Sometimes God shows us what is to come so that we will fight the good fight of faith for it. He shows us through prophecy, prophetic visions and dreams, and we are to believe, and then take action towards obtaining these things, as He leads. Waiting is not enough.
We have an example of this in the book of Joshua. Some of the tribes of Israel had taken their inheritance, and “the country was brought under their control, but there were 7 Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.” (Josh 18:1-2). The nation had taken action to secure the land, but there were some tribes who did not have their particular allotment. At times, this is where we find ourselves. We know God has more for us, but we do not have it.
Joshua challenged the remaining 7 tribes, saying “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (Josh 18:3). Waiting was not going to get them their inheritance, and though the Lord was willing to drive out the enemy before them, they needed to participate.
Joshua sent 3 men from each of the 7 remaining tribes out to survey the land, and describe it. He wanted them to see what they were to inherit. God also wants to show us what we are to inherit by giving us dreams, visions, and prophecies. We do not have faith for everything we can think of, nor all the dreams, visions & prophecies of others; we have faith for the portion God shows us.
I often ask the Lord to show me what my particular inheritance is in His kingdom. One time He gave me a dream showing me the house of your destiny. I found frustration growing over time, for I did not see such a move of God in my life. Today the Lord opened up these scriptures and refreshed new faith in me by saying “What I have shown you, believe for.” Though we have a fight to fight, it is a fight of faith. We can trust God to show us the steps to take which go along with the faith we have for our inheritance.
The important thing is not to cast off our faith for those things which the Lord has spoken and shown us. The glimpses and whispers of our inheritance need to whet our appetite for full occupation of God’s promises. Today, let us encourage each other to have faith . . . and to fight the good fight of our faith. Amen.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Big in God's eyes
God hides His mysteries, revealing them to His friends. He knows that common men will seek Him for information by which to make themselves big in their own eyes. But God’s way is that we establish a relationship with Him first, and then He will bring us into the bigness of His image; to these people He will share His heart and mind, council and wisdom (Ps 147: 19-20).
Jesus said and did all He said and did because of His relationship with the Father. Receiving Jesus’ work on the cross is not our substitution for building a relationship with God; it is the beginning. Only by overcoming do we have permission to sit in Jesus’ throne with Him (Rev 3:21). By overcoming we build a trust with God whereby it is known that we seek Him for Who He is; the relationship. Only by abiding in Jesus, the relationship of our daily living, do we grow into the image of a son or daughter of God. We may not look big in our own eyes or in the eyes of common men, but God recognizes Himself in us, and will share His secrets with His friends.
Jesus said and did all He said and did because of His relationship with the Father. Receiving Jesus’ work on the cross is not our substitution for building a relationship with God; it is the beginning. Only by overcoming do we have permission to sit in Jesus’ throne with Him (Rev 3:21). By overcoming we build a trust with God whereby it is known that we seek Him for Who He is; the relationship. Only by abiding in Jesus, the relationship of our daily living, do we grow into the image of a son or daughter of God. We may not look big in our own eyes or in the eyes of common men, but God recognizes Himself in us, and will share His secrets with His friends.
Monday, March 21, 2011
love of the truth
Today's post is a short prophetic lesson, and is an answer to a question I've heard many Christians ask. Here it is;
Man has wondered why I don't cleanse him all at once when he first comes to Me. I look on the heart, and the loves and hates that he allows to live there. I don't expect a man to instantly love what I love and hate what I hate. But I do look for a love of the truth. This man I can cleanse and change into my image, for he will not resist Me.
Man has wondered why I don't cleanse him all at once when he first comes to Me. I look on the heart, and the loves and hates that he allows to live there. I don't expect a man to instantly love what I love and hate what I hate. But I do look for a love of the truth. This man I can cleanse and change into my image, for he will not resist Me.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
changed and ready
I once had a good friend that had very good, God-inspired ideas. But she would tell me to do them, or if I wasn’t available, she would tell someone else. Sadly, these words and ideas did not form themselves in her, for it is acting on what God says that forms His word in us. When we hear and speak the word of God but do not do it, we remain unchanged (Jms 1:22-24). If we want to abide in Christ and He in us, we must obey what He tells us (Jn 15:7-10), for His words change us, and make us ready to bear fruit for Him.
Today we have many prophetic voices who speak the rhema word of God. We see some of the same themes from several voices, and the scripture bear them witness, while also the Holy Spirit within us bears witness to their validity. Yet the church is largely unchanged by God’s rhema word. How can this happen? We see no change because we do not do what God is saying. To speak the word all by itself is not enough; we must become accountable to it, for this is how Jesus maintains His Life running through the vine to the branches. Jesus, the Word of God, is the Head of His Church. He shares authority with us, His branches. As we obey His word we pass it on to the other branches by teaching what He has said and by holding ourselves and others accountable to the word He spoke.
The first century church has been a focus of many speakers who seek the kingdom, wanting to do the greater works which Jesus told us we would do. A closer look at the epistles shows us that the apostles we want to imitate held each other, and all believers, accountable to the word of truth. If we feel we’ve done our duty to just speak the rhema word of God, leaving the hearers to take it or leave it, according to their own beliefs, we are irresponsible branches of the vine and will not bear fruit. If we believe we have God’s word on a matter we should teach it, encouraging each other to abide in the word, and thereby abide in the Vine.
It is the custom for many churches to have 40 days of prayer and fasting, to seek the Lord for guidance. This is a good idea. Over time, however, we have seen that there is no action taken on the guidance the Lord reveals. Because there is no action, the church does not have the word of guidance formed in them. Though they want more words from God, they are insincere in their seeking and unprepared for what the Lord would add to them. We need to review all God’s past words to us, and hold ourselves accountable to performing what the Lord is asking of us, in our personal lives, and teaching them to others. Then we will see the changes we’ve been praying for. And then God can entrust us with new things, for we will be ready. Amen
Today we have many prophetic voices who speak the rhema word of God. We see some of the same themes from several voices, and the scripture bear them witness, while also the Holy Spirit within us bears witness to their validity. Yet the church is largely unchanged by God’s rhema word. How can this happen? We see no change because we do not do what God is saying. To speak the word all by itself is not enough; we must become accountable to it, for this is how Jesus maintains His Life running through the vine to the branches. Jesus, the Word of God, is the Head of His Church. He shares authority with us, His branches. As we obey His word we pass it on to the other branches by teaching what He has said and by holding ourselves and others accountable to the word He spoke.
The first century church has been a focus of many speakers who seek the kingdom, wanting to do the greater works which Jesus told us we would do. A closer look at the epistles shows us that the apostles we want to imitate held each other, and all believers, accountable to the word of truth. If we feel we’ve done our duty to just speak the rhema word of God, leaving the hearers to take it or leave it, according to their own beliefs, we are irresponsible branches of the vine and will not bear fruit. If we believe we have God’s word on a matter we should teach it, encouraging each other to abide in the word, and thereby abide in the Vine.
It is the custom for many churches to have 40 days of prayer and fasting, to seek the Lord for guidance. This is a good idea. Over time, however, we have seen that there is no action taken on the guidance the Lord reveals. Because there is no action, the church does not have the word of guidance formed in them. Though they want more words from God, they are insincere in their seeking and unprepared for what the Lord would add to them. We need to review all God’s past words to us, and hold ourselves accountable to performing what the Lord is asking of us, in our personal lives, and teaching them to others. Then we will see the changes we’ve been praying for. And then God can entrust us with new things, for we will be ready. Amen
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
faith
Sometimes it seems as if we are being encouraged to work up our faith for a certain gift to become manifest, or grow our faith bigger so that God’s kingdom will come down around us. Though God does want us to have faith, He also is the giver and the maintainer of that faith (Rom 12:3). Jesus begins and brings to perfection our faith (Heb 12:2).
Our gifts operate by faith and by the grace each one of us has received (Rom 12:6). We could not serve each other without faith and grace from the Lord. Yet the good works we want to do cannot be influenced by our own attempts to reach for them and pull them down to ourselves. These are not faith-based actions, but fall into the category of vanity. God maintains His Lordship over His Church by holding our growth and maturity in His own hands.
Jesus told this parable to illustrate the point that God gives growth to our faith; “This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mk 4:26-29). Simply put, God gives the growth (1 Cor 3:7). He brings the rains and sunshine, the trials and the blessings that mature us for those works, small or great, we are called to.
Striving to grow our faith will bring frustration, whereas submission to the tests and trials of our life will mature our faith. Just as God was faithful to bring His word to pass in our forefather’s lives, He will do the same for us if we continue in our faith, unwavering. Trials, passed victoriously, keep us from wavering in our faith. God will entrust the trustworthy with His kingdom and His kingdom works. Amen. Let us encourage one another as we see the day approaching.
Our gifts operate by faith and by the grace each one of us has received (Rom 12:6). We could not serve each other without faith and grace from the Lord. Yet the good works we want to do cannot be influenced by our own attempts to reach for them and pull them down to ourselves. These are not faith-based actions, but fall into the category of vanity. God maintains His Lordship over His Church by holding our growth and maturity in His own hands.
Jesus told this parable to illustrate the point that God gives growth to our faith; “This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mk 4:26-29). Simply put, God gives the growth (1 Cor 3:7). He brings the rains and sunshine, the trials and the blessings that mature us for those works, small or great, we are called to.
Striving to grow our faith will bring frustration, whereas submission to the tests and trials of our life will mature our faith. Just as God was faithful to bring His word to pass in our forefather’s lives, He will do the same for us if we continue in our faith, unwavering. Trials, passed victoriously, keep us from wavering in our faith. God will entrust the trustworthy with His kingdom and His kingdom works. Amen. Let us encourage one another as we see the day approaching.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
loving the truth
In our hallway hangs a painting of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair (Lk 7:36-48). It is an awesome reminder of His grace for us. Today the Lord spoke concerning this event in His life; “If I didn’t love the truth, you wouldn’t have this story.” What a remarkable statement . . . and what does truth have to do with it?
Reviewing this story, the Lord spoke again; “The truth does not offend Me. It just makes Me care all the more deeply.” In this story we see the true nature of two people. Simon, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to eat at his house, and the lady of ill repute. Simon complained about this woman. One of the things Jesus pointed out was, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.” The truth was, Simon was critical of someone who loved Jesus, and the one who loved more than Simon, was forgiven by the One Who forgives our sins.
Because of Simon’s complaint, this matter was spoken of by Jesus. He was not offended about the truth concerning either of the people involved. Jesus loved Simon enough to point out that his own love was shallow. This was because Simon did not recognize his need for forgiveness. So Jesus showed Simon his lack to bring him to that place where he could repent and be restored to God. The woman of ill repute did not offend Jesus because she humbly placed herself in a vulnerable place before those who would judge her, all to adore her Savior.
There was another person who sinned, and at a time when Jesus needed His disciples the most; Peter. Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed, and that He also had prayed for him so that his faith would not fail (Lk 22:31-34). Here we see Jesus caring, though He knew the truth about Peter’s eventual denial. And that is the gem to take home with us about truth. When we let truth cause us to care and love more deeply, we can love the truth and not be offended (1 Cor 13:6). But if the truth causes us to be offended, God’s work through us will be stopped. Any restoration we could bring to our brother by word or prayer will not take place. Let us truly love the truth today, no matter what it may be, for the Lord is at work in us to love, and care for others. Amen.
Reviewing this story, the Lord spoke again; “The truth does not offend Me. It just makes Me care all the more deeply.” In this story we see the true nature of two people. Simon, the Pharisee who invited Jesus to eat at his house, and the lady of ill repute. Simon complained about this woman. One of the things Jesus pointed out was, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.” The truth was, Simon was critical of someone who loved Jesus, and the one who loved more than Simon, was forgiven by the One Who forgives our sins.
Because of Simon’s complaint, this matter was spoken of by Jesus. He was not offended about the truth concerning either of the people involved. Jesus loved Simon enough to point out that his own love was shallow. This was because Simon did not recognize his need for forgiveness. So Jesus showed Simon his lack to bring him to that place where he could repent and be restored to God. The woman of ill repute did not offend Jesus because she humbly placed herself in a vulnerable place before those who would judge her, all to adore her Savior.
There was another person who sinned, and at a time when Jesus needed His disciples the most; Peter. Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed, and that He also had prayed for him so that his faith would not fail (Lk 22:31-34). Here we see Jesus caring, though He knew the truth about Peter’s eventual denial. And that is the gem to take home with us about truth. When we let truth cause us to care and love more deeply, we can love the truth and not be offended (1 Cor 13:6). But if the truth causes us to be offended, God’s work through us will be stopped. Any restoration we could bring to our brother by word or prayer will not take place. Let us truly love the truth today, no matter what it may be, for the Lord is at work in us to love, and care for others. Amen.
The testing of our hearts
Have you ever wondered about God’s justice? We know He is just and want Him to answer our petitions. But sometimes those answers are a long time in coming! Today the Lord chose this topic. Many scriptures popped into mind while writing and are inserted throughout the lesson. Here it is;
It is My nature to test the heart (Gen 18:20-21 & Ps 26:2). I listen to the complaints of men and seek to bring them justice. So I test them, to see if they themselves are just and fair, or deceitful and unfair ((Lk 13:6).
Certainly the heart can be deceitful (Jer 17:9). Yet My Holy Spirit works with men to bring them to a love of the truth, even concerning their own motives (Heb 4:12-13). A man gains favor amongst men and God when he walks in his integrity, and a man loses favor when he walks in self-deceit.
I care about injustices. Yet, if I were to avenge one of My own children of wrong done to him, only to find that he behaves no better than the one who wronged him, My recourse would be to punish my own child also (Heb 12:10-12). Therefore, before I bring punishment on the wrong-doer, I test the heart of the one who was wronged. If he was robbed, I give him the opportunity to forgive a debt, and thereby acquit himself of love of money. Forgiving a debt will stand as a righteous deed in defense of the character of the victim (Mt 18:23-34).
If a man feels abandoned and carries a great amount of responsibility I will give him fellow servants to care for. This tests whether he is laboring just for reward, or if he truly cares for His master’s servants (Lk 12:42-48). If he cares for his fellow servants, that stands to his credit when someone questions his work, and no one will successfully remove him from his position before his master. I can bring him help, and promotion, for he will not abuse it.
If a man asks for a home for his family and regrets that his parents left him no inheritance, I will see if he is hospitable to others. When he houses and feeds others, and goes into homes not his own to care for them, and when he labors to repair and maintain houses, this stands as godliness and is in his favor (Mt 25:31-45). He asks not for the home for his own selfish use, for when he met the needy, he took them in. And when their homes needed care, he cared and labored for no personal gain. But if a man bitterly complains about receiving no inheritance and cannot buy a home, and sends away the needy persons I send to him, shall I judge in his favor? For the needy have less than he has.
I work with the hearts of men to get them to the place of integrity, godliness, and righteousness so that I can show them favor. If I am delayed in returning an answer it may be because the testing of the heart did not yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness Eph 5:8-10 & Heb 12:11). I give more time . . . if one more test would prove the victim to be honorable, I will wait, because I would rather show mercy than having to punish my own. (James 5:7 & Lk 13:6).
It is My nature to test the heart (Gen 18:20-21 & Ps 26:2). I listen to the complaints of men and seek to bring them justice. So I test them, to see if they themselves are just and fair, or deceitful and unfair ((Lk 13:6).
Certainly the heart can be deceitful (Jer 17:9). Yet My Holy Spirit works with men to bring them to a love of the truth, even concerning their own motives (Heb 4:12-13). A man gains favor amongst men and God when he walks in his integrity, and a man loses favor when he walks in self-deceit.
I care about injustices. Yet, if I were to avenge one of My own children of wrong done to him, only to find that he behaves no better than the one who wronged him, My recourse would be to punish my own child also (Heb 12:10-12). Therefore, before I bring punishment on the wrong-doer, I test the heart of the one who was wronged. If he was robbed, I give him the opportunity to forgive a debt, and thereby acquit himself of love of money. Forgiving a debt will stand as a righteous deed in defense of the character of the victim (Mt 18:23-34).
If a man feels abandoned and carries a great amount of responsibility I will give him fellow servants to care for. This tests whether he is laboring just for reward, or if he truly cares for His master’s servants (Lk 12:42-48). If he cares for his fellow servants, that stands to his credit when someone questions his work, and no one will successfully remove him from his position before his master. I can bring him help, and promotion, for he will not abuse it.
If a man asks for a home for his family and regrets that his parents left him no inheritance, I will see if he is hospitable to others. When he houses and feeds others, and goes into homes not his own to care for them, and when he labors to repair and maintain houses, this stands as godliness and is in his favor (Mt 25:31-45). He asks not for the home for his own selfish use, for when he met the needy, he took them in. And when their homes needed care, he cared and labored for no personal gain. But if a man bitterly complains about receiving no inheritance and cannot buy a home, and sends away the needy persons I send to him, shall I judge in his favor? For the needy have less than he has.
I work with the hearts of men to get them to the place of integrity, godliness, and righteousness so that I can show them favor. If I am delayed in returning an answer it may be because the testing of the heart did not yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness Eph 5:8-10 & Heb 12:11). I give more time . . . if one more test would prove the victim to be honorable, I will wait, because I would rather show mercy than having to punish my own. (James 5:7 & Lk 13:6).
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