Tuesday, January 31, 2012

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD BONUS - DAY 31

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH - THE LORD OF HEAVEN'S ARMIES!
The great hymn "A Mighty Fortress is our God" has a verse that goes like this:
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
This was written over 500 years ago by the great Reformer Martin Luther and is still sung in churches worldwide! It stands as the battle cry of the Christian who recognizes the God of the universe as the One Who will fight for us...and not just FIGHT, but WIN! Lord or Jehovah-Sabaoth means "The Lord of Hosts". Hosts is a military term which is found 240 times in the Bible! Some bible translations like the New Living, translates the phrase "Lord of Hosts as the Lord of Heaven's Armies!

Then we have the Christmas Carol - "Hark the Herald Angels"....with the line that says "with angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem"! Same thing - hosts means a multitude or organized group of heavenly beings, under the command of the Lord Jesus or...Jehovah Sabaoth!

The Name itself exudes the Fragrance of Dynamic Eternal Power, which cannot be trifled or messed with! The World will see this fearsome sight one day soon, and it will NOT be pretty! At the final return of Christ, to reclaim His Creation and sit on His Throne in Jerusalem for 1000 years, the full force of these hosts - Heaven's armies will descend on planet earth, with a vengeance!

At this point, the Wrath of God will be revealed, as predicted in the book of Revelation. The Lord of Heaven's Armies, which will have warriors like King David in it, will descend from Heaven to fight against the kings and rulers of this world. He will completely destroy them. The church and all believers will have been raptured or taken out, by then.

Before we get to that point though, we as believers should realize that He is fighting for us as well....and it's happening right now! We should realize that no matter what the Trial, Tribulation or family or personal crisis we are experiencing, He has defeated it already! All we have to do is go to Him, pray, ask and receive!

So, Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You, oh Mighty God, my Fortress and my Deliverer, that You, oh God are the Commander in Chief of the Universe. God, there is none like You in Power, Strength and I am in complete and total awe of You! 


You fought the battles of Moses in the desert against Amalekites and Sihon and Og the King of Bashan. You led Joshua into Canaan and with Caleb, Your amazing warrior, you gave them the Promised Land. With three hundred men You gave Gideon the victory. You gave David the victory. You gave Hezekiah the victory. You gave the Maccabees the victory when the Lamp burned with oil for 8 days, giving us Hanukkah.


Lord, all of these in the Old covenant had one thing in common – they believed You completely..as they should! Dear Lord, in these days, before the Final Battle when Jesus returns to fight the forces of evil and world leaders, presidents and dictators, You still fight for those who believe in You! 


I know it personally, dear heavenly, how much You have fought for me. I know how much You have done for me. I know how much You will still fight for me in days to come. And Lord, not just for me personally, but thank You for fighting for my entire family who live under the Leadership of Christ in our home. Lord You bring aid and assistance to Your children who are suffering under oppression of persecution around the world. 


Lord You fight for and free those who are in the prison of sin, self, sex and stress here in the United States, Canada and here in the western world! I thank You for that as well, dear Heavenly Father! 


Oh Lord, I also thank you for Your executing judgment against me when I sin, which You do, so that I may live a life worthy of being in Your presence….and that I may live a life worthy of living under the permanent and eternal guidance and protection of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – the Lord Jesus, Sabaoth is His Name and it is in His Name I pray, right now, for all the saints who love His Appearing, in Jesus’ Name, amen and amen!


(image by google images)

Monday, January 30, 2012

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 30

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 30
GOD IS JEHOVAH SHAMMAH


"Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" goes the well known auto insurance commercial! The implications is that no matter what the cost or the consequence, whenever you have an accident or issue which calls for insurance coverage, you can more than depend on the integrity and full faith of State Farm Insurance Company! In fact, you can rely on them being there, no matter what the reason.


Of course, this is only valid if you pay the high premiums regularly. If your teenage kids have a couple fender benders while they are still young, watch how fast some of these auto insurance companies drop you from their roster!


God is not like that (thank God)! First of all, there is no cost  to being covered by the Blood of the Lamb.  Jesus Christ paid it all on the Cross of Calvary. He is always THERE for us, when we are in pain, trouble or just need a friend.


Unlike the temporary coverage of any type of insurance companies, God's Coverage is forever. He gives Fire Insurance. If you are truly saved and born-again by repenting, believing and accepting His Sacrifice for Sin on the Cross, His Blood is the only True "Insurance" mechanism by which you and I can avoid going into the Lake of Fire for all eternity. The majority of the world does not have that eternal guarantee or protection from the fires of Hell!


This "Fire Insurance" is free, but it should cost US something which we should willing pay....not because God demands it of us, but because we want to KNOW HIM better and desire that closer walk with Him! If someone rescued you from a burning house, should it ever accidentally catch fire, you and I would be forever grateful to the brave fireman or neighbor who pulled us out of the inferno, just before the entire house exploded out of control. So we should be with Almighty God.


Many times, from beginning to end, God says to His people "I will never leave nor forsake you". He said it in Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5. Jesus Himself said it at the end of Matthew 28 "lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the age "(verse 20). There are other Promises from the Holy God, Who cannot lie, and Who made this promise!.


You can count on Him. No matter what trial or tribulation, You can count on Him. No matter what you are facing, you can count on Him. From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, He is there for you. From the moment you are born until the second you leave this earth and cross into eternity, He is there for you.


He is Jehovah Shammah, the God Who is just - THERE! He is everywhere. You can't run from Him and you do not really want to, either! Praise God. Trust Him; fall on Him; fall before Him; surrender to Him and you will never regret it.


Father in the Name of Jesus, I just surrender my entire life into Your capable Hands, not only because You have the free Fire Insurance policy called Salvation, which saved me from eternal separation from You, but because I want to. Lord, I want to know You, the God Who is always There, better. Lord I want to learn Your Ways to love you more and more each day. Lord I want to know Your Word to learn all Your attributes, which are more than just Names, they are the every essence of You, Almighty and eternal Father.


You are my Creator and Sustainer and I come to You to not just know the One True God, but to live my life fully aware of His Presence in my life and my very being as Your Spirit lives in me. I release the Power of Your Spirit in my life and give Him full access to every area of my life so He can wash, cleanse, instruct, guide, convict and then lead me on to the path of full revelation of Who You are and what a complete Joy it is to have been adopted into Your Eternal Kingdom!


Jesus gave us this promise before He left earth the first time and He said “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:1-3 ESV)


Father, I not only believe this Promise, I know in my very being that it is completely True. He said it, I believe it, the Spirit confirms it! Lord, I rest in that knowledge You are always there fore me, from the moment I was created in the womb, until I breathe my last earthly breath - You are there! And I know, because of the Promise from Your Son, Who is my Advocate and Savior, when that last breath comes, I will be there with You forever!


What an amazing thing that is, Father! What peace...what true joy in the inner man...what revelation...what a saving knowledge to know that You, Abba Father, are always there for me. And because of that and because You live forever, I can face today, tomorrow and all through this life with a song in my heart and Your Word on my lips. Thank You, Lord, in Jesus' Holy and Mighty Name, amen!


THANKS FOR PRAYING THE 30 DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE WITH ME!
THERE ARE MORE NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES, AND TOMORROW - A BONUS ONE!


(Image by Google Images)

Sunday, January 29, 2012

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 29

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

DAY 29
GOD IS INTERCESSOR


We have all prayed for someone else, at one point or another. That is called Intercession...i.e. pleading their cause before God.


If and when God answers our prayers to the benefit of that person, it is His Will. If He does the opposite, it is still the Will of God! His Will and His Ways are perfect, whether we like it or not. But we press on.


In the Old Testament, believers had to go to the synagogue and have the priests pray for them. Since Christ, we now have direct access to the Throne of Grace and can press into and pray ourselves.

Even so, Romans 8:26-27 says "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Emphasis mine).



Therefore, this is how it works: we immediately know in the Spirit man or woman, if our prayers are meeting with agreement with Holy Spirit! Trust me! We do!  If a christian is walking the Spirit-filled life, she or he will be sensitive to Holy Spirit's promptings and, if we are really fortunate, He allows us to have prophetic insight into whether the person you just prayed for will be healed or have a broken heart mended or whatever the issue is!


This is the dynamic power God gave us as He revealed in John 1:12! We pray in the Spirit, Who IS God and then transmits to Father God, in Jesus' Name!

There is a stunning example of Jesus interceding for Simon Peter in Luke 22:31-32a "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Emphasis mine)



Here is God the Intercessor, in the Person of Jesus Christ! Notice Jesus did not pray for Satan to leave Peter alone! He prayed that Peter's Faith does not fail! So what happened not too long after that? Well, Peter boasted about his loyalty to Christ...and then denied Him thrice with curses! So, friends, you and I must be careful about the things we do and say when engaging in spiritual warfare....which is what is actually happening, depending on the level of Intercession. 


Jesus' High Priestly prayer is the perfect living example of God as our Intercessor...or Prayer Warrior Advocate! I urge you to read John Chapter 17, by clicking here. In this chapter, Jesus first prayed for Himself (verses 1-5). Then He prayed for His disciples (verses 6-19). Jesus then prayed for all believers until the End of Time (verses 20-26).

Father God, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You, oh Most Holy and High God, that You are God and seated on the Throne. Father, I love, adore, praise, worship, magnify, glorify and lift up Your Mighty Name above all Names this day, which You have anointed to live fully in the Spirit - man for You...and You alone, in Jesus' Name.



I thank You most Holy Father for sending Your Spirit to live in us - all who believe in Your Son as the Lord of Heaven. I thank You that You gave Holy Spirit instructions to lift up our prayers and intercessions on behalf of others in a such way, that those prayers will be acceptable unto You.


I thank You that Jesus is our Intercessor and Prayer Advocate before the Throne! Lord, with Christ praying that our Faith not fail, how can it?! Lord, when Jesus prayed for us in John 17, He prayed that the glory You have Him, may now be ours! He prayed for unity between us believers and You, Almighty Abba in Heaven! Therefore, Lord I pray, in response, for Your church worldwide to stay on our knees, in one accord, until He comes!


He prayed for that unity to be so dynamic and powerful - that the World will see the Power of the Testimony of You living in and through us and therefore, come to know you and the Wonder of the Most High God. Therefore Lord, make me a living Bible to those with whom I come into contact.


He prayed and still prays that You, Father, continue to love us as You love Him! Lord I receive that Grace and Love! Thank you, Father.


Lord, Jesus used the word love or loved five times in three verses, Lord. He used the word know or known five times in the same three verses.  Lord, for Your Glory, I accept that unconditional love You gave Your Son, when He prayed this, and which He passed on to us, because You so freely gave it to Him before the world even began! We now KNOW that Love and respond in complete awe, amazement and submission to Your will, oh God.


Father, I gave Holy Spirit permission to cleanse from within that I may be ready to intercede for someone else as Christ did, for us,  in John 17 and still continues to, until He comes in glory, some day soon, in the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen.


TOMORROW: GOD IS JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

(image by google images)


Saturday, January 28, 2012

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 28

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD


DAY 28
GOD IS THE HEAD


The head of anything moved the entire rest of the body...whether it is a physical body; an organization or a family. The tail can't wag the dog. The feet can't say to the hands "I don't need you".


Yet, many in the church act like they don't need the real Head of the Church - Jesus Christ!  American culture has made celebrities out of pastors and worship leaders. We have thousands, even tens of thousands following this TV preacher, buying his books/dvds or cds. Supporters of a well known multi-campus church preacher in the south got really mean with me, years ago, because I questioned something his pastor said in a video right here in this blogsite!


I was the Southern Baptist Convention in North Carolina in 2006 and saw another multi-campus Texas preacher with a least three bodyguards, signing books just like any other secular rock star author...and on and on. Some of the worship leaders and christian artists are no different than their secular music counterparts.

Being involved in organizing Christian concerts for many years, I refuse to be involved in anything which brings any more big name artists to our city. I would rather give a boost to local church musicians than the better known names...which I will not name.


What all these people have in common if they forgot one thing - Who the Head of the Church is! It is not Pastor Joe or John or Mike....or worship band leader Mark, or Sean or Jaimie. It is JESUS - the Christ. 



This is what the Word of God says about that: "And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all".(Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV)


The church is His. Father God set it up for His Son. He, as the Head, is the Good Shepherd. Any pastor of any church is an UNDER-shepherd and WILL be held accountable to God for every person who EVER sat in his church! He will be held accountable for all who were lost, while we were playing church.


But the Good news is that Jesus is our Mediator....meaning that He has paid the price for the church, at the Cross. 1 Timothy 2:5 says "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time".


As the Head Shepherd or Pastor, Jesus is the High Priest of Heaven! Hebrews 2:17 says "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people".


Colossians 1:18 also proves it "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent".


Therefore, Father, I thank You in the Name of Jesus that You ordained Christ as the High Priest of Heaven Who lives and ministers for the saint, forever before Your Throne!


I thank You that Jesus is our Advocate Who will stand for us before You on Judgment Day.

I thank You that Jesus is our Prayer Warrior, Who constantly prays for us before the Throne of God.



I thank You that Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who has leads us in worship, even when His under-shepherds - or our pastors - fall short. He does this through Holy Spirit Who directs us in the way we should.

I thank You that Jesus is still using many officers - prophets, evangelists and the sent-ones, to reach the lost around the World, so that He can return as He promised.


Father I pray for the church to fulfill the mission given it by Christ.



I pray for all pastors and leaders worldwide, who were called by you, or even if they are self-appointed, I pray they seek Your Face and blessing on their congregations and families always.


I pray for those who minister in hard to reach places. I pray for those who are persecuted in China, Africa and all moslem countries. I pray for those who minister in the inner cities of the western world and in increasingly restricted conditions here in the US and Canada.


Bless the Church oh Lord. I pray for us all who preach and teach the Gospel that it will reach hearts, minds and souls for Christ from here to the ends of the Earth...until He comes, in Jesus' Name, Amen!


TOMORROW: GOD IS INTERCESSOR


(image by google images)

Friday, January 27, 2012

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 27

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD


DAY 27
GOD IS ABBA (FATHER)



A childless couple adopts a baby, let us say, around 1960. Then the baby grows up to be a great kid, with straight A's in school and plays shortstop on the Varsity baseball team. His name is Scott.


After graduating, he goes to the local Junior college where he excels both in math, chemistry and still plays baseball for their team. After transferring his credits to the big four year state college, he graduates Magna Cum Laude and decides to accept a job offer with a local bank, whose manager has seen his name in the town weekly, ever since he played High School baseball. 


This young man then falls in love and marries the boss' daughter, around say 1985. They have three kids, buy a home in a new subdivision and live happily ever after!


Now, Scott was adopted. The first thing his permanently new parents did was give Scott THEIR last name, because he belongs to them as a member of their family. Scott has all the rights, privileges and yes, responsibilities of being a legitimate member of that family. He is no less loved by Jack and Diane Smith, than if they had their own biological twins. 


Scott is no less a member of the Smith family than Kristen, their miracle daughter who was born five years after Scott was adopted. In fact, no one would have ever known Scott was adopted until he himself mentioned it, when he became Mayor of his little town in 2010 and was honoring his dear parents!


Scott is us. His natural born sister, Kristen, is the Jewish people whom God called His chosen people. We are now all the same family in God. When God sent Jesus Christ to be the Jewish Messiah and they rejected Him, the second part of God's plan was revealed - save the rest of the world.  Jesus sent one of His disciples biggest persecutors - Saul - to accomplish that job. Christ did that when He knocked him blind, off his horse when Saul was heading to Damascus to kill more Christians.


Saul met the Living Jesus in the Third Heaven, as he said, and promptly became Paul - the greatest evangelist the world has ever seen. Here is what Paul wrote about his OWN adoption (and ours) into God's family, as a result of his Conversion on the Road to Damascus:
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:15-17 ESV)


That is correct - we are adopted sons and daughters of God and He is our Abba - our Daddy! The word Abba represents the father side of the equation of the father-child relationship in a family. It literally means just that - Dad! This Spirit of adoption which Paul talks about is the Holy Spirit - the Comforter - Who descends into us. The Spirit does that once we are saved and moved from a child of hell, to being a child of the Real God, sealed with the Blood of Christ, Which washed us clean!


Only the Christian, born-again through the Lord Jesus Christ, can legitimately claim to be an Adopted Daughter or Son of the Living God! Only we have the right to cry out to Him "Abba, Father"...and know He will hear us! Now, aren't you glad you are His?!


So Father, in the Name of Jesus, YOU are my Father in Heaven! You are my Daddy! You are my Creator; Provider; Protector; Nourisher; Healer; Banner...in fact I can go on and on until the end of time and still find amazing names to call You! You, oh God, are my All in All!


My Father in Heaven, hallowed, holy, righteous, pure and GREAT is Your Name! I thank You Lord for calling me out of the darkness which the Power of Sin had me living in, into the Kingdom of Your Marvelous Light.

I thank You, Lord, that You sent that Light, Jesus Christ, to be Savior of the World, because YOU, Oh God, are the Father of Lights Who giveth all good things to all Your people.



I thank You, Lord, that You sent the Spirit of that significant event of my salvation through the Cross. That Spirit is not only purely God, but wholly and Holy You! He not only testifies to the Truth of the Gospel and the Full Counsel of Your Word, He has sealed me until the Day of Redemption, when Jesus my Advocate stands before You as my Kinsman Redeemer and says "this one's Mine"! WOW!! PRAISE YOU, PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME!! WOOHOO!! AMEN!


I thank You, Lord, that this same Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Adoption as well as my Teacher and Guide because He testifies daily that I am truly a member of YOUR family...of YOUR Kingdom...and that I  am truly saved by YOUR Son - Jesus, the King!


I thank You, Lord, that because of that Adoption, You have made me a joint Heir with Christ in the Eternal Kingdom where we will live together, learning and rejoicing and worshiping and thanking You forever and ever!  Amen!

Thank You, Father, for just being You and loving me, even when I am at my most unlovable as Your adopted son, according to the Love and Works and Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom all perfection and glory resides...and it is in His Name I pray, amen.


TOMORROW: GOD IS, WELL, EVERYTHING!


(image by google images)



Thursday, January 26, 2012

THIRTY DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 26

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD


DAY 26
GOD IS EL SHADDAI


Whenever you see the word "EL" used as a prefix before another Hebrew word in the Bible, it is there for a reason. Those two letters mean God and come from a root word whose meaning is "power, might and strength"!


God is saying this about His Own Name: "you in the world have all your pagan gods but I AM THE ALL POWERFUL, THE ALL MIGHTY and THE ALMIGHTY GOD....and I can and will do anything I want!" When you read through the Old Testament, this is how the way it was....and still continues today...and will be through eternity!


Some examples of how the letter EL are:
El Echad - THE ONE TRUE GOD
EL Hanne'eman - THE FAITHFUL GOD
El Emet - THE GOD OF TRUTH and so one.


Just briefly, today EL SHADDAI means "The All-Sufficient God ALMIGHTY"! In Genesis 17:1 God says to Abraham " When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty (El SHADDAI); walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly".


The word Shaddai is a combination of "Sha" (who) and "DAI" (enough). In other words, God is saying He, and He along is sufficiently powerful enough set up the system for Abram (Abraham), in the passage above. He is saying "I am all powerful" but I can do just whatever I want...and I am choosing to make this Abrahamic Covenant with you, Abram".


This Almighty God can do the same for you and I today as He did for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 4000 years ago! He is still in the business of Salvation, Protection, Provision and Nourishing us - those who believe in Him, through His Son Jesus Christ. 


El Shaddai has given us the past 2000 years and until He comes, to get things in order, not just for our souls if we repent, make peace and are saved by Him. But He also gives us our Daily Bread and health and everything we have. We did not get this on our own. We may be the ones who earn the paycheck. But He got us that job. The house we live in, did not get here accident or the safe travel on the highway to and from work. That was all God. So pray with me right now....


Father in the Name of Jesus, what do I have that You, in Your Power and Strength did not give to me?  The very clothes that I wear...the very food that I eat...the very car that I drive...the very home I live in...the very job I work at...the very spouse and children in our home... they are ALL from You, Abba Father.


You are the Maker, Provider and Sustainer of all things.  You ordain, create and then nourish all things and all people. You gave Grace to the humble, but You also give good things to the entire world and especially those who do not believe in You and may even blaspheme You! In Your Power and Grace, You have mercy on the World, prospering and blessing them with good things, that some may be saved. Lord, they continue to deny Your very existence, but I know You, oh Lord!


The time is coming soon, when all this will end, when the world systems will be destroyed under the Power and Might of Your Word and when the Lamb returns to deal with those who have misused Your gifts of life and temporal happiness.


But Lord, I, choose to thank You, knowing where my very existence and provision come from - You...and You did because You could and wanted to. So this day, I bless You, in the Name of Jesus. 

May I bless others as well, from my own family and our children and if You allow it, my children's children. I bless them like the blessing of Jacob in Genesis 49. I bless that mightily - "up to the bounties of the everlasting hills" (verse 26) and may that blessing be upon their brow....and may this blessing extend to all who read this and all my extended family.


Lord, I only do this because I have been touched by You, called by You and loved by You to serve and anoint others with Your Goodness. El Shaddai, oh God Most High, I love You, worship and I adore You, now and forever more, in Jesus' Name, amen.






TOMORROW: GOD IS FATHER (ABBA)







Wednesday, January 25, 2012

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 25


PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD


DAY 25
GOD IS COMFORTER


A comforter is a person or thing which provides consolation. A comforter is also an encourager or even, a counselor! A comforter is one who runs to our side and picks us up when we are down. 


In this life, you and I may have such a person in our lives - a spouse; a mentor; a brother or sister in the Lord; a sibling and more. You can call that person in the middle of the night, when things are down....when tears are in your eyes...and you need a friend...you can count on them to be your friend, your sounding board, your bridge over troubled waters!


Do you have such a friend? Do you have someone who would fight for you...and advocate, if you will? Every man or woman should have a trusted friend of a mature age, on whom we can count. If you do not, I pray the Lord sends you one!

Jesus is such a friend. When He went back to heaven, Hebrews 7:25b says "He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf (our behalf...we who are saved)" It says Jesus "intercedes" for us. That means He is our Advocate! He stands up for us and pleads our case in Heaven before Father God...even now!



However, He did something more and this is the mystery of our Faith which no other cult or religion can come close to matching...because those other things do not exist! Jesus sent His Personal Representative be His Liaison from us, to Him!


The Holy Spirit - the actual Spirit of God - when He comes to reside in the live and spirit of the Believer, is in us for several reasons...and number one is Comforter.


In John 16:7, Jesus says "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you".


Jesus knew His saints, His true saints, will face persecution and hard times all through Christian history. Being God Who became man, He also knew the human condition and our tendency to drift away or say and do stupid things. The Apostle Peter is a prime example! Peter was bombastic and boastful. He walked on water with Jesus....then sank when he took his eyes off him. Peter boasted he will not allow Jesus to go to the Cross. Jesus told him "Get thee behind me Satan". Peter cursed and denied Jesus three times. Yet Jesus chose Peter to be the Rock and the Head of His church!


So we have not been through things which others have not endured before. This is why the Holy Spirit - the Comforter - was sent to us. Jesus called Him our "Helper" because Jesus knew, man, these people are going to need so much help that only God Himself could help them!

Jesus said the Holy Spirit is our Counselor. The Lord Jesus Himself spoke Aramaic and this verse from Jesus in John 14:26 is from the Aramaic Bible itself as it perfectly translate what the Lord actually said....as opposed to our modern English Bibles "
But He, The Redeemer of the accursed, The Spirit of Holiness, whom my Father sends in My name, He will teach you all things and He will remind you of everything whatsoever I have told you.”


That is powerful, my friends! When we don't know where to turn - Holy Spirit knows. When we don't know what to do - Holy Spirit knows. When we don't know whom to trust - Holy Spirit knows. When we don't know what His Will is - Holy Spirit does. When we don't know how to pray - Holy Spirit does. He just does...this and more.


You can have His revelation. You can also stifle and quench and shove Him in the background. Because He is a gentleman, He will not force Himself on you. However, if you wish to have the best life possible, free from chains, bondage and confusion, it is my joy to tell you -LET HOLY SPIRIT do it! Let Him have full reign of your life, because He knows you better than you know yourself and He knows what Father God has in mind for you. He knows as Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope". Amen


So let us pray:
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come to You now in all sincerity and truth to express my wonder, amazement and complete gratitude that You, the Eternal God of Heaven, would even consider to allow Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness and Truth, to descend from Heaven after Christ saved me, to live inside of me.


Father, we know all believers have the same Spirit of all Excellence, of all Truth, of all Majesty and of all Holiness. 


We know You sent Him to be our Counselor when we doubt. Our Comforter when we are without and our Advocate when useless prayers we spout.


We know we can shove Him aside so we can enjoy, no matter how temporary, the fleeting things of this world.


We know that many of Your people are not taught the true Attributes and Power of the Spirit because modern religion has become another business or means to empower a few.


We know because of that, many cannot access that dunamis, that Dynamic Power which You have given us in all Your Wisdom, Father.

So now, this day, in the Name of Jesus, I ask You activate my Spiritual Heart for Truth! By activating it, my spirit will be lined up with the Person and Power and Presence of Holy Spirit Who lives RIGHT NOW in me! By activating it, I can see the ways and wonders You have in store for me. By activating it, I can grow into the person YOU designed me to be. 



Lord and not just activate it, but set my spiritual heart on fire! Set it on fire for You! Let me burn with the Fire of Your Holiness to shine the Light of Christ all around me in a dark and evil world. Set it on fire that many may see and want to know the same God You sent to live in me Who represents You!

I am ready, Lord God. I am ready to be set on fire for You. I am ready to fight the good fight. I am ready to finish the race and bring glory to You, in Jesus' Name amen!



TOMORROW: GOD IS EL-SHADDAI


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

EXPLORATION OF JEREMIAH'S VISION OF CREATION



Truth is relative to an individual’s maturity level. While God is the Truth, his children are all in a process of learning and growing in Him. Some of God’s children are breastfed while some are milk drinkers, and others have graduated to meat.  We are all in a different level of learning so to one person truth may be at the milk level while to another person truth is at a meat level.  With that understanding in mind it takes a willingness to love people where they are in this process.  

Some people can be quite intolerant but that is not how we are to walk in love.  God is calling his people and we are all in a process of learning about Him, therefore we should endeavor, personally, to study, as the word tells us, to show ourselves approved of God as workmen, needing not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  We all are required to push ourselves to learn, rather than be spoon fed. 

by Lori Clayton
As we explore other scriptures relating to our creation story, we find a section in Jeremiah that is quite interesting.  In the context of this section, Jeremiah is prophesying to the Israelites that watchers, or gentiles would come and raise their voices against Israel because they have been rebellious toward God. Jeremiah 4:16-ff. God through Jeremiah says that destruction is coming because they did not know God. Then Jeremiah gives us a vision of the entire earth.  What he sees is the destruction that happened in Genesis 1:2.  Some might say that this is a future event but there are flaws in that argument which we will see later.  After the vision, Jeremiah prophesy’s again that the Lord says the whole land shall be desolate.  The first thing we have to take note of is the tense changing. 

First Jeremiah prophesy’s in present tense, then tells us a vision in past tense (saw, was, were) then Jeremiah prophecies again in the future tense (shall, will).  If we keep our tenses straight we can understand what he is saying.  For our purposes we will look at Jeremiah’s past tense vision, which is not a prophecy, just the explanation of a vision. This is an example of understanding scripture in light of the context.

Jer 4:23-31 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger.

Remembering Genesis1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.KJV The same Hebrew words for without form and void are used in Jeremiah’s vision.

Jeremiah sees the earth, not a city, not Israel, he sees earth formless and void, without light. There were mountains that moved and hills that moved which speaks of earthquakes.  Then he says he sees no man, and birds fled, and the gardens and the ranchlands became a wilderness, and the cities were broken down.  This means there were cities, that someone made, but there were no men anymore.  The earth became empty, wasteland, and dark because the Lord was angry. 

Let’s look at this section of scripture from two other translations

Jeremiah 4:23 I looked at the land - it was unformed and void - and at the sky - it had no light. 24 I looked at the mountains, and they shook - all the hills moved back and forth. 25I looked, and there was no human being; all the birds in the air had fled. 26 I looked, and the fertile fields were a desert, all the land's cities were razed to the ground at the presence of ADONAI, before his burning anger. (Complete Jewish Bible http://www.biblestudytools.com/cjb/)

THIRTY DAY PRAYER CHALLENGE - DAY 24

PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD


DAY 24
GOD IS GRACE


I heard about an experience a man had at the local mall several years ago, when he backed his huge car out of a parking spot during the busy Christmas season. The problem was, he said he was not paying attention and promptly backed into the front of another car coming up the aisle! From all accounts, this old piece of Detroit steel, which seniors are known to drive, did little or no damage to the fairly new car he plowed backwards into!


The driver of the other car, got out and proceeded to tell the aging gentleman not worry about it as there was no damage! The man told me, immediately the Holy Spirit spoke these words over and over to him "Great Grace....Great Grace"! This man could have gotten a ticket or worse, even sued by the car owner he backed into...because we live in such a time. But it WAS the Grace of God that nothing happened and both men parted in well, grace and peace!


This is how God is with us. We do stupid things and commit sin knowingly. We commit sins of the flesh and thought and everything imaginable. God could easily wipe us off the face of this map with one word and in the blink of an eye. But He chooses not too, because He is Grace.


The definition of Grace is unmerited favor. We do nothing for it. In fact, if we get our just desserts, we'd be in a world of hurt. But, God....woohoo...but, God - He looked down and had compassion on us and gave Grace. His Name is Grace. His Character is full of Grace. He IS the GOD of GRACE.


Grace has been described as God's Riches At Christ's Expense...and it is! It is THE most expensive gift ever! It cost GOD the SON EVERYTHING! He poured Himself out from heaven to be abused and killed by the scum of the Earth, so that we may have reconciliation with Heaven...because of GRACE. It cost Christ EVERYTHING! It costs us nothing to obtain!


It was Grace, Grace God's Grace, Grace that is greater than ALL my sin which brought me out of darkness into Light...and it all happened at the Cross!


God resists the proud but gives Grace to the humble. Are you humble today? Do you need a touch of His Hand today? Are you even under Grace or under Law? Are you saved by Grace alone through Faith alone in Christ alone...or are you trusting in your own so-called Goodness?


Do you have Saving Grace which rescues us from Judgment?
Do you have Sustaining Grace which lifts you up?
Do you have Sanctifying Grace to grow in Him?
Do you have Serving Grace to help others?
Do you have Sovereign Grace to glorify Him?


If you do...or wish to, let's pray right now:


Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You for being God Who gives Grace and offers Grace to the lost and formerly arrogant! I thank You that You have given us of Yourself rather than what we deserve, which is death and destruction!


Lord, You said in Ephesians 1:5-8 that You "predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of YOUR will, to the praise of YOUR glorious GRACE"....for that, I am in awe and throw myself at Your feet in gratitude.


You said in that same passage that You "blessed us in the Beloved (Jesus) and that in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses".... Lord, thank You for Calvary and the Precious Blood of the Lamb, which was shed for all mankind on that day....and the Blood whose Crimson flow comes in like a tide to make us as white as snow!


You said again in those verses that it was "according to the riches of HIS GRACE, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight"...and Father, that wisdom and insight was Yours. YOU came up with that amazing plan to rescue men and women from the pit we were heading to, because of Adam's sin.


Father God, I am eternally grateful and surrender all to you, because Your Saving Grace sustains me daily. Your Sustaining Grace energizes and carries me through difficult times so that your Sanctifying Grace could grow me into the person YOU wish me to be.

Lord, let me serve others with the Sovereign Grace You imparted to me when You called me to be Your son that they may see You, in me, and proceed to Glorify You, my Father in Heaven....to the Power and Majesty of His Name, the Name above all Names, amen and amen!!



TOMORROW: GOD IS COMFORTER



(image by google images)

Monday, January 23, 2012

LORA ROSSI'S WRITINGS - FAMILY, FUN, WELLNESS, RAISING BOYS & MORE



Many of you have asked for an easy place to access my published work outside of my blog, and since I am a freelance writer & blogger, I wanted to put together a page outlining the magazines, sites and organizations for which I am a Contributing Writer in some way, shape of form.

These links will take you to post(s) that talk about these awesome companies/organizations that noticed my work and have given me much needed exposure - and in some cases, are paying me for my writing!

(I will also continue to do occasional "guest blogger" posts on a number of sites and that will continue, but these will not be listed here. maybe another page is needed for that!)

Much gratitude to the fine folks at the following organizations!

What's Up Magazine (National Family Magazine, both in print and online) - Regular Contributing Freelance Writer

Compassion2One (US-based Charity helping children get out of the horrible sex trafficking trade) - Canadian Awareness Director / Editorial Writer & Blogger - currently working on an important series about the sex trafficking trade in Canada

Vividlife (Huge, Canadian website dedicated to helping people live their best, authentic lives) - Contributing Writer

Wellx (Otherwise known as WellnessX, a US-based hub for wellness professionals) - Regular Contributing Writer

Yummy Mummy Club (One of Canada's largest websites for moms and founded/owned by Canadian celebrity Erica Ehm, this site aims to communicate that moms are also dynamic, vivacious women) - Contributing Writer, Yummy Mummy Member Blogger, Proud Member

Raising Boys World (US-based website aimed at providing resources for parents of boys) - Contributing Writer

Women Business Owners Today (Canadian-based on-line network for women business owners) - Contributing Writer

I will add to and change this list as things happen, but here is a start! 

For more information on my freelance writing, please e-mail me at lora.rossi@hotmail.com

Smiles,

Lora



Lora Rossi

Owner/Founder
Writer/Blogger