Hab 2:2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.
Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive {or} disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.
This Scripture is so commonly quoted and misinterpreted, yet it speaks volumes to what is lacking among today’s prophets. Habakkuk was a political prophet, in a sense. He was very observant of the things around him, and had no quarrels about seeking God’s face in respect to those things. He was in no way a selfish prophet. Yet, he trusted God enough to ask him those things which vexed his spirit – and God answered.
Oftentimes, we quote this Scripture in reference to a general vision, which for many, is nothing more than a goal. Yet, in this particular passage, the Hebrew word chazown {khaw-zone'} Strong's {02377} is used for “vision.” This refers to a specific, physical sight, dream or vision.
When we read the context of the passage, we see that God prepared Habakkuk to record what he was going to see – specific punishment coming to the king of Babylon for his wicked works and judgment upon the wicked.
Unlike many prophets today, Habakkuk addressed God with specific questions and received a SPECIFIC response that was to be recorded and delivered. How and why was Habakkuk able to receive from the Lord in this awesome manner? God began to speak to me about the vision of the prophets today…
Hab 2:1 [OH, I know, I have been rash to talk out plainly this way to God!] I will [in my thinking] stand upon my post of observation and station myself on the tower {or} fortress, and will watch to see what He will say within me and what answer I will make [as His mouthpiece] to the perplexities of my complaint against Him. (AMP)
Firstly, in the initial chapter of Habakkuk, we see a prophet crying out against injustice. He KNOWS the will and the character of God, so he questions why it appears that God is being disobeyed. He also questions why he hasn’t seen the wrath that’s due. Notice how the prophet cried out because GOD was despised and disobeyed. While he was influenced by the injustice, his focus was on the Father. He didn’t cry about how people treated him. He didn’t cry out about his own ministry or even his own family. Instead, he questioned God because he realized that the injustice was against his Heavenly Father. As a prophet, his priority was to see GOD’s WILL done in the earth. His observations made him feel that for some reason, this was not being done.
Yes, Habakkuk knew what to cry out to God about! Then, his next actions were exemplary for the prophet. In Habakkuk 2:1, after the prophet concluded his questions, he said that he STOOD UPON HIS POST. He did this “in his thinking” – in other words, while he waited on God and pondered his thoughts, he still STAYED IN POSITION. Habakkuk was a watchman and a seer. Even as he enquired of the Lord, He STATIONED himself.
This alone is so powerful to me. Oftentimes, we tend to “go into our prayer closets” and seek God, leaving the post to which we are assigned. We tend to stop working when we have a question for God. We excuse ourselves by quoting “Be still and know that I am God.” Notice here that Habakkuk was still until he received his instruction, but he was still in the proper place. He was not in “a closet”, but he kept his eyes open. He expected God to answer him swiftly, and he did not use his complaints as an excuse to leave his assignment.
The next part of Habakkuk’s speech inspires me so much as a prophet, because I was often taught that an “outside” voice is needed to know that you hear from God. Yet, Habakkuk stated that he waited to hear God’s voice INSIDE of himself. That is so awesome! He knew that God was going to speak WITHIN him. He was able to hear in the spiritual realm, and seemed to understand that his spirit was joined in unison with that of the Father. Many of us are still seeking to hear God EXTERNALLY. Yet, His breath operates through the prophet. God must operate INSIDE of your in order to speak THROUGH you. Oh my God. REAL PROPHETS shouldn’t always need a word from everybody else. I’m not saying that others can’t minister to us, but we must stop depending on external revelation. You should have a message BEFORE you study for Sunday’s sermon. You should have a message BEFORE you commune at the church. Saints, this is only possible when our wills truly become one with the Father’s will. Prophets have been “watered down” to a point that anyone with revelation can now be esteemed as a prophetic person. True prophets of God always have God’s words boiling inside of them. True prophets speak the heart and mind of God. There is a constant communion and communication, even outside our normal “prayer” times. Prophets are simply instruments. Their mouths are speakers for the audio that comes from within – that being the voice of God.
Lastly, Habakkuk recognizes his responsibility as a prophet to the people. He also waits to hear what he will “answer” or proclaim as a mouthpiece of God. He understands that his communion with the Father is not just to strengthen himself. In fact, he knows that when God answers, there will automatically be a message for the people. True prophets should ALWAYS have a message. Yes, God will reprove and rebuke on a personal level. Yes, the Father will give personal instruction. Yet, he does not commune with the prophet on such a powerful level without giving instruction to the people. Prophets, open your mouth.
I must say this is the thing I struggle with most – speaking what the Lord says. We have been taught to seek a “sign” that a word must be given. Yet God is saying that to the prophet, almost all of what is being said is to be shared. A great woman of God told me that God speaks to a prophet for one of three reasons: to pray and intercede, to take action (as to a warning or word of instruction) or to proclaim the word. Yet, He never shares information just to gossip.
Prophets must expect to be used and cease worrying about what others may say or think. It is your job to always have a word. God speaks from WITHIN you. Even if you don’t have a word when you open your mouth, God will send the word if you are in obedience. The Father has instructed me many times to simply open my mouth. He took me to Psalm 81:10, which speaks of physical food, but I understood the Father was speaking to me about His word. Every time I began to speak at His instruction (even when I had no idea what I would say), the words came without my own thought or input. Glory to God!
Prophets, God wants to have instruments for His use. He desires that we look for His will to be done, according to the word. He desires that we inquire of Him and wait for His instruction. Yet, He also requires that we stay on post and remain in place. DO NOT GET OUT OF POSITION! Lastly, always be ready to record the visions and proclaim the word.
Especially in this season, those who are true prophets – I encourage you to keep a journal or even share your works online (as God leads). God showed me that He is bringing a major separation of the wheat and the tares. I see many “splits” coming to the Body of Christ – churches and denominations dividing over issues and doctrines. God is going to prove Himself through the people of God. Many more things are yet to be revealed. Sin in the church will be exposed like never before. Yet, many will not see it. They will wink at the sin, and become deceived. They will become numb to violating God’s Word. Those who speak forth the truth will be persecuted.
Many are looking for the world to persecute the true believers, but this persecution will begin first in the very house of God. Prophets, learn to get thick skin in the spirit. Learn to keep your own thoughts and words within, sharing ONLY what God speaks and instructs.
Selah.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Cry Aloud, Spare Not! Radio Ministry
TUNE IN
to
CRY ALOUD, SPARE NOT!
Hosted by Prophetess Joy Allen of Joy of the LORD Ministries
Listen Live or On Demand
Cry Aloud, Spare Not! is a prophetic radio ministry working to restore holiness unto the Body of Christ - crying loud and sparing not, declaring the Word of God with conviction and authority!
Weekly Broadcasts
Tuesday Mornings @ 12:00 AM
NEW: In the News - National News Discussed from a Biblical Perspective
Friday Mornings @ 12:00 AM
The Prophetic Word - Hear What God is Saying to the Body of Christ
Sunday Mornings @ 5:30 AM
Praying and Interceding as God Leads
Visit the our BlogTalk Radio site or Joy of the LORD Ministries online to access archived messages and broadcasts.
to
CRY ALOUD, SPARE NOT!
Hosted by Prophetess Joy Allen of Joy of the LORD Ministries
Listen Live or On Demand
Cry Aloud, Spare Not! is a prophetic radio ministry working to restore holiness unto the Body of Christ - crying loud and sparing not, declaring the Word of God with conviction and authority!
Weekly Broadcasts
Tuesday Mornings @ 12:00 AM
NEW: In the News - National News Discussed from a Biblical Perspective
Friday Mornings @ 12:00 AM
The Prophetic Word - Hear What God is Saying to the Body of Christ
Sunday Mornings @ 5:30 AM
Praying and Interceding as God Leads
Visit the our BlogTalk Radio site or Joy of the LORD Ministries online to access archived messages and broadcasts.
PROPHETESS JOY ALLEN
Joy of the LORD Ministries | Post Office Box 1760 | Garner NC 27529
Email prophet_joy@yahoo.com | Website www.joyofthelordministries.org
"Come Quench Your Thirst" at The Well Church
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 20:7)
Friday, August 24, 2007
My Judgment Has Come, for Achan Dwells Among You
God is bringing judgment upon His people for the disobedience we have walked in. The Father is warning the people that we have allowed Achan to dwell among us.
God has been dealing so heavily with us about sanctification and separation. Holiness is a standard of sacrifice that must be practiced if we are to be called children of God. Yet, many still choose to walk with those who do not have the same spirit. Many, in ministry, still choose not to see and discern the sin and disobedience that surrounds them. We are standing in battle, shoulder to shoulder with those who are disobedient and carry tainted motives. Then, we ask why God has forsaken us. We wonder why signs and wonders have not come to pass. We question God about His rebukes and corrective instruction.
God spoke very clearly to me about the Body of Christ in this season. Achan dwells among us...
Achan means "one who troubles." Achan was with Joshua when the walls of Jericho came down. He was part of a successful battle with the man of God, and aided in the victorious fall of Jericho. He knew the instructions of God and walked very closely with the man of God. Yet, his lust caused him to walk in disobedience.
In Joshua 7, the word of God tells us that the men of Ai were successful in killing some of the men on Joshua's army. As a result, Joshua became disgruntled. He began to grieve and cry out before God.
Josh 7:10 The Lord said to Joshua, Get up! Why do you lie thus upon your face?
Josh 7:11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. They have taken some of the things devoted [for destruction]; they have stolen, and lied, and put them among their own baggage.
Josh 7:12 That is why the Israelites could not stand before their enemies, but fled before them; they are accursed {and} have become devoted [for destruction]. I will cease to be with you unless you destroy the accursed [devoted] things among you.
Like Joshua, many of us have been whining and crying about defeat in our situations. Even in ministry, many have become discouraged, wondering why the thing that God spoke doesn't seem to be coming to pass. We must understand, people of God, that NOTHING can be done above, beyond or outside of what God allows. We have fooled ourselves into thinking that we are SACRIFICING when we go through. God is saying NO. For many, this is simply the restitution from sin. In many cases, it is not even your own sin bringing forth God's judgment, but the sin of those who walk with you. God said that OUR SIN is one of omission. We have refused to cry out against the disobedience and sin of those in our realm. God's people, especially the prophets, have become soft and forgiving of the very things that anger our God. We have winked at so many things and lowered the standard of holiness. God has turned His face because we are WALKING WITH COMPROMISE. We are serving beside those who live in disobedience. God is saying the accursed thing must be put away. There are some ties and connections that MUST be severed in this hour. We are calling for the warriors, but God's true army is marching with some who don't understand how to obey orders. The battle WILL NOT BE WON with soldiers of their own mind. We cannot invite those in whom God has rejected.
Josh 7:13 Up, sanctify (set apart for a holy purpose) the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel. You can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction].
Josh 7:14 In the morning therefore, you shall present your tribes. And the tribe which the Lord takes shall come by families; and the family which the Lord takes shall come by households; and the household which the Lord takes shall come by persons.
Josh 7:15 And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be [killed and his body] burned with fire, he and all he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord and because he has done a shameful {and} wicked thing in Israel.
Josh 7:16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken.
Josh 7:17 He brought near the family of Judah, and the family of the Zerahites was taken; and he brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was taken.
Josh 7:18 He brought near his household man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Who is willing to call the accursed thing to the line? People of God, we have become so wrapped up in feelings and emotions that we are failing to call out SIN. We prophesy blessings knowing that sin abides. God is not pleased. We are allowing His temple to be defiled and we are praising His enemies. We are supporting them and placing them in high esteem - even in the house of God. God is not pleased.
Sanctification means we must be SEPARATED for God's purpose. We cannot mingle with worldly things and expect God to move on our behalf. HE must get the glory in all we do. Our Father is not glorified when His people cannot be distinguished. We must be delivered from what people think and step into the complete calling of God on our lives. There is no repentance without confession. We cannot expect people to live holy when we refuse to point out sin. We cannot pimp our gifts and anointing to those who refuse to seek the Father.
Who are you connected to? Who are you trying to battle with? Whose instruction are they following? We cannot protect anyone from the wrath of God. Those who have stepped away from the Father's covenant must also step away from you! Separate yourself, saints of God. We often think sanctification only takes place inwardly. Yes, we must separate from sin, but sanctification requires outward action as well. Flee all APPEARANCE of evil. Be careful of who you walk with. Be conscious of who supports you in ministry. IT DOES MATTER. Unholiness is infectious. You are "guilty by association". You have become an accomplice to the crime! Sanctify yourself!
Hag 2:12 If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt {or} the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God's service exclusively]? And the priests answered, No! [Holiness is not infectious.]
Hag 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [Unholiness is infectious.]
Josh 7:19 And Joshua said to Achan, My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and make confession to Him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.
Josh 7:20 And Achan answered Joshua, In truth, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this have I done:
Josh 7:21 When I saw among the spoils an attractive mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.
Many times, our closest friends, colleagues and even mentors are walking in hidden sin. God gives us the knowledge and we wink at it. Are you not your brothers keeper? Our Father chastises those He loves. We are to love our brothers and sisters as well. Godly rebuke and guidance IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY in this hour. God is not going to show it to you for no reason. Do not ignore His warning. Separate yourself from those who are not sold out to Him.
God is tired of the people of God ordaining ministers just because they are family members. Yes, God is tired of us allowing anyone to sing in the choir just because they give to the church. There is NO PLACE in ministry for those who have broken the covenant! One who lives in sin, attempts to hide it, but does not have a heart of repentance cannot operate in the power of God. We must stop ASSUMING that God has forgiven them. We must stop winking at sin.
Josh 7:22 So Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent, and behold, the spoil was hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.
Josh 7:23 And they took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and laid them out before the Lord.
Josh 7:24 And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them to the Valley of Achor.
Josh 7:25 And Joshua said, Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will trouble you this day. And all Israel stoned him and those with him with stones, and afterward burned their bodies with fire.
Josh 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor {or} Troubling to this day.
God is prepared to turn away from His anger when we begin to deal with the sin in our own camps. People of God, we must get it right. Do not allow family, friends, co-workers or even your fellow church members to walk with you in the midst of their sin. I've seen too many demons trying to cast a demon out of another. I've seen too many adulterers trying to teach our men and women about marriage. I've seen too many thieves preach about tithing. Where is the standard? Who will truly cry aloud and spare not?
God has been dealing so heavily with us about sanctification and separation. Holiness is a standard of sacrifice that must be practiced if we are to be called children of God. Yet, many still choose to walk with those who do not have the same spirit. Many, in ministry, still choose not to see and discern the sin and disobedience that surrounds them. We are standing in battle, shoulder to shoulder with those who are disobedient and carry tainted motives. Then, we ask why God has forsaken us. We wonder why signs and wonders have not come to pass. We question God about His rebukes and corrective instruction.
God spoke very clearly to me about the Body of Christ in this season. Achan dwells among us...
Achan means "one who troubles." Achan was with Joshua when the walls of Jericho came down. He was part of a successful battle with the man of God, and aided in the victorious fall of Jericho. He knew the instructions of God and walked very closely with the man of God. Yet, his lust caused him to walk in disobedience.
In Joshua 7, the word of God tells us that the men of Ai were successful in killing some of the men on Joshua's army. As a result, Joshua became disgruntled. He began to grieve and cry out before God.
Josh 7:10 The Lord said to Joshua, Get up! Why do you lie thus upon your face?
Josh 7:11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. They have taken some of the things devoted [for destruction]; they have stolen, and lied, and put them among their own baggage.
Josh 7:12 That is why the Israelites could not stand before their enemies, but fled before them; they are accursed {and} have become devoted [for destruction]. I will cease to be with you unless you destroy the accursed [devoted] things among you.
Like Joshua, many of us have been whining and crying about defeat in our situations. Even in ministry, many have become discouraged, wondering why the thing that God spoke doesn't seem to be coming to pass. We must understand, people of God, that NOTHING can be done above, beyond or outside of what God allows. We have fooled ourselves into thinking that we are SACRIFICING when we go through. God is saying NO. For many, this is simply the restitution from sin. In many cases, it is not even your own sin bringing forth God's judgment, but the sin of those who walk with you. God said that OUR SIN is one of omission. We have refused to cry out against the disobedience and sin of those in our realm. God's people, especially the prophets, have become soft and forgiving of the very things that anger our God. We have winked at so many things and lowered the standard of holiness. God has turned His face because we are WALKING WITH COMPROMISE. We are serving beside those who live in disobedience. God is saying the accursed thing must be put away. There are some ties and connections that MUST be severed in this hour. We are calling for the warriors, but God's true army is marching with some who don't understand how to obey orders. The battle WILL NOT BE WON with soldiers of their own mind. We cannot invite those in whom God has rejected.
Josh 7:13 Up, sanctify (set apart for a holy purpose) the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel. You can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction].
Josh 7:14 In the morning therefore, you shall present your tribes. And the tribe which the Lord takes shall come by families; and the family which the Lord takes shall come by households; and the household which the Lord takes shall come by persons.
Josh 7:15 And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be [killed and his body] burned with fire, he and all he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord and because he has done a shameful {and} wicked thing in Israel.
Josh 7:16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken.
Josh 7:17 He brought near the family of Judah, and the family of the Zerahites was taken; and he brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was taken.
Josh 7:18 He brought near his household man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Who is willing to call the accursed thing to the line? People of God, we have become so wrapped up in feelings and emotions that we are failing to call out SIN. We prophesy blessings knowing that sin abides. God is not pleased. We are allowing His temple to be defiled and we are praising His enemies. We are supporting them and placing them in high esteem - even in the house of God. God is not pleased.
Sanctification means we must be SEPARATED for God's purpose. We cannot mingle with worldly things and expect God to move on our behalf. HE must get the glory in all we do. Our Father is not glorified when His people cannot be distinguished. We must be delivered from what people think and step into the complete calling of God on our lives. There is no repentance without confession. We cannot expect people to live holy when we refuse to point out sin. We cannot pimp our gifts and anointing to those who refuse to seek the Father.
Who are you connected to? Who are you trying to battle with? Whose instruction are they following? We cannot protect anyone from the wrath of God. Those who have stepped away from the Father's covenant must also step away from you! Separate yourself, saints of God. We often think sanctification only takes place inwardly. Yes, we must separate from sin, but sanctification requires outward action as well. Flee all APPEARANCE of evil. Be careful of who you walk with. Be conscious of who supports you in ministry. IT DOES MATTER. Unholiness is infectious. You are "guilty by association". You have become an accomplice to the crime! Sanctify yourself!
Hag 2:12 If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt {or} the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God's service exclusively]? And the priests answered, No! [Holiness is not infectious.]
Hag 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [Unholiness is infectious.]
Josh 7:19 And Joshua said to Achan, My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and make confession to Him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.
Josh 7:20 And Achan answered Joshua, In truth, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this have I done:
Josh 7:21 When I saw among the spoils an attractive mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.
Many times, our closest friends, colleagues and even mentors are walking in hidden sin. God gives us the knowledge and we wink at it. Are you not your brothers keeper? Our Father chastises those He loves. We are to love our brothers and sisters as well. Godly rebuke and guidance IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY in this hour. God is not going to show it to you for no reason. Do not ignore His warning. Separate yourself from those who are not sold out to Him.
God is tired of the people of God ordaining ministers just because they are family members. Yes, God is tired of us allowing anyone to sing in the choir just because they give to the church. There is NO PLACE in ministry for those who have broken the covenant! One who lives in sin, attempts to hide it, but does not have a heart of repentance cannot operate in the power of God. We must stop ASSUMING that God has forgiven them. We must stop winking at sin.
Josh 7:22 So Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent, and behold, the spoil was hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.
Josh 7:23 And they took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and laid them out before the Lord.
Josh 7:24 And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them to the Valley of Achor.
Josh 7:25 And Joshua said, Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will trouble you this day. And all Israel stoned him and those with him with stones, and afterward burned their bodies with fire.
Josh 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor {or} Troubling to this day.
God is prepared to turn away from His anger when we begin to deal with the sin in our own camps. People of God, we must get it right. Do not allow family, friends, co-workers or even your fellow church members to walk with you in the midst of their sin. I've seen too many demons trying to cast a demon out of another. I've seen too many adulterers trying to teach our men and women about marriage. I've seen too many thieves preach about tithing. Where is the standard? Who will truly cry aloud and spare not?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Sanctify Yourselves this Day!
Sanctify yourselves, this day, says the LORD. Holiness is not an option for my people. Separate yourselves. You must worship Me in Spirit and in Truth. You must keep clean hands before Me. The wave has come. Judgment is now in the house once dedicated to Me. Many will fall. Exposure shall continue. Natural disasters shall increase. Do not be caught unaware. Do not grieve Me with your complaints and excuses. Do not forsake one another. Seek refuge in Me. Rely only on Me. I am your only source and your sole refuge.
Separate yourselves. Do not allow yourself to be caught in My wrath. Watch and wait on Me. Sanctify yourselves. Be holy, as I am holy. You are made in My image. You are not under the influence of sin. You are called out as a holy people. You are called into perfection in this hour. Dwell in my shadows.
Many of you have sought Me. I have not forsaken you. I am with you, and you shall dwell in my shadow. Do not forsake Me in this hour. Be steadfast. My hand is upon you. Do not fear, yet be aware, My children.
Hag 2:12 If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt {or} the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God's service exclusively]? And the priests answered, No! [Holiness is not infectious.]
Hag 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [Unholiness is infectious.]
Separate yourselves. Do not allow yourself to be caught in My wrath. Watch and wait on Me. Sanctify yourselves. Be holy, as I am holy. You are made in My image. You are not under the influence of sin. You are called out as a holy people. You are called into perfection in this hour. Dwell in my shadows.
Many of you have sought Me. I have not forsaken you. I am with you, and you shall dwell in my shadow. Do not forsake Me in this hour. Be steadfast. My hand is upon you. Do not fear, yet be aware, My children.
Hag 2:12 If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt {or} the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God's service exclusively]? And the priests answered, No! [Holiness is not infectious.]
Hag 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [Unholiness is infectious.]
Restoring the Covenant Ministry of Marriage (Part III)
Before posting this portion of the marriage teaching, I must repent. I must be honest and say this is something I DID NOT WANT TO DO. Yet, God gave me the instruction, and it must be followed. I felt this teaching would be overlooked and taken for granted, because it doesn't involve a lot of "revelation." In fact, God's instruction to me was to share the Scriptures as they are literally given, nothing more. I delayed writing this next portion, feeling that it would not appreciated.
Last night's news of an unfortunate occurrence with international ministry figures woke me up to some things. As I read the story and watched the newscasts, God began to deal with me even more about marriage and ministry, in general. So many that we esteem of high honor have MISSED IT! I began to think on many couples in ministry who don't understand and walk in a MINISTRY of marriage. No, not everyone is physically abused -- yet so many are EMOTIONALLY abused. There is a spirit of control that haunts many relationships.
EVERY SPIRIT THAT EXISTS IN THE CHURCH IS PRESENT IN MARRIAGES, PLUS SOME! With that said, let's move on to Part III...
Principle III: Know Your Place
Whether we like it or not, Jehovah is a God of order. He has set order and hierarchy among His people -- in the family and in the physical church. Especially in the realm of "public ministry", we tend to feel it is a weakness to exhibit this divine order. We have all heard and read messages about how one must submit to leadership in the church, but if we are honest, many of those giving the messages do not adhere to the same principles in the home. NEWS FLASH: Submission MUST take place in a Christian marriage. We cannot display and promote order in the church when we cannot submit and be accountable in the home. NO, submission and accountability do NOT make you weak. Instead, a submissive, accountable person is empowered by God (2 Cor 12:9)!
Eph 5:21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
I thank God that He has eliminated "private interpretation" (2 Pet 1:21-22). In other words, no man has been given the authority to influence, manipulate or change the Word of God. No one is that special. Revelation comes only from God. Since none of us are all-knowing, as He is, we must depend and rely on one another. When we do so, the Bible says that we honor Christ. Yes, when you honor the Holy Spirit and the calling of God in the person, you are still honoring God. Reverent respect for order and even position are required, whether we like it or not.
Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord.
I have literally seen this Scripture cause fights in the church and in many homes. It amazes me to see so many women (and men) who refuse to submit to and honor the person THEY CHOSE to marry. This is why it is so important to only enter those covenants ordained by God.
In general, submission is the act of YIELDING one's power and/or authority to another. It is the willingness to be obedient to an outside force or influence. I've heard some say the word literally means to "get under" the mission of another person. Submission DOES NOT mean one is take abuse or join forces with anything that is AGAINST God. However, anything that is not against His word and will does allow for the written Word to be followed.
We know there is no male and female in the spirit realm (Gal 3:28) when it comes to certain things, namely respect of persons. However, marriage deals with our spirit beings AND our flesh. Too many rely on that Scripture out of context. Many of us, especially women, are gifted and anointed by God, and feel this places us "above" our husbands. If your husband is not causing you to sin, it matters not. His authority within the marriage must still be honored and recognized.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body.
Eph 5:24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.
Paul always compares the family to the Body of Christ. They are intermingled. One cannot be in order if the other is out of order. As the Body of Christ is subject to Jesus, a wife is called to subject herself to her husband in the same way. This is the Word of God. Now, I know that I will receive responses and emails with all the "what ifs..." They will be addressed as well, but the Word of God says what it says. Amen?
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Eph 5:26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
Eph 5:27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
Eph 5:28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes {and} carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,
Eph 5:30 Because we are members (parts) of His body.
Oftentimes, we focus on the wife's role in the marriage and neglect to expound of the role of the husband. The husband's requirement is to love and take care of his wife. He is to provide for her and love her even as Christ loved the church. Christ DIED for the Body of Christ. He poured all He had into those who would follow Him. A husband is required to sacrifice, even to the same magnitude for the woman who walks with him.
Verse 27 says that Christ sacrificed so that He could present the church in a "glorious splendor." Yes, a husband should care for and take care of his wife to the point that her presentation is glorious. She should be ornamented and pampered. A man's thoughts and care for himself are displayed in the way he treats his wife. A man's wife is part of himself, and should be treated as such.
All in all, the two must work together. Women refuse to submit, because their husbands do not love and pamper them. Then, men refuse to love their wives correctly, because they refuse to submit. God is not mocked. We will reap what we sow. We'll see later on that one produces the other. Women, if you submit as a godly woman, the love will follow. Men, if you love your wife as Christ loved the church, your wife will submit.
Eph 5:31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
I love our Father -- He is truly wise! The number one step to knowing your place in the marriage ministry is to LEAVE your "old" family out. The Word of God says that a man and a woman become one flesh and must CLEAVE to one another. People of God, if you are married, your MINISTRY is unto your spouse, not your parents or extended family. Yes, you are to share the Word with them, but they are not to interfere with the union God ordained. Understand, you are a PRODUCT or your parent's union and ministry, but not part of the equation. You are a RESULT of their ministry. Now, you must operate in the realm God has called you -- beside the one with whom you have become joined together.
Eph 5:32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects {and} reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. [I Pet. 3:2.]
Women of God, what does it say about us when we have no public respect and affection for our own husbands? How can we expect the world to listen to the Gospel from our lips when we act as if we hate the person we lie beside every night? Moreover, how can we expect anyone to honor us and be submissive to us in ministry when we can't submit to our own husbands? We have adopted a "do as I say, not as I do" ministry, and God is not pleased with the compromise.
As a teenager, I was in the holiness church. I remember the church mother's always giving people advice when they had problems and disagreements. Whether the problem was in the church or in the home, the answer was, "Baby, you have to grin and bare it!". I'm not implying that it's always that simple, but my point is this -- those old mothers understood ministry. They didn't run and rebel every time something went wrong. Then, people stayed married for 60 and 70 years. In their generation, families remained in one church for generation after generation. Now, we have a self-proclaimed freedom. We don't understand sacrifice. Dying HURTS!!! God never said this thing would be easy. This is not about pleasing your husband or looking good -- it's about pleasing God! If you love Him enough to reverence your pastor and ask "how high?" when the pastor says "jump," love your husband enough to do the same!
Eph 6:1 CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right.
Eph 6:2 Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise--
Eph 6:3 That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
Just as the husbands and wives are addressed with instruction, our children are as well. Our children MUST honor us. In teaching our children to love the Father, they must understand and follow the physical instruction within the household as well. Proverbs 23:14 says that if you beat your child with the rod, you will deliver his soul from hell. Just as we've compromised in marriage, we have compromised with our children as well. We excuse them out of reverence and respect. We want to "understand" them and be their friends rather than correcting them. I meet so many parents in the church who don't even believe in spanking.
Sometimes, love hurts. My God said that He chastises those He loves. I want my children to have long life on this earth. Most importantly, I want them delivered from hell. The instructions are clear...
Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not irritate {and} provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training {and} discipline and the counsel {and} admonition of the Lord.
On the other hand, we are also instructed not to provoke, or mistreat our children. They have been entrusted to us by God, but they do not BELONG to us. They are His instruments in the earth, just as we are. They are to be trained by us, that their lives will please God.
We have seen how the Word of God describes a family unit in operation. For those who feel that it's "just not that simple", we'll look at some "real life" situations and considerations (a.k.a. excuses) in the next segment.
Be blessed!
Last night's news of an unfortunate occurrence with international ministry figures woke me up to some things. As I read the story and watched the newscasts, God began to deal with me even more about marriage and ministry, in general. So many that we esteem of high honor have MISSED IT! I began to think on many couples in ministry who don't understand and walk in a MINISTRY of marriage. No, not everyone is physically abused -- yet so many are EMOTIONALLY abused. There is a spirit of control that haunts many relationships.
EVERY SPIRIT THAT EXISTS IN THE CHURCH IS PRESENT IN MARRIAGES, PLUS SOME! With that said, let's move on to Part III...
Principle III: Know Your Place
Whether we like it or not, Jehovah is a God of order. He has set order and hierarchy among His people -- in the family and in the physical church. Especially in the realm of "public ministry", we tend to feel it is a weakness to exhibit this divine order. We have all heard and read messages about how one must submit to leadership in the church, but if we are honest, many of those giving the messages do not adhere to the same principles in the home. NEWS FLASH: Submission MUST take place in a Christian marriage. We cannot display and promote order in the church when we cannot submit and be accountable in the home. NO, submission and accountability do NOT make you weak. Instead, a submissive, accountable person is empowered by God (2 Cor 12:9)!
Eph 5:21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
I thank God that He has eliminated "private interpretation" (2 Pet 1:21-22). In other words, no man has been given the authority to influence, manipulate or change the Word of God. No one is that special. Revelation comes only from God. Since none of us are all-knowing, as He is, we must depend and rely on one another. When we do so, the Bible says that we honor Christ. Yes, when you honor the Holy Spirit and the calling of God in the person, you are still honoring God. Reverent respect for order and even position are required, whether we like it or not.
Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord.
I have literally seen this Scripture cause fights in the church and in many homes. It amazes me to see so many women (and men) who refuse to submit to and honor the person THEY CHOSE to marry. This is why it is so important to only enter those covenants ordained by God.
In general, submission is the act of YIELDING one's power and/or authority to another. It is the willingness to be obedient to an outside force or influence. I've heard some say the word literally means to "get under" the mission of another person. Submission DOES NOT mean one is take abuse or join forces with anything that is AGAINST God. However, anything that is not against His word and will does allow for the written Word to be followed.
We know there is no male and female in the spirit realm (Gal 3:28) when it comes to certain things, namely respect of persons. However, marriage deals with our spirit beings AND our flesh. Too many rely on that Scripture out of context. Many of us, especially women, are gifted and anointed by God, and feel this places us "above" our husbands. If your husband is not causing you to sin, it matters not. His authority within the marriage must still be honored and recognized.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body.
Eph 5:24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.
Paul always compares the family to the Body of Christ. They are intermingled. One cannot be in order if the other is out of order. As the Body of Christ is subject to Jesus, a wife is called to subject herself to her husband in the same way. This is the Word of God. Now, I know that I will receive responses and emails with all the "what ifs..." They will be addressed as well, but the Word of God says what it says. Amen?
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Eph 5:26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
Eph 5:27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
Eph 5:28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
Eph 5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes {and} carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,
Eph 5:30 Because we are members (parts) of His body.
Oftentimes, we focus on the wife's role in the marriage and neglect to expound of the role of the husband. The husband's requirement is to love and take care of his wife. He is to provide for her and love her even as Christ loved the church. Christ DIED for the Body of Christ. He poured all He had into those who would follow Him. A husband is required to sacrifice, even to the same magnitude for the woman who walks with him.
Verse 27 says that Christ sacrificed so that He could present the church in a "glorious splendor." Yes, a husband should care for and take care of his wife to the point that her presentation is glorious. She should be ornamented and pampered. A man's thoughts and care for himself are displayed in the way he treats his wife. A man's wife is part of himself, and should be treated as such.
All in all, the two must work together. Women refuse to submit, because their husbands do not love and pamper them. Then, men refuse to love their wives correctly, because they refuse to submit. God is not mocked. We will reap what we sow. We'll see later on that one produces the other. Women, if you submit as a godly woman, the love will follow. Men, if you love your wife as Christ loved the church, your wife will submit.
Eph 5:31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
I love our Father -- He is truly wise! The number one step to knowing your place in the marriage ministry is to LEAVE your "old" family out. The Word of God says that a man and a woman become one flesh and must CLEAVE to one another. People of God, if you are married, your MINISTRY is unto your spouse, not your parents or extended family. Yes, you are to share the Word with them, but they are not to interfere with the union God ordained. Understand, you are a PRODUCT or your parent's union and ministry, but not part of the equation. You are a RESULT of their ministry. Now, you must operate in the realm God has called you -- beside the one with whom you have become joined together.
Eph 5:32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects {and} reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. [I Pet. 3:2.]
Women of God, what does it say about us when we have no public respect and affection for our own husbands? How can we expect the world to listen to the Gospel from our lips when we act as if we hate the person we lie beside every night? Moreover, how can we expect anyone to honor us and be submissive to us in ministry when we can't submit to our own husbands? We have adopted a "do as I say, not as I do" ministry, and God is not pleased with the compromise.
As a teenager, I was in the holiness church. I remember the church mother's always giving people advice when they had problems and disagreements. Whether the problem was in the church or in the home, the answer was, "Baby, you have to grin and bare it!". I'm not implying that it's always that simple, but my point is this -- those old mothers understood ministry. They didn't run and rebel every time something went wrong. Then, people stayed married for 60 and 70 years. In their generation, families remained in one church for generation after generation. Now, we have a self-proclaimed freedom. We don't understand sacrifice. Dying HURTS!!! God never said this thing would be easy. This is not about pleasing your husband or looking good -- it's about pleasing God! If you love Him enough to reverence your pastor and ask "how high?" when the pastor says "jump," love your husband enough to do the same!
Eph 6:1 CHILDREN, OBEY your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right.
Eph 6:2 Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother--this is the first commandment with a promise--
Eph 6:3 That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
Just as the husbands and wives are addressed with instruction, our children are as well. Our children MUST honor us. In teaching our children to love the Father, they must understand and follow the physical instruction within the household as well. Proverbs 23:14 says that if you beat your child with the rod, you will deliver his soul from hell. Just as we've compromised in marriage, we have compromised with our children as well. We excuse them out of reverence and respect. We want to "understand" them and be their friends rather than correcting them. I meet so many parents in the church who don't even believe in spanking.
Sometimes, love hurts. My God said that He chastises those He loves. I want my children to have long life on this earth. Most importantly, I want them delivered from hell. The instructions are clear...
Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not irritate {and} provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training {and} discipline and the counsel {and} admonition of the Lord.
On the other hand, we are also instructed not to provoke, or mistreat our children. They have been entrusted to us by God, but they do not BELONG to us. They are His instruments in the earth, just as we are. They are to be trained by us, that their lives will please God.
We have seen how the Word of God describes a family unit in operation. For those who feel that it's "just not that simple", we'll look at some "real life" situations and considerations (a.k.a. excuses) in the next segment.
Be blessed!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Restoring the Covenant Ministry of Marriage (Part II)
The prophetic word God has given me for married couples is simply that we must GET BACK TO THE WORD. Christian couples, particularly those in ministry, have twisted Scripture to a point of embarrassment for the Kingdom of God, just to justify disobedience and failure in following the plan of God. As we saw in the last message, God ordained the marriage relationship. "Doing marriage correctly" glorifies and pleases our Father. In fact, it pleases Him so much that the family is literally the base of ministry. Yes, God does care about our home and family life, to the point that His word states...
1 Tim 5:8 If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters].
We understand that we are not to place our families before God, however, we are commanded BY God to care for them. FAMILY IS A PRIORITY in respect to ministry.
Principal II: Your Marriage Must Be a Priority
If you are married, your marriage is your first "pulpit." This is where ministry begins. For anyone who is contemplating marriage, keep this in mind before entering this covenant. It is crucial that we understand the gravity of our commitments in the marriage covenant.
1 Cor 7:3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights (goodwill, kindness, and what is due her as his wife), and likewise the wife to her husband.
1 Cor 7:4 For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority {and} control over her own body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority {and} control over his body, but the wife [has her rights].
When two are joined in marriage, they become one according to the Word of God. In this, the husband and wife no longer belong to themselves, but to one another. In a covenant relationship, the signers of the contract become the most important factors in the success of the deal. With marriage, we must return to a point of making our spouses a priority. Oftentimes we use "ministry" as an excuse to allow our marriages to weaken and dwindle - this is not indicative of a priority. Our marriage ministry must be successful before any other will.
1 Cor 7:5 Do not refuse {and} deprive {and} defraud each other [of your due marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves unhindered to prayer. But afterwards resume marital relations, lest Satan tempt you [to sin] through your lack of restraint of sexual desire.
1 Cor 7:6 But I am saying this more as a matter of permission {and} concession, not as a command {or} regulation.
Though Paul is essentially giving his opinion here, he stresses that a man and wife should not ignore or abandon one another for the sake of fasting. In other words, alms that require separation betwixt the two should be mutual. Of course, we are speaking here in terms of two believers. We will consider later, how this relates to couples that are unequally yoked.
In the meantime, think on these things... Have you made your spouse a priority? Are you more eager to preach to a stranger than love and minister to your husband or wife? Are you able to forgive others, but hold grudges against the person you have married? Are you accountable to church leaders, but have trouble submitting to your spouse?
In the next message, I'll elaborate on specific roles of the husband and wife and how marriage is discussed in respect to unequally yoked couples...
1 Tim 5:8 If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters].
We understand that we are not to place our families before God, however, we are commanded BY God to care for them. FAMILY IS A PRIORITY in respect to ministry.
Principal II: Your Marriage Must Be a Priority
If you are married, your marriage is your first "pulpit." This is where ministry begins. For anyone who is contemplating marriage, keep this in mind before entering this covenant. It is crucial that we understand the gravity of our commitments in the marriage covenant.
1 Cor 7:3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights (goodwill, kindness, and what is due her as his wife), and likewise the wife to her husband.
1 Cor 7:4 For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority {and} control over her own body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority {and} control over his body, but the wife [has her rights].
When two are joined in marriage, they become one according to the Word of God. In this, the husband and wife no longer belong to themselves, but to one another. In a covenant relationship, the signers of the contract become the most important factors in the success of the deal. With marriage, we must return to a point of making our spouses a priority. Oftentimes we use "ministry" as an excuse to allow our marriages to weaken and dwindle - this is not indicative of a priority. Our marriage ministry must be successful before any other will.
1 Cor 7:5 Do not refuse {and} deprive {and} defraud each other [of your due marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves unhindered to prayer. But afterwards resume marital relations, lest Satan tempt you [to sin] through your lack of restraint of sexual desire.
1 Cor 7:6 But I am saying this more as a matter of permission {and} concession, not as a command {or} regulation.
Though Paul is essentially giving his opinion here, he stresses that a man and wife should not ignore or abandon one another for the sake of fasting. In other words, alms that require separation betwixt the two should be mutual. Of course, we are speaking here in terms of two believers. We will consider later, how this relates to couples that are unequally yoked.
In the meantime, think on these things... Have you made your spouse a priority? Are you more eager to preach to a stranger than love and minister to your husband or wife? Are you able to forgive others, but hold grudges against the person you have married? Are you accountable to church leaders, but have trouble submitting to your spouse?
In the next message, I'll elaborate on specific roles of the husband and wife and how marriage is discussed in respect to unequally yoked couples...
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Your Will be Done...Really?
Saints of God,
I am writing this morning to encourage you in the faith. Last Sunday, my Pastor preached concerning the vessels of honour, and this has resonated with me ever since. God is yet speaking about His people and our false securities. He is bringing light to our shortcomings in relationship with Him, and He desires His people to be comforted in knowing that we have not been forsaken. Many of us are going through trials and tribulations, wondering why God has not come to our rescue. The Word of the Lord for some of you this morning is this:
"I have not forsaken you," says the Father. "You are just being used of Me."
Please understand, this is not a word for everyone. It is a word for those who have been living holy, those who have labored in the Kingdom, but someone feel abandoned by God. This is word for those who have become discouraged because they cannot see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. This is a word of encouragement for those who seek only to please God, those who are hurting because you feel to have disappointed Him in some way, but don't know how. This is a word for those who are in the midst of a Job experience.
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
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?
Who among you desires to be a vessel unto God? Who among you truly desires for His will to be done? Who among you is willing to become a living sacrifice unto God, which is your reasonable service?
Be reminded that a potter may use his invention in any way He chooses. A vessel of honor is one who is malleable. A vessel of honor is one who brings glory to the Creator, regardless of the situation. Many of us want to be a piece of pottery on display at the local museum, when God wants some of us to be used to dig up dirt in the trenches. Yes, there is a vase that sits in the museum, admired by people. It shines with beautiful colors and carries a hefty price tag, but has no labor of works. It has not purpose. Then, there is a clay vessel used for labor - to dig dirt or carry water. It breaks sometimes. It gets dirty quickly. Yet, it is used to accomplish a work and thereby brings honor to the Potter.
Are you truly willing to bow to God's will? I encourage those who have been called to be "vessels of honour" to keep your head up. Cease the complaining and be encouraged. God is using you. Can you truly be content in knowing that you are bringing Him glory, even if you feel dishonored? What is your true motive in ministry? What is your true purpose - to entertain men or to be used of God?
Selah.
I am writing this morning to encourage you in the faith. Last Sunday, my Pastor preached concerning the vessels of honour, and this has resonated with me ever since. God is yet speaking about His people and our false securities. He is bringing light to our shortcomings in relationship with Him, and He desires His people to be comforted in knowing that we have not been forsaken. Many of us are going through trials and tribulations, wondering why God has not come to our rescue. The Word of the Lord for some of you this morning is this:
"I have not forsaken you," says the Father. "You are just being used of Me."
Please understand, this is not a word for everyone. It is a word for those who have been living holy, those who have labored in the Kingdom, but someone feel abandoned by God. This is word for those who have become discouraged because they cannot see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. This is a word of encouragement for those who seek only to please God, those who are hurting because you feel to have disappointed Him in some way, but don't know how. This is a word for those who are in the midst of a Job experience.
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
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?
Who among you desires to be a vessel unto God? Who among you truly desires for His will to be done? Who among you is willing to become a living sacrifice unto God, which is your reasonable service?
Be reminded that a potter may use his invention in any way He chooses. A vessel of honor is one who is malleable. A vessel of honor is one who brings glory to the Creator, regardless of the situation. Many of us want to be a piece of pottery on display at the local museum, when God wants some of us to be used to dig up dirt in the trenches. Yes, there is a vase that sits in the museum, admired by people. It shines with beautiful colors and carries a hefty price tag, but has no labor of works. It has not purpose. Then, there is a clay vessel used for labor - to dig dirt or carry water. It breaks sometimes. It gets dirty quickly. Yet, it is used to accomplish a work and thereby brings honor to the Potter.
Are you truly willing to bow to God's will? I encourage those who have been called to be "vessels of honour" to keep your head up. Cease the complaining and be encouraged. God is using you. Can you truly be content in knowing that you are bringing Him glory, even if you feel dishonored? What is your true motive in ministry? What is your true purpose - to entertain men or to be used of God?
Selah.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Restoring the Covenant Ministry of Marriage (Part I)
For over three weeks, God has really been pressing on me about marriage and order in the Body of Christ. Like many, I have been speaking heavily about order in the church, leadership and submission. Yet, it's as if God arrested me when He began dealing with me first about the state of my own marriage, then about the state of those around me.
It is my prayer that this short series of messages on marriage would be beneficial, particularly to the women of God and especially those who operate in ministry. The Lord has shown me that order is under attack, but the root of that attack in grounded in the family. We are trying to preach biblical principles to those who follow us and worship alongside of us without exercising those same principles in our own homes.
God is calling for the restoration of the most sacred covenant between two people - the institute of marriage.
Principle 1: Marriage is a Ministry
What is ministry? Most would define ministry in terms of rendering a "service" or "religious action." The Father is seeking those who will minister unto Him (Malachi 1). He has provided means by which we are able to minister unto Him, those being praise and worship, which are rooted in mere obedience. Oftentimes, we attempt to shove our praises down God's throat, but He does not accept every offering. We must approach Him and minister unto Him according to the protocol He has supplied.
Ch 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.
DUE ORDER is key here. God's order must be followed, which means His people must be obedient. Obedience to our Father is ministry unto our Father. Obedience is how we show forth pure praise and enter into a worship rooted in spirit and truth.
Marriage is a covenant ministry - an act of obedience, as it was created, ordained and instructed by God for His purpose to be done in the earth.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The Father created man in His own image, and immediately gave Him dominion in the earth. During creation, God breathed His own breath into man that He might live and have communion with the Father. As history goes, we understand that a woman was later made from and for Adam.
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 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Adam, who had the breath of God within him, proclaimed that God's new creation would be a woman, because she had been taken from him, a man. Eve's purpose was to be a "help meet" unto her husband. In other words, she was created to help him fulfill his purpose on the earth - to multiply and to conquer. This purpose is bi-dimensional: both natural and spiritual.
The command given to Adam and Eve was to multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it. This is the reason a man should leave his father and mother and cling to his wife - that the earth be subdued with those who carry the breath of God.
Now, God's command and instruction had a purpose. Throughout the Word of God, He uses marriage to symbolize our relationship with the Father. Marriage is the natural covenant to symbolize the spiritual one we have to God. It is also a spiritual covenant to join us together as we should be joined unto God. Because marriage is created to exemplify the very nature of God's creation to Himself, He is pleased by marriage. It is a gift unto His creation that can be used to glorify Him and fulfill His purpose upon the earth.
Marriage is intended to please the Father! What is the key to a successful marriage? The same as successful ministry - OBEDIENCE. I'll explore that in the next message along with the roles of the husband and wife in the marriage relationship.
It is my prayer that this short series of messages on marriage would be beneficial, particularly to the women of God and especially those who operate in ministry. The Lord has shown me that order is under attack, but the root of that attack in grounded in the family. We are trying to preach biblical principles to those who follow us and worship alongside of us without exercising those same principles in our own homes.
God is calling for the restoration of the most sacred covenant between two people - the institute of marriage.
Principle 1: Marriage is a Ministry
What is ministry? Most would define ministry in terms of rendering a "service" or "religious action." The Father is seeking those who will minister unto Him (Malachi 1). He has provided means by which we are able to minister unto Him, those being praise and worship, which are rooted in mere obedience. Oftentimes, we attempt to shove our praises down God's throat, but He does not accept every offering. We must approach Him and minister unto Him according to the protocol He has supplied.
Ch 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.
DUE ORDER is key here. God's order must be followed, which means His people must be obedient. Obedience to our Father is ministry unto our Father. Obedience is how we show forth pure praise and enter into a worship rooted in spirit and truth.
Marriage is a covenant ministry - an act of obedience, as it was created, ordained and instructed by God for His purpose to be done in the earth.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The Father created man in His own image, and immediately gave Him dominion in the earth. During creation, God breathed His own breath into man that He might live and have communion with the Father. As history goes, we understand that a woman was later made from and for Adam.
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 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Adam, who had the breath of God within him, proclaimed that God's new creation would be a woman, because she had been taken from him, a man. Eve's purpose was to be a "help meet" unto her husband. In other words, she was created to help him fulfill his purpose on the earth - to multiply and to conquer. This purpose is bi-dimensional: both natural and spiritual.
The command given to Adam and Eve was to multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it. This is the reason a man should leave his father and mother and cling to his wife - that the earth be subdued with those who carry the breath of God.
Now, God's command and instruction had a purpose. Throughout the Word of God, He uses marriage to symbolize our relationship with the Father. Marriage is the natural covenant to symbolize the spiritual one we have to God. It is also a spiritual covenant to join us together as we should be joined unto God. Because marriage is created to exemplify the very nature of God's creation to Himself, He is pleased by marriage. It is a gift unto His creation that can be used to glorify Him and fulfill His purpose upon the earth.
Marriage is intended to please the Father! What is the key to a successful marriage? The same as successful ministry - OBEDIENCE. I'll explore that in the next message along with the roles of the husband and wife in the marriage relationship.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Is it because there is no God in Israel?
2 Kin 1:2 [King] Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria and lay sick. He sent messengers, saying, Go, ask Baal-zebub, the god of [Philistine] Ekron, if I shall recover from this illness.
2 Kin 1:3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king in Samaria and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
2 Kin 1:4 Therefore the Lord says: You [Ahaziah] shall not leave the bed on which you lie, but shall surely die. And Elijah departed.
King Ahaziah was a man who refused to follow the statutes of God. He was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, so he knew the works of Elijah, and witnessed the power of Jehovah as God. Yet, he stubbornly refused to submit and immediately sought false gods when he needed counsel.
In his stubbornness, God summoned Elijah to deliver a word of judgment unto him for his actions. Though God was not sought after by the king, the true God still answered his query, and delivered judgment thereby, due to his refusal to seek God.
Even in this hour, God is asking HIS people the same question he was forced to ask the disobedient king - Is it because there is no God in Israel that you seek another? God's people are still to busy seeking other gods for advice, rather than seeking our Father. God really dealt with me about the many "gods" in my own life that have hindered me from truly seeking and obeying Him. Many of us refuse to admit we are seeking instruction from other sources, then asking God to "fix" it.
How many of us seek the checkbook before we spend money? We seek the spouse before making a decision regarding the family or the home. We seek the job to see if we can take a day off. We seek our email boxes and voice mail messages to determine who we will talk to today. We seek the mail to determine which bills will be paid. We seek the coupon section to determine where we will shop. We seek the closet to decide what we will wear.
To some, these things may be trivial. Yet, they have become dictating factors in the lives of many believers. They have become "gods", because they dictate our course of action. God is asking, "Why have you not sought the Almighty God?" As ambassadors and sacrifices unto God, we should seek HIM before making any decisions, and Him only. God should be our first order of contact, and He will lead us to do whatsoever He wills with further instruction.
Many times, God has spoken and given me instruction that I failed due to delayed reaction. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. God has instructed me to give monetarily, but instead of just writing a check, I pulled out my checkbook and ran a mental tally of bills that needed to be paid. God has instructed me to give of my household resources. Yet, instead of gathering what I was to give, I first asked my husband for his opinion, rather than telling him I needed to follow the instruction of my Father. The Father has given me a word to deliver to an individual, yet I insisted on conversing and asking questions to reassure myself, rather than just speaking as God instructed. I've had headaches RIGHT AFTER I prayed for the healing of someone else, and sought the medicine cabinet for an Advil, rather than seeking God. Yes, I HAVE FAILED in these areas because I failed to seek God and OBEY HIM first.
So many prophets have spoken about how this is a season to seek the Father and truly become a sacrifice before Him. Immediate and complete obedience is part of that seek and sacrifice. I'm learning to just move, even when the instruction comes through another man or woman of God. It's time to go to the next level.
Where, how and why have you missed God? Is it because there is no God in Israel that you seek another?
Selah.
2 Kin 1:3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king in Samaria and say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
2 Kin 1:4 Therefore the Lord says: You [Ahaziah] shall not leave the bed on which you lie, but shall surely die. And Elijah departed.
King Ahaziah was a man who refused to follow the statutes of God. He was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, so he knew the works of Elijah, and witnessed the power of Jehovah as God. Yet, he stubbornly refused to submit and immediately sought false gods when he needed counsel.
In his stubbornness, God summoned Elijah to deliver a word of judgment unto him for his actions. Though God was not sought after by the king, the true God still answered his query, and delivered judgment thereby, due to his refusal to seek God.
Even in this hour, God is asking HIS people the same question he was forced to ask the disobedient king - Is it because there is no God in Israel that you seek another? God's people are still to busy seeking other gods for advice, rather than seeking our Father. God really dealt with me about the many "gods" in my own life that have hindered me from truly seeking and obeying Him. Many of us refuse to admit we are seeking instruction from other sources, then asking God to "fix" it.
How many of us seek the checkbook before we spend money? We seek the spouse before making a decision regarding the family or the home. We seek the job to see if we can take a day off. We seek our email boxes and voice mail messages to determine who we will talk to today. We seek the mail to determine which bills will be paid. We seek the coupon section to determine where we will shop. We seek the closet to decide what we will wear.
To some, these things may be trivial. Yet, they have become dictating factors in the lives of many believers. They have become "gods", because they dictate our course of action. God is asking, "Why have you not sought the Almighty God?" As ambassadors and sacrifices unto God, we should seek HIM before making any decisions, and Him only. God should be our first order of contact, and He will lead us to do whatsoever He wills with further instruction.
Many times, God has spoken and given me instruction that I failed due to delayed reaction. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. God has instructed me to give monetarily, but instead of just writing a check, I pulled out my checkbook and ran a mental tally of bills that needed to be paid. God has instructed me to give of my household resources. Yet, instead of gathering what I was to give, I first asked my husband for his opinion, rather than telling him I needed to follow the instruction of my Father. The Father has given me a word to deliver to an individual, yet I insisted on conversing and asking questions to reassure myself, rather than just speaking as God instructed. I've had headaches RIGHT AFTER I prayed for the healing of someone else, and sought the medicine cabinet for an Advil, rather than seeking God. Yes, I HAVE FAILED in these areas because I failed to seek God and OBEY HIM first.
So many prophets have spoken about how this is a season to seek the Father and truly become a sacrifice before Him. Immediate and complete obedience is part of that seek and sacrifice. I'm learning to just move, even when the instruction comes through another man or woman of God. It's time to go to the next level.
Where, how and why have you missed God? Is it because there is no God in Israel that you seek another?
Selah.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
The True Call of the Intercessor
in·ter·cede [in-ter-seed]
–verb (used without object), -ced·ed, -ced·ing.
1. | to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition: to intercede with the governor for a condemned man. |
2. | to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; mediate. |
3. | Roman History. (of a tribune or other magistrate) to interpose a veto. |
What is a TRUE INTERCESSOR? What does INTERCESSORY PRAYER really entail? Too often, the saints of God have missed the true meaning of this call. It is one that should be celebrated, but entered into cautiously. It is one that can celebrate many victories or bring curses if misunderstood.
In general, an intercessor is a MEDIATOR or one who MAKES PETITION on behalf of someone else. How do we know when an intercessor is operating in order? Answer: There is a VESTED interest in the matter. In other words, God AND the one interceding have a personal interest in the resolution of the matter.
Jesus is the example we must follow, as He is a MASTER intercessor, and has ordained the Holy Spirit to operate in the same manner.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Before taking a look at the specific characteristics of the intercessor/mediator that Jesus was, let’s first determine who is established to walk as an intercessor. Unfortunately, many believe that ANYONE can serve as a spiritual intercessor and that anyone’s prayers on behalf of another qualify as “intercessory prayers” or prayers of mediation.
When God created men, he gave us dominion over the earth and every living thing in it (Gen 1:26-30). This dominion was sealed by the power of God, because the same breath He used to create the world was breathed into the man He created, that the same power may be exercised (Gen 2:7). However, at the point that sine entered, those things that were once under the submission of man began to demand his labor, sweat and pain (Gen 3:14-19). The enemy, who had been cast down to the earth, was given permission to dwell in the air, and now gained power due to the sin of man (Matt 4:8-9; Jn 16:11; Eph 2:2).
The “prince of this world” has been given control over worldly systems and has influence on mankind. Yet, the breath of God still rules in His people. The saints of God must now exercise the gifts and power within us, as the enemy continues to work AGAINST us (1 Jn 4:4). However, God has stepped back, giving His creation free will and power to operate in the earth. He has given His children dominion over demonic forces (Mark 16:16-18) in the earth. Now, those who believe and are called as the saints of God must also become His ambassadors in the earth. Those who are truly sold out for God understand their lives are to be a living sacrifice unto Him (Rom 12:1-2). In essence, we are in the world but not of the world. Not only that, but we are God’s voice in this earth. He works and operates THROUGH His people.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
am·bas·sa·dor [am-bas-uh-der, -dawr]
–noun
1. | a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary). | |
2. | a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty. | |
3. | a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country's mission to the United Nations or some other international organization. | |
4. | an authorized messenger or representative. Abbreviation: Amb., amb. | |
What does it mean to be an ambassador? An ambassador is a stranger in the land. Yet, they carry authority given to them by a “higher authority.” We live in this world only as puppets for our God. We are not permanent residents, but must come to understand that we are to be used solely as instruments, conducting the business of our Father and exercising His authority in this world, a foreign land to those who live for Him. Ambassadors for Christ should impose His thoughts, spread His message and uphold His Kingdom. Ambassadors are also ample intercessors.
Yes, ambassadors are the mediating authority between a foreign land and that which they represent. The US Ambassador in Kenya , has the authority of the US while in that country. US citizens and those requiring the assistance of the US must go through the ambassador. In the same manner, if a US citizen mistreated in that foreign land, the Ambassador as the authority to implement and uphold punishment based on the US law. So is the power and authority of the saints in this world, hence the authority to intercede.
Now that we have established our power and authority to intercede, we must look back at Jesus’ example of how it should be done.
There is one large distinction between Christ and ourselves that should be recognized. Jesus became the propitiation for our sins, according to the Word of God. This means that He actually paid for and made atonement, or made “right”, our wrongs before the Father. In other words, He took intercession to a new level. This allowed others to follow as intercessors and ministers of reconciliation. While we cannot put on in right standing with God, we can mediate between God and man to bring about change in the spirit realm. Christ was able to bring about remission due to the shedding of blood (Heb 9:22). We cannot (and don’t need to) make a way for salvation. Jesus has already done this, and was the only one qualified. However, we are empowered, as he was, to mediate between the natural realm of this world and the spiritual, supernatural power of God.
Our prayers, when in line with the word of God, cause the natural realm to manifest what we have power to usher forth in the spiritual realm. The breath of God, which resides in the true saints, allows us to commune with the Father, adopt His will as our own, speak forth His will in the earth, command the powers of this earth to move, and manifest God’s desires through us in this earth. So, what is intercessory prayer?
Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
When we become a living sacrifice unto God, we are made one with Him. We die daily, as Paul did, and our own identity begins to fade as we take on the will, speech and actions of our Father. Intercessory prayer requires a saint, who is a true sacrifice unto God, to become a mediator between God and a situation, person or thing who has been oppressed by this world. That saint then operates as an Ambassador, being given authority by God, to impose spiritual warfare on behalf of that person, thing or situation. When the request lines up with the will of God, the Father moves on behalf of the Ambassador, and allows the spiritual to be manifested in the natural, for HIS glory! The Ambassador is able to invoke a move of God in the enemy’s land, in the name of the Father. Why? Because He REPRESENTS the Father in the earth!
Too many are claiming to be intercessors without the authority to do so. In fact, many of us don’t even realize that we are not released to intercede for everything. How can a true intercessor be identified, and how do we know when we should intercede?
- Intercessors must live HOLY lives. They are sacrifices unto God and representatives of HIM – not their own wills or desires.
- Intercessors must KNOW God. They must hear His voice, know His heart and know His written word.
- Intercessors must realize they are invoking God on behalf of a person, place or thing. We cannot stand before a HOLY God requesting anything outside of His will. Intercession is a weapon of spiritual warfare, but cannot be used as a tool for personal gain. WE CANNOT INTERCED ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. Ambassadors operate in two major situations, and so does the true intercessor:
- A citizen is treated incorrectly in a foreign land – A saint is in bondage, under attack or otherwise tormented by the ways of this world or their situation refuses to come under the authority of God
- A citizen of the foreign land requests new citizenship – A sinner or backslider desires repentance and reconciliation to the Father
Prayer and intercessory prayer are two different things! Prayer and supplications go before God and include or own desires. They allow us to commune with God, share our thoughts, and fellowship with Him. However, INTERCESSORY PRAYER can go forth by permission only. These prayers invoke God based on His own laws, His own will and His own power, delegated to the intercessor.
In conclusion, Kingdom Ambassadors reconcile God's will and authority with a natural situation. Kingdom Ambassadors tap into the Father and pull His divine authority into the physical realm of this earth.
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