Consumed with Fire

Zephaniah 3:8-9

Therefore earnestly wait for Me, says the Lord, waiting for the day when I rise up to attack as a witness, accuser, or judge and a testimony. For My decision and determination and right it is to gather the nations together, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them My indignation, even all the heat of My fierce anger; for in that day all the earth shall be consumed with the fire of My zeal and jealousy.  

 

For then, changing their impure language, I will give to the people a clear and pure speech for pure lips, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder bearing the yoke of the Lord.

 

For some time now, the Lord has drawn me in and out of the book of Zephaniah. I love what the intro in my study bible has to say about this book. “…it promised a blessing of future glory as bright as the doom was dark.” The passage above reflects such a thing.

 

The Lord was saying, “I am determined and I have a right to gather the nations together and let them know that I am angry and justly so!” But as I read this, it seems that immediately it takes a turn. In saying, “the earth is going to be consumed with the fire of My zeal and jealousy”, it was as though He was stating His desire for His people to understand His passion concerning them and His jealousy for them, that they wholly give their hearts to Him.

 

Is it this zeal that actually encompasses the fire that would consume us? Zeal is defined as “ardent”, which means characterized by warmth of feeling, passionate, fiery, hot or glowing!

It captivates me to think that the fire I have encountered would be His zeal and His jealousy for me, to have all of me. That He consumes me in it at times to devour anything that would be a barrier between He and I. It would seem a fearful thing to encounter such a fire, yet I know I have and have not been destroyed, (at least not as you might suppose) but rather refined and purified. Anything unfruitful, any branch not of Him, all of the wood, hay and stubble…consumed. But what can remain and what should remain…refined all the more.

The result of the fire here is what verse 9 states, “For then, changing their impure language, I will give to the people a clear and pure speech for pure lips, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder bearing the yoke of the Lord.” We clearly see here that there has been a purification and a refining or shall I say, redefining of agenda. One consent! Total agreement. And it speaks of government as well. One shoulder.

This is my prayer…that the fire would continue to come! Don’t leave us like this Lord! Don’t leave us with what you don’t have need of, with desires that are not yours! Purify us! Don’t leave us without one consent. Amen.

 

Calculating Words

 So many words all the time. Words that buy or sell. Words that add up someone’s worth and subtract from it as well. Words are used to calculate. Words can multiply. Words are much like fractions and can conquer and divide. So count your words and measure them before you chose to speak. Whatever the equation, the quantity you seek, can only be equal to the faith in Whom you speak.

This is just a little poem God gave to me. A psalm or a proverb maybe?

Do we realize that every time God spoke, it cost Him something? He didn’t create in Genesis out of “nothing”. He created it out of Himself and it was a calculated word. That’s why you and I are so valuable friend! It’s because the very breath that gave us life, that we inhaled, is a part of Him exhaled.

 Throughout the bible from Genesis to Revelation; all the history; every man or woman’s story; every last word right down to the jot and tittle; it was costly! Every blessing withdrew something from Him. Every judgment expensive to Him as Creator. There is nothing He has created that is without value.

Do we realize that every word we speak costs Him something? Not because our words can add to or take away from Him. He is limitless and boundless.  He is the highest of heights, the deepest of depths, the widest of widths, the longest of lengths! He is immeasurable. God never waxes or wanes. He never increases nor does He decrease. He is the one Who Was, Who Is and Who Is to come! He is the same yesterday, today and forever. But our words cost Him something in the sense that they add to or take away from us. Our words determine our location in His height, His depth, His width and His length. You see, to calculate is to design or adapt for a purpose. Calculations are deliberate and are the mark of shrewd consideration and reveal resourcefulness. What do our calculations reveal about us?

 

WATCHMEN

I know it’s a bit unusual but I want to post a bit of prophecy that has been coming forth recently.

Last night we had the sincere honor of having Pastor James Jacob and his wife with us at the World Lighthouse! 

Not only did they bear great witness to the goodness of God, who still performs miracles, signs and wonders today but they also brought great confirmation to a word that the Lord has been speaking very strongly to my spirit and I know to many others as we have interceded and prayed together. 

WATCHMEN! That is the word. There are times when I feel as though my heart is literally beating it! WATCHMAN, WATCHMAN, WATCHMAN…beat beat…beat beat… 

Can’t you just hear it?

Here are some words of prophecy I chronicled concerning the “watch” that have come in recent weeks.  These are not all inclusive and probably not word for word, as the glory and the presence of God has been so strong at times that I just simply get lost. 

“I keep hearing the words Benjamin.  Benjamin, Benjamin.  And I see Big Ben but I can’t make out the time.  It’s not set to New York time!” 

“Oh yes, Benjamin, rise up early!  The time has come to rise up early. For my church has been sleeping past the hour.  My church has not been rising early. But I say to you, you shall rise early.  The alarm is sounding now and it is time for the devourers to again rise early and take the prey. ”

“The Shepherd has set his watch now…”  (And there was much said here about the love of the Shepherd for His sheep but I was lying down in the green pastures of it all and just drinking Him in!  The gentleman who gave this word of prophesy was drenched in the presence of God and it was just spirit to spirit.)

“Eastern Standard Time! It is time to raise the standard.  Yes, from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be set as the standard!” 

“The bible belt, I am about to set the belt to My timing! Yes, My timing belt has been off but I am setting it now.  The teeth shall engage once again.  Sharp threshing teeth, in time with one another.”   

“Set your time to military time.  In sync with the sound of the marching.  Set your clock in sync with the marching and the moving forward.” 

It was at this time that Claudia shared about the “poor man’s watch” and that we have all been given a watch.  

And then…  

Isaiah 21:5-8, “Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.  For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.  And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:  And [the watchman} cried like a A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:”

 Something that James Jacob said (and the mouth of the Lord has indeed spoken it):

WATCHMEN OF THE NATION!

 

 

Taken Hostage

1 John 4:18 (KJV)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

I was on a mission to find out something more about love today and this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind but that’s just it! Obviously I don’t know this yet!

This passage is a very familiar me, especially the part that reads, “perfect love casts out fear.” I have heard it preached, quoted, prayed and have declared it and prayed it over my life, many times over as well. I even knew that fear has torment. Who doesn’t know that? When was the last time you had fun with fear? If you think it’s a joy ride…you’ll find your tank on E because fear will drain it! Fear seeks to rake you and leave you with nothing.

 Why? Why should we deal with fear of any kind if we know that God himself lives on the inside of us? Are the places that fear strikes, places of self-reliance, not yielding complete control over to God? And if it’s a result of imperfection, is it in believing God’s love or is it a receiving problem? And what’s more is, if love is a choice, is fear then a choice?

One thing I need to say here is that I believe that there is a difference between actually being “in” fear, embracing it, allowing it to possess you and being visited by fear and being offered it’s influence. I don’t know if you have ever noticed or even thought about it but one thing I have recognized is that when I have been visited, fear always has an alternative motive. It always wants to offer me something other than what God has said. For example, at the moment I experience a pain, it raises questions and then offers suggestions.

This is the New International Version of 1 John 4:18.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Did you read that? Fear has to do with or associates itself with punishment! It’s main intention is to impose upon our right to be loved fully and completely by God. Loved to perfection. It wants to inflict hurt, physical & emotional pain and to hamper or hinder us. All of the above define the word punishment and what’s more, if we are hampered by fear, we are at a terrible loss. Here are some synonyms for the word hamper and their meanings:

 TRAMMEL  suggests entangling by or confining within a net

CLOG usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering

FETTER suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost

SHACKLE and MANACLE are stronger than FETTER and suggest total loss of freedom

Father, thank you for your love. Thank you that you have loved me perfectly and completely. There is no dysfunction or defect in your love for me and it never fails. It leaves no void or room for fear. You have posted a no vacancy sign on every one of your temples Lord, haven’t you?

There’s no room for fear of what a man or woman thinks of me, is there Lord? There’s no room for any suggestions that may accompany an ache or pain. There’s no room for fear over my husband and children or of what could happen if…

Your love is perfect Lord. And it perfects me! It satisfies every requirement! It faithfully reproduces the original in me! When fear comes, take me hostage Lord! I want to be held captive only by your love!

 

Whadja Say?

Today we went school shoe shopping and before we got started, we thought we might stop to get a quick bite to eat.  We were in the car, all settled in and  heading out of town and Wes asked for a refill on his drink.  He passed me his cup and I filled it up.  Handing it back, I said to him, “Thanks Mom!” (my way of reminding my children to use their manners.)

Silence.

“Thanks Mom!”  I said again.

Silence.

Then looking up with a melt your heart smile, he says, “I love ya!”

I said, “I love you too!”

Feeling satisfied I turned around just as a funny look registered on Wesley’s face!  He said,  “Oh….I forgot my line!”

Haha!  That’s  life unscripted!

 

I Just Have to Ask!

“True faith is asking as though God never says ‘NO’. Asking as if, at the very same time, God is answering through our mouths.”

These are the words that the Lord dropped in my spirit yesterday morning.I began to meditate on them and the thing is, God identifies himself with “yes and AMEN.” 

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB) says, “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”

As I began to study this…I found some very interesting things about both questions and also about the answer…Amen.

1. Did you know that there are approximately 1,000,456 question marks in the bible?   That’s over 1 million questions and I am certain that one doesn’t go without an answer.  This shows me that Father God invites questions, as well as asks them!

And something that God spoke to my heart about “questions”.The very fact that we ask is evidence that there is something God desires for us to know the answer to. 

How do you get to know someone?  Often times it takes a series of questions and answers and then living with their answer  to come to a place of really knowing someone!  And when the answer comes, it is evidence of their heart, their character and qualities!  That’s why we must ask! 

2. The word Amen is a very interesting word as well.  It is found only 72 times in the King James Version of the bible yet it holds a far greater magnitude than would seemingly appear.  Here is an excerpt from www.studylight.org defining the word Amen:

The word “amen” is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related — in fact, almost identical — to the Hebrew word for “believe”(amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly”, an expression of absolute trust and confidence.

So let me just reiterate:

1. Amen is a universal word.

2. Amen is the best known word in human speech.

3. Amen is nearly identical with the word “believe”.

4. Amen is an expression of absolute trust and faith.

I just have to ask…. I want to live with the answer! Amen!

 

Inheriting Glory!

Proverbs 3:35, “The wise shall inherit glory…”

To inherit glory…that’s enough to make you just want to stand still doesn’t it? And to just come before Father and meditate and ask Him to reveal the magnitude of that. Well, I spent the better part of yesterday doing that and I can feeling it swelling on the inside of me. I’ll expound on that in just a moment but first I want to brag on how generous Father is. He has left us such an inheritance. There are countless examples throughout the Word and certainly not limited to these but here are just a few.

Samuel 2:8, He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among the princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory.

Psalm 37:18, The Lord knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be for ever.

Psalm 37:22, For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth…

Psalm 37:28, The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein forever.

Proverbs 8:21, That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Isaiah 49:8, I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth and to cause them to inherit the desolate heritages.

Isaiah 57:13-14, ….but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people.

Matthew 19:29, …shall inherit eternal life.

Matthew 25:34, Come thou, blessed of the Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.

Hebrews 6:12, …faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Peter 3:8-9, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Revelation 21:7, He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son.

How He must love us…we’ve just finished counting the ways and that’s only one daisy in a whole world full. “He loves me! He loves me not… He loves me!” You can bet He will always draw the “last petal”!

To inherit glory! Oh His goodness!  Proverbs 3:35 says, “The wise shall inherit glory…” Now that word wise can really throw us off because it’s a hard concept for us in our human nature to consider ourselves wise. But as I was meditating on this, God revealed to me just how much He desires for us to inherit His glory. I am undone at this!

1. He has filled me with His Spirit and Holy Spirit is Wisdom. That’s one of His names and what’s more is that as I was reading from Proverbs 8,  I encountered and communicated with Holy Spirit as I never have before. Here we actually read the words of Holy Spirit. That is revelation to me because I have easily understood the Word to be Father God speaking and in red, Jesus speaking but in this passage in particular, Holy Spirit is speaking.

2. James 1:5 (AMP) says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, not grudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding and it will be given him.” That is breathtaking isn’t it? That not only will God supply wisdom when we need it, but He is generous with it and He gives it with grace! When we ask, we can’t do it with an attitude of “I am not worthy” or “I don‘t deserve this” because that is not how He answers. He gives without limitation and without excuse! He says, “There is nothing keeping me from giving this to you! Ask in faith! Ask knowing!”

He wants us to inherit glory…right here, right now! One meaning of glory is simply, “heavenly bliss”. Complete happiness and joy!

Here’s a confession I have made my own. Make it yours too!

I hear instruction and am wise. I will not neglect or refuse my identity. I am blessed as I listen to Wisdom. I am watching daily at Wisdom’s gates and waiting at the posts of Wisdom’s doors. I pray you will always be found of me, Wisdom. I have found life and I draw forth and obtain favor from the Lord. I ask for and willingly receive Wisdom! Because I am wise, I inherit glory! I inherit heavenly bliss, complete happiness and joy. (Partly taken from Proverbs 8:33-35)

 

What a weekend!

OK…kids are really funny, so I have to blog this!  Two separate events…one really great God and a very witty boy!  

On Saturday, the kids and John were up and out of bed before I was because I had been out of town and got home late from ministry the night before and didn’t land on the pillow until 2 AM.   The kids went to the kitchen and got their breakfast while I headed in to take a shower and get ready. I had lots of errands to run before dinner at John’s mom & dads at 5 PM.  After breakfast, Emily began complaining of a headache, so I gave her some acetaminophen.  We got in the car and because it was nearly lunch time, we headed to McDonalds to get a drink for all of us.  When we were pulling in the parking lot, Emily said, “My head really hurts and it’s really weird because my tongue is half numb.”  I said, “Em, are you OK?” and she said, “Yeth…my ton is thust numb.” So we proceeded through the drive through and as I handed her the drink, I asked her again, “You OK?” And by this time, her speech was much worse.  I told her to stick out her tongue and when she did, it was huge and blue.  I said to John, “To the hospital, now!” 

I asked her again if she was OK (because I wasn’t at that point) and also asked her if she could breath and she was breathing fine.  I ran down the checklist of the things I had on hand that might help.  

Cell phone

NO

Benadryl

NO

The Name of Jesus

ALWAYS 

I was already praying but it was at this point that I got really mad!  I thought, “How dare you touch my child!” That might sound like a question but it wasn’t!  Hands off!  I began rebuking and like Pastor Sharon would say, “showing my teeth” to the devil because no weapon formed against us shall prosper!  

Praying with Holy Spirit again, I heard Him say, “Curse the allergy to mold.”  

No questions asked, I did it!  I said, “In the Name of Jesus, I curse the allergy to mold! You die now!”

By this time, we were nearly to the hospital exit and Wesley, who by the way was crying for his sister, asked her a question and she answered, “Yes.”  He then said, “Emily, are you healed?  Your words are better!” 

And she said, “Yes!”  I looked at her and asked her to put out her tongue and it was completely normal.  I gave her a once over also and asked her, “Does your head hurt? Is your tongue numb?” And to both she answered, “No.”  

Praise God, he is faithful! Our defense and our healer!  What an awesome God!  I am  so thankful and believe me, words are not enough! 

So, we simply turned the car around and headed to Walmart and all was and is well!  

(By the way, it turns out Em ate some expired generic Rice Crispy cereal that the school sent home with the kids at the end of the year.  They were in the individual containers and I hadn’t even thought about them because the cereal I buy at the market is usually what they go for! I had no idea and can’t prove that was the problem but God is more than good!  Thank heavens He knew!) 

Now for the funny parts…. 

Yesterday, Sunday, we had a picnic and a little boy either poured or spilled tea on Emily’s shirt. (I heard there was a lot of that going around.  It was probably pay back time.)  Wes goes to console her (yeah right) and makes the crack… “Now she’s wearing a Tea-Shirt!”  Needless to say, she didn’t like this and they were off fighting ,everyone was in trouble and heading home early with Dad.  Unknown to me that it all started with Wesley’s witty remark.  So when we were sitting at the table, going over the events of the day and Wes told me what started the fight, I was left undone and rolling in laughter!  Then I was in trouble…  ;)  Just a little! 

Then last night when we went to visit my sister, we were sitting on her porch, enjoying a cup of coffee and I was telling her about Saturday and how God healed Emma.  I can’t help but brag on how great He is!  Wes was with us and I said, “Wes was crying! I was crying!…” and that’s when he comes off with, “I was only crying because I thought she was contagious!”  Haahaahaaa hahahaha!  It still makes me laugh! 

Kids are the greatest and I am so thankful for mine.  When they laugh with each other!  When they cry with each other! When they get mad at each other!  It’s all part of growing up and I am so thankful that they are and I get to be a part of it!  They are fearfully and wonderfully made!

 

Michael Jackson, Prophetic?

Michael Jackson…is he prophetic?  May seem like a silly question to ask but I woke up this morning with this song going round and round in my head and for absolutely no reason other than it has to be the Lord.    I wouldn’t presume to know what Michael Jackson’s spiritual callings and giftings were…nor would I pretend to know what particular office he would have carried if any but I will say this…the Lord anointed him to sing and this song  in particular holds spiritual implication…for me…today. 

Holy Spirit, we know comes like the wind.  (Acts 2:2 & John 3:8)  And in this song, “the wind” was blowing his mind.   

And because of that wind, he could see a different kind of wind as well.  Hmmm…. 

Not to mention the mirror…love it Lord!  Thanks for singing to me!  I want to behold my face in the mirror and not forget what manner of woman I am.  I am asking her to make a change.  Lord, I want to look at myself in Your mirror…more, more, more!  Let your Wind blow my mind! Can your message  be any clearer? That’s why I am starting with me!

 

Man In The Mirror lyrics  

(in part)

Ooh ooh ooh aah
Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin’ my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer’s disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man’s soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya’ know
‘Cause they got nowhere to go
That’s why I want you to know

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change, yey
Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho

I’ve been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It’s time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they’re not alone

A willow deeply scarred
Somebody’s broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya’ see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

 

Adjust My Mirrors

Recently we had a guest at our church.  His name is Dr. Rod Buzzard.  He has written a book called  Restoring Broken People and was sharing with us from his book.  (You can access his website at www.light4life.org) .  As he was sharing, he mentioned “blind spots” that we have.  These are weaknesses or undealt with issues that others can see  in us  but we can’t. 

I have heard this spoken of before and for the most part put it off because I figured, if I can’t see it and everyone else can…they will either tell me or they won’t.  And if they do tell me, they will do it in love or they won’t.  And then, I’ll either like it or I won’t.  The outcome being,  knowing my blind spot will benefit me and others or it won’t. 

The thing is, having blind spots puts me in a very vulnerable position and the idea of it makes me feel a bit unsafe….or shall I say (the word that no one likes) EXPOSED.  Blind spots are a bit like that naked dream that I have had before where I am going into the school cafeteria and realize as I am standing in the lunch line that I forgot to put on my clothes.  By that time, there’s no way out.  The bus is long gone….Mom & Dad are no where in sight, no one wants to sit with me and I am helpless to do anything about it…until I wake up and realize it was only just a dream, that is.

I have been thinking about this and meditation is good, especially when it puts things in the right perspective.  Which leads me to my first point. 

When we have blind spots, we not only put ourselves in danger but others as well.  Just like a car merging onto the highway, if the mirrors aren’t adjusted right, there will be blind spots and we can easily merge into that lane and invade someone’s “boundaries”, cutting them off.  God showed me that sometimes, when I am not using my “mirror” the way it was intended or beholding myself and others the way I should behold them according to the word, this can happen.  

James 1:23 & 24 says, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”

Lord, adjust my mirrors!  Let me see and drive accordingly!

Now, this brings me to my second point.  You know how sometimes when your windshield is exposed to extreme heat or extreme cold, the rear view mirror will sometimes just fall off?  Well, let me explain.  There are certain times, under certain conditions,  when our rear view mirror should do  just that! Times when seeing will hinder us more than looking upon something that was never intended for our sight or judgement.

I have been spending  some time in Genesis 9:20-27  

“And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.  And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.   And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.  God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.”

If I have a blind spot, Ham is not on my list of people that I want exposing it!  And believe me, there are plenty of Hams out there and regretfully, I have been one myself  in times past and for that I repent.

Now, Shem & Japheth… These are the ones who knew the greatness that was lying there…the treasure of man (or woman) who was left uncovered and the value of his life in the eyes of God.  They picked up what I believe to be Noah’s mantle, placed it upon both of their shoulders and walking backward, with their faces backward, put the mantle in it’s rightful place.  What blind spot?  Not anymore!

Father, surround me with Shem’s  & Japheth’s and more importantly, help me by your grace and your mercy, to always be like them.  Amen!