Matthew 12
43But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through dry [arid] places in search of rest, but it does not find any.
44Then it says, I will go back to my house from which I came out. And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, put in order, and decorated.
45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So also shall it be with this wicked generation.
In Matthew 12, Jesus is challenged by a group of Pharisees about His activities on the Sabbath. As the religious priests of His day argue with the Son of God, Jesus reveals unto them the characteristics of their "evil generation." We must realize that those called "evil" were religious people. He was speaking to those with position and title in the "church" of His day. In the same manner, God is still speaking to those in leadership during this season.
God is saying that He sees His people, those who esteem themselves because of title and position. He is looking on those who are comfortable in tradition, but refuse to seek His face. He is speaking to those who know the way of the church, but have no desire to know the mysteries of God. Where are those who desire intimacy with Him?
Our Father is tired of a people who refuse to live holy. God asked me a question today, even in the midst of my own worship. "Why do my people rejoice in their error?" Yes, we do it! Have you noticed that we feel "more holy" when we have fallen into temptation and yielded to sin, then come before the church to testilie (not a typo) about how "God has brought us out?" Oh, I must be real, because God is tired. Who decided that you have to go through trials, caused by your own flesh and called sin, in order to be an overcomer? Oh, the church is deceived. People are being led astray. I declare and expose this lie that is killing the saints of God. When the Father gives us power to overcome, we have all power over the enemy and the works of our flesh. The real question is "Who is willing to make the sacrifice?" God does not toy with His people. He does not deliver us and drop us back into the same sin. No - we do that to ourselves. Let NO man say he is tempted of God, who tempts no man. We are tempted of lusts in our own flesh, and when the temptation is manifested, it becomes sin. God gets no glory out of a testimony routed in cycles of disobedience and weak flesh!
The Spirit of the LORD is saying unto the Body, "You are deceived. Stop giving Satan a return on his investment!" Oh, people of God, I pray you hear the voice of our Father this day. God is not rejoicing in our backslidden conditions. Too many of us are yielding to sin, and trying to turn it into a testimony of victory on Sunday mornings. This is not of our Father. He said that men will see our GOOD works and glorify our Father in heaven. Why do we try to draw people closer to Him, by painting the picture of a God that excuses habitual sin? We serve a just God. He will not at all acquit the wicked!
While Jesus dealt with the Pharisees of His day, He told them that when deliverance takes place and a spirit is gone out from a man, it seeks refuge elsewhere. When it cannot find a home or host, that evil spirit decides to return to the place from whence it came. Then, it sees that place cleaned and restored. Pray has gone forth. Worship has filled the empty place. Apology has gone forth, but not true repentance. Sorrow and regret have been stirred up, but not true repentance. So, that spirit goes and finds seven more worse than itself. Then, the temptation has grown. Satan's investment has returned unto him 7-fold, and sin sets in stronger than it was before. How many times have you quit smoking, and now wonder why it's so hard to do again? How many times have to stopped fornicating, but now find the bondage of masturbation in your life? How many days have you re-committed to prayer and Bible study, but now find it impossible to do? God has set before you THIS DAY good and evil, blessing and cursing. The choice is yours, and this must be YOUR FINAL ANSWER!
We must understand that we are not to play games with God or sin in our lives. True repentance bears fruit of repentance. The testimony of a true man or woman of God should be that we have overcome by the blood of the Lamb - for good! That is the end. It is finished! We have adopted too many excuses for sin. Be holy, as Your God is holy! Do not be as the dog returning to its vomit. God is sending a clarion call for a holy people, sanctified and set aside for His work in the earth. Will you be one that is spotless and without wrinkile? In order for the Body of Christ to be restored unto holiness, some individual parts of the Body must first be healed. Are you truly called of the remnant in this hour?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Dream Post
Received instruction to share this dream from April 17, 2008...
In the dream, I went on a trip to the beach. I remember it was to be at some resort in VA. The strange thing is that there were some of my co-workers and some of my church members there. While at the resort hotel, I was playing pool with a lady I’d met in the lobby. I remember the pool tables because the balls were not pool table balls at all. They were miniature heads in four colors – red, blue, yellow and green. We were getting frustrated, because they would not roll like normal balls should. I looked around the room and noticed that at some tables, the billiard balls were round, but smaller than normal. Only one table had the normal billiard balls, and it was occupied.
There was a man who approached our table, and asked if his wife, who was nursing could sit at the table. I told him that I knew where some smaller tables were, so I walked across this HUGE ballroom, full of people, and pulled a small, folding table out of the corner. I returned it to him, and he thanked me. While I was walking, my pool partner had gone on a break, so I began walking around the room. At the back of one room, there was a door to the outside, but I saw clouds out the door. As I got closer, it was like the door exited right onto the beach.
I walked out the door, and when I got outside, the scene changed. We were now boarding one of those small, propeller planes to go site-seeing. I had my camera around my neck, and there were about 15 people on board. I remember the plane ride took about 30 minutes, and the pilot told us we were going to see something we’ve never seen before. He talked about how beautiful it would be and how it would change our lives. When we landed, there was an old country, souvenir store and what looked like a swamp – but it was very bright. It was beautiful. There was nothing else. When we were off the plane, the pilot said he returned every hour, but we only had one chance to return. It seemed strange that we could only return on the very next flight, since he came every hour, but no on else questioned it, so I remained quiet.
The lady who ran the little store came out to welcome us and told us we’d be going on a small tour of this beautiful site. I pulled my camera out and checked to make sure I had a memory card and a charged battery. We began to walk around this lake. It looked like a large lake with sand around it and woods – nothing more really, but it was just so beautiful. Suddenly, we heard thunder, and it immediately got foggy. The lady turned pale and looked extremely afraid. She then disappeared into the little store.
The rest of us remained and looked into the sky. What we saw was phenomenal. In fact, everyone there but me seemed to become possessed. The sand we were standing on became like soap suds, yet we weren’t sinking. The others began floating and walking on the water. Their skin was pale. I looked around, and my first instinct was to take pictures. I wasn’t afraid, but I was very confused. I looked in the sky and saw seagulls that turned to hawks and owls in mid-air. I saw rams walking across the water, though none of this was there before. The clouds were moving up and down like elevators. Then, I saw a transparent being that looks like the angels we see in stores today – pretty face, white robe and two wings. When I looked at it, I realized the others were staring and thought they’d seen a real angel. I knew at that moment that it was a trick. When the angel saw me looking at it, it quickly sprung into the air. Then, the clouds cleared up. The sun came out again, and all the people returned to their regular state. No one could remember anything except seeing something in the sky that looked like an angel. They couldn’t remember any of the other things I’d seen.
Suddenly, the store owner was back and led us into the store. She told us we had a few minutes to shop before the plane would return and warned that we must not miss this plane. I began looking for my kids, and I remember seeing a toy box that looked like a train. It was $4.99, but I put it back on the shelf. I then walked into a back room of the store. It looked like an apartment. Once I got to the back, I heard the engine of the train, so I ran out along with the others. There was another group coming off the plane and heading to the lake/swamp we’d visited before. However, the pilot was drinking and he did not allow us on the plane. He laughed and talked about how he’d felt sorry for us, then he left.
Frantic, the store owner rushed us back into the store (not including those who were headed to the lake). She kept saying, “They are coming. You will die if you are not covered.” So we all scrambled to the back of the store (which was her home) and began looking for places to hide. We were all told to get UNDER something. I asked her if I could hide in the closet, and she said that wasn’t good enough. Instead, she told me to get into the tub, and cover up with the shower curtain. She told us to make sure we were completely covered. This didn’t make sense to me. I thought I’d be safer in a closed, locked closet than in an open bathtub covered only by a piece of plastic, but I didn’t argue. After everyone was covered, she ran to the front to hide as well.
Then, we heard the same rumbling we’d heard at the lake – like a lot of strong winds. Then, the sun went down and it got dark. We heard footsteps and felt a breeze come through the house. I heard a strong voice rebuking people – condemning them for their actions, and they would simply scream and fade away – as if they were disappearing or being pulled away. I heard it, but didn’t see anything since I was hiding. When the voice got to the bathroom, there were others hiding under rugs, towels, etc. One peeked, and the person in the room immediately saw their sin. My back was sticking out, though I didn’t know it, until I felt the shower curtain ripped from over me. To my surprise, I saw two black women dressed in beautiful Italian suits. I looked, though afraid, right into this woman’s eyes. There was another woman standing beside her. The voice changed, and she sounded only like a woman now. She looked at the other and said, “She is a prophet. We can’t touch her.” She offered her hand and helped me up and out of the bathtub. She announced, “Why didn’t you say there was a prophet here. We cannot operate here.” With that, others began uncovering, and the women walked out the door. As soon as they left, everything returned back to it’s original state – a beautiful lake emptying into the ocean, with the sun out.
In the dream, I went on a trip to the beach. I remember it was to be at some resort in VA. The strange thing is that there were some of my co-workers and some of my church members there. While at the resort hotel, I was playing pool with a lady I’d met in the lobby. I remember the pool tables because the balls were not pool table balls at all. They were miniature heads in four colors – red, blue, yellow and green. We were getting frustrated, because they would not roll like normal balls should. I looked around the room and noticed that at some tables, the billiard balls were round, but smaller than normal. Only one table had the normal billiard balls, and it was occupied.
There was a man who approached our table, and asked if his wife, who was nursing could sit at the table. I told him that I knew where some smaller tables were, so I walked across this HUGE ballroom, full of people, and pulled a small, folding table out of the corner. I returned it to him, and he thanked me. While I was walking, my pool partner had gone on a break, so I began walking around the room. At the back of one room, there was a door to the outside, but I saw clouds out the door. As I got closer, it was like the door exited right onto the beach.
I walked out the door, and when I got outside, the scene changed. We were now boarding one of those small, propeller planes to go site-seeing. I had my camera around my neck, and there were about 15 people on board. I remember the plane ride took about 30 minutes, and the pilot told us we were going to see something we’ve never seen before. He talked about how beautiful it would be and how it would change our lives. When we landed, there was an old country, souvenir store and what looked like a swamp – but it was very bright. It was beautiful. There was nothing else. When we were off the plane, the pilot said he returned every hour, but we only had one chance to return. It seemed strange that we could only return on the very next flight, since he came every hour, but no on else questioned it, so I remained quiet.
The lady who ran the little store came out to welcome us and told us we’d be going on a small tour of this beautiful site. I pulled my camera out and checked to make sure I had a memory card and a charged battery. We began to walk around this lake. It looked like a large lake with sand around it and woods – nothing more really, but it was just so beautiful. Suddenly, we heard thunder, and it immediately got foggy. The lady turned pale and looked extremely afraid. She then disappeared into the little store.
The rest of us remained and looked into the sky. What we saw was phenomenal. In fact, everyone there but me seemed to become possessed. The sand we were standing on became like soap suds, yet we weren’t sinking. The others began floating and walking on the water. Their skin was pale. I looked around, and my first instinct was to take pictures. I wasn’t afraid, but I was very confused. I looked in the sky and saw seagulls that turned to hawks and owls in mid-air. I saw rams walking across the water, though none of this was there before. The clouds were moving up and down like elevators. Then, I saw a transparent being that looks like the angels we see in stores today – pretty face, white robe and two wings. When I looked at it, I realized the others were staring and thought they’d seen a real angel. I knew at that moment that it was a trick. When the angel saw me looking at it, it quickly sprung into the air. Then, the clouds cleared up. The sun came out again, and all the people returned to their regular state. No one could remember anything except seeing something in the sky that looked like an angel. They couldn’t remember any of the other things I’d seen.
Suddenly, the store owner was back and led us into the store. She told us we had a few minutes to shop before the plane would return and warned that we must not miss this plane. I began looking for my kids, and I remember seeing a toy box that looked like a train. It was $4.99, but I put it back on the shelf. I then walked into a back room of the store. It looked like an apartment. Once I got to the back, I heard the engine of the train, so I ran out along with the others. There was another group coming off the plane and heading to the lake/swamp we’d visited before. However, the pilot was drinking and he did not allow us on the plane. He laughed and talked about how he’d felt sorry for us, then he left.
Frantic, the store owner rushed us back into the store (not including those who were headed to the lake). She kept saying, “They are coming. You will die if you are not covered.” So we all scrambled to the back of the store (which was her home) and began looking for places to hide. We were all told to get UNDER something. I asked her if I could hide in the closet, and she said that wasn’t good enough. Instead, she told me to get into the tub, and cover up with the shower curtain. She told us to make sure we were completely covered. This didn’t make sense to me. I thought I’d be safer in a closed, locked closet than in an open bathtub covered only by a piece of plastic, but I didn’t argue. After everyone was covered, she ran to the front to hide as well.
Then, we heard the same rumbling we’d heard at the lake – like a lot of strong winds. Then, the sun went down and it got dark. We heard footsteps and felt a breeze come through the house. I heard a strong voice rebuking people – condemning them for their actions, and they would simply scream and fade away – as if they were disappearing or being pulled away. I heard it, but didn’t see anything since I was hiding. When the voice got to the bathroom, there were others hiding under rugs, towels, etc. One peeked, and the person in the room immediately saw their sin. My back was sticking out, though I didn’t know it, until I felt the shower curtain ripped from over me. To my surprise, I saw two black women dressed in beautiful Italian suits. I looked, though afraid, right into this woman’s eyes. There was another woman standing beside her. The voice changed, and she sounded only like a woman now. She looked at the other and said, “She is a prophet. We can’t touch her.” She offered her hand and helped me up and out of the bathtub. She announced, “Why didn’t you say there was a prophet here. We cannot operate here.” With that, others began uncovering, and the women walked out the door. As soon as they left, everything returned back to it’s original state – a beautiful lake emptying into the ocean, with the sun out.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Earned vs Ordained
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”- Romans 5:6-8
Years ago, God spoke something to me that changed my whole perception of Christ's sacrifice and our call to ministry. He told me, "Love is not earned. It's ordained."
I am so glad that I didn't have to earn the love of my Father. I thank God that Jesus did not test my loyalty to Him before He shed blood on my behalf. Instead, He loved us, while we were yet sinners, and fulfilled the plan of the Father for His life. He was more pleased with pleasing God than being pleased by those He was called to serve!
Imagine what would happen if those of us who claim to be like Christ did not require others to gain our affections, earn our love or live up to our expectations before receiving acts of kindness from us. It's so easy for us to make requirements of others before we serve them, rather than simply operating as God has called us. As joint heirs with Christ, we should be givers, but we always want accountability from the one who is to receive. As children of God, we should forgive, but we always want an apology and explanation before we allow bygones to be bygones. As ambassadors of Christ, we are ordained to live holy, but we require a prophetic word and a promise from God for natural wealth and riches before we are willing to sacrifice sin.
When will we learn to operate based on our call to perfection, rather than the pretense that someone owes us, including God? Sure, we're willing to operate with the love of God -- as long as we get something out of it. May God help us to move past this doctrine of entitlement and back into the sanctified, ORDAINED nature of God for the believer. Oh, to be like Christ!
Years ago, God spoke something to me that changed my whole perception of Christ's sacrifice and our call to ministry. He told me, "Love is not earned. It's ordained."
I am so glad that I didn't have to earn the love of my Father. I thank God that Jesus did not test my loyalty to Him before He shed blood on my behalf. Instead, He loved us, while we were yet sinners, and fulfilled the plan of the Father for His life. He was more pleased with pleasing God than being pleased by those He was called to serve!
Imagine what would happen if those of us who claim to be like Christ did not require others to gain our affections, earn our love or live up to our expectations before receiving acts of kindness from us. It's so easy for us to make requirements of others before we serve them, rather than simply operating as God has called us. As joint heirs with Christ, we should be givers, but we always want accountability from the one who is to receive. As children of God, we should forgive, but we always want an apology and explanation before we allow bygones to be bygones. As ambassadors of Christ, we are ordained to live holy, but we require a prophetic word and a promise from God for natural wealth and riches before we are willing to sacrifice sin.
When will we learn to operate based on our call to perfection, rather than the pretense that someone owes us, including God? Sure, we're willing to operate with the love of God -- as long as we get something out of it. May God help us to move past this doctrine of entitlement and back into the sanctified, ORDAINED nature of God for the believer. Oh, to be like Christ!
Monday, April 07, 2008
What Happened to the Gospel?
God has had me in a peculiar place over the last few weeks. I have been blessed and humbled to sit at the feet of many powerful women of God, and continue to do so as God leads and allows. I thank God that He's shown me so much and granted so much revelation. He's dealing with me in many areas, as I'm preparing to move forward in ministry.
In spite of all that I'm learning, however, I've had an opportunity to sit back and observe. I am learning to operate in the place of the watchman, and see the deception that is so prevalent in the church. I have heard awesome, encouraging messages and seen people rejoice in God, yet I also see and hear the enemy rejoicing. Deliverance has been stifled because people are being encouraged and uplifted, but are not being called to repentance.
What has happened to the Gospel? When was the last time you heard Christ preached, and Him crucified? What is the Gospel to you? Certainly, we teach about order, but why do we hear more about honoring the man or woman of God more than honoring God? Why are we more concerned about the sacrifices of our leaders than the work of Jesus on the cross? How many more cliches, movies and R&B song revelations do we need? How long will we seek a gimmick? Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ too boring for His own people?
The truth is this - many leaders, preachers and ministers are content where they are, because the people are content. You see, we are all responsible. Week after week, there are pastors who squawl, hoop and holler, but have no message of salvation or deliverance. Yet the churches are packed, because the people of God seek to be entertained rather than delivered. Just thing - what is the last message you remember hearing or delivering? The true saints of God must stand up at some point and demand the meat of the Word. Revival and revolution are needed in this season! Won't you become a catalyst?
I see how the enemy has stormed in. I see the deception. Emotions are stroked. People feel good about themselves, and are bound for hell - straight from the church. What has happened to the Gospel? I vow to preach it. I vow to speak what the Father says to speak - in rhema and logos. I will demand to hear truth. My desire is not to have my ears tickled, but to solidify my eternity in heaven.
Selah.
In spite of all that I'm learning, however, I've had an opportunity to sit back and observe. I am learning to operate in the place of the watchman, and see the deception that is so prevalent in the church. I have heard awesome, encouraging messages and seen people rejoice in God, yet I also see and hear the enemy rejoicing. Deliverance has been stifled because people are being encouraged and uplifted, but are not being called to repentance.
What has happened to the Gospel? When was the last time you heard Christ preached, and Him crucified? What is the Gospel to you? Certainly, we teach about order, but why do we hear more about honoring the man or woman of God more than honoring God? Why are we more concerned about the sacrifices of our leaders than the work of Jesus on the cross? How many more cliches, movies and R&B song revelations do we need? How long will we seek a gimmick? Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ too boring for His own people?
The truth is this - many leaders, preachers and ministers are content where they are, because the people are content. You see, we are all responsible. Week after week, there are pastors who squawl, hoop and holler, but have no message of salvation or deliverance. Yet the churches are packed, because the people of God seek to be entertained rather than delivered. Just thing - what is the last message you remember hearing or delivering? The true saints of God must stand up at some point and demand the meat of the Word. Revival and revolution are needed in this season! Won't you become a catalyst?
I see how the enemy has stormed in. I see the deception. Emotions are stroked. People feel good about themselves, and are bound for hell - straight from the church. What has happened to the Gospel? I vow to preach it. I vow to speak what the Father says to speak - in rhema and logos. I will demand to hear truth. My desire is not to have my ears tickled, but to solidify my eternity in heaven.
Selah.
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