A Living Sacrifice - Part 1

        “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.

        Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
        Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

      My former pastor used to say, “What’s the therefore, there for?” In chapter 11, the apostle Paul is exhorting the Roman Gentile Christians on how they, by God’s kindness and mercy, grafted them into his holy nation so that we can all be, together with Israel, be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” to “declare the praises of him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once (we) were not a people, but now (we) are the people of God; once (we) had not received mercy, but now (we) have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9, 10). That is why Paul says in Romans 12: 1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy…”

      What is Paul urging or pleading with us to do? Offer up our bodies as living sacrifices. Now most of you reading this are very familiar with this passage of scripture. You can recite it; it easily rolls of your tongues. But practically, how many of you can say you continually, day in and day out, offer up your bodies as living sacrifices? This is also what Paul is addressing in Philippians 2:12, “Therefore… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

      I have been hearing a lot of conversations and exhortations lately about “The Culture of Christ,” living holy, and being obedient to God’s commands. In fact, on December 31st, 2010 as I prepared to bring in the New Year, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Be a living sacrifice.” That was his word to me for 2011. Here I thought I was already being a living sacrifice, but apparently he wanted more of me. There was another level or awareness of sacrificial living. I thought the last eight months of 2010 was extreme, to the level of stepping out of the boat in faith as Peter had done when he asked Jesus to call him to come to him on the water. What more was God going to ask of me? I already appeared strange in the decisions I was making and the way I was living in following his call. (Come on God.) So I created a plaque and keep it in front of my bed so that when I awake and just before I close my eyes at night I am reminded that I am “A Living Sacrifice.”

 

      Just about every time I am to make a decision, especially one that would be naturally in my favor, I see those words, “A Living Sacrifice” and I become more prayerful about the decision I am about to make; I run through a quick spiritual test before jumping or answering yea or nay as I go throughout my day. I start the day out with my morning spiritual consultation (prayer and study of the Word) and then throughout the day try to keep my spiritual ear in tune with the direction of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I’m right on it all day long and sometimes I still miss Him, but I’m getting better at listening.

      So back to the plea of being living sacrifices. The obvious picture is that of Christ, and that is the example that Paul was referring to. However, I’d like to work my way back up to that picture. I want to go a little further back to Abraham and Isaac first, then hopefully take a look at the sacrificial laws and rituals of the Torah to the ultimate sacrifice of The Lamb of God – Jesus Christ and end with our sacrifice. I will be using “offering” and “sacrifice” interchangeably.

      Presenting offerings go back to the beginning when Adam and Eve’s sons (Cain and Abel) brought first fruit offerings unto the Lord in Genesis chapter 4. So pretty much from the dawn of time, sacrifices have been offered to God in thanksgiving and worship. Let’s fast forward to the command God gave Abraham to sacrifice his son of promise on an altar to God. God did not normally accept “human” sacrifices, in fact as will see throughout the Old Covenant, human sacrifices were denounced by God. Yet, he uncharacteristically commanded Abraham to offer up the son God promised him, Isaac, as sacrificial offering; “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Gen. 22:2). This was highly uncharacteristic of God, but I think it noteworthy to reflect on the preceding verse which reads, “Some time later God tested Abraham…” It was a test to see who came first in Abraham’s life, the gift or the giver of the gift. (The message of the how God tests to see which comes first in our lives, the Giver of the gift or the gift itself will be further explored later on in this study.)

      The command to offer up Isaac was a special command and a typology of Christ. In obedience and without hesitation, Abraham obeyed God. He gave God his heart through his son, no questions asked. Paul, in Romans chapter 4:22-25 says, “This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’ The words, ‘it was credited to him (Abraham)’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

      Abraham was not only being tested to see what was in his heart; was he pure in his heart towards God, but he was also a picture of God, the Father, who would later offer up his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, in love for the whole world.

      The word sacrifice is burning in my heart as I think back to the text for this subject today. However, it cannot stand alone. What do I mean by that? Well, Abraham was commanded to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. He did not come up with that offering on his own. He was given specific instructions on how to offer the sacrifice and if he deviated from it, it most likely would not have been acceptable. Therefore, obedience preceded and sanctified the sacrifice. In 1 Samuel 15 we see an example of where king Saul offered an unholy or unsanctified sacrifice to God and not only was the sacrifice rejected, but so was Saul as king. “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king” (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

      There are offerings and sacrifices prescribed by God and there are others given spontaneously out of thanksgiving and gladness of heart. All, however, are to be sanctified. What does that mean? Remember when Araunah the Jebusite in 2 Samuel 24:22 said to king David, “Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up” and proceeded to give David all the supplies needed to present an offering to God. David said, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (1 Samuel 24:24). If it is your offering unto the Lord, it should cost you something. Then also, it should be a holy or pure sacrifice. In Deuteronomy 15:19-21 the picture of purity and holiness is depicted in God’s instruction to the Israelites in reference to their offerings:

      “Set apart for the Lord your God every firstborn male from your herds and flocks. Do not shear the firstborn of your sheep. Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose. If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.”

      We can’t give to God any old thing. That’s what Cain did in Gen.4 and why God rejected his sacrifice. It’s the root of the problem addressed in Isaiah 58 about the true fast (fasting is a sacrificial offering, as is praise- Jeremiah 17:26). It was also why the offering of Ananias and Sapphira was grievously unacceptable in Acts chapter 5. God has a standard of holiness for all that is offered up unto him. Chew on this for a while. (To be continued.)

Sabbath Day: 7th Day, 1st Day, Every Day or a Future Day of Rest? (Part II)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)

Inspiration – “Inhalation”
Inspire – “Inhale; to influence, move or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking…” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)

The reason I begin with this Scripture is to clarify that ALL Scripture, not some Scripture as some would have us ascribe to, is inspired or God-breathed whether we understand it all or not. Either we accept that or not. Whether God wrote some with his own finger or chose someone to use and write what he wanted to say through them. He, God, wrote it. That is the premise, the only foundation upon which we as Christians (Jews or Gentiles) ought to build.

     Jesus validated the Scriptures as well by referring back to them in many instances with “It is written…” THE Word of God, used the Word of God to reply to questions from the religious leaders and others of his day. It is all we have to stand on. There are many sects and cults that have been spawned that use Scripture out of its context by manipulating it to say what they think or want it to say and have added to and twisted the Word of God. I, for one, do not claim to understand all of Scripture, but I am instructed by the Word and the Holy Spirit to live up to the light or enlightenment that I have received.

     Therefore, in respect to the Sabbath day, as a non-Jew who lives under the dispensation of the New Covenant of grace, I am fully convinced that I am in alignment with Scripture to keep the Sabbath-or Day of Rest on Sunday, the 1st day of the week, provided that I actually make it a true day of rest and refrain from work. I will refrain from speaking from the Jewish standpoint, though Jesus and the Apostle Paul were both Jews and the scriptures I will reference either Jesus himself spoke or Paul was used to write. For it is written:

       “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it….But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:4-12)

     The reason I worship and hold Sunday, the 1st day of the week as a Sabbath day of rest is not based on tradition. Yes, it is how I grew up, but I’ve always been one to question practices if I do not see them supported in Scripture. If I believed God, through his Word was really telling us to keep the Sabbath as the 7th day instead of the 1st day of the week, I’d have no problem in doing so. However, that is not my conviction based on Scripture or upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

     When Jesus, the Word made flesh, spoke to the scribe of his day, the Jewish teacher of the law and said that the most important commandment is this, “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength’… And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment greater than these.” That was a wrap for me and apparently, it was a “wrap” for the scribe as well.

     When God used Paul, who had been a zealot, “…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless,” (Phil. 3:5-6, NIV) to say:

     “Owe no man anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)
     This is in keeping with Jesus’ answer to the scribe. Note, by the way, that in both responses by Jesus and Paul, they were referring to the Ten Commandments. They both quoted the Ten Commandments in their responses and encompassed them all by saying, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Jesus said in Matt. 22:40.) And Paul’s answer that, “…if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying…”

     I cannot do this study justice in this blog and there are enough books written on the subject. However, it is sufficient for me to cross-reference all the New Testament Scriptures, since I am a born again Gentile under the New Covenant and sealed with the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, I do not find any Scriptural support to “preach” that the Sabbath day be maintained as the 7th day of the week.

     Finally, Jesus said to the Pharisees who questioned him as to why his disciples were doing what was “not lawful on the Sabbath,” he replied, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28) I believe the previous statements quoted above and this statement here, gives indication as to why God created the Sabbath. Yes, God rested on the 7th day after creating the world. Yes, God gave the Sabbath command to the Jews as well as the other nine commandments and many others as well. It’s necessary because being human we would not take the time to rest and reflect or give a full day of worship unto God. However, glory be to God, for the Believer, every day is a type of Sabbath. Through the blood of Jesus we have entered into a new dispensation of resting in Christ though the ultimate day of rest will not be until Christ’s return. Every day we are to worship God and give ourselves as a living sacrifice – every day (Rom. 12:1). Some will not get this concept or understand it (can’t say that I understand completely myself), but I believe the Word of God and do my best to live according to the Word of God and not according the traditions of men. I do not have the time or space to go into being under the law vs. being under grace as Paul talks about in Romans chapters 4-6 except to leave you with the few verses below.

It is written:
“Before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account where there is no law. (Rom. 5:13, NIV)


“The law was added so that the trespass might increase…” (Rom. 5:20, NIV)


“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Rom. 6:14, NIV)


“…in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” (Col 2:9)


“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us…nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:12-14, NIV)


“Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Col. 2:16-17, NIV)


     The commission of the Messiah, Christ, was simple: “…Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19-20)

     Therefore, I submit to you, let that be our focus, not disputing or debating as to which day is the Sabbath day. Jesus kept the Sabbath as a Jew, but then he died and rose again on the 1st day of the week. He fulfilled the law (Matt. 5:17-18), that is, he fulfilled the requirements of the law, he embodied the law and when we repent of our sins – the breaking of the law, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives, the embodiment of the law now lives within us, namely Christ.

     So we preach Christ. Everything is fulfilled in him according to the Scriptures. Preaching and practice are now made simple. Preach Christ and him crucified and resurrected. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Let that be our message. If anyone has anything else to say or preach, let that be between him and God (Rom. 14:22). ”Each of us will have to give an account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12)

My Prayer:
Father, make us one. Teach us how to love you with all our heart, mind, soul and body. Help us to love one another as ourselves. Let there not be division among us. Instead help us to walk together in unity so that our lives may glorify you and so that the world may believe in your sent one – Jesus Christ.


Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Audacity of Satan

Matthew 4:8-11, "Again, the devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this will I give you,' he said, 'if you wil bow down and worship me.'"

"Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."

The audacity of Satan! The first two temptations were on one level; "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread," and "If you are the Son of God...throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" It reminds me of how Satan also dealt with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, "Did God really say...?"

The first two temptations were audacious enough that he should try to coerce the Son of God to display his authority and power. However the third temptation blows my mind and should really make us think of the boldness of the enemy. He actually dared, DARED to suggest that the Son of God - God incarnate, the one who CREATED the world, would envy Satan's "kingdom" and "splendor" and suggest that God bow down and worship him!!!

Take heed of the crafty, cunning enemy we fight. If he tried to tempt the Son of God, who are we? The great news is that, he's already defeated. Praise the Lord! Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We know how the war ends. Hallelujah! But it doesn't exempt us from the skirmishes of the battles inbetween. Sharpen your sword - study the Word. Be alert, be prayerful, the time is at hand. Don't be caught sleeping. Our enemy is not asleep. He's slick and slippery like a serpent though. Always looking to strike. Think it not strange the tests and trials that you may go through. Rejoice to be counted worthy, to be counted a threat to the kingdom of darkness and to partake in the sufferings of Christ.

We have an audacious enemy. But take comfort in knowing, he's already defeated. Take comfort in knowing that our King, our High Priest, our Lord has already triumphed over the devil and given us authority in his name to destroy the works of darkness. The devil knows his time is short and is elevating his game. We must elevate ours as well.

Be bold. Remember who you are and whose you are. Know the Word and brandish it. Remain prayerful and walk in righteousness so that you may walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember...we win!

Peace and Blessings!

The Sabbath: 7th Day, 1st Day, Every Day or a Future Time of Rest?

In the last month and a half I've encountered the discussion about the Sabbath and the laws of the Torah four times. I hadn't really thought about it until this morning and realized that either God was trying to say something to me about it or perhaps he wanted to communicate something through me or both.

February 5th, 2011 I received a text message from an old friend asking,
-"Y don't Christians believe in the law of Moses or the Torah which are the same?"
- My answer was that we do.
- His response was then, "Y do Christians violate the dietary, circumcision and burial laws?"
- Still texting, I said, "1) That's specifically for the Jew under the Old Covenant or Testament. 2) Jesus is the fulfillment of the law or Old Testament. When he shed his blood and became the atonement for our sins."
- He asked, "What does fulfillment mean?"
- My response: "Atonement for our sins, there was no other sacrifices needed. His death n resurrection instituted the New Testament. Everything in the Old Testament was prophesying and leading up to the Messiah and the new covenant."
-His response: "Who said? Did Jesus teach that? Didn't Jesus say the law  shall not pass away or change?" Did Jesus establish the kingdom of god (God) on earth the way he was supposed to?"
- Yes, I replied. "Jesus himself taught this. I recommend you spend some time studying the teachings of Christ more than the OT. You'll get a full understanding faster."

The questioning continued and conversation continued but because it was all by text I recommended either we discuss it by phone or by email where we could address it better in more length. I recommended he start with Matthew chapter 5 and specifically 5:17. He read the scripture text I recommended and persisted via text to question and prod.
-"It doesn't mean stop following the law. That means all 610 laws such as dietary laws and the sabbath starting on Friday. So y don't Christians follow the law?" he said.

Due to time and location, I wasn't able to respond right away. So I emailed him the following day. I realize that it was going to take some time in discussion and study, however he wanted instant responses which I was not prepared to do without proper review of the Scriptures with references for him to look up.

A couple weeks later I entered a comment on some one's blog in reference to the importance of honoring the day Christians do hold as a Sabbath - Sunday. I shared that though we honor Sunday as the day of rest, many of us are failing to do just that, honor it as a day of rest. I fight to refrain from work and doing my own thing on Sunday and make it a day of rest and reflection on the Lord. Such was the tone of the comment.

Again, last week I met with an old acquaintance I hadn't seen in about 20 years. His conversation centered around keeping the 10 commandments with an emphasis on keeping the 7th day, the Sabbath Day Holy instead of the 1st day, being Sunday. I listened and inquired about how that conflicted with Colossians 2:16-17 and Romans 14. I don't really remember his answer except to give me his testimony of what God had said to him about keeping the Sabbath and that as my other friend said, "Jesus didn't come to abolish the law but to fulfill it." That Jesus himself kept the Sabbath and that the law was not abolished and should be followed even as a Christian. He also pointed out that out of the 10 commandments given that the law of the Sabbath was the longest and therefore the most important, or so I gathered by his emphasis. I didn't argue but I wanted to remain open. I was rusty, it had been a long time since I'd done a study on the Sabbath, law versus grace and what Jesus meant in Matt. 5:17. So I made a mental note to pray and study on it so that I would have an answer the next time the subject was broached. I had not gotten back with my friend that I'd had the text conversation with about it yet either.

Then last evening we had a former Jewish Rabbi, who was now a Messianic Christian Rabbi, well versed in both the Torah, Talmud and the New Testament come to our church to teach for the next three Bible studies and guess where he started? He started with the "Shabbat" or the Sabbath. It was fascinating and I look forward to the next few weeks. He prefaced the teaching by saying, before you can fully understand who you are, you need to know your history and where you came from. It is important for you to understand that God is a God of rituals and order and that the rituals prepare us for the reality or the realization of the leading of the rituals. This is the key.

In the next post I hope to explore further how that revelation of the Old Testament or Covenant laws and rituals were a preface or pointed to the Messiah and the New Testament and how it translates to some of our doctrine and rituals today. I welcome your comments and Scripture references supporting your stand even moreso than only your opinion if you don't mind. If you are fairly new to the study of the subject, below are some passages of scripture you can study/review for a good base on the subject:

Old Covenant: Exodus 20;  Exodus 31: 12-13;   Leviticus 23:3
New Covenant: Matt. 5:17-20;   Mark 2:27-28;   Colossians 2:16-17;   Matt. 22:34-40;   Mark 12:28-31,   Romans 2:12-3:31 (Chp. 4 is good to read too);   Romans 5:13-21.

Peace and Blessings.

Musings

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury... Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.'" Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

I'm a little disturbed by the trend in churches today where the leaders talk about how much they gave to a particular church project and the sum they want individual members to give for the same or various projects. Maybe you can help me, but I don't see this in the bible. I'm not speaking of tithes and regular offerings; I believe that is widely supported in the scripture. However, the trend of asking church members/leaders to give a certain amount of money whether as seed offering or for anniversaries or building fund offerings, I find to be more of a man or carnal way to meet a need than a Spirit led practice. Let me clarify; it's not that I don't believe that the Spirit can and may have led in this way in various congregations under specific circumstances, however, our (man's) tendency is to take something the Spirit did once or twice and make it practice or tradition. This is what I find troublesome and a turn off to myself and many others.

I love to give. I love to see needs met and the body of Christ flourishing. I want to be able to give more and believe I will be able to give in abundance in the near future. However, is the church now a business moreso than a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led organism? In the world of business and finance we ask for specific amounts for loans, for seed money/investments and the like. We are taught to be specific and ask for what you want. Even in prayer, to be specific and ask for what you want, all of which I am in agreement with. However, in reference to giving in excess of tithes and regular offerings, how does this current practice line up with the spirit of Matt. 6:1-18 or Mark 12:41-44? Even though in Matt. 6:1-18 it specifically speaks of giving to the needy and not letting your right hand know what your left hand is doing, or praying and fasting in secret, the overall message is that we don't do our acts of righteousness to be seen of men as the Pharisees were in the habit of doing and which, I believe, the current practice lends itself to.

In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus compares the giving of the wealthy with that of the poor widow who gave her all. Why was he pointing that out at the time? I believe it's because Jesus was revealing the heart of giving; that God loves a cheerful giver; one who gives from the heart and not one who gives out of compulsion. Isn't that what the scripture also says in 2 Corinthians 9:7? "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheeful giver." So then, where does this trend of telling people what to give comes from?

I wonder what Jesus is thinking as he looks down at our giving practices today.

Just musing and praying about what I find to be a contradictory practice that is becoming ingrained in many churches today. If you have some heartfelt and prayerful comments on the matter, I'd love to hear from you.

God bless.

Beverly

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.