RELEASE THE LIGHT

PRAYER JOURNAL 5/11/2020

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.

Early this morning, I was awakened out of a deep sleep with a vision.  The vision was of a small country church.  The church was painted white with a steeple rising from the roof.  It was the type of church you see on a Christmas card or in an old rural city.  There was nothing significant about the church except its peaceful nostalgia.  My eyes were drawn to the windows where every window was full of flames.  And the vision ended.

I have meditated and searched my mind for the interpretation; the significance of the little church in my vision.  Having listened to many sermons, read the Bible and been a part of many congregations over my life, I wanted to have a shouting interpretation….

The flames represented the HOLY SPIRIT and this was a Church ON FIRE FOR GOD!  It was a Church full of SPIRIT AND TRUTH! 

OR…

Perhaps, it was a Prophetic Word that the FLAMES OF REVIVAL had burst forth and something BIG was happening.

WHAT IF…

It represented the Church during the Pandemic and the fire was the Government closing and burning down the churches so that no one could gather for worship.

None of this connected with my spirit and the vision continued to nag at me all morning, so I prayed…Wow, I could have saved a lot of time and trouble because ONLY GOD has the true interpretation to the words or dreams or visions He puts in our hearts.

In the Old Testament Tabernacle, one of the pieces of “furniture” was the Golden Candlestick, representing the Word of God and filled with oil, representing God’s Holy Spirit.  .  It was to be tended to and never allowed to go out because it was the only illumination within the “Tent of Meeting.”  

The Golden Candlestick NEVER MOVED from its place in the Holy Place. The Outer Court was never to be illuminated by the Candlestick nor was the oil or the Candlestick ever to be used to light the path or the individual dwellings of the Israelites.  God was specific; the Golden Candlestick was to REMAIN in the Holy Place, illuminating the place of worship.

THEN THE CROSS CHANGED EVERYTHING!

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.

Jesus declared that He was the LIGHT OF THE WORLD; not a GOLDEN CANDLESTICK; not fashioned to only illuminate a designated area, but JESUS WAS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! A Light that would illuminate our path and bring light to our dwellings, our workplace, neighborhoods; our world.

When Jesus died, Satan thought he had extinguished THE LIGHT, but, the earth quaked and the Veil in the Temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holiest of Holies was torn from top to bottom.  No longer would the light in the Tabernacle be sequestered, only giving light to the Holy Place.  No longer would the High Priest be the mediator between God and Man.  No longer would the blood of bulls and goats be necessary to push the sins of the People ahead for the coming year.

BUT WAIT….THERE’S MORE!

Acts 2:3-4 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

On the Day of Pentecost, the LIGHT that had been released was transferred to the Believer and we became A LIGHT TO A DARK WORLD!

Matthew 5:14 You are the Light of the World.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

BACK TO MY DREAM….

The little white Church with windows full of flames, BUT…there was no smoke; no flames shooting through the roof and there were no falling timbers or visible damage on the outside; just windows full of flames.

AND I REALIZED….

This was a vision of what the Church has become…JUST A BUILDING FULL OF FLAMES! All of the LIGHT sequestered in a building; never leaving the designated room.

During this Pandemic Quarantine, every Church Member longs to get back to the “Sanctuary,” gather with fellow believers, sing, worship, pray and hear a sermon in person.  We long to get back to the way “it was.”  We long to get back to where we LEFT THE FIRE BURNING!

BUT…IS THAT WHAT GOD LONGS FOR?

You see, one of the requirements for a fire is FUEL!  A fire will burn only as long as it is supplied with FUEL.  Once the FUEL SUPPLY is exhausted the fire will burn itself out.  The Church has kept the FIRE inside the 4 walls of the church for so long that the FUEL SUPPLY is just about exhausted AND GOD SAYS….

“I NEVER MEANT FOR MY SPIRIT TO DWELL AND BURN QUARANTINED WITHIN FOUR WALLS.”

Just as the Golden Candlestick illuminated the Holy Place for a time, the Flames of the Holy Ghost have burned in the Sanctuary.  

BUT IT IS TIME….

To remove the BUSHEL FROM THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT AND LET IT SHINE….Let it shine OUTSIDE the four walls….RELEASE THE LIGHT!”

Through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the LIGHT has been transferred to each one of us.  WE ARE THE CHURCH…

Let the FLAMES begin to flicker; shine the LIGHT so that your FATHER IN HEAVEN MAY BE GLORIFIED.

RELEASE THE LIGHT!

BECAUSE OF YOUR WORDS

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/29/2020

Daniel 10:12 Do not fear, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

Daniel, a special man of Faith; although he was taken into captivity at a young age, threatened with death if he could not interpret the King’s dreams, witnessed his friends thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship the King’s image and even thrown into a den of Lions for praying daily, he never lost sight of his purpose.

In Chapter 10, we are told that a “message” was revealed to Daniel that disturbed him so much that he went into mourning.  His spirit was so troubled by the things that were to come that he had to set aside food, drink and even taking care of his personal needs for 21 days to seek God.

For the full 21 days, the scripture does not report that God spoke anything else to Daniel.  How many of us could fast and pray for 21 hours without hearing or feeling God speaking to us?  But Daniel continued because he and God had a history.  He understood that God had given him the “message” in the first place, God was and always had been faithful and God would give him the answers and clarity he sought.

FINALLY, on the 24th day, 3 weeks and 3 days after he received the message, Daniel had a Divine Encounter.  The Man in the vision told Daniel, “Your words were heard FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY!”

WHAT?????

“You mean you let me go hungry and thirsty for 21 days?  Here I am sitting by the river, stinking to high heaven and now you tell me YOU HEARD ME ON DAY ONE?  I thought you loved me; I thought I was special; a chosen vessel but you waited 24 days to answer!”

BUT INSTEAD….

Daniel turned his face to the ground and became speechless and God strengthened Him, revealing that for those 21 days, God had heard and God had fought the battle.  And now…GOD HAD COME BECAUSE OF DANIEL’S WORDS!

Our nation has been in quarantine for 14 days.  We have fasted, prayed, asked for forgiveness, petitioned God to still the plague AND at times it seems things grow worse.  There is nothing good to report on the news and people are going stir-crazy huddled in their homes.

BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU FROM THE FIRST DAY, GOD HAS HEARD YOUR WORDS!

God is fighting the battle; we have a history with God, He is faithful, and He will be victorious.

DON’T GIVE UP, keep seeking the Face of God; continue bombarding Heaven with your words because God not only hears, HE WILL ANSWER!

AND….

One day, “If we wait upon the Lord,” He will COME BECAUSE OF OUR WORDS AND OUR STRENGTH WILL BE RENEWED!

BEARERS OF HOPE

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/28/2020

Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the HOPE of Glory.

I hop out of bed, stretch to get the blood flowing, wash my face, brush my teeth, grab a cup of coffee and my laptop…BIG MISTAKE…should have snuggled under the cover for another hour.  Facebook – full of doom and gloom.   If I read one more negative post; one more, “my city is harder hit than your city,” one more, “the federal government needs to be our sugar-daddy,” I think I will explode.

Turn on the news – BIG MISTAKE…should have settled in with my Bible.  Every Network – full of doom and gloom.  The latest infection count, the latest death count, this hospital won’t treat patients, this governor will not allow certain medicines…Please put on a cute little dog chasing its tail…I need some relief.

ANYONE ELSE, tired of it all and longing for sunshine and roses…just a little bit of good news? 

WELL HERE YOU GO…

God did not send this virus but He is working in the midst of it and if we will concentrate on His goodness, He will open our eyes to see His faithfulness…count your blessings instead of your woes.

God is using men and women of faith to bring good news and bless hurting and confused men and women…let Him use you.

God loves us all and has plan has not been thwarted by dire news reports, the blame game or even our fear…Yes, His throne is still occupied BY HIM!

God’s mercies are new EVERY MORNING and in Michigan it is still early enough to open yourself up and let His Mercy flow through and surround you.

AND ONE MORE….

God has revealed Himself to us; the Mysteries that the Men and Women of Faith under the Old Covenant longed to look into have been made known to us. 

WE HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT; CHRIST IN US! WE ARE BEARERS OF HOPE!

Let that HOPE shine through today.  Send an EMAIL OF HOPE; make a PHONE CALL OF HOPE; post a STATUS UPDATE OF HOPE.

BE A BEARER OF HOPE!

IT’S A NEW DAY; GOD HAS FRESH MERCIES; REJOICE IN HOPE!

INSTEAD OF A STIMULUS, PROCLAIM A FAST

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/27/20

Jonah 3:5 So the people of Ninevah believed God, PROCLAIMED A FAST, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Today, the Congress of the United States is prepared to pass the largest STIMULUS PACKAGE ever issued in the history of the World.  It is designed to assist people and businesses financially as we deal with this Plague that is sweeping our country and the world.

It will be a shot in the arm to our economy and be a temporary blessing to many struggling families.  As one Congressman said, “This will be Unemployment on Steroids.”  While Steroids may be a short-term fix, let me remind you that STEROIDS BRING LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS!  They include, changes in mood or behavior, irritability, increased aggression, depression, suicidal tendencies, and even worsen other underlying conditions.

SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER???

The Book of Jonah is one of the most wonderful unique Books of the Bible.  It begins with the Call of God, and then moves to Disobedience to the Call, Discipline from God and Repentance by the Offender.  The Book continues with Proclaiming the Word of God to an evil people, Hearing of the Word of God, Fasting, Humbling, Praying and Repenting by the warned people, resulting in Forgiveness and Mercy by God.  THEN ENDS with the Sent Preacher angry at God because He showed Mercy.  Definitely, an interesting read.

The Book of Jonah may hold a key to the Dissipation of the Virus sweeping our world.  When Jonah finally got around to preaching and warning the People of Ninevah of God’s anger with them and the coming destruction, the King didn’t hesitate…there was no stimulus package issued to ease anyone’s discomfort; there was no finger pointing or blame at neighbors, enemies or other high officials and leaders….The King issued a PROCLAMATION…

Verse 7-8 THE PROCLAMATION, “Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth and cry mightily to God; yes let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.”

Verse 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

The King of Ninevah issued an EXECUTIVE ORDER, proclaiming a FAST OF FOOD AND WATER.  Not a “Daniel Fast” where they would make delicious vegetarian recipes for a month, but a REAL FAST, not only for every man, woman and child but also every animal.  The King also ordered that everyone would HUMBLE themselves (put on sackcloth), REPENT, and CRY MIGHTILY TO GOD!

There was no panic buying of food and hoarding of toilet paper, no mobilizing of the National Guard; not even a task force to help make the decision…JUST A PROCLAMATION TO FAST, REPENT AND SEEK GOD!

AND GOD SAW THEIR REPENTANCE, HEARD THEIR CRY AND SHOWED MERCY TO ALL!

Jonah 3:10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN….

If instead of a STIMULUS PACKAGE, the President of the United States would issue an EXECUTIVE ORDER OF FASTING, REPENTANCE AND PRAYER? 

I can tell you now, there would be LAW SUITS, calls for IMPEACHMENT, reminders of DIVISION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE as the virus continued to spread and more people died.

Would even the PEOPLE OF GOD listen and obey such a proclamation as we have obeyed SOCIAL DISTANCING, HAND WASHING AND QUARANTINE?  Or, would we mock the President right along with his political foes, point out his many sins and shame those who actually thought fasting and prayer was a good idea?

I AM NOT SAYING THAT GOD SENT THIS VIRUS BUT, I AM SAYING THAT GOD CAN STILL THE SPREAD AND HEAL OUR LAND…IT IS UP TO US….

And “Who can tell how God would move.”

WE DON’T NEED A PROCLAMATION to humble ourselves, repent, fast and pray.  Many people are joining in prayer today and for some Sunday has been proclaimed a Day of Prayer and Fasting.

GOD STILL SEES; GOD STILL HEARS; AND GOD WILL STILL HEAL OUR LAND IF WE CALL ON HIM!

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/26/2020

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; in whom shall I be afraid?

Verse 3 Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Verse 5 For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; He shall sat me high upon a rock.

“Oh Lord,” I prayed, “Please move against this virus.  I feel like a prisoner; I feel as if I am under siege.”

AND GOD ANSWERED,

“I AM your light; I AM your salvation; there is nothing to fear.  You can have confidence in me though an Army of Viruses encircles you because there is a SECRET PLACE in me where you can hide.  I will sit you HIGH UPON A ROCK…I AM THE ROCK!”

If like me, this quarantine threatens to overwhelm you and fear begins to creep in, GET TO HIS PAVILION…there you will find peace and safety on the Rock.

I am praying for each one of you today…for your physical well being and your mental strength as we journey alone, together.

STAND STILL

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/25/20

In prayer this morning….

“My people have prayed for many years, “Lord, send revival.” It has been prophesied many times, “Great Revival is coming.” Yet you were not prepared and you question my methods.

I call upon my people today, as you humble yourself, pray and seek My face, to lay aside every fear; lay aside every anxiety; lay aside every question; STAND AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD!”

Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle.  Position yourselves, stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord, who is with you, oh Judah and Jerusalem . Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.

WHY ARE YOU FEARFUL?

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/20/2020

Mark 4:37-39 And a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Master, do you not care that we perish?”  And He arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 And He said unto them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

In this passage, Jesus had been teaching the multitudes of people that had gathered.  The Bible tells us that Jesus taught in PARABLES or used stories as examples to teach a PRINCIPLE.  Included in the crowd were His Disciples, the twelve that He had chosen to walk with Him daily.  They walked, they talked, they watched; He taught, He showed them by example and this passage of scripture tells us in verse 34, that when they were alone Jesus even EXPLAINED all things contained in the parables.

Yes, they had a history together; the Disciples obviously believed that Jesus was the “real deal” because they left all to follow Him.  They listened to His teaching and watched as He performed miracles, yet when they faced adversity, when the winds began to blow, as the storm arose, FEAR clouded out all they knew to be true and they were sure they were all ABOUT TO DIE!

BUT…

Jesus wasn’t worried; He was tired and resting peacefully.  THAT IS…until His frightened Disciples ran to the bottom of the boat yelling, “Wake up…We’re all gonna die….You don’t even care.”

THEN….

Jesus, “THE MASTER OF THE WIND; THE MAKER OF THE WAVES,” simply rose and said, “Peace be still.”

Yes, there is a crazy storm going on and for many, the boat is rocking wildly.  We have a HISTORY WITH JESUS.  We’ve experienced the miracles, we’ve heard the teachings, His voice has explained the great mysteries of Truth in whispers to our heart; we are even filled with the Holy Ghost; empowered by God,

YET…

We fear.  The Master is sleeping, the winds are howling, the boat is listing….WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE…”JESUS DON’T YOU CARE?”

And Jesus asks, “Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?  You are my own chosen people, I have walked with you, shown you great things, and filled you with my Spirit…It’s gonna be alright.”

Oh yes, He cares!  And as soon as you call out His Name, He WILL calm YOUR storm.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY AND REST IN JESUS…HE IS NOT WORRIED!

THE SENT CHURCH

PRAYER JOURNAL 3/19/20

Acts 3:6 Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Jesus always intended for the Church to be a “SENT CHURCH” not a “COME TO CHURCH.”

The gathering together was to be a time of encouragement, glorifying God, sharing testimonies and preparing New Christians to BE SENT.  Instead, the CHURCH BECAME AN INSTITUTION, complete with million dollar buildings, million dollar budgets, glitz, glamour, professional bands, smoke and lights.

Our Mission was TO GATHER TOGETHER.  In fact, Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of yourself together,” became a DOCTRINAL STATEMENT…a SALVATIONAL ISSUE…one of the SACRAMENTS…but we forgot the PURPOSE.

You only have to go up one verse, to verse 24 to find that the PURPOSE was NOT in the meeting together, but to PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER TO GOOD WORKS BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SENT!

Oh, we instituted Evangelism Programs; we knocked on doors, handed out tracts, gave away bicycles, preached on rooftops and had candy rains to get people to COME to our gathering, then huddled together like a herd of sheep in the evening, NEVER SENDING OUT TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL!

Instead of being the Hands and Feet of Jesus, we invited our friends and neighbors TO COME and hear; COME and see; COME and learn; COME and be saved…and most of them wondered FOR WHAT? And FROM WHAT?

Imagine for just a moment, Peter and John are going to the Temple to pray…NOT TO GATHER TOGETHER, BUT TO PRAY…At the very Gates of the Temple lies a lame man begging for money.  Why didn’t he go into the Temple?  It was the House of God.  After all, isn’t that where all of the Power resides?  But no, he continued to lie there, begging for kind strangers to drop a few coins in his hands, just to be able to buy enough bread for the evening…

UNTIL…

He encountered a SENT CHURCH.  There would be no Acts 3:6 included in the Bible if Peter had said, “COME into the Temple with me.  We have a Priest that can anoint you after he reads the scrolls. And our architect; our praise singers, our altar will wow you so much that you will forget you can’t walk.”

BUT NO…PETER HAD BEEN SENT...He was filled with the Power of the Holy Ghost and carrying the Authority of the Name of Jesus…so the story has a very different ending…the man was no longer lame.

So we come to March 2020, our buildings are shuttered, our singers are silent and our gatherings have been limited…BUT THAT WAS NEVER THE CHURCH.

WE; the Redeemed; the Blood-washed; those filled with the Holy Spirit….WE ARE THE CHURCH and WE HAVE BEEN SENT!

SO GO…fulfill the Great Commission.  Live the Gospel to your neighbors; make sure they are okay and have the things they need during this trying time.  Smile at that person at the grocery store and give them 1 of the packages of toilet paper you have piled in your cart.  Thank the clerk as she scans your purchases. Tip the restaurant waitress that brings the takeout to your car.  Find someone who could seriously use Divine Intervention and PRAY with them, then pray for them the next day and the next, then follow up…check on them, so they know that they are not forgotten because you and Jesus love them.  Share a testimony with someone.  They don’t have to COME to Church to hear of the Goodness of God in your life…YOU’VE BEEN SENT!

REVIVAL IS HERE…GOD IS REVIVING HIS CHURCH SO SHE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE SENT!

GO!

WHATEVER YOU ARE SELLING, SOMEONE IS BUYING

PRAYER JOURNAL 11/25/19

Acts 8:18-20 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, “Give me this power also that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought the gift of God could be purchased with money!”

To get an understanding of the working of the Holy Spirit in the Church, read the Book of Acts.  There were miracles, signs and wonders on a daily basis; people were healed of all varieties of disease and infirmities, demons were cast out, chains broken and many delivered from years of torment.

  THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS NOT CHANGED, God still desires to work through Men and Women, healing, delivering, restoring, and providing through miracles, signs and wonders.  No, God has not changed and it would seem that mankind has not changed over the last two thousand years either.

Acts 8 gives an interesting account of a Revival in Samaria.  Philip had preached Jesus and witnessed many believing and coming forward to be baptized, including one of the local celebrities, a man named Simon.  Simon was a Sorcerer; through trickery, sleight of hand, and manipulation, he had gained quite a following, so much so, that his followers had set him up as the authority in their lives. 

As Simon listened to the preaching of Philip and witnessed the Power of the Holy Spirit working miracles, signs and wonders, he was intrigued, here was a Power greater than himself and he came forward to be baptized also.

THEN IT GOT EVEN MORE INTERESTING….

Peter and John came to town to help Philip.  Many had been baptized but none had yet received the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  Simon witnessed an event that he had never been able to pull off, when the Apostles laid hands on the baptized believers, they received the Holy Spirit.  Now that was just too much…think of the crowd that would gather if he could do that; the power; the money that would be his…Simon wanted what the Apostles had and he had the means to acquire such power. But, what Simon didn’t understand…

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT FOR SALE!

Yes, Simon believed and was even baptized in the Name of Jesus, BUT…what was the real root of Simon’s belief?  Rather than recognizing his sinful state and need for salvation; rather than laying down his life to follow Jesus, Simon desired the POWER; the ABILITIES; the MANIFESTATIONS, that came with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Today, we have Prophetic Conferences, Prophecy Crusades and “Glory Cloud” Revivals to which people flock.  Some are hungry for God, while others are hungry for the show; to see the miracles, signs and wonders and then there are those who are constantly seeking for someone to give them a “WORD.” 

If you seek, you will find….there are plenty of “Sorcerers” ready to give a “word” to anyone willing to “grease their palm” or shower them with flattery and set them up as an authority figure to be consulted and obeyed.

Oh these followers are Believers, BUT…in what are they believing?

This is an excerpt from an article by Jennifer LeClaire, entitled, “This Shocking Prophetic Practice Needs To Stop Right Now.”

“Just recently, a young man is branding himself as a prophet, shared with me how he had prophesied over a number of people starting a business and they are wildly successful.  That should have been reward enough, but the young man was complaining that none of them returned with an offering in hand for his ministry.  He told me he felt led to start a consulting business to prophesy into people’s business for a PRICE.”

Here we have two different situations and God will deal with both.  We have a young man willing to SELL the Gift of God and a following willing to BUY whatever he is selling. And God says, “YOUR MONEY PERISH WITH YOU!”

THE GIFT OF GOD IS NOT FOR SALE!

Jesus purchased your salvation on Calvary….IT’S ALREADY PAID FOR!  And the Gift of the Holy Spirit comes as a complete package.  Included is your salvation, your healing, your deliverance, your provision, your counselor and your guide.  Jesus is all you need and it is a FREE GIFT to those who will repent of their sins, leave all and follow Him.

SAVE YOUR MONEY or even better give it to MISSIONS that are spreading the Gospel in places you can’t go.  Get on your knees and ask THE WORD to speak into your life.  God is talking, if you will take the time to listen.  He has a WORD for your day and a WORD for your future.  And you can “take it to the bank”…no sorcery or travel involved; JESUS IS THE REAL DEAL!

THE END OF YOUR FAITH

PRAYER JOURNAL 11/23/19

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith-the Salvation of your souls

As a little girl, when I would see a rainbow, my Mom would always say, “If you can get to the end of the rainbow, there is a “Pot of Gold.”  As I got a little older, I realized that no one can get to the end of the rainbow because it is really only refracted light through drops of water.

A few years ago Steve preached the sermon entitled, “The End of Our Faith.”  So many times our Faith Journey feels like a futile trek to the End of the Rainbow.  Not only is there no waiting “pot of gold” but it seems a small leak has developed in our “Faith Tank” and we have reached the END.

BUT WAIT….

Around the next bend; over the next hill; just ahead, there is more; YOU HAVE NOT YET REACHED THE END.  God has a Service Station with a repair shop and a full Tank of Faith prepared just for you.

KEEP WALKING…

God has something waiting for you that is so much greater than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow….

AT THE END OF YOUR FAITH IS SALVATION OF YOUR SOUL!

GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER

PRAYER JOURNAL 11/19/19

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

THE ROLLER COASTER OF LIFE….You’ve settled in your seat for the ride, the safety bar is locked in place and the adventure is about to begin; your heart beats with anticipation…the thrill….the rush…

BUT…

Now it’s getting old, the ride has lost its thrill.  The anticipation of what lies over the next hill no longer excites you.  The ups and the downs, the twists and the turns have become too much and you want off.  You are ready to try the “train ride” on a smooth track…

YOU FEEL DEFEATED…

Where is the victory?   Where is the joy?  The “Roller Coaster” ride didn’t live up to all the hype.  You want to tell the long line of expectant faces, don’t waste your time, it’s just not worth it.

Once again Israel faced its own “Roller Coaster” moment.  The “Thrill of Victory” was palpable throughout the Camp. God had delivered the great city of Jericho into their hands in a way that was an absolute miracle.  Who ever heard of walls so thick you could drive a chariot on top, simply crumbling?  And Rahab, yep, there she is, the only one of Jericho’s citizen that escaped; all because she hid the spies and left a red cord hanging in her window.  The fireside celebration and the stories continued…

BUT…

There was another battle waiting over the horizon and the downhill ride was not going to be quite so exhilarating…

The next battle was the BATTLE OF AI and the defeat was ABSOLUTE!  There were no victorious stories; 36 men lost their life and the Army of Israel retreated back to their camp.  What happened?  Where was God?  AI was not even a major city; this battle should have been a piece of cake.

Israel had a TRUE LEADER in Joshua who recognized that if they ever wanted to win another battle, he had better consult with his COMMANDER IN CHIEF. 

Joshua 7:10-11 So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned and they have transgressed my covenant which I commanded them.  For they have taken some of the accursed things and have both stolen and deceived and they have also put it among their own stuff.

REALLY GOD?  It was just a few silver coins, a gold bar and a beautifully woven robe.  After all I deserved it; I marched 7 days; I blew my trumpet louder than anyone else…I’m not hurting anybody.  But, God had given specific instructions regarding the Spoils of Jericho; some things were to be utterly destroyed and the rest were to be dedicated to His Service; Achan had brought sin and defeat to the whole Nation of Israel.

VICTORY AND SIN CANNOT COEXIST!

What about your Roller Coaster Ride?  One day you ride high on a victory and the next day you are rushing downhill to defeat.  Perhaps it is time to uncover the accursed things you have buried in the corner of your tent.  Oh they seem so innocent…everyone else is “getting by” doing much more; what can it hurt to take just a little, after all “society” has changed…BUT GOD SAYS, “do not touch the accursed things.”

PASTORS, if your church is on a Roller Coaster of Victory and Defeat, it is time to “inquire before the Lord” and let God reveal the hidden sin.  Tolerating sin in the congregation is NOT showing the “love of God.”

You may say, “Well there not in leadership” or “I don’t want to drive them away.”  Achan was NOT in leadership among the Israelites either.  As a matter of fact, except for the 7th chapter of Joshua, his name is not even mentioned.  Achan was just a small player in the scheme of things but his sin brought defeat on the entire camp.

Be the Leader that God called you to be and utterly destroy the sin that is infecting the camp. If YOU are the person in the camp that has hidden the accursed thing in your “tent,” DIG IT OUT NOW! 

YOU CAN GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER….YOU CAN LIVE VICTORIOUSLY!

LET THE WALLS CRUMBLE

PRAYER JOURNAL 11/22/19

Joshua 2:17-18 So the men said to her, “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window, through which you let us down and unless you bring your father, mother, brothers, and all of your father’s household to your own home.

Joshua 2 gives an account of the Children of Israel’s preparation for their first big conquest as they moved forward, to take possession of the Land of Promise.  Spies were sent out to bring back information that would aid Joshua in forming a victorious strategy.  Jericho was a mighty city with thick walls complete with watchmen patrolling night and day, so word was spread that two strangers had entered and were now lodged at the dwelling of a prostitute named Rahab.

As the story continues, the men are pursued, Rahab’s house is searched but the Israelite spies, hidden by Rahab are not found.  Rahab helps the spies escape and in lieu of payment requests that when the city is conquered, that they spare her and her family.

Not much is known about Rahab except that she was a prostitute that lived in a house built in the thick wall.  How had she come to be a prostitute?  And why would she hide the strange men from the men of her city?  After being used and abused by many men, what made her trust these strangers? And what gave her faith to believe that they would keep their word when the city was conquered?

Perhaps she was sick of the life she had been forced to live; or possibly it was act of desperation to be free of the man who owned her and gained from her profession…what did she have to lose, either way, she would finally be free. 

Joshua 6:17 Now the City shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it.  Only Rahab the Harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

The things that went through Rahab’s mind as the Men of Israel began to march around the city; once a day until the seventh…the marching began as it had for the past six days but this time it continued, 1 time, 2 times, 5 times then the 7th time around the City Walls.  Was this the day? Would the spies remember?  The scarlet cord was secure and her family had gathered in the house. 

Suddenly, the trumpets blew, the people shouted and the walls began to shake; the bricks crumbled and the army entered the city.  When the dust settled, Rahab’s house was the only one standing and the Israelite Spies appeared to escort Rahab and her family to safety.

RAHAB RECEIVED HER MIRACLE BUT FIRST SHE HAD TO WATCH THE WALLS CRUMBLE ALL AROUND HER!

Are you in need of a MIRACLE OF DELIVERANCE?  You are tired of being used and abused by Satan.  Perhaps it is a life created by your own choices or you may find yourself in a situation that has been forced upon you by the choices of others.  Whatever the circumstances; if you are sick of living in bondage, GRAB HOLD OF THE SCARLET CORD.  Bind it to your heart and trust that God will not forget you; He has a plan.

BUT FIRST….

You will have to WATCH THE WALLS CRUMBLE all around you as God conquers the “city” in which you currently reside.

FEAR NOT…

If you have the SCARLET CORD; THE BLOOD OF JESUS, securely fastened, God is faithful to His promise and YOU WILL be delivered.

THE MARCHING HAS BEGUN; SOON YOU WILL HEAR THE SHOUTING; TODAY IS YOUR DAY OF DELIVERANCE.

REJOICE AND BE GLAD

PRAYER JOURNAL 10/13/2019

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY…TODAY IS YOUR DAY…TODAY IS MY DAY! 

It is early in the morning; the sun still hides its face and in the stillness I contemplate all of the possibilities just waiting to be realized over the next 24 hours.  What choices will I make?  And what will be the result of each choice?  What unexpected situations will I face?  How will I handle the situation?  What am I going to cook for dinner?  Will it be Keto-friendly?  Is it going to rain?  I wish the coffee would hurry up and be ready for that first cup.  What outfit should I wear to church?  GOD I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!

All of the many thoughts that flood my mind as I consider MY DAY!

We all have TODAY that lies before us.  Some have 24 hours; some less AND it is all unknown and mysterious.

BUT….

The one thing I can be sure of is…THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!

He made it just for me and placed me HERE at this SPECIAL PLACE IN TIME on this SPECIAL DAY.

THEN…

He places all kinds of special surprises in the 24 hours and gives me the “JOY STICK” to make the choices that navigate the obstacles that reveal HIS GLORY and declares me the WINNER!

YES…I’m rejoicing…THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

BE STRONG

Prayer Journal 10/8/19

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

It isn’t always easy being strong.  Sometimes life zaps all your energy and you barely have the strength to get back on your feet. And you just want to be that “little girl” that could crawl up in Daddy’s lap.  His big strong arms assured me that “Everything’s gonna be alright.”

AND THAT IS STILL THE ANSWER….

We have a Heavenly Father that will make “Everything alright!”  You have all of the POWER OF HIS MIGHT ready to fight for you.

If you find yourself knocked down on the floor, reach up, His Hand is extended.  Let Him pull you up on His lap and wrap His big strong arms around you.

When you can’t find any strength to keep walking, He will give you a STRENGTH TRANSFUSION direct from His veins.  When you feel powerless to fight the raging battles, you can plug into the never ending POWER SUPPLY of HIS MIGHT!

BONUS!!!!!!!!!

You will also find REST FOR YOUR SOUL, have your SPIRIT REFRESHED and your MIND RENEWED!

Have a restful day with Jesus!

LET'S GET CURIOUS

PRAYER JOURNAL 10/7/19

John 14:17 The Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him or knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and He will be in you.

Have you felt unsettled in your mind, lately?  Perhaps someone has spoken a Biblical Concept you had not considered.  Maybe your sleep has been interrupted with troubling dreams and you lie awake with questions that you thought were settled.  You want to ignore it all, grab your “Security Blanket” of the way it’s always been; everyone else believes it that way; I’m not going to let my mind even go there and keep living the same, comfortable life; IGNORANCE IS BLISS…they say.

BUT…

GOD DOESN’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU LINGERING IN THE SHADOWS, HIS LIGHT OF REVELATION BECKONS!

Revelation requires a change of your mindset.  Revelation involves supernatural surgery that removes the Cataracts from your Spiritual Eyes.  Revelation requires CURIOSITY.

God will attempt to reveal Himself to you in many different ways.  He will reveal Himself through HIS WORD; He will reveal Himself through direct communication during PRAYER; God will even send you a PERSON to SPEAK the revelation of TRUTH into your life.

BUT…

You have to be CURIOUS enough to read, seek and listen.

So many have missed their MOMENT OF REVELATION because they simply were satisfied to keep living in the shadows of partial truth; THEY WERE NOT CURIOUS enough to EXPLORE THE LIGHT!

You don’t have to stumble in the dimness of Religious Philosophy any longer….GET CURIOUS!

 GOD HAS THE GREATEST REVELATION JUST WAITING; HE WANTS TO REVEAL HIMSELF; HIS NAME TO YOU…JESUS!