Perceptions Of Poverty

There is a key verse that The Lord gave me as He began to teach me as a young man how to lead my family out of poverty and off of welfare. Of course there were many scriptures He used to correct, convict and guide me. Many having to do with work, attitude and diligence. He corrected me many times on laziness, slothfulness and cleanliness, both natural and spiritual.

However, the verse that He placed deep in my spirit and impregnated my soul with was key to all He has done for me. I believe it  has a prophetic significance to the time we are living in now. I will explain further in this blog post. Here is that verse in the translation The Lord sowed into me.

Proverbs 22:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

 Such a short verse but within it holds all we need to know about The Lords heart and will when it comes to finances and poverty. Within it is a plan to not only use wealth to help the poor, but also to escape poverty itself. From the those who have severe lack, to those with an abundance, this verse speaks Heavenly Wisdom and Godly Instruction on how The Lord wants to provide for all mankind, so that none starve, none die from lack and that He may be glorified even in this fallen , sick world.

 I recently returned from a trip to Honduras. There I witnessed both abundance and poverty, living side by side. Much like here in The United States, but at quite different contrast. Being poor here many times causes the poor to choose between healthy and unhealthy food. Quality food verses what is seen as less quality. Food purchased or food given through food banks or charity. This goes for health care, medicine , transportation. Here being poor means choosing between quality and base.

 What I noticed there is there for many, sometimes whole villages, being poor means you have no choice. You have no food, no medicine, no access to even the basic health care. Being poor means choosing life or death, starvation or eating from scrap piles, stealing, begging...etc. 

Honestly there is no need for them to starve, the resources are there. There is no reason for them to die because of lack of basic medicine, the resources are there. There is just as much waste among those who have money there than there is here. To bring this on to a grander stage, there is an abundance of resources in The Body Of Christ in this world to meet the basic needs of the starving and dying on this planet.

Proverbs 22:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

 Why don't we give more? Why don't we care more? Why don't we take on the responsibility of caring for those who truly have nothing and are crying out to just be fed, clothed, sheltered and loved? Why do we value stuff, comfort, fancy technology, nice furniture, expensive cars, jewelry, clothes over the lives of our brothers and sisters, our neighbors who are dying and begging for the scraps from our tables?

 This is a question I am asking myself. I believe there are a few key answers to this. First I believe we have grown to value comfort over sacrifice. We want the most comfortable churches with the most expensive decor and technology available to further our comfort and  entertainment experience. I believe this is just as much the "fault" of the Modern Christian as it is the leaders of The Church.

 Many modern Christians have become soft, comfort seekers, pleasure seekers, not disciples of Christ who are willing to DENY THEMSELVES, take up their crosses and follow HIM. That though is not the message of this post, because I believe there is even a deeper reason we are not having the impact on the poor , and our own prosperity, that we have the potential to have. It is because we have failed to see the Wisdom and Instruction in our key verse, we do not have a bountiful eye in connection with giving our supply to the poor.

 It is easy to have a bountiful eye when obtaining the things we desire. It is easy to have a bountiful eye to purchase things and services that will directly impact our comfort and security. It is easy to say I don't have a poverty mindset so I can enjoy the best things in life, trinkets and stuff. And blessings are okay and from God.  

 However, we seem to have more trouble having that same bountiful eye when it comes to the poor. Those truly dying because we are not giving them the life sustaining things they need. In America we don't see the life and death choices of poverty as much. We have food stamps, medicaid, emergency rooms that must treat. These are all good , abused but good. 

The best example in this nation of the scourge of poverty being allowed by those who have the means to stop it, is our education system.  It has been greed, oppression and neglect that has led to the conditions in our inner-city schools. The nation's eyes are turned away and will not be bountiful to those in poverty, and for that reason, blessings are withheld in ways we will weep over someday.

What would a Church or a person with a bountiful eye look like today. There are many already, but what could we do collectively, if we all came together and determined to save as many lives from the the death grip of the enemy? What is we determined people were more important than stuff? Mission more important than possessions? That feeding and medicating whole villages was more pleasing to us that a million dollar light and sound system so our churches can be better entertained? Do we have a bountiful eye for lives?

 The LORD promises us blessing if we will choose to have a bountiful eye in connection with giving our supply to the poor. This message is a message of joy. We have not even scratched the surface of the great blessings both natural and of the soul that we can obtain by understanding the joy of bringing life giving supply to those dying to receive it from us. 

 I starting this blog stating how The Lord used our key verse to lead my young family out of poverty and off welfare. He gave me a bountiful eye. Even while we were on Food Stamps we began to give to those who I saw as in need. We gave even out of lack, we probably gave too much at times, didn't use wisdom while giving, but The Lord gave us a bountiful eye. We had lack but there were others who were suffering true pain and poverty.  

 Where we couldn't reach those in need we gave to ministries that reached them on the ground, that showed that they had a bountiful eye toward the hurting, not toward their own wealth and kingdoms. We actually gave ourselves out at one point, because it held true that The Lord would bless us in more ways than just financial.

 Did we have the best of everything? No, fancy jewelry, cars, furniture, nope, never needed it. We did have many great vacations, adventure and trips that blessed us greatly. 

 Now this verse has resurfaced in my life. I want to have a bountiful eye again. I want to see all the bounty God has placed around us and see it flowing toward the poor and dying. I want to build churches where there is no Shepherd. Train ministers in The WORD AND THE SPIRIT to bring revival and joy to the broken hearted and oppressed.  I want an eye so bountiful that I can say in faith NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD!  

 I want to see a Church that would trade in all the comforts of ease and come receive the word in a plain building, with the basics functions and still worship with all their hearts and substance. So that our eye would not be distracted by lights , but be filled with His Light, so we could see with His eyes the plight of those waiting for the scraps from our table. I want to see a liquidation of stuff in order to provide wells in every village, clinics in every village, meals in every village.

 I want a bountiful eye of faith to turn the hearts of even the wicked to guard our righteous cause. There is no limit to the blessings God will bring to a people with a bountiful eye toward the poor and the nations. 

Someone will say: "That is pie in the sky, not possible, there is too many obstacles".  You are in need of faith and have a sparse eye, not a bountiful one. You may be wealthy according to world standards but are poor in the eye of faith.

This women is the shining example of a bountiful eye!

Luke 21:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

The Gospel .....

Proverbs 22:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Luke 4:18-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

    that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

19     and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

Acts 10:38 New Living Translation (NLT)

38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Luke 7:22 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

Proverbs 14:31 New King James Version (NKJV)

31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

Proverbs 28 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
    but the godly are as bold as lions.

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
    But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
    is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
    to obey the law is to fight them.

5 Evil people don’t understand justice,
    but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

6 Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
    those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a]

8 Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

9 God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

10 Those who lead good people along an evil path
    will fall into their own trap,
    but the honest will inherit good things.

11 Rich people may think they are wise,
    but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
    When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,
    but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
    as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
    but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
    Don’t protect him!

18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
    but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
    but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
    but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

21 Showing partiality is never good,
    yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
    but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
    and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
    is no better than a murderer.

25 Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
    but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
    but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
    When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

He Is Waiting 

The Attack of The Mind

  

Sometimes "The Wind and The Waves" can look like this. We cry out to The Lord in fear and panic , saying " Don't you care, don't you see, save me!"

I have fought this battle often. In fact I have been fighting it recently. The thoughts are different, the swarm of voices is different, but the images explain it all.

If you are in it now, or have this battle, even as a long standing , mature Christian, fear not. The Battle is The Lords. He cares, He wants us to rest in Him and use The Authority He gave us to SPEAK TO THEM and declare HIS WORD.

Mark 4:35-41  (NKJV)

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

So although we may have to battle this worlds thoughts and attacks of the enemy, we have been given the ability to respond with power, and as we see in these scriptures , with His Mind and Wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Message of Wisdom

2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God —his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.”

10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For,

“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to teach him?”

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

The Love Of God-The Last Great Awakening

The LORD is speaking to His people who have an ear to hear the message of  The Wisdom of His Love. There is such wisdom in The Love of God that all the powers of hell can not overcome it. The devil can not even comprehend it. The fact that God would so greatly love mankind, sinful, rebellious, fallen mankind is something that confounds and destroys the work of The Kingdom of Darkness.

John 1:1-5  (NLT)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.

    The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

3 God created everything through him,

    and nothing was created except through him.

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,

    and his life brought light to everyone.

5 The light shines in the darkness,

    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

 The Bible says that Love Conquers ALL. John 3:16 says That God so LOVED THE World that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever would believe in Him would have everlasting life. We see in the Book of 1 Corinthians that although a man can be endowed with every gift and show mighty signs and wonders to the awe of those watching, without Gods Love working in and through them, they are nothing. In Gods eyes without Love all acts of power are only self-serving and are worthy of no rewards.

1 Corinthians 13  (NKJV)

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

We have only had a small taste of The Love of God. We have only allowed ourselves to be vulnerable enough to stay comfortable, open enough to feel the pain others with pity,but have fallen short of allowing The Compassion of Christ to flow freely. However, behind those walls we have set up in our hearts and minds there is a Divine Law that overcomes every other law. There is a Divine Wisdom that can not be challenged in any productive way by all the powers of darkness. There is an Eternal Power available to release a compassion that can reach into this fallen world and demonstrate The Glory Of Gods Kingdom. 

The Final Great Awakening is before us. There are mighty good works and miracles that The Lord has prepared for us to walk in and perform in His Name. Will we reach into the dark places with His Love through actions and plans that will bring blessing to the masses? Or will we walk away like The Rich Man after Jesus told him the cost of following Him?

Luke 4:16-19

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

Matthew 14:13-21 (NKJV)

13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Paul cried out daily that The Church would receive a super natural revelation of The Fullness of The Love of Christ and The Knowledge of The Will of God. These prayers of Paul are inseparable. We can not have a revelation of Gods Will and Knowledge without having a full revelation of The Fullness of His Love through Christ. Any revelation of the knowledge of Gods will is incomplete with out the understanding of the full breadth, width and height of The Love of Christ. In turn any time we attempt to interpret what Gods will is for our lives, our church, our ministry or our community without the revelation of The Love of Christ, our interpretation will be lacking and the impact of His Glory dimmed.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NKJV)

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father  of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

1 John 4  (NKJV)

1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Knowing God Through Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Seeing God Through Love

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

The Consummation of Love

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Obedience by Faith

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Pastor A.R Bernard spoke recently at the church I attend, I have link ed the message below. It is worth taking the time to really listen to the message. He articulates the truth of how incredible it is to be made in the image of God in a way I have never heard before.

When we see others as being made in Gods Image we can understand the scripture that tells us to love one another even as Christ Loves us. There is so much more I want to say, but I think Pastor Bernard's message, along with my thoughts and scriptures I shared here will be sufficient to give those who have an ear to hear and eyes to see a revelation of what The Lord is speaking to His Entire Church Worldwide.

Luke 14:12-14

He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

Luke 10:25-37  (NRSV)

25  Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said,“what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him,“What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 

27  He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 

28  And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29  But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30  Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 

 31  Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 

 32  So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33  But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

 35  The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36  Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37  He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and

do likewise.”

Matthew 25:31-46  (NLT)

31  “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit

upon his glorious throne. 32  All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33  He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

34  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35  For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

36  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37  “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38  Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 

39  When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40  “And the King will say,‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my

brothers and sisters,you were doing it to me!’

41  “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42  For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43  I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

44  “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

45  “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my

brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

46  “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Prayer That Brings Others Into Jesus Midst- A Ministry Of Prayer

 This post has been stirring in my heart for several days. My spirit is bursting with expectancy and faith concerning what The Lord is showing me. I wasn't sure what to title this, however I think I landed on a good one that explains the core of what is in my heart.

 As you read the verses below, take time to savor them. Allow me to guide you a bit. Allow the suggestions I make below set your thoughts as you engage these two very powerful stories.

1. Read these verses like it is the first time

2. Read them as demonstration of a Ministry Of Prayer & Reconciliation

3. Read them as The Friends, Jews & Centurion being the central Characters

4. See Jesus Ministry as it is now- Through His Church

I will continue my thoughts below the verses. We are called to be Ministers of Reconciliation. We can intercede and supplicate on behalf of others in order to bring them into the Presence Of Jesus, where there is Power Present to Heal them.

Luke 5:17-26 (NKJV)

17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

Luke 7:1-10  (NKJV)

1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 

 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

 I pray The Lord stirred your heart for the great ministry He has given us. He has called us to be Ministers of Reconciliation. He has called us to enter into the world and lead others out of darkness and into His presence. One way He does that is through The Ministry of Prayer and Intercession.  I would venture to say the primary way He has given us to bring others into His presence is through The Ministry of Prayer in one form or another. 

 Sometimes we miss the glorious responsibility and call it is to carry others into His Presence. We forget verses like these and others that show others using their faith, care and love for another to bring the crippled and hurting one into the midst of Christ where there is always power to heal and save.

 The friends that lowered the crippled man into Peters house would not be stopped, they fervently and boldly tore the roof off to lower their friend into the midst of Christ. And before all present Jesus showed Himself as Lord. He not only used this event to forgive and heal this man, but to silence his enemies and bring Glory to God.

 In the story of the Centurion we see two different Ministries of Prayer in action. We see the Jews that were sent by The Centurion going to Jesus and making a case to him about how The Centurion was kind and generous to them and the synagogue. They knew Jesus would honor them as Jews and The House of God. They knew The Centurion didn't have a relationship with Jehovah so they made a case for him as a friend to the Jews. 

 They interceded on behalf of The Centurion, because they knew he loved his servant. Don't miss that part of the story, although the sick man was a servant or slave, he was loved by The Centurion enough for The Centurion to send the Jews to Jesus on his behalf. 

  Once The Centurion was in the presence of Jesus the intersession assignment of the Jews was finished. They interceded on behalf of The Centurion, now that The Centurion is in the Presence of Jesus, he begins his ministry of Prayer for his servant.

 He is open and honest with Jesus. Unlike the Jews, he doesn't offer anything as a reason why Jesus should heal his servant. He is humble, he knows he doesn't have anything to offer Jesus, he honors The Lords authority. He bases his faith on what He knows of the authority of The Jewish Messiah, and he is rewarded for it.

 The Ministry of Prayer is threaded all through The Word, both Old and New Testaments. There is nothing The Lord does apart from some type of prayer that was either prayed in the past, prayed in the present or that will be prayed in the future on earth. Not only that, consider this. The Ministry of Jesus for the last 2000 years has been The Ministry of Prayer & Intercession for The Church to The FATHER.

 Let these truths settle in your heart. If The Ministry of Prayer and Intercession has been elevated to The Throne of Christ and continues until all His enemies are made His Footstool, how should we see Prayer and The Ministry of Prayer?  What glory will we see when we fully enter into prayer that brings the multitudes into the midst of Jesus where there is power to heal? I want to end with one last story from scripture.

Acts 4:29-31 (NLT)

 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.