Same Sex Marriages

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17- NKJV)

"The only thing it takes for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing." (Unknown)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, '...what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is still to come... There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." (Matt. 24:3-8)

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." (Matt. 24:32-33)

Body of Christ:
I hope you are at least as disturbed as I am about this abomination that is occuring in our own back yard, on US soil. One week prior to Japan being hit by the earthquake and tsunami, my 18 year old nephew and I had a conversation in which we were discussing the signs of the times. He spoke of the unusual snow storms and weather patterns affecting not only the US but different parts of the world. One week later, Japan is hit with a shattering earthquake and tsunami. The night of the earth quake in Japan, my nephew in deep concern about the state of affairs occuring around the world asked God to take him out of here. When I asked him what was on his mind he said, Auntie, don't you see the times we're in? We are next. When I probed further he said, "Where have these 'natural' disasters been hitting, Auntie? What countries or areas are known for major demonic activity and anti-Godly activity?" After we named a few areas that had experienced some 'natural' disasters, he then said, New England is next. With the passing of the same sex marriage law in Massachusettes and NY and other states hot on their trail, it's inevitable. God's judgement will come.

I've been pondering these conversations we've been having in my heart  in addition to the marked spiritual stirring (alertness) occuring and warnings being raised in the last few months of 2010 and increased sensitivity since the beginning of 2011 that this is not to be a year of business as usual. I've written in previous blogs about it and have seen others blogging the same alertness to something important about to happen and how God is fanning a sense of urgency of spirit in many of us to fast and pray; even as Satan, too, has stepped up his activity.

Yesterday, I read two articles that reinforced this urgency but left me with a new question. Is there something more than prayer that I should be doing Lord?  Yesterday, I read the news article, "Hollywood A-Listers Urge Obama to Support Gay Marriages." Then upon opening my email I read an article sent to me by a friend titled, "Prophetic Insight: What Is This Revival We're Looking For?" in Charisma written by Barbara J. Yoder. The writer had a dream in which I agree with her that God was speaking to her. Here is a pivitol paragraph that underscores what I really want to address in this blog today:

In her dream, "...the city and the church were indistinguishable. They were not evil in the dream but neither were they filled with God’s glory. They were empty and neutral, just stone structures, one blending into the other. I believe there is a way that we have come into such a cohabitation with the culture that we are blind to the distinctions, not recognizing how acculturated we have become, as well as being blind to the territorial strongholds. We are bereft of a level of discernment that will destroy us in the days ahead. We cannot distinguish the church from culture and vice versa. We are blind to the power behind the structure. We don’t see it."
God has been training and raising up warriors across the nation for a fight that's coming. Several of us have been talking about it over the last few months. This woman's dream and the events that have occured just the last three months alone, are all in alignment. Many churches are calling for round the clock prayer and fasting. Yesterday however, I felt a strong desire to do something more. 2 Chronicles 7:14 not only talks about prayer and seeking God, but also about "turning from their wicked ways." As I meditated on the passages of scriptures I've listed above and the messages in both of those articles, I kept asking the Lord, what can I do?

If the gay rights activists can speak out boldly about their agenda, why can't and don't we? We are greater in numbers than they are. If we don't speak out and let the politicians and president Obama know how we feel and uplift him in prayers, then we are failing to do our part and this abomination of same sex marriages can gain momentum and before we know it, just like the momentum Madeline Ohara gained and used to succeed to remove prayer out of our public schools we can be looking at a country parallel to Sodom and Gomorrah. We should not need a 9/11 disaster, a Katrina hurricane or a presidential election to push us to prayer, fasting and movement.

If I were to ask how many of you are praying daily for your president and politicians, how many of you could say yes? If not daily, weekly?, Monthly? At all? Yet I'm sure we pray about our personal needs and family needs. Well these are all connected to the decisions that are being made on a higher level in our governments which are directly being influence by principalities and powers in the spiritual realm.

Paul says, "I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

I propose that through our blogs, conversations, with much prayer and fasting that we seek God as to what we can do as the body of Christ to fight this devastating, ungodly, sinful virus that is attacking our land. Forget what party you belong to. We are in this world but not of this world. Our identity is in Christ, not defined by a political party! Whatever state you live in, whatever your political beliefs, we need to rally, stand, write letters to the authorities that be, including the president letting them know how we feel about same sex marriages. Our voices must be heard. Talk to the bretheren at your churches, book clubs, whatever Christ-centered organizations you belong to about mobilizing against same-sex marriages. Blog about it so that we can stay in tune and maybe help each other get ideas on what can be done and is being done.

Let us not allow evil to prevail because we, godly men and women, did nothing!

God be with us and guide us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Shout of Praise

It's 11:30pm. I was getting ready for bed when I thought to myself, "I am sick and tired of the enemy badgering me." I feel like I've been under a cloud for the last two days; and I've been waiting for over a year for a break through in a particular area. But you know what, God is good. He is faithful anyhow! In the same period of time, he's answered numerous other prayers. I've seen my God work wonders through the lives of several of my friends that I've been praying for. I've seen him answer prayers in reference to my church leadership. I've seen him answer prayers for healing in my body and for others I've been praying for. I've seen him save souls. I've written not one but two books over the last year. I've seen God answer  a prayer of mine just yesterday over a service that I was dreading and he turned it all around. Today I got a call from a friend that I referred to another friend so that they can help each other in their businesses and I am trusting God to provide for both of them. I am just so grateful. I have so much to be thankful for. So I want to give a shout out of praise to the most high God, the only true God - Jehovah. I feel like dancing. I know my break through is also on the way and so is yours.

So if you're sick and tired of the enemy blocking your blessing, praise God anyway. Lift up a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. MTJ, you are victorious! It makes me angry when the enemy messes with my friends. We are MORE than conquerors. We are children of the most high. Let us praise God together. If you don't have a job, let's praise God. If business hasn't been profitable as we want and need it to be, let's praise God anyway. If relationships aren't going well. Let's praise God anyway. God is in control. He is sovereign. If money is funny and we feel weighted down under the burden of debt. Praise the Lord, we serve a God who owns the cattle on a a thousand hills and gives us wisdom on how to get out of debt. He is even cancelling some of our debt right now in Jesus' name. Satan is a liar!

I am sick and tired of being on the defensive; aren't you? I declare, I am healed. I declare, a break through in my finances. I walk by faith not by sight. I will speak to the mountains in my life and they are moved and cast into the sea - because I serve God Almighty. So rejoice with me. He said, "In ALL things give thanks." I will make my boast in the Lord. I will draw nigh unto him and he will draw nigh unto me. I am resisting the devil and he is fleeing. Praise the Lord for his Word. I stand on his Word and shall not be moved. Blessed be the name of the Lord our God.

Come and praise the Lord with me. Let us exalt his name together and be glad. Praise looks good on you and me.

I just wanted to take a moment and give God a shout of public praise for who he is, what he's done, what he's doing and what he's about to do. I thank God for you and look forward to hearing your praise reports too.

Glory be to God Most High! Thank you Lord for answering our prayers in Jesus' name. Amen.

I'm in Love and Not Ashamed

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes..." (Romans 1:16)

Recently, I was in effect told, that I speak too much of God by a very dear Christian friend and that he was agitated by my conversation. I love him dearly, but as I dwelled on it today, I got agitated myself. But then, I suppose some people can get tired of listening to a man or woman in love who continually shares examples or incidents spawning from the love relationship. At any rate, the proceeding declarations are what ensued as a result of the loving chastisement from my friend.



Declaration:  I will love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my
                      strength. (Deut. 6:5)

Declaration: I will impress his commands on my heart and on my children.
                     I will talk about his commands when I sit at home and when I walk along the road,
                     when I lie down and when I get up.
                     I will tie them as symbols on my hands and bind them on my forehead.
                     I will write them on the door frames of my homes and on my gates.
                                                                                                       (Deut. 6:6-9)

"For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matt. 12:55

Declaration: I will saturate my mind, myself with the Word and with the presence of the Lord.
                     I will not let anyone shut me up, because man does not live by bread alone but by
                     every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. He is my bread, my source of
                     sustenance.

I am not a preacher, I am not an evangelist, I am not a prophet, I am not an apostle. However, I am a child of the Living God, saved by his grace and eternally grateful. I am a teacher, I am a discipler, I am a herald. I am in love and will speak of this love and this good news every chance I get. If this offends you, you need not engage me in conversation - I won't be offended. :-)

Declaration: I am a light on a hill that cannot be hidden.
                     I am the salt of the earth.
                     If my light is a bit too bright or my salt a little too heavy,
                     then yes, you may need to distance yourself from me
                     because my light will not be dimmed, nor my salt be thinned.

As the blind men on the side of the road cried out to Jesus as he passed by in Luke 7:37, 38, "O Son of David, have mercy on us," and the crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, they shouted even louder.
Declaration: So too, I will shout louder.
       
As the women who poured out their precious perfume onto the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with their hair. 
Declaration: So too, I will bow my head to the ground in humility and love and worship the King of  Kings and the Lord of Lords.

I will not be keep quiet. He is real and has done too much for me. The world needs to know he is real and personal. My testimony will not be silenced. I'm a woman in love and not ashamed.

God bless you!

A Letter To A Few

“Many are called but few are chosen.” Matt. 22:14

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because  narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." - Matt. 7:13-14

Over the past five to six weeks I’ve been having a sense of spiritual urgency. It’s as though the Holy Spirit is saying, “ It’s time out for business as usual.” The time is near. The time is short. God is moving more intensely. Open the eyes of your spirit to the signs of the times. God is preparing to do something and only those who are alert, are aware and actively engaged will participate. Others will be completely ignorant though all the signs are there. “In the last days, there will be a form of godliness but men will deny the power thereof.”

Satan can also read the signs and he is stepping up his activity. He knows his time is short. He intends to do as much damage as he can. His end is sure, however, he wants to take out as many as he can with him. Church, wake up! Bride of Christ, wake up, be prepared for behold the Groom cometh! Will you be found sleeping like the five foolish virgins or awake and prepared like the five wise virgins?

This is a letter to a few. Pay attention. It is not business as usual. If you are being awakened in the wee hours of the morning – it is to pray. If you are having unusual dreams, it is to prompt you to pray. Are you getting more than usual calls from friends or family members about physical attacks of sickness, suicidal thoughts, major financial challenges, you must pray. Have you noticed increasing pathology in the church, or spiritual blindness – pray!

“Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds”! PRAY!!!!!

It’s fighting time. The countdown is near. It’s the last quarter. You watch and respond with intensity to the Super Bowl and it is just a game. This is your life and the life of many at stake. The Super Bowl teams are fighting for a championship title and putting their lives on the line for it. It’s just a game to those who are watching, but to the players, the coaches and the owners – it’s their life.

Don’t be distracted, that’s a ploy of the enemy. He is using everyday challenges and irritants, but intensifying them. Don’t be blind to his schemes. Don’t just accept the doctors’ reports as natural. Whose report will you believe? Recognize the source of the activity. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, rulers of darkness. PRAY!

This is a letter to the few.

My House Will Be Called A House of Prayer

Matthew 21:12, 13 "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'"

Question: Why did Jesus drive out those who were buying, selling and money changing in the temple area? After all, were they not purchasing the doves for burnt offerings and sacrifices to God as commanded?

Reflection: I've been troubled lately at the amount of sales that goes on in the church to raise funds for this and for that. From the prevalence of bake sales and vending done within the church or right in front of the sanctuary on days when services, be it Sunday worship, Bible study, prayer meeting are typically held. I can't help but wonder how Jesus feels about all this? Even though in most cases our motives are pure, often times to raise money for the church activities or school activities - and I've been guilty myself. I just am becoming increasingly disturbed in spirit by the abundance of these activities without much thought as to how it affects those spiritually and physically sick and hurting who may be distracted by these activities when they enter or leave the house of God.  Is the message that the house of God should be viewed and reverenced as a house of prayer being lost?

It started with car washes, tag sales and bake sales in the community rooms to now interjections during announcements on overhead TV Screens right after worship or before the Word is preached. Is anyone else bothered about all this? Do you see any similarity to Matt. 21:12-13? Have we now become more dependent on natural commerical means to provide for our church programming rather than on faith in prayer? A couple other scripture references that come to mind are: Isaiah 55:8-9, "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. As high as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Also,  Proverbs 3:5- 6, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."

These are just some thoughts that have been coming to mind. Your feedback would be appreciated.

Be Careful To Whom and How You Listen

Discernment

I had an interesting experience yesterday that reminded me a little of Matthew 16:23 where Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Except, in the conversation I had with the young lady, she did have in mind the things of God and still it could have been a stumbling block if I allowed it.

Okay, I need you to fasten your seatbelts and hang in there with me on this one, because it'll be a ride.

For the last couple days I'd been feeling a little spiritually off center as though I was missing the target. My mind was crowded and I wasn't spending sufficient time with the Lord in comparison to all I had going on. Yesterday was Bible study and I had an URGENCY in my spirit to get there, like a car that badly needed an alignment. I didn't know how I was going to get there seeing that my car is inoperable at the moment and I don't know my way around yet. So I called a sister from my new church who told me I could call her when I needed a ride. However, she was out of town. I shared with her how I was feeling a little spiritually off center and my yearning to be at Bible study last night. She reminded me that we are the church and that God is with us no matter where we are and gently rebuked me for doubting and displaying a lack of faith among some other well-intentioned advice. All of which was true. But either I didn't do a good job of expressing myself or she wasn't listening to the Spirit. There was also the factor that she didn't know me very well.


We prayed together about a couple things and I got off the phone. I was a little comforted, but still disturbed in my spirit. She's someone in leadership and one whom I respect. So I considered taking her advice and not pressing my way to Bible study. I left it in God's hands.


Shortly afterwards my sister came home and she offered me a ride to the church. The series of events that proceeded was beautifully orchestrated by God. It was not only that I needed to get to church to hear a specific message entitled, "Patience Under Pressure" by a visiting missionary from Guatemala, but there were 3-4 other specific encounters God had lined up for me at the church that evening! From the moment I'd gotten to the church premises my spirit had lifted and I knew that I was where I was supposed to be that evening. The missionary even said as part of his message, "that some of our friends and family may try to comfort or give well-meaning advice out of love but may not be part of God's will." Look at God!


Sometimes, all I can do is just "look" at God and shake my head at his awesomeness. We have to be so careful whom we're listening to. When Jesus turned to Peter in Matt. 16:23 and rebuked Satan it was because the enemy was using Peter to try to obstruct God's plan and purpose. It's important that we discern God's plan and purpose in our lives and for different seasons in our lives. We must be able to discern God's will, God's voice or we will miss out.


About 5 months ago I had a similar experience on a much higher level. My decision to relocate was being questioned and rejected by the spiritual and business mentors in my life. However, I'd heard clearly from God to make the move, so proceeded to prepare, by faith, to go. It was causing all kinds of upheavel and changes, but I kept praying and moving forward. A week or two before my move I had a major clash with the primary spiritual leader in my life at the time. I left his office with a resounding headache unlike any other I've ever had. I'd always had God confirm what he was saying to me through this leader. So why not this time when it was of such major importance? I felt like my head was in a vice and I couldn't think. I knew it was the enemy, but I couldn't pray. It was 10:30 at night after Bible study. I finally cried out as I was driving to Walmart in my car, "Lord, I need to hear from you. Send someone who knows you AND knows me." (Sometimes the person may know God, but not know the work God is doing in your life. Other times, they may know you, but not know God. I needed someone who knew both.)


I called a couple friends. They were unavailable or asleep. As I walked through Walmart searching for the packaging tape I was looking for to seal up the moving boxes, I held my head and groaned audibly. A very friendly young man came up to me and greeted me. I recognized his face but didn't know his name. I'd never spoken with him before but he greeted me like a long lost friend. I was on the phone seeking comfort from a friend when this practical stranger greeted me and wouldn't leave me alone. I told him I'd get back with him once I got off the phone. The headache wouldn't leave and I couldn't think so I got off the phone and continued my search for the tape.


I ran into the young man again and he offered to help me find the tape. After seeking help from a sales associate for me, he led me to the tape in a rear aisle in the store. Immediately afterwards he started sharing his testimony with me. Within the first 5 minutes of sharing the vice around my head released. My headache was gone. He had my full attention because I knew immediately God was speaking to me. I stood there transfixed as I listened to him. He went from telling his testimony to speaking prophetically. I was in awe. He was confirming the things God had previously said to me and telling me of some things that God was about to do for me. I marveled at God and how he answered my prayer. I thought, "Wow God, you're awesome! You knew that no one really knew what you were doing in me, or that no one knows me like you do, so you came yourself to speak to me through a stranger!" It was a very special "moment" (the guy spoke to me that way for almost an hour and a half)!


So this morning as I reflected on what God did last night and as I remembered again the care of the Lord to send his messenger to speak to me at such a crucial time 5 months ago, it brought home how critically important it is for us to be careful to whom and how we listen. In both instances the people who were giving me godly counsel, were indeed giving me biblical (Logos) counsel, just not spiritually discerned counseled, or Rhema counsel. Good people, good words just not in the right season.

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak..." James :19a

He Waters My Soul

Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you:
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.


Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
   __________________

What more is there to say?