Thursday, April 30, 2015
Proper view of sacred things
Proper view of sacred things – Matt 7:6
This is a very short but powerful verse. Never take that which is holy and give it to dogs or cast your valuables before pigs as they will trample the pearl and attack you. This verse is a warning that there are others who do not view your faith and valuable it is like you do. So be careful who you share it with for they will use it against you. Jesus was specifically addressing the hypocrite. He says to His audience that hypocrites will not see or value your faith and will use it to attack you. They will be your harshest critics because they had an opportunity and chose to reject it.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Judging
Judging – Matt 7:1-5
Jesus has some harsh words and feelings towards those guilty of judging others. He states emphatically do not judge or you will be judged. Jesus exposes a reality and law of nature. Whatever you sow you shall reap. There are consequences to our actions. Jesus says how you judge you will be judged and with the same way in which you measure or look at others is how others will measure and look at you. Harshness brings harshness and love brings love. Jesus is stating the obvious about how to deal with others. There are no special people or occasions. Whatever you do to others you will have done to you.
Jesus then deals with how hypocrisy blinds us to our own faults and makes us look at others with a critical view. Jesus uses the illustration of a small block of wood verses a beam; a perfect analogy for a carpenter. Jesus calls the person who sees the bad in others and yet overlooks it in themselves is a hypocrite. It is apparent that some of His audience were Pharisees and temple officials. He was speaking directly to them but He was also condemning hypocrisy in whomever and whatever form it takes.
Self examination is the hallmark of a Christian. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you your heart today and take every precaution to make sure you are right with God. Do not judge others and remember the law of sowing and reaping. Love, forgive, be gracious and that will all come back to you.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Seek Ye first
Seek Ye first – Matt 6:33-34
This is such a great verse. Jesus sets the key for receiving and getting everything you need or want. It begins simply by seeking first the Kingdom of God. Put God first in everything. He is the one you need to be seeking. Go after the Kingdom of God and the righteousness that it provides. This is the starting point. This is the door that opens all the blessings of heaven. It is the answer to your anxieties and worries about food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Every fear, worry, care or mountain is removed when you seek first the Kingdom of God. Jesus all add here, His righteousness. Seek God’s righteousness, let go of your own or someone else’s. Righteousness come from salvation and receiving God’s provision.
When one seeks God’s Kingdom first than all other things will be added unto you. Whatever you need you will receive. I love knowing that all things will be added unto you. This is such a powerful and wonderful promise.
Jesus close off chapter six with some very practical some would even say common sense advice. Don’t worry about tomorrow for there will be enough to concern yourself over tomorrow. Each day has enough worries in themselves. In the Dakes Bible there are twenty physical diseases that are associated with worry and stress. These two can kill both physically and spiritually. So let God take care of your today’s and tomorrow.
Monday, April 27, 2015
God or Mammon
God or Mammon - Matt 6:22-24
In ancient Hebrew thought the eyes was the window to the soul. Jesus is addressing the issue pf money or the love of it. He starts off by saying that if you eyes are drawn to light or the things of God you will be filled with light. The eye is the gate to the visual. Ninety percent of all information comes through the eyes. We see it and it is imprinted in our memory. What you see or what you are drawn to will affect your thought processes.
If your eyes are drawn to dark or sinful things then your heart and soul will be darkness and the light that God is trying to bring into your life will be swallowed up in darkness and Jesus says this darkness will be great. Sin is a terrible task master. It will take you where you never thought you would go, make you do things you never through you would do and become what you never thought you would become. Recently a woman we knew who had a desire for good and evil went to a party in a city near where we lived. She got a hold of some substance and this tragically took her life. Darkness or sin will never be your friend and has only one agenda, your destruction.
Jesus says no man can serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. You must decide is it God or money. God or possessions. The choice is yours and with each choice comes consequences. I hope you choose the Lord.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Friday, April 24, 2015
Judging
Judging – Matt 7:1-5
Jesus has some harsh words and feelings towards those guilty of judging others. He states emphatically do not judge or you will be judged. Jesus exposes a reality and law of nature. Whatever you sow you shall reap. There are consequences to our actions. Jesus says how you judge you will be judged and with the same way in which you measure or look at others is how others will measure and look at you. Harshness brings harshness and love brings love. Jesus is stating the obvious about how to deal with others. There are no special people or occasions. Whatever you do to others you will have done to you.
Jesus then deals with how hypocrisy blinds us to our own faults and makes us look at others with a critical view. Jesus uses the illustration of a small block of wood verses a beam; a perfect analogy for a carpenter. Jesus calls the person who sees the bad in others and yet overlooks it in themselves is a hypocrite. It is apparent that some of His audience were Pharisees and temple officials. He was speaking directly to them but He was also condemning hypocrisy in whomever and whatever form it takes.
Self examination is the hallmark of a Christian. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you your heart today and take every precaution to make sure you are right with God. Do not judge others and remember the law of sowing and reaping. Love, forgive, be gracious and that will all come back to you.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Proper view of sacred things
Proper view of sacred things – Matt 7:6
This is a very short but powerful verse. Never take that which is holy and give it to dogs or cast your valuables before pigs as they will trample the pearl and attack you. This verse is a warning that there are others who do not view your faith and valuable it is like you do. So be careful who you share it with for they will use it against you. Jesus was specifically addressing the hypocrite. He says to His audience that hypocrites will not see or value your faith and will use it to attack you. They will be your harshest critics because they had an opportunity and chose to reject it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Ask
Ask – Matt 7:7-8
Jesus gives the proper view of prayer and receiving from God. First, ask and it shall be given unto you. James 4:2, states that we have not because we ask not. Petition is an essential part of prayer. Secondly, seek and you shall find. Please notice that in these two examples effort is required. Thirdly, knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Asking involves our speech. Seeking involves the eyes and knocking involves the hands.
Jesus then reveals that everyone who asks will receive. When you seek you will find what you are looking for and when you knock it shall be opened for you. Jesus speaks directly to God and His desire for us is to have a focus when we pray. When these three efforts are mixed with faith the impossible becomes possible and the promises of God are unlimited. Just a note, in the Middle East a door will not be opened until two things happen, a person knocks and then identifies themselves. Then the door will be opened.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The Goodness of the Father
The Goodness of the Father – Matt 7:9-11
Jesus had just outlined how a person would get answered prayer in the previous verses. You have to ask, seek and knock. Now He illustrates these truths with the following example. Is there a man among you that if your son asks for bread, would you give him a stone? Or if he ask for a fish, would you give him a serpent? Jesus stated that even wicked and evil fathers will make sure their children are fed, clothed, sheltered, protected, happy and prosperous to the best of their ability. Jesus knew that in every true father there is a strong connection with their children. This connection motivates the father to give good gifts to their children. Their generosity is motivated by love and relationship.
If they give gifts to their children how more will our heavenly Father who has no evil in Him give good gifts to them who ask Him. Jesus reveals here the infinite fatherhood of God and the certainty of answered prayer. Good is good and He loves to give good gifts to those that ask Him. The operative word here is ask Him. Two thoughts here, asking secures God’s attention and secondly it brings focus to what we really want from God and our motivation behind asking.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Nahum
Nahum
Nahum – His name means compassionate or full of comfort.
- Was a prophet of God in Judah speaking to Nineveh.
- This is the companion book or sequel to Jonah. This book Is set 100 years after
Jonah had preached to the Assyrians.
- The people of Nineveh had repented 100 years before under Jonah’s preaching.
They had returned to their idolatry, cruelty and oppression and this time they would
Be destroyed.
- This book was written just before the destruction of Nineveh by Neboplassar the father
Of Nebuchadnezzer.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Your will inherit – One Hundred and Twenty Four There once was a man who was helpless, hopeless and useless. He lived his life in misery, loneliness and despair. He had no chance, choice or help. He begged day by day to survive. Then one day Jesus came by. He healed and restored the man. He gave purpose, a plan and power. Jesus will do the same for you today. No matter who you are, where you come from or what you have done. Today the lord has four promises for you. First, in your groaning and need the Lord will protect you. He will overshadow you with His providence and care. Next the Lord will be your refuge and shelter in the storm and your shade in the heat of life. He will keep you from the tragedies of life. Thirdly the Lord will answer your prayers. He can and will do exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or imagine. The Lord will never forsake or leave you. You will never be alone His angels will be always there. Lastly, He will give you your inheritance. His promises are for today, tomorrow and forever. The things the Lord has in store for you are amazing, awesome and beyond understanding. Remember the poor are rich in faith. All who trust in the Lord will receive their promises and inheritance. Claim yours today.
Your will inherit – One Hundred and Twenty Four
There once was
a man who was helpless, hopeless and useless.
He lived his life in misery, loneliness and despair. He had no chance, choice or help. He begged day by day to survive. Then one day Jesus came by. He healed and restored the man. He gave purpose, a plan and power. Jesus will do the same for you today.
No matter who
you are, where you come from or what you have done. Today the lord has four promises for
you. First, in your groaning and need
the Lord will protect you. He will
overshadow you with His providence and care.
Next the Lord will be your refuge and shelter in the storm and your shade
in the heat of life. He will keep you
from the tragedies of life. Thirdly the
Lord will answer your prayers. He can
and will do exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or imagine. The Lord will never forsake or leave
you. You will never be alone His angels
will be always there. Lastly, He will
give you your inheritance. His promises
are for today, tomorrow and forever. The
things the Lord has in store for you are amazing, awesome and beyond
understanding.
Remember the
poor are rich in faith. All who trust in
the Lord will receive their promises and inheritance. Claim yours today.
Warning to the Professional Religionist
Warning to the Professional Religionist – One Hundred and
Twenty Three
Today the Lord
gives a warning to the so called pious and professional religionist. I have seen your striving and struggles for
recognition. Your outward signs are an
abomination. You think you can gain my
favour by what you do. Do you not know
that eternal life can only come through grace the Lord Jesus Christ? You hide hatred, bias and prejudice under the
guise or cloak of righteousness. There
is nothing righteous in what you do. You
kill, murder and destroy in my name. I
did not give you your mandate you gave it yourself.
You separate
yourself from others because you hate and do not love. You come across as righteous, pure and holy
but in reality you are guilty of all kinds of inward sins. You can fool others but you cannot fool me
for I see the true condition of your heart.
Your displays are for man not me.
You steal and
rob in my name. You lavish on yourself
great riches in my name but you are nothing but a greedy and vain. You build kingdoms in your name and use my
name as the premise for this. I will
have nothing to do with this fraud and forgery.
Repent or I
will judge you harshly soon. I will
bring you down says the Lord. You will
be exposed for what you are. Though your
claims of innocence and worldly repentance will garner some sympathy from the
weak and misinformed I will show you for what you are. This is your final warning.
The Promise of God
The Promise of God – One Hundred and Twenty Two
The Lord has
many great and wonderful promises to those who love Him. He will give you strength in the midst of
your weakness. He will give you peace in
the middle of your personal and interior warfare. The Lord wants you to know you are a gift
even though you may not see yourself that way.
The Lord is about to release on you His full abundant and eternal
life. This abundant life lacks nothing
and neither will you.
The Lord will
give you perfect peace and you will rest and not stumble. The Lord will give you a perfected peace and
your mind will rest in the knowledge of His love. You will know and experience the stability
that comes in the love of God.
When you focus
on the Lord’s commands His grace, mercy. Love, victory will flow into your life
like an everlasting river. In turn His
love will flow out of you like a river to others. You will experience the deepness of the
Lord’s love and it will flow over your life like the waves on the ocean. This love will flow to you and your children
for many generations. This gift of
salvation will flow in your family through all generations. Start now and claim your promise.
The Lord will
help you in all situations and scenarios.
He will give you peace, love, joy and grace as the old hymn says, “More
abundantly and more abundantly.” This
prosperity, success and life will transcend all things you find yourself
in. This is the Lord’s gift for you
today. Walk in it.
Warning to the Professional Religionist – One Hundred and
Twenty Three
So great a salvation
So great a salvation – One Hundred and Twenty One
You have been
given a great and wonderful salvation.
It is a gift you could neither buy or earn. It comes only by grace. You receive it by faith and you made it your
own by belief in your heart and confession of your mouth. It brings you spiritual cleansing in a moment
of time and all your sins are forgiven.
Your past is buried in the sea of God’s forgetfulness. Your present is a pathway tp righteousness
and your future is a highway to holiness.
To make it a
beautiful long term reality you must be always aware of what I did for you and
be spiritually receptive. BE diligent,
humble and let the word of God be planted in you. Be diligent in the small things. Be eager for holiness, righteousness and
purity. Do everything you can to be holy
before me. This way you can keep
yourself from falling.
Pace yourself
for this race you are running is not a sprint rushing to get the finish
line. It is a marathon that pace and
timing win the day. Your life is a
journey to a destination so enjoy the many stops on the way. How you finish is more important than how you
started. Remember he who stands firm to
the end will receive the prize. The
prize s given at the end pf a race not at the beginning.
Your salvation
has given you all you need for life and eternity. Stand firm and rejoice for your day of
victory is near. The coming of the Lord
is immanent so rejoice and prepare yourself.
To the Prince of Persia
To the Prince of Persia – One Hundred and Twenty
Hear this you
enemy of God. I have seen your hatred
for my people both for Israel and the followers of Christ. You are a hater of righteousness and
freedom. You say you are a religion and
a country of peace but you are nothing but hatred and violence wrapped up in a
man made and satanic religion.
You are a liar
and your hatred of truth is why you attacked all truth and freedom. You have aligned yourself against the Lord
for centuries. I have given you from
time to time gifts of righteousness.
Daniel, Esther, and Mordecai all showed you the way of righteousness but
you rejected them after their time was over.
I have even given you men and women today but you have rejected and
killed them. So my judgment is
coming.
I will bring
you down says the Lord. You shall fall
from your exalted place. You have not
deceived all true lovers of freedom. You
shall be humbled. Your pride will become
weight around your neck and you shall be pulled down. You shall be destroyed. You will have a moment of gloating and pride
but this is only a flash of time and then judgment.
You have
supported terrorism and that path of hatred will soon come back on you. God is not mocked whatever you have sown you
will reap. There is no hope for
you. You shall be laid low for I am the
Lord.
\
Prophecy to California
Prophecy to California – One Hundred and Nineteen
Lament,
Lament, Lament. The lack of rain and the
drought you are experiencing is because of your sin. For decades you have set your heart against
the Lord. You have spurned, mocked and
scorned the name of the Lord. Your filth
done in the name of art and entertainment has polluted the world. You have a chance for righteousness but
instead you chose to laugh, curse and degrade the name of the Lord. Your comics, directors and actors chose to
use my name in vain. You thought you
were wise funny and smart but the truth is you are foolish, stupid and
vain.
So I am coming
against you and the land you live in with drought, pestilence and great
judgment. Your violence and hatred will
increase. You will see riots, food
shortages and crime. All the protection
I gave you will no longer be there.
The drought of
rain is a reflection of how my words have been in drought for decades. Yes there have been small pockets of
righteousness in the midst of your great darkness. Your pride is your downfall. You call yourself, great, beautiful and
right. In reality you are worthless,
ugly and destitute. You have allowed the
sodomite spirit to lead you. You promote
lifestyles that are an abomination to me.
You call these lifestyles, progressive and enlightened. They are backward, regressive and led to the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These
will be your undoing. I will with hold
the rain until you truly repent. I the
Lord will show you how really poor and blind you really are. You have been the seat of satan for over a
century and now your time of judgment has come.
Your
wickedness, disease and pain are just beginning. A great shaking is coming. You will be overrun with creatures and other
pestilences. Your cup of iniquity is
full and now my judgment is coming. Even
great repentance by my people will not avert judgment. I will keep my people but others will face my
judgment says the Lord. I have weighed
you on my scales of judgment and you have been found wanting. – One Hundred and Nineteen
Proper View
Proper View – One Hundred and Eighteen
Do not look at
the world with fear, anxiety or despair.
Yes things are bad but did I not warn you ahead of time. You knew that this was going to happen and it
was not hidden. I told you many times
before. Now look to the heavens for your
redemption is drawing nigh. Many hearts
will fail for fear but not yours because I have given you a different heart and
view. You shall see things as I see
them. You will have faith, power,
soundness of mind and heart.
I have a plan
for you. Draw near and put your trust in
me. I know the plans I have for you
says, the Lord and I will show them to you soon. This is your day and satan will be defeated
before you. Remember no weapon formed
against you shall prosper and all plans against you and me will fail.
Keep your eyes
on the Lord. Though all things around
you will be shaken, you shall not be if you put your trust and faith in me
says, the Lord. Attached your life to
the solid rock who is Christ Jesus. Be
wise and discerning. Be brave. You have the victory in the Lord. You reward and victory is closer than you
think.
Responsibility of Messenger
Responsibility of Messenger – Ezekiel – One Hundred and
Seventeen
The Lord is
looking for Ezekiel’s of today. People
who will speak their mind and set their hearts against the evil of the
day. Did you know that are a greater
threat to the evil of the day than the evil of the day is a threat to you. The Lord gave Ezekiel and you a
responsibility. We have been called to
go into all our world and preach the gospel.
We are the ones who have been given the message and responsibility of
salvation. Ezekiel was told that if did
not tell people about God they would not hear.
We have been the same challenge.
How can someone hear the gospel unless someone has been sent? Men and women are dying everyday in their
sins and we are standing by and watching that happen. What selfishness and arrogance. Here we have the greatest message of all time
and we are too busy, afraid or plain lazy to share it. Ninety five out of every one hundred
Christians will never tell a person about Christ let alone win them. So many of us are going to have a lot to
account for.
When was the
last time you told someone about Jesus, today, yesterday a year ago, never? The Lord told Ezekiel that each person was
responsible for their own spiritual condition but it was his responsibility to
tell them. We have been called to tell
others. It is about time we did. Ezekiel’s secret was he had made his head
like flint. He was going to tell people
whether it was popular or not. He knew
that his mandate was from God. Yours is
as well. You need to be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might. You
cannot do this alone. You need the Lord
and the wonderful thing is that He is more than willing to help you.
This
generation needs someone to tell them about Christ and we are His
ministers. The only day that we have is
this day so ask the Lord to help you and then get about doing the masters
business. Jesus always did His Father’s
business. Let Jesus and Ezekiel be you
example and get about the masters business.
`Dry Bones
`Dry Bones – One Hundred and Sixteen
In Ezekiel 37
the Lord gives us a powerful demonstration of valley of dry bones and how
speaking forth brings dead things to life.
The church today is much like the valley of dry bones. They are little patches of life but in most
cases in western Christianity it needs to come back to life. This can happen when men of women who know
their God will once again speak forth God`s word. The question the Lord gave to Ezekiel was,
“Can these bones live? He answered only
you know. Wrong answer. God wants these dry bones to live. He wants His church to come back to
life. Joel 2:28 is His promise. The Lord is going to pour out His Spirit
again upon His church but only in places where the Word of God is honored and
practiced. The remnant is once again
being called. If you are in a place
where the Word of God is watered down or not preached with clarity, confidence
and power, flee that place. Its
candlestick has been removed and all who go there are dying even though they
live. Their leaders are dead men
walking. They are leading the blind into
greater darkness.
The Lord is
looking for people who preach with power and the anointing of the Holy
Spirit. What made the church so powerful
in the first century was that they were full of faith and the Spirit. Too many of my people are full of education,
science and religion. It is time for
those who know their God to speak again to the dry bones. Yes, believe it not some of those churches
will come alive once more but only after their leaders have repented or have
been removed. If your pastor does not
preach the Word of God with power and clarity move from that place to a Bible
believing church. If your church has
accepted people who are living in sin and refuse to repent of it and expect you
to accept their lifestyle because it is culturally acceptable flee that place
for it has become a seat of satan.
There are
people who are being raised up to speak God’s word in this final
generation. The Valley of Dry Bones is
about to live again. There is coming one
more great revival and outpouring of the Spirit. Be part of it. You can live once again. Pray that your pastor and church leaders live
again. This Sunday go to your church and
proclaim life once again in your church and it can live. Otherwise I will write Ichabod on its door
and my glory will leave and all that will be left is man and satan.
Men who discern the Times
Men who discern the Times – One Hundred and Fifteen
There is a
wonderful account in the Old Testament about men coming to work with David from
Issachar and Naphtali. Their testimony
was that they were men who discerned the times they lived in. That is what the Lord is looking for
today. People who see what is happening
around them and have prophetic understanding.
We cannot bury our heads in the sand and do not think for a moment that
something fantastic and scary is not coming.
Right now the church is going through a transformation both good and bad. Many nominal churches are now adopting and
bending to cultural trends that will eventually weaken and destroy them. To redefine the family, accept anti-biblical
practices and say that false religions have value is destroying the doctrines
to the church to the core. Sin is sin
and to accept it in the name of tolerance is both damnable and tragic.
Jesus Christ
came to set mankind free from sin in any form.
His death, burial and resurrection were for a reason. Church leaders who lessen that are nothing
more than false teachers and prophets.
They have sold their souls to popularity, fame, fortune and
acceptability. When was the church every
popular. History teaches that the church
became corrupt when it was acceptable to society. The time between Constantine and Luther was
called the dark ages for a reason.
It all started
when the church became acceptable.
Persecution is the fire of the fire.
It brings us back to reality.
Satan hates the church but when he has the majority of the church
accepting false and sinful practices for the sake of being acceptable to the
masses or to be politically correct it is great tragedy. Here is a stern warning to all churches and
leaders who accept sinful practices for cultural relevance or
acceptability. You are lukewarm and I
will spit you out of my mouth.
The men of Issachar
and Naphtali discerned the times in which we live. They know they must join people who know
God. David was a man who knew God. He had God`s favor and anointing. So my children join yourselves to those who
are like David. Flee the leaders and
churches that have accepted sinful practices.
I am about to judge them harshly.
When I come back they will not be among those who come with me. They are not my bride. They are not my people. Once they were my people but they have sold
their soul to T.V. gurus and holistic witches who pose as motivational speakers
or T.V. Personalities. I have removed
these church leader’s candlesticks and if they do not repent they will lose
everything. Discern the times you live
in and follow those like David and serve the Lord.
Vision for the future
Vision for the future – One Hundred and Fourteen
I am looking
says the Lord for men like Enoch who will walk with me in this generation. A man who pleased me with His life. I am looking for people of righteousness,
truth and justice. People who will speak
what I tell them to speak and not worry about what others will think. Enoch was a man that spoke against the
wickedness of his day. Enoch knew that a
man of God was more powerful than any enemy that would come against them. I am looking for people who will say what I
want them to say.
Martin Luther
won the day when He fearlessly told the church of the day about their
corruption. The church of today is
corrupt and has few standards. You are
believing and accepting things I never told you to accept. It is wrong to allow those I have condemned
into your ranks. Do you not know that I
am calling a pure and spotless bride?
Enoch saw this and he refuse to allow those who were wicked and corrupt
to make him so.
Enoch was a
man who was blameless in his generation and he taught his children to be the
same. Noah came from Enoch. He was aware of his example. Look to those who I have given you in the
past. Let their example of righteousness
be your example. See their faithfulness,
courage, righteous lives and purity.
They knew that one day they would have to give an account. Many of my people have forgotten that or they
rely on my grace. I give grace for
forgiveness of sin not so you can go on sinning. Remember whatever you sow you will reap. I will not be mocked so repent because I am
coming quickly.
So today my
people I am looking for you to be my Enoch.
I will call you to speak to this generation and to be an example of
me. Keep your eyes on me. I will help you, strengthen you and keep you. This is your day to decide who and what you
will be. Choose to an Enoch and you will
have what he had. One day I will come
and take you away like I did him.
Lessons from Abraham
Lessons from Abraham
- One Hundred and Thirteen
The Lord
wishes for you to learn three lessons from the life of Abraham. The first lesson is obedience. Abraham when he was called was living in a
heathen land. He was called out of the
land where he was and told to go the
land which the Lord would give him. He
operated in faith. Faith does not need
to know the destination it just knows that it is on a journey. Faith believes in the will of God. It knows the grace of God will keep it where
the will of God takes it. Abraham believed
God and it was credit to his account as righteousness. Those who walk by faith will take the Lord at
His word and will do it in obedience.
When Job was in the middle of his trial, he states, “Even though he
slays me I will trust Him.” Trust the
Lord and see His goodness.
The next
lesson we learn from Abraham is the will of God sometimes takes a long
time. This is hard to understand in this
microwave world where everything is instant.
God’s timing is not man’s timing.
Isaiah told his readers that those who wait upon the Lord shall be renewed
with strength, they shall run and not grow weary and they shall walk and not
faint. The Lord is the God of the
perfect timing. He knows all things and
He knows when to answer. Trust and faith
is all about trusting in the Lord and waiting for His perfect timing. Abraham waited 25 years for his promised
son. Will you wait for the Lord? Will you be patient as He works all things
for good.
The last
lesson is willing to give all for the Lord.
Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son.
He went right to the edge. He was
even in the motion of killing Isaac when the Lord stopped him. God is looking for people who will give all
to Him. Complete surrender is the
minimum God requires. Today learn from
Abraham’s example be obedient, patience and give all and you will see how the
example of Abraham will be lived out in your life.
Praise and Fight Like David
Praise and Fight Like David – One Hundred and Twelve
There was no
man like the man named David. God gave
him great honors, commendations and rewards.
There are lessons that the people of God can learn from this man. The two qualities the Lord wants to show you
from this life were his ability to praise and his ability to war or fight. David from the time he was in field knew how
to sing and praise the Lord. He was an
expert in the musical instruments such as the harp and lyre. This gave expression to the worshipper heart
that he possessed. He however was not
like the typical musician. He knew how
to fight. When a lion and bear came to
take from his sheep he slew both of them.
David had a warrior heart. This
prepared him for his first conflict with man.
When Goliath was raving and frightening the armies of Israel David came
and saw potential. He knew that he could
defeat him because of previous victories and faith in God’s ability. Through praise David had prepared himself
spiritually. Through war he had prepared
his heart and life physically. God is
looking for those who have hearts of praise.
God is also looking for a warrior.
A warrior worshipper will take down any enemies in the spiritual
realm. We know that the enemy hates true
worship. He has perverted it and
destroyed it. It has become a venue for
the corrupt and perverted. When someone knows
that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Christ they know
the enemy is already defeated. Do you
know the enemy had been defeated by perfect praise? When Jesus was entering the city of Jerusalem
the scribes and lawyers tried to stop the little children who were praising
Jesus. Jesus reminded them the in the
child God has perfected praise.
Warrior worshippers are those who have child
like faith. They know that in the Lord
worship is the key to victory. Like the
armies of Jehosaphat who won the war against the enemies of Judah by praise so
we will our battle by praise and worship.
When we praise the Lord we take our eyes off the problem, the enemy or
situation and focus it on God who has the power to bring victory. So learn to praise and fight like David. The battle is not yours but the Lord.
The Joshua generation
The Joshua generation – One Hundred and Eleven
The Lord is
raising up a new kind of person to do his will.
They shall be called the Joshua generation. They are young people that are fearless in
their faith. They believe there is no
land they cannot defeat or territory they cannot conquer. They love the presence of the Lord. If you remember Joshua never left the
tabernacle of the Lord. They follow
leaders and try to learn all they can from them. They want to do the will of God. They submit to the plans and purposes of
God. They do not go with the flow. They see things as God sees things. Nothing is impossible for them to do because
they know the God they serve will do the impossible. They will see every obstacles or enemy as an
opportunity for God. They are fearless
in the fight. They do not care about
their lives because this world is not their home. They are just passing.
The Joshua
generation are young people that are obedient to the will of God. They know the secret of success is reading
and studying God`s word. They take God
as His word and refuse to deviate from that word. They want to learn new things. They are students. They love prayer and hearing from God’s They love the house of the Lord and communion
of the saints. They love to share faith
and see people become redeemed. They
will sit at the feet of their leaders and will listen and learn from them. They are not lone wolfs. They do not want to do their own thing. They are not independent and think they have
nothing to learn. The Joshua generation
are poised for the next move of God.
They will be the leaders that God will raise up to take the land. They will not be deterred or stopped. Those
who follow the evil one are their enemies.
They attack and take no prisoners.
They will not cater, bow or bend to the cultural shifts of today. They have heard the Word of the Lord and will
execute His will only. Let us pray for
this generation coming.
These are
special young people. Their patience and
tenacity shall be the qualities that will allow them to take their
generation. They will be people of great
compassion like their Saviour. They will
love the sinner but hate the sin. They
will want to do the will of God and will sacrifice anything to do it. They will know their God and do exploits.
The combination of the best
The combination of the best – One Hundred and Ten
Praise the
Lord has many flows but the main thing is to let it go. There are different expressions and ways to
praise the Lord. The last we wish to
look at is called Tehillah. It became
very popular back in the early nineties when the praise and worship movement
was in its hey day. People have
discovered that praise and worship were not just hymns and choruses but so much
more. The Lord was just opening up a
next age. Were we going back to the days
of David. Yes we were but even more
people were learning to praise the Lord.
This word Tehillah means to praise the Lord with many expressions. It could be dance, shout, clap, raising of
the hands, strumming of the instrument or the blowing of the horn. The only thing that is holding back the
worshipper is their fear or creativity.
It is singing, shouting, dancing and so much more. So church come alive and praise the
Lord. Do not hold back there is no time
like the present. Do it now. Be wild, have fun, rejoice and give the Lord
praise. Express you heart, soul and
mind.
Do in private
and in a group. Do it for the Lord and do
not worry about the troop. If someone
does not do it with you do not worry or fret, the Lord is your object and not
the person beside you. If they scowl,
frown or stare a glare. Just look back
and smile then jump in the air. Be like
David when Micah gave him the gears. He
smile and said, “Dear you ain’t seen nothing yet.” Those who do not praise the Lord become
barren and cold. Praise the Lord before
you get old. Age is not a state of
physical prowess but a mind set. So
praise the Lord. Let everything and
everyone praise the Lord. Let it flow and
go. Let’s just praise the Lord.
Move in the Lord
Move in the Lord – One Hundred and Nine
When we praise
the Lord we release an attitude of the heart expressed. There is nothing quite like praising the
Lord. It frees the Spirit and soul like
nothing else. You are praising the God
of heaven. You are releasing your spirit
to reconnect with the one who created it.
Praising the Lord is allowing the inner man to soar in a way
unimaginable. The new way to praise the
Lord is called Halell. This means to
rave and boast about what the Lord has done.
Paul said, “I shall boast about what the Lord has done.” What has the Lord done? He has given you salvation, healing and
deliverance. He has given you eternal
and abundant life. He has given you the
gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit. He
has given you all the benefits of heaven.
These things that have been mentioned are just of the few things that
you should rave and boast about in the Lord.
The Lord is the one who created you and has given you each breathe that
you take. The Bible says that God formed
man out of the dust of the earth and then breathed into us the breath of
life. He gave the mental capacity of speech
and thinking. With our mouth we should
declare, “Praise the Lord.”
There is a
modern song that says, “Look what the Lord has done.” What has the Lord done for you? The hymn says, “Count your many blessing,
name them one by one and you will be surprised by what the Lord has done.” Being thankful gives you a point of reference
when it comes to praising the Lord.
Taking a little inventory from time to time will help you see the Lord’s
faithfulness. He has been faithful and
by counting your blessings you will see that.
There are
physical ways in which we should praise the Lord. There is the clap, the shout, the rave and boast
but how about the dance. There is
nothing that frees the toes and legs like a good dance before the Lord. Moving in the Holy Spirit sets your heart and
feet to dancing. David danced before the Lord.
Now of course you are going to get the critic and the cynic who are
going to try and stop you but remember you are not doing it for them. You are doing for the Lord so dance and
praise His name. Be wild, have fun but
praise the Lord and again I say Praise the Lord.
Play unto the Lord
Play unto the Lord – One Hundred and Eight
A worshipper
is one who expresses their heart in worship.
Worship is an attitude of the heart expressed. One way of worshipping that has a dramatic
effect both on the player and the hearer is playing an instrument. The word for worshipping with an instrument
is Zamar. Now instruments were made to
express what was in the heart. God made
us people who love music. It is part of
our DNA. Now Lucifer was the chief choir
master in heaven and he knows that music is a vital part of the human
core. It is something that moves us
right into our deepest being. In the
form of satan now he exploits and uses music the destroy expressions of
music. As a worshipper we can redeem
music and bring it back to its original intent as a form to praise and glorify
the Lord. One of the greatest expressions
of worship in tongues in a musical form.
It lifts the participant into the highest expression of praise. Musical instruments have always been in one
form or another used in worship. David
used a harp and lyre. The priests used
the cymbal, horns, drums and flutes. In
David’s times there were choirs of priests who all they did was sing praise
psalms to God. We are called to sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs in our hearts unto the Lord.
Today praise
and worship has been taken to a high level or excellence and
professionalism. The greatest expression
of a musician or worshipper is to play and instrument that glorifies the
Lord. Instruments that blast, some that
strum and others that beat. All with one
purpose and that is to praise the Lord.
Nothing sounds
more beautiful to the ears of God then when His children praise Him. Instruments bring clarity and further
expression. An anointed musician playing
their instrument to the Lord is truly an amazing thing. When you have an orchestra playing songs unto
the Lord there is nothing more beautiful.
So children of the Lord, praise the Lord. Praise Him on the high sounding cymbal. Praise Him with the strings, with the
percussion and with the horns. Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
The Shout
The Shout – One Hundred and seven
Praising the
Lord releases such an anointing but this next one is so powerful. The Hebrew word for this expression is
shabach which means to shout. It was the
shabach that brought down the walls of Jericho.
No demon and foe can stand before someone who shouts the name of the
Lord. It is praise that is given way
before the answer even comes. The walls
came down after the shout was given.
The shout is a
declaration of faith. When you shout
before the Lord you are drowning out all doubt and noise that would contradict
your faith or trust in God`s word. There
will always be the mockers, scorner, cynics and complainers but the shout
drowns out their little whining sessions.
The sowers of doubt are silenced before the shout. They are intimidated by someone who shouts
before their God. The devil hates the
shout because it sounds through the heavenlies that inspite of what is going on
you are going to praise the Lord.
When you shout
before the Lord you are declaring that the Lord is alive and His word is
true. When you shout, “Praise the Lord,”
you are declaring that God is worthy of all our praise. You are saying that there is no one like our
God. Nothing and no one can defeat Him
or you as you stand in His anointing, authority and power. When you shout praise the Lord you are saying
that all things will work together for good and you believe the answer is on
the way.
So shout,
Praise the Lord,” give thanks for He is alone is worthy. Break those chains off your life, scatter the
darkness, raise a shout of praise and let your whole world know the Jesus
Christ is Lord. In Him you will not be
defeated. In Him you are more than a
conqueror. You will overcome and be the
victor in the Lord. Shout and let all
who know.
I lift my hands
I lift my hands – one hundred and five
We are all
called to lift up holy hands before the Lord without wrath and malice. As people of God the lifting of hands is a
sign of surrender and homage. The Hebrew
word for the raising of the hands is yahad.
The lifting of the hands is in response to what the Lord has done in our
lives and in our world. It is one of the
outward signs that show what the Lord has done in the heart. It is a sign for all the world to see what
the Lord has done for me. It is a
demonstration of our love. Often it was
a wave offering to the Lord. Aaron and Hur
helped Moses in the battle against the Amalekites. He kept his hands up and this was a sign to
Israel that God was with them. The
raising of the hands can be a sign for us and those around us that the Lord is
with us.
Another use of
the hands is the clap. Isaiah and
Ezekiel were told by the Lord to clap.
This in the world is a sign of applause or appreciation. When we clap our hands we are in sinc with
what the Lord is doing. As the music
breaks forth and we get into timing with the Lord it is a wonderful expression
of our love for the Lord. Something
inside of us just has to praise the Lord.
The raising of one hand says Yes, I love the Lord.” The raising of two hands says, “Lord I
surrender.” Clapping of the hands means
I am worshipping and getting into the place of victory. Clapping is breaking down strongholds in the
spiritual realm. The devil hates when
people clap to the Lord. He hates it
when we break dividing walls. We break
strongholds through the clap. Did you
know you can break the stronghold in your life and others when you clap before
the Lord? There is nothing more powerful
than a group of believers raising their hands and clapping before the
Lord. It releases the anointing and
victory. The Holy Spirit responds when
we clap. So praise the Lord with raised
hands and clap before the Lord and bring about your victory and others.
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord – One Hundred and four
The Bible has
much to say about praising the Lord.
Each is powerful in itself. To
express oneself in praising the Lord is to free oneself in the greatest
measure. Nothing can change a situation
like learning to praise the Lord today we are going to look at the Hebrew word
towdah. Carman put it this way. , it's the sacrifice. Praising God in spite the fact your world is
in a vice. It's praise that pushes
through the wall of all adversity. An
offering that flows to heaven in our time of need “
You need to
say to your world. I do not care what I
am facing I am going to praise the Lord.
It is telling the world, the flesh and the devil that you are going to
praise the Lord. You say to your
circumstances. You are not going to get
the best of me I am going to praise the Lord.
You praise the Lord because He is good not that what you are facing is
good. You praise the Lord when all
around you seems dark and bleak because God is light and it is Him you
seek. You tell your mind to praise the
Lord because this is where the battle is won or lost. You tell your spirit to praise the Lord
because this is place where you connect with the Lord. When you are sick you tell your body to
praise the Lord because no matter what aches or pains you have your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit so praise the Lord.
It is time for
the church to really praise the Lord.
Never lose sight of the fact that the Lord is worthy of all our
praise. If we do not praise the Lord the
rocks and hills will cry out. So church
and everyone in the church say. Praise
the Lord.
Free Will
Free Will – One Hundred and Three
There is a
reason why God has given us a free will.
Free will allows us to love with freedom, willingness and from our
heart. Satan hates free will because it
does give him control. Pride is at the
heart of everything he does. When pride
entered into his heart it totally corrupted him. He allowed his beauty, position and authority
to go to his head. As Lucifer he had the
power of choice. When pride came into
his heart he chose to rebel against God and thus he went to battle with heaven
thinking he could actually win. He lost
of course because a creation can never defeat its creator. A watch for example will never be greater
than the person who created it. A car
will never be greater than the person who made it. This pride and rebellion totally corrupted
Lucifer and he was renamed satan, the father of all lies. There is no truth in him and he hates
anything that looks like righteousness.
Man is God’s
greatest creation. Man is the only
creature in creation with the power of choice and the understanding of how to
use it. Unlike the animals we do not
operate by basic instinct. That is why
satan uses many methods in which to destroy or hinder free will. For example evolution an invention of satan
tells man that he evolved from lower species into a higher species. This makes man no more than an evolved
animal. We then live by basic
instinct. Our soul and spirit are only
an awareness of the material world and we are born, live and die. We have no real higher purpose. Life is nothing more than a short span of
time in which we are conscious of our surroundings. We procreate, live sometimes thrive and then
die. There is no eternity, no God, no
eternal destiny and no real reason to exist.
Religion is
another invention of satan. Every
religious system does three things. It
basis it rules and regulations on men trying to reconnect with God through a
series of traditions, rules, regulations and secret or not so secret
ceremonies. Secondly it is man trying to
recapture paradise lost. Thirdly, it is
man reaching up to God trying to pull Him down to our level. The church does this by telling people that
they need a priest or teacher to interpret the bible for them. It is pastoral leadership imposing a set of
so called holy traditions on a congregation and enforcing them like this is the
law of God. The Moslem faith imposes
Sharia law where anyone who chooses to disobey them can and will be punished
either with dismemberment or death.
Governments do it because free will and free thinking are hard to
control. The list goes on. Anything that opposes free will is
satanic.
Man is a
creation designed to make our own choices.
God made it that way so our surrender and love would be voluntary. The man and woman who freely love and care
for each other is beautiful, it is ultimate human expression of love. God did not make us ticky tack robots who
just do His will that is not love. When
someone tries to force you into love it will destroy them and you. Free will is wonderful because it gives us
freedom to do what we want to do. With
that free will however has consequences.
The person who drives drunk they will find out quickly the price of that
decision either they or someone will die.
The person who puts drugs in their veins will find out quickly that they
will destroy their lives and others. The
man who decides to cheat on his wife will find out quickly that he will lose
her trust and ultimately her. The woman
who sends encouraging words will see love and encouragement come back to her. The man who loves his wife and children will
see a happy and healthy home.
Satan hates
your free will. Today choose to love the
Lord with all your heart and refuse to live in darkness. Choose today to be an evangelist and soul
winner for Christ. Choose to be a
blessing. Refuse to give into the sin in
any form. Use your power of choice for
God’s glory and never submit yourself to any forms of bondage. Remember who the Son sets free, is free
indeed.
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