What Depth the Darkness

Matthew 6:22-23
22 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
NKJV

Isaiah 5:20-21

0 Woe to those who call evil good 

and good evil,

who put darkness for light 

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet 

and sweet for bitter. 

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes 

and clever in their own sight. 

NIV

Anyone have a nightlight in their home? We find one important when our grand-child comes for a visit. Although she knows we are just across the hall from her, yet that light is important to her.

In understanding that the eye is the lamp of the body, our eye is to be good and our whole body is to be filled with light. 

I think in respect to that "measure of faith"........that God gave us. But where is the dial located on our faith meter? If I turn my flashlight towards my husband's eyes, he will not have more light in him, just a lot of flashing circles of  light as he closes his eyes quickly. Or someone taking your picture with the flash on a camera does not fill our body with light.

When Jesus came, there was those calling what He did as evil. I wonder where they reside today, for surely they went somewhere after death, did they not? 

So what depth of darkness is there?

In the Amplified Bible, Matthew 6:23 says this: But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!

In regard to the movies being viewed today, I heard that all of the top rated movies had box office hits of multi-millions of dollars and every one of them was rated-R! So if one is saved by the Blood of Jesus and viewed that movie.........how much light remained in them?

1 John 1:5-10

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 

NKJV

Spending time in the light will cause us to change some things and get some things out of here, right?

Well, consider this: it is a beautiful sunny day and temps are in the mid 60's..........you open the patio door, and alas as you step away from the glass door, you see dust on the T.V. stand, on the table top, and even the glass is noticeably dirty with dog paw prints and little child finger marks.

What shows up when God's light shines in us? What might be found that should not be there?

Ephesians 5:6-14

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 

8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 

9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 

11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 

12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 

13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 

14 For this reason it says, 

"Awake, sleeper, 

And arise from the dead, 

And Christ will shine on you." 

NASU

From the above, we are not to be deceived with empty words. Empty words are those of confusion, no life and come from the world that just talks, and talks and talks. There is no vision, no walk to walk with it, except into more confusion, and more darkness. For when we stay with the Light of God and His Word, we have the fruit of Light that is in all goodness and truth. It is a daily walking of learning to please the Lord. It is not participating in that which is unfruitful deeds of the darkness, but His light is exposing them. In all that we seek into more Light, He reveals even that which is still in darkness. We are to awake, arise from sleep..........and Christ will shine on us!

1 John 2:8-14

8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 

9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 

10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 

11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake. 

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

NASU

Three different levels are mentioned: The father's, those who have a walk with God and are the spiritual fathers to many. The young men are those who have overcome the evil one, and their walk is one of "faith". They have a great trust in the Lord. And third, this is the new "child" who has come to the Lord. They are the ones just starting their walk with Him.

Our Father wants to light our way into all that is good. It is not in confusion or in hate of another. Those who hate are so deep in darkness that they are to be led out like blind men.

We certainly keep a light for our grandchild to see in the night hours should she awake and not remember where she is at. In that respect, we as individuals and in our walk, either as the spiritual "fathers" are to keep the light on for the young ones, those as a young child coming to the Father.

As disciples of Jesus are to the Light the way for those who are in darkness to the light of day. The true Light is already Shining. He came to set captives free.

We all to come to the Lord as little children. We had to humble ourselves for the need of a Savior.

Our prayer is sent for those who are still in the dark: For we certainly are those who have a Savior. We overcome, and we are the strong, and the word of God abides in us. If we truly know that we are the forgiven, would we not want others to know?

We are to be characterized as the "fathers". They are those who have the knowledge of God. As being a father to spiritual children, we lead because we have conquered holding up the Word of truth. Any conflict that was seen was conquered. In these conquests we are truly victorious but one thing remains, as His light continues to enter in us, then we find what else remains....that needs to leave our lives for the good. We are to grow stronger in Him. We then are no longer the weaklings, but we triumph in the Lord who has enabled us to overcome.

Hebrews 11:33-34

33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 

ASV

That fruit of His light is righteousness and truth in us. In that we see our faith meter move from the good, grow to the "acceptable", to the "perfect will of God". That fruit is always in right standing with God. And it is our faith that has obtained the victory that overcomes the world.

Our faith is substance. It is seen. It is valued. Any inconsistency will be because of the lack of love in any situation. When anything is amiss or seems wrong, we must rejoice that the Holy Spirit of God is with us to point to that which does not belong in our lives and see it removed.

Having that light, like the nightlight at home, gives us the continually lighting to break into the greatest moves of God. It causes us to move into situations that seem just wrong, but God is saying go! And go now!

For there are those today who speak good as evil and evil as good. There are those who will try to give you the bitter for sweet and the sweet for bitter. We are to know the difference. And when we keep coming back to the Father of Lights of whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, we find truth, remain in truth, and move in that truth.

In closing: James 1:17 Amplified Bible

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [ the shining of} Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

The light is our eye it is to be good and fill our body. It comes from God. It is His truth. In the influence we have with others, it is His light they are to see. It is of His own will and grace, and not by our skill of any kind that people should take note of us. It is only God that they should encounter. And how is it done? It is done in and by His love.

If we turn a porch light on for a first time visitor to the house, what if we allowed people to see our light shine with the goodness of God? What if they encountered God in a new way and not in a building on a Sunday morning? What if they encountered Him in a hallway leading to the restroom?

Hey, what if they encountered God on the way to church? What if you see someone with a flat tire and could not only help but give them Jesus?

Just as His light from the sun He created certainly reveals the dust on the top of the refrigerator...........then we should be willing to allow Him to show us those areas that should be cleared away to make room for more of Him in His: comfort, love, strength, mercy, communication, truth, life, peace and joy.

May our words speak with sound that is of God and shakes the foundations of this world to remove it and see His kingdom Come. Amen!

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

IN THE EYES OF A CHILD

Proverbs 18:7
7 A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
NIV

The Amplified Bible states this: 

Proverbs 18:7  A [self confident] fool's mouth is

his ruin and his lips are a snare to himself.

Titus 2:6-8

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 

NIV

Self control in our speech.......is speaking with a sound that cannot be condemned. It is speaking to our husband/wife with sound speech. It is speaking to our children with sound speech. It is speaking in the work place/church with sound speech. It is serious, it is of integrity and it is teaching.

So what are we teaching those around us?

Are we teaching something that will encourage the one standing next to us or are we just discouraging them?

Ezra 4:4-5

4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.  5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia. 

NIV

In the above, we are reminded of those who just want to stop people. In just a few words they were to create delays and hinder the work. The hired came to trouble.

They were being discouraged at every turn of work they tried to deliver. They became the discouraged and lost their courage.

In reading in Ezra 4 there is much opposition. And when it is to the plan of the Lord, that kind is the opposition that has the subtlety of the old serpent, satan. In this case, superstition was a high priority and any who opposed it were those building the temple to God.

As in the case with the Israelites, those who pretended to help only wanted to delay the entire work and did not want it to progress any further. What is it written in Psalm 55:21................ His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords. NIV

Know any people like that? No?

You know they sound really nice with their speech.....

Ezra 4:2

"Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here." 

NIV

It was a lie! They wanted to hinder .........their kisses as of the enemy....deceitful.

 We can do the same to a love one in our own family!

Any time we speak something against another, and maybe we never thought that it was a "negative" yet caused the other to be provoked is not good and will not build a good relationship and will not carry them forward, but cause them to stop "dead" in their  pathway. I do not want to be guilty of that to any one!  Do you?

What does it look like?

Romans 13:14……….14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.     NIV

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [ do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] Amplified Bible

Have you ever seen a conversation between a parent and a child and the child has no alternative but to act their age? One can see from the unfolding moment exactly how the child expects it to play out! And they were right??? They, the child or children even speak what the parent will say next! Yes, they have been down that road before.

CHILDREN WANT TO BE A PART OF THE FAMILY  and I know from previous experience that children must be a part of all that is going to affect, effect, and contribute anything to the family as a whole. Now if it is between the mother and the father, of course not! But anything the child has been a part of is to be included as 'a standing member of the family'.

Is that not the work of the "devil" when we allow any discouragement to come upon our children or grand-children?  Children sometimes do not understand, because of their age, of certain things that a parent or parents are desiring to come to pass for their future. And leaving the child out of it when he/she sees them they become agitated, fretful, and just sullen adds TO the small child's world. The child becomes scared, his/her security is shattered. And does no one see it happening?

They want to understand, but they see everyone who is leading the family has tuned out and turned off..........when the child/children need to hear from them the most at that time.

Romans 13:14.......tells us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not to think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Would not terrifying a child by acting sullen be creating a force that will break their spirit?

Yes, again it is breaking their little spirit. We can laugh with them when hiking on a sunny day or may be even on rainy day..............no decisions to make, no big deals on the horizon...........but when the ground begins to shake, and the walls start moving, and the child sees a parent or parents shut down, the communication line is down. It is severed!

Should not be this way ever in regards to our child, children or grand-children. They want to be a part and they want to understand.  Children are to be continually nurtured and brought in to understand the workings in the family, not shut down at a moment's notice because they do not understand because of age. Help them to understand. Tell them what is going on, right now!

WHAT IF GOD SAID, "I AM NOT TELLING YOU BECAUSE YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND. I AM KEEPING EVERYTHING SECRET FROM YOU FOREVER!" WOW!

By all means if it is a flesh thing, surely keep it to yourself. For you will have to deal with it sooner or later. But in something that pertains to what God is doing in and for the family it is to involve the entire family. Communication was the secret to Christ's ministry. In keeping step with Him, we keep the testimonies alive. They keep us aware of the God who invades the impossible when the views of those around us are focused on the temporary physical circumstances.

In the eyes of the child, their world is closed off. And without a constant awareness and of our speaking truth about every situation, we keep them connected to us and to the vision God has for the entire family. If we do not do that, then we will see without doubt "vision and ministry" reduced to nothing more than we do in our own strength and amounts to kicking up some dust!
Ever seen those who just "kick up some dust" while they think they are ministering life?

We should not want to kick around the dust. In the scripture below we are reminded of those who go their own way.......Isaiah 29:4

4 Brought low, you will speak from the ground;

your speech will mumble out of the dust.

Your voice will come ghostlike from the earth;

out of the dust your speech will whisper. 

NIV

Understanding that this will occur, we should take the extra step to make sure our child/children/grand-children are involved in decisions that pertain to them: like school, like taking a trip, in any sickness occurring, any project they are involved in, anything we need to live for God, they will also need!
When I was very young, and we went to visit grandparents in another state, I always remember my younger sister desiring sternly for her pillow. It went with her, as some resemblance of her bedtime at home, while visiting in another's home. My Mom always placed it close to the luggage so that it would not be left behind. Kids can be left behind without parents even knowing it. We need to awaken to things of God for our families, our loved ones who God cherishes.  They need to know that we always must go to Him for direction, not looking at the views of others..........and until our young ones are able to do that.........we must be that line that keeps them connected to life and truth in any regard to an outside situation involving the whole of the family.

My prayer today is for those who have been broken, either by previous relationships that broke the human spirit by being provoked, goaded and maligned. I pray for those who have been dealt a great blow by a loved one who came back with anything but love.

Father, thank You for Jesus, the Son of Your love. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Help us Holy Spirit. You see the damage done. Show us how to minimize that which has been caused. Help us to speak and see restoration to that which has done by our speaking, our own doing, and acts of just provoking another to wrath. Today we desire to be those who will be salt to those in pain and anguish. We choose to be those who will abide in truth and be committed to be responsible when others cross our paths who may be dealing with a loss, or just cut off from God's plan for them by another. Help us to understand in how to communicate with our children and grand-children that we will not provoke them but lead them in life that is everlasting in YOU Father. Show us what to speak and how to be constant in teaching with integrity and not as a spoiled one wrapped up in the flesh nature. It just leads back to the dust.

Father, Your Word is true and we confess and profess that Your Word is for us. You will never leave us or forsake us. We ask today to support those who have trials and tribulations that are weighing them down. We come boldly to the throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in this time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) Strengthen our hearts for the battle ahead and give patience as we wait on You. We pray to be those who rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

We are family. We are to act like a family..........and in this journey help us to encourage our family. Help us to be the "kind".

"Your Love O' Lord endures forever----do not abandon the works of Your hands. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Worshiping The " LUCKY RITUAL"?

A lucky ritual or is JUST ANOTHER WAY TO IMPRESS A CERTAIN AUDIENCE?

From GONE WILD..previous blog. we found out......on making the wrong decisions with those who will agree with us......ultimately for the wrong thing is a terrible road to travel! It will take one to destruction . Here.........we conclude with this lucky ritual thing!
Read below about Zedekiah...........

2 Chronicles 18:6-22
6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?" 7 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say such things!" 8 Then the king of Israel called one of his officers and said, "Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly!" 9 The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in their robes, sat each on his throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 10 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.' " 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand." 

12 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." 13 And Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak." 14 Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" And he said, "Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!" 15 So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 16 Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.' " 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" 

18 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. 19 And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' 21 "So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.' 22 "Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you."
NKJV

Was Zedekiah making a "lucky ritual".........and placing it before the crowd, before the kings who sat in the judgement place where the main leaders came together to make their decisions concerning the country and that which the king of Israel wanted to fight, namely the Syrians. (Ramoth Gilead) He,the king of Israel wanted to gain back that which had been lost from Israel in earlier battles.

I point you back to what Micaiah spoke in verse 18........"I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all those of heaven standing on His right hand and His left." And then he said this: " And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?'.......and none could agree, out of 400 men, not one could agree.......!
Micaiah had seen the LORD and spoke what was given him from heaven. Have we not read that of Stephen from the book of Acts in chapter 7:54-56......... "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." NIV

2 Chronicles 18:23-27
23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you?" 24 And Micaiah said, "Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!" 25 Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son; 26 and say, 'Thus says the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace." ' " 27 Then Micaiah said, "If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Take heed, all you people!"
NKJV

 He who is of the world, wants the glory for himself. Zedekiah struck Micaiah on the cheek and spoke to diminish him before the court.(verse 23)

But he who speaks truth, does not back down from truth, but continues to speak it, no matter the outcome. And Micaiah also told the people to "take heed, all you people!"

2 Chronicles 18:10-11
10 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.' " 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand."
NKJV

Was it a theatrical display that Zedekiah devised to bring his point across? For we know the prophet of truth was Micaiah!

Now we know from other teachings about prophets, God had told some different ones to do something, or create something that would depict that which was occurring in Israel at the time a certain word of the Lord was given. We see below here in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 13:1-14

13:1 Thus the LORD said to me: "Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water." 2 So I got a sash according to the word of the LORD, and put it around my waist. 

3 And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, 4 "Take the sash that you acquired, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole in the rock." 5 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. 6 Now it came to pass after many days that the LORD said to me, "Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there." 7 Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it; and there was the sash, ruined. It was profitable for nothing. 

8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 "Thus says the LORD: 'In this manner I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing. 11 For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,' says the LORD, 'that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.' 

12 "Therefore you shall speak to them this word: 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Every bottle shall be filled with wine." ' And they will say to you, 'Do we not certainly know that every bottle will be filled with wine?' 13 "Then you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land--even the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem--with drunkenness! 14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together," says the LORD. "I will not pity nor spare nor have mercy, but will destroy them."  NKJV

Yes, certain cases produced the most unusual things for people to see and heed of the Lord, but they just continued to harden their hearts. Jeremiah had taken the linen sash and wrapped around himself as the Lord told him to do. It was not to be washed. So as some time passed, and it was not washed, they then took note that it was not on his person. And they asked about it. God had wanted them to cling to Him for good. But the people would not listen or take note of what He was speaking to them.

In reading further down in Jeremiah 13, we discover something that God said He would do to those who would not listen or adhere to Him........they would be scattered like stubble. Ever seen a tumbleweed and how the wind carries it along for many miles and then only to be stopped by (yikes) a barbed-wire fence? Traveling in areas with many tumbleweeds, you can see them pile high against such a fence.
Their pride was bringing them to judgement!

Their drunkenness in themselves was going to be seen.

Jeremiah 13:24-26

24 "Therefore I will scatter them like stubble 

That passes away by the wind of the wilderness. 

25 This is your lot,

The portion of your measures from Me," says the LORD,

"Because you have forgotten Me 

And trusted in falsehood. 

26 Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face,

That your shame may appear. 

NKJV

We read what they will be like: stubble!

Then in verse 25....this is your lot..........the portion of your measures from Me, says the LORD. "Because you have forgotten Me and trusted in falsehood, therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face that your shame may appear. Yes another "yikes". He will cause any cover over their backside to be come up over their heads. Their nakedness would be revealed.

The first prophet was a false prophet in that he did not give the word of the Lord. Zedekiah, was probably wanting to make a statement with some grand performance. As the leader and probable spokesman of the entire 400 prophets presiding over this court when Ahab was king in Israel. With land to be conquered, it was evident that the king desired to gain back the land of Ramoth-Gilead.

Did Zedekiah dazzle the hearers in the court of king Ahab? Evidently not, for  king Jehoshaphat of Judah asked for another prophet! And Micaiah was brought out to bring the word of the Lord! When you spend time talking with the Lord, you certainly know His voice.

In the instance of Jeremiah, he just did what he was told to do, by the LORD. And the people would take note. For God's purposes, the Word is evident that the sash being taken from the area of the prophet to the distant river Euphrates.........was that the people of Israel would be placed a greater distance from the LORD. What distance was the sash taken..........some two hundred fifty miles away. And there was no bus, no fast car to drive it there and then what..........go back and take the sash out of the hole that you dug for it, Jeremiah?
What would you have said about the man of God? Would you have called him a fanatic? What about calling him a "fool"? No, Jeremiah obeyed God!
It was not by any "LUCKY RITUAL" like displaying horns out of iron like Zedekiah did.
When God makes a statement of His Word all heaven backs that Word.  Micaiah saw it!

What is the symbolic emblem that God would use to get our attention? He sent His Son to die on the Cross for us? He did not use theatrical devices. He did not use an actor, but the Son of His love.

Each of these had a choice and so do we. In our day to day walk we are to find truth that is wisdom of God. It is found in His Word. In Psalm 81 it tells us this: 10 I am the Lord your God, Who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. 11 But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them up to their own hearts' lust and let them go after their own stubborn will, that they might follow their own counsels.[Acts 7:42,43; Acts 14:16; Romans 1:24,26] 13 Oh, that my people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My Ways!
14 Speedily then I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries. 15 [ Had Israel listened to Me in Egypt, then ] those who hated the Lord would have come cringing before Him, and their defeat would have lasted forever.
If the people had obeyed God when they came out of Egypt, and clung to God,  Egypt could never have a place in them again.

 But alas, they kept going back to worshiping what they thought was the "LUCKY RITUALS'!  It is Intimacy that we see in the walk of Micaiah and Jeremiah. As these two chose to blameless before the Lord, should their fruit be for another persons's good? YES!
Jesus said to his disciples, "but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit" (John 15:16). Therefore we are to go and bear fruit .........as the body of believer's and Jesus as our example to comfort others. He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be the holy and the blamelss in his sight. ( Ephesians 1:3-4)


Wisdom cries out today as it did in the day of Micaiah and Jeremiah!

Proverbs 8:12-14
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.  NKJV

Father, today in Jesus' name we ask for Your Wisdom as from James 5 that You give liberally. We desire Your knowledge and to be counseled by YOU. We understand that YOU hate pride and arrogance. And the perverse mouth, those things that speak against YOUR Word You hate. We choose to be in the fear of the LORD!  Counsel us Holy Spirit by the Word of God. We desire to move in the sound wisdom of God, to be people of understanding that we would be people of strength. We bless the LORD, with our souls and forget not all His benefits (to us). He forgave all our iniquities, and healed all our diseases. He has redeemed us from destruction and crowned us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. OUR mouths are filled.............satisfied with good things. So that our youth is renewed like the eagle's. NKJV Psalm 103:2-5)
Father, thank You for all that YOU have done for us.........we believe we receive Your wisdom to move in strength today. It is Your counsel we desire. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

GONE WILD

Proverbs 12:17
7 He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
NKJV

Proverbs 14:5

5 A trustworthy witness will not lie, 

But a false witness utters lies. 

NASU

Rumor is a terrible thing! It is a dangerous path to talk about something we might have seen with our own eyes without the right knowledge. Our own perception without that right knowledge is that of the "false".  And to utter such.......is the false witness!

Proverbs 30:7-9

7 Two things I request of You 

(Deprive me not before I die): 

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;

Give me neither poverty nor riches--

Feed me with the food allotted to me; 

9 Lest I be full and deny You,

And say, "Who is the LORD?"

Or lest I be poor and steal,

And profane the name of my God. 

NKJV

Remove falsehood and lies far from me.

We know that God does not lead us into temptation. We can do that part really well! (remember: the sin nature)  But we are to stand fast against that which is the false..........!

2 Chronicles 18:1-34

18:1 Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria; and Ahab killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people who were with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. 3 So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?" And he answered him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war." 

4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of the LORD today." 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" And they said, "Go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand." 

Yes, this king had many prophets. They were some four hundred in number.

6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?" 7 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla." 

And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say such things!" 8 Then the king of Israel called one of his officers and said, "Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly!" 9 The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in their robes, sat each on his throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 10 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.' " 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand." 

This messenger called Micaiah........and told him saying this: "now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them and speak encouragement."  Yikes! This messenger wanted Micaiah to lie! See below:

12 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." 13 And Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak." 14 Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" And he said, "Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!" 15 So the king said to him, "How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 16 Then he said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.' " 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?" 

Wow......what a predicament when one sees evil as good, and good as evil!


In verse 14...."shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?
Imagine letting someone choose for you about going to war! Yet, Micaiah was called out to bring the Word of the Lord........that whisper from God.

In verse 16 Micaiah spoke truth from the LORD..........He said......."I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.' Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat........"Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"

18 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. 19 And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' 21 "So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.' 22 "Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you." 

That lying to say good things always.......to stroke the "kitty kat" fur is not a good thing to do ever. For we see from the above passage, that because of their lying to please the king, the LORD sent them that which they desired: TO LIE! "Therefore look!" "The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours and the LORD has declared disaster against you."

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you?" 24 And Micaiah said, "Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!" 25 Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son; 26 and say, 'Thus says the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace." ' " 27 Then Micaiah said, "If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." And he said, "Take heed, all you people!" 

Micaiah was then struck because of what he spoke in truth. Zedekiah asked him"Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you?" James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. NIV

And Micaiah went on to say......"Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!"  So..............'thus speaks the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace." And Micaiah responds by saying, "If you ever return in peace, the  LORD HAS NOT SPOKEN BY ME.". "TAKE HEED ALL YOU PEOPLE."

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots who were with him, saying, "Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel." 31 So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. 32 For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 33 Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded." 34 The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset he died.  NKJV

Verse 29, if this king really valued "his prophets" why did he need to hide his appearance? BECAUSE, he knew they really prophesied to keep a good fellowship so to speak with him. They desired more about pleasing him than really finding the right truth in God.

(I always think of David and Goliath when I read this portion of scripture, and King Saul had tried to dress David in his armor which did not fit. David went as he did in the wilderness, and he went equipped with that which he had trained in with God's help.)

So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. The king of Syria......... had told those he commanded to "fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel." Yet he , the king of Israel  was in disguise..............so they, the king of Syria and his military men would see and think that king Jehoshaphat was the king of Israel and they rushed him. But he cried out and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel............they turned back from pursuing him.

Amazing how people can think lies will protect them. In this we saw one king die........being shot by a bow that was shot at random. And yet it found its mark in that which was of deceit and lies.

Making any decision without God is signing on the line with the devil. Our God is to be our light and with His knowledge and wisdom we are led in a place with no confusion and without terror. 

Gone Wild is that "false" evidence avenue.  It is where we are the driver for our own pathway. We are to turn from false sources. Staying in God and His knowledge teaches us His wisdom and will keep us out of any "fear factor". People can speak a lot of different things, but truth is of the Lord.

Staying close to our Father will keep falsehood and lies far from us. And those who speak out against us..........may the Word prevail..........that which speaks...........

Psalm 63:11

11 But the king will rejoice in God;

all who swear by God's name will praise him,

while the mouths of liars will be silenced. NIV

AMEN!

When a leader has GONE WILD.......they are choosing their own pathway and to find the one person who will agree with them in doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. In this we saw the king of Israel had 400 false prophets and 1-truth speaking prophet. In Micaiah's being questioned of the word of the Lord, he stood for truth and bringing praise to God. In his righteousness, he was dealt the bread and water of affliction. Even though he sought the Lord, he found persecution. He was the imprisoned. But even more than that, he knew the king of Israel would die. It was a grievous time for the prophet.
In James 4, we read in verses 1-4 ........as being a friend of the world.
It goes like this from the Amplified Bible:
1 What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and  how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings)  originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members? 2 You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and  anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [ 1 John 5:15]  3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.  4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]!  Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.

See: CONCLUSION OF THIS IN: Worshiping the " THE LUCKY RITUAL"


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Paying it Forward

Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has slaughtered her meat,
She has mixed her wine,
She has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 "Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
NKJV

Hebrews 3:3-6

 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. 

NKJV

Building anything takes a lot of time and hard, sweaty work! It costs you something to build. If you have something that you did not labor with, then I would doubt it is really yours.

We are told wisdom has built her house.

She has hewn out her seven pillars. Our family built a garage once when our daughter was in Jr. High School. We had needed an extra garage and had ample room to build another. We got the permit and started to get the lumber and siding, plus rafters and roofing material. Yes, it was labor intensive. The foundation was poured, and allowed to set some two-three week time. Then the actual work began. I was not the person who could to those high places when placing the rafters. I left that entirely to my husband and daughter.  They had no problem dealing with high places. I did help with hanging the siding. The day finally came for the paint job to match the house and I could participate in that job.

In that scripture that we read above about Moses as the prophet spoke about that which concerned the plan for the Tabernacle and all that God had given him to do. And Moses was faithful to do that which God commanded him to do. And for a testimony of those which would be spoken afterward.....that he followed God and His plan!

Yes, anything worthwhile will take some time, money, and lots of sacrifice in time. It is committing oneself to the task ahead.

We see from the scripture passage above, that Wisdom has built her house and has hewn out her seven pillars. Many years ago, we had a pastor who had some of those fancy pillars placed inside the sanctuary on the platform........as to decorate with, but also to give people the picture of what beauty those pillars displayed, and how when we keep that which is God's Word will keep us in the fear of the Lord.

We spent much time on studying those passage of that Wisdom and studied that attributes which comprise Wisdom. We find those listed in the earlier chapter 8 and verse 12-14. See below:

Proverbs 8:12-14

12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. 

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way 

And the perverse mouth I hate. 

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.  NKJV  

The Message Bible says this: Proverbs 8:12-21...."I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity; Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street. The Fear-of-God means hating Evil, whose ways I hate with a passion-----pride and arrogance and crooked talk. Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics; I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.
With my help, leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly; With my help, governors govern, along with all in legitimate authority. I love those who love me; those who look for me, find me.Wealth and Glory accompany me---also substantial Honor and a Good Name. My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus. You can find me on Righteous Road----that's where I walk-----at the intersection of Justice Avenue, Handing out life to those who love me, filling their arms with life----armloads of life!



Paying it forward is giving that wisdom to those who are still young and learning. That paying it forward is doing for another, and who you may not know personally. They speak about "paying it forward" today and generally refers to someone ahead of you in line that is buying you a coffee at a drive-up window at known coffee place or even someone paying the "toll" for you when going across a Toll Bridge, but that paying it forward was something that was done way back in the 20th century. Doing something for someone who needs the help, or just to do something they did not expect you to do and never know your face. There were instances when I saw one farmer bring in the "neighbor's crop" when said neighbor was too sick to work. Yes, that crop came in due to someone else who cared about their neighbor and his family!

We can do that for our "kids" and grandchildren as well! We can equip them with the Word of Wisdom that will establish them permanently in God's house of Wisdom.

First, you must speak it over them. When they hear you speak that way, they will be getting to the roadway to go somewhere with God. And the more you speak it over your children, and they hear, it is getting planted in them. They have to be given opportunities to help around the house and when at church or even in working at an event to reach people for Jesus.

As I sometimes tell our grand-daughter is that her Mom is not the maid and is not cleaning up after her. Children must be shown how to care for themselves and their siblings and to see about good for others.  My routine growing up was to see that my sister was up and preparing to dress for school. But the rest was left to my Mom. She prepared the breakfast and then drove us to school. But my responsibility was to keep watch at school for my little sister. Yes, that was work. She was very active on the playground. And as we got older, I still tried to watch out for her.  It was planted in me to think about her first and then myself. And in truth, I still watch over her today in prayer.

Paying it forward, is giving our family and those around a taste of what God desires for us all!
AND second, I have learned over the years, that knowing wisdom and instruction looks much like correction. It is that which is always aligning ourselves with God's thoughts and ways. We must always have the Word of God to have the complete picture of what God desires for us and those who follow after us!

Do we or our children act more like the "cave man" and have no special place to walk or journey through life? Are our lives flat, without zest or any appeal to others that God is real in our lives?
Or are we "the silent ones" and our kids cannot figure out if we are the sulking, or just plain cruel and desire to keep to "ourselves"?

 In reading about Israel, they were those who were God's chosen. They were meant to act like He desired them to act and that was according to truth. They were those who "like those in Jericho saw" and heard that God was with them and many miracles were done. And those of Jericho lost courage.

Joshua 2:2-14
2 The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land."

4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them." 6(But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.  11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12 Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."

14 "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her. "If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land."
NIV

People should see us as being the "peculiar". When we follow God and His plan we have every instruction of God before us and before our eyes. In applying His wisdom, justice, judgment and equity we flourish. Are people melting with fear when you come into a place............not because you are "the bully" or your kids act that way, but because God is with you? Does anyone say to you, "your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below"?

In spending time with Wisdom, we become that house with seven pillars........the full .....the satisfied. We are the built and the permanent!
Reaching back into the book of Amos and in the fifth chapter, the prophet tells us in verse 24 to "let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. We are not to be those out for justice, but those who know God seek the other's good by doing justice.

Having a heart of prudence seeks the knowledge of God.

John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
NKJV

 It is that truth which you abide and become very familiar with. You live it, and breath it everyday. You speak it over your children, over your circumstances and live to see a bright future.

Forsake foolishness and live! (verse 6) Go in the way of Understanding. Yes, our foundation scripture from Proverbs 9, speaks of going in the way of understanding.
Let's get that Word of Wisdom spoken over them, and rehearse in their hearing. So that when they are the grown, the young adult, they will seek in doing justice that is God's way. It will be that which looks nothing like the world's way of doing justice.

Paying it forward is blessing another. Will we do it for our "kids" and grand-children? For me and mine, we have voice and we give "vision" today for them that is that which is God's idea and plan. That prescribed plan, is that which we write out today as "a vision" for their lives and to see it manifested. Their future will be upon them very soon. And we speak: as to make as of a fire.........and we see that God's Will come as a gate opening.  
To me , writing the vision is the same as writing out that prayer for someone or something of which we are believing for at this moment. In respect to writing it down, I like the word prescribe, given as a meaning. As a Dr. would prescribe something in the form of medicine. One might have need of taking it to get control of an issue in the body. So likewise taking a prescribed Word of God and taking it, (speaking it) every day will change things. Right? So make it plain so that others might know what you are believing! Take it, write it out and show it to your husband, or maybe a mentor, a sister or even a brother. Say it loud! Proclaiming it, is to speak it day and night. It will come and will be known by others. And a gate will be opened. It will be a a supernatural gate, and will have life in it for the one you have spoke for. May our offspring delight the Lord! May they have regard for Him all the days of their lives. May they flourish by streams of living water that brings forth fruit in their season.....not to that which is of the fool....to destruction and death, but that which brings glory to God. May it be that which they still bear fruit in their old age, to be the fresh and the green. (Psalm 92:12-15) And may they proclaim: "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock and there is no wickedness in him.'" NIV

Father, in Jesus Name, we pray for greater wisdom and power for our children and grand-children today according to Ephesians 1:18-19...that the eyes of their heart being flooded with light, so that they can know how rich is His glorious inheritance  in the saints (His set apart ones). And so they can know and  understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength. May they abide with discernment, that approval of what is excellent, filling with the fruits of righteousness.......according to Philippians 1:9-11...so that they will surely learn what is vital and approve and prize what is excellent and real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that they may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [ so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, they may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. May they abound in fruits of righteousness to the glory of God. May they have the knowledge of God's will, a life pleasing to God, with fruitfulness and endurance, with patience and joy (Col. 1:9-12) May they have a love for God in the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5). May they be established in every good word and work according to 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 that speaks this: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor). Father, we also pray that their participation in and sharing of their faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].
Father, now may Your peace [Who is the Author and Giver of Peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make them what they ought to be and equip them with everything good that they may carry out YOUR will, [while he Himself] works in them and accomplishes that which pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ,(the Messiah);  (Hebrews 13:20-21)..........................to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages. Amen (so be it)

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Willing to Ask God to Blot Your Name Out of His Book

Exodus 32:31-35
31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."

33 The LORD replied to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin."

35 And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.  NIV

Now they were talking about the book of Life. And Moses asked God to forgive them for their sin, in creating for themselves a golden calf to worship. But God spoke, and He asked Moses to lead the people to the place He had told him to take them. And God said His angel, will go before them. That angel was Jesus.  God continued, when it comes time to punish them, I will punish them for their sin.
Instantly, He struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf, and yes at the hands of the priest Aaron.

When we look back up to Exodus 32 and verses 1-2......we find the people gathering around the priest Aaron and  complaining. They had seen Moses delayed from coming down the mountain. They now wanted to make up their "own gods" because we do not know where this man was at who brought them out.
Exodus 32:1-2
32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."   NKJV

Oh, how quickly people forget what God has done for them!


Exodus 32:7-10
7 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!' " 9 And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10 Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation."   NKJV



God tells him to get down the mountain quickly for "your people", whom you brought out of Egypt have corrupted themselves. God told him that they had worshiped it and sacrificed to it...........speaking  "this is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" And God told him that He would bring wrath upon them, that which would burn hot that He may consume them, and make Moses a great "nation"!

 In Exodus 32:11-24 we find Moses pleading with LORD his God. "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?

It is interesting that in verse 12, Moses is speaking about the Egyptians left in Egypt.......why have them speak evil of God. Moses speaks this then: 

  "Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.' " 14 So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. 

Moses had to have had some kind of heart for these people. He was trying to persuade God to relent. He was asking God? Would we be willing to pray for another, who continually got into mischief and much wrong-dong as well?

15 And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were in his hand. The tablets were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written. 16 Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets. 17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a noise of war in the camp." 18 But he said: 

"It is not the noise of the shout of victory,

Nor the noise of the cry of defeat,

But the sound of singing I hear."

Yes, Moses knew this group of people even in their multitude and heard their singing. And Joshua, his servant, heard as well!

19 So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses' anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it. 21 And Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?" 22 So Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. 23 For they said to me, 'Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' 24 "And I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.' So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out."  NKJV

Moses now is very angry with the people. He has cast the tablets (ten commandments) onto the ground at the foot of the mountain. Moses asks Aaron about what they did and he willingly told him, that the people are set on evil. He told Moses that they wanted him to make them "the gods who would go before them."

Aaron had not restrained the people ( verse 25) who were running around "naked" or better stated they were stripped of their dignity. Ever seen anyone who has acted in this manner?


  Moses who then stood at the entrance of the camp said,  "Whoever is on the LORD's side, come to me." And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.

Unity is always important for the "right thing". Are we held together by the Word of God to obey?
Are we not to live by justice and righteousness that Jesus delivered to us?

27 And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.' " 28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. 29 Then Moses said, "Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother." 

By verse 30, we see Moses speaking on the next day to the people......... "You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." 31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."

Luke 10:20
20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
NIV

33 And the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. 34 Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin." 

35 So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.
NKJV

No, no man could stop what they had in serving sin and creating for themselves a calf of gold.

Punishment always comes from sin. It grows just like a plant or a tree grows. The more one gives into doing the sin, it becomes of great size in a person.
People are known by their deeds.

Luke 6:43-45

43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 

NIV

Amplified speaks this: 43 For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, no on the other hand does a decayed (worthless, sickly) tree bear good fruit. 44 For each is known and identified by its own fruit, for figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramblebush. 45 The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.

Aaron was to be "in charge" when Moses was not there. But he was "weak". He held no authority and came under the same name of evil as the rest, yet he chose to blame them, the people! Evil will kill, steal and destroy you. It holds no mercy or regard. Those who practice in it, find themselves with more than they bargained for. It is like those who leave home, live in the world, in the world's ways.......leaving home healthy but return home sick with a disease that is finding it's way into those lives of people who rather throw "caution to the wind."

Moses felt responsible since they were in his "keeping". And was willing to ask God to blot out his name out of the book of Life. Would we desire to do that? No, everyone wants to go to heaven, but all will not go to heaven. All would like to participate in the things of God and have good every day, but rather they choose to serve themselves. YIKES!

Moses had those removed who did not want to be on the LORD'S Side! Those on that side were those who wanted to follow God. Though the road look less traveled, wilderness and solitude many miles from any form of civilization, yet surrounded by a least a million or two million people. Still, God could not have the sacrifice of Moses for man's sin.

It is God who decides judgement. Our part is to pray and speak a blessing on all who are "made in His image". The sacrifice was taken by Jesus. 

Roman 6:8-10

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 

NIV

Hebrews 9:11-15

11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 

NIV

1 Peter 4:7-11

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  NIV

We must be the clear minded and the self-controlled to pray.
We are to love our neighbors and when we see them do something we may not understand, we certainly pray for them. May the very words we speak be those of God that is in love. May we serve others in the strength that God provides and in all that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

For we may have our moments with an "Aaron" but our Shepherd is Jesus. Our hearts are to hold His thoughts and purposes for us and for others. In expressing love to others may we always remember that love covers a multitude of sins. For the end of all things is near.

Can we lead our family and stay in obedience to the Lord? Do we follow the pattern that He laid down for us to follow?
Those who came out of Egypt were following the things that would ultimately lead back to Egypt! We are to be transformed in the renewing of our minds. We are to have that daily dose of God's word that HOLDS US IN PLACE.......SO that we fear not, but walk in faith by believing, trusting, adhering and understanding His ways and His thoughts. His ways are not burdensome, but a delight!

1 John 5:3-5
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
NKJV

In closing: Moses was an Old Testament Apostle. In his relationship with God, God had given him a plan to produce a community. He was to lead them, out of slavery and to regain freedom. They needed to be delivered from themselves. Moses had heart for the nation. He suffered through their unbelief. In his life to minister God to them: he had to pull rubbish, and much debris out of their hearts to see what God had wanted. Even more than that though, Moses kept his relationship with God. He had kept the voice of God, by keeping covenant with the Father Who gave it!
We too, give voice to leading our children and grand-children back to the Father of the Covenant through Jesus Christ. But even more, we reach those who desire to be sons, who desire to hear and receive the blessing that was promised. A lot of idolatry worship was in Israel, but Moses sought to deliver them and give voice in establishing governmental foundation to them.

Father, our beginnings are in You. In the name of Jesus......we know You have given us Your Holy Spirit and according to John 3:34,35 " for since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God's own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!" The Father loves the Son and has given (entrusted, committed) everything into His hand." By this Holy word, You gave to us Your Holy Spirit without measure. We loose Him into our lives. It was for order and righteousness that You set up Your kingdom. When Your Word is given to us O Lord, we pray You are seated on the throne of our hearts to help us receive that which is not only truth but power to prevail. For Jesus the Prophet prevailed to gain for us the victory we need to have a fruitful life of power in HIM. Help us to speak against evil, and any oppression against the weak. It is YOUR Word that brings restoration back to our lives in harmonizing with YOU! Help us to dig through any accumulation of that which was done away when we received Jesus, knowing that Christ dwells in our hearts through our faith. Help us to be those [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, being the fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God's people) the width and length and height and depth of His love and come to know through personal experience the love of of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge, that we be filled throughout our being to all the fullness of God [so that we may have the richest experience of God's presence in our lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself. Amen.
(Amplified Bible:Ephesians 3:17-19)


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Going Viral with the Fear Factor

John 16:22-24
22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
NKJV

Jesus opened communication lines from man on earth into the heavenly throne room of God. And in that day.......you and I talk with God........that is today! Yes, Jesus did that for us. Asking the Father in Jesus' name is about communicating.

Communication today is the most spectacular I have seen in all my days. In those day I have seen the party line with several families all vying to use the same line to call out from the country.

We hear words today like "going viral" and the communication sent had optimum speed. 

In Jude, we are told to build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying.

Jude 14-25

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." 

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. 

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless 

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 

25 To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.            NKJV

We are to pray in the Holy Spirit. We are to pray in His language to build our faith. As we pray with our own mouths words from the Holy Word and in His language He desires to pray in and through us we gain a momentum and grow in faith.

NOW we were given the measure of faith........Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.   NKJV

We must use our "faith".

But is just like your cars' gas tank. If you put nothing in it, you have a car , but no power! ........In respect to that........those who do not pray............have no faith. Ah, but Shelley, the Lord has given me the measure. Yes, but it is a place to fill and build. Our faith must grow.......to seize that which the Lord has for us. It is how much did you put in yesterday. Did you read and pray yesterday? How full was your tank this morning when you awoke? Many people are in that dry land. It is a thirst............they have just enough faith for themselves, but no more.

Hebrews 11:1-3
11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
NKJV

My world today is that faith I spoke out by His Word and in prayer.

There is a day coming, when people will "go viral" in the fear factor! They continue to see strange things come upon the earth. And those they look to .........as to stop the "virus", to stop the plague seems or appears to fall on deaf ears. Any big quake, any big disaster, any "suddenly" happening falls on Washington. But Washington cannot fix your fear, my fear or anyone else's fear. We are to grow up in our faith. Just like children that grow from babies to those adults we see walking around the grocery store, the mall area, the dry cleaners and even at the schools. We surely grow up, but where is our faith level set?
If it is registered like that of your gas tank.........Empty to Full, where is the arrow pointing to on your faith meter?

We saw it with Jesus in John 16 before He prayed His prayer to God in John 17 which by the way, is the longest prayer in the Bible.

His confession (from His mouth)His prophesying was according to His faith (Romans 12:6)  before praying…THIS IS HIS CONFESSION……..found in John 16:27  For the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from the Father. 28 I came out from the Father and have come into the world, again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.         

  His faith was established based on leaving the world and going back to the Father…

John 16: 32….the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home leaving Me alone, but I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 

   He expressed His confidence that the Father was with Him.

John 16:33…..I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulations and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]                  

He had not gone to the Cross yet, but by His confession and confidence in the Word and His Father , he had done it ( accomplished God's plan) in His heart through prayer!

Then He prays: John 17:1 When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come, Glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son, so that YOUR Son may glorify and extol and honor and magnify YOU.

FAITH SPEAKS!

Our prayer today is to build ourselves up and ask the Father, speaking as Jesus did............lifting our eyes to heaven, "Father, the hour has come, glorify and exalt and honor and magnify Your Son (daughter), so that Your Son (daughter) may glorify and extol and honor and magnify YOU."

Those today who can pray this, have humbled themselves to pray. They have filled tanks of faith, to reach their community and the world with faith that is fire. It is a confidence that the Father is with us, the Father hears when we pray, and being established in our faith, we are continually those who reach out to those who will be running in fear.

Our Father God gives grace to the humble. That means more grace.........to expand! What may seem small and insignificant will grow.

James 4:4-7

Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?  6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 

"God opposes the proud 

but gives grace to the humble."  

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. NIV

We cannot resist the devil when we are not "submitted to God. It is in prayer that we submit to His will. It is in His Word that we should reside and bring to His remembrance what He has spoken to our hearts.

Oh, it is coming.........it is not far off.......and that "viral fear factor" will be running rampant. At optimum speed it will scatter fear, far and wide!

Are we ready? Are we set to touch others when their world is falling apart?

Oh precious Holy Father, we pray in Jesus' name...........

Ah, Lord, it is to YOUR glory and to YOUR praise, this is written. It is that which YOU have declared from the beginning and is soon upon this world and nation. May we glorify YOU and bring praise to You continually ................Holy Spirit help us, guide us, and show us that path of prayer..........that is of the diligent, the signs and wonders, that gives us the Witness of Jesus in our lives. As of the faithful and true, we desire to be hot with zeal to pray. For in sanctifying ourselves, we follow Jesus' example as He prayed, not for Himself but for those who were on the other side of the Cross at Calvary. We have people to reach too, and today I pray that we would be the sanctified. To those Lord whom You love, You rebuke and discipline......Revelation 3:19.

Jesus overcame the world and confessed it in John 16:33. Today I confess over all who take note of this, who will not turn away but seek to run in prayer.........that we are the undaunted, with prayer on our lips that is praise to our God. May our hearts be set to obey and pray. As we seek to reach those running in fear, may we be the set and established in YOUR truth that is power to us, to give them Jesus and see them come to peace with God.  Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV