A Heavy Heart Day 7

I post today with both a heart that is troubled and joy in my spirit.

How can these two opposing "emotions" be taking up residence at the same time?
It is because they are not really emotions, as we have come to know them.

I have a troubling in my spirit, I was up most of the night last night praying, battling and laboring in The Spirit. Some things happened today that caused my heart to be troubled for The Church and The Oppressed in The World.

However, there is joy in my spirit. The joy that comes from knowing, not guessing, not assuming, but knowing we have been blessed to be given the great responsibility of partnering with The Lord of Creation to bring His Will to pass on The Earth, and His Will Shall Be Done.

I encourage you, if you are following along with this journey, to go back and start with the Post: He Will Finish Strong, and read up to this again.

Today, I cry out a prayer using Scripture:

May we arise and be ready for The Glory and The Tribulation ahead.



Psalm 4


Answer me when I call to you,
O God who declares me innocent.

Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
How long will you people ruin my reputation?
How long will you make groundless accusations?
How long will you continue your lies? Interlude

You can be sure of this:

The LORD set apart the godly for himself.
The LORD will answer when I call to him.

Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude
Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
and trust the LORD.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
Let your face smile on us, LORD.

You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
For you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe

       



Psalm 10


O LORD, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide when I am in trouble?

The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor.
Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.

For they brag about their evil desires;
they praise the greedy and curse the LORD.

The wicked are too proud to seek God.
They seem to think that God is dead.

Yet they succeed in everything they do.
They do not see your punishment awaiting them.

They sneer at all their enemies.
They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us!

We will be free of trouble forever!”
Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats.[a]

Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.
They lurk in ambush in the villages,
waiting to murder innocent people.

They are always searching for helpless victims.
Like lions crouched in hiding,
they wait to pounce on the helpless.

Like hunters they capture the helpless
and drag them away in nets.

Their helpless victims are crushed;
they fall beneath the strength of the wicked.

The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us!
He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!”

Arise, O LORD!
Punish the wicked, O God!
Do not ignore the helpless!

Why do the wicked get away with despising God?
They think, “God will never call us to account.”

But you see the trouble and grief they cause.
You take note of it and punish them.

The helpless put their trust in you.
You defend the orphans.

Break the arms of these wicked, evil people!
Go after them until the last one is destroyed.

The LORD is king forever and ever!
The godless nations will vanish from the land.

LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless.
Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.

You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
so mere people can no longer terrify them.





Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

God presides over heaven’s court;
he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:

“How long will you hand down unjust decisions
by favoring the wicked? Interlude

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

But these oppressors know nothing;
they are so ignorant!

They wander about in darkness,
while the whole world is shaken to the core.

I say, ‘You are gods;
you are all children of the Most High.

But you will die like mere mortals
and fall like every other ruler.’”

Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,
for all the nations belong to you!



Isaiah 58


“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins!

Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.

They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.

They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.

‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’

“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.

Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.

What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?

This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.

You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.

You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.

Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.

Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.

Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.

Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.

Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.

Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.

Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.

You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.

“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.

Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.

Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Behold The Mercy And Severity of The LORD Day 6

 

As I read my daily reading today, The Lord highlighted to me the story of Ananias and Sapphira. I saw it in a way that was clearer, more real, more applicable to The Church today and the days ahead. 

Are we seeing the whole picture of what The Grace of God is? 

Is it in Gods mercy that The Power that was demonstrated and present in the Early Church, has not been manifested and released today?

Have we been too light on SIN. Has the Grace message been so tainted by The Worlds idea of love that we have offended The Holy Spirit?

The Last Days are upon us. We must realize that much of what is being allowed and winked at in The Church, in the name of Grace, will cause judgement and pain during the heat of a Great Outpouring.

I am not speaking about the recent non-sense that has been called revival. I am talking about the Last Days of The Age of Grace, where the Latter rain, pours down greater than The Former Rain. The time ordained before the world began, before time began.

Please consider the following scriptures. Notice how Great Grace was upon them all, yet, a severe judgement came to those who transgressed that grace. 

Great Grace was upon them all, but persecution still came as a result.

This is real, we must teach Grace and Truth. The Mercy AND The Severity of The LORD!!! 

Prepare the people for both The Great Power and the very real natural pain that may come as a result.

There is an urgency in my heart about this. The people are not ready. Too many have an image of God that is false and a Lie.

There is another thing that The Lord highlighted to me. There is great significance that the first person named in the offering was a Levite. Joses was from the line of the Levitical Priesthood. His offering, I believe was a stamp on what was going on. 

A Levite offering up a sacrifice of sorts. The next verses describe how God responded to a foul offering being brought into that Holy Place.

Luke 13:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Call to Repentance

 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?”Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?  Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.  And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?  No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

Romans 11:22

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then note and appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s gracious kindness to you—provided you continue in His grace and abide in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off (pruned away).

ACTS 4:32-37

New King James Version (NKJV)

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

And Joses,who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.  Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 

 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation,  and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.  But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,  

“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

The Builder ,The Bulldozer and The Battalion Day 5

What does it mean to be a Builder in prayer, a Bulldozer in Prayer, or a member of a Warrior Battalion in Prayer. It is important to know what He has equipped you with so that you can strategically take your part in this Last Great Campaign.


Bulldozer:


You have gifts that see and speak. You see the abashments the enemy has set up, or may set up in the path of Gods People. You often feel led to bind those things and command them to get out of the way. You have a strong sense in your heart that your words are clearing the way for The Battalion and The Builders.

You are key to the safety and success of the Campaign. The Holy Spirit partners with you so that the mission on The Ground can move forward.



The Battalion:


You are the Praying Army of God. In Corporate Prayer you pray mysteries that you may or may not know what you are praying, but, God is partnering with you mightily to make all things work together for good for those who are called according to His Purpose!!

You do battle in The Spirit! Tearing down mighty strongholds, moving and affecting the atmosphere, in ways only The Lord understands. With all the different spiritual authorities in the room, you carry a Corporate Authority, under Christ, that literally changes The World and The Course of Human Events....


The Builder:


You have the great pleasure of seeing what God is building and wanting to accomplish. You see what He is planning in The Spirit. The Lord will give you insight into His Plans that all may not see. And in The Spirit, partnering with His Spirit your prayers begins to build the "building" in The Spirit so it can manifest on the ground. You, at times, will be the Bulldozer and The Warrior. You carry both a tool and a sword.

You rely heavily on the rest of The Body to be in their place doing their part, but you can’t focus on that. You can't be swayed by what you see, you have to focus only on what He is showing you, so that you can confess boldly, pray boldly and build confidently what The Lord wants you to build.



Luke 6:48
New Living Translation (NLT)

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.



Proverbs 24:27
New Living Translation (NLT)

Do your planning and prepare your fields
before building your house.





Nehemiah 1:4-10
New Living Translation (NLT)


When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.  Then I said,


“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.

 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’

“The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.





Nehemiah 2:7-12
New Living Translation (NLT)


I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel.


So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.




Nehemiah 4
New Living Translation (NLT)


Enemies Oppose the Rebuilding

Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”

Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”

At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”

The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.

Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”

We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.

Stay Clothed With the Armor of God




Isaiah 54
New Living Translation (NLT)

"O storm-battered city,
troubled and desolate!

I will rebuild you with precious jewels
and make your foundations from lapis lazuli.

I will make your towers of sparkling rubies,
your gates of shining gems,
and your walls of precious stones.

I will teach all your children,
and they will enjoy great peace.

You will be secure under a government that is just and fair.
Your enemies will stay far away.

You will live in peace,
and terror will not come near.

If any nation comes to fight you,
it is not because I sent them.

Whoever attacks you will go down in defeat.

“I have created the blacksmith
who fans the coals beneath the forge
and makes the weapons of destruction.

And I have created the armies that destroy.

But in that coming day
no weapon turned against you will succeed.

You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.

These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;
their vindication will come from me.

I, the Lord, have spoken!




Hebrews 3:4
New Living Translation (NLT)

For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

Transition Through Transmission Day 4

Meditate on the title of this post, and definition of these words:


Transition through Transmission


 Transition:

tran•si•tion [ tran zísh'n ]
1.process of change: a process or period in which something undergoes a change and passes from one state, stage, form, or activity to another


Through:

through [ throo ]
1.passing across: passing from one side or end of something to the other
2.traveling across: traveling across or to various places in a town, country, or area
3.among: in the midst of, or having things or people all around or on either side of


Transmission:

trans•mis•sion [ tranz mísh'n ]
1.act of transmitting: the act or process of transmitting something, especially radio signals, radio or television broadcasts, data, or a disease



This time of seeking The Lord is so important for what He wants to do for and through His People.


He wants us to seek Him with all our hearts. He can then break through to our hearts and transmit His plans and purposes in great detail so we have the information we need to transition us from where we are now to where HE NEEDS us to be.


Don't enter, the battle ahead, cold, flat footed and without His Plan for Victory.



Proverbs 3:5-6
New Living Translation (NLT)


Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.



Joel 1:14-15
New Living Translation (NLT)


Announce a time of fasting;
call the people together for a solemn meeting.

Bring the leaders
and all the people of the land
into the Temple of the Lord your God,
and cry out to him there.

The day of the Lord is near.......


Romans 12:2
New Living Translation (NLT)


Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.




2 Chronicles 14:6-7
New Living Translation (NLT)


During those peaceful years, he was able to build up the fortified towns throughout Judah. No one tried to make war against him at this time, for the Lord was giving him rest from his enemies.

Asa told the people of Judah, “Let us build towns and fortify them with walls, towers, gates, and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they went ahead with these projects and brought them to completion.

 


Joel 3:9-21
New Living Translation (NLT)

Say to the nations far and wide:
“Get ready for war!

Call out your best warriors.
Let all your fighting men advance for the attack.

Hammer your plowshares into swords
and your pruning hooks into spears.

Train even your weaklings to be warriors.

Come quickly, all you nations everywhere.
Gather together in the valley.”
And now, O Lord, call out your warriors!


“Let the nations be called to arms.
Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
There I, the Lord, will sit
to pronounce judgment on them all.

Swing the sickle,
for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread the grapes,
for the winepress is full.

The storage vats are overflowing
with the wickedness of these people.”

Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.

The sun and moon will grow dark,
and the stars will no longer shine.

The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earth will shake.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
a strong fortress for the people of Israel.

 “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God,
live in Zion, my holy mountain.

Jerusalem will be holy forever,
and foreign armies will never conquer her again.

In that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine,
and the hills will flow with milk.

Water will fill the streambeds of Judah,
and a fountain will burst forth from the Lord’s Temple,
watering the arid valley of acacias.
But Egypt will become a wasteland
and Edom will become a wilderness,
because they attacked the people of Judah
and killed innocent people in their land.

“But Judah will be filled with people forever,
and Jerusalem will endure through all generations.

I will pardon my people’s crimes,
which I have not yet pardoned;
and I, the Lord, will make my home
in Jerusalem with my people.”



1 Thessalonians 5
New Living Translation (NLT)

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,we don’t really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.