A Precious Prize

I believe, in general, that we can know the Lord a lot more that we do right now.

Most of us love the Lord and make an effort to get closer, but the Lord is talking about something far greater.  The King of Kings desires us to know Him so much more.  There is much He would like to share with us, but we hold on to our lives---myself included.

Matthew 11:12 says from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force.  But the Amplified Version renders it beautifully: the violent men seize it by force as a precious prize---a share  in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.

The King is part of the kingdom and He is definitely a precious prize worth any effort we have to expend.

Matthew 16:24-25 says that if anyone desires to follow Him, we must deny ourselves or more directly, put away our own ambitions.  It goes on to say that if we try to save our life that we will lose it, but if we give over to His desires and leadings then we gain HIM.  When we persist on our path, then the result is a limited relationship.

We need to give up 'our life' just like He gave up His.  When we die to ourselves and obey Him, the Lord will manifest Himself to us.  In other words, we need a vision for heaven.  The Lord tells us to lay up treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20).  He is our treasure and our reward now and in the hereafter, as well.

Unfortunately, many of us are happy with our arrangement with the Lord.  We pretty much complete our goals and conduct our affairs as we see fit.  He is in  our lives, but for the most part, we still have our hand on the controls.

Paul says in Phil. 3:8 that he counts all things loss for the excellence of knowing Christ Jesus.  He goes on to say that he has lost everything for Christ, but counts it all rubbish in comparison.

Paul was one who sought the kingdom with intense exertion and considered Christ a precious prize.  There was a sense of abandonment in his walk with the Lord.

We tell others, "It's not a religion, but a relationship!", yet we keep a good portion of our lives for ourselves because it sounds negative "to lose your life for Christ".  In reality, it couldn't be further from the truth.  The quality of life improves immensely----our communion with Him is sweeter, His blessings flow and the enemy is in the distance instead of nearby. 

We need to shift our focus from this world to His kingdom and view things in the right perspective. 

Our relationship with Him will blossom as we make Him the center of our existence.  Seek ye first the King and His kingdom!

IF YOU FIRST SEEK THE KING---

If you seek first the King---

      YOU forget about time in His presence.

      YOU long for your daily quiet time with Him.

      YOU get lost in His Word.

      YOU love all God's people.

      YOU give priority to those things He's instructed you to do for His Kingdom.

      YOU pour yourself out before Him.

      YOU love the things He loves, and hate the things He hates.

      YOU are grieved by your sins and press to overcome them.

      YOU want to be like Him.

      YOU are excited about worshipping together with others.

      YOU welcome the correction of the Lord.

      YOU cheerfully give your finances to the work of His kingdom.

      YOU count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Him.

      YOU are moved by those things that are important to Him.

      YOU want all that He has for you.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in His temple.  Ps.27:4

A Snake Called Compromise

Here is a slick trick used by the enemy.  Most of us would agree that there are some areas of disobedience that give us difficulty.  We have struggled and struggled and as a result, many times we just do what we can and leave it at that.  It is depressing and we have to move on or else we'll fall into a slump.  After all, the Lord understands.

It sounds good, but you just compromised with the enemy.  He has hoodwinked you into thinking that you  can't over come this sin or weakness.  Since most of us resort to compomise in other areas of our lives, we dicide to do what we can and hope for the best.  In actuality, you have given up in exchange for the enemy's retreat.  It's what you call a 'working relationship' with the devil.  The fact is you're at a standstill in your life.  But the good news is the Lord has provided a fool-proof way of success.

Wasn't it His grace that enabled us to believe Him for our salvation? (Eph. 2:8)  Well, it's also His grace that enables us to overcome any sin or weakness.  Gal 3:2 says, "Having begun in the Spirit are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"  We don't have to compromise or 'do what we can and leave it at that'.  We can get the job done by depending on the grace of God.

Also, Romans 6 tells that we've been given newness of life as a result of being buried with Him through baptism into death.  It simply means that we have a new nature and our sinful nature died with Christ.  However, even though it's good news, it isn't automatic.  You still have to be cautious and purpose in your heart to resist the enemy's temptation.

All the while you're resisting, the enemy will relentlessly try to make you feel like you will never overcome.  Feelings are lies.  the Word of God says you are free and have the Lord' s grace or strength, to overcome.  Unfortunately, some saints have failed so many times that it 'feels' like they will never be victorious.

Solution?! Soak in those verses declaring your freedom from sin until the truth carries more weight than your feelings.  Believe the Lord and continue pressing until you break free!  It won't be easy, but the victory is there for you to experience.  Who are you going to believe--- the Word of God or your feelings?

You can overcome any area of sin because the Word says to be holy like He is holy.  He would never say that to us if it couldn't be done!  Just one step at a time is all you have to take.

Salt Please?!

We, the Church, look too much like the world.  We live here, but we should model ourselves after the Kingdom of God.

How is it that we look and act so much like the unsaved, perhaps not on every issue, but so much so, that we often blend right in.  Many saints like their off-color jokes, questionable movies, free-flowing alcohol, live-in partners and sexy clothes.

No wonder unbelievers question our sincerity and have little or no regard for us. They know the difference between right and wrong and wonder why we follow them in their questionable pursuits.

We have a lopsided belief system in America.  We lean too heavily on the grace of God and His wonderful loving nature.  We have forgotten that He is also a holy God who loves righteousness and truth.

I know He sees the righteousness of Christ when He looks upon us, but should we come into His presence with a slight odor of the world on our garments.  He died for our sins and here we are participating in a good number of them.

He's looking for sons and daughters that resemble Him--not the world.  He wants to see His character developed in our lives.  This is what is pleasing to His heart.  The more we share in common with the Lord, the closer we can get to His presence.

He wants to bless us.  "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever."  (Deut.  5:29)

Hear His heart. Can you detect the regret that His people do not follow His ways, so He can bless them even more.

While there are varying degrees of involvement with the world, we all need to ask the Lord to give us a sensitivity for those things that offend Him.  We are to live for Him.  Desire the conviction of the Lord and leave the ways of the world behind!

Tell It Like It Is!

I can't get away from II Chronicles 7:14--"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Not only are we to search our own hearts, but I believe we are to speak the Word of God to one another.  We have kept our mouths shut long enough in America.

In general, Chrisitans in America lack the fear of the Lord and we have adapted the Word to fit our culture.  As a result we are no longer a blessed nation and we need to stand up and declare the truth in hopes of establishing the plumb line once again.

No one wants to offend --myself included, but I do believe the Word of God is being withheld to such and extent that an imbalance has occurred and sin is rampant among the saints.

This is the Word of the Lord to the American church today.

Ezekiel 3:4,7-11
Then He said, "Son of man, go to the people of Israel and give them my messages.
But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.
Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces and your forehead strong against their foreheads.
Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you and hear with your ears.  And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, 'whether they hear, or whether they refuse."

Ezekiel was to speak to his own people.  The house of Israel represents the church and the Lord is telling us not to be afraid of our brothers and sisters.  The Lord has been trying to turn believers around in America for years and now we are seeing signs of judgments in our county.

We are to apply the Word of God to our own lives first (receive My Word into your heart) and repent and then speak the truth, in love, to our brothers and sisters who the Lord calls 'captives'.

The church in America has its own compromised version of the Word of God and the Lord says we are a rebellious people who will not listen to Him.  He is requiring us to speak, despite the fact that most will not listen, but will be stubborn and give us angry looks.

I was floored upon receiving this.  How was I to muster up enough couragge to stand my ground when my approach is usually laid-back?

The key lies in Ezekiel 3:7.  The Lord says, "I will make your face strong against their face."  The NIV translation says, "I have made you as obstinate and hardhearted as they are."  This is what He did for Ezekiel, so he could carry out His commmand and He'll do it for us as well!

My personality is the opposite of what is being required here, but He often chooses those that are completely lacking to show Himself strong in their lives.  All I have to do is cry out for this change.  It may, or may not be an immediate change, but I am to continually ask for His grace to speak the Word boldly.

Ezekiel 2:8 states that if we do not speak out the truth, we will be considered rebellious by the Lord and verse 18 says their blood will be upon our heads if we don't tell them.

We are not to club people to death, but we are prayerfully speak the truth in love.  Hang on saints.  The Lord is requiring a change  and we must keep up with Him!

S-T-R-E-T-C-H You Can Do It!

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

The Great Commission was given to all that are called by His name.  These were among His last words.  The LAST thing He wanted to leave with us.  Yet most would say that this does not pertain to them.

"Oh, I am not an evangelist."    OR    "That's not for me.  I'm terrible at that."

Well, I was, too.   But that was His last command and while I don't have an evangelistic gifting, He has made me into a 'fisher of men'.

I didn't want to go knocking on doors or speak to my co-workers.  I still don't ---but I know that's what He wants.

He has taught me techniques and given me favor--all because I cried out for help.

I was terrible at the beginning.  I would ring the bell, wait 2 seconds, leave the flyer and be two doors down before the original person answered the door-----then I'd wave at them!

I would cry out to the Lord to make me bolder---to come out of myself and not worry what they thought of me---to preach the entire gospel. 

After a while, things came together and while I'm not perfect---I can generally get the message out in its entirety.

He heard my cries, saw my struggles and knew I wanted to shrink back, but because I didn't QUIT, He eventually was able mold me into one who can share the gospel effectively.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H!  You can do it!                                                                     

Spiritual Housekeeping!

It is very easy to think that we are on target with the Lord when in actuality, we are not doing the will of God.  How can this be?  We love the Lord, go to church, read the Word of God and are doing everything we know to live a life that pleases Him.

The ansewer is found in Jer. 17:9-10.  "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.  Who can know it?  I, the Lord, search the heart and know the mind." 

We might have the best of intentions and truly love the Lord, but He says our hearts deceive us and lead us astray.  We may have no idea that we are off track.  But the Lord does. He examines our secret motives and He knows all things.

Our hearts can fool us into thinking that we're doing this or that for the Lord, but the Lord can examine our motives and show us we're often doing things to benefit ourselves and not Him.  We can protest vehemently, but He knows the thoughts of our hearts.

It's an easy thing to remedy, however.  Don't you think if you asked the Lord to divulge what is in your heart and any wrong motives that He would graciously reveal these hidden things and readily restore you?

We get busy and just rely on Him to understand that we love Him and that our hears are in the right place.  However, it's our responsibility to reserve some special time before Him to examine our hearts for wrong motives.  Some things may surface immediately and others may take a while for the Lord to orchestrate situations that reveal the hidden truth.

You may feel you're too busy for this, but it's actually a preventative measure and the benefits are numerous.  The alternative is to postpone this little housekeeping job 'til the place is falling down around your ears and you're in so much trouble you don't know where to start!

(Part 2 of 12) PERRY STONE: URGENT WARNING TO AMERICA!

Torn Between Two Loves

We are called to live separate lives unto the Lord----  II Peter 2:19--But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's Own possession---yet we identify greatly with the world.

We have allowed apathy and complacency to creep into the church over the years and little by little we have absorbed attitudes of our affluent society.  We live for our comforts, entertainment, sports, fashion, and 'techie toys'.  In moderate amounts, these are not wrong, but we often crave them and consider our lives fuller because we have an abundance of them.

We know they have a hold of us when we become disgruntled, and unhappy during times we have to do without.  Let's face it.  Most of us would have to admit there are things that have a hold of our hearts other than the Lord alone.  There may be varying degrees, but is there much difference between this attitude and that of unbelievers who 'live' for these pleasures.  Again, these things are only wrong if they have a hold of our hearts.

This is almost identical to the children of Israel.  They promised to love and serve the Lord and they did.  But they also loved and served other 'gods' of the land by building shrines in the hills and burning incense as part their worship.  They were to be His people but He had to share Israel with other gods.

This provoked the Lord and He allowed invaders to oppress Israel in hopes they would return to Him and they did.  But it was short-lived and after numerous attempts at re-gathering His people, He brought them into captivity where their way of life and prosperity was stripped from them.  Upon returning, they walked more faithfully until the time of Christ, but it was very costly.

Brothers and sisters, I do believe the church in America stands on the very same precipice that Israel did prior to the Babylonian captivity.  " If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land."

The church might appear closer to the Lord than the average American, but the church is torn between two loves.  We are to live separated lives unto the Lord.  We are His people, His Own possession and we're passing through on our journey.

I Have One of These. Do You?

The concept of breaking up fallow ground as seen in the picture above comes from Hosea 10:21.  "Break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord."  I brought this topic up because so many of us are praying for America and using II Chronicles 7:14 as a model and it tells us to seek the Lord and turn from our wicked ways.

Fallow ground is a plot of land that is resting or not being used.  Spiritually, it represents an area that the Lord has dealt with us and we never successfully pressed through to the end.  Or it could be that He told us to accomplish a task, but we got busy and pushed it to the side and now there is no harvest.  Either way, our land is a fallow field instead of a profuse garden.

We may not consider it a conscious sin, but if we have neglected to do what He has told us then it is still equated with sin.  At this point, our assignment is labeled fallow or unprofitable ground which makes me think of Matt. 25:30 with the parable of talents.  In the end, The Lord tells them to cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.

If that's the case, we need to plow our fallow ground and complete what He has directed us to do as part of the requirement for our prayers to be  heard according to II Chron. 7:14.  This is another aspect of turning from our wicked ways or should we say our 'selfish ways' because we've been more interested in our needs than the needs of His Kingdom. 

I believe this is the crux of the problem in our land.  We have been more concerned with ourselves than we have been with the King and His Kingdom!

A Cry Goes Up From America

The Lord wants us to cry out for America.  Repeatedly, the young nation of Israel cried out to the Lord to deliver them.  Most of the time, they had fallen into sin as a nation and were guilty of His judgement, but they knew His mercy and repented.  Time and again, He sent someone to deliver them because they had turned to Him as their Father.  He even relented of His plans for Neneveh's destruction because they prayed and fasted.
 
I believe He has given us this president knowing full well that he would put us in this situation, causing us to cry out for His mercy.  The last four years have been designed to jolt us back to reality and cause us to see how far we have strayed from the Lord.  We have been lulled into complacency and now our freedom and economy are in danger.

Remember our beginnings.  It was the Lord who led our forefathers to settle in North America.  He established a covenant with them and even though we have not held up our end, He is faithful to call us back to Himself that He might once again establish us as a God-fearing nation that will carry out His destiny for America.

He will hear our prayer as we cry out and repent for our sins.  Believe Him to deliver us from the destruction that is facing our country, for it is His desire as well as ours.
             

The Multitude of His Mercies

In case you feel overwhelmed by the state of our country, let me remind you of the multitude of His mercies (Ps 106:44).  Perhaps there is a smidgen of doubt that the problem is too big when compared to the size of your prayers. Or maybe you can't help but think that we really are guilty and we've exceeded even His mercy. 

Let's revisit the book of Judges where the children of Israel repeatedly worshipped other gods after having been explicitly warned by the Lord. He allowed their enemies to threaten their very existence and they cried out to the Lord.  Time and again, He would raise up a deliverer and the people would serve the Lord for the duration of his/her life and then revert back to their old ways. 

At one point, the Lord refused to hear their cry and told them to pray to their idols for deliverance.  In Judges 10:15-16, the people replied, "We have sinned.  Do to us as whatever seems best to You: only deliver us this day.  So they put away their foreign gods from among them and served the Lord."

The next line reveals the very nature of our Lord.  "His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel."  He agonized over their condition.  He's not like us.  We have limits as to how much we will put up with, but His compassion and love are limitless and everlasting.

Rid yourself of all doubt.  He is bigger than we know and far more compassionate than we can imagine.  Fall on His mercy, repent for our sins and seek His face.  He does not lie. He will hear from heaven, forgive us and heal our land-----but we must cry out!

Can You Hear the Call to Pray?

There's a call in the Spirit.  It's a call to pray and it's not an option.  Things are desperate in our country, but this isn't a 'doom & gloom' message.

It's a call to saints.  The church is on it's back---drowsy and half-asleep.  That's why His call has gone out!  He's srirring His people to cry out to Him.

We are in a desperate situation in America.  We are on the verge of a financial collapse and our current president wants to take us into socialism.  For years, we have watched things disintegrate around us and have done little---myself included.

However, things are far from hopeless!  THE LORD IS STIRRING US.  HE HAS SENT OUT THE CALL.  THEREFORE, HE WILL ANSWER OUR  PRAYER TO TURN OUR NATION AROUND.
There is great hope!  He is waiting for us to respond to His call.

The situation is not so big that the Lord is unable to change things. We need to pray that President Obama is defeated, along with his ObamaCare and that our debt is reduced.  The Lord waits for us to pray.  He is the One who established this nation and its constitution.

Our prayers, however, must be accompanied with repentance.  It's not enough just to pray.  We need to repent for resembling the world more than living a separate and holy life for the Lord.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CRY OUT TO A GOD THAT LONGS TO ANSWER OUR PRAYER.  He is willing to change our situation if we will only pray to Him in earnest!!!

Journal?----I HATE to write!?!

Our Father in heaven talks to us all the time.  You speak to your children don't you?  Then why wouldn't He speak to you?  As a result, what He says is truly important enough to write down.  It doesn's have to be beautifully penned, nor does it have to be perfect.  If you don't like writing, just jot down phrases.  Bullets are great!  But write it down.

I don't know how many times I have glanced at previous pages in my journal and realized that I never did what the Lord told me to do.  Sometimes I've started asking the Lord about a problem and I have been reminded to look back in my notes because He has already spoken about it.  Let's face it, we forget thngs and that is one of the major reasons for jotting info down.

Not only that, but going back and reading what the Lord has spoken is soooo encouraging.  It can still have the same anointing and lift your spirits all over again.  Our minds rotate information to the back and we need refreshing sometimes.

The material I get for my books actually comes from my journal.  After going through a long difficult time, I routinely go back and read my journal.  I am shocked to see the gradual pieces of encouragement and instruction that I have received during my dry time.  It doesn't feel like I am getting much until I read it as a collection.  Sometimes it feels like I'm going it alone, but my notes prove otherwise.  There it is in black and white.  He is always there giving me just what I need.

Don't say that the Lord doesn't speak to you.  He is a good Father and would never ignore His child.  If you wish you heard from Him more often, then jot down what you do hear.  It is a good way to show that your are interested in what He has to say and maybe you'll get the increase you desire.

John Paul Discusses Power and Authority on Joni Table Talk

This is a great teaching on the difference between power and authority.  Do you know which one is greater?  How do we acquire it?  It is all explained in the video below.  Enjoy!

Why Not Wait on the Lord!

If you're bruised and tired of being hit on all sides, why not wait on the Lord!  When you know that you're in the cross-hairs of Jezebel, isn't His presence the best place to be?

It is so amaizing that the Lord has provided a safe place that we can run to in the time of trouble ----under His wings.  In Ps. 91, He says we can dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

Not only can we come and sit in His presence and catch our breath, but He will strengthen us. 
Is. 40:31 says, we will be able to fly above the storm with wings of eagles.

 Maybe it would be wise to back track a little.  When you worship before the Lord and realize that you've entered His peace and His presence, just sit there quietly.  This is "waiting on the Lord".  Many scoot out quickly because nothing seems to be happening, but that's because YOU are doing  nothing.  However, the Lord is full of activity at this time!

If you can only manage to be patient and wait, you'll find great rewards for your lack of productivity.  He may speak to you or download something, but most of the time, however, it will seem like nothing is happening. 

Whenever we are in His presence, GREAT things are happening----most of which will not be realized right then and there.  Learn to patiently soak quietly in His presence.  It is always rewarding!

This, my friend, is one of the best ways to combat all those 'nasties' your may encounter from your friend, Jezebel.  Truly, you will find yourself above the clouds of the storm and able to function calmly and wisely.  You won't find yourself crumbling and weak.  Even though there may be a battle going on, it won't have its desired effect upon your soul.  You will know that Your Father has your hand and you're not alone.

He may be allowing a work to go on in your life, but you will not be under things, but on top.  Then why does He allow all this to come your way?  So you will come and sit before Him in His presence and get to know Him more.  Waiting on the Lord eases the pain and provides relief for you and He gets what He wants, too---YOU!  Wait on the Lord!!!

Understanding the Spirit of Jezebel part 3

Understanding the Spirit of Jezebel part 2

Understanding the Spirit of Jezebel--Part I

Pastor Stephen Darby does an excellent job scripturally exposing Jezebel's role in the church.  As a pastor, he views the problem in a broader sense and explains how devastating this can be to the Body of Christ.  He's a little nervous in PartI but relaxes to a nice steady flow.

Hard to Believe

If I hadn't experienced some of these things first hand, I never would have believed them possible.   The spirit of Jezebel is capable of atltering people's perception and it can be jarring.  But the root of the problem, I believe, is jealousy in the heart of the sender.  Something we all have experienced; however, when done by someone who operates out of a Jezebel spirit, things get twisted!

It should not be surprising for the Word of God says that wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, you'll find disorder and evil of every kind. (James 3:16) It just opens the foor for the enemy to come in and cause trouble---plain and simple.

A Jezebelite must be in a prominent position, and if anyone is a possible threat, jealousy and fear fllow in abundance.  Generally, the demonic force behind the Jezebelite will also see this person as a threat and that's a second reason for discretization.

One specific form of undermining comes by formulating a biased opinion in the minds of others.  I have seen leaders who have viewed me favorably, suddenly acted like I was in the proverbial 'dog house'.  Now granted, there can be a million possibilities for this, but when this goes on for weeks with no apparent reason, you know something is amiss.  When I inquired of the Lord, He opened up my eyes and I saw a demon standing between the leader and myself.  This is not uncommon, so much so, that I monitor it from time to time.

Solution?  I simply bound the interloper and things returned to normal.  It sounds crazy, but there have been numerous occasions and they all play out the same.

Another puzzling phenomenon occurs occasionally.  With this jealousy and striving to get to the top, there is also demonic activity that obscures your presence.  It's not merely a case of being overlooked, but rather it's as if you don't exist and/or your words are of no consequence.  When it first happened to me, I thought I was oversensitive until someone in leadership picked up on it and I was able to trace it back to its origin.  Once again, I merely bound the nonsense and things returned to normal.

These are all examples of things that we would normally dismiss as an overactive imagination or just  peoples' dislike for us.  However, when Jezebel is involved that is not the case.  It is not a figment of your imagination, but rather a subtle adjustment in the spirit realm to discredit those that are a threat to this spirit's clandestine operation.

If you notice, the solution to these little interruptions is quite simple, but it's the recognition and acknowledgement of these interruptions that are problematic.  People often refuse to believe that this sort of nonsense exists.  As a result, the enemy has a free hand and people are harassed unnecessarily.  Recognition is the key!