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Psalm 123

8/4/2016

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A Song of Ascents.
1 “To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
Until He is gracious to us.
3 Be gracious to us, O LORD, be gracious to us,
For we are greatly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is greatly filled
With the scoffing of those who are at ease,
And with the contempt of the proud.”


As I was reading scripture the other day and waiting to hear from the Lord as to what He would have me write, I was lead to the above noted Psalm. As I put it on paper I am meditating on it and asking the Lord what particularly are we to see in this scripture. Please sit back and take this journey with me. I am overwhelmed, as usual, by what the Lord has to tell us. It is very important that we hear Him, listen carefully and walk in His ways if we are going to walk victoriously in the days ahead.
 
First of all I have to say, “Thank You”  to my Father in heaven for the reminder to keep my eyes LIFTED upward so I will not be tempted, or even taken captive, by what is going on around me. Yes, we do need to be very aware of our surroundings but not to the point that we neglect to give praise to the One who wants to lead us on His chosen path for our lives. The opening of this psalm reminds me to take time to worship the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Yes, He is enthroned on high in the heavens, but is He enthroned on our hearts? My dear brothers and sisters, that is the critical question. If He is not enthroned on our hearts, we will surely fall. We will surely be confused, and even angry, regarding the events going on around us. Yes, we should have righteous indignation as to the evil in the world, but we are to seek the Lord in dealing with the enemy and not lean on our own understanding! “Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”  (Psalms 97:10)
 
Jesus was angry at the evil in the temple, rightly so! And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.  And He said* to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a robbers' den." (Matthew 21:12-13) “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”  (Ephesians 4:26)
 
Let me ask you a question. Would it be appropriate for us to do what Jesus did in the above paragraph? I think we’d all agree that it would not because we have not been given the authority from God the Father to do so. There are many of us who really would like to do so because we feel the grieving of our Lord as to what His church has been turned into, but we cannot act on our own accord, it would be sin. We can even feel the anger that the Lord feels, but that anger should cause us to pray for those who are in sin and causing others to stumble. I know this isn’t easy. As I look around us today, our leaders have fallen into apostasy, our churches are in moral decay and the Lord is being cheaply sold by false prophetic teachers promising healings, miracles, prosperity, etc. (If these teachers and leaders stay constantly focused on prophecy, healings, miracles and prosperity, then be aware of what our Lord proclaimed in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (What is the will of the Father? That His Son will be exalted in the churches. He is to be THE ALL ENCOMPASSING FOCUS and not the gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)! 
 
 "MANY will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' (Matthew 7:22-23) Did you note the word “MANY”? How can that be? Because Satan tries to be an imitator of God and comes very close – he is a counterfeit that looks like the real thing and even his demons can actually look like real spiritual leaders, it says so in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
 
Do we conduct ourselves as servants of the Most High God? I actually prefer the term bond servant because it reminds me that it is voluntary on my part to choose to serve Him. Jesus Himself proclaimed to be a bond servant in Philippians 2:7,  “but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”  I WANT to be in bondage to Him alone! I am not a slave who was taken captive against my will! If you feel that serving the Lord is much like being a “slave” please know that the enemy is in full attack mode against you! The Lord Jesus Christ willingly gave His life, in exchange for your life! Instead of you (or me) having to suffer the excruciating scourging and beatings and crucifixion, He volunteered to go in our place and purchase our freedom from slavery to Satan and to set us free through His blood of redemption! All of His ways are given to us out of love for us, to keep us safe, to protect us and deliver us through this world into our eternal home! Will our walk always be easy? No! But just as a baby has to learn how to walk, what to eat, how to talk, what is safe and unsafe, so do we. And in the process there is correction and discipline. “But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.”  (Hebrews 12:8)
 
That discipline will begin to cause us to fall deeply in love with Jesus our Lord. We will come to a full surrender as His bride and nothing else will matter but Him who loved us and gave Himself for us! Our desire OUT OF SHEER LOVE for Him will be to walk a godly life. But there is the warning in how Satan will come against us because he hates all those who really love Jesus! The warning is found  in  2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” That persecution can come from family, friends, church members and those unsaved that you work with at a job! But in that persecution the Lord you love will give you victory to overcome the hurt.
 
Does God give us everything we want? Thank goodness HE DOES NOT! He gives us what we NEED and then blesses us with blessings we could never even imagine! “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”  (Ephesians 3:20) Don’t grow weary, there is such sweet fellowship in waiting upon the Lord! Are we content to wait for our answer or to receive direction? Are we content to just be in His presence without wanting something from Him? Are we content to worship Him just because we love Him with all our being?
 
Do you notice anything that might seem out of context in verse 3? The psalmist is worshipping the Most High when suddenly conviction is brought upon him and he asks that the Lord be gracious to him and the people because they are filled with contempt towards those who are filled with contempt towards them! Are you that honest with God? Or do you pray in a religious spirit that does not allow yourself to be convicted of feelings, actions, words, etc.? Do you justify your part because of what ungodly things may confront you? That is the natural tendency of man and easy for us to reside in. I know that it is much easier to be the victim than to be gracious and filled with compassion and forgiveness. I can’t stay in that place for long, however, because the Holy Spirit reminds me of God’s truth! “Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.”  (Psalms 139:4) Conviction! And I know I can’t move past this place without His help so along with asking forgiveness I submit whatever it is into His hands and praise Him for His amazing love in spite of my weaknesses. This isn’t always a one time action, but Psalm 139 assures us that God is in control and understands what is going on in our hearts even more so than we do. I highly encourage you to spend some time in it today, absorb the truth of the psalmist’s words and rejoice in His everlasting love for those who seek Him!
 
Please do not glide by the above paragraph. Maybe I should have stated the words the Holy Spirit spoke to me at the beginning of that paragraph. But I suspect the Lord was preparing our hearts to hear Him before the obvious was spoken. What did I hear? I heard the Holy Spirit speak and it was very disturbing to hear His words. “My children have become entitlement minded. My children have contempt for those who are against them.” Please read those words again. Did the Lord have contempt for those who were against Him? No, He prayed for those who despitefully used Him and persecuted Him. At the worst moment ever He cried out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!” Are we not to be imitators of our Good Shepherd? “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
 
What sorrow the Lord feels, but also anguish against His own! The Lord will discipline His children for these things! Our “pride” is the same sin as those whose “pride” opposes believers. It comes from the same source, evil!
 
The security we have in Christ should bring us into a state of humility not pride. Our security only came through the blood of Jesus Christ, a painful disgusting mutilation of His body that He VOLUNTARILY gave for us! However, even that sacrificial act didn’t secure our eternity. Was it enough? ABSOLUTELY! Is there anything else we can add to it? NO! But we do need to receive it. Receiving it means that we have acknowledged the great sinfulness that is within us and not only ask for forgiveness, but turn away from it and literally become a changed person, a new creation in Christ! We now have the mind of Christ! “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM ? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) Notice that the Apostle Paul reminds us that we do not instruct the Lord, but we are to be submitted to His authority and receive His guidance through the Holy Spirit who resides in us!
 
“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
 
If we aren’t submitted to the Lord and are acting and reacting in the same ways of worldly people it is no wonder the world has contempt for “Christians”! So what exactly is contempt? The word used in Hebrew means “springing from evil, prosperity or judgment”. I can certainly see and feel the pain of that in my soul. Believers in the Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have always been reviled and hated. Those who are not willing to submit to the authority of the Almighty God will always hate those who do. If a believer is poor or sick, they will look down on them with contempt and proclaim that “their God” doesn’t care for them. However, both the unbeliever and believer do not understand that prosperity in God’s kingdom does not depend on physical and material riches. Our inheritance is the Kingdom of God! We are heirs to His throne! We are not to look through secular lenses but through the eyes of faith, just as Abraham. (Hebrews 11:9-10 NAS) “By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”  (John 17:3)
 
If you look up the definition in a dictionary you will see that the word “contempt” means the “state of mind of one who despises”. Yes, they are the “proud”. They are proud of the fact that they alone are their own gods. They are proud that they bow their knees to no one. They are so proud that they are willing to destroy society in order to be the center of attention and follow no man’s rules. The sad fact is, they are under submission to Satan and what they consider as no rules only applies to their behaviors. They really want total dominion to evil and thus despise anything that is holy and moral and pure. Do they realize this? I don’t believe that most of them do. They just want to fulfill the desires of their flesh. But there are the leaders who know exactly the plan of destruction and who their leader is and there is no point to which they will not go to accomplish that plan. Life has no meaning for them. They have been brainwashed that their allegiance to an ideal is the epitome of their existence. Sound familiar? I see it all around us today in the masses who are protesting and involved in our political process. And, yes, it is the same evil that Islam extremists adhere to! The enemy disguises himself in many ways to try and hide his identity, but for those who are rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ, they are called to walk in the Spirit and ready to do battle!
 
But we who are believers must be honest, not only with ourselves but especially with God, and admit our hypocrisy! While we cannot control the actions of others, we must present ourselves before the Lord and consecrate ourselves, allowing ourselves to be made holy as He is holy. “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love”  (Ephesians 1:4) “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  (Ephesians 5:27) “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;”  (1 Peter 1:15) because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 
(1 Peter 1:16) Now I don’t know about you, but I know that I fall short of God’s holiness every day! But that last verse in 1 Peter 1:16 reminds me that it is Christ in me that is holy, therefore He is doing the work...IF I ALLOW HIM! It is done, but the question is, am I available to Him to receive it and walk it out? Only you can answer this question in your own life and I hope you seriously spend some time with the Lord allowing Him to minister to you today. Let the words of the Apostle Paul be an encouragement to you today, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”  (Ephesians 4:1-2)
 
You and I cannot save the whole world, but if the Lord chooses to work through us on any given day, He may touch someone’s heart and they may receive Him as their Savior and Lord. It won’t be because of our “holiness” but because His holiness is alive in us and has a living vessel to flow through. They will see Jesus in us and what does that look like; they will see holiness consistently produced in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – the Fruit of the Spirit.  It is not for us to be glorified but that He be glorified in this world. I cannot change anyone (including myself) but He can. There is a scripture in Revelations that puts this all into context that, hopefully, will help us wrap our minds around the desire of the Lord for us. "Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."  (Revelation 22:11) The people I come in contact with have a choice, just as you and I have a choice. Can we walk in Christ with love without reacting if they choose evil? “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,”  (2 Peter 3:11) “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)
 
The calling of a true believer in Jesus Christ is to give honor and glory and thanks to the One who sits upon the throne of all humanity. I am reminded when I do this of Psalm 37:23-24, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.”  Can you see His hand in your life? Are you allowing Him to establish your steps? Are you navigating some difficult paths right now? Do not fear, LOOK UP! “...for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"  (Hebrews 13:5-6)
 
The Apostle Paul is indeed a great example to us. He imparts God’s heart to us and challenges us constantly to examine ourselves! “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?”  (2 Corinthians 13:5) What comes to mind right now is another great apostle, who like us, had a hard time surrendering to the Lord’s plans at first. Yes, it is the Apostle Peter. After Jesus returned to the earth for 50 days he met with Peter and restored him and Peter was never the same again, he never looked back! Listen to these questions that he challenges us with. “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” (1 Peter 2:20) “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”  (1 Peter 3:17)
 
What is the psalmist really wanting to convey to the Lord when he states “For we are greatly filled with contempt.”? He then details why those who are believers are struggling with their feelings of unlove against others. “With the scoffing of those who are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.”
 
We who are true Bible believers and hold up God’s Word as holy are hated today. There are laws passed that are diametrically opposed to the tenants of God’s Word and the Supreme Court has agreed with them. We who are faithful and desire with all of our hearts to keep those declarations of truth are hated today. We are seen as intolerant, bigots and much more. There is great contempt for us. Didn’t the Lord warn us that this would be in
1 John 3:13 “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.” John 15:18-21, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”
 
Falling totally in love with Our Lord is the key. There will be a strength given to you to endure the contempt and stand firm giving our Bridegroom all the glory.  Zechariah 4:6 “…This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.” The power to endure will be the Holy Spirit living inside of your heart!
 
Being disliked, despised and rejected is unpleasant and has been the life of a believer ever since sin entered the Garden of Eden. But the psalmist is teaching us that we are not alone, that we are to cry out and wait for our Lord to respond, to comfort us, to lead us, to give us discernment and wisdom, but most of all, strength to endure and continue on the path that the Lord has laid out before us. Notice these words of the psalm, “So our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He is gracious to us.”  We stay the course! We continually look to the author of our salvation! “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
 
How do we do that? We have been clothed with the armor of God, are you dressed for battle? (Ephesians 6:10-18) To see more on prayer and the Armor of God click this link: http://www.atthefeetofjesus.net/prayer. The Apostle Paul gives us a very clear and firm admonition that most believers have forgotten. “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:4) The Lord Himself spoke of this to the prophet Jeremiah, here are the words Jeremiah was told to speak to the people, Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
 
Do you KNOW the Lord, truly know Him? Are His thoughts your thoughts? His ways your ways? "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts”. (Isaiah 55:8-9) The prophet Isaiah admonished his people with these precious words, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”  (Isaiah 55:6) This is what I hear the Holy Spirit telling me to proclaim, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.”  (Isaiah 55:6)
 
My dear brothers and sisters, the days are getting darker and the times more perilous. There is no man which can save us from the path of destruction we are on. There is only one hope and that is through the ONE, JESUS CHRIST! Just knowing about Him won’t do you any good. Just going to church won’t help you. Living a moral lifestyle (which is good) isn’t going to redeem you. Redemption only comes by the hand of God and is a miracle! Helping the poor and the needy (which again are good deeds) won’t earn you salvation. There is only one way! Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  (John 14:6) Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  (John 3:3)
 
Years ago some new neighbors moved into our neighborhood. When we were together one day they asked if we were believers. When we said “yes” they then asked if we had been “born again”. At that point I wondered what church they were attending and what they were being taught. So, can I use a moment here to clarify something for any of you who may be experiencing the same confusing questions? The term Christian means a follower of Jesus Christ, one who has seen his sin, repented of the sin in his life, and has asked that Jesus Christ be Lord of his life. A follower is a student or disciple. A student or disciple commits to learning all about this new life he has been given so that he is walking in obedience. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”  (John 14:15) One who has truly made this decision is filled with the Spirit and has been born again, born into the family of God, that is why he is a Christ follower!
 
So “born again” and “Christian” are technically the same thing. Why do I say technically? Can we be honest with each other? So many have claimed to be “Christian” that the term really has lost significance among society today. There are so many claiming to be “Christian” who are living in every kind of sin that the scripture says those who practice these things will not see the kingdom of God! “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”  (Romans 1:28-32) “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”  (2 Timothy 3:2-5)
 
So my dear friends, are you sanctified, set apart unto Christ, and separated from the ways of the world? Is your heart open to be a “friend” to the Samaritan that needs help? Not because you have to because you are a Christian, but because your heart is filled with the love of God and longs to show compassion on the hurting? I know these are challenging questions. They are questions that the Lord challenges me with daily. I need Him to remind me daily that I am a new creation in Christ so that I do not focus inward on my selfish motives but keep my eyes lifted up to see Him on the throne! I need reminded to worship Him alone and to bow my knee to His desire! Jesus clearly stated who the true worshippers are! "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."  (John 4:23-24)

 
 
 
 
Abba Father, I bow my knee before You and thank You for loving me, holding me, comforting me and challenging me daily to lift up my eyes and see the salvation of the Lord! Your ways are always perfect but we don’t always follow You where You lead. Please forgive us for our disobedience! Thank You that You hear my cry and not only show me the errors of my ways, but You continue to teach me through Your wisdom and discernment. Oh Lord, how I long to be in Your presence face to face but thank You that You constantly remind me that this earthly place is the training ground that prepares me and tests me to see if I am truly walking in faith! That is unpleasant to experience but I am so thankful that You count me worthy! Thank You Holy Spirit as You walk with me moment by moment, correcting me and encouraging me. I am never alone, YOu are always with me! Thank You that I know You hold me firmly in Your hand and that no matter what I may see with my natural eyesight, I can trust You to never me! I love You with every fiber of my being! This I pray in the blessed, holy name of the One and only Messiah, Jesus Christ! Amen.

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Jehoshaphat's Prayer

4/17/2015

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“...O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.” (II Chronicles 20:6-9)

This is one of my favorite prayers in all of scripture, mostly because it reminds me to turn my focus to God and His power alone. But also, Jehoshaphat is so vulnerable! He is the king, but there is no superiority, no pretense, no fake “having it all together”; he is being real! How many of us are willing to put ourselves out like he did? There is nothing in this prayer about how good he is or how he is obedient, or even how Israel deserves to be victorious. The prayer actually takes a whole different approach to what we usually hear in a prayer. It seems as if Jehoshaphat is reminding God of what He has done, and he is, because God has commanded us to remember.

There are several purposes in remembering the goodness of the Lord. First and foremost, when we begin to count the blessings and goodness of the Lord, we begin to give gratitude to God for who He is. Gratitude turns into thanksgiving and thanksgiving turns into praise and worship. This exalts God above everything in our lives. Problems that we may be struggling with no longer are our burdens, they are given to God our Father and left in His hands for His will to be done. Emotional turmoil finds comfort and security in His arms. When we recount the goodness of the Lord, the Holy Spirit is able to convict of fear in our lives that may be holding us captive, and even more importantly, we are able to repent of that fear, because fear does not allow us to place our trust in God. Fear of others or circumstances is actually the opposite of trusting God. The prophet Isaiah recorded these words of the Lord Almighty which puts all of this into perspective: “For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing,” (Isaiah 30:15)

So what struck me this morning as I read this in my devotion time, was the reminder that when we live in Christ, He will give us what we need. I can recount numerous testimonies of God working in my life to demonstrate this truth, but I will use just one. When I began to look for a house to buy, financially it seemed foolish, but I had this urgency in my spirit to look, so I did. But I looked where I wanted to live so I kept striking out. Finally my husband and I went to look at some model homes and were directed to the house that God had already built for us (not in the development where we were looking)! God was just waiting for us to ask Him where it was. As I prayed and finally laid it fully in God’s hands and felt directed to go to the house again, this time I saw it totally different and loved it! The easiest way I could try and explain all this would be…not my will but Yours be done.

That is a small example, but it shows that God is concerned about the smallest details of our lives. But the same question faces us, do we go into His presence to ask Him what He will do in every situation? As I was typing that sentence, I heard in my spirit this statement, “No, my children ask me what I want them to do.” Did you catch it? Even when we go before Him, our focus is often still on us and what we can do. We can’t do anything, bringing our plans before the Lord to bless is not biblical and is not what God wants. Oh, how we limit the power of the Holy Spirit; maybe not intentionally, but nonetheless, we put Him in a box to do something within the limits of our ability!

But the next part is the second key, King Jehoshaphat said that in that land that the Lord gave, a sanctuary was built for God. Loved ones, is your home God’s sanctuary? (YOUR HOME WHERE YOU LIVE CAN ONLY BE GOD’S SANCTUARY IF YOUR HEART IS TRULY GOD’S SANCTUARY – IS IT?) It’s easy to say yes, but if we stop and take the time to ask the Lord, we might be surprised in what He might bring to our attention. While some may take that as a rebuke, if we are in close relationship with the Lord, we will welcome the truth and remember that God tells us in His Word that He disciplines those He loves. After all, we need to be taught to live in His ways. And, unfortunately, it is sometimes easy to get off course without even realizing it. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit gives me that check in the spirit that brings me back to Him. (What do you do with those checks in your spirit, dismiss them?)

Listen to how King Jehoshaphat begins his prayer. He comes to God in a position of humility. He knew he didn’t have any power and he didn’t have a plan, nor did he plan on trying to devise one. That is the position of submission. When our eyes are on God, they can’t be on our abilities. ”O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (II Chronicles 20:1)

This is the place of perfect submission.  (THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING WHEN WE RUN AS A LITTLE CHILD TO OUR LORD.) I try to live my life in this posture, and unfortunately I don’t do it perfectly. But especially since I got sick, God has been teaching me His way on a new level I’ve not experienced before. I know I am powerless and it is ok! This concept is even foreign to those in prayer ministry often. Many churches in the United States have taught that if you don’t get healing, you are the one at fault and not receiving what God has offered. That does not line up with scripture. Jesus did not heal everyone. (God is sovereign and is the only One who knows the number of our days!!) So, again, are you willing to submit EVERYTHING into the Lord’s hand? Yes, we do have a spirit of expectation when we do this; the spirit says to be open to WHATEVER God’s answer is!! Frankly I’ve learned that I need God to direct me in everything in my life, just not major problems but even in how to pray. (I am not speaking of a position of authority in an occupation, even though this truth must take root and supercede the authority we hold in our natural realm.) So I look unto the author and finisher of my faith and wait. And I have learned the faithfulness of our heavenly Father and know, without a doubt, that the following verse is true. The battle is not mine, it is His. Another way, and confirmation, is Zechariah 4:6, “...Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

“...Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you. ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” (II Chronicles 20:15)

Dear ones, if we would only desire this one thing, submission to Jesus! We would again begin to see miracles and wonders as they were in Scripture! God wants to be glorified in us. We were created for His glory! He is looking to and fro over the whole earth, searching for those who are willing to be emptied of themselves, and filled with Him. We will find that the more that is poured out, the greater the filling to pour out. It is not something to understand in the natural, but to step out in faith and see the salvation of the Lord!

“You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” 

(II Chronicles 20:17)

Are you stationed where God wants you? Does that question make you uncomfortable? Worse yet, it may not even seem important to you. I know people who would say they are absolutely in the place God would have them, but they aren’t emptied of themselves; they have an agenda and they are in charge. Is that you? Listen to the following verse, especially the words that are in bold; they hold the key.

“...Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established…” (II Chronicles 20:21)

What comes to mind when you think of something being “established”? I think of something that has a history, it has been consistently performing over a long period of time. People become aware of, and accept, the presence of what has been established. This can be something good or something evil. Sin in our lives was established and held firm ground before we were reborn. Once we were regenerated, that sin no longer was an accepted presence and should be cast away. In its place, peace, love, joy, hope, comfort, gratitude, mercy, grace, thanksgiving, etc. should now be the “established” spirit living in us and flowing out of us. None of that can happen if we continue to trust only in ourselves and not the Lord. We may fake it for awhile, but eventually the mask comes off and the truth is revealed. Hear the Lord….Listen to Me, My way is perfect. Proverbs 3:5-7 is probably one of the most well known verses that lays out this same word. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

I Thessalonians 5:24 repeats this established truth using different words. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” The Apostle Peter warns us also in I Peter 5:6-9: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith,...”

“When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praise Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so they were routed.’” (II Chronicles 20:21)

I’m sure the Lord’s response may have surprised many, but it shouldn’t. God created us for relationship! For intimacy! He knows our every thought before we even think it. He thinks of us so many times a day that they cannot even be measured. Read Psalms 139. Sit, ponder and allow the Spirit of God to open up the eyes of your heart! Psalm 8:2 tells us, “From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.” I would encourage you to go to the Praise tab on this website and begin to immerse yourself in the love of God!

“And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.” (II Chronicles 20:29)

Brothers and sisters, I rejoice in the witness of what God did and His love for His people when they willingly submitted their lives to Him. But this is where my heart has been breaking and what has held up this devotional being posted. This is not a political forum, but the truth is written on the wall. The church has become so corrupted that it has made a mockery of God! There is not a denomination that has escaped this disaster. So that brings us to the local body of believers. It too is corrupted because the Word of God has been so watered down, even in the “good teaching” churches. There are a few that have not fallen into this category, but, unfortunately, very few.  

Some of you may think that I am being harsh.  Many will even point out that we have no right to judge.  Really? The Holy Spirit gives us a much different perspective. “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?” (1 Corinthians 5:12) Let’s look at a few scriptures where God tells us what a disciple (follower of Christ) looks like. These are not my words, they are taken directly from Scripture and are meant to challenge us to examine our lives and to see how we measure up so that we are not falsely believing we are secure in our walk and, yet, may be lacking greatly because we have been deceived!

Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification (holiness) without which no one will see the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,”

Now let me ask you a question
:


 IS THE SEPARATED LIFE (HOLINESS) TAUGHT CONSISTENTLY WHERE
YOU ATTEND CHURCH? MOST TEACH A SLIPPERY GRACE – LOOK AT WHAT GRACE
REALLY TEACHES AFTER SALVATION IN THE ABOVE TWO VERSES OF Titus 2:11-12).

So, my dear brothers and sisters, here is really personal question that you must answer before the Lord: “Who are you looking to for deliverance and guidance in this evil world we live in?” I have been having several prophetic dreams over the past year and a half. The last one was while I was praying to hear how the Lord wanted to lay out this devotion. He showed me a scene where I was walking down a road and there were many people on this road. All of a sudden there was an attack of destruction. There were no buildings around, it was desert land. However, the non-believers began opening up prepared caverns in the rocks and ground and diving in and pulling a cover over them that completely hid them and you would never know that the landscape had been changed.

As I watched this, the Lord spoke very softly and with such heartfelt emotion and asked me the following question. “What has My church done to prepare to protect My people for the events upcoming?” Silence followed.

So, surrendered lilies, we are being called today to take the same position as King Jehoshaphat, but not necessarily for the nation. The people of the United States have spoken, they want nothing of the Lord’s ways. God is allowing what we are experiencing in this country. But His hand is firmly on those who are His. Can we join hands and lift up His holy name and seek Him and His plan? Not preconceived ideas of what we think God would do. No one would have ever done what God commanded His people to do to bring defeat upon the enemy!


Abba Father, I bow my knee and look unto You for ALL my needs. You are the only protection from the evil in this world. I stand, not in fear, but in awe of Your love and Your goodness! Your ways are perfect. I ask You to begin to bring together the surrendered lilies who are willing to lay it all out before You and we will gather together in one accord to praise Your Holy Name! I love You! Amen.


(I would like to thank my dear brother Esher for his collaboration with portions of this devotional.)
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Prayer And The Armor Of God

2/23/2015

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I love it when God takes over my prayer. It’s like a flow of living water that just runs right through me. I wish I could say it is that way all the time, but there are times when I truly do not know what to pray and I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit who prays for me for the things I want to pray but do not know how to put into words, or at times when I do not want to pray that my will be done because God sees and knows what needs to be done in order for the other person to come out victorious.

God has placed me in a position to intercede for many in this season and it is a blessing, but also can be a challenge sometimes. I know that He is training me to lead me to new levels I have not reached previously in my prayer life. I feel as if God wants me to share this to stir up your faith in these difficult times.  I also believe He is wanting to draw you into His inner chamber as He instructs us to lead others into the truth that His Word is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.

This particular morning as I began praying for this woman, words began to pour out in regards to putting on the helmet of salvation. God showed me that the helmet is our shelter and strong tower for our thoughts. The helmet places boundaries around our minds and thoughts and reminds us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5). It also reminds us that we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16). The helmet is protection so we can receive the thoughts of the Lord and come into agreement so that the power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed. That same power that Jesus walked in, is in us. That power cannot be defeated by the enemy. That power begins to break down barriers in people’s hearts and they respond to the calling of Jesus.

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 4:1) Statutes and ordinances were set boundaries of the Lord for His people. Other words we could use would be laws or decrees which have expectations to be kept. Why would God place statutes on His people while they were in the desert? These were people who had been kept in bondage for 400 years and had drifted far away from any relationship with the Lord God. God gave them very specific statutes to give them boundaries that kept them safe. It was for their safety and as training to teach them the mind of God. In the natural mind of man, the statutes didn’t make much sense, but to the spiritual man, God’s wisdom abounded in the instruction. Unfortunately, very few of them saw God’s hand of protection and love, and looked at the statutes as a bad thing. Thus the judgments of God also were given to teach them obedience but even more so, to bring them into relationship. The judgment was correction for disobedience. God was more concerned in changing their hearts and teaching them to do right, than in performing sacrifices. (Hebrews 12:5-8)

Do you see the connection? When God tells us we need to put on the helmet of salvation, He is instructing us to keep within the boundaries of His truth! We too have been led out of bondage by the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. His way is the narrow way, but it is the road to our new home. That doesn’t mean we will never have trials and temptations come against us, but we have all of Christ in us to instruct and lead us. We need to block out the way of the world in order to hear Him, and we do that when we wear the helmet of salvation.

Did you know that the helmet of salvation is also in the Old Covenant? Actually the whole armor. Look with me at this passage:

“And He saw that there was no man,
And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
And His righteousness upheld Him.
He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.”
(Isaiah 59:16-17)

The Apostle Paul wasn’t giving us some new spiritual revelation. He was teaching us to imitate God! “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

As we  begin to live a life of praise and worship, and prayer and a desire to be changed to be like Christ, the Sword of the Spirit begins to unleash truth to dispel the darkness, defeat the enemy and expose the lies. Truth replaces the lies of the world and opens the door for justice. Not justice according to the world standard, but justice according to the One who is Love, Jesus Christ Himself!

As we begin to live by the Sword of the Spirit, the Word flows forth and a raging river begins to flood our souls, our lives, our city, our state and the seeds that have been planted begin to germinate, sprout, grow and bloom! What appeared to be dead begins to show new life. Why? Because one person decided to be faithful to the call. The water of the Word washes clean our filthiness and brings not only refreshment, but a thirst for the living water of purity and righteousness. Our desire becomes a hunger to know God in the fulness of His holiness. As we truly “fall in love with Jesus” we become consumed with His love and we are no longer the same.

The Lord demonstrated the power of the Sword of the Spirit so we would have no misunderstanding of its power. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, after 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus never responded with a lengthy sermon, or an explanation of why Satan’s thoughts were wrong. The only response needed, Jesus gave; He quoted Scripture, “It is written”.

We, who truly are in love with the Lord, are under His command to not divide the Word wrongly. All of scripture, in it’s context, must be taught and adhered to! “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Just prior to these words, the Apostle Paul wrote these words to Timothy, which, I believe, need to be heard again today in our pulpits: “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

God even reassures us with how faithful He is: “I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10) Praise His Holy name!

The words of man cannot stand up against the word of God so He clearly tells us why we should use His Words and not our own thoughts: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The results when we are obedient to use the Sword? “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)

The breastplate of righteousness keeps our hearts protected from the arrows of the enemy so that pride and hate cannot penetrate and place ourselves out of His righteousness and into a place of our own works, which will fail and lead us into a place of death, either physical or spiritual. In that unprotected place we are open to attacks of condemnation, temptation, evil, and ungodly associations.

The breastplate signifies the family of God, the priesthood of the Lord. We are priests and are called to be holy. “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”” (1 Peter 1:15-16) (Also in Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 20:7) “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9)

The breastplate hides the word of God in our hearts. “Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.”
(Psalm 119:11) The breastplate protects the well of living water within us that it does not become contaminated. It is like the Mercy Seat which Jesus sits on to reign in our lives. Since we are the temple of the living God, it is our layer of defense to protect the heart. Look at this word picture of the breastplate that Jesus wore: “He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.” (Isaiah 59:17) The armor of God is not just protection for us, it is the power of the Lord God Almighty! In the previous paragraph we were reminded that we are called to be a royal priest and to be holy. The priests in the Old Testament also wore breastplates: “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it.” (Exodus 28:15) There were also precious stones in the garment signifying the twelve tribes of Israel. But in Leviticus 8:8 we are told that the priests were to place the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. These were stones that were used for the Lord to direct them in making judgments. So again, we see the two covenants brought together and in one accord.

The shield of faith deflects the lies and deceits of the world’s ways and thoughts. It illuminates the darkness and casts it out to the outer darkness. The shield of faith is the door that remains closed to everything not of God. God’s warning is strong here, that if we choose to put down the shield, we are left vulnerable and can be deceived. (Look again at the intention of God’s statutes and ordinances. If they stayed within them, they were protected, but when they choose to be disobedient, they stepped outside of the protection and blessing of the Lord.) One of my favorite scriptures, and one I quote often is, “But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3) My shield is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord spoke these words to Isaiah about Jesus: “I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.” (Isaiah 42:6-7)

We are to “gird our loins with Truth” or other translations state to wear the belt of truth. We are to enwrap ourselves to protect the Truth. To bind the truth in such a way that no lie can destroy it. The Truth is the precious pearl that when found is so precious we are willing to sell everything else to obtain it. (Matthew 13:46) The foundation of Truth creates something solid on which to build. The cornerstone is Jesus Christ, and He alone holds the whole building together. The cornerstone binds itself to the foundation - the Holy Spirit, the Truth, to stand assured in our place in Christ. There is only one way to bind ourselves with the Truth, and that is to be in the Word. Submerged in the Word, praying the Word, praising the Word, singing the Word. We need to eat it in order to live. It needs to become the very essence of our lives. This is not “works”, this is the desire of one who is in love with the Lord and wants to know everything about Him so that their relationship is strong and healthy.

“and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;” (Ephesians 6:15) I sat with the Lord for awhile and waited for Him to show me what truly was the “Gospel of Peace”. I am going to share with you exactly what the Lord shared with me through His Word because the first thing He brought to mind was Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, and that is not typically where our minds go when we are thinking of peace. I present the following to you to ponder on and take to prayer. It deserves much more explanation than I am able to give in this devotional.

Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8)

Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” (John 13:10)

“How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written,” “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10:15)

“How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
(Isaiah 52:7)

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” (John 14:10)

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)

“My peace” - Jesus’ peace was the assurance that He was in the Father’s will. That is the only place where there is peace. When we truly begin to understand and walk in that peace, we become living vessels that “carry the gospel” in our everyday lives. Our feet follow our hearts (which have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus) and carry the gospel wherever God leads us. It doesn’t have to be an overseas ministry. Wherever God leads you to serve, is an important place of ministry in His eyes and heart.

God’s peace is wholeness, completeness, finished word, perfection safety, wellness, living in harmony with God, prosperous life (not just financially), acceptance of God’s will for our lives, being satisfied/content with God’s plan for us. Peace in Hebrew is shalom and is a covenant word. God and Jesus made covenant to redeem you and me. When we were redeemed we received salvation, but when we surrendered to Him and allowed Him to become “LORD” of our lives, we can then begin understanding what Jesus spoke to His disciples, and what the Lord spoke to Israel. The Word has not changed. God’s heart has not changed.

God reminded me that the disciples didn’t get it when Jesus spoke these things to them, even after they had spent 3 ½ years with Him, even when He appeared to them after His crucifixion.  It wasn’t until their world was turned upside down and out of desperation they gathered together in one accord in prayer did they finally submit their lives to God’s will. They were scared but greater than that, they were empty. They had been with the Living God and without Him their lives meant nothing. I doubt they really expected much as they met together in prayer, but they did remember that when they had asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He had revealed God’s heart to them of what the Father desired. In desperation, they came together, I believe, in emptying their souls of themselves and crying out for His strength and direction. And look at the result! God’s first introduction of the Holy Spirit was dramatic and powerful. It had to be. It had to be so dramatic that it had to be evident that the followers of Jesus could not have created the situation.

Today, that same power of the Holy Spirit lives in us, but we need to step out of ourselves and be filled up with Him. Yes, if we are believers, we already have the Holy Spirit living in us. But for many, they are barely giving Him room to even breathe in them, because they are not willing to be emptied of self. This truly is the picture of the Armor of God...God in us!

Now, as I was so blessed and still pondering all of these things from the Lord, I was working on my dear brother Esher’s posting on the crowns, and the Lord gave me a picture that I can only describe as the icing on the cake. Please go to the Song of Solomon Devotional heading above and click on Crowns and Thorns. You will find a description of the 5 Stephanos Crowns that a believer can earn. Those same crowns are the Armor of God! They represent the surrendered, submitted life of a believer. One who has picked up his cross (Matthew 16:24) and does not look back (Luke 9:62).

Dear Abba, I am overwhelmed by Your presence! You are so faithful! I am always so humbled by Your love as You take me into Your word. I surely have seen You as my very present help in time of need! (Psalm 46:1) You open my eyes to the knowledge of the truth, to truly understand and walk in the presence of Your holiness. Thank You that You never give up on me, and that You teach me how to stand strong in the face of the enemy. Thank You for loving me and discipling me so that I can trust You even when I can’t see you, or can’t understand what You are doing. Your Word is life to me! Thank You for the Living Water that nourishes and refreshes my soul. I bow down and worship You in spirit and truth. I love You with all my heart! Amen.
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Prayer

10/24/2014

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How is your prayer life? Please, don’t close this devotion. It isn’t going to condemn you if you aren’t a prayer warrior. I’m not either, but there are few scriptures that really challenge me. While I do have an active prayer life, I know that my prayer life could be greater. This is a word of encouragement for each of us and a reminder to bring us back to God’s heart.

Years ago I was deeply touched by Moses’ request to the Lord to know Him as He knew Moses. It’s found in Exodus 33:13, “Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found favor in Thy sight, let me know Thy ways, that I may know Thee, so that I may find favor in Thy sight…”

Moses sure had his moments when he forgot that he didn’t have to “take care of” the Israelites, that  God would, but he did get one thing right, which made it possible for him to continue on the journey and to be humble to hear God. The one thing was this prayer.

This desire for God though didn’t come naturally or quickly. He most likely never looked back on his life and figured out that God’s hand was upon him from birth. If he did he most likely came to the conclusion that God was finished with him.  So Moses ended up  going away and tending sheep in the desert for 40 years.  Any thoughts that he may have had about God using him were dead. However, while his dreams were dying, he was being emptied of all his great ideas and learned to just rest in God’s glory. In the desert you have plenty of time to notice God’s order and to contemplate on His beauty, His creation, His love.

When all ambition and plans were no longer in Moses, God stepped in and was able to show him what His plan was and that Moses was now a vessel that could be used. I believe the above prayer was key for Moses. When his heart matched God’s, he could pray to God to remember His covenant and His love for this “stiffnecked people”!

An example of this can be found in Exodus 34:6-7 as God declared the following to Moses: “...The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

I don’t know about you, but there are times I have found it difficult to pray for someone or their situation and I have learned that I don’t need to tell God how to answer the prayer, but to pray His will over the situation and leave it at that. Sometimes I might be as frustrated as Moses was with the children of Israel, and I have to pray, more for my benefit most likely, to remind God that they are His and He is gracious and loving and will never forsake Him. In other words, pray His words back to Him!

That’s it in a nutshell, when I pray God’s promises over a person or situation, there is power that comes from the throne. God doesn’t need my opinion or commentary, He is well aware of everything, far more than I am! So when I pray His truth, His words, I become aware of His presence and often hear Him speak regarding the situation or person. I don’t always receive a word but I always join Him in the inner room and I am changed as I commune with Him.

God doesn’t want fancy, fake prayers. He is looking for hearts who hunger for Him, to know Him. Really know Him intimately. The best way to do that is to begin praying His words back to Him. How do we do that? We begin praising Him! I don’t know of any faster way into the throne room!

We will shortly have a praise list, and other prayer materials, on the website. They are finished, we just need to get them in a format to post on the website. You will be greatly blessed, whether or not you have a struggle in this area. Keep checking under the heading PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!


Abba, I thank You that Your desire is to be in intimate relationship with us, and when we have the same desire, there is no limit to what You are able to do in us! I pray that Your will be done in each of those reading this devotional today and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform their lives! Your word is forever and never changes, thank You! It is only through Your steadfastness than we can be steadfast. We draw close to You today and sit in awe of Your beauty and bask in Your presence which changes us. I love You! Amen.
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    Rayah Shoshannah

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