The purpose and message of Isaiah the prophet is arranged in such as way as for the reader to understand the trustworthiness of Yahweh; the covenant God. It is clearly seen in the contrast between two national leaders of Isaiah's day. Ahaz and Hezekiah. Many know the last name more than the former name. That is because Hezekiah won big time. Ahaz did not. Why? Ahaz refused to get his orders from God. Ahaz did not trust God but sent for the Assyrians to aid him in time of political crisis against the advise of the prophet Isaiah. I see the same thing happening today, our national leader is turning to 20 nations for advise and aid to bring peace. He may just succeed at bringing peace. The scriptures foretell of a man who brings peace. The people will shout peace and safety, peace and safety. Then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION will come.
The only thing that came under Ahaz's leadership style of not trusting God was one crisis after another. In fact we in America have been having one crisis after another. Why? That is what happens when you don't make God as the source.
Hezekiah, although he initially counted on Egyptian help, eventually came to fully depend on Yahweh and was delivered in a mighty way. Hezekiah is now know for how God can bring deliverance.
The purpose of a prophet is to say what God says to say. The words that are given are largely words of indictment and judgement (Chapters 1-39) In Chapters 40-60 they are more concerned with God's mercy, forgiveness, deliverance and restoration of Israel.
O God, give this nation the heart of Hezekiah and not the stiff necked heart of Ahaz.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Art of Receiving
I am reflecting back to my daily journal entry of July 1997 in which I make the following observation. I had finished a revival somewhere in South Carolina.
Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.
The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.
Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.
The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.
When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."
I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!
You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.
I have noticed that most people who seek their deliverance, seek every area
except the word of God. They want the anointing to be released from a
person but they refuse to consistently sit under Bible teaching. The
Bible is what really what is anointed. It destroys yokes. I a person
really wants deliverance, let them come to a meeting. That's when God is
fully present. When you formally make an appointment with HIM. That
anointing from the word empowers to replace the bondage.
God's word is arresting. My need will be met when I am moving towards
God's men who are full of God's word. God's word is remarkable compared to
our own thoughts. God's word is not fantastic since fantastic means -
fantasy or not real. God's word is thrilling when the Holy Spirit is upon
it.
Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.
The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.
Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.
The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.
When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."
I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!
You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.
Art of Celebration
You will remember who and what you celebrate. Those who celebrate me appreciate me. In Exodus 14:31, 51:1 says, "And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians:...Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." Triumphing is a celebration of the Victory. You will only celebrate those who can bring triumph into your lives.
"And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." 2 Samuel 6:14,15. Dancing and triumphing in the victory brings celebration.
The big question is can you dance and triumph and learn the art of celebrating when there seems to be nothing to celebrate about? Jesus did. In the triumphal entry so many shouted and celebrated and even tho Jesus foreknew as God, the cross, the pain, the suffering, the beatings, he rode through anyway, fully knowing that his day of resurrection was coming.
Today you may not see the victory. You may not hear the victory. You don't even feel close to the triumphant parade in your life. But dance anyway, go ahead, shout there in your home. Give it a hoop up, GLORY! That's it. Develop the art of Celebration before you see the battle won. As soon as you develop the art of Celebration the victory comes easy and the triumph comes naturally.
"And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." 2 Samuel 6:14,15. Dancing and triumphing in the victory brings celebration.
The big question is can you dance and triumph and learn the art of celebrating when there seems to be nothing to celebrate about? Jesus did. In the triumphal entry so many shouted and celebrated and even tho Jesus foreknew as God, the cross, the pain, the suffering, the beatings, he rode through anyway, fully knowing that his day of resurrection was coming.
Today you may not see the victory. You may not hear the victory. You don't even feel close to the triumphant parade in your life. But dance anyway, go ahead, shout there in your home. Give it a hoop up, GLORY! That's it. Develop the art of Celebration before you see the battle won. As soon as you develop the art of Celebration the victory comes easy and the triumph comes naturally.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Armorbearer
An armor bearer is assigned to someone. Their dreams become your dreams. There is so much to say about the subject of the Armor bearer and yet so few in the church world understand it's ministry and it's function within the church today. The preacher, pastor, teacher, prophet or man of God suffers greatly when the lack of the right armor bearer is present.
On this subject no one has written it as well as Terry Nance, "God's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2, Serving God's leaders published by Focus on Harvest.
Elisha was raised up by God to serve Elijah. King David had his armor bearer. Everyone in the local church should carry out the spirit of the armor bearer. To be an armor bearer means you have the heart of the servant. The servant, Jesus said, is the greatest among you. They stand with the leader to help the leader fulfill God's vision.
David was at one time, Saul's armor bearer. Many times armor bearers have to withstand harsh treatment. David did and as a result, his own promotion came to a high place of respect and regard even to this day he is honored in Israel and even around the world.
An armor bearer serves their leaders well.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 says "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
An armor bearer covers the faults of those who they serve. The Glory of the Lord covereth a matter but the glory of kings reveal it. Those who are serving you the most make sure that you shine and never cause embarresment for the leader. They help in a time of need.
On this subject no one has written it as well as Terry Nance, "God's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2, Serving God's leaders published by Focus on Harvest.
Elisha was raised up by God to serve Elijah. King David had his armor bearer. Everyone in the local church should carry out the spirit of the armor bearer. To be an armor bearer means you have the heart of the servant. The servant, Jesus said, is the greatest among you. They stand with the leader to help the leader fulfill God's vision.
David was at one time, Saul's armor bearer. Many times armor bearers have to withstand harsh treatment. David did and as a result, his own promotion came to a high place of respect and regard even to this day he is honored in Israel and even around the world.
An armor bearer serves their leaders well.
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 says "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
An armor bearer covers the faults of those who they serve. The Glory of the Lord covereth a matter but the glory of kings reveal it. Those who are serving you the most make sure that you shine and never cause embarresment for the leader. They help in a time of need.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Appointments
When speaking of appointments we speak of a respect for time. Time is an earthly thing (Ecc 3:1,2,6,7) but has it's appointments for heavenly events. Time is a unit of measure. 100 years from now, probability has it, that everyone reading this now will have passed on their earth suit and gone to heaven, if heaven doesn't come to us sooner, which is more than likely to happen than the former. (see James 4:14) For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish away." Could it be that appointments on earth are small events squished into this "little time" spoken of in James?
Heaven has given appointments. God had scheduled times and seasons and still does. The Holy Spirit looks for an appointment with men and women. Men schedule, keep and even sometimes break appointments.
Walking with wise men causes one to be wiser; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) Years ago I preached a message called, "How to spot a fool and keep him out". Foolish people are not wise with time. Foolish people don't know how to "cash in" the time God gave them. The scriptures call it "redeem". "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16
I believe that when Jesus asked his disciples, "could you not tarry with me for one hour?" he was talking about killing the flesh long enough to measure out heavenly communication. Prayer can be measured. Watch and pray could mean to measure out our prayer life.
Whats your most memorable appointment and how does it fit to what I just wrote?
Who is the greatest appointment with in your life?
When should you set appointments? Is there a time when you should not set an appointment?
Where is this appointment?
Is there a right and wrong way to establish appointments?
If you have the answers to these questions or can make a comment about how appointments fit into the word of God I would love to hear it.
Heaven has given appointments. God had scheduled times and seasons and still does. The Holy Spirit looks for an appointment with men and women. Men schedule, keep and even sometimes break appointments.
Walking with wise men causes one to be wiser; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) Years ago I preached a message called, "How to spot a fool and keep him out". Foolish people are not wise with time. Foolish people don't know how to "cash in" the time God gave them. The scriptures call it "redeem". "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16
I believe that when Jesus asked his disciples, "could you not tarry with me for one hour?" he was talking about killing the flesh long enough to measure out heavenly communication. Prayer can be measured. Watch and pray could mean to measure out our prayer life.
Whats your most memorable appointment and how does it fit to what I just wrote?
Who is the greatest appointment with in your life?
When should you set appointments? Is there a time when you should not set an appointment?
Where is this appointment?
Is there a right and wrong way to establish appointments?
If you have the answers to these questions or can make a comment about how appointments fit into the word of God I would love to hear it.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Appearance
I was young when my mother taught me that if I wanted favor I had to look like I was worth investing into. I was still yet young but now in my early teens when my spiritual mother had me in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had taken me and some others to the mall and bought me several hundred dollars of new suits. I was so beside myself I was speechless. What was I to say. Everything looked so...so...perfect. It was that day that I woke up to the fact excellence in ministry means that your appearance causes you to look different from the world. I realized that Jesus looked different from the world and had a seamless robe that was so attractive that secular men gambled over it. What a robe.
I also learned that merry heart makes a cheerful countenance as one translation says in Proverbs 15:13.
Your appearance is important when you represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If Jesus gave us HIS best, I can certainly give him my best.
I have learned that I cannot dress myself for where I have been but I have to dress myself for where I am going. Do you know where you are going? It comes across in your appearance. People who are still bound in guilt, sin, shame and fear quickly communicate it to the rest of the world not just in their dress but in their countenance. I told one young man that he was not fooling the man of God when he is clubbing Friday night and at Church Sunday. Now don't get me wrong. I am certainly happy he is in church but his countenance, his appearance even the way he smelled said, "SIN". Ahh! This young man is suppose to be acting, walking and talking like the hand of the Lord is resting upon him.
Did you know that man is looking on your outward appearance? Even CNN knows it. I was invited not long ago to tour through CNN in Washington D.C. and I was so happy to do so. I noticed something. The writers and editors in the back rooms who were writing looked to me (in my opinion) bound. Overweight, not shaving or groomed. Filthy looking and slobish. I was overwhelmingly astonished. I could not believe what I saw. Was this for real? The people in front of the cameras. The beautiful people that the whole wide world was looking at were all reading from teleprompters written by miserable looking and disgusting type of people. Now maybe somethings have changed but it taught me another lesson.
I Samuel 16:7 Says, "...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." What if you and I as Christians looked great both outside and inside? Even the high priests were required to wear above average clothing. In fact it was God's promise to bless them with the proper garments. It amuses me when I hear people say that their grubbiest will work in church. Yes they will, but don't you know that the grubbiest are not part of the blessing? I know this is not popular because any message that brings people up to a higher standard is awkward to many modern day Christians.
In Zech 3 we see Joshua was dressed in filthy garments and the was standing before the Angel of the Lord v4 And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. When he was clothed with rich garments the Angel of the Lord stood by.
I heard a man of God once say that all evil spirits are unclean. It makes sense to me that the Angel of the Lord would stand by a man who's appearance was clean and rich.
I know not everyone will agree with this and I would like to hear from you on this.
I also learned that merry heart makes a cheerful countenance as one translation says in Proverbs 15:13.
Your appearance is important when you represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If Jesus gave us HIS best, I can certainly give him my best.
I have learned that I cannot dress myself for where I have been but I have to dress myself for where I am going. Do you know where you are going? It comes across in your appearance. People who are still bound in guilt, sin, shame and fear quickly communicate it to the rest of the world not just in their dress but in their countenance. I told one young man that he was not fooling the man of God when he is clubbing Friday night and at Church Sunday. Now don't get me wrong. I am certainly happy he is in church but his countenance, his appearance even the way he smelled said, "SIN". Ahh! This young man is suppose to be acting, walking and talking like the hand of the Lord is resting upon him.
Did you know that man is looking on your outward appearance? Even CNN knows it. I was invited not long ago to tour through CNN in Washington D.C. and I was so happy to do so. I noticed something. The writers and editors in the back rooms who were writing looked to me (in my opinion) bound. Overweight, not shaving or groomed. Filthy looking and slobish. I was overwhelmingly astonished. I could not believe what I saw. Was this for real? The people in front of the cameras. The beautiful people that the whole wide world was looking at were all reading from teleprompters written by miserable looking and disgusting type of people. Now maybe somethings have changed but it taught me another lesson.
I Samuel 16:7 Says, "...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." What if you and I as Christians looked great both outside and inside? Even the high priests were required to wear above average clothing. In fact it was God's promise to bless them with the proper garments. It amuses me when I hear people say that their grubbiest will work in church. Yes they will, but don't you know that the grubbiest are not part of the blessing? I know this is not popular because any message that brings people up to a higher standard is awkward to many modern day Christians.
In Zech 3 we see Joshua was dressed in filthy garments and the was standing before the Angel of the Lord v4 And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. When he was clothed with rich garments the Angel of the Lord stood by.
I heard a man of God once say that all evil spirits are unclean. It makes sense to me that the Angel of the Lord would stand by a man who's appearance was clean and rich.
I know not everyone will agree with this and I would like to hear from you on this.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Anger
Emotional people don't prosper but Anger can sometimes be a clue and a hint towards what we are called too. Anger is a clue to the anointing upon your life. But too often Anger proves lack of control. When we cannot control certain issues or people, we sometimes demonstrate anger.
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32
A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.
The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.
Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)
When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).
The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32
A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.
The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.
Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)
When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).
The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
