And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ~Romans 12:2 KJV.
Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect. ~Rom. 12:2 GWT.
Renewed minds. What does that look like? Take a look at Joel chp. 2:2-11 with this thought, It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and overcast skies (worldly thinking). A large and mighty army will spread over the mountains (kingdoms) like the dawn. Nothing like this has ever happened. Nothing like this will ever happen again. In front of this army a fire burns (pure thoughts). Behind it flames are blazing. In front of it the land is like the garden of Eden (life). Behind it the land is like a barren desert (death). Nothing escapes it (captive thoughts)! The soldiers look like horses. They run like war horses. As they leap on mountaintops (kingdoms), they sound like rattling chariots, like crackling fire burning up straw, and like a mighty army prepared for battle (mental and spiritual). People are terrified in their presence. Every face turns pale. They run like warriors. They climb walls like soldiers. They march straight ahead. They do not leave their places. They do not crowd one another. They keep in their own lines. Even when they break through the defenses, they do not break their ranks. They rush into the city. They run along the wall (above the laws of the natural). They climb into houses. They enter through windows like thieves (taking thoughts captive). The earth quakes in their presence, and the sky shakes. The sun and the moon turn dark, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD shouts out orders to his army (knowing His will). His forces are very large. The troops that carry out his commands are mighty. The day of the LORD is extremely terrifying. Who can endure it? These are my words added, but I feel like He lead me here when I asked, "what does that look like?" My favorite line is The troops that carry out his commands are mighty.
DAY 20. Half way through this fast. It's crazy to think it's been almost three weeks with no food, and it is equally crazy to think that I have a day less than three weeks to go. God is so good! He is able, oh yeah! He so blesses me, daily. He feeds me with His words all day long. But my biggest battle is not with eating food anymore, it's in the mind. One of the greatest battle fields lays between the ears.
"The real tests are not the situations that challenge our strengths, but the ones that expose our weaknesses. Most of the warfare we deal with in the Christian life is really internal. As we realign our wrong thinking and transform our old behavior patterns, it is amazing how we find that the devil and the world pose less and less of a threat to the flow of the life of God through us."(Strengthen yourself in the Lord, by Bill Johnson).
We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. We are ready to punish every act of disobedience when you have become completely obedient. ~2 Corinthians 10:5 Wow, there's authority released to us when we take our thoughts captive. Bill Johnson says,"I can't afford to have a thought in my head about me, that He doesn't have in His." For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~Jeremiah 29:11. It's amazing to me that He is thinking about me! Not just along time ago, but right now. Taking every thought captive, to me, says that there's thoughts in my head that are illegal, with assignments or intruders stealing. I can chose to agree with, and empower, them... or take them captive and give them a "no-fly zone". Every worldly thought leads to other lovers, and He is jealous over me and my thoughts. Feeding fears or faith: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ philippians 4:8. Don't let worry rob you of your joy! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? ~Luke 12:26.
God, renew my mind again and again...so I can align with Your good and perfect will for my life. Burn up everything that is not from You. Bring clarity. Come and have Your way with me. Make in me a clean heart and pure hands. Increase dreams and visions. Open up Your great resources to me. Blow me away! Release Your promises in me! Thank You for Your great love! Amen!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
"It's a joy to make yourself vulnerable to the goodness of God!"
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to
persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He
has promised... But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but
of those who believe and are saved. -Hebrews 10:35-37
Day 17. I have become aware that this is so much bigger then my small concerns. I feel like this is a call to prepare ourselves for what is to come. It has become normal to not rely on food as a source of life. The Spirit of God supplies every need I have. My food is God's spoken word. There's been a shift in my prospective... from body, soul then spirit to spirit, soul then body. It is such an awesome privilege to answer the call to die to myself. Sounds weird, huh? But there's two forces wanting us dead! The devil wants to kill us so we go to hell, and Jesus wants us dead to ourselves so we can live in Him, forever! There's no resurrection without a death. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them.~ Matt. 16:25. I feel like my vision is opening up to see farther. My prayers feel so much deeper, like I'm learning to pray from the heart of God. I feel an invitation for taking ground in the spirit realm. True intersession, standing in the place as if it is me, as Jesus did for us. So you are invited, also, to lose your life as you know it. Let go! And let God have His perfect will for you come to the surface. If you have done this but still feel like you're not where you should be, that's a good indicator that God wants to go deeper. Fear not, pray a dangerous prayer, "God, have Your way in me!" God is shaking His house. I hear a call for radical obedience. Red hot fire breathing lovers of Jesus! Pour your lives out as a drink offering to our Warrior King! He is so worthy! Jesus, You are worthy!
So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more. But that is not what you learned from Christ's teachings. You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The truth is in Jesus. You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. However, you were taught to have a new attitude. You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. ~Ephesians 4:17-24
Oh that is so juicy! Have a new attitude, and become a new person created to be like Daddy!
Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. ~1 Samuel 22:2. I feel like God is putting His finger on this. If you feel a shaking going on in your life, a change, or disappointments, there is a reason and a purpose. I feel like the door we are used to walking through is closed. Where do we turn? "I feel like a mess, but He's making me a message." He's opened a new door for us. Walk this way, change the way you think, have a new look.
Please feel free to let me know if you need prayer. Send me a message or comment. Thanks, and God bless!
persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He
has promised... But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but
of those who believe and are saved. -Hebrews 10:35-37
Day 17. I have become aware that this is so much bigger then my small concerns. I feel like this is a call to prepare ourselves for what is to come. It has become normal to not rely on food as a source of life. The Spirit of God supplies every need I have. My food is God's spoken word. There's been a shift in my prospective... from body, soul then spirit to spirit, soul then body. It is such an awesome privilege to answer the call to die to myself. Sounds weird, huh? But there's two forces wanting us dead! The devil wants to kill us so we go to hell, and Jesus wants us dead to ourselves so we can live in Him, forever! There's no resurrection without a death. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will find them.~ Matt. 16:25. I feel like my vision is opening up to see farther. My prayers feel so much deeper, like I'm learning to pray from the heart of God. I feel an invitation for taking ground in the spirit realm. True intersession, standing in the place as if it is me, as Jesus did for us. So you are invited, also, to lose your life as you know it. Let go! And let God have His perfect will for you come to the surface. If you have done this but still feel like you're not where you should be, that's a good indicator that God wants to go deeper. Fear not, pray a dangerous prayer, "God, have Your way in me!" God is shaking His house. I hear a call for radical obedience. Red hot fire breathing lovers of Jesus! Pour your lives out as a drink offering to our Warrior King! He is so worthy! Jesus, You are worthy!
So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more. But that is not what you learned from Christ's teachings. You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The truth is in Jesus. You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. However, you were taught to have a new attitude. You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. ~Ephesians 4:17-24
Oh that is so juicy! Have a new attitude, and become a new person created to be like Daddy!
Why am I excited to die to myself? In my best effort, I fall miserably short. I can feel a gift in me that won't let me settle for anything less than all that He has for my life. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.~ Hebrews 10:10-14.
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.~ Jer. 29:11. I will gladly trade all of me, for all of Him. So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ~ Titus 3:7. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. ~1 Samuel 22:2. I feel like God is putting His finger on this. If you feel a shaking going on in your life, a change, or disappointments, there is a reason and a purpose. I feel like the door we are used to walking through is closed. Where do we turn? "I feel like a mess, but He's making me a message." He's opened a new door for us. Walk this way, change the way you think, have a new look.
Please feel free to let me know if you need prayer. Send me a message or comment. Thanks, and God bless!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
All things new...
“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
God is doing a new thing, how can we not be aware of it? The message I'm hearing is, God is looking for a dwelling place. You are coming to Christ, the living stone who was rejected by humans but was chosen as precious by God. You come to him as living stones, a spiritual house that is being built into a holy priesthood. So offer spiritual sacrifices that God accepts through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4,5 Also in Ephesians, In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:21,22. Christ in you, the hope of Glory! God is filling the whole earth with His Glory! In Joel chapter 2, "But even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart- with fasting, crying, and mourning... Blow the ram's horn in Zion. Schedule a time to fast. Call for an assembly. After this, I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour my Spirit on servants, on both men and women."
After what? After returning to the Lord with all our hearts, fasting, then He will pour out His Spirit on everyone! We can't stop this. It's happening, and we are invited to become a house for God's Spirit to inhabit. Come Lord, have Your way in me! Whatever that looks like, have Your way, in my life, in my circumstances. You are Lord of all.
The Lord has been speaking to me about Jehosahapht (a king in the old testament). I kid you not, I opened my Bible without looking, just grabbed it and opened it right to 2 Chronicles 20. I ask the Lord, "Is this it?" As I began to read, the Lord said, "This is My word over you." The story goes: Jehoshaphat, king over Judah, was faced with an enemy that he could not defeat. This enemy was coming to kill everyone and chase them out of the land the Lord gave to their forefathers. "Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help." v.3 He calls everyone to fast and seek the Lord. Every man, woman and child. What does it take for us to see the desperate time we live in? There is an enemy that is real, and there is a call to fast and seek the Lord. Breakthrough comes from fasting and seeking. Finances, lost getting saved, marriages restored, healings, miracles, dead raised, demons cast out, and speaking to Him face to face, to name a few.
The word of the Lord came to Jehosahapht, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”v.15 "Stand still, and watch the Lord's victory."
God is doing a new thing, how can we not be aware of it? The message I'm hearing is, God is looking for a dwelling place. You are coming to Christ, the living stone who was rejected by humans but was chosen as precious by God. You come to him as living stones, a spiritual house that is being built into a holy priesthood. So offer spiritual sacrifices that God accepts through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4,5 Also in Ephesians, In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:21,22. Christ in you, the hope of Glory! God is filling the whole earth with His Glory! In Joel chapter 2, "But even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart- with fasting, crying, and mourning... Blow the ram's horn in Zion. Schedule a time to fast. Call for an assembly. After this, I will pour my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour my Spirit on servants, on both men and women."
After what? After returning to the Lord with all our hearts, fasting, then He will pour out His Spirit on everyone! We can't stop this. It's happening, and we are invited to become a house for God's Spirit to inhabit. Come Lord, have Your way in me! Whatever that looks like, have Your way, in my life, in my circumstances. You are Lord of all.
The Lord has been speaking to me about Jehosahapht (a king in the old testament). I kid you not, I opened my Bible without looking, just grabbed it and opened it right to 2 Chronicles 20. I ask the Lord, "Is this it?" As I began to read, the Lord said, "This is My word over you." The story goes: Jehoshaphat, king over Judah, was faced with an enemy that he could not defeat. This enemy was coming to kill everyone and chase them out of the land the Lord gave to their forefathers. "Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help." v.3 He calls everyone to fast and seek the Lord. Every man, woman and child. What does it take for us to see the desperate time we live in? There is an enemy that is real, and there is a call to fast and seek the Lord. Breakthrough comes from fasting and seeking. Finances, lost getting saved, marriages restored, healings, miracles, dead raised, demons cast out, and speaking to Him face to face, to name a few.
The word of the Lord came to Jehosahapht, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”v.15 "Stand still, and watch the Lord's victory."
They watch their enemies defeat themselves, and it took them three days to carry away the spoils. God blessed them for trusting Him. And they sang,“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”
In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings (fasting). May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers. ~psalm 20:1-3
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Key To Unlocking The Supernatural
The supernatural is natural to God. What I'm hearing is this invitation to walk in a way that is beyond my understanding. "That's impossible!" What sets our standard of what is possible? Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were stunned by his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." This amazed his disciples more than ever. They asked each other, "Who, then, can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "It's impossible for people [to save themselves], but it's not impossible for God to save them. Everything is possible for God."~Mark 10:23-27. Jesus said to him, "As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes." Mark 9:23. Definition of the verb Believe: to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
"Fasting is a constant means of renewing yourself spiritually. The discipline of fasting breaks you out of the world's routine. It is a form of worship- offering your body to God as a living sacrifice is holy and pleasing to God(Romans 12:1). The discipline of fasting will humble you, remind you of your first love. It causes the roots of your relationship with Jesus to go deeper." ~Fasting by Jentezen Franklin.
Most of the time, when I read the New Testament, I read it like a letter written from usually Paul to a church. What I've noticed lately is that when I pick up the Word, it seems that no matter where I look, it's a letter from Jesus to me. His Word has truly come alive to me. It is a living Word, sharper than any two edged sword. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God's approval. They will be satisfied. ~ Matthew 5:6. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12. And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. ~ Luke 4:1-4. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.~ Rev. 10:10. As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When may I come to see God's face?
My tears are my food day and night. ~Ps. 42:1-3. Jesus told them, "My food is to do what the one who sent me wants me to do and to finish the work he has given me,~John 4:34. These words speak of a different Source of food, substance. I hear a call to walk as they did in the Garden of Eden. Where they didn't eat food because they needed it, they ate just for pleasure. Their Source of life was the spoken Word. We live in this fallen nature society, where obesity is normal, yet we're dying spiritually. I've heard people say,"Be careful you don't want to harm your body by not eating." But it's actually very healthy to fast. There's many health benefits to giving your digestive system a break. But a fast is effective when it's done for the right reasons (Is. 58:4). Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars.~ James 1:17. This has been speaking to me. Fasting calls us to not rely on the natural, but step into the impossible and live life completely dependent upon His word to sustain us. "You know your mind is renewed when the impossible looks logical."~Bill Johnson.
The past four months, I was training for a half marathon, and I'm not a runner. The Lord was showing me the parallel between the natural and spiritual side of training. I just realized this 40 day fast is the marathon I was training for. The greatest revelation about this I got was, you don't run the race just to get to the finish line. You don't start and just think about your destination. The point to running is to fall in love with running. Enjoy the journey, learn to enjoy every step. This applies to our journey with the Lord. The main point to this fast is to enjoy everyday with my dependence on Him.
Day 10. I feel a renewed strength within. Day 8 and 9 were challenging. Day 8 was my daughter's first birthday party. My wife made a beautiful spread of all my favorite food. Everything looked so good, but God gave me strength that was so not me. As I see everything I'm saying no to, and denying myself, I hear a call to a new life, a new existence. I'm desperate for God to move in my life! I'm desperate for a breakthrough! I feel He is leading me on a path I've never been down to get to a place I've never been to before.
"Fasting is a constant means of renewing yourself spiritually. The discipline of fasting breaks you out of the world's routine. It is a form of worship- offering your body to God as a living sacrifice is holy and pleasing to God(Romans 12:1). The discipline of fasting will humble you, remind you of your first love. It causes the roots of your relationship with Jesus to go deeper." ~Fasting by Jentezen Franklin.
Most of the time, when I read the New Testament, I read it like a letter written from usually Paul to a church. What I've noticed lately is that when I pick up the Word, it seems that no matter where I look, it's a letter from Jesus to me. His Word has truly come alive to me. It is a living Word, sharper than any two edged sword. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God's approval. They will be satisfied. ~ Matthew 5:6. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12. And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. ~ Luke 4:1-4. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.~ Rev. 10:10. As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When may I come to see God's face?
My tears are my food day and night. ~Ps. 42:1-3. Jesus told them, "My food is to do what the one who sent me wants me to do and to finish the work he has given me,~John 4:34. These words speak of a different Source of food, substance. I hear a call to walk as they did in the Garden of Eden. Where they didn't eat food because they needed it, they ate just for pleasure. Their Source of life was the spoken Word. We live in this fallen nature society, where obesity is normal, yet we're dying spiritually. I've heard people say,"Be careful you don't want to harm your body by not eating." But it's actually very healthy to fast. There's many health benefits to giving your digestive system a break. But a fast is effective when it's done for the right reasons (Is. 58:4). Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars.~ James 1:17. This has been speaking to me. Fasting calls us to not rely on the natural, but step into the impossible and live life completely dependent upon His word to sustain us. "You know your mind is renewed when the impossible looks logical."~Bill Johnson.
The past four months, I was training for a half marathon, and I'm not a runner. The Lord was showing me the parallel between the natural and spiritual side of training. I just realized this 40 day fast is the marathon I was training for. The greatest revelation about this I got was, you don't run the race just to get to the finish line. You don't start and just think about your destination. The point to running is to fall in love with running. Enjoy the journey, learn to enjoy every step. This applies to our journey with the Lord. The main point to this fast is to enjoy everyday with my dependence on Him.
Day 10. I feel a renewed strength within. Day 8 and 9 were challenging. Day 8 was my daughter's first birthday party. My wife made a beautiful spread of all my favorite food. Everything looked so good, but God gave me strength that was so not me. As I see everything I'm saying no to, and denying myself, I hear a call to a new life, a new existence. I'm desperate for God to move in my life! I'm desperate for a breakthrough! I feel He is leading me on a path I've never been down to get to a place I've never been to before.
Friday, September 10, 2010
the offense...
Day 7. I'm feeling weak and strong at the same time. I haven't been getting real deep sleep. Sleep seems like I dip just under consciousness. My spirit feels really strong. Stronger than ever, in fact. Paul said, " I must decrease so He can increase." I am feeling that the weaker I get in my own strength, the more my spirit comes alive and depends on Him. I am definitely feeling the Lord giving me strength to my inner man.
Jesus is not seeker friendly, like a lot of churches in America. Jesus brings an offense. Just the name of Jesus Christ is offensive to many. Jesus the Anointed One, the Messiah, Savior to a lost and dying world. All have sinned and fallen short. The question is what do we do with the offense? I've heard you can't give an offense, we can only pick them up. Bill Johnson says, "Some times God offends our minds to reveal whats in our hearts." Here is a great example in the bible.
"And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once. "Matthew 15:22-28
This word has been coming alive in me. Jesus said something very offensive. He referred to her being a non-Jew as a "dog". She reached past the offense, because she wanted the healing for her daughter more, and in doing so, revealed the great faith in her heart and received the miracle she was crying out for. This, also, shows that those who are desperate for God (seeking a touch or an encounter of God's presence in their lives) can look past what others say or think. Passivity says,"If God wants to heal me then He'll do it." The Bible says, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6. "So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10
What keeps us from pursuing God with all of our hearts? Maybe fear...fear of man, fear of failure? Perfect Love cast out, destroys, crushes, annihilates, stands on the throat of fear. Or maybe offense? What do we do when things don't go according to our plans? What I'm seeing is, there's always an offense on the table. Do we pick it up and carry it? It's our choice to look past it, and find what's really in our hearts. Both of these options stem from hurt/disappointment. Sometimes we don't even realize we are carrying pain from our past. If we can't feel love, it's an indicator that there is hurt being walled off in our heart. Where do we turn when we are faced with hurt and disappointment? A good place to start is,"Jesus, show me area's in my heart that are walled off to love." This is His specialty...healing hearts. Thank you, Jesus, for Your healing power. Come and bless everyone who reads this.
Jesus is not seeker friendly, like a lot of churches in America. Jesus brings an offense. Just the name of Jesus Christ is offensive to many. Jesus the Anointed One, the Messiah, Savior to a lost and dying world. All have sinned and fallen short. The question is what do we do with the offense? I've heard you can't give an offense, we can only pick them up. Bill Johnson says, "Some times God offends our minds to reveal whats in our hearts." Here is a great example in the bible.
"And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” 24But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once. "Matthew 15:22-28
This word has been coming alive in me. Jesus said something very offensive. He referred to her being a non-Jew as a "dog". She reached past the offense, because she wanted the healing for her daughter more, and in doing so, revealed the great faith in her heart and received the miracle she was crying out for. This, also, shows that those who are desperate for God (seeking a touch or an encounter of God's presence in their lives) can look past what others say or think. Passivity says,"If God wants to heal me then He'll do it." The Bible says, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6. "So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10
What keeps us from pursuing God with all of our hearts? Maybe fear...fear of man, fear of failure? Perfect Love cast out, destroys, crushes, annihilates, stands on the throat of fear. Or maybe offense? What do we do when things don't go according to our plans? What I'm seeing is, there's always an offense on the table. Do we pick it up and carry it? It's our choice to look past it, and find what's really in our hearts. Both of these options stem from hurt/disappointment. Sometimes we don't even realize we are carrying pain from our past. If we can't feel love, it's an indicator that there is hurt being walled off in our heart. Where do we turn when we are faced with hurt and disappointment? A good place to start is,"Jesus, show me area's in my heart that are walled off to love." This is His specialty...healing hearts. Thank you, Jesus, for Your healing power. Come and bless everyone who reads this.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Vulnerable to the goodness of God
The Lord showed me, in January, that there was a shift in my life that would occur between April and October this year. This shift would change the way I do life. In April I had an encounter with the Lord that radically changed the way I looked at life. That really started this change, in the way I think, in the way I speak and in the way I live life. It's by His goodness that we are drawn into repentance. Repentance means: to think again, have a different thought. 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 12:2
The Lord showed me that, in fasting, we can pick up things in the spirit. Jesus told His disciple's after not being able to cast out demon's, these kind only come out through prayer and fasting. During a 5 day fast, I watched my flesh and spirit split apart. It was pretty interesting to see. The effects of this were the separation between my head and my heart. Between the "I have to's" and my heart's desire. I felt like I had things in my life that I had to do, and things in my life that is my true heart's desire. So I prayed a dangerous prayer, "God, expose every area of fear in my life! Any fear in my thinking, in my decision making process, any fear of man, or fear of failure. And invade those area's with Love. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear: because fear has torment. He that fear's is not made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18... Love and fear are at each others' throats. We feed one or the other.
We had a plan of going on vacation to Florida in August. As this approached, the Lord showed me I needed to give my car away. Around that time, my wife came home after driving that car, and said, "the Lord told me He's going to give us a new car, but first, He wants us to give this car away." So, we were looking for who God was highlighting. As we went to Florida, I saw us driving a different car when we got back.
When I was in Florida, I began to dream. Crazy dreams, like every time I laid down. My heart was open like never before.
Coming back from Florida, I was faced with the "have to's" in my life, but something had changed. We flew home on Wednesday night. Thursday morning, I was headed into work and I stopped at a red light. While sitting there, I watched my heart take a right hand turn, and it drove up into the mountains. And it said," I just want to spend time with Him, seeking His face, alone." As I took a left turn to go to work, I felt like I turned into a robot. I could switch my mind off, and my car would still drive all the way to work. Praying "God help me," I drove in to work. After being gone 8 days on vacation, and being in charge of the roofing company, you would think I'd have some stuff to catch up on, but only 10 minutes into work I find out there's not much going on, or missed. So, I decided to use my "free time" to seek His face. I picked up a book I had been reading, and started right where I had a marker. It said something to this effect..."If you want the supernatural in your life, you have to be in a place where if God doesn't show up it won't work." I began to feel conviction. I wasn't living my life according to that statement. I was living in what is possible, rather than the impossible that was/is beckoning me. I then began to ask God to take me to this place of complete dependence on Him. I heard the Lord say, "Call your friend, who just moved to Texas, and remind her about being thankful." "Ok, is that it?" I asked. I called her and reminded her about thankfulness, and it confirmed the word she was hearing that day. As I'm talking to her I hear the Lord say,"your going to Texas." Wow, ok... the one place I told my wife I didn't even care to visit. But the moment I heard to Lord speak this to me, my heart was filled with excitement. I began to try and see how it would work, fly there, hang out and fly home. How would I take more time off from work? I had just had used up my vacation time. How much would this cost? But it wasn't making sense. As the logistics were all running through my head, my friend began to tell me their story of their car blowing up and being out of commission. It was then that I heard the Lord say,"I want you to give them your car." Then... I saw it. I was driving to Texas, giving my car away, and flying home. I said to my friend,"I think I'm coming to see you guys soon." But I didn't tell them about the car. I got off the phone and asked the Lord, "What about my job? How do I handle this?" The Lord said "What does your heart tell you?" I said, "my heart already left. I watched it drive away this morning." And He said, "Then I would follow your heart."
After connecting with my wife about this, I immediately left a good paying job that I had been at for the past four years. That was Thursday. I told my mom what I was doing, and she said, "I want to go with you." Friday, she flew to Vegas, and Saturday morning we left for Texas. This adventure I set out on is filled with divine appointments and amazing happenings. Bless God! It truly is better to give then to receive. It's so fun to be a part of God's plan of blessing the socks off someone He loves. God can do anything He wants to do, but He loves to include us to co-labor with Him. He rocks my world! His love has apprehended me!
I depend on Him as my source, "5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."~ Romans 8:5-8
"If you want to see things you've never seen before, you must be prepared to do things you have never done before." ~ Graham Cooke
The Lord showed me that, in fasting, we can pick up things in the spirit. Jesus told His disciple's after not being able to cast out demon's, these kind only come out through prayer and fasting. During a 5 day fast, I watched my flesh and spirit split apart. It was pretty interesting to see. The effects of this were the separation between my head and my heart. Between the "I have to's" and my heart's desire. I felt like I had things in my life that I had to do, and things in my life that is my true heart's desire. So I prayed a dangerous prayer, "God, expose every area of fear in my life! Any fear in my thinking, in my decision making process, any fear of man, or fear of failure. And invade those area's with Love. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear: because fear has torment. He that fear's is not made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18... Love and fear are at each others' throats. We feed one or the other.
We had a plan of going on vacation to Florida in August. As this approached, the Lord showed me I needed to give my car away. Around that time, my wife came home after driving that car, and said, "the Lord told me He's going to give us a new car, but first, He wants us to give this car away." So, we were looking for who God was highlighting. As we went to Florida, I saw us driving a different car when we got back.
When I was in Florida, I began to dream. Crazy dreams, like every time I laid down. My heart was open like never before.
Coming back from Florida, I was faced with the "have to's" in my life, but something had changed. We flew home on Wednesday night. Thursday morning, I was headed into work and I stopped at a red light. While sitting there, I watched my heart take a right hand turn, and it drove up into the mountains. And it said," I just want to spend time with Him, seeking His face, alone." As I took a left turn to go to work, I felt like I turned into a robot. I could switch my mind off, and my car would still drive all the way to work. Praying "God help me," I drove in to work. After being gone 8 days on vacation, and being in charge of the roofing company, you would think I'd have some stuff to catch up on, but only 10 minutes into work I find out there's not much going on, or missed. So, I decided to use my "free time" to seek His face. I picked up a book I had been reading, and started right where I had a marker. It said something to this effect..."If you want the supernatural in your life, you have to be in a place where if God doesn't show up it won't work." I began to feel conviction. I wasn't living my life according to that statement. I was living in what is possible, rather than the impossible that was/is beckoning me. I then began to ask God to take me to this place of complete dependence on Him. I heard the Lord say, "Call your friend, who just moved to Texas, and remind her about being thankful." "Ok, is that it?" I asked. I called her and reminded her about thankfulness, and it confirmed the word she was hearing that day. As I'm talking to her I hear the Lord say,"your going to Texas." Wow, ok... the one place I told my wife I didn't even care to visit. But the moment I heard to Lord speak this to me, my heart was filled with excitement. I began to try and see how it would work, fly there, hang out and fly home. How would I take more time off from work? I had just had used up my vacation time. How much would this cost? But it wasn't making sense. As the logistics were all running through my head, my friend began to tell me their story of their car blowing up and being out of commission. It was then that I heard the Lord say,"I want you to give them your car." Then... I saw it. I was driving to Texas, giving my car away, and flying home. I said to my friend,"I think I'm coming to see you guys soon." But I didn't tell them about the car. I got off the phone and asked the Lord, "What about my job? How do I handle this?" The Lord said "What does your heart tell you?" I said, "my heart already left. I watched it drive away this morning." And He said, "Then I would follow your heart."
After connecting with my wife about this, I immediately left a good paying job that I had been at for the past four years. That was Thursday. I told my mom what I was doing, and she said, "I want to go with you." Friday, she flew to Vegas, and Saturday morning we left for Texas. This adventure I set out on is filled with divine appointments and amazing happenings. Bless God! It truly is better to give then to receive. It's so fun to be a part of God's plan of blessing the socks off someone He loves. God can do anything He wants to do, but He loves to include us to co-labor with Him. He rocks my world! His love has apprehended me!
I depend on Him as my source, "5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."~ Romans 8:5-8
"If you want to see things you've never seen before, you must be prepared to do things you have never done before." ~ Graham Cooke
day 4 and 5.
Day 4. My family and I drove back to Vegas. Long drive! Thank you, Lord, for safe travels. He who hungers and thirst for righteousness shall be filled.
Day 5. Rosh Hashanah starts today, so I looked up what this day means. "The Mishnah also sets this day aside as the new year for calculating calendar years and sabbatical (shmita) and jubilee (yovel) years. Jews believe Rosh Hashanah represents either analogically or literally the creation of the World, or Universe. However, according to one view in the Talmud, that of R. Eleazar, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of man, which entails that five days earlier, the 25 of Elul, was the first day of creation of the Universe."
Did you get that? Five days earlier was the first day of creation of the Universe!!! Crazy how that lined up on day 5 for this fast. He knows what He's doing! One of the words I'm hearing today is from Acts 5:39. A religious leader said about the disciples,"For if this idea of theirs or its execution is of human origin, it will collapse; but if it is from God, you will never be able to put them down, and you risk finding yourselves at war with God." No man can stop the Kingdom of God. He's coming to reign!
"Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained apromises, stopped the mouths of blions, 34 Quenched the violence of afire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made bstrong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting adeliverance; that they might obtain ba better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of acruel bmockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were astoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Day 5. Rosh Hashanah starts today, so I looked up what this day means. "The Mishnah also sets this day aside as the new year for calculating calendar years and sabbatical (shmita) and jubilee (yovel) years. Jews believe Rosh Hashanah represents either analogically or literally the creation of the World, or Universe. However, according to one view in the Talmud, that of R. Eleazar, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of man, which entails that five days earlier, the 25 of Elul, was the first day of creation of the Universe."
Did you get that? Five days earlier was the first day of creation of the Universe!!! Crazy how that lined up on day 5 for this fast. He knows what He's doing! One of the words I'm hearing today is from Acts 5:39. A religious leader said about the disciples,"For if this idea of theirs or its execution is of human origin, it will collapse; but if it is from God, you will never be able to put them down, and you risk finding yourselves at war with God." No man can stop the Kingdom of God. He's coming to reign!
"Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained apromises, stopped the mouths of blions, 34 Quenched the violence of afire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made bstrong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting adeliverance; that they might obtain ba better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of acruel bmockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were astoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a agood breport through faith, received not the promise: 40 aGod having bprovided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made cperfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the asin which doth so easily bbeset us, and let us run with cpatience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the aauthor and bfinisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him cendured the cross, despising the dshame, and is set down at the right hand of the ethrone of God." Hebrew 11:33- 12:2. Where will Faith take you? I'm hooked. I can't get enough of Him in my life. Jesus, come have Your way! My heart is Your alter, come light Your fire!
let me catch you up...
I heard about the third testimony of a 40 day fast the day before The Call. So, the day of The Call was Day 1 for this fast. The Spirit of God was heavy upon me, praying for our nation, abortion, and prop. 8. The whole day was filled with divine encounters. It was so fun. God was showing me what this fast is for. What it is going to release, and what I'm going to pick up.
Day 2. Started with great fellowship with brothers in Christ from Chico. Sunday night, I went with a group of hungry believers up to Bethel Church in Redding, CA...which is one of my favorite places on earth. The Lord spoke to me and said, "I'm going to do everything I said I'm going to do." So simple, yet profound. He speaks it, so I believe it.
Day 3. Labor Day, filled with divine appointments. We were still in Chico. A great friend was driving back to school (headed from the bay area to Redding), and stopped to catch up with me. The Spirit of God fell on us so powerfully. It was truly refreshing. I had asked the Lord, in the secret place a week prior, for more translations of His word. My friend says to me, "The Lord told me to give you these," and hands me 10 different translations of the Bible. It was truly a blessing, and blew me away! My Daddy knows what I need, and knows how to give good gifts! Thank you, Jesus! Monday night was so fun, learning to follow His leading. I found myself sitting with a "warrior in the Spirit" in downtown Chico. We were talking about what the Lord is doing in our lives. As we're sharing, I hear Him say, "Read Hebrews 11." This chapter is called "The Hall of Faith." So, we dined on a delicious steak dinner of His word. I read out loud Hebrews 11. The Holy Spirit was with us powerfully. We got in the car and felt lead to try out what we had just read. We asked the Lord to go on a "treasure hunt." We asked God for clues, than went looking for the treasure. We both heard "blue" and "backpack"...and we felt it was a guy. It was so fun! The Lord led us back to the place where we read about faith, and for us to exercise our faith. We proclaimed over the city "its time to wake up" and like Jericho "the walls are falling down". We watch this young man walk right on the corner where we released the word of faith. He was wearing a blue backpack. I said, "Let's get him!" We got to pray with the young man. It was so fun! Praise God! Increase our faith, Oh God! Crazy faith. Demonstrated.
Day 2. Started with great fellowship with brothers in Christ from Chico. Sunday night, I went with a group of hungry believers up to Bethel Church in Redding, CA...which is one of my favorite places on earth. The Lord spoke to me and said, "I'm going to do everything I said I'm going to do." So simple, yet profound. He speaks it, so I believe it.
Day 3. Labor Day, filled with divine appointments. We were still in Chico. A great friend was driving back to school (headed from the bay area to Redding), and stopped to catch up with me. The Spirit of God fell on us so powerfully. It was truly refreshing. I had asked the Lord, in the secret place a week prior, for more translations of His word. My friend says to me, "The Lord told me to give you these," and hands me 10 different translations of the Bible. It was truly a blessing, and blew me away! My Daddy knows what I need, and knows how to give good gifts! Thank you, Jesus! Monday night was so fun, learning to follow His leading. I found myself sitting with a "warrior in the Spirit" in downtown Chico. We were talking about what the Lord is doing in our lives. As we're sharing, I hear Him say, "Read Hebrews 11." This chapter is called "The Hall of Faith." So, we dined on a delicious steak dinner of His word. I read out loud Hebrews 11. The Holy Spirit was with us powerfully. We got in the car and felt lead to try out what we had just read. We asked the Lord to go on a "treasure hunt." We asked God for clues, than went looking for the treasure. We both heard "blue" and "backpack"...and we felt it was a guy. It was so fun! The Lord led us back to the place where we read about faith, and for us to exercise our faith. We proclaimed over the city "its time to wake up" and like Jericho "the walls are falling down". We watch this young man walk right on the corner where we released the word of faith. He was wearing a blue backpack. I said, "Let's get him!" We got to pray with the young man. It was so fun! Praise God! Increase our faith, Oh God! Crazy faith. Demonstrated.
Call to 40 day fast.
The purpose of this blog is to share what the Lord is doing in my life. My hopes are to stretch the way we think. In this story of my life is the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy if you apply it to your life. Be blessed.
This came about 40 days before The Call in Sacramento on Sept. 4th. I was fasting a three day fast with a friend. The Lord began to show me His 40 day fast in the desert. And I felt Him drawing me into this fast. I heard Lou Engle had spoken in Las Vegas, and i thought i missed it. So I asked the Lord, "If You want me to go to things like this, please bring it to my attention. Let me hear about it before it happens." Within 30 minutes, my friend texts me, "Dude, Lou Engle tonight!" Yes Lord! In his message, Lou brought up his call to a 40 day fast, and my heart longed for the invitation. I began to see it was coming. The longing was preparing my heart for the honor of tasting of what my King walked in. I've learned when the Lord says something He doesn't want me to miss, He says it 3 times. So, I asked the Lord to show me 3 people who have been through a 40 day before, then I'll know its time to start this fast. This is beyond anything I can do in self will. I've fasted a 5 and 6 day fast before... so this is a huge step into the impossible. Jesus said to His disciples, "I have food to eat which you know nothing." ~John 4:32. I need the Spirit of God to sustain me. This is the fast that the Lord has chosen: water, juice and coffee. no food.
This came about 40 days before The Call in Sacramento on Sept. 4th. I was fasting a three day fast with a friend. The Lord began to show me His 40 day fast in the desert. And I felt Him drawing me into this fast. I heard Lou Engle had spoken in Las Vegas, and i thought i missed it. So I asked the Lord, "If You want me to go to things like this, please bring it to my attention. Let me hear about it before it happens." Within 30 minutes, my friend texts me, "Dude, Lou Engle tonight!" Yes Lord! In his message, Lou brought up his call to a 40 day fast, and my heart longed for the invitation. I began to see it was coming. The longing was preparing my heart for the honor of tasting of what my King walked in. I've learned when the Lord says something He doesn't want me to miss, He says it 3 times. So, I asked the Lord to show me 3 people who have been through a 40 day before, then I'll know its time to start this fast. This is beyond anything I can do in self will. I've fasted a 5 and 6 day fast before... so this is a huge step into the impossible. Jesus said to His disciples, "I have food to eat which you know nothing." ~John 4:32. I need the Spirit of God to sustain me. This is the fast that the Lord has chosen: water, juice and coffee. no food.
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