Sunday, October 5, 2014

Do you hear from God?

Do you hear from God?

Most Christians are hesitant to say yes.  Why is that? Are they ashamed that they don’t? Are they ashamed that they do? Shame being the key item here….

Are they afraid they will make a mistake? Are they afraid God will not really speak to them? Fear being the key here…

Are they concerned people will judge them if they are bold? Are they concerned they will send some one in the wrong direction? Pride being the key here in both areas…..

Many people only claim to hear God when they have to do something “hard” and then they talk about it to 42 (this is a floating number) people to get sympathy with them at how “hard” it is to serve God.  Others seem to serve a “bossy” God. He only talks to them to bark out some order. Others only hear a daddy’s voice talking to a small child with comfort guiding them in their everyday life.

Which is you?

If you are walking in shame it is time to close that door and wash that stuff off yourself with the water of the word.

If it is fear holding you back then it is time to close that door and get yourself full of the Holy Spirit—fear will not reside with Him! Not only that but the Holy Spirit sends 3 friends to make sure you are not bullied with fear any more.  (Power, Love and a Sound Mind in case you were wondering)

If the Lord shares something with you for or about someone and you do not share it without consulting 12 (another arbitrary number) people to get confirmation and make sure you are right, then you need to repent from pride, turn back to God and allow Him to remove the need to make everything about you. We have a hurting world to minister to. If the Lord trusted you enough to talk to you then only pride and disobedience is between you and the other person’s answer. You can make it LOOK like humility but the root is still pride.

If you only hear God when it is something hard then it is time to close that door of old hurts. Time to repent for not allowing Him into your life. If you only hear him as a daddy with a small child then it is time to close that door of immaturity and get into the word making yourself grow up.

He wants to be so many things to the body of Christ. We have to close the door of miniature boxes where we have confined him and be the child, the friend, the lover, the soldier, the ambassador, the prayer warrior, the helping hand, the listening ear, the one who meets the needs,

If you had a best friend who lived around the world and no phone, no internet, nothing…how would you communicate? Don’t be that kind of friend to God. He has given you every means of communication—He is waiting for you!

What does this have to do with intercession?

Time for the intercessors to close the door to the past and rush through the doors of the marvelous future provided. We have to b healed, delivered, strengthened, empowered so we can intercede and throw out those life lines to bring the body of Christ into these end times…..

Time to pray.



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

How Much Water Do You Drink??? Is it clean?




We have had another storm warning. We were under threat of a typhoon and even though it missed us we still have a lot of flooding, debris, and it is still pouring down rain here.




That doesn't mean I don't get thirsty. No matter how much it rains, I still get up and drink a liter of water before my coffee. I still drink another liter or 2 each day. (plus my diet coke of course). 



I drink the water but it doesn’t quench my thirst like diet coke does….and on top of that I am a diet coke connoisseur: I prefer a fountain soda with a good mix and a non-drip cup.




Let's look at this spiritually. There are a lot of wells to drink at spiritually, even in the church. But Jesus is the Living Water. He is the only thing that can satisfy our thirst. Once you drink at the well of Jesus you will never be thirsty again.

I am even pickier about my relationship with Christ than I am about my diet coke. I do not want a watered down gospel. I prefer a solid word based church. I want pastors that have not exalted themselves about the body and above the word of God. I want to be able to drink clear, clean water.

John 7:38 Whoever believes in Me as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

Water is the most important resource on earth. (OK, maybe air is just as important but that is another blog) Without water all things would perish

With Jesus we have living water to continually refresh and empower us daily.

What does this have to do with intercession????

People are dying of thirst all around us…in the natural there are companies that go all over the world providing fresh, clean water for people who are drinking disease laden, bug infested water. In the spiritual we need to go (either in prayer or in person) around the world and provide fresh, clean water for people who are drinking demonic, diseased spiritual water.


Time to Pray…

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

How big of a bang will you make?

from the Lanai in Tumon
from the Lanai in Tumon
I have seen a lot of public fireworks’ displays over the years. I love them!! Fourth of July. New Years. Hogmanay. The fair in Guam—we have a great view from our lanai! 
from the Lanai in Tumon


from the Lanai in Tumon



They are all fabulous, though I do have to admit Hogmanay was the most amazing thing I had ever seen and will be the standard I use from now on for “Best Fireworks Ever”.

Hogmanay

If you are the person in charge of the fireworks there is so much to do to get ready for the explosion. Selection of the specific works. Finding a safe venue. Announcing the event. Advertising. Doing a practice run. 

The same thing is happening in the spirit to get us ready for the explosion of the spirit that is coming. The venue is being prepared and has been for 2000 years. The venue is being prepared as Israel continues to protect their land. The announcements are coming in the spirit regularly. Advertising is being done on the TV, radio, books and in social media as people point the signs of the times. Jesus was the practice run. 

Spectators also get ready for the fireworks display but in a totally different way. They talk about the event. They tell their friends and family. They invite people to come with them. They prepare—picnic, blankets to sit on, etc.
 
The Lord is getting ready for the biggest display ever. We are the fireworks. We are the ones who light up the sky. The world will be the spectators until they too want to be the fireworks. The Lord wants to launch you into what He has for you. Are you ready? Have you invited your friends? Your family?

Working in our lives as we collaborate with Him—a personal experience joining with Him to be everything He called us to be.

The choices are abundant—you are always free to choose but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.

What does any of this have to do with intercession???

Pray for the spectators….











Monday, June 9, 2014

Stop being a Zombie.............

Have a lot of changes in your life? Concerned that God is trying to "teach your something"? Wonder what you should be "learning"? 

Change is not bad, just different. It doesn't mean you did something wrong. It doesn't mean God is upset. It doesn't mean you were given the wrong directions or a bad prophecy or that you heard wrong. You do not need to be confused, ashamed or make excuses.

Maybe you are just growing. Maybe you are just being refined. 

Change is not bad just different.

We celebrate the prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus’ resurrection when we read about Lazarus coming forth from the tomb. We celebrate the resurrection of Christ—the pivotal point that proved he was the Son of God. The supernatural accuracy of the prophecies concerning the Messiah should be enough proof BUT the resurrection was that “final straw” proving his diety so to speak.  

Change is not bad—just different. Maybe it is really growth. Maybe it is refining. Why do we think change is something “bad”?

We talk about raising the dead. We have seen it happen. Some of us have prayed and experienced it. But, what about spiritual death? Partnering with the enemy in your thought processes? Allowing your emotions to rule your spirit man? Are you spending your life swirling in the repeat cycle of negativity, whining, self-pity….

When something happens that is a change in your life, something different from the norm, where do you run? To the word? To His presence? His word? His love?

Or, do you run to the tomb of your sin and take up residence? Do you run to the tomb of death and move in? No one ran into Jesus’s tomb and thought the linen cloths he had been wrapped in were really Him. They knew the cloths were just His covering. Sin was your covering prior to salvation. The linen cloths of your sin, your past are not YOU.

Don’t go look for your sin and stay in the tombs of death—run to the savior and LIFE.

What do this have with intercession?


It is time to imitate Christ and call forth our friends from their tombs of sin and death—but first you need to get out of your tomb.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Pianos, Seeds, Dolls and Figurines.......

So many times we pray and we have an expectation. We send up a few words, we talk to the Lord about our burning desire, our passion for this prayer request, we pray fervently, we wait and 15 minutes later (yes I am being facetious but only partially) or 3 weeks or 3 months, the fervor dies out. Sometimes we wonder what happened. We make excuses. We eventually forget about it. So much so that often we forget we prayed. (and doesn't that imply that we also forget to be grateful?)

How many seeds of prayer do you have planted that have not happened---YET? Just like any seed in the dirt you can leave it to the birds of the air, the ground animals the elements or you can nurture it, water it, care for it and reap a harvest from it.


I hear a lot of Christians say, when they don't get a quick answer to their prayers, that God said, "NO". Did he? Where is the scripture for that? I do know that if you do not receive about what you pray about then you may be praying “amiss”. BUT, even when Israel prayed against God’s direct wishes and they cried out for a king, God asked them to reconsider but He still granted their prayers. Isn't that what free will is about? We are not marionettes on a string. Christianity is having a relationship with Christ.



When I was a fairly new Christian I wanted a piano. I asked God for one. That was it, simple. I wanted my kids to learn to read music. I wanted to be able to play it etc. No big warfare, just a simple, “God please bring me a piano.”

Two years later a friend was moving and she asked me if I wanted a piano. She brought it over. It was an antique, upright, oak, cast iron insides (read that HEAVY) piano. I started saving money to get it tuned up. The problem was that a week later I got the approval to start my Masters in Durant. I started packing everything I owned, getting rid of this and that. I realized God loved me and he would always hear and answer my prayers but did I really want to play the piano? Did I really want a piano to be responsible for? Did I really want to spend all that money for tuning and lessons? (Did I even have all that money?) Not really. Did I even have enough room in the truck? No. So I had to find someone who wanted a piano.

I did not think that through when I prayed. It was a whim and yet God answered my prayer. God will answer YOUR prayers. It might not be today but He will answer. 

When Jenny was little they started making Precious Moments. She loved them. They were limited editions and expensive for this single mom. I got her one, someone else bought her the one of the puppies in the cart. I bought her another. Someone got her the doll and so on. She never had many. They were the only valuable “thing” she ever had.

We got an antique shelf to put them on. It fit in a corner. She loved it. Then one night when we had a small earthquake. It fell and they all broke. She was upset but very Jen-like. I was upset, I cried out to God. I could not replace these. This was not right and so on. God, I need to replace these.

I prayed out of compassion for my daughter. I prayed with fervor. I prayed through tears of loss. Through hurt for her. Sounds kinda goofy but these represented the sacrifice one will make for their child. They represented a lot of emotionally-tied things. She never got another one. Every time I am in a store and see them I think about how much she loved them.


I didn't really expect Him to any replace them anymore. She is grown. She has children of her own. Her oldest is getting married. It is past the season I am sure…..

BUT GOD…..

Yesterday someone gave me 2 HUGE tubs of Precious Moments’ dolls, figurines, etc. still in the boxes. Perfect mint condition. Abundantly above what I could ask or even think—much less hope for. The lady who gave them to me was probably not even born when Jenny’s fell and broke.

BUT GOD…..

Intercession and prayer are more than we expect. Once you set things in motion the heavenlies are at work to bring it to pass.

What does this have to do with intercession?


This IS intercession. 

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Come Fly With Me.....


I was sitting in an airport. I have traveled a fair amount so this is not an unusual thing. I love to travel so I cannot decide if God called me to be a missionary because He knew I would love to travel or if I love to travel because I am called to be a missionary. Really doesn’t matter though I think it is the latter.



My normal routine is to get off the plane, walk for an hour or so, find a place to eat, get on the internet (if I can and in some airports I cannot), play catch up and use that to “people-watch”. I love to watch people. I use those observations to pray for the different ones God shows me. Just a favorite pastime of mine. And again, I don’t know if I love to sit and people watch because I like to pray or if my heart is moved to pray because of what I see when I people watch. Unimportant I suppose but just some of the things that make me wonder. This day I saw so many odd things in such a short time I was a little overwhelmed.

I headed to the sushi place but when I got in line I felt the Lord tell me to go to McDonald’s. Now McDonalds is not my favorite by a long shot and I AM in Japan so sushi sounded perfect to me but I got out of line and headed to Mickey D’s. Filet of fish is always my order so I stood in line watching how differently things are done here. Very polite. No crowding. VERY fast. Everything a little different. There was a Japanese family sitting next to me (same table even—I AM in Japan).



The husband and the 2 boys were about done eating and the mom had just started. The dad was an angry man but that is not really unusual either. The oldest son said something to the dad and the dad threw the phone at him, chewed him out—the kid had that slow heat that creeps up someone’s neck when they are embarrassed and it is turning to rage. I was praying for the whole family. The mom tried to defuse, the dad was having none of it, threw a fit and stomped off. The boys cleaned up the dad’s mess and followed the mom--who was still trying to eat—chase after the dad.

My heart broke for that boy. It took everything I had not to say something, to intervene and yet I have been in an abusive relationship. It would not have helped. At one time anger—that red rage that takes over your actions controlled my life. It would not have helped. So I did the one thing I knew would benefit all of them. I prayed. I prayed for the boy NOT to grow up abusive like his dad. I prayed for the family to get saved. I prayed for the dad to come to his senses. I prayed.

As soon as they left I started to eat and realized there were 2 groups of Americans a few tables away. They were all from different areas of the south. One group was 6 young 20’s, the other was a family of 5. The husband of the family talked in total animation to the youngsters. They discussed so much: travels, food, airports, activities, prices of things and so on…..As I listened I realized they were doing what so many Americans do when they travel. They were putting down thing after thing in Japan. I was embarrassed. Nothing was good enough. They were loud and mocking about the country they were visiting. Apparently everything is better in the US which makes me wonder why they came to Japan for a vacation.

I knew the Lord had me here for a reason—after all I gave up sushi for this. So I listened. One of the 6 came back from getting a soda refill and one of the girls in the group asked him if they charged him full price for it (of course they did—apparently they haven’t traveled much). His comment was “I have got to get out of this dump and get too a real country.”




Dump? Did he even bother to look around at the beauty of this country? Did he miss the gentle, polite people who live here? Did he notice the delicate beauty of all the art? 







Did he use one of their world-famous toilets for Pete’s sake?
panel on Japanese electronic toilet


As I sat and wondered how they missed the beauty of Japan I heard the Lord talk to me about the world He created. People complain about everything. Christians complain. Have you noticed the beauty surrounding you? Have you seen the delicate beauty of the flowers blooming in the spring? The intricacy of the seasons? The rushing mountain streams? The expanse of sky when you top a hill? The delicacy of the white clouds hanging in the blue sky? How about that gentle feeling of the rain when he falls? The smell of fresh cut grass?

We are in this world and not supposed to act like everyone else but allow ourselves to be transformed by the word. Does the “world” hear you complaining about everything? Do you sound JUST like the world? Do you cause people to wonder if you are REALLY a Christian and if so why did you bother since you are so miserable?

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

What does this have to do with intercession?

Go on a “complaining” fast. Watch how it changes your outlook and attitude. Use that change to intercede for the ones who are still in negative mode. Pray the positive, declarative, informative word of God not the whiny, complaining begging that does no good but makes you feel like you did something.
It is time to step into our callings intercessors……