Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
In the book of Acts, Peter and John were commanded to cease preaching the Gospel. Their very lives were on the line as the people and the government demanded that they remain silent concerning their beliefs. Yet, they could not remain silent. They only knew to preach that which they'd seen and heard. They could not deny the experiences they'd had, just because others could not relate.
The Church has been silent for too long. Unlike Peter and John, many of us have decided that it's better to humble ourselves to man and government rather than God. EVEN IN THE CHURCH, many of us have silenced ourselves due to an "order" set by men. God is crying out for HIS voice to be heard! He wants HIS heart and mind shared with the people.
Not everyone can hear the voice of God. Not everyone has a relationship with the Creator of this universe. Yet, those of us who do have remained silent. We have allowed the "world" to tame us. Even in the church, there are too many running "God's house" that don't have a relationship with God. They are then dictating to the ones who have "seen and heard" the hand and the voice of God.
I am not looking for a coups in the church or a mighty uproar or disorderly conduct. What I am speaking forth is TRUE REVIVAL. For months, God has been speaking to His people about the return of signs and wonders. He wants His power to be shown forth. He wants true worship to return to the house and the Body of Christ.
TRUE PEOPLE OF GOD, who has caused you to be silent? Many of us have been blackmailed, coerced and manipulated into silence. How can you be the light of the world and the salt of the earth if you remain in the closet? The truly anointed MUST come forth. Those who are called MUST answer in obedience. Someone else's deliverance DEPENDS ON YOU.
What has caused you to be silent? Fear...intimidation...mistakes of your past. Saints of God, we must face those things that have caused us to lose confidence in God. Truthfully, it's our lack of faith that causes disobedience. God IS NOT PLEASED. Some of you have been called forth in this hour, and your disobedience (due to silence) is still as the sin of witchcraft. You are controlling someone else's deliverance by NOT speaking and NOT operating as you have been gifted, ordained, commanded and sent forth.
Who has caused you to be silent? Selah.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Mouth of a Fool...
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding" (Proverbs 17:28).
God has been dealing me very heavily about too much speaking. I've been through some situations where I wanted to defend myself so badly, and God rebuked me. He told me to be silent because my motives were wrong. I wanted to defend JOY's honor, not that of the Father, no matter how much I tried to convince myself it was all about HIM. I've been in situations when I knew the right answer, had a word of knowledge, wanted to contribute to the conversation, yet God told me to hold my peace and watch. So difficult to do, especially when others are saying you missed...they say you are out of order...they rebuke you for things you KNOW never happened. Yet, silence is required.
Oftentimes, we forget that we are to be sacrifices unto God. We forget the world is SUPPOSED to hate us. We forget that when rebuke goes forth, people will resist. Even when training comes forth, our wrong is supposed to be made known to us. While these things can be painful, they are necessary FOR GOD's GLORY.
God is showing me how to handle many of these things in silence, so that He can get the glory. I'm not saying we are to lie down and let others abuse us. However, we often speak out of flesh rather than by instruction. We often feel a need to DEFEND OURSELVES, especially when rebuke comes. This is a sign that we haven't died to self. Unless GOD is mocked, there is no need for defense to a vessel that is truly sacrificial.
I am learning that God is glorified through silence from time to time. The people of God must be reminded that some battles are the Lord's to fight. We do not need to answer EVERYTHING. Those of us who are called to spiritual warfare must master this! We must know when to speak and when to remain silent. We must even know when to pray and when to stand still and wait on God.
Too many of us who are called to bring God glory are bringing Him shame, just because we talk too much. Yes, we're anointed. Yes, we're called, but the tongue has not yielded to the wisdom of God. Our defense of self looks like foolishness and compromises the integrity of God's word. Silence and the ability to tame one's tongue to operate only when ordered and allowed by God shows forth the utmost humility.
God has been dealing me very heavily about too much speaking. I've been through some situations where I wanted to defend myself so badly, and God rebuked me. He told me to be silent because my motives were wrong. I wanted to defend JOY's honor, not that of the Father, no matter how much I tried to convince myself it was all about HIM. I've been in situations when I knew the right answer, had a word of knowledge, wanted to contribute to the conversation, yet God told me to hold my peace and watch. So difficult to do, especially when others are saying you missed...they say you are out of order...they rebuke you for things you KNOW never happened. Yet, silence is required.
Oftentimes, we forget that we are to be sacrifices unto God. We forget the world is SUPPOSED to hate us. We forget that when rebuke goes forth, people will resist. Even when training comes forth, our wrong is supposed to be made known to us. While these things can be painful, they are necessary FOR GOD's GLORY.
God is showing me how to handle many of these things in silence, so that He can get the glory. I'm not saying we are to lie down and let others abuse us. However, we often speak out of flesh rather than by instruction. We often feel a need to DEFEND OURSELVES, especially when rebuke comes. This is a sign that we haven't died to self. Unless GOD is mocked, there is no need for defense to a vessel that is truly sacrificial.
I am learning that God is glorified through silence from time to time. The people of God must be reminded that some battles are the Lord's to fight. We do not need to answer EVERYTHING. Those of us who are called to spiritual warfare must master this! We must know when to speak and when to remain silent. We must even know when to pray and when to stand still and wait on God.
Too many of us who are called to bring God glory are bringing Him shame, just because we talk too much. Yes, we're anointed. Yes, we're called, but the tongue has not yielded to the wisdom of God. Our defense of self looks like foolishness and compromises the integrity of God's word. Silence and the ability to tame one's tongue to operate only when ordered and allowed by God shows forth the utmost humility.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
A Biblical Account of a "Baby" Prophet
Can I say this? - I have been called a "baby" prophet by many, and it literally hurt, because such ideas are not biblical. There is no such thing as a "senior" prophet. God calls. God gifts. God directs. For those who are "new" in the prophetic, or disregarded due to "inexperience," PLEASE BE ENCOURAGED!!!
Now, I laugh when I am called a "baby" prophet and when I hear others say it, because God showed me what He can do with one who is "new" and raw in the prophetic.
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.
1Sa 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
1Sa 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
1Sa 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
1Sa 3:5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
1Sa 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
1Sa 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
1Sa 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1Sa 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1Sa 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1Sa 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
1Sa 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
1Sa 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
1Sa 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
1Sa 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
1Sa 3:17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
1Sa 3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
1Sa 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
1Sa 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
1Sa 3:21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
Yes, the "baby" prophet was used to speak DEATH unto the very "senior" that was training Him. We must be careful to categorize those that are called based on our own expectations. We MUST be moved by the spirit of God and discernment. Even Eli knew his "pupil" was hearing from God.
And although Samuel was afraid (I can only imagine), he was OBEDIENT, even in his seemingly immature state! LET GOD'S WILL BE DONE!
Now, I laugh when I am called a "baby" prophet and when I hear others say it, because God showed me what He can do with one who is "new" and raw in the prophetic.
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.
1Sa 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
1Sa 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
1Sa 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
1Sa 3:5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
1Sa 3:6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
1Sa 3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
1Sa 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1Sa 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1Sa 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1Sa 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
1Sa 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
1Sa 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
1Sa 3:15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
1Sa 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
1Sa 3:17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
1Sa 3:18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
1Sa 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
1Sa 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
1Sa 3:21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
Yes, the "baby" prophet was used to speak DEATH unto the very "senior" that was training Him. We must be careful to categorize those that are called based on our own expectations. We MUST be moved by the spirit of God and discernment. Even Eli knew his "pupil" was hearing from God.
And although Samuel was afraid (I can only imagine), he was OBEDIENT, even in his seemingly immature state! LET GOD'S WILL BE DONE!
Defile the House
Many prophets claim they are called to the rebellious house, yet God does not call anyone to a place to remain idol. He calls His people to work - He calls His people to battle! The prophets have not sounded the alarm in the HOLY MOUNTAIN. The prophets have cried aloud, but continue to SPARE!
God reminded me that I am to tear down altars and DEFILE HOUSES. Wow! Now, I'm not saying we have a free ticket to be disobedient and disrespect GODLY people or the house of GOD. So, please read and understand with maturity. What I am saying is that God would not cause a mouthpiece to speak correction if there was nothing to be corrected. Yes, there are spiritual altars, but there are natural ones that have been formed as well. Yet, we have covered our FEAR to correct by saying things like, "We must operate in order."
Years ago, God asked me a question. I respectfully corrected a DEMON in the church, and the people told me I was out of order. God asked, "Who's order? I sent you." That thing really stuck with me. Do you not know, prophets, that you are called to CORRECT and/or TEAR DOWN. Yes, there are some places where things should be shut down. Some people should be offended. Some should even feel disrespected. THERE ARE SOME DEMONS RUNNING CHURCHES! Therefore, these are NOT God's houses. He is not welcome there. An altar built unto an idol CANNOT be "restored" unto God.
I've used this example before, but bare with me...
If my husband bought a ring for an old girlfriend, then tries to give me the same ring for our anniversary, I will NOT by happy? Why? That ring was bought for someone else. It symbolizes his love to another. By passing it on to me, I feel that I have not been valued. I'm stuck with someone else's leftovers. God is tired of getting leftovers that were sacrificed to wicked gain and filthy lucre. He's tired of us trying to speak forth holiness in edifices that worship men in nice suits, rather than the Almighty God.
Where is the power and the authority? I lost some of it, but God is restoring it unto me. It's an honor to be drug out of a building for Christ's sake! Someone should be speaking destruction. God spoke to me today and said He is calling some to DO what Ezekiel saw. He then instructed me to read Ezekiel 8 and 9. Here is a portion of that passage:
Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Eze 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Eze 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Eze 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
God showed the wickedness of His people to Ezekiel. In essence, He told the angels to protect the remnant, and kill the others right before the prophet's eyes. Then, the angels filled the temple and the altar with the dead! Ezekiel's job was to watch and declare.
We are insulting God by going into some of these dens of devils and making people shout! That's not a prophet's job!
God began to show me something in the Spirit today. I saw the prophets in the USA being sued by churches for threatening their freedom of religion. They were being tried for hate crimes (for inciting riots based on religion), and those charging them were "church folk." God showed me that in this country, those who call themselves saints pose a bigger threat than the Muslims, the Catholics, etc. Judgment begins at the house of God, and so will the FIGHT for holiness.
This is a praying time - and a time to defile some altars and temples that are not of God!
God reminded me that I am to tear down altars and DEFILE HOUSES. Wow! Now, I'm not saying we have a free ticket to be disobedient and disrespect GODLY people or the house of GOD. So, please read and understand with maturity. What I am saying is that God would not cause a mouthpiece to speak correction if there was nothing to be corrected. Yes, there are spiritual altars, but there are natural ones that have been formed as well. Yet, we have covered our FEAR to correct by saying things like, "We must operate in order."
Years ago, God asked me a question. I respectfully corrected a DEMON in the church, and the people told me I was out of order. God asked, "Who's order? I sent you." That thing really stuck with me. Do you not know, prophets, that you are called to CORRECT and/or TEAR DOWN. Yes, there are some places where things should be shut down. Some people should be offended. Some should even feel disrespected. THERE ARE SOME DEMONS RUNNING CHURCHES! Therefore, these are NOT God's houses. He is not welcome there. An altar built unto an idol CANNOT be "restored" unto God.
I've used this example before, but bare with me...
If my husband bought a ring for an old girlfriend, then tries to give me the same ring for our anniversary, I will NOT by happy? Why? That ring was bought for someone else. It symbolizes his love to another. By passing it on to me, I feel that I have not been valued. I'm stuck with someone else's leftovers. God is tired of getting leftovers that were sacrificed to wicked gain and filthy lucre. He's tired of us trying to speak forth holiness in edifices that worship men in nice suits, rather than the Almighty God.
Where is the power and the authority? I lost some of it, but God is restoring it unto me. It's an honor to be drug out of a building for Christ's sake! Someone should be speaking destruction. God spoke to me today and said He is calling some to DO what Ezekiel saw. He then instructed me to read Ezekiel 8 and 9. Here is a portion of that passage:
Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Eze 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Eze 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Eze 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
God showed the wickedness of His people to Ezekiel. In essence, He told the angels to protect the remnant, and kill the others right before the prophet's eyes. Then, the angels filled the temple and the altar with the dead! Ezekiel's job was to watch and declare.
We are insulting God by going into some of these dens of devils and making people shout! That's not a prophet's job!
God began to show me something in the Spirit today. I saw the prophets in the USA being sued by churches for threatening their freedom of religion. They were being tried for hate crimes (for inciting riots based on religion), and those charging them were "church folk." God showed me that in this country, those who call themselves saints pose a bigger threat than the Muslims, the Catholics, etc. Judgment begins at the house of God, and so will the FIGHT for holiness.
This is a praying time - and a time to defile some altars and temples that are not of God!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Look at my DADDY!!!!
I received the following email message from a woman of God today. I don't know if she would want her name posted, so we'll call her Prophetess S.S. This prophet of God know OF me, but she doesn't know me. She has seen the Lord write through me, but has no idea of the things I have been going through and dealing with. There is so much no one knows other than my Heavenly Father and me.
I am at work, but when I received this, I danced and screamed. It may seem simple to most, but when you feel as if you fighting against the pricks, just trying to please God, a simple word can mean so much! I am encouraged, and I know my Daddy loves me!
Prophetess S.S., thank you for being obedient. You don't know the half, but you obeyed the God that does!!!
Where is Prophet JOY? Is she M.I.A.?
I am at work, but when I received this, I danced and screamed. It may seem simple to most, but when you feel as if you fighting against the pricks, just trying to please God, a simple word can mean so much! I am encouraged, and I know my Daddy loves me!
Prophetess S.S., thank you for being obedient. You don't know the half, but you obeyed the God that does!!!
Where is Prophet JOY? Is she M.I.A.?
Is not the JOY of the Lord your strength? Did I not give you the spirit of JOY to share with others? Is it not true that weeping may endure for a night but JOY cometh in the morning? Then think it not strange that Devil might fight to steal your JOY!!!
JOY……where is my JOY? God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent! Bring the spirit of JOY to the world!!!!
Whatever attacked you in this last season came to steal your JOY but God said He is given you power over those spirits! The devil has no right to anything you have……especially your JOY!!! It is a gift from God and He expects you to infuse His glory of JOY to the nations!!!! Go forth in the name of JESUS and tell them of the Good News!!!!! JESUS CHRIST!
Where is your JOY? Where is Prophetess JOY?
God put you on my heart and I hear God calling you to come forth!!! Its your time!!!
Monday, July 16, 2007
When Obedience HURTS
I LOVE GOD and want to please Him. Even in that, God spoke to me through my Pastor and said that I need to empty out. Sometimes, it's hard for us to hear the word and accept CHANGE because we want to please God, but have missed HIS method of doing it.
1Ch 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
I just want to put myself out there one moment, praying it will help someone else. Let me start by saying that if you truly want to please God, He will send instruction. If you seek Him, you WILL find Him, though perhaps not the way you originally intended.
This is what I am dealing with in ministry. God gave me vision for ministry. He gave me instruction, and I followed that. However, the season is changing. Now, there is a newness to walk in, AND IT IS HARD! It is hard to "start over" when you've served God so intimately for so long. It's sometimes hard to be taught when you're used to being the teacher. Yet, this is the price that must be paid for a NEW LEVEL and a NEW DIMENSION in Him. As we grow from glory to glory, the PRICE GETS HIGHER. The challenge becomes harder and more profound. We must rejoice in knowing that God is just calling us to new promotion.
Over the weekend, I toiled over some instruction my Pastors gave me. I'm going to share a high-level overview of that for the sake of this post. I was "sat down" from some things, and at first I was hurt, confused and angry. YES, I was! I asked God, why would I be sat down from ministry for doing ministry that you told me to do? Now, that was my mistake. True obedience would have been to act without question. I'll deal with that in a moment. Let me share my rebuke, because I PRAY this will help somebody. I KNOW this will help somebody, because I'm not in the habit of putting myself out there like this.
Anyway, I told God that I wanted to be obedient, but that I didn't completely understand WHY this was happening. I understood the point that was being made, but I felt the "punishment" was fit for a sinner - not one who had GOOD INTENTIONS. So, I prayed for wisdom. In the midst of that prayer, God stopped me and asked me, "What was Solomon's prayer?" Of course, I said that Solomon prayed for wisdom. God said, "No - go back and look at it again." This is what I read...
1Ki 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
1Ki 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
1Ki 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
1Ki 3:8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
1Ki 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
First of all, Solomon's prayer was not what we consider to be a typical prayer. He didn't "steal away" and enter a closet. Solomon was dreaming, and God asked him a question. GOD SOUGHT SOLOMON TO BLESS HIM IN HIS APPOINTED POSITION. My God!
Now, Adonijah first expected to be king, according to the Scriptures, after David died. He was older than Solomon, and the Bible says he was a "goodly" man. He was a Levite, and followed all the proper channels to take the throne. He even consulted with the priests. He did ministry correctly, YET GOD CALLED SOLOMON. He had a HEART to be king. He followed the ORDER to be king, but he wasn't ORDAINED to be king by God. According to law, tradition and religion, Adonijah did nothing wrong. However, GOD HAD NOT CALLED HIM, despite his qualifications. Nathan, the prophet took heed to this fact.
Now, as God got Solomon's attention, he asked him what he wanted. Many of us say Solomon asked for wisdom, but God showed me it was much deeper and more SPECIFIC than that...
1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Solomon asked for a pure and understanding heart for judgment. He also asked for discernment. He was called as a prophet and a king. Now, why wasn't God pleased when I asked for wisdom? He showed me, and this was so profound. I asked for wisdom because I needed comfort and reassurance. Solomon prayed for these things because they EQUIPPED HIM TO DO WHAT GOD SAID TO DO. This is what pleased God. Instead of sending up a prayer to comfort me, I should have sent forth a prayer to make me obedient and more equipped to move where God said to move, even through my leaders.
Can I tell you that this FREED me? Such a simple revelation, but it struck a cord in me. I DO WANT TO PLEASE God, and even in my error, He has given me yet another rebuke to help me do just that!
Now, I must share one last thing. As I said, I was hurt and I asked God the proverbial, "Why me?"
God showed me something about trusting HIM through leaders. He asked me if I really trusted Him. I knew it to be a trick question, and I told God I thought I did, but had a hard time placing that trust in people. God told me that He loves His people. And if we are obedient to those we are placed under, even if they completely lose their minds, he WILL bless. He said to me, "If I tell you to follow a donkey, and you do it in obedience to Me, I will even cause that donkey to bless you and teach you. Why? Because I love YOU." See, this is not about trusting and/or judging leaders. It's about trusting GOD to take care of us in any given situation.
Now, I must say that I LOVE my Pastors. I have been confused by some things and have even disagreed with some things they may have taught or said. Today, I REPENT for those things. I repent for the extra stress I've added with my stubbornness. I AM SORRY - I sincerely apologize. I was wrong and did not fully understand the level to which God is calling me. Honestly, in many respects, I thought I could not ascend past the point I was at. I didn't believe and trust that GOD loved me enough or called me to such a place of authority and power in His Kingdom.
I am learning and understanding now. This is VERY hard and humbling for me, but I want to please my Father. To GOD be the glory!
1Ch 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
I just want to put myself out there one moment, praying it will help someone else. Let me start by saying that if you truly want to please God, He will send instruction. If you seek Him, you WILL find Him, though perhaps not the way you originally intended.
This is what I am dealing with in ministry. God gave me vision for ministry. He gave me instruction, and I followed that. However, the season is changing. Now, there is a newness to walk in, AND IT IS HARD! It is hard to "start over" when you've served God so intimately for so long. It's sometimes hard to be taught when you're used to being the teacher. Yet, this is the price that must be paid for a NEW LEVEL and a NEW DIMENSION in Him. As we grow from glory to glory, the PRICE GETS HIGHER. The challenge becomes harder and more profound. We must rejoice in knowing that God is just calling us to new promotion.
Over the weekend, I toiled over some instruction my Pastors gave me. I'm going to share a high-level overview of that for the sake of this post. I was "sat down" from some things, and at first I was hurt, confused and angry. YES, I was! I asked God, why would I be sat down from ministry for doing ministry that you told me to do? Now, that was my mistake. True obedience would have been to act without question. I'll deal with that in a moment. Let me share my rebuke, because I PRAY this will help somebody. I KNOW this will help somebody, because I'm not in the habit of putting myself out there like this.
Anyway, I told God that I wanted to be obedient, but that I didn't completely understand WHY this was happening. I understood the point that was being made, but I felt the "punishment" was fit for a sinner - not one who had GOOD INTENTIONS. So, I prayed for wisdom. In the midst of that prayer, God stopped me and asked me, "What was Solomon's prayer?" Of course, I said that Solomon prayed for wisdom. God said, "No - go back and look at it again." This is what I read...
1Ki 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
1Ki 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
1Ki 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
1Ki 3:8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
1Ki 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
First of all, Solomon's prayer was not what we consider to be a typical prayer. He didn't "steal away" and enter a closet. Solomon was dreaming, and God asked him a question. GOD SOUGHT SOLOMON TO BLESS HIM IN HIS APPOINTED POSITION. My God!
Now, Adonijah first expected to be king, according to the Scriptures, after David died. He was older than Solomon, and the Bible says he was a "goodly" man. He was a Levite, and followed all the proper channels to take the throne. He even consulted with the priests. He did ministry correctly, YET GOD CALLED SOLOMON. He had a HEART to be king. He followed the ORDER to be king, but he wasn't ORDAINED to be king by God. According to law, tradition and religion, Adonijah did nothing wrong. However, GOD HAD NOT CALLED HIM, despite his qualifications. Nathan, the prophet took heed to this fact.
Now, as God got Solomon's attention, he asked him what he wanted. Many of us say Solomon asked for wisdom, but God showed me it was much deeper and more SPECIFIC than that...
1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
Solomon asked for a pure and understanding heart for judgment. He also asked for discernment. He was called as a prophet and a king. Now, why wasn't God pleased when I asked for wisdom? He showed me, and this was so profound. I asked for wisdom because I needed comfort and reassurance. Solomon prayed for these things because they EQUIPPED HIM TO DO WHAT GOD SAID TO DO. This is what pleased God. Instead of sending up a prayer to comfort me, I should have sent forth a prayer to make me obedient and more equipped to move where God said to move, even through my leaders.
Can I tell you that this FREED me? Such a simple revelation, but it struck a cord in me. I DO WANT TO PLEASE God, and even in my error, He has given me yet another rebuke to help me do just that!
Now, I must share one last thing. As I said, I was hurt and I asked God the proverbial, "Why me?"
God showed me something about trusting HIM through leaders. He asked me if I really trusted Him. I knew it to be a trick question, and I told God I thought I did, but had a hard time placing that trust in people. God told me that He loves His people. And if we are obedient to those we are placed under, even if they completely lose their minds, he WILL bless. He said to me, "If I tell you to follow a donkey, and you do it in obedience to Me, I will even cause that donkey to bless you and teach you. Why? Because I love YOU." See, this is not about trusting and/or judging leaders. It's about trusting GOD to take care of us in any given situation.
Now, I must say that I LOVE my Pastors. I have been confused by some things and have even disagreed with some things they may have taught or said. Today, I REPENT for those things. I repent for the extra stress I've added with my stubbornness. I AM SORRY - I sincerely apologize. I was wrong and did not fully understand the level to which God is calling me. Honestly, in many respects, I thought I could not ascend past the point I was at. I didn't believe and trust that GOD loved me enough or called me to such a place of authority and power in His Kingdom.
I am learning and understanding now. This is VERY hard and humbling for me, but I want to please my Father. To GOD be the glory!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Did You Move PAST Christ or THROUGH Christ to Get to the Father?
Mal 3:1 BEHOLD, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger {or} Angel of the covenant, Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts.
Mal 3:2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap;
Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
Why are the elect struggling to fulfill the will of God? Why are the Apostles and the Prophets struggling to hear His voice? God said His people have neglected the purpose of Christ for the priests. He said we have accepted only that Christ died for us, but did not allow Him to cleanse us appropriately. Too many in the Body have stepped on the Savior and claimed access to the Father, yet even this is not according to His due order.
God showed me that the Word of God has not been allowed to purify many who claim to have direct access to the Father. One cannot offer oneself a living sacrifice unto God until the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Savior, has burned away the impurities. Only then can a righteous vessel be used of God.
In the Spirit, I can see prophets, apostles – great men and women of God – shaking the hand of Jesus’ and attempting to approach the throne, just because they’ve accepted that He is real. Yet, only those who have been purified are able to stay in His presence. Only those who have been cleansed and transformed by the blood of Christ are able to abide under the shadow of the Almighty God. I see Jesus stripping those who are willing to sit in His presence and baste in the written Word, desiring to be purified before attempting to gain access to the throne.
Christ is our access to the Father, yet He is a refining fire. Too many of us have run through the door, afraid of getting burned. When will the people of God learn that we cannot cheat God’s plan?
1Ch 15:13
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
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