Hope and Strength
12-30-08
A man’s strength is found in his relationship with Me. Though a man will defend truth, his ability to endure comes from love. If a man will endure to the obtaining of My kingdom, he must know Me, for the enemy will hold nothing back in his attempt to turn My people against Me (see Dan 7:21,22).
A man may measure his faith by words of Mine which have come to pass. I look at a man’s hope. Hope makes not ashamed (RM 5:5). Hope is bound together with goodness on the part of the one who hopes and sees goodness in the giver. A man may hope in something apart from his own sense of self-worth for hope comes from the heart. A man’s estimation of himself comes from the mind. The mind of a man can recall his victories and defeats and obtain a standard whereby he measures his faith, but I look on hope. What a man hopes for he will struggle in his heart to maintain faith for. And when hope and faith are united in a heart, then desire comes alive.
A passionless Christian is an easy target for the arrows of disappointment. He will suffer pain and bitterness, growing in his offense of Me with each new trial. When mocking, scorn, and scoffing come upon him he will know his heart has been overrun by the enemy. But if love, hope, and faith reside, though a man wait a long time for My word to come to pass, yet his desire will grow, and his love will keep him from the enemy of his soul.
There is no shame in hope. Though the enemy would caution you to “not get your hopes up because you might get disappointed,” yet he only serves his own purposes with this lie. He paints a picture of shame and sorrow in the minds of man, as one offering sweet counsel on how to avoid damage. But hope in Me and My words will make a man strong and give him endurance. How simple are satan’s lies, yet how thoroughly they weaken the saints. Keep hope alive. Fan the flames of desire in your hearts. Let your relationship with Me make you strong, for the kingdom is coming, and what you see in your hearts will begin to be manifest around you.
I am returning men and women to a heart of faith. If I said, “when I return will I find faith on the earth” (Lk 18:8), then know that what Man calls faith is not what I call faith. I have recorded the faith of the faithful (see Heb 11) who laid a foundation for others to build on, not having seen yet the bringing to pass of my spoken word to them. Yet they held faith in their hearts, hoping for that which was to come, and did not waver. They were willing to wait for you to come, and accepted that they would not be complete without you (Heb 11:39,40). You also will build a foundation according to your faith, which others will stand on. This is faith; that you hope in that which is unseen (Rm 8:24,25) and that your works will set the stage for My words to come to pass. For each generation is appointed a part of the entire work of God, and none are complete within themselves. Faith is the assurance that what I spoke is surely going to come to pass, and apart from that faith no man will stand in this hour. Do you have faith to build a foundation for others to complete? That is what the fathers of faith did. Their suffering was for that which they believed in, but didn’t see in their life-time. If a man will not hope in the unseen, his discouragement will stop him in his labors and I will hand his portion to another. Amen.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Sensitive Heart
The Sensitive Heart
12-29-08
Yesterday I was talking to a friend after church. We were discussing prophecy, which I had given during the service. I shared that I just “told” the words to the congregation, which seemed different to when the Lord prophesies through me. Yet they were none-the-less the Lord’s words. This morning I asked the Lord what gift or spirit (there is a spirit of prophecy and wisdom and revelation) is being used when I “tell” His words, and this was His answer;
“You ask what spirit is in operation when you ‘tell’ a prophecy rather than prophesy. It is the same spirit of prophecy that you hear when I ‘tell ‘you a thing. Add to that the spirit of wisdom as I share how a person should behave towards that which I said, and you have an accurate description of what transpired yesterday in church.
A person must be sensitive to the movement of My Holy Spirit first in order to prophesy. In the beginning a person who prophesies is dependent on a ‘feeling’ given by My Holy Spirit as I move on him. As this man or woman gains sensitivity to Me, the ‘feeling’ diminishes and disappears. So the heart that is truly united with Mine will grow in sensitivity to Me, My soft whispers, My purposes and My joys. This heart will come to know what I dislike, and why I sometimes choose chastisement and judgment, and at other times, mercy and grace. The sensitive heart is of great treasure to Me because it desires Me, to know Me.
The enemy comes against the spirit of prophecy to defeat the power of the word, but more importantly to his purposes, to cause the Christian to doubt his relationship with Me and My relationship with him. Upon doubt the deceiver builds lies about My intentions, defiling My character to the believer until he blames Me for his confusion. If this scene were played out between a man and his wife it would be plain to see that a troublemaker was trying to defile one partner’s love for the other. But this scene is daily played out in the unseen realm of the spirit.
Those victorious in faith will encourage the person who is floundering in their attempts to hear Me. But the defeated will discourage them, causing the defeat of many. How powerful a word is which causes men to stand in faith, believing in Me. And yet, words are also the weapons in satan’s hands. Let a man not doubt in his heart that I am good and love him, or he will lose many battles. Necessary, very necessary is the shield of faith. For if a man is pierced through his heart by his enemy, with what strength can he wield the sword of the word and spirit? If his faith dies can he stand on his preparation of the gospel of peace? Will not his head hit the ground, though it be covered with the helmet of salvation? And though his loins be covered around with truth, how will that strengthen him on the day he completely doubts, having cast off faith in Me? Is it the breastplate of righteousness which will quench the fiery darts of the enemy? No, it is the shield of faith. For even the righteousness a man does will eventually be laid aside by the one who questions My intentions to the point of blaming Me. Then he will lose his battle. But the man who repels satan’s accusations by his faith in Me will have full use of the word and the Spirit; his sword. He will stand in the day of evil and not be defeated. This man will be more than a conqueror. How did the victorious man begin? He had a heart that grew in sensitivity to My Spirit, a heart that desired to know Me and believed I was good. It is a heart that caused all doubt and confusion to submit to his love of Me and My love of him. And this sensitive heart is the heart that I treasure. It is the heart of My bride.” Amen.
12-29-08
Yesterday I was talking to a friend after church. We were discussing prophecy, which I had given during the service. I shared that I just “told” the words to the congregation, which seemed different to when the Lord prophesies through me. Yet they were none-the-less the Lord’s words. This morning I asked the Lord what gift or spirit (there is a spirit of prophecy and wisdom and revelation) is being used when I “tell” His words, and this was His answer;
“You ask what spirit is in operation when you ‘tell’ a prophecy rather than prophesy. It is the same spirit of prophecy that you hear when I ‘tell ‘you a thing. Add to that the spirit of wisdom as I share how a person should behave towards that which I said, and you have an accurate description of what transpired yesterday in church.
A person must be sensitive to the movement of My Holy Spirit first in order to prophesy. In the beginning a person who prophesies is dependent on a ‘feeling’ given by My Holy Spirit as I move on him. As this man or woman gains sensitivity to Me, the ‘feeling’ diminishes and disappears. So the heart that is truly united with Mine will grow in sensitivity to Me, My soft whispers, My purposes and My joys. This heart will come to know what I dislike, and why I sometimes choose chastisement and judgment, and at other times, mercy and grace. The sensitive heart is of great treasure to Me because it desires Me, to know Me.
The enemy comes against the spirit of prophecy to defeat the power of the word, but more importantly to his purposes, to cause the Christian to doubt his relationship with Me and My relationship with him. Upon doubt the deceiver builds lies about My intentions, defiling My character to the believer until he blames Me for his confusion. If this scene were played out between a man and his wife it would be plain to see that a troublemaker was trying to defile one partner’s love for the other. But this scene is daily played out in the unseen realm of the spirit.
Those victorious in faith will encourage the person who is floundering in their attempts to hear Me. But the defeated will discourage them, causing the defeat of many. How powerful a word is which causes men to stand in faith, believing in Me. And yet, words are also the weapons in satan’s hands. Let a man not doubt in his heart that I am good and love him, or he will lose many battles. Necessary, very necessary is the shield of faith. For if a man is pierced through his heart by his enemy, with what strength can he wield the sword of the word and spirit? If his faith dies can he stand on his preparation of the gospel of peace? Will not his head hit the ground, though it be covered with the helmet of salvation? And though his loins be covered around with truth, how will that strengthen him on the day he completely doubts, having cast off faith in Me? Is it the breastplate of righteousness which will quench the fiery darts of the enemy? No, it is the shield of faith. For even the righteousness a man does will eventually be laid aside by the one who questions My intentions to the point of blaming Me. Then he will lose his battle. But the man who repels satan’s accusations by his faith in Me will have full use of the word and the Spirit; his sword. He will stand in the day of evil and not be defeated. This man will be more than a conqueror. How did the victorious man begin? He had a heart that grew in sensitivity to My Spirit, a heart that desired to know Me and believed I was good. It is a heart that caused all doubt and confusion to submit to his love of Me and My love of him. And this sensitive heart is the heart that I treasure. It is the heart of My bride.” Amen.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
silence
Silence
12-28-08
The Lord often speaks a word and then appears to be distant. It is a great trial to our faith, not hearing further from the Lord, and thinking He is gone. This time of silence can allow a sifting by our enemy, or it can become a time of fruit-bearing for our Lord.
In some of Jesus’ parables He tells us of a master who goes away, and then returns. What do we do with the time of absence, and what do we expect of the master? In the parable of the talents (Lk 19:12-27) the faithful servants “multiplied” their talents while the master was gone. This was the expectation of their master. It was the development of their gifts, or talents, that the master wanted, and this could not take place with Him there. As a father with a small child knows that his child will do what he says only if he is present to help and remind the child, so the master also knew that he could stay and make sure things would go right. But the right-going of things would then be to the master’s credit, and the servants wouldn’t have developed, or matured. So he went away, leaving the servants to be tested by the words he spoke and the talents he gave them. He then rewarded their development when he returned, showing that it was to their credit, and not his, that they increased their talents.
The evil servant saw that he would be making his efforts for the Lord and not for himself. This servant did not see that multiplying his talents would have been credited to him. He thought it was unfair for the Lord to ask him for what he (the master) did not labor, and so the servant refused to do anything. The evil servant judged his master, and stunted his own development as well. So when the Lord returned, he took away what he had given the evil servant.
Jesus gave another parable in which He showed the master’s expectations. It is the parable of the barren fig tree (Lk 13:6-9). In this story the master’s servant, representing the Holy Spirit, promises to dig around the barren tree and fertilize it so that every opportunity is given to bear fruit. This is similar to “multiplying” talents. Fruit is an outward sign of faith. However, the master only gave his servant one year, and if the tree did not bear fruit by that time, the master would have it cut down.
In yet another parable Jesus talks about leaving a servant in charge of his fellow servants (Mt 24:45-51). When the master goes away, the expectation is that the servant in charge will “give them (his fellow servants) their food at the proper time.” We should consider that this also illustrates a time in the believer’s life when the Lord is not actively speaking, but in which he is entrusted with nourishment for his fellow-servants. Perhaps it was a word, rich in meaning at the time he received it, that his master intended for the servant to pass along to those who were without it (the word).
There are six references in the New Testament made by Jesus, telling us that, for some, He would come as a “thief”. He was making a reference to His “returning”, as the master did in Jesus’ parables. He comes back to see what we have done with what He has said and what He has given us. He comes for our “fruit” (Mt 21:34), or the multiplying of our talents. God, our Master, knows what season we are in. We must “be faithful in the little things” (Lk 19:17). Our attitude can become too casual and it may seem reasonable for us to just wait, filling our time up with things of this life. But a heart of faith towards God’s word will pray, and praise God as if He stood right next to him. And God will inspire the heart of faith with deeds that express that faith, until the man bears fruit. The man who is too casual will think that God will bless him anyway, because of His love. This man will be surprised when he is thrown out of God’s blessings for not wearing the right formal attire (our attitude, as seen in Mt 22:11-14). God does have expectations of us.
Back to the question of what we expect of God; is it that we expect God to hold our hand and prompt us every step of the way to our fulfilled obedience? Do we expect Him to shower love and blessings on us regardless of meeting His expectations of us? Then we are children, in danger of letting our hearts grow evil towards God, eventually judging Him for His requirements. Though God does not want us to go ahead of Him, doing our own thing and using His name, it is His great wisdom to train us in periods of silence. His expectations are for our growth, and reward. Amen.
12-28-08
The Lord often speaks a word and then appears to be distant. It is a great trial to our faith, not hearing further from the Lord, and thinking He is gone. This time of silence can allow a sifting by our enemy, or it can become a time of fruit-bearing for our Lord.
In some of Jesus’ parables He tells us of a master who goes away, and then returns. What do we do with the time of absence, and what do we expect of the master? In the parable of the talents (Lk 19:12-27) the faithful servants “multiplied” their talents while the master was gone. This was the expectation of their master. It was the development of their gifts, or talents, that the master wanted, and this could not take place with Him there. As a father with a small child knows that his child will do what he says only if he is present to help and remind the child, so the master also knew that he could stay and make sure things would go right. But the right-going of things would then be to the master’s credit, and the servants wouldn’t have developed, or matured. So he went away, leaving the servants to be tested by the words he spoke and the talents he gave them. He then rewarded their development when he returned, showing that it was to their credit, and not his, that they increased their talents.
The evil servant saw that he would be making his efforts for the Lord and not for himself. This servant did not see that multiplying his talents would have been credited to him. He thought it was unfair for the Lord to ask him for what he (the master) did not labor, and so the servant refused to do anything. The evil servant judged his master, and stunted his own development as well. So when the Lord returned, he took away what he had given the evil servant.
Jesus gave another parable in which He showed the master’s expectations. It is the parable of the barren fig tree (Lk 13:6-9). In this story the master’s servant, representing the Holy Spirit, promises to dig around the barren tree and fertilize it so that every opportunity is given to bear fruit. This is similar to “multiplying” talents. Fruit is an outward sign of faith. However, the master only gave his servant one year, and if the tree did not bear fruit by that time, the master would have it cut down.
In yet another parable Jesus talks about leaving a servant in charge of his fellow servants (Mt 24:45-51). When the master goes away, the expectation is that the servant in charge will “give them (his fellow servants) their food at the proper time.” We should consider that this also illustrates a time in the believer’s life when the Lord is not actively speaking, but in which he is entrusted with nourishment for his fellow-servants. Perhaps it was a word, rich in meaning at the time he received it, that his master intended for the servant to pass along to those who were without it (the word).
There are six references in the New Testament made by Jesus, telling us that, for some, He would come as a “thief”. He was making a reference to His “returning”, as the master did in Jesus’ parables. He comes back to see what we have done with what He has said and what He has given us. He comes for our “fruit” (Mt 21:34), or the multiplying of our talents. God, our Master, knows what season we are in. We must “be faithful in the little things” (Lk 19:17). Our attitude can become too casual and it may seem reasonable for us to just wait, filling our time up with things of this life. But a heart of faith towards God’s word will pray, and praise God as if He stood right next to him. And God will inspire the heart of faith with deeds that express that faith, until the man bears fruit. The man who is too casual will think that God will bless him anyway, because of His love. This man will be surprised when he is thrown out of God’s blessings for not wearing the right formal attire (our attitude, as seen in Mt 22:11-14). God does have expectations of us.
Back to the question of what we expect of God; is it that we expect God to hold our hand and prompt us every step of the way to our fulfilled obedience? Do we expect Him to shower love and blessings on us regardless of meeting His expectations of us? Then we are children, in danger of letting our hearts grow evil towards God, eventually judging Him for His requirements. Though God does not want us to go ahead of Him, doing our own thing and using His name, it is His great wisdom to train us in periods of silence. His expectations are for our growth, and reward. Amen.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
the 7th Trumpet
The 7th Trumpet
12-27-08
Three and a half years ago the Lord gave me a dream wherein I saw the ending of the 7th seal, the ½ hour of silence, and the beginning of the sounding of the 1st trumpet. I have copied that dream at the end of this prophecy. There was also a second dream on the ½ hour of silence given, which I did not include. As time has passed, the Lord has spoken a few words about the times we now live in. This morning the Lord brought a word about the 7th trumpet, which follows. May God add His blessings to our lives as we seek His face today, and truth which will keep us in His love. Amen
“I hate the cruelty of those who are mean or indifferent to My people. They blame each one who has a trial as if he were in sin, yet see the body as a corporate body when they seek blessing for their own good. These are men in authority who say “Speak not mean words over my church, for God is love” but they themselves do not perform My love individually to the members of the body because it is a burden to them. So I will not answer their prayers. As in times of old (Micah 3) I will be silent.
Indeed, many have sought Me for their own gain, that they may have a reputation amongst men with their words. But in My silence, they have spoken anyway, not seeking My face for approval. They have gone before Me and not waited on My presence. Presumptuous are they, and in their dark hearts they have not considered that I know My body. I know each individual need. I hear the sigh of the widow and see the tears of orphans. Because they do not hear from Me, these leaders make their own ways, and deep are the grooves of their footsteps so that many may find them and follow in them. These leaders have cast off care and heaped to themselves the harvest of the praises of men. “Simplify” they say, and so they cut the labor of love from their lives so that they may be care-free.
To the prophets who prophesy in My name; In the Day of the 7th trumpet there will be a release of revelatory prophecy. And this Day is upon you. Do you think to prophesy sweet things when the words in My servant’s stomach were bitter? Do you think to set hearts at ease when the time for the accomplishment of My Word is upon the earth? What work is it you seek to do with your words? Fir it is a time of great hardship and calamity for which many of you are not prepared. How will you lead My people, you who seek peace and safety for yourselves first? How will you prophesy My vision to the people, you who have been busy building your own kingdoms? A great Day of prophecy is on the earth, a day of unsealing. Who will endure to the end with My words in their mouth? Only6 those trained by obedience to My Spirit. There is scant little time left to run after eye salve and faith tried like gold. Every inconvenience and unpleasantry sent to you by My hand was sent to train you. For those who reject what I send, shall they stand with the righteous? Where will the disobedient buy time to pass through the fires of trial and affliction that their hearts will become pure and their robes unspotted? I, God, would be unjust to delay the bringing to pass of My Word.
To those who love ease and the praises of men I say, you will have seasons of grief. You will begin to notice the silence, and see others put before you in the kingdom. I will not deliver you from temptation, to the end that the sins of your own heart would chasten you into true repentance. Only then will you be washed and remain clean.”
First Trumpet
5-7-05 dream
In this dream there was a band of about 4 people and myself in the sky. A young man was the flutist and the rest were adults. When the young flutist played, I responded back to him by playing on a short mouth piece flute. We smiled at each other and knew we were waiting for something or someone.
In front of us in the sky was a whale, about 40 ft away. It didn’t move except to open it’s mouth in our direction. We commented on it, and wondered about the whale, but didn’t feel any danger.
Then the whale let out a barely-perceptible sound that was like the sound of a horn. A less-defined creature appeared in the sky above the whale, dark, dark red, like dried blood. It had tentacles like liquid blobs which moved out from its body, and down towards the whale. With 2 of these blobs it engulfed the whale. I said “Did you see that!?” But the others hadn’t been watching. I was alarmed and thought we should leave.
Interpretation – In this dream we were suspended in silence in the 2nd heaven. The whale represents the seventh seal (fullness of the seals, or a large seal = a whale). During the seventh seal the first trumpet is sounded, so I heard the beginning of the first trumpet. At this same time there is blood in the sky, mixed with hail and fire. The blood represents the protection of the blood of the Lamb for God’s people during judgment. Fire tests the works of Man, and hail is the judgment of God. Because I saw the blood moving we know now that God is sealing His people so that the plagues will “pass over” them, just as the blood of the Lamb on the door posts caused the angel of death to pass over the children of Israel when the angel of death came to Egypt. The barely perceptible sound indicates that these things are occurring in the heavenlies and just beginning to reach down to us on earth. The six seals have passed, and the seventh contains the sounding of the first trumpet, which has begun to sound. May we all be found ready, waiting for the Bridegroom, with lamps trimmed. Amen.
12-27-08
Three and a half years ago the Lord gave me a dream wherein I saw the ending of the 7th seal, the ½ hour of silence, and the beginning of the sounding of the 1st trumpet. I have copied that dream at the end of this prophecy. There was also a second dream on the ½ hour of silence given, which I did not include. As time has passed, the Lord has spoken a few words about the times we now live in. This morning the Lord brought a word about the 7th trumpet, which follows. May God add His blessings to our lives as we seek His face today, and truth which will keep us in His love. Amen
“I hate the cruelty of those who are mean or indifferent to My people. They blame each one who has a trial as if he were in sin, yet see the body as a corporate body when they seek blessing for their own good. These are men in authority who say “Speak not mean words over my church, for God is love” but they themselves do not perform My love individually to the members of the body because it is a burden to them. So I will not answer their prayers. As in times of old (Micah 3) I will be silent.
Indeed, many have sought Me for their own gain, that they may have a reputation amongst men with their words. But in My silence, they have spoken anyway, not seeking My face for approval. They have gone before Me and not waited on My presence. Presumptuous are they, and in their dark hearts they have not considered that I know My body. I know each individual need. I hear the sigh of the widow and see the tears of orphans. Because they do not hear from Me, these leaders make their own ways, and deep are the grooves of their footsteps so that many may find them and follow in them. These leaders have cast off care and heaped to themselves the harvest of the praises of men. “Simplify” they say, and so they cut the labor of love from their lives so that they may be care-free.
To the prophets who prophesy in My name; In the Day of the 7th trumpet there will be a release of revelatory prophecy. And this Day is upon you. Do you think to prophesy sweet things when the words in My servant’s stomach were bitter? Do you think to set hearts at ease when the time for the accomplishment of My Word is upon the earth? What work is it you seek to do with your words? Fir it is a time of great hardship and calamity for which many of you are not prepared. How will you lead My people, you who seek peace and safety for yourselves first? How will you prophesy My vision to the people, you who have been busy building your own kingdoms? A great Day of prophecy is on the earth, a day of unsealing. Who will endure to the end with My words in their mouth? Only6 those trained by obedience to My Spirit. There is scant little time left to run after eye salve and faith tried like gold. Every inconvenience and unpleasantry sent to you by My hand was sent to train you. For those who reject what I send, shall they stand with the righteous? Where will the disobedient buy time to pass through the fires of trial and affliction that their hearts will become pure and their robes unspotted? I, God, would be unjust to delay the bringing to pass of My Word.
To those who love ease and the praises of men I say, you will have seasons of grief. You will begin to notice the silence, and see others put before you in the kingdom. I will not deliver you from temptation, to the end that the sins of your own heart would chasten you into true repentance. Only then will you be washed and remain clean.”
First Trumpet
5-7-05 dream
In this dream there was a band of about 4 people and myself in the sky. A young man was the flutist and the rest were adults. When the young flutist played, I responded back to him by playing on a short mouth piece flute. We smiled at each other and knew we were waiting for something or someone.
In front of us in the sky was a whale, about 40 ft away. It didn’t move except to open it’s mouth in our direction. We commented on it, and wondered about the whale, but didn’t feel any danger.
Then the whale let out a barely-perceptible sound that was like the sound of a horn. A less-defined creature appeared in the sky above the whale, dark, dark red, like dried blood. It had tentacles like liquid blobs which moved out from its body, and down towards the whale. With 2 of these blobs it engulfed the whale. I said “Did you see that!?” But the others hadn’t been watching. I was alarmed and thought we should leave.
Interpretation – In this dream we were suspended in silence in the 2nd heaven. The whale represents the seventh seal (fullness of the seals, or a large seal = a whale). During the seventh seal the first trumpet is sounded, so I heard the beginning of the first trumpet. At this same time there is blood in the sky, mixed with hail and fire. The blood represents the protection of the blood of the Lamb for God’s people during judgment. Fire tests the works of Man, and hail is the judgment of God. Because I saw the blood moving we know now that God is sealing His people so that the plagues will “pass over” them, just as the blood of the Lamb on the door posts caused the angel of death to pass over the children of Israel when the angel of death came to Egypt. The barely perceptible sound indicates that these things are occurring in the heavenlies and just beginning to reach down to us on earth. The six seals have passed, and the seventh contains the sounding of the first trumpet, which has begun to sound. May we all be found ready, waiting for the Bridegroom, with lamps trimmed. Amen.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Resting on the Sabbath; a good word for Christmas!
Resting on the Sabbath
12-25-08
God is great and does marvelous works (Ps 86:10 & Rev 15:3). It is not just who God is, but also what He does that makes Him God. If what God does is important then what we do is also important. Though God continues to labor, we have a rest appointed to us weekly. God has a Sabbath rest He will enter into with us (Heb 4:9,10).
The Sabbath is meant for enjoyment. God enjoys the fruits of His labors and the creation of His hands. He rested once, after the creation of the world and man and all that was in the world, above and below it. He enjoyed what He had done afterward, and saw that “it was good”. We were meant to enjoy the fruits of our labors also. Otherwise the meaning of our lives is found in work, and this creates a void in us. Relationships suffer and our mind becomes a slave-driver.
We should enjoy the fruits of our talents, the good works we do, and the words that come from our heart towards God and people. God wants us to look on the faces of the people in our lives and see the good we have caused to come to them. This makes our lives richer. God meant for us to find satisfaction in the fruits of our lips and the fruits of our labors. It is false humility to not enjoy those fruits, and it is punishment to continually evaluate our words and deeds. Let us begin today, learning to enjoy the good things that come out of our hearts, whether in word or deed. This is pleasing to God and will bring health to our soul. Amen
12-25-08
God is great and does marvelous works (Ps 86:10 & Rev 15:3). It is not just who God is, but also what He does that makes Him God. If what God does is important then what we do is also important. Though God continues to labor, we have a rest appointed to us weekly. God has a Sabbath rest He will enter into with us (Heb 4:9,10).
The Sabbath is meant for enjoyment. God enjoys the fruits of His labors and the creation of His hands. He rested once, after the creation of the world and man and all that was in the world, above and below it. He enjoyed what He had done afterward, and saw that “it was good”. We were meant to enjoy the fruits of our labors also. Otherwise the meaning of our lives is found in work, and this creates a void in us. Relationships suffer and our mind becomes a slave-driver.
We should enjoy the fruits of our talents, the good works we do, and the words that come from our heart towards God and people. God wants us to look on the faces of the people in our lives and see the good we have caused to come to them. This makes our lives richer. God meant for us to find satisfaction in the fruits of our lips and the fruits of our labors. It is false humility to not enjoy those fruits, and it is punishment to continually evaluate our words and deeds. Let us begin today, learning to enjoy the good things that come out of our hearts, whether in word or deed. This is pleasing to God and will bring health to our soul. Amen
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Morning Star
Morning Star
12-20-08
“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)
Peter referred to the “word of the prophets” as a “light, shining in a dark place”. God’s word is meant to be just that; a light. When we read the entire passage we see that the intensity of the light grows, until it becomes the dawning of Day. It is prophesied of Jesus that He is the sun (Lk 1:78) who will guide our feet. He is the One who brings the full light of the word of God. We understand this further when we see that the Pharisees, who had the word, did not necessarily have understanding of it or of eternal life. It was God’s purpose to put the understanding of the word of God in Man by the indwelling of the Spirit of His Son, Jesus. This Spirit, the Holy Spirit, teaches us the meaning of the word of God (Jn 14:26). The Holy Spirit trains us in steps, or stages, and if we persevere we will have the full understanding of God’s word to us, His purposes, and what we should do because of the word given us.
First, a man must receive the word by faith, believing it is from God. This is true of both the logos and rhema word. Then the man must defend the word from theft and corruption, as illustrated by the parable of the Sower and the Seed (Lk 8:11-15). Next, he must learn to apply the word, for it is a man’s obedience to the word which will bring fruit from the word (Jn 15:7-8). It is during the stage of obedience in which the man is then given wisdom, and his understanding of the word increases. If the man will persevere against his flesh, the world, and satan, then the understanding of the word will grow inside of him and bear fruit.
It is also during the stage of obedience that satan will come with his “secrets”: wisdom and knowledge given without the need for obedience (a “no-strings-attached” gift from the enemy). This is how he came to Eve in the garden, speaking of knowledge purportedly kept as a secret from her by God (Gen 3:4). Satan does not require obedience to his word as God does, therefore his ways seem easier. But if a man gives up his obedience and takes satan’s secrets, he will circumvent his own training as a son of God.
When a man does overcome satan, his flesh and the world, and does obey the word given to him, then the Morning Star arises in his heart (Rev 2:28). God can trust this man with the purposes for which He sent the word, and teach the man how to behave towards those purposes; this is called the Mind of Christ. The overcomers in the church at Thyatira did not want to learn satan’s secrets (Rev 2:24), so they were rewarded the Morning Star. God knew He could trust them with His purposes for nations, so God also bestowed on them “authority over the nations”. They had the Mind of Christ.
Christ’s mind held more than the word of God. He not only obeyed it perfectly, but understood His Father’s purposes for speaking. He spoke what He heard the Father speak, and did what He saw the Father do (Jn 12:49-50). His obedience to God the Father is His testimony and a legacy He leaves to us (Jn 17:4). It has been God’s purpose to speak His word to Man so that Man could be trained by his obedience to the word. If Man will overcome he will understand fully and know the purposes for which God speaks to him. And when the Morning Star arises in his heart he will know how to behave towards that spoken word. This will bear the fruit of men and women living Christ-like lives on the earth. And God’s word will become our testimony(Rev 12:11), which we speak and do.
12-20-08
“And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)
Peter referred to the “word of the prophets” as a “light, shining in a dark place”. God’s word is meant to be just that; a light. When we read the entire passage we see that the intensity of the light grows, until it becomes the dawning of Day. It is prophesied of Jesus that He is the sun (Lk 1:78) who will guide our feet. He is the One who brings the full light of the word of God. We understand this further when we see that the Pharisees, who had the word, did not necessarily have understanding of it or of eternal life. It was God’s purpose to put the understanding of the word of God in Man by the indwelling of the Spirit of His Son, Jesus. This Spirit, the Holy Spirit, teaches us the meaning of the word of God (Jn 14:26). The Holy Spirit trains us in steps, or stages, and if we persevere we will have the full understanding of God’s word to us, His purposes, and what we should do because of the word given us.
First, a man must receive the word by faith, believing it is from God. This is true of both the logos and rhema word. Then the man must defend the word from theft and corruption, as illustrated by the parable of the Sower and the Seed (Lk 8:11-15). Next, he must learn to apply the word, for it is a man’s obedience to the word which will bring fruit from the word (Jn 15:7-8). It is during the stage of obedience in which the man is then given wisdom, and his understanding of the word increases. If the man will persevere against his flesh, the world, and satan, then the understanding of the word will grow inside of him and bear fruit.
It is also during the stage of obedience that satan will come with his “secrets”: wisdom and knowledge given without the need for obedience (a “no-strings-attached” gift from the enemy). This is how he came to Eve in the garden, speaking of knowledge purportedly kept as a secret from her by God (Gen 3:4). Satan does not require obedience to his word as God does, therefore his ways seem easier. But if a man gives up his obedience and takes satan’s secrets, he will circumvent his own training as a son of God.
When a man does overcome satan, his flesh and the world, and does obey the word given to him, then the Morning Star arises in his heart (Rev 2:28). God can trust this man with the purposes for which He sent the word, and teach the man how to behave towards those purposes; this is called the Mind of Christ. The overcomers in the church at Thyatira did not want to learn satan’s secrets (Rev 2:24), so they were rewarded the Morning Star. God knew He could trust them with His purposes for nations, so God also bestowed on them “authority over the nations”. They had the Mind of Christ.
Christ’s mind held more than the word of God. He not only obeyed it perfectly, but understood His Father’s purposes for speaking. He spoke what He heard the Father speak, and did what He saw the Father do (Jn 12:49-50). His obedience to God the Father is His testimony and a legacy He leaves to us (Jn 17:4). It has been God’s purpose to speak His word to Man so that Man could be trained by his obedience to the word. If Man will overcome he will understand fully and know the purposes for which God speaks to him. And when the Morning Star arises in his heart he will know how to behave towards that spoken word. This will bear the fruit of men and women living Christ-like lives on the earth. And God’s word will become our testimony(Rev 12:11), which we speak and do.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
confirming God's good intentions towards Man
Every now and then the Lord brings a special word, a lesson in “due season” that opens up the eyes of our hearts. This morning after awaking from a prophetic dream, Dave and I shared the truths that were contained in it. The prophetic flow became the substance of the following word of prophecy. God bless you as you read the following lesson.
“We are coming to the end of the hour of trial (Rev 3:10). It is the most important test, and is a test of patience, to try men to see if they will uphold the truth that God’s intentions towards them are good. Many will give up their crowns to men during this time, seeking acceptance because their enemy has caused them to feel rejected by God during their time of testing. But you have the witness of Job, and the witness of David, which said “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him (Job 13:15 & Ps 23:4).
The song of Moses and of the Lamb confirms God is holy! (Rev 15:3,4) Just as the angels confess His holiness from the heavens (Rev 15:3,4), so we must confess on earth that God is good. Because satan accused God to Eve and made His intentions look evil towards her, we must crush our enemy beneath our heels (Gen 3:15) by saying “God is good.” But the rebellious are from a seed that the enemy planted in the earth. They will not praise God during their trials. As in Malachi (3:14-18) they will look on the things they do not have and regret ever having known My name. They will dishonor Me to this world and deny Me, going after the wealth and the ways of the world. But My own who honor My name when they speak of Me, shall be given discernment. They shall be set free.
This is a time of great trial . . . a time many Christians did not think they would face. It is a time of captivity, death, and destruction, and no one takes it to heart that it is that same time of war I showed to Daniel (Dan 7:21,22). Satan will overcome the saints, and yet Man says of him that he has no power. This one lie has stripped my Church of its preparation. If satan, the great dragon, had no power than why did it take an army in heaven to cast him to the earth? And if he had no power why did the woman bearing the child flee from him? (see Rev 12) Your power over satan lies in standing on the word of God, which satan opposes day and night. Satan uses all his time twisting and accusing My words so that the Church will not defeat him with it. And satan accuses Me to the brethren so that their hope will drift to security in this life. Satan will cause Man to trust in a man rather than his God, and so, one-by-one, defeat them.
To this generation it has come to praise God for His righteousness, His holiness, His mighty works. The hour of trial is the stage for satan’s defeat. Let “I will hope in Him” stay on your lips, with praise in your heart for God’s good intentions towards Mankind. For God is first, and always, holy." Amen
“We are coming to the end of the hour of trial (Rev 3:10). It is the most important test, and is a test of patience, to try men to see if they will uphold the truth that God’s intentions towards them are good. Many will give up their crowns to men during this time, seeking acceptance because their enemy has caused them to feel rejected by God during their time of testing. But you have the witness of Job, and the witness of David, which said “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him (Job 13:15 & Ps 23:4).
The song of Moses and of the Lamb confirms God is holy! (Rev 15:3,4) Just as the angels confess His holiness from the heavens (Rev 15:3,4), so we must confess on earth that God is good. Because satan accused God to Eve and made His intentions look evil towards her, we must crush our enemy beneath our heels (Gen 3:15) by saying “God is good.” But the rebellious are from a seed that the enemy planted in the earth. They will not praise God during their trials. As in Malachi (3:14-18) they will look on the things they do not have and regret ever having known My name. They will dishonor Me to this world and deny Me, going after the wealth and the ways of the world. But My own who honor My name when they speak of Me, shall be given discernment. They shall be set free.
This is a time of great trial . . . a time many Christians did not think they would face. It is a time of captivity, death, and destruction, and no one takes it to heart that it is that same time of war I showed to Daniel (Dan 7:21,22). Satan will overcome the saints, and yet Man says of him that he has no power. This one lie has stripped my Church of its preparation. If satan, the great dragon, had no power than why did it take an army in heaven to cast him to the earth? And if he had no power why did the woman bearing the child flee from him? (see Rev 12) Your power over satan lies in standing on the word of God, which satan opposes day and night. Satan uses all his time twisting and accusing My words so that the Church will not defeat him with it. And satan accuses Me to the brethren so that their hope will drift to security in this life. Satan will cause Man to trust in a man rather than his God, and so, one-by-one, defeat them.
To this generation it has come to praise God for His righteousness, His holiness, His mighty works. The hour of trial is the stage for satan’s defeat. Let “I will hope in Him” stay on your lips, with praise in your heart for God’s good intentions towards Mankind. For God is first, and always, holy." Amen
Friday, December 5, 2008
the bride
The Bride of the Lamb
11-30-08
The Holy Spirit seemed to highlight “consolation” to me, and He began speaking to my heart . . . He (God) is hurt when we treat His choices as the “consolation prize” instead of being thrilled to know Him better by what He reveals to us. Sometimes His children think that it is a big deal when they move through their trials and come to the point of accepting God’s ultimate outcome. But the acceptance, when not mixed with the joy of walking with God, brings a dampening to the relationship between the people walking through trials and their God. It is as if the people are accepting much less than they wanted for themselves, yet are receiving the “prize” to console themselves for their hard efforts. This does not honor God. It does not honor the heart of One who loves us and walks through trials with us.
The Husband, Jesus, seeks a Bride that thrills to know Him. A selfish bride that only wants to be known and have her way will be discourage when she finds out that her husband wants another way; his own. But a bride that loves her husband also loves to learn her husband’s ways so that she might please him better. The outcome of trials reveals his heart to her, as does the walk through everyday’s joys and hardships. Paul wrote “I want to know Christ.” (Phil 3:10,11). Do we want to know our husband? Of course we do. The rest of this verse is “and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Knowing Jesus as our husband is uniting with Him in suffering as well as good times, sorrow as well as in joy. But it is more; it is accepting His will with the thrill of a new bride who is learning the ways of the One she loves and desires to make happy.
11-30-08
The Holy Spirit seemed to highlight “consolation” to me, and He began speaking to my heart . . . He (God) is hurt when we treat His choices as the “consolation prize” instead of being thrilled to know Him better by what He reveals to us. Sometimes His children think that it is a big deal when they move through their trials and come to the point of accepting God’s ultimate outcome. But the acceptance, when not mixed with the joy of walking with God, brings a dampening to the relationship between the people walking through trials and their God. It is as if the people are accepting much less than they wanted for themselves, yet are receiving the “prize” to console themselves for their hard efforts. This does not honor God. It does not honor the heart of One who loves us and walks through trials with us.
The Husband, Jesus, seeks a Bride that thrills to know Him. A selfish bride that only wants to be known and have her way will be discourage when she finds out that her husband wants another way; his own. But a bride that loves her husband also loves to learn her husband’s ways so that she might please him better. The outcome of trials reveals his heart to her, as does the walk through everyday’s joys and hardships. Paul wrote “I want to know Christ.” (Phil 3:10,11). Do we want to know our husband? Of course we do. The rest of this verse is “and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Knowing Jesus as our husband is uniting with Him in suffering as well as good times, sorrow as well as in joy. But it is more; it is accepting His will with the thrill of a new bride who is learning the ways of the One she loves and desires to make happy.
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