

Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

1Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

To accomplish and fulfill those scriptures, your prayer must be as David’s prayer: Psalm 19:13-14 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

A watchman will warn you ahead of time… and the word that I hear so loud and so clear AGAIN is that there is a battle in the heavenlies for your holiness. Be alert and vigilant… the battle lines are forming and the enemy has long ago begun to engage in battle.

Ephesus had no light on it’s wick – and there was a real threat of losing their salvation. Blood needs to cover both your deeds and the thoughts of your heart. You may be angry and you may bite your tongue and feel proud of yourself that you didn’t say or do the wrong thing… but the very fact that it existed in your heart is a red flag that a presumptuous sin is lurking… and that a sin running rampant has not been covered with blood.

16.

You Can’t Approximate Your Walk

It is now about 3:30 AM and I am sitting down to put on paper some of the thoughts that I have been getting from the Lord.

God doesn’t call covert Christians. Is your relationship with Christ hidden or perhaps non-existent? Do you think you have some special dispensation to hide your light?

Mat_5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Consider the following scriptures:

Gen 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.

Rev 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

Rev 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Exo 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Eze 43:13 And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.

Eze 43:14 And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.

Pastor Mark, are you going to teach us what a cubit is? Ummmm… no. What I am wanting you to see is that we serve a PRECISE God who is PRECISE in all of His measuring and creation. Our God builds to plumb. Unlike us, he only measures once and cuts once. There is no “approximation” with Him and there is no approximates in how he instructed people to build things for Him.

He is precise in His time, His creating, His building, His pallet, His touch, His sight… always spot-on. To put this in perspective on the creation of His universe, if the earth’s orbit was 5% closer to the sun, we’d all be crispy critters. There is no approximation in the orbit.

When Jesus told those who listened to His teaching that He would be three days in the belly of the earth – that was a precise fact… not an educated guess. When God tells us that each hair on your head is numbered – that is a precise God. Jesus didn’t tell them, “oh, look for me somewhere around 6-ish between the 2^nd and 4^th days”.

Do you think that the God of this universe, when He tells you that He will never leave you or forsake you might take at least one day off from babysitting you? Do you think that God doesn’t know the exact amount in your checkbook right now? Do you think that God doesn’t know which moment of your life will be required of you?

He holds all things in His hands and if we are to take lessons from the creator, then shouldn’t we be a little more attentive in the things we build for Him… like our attitudes, our steps, our love? Why do we live in “approximations” when He has told us to be perfect?

But… HOW can we achieve that? With God all things are possible, but with men, they are impossible. Take for example – sin. Take it a step further… unrepented sin. Uncovered sin.

It WILL send you to Hell – but in this day and age of lukewarm preaching and people who have God revolve around THEIR schedules, surely God wasn’t really going to send anyone to hell. It is so dangerous to rewrite the Bible to fit your comfort zones.

I mean… if you live a pretty good life and you wear the title of “Christian” and your mom and dad go to church – that has to count for “good behavior” doesn’t it? I mean… really… God surely has a little leeway, doesn’t He?

His Son was given as a ransom for your sin. Not only do we continue to sin and expect to go to Heaven – but we pretty much have agreed with the new age teaching that God is a God of love and being a good person counts for something.

I mean… God is not so black and white on the issues, is He? The blood was shed and it turns sin either black or white. Remember God as the God of precision… as the God of His Word… and as the God who watched His only son stoop to humanity not to give a little blood for the neighborhood blood drive. He gave every drop. Now… one drop is sufficient to defeat every power of darkness, but He gave everything He had.

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

(people get nervous when I speak about hell… but whether you are comfortable with it or not, it comes from the mouth of a VERY precise God.)

God is a precise God. He knows our every moment… our every sorrow and our every joy. He doesn’t have your sins on the “scales” of justice. Your good can NEVER outweigh the heaviness of ONE UNREPENTED SIN.

Most people today do not know just how precise He is… but there will come a day when there will be no question or misunderstanding in their minds. The biggest lie that the devil tells people is that they are “safe”. Because they are in a Christian home with Christian parents, golfing every Saturday with Christian friends, sitting in the front row of church on Sunday… These are all trappings. Externals… approximate externals.

God didn’t tell us that to be saved, we just needed to simply profess our Christianity – We need to LIVE our Christianity. In our schools, in our grocery stores, in our careers, out with the boys, shopping with the girls.

I can just hear someone standing before Him someday and saying… “I got saved… what else did you expect from me?”

When Robin and the boys were grafted into my heart and I took the directive from the Lord to be a husband and father, I realized that I wasn’t their first. They had treasure in heaven – and if I am hearing correctly, I believe Mikkel is cheering me on in a quest to get his family safely home. A directive to tell the truth even though it may not win any Brownie points.

My directive from my Heavenly Father is not to build a mega church or to take head counts of those I preach to. The directive to me for the church I Pastor… to get His children safely home. Light the path so they can see to walk. Encourage and pick the one up who straggles and falls. Teach them about their inner compass and get them to dialogue with the Holy Spirit. Pray that they discern the voice of Jesus and the hand of their Heavenly Father. Help them discover and recover the buried treasure that was lost during the shipwreck of their last battle.

I’d heard it so strong in my spirit back in the 80’s during revival. “Don’t let them warm the pews when their neighbor’s heart is frozen. Don’t let them put a bumper sticker on their car without knowing who they are and who they serve. Concerning their life… Don’t let them “phone it in” – encourage them to participate. Refuse to be their crutch… challenge them to stand when they’ve done all to stand. And the bottom line… teach them how to pray… Once you can encourage them to step into my presence – I can take it from there.”

To whom much is given, much will be required. (Luke 12:48)

We can NOT approximate our walk with the Lord. We can not “almost” live for Him. We can not give Him a portion when He gave it all.

Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Really Lord? All my heart? All my soul? All my mind? All my strength?

How precisely do you think He wants us take that? Yeah… Lord… let me get back to you on that somewhere between Tuesday and next Friday.

Mat_7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

17.

Did Someone Call For A Plumber?

Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

There is a new Spirit springing forth in many churches throughout the world. The day of controlling and policing by people is passing away. The feeling of the need to be an “enforcer” is a spirit – and that spirit is being cast out. We are to esteem every man greater than ourselves. The need to “Lord over someone” is an abomination to the Lord.

(Mat_7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. ) It is a spiritual pride that is being cast out of our midst! Rejoice in that the oppression of one over another IS GONE!!!

Psa 12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

Psa 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Psa 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

It is so important that you seek the Lord for a straight path today. When we walk in the ways of the Lord, His presence, power and pleasure rest upon us as morning dew.

When we are walking in His will and His way – we affect all that we touch. I have seen it so many times, God working with unlimited power when our walk is pure and our heart is right.

Heb 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

The healing comes as we walk IN HIM. If there is bitterness in you – if there is anger in you – if there is an unclean motive, it hinders the moving of God’s Spirit in your life. We can be used for the desires of His heart, or we can sit back and watch God move through someone else.

Was there a day when God was doing miracles, signs and wonders each day? Has there been a declining in that moving? It could be that you have let a root of bitterness spring up.

Are you upset that God is working through someone else? Check your heart. Get yourself back in line. Humble yourself before Him and let Him take away that which troubles you that you can’t even pinpoint!

When the water in the sink takes longer to drain, you surmise that there must be a blockage. The same thing happens when there is a blockage in your walk… in your heart. Let God remove all that is not Him so that the water can freely flow again.

Is there a feeling of a chill in your attitude? Do you feel away from God? I can remember a great evangelist saying that “if you were ever closer to God than you are right now, you are backslidden”. It’s time to seek the Lord WHILE He may be found!

Hos 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

Hos 14:5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

Hos 14:6 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

Hos 14:7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

18.

Do Not Fear Prognostication

Well… we are in Tennessee after 12 hours on the road, a GPS that is mildly spastic and inaccurate, and rain on and off throughout the trip. We are nestled now in the Smokey mountains with Robin’s aunt and uncle. The house is packed full of relatives and we are anticipating a great memorial service on Saturday for Robin’s mom. Although I have not yet been to sleep, I need to get a word for you today.

Early morning manna. As I sit here studying while everyone in the house is fast asleep, I keep thinking about us here in the mountains… on a rock.

Psa 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Building upon a rock… according to these scriptures takes two important components. You must “hear” the directives of God – and you must be a doer of what He dictates. In other words, you must have faith, because “faith comes by hearing” – and for your faith to be alive – it must be in full motion.

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Ok… now we have established three things. With the two components, faith and obedience (action) we develop wisdom and we are built or “established” on a rock, which according to Psalm 62 is God Himself.

We are constructed on Him or “in Him”. This causes us to do great things THROUGH Christ. (Phil 4:13)

Now… the benefits. When we build ourselves upon the rock of God in Christ, HE BECOMES our defense – and nothing moves us!! Not circumstance, not the talk of the gossips, not the words of the “nervous Nellies”, not the attack of the enemy… NOTHING.

Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And when the storms came, (notice it doesn’t say “if the storms come”) we will not fall because HE can not fail! The storms consist of rain, flood, wind and beating!!!

I don’t know what you are facing in your life today… it may be circumstance, it may be storms, it may be brutal beating of the enemy. If you are not established and grounded on the rock, then you will be moved by the storm. Displaced, if you will.

Today is a great day for your construction. There is a great lot available for your purchase. It is on a high rocky lookout. Step one is to worship and step two is to pray (having a conversation with the Lord – which includes LISTENING to what He wants you to do and How He wants you to do it and when He wants you to do it and WHY He wants you to do it.

Step three is to obey. Do something radical! Last week you will recall, we had mentioned our financial state. We started to feel the press of the enemy. The circumstance left us as we had been sucker punched. We decided to continue construction of our house on the rock.

God instructed us to sow a week’s paycheck. You want to experience how extreme that is? Try it. One week’s pay. No income for one week. For us, it was in the midst of missing almost a month’s pay.

The Lord checked me years ago as I was making a statement. “I can’t wait to cast my crown before Him” – and God reminded me that it was big talk from someone who hadn’t learned yet how to cast a tithe before Him.

So… we heard from God that we were to do the extravagant. The extreme. We obeyed and are anticipating reaping the benefits. The bill collectors call. The enemy posts his threats. The storm has come upon us in full force…

BUT – HE has been our defense and WE ARE NOT MOVED. That is such an incredible feeling. Taking the best shots from the enemy and after his flurry of punches – we look and are amazed… WE ARE STILL STANDING. Sometimes it takes an extreme step of faith to counter an extreme storm. Now… the extreme can be anything from financial, to physical to spiritual to emotional… Get ready for God to ask of you a big thing… something extravagant. And then get ready to STAND in the midst of a big storm. It is for the establishing of a big testimony!!!

And when we’ve done all to stand… we stand. Today for you… it’s a great day to start a construction project – because the storms of life are raging. Listen. Obey. Build upon HIM following His request – NO MATTER HOW EXTREME!!

There will be NO FEAR in the prognostication of inclement weather. There will be no doubting when it hits. There will be no moving you when it’s passed.

“I SHALL NOT BE… I SHALL NOT BE MOVED”. We pray for you to set yourself away with Him today. We pray that you will have ears to hear. We pray that you will have the courage to obey. When this happens, we know that you will have a great story to tell after it’s all said and done… from right there on your rock.

19.

Unless The Lord Builds…

This morning I came across a most unique scripture in “church building”. So many books are written about it, so many ideas are proposed concerning it – and we ourselves after our board meeting last week began to feel the prompting of the Lord to pursue more land for extra parking and we began exploring ideas in expanding our sanctuary. All this in preparation for building God’s temple and filling it with more people.

An interesting concept about how to build a church, or a program, or adding more people comes to us in Ezra.

Ezr 3:1-3 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.

Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.

And this is the kicker: Ezr 3:6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.

They didn’t build the church FIRST to house the altar… they built the altar first to house the church. They didn’t build the church to protect the altar from the threat to their existence, they built the altar to protect the church.

The way they went about this was, FIRST – they had a mind to pray together in unity. “gathered together as one man”. They did this in the seventh month. In a time when most were in the seventh period resting – they went to work. SECOND – they didn’t build that altar as a showplace, or a place to house instruments, or for their own sense of accomplishment. They built it for one purpose, and one purpose only – “to offer burnt offerings thereon”.

Fear was upon them… you’d think they’d have sought the security of building a shelter in the natural. A place of refuge from those enemies. A place where the children would be safe. A place fortified with walls.

But… they did something that didn’t seem right or logical to the carnal mind. They built an altar and sacrificed. THEY PRAYED. They built this altar BEFORE the foundation of the temple was laid.

In anything you do – especially in a critical place in your life, when everything around you screams to build yourself a place of safety… put the altar first. Pray – First. Seek the Lord and He will be your shelter, your hiding place, your church builder, your fortification!!!

I challenge you… before you attempt anything today – PRAY.

Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

You build the altar and the Lord will partner with you to build everything that surrounds it.

20.

Calling Into A Supernatural Realm

I feel the church is on a powerful course. It almost seemed in our past decade as if the church was like a ship in a storm, taking on water, swaying and tilting – and many jumped ship. There is a sense that the ship has righted itself and we are setting sail for a powerful destination.

This morning, it is very quiet and it seems as if the whole world is asleep, though I know it isn’t. And in the stillness of the morning, I want to share with you a few scriptures

Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

I talked a bit about Christian martyrs yesterday – and the remnant of that word is still fresh on my plate this morning. Many amazing things in these three verses, like the transformation of the coat check person to becoming a martyr himself. It all started there for him.

But the main thing that I am seeing here this morning is a man who is in the process of going home. His eyes are being opened to the supernatural world around him and I suppose, like a movie special effect, he stops seeing things in black and white and begins to experience Technicolor! In the crisis – Stephen didn’t lash out at anything human. He didn’t run. He didn’t hide from the pain and he didn’t find a tree or an emotion (like anger) to hide behind. HE WAS BEING CALLED INTO A SUPERNATURAL REALM. A realm he was actually and literally walking into.

That is the testing of whether you really believe, or if you are just playing the church game called “traditional religion”. Stephen couldn’t rely on what his parents knew or what he had learned concerning that good old time religion.

In the crisis do you have the power and the faith to call into a supernatural realm or do you try to face the fire with fire… or… the natural disaster with a natural solution?

Hmmm…. Think back to your last crisis. What did you give way to? Running away, denying it was there, hiding until the storm passed over, becoming angry, blamed someone else, became violent, became hurt and turned your back?

We try to counteract our circumstances with fleshly responses… or, at least – at times, I do. Having the enemy come out of nowhere and attack you so violently and so harshly and so unexpectedly; it is like walking out of your home and getting hit smack dab in the face with a snowball that is more composed of ice than snow. Those of you in California, you’ll have to just take my word for how horrible this is.

It’s happened to me. I got angry. I used colorful language. I looked around for something that would inflict great bodily harm on the one who threw the snowball. I worried that my glasses would be broken. I shouted threats. I pouted and went back into the house and decided that I would never come out of my front door until the snow melted, and while in hiding I would be devising a brilliant plan of sweet revenge.

I must look like a man upset with the wind caused by the turbine of a jet airplane and standing directly in front of it begins screaming at the top of my lungs as my face becomes red, my voice is lost in the roar and my body is being moved backward very quickly by the force of the turbine’s wind. And… think about how foolish that looks. But more so – think how dangerous it is.

We have several of these responses in our repertoire that have defined us in crisis. Are you a screamer? A pouter? A quitter? A boxer? A judge? An executioner? A “silent treatment” kind of person? Let me ask you. How’s that workin’ for you?

I can tell you how it’s been. It has been futile in your past, it is futile in your present, and it will remain futile for your future. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church of Jesus Christ, taught all of us something about the crunch. The moment of pain. The hopelessness of situation.

He did something that wasn’t taught by the natural order of things in this world. He didn’t fight back. He didn’t try HAVE the last natural word. He didn’t seek revenge. He didn’t try to CONTROL the situation. He DIDN’T HAVE TO HAVE HIS OWN WAY. (As children we tend to want to dictate rules and if everyone doesn’t abide by the rules we have, the climate we set, the colors we want – we take our ball and go home or we deflate someone else’s ball and go home.)

Stephen didn’t go out being blown away by the turbine engine of circumstance, looking like a fool. He went out on his knees. He went out trusting God. He went out with a heart of love. He went out not pleading for his life, but pleading the blood.

He called into a supernatural realm. He knelt down and found the supernatural portal to Heaven and He CHOSE to have compassion on the ones who were hurting him. And when he did those things, he entered into a rest that this world can’t wrap it’s head around. Your own turmoil, many times will come from the way you try to conquer the storm.

In crisis. In circumstance. In beatings that can be quite emotional, spiritual and physical. In the crunch of surprise and pain – WE MUST learn to call into a supernatural realm. We must find Heaven’s door… and it’s not too hard to find… because there is someone on the other side of it…. KNOCKING.

It is there in that realm, and only there, where we can make a difference in the lives of others… especially the ones who hurt us. Sometimes we’re too busy trying to teach them a lesson instead of being taught by Him… and realizing that only HE can change their hearts. It’s like… “God, get out of the way and let me handle this”. (Can you hear the angelic laughter over the noise of the turbines???)

And… haven’t we all been there… the silent treatment to teach someone a lesson or to make someone aware of our anger toward a situation. Using human emotion to try to gain an advantage on the playing field… ah, but that’s a message for another day.

21.

Change The Name Of The Valley
“I have been battling a stubborn enemy that it seems has been holding my flesh hard in the battle. I know by the Spirit of the Lord that there are mouths that have spoken against me, some even predicting my demise. Words spoken against a man of God are like curses from the mouth of a witch in the midst of rebellion and witchcraft. There is a spirit that tries to usurp and undermine the man sent by God.

You think I can’t hear, but my bff the Holy Spirit has revealed exactly what you have said. “Be careful little mouth what you speak” in darkness, for God is revealing it to me in the light.”

In essence these could be the modern words for the Old Testament prophet, Elijah. They also ring as loud bells to men of God under siege by a controlling and Jezebel spirit. All in an effort to make them follow their Jezebel command or leave the ministry.

I stand upon and use the two-edged sword this morning that tells me that “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” and ALL those who rise up against me by the words of their mouth – I shall come against and defeat by the Spirit of God who causes me to be MORE than a conqueror. We can learn many things from the Prophet Elijah, but fear and running should not be one of those things. We need to stand boldly in this hour and declare that we have authority given to us by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Those who have forged their weapons and fired their ammunition, I declare right now, that not only are their words NULL AND VOID, but the curse is reversed and is now come upon their own heads. Those who have spoken words of destruction, I warn you now – get ready for a flood that will cut you in half and leave a hole in your life.

When people speak against you – or predict bad things about you or your life… it is an attack of the enemy that you sometimes never see coming! It draws oppressive spirits to your bedside and to your prayer room, and weighs you down with depressive thoughts due to a heavy spirit of fear. When you feel a “heaviness” in your body… when you can’t find the ambition to pray… when you can’t see the light of the new day… when you wake up feeling defeated – there IS witchcraft afoot.

It is YOUR time to “GO BOLDY TO THE THRONE” of your Father and worship Him. Talk with Him. Listen to Him. Act upon and stand upon the weaponry He gives you. For David in the valley of “Rephaim” – the enemy had come with a vengeance. They heard of David’s recent success as king and they wanted to plot his demise. Whenever you experience some measure of success in your life, the enemy will bring those who will speak destruction “into your life”.

The valley was called “Rephaim” because it a place of “enemy unity” or “enemy wholeness” or “enemy stronghold”. In other words, a place of great power for the adversary and a place where the enemy stands as a great wall that can not be penetrated. If I may use a modern euphemism, it was home court. Their house.

1Ch 14:9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Now… what David did when he felt the enemy closing in, was step one in defeating the impossible. He prayed. He worshipped. He “enquired of God”. 1Ch 14:10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. (TIME TO GET UP AND STAND UPON THE WORD… AND GO FORTH WITH THE WORD SPOKEN AGAINST THE ENEMY… REVERSE THE CURSE WITH AN ACTION TO HIS VOICE.)

David not only talked to God and asked what the plan was, but he then “listened” and obeyed the Holy Spirit. God poured forth like floodwaters against that impenetrable wall – and created a “breach” to the very heart of the enemy’s power wall. He cut the enemy in half with the same power that He destroyed the earth in Noah’s time… a flood.

1Ch 14:11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.

They renamed the place “Baalperazim” which means, The Lord broke through the enemy’s realm of strength. And God did it as a flood. Kind of reminds me of the way I like to interpret the following scripture in Isaiah 59:19:

When the enemy shall come in… (or, when the enemy forms a wall of strength) like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. The Lord will bust it wide open with a flood of His Spirit!!!

Do you realize what happened in that Valley? The enemy called it “Rephaim”. God changed the name to “Baalperazim”. The enemy will throw words at you today – strong words, hurting words, crushing words, perhaps even those who call you friend.

You can change the name from “enemy stronghold” to “enemy defeat”. Change the name of your valley that you are facing today. You can do it through prayer, petition, listening, obedience and praise. The enemy has called your valley of death, “impossible”. It’s time you began to change it to “life”.

Today, remember; what God did for David, He could do for you. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and He didn’t love David any more or any less than He loves you. Your part is to keep believing, keep trusting, keep obeying and keep thanking Him. Trust that He will direct your steps and overwhelm you with favor and victory all the days of your life.

God will make a stand for you today. God will make a way for you today where there seems to be no way because in the carnal realm things may look impossible, but with God all things are possible.

22.

Worship, Warfare, Word

2Ch 16:1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

When that which is religious or traditional comes against worship

God is about to send a new revelation concerning worship in this country and He is about to reveal the profane in the tribe of Judah… on the platforms of praise that have been tainted by the entertainment of the world and those seeking their own fortune through the holiness of what Judah was ordained to be. Judah will be given a new discernment for what is holy and what is tainted and profane. And the choices made will be critical changes.

And… I hear the Lord say… you can’t be Judah in the temple without being Judah in the world. If you are singing one song or worshipping God with your praises in His presence and in the light… and then go and sing the songs of the world and worship the enemy with and by his music in the night – this is profane and you have been seduced.

God is about to reveal true worshippers. Those that will have not one thing to do with the worship of this world, nor to the one who invokes that worship through entertainment. A true sense of worship is coming that will no longer covet Grammies. It will no longer look to the secular for it’s ideas nor will it follow it’s ways. True worship will NOT be found as SHEEP IN WOLVES’ clothing, and you will not be able to win the hearts by going incognito. True worship is coming apart and being separate.

The enemy works in many areas of people’s lives, but in the realm of music, he is experienced, he was anointed in Heaven at one time, (Ezekiel 28:12-19) and he uses what he knows best to sway the world to worship him.

We sing “how great thou art” with tears streaming down our faces on Sunday morning and on Monday night we sing “Let it be” because it was a cool Beatles song… and the funny thing about it… Paul McCartney didn’t write it. Satan stands behind the curtain swelling with pride and proclaims to the legions of the damned… “I wrote that one”.

God is about to move with a great shift in worship… prophetic, holy and heart changing… not just emotion evoking or a warm fuzzy touch that can only alter slightly, but not change the heart. Whereas the music in the church today is a peck on the cheek from your sister… God is looking for a bride who will be intimate with Him.

True worship changes hearts. Emotional music and pleasing chords temporarily alter moments. One generates goose bumps but the genuine is a BLOOD transfusion.

Eze 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. (The heart wants what the heart wants, and sadly… the church is being wooed by a dangerous seduction as Satan is playing to his strength in worship.)

Eze 33:32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (entertained… not changed)

Worship is a key to the portal of God’s glory.

Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Isa 22:22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

I believe that in the world that God created that was ions before Earth, there was a huge creation of angels. As we find in scripture, there were 3 archangels. Satan – the archangel of Worship, Michael – the archangel of Warfare, and Gabriel, the archangel of the Word.

I believe that these three beings were important in that they were created in the likeness of the trinity. Certainly not in the same parallel, but isn’t it funny that somewhere along the line, Satan missed the memo and thought himself on that same latitude.

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Luk 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

There was a three fold cord in heaven…Ecc 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Eze 46:2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.

Worship opens a portal to the battlefield. Warfare takes over so that the word can come forth and can be delivered from man to God.

It is process like everything else in scripture.

If the enemy can conquer or taint the worship, then the warfare and the word beyond the portal are moot points.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

In the old testament, the Prophet Oded prophesies restoration.

The king took courage from the Word, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah (purifying the worship) 2Ch 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.

The altar before the porch of the Lord was renewed. This is of great significance. If you go back to the fall of Satan himself, it was because of his pride. And when he left, I can imagine him flippantly asking God, “Who are you going to get to worship you NOW?”

I believe that God paused only a moment and told the enemy… “If I desire, I can have DUST worship me.” As Satan walked away scoffing, God went forth and created man from the DUST of the earth. As this precious creation, we do in fact have the privilege to worship God. And that is what it is – a privilege, not a duty or a law or a job.

And so men occupy that vacated office of an archangel. And that is why the enemy fights worship so fervently. He will do anything he can to taint it, to make it a show, to use it to entertain or to build a platform upon which the singer can say, as Satan himself… “LOOK AT ME!”

The very fact that the enemy hates it so much is not just because we have taken his place, but we must realize that the place itself must be very powerful or the enemy would not bring such destruction against it.

2Ch 15:15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

2Ch 15:16 And also concerning Maachah (depression) the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

2Ch 16:1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

Jer 7:2 Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

The enemy wants his position back. His misses his office. He wants you to worship him as he worships himself. His worship is deluded.

Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (open a portal to let the armies of Hell bring their word)

It can give you tingles and tears and fire and explosions, but in true worship – it is not the worship on the center stage, that is seen, but rather, the one who is being worshipped.

The music of the world has tremendous power to make you sentimental and emotional but only true worship can get take you safely home.

23.

Game Changer

I want to review some thoughts from the message I preached on Sunday. The bottom line to what I brought Sunday was the passing from darkness to light – and when you can effectively do this, it is a GAME CHANGER. When you can switch playing fields, it can also change the boundaries. For instance… when you take the football game inside to a gymnasium it is impossible to play the same game that you played on the turf outside. The boundaries have changed.

The boundaries of the natural realm are unlike the boundaries of the supernatural realm. I began with II Corinthians 4:18 and talked about the ability to “see” the things which are “not seen”. In other words, having the ability to see in the dark with illumination… or, turning darkness to light.

If you have the ability to turn darkness to light, you can maneuver through the path you are traversing. Now. Biblical example. I used a well familiar point of scripture that was an “accurate” and “historical” account of an event. It was the account of the storm on Galilee and Peter walking on the water to Jesus. It amazes me that so many people think that’s a dream or something that was created as a cool story. It was a historical fact. Just as the Civil War happened and was recorded, this happened. Though we didn’t witness it or have relatives that were witnesses, we have a historical recording.

How many people think that the Civil War never happened? Nobody. So why do we puzzle over scripture that is fact, and was, IN fact recorded not only Biblically, but in the writings of the historians of the time.

That being said, this is an evidence and a historical fact of two men who entered into a different realm and changed the boundaries. In this case, boundaries kept them safe. The realm of the natural had the boundaries of the boat. If they stayed within the boundaries of the port and starboard, they could have a good chance of surviving.

Jesus, on the other hand invited Peter into the vessel of the supernatural. If he stayed between the port and starboard there, he could walk there with the savior. The boundaries to walk there are made up of faith. Peter left the boundaries of the faith that protected him and sustained him, and he fell into the sea.

When we choose to follow Christ, many times it involves the journey through natural storm. It is there where He teaches us to change our boundaries and change our realm.

This life can be a dangerous journey if we don’t choose to change our boundaries. How can this be done? With following the same steps as Peter. 1.) Through any storm that HE sends us through, we must KNOW that we can make it or He wouldn’t have sent us. (Remember it was Christ who gave them a directive to GO TO THE OTHER SIDE – Matthew 14:22). 2.) When the battle rages and engages which it will to a Christian that is being obedient, you must not give up. Stay Your Course. 3.) Christ will come and the thing you must do is not only recognize His presence, but acknowledge His presence. 4.) Ask Him for confirmation in the course of the battle. (Jesus, if it is you, invite me to where you are) 5.) BOOM. Break through into the safety (that’s right… I said SAFETY) of FAITH. 6.) Keep your focus on your destination and not the circumstances of your journey. Or, to put it a different way, stay focused on the light.

I am going to go into a bit more on light this week. Light illuminates and allows you to navigate through darkness and storm. One of the things light doesn’t do is change the circumstance or the storm, but allows you to walk THROUGH it.

For instance. You wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. You realize that you shouldn’t have drunk that entire “big gulp” of Pepsi before bedtime. And… now the journey begins. You begin to navigate your journey to the bathroom in the dark. (Because it is your house and you know it by heart) You learn many things here. You learn that your “big toe” was given to you by God to find furniture in the dark. You find that your voice was provided to curse furniture in the dark after your big toe finds and locates the furniture. You find out that your spouse was provided for “just that moment” to rebuke you for waking up everyone in the house because “nobody is interested in hearing about your discovery of furniture” at 3 AM.

But… if you turn on the light. You find that navigation is a snap. What changes when light comes? Does the furniture all go scurrying back and forth out of your way? Does your bladder miraculously empty? Are you instantly transported to the bathroom? Does the toilet seat miraculously go up or down depending upon your gender? NO. No. no. Light doesn’t change circumstance. It causes you to be able to navigate through it.

You still have the winds and the waves. You still experience the tiredness of fighting the storm. You still have a distance to your destination. These externals didn’t change for Peter… but the impressive thing was… Peter for just a moment learned how important it was to turn the light on. To “shed some light” on the situation. To focus on the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. (John 9:5)

Peter for a moment changed the boundaries. Peter for a moment found a game changer. Faith is not the denial of storms or even at times the elimination of them. It is the safety and focus that brings you through them.

And… oh, yeah… Jesus not only tells us that HE is the light of the world, but in Matthew 5:14, He tells us: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. We can also look at this in a new way… the dark city, like powers and principalities, that is risen above you can not overtake you or surprise you or ambush you if there is light there.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is a “good work” to walk into the supernatural realm where the things of the natural can not devour you! So… let your light shine… and let your light SO shine.

24.

Losing The Good Fight

Today I want to deal with condemnation. When it comes from the world, it can sting, but when it comes from within ourselves, it can open a portal for depression, oppression, self pity, regression and even suicide. I want to look at two disciples. One who found a place of grace and the other who established his place in hell.

Of course, I am talking about Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot.

To start, I want to build this daily word on the foundation of this cornerstone of “maintaining” your salvation:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; In other words, you are not any better or any worse than everyone else because sin has attacked and conquered you. It comes to everyone and the shame is not in the fall, but in the inability to get back up. (Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.)

Temptation is the battle in the mind. (Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled)

Sin is a description of losing a battle. That victory that Satan claims is toward a greater end for him. He doesn’t care if you win or lose a battle, necessarily, but that victory or defeat gives him occasion to bring either pride and self righteousness or condemnation. In either case, as a Christian, we must be very careful. We all know (including Satan himself) that pride comes before a fall. We also know that going into condemnation can cause your soul drift into the abyss. Since depression and oppression and condemnation are spiritual tools of the enemy, the kind or encouraging words of man many times will not be able to stop this drifting.

Did you ever try to talk someone out of a deep depression or condemnation? It’s like speaking to the deaf. The only way those ears can be opened is through the WORD of God. Remember that the weapons of our warfare ARE NOT CARNAL.

Good intentions, kind words, pity, hand holding, back rubbing and chicken soup, contrary to popular belief can not set that prisoner free. When the enemy brings defeat, he locks the cell to an inner prison of the mind with supernatural locks that the Master lock company can not compete with. These are as I have spoken – depression, oppression, regression, condemnation.

He leaves a back door open, however to this prison and that is the back door to hell itself – which is the door of suicide. He convinces you that going through that door is painless and full of great comfort, better than feeling left alone and in a prison where he promises you there is no end. He tells you that going through that door will make everyone in the world feel sorry for you – which would, in your mind, be a type of revenge on those who hurt you. Getting your last shot in, so to speak. These are lies – and he wants your soul.

One of the first things you have to remember is that staying down when you get knocked down IS NOT AN OPTION. The battle comes to us all – and we will not escape it.

We will never retire from the battle. Case in point – the fight of old age and the body dying. It is an ongoing battle. Temptation. Everything from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. It battles you every day and our adversary is relentless. That is why Peter in his old age – still in the battle tells us… 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

And in every battle that you lose, you can bank on the spirit of justification to come along with the depression. It tells you that nobody else has hurt as bad as you hurt. Nobody else has battled as fiercely as you have battled. Nobody else has felt what you feel. Nobody cares for your soul. It’s a warped and wicked battle that he fights.

Suffice to say, we’ve all been there. The battle didn’t come ONLY before you were a Christian, but now that you are… the stakes have just gone up in the kingdom of darkness. Your stock in the exchange of hell just hit the ceiling. You are now REALLY worth the investment of the time of the dark forces of the enemy.

The apostle Paul struggled with sin. He wrestled with not being able to get the victory over that messenger of Satan. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) Messenger in that context is very good because it partially translates out to “soldier that will take you captive and lead you away to prison”.

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Paul also talked about losing battles in the letter he wrote to the Romans… and notice in the first verse… he was not unsaved or unlearned or religious. He called himself… Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Now, I don’t care who YOU think you are… Paul was a SERVANT. An APOSTLE. SEPARATED unto the gospel. But. Not above the battles. Not above temptation. And NOT above losing battles.

After Paul tells everyone WHO he is and what his calling and credentials are… he gets to the 7^th chapter and drops a bombshell on the Christian world who think that they should be sinless after salvation and AFTER the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not. I am so human. Sin rules me as if I were its slave.

Yes… “as if” I were it’s slave. One difference. Slaves didn’t fight back. They submitted. Soldiers on the other hand FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

Paul goes on to say…Rom 7:15-16 I don’t understand why I act the way I do. I don’t do the good I want to do, and I do the evil I hate. And if I don’t want to do what I do, that means I agree that the law is good.

Paul was bearing his soul to the soul of every Christian that has ever lost a battle to temptation. If you will study further the rest of the verses in Romans 7, you will find that Paul not only struggled, but sought God to find out HOW to deal with the sin. How do we deal with DEFEAT?

That is really the bottom line to what I am speaking today. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH DEFEAT?

In my book, “A Warrior’s Heart” that I wrote as encouragement and motivation for athletes, I had the following entry:

We need to learn how to miss our free throws.

Not from a technical aspect… but rather, the reaction to the reality that you DO miss, you HAVE missed, and you WILL miss again in the future.

It’s not THAT you missed your shot, but HOW you missed it…

With what emotion do you treat a missed free throw… a missed shot… a missed opportunity?

With anger or understanding? Swearing or silent contemplation? Depression or determination?

And remember…

Your next shot may be determined by which emotion you choose… and so it is with life.

It is the footsteps you take after the crisis hits. And you can’t leave footprints to victory as your legacy when you are lying down. You need to get up and walk. BACK to the lover of your soul.

Peter. Judas. Both were disciples, appointed by the Father, called to greatness. Here are some of the things these men BOTH did:

Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Mar 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Peter. Judas. They both had the power of the Holy Ghost upon them. They both were preachers – leading people to Christ and to repentance. They preached REPENTENCE. They delivered those in bondage and healed the sick. They bound up the hearts of those who were broken.

And these two great men. Both of them. Went to the crusades at Jerusalem… The battle of the Passion. Both of them were wounded and knocked down in the battle. Only one survived. How?

It deals here with relationship. Peter had been the one who was broken in prayer, had transcended the realm of earth and had sat at the feet of His heavenly father. He had Jesus revealed to him.

Judas, on the other hand, had a religious relationship with the church leaders. He sat at the feet of the Pharisees and listened as they revealed Jesus to him. If you only know Jesus by what people or pastors or religious leaders tell you – that is not a revealing and you will have no confidence in the Spirit when the crisis hits. And trust me… YOUR CRISIS WILL HIT HARD.

Peter sinned. He went back to His revealer. He learned how to go the Father before the fall and thus… during the crisis – he knew His way back home. Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Judas sinned. He went back to his revealers. He repented to them. They could NOT nor would NOT grant him absolution. He could not find his way back home in the crisis because he had never been there. If you look at the phrase “repented himself” the word there translates out to “a less intimate repenting”. It could not come from his heart because his heart had not been broken. It could not come from his heart… because his heart was selfish. Selfish spirits of self condemnation, self pity and self serving suicide. The ultimate destruction… he hung himself and gave away any chance for God to continue to call him to greatness. He threw away his calling. He threw away a chance for salvation. He made it very clear that he aligned his heart with Satan who screams out to God… “I hate you. I hate your gifts. I hate your gift of LIFE. I HATE YOU”.

Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Mat 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Sin is an evidence of a lost battle. Regression is an evidence of condemnation. Condemnation is an evidence of a faulty or flawed relationship with your Heavenly Father. We are again wise to look at Judges 20 and the battles lost by the children of Israel to reveal to them their true heart. When they lost in the same battle twice, they did not give up. They moved closer to the heart of God. Now… you do you just sit back and continue to live in sin? That is foolishness, and if you are reading that into this message, you need to adjust your focus. We Battle. If we lose “hamburger hill” 20 times… we go the 21^st time… and we fight again. Until we have the victory.

And finally… two thoughts written by John the beloved. Once as he quoted Jesus and the second as he continued in God’s love:

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart,

and knoweth all things.

1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart (does not have the power to condemn us),

then have we confidence toward God.

1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

I am going to draw this all together with the same conclusion that Solomon gave us back in Ecclesiastes:

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Get up. Arise. Shine. Your light is come. Battles will be won and battles will be lost in the days ahead… your response, your reaction and your resolve will determine your next steps. The life you save may be your own.

25.

Put Your Worship Before Your Warfare

Creation Comes Only In Intimacy

We have been talking lately about brokenness being a key to the portal to the supernatural. It is setting aside a block of quality time to seek His face. Pro 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

To come in a total surrender of your will, your life, your family, your ministry and most of all… your time. It is a sacrifice. Especially if everything is going extremely well or extremely horrible. It is a humbling. Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Luk 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

That is one of the most important passages of scripture in the Bible. It occurred after the angel came to Mary to explain what God desired to do. In essence, God was telling her that in a time of great intimacy, the Holy Ghost would come upon her and within her womb, God would create. That was the creation that all creation had groaned for. Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Mary had heard the plan of God and the plan involved her. The thing she needed to do was first, accept the plan of God. (Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.) Secondly, she had to get to a place of intimacy – a place sanctified and set apart. She “went into the hill country” (Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help) into the city of PRAISE (Judah).

Creation comes in the secret place of intimacy. It was in that intimate place where Jesus was created and “BECAME” flesh. When God wants to create something with you – it has to be an intimate place. A place set apart where you are willing to walk away from everything you know as precious to you in this life.

Only in intimacy are things created. If this is true, then faith is an intimate place. Your faith is “created” or “built” by praying in the Holy Ghost. Creation comes in the midst of intimacy.

From the intimacy of the temple, great commands are given. Wrath was created in an intimate place:

Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

In a time of brokenness, we find our way to the secret place of God. The place of intimacy. In that place is deliverance created:

Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. AND Psa 18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

When God creates, it’s in a time of intimacy.

We are hidden from the enemy in the place of intimacy.

1Sa 19:2 But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

He creates a way for burdens to be removed… in intimacy. Power is created in that secret place of intimacy. Feeling bullied by the enemy? You can go to a pastor or a best friend and just describe how horrible and unfair it is, OR you can go to the place of intimacy and let God CREATE.

Psa 81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

Psa 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Psa 81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

Deliverance was created here. Insight and discernment were created here. The creation of healing was created here. The place of safety was created here. The creation of trust was done here:

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He creates solutions. In the secret place. The intimate place. The place that you can get to only by brokenness. The battle is to keep you from that place. The battle is for your tears.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The power to bind and loose has to be created. Creation that comes in an intimate place.

Power is created to defeat the enemy.

I am reminded of the scriptures in Genesis that deal with the intimacy of a man and wife, and how the first time they were intimate was in the fourth chapter.

Now… the tragedy of that scenario was that it was after the fall – and out of the garden.

Chapter 3 tells of the warfare with the enemy and the lack of character by both Adam and Eve. Adam didn’t protect his wife because he had not yet invested his intimacy with her. Eve did not consult with her husband for the same reason. She could not feel safe and secure in a man that did not commit to her… that did not invest his life into an intimate relationship.

It’s the same thing with the Lord – if you don’t invest your intimacy with Him, you will not be able to trust Him in the times of your warfare.

I believe that had Adam and Eve put their intimacy before their warfare, they would have been victorious!

In the time of intimacy… there IS creation. Power could have been created in their intimacy. Strength, wisdom, boldness – all could have been created. But there was no intimacy… and there was nothing created strong enough to defeat the enemy.

Go to a high place. Go to Judah. Fall on your face and surrender everything. Wash His feet in your tears and offer Him the ashes of your life and the brokenness of your heart.

Look at what the creator “creates” in the following passage from Isaiah. And He can do the same for you. He’s a creator. That’s what He does… and that’s who He is.

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isa 61:4 And they shall build (creation in intimacy) the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

26.

Heaping Coals

How to get a blessing on such a cold and blustery day…. Hmmm. Valentines Day no less. Hmmmm. Well… I’ve heard it said that to get a blessing you need to BE a blessing.

Ideas… hmmmm.

Kiss your wife. Hug your kids. Call a friend and wish them Happy Valentines Day. Bake a pie for your mother. All great ideas…

But… there really needs to be a greater warmth in the heart of such a cold and frigid day. What did Jesus say? What were His thoughts on “love” in light of the commercial nature of this day that tells us it’s all about “amore”?

Luk 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

Luk 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

Luk 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Ok… so He is describing the stuff we do normally. What about going above and beyond on this day? What say you Lord?

Luk 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;(NO STRINGS ATTACHED… NO FANFARE REQUIRED) and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Kind to the unthankful and evil? Are you kidding me?? Dude… for real??? Watching the news stories of late, it makes me want to “crush” the unthankful and evil… but you are telling me to go a different direction? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?

Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luk 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

So… my “great” blessing and reward today is not in “doing” things to GET a reward… but to be loving MY FATHER as He loves. I’m starting to get it. Don’t know if I like it yet, but I am starting to get it.

So… things I need to “give”. Mercy. No judgment. No condemnation. Forgiveness. Hmmmm…. Anything else on this very cold day?

Pro 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: (Again… high pitched – whaaaaaaaaaah?)

Pro 25:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

For… you see it’s not just the things you give that are “word things” like mercy and a pat on the back and an “atta boy”… which are all very good – but on this cold day of days… what can you “DO” to bless an enemy.

Now… an enemy doesn’t have to be someone from an ungodly nation halfway around the world… enemy translates also out to: someone who has opposed you, someone who has withstood you, someone who made you look bad, someone who made you feel bad, someone who embarrassed you, someone who doesn’t feel the same about things, someone who doesn’t believe as you believe, someone who hurt your feelings, someone who hasn’t repaid a debt, someone who “dropped the ball”, someone who didn’t keep a promise…. Oh and SO MANY MORE.

They can be family members. They can be neighbors. They can be church goers. They can be co-workers. Or yes… they can be strangers. Someone who has let their fire go out on your friendships and relationships and communications – and they are sitting in the freezing cold today of their misery. You can either say… “they didn’t collect their firewood, let them freeze” or you can…

On this cold day. HEAP COALS OF FIRE. Bring life to their death. Bring warmth to their cold. Bring hope to their hopelessness. Bring love to the day when nobody else thinks of them on Valentines day.

Shovel a walk. Bake a pie. Send a card. Pick up the phone. Send a text. Let them hear your voice… and… not just a coal… but HEAP IT. Go overboard on someone’s dark, cold, hopeless existence! Make someone feel as if they’d hung the moon today. Someone who could care less… because when you do… remember that God couldn’t care MORE.

27.

Hidden In Eden’s Forest

I have been once again in the third chapter of Genesis this morning and in prayer, I feel that The Lord gave me some powerful insights. Now… the enemy came in a time when Adam and Eve did not sense the presence of God. He’s very good at picking times when we are not singing in church or praying at an altar or feeling the presence of God. He comes in times when the human spirit does not retain God. (Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;)

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

The main thing I want to bring forth today is the timing between verses 7 and verses 8. At times, in scripture one verse can be written minutes, hours, days or years between verses. Ecclesiastes tells us that a wise man discerns both the timing and the purpose.

That being said and knowing that God is “omnipresent” – or “ever present” or “always present” – this is very important to the timing of what happened here. I believe personally that before the fall, God was just a heartbeat away and always within earshot of Adam and Eve. All they had to do was whisper and He would answer.

After the sin we see a separation. The sin didn’t make God deaf. It didn’t make Him run away. It didn’t make Him stupid or naïve. It didn’t make Him no longer care. It didn’t make Him hate. Sin doesn’t change the immutable characteristics or virtues of God change.

Sin changes us. It makes us deaf. I makes us run. It makes us very stupid. I causes us to lose the ability to care. It makes us hate. It changes the immutability or the virtues of our soul. We are living in a fleshly body that still… even after salvation can be “shaped in iniquity”. Depending on which potter’s hands we put ourselves into.

Sin opens our eyes to the world and causes fleshly reactions to the problems, the crisis, the storms, the poverty… and mostly… it opens our eyes to the frailty of our fellow man. For the first time… Adam was going to hide himself from his wife and he WANTED her to hide herself from him. When a man sins, he can not bear to look at another person without judgment and criticism. That breeds misery, anger, guilt and a mirror to one’s own sin.

Sin also does something else that causes us to “steal” from God. It keeps us busy. It keeps us from our calling. It keeps us from our destiny. It keeps us from our maker.

Now look again at verse 7. Immediately after the fruit had been bitten into, the matrix of sin was opened and birthed in man. As they digested, the infection began to become a part of their bodies. Also…. Immediately after that first bite, God didn’t come down and slap that fruit out of their hands. He didn’t reach down their throats and take the fruit out before digestion. He didn’t Heimlich maneuver them as they choked on the sin. He was there… but He didn’t speak. He didn’t rebuke. He didn’t scream or shout or chastise. He was silent.

He was waiting for an apology. He was waiting for a confession. He waited with a broken heart for His creation to “fess up”. And as He waited, they ran farther from Him.

They hid themselves in the forests of Eden and opened up a clothing store. The time between the initiation of sin and of the “cool of the day” may have been a longer time than we realize, knowing that God is LONG suffering. The “cool of the day” might have even meant a change of seasons – or could represent a changing of the hearts of Adam and Eve.

In any event, they sewed leaves together and made aprons. They had never done this before and I’m sure as with any business “start-up” it was most likely a lesson in frustration. It may have taken quite a while for them to realize HOW to cover their sin, and when they had perfected it, they most likely realized that they were still very much “out of place” as a couple dying in a garden that would never die.

They took leaves from the beauty of Eden – but taking and putting on the perfection externally could not cover or change the sin inside. (Another message, another time). The thing I see today is the message of just one of the things sin caused.

It caused them to become VERY busy. Sin steals your time with God. It makes you busy doing the mundane and the impractical to keep your journey moving. Sin creates a market for things that are not of God – and the supply and demand that sin creates are very tiring elements. It’s like a hamster on a wheel or getting to the next level of “Donkey Kong”. You think it’s so important and life changing. But it’s not. It IS, though, life altering. That supply and demand for what sin creates can keep you busy… all your life. All that wasted time.

Did you hear me?

All that wasted time… sewing and inventing and perfecting. Occupying in a profession that they were not called to. Perfection surrounding them and never being able to appreciate or enjoy one moment of it. (Mat 6:27 “Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?)

Oh, there are some things in this life that are not sin and that are NOT unto death that can also be great time wasters, but today I am dealing with sin. Sin steals the very life within you – and tries to make you too busy covering it… so you can not get to God who is the only one who can reverse that curse.

Whether it’s anger or malice or worrying or lust or gossip or backbiting. It keeps you busy, keeps you from God and alienates you from those around you. The moment you sin… He comes looking for you and waits for you to face Him and confess. He may follow a long time waiting for your confession.

The bad news is that God DOES have a timetable and will eventually confront you. I always find it a better policy to find Him first.

Mat 21:44 Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken. If the stone falls on anyone, it will crush that person.”

Want to have more time? Want to feel beautiful in the midst of perfection? Want to quit “wasting” time on sin’s supply and demand?

Get off the wheel my fellow hamsters. Run to God. Run to His arms. Start all over again.

1Jn 2:1 My dear children, I’m writing this to you so that you will not sin. Yet, if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ, who has God’s full approval. He speaks on our behalf when we come into the presence of the Father.

28.

Validify or Testify

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Certainly a chill in the air this morning – but nothing like what the weathermen are predicting for this weekend. I am excited! It’s like pastoring in Duluth, Minnesota again. We would pray for a record cold day to come on Sundays. Then we could always say… “On the coldest day in history… I bundled up and went to church”. What a testimony.

Of course, up there, those born to the breed are a different bunch! But they “DID” have quite a testimony. One man used to tell me… “IF it’s not too cold fer ice fishin’, yah, den it’s not too cold to stay home from church. And it’s ne’er to cold fer ice fishin”.

But, then on the other hand there were some who, when the weather was nice and warm up there, used THAT DAY as an excuse to find themselves out on the big lake with a pole in their hands, justifying it with, “God gave me this nice warm day to be fishin’. Cold weather days are for going to church”.

Sounds funny all the excuses. And what are excuses? Justifications to let the flesh remain “comfortable”. Justifications such as “I deserve a break” or “I need a rest” or “I’ve done so much already – this day off is my reward”. In the following scriptures we find that the spirit of “excuse” and the spirit of “justification” go hand in hand.

When the Bible is explicit in the word “forsaking not the assembling” – the enemy uses it as a target for excuse and justification. BECAUSE it is more than a meeting. It is prepared as a spiritual juggernaut ( a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force or institution). It is a time when the power of each individual comes together to add to the fire of the body. It is a bringing of an armload of firewood to the bonfire. The excuse says that you are better served staying home… and the justification comes as a covering balm for the wound.

Yes… excuse opens a wound. Like the practice of “cutting a body” and justification is the balm to cover and ease the sting. If the excuse is not valid, and you know in your heart if it is… the justification is needed because the infection called “guilt” will cause great discomfort.

Oh… your flesh doesn’t like to hear this. You are thinking… “this is just an attack on me…. Oh woe is me… I had a valid reason…” Well… if it was valid, you wouldn’t need to defend it.

God prepares a supper each week for us. It’s for those of us who are “in the kingdom”. It is a family supper and oh how important is your place at the table. But excuse goes so much farther than just missing a Sunday morning brunch at the church of God. It is a training ground for the enemy to keep you from your destiny.

If the enemy can get you to believe that this Sunday gathering is mundane. If he can get you to believe that it’s ok to cover your excuses with justifications on something as little as a two hour gathering (1.9% of your week) – look a little deeper. He is training you for bigger and more infamous excuses. Your job. Your marriage. Your children. Your ministry. Your destiny.

Like anything you train your flesh to do… once you have learned to do it, you find it easier to do it the next time and the next time – until there is absolutely no conscience in the pattern. You act without thought or care and it becomes… “no big deal”.

Would you have made the same excuses the week you got saved? Has something happened to callous you… to harden you… to anesthetize you so that excuses are “no big deal”?

There is a blessing to those who will not make excuses. To those who will not form justifications. To those who will “endure” as not just a catch phrase, but a lifestyle.

That is really what this passage of scripture is all about. Putting down the flesh and taking up the calling. Excuse can keep you promising God for years. Ten years later and I am still not where I ought to be. 20 years. 30 years… sigh.

Luk 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. (There is a blessing to those who come to HIS KINGDOM and eat with the saints)

Luk 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, (Each dinner is hot and ready and worthy for consumption) and bade many:

Luk 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time (A certain time prepared… not subject to your own timetables or appetites) to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luk 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Luk 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Luk 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. (All valid excuses… but just because an excuse is valid doesn’t mean it is righteous)

Luk 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

If you are too tired, come sleep in the back pew. If you are too sick, let your friends carry you on a pallet. If you are too offended, come for the keys to release you from that prison. If you don’t have enough time to give 1.9% of your week to Him, then by all means, you need to come and sow some “time seeds” for your week.

I find in my own life, when I use an excuse and justification as to why I can’t get to the prayer room, it is just a dress rehearsal for my Sunday morning excuses. And all of those… preparing me for excuses as to why I can’t fulfill my destiny or my calling.

And seriously… fighting excuses are some of the greatest battles I’ve ever faced. When that battle comes to engage, I am told that I am more tired than usual and in fact… if I take a break, I’ll be stronger to serve God TOMORROW. I am so tired. I am just burned out. I have never been this sick. I have never been this offended. I am not in the mood for anything religious. AND THE HITS KEEP COMING. And again… the “Valid” may be truly “Valid” – but they are meant to rob me of both blessing and testimony.

Can you imagine the paralytic on the pallet telling his friends… LEAVE ME ALONE. I’LL GO TOMORROW. IT’S NOT LIKE CHRIST ISN’T GOING TO BE AROUND NEXT WEEK. I’M TOO TIRED. I HAVE JUST HAD SOME DRUGS AND AM NOT IN MY RIGHT MIND. LATER, BOYS… LATER.

I THINK of how last week I was robbed of hours of comfort and healing because “I was hurting too bad to get out of bed”. Oh, my assistant Pastors came in the afternoon to pray for me, but had I gone to church, they could have prayed for me at 10 AM… and I would have been spared about 6 hours of pain!! Oh dopey me!

This morning I remember the testimonies of Duluth. I hope it’s the coldest day in the history of the city… I want that testimony of making it to church on THAT DAY. Gotta love the Postal creed… “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”.

Oh that I could make that a Christian creed for my personal life. God is calling and I must go. God is looking for someone to step up in crunch time and I so want that to be me… but it never will be if I can’t find victory in the battle of excuses. I must give GOD the opportunity to bless me with a testimony.

Psa 81:5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

God is ordaining testimonies for us and in us… and I wonder how many testimonies are gone today unclaimed. Joseph in a strange land…. Hearing a strange language.

Strange language?

Come hell or high water…. Those old Pentecostal saints of Duluth now in their 90’s, bundling up, Sister Sophie at 90 years old scraping her car windows, unplugging the tank heater, firing up the Buick, picking up her younger sisters now in their late 80’s and coming in the front door stomping the snow and ice off of their boots… and singing. Praising God at 35 below zero. They are still allowing God to establish in them… His testimonies. Sister Verna called just a few months back – encouraging me – continue from faith to faith and in it all, be faithful.

29.

Proclamation or Adoration

I must give GOD the opportunity to bless me with a testimony.

It’s not in our bold proclamations… It’s in our humble adorations

Some have been mercilessly pursued by the enemy. Some of you for years have been in prisons – monitored heavily by the enemy. And all the while, he is sitting in your heavenly seat that was never prepared for him. It was prepared for YOU.

The enemy is not Godly nor is he on an equal plane with God. He has the status of an angel, and as such, he is a master manipulator and has made himself out to be bigger than he really is.

It is time to “submit to God” as you have been submitted to fear and the lies of the enemy. Some are “submitted” to their vices and their shortcomings – believing them to be all powerful.

Resist the devil today. That doesn’t mean RUN… it means STAND. Stand up to Him in the Presence of God. The word says that HE will flee. It’s like the 98 pound bully who has the 200 pound strongman intimidated. Turn on that bully.

Draw close to God. Confess your sins. Call for a clean heart and a single minded attitude. INTERCEDE in the presence of the enemy… I guarantee that he will run away – scared as the demonic spirits crying like little girls when Jesus got closer to them.

Declare that THIS is your day for liberty. Bury yourself in the secret bosom of God and your weeping and your prayers will shake the gates of hell. GOD will lift you up OUT of your pit… out of your sin… out of your depression… out of your self consciousness… out of your belief that you can’t and into the mindset AND HEARTSET that YOU CAN.

YOU CAN DO. A “can do” attitude. YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST which strengthens you. As YOU DO… you draw increased strength. As you pray – feel your body lifted to that heavenly place PREPARED for you.

Don’t let that empty seat in Heaven be vacant for one more hour. Take your place in the humble prayer chamber and feel Him “seat you” and “unseat” the enemy.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

30.

An Attractive Quality

Listening… A most attractive quality.

As I was in study and prayer this morning I came across these scriptures in Colossians that really ministered to my heart and I pray that they will also minister to you.

Many things happen in this life “as we allow”. In other words, what we give permission to. I was micro focused to the word “LET” this morning. Let. First thing that comes to my mind is in Genesis where God spoke by permission and authority that little word and as He did, there was an illumination of what there was to work with.

As God said “Let there be light” the Bible says “there WAS light”. It was the first step in the creation of the world. Like a master craftsman going into his workshop and turning on the light to see what needed to be done. First and foremost in any of life’s projects, we must learn to first to illuminate.

Let. To wish for. To breathe into or give life to. Desire. To become. Come to pass. Break. Cause. Come. The liberty to bring forth. The choice to authority. I think that the most awesome thing I hear coming from this translation is that the power of “LET” comes when we allow HIS WORD to come forth from us. Not speaking our will or speaking by what we see or what we hear… or what we fear. But LETTING God speak to us and letting that word go forth into the atmosphere and back to the throne where it does not return VOID.

There is a scripture that Christians from the latter 20^th century have taken and tweaked to the point of doctrinal and spiritual devastation. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Confession. The church has taken from this scripture a doctrine that has turned tarrying, listening, powerful Christians into mindless Mynah birds. The church has been taught to “parrot” anything they read. This can be very dangerous… UNLESS it is God who has given the word to them.

The word “confession” in Romans 10 is tied specifically to 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is also tied to the same translation that is found in Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

OOOOOH. There’s that word… “let”. Allow yourself and the Father to “reason together” – that is where confession is born and was purposed.

We have been told to “confess the word” – but never once in scripture can you find that phrase. So you tell me… how did such a widespread and false doctrine come from a fragment of one scripture?

Confession is what we’ve done… not what He’s written.

So then… should we not speak His Word out loud? Ah… that is not what I am saying – but when you DO speak His word – it is from HIS prompting and remembering that the written word will confirm HIS DESIRE – NOT ESTABLISH yours.

This doctrine came at a time in American church history when saints were getting back to prayer, intercession, meditation, fasting, LISTENING and tarrying… waiting on Him. These are things that can be very “time consuming” and very rough on the flesh. A lot of “shakers and movers” during this time were leaving the church, calling it “antiquated” and “archaic”. The new doctrine that called for less and in some instances no fasting came forth. A well known pastor with a national platform stated that modern day Christians should not never have to fast more than three days. And teachings began to abound that you could just speak a word and apply it to any situation. You could simply repeat something over and over and over and over and over to get what you wanted.

No matter how many times Jesus would have confessed a cross less and painless salvation, it wouldn’t have happened. He knew the Old Testament – why didn’t He just quote Psa 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. Or Psa 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Or Jer 37:20 Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

We have to remember that all important scripture that says… Ecc 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.

There is timing and purpose to every situation you go through. We must not assume we can alter the plans of God just by “speaking or confessing” the written word. And that was the danger of that doctrine. It was easy. You didn’t have to hear the voice of God or wait for His timing – you can just go out and force God to do whatever you confess. I’ve even heard the horrible statement of a word of faith evangelist say… “YOU CAN MOVE THE HAND OF GOD”.

We can follow our own plans, speak whatever we read and hope like crazy that whatever we want, we get…. But there is a scripture in Job that describes those who follow their own imaginations and new and improved spirituality that comes without a price… Job 6:20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

They read, they hoped, they moved in their own faith and when they got there and didn’t see the miracle they hoped for… they were depressed… in despair… and turned away saying God must not be real.

Faith still. Still. Only comes by “hearing”. Not reading. Not confessing. Not professing. HEARING AND ACTING ON WHAT WE HEAR… not by what we read.

But Pastor Mark, what if God chooses to speak to me through His written word. Why would HE choose to do that if He can speak to you? A deployed soldier could write his wife a letter and tell her that he loves her, and it would be special… But when he comes home – there is nothing like telling her face to face while in his embrace. Jesus is NOT a deployed soldier. His written word is to confirm what His voice is speaking. God is not a God so far that you can’t hear His voice. Jer 23:23 I am a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off.

And… I may add… YOU ARE NOT A MUTE and God is not deaf. Talk to Him. You have ears to hear… HEAR. Mar 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

It doesn’t say “if you have eyes to read” and it doesn’t say He that has eyes let him read what the Spirit writes. I am an advocate right here and right now to get back upon our faces, hunker down, invest our time in LISTENING… waiting… fasting… verbal communication with the God of this universe. It’s the more difficult part of Christianity – but we need to come back into balance.

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Now… that being said… HE MAY SAY to you… “read chapter 13 of Matthew and I will show you something.” In that case, again… it is HIS direction. His word FIRST. Let every step be ordered. And don’t make the mistake of applying yesterday’s written word to today’s crisis. That’s YOUR idea – not His.

Oh, but didn’t Jesus say… “It is written”? Yes… and with every step you take… it must line up with the written word. With every thing He speaks, His written word will establish and back it up. But it’s first the SPOKEN WORD. HIS. Not ours.

One thing about Jesus that I long to follow is His constant dependence upon getting to that prayer room. He was so careful to make sure of the will of God and not his own will. Gethsemane prayer is all about dying to our will. Dying to the temptation to speak the written word for your own desires. It’s not that Jesus couldn’t confide in His Father about what He desired, (Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass…) but that the reasoning together brings forth our most important words to Him – (nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt) (Matt 26:39).

Gethsemane will take away the temptation to quote the written word out of time and out of context. How many promises could Christ have claimed and quoted right then and there… but HE DIDN’T.

Jesus words sound very different from the powerless church of today… Because the powerless church professes that it’s so powerful. It can do anything. It can have anything. It will storm the gates of hell to get what it wants.

Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Joh 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear(not read… hear) is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

In the last days when the interpretations of the Bible overtake the true translations because the translations are “outdated”. In those times when your Bibles are taken from you. In the time of your crisis… you must not first reach out to “read” or “quote” – but you MUST reach out to “HEAR”.

In my flesh there is NO good thing. Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Don’t reach into the recesses of what you’ve quoted before… what you’ve read… what’s worked in the past. LISTEN for a fresh word. Fresh Fire. Fresh oil.

Psa 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Who builds something without a master plan and without direction from the master planner? We can use old plans and schematics from other projects, but there is not a “one plan fits all” set of instructions in God’s universe. Jesus didn’t heal all men the same. He didn’t use a patented word for a certain situation.

Different sets of instructions may utilize the same toolset, but if you use the instructions on how to put together your child’s bike when you are putting together a swing set – you will face certain disaster and a very unhappy child.

Of course, most men and some headstrong women cast aside the instructions and just use their own insights, but there are always “parts left over” and it takes you twice as long as it would if you had followed the instructions… and the structural integrity is not as the manufacturer intended. At least… that is what I’ve found in projects given to me from the Lord.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Let peace rule. It’s a choice to give permission to the authority of God to bring a fresh word into your today. If you haven’t had a fresh word from Him today… you are simply NOT listening. Perhaps you have been too busy “reading” or “quoting”…. (NOT NOW GOD I’m reading your word!) That “peace of God” comes when you step into the stream of HIS conversation. When you speak what HE tells you to speak.

He has all the time in the world. Well isn’t THAT pleasant… in a time when I am so busy. Ah, but come to sit at His table. Don’t tell Him that you can only stay a moment. He will not only share His peace, His wisdom, His insights… but He will share with you “all that time in the world”. He will make a way and a time for you to seek Him.

I love reading His love letter, but there is no better time in the world than when His arms are around me and I am not required to do anything from the reading list… but… the only requirement is to “listen”.

The next time you want to spray His written word like machine gun fire throughout your time of panic and into the darkness, just remember this…. Jas 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…”

“I am thine Oh Lord… I have heard thy voice” – the sweetest words I could ever hope to speak.

31.

Endure or Entangle

As I was at the piano this morning, I heard a word that I needed to pass along from the Lord. I had planned on going a different direction, but evidently someone needed to hear this today.

2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

And…

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

God is speaking to someone’s heart today about endurance. To endure. As I did some research on the meaning, I found the best way to put it: To be found standing after the devastation of the storm. There are storms we can “give in to”, storms we can “run from” and storms we can “hide from”. But in the word endurance we see the characteristic of taking on the storm – full frontal and taking the brunt. Holding your ground.

In the above scriptures we see two ideas of endurance. One is the ability to stand in the storm and against the brutality of life. If you are hoping to hold your ground in the spiritual realm, you must remain focused. A soldier on foreign soil in the midst of a firefight can not share his focus with the mortgage that his wife is having trouble paying back in the States. To endure the moment, you must stay focused in the moment.

We can abandon the good fight if we choose to “entangle” ourselves with the diversions. And… trust me… the enemy can bring many diversions.

The second time the Apostle Paul uses the word endure it is only 2 chapters later, but gives a much different connotation of the word, but in essence it is the same idea. Enduring sound doctrine. Endurance of the truth. Enduring the Word.

The idea is much the same as the Word itself can devastate and can be very brutal to your flesh. It can injure your pride. It can tear out foundational concepts that you have worked so hard to build and it will leave you “starting over” in many areas of your Christianity. The storm of His Word can come and test whether you have built on sand or a rock.

The Word of God is a two edged sword. It’s not a butter knife as used in soft Christian circles. It is used to teach, to rebuke, to admonish, to tear down… and to build up. It will take a strong man or woman of God to stand as the “devastation” of His word passes through you. To endure is to be found standing after it’s passed.

Pride is an ugly thing. It is strong enough to make you hold on to things that aren’t quite right because you don’t want to admit you were building all those years on the beach.

Many turn away in today’s society because we have been not only born in sin, but SHAPED in iniquity. In today’s church of compromise trying to remain friends with the world, the Word is simply… “too restrictive” “too outdated” “too harsh for today’s standards”. As I said on Sunday… it’s your choice. Either the word is “absolute” or “obsolete”.

If His Word is an absolute you can endure. If you consider it an obsolete, you will crumble.

Joh 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Enduring hardness as a good soldier. Not only the hardness of the battle, but the rigors of your training and the admonishing of your Commander-in-Chief. I hear the voice of the Spirit echoing that question that was posed in the temple of Capernaum so long ago… “Will you also go away?”

The Word of God tells us to pray. It is a word given by the Spirit. The Word is telling us to sell out, get serious, get ready, get moving, be doing…. Will we say “Amen” or will we “Do” the Amen? Will we come home or will we go away… entangled in the affairs of this life?

Someone please pass me the “Endure”.

32.

Alert!!!

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!

Before you go any further… take just a few seconds to hear this sound. TURN UP YOUR VOLUME FULL BLAST. It was what I was awakened to this morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYFT6MIXZ5o

After that, this little chorus came “wafting” into my mind.

Do you know, Oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?

Jesus calls upon you, to spread the gospel news,

So walk it, and talk it.

Live it, and give it.

Teach it, and preach it.

Know it, and show it.

A Sermon in Shoes.

I realized that I did my very first teaching in 1971 to a group of kids at vacation Bible school in Brookfield, Wisconsin. This is the first song I taught to the kids: For those of you who don’t know it… it goes something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKmnzolHtsI

It will be 44 years since I led that little chorus in a little Vacation Bible School. Through all the years since, I am convinced that God has surrounded me with great men and women of prayer who were and some still are… pillars in my life. I keep them closest to my heart as they are called to uphold my life between the porch and the altar so that my roof will not cave in on me.

As I was in worship and prayer today, I felt that the Lord was showing me these pillars of intercession. These pillars were prayer warriors and not actual rock columns. The sirens that I had woken up with were blaring all through heaven and earth. The pillars were bending at the weight of an infamous and imminent enemy attack. Like little imps, the devil’s minions were in full battle mode. They were creating diversions from the front and then jumping on the backs from behind. It was a frenzied sight. It made my heart hurt for those appointed to be the pillars of prayer.

I think about those that God has sent to our ministry as intercessors and prayer warriors and can clearly see how the enemy has tried to weaken them with sickness, cares of life and the threat of poverty.

As I saw that, I was shown “the promise” to those who are pillars in ministry. Pillars of prayer. It is found to the little church in Revelation… the church of Philadelphia: Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

As Moses did in the wilderness, when the adversity comes – pillars must be raised up.

Exo 40:18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.

It’s time to pray for our intercessors and those who have actually been faithful to prayer. Those warriors, who, hell or high water are found each day, engaging in the battle.

1Sa 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.

When God calls a person to intercession – it is the front lines. It is the place where most of the bloody conflict is fought. This word in I Samuel so heavily weighs in my spirit today. It describes those pillars of earth that God sets up… “He has set the world upon them.”

If you are an intercessor, you know what it’s like to feel the “weight of the world” upon your shoulders. Now… let me interject here that all who call themselves intercessors – are not, nor do they know fully about what I am talking about here. And also, there are some, called to be intercessors, but life has gotten in the way and they have not been faithful. I could address that, but not now.

I am focused on those faithful men and women of God who don’t take days off… don’t find themselves saying, “I’ve got to get back to prayer” and who don’t let life keep them from this destiny and calling to be one of His earthen pillars. Simply because the calling to this ministry is so critical to God’s work and the rescue efforts of those “lost at sea” so to speak – drifting farther and farther away from God. It is a resurrecting of that prodigal who is a “dead man walking”. It is a pouring forth of tears for the restoration of a brother’s heart or the fighting for someone’s faith for a much needed miracle.

My faithful are under attack. Some of God’s heavy-weights are bending under the strain. It is time, as Moses did… to “rear up my pillars”. It’s time to raise them up in prayer, strengthen them in my own time of intercession. That signal sound is still deafening in my ears.

After God talks about His pillars… He issues yet another promise to them, which I am standing on and rejoicing in RIGHT NOW.

1Sa 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

1Sa 2:10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

I am reminding each of us as the temple of God: 1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

In each of our temples are TWO PILLARS. Heavenly pillars that help to hold up “our end of the bargain”. Notice where he erected them!

1Ki 7:21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz. (Jachin and Boaz: He will establish and He will be your kinsman redeemer) The kinsman-redeemer is a male relative who, according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need. The Hebrew term (go el) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues (Genesis 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9–25, 25:47–55). The kinsman who redeems or vindicates a relative is illustrated most clearly in the book of Ruth, where the kinsman-redeemer is Boaz.

The left pillar stands at the right hand of God. That pillar represents Christ in us – a kinsman redeemer. A true ministry of intercessory prayer. Two great truths to hang in this gallery of truth:

2 Corinth 11:10 “…the truth of Christ is in me…”

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

We have an intercessor and a teacher who teaches us to be intercessors. He teaches us to put ourselves on the firing line for those who walk beside us. This morning, those who walk beside us are in trouble. Sickness has come. Despair has attacked. Hope has been weakened. Provision and supply lines have been cut.

It’s time to awaken. There is a call to prayer going forth today. There is a battle that is fierce and ongoing. 2Sa 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle… In this scripture we find that there is a time for battle and it is NOW. David did not go and support his pillars and it wasn’t very long before his “ceiling” came crashing in. It’s time to battle… I’m just sayin’.

Son 3:10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

33.

From God

You Are His Gift

Be sure to BUNDLE today. And when I say that, I mean… bundled up in the physical AND the spiritual.

For ONLY when you are wrapped in the mantle of the Lord can you hear His voice, speak your heart and find your purpose today! Though it’s cold… look out at the breath that suddenly becomes more evident and revealing in cold weather – realize that YOU ARE HIS GIFT TODAY. Yours is the voice He wants to hear.

1Ki 19:13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Hear. Wrap. (bundle up) Go forth out of your place of human safety and security. Stand when you’ve done all to stand. And… listen – You’re about to get an invitation to speak to the creator of the Universe.

Does He hear us? Would He not, if He asks us to speak?

“What are you doing on my earth today?” – God.

34.

Building A Foundation

You say you want a change, but if that’s true, you need to change and rebuild your foundation. I mean… your living room is on a 20 degree slant. Oh, you cut the doors at fancy angles, you rehang the pictures and put wood blocks under half of your couch legs and each year more settling occurs and it is like your living room has become a wheelchair ramp. If you really want it changed… change that foundation. And yes… it will take some time, some work and some dedication.

We are about to lay a foundation. After we do that… we shall build upon it.

It shall not be as anything we have ever built unto the Lord. Says the Lord: Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Ezr 3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.

Ezr 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Ezr 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

Ezr 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

There is a very strong and valuable nugget given in the Old Testament to those who are called to build. It is imperative that you not neglect this advice to ministry. The nugget was encased within SEVEN scriptures that God is giving me for the move back to the times of prayer and intimacy. We call it, for lack of a greater understanding, “The Prophetic Worship Nights at the Parsonage” – every other Sunday night. Perhaps God will more directly define what these nights are to be called, but for now, suffice to say… it’s a time when the saints will once again – gather to pray and wait on the Lord.

Some of you may get angry or tired and simply say… “he’s just demanding too much of us. It’s just too much to add to an already packed week.” But it’s not. It’s a directive from the Lord. As I said last Sunday after Robin’s message concerning Sarah. Her womb had two major flaws. It was 1. old and it was 2. inexperienced. It was beyond hope that it didn’t know how to have because it never “had” it!

In a message I will be preaching soon, I will show the progression of regeneration. It begins with revival, goes to restoration an ends with repurposing. In other words, waking you up so you can be changed and after the change you can do what you are called to do. At Crossroads and perhaps in your life right now, we can’t deal with the promising of your repurpose until we have addressed the reviving and the restoration. Without both of these key ingredients, repurposing can NOT happen.

So… we will begin where every strong building starts. A strong foundation.

Joe 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Joe 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Joe 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Joe 2:18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Joe 2:19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

Joe 2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Joe 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

I believe that God gave me this early morning in a response to the intimate times of worship and ministry that are once again going to start up at the parsonage. And even at the time that I was hearing this, I could feel the conflict of the enemy rising up in my flesh and in an atmosphere that tells me “Nothing will change. Nothing will happen. You are fooling yourself.”

Certainly we are as Nehemiah building the walls of the city. A city that has been destroyed. Walls of hope that have had gaping holes poked through them. Dreams that have been burned to ashes. Security that has been found faulty. A world that has proven itself too great and too mighty.

Neh 4:1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

Neh 4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews do? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

There are many “Sanballats” in the world and certainly in the netherworld… just below the surface where our five senses will not travel. God is looking for us to “press in” and “break through”. The enemy, on the other hand is going to do everything to make our flesh too tired, too cynical, too defeated, too afraid to hope, too busy and too religious to go forward.

Remember that the enemy can only speak his words. The action comes from within US… or… the “RE” action to the words that are being spoken. Faith comes by hearing… but fear does too. Fear is faith in reverse. So… it comes down to which voice we hear and more importantly – which voice will we react to. Which voice are you pursuing today?

So. Back to the nugget in the second chapter of Joel. The valuable and strength in the cornerstone. The rock so strong that the gates of hell can NOT prevail against it.

This will precede the promise of revival. The promise of “waking you up” and making you ready to change:

The foundation… or chief cornerstone has to be “our” chief cornerstone. Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

We can not be a church that has “learned” all about Jesus. We can not be a church that “talks” all about Jesus. We can not be a church that has read his autobiography. We have to strip away all the inhibitions, the façade of being Christian, the bumper stickers, the pointing of fingers at others, the self condemnation… all the junk.

And we need to get at His feet. We need to be wrapped in His arms. We need to be found broken and weeping in His presence. Intimacy is the only thing that can build our foundation. To be more in love with Him than anything or anyone the world could put before us. It’s a thirsting as a dehydrated man thirsts for water. “…As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)

Not just… “oh, I could use a drink.” NO. It’s more like… every waking thought reminds you how thirsty you are and every one of those desperate thoughts DRIVES you to find water… at any cost.

After the weeping. After the intimacy… comes that promise. “It shall come to pass AFTERWARD” After the time with Him.

Joe 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Joe 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

What Joel spoke of was what our early infant church came to know as one of the first great outpourings of the Spirit of God. It was a time of great intimacy. It was not a time when the Spirit came down upon man, but when the Spirit drew man up into Heavenly places… intimate places. (Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:)

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

(The same thing happened earlier. Remember? (Ezr 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.)

Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

This revival of the early church led to the restoration of the church and finally the purpose and destiny of the church. You see, they weren’t destined to live the rest of their lives, boarded up in the dark confines of an upper room. Something happened that woke them up. And then they changed. And then they changed us.

If your living room is “out of plumb” and your level is… no longer level. Jump in. Let’s rework your foundation. Let’s get you back to a “level playing field of battle”.

35.

The spirit of fear

Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Have you ever wondered why the spirit of fear is allowed to come upon us? To visit us with such frequency? Fear of failure. Through finance, health, relationships, career, hobbies… On and on. With every step toward joy, there is a spirit of fear that asks, “what if you don’t make it to that joy?”

I don’t care if you are a non-Christian or a Christian, the spirit of fear is one of the strongest demonic forces that we face and I will be teaching in depth on this sometime this spring.

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

We are looking at Job. Perfect, upright, respected God and did not yield to temptation. And for all those wonderful attributes, he DID yield to a spirit of fear. I mean… if you look at the 1^st verse and of the 1^st chapter and the 25^th verse of the 3^rd chapter we see something quite startling.

He was righteous. But he also was “afraid”. It happens to all of us. It happens to the best of us. It happens to the worst of us. And when it does, it engages us in a spiritual battle and prompts us to “make decisions”.

Those decisions come in the form of our words, our thoughts and our actions. I don’t know about you, but there are many times in my life as I look back and see that I am not very proud of the decisions I made as a result of a spirit of fear.

When fear comes to the battlefield, you can choose to stand and fight or run and hide. But remember this one thing here this morning. If you run and hide… it will pursue you. If it finds you an easy mark, it will be relentless in it’s pursuit. And when it pursues you – it brings a henchman called “torment” – which is a torture of the mind. This will rob you of sleep, of peace, of sound decisions, of the fruit of the Spirit and ultimately of everything you possess and everything you are.

We call this spirit in theological circles… “A closer”. It wants to end anything that is positive and Godly within you.

From James 4:18 – “…because fear hath torment…” Now… hear me carefully about this “possession” fear HATH. HATH is translated out:

ekh’-o

A primary verb – to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation or condition): – be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can (+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do, + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.

This implies that fear has the ability to give you an infectious disease of the mind. Whenever you speak into it’s language – it is defeating you in battle and it is even then causing decay to spread through the mind of your spirit.

Making statements like… “I just don’t know anymore. I just don’t know where it’s going to come from. I am just sick and tired. I give up. I’ve had it. I need a vacation. I’m not going to be a Christian anymore. This Christianity doesn’t work for me”

Now… there are literally thousands and perhaps millions of statements that are fear driven. When we speak into it’s clutches – consider that “A BAD DECISION”. I have found that a bad decision in the mind, when fashioned and sent forth from the mouth… is just steps away from an action that you will regret. Again… speaking from regrettable decisions.

Job 3:26 I have no peace! I have no quiet! I have no rest! And trouble keeps coming!”

Good Job made some bad statements. These caused him to make bad decisions.

Although we can’t ever be free from the battling of fear, we CAN learn how to defeat it when it comes calling. Here are a few tidbits this morning that hopefully will awaken your spirit as to HOW to engage in this battle.

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

You MUST strive for the ultimate weapon against fear, which is “perfected love”. Two verses that we must bring to the top of our battle list is: 1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

It starts here:

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

It’s not enough to follow all the rules of Christianity. We must first and foremost develop a love that stand in the heat of the battle. Remember that Job “feared God” – but He had a problem with the very intimate relationship in his “love”. We will delve into this in the coming weeks.

36.

Fan Your Gifts Unto Flame

As I am back into Michigan and honing my focus for the next things in my life, I am feeling an excitement as to what God is going to bring. One of my top prayer warriors has been sown with weeping and tears into the fields of the eternal. Never have I seen a great seed planted without experiencing a mighty harvest here in the realms of mortality.

Something is on the horizon. Growing up in Wisconsin, the horizon of the farm in springtime was a flat dirt field. As the sun came up after planting, you would see silhouettes of the crop growing up against the sky like little human figures. From a distance, that flat line horizon would take on the form of growth, and as the wind would blow, it would look as if the horizon was moving.

I am seeing movement on the horizon of my life. The fields have been seeded and the crop is about to burst forth.

This morning I am studying in two different areas… or, three if you count tomorrow’s word. One interesting thing I found this morning was found in two scriptures and are specifically for those of you who have “cooled off” in your ministries… waiting for God.

Listen… HE’S WAITING FOR YOU!

1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

2Ti 1:6 You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you to ordain you. Now I’m reminding you to fan that gift into flames.

You can wait and wait and wait – but you must not neglect or let that gift within you grow cold. It’s up TO YOU to fan that gift that the flame might ignite and bust forth. Don’t wait another 10 years telling everyone you are waiting and daring God to do something. All that will bring you is to another 10 year reunion with NOTHING CHANGED.

You want things changed? Change it. I’m reminding YOU TO FAN THAT GIFT TO FLAME!

Where is the fan? It’s in your hand… or as it translates in scripture… YOUR MINISTRY. Before Christ released the Holy Ghost to a state of indwelling, the scripture talks of this fan: Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

At that time it was in HIS hand, but now… it’s in YOUR hand. In your arsenal of weaponry against the enemy. It is the Holy Ghost. It is that “Deep” calling unto “Deep”. Building up yourselves on your most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20)

That is a fanning of the gifts that He put within you! We all love to watch the beautiful fire and feel it’s warmth in winter, but without you getting up and fanning the embers, the flames will fade and the fire will go out.

Folks, it’s time to pray. Like we’ve never prayed before… IN THE HOLY GHOST. Letting Him who is in the depths of deep call to God Himself in His depth. Psa 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

You want people healed? You want to see people saved? You want your family changed? You want a career change? You want a deliverance from the thing that holds you in bondage?

For Pete’s sake… don’t just sit there! Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wait until tomorrow or when it’s convenient or when you are not so tired… TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!

Get up and get to it. God doesn’t move you like a marionette… you must DO SOMETHING. What is it that you must do??? PRAY. From there – HE will order the steps, set the direction, remove the chains, release your loved ones, change your life.

We don’t want to change because although we complain about where we are, we don’t want to motivate ourselves to get up and put ourselves in motion. And we MUST… put ourselves in motion.

Set an appointment for that first hour of prayer. Set it. Set it as an intense meeting with your Father. Don’t let anything hinder you from that plan to JUST GET THERE. JUST DO IT. For the love of MIKE… DO IT. DO IT!!!

Remember a job interview you had that changed your course of history? Perhaps this is the first hour to opening an entire new world for you here in 2015. It’s time. Make the horizon come alive.

37.

Spirit of Adoption

I Was Adopted…

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

One of the names of Jehovah God “Abba Father” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates to people. The word Abba is an Aramaic word that would most closely be translated as “Daddy.” It was a common term that young children would use to address their fathers. It signifies the close, intimate relationship of a father to his child, as well as the childlike trust that a young child puts in his “daddy.”

As I study this morning for something I am working on for a series that I am going to be teaching later this Spring, I am delving again into Romans 8. The words “Spirit of adoption” are jumping off the page at me.

The ones waiting for adoption don’t get to choose who adopts them. It is the choice of the ones who are adopting. We didn’t choose our adopted “daddy” – He chose us. I don’t know about you, but at times I look in the mirror and wonder… WHY ME???

I don’t have the answer for that, but I am glad He did. It surprises me though, how so many in this life don’t realize that they are in the orphanage of the world. When God comes and wants to adopt them, they refuse. It boggles my mind as to why they don’t want a family. Why they don’t want to leave their dysfunctional, nomadic, transient and dangerous lifestyle?

It’s kind of like looking at the prodigal son at the pig trough. Someone comes along and says… “Hey… come away from there. I have roast beef on the menu.” The reply is staggering… “Naw… I have grown accustomed to the slop and maggots”.

When God wanted to adopt me with all my flaws and all my quirks and all my baggage and all my… yuk… it brought tears to my eyes. Someone wants me! Someone wants to love me! Someone wants to change my situation!

To say “yes” was as easy as choosing between life or death. And like normal adoptions, each case is reviewed and looked at personally. We are chosen for who “WE” are – not who are parents were, not who are siblings are, not who are friends are. Who WE are.

Ezekiel comes into play here. It most certainly helps in the understanding of our adoption.

Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

It doesn’t matter who your parents were. How bad or how good of a lifestyle they had. The one being adopted doesn’t pay the price for the sins of your heritage! This again speaks to blow completely out of the water that damndable heresy of “generational curse” which I have spoken about many times. The son SHALL NOT bear the iniquity of the father – just like the father SHALL not bear the iniquity of the son.

Your salvation, your walk, your choices are your own. You can’t blame your parents for the way you choose to live your life. Oh, yes, of course we have that same temptation to yield to anger, lust, kleptomania… etc…. but if your dad was weak in an area – you can’t use his weakness as an excuse to sin. Just like… if your son yields to something – it doesn’t mean the father is going to yield to it.

“Oh my son took up alcohol as a hobby so I guess it’s a part of me too that I can’t escape”. Bull Hockey. Ezekiel is very clear that your choice to sin…your choice to be adopted…your choice to live…your choice to die – is simply that. YOURS.

Every generation is subject to the same spirits of evil. It is not “more prevalent” in some families. Just like God Himself, Satan is no respecter of persons. He attacks everyone with every ounce of evil he can muster.

Every generation was born in sin and shaped in iniquity. Every generation has a choice to yield to family tradition of weakness in the flesh or setting a trend and a new course for strength.

If you live in a city of “blame”, you travel the streets of “excuse”. That’s where the orphanage is located. You can’t be singing “The sun will come out… tomorrow” and continue to say “no” to the one who wants to change your address and your lifestyle and your mindset.

Eze 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Eze 18:22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

Eze 18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

Eze 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

There are two very strong points of verbiage in the preceding passage. There are two things that won’t be spoken. If you are a student of the Word, you know how powerful the written and the spoken word are. It’s a way that we record thoughts, ideas, dreams, aspirations, life or death.

The points come in the “lack of recording”, or, the “lack of a word being spoken”. The lack of establishing a precedent or judgment. The exact words I am speaking of are: “shall not be mentioned”.

That is such a relief to someone like myself who has made so many mistakes… yielded to way too much sin… turned to so many excuses. IF I turn to my ABBA… and follow His words and live in His world – all the things that I have done… WON’T EVEN BE MENTIONED. I don’t know about you, but for me… that takes a load off!

And, alas, there is a flip side to that coin that I must always be conscious of. If I choose to go back to a life I lived “pre-adoption” after I have walked and lived in the light of His love, and if I choose to go back to the excuses and the blaming and the sin… I will die.

And in that death, there is something that “won’t be mentioned” – and that is all the good things I have done. People can say all they want… “I’m a good person” and yet for all their goodness, if they choose to live in sin… NOT ONE GOOD THING WILL BE MENTIONED. Nobody will defend you at the end. Not one good thing will be spoken of on your behalf.

You can get to that brim of hell and be screaming… “YEAH, BUT I DID THUS AND SO…” and you’ll only get a voice cutting off your very words… “Yeah, we don’t care about any of that.”

Kind of like Judas trying to atone for his error to the chief priests and spouting that he was bringing the blood money back. The answer from the counsel: Mat 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us?

In essence… WHO CARES? Isn’t that the attitude of the worldly orphanage? Who… cares.

I love the teaching of Christ as He taught us how to pray. He told us… Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Eze 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

Eze 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

You see, God takes NO PLEASURE in the death of anyone. (Ezekiel 18:23 and Ezekiel 18:32) There is no reason to turn away from someone who cares as deeply as He cares.

You may say… “What has God ever done for me?” I will reply simply… nothing… if you don’t agree to the adoption. A parent adopting a child from an orphanage doesn’t take all the orphans out to dinner. He doesn’t pay for all their college educations. He doesn’t tuck all of them into bed at night. Only the ones that allow HIM to adopt them.

38.

FWC

Friendship With Conditions

After arriving in Milwaukee over 25 hours after I departed Michigan, I can truly say that I would not like to make that kind of trip again any time soon. We figure mom must have seen it coming and got out just in time!

The wind chills in Elkhart where I was stranded was -40 degrees, which is absurd because anything less than zero is just… plain… cold. Today it’s sunny and bright and here in Sussex, Wisconsin it is a balmy -3. Wind chills… brutal.

Making a note to myself to invent an alternative to a problem. What is “plan B” when my windshield washer fluid decides to freeze and ceases to function on a salt-covered, ice-covered freeway while traveling 40 miles per hour with semi-trucks passing and spitting road grit to my already ineffective window view?

And then I hear on the radio that tomorrow the temperature may reach 11 degrees and I have to wonder how sick and wrong it is for me to be getting excited about a temperature that reaches 11 degrees. My heart goes out to postal workers today who braves the Michigan climate all year long. A job I could never do. It’s too cold in the winters, it’s too hot in the summers and on days that are perfect you are reminded all day how perfect it is… and you’re stuck working. I would have to cop an attitude.

Ah, but we all travel from glory to glory and we establish testimonies from the experiences of the journey. It’s all good?

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

I am going to be officiating my mother’s funeral this coming Tuesday and I am getting “bits and snippets” of just how to memorialize a great woman of God in the span of 20 minutes. I mean… a full life of almost 83 years and it’s now down to speaking a few words that fully describe, honor and tell the complete story? I am believing that with God, all things are possible.

Today while we are all in the midst of a deep freeze here in the Midwest, I am reflecting on that scripture in 2 Corinthians. We are changed on our journeys. The experience we gain yields “wisdom”. Wisdom is a great guide for that journey to the next destination of glory.

Pro 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

What this is saying, in essence is, learn from your experiences. When you do, you will be able to go forth and go on. As I’ve said many times… when you fail a test in God, He will not send you on any further until you’ve passed it. Unlike some of our schools of education today that promote you without your needing to understand it all, God is a very “good” teacher – and He knows that what you learn today will be something you need to get through tomorrow.

In my journey I gained the wisdom to know that HE tests my friendship with Him. He says “no” sometimes. I get mad. But He still says “no” sometimes. He asks me in my hurting… “Do you still love me”?

Many turn away from God because they can’t get what they want. I see the heart of Christ as we witness this thing in scripture. It is friendship with conditions. Love with expectations. Salvation with amendments.

I don’t think the scripture 666 in John is an accident:

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

As Christians, at times we think we “know enough” or are “good enough” or are “entitled” because we “wear the title” of Christian. If wisdom teaches us anything, it teaches us that God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

It’s like a story I have about a childhood friend. We played baseball together, we traded baseball cards, we camped out under tent blankets over the clothes lines in the back yard, we laughed and confided in one another. Then one day I asked him to give me his baseball glove. It would have meant the world to me. Surely he was obligated to me since I was his friend… even when others didn’t want to be his friend… I was. In essence I was doing him a great favor by being his friend. I “EXPECTED” him to bless me.

But he wouldn’t give it to me. It affected our friendship. He wouldn’t tell me “WHY” he wouldn’t give it to me… he just wouldn’t. It put a rift in our friendship and things were never quite the same. To think about it today seems very strange. How I let a little material thing like that separate a friendship. At first I thought… “some friend HE is!”

But today… I am seeing it quite different… “some friend I was!”

Friendship doesn’t give us the right to dictate and demand our desires. And if the friendship is true, it will stand the test of “expectations” and it will never demand, but only humbling desire. And when the answer is “no” – and the friendship still exists, then, my friend, it is quite real.

Kind of like my friendship with God. When He speaks to me… friend to friend.

Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Jesus is my “friend”.

Expectations can come in many forms… what we “expect” many times will define our friendships. We call God our friend if He does what we want, when we want and how we want… and only if He fills our orders will we retain Him.

But what if God says “no”… What if it is a testing to see if your love and your “idea” of friendship is truly “HIS” idea of friendship. Is your friendship with God … UNCONDITIONAL? Does it fulfill the following characteristics:

We know that love is many things. It is patient. It’s kind. It can withstand suffering and injustice, and it’s gentle. It waits and hopes when others give up, it does not envy, and it’s not proud. It’s mature. Its wisdom comes from years of experience, it will not blow its own horn, it will not lift a hand in anger, it does not judge. It does not cheer on iniquity, but rejoices in truth. It is said to bear all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, and endures all things. You can not have faith without its working power, and it never fails.

I found out that my childhood friend was one who had been taken advantage of and abused as a young child. He had someone very close to him say… “I’ll be your secret friend if you let me do things to you”. He was abused in a very bad way.

From that time on, he was careful in his relationships. He was wary of those who had an idea of friends with strings attached. God loves you no matter what. Do you love Him in the same way? Will you serve Him only if you get what you want out of the deal… or will you serve Him no matter what.

I couldn’t demand that my mom stay one more day so I could see her one more time. I could ask, but it was something out of my hands and out of my control. I made my mind up long ago… God is my friend and the decisions He makes will not affect my friendship with Him. I choose to love God unconditionally.

Here are a few great song for your today… and in memory of Mr. Andrae Crouch who passed away yesterday at 72 years of age. Dance in heaven, my friend… dance with Jesus.

39.

Goodbye For Now

1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

They always say, “death and taxes”. Certainties of life. Well… I’ve been in places where there were no taxes imposed, but truly death comes to us all. As human beings we have a hard time with this part of life. Even as Christians, where we are convinced that immortality is a certainty in the creation of the spirit of man – we wrestle with death.

Jesus knew all things, including the sorrow that death brings. Even for the believer. John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Last night at a little bit after 3 AM EST, my mother, Bernadine Margret Mataya-DeLap was taken by angels and escorted immediately into the presence of God. We assume they came with a cup of iced mocha coffee – which was a delicacy that she could not have since her stroke last Thanksgiving left her without the ability to swallow.

And sorrow continued to a deeper level for my family, her friends and all that knew her. I know that we are to take comfort in the words… “but I will see you again”, but when such a large hole is hollowed in the human heart, it takes a while for it to heal and we are meant to grieve.

My mom was one of my top prayer warriors on our international prayer list – and through all the adversity of her life, she was being formed in Christ and being prepared for her journey last night. She was a Christian and not only a believer, but told us that she had seen Jesus while she was in the hospital and told her that HE was going to come in the middle of the night and take her with Him. It might sound crazy to some, but it happened just like she said.

The grave didn’t collect my mother as a trophy and death didn’t have any power over her. Some say that she lost her battle with cancer or the stroke, but I choose to tell you that she WON her battle – and as a promise given by Christ Himself – she got her crown. (“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10)

And… no doubt that cup of iced coffee – among other things. She is not dead – she is in a different place – and I have not lost my mom, but rejoice as my number one prayer warrior has taken on a Heavenly assignment. To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinth 5:8)

1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Her battle to the end was leaving family and friends. As the Apostle Paul described it… between a rock and a hard place. Having a desire to be free from the pain, but not wanting to impart a sorrow when a loved one passes through.

Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Although I have some wonderful memories of mom – even in this past year, I think she always fought to see us kids… “just one more time”. One of her favorite movies… “Once Around”. My family knows what I am talking about.

I believe that as she passed last night, she was clinging to this scripture:

1Th 2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

I know that we all will face death as a cycle of our own lives. It touches us all in not only our own bodies, but in the bodies of our loved ones. Mom really believed that she was going home… and as my brother and sister can attest to… mom was always right.

I believe she was in this case.

She was the one that read, without fail, every word of the day that I sent out – and replied with comments, questions or corrections. She always responded when someone needed prayer. She visited our Streetfire website daily and though she could not physically get out to church, our weekly video came into her home without fail – and without fail, she listened to every word.

Each night she would be under her headphones and would worship. And when she was in the hospital after the stroke, we witnessed her in her hospital bed, lifting her good arm to Heaven and singing along and making those songs her prayers and her worship.

Recently she sent me these scriptures and I believe that she wanted me to pass them on at her “home-going”. This morning – reunited with her loved ones and no pain. On to her next steps. Love you mom. Good bye… for now.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

This would be her word to you who want to see her again –

2Ti 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

40.

When “NOT” to rebuild

Do NOT Rebuild…

I am going to give you a passage of scripture. If you have some time today, taste and digest this warm bread. Consult the Lord on what was written… and take the time to “discuss” with Him the meaning for YOUR day. This entire text of passage is nine verses, but today I want to dive into just the first of those nine verses.

Luk 18:35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: Luk 18:36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

First of all, we know that Jesus was (actual true story…) traveling NEAR Jericho. So the first thing we must look at is that city. What do you remember about it in scripture?

Many know about it being the first conquest to the possession of the promised land. A “breaking of the matrix”, if you will into the birthing place of promise.

We remember the song, “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho”. We remember walls coming down and the city being destroyed. We also remember that there was a command NOT to take anything out of that city except the riches that were to be placed into the treasury of the Lord. (Josh 6:24)

What we tend to forget is a little known verse concerning the “rebuilding” of that city. A rebuilding of what God wanted destroyed. God wanted the last memory to be that of destruction and freedom. He wanted no new memories of that place to “replace” what had happened on that infamous day. God gave a commandment in the book of Joshua about rebuilding that which God destroys.

Jos 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

Jericho. Let’s look at it’s name. lunar. Moon. A pleasant fragrance. Quick understanding. The world’s moon. This world’s time. This world’s sweet smell.

It was the most important city in the Jordan valley ( Numbers 22:1 ; 34:15 ), and the strongest fortress in all the land of Canaan.

So here we see in the gospel of Luke, Jesus is not just passing through a city, but He is revisiting a command put down by His Father, some 1400 years earlier. Had God’s word changed? Had the command been given a latter amendment? No. It didn’t.

And here we see the Son of that Commander as He views that MOON… the “lesser light to rule the day”. He smells the aromas that have been replanted and the sins that have been rebuilt. He sees a place that is very appealing to the flesh. He sees a city that has been rebuilt with man’s understanding and justification.

And close to that city sits the picture of man who not only rebuilds those waste places, but desires to be there. The man Jesus encounters has some unwritten characteristics that we really MUST look at.

We see the characteristics as follows:

He wasn’t actually “IN” Jericho, but was close. Here was a man who chose to profit from the places of sin – all the while saying… I’m not actually living in it.
He was blind – but he in fact, knew where he was.
He was a beggar. He took from the profits of an unclean area and ingested things from an unclean land.
He was able to smell. Jericho was fragrant and sin at times can smell oh so sweet.
He was able to hear. A very important thing in coming away from the curse. Also a sense that will remove any excuse of ignorance. Very ironic since it was a command that God spoke in the time of Joshua that people chose to ignore to hear.
He was able to speak. Our voices can used for good or for evil. It can also be used unto salvation through confession.

This man was in a place where his very life was hanging in the balance and the presence of God – as it got closer to him began to call to him. With an ear that will hear and a mouth that can speak – God can take us from the brink of Hell to the realms of glory.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

There are many “dangers, toils and snares” in this life, but in the midst of those, a needful reminder is NOT to rebuild that which God has destroyed in your life. When HE burns bridges, don’t exasperate your time and energy to find a way back over to where you are not supposed to go. Stop and realize that it was forbidden for a reason.

When you are too close to the world and it’s wonderful sounds and smells, you can be blinded as to where you are supposed to be. When that happens, His presence comes and demands a choice be made. This man made a right choice even in the midst of a very alluring place of sin.

It doesn’t matter where you are today. It doesn’t matter if you are in the middle of a rebuilding project to get you back to the world. It doesn’t matter how you got there. If you are in the wrong place… spiritually, morally, emotionally, physically – listen for His presence and when He comes close – call out. There is nothing too devastating for Him. There is no place that His grace can not go. There is no place you are in, that He can’t remove you from.

Especially when you have hidden in a dark portion of the garden behind branches of fig and leaves of shame… His love drives Him to find you. When He does… you can either choose to stay hidden or come into the light of healing eyes.

41.

The Glory Is His

He will Not Share His Glory

Looks like our white Christmas found us… although a few weeks late! It is a great day to cuddle up with the Word and a cup of tea. “Tea. Like a hug in a cup”.

I was doing a study on Barak today.

The study I conducted is found in Judges chapters 4 and 5.

Barak was a Hebrew warrior set apart and sanctified – not sold into bondage to the Canaanites. He answered the call of God despite overwhelming odds. His name meant “lightning.” His call was confirmed by a prophetess named Deborah. A powerful woman of God – a heart for righteousness and appointed by God for great things.

An interesting scripture in this story is found in Jdg 4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

I do not know how the stigma of women used by God has been so abused – but this clearly shows that the nation turned it’s eyes and it’s ears to her.

In the time of the judges, Israel had drifted away from God, and the Canaanites oppressed them for 20 years. God called Deborah to be a judge and prophetess over the Jews, the only female among the 12 judges.

Deborah had heard a sure word of the Lord telling her to call Barak, telling him God had commanded him to gather the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali and go to Mount Tabor.

Barak was in the province of KEDESHNAPHTALI which means “sanctified” and “set apart”. A true man of God in the midst of a people who had turned from God. God does have today, people that have not sold out… in our government, in our workplaces, in our society. Perhaps you are the Barak of your generation waiting to be called out to greatness.

Let’s look at these two scriptures from the text:

Jdg 4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. Jdg 4:9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Now… I’ve heard it preached that because of Barak’s lack of faith or courage, he would not get credit for the victory, but that the credit would go to a woman. This is not only bogus, but inaccurate interpretation of this passage.

Let’s look at this realistically. What difference could one little woman be? Why would Barak make such a request? Was it that he was putting his faith in Deborah and that he didn’t have enough faith in God?

Say it ain’t so, Joe!

You see, Barak is listed in Hebrews 11 as one of those in the “hall of faith”. So… if his refusal to go without Deborah was not a lack of faith or courage, what was it?

I believe that Barak knew the vessel that God was using for HIS glory – and Barak was also convinced that she was undeniably hearing from God. He also knew in his heart:

Pro 24:5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Pro 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

You see… I don’t think it was a lack of faith to bring the prophetess. I think it was wisdom. He trusted the word that came from her and wanted to make sure that each step in the battlefield was “ordered by the Lord”. Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

I also feel that as a humble man, he DID NOT want credit for the victory – but wanted all the glory to go to God. By bringing Deborah with him, it would ensure that he would not receive any of the credit!

And his heart was for the freeing of Israel – not getting credit for a victory. Now… how many people can look at this passage and see a man who wanted to do everything correctly, in the correct timing and ensuring that none of the credit would go to himself.

Deborah was an Old Testament type of the Holy Spirit. When we take the Holy Ghost with us, when we follow His direction and when we insist on not taking any of the credit – lives are set free. And just maybe… someone else may get the credit or encouragement for you obeying God.

“And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Judges 4:9

His obedience to God and his asking God to go with him made the most unlikely woman… a hero.

The man was entered into God’s hall of faith. Faith still comes from “hearing” – and his needing to “hear” God on the battlefield was first and foremost on his mind. Above having personal glory, above not listening to a woman, above him having to yield the trophy to someone else. His trophy was his faith.

For additional awesome reading, go into Judges 5. It gives the most beautiful song giving God the glory for avenging Israel.

42.

Declaration

A Declaration of WAR

It’s time.

Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Before you read this word today… it is imperative that you view this little six minute video. And isn’t God worth six minutes of your time today in a year that is a “six”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iEx7bga1lk

It’s time for a war cry. It’s time for a “shift” as I said on last Sunday’s message concerning the promises for the New Year. The year 5775. Each Hebrew letter is also a “letter” in the Hebrew alphabet. So… the number 5775 also spells out a Hebrew word.

That word is Hei/Zain/Zain/Hei. God has assigned a word to this year. Describing this year. That word translates out to: Shift. A moving of the INDWELLER. Rollaway. BUDGE. Displace. STIR. Removal. Breakthrough.

God is going to remove things that don’t belong with a stirring of the Holy Ghost who will cause a change in the atmosphere and a shifting of your life. A SHAKING of everything that can be shaken.

Get ready. Get ready. Get ready.

It’s time to stir the atmosphere as the Holy Ghost stirs us. It’s time for you to put on your dancing shoes. It’s time to dance a dance of war. It’s time to dance a dance of Praise. It’s time to dance a dance of deliverance. It’s time to dance and be MOVED into Heavenly praises.

Dance is a weapon. We are being called to a peculiar war. We are being called to victory. Did you hear me? YOU AND I ARE BEING CALLED TO VICTORY. The war dance will give way to the dance of deliverance and will further give way to the dance of victory. Some call it a “happy dance” – but it is far more powerful than that.

This is your verse to start the New Year:

There was a man who was “lame”. Paralyzed in his feet. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to dance… but he couldn’t dance. His life changed when Peter and John came and crossed his path and imparted the dance in him.

Act 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Look at that. “walking and leaping” It was a dance of deliverance. It was a dance of praise. This man was called to the Victory Dance.

One of the greatest victory dances was found as Israel was singing:

Exo 15:20-21 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

We are called to war. We are called to praise. We are called to VICTORY.

Not afraid to lift my hands. Not afraid to sing aloud. Not afraid to move my feet. Oh Lord, I’m not afraid. 5775. It’s time.

43.

Finding Honour

Humility before Honour

Pro 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

As I sat in my study this morning and began digging into Psalm 108, I noticed something very distinctive about this song. It is only 13 verses long. Can you see it?

Psa 108:1 A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Psa 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

Psa 108:3 I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Psa 108:4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

Psa 108:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Psa 108:6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

Psa 108:7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Psa 108:8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Psa 108:9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

Psa 108:10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

Psa 108:11 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

Psa 108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Psa 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Now, we may be able to see many things within the Psalm itself, but again, to better understand the Psalms, as I have said many times, we need to go back to the history of the Psalmist to catch the flavor of the inspiration for the work.

This Psalm was really written in two parts. Verses 1-5 and verses 6-13. David wrote this in two parts at two different times. Did he get up for a break? Perhaps a cup of tea?

Actually, David got a bit distracted with life and he had verses 1-5 sitting on a shelf somewhere. The first five verses represented the immaturity and the ego of a man who had a mighty calling on his life, but needed to find a greater revelation of His God.

His song. This song, is seen as a beautiful portrait of a brash young man who had grown into a wise leader.

Approximately 18 years from the point he started the Psalm was when he finished it! It was the unfinished song that represents the works we start in our lives and may not finish right away. We are not allowed to finish them the way we started them. God wants a depth to our writing, our speech, our praise, our prayers and our walk. We can see a very seasoned psalmist who had learned to clothe himself in humility.

It’s the secret of every powerful leader. To put on humility and to realize that life should not be “what we make it” – but what we allow HIM to make.

In the first five verses, David saw himself with great honor. “People will see how well I praise” and “I will be seen among the nations”. He saw himself right there with God “above the heavens” and “in the clouds” where everyone could see him. David even makes a comment about how he will be seen “rising early” and will be playing that harp at an early hour so that everyone can see him and hear him and know how great a man he is.

Compare David’s Psalm 108 and his boast in the year 1028: “I myself will awake early” to his Psalm 127 written 53 years later as advice to Solomon: Psa 127:2 “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late…”

In between the beauty of the first part of the song 108 and the last part… life happened. It kept him from finishing a life lived in vanity. It was a time of teaching from the Lord. David said… “Oh God… you GOT to hear this new song I’m writing for you. It’s some of my best work”. God replied… “Awesome… but I have a few things to teach you before you finish.”

In those 18 years, Samuel his anointed teacher died, he married several times, he spared Saul’s life a 2^nd time, he lost everything in Ziklag, Saul AND Jonathon died, he witnessed the unification of Israel, the ark was brought home, he sinned, suffered the death of a child, was rebuked for hidden sin, won and lost many battles and was mentoring a son for the Kingdom.

The experiences brought wisdom. True wisdom makes you humble. He learned that Godly truth doesn’t elevate you into a seat in the clouds, but hides you in HIS holiness.

After all those experiences, God came to him one day and reminded him that he had a song to finish. How different was the ending. And isn’t that the way it should be in our lives when our life is a song sung to Him?

David goes back to his parchment and his first words to finish the song are… “that thy beloved may be delivered.” That I may be saved and that above all… it’s not what I say or do, but what YOU say… “answer me”. Let me hear your voice. That’s all I need.

Many will read the following as David speaking in the first person, but look again… it is GOD answering David concerning the battles of his life.

Psa 108:7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Psa 108:8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Psa 108:9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

As God speaks these things and as David is about to go in to conquer Edom, David realizes that the victory can come with not even one ounce of his own strength. He has come to the full realization that PEOPLE CAN’T BE HIS HELP OR HIS STRENGTH.

We can find encouragement and comfort at times, but the answers must always be in God and allowing HIM to lead… to fight… and to finish. “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.”

It’s hard to win a battle when we can’t trust in our army that surrounds us. When we put our confidence in flesh, knowing that the battle is greater than they can shoulder. So God has no other alternative than to bring you through a life that reveals HIM. Love people… but don’t put your trust in them – you may be putting an expectation upon them that will crush them… and make you bitter in the process. TRUST in the Lord and lean NOT to your own understanding.

We are broken so that we lean upon Him. When we lean upon Him, He is revealed. When He is revealed… WE CAN DO VALIANTLY.

May the victory songs we sing at the end, reveal more of HIM than of ourselves. Oh, and Lord… make my heart tender enough that it doesn’t take me 18 years to finish a song.

1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

44.

“He Started It!”

God Finishes What He Starts

Lovely weather for ducks here in Michigan on this Christmas Eve! Our Michigan back yard looks more like Lake Michigan. Not complaining… especially since we are still smarting from last year’s snow dump and bone chilling temps!

God starts what He finishes. And the enemy senses it. In the midst of the birth, there was tremendous stress and turmoil throughout the earth. But in the midst of the devastation comes the promise. Can you claim that today?

This morning I am sending this passage of scripture in hopes that you all will read aloud at some point today and remember what a glorious night this earth experienced. Such a night that it brought angels to view into our natural realm. It brought a star that had never been seen before or since.

God created quite an ornament for the top of the tree! I can almost imagine that pristine night… perhaps a night that had never been that warm in Jerusalem at that time of year. So warm, in fact, that the shepherds could actually take their flocks to the fields at night.

All the perfect plan of God who created a weather pattern especially for the birth of His son. As they saw the lights of the city from that vantage, shining through the trees, I can imagine that God wanted us to have that same image this year as we look at the lights glistening on our trees.

The peace at the breaking of that matrix was surreal that night. It caused all the stress of the day and the times upon the earth to simply melt away. It was a change in the atmosphere – both the natural and the spiritual. The old regime of hopelessness and bondage and pain was going to soon succumb to a new and a brighter way.

Christmas tells us that, as things changed that night… things can change in your life. It sends a message to the “thug” of this world that his days are certainly numbered – and he can neither say nor do anything about it.

Those of us who experience the new birth all over again this season are sending a strong message to the enemy. There is a phrase coming that will change everything. “It is finished!”

And tonight we remember that the strong “finish” also had a strong “start”. He births things into your lives and into your hearts this Christmas season. It is the small and humble start to a strong and mighty finish.

The start of your salvation. The start of your deliverance. The start of your financial freedom. The start of your healing. The start of your journey home. What He is starting in you today will be finished in a mighty way.

Php 1:6 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:

Remind the enemy today with your peace in the midst of all the stress of your world… GOD FINISHES WHAT HE STARTS.

Now… out loud today… let’s again visit the start all while remembering YOUR new start today:

Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Luk 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luk 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Luk 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Luk 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Luk 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

45.

Basic Math?

The Afflicted Will Multiply

I have had many atheists and people of other faiths visit our website. I wanted to express my views on what has become a controversial subject in the world today. There is a splitting of church and state and we see it more than ever – even in celebrations that have become federally mandated holidays. There is a persecution of Christian beliefs as never before… but I DO believe that even as Egypt tried to eradicate the Hebrews, it only made them stronger. Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

I thank God that I was raised in the beauty of Christmas rather than the fear of it. As a result, my family doesn’t fear this time of year as a threat to their salvation, but embraces each truth. As a result, we are able to experience a confidence in our salvation. This verse is a truth to us this year: Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Peace this year. We don’t fear that we will be “sucked into” the lies or the trappings. We believe the scripture that says… Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

We aren’t afraid that the celebration of Christ at this time of year would mark us as “traitors” to the faith! We aren’t afraid that celebration will cause our children to become heretics or lunatics. That is a true essence of what Christ came to preserve.

It’s pride that makes us hold on to our dogmas… and causes us to live in fear and anger in such a season of great joy and celebration.

I hate the trappings of this holiday… but I love the reason to celebrate more than I hate the excuses NOT to celebrate. I love turning on the radio and hearing celebrations of His birth. I love hearing about the angels in the heavens declaring that victory had come to earth after 4000 years of bondage.

I thank God for a mom this Christmas who taught us the real meaning. Although it may be her last, she kept Christ in Christmas. You never caught any of our family on their knees worshipping a Christmas tree… although we always had one. You never caught any of us “worshipping” or believing that Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer was real. Not one of my siblings grew up believing in Santa Clause. I think that is the sentiment of most Christians, even though the dogma of fear accuses us that because we celebrate, we must not be as “holy” as those who don’t.

It is a spirit that tries to make us ashamed that we choose to worship at Christmas… and in the midst of Christmas. I’m not sorry that I don’t align myself with Muslims and atheists and the false dogmas at this time of year. I’m glad that I am fully convinced of the blood that came and dwelt among us on that first beautiful Christmas night. I’m glad that the tradition of “giving” is reinforced at this time of year! To be accused of “worshipping a tree as an excuse for giving gifts to my children” is a lie from the enemy and I find that very offensive to me and to my family and to my parents that raised me.

Yesterday was one of the best Christmas celebrations I have ever been a part of. Each one stood and gave a favorite Christmas memory. Not one testimony spoke of worshipping trees or believing in false gods or wanting to sing about deer with red noses. Each testimony came with tears as the essence of Christmas was revealed from the hearts. Every memory had a common thread woven through it… family. In each touching story, we heard time and time again that it was people that made this time of year special. Giving and receiving from family as Our Father taught us on that sacred night in Bethlehem. The love of God in family. A main reason that Christ came. So that family could be together forever. Freedom from fear. Even the fear that something like a “holiday” could steal our family’s salvation.

I think that yesterday’s testimonies would have shocked the dogma of the nay sayers. They are so sure that their families will be tainted by this holiday… If that were the attitude of missionaries, they wouldn’t go into ungodly countries.

And there are some so sickened by the error that they expend all of their energy cursing the darkness instead of lighting their candles at this time of year. I have written on this subject many times, I only hope that this time, there is courage to read it with an open mind and a loving heart.

I remind you non-Christians reading this today… Christmas was first, the holy day of and for the Christians. No matter what was done to try and steal or taint it… it has survived in all it’s beauty and in all it’s truth and in all it’s wonder. The more you try to undermine it – the stronger it will become.

As a Christian in a strong army of God, I will never stop bringing the truth or the reason for the season.

When the first cry came forth from that child that night in Bethlehem a cold shiver rocked the realm of darkness. Satan was “prince of the power of the air” – and suddenly he and his minions realized that God’s plan was upon them and was in fact moving forward.

A baby cried and darkness trembled. Let’s look back at the angelic encounter with Mary. As I said this week… one angel – two destinations. One in the grandeur of the temple, one in the humble abode of a handmaiden.

The first thing people that shun the holiday will tell you is…. Christ wasn’t really born on the 25^th of December. So let’s not celebrate it at all. It’s kind of like an orphan who doesn’t know when his birthday is – and the orphanage creates a day to celebrate. Can you see other orphans saying… you don’t know that the date you chose is really the day, so I am not coming to the party.

I think that nobody knows the exact date because God doesn’t want a one day celebration. I think He wants us to always be celebrating it in our hearts – all year long.

Everything in the dark kingdom of Satan rebels against the birth of Christ. You whisper the word “Christmas” and he shudders. He screams… “SHUT IT DOWN… SHUT IT DOWN”. It’s surprising how many pawns of the enemy have surfaced through the generations since the birth of OUR LIFE. Herod wanted to kill the child from his birth, just as Satan is trying to kill that event in our lives today. He hated the birth announcement. He hated the celebration of that birth.

Herod told wise men he wanted to worship, but actually he wanted to kill. Satan does everything in his power to demean to deny and to destroy this celebration. He comes to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) Through the same spirit in Eden, he taints God’s word and God’s plan and God’s celebration… “hath God said…” – he uses that same spirit today to kill this celebration in your heart. And that teaching may come through a respected leader, a trusted friend or a beloved relative… and though their hearts were in the right place, their teaching was skewed. We must receive the true word with an open heart and not with sentimental emotionalism. Satan comes with tears. Satan comes with sentimental memories. Satan comes as an angel of light. We must be “sober and vigilant”.

When all the world is trying to take away nativity scenes, legislate Muslim and atheists equal rights saying that Christmas is offensive, stop religious Christmas carols, stop the “joy of Christmas”, stop the giving of gifts – there are some Christians that are unknowingly on that bandwagon. You are fighting for the secular world and you don’t even know it.

Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Did the gifts go to Jesus? Did they let him play with the frankincense like a child would do in a sandbox? Did they let him gnaw on the gold pieces? Did they let him mix the myrrh with water and color on the walls? NO. The gifts were presented to the parents in celebration of their son… their King.

Shall we not celebrate Christ? Does the Bible not tell us to celebrate and worship God? Do not the very teachings of Christ teach us to worship Him and love others by giving ourselves and our gifts – and when we do – we do it unto Him.

Satan dilutes this celebration with the revelry of other holidays. He dilutes it with the commercialism. He dilutes it with the excess and at the same time, the taking for granted the price and sacrifice of each gift. He tries to use scripture to his advantage so that he minimizes the celebration until there is no celebration at all or if there is, it is just a private celebration in a man’s own heart – being careful not to let anyone else know. Excuse me… but according to Heaven… according to the Father of lights – it was a big deal. AND… are we supposed to hide the light under a bushel? As Christians, should we not be shining brightest and singing the loudest and proclaiming all the wonderment of this sacred season?

It was NOT a private ordeal. He proclaimed to the world that HIS SON was born. He so loved us that HE GAVE a gift (For God so loved us that He gave to US – John 3:16) in the midst of this celebration. He didn’t give the gift to the “birthday boy” or should I say, the “birthday Son of God” – but the gift was given to each of us… that we may in turn GIVE to others. Freely you have received… now freely give. (Matthew 10:8). It taught us that true worship will not be hidden inside temple walls – in darkness and veiled. But that we must appear and we must be born again… OUTSIDE of the temple walls!

And the celebration of His birth is still being celebrated today. Whether some choose to ignore it or take away the crèche or censor the meaning or no longer call it Christmas celebration, but holiday celebration. HOLIDAY translates out to HOLY DAY. And it still is. It has stood the test of time and is still today alive and well.

Well… you might say, God didn’t give a surfboard. To those of you who “worship” with your giving… how many have ever given “money” or “cars” or “houses”. Everything we labor to pay for and GIVE is acceptable. It should always represent both a sacrifice and obedience. Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Sure there is excess and many have lost the true essence of Christmas through generational tradition and hearts of secular ice and selfish motive, but shall we just give in and not participate in a celebration that the angels themselves initiated when the star hung heavy over Jerusalem? AND… I like extravagance… and excess in giving. It is just like our Father who is that way… but we have to give with and for the right reasons.

If you give a gift because you love someone… that IS a right reason! Excess to enhance instead of excess to detract. Now that is a fine line that Christians must master.

There are excesses in every religion and in every celebration. It is a way that Satan himself taints and sickens the stomachs so that you eliminate celebration altogether.

There are people that go to church for the wrong reasons. Shall I work to shut down the church? Shall I quit preaching and take a secular job because of the error in my brethren? Or… shall I stay focused in the battle for a balanced church and for a balanced celebration that has been hated by the prince of Darkness from the beginning? Shall I work to eliminate a God initiated celebration?

Don’t shut the body down and kill it because of the illness. “Rather… let it be healed”. Hebrews 12:13. Don’t kill Christmas because it is ill. Some people will not even study the scriptures at Christmas just because of the word “Christmas”. Has Satan been that successful that we are now offended just at that word? A word that keeps us from the study of HIS word?

Bottom line… if Jesus is first and foremost in your life and in your heart – this season will be a celebration. If He’s not… it will be another worthless and meaningless tradition.

NOW… shall we be proud because we’ve personally euthanized Christmas in our families because it was infected by error?

Or can we be the voice of one in this generation that works to bring back rejoicing and truth and beauty to a celebration that was in the beginning so spectacular that it included Angels entering into a natural realm, a booming and sudden multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And included a star. Right in the midst of the power of the air – in the firmament that Satan controlled. Satan must have opened his eyes in that moment and cried out… “WHO PUT THAT STAR THERE???” What’s up with all these Christmas lights???

Satan started to infect this celebration at the very announcement of the birth. Mat 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. He had some of our very ancestors HATING this celebration. Because our family was part of carrying the “taint” – are we going to be true to our human bloodline or true to our Godly bloodline? For truly… our bloodline of Christ was born in a stable in Bethlehem and shall we not celebrate that?

Shall we not rejoice that Jesus initiated a Godly bloodline to deliver us from our ancestral bloodline? Shall we dare to offend the kingdom of darkness with our rejoicing this year or are we afraid to offend the relatives?

Mar 3:31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

Mar 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

I don’t always have good memories of Christmas. I didn’t like dressing up as an angel in the Christmas play. I don’t like to remember that year that dad came home from his office party drunk on Christmas eve. I don’t like to remember the fighting and arguing and stress and sacrifice of having to buy gifts when I didn’t have any money.

I didn’t like the year that I put the emphasis on Christ and my family told me that I was being too religious.

Forgive me, mom and dad, but you didn’t always teach me the truth about Christmas. You led with an example of frustration, drunkenness, selfishness, ungratefulness, untruths, scriptural error and anger. Christmas held bad memories.

But I do thank you because you never wavered on the teaching that through it all, it was a celebration of love and family and sacrifice and actual truth in scripture. Christmas also held good memories.

Christmas taught me above all that I was delivered from your bloodline and from the error in our family. Christmas taught me that mercy was a gift given right in the midst of my mistakes. And for that, I will not be ashamed. I will not worry about offending you because I choose to celebrate Christ first in Christmas. This sacred event in time taught me that I could celebrate Jesus in the midst of the world of wrongs.

It taught me that I could honor you without following in your footsteps. Footsteps that could not lead me to a healthy place. Christmas gave me a bloodline and forever I will celebrate that.

When Christ comes to live in our hearts and we are celebrating His birth… we certainly do give gifts unto the Christ in them as a celebration of His birth. Jesus told His Father… “I am IN them…” John 17:21 We also follow the example and sacrifice to give gifts even as HE did.

As Unto the Lord.

God gave the greatest gift – we give back to Him. Give and it shall be given unto you.

Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall MEN give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. IT DOESN’T SAY… GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN – EXCEPT AT CHRISTMAS.

Num 18:6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Has God ever put on your heart to give gifts to anyone? When you say gifts are not scriptural you are in error.

Pro 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Anna gave her “gift” of prophecy to all that came to the celebration)

Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

And finally… at every celebration… I ask you to bring food. It is a gift. It represents the sacrifice that you have made by working to provide for your family. Maybe you “wrap it” in a slow cooker or a pot or a cellophane covered platter. Nevertheless it is a gift at the celebration. Do you refuse at the celebration of Christmas? At the celebration that God Himself instituted? At the celebration that Satan himself forbids?

Everyone worships differently. Some are wrong. Some contain elements of excess and man’s ritual… but we can not say that everyone is wrong just as we can’t say that all Christianity is excessive and self serving and based in the pagan temple rituals.

Yeah but what about Santa and the tree and the candy and the commercialism??? Well… I tell people that we give honor to the vessel that God used – and Saint Nicholas was truly and historically a great man who took care of the poor. So… duh… teach it correctly.

And… we don’t worship trees – we use it as a reminder of Christ’s final resting place… and more specifically – an evergreen – a tree planted to withstand the coldest of temperatures… teaching that no matter how harsh your winter… this tree teaches us that we CAN remain alive and green and beautiful. What about commercialism??? What about it? It is the spirit of the antichrist that is in the world… and though you are in it – you are not OF it. Commercialism is in the world all year long… not just at Christmas… and it’s in the church as well as in the world. Should you go and hide in a cave and not be a part of anything??

Easter has become just as commercialized… should we not remember the cross each year? Jesus told us to “DO” in remembrance of Him. It is in our “doing” that we remember and honor Him.

I just always tell people… what better way to gain an unsaved brother or a friend than in a season that has always been protected by the birth of Christ? Are you really gaining your unsaved friends and relatives by a refusal to participate in something that is special to them. When they celebrate… it is an open door for you to come in and minister God’s love. You can’t very well minister in your absence. DO NOT hide your light under that bushel. The bushel was meant to be right side up and full of the measure of grain!!

Perhaps we should rethink things. Perhaps as in each teaching we receive that is contrary to anything we’ve been taught… God… is this true? Have I been setting forth the correct example? Have I been sending the correct message? Have my ways been pleasing to you?

There is no shame at Christmas in my house and I pray there will be none at yours either. Christmas is and always will be in my house – a great celebration of Christ. We do it in remembrance of HIM.

46.

From The Heart

Giving Thanks With Tears

We take today to thank the Lord. It should be that way each and every day. As I endeavor to write to you today, I share some of what the Lord has given me today.

2Ti 1:3-4 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

I began walking through the book of Daniel this morning and ended up in 2 Timothy! I thought of those who stand fast for the Lord… and those who have stood fast for me in my life and in my ministry. You are a precious people and I want to thank you as Paul thanked Timothy.

One of the greatest gifts that Paul received was revealed here in 2 Timothy. A gift to a prophet of the Lord. I mean… what do you get a prophet who seemingly has everything he needs and asks for nothing?

“being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;”

We can so easily miss this little line of scripture that mentions the great gift given to Paul from Timothy. It deals with a gift that Jesus gives to all of us: Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

And… not only while He was on the earth, but that ministry of intercession continues even as you are reading this – the voice of the Son of God rings out in Heaven as He longs to be with His bride. (desiring to see thee)

Romans 8:34 “…It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Now, I know that in the machismo society of today, it may be out of vogue to shed tears. But today, I want you to realize that one of the most special gifts I could ever give you would be my time, my heart, my tears for you in prayer. It is a gift that is far reaching in it’s scope and it’s power. It has ramifications that we will not know until we are safely home.

And it is to you today who have prayed for us in our little ministry, stuck with us through the good and bad times… through our times of chastening and learning… the tears shed for us… the heart tendered for us. We can not even begin to give God enough thanks for you. As Paul tried to tell Timothy… his tears were the greatest gift. You have given your hearts for us and today it causes us to remember to “thank God without ceasing” for you.

As you are seated around your holiday tables today, spend a few moments to share your thankfulness for one another. If you shed a few tears in the process… it will make the fellowship – and the meal… a little sweeter.

2Co 2:4 When I wrote to you before, I was very troubled and my heart was full of sadness. I wrote with many tears. I did not write to make you sad, but to let you know how much I love you.

47.

Jump In

Deliverance In the river of God…

It is once again just a hint of winter come early this morning here in Michigan. We have now seen recorded snowfalls in Grand Rapids of over 2 feet… but of course, it could be worse. We could be living in Buffalo. If you’ve seen the weather reports from that region, you’ll know that it is simply ridiculous! Adversity seems to follow Kyle Orton wherever he goes. (That was an obscure football gaffe… my apologies.)

So… what do we have on the fire for you this morning? If you are tuned into God’s kitchen this morning, you will undoubtedly know there is warm, fresh bread being turned out of the ovens at an amazing rate.

2Ti 3:11-12 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

As I looked at this passage of scripture this morning I realized it was a mentor speaking into the life of a young man in ministry. Paul to Timothy. Timothy was under a lot of pressure as the Pastor of Ephesus – and in one instance we see that Paul is recommending wine as a medicinal fix for a stomach ailment. In other words… Timothy was under such pressure that he no doubt had developed an ulcer. (1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.)

We know from church history and the period of time, there was tremendous persecutions for Christians. It was still a relatively new doctrine and the world was resistant to change. Paul knew that it was only by the Holy Ghost that the paradigm shift would occur.

Timothy, no doubt, was as many of us who, when put into a pressure cooker – we whistle and whine. And… that kind of whining is “NOT” good for an ulcer, but in fact, can add to it. We have a hard time “whistling a happy tune” when we are in adverse conditions. Timothy most likely confiding in his mentor – offered up some complaints and his medical conditions.

If you will read back to the first verses of 2 Timothy – the third chapter, you will find that Paul is giving Timothy a history lesson of those who had been persecuted when they stood for righteousness, and then in verse 10, Paul tells Timothy of his own persecutions… and WHY they occur.

2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

When you have a doctrine of truth, a life that is Godly, a confirmed calling, a professed faith, mercy, love and patience… you become a “wanted criminal” in the realms of darkness. As a result, you are on Satan’s “naughty list” – and you are pursued and persecuted.

Paul explains to Timothy that the only whine that should be assessed to the situation is for medicinal purposes. I think that what Paul is saying to his young protégé is that the battle should be expected and that he needs to stand fast in his battles – because GOD will deliver from ALL persecution.

Let’s take a look at the word persecution and then we will see why Isaiah 59:19 is so key in the process of deliverance. I have highlighted the important words that will bring to life the scripture in Isaiah.

Probably from diakō (obsolete, to run on errands;); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): – deacon, minister, servant.

A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb diō (to flee); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute: – ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.

From deos (dread); timid, that is, (by implication) faithless: – fearful.

Now… the word DELIVERED in 2 Tim 3:11 is translated as follows: Middle voice of an obsolete verb, akin to (through the idea of a current); to rush or draw (for oneself), that is, rescue: – deliver (-er).

First of all… the normal life of a Christian is to be persecuted. Not just once, but on multiple levels at multiple times of your life. I like to read this scripture with the following phrasing:

When the enemy shall come in.

LIKE A FLOOD (current) – the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Like a mighty rushing river, the Lord will sweep us away from the trouble. So what must we do? JUMP IN to the mighty river of who the Holy Spirit is – and God will wash us to a place of safety.

Are you persecuted… taken for granted… in a menial position… mocked… scorned… made to be embarrassed… buffeted… beaten down by the things of this life… sick to your stomach with the cares of life that the enemy has thrown at you?

Get your swimming suit on and dive HEAD FIRST into the waters of the Holy Ghost. Get to that secret swimming hole that is just behind the prayer closet door. Once there… jump in – with all your heart, all your soul, all your might and all your strength.

And remember…. Back to verse one…2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

What were you expecting? It didn’t say that the adversity “may” or “might” come. TIMES… plural. SHALL come.

Know who you are… know who you are called by and what you are called to… and most of all remember that you are “enlisted” in the army of God and THERE IS NO GOING AWOL. 2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

48.

Parrots or Prophets?

Are We Offering Cliches or Help?

We had a great service yesterday with an awesome collective effort. What do they say? Many hands lighten the load. We had many hands lightening the load to carry the nuggets from God’s word.

We are proceeding to a word this week on “The Fire of God”. Yesterday I threw out that old cliché… “on fire for God” – and although many of us have heard it and even used it, few can actually describe what it means.

We are a generation of church clichés without knowledge of the practical applications…

I want more of God (Like, His robe, His sandals… what??)
I am on fire for God (Yikes… did that come with burn crème?)
He can steal my show (Is God a klepto??)
Worship was off the chain (were your worshippers in chains??)
There was a powerful moving of God (like three men and a truck??)
God is moving (really… did He leave a forwarding address??)
I surrender all (do you really?)
All of me (no comment)

Just to name a few. When I ask people what those literally mean… they give me a blank stare. We are a church so adept at throwing out motivational phrases without knowing the ramifications or the applications. We hype the flesh with phraseology and voice tonality without an understanding… and that can be very dangerous. At times we choose words and phrases we’ve heard, not what God is choosing for the moment. Ouch.

Keith Green once said that we need to be “bananas for Jesus” – and although that is cool, again, a cliché without really knowing what it means or what it entails. Next week I am going to ask people what “being on fire” LITERALLY means.

There is a church that has been trained to say all the right things… they have a form of godliness… but what I want is to see and witness His presence and His power.

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

I think that an outstanding scripture given yesterday was found in Leviticus 6. Here are some key words from that passage of scripture:

This is the law of the burnt offering:
the fire of the altar shall be burning in it
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour

Add to those words, a phrase from Jeremiah 20:9 – But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire

Now… add that famous few words from Acts 2:3 – And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Finally… let’s remember that WE are the temple – 1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Now… if we are the temple, and the altar is in the temple… that means that somewhere within us is the altar of God. It is where the seat of your emotion is found. That, I believe is your heart.

Put that all together… and perhaps you can find out some suggestions as to what it means to be “on fire for God”.

49.

Bombs Away

The “f” bomb vs the “H” bomb…

I thought about the times when I’ve “lost the victory”. I’m sure I’m the only one who has ever done that, so perhaps this is just for me today…

In each failure I have come to see that there was an enemy that knows me all too well. We have engaged in many battles – some I’ve won, some I’ve lost. In certain areas I am sure he’s got my number because it is a weakness in me. That is what he is good at. He studies me. He watches my every movement. He KNOWS which buttons to push.

I can do one of two things today with this conclusion. I can give up and say that I’ll just never be able to beat this… or I will remember what Jesus did in extreme weakness and hunger in the wilderness. He spoke that which was written. AND I believe with all my heart that it was that powerful HOLY SPIRIT who was sending the message of remembrance from His Father.

You see… in critical situations, the Holy Spirit will bring us the fresh bread from Heaven. The Holy Spirit will give us the weaponry to use against the enemy.

Mat 10:19-20 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Taking this battle into your own hands would be so fruitless. See it? “IT IS NOT YOU”.

In our own spirits, we want to pick up staves and swords and rush to battle, but the calmness of the Holy Spirit gives a word in time that carries MUCH power. When the bombay doors opened on August 6^th, 1945, “Little Boy” fell silently, patiently, calmly to it’s destination. But when it hit Hiroshima, the world knew that it was a weapon “formed” to put an end to the war. The sound that still echoes today was unlike anything the world has ever seen or heard.

In comparison to God’s word that He calls the Holy Spirit to carry, “Little Boy” was like a plastic bee-bee. We have an enemy that “forms” weapons made especially for us. They are sent to deliver the utmost destruction and devastation. If we take the blow in the flesh, we move quickly into a state of chaos and begin to rush the enemy with our own devices.

Jesus, while He was in the wilderness hungered more for righteousness than He did for food that would satisfy His flesh. He was “delivered up” to the pinnacle of the temple. At that point, His hunger for righteousness was off the charts. He didn’t take ONE THOUGHT as to how he was going to combat the enemy or what He was going to speak.

He waited on the Holy Spirit to deliver the bomb. As He did… Jesus opened the bombay doors of His mouth and delivered a weapon “FORMED” to oppress the oppressor… to defeat the devil.

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

We should not spend too much time worrying about the “formed weapons” of the enemy when we have a God who also knows how to “forge” weapons. The weapons of an angel or the weapons of Jehovah God. You tell me which is more powerful.

Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed and Filled. Two words that you will want to hang on to from what I spoke about yesterday. Hunger for righteousness… you will be blessed… and filled. (Filled: victorious, satisfied, scripture that has power not void, evidence of having overpowered the enemy, delivered, saved, rescued… many wonderful synonyms for that translation!)

And finally… This scripture is VERY key to the heat of the battle:

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Do NOT submit to your fleshly desire and your hunger to lash out and fight back when you’ve been engaged in battle. You MUST submit to God. That is waiting on the Holy Spirit to deliver the bomb. If you “resist” the devil… He will be defeated. Resist in that scripture translates to “STAND”. The same “stand” that is found in Ephesians 6. With the armor of God and the weapons of God and ABOVE ALL… taking the sword (bomb) of the Spirit.

Sick and tired of being defeated by precise attacks of the enemy? Sick and tired of falling into the same sin again and again? Get hungry. Stay patient. Remain focused. Resist the urge to fight with your fleshly weapons. When He puts the sword in your hand… swing it mightily.

You can either drop the “f” bomb of your “flesh” – or you can drop the “H” bomb of the “Holy Spirit”. Your choice.

50.

Thirsty

“I thirst…”

Today as I was walking with the Lord, I kept hearing HIS words that were spoken on the cross… Joh 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

He wasn’t literally speaking of needing a drink of water, but I believe He was referring to an earlier word that He had spoken… Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

The “shall be filled” translates out to something so incredible and wonderful. It is as if Jesus was speaking it, and at the same time overlooking the horizon to a place He had seen in Heaven… the gardens… the courts… the vegetation… the fullness… the lack of want or need.

What an incredible place that we can come to in our lives when we “do the right thing” – and when we do, we find ourselves in the courts and the gardens of Heaven with more than enough. Enough to gorge ourselves if we wanted to.

I will only use one example here, but I am sure you can apply it to many areas of your life.

If someone hurts you, it hurts. Well… duh. That was pretty profound, Pastor Mark. Now, I don’t know if it was profound, but it is the reality of every day life. Something or someone hurts us. What that equates to is the enemy coming out of a back alley and slashes us for no reason with his sword. Not only does he slash us, but he throws us a sword and screams defiantly… “DEFEND YOURSELF”.

Bottom line. He engages us. He calls us to battle whether we want to or not. Whether we feel “up to it” or not. Whether we feel “prepared” or not. It’s how he works. It’s what he does. He doesn’t need a reason. He simply hates you because you are a part of something God created.

When we are taken by surprise, our flesh wants to fight back without thought. That’s right… without thought. And… he provides us with the weaponry to engage. Weapons of the flesh – because he knows that those weapons are powerless against him, but deadly to those who get caught up in the fray.

So we engage. We battle. We use the weapons he provides. We retaliate with anger… violence… bitterness… unforgiveness… and we destroy everything and everyone in our way trying to satisfy this “hunger” to survive the hurt. And when we are spent and have exhausted every fiber of our being to battle in the flesh, we lay dying, look around and see that we have caused much destruction to everything around us.

And… it didn’t satisfy the hunger. It didn’t stop the thirst.

When we use carnal weapons it is with the delusion that somehow, it will make us feel better. It will make us feel satisfied. It will make us feel good. And in fact, we find ourselves more thirsty than ever before.

BUT if we engage with weapons on the Spirit, supernatural means to fight natural cravings… we can find “fullness” and “satisfaction” and “wholeness”. 2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Choice of anger or bitterness or violence or… silence as in “the cold shoulder” are weapons of the flesh and they will leave you STARVING and THIRSTY.

Back to our opening scripture: Joh 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

That scripture might be fulfilled. That no weapon formed against me will prosper. That no fire will burn me. That He will meet all of my needs.

What scripture do YOU want fulfilled in your life that hasn’t come true north? I mean, you quote and quote and quote and confess and confess and confess and still – you can’t see the word being fulfilled in your life.

Fun fact: You can’t quote the word and fight with carnal weapons. You can’t say that God is your Jehovah Jireh and that He will meet your needs while you are still sleeping with your girlfriend. You can’t continue to confess that God is your healer and then harbor unforgiveness in your heart for the ones who hurt you. Only a thirsting after “righteousness” will bring the blessing.

Righteousness… doing the right thing in a critical situation. Using supernatural weapons that don’t make sense to your flesh when the enemy engages you. When you are hungry and thirsty to DO THE RIGHT THING – there is a blessing in that. Scripture can be fulfilled and God can take you to His courts and His gardens and His “more than enough”.

You are passing through a battlefield. You WILL grow hungry and you WILL get thirsty. There is a choice between what you will eat and what you will drink. And what you choose will determine either the elimination of your needs or will create a deeper need.

You have walked through the dessert. You are presented with a choice. You can drink an ice cold Pepsi or an ice cold bottle of water. One can quench your thirst, the other can increase your thirst. Carbonated soft drinks are a diuretic. Drinking a soft drink will take more water from your system then they will put back into your body. The digestion process for the high levels of sugar will remove much water from your system. To replace the water lost from drinking a carbonated soft drink, you will have to drink many glasses of water to make up for your soft drink consumption.

A thirst for the correct beverage while engaged in battle is so crucial.

Long for the fullness that the scriptures you desire and that you need right now in your life can be FULFILLED. Completely filled.

51.

Something’s Burning

Do I smell leaves burning or is it you?

In the coming months I am going to be bringing a message on the “Fire of God”. As I am doing much study on the subject, I want to bring a nugget to your cold Michigan Saturday. Fire is used for many things.

A fun fact for forging steel… The more slowly the steel cools, the harder it will become.

This morning, though I want to discuss the following scripture as it relates to Peter in the New Testament.. and US.

Lev 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:

In this instance, fire is spoken of in sacrifice. The sacrifice is to be place on the altar… or… in the fire. When it was placed upon the altar, the sweet smelling smoke (or cloud of incense – Leviticus 16:13) and aroma would fill the holy of holies and cover the mercy seat.

Notice that the aroma was “activated” by the fire. Fire changes the molecular structure of things. It can eliminate weak elements, it can strengthen what remains, it can cauterize or it can consume. In sacrifice, the elements MUST be completely put INTO the fire.

In Romans, sacrifice is spoken of as “us” presenting our bodies… or, our lives to the altar. Now… if our molecular structure is to be changed and we are to be “sweet-smelling savors” unto the Lord, (2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:) then we must be willing to step wholly into the fire.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Pe 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

With that being said, let’s move on to Peter who couldn’t make a difference after Gethsemane. He fell asleep. He was to put himself completely into the fire of prayer at Gethsemane. (James 5:16 “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”) Effectual. Fervent. It means “white hot”.

I have preached of late that Peter did not enter into the fire, but simply warmed himself in the glow of the fire kindled by others. As a result, Peter walked out of Gethsemane and took matters into his own hands. His own impurities were not consumed by fire. His bleeding and emotional heart were not cauterized by fire. He cut off a servant’s ear. He used a sword forged by fire, but that’s as close as he would get to putting himself on the altar.

In the books of Mark, John and Luke we see an image that I must believe is not coincidence. Jesus was walking through an infamous fiery trial. A fire so hot that it would kill our savior and cauterize the bleeding to death of mankind.

And all who would step into that fire would be a living sacrifice to God. But as most Christians today, Peter didn’t put himself into the fire, but only warmed himself by it. The image alone is sickening to the human heart. His best friend was being burned alive and Peter was warming his hands by the heat of that fire.

Mar 14:54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

When Peter didn’t speak up… this next scripture is so graphic. Peter “stood with them”. If you don’t stand with Christ… you stand with the very ones who won’t give their lives.

Joh 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

Luk 22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

Luk 22:56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

When you are outside of the fire, the answer you offer is quite simply this: Luk 22:57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

Are you on fire for God today or do you just have the glow from someone else’s fire? Are you in the fiery altars of prayer or do you simply ask to be on someone’s prayer list?

I challenge to you to find that altar of incense today, put on some praise music and offer yourself a living sacrifice.

52.

Hoping

Restoring Hope

So. This morning I don’t know where I am going with this. All I know is that God woke me up early and as I looked at the digital clock it read 3:58. Something about that jolted me as I felt the Lord say… “Read it.”

There is only one verse in the Bible that contains that scriptural address:

Lam 3:58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

To really appreciate this one verse, you really need to read this entire chapter. The first 20 verses truly are a “lamentation”, or “passionate expression of grief, sorrow and weeping”. It sounds like the writer has totally given up. Been defeated. Lost hope. Is saying, “what’s the use”.

How horrible for someone to say that! Wait, what? Yeah… it’s a portrait of myself on days when I am in the battle. It’s the portrait of human nature. It’s the goal of the enemy to get you to that point. And as many times as we think we are above that feeling, we find ourselves visiting that mindset.

What can restore our hope when this type of depression and devastation have come upon us? And it does… come upon us. It happens to the best of us. It happens to the most powerful soldier. Paul described some pretty devastating circumstances – and found himself there:

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

In 2 Corinthians Paul uses words to describe his situation:

in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

When I read about what Paul went through, I tend to be a little bit humbled and ashamed at how good I really have it. But, nevertheless, the enemy throttles us and convinces us that we have it worse than anyone else and that nobody has ever experienced this kind of adversity… and furthermore… NOBODY UNDERSTANDS. NOBODY CARES.

We can continue in this mindset and continue to let the enemy pummel us. And I guarantee you that if you let the beating continue, it will get worse. TAKE A PILL.

The Gos-pill. The reality of God and who He is and who YOU ARE to Him.

Let’s go back to Lamentations and see how the battle was turned as a result of a mind set. An internal change. Jeremiah calls for an internal paradigm shift. It begins with the identifying of the problem… which is to continue to “Focus” on the problems.

My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. – Lam 3:20 What Jeremiah is saying is, as long as these things remain at the forefront of my memory, these things will lord over me to keep crushing me.

It’s time to change what we remember. It’s time to change what we are thinking. It’s time to realize that the enemies in our mind can crush our spirits. Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Jeremiah stops after verse 20 in Lamentations and decides it’s time to give the people a recipe for “hope”. It’s time to give you a recipe for HOPE today. When God woke me up and gave me Lamentations 3:58 – He was giving me a recipe for YOU today. Let’s bake a “hope cake” today.

Lam 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. Jeremiah is calling “recruits” to the battle of his mind. He is calling power to the battlefield! I am going to give this to you today and encourage you to read OUT LOUD the power of the word for your life today!

Together with the word we will push back the darkness of evil memories, adverse situation and pain that we carry from things others did to us… or for that matter… things WE did to our own bodies. We will end with the same verse that I started with. It represents an END to your battle today!

Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Lam 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Lam 3:27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Lam 3:28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

Lam 3:29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

Lam 3:30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.

Lam 3:31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

Lam 3:32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Lam 3:33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

Lam 3:34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,

Lam 3:35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,

Lam 3:36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.

Lam 3:37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Lam 3:38 Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

Lam 3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Lam 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Lam 3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Lam 3:42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.

Lam 3:43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.

Lam 3:44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

Lam 3:45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.

Lam 3:46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

Lam 3:47 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.

Lam 3:48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Lam 3:49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,

Lam 3:50 Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.

Lam 3:51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.

Lam 3:52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

Lam 3:53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

Lam 3:54 Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.

Lam 3:55 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

Lam 3:56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

Lam 3:57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

Lam 3:58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

38 verses of recruits sent of the Lord. Push back the darkness. Let the word be sent forth into the atmosphere today and back to the throne where it will not return void!!

53.

The Living Word

God’s word is not flat nor stationary

A little paragraph of history. This man was very influential in the early church and came out of the conversions at Antioc. He was a devout Christian and a very Godly man. He was said to be the one responsible for congregational worship in churches!

Diodore of Tarsus was a Christian bishop, a monastic reformer, and a theologian. A strong supporter of the orthodoxy of Nicaea, Diodore played a pivotal role in the Council of Constantinople and opposed the anti-Christian policies of Julian the Apostate. Diodore founded one of the most influential centers of Christian thought in the early church, and many of his students became notable theologians in their own right. When an Arian named Leontius was made bishop of Antioch, Diodore and his friend Flavian (who later was himself appointed as bishop of Antioch) organized those who followed the Nicene orthodoxy outside the walls of the city for worship. Those services are seen as the beginning of antiphonal singing in the church, a practice that became widespread among Christians. – Wikipedia

Another interesting thing about Diodore: He “argued for a flat Earth based on scriptures”.

Does his belief that the world was flat denounce everything he was and everything he stood for? Did it diminish his Christian beliefs? Absolutely not.

I was thinking about this the other day and realized that a lot of good men went to their graves believing that the earth was flat. A famous evangelist once said… “right in their hearts, but wrong in their heads”.

Preachers can not preach everything that was preached 100 years ago because the scope and understanding of scripture is being revealed as never before. One of the tools that is illuminating the gospel, is science, another is the advancement of technology.

In the last days, knowledge IS increasing. Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

I came across an interesting thought from a well know Christian theologian:

“I always try to teach how important it is in correct Bible interpretation to be open to new ideas, thoughts and to things that maybe you haven’t ever heard or considered before. Why do you think that this type of noble attitude might be important to have while studying the Bible? I think if for no other reason, it is based upon the factor of human ignorance and that we are not God who knows it all. We as ignorant humans still have a lot left to learn from our God. If you think that you know it all, or at least that you already know all that you need to know, you are already potentially deceived into believing a lie. Satan I believe wants you to think that you are smarter than you really are. Whenever this deception occurs you are then not going to make the effort to seek to know the truth of God’s Word. Satan wants you ignorant of the truth. You are easily defeated as an ignorant Christian.”

Now… that being said, we must realize that God’s word NEVER changes, but it is constantly being illuminated and although we have to be careful not to CHANGE His word with our human understanding, we have to realize that we may have to let go of how we saw “some” things yesterday in the light of today.

Twenty years ago people were still preaching that the antichrist was going to tattoo the number “666” on people’s foreheads. With the technology today mixed with the same biblical truths that Satan works in darkness and deception, we know that the mark of the beast will more likely be in the form of a technology chip that will be injected into the hand or the forehead.

Further technology suggests that chipping may be done and accepted long before the “666” chip will be instituted as a mark of the beast. But you see… we had preconceived notions due to the lack in our own understanding. What we preach today? We must be careful with opinion and speculation due to our lack of illumination.

I love the filtering system that is spoken of in Proverbs:

Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

It’s funny in these last days that so many are proclaiming a God they really do not know. They are hanging on blindly to doctrines that are not true. They are of the school of the “old time religion” and hang on to the fact of worshipping and believing because someone they knew “did it that way”.

And good people refuse to grow in the illumination of the word of God. Afraid they may have to say “I was wrong about what I thought and what I proclaimed”. Pride will keep them bound to the past. God is revealing Himself in new ways every day to those who will open their eyes to see Him.

1Co 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

You may be even as Diodore… teaching the church to sing a new song together, but having great ideas and love for God – but still hanging on to an area of deception. Don’t fall asleep believing God’s world is flat and that you know all you need to know about sailing to the end of it. You may just… fall off.

54.

I Got A Great Idea

Fig Leaves and Good Intentions

The seasons are changing here in Michigan. It is growing colder and as I see this changing of seasons, this morning I am aware of the fact that even as this season changes, so changes the world. We are coming into an end times, and with it, the increase of people falling away and a marked increase in sin.

And it’s funny, because when sin abounds, the justification of self righteousness grows proportionately. The church’s balance is off it’s axis due to the flood of sin and compromise that it’s allowed. The result is a season of winter coming, that is so extreme and so brutal that only God stepping in can make any difference at all.

I used to preach against sin by preaching the truth about the word, and people would actually repent. Today is a different story and my heart hurts for those who would rather labor to fashion fig leaves of their own justifications and hide in darkness.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Sin is sin. The price you pay to have it in your life… is death. It always has been – it always will be. In today’s world with the compromise, the soft prosperity and warm fuzzy gospel teaching, some sin has slipped into a “grey area” and some sin has been tossed out as “antiquated teaching”. It is a very infamous day that the church is living in.

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold” -Matthew 24:12

Paul warns in 2 Timothy, the third chapter, about the godlessness of the last days, saying: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them”

This morning as I was studying I came across this little “blurb” and I knew that I was to teach this morning on “fig leaves”.

Sheela Kennedy and Stephen Ruggles have found that the divorce rate hasn’t declined since 1980, it has only flattened. And when they controlled for changes in the age composition of the married population (the U.S. population was younger in 1980, and younger couples have a higher risk for divorce), they found that the age-standardized divorce rate has actually risen by an astonishing 40 percent since then. – University of Minnesota

Who better to teach on fig leaves than one who once fashioned an entire wardrobe. I called it my “spring fashion line”. Who better to write the New Testament and warn us about the ravages of sin than Paul who called himself the “chief sinner”.

“Pastor Mark, how can you teach us about the evils of sin when you yourself fell into the same sin?” Well… it’s like an arsonist who sets a fire and then walks into that same fire only to get third degree burns… living to tell about it. While he’s recovering in the hospital in grave pain, he doesn’t tell others to try it. He warns them against it.

I had a bronchial tube that never opened at birth and subsequently had two surgeries and a portion of a lung removed. I survived liquid silver-mercury being poured into my eyes. I have had German Measles that threatened my life as a child only to recover and fall off of a bassinet that caused a skull fracture. I have broken ankles, ripped muscles, torn ligaments, and had cancer in my forehead that almost took my life.

I have broken my neck twice and had to have life saving neurosurgery… twice. I told my wife the other day that as the bone spurs grow up under my fusions, it leaves the pain intense at times. I remarked at how I loved that date… May 24^th, 1975. It was the last day that I would ever go without pain in my neck and in my body. I suffered an injury that would always remind me that I had done a foolish thing and as a result, broke my neck.

But of all I know about pain, the most excruciating, the most debilitating, the most degrading and the most disfiguring was the pain that was inflicted upon me by my own sin. We can be relieved of the sin itself by the covering of blood, but until I shuffle off this mortal coil, the shame and the scars will remain.

So… yeah… even though I have sinned, I will vehemently warn others to steer clear of it. You don’t want even one little piece of that pie. And, do you think you are stronger than most? Do you think that it won’t affect you as deeply? Do you think that you can do something that God forbids?

If you think that… you have already begun to fashion your fall wardrobe of “the fig leaf collection”.

In the beginning, God created marriage to mirror the covenant that He had with His creation. Marriage teaches us about “covenant”.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

The enemy, being alive and well has always tried to destroy not only God’s creation, but God’s idea of covenant. If we don’t understand covenant in marriage, we will have a hard time understanding covenant with God. The enemy comes with a half truth and justifications.

Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

The enemy comes against God’s word. What God has spoken. He brings us to the point where we look at God’s word with tinted glasses so that the penetrating light won’t be quite so bright. The enemy causes us to “take another look at what God said”. The enemy says… “OPEN YOUR EYES and look at it with your own understanding and logic and COMMON SENSE”.

When the enemy’s words can cause you to take a “fresh look” at “what God is really saying” – you tend to open your eyes. When we open our eyes, we fail to remember that we are supposed to walk by FAITH and NOT by sight.

What an incredibly sad scripture… WHEN THE WOMAN SAW. When she leaned to her own understanding, she found justification. She found a reason to disobey God’s word. Instead of being a gardener in Eden, she was interviewing for another job as a “clothing designer”.

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Both of them made a career change. When they willingly opposed God’s word, their eyes were opened. Their justifications were stronger than their sin. And they SEWED FIG LEAVES to hide themselves. Fig leaves are a type of self righteousness. Your ideas that now seem better than God’s intended plans and His spoken word.

Who were they hiding themselves from? There was nobody else in the garden. DUH. They were hiding themselves from one another. They were trying to insulate themselves from the covenant that they had been given to. They had decided that, to keep each other separated and away from one another would be the best course of action.

And… Satan tainted the covenant. The covenant with each other… and the covenant with God. When covenant is broken, prayers are hindered. Oh…. In your own mind and with your own eyes you see nothing but tasty fruit ahead, increased wisdom, opportunity, a more pleasant view of things…

From experience I plead and implore… the bill for sin WILL catch up with you. And though you may think you are getting off “scot free” – things begin to change.

Remember… everything was ok UNTIL they ate of the fruit. Once that fruit was digested, EVERYTHING changed. And not as they thought.

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Once the sin has been enacted:

Mal 2:13 Here is another thing you do: You cover the LORD’S altar with tears. You moan and groan because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them from you.

Mal 2:14 But you ask, “Why aren’t our offerings accepted?” It is because the LORD is a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been unfaithful. Yet, she is your companion, the wife of your marriage vows.

Mal 2:15 Didn’t God make you one? Your flesh and spirit belong to him. And what does the same God look for but godly descendants? So be careful not to be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

Mal 2:16 “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel. “I hate the person who covers himself with violence,” says the LORD of Armies. “Be careful not to be unfaithful.”

Mal 2:17 You have tried the patience of the LORD with your words. But you ask, “How have we tried his patience?” When you say, “Everyone who does evil is considered good by the LORD. He is pleased with them,” or “Where is the God of justice?”

Bitter and sweet do NOT flow from the same fountain. (James 3:10-11) When you decide to divorce, you are as Balaam who has been asked to curse Israel. When you ask God to grant your decree of divorce you are asking HIM to curse and end your covenant. Not only that, but when you ask others to “understand” and “agree” with you, you are as the princes of Moab:

Num 22:17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

I can’t agree with your divorce. I can not curse covenant. I can not curse YOU. God says this when they asked to have Israel cursed:

Num 23:20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

Fig leaves are representative of your own ideas in dealing with your bad marriage. Coming up with your own ways… your own justifications… your own interpretation of scripture. Trust me… when the papers are signed… things change. And not as you would have hoped.

Divorce is sin. God hates it. Although it is easier to wipe slates clean and end the battle, it is not God’s way. And when it is accomplished, it is sin. And if that sin is not covered with blood, it will bring you to the door of hell. You can cover the truth with your own justification, but you are certainly not hiding anything from the Lord.

Gal 6:7 Be not deeived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

We can not condone divorce any more than we can condone homosexuality. Sin is sin. God doesn’t allow you to sin as a weapon for winning battles or avoiding hard times. That being said, perhaps you are one who has had divorce overtake you in your past. The only way to get through it is by recognizing that it WAS sin and that it needs to be covered by blood. It is NOT an unpardonable sin. But it is… sin.

I’ve sinned in my past. I can’t say God allowed it. I won’t say that God looked the other way. It would be crazy to justify any moment of any portion of that sin. You can’t get to heaven with uncovered or justified sin… whether it be murder, bitterness, anger, adultery, lust, homosexuality, drunkenness, envy, or divorce. And… it’s a dangerous game to tell God that you are going to willfully enter into sin and then expect Him to cover it with His blood after it’s done. “Come back God and pick me up at 11 PM – I should be done by then…” And again… those who call Him an elventh hour God usually die at 10:30. 2Ch 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

The world says that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. That saying is a fig leaf. When we create fig leaves to separate covenant, trust me… God will come looking for you. And there WILL be consequences.

I survived my fire. I had to be restored by blood. But the pain and the scars and the limitations it left me with, far outweighed the pain that I thought the covenant was causing me.

The enemy always shows an easier way. He promises that it will be more pleasant and that it will bring you greater wisdom and wealth and riches… greater anointing even. Something tastier than you’ve ever experienced… but you can’t afford it because your fig leaves can’t cover it. It will require your own blood if you choose not to be washed by His.

As a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ… I was commanded: 2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t tell you. If I cared only about what you thought about me, I wouldn’t tell you. If I cared only about filling a church or my own reputation, I wouldn’t tell you. But your soul is precious in my eyes and it’s because I do care that I tell you the truth.

It was one thing for Eve to eat of the deception… but when that deception is given to others to share and to enjoy and understand and to be compassionate WITH her? I can not be a part of what she was eating.

What kind of a Pastor would I be to look the other way? Joh 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

And yes… when you are cautioned and you come to the knowledge of the truth… a worse thing WILL come. One who really loves you will tell you the truth.

Recognizing Satan in divorce: http://www.rcnzonline.com/fnf/a68.htm (Although this is article contains absolute truth, those who have chosen to live in darkness will not read it as they prefer the darkness over the light. It is easier to pull the covers over your head on a cold, rainy morning rather than pull the drapes, get out of bed and realize there is work to do.)

A great website for marriages in crisis: http://christianmarriagesincrisis.com/

55.

Look Homeward

God Getting Us Home.

As I promised yesterday, I will conclude the teaching on Sukkot with “The four species”. Again… Sukkot being one of the three required pilgrimages to Jerusalem each year – representing the period of the exodus when God was taking them through the transition to the promised land. God getting His children home. That is the love story of Sukkot.

etrog– the fruit of a citron tree
lulav– a ripe, green, closed frond from a date palm tree
hadass– boughs with leaves from the myrtle tree
aravah– branches with leaves from the willow tree

Lev 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

The etrog has taste and scent. The palm tree has taste but not fragrance. The myrtle has fragrance and not taste. The willow has neither taste nor fragrance. In Jewish teaching, the etrog represents the heart, the lulav represents the spine (soul), the myrtle represents the eyes (mind) and the willow tree represents the mouth (strength). With those four elements, praise is given to God with all that is within us. Yesterday I reminded you that Christ gave us a clue as how to love and to survive during this exodus. First and foremost, we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Matthew 12:30)

Everything within us. He was sending a message to be successful in the midst of an exodus from this world and an entrance to the next. Life is our exodus and not our destination. Along this path, He knew there would be many pitfalls, discouragements, battles and defeats. The key to survival is the message of Sukkot. REJOICE in Him and LOVE Him with all you have within you.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. – Psalm 103:1

The first thing God wanted them to bring to the feast of tabernacles – and to incorporate into the building of the temporary “booth” was the etrog, or the “boughs of a goodly tree”. It represents fruit, it represents provision, and it translates out to “highly favored”. God wanted to remind you in this exodus from the world and ascent to eternity that YOU are chosen.

It also describes the attributes of God in that He provides and His splendor and majesty accompany you on this journey. The etrog was also used for medicinal purposes. God reminds us also that He is the God that HEALS.

The lulav is translated out as “strong and tall” – and represents the righteousness of God. He is a God that can get us there without deception or our own righteousness and planning. He is a God that MUST order our steps. And… those steps MUST line up with His Word. When our backs are to the wall we must NOT come up with or go our own ways. Oh, and there IS no retreat.

The myrtle branches are often used in wedding ceremonies. There is a strength to this tree that comes when we see it’s virtue in it’s entwined nature. What God is saying here is that there is strength in covenant. When you keep a vow there is strength. There may not always be smooth sailing, but the strength of “Marriage” will be enough to withstand any storm. This branch represents the very real weapon of unity and that no man is an island.

The willow tree as it represents the mouth can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. Within the mouth is the tongue. It is a member of your body that reveals what is in your heart because of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speak.

Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

The tongue is also a very powerful tool for it wields the sword of the Spirit. It is lent to the Spirit. It can send the very Word of God back into the atmosphere and back to the throne of grace where it can not return void.

It is a warning that with murmuring and complaining, the people were cut off from their promises in the wilderness. As the Jews waved this branch it was a warning to them.

We are given the clues to “making it” through with the elements of the Sukkot. God is essentially saying, I’ve redeemed you from bondage and sin by taking you out of it.

That is God saving us. Sukkot is God “keeping” us and getting us safely home.

Your journey may be rough. It may be filled with hard times that have almost taken you out. Whatever you are going through, you must remember this is your exodus. He is programming you for the next level. He is preparing you for an eternity filled with splendor and majesty. He is teaching you that you MUST love Him with all that is within you. That, my friend, is the way through this.

It’s what your heart desires. It’s what you choose for your eyes to see. It’s the ability to hear His voice and obey. And finally, it’s the words you speak. How can it be so simple? Easy. We’re sheep… we’re so prone to wander… and we’re so prone to “not quite getting it”.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

56.

I Promise

When Promises Aren’t Permanent

Do you know how hard it is to dwell in the promise when the promise is not permanent?

Again, as we are leaving the feast of tabernacles and making our way back to begin the cycle of life anew, I am reminded of the four things God required at the feast of tabernacles and how these scriptures are so rich in meaning and so deep in the scope of our preservation.

It was, as we have said, a feast that would follow the fall harvest. I think about how important those last TEN words of that scripture are. Ten being very significant here in respect to the fullness of covenant. It is also significant because it represents how we are to worship in this life. The life that is between our conversion and our eternal home.

Our “booth”, or our temporary residence.

Never being able to call ourselves “Christians” and call ourselves “at home”. We are “pilgrims on a journey”. (Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims (foreigners) on the earth.)

Add to that scripture the two that precede it and it’s a powerful thing to realize that we can not grow too comfortable here. We can be content, (Phil 4:11), but never comfortable.

As we look at these following words, we see a description of Abraham as a man who was “sojourning” IN the land that was promised him. The word “sojourned” there translates out to “residing as a foreigner”. It was a reminder that Abraham, although was in the promised land, was not in his permanent home.

Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned IN the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Now… back to Sukkot. The feast of tabernacles. The trick to living in the promise -contented, knowing full well that living in the promise is not the same as living in the permanent is tough. Human nature has a hard time dwelling in something that is not permanently ours. We have “security” issues within our spiritual DNA. When we seek a permanence here on this earth, it can only bring turmoil and restlessness.

Because God knows our makeup and our “frame” (Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.) He knew that we needed a “code” or a “recipe” to live by. How can we live here in the temporary with victory.

It is clearly written in the last 10 words of Leviticus 23:40. “YOU SHALL REJOICE”. It is something we take for granted and yet is such a powerful motivator in spiritual realms. Rejoicing. Not only in the good times and the bad times, but in ALL TIMES. I will give you here one verse from the Psalms, but if you’d study what God wants us to do “at all times” – you’d be amazed.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Now… in addition to our rejoicing, God commanded them to take four things with them into the “temporary”.

etrog– the fruit of a citron tree
lulav– a ripe, green, closed frond from a date palm tree
hadass– boughs with leaves from the myrtle tree
aravah– branches with leaves from the willow

I believe that these four things are in direct correlation to the instructions that

Christ Himself gave us when teaching us how to love God. Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

These four “species” in the temporary were sent to remind us how to love God.

57.

What We Choose To Remember

Selective Memories

Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

Years in Egypt imparted a slave mentality. A slave mentality breeds internal flaws that can keep you from the promises of God. What shaped you must be left behind you when you decide to go into covenant. Only in covenant can you inherit His promises.

It is so funny that in hard times, we seek to “go back” to a comfortable place – and since that is impossible with the passing of time, we go there in our minds. We “choose” memories that make our past, “the good old days”. The reality of the situation was… if you fully went back there, you would find that they were just as today. Full of challenge and change and shaping… and pain.

I would venture to say, if you could go back to 1998 and God showed you that day, you’d be standing in 1998 and wishing you were back in 1992. It’s what we do when we allow our memories to be full of fluff and fairy tales.

After seeing Numbers 11:5, you’d think that the children of Israel left Utopia… Zanadu…Paradise. Their memory remembered “freedom” (we did eat freely) when the reality was, they were slaves. They were in bondage.

The real picture of Egypt was also scripted: Is it just me, or does the picture painted look a bit different than HEBREWS EATING FREELY.

Exo 2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

Exo 5:16 You give us no straw, but you tell us to make as many bricks as before. And now our masters are beating us. Your people are wrong for doing this.”

Exo 5:18 Now, go back to work! We will not give you any straw. And you must still make as many bricks as you did before.”

Psa 78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

Psa 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

Psa 78:42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

(Their memory was “selective” because they had been so shaped by the enemy. When you want to quit, when things get hard, when God is shaping you for greater works, it is human nature to want to remember the good things of the world and of the past, but it is God’s nature to take you forward and not backward. REMEMBER THE LORD)

Psa 78:43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

Psa 78:44 And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

Psa 78:45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

Psa 78:46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

Psa 78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

Psa 78:48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

Psa 78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

Psa 78:50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;

Psa 78:51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

Psa 78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

Psa 78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Psa 78:54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

Where are we headed? He is bringing us to the border of sanctuary. He is getting us ready to inherit. He is changing our memories. He is removing a slave mentality that has been etched into our souls – and the removal thereof is more painful than having a tattoo removed from your skin.

I looked again at the first verse in today’s word vs the last 15 verses. Do you see something? It was how they chose to see their memories. It is human nature to “remember” the good and “block out” the bad – but it is the memories of the bad and the adverse and the unjust and the profane that would have propelled them forward.

It’s in what we remember that drives us to tomorrow. Moses cautioned the people concerning their memories. He didn’t tell them to remember the good, he didn’t tell them to remember the bad – but he told them to “remember THIS day”.

The day that God began to reshape and remold. The day that God was going to get them ready to inherit promises. When things get “hairy” in your life… when you feel as if you are passing through a wilderness that appears impassible… when you feel as if you want to give up… FOCUS YOUR MEMORY.

Exo 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

Deu 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deu 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.

Jer 51:50 Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.

Remember His promises and look homeward. That is where we should be headed.

58.

Building a Booth

Sukkot: A Love Story

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:9-10

You can’t know Him by keeping the law. You keep the law because you know Him.

He pursues us and He begs us to let Him forgive us. Why would we fight that? Because we are not ready to part ways with our sins, nor are we ready to live any other way.

Sukkot is a love story. It is a perusing, a rescuing, a renewing of the mind, heart, soul and spirit… and it is a picture of a loving bridegroom escorting His bride from bondage to the bride room… from exile to eternity.

What a precious word in my spirit from the Lord yesterday on the final day of Sukkot (The feast of tabernacles or “booths”) 2014. As I examined the story of the woman caught in the very act of adultery, I realized that this event that was historical in nature actually occurred one day after Sukkot. It was the essence of the Father’s heart for what Sukkot was all about.

In that event that day, God was “summing up” the meaning of Sukkot. I guess to fully appreciate all of the goodness of that great Jewish holiday, you would have to do extensive studies on the origins, the traditions and the hidden secrets. That could take a lifetime – from that feast alone.

Suffice to say, you would do well to see the video from yesterday’s service and review the information I sent you last week concerning some of the teaching points on Sukkot. I taught on the love story of Sukkot yesterday.

The following six scriptures give us the accounts of the heart of Sukkot.

The entire nation of Israel had gone into captivity in Egypt because although they were in a strange land, they adapted to and worshipped strange Gods. When we become engrained in the things of this world we become slaves to those things. When Israel finally put forth a cry to worship God and Him only, the plan of the exodus was put into motion.

1Sa 10:18 And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:

God brought them into a land of promise after they left Egypt, but the road that led to the promises were circular in nature and the 7 day journey was extended to 40 years. They lived in temporary dwellings until they came in the permanency of their promise.

Jdg 2:1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

Once in the promised land, they had a permanency of where they were dwelling, but God wanted them to have a continual reminder of the exile and

Exo 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Sukkot is the last feast. The only one of the pilgrimage feasts that God did not fulfill. He fulfilled Passover ON the actual first day of Passover with the sacrifice of His Son. He fulfilled the feast of Pentecost (feast of weeks) ON the first day of Pentecost with the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.

Sukkot represents the feast that will be fulfilled AFTER the last harvest. The last thing that they do at Sukkot is say this prayer: May it be Your will, Lord, our God and God of our ancestors. that just as I have stood up and dwelled in this sukkah so may I merit next year to dwell in the sukkah of the hide of the Leviathan. Next year in Jerusalem! After this prayer, the next sound that is heard is the sound of the shofar. It echoes as they leave their place of the temporary and enter into the place of the permanent.

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

And then, of course we shall not enjoy seven days of sukkot, but seven years in the glorious presence of the Holy Father and the bridegroom!

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Son 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

As I have taught on Sukkot, I have often said that it is a coming away from your comfort… your convenience… your idea of permanency in this world. An ingathering at the end of the harvest. A coming together to restore covenant.

This holiday came after the harvest. Everyone was exhausted and had worked between 16 and 20 hours a day to gather and store the harvest. It was a time when family could actually come together again and relax and rejoice in God for providing and in one another for helping.

It was like a giant “sigh” of relief that winter would not be a time for starvation and destruction, but for security, safety and plenty to eat and drink. Families all gathered in their sukkahs and around the big bon fire for this wonderful 7 day vacation all fully paid for by the Lord – as a reward for their labor and their love. They felt like kings… or at least… king’s kids in this week of song and food and drink and fellowship!!!

IT REMINDED THEM OF WHO THEY WERE AND WHO THEY SERVED. IT HAD A REASON AND A SEASON.

Sukkot is 10 days after Yom Kippur the day of atonement. A time for the repentance, coming to terms with it and a completed deliverance. After they children were released from bondage, there was a period of exile and sanctification can only occur in exile. It’s where God reprograms you for a new life and a new place. He changes your environment and your mindsets. He does many things during exile (same occurs in fasting).

Sukkot – a release from bondage. It is the time when the rebellious sheep heals from the broken legs so that the shepherd can carry it. Israel went into bondage for 400 years because it was found in sin.

This feast spoke directly to provision. Jireh. It spoke of protection. It spoke of promise. It spoke of peace.

It’s covenant restored after sin is relinquished. If God is married to them and they worship other gods, it was in fact adultery. God goes and gets them. The God who pursues. God forgives them. The God who forgives. God exiles them in order to sanctify them. God is the God who reprograms and makes ready. God is taking them from a temporary hovel to a mansion. The God who provides.

He loved them enough NOT to leave them there. He took them to a place where their hearts were made ready for the promise. And finally – He performed that which He promised.

Can you see the correlation in your life? He came looking for you. He was the ONLY ONE who came looking for you. He begged you to let Him forgive you and took you to a life of exile where you are even now being prepared to enter one of the greatest portals of your life. You are about to enter through gates of pearl.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The woman in adultery in John 8 was caught ONE DAY after the feast of tabernacles and Christ, in the character and authority of His Father – found her, loved her, forgave her and taught her the love story of Sukkot.

Stones are used to erect permanent dwellings and to bring judgment and death to malefactors. Jesus admonished them all to drop the stones and to remember Sukkot. Not just the place where the law was given in their temporary state, but the reason why the feast was created in the first place. The pursuing, the rescuing, the redeeming, the cleansing, the preparing of a place and then – the catching away… of the Bride of Christ.

59.

Tools For The Modern World

Devices

Remember that this week we are continuing our Tuesday fasting day and our Wednesday prayer over an empty chair day. Jump on the train if you feel so led. Today I have few scriptures that kind of tie into each other.

There are devices that can be either good or evil. Devices in the following scriptures mean to “interpenetrate” or “weave” or “contrive” or “imagine” or “invent”.

The wisdom of Solomon tells us that when a man lives a life away from God, he is left to his own devices. Proverbs 19:21 states, “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” In other words, man can make as many plans as he wishes and come to as many conclusions as he cares to, but it is the counsel of the Lord that stands sure.

Exo_35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.

God is a giver of ideas toward an expected end. God’s thoughts toward us and TO us are for your peace (Jeremiah 29:11) and that His glory may be manifested in you and for you. He can bless with ideas, inventions, plans, a way to find hidden treasure in the word, in the world and in yourself. There is wealth in His plans – wealth in your health, wealth in your relationships, wealth in your understanding of the Word and even wealth in your finances.

Deu 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

But then there is the flip side of that coin and we know that Satan, the great counterfeiter also gives thoughts and causes us to devise our own plans. Col 1:21 “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”

Pro 16:30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

That scripture is powerful because it exposes one of the greatest vices that man can have – a vice that will always lead to destruction. It is called “fantasy” or “fantasizing”. To do it you need to close your eyes to the understanding that it’s evil, you need to close your eyes and hide from God, thinking He can not see you. The second half of that verse is the action that fantasy brings – and the destruction.

Fantasy is never completely fulfilling. It is, however a portal that you enter to “DEVISE” a plan in the natural. We are sons and daughters of creators. We are never satisfied to just make plans. We accomplish what we plan. What we fantasize about. People fantasize about being on a talent show and hearing the applause and admiration of the crowd. The devices vault you headlong into pride and destruction.

People have physical fantasies that lead to vile acts of the flesh. It can happen in many areas of your life – from finance to relationship to forbidden pleasure to self fulfillment. Once the enemy knows you easily go through that door, he is relentless as he comes back time and time again. I can’t tell you how many marriages have been broken by this or how many people have been enslaved by it. It most certainly leads to an addiction that you can NOT beat on your own. You don’t just have a cigarette. The thought comes, the device comes, the plan is formulated and the craving starts. The cravings in the mind devour you until you can not take it anymore and you grab that smoke.

It’s the same with every addiction – whether it is smoking, drinking, pride, anger, violence, attempting suicide, adultery – and the list goes on and on.

The big lie by Satan is that you are not hurting anyone and not sinning if it’s only in your mind. Jesus said that to “Look upon a woman” is adultery, and to “hate your brother” is murder. So – of course the enemy works in your mind. And there in the hidden recesses of your closed eyes, you think it’s perfectly normal, perfectly acceptable and perfectly harmless.

The problem is… it is the perfect sin.

Pro 14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

There IS a choice. When you start thinking bad thoughts about someone or something, you actually do have the power to go through that door where the mind candy is without measure. Once your mind gets bloated with sin – it finds an exit through the flesh.

Mic 2:1 Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. Again… here in Micah it speaks of the thoughts of the mind in the intimate place… a place that the enemy has you convinced that God can not go. It’s a lie.

You devise your gossip, your lies and your fornication in the presence of God. Go a step further and realize that you do it openly in front of the cross where Jesus is watching you think those thoughts and commit those acts. NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM THE CROSS.

Paul gave us a warning to “keep under our bodies” or to keep our thoughts and actions under the control of God.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

One of the greatest scriptures to counteract “THOUGHT WARFARE” is found in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Paul also says that we reconcile ourselves: Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

There is a reward to those who diligently seek Him during the time of battle. That reward is VICTORY OVER THE THOUGHTS AND THE SIN.

You can’t blame your parents or your heritage or your bloodline… The Bible talks about where the real blame should be put and how you can effectively fight and resist the enemy.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Arm yourselves today against the idleness and loneliness of the mind. Those are dark places. ABOVE ALL. You need to be able to HEAR the voice of God in the battle, you need to have your mind COVERED with the helmet of salvation and finally, you need to bring the devices and thoughts of God into the atmosphere.

You can change the spiritual climate and the very atmosphere that you are living in by speaking forth HIS Word and what He is speaking to YOU. And the nugget here is that His word NEVER returns to Him void (or without power).

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Remember that Satan won’t bring just one thought… fear turns into FEARS and lust turns into LUSTS and these devices left to fester will ALWAYS… ALWAYS bring you to destruction. Whether it is destruction of your finances, your relationships, your health, your welfare and most importantly – your relationship with God.

When your flesh acts out in sin – that battle was already lost in the mind. Catch it before it is too late.

60.

Whatcha Got?

As I was walking yesterday and reviewing again the word from the past weekend, I couldn’t come away from the word from Elisha to the woman who had nothing… or “thought” she had nothing.

2Ki 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

2Ki 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

2Ki 4:4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

The prophet did not put his arms around this grieving widow. He did not take up a collection. He did not take her sons under his own wing. There were many things he did NOT do… but what he DID do was a clue for those of us today who feel as if we have nothing, when in fact we have everything when we have the Holy Ghost within us. That “pot of oil” is significant because it represents the Spirit of God – “inside” of us – within the hidden and closed chambers of our own heart.

He admonished her to prayer. To close the secret door and go in to allow the Holy Ghost to pray… to reach out and touch the very heart of God. Deep calling to Deep. God calling to Himself.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And as he called her to prayer, part of what she was asked to do was to fill empty vessels that she had collected from those around her. Those people that couldn’t help her in her crisis – now the prophet was saying to her… “they can’t help you – but YOU can help them.” Pour your heart into their empty lives!

There are those who do not know how to pray. There are those who do NOT know how to care for themselves, much less caring for others. They need help. They need you. Even in your destitute condition… they need YOU.

This is tough. It’s called “ministering in your adversity”. It’s easy to minister when everything is going great, you have money in the bank, your stocks have paid out, your house is paid off, your health is great and you have been blessed beyond measure.

But when the gun is to the head and the creditors are at the door and the physicians have given up and all Hell has broken out around you. That is the city of “adversity”. Can you minister in that city where you are living?

We look around at the empty chairs in the sanctuary. We can do many things when we see those chairs. We can blame the people who are there because they are not filling them. We can blame God because He’s not filling them. We can hope that one day they will be filled. We can take them out of the sanctuary and simply say that we don’t need them.

But as you will see from our little video today… every empty chair represents an empty life. Each empty chair represents an “excuse that was powerful enough to keep someone from the dinner table”. Some valid… some not valid. Perhaps I will expound more on that tomorrow.

Suffice to say that it is Wednesday. Let’s make Wednesdays our “Prayer for a chair Day”. Let’s do as the prophet instructed the widow woman. Fill empty vessels. Fill empty chairs. One at a time until they are all filled. As you kneel in prayer over that empty chair – let the Holy Ghost reveal to you the exact reason for it’s emptiness. In other words, “why is this chair empty”.

The Lord may show you a marriage in trouble. He may show you someone without gas money. He may show you a sickness in a body. He may show you a jealousy or pride in a heart. He may show you someone who was “offended” or hurt by people. As the Holy Ghost directs your paths, begin to war in the spirit for the emptiness of that person’s life and then pray that God will restore them to their chair. Restore them to their place at the table!

It was said it so well on Sunday… JESUS TOLD US TO PRAY FOR LABORERS! This is not a selfish prayer. This is not a prayer to bring more tithers or more members – it is a prayer to bring people to the harvest fields… and then, yes… back to the dinner table.

Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Jesus Himself… commanding us to pray for this specific thing. In another instance, in Luke 14, Jesus told them to… “COMPEL THEM to come in”. We can not kidnap people and duct tape them to the sanctuary chairs. We can NOT hold people against their will. What we can do is fight their battles for them – even the battles that keep them from coming in to dine at the table of the Lord.

Compel them. Get them there. Shut yourself into your secret closet and take away their excuses. Fight their battles. Fill their empty lives so that their chairs will no longer remain empty at the House of God.

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

We can look at empty chairs and curse darkness – or we can “pour out into all those vessels” and praise the Light of the World.

61.

Oily Provision

“And the oil stayed.”

I have been studying the similarities of Elijah and Elisha of late. There were marked differences between the prophets, but also striking similarities. I came across something this morning that bore witness with my spirit concerning the extreme times we are living in and how we are needing to pray as never before.

I will most likely preach on this soon and may, in fact entitle this, “And the oil stayed”. Oil is a type of the anointing and presence of the Holy Ghost. This begs the question… what will prompt us to stay in His presence and what will cause His presence to linger in our lives?

I will preface my thoughts today with a good strong three-fold cord. Yesterday I spoke of the three adjectives for the sword that would behead the leviathan. I believe those adjectives can be applied here:

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Gethsemane was a hidden place known only to those who went there to pray… the religious leaders could not find this place as they needed to have Judas reveal it. Even then, Christ had to come out from where He was for that throng to find him. Just a side nugget.)

Psa 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Keeping in the mindset of taking your prayer to another level, taking it to a secret and place set aside, I saw something here in II Kings 4.

2Ki 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

2Ki 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

2Ki 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

2Ki 4:4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

2Ki 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

2Ki 4:6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

Here is a very profound story of a woman who partnered with God and through her obedience watched a miracle develop right before her eyes. That being said, Jesus told us to believe when we pray. Without faith – you can not please God. (Heb 11:6).

Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

The story begins describing a man in ministry and that man’s wife. They were Godly people who were said to be servants of the prophet Elisha. This message perhaps goes against the grain of the more modern 21^st century teachings of the prosperity gospel, but is truth nonetheless. Although today we hear a lot about the prosperity gospel, mega churches no suffering and a pie in the sky Christianity, the mega churches make up a very small percentage of the whole of Christianity today. In the majority of real Christianity, we have the all too true reality of martyrs, spiritual battles, testings, trials and the world generally… hating us. At least, that’s the way it should be – because that is what Jesus prophesied over his church. He used words such as “curse you… hate you… use you… persecute you… separate you… throw you in prison… kill you… tribulation… suffer…” just to name a few of HIS words.

Why do we have the gift of prayer which is a tool in the gathering of oil? Because we have the reality of tribulation and the corruption of rust. (Matt 6:19)

After Christ was crucified, resurrected and ascended, the parameters did NOT change for the Christian church as was evidenced by Paul’s account of what Christianity did for him. New chariots and horses with all the bells and whistles, mansions in multiple cities, unlimited amounts of money, fame, fortune and good looks. Uh… no. Here is how Paul described life after Jesus’ death as he writes in II Corinthians the 11^th chapter:

I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Kind of makes me ashamed that I would ever complain about the roof over my head or the health I enjoy or the food I partake of… on and on and on – taking for granted the blessings because I am striving to fit into the mold created by those who tell me that my faith can get me MORE.

Getting back to II Kings. These were Godly people going through adverse times. The servant of Elijah had died and left behind a good wife and two sons. I suppose I could spend all day on just the first verse, but must move on.

She “cried” unto Elijah. She had witnessed many miracles at the hand of this prophet. And now, she was feeling entitled because she was a Godly servant. Elijah did something that I have done often times in my own ministry. He pointed her to shut herself into her own house to find her answers. She did which we all do in times of crisis… we look for people to help us.

When the prophet asked her what she had “inside”, she replied… “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house save a pot of oil.”

People always get mad at me when I can not give them the answers they desire. When I direct them to prayer. When I tell them that the solutions are within the prayer closets. When they tell me they have no strength, no hope, no answers, no money… nothing.

I remind you today of that “pot of oil”. I remind you today to braid that three fold cord into your life and into your situation. That three fold cord that I gave you earlier… those three all important scriptures. When you do… the oil will stay. The oil will hold. The oil will not fail. The oil will abide. The oil will endure. The oil will establish. The oil will ordain. The oil will repair. The oil will stand. All definitions according to Strong’s Concordance for the translation of that word… stay.

And the oil… stayed.

62.

Dying to Self

“When I Come to die…”

I pray that after my message on locked closets on Sunday that your personal altars are filling up and you are catching a vision of prayer and intercession – and THAT is what revival of the human heart is all about. When I went to prayer yesterday I felt that the Lord asked what I had come for. I told Him… I’ve come to die.

I’ve come to witness the death of my will. I’ve come to witness the death of my bitterness. I’ve come to witness the death of my frustration. I’ve come to witness a dying to myself.

Let us come with the thought… “not my will…” – God can do much.

I found this passage of scripture this morning: Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

This was put out especially because there is a doctrine circulating lately that teaches that a person who prays more than once for something has a lack of faith. Most likely this is an extreme “word of faith” man who has jumped to another black and white doctrine of condemnation.

This scripture tells us that God avenges those who cry NIGHT AND DAY. Continual prayer… praying without ceasing… Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Now… that being said… prayer for the same thing over and over without faith can lead to a “complaining” prayer… or a “murmuring” prayer such as… “oh Lord, I’ve been praying and you never answer my prayer and I am so sick and tired of praying for this…”

Luk_11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

We should “knock” or “pray” that the door to the answer to prayer would be opened. (be prepared those as to what is on the other side of that door… it may be the thing you asked for, it may be different, or it may not be there at all… nevertheless the prayer was answered)

The Greek is an action language and when you see the word “knock” in it’s context here, it means to “continue knocking” until the door is opened. Trust me… it will be opened, but again, as I said – you may not be prepared for what is on the other side of the door, and it may not be what you asked for. Before you knock… make sure your heart is prepared by the Lord for the outcome to your prayer. Someone who continually knocks for something that the Lord will not permit or grant is trying to change the mind and sovereignty of God – and you may chalk that up to a waste of time.

When God answers my request with a no, I always tell Him… “Ok, but if you change your mind, you know where you can reach me.”

If the answer to prayer is a “wait” – then of course I will not stand there and continue knocking… or asking… that’s just rude. I will inquire though as to if He would like to give me a “timeline” on the project. Again, if He tells me to be patient, I don’t pout or get anxious or try to play any mind games with Him. I will “check in” on the situation from time to time to let Him know I am still interested.

Finally… to debunk this devil’s doctrine about “one knock” – let’s go to Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Do you think that Jesus has bought into that garbage about “a lack of faith” if you knock more than once? Of course not. When He came looking for me, He kept on knocking because I had people who kept praying for me. Does Jesus EVER knock once and leave? JESUS IS PERSISTENT AND WE MUST BE ALSO. Consider the whole counsel of God, put down the extreme doctrines and books by authors who are trying to become famous with new doctrines, go to the door… and start knocking.

Paul knocked three times to have the flesh die. He remained persistent and rested in the grace until the death was “sufficient”. Lay your life down. He will lift you up.

Now… here’s the great news… He won’t keep you out in the cold forever, waiting for an answer… Faith is seeing the door open and HEARING HIS ANSWER TO YOU. Faith comes. Faith comes. Faith comes…. By HEARING!!

63.

It’s Just A Plan

Plans or Buildings?

Jer 29:11 I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.

Psa 40:5 You have done many miraculous things, O LORD my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count.

Many of you look at the picture and see the beautifully finished house. Look at that house today as YOUR future. It’s as God sees you in your finished state. But you are not there yet. In fact, some of you have your future still sitting on the drawing board.

Or perhaps, some of you are still in process – which is where I believe most of us are. A dangerous place to be due to having all of our precious building materials open to the elements.

We won’t receive the desires of our heart when we are not about our Father’s business. We don’t receive the desires of our heart when we are about our own agenda. We won’t receive the desires of our hearts when we are still and willfully living in unsurrendered sin in our lives.

Psa 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psa 20:4 He will give you your heart’s desire and carry out all your plans.

For the plans to turn to building – we must be on His agenda. His timetable. His plans for us are “carried out” or in other words… the building begins when we quit quoting Jeremiah 29:11 and begin living in His righteousness.

We can’t quote what God is going to do for us and then continue to live in the flesh. The plans are what He desires to do. It’s up to you to allow HIM to carry out the plans toward building.

Some Christians are still on the drawing board. Some are architectural plans on the shelf. Some are partially built. It’s like Christians that believe that deception that we can do whatever we want and still get to Heaven. I don’t believe in or take a Calvinistic stance that tells us “once saved, always saved”.

He doesn’t call us to wear crosses – He calls us to bear crosses. He doesn’t call us to put bumper stickers on our cars, He calls for our lives and our living to BE the bumper stickers. When you accept Jesus into your heart it’s not like joining a country club – it’s the enlisting in the army of light and that army is under extreme attack here in the last days.

God presenting you with plans is not handing you a finished building. He says… “This is what I desire to do in you”. You have the power to walk into that promise… or “promised land”. Notice that the children of Israel were not teleported into Canaan. They had to GET THERE. We have a map to follow. We have to GET THERE. We have plans. We have to let Him build it.

Field of Dreams famous quote… “If we build it, they will come”. God’s heart… “If you come, I will build you.” He doesn’t work on anything HE doesn’t have access to. Some just need to give Him the access to their hearts and their lives. Let the building begin.

You can’t do it. Unless the Lord builds the house, they that build it labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1) Give Him your heart… He will carry out your plans to a completed building.

Jas 4:14 You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. Jas 4:15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live (In and For Him) and (He will) carry out our plans.”

It’s time. Time again… to seek the Lord. And here it is again… hope you are getting this… Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

64.

Another River in Eden

Denial in The Garden

I wanted to give a review of what was brought forth yesterday and I must say that the word was not only profound, but life changing for me personally. The main two points that I want to highlight is this: Peter promised he would follow Christ to prison and to death, but could not follow HIM to the prayer room. It is much like us today with our swelling promises and shiny Christianity that we want the world to see.

The problem with a Gethsemane prayer room is that it is in a secret closet with no fanfare, fame or fortune – and when you come out, you don’t get the keys to a new Cadillac, but find the enemy who has come out with swords and staves ready to take you to a scourging post. It’s not prosperity Christianity – but it’s the reality of real Christianity.

Secondly, Christ, in His agony and having enough on His own plate in Gethsemane left His battle zone to rally the troops where they were battling and with great compassion told them that prayer was for themselves… for their strength to battle the temptations about to hit them as they came forth out of the garden.

Peter did not pray and as a result, he gave way to one of the greatest temptations of man. Taking things into his own hands rather than trusting the Lord. Hefting a sword in a battle that wasn’t his. His battle was lost when the sword was taken from the sheath. He had sadly yielded to the temptation of taking things into his own hands.

We do that as Christians with worry, jealousy, anger, manipulation, control, seeking answers from men instead of God… and on and on and on. The video from yesterday will up later today and I IMPLORE you to sit and listen to that 45 minute teaching. I believe it will bring you back to “true north” on your compass.

A man who does not pray has to have his own way.

Denial.

To deny someone or something is to:

quit on them or a cause
disown… refusal to take ownership
contradict – take a stand against someone or something
reject
refuse to obey
separation from
departure – run away from what you know is truth
take a stand against
choosing your own will

Scriptures surrounding Gethsemane:

Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Mat_26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mar 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Luk 22:46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Mar 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Mar 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Why did Christ implore them to watch and pray? Why on this night did He fill them with food and take them up to a cold mountain when they had such a full day already. What was the big deal?

I ask you what difference would it have made had they stayed awake and prayed? What would have changed?

Would Jesus have been able to avoid the cross? Would He not have been beaten? Would He not have had to carry a cross? Would He have suffered less?

I don’t think it has entered into the heart and mind of man what Jesus was asking them to do that night – or for that matter what He is asking us to do today. I mean… the rapture is going to happen, people are going to die, people are going to suffer. What good does prayer do anyway?

In this century we use prayer to get what we want. We bring our shopping lists to heaven and demand… confess… profess… beg… lay hold of… cry… – anything it’s going to take to get us what we want. And because we are a society motivated by greed and no tolerance for pain – we pray in the critical situations… FOR WHAT WE WANT.

Isn’t it amazing the things we promise with great swelling pride. And many times, those promises are made in the good times… the full times… the anointed times… the times of great fellowship and great worship. In times of great blessing.

It’s there – in the blessing that we must heed the words of Solomon. Be slow to speak and quick to listen.

Peter made such a promise at the last supper. On the eve of one of the greatest holidays of the year. At a time when their bellies were full and there was no lack and the presence of the Lord was so real and so powerful and so… perfect.

Luk 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

It is human nature to promise the moon when we are in times of great comfort. It is human nature to boast of our strength when we are not facing a battle. It is human nature to announce powerful plans before we count the cost.

And when we do these things, we all fall short – or we end up keeping promises due to obligation rather than joy and willingness. We find ourselves doing things “grudgingly” or finding an excuse to get out of doing what we “promised”. (2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.)

Let’s look at the night Peter offered Christ that great promise of extreme dedication. Jesus was blessing them all with his extreme love at this most intimate time of fellowship. Jesus was making them feel as if they had hung the moon. They were feeling all warm and fuzzy and excited about the promises and prophecies that Christ was offering them:

Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: (professed His love for them)

Luk 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. (How proud He was of them)

Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

Luk 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Promise made to them)

Such a great night. Such great words by the Master. Such a spiritual high. They were eating and drinking and having their feet washed and egos massaged and they were hugging and hearing the very heart beat of one another.

It was also in that time when there was issued a great warning. Instead of heeding the warning and being quick to listen and slow to speak, Peter boomed forth with a proclamation of dedication. A promise of his power. A show of strength. In the midst of all of his brethren he wanted to make sure everyone knew how great he was and just what he was promising!

Luk 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. Luk 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Mar 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

In the next few hours, Peter would show that he was not able to keep those promises because his promises were in “the wrong place”. Misplaced passion. He promised to follow into the prison and all the way to the cross – but the sad reality was, he couldn’t keep the least of the tasks which was following the Lord into prayer.

Jesus didn’t ask Peter to go to prison or to the cross… but He did ask that Peter follow Him to a prayer room.

Luk 22:40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Follow me to prayer. Snooze. Follow me to prayer. Snore. Follow me to prayer. Drool. Peter denied the Lord three times in that garden before he even had the chance to deny him in the courtyard.

We promise God so much when we can’t even promise him the least of our time, our effort and our day in a prayer closet. All the things you proclaim that you will do for Him… fulfill your great calling… tithe that great amount of mint and rue… heal the sick, raise the dead, paint the church, weed the gardens, travel as an evangelist, preach a message, proclaim to this world that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life even if it means you will be persecuted.

And yet you can’t find the prayer room.

Mar 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Jesus came THREE TIMES and found Peter in the denial before the denial came with his actual words. Denial is not just what comes out of your mouth… but also what “doesn’t” come out of your mouth. A refusal to prayer is a denial of the Holy Ghost to pray. (Rom 8:26 “…for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”)

And if you can deny Him by not keeping your promise to pray… the other promises will be that much easier to break.

The temptation that Peter entered into:

Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

There it was. It is prevalent in each of us. The temptation to take matters into our own hands. The temptation to defend in the flesh. To fight with natural weapons.

It takes a very strong and spirit filled man to keep his sword in the sheath when he realizes that the battle is not his to fight.

1Sa 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

2Ch 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Now – we know that Peter continued to deny the Lord with his words. Once you grow accustomed to taking things into your own hands… it gets very easy to walk the other way.

Mat 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

A lack of prayer in a person’s life opens that person up to temptation to take things into his own hands. A life needs control. When you haven’t been with the Lord, you crave to have things in “orbit” – and take it upon yourself. Spend time marketing yourself, defending yourself, updating your image, having to impute your will to every situation you come upon

We learned about Uzzah a few weeks back who took matters into his own hands and tried to control the moving of God. He died instantly. Abinidab and Abihu – took matters into their own hands and offered strange fire upon the altar – they also died instantly.

Taking matters into your own hands kills the “chance” for the Spirit to fight the battle. It kills all your trust in the Lord. You may have all the right excuses for stepping in, for moving out, for using your own strength – but when you trust in anything but what God says – you are still walking in your own will.

Isa 31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

It is time to seek the Lord. It is time to find a place of brokenness. It is time to put the essential before the promises. Prayer can keep your lips from uttering promises you can not keep… and can also give you power to keep the promises you’ve made.

We deny Him not only by what we do and say… but by what we “don’t” do and say.

Hos 10:13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Prayer is a will-killer. It is a trust restorer. To be strong enough to stand next to a battle that is not yours rather than fighting in it, takes a brokenness in the Spirit.

Brokenness and sincere tears are like sulfuric acid to the will. When you take the will out of the equation… the temptation can NOT overtake you.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

65.

Shaken Not Stirred

A Good Shaking

I woke up last night in the middle of the night in a complete night sweat. Something passed out of my flesh, and as all truth is parallel to the supernatural world, I believe it was also an answer to prayer that my spirit would be more sensitive and fully cleansed. I kept thinking of a cleansing prayer that I often pray: “Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

I knew something was happening in me. Perhaps finally, the toxic of the past and the toxic of the world were continuing to pass from me. Like a shrinking tumor, the Lord is healing me.

Healing is an incredible thing. It is a precious gift. And I am having trouble putting this into words today, but to ask for healing of the body and then continuing to ingest toxins is really quite counter productive.

It’s like a person who asks to be healed of COPD and continues to ingest smoke into the lungs. It’s almost like we are telling the Lord – I want to be healed, but I don’t want to release the desires of my flesh.

And… that brings me to the prophet Haggai and his short book of the Old Testament that is filled with a lifetime of wisdom. Now, literally it dealt with the Lord asking the people to put an emphasis on Him instead of upon themselves. It dealt with building the broken down House Of God while they were living in a personal wholeness.

They had become overbalanced in their desires and motivations of the flesh and of the natural and stockpiled for themselves beautiful homes and lots of “stuff” and busy agendas that left little time for thought about the things of God. They “wanted” God – but not at the expense of their own precious lives.

A parallel to the world here in 2014? If you are praying for a balance and a blessing as Zerubbabel and Joshua were praying for in that time, then the following is for you. You are asking God to do something? Be careful what you ask for. God responded with an action. That action is described THREE times in Haggai’s second chapter.

Can you identify the action? Can you identify the word? Can you seek with WHAT God responded to bring back into balance the walk of Israel?

Hag_2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Hag_2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hag_2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;

Now let me bring this down to us today. The natural temples of God are flourishing and the mega churches are certainly not hurting for anything. So… let’s interpret this word today as YOU in terms of the temple of God. You as the House of God that is broken down.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

What happens when we become overbalanced, overweight, over stimulated by the world? We get miserable. Our focus is on ourselves and that is quite uncomfortable to our spirit that was promised to God. When we get miserable and don’t know why, we ask God to change things… to change “us”. He does this with a shaking.

The spiritual truth that everyone misses is this: Security, blessings, food on your table, paid bills, divine health come when you are overbalanced for God – not “overly-focused” on your own careers and goals. When an unexpected bill comes in, your natural man says that you better look to pick up some extra overtime when in fact you need to be picking up a few more hours laboring in the Garden of Gethsemane.

When you get overbalanced, this is what happens:

Hag 1:9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Hag 1:10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.

We need to start wondering when we see a lack of blessing though we have asked for much. We put in our two hours on Sunday morning and pay our tithes. Isn’t that enough? Why am I still lacking? God tells you to check your heart… and your ways.

He tells them, “You want to know why you are not reaping a harvest? Why do you drink and still feel thirsty? Why do you have closets of clothes and still have nothing to wear?

Read the next passage… God identifies the problem in the lifestyle. “Consider your ways”. Is there an overbalance in an entertaining of your flesh? Is there a compromising walk that needs to be changed? Are there places you are going that you shouldn’t be going and watching things you shouldn’t be watching and listening to things you shouldn’t be listening to?

Hag 1:4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Hag 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Hag 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

Hag 1:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

I heard a sermon many years ago from the voice of wisdom. You can’t pay your tithes on Sunday morning, hire a prostitute Sunday night and expect a Godly harvest. God CAN’T bless compromise. So… how does God “right your ship”?

Hag 2:17 I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.

Sometimes the hard times and the lack and the struggle comes in direct proportion to the Lord trying to get your attention. It is not always that way… since we know that the enemy of our soul is always trying to steal, kill and destroy – but taking away our precious is something that the Lord uses also to HIS advantage and to your good.

When God says He is working all things for your good… (Romans 8:28) Sometimes it is paying a bill and sometimes it is causing that bill to go into collections. God still sends WAKE UP CALLS.

Hag 2:14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.

We can no longer, in this excruciating century of compromise and creature comforts, neglect the call within us to seek the Lord. For some, we are hearing that annoying early morning “alarm” going off. We hit snooze and think that 5 more minutes will give us supernatural strength for the day ahead. Instead, the inevitable comes, we have to withstand that annoying “bleep, bleep bleep, bleep” again!

Wake up calls are very annoying, but very necessary. This last verse is picture of a people hitting the snooze button:

Hag 1:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.

Listen to me dear saints of God… a shaking is coming – His church is broken down and out of balance. A shaking is coming.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hos 10:13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

66.

Yonder To Worship

Essence of Worship

After a rather long night, I spent the most wonderful morning with the Lord. As I was putting final views on a message for Sunday, I was looking further at the study we’ve been in, dealing with worship.

Here are a few scriptures that will lead me to today’s word:

Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Gen 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

We have been talking about tainted worship in a sense of what we do. What we offer. What we give. We have also talked that worship is much more than singing a few songs and spending 45 minutes during church on Sunday morning. In fact, if that is what worship is to you, you have really missed the essence of “true worship”.

When I look at the definition of a true worshipper as described by Jesus, I see:

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Worship, if I am understanding correctly, is a total devotion of an entire life and lifestyle dedicated to Him. I think we have that idea, but have that principle, but have fallen short on the practice.

Also, we look at worship as something we “do”. But as I look at the first few scriptures here, I realize that it’s also what we “won’t do”. Where we “won’t go”. What we “won’t say”. What we “won’t give”. It is a sacrificing of the things that prove our love for the world and the flesh rather than the love of God.

In the scripture in Hebrews 11:25 we see a very important first word. “Choosing”. It is the same concept that Joshua told the Children of Israel when they were torn between their very real world and their very real God: Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

It is a choice to worship. It is an offering of our hearts. If we think that worship is just singing a song in the congregation on Sunday morning (and that itself is hard for some Christians, which makes me think of how they must really be missing it in the world, but that message is reserved for another day…) then our worship is one dimensional.

Singing a song is the easy part. The church today has honed worship and defined it as a few songs on a Sunday morning. The hard part is sacrificing something that is pleasurable to our flesh. The easy part of worship is giving up a song. The hard part is giving up an action, an addiction, an attitude, something that may really injure our flesh… and sometimes our way of life.

David, when presented with the idea that he could “have” the threshing floor as place for the altar of God, made a striking statement in 2 Samuel 24:24. He told Araunah that he would not offer something to the Lord that cost him nothing.

It doesn’t cost you anything to sing a song. It will cost you everything to refuse to sing the songs of the world. It will cost you nothing to wear a cross around your neck in the presence of Christians. It will cost you your reputation to say no to the things of this world.

True worship does not just consist of the things you give… but the things you give up. Passing a meal for a day. Turning off the television in the midst of protests from the family. Giving up the worldly radio stations and secular music. Turning your computer off when a questionable site pops into your head. (yes… it is not the rude pop ups that you can’t avoid, but the ones in your head that you entertain.)

It’s passing up the justifications of why it’s ok to sin… and the loopholes and seeking out of how much you can get away with while still retaining your salvation. Let’s go back to our second scripture:

“and I and the lad will go yonder and worship,”

This speaks to the real nature of true worship. They were going to sacrifice Isaac, but instead of calling it “sacrifice”, it was called “WORSHIP”.

Isaac was going to lay down his life. Abraham was going to sacrifice his only son. They were both going to give something away that meant everything. And it was called “WORSHIP”.

You can choose to give up the worldly friendships and the worldly music and the nasty mouth and the crippling addictions and the bitterness and the anger and the and the hours of entertainment pleasurable for your flesh… and you can call it a great “sacrifice”. God “CHOOSES” to call it “Worship”.

Equally as important to “what you give to God” is also that thing you choose NOT to give to the enemy. Read again Hebrews 11:25 – it speaks to the essence of what true worship entails.

Next time you think that you’ve “worshipped” with four songs on a Sunday morning, I propose to you that the testing of your faith to worship will come after the Pastor says “Amen” and you go about your business… or your Father’s business.

Today it’s not what you give, but rather what you give up. You can’t be a true worshipper if you can’t give up the world.

67.

To Diet… or Not

The Obese Church

I have been talking about a new generation church that has not only abandoned the standards of the early church, but has become so filled with the world that the bloat and obese nature has now become the norm. Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

When we see parallels to the things in the natural, we must sit up and take notice. One of the biggest businesses in the world today is “weight loss”. We have called for many treatments but failed to diagnose the problem. It boils down to a spirit of addiction.

Addiction is something you are in bondage to and can not be freed from. Cravings and self indulgence are a big part of it – being “driven” by a co-spirit of gluttony. (Gluttony, derived from the Latin gluttire meaning to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste. In some Christian denominations, it is considered one of the seven deadly sins—a misplaced desire of food or its withholding from the needy. -Wikipedia)

Now… before I go there, I must mention that other spirits congregate here… laziness, self gratification, depression, low esteem, pride to name a few.

All these spirits congregate for one purpose. To taint. To steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10) There is a natural and supernatural balance in the body and these spirits congregate to bring an excess and overbalance to the body, the mind and the spirit. A body out of balance is unhealthy and if left unchecked and overbalanced can lead to sickness and death.

Although the world talks about it in terms of the natural body, I must also remind you that these things not only happen to your bodies, but to your emotions, your soul, and your spirit. Trying to hide or conceal the results of this spiritual warfare is as a person with Bulimia who has the addiction and takes drastic and unhealthy means to fight it… but that is certainly a word for another day.

The following article was produced by Dr. David Schlundt at Vanderbuilt University:

“Millions of Americans are overweight, and the latest studies tell us that more and more people are becoming overweight every year (Kuczmarski, Flegal, Campbell,& Johnson, 1994). Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several kinds of cancer (Department of Health and Human Services, 1988).

Weight loss is big business, and many companies compete for our attention and our money through advertising. Many claims are made and it is hard for people to know what is possible, what is reasonable, what is an exaggeration, and what is an outright lie. Outrageous advertising claims harm the public by creating unrealistic expectations that cannot be realized. If you think it is possible to lose a pound a day on a weight loss program and instead you lose a pound a week, you may become discouraged and give up on trying to follow reasonable plans that lead to gradual, modest weight loss. Much frustration comes from unrealistic expectations about how quickly and how easily one can lose weight.

There is no magic involved in losing weight. Your fat cells are like a gas tank on a car in that they store fuel until you need it. When a gas tank is full, you cannot add any more gas. However, our body fat stores continue to expand as long as we continue to take in more energy than we burn. To lose body fat, you must burn more energy that you eat so that your body has to draw upon the fuel stored in fat cells. The only way to lose weight is to increase the amount of fuel you burn, decrease the amount you consume, or do both at the same time. The rate at which you can lose weight is limited by how fast the body burns energy.”

The church, like this tragedy in the natural is unhealthy due to excess. Excess world. Entertainment. Secular. Pouring into itself everything but what is essential to it’s health. I love the article in that it not only diagnoses a problem, but offer simple solutions to bring the body BACK into balance.

“When a gas tank is full, you cannot add any more gas. However, our body fat stores continue to expand as long as we continue to take in more energy than we burn.” We are adding the things of the world to an already FULL schedule – and we are not burning the “fuel” that God has given us. This is one of the reasons that we give way to lethargy, procrastination and find ourselves “too tired” to serve God.
“To lose body fat, you must burn more energy that you eat so that your body has to draw upon the fuel stored in fat cells.” We need to be “out of balance” in our desire for God and what we do for Him. That can involve singing, praying, fasting, meditating, spending time with Him, praying for the sick, reading the word and about a million other things that we can…. But don’t do.
“The only way to lose weight is to increase the amount of fuel you burn, decrease the amount you consume, or do both at the same time. Bottom line… decrease the amount of time, effort and worldly consumption and begin to “burn for God”.

The overweight and lethargic church is a body out of motion. Let’s take a fresh look at what Sir Isaac Newton had to say about motion:

Newton’s First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it, and a body in motion at a constant velocity will remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.

The Second Law of Motion states that if an unbalanced force acts on a body, that body will experience acceleration ( or deceleration), that is, a change of speed.

The overweight and lethargic church is not only a body out of motion, but is too tired and too apathetic to change things. The church which NEEDS the outside force of God to act upon it… is just too engrained in the world to let a change occur.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

We need to begin to pray for God to move upon us as never before. We need to force ourselves to GET UP and do what He’s told us to do. Sometimes that involves something as little as turning off a television… switching from a secular radio station… going to the prayer room instead of the ball room… putting aside a plate of food for heavenly manna.

Ask HIM to MOVE YOU! And… then, unlike the world who has quit on the weight loss plans a million times and can’t figure out why they are still miserable, STICK TO YOUR GUNS.

Part of getting back in shape involves a little word with mighty connotations. “Finishing”. Rather than going a million directions at once, taking all that time to plan out your strategies, have ten projects going on at the same time. Learn how to be a finisher. Most of us are great at generating ideas and starting impressive works, but we DO NOT FINISH.

Let your ability to “finish”, define you… not your ability to start.

1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may finish (obtain).

Get up you spiritual couch potatoes… get into that prayer room… set that fasting schedule… study to show yourself approved… meditate upon Him day and night…

Don’t find things to keep you “busy” and “procrastinating”… Don’t just change the channel and promise God – tomorrow.

Apply this song to your spiritual welfare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFofqe26t-4

So… in establishing this teaching on obesity and gluttony, we find that either is not a healthy addiction. If you are as I am, you have no doubt either tried a weight loss plan in your life or tried to give up an indulgence that bloated you to discomfort. Again… a spirit of gluttony can come to your body whether you are 600 pounds or 60 pounds. I have been attacked by this spirit and it is not pretty.

The main focus of the teaching was not to bring condemnation, but to cause you to awake as to the idea that excess in your life is not good. It is unhealthy. I picture the church today as one that has craved the world, ingested too much of it and sits bloated, uncomfortable and powerless. That is the goal of excess. It makes you lethargic, lazy, tired, depressed and without hope.

Oh believe me… I’ve been on the excessive side of natural weight gain AND it is so discouraging. After killing myself in weight loss and exercise, I find that it takes me 6 months to lose the damage I did to my body in 6 weeks. I then fall off the wagon and again I reinforce my findings that the ability to gain weight is much easier than it is to lose it. I have also been on the other end of that spectrum, fighting bulimia and being equally as miserable.

That is the natural picture I am painting. I am comparing it to a spiritually out of balance, overweight and out of shape church. We have grown comfortable in our skin, so to speak. So much so, that when the truth is preached concerning the early church’s principles and practices, we rebel and think it crazy to be able to live up to such a standard. Either that, or we agree and just keep eating, thinking that the sun will come out tomorrow in a magical day of change.

I am NOT the first one who has succumbed to this ingestion of secular excess to find myself an “out of shape Christian”. Paul said: Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

So… instead of living in denial, I just have to realize that the first step to freedom is to look in the mirror and realize… I have grown fat and out of shape on the ingesting of worldly things! Sometimes that is the step we all like to sidestep.

The second step in “righting the ship” and taking back your life is the word “moderation”. Again, we are in a generation that wants microwave popcorn in 20 seconds and slim bodies in a day… 12 minute abs??? Please.

We have got to come to terms with this second step which is a mindset to let Him make a change in us. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

And… the realization that the change is a process that may take a while. After step one (remember step one?) where you look in the mirror, make up your mind that the mirror is no longer needed in any of the other steps.

God does not bring spiritual solutions that involve quick fix tummy tucks and lipo surgery. He goes to the root of the problem. He doesn’t take away your excess so you can have room for the next round of excess… He wants you to change your lifestyle… not your image. REMEMBER: changing your image will not change your lifestyle… but changing your lifestyle can change your image.

We don’t like God’s plans at times because we are too impatient. We also don’t want to work very hard at change. Isaiah talks a little bit about how God brings about change:

Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Step three and this is quite possibly the most important. You can’t assign time limits to your changes. In other words, you can not tell yourself you will give up something for seven days or weeks or months… YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MINDSET LIKE AN ALCOHOLIC. It is a battle that will NEVER go away – and although you may have gotten the victory over it today, mark it down, a strategy is being formed against you and the battle WILL continue. 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

This is a battle that is not going to be won in a week. It is a battle that involves a lifetime. You can’t treat this craving of the world like you would a fast – thinking you can give it up for a short term. Step three is a LIFESTYLE change that will span the rest of your life. You have to buy into and invest in that thinking.

I can’t plan my week ahead and tell myself that I will block off days to lose weight on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is now a daily and conscious effort to bring change and to bring my spiritual life back into a healthy balance.

And finally… you can’t reward yourself as you do on a diet. “Oh, I’ve been so good, I am going to reward myself by eating a triple cheese pizza.” The reward is not to binge on the world or the worldly things. There are just some things that are now gone from your life and you MUST leave them alone.

It is an amputee who must learn to live without the leg. He has no luxury of ever using it again sparingly. His mindset is very simple. It’s gone and will never again be a part of me.

Mar 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Jesus is radical in that verse. If you can’t get the victory over sin or the things of the world, you must eliminate the offense.

Is television bad? Are video games bad? Is excessive fellowship bad? Only if you can’t control it. Sometimes it comes down to what takes you out of balance… what takes control of you… and what takes you away from God. Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

We have all fought the good fight of faith concerning excess and addictions to the things of this world. We are all “still” fighting them. Have you given up the fight to restore the power or are you engaged in the battle?

There can be no condemnation in your battling.

You may not be where you want to be, but if you refuse to give up and give in – you are right in the midst of God’s favor. Don’t take a day off from the battle – and even though it may seem that you are not doing “enough” – make sure that it doesn’t keep you from doing a little bit each day. You WILL grow weary… even the youths shall “surely” faint… but… 2Th 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

As I said Sunday… this generation is under the gun. We have been born into compromise and away from the principles and practices of the early church. As a result, we have many misconceptions about what balance really is. In fighting this good fight of bringing us back into a healthy living in God – we again must go back to the steps I’ve outlined today. Your flesh will want to deny, rebel and lash out. Your spirit, on the other hand, is excited and ready to effect change.

It’s funny…. You can go a long time in an unhealthy condition, until one day you get up and realize that the world has not only filled the cup but has overflowed to your destruction. You realize… “I’ve got to get in shape”. It is at that time that you can truly head in the right direction.

I am certainly not where I want to be. I realize that in some areas of my life, I am obese and am a glutton. I am not happy with such a slow pace to change. But I must rejoice in the very fact that I am MOVING and heading in the right direction! I am also standing each day on the scripture that promises me that HE is ordering my steps.

Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

68.

You Want The Power?

Expecting Early Church benefits with a new age dedication…

I have been teaching a summer series on tainted worship and tainted sacrifice. In this series, we have been examining the standards and the benefits of the early church as outlined by the New Testament writers.

I have been heartbroken by the evolution of a church that has truly walked away from those early standards, but still seek those early benefits. The church today has been birthed in great compromise and pleasures of the flesh. The church that has been born again in today’s generation is not the same church that was birthed in the generation that witnessed the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.

We have been birthed in compromise, various winds of doctrine, social tolerance of open sin but condemnation of holiness, and easy distractions for pleasing and entertaining our flesh.

As the years go by, it seems as though the cross is fading and we as a generation are walking away from it rather than toward it. We have given way to intellectualism, logic according to the times we live in and “fast food” doctrines that are “hot and now”. We have “honed” Christianity to find out the least amount of time we can spend on it without losing salvation. We look for loopholes and the path of least resistance. How far can I go in the world and still get to heaven?

As I said on Sunday, we saw a major hit come to the church in the late 70’s – early 80’s as we began to try to win the world by looking like the world. Our worship took on an entertaining quality that turned our altars into platforms for “Christian” rock stars. It was big hair in the 80’s and big hair in the church. We tried to win the world by telling them that the church had entertainers that sounded just like the performers in the world. We allowed those who were “gloriously saved” to come into the church and continue to play their worldly music styles, but gave it a “Christian lyric”.

Bottom line is, we can not win the world by looking just like it. The scripture that was penned by the Apostle Paul is taken today with a “grain of salt”: 2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

As is this scripture from John the beloved:

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

That kind of teaching is labeled as “over zealous” today. Any time you begin to preach the principles of the early church, the world hauls out the quote: “People are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Which, by the way is not scripture, but a quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes. The Bible says, “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). Actually, being heavenly minded always leads us to be more earthly good.

The enemy is a master of deception and from the Garden until now, he is convincing himself that he is a friend who has your best interests at heart. He comes, wanting to be your bff. He sets himself up as a mediator between you and God and is constantly trying to bend scripture, apologize for the harshness of God and trying to be God’s interpreter.

The enemy convinces us that the times have changed, and we must change the word to adapt to the times we live in. Be careful…. The Word of God NEVER changes and is not only seasonal, but generational and eternal.

There are so many benefits and so much power that the early church experienced. When you water down or taint your worship, it affects every other aspect of your Christian walk. When we set entertainment as the standard to fill churches in the 80’s – we sacrificed the power of God, we developed a Christianity that didn’t take up so much of our time and we developed a flippant “speak the word – word of faith” doctrine that brought deceit, condemnation and a lack of genuine power.

Tainted worship crippled our warfare and limited our power. As I said on Sunday, there is a separation coming. A separation of true worshippers and those who are still bent on finding a path of least resistance in their Christianity.

Some of the benefits of that early church included: healing, deliverance, revival, infilling of the Holy Ghost, abounding gifts and great power. Some churches talk about those things today but never see the manifestation. Other churches don’t see the manifestation and so they tell us that we need to be realists adapting to the signs of the times.

If you read about those in the early church, their zeal was unequalled. Their dedication did not involve a few hours a week. They did not mix the music of the night with the music of the light. They had no time for compromise.

Today in the 168 hours we are given to change the world, we feel that it can be done with fancy talk and less hours… Two hours a week is just fine? We are a generation out of balance – desiring the best of the early church, but offering a cheap imitation of it’s dedication.

This passage of scripture is very explicit. The religious don’t want it preached:

2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Today we drink coffee and tell stories. We are an obese church who has no time for fasting. We are a busy church with no time for tarrying in prayer. We are a haughty church that has to be seen and affirmed with every little thing we do… and believe me, those things are very little in comparison to what Paul listed in 2 Corinthians.

Jesus said that we must be born again – born of the Spirit. Our problem is that we are born of the church. If your Christianity doesn’t line up with the standards of the early church, you won’t see the benefits of the early church.

We can not and must align ourselves with the standards that Christianity has set for itself today. There is a spirit to entertain flesh. There is a spirit to affirm and advance positions. There is a spirit that wants everything but gives nothing.

There is a powerful published word that went forth as one of the last of the Old Testament prophets was passing away. God IS speaking:

Mal 1:13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

Mal 1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

He gave us life. It’s the best. We do our “best” to give away as little as possible and gain as much as possible. We add a little more of the world to our Christian play lists each year – and we have wandered farther and farther from the cross and the truth of God’s word and we justify it by saying… “It is what it is. We are living in the 21^st century and God is more tolerant now and His word doesn’t mean what it did back in the 1^st century. He allows more now and expects us to have more of the world in us so we can be more effective evangelists”.

The enemy uses logic and emotion to invade the chambers of the human heart and the recesses of the human mind. We have been duped into believing that as time goes on, God requires less.

His word today? “You don’t bring me the best you have – and you ASSUME that I will accept it?”

The best hours are spent on other things. We give our best to the world and give to God what’s left over. We pay for the music of this world and offer our best hours to listen and to worship with it. I talk about the powerless of the secular and everyone looks away and counts stars as if we are all sitting at a table when the waitress brings the check.

If you want the benefits and the power of an early church, then you must return to the price that was paid by that same church. In fact, I’ll go a step further. The cost of living has gone up… it will cost you more for those eggs today than it did back in the first century.

Can you imagine the one today who says, “I’d love to be as sold out as Paul or Peter or John?” Now imagine the one who says… it will take more today than they gave back then… I want to be MORE sold out.

Now, there’s something God can work with. If you taint your worship, you will cripple your warfare and you will water your word. There’s no joy in that kind of a life.

In this generation we have been birthed in compromise. It is an almost impossible task to step up and live with the same New Testament standards. Almost. Jesus said… Mar 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

All things… including living Him your best. LIVING Him your best.

69.

Where Art Thou?

Are You Hiding?

As I was on my walk yesterday and the shadows began to lengthen on the trail, I noticed that I didn’t see things as clearly as I had a month ago. What changed in a month?

Things I used to see clearly at 9 PM in June, I couldn’t see so clearly in July.

Did it have something to do with me being a month older? Had my eyes become older and more tired? Perhaps. But probably more the culprit was the lack of light in the aging of the season. Tomorrow we will be into August already.

No more will we ever live in the month of July in 2014. It will be gone forever. And with the passing of this year’s July, the light is dimming. A daily reminder after the summer solstice that our lives are passing quickly and the light is going.

When there is a lack of light, we can not see things as clearly… but when we illuminate things, we see things that we may not otherwise see. Take a normal fallen branch of a tree. I saw one from a distance yesterday. As I got closer, I saw things that I didn’t and couldn’t see from a distance. Things I couldn’t see in the shadows.

When I got closer to it, I felt to pick it up. (My challenge to you today.) As I brought it closer to my eyes I saw things I hadn’t seen from a distance. Then the Lord prompted me to take it out of the shadows into the sunlight. As I did, I saw amazing things.

I saw insects boring into the branch. The Lord told me that this was the reason the branch had died and fallen. I went to the tree and looked and saw boring beetles there too. The Lord told me that the tree would die from something that nobody else could see.

He likened it to sin in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. From a distance, nobody can see, but as we get closer and illuminate life, we can see things that are killing us – and that are killing others. That tree can not cry out… all it can do is take the pain and begin the process of dying.

I feel that there are those out there today who are dying in silence and in pain. Sin has overtaken and overwhelmed you and YOU are in trouble. There are things that you just couldn’t get the victory over and UNLIKE that silent tree in the forest, you can call out for help… but in your shame and in your embarrassment, you remain silent.

From a distance you look good. You look strong. You are losing a few branches, but it’s ok… you keep telling yourself that it will turn around for you. But it won’t. God has illuminated something in your life that can NOT remain. If you want to survive, you have to ask God to remove the pestilence.

Such little beetles. Industrious. Persistent. They can bring down the mightiest of the fig trees. Gossip. Jealousy. Anger. Bitterness. Temper. And the little branches fall. These things continue and then… Violence. Adultery. Murder. Divorce. The bigger branches begin to fall.

You are letting things die when they need to be healed. Hidden sin in the shadows have infestations that are destructive. That is why God is telling us that the first step to healing is to be able to bring into the light that which is hiding.

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

God knew that the only way to heal that which was infected and dying was to bring his wounded creation into His light. And so… He came looking for them. He came to bring into the light, that which was hidden.

Because of an enemy that has put such an onus on shame, embarrassment… we choose to try to hide the sin. As it stays hidden, he knows that it will be destructive to the point of death.

People avoid God when they sin. Sin keeps them entangled in bondage, while shame and guilt keep them right there in the heat of it. Yet God tells us:

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

It is so important to illuminate our own sin so that God can set us free from it. An interesting thing about sin… if we sin and come to Him in the period of grace, He can remove it quite easily. But if we harbor our sin and keep it from all those around us, we start to destruct… “lose branches”. That which is harbored in secret will be exposed to the world. Luk 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

You will expend more energy trying to duck and cover, hide, deny, struggle, scrape, lie… than the pain of an immediate removal. You don’t think so? Hiding your sin is like slowly tearing off a band-aid from an open sore.

Next time you get a sliver in your hand… just cover it with a bandage. Don’t remove it. And then… leave the bandage on and try to forget about that foreign object. Try to grasp things. Try to hold things. Try to work. Try to play. With every day you ignore that thing under the covering, it festers and it becomes infected and soon the pain is intense.

Sin is a foreign object in our flesh. It can seem very small and very insignificant, but left hidden, it can cause an infection unto death! (Worst case scenario)

We have to be willing to let it go – we need to be willing to let God remove it. Some people struggle to see what sins they have in their life, but they know from the lack of peace and a lack of joy that something isn’t right. If you struggle with this you need to open your ears to hear what the Spirit is speaking to you. When you spend time with God he will reveal it to you and help you through the healing process. He will bring all of your life into the light.

If you hide from Him and reject Him then eventually your sin will destroy you, and your marriage, and your family, and your job, and your faith… Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Freedom is a gift. It comes by way of grace and then by your choice as you live in that period of grace. In the belly of the whale, Jonah had to make a choice. In that darkness, God showed up and illuminated everything around him. Jonah made the right choice… but I see so many bound in pride that continues to scream… “TURN THAT LIGHT OUT!”

God loves you and wants you to live in a healthy environment… with a healthy family. A healthy marriage. A healthy ministry. A healthy circle of friends.

Sin cripples. Embarrassment and shame can keep you silent and in the shadows. If you are not strong enough to take this to God… if you are just too tired and weak from carrying this sin for years, you must ask for help to bring it into the light.

A verse that encourages us to lean upon those who are Godly is found in the book of James: Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

If you are hiding. If you are beaten. If you are at the end of a road facing a dead end. If you are needing help. Ask God to bring someone who you can trust. Who you can confide in. Who you can agree with. Who can bring light into your situation without any judgment or condemnation.

The world says… “Don’t go toward the light…” There is a world hiding and dying in their sins because they think that ripping off the bandage quickly will hurt too much. Death is not their only option, but when you are hidden in darkness and shaking from the fear, it’s so hard to call for the light.

Right now… join me. Call for the light. Call for the light in your life. Call for the light in the lives of those around you. Sound the trumpets, blow the alarms, expose the enemy so that he can never hurt you again.

Together we can beat this. Together we WILL defeat the enemy.

Mat 18:19 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.

70.

Our Purpose in Worship

Created to be a skilled musician…

We have been learning some incredible new insights on praise… as a key to an unlocked door, as a weapon against the enemy, as a covering for protection to name just a “few of my favorite things”.

This week I am going a bit deeper and we are going to be looking at the infamous, one time appointed worship leader created by God. He was created not only to worship, but to lead all the worship of Heaven.

It was a perfect fit. He had perfect pitch. Perfect instrumentation. Let’s look at a portion of scripture that deals with how God described him to Ezekiel.

Eze 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Eze 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Eze 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

We have not only come into a time in history where the enemy is becoming desperate, but more vile as he is sensing that his time is short. One of the things that we must remember about him is that although he is the father of narcissism, (narcissistic: having an excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance) he is also trying to remain anonymous.

Most of the world does NOT believe in him, and if they do, they take him and his minions very lightly. As a Christian, we must realize that we are being fully engaged in a battle with him and his darkness.

One of the more intelligent things he does is play to his strengths. He uses what he was created for to influence a creation that he is hoping to tear away from their creator.

Music is a powerful weapon and the enemy has continued to turn it against God Himself.

It is a testimony to the enemy when we sing, dance and rejoice in his music. He is the golden calf that we rally around with any music that does not worship God. And when God is not worshipped through music, the enemy IS.

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

The lie is that it is harmless. It is just good clean fun.

The reality is that it “entertains” and “seduces” and “provokes emotion” and “moves one to action” and “stirs memories”.

It has had a profound effect upon you. It has surrounded you during both good and bad times in your life. It was a friend when you had no friends. It was good company when you felt alone. It was a gift you gave to someone.

If it were not addicting… if it was harmless… if it was just good, clean fun – then why does your flesh rebel when others talk about ridding your system of it?

Remember that the enemy was created as the perfect musician. Add to the fact that Jesus called him the father of lies and you get a very wicked weapon in the hands of his disciples. The enemy longs to be right. He longs to be worshipped. He longs to have all power over you.

As I said… he plays to his strengths and his strengths are in music. He has created music of the flesh, music of the night, music that is systematically placed in every day of your life.

He not only knows how to write the perfect song, but creates music that was at one time intended for personal worship toward God. He knows perfect chord progressions to make the human heart weep. He knows perfect rhythm patterns to make human feet to dance. He writes perfect lyrics to bring tears to human eyes… all with the incredible sales ability to tell us that it’s harmless.

It’s just entertainment. True worshippers start to fall away from the entertainment of the flesh and as we get closer to God we begin to see with spiritual eyes and desire music that is “powerful” and not “harmless”. Worship that brings anointing (an anointing that can break every yoke – Isaiah 10:27) BREAKS things. If music is “harmless” – and can’t have the power to set darkness on it’s heels… then the “anointed cherub” is ok with that.

But we should never be. We say we want more in our lives. More power. More joy. More anointing. More of God. That comes with “breaker” music.

Remember when you stopped playing that certain video game because one day you woke up and realized that there was no purpose to it? There was no future to it? There was more to life than all time you’ve wasted?

It’s the same with mindless music. God wants so much more for us… but like children we cry and rebel because we think someone is taking away our precious music. Music that in fact is not very precious at all.

What are we hanging on to? Why are we hanging on to it? If it’s no big deal, then why does your flesh fight to give it up? We find ourselves fighting to hang on to the ungodly and the mundane and the powerless… and we have aligned ourselves with a darkness that has us convinced that we MUST not let go of it.

We are in the fight of our lives with an enemy that plays to his strengths. Be careful that his strengths have not become your addiction.

71.

Does This Smell Bad to You?

Tainted Worship

If you didn’t get a chance to hear the message yesterday, remember that you can view it now online at Streetfire Ministries. I am in the midst of a summer series on Worship, and more specifically, worship that is tainted and lukewarm.

The core scripture that I have chosen in this teaching is found:

2Ch 16:1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha (bah-shaw’

From an unused root meaning to stink; offensiveness; Basha, a king of Israel: – Baasha.) king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, (A HIGH PLACE)

1Ki 15:11 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.

1Ki 15:16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Let me preface a word today by saying that whenever you see the name “Judah” in scripture, it translates out to “praise” and/or “worship”. We can see by these scriptures that in a turbulent time of a split kingdom, there was a king of Judah and a king of Israel.

Asa was the king of Judah. Asa was also a picture of what we see in the prophetic desire of God Himself:

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

I believe Asa was a type of an Old Testament saint who was representative of “true worship”. If you read the accounts of King Asa, you will find that he not only made a stand against the religious, but even against those in his own family who tried to retain a “tainting of worship” by hanging on to their old ways and other forms of worship.

When you allow compromise or other forms of worship “ALONG SIDE” of what is true, that which is true will become tainted. The enemy is a master of compromise. He wants just enough in your life to “taint the true”. It is a little leaven that will leaven the whole loaf of bread. A little sin can destroy an entire life. Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

You see… the enemy comes in the area of human logic, man made religion, emotion in the human heart – and anything else that the realm of the flesh has access to. He doesn’t come as an ogre with a club… he comes “as a friend” trying to relate. (Remember the garden? He came with a few soothing words… “No, you don’t understand. This is what God really meant. It’s not a death sentence. You will not die”. Working the chambers of the human mind with reason and explanation, and bringing a false peace into the human heart. )

We have religions today that make it perfectly ok to compromise freely. It teaches us that a little sin every day is not harmful.

We work hard to keep all the financial principles of God, we say all the right things to those who know we are Christians, we go to church on most Sundays and perhaps we even have a Christian radio station playing once in a while. But in our hearts we are harboring bitterness, anger, lust, adultery, gossip, pride, marketing ourselves… and we feel that it’s ok to just hang on to a little bit.

After all… everyone’s not perfect… and God understands my heart. That sentence right there has it’s roots in the garden of Eden. If we are adapting to the little sins that have crept in instead of resisting and fighting them with every thing we have within us… those little sins will overtake us and soon our entire life of Christianity will be tainted.

Soon, we are no longer leading people to the safety of Christ, but giving them a place to live comfortably in their sin. When sin becomes comfortable, when it becomes acceptable, when we choose to accept it rather than fight it – be careful, because the next bites of the fruit are being served by an enemy that has convinced you that he has your best interest in mind.

Sin a little bit every day? Mix the world’s “music of the night” with God’s music of the light…. Not harmful?

Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Offend in one point. That should shake most of you to your very core. The evidence of a little justified sin in your life is an evidence that you have fallen prey to a hostile takeover.

The religious tells us that Sundays are enough. God’s music on a Sunday morning is enough. I challenge you to go back and listen to the FULL teaching yesterday. When you allow your worship to be compromised… it is an evidence that you have become religious and your power can’t go forth nor can you receive. (…to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.)

I would hope that one of the main points that you took away from yesterday was that the true worshippers begin to separate themselves from the music of the world. Your desire dwindles for anything but God. Things you used to listen to just don’t satisfy any more. If you are not there yet… you are NOT a true worshipper.

True worship is a key. Jesus told us that our access to Heaven, our access to financial freedom, our access to a healthy relationship, our access to a strong anointing are just beyond LOCKED DOORS. To open those doors, you need a KEY.

Psa_100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Mat_16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Isa_22:22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

You that are still listening to the music of this world and you tell me that it’s not harmful, I put forth to you… there is no power in ANY music but by the Spirit of God. When I am in crisis and I need to enter locked gates, I have a key of thanksgiving. When I am broken hearted and I need to go through locked doors of His court, I have a key of praise. When I need to pour my heart out in the Holy of Holies, I have a key of worship.

Next time you are in trouble and you stand beyond the locked doors of Heaven, try standing in front of those massive, Holy doors, singing one of those old country songs or love songs or operatic favorites. See how fast that door will open.

You can be using a key that looks good and feels right and seems as if it is harmless… and you’re right. It’s harmless in that it can’t get through to open the doors of the Spirit of God. If your key is not cut precisely by the Spirit of God, you will weary yourself and may even break the key off in the lock… but that door will not open by any other music than God’s.

There are those who want to sing the world’s music when everything is going good. Crisis comes and you find yourself running to Heaven’s gate with a hymn. That is a type of religion. That is “Baasha” – setting up a very stinky and offensive compromise in your JUDAH. Nothing will go out… and Nothing can come in.

If you are one in crisis today and you can’t seem to get through to Heaven? Check your song list… or your “play list”. Is it laced with compromise or does it all belong to God? If He didn’t author the songs, it won’t open the doors. If He didn’t anoint the music, it won’t break any of the yokes.

True worshippers are about to emerge and come forth in this world and Worship as we know it in the true church of Jesus Christ is about to change and evolve back to the headwaters of all life. God is about to put a separation between the Holy and the profane.

There is a call going forth that was prophesied in the gospel of John: “I MUST worship Him…”

72.

Nothing Can Separate Us

A Separation, But Not From His Love

As I was praying this morning and am preparing to go and walk with Him… I want to be prepared for the time of prophetic worship tonight. I am feeling that there is a great excitement… and something powerful is upon us!

Here is what I was reading this morning in the Word.

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is a two-edged sword… first a warning to those who set themselves up as judges and critics in the body of Christ. Secondly to you who have been judged… whether fairly or unfairly – it is God that brings the justice. Not man. NOT YOU. Not ME.

And through all of what we walk through on this earth, these scriptures assure us that no matter what we face, what we walk through, what comes against us, or whatever deeds we do in the body – whether good or bad… there is NOTHING that can separate us from His love.

He brings a powerful reminder this morning to someone who is reading this that has been convinced that you are sitting in defeat. You, in fact, are NOT defeated, but are MORE than a conqueror.

Because of this love. Now… that being said… there are certain places that your sin has prevented you from going and certain blessings that you can NOT possess due to the nature of your unbelief, your sin or your lack of obedience.

But even in missing the boat, so to speak concerning places He WANTED you to go… even there – you can NOT be separated from His love. And that’s quite unsettling for a Christian – especially if he is backslidden.

You are not in the place you should be, you are not doing the things you should be doing, you are not in the mindset that will get you through… and yet. And yet – His love can not be separated from you.

I hear so many people say… “Would a loving God send people to hell?” Well… first of all, hell is a place that we decide to go. We make our choices and purchase our eternal Real Estate with the life we live here on earth.

The scripture says… “…if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” (Psalm 139:8) Notice it DOESN’T say… if he makes my bed in hell. We are people of free will and free choice. Even where we go doesn’t stop Him from loving us.

That may be a bit hard to wrap your head around. These passages of scriptures remind us that we will NEVER be able to use the excuse… “nobody loves me” or “God didn’t love me”. It’s kind of like a friend of mine who lived in Pontiac. He crossed over to a life of gangs and violence – and even though his dad did not condone the activity, warned him of the activity and tried to get him out of the activity several times, he couldn’t stop the insanity.

Through it all, his dad was disappointed, saddened, frustrated, angry… but never once stopped loving his son. This young man’s life ended on his knees and was shot point blank in the back of his head – “execution style” so that the front of his face was not even recognizable to his family when they came to identify the body.

At the morgue his father never stopped loving him. The father is convinced that his son made his choice to purchase a place in hell. Still he loves him. Though the son was gone since 1987, he loved him until his own death 24 years later.

If you have made choices or carried attitudes and mind sets that have kept you an arms length away from your promised land… or, your “promises”, it will be on you… not upon God. He sets the boundaries and uses a powerful little word in scripture… “if”. Your path is conditional even though His love is NOT.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

And

2Ch 7:19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

2Ch 7:20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.

One thing is sure in these passages. His love can not be separated from you. You see, God is not willing that any should perish. He doesn’t take pleasure in enforcing the rules and guarding the boundaries when you have made bad choices… but He does take pleasure in those same boundaries and rules when they keep His creation safe.

God will love you in life. God will love you in death. That is a wonderful feeling in heaven, but an incredibly horrible scenario if you are in hell. To be separated from someone who loves you is one of the worst feelings on this earth. I can’t even imagine what it would be like through eternity.

Knowing that God loves you – it should really cause us to take a new look at this scripture: 2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Your actions will never remove his love… but they can remove His presence.

73.

Sick and Tired

Who Are You Blaming For Your Misery?

As I was away with the Lord this morning, I realized that He had been placing a word in me for a few days now… hinting, giving me background, what I thought were random thoughts turned into a strong word this morning and prevented sleep.

This word deals with the aftermath of the anointing. Especially a deliverance anointing.

Anointing breaks every yoke. Yokes when they are broken can leave you feeling vulnerable and lightheaded and without security.

In a warped way, our flesh has so adapted to being under the bondage of the yoke on our lives that we don’t feel comfortable when that yoke is removed… even if the yoke was bad or restrictive.

I remember that after I had broken my neck, they took me out of the circle bed with pins drilled into my skull and they placed me in a “Minerva cast” which is rarely used in this day and age. It was a body cast that encased my head and went down to my waist.

I felt as if I were encased in a tomb with only a circle opening for my face and small ear holes.

When it was first put on, it was very restrictive and in fact was so tight I could not open my mouth to speak or to eat. They had to “stretch” the opening. As the plaster tightened and became hard around me, I felt claustrophobic. I am that way to this day from the experience. Someone with childhood asthma having his lungs so they can not expand caused severe problems.

But I got used to it. It became a part of me for 8 weeks. I lost a ton of weight and toward the end, my “turtle shell” had become loose on me… it smelled horrible… and it caused the incisions on the back of my head to itch like crazy.

I can remember that it became such a part of me, that on the day the doctors cut it off, I immediately lost my “cast weight” – and although I felt free, I was nauseous. I had grown so accustomed to this yoke that when it was removed, it was like my security had been taken and I felt vulnerable. I couldn’t stand, I was sick. It took me a while before I could even perform normal functions.

When we are set free from something we have fought a long time, the security of the job… or, the “fight itself” is gone and it leaves us a little empty. It leaves us a little vulnerable. This is the aftermath of the anointing. It’s like a soldier back from the battle. Glad to be home, but everything he’d trained for and was a part of was now behind him.

It takes a great anointing to defeat a powerful enemy. When we are not fighting a powerful enemy, the anointing is not as strong. It is in these periods “after the fight” that we need to be very careful where we step.

Yesterday I brought you a message that dealt in part with Elijah after all the Baal prophets had been slain. A powerful day indeed. But after a powerful day comes… the next day. It can be a day free of the battle, but filled with emptiness, loneliness, fear and idleness. All of those are dangerous agents of the enemy. They love Mondays… especially after the powerful Sunday gatherings.

I talked yesterday about Elijah blaming others because God was not moving. In times of rest, we can not confuse this as God “not doing anything”. It may be that He has designed a day or days for your restoration and recovery.

We also need to realize that God is working whether we see it or not. He may not be doing what YOU think He should be doing, but then again, your thoughts are not His thoughts, and thank God for that.

Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

As I said yesterday, when you feel that God is not doing “enough” to meet your expectations, or if He is not seemingly and openly moving in a spectacular way through the “events” of your day – (i.e.: the earthquake, the wind and the fire surrounding Elijah) it can bring second guessing, fears, pity, pride, and that dreaded feeling of “Oh God, I am the only one doing what I should be doing and you’re not moving because I have no help. There’s not enough people in the prayer room, I don’t have a mega-church, my friend Lazarus died and the pastor didn’t even make a hospital visit…”

Blame is a spirit. It comes during times of frustration, during hours of worry or regret, it pops up in the midst of great fear, and it certainly always comes when you feel slighted, abandoned, wounded and in pain, embarrassed or in times of “missed opportunities”.

In the garden, the serpent accused and blamed God for not being truthful in His Word.

When we don’t get all that we feel we should be getting… it has to be someone’s fault. At times, we blame ourselves. Now… sometimes this is called accountability and that is healthy if it is a learning moment, but self blame that leads to condemnation can be very deadly. In cases of suicide, you can see where blame has been hunting by the tracks it leaves.

God has GOT to be in control of your every situation. I challenge you to enter your next devastation without blaming anyone. Chalk it up to God’s hand for a specific purpose – even if you don’t know at the time, what that purpose is.

Blame is much like the spirit of bitterness in that it bills itself as a drug to anesthetize your flesh. It makes your flesh in some warped way, feel better. It convinces you that it’s not as painful if you can blame someone else. I warn you now… that like any other drug, each time you use it, you need more of it to pacify your flesh – until you are totally addicted to it. At the end of the scenario, no amount of it can come close to masking your pain as your flesh has adapted to it.

When blame stops working as a pain blocker, you reach for a stronger drug of choice… alcohol, pot, violence, suicide, hatred and murder, just to name a few.

I love that scripture that Joseph used when he chose not to blame God, his circumstance or even his own brothers who were responsible for his early hardships of pit and prison.

Gen 50:19-20 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Joseph could see a bigger picture for the events in his life. A healthy Christian diet happens when we take two things off the menu. Excuses and Blame.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

All things? Really? Yes… for two classes of Christian. Those that LOVE God and those who are called BY God. The pit? The prison? The cross? Good??? Yes, to those who can SEE a bigger picture… someone who can HEAR a bigger God… someone who can be a bigger person by casting away the temptation to BLAME.

74.

The Ministry of All Alone

Oh God… I feel so alone in what you’ve called me to.

Psa 102:7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.

There is a danger when the thing you are called to becomes cumbersome. There is a danger if your “works” become religious, traditional, prideful and tedious. When this happens, you WILL become judgmental and critical of others… accusing them of a lack of works, a lack of focus, a lack of caring, a lack of a love for God. The enemy has successfully gotten your eyes off of God in your work… to flesh who surround the work but have no part in it.

Nobody comes to your prayer meeting. Nobody comes to your garage sale. Nobody comes to your aid in the work and calling you are called to. When this happens, you can become a pawn of the enemy instead of a soldier of the Lord and the very work you are called to can become a “chore” rather than a “joy”.

If you have this great idea… and nobody shows up… “pride and pity” come and tell you that nobody cares but you. Nobody wants a move of God but you. Nobody is as dedicated as you are. Nobody is as focused as you are.

If you can’t be satisfied with the work itself and you need to see great and natural results… check your motivation. When God calls you to something, and you obey Him in it… that should ALWAYS be reward enough.

This usually happens to young Christians, but I have seen a great influx of this also in Christians who have not been patient enough to wait upon God for His moving. When God says “wait” or “labor” or “stand” – it can be a trying thing… and if you find yourself called to something… all alone, you get mad at others who don’t participate. You can see others as “unfocused” or “not caring” or “not on fire for God”.

BE CAREFUL in the work that you are called to. Any work that God calls you to, you will walk into it with great excitement… but when the labor begins, the consuming of your time, the lack of help from people around you and the seemingly appearance of God not moving – you will be visited by a critical and a judgmental spirit.

Notice that Jesus was careful to tell his disciples: Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

That HE would send forth laborers. Not that they would get mad that the laborers were few or get mad at those who weren’t laboring or laying guilt trips on those who were busy watching their televisions…

I have found a simple rule in anything I am doing in God: When people coerce, rebellion is strong. That’s human nature. When God coerces, the work is strong. That’s spiritual nature.

When God prompts and calls and sends, those laborers will remain. The workforce YOU recruit will leave. How confident are you in your prayer life?

How confident are you in asking God for laborers and then being patient until He sends them? How confident are you in asking God for more of His Spirit in the church and then being patient until He sends it?

There are two glaring examples in scripture that bear this out. One in the Old Testament, and one in the New. The one in the New Testament I shared a few weeks ago with a message called “The Ministry of One”.

It deals with Martha. Called to serve but finding herself doing things FOR God instead of IN God. There is a difference and if you don’t know it… ask.

Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

This is a woman who was laboring. In the labor, frustration set in. Perhaps she dropped a spoon on the floor. Perhaps she was running behind schedule. Perhaps she was overwhelmed in what she was doing. When this happens, there is an enemy that comes and wants you to take your eyes off the task and on to those who are idle.

This is so dangerous in the body of Christ. But this happens all the time. It is a trait of human nature. When stress or sweat or the feeling of being overwhelmed hits in the task, right away your eyes turn to people for help. We forget the Psalm: 121:1-2 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

It happens to me all the time. In even the little things. Recipe for an exploding volcano: I can be vacuuming and work up a bit of a sweat, something gets into the hose that clogs up the tube, I smell something burning, I notice that the bag needs to be changed, and suddenly the 10 minute job I took on joyfully is turning into an hour affair.

I get so frustrated that as I am searching for vacuum cleaner bags that I have misplaced, I catch someone in the house watching TV or playing video games or reading a book… and suddenly… “THAR SHE BLOWS!” I get mad at everyone else for not helping me. I get mad at everyone else for not being able to read my mind and know that I am having a hard time. I get mad at everyone else because OBVIOUSLY it’s their fault.

Martha went to the Lord and complained, thinking she was going to be vindicated, but she was in fact, rebuked. When people take their eyes off of the Lord in the midst of the storm, they tend to see the wind and the waves. They complain to the Lord and when He doesn’t rebuke people, they go to other people to gain “support” for their cause. They invite people to their pity party. This, by the way, falls under the auspices of “gossip” and can be very deadly in a church setting. Complaints against congregants, elders, those in leadership. All because very simply… they are not called to your great idea.

They are not called to your calling. Oh, you can recruit them, but then you have them overwhelmed and looking to complain and attack others.

Pretty soon you have a lynch mob instead of a prayer meeting.

Yesterday I instituted yet another avenue for people to walk. I called it the Enoch Trail. I did it with the expectation of pleasing HIM. NOBODY may even show up. But it’s what HE called me to do. Will I find myself walking alone? NEVER. He’s there. The invitations have gone forth and I am asking HIM to send those of HIS choosing.

Some of the prophetic meetings on Fridays and Sundays have been packed. But some nights have had only a handful. Does this and should this “discourage”? (Remember that discourage means to let go of something) My reward and my satisfaction is just as great on those meeting nights as when I am sitting at my piano at 4 AM in His presence. The key phrase… “in His presence”. You don’t need people there. All you need is HIM.

Love that old Barry McGuire song… “I don’t care what you came to do, but I came to praise the Lord”. It’s time to get your eyes off of people and back upon your calling. Why you are doing what you are doing. What is your motivation?

The Old Testament teaching on this: A prophet you may know as Elijah. After a great time of anointing… all of a sudden God wasn’t moving as Elijah wanted Him to. He got frustrated and overwhelmed and fearful. (Yes, fear is another motivator to lash out against other people)

1Ki 19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1Ki 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Why did I print two verses that were exactly the same? If you look closer, they are not exactly the same. There is one word that is different. One word changes the whole complexion of what Elijah is saying. Can you find it?

It is the 15^th word. (A “six” if you are looking at the Biblical numerology). A “man” word. Elijah is careful in verse 10 to remind the Lord of the situation… but then as He does, God doesn’t move like Elijah was anticipating.

(Read below verses 11-12) God wasn’t IN what was happening. God wasn’t MOVING as Elijah thought HE should. All of a sudden – and after the great deliverance service of the previous month, nothing seemed to be happening. God all of a sudden wasn’t in the wind or the landslide or the earthquake or the fire and Elijah had to blame somebody because of a lack of the moving of the Holy Spirit.

1Ki 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

1Ki 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

And because there was not that great anointing like the day the Baal prophets were slain, Elijah looked to blame someone. I mean… he was going to die and it was ALL THEIR FAULT.

The fifteenth word in verse 14 changed to “BECAUSE”. Blame. Do you think that it’s someone’s fault because you are not in the ministry? Do you think it’s someone’s fault because you’re ministry is not packed out? Do you think it’s someone’s fault because you are overwhelmed and all alone?

It comes down to a very simple concept of trust. Trust. Obey. Trust. Obey. Don’t look at the circumstance or the outcome or that your anticipation has been left disappointed… Can you trust God in your calling? Can you be satisfied if it’s just you and Him all alone on a mountain where everything around you is crashing and popping and happening – but not where you are.

Stay your course. Do NOT recruit… but rather pray. Do NOT get critical… but rather praise. Do NOT blame… but rather speak His word.

Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

You can accomplish so much though all alone… when you realize that you are not… all alone and called to walk with Him.

75.

Let’s Take a Walk

Walking With God

I want you to read the following verses and tell me what you see as a common thread:

Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

2Ch 7:17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Jer 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

I hope that you have all come to the common conclusion that the common thread is a “walk” with the Lord. I found the following article from the Rodale News that gives us 8 benefits of walking. Isn’t it funny that God invents something and until man researches it and gives it a thumbs up, we don’t credit Him with just how great and powerful an invention it was.

“Walking is known to melt your thighs and perk up your bum. But its healthy résumé boasts some even more impressive accomplishments, from cash savings to increasing the odds of survival for breast cancer patients. A lot of attention has been paid to getting in 10,000 steps of walking, jogging, or running a day. A 40-minute, two-mile walk will chip away half of those steps, and everyday activities can usually accumulate the other half.”

Another article then goes on to list 10 reasons for walking. TEN. God’s marriage covenant with man!

It lowers disease risk
It strengthens your heart
It keeps weight in check, tones the body and reduces body fat
It can help prevent dementia
It can help fade fibromyalgia pain
It can help prevent osteoporosis, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides levels
It reduces stroke risk
It can save your mind and boosts serotonin levels for happiness and reduces stress
Boosts vitamin D levels
Gives you energy

Now… this is the world telling us that it’s found such an incredible natural miracle cure for the ailments of life. Of course we know that God not only invented it, but back in the garden we find Him… “walking”.

This list of benefits are all natural and emotional, but the spiritual ramifications are equally as impressive. When you consider the following verses, you will see just a few things that can be accomplished with a walk with the Lord:

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Jos 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Luk 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Joh 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? Joh 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

I love Michigan… except for the dead of winter. It is the only time when I can’t really get out and walk. When that time of year comes, I try to either get to my treadmill or walk and pray. When nobody is home, I will walk through every room, up and down stairs, out to the porches – not stopping to be distracted.

Walking has always been a part of my life with the Lord. Walking or running. Someone once said, “I wish I could be in the ministry so I could find time to take a run every day”. Unless you find a time with Him every day, you NEVER WILL have a ministry. I need it… I crave it… I desire it – because with each walk He meets me. He speaks to me. He encourages me. He gives me solutions to problems. He encourages me when I am sad. He makes me laugh when I don’t feel like laughing.

As I mentor young ministers, I can not emphasize enough that you MUST establish a time with the Lord EACH DAY. A quiet time… where you can “WALK” with God or “RUN” with God in the cool of the garden. There are those who say, “Pastor Mark, I don’t believe I have to walk to be with the Lord.”

Oh, that’s fine… but I am answering the question to those who ask me – “What works for you? Why do you have the anointing you have? How do you get your messages? How do you move in the word of knowledge?”

As I have told people to find their own recipe with the Lord, I am not afraid to give you my recipe. Now… many people don’t have the time or won’t take the time to get out and be with God on His walks, but as for me, I am blessed because He has given me the desires of my heart.

I have been placed within a flock of sheep that tell me to get with the Lord. They encourage me to get alone with the Lord and to pray and to study. They don’t load me with traditional burdens or busy work to look like every other “desk jockey” in the body of Christ.

I am secluded with Him between 3 and 5 hours a day and I find that the more time I get, the more I crave Him. Recently I have been given a directive to “circle my city” and as I am circling the city, I worship, praise, pray, talk, weep and even laugh with Him. Some have read the book “Tuesdays with Morrie”. Mine would be my “Daily Walks with Jesus”.

Yesterday, for instance, I had lots of office work to contend with and I kept my nose to the grindstone with the thought… I can’t wait until we can be out walking together. The rain pelted us all day, but I felt that He would give us a window and He did. Finally about 6 PM the sun was faintly setting and I got out with Him. We had an incredible time as we always do and not ten minutes after I got home, the rain hit hard again.

I didn’t procrastinate in my window. So, yesterday He put upon my heart that line so overused by “covert Christians”. “Yes, I believe in a higher power.” Oh, I felt His displeasure as He spoke to me and yes, even ranted a bit. I was like… “Don’t hide your feelings, tell me what you really think”.

People can talk about “higher powers” and “I believe in God” and “I cast you out in the name of the one who Paul preaches about” – but He reminded me that there is a name above every name. A name where darkness abates and demons tremble. A name that makes your flesh uncomfortable when you speak it in public or to “cool unsaved people”. JESUS. Isn’t it funny that you tell people that you believe in God but never want to walk out on the water to where the Son is standing.

When you speak the name… The Father causes all HEAVEN to rejoice. You don’t realize, but when that name is spoken – God stands up and takes notice and BEAMS with His awesome love and power. It’s just like when someone will mention one of my children’s names… or prefaces something about them.

When they speak the name of one of my children, their face comes clear before mine. I just well up!!

That is just one of the cool things that happened yesterday! Walking with the Lord. It’s not only scriptural, but it’s powerful. Talk about a spiritual “power walk”… I challenge you to try it. Start small. 10 minute walk for a week. You start to get stronger and you start to get addicted… before you know it, you are spending over an hour.

I am going to be instructing the men of the church and giving opportunity to those young men that I mentor to join me for one of my walks during the week. I will teach by example. I will open you up to a whole new world of power and anointing.

Both Robin and I enjoy our times to walk and run with the Lord. We don’t make the run our priority, but we make Him the priority. He should not be a side benefit of your walk, but THE benefit.

1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Bodily exercise profits LITTLE. When your priority is the Lord, your spiritual exercise profits MUCH.

76.

Correct Nutrition

A Balanced Diet

I love Benny Hinn. I love Joel Osteen. I love Jimmy Swaggart. I love TD Jakes. I love Gregory Dickow. I love Joyce Meyer. I love Robin DeLap. I love Terry Lenstra. I love Mark Smith. I love Toby Tyler. I love Jack Hayford. I love Jack West. I love Adam DeLap. I love Jim Wilcox. All great preachers and teachers who prepare food for the body of Christ.

Each one prepares a different meal. I depend upon the Holy Ghost to help me with my plate as a child looks to a parent to prepare a balance. A little meat. Some potatoes. Cool greens. A refreshing drink. Warm bread. Tasty dips. And of course, a delightful dessert.

I have learned to never tell my Father what I won’t eat. I also won’t overbalance myself with too much of one thing and not enough of the other. I am also learning to be grateful for all the food on my plate and to not turn my nose up at something I think I don’t like.

I have told people on more than one occasion that I want to be a Master Chef… able to prepare a full and balanced meal for the people who come to my church. (No doughnut jokes here please…)

I like to say that Joel Osteen is a great pastry chef to the body of Christ – and what a gift he has for quick and tasty desserts. I can’t make an entire week’s meal, though from just the dessert tray. Nor can I just load up on carbs or pasta. I depend upon the Holy Ghost.

When I look back on my life, it is not to go back or try to recreate what I have done or relive that which I once lived. It is for perspective.

We learn and gain wisdom from experience. I can truly say, Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. The Lord is doing great things for me! I strive for a balance in all the things I do.

To strike a great balance in your life and balanced health in your spirit, I believe that your story must be written as John the beloved recorded the words of Christ Himself. Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Balance in your life will bring wisdom, stability, security, peace and joy. To achieve the balance we must have a healthy balanced diet of the preceding verse. We must reflect, learn and teach from the things which were. We must live fully in the things which are, reading the recipes from yesterday and planning the meals for tomorrow but never losing your focus of the day at hand. And we must anticipate and desire the things which are to come.

As much as I have been talking about the “look-ahead” recently, as a Pastor who longs to strike a balance in your heart, I want to make sure your pendulum doesn’t swing too far in any of the three areas needed for balance.

There are some who can not come away from the past. They live there. They long to be back there. Their televisions are set to the History Channel and that’s all they watch. They were “good old days” and they spend their “present” trying to recreate the past. This of course is not healthy. The past is to reflect upon the good memories, to find the learning points in the bad, and to gain perspective and wisdom for the memories you are making today and for the plans you are making tomorrow.

If you have burned your hand on a stove, it was an “experience”. A bad experience. If you learned from it, you have gained the wisdom to be healthy when you are presented with your choices around today’s stove or how you approach that fire tomorrow. There is room for remembering, but balance tells us that it can and must not consume us. Psa 77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

Today is a mixture. It is a delightful spread of memories, teachings, ability to experience your senses which you can not experience in the yesterday or the tomorrow. You can see things as they are happening today. You can smell things which are cooking. You can taste the fresh food. You can hear a fresh word. You can feel things that are living. You can sense the emotions, the temperatures, the climates, the anxiety, the joys, the emotions. It is a wonderful place that yesterday or tomorrow can not afford you.

However, when you lock yourself into yesterday or tomorrow, you are shutting down your senses of today. Luk 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

There are those, however that refuse to incorporate the experiences of yesterday and they also refuse to be architects for tomorrow. Each of those gifts in your today will bring something valuable. The gift to reflect and the gift to anticipate. Your today is the only place, however that you can actually “live” in.

You make your memories here. You gain experience for your wisdom here. In my today, I get to come face to face with Jesus Christ. I mean, it’s nice to have a story to tell about how I saw Him last week, and it’s nice to be able to anticipate how I’ll see Him, let’s say, in the rapture… but oh to be actual and real and face to face with Him in the RIGHT HERE AND NOW.

And finally, as I have written this week. The planning. The anticipation. The visions He wants me to write on tablets (Habakkuk 2). The joy of being safe at home. The bracing for a storm. The preparation for a throng of people coming to eat supper at our church. All the wonderful things He shares so that we can use part of our day to prepare.

Without a vision you can stagnate and you can perish! Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

If you balance your life with what was, what is and what is to come, I believe that you will enjoy a fullness and a joy in the Holy Ghost that can cause you too to say… The Lord is doing great things for me! Again… the secret is letting the Holy Ghost fill your plate and you eating all that has been placed before you. At the end of your daily meal… you go and take a nap!!

77.

There Will Be Restrictions

Sin will PUT you out and KEEP you from…

This past week, I have had some great times with the Lord and He has been so merciful and awesome. When I think of yesterday’s word, I think of the statement… “watch and pray” – which gives us occasion to look ahead in anticipation while occupying the place we are at.

As the bride of Christ – we need to keep a vigilant watch. (Luk 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Luk 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. )

I think one of the things that really stuck out this week has been the word on how He pursues us. When we try to separate ourselves, He comes looking for us. Whether we are hiding in a garden or a sheep that has wandered away from the 100.

As I walked with Him yesterday, I kept thinking about how much our lives can affect others – and how we can influence others with our personal decisions we make. Eve’s decision to eat of the fruit of the tree was a choice of the will.

Though Adam was created first, she was the first to eat and disobey. It doesn’t say that they ate of it together. She ate and then influenced her husband. Her eyes were opened first and then his… and then they both sought a solution to cover the sin with fig leaves which are a type of their own justification and their own righteousness.

It was really a way for them to live in the sin AND to remain in the garden. Of course, this can not be. You can’t live for God and live in sin. It is because we serve a Holy God and the garden was a Holy place.

That same mentality is in the world today. We want to justify our sin so that we can feel comfortable in church. We want to cover ourselves with our own righteousness so we can be in the presence of God. Churches that are not declared a Holy place will be places of safety for our sin.

There are things that are off limits for Christians. There are things that we struggle with. There are influences in the world that tell us… “all the other ‘kids’ are doing it, so it must be ok… it is popular so I have to do it…it’s fun so I want to do it.”

One of the lessons we learn in the garden is the bottom line that you can’t be in the place and presence of God while hiding your sin. It’s one thing to be struggling with sin and fighting it… but hiding it… that’s another thing entirely. At times in my life I have been placed in “gardens of his Holiness” and although it was beyond words, my sin had caused me to be put out of that place. The garden is similar to the place and the calling that God has you.

Another look at this is in the book of Joshua when God is giving His instructions for being in a “garden” of victory. The promised land. When you enter into a promised place, the first thing you must be is obedient. And part of that obedience is removing the things that can take you out of His will.

Jos 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

Notice here that there are things in the world that, although they seem innocent enough, they are there to steal your very place in God. How innocent was eating a piece of fruit… and yet that fruit stole their very innocence. This scripture tells us that when we take in the things of the world, it is not as taking in an apple or a salad… it doesn’t pass from us. We ingest it and it becomes a part of us.

Beyond that… this scripture tells us that the very place we are in becomes tainted. If you are harboring sin, whether it is gossip or murder or any sin in between, your job, your home, your place of worship can all be tainted and you will be put out of that place that He has you.

I noticed something very infamous in the story of the fall. When God pursued them, it was with the intent of hoping that they would not only own up to their sin, but that they would make themselves accountable. Instead, the sin didn’t drive them TO God… it drove them AWAY from God. God had to come looking for them.

With the Holy Ghost within us, we hear Him say as we are presented with opportunities to sin… “Don’t do it… Don’t do it… put that slanderous tongue down and back away…” It is at that point we are allowed to make our decision.

I often find myself questioning whether this free will thing is really in my best interest as I am quick to speak and slow to listen. I often hear myself saying… “God, I’m no good on my own, I really need your guidance”. I am torn between what is right and what is wrong – and depending on the food I’ve ingested that day, I either sin or walk away.

The soul (bodily function) is controlled by either your spirit or your flesh. Whichever one you feed on a daily basis, that is the strong man within you.

Six hours of mindless television or internet vs a ten minute conversation with the Lord. The flesh is the strong man. Instead of eating the word in the garden, they ate of the disobedience.

And after we sin, we bolt. We find ways and busy things to keep us from God and His church and His people.

That is the nature of the flesh. To run and hide. To duck and cover. When we start to feel bad about something we have done, it’s not “our conscience” – but rather, the Lord who has come and found us.

Notice that after their eyes were opened, God gave them a chance to RUN to Him. But in that period after the sin, when they had a choice to deal with it, they used their minds rather than their hearts. God is longsuffering. He knew they had sinned. He waited for a knock on His door, but all He heard was silence.

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Now… I don’t know about you, but people who weren’t taught to sew all of a sudden became seamstresses. How long do you think it was before God came looking? I venture to say, that He gave them more than enough time to make things right. They had enough time to take up a new profession. They were supposed to dress the garden… but sin caused them to dress themselves (Gen 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.)

They not only took up a new profession and started a new apron clothing line, they had ample time to “hide”… and they hid “amongst the trees of the garden”. They tried to blend in with the surroundings of holiness and instead, stuck out like sore thumbs. The angels were playing that old game, “circle the things that don’t belong”.

And as God found them, He again gave them ample opportunity to own their sin. They instead chose to blame. Like wounded and cornered badgers they lashed out at God and one another.

God wouldn’t remove what they would not admit to and instead of removing their sin… He in essence gave them “last call”, “You want to live with this, I’ll give you a covering. And since this place is a place of holiness, you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

I often wonder what would have happened if they would have admitted the sin… owned it… pursued God to make it right. Would we all or could we all still be in a garden state? And by garden state, I’m not talking New Jersey.

I remember two things this morning. A smartly dressed couple leaving their home for the last time and a few hundred thousand people wearing the jewelry of Egypt, all dressed up and nowhere to go… circling an upscale neighborhood for 40 years.

Sin can put you out of the place prepared. Sin can keep you from getting to the place prepared. In both cases the sin was not murder, adultery, pedophilia, homosexuality… it was disobedience, murmuring and complaining. It can affect every place the soul of your foot touches and it in fact can affect all those around you.

So… if things like disobedience and complaining can either put you out or keep you out, what makes you think that you can “hide amongst the trees” with a greater sin?

Whatever you are harboring today – whether it be bitterness or unforgiveness or gossip or slander or anger or adultery or murder… God is pursuing you.

You either want to get to the garden of God’s calling today or arrive at the promises that were given you that you can’t inherit due to your sin. God is pursuing you.

You may be well dressed and hiding within the confines of the world… but I know that your heart aches for His Holiness. Own it. Confess it. Don’t cover it… Let Him remove it. Don’t make Him come looking for you… because you KNOW He will.

Isa 1:18-20 Come now, and let us reason together, smith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

78.

Anticipation

Anticipating Tomorrow

This morning I want to talk about some of the visions and dreams that have been coming in concerning Heaven. Testimonies are coming forth and even movies are being made. What an awesome time that we are in.

Now, whenever I begin to pass these on or take a look ahead toward revival or the rapture of the church or even Heaven itself, I immediately get flooded with those who will throw out the cautions…. “Oh, don’t look ahead when you have right now” and “We shouldn’t focus on coming events and miss the events of the day” and on and on and on.

If you go back and really READ the Bible… much is written and predicated on the “look-ahead” and if it were bad to desire what is coming, Jesus would have told us. What we do find in scripture is that in the end times, Luke writes: Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

When the Spirit is poured out there will be dreams and visions. Why would we caution people not to share what the Spirit pours out? Now… I know that there needs to be a balance between your today and your tomorrow. That’s just healthy. But… I’m not kidding…. When I write about looking forward to something – I get the extremists that refuse to dream. They refuse the visions for fear of missing something.

Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

People will stagnate and they will die if they are discouraged in looking ahead to what God’s got planned. I thank God for my vision of revival… for my vision of the catching away and of course, my vision for Heaven. It doesn’t consume me, but it leads me forward and keeps me much alive.

And… I desire what I am looking forward to. The Apostle Paul said, Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Paul had a desire for what he was shown in the Spirit. It didn’t hinder his walk here on earth, but the desire and to share that desire was not a bad thing…. AND he didn’t keep it to himself.

When Christ Himself came to John on the Island of Patmos, there was a striking statement presented in the first chapter: Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

When the church does not promote a vision or does not share the coming events, there can be much stagnation without anticipation. That teaching comes from fear. “What if it doesn’t happen?”

If Jesus didn’t want us to keep our eyes on the prize, He wouldn’t have presented it – nor would he have had John tell the church.

We read in the gospels about the prophetic signs of the times, we read in Paul’s writings about the graphic nature of the catching away and we actually see through John’s eyes the splendor of Heaven.

In the 21^st Chapter of the Book of Revelation we read what is recorded about that New Jerusalem and I am geeked about going. Even in the old testament, Abraham was not looking for a city made by men, but in Hebrews 11 it tells us that HE was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God.

In the gospel of John, Jesus tells us about His Father’s house with many mansions where a place is being prepared.

One thing you should NEVER discourage is anticipation when someone is looking ahead to what God has shown them. It’s like throwing a wet blanket over a fire. The fire of the Holy Ghost is constantly reminding us, warning us, teaching us and showing us the things of tomorrow as securely as He gets us through today.

I love my today… but it doesn’t stop me from anticipating my tomorrow. I love what God has done. I love what He is doing. I also LOVE what He has shared about tomorrow. Many times in scripture the tomorrow was given so preparations can be made today.

And finally… Joshua, standing in front of those massive walls of Jericho in the dark of night, saw, by the light of the moon the guards on the walls and the amazing task at hand. The angel of the Lord comes and tells him to LOOK AHEAD. Not to look only at what was… but what was to come.

Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. Jos 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

In those two scriptures God explains what the situation was and what the situation was going to be. The Lord said to Joshua… SEE. SEE. SEE. See that the city was destroyed. See that the enemy was in Joshua’s hand.

Well… Pastor Mark we shouldn’t really look ahead to that time or an event because we might want to live for an event that won’t ever happen. And we’re fine right where we are. Yeah… those who died in the wilderness had that same mentality as they refused to look forward, to see a future and to claim tomorrow’s promises. To claim tomorrow’s promises, you also can’t forget that today we prepare.

Joseph got in trouble for looking ahead… for dreaming… for anticipating. To get to the place of actuality, he went through many trials and tribulations. Some pastors would say it was because he couldn’t live for the moment. I say that is false doctrine. Joseph spoke his dream and he went, unafraid through the testing to get to where he was supposed to be. The events drove him to WHO he was going to be. The dreams drove him to WHERE he was going to be.

Speak your dreams. Shout your visions. Anticipate tomorrow’s blessings while you diligently perform and enjoy the duties of today.

Now… here’s the rub. We are not to worry about tomorrow… but to anticipate it with joy. “IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE”. “I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN”

79.

God Ran…

God doesn’t Run FROM you

These are some scriptures that I have been chewing on for about a week. I shared a little last Friday night at the prophetic. Let’s see the scriptures one by one.

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

The first thing we see here is that animals had the ability to speak… or at least some did. Perhaps it was man who was so advanced and so perfect in the beginning that he could know the animals thoughts. Either way, I believe that as a perfect creation, we were able to communicate with animals.

It doesn’t tell us how many hours or days or years that man was alone on the earth before the woman was created, but suffice to say, Adam had not only been presented with every animal God created, but Adam NAMED each animal.

Gen 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

It must have been an exhausting work because after he alone (before Eve was created) named each animal, the Bible says that Adam fell into a deep sleep. (vs 21) It was in this deep sleep that God created from him, a helper… fit perfectly to stand at his side and to conduct the business of the garden. (Adam’s job in the garden was to “dress” and “keep” it)

So, let’s think about this. Adam considered the personality and the character of each animal and named that animal accordingly. This serpent in it’s very name from the Hebrew translation was an animal that could not be trusted and the only animal that came with a warning to “beware”.

Adam had witnessed this animal “in action” and saw the caution that was needed in dealing with it. This also gives credibility to the idea that within the garden were dangers of influence. Does it sound like anything has changed today?

We are still being influenced by an enemy that can cause us to fall. What I want to put forth this morning is the myth that after you sin, God has to “look away” – and you have to run and scramble to find Him because He has left you.

This can not be farther from the truth. It is not only evidenced in this scripture in Genesis, but see my cross reference in Psalms:

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

And

Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

And

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

God does not run and hide when we sin. Jesus is our shepherd and when we stray, HE COMES LOOKING FOR US. As it was in the garden, as it was in the time of David, as it was in the time of Jesus on the earth…. As it is today!

It is His heart to finish His work in us. No matter how many times we fall and fail. As our own child who continues to fall down, we will never grow weary with picking them up.

The interesting thing in the garden is as tragic as it is today. What happens when we sin and God comes to find us. We run from the truth. We flee from confession. We want to justify the sin and put the blame on others.

Well… “it was the woman YOU gave me” or “it was the serpent who beguiled me”. As we run from the confession we tend to distance ourselves from the place God put us. I always wonder what would have happened if Adam or Eve would have taken responsibility for their action. Would it have made a difference as to their environment.

Knowing God’s persistence and His character, it may have been a different story. As it is today in HIS restoration. Perhaps someone today has been “put out” of the place they are supposed to occupy. Perhaps the pride in saying “I’m sorry” is so strong that it has taken you out of your own “garden” that God put you.

Is sin your parent’s fault? Is it the fault of your spouse? Are you pleading ignorance – even though you were called to name that circumstance that was to confront you? Is it God’s fault? We don’t come equipped with mirrors, but perhaps we should always carry one to look into the eyes of the one who needs to take responsibility for the sin.

He will never quit pursuing you. He is driven by love. Even in your sin, He is driven by love. There was a couple that was responsible for the fall of an entire creation and still – God went looking for them. How wonderful for you today to know that although the enemy tries to convince you that your sin is the worst in the history of man… it really isn’t. And HE is so ready to restore.

80.

Chew Your Leg Off?

Are You Ensnared?

Is your glass half full? Do you consider yourself God’s law enforcement officer? Are you drawn to the critical in every situation? Do you always have to be heard especially with the last word? Do you have problems with other people’s promotions? Is it painful when the limelight doesn’t shine as brightly on you or your family? Do you always have to win? Are you anxious or angry for no apparent reason?

If you answered “yes” to any one of those questions, you may already be ensnared by the enemy. Those are things that wreck families, split churches, ruin friendships, cause brothers to separate and marriages to end. They are vile. And it is IMPOSSIBLE to stop the enemy from setting the snares. Of all the things Jesus said WERE possible, this is the one thing HE said was IMPOSSIBLE.

Do you know that there are people that can’t stand other people in the limelight? There are some in the world, and yes, even some in the body that can not rejoice when someone else is getting blessed. They are first to come and hug your neck, but from their mouth comes a backdoor compliment… “I’m so happy for you, but then of course, look at all that excess time you had to accomplish it… laugh out loud.” LOL. God is not laughing out loud no matter how many LOL’s you add.

It is a critical compliment hidden by humor but based in jealousy. It sets a stage for a competition of mud slinging… all in good fun of course. At least that is the rationalization.

Is it a tremendous spirit of competition? Can your competitive spirit justify the sin? Is it a spirit of bitterness and does your being hurt justify the sin? Does it stem from baggage from a horrible childhood and does this justify you to fight back?

Luk 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

skan’-dal-on a trap stick (bent sapling), that is, snare (figuratively cause of displeasure or sin): – occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumbling-block.

Critical Comments are offenses from the enemy. They are snares set along your path to cause you to fall into a prison of anger and criticism and bitterness. It can come from the most innocent place.

1Sa 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

1Sa 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

1Sa 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

The women complimented Saul, but not as greatly as they did David. Saul was angry because somehow, in some way, he felt that he was more entitled to more. It perhaps stemmed from never having enough in his life… but this “offense” was a SPIRIT. The Bible calls it an “evil spirit”. And exposing it now… will make it even more angry.

This pain of “offense” will yield a critical spirit. An evil spirit. A spirit that can cause you to be angry or violent or withdrawn or aloof for no apparent reason! And just the most innocent things can make it manifest.

You can not be happy when someone’s child is blessed or praised while your child is not (always) in the limelight. Someone’s daughter graduates from college and yours does not, and instead of seeing this as an opportunity to rejoice, all you can hear is the enemy telling you that everyone is looking at you as a failure. You can not rejoice when God is lifted up for a word someone brings while you sit idle and are not bringing forth words that render praise. Someone compliments a brother for his suit and you shrink back because nobody praises you for the casual shirt you are wearing.

Someone compliments you and you have to throw an off color and demeaning joke into the mix. It may seem funny, but “critical comedy” has roots based in the offense that has come to your own heart. We can throw out stinging jabs if there is humor connected to it because we can always tell people… “it was just a joke”…. “I was just joking”…. “don’t be so sensitive”.

And those jokes feel good until it is perceived that someone is catching on to the jealousy, and then you must quickly come with a back door compliment to cover the tracks.

The offenses are snares that the enemy sets up. An early snare is seen in the garden when the serpent sets a trap with the planted thought that God’s creation is not receiving all that they deserve. Jealousy. Control. One-upping. Usurping. Finding fault. The last word. Uncovering. Judging. Pointing of the finger. Critical humor.

These are all sent and meant to ensnare you. When the limelight is on someone else, you see at the same time, the lowlight being shined upon yourself. That is simply NOT TRUE. You are believing a lie.

Pro 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Pro 12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Pro 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Love is a covering. Love is letting someone else have the last word. Love is rejoicing fully in someone else’s success without having to cast a blemish to make yourself a little more comfortable with it.

Now… we ALL fall into these snares. The justification comes when we explain it away as our competitive nature or our lacking or abuse in childhood or that the blessing is coming to someone else who doesn’t “deserve” as you do. The enemy is very clever.

That being said, and having been found ashamed in the snare myself… many times… I offer this bit of good news. Although it is impossible for the enemy to quit placing the snares, there is a power that can give us insight to SEE them and the COURAGE to avoid them. Ahhhh… but it’s hard. There’s honey in that trap. Honey to your flesh… and although you are snared, that honey of bitterness and criticism tastes so good to your flesh. Some even become addicted and… can’t stop.

If you have been there or are there now… take heart that with man, these things are impossible, but with GOD all things are possible. Mar 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Our God is able to take you out of the pain of the trap. You can be happy in someone else’s success! You really can. You can be running a race… your enemy wins as you hit a bump and trip and fall face first into the mud… AND… you can see that though the excuse would make your flesh feel better, instead, you laugh with the people who are laughing WITH YOU instead of at you.

We have a way out when we fall into the pit. Don’t be afraid to admit you’re there. That is the first step to freedom! A first step is asking forgiveness… and then as He forgives you and releases you… forgive and release yourself. Forgive those in your childhood that withheld things or caused you to hurt. Forgive.

Forgive and forget? No – Forgive and remember how you got there and how you never want to be there again.

Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

And as He frees you and covers you… go and do that to someone else. Set a guard at the door of your heart and at the motivation of your tongue. Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

The sun is shining today… don’t curse it’s heat, praise it’s light. Tomorrow it may rain… don’t curse it because you can’t go to the beach, praise it for making your garden so much richer and more beautiful. Don’t curse darkness…. Light a candle.

In All things… PRAISE THE LORD.

Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

In all the love that Jesus had JUST shown Peter… Offense comes… and Peter steps into a snare because of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and diverted his own eyes toward his own betrayal.

Jesus takes Peter OUT of that trap, in essence, telling him, He is doing HIS job… you just do yours. Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

81.

After Life… Then What?

Soul Sleep? You’re kidding me right?

It seems like I started this about 10 hours ago!! So many things that had to be done today, concerning business, office work, family crisis, putting out fires…. Ahhhhhh but here it is… finally.

I was talking to my mom this morning about life after death experience. The Bible has several scriptures that counteract that doctrine of soul sleep or dirt naps. I think that one of the most vivid statements that counteracts this is a statement that Jesus made on the cross to one of his “cross mates”.

Luk 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

It’s not only what Jesus “said” that counteracts a lot of misconceptions of life after death, but also what HE “didn’t” say. He didn’t say, “You will go to sleep for 2,000 years and I will awaken you with a trumpet.” He didn’t say, “I will open the ground and pull you out of the dirt and decomposition.”

What He did say was… “THIS DAY.” And that, folks, is very significant to our core belief that there IS life after death. Jesus reinforces the scripture that was written years later by the Apostle Paul: “2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

I don’t often teach the logistics of why soul sleep or being put back into a grave until the last trump is lacking both scripture and credibility. A lot of the arguing is very pointless and many times is a trick of the enemy to get our eyes off the main idea to BE READY at all times.

In Luke 16:19-31 is another great argument against us sleeping or being at rest.

Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

And at this juncture, it would be a great time to remind you that you are SPIRIT. A spirit that has the ability to use it’s five senses and then some. Luke 16 reminds us that after death, we don’t take a nap. Both men had funeral services, both men’s mortal bodies were buried, but as we clip our fingernails and our hair and we lose skin fragments, these are not who we really are!!!

It gives us credible proof from Jesus Himself that a person, after death is able to:

be carried by angels (transported in the supernatural realm) (vs 22)
know (or reason) where they are (vs 23 and 25)
has the ability to taste and the validatation body parts (vs 24)
have the ability to hear (vs 25)
have sight (vs 23)
have recollection and proof that the mind won’t forget things (vs 23 and 25)
have speech and tears (vs 24)
sense temperature and torment (feel) (vs 24)
there are boundaries, so there is a possibility of dwelling and traveling (vs 26)
ability to remember God’s word (vs 26)
make request and pray. Although those prayers can NEVER be answered. (vs 27)
KNOW that there is life after death

Now… you must realize that Luke 16 was not a parable. If it were, Jesus would have stated such. This was in deed a true story and perhaps those listening knew both Lazarus and the rich man… certainly they had heard of Abraham.

Some may not believe in Hell, but Jesus told us that such a place was created. A place of Hell containing torment and a place of Paradise for the righteous dead who had not yet been redeemed by the blood.

Paul later gives evidence that Paradise had been transported or transplanted in the third realm of Heaven: 2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And 2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Which gives evidence of being caught “UP” and “into” the same place that Jesus talks about while on the cross. We know that Paradise changed from BC to AD due to the blood.

While paradise was a place for the righteous dead not yet redeemed by blood, it appears that today it is a place that can be accessed by the righteous living (who have not yet tasted of death) but covered by the blood. We know this by this explanation in 2 Corinthians 12:4. We also know that John the Beloved was taken there in the book of Revelation.

Now… obviously his flesh could never stand there, but in His Spirit – He also had all of his senses fully engaged.

And finally, I John 3:2 tells us that when we see Him, we shall be like Him. We will have full use of all the faculties that Jesus has. And when I am absent from this body… I will see Him… immediately… IF I am covered by blood, having all my sins forgiven, and I KNOW Him.

82.

Fallen In Wisdom

Your Faith Will Not Stand In The Wisdom Of Men

Yesterday was a very POWER packed day. From the morning prayer all the way through the evening worship. For me, it started in Greenville and ended in Greenville. There were great battles fought in the spirit yesterday – none more evident than the battle for a young girl’s life and sanity last night.

The house had begun to cool down from the day and as dusk came streaming through the windows, there was an obstinate spirit that came to trouble the worship. It was a first for our little band of warriors, although I had seen this many times in the past 38 years of ministry.

As more and more people gathered in the foyer where the young girl had been slain in the spirit, you could feel the angelic presence… and although each room in the house was quite cool and comfortable, the minute you stood in that space, you felt heat as if a furnace had been turned on – and people came away from that room drenched in sweat.

It was a spiritual battle that left a natural manifestation of room and body temperature.

Now, before I go into this next paragraph, let me preface it to say that most if not all of you have ever seen a demonic possession. You have seen flesh manifest and have been under false teaching concerning possession, but you’ve not witnessed it. So many in the church today have fallen prey to deliverance ministries that are false in their teaching and some preachers have grown very rich from the literature to the simple minded.

Those of us who have witnessed it and have wept in the presence of actual deliverance just shake our heads at the ignorance. Ignorant people who can not line up any of their actions from the Word of God, but skew the original translations with “Bible interpretations” and men’s accounts of inflated and exaggerated stories. Look at me and tell me you’ve seen an actual possession… I can tell in your eyes if you’ve ever ACTUALLY been through that battle.

I would do a full teaching on what is possessed vs what is oppressed, but will not at this time spend that kind of time. Suffice to say… if you’ve read a book or two on the subject, you don’t know what it is.

I looked at the situation that was occurring last night and see some intense insights from the Lord. Was she possessed by a demonic spirit? I knew that this could not be true since the woman was at one time growing very close to the Lord and was covered by blood.

So what was this, Lord. As He began to explain it to me, the understanding brought more peace to the situation. I can liken it only to a young girl in a crowed bar room that meets the wrong kind of men. Cowards that can’t make this woman do as they wish.

Cowards that can’t “charm” the young woman for sexual favors… until… she leaves her position for a brief moment to go to the restroom.

One puts something into her drink. (Now… the alcohol is something she does willingly, but the drug is not a willing act). Suffice to say, when she drinks of the coward’s nectar, she is powerless in their presence. It’s not one man, but many that take their liberty.

They do not enter into her, although they have penetrated her flesh with both a drug substance that is unknown and then later, a part of themselves.

Last night, under the influence of drugs and addiction, the enemy was literally using the woman as a puppet. Again… not from the inside as in a “possession”, but from the outside as an “oppression”. When we are drugged by sin, we will fall prey to the enemy’s wishes. Soon our Godly speech is slurred, our bodily functions are skewed and we fall to the predator who beats the body without mercy.

There are several drugs we can “willingly” take… gossip, anger, vengeance, adultery, judgment, unforgiveness, pride, fear. We can easily become addicted to the sin that the Apostle Paul says “does so easily beset us”. (Hebrews 12:1) The sin can easily take us down to a subhuman realm. Once we begin to take them in, only a divine intervention can clean us out.

I have seen drugs and alcohol as they begin to leave a body. And when do they begin to leave the body? Immediately. They are foreign substances. The body tries to reject each one and will put itself in a kind of shock to try to prevent the pain. There is shaking, there is convulsing, there are blackouts, there are spastic movements, there is slurred speech, there is sickness and in extreme cases, diarrhea.

When you take in your drug of choice, no matter what that is… if you are a child of God, it begins as “pleasant” to your flesh… but “foul” to your spirit. It will alter your walk with God and will also alter your walk in the flesh.

We witnessed last night a severe drug addiction that needed divine intervention. When God began to step in and clean the situation, there was resistance both from the demonic presence that had drugged her and from her own body which had become convinced that the drugs were needed to stop the pain of her life – the pain of her situation – the pain of her hopelessness.

We resist God’s wanting to burn bridges in us because we are afraid of the pain that the rehabilitation will bring… and we are afraid of the lingering pain that we have to face without hope or without medication. Sometimes, it’s simply the lingering pain of a life without God, a situation that created painful circumstance, memories of destruction.

You can’t live on the ingestion of bitterness. You can’t exist on the ingestion of gossip. You can’t have divine intervention when you refuse to release the anger. It’s like telling God that you want Him, but not in all areas of your life. You want to retain your drug addiction during the week, but on Sundays you want to be a Christian.

That causes such a division in your own body… and a house divided against itself… CAN… NOT… STAND. (Matthew 12:25).

Now… the scripture I brought yesterday which was very strong in my spirit was found in II Chronicles 20:13… especially the first seven words of that verse: And all Judah stood before the LORD. (seven words – a resting phrase in scripture)

Judah is praise. True worship that resides inside of you. It is a part of the spiritual DNA which you were created with. You were created in the midst of ALL of God’s STANDING JUDAH.

Praise and Worship as weapons… it simply doesn’t make any sense that something this simple could work against the enemy attacks – and yet, when you stand with ALL of your JUDAH… it will cause your FAITH to STAND.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. I Cor. 2:5

If your logical mind… or your divided mind… or your sinful mind is given a voice, given a place within you… you are divided from the one who created you. All your Judah can NOT stand before the Lord. And if all of your Judah can not stand… neither can your faith. And faith without works is dead.

We can be as dead men when we dose ourselves with sin. We can become puppets and prisoners of the enemy with little or no power to resist him.

Folks, he comes as a serpent. A slimy drug dealer who first offers you “free drugs that will be freedom from your problems”. He comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy.

When your praise is stolen, you are a soldier on the front line of a battle without a weapon. He doesn’t kill you right away… he parades you around for the mocking of God. He puts you on an altar of his strange fire. Then he removes any trace of goodness that your life accomplished… and destroys any memory of the good. Sometimes, sadly, it’s the last desperate act of a man that anyone remembers.

Don’t be fooled when he tells you that your “dosage” is safe. If you are a Christian… it may start with one drink. One hit. One pill. It’s with the first shot that the enemy engages an entire army to battle. Don’t be fooled… if you have given your life to Christ, there is a plan out there for your destruction. Sometimes the opening is as small as the pride you have that says you can handle the first dose.

Taking a shot of anger? A hit of gossip? A toke of bitterness? A drink of lust? A pill of pornography? Can you really give the enemy that little opening? How strong do you think you are?

We saw a young girl who just two years ago was weeping at an altar and proclaiming that she was a victorious soldier of Jesus Christ. We watched last night as the army of God had to do a recon mission to recover the body.

How long has it been since you have been broken at an altar? How strong do you “think” you are? How long do you think it will be before the enemy “roofies” your sin and takes you out of control?

As Jehoshaphat did with his armies in II Chron 2 when he realized that the battle was bigger than he could handle… O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

There will be another battle fought in that same valley that Jehoshaphat was found. It is called the valley of Armageddon. In that battle… Christ will come with ALL of His Judah standing with HIM.

83.

Doubtless

Sowing the Precious for the Needful

Psa 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

After yesterday’s daily word, I had a friend email me and ask why I didn’t tell “the rest of the story” – concerning the gas money for church. Yes folks, it has happened to me many times. One time, though, God taught me something I shall never forget. And neither did the brother who was with me during that difficult time in my life.

It can happen when you are not in ministry… and it can happen when you are in ministry. This incident happened when I WAS in ministry and working a secular job at the same time. It was around this same time that I can remember not wanting to go into a church without having an offering to bring.

Anyway… broheim… this one’s for you. I had an opportunity to do a conference in Chicago, IL. It was an unusually hard time for me financially. Some weeks it came down to having gas to go to church or gas to go to work, and many times there was no food in the cupboards which was a blessing because I had no cupboards.

Here I was with a chance to be a part of this big conference and I couldn’t afford the gas money. Now this had happened before and I felt that I just wasn’t trusting God. I mean, I could trust Him for gas money to work, but not to church? I had used the excuse on more than one occasion. I felt it was getting old. I knew I’d have to have a good answer one day when I use a tank of gas as more powerful than God – because that volatile liquid was so powerful it could keep me from where He needed me.

If someone gave me tickets to a ballgame… I’d always FIND a way to get there. It left the excuses of why I couldn’t get to church dead in the dust and pretty pathetic.

As I prayed, I told the Lord… “You know I really want to go, but I just don’t have the money, and I can’t lose my job.” He spoke into my spirit so audibly that I turned around to see if there was someone there. “Would you give up the precious for the needful?”

I told the Lord that it was no contest. Of course I would… possibly… maybe… He then asked me what my three most precious things were. I thought about it and then spoke them out loud. They were valuable. Not only to me… they were valuable. Period. I needed a lot of money to get to that conference and back not to mention other expenses.

I prayed… “LORD. Have someone come to my door and give me $1,000.” I knew that He could do that. I knew I could also call people and ask them for a loan. Nobody came in the next week and the conference was coming up. “LORD… bring someone to my door.”

He answered… “Give them a reason to come to your door.” What kind of cryptic mumbo-jumbo was that? It’s like… “If you build it they will come.” God answered without missing a beat… “IF YOU SELL IT THEY WILL COME”.

Sell what? Oh Lord… you don’t mean… my precious??? I didn’t have very much of value, but I did have these three things. The words were “stinging” in my ears. Not ringing. Stinging. “Would you give up the precious for the needful?”

There is was. The things I had were in storage. They were in carefully packed boxes. They had great value and great sentimental value. No contest? Ha. I agonized over it. I finally realized that this was one of HIS lessons sent to teach me about what was in my own heart.

Well… I thought to myself, I could sell just one thing and have enough money. I listed all three things and did not get one call. Until the day before I had to leave. A man came and viewed my items. They were probably worth about $3,000. I just wanted to sell one.

He looked at me and said, “I’ll give you $1,000”. I asked innocently enough… “for which item?” He replied. “No. $1,000 for all three.” THAT WAS AN INSULT. I was almost in tears. Again, I heard somewhere, a still small voice… “Would you give up the precious for the needful?”

I took it. Something I could never replace. Something I could never afford to buy again… and even if I could – it wouldn’t be those things. Those belonged to me. I then remembered that I belonged to God and that included all my “stuff”.

1Co 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

That which I gave up represented things that I was still hanging on to from the world. When I sold them, I can’t tell you that I felt good. I cried. But I felt lighter in some way. As I was driving to the conference the next day, I felt as if there were some burdens lifted and I knew I had truly given up the precious for the needful. I needed to be at that conference. I knew I needed to be obedient.

Well, Pastor Mark – it’s a bit different when you are going to minister somewhere rather than just sitting in church. Ah, but that’s the rest of the story. God wanted me there… not to minister… but to just… sit… in… the church. My ministry was to the Lord by being there. By receiving a word that would have never come to me had I not been there. It was one of the last public appearances and public messages that Oral Roberts would ever give. Four years later, he passed away. And I got to sit and hear him one last time.

His message was entitled… “The Precious”. At one point, sitting on his chair at the front of that church, he held up ten $1 bills. 9 in one hand and 1 in the other. He looked right at me (maybe not, but it felt like it) and said… “It all belongs to Him… but He’s going to win the world with the precious” and he held his left hand up with the dollar bill in it. All He needs is the precious to win the lost.

I got up to go to the restroom during the message and although I didn’t want to… I had a divine bladder interruption. As I was exiting that little room, a little white haired old man came out of nowhere to shake my hand. As he did, I felt that it was more than just a handshake… it was what we called a “Pentecostal” handshake. He hugged me and said, “God told me to bless the first man who came out of that restroom. You were it. Praise Him”.

It was $1,000. I had more than enough from the precious I sold… and I asked the Lord if it was still possible to get my stuff back. I felt His smile as He told me that the precious had been sacrificed for the needful. He prompted me that what I held in my hand was precious seed. I had an offering. I not only got to conference and back, but I had a $1,000 offering. It was needful.

It changed my life. It taught me lots about excuses and what the word “precious” really was. It made me reexamine “priorities”. It made me think about my life. I saw an 87 year old man doing what he was called to do in the face of life’s adversity. He had just lost his wife, he had given more than seemed humanly possible and here he was traveling and preaching the gospel. He learned at an early age what was precious and what was needful and he was passing that wisdom to me.

On that day I got a strong word from the Lord. A word that perhaps I would have never gotten had I been stopped by a few tanks of gas. It wasn’t easy to make the decision after college to go into full time ministry.

While others were out makin’ the money and building their careers and their portfolios, I was broken in the basement prayer room of an inner city church in a non-paid position as a youth pastor. And I never looked back. Someone told me when I was first struggling with ministry… “You can starve outside the ministry as easily as you can in it.” I’m so glad after all these years that I’m still in my calling and I decided NOT to be denied. Precious is what you give. Needful is what you get.

1Sa 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay.

84.

Inventory

Ministers… Count The Cost

As I was in prayer and study this morning, I was heavily impressed to share with you a portion of what God has been sharing with me. Keep this in mind. Many of us as human beings are “impulse buyers”. That’s why the business of “sales” is so lucrative. And… even when we go in search of something we have need of, there is always a spirit of “opportunism” present to sell us on the idea to take something bigger, better and more beautiful. No matter what the cost.

Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

The previous scriptures talk specifically about the walk you choose for Christ. The cost that must be counted. If you read full context, you will see that Jesus is speaking about getting rid of your own agenda to take on His.

These two scriptures of the teaching are synonymous. The second also proves the first which takes away the contradiction. They speak to the same thing:

Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

A lot of Christians “pick up” crosses, carry crosses, adorn themselves with crosses and they are not totally in sync with what this message is all about. The word “bear” in the Greek is as follows: bas-tad’-zo Perhaps remotely derived from the base of G939 (through the idea of removal);

Jesus is not telling them to go to the cross. He is not telling each of us to carry crosses wherever we go. He is speaking here of REMOVING your cross. Getting rid of the sin that would prompt a payment for it. Getting RID of your own agenda.

It is a laying aside, or REMOVING the weight of the cross… the personal agenda… the sin: Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

As impulse buyers in the world, we also want to retain that in the anointed Christian community. (and let me paraphrase that by saying this, not all we come in contact with in the Christian community are anointed. Some just wear their own crosses.) We see great Christian leaders standing in pulpits. We see anointed Christian musicians. We listen to great evangelists. WE WANT THAT FOR OURSELVES!

We take on Christianity and ministry as the world jumps to buy a new car. We impulse buy our Christianity without realizing that there is a great price to pay for what we want to be clothed in.

I know that I have fallen prey to this manipulation of the enemy many times in my life. The flash of a new car. It doesn’t even have to be new. It just has to be different. I go into a dealership with an honest need. I let the salesman bring before my eyes the car of “his” choice… not mine.

Before you know it, I am wowed by the pitch, the perks, the glitz, the bells, the whistles, the new best friend I have acquired in that salesman… and I am signing papers thinking in my mind, “It’s only $143”. The salesman gets the monthly figure into your mind. ONLY $143. $143 to drive this fine machine. Up until the third month of payments, you are thinking how blessed you are. Around the fifth month it gets old. Around Christmas time it gets downright annoying. Something goes wrong after the warranty runs out and you call your new best friend, the salesman and he doesn’t even remember who you are a few months past the initial sale.

You put new tires, shocks, tie-rods on a car plus that LOW figure of $143! You start looking at your payment book and realize that you will be it’s slave for another 5 years… that is 60 months… that is 1826 more days.

You get discouraged, at times you can’t make the payments and your credit is affected… bitterness sets in. I have been there. I have had cars repossessed because it’s just easier to quit than to honor my commitment.

What should I have done? I should have counted the ENTIRE cost before I entered into the contract.

When we enter into a covenant with the Lord, Jesus is telling us… COUNT THE COST. Before you jump into full time ministry… count the cost. We want all the bells and whistles of the pulpit ministry, but we don’t want to make the payments.

If you can’t be obedient to your tithes and offerings, you can’t be in ministry. If you can’t go without a paycheck for a week or two weeks or a month, you can’t be in ministry. If you can’t get to church because of a lack of gas money while in the secular world, let me tell you – it doesn’t get any easier in the ministry. We jump on the impulse express and want the title – evangelist. Pastor. Teacher. Prophet. Apostle. But Jesus says… count the cost because the title you desire comes with a great cost.

It will cost you everything. It will cost you your own agenda. Your time was bought by the one who owns you. You are no longer your own. (1Co 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.)

It will cost you your own family. (Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.) It will cost you your finances. (Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.)

We want the title without the price. We want the car without the payment. If the payment gets too much, we’ll just let the bank repossess. Christianity is not a contract. It’s a covenant. There are many in ministry that fall because they have not counted the cost.

They are the ones who agree to take on every position that is open on Sunday morning and in the sight of man, they valiantly claim the title!! Three months pass and they are nowhere to be seen. They signed the papers on that brand new title of “Pastor” “Sunday school superintendent”, “Greeter”, “Grounds Maintenance Supervisor” or whatever comes open. After a while they find that ministry does not afford them anything easy… and they realized they didn’t have the time to dedicate to it.

They can’t prove themselves while in the secular world with just a “taste” of a ministry position, so why should God trust them in the world of full time ministry?

Luk 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luk 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Luk 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

He that is faithful in that which is least. That which is least is the life you live in the secular world. It is a proving ground for full time ministry. Some can’t make it there and decide that they are going to find a safe harbor or an easier life in ministry.

If you can’t find time to pray every day on that river of the secular, don’t expect to ever find the time to pray on the angry seas of full time ministry. If you can’t give. If you can’t fast. If you can’t worship. If you can’t be available… you can’t minister.

There IS a call to ministry. AFTER you have navigated the waters of the secular world. After you have proved to be a “FINISHER” there. When you have been tried and found as pure gold there… God promotes you to tend sheep.

Jesus tells us… “Count the cost”. Don’t purchase this vehicle if you can NOT afford it. If you can not afford the time. If you can not afford the finances. If you can not afford to spend your own agenda. If you can not afford your own family. If you can not afford your very life. Count the cost. It will cost you everything. It will entail a lifestyle change… one that changes BEFORE you get there.

And finally… count the cost of what it’s going to cost you NOT to take the position that God wants for you and has called you to. I know that many are called, but few are chosen. If HE believes you can do this… then get rid of your own cross and follow Him.

85.

Perfect Pendulum

Bodies IN Balance

This morning as I was out for a walk with the Lord I was listening to a teaching that disturbed me greatly. This “apostle” said that the church should not be “balanced” and that she is not looking for Christians who are balanced, but “Koo-Koo for Jesus”.

Here is obviously a woman that is either mixed up in her terminology or is breeding the next generation of “excess in the flesh” and calling it true Pentecost. The human ear, when it has excess build-up can become infected by the excess. When the ear has an infection, the body stumbles and can NOT KEEP IT’S BALANCE. God created the natural body in a true balance just as He’s created the spiritual body in a true balance. That makes the scripture in Romans 10:17 so powerful: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And if we “walk by faith” – or by “hearing” – we must hear the truth or we will certainly stumble.

Now… don’t go apologizing for this “apostle” and don’t justify the meaning. Things MUST line up with the word of God. And what you are “HEARING” MUST line up also with the word of God. Now…. and hear me clearly on this… our actions in the body of Christ may sometimes “not” make sense to the world or to a carnal mind, and our “balance” is not the same “balance” that the world has. How can we tell? Because the world keeps “stumbling” and “falling”. We’ve had the excess removed from our ears.

Those being led about by every wind of doctrine are adding excess to what God requires.

Don’t try to make God any more spectacular than He already is. We can’t “wow” the world with “Christian magic tricks”. His truth should always be enough. His presence should always be felt… remembering that we don’t ask God to visit us… or for a “visitation” – because we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Why would we ask God to visit the place He already lives? This mystical “crap” and pardon the vernacular, but…. “ooooooh…. ahhhhhh…. God is going to give us a visitation”, is simply insulting to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

If the Holy Ghost dwells IN you… that means you are a team of “two”. The prayer of agreement is always present… and someone else is always present, because whenever TWO are gathered, JESUS is in the midst. God doesn’t want an old testament concept of VISITING… and oh how the devil wants us to believe that. GOD IS HERE TO STAY.

The church today that is preaching an excessive gospel is always “praying that God show up” instead of knowing He’s already there and praying for His will to be done in your midst. Don’t DRAW HIM with your prayers, WORSHIP HIM with your prayers… He’s with us… Emmanuel.

On the cross, God invested and signed the papers for a new dwelling place. On the day of Pentecost HE MOVED IN. And when He moved in… the devil moved OUT. Which is a great teaching for why Christians can’t be demon possessed… and why you can’t show me ONE SCRIPTURE where a blood bought Christian was demon possessed….

But that is for another day. Sorry to upset the preachers who want to get rich on doctrine that sounds good… reasons well… but is caking the ears with wax, excess and false doctrine.

OK… as a Christian… if you are stumbling and not being able to gain victory in an area… check your ears.

Here is a great daily word from Pastor Jack Hayford: Here is his link… I believe he brings great balance to the body of Christ. Sorry, “apostle”, but Pastor Jack is on fire for God… and he is balanced, able to walk a straight line without falling.

Link to Jack Hayford’s Daily Devotion:

http://www.jackhayford.org/teaching/devotional/

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

This oft-quoted verse attests to the importance and desirability of our words and thoughts being consistent with God’s Word and will. The text literally says, “Let what I speak and what my heart murmurs to itself be a delight to You, God.” The truth of this text urges us to always speak the kind of words that confirm what we believe or think in our hearts about our Heavenly Father, His love, and His power.

To believe yet contradict our beliefs with careless words from our mouth is not acceptable in God’s sight. Such words not only become faithless and fruitless to us, but they can produce doubts in others—both believers and unbelievers. Rather, Acts 5:19, 20 give a command that is as true for us as it was for the apostles, “An angel of the Lord … said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.’ ”

As we go about our daily activities today, let us speak the words of life that delight the Lord.

86.

Patriarchal

David/Absalom…Father/Son

I have been looking at the life of David and Absalom the past few days. It is an interesting study about the life of a man and his son. The story of a son that really did not know the heart of his father. It is a sad story of justified sin. It is a topic that I will be preaching on soon.

As I began to look at the nooks and crannies of this story I began to see some crushing truths about justified sin sowing seeds of bitterness that lead to a usurping of authority. The weed that grows up may be beautiful, but it is in fact invasive and can cause harm to that which has been planted in the garden of God. It steals nutrients and water due to it’s selfish nature and deprives everything around it from growth.

According to UC Davis, the specimens of invasive weeds in the plant kingdom are often non-native and have the potential to completely overtake an area – out-competing native plants for soil nutrients, water and sunlight. That same parallel is true in spiritual things.

When I look at David, I see a man who lived a very different life than Absalom.

David was not raised in wealth or in power and as a young man, he had the most menial of tasks, tending sheep. Along with that job came responsibility. You will notice that the closest Absalom came to sheep was having his hired servants shear them while it offered an opportunity to participate in a royal party.

When David was approximately 25, he killed his first man. Before that he killed both a lion and a bear with his “bare” hands. Absalom was approximately 25 when he had his brother Amnon killed. One liberated a nation. One isolated family.

David was a man who made his way by following the heart of God. Absalom was a man who made his own way and spoke about God when it was convenient for himself, but lived very contrary to God’s ways. Absalom was born with a “silver spoon” in his mouth and his father made sure that he lacked for nothing.

At somewhere around 27 years of age, David was fleeing for his life. Absalom was driving the royal chariot with a 50 man entourage. David knew what it was like to have nothing. Absalom knew what it was like to have everything.

At 17 years of age, Absalom, David’s third son who had two older brothers from two different mothers was old enough to witness one of the greatest tragedies in the royal family and in fact to the world at that time. The biggest impact, though was how it affected the heart of David’s 17 year old son.

When a man sins, it affects everyone around him and his family suffers the greatest. Not the least are what he teaches his impressionable children. I believe that when David committed adultery, coveted what did not belong to him and then tried to eradicate the problem by killing Bathsheba’s husband, it was a rough road for the entire family.

Suddenly your dad, who was the greatest man in the world is now the brunt of all the jokes. He has gone from hero to heel. Only by the grace of God did David get through that. David recovered, but not without paying a great price.

What the son saw was the debauchery. What the son saw was the laughter, scorn and mocking from the world. What the son saw was the credibility of king destroyed in a moment of weakness.

And when David was restored and retained by the Lord, I’m not sure of the kind of message that sent to Absalom. A son who had not been tested as a king, but thought that being a “kings kid” would qualify him for greatness.

His mother was devastated because it cast a shadow over her that she most likely would never recover from.

When fathers and mothers fall and recover, it’s easy to judge the fall, but it’s not so easy to reconcile the recovery. It’s almost like that traumatic experience left that part of the heart of the child in a prison – always reminded of how embarrassing it was… how painful it was.

Now all of a sudden, it’s the son’s turn to enter the chamber of temptation. Absalom who is a bit envious of Amnon, his older half-brother, is hit with the blow that causes him to stand at a precipice we all eventually stand at. To forgive or to exact vengeance. When Amnon rapes Absalom’s sister… not half-sister… but his full blooded sibling, it is a slam to where Absalom and his mother are in the chain of David’s passions. Absalom chooses not to speak to Amnon for two years while the decision is made to either forgive or to act as an advocate for righteousness.

His own father won’t do anything about it, thinking that it’s because his father himself was an adulterer who took what didn’t belong to him. The two year period of festering in the heart leads Absalom to this very dangerous decision.

“My dad got away with the sin and still retains his position and place in God, so I can pretty much do whatever I want and it will be ok.” The thing Absalom didn’t factor into that equation was where David came from and where Absalom came from… he didn’t factor in the heart of his father, and he didn’t have the relationship with the Lord that his dad did. Sometimes it’s harder to find God while waking up in a palace than waking up in caves being pursued by the enemy.

The lie to children we raise is that they can make the same mistakes and live their own lives without God and still turn out like “dear ol’ dad”. What they do have is the same opportunity for repentance. What they do have is the same opportunity to turn away from sin.

Eze 18:14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

Eze 18:15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife,

Eze 18:16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

Eze 18:17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

Absalom should be a clear message that the son is not promised automatic absolution just because his father was. Absolution comes ONLY when a heart turns from the sin and covers it immediately with blood.

The error was that Absalom did not see His father’s relationship with God… nor did he want to. In some part of the darkest chambers of Absalom’s human heart, he had accused his father, convicted his father and sentenced his father. NOT for what he did to Uriah the Hittite… but what he did to Absalom the Israelite. And because of that, he could never respect his father in the position of “king”.

Absalom then went forth and justified his own sin by comparing it to the sin of his father. Again, he missed one little detail. That session that David had in the courts of Heaven.

He justified his sin. He enjoyed being the hero to his mother and his sister. He even named his daughter after his sister… “Tamar”… as a memorial. Justified sin can never be rectified in the heart of the spirit of man. And left to fester, it sows seeds of discord and bitterness, the fruit of which is rebellion. And rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

In David’s repentance, he prolonged his own life.

2Sa 12:13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Absalom, with the same opportunity after the sin never offered a word of repentance, but in his heart lived the justification… “my father did worse than I, look at how he’s still blessed”.

Folks… any time you justify sin or compare it to someone else’s mistakes, you begin to sow seeds of discord to your own heart and bitter roots will cause plants of rebellion to spring forth. You won’t be content in your job, you won’t be content in your ministry, you won’t be content in your marriage, you won’t be content in your position and station of life.

Not only will you no longer be content, but you can’t be content to respect others… Bosses, Pastors, Spouses, Parents and Children.

One of the most troubling verses of scripture comes in this verses: For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. (2 Sam 17:14)

David lived to the age of 70. Absalom who thought that he could do better and thought he could escape the wrath of God as his father did, died at 30 years of age and his end is recorded in 2 Samuel 18:17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.

He challenged his sin against the sin of others. When you forgive others, there is no sin to judge yours against… and that needs to be the first hurdle in your life. Forgiveness toward those who hurt you. Get to a point in your life where there is nothing to compare your own sin to. It stands alone as a great and imposing stumbling block to your next steps.

Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Young people say to the elderly… “it’s easy for you to proclaim Jesus… you already went out and had your fun. I’m going to go out and have mine and when I’m your age, maybe I’ll get serious about this ‘Jesus’.”

Absalom didn’t have the same time limits upon his life and although he thought he would grow fat and old and sassy… he quit breathing before his 31^st birthday.

Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

87.

Send A Signal

Why Flags and Banners?

People again have been asking about banners. Why we have them? Why we wave them? Last week as I was in praying for the women’s conference, I was alone in the sanctuary and God instructed me to do a Jericho march. I thought it funny that I would be the only one walking around the church. Foolish even. But God said that HE would USE the foolish things to confound the wisdom of the wise.

I suddenly had my eyes opened as I began and realized I was not the only one walking in this circle, but that there were others circling even before I got there… so great a cloud of witnesses – dressed in all bright colors and outfits… and some had banners… looking like flags of the nations. I realized that they weren’t joining me, but I in fact was joining this great multitude that had been circling our church for who knows how long. Perhaps years. During this “circling” I was instructed not to go 7 times around which was the Jericho march, but joined this throng for 8 laps… a new testament march… a new beginnings march. I waved two banners… one of purple and one of red as I journeyed.

I don’t know all of what was done that morning, but suffice to say, when you obey God – He works in ways you can not see.

I am in a study on laughter. Ever since the prophetic a few weeks past where we were layed out under the piano in uncontrollable laughter, I am revisiting the scriptural references and evidences for the manifestations. As far as banners, I post an old teaching for those who wonder about banners, their use and their part in worship and warfare.

I thank God that our church has grown and matured – and gone from a legalistic show to a place of freedom and safety in the Spirit of God. A place where people are unafraid to come and express themselves and offer their gifts freely in the Spirit. It is a safe place. If you want to dance before the Lord – there are no “gaper’s blocks” or gawkers.

If you want to sing in the Spirit and offer the tongue of men or angels – there are no gainsayers. The pillars of resistance have been removed that would prevent a banner to be waved unto the Lord or a Shofar to be blown over a city. In the Spirit of the Lord at Crossroads church… There IS liberty. And in this liberty you take the limits off of God. We are not the church we were seven years ago when Robin and I came, and we are the not the church we will be seven years from now… God is moving and changing and teaching and “performing” in a way that will allow us to take the roof off of where Jesus is now (at the right hand of the Father) and we will lower down to Him our impossibilities.

Jesus told His disciples when there was a question of whether it was really Him…

Luk 7:22-23 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Now read that as our church answering those who are wondering if it is really God at Crossroads Church… Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Look at this little song from the children today and come unto Him as a little child:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkZ11WgLEZg

Psa 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.

One of the names of God (used by Moses) in the Old Testament is “Jehovah Nissi” which means in English “the Lord our Banner”. Exo 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

You may sometimes see flags, banners and streamers at Crossroads church…

Lord is my banner. Exodus 17:15His banner over me is love. Song of Songs 2:4

Throughout scripture, God calls His people to raise a banner (standard, flag, ensign) in His name. He does this for several reasons:

Flags gather the people: In mid-evil battle, where combat was hand to hand, the smoke and dust from the battle was like fighting in the midst of a dark tornado. If you all of a sudden felt alienated and moved away from your troop, there was a flag bearer who waved a flag high into the air above the dust and confusion. If you were lost or fragmented, all you had to do was look up and locate the flag – and you’d know where your army was and ALSO where the enemy was!!!

The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family. Numbers 2:2

He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. Isaiah 11:12

Flags are a signal or form of communication: In boy scouts I had a merit badge for “signalling” or “semaphore” which was a way of communication to someone afar off. Each position of the two flags represented a different letter of the alphabet. When we freely worship with flags and we do it in the Spirit – each placed position of the flags in our hands is the Holy Spirit communicating with the realm afar off… without human words – we convey the beautiful message – speaking in a tongue that is silent but heard by God.

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. Isaiah 11:10

Announce and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep nothing back. Jeremiah 50:2

Flags are a signal for battle: When the flag was “coded” or moved in a certain position (perhaps waving north to south or up and down) it told the massive troops beyond earshot that the battle was engaging, or the army was halting, or the army was retreating, or the trumpets should begin blowing.

Lift up a banner in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations for battle against her. Jeremiah 51:27

How long must I see the battle standard and hear the sound of the trumpet? Jeremiah 4:21

Flags proclaim victory: Again, it was a type of communication as to messaging the troops to lay down their weapons or to begin to worship the Lord. When you see the flags go up in the battle at Crossroads, it may be geared toward worship as a weapon against the enemy… or lifting it high could be a signal that God has won the victory through us. A flag bearer who is Spirit-led is much like a flag bearer on the battlefield. The flag bearer was always within earshot and in the presence of the Captain who was giving the orders. When you wave a flag in the Spirit – your Captain is near. Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. Psalm 20:5

The waving of flags is also symbolic of the wave offerings that were given to the Lord in the Old Testament (Leviticus) and the palms that were waved before Christ in the New Testament. The colors themselves are also symbolic of many things, just as the rainbow of colors is a symbol of God’s promise to Noah. As we wave different colors before the Lord, we are standing in the promises and proclaiming them over our lives and over the body of believers.

Each Color Told a Story – and served a different purpose. By the color of the flag flown when the troops first arose in the morning – it dictated the direction and purpose of the day. Which color is waving over heaven this morning??? Today I saw a blue flag flying over the intercessors in heaven. This holds great significance for our day – and defines which direction the Lord wants to take us!!

Silver: redemption, faith, truth, strength Genesis 20:16; Exodus 25:3: Leviticus 5:15; Numbers 18:15-16; Psalm 12:6, 66:10; Proverbs 25:4; Hosea 3:2; Matthew 26:15, 27:3, 9 Gold: divinity, glory of God Exodus 37, 40:34-35; Psalm 21:3; Hebrew 9:4-5; Revelation 1:13-14

Bronze/brass: judgment, strength, perseverance (from refiner’s fire), feet of God Exodus 27, 30:17-21; Numbers 21:9; Ezekiel 40:3; Daniel 10:5-6; Micah 4:13; Revelation 1:15, 2:18

Red: blood covering, blood of the Lamb, atonement, warfare, celebration, love of God Exodus 26:14; Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:2-4; Hebrews 9:12-14

Orange: praise, fire of God Hebrews 12:29

Yellow/amber: presence of God’s glory; celebration, joy Ezekiel 1:4, 8:2; Isaiah 51:11, 61:3; Hebrews 1:9

Green: healing, new beginnings, new life, everlasting life, hope, restoration Psalm 23:2-3, 92:12-14; Proverbs 11:28; Jeremiah 17:8; Joel 2:22; Hosea 14:8; Revelation 22:2

Blue: grace, mercy, Holy Spirit, remembrance of God’s commands, heaven, living water, River of Life Exodus 24:10; Numbers 15:38-40; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-2

Purple: royalty, kingship, honor, authority of believers Judges 8:26; Esther 8:15; Mark 15:17-18

Plum: richness, abundance, infilling of the Holy Spirit Hosea 2:22; Joel 2:24

Violet: Shekinah glory, purity, invisible, supernatural Exodus 35:6; Ezekiel 1:4, 8:2; Psalm 68:13; Daniel 12:10; Ephesians 2:7

Pink: passion for Jesus, compassion, joy 1 Samuel 18:6; Nehemiah 12:43

Iridescent: overcoming Revelation 21:11-19

White: purity, innocence, holiness, light Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 17:2; Revelation 3:4, 7:9

Black: righteous judgment, sin and death Exodus 10:15; Deuteronomy 4:11-13; Psalm 23:4; Is 1:18; Lamentations 4:8, 5:10; Ephesians 5:11; Revelation 6:5

Brown/gray: repentance, humility Esther 4:3; Daniel 9:3-5

There are many other scriptures related to banners in the Bible. For further study, see: Numbers 1:52; chpt. 2 & 10; Psalms 74:4; Song of Songs 6:4; Isaiah 5:26; 11:10-12; 13:2; 18:3; 30:17; 31:9; 49:22; 59:19; 62:10; Jeremiah 4:6, 21; 50:2; 51:12, 27; Zechariah 9:16.

There is a beauty to this ministry if done decently and in order and ORDERED by the Holy Spirit. Not as a show to men – but as a worship to God and a speaking prophetically by the Holy Spirit. Now… a caution…I have seen people running around helter skelter with the flags – trying to put the flags in people’s hands, waving flags in people’s faces, or whipping the flags behind the heads of others. IF I SEE THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR – A WORSHIP LEADER WILL STOP THIS INSANITY.

If I as a pastor find the ministry to be distracting, blocking the words to the tele-screens where the words to the worship are found or generally coming in contact with the worshippers, I will have no other recourse than to stop you and speak to you privately where we will reason together concerning your actions.

The flag ministry is precious… it is sacred… and not all in the army are called to it. The people in this ministry must be appointed and anointed by God to do this. In the armies of the Lord – there were different people anointed and appointed to this post. Because it was not an easy job to keep that staff raised throughout the battle – having to obey the orders of the Captain – and having to maintain a position dictated.

Also… the standard bearer was like a mortar magnet – drawing the fire from the enemy to try to eliminate the communication between the Captain and His troops. In other words… it was one of the most dangerous callings in the army. Each person in the army had to learn the “codes” and had to know how to lift the standard – because at a moments notice, they would have to step in during a crisis or a rotation. Now… that being said… if you want to participate in this ministry – that is so AWESOME – but ask the Lord for the courage to do this – ask Him for the direction to do this – ask Him for the opportunity to worship Him in this manner. As I said… everyone in the army had to at least once lift the banner.

(thank you to Pastor David for his added input on today’s message)

88.

Upright in the Light

Am I Walking In My Integrity

It was quite a weekend with a flurry of activity… I could tell by the reports and testimonies of others, that it was battles and victories… and vice versa. No different here at our home. I pray that everyone had a blessed mother’s day yesterday – without them, where WOULD we be? It also seems that each prophetic takes on a different face, and last night was again, uplifting and very powerful. The hours passed as if it were only a moment and the heart of God was revealed in a very powerful way!

In study this morning, I came across this passage of scripture:

Psa 41:11-12 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever

One thing that this scripture doesn’t promise. That I will never have a battle. It does say, however that IN THE BATTLE, the enemy does NOT triumph over me… IF… IF… my life is in favor with the Lord… and IF I have retained my integrity.

The secret is in my everyday life and not just the journey on Sunday. I can remember that a pastor who preached a word that said, “you can’t dance with the devil in the daytime and expect him to leave you alone at night”. What this says is very important to the question of why can’t I get the victory over the enemy?

There are certain things that “righteousness” requires. It involves doing the right thing in a critical situation. The enemy provides me many open doors to not only speak, but to work the works of the flesh. If I am found speaking or acting on these things, I can lose my favor with God – and the enemy can get a foothold to take me into deeper devastation. And I have BEEN devastated. The tragedy comes when I don’t face the truth that it’s a lack of my integrity… rather than just flippantly stating that “it’s because I am a Christian and I have a target on my back”.

Now… most of are aware of the works of the flesh, and although I may not practice all of these, at times, I am guilty of a few. If I live 80 or 90% for the Lord… it’s not good enough to bring an ENTIRE victory. It’s the little bit of leaven that will leaveneth the whole lump. Now… I list the first set of “unmentionables” in Galatians, but the set that Paul lists also in 2 Corinthians are also equal in their ability to cause me to lose favor with God and to be defeated by the enemy.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

2Co 12:19 Do you think that we have been defending ourselves to you all this time? No, we say these things in Christ and before God. You are our dear friends, and everything we do is to make you stronger.

2Co 12:20 I do this because I am afraid that when I come, you will not be what I want you to be. And I am afraid that I will not be what you want me to be. I am afraid that I will find arguing, jealousy, anger, selfish fighting, evil talk, gossip, pride, and confusion there.

2Co 12:21 I am afraid that when I come to you again, my God will make me humble before you. I may have to cry over the loss of some who sinned before. Many of them have still not changed their hearts to be sorry for their evil lives, their sexual sins, and the shameful things they have done.

We are people of the flesh, raised in the flesh, shaped in iniquity. When it’s time to change into a walk of the Spirit, it can be very difficult. It can be painful at times to keep my mouth shut when I am tempted to come against the anointing or the anointed – perhaps a brother that “I” feel is doing something wrong. It can be separating to leave a group that is having a “church roast”. And it can be scary to stand up to a bully who is never wrong and always angry.

Integrity is not only speaking the words of God on Sunday morning, but doing them all through the week – and unlike my senior mind, forgetfulness, with the Holy Spirit checking me, is not a good enough excuse. My advancement in the Kingdom of God… my promotion in ministry… my tasting victory after a battle… these are all things that come when I can successfully stay in the favor of God by upholding my integrity. And referring back to my first passage of scripture, when I ask Him to help me in my integrity, and when I am successful in upholding it… HE WILL UPHOLD ME. (“thou upholdest me in my integrity” Psalm 41:12)

I preach a lot about enemy attacks. Those WILL come because I am a Christian… but victories ONLY spring forth from integrity. Defeat comes when I am found professing Christianity on Sunday and in the Monday morning shadows am exercising the works of my flesh. If there is no peace, if there is no joy, if there is no calm, if there is no victory – I really should want to check my level of integrity.

Reputation is what I achieve in the sight of people, saying and doing all the right things. Integrity is what I build in the sight of God that people will never see. Reputation can not stand the test of time, but integrity can weather any storm.

Last night in the prophetic we centered in on a verse in Genesis. Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

If I hold my hand in front of my lips when I speak, I can feel that gift that was given to me… “loaned” to me. It’s God’s breath. When I put words to the breath that I speak, then I am indeed speaking into the light or into the darkness. If I am putting dark words to HIS breath, I am unlocking dark places in the atmosphere that I can not see. When I speak evil or slander or gossip or doubt or fear… I am unlocking the doors for those things to come into my life. Job said… Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Once I send forth a word, I can’t call that word back. I can certainly retract it, but I must realize that the damage has been done. Words are very important to the retaining of my integrity.

But if I put God’s words to His breath and send them back to Him… they are returning to Him full of power. Full of grace. Full of mercy. Full of victory. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11.

When I lose my cool. When I lose a battle. When I can not find peace. I need to find my “integrity compass” and get back on track.

89.

Thank You May I Have Another

God oversees your destruction for a purpose…

Jer 31:28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

As I sit here in the stillness of the morning and I can hear the world beginning to wake up outside my window, I am still basking in the glow of what our women put together this past weekend. It was certainly a conference for the ages. People from all over came and became a part of this great anointing.

So many commented that they could feel the anointing as they entered the building, and I must agree – as, even on Saturday morning as I was in for prayer, there was a “mist” in the sanctuary. A heaviness… but not a bad heaviness – but instead, like a heavy glory from the Lord.

As I spoke last week, we have had much vandalism to the fence, and though it may have been “just a fence” – I believe it represented the enemy raging against our ministry. It took several hits and pretty soon, our fence had more panels down than it had up. The book of Nehemiah spoke volumes to me as we started to see the little fence rebuilt.

The temple in the time of Nehemiah was reconstructed first. It represented the core and the heart of worship with God. First things first. Relationship was reestablished and rebuilt. The place of intimacy was again open for business. The sowing of tears was in full operation.

But each mighty city had walls for protection. And this city of Jerusalem was without walls. Nehemiah came to rally the troops to rebuild the walls of the great city. God was in it. They knew at that time that it represented their trust that God would be their protector. The walls represented a much deeper thing. It was restoring their faith that God was Jehovah-Sabaoth.

He was their “protector”. They also learned that walls alone were not secure. Seventy years prior, they had turned their back upon God and taken Him for granted. They watched as their walls were breached and burned with fire and offered them no security.

Just like the scripture that says… “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

As the fence is repaired at Crossroads, we want to remember never to take HIM for granted. We want to remember that HE is our protector and our security. If we lose sight of that fact, or if we trust in the security of something we ourselves have built, we shall surely be invaded by the enemy.

In times of my life when things have been ripped down and burned around me, and in times when I have rebuilt that which was destroyed – I have come to realize that God is trying to remind me of Psalm 127. He is my refuge and my strength. (Psalm 46:1). He is my strong tower. (Psalm 61:3)

A fence was vandalized. No big deal? It was repaired. Hadn’t given it a thought? Perhaps this is a great time to remember Him as your Jehovah- Sabaoth. To revisit that great truth in your life that without Him – the enemy could surely pick you off any time he wanted to. No matter how big your bank account. No matter how big your house.

No matter how high your walls. No matter how strong your fences.

Those things are NOT your security… and when you think they are… God steps back and allows them to fall. David – learned much from his setbacks and his defeats. He learned that all that was material could not be the place where he could deposit his security. We live in a material world, but can never be protected by it.

Psa 20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation,

and in the name of our God we will set up our banners:

the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

Psa 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed;

he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:

but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psa 20:8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

I want you to do something “crazy” today. Rebuild a wall of security. Play this song on youtube and read Psalm 46 OUT LOUD…. Over and over and over…. And then listen for HIS voice. It’s amazing, but this is so cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF1XyfYGwS4

Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Psa 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

Psa 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Psa 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psa 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

Psa 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

90.

What We Don’t See

There are more with us…

We are now just two days away from the Crossroads women’s summit. At times we may look and feel overwhelmed, but just recently, a precious woman of God had a dream that reminded me that there was indeed a battle and though it looked like we were outnumbered, outmanned and out maneuvered, we have nothing to fear IF we look with spiritual eyes.

2Ki 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.

And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

2Ki 6:16 And he answered, Fear not:

for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Now… our spirit can see. It has eyes, a mouth, ears, sensory touch, sensory discernment, and so much more. If we can allow our spirits to control our movements, we would be amazed at what we see God doing around us.

The first key in an overwhelming situation is to eliminate the fear. In other words, shut down the function of the natural man.

You then you have to believe what God says and what you can’t see with natural eyes. (Like the scripture that tells you that He is an ever present help)

The next step in the grand parade of spiritual warfare is prayer! You have to make yourself available to pray. It helps shut down the natural man and bring to life the spiritual man. That same spirit that raised Christ from the dead… DWELLS IN YOU! (Romans 8:11)

Finally you need to believe in what God has shown you… and most important – you must not only speak about what you’ve seen, but stand upon it when you return to the natural realm! You see, you can’t have visions and dreams from the Lord and then go to battle forgetting what you’ve seen and heard. (“Yeah, I know what I’ve seen, but that was then and this is now and I can only see the problem” – PUUUHHHHHLLLLEEEEEAAASSSEEE!) You can’t fight a supernatural battle with a natural outlook.

No matter what you are being overwhelmed with today… follow the steps I’ve outlined and stand firm in the battle.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

91.

Ordered Steps

Every Step… Every Moment

I have been touched lately by the words of this old hymn. Read the words with the realization that He was heading home.

Abide With Me

Lyte wrote the poem in 1847 and set it to music while he lay dying from tuberculosis; he survived only a further three weeks after its completion.

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, o abide with me.

Swift to it’s close ebbs out life’s little day. Earth’s joys grow dim – it’s glories pass away. Change and decay in all around I see. O you who changest not, abide with me.

I need your presence every passing hour. What but your grace can foil the tempter’s power. Who like yourself my guide, my stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine oh abide with me.

I fear no foe, with you at hand to bless. Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is death’s sting, where grave thy victory. I triumph still if you abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

As I was praying this morning, I centered especially on the third verse and realized that my prayer needs to be fine tuned. I get up and say unto the Lord, “I plead the blood of Jesus over my day… and I need your presence in my life.” Some days I pray that His blood be upon my day.

Lyte wrote… “I need your presence every passing hour”. When the diagnosis is terminal, the prayer changes from “be with me through the years…” to “be with me through the hours”.

We were all born with a terminal illness. We are still under the curse that sentences this flesh to die. In fact, God says in the book of Hebrews: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (9:27)

James writes: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (4:14)

Paul told us to “redeem” the time. In other words, don’t take this life you have for granted.

And finally, Jesus, in a story told of a man consumed with this world with no thought or purpose in mind other than living forever. But you won’t. Live forever.

Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

A dying man truly prays… “Lord, be with me in this next hour”. As death approaches, the magnanimity of the situation becomes overwhelming and the prayer is “Lord, be with me in the next few moments”.

We not only take for granite each time our heart beats, but we don’t realize that we are a half a beat away from eternity. We also have been taught to be independent. We have learned to do things on our own. In some churches they even preach that God helps those who help themselves. Although many attribute that to Ben Franklin, it actually appears in early Greek drama. And is Hellenistic in nature. (a traditional polytheistic religion and way of life, revolving around the Greek gods.)

Nowhere does it appear in the Bible, but is part of a humanistic teaching that we can do things on our own without God’s help. But man needs God’s help in each passing moment of time, and in fact… we even need God’s help to die.

I love that great old hymn, “My Jesus I love thee” which has a line that says, “I will love thee in life and I will love thee in death.”

We are all dying. It started when you were born. You were born to die. Some will pass sooner, some later, but we will all have to walk our via della rosa. We will all have to “shuffle off this mortal coil” – as penned by Shakespeare. Peter says this… 2Pe 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

And finally, the apostle Paul says:

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

If we are the dead and dying… we need to face it. And when we do… we shall be one that will take nothing for granted – neither the works we have done, but the works we are doing.

A man who is dead to this world must trust Him in the time frame of moments… not years. And in everything we must seek His guidance. Remember that it doesn’t say that the journey of a good man is ordered of the Lord… but rather, the “steps” of a good man. (Psalm 37:23).

Baby steps. Adolescent steps. Mature steps. Into eternity steps. Line upon line, precept upon precept. Here a “little” there a “little”. One step at a time will I seek Him.

I think of my life as being trapped in a mine field. Jesus has the map in His hands and I must not take one step without listening to His directive.

Are you enlisting Him “one day at a time”? That leaves too much to your own destruction. Lord… I need thee every hour… I need thee.

92.

How to Come to Birth

Creation Comes Only In Intimacy

We have been talking lately about brokenness being a key to the portal to the supernatural. It is setting aside a block of quality time to seek His face. Pro 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

To come in a total surrender of your will, your life, your family, your ministry and most of all… your time. It is a sacrifice. Especially if everything is going extremely well or extremely horrible. It is a humbling. Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Luk 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

That is one of the most important passages of scripture in the Bible. It occurred after the angel came to Mary to explain what God desired to do. In essence, God was telling her that in a time of great intimacy, the Holy Ghost would come upon her and within her womb, God would create. That was the creation that all creation had groaned for. Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Mary had heard the plan of God and the plan involved her. The thing she needed to do was first, accept the plan of God. (Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.) Secondly, she had to get to a place of intimacy – a place sanctified and set apart. She “went into the hill country” (Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help) into the city of PRAISE (Judah).

From the intimacy of the temple, great commands are given. Wrath was created in an intimate place:

Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

In a time of brokenness, we find our way to the secret place of God. The place of intimacy. In that place is deliverance created:

Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. AND Psa 18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

When God creates, it’s in a time of intimacy.

We are hidden from the enemy in the place of intimacy.

1Sa 19:2 But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

Psa 81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

Psa 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Psa 81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

Deliverance was created here. Insight and discernment were created here. The creation of healing was created here. The place of safety was created here. The creation of trust was done here:

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He creates solutions. In the secret place. The intimate place. The place that you can get to only by brokenness. The battle is to keep you from that place. The battle is for your tears.

The power to bind and loose has to be created. Creation that comes in an intimate place.

Power is created to defeat the enemy.

I am reminded of the scriptures in Genesis that deal with the intimacy of a man and wife, and how the first time they were intimate was in the fourth chapter.

Now… the tragedy of that scenario was that it was after the fall – and out of the garden.

It’s the same thing with the Lord – if you don’t invest your intimacy with Him, you will not be able to trust Him in the times of your warfare.

I believe that had Adam and Eve put their intimacy before their warfare, they would have been victorious!

Go to a high place. Go to Judah. Fall on your face and surrender everything. Wash His feet in your tears and offer Him the ashes of your life and the brokenness of your heart.

Look at what the creator “creates” in the following passage from Isaiah. And He can do the same for you. He’s a creator. That’s what He does… and that’s who He is.

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isa 61:4 And they shall build (creation in intimacy) the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

93.

Fragrance

Let Your Alabaster Break

Today I felt like a gemologist as I was prompted to do some studies on alabaster. Some types, form over clay beds and can become very hard. I look at the spiritual parallel to alabaster becoming that beautiful and valuable covering over clay.

This takes on an exciting study for me as I am reminded of what transpired in Jeremiah 18. Now… Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet. He loved to pray with tears. He loved the brokenness in the presence of the Lord. Here are two scriptures that are mighty in the hearts of Christians that desire this:

Jer 9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jer 9:18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

Jeremiah 18 talks about the direct correlation of a potter fashioning clay and God fashioning us.

Jer 18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

Jer 18:2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.

Jer 18:3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

Jer 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Jer 18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Jer 18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

So, with these scriptures and principles given me today, I am looking at how we are “living clay”. As alabaster forms on the clay, we can find ourselves covered with a hard shell that looks so strong and vibrant and beautiful to the world. Alabaster is an amass of crystals that we form over clay. They are formed with pride and vanity and jealousy and bitterness, just to name a few.

We take so much time primping and scrimping and polishing and adding and taking away to make ourselves look beautiful, successful and strong to those around us. We spend most of our life trying keep to “keep up appearances”. What we portray is valuable to us… and valuable to those who see us, because when something is shiny and strong and virile about us, someone covets our “alabaster”. And what is so special about our alabaster that others want what we have? The fame of a movie star, the fortune of a tycoon, the possessing of a mansion or a Porsche, A model’s ability to look 40 when they are 50?

The alabaster boxes in the Bible held oil to anoint the dead. That was their purpose. Jesus told us to let the dead bury the dead. What seems so valuable at face value in this Biblical account of the woman breaking the alabaster box was the box itself.

If we read carefully, it wasn’t the alabaster that was valuable, but what was IN the alabaster container. The precious ointment. We need to realize that what others see isn’t the valuable we think it is. The valuable is what HE put on the inside of us. What comes from the heart and what flows from the eyes.

Mar 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

I look at this story. Powerful. It represents the real value of a Christian. It represents the Christian herself or himself. What we are encased in should not define us. It should not be what is considered valuable. In fact, when that exterior remains in tact, that which is most valuable can not come forth.

When we allow ourselves to be broken, we have a chance at an intimate moment with the Savior. It was the house of Simon the leper. No doubt, there were not many who would even venture into this house, but here was a woman who came into the midst of the leper’s need and broke herself before Jesus. In the other instance of the broken alabaster in Luke 7:37-38 it was in a Pharisee’s home and that woman not only broke the alabaster, but the passage described her own brokenness. When she broke the hard human exterior, that which was valuable was poured out onto the Lord.

Again, as I preached last Sunday. Don’t even let your prayers FIRST be for someone else or someone else’s needs. Your first prayer – Your first focus should be a moving into His presence. Then… all things can be added.

We ought not get to Heaven with our alabaster in tact. That outward appearance… that award winning personality… that pride over being strong and unemotional… the satisfaction of having the best, the most, the biggest… that degree that boasts great intelligence… we deem those things precious, when in actuality those things have entombed that which is priceless.

Luk 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

Luk 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

A woman who had nothing to give… gave everything. She gave that which was above any human value, and is in fact valued very low in human standards. A sign of weakness.

Her weakness was her strength. The breaking of her alabaster made her whole. She offered the priceless and it gave her great worth.

Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Let that thing that is valuable to the world be broken so that the things precious to the Lord may come forth.

94.

Just 10 More Minutes Lord

The Snooze Button

I want to thank all who came out to prayer last night. It truly is an honorable thing to come and lay your life down on the very day that 2,000 years ago, He layed His life down. Speaking of prayer, I am doing an exhaustive study on the prayers that Jesus prayed when He was upon the earth. What made them stand out. What caused them to generate such power. How they affected His life and the life of those around Him.

I do know that prayer is the cornerstone to a person’s life. It comes in many shapes and sizes and varies in it’s intensity. It is your communication with God Himself… and your supply line. A line that the enemy is constantly trying to sever.

People who feel uncomfortable with prayer or that struggle with prayer find themselves struggling in life itself. It is a very tender and very intimate time with Abba Father. Jesus told us to ask Abba Father in His name. Jesus granted us access to your own Father.

Satan had kidnapped you. With the redemptive work of Christ, not only were you redeemed, but you were recovered and returned unto God. I love that. Redeemed. Recovered. Returned.

With that glorious gift of open communication and an “open door policy” with your Father, there are still those who won’t pray. Oh, they will ask others to pray for them, but they can’t take the time to do it themselves. I guess it’s easier to put them on a prayer list and have everyone else do it. Their time is more valuable to them in other areas.

Don’t get me wrong. We have prayer lists so that we can have an “agreement” in prayer and so we can have all the prayer warriors jump into the battle. When someone says, “will you pray for me” – I always correct the grammar. No. I will pray with you. I will agree with you. But I will not do your praying for you if you indeed are strong enough to pray.

WITH you. That means it’s ok to ask for prayer. It’s ok to ask for prayer for another dear to your heart… but ONLY if you are willing to put in the time and effort to pray with those of us who have dedicated our lives to war in the Spirit.

Hindrances to prayer can be many things, and trust me, the enemy is clever in finding ways to cut your lines of communication. Bitterness, fighting, anger, sin, selfishness, tiredness, envy, jealousy, busy-ness, pleasures… and the hits just keep coming out of the bowels of hell… and when you are tuned into that “top 40” station – You WILL NOT PRAY.

On the night in Gethsemane that the disciples joined Christ in the battle of His life, they missed the mark and left someone all alone on the front lines. You do that today when you send a prayer request and then turn over and go to sleep. That night they left Jesus to fend for Himself. He requested multiple times that they stay alert and that they pray.

He even warned them of the temptation, or the very thing that would disrupt the communication. They just plain missed it.

And the sad part was that Jesus battled there for hours. Not short little minute prayers. He groaned in agony for HOURS. It makes me a bit sad that I could not learn more from the prayers of that great battle because three of the gospel writers. Mark was written from the accounts of Peter, Luke wrote his gospel from the stories of Paul and other disciple’s accounts. Matthew was there personally in that garden on that night.

John the beloved, the one who layed his head on Christ’s chest at the last supper and listened for his very heartbeat only records what would amount to 22 verses and under 3 minutes of prayer time.

How is it that these trusted disciples could not have given us the keys to that all important prayer of Gethsemane where Christ had turned the intensity up. Where He prayed so loud and so fervently that His blood vessels in His tear ducts burst.

I fear that they taught the church well. Today in this microwaveable religion, we can be in and out of a service in an hour or so. We are called to altars and by the time the people in the back row are getting to the altar, the ones in front are already up on their feet and heading back to their seats to spectate. WE ARE SLEEPING. We are busy. We are fat and sassy and have no need to find God in our every day life… although we just take for granted that He will be there. He’ll take care of things… Now I lay me down to sleep.

I love that song by Casting Crowns… “While You Were Sleeping”. They slept when He was born. They slept while He walked the earth. We are sleeping still.

And so ironic and tragic is this statement by Peter himself: 2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The hidden meaning behind the pain in this statement is that Peter himself was one of the “fathers” who taught that life went on in spite of their sleeping.

The alarm clock is going off and you keep hitting the snooze button.

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

SNOOZE. (I’m up… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

SNOOZE. (Just a few more minutes… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

SNOOZE (I’m gonna call in late…. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

Mar 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

SNOOZE… Honey, I’m gonna call in sick. Honey? Honey?

Now… you know that I don’t post these songs for my health, right. I post them for your health. PLEASE listen to them today.

95.

Personal Pentecost

Has YOUR day of Pentecost fully come?

This morning I am not afraid to take a stand for the moving of the Holy Ghost. I will not feel embarrassed or guilty because He uses me for miracles, signs and wonders. I am not afraid to come against blasphemous teaching by the powerless preachers of the world who speak openly against the Holy Ghost and God’s people who have been labeled as “Pentecostal”.

It was prophesied by John the Baptist that the Holy Ghost would baptize with fire, and that prophecy came to pass in Acts the 2^nd chapter. This fire that was kindled on the day of Pentecost still burns brightly in the churches that welcome the Holy Ghost to have His way.

Are there excesses in the Pentecostal churches? Of course. Just as there are in the Baptist church and the Catholic church, to name just a few. But to attack an entire denomination because they have received the promise of Pentecost speaks to their ignorance.

Fire was sent from Heaven. It creates a warmth in the hearth of our hearts. It burns up the chaff in our lives. But these pompous, dead, teachers of the law hear the word “Pentecostal” and start showing slides of houses engulfed in flames and call an entire generation of people – “arsonists” of the devil.

There are those who are prone to excess, but it’s the focus upon these and damning an entire believing body that I believe is not pleasing to Jesus and what He promised us. And the promise was not only to those disciples at Pentecost. The Bible is clear that the promise was to “all who are called”.

And because someone has a chimney fire that destroys a home, it is not wisdom to eliminate all the fireplaces when they were, in fact given for our benefit.

A prophecy by John the Baptist. It was a powerful Baptist who proclaimed the Holy Ghost and that there is certainly a baptism of fire.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Those modern day teachers of the law have a form of Godliness, but are denying the POWER of God. These men who are lacking the passion and the power, write a book and add to the scriptures the fact that the “sign gifts” have ceased. Do you know how dangerous it is and how profane it is to add and speak that to scripture that NEVER SAYS IT? Do you know how dangerous it is to take away the words of the book of prophecy… or, the promises given to His children?

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

And when we speak of God doing great and mighty miracles in our lives and how God still fills us with the Holy Ghost and causes us to speak in tongues… oh, here we go… some theologians start screaming “GLOSSILALIA! GLOSSILALIA!”. First of all… if you attack this gift, you have to teach from the entire book of scripture. Mark 16:17, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6, I Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14, Isaiah 28:11, Romans 8:26, and Jude 1:20.

Act 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Those who are speaking out against the moving of the gifts today are numbering themselves with the same spirit that invaded the streets on the day of Pentecost. It hasn’t gone away… that spirit is still prevalent.

The explanation is that these 120 people in the upper room started going amongst and speaking to the crowd and that’s why this special one time gift was given… so that they could understand and be converted to Christianity. That is false and anyone that teaches that is not only teaching a false doctrine, but is ignorant.

Let’s explore a few given facts from the scriptures.

First of all, there was a celebration that day in Jerusalem called “Shavuot”. This was one of the three pilgrimage festivals, this one in particular commemorating the day that God gave the Torah to Israel. On the day that the law was celebrated, God poured out a work of grace. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinth 3:6)

The 120 were shut in, fearing the wrath of the Jews who were persecuting those who were proclaiming Christ. They were not out among the crowd. They were, however speaking so loudly that you could hear them from the street.

They were not prophesying. They were PRAYING. All in the prayer language that God gave them. They were not talking to the crowd, they were talking to God – and some in the street over heard them. (They were hearing praise and prayer for the wonderful works God had done. They weren’t receiving individual salvation messages in their own tongue. That message would be delivered later by PETER IN HEBREW.)

It was, and I won’t apologize for this to those who preach against the power of God for our time, a Pentecostal prayer meeting. It was like the prayer meetings they had in the Old Testament, but now each had a different language – God was sending them forth to the nations!

Ezr 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

The men that gathered outside of that upper room were LIVING THERE. Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

These men were not only living in Jerusalem, but they were “devout” men who were religious and who could judge between the profane and the genuine. They were JEWS. They came back to Jerusalem to live after the Diaspora… after the Jews became independent within the reign of Rome.

Although they were part of the generations of Jews dispersed to foreign countries during the period of captivity in the intertestamental period, they were now back in Jerusalem.

All never gave up their national heritage NOR their national tongue which was Hebrew.

Although some were born in captivity of such places as Parthian, and Mede, and Elam, Mesopotamia, Judaea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya Cyrene, Crete and Arabia, they were JEWS. Yes, being raised in a strange culture and even being born into a strange culture, they never were allowed to forsake their tradition or their national language.

They spoke Hebrew. They didn’t need to hear the foreign language of their birthplace to hear the gospel. What WAS strange was that those in the upper room were NOT all praying in a Hebrew tongue. The meaning here was that God was a God upon all the Jews – wherever they were, wherever they grew up.

They weren’t given an understanding of the different languages being spoken, nor did they understand what the message was for that they heard in their birth tongue – again – different from their heritage tongue. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (vs 12)

Peter stood up and delivered the message that day… IN HEBREW and they all understood. Peter was interpreting what was happening. An interpretation to the tongues that God had given. Tongues of men and angels.

Tongues are a spiritual gift. All of these received that spiritual gift that day. This gift was promised to ALL who received and ALL who were called. Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

God did not stop calling people after the death of the disciples. To speak or teach this is complete and utter nonsense.

This is what happened on the celebration of Shavuot. When the day of Pentecost had FULLY come:

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now… I hear the different denominational preachers proclaiming that we are in the last days. Although I have heard that all my life… “Jesus is coming soon”, I look around at the signs of the times (yeah… the signs of the times… the signs that Jesus proclaimed – and NO they did NOT cease with the death of the apostles) and know for sure… we are. There are earthquakes, nation rising against nation, wars and rumors of wars… and…. THE HOLY GHOST. In exactly which chapter of scripture do you find that ANY of the signs will cease?

NOT ONE.

We are in agreement then that these are the last days.

So, ok, Mr. Obvious, let’s go back to Acts and find out when the signs, wonders and miracles will occur. It doesn’t say, “and it shall come to pass until the last disciple dies”.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

(Those who are afar off… translated out to: PLACE, TIME, OR PURPOSE.)

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Being Born again is a miracle. If miracles have ceased, then how can men be saved? The stripes that Christ bore DID NOT HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE. The blood that He shed DID NOT HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE.

You don’t have signs, wonders and miracles because first of all you don’t know what they are – including each breath you are given. You have taken for granted the wonderful works of God and are so busy trying to fight against the moving of God’s Spirit that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. IF you are truly a man or woman, called of God, on your face, weeping between the porch and the altar – then truly the Holy Ghost will have his way.

If you are not witnessing and being a part of signs, wonders, and miracles of the Bible… you have fallen prey to a false spirit of unbelief. This scripture explains WHY they don’t happen to you. WHY the don’t happen in your church.

Mat 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

As for me and my house… as for me and my church… we will not only seek the Lord, but we will BELIEVE what God has told us. We WILL be baptized in the HOLY GHOST. We will BELIEVE. These signs SHALL follow us.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

God is my Jehovah Jireh… HE WILL PROVIDE HEALING FOR ME. He has never ceased being Jehovah Rapha… The God who heals me.

As for trying to prove the existence of God and defend Him when He wants to move outside of some religious and powerless box, I have been called to better things. I pray that God does whatever He needs to change your heart… and as for me… I must follow the advice of the Apostle Paul.

1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Feel free to share this with anyone who is minimizing all that God is doing and wanting to do here in these last days.

96.

Can You Pour?

Will He Find Faith In An Earthen Vessel?

This morning I want to do a review of what I sent a few days ago. I want to make sure that you didn’t take it for granted. I want to make sure that you not only read it, but you heard it. I am going to add to what I gave the other day with the full scriptural account as written in the book of Luke.

Luk 5:18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

Luk 5:19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

Luk 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Luk 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Luk 5:22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

Luk 5:23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

Luk 5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

Luk 5:25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Luk 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

I’ve heard the old movie cliché from Field of Dreams. “If you build it, they will come.” Unfortunately that has been the credo of many of the mega church ministries and countless thousands who try to emulate them. The idea is building a monumental structure with comfortable seats and entertaining worship and creative arts, ample parking with security guards directing traffic, restaurants and juice bars, bookstores and massive puppet shows.

Unfortunately the credo is correct. You will draw the masses with these things. I mean… it’s much easier to go to a place where everything is “in place”. But there is a price to be paid to go to such high caliber religious centers. And if you build it, they will come, but many times, God won’t.

I believe that He doesn’t care for the man made schedules and the boxes that are so carefully constructed with scripted rules and time limits for each box. We build these places and then just expect God to show up. I don’t think God cares for the country club mentality and a place that facilitates the idea of “a place where you can fit God into your busy schedule”.

What if… we let Him build it? What if we turned the schedule over to Him? What if we taught our young people to tarry at altars instead of waiting in line for Christian posters and autographs? What if we turned our worship services over to Him with no time restrictions?

What if we let testimony service last until the last testimony was given? What if you didn’t wear your watch to church and you went telling Him that He could have as much of the day as He wanted? What if, after an hour of preaching, you craved more? You will never get the majority to worship at a Christ centered church.

And by Christ centered, I don’t mean the weak 21^st century connotation that is flippantly spoken to sell books and pack churches. There are churches that don’t ever see people saved. There are churches that don’t see a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. There are churches that don’t experience the signs or wonders or miracles.

Their explanation? God quit doing that in the first century. The real reason? We have quit on God. We have let the altars in our homes become cluttered with dusty Bibles and scented candles. The spiders have had more activity there than we have.

Check the evidence. And many times, those same people that don’t have a family altar judge the church for having empty altars. “Look at my right hand so you don’t notice what my left hand ‘isn’t’ doing”. Just a tip… don’t judge the public altar when you don’t have a private one.

Back to Luke 5. That day, they were all in the temple. It was packed because of the law and because it was a place to placate God. The rituals in that temple hadn’t changed or been interrupted for a thousand years. God was in their temple and they didn’t even know it. Something happened that day… and many didn’t like it.

There were men who came to the temple for all the right reasons. Finally. Jesus was to give an illustrated sermon on “how to have church”, instead of how to play church. Jesus awaited that moment with patience and longsuffering. On that day… the temple that was going to be “destroyed and raised up in three days”, came into view.

In many churches, and to your surprise, God has nothing to do with the building or the fabric of the seats or the roofing material or the color of the carpet. He’s not looking at the externals in the temple. He’s looking for the temple within the temple.

He’s looking directly into your heart. On this day in history something changed and the religious people didn’t like it. Those who came expecting more than just liturgy, fouled up the program. They labored to bring forth their friend. Spiritually speaking – it is going to take some time to secure the things in the spirit that you desire. We need to return to a time where the schedule is thrown out and the Spirit is let in.

The amazing thing that happened that day was that a man’s ticket was punched to get into eternal life. That happened first. When this upset the apple cart of the Pharisees, they began to reason and scheme as to how they could get the control back. Just about the time they were exercising their right to complain, something amazing happened.

The man on the bed that was lowered through the roof had what the Bible called “palsy”. We don’t see it that way today with the drugs, the modern methods of care and the equipment we have. In that time, let me describe to you what a man with “palsy” looked like.

He most likely had degenerated to the point where he had trouble hearing and understanding what was going on. His body had open, stinking sores from being confined to the unsanitary bed he was laying on. His body most likely had grown a grey to yellowish fungus from infection and he was watching his body decay and die right in front of his eyes.

His body was most likely in a pretzel from the bones that had been grotesquely twisted from the atrophy of the muscles and portions of his body were an ashen grey to a dying black. The stench alone would have probably cleared the building. Or perhaps his ungodly moaning and shrieking from the pain, made people wonder even before the roofing material was falling in what was happening.

Jesus looks at faith. He “sees” faith. Action faith. Laboring faith. Persistent faith. He first removes the sin from the body of that man. He then listens to the talk and the reasons why He couldn’t do that. When God moves, someone is always there to reason – simply because we have an ever present enemy.

And here is a VERY powerful statement in the face of an enemy that tells us even today that signs, wonders and miracles are out of order and out of vogue in our churches…

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins”

Jesus is saying here. It would be enough to tell you who I am and that I can give you safe passage to Heaven… but to prove that I AM HERE… I will go a step further and heal this man. (Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.)

I love it when He disrupts the program, upsets the apple carts, turns over the tables of the money changers and then… PROVES HIMSELF BY THE WORKS.

What is amazing to me is a man in their midst so broken… so discolored… so foul in odor – immediately and before their eyes, his skin turns to a pink hue, the odor is changed to the smell of baby flesh, (anyone ever “smell” a healing? It is incredible) the bones snap into place and this huddled, twisted man STANDS UP.

They reasoned when HE spoke. They were amazed when the natural order of things was changed. When we get to a place in our lives when the natural order of things is altered, then this statement will be our reality.

Luk 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

What would happen if we really gave the schedule to Him? What would happen if we really let Him control the service? What would happen if we really let HIM build the church?

I believe that we’d “all be amazed”… we’d all “glorify God” and we would have a new respect for what God can do. We do things in His name. We do things for His name. We need to do things AT HIS VOICE.

“And when he saw their faith,” (Luke 5:20)

I say again to you… When He looks your way, does he do a double take? Does it cause Him to speak and comment about what He’s seen? When he returns to our church again this Sunday, will He find faith on or “in” your earthen vessel?

We need to allow Him to move today. We need to plead for Him to move in us today that our faith in action will move Him to comment. Remember it was a word that God spoke that created worlds and all within them.

97.

The First Church of the Lost Power

The Stripes Did Not Lose Their Power in 58 AD, neither did the blood lose it’s power!

As I am up in what one would call, the “wee” hours of the 9^th of April, I came upon a passage of scripture that I had not only read, but preached on several times. Interesting thing about scripture… it can mean something completely different based upon the circumstance in your life, the maturity you’ve grown into, or the intent to which God sends it.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me one day when I was very young and thought I knew everything. He told me that if I read just one scripture each day for the rest of my life, I would never come to the height or breadth or width or full understanding of that verse. The word is alive. It, for a lack of a better term, evolves though it stays the same. It is a growing, living organism. That word “became flesh” and dwelt among us.

You can preach the same verse multiple times and it can take on a different flavor each time. Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

So… on this day, here in 2014 it is not surprising that I see something new and exciting in an old passage of scripture.

Luk 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Luk 5:18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. Luk 5:19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. Luk 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Equally interesting is verse 21 that scripted the reaction of the scribes and Pharisees. A paralytic man is healed in their presence and they “began to reason”. And from their reasoning, they formed questions concerning what Christ had spoken… totally blowing off the fact that a paralytic man had just been healed and was now walking among them.

A miracle was walking among them. And they missed it.

You see, people today are doing the same thing. His power is present to heal – and that has never been prophesied or scripted that it would end. In fact, Jesus said that “IF you believe, these signs shall follow” (Mar 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.)

If there are “not” signs following you today, you better check your “believer’s status”. There are healings going on all over this world, and yet a man of man’s degrees writes a book of “reason” and “logic” and we turn our eyes from what we see to what we hear. Pompous men who speak against the gifts and the Holy Ghost are, in my opinion, walking on very dangerous ground.

You see, men can create a climate that is clinical and cold and with their unbelief they can be a leavening to an entire culture-lump. The very elect could be deceived. And because they have said… “we will not allow the moving of any Holy Ghost here” – God naturally proves them wrong and heals someone else… but not them. Their anger is stoked now with bitterness because they are proven wrong and healing has never come to them, so the “reasoning” is that God does not heal. Of course not… you’ve created a no-God zone, and the sad part is – you’re taking bread out of the children’s mouths. It was Jesus who told us that healing was the children’s bread. (Matt 15)

If any of these men ever had a cold… then let’s call it like it is. They were sick. After 10 days the cold “runs it’s course” and that man is “all better”. Let’s again… call it like it is. That man was healed from his sickness. If Jesus doesn’t heal today, they who healed that man from his cold? Are you going to attribute that gift to Satan or medicine or man in general or nature? Let me just say that I won’t stand too close to you in the next lightning storm.

The blood will never lose it’s power. It didn’t lose it’s power in 33 AD… or 58 AD or 2014 AD. That blood STILL has the power to save, deliver, heal and set free. How dare they come against the blood.

But… I have to remember that it’s not my job to defend God… but it is my responsibility to love Him. He will more than take care of those who have become enemies of the cross… having a FORM OF GODLINESS… but DENYING THE POWER.

Now we all know that faith comes by “hearing” – but if what we are “hearing” comes from the mouth of men instead of the mouth of God, it can be tainted and skewed. Faith COMES by hearing – but that faith without works (action) is dead. It’s paralyzed just like the man being lowered into the place where Jesus was.

These were not men who just “spoke” the word of God… they were men who acted upon it. And when our faith becomes active… something very wonderful happens.

It is something that is not just heard… but it is “seen”. Look at Luke 5:20 and notice the power when Jesus “SEES” our faith. Our faith comes by US hearing… but the faith takes on a new realm of power when HE sees it living. When HIS word LIVES – that which is dead and decaying… comes alive.

What a great illustrated sermon on faith using a man who, for all intents and purposes was watching his flesh die right before his eyes. What does Jesus Christ, the resurrected, the ascended, the Lord of Lords see in us? (Will the son of man find faith on or in the earth when He comes to your circumstance and situation?) (Luke 18:8)

Will He speak a word of healing and forgiveness when He sees your walk in faith? The act itself didn’t generate healing. He was a paralytic when they carried him to the temple, he was a paralytic when they began removing the roof, he was a paralytic when he was being lowered into the temple. It was at the WORD of Christ that this man was healed… AFTER Jesus “saw” faith in action.

Do your actions catch the eye of the Savior? Do your actions prompt Him to comment? If they do… faith came by your hearing, faith moved by your obedience, faith was noticed by His seeing and miracles came by HIS speaking. We can’t move mountains when we randomly speak whatever comes into our heads. We can’t quote scripture like we are spraying the room with machine gun fire. It is ONLY when we are speaking by the Holy Ghost who has not only seen our faith, but speaks to the Father on our behalf. The circuit is thus completed and the power miraculously brings light.

If we were to go back to be able to see the background of that initial passage, we may see a great love between friends. We may see the tears on the invalid’s behalf. We may see the prayer that went forth and the direction that God sent them.

God told them to go to the show without tickets. They walked into the realm of the impossible because they believed. They obeyed. They “KNEW” that it would be a done deal…. IF they could only take what they heard and bring it into the sightline of Jesus Christ. Then there’s a chance. A good chance. A great chance. LET HIM WATCH YOU WALK INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE. He will speak to the thing you have done.

98.

Falling on the Rock

Praying For Brokenness

I cautioned you last week, although I am prepping you for what I believe will be a great revival here… in that same breath, you must not have your eyes upon it. Does that make any sense to you? We need to address the work at hand… not what is coming. We need to address the great need in our church to be broken in His presence.

That is what I believe will bring a great move of His Spirit… but we don’t do it to get it. I’ll say that again… we don’t DO it to GET it. We do it because our hearts are craving to be in His presence. As a dehydrated deer pants for water – we must crave and long for God. We are not praying, therefore – for revival, but to be humbled and broken in His presence. To find our place of tears. I know something must be brewing as sleep didn’t come last night. I have an excitement in my spirit as to what God is doing. I know that because of how He’s kept us in church the past few weeks… and because the enemy doesn’t like it – and is fighting against it.

He wants to make us “religious” again… and uses many “logical” and “carnal” reasons why we shouldn’t stay in His presence. If we are truly heading for revival and we hunger for that, the services we are in now would be “short” in comparison.

In revival… As the Spirit of God is moving, we must all be sensitive to the Spirit and to the needs of those around us. Perhaps you are one called to tarry at the altar… perhaps you are one called to free up a childcare worker to come in to the altar. Perhaps if you have children, God won’t call you to tarry as long, and you will be called, instead to depart and care for your children and your family.

Never close your mind as to what God is doing… or how He is doing it… and remember… this is not my first rodeo. I’ve been here before – and I am hearing His voice – as concerning the labor, the Word, the ministry in the altars, and the time spent in church. As I said last week… if you need to depart because of obligations, we will not be offended. If you have to depart from the sanctuary to conduct “church business” – again… feel free. It is not an offense. What would be an offense is for you to begin to suggest alterations because YOU feel inconvenienced.

Every move of God is met with resistance – and for every problem you face, God can come up with a solution without altering His moving or changing His schedule…. ie: “God, we have things to do… how about we come back later and try again…” Sounds funny when you read it like that, but when the Spirit of Revival is at hand… I have learned to stay your spiritual course. If the enemy is wanting to change or alter anything concerning the service… I can only caution you to step back and realize how dangerous that can be.

There is something about a Christian who will follow and stay the course… enduring as good soldiers. Here is a case where the revival lasted three days without food or water. Oh my… if that happened today, you can be sure someone would find a rational way to stop it. Mat 15:32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

In this instance they toiled “ALL NIGHT” – fishing, but could not spend an hour in prayer. It’s about priorities. Luk_5:5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

And here – it makes mention of the hours that were spent in the presence of God. This occurred after Jesus spent all that time healing on the Sabbath. Kinda reminds me of today… Jesus, we don’t mind if you bring the word, but why spend all that time on the Sabbath ministering afterward? We have things to do… the children are rowdy… we have a roast in the oven… it’s my only day off and I need to get things done….

Luk 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And, oh Lord… what if God put forth a request as He did in the times of Joel??? ALL NIGHT??? Come on, Lord, we have a life. Do you?

Joe 1:13

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. Many times in scripture God calls for our time. Our extended time. And… sometimes He doesn’t. It’s not how long or how short our time is with the Lord… it’s in our obedience. And each one must obey God in their own way. One might be called to skip a church service and go to minister to a sick friend. Another might be called there just to hear the word. Yet another may be called to come late and be ministered to in the altar.

I thank God because when our church let the Holy Spirit have His way… there were no restrictions put upon Him. And… now He’s not only enjoying us in this extended season of His great anointing… but He’s testing us to see whether we will follow into His timing… or will we seek to alter His timing due to our human conditions. Alter or Altar.

If He tells you to spend one hour in prayer… should we not do it. If He calls us to prayer instead of Bible study, should we not obey? If He calls us to stay and tarry… should we not stay and wait. As leader in charge… as one you know hears His voice… I will tarry when He tells me to tarry. I will continue when He tells me to continue and I will go when He tells me to go. Dismissal comes at His word. Not mine. Not yours. Not the enemy’s.

Mat_26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Now… Jesus came to Peter three times during the course of the night. He wouldn’t have rebuked Peter had Peter done the minimum… but he couldn’t do even the least… one hour in a three hour time of prayer. What is He asking of you today? What is He asking of you on Sunday?

Some have come saying there should be more time spent. Some have come saying there should be less time spent. Since I can’t make people happy to accommodate everyone’s convenience… I am continuing to obey Him. No more… and no less. You see… if I change or alter because of your desires or your suggestions, then I become as Saul – afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. Afraid of losing favor with the people. That’s a tough line to walk as a leader… but my eyes and ears remain focused here each morning…. NOT JUST SUNDAY MORNING… as to strength to stay obedient. And strength for you as well.

99.

The Present… It’s a Gift

Today

I received this morning while in prayer an old familiar pair of scriptures. Very dear to my heart, they have visited me many times in my life and like an old friend, they came to call upon me again today:

Mat 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

They apply today in the light of where our church is heading. They come as a breathing of God, gently as a reminder of what His purposes are. The bottom line is that we can’t get the cart ahead of the horse, and we can’t look for the events of tomorrow without giving Him our today. We can’t live in the promises of tomorrow when we haven’t lived in the reality of today.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

We have been talking of and looking forward to an actual event of revival as promised of the Lord, but it is senseless to live in tomorrow’s revival when we have not labored in prayer today.

There is an earthquake coming in the diversity of the church. I can feel the fault line shifting and moving from underneath our feet – and there is coming a great separation in the church. There will be those who will be moved by the shaking and will run and they will panic. The others will me moved by the shaking and will fall to their knees and they will be broken. It is the brokenness that will usher this great move… a move that will cause the earth that is called man to quake and to break and to change and to move.

Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

God is again stressing here on this Friday morning. Your week is almost done. Have you instructed others to pray for you or have you taken the time to pray? Have you been found wanting or have you been found praying. Have you offered Him your complaining or have you offered Him your tears? Have you been found in the hardness of the earth or have you fallen on the stone in brokenness? It’s time.

Not a long word today… but a sure word today. Today. It’s time. Today. It’s time. Seek ye first… today… the heart of your Father. He is speaking many things this week… have you taken the time to listen?

He that has an ear… hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Psa 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

100.

Hidden Rich Man

Two Rich Men

This is the story of two rich men in the Bible. Here are the scripts:

Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Mat 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

and…

Mat 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:

Mat 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

Mat 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Mat 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

In the first instance we see a man who had “possessions”. This is an interesting word. It doesn’t only mean that he had things that he was holding on to, but those things were hanging on to him. Possessions are not bad not only if we can release them, but if we can break free from their release.

As I received this scripture this morning in prayer, the Lord was feeding me much concerning it. It was overwhelming what He was trying to show me, and as always, I am going to try to communicate what I’ve heard from Him.

Both men were in a higher tax bracket… or at least they were set apart by what they had. One was described as having great possessions. The other was described as a rich man. The second man who was named Joseph had the great possessions, but the possessions were held by God and never possessed Joseph. A possession that you can’t let go of belongs to you. A possession that you can release truly belongs to God.

That is pretty self evident, but from what I heard this morning, possessions don’t just include material things. Included in and a part of this first man’s possessions were other things. Things he could not release. One was his title. His position. He could not let it go. It defined him. Now, remember – he did all the right things and it sounded as if he was a very good man. But very good men can be religious about doing the right things and miss the Kingdom due to what they are involved in.

Having possessions that possess you can be very seducing and they fly under the radar. Most likely, he gave to God his tithe. The minimum that he could get away with and still be a follower of Jesus. Possessions can not only define us, but in our zeal to keep a handle on those possessions, we have to take precious time maintaining them. Like a trophy, we polish it, keep dust from it, we take time to look at it, show other people, and take time reminiscing about how we gained it.

Now… a trophy in itself is not evil. But the responsibility you take on when you possess it can be detrimental to your walk.

This young ruler had responsibilities to his possessions that took a lot of time and effort. Obviously it wasn’t the possessions that were killing this man, but the time it took to maintain his own kingdom. Jesus wanted him to “sell his possession” and give to the poor. Think of it this way… Jesus wasn’t asking simply to give the poor money… but Jesus was asking something much greater of this man.

He wanted this man to give the time he devoted to the things that possessed him and take that time and responsibility and dedicate it to the poor. Notice He didn’t just say… give the poor money. (Obviously if this was the case, he wouldn’t have rebuked Judas for wanting to give the treasury to the poor, stating that the poor you would always have).

I believe that what Jesus was telling this man… Sell out. Sell the thing in your life that is consuming you and give that consuming time to a cause of God’s choosing. It’s not simply money. It could be the time and possession your television has upon your life. It may be the possession that the internet or facebook or social media have upon your life. Simply stated… it is the possession that is possessing you. It is the possession that is keeping you from following JESUS.

You see, this man was doing all the right things, but the right things were not enough to keep him from completely missing God. It was the possessions that were stealing his time. He had responsibilities that were keeping him from following Jesus. We in today’s society have many responsibilities and many things that demand our time.

Things that selfishly scream at you for all your attention. You can be “not killing someone” and still be miles away from where Jesus is leading. Keeping the commandments are not enough.

Wow. I have been preaching on brokenness and prayer and travail and intercession. At times I feel that the word is falling on deaf ears. People that say, well, I am a good Christian, I do all the right things, but I have responsibilities that take priority here in the new Millennium. I simply don’t have time to pray every day.

And you refuse to adjust your schedule. You refuse to eliminate the possessions that are making demands upon your time and like the rich young ruler… he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

If you find yourself depressed… discouraged… distraught… up to your neck in problems with no solutions in sight… just keeping your head above a water line… perhaps you have walked away sorrowful. Perhaps you have possessions that are robbing you and keeping you from following Him.

And… there is no excuse that is good enough. Job, Family, Spouse, Title…

Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Luk 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Luk 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Luk 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

You need to sell out to follow Him. It doesn’t mean quitting your job… it simply means to release your schedule to Him and let HIM dictate your schedule. Let HIM plan your work… and then YOU work His plan.

Now… on to the second man. Rich. Consumed with giving Christ everything. His riches did not prevent him from being a disciple of Jesus as it says. Nothing prevented him from “begging the body of Jesus”. Following Jesus even into death. Giving up his own tomb for that of the Master. That tomb represented Joseph’s plan for the future… and how Joseph scrapped his own future plans to give of himself and that possession he had slated for himself – he surrendered to God. Because it always belonged to God.

Men who have many responsibilities are rich with responsibility. If that man can not surrender or sell out to follow Jesus where He leads… he will not find the eye of the needle in the dark.

You say that your life is surrendered to Him. You say you do and say all the right things. Yet you can’t find one time a day to pray and one time to worship and one time to study…. You haven’t sold out… and each time you walk away from your quality time with him, there WILL be sorrow.

101.

Stray or Pray

Can You Pray From The Comfort Zone

I spoke on Sunday on how important brokenness in His presence is. Not broken because there is great sin, or because you are in great peril, but because a natural man standing in the presence of a supernatural God will bring a breaking up of the fountains of the deep within us. It will cause us to be broken.

When the apostle John was in His presence, he couldn’t stand up…. and felt as if his flesh was dead. (Rev. 1:14) Also in that presence, John was broken in Rev. 5:4 when he proclaimed… “I wept much…” So much for those who say that there are no tears in heaven. If there weren’t tears, what is God wiping from our eyes?

Here on earth I am convinced that God is wiping not tears, but cobwebs from our eyes. The church has lost the ability to cry. It’s gotten too busy. It’s gotten too comfortable. It’s grown away from a relationship into a type of religion that fits it’s busy new millennium schedule.

Some younger people in the church that have been birthed into a lukewarm religion actually speak out against this type of prayer. They call it emotionalism. The say it’s not needed. They say that it’s a new time and a new generation and God certainly wouldn’t have us take that kind of time in our busy lives. It’s shocking how the enemy has come and deluded the word to the point where we can no longer believe scripture.

Now… don’t get me wrong… tears CAN come from and through great trial and affliction, but it’s a means to an end. That end is to be in the presence of God. When we are afflicted, when we need, when we hurt, when we are in crisis, we gravitate toward God.

Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

I told you last week of my early beginnings in ministry, and how it was launched through much prayer and intercession. We were a part of the old Minneapolis Evangelistic Auditorium. Pastor Russell Olson did not request prayer and intercession…. He demanded it. The prayer room was amazing. It was huge… about 50 ft long by 50 ft wide, and all the walls were painted to look as if you were in the middle of the Garden of Gethsemane.

As I said, if you came out of the prayer room looking like you were ready for Prom, Brother Olson would say… “you didn’t get through” and would send us back down until we got through. Getting through was a term for being in the presence of God and being broken. Oh, the sounds were incredible coming from that basement sanctuary on 14^th and Nicollet. People crying out to God. People coming out of there with red eyes, mussed hair, disheveled clothing. It looked like they had come out of a battle. And they did. There were people there that did battle in the realms of the supernatural.

We have to explain here in this generation what was “normal” to us back then. We knew the importance of being broken in His presence. We knew that lives depended upon it. We knew that God’s presence came in the midst of it. Today the churches are enamored with eating chili-dogs because they have never tasted steak. What happened?

I got an insight to this while in prayer this morning. I went back in my mind and revisited the prayer room in Minneapolis. It was the place that God first spoke the name “Streetfire” to me. It was the place where I had first learned to weep until I had no more power to weep.

And in that place I was surrounded with old “pillar” saints – two of which came out of the Azusa revival. Although they looked frail and old, their prayers were powerful and full of the thunder of tongues and I was amazed that THAT kind of noise could come out of those sweet little bodies.

When they sensed that I was having a hard time in the battle or breaking through into intercession, they would quietly make their way over to where I was laying on my face. As they began to pray, quietly at first, so as not to give me a sudden heart attack… and to reassure me that God had called in the reserves to help me. Within a short time, they seemed as loud as freight trains next to me and my body would shake, and I would be ushered into the presence of God where I would weep and pray in the Spirit uncontrollably with the shaking.

Revivals come and go. Exciting when they come upon a group of saints, and sad when you feel that glory cloud moving on somewhere else. The epitaph of Azusa is recorded as follows: “By 1913, the revival at Azusa Street had lost momentum, and by 1915 most of the media attention and crowds had left. Seymour remained there with his wife, Jennie, for the rest of their lives as pastors of the small African American congregation, though he often made short trips to help establish other smaller revivals later in life. After Seymour died of a heart attack on September 28, 1922, Jennie led the church until 1931, when the congregation lost the building.”

I asked one of those precious saints why revival had ended at Azusa and she said with a sorrow in her voice, she said, “oh, you know… people just kinda went on with their lives and they let other things take the place of their prayers.”

These precious saints at Azusa never saw another revival like it. As one who has been in the middle of a God-ordained revival, I too grow sad when I think of it and how it ended way too soon; and I haven’t seen anything like it since. It wasn’t that God didn’t want to stay – but it was the people who moved on and away from that closeness. And I am a part of that people that learned how to put God on a back burner.

When revival ends… it’s because Christians no longer need. Those who were instructed to pray are falling asleep, warm and comfortable and thinking that they have all of God that they need.

It reminds me of a rebuke to the church in Revelation 3: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

I think of the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane the night that Jesus was taken. Jesus had come and implored them to pray, but eventually after Christ Himself witnessed that they had not realized the need any more to pray, He left them. One of the scriptures that I think should chill the church to the bone is found both recorded by Matthew and Mark: Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Here were men that had been in extreme revival and had witnessed massive healings, deliverances, miracles. They had seen it all. They had attained to “disciple” status and walked with the King. Certainly they had earned some “me time”. Certainly they deserved some “down time”.

As they took for granted that great gift of the Holy Ghost… as they took for granted the need to be in the Father’s presence… they grew lax in their calling. I mean… they HAD ATTAINED. They learned how to pray! So, they could pretty much do it any time they wanted and they had plenty of time, so if they missed a day, big deal… it was in the cupboard if they needed it.

It’s hard to walk away from prayer for a day when prayer has been your daily lifestyle. The hardest day to go through is that first day when you justify why you need some time off. After that, it gets easier and you walk faster away from the labor. Pretty soon your creature comforts swallow the entire notion of needing to pray.

You no longer want to think about other lives in the balance when you quit. You no longer want to think about your children you’ve been covering. It is a very selfish spirit that comes to justify your run from the throne and your descent from the call. It is a very seducing spirit. It makes you promise God that you will find time later… and in that later time, has other plans for you.

And revival tarries as we are lulled to sleep by a seducing spirit that convinces you that God loves you anyway and He fully understands and excuses you from the discipline of prayer…. Much less the pressing in to brokenness.

Can we pray when we have everything we need? Can we pray effectively from the comfort zone? Can we pray when our secular world has worn us out?

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,

Do you not feel this? Can you not look around at the churches lounging in the manmade lukewarm swimming pools? If you are falling away… you are ushering in “that day”… the day of the coming of the Lord.

He comes to us today as He did in Gethsemane and they took Him for granted. Their spirit was willing but their flesh was weak.

And just as He did in Gethsemane… He will, with no time left say to this sleeping church… “Sleep on now. Take your rest”. The church of Jesus Christ that is still alive and well and on fire NEEDS NOT to Take their rest… but they need to take their stand.

I can’t explain to you how important it is to be one that is found broken in His presence every day. Prayer should not be a once a week work… but a lifestyle that you are dedicated to, in order to prove your calling.

2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

You may think that I am on a tangent… you may think that I have gone overboard in this area. But you need to realize that I am responsible to do everything in my power to get you to God. Not to build a church. Not to lift up a man or a ministry. Not to build a kingdom.

I simply need to get you to God. I simply need to get you into His presence because a moment in His presence can do more than all the moments I could give you.

Simply. A task that is overwhelming in a society that no longer calls for tears.

102.

Are You Ready?

Isn’t It About Time?

As I said about last Friday night, God spoke something with sadness in His voice. “I’ve taught my people to pray, but they won’t pray.” From my perspective of a coach, when I’ve taught my team how to do something and they simply don’t do it – it not only infuriates me, but in their loss, I have sorrow because they didn’t do what I told them to do.

He’s given us teachers who taught us. We have the teaching. We have the tools. But we don’t have the heart. Oh God… create in us a clean heart and a right spirit. Touch our hearts and make us yearn and desire you above all things.

The following statement is from the Lord. Your time belongs to Him. When I heard this word this morning, I realized that the Christian that tore a garment back then (and today) was for the people, but people that tore their own heart is something only He can see. God looks upon the heart today. It’s not talking the talk. It’s walking the walk… and He’s waiting on you.

Joe 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Joe 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Is this your week? Have the weeks and months and years slipped away from you? Isn’t it time to find that place of brokenness? Is this your week… is this your day? Can you hear the Lord calling you to that secret place of thunder? Will you ask Him for tears this week? Will you let Him break your heart this week? How about right now. Ask Him to create a window… tell Him how much you desire Him. Ask Him if you can come home right now to where He is.

Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Haven’t been home in a while? Isn’t it about time you turn your heart back to Him? Put your hand on your computer screen right now and touch the words found here… and plead with Him to give you the time… to give you the place… but most of all to give you the heart to find your way home.

103.

Adding to the blood…

Sweat And Tears

What our times of intimate worship should be described as: Ezr 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

I felt this last night during the intense time of intimacy with the Lord. Explaining last night and all of what happened is something I could not fully understand, much less explain. We are heading in the right direction as to these sessions. We have, for a lack of a better name, called it “prophetic worship” simply because we script nothing and pray that our worship will be something He ordained and that He orchestrates.

A prophet is the vessel that God uses to bring forth God’s heart, God’s will and God’s purposes. He also goes before God’s throne of mercy to bring not only his own heart, but the heart of others. He also has learned to surrender his will in a time of intimacy. So… in a way, I am asking that it is a gathering of prophets with the heart and desire to seek this time of intimacy with a great fervency.

The calling of a prophet is to put everything behind that calling unto the intimacy with which he is called to.

So… at the prophetic meetings, we worship. We are directed not to gather to sing songs, but we gather to sing to Him. We worship as one finding a door to the Holy of Holies. And we take the time to go through that door and let ourselves be engulfed in His presence and the weight of His glory.

We don’t come seeking miracles or signs or wonders. We don’t come with “honey-do” lists for Jesus. We don’t come with a hidden agenda. We don’t come with time limits. We come expecting one thing and one thing only – and that is to be broken in His presence. We come surrendering. As I begin to pray, and I battle against the enemy of my soul for my own tears, my ears are cognizant of others around me praying, calling out to God… and then like an explosion, it hits.

Someone will break into tears and crying out to God and then another… and yet another… and all of a sudden I find myself in His presence, in intense and unexplainable splendor and as He touches me. I find a passage in scripture that I find closely comes to describing it: Gen 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

As He touches something so deep inside, you realize a place that man can’t touch or affect – and as those fountains within the deepest part of you are broken up – you see into the windows of Heaven. This is brokenness. This is where you walk with Him. This is where He holds you. This is where you speak friend to friend. The very borders of the intimate. For someone to describe it who has never experienced it would be like trying to describe Africa without ever having visited there. You can’t.

And then, of course there are those who deny it’s existence simply because they have never been there. They like to tell others that it simply doesn’t exist… but what they are saying is that it doesn’t exist for “them”.

It is the way that one hopes to find Him every day. A different side of Him. An intimate side. It’s where you come out the other side feeling as if your insides have been turned outward. And when you are in that place, things are touched in the natural realm. Things occur in the natural realm as a result of one man or one woman walking and falling on their face into the intimate realms of His Spirit.

Miracles happen. Signs follow. Wonders are revealed. Not that you sought these things, but they are the fruit that grow when you sow into that place. I see my two favorite scriptures that describe this private and intimate place of being broken.

The first involves a corporate quest of David and the people who were with him: 1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

The second is found in the life of Jesus: Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

As I said last week and will continue tomorrow with this… tears are an integral part of scripture, so important that God saves them not only in his tear bottle, but in His book. He keeps a record of your tears. So why, if this is important and integral and intimate in scripture, do they no longer exist in the vast majority of churches?

Tears are a portal to the intimate. In the intimate is the very heart of God. When we touch the heart of God… we are revived. The portal to revival. So why do we weary ourselves trying to find that door?

We look for that door in the world or in religious teachings or in good works or in past experiences of the saints. You will never find it there. You will never find peace for your soul until you learn to humble yourself, put Him above your schedule and your fatigue and your excuses, get upon your face and let Him know that you are not leaving until you are truly broken.

Only in offering your brokenness do you offer something He desires. Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

It represents something He provides that only He can take credit for. You can jump when they say “jump”. You can shout when tell you to “shout”. You can speak in tongues when they tell you to “speak in tongues”. You can plant by the sweat of your own brow. They represent things you can either voluntarily work up or bring forth. What you can’t do is cry on command. What you can’t do is open the fountains of that deep place within you. It must be Him.

Tears can only be harvested of the Lord. Interesting. Sweat and Tears. One you can work to give to Him. The other He presents to Himself. And thus… an acceptable sacrifice. It goes back to what Cain and Able offered.

Do you realize that one day you will stand before the Lord and you won’t even be able to present yourself? Paul speaks of Christ as the one who will present us. Again… to know Him intimately is more important than you know.

Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Jesus should all fulness dwell;

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

When you come to one of our gatherings, don’t come looking like you are ready to go to Prom, wear your spiritual work boots and clothing comfortable for demolition. The demolition of your flesh. Don’t come expecting a word from man.

Don’t come expecting to be entertained. Don’t come expecting a miracle for your body. Don’t come expecting to speak or to preach. Don’t come expecting someone to get you out of your financial disaster. Don’t come expecting someone to lay their hands upon you.

Come ONLY expecting to be broken in His presence. As I pray this each day of my life, and find myself in that place never often enough, I see something very interesting there.

When I am broken in His presence, I don’t ask for anything stupid or superficial. I don’t worry about bills or debt or health or welfare. All I desire is more of that “immeasurable weight of glory” to continue to wash me with the breaking up of those fountains deep within me – and far from the reach of mortal man.

“There is no greater salve for incurable wounds than the balm of Gilead that is composed simply of tears. Let God turn you upside down and pour out of you that miracle cure.”

“Tears brought about by emotions have a different chemical make-up than those for lubrication; emotional tears contain more of the protein-based hormones prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and leucine enkephalin (a natural painkiller) than basal or reflex tears.” – from Wikipedia A great study is to search the proteins and the make-up of human tears. It’s quite a study and a powerful insight into this power that God created in a teardrop.

What are we doing? What is all the “tah-do” about? 2Co 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We are setting aside a time to look into the eternal by surrendering every ounce of the temporal.

104.

Embrace His Grace

Today as I am in study and prayer, I can feel the battle closing in and many of you are battling fiercely. The Lord spoke to me that the enemy has attacked in an area that you already had the victory over and were holding that ground. You thought you’d never have to battle again for that area.

Battling the enemy is not exact, but similar to a person in an AA meeting. Those meetings remind them each day, that although they have built up victory days, it doesn’t eliminate the destructive enemy of alcohol will leave them alone. It is a demonic spirit that is unafraid to revisit the battle. YOU are the battlefield. You hold the victory ground, and the enemy wants it back.

The warning that I have for today is from the Lord and the threat is real. It reminds me of the story of Elisha getting messages from God concerning the troop movement and location of the enemy. Elisha would then relay the warning to the King of Israel. The enemy is certainly not happy, but it makes all of us know that God is in control. You can read that context here:

2Ki 6:9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.

2Ki 6:10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

2Ki 6:11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?

2Ki 6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

So, what am I telling you today? Probably nothing you didn’t already sense and know in your heart. Perhaps this is just a confirmation and the Lord wants to reinforce your level of alert. Some of you are at a DEFCON 3… increase your readiness with additional force!

When we give God control of an area in our lives and He calls on us to hold fast that area, it can only be done through prayer and fasting and firing the ammunition that He gives by way of His word.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

The enemy is very skilled at the art of war. He has been perfecting it since the day wars were waged in Heaven. Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Some interesting facts about the enemy’s tactics that we must keep in mind:

He doesn’t just fight you on one front in this war. He will fight with multiple fronts at the same time. You must believe that you indeed CAN do all things… and not just one thing. (Phil 4:13)

He has you surrounded and the battles are always imminent. He could strike at any point in a 360 degree radius of where you are standing. Remember our opening text. God is always one step in front of the enemy plan… even if it’s coming from behind you – God promises to be your rereward. (protection from behind and things from your past) Also… very important here, let’s look at what Elijah looked at when he was surrounded:

2Ki 6:15 Elisha’s servant got up early that morning. When he went outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, “Oh, my master, what can we do?” 2Ki 6:16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the army that fights for Aram.” 2Ki 6:17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, I ask you, open my servant’s eyes so that he can see.” The LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and the servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. They were all around Elisha.

He changes his tactics from making you think he has retreated to making you think he is surrendering. Do not relax or be lulled into a false sense of security, this tactic is set for an ambush.

He has a new plan for your destruction each day. Spiritually speaking, one day he might use nerve gas, the next day he might use arrows, the next an armed rocket. Remember though, God will give us the equipment to fight in each new day’s battle. It is imperative that you seek HIM each day for the equipment you will need to fight the enemy’s ever changing arsenal.

He is not afraid to revisit a battle even if he has lost it time and time again. Battlefields where he once was successful and had victory, hold an especially important place for him. It represents a defeat. It’s one thing to secure an area that he’s never had, but he is relentless when he has lost to you an area he had one time claimed.

If you ever saw the movie Jurassic Park, you will remember the lesson on Raptors. They were incarcerated an electrically secured fence – but without fail, they would go and systematically check the boundaries every day for a break in the current or a malfunction in the system.

The enemy is constantly checking your boundaries for a weakness. In areas where you feel weak, you MUST call upon the Lord and admit your weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reminds us that in our weakness we can be strong when we yield to God)

Stay within the boundaries of the camp. Do not attempt to go “rogue” or “Rambo” on the enemy. Strength is in your position that God told you to hold. The enemy is constantly checking the perimeter for strays. (ie: watching something you shouldn’t watch on TV or internet, having a chance to talk about someone behind their back, letting a friend take you to a forbidden place)

The enemy can engage you in battle at any time, 24/7/365 or 366 on a leap year. You don’t get a day off for your birthday or holiday or a sick day. You must be on your guard.

Now… this doesn’t mean that he will engage you every moment of your life, but he’s ready and willing to do just that. 1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Today I am reaching out to those of you who have lost a recurring battle. When the enemy is successful in taking that land, he will try to hold you in a prison of condemnation and depression. Though this is real, it’s not valid. One of the things that the enemy can NEVER take from you are your weapons. Just as you had the weaponry to fight, you have the weaponry to escape and get back to your Commander in Chief.

The way home is most beautifully put in the context of the prodigal son:

Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Three step process to get back to the containment area: 1. You must formulate a plan to rise, repent and return 2. You must work your plan to rise up and head home 3. When you get to your destination, repent and embrace the grace afforded to you by your heavenly Father.

EMBRACE THE GRACE.

105.

Just Visiting?

Visitation or Habitation?

What a day we had yesterday! The chapel was full, the altars were full and we felt such a richness and fullness in God’s Spirit. Some people might say that we had a “visitation”. I feel that we are all becoming more conscious of His presence with is always with us.

He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. In the Old Testament the dove could only hover and light upon – but here in the New Testament He has found a place to dwell. We are seeing signs, wonders and miracles that have been occurring with a greater frequency than ever before.

They started slow, one report here, the next week we would hear of another miracle, but now we are seeing a frequency of the genuine and certified hand of God moving in our midst. He is leaving in His wake, footprints and fingerprints. If it were possible to set up a CSI lab, we would find the evidence of supernatural DNA. And as I learned from the CSI experts… the evidence doesn’t lie.

That makes me think of the scripture: Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

It’s getting to the point that our worship and testimony service is running longer than most other churches are cramming in an entire liturgical service. We must realize that God is moving as people are praying and interceding. With that prayer and our added fasting, we become more in tune with the things that we used to take for granted and we are developing a more acute sense of what is happening in the spiritual realm.

Many people testified as to miraculous things that have happened this past week, and if you’ve received a miracle, no matter how insignificant you think it would be to others, PUBLISH it. Give God the glory for even the little things… for in doing so, you are planting the seeds of your miracle and the harvest will be a field of revival.

When they ask God in scripture, “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6) They were praying for revival. It wasn’t just for themselves but the word used is “us”. Now… that being said, I must state that in Job 42:10 – He speaks of the release of his bondage when he prays for his friends. If you are desiring revival, ask for it come into your own heart first… but don’t forget to pray it into someone else’s heart.

I am declaring today that as for me and my house we are praying… Lord, revive us again! Bring your revival to our church, our community, our county, our state, our nation! I thought about a word that churches use that may not be as they think. Their hearts are right, but the terminology is not quite plumb with God’s word. That word is “visitation”. I know that I myself have used this word incorrectly in the past and it’s worth at least a look this morning.

I will use both context from the Old and New Testaments.

Jer 10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

And

Luk 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

In all the contexts that use this word “visitation” it is not a pleasant thing, but speaks of a day of reckoning. A judgment day, if you will. I don’t think it’s a mistake that God uses it in this context, seeing as He is desiring a “habitation” in us and not a “visitation” with us. Again, I will give some scriptural examples of “habitation”.

It is translated in the Hebrew as a beautiful place to live and call home. In the Old Testament, they built a tabernacle where man could meet with God. In the New Testament, He built a tabernacle in us where He would forever reside. A beautiful home in us. We ought to desire a habitation rather than a visitation.

Exo 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Psa 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1 Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Psa 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

So, it stands to reason that God has created in us a place that He calls… home. If we are living in the same dwelling as the Lord, why do we not acknowledge Him? Why do we not take time to sense His presence? We act as if He were a million miles away or that perhaps He can’t see what you are doing… and when all of a sudden a wave of consciousness hits us, we think that all of a sudden God just showed up!

He visited me. I had a visitation! That IS sad. He desires to live with us and yet we have no problem just calling Him a visitor or a guest in our home. He told us that He would be a friend that sticks closer than a brother… one who would NEVER leave us.

Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The creator of the Universe has chosen to dwell with us. The least we could do each day is to pray that we are more conscious of Him and more aware of His presence that is scripted to be our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble.

106.

Done and Done!

The Five “D’s” That Yield Deliverance

This morning I received a wonderful letter from a man who has been imprisoned here in Michigan for 37 years. I have been believing for his unconditional release for some time, and I am declaring a miracle for him this year – even without his knowledge. God is Working on a release.

Some reading this word today are in prisons too. Certainly not State or Federal incarceration, but prisons of the enemy which are every bit as dark and discouraging at the natural prison. Some to vices and sins that have literally bound you by bars of condemnation and despair so that you can not go forth in the calling that God has called you to.

I want you to read a scripture with me that will DECLARE, DEMAND, DISCLOSE and DEFEND by DEMONSTRATION. I call this the “five D’s” of grace. And as we stand with Christ and DO what He DICTATES… He brings DELIVERANCE. Five “D’s” – By Grace We Stand. By Grace We Move.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

This scripture above all is something we must be able to do… But don’t just skim it… read it again – those of you who say… “Oh, one day I’ll be able to say it… some bright and sunny day when I am not in this predicament… when the Lord delivers me – then I will surely read that scripture.”

Ok… you didn’t get it. Read it again. It is speaking to one is still in bondage. What? Listen. We must use the 5 “D’s” when we are in the prison… not after we get out. Paul speaks of “doing something”. The first four “D’s” will enable you to take action… DEMONSTATE. Paul’s first word is “Stand”. Action. To take that action when we are still in the problem and the bondage takes a strength that only God can give you.

Does Christ make us free when the prison bars open? NO.

Look at that sentence…. “Christ hath made us free”. The prison bars were opened long before we were even incarcerated! He promised our freedom in the Old Testament before Christ came and the freedom was gained at Calvary. That’s when you were released.

To realize that you must Declare. You must Demand. You must Disclose. You must Demand by Demonstration. And remember that first four things are done in the courts of Heaven so that you can take action in the courts of the flesh. The court where the accuser has his power.

Declare

nâgad and dâbar A right to stand boldly and without fear – Subduing the enemy by speaking your words

Jos 20:4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.

Psa 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Demand –

sh^e‘êlâ’ : Rendering a decision or demand by Holy law – requiring that those who hear MUST obey.

Dan 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Disclose –

gâlâh – To take something into captivity; removing yourself from captivity by incarcerating your fear and your thoughts and imaginations that are not of God. To speak without fear the truth in disclosing your sin and being accountable for it.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Isa 26:21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Defend –

gânan – to put a hedge around that which belongs to God. Acknowledging that God protects and stands up to defend His own. When we go to prayer and He increases so that we decrease, we have demonstrated. When we stand boldly without fear, we have demonstrated. When we stand in the courts of the unjust, prayed up, packed up and ready to go up… we demonstrate!

2Ki 19:34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

Isa 31:5 As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

Demonstrate:

bârar

A decision was not only made, but an action was taken. Faith needs an action to make it live.

Ecc 3:18 “I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them,…” (an example of God taking action!)

Do you remember that a few weeks ago I brought forth the image of Christ standing? That means something is about to happen as the Son of God begins to move. I told you that whenever you see Him stand up in scripture, something powerful was about to happen.

When we stand with Him… we change our position. We change our posture. We no longer lay in the dark prison chamber, but we rise in anticipation of what God is about to do. When Paul and Silas were in the inner prison, they demonstrated the 5 “D’s” and God was moved to action.

Act 16:25-26 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

They had come to realize that their liberty was NOT when the doors were opened, but BEFORE the doors were opened they were set at liberty. Wonderful thing about being a Christian confined. We have access to portals that will take us into heavenly places. We can not be bound when in fact our prayers can take us to places where our incarcerators can not go. Paul and Silas had teleported themselves to a place where their hands were not tied, there feet were not shackled and their voice was not silenced.

They joined a “barn dance” in Heaven and the beat was so catchy that the Lord Himself started to stomp His feet and as He did, the foundations of the prison were broken. Foundations of the prison. That in itself is a strong and powerful statement. Couldn’t God have just opened the door? Why did He have to ruin the whole jail? Ah… because it held ONE OF HIS OWN and so that THAT prison would never be used again to hold His precious loved ones.

They declared the word of God. They demanded the edicts and laws of Heaven. They put their pain, fear and unbelief into captivity by disclosure. They defended in prayer. They demonstrated in praise.

It doesn’t matter what your situation looks like or sounds like or feels like… Can you demonstrate in that place? When you can… your 5 “D’s” yield God’s ONE “D”.

Deliverance.

But you shouldn’t be surprised… read this text, but especially the highlighted portion.

Before they happen – God already knew and delivered.

This is what God is going to do … for you:

Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

107.

Do You Know “About” Him?

Religion or Relationship?

I feel like a roller coaster that is just cresting the first chute! Sunday night is the prophetic at the parsonage, next week we have our first Friday night prophetic at Jim and Betty’s home… and I feel an excitement in my spirit as we are heading into spring!

Today in prayer, the Lord has given me this scripture to share with you for your day:

Act 9:1-5 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Notice something interesting about the punctuation in the text? It has quotation marks. That means someone said it. Someone was speaking.

I am going to tell you right now… if the only time you know about Jesus speaking is in the LOGOS or in written form, then you do not have a full Christian walk – nor do you have a full Christian relationship. True Christianity is based upon taking the quotation marks out of what you hear from Jesus. If He speaks to you personally, you will not need the quotation marks.

Too many sit in churches and hear the stories of Jesus. This Christmas – those who know Him and those who know “about” Him will sit in churches all over the world. Quotation marks and listening to His stories may give you a warm and fuzzy feeling… but to hear His voice will be life changing. How about it? Shouldn’t THIS be the Christmas where all the stories you’ve heard become true?

Haven’t you listened to stories about Him in church and mockers outside of church telling you who He is and isn’t??? Are you your own person today? Why don’t you judge for yourself. Instead of listening to others tell you about Him, how about going directly “TO” Him. Instead of using mediators in your life… how about approaching Him face to face. Tis the season.

If I walked into Crossroads and everyone was telling “Pastor Mark” stories, some would be biased pro… some would be biased con. If you would come just to listen to the stories about me, I would be disappointed. I want to address you. I want you to address me. I want to tell you and show you WHO I am. I need that interaction with you… so it wouldn’t feel like I was at a memorial service, but a gathering together.

Churches that gather and sing “ABOUT” Him rather than “TO” Him… Bible studies that tell stories about Him instead of sharing with Him. Those are funeral services. Memorials. As I said a few weeks back, Jesus is ALIVE and we must not only treat Him as such, but we need to LIVE in that ascension!

I dare you to be as Saul this morning. “Lord if you are real… then speak to me”. Speak to my heart Lord Jesus and then let me ask… “WHO ARE YOU?” Saul was as many in Christianity today. They are religious, but have no relationship. If he is your friend that sticks closer than a brother, then why continue to live your days as if he were the white elephant in the room.

Who are you Lord?

The answer you hear could change your life… and take your “wake” to a “celebration”.

108.

You’re in the Army Now

Good Soldiers: No Fear.

I can remember when I was in school and my English teacher told me I had to write a paper and have it done by the end of a week. I made that out to be the worst thing EVER. I was sure it would get better after I was out of school, and now in the school of the Spirit, God has me write a paper each day! Thank God for His strength and His grace and His direction.

That being said, I have noticed recently that He is sending some “fine tuning” and “honing” words which I believe are preparing our hearts for a great move on our horizon. Everything lately deals with some aspect of humbling, eliminating the leaven of pride, erasing religious concepts and brokenness.

I am convinced that this period of fasting and prayer will yield something that we’ve never witnessed before, and although we have had some great miracles come out of the prophetic meetings, (babies to the barren, perfect health to the sick, employment to the unemployed…) I keep thinking the thought… “you haven’t seen anything yet”.

I was directed this morning to an interesting article in the news. I will share a portion with you:

“Losing Faith: 21 Percent Say Religion ‘Not That Important’

One in five Americans say religion does not play an important role in their lives, a new NBC/WSJ journal poll shows – the highest percentage since the poll began asking participants about their focus on faith in 1997.

Twenty one percent of respondents said that religion is “not that important” to their lives, compared to 16 percent who said the same in 1999. In 1997, 14 percent of Americans said religion did not play an important role in their lives.

The poll showed that these less religious Americans are more likely to be men, have an income over $75,000, to live in the Northeast or West and to be under the age of 35.

This should not trouble us, but should excite us. Jesus prophesied this as did Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians. It is not coming upon us “suddenly” and has been spoken of even before salvation was secured at the cross.” -Carrie Dann of NBC NEWS

Paul states: 2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Jesus said: Joh 14:27-28 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

It was natural for man to know his end. We are creatures that sometimes want to read the last chapter of a book first so that we can read the story in peace, knowing that it will all turn out in the end. God did that with His book. He encourages us to read the last chapter, and in fact, says that there is a “BLESSING” if we read and understand.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

The disciples that walked with Christ in the natural wanted to know their end. Mat 24:3

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Now, Jesus gave us signs to look for – not to scare us, but to give us peace that He was reading into our lives the end of the book! I see so many doomsday prophets and end time hoarders and fear based religions trying to put fear into the hearts of man. One common thread running through all the talk of the end times MUST be… NO FEAR.

This should be an exciting time. Summer camp was a blast for me, whether it was Boy Scout Camp, basketball camp, church camp or band camp and believe me, I did them all. By the third day, ultimately someone would say something like… “only three days left” – and my heart would grow sad because it was ending, but another part of me was so excited because in just a few days, mom and dad would be driving up in the car and I would be able to go home and sleep in my own bed…. complete with clean sheets, no sand, no spiders and no worries.

The closer we get to His coming, those who love Him are excited. Those who question their Christianity are worried. Those who are backslidden are terrified.

And in Matthew 24:6, Jesus was quoted as saying… “see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass” and in Luke 21:9 He said, “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.”

One of my all time favorites, speaking of being in good standing and finding our way home is in the gospel of John.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

And who could forget that Isle of Patmos and “BEFORE” the revelation was given. Jesus started with… “Fear not, I am the first and the last.” (Rev 1:7) Above all, Jesus wanted first and foremost, His church to be excited about “home” and secondly to walk to that door in this lifetime with NO FEAR.

Those that try to scare everyone with world events, wars, rumors of wars, on and on and on are really missing the boat. Our mission in this life is not to scare or put fear on people, but to get people in touch with Jesus, who, contrary to popular belief is still alive, well, large and in charge. If that doesn’t take the fear away… you really need to know Him.

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

And bottom line? If it’s the goodness of God that leads a man to repent, then why are we constantly cheering on those who have a fear based Gospel? Judging this, Judging that (Romans 2:1-3) – when God calls those who judge… “INEXCUSABLE”. Heaping fear here, stockpiling food there, gotta buy a gun – two guns or how about a sword?

Yeah… Peter took up a sword and defended Christ – but all he did was take away the ability for another man to hear what Christ was saying. (And still we are not trained, but wield a natural sword… and… off come the ears)

Jesus said Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

In a modern paraphrase, I can see Jesus turning to Peter and exclaiming… “REALLY? How’s that workin’ for ya?” Wasn’t there enough confusion going on that night? Doomsday preppers. Hmmm. I see a similarity.

Peter was not trained in hand to hand combat, but he could catch a mess of fish. He was, however, trained in the ways of the Spirit but chose to walk a path that he didn’t know. Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Some in this world have been brainwashed by fear based teaching. An earthquake tremor hits and somebody yells “I’m gettin’ my gun”.

Some in this world have been brainwashed by fear based teaching. An earthquake tremor hits and somebody yells “I’m gettin’ my gun”. STOP. You are not, contrary to what you think, an assassin hired to kill or to inflict pain through fear! Our weapons are NOT carnal. 2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Notice what Jesus “DID’NT” say. He didn’t say store up food. He didn’t say that Heaven was recruiting for a kingdom militia. He didn’t want them to fear! Now… how do you save a man’s soul? You can’t. Jesus can.

It’s by HIS GOODNESS. The goodness of God. He has told us that if He, in fact sends us to the other side of a sea fraught with peril and storm, it’s His responsibility to get us there. HE is faithful to COMPLETE the work He started in you.

Php 1:6 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:

1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Now… that’s a sword that He encourages you to pick up. That is the sword that a “good soldier” will use. And… speaking of a good soldier… Does the Bible say that a good soldier will fight to the death with guns, knives and cannons? Is a good soldier one who burns down abortion clinics and kills the unbelieving sinners and buries the Christians alive in shallow unmarked graves? NO.

2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Endurance. Joy. No fear. Praise. Prayer. Pick up your weapons boys and girls!

109.

Let Him Speak on Your Behalf

Defending Yourself With Your Resume & Accolades

As I was traveling the “Romans Road” this morning, I looked again at a very important message that I believe is essential for a great moving of God – not only in my own heart, but in the heart of the church.

Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

If Christ Himself learned what it was like to be “revived” or in other words, experienced a revival in Himself, how much more shall we seek for that work to be done in our own lives.

The 14^th chapter is where I was early this morning. Now… when I read a chapter in the Bible, it doesn’t go with the chronological order or a ministry plan of man to read through the bible in a certain amount of time. That may be the way others do it, but I approach each chapter as He takes my hand and says… “let’s take a look here”. And as soon as I finish a chapter, I don’t put a check-mark by some master plan and hurry to the next so I can tell the whole world “what I’ve read in only a year’s time!”

Be careful to which reward you are seeking. If that is, in fact, your course of action, and God is in fact leading you to do that… the reward should be in the reading, the knowledge and the teaching you are receiving… not in the proclamation to the world.

And… if you set your heart NOT to write a tell all book about how many times you’ve read through the Bible, be on guard because the enemy wants to boost your pride and steal your reward. One of the most devious ways Satan moves, is to have a new Christian, a seasoned Christian… or worse… a non-Christian come to threaten your Christianity. They question your knowledge. They make a public spectacle out of you.

They try to elevate themselves above you. They try to be all spiritual as they speak to you of their accomplishments. In all three scenarios… ultimately you will shoot them your resume rather than the Word of God. “You’ve read the Bible 4 times? Well… I’ve read it 5 times!” WHAMMO. Hope you enjoyed the reward of cold soup here on this earth, but it’s a shame because the reward in Heaven was a steak dinner.

It is human nature that when our intellect is in question or when our works are judged, we want to build ourselves up. We’ve let the idle words of man trouble us and we need to feel an affirmation by our own works. The enemy makes us mad and we feel the need to defend ourselves.

REMEMBER: Always counterattack with HIS WORD… not your resume or accomplishments. Funny… the enemy comes at you with a fiery dart and you hold up a piece of resume paper to shield yourself. Result: Charred. Testimony: charred. Reward: Charred.

In this age of self promotion and seven easy steps to being successful, we must remember that we ought to be decreasing right now. Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

If you have others that have not read through the Bible… it can bring condemnation and jealousy. If you have others that have done it, a competitive spirit may creep in to drive you to tell them… “I’ve read through the Bible four times now!”. Be careful to which reward you are seeking. Perhaps your self proclaimed accolade may drive others to do it, “just to keep up with you” or to be like you. Be careful that you are not cloning religious people.

Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Remember that when you make a thing public, it is open to all the scrutiny of man. Some may pat you on the back, some may tell you that it is wrong, some may tell you that they are jealous, some may be driven to consume mass quantities of “words” without comprehension of the essence.

That is in part, what Romans 14 is talking about. Now. That being said… reading through the Bible in a set time period. I believe that is for those who need discipline and structure, and I am NOT saying that is wrong. But… if you can hear His voice, why not read where He leads? In HIS time, you will get through it all.

Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

We get into trouble when we boast about how much we’ve read or how fast we’ve read or how many times we’ve read… Without a saturation of the word, there is much “run-off”. God tells us… line upon line. Here a LITTLE… there a LITTLE. And little can be big if God is pouring water into a very thirsty man. But remember that a very thirsty man can not drink mass quantities of water. Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

I believe the word of God is precious and sacred and is better when the little that He gives you is savored… fully chewed… and digested properly. His word is not to be ingested as if we are at a hot dog eating contest.

I can remember that as a young evangelist fully engaged in the midst of a revival and having little time to study for messages. We were getting about 4 hours of sleep per night and during the day we were dedicated to prayer and putting out fires set by the eternal arsonist and stoking fires set by the Holy Ghost… and trying to discern which was which.

This revival lasted 23 straight weeks and I had already been preaching “pre-revival” for five months (twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday). That means that God was requiring me to preach over 180 messages in a little under six months.

After about 50 messages, I complained to the Lord that I had preached all that was in the Bible. I was dry. IN THE MIDST OF THIS AMAZING DOWNPOUR… I was dry. I really did feel that way. When you study, the enemy wants you to believe that you’ve seen it all and you done it all and you’ve exhausted God’s Word.

It was then that the Lord imparted to my heart that if I’d take ONE SCRIPTURE and study it each day for the rest of my life, I would never run out of material to preach about. Some have built a resume on how many words they have read. Others have built a resume on how much they have learned from one word. It’s not the quantity of what you’ve accomplished in God, it’s the quality of one foot in front of the other… one step at a time.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Faithful. If you have faith… keep it to yourself. Let your actions speak for you. Let the Blood speak for you. Let His Word speak for you.

In one of my past mentoring classes, I gave my students one verse. They had to preach about that ONE verse and things concerning that one verse. I wanted them to preach an exhaustive message on that verse. They did well preaching with that directive. They may have been a bit long winded, but they did well in presenting the content.

The hard part was the following month when they were to preach from that same verse… and the stipulation was, they couldn’t use any scripture, material or things they preached about the first week (with the exception of the main verse). They had to rely on the Holy Ghost to give them a new look as a verse they’d already preached on. They were pretty sure they had exhausted the verse in the first preaching.

The second preaching opened their eyes as to how much more was in the preparation… how much more was in the content… how much deeper His word went. Now… I could have had them preach a third time on that verse and I suspect they would have been successful, but perhaps that is for a future group of students.

This left them with a feeling that their life was so short and God’s Word was so expansive that they came to realize that in this vapor they are living, they would really only have time for a glimpse of God and who He is. And not one thought anymore about having “extra time on their hands”.

And faith… is fruitless without works. Your actions will speak louder than your accolades.

110.

REVIVAL

This is a day of grace for me.

It marks a milestone anniversary for Robin and I as we set off for a new year that God has promised great expectations and spiritual gifts. It is also the first day of our church’s 40 day fast leading up to the Good Friday service at Jim and Betty’s home in Greenville. That night promises to be unlike any we’ve ever seen in this ministry. Our hopes and our expectations are very high for an event unlike our church has ever seen.

This year also marks our 7^th year of completed ministry in Ionia. We set out as a church into our 8^th year. It is truly going to be a time of new beginnings. A portion of the scriptures that God gave me in shut in for us this year is:

Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isa 43:20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

There are many unfulfilled promises yet to be claimed for Crossroads Church and Streetfire Ministries. This is a year when we will begin to learn “how” to access the power provided to us that we may live in victory. That we may no longer live in the “resurrection”, but in the “ascension”. I want you to read the next “eight” verses in the alliance of us heading into our 8^th year of ministry here at Crossroads. What do each have in common? What is the thread that sews each verse to each other?

Luk 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Gen 26:3 – “…and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;”

Deu 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jer 1:12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Jer 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Php 1:6 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:

We have spots reserved for the performance of performances. God is about to put on a show. The greatest show on earth and it’s not Barnum and Bailey. It is a performance. Written by the Lord. Spoken by the Lord. Action by the Lord.

And He has reserved for us box seats.

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Notice the positioning that God has given me concerning all of us. We are seated. He is Standing. Whenever you see the Son of God standing in scripture, something is about to happen. The house lights are going down, the crowd is quieting, cell phones are going dark, there is a great anticipation of a moving of His Spirit.

And IN that place where we are seated… in heavenly places… that is where we will be blessed.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

This coming week I am going to preach about revival.

It is scriptural to pray for revival. If you say it isn’t, then you do NOT know the word of God. To say that we are just looking for an emotional experience would be like saying, “praying for a child to be born is just an excuse to look for an emotional experience”. (try telling a woman in labor that her pregnancy is just an emotional experience… go ahead… I dare you.)

We don’t have emotional experiences and call it revival any more than we have emotional experiences and call it childbirth. The two things are interconnected! If you study genuine revival and what happens you will know this.

How many cried when you heard that someone close to you was pregnant? How many cried at the birth of a child? I know I have. How would you like someone to come up to you and say… “that’s not real… that’s just emotionalism.” How would you like to have someone tell you that having that child is just emotionalism?

“Don’t pray for a child – emotionalism is not what it’s all about.” OF COURSE NOT. Emotions come as a result of the promise. Emotions come as a result of the actual event.

Did you pray for that child just because you wanted an emotional experience? Did you have an emotional experience and call it childbirth when in fact there was no pregnancy?

The emphasis is on “ACTUAL EVENT”. Revival is an actual event. It is a literal, historical, documented FACT that explains an unexplainable visitation from God. And buddy, let me tell you as one who has seen the genuine… the actual event… it is beyond anything you could ever imagine or describe or anticipate. And it WILL bring weeping and tears and emotion. When the natural man stands in the presence of a supernatural God – trust me…. There WILL BE EMOTION.

Now… I can jump when someone says “jump”… I can shout when someone says “shout”… I can sing when someone says “sing”… I can speak in tongues when someone says “speak in tongues”. But I can not cry when someone says “cry”. It takes an act of God for me to have tears in my eyes. It takes a move of God to bring “strong crying”.

Some of you need to go back and study your definitions of emotionalism… and be careful that you don’t throw out the “genuine” with the “man-made”.

What we are seeing and what people have been testifying about as to what has manifested in the prophetic worship meetings on Sunday nights is LITERAL it is not MADE UP or SENSATIONALIZED. IT IS REAL. If you haven’t been touched by the fire of that particular performance of the Lord, you tend to deny it.

You judge it by something that you’ve seen that is phony. You tend to “pooh-pooh” it because you yourself have not experienced it. It would be like a “barren” woman saying that women who have pain in childbirth are just exaggerating and making it a bigger deal than what it is.

You tend to tell everyone, that you are NOW the authority on revival. HOW CAN YOU TELL ABOUT REVIVAL – WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN’T WHEN YOU HAVEN’T BEEN IN IT??? That’s like a husband describing his wife’s labor when he wasn’t in the delivery room. He simply DOES NOT KNOW.

It is the case of a barren soul explaining spiritual child birth as either non-existent or not a big deal. And to deny what happened at Azusa Street would be the same to deny that World War I actually happened. It is literal. It is documented. It is historical. These are events that shaped people’s lives and what we know today as The Church.

Don’t let anyone tell you what revival “isn’t”. Come on Sunday and learn what it “IS”… from someone who has walked through that very fire.

Things have begun to happen. When we learn to travail with strong crying and tears, supernatural things happen. When God puts it upon our hearts to “ask” for revival – He not only hears us, but responds to us. It is no more wrong to ask for revival than for a barren woman to pray for a child. Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

ASK OF ME AND I SHALL GIVE THEE. ASK OF ME AND I SHALL GIVE THEE. ASK OF ME AND I SHALL GIVE THEE.

Has it yet sunk in? He is the one asking us to ask!!!

I heard about the testimonies of the healings – actual healings on Sunday night, but what I saw and testify about were the people – on their faces before God – crying out in tongues and tears and intercession. To get to revival… a “performance of the Lord” of that magnitude… it will take the labor intensified hearts on their faces before God. Being even as David… “weeping until he had no more power to weep”.

If you’ve never experienced that level of prayer… of travail… of emotion. Then go back to what I just quoted… “ASK OF ME AND I SHALL GIVE THEE”. You have not, because you ask not, and when you have not, you try to prevent everyone else from having what YOU DON’T HAVE.

Women have babies that come out from inside their own bodies… an organism that is produced inside a human being and comes forth as a separate human being. If you’ve never seen it, it’s hard to believe it. In the spiritual realm, it is very much the same. To deny it is simply a choice to be ignorant.

111.

What Do We Get?

Tokens of Deliverance

Well, yesterday before I got sidetracked with another message, I was intending to teach a bit on “ornamentation”. This comes from a word that God gave me several years ago entitled “tokens of your deliverance”.

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

We start with the thought that this earth and everything within it belongs to the Lord. Although we have “deeds” for land and property, it is ours only as long as we live. At our death, someone else takes possession. It is more like a rental.

I like to say that we “recycle”. Robin and I do most of our shopping for furniture, pictures, etc., from Goodwill. When we die, some of those things that are special to us, most likely won’t be special to our children and the items will, in all likelihood, end up back at Goodwill for the next generation of pickers.

Even when we say we “own” this or that… we must remember that we are IN God’s guest cottage here on earth and we really don’t own anything. When we take possession of anything it is for HIM.

Now… this means that our entire world system built on purchasing things with minerals and rocks. Gold, Silver, Diamonds. Think of it… we exchange rocks to live. The “richest” people own the most rocks. These also belong to the Lord and it is merely another piece of earth that we hold on to for a while and pass on to someone else.

Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

God tells us that while we are here, we are entitled to have things pass from the hands of the ungodly to ourselves. Inheritance is really another way of saying that the temporary possessions of someone else has now become yours to temporarily possess.

Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

When the children of Israel left Egypt, the Bible says they “borrowed” of the Egyptians. In translation it becomes clear that this word means simply that they “took” what belonged to someone else for their own. If we see this in the correct context, we realize that we are taking back what belongs to the Lord. It never was a possession of Egypt, but it was a possession of God. When the rich died in Egypt, in the sarcophagus was gold entombed with the mummified body. They felt that they could take it into the next world, but sadly, it remains on this earth, buried deep in the ground which is where it came from in the first place.

Exo 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:

Exo 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

For those religions that preach that jewelry is of the devil, I want to swing that pendulum back to center and say that jewelry “can” be used as a prideful thing or as a “look what I have… it’s all mine… I have it and you don’t” mentality. But here we see that God’s favor caused the ungodly to give things to God’s people that which were precious to the heathen.

As slaves for 430 years, the children of Israel had not in all that time worn jewelry. They were slaves and slaves didn’t wear any ornamentation. When this was given to them along with the finest garments from Egypt, it was for necessity and command… not for the sake of pride or haughtiness. When it said they “spoiled” the Egyptians, the Hebrew translation speaks the word “recover”.

God’s people were taking back what belonged to the Lord. The things that were taken were going to be used in the building of the temple.

God didn’t give them the earrings so that the Israelite women would look good for their husbands after a long hard day in the wilderness. God gives seed to the sower and these represented gifts that they recovered for the Lord and were going to give back to Him. It’s kind of like the crowns we receive that we will cast back at His feet.

It’s no fun going to a party or sitting there on Christmas morning without anything to give.

These “tokens” which included bracelets, jewels, earrings, crowns, neck chains were for a greater purpose. It was for their journey. It was for their remembrance of what God took them out of and where He was taking them. To a land of more than enough.

I can imagine on a very hard day of wandering, of testing, of trials, of hunger, of monotony… they were tempted to murmur and complain. Here they were wearing Egyptian crowns and jewels and garments… and they must have thought… we are all dressed up with nowhere to go!

Just about then, the sun would peek out from behind the clouds and a ray of sun would hit and reflect off of that precious metal that someone was wearing. The reflection would undoubtedly bounce into someone’s eyes… and it reminded them of where God brought them from. Every bit of chinking bling that they heard. Every reflection of the sun off a surface of brilliant gold. It served to remind them. It spoke to their hearts. “It wasn’t such a long time ago that you were making bricks. Now you have recovered that which belonged to God… and he’s provided something for YOU to give.”

In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes how God took JERUSALEM out of bondage before it was even called Jerusalem. God created a covenant before a city was created. God created and provided for the tabernacle BEFORE there was command to build it.

Eze 16:10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

Eze 16:11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

Eze 16:12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

Eze 16:13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

They had upon them the tokens of deliverance. A sign to all the world that this little band of rag-tag Israelites had recovered the garments and the wealth of the Lord. There was more than enough of the spoil to build a magnificent house for the Lord here on this earth with plenty left over to have for themselves which represented the very fact that THEY WERE THE TEMPLE – decked out with the FAVOR of God.

Something happens, though to someone who has that much wealth and responsibility. It can cause us to be humbled, knowing it doesn’t belong to us and that we are keepers of the things of the Lord for a vapor of a life, or it can cause us to become haughty and complacent and popular with the world. We can use the influence and the wealth to “woo the world”.

Eze 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,

They didn’t like to remember that it was God that provided, it was God that owned it and it was for God that they carried it. A danger too is for the children of the generation of those in favor with God. That is why God established the ordinance that this should be remembered and reflected on each year.

Children have to remember that the wealth that surrounds them because of their Christian and favored parents can’t be tainted by bringing sin into the favor – or by the continuing of taking for their own possession what belongs to God.

This, though is a message for another day… children that take, take, take… or children that have learned to give, give, give. I am aware of the embarrassment when one of my children who received without fail a birthday gift and Christmas card each year without reciprocation, came to visit my parents and never brought so much as a loaf of bread, asked my mother… “could I have your thimble collection when you die”?

Again… a message that deals with the children of favor not taking for granted or abusing that which God provided. And we must never lose sight that we are on a pilgrimage delivering what God gave us back to Himself.

And finally… the real wealth of the situation is that God sees our wealth as He compares us to silver and gold. When we lead someone to Jesus Christ, we are highly favored of the Lord and He gives us souls for our labor. Those souls are not to possess or to take advantage of or to lord over.

As they walk with us in this journey and the sun reflects off of them and the flash gets in our eyes – it should remind us of where we were delivered from and where we are headed… and that these precious gifts belong to HIM.

Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

112.

A Call To Parent

Parenthood. It is a responsibility from the Lord.

Today I was doing a study on “ornamentation”. I am not ready to bring that, but I will use a bit of it for background as I bring a strong message to parents today. God is speaking to Jerusalem.

He is speaking to the same one that Jesus was weeping over in Luke 13:34: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Remember that when the Lord speaks a name twice, it speaks to COVENANT made between the Lord and the one He is speaking to. (Samuel, Samuel. Abraham, Abraham. Moses, Moses. Martha, Martha. Simon, Simon. Saul, Saul. Lord, Lord. Eloi, Eloi.) In the instance concerning Luke 13, Jesus is talking about children. Children of the church. Children dedicated to God. Children that God wanted to keep holy… and then the kicker – “and ye would not”.

Parents today are too busy trying to be bff’s with their children instead of mothers and fathers. We must realize our role is to be the ones who enforce their boundaries to keep them safe. Our kids have more than enough friends – but what they need here in an end time onslaught of the enemy are parents who are not afraid to “parent”.

When parents do not discipline when the children are young it may be due to certain baggage that a parent is still carrying. The enemy does NOT want your children disciplined and he does not want you to enforce boundaries.

His lies can be buttons that he pushes from your past as he reminds you of the horrors of your own childhood. To make sure that doesn’t happen to our own kids, we sometimes compromise in the disciplines and boundaries that we allow in our homes.

Whatever buttons that the enemy pushes, be it guilt, remorse, regret, not wanting to be the bad guy, wanting a closer relationship with them than you had with your own parents… we must listen to the teaching of the Lord concerning parenting.

It starts when they are young. If you can’t stake a sapling that has wandered too far left or right, you will never be able to change it’s direction when it becomes a tree. I have had countless broken hearted parents come to me when a teenager is rebellious and going his or her own way. What they didn’t correct as a child, they have no power to correct as the child is an adolescent. If you can’t tell a child “no” when they are young, don’t expect to enforce the rules when they begin to grow into young adulthood.

I asked the question a few weeks ago to our youth. What would it cost you to sell out the Lord Jesus Christ just to have a friend… just to have a date… just to have a wife? Most young people in church would tell you that they wouldn’t sell out Jesus. But in school the next day they continue to listen to the greatest new song that comes out from the secular kingdom.

If they choose not to listen, if they choose to walk away, if they choose to speak up for the Lord they are in jeopardy of losing friends. And they sell out.

Jesus said Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Parents who don’t like to preach that to their kids because they are so afraid that their child will have no friends is doing their child NO FAVORS.

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Do we really believe this? Do we enforce the rule that they go to church or Sunday school or youth group and then turn our heads at home when they continue to do things to secure their secular friendships?

We don’t teach them about being unequally yoked and then are all distraught when they are filing papers in divorce court years later. The devil can be very seductive, very clever, very humble and very deceptive before marriage… but his face changes to anger and destruction once he was successfully joined two people to one flesh.

But, oh, we don’t want our children to go through High School without a girlfriend or a best friend even if they are secular and don’t believe as we do, and so we give our children to the enemy all in the name of “protecting their fragile hearts”.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

If you ask your children… “is that friend of yours saved?” and the child can’t give you a definitive answer, then it was not an issue for them. That is the danger zone that parents are living in today.

And it’s not… “oh, they go to church” or “oh, they are really nice” or “they have a good heart”. Hell is going to be filled with really nice churchgoers that have good hearts. DOES YOUR FRIEND HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST? The answer will be… “I don’t know” or “I think so”. You have just given your children over to the world so they won’t feel lonely or left out.

I see the way adolescents talk to their parents. The older they get, the more demanding their tone and their requests. The more disrespectful their demeanor. We give in because we don’t want them to unfriend us in this social media of life. We want to be “the cool mom” and “the cool dad”. It’s time we as parents wake up and take on the responsibilities that God gave us.

And if you are a grandparent taking care of grandchildren… the same rules MUST be followed. If you are put into the role of a parent, then you must not compromise the responsibility that God has given you.

And that responsibility is never easy. The enemy will fight you for your children. He doesn’t do it all at once… but it can start with one song…. one friend… one behind the back endeavor… and it will, I promise you open the flood gates to a child that would rather listen to the world’s music… would rather sit in front of a television than be a part of a moving of God… would rather have any excuse on a Sunday than being in church or hanging out with real Christian friends. Parents check your children’s friend list on Face book. Are the majority unsaved? Red flags should be popping up as we lose hold of the children that we promised to God.

This all stemmed from a scripture that sat me straight up in my chair this morning. The Lord is speaking to the parents who were redeemed and miraculously saved and sanctified and set apart. It talks about how we sacrifice them to the world so they can have friendships. It talks about how we allow them to walk in places they should not walk because we are afraid to be parents because it might affect our “friendship” with them.

Eze 16:20 Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, Eze 16:21 That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them (them, here refers to the worldly friends)?

Daily devotions with children were always a part of the Christian home in the early America and continued right through the 50’s in this country. Something happened in the last half century that is very disconcerting. We are going to lose a generation of young people, not because we are living a Christian life, but because we are not causing them to live one. Read the church of Laodicea and you will see a picture of our young people in America.

Rev 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

What will you say when God Himself tells your children… “you were ashamed of me.” You won’t… at that time have any power to change the situation. When your children are afraid to open their mouths to the unsaved friends they “hang with” – when they simply REMAIN SILENT… that is a spirit of shame that has somehow… some way, crept into the hearts of those who live in your own home.

It is time to pray for this generation of young people, YES, but more importantly it’s time to return to parenting. The kind the Lord Himself instructs us to do. Pruning.

Chastening. Guiding. Setting Boundaries. Cleaning out closets. Revamping the boundaries. Sure it will be hard… but what could be harder than losing a child.

I know and speak this from personal experience and my heart is ashamed because I feared the rejection of my children more than I feared the path of God to parenting. Prayer when they leave the nest is a full time job.

Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Mothers and fathers who travailed during the first birth must never forget that travail for our children must continue until Christ is FORMED in them. So that there is never a question with their friends where they stand. So that the world can’t influence them, but they in fact, influence the world around them.

“Well, my child is shy…” She’s not shy when she’s with her secular friends.

She can, in fact be the life of their party. Don’t let excuses or baggage or fears or things from your past experience stop you from being a parent. Don’t turn your head and pretend not to see. Don’t spare your words and pretend not to hear. Don’t walk away and think everything will work out.

You may not always be liked, but it’s your righteousness in Christ that will keep them in the end. When you turn them out into the world… if they don’t know that they are not of the world, they will become just like it.

113.

This Property Isn’t Condemned

Therefore… NO condemnation.

Of course, I am talking about Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot.

To start, I want to build this daily word on the foundation of this cornerstone of “maintaining” your salvation:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; In other words, you are not any better or any worse than everyone else because sin has attacked and conquered you. It comes to everyone and the shame is not in the fall, but in the inability to get back up. (Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.)

Temptation is the battle in the mind. (Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled)

We all know (including Satan himself) that pride comes before a fall. We also know that going into condemnation can cause your soul drift into the abyss. Since depression and oppression and condemnation are spiritual tools of the enemy, the kind or encouraging words of man many times will not be able to stop this drifting.

One of the first things you have to remember is that staying down when you get knocked down IS NOT AN OPTION. The battle comes to us all – and we will not escape it.

We will never retire from the battle. Case in point – the fight of old age and the body dying. It is an ongoing battle. Temptation. Everything from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. It battles you every day and our adversary is relentless. That is why Peter in his old age – still in the battle tells us… 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

It’s a warped and wicked battle that he fights.

The apostle Paul struggled with sin. He wrestled with not being able to get the victory over that messenger of Satan. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) Messenger in that context is very good because it partially translates out to “soldier that will take you captive and lead you away to prison”.

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Paul also talked about losing battles in the letter he wrote to the Romans… and notice in the first verse… he was not unsaved or unlearned or religious. He called himself… Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Now, I don’t care who YOU think you are… Paul was a SERVANT. An APOSTLE. SEPARATED unto the gospel. But. Not above the battles. Not above temptation. And NOT above losing battles.

Rom 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not. I am so human. Sin rules me as if I were its slave.

Yes… “as if” I were it’s slave. One difference. Slaves didn’t fight back. They submitted. Soldiers on the other hand FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

That is really the bottom line to what I am speaking today. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH DEFEAT?

In my book, “A Warrior’s Heart” that I wrote as encouragement and motivation for athletes, I had the following entry:

We need to learn how to miss our free throws

Not from a technical aspect… but rather, the reaction to the reality that you DO miss, you HAVE missed, and you WILL miss again in the future.

It’s not THAT you missed your shot, but HOW you missed it…

With what emotion do you treat a missed free throw… a missed shot… a missed opportunity?

With anger or understanding? Swearing or silent contemplation? Depression or determination?

And remember…

Your next shot may be determined by which emotion you choose… and so it is with life.

It is the footsteps you take after the crisis hits. And you can’t leave footprints to victory as your legacy when you are lying down. You need to get up and walk. BACK to the lover of your soul.

Peter. Judas. Both were disciples, appointed by the Father, called to greatness. Here are some of the things these men BOTH did.

Mar 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Mar 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Peter. Judas. They both had the power of the Holy Ghost upon them. They both were preachers – leading people to Christ and to repentance. They preached REPENTENCE. They delivered those in bondage and healed the sick. They bound up the hearts of those who were broken.

And these two great men. Both of them. Went to the crusades at Jerusalem… The battle of the Passion. Both of them were wounded and knocked down in the battle. Only one survived. How?

It deals here with relationship. Peter had been the one who was broken in prayer, had transcended the realm of earth and had sat at the feet of His heavenly father. He had Jesus revealed to him.

Judas, on the other hand, had a religious relationship with the church leaders. He sat at the feet of the Pharisees and listened as they revealed Jesus to him. If you only know Jesus by what people or pastors or religious leaders tell you – that is not a revealing and you will have no confidence in the Spirit when the crisis hits. And trust me… YOUR CRISIS WILL HIT HARD.

Peter sinned. He went back to His revealer. He learned how to go the Father before the fall and thus… during the crisis – he knew His way back home. Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

It could not come from his heart… because his heart was selfish. Selfish spirits of self condemnation, self pity and self serving suicide. The ultimate destruction… he hung himself and gave away any chance for God to continue to call him to greatness. He threw away his calling. He threw away a chance for salvation. He made it very clear that he aligned his heart with Satan who screams out to God… “I hate you. I hate your gifts. I hate your gift of LIFE. I HATE YOU”.

When they lost in the same battle twice, they did not give up. They moved closer to the heart of God. Now… you do you just sit back and continue to live in sin? That is foolishness, and if you are reading that into this message, you need to adjust your focus. We Battle. If we lose “hamburger hill” 20 times… we go the 21^st time… and we fight again. Until we have the victory.

And finally… two thoughts written by John the beloved. Once as he quoted Jesus and the second as he continued in God’s love:

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart,

and knoweth all things.

1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart (does not have the power to condemn us),

then have we confidence toward God.

1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1Jn 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1Jn 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

I am going to draw this all together with the same conclusion that Solomon gave us back in Ecclesiastes:

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

114.

“LET THERE BE LAUGHTER”

And God Laughed…

I said, “We need Fast Horses”. And God laughed.

Hear ye Oh FAT people in the army of God. It’s time to lose weight. Wow. That was insensitive! Or was it? God puts people on diets not to torture them or for them to look good, but to BE HEALTHY. You are not “fit” for battle.

When you do it your way in the battle… God says “The only thing that will be left of your army will be a flagpole on a hill.” What a horrible picture that paints. God is so good at painting pictures with His words!

I came across in a further private study of the book of Isaiah some very interesting scriptures that I believe someone needs to hear today. It deals with the present battle that we are in. Some are facing sickness, some are having trouble maintaining what God has given, some financial ruin, some the loss of loved ones to the world. Whatever the battle, I pray that this will bless you today.

First and foremost – this battle is the Lord’s. He has engaged the enemy and the enemy is trying to show himself strong. But there is a promise to those of us in the battle today:

Isa 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Notice that it tells us that the LORD puts us on a bread and water diet at times. This I believe is to humble the flesh and the spirit that are carrying too much weight. And remember we are to “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,” (Heb. 12:1) God will help us to “get healthy” in Him.

It is the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, and like every diet, the food may look good on the brochures, but it tastes horrible. There is much to be gained when you enter into this diet. And the thing that is gained is the weight of His glory. Some of you are on this diet right now and don’t even know it. Some of you are on this diet and know it. In either case – it speaks of denial. When you deny something… something more important is gained.

It’s like being presented with the opportunity to sin when nobody is looking and you are assured that nobody will find out. If you practice denial here, there is great weight to be gained in your character. And character will give you strength to stand the test of time. This diet also yields great reward. When we enter into this denial of self – and go where He tells us to go, we are promised “sight” and “hearing” to stay our courses!

Oh the joy to hear a sermon or a message and not miss most of it because your minds have wandered off to another area of your life that has troubled you. Oh the joy to hear clearly the word of the Lord that specifically instructs each one of your next steps. These are the rewards of those who are on the bread and water diet.

Now… when I talk of listening to a message in church or on youtube, there are many distractions in your mind. You can suddenly find yourself trying to figure out how to pay your mortgage or what you’d like to eat for dinner that day or any number of about a million mind trails. But God tells us the solution is in focus. Focus on Him. Coming “back” to Him and His teaching.

It’s not in panic of situation. The following I found to be extremely interesting because I have done this a million times. The battle shows itself strong and threatening and right away we try to calculate in our minds how we are going to counteract it. How we are going to fight it. And in some cases, how we are going to run from it!

Isa 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

Isa 30:16 You say, “No, we need fast horses for battle.” That is true–you will need fast horses, but only to run away because your enemy will be faster than your horses.

Isa 30:17 One enemy soldier will make threats, and a thousand of your men will run away. And when five of them make threats, all of you will run away. The only thing that will be left of your army will be a flagpole on a hill.

God tells us that the solution is to return to Him in prayer, in fasting, in Study, in hearing His voice. He tells us that IN those things we will have confidence, and confidence will be the strength you need to defeat any foe.

But we tell God… “I have prayed and it doesn’t work. I have fasted and I am only hungry – not empowered. I have studied and the voice sounds like the grown-ups on the Charlie Brown specials”. And… because you either haven’t tried God’s diet or you haven’t given it time to process, you quickly jump to your own conclusions, solutions and implosions.

I love God’s solution. Return + Rest = listening, focus, faith, confidence and strength to be victorious. I mean… it’s God’s battle. Why would you counsel HIM as to the plan for victory. His plans are not carnal nor are they logical… and yet they are effective!

Some great words to live by WHILE you are dieting on adversity and affliction:

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

115.

God Is Watching

I was startled by the verses given to me this morning in my time of prayer. There were three verses and then a bold word. I will share with you a portion of what I was given.

“Eze 33:30-32 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

2Ki 6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

Dan 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Beware this morning as every word that is spoken in back rooms and whispers will be revealed by the Spirit of God. The wells of Israel are poisoned by the words of men.”

I realize this morning the first thing I thought of when I heard these scriptures. You reading this had a first thought also, and unless you are reprobate, you know exactly what the Lord is talking about.

It is a spirit of dissention. It gains access when there is an incorrect dynamic in relationships. It has a mission statement to break harmony and cause division. It comes when you are unhappy in your life, your circumstances, your relationships. It wants you to exalt yourself over someone that “has it better” than you do. It wants you to criticize others to take the spotlight off of your shortcomings.

This made me look a little deeper at my walk. Going back to the initial message and realizing that the “son of man” in my life is Jesus. Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

I look again at the message and I think… who have I been talking to “in confidence” or “behind closed doors” or “to vent to”? And then it hits me. Verse 30 talks about one who is a good church-going, Word-preaching saint who is unhappy with his life and is “speaking things he ought not speak” in dark places. Poisoning the wells and not realizing that the water is now… no longer safe for anyone to drink.

How many times do I come to HIM as one of His children… and I show HIM much love with my words… and I tell everyone I know how great He is… how majestic He is… how awesome He is. But something is happening in verse 30… Something I am doing in verse 30 and “not” doing in verse 31.

Verse 30 tells me that I am “talking against Him by the walls”. Just taking that at face value is kind of harmless… maybe a little gossip… maybe “airing” a little bit of my unhappiness. But when you dig deeper, there is a serious issue.

The walls is a very terrible place to be. It’s a place where life has ensnared you… entrenched you, thrown you and cast you out. It is literally describing the enemy who has you pinned… back against the wall of adversity in your life. It is a place where I can make a choice to lash out or to look up.

I must admit… many times I am but dust that lashes out, as opposed to a new creature that looks up. When I am at that dark place I have choices. Something breaks, something goes wrong, I open a bill in silence of hopelessness… nobody’s around – nobody will hear me – nobody will ever know. I’ll just get mad at God and curse the light “for” my darkness. I’ll accuse Him of not understanding what I am going through. I’ll blame Him for not helping me. I’ll question His omnipresence when I am feeling alone. I’ll tell Him I’m going to quit if He doesn’t do something QUICKLY. I’ll lash out and blame His creation for not stepping up to help me.

And as I sit in the presence of believers, I hear His words – and in verse 31, I will not do them. I will not praise Him in the adversity. I will not hug someone when I feel abandoned. I will not sow a seed when a seed is all I have to my name. I will not be pleasant when I am in a bad mood, but will let everyone in the world know… I AM NOT HAPPY.

And when I am not obeying the word of the Lord, my heart tends to wander. It strays to it’s own devices. It scrambles to make my flesh feel better. It drugs my system with anger and malice and gossip and bitterness and busy-ness and sending a message to God that since I am not happy, I will not be coming in to serve Him today.

Calling in sick? Yes. It’s a case of “dissension”.

Verse 31 talks about “covetousness”. It is something the enemy brings when I am “At The Wall”. It is seeing someone who isn’t struggling. It is hearing someone who is happy in their life. It is watching as someone has a little more than I do. It convinces me that I can have so much more. It brainwashes me that I can be in a MUCH better place.

Covetousness DRIVES my flesh to GET what I’m convinced I deserve… and if God isn’t providing it… FINE… I’ll get it myself. (But of course, I’m the only one who ever feels this way, right?)

When we wear the bumper sticker on our backside that says “I am A Christian” and do not fulfill the requirements, we will not reap the blessings of Christians. When that happens we can easily become disillusioned and search for something else.

You poison your own wells with words spoken while under the influence of the spirit of dissension. It’s number one motive and objective is to cause you to break fellowship with the Lord. To serve Him publicly, to love Him openly… but to oppose Him in darkness. This word didn’t come today because nobody is doing this. It came by way of a warning and by the one who reveals EVERYTHING YOU DO AND SAY.

Are you proclaiming God to a world with hidden cynicism in your heart? Are you telling others to rejoice while you have the scowl on your face? Are you preaching that God is Jireh and then lying awake at night because you can’t pay your bills? There is a schism within the human body and if not taken care of, can spread to the body of Christ. A war is ensuing. While in that secret place where nobody sees… nobody hears… and nobody cares – it’s a place where God WATCHES INTENTLY. Remember that which you do in public builds your reputation… but what you do in secret – that can build your character.

Your reputation will not cause God to say… “Well Done…” But your character will.

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Do the right thing in the secret place. God is watching.

116.

From Image to Thought to Action

Images to Thoughts to Actions

Another cool morning. And again… this IS the day that the Lord has made and not one of us can dispute that word. We do find ourselves disputing, however, the back half of that verse that says… Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Now… it doesn’t say we will be glad “for” it…. But “in” it. And while we are going though it, we WILL rejoice. Oh boy… that is easier said than done. What we need to realize is that God has a reason behind everything we go through. He has a purpose behind every adversity and every comfort. Seeing through a dark glass makes it hard since we only see a portion of the purpose. (I Corinthians 13:12)

So then – the sixty-four million dollar question for your faith today? Can you rejoice and be glad “in” it. Some of us are “in it” up to our ears.

I think that one major opposing factor to our praise is that we tend to want to withhold it until we can understand a bigger picture. We want to be able to lean upon our understanding of the situation before we commit our praise. We are human beings that are constantly having our security threatened.

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he is skilled in the art of warfare. There is a supply line within man. From the gates that enter the human body, supplies are delivered to the heart where the manufacturing goes forth.

The gates are something that Pastor Robin has been teaching about in the youth services. From images we see, hear, smell, taste, touch and sense, there is a mysterious metamorphosis of those images processed into “thoughts”. Those “thoughts” enter into the mind of man. At that point, the supply line goes to the heart. This supply line is very important for what we will manufacture and what we will build in our lives.

In times of war, one of the main threats is the threat of being cut off from supplies. In the art of war it is said: “Like the major arteries in the body, the line of supply is the lifeline of a modern army. If an artery is blocked, cut, or damaged, the body dies. If a line of supply is blocked, cut, damaged, or tainted, the army can no longer function. Soldiers and animals starve or die from tainted supply; their weapons are useless for lack of ammunition, and even the clothes and shoes they wear fall apart.”

Thoughts ignite the machine. They are a supply line to the heart… and from the heart, thoughts go from the planning stage to the building stage of the human body. Let’s trace a simple and random thought.

You are sitting, minding your own business, when all of a sudden the thought of “food” is brought in through one of the gates. You see an image, you hear a clever jingle, you walk down the street and smell a nearby bakery – just some of the ways the thought of food is brought into your “super computer”. For me, at least… when the word “doughnut” is brought into my gates, I ship that beast right to the heart. I don’t even think about it. Doughnuts automatically get a free pass. As those doughnut plans get to my heart, I find myself putting on my coat, grabbing my keys and driving to Wesco. From my entrance gate to building of the plan or plot… the thought becomes reality. My gates are flooded here on “fat Tuesday”.

Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The words there, “bringeth forth” are the building and manufacturing of the plans from the mind. The mind was where the supplies were delivered.

If the enemy wants to send poor supplies or tainted supplies, he will deliver them to the gates. One thing I always remember is that… “the pizza can’t be delivered if you don’t call for delivery”. We have the power to control SOME of the supplies we order. Sometimes, we are putting ourselves in places where we are ordering the wrong things. As Christians we must be careful what we watch, who we listen to, places we visit. The enemy wants us to go “shopping” for things we really don’t need and for things we really can’t use.

Pro 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

There are many times a day when we are doing the right things and we are frequenting the right places, but still the enemy comes with a delivery out of the blue and unexpected. He delivers a word of gossip against the leader, he brings a “whiff” of hamburger on a fasting day, he causes a questionable pop-up on your computer screen… just to name a few. Job describes a messenger or “delivery demon” knocking on the door of your subconscious:

Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

Job 4:13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

Job 4:15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:

Thoughts will be delivered through the gates in such a slick way that, before you know it, there is a pile of garbage being processed for shipping to the heart. It is at this time that Paul warns us not to take ANY thought for granted. Not to underestimate any thought that has come to the mind. My automatically shipping doughnuts to the heart are very devastating for my body!

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

When we endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ… sometimes the hardest things we need to do are the most mundane and the most boring. To be alert. To be mindful. To be vigilant in our inventory of the supplies. And… TO TAKE OUR AUTHORITY. Paul says that we can take our authority. We can refuse the tainted supplies. There are many scriptures on “taking our authority” – some of you need to go to the word and have a POWERFUL SUPPLY DELIVERY FOR YOU TO MANUFACTURE A WEAPON OF WARFARE THAT IS NOT CARNAL.

When I look at the following scriptures, I see that at times, tainted supplies and what they can do to your walk and the building of a Godly life. Thoughts. Jesus knew that they could be very dangerous.

Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

And

Luk 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

Worry and depression, are things that are planned in the mind – and if it goes to the heart for manufacturing – it can produce some very ugly results in your life. If you are manufacturing a word that says “I am at the end of my rope” or “I just don’t know where it’s going to come from” – the next steps can be manifested anger, jealousy, malice and in some cases… suicide. In 1929 during the country’s stock market crash, the enemy tainted many supply lines that caused a manufacturing defect. I mean… some of these men were Godly men who all of a sudden didn’t realize that God gave them power to be successful the first time and He could do it again.

The problem was, the thing they manufactured in their hearts came forth and blinded their eyes to a future. Jer 29:11 I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.

They got so caught up in the manufacturing that they couldn’t go back to receive the Word of God. Worry. Depression. Fear. These are manufactured to blind your eyes, they demand a focus that is evil and ungodly and VERY time consuming. Tainted thoughts WILL CONSUME. Your time, your purpose, your vision, your destiny and your life.

Luk 24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

From your heart (the factory)… you build things and send them forth. It becomes operational. What you build and what becomes “operational” can be either be built with faith or fear. You can build a life that is completely worthless…

Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Or… you can build something that has been quality tested and FATHER approved:

Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

Your supply lines are always being challenged. Demand the best. Check the deliveries. Go to the Father and request HIS deliveries and His delivery angels. (the Angel who has delivered me from all harm –may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth. Gen 48:16 NIV)

Go to His word and take in supplies that will build a strong foundation and a home upon rock.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

BAM! Taking the thoughts of Christ, manufacturing them in your heart, sending them forth to be “operational”… Quality workmanship.

Exo 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship

Rereward – A devotional

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