Broken Vessels, A sweet incense before Him

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

Jesus, King of Life, Lily of the Valley, bright and morning star, lover of my soul, altogether worthy one, of all of our worship, life, and service.

Some have said that Jesus was poor! Nope! He had a thief for treasurer,and here, when a woman poured out her life savings saved up as her dowry, in an extravagant offering to Him, He did not get upset, but gave her that which money could never buy. The eternal record of her act, forever recorded in the Word of God, her sacrificial love forever displayed for all to see.

How I love to make headlines in heaven, allowing my life to be the writing instrument, that Holy Spirit picks up to write HIS Story on the tapestry of time.
Once you have experienced His love, His life, His tremendous truth that sets us free at the deepest levels of our being, we find our hearts ravished with love for Him, and Him alone.

Is there any sacrifice too great, any offering too extravagant for the King of the Universe?

What can you give our King today?

‘Let’s pray:
Holy Spirit, ignite my life with passion for Jesus. Show me the things I might break at His feet, that will move His heart. May today be eternally recorded in heaven, as a day that I did something radical, and revolutionary for my King, Jesus! Amen!’

Following Hard After Jesus!

Ps 42:1 ¶ «To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.» As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 ¶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Ps 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

This is my life. Broken often, finding myself weeping before God, then having Him touch me, speak to me, break through within and for me, and then being struck with passionate, hysterical, joy unspeakable glory!

Weird kind of existence, but one that is very much awake, alive, vibrant, and full of great things!

Face the injustices of life, head on. Feel them, let them wreck your heart in anguished prayer. Jesus will show up, and work miracles, and each time He does, you fall more in love with Him, more grateful, more humble, more wise, and walking in every increasing strength, grace, power, and wisdom….

Let’s pray:
‘Father, break my heart with what is breaking Yours today. Open my eyes wide to the pain of this life, and cause me to take it to you, in intercession, violent, anguished, consecrated prayer, that causes your power to be released in the earth, in my life, in this, my generation. As you do, grant me the gift of heavenly joy unspeakable and full of glory, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’

Weary in Well Doing

Weary in well doing?

Ps 30: 7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Here we see the same thing as happened to king David in Ps 6.

2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.
8 ¶ Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

See it? David goes to God in brokeness and humility, with no where else to go. He tells God his problems, and in the midst of his prayer, Holy Spirit shows up, strengthens his heart, and he goes from defeated to more than a conquerer, knowing the Creator of the Universe has heard, acted, delivered, and is on His side!

This is the heart of any true warrior of the cross. Giving everything we have to God, in service, war, prayer, and finding ourselves often, poured out, cored out, humbled, at His feet, with no where else to go…

There is no where else we need to go!

God is Allmighty and when He speaks, He acts, and His power is displayed, and our warriorhood is echoed from heaven. God Himself comes to our aid, to deliver, establish, and promote us.

So Where are you at today?

In that dark morass, that swampy wasteland, of muck, mire, and lack of direction? Giants surrounding you of despair, debt, darkness, and defeat?

Good! Humble yourself before the Lord, in brokenness, tears, and anguish of soul if you need to, and HE will meet you there, and suddenly, there will be a flash of light, the brilliance of His glory, and you are delivered, risen up in violent faith, knowing you have been heard, answered, and suddenly you are chasing your enemies, instead of them stalking you.

This is the victory, that overcomes this world, even our faith!

Let’s Pray:
‘Father I stand with my brother or sister who is so weary in well doing today. I stand for their deliverance, and trust you to meet with them in power and passion today. May the host of heaven smash through their darkness, despair, debt, depression, and explode with the light of your glory, in your name I pray Lord Jesus! Amen”

 

Fear God – Become Broken

Mt 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Dan 2:35 stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Danial saw a stone shatter all the kingdoms of the world, and become a mighty mountain that filled the whole earth. The stone is Jesus, and revelation of the kingdom of God. When He truly comes to our lives, our kingdoms shatter, and if we are wise, we break before Him, and let all else go, that we may win Him, and become part of the mountain that fills the whole earth.

Pray for brokenness today, that He will shatter every idol, thought, agenda, and intent of our heart, that would hinder us being used of Him fully. Yes, it is painful and gut-wrenching, but if we don’t the stone we now reject falling upon, will fall on us, and the end will be much worse. Fear God…

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, You are Holy. Break through my deception, and hardness of heart and life, with a savage in-breaking of Your love again, that Your perfect love might love out my deepest fears. In Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.’

He speaks, and it comes to pass….

Jedidiah – Beloved of God

2 Sam 12:24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

2 Sam 12:25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

So here we see an interesting account. David had sinned with Bathsheba, conceived a child, and had her husband murdered. God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David, and execute His judgment upon his house.

The child would die, the sword would not depart from his house, one raised up in his house would openly commit adultery with his wives, but he would live to see it…

Solomon =” peace”
Jedidiah =” beloved of Jehovah”
Solomon was to become the next king of Israel, and God loved him.

Yet I have discovered this about leadership. Sometimes the dealings of God in the life of a leader are excruciating, brutal beyond compare to one looking from the outside into a life. May God grant us many, many pillow people in our lives: people of great love, peace, grace, that we can find some degree of comfort and support from, as the severe dealings of Holy Spirit are written upon our hearts…

Sure we are called, but it is never about us. God loves each person we are called to lead, just as much as us, and in this case, I see the governmental dealings of Israel being worked out, through the life of David.

David was needed to govern Israel still, there was no one else yet qualified to bear the responsibility, and Solomon was chosen as his successor.

Yet, there was an immorality problem in the royal family. David, the desert warlord, had multiple wives and concubines, that were never the will of God. Just because God allows something, does not mean He ordains it, as His highest and best.

The new and better covenant was to come to humanity, through the everlasting shed blood of Jesus, and in this covenant God shows a better (His original) way for marriage and family.

1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
1Ti 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
Tit 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Leaders are to be married to one person, not multiple spouses.

Obviously, we have deeper emotional needs for intimacy, than our spouse is designed to meet, and these raging hungers are not to be met in other romantic relationships but one, there is a passion and intimacy with Jesus and the Father, that will truly meet these needs, and they can only be met legitimately in Him alone!

In battle, and in leadership, there are intense pressures, responsibilities, wars fought, that produce a weariness of soul that only God and leaders of equal responsibility understand.

In those cored out, poured out seasons, when we have given our all, there is some comfort to be obtained from our spouses, but God is a jealous God. He alone can provide for us the deeper needs for love, intimacy, and understanding we require, when all human comfort has failed…

David, and Solomon did not fully understand this, and took to themselves multiple wives, probably longing to have these legitimate emotional needs met, the intimacy experienced in marriage and sexual intimacy, the closest thing on earth, to the true intimacy we are created to experience from God Himself.

There is power in words!

There has been much teaching on the power of words, because it is true that if we rule our words, we rule our lives.

Words have power, they are containers, and they are the way that God accomplishes His purposes in the earth.

Words produce faith, and faith moves mountains, and brings into the earth the power and provisions of God.

When something God desires is not happening, He puts His word in the mouth of His servant, and it comes to pass.

God had made a promise to Abram,(exalted father) that he would become the father of many nations, the father of multitudes.

It was not coming to pass.

So God appeared to him, and told him to change his name to Abraham, (Father of many nations).

Now, every time Abraham’s name was called, faith was released in the earth, that indeed the promise of God was still alive.

God ever watches over His word to perform it, and with everyone calling Abram, Abraham, His word was being spoken not only by Abraham, but by everyone who called his name!

So it was to be in the birth of Solomon.

I can imagine David’s anguish, regret, guilt. He had murdered his own trusted soldier, his son was dead, his name was disgraced, and the prophet had spoken.

Trying to do damage control, he decided to marry Bathsheba, and love her, and try to do right with what was a mess….

And God, whose nature is love, blessed him. He gave them another son, and He loved the child.

Here is where the story gets interesting and personal for me.

At the birth of the child, everyone was rejoicing, and David named the child, Solomon, because with all he had been through, he just wanted peace…

Been there….

Yet, horror upon horror, there is a knock at the door, and Nathan the prophet stands there.

The last time the Scripture describes Nathan showing up at the door, it was to tell the story of the sheep, and point his boney finger, and declare the judgment of God upon David and his house…

I can only imagine the trembling fear in David’s guts in seeing Nathan there…What have I done now?

Yet, it is not judgment this time, but blessing and direction, not only for David, but for Israel.

The child was accepted by God, loved, and they were to name the boy ‘Jedidiah’.

Here is where the revelation part comes.

God loved David, and He loves Israel.

He saw David’s immorality, and knew not only what David was doing, but why.

He wanted to meet the deepest needs of David’s heart, and He wanted Israel to be His example of honor, holiness, blessing and prosperity to all the nations of the earth.

De 26:19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.

He knew this immorality in David, would be transferred by example to his son.

He wanted to stop it.

So, He sent His word, through the prophet Nathan, ‘Name the child, Jedidiah’.

Why?

Could it be that God saw the deep, unmet emotional needs in David’s heart, for intimacy, love, acceptance and approval, and in His love, longed to meet these?

The word ‘Jedidiah’ literally means: ‘beloved of God’

Had David obeyed God through the prophet Nathan, in calling those things that be not as though they were, naming Solomon, Jedidiah, that the deep emotional needs for love and intimacy that God knew Solomon would surely have, would be met directly by Himself.

That every time the name Jedidiah was called, God would perform this word, and draw near to Solomon in intimate love, and his deep hungers and emotional needs would be legitimately met in God, instead of his 1000 wives and concubines.

Then, the nation of Israel would be preserved, blessed, prospered, ‘in praise, and in name, and in honour;’ as God had ordained from the time of Moses.

Indeed, there is power in words!

Why is this so personal in my life?

Many years ago, I had a radical conversion experience with Jesus, after a suicide attempt on a bridge. Within a couple of months, I began to attend a spirit filled church, and I met a beautiful single mom, who had a toddler. We began to hang out, and we fell in love. I asked her to marry me, yet we had several disagreements, and decided to place our relationship on the altar, and wait upon the Lord.

I honestly thought it would only be for a couple of months, so I continued to press into the call of God upon my life, with purpose, passion, and great zeal.

I was at a revival tent meeting in Renfrew, Ontario, sitting under some incredibly anointed men and women of God. Bob Birch the prophet, Carter Conlon, Pat Francis, and the Holy Spirit was moving with great, great power there.

I had two power encounters with the Lord, that have changed my life forever:

The first, was in response to a message preached on ‘Developing the Heart of Moses’, with an alter call in response to: ‘Moses was described as the meekest man on the face of the earth, yet God developed him over 40 years in the desert, how many are willing to spend 40 years in the desert if necessary, to fully prepare for the call of God upon their lives’

I answered that alter call, in 1989, and God spoke to me clearly these words: ‘I have seen the sincerity of your heart before me, and I have answered your prayer. What I did in Moses in 40 years, I will do in you in ten.’

God has fulfilled that word exactly. In May of 1999, I graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center, after sojourns studying with Elim, and Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Yet, the preparation was far more than study. During these years I drove a school bus, buried my parents, and flowed in the Toronto Blessing. Myriad, multiple power encounters with Holy Spirit, and countless stacks of books, videos, and teaching series are inside of me, and I still continue to hunger and grow in the things of God.

Yet, there was a second revelation granted to me at that time. I was to end the relationship with my fiancé, and place my love for her and her son upon the alter. When I did this, in brokenness, tears, and anguish too deep for words, again God spoke to me a precious promise: ‘I have given you a son, and you shall call him Jedidiah’

Many times over the years, in deep worship or prayer, Holy Spirit has repeated this promise.

It began in 1989!

I was so crushed by this broken engagement that I refused to date, or have anything to do with women for many years.

Yet, in 1998, God brought Karen into my life, and three days after graduation we were married in the Rhema Bible Chapel.

Off we went to go back to my hometown to pioneer a church

On Jan 21st 2002, God graciously granted us a beautiful princess, Keila Anne Nicole, a complete and wonderful surprise to me, and a total gift of God, my precious princess!

Oct 22nd, 2004, Jedidiah Christopher Walsh was born, in fulfillment of the Word of the Lord to me in 1989.

Indeed he is a son of love, incredibly gifted in music, computers, and giving.

He is ten now, and it remains to be seen the great and mighty things God has for him in the earth….

Yet, as I soliloquy away my testimony, Holy Spirit has directed me to speak to you, personally today.

There are precious promises from God for your life! You are not an accident, a mistake. If you, like David and Solomon have been searching for love in all the wrong places, know this: God is not mad at you. He sees not only what you have done, but more importantly, why. He knows the deepest needs of your heart, and is determined to meet them, whether you are married, single, or in the insane whirlwind that an immoral lifestyle has created in your life. He is the answer, not another human relationship, in fact, it is only when you make your peace with Him, and get your deepest longings for intimacy, acceptance, understanding legitimately met in Him, that you can truly enjoy healthy relationship in your marriage, family, or friendships…

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, meet with us today. Grant us savage breakthroughs of Your love, intimacy, acceptance, Your demonstrated natural affection, affirmation, approval, and understanding. Cause us to hear Your voice Lord Jesus, and touch the deepest parts of our soul, our spirit, our hungers….Only in You are we complete, complete us today Holy Spirit, recreate us, forgive us, make us the person of honor, dignity, respect You have created us to be. Wash us from our pain, our sick secrets, our shame, and defilement s, that we can walk with clear eyes, boldness, peace, confidence, in obedience to You, the purpose for which You have created us, in this, our generation, Amen’

Pray!

Prayer – The Untapped Power Plant of the Church
I remember, as a Rhema student back in the 90’s, my pastor Kenneth Hagin, preaching a message by this title. Still speaks to me today.

Then I heard the story in studying church history. Seems that Aimee Semple Mcpherson was holding miracle services in Los Angeles, and a news reporter was convinced that she was a fake, and set out to expose her. He was convinced that there had to be microphones or wires somehow informing sister Aimee of the medical conditions she was calling out, (supernaturally, by the Holy Spirit’s gift of the word of knowledge) and that God was apparently healing.

So he asked an user: ‘Where is the power located for sister Aimee?’ referring to what he was sure had to be an amplifier or generator hidden somewhere on the premises. The usher grinned, winked, and said, ‘Come here, I’ll show you”, and he led him backstage, down a hallway, to a hidden set of stairs into the basement.

Sure that he was about to get ‘a scoop’ and expose the evangelist, the reporter almost ran down the stairs, camera in hand, to a room in the basement, occupied by over 200 ‘praying grandmothers’ aggressively, and loudly praying in the Holy Spirit!

The secret to the miracles? PRAYER!

I agree with the words of John the Baptist, when his disciples asked him if he was threatened by the greater ministry of Jesus, and all the people that were stopping following him, to follow Christ. His own disciples asked him, what do you think about all the people leaving John?

John answered in a way that reveals a depth of consecration of heart that speaks to me every time I read it. What does the Scripture record him as saying?

John 3:27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

What an end to all striving! We jostle in this life for money, for position, for recognition, for yea even, ministry. Yet , this truth rings throughout eternity, shouting still from the moment it was spoken down the far distant corridor of time.

Nothing can be truly yours unless it is granted you from heaven.

In light of this truth, prayer is the principal duty of mankind. To know the will of God, to seek His grace for each of our lives, and to do what He says.

Herein are joy, peace, love, and the voice of comfort from the true and living God.

In many churches, prayer meeting is the least attended meeting of the week!

An audience with the King of all Kings, Lord of all Lords, Creator of the Universe, where He invites us to come into His presence and ask of Him whatever we wish!

Some would say, I have responsibilities pastor, business is busy, and family is a lot of responsibility. I need to earn a living you know.

Jesus had something to say about being busy, when He invites us to be with Him:

Luke 14: 7 ¶ And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
15 ¶ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
25 ¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

The question is who is in charge of your life? You still running the show, or have you bowed your knee to Jesus?

He is calling His people, His church to pray!

If Jesus is truly your Lord, then you must do what He says!

Seek ye first, is still in the book, and no matter how you want to read it, seek is an action word, and we need to seek Him each morning actually believing what he said in: John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

I always bring a little notebook with me to prayer, and I jot down thoughts as they percolate up from my heart to my mind.

Why?

There is a devil, that does not want me to hear or obey God each day. He cannot stop me from hearing God, so his next tactic is to try and prevent me from actually doing what God gave me to do.

Mr 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Now, some of you have never embraced the call to discipleship, but that does not mean it is not for you. God has eternity on His mind, and the fields are white unto harvest, but the labourers are few.

Why?

The lost, and the establishing of strong churches in the earth is the number one priority upon God’s heart. Making you and I more and more like Jesus. You see, God loves this world, and each and every person in it. He wants to adopt them into His family, and wrap His loving arms around them, loving out their deepest fears and pains, and then empower them and send them into His harvest field; not because He needs them, as much as He loves them enough to desire that they earn eternal rewards in their obedience.

What separates us, from making headlines in heaven?

Prayer!

I still remember working construction on the job before the truck carrying the toolbox arrived. Things that were previously impossible, suddenly became possible. Jackhammers, power saws, drills, and various power tools made dealing with concrete, steel and wood, a joy, not a curse.

Why?

Each tool had a function, and was designed to do a particular task.

So it is with prayer. If you are going to be a successful Christian, intent on building God’s kingdom, you are going to need tools. Just like there are different tool sets for different jobs, so there are different workings of the Word to accomplish different things in the kingdom.

I like the way John Wesley said it “It seems God is limited by our prayer life-He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.”

Well, to mechanics, its good to have sockets and wrenches. Carpentry, is chisels and saws. Concrete is jackhammers and drills.

Well, prayer is one toolbox in a Christian’s walk with the Lord.

Let’s look briefly at some of the tools in the box.

There are a few different types of prayer mentioned in the Bible

The prayer of Faith (Matt 21:22, Mk 11:24)
Matt 21:22 (ASV) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mk 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

All you mountain moving, history making, nation shaking people of authority and glory, need to be in place, blasting mountains of satanic adversity into the sea!

The prayer of Consecration (Luke 22:42)

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Jesus is Lord! Not you, not me! There are times, when only yielding to His will win the day.

Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

He will build His church, through us, as we yield and fully obey Him!

The Prayer of Commitment (1 Peter 5:7)
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Each day, we commit our will and way to Jesus. Like manna, yesterday’s portion is useless, and will rot. We need fresh bread from His Word, today. Each day we cast the cares, worries, impossibilities, heartbreaks, and situations that we cannot change unto Him, and humbly take up His yoke, a light burden, filled with joy! He loves us!

The Prayer of Worship (Luke 24:52, Acts 13:1-4)

Luke 24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

These are only a few of the types of prayer mentioned in the Bible, and each of these could require some time of explanation to fully describe, but the purpose of this article, is not to teach about prayer, but to encourage and commission you, to actually PRAY!

We must begin each day, involved with ministering TO the Lord, not FOR Him.

Acts 13:1 ¶ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

2 (RSV) Revised Standard While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 ¶ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

The prayer of Agreement (Matt 18:18-20)

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

De 32:30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

It is good to get others in agreement with the known will of God, to see breakthrough and victory, in every arena of life.

United Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)

23 ¶ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

Everyone was praying at once, and God heard them all at once!

The Prayer of Supplication

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1 Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Supplication: 1) need, indigence, want, privation, penury
2) a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

OT : 1b) (Ithpael) to implore favour

When we see things wrong in our lives, families, workplaces, communities, cities, regions, or nation, it is time to cry out to God, and implore His favor and power to make wrongs, right!

Intercessory Prayer

Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
‘he delighteth in lovingkindness’
‘he delights in steadfast love’
‘ for He delights in grace.’
‘he delighteth in loving-kindness.’
‘his delight is in mercy.’

If you get around me very close for very long, you will discover than I am a man of tears, a cry-baby for Jesus. Why?

Well, he who is forgiven much, loves much, and as I grow in my gift and knowledge of God, I am forever amazed at His mercy towards me. I was a horrid man, full of iniquity and defilement, and He has had mercy upon me, forgiven me, and so transformed me that I cannot help but weep in gratefulness, and supplication that He would do the same for you, for my family, for my church, for this nation, for HE DELIGHTS TO SHOW MERCY! He loves us, and only his mercy prevents our destruction, and so I weep in His love, pleading with Him to do what I know He longs to do anyway, show mercy: forgive, heal, and deliver those who are contrary to Him.

God is Holy. He must judge sin. He hates it. It killed His Son. It must have consequences; otherwise evil would overrun this earth. Yet, He would rather forgive and have mercy than judge. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Yet, how will He do this? He has given the earth to man.

Ps 24:1 «A Psalm of David.» The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Ps 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Ps 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Ezek 22:30 (AV) And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

30 (BBE) And I was looking for a man among them who would make up the wall and take his station in the broken place before me for the land, so that I might not send destruction on it: but there was no one.

Here is the place of prayer, standing before a holy God, pleading for mercy for people who have no protection from the consequences of their sin. Their hedge is down, and they face brutal consequences for their actions, unless we take our place before God on their behalf, in intercessory prayer.

Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Numbers 16:48 (BBE) And he took his place between the dead and the living: and the disease was stopped.

Today, in America, if you get over in the Holy Spirit, you will discover very quickly that there is a massive war occurring in the realm of the Spirit, and you will learn to weep, groan, and travail in a level of pain you did not know was humanly possible.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26 (BBE) ¶ And in the same way the Spirit is a help to our feeble hearts: for we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way; but the Spirit puts our desires into words which are not in our power to say;

Romans 8:26 (LIT) ¶ And likewise the Spirit also joins in to help our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself pleads our case for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:27 (KJ21) And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The good news in this, is that we are not alone. Jesus, head of the church, King of the universe, is still alive and on the throne, praying with us in intercession.

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

What is the point of this article?

Simple: PRAY!

At whatever level of spiritual responsibility you are currently, you must pray and obey. Your life, family, city and nation depend upon it.

Pray!

‘Father, show me how to take my place in Your kingdom, in prayer. Teach me how to pray, cause me to hear and obey Your Spirit, knowing that I take my place only in and through You Lord Jesus, my Lord and my King! Amen!’

Life in the Potters Hands…

The Potters House

Jer 18:1 ¶ The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

I know, every time that someone hears the name ‘Potter’s House’ we think of the incredible bishop TD Jakes! As much as we love the bishop, we see here, that he received the name of his ministry, from the Word of God.

Today, as I read through these passages, I had an interesting thought occur to me:

Could it be that as God desires to promote, increase, and use us more, that there can be times, where the vessel that we once were, must be destroyed, in order that something greater can be formed, more beautiful, bigger, more exquisitely designed, for a more noble purpose?

Hear the prayer of king David in his distress:

Ps 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

Sure sounds like our verse out of Jeremiah doesn’t it?

The vessel was marred, so it was shattered, and remade into something greater….

Read through this psalm.

Could it be that this is exactly what God did here with David?

He was shattered in his sin and in his trial, yet after pouring out his heart to God, he ends by saying:

31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

He shall strengthen your heart….

Well, I am spiritual, but practical. I always look for purpose in any given process. Could it be, that when we find ourselves shattered at the feet of a Holy and loving God, that it was because the vessel, our heart, was marred, and God, who only wants good for our lives, and the lives of those we are called to serve, rebuilds us after each shattering, stronger, with larger capacity for Him, for service, for life….

As I go through life, I find there is often a process at work in my life.

Yes, from His love, joy, life, I get to serve my fellow man, and this is a privilege and honor.

Yet, I did not grow up in church, discipled under the Word of God, and the Bible is clear:

Ro 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

So, I do certain things, that seem good in my eyes.

Learned behaviors and actions learned in my family, in school, in the workplace, that seemed to work during the time I was in those circumstances, yet that have formed, in my soul, belief systems.

Where these belief systems are based upon the Word of God, they come in to the kingdom of God when I receive Jesus, and bear eternal fruit.

However, many, many of the things I have believed were not Scriptural, and therefore, have become ‘high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God’

I cry out, year after year, for revival, to be pure in heart, to be holy in word and deed before God, and He answers….

Ro 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

How I walk with Him, and cry out for Him, will affect what kind of vessel I become.

1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

I must purge myself with the Word of God. He will change me, as I cry out for it, but He does not give what is holy to the dogs…

So, I go into this hurting world, with the love of Jesus, proclaiming the gospel, yet humbly…

As I get to know people, I learn to listen, learn, and see God at work in their world and culture and sometimes, I find myself shattered.

Usually, because I discover people so broken, that I have no way of helping them, other than the power of God, and this, is a good place to be in prayer…Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for to these, come the kingdom…

Yet, there is another kind of brokenness, the topic of this meditation. The one that God Himself brings, the one that comes, when He, in His infinite wisdom, love, and holiness, shatters us to recreate something more glorious, fit for the master’s use.

In construction we have basically three categories: commercial, residential, and remodel (which can be either commercial or residential).

Ps 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

There is a saying in construction: ‘You can’t build on broken bricks.’

To build anything right, the foundation must be solid, level, and able to bear the load of whatever we plan to build upon it.

In any case, the dirt work must be done first, before a foundation can be laid:

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

So, we cry out to God, and we are moving in His gifts, His anointing, seeking Him daily, and are being transformed, into the likeness of Jesus.

Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Then, for almost no apparent reason, we find ourselves shattered.

Construction has begun on our personal temple…

We thought we were in faith, and we were, but that very faith drove us into the heart of our holy God, and He, in His mercy, sees the very foundations of our belief system, our lies, our treacherous ways, our scheming, prideful, and fearful ways, and in His courts, we, the vessel, the temple of the Holy Spirit, is marred….

Yet, He loves us!

So, we are shattered.

In a remodel, the demolition comes first. The architect or builder has a plan for a greater structure that may include moving some load bearing walls, expansion requires greater foundation, and in comes the dirt crew again…

Dust, dirt, workmen, and noise, shatter our serenity, but God Himself is at work, making a temple that will survive the fire!

Smash! And we realize we were terrified of certain things, until His perfect love appears and destroys our deepest fear!

Crash! We realize that we have believed lies. That perhaps mom and dad were wrong on some things. That everything we learned in school was not all true.

Bam! Suddenly abortion is no longer a personal choice, but murder before God. Evolution, so carefully learned in our hearts and minds, meets the Creator of all life, and bam, this idol falls.

Situational ethics, meet the rock solid standards of the Word, and our lying, manipulative, sneaky ways, become purity of heart, a clear conscious, an eye that is single, a confidence and boldness that is unshakable. We can look anyone in the eye, for we have nothing to hide…

And gently, the master potter, places us again on the wheel, wet, pliable, formable, and a new vessel is formed….

His loving hands make again, a thing of beauty!

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

His hands are gentle….

2Sa 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

This is my life these days.

I have been from rags to riches, to brokenness again, yet I know the potter, and embrace the wheel, for what comes off the wheel, will face the fire, and come forth unmarred, strong, and fit for the master’s use…

It’s all about harvest; God is making me, and many of you, into threshing instruments, vessels of honor that will contain His glory, power, and anointing necessary to reap this generation…

Let’s pray:
“Father, I know you. Each time and season you purge me, move from faith to faith, strength to strength, and glory to glory. Thank you for purging, breaking, and reforming me, more like Jesus, that you can entrust to me more responsibility, wisdom, strength, and grace to reach this generation. Please do not hold back! Make me all I need to be! In Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.”

Birthing the call…

The deeper place of prayer…

Is 66:7  Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8  Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

9  Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

Ro 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Seems I find myself weeping, groaning, deeply moved by the Holy Spirit in prayer…

Not sure if it is the birthing of my particular calling or intercession for the United States right now, but it sure is wrecking me in His presence…