Friday, December 30, 2011

Translated Into The Kingdom

Colossians 1:12-20

"Giving thanks unto the Father which has made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:"


"Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins;"


"Who is the image of the invisible God, the First born of every creature. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth - visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him:"


"And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things He might have the preeminence."


"For it pleased the Father that in Him should all the fulness dwell: and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven. "


We are safe and secure in Him. ALL THINGS, everywhere, and in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES are under Him; our Saviour and Lord.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Cross-T. Austin Sparks Thoughts

Further thoughts from a book called  SCHOOL OF CHRIST by T. Austin-Sparks

Christ said, " If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" and "Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." (Luke 9:23 and 14:27)


"...in the cross we have been brought to an end. The Lord Jesus took this way and set baptism right at the beginning of His public life, and under the annointing of the Spirit, from that moment He absolutely refused to listen to His own mind, apart from God, to be in any way influenced by anything arising from the dictates of His own humanity, sinless as it was, apart from God."


* (my thought-Jesus said that He did not come to do His own will, but the will of the Father. This infers that He had a will, like we do as humans, and He was also human, called the Son of Man. But He continually and without fail did the will of the One who sent Him) 


"All the way along He was being governed by the Anointing; in what He said, what He did, what He refused to do: where He went, and when He went; and was putting back every other influence, whether coming from the disciples, or from the Devil, or from any other direction. His attitude was , Father what do You think about this: what do You want: is this Your time? not My judgments, but Yours; not My feelings, but what You feel about it! He had died, in effect to Himself; He had been buried, in effect. His baptism had meant that for Him, and that is also where we stand."


" Whosoever doth not bear his own cross..." Christ is saying we can never know Him unless the cross is operating continually to put us out and make way for Him; so that we can accept His mind, and the cross means that we have been crucified to our own mind about things; our mind has come under the cross; our feelings, our ways have to come under the cross daily. This is how we make our way of learning Christ, His mind, His government, His judgment, His everything. This is the school of discipleship, the School of Christ."  

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Learning By Revelation-T Austin Sparks

"The revelation of Christ in emergencies is the way to keep Christ alive, and the only way in which Christ really does live to His own."


"The Holy Spirit's way with us is to bring us into living, actual conditions and situations, and needs, in which only some fresh knowledge of the LORD Jesus can be our deliverance, or salvation, our life-


and then to give us, not a revelation of truth, but a revelation of the Person, new knowledge of the Person, that we come to see Christ in some way that just meets our need. We are not drawing upon an it, a technique, but upon a Him."



* In Jesus dwells all the fulness of the Godhead (mine)
God always keeps the knowledge of Himself in Christ, bound up with practical situations. We have to be in a situation. The Holy Spirit will bring us, if we are in His hand, into the situation which will make necessary a new knowledge of the LORD. If we are in a situation which is a very hard and a very difficult one; We are in the very position to ask for a revelation of the LORD."


God's ultimate goal for each of us is to be changed into the image of His Son. 

At The End Of Your Rope-David Wilkerson

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011


AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE

by David Wilkerson

[May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011]

Paul wrote “. . . that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). He said, in essence, “The Lord brought me to the end of all human help, the brink of death. It was a place so hopeless, only the God of resurrection power could have rescued me!”



What a wonderful place to be—at the end of your rope! I have always said that when you hit rock bottom you bump into God! Yet, if you listen to most Christians in the midst of their suffering, you hear, “I’ll make it somehow. I’m hanging in the there. I just live one day at a time.”



Since childhood we have been spoon-fed the concept of self-sufficiency: “Take it like a man! Men don’t cry!” How many times have you tried to work out all your troubles? How often have you been flooded with temptations that overwhelmed you?



Please don’t misunderstand me. I believe God want us to fight the good fight of faith, but the Lord has a way of allowing us to be “pressed out of measure.” Nothing you try works. Nothing you have read seems to help. No counsel of others makes any sense. Suddenly, you are forced into a crisis that obliterates all your trust in yourself. You have no hope—except to give up all human hope. You are forced to trust God—and you see that the only way out is to trust!



Paul clearly is saying to us, “I had the sentence of death in me. I was tested beyond measure, at the end of all hope. And it was all so I would no longer trust in myself! I had to turn to God, with faith that He alone could save me out of my sufferings!”



“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).



What is this way of escape? It is coming to the end of your own strength and turning absolutely to God! It is saying, as Paul did, “I do not trust in myself anymore!”



The way of escape is simple, childlike faith in God. It is trusting Him totally to see you through it all, resigning yourself and saying, “God, I put everything on You!”





Tuesday, December 27, 2011

School Of Christ-T. Austin Sparks

Further thoughts from SCHOOL OF CHRIST by T. AUSTIN SPARKS


" You and I are going to face God sometime. We are going to come face to face with God literally in eternity and then the question is going to arise, Has God at any point failed us? Shall we be able, on any detail, to say, Lord, You failed me, You were not true to Your Word?


Such a position is unthinkable, that even any being should be able to lay a charge like that at God's door, to have any question as to God's truth, reality, faithfulness. The Holy Spirit has been sent as the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth, so that there shall be no shadow whatever between God and ourselves as to His absolute faithfulness, His truth to Himself, and to all His Word. The Holy Spirit has come for that.


If that is true, then the Holy Spirit will deal with all disciples (us) in the School of Christ to undercut everything that is not true, that is not genuine. To make every disciple to stand upon a foundation which can abide before God in the day of His absolute and utter vindication. "


" This foundation has to take a fairly heavy responsibility, no less a responsibility than our eternal well being and destiny, nay, the very vindication of God Himself."

Monday, December 26, 2011

School of Christ Thoughts

Here are a few thoughts that I have gleaned from a small book entitled SCHOOL OF CHRIST by T. Austin Sparks. It is a booklet mentioned often by Brother David Wilkerson in his sermons and writings. One can ponder just these few thoughts for days!





To learn Christ, we must first see Christ.


The mark of a life governed by the Holy Spirit is that such a life is continually and ever more and more occupied with Christ, that Christ is becoming greater and greater as time goes on.



If we ever come to a place where we think we know, we have it all, we have attained, and from that point we become static, we may take it that the Holy Spirit has ceased operations and that life has become stultified (useless or ineffectual).



If we glimpse so much in Christ that we know we are beaten, that we are out of our depth, and will never range all of this; that it is beyond us, far beyond us, and yet we are drawn on, and ever on, this is the mark of a life governed by the Holy Spirit.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Some Are For God?

I have been intriged over the past month over some issues regarding my recent "bout" of bad health issues. On December 8th, very appropriately the day after the Pearl Harbor attack, I had an operation, or procedure called an ablation on my heart. This was like my own personal Pearl Harbor! It reminded me of my mortality in a way I have never experienced in my 57 years.


The day before the operation I stopped by a retired minister friends home for prayer and spiritual conversation. This man of God who has served the LORD most of his adult life has been a well spring of inspiration and spiritual insight for me. We met just a short 5 years ago at a grocery store here in town. His first words to me as I was working in the crowded store on a Saturday morning as he pointed into the crowded dairy isle was " I wonder how many of these people know God..."


I did not know this elderly man from Adam and I honestly thought he may have been intoxicated! I have never had someone approach me in such a manner. He and his wife came into the store on the weekends and as our conversations developed over time I found myself anxiously looking for him on those busy Saturday mornings.


My wife and I had just moved back to this area in Martinsburg WV after moving the North Carolina for what I thought was my final move after retirement. It was not to be. My Father-in Law developed cancer issues, my Mother was getting ill in Florida and as I bounced between the two we decided to make the move back to West Virginia. I have an only son who lived nearby in Frederick Md. so the decision was not to difficult.


This elderly minister friend was easy to spot in the store; even in the parking lot. As other customers came into the store in their shorts, flip flops, tatoo's, short skits and skin tight clothes, he came in a suit and tie and very nice hat. His wife was dressed very modestly with a dress down to her ankles and what I would call church shoes.



One day I was really having a rough time of it. The renters of our unsold home in North Carolina were behind on the rent, I was still having to make house payments there and expensive rent here in WV. The home was being trashed right before my eyes and a few times I even had to drive 300 miles to mow the lawn! Quite a stressfull period in my life.


As I walked through the parking lot to go into the grocery store to work, the minister was walking in at the same time. He asked me what was troubling me and I poured in on! He said "lets walk back to my car..." I followed him and he instructed me to lay my hands on the hood of his car. I did not know what to expect. He laid his strong hand on top of mine and said that he was going to take this to Someone who could sell the house in NC for me, God!


Right there in the parking lot of the busiest store in the area; he lifted his voice and prayed for me and my situation. I peeked around and sure enough, people were watching us! God is my witness, within two months our home was sold. I was beginning to see that this man was not one of your normal "Christians" that we meet every day, or even in church. He seemed to have an inside track with God; the Maker of all things. I became very interested.



My father was a minister and as a child I had met regular "church people" who would say they would pray for you and I always wondered if they ever did; and if they did, what did they say and how long did they pray? This retired minister took it to the Throne Room of God right then and there; no matter the surroundings or circumstance, and God honored his prayer. God and I both know that I did not deserve any favors from Him. I have always believed in God but for short spurts I had never been totally sold out to Him, come what may.


Shortly thereafter the minister's wife died. They had been married over 65 years! He, of course missed her dearly. His heart was broken and he was now very lonely. I have visited him once or twice a week since our meeting that one fateful Saturday morning. I talk to him almost every evening.


He prays constantly. As a minister son during my childhood there always seemed to be a real prayer warrior in each of the church's my father ministered in. One or perhaps two; never more. They were what kept the church going, it seemed. Now God had seen fit to introduce one for me when I had reached my 50's! What a compassionate God we serve. I did not know that I was about to lose the last two surviving members of my family, my Mother and my last living Brother. The retired minister met my Mother briefly in a nursing home in nearby Maryland after she moved from Florida to be nearer to her last two sons. He took time out of his schedule to take communion with her shortly before she died. We had developed quite a friendship.  


At times during my visit to the minister's home he would break down and cry. A very awkward situation. I have never sat and watched someone cry the way he did. I would get ready to excuse myself and quickly leave but I would hear an inner voice to "Sit down, Stay, and observe." I did not feel like it, but I did. I would watch this man of God as he worked his way through his loneliness and sorrow. It did not take too long before he would begin to raise his hand in the air and start to claim how great and good God is.


Even in great sorrow he worked his way through it by giving God praise and honor for all things. Most often for salvation, security in his salvation and the mighty ways of God; He is in total control. I have even witnessed him talk directly to what was troubling him; the feeling, the troubling spirit, or whatever one may want to call it. The first several times I thought he was talking to someone else in the room as he would say, "Oh no, I know who you are and what you are trying to do.....you do not belong here, I rebuke you, get out of my house, I am a child of the living God!"


At first I looked around the room thinking someone other than I was there! One or two times he actually got up out of his chair when rebuking this "thing" and demand that it leave his house. He would turn around and smile and say he could see them running down his street with their tail between their legs! I could visualize it as he said it.


He and I started praying for each other; both in person and over the telephone. He has developed eye problems, hip problems and is loosing his hearing and having trouble with hearing aids. We pray almost every day. He for me, and I for him. I did not realize it but God was teaching me through him to pray and interceed. I have found myself not only praying for the minister and his issues, and me for my issues but it has been expanding to quite a number of people, ministries and issues.


Suddenly I had a mild heart attack. They have been trying to treat it with medications but there have been problems. A heart ablation was performed on December 8th of this year; just a few weeks ago. During my visit with the minister he said something very strange. He is having trouble dozing off when I start talking, but he then wakes up and says what he has to say. My wife said that she also feels like falling asleep when I talk, so do not be offended at him!



He said that this operation was not for me, but it was for God; God was behind it. Here I have been praying for total healing and restoration; clear arteries, no heart issue and restoration of health. And I know that God can do that; and He will in His time. But for me to have an operation for God? I have never heard of such a thing and I thought the minister was finally starting to lose it in some way or the other as those of great age sometimes do.


I was about to find out another way of God. The operation was successful, the doctor said. But an hour or so later I started to bleed internally, very badly. I had swelling the size of a football in my right leg. There were two nurses and the doctor who were leaning on my leg with both hands and applying pressure to try to dissipate the blood and stop the bleeding.


If I am awake, I am talking, and although in great pain I noticed a "religious" tatoo on one of the nurses. I asked her about it and she said they are not allowed to wear a cross or anything pertaining to God because it might offend patients. I commended her on her decision to have the tatoo. We started talking about passages of Scripture and I told them all that as a child I had memorized Psalm 23. My favorite part was God's promise that He would take us "through the valley of the shadow of death...." Not over the valley of the shadow of death, or over it, or avoid it all together, but take us THROUGH. I told them all that this was as close to that valley I had been, and that God was taking me through, I could feel Him right there, right now.


The nurses stayed beyond their duty hours, one young lady stayed over two hours past her time to leave. After the new nursing staff took over the nurse with the tatoo came back into my room and was amazed at the conversation we had just had. She said that I did not realize the impact the conversation had on the other nurse. She was raised Catholic, she was attending mass with her two small children and she was not getting anything out of mass and she was tired of taking her children. She realized that her children would end up just like her; not really knowing God in an intimate way. I was beginning to get a picture of why I had bled so badly. No matter how much it hurt, it was for a reason. I have added both nurses to my prayer list. Perhaps this is what the elderly minister was speaking of, "this one is for God...?"



Just a few days later at another job, I am now a custodian at a local school, late one evening a teacher I did not even know came into the office where we were taking a break and she exclaimed, "thank God, you are here..." I did not even know the teacher. She said that she had told her husband that she had to talk to Mr. Peacher . She started crying and said that she had been through all of her sick leave, she had no leave left, she had 1/2 inches of fluid around her heart and she her heart was beating 170 times a minute. And they had just found a lump or mark in one of her lungs. She was in tears.


I asked her if she prayed. She said she does. I talked with her qujite a while about the issue of prayer. I was honest and told her that I sometimes cried myself to sleep as I prayed; and that God hears every single word that she says to Him. He never sleeps or grows weary of our coming to Him. I also told her that I would add her to our church prayer list. She talked openly about God, prayer and spiritual matters.


Was this another fulfillment of what the retired minister was talking about that "this one is for God?" I think so. I want to know God that intimately. It is not easy. It takes quality, quiet time in His Presence. It will cost you something. Christ said to "buy of Him gold, refined in the fire...." He was not speaking lightly of these things pertaining to Godliness. 


Is it worth it? Sure, I would like to have a quiet, nice, prosperous retirement one day soon. Will I get it? Possibly not. The days are getting short before His return for His Bride. The enemy of our souls is pulling out all of the stops and he has declared total war against anything that represents God. But take heart; the Book of Daniel says that in the last of days "those who know their God will do great exploits!" 


Praise God! We are there! God has trusted each and everyone reading this post a spot among those who "know" there God. It will cost us something but it will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. One look on His dear face will say it all.



Like my Minister friend likes to say, "Hang in there, we are winners, our ticket is already punched."








Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Baby - A Light

"I am the Light of the world; those who follow Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)



A small baby, laying in a manger makes this declaration to all of mankind thirty years later. All of eternity for all of creation is encompassed in His hands. In the book of the Beginning, Genesis we see the Tree of Life disappear. That tree from which if man would have eaten he would live forever; but for the fall he may have done so. It was put there on purpose, not as a tease or temptation for God tempts no man.


Now, in John we have encompassed in a little Baby the Light of Life!  (John 8:12) John the Baptist came to bear witness of that Light; the true light that lighteth every person who comes into this world. And most profoundly it is stated that those who receive that Light He gives power to become sons of God! (John 1)


He is the Light never to be extinguished-He who shines from the beginning into the ages of eternity. For us there is no condemnation that accompanies His coming. But this is the condemnation of the world - that Light came into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Every one that does evil hates the light, neither do they come to the light lest their deeds be reproved. (John 3)



In direct contrast the children of the Light prepare for the brightness of the Son of Man's soon coming. The sons of darkness on planet earth will fear and be in terror, crying for the rocks and the mountains to hide them from the brightness of His coming. Believers, children of Light are even now walking in the brightness of His coming, being cleansed as our deeds are exposed; ever mindful of the holiness of our God.



We were also sometimes in darkness-but now are we light in the LORD-walking in light as children of light. If we walk in the day (light) we will not stumble because we see the light of this world; but if we walk in darkness we will stumble; trip and fall because there is no light in us. (John 11) Jesus is the Light; stay in Him! There is no darkness for those walking in Jesus. The Father of Lights sent Him on our behalf. He is wisdom, light, and the fear of God. Proverbs 3 says length of days is in wisdom's right hand; in her left hand is riches and honor. Wisdom is the tree of life to those who lay hold of her; and happy are those who retain her.



Light, Wisdom, the Tree of Life. All available to we who believe. These three are were wrapped in swaddling clothes and layed in a manger. This small child, born of a virgin, conceived of the Spirit of God has delivered our soul from death; He will deliver our feet from falling and give us the power, ability and even the desire to walk before God in the Light of the living. (Psalm 56:13)



We are left here for a reason; and for a season. In John 17 Christ asked the Father that we not be taken out of the world, but that we become one with Him and the Father. Each of us are the reflection of the Father of Lights; shining in the darkness that surrounds us.


Jesus said, " I pray not that Thou should take them out of the world but that You should keep them from the evil. They are not of this world even as I am not of this world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth. As You have sent Me into the world, so send I them into the world. (John 17)


As He was sent, so are we. Born of a woman, learning obedience from the things we suffer. Finally learning after a season of suffering that it is better to walk in the Light. We can sing with Isaiah ~


" Sing, O heavens; be joyful O earth;
and break forth into singing, O mountains;
for the LORD has comforted His people
and will have mercy upon His afflicted. "


" We shall not hunger nor thirst,
neither shall the heat nor sun smite us;
for He that has mercy on them shall lead them,
even by the springs of water shall He guide them."
(Isaiah 49)



The true Light sent to us by God is never extinquished from the beginning into the Ages of Eternity. We can walk in the light, as He is in the light.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Already Sealed!

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 gives us a picture of our position in Christ. Right now, not at some future date. It says, " For all the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are yes, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us."


Image that! The glory of God by us. He has distilled by His Spirit in us great authority and position. Not at some future date, but right now.



The passage continues, " He has also sealed us, and given the earnest (down payment, just a portion) of the Spirit in our hearts."


The only One who is worthy to open the 7 seals in the Book of the Revelation of Christ has already sealed each individual Believer. What an awesome thought.


In this context He admonished us to not labor or worry about meat that perishes, but for the meat (life style and beliefs) that endure unto everlasting life which the Son of Man shall give to you, for Him hath the Father sealed. ( John 6:27)   


This is a major lifestyle change compared to our friends, family and coworkers. We are set aside for Him. We need to appropriate this and realize our position in heavenly (spiritual) matters.


It is our faith in these concepts, these truths, that overcomes the world. We are admonished to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God whereby we are already sealed (set apart, locked into) until the Day of Redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)


How can we grieve the Holy Spirit of God? In the same manner in which the Children of Israel did in the Wilderness Journey; they did not believe what God said. Do not fall into this catagory. We need to have a full revelation of our position in Christ. We must believe and appropriate the authority He has given us as Believers in every circumstance in our daily lives.


He who has the power to open the seals at the end of this Age is called Faithful and True. He cannot lie. He will never fail us or forsake us; we are His - bought with a very heavy price.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas-War Delclaration?

Christ was more that a baby laying in a manger scene in the small community of Bethlehem in Israel. His birth was a declaration of war against Satan and his forces here on earth. Mankind has been tormented for thousands of years because of the mistake of Adam and Eve in the garden of God.


King Herod was so enraged at hearing of the birth of the King of the Jews in Bethlehem that he murdered all of the male children two years of age and younger. Joseph, Mary and the Baby fled to Egypt to avoid the slaughter.


Years earlier another evil man named Haman, under the influence of satan sought to murder all of the Jews living in the Kingdom of Persia which extended from northern Africa, throughout the Mideast and all of the way to India. But for the intervention of Queen Esther and the fasting and prayers of the Jews the possible birth of the Holy Child would have been destroyed.


The birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ once and for all retained the victory for the Kingdom of God. Christ now holds the keys of death and the grave. He is the Risen One! The war has been won on behalf of all mankind. It is up to us to decide whose side we are on.


Why would anyone want to serve or be subservient to a defeated foe? Satan lost this war and shortly he will reach his fate for all of eternity. Believers are already seated with Christ in heavenly places. Our duty is to pick up where Christ left off; we are now His arms, His legs, His voice and His people spreading the good news that the battle has been won!


This is truly what the Christmas story is all about. Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 16, 2011

His Way - His Seed

The seed of delivery for mankind was declared from the very beginning. When God punished Adam, Eve and satan it was prophecied that the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent.


Consider the process as recorded to protect the Seed. Hundreds, perhaps over 1000 years later He finds the one faithful man in Abraham. One man and his wife. One man's faithfulness preserved the seed of man when the earth had become so wicked that God was sorry that He even created mankind. But for one man none of us would be here! Noah found grace in the eyes of God. Those eyes that are all encompassing. In Ezekiel's vision of the wheel within a wheel, it was encompassed with eyes that saw in every possible direction. He observes affairs among the son's and daughter's of men; always.


Consider the tens of thousands of babies that were alive and born when the Children of Israel were in Egypt in the time of Moses. One little Hebrew baby put in a boat of bulrushes, found by a daughter of Pharoah, protected from death while the other male children were killed. And Christ Himself as an infant having to flee again to Egypt with his parents from certain death decreed for all children in the Bethlehem area. The seed is still protected.


This must drive satan absoultely mad! In the Book of Esther Haman again seeks the destruction of all Jews in the Kingdom; a massive area that included Egypt, northern Africa, all of the Mideast that even extends to India! Still one little Jewish girl, Queen Esther in the court of the King interceeds for the Jews in the kingdom. The seed, still protected by God.


And here we are today in 2011. We are also the protected seed. All Believers are called the Children of God. He is our Father. When we start feeling all alone and in great danger think of the record of protection that God offers those who love and serve Him. He is faithful and true. Never have one of His promises been broken.


This Christmas Holiday think of that one little seed, the Baby Jesus, protected from certain destruction by His Father and our Father, His God and our God.

Israel, the Church and Queen Esther

A very important message regarding Israel and the Church, for such a time as this. Please watch when you have a moment....(18 moments to be exact). Thanks! randy peacher


http://vimeo.com/33685209

Considerations

There are several things I have been considering over the past week during my recovery since a heart procedure one week from today. I have been wondering why, during frequent pains, soreness and blood pressure issues I still do not feel "normal". I do not necessarily know what normal is, but I know that I do not feel "up to par".


I have quietly felt in my spirit that I am very impatient; ask my wife, she will confirm this! I have been thinking of Abraham and Sarah in the book of Genesis. A man who talked to God face to face, one who was called the friend of God because he was a man of faith. How long did he wait for the promised seed that would bring salvation to the world? Tens of years! And this man talked face to face with God. Angels visited him and his wife with the promise; he talked with them in person and fixed a meal for them! Still, the period of waiting.


What purpose could this possibly serve? God waited until Sarah's womb was beyond the capibility to conceive. She was as barren as a female can be. Abraham wanted the son of Sarah's maid to be the promised seed; he was not according to the will of God. What Abraham did in the natural would not do. God Himself shut that down in short order when the time of promise had finally come.


Consider Moses in the back side of the desert. Forty years in obsurity tending sheep. Day multiplied upon day, month upon month, year upon year for Moses. I wonder what this man thought as he gazed into the starry heavens remembering his calling? Did he question God or just give up? Finally! A burning bush! A sign that the time had finally come.


Consider Joseph and his great dreams and promise of nations bowing before him. Hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, set up in Pharoah's court by the wife of Pharoah and charged with rape! In prison for years. The time of waiting had begun.


These things happen for a reason. There is a purpose for the wait. I believe these men were changed and it brought out things hidden deeply in their hearts that even they did not know existed deep within their being. Issues that had to be dealt with that could only happen in times of isolation. Not surrounded by friends, family or a support system. Only God and the person, dealing with each other.


One thing I have learned that I do not think I would have seen in any other way is the necessity to hold others up in prayer. When I was feeling good I causally prayed for people, for their salvation, their healing or any other pressing issue. But when confronted with my own mortality and my own recent walk in the valley of the shadow of death, it has been embedded deep into my soul the finality of eternity after death.


God has given me a new sense of the eternal state of those who pass into eternity. There are two people I work with that I cannot even stand to be in the same building with them. God has forced me to pray for them with more passion. They are lost, misguided, full of themselves and their issues, even at the expense of others. But yet, they are lost without God. "Pray for them...." I will stand before God one day soon and that issue will arise. As I watch or hear of their final judgment I will be asked, "Did you pray for them?" Was there someone to stand in the gap between eternity, heaven and hell, for these two people?


I want to be able to say I prayed. I would not have learned this important lesson unless I had went through this ordeal. During the night seasons I have had dealings with the LORD about these things. There are truly treasures in the darkness the Bible speaks of; and the only way to retrieve that treasure is to go through the darkness and stop skirting around it or avoiding it at all costs.


Another minister friend of mine who has issues of his own, high sugar, dialisis and other things said that when we are walking through that fearful valley that Jesus is called the Lilly of the Valley. How true. He has never left me nor fosaken me. He is always there.


I feel that when that tinge of fear tries to overtake me during these times the choice is mine; do I yield to it or do I fight it off? It has been my choice and will always be my choice. A sudden fear, I believe it is a tangible spirit of fear that attacks the children of God even more so than non-Believers descends. It is our duty to know the Word of God, to quote the promises and remember what our position is as Children of God.


Fear not! I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. Bowing down to fear is of the devil. It could even be a case in our spirit of bowing down to Satan in fear. God says NO! It is not to be. When that tinge of fear comes around, fight it off. Be strong and of a good courage; the same Spirit that raised up Christ from the dead dwells in our mortal bodies. He is a Spirit of life, of breath, of renewal.


The waiting periods in our lives may be long, they are sometimes blessfully short, but God is sitting at the controls. Everything works together for the good of those who love God. Never lose heart.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Healing And Praise - by John J. Parsons

" Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise."  (Jeremiah 17:14)


It is good to praise and trust the LORD despite our afflictions, and indeed, suffering itself presents an invitation to come before God in prayer (James 5:13). Suffering offers us a nisayon, a test, for our hearts to be exercised in ways otherwise rendered impossible should the path of our lives be attended without real struggle.


In this connection I am reminded of a quote from Sadhu Sundar Singh, " Should pain and siffering, sorrow, and grief, rise up like clouds and overshadow for a time the Sun of Righteousness and hide Him from your view, do not be dismayed, for in the end this cloud of woe will descend in showers of blessing on your head, and the Sun of Righteousness rise upon you to set no more forever."


It's been said that both the devil and God want your soul, but their approaches are diametricially opposite to one another...God offers you a bitter cup that, after it has been duly tested, will be turned sweet, whereas the devil offers you an artificially sweetened cut that, after it has been duly tested, will be found bitter to the last of the dregs....When you accept the suffering as ordained by God-by the LORD of Glory who could easily deliver you from all trace of its presence in but the twinkling of an eye-your heartache is sanctified, and your praise becomes more dear to Him.


Only the wise and loving LORD knows how bitter waters may be made sweet; only the great Refiner of our souls knows how to bring beauty up from ashes....So heal me, O LORD (even if that means suffering and pain for my life) and I shall be healed; save me, O LORD (do whatever it takes to bring me to the end of myself), and I shall be saved-for You are my praise.



If you are afflicted, troubled, or in any kind of pain, you have a great opportunity to glorify your Father in Heaven by offering Him your praise...Praising God is the appropriate response to all of reality; the affirmation of God's glory transform everything. " Is anyone among you feeling bad? Let him pray. Is anyone feeling good? Let him sing praise" (James 5:13)


Remember that regardless of how you presently feel, your emotional life is centered in the Presence of God...As George Mueller once affirmed, " Be assured-if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you."

Monday, December 12, 2011

From Him-To Us

We go through things some times that make us realize that we are not sufficient in ourselves; it is not something we can work up by our own doing. I have been mistaken in this regard for most of my life. 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, " Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is in Christ."


In John 15:5 Christ tells us that He is the vine; we are the branches, we abide in Him and He in us. Without Him we can do nothing. I can muster up a little but it is usually working it up myself. After a short while I tire and realize how useless my effort is for any lasting effect.


We are but yet only beholding, as in a glass, the true glory of the LORD. But as we do we are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD. Not of ourselves, but of Him. (2 Corinthians 3:18)



He is first and foremost in all things that pertain to any godliness we may claim. He is all in all.  Yet He has chosen us in which to place this treasure; in earthen vessels so that the excellency of any power we may have is of Him, not us.


When we feel weak or forsaken for a small season at times, remember that we are always bearing about in our body the dying of the LORD Jesus so that the life of Jesus might be manifest in our body. Then we realize that it all comes from Him! (2 Corinthians 4:10)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Out Of The Book

King David said, " Because I have set my love upon God He will deliver me. He will set me on high because I have known His name. I will call upon Him and He will answer me - He will be with me during trouble; He will deliver me and honor me; With long life will He satisfy me and show me His salvation." (Psalm 91)


Precious promises. Isaiah said, " Seek ye out of the Book of the LORD, and read; not one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate (words will be a perfect union) for My mouth it hath commanded, and His Spirit it hath gathered them."


Every word spoken by God is truth. We can "take it to the bank", we can  cast our lives upon it, and it will live for all of eternity. Every issue, every circumstance, every prayer and promise are serving an eternal purpose. For the ages of the ages of eternity we will still be studying the Words and Ways of God! What an awesome thought!

Post Heart Procedure 12.10.2011

I have never been through such a thing in my entire life! What a trip! I felt like I was visiting the valley of the shadow of death itself. It is as close as I have ever been aware I have been. A large bleeding out on my right leg happened shortly after the operation. The doctor's entered through both legs to access the heart. They believe the operation was a success. I am confident that it was. I have reminded God repeatedly in prayer that He says He holds our heart in His hands; and I cannot think of a better place for it to be.


The large bleed out Thursday evening is called a hematoba; a very large collection or pool of blood that leaked from the incision site. It got to the size of a softball, 5 x 7 inches. They worked on me for several hours to get the "blue and purple" bump to go down. The doctor said that my leg would possibly turn black and blue down to my ankle. I told him that blue is a nice color; the color of the sky or the ocean!


I have never felt such severe pain as the staff at the hospital was pressing on the blue bump with both hands, leaning on it with all of their body weight. Two nurses especially interviened when the doctor was called away. One nurse had a tatoo with a passage of Scripture on her arm that promises of God's continual presence. She and I started talking about where we attend services. The other young lady just smiled, pushed the swelling in my leg and listened.


I told both of them that God had promised me that I was going to be alright. I had Believing friends and a 90 year old minister friend who felt this way also. I reminded them both of the famous 23 Psalm where God said that He would take us through the valley of the shadow of death; not around the valley, not over the valley, or avoid the valley; but THROUGH! I thought that going through with Him has to serve some pupose we do not realize right now. But, I know God was there. I reminded them of the promise of Jesus to be with us always, even to the very end; He is there. They both tired out and gave me a pain medication and the shift for them ended. The one nurse stayed almost two hours beyond her shift to listen and talk.


The nurse who was a Believer came back and said that I have no idea of what had just taken place. The other nurse had been raised Catholic, had two small children that she hated to take to mass because it did not do anything for her anymore; so why take her children. The young lady had been asking questions of fundamentalist Believers and showing a strong interest in the things of God. I could not fathom what she was really saying. I was amazed. Is this why the internal bleeding happened? I do not know. But Rev. Cooper said something that came to mind when I got back home. He said that this operation was for God, not for me. What a strange thing to say. I am still contemplating that statement and it is a profound thought. Is one eternal soul worth the pain I went through that night? Yes, it is. I now pray that the seed that was planted fell in good soil; God said His word would not return to Him void but it would accomplish what He pleases.


Last night after getting home I went back to the emeregency room here in town thinking that I had started bleeding again. The doctor did an ultra sound and thought a blood clot may have formed. It has not and the bleeding had stopped and I went back home. I actually slept a solid 8 hours last evening. Thank God! Jane did also. The first nice rest we have had in what seems to be weeks.


Thank each and every one of you for your prayers. You will never realize what it means to have your name mentioned in the presence of God in intercession. It has profound effects.






Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Effective Prayer

The Book of James says the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth (accomplishes) much. The definition of fervent means to have a zeal, prayers that are so intense to bring to a boil. This is not casual prayer. We say grace thanking God for the food we are about to eat; we thank Him for safety and nice weather. These are all good prayers. But in times of great need our prayers change in fervency.


We have no righteousness in ourselves; so forget the thought that we have to work up something in our spirit before we go before the throne of God with our prayers. Our righteousness is in Christ Jesus and Christ alone. The Spirit of God places an urgency in our spirit so we come into God's presence with the appropriate urgency; no matter the need.


Christ encourages us to "buy of Him" gold. Not the gold of the world, but spiritual, heavenly gold; refined seven times. In the Book of Daniel it says that King Nebuchadnezzar had his mighty men heat the firey furnace 7 times hotter because the three Hebrew children would not bow to his image and worship. The same thing happens to us. Believers will experience trials, tests and temptations that will get as hot as it can possibly get. But there is One that is also walking in our midst during the heat and fires that come our way.


These trials serve the purposes of God. We may have a sense of what the purpose may be; but most of the time we have no idea; we just trust. All the fire usually does is just burn off what has had us bound, hand and foot, like the Hebrew children in the Book of Daniel. (our hands representing what we do and feet representing where we have been walking). We are freed through the fire! Unbound! Never forget that Jesus said that all authority both in heaven and on earth has been (past tense!) given unto Him. We belong to Him; never lose sight of that fact. He is with us always, even to the very end.


He has been with me through my heart issues. He will be with me tomorrow morning on the operating table in Winchester, VA. It has been a great trial but I have felt His presence, the presence of the Angel of God through the entire process. When fear and sadness trial to make inroads, and it has and will, it is up to me to believe what God promises me. That choice is mine and mine alone. God told Joshua " Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)


God did not say I recommended that you not fear, or My suggestion is that you not fear, but "I command you to not fear....! I fall down on that side of the fence. He is in total control, always ahs been, always will be. The believing part is up to me!


Fear not, for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed,
I AM your God.
I will be with you and I will comfort you.


Jesus said, "I AM with you always,
even to the very end.


That is good enough for me!!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Still Learning!

One of my supervisors at work is a "piece of work." I have traveled the world and thought I had met every type of person possible. I was wrong! How was I wrong.


I have had to defend myself numerous times from this fellow and nothing seems to work. I have used every "trick in the book" in an effort for him to just leave me alone and let me do my assigned jobs. All to no avail.


I asked God a number of times to help me figure out an angle to get the better of this fellow so he would back off a little bit; nothing!


All I could pick up on from heaven is the phrase pray for him; pray for him. Pray that He finds God. Pray that he sees his error and that lying and back stabbing are not right. This is a tall order for me. I like to think myself compassionate. I would like to think I would give the shirt off of my back if someone needed it. I think I would.


But pray for someone like this guy? You have got to be kidding....but I have been. At first I was gritting my teeth and felt like a hypocrite. I asked God to help me to pray for him. I did not have to tell God how I felt about this fellow, but I did, and He spoke softly to me and said I understand.


Deep in my spirit I started to understand the depth of God's love for a rebellious world. Total rebellion against God. Subservient to Satan; under his control and liking it. Yet, God gave the earth His only Son to not only die, but to be beaten, spat upon, mocked and hung on a cruel, crude tree instead of us dying for our sin. Christ died for ours.


In my recent health problems I have had a sense of the finality of death. It is appointed to mankind to once die; and after death, judgement. I have put this fellow who is giving me so much trouble in that situation and I have suddenly been fearful for him. I find myself now praying that he will see his error; ask God to forgive him, because I can and I know God will. God said that all who call on the Name of the LORD will be saved. He is not willing that any should perish. Not ONE. Not even the people I do not necessarily like!


I am on a strong learning curve here in this situation. God will never be finshed teaching me. He knows how hard headed I am.


God, soften my heart to those who are in strong error and seem to have no sense of the finality of eternity with out You. Give me a heart of intercession and compassion. Help me to not get so angry when I am offended, taken advantage of, or used.


Give me a heart like Jesus!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Confidence!

God is at our side;
Why should we fear?

He is ever present in times of trouble;
Why be afraid.

When the enemy comes in like a flood;
God lifts up a standard.

He promises, " Fear not, for I AM with you,
do not be afraid, for I AM your God."

In times of trouble when fear and doubts start to come in,
call on His wonderful Name and His Spirit, the same One that inhabits eternity itself is right there beside us.

He will never leave us, or forsake us!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Stand Up!

I have been reading about several men in Scripture who met God in circumstances no one else I know has experienced. In Acts 26:16 Saul (later Paul) fell off of his horse when he was confronted by a bright, blinding light. The light was so intense Saul lost his eye sight. The encounter is recorded thus ~


" Jesus said, "Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks (his conscience) "Who are You, LORD?" I AM Jesus whom you persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet..."



In the Book of Daniel,(10:9-11) it is recorded by Daniel "heard the voice of His words: and when I heard the voice of His words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face was toward the ground. And behold, a Hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And He said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words I speak unto you, and stand upright...." 



Ezekiel speaks several times of the Spirit of the LORD getting hold of him and lifting him up from a sitting or laying position. In Job's ultimate encounter with God, at the end of his grievious trials God told him "Gird up your loins like a man (get yourself together!) for I will demand of you, and answer thou Me! (Job 38:3)



These examples of close encounters when God appears on the scene in a powerful, unusual way, are given for a reason, I believe. We have to get up, stand up during our despair and wonderment of our situation and realize Who is speaking to us and what our position is in Him. The enemy is not the victor. Christ has told us many times in Scripture that He is the victorious One. We are not just going to be seated with Him at some future date; we have a position in Heavenly places with Him right now!



In times of great trial we must stand, and having done all we can through prayer, petitions and faith, continue to stand upon His promises. Christ never wavers or changes His words like men do. He is God! He does not change.


Ephesians 6:12-18 wraps up this thought very nicely. It says ~


" For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."


He identifies with our weakness; do not lose heart. We must realize our weakness and recognize that we can never do it on our own. It is not something in ourselves we try to work up; it is done by and through Him. It is His responsibility and He never fails.


Isaiah 63:6 says, "In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old."


We have great spiritual authority in and through Christ in us. Whatever we are going through will eventually, and it is a process that takes time, bring maturity, patience and obedience to the Spirit of God. The end result of our increased faith also brings great spiritual authority.

The final result is that Christ is magnified and glorified through our prayers, faith and patience. Jeremiah 1:7-10 m;akes the point of our position when we reach this place in Christ ~


" But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put My words into thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, and to build and to plant..."


These promises in Jeremiah are for us. They are an exact mirror of the evil powers and strongholds mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 6. These are times to stand up! Realize and claim the authority Christ has given us; authority in our homes, with our families, town, state and nation.


Stand. And having done all, Stand!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Out Of The Depths

Out of the depths have we cried unto You, O LORD. LORD hear our voice; let Your ear be attentive to the voice of our supplications. (Psalm 130:1)


Some of the trials we go through are to strengthen our faith. Brother Wilkerson said that many of the trials we go through are because of our faith!


Consider the three Hebrew children in the book of Daniel. They were cast into the firey furnace, heated just for the them, seven times hotter because of their faith.


And, the Prophet Daniel himself was thrown into the lions den because of his faith. This man had proven his faith for years. He was so close to God that he could not only interprete dreams but tell a king what the dream was in the first place! He was already a man of faith.


When we go through the firey trials and it seems that we, as Daniel are being thrown to the lions, we are being changed in the process. Faith is not knowing that God can rescue us, it is believing that He WILL rescue us.


There were four men walking in the fire of the furnace in Babylon; Christ walking and talking with the three Hebrew men. He has also promised you and I that He would never leave us or forsake us. That is a promise we can take to the bank!


There are times when deep, distressing trials come and I feel like throwing in the towel. "God, this is it, I cannot take it any more...." I feel in my spirit that God does not pity me, not one bit, He knows just how I am feeling. What He tells me to do most of the time is what He told Job after His severe trial; stand up on your feet! Cast off the dust from yourself and recognize what is going on and remember Who I AM.


He is in total control. Even in my recent travels through my valley of the shadow of death, or at least as close as I have come to that spot thus far, I have felt His presence. While crying and praying on my trips to the emergency room as my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest; I could feel His presence upon me.


I did not understand why it was happening. Brief pangs of terror would try to overtake me; but I could feel the presence of God upon me. At the same time the enemy would say "He does not hear you, He never did, you have been playing a game...."  When I felt terror; I prayed it away. It was a tangible spirit of terror, difficult to explain. But this thing is real. We are not in a battle of imagination. We fight the same wars all Children of God fight. Especially if we desire to draw closer to Him than we are. Hell knows and sees this desire and will throw everything it has at us because of our desire for more of God. Hell knows those who are just satisfied to be going to heaven and those who want all of God they can get for the short period we are here on planet earth. 


 We do not need to fear these feeling and thoughts when they come, and they will come. It is not because we are far from God; that is what the voice insinuates, it is just the opposite, the lies and events occur because we want MORE OF GOD. This battle is real world, real time and as personnal as it gets. But if we know anything about God, He is more than real, He is very present in times of trouble.


I can say without equivocation, God is with us at all times. He calms the stormy seas in our times of trouble. He speaks calm to our souls. Going through these things causes great examination of how deep we are in the things of the Spirit of God; it draws us ever closer. We are purified and mature during these fearful events. He is always there.


A deeper understanding of His faithfulness occurs. A more mature understanding of His ways becomes enbedded in our soul. It is something not easy to forget. During my five visits to the hospital since May as the billows of fear try to roll in He enables me to fight them back in the spirit, by His Spirit. I have to stand up on the inside, realize who He is and who He said I am in Him, and the billows start to disapate. We are already seated in Heavenly (spiritual) Places in Christ Jesus. The battle is already won; we are just walking it out in our own lives and learning and growing through the process. Christ is coming back for a mature Bride who knows Him; really knows Him. So everything we are going through is serving an eternal purpose. 


I am having an operation on December 8 of this year, in two weeks, and no matter what happens He has been here with me, even closer than any brother; all I have had to do is call upon Him and know that the One who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, the One who said He holds our hearts in His hand, is ever present.


He is faithful and true. Bless His Name.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

O Ye Gates!

There are many gates mentioned in the Bible. There are gates mentioned that are great and high; the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. The gates mentioned in the Old Testament were where the city leaders would frequent; Lot sat at the gates of Sodom; he was a influential man with a good reputation in that city. The Bible mentions gates of death; and the gates of hell and the grave.


In this physical body we cannot perceive these gates wih our natural eyes. They are spiritual in nature. I remember sermons by Brother David Wilkerson about the forces that have influence over New York City. Gates of finance control that city. Washington DC the gates are powerful in the influence, position and politics. San Francisco the influence of money, sex and influence have powerful influence.


In the areas in which we live there are also principalities and powers in control that we battle on a daily basis. But no matter the influence, they all have to bow in the Presence of God. The Presence of God in us causes great difficulty for these spiritual powers. This is where our battle lies. We have been given great power in the pulling down of strongholds. We have this power through prayer.


Psalm 24:7-10 ~  " Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up. ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. "


" Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Hosts (armies) He is the King of Glory!"


At the Name of Christ every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess, that He is LORD of all!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Your Calling?

I firmly believe that the calling of every Believer in Christ is to be constantly changing into His image. Christ came to interceed, to suffer and to die for lost humanity; because God the Father so loved the world that He gave His only Son as a sacrifical lamb. The Lamb that is worthy at the end of this age to open the books and the break the seals in Heaven to bring His own, finally, to be with Him for all of eternity. Christ was an intercessor; and so should we be.


Do not lie to yourself, have others lie to you, or most of all believe the lies of the enemy of our souls that we have missed our calling and that it is too late to make admends. If you have prayed for anyone that is lost and without Christ, you are fullfilling your calling. If you pray for a pastor or missionary or other ministry you are fulfilling your calling. If you are trying to live a life in Christ Jesus, you are fullfilling your calling.


It is Christ in us that is the hope of glory. Faith and prayer move heaven, earth and hell, We do not fight physical battles but our battles are spiritual. They look physical because evil spirits roam the earth and attack every Believer and often use physical means to expose their deeds.


How powerful is this weapon of prayer? Here are several examples and they involve the man Moses who was dealing with a very hardheaded, stiff necked people. His intercession on behalf of Israel in their Wilderness travels will live for all of eternity as an example of a man who had great influence with God. He saw God face to face! And he was not afraid to present his case before God, to disagree and argue with God, as it were, over something He was about to do. This event is recorded for us to read in Numbers 14:11-20 and again in Exodus 12:8-14.


God told Moses, " How long are these people going to provoke Me? How long will it be before they believe Me, look at all of the signs I have given them? I will smite them with pestilence and disinherit them and will make of you a great nation, mightier than they."


Listen to Moses argument and reply to God, "Then the Egyptians shall hear of it, for You brought this people up in Thy might from among them; and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land for they have heard that You LORD are among this people, that Thou LORD are seen face to face, and that Thy cloud stands over them and that You go before them by day in a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if You shall kill all of this people as one man, then all of the nations which have heard the fame of You will say that You are not able to bring this people into the land that You have promised them......"


How is that for an argument? Did Moses cross the line? Would we cross a line if we prayed in such a manner? I think not. God has instructed us to present our case to Him. He says "come now and let us reason together...( Isaiah 1:18) Present your case in prayer. It is as if we are presenting our case in a Court of Law. "God, You have changed my heart to hunger after the things of God; do the same thing for them."


The Apostle Paul is another excellent example. He said that if he could be accursed so that his brethern could be saved he would be willing to do it. That is intercession!


Exodus 32:7-14 is another example for us to follow when we present our arguments during intercession for other lost friends, family members or even when taking our enemies before the Throne of God. It says ~


" And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down (get out of here!) for thy people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt (Moses people, not God's anymore!) have made a golden calf, worshipped it, and have sacrificed unto it and said, "These are the gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt."


" And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people and behold they are stiffnecked. Now therefore LEAVE ME ALONE! that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them, and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the LORD his God and said, LORD, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people (no one wanted to claim them!) which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?"


Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did He bring them out, to slay
them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent (change Your mind) of this evil against Thy people..." verse 14 says that God repented, changed His mind because of what Moses said to Him. What an awesome thought; changing the mind of God.

On what basis as New Testament (New Covenant) Believers can we pray in such a manner? 1 John 5:14,15 says, " And this is the confidence that we have in Him (not in ourselves, but in Him because we know His character) that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of Him."



He has said that it is His will that none perish. Remind Him of this when interceeding on others behalf. He did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. This is His will; this is our prayer. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to our prayers (Psalm 34:15)


Do we not feel confident in praying thus? Do our hearts somehow condemn us? Remember 1 John 3:20-22, " For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things which are pleasing to Him."


What is more pleasing to God than intercession on behalf of lost friends, relatives, enemies or even nations?


Perhaps I should not write this but I will explain one of the ways I pray; when interceeding for someone who has really been layed on my heart I remind God that He forgave me; the one I am interceeding for surely has not sinned any worse than I have in my 57 years! If You forgave me LORD, how can you not forgive them? You, LORD, have been merciful with me and You called me back, You gave me a new heart, You changed my heart from one of stone to one of flesh; do the same for them.


Those who win souls are wise!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

To Be One

When Christ was leaving His followers He said a prayer in John 17 that brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. He told the Father that He did not desire to take His followers out of this world, but that they may become One with He and the Father. What a prayer! That mere humans could possibly become One with God. This has to be possible because Jesus is not one to waste words. God is not a man that He should lie.


There is a picture of this in the book of Revelation. John the beloved saw in his visions One who was walking among the candlesticks; the seven churches; both then and now, the corporate invisible Church that has always existed since His going back to heaven.


Revelation 1:19,20 says, " Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (our time); The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlestick which thou sawest are the seven churches."


Chapter 2 gives further explaination, " Unto the angel of the church of Epesus write: These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven candlesticks..."


Christ is seen here walking among the candlesticks, the church. He has promised us that He would never leave us alone. He is with us always, even to the end. Before His coming God dwelt in the Temple in Jerusalem. the Bible speaks of His coming down at the dedication of King Solomon's Temple and His glory being so intense that the Priests could not even minister; the glory, the weightiness was so intense.


God does not dwell in temples today. He dwells in His children. Where we are, He is. He ministers to a lost world through us. We are His representatives. It must be possible for us to be One with Him or Christ would not have made that request before His Assention.


Colossians 1:21 says, " To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ..."


It is possible. We do not live by human feeling or emotion. The enemy of our souls will throw everything in his arsenal at us to keep us from believing this possiblity. Do not fall for his lies. We are being changed daily into the image of Christ. Believe what Christ says, it is possible and it is happening even now.


He is our hope and the hope of the world. Continue to fight the good fight of faith until that great day when we see Him face to face!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Two Cities - Two Destinies

Joseph A. Seiss Bible Commentary ~

The world and all its activities and achievements is made up of two opposing sides; the side of the heavenly, which is the good and blessed, and the side of the earth, which is sensual and devilish; the true and the false;


the things which gravitate toward eternal life and the things which gravite toward destruction and the second death; the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of the devil.


These two sides are at present intermingled and are differently situated toward each other at different periods; often hard to distinquish from each other. But everything on either side has an affinity for its own and is true to its own, so that in the process of time each side becomes more and more itself-developed and consolidated until the two antagonistic influences, tendecies, and parties crystallize to their true spirit and finally come out in two seperate cities (Babylon and the Heavenly Jerusalem).


The one is destined for everlasting extinguishment under the wrath of God; the other for eternal illumination with His unveiled presence and glory.


* Which city influences us more?

Getting To Know Him

Those who know His Name will put their trust in Him; why? Because they know His character, His faithfulness, His love. We are not going to bother going through the extensive process of really getting to know someone if they do not have good attributes.


Psalm 9:9,10 says, " The LORD also will be a Refuge for the oppressed, a Refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee."


It pays great reward to know Him. We do this by studying how He has worked in years past. We study Him and establish our faith in Him by our knowledge of His character, His works and His words. The Bible is our source.


2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God; and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.


1 Corinthians 10:6 says the dealings of God with people in ages past, written by people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit are examples to us to the intent that we should not lust after evil things.


Our knowledge of Christ and the Father will get us through any difficulty we may face in this life; whether the battle is spiritual, mental, physical or financial.


Study how Moses and the Prophets interceded for those they loved, their people. Study how Job and King David worked their way through greater difficulty by trusting God; these men faced greater difficulties than many of us ever will.


Learn the intercessory prayers of Hannah, Abraham, Moses and Jeremiah; the words they used with God give inspiration and knowledge. They moved God's heart.


And most important of all-learn to pray the way Christ did when He faced the cross- " Nevertheless, not My will but Thy will be done." This is the ultimate prayer.


He told us to make our request known to Him. He has given us this great privilege-then rest in His love and faithfulness, knowing full well that He had heard and will honor every word we utter.


We are His children, the sheep of His pasture. Shall not the God of the whole earth do right? Yes He will, He always has and always will.


The Apostle Paul says that if we are in Christ, and we are, we along with Israel are the seed of Abraham, the father of faith (Galatians 3:24) and the children of promise. God's Promise.


For we are a holy people to the LORD our God; the LORD our God has chosen us to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth."


Get to know Him more and more as the day of the LORD approaches. It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Be Not Dismayed

It is not unusual to find ourselves in some very difficult circumstances these days. As the end of this age grows closer to the great day when Christ finally returns to set up His Kingdom, we have been told that perilous times would come. It is not unusual to experience more and more turmoil as that great day approaches. These are truly the days that try our soul, our faith and our fortitude.


King David in the famous 23 Psalm spoke of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. We do also. Having to do this is not our desire. It runs against everything in us that is human; it runs against our grain. We do not wake up one morning and tell our spouse, "honey, I think I might go for a walk through the valley of the shadow of death today!"


But when we do, and we will, God has promised to be with us during that walk. It must serve a purpose or it would not be happening. Every event in a Believers life serves an eternal purpose.


Take Joshua as an example of one who faced insurmountable odds. He inherited the duties of the great Moses. He saw the rebellion in the wilderness and the older generation pass away and be buried in that wilderness. He led 100,000's of thousands of the next generation to the shores of the Jordan River and their first conquest would be the mighty city of Jericho. Its walls were so think that chariots could ride atop of the walls.


God's promise to Joshua is also His promise to us when we face our insurmountable Jericho; " Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. " (Deuteronomy 31:6)


Again in verse 8 Moses says , " And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."



As God was with Joshua, so He will be with us. As He was with Moses, so He will be with us. (Joshua 1:5) Be strong and of a good courage. This is not a suggestion from God, it is a demand! Verse 9 says, " Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)



We have much more assurance today. We have the promises of Christ that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He will never leave us alone. He did not say that we would not have bouts of fear and doubt; but these are either our human spirit or spirits of fear that we must reject outright and with the authority Christ has give us. He said He has not given us the spirit of fear; but of a sound mind. 


Rebuke this fear when it comes. Rest assured that the same God that told Moses to stretch out a piece of wood over the Red Sea as the armies of Egypt were rushing in to destroy Israel, is the same God that made precious promises to us when we face our Red Sea experience. He is the same; He created the heavens and the earth. It is all His!


" Fear not, for I am with you! Be not dismayed for I AM your God. I will be with you. I will strengthen you, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. " (Isaiah 41:10,11)


It matters not what it is that is against us; doubt, fear, health, humans or principalities and powers of darkness such as unbelief. We have authority given to us by Christ; resist the Devil and he will flee from you. The Name of Christ is above every name mentioned. Learn to use it daily! Spend quality time with Him; get to know Him and His promises to us daily; He who promises will never fail us.

Friday, November 11, 2011

I sometimes have difficulty opening my prayer to God, uncertain of what to say or I may fear that He tires of me saying the same thing. The Book of Isaiah and Psalms, words breathed by the Spirit of God Himself and penned by men and women is a good place to study the duty and necessity of prayer.


" O LORD of Hosts (heavens armies) God of Israel,
You who dwell between the cherubims- " 


" You are God, even You alone of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear and hear:


Open Your eyes O LORD and see; and hear the words of my prayer to You- " ( Isaiah 37:16,17)

and

" But You, O LORD, are a shield unto me; You are my glory and the lifter up of my head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill."


" I laid me down and slept; I awakened; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands people that set themselves against me round about."


" Arise, O LORD, save me, O my God, for Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek bone - You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD - Thy blessing is upon Thy people. " ( Psalm 3: 3-8)

Forever!

O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: He is their help and their shield.

Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: He is their help and their shield.

The LORD has been mindful of us:
He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel: He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless them that fear the LORD,
both small and great.

We are blessed of the LORD who made the heavens and the earth!
(Psalm 115)

* These thoughts are again continued in Psalm 118

" O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; because His mercy endures forever.
Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth forever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endures forever.
Let them that fear the LORD, that His mercy endures forever. "


Has the devil or your own mind been telling you falsehoods that you do not figure in the equasions of God? It is a LIE! Do not fall for it. He hears every word, every sigh, and sees every tear.

We have this promise,  God does not lie~

" I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? "(Psalm 118:5,6)

No matter the issue, fear or problem, God hears, He cares, His mercies toward us endures forever.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Veiled In Christ - David Wilkerson

DA VID WILKERSON PRAYER
CONSUMED WITH PASSION FOR JESUS CHRIST
 

(prayer in sermon by Brother Dave shortly before his death)

It is time for the Joshua's to stand, lead the LORD'S people in truth and battle the way their Father's have taught them. LORD, only You can speak to the depths of the soul.

I do not know who this if for, but LORD, I am going to speak to those who have backslidden. To those, O LORD, who have been growing cold and indifferent to the call of God and the things of Christ. O God, come and speak.

God says, " The Word that I've sent to you, I did not sent it out to be void - But the Word I have given to you is going to accomplish the very thing I said it would - LORD, I flee to You to hide me. Folks, the original in that says " I will veil myself in You..."

Now you think about it - You see our faith now cannot be based on emotion, our faith cannot be based on just the testimonies of others who have been deliverd. Our faith cannot be cliches'. It cannot be just a shout. We have to have a foundation for the faith we are going to need. And this has to be laying hold of God's own claims of who He is.

This thing starts our right here - Oh, hear my prayer, LORD, Here is my supplication. In Your faithfulness answer me and in Your righteousness. And here is a challenge - God, here is the basis upon which I come to You - Not what I have heard in the past about people, but here is what You told me You are. You said that You are faithful, You said that You are just, You said that You are holy, You cannot lie.

You cannot be Gof if You are not faithful. You said You are the God of peace. You said You are the God of my strength. Now I am coming to You, I am going to lift my hands to You, I am going to believe what You said about Yourself -

And I am coming on the merits of nothing I have done, no righteousness of my own - But on the promise of God, what You told me. Remember the Word to Your servant which You have caused me to hope in. This is my comfort in my affliction, for You have now quickened me. How am I quickened?

LORD, God, I have lifted my hands to You. I have trusted You. I have claimed Your promises. You are who You said You are-From now on - from this day on, I am going to will myself in You. I am going to cut myself off from all confidence in my flesh, or in people, or in anyone else. I am going to throw myself at Your mercy - Your grace - Your power - Your glory - And I am veiling myself in Christ.