Today my mind wonders at the remarkable faith of a canaanite harlot. For what Rahab did, the Bible says, she did by faith. (Hebrews 11:31) And my mind wanders back easily to the circumstances of her world.
The whole country was filled with fear. The massive multitude of the children of Israel (perhaps 2 1/2 million) had destroyed the kingdoms that tried to stop their move toward the Land of Canaan.
The Bible describes the state of the area's kings; "Their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel" (Joshua 5:1).
The inhabitants of Jericho, a Canaanite city-state, were terrified. Yet in the midst of a frightened population, one woman exercised faith so great it gained for a good report from God and a place in two Bible 'halls of fame': the lineage of Jesus, and the elders of faith. (Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:2,31.)
Every circumstance of Rahab's life and society was against her exercising such faith. The headlines- so to speak- of the day warned of impending doom. Her religion was against her. The Canaanite religion sacrificed children in the fire and centered on sex. Jehovah's plan seemed to be against Rahab. The Creator of the Universe determined it was time to execute judgment upon her society. AND she lived in the most dangerous spot on the globe! Her house was on the city wall which God decreed must fall!
Rahab's faith deserves close consideration. For it reveals a way to use the power of the Blood in the face of today's events.
Joshua sent the two spies into Jericho. They lodged at the harlot's house, possibly because it would not arouse suspicion. When the king of Jericho heard it , he sent men after them. Rahab hid the spies under stalks of flax upon her flat roof while she managed to get rid of the king's men. Before the Hebrew spies left she said to them:
JOSHUA 2:9-11
9...I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan...whom ye utterly destroyed.
11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neith did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, He is in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.
Rahab heard the same news everyone in town heard- the supernatural acts of Israel's God. Fear filled the hearts of the overwhelming majority. FAITH filled Rahab's heart, for she decided to BELIEVE Jehovah must be the true God.
Based upon her belief, her FAITH spoke.
JOSHUA 2:12, 13
12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me true token:
13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethern, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Rahab dared to ask for the lives of her father, her mother, her brothers, her sisters-and she wanted all their posssessions! Their material goods. Their belongings.
It's a good thing she hadn't talked to some people today. They'd have talked her out of such audacity!
It evidently pleased God! (Hebrews 11:6,31) Rahab also wanted a true token-a sign. If the spies had not been running for their lives, they might have slain a lamb and placed the same token upon Rahab's doorposts which was sprinkled upon the Hebrews' doorposts when judgment was coming to Egypt forty years earlier. This time...a scarlet cord would have to do for Rahab and her family. A scarlet line would represent the Blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
JOSHUA 2:21
21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. and she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Sometime later, with no natural weapons, Israel executed God's plan to the utter destruction of Jericho. Rahab, her family, and their possessions, were saved!
If a Canaanite harlot's faith can protect family and goods, how much more can a New Testament believer's fatih in the power in the Blood of the risen Redeemer protect loved ones and possessions?
If we cannot draw a Blood line around our loved ones and property in this hour of peril and even judgment, then we do not have a better covenant based on better promises.
BUT WE CAN! (Hebrews 8:6)
Tokens are signs. They are to be displayed. We are to continually display the token of the Blood of Jesus and its power over the doorposts and boundaries of our lives. How? By faith. By the words of our mouth because we believe in our hearts.
Take hold of the gift of faith within you and draw that line around your homes, family and possessions!
It will be worth it!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
YOU ARE ALL INVITED..............
It Will Be Worth It!
A Conference for Women October 6th and 7th
( Conference will be open to all on Saturday, October 7th at 7PM )
Theresa Forkins-Philliips, Sr. Pastor of Praise Ministries in Geneva IL , will be our guest speaker. Her heart is to see People come to the Lord, and to see the Calling on their lives be made complete.
Come and Bask in HIS Beautiful Presence and Find Strength for the Journey... Find Peace and Gain Revelation...
Conference will be held at World Thrust Christian Center, Rte 150, Orion, IL. Sessions will be as Follows:
Friday, October 6th, 2006, meeting begins at 7PM.
Saturday, October 7th, Morning sessions begin at 9AM.
Lunch will be provided on site by the ladies of WTCC.
Saturday afternoon sessions will be from 1pm-4pm with various speakers: Joan Williams, Deborha Johnson, Karen Stroops, Diane Wilder, and Amy Mathews.
Saturday night is open to everyone and begins at 7PM!
I Corinthians 2:1-5....."and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power." (KJV)
Conference is being held at no charge.
For more information contact: Deborha Johnson @ 309-368-2481
It Will Be Worth It!
A Conference for Women October 6th and 7th
( Conference will be open to all on Saturday, October 7th at 7PM )
Theresa Forkins-Philliips, Sr. Pastor of Praise Ministries in Geneva IL , will be our guest speaker. Her heart is to see People come to the Lord, and to see the Calling on their lives be made complete.
Come and Bask in HIS Beautiful Presence and Find Strength for the Journey... Find Peace and Gain Revelation...
Conference will be held at World Thrust Christian Center, Rte 150, Orion, IL. Sessions will be as Follows:
Friday, October 6th, 2006, meeting begins at 7PM.
Saturday, October 7th, Morning sessions begin at 9AM.
Lunch will be provided on site by the ladies of WTCC.
Saturday afternoon sessions will be from 1pm-4pm with various speakers: Joan Williams, Deborha Johnson, Karen Stroops, Diane Wilder, and Amy Mathews.
Saturday night is open to everyone and begins at 7PM!
I Corinthians 2:1-5....."and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power." (KJV)
Conference is being held at no charge.
For more information contact: Deborha Johnson @ 309-368-2481
Monday, August 21, 2006
Monday, August 14, 2006
Thursday, August 03, 2006
WHAT FIRE BURNS IN YOU?
Very few people get the opportunity and privilege to have an impact. I like to think that each day I do my job, in some small way, I have changed something for the better. It doesn't need to be anything huge; when I was six it was as simple as getting my cat from the top of a tree. I always wanted to be a nurse. Now that I've become what I admired, I've had to learn to deal with situations that are both unexpected and difficult. There have been times when I've seen something so powerful the tears begin to fall before the emotion even registers. It's during those times that I fall back on memories. The difficult experiences in my life make every other moment better than it would have been otherwise. Why do I do what I do? Because I need to find the moments that change the places and lives around me, and more importantly the moments that change me. It's what I live for. The desire to walk through each day with that ultimate goal in mind is the only fire that burns forever. The God in me is that fire. He places the desire within me to "make a difference". He changes me through each experience. I praise Him for this. Even though, walking through them, may be difficult...I see that the "me" becomes more like "HE". For "He that has begun a good work in me is faithful to complete it"...I thank HIM for that. He is faithful and good and true.
May I ask.....what fire burns in you?
Very few people get the opportunity and privilege to have an impact. I like to think that each day I do my job, in some small way, I have changed something for the better. It doesn't need to be anything huge; when I was six it was as simple as getting my cat from the top of a tree. I always wanted to be a nurse. Now that I've become what I admired, I've had to learn to deal with situations that are both unexpected and difficult. There have been times when I've seen something so powerful the tears begin to fall before the emotion even registers. It's during those times that I fall back on memories. The difficult experiences in my life make every other moment better than it would have been otherwise. Why do I do what I do? Because I need to find the moments that change the places and lives around me, and more importantly the moments that change me. It's what I live for. The desire to walk through each day with that ultimate goal in mind is the only fire that burns forever. The God in me is that fire. He places the desire within me to "make a difference". He changes me through each experience. I praise Him for this. Even though, walking through them, may be difficult...I see that the "me" becomes more like "HE". For "He that has begun a good work in me is faithful to complete it"...I thank HIM for that. He is faithful and good and true.
May I ask.....what fire burns in you?
Monday, July 31, 2006
Ten Lies the Church Tells Women
FOR CENTURIES, A PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM OF CONTROL HAS KEPT WOMEN IN SPIRITUAL CAPTIVITY THROUGH DISTORTION OF THE SCRIPTURES. IT'S TIME TO DEBUNK THE MYTHS.
By J. Lee Grady
We live in the 21st century, but if we're honest we have to admit that in some ways the church is still in the Dark Ages--especially when we look at the way we treat women.
Even though the Scriptures never portray women as secondary to men, our male-dominated religious system still promotes a warped view of female inferiority. Women are tired of this, and as a man, so am I--because such demeaning attitudes don't reflect God's heart.
Jesus challenged gender prejudice at its core when He directed so much of His ministry toward women. In a Middle Eastern culture that considered women mere property, He healed women, discipled them and commissioned them to minister. Yet today we spend much of our energy denying them opportunities--and using the Bible to defend our prohibitions.
I've identified 10 erroneous views about women that for too long have been circulated in the church, preached from pulpits and written in the study notes of popular Bible translations. I believe we must debunk these lies if we want to see the church fully released to fulfill the Great Commission.
LIE #1 - GOD'S ULTIMATE PLAN FOR WOMEN IS THAT THEY SERVE THEIR HUSBANDS. How sad that so many Christian men view women from a selfish perspective. This view is often promoted by misreading the account of Eve's creation in Genesis 2:18-25, in which Adam is provided a "helpmate." The Hebrew word used here often is translated "companion," denoting intimacy and partnership. But through the centuries it has been used to imply that Eve was some type of domestic appendage.We men have assumed that God gave Eve to fulfill Adam's sexual needs as well as to serve as his cook, laundress and maid. But the Genesis account does not say this.After Eve's creation, God did not tell her: "You are Adam's helper; I command you to serve him well." She was not created for servitude; she was fashioned to be a co-laborer with Adam so that they might rule together over creation as God commissioned them to do (see Gen. 1:28).
LIE #2 - WOMEN CAN'T BE FULFILLED OR SPIRITUALLY EFFECTIVE WITHOUT A HUSBAND.From the time she was released from a German death camp in 1944 until her death in 1983, Corrie Ten Boom taught the world about a Savior who could forgive the cruelest Nazi. Yet she never married. Did the fact that she did not have a husband make her less "complete"? Some Christians would say yes.We have spent so much energy defending the concept of the biblical family that we are guilty of idolizing it. We've preached that a woman's primary responsibility is to find a godly husband, have lots of babies and stay home to raise them for Christ.But marital status is not a qualifier for ministry. The Bible does not even state whether certain key followers of Jesus, such as the 12 disciples, were married or not.The highest calling of all believers--married or unmarried--is to develop a relationship with Jesus. Any other earthly relationship is secondary, and Christ Himself warned us never to allow people we love to become idols that distract us from Him.
LIE #3 - WOMEN SHOULDN'T WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME.Many evangelical churches have preached that women who work outside the home are breaking a scriptural commandment, but this conclusion can be reached only by distorting the biblical record. The woman described in Proverbs 31 is often used to bolster a traditional view of the June Cleaver-style matron who spends her day baking casseroles while her husband is at the office. But a careful reading reveals that the Proverbs 31 woman, in her ancient Middle Eastern context, functioned as a real estate agent and ran a textile business.Titus 2:5 instructs women to "take care of their homes" (New Living Translation). But most scholars would agree that this passage simply exhorts married women not to forsake their children.It is true that, because of ambition or materialism, some Christian women neglect their children even though the Holy Spirit has urged them to put their career objectives on hold. But rather than placing a legalistic burden on women by telling them that having a career is ungodly, we should tell both men and women to submit their career plans to the Holy Spirit's direction.
LIE #4 - WOMEN MUST OBEDIENTLY SUBMIT TO THEIR HUSBANDS IN ALL SITUATIONS.A distraught Christian woman who was regularly beaten by her husband finally gained the courage to seek counsel from her pastor. After she told him about her husband's fits of rage, the pastor responded, "If your husband kills you, it will be to the glory of God."The pastor reached this irresponsible conclusion because of a distorted view of "male headship." We often portray marriage as a hierarchy, with husbands on the throne and wives at the footstool, and we use Scripture to justify this view: "Wives...submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22).We assume this verse means women have no say in family matters or that their opinion is second-rate. In extreme cases, women have been told to submit to abuse in order to honor male headship. But this is not a Christian view.Paul also told the Ephesians, "submit to one another" (5:21, emphasis added). I have heard teachings by male clergy on the subject of male headship, but I've never heard a pastor encourage men to submit to their wives! Yet in a loving marriage, a man and woman will defer to one another as they make decisions.In my 16 years of marriage, my wife and I have had plenty of disagreements. But when we reach an impasse, I don't announce, "I am the head of this house, so what I say goes." Rather, Deborah and I either agree to pray about the matter, or we choose to defer to one another.The point is never who is in charge. I view my wife as an equal. I am not "over her." We function as one.
LIE #5 - A MAN NEEDS TO "COVER" A WOMAN IN HER MINISTRY ACTIVITIES. This idea came from a distorted interpretation of the apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11:3, "the head of woman is man" (NKJV). People have used these words to bolster the idea that women are subservient to men or that they cannot approach God without a male authority figure in their lives.Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 11 about head coverings is a difficult passage, and Bible scholars don't agree on its meaning. However, most teach that Paul is addressing specific cultural concerns in first-century Corinth and that he is calling for propriety and order in a society where immorality and paganism had blurred gender distinctions.Paul was not placing men in a position of generic rulership over women. Because there is "no male or female in Christ" (see Gal. 3:28), women can pray, worship, study the Bible or minister without a man present. How silly to think that a man, because of his gender, could add credibility to prayer or Spirit-empowered ministry! To believe this would be to trust in the flesh.
LIE #6 - A WOMAN SHOULD VIEW HER HUSBAND AS THE "PRIEST OF THE HOME."Search your concordance. Scripture never describes men as "priests of the home." This man-made concept was popularized in evangelical churches in the last century. We have one priest, Jesus Christ, whose blood atoned for our sins. It is a mockery of the gospel to suggest that any human being needs an additional priest apart from the Son of God.The Bible says all believers are priests (see 1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6); there is no gender restriction. Husbands function as priests when they pray for their families or when they minister the Word of God to them, and wives also function in this role.My experience in marriage has been that God speaks both to me and to my wife. He doesn't say to me, "Since you are the head of this house, I'll tell you my plans for your family, and you can tell the others what I said." Often God has revealed His plans to my wife before I heard anything!Christian men need to stop being defensive and recognize that God has called us to function in unity with our wives. We need to listen to their counsel, consider their opinions, and pray together for the mind of the Lord rather than putting our foot down and shouting, "I am the leader of this family, and what I say goes!"
LIE #7 - WOMEN ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO ASSUME LEADERSHIP ROLES.The most common mistake we make in biblical interpretation occurs when we take one isolated verse and build a doctrine around it--even if the verse seems to contradict other passages. This is often what we do with 1 Tim. 2:12, "I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man" (NASB).Most theologians believe that this passage was addressing an isolated situation in Ephesus. They came to this conclusion after studying the myriad of references in the Bible to women in spiritual authority. The Old Testament records that Deborah was a judge over Israel--and God blessed her leadership in battle (see Judg. 4-5). Other women who held authority over men include Miriam, Huldah and Noadiah.Jesus issued His first gospel commission to women (see Matt. 28:1-10), and both men and women were empowered to preach on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Priscilla, Chloe and Phoebe were leaders in the early church, and one woman, Junia, is called an apostle by Paul ( Rom. 16:7).The promise of the prophet Joel was that "sons and daughters" would prophesy after the Holy Spirit was given to the church (Joel 2:28, emphasis added). Yet we have taken one misunderstood verse from Paul's writings and used it to negate hundreds of other passages that support the full release of women into ministry.
LIE #8 - WOMEN MUST NOT TEACH OR PREACH TO MEN IN A CHURCH SETTING.Since 1 Timothy 2:12 obviously contradicts the overall biblical endorsement of women in authority, how are we to understand it? What is Paul actually saying in this passage?In their book I Suffer Not a Woman, Richard and Catherine Clark Kroeger explain that certain cultic worship practices involving female priestesses of Diana had invaded the first-century church. These priestesses promoted blasphemous ideas about sex and spirituality, and they sometimes performed rituals in which they pronounced curses on men and declared female superiority.What Paul was most likely saying to the Ephesians was this: "I do not allow a woman to teach these cultic heresies, nor do I allow them to usurp authority from men by performing pagan rituals." He was not saying, as some Christians have assumed, "I do not allow godly Christian women to teach the Bible." In his day, Paul would have been thrilled to have had more skilled women who could teach the truth!
LIE #9 - WOMEN ARE MORE EASILY DECEIVED THAN MEN.This idea has been taught by twisting the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:14, which says, "It was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression" (NLT). Some have suggested that because Eve was tricked by the devil, women have a stronger propensity toward deception. Others have gone so far as to insist that women are to blame for all the evil in the world and are therefore under a greater curse than men.No respectable Bible scholar in the church today would promote such a view. The Bible clearly states that Adam and Eve were both held guilty by God for their disobedience, and they were both punished. In 1 Timothy, Paul cited the creation account not to place extra blame on Eve but to refute a bizarre teaching that was circulating in Asia Minor.In the first century, Gnostic heretics were mixing Christianity with paganism. One of their teachings stated that Eve actually liberated the world when she disobeyed God and gained secret knowledge from the devil.Paul was not teaching that women are more prone to deception. He was explaining that what Eve did was not right, and that the Christian view of the creation was that Adam and Eve sinned when they listened to the serpent.Women are certainly capable of spreading deception because they have a fallen nature as men do, but there is no evidence that they have greater gullibility. That view is rooted in demeaning stereotypes and prejudice.
LIE #10 - WOMEN WHO EXHIBIT STRONG LEADERSHIP QUALITIES HAVE A "SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL."Once I was listening to Bible teacher Cindy Jacobs speak at a prayer conference in Colorado. When she approached the pulpit, two men who were sitting in front of me turned to each other and began to pray softly."Lord, we bind the power of the devil from bewitching this audience," one man said, adding, "We bind the power of Jezebel in the name of Jesus." These men believed that the crowd would automatically come under a spirit of deception when Jacobs taught them--simply because she was a woman.How absurd! Was Barak "deceived" when he took orders from Deborah? (See Judg. 4:14.) Did baby Jesus come under a harmful influence when Anna prophesied over Him? (See Luke 2:36-38.) Was Apollos spiritually emasculated when he submitted to the teaching of Priscilla? (See Acts 18:26.) Of course not!To associate godly women with Jezebel, a wicked Old Testament despot, is unfair and offensive, yet men in the church today often pin Jezebel's label on strong, anointed women because they feel threatened by them.Let's stop the insults. If a woman is using manipulation to usurp authority or if she is spreading heresies, then she certainly deserves the Jezebel label--as do men who do such things. But women who walk in spiritual integrity and preach the Word of God with power deserve our respect!
Just something to think about..
FOR CENTURIES, A PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM OF CONTROL HAS KEPT WOMEN IN SPIRITUAL CAPTIVITY THROUGH DISTORTION OF THE SCRIPTURES. IT'S TIME TO DEBUNK THE MYTHS.
By J. Lee Grady
We live in the 21st century, but if we're honest we have to admit that in some ways the church is still in the Dark Ages--especially when we look at the way we treat women.
Even though the Scriptures never portray women as secondary to men, our male-dominated religious system still promotes a warped view of female inferiority. Women are tired of this, and as a man, so am I--because such demeaning attitudes don't reflect God's heart.
Jesus challenged gender prejudice at its core when He directed so much of His ministry toward women. In a Middle Eastern culture that considered women mere property, He healed women, discipled them and commissioned them to minister. Yet today we spend much of our energy denying them opportunities--and using the Bible to defend our prohibitions.
I've identified 10 erroneous views about women that for too long have been circulated in the church, preached from pulpits and written in the study notes of popular Bible translations. I believe we must debunk these lies if we want to see the church fully released to fulfill the Great Commission.
LIE #1 - GOD'S ULTIMATE PLAN FOR WOMEN IS THAT THEY SERVE THEIR HUSBANDS. How sad that so many Christian men view women from a selfish perspective. This view is often promoted by misreading the account of Eve's creation in Genesis 2:18-25, in which Adam is provided a "helpmate." The Hebrew word used here often is translated "companion," denoting intimacy and partnership. But through the centuries it has been used to imply that Eve was some type of domestic appendage.We men have assumed that God gave Eve to fulfill Adam's sexual needs as well as to serve as his cook, laundress and maid. But the Genesis account does not say this.After Eve's creation, God did not tell her: "You are Adam's helper; I command you to serve him well." She was not created for servitude; she was fashioned to be a co-laborer with Adam so that they might rule together over creation as God commissioned them to do (see Gen. 1:28).
LIE #2 - WOMEN CAN'T BE FULFILLED OR SPIRITUALLY EFFECTIVE WITHOUT A HUSBAND.From the time she was released from a German death camp in 1944 until her death in 1983, Corrie Ten Boom taught the world about a Savior who could forgive the cruelest Nazi. Yet she never married. Did the fact that she did not have a husband make her less "complete"? Some Christians would say yes.We have spent so much energy defending the concept of the biblical family that we are guilty of idolizing it. We've preached that a woman's primary responsibility is to find a godly husband, have lots of babies and stay home to raise them for Christ.But marital status is not a qualifier for ministry. The Bible does not even state whether certain key followers of Jesus, such as the 12 disciples, were married or not.The highest calling of all believers--married or unmarried--is to develop a relationship with Jesus. Any other earthly relationship is secondary, and Christ Himself warned us never to allow people we love to become idols that distract us from Him.
LIE #3 - WOMEN SHOULDN'T WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME.Many evangelical churches have preached that women who work outside the home are breaking a scriptural commandment, but this conclusion can be reached only by distorting the biblical record. The woman described in Proverbs 31 is often used to bolster a traditional view of the June Cleaver-style matron who spends her day baking casseroles while her husband is at the office. But a careful reading reveals that the Proverbs 31 woman, in her ancient Middle Eastern context, functioned as a real estate agent and ran a textile business.Titus 2:5 instructs women to "take care of their homes" (New Living Translation). But most scholars would agree that this passage simply exhorts married women not to forsake their children.It is true that, because of ambition or materialism, some Christian women neglect their children even though the Holy Spirit has urged them to put their career objectives on hold. But rather than placing a legalistic burden on women by telling them that having a career is ungodly, we should tell both men and women to submit their career plans to the Holy Spirit's direction.
LIE #4 - WOMEN MUST OBEDIENTLY SUBMIT TO THEIR HUSBANDS IN ALL SITUATIONS.A distraught Christian woman who was regularly beaten by her husband finally gained the courage to seek counsel from her pastor. After she told him about her husband's fits of rage, the pastor responded, "If your husband kills you, it will be to the glory of God."The pastor reached this irresponsible conclusion because of a distorted view of "male headship." We often portray marriage as a hierarchy, with husbands on the throne and wives at the footstool, and we use Scripture to justify this view: "Wives...submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22).We assume this verse means women have no say in family matters or that their opinion is second-rate. In extreme cases, women have been told to submit to abuse in order to honor male headship. But this is not a Christian view.Paul also told the Ephesians, "submit to one another" (5:21, emphasis added). I have heard teachings by male clergy on the subject of male headship, but I've never heard a pastor encourage men to submit to their wives! Yet in a loving marriage, a man and woman will defer to one another as they make decisions.In my 16 years of marriage, my wife and I have had plenty of disagreements. But when we reach an impasse, I don't announce, "I am the head of this house, so what I say goes." Rather, Deborah and I either agree to pray about the matter, or we choose to defer to one another.The point is never who is in charge. I view my wife as an equal. I am not "over her." We function as one.
LIE #5 - A MAN NEEDS TO "COVER" A WOMAN IN HER MINISTRY ACTIVITIES. This idea came from a distorted interpretation of the apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 11:3, "the head of woman is man" (NKJV). People have used these words to bolster the idea that women are subservient to men or that they cannot approach God without a male authority figure in their lives.Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 11 about head coverings is a difficult passage, and Bible scholars don't agree on its meaning. However, most teach that Paul is addressing specific cultural concerns in first-century Corinth and that he is calling for propriety and order in a society where immorality and paganism had blurred gender distinctions.Paul was not placing men in a position of generic rulership over women. Because there is "no male or female in Christ" (see Gal. 3:28), women can pray, worship, study the Bible or minister without a man present. How silly to think that a man, because of his gender, could add credibility to prayer or Spirit-empowered ministry! To believe this would be to trust in the flesh.
LIE #6 - A WOMAN SHOULD VIEW HER HUSBAND AS THE "PRIEST OF THE HOME."Search your concordance. Scripture never describes men as "priests of the home." This man-made concept was popularized in evangelical churches in the last century. We have one priest, Jesus Christ, whose blood atoned for our sins. It is a mockery of the gospel to suggest that any human being needs an additional priest apart from the Son of God.The Bible says all believers are priests (see 1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6); there is no gender restriction. Husbands function as priests when they pray for their families or when they minister the Word of God to them, and wives also function in this role.My experience in marriage has been that God speaks both to me and to my wife. He doesn't say to me, "Since you are the head of this house, I'll tell you my plans for your family, and you can tell the others what I said." Often God has revealed His plans to my wife before I heard anything!Christian men need to stop being defensive and recognize that God has called us to function in unity with our wives. We need to listen to their counsel, consider their opinions, and pray together for the mind of the Lord rather than putting our foot down and shouting, "I am the leader of this family, and what I say goes!"
LIE #7 - WOMEN ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO ASSUME LEADERSHIP ROLES.The most common mistake we make in biblical interpretation occurs when we take one isolated verse and build a doctrine around it--even if the verse seems to contradict other passages. This is often what we do with 1 Tim. 2:12, "I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man" (NASB).Most theologians believe that this passage was addressing an isolated situation in Ephesus. They came to this conclusion after studying the myriad of references in the Bible to women in spiritual authority. The Old Testament records that Deborah was a judge over Israel--and God blessed her leadership in battle (see Judg. 4-5). Other women who held authority over men include Miriam, Huldah and Noadiah.Jesus issued His first gospel commission to women (see Matt. 28:1-10), and both men and women were empowered to preach on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Priscilla, Chloe and Phoebe were leaders in the early church, and one woman, Junia, is called an apostle by Paul ( Rom. 16:7).The promise of the prophet Joel was that "sons and daughters" would prophesy after the Holy Spirit was given to the church (Joel 2:28, emphasis added). Yet we have taken one misunderstood verse from Paul's writings and used it to negate hundreds of other passages that support the full release of women into ministry.
LIE #8 - WOMEN MUST NOT TEACH OR PREACH TO MEN IN A CHURCH SETTING.Since 1 Timothy 2:12 obviously contradicts the overall biblical endorsement of women in authority, how are we to understand it? What is Paul actually saying in this passage?In their book I Suffer Not a Woman, Richard and Catherine Clark Kroeger explain that certain cultic worship practices involving female priestesses of Diana had invaded the first-century church. These priestesses promoted blasphemous ideas about sex and spirituality, and they sometimes performed rituals in which they pronounced curses on men and declared female superiority.What Paul was most likely saying to the Ephesians was this: "I do not allow a woman to teach these cultic heresies, nor do I allow them to usurp authority from men by performing pagan rituals." He was not saying, as some Christians have assumed, "I do not allow godly Christian women to teach the Bible." In his day, Paul would have been thrilled to have had more skilled women who could teach the truth!
LIE #9 - WOMEN ARE MORE EASILY DECEIVED THAN MEN.This idea has been taught by twisting the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:14, which says, "It was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression" (NLT). Some have suggested that because Eve was tricked by the devil, women have a stronger propensity toward deception. Others have gone so far as to insist that women are to blame for all the evil in the world and are therefore under a greater curse than men.No respectable Bible scholar in the church today would promote such a view. The Bible clearly states that Adam and Eve were both held guilty by God for their disobedience, and they were both punished. In 1 Timothy, Paul cited the creation account not to place extra blame on Eve but to refute a bizarre teaching that was circulating in Asia Minor.In the first century, Gnostic heretics were mixing Christianity with paganism. One of their teachings stated that Eve actually liberated the world when she disobeyed God and gained secret knowledge from the devil.Paul was not teaching that women are more prone to deception. He was explaining that what Eve did was not right, and that the Christian view of the creation was that Adam and Eve sinned when they listened to the serpent.Women are certainly capable of spreading deception because they have a fallen nature as men do, but there is no evidence that they have greater gullibility. That view is rooted in demeaning stereotypes and prejudice.
LIE #10 - WOMEN WHO EXHIBIT STRONG LEADERSHIP QUALITIES HAVE A "SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL."Once I was listening to Bible teacher Cindy Jacobs speak at a prayer conference in Colorado. When she approached the pulpit, two men who were sitting in front of me turned to each other and began to pray softly."Lord, we bind the power of the devil from bewitching this audience," one man said, adding, "We bind the power of Jezebel in the name of Jesus." These men believed that the crowd would automatically come under a spirit of deception when Jacobs taught them--simply because she was a woman.How absurd! Was Barak "deceived" when he took orders from Deborah? (See Judg. 4:14.) Did baby Jesus come under a harmful influence when Anna prophesied over Him? (See Luke 2:36-38.) Was Apollos spiritually emasculated when he submitted to the teaching of Priscilla? (See Acts 18:26.) Of course not!To associate godly women with Jezebel, a wicked Old Testament despot, is unfair and offensive, yet men in the church today often pin Jezebel's label on strong, anointed women because they feel threatened by them.Let's stop the insults. If a woman is using manipulation to usurp authority or if she is spreading heresies, then she certainly deserves the Jezebel label--as do men who do such things. But women who walk in spiritual integrity and preach the Word of God with power deserve our respect!
Just something to think about..
Friday, July 21, 2006
Chuck Pierce: "Israel Prayer Request--From Eitan Shishkoff"
I am forwarding a prayer request from Eitan Shishkoff, who is the apostolic leader of five congregations throughout the Haifa area of Israel, one fellowship being in Nazareth. Blessings,Chuck D. Pierce
Israel Prayer Request from Eitan Shishkoff Dear Intercessors, The Book of Esther focuses on the attempt of Persia (Iran) to wipe out the Jewish people. An unchangeable edict is made demanding their destruction. The power and authority of the Persian Empire is aimed at (exiled) Israel's total destruction. This attempt is foiled when the King's wife, whose Jewish identity has been hidden, appears before the king after calling her people to a breakthrough fast. In the process, Esther's mentor Mordecai, utters these immortal words:Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:13,14Here are some gripping parallels with Israel's situation:1. The principality seeking Israel's destruction was Persia---modern day Iran.2. Esther, representing believers in Israel's God (Jesus' true followers of today), had a choice whether to speak up, identifying with the Jews, or to be silent.3. The cost of not speaking up and interceding for the salvation of the Jews at a time of catastrophic danger, would be their own demise.4. Implied in Esther's timing and availability, was the dimension of God sovereignly choosing her to bring God's deliverance.5. Esther went before the King, who alone had the authority to stop the murderous attack upon the Jews. Being his bride, she had favor.Beloved friends, I believe this comparison is given for our instruction and inspiration. Those who love Yeshua, must now arise and go before the King to secure Israel's physical and spiritual deliverance.
Current Developments
I cannot possibly write these words or send out this e-mail fast enough, to keep up with the developments in the war on my nation of Israel. The entire region around Haifa is under bombardment. Many 100's of rockets have fallen throughout northern Israel, the Galilee, where I, and thousands of Messianic believers live, work, and worship.
Akko, Upper Nazareth, Tiberias area, Haifa, and theKryot (nearest the large oil refinery Hizbollah is targeting), are the exact locations of the congregations I serve. Towns that have never been hit this way, or at least not for decades, are experiencing the wickedness of Hizbollah, propelled to this madness by Iran (Persia). Israeli citizens have been killed in their own homes, after our government has gone to sacrificial extremes to withdraw from conflict. But conflict is obviously not withdrawing from us.In recent years, the Spirit of God has been arousing Christians on every continent, to love and pray for Israel. It would seem that you have been brought to the Kingdom for just "such a time as this," when there is a life and death need, to intercede before the King for Israel's enemies to be destroyed.
How then, Shall We Pray?
Here are a few simple suggestions. May God guide you and take you to an unprecedented place of identification with Israel, intimacy with Himself, and intensity in spiritual warfare.LET GOD ARISE. LET HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED; LET THOSE ALSO WHO HATE HIM FLEE BEFORE HIM. Psalms 68:1
This is God's battle. Let us call on Him who loves Israel and has established her for His testimony in the earth. We can authoritatively pray confusion and dissolution upon Israel's enemies. Pray utilizing passages like Isaiah 41:8-14, in which God makes clear that He has brought Jacob back to his land, and that He will uphold us with His righteous right hand. "Those who were incensed against you, shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish." Isaiah 41:11.
It is entirely Biblical and would grab the attention of our nation, if this war were to be decided through overtly miraculous intervention on God's part. Let us pray so. SALVATION BELONGS TO THE LORD. YOUR BLESSING IS UPON YOUR PEOPLE. Psalms 3:8
This entire chapter is vividly relevant to our situation. It also speaks of the danger we are in, of God arising and of the enemy being broken. But God's interest is always ultimately in the salvation of His people. "How shall we look to Him whom we have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10)
We are surrounded by enemies and pressed to look beyond our previous national conclusions about who or what Messiah is. It is time to pray for our eyes to be opened to Yeshua. This is not the final battle, but it is a prelude. Please pray for fresh BOLDNESS, FAITH, LOVE, UNITY and the SUPERNATURAL LEADING of the SPIRIT for all of Israel's Messianic believers. BUT YOU, O LORD, ARE A SHIELD FOR ME, MY GLORY AND THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD. (Psalms 3:3).
Clearly, we need God to be our shield. Some missiles have been falling into the Mediterranean Sea. Another hit a grove of trees inside a very crowded residential/commercial area in Haifa. I just spoke with the leader of the Akko Messianic congregation, who told me that the three-story building that was destroyed in Haifa, was EMPTY! He said a synagogue in Akko, was wiped out only 10 minutes after its worshipers walked out. Angelic protection is an established reality in the history of Israel's conflicts...both in Bible times and in recent history such as the Six Day War in '67.
Father, we call upon You, to release angelic hosts to deflect weapons aimed against us, and to place shields over our soldiers, and over our citizens. And may those who are truly innocent in the territory we are having to counter-attack, be spared as well.
by Chuck Pierce
I am forwarding a prayer request from Eitan Shishkoff, who is the apostolic leader of five congregations throughout the Haifa area of Israel, one fellowship being in Nazareth. Blessings,Chuck D. Pierce
Israel Prayer Request from Eitan Shishkoff Dear Intercessors, The Book of Esther focuses on the attempt of Persia (Iran) to wipe out the Jewish people. An unchangeable edict is made demanding their destruction. The power and authority of the Persian Empire is aimed at (exiled) Israel's total destruction. This attempt is foiled when the King's wife, whose Jewish identity has been hidden, appears before the king after calling her people to a breakthrough fast. In the process, Esther's mentor Mordecai, utters these immortal words:Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:13,14Here are some gripping parallels with Israel's situation:1. The principality seeking Israel's destruction was Persia---modern day Iran.2. Esther, representing believers in Israel's God (Jesus' true followers of today), had a choice whether to speak up, identifying with the Jews, or to be silent.3. The cost of not speaking up and interceding for the salvation of the Jews at a time of catastrophic danger, would be their own demise.4. Implied in Esther's timing and availability, was the dimension of God sovereignly choosing her to bring God's deliverance.5. Esther went before the King, who alone had the authority to stop the murderous attack upon the Jews. Being his bride, she had favor.Beloved friends, I believe this comparison is given for our instruction and inspiration. Those who love Yeshua, must now arise and go before the King to secure Israel's physical and spiritual deliverance.
Current Developments
I cannot possibly write these words or send out this e-mail fast enough, to keep up with the developments in the war on my nation of Israel. The entire region around Haifa is under bombardment. Many 100's of rockets have fallen throughout northern Israel, the Galilee, where I, and thousands of Messianic believers live, work, and worship.
Akko, Upper Nazareth, Tiberias area, Haifa, and theKryot (nearest the large oil refinery Hizbollah is targeting), are the exact locations of the congregations I serve. Towns that have never been hit this way, or at least not for decades, are experiencing the wickedness of Hizbollah, propelled to this madness by Iran (Persia). Israeli citizens have been killed in their own homes, after our government has gone to sacrificial extremes to withdraw from conflict. But conflict is obviously not withdrawing from us.In recent years, the Spirit of God has been arousing Christians on every continent, to love and pray for Israel. It would seem that you have been brought to the Kingdom for just "such a time as this," when there is a life and death need, to intercede before the King for Israel's enemies to be destroyed.
How then, Shall We Pray?
Here are a few simple suggestions. May God guide you and take you to an unprecedented place of identification with Israel, intimacy with Himself, and intensity in spiritual warfare.LET GOD ARISE. LET HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED; LET THOSE ALSO WHO HATE HIM FLEE BEFORE HIM. Psalms 68:1
This is God's battle. Let us call on Him who loves Israel and has established her for His testimony in the earth. We can authoritatively pray confusion and dissolution upon Israel's enemies. Pray utilizing passages like Isaiah 41:8-14, in which God makes clear that He has brought Jacob back to his land, and that He will uphold us with His righteous right hand. "Those who were incensed against you, shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish." Isaiah 41:11.
It is entirely Biblical and would grab the attention of our nation, if this war were to be decided through overtly miraculous intervention on God's part. Let us pray so. SALVATION BELONGS TO THE LORD. YOUR BLESSING IS UPON YOUR PEOPLE. Psalms 3:8
This entire chapter is vividly relevant to our situation. It also speaks of the danger we are in, of God arising and of the enemy being broken. But God's interest is always ultimately in the salvation of His people. "How shall we look to Him whom we have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10)
We are surrounded by enemies and pressed to look beyond our previous national conclusions about who or what Messiah is. It is time to pray for our eyes to be opened to Yeshua. This is not the final battle, but it is a prelude. Please pray for fresh BOLDNESS, FAITH, LOVE, UNITY and the SUPERNATURAL LEADING of the SPIRIT for all of Israel's Messianic believers. BUT YOU, O LORD, ARE A SHIELD FOR ME, MY GLORY AND THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD. (Psalms 3:3).
Clearly, we need God to be our shield. Some missiles have been falling into the Mediterranean Sea. Another hit a grove of trees inside a very crowded residential/commercial area in Haifa. I just spoke with the leader of the Akko Messianic congregation, who told me that the three-story building that was destroyed in Haifa, was EMPTY! He said a synagogue in Akko, was wiped out only 10 minutes after its worshipers walked out. Angelic protection is an established reality in the history of Israel's conflicts...both in Bible times and in recent history such as the Six Day War in '67.
Father, we call upon You, to release angelic hosts to deflect weapons aimed against us, and to place shields over our soldiers, and over our citizens. And may those who are truly innocent in the territory we are having to counter-attack, be spared as well.
by Chuck Pierce
Thursday, July 20, 2006
I just feel a need to offer up a prayer today...
Join with me if you like.
Father, I thank YOU for YOUR word. I thank YOU for the wisdom and skill of understanding that you are willing to impart to me. Cause my heart to seek to receive revelation from you as purely as you desire to give it, without interjecting my opinions, judgements or self-personalization upon it. YOU are not a GOD who desires to hide answers from those who are genuinely seeking them. But you will hide truth from those who believe they already have all the answers.
LORD, my city, church, family and nation, even the earth..desperately need revival. In your word YOU have said, "If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves , pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity, my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land...my eyes will be opened, and my ears attentive to the prayer offered...(2 Chronicles 7:14-15, AMP). Lord, let this be so in me (us) right now.
FATHER, let YOUR mighty HOLY SPIRIT serve notice on the territorial spirits over this territory that there are people "doing" that which needs to be done to unseat them. We will not only unseat them, but we will occupy the land, and forever prevent their return. FATHER, don't let us just seek victory by creating a vacancy. Let us press on through and hold the territory as we all begin to agree on the only thing we could ever all agree upon to bring healing to our land: That YOUR will be done. Father, not out wills, never our wills; but YOUR WILL BE DONE. And Father, let us not be ignorant of the fact, that not all is due to territorial spirits, but also of the flesh, man's will. Therefore, FATHER, I ask in the name of JESUS, that YOUR people be reconciled to YOU. That they would once again find that perfect love, their first love in YOU. YOUR word say that the "...love of GOD compels us". This means that YOUR love constrains, confines, grips us tightly together, a grip so tight that it prevents escape. That compelling love, YOUR love, leaves us no choice except to live our lives for YOU! Father, compel us. Thank you Father...in YOUR son's precious name, the name of JESUS ...Amen
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
HEALING COMES FROM TOTAL SURRENDER
You cannot heal yourself by a strong will to survive or by working a "program". You are healed by surrendering everything in your life - past, present and future - to the will of God and then receiving healing from Him. This can be a fearful thing if you have always managed to avoid dealing directly with God, but there has to come a time when you finally want to be free. If a counselor, program, or group has helped you come to this point, then they have served you well. But they cannot heal you! The only way to be truly set free is to strip down your old nature of everything it derives power from, tear down the strongholds you have erected and them allow God to spiritually realign your life.
We are our strongest when we realize we need HIS help for everthing, from our breathing to our believing!
You cannot heal yourself by a strong will to survive or by working a "program". You are healed by surrendering everything in your life - past, present and future - to the will of God and then receiving healing from Him. This can be a fearful thing if you have always managed to avoid dealing directly with God, but there has to come a time when you finally want to be free. If a counselor, program, or group has helped you come to this point, then they have served you well. But they cannot heal you! The only way to be truly set free is to strip down your old nature of everything it derives power from, tear down the strongholds you have erected and them allow God to spiritually realign your life.
We are our strongest when we realize we need HIS help for everthing, from our breathing to our believing!
Monday, July 10, 2006
STRUGGLING CANNOT BRING RENEWAL
I am one who understands struggling. I spent many years struggling before becoming a Christian. I also spent many years struggling after becoming a Christian, earnestly searching in, copying down and quoting from the Word that I was a new creature. I claimed every promise I could find, even those for certain people during specific time periods in the Old Testament. I didn't care if theologians said I could properly do so or not, I personally claimed every good sounding word I could find! But my past still haunted me when certain circumstances arose.
Some healing and renewal came through the Word, good Christian books, fellowshiping and prayer. Yet I knew there had to be more for God's people, so I set out to find it.
I read in more than one book how we need to allow God to open up our past memories and walk us through them again to relive their outcome and forgive and be healed. I experienced this to some degree, but it didn't seem to bring lasting answers.
Several books insisted that a wounded person needs to confront the one who hurt them. I couldn't see how that tied in with the greatest healing of all...forgiveness. What if confronting would inflict devastation on innocent parties? What if that person had long since died? And I had a real problem with the esoteric suggestion of confronting an empty chair or a headstone in a cemetery!
The majority of the books urged those who were wounded to seek counseling and support groups. The reality of today's troubled economy is that few can afford professional counseling for any length of time. Others, through fear or denial, will not approach a support group. Instead, a great many use family members, friends, spiritual leaders, counselors or groups as relief valves to vent just enough pain and pressure to go on . This also enables them to avoid dealing directly with God.
I have read several of the twelve-step program books written for Christians and I see their merit in helping men and women to come out of denial. But rarely do these programs deal with the strongholds that cause people to oppose themselves.
I attended one Christian twelve-step program meeting, still seeking understanding of this phenomena sweeping our nation. The leader repeatedly stressed the necessity of "working the program every day," saying, "I have been working the program for years. Your lifeline is that you can always call someone or go to a meeting when things start to get out of control." I was concerned that a leader who had "worked a program" for nearly a decade would remain so dependent upon it. I am sure the leaders of these groups have the best of intentions, but I question the depth or permanency of healing that comes from such programs.
The Bible gives no record of Saul of Tarsus finding a counselor or a support group to overcome the guilt of his treacherous past - nor Peter for his monumental failings - nor Moses for his anger and act of murder - nor David for ensuring that Bathsheba's husband be killed in battle. Jesus did not send the woman caught in adultery (in John 8) away to find help. She knew she was exposed before HIM as she stood there and she submitted herself to the inevitability of whatever HE was about to say or do. HE simply said, "There is no one left to condemn you and neither do I. Go and sin no more."
Beautiful words from the living Word, Jesus Christ. He forgave her of her past and directed her towards her future. He told her she was not condemned by HIM, nor was there anyone else with the courage to condemn her in HIS presence. These words of truth brought her spiritual and emotional freedom. Each one of these Bible personalities received mercy and healing from the Lord.
I am one who understands struggling. I spent many years struggling before becoming a Christian. I also spent many years struggling after becoming a Christian, earnestly searching in, copying down and quoting from the Word that I was a new creature. I claimed every promise I could find, even those for certain people during specific time periods in the Old Testament. I didn't care if theologians said I could properly do so or not, I personally claimed every good sounding word I could find! But my past still haunted me when certain circumstances arose.
Some healing and renewal came through the Word, good Christian books, fellowshiping and prayer. Yet I knew there had to be more for God's people, so I set out to find it.
I read in more than one book how we need to allow God to open up our past memories and walk us through them again to relive their outcome and forgive and be healed. I experienced this to some degree, but it didn't seem to bring lasting answers.
Several books insisted that a wounded person needs to confront the one who hurt them. I couldn't see how that tied in with the greatest healing of all...forgiveness. What if confronting would inflict devastation on innocent parties? What if that person had long since died? And I had a real problem with the esoteric suggestion of confronting an empty chair or a headstone in a cemetery!
The majority of the books urged those who were wounded to seek counseling and support groups. The reality of today's troubled economy is that few can afford professional counseling for any length of time. Others, through fear or denial, will not approach a support group. Instead, a great many use family members, friends, spiritual leaders, counselors or groups as relief valves to vent just enough pain and pressure to go on . This also enables them to avoid dealing directly with God.
I have read several of the twelve-step program books written for Christians and I see their merit in helping men and women to come out of denial. But rarely do these programs deal with the strongholds that cause people to oppose themselves.
I attended one Christian twelve-step program meeting, still seeking understanding of this phenomena sweeping our nation. The leader repeatedly stressed the necessity of "working the program every day," saying, "I have been working the program for years. Your lifeline is that you can always call someone or go to a meeting when things start to get out of control." I was concerned that a leader who had "worked a program" for nearly a decade would remain so dependent upon it. I am sure the leaders of these groups have the best of intentions, but I question the depth or permanency of healing that comes from such programs.
The Bible gives no record of Saul of Tarsus finding a counselor or a support group to overcome the guilt of his treacherous past - nor Peter for his monumental failings - nor Moses for his anger and act of murder - nor David for ensuring that Bathsheba's husband be killed in battle. Jesus did not send the woman caught in adultery (in John 8) away to find help. She knew she was exposed before HIM as she stood there and she submitted herself to the inevitability of whatever HE was about to say or do. HE simply said, "There is no one left to condemn you and neither do I. Go and sin no more."
Beautiful words from the living Word, Jesus Christ. He forgave her of her past and directed her towards her future. He told her she was not condemned by HIM, nor was there anyone else with the courage to condemn her in HIS presence. These words of truth brought her spiritual and emotional freedom. Each one of these Bible personalities received mercy and healing from the Lord.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
God has chosen to reveal Himself to us through His names recorded in Scripture.There are twelve covenant names of God which reveal His character so that we can know Him. He also reveals Himself to us through the Bible so we can know how to walk with Him.ELOHIM-God Our CreatorJEHOVAH-Our Eternal GodJEHOVAH EL SHADDAI-God our Supplier. JEHOVAH-JIREH-God my Provider:JEHOVAH-RAPHA-God my Healer:JEHOVAH-NISSI-God my Banner:JEHOVAH M'KADESH-God my SanctifierJEHOVAH-SHALOM -God my PeaceJEHOVAH-TSIDKENU-God my RighteousnessJEHOVAH-ROHI and JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, God my ShepherdJEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, The Abiding Presence
HOPE THIS ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS
Never attempt to any praise or worship dance without first seeking the Lord in prayer. Before you hit the dance floor, hit the prayer closet! We need to spend our 'quality' time with Him so that He could accomplish His plan through our ministry. The message expressed in the music should be of great importance when choosing a selection to dance to in a public setting. We are called to praise and worship with our whole hearts, and we should prayerfully choose a song that we are able to worship with our minds, spirits, and bodies. Below are just a few of my own suggestions to help you focus on Jesus when lifting up His name in the dance:
1. Spend time in prayer first. Seek His face and spend time in His presence. Look to Him to show you if there is anything offensive in His sight, then ask for His mercy and forgiveness and to cleanse you of your sin. He is faithful and longs to bless us when we seek His face.
2. Learn the words to the song and sing them while you are dancing. You may even ask the congregation to join you in singing if it's a song that is familar to them so you would be able to worship as one body of Christ.
3. Spend time doing bible study on the 'idea' expressed in the song (i.e.: if you pick a song that speaks about God's mercy, sit down with a concordance and soak in exactly how merciful God has been throughtout the bible. Then meditate on how merciful God has been in your own life).
4. Use colors symbolic of the idea of the song. For instance, if your song includes words about the blood of Jesus, use the color red to symbolize His blood, or if it speaks about God's redeeming love, you may wish to choose silver symbolizing redemption.
Color combinations may also express meanings, such as "His Majesty" can be expressed with red (blood), purple (royalty), and gold (God's glory), or ""His Bride" can be white (purity), silver (redemption), and pink (right relationships). Mix different color streamers - use two on one wand, or use one streamer in each hand. Two different color flags may also be used.
Whenever we do anything in the Lord's name, be sure that He is our main focus and He will always bless us by manifesting His presence and awesome power. He has come to set the captives free!
Never attempt to any praise or worship dance without first seeking the Lord in prayer. Before you hit the dance floor, hit the prayer closet! We need to spend our 'quality' time with Him so that He could accomplish His plan through our ministry. The message expressed in the music should be of great importance when choosing a selection to dance to in a public setting. We are called to praise and worship with our whole hearts, and we should prayerfully choose a song that we are able to worship with our minds, spirits, and bodies. Below are just a few of my own suggestions to help you focus on Jesus when lifting up His name in the dance:
1. Spend time in prayer first. Seek His face and spend time in His presence. Look to Him to show you if there is anything offensive in His sight, then ask for His mercy and forgiveness and to cleanse you of your sin. He is faithful and longs to bless us when we seek His face.
2. Learn the words to the song and sing them while you are dancing. You may even ask the congregation to join you in singing if it's a song that is familar to them so you would be able to worship as one body of Christ.
3. Spend time doing bible study on the 'idea' expressed in the song (i.e.: if you pick a song that speaks about God's mercy, sit down with a concordance and soak in exactly how merciful God has been throughtout the bible. Then meditate on how merciful God has been in your own life).
4. Use colors symbolic of the idea of the song. For instance, if your song includes words about the blood of Jesus, use the color red to symbolize His blood, or if it speaks about God's redeeming love, you may wish to choose silver symbolizing redemption.
Color combinations may also express meanings, such as "His Majesty" can be expressed with red (blood), purple (royalty), and gold (God's glory), or ""His Bride" can be white (purity), silver (redemption), and pink (right relationships). Mix different color streamers - use two on one wand, or use one streamer in each hand. Two different color flags may also be used.
Whenever we do anything in the Lord's name, be sure that He is our main focus and He will always bless us by manifesting His presence and awesome power. He has come to set the captives free!
A FEW WORDS ON COLOR...
God loves color! Colors have great significance spiritually as they do in the natural realm. Additionally, combinations of colors (used separately) may also have different meanings. When choosing a color of flag or streamer, I feel it's important for the dancer to keep in mind the symbolic meaning behind each color and choose according to what his or her spirit is feeling. The Lord has given me another revelation about color, thanks to my dealings as an artist- If you think about the individual color breakouts that it takes to make a color, the symbolization is awesome! For example, if you take white (which means purity, salvation, light - see reference below) and red (meaning Jesus' blood, atonement, sacrifice), you get pink which means right relationship, heart of flesh, or intimacy. This solidifies that God is a God of order - even individual colors broken out all work out and make sense. I just think this is SO cool. Try some for yourself!
Below are a few examples - this is only a basic list from personal study, and we always suggest digging into the Word yourself to see what the Spirit teaches you as an individual:
Red: Symbolizes blood atonement, sacrifice of Christs blood (Isa. 1:18, Heb. 9:14)
Gold: Symbolizes the glory of God, divine nature, holiness, precious (Rev. 3:18, Rev. 4:4, Mal. 3:3; 1 Peter 1:7)
Silver: Symbolizes paid price for redemption, price of a soul, Word of God (Matt. 27:3, 1 Pe. 1:18, Ps. 68:13; Heb. 4:12)
Blue: Symbolizes heaven & authority, spiritual or heavenly realm, Throne of God, authority/overcomer (Ex. 24:10, Ez. 1:26, 10:1; Rev. 12:11)
Green: Symbolizes new life, growth, prosperity, health, eternal life, restoration (Ps. 23:2, Gen. 1:30, Lk. 23:31; Rev. 22:2; Ps. 92:14)
Purple: Symbolizes Jesus' royalty, Believer's royalty, Majesty, wealth (Jdg. 8:26, John 19:2, Mk. 15:17-20, Lk. 16:19; 1 Peter 2:9; Esther 1:6)
Pink: Symbolizes right relationships, heart of flesh, intimacy, child-like faith (Romans 3:25, Rev. 19:8; Ez. 11:19; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Song. 1:2; Matt. 18:3-5)
Yellow: Symbolizes sunlight of Jesus, joyful, celebration, God revealed (Matt. 17:2, Rev. 1:16, Ps. 84:11; Ps. 46:4-5; Ez. 1:4; 8:2, Ps. 68:13; 1 Thes. 2:20; Romans 8:18)
Iridescent: Symbolizes overcoming power, fruit of the Spirit (Rev. 4:3)
Orange: Symbolizes praise, protection, harvest, fruitfulness, fire of God, works tested (Matt. 9:38; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Chron. 23:13, Zech. 2:5)
White: Symbolizes Creator, righteousness acquired thru blood of Christ, Bride's garments, Salvation (Rev. 4:4, 6:2 Rev. 19:8, Dan. 12:3)
Black: Symbolizes death, punishment, famine, sin, affliction, death, repentance, bondage (Lam. 4:8; Rev. 6:5; John 3:19-20;; Ps. 107:14)
Rainbow: Symbolizes God's promises (Rev. 4:3), Covenant (Gen 9:13 & 16)
God loves color! Colors have great significance spiritually as they do in the natural realm. Additionally, combinations of colors (used separately) may also have different meanings. When choosing a color of flag or streamer, I feel it's important for the dancer to keep in mind the symbolic meaning behind each color and choose according to what his or her spirit is feeling. The Lord has given me another revelation about color, thanks to my dealings as an artist- If you think about the individual color breakouts that it takes to make a color, the symbolization is awesome! For example, if you take white (which means purity, salvation, light - see reference below) and red (meaning Jesus' blood, atonement, sacrifice), you get pink which means right relationship, heart of flesh, or intimacy. This solidifies that God is a God of order - even individual colors broken out all work out and make sense. I just think this is SO cool. Try some for yourself!
Below are a few examples - this is only a basic list from personal study, and we always suggest digging into the Word yourself to see what the Spirit teaches you as an individual:
Red: Symbolizes blood atonement, sacrifice of Christs blood (Isa. 1:18, Heb. 9:14)
Gold: Symbolizes the glory of God, divine nature, holiness, precious (Rev. 3:18, Rev. 4:4, Mal. 3:3; 1 Peter 1:7)
Silver: Symbolizes paid price for redemption, price of a soul, Word of God (Matt. 27:3, 1 Pe. 1:18, Ps. 68:13; Heb. 4:12)
Blue: Symbolizes heaven & authority, spiritual or heavenly realm, Throne of God, authority/overcomer (Ex. 24:10, Ez. 1:26, 10:1; Rev. 12:11)
Green: Symbolizes new life, growth, prosperity, health, eternal life, restoration (Ps. 23:2, Gen. 1:30, Lk. 23:31; Rev. 22:2; Ps. 92:14)
Purple: Symbolizes Jesus' royalty, Believer's royalty, Majesty, wealth (Jdg. 8:26, John 19:2, Mk. 15:17-20, Lk. 16:19; 1 Peter 2:9; Esther 1:6)
Pink: Symbolizes right relationships, heart of flesh, intimacy, child-like faith (Romans 3:25, Rev. 19:8; Ez. 11:19; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Song. 1:2; Matt. 18:3-5)
Yellow: Symbolizes sunlight of Jesus, joyful, celebration, God revealed (Matt. 17:2, Rev. 1:16, Ps. 84:11; Ps. 46:4-5; Ez. 1:4; 8:2, Ps. 68:13; 1 Thes. 2:20; Romans 8:18)
Iridescent: Symbolizes overcoming power, fruit of the Spirit (Rev. 4:3)
Orange: Symbolizes praise, protection, harvest, fruitfulness, fire of God, works tested (Matt. 9:38; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Chron. 23:13, Zech. 2:5)
White: Symbolizes Creator, righteousness acquired thru blood of Christ, Bride's garments, Salvation (Rev. 4:4, 6:2 Rev. 19:8, Dan. 12:3)
Black: Symbolizes death, punishment, famine, sin, affliction, death, repentance, bondage (Lam. 4:8; Rev. 6:5; John 3:19-20;; Ps. 107:14)
Rainbow: Symbolizes God's promises (Rev. 4:3), Covenant (Gen 9:13 & 16)
"For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I bethrothed you to one husand, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:2-3
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The Lord has been speaking to me about equipping Christians with the knowledge of the importance of building an intimate relationship with Him as a prerequisite for praise & worship. I believe it is so much more important than just providing the 'props' to do so. How are we to offer up our praise and worship with flags, streamers, or tambourines if we do not know the Person to whom it is being offerred? The word of God tells us that in order for our sacrifice to be pleasing in His sight, we are to have clean hands and a pure heart, and to do this we need to be washed in His word. We wash our faces every day, and we eat every day. As followers of Jesus, how much more important should our spiritual life and growth, which is eternal, be to us? His word tells us that in order to reap the blessings He has for us, we are to seek His face (see Psalm 24). I believe that people are missing out on so many blessings because they do not invest the time seek His direction and just sit at His feet and listen for that still, small voice (see 1 Kings 19:12). Are we more like Martha and attempt to do things through our own abilities and less like Mary who seeks her Lord and His Presence? What does the Word say about what our priorities should be? (see John 10:38-42) Out of the abundance of the heart, the worship will flow. We need to "abide" and 'be rooted' in Him and in His Word. These are two great words to begin your study!
I believe the Lord has placed this on my heart because those offering praise & worship need to put their relationship with the Lord FIRST, before preparing the routines, and props, and costumes. If what we are calling what we do "ministering" and not performing, I challenge you to examine the fruit of your ministry. Are we more worried about what people think rather than what God thinks? In order for the fruit to be 'sweet' and anointed, we need to be filled to the rim with God's Spirit. This is a daily filling, and comes from spending time with and intimately knowing the Person who created us. Without that relationship, our praise and worship will be fruitless. The closer we walk with Him, the more apparent our "fruit" will be to people, and, in turn, our offering will draw people to Him and we will become transparent. People will be able to see His beautiful heart in us.
May you be abundantly blessed as you seek His face and are obedient to His call to "Seek me first"!
2 Corinthians 11:2-3
--------------------------------------------------------
The Lord has been speaking to me about equipping Christians with the knowledge of the importance of building an intimate relationship with Him as a prerequisite for praise & worship. I believe it is so much more important than just providing the 'props' to do so. How are we to offer up our praise and worship with flags, streamers, or tambourines if we do not know the Person to whom it is being offerred? The word of God tells us that in order for our sacrifice to be pleasing in His sight, we are to have clean hands and a pure heart, and to do this we need to be washed in His word. We wash our faces every day, and we eat every day. As followers of Jesus, how much more important should our spiritual life and growth, which is eternal, be to us? His word tells us that in order to reap the blessings He has for us, we are to seek His face (see Psalm 24). I believe that people are missing out on so many blessings because they do not invest the time seek His direction and just sit at His feet and listen for that still, small voice (see 1 Kings 19:12). Are we more like Martha and attempt to do things through our own abilities and less like Mary who seeks her Lord and His Presence? What does the Word say about what our priorities should be? (see John 10:38-42) Out of the abundance of the heart, the worship will flow. We need to "abide" and 'be rooted' in Him and in His Word. These are two great words to begin your study!
I believe the Lord has placed this on my heart because those offering praise & worship need to put their relationship with the Lord FIRST, before preparing the routines, and props, and costumes. If what we are calling what we do "ministering" and not performing, I challenge you to examine the fruit of your ministry. Are we more worried about what people think rather than what God thinks? In order for the fruit to be 'sweet' and anointed, we need to be filled to the rim with God's Spirit. This is a daily filling, and comes from spending time with and intimately knowing the Person who created us. Without that relationship, our praise and worship will be fruitless. The closer we walk with Him, the more apparent our "fruit" will be to people, and, in turn, our offering will draw people to Him and we will become transparent. People will be able to see His beautiful heart in us.
May you be abundantly blessed as you seek His face and are obedient to His call to "Seek me first"!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
THE BATTLE FOR INTIMACY
There are many spiritual battles we engage in throughout our Christian life but I believe the greatest one is the battle for intimacy with the Lord . A fruitful life in the Kingdom flows out of intimacy. The character and nature of Jesus is formed in us through intimacy with Him. It is no wonder that this is the area so often assaulted with distractions, insecurities and disappointments.
Have you been disillusioned and disappointed?How often have you, the reader, cried out for deeper engagement in the Lord only to find emptiness and silence? How many times have you attempted to seek His face with all your heart and were pulled on by distraction from every direction? How often have you left your devotional time disappointed with hope deferred? This, my friend describes the battle for intimacy. The enemy will attempt to pull us from the posture that is the most critical to our life in God – the posture of abiding; the posture of intimacy.
Intimacy – this is the battle field. This is what the enemy desires to steal more than anything! If he can steal our intimacy with the Lord, he gets everything. Intimacy is the most important factor of all in our Christian experience and when you understand the importance of something, you are willing to fight for it.
By FaithWhat does intimacy look like? What does it feel like? I remember a number of years ago when I felt so desperate to connect to the Lord in intimacy. I set a month apart to seek His face…and I did! The first 10 days were grueling. I cried out to God with deep longings for intimacy. I so wanted to connect with Him. Hour by hour I would cry out to Him. I had felt so distanced and distracted and now was my time to really connect. Although I cried out by the hour, confessed any sin that might be in the way, engaged in warfare, fasted, stayed up many nights, I still could not sense the Lord's presence and I definitely didn't feel intimate. I was so disappointed. I had never been so desperate and yet so empty and unfulfilled in my longings. On the 10 th day of faithfully seeking Him, I finally heard Him speak to my heart. I had been crying out in tears, “Lord, where are You?!!!???. I was on my knees pounding the floor as I cried out in desperation. His still, small voice finally spoke, “I am right here. I have been here all the time. Why did you doubt?”
I realized at that point that I had been in an “anxious hoping mode” rather than a “believing mode”. I was hoping to be intimate but not believing to be. I was longing for His presence and so wanting Him close to me but hadn't determined that He was right there. Hebrews 11:6 was highlighted in my heart at that time: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
I had to BELIEVE that He was right there and that He was meeting my hearts desire. Faith is different from hope. Hope is an expectation but faith is the substance of what we hope for. It is the evidence of what we do not see. (see Hebrews 11:1)
Over the next number of months He taught me more about the faith required to walk in intimacy. I remember once, crying out in worship. “Oh Lord, I want to be intimate with You.” I was worshipping but felt empty and emotionless. In this state, I felt condemned. I have always known the importance of intimacy but seldom felt it .I found myself striving in that worship session. In the midst of my desperation, The Lord whispered, “You can not be any more intimate with Me than you are right now.” That took me by surprise. I didn't feel intimate, only emptiness. What did this mean? He further revealed that His finished work on the cross was the deepest embrace that God could ever express to mankind. He said, “You are in Me and I am in you. We are one for eternity. You can't get any more intimate than that.”
Immediately I began to worship from a different perspective. Instead of hoping to be intimate, I believed I was. This was not based on what I felt. It was based on what was true. The enemy tried to throw all his usual lies at me, “You are not loved by God and you are failing in your love for Him. He is disappointed with you because you are falling short of intimacy." This time, the accusations didn't stick. My intimacy with the Lord was not based on what I felt but what was true. I pressed in and won the battle.
The battle for intimacy is not a one time fight. It is constant and we need to know how to stand. The enemy will use many measures to distract us. Condemnation, busyness, lack of focus, distractions with time priorities, and insecurities are a few. We need to learn to fight through all of these things. This is the battle for intimacy.
The following are some practical things that can assist you in the battle:
• Believe that you are loved and cherished by God and that He deeply longs for intimacy with you.
• Believe that you have been drawn into intimacy through the finished work of the cross. Let all striving go and believe that you are already intimate. Rest in the truth.
• Set time aside each day to worship Him…to love Him…and to pursue Him in faith. Write this time on your daily calendar as a priority and do not let anything distract.
• If distractions come as you are worshipping Him and engaging in intimacy, fight them off and do not get discouraged. The enemy loves to discourage. Press through with a rest of faith. The Lord will honor your fight. Even if you spent a whole hour battling off mental distractions, it would be better than not spending time with the Lord. He will reward you. Continue to battle. You will get a breakthrough. Keep focused on Jesus.
• Journaling helps you to keep focused. You might like to write down what He reveals to you and also write love letters to Him. You can meditate on these precious things weeks, months and even years later.
• Abide in the Word. Spend time in the scriptures each day and allow the Lord to speak His heart to you.
• War in the heavenlies. We can battle against the enemy's strategies through prayer and declaration of the Word. This wins the battle in the heavenlies before it hits the earth. Contend for intimacy for yourself and the rest of the Body. What you sow into others you will also reap.
• Throughout the day look for opportunities to express love to the Lord. Keep this as your priority in life. He loves your love. It is a gift to Him. Express you love verbally and through prayer throughout your day.
• Make intimacy a lifestyle. This is not something that you engage in for an hour a day, this is something that you live in.
Declare WarThe scripture says in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” You are guaranteed a win! The battle for intimacy has been won for you in Christ. Take the victory by faith and don't let go. Declare war against every distraction that has been thrown at you. The devil will be sorry he ever tried. Put the pursuit of intimacy high on your list of priorities. It is your inheritance in Christ.
Prayer Directives
• Pray for the Body of Christ to be protected from the enemy's assault in the area of intimacy with the Lord.
• Pray for grace (God's divine influence upon the heart) to be poured out on His people in the area of intimacy.
• Pray for your personal breakthrough.
• Believe for increased faith to be released in the area of intimacy.
• Pray for a spirit of worship to fill the people of God.
• Pray against distractions.
• Ask the Lord for breakthrough for His Body in the area of intimacy and worship.
• Pray for children to be drawn into intimacy with the Lord at an early age (even from infancy).
• Pray for ministries and leaders in the Body of Christ to establish intimacy as a priority.
• Pray for powerful, tangible,l visitations of the Lord's presence for those who are seeking Him.
Bless each and every one of you. I am praying for breakthrough for all who read this. The Battle for Intimacy is won and the victory is yours to enjoy!
There are many spiritual battles we engage in throughout our Christian life but I believe the greatest one is the battle for intimacy with the Lord . A fruitful life in the Kingdom flows out of intimacy. The character and nature of Jesus is formed in us through intimacy with Him. It is no wonder that this is the area so often assaulted with distractions, insecurities and disappointments.
Have you been disillusioned and disappointed?How often have you, the reader, cried out for deeper engagement in the Lord only to find emptiness and silence? How many times have you attempted to seek His face with all your heart and were pulled on by distraction from every direction? How often have you left your devotional time disappointed with hope deferred? This, my friend describes the battle for intimacy. The enemy will attempt to pull us from the posture that is the most critical to our life in God – the posture of abiding; the posture of intimacy.
Intimacy – this is the battle field. This is what the enemy desires to steal more than anything! If he can steal our intimacy with the Lord, he gets everything. Intimacy is the most important factor of all in our Christian experience and when you understand the importance of something, you are willing to fight for it.
By FaithWhat does intimacy look like? What does it feel like? I remember a number of years ago when I felt so desperate to connect to the Lord in intimacy. I set a month apart to seek His face…and I did! The first 10 days were grueling. I cried out to God with deep longings for intimacy. I so wanted to connect with Him. Hour by hour I would cry out to Him. I had felt so distanced and distracted and now was my time to really connect. Although I cried out by the hour, confessed any sin that might be in the way, engaged in warfare, fasted, stayed up many nights, I still could not sense the Lord's presence and I definitely didn't feel intimate. I was so disappointed. I had never been so desperate and yet so empty and unfulfilled in my longings. On the 10 th day of faithfully seeking Him, I finally heard Him speak to my heart. I had been crying out in tears, “Lord, where are You?!!!???. I was on my knees pounding the floor as I cried out in desperation. His still, small voice finally spoke, “I am right here. I have been here all the time. Why did you doubt?”
I realized at that point that I had been in an “anxious hoping mode” rather than a “believing mode”. I was hoping to be intimate but not believing to be. I was longing for His presence and so wanting Him close to me but hadn't determined that He was right there. Hebrews 11:6 was highlighted in my heart at that time: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
I had to BELIEVE that He was right there and that He was meeting my hearts desire. Faith is different from hope. Hope is an expectation but faith is the substance of what we hope for. It is the evidence of what we do not see. (see Hebrews 11:1)
Over the next number of months He taught me more about the faith required to walk in intimacy. I remember once, crying out in worship. “Oh Lord, I want to be intimate with You.” I was worshipping but felt empty and emotionless. In this state, I felt condemned. I have always known the importance of intimacy but seldom felt it .I found myself striving in that worship session. In the midst of my desperation, The Lord whispered, “You can not be any more intimate with Me than you are right now.” That took me by surprise. I didn't feel intimate, only emptiness. What did this mean? He further revealed that His finished work on the cross was the deepest embrace that God could ever express to mankind. He said, “You are in Me and I am in you. We are one for eternity. You can't get any more intimate than that.”
Immediately I began to worship from a different perspective. Instead of hoping to be intimate, I believed I was. This was not based on what I felt. It was based on what was true. The enemy tried to throw all his usual lies at me, “You are not loved by God and you are failing in your love for Him. He is disappointed with you because you are falling short of intimacy." This time, the accusations didn't stick. My intimacy with the Lord was not based on what I felt but what was true. I pressed in and won the battle.
The battle for intimacy is not a one time fight. It is constant and we need to know how to stand. The enemy will use many measures to distract us. Condemnation, busyness, lack of focus, distractions with time priorities, and insecurities are a few. We need to learn to fight through all of these things. This is the battle for intimacy.
The following are some practical things that can assist you in the battle:
• Believe that you are loved and cherished by God and that He deeply longs for intimacy with you.
• Believe that you have been drawn into intimacy through the finished work of the cross. Let all striving go and believe that you are already intimate. Rest in the truth.
• Set time aside each day to worship Him…to love Him…and to pursue Him in faith. Write this time on your daily calendar as a priority and do not let anything distract.
• If distractions come as you are worshipping Him and engaging in intimacy, fight them off and do not get discouraged. The enemy loves to discourage. Press through with a rest of faith. The Lord will honor your fight. Even if you spent a whole hour battling off mental distractions, it would be better than not spending time with the Lord. He will reward you. Continue to battle. You will get a breakthrough. Keep focused on Jesus.
• Journaling helps you to keep focused. You might like to write down what He reveals to you and also write love letters to Him. You can meditate on these precious things weeks, months and even years later.
• Abide in the Word. Spend time in the scriptures each day and allow the Lord to speak His heart to you.
• War in the heavenlies. We can battle against the enemy's strategies through prayer and declaration of the Word. This wins the battle in the heavenlies before it hits the earth. Contend for intimacy for yourself and the rest of the Body. What you sow into others you will also reap.
• Throughout the day look for opportunities to express love to the Lord. Keep this as your priority in life. He loves your love. It is a gift to Him. Express you love verbally and through prayer throughout your day.
• Make intimacy a lifestyle. This is not something that you engage in for an hour a day, this is something that you live in.
Declare WarThe scripture says in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” You are guaranteed a win! The battle for intimacy has been won for you in Christ. Take the victory by faith and don't let go. Declare war against every distraction that has been thrown at you. The devil will be sorry he ever tried. Put the pursuit of intimacy high on your list of priorities. It is your inheritance in Christ.
Prayer Directives
• Pray for the Body of Christ to be protected from the enemy's assault in the area of intimacy with the Lord.
• Pray for grace (God's divine influence upon the heart) to be poured out on His people in the area of intimacy.
• Pray for your personal breakthrough.
• Believe for increased faith to be released in the area of intimacy.
• Pray for a spirit of worship to fill the people of God.
• Pray against distractions.
• Ask the Lord for breakthrough for His Body in the area of intimacy and worship.
• Pray for children to be drawn into intimacy with the Lord at an early age (even from infancy).
• Pray for ministries and leaders in the Body of Christ to establish intimacy as a priority.
• Pray for powerful, tangible,l visitations of the Lord's presence for those who are seeking Him.
Bless each and every one of you. I am praying for breakthrough for all who read this. The Battle for Intimacy is won and the victory is yours to enjoy!
Friday, June 16, 2006
I am back from vacation and am bone tired! We traveled 2500 miles in 7 days...went through 7 states and ended up on the east coast looking at the Atlantic ocean! Cape May, New Jersey is a beautiful place. On the way to Cape May we stopped in Hershey PA and went to the amusement park, took in a few sights, stood under a shelter twice due to storms. I have got to tell you that those old wooden roller coasters are the best! When you get off those babies you know you have had a ride! We rode every one of them. I couldn't get enough! The newer coasters are fun, but, there is just something about the sound and feel of those older ones. We visited the Amish country and I was pleasantly surprised to see them working in the community, waitress, laborers, police, firemen etc. . I guess I thought that they pretty much stayed to themselves. There were several children that I visited with and played with. So precious...anyway...I am not going to bore everyone with details of Gettysburg, Strasburg Train Museum, Golden Palace ( the place outside of Bethlehem PA where the Hari Krishna's temple/village is....this will be another blog entry at another time!)., Wheaton village (glass blowing, stained glass, pottery, wood carving), many lighthouse tours, and Philadelphia ....the Liberty Bell etc..
Soooooo now ... I am getting ready to return to work, get the laundry caught up, yard work done, buy groceries and we have Johnson's blacktopping in our driveway even as I write, laying a new blacktop drive for us. Man, does that stuff stink! But, it will be nice when it all gets done.
I gleaned much while on this trip....and will be writing about my "discoveries"
in upcoming blogs. I was absolutely amazed at the different climates, both in the natural and the spiritual. I am amazed at the beauty, splendor and diversity of God's creation. HE is amazing!
Got to go for now. I will be speaking at a women's conference June 23rd and 24th in Clinton IA at Presbyterian Church, 400 5th Avenue South, Clinton, IA., need to finalize some things.
In, through and to HIM!
Deborha
Friday, May 26, 2006
Frustration.....frustration .....frustration.....
I don't exactly know how to express what I am feeling in words. I am soooooo frustrated with people right now. I am sooooo disappointed in people right now. I am sooooo disappointed in myself right now for feeling like I do!
When on God's green earth will we learn that God has HIS timing, HIS purpose, HIS people, HIS word, HIS work to do and accomplish, and get our stinkin' minds off from around it and stop trying to figure it out and dictate what we think?! When will we allow God to move in HIS sovereignty in this city without "trying to make it happen"? If we, as the Body of Christ would just be the true worshippers that God wants us to be .... and step out in faith believing....then GOD .... not "my church" or "my pastor" or "this prophet (ess)" or "this program" or "this persons tape series"....it is about RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD PEOPLE! Having clean hands and a pure heart!
I don't exactly know how to express what I am feeling in words. I am soooooo frustrated with people right now. I am sooooo disappointed in people right now. I am sooooo disappointed in myself right now for feeling like I do!
When on God's green earth will we learn that God has HIS timing, HIS purpose, HIS people, HIS word, HIS work to do and accomplish, and get our stinkin' minds off from around it and stop trying to figure it out and dictate what we think?! When will we allow God to move in HIS sovereignty in this city without "trying to make it happen"? If we, as the Body of Christ would just be the true worshippers that God wants us to be .... and step out in faith believing....then GOD .... not "my church" or "my pastor" or "this prophet (ess)" or "this program" or "this persons tape series"....it is about RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD PEOPLE! Having clean hands and a pure heart!
Worship the ONE TRUE GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!
OOOOOOHHHHHHH....uuuuuuggggh!
Did I mention that I was frustrated and disappointed? hmmm?
Help me Lord....I love YOU Lord...I can't imagine how you feel sometimes. My heart is breaking....no matter what I will worship YOU...just because of who YOU are....simply...because of who YOU are.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Good morning.Another weekend in the Emergency Room and it literally has been a blood-spilled weekend. . . a young girl who was dragged beneath a car for two city blocks...a drunk who was brought in by the police and while in our X-ray dept. decided he would "head-butt" our x-ray equipment causing a HUGE gash across his already bleeding skull! ... and...it went on and on....! I spent most of the weekend in protective gear, avoiding "the blood" of others. Perhaps there is a message here? Then while trying to help these people they are yelling obscenities at me and spitting in my face. Hmmm? You see I am a "whitey" and I don't understand. "You don't walk where I walk." They said, " You don't have the issues that we have. Just fix her. Can't you fix her? Oh, God. Can't you fix her face? Where her face!?" Not an easy thing... You see, people do need the Lord. How are we going to reach them. When will we walk where they walk, without fear, in the power of a Holy, Righteous, Victorious God? HERE I AM LORD! SEND ME! Thank you for the opportunity to serve YOU Lord in the workplace....please extend my tent pegs...I want to see YOU in the streets of this city!
All I am going to say for now is ... Thank YOU LORD for your protection. Thank YOU LORD that YOU have me covered. Thank YOU LORD that because of YOU I can comfort those who need comfort by YOUR HOLY SPIRIT. Thank YOU for YOUR peace and YOUR rest. Father heal that young girl not just physically but spiritually as well. Show her she has an Everpresent Help in time of need. Teach her that at what time she is afraid she can trust in YOU. I ask that no bitter root grow from this. Father, I ask that her brother, who is a pastor, would receive revelation and wisdom directly from your throne room. Be Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Sabbioth...Be the I am that I am....God...just be...in me...I love You, Elohim, my beloved!
In, through and to HIM....
Deborha
Friday, May 12, 2006
Come and sit a while beneath my tree or upon its billowy branches and rest a while with me....WANTED: UNITY
For the last 10 years I have been leading an intercessory prayer group. We have been praying for unity in the body of Christ for at least that long. Many times God will annoint a leader to be a Joshua for the city. This Joshua will have unusual favor with God to gather pastors and leaders together. Other leaders appointed by God will join in a covenant relationship of prayer for unity.
Cindy Jacobs writes:
Humility has a particularly devastating effect on the power of religious disunity. As pastors and leaders in an area bless each other, instead of putting up more walls, as they realize that they are often paranoid and protective of "their" sheep,
God's unity will come and ideological strongholds will be broken. Sometimes these strongholds are broken when a church takes up an offering for another church. Wouldn't it surprise you if a pastor from a neighboring church offered to help with a day of yardwork, church maintenance or provided a potluck for another congregation, after service, on a Sunday?
The pastors must first believe that God can tear down the ideological strongholds among Christians-between denominations and groups of believers. They must see that they are all one Body and that their city will never be won with just part of the Body working. Every joint must supply effort to win a city for Christ. Just as it took all the tribes of Israel to conquer the Promised Land of Canaan, it takes all of the parts of the Body of Christ to inherit our promised land in a city.
(Cindy Jacobs, Possessing the Gates of the Enemy)
The intercessory team has sensed that a Joshua is in the city. We have been praying for unity to come. We have been asking God to bring together the "true" intercessors of Galesburg and the surrounding areas, to come into agreement with the plans and purposes of God for this city.
We are not a team of intercessors from one congregation. We represent anywhere from 4-6 congregations depending on attendence. God has his watchmen on the wall, we know that there are more. We are asking God to bring our Pastors together to pray with us. We have had one pastor show up so far, but are believing for more. He has opened up his church for us to gather together...2 Thursday nights a month. Interesting enough, this church is outside the city gates!
I have encouraged the other team members to speak to their pastors about this.
We need to "know those who labor among us". My heart is crying out for the unity of the Body of Christ. For prayer to go up in this city like it never has before...in the unity of the leadership, hand in hand with the Aaron's, Hurs, Jonathans, Deborahs and the Levites (worshippers).
I am convinced that God is in this...what part do you play?
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