Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A God Encounter of the Closest Kind

I've often caught myself praying for an encounter with God that might sound something like this: God, just let me feel your touch tonight. Let me sense your Presence.

God answers this prayer to varying degrees - often. I recently had an experience that was of the closest kind. It was at a very stressful time, and He decided it was time to grant my request in a different way. It was by a vision - and it was very personal. Needless to say, He taught me much during that time, but my eyes opened to a very important fact.

The flesh cannot withstand the Spirit of God.

During this time, I cried and shook and basically was a mental mess. Some in my family thought I was having a breakdown. But spiritually, I was high. It's incredibly hard to explain what happened and I wouldn't try to write down what I saw. When the encounter was over, however, I was spiritually numb for a number of days. Useless - in many ways... maybe most ways. I'd walk around thinking about what I learned, but unable to articulate it or even translate it.

That taught me that despite my desire to be in the presence of God - physically - He is kind enough to give me only what I'm able to handle without breaking me down for an extended period of time. This was a strange circumstance, and He gave me more than I've ever experienced before, and I paid a price for it. I'd gladly pay it again and I expect to, but He doesn't always give me what I ask, purposefully.

These are the days when God is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Many are experiencing Him in new and wonderful ways. My prayer is that all the blog readers do just that. Blessings.

Monday, June 28, 2010

You Cannot Disappoint God

Disappointing God is one of the main struggles we take on in our Christian walk. The problem with it is that it's a contrived struggle. The enemy constantly whispers in our ear insinuations that we have disappointed God. As our pastor so adequately explains, in order for you to disappoint God means God had an expectation of you that you didn't meet. God knew what you were going to do before He created you - and yet He did it anyways. He has no expectation of you. He knows. Therefore, it's impossible for you to disappoint Him. Quit listening to the enemy - he's just lying, as always.

God is not interested in what you did! But, He is very interested in what you are doing now, and what you will be doing, because He's intent upon making you more and more into the likeness of Jesus. As for all the bad stuff... He paid the price for it. As for all the good things you think you've done, get over those, too. There is only one thing we should have in mind: God, what do you have in mind for me right now? Where do I go? What do I do? To whom to I speak? Right now. Let the prophetic word in your life arm you and mentally prepare you for your destiny. But do not let your past distract you. It's gone.

Yes, but all that bad stuff in my past is now my testimony! No... where you are going is your testimony. Look at Jesus for a minute. How much bad stuff did He have in His past? Did He have a testimony?

This is why prophecy is so important. It's a right-now word about where you will be in the future. Now, and future.

Rev 19:10 MKJV
(10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This is hard to wrap your mind around at first. If you like things broken down, here it is:
If you belong to Jesus, know that all of your failures are paid for. Don't dwell on them - He isn't.
It's not about where you've been, but where you're going.
The enemy will milk your failures for all they're worth - only as long as you let him.
Press forward. (Philippians 3:13)

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Why Do Spirits War?

Dan 10:12-13 MKJV
(12) Then he said to me, Do not fear, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard. And I have come for your words.
(13) But the ruler of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days. But lo, Michael, one of the chief rulers, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

We often use the term 'spiritual warfare', especially as it pertains to spiritual attacks upon us in the physical. However, there is a spiritual war going on in the heavens at all times which can consist of large scale conflict (Rev 12:7) to small battles for spiritual supremacy. When we consider spiritual warfare, the question arises, why do spirits war? What do eternal beings have to gain by warring? I've alluded to the answer already - spiritual supremacy - over certain people, lands, or movements.

In Daniel's dialog with Gabriel, one of God's messengers, we learn a lot about spiritual warfare. First of all, Daniel's prayer had been heard from day one, but his answer was 'spiritually delayed', for nearly 3 weeks. This should give us some insight into our prayer life. Nothing can hinder your prayer to God, but depending on how God chooses to answer you - the answer might be delayed by warfare.

Spirits in high places - principalities (Eph 6:12) - are spirits that maintain a hierarchical position. They do not wish to give up their positions any more than you care to step down the ladder at your job. In the case of Daniel, Gabriel was detained by the Prince of Persia, a prince-demonic spirit that led the nation of Persia against Babylon. Michael is referred to as a 'chief ruler' and is also identified as the 'Prince of Israel' in Daniel 10:21.

These clues lead us to believe that every dominant nation on earth is somehow ruled or otherwise controlled by a ruling spirit, either of God or not. What happened to the Prince of Persia? Certainly it was not destroyed - as spirits cannot be killed. But the seat in which he sits can be removed, as Persia eventually was overtaken by the Prince of Greece (Dan 10:20) and the Persian Empire dwindled to nothing for an age while Greece rose to power.

Once again, though, the Persian - or Iranian - empire is a world force for evil. The ruling spirit has fought back to his seat of power over the last 2000 years. The Prince of Greece is nowhere to be seen. Michael the Archangel, the protector of Israel, is still the chief ruler by heaven's decree, and Israel is 'still' not to be trifled with. It should also be mentioned that the enemy is notoriously unable to be unified in anything. The ruler of Persia was overcome by the ruler of Greece - both evil. Hamas hates the Palestinian Authority. The Shiite belief system abhors the Sunni belief system. One sect hates another. Even though the enemy can unite long enough to attack, he cannot sustain long-term unity. The scripture says that the final world empire will be one of 'iron and clay', two substances that cannot combine to create any 'real' strength. This is the character of our enemy.

On a smaller level, demonic forces desire to rule over areas of our lives. Truly, without a physical body to do the work of the enemy, the enemy can whine and complain at best. It's when a person yields to the will of the enemy in their lives that we see the horrific results; the Fox News headlines.

Friday, June 18, 2010

When Your Father Asks "What's Wrong?"

So many times, the simple question, "What's Wrong?" is rhetorical. When my own child is crying, most of the time I already know why. Sometimes I just witnessed the crash landing, or the ill treatment from sis, or the fright from the cat. So when the tears start, I pick her up and ask "What's wrong?".

The question is really meant to start a self-examination; inventory, if you will. Do you ever sense that from God? There are times I find myself really struggling through a day or a week... or a month (*sighs*) but I hear a small voice that says, "What's wrong?". That really helps me! Because after I do the inventory, I realize that truthfully, most everything is okay. Yes, things have been rough but they're getting better. Yes, I've been feeling bad but I'm feeling better.

A good friend of mine left me a voice mail today. He and I have not chatted directly in at least a few weeks, but since we are spiritually connected, we've sensed each others' struggles. He said this: all that stuff you've been going through... it's just stuff!

Yes! It is! It's just stuff! The enemy is trying to cloud us up so that we can't see God move, but it's just stuff! It's the best the enemy can do. Applaud. So what's wrong?

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Manna, It's Not Just For Breakfast Anymore

In the time of Moses, the people of Israel were freed from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. In their transition to the Promised Land, they took an unintended camping trip in the desert that lasted for 40 'extra' years. During this time, God provided their every need. Part of that provision was manna, the bread from heaven. The Israelites collected it every morning - enough for only that day or at most, two days, to last through the Sabbath.

We have all heard many messages about manna, the goodness of God, and how we should strive to 'gather' Him each morning, because He is enough. Truly - He is.

I'd like to share a different angle. The manna that was given was given to a people who were largely rebellious at the time. They didn't understand gratitude or worship. They didn't like the manna they were given, but they collected it or went hungry. Manna was not for a Promised Land people. The best of the land, on the other hand, was.

I sure would like to try some manna. My guess is that I would like it. My other guess is that I'd be sick of it by the end of two weeks. I can't even eat leftovers very often. Sad... yes. But then again, I'm not a desert dweller. I'm a Promised Land guy. Doing my best to not complain, but to host the Spirit of God, He has not made me gather 'just enough' manna for today in... maybe forever. The Promised Land is Kingdom living... and it's a life of excess. My cup overflows.

Adam and Eve got up in the garden every morning and did what? Did they immediately seek out God in hopes of getting their fill for the day? Or did they go about their business, KNOWING that at some point during the day, they were going to have a God-Encounter! Which way would you rather live? Remember, the Kingdom life is a life of restoration - on earth as it is in Heaven. God is not coming back to restore 'just enough' for today. He is coming back to restore all of Him you want - all the time. I'm not knocking manna-gathering... but there is more if you want it, assuming you aren't wandering around in the desert.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Fish and Chips

God loves fish. He uses it constantly in scripture to reveal His Kingdom. People were catching fish, eating fish, or being eaten by fish (Jonah). So what is the deal with fish?

Remember, the world was first judged by God with a flood. Who survived? Noah, his family, a few animals, and a whole BUNCH of fish. Fish can survive where other flesh cannot. They represent spirit-filled people dwelling in a different landscape than any other creation.

So lets talk creation for a moment? Who was made in the image of God? Man ('adam', in the Hebrew). God said that man was made in HIS image. What else did God say about images? He said DON'T MAKE ANY, either carved, graven, molten, out of playdough, wax, or paper mache. Yes, but that was in the time of Moses. Oh yeah. Correct. Yes.

Let a few years pass and we see Jesus walking the earth. The Son of God - in the flesh! He gets asked one of those hard questions:

Mat 22:17 MKJV
(17) Therefore tell us; what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?

To this... Jesus decides He really didn't want to spend much time answering their "trick" question, so He simply asked for a coin. He held the coin to their face and asked them whose inscription was on it. THIS is strange. The Law - given by God - prohibited a graven image to be made, and here is God in the flesh holding one of these images in the face of unbelievers. Imagine the scene! "Whose inscription is this?"

Jesus did not say, "Who created this VILE image!! This is an abomination!!!!" Perhaps He thought it... but this is not what He said.

The answer was short. "Caesar's." To which Jesus replies... "Oh... must be his, then." And He flips the coin back to them and they walk away - quickly.

It was a subtle truth. You belong to HIM whose image you bear.

Did you hear that? You BELONG to HIM whose image you bear. If there were ever any doubt, let there be no more. You were created for God, and for no other.

So what about the fish??? So... what?

When it came to be tax time, Peter says to Jesus, "Uh... Teacher, we need some money." To which Jesus said, "Go fishing." Peter, a fisherman by trade but now a 'fisher-of-men' had little trouble with the instructions. He went and caught a fish, which strangely had enough money in its mouth to cover both Peter and Jesus.

The picture is of sovereignty. Man over-stepped his bounds by making a coin in his own image. God says... okay... the coin is yours, but the fish is going to cough that up. That's God's way of saying, "There is really nothing you can make in your image that my children don't already own!" The spirit-filled man, or the Kingdom man (fish) can cough up the worldly requirements of mankind on a moment's notice because the provision of God is endless. Ask Jonah what trumps what - the vain intentions of man or the Kingdom purpose of God?

Monday, June 07, 2010

Look Out!

This is a word from my pastor's blog:

"Our lifestyle is not pastoral, it’s prophetic. For example notice How we walk physically. We look down where we are and we look up to see where were going. What is true physically is also true spiritually."

God is present-future. He wants to see you walk into the destiny that He has planned - and He DOES have plans for you! (Jer 29:11)

Has Jesus not paid the price for our past failures? What about present and future failures? What right do we have to dwell on them? If what is true in the physical is also true in the spirit, then it behooves us to watch where we are going. If we constantly look back, then what is before us has the potential to destroy us.

Php 3:13-14 ESV
(13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Kingdom Perspective

It's easy to view the Kingdom of Heaven as an aquarium, to be looked into and observed. Our reality tends to not be the same as the reality inside the aquarium. Our reality is ugly, full of the trials of life and death. The reality inside the aquarium is different - it's pretty and ideological and somewhat untouchable.

Our perspective tends to flow from a head knowledge of what we see in the aquarium. We know that all things are possible in the aquarium. IF we try really hard, and pray really long, and fast all the time, then we might be able to stick our hand in the aquarium and pull something out - like healing, or a financial miracle, or fill in the blank with your own miraculous wish.

Our perspective is the problem.

If we live in the spirit as we are instructed (Rom 8:13, Gal 5:25) then we discover that we can 'enter' the aquarium. Then something funky-tastic happens... we find the real reality is the Kingdom reality - God's reality, and that we had been living in an aquarium all along. That which is unseen is far larger and far more potent than that which is seen. Our old reality seems to be more of a silly, abominable emulation rather than the truth, which is that all things are possible with God.

The beauty of this is that we no longer have to work so hard to pull a miraculous rabbit out of a divine hat. If we live within Kingdom reality, then we simply operate in it as well. God's reality becomes ours. With such a perspective, what can limit you?

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Reverse Contamination

In the Old Testament, we see examples of the severity of sin. In that, there were physical examples that could be observed. If you had a clean sacrifice, nothing unclean was to touch it. If that happened, the sacrifice was no longer acceptable because it was made unclean. If there were a crossing of paths between the clean and the unclean, the unclean always won.

Don't mix seed. Don't mix crops. Don't mix marriage between cultures. Don't mix customs.

It's a perfect example of living in sin without a savior. The unclean in you will win.

But after Jesus came and died, we discover reverse contamination. The unclean never wins over the clean. Sin is overcome. God sees the blood of Perfection.

Rom 11:16 MKJV
(16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.

This was a concept of the Law... but it could never be personified or fulfilled until Jesus made it so! I have a Holy Firstfruit which makes the whole of whatever else I have HOLY as well, even if whatever else I have seems imperfect or insufficient. Firstfruits wins! Jesus wins!

Rom 8:28 MKJV
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.