by admin | Mar 8, 2008 | Kingdom Comments, Politics
The Bible to me has more interesting stories than even Hollywood. Even more amazing is what Hollywood does with those stories–forget that for now–there is one particular story that is on my heart this morning.
That is the story of King Abah and Queen Jezebel in First and Second Kings. Jezebel is the picture of evil, selfishness, lust and power. Abah on the other hand allows whatever Jezebel wants and does what she tells him. Ahab is the king of indifference. Many things in the Old Testament of the Bible are physical stories that apply spiritually in the New Testament–and present day. This to me is one of those stories.
Many books have been written about the spirit of Jezebel, such as the one by Pastor Francis Frangipane, THE THREE BATTLEGROUNDS, that give good coverage of this spirit and how it works.
I want to suggest that both spirits are alive and well hovering and working in our country in our politics. I am not about to suggest where Jezebel is working but rather my concern is how active the spirit of Ahab is, especially in the Christian community. Ahab has a strong apathetic influence over minds, even entire areas (more like a principality than a spirit–check out Ephesians Chapter Six) to do nothing.
We Christians can be very critical…choosing not to like any candidate running for office and think in some bazaar way, not taking any action, not voting will in some way speak for us. Great balls of fire, something is better than nothing. Others Christians may say well, it is in God’s hands, we don’t need to do anything. (Ahab is really busy with dispensing those thoughts)
I am reminded of the Jewish people in the Old Testament telling Samuel they wanted a king to judge over them like all other nations. Samuel argued with them, God argued with them, but they contended and insisted they have a king. God relented and had Samuel appoint Saul King. Notice the peer pressure–“like all other nations”. (I Samuel 8:5) The kings they got from that time forward were evil and oppressive, not all, thank God but many!
We get the people we vote for and pray for. How many of us raise our children to go into politics and make a difference in strong moral, ethical and Godly ways? I know I didn’t.
Most of us do not have the time or the resources to raise up a candidate of our choice, but we sure can campaign, call, email, protest and vote. The spirit of Ahab dulls our minds to a true agenda of responsibility, and Jezebel jumps in with all the reasons we are too busy, too tired, too broke and actually just too preoccupied. You don’t believe that spirits do that—WOW, I hate to think we are void of social conscience all on our own.
Joan, a new friend, reminded me this week of ‘our condition’ and I thank her for that. Busy or not, and I am busy, I am going to start sending protests to Sacramento, because I live in California, against some of the new legislation. Also, to Washington, D.C. I have hesitated in the past because, I reasoned and Ahab agreed, they probably wouldn’t listen anyway. Happy horse-feathers, that’s a lousy excuse, Ahab and Jezebel probably toast champagne on that one!
More importantly I am going to pray for those running for office until the election, as well as those in office. Prayer the Bible says, will move mountains, and I know that to be true. I am not going to moan in my prayers or condemn but forgive and bless the men and women and their families. Not just the candidate I personally support but all the candidates–that God would move on behalf of this country, that the Holy Spirit will draw them into the wisdom and knowledge that will benefit all mankind, and bless our Nation.
Well, Ahab, Jezebel, your term in office for influencing me is over. I plan to take the authority Jesus died and was resurrected to give me, to push for better things, action not apathy, and Divine intervention in all the affairs of men. I pray for supernatural protection for myself, my family and all those who choose to join me in this effort to save the country we know as One Nation Under God!
by admin | Feb 29, 2008 | Jesus Talk, Kingdom Comments, Relationship Not Religion!, Uncategorized
Some one commented to me about working with another person in their office that they were so ‘controlling’ and everything had to be perfect. That atmosphere is difficult for those around a person driven to make things right.
There is such a subtle difference between striving to make things right and having a spirit of excellence. There is also a difference between taking control of a situation and assuming the role to lead, and demanding in a dictatorial way.
Many years ago (I love to relate this story because it has impacted all of my life and I so want the experience to help others.) after fasting and praying, the Lord told me I had never loved Him, I loved what is right. I was devastated and cried buckets of tears as the truth of what He said went into my heart and soul. At the same time I felt His overwhelming love, and I had an enormous desire to change–the difference between conviction and guilt.
As we strive and work to make things perfect it is like a hungry dragon chained to our very being, that never can get enough. The more we do the more the dragon requires. He becomes our pet dragon; his name is frustration. Often he invites friends to join him and they are anger, guilt and despair. We did not invite them but we house them in ignorance of our fundamental need to accept who we are.
Major problem with that, is, we must know who we are. And, who truly lives inside of us. It is not the dragon of perfection, but the Lord of Glory. The one who desires to bring life and love to all He does. How the Holy Spirit must cringe as we overshadow His brightness with the darkness of our lust and our need to be right.
The reason and result that causes this is the mind that is conditioned by the pain and misunderstanding in the past. When we seek to control so it is because we don’t want to be hurt again. We seek to make things right so that we will be OK. This striving for perfection doesn’t give time to be healed and to soak in the acceptance of our Heavenly Father.
Once we have invited Jesus into our heart, and begin to renew our mind with His love and His ways (His pathways to prosper and succeed) the Holy Spirit will begin to bring forth in us, a spirit of excellence. It is not His Spirit but our spirit full of a desire to reflect the very best because we want to Glorify God in all we do. We must already know that as a child of God, as we were reconciled to the Father through the death of His Son, we are accepted, loved, cherished, forgiven and worthy.
When we truly know, our spirit will kill the dragon and our purpose will be full of desire not fear of failure. The dragon does not go down easily but he is no match for the power of the Holy Spirit when we give Him His way in our life. And, if we fail we quickly repent….change the way we think seeking the wisdom for our life the Father wants us to have. When we fail we must know that the failure did not change our status with our Heavenly Father, He still loves us and desires each of us in His Kingdom forever!
The striving urgency of being perfect is a need to be healed; and a spirit of excellence is a passion to reflect the Holy Spirit within. One brings fatigue and pain, the other brings purpose and rest in the sufficiency of God.
Those in our family, our friends, our workplace who are feeding a dragon need our love, our declaration to the dragon that they are part of the Kingdom of God and he and his friends must go. We smile, let the person be right, pray and trust the Holy Spirit to draw them into the place, where He can give them all they will ever need for purpose and excellence. We can’t do it alone, the Holy Spirit is very, very good at what He does and we have the privilege of sharing in that for His Glory and our Joy!
by admin | Feb 28, 2008 | Jesus Talk, Kingdom Comments, Relationship Not Religion!
So many times we struggle with the Will of God for our lives. I am grieved when I see Christians almost in pain as they search for the Will of God in a situation or for direction. At those times it seems the harder we try the more illusive the answers become.
One of the most liberating things I leaned in study of the Bible, especially in the New Testament, the Greek word Will often means desire. Because the aim and personal purpose of my life is to know the heart of my Heavenly Father, He graciously gives me insights from time to time. I have found passion is the pathway to His heart!
The word desire was one of those precious gems the Holy Spirit put in my heart and revelation for how that applied to my life. If I believe that God’s Will is only one way, and that I must find it or fail, there is great stress over my life, my decisions. If I think and believe that if I violate His Will I have sinned against the Father, I am an open door for guilt and shame.
When I learned this I looked up the words and marked most of them in my Bible (New Testament) so I would not forget. There are several places where the Will of God is absolute; whatever is indicated will take place regardless of what we do or not do.
But where the word will is desire, it took on a whole new meaning for me. For instance out of the goodness of His Heart our Heavenly Father has a ‘desire’ that all would choose to invite Jesus into their heart and be relational for eternity. The desires of His Heart are for our protection and well being always! So as I read the verses with the word Will and substitute desire and read it again, I see the love God has for me and/or His effort to protect me.
Sometimes we seem to forget the power we have in ‘free will’ and our decisions and the decisions of others that determine our destiny. If we line up our desires (our free will) with the desires of God’s heart–we will both be happy!
God’s determined Will is daunting and seems like a law and tends to make us think legalistically instead of relationally. Fear of not doing the Willof God puts confusion in our mind, and makes it even harder to make good decisions. A Holy fear of God is a reverential respect for Him and awe of Him, not terror or dread.
When we sin, do something that is contrary to the desires of God’s heart, He is always there to forgive us and start us all over again. Sin is doing anything contrary to the will or desires of God that will hurt us or others. Getting to know the Father, asking to know, really know His heart is so beneficial and productive. As we experience Him we can share with others.
As we receive (and that too takes a decision on our part) the love of the Father in our life, we have greater capacity to love others. If we were not loved by our earthly father it is even harder to trust our Heavenly Father. I personally had a foster father and several step-fathers. All of them (fortunately) loved me, but left me, through no fault of their own. But it left me with fears and doubts about trusting my Heavenly Father.
I had to renew my mind (through repentance of not receiving, asking for the grace to receive and to renew my mind about all the Bible says about the love of God) to how much He really does love me. I am not too sure of my performance in life, but very sure of His Grace (unmerited love and favor) on my behalf, that I can rest in Him, knowing He will not forsake or leave me, (once I have invited Jesus into my heart) or give up on me in my darkest hours.
I just love to inject the word ‘desire’ in scriptures about God’s will, and see the joy it brings to my heart. That is a confirmation from the Holy Spirit! Desire just screams kindness, mercy and love! That is the Will of God, that we know His goodness, walk and talk and have our being in Him!
by admin | Feb 26, 2008 | Jesus Talk, Kingdom Comments
My thoughts this morning drifted back to conversation I had with a friend. He said it would be a sin to lie, teasing me about my denial of being ‘religious.’ I quickly defended myself (graciously I hope), “No, it is not religion, but relationship.”
I realize how adamant I am in wanting to present Jesus as I would any other person in my life. Jesus is so real to me, it is offensive to me, to present Him as a theory of faith, or a philosophy of belief–some abstract idea in the supernatural.
No, Jesus Christ, in His ‘position’ in the Universe is my Lord. But Jesus Christ in my life is my friend, His Holy Spirit is my partner in my life, my confident, that special person that is with me 24/7. Even when I forget that He is there.
My concern is, as I remember the conversation, how do I present Jesus to others? I never want to come across as superior; ‘I am always right,’ ‘I know more than you do,’ ‘If you only had what I have you would be OK.’ God forbid, and God help me….to present Jesus as the eternal gift to all of us in relationship and love. That I am not special I am loved, and want to love others, because of who He is to me. Not that I can be personal with everyone, but the God kind of love that wants the best for everyone.
It is hard for many to love God if they think of Him as the ‘Big Judge’ in the sky. If they think of Jesus as this great prophet who walked the earth teaching good things and then left us. If people have suffered the loss of loved ones, and cried out to God and He didn’t seem to be there it is really tough to believe, trust and think Father, Son and Holy Spirit all love us and want the best for us at all times.
It is almost humorous to think that we need to know about the devil, demons and the evil in the world before we can understand God. It is like not appreciating light until we are in total darkness. Like not valuing steak if we have always had beans. Like not receiving love if we have never felt love. The first two were ‘funky’ analogies but you get the picture. When we realize the devil and demons on assignment are out to kill, rob and destroy, we begin to understand how much we need personal relationship with Jesus.
And, the truth is, we don’t know Jesus as the love of our life until we invite Him into our heart, study His story, spend time to get to know Him like we would any other person.
I ask the Holy Spirit now, to help me reflect some of the Jesus in me that others would want that as well. I thank Jesus that He not only paid my debt of disobedience, but was resurrected to change my life while I am here. He is so cool! I hope you know Him like I do! And that we all can re-present Him well!
by admin | Feb 22, 2008 | Kingdom Comments, Uncategorized
We have just talked about the Sabbath, which is good, but what about Monday and the rest of the week. I don’t know how many times I have heard Pastors say, “Don’t come to church and act one way and go out this week and act another way.” or “Don’t be a saint on Sunday and a sinner the rest of the week.” Well, something to that effect.
Maybe we need to realize the church is ‘dressed up’ in holiness but we humans are just human in or out of church without Jesus. If Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, touches our mind, heart and soul in church, is that not to encourage us so we can handle the rest of the week?
It may seem like we have a supernatural experience in church with our Heavenly Family of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, however Theyare with us alllll the time. Rising up, laying down, going out, and coming in….all week, They are there. Because we are not aware of their presence does not mean They have left. “I will not leave or forsake you.” is in the Bible over and over, and that is a promise not a threat.
If we are tempted and act on a temptation on Tuesday or Wednesday do They leave and go ‘home’. “Now you have done it, I am out of here.” like we might do? No, They just wait patiently until we come back into the Grace of Their Presence; They sure don’t take part in our dumb activities.
I said I go to special places to just ‘be’ with God in the previous blog. I consider that ‘going out to dinner’ with Him. However, I eat with Him all the time, at home. Meaning I know the Lord is with me all the time. But going ‘aside’ so to speak is special, and my time with Him is special, just as it would be if I went to dinner with anyone, just one on one.
Does that keep me from ‘sinning’ (which is anything contrary to the goodness of God) ? I would like to say yes, but the truth is my flesh is pretty strong, the temptations to gossip, worry, have fear, and even to cheat are always there….you know, we live in a fallen world.
I am learning to grab my thoughts and change my attitude, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of God that is required to quench evil destructive thoughts. What a difference that has made. I know Jesus likes it and I can almost see Him smiling when I turn from something that would harm and cause me pain.
So I think our Sabbaths should be special–going to church to be with others who love the Lord, eating at a banquet with the Lord as Host. For me it will never replace that special alone time I have with Him. But for years that is where I learned to find the presence of the Lord within me, losing myself and world in praise and worship. Now I go to church to get filled up with knowledge, more understanding and the joy of joining others who love Him too.
And, He isn’t sitting in a pew waiting for me to return on Sunday, Wednesday or Friday. The Lord is so much fun, he loves to listen as we talk. He loves sports when we are involved. He loves building or fixing things. He loves banks, and construction, and media, and politics, and most of all children and our homes. The Lord is the most multi-tasked orientated Person in the world ….or out of this world for that matter.
Sabbaths are for the ‘joy of the Lord‘ for us, and the rest of the week Heis not our judge, jury and religious jailer, quite the opposite. The Lordis our coach, our mentor, our encourager, our partner in all we do to build the Kingdom of God on earth, and our Forgiver and Redeemer when we don’t.
When things get bad (and they do), when I am angry, frustrated or depressed. I just need to look to Him (when I finally realize my need) to help me forgive or repent, to heal my wounds and set me back on tract.
Then comes Monday and the rest of the week, and I can truly say, it is all good, I am not alone!
by admin | Feb 21, 2008 | Kingdom Comments, Uncategorized
I was just reading the book of Luke and thinking about the words of Jesus about the Sabbath. How interesting that God took the seventh day to rest, and that day is called a Sabbath. Did God need a Sabbath, even more did He need to ‘rest’?
My little dictionary says rest means to sleep (I don’t think God sleeps.); Freedom from activity; and Peace of mind or spirit (I am sure that God is always active and He is the essence of peace for mind or spirit.
A few months ago I heard a different defination of rest that I just love. I wish I could remember where I heard it so I could thank that person, because it has opened up a whole new understanding that has blessed my life. Rest means ‘having ample provision’.
So when God rested on the seventh day He had ample provision for all that He had created. Ample provision for man, and all creatures in and on the earth. That is why He could look at it and say it was very good. Well, if God says it is good, it is good!
When I realized what that means for me, I was and am excited. If I intend to rest in God, to rest on the Sabbath, to rest at night, I must believe He has ample provision for me. When all the cares, worry and threats of the world, and sometimes sickness and physical pain come on me, to rest in God I must believe He has ample provision. Ample provision to see me through a situation or deliver me out of it; that is the heart of God for His children.
There is a scripture in Isaiah that says “I am in perfect peace when my mind is stayed on Thee”. If my mind is on God and I believe He has ample provision for me, I will have perfect peace.
Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. A day to think about God, to thank Him, to take notice of all of His ‘ample provision’. To rest from our normal activities and enjoy what He has for us.
I know there are people in the world who feel very far from having ample provision for their situation. Even though God has provided ample provision we are not always able to appropriate it. Many of God’s blessings are received in eternity, and that gives us hope to hang on, trust and believe, one way or another there is ample provision for everyone who knows the Lord of Glory, Jesus. And, how about the Lord of fun and Joy? That’s Jesus too!
Some places in the world the devil has so deceived the nations that they are full of violence, evil, hunger, sickness and death. They have followed false gods and their people pay the price for that deception. But, in the worst of situations Jesus will come and be with those who believe to give hope and comfort through the Holy Spirit. Over and over provision comes where there was no provision.
Here in America there can be, (I said can be) legalism abut the Sabbath that robs the joy God wants us to have. Sharing in church should be joyful, not tedious. Enjoying the beach, the mountains, the park, a physical activity or sport should all be enjoyed with Jesus. We can enjoy just being free of the concerns of the week, free from the bondage of work, trusting in His ample provision for the week to come.
Sometimes my Sabbath is on Monday or Wednesday or any day I take a few hours or the whole day to enjoy relationship with the Lord, along with His provisions. In San Diego I loved to go down by the bay, talk to the Lord about the ocean in front of me, the beautiful boats, the people walking or running by, walk through the grass and just let gratitude flow all over me for His Provision. In Redding, I like to go to the prayer chapel, listen to the praise music in the back ground and enjoy the beauty all around me of snow caped mountains, trees and beauty. In Denver, I used to prayer walk my neighborhood just thanking God for the people and again, for His provision. Those are Sabbaths where I do not take my cares, or the cares of others, but just spend time ‘being’ with Him.
My hope (passionate expectation) and prayer is that others will find that special place to have their own special ‘Sabboths’ with their Heavenly Father. Then we can face the tomorrows with faith for ample provision and rest.
