christian

Hope

All I see is darkness. I don’t even see shadows, nothing but cold blackness. Suddenly in front of me is a red cage with its door open wide. Then out of the darkness I see a reddish, disfigured being. I know it is a demon and its presence sends chills up my spine. It reaches for me with its claws to drag me into the prison of the cage.

I wake up screaming. My heart is racing and my breathing is shallow. I sense fear in my bedroom.

I immediately begin to pray.

What was that about, I thought, though I quickly knew.

The enemy of my soul was trying to draw me back into the prison I once was trapped. He thought for a moment he could bring such despair that I would gladly give into his plan. But what he didn’t remember is that the one whom the Lord sets free is free indeed. (John 8:36) I believe he was hoping that I would forget that promise. But I quickly held onto the truth.

I was wondering why everything was red. Doesn’t red represent the blood of Christ? But in a negative context it can represent anger and war.

There are so many reasons to be angry today. So many reasons to be in fear or frustration and apathy if we do not keep our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith.

In this season we, the body of Christ, are being tempted, tested, and tried. There were seasons in the past and in other regions where the same darkness seemed to cover the land. Today the darkness and deception appear to be taking dominion throughout the world. It is taunting the believer as Goliath taunted the children of Israel. Like David, we have authority to declare to any giant we face that our Lord will not be mocked and we can bring it tumbling to its demise.

I wonder how dark it was during the time of Noah? For 100 years Noah was mocked and ridiculed. Yet he continued to do what he knew the Lord told him to do. He heard the Lords voice above the laughter of the world. Despite the taunting, he pressed on to accomplish what he had set out to do: obey the Lord. In that day people continued as they always had, there was eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage. Nothing to them had changed. They continued in any sin they were enjoying and ignored the God of creation.

Today it looks as if the darkness is winning in every corner of the world. Do I think it is as dark as it was in the days of Noah? I couldn’t tell you. But the darkness and evil that accompanies it sure is gloating. It did as well in the days of Hitler. But the world has become smaller because of the internet. We now witness the evil giants rising and laughing, as they prepare to subdue.

The only thing I know is that the Lord will return one day and warns us that, like in the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Lord. (Matthew 24)

There is chaos and division in our land. We MUST stay in the Word of God to stay in truth because lies are spreading like a forest fire. We must believe what the Lord says above anything the world declares as truth. We must be careful what our eyes, our ears, and our hearts feast on.

These have been trying times for many. Personally, our family had been hit by the death of my father. I listened to my dad’s words that he wanted to share. He had mentioned over a year prior how much the Lord had impressed on his heart to be careful of compromise. He had taken the steps to hear God’s voice and follow his words. As the days got closer to him passing, he felt like the Lord was doing inventory in his heart and called out to the Lord to clean out any area that was not dedicated to the Lord. He ached for the church as it had fallen into compromising with the world above obeying the Lord. He warned that the church, and many who have called themselves Christians, were confusing love and grace for compromise and alignment with sin. And he is right.

So, when I had that dream of the demon pulling me back into bondage, I knew the enemy was trying to lure me back into compromise, back into laziness, back into the apathy that I once lived in. You think you are free but instead you are a prisoner of your own mind, your own unforgiveness and your own bondage.

Yes, there is darkness on this land, but there is freedom in Christ.

Like I have stated before, the Lord said:

“I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (GWT)

Today we need to hold on to those words. He has overcome the world! The trials and struggles we face will be the catalyst that will free us from whatever is holding us each in bondage. Those very trials will cause our faith to grow strong as James stated in James 1.

The Lord warns us in Hebrews to be careful that we do not refuse to listen to his words. Because of his great love, He WILL shake what needs to be shaken. Why does he do this? It is because he knows that sin leads to death. It takes us away from his presence. He loves us so much he will allow us to go through storms to get rid of those things that keep us in bondage.

I’ve shared before in my blogs that a storm or wind is coming and that you will need to hold on to him with all your heart, soul, and mind. “Winds of Adversity” September 30, 2018. But I also shared that his glory will visit us. “The Spirit of God is Hovering Over the Earth Today” March 19, 2019.

I believe that God will come in his glory with so much power. But are we prepared?

There is darkness on the land, but God is going to pour out his glory to those who are calling out to him. He will reveal himself to those who are seeking his face. He loves us SO much he is calling us to open our hearts to him and he pleads with us to be careful of compromise. It creates a lukewarm heart and he states in Revelation that he would rather us hot or cold. We should look different than the world.We need to be a light.

Are you ready? As long as you are still on the earth, as long as there is still breath in your lungs you can call out to him. He is not a religion. He is the creator of the universe and more. He loves you so much he does not want anyone to perish.

My dad was an evangelist at heart and he loved the Lord with all his heart. As a tribute to his life, I quote with all my heart John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

The Lord is going to return one day. In the meantime, you can be surrounded his light amid any darkness, as he walks through this world WITH you. Be encouraged.

God Bless.

the Challenge

I was in a corridor with three other people. I didn’t recognize them nor was I aware of their relationship to me. I just knew I trusted them. We peered through an opening from the darkened corridor where we were hidden. We saw what appeared to look like the steps of a courthouse. A large crowd had gathered. The crowd comprised of people who were protesting for their freedom that they once took for granted.

They shook their hands in the air demanding freedom. The leaders (people in power) stood on the platform of the steps, towards the protestors, trying to calm down the frustration that the people were expressing. I wondered why we were not amongst them. But the four of us just listened staying in our hiding place. Suddenly we realized that the loud protesting had quieted. And individuals in the crowd were shaking hands with the leaders, one at a time. And then one by one the protesters departed with contentment in their eyes and a smile on their face. We then realized that the leaders were making deals with each person, promising them something they wanted. The people traded their freedom, traded their outrage, traded their stand for what was right for some type of personal promise. They were willing to compromise.

It was then that the four of us looked at one another knowing we had seen enough and it was time to leave. One of the people told us to follow him. He knew the way to go. We followed him back through the narrow corridor.

And then I woke.

The thought that came to my mind: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.” Matthew 7:13

Compromise has swept the hearts of many. It seems easier at times to compromise than to stand up for what is right. It is hard to fight against the flow. It is hard to walk upstream. It is much easier to just lay back and float downstream on a nice floatie. Is that what has been happening to those who once stood for righteousness? Have they given it up for the comfort of floating downstream?

The word that kept coming to my mind was: challenge. It is challenging to be different from the mainstream. I do believe that many are taking up the challenge. Our lives have been rocked. We have not been allowed the comfort of floating downstream. Instead many are rising up and walking against the grain.

2020 has given us a reason to get out of our comfort zones and stand. This year may have been challenging to be positive in the midst of the news of rioters, in the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of schools being closed, churches being closed, businesses going under, people losing everything they worked so diligently to attain. It would seem that hate and lies are dominating the airwaves and the stores, the workplace and the streets; our entire lives.

There has always been challenges, even following the Lord or maybe because we chose to follow him.

Paul faced challenges and said as much in 2 Corinthians 4:8,

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

He knew his choice to follow his Lord would take exercising his spiritual muscles. But when he left this world, he left fighting the good fight. He knew that it was worth it, not just in this life, but especially in the life to come. He had gotten to know his Lord on such a personal basis that he was willing to give up all that he was, for the one that loved him above all. He was willing to be persecuted so others would know the truth, the freedom and the joy he experienced. Jesus had turned his world upside down! And in a positive way. He had learned the truth and that truth filled every fiber of his being, in spite of the hard circumstances.

Jesus also tasted what it was like to go against the flow. He knew what it was like to walk upstream in a world that was filled with lies and darkness. He still healed the sick and still set people free, in spite of attacks, not only from the world system, but also from the religious system.

He took up the challenge and set his face like a flint. He was determined that no matter how hard things got, no matter who was with him, he would accomplish what he set out to do; because he loved his Father. And because he loved each of us, as well. He was willing to take up the challenge that his heavenly Father had given him.

He kept his eyes on the joy that was awaiting him, so that he was able to endure the cross despite the ridicule, humiliation, excruciating pain and loneliness so that we, too, may experience the goodness of the Lord. (Hebrews 12:2)

He defeated the lies of the enemy on the cross so we can be free.

Things have been difficult this year. Personally I have fought challenges, as well. I have surrendered my will and my heart to my Lord many times this year. The Lord was challenging me: Do you trust me?

I choose to take up that challenge and trust him. I choose to take up the challenge and obey him, standing up for what the Bible teaches. Many do not understand that choice and even many who call themselves Christians don’t understand. They want their feet in both worlds, compromising. They are like those in my dream who compromised for the promise that was given to them by the world. They have closed their eyes to God’s truth and have accepted watered down truth.

I pray that the Lord will keep me from compromising with this world, that I will stay on the straight and narrow path. I have compromised in my past and it did not satisfy. I never want to return to that life. I know that living for Christ is worth it in this life and also in the one after.

This is what the Lord is challenging me to do:

I challenge you to trust me…more and more each day,
To trust me in this hour and live out what you say.

I challenge you to read MY WORD and hide it in your heart
To keep it fresh in your soul, so your love for me won’t part

I challenge you to stay in truth, the truth that comes from me
Don’t compromise with those that sin. They are blind and cannot see.

I challenge you to seek MY LOVE, a love undefiled and pure.
Not the fake love that roams the land. It is muddy and unclear.

I challenge you to live in worship. You will never be the same.
It will bring freedom into your life. Chains will break in Jesus name.

I challenge you to walk in boldness with MY holy fire.
Sometimes that means to pray, than watch what will transpire.

I challenge you to live the purpose that runs throughout your blood.
Get READY! My Glory is coming to the earth like a rushing flood.

I challenge you to quiet your heart so you can hear my voice.
Will you let me lead you? I’m giving you a choice.

So I responded: Lord help me. Give me your wisdom and your grace.
Help me to be determined to not just run, but run to win the race.

What is the Lord challenging you to do? These are precarious and exciting times. God is on the move and he would like to have you join him. His glory is about to blow through the world. Are you ready? Do you want to be a part of what God is doing? Are you willing to walk through the narrow gate? You will look different than the world. But the joy that is set before you will outweigh the trials.

GOD IS GOOD…….ALWAYS!

Will you accept the challenge?

Press Forward.

I cannot image the intense physical and psychological pressures that the firefighters are experiencing during these hours. Nor can I imagine the control or determination of doing the “right thing” in the face of threats and accusations that the police officers are facing.

But I do understand the wave of doubt and shaking that has tried to come upon the body of Christ as we continue to press in for our country and in our personal lives. I just keep pressing on, as are many others. I have seen worship breakout across the country outside the church buildings and rejoice. I know deep in my heart that our Lord is at work, regardless of what other things I may see or hear.

Paul saw and experienced many hardships but still saw beyond it and encouraged others. That is why he stated:

“And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” Galatians 6:10 (AMP)

He was always encouraging his fellow believers during heartache or blessings, while in chains in prison or as a free man.

Today is no different. We need encouragement.

That is why when the Lord showed me a picture while I was in prayer (for my own personal family crisis and for the nation) I wanted to share it with the Christian community.

This is what I saw:

I saw a ship floating on the waters. The bow was beginning to break through what appeared to be a thick glass window. It was at least a foot thick. Chunks of glass began to break and fall as the ship pushed through. I hadn’t noticed that there was even a window in front of the ship until then.  It continued pushing with more force and more power. On the other side of the window one could see clearer.  

I realized then that we have not been really seeing with clarity like we thought we had. Our vision was somewhat cloudy. We have heard 2020 is supposed to be a year of clearer vision. I believe as we join in unity and push through, we will begin to see what Holy Spirit has been trying to show us.

The word that came to my heart: Do not give up. There is breakthrough right in front of you. You are breaking through with his power this hour.

As I am writing this, I am listening to a worship group on YouTube. Before the worship they stated that they kept trying to record live worship, but their equipment kept crashing. (I am assuming they were talking about electronics?) Anyway, they finally were able to record and this was their prayer: “we pray that everyone that sees this will have glass shattered in their lives. All the glass of insecurity, all the glass of pain, all the glass of doubt will shatter, and we will find that Jesus is Lord. May we look more and more like your Son.”

The timing was perfect!!! But of course, the timing with the Lord is ALWAYS perfect.

I encourage each person that is reading this to press forward. There is breakthrough in your lives. Your prayers are on the precept of breaking through for yourself or for others. There is breakthrough against the things that have been holding you back in your walk with Jesus. There is breakthrough for hope, for healing and for salvation; or whatever you have been praying for.  When you break through to the other side your vision will become clearer.

DO NOT GIVE UP!

Wake up! Rise Up! Pray! Assume your authority and then charge forward. The breakthrough is right in front of you.

The Lord has heard your cries, like he heard the cries of the children of Israel as they cried to him to be delivered from slavery in Egypt.

Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep trusting. Press forward.

God is our deliver and will show his hand of deliverance. He loves his own and will not give us up into the enemy’s hands at this hour.

The battle belongs to the Lord.

“This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)

Keep on keeping on. God bless.

Live in the Moment

Will the real astronaut please stand up?

I was watching the new “To Tell the Truth” game show and on it were 3 people who were talking about being the astronaut that had accrued 665 days in space over the course of their career. I was interested to find out who the real astronaut was and waited with interest.

When the question: “will the real astronaut please stand up”, Peggy Whiston stood up with a big smile on her face. A question she was later asked was, “Did you miss the earth while you were gone?”

Her response, “I live in the moment, so I enjoyed the moments I had in space.”

Suddenly something stirred in my spirit. Was I living in the moment? Was I cherishing the very moment I was living in?

There are times I have regretted some moments of my yesterdays and then other times when I have become anxious about the moments in the future. Her words didn’t leave my heart and I began to ask God to help me to live in the moment and cherish each one. How could I have abundant life if I didn’t learn to enjoy the moment in which I lived?

Guess what title of the sermon was the very next Sunday? You guessed it, “Living in the Moment”. I kid you not. Again, the words burned in my spirit.

What was the Lord trying to tell me?

To me the statement, “living in the moment” was always equal to making foolish decisions. Wasn’t it living in the moment mentality that caused people to not consider consequences of their choices?

Isn’t planning using wisdom?

If you think about it, I am quite sure that Peggy Whiston planned. How would she get to the place where she was if she didn’t plan? She planned her schooling to accomplish her goals. And I bet she enjoyed those moments, as well.

Even the Lord plans. He planned his only son to come to this earth to bring hope to the world. In fact, the Lord himself says,

“I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. (Jeremiah 29:11) .

God plans.

Planning is an important part of living successfully,.

The speaker at my church that Sunday emphasized that he was not saying to not plan. Instead he was saying don’t live in the regrets of yesterday, nor the anxieties of tomorrow.

Living in the moment, according to google.com (we all google sometime) I found this answer: “Living in the present moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.”

Aha. That made sense.

So living in the moment is enjoying each precious moment you have. It is not living in regret of the past and not stressing about the future. It is also being ready at any moment to go where and when the Lord calls.

I want to learn to use those moments wisely.

If you are reading this, you are still alive. And if you are still alive at this moment you probably are extremely aware of the hour in which you are living. These are tumultuous times, filled with evil and confusion.

Yet, we are each living in this moment of time for a purpose. What is the Lord saying to your heart? What is he telling you at this moment? Listen to his voice. Listen and follow through with what you hear in your heart.

In the moment he tells you to help those in need, follow through. In the moment he tells you to pray, pray. In the moment he tells you to speak, speak. In the moment he tells you to be patient and listen, listen patiently. Use your moments wisely.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

The Lord was telling me to LIVE in the moment. He was telling me to quit worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. He was telling me to enjoy the moments of my life and be prepared at ANY moment to move by his Spirit.

What is the Lord saying to you at this very moment? I pray that each moment of your life will be lived in abundance.

Remember:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (ESV)

God bless

It is well.

I could hear the sound of his heartbeat and the thunder of his voice echoing as I laid my head on his chest. Nothing mattered. I was in good hands. I was safe and secure. And so, I rested in his arms unafraid, without worry; filled with peace.

I must have been 3, 4 or 5 years of age at that specific time. Whatever age I was, that incident stuck with me. There were times that my parents would be visiting friends past my sister’s and my bedtime. I would fall asleep on the couch. Before leaving, my dad would pick me up and continue visiting while I was in his arms. As I lay my head on his chest his heartbeat and voice soothed me.

Today the Lord brought this memory back to my mind. He reminded me that He is my Father. I can rest in him as he wraps his arms around me. I like how the Passion Bible translates Psalm 91:4.

“His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under his covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm” Ps 91: 4.

I can lay my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat and his gentle yet thundering voice guiding my steps. But I cannot do that unless I spend time quieting my thoughts so I can listen to his voice with my heart.

During these times, more than ever, we must be able to hear the heartbeat of the Lord. We must be able to hear his voice thundering in our souls, so we can heed his leading.

“These are trying times.”

I have heard that statement and read it in different places on websites or store signs.

There are riots, lies, fear and anger that fill the airwaves, social media, stores, the workplace, and the streets. Hardened criminals are being released, innocent people are being harassed and our economic society is being squashed. This is not the land I remember as a child. This is not the land that people traveled to searching for a better opportunity, looking for refuge and hope. Instead it has become filled with unrighteousness, selfishness, jealousy, and controversy.

I, for one did not see this coming. Thankfully, God knew it in the beginning of time. He is taking this opportunity to teach us to trust him and prepare the hearts of the lost.

Learning to trust him with our personal lives is just as important as learning to trust him for our society at large.

Even our best made plans can take twists that we do not expect. It is there that we could begin to lose hope. Perhaps you lost a loved one, a job or a dream and your hope has begun to fall and wither away like leaves in an autumn wind.

The Lord spoke to my heart recently, “Do you love me even when your plans are not what you expected? Do you love me even when you thought things would be different than what you see? Do you? Do you trust me when the land you are standing on gives way, literally and socially and economically? Do you trust me? Can you rest?”

As I was driving to work the Lord put the song, “It Is Well With My Soul” on my heart. I listened to it everyday on my way to work for quite some time and wept as I began to understand what the Lord was asking. I realized that my circumstances personally and the circumstances of our great land cannot and should not dictate our hope or peace.

I have shared the song, “It is Well with my Soul” before on this blog. But if you are not familiar with the story behind that song let me share a short synopsis. In the 1870s Horatio Spafford and his wife had lost their young son to pneumonia while living in Chicago. He sent his wife and four daughters back to Europe with intentions to follow shortly. The ship he sent them on sunk and their four remaining children perished. Traveling the same route back to Europe and viewing the spot where the waters unforgivingly took his children’s lives, he wrote the lyrics to the song, “It is Well With My Soul”

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billow roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”

I don’t even understand that kind of tragedy. But was I willing to surrender my life, my loved ones, my dreams, and my plans to Him and completely trust him? Could I really say, “whatever my lot, it is well with my soul?

I go back to the image of me resting in the arms of my father when I was a little child. I remember that peace and security. Our heavenly Father longs for each of us to trust him, to rest in him, to lay our heads on his chest and to hear his dreams for our lives. He longs to share his heartbeat for this world. He has not lost hope. His heart beats for you. His heart beats for the lost. There are still souls to win.

Can you hear his heartbeat? Can you hear his voice thunder from his chest telling you, “I love you. You are in my arms. Trust ME.”

Listen.

Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will REST in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I TRUST.”

God Bless

What a Friend I have in Jesus

Worship the Lord.

I woke up the other day with such an impression on my heart that the way to victory is worship. But it dawned on me in that moment that it isn’t worship or praise as we know it. It is more intense. It is deeper. It is knowing the Lord and trusting him with a thankful heart. And yet, it is more than that. I cannot seem to even put it into words. It is becoming so close to his heart that your worship opens locked doors, breaks chains of bondage, and tears down walls. In its place is open heavens. I am speaking of it in a spiritual sense. Although I don’t believe we can limit the Lord. It was through worship that he made the walls of Jericho fall and opened the prison doors and broke the chains that bound Paul and Silas.

It is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle of quietly listening to the Lord. It is a lifestyle of obeying his words. It is a lifestyle of trusting the Lord with a thankful heart. It is rejoicing in the Lord, always, as stated in Philippians.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:4-7

Freedom is found in rejoicing and in worship. Behind it comes peace that passes understanding.

I have shared this in the past, but it is relevant to what I want to share today.

Several years ago, as I was driving to church, I was listening to the radio. News came up regarding Christians in another country (including children) who were being murdered. It sickened me and I felt guilty for the freedom I had in my country to openly worship my Lord. I thought of course it is easy for me, life is so much easier here in America. Although lately I see an uneasiness revealing itself.

Anyway, while worshiping him at church that day, with many other believers, guilt rose up again. How could I freely worship him while others were suffering for their faith? I heard the Lord whisper to my heart.

“Do not stop worshiping. IT is the very thing that brings victory. In fact, the more you worship, the more you push the enemy’s forces back.”

I believe it is the very act of worship in our country that has allowed the open heavens over America. It was the avenue that has pushed back darkness and brought in HIS light. The enemy knows the power of believers, gathering together in worship.

Some American Christians today have forgotten the freedom we have had to celebrate our Lord in a public place. The pandemic has opened many eyes. Some still worship, whether at home or in a church, but many have settled for second best, for simply going through the motions. I have done that. It is called complacency. We have become guilty of worshiping with our mouth, but our hearts are no longer committed to our Lord.

The Lord says,

“These people worship me with their mouths
and honor me with their lips.
But their hearts are far from me,
and their worship of me is based on rules made by humans. Isaiah 29:13

It is the Lord who opens the windows of heaven. It is he that covers a nation with his blessings. And it is he that said that the greatest commandment is to love him with all our hearts, souls, and minds. (Matthew 22:37) He didn’t say those things because he was selfish or because he wanted glory. BUT he knew that expressing our love for him through worship would bring blessings to each of us as individuals and to a nation. It is the tool that pushes back darkness.

We can’t always understand the Lords ways. One day we will, but for now we only know in part. That is why trust is so important. One of my life verses have been,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Remember the disciple who called himself the one whom the Lord loved? Why? Because he was the one who LOVED HIS Lord. He was the one who leaned up to him during the last supper and asked who would betray him. He was the one who walked with him so closely that he walked with him into the courtyard and stood beside him during his last breath. He KNEW him. He TRUSTED him. He didn’t put his faith in what he saw…but in whom he trusted.

He learned what it meant to lean not unto his own understanding. He “leaned” on the Lord, totally and completely.

Jesus trusted John as well. As he was sacrificing his life for all of us, he said to John, take care of my mother. Jesus trusted John with the most important person in his earthly life.

John had learned the art of worship and though he was tortured for his faith, he pushed back the power of darkness through worshiping with all of his heart, soul, and mind. It brought him the peace that passes all understanding. The Lord trusted John so much he gave him visions of what was to come in the end of time. It was John, the one whom Jesus loved, who wrote the book of Revelation.

Worshiping the Lord through song and dance is amazing. You can truly connect with him.

Worshiping the Lord through prayer is powerful. It can set angels into action.

Worshiping him through acts of ministry to others either physically, emotionally, or spiritually can bring breakthrough for others, as well as ourselves.

But worshiping him through obedience, by leaning on him and trusting him brings FRIENDSHIP with your maker.

The friendship we understand today in our world is not the same. It can be muddled and backstabbing and broken. But to be called a friend of our Lord is intense and intimate. It is the intimate intensity that I spoke of earlier. It is a trust not only with our hearts towards our Lord, but a trust of HIS heart toward us. Friends share secrets. The Lord wants to share his secrets with us. It is incredible that the Lord would choose to call anyone his friend.

Very few people from the Bible were called a friend of God, yet Abraham was known as God’s friend and Moses spoke with him face to face as friends would talk.

Jesus described friendship as this:

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14 &15

Worshiping the Lord is all the acts above…singing, praying, sharing the Lord. But it is also knowing him intimately and obeying him completely.

Worship is being God’s friend.

That is the kind of worship that came to my mind as I woke up. As you worship him, in a bond of friendship, victory like you have never witnessed before will follow.

Remember the hymn,

What a Friend we have in Jesus.
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.

What if he would sing it back to you with these words:

What a friend I have in (insert your name)
All my secrets and dreams I share
I will trust you (insert your name) completely
Because I know you really care.

God bless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship the Lord.

I woke up the other day with such an impression on my heart that the way to victory is worship. But it dawned on me in that moment that it isn’t worship or praise as we know it. It is more intense. It is deeper. It is knowing the Lord and trusting him with a thankful heart. Well…it is more than that. I cannot seem to even put it into words. It is becoming so close to his heart that your worship opens locked doors, breaks chains of bondage, and tears down walls. In its place is open heavens. I am speaking of it in a spiritual sense. Although I don’t believe we can limit the Lord. It was through worship that he made the walls of Jericho fall and opened the prison doors and broke the chains that bound Paul and Silas.

It is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle of quietly listening to the Lord. It is a lifestyle of obeying his words. It is a lifestyle of trusting the Lord with a thankful heart. It is rejoicing in the Lord, always, as stated in Philippians.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:4-7

Freedom is found in rejoicing and in worship. Behind it comes peace that passes understanding.

I have shared this in the past, but it is relevant to what I want to share today.

Several years ago, as I was driving to church, I was listening to the radio. News came up regarding Christians in another country (including children) being murdered. It sickened me and I felt guilty for the freedom I had in my country to openly worship my Lord. I thought of course it is easy for me, life is so much easier here, in America, although lately I see an uneasiness revealing itself.

Anyway, while worshiping him at church that day, with many other believers, guilt rose up again. How could I freely worship him while others were suffering for their faith? I heard the Lord whisper to my heart.

“Do not stop worshiping. IT is the very thing that brings victory. In fact, the more you worship, the more you push the enemy’s forces back.”

I believe it is the very act of worship in our country that has allowed the open heavens over America. It was the avenue that has pushed back darkness and brought in HIS light. The enemy knows the power of believers, gathering together

Some American Christians today have forgotten the freedom we have had to celebrate our Lord in a public place. The pandemic has opened many eyes. Some still worship, whether at home or in a church, but many have settled for second best, for simply going through the motions. I have done that. It is called complacency. We have become guilty of worshipping with our mouth, but our hearts are no longer committed to our Lord.

The Lord says,

“These people worship me with their mouths
and honor me with their lips.
But their hearts are far from me,
and their worship of me is based on rules made by humans.

Isaiah 29:13

 

It is the Lord who opens the windows of heaven. It is he that covers a nation with his blessings. And it is he that said that the greatest commandment is to love him with all our hearts, souls, and minds. (Matthew 22:37) He didn’t say those things because he was selfish or because he wanted glory. BUT he knew that expressing our love for him through worship will bring blessings to each of us as individuals and to a nation. It is the tool that pushes back darkness.

We can’t always understand the Lords ways. One day we will but for now we only know in part. That is why trust is so important. One of my life verses have been, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Remember the disciple who called himself the one whom the Lord loved? Why? Because he was the one who LOVED HIS Lord. He was the one who leaned up to him during the last supper and asked who would betray him. He was the one who walked with him so closely that he walked with him into the courtyard and stood beside him during his last breath. He KNEW him. He TRUSTED him. He didn’t put his faith in what he saw…but in whom he trusted.

He learned what it meant to lean not unto his own understanding. He “leaned” on the Lord, totally and completely.

Jesus trusted John as well. As he was sacrificing his life for all of us, he said to John, take care of my mother. Jesus trusted John with the most important person in his earthly life.

John had learned the art of worship and though he was tortured for his faith, he pushed back the power of darkness through worshiping with all of his heart, soul, and mind. It brought him the peace that passes all understanding. The Lord trusted John so much he gave him visions of what was to come in the end of time. It was John, the one whom Jesus loved, who wrote the book of Revelation.

 

Worshiping the Lord through song and dance is amazing. You can truly connect with him.

Worshiping the Lord through prayer is powerful. It can set angels into action.

Worshipping him through acts of ministry to others either physically, emotionally, or spiritually can bring breakthrough for others as well as ourselves.

But worshipping him through obedience, by leaning on him and trusting him brings FRIENDSHIP with your maker.

The friendship we understand today in our world is not the same. It can be muddled and backstabbing and broken. But to be called a friend of our Lord is intense. It is the intensity that I spoke of earlier. It is a trust not only with our hearts towards our Lord. It is a trust of HIS heart toward us. Friends share secrets. The Lord wants to share his secrets with us. It is incredible that the Lord would choose to call anyone his friend.

Very few people from the Bible were called a friend of God, yet Abraham was known as God’s friend and Moses spoke with him face to face as friends would talk.

Jesus described friendship as this:

 

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14 &15

 

Worshiping the Lord is all the acts above…singing, praying, sharing the Lord. But it is also knowing him intimately and obeying him completely.

It is being his friend.

That is the kind of worship that I felt when I woke up. As you worship him, in a bond of friendship, victory like you have never witnessed before will follow.

Remember the hymn,

What a Friend we have in Jesus.
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.

What if he would sing it back to you with these words:

What a friend I have in (insert your name)
All my secrets and dreams I share
I will trust you (insert your name) completely
Because I know you really care.

God bless.

What Will be Your New Normal?

 

Plagues, chaos, vandalism, terror, confusion…America?

There were times in the United States of America when rebellion and anarchy and war broke out.

Then there were seasons of rest and peace; more in some areas than in others, but overall, we had long seasons of peace in this nation.

Perhaps because of the ability to view anything almost anywhere in the world in an instant, our nation and even our world seems to have gotten smaller. These are different times than times in the past.

The year 2020 has been not been what I imagined. I believe it will never look the same.

In times past, we may have never known that a virus was covering the world. Perhaps it wouldn’t have even reached our land or maybe it would have come, and many people may have lost lives, but then we would have moved on.

We may have never known that a man was unjustly killed by a police officer. (How very heart breaking.) It probably happened more times than we have realized before days of technology, but it was not known world wide until recent times allowed that technology.

We may have not heard, except through others, that towns were being burned to the ground and chaos ruled the land. Social media and smart phones now record such events. Again, these things have happened in the past but were not announced across the world like they are in the media today.

Today these things spread like wildfire and like wildfire ignite more anger and hate and chaos.

Today we are immediately aware because of our technology. Times have changed

Because of that we are witnessing horrendous events shake our nation.

These are the days in which we live.

Evil is devious. Evil is strong. Evil is loud. It has been in our nation since the beginning of the nation’s existence, and before. I believe there were times of refreshing and open windows of blessings from the Lord in our nation because, for the most part, we honored God. But because we have opened our doors to sin, the blessings of peace seem to have disappeared.

Still during this evil, hope does exist. The Lord is not caught off guard and always has a plan.

“So, shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19

I believe that the Lord, who sees all and knows all, who is aware of our past, our present and our future will never leave or forsake those who seek him during these hours.

Like I said in my last blog, the enemy of darkness is angry and afraid and will do all he can to bring unrest and destruction. He knows his time is short. And he comes ONLY to kill, steal, and destroy!!! (John 10:10) That is his only purpose. But on the other hand, Jesus came to bring abundant life.

Regardless of the purpose behind this chaos, though it is important, the real enemy is satan. It always has been.

The Lord still reigns. And people need his presence, his hope, his peace like never before.

I believe these riots, like the effects of COVID, are a wakeup call to the body of Christ. We need to always be prepared, not only to pray, but to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and walk amid the darkness. It is our obligation to bring HIS light and HIS hope. The only answer is Jesus.

There was a season in America when there was peace. Today injustice, hate and anger have multiplied.

During the days of the Roman Empire there was so much chaos and blood shed, as well. That is why the disciples thought, at first, that Jesus was going to raise up a revolution. Interesting enough, God chose a time of complete confusion to bring his hope.

God’s ways our not our ways.

As I write, it is Pentecost Sunday. And where I live it was the first day since COVID that I got to attend my church. I wept, thanking God for that opportunity, yet I was also aware that my country was being torn apart.

What is our place in this chaos?

I know I am to pray but we (you and I) are also called to spread the hope of Christ. The Lord will guide us. I want to hear his voice, in this hour.

God is NOT sitting back. He is STILL in control. He is STILL brooding upon the earth. He has heard the cries of his people that have been crying out day and night for his presence, not just in America, but around the world. Those kinds of prayers have been uttered from suffering individuals in other countries for years. Like the cries that went up to heaven during the years of slavery in which the Israelites suffered at the hands of the Egyptians, so God hears the cries of his saints today.

He is not turning a deaf ear. Evil is evil. But God is greater.

Greater is he that is in you and me than he (satan) who is in the world. (1 John 4:4).

The glory of the Lord will rise in this hour of darkness because the Lord is still on the throne. He longs to save us from our own destruction. He longs to bring us to THE LIGHT. Are we prepared to bring the gospel to a lost and dying world?

Jesus died a sinner’s death on the cross for our sins during the Roman reign. Though it surprised the disciples because it wasn’t what they expected, it ended up being so much better than what they had anticipated.

Jesus rose from the dead!

After he returned to heaven the Holy Spirit came upon them with POWER as seen in Acts 2. They went from hiding in fear to boldly sharing the gospel in a world that did not want to hear it. Yet many came to Christ.

During the turmoil today, like in the days of the Roman Empire, I believe the Holy Spirit will once again fill the earth with his glory.

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord WILL be saved.” Acts 2:17-21

So instead of anger or fear reigning in your heart with all that has been happening in 2020, we should rejoice. We are found worthy to be part of this age, part of something so much greater. We can be part of the greatest harvest before his return.

Remember:

He will not leave or forsake us. Hebrew 13:5
He has a plan, a hope, and a future for us. Jeremiah 29:11
He wants us to rejoice in him, always. Philippians 4:4
He will fill the earth with his glory. Isaiah 6:3

He wants us to partner with him to bring in the harvest.

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into this harvest field.” Luke 10:2

Will you be one of the workers in the harvest?

Father,
I thank you for taking the very thing that was meant for destruction and using it to draw many people to you. Thank you that you are healing hearts and forgiving sins. We ask for your mercy. Hear our cries and heal our land. Teach us how to be harvesters in this hour and fill us with your boldness to go on the streets to bring the lost and broken to you. Amen

What will be your new normal?

WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

The other morning as I was getting ready for work, I felt like the Lord was saying to my spirit:

WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

I was obviously awake. This was a different awakening. This was an awakening in the spirit. This was a call to WAKE UP in the spiritual realm.

I thought about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, praying in anguish as he knew what was before him. (Matthew 26)

He asked his disciples if they would stay awake and pray and said, “Stay here and keep watch with me.” When he returned, he found them asleep.

“Couldn’t you keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked.

Then he said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The second time when he approached them after praying in agony all alone, he found them asleep again and again said the same thing. When he returned the final time he said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look the hour has come and the son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners.

I felt him say this: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

I thought about the parable in Matthew 25 where Jesus shared the story of the 10 virgins and the kingdom of heaven. All 10 virgins fell asleep while they were waiting for the bridegroom to return. Five were wise and took oil for their lamps. Five were foolish and didn’t have any extra. Notice: they ALL fell asleep while they waited, but five had prepared themselves.

Suddenly there was an announcement that the bridegroom was returning. All woke up. But the five foolish had no more oil in their lamps and went to purchase more. While they were gone the bridegroom returned. When they came back it was too late to enter the wedding banquet.

I felt the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

If you have ever seen a movie about war in the days of old, you have seen an intense battle between two groups of determined people. They charge at each other with fierceness, boldness, and supernatural strength. As they run towards their opponents you can hear the roars of courage bellow out of their lungs. It gives them the extra valor to attack with all that is left in them.

That is what I am seeing.

It is time to be the warriors that God has called us to be. It is time to rise without fear. Fight for Christ. Fight for your brothers and sisters in Christ. And fight for those that need to hear the Gospel. We are NOT fighting people. We are fighting in the spirit realm.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12

We fight or war in prayer!

I heard the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

This is the hour to wake up from the slumber that has swayed us to sleep. There has been a slumber that has been so heavy that it has caused most everyone of God’s children to sleep. (Yes, there are those that are alert and may have extra oil, but most have fallen asleep.) This slumbering spirit has caused us to compromise, embracing sin a little at a time. It has caused us to desire the pleasures of life more than the love of the Father. Most have more desire for entertainment or things than the desire to see people set free. (I am preaching to myself here.) It is far easier to do and more relaxing. Maybe it isn’t entertainment, as such, but we are preoccupied with this life.

I am NOT saying that we cannot enjoy ourselves. We need to take vacations. We need to have family time. It is fine to watch a movie or play golf. And it is a necessity to work. What I am saying is that sometimes other things can preoccupy our hearts and minds causing us to be distracted.

We may think: God is out there somewhere, sure, but not real to me. He is a part of heaven; we are part of the earth. He is so far away. He resides in a different dimension. He doesn’t really want us to “live out” the Gospel. We can just look like the world. I believe the Lord is calling out his own. He will shake what needs to be shaken. This recent pandemic has certainly caused us to appreciate the simpler things and has caused some people to seek the Lord in a stronger sense.

I heard the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

The enemy is at the door and he is preparing for a war like never seen before. His time is short. What we have been experiencing so far is just a foretaste of what he wants to arrogantly heave at us. I believe satan is trying to play his hand before his time because he fears what lies ahead. I believe the greatest move of the Holy Spirit is yet to come. Still, I hear the enemy’s feet stomping. I had a dream once that enemy troops were stomping in place. The only thing holding satan and his cohorts back was an invisible shield of God’s making. But one day the enemy and his troops will be released. The vileness will be far stronger than what we have experienced thus far. The only hiding place will be hidden in Christ. This is the hour to prepare and light your lamps. Are you ready?

And I felt the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

This is the time to wake up. This is the time to rise as warriors. This is the time to take the authority God has given us and PRAY. The Lord said if we have faith as a mustard seed, we can say to a mountain move, and it will. NOTHING will be impossible! (Matthew 17:20)

He also said that we will do greater things than he did while he walked this earth. (John 14:12)

It is time to rise in FAITH!

The enemy fears what is about to sweep across the nation, across the world. He fears the Spirit that lives within each of God’s children. Satan fears that we might really understand truth and it will set us free as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of the Lord is hovering upon the earth. He once told Ezekiel to speak life to the dry bones so that they will live. In this hour we can speak life to the inhabitants of the earth. I believe even where our feet tread, life is born. Declare life to your neighbors and to strangers. I believe we have the authority to declare life into every area where we walk, every footstep. We have not yet taken hold of the authority that belongs to us.

I believe the greatest outpouring is about to break forth throughout this planet.

I heard the Lord say: WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

I am not sure what the coming months or years will look like. But it is in prayer, that we will be given direction from the Lord. It will be through prayer that we will see the greatest outpouring of His Spirit on this earth.

I don’t believe that this message was for me alone. Will you wake up? Will you rise up? Will you pray?

You can be a part of something far greater than you have ever experienced.

WAKE UP! RISE UP! PRAY!

God IS Good

God IS good.

He is good when things go well
And he is good when they do not.

He is good when you are in health
And when you struggle with illness.

He is good when the storms come
And is good when the sun shines.

He is good when your pockets are empty,
Or when your bank is overflowing.

He is good when you’re surrounded by loved ones
And he is good when you taste loneliness.

He is good when a new life is born.
He is good when death’s door is at hand.

He is good when life is broken and hard
And He is good when life is easy.

GOD IS GOOD

Because ……

He died that you might live.
He has your best interest at heart.
He loves you unconditionally.
He is full of mercy.
He heals your heartache.
He forgives you continually.
He is always faithful.
He fights for you.

In the mist of tears he is your hope.
In the mist of sorrow he is your anchor.

He will never leave you.
He will never abandon you.

He answers you when you call.
He rescues you when you are weak.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He is the Alpha…The Omega…The Beginning… Then End

He is the GREAT “I AM”’

God is GOOD….ALWAYS!

“O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

AMEN