dailywordofdestiny

Dark Deception

Zephaniah 1: 1-6;  Habakkuk 2;  Luke 21: 8-36;   2 Peter 3: 3-14

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or consults the dead.  Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.  You must be blameless before the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 18: 10-13).  

The Lord tells us clearly in Revelation 2 what the spiritual climate in  the Body of Christ will be in the “last days”.  In Ephesus, there are some who have abandoned (left) the love they first had for Christ.  In Smyrna we see those who are poor in physical, material riches but are very rich in their spiritual condition being told to FEAR nothing, to be loyal and faithful even in persecution and as they face death.  In Pergamum, we see those who have allowed a place where Satan sits enthroned. …they are clinging to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap and a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to entice them to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols and to practice lewdness (sexual vice).  In Thyatira, they are tolerating the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess (claiming to be inspired…the spirit of control) and who is teaching and leading astray many and BEGUILING them into practicing sexual vice and eating food sacrificed to idols.  They have been taught but have no desire to repent of their immorality and they refuse to do so (rebellion).  In Sardis, we see the apathetic, sleeping ones and God says, ‘Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; nothing being done meets the requirments of My God or are perfect in Hi s sight’.  Philadelphia, reveals those who have kept His Word and guarded His message and are not renouncing or denying His name.  The Lord tells them, “HOLD FAST to what you have.”  Laodicea, is a group that is filled with complacency; neither hot nor cold (riding the fence) believing they are rich for they have prospered and are wealthy; they don’t have need of anything or anyone (including God)…yet  they are blind to their dying, and uncovered  spiritual condition.   How many in the body of Christ have been seduced by and have bought into the lies of the enemy; how many are being influenced by the demonic world and yet are blind to the deception that is leading them secretly and slowly away from the ONE TRUE GOD?  Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3: 13 that at the close of this age evil men and imposters (enchanters) will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  It would take a very blind man not to see the evidence of this today.

In its simplest form, witchcraft is an expression of the corrupt, rebellious nature of fallen humanity.  In Galatians 5: 19, 20 it is listed as idolatry among the works of the flesh.  There are not very many who have not resorted at some time or other to witchcraft in this form.  However, it is most important to recognize that Satan will use the “works of the flesh” as an opening for demonic power.  He will move in and take control of men and women and make them his tools of evil and slaves to his kingdom; most often through casting of spells or speaking curses (see 2 Timothy 3: 3 to ensure you are not aligning yourself with the accuser of the brethern in your words).   Examples of witchcraft are:  acupressure, accupuncture, hypnosis, touch healing, martial arts, etc.   

Divination is offering any form of knowledge not obtained by purely natural means and it includes all false forms of religious revelation that CLAIMS a supernatural source.   Examples of divination are:  astrology, clairaudience (hearing ‘voices’), crystal balls, ESP, horoscopes, YOGA; transcendental meditation, mediums, mind reading, tarot cards, seances, tea-leaf reading, and most importantly, all false religions that claim supernatural revelation but contradict the Bible.  Distinguishing true and false in this realm is like distinguishing between straight and crooked in the natural realm.  Once we have truly established what is straight according to God’s Word, then we will know what is crooked, whether it be by one degree or by ninety degrees.   ANYTHING that departs from the TRUTH of God’s Word is FALSE.  The most powerful deceptions differ in only minute ways from God’s truth as Jesus revealed to us in His time in the wilderness facing Satan himself (Matthew 4: 6 as it alludes to Psalm 91).  It is VITAL in these final days that we KNOW JESUS, KNOW HIS VOICE and most importantly, KNOW HIS WORD and OBEY IT FULLY (John 10: 3).

Sorcery operates through material objects or through ways that will impact the 5 senses, such as drugs, music, pornography, etc.  This is one area I see daily and am well aware how many do NOT have knowledge of the great impact that is made on their life by what they wear, what they feast their eyes on, or what they listen to.  Satan is all about “mind control” and if he can get you to dwell on something, listen to or think about it alot, etc. he knows he has you.  Examples of sorcery:  amulets, ankhs (cross with a ring at the top), charms, bracelets, etc used to heal, crystals for healing, hallucinogenic drugs (i.e peyote), heavy metal music, “lucky” charms (horseshoe, 4-leaf clover, rabbit foot, etc.), Ouija boards, hex signs, talismans, ZODIAC charms, etc.

Many people dealing in the occult will have major, chronic issues resurfacing in their lives and into the next generations (mental or emotional problems, marriage and family breakdowns, financial insufficiency, accident prone, suicidal ideation, unnatural or untimely death).  Many will say, “I didn’t know that visiting a fortune-teller made me guilty of spiritual adultery in God’s eyes.”  Many of those involved in sorcery are churchgoers and by dabbling with in the occult they have become involved in something far worse than physical adultery.  The shadow it puts on their life may continue to rest over the lives of the next four generations of their descendants.  Each of us have 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents, and 16 great-great grandparents; making a total of 30 persons, any one of whom may be the cause of a curse over our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren.

Ignorance does not absolve us from the guilt of our sins, but it may dispose God to show us mercy if we repent and turn to Him.  “Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse WITHOUT cause shall not alight”  (Proverbs 26: 2).

~ to be cont’d…

Shackled

And God spoke all these words saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  You shall have no other gods before Me.  You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD, your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me”  (Exodus 20: 1-5).

There is no curse without a cause. Those that proceed from God are (1) due to our rebellion or ungodliness and (2) our failure to hear God’s voice and do what He says (disobedience).  Two specific forms of disobedience that will surely provoke God’s curse is the breaking of the first two commandments (Exodus 20: 1-5).  The two sins God specifies here are acknowledging any other god before or besides the Lord.  It is not enough to say God is first or greatest before any other gods.  You must acknowledge that HE IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD!  There is NO other besides Him (Isaiah 45: 21).  The second cause is when we make an artificial representation of God and then offer worship to it.

In Romans 1: 20-23 Paul tells us what is involved in breaking these two commandments.  One, God’s invisible qualities ( Divine power and nature) have been clearly seen, so men are without excuse and two, we know God , yet we do not glorify Him as God, nor do we give Him thanks.  Our thinking has become futile and our hearts have become darkened.  We have exchanged the GLORY OF IMMORTAL GOD for images made to look like mortal man, birds, animals, and reptiles. Those who acknowledge false gods and practice idol worhip are becoming progressively debased.

God’s judgemnt on the breaking of these first two commandments bears the mark of the curse and it will continue from generation to generation.  In some nations and cultures, the practice of worshipping false gods goes back over hundreds of years, compounding the effect many times over.  A person who comes from such a background is heir to a curse that can be compared to having a weed planted in his life, liinking him to satanic forces outside himself.

This weed has two roots:  One tap root that goes straight downward, and other less powerful lateral roots taht stretch out in various directions.  The tap root represents influences from previous generations who worshiped false gods.  Lateral roots represent influences the person has been exposed to in his own lifetime, through sin he has committed or through his own attachment to false gods.

Before you can truly enjoy liberty (freedom) and the FULLNESS of NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS, the weed must be completely pulled out with all its roots.  The most important root to remove will be the tap root and nothing but the supernatural grace and power of God can effectively move the tap root and the others.  BUT, praise God, there is HOPE in the promise of Jesus in Matthew 15: 13; “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.”   

….to be continued….

Divine Light

And God said, Let there be light  (Genesis 1: 3, see also vs. 14-18).  For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).  However, we possess this precious treasure (the divine Light of the Gospel) in (frail, human) vessels of earth, that the power and grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to BE FROM GOD and NOT from ourselves. … Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the LIFE of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4: 6-10).

It seems that everywhere we turn these days, we see and hear incredible stories of violence, immorality, destruction, storms, death of thousands, hunger, increasing poverty, and so on.  I totally believe that media/technology is a tool the enemy has taken control of in most nations of the world, to instill a deep FEAR into the minds of the people.  He uses it to accomplish his ultimate goal:  getting us to take our eyes off Jesus Christ (LIFE) and destroying our FAITH and TRUST in our Haven of peace and rest (Jesus).  It is interesting to me that at the same time, the church as a whole seems to be in a state of oblivion (spiritual blindness) to all that we have in and through Christ crucified, resurrected, and the power and authority we have if we would just WAKE UP and use it over this ALREADY DEFEATED FOE!

I am personally bothered by the “negative words” people speak over their lives and day-to-day situations.  We have become desensitized to the HOPE that there is in Christ (the Gospel) because  we are actively embracing all  the propaganda that the enemy feeds us.  Jesus firmly addresses this very issue in Matthew 6: 24 where He tells us that, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to one  and despise and be against the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon (worldly pleasures, or whatever is trusted in over and above God)”.  Today  and in the coming days we are going to have to focus and take an active STAND for what we choose to believe and trust in… choose ye this day whom you are going to serve!

I want to also remind you that it is only by God’s grace that we can make hard choices on a daily basis.  Satan does know your weaknesses and he will capitalize on these as he trys to get his yoke (hold) on aspects of your life.  It is in times like this that we look to God’s TRUTH and stand on His life-giving promises, for Satan can only take hold of what we give to him.  In Christ, we are more than conquerors and we should be walking by faith in our position in Christ.  Jesus told us that it was expedient that He should return to heaven for then Holy Spirit would come and indwell all His disciples, allowing us to do even GREATER works than He did.  Holy Spirit  breathes life into any situation; He is Divine and Pure energy and He will actively help you confront the demons from hell that have taken control in your life.  It is NOT by your might nor by your power…it IS by Holy Spirit’s (Romans 15: 19; 1 Corinthians 2: 4, 5; 2 Corinthians 12: 9; 2 Timothy 1: 7; 2 Peter 1: 3-8).

Also, it is good to remember that we are human and we will make a few bad choices and take a wrong turn here and there.  Thank God His mercy (new every morning) and forgiveness.  If we daily seek Him and acknowledge our mistakes, He eagerly forgives us and puts back onto the narrow road.  We are, after all, only earthen vessels and the cracks we have in these earthen vessels have created a revealing humility;  in such a way that His Light is much more able to shine through us to light the path so others can find Jesus and LIFE.  Jesus tells us, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 16). 

God bless you, my sister and brother… we are works in process, but as we look to Jesus, He will perfect us for the day of His soon return!

An Open Door

“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!  And the first voice which I had heard addressing me like the calling of a war trumpet said, “Come up here and I will show you what must take place in the future.”  At once I came under the Holy Spirit’s power, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne.  (Revelation 4: 1, 2)

On a walk last week I saw this strange tube-like cloud (or funnel-like shape) in the sky close to the time of sunset (click on the picture you may see it more clearly).  I have been reading and thinking about Jacob’s Ladder for the past few weeks off and on and I truly felt that this was a manifestation from the Lord regarding the time and season we are in as the body of Christ.  I have been pondering this and seeking God in what He was showing me here and I now have assurance that what I am writing is by Holy Spirit’s revelation into my spirit.

We don’t have to wait to be raptured into heaven in order to experience God’s glory here on earth.  God wants us to have a relationship with Jesus, His Son and a personal encounter with Him allows His Spirit to indwell us and it is His power working effectually in us that allows Heaven to embrace earth; releasing His glory to the needy world around us.  God has His people all over the world and as the darkness in the world increases in these final days, our light, in contrast will shine ever brighter.

His people who will be fully filled with His presence and power will stand firm with a quiet peace and in that position, they will emit incredible strength and confidence.  In the chaos and fear of the world; our peace will act as a beacon of hope to those in darkness.  Each of us will be enabled to put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for it is the Lord who fights in and through us…it is never going to be in our own strength that this will be accomplished.

There will be a vast army of God’s united sons and daughters who will work together in one accord.  There will be no need for words for it will be through the Living Spirit that all will be in communication with each other.  Each one of us will perceive by the Spirit what we are to do individually and corporately it will flow together like a well-oiled machine; for that is what we will be when empowered by God’s Holy Spirit (see Ezekiel 1 – 2: 2).  There will be no one who is ranked higher than another; all will equally share in the roles of leadership and when one needs rest, another will drop into his/her place for they will all be equally qualified by the One Who is the Qualifier.  There will be no thoughts of competition or betrayal; for both our minds and our bodies will be filled with God’s radiant glory so all will be free to work  with each other in complete trust and reliance.

God has shown me personally that He is busy connecting thousands of His own together right NOW through Holy Spirit.  Wherever we are sent, we will reign with significant authority and we will all be bound together as if we are ONE PERSON with an indescribably deep love for each other; the Father’s love.  Personal desires and agendas will be forgotten as we all joyously embrace God’s plans for the people yet to be brought into God’s kingdom; it is a fulfillment of God’s words in Revelation 12: 11.  We are destined to fulfill the purposes of the Kingdom.

The time is here…God is going to blow the trumpet of Zion and soon will call His army into formation (Amos 1: 1).  Each one is a well-armed warrior filled with the power of the Word and the fear of the Lord.  We will be marching forward in the might of Holy Spirit never breaking rank.  We will move as ONE MIGHTY FORCE as the army of Joel 2: 7-10.   He calls His sons and daughters up into His Presence and it is in the throne room that God will impart to each of  you His specific battle plans for your position in the coming days.  Are you ready to serve Him with complete trust and loyalty this day?   “THE TIME IS NOW!” thus saith the Lord.

He Who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand).  I will say of the Lord, He is My Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I (confidently) trust!  For (then) He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  (Then) He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge:  His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler… (Psalm 91).

http://youtu.be/84O860b_KJ0  (Hiding Place by Selah)

So many today are facing major crises in their life or the lives of their loved ones.  They wonder at times if there really is a God and if so, why He hasn’t done  something to fix what you are going through.  All of us have most likely asked this question one time or another; I surely have.  I am a healthcare provider and I have experienced personal heartache and seen the heartache of others.

An example:  I have lost many close friends this past year due to the ravages of cancer.   I had prayed with them, wept with them, hugged them, and was allowed the privilege of seeing them go on to be with Jesus.  During my friends’ illnesses God allowed me to catch a glimpse of His great love for my friends and for me.

First, there is always the horror of the diagnosis (brief moments of fear over the unknown) for most of us have already known and seen others lose their life to what we have suddenly been told that we too must face.  Then come the times of verbalized hope and warfare; where there is faith to believe for God to get rid of the nightmare.   As the illness progresses and multiple tests have been done, thousands of prayers have been prayed and yet th ere is no change.  The question that will often arise in the hearts of the friends, family, and even the one who is ill… “God,  why aren’t You doing something?  Why am I not well?  Why is he or she not healed?”  Does this mean that the one who is sick or the ones who are praying lack faith?   I do not believe so.

For I have witnessed and am convinced that for those who know Jesus as their Savior, there comes a certain time when there is transition from the temporal reality of this world and eternity.  There is a time when the one who is ill begins dropping off the things of this world and begins looking eagerly into and seeing the spiritual and eternal world.  The spirit ascends in order to see beyond where it is presently being held.  I believe these friends were given glimpses into the face of God.  We who are being left behind become as a second thought.  There are the thank yous and I love yous, and hugs, shared; yet,  it is as though the one who is ill is already thinking of Someone else; Someone much more important.

I have seen the JOY on the face of two sisters who saw and spoke to Jesus just prior to being taken into His arms for all eternity.  Their faces GLOWED with inexpressible love; they actually radiated with a warmth I have never seen before in this life.   Oh how wonderful!  I cannot wait to experience the ultimate REST in Christ Jesus that His Word tells us about and my friends are already experiencing in their heavenly home.

However, for all of us still walking the road with Jesus right here and now;  there is JOY to be had in Him NOW…there is PEACE to be had in Him NOW and it is a choice we can consciously make.  We can choose to be joyful, we can choose to be content, we can choose to love, to be patient, to be kind, to love others, etc. and as we step into FAITH in God’s abilities and His promises HE WILL ENSURE we are never left all alone.

For His Word just told us, we will be stable and fixed under His shadow of protection and no matter what comes this is so.  He Will be our Refuge and Fortress, He WILL keep us from the snare of the fowler (trying to shake our trust in God), and He has given us His TRUTH as a shield and Himself as our faithful Buckler.  And I have witnessed the effects of this FAITH in Jesus in times of trouble in my own life and I have seen friends mount up on the wings of their faith.  It is a faith that takes us far above all the cares and worries of this world.  We are safely carried (hidden under) the wings of the Most High, the Almighty!  Hallelujah!

Power Source

Jesus told him, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.  No one comes to the Father except through Me”  (John 14: 6)

Jesus is the WAY:  There is a way that seems right to a man; but its way leads to death (Proverbs 14: 6).  Many of us believe that we know everything there is to know about where we are in our life and where we are headed.  Societal norms convince us that we are the captain of our soul.  However, our “own way” often leads us in the opposite direction from God’s plans for us and when we take our own route, we are often heading along the road of death.  I am reminded of the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11-32 who demanded to go his own way and it wasn’t too long before he realized he was on a road that would have surely led him to death.  We must ensure that we check with Jesus BEFORE we do anything. He has given us His roadmap within His Word (the Bible) and before we take off helter skelter we need to study and prepare for the journey.

Jesus is the TRUTH:  The entirety of  God’s word is Truth, and all His righteous judgments endure forever (Psalm 119: 160).  Jesus told us that if we would continue (study) to be in His Word, we would prove that we were His disciples.  It is as we study and seek the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind that He will reveal hidden (secret) things to us…it is called ‘revelation’ and through our time alone with Jesus, we really come to KNOW HIM PERSONALLY.  It is like the relationship you may have with your closest friend; you share the hidden things in your heart with them, because you trust them and love them and know they will give you counsel and unconditional love in return.  Jesus goes on to tell us that we WILL know the TRUTH (Him) and that the TRUTH (Jesus) WILL set us free (John 8: 31, 32).  It reminds me of what Jesus spoke just as He began His ministry here… “…The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me…to preach, to proclaim freedom, to heal, and to ‘set the oppressed FREE… to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4: 18-19).

Jesus is LIFE:  In the very beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God…all things were created through the Word (Genesis 1, 2).  LIFE was in Him (Jesus), and that life was the light of men.  Psalm 119: 105 tells us that His Word (Jesus) is a lamp for my feet and a light on my daily journey.  Jesus said that He IS the light of the world and that all who follow Him will NOT walk in darkness, but will have the light (revelation) that brings LIFE  (John 8: 12).   John 3: 15 tells us that everyone who BELIEVES in Him (Jesus) will have eternal LIFE  (see Romans 10: 8-13) and in  John 10: 10 Jesus  assures us that He came that we may have LIFE (Him) and have it in abundance!  Wow…that is so awesome and I want to encourage all of you reading who have NOT yet experienced the JOY and PEACE of Jesus reigning in your life…do it NOW; it is the ONE decision that you will NEVER regret!  🙂

Jesus told Martha (and each of us);  “I AM the Resurrection and the LIFE.  The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, WILL LIVE.  Everyone who lives and believes in Me will NEVER DIE—ever.  Do you believe this?”  (John 11: 25, 26) 

A Sign of Caution

The Lord has been directing me to write about this since I went to Africa at the end of May.  It started there and when I came home He nudged me again and then in Canada a few weeks ago and finally two days ago.  It is a very strange message and yet in my spirit I know I am to write it.  I believed I was to write about the dragonfly until today and then found it was only the “tool” Holy Spirit used to get me to the Scripture He wanted me to present to the Body of believers and also to any who may not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Please take time to read Ezekiel, chapters 1- 3,  for this is the passage that The Lord is speaking to us today.

When I was in Africa it was the rainy season, yet at the times it was drier I saw an abundance of dragonflies.  Their unusual red wings caught my attention as well as their numbers.  When I got back home, I saw more than ususal on my daily walks and I briefly wondered about it as it was hot and dry here.  In Canada, I was once again amazed at their numbers and yet it was wet and cool there.  I began thinking about the dragonflies off and on and I asked the Lord if He was trying to tell me something.  Two days ago I saw several and a couple of them lighted onto my arm.  I knew then I was supposed to write something about this, so I looked up the “symbolic” meaning of this interesting insect.

Some highlights:  their compound eyes give them a 360 degree view of the world around them, limited mostly to movement; they can hover (even in strong headwinds) because they have two pairs of wings; they can fly in all different directions, including reverse because their wings are not jointed and can be moved independently from one another; some people believe they that they can fly between dimensions, and that they are messengers of dreams; some say they can be a ‘sign’ of caution, that something in your life is either hidden or the truth is being kept from you; their colors are a result of  reflecting and refracting  the power of light, that they represent new light and joy.  They can be reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.  Dragonflies are generally thought to represent freedom.

Dragonfly Effect (redirected me to the Butterfly Effect and the Chaos Theory) was coined by Edward Lorenz around 1969 and it can be observed in the math of quantum physics.  As this is way beyond me, I asked a sister in Christ, who has her degree in Quantum Physics, if she would give us a simple defintion of what this effect actually means.  Her response was:  “With the right converging circumstances, a SMALL EFFECT can produce LARGE RESULTS… either good or chaotic”.   Apparently it is the flap of the wings that is part of the initial conditions; one set of conditions leads to a tornado while the other set doesn’t.  The flapping wing represents the small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events. 

Immortal God addressed Ezekiel by calling him, son of man, emphasizing the distance between them.  It is amazing that God chooses to work His divine will on earth through finite, imperfect beings.  We are made from the dust of the ground, yet God chose to place within us His life and breath and to ask us to serve Him.  Ezekiel was called to give God’s message to the people, whether they would listen or not. 

The measure of Ezekiel’s success would not be how well the people responded, but how well he obeyed God and fulfilled God’s purpose for him.    God called the people “obstinate and stubborn” because they refused to admit their sin.  REBELLIOUSNESS was the nation’s primary characteristic in Ezekiel’s time (as it is now).  Even when God pointed out their wrongdoing, the people ignored the truth.  God gave Ezekiel (you and me) the responsibility  of presenting His message (Gospel) to ungrateful and abusive people. 

Sometimes we must be the “flapping wings”, sharing our faith  with all types of people.  As the Lord told Ezekiel, He is telling us today, “Do not be afraid.  Speak My words and see what I will do!”   Our prayers are also like “flapping wings”…a small thing to do, but they will cause LARGE SCALE good results, in Jesus name! 

Casting the Net

In Matthew 4: 18-22  Jesus is walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and He sees two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, throwing a dragnet into the sea, for they were fishermen.  He called to them saying, “Come after Me (as disciples–letting Me be your Guide), follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.  At once Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Him.  Going on, Jesus saw James and his brother John in the boat with their father Zebedee.  They were mending their nets and putting them right and Jesus called them as well and they left their boat and their father and joined up with Jesus.  In Luke 5: 1-11 we read that Jesus was in Peter’s boat and He said to Simon (Peter), “Put out into the deep (water), and lower your nets for a haul.”  Simon was tired and told Jesus they had fished all night and had caught nothing (in our nets).  BUT ON THE GROUND OF YOUR WORD, I will lower the nets (again).  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish; and their nets were (at the point of) breaking so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them.  And they filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. … And Jesus later said to Simon, “Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!”

A week ago I had a very vivid dream of this exact scene.   I was in a boat and was holding onto one very large net and I kept casting it out and then pulling it back in(much like this man who was fishing on the Nile River in Uganda).  Somehow I knew Jesus was there with me and I asked Him if He would show me how to cast and where to cast in order to catch some fish.  He then explained to me that the fishing net dream was just something He was using to illustrate to me the global prayer net He is bringing together to pray for HIS REMNANT  that He has kept hidden until now.  He told me that the remnant had been hidden away as Moses had been and that Holy Spirit is hovering over them; breathing pure, fresh air into them.  He is brooding over them; loving them and revealing to them their particular callings for the very near future.

He then told me that the net was intricately woven by the prayers of the intercessors.  Every time the net was cast (faith in action) by an intercessor, it would link into another net somewhere else.  As these intercessors continue to hear My call and leave everything behind and let Me be their Guide; I will ensure that the catch this net will bring in will be so big it will be immeasurable.  Right now some of the intercessors I have called are in the process of making their nets clean, repairing any tears, removing debris, so that their net will not break when it attaches to the others.  The ones who are already casting their nets are already seeing some of the catch; however, this is only a small sample of the FINAL CATCH that I alone can see at this moment in time!

When Jesus was raised from the grave, we read in John 21: 1-8 that He let Himself be seen by His disciples, at the Sea of Tiberias… and He did it this way.  Simon, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others were fishing and throughout the night they caught nothing.  Morning was breaking (praise the Lord:)) when Jesus came to the beach and stood there.  He called out to them, “Boys (children), you do not have any meat (fish), do you?”  (Have you caught anything to eat along with your bread?)  They told Him,  “No!”   Jesus said to them, “Cast the net on the RIGHT side of the boat and you will find (some).”   SO THEY CAST THE NET, and now they were not able to haul it in for such a big catch (mass, quantity) of fish (was in it).  Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter,  “It is the Lord!”   Simon (Peter) jumped into the sea and went to Him. 

Possess the Land

But we commend ourselves in every way as (true) servants of God:  through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities; in beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger; by innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, long-suffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love; by (speaking) the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand (‘power’ to attack) and for the left hand (‘authority’ to defend); amid honor and dishonor; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report.  (We are branded) as deceivers (imposters), and (yet vindicated as) truthful and honest.  (We are treated) as unknown and ignored (by the world), and (yet we are) well-known and recognized (by God and His people); as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and (yet) not killed; as grieved and mourning, yet (we are) always rejoicing; as poor (ourselves, yet) bestowing riches on  many; as having nothing,and (yet, in reality) possessing all things (2 Corinthians 6: 4- 10).

Israel did not just march and blow trumpets in order to conquer Jericho.  When the walls fell, they went in, fought, and took the city.  The “walls of the city fell” so to speak, when Jesus saw Satan fall as lightening from heaven (Luke 10: 18, 19).  “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12: 31).  BUT, that is not all that has to be done.  We are NOW to go in over those fallen walls with the sword of the Word to preach the Gospel and to take that city for God!  We are called and placed right where we are in order to GO IN AND POSSESS THE LAND!

However, many of us continue to sit where we are and come up with “rational” to keep us inactive (AWOL) in the present battle that rages about us (see Matthew 8: 19-22).  We are content to “let those who are able to go, go; those who are able to do, do; those who are able to give, give; etc.”  However, God gave ALL mankind gifts and talents to use in order to expand His kingdom here on earth.  He KNEW even before you were born what His assignment for your life would be and He fully equipped you with all you would need to carry out that assignment.

Many of us choose to run or ignore His call on our life and that is bad for those you were called to love, pray for, protect, help, equip, empower, teach, lead, etc.; in fact, those people you were to be there for may well be those who do not yet know Jesus as Lord, or have backslidden because they saw nothing “special” in the Christian way of life.  I do believe God will most definately hold each of us accountable for our “UNFINISHED ASSIGNMENT” and for those souls we have forsaken in their hour of need.  Our turning aside from God’s call also leaves a hole in the ranks of the advancing army; I may not have someone there to cover me as I storm the wall and I may very well die during the seige; so may many others.

Today and in the days ahead of us; there is and will be a great increase in the enemy’s advance for souls.  He is determined that he will take as many with him to hell as possible.  His attacks will become more and more aggressive and deadly and we, as the VICTORIOUS army, must come at him with everything God has placed within us individually and corporately, and with all the weapons He has made available to us, trusting Him to be with us every step we take!

We must ALWAYS REMEMBER, that VICTORY IS OURS; we just have to SEE IT and BELIEVE IT!  For the (true) love of God is this:  That we do His commands (keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching).  And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievious).  For whatever is born of God IS VICTORIOUS OVER the world; and this IS the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.  WHO is it that is victorious over (that conquers) the world but he (she) who BELIEVES that JESUS IS the Son of God (who adheres to, trusts in, relies on that fact)  (1 John 5: 3-6).

Wisdom From Above

For sometime now, the Lord has been showing me the need for increasing FAITH as well as the need for me to spend more time sitting in His Presence.  He has placed a burden of intercession in my heart for the leaders and the nations of the world. 

There is a burning sense of urgency that is increasing on a day to day basis.   Holy Spirit is directing me to call for the intercessors to arise; to shed your garments of heaviness; to shake off your apathy and  to begin seeking Him early in the morning.  He is going to impart to you what He needs you to pray for and as you begin to voice/declare  His heart, He is going to bring an answer immediately.  He says there will be no need to tarry; for as the words form on your lips He will do it.

This is going to require TRUST in Him and BELIEF that He will do what He asks of you.  It is going to require that you step out to quickly OBEY every detail of what He imparts to you even though it may sound crazy or foolish to your natural ears.  DO NOT FALTER; for to be used by Him, to work beside Him, you must instantly obey His direction. 

He has armed you with strength for the battle; for it is when you are weak that He will show Himself strong.  It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men, or in princes.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the powers and rulers of darkness of this age  and we cannot ever forget to put on the whole armor of God each and every morning.  He calls us to unite in wisdom from above and if you don’t have it, you are to ask for it.  His kingdom has come!

The Lord would say to you…

“Your intercession is heard and answered.  As you pray for world leaders, you will see a difference.  Only believeing prayer can affect this unseen world where Satan’s spiritual forces prey upon the ultimate human authority.  All eternal victories are won in closets of prayer.”  (2 Timothy 2: 1, 2)

You will be blessed as you take a moment and listen to this Hillsong song:       http://youtu.be/r7ntHnUhwf8