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All God’s Children Need A Place To Express Their Extravagant Devotion to God
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 4:4)
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1-7)
ALL CHILDREN NEED A PLACE TO EXPRESS THEIR EXTRAVAGANT DEVOTION TO GO
Jesus said, “Let the children alone, don’t hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to these.” (Matt 19:14)
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 4:4)
Saul had a grandson, Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. When he was five years old his father Jonathan and grandfather Saul were killed. Fear struck his caregiver and she fled their home thinking they would come for Mephibosheth and kill him also. While she was running she fell and dropped the young boy. This fall resulted in crippling him.
So the king said to him, “Where is he (Mephibosheth)?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.” (2 Samuel 9:4)
The nurse, fearing for his life had taken Mephibosheth to Lodebar and raised him there. The word Lo-debar means without pasture, no word, no communication.
“If I am still alive, will you not show me the loving-kindness of the LORD, that I may not die? (1 Samuel 20:14)
“You shall not cut off your loving-kindness from my house forever, not even when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” (1 Samuel 20:15)
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD require it at the hands of David’s enemies.” (1 Samuel 20:16)
Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life. (1 Samuel 20:17)
David had a covenant with Jonathan. That covenant was to bless the house of Jonathan. That covenant meant David must find the sons and daughters of Jonathan and be sure they were in the land of provision. To care for them as he would his own sons.
Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son and was part of that covenant. His father and grandfather are gone and where he was now is without pasture, his place of abode is without word and without communication. It was not a place of provision. He had shelter from immediate danger but he was not in the place of prosperity for his family.
God knew Mephibosheth. He knew his condition; God was going to bring Mephibosheth to a place of provision, to a place of communication, to a table spread for him to feast and put him with family.
God’s Kingdom is established on families. He builds, rebuilds and restores families.
Covenant relationships go beyond the difficulties, challenges brought on by other family members, war, famine, destruction can’t destroy covenant. David knew that Jonathan though bound to serve his father, had a covenant with God and that relationship affected the way he treated Jonathan.It had a three-fold approach because David’s covenant with God.
Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. (1 Samuel 18:1)
Jonathan remained faithful to his father, Saul and yet the covenant they had before the Lord was touching into eternity, it reached into the future and touched another generation.
Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”(2 Samuel 9:1)
The blessing of the covenant went beyond Mephibosheth it touched his children also.
David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.” (2 Samuel 9:7)
Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9:12)
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet. (2 Samuel 9:13)
WEAKNESS IS STRENGTH IN GOD’S KINGDOM
Jesus said, “Let the children alone, don’t hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to these.” (Matt 19:14)
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The power of God’s covenant with man can takes the weakest, most unlikely and astounds the wisest and most wealthy. Someone so simple and innocent as a child could hold the very key to unlocking an entire nation.
Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. (Hebrews 7:28)
David’s obedience to honor his covenant with God and with man ended the famine in the land. He took the lowly and sat them at the king’s table. He punished and released justice on the enemy who had brought destruction to Israel.
David made the wrong things right.
God makes available all provision but He requires we receive it on His terms. We can’t manipulate God or tell Him how to bring it and when to bring it. What we can do is partner with Him, believe Him at His word and follow through on all His commandments no matter how difficult they may be.
Sometimes doing the right thing means being humiliated. In that day to take in a crippled was demeaning much less have him sit at the King’s table as equal. Here was the “unlikely” and the socially “unacceptable” but David didn’t look on the physical appearance nor did he care what others thought of him, David did what was honorable.
Today our society is filled with a generation of young people who don’t “fit” into our standard of acceptable. (who made “that” standard anyway?)They may have a different look, they may have a different form, their appearance or the way they act may seem unacceptable but we must see as God sees, looking through His eyes who sees the “heart of man”. Our weaknesses become His strength.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature……for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
When God choose David he was the youngest of the sons of Jesse, perhaps his father thought he would be the least likely to be king but God knew David. He was communing with him in the shepherd’s pasture.
God knows this generation. Every single child whether they are completely whole and placed in a godly family or they are an orphan without a mother or father or they were born with a debilitating deformity in their body or brain. God knows the number of hairs on their head. He hears them, He watches over them and He has a plan for each and every one of them
If we are listening to Him, He will tell us His plan for these precious ones. He will share His heart with us and give us the most honorable pleasure of partnering with Him to bring them to their call and destiny in life.
Each child, formed in their mother’s womb has purpose, God has a plan for their life. Not one is less than any other, they each have value and are worth the price of His Son’s death. No matter the physical condition, the outward appearance, the inward struggle, the life choices or circumstances that put them in unlikely dispositions. Each and every one is of the utmost importance to God.
Mephibosheth had a place, it was at the kings palace, it was at His table, it was in His provision, it was to be cared for and to be heard, to listen to and to have a relationship with. Mephibosheth has covenant value. The power of that covenant can override every circumstance.
The power of the covenant Jesus sealed was the same covenant God made with Abraham; “You will be a father of a multitude of nations.”
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall be Abraham; For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. (Genesis 17:5)
Jesus sealed that covenant with His blood and made us family. As family we must take the place and care for our family, we must draw the family into the Promised Land. We must make a place of worship and communion for the family. This was why God set apart Abraham to bring him into a land where he could worship with his family all the days of his life. And each generation following would have a land where they could express their love to God.
Today we have shut the doors on our “sanctuaries” and only allow worship once or twice a week for a few hours. And yet the tabernacles in the bible was open 24/7 and the priests worked the altars night and day.
When God expressed His heart for a dwelling place it included musicians and singers. It was arrayed in the finest and it took much resource to build it and maintain it.
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom…saying, …All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem…Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem…and build the house of the LORD… Whoever is left…help him with gold…freewill offerings for the house of God… The heads of the fathers’ houses…with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord… (Ezra 1:1-5)
Both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God…according to the command of David… In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. (Neh. 12:45-47)
They had 200 men and women singers… (Ezra 2:65)
The Lord did not spare but He put it in the hearts of His people that this place of communion was to be a Holy Place and what transpired as the people came to communion with Him was to be provided for and protected.
It was the king’s command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day. Pethahiah…was the king’s deputy in all matters… (Neh. 11:23-24)
It was a place of worship, it was a place of prayer and it was a place where His Presence dwelt among the people where He communed with them and gave His instruction.
I [Darius] issue a decree as to what you shall do…for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense… that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. (Ezra 6:8-10)
God directed the government to assure that this place be provided for and those who would give themselves to this service were to have provision.
When the adversaries of Judah…heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD…The people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose … Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius (Ezra 4:1-5, 24)
Even the enemy knew this would be devastating to their camps so they attempted to stop the work of the Lord. But God sent word, He spoke through His Prophets to not neglect the work of building the House of Worship and Prayer.
Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah…prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah…2 So Zerubbabel…and Jeshua…rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. (Ezra 5:1-2)
Jesus came to seal the instructions for what His Father had intended for this temple, this place they were to gather.
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer….. (Matthew 21:13)
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A GENERATION
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)
It is important that we are seeking and asking the Lord what is to come. As the church we are to be prepared to give answer in that hour. To have leadership in our nation now and then, to lead society to wholeness and to peace.
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth has he given to the children of men.(Psalms 115:16)
`Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’(Daniel 7:27)
We have been given the government of God, the ruling power and dominion in the earth.
And he said to him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.‘ (Luke 19:17)
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”(Genesis 1:28)
And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19)
This authority that the Father has given us through Christ is something we must give account for, we will be held accountable for how we steward our authority. We have to answer to the Lord just as the servants given the minas in the parable of the talents. If we are faithful we will rule with Him throughout eternity. If not we will face judgment.
And [said Jesus,] I tell you that to everyone who gets and has will more be given, but from the man who does not get and does not have, even what he has will be taken away. (Luke 19:26)
It is in our power to bless and be a blessing. We must bless, be faithful over what and where God has given us influence and authority. It begins at home and continues in our ministry, our workplace, our church, our city, state and nation.
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
The position we have as priests, a holy priesthood before the Lord ministering to Him we are also responsible to minister to the people what we have heard. God will have a people stand before Him and speak His word to the people so that truth is made known.
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” (Exodus 19:6)
LISTEN TO me, O isles and coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar. The Lord has called me from the womb; from the body of my mother He has named my name. (Isaiah 49:1)
And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand has He hid me and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me. (Isaiah 49:2)
We will be held accountable to minister our gifts to equip the body of Christ for that day (the great and terrible day of the Lord) and every day.
I will also give you for a light to the nations, that My salvation may extend to the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, (Ephesians 4:11)
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:12)
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; (Ephesians 4:13)
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. (Ephesians 4:14)
This generation is the leadership of our nation. We must give them every resource to equip them. They will be the voice in the midst of kingdom coming against kingdom and nation against nation. They will be the one on the wall declaring to us what is coming and leading the multitudes to provision and safety. They must have the place of worship and the place before the Lord to hear and to speak.
And Jesus answered and said to them, See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, `I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. (Matthew 24:4-6))
We really can spare no expense. God will require it of us to equip them, to resource them, to bless them, to make available a place to worship a place to pray a place to seek His face and hear His voice.
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. .(Matthew 24:7-10)
They will be the prophets, the teachers the evangelists that bring the revival, the last Great Awakening, they are the generation that will usher in the return of Christ.
Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:34)
Many of these signs are already taking place and we know His Return is near. We must be like the ten virgins who got oil, we must be preparing and be prepared for the hour and the day. Everyday communion, every day meditation in His Word, every day worshiping and preparing a habitation for the Lord to dwell. He has the mysteries of heaven to reveal to these His Children, we must give them a place, equip them in this hour, let none of them be hindered from coming to Him.
Jesus said, “Let the children alone, don’t hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to these.” (Matt 19:14)
Partnering With Government as Priests (Prayer Movement)
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” (Exodus 19:6)
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. (Romans 13:1-4)
ALL GOVERNMENT IS ESTABLISHED BY GOD
From the beginning of time God set up Governing Authority. The first governing authority was Adam and from there God continued to delegate His Authority to man. Once we understand that “the office” or “position” of authority comes from God then we can partner with Him. It matters not as much that the ruler is righteous as it does that we are and that we take our rightful place in partnership with Him.
But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another. (Psalm 75:7)
We lose much time, opportunity and leadership struggling with the one who is in authority rather than focusing on God who put that person in position and can remove them just the same. Our faith is in God not in man. Men are weak, can make mistakes are prone to fall but God is faithful, everlasting, doesn’t ever lie and has ALL authority and power.
Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. (Daniel 2:20)
“It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. (Daniel 2:21)
“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. (Daniel 2:22)
God doesn’t need us but He wants us. He can rule the earth Himself but that wasn’t the plan. He created man, gave him ruling power and equipped him to run the kingdom with His Son. When Adam gave that authority to Satan things got a little complicated but the plan never changed, man still had dominion authority he was just sharing it with Satan or God, his choice.
In the Covenant that God provided there was made provision for the ruling power of God in partnership with man but it was contingent on keeping the covenant and the law. This was possible but not without a continual communion with the Father. Not many were successful as we follow Israel’s continual rebellion.
Today through Jesus Christ that authority can be completely a sealed partnership with no authority of Satan if we choose rightly. That choice begins with our complete surrender to the
And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19)
Once we establish God’s authority in our life we are ready to partner with Government in our city, state and nation. The gospel is the release of that authority in transformation. The gospel transforms the souls of men, the land, the church, the culture, society and nations.
“I have manifested Your name (living witness) to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. (John 17:6)
Jesus commissioned the disciples to bring the witness of this power and make disciples by teaching, demonstrating, and witnessing true authority, true government.
Effective teaching comes from a living witness. Jesus witnessed to the world the authority of God over death, hell and the grave and we have the same commission. This includes restoring authority to God’s original plan. Man partnered with God ruling the Kingdom.
Recognizing that rulers are subject to God and that all authority comes from Him than if they refuse to give God leadership, God will give it to a man who will submit. That means if we are not in our place of partnership than God will search for a man to put in that place. So often we are hung up on the “official title” when an unrighteous ruler actually has to submit to God’s authority in the earth or they will have no authority.
For you granted him (Jesus) authority over all people (John 17:2)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
This doesn’t mean that we rule over every man because ruler-ship is actually servant based, Jesus who was Lord of all came humbly to serve man by laying down His life but He had all the authority to call all of heaven to obey. His model is what we follow. He girded Himself and washed the feet of those He had leadership over. He poured His life out to a city, a people and loved them and spoke the truth. He never compromised on His mission. He is the standard of government.
True leadership can be seen by the anointing and the demonstration of power that comes with that office. The High Priest was set by God in the land as His authority. Even if someone is given the office of authority it takes partnership with God to truly rule the land. The commission and partnership of the High Priest was with the governing authority in the land, a king. This ruler needed the leadership of the priest and the priest needed the protection and leadership of the King.
Our master King David has just made Solomon king! And the king has surrounded him with Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet…and they’ve mounted Solomon on the royal mule. Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king … (1Kings45:43-48)
This government was delegated when Moses gathered seventy elders and released the same spiritual authority that was on him to these men. This pattern continues today through Israel, the Gentile church and the governments of the nations.
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. (Numbers 11:25)
“I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. (John 17:11)
Jesus writing to the seven churches spoke to the leadership and held them responsible for the church. I believe God will hold us responsible for the leadership of our land not the sinners. Judgment comes to the house first because the house is responsible.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10)
saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:11)
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; (Revelation 1:12)
and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. (Revelation 1:13)
As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20)
KINGDOM PRIESTS CARRY GOVERNMENT
`Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; (Exodus 19:5)
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” (Exodus 19:6)
The king was the only type of government or state known in this context. “kingdom” could well be translated today as a “government” or “state.”
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
Melchizedek was a king and a priest. He had the power and authority to bless Abraham calling him the possessor of heaven and earth. The Father of nations received his blessing from the high priest but also the government.
The office of the priesthood had authority and was made of men who had the gift of wisdom, endowed with an anointing and ability to bring forth the reflection of God in every aspect of life.
“You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom (Exodus 28:3)
One of the governmental duties was to make sure the priests temple was protected and provided for, there was to be a temple ministry carried forth by these priests.
The task at hand was to free up Aaron and consecrate him so he could minister to the Lord.
….that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me. (Exodus 28:3)
The Lord needed to manifest His divine authority in Aaron but He needed other priests to get Aaron to the place of consecration. The protection and authority to bring about the divine blessing to the Promised Land.
They were delegated authority working in tandem with the kings and priests and other workers to assist in the government of the nation. When you think of government it was different in that day compared to today. The Lord presented His desire and government was a part of administrating that plan.
It should be the same today. God presents His plan and if the current government can’t hear that is because the priesthood isn’t operating. If the priesthood is in place then the government can enter into the priesthood or hear from the priesthood according to the cleanness of the heart of the government.
. They didn’t enter into the holy of holies but they were filled with wisdom to solve the problems of the day. Some of them filled the role of judges.
WATCHMEN RELEASE THE SOUND OF GOVERNMENT
If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it? (Amos 3:6)
“And I set watchmen over you, saying, `Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ (Jeremiah 6:17)
So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. (Exodus 19:16)
When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. (Exodus 19:19)
All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. (Exodus 20:18)
`But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’ (Ezekiel 33:6)
the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest..(Ezekiel 1:3)
Ezekiel had blood on his hands because he was responsible. He was a priest. He had government. It was as if he committed the crime. The Lord said you are to sound a trumpet you are to release your government. The trumpet is what sounded when God surrounded the mountain: thunders, lightening’s and the sound of a trumpet.
“It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.” (Joshua 6:5)
So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. (Joshua 6:20)
It was the sound of a trumpet that released the government in Joshua 6 and that government went to the entire city.
So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him. (Judges 6:34)
When I and all who are with me blow the trumpet, then you also blow the trumpets all around the camp and say, `For the LORD and for Gideon.’ (Judges 7:18)
Gideon sounded a trumpet that gave direction and government to the people.
“At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” (Nehemiah 4:20)
Lift up a signal in the land, Blow a trumpet among the nations! Consecrate the nations against her, (Jeremiah 51:27)
We need to bless our government, serve them with the anointing and calling God has given us. This partnership will release the promises we see in Cyrus’ life
“So now, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek after all the commandments of the LORD your God so that you may possess the good land and bequeath it to your sons after you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:8)
GOVERNMENT ANOINTING AND BLESSING
David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel. And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, and the priests and Levites. And the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years, and upwards: and there were found of them thirty-eight thousand men. Of these twenty-four thousand were chosen, and distributed unto the ministry of the house of the Lord: and six thousand were the overseers and judges.(1Chronicles 23:1-4)
Cyrus was a king. He was the government representing God’s Government. The bible says God would subdue the nation through him, cause Kings to agree with him and open the city gates.
Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, (equipped, supernaturally and naturally – every spiritual blessing)Whom I have taken by the right hand, (have divine leadership)To subdue nations before him ( touch and influence nations, people groups, ethnic groups) And to loose the loins of kings; ( have favor from other leaders/peers/opening doors/ can influence, persuade them to make good/right decisions)To open doors before him ( have opportunities, have favor, go places others can’t go) so that gates will not be shut: (Isaiah 45:1) (there is no end to the blessing and favor coming your way)
“I will go before you ( the Lord prepares the way before you – angels go before you – keep you from stumbling – show you the future- illuminate the way) and make the rough places smooth; (remove offenses towards you – settle disputes in your favor – remove contention and strife – remove the mountains) I will shatter the doors of bronze ( those who block you or try to steal from you will be stopped in their track) and cut through their iron bars. (Isaiah 45:2) (those who try to close doors/imprison you / shut down your anointing will be removed/ plans will not prosper against you)
“I will give you the treasures of darkness ( you will know what is being done in darkness – the plans of the wicked before they come to fruition like Ezekiel go behind the wall and see their true heart)And hidden wealth of secret places, ( you will find hidden savings, hidden financial blessings that the enemy can’t see, hidden ways to bring success)So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. (Isaiah 45:3)
“For the sake of Jacob My servant, And Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honor (greater than any title or position man could give you – Gods honor!)Though you have not known Me. (Isaiah 45:4) (you will get fresh revelation, wisdom, insight and understanding)
“I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, (He will strengthen you as one who has known God all your life = all His ways and what He will do in every situation)though you have not known Me; (Isaiah 45:5)
That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other, (Isaiah 45:6)
The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these. (Isaiah 45:7)
Cyrus represents what God intended in government. He wants to release the treasures of darkness, the hidden wealth and to destroy everything that hinders His Kingdom being established in the earth
God called Cyrus, God will keep Cyrus and God will rule and reign His authority through Cyrus. He girds, strengthens and protects. God gives Cyrus creative ability to rise above the storms and prosper.
There is a governmental anointing to release this blessing. As we search today for righteous government we need to know we have the ability to bless the office of Government with that anointing. We can take our priestly anointing and release the same blessings that Cyrus walked out into our lives by blessing and praying for those in office.
So often we think only if the government is righteous we will be blessed, if that were true than God’s anointing is ruled by man’s state of righteousness? This is ludicrous. The office is blessed because it is ordained by God and when we partner with God and the office He will bless. It may mean removal or it may mean encounter, either way God promises blessing and He will follow through on His word by whatever means are necessary.
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45)
Our faith is not in man it is in God and His Word. We aren’t moved by what man can do but we are moved by God’s heart and response to what man does. This is how we respond and we must make the commitment to not back down, not be silent and to honor our covenant with the Lord. Take our place in government, partner with the Lord all the way to the end.
Video Prayer Journal Scaling the Religion Mountain
Prayer Journal Day 1&2 –Scaling the Religion Mountain
I have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to start a prayer journal of my mandate. God has laid so strongly on my heart to begin this journey that anyone can do in any nation, city or region. As intercessors who are missionaries we give ourselves to night and day worship and God has been taking me out into the city to bring a new paradigm to reaching our city for revival. You may have heard of the Seven Mountain Mandate that was given to Loren Cunningham and Bill Bright in 1975 (go here to read transcript) and after reading this two years ago I began to apply it in my intercession as the Holy Spirit led. In the last few months I have been so gripped with this vision that my intercession has taken off to a completely new level in kingdom paradigm. After already activating this in a 24/7 context I felt prompted to video some of what I could in hopes of inspiring intercessors all over. Please leave comments and share your thoughts.
Here is the set up – what was in my heart, where I was going and why :
Here is the recap – the next day debriefing – find out what I heard and saw and how it leads me to pray:
These are some of the things that come to me as I begin to want to pray for the church /region I just visited:
- Religious spirit
- Oppression
- Reaching the lost
- Freedom to worship
- Liberty in the Holy Spirit
- Revelation of God’s plan
- Children’s ministry
- Reaching families
- Prospering souls to bring freedom from govt systems/welfare
- Drive out drug trafficking, human trafficking, prostitution
- Bring freedom/deliverance to those who want to drown themselves in alcohol – prophetic evangelism/power evangelism
- Marketplace ministry
Next I allow the Holy Spirit to help me study the word that can directly deal with those areas. Below are some of my findings I may post that prayer another time but hope to inspire some informed intercession below!
- Religious Spirits/Powers of Control
Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (Acts 11:1)
And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, (Acts 11:2)
saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11:3)
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. (Acts 11:15)
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44:3)
Religious spirits/powers can be such a hindrance to the gospel and ministry.
Acts 11 Peter encounters resistance from “religious” people that could not agree with his eating with the “uncircumsized” . Often that power comes to resist what is actually the very catalyst God wants to release. A power to overcome religious/arrogant/condescending fake church and replace it with power, presence and reality life changing encounter…right where they live..right in their home and neighborhood.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; (Romans 12:6)
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; (Romans 12:7)
or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8)
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; (Romans 12:10)
not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (Romans 12:11)
rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, (Romans 12:12)
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (Romans 12:13)
Father I pray for the release of all the gifts of the spirit, may they be in full operation and administrated as it pleases You . Let the church in our city come behind in no gift, let them have EVERY spiritual blessing to be a blessing. Let them operate in all the gifts listed in Romans 12 – I pray for the gifts of the spirit to manifest with power and presence to touch families/brokenness/hurting/overwhelmed with life circumstances – let the Church present the pathway to freedom with “serving” – “ministry” – “Hospitality” – “showing mercy” – “compassion” – “distributing to those in need” – “brotherly love” –“ honoring and preferring the neighborhoods” – “exhorting/prophesying what God says not what life/circumstances say” – “teaching life skills/teaching children” – “releasing ideas/solutions that can change the city” – “rule in the spirit driving out all powers/principalities and evil and opening the heavens over the region” – “administrate outreaches/outings to touch the city with other churches in the area” – “love that washes, heals and restores the city”
4. For worship/flow in the gifts/power and prophetic evangelism:
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (1 Corinthians 1:5)
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (1 Corinthians 1:6)
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:7)
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
6. For Revelation and understanding /wisdom and God’s plan for the church/region/city
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (Ephesians 1:15)
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (Ephesians 1:16)
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Ephesians 1:17)
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (Ephesians 1:19)
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20)
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21)
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)
9. Get free from this worlds system – welfare/govt assistance
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:17)
Excerpts from Apostolic Prayers for the Marketplace from www.ihop.org/josephcompany
The Cyrus Anointing (Isaiah 45:1-3, 13)
Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held– To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut (open up a way for the benevolent ones to come forth): 2 I will go before you (prepare the way for the marketplace messengers) and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places (give to us wealth in this age and the age to come), that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name…13 “I have raised him up in righteousness (instruct us in righteousness), and I will direct all his ways (God give us supernatural insight into Your plans); he shall build My city (we want to be a city Whose builder is God)…
A promise of prosperity for the ‘Joseph’s’ in the marketplace (Genesis 48:4)
… and He said to me (you have spoken directly to us), ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous (bless the works of our hands and multiply our endeavors), and I will make you a company of peoples (bring forth marvelous comrades who will unite to change a city), and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession (give us authority as we stand on the wall of intercession for the city).’
10. & 11 Prayer for Drug Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Prostitution, freedom to those bound by alcohol
Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge
Acceptance of divine revelation
Knowledge that releases faith – where the will of God is known there is faith
Knowledge –syn –faith
Moral conviction that gives purpose
and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], (Philippians 1:9)
kjv (judgment) comprehend – perceive outwardly – touch the emotions, thoughts, will (soul of man)
So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. (Philippians 1:10)
Approve what is excellent kjv-That action would result and a message would go forth of what God Approves
Without offence kjv – Acts 24:16 exercise myself – an action – 1 Thess 3:12-13 = unblameable- amemptos- grk - when love abounds – without mixture – legally irreproachable –
May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [ that His glory may be both manifested and recognized]. (Philippians 1:11)
Like a judge who makes a righteous judgment – brings conviction to the ungodly and announces what is right
A message goes forth – like when the adulterer was caught – Jesus extended love and mercy and it destroyed the religious accusation and can transform a heart/nation
My Testimony
I want to share my testimony. May it give God glory He absolutely deserves all of it! I was a sophomore in college when I met Jesus. I didn’t grow up in church; however I do remember at the age of 12 or 13 attending a Methodist church that my stepfather belonged to. I remember going to a bible study and being “confirmed”. But that only was for a year and they divorced and we never went again. I recall taking communion there and though I didn’t understand communion I do believe that I was dedicated to the Lord. Perhaps God saw that religious act as truth and took me at my words. Through the remainder of my youth I can’t recall anyone every witnessing to me about God or being invited to church. I was pretty miserable on the inside full of pain from being molested right in my own home most of my adolescence until I left home at 16. From there I was searching for a love than was out of reach and never satisfied in relationships. I began to numb my pain with alcohol and drugs and poured myself into a career hoping to find success in something.
In 1986 one of the sisters from my mom’s previous marriages invited me to church one day. She knew I was miserable and though she stated she was only partially “in to it”, she knew enough of God to lead me to Him and that He could answer my needs. It was an Assembly of God church; they believed and moved in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. She tried to prepare me for this – it’s funny now how my natural mind interpreted her explanation of “tongues”. She described Acts chapter 1 and 2. And all I could see in my mind were these flames of fire above a person’s head – it made no sense to me but I was not afraid – just curious and the pain in my heart superseded any uncomfortable feeling. I was desperate; I could not go on the way I was living anymore.
We sat up in the balcony, it was crowded. People looked happy, I was curious. All of sudden in the worship service someone spoke out a tongue – it didn’t bother me but I had no idea what was happening. I began to feel what I now know was the presence of the Lord and I was no longer aware of the church service or building – I was aware of God who I did not know. Than the interpretation began and it was as if someone had been living with me – they knew all about me – they began to describe my life. I looked at my step sister almost upset that she would tell strangers about me but her eyes were closed and the power was getting stronger – and I began to weep at the wonder of it all. How did they know? Why did they know? It was incomprehensible to me! The service continued but I was touched and couldn’t pay much attention. The altar call came at the end all I know was I was thinking no way am I going down there at the altar and the next thing I remember I was down there and had no idea how I walked down the balcony stairs and made it – but I was coming alive and everything in my entire life all of a sudden made sense. Like someone pulled back the curtains and I could see and it all made sense. I remember going outside thinking God was so near – the sky was bluer the trees were greener – everything was beautiful and I was aware that God made it all including me and I was His forever.
I was on fire and all I wanted was more – I was starving for more of Him and to know Him. I was at the church every time the doors opened – I began to serve – because that is what they said God loved. So I served with the youth. I loved it. I was a part of intercession – I loved it! At the time there was a teaching from Larry Lea and it gave us a track to pray – and for hours I would pray this track which included praying for nations. We had a mission emphasis in our church and Africa was where we were focused at the time. I would pray for Africa for hours and I recall one time where I actually traveled there in the spirit – physically I was laying under a pew but I left that place and I was in a village where many families lived and as I prayed for them I actually began to speak over them and then I was face to face with some of them – laying hands on them and praying for them – I didn’t speak the language but they understood and they wept. It was so powerful and so real. I was hooked in prayer and found myself traveling back there often to pray. It was exhilarating. I was also involved in the women’s ministry. The leader was someone I would share some of my intercession times with and though she never criticized she would listen and nod her head. I began to see that to share my experiences may be strange to some so I would question them. She asked me to speak to the women and soon I found myself in leadership – speaking to the women – they loved it and so did I. I did it often. I was also involved in the youth. We would go out on evangelistic outreaches every Friday and Saturday. I loved sharing my faith – I wanted the world to have what I had. We would pray for hours before we went out. And often I would see the people in prayer before we ever got out to the streets – it was exciting. I would tell people I saw them in my prayers and what the Lord showed me and they would cry and pray with me and give their life to the Lord. I was on fire!
I moved to Marshall, Texas. I liked the new church – it was strong on the word and living a godly life – having character not just knowledge. They flowed in the prophetic. I put everything into serving the church. I served, sang on a worship team (not because I was a good singer – I was average – but I could flow in the prophetic song) I served the pastor and his family and I began to teach in the school. I loved serving the children and I was enjoying learning God’s word. This church was very strong in authority, they believed in total submission to the authority on staff as submission to God. It was out of balance but I didn’t know – I was glad to submit and I wanted to please the Lord – it was what I lived for. I had a full life serving. Soon one of my friends asked me to marry him. I thought, no, you are my friend – I don’t feel that way about you but then I looked at my age and how much I wanted a family – I was hoping that this would be a way to answer my dreams. He was my friend after all and we got along so well! I submitted it to my pastor and he said it was not the Lord. His reasoning was very shocking and I didn’t understand. I was messed up and the only solution I saw was to marry this friend.
One month into the marriage I realized I had made a huge mistake – something was so wrong – he didn’t want God like I did – he didn’t want to go to church and he was not interested in ministry. I was confused – I made a mistake – I should have listened to my pastor but then I didn’t want those feelings to come making me feel vulnerable and afraid. I was certain of one thing, I didn’t believe in divorce so I was going to make this marriage work. I was pregnant and I was going to have a family and so I convinced myself I could make it all work. I was still going to have my dream, a family. I made the mistake of telling my husband all this and he was devastated – I could not make it better – he was hurt – I shouldn’t have shared my heart but now that it was there – I spent the nine months trying to make it better but it was hard and I was getting farther and farther away from God and going the way my husband was going. Than tragedy hit, the baby died, we were seeing a midwife and the baby traumatized during the birth, did not survive. They took the midwife’s license away but we were devastated. I was past reconciliation, everything crashed for me. I could not deal with it. I had started a business and I buried myself in it trying to find something I could do right. Our marriage was a wreck – we were uncomfortable with one another in such pain and unable to bring resolve to all that was happening to our hearts. One day I came home and the house was empty – I didn’t understand it but he left and took everything – left me with nothing – I was devastated again. And now I somehow thought it was all God’s fault. Why did you let me marry him, why did my baby die? What kind of life is this? (as if God makes our choices for us – He does not – we do) I spiraled, the pressure of running the company in this state was very difficult – I had no strength left. The business was successful but I could not handle the pressure. So I quit and moved back home to Columbus, Ohio where my family lived. They were not close to me and when I needed help they were unable to give it to me, they tried but without God I was not ok. I tried to find my place in life, where did I belong? I was trying to make sense of everything and somehow trying to numb the pain that I had miserably failed. I buried myself in work again trying to find success in a career. This was how my family judged my success, if I was successful; making lots of money than in their eyes I was ok. I traveled 3 weeks out of the month, living out of a suitcase and making commitments to know one, I was quickly building walls to shelter myself from pain and drowning my troubles in alcohol to sleep at night.
All of sudden, a few years of pouring myself into a career and nothingness, God Himself showed up in my apartment. His presence, that I had not felt in 7 years, filled my apartment. I could not even walk for three days – just crawling around weeping and repenting for three days – I was a wreck – couldn’t go to work but I was oh so grateful to have what I longed for all these years = that he would come and make sense of all that I had been through. The encounter was AMAZING! I was changed forever and marked. I quickly rid myself of everything that I was doing to numb the pain. I wanted back and I wanted all of Him. I had to get back to church, it was all I knew that I understood to be what pleased Him. I felt impressed to turn on the TV though I never noticed Jesus on TV I obeyed and there was a pastor preaching his heart out. And God said, go there, go where? Pack my backs and go there? Ok I was willing, I didn’t want this presence of God to ever leave me again – I would go anywhere or do anything! So I called the number on the screen and it blew me away to realize the church was in my city. So the next Sunday I was there – sitting in the back of this huge 12, 000 congregation and my whole body feels like it’s on fire – I can hardly sit still and five minutes into the service the pastor stops the service and does an altar call and I literally run to the altar. I am never getting even a pinky toe out of the kingdom again. What blows me away is God is better than I ever knew Him and I am closer than I ever knew Him and my relationship is richer than I ever knew it could be. It was glorious and I was more on fire and it just grew stronger and stronger. I gave myself to the church – serving everywhere they needed me. I went to the bible college and soon I was on staff in the television department. I served some six+ years – giving everything. I was deep in intercession for the ministry – spending hours in the dark sanctuary – because prayer like that was not looked on as something acceptable. But I was so given to it that during the day at all times the Holy Spirit would call me into a closet or closed off place in the building and I would go into travail. I would see and know things that were good and a lot that was not so good but I just kept praying because I was consumed and given. Soon I found myself unable to separate what I saw – it was more than I could bear and I felt due to some of my relationships I had no outlet – nowhere to release all that I was seeing. I was too close in heart and it was becoming harder to process without stepping over into an area in my soul that would result in anger or bitterness. I needed to step away if I was to keep my place on the wall – I had to separate myself– I was too close – so I went to china….I know, how far can you go? I loved China – I loved the nations- I loved to pray for the nations. I have always had a burden for china and when some of our World Harvest Bible college students came back and told me about their trip and teaching in English in the schools. I knew I had to go. I tried to make the same connections but as the plans commenced the openings they had filled and I had to make alternative plans. So all by myself I launched out to spend 3 years in the mission field, supporting myself with a teacher salary. I had no idea what I was in store for but I knew I could not continue where I was, I wanted to do something great for God…go to that place that was hard and challenging and in need. China certainly filled that calling.
I was there for 9 months when the Lord sovereignly called me back home. It took about a month but I could no longer resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit. He was stirring our youth and I wanted to be there to support the move of God. I sadly left China knowing one thing for sure; I did not have what it took to make a difference in a nation. I know, I am only one person, right how can I make a difference? I don’t know but I know 12 people turned the world upside down so with God anything is possible! I had great vision and believed in prayer God would give me direction. China is dark, real dark. There was no presence of God there only what was in my spirit but the atmosphere was filled with darkness, more than I knew how to combat. It was so much more complex than what I was battling in America. I tried desperately to find other Christians but my comings and goings were so monitored that it was impossible to connect. But I believe the Lord marked my heart for a nation and I saw a lot and have a much greater understanding for the powers and principalities that rule in that nation.
Once home I found myself in the same place, unable to process what I was seeing in the spirit I felt as if something in my life was missing and I was on the verge of burnout again. I joined a pastor and his family who were starting a smaller work in the next city and they were reaching through a market-place ministry. I was thankful to be a part of a smaller work that had many of the same values I carried in my heart. I stayed working with the youth and the move of God did not grow. We were missing something. My search than led me to TheCall in Nashville, TN. There was a 40 day fast to turn the hearts of this generation back to God and I joined it. It was so strategic of the Lord and my heart was filled with hope! I was unable to take a group of youth to the gathering so we piled into my one bedroom apartment and watched it via webstream. Through this venue I landed on IHOP’s website and soon found what I had been looking for sustained prayer for this generation. I was hooked, and I partnered with the ministry. It was not long before just watching the webcast and praying from home was not enough. The revelation I was receiving on intimacy was transforming my life and equipping me to handle what I was unable to process regarding the current state of the church.
I had to go to IHOP and see for myself. I grabbed my dearest friend Carmen and we headed to Kansas City to attend a Prophetic Intercession conference. I encountered the Lord in such a dramatic way that I knew this was what I had been looking for. I was convinced that raising up a house of prayer in Columbus would lead us to the place we needed to be in God to reach this generation and the city. I was so excited. I spent the next few months planning and then came to Kansas City again to meet with some leadership and get some practical help.
It was during this visit that the Lord began to speak to me about coming to IHOP and spend a season in training. Raising up a house of prayer was much more than I had understood and I needed more than a few meetings. I agreed and made plans to come for 3 months all the time believing I would return to Columbus and raise up a house of prayer. During my 3 month stay at IHOP I was ambushed by the Lord and asked to stay. Needless to say I said “yes” knowing that my obedience would still lead to a house of prayer being raised up in Columbus. Somehow, someway God has a way and it is beyond my simple understanding!
Since October 2007 I have been at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City where 24/7 worship and prayer has been going non-stop for 10 years. It is the most exciting life and I am thankful to share with you all that God has been doing.
I have served with the Marketing Department in preparation for the Onething 2007, served during the 2007 and 2008 conference as a front line usher. I served in the IT department as a database administrator helping to develop the software system for donor management. I was a trainer and systems analyst of sorts. After a year and half serving there I moved to manage our IHOPU Distance Learning School and the IHOPU Marketing Director. Then I felt the call to leave all paid staff positions to totally dedicate all my hours to intercession and the study of God’s word. The season change requires me to live totally on support. Prior to this, while on staff, I was able to sustain with a small amount of support and a work scholarship but the season in our nation has increased in critical urgency and I am being called to devote all of my hours to prayer. I was unable to do 40 hours work and 30 hours prayer, the demand is much more urgent now in intercession and I feel it’s necessary to go full time in it. The way the Lord structured IHOP is to set up our intercessors and worship teams as missionaries. All along I was to be raising support but never felt the release to go full time into it even though the hours I spent in intercession were 40 hours a week sometimes 30 but often 40 plus work 40 hours on the base. It has become too much demand in both areas and my true calling is an intercessor. I find great pleasure in going for 60 to 80 hours a week in prayer. Truly the Lord is downloading that much insight that I cannot find enough hours in the day to fill all He is asking me to contend for and partner with Him in prayer.
The critical need in our nation for prayer is placing a much greater demand on the global prayer movement. And it is not just our nation, but Israel and the nations at large. In three years the gospel will have been preached in every nation and a bible in every tongue. The bible clearly tells us that when this takes place, Jesus will return. The church is not ready for the return of Jesus and this is why we must pray for revival and contend for the church.
If you would like to partner with me or learn more about what I am doing now go here
Pray God’s Name and Attributes Over Your Life
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1Peter 2:25
Because You are my Shepherd You lead me beside cool waters You refresh my soul, you bring me peace that passes all understanding Because You are my Shepherd I will not lack or want for any good thing You nourish me, You care for me, You protect me Because You are the bishop of my soul I will not be led astray I will not wonder, I will not doubt I will give no place to fear or unbelief You are the one who leads my soul through my spirit by the Holy Spirit Your leadership of my soul is perfect Your leadership of my mind, will and emotions is perfect You will never lead me to destruction You will never lead me to despair You will always lead me to the place of perfect peace and the place of provision
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast Matthew 9:15
You are the Bridegroom and you come for me you will never leave me or forsake me You are the Bridegroom who is near and keeps me from loneliness – I long for you to come to us all I mourn for your return You prepare the place where we will consummate the marriage – you prepare the chambers where we will be together you care for my family you provide for my household you make all provision for our wedding day
And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:7)
You are the desire of all nations, every tribe and every tongue will want to be with you where you are, you fill me with Glory and you fill my house with glory and you fill the house of the Lord with Glory
You are the desire of all nations who shakes the nations of every evil, every entity of satan, every wicked power every principality of darkness You will shake the nations free from all of the kingdom of satan and free them to love you the way you deserve to be loved
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
You are wonderful, beyond words, you fill me with wonder there is no end to the power of your wonder, you are the Mighty God the Everlasting Father you are the Prince of Peace you are mighty to save mighty to deliver mighty to set every captive free you are more than now you are my Eternal and everlasting never ending Father who loves me as a daughter you are the Prince of Peace more than peace you are Prince and ruler of peace – all fear and despair must go from Your presence it must go from me as your Peace fills my mind will and emotions your peace leads me your peace seals my heart your peace is an umpire settling every question in my mind and soul
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)
You are Faithful you never lie, You never not show up You never leave or quit You never say something and then not do it you are Faithful to the end you will fulfill every word every covenant every promise you are Faithful you will fill me with faith to be the same
You are a TRUE witness You can not lie You can’t go back on Your word, You Have to fulfill every word, every vow every promise you will watch over your word to preform it you will send angels to bring it to pass you will move heaven and earth to bring your word to pass
Your witness exemplifies Your word Your witness exhonerates Your promises Your witness is real it is alive it is tangible it is seen in this age Your witness transforms hearts transforms minds brings salvation, freedom and healing Your witness leaves no excuse removes doubt removes unbelief Your witness is the Life of God in the flesh the Resurrection from the dead the power and authority of Your name is a true witness and nothing in heaven or hell can refuse or refute Your true witness it is Life and it destroys death
In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (Zechariah 13:1)
Jesus You are the fountain that will cleanse the house You are the fountain that will purge the House from uncleanness You are the fountain that will purify the heart and soul You are the fountain the will flow and never dry up and every soul in need of cleansing and puriftying every soul filled with sin will see that open fountain and now there is judgment and it will produce righteousness
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1)
You are the GLORY of the Lord You are the Light You have risen from the dead and the Glory of the Lord ruler of heaven and earth has come Your glory causes us to arise and take our place of authority Your Glory causes us to shine and reflect the Light which scatters darkness and causes it to flee – Your glory awakens us from slumber and causes us to fight and contend for your fullness to contend for the earth to be filled with Your Light and Your Glory
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)
You are the True Apostle You are the High Priest You are the one who fulfills the Fathers desires He sent You to mediate a new life that fulfills all His promises You are the Apostle sent from God to build Your bride, Your church You are the Sent One who came to pluck and destroy and remove all that was the God’s You are the Apostle sent from the Father to destroy all of Satan’s power and all of satan’s works You are the sent one that made an open display of all powers and principalities you remove the power of the kingdom of evil and you destroyed the power of death , hell and the grave
You are the High Priest You are my advocate You are the one who stands at the right hand of the Father pleading and contending for me to walk in everything you paid for You are the High Priest the one who tells me all that is on the Fathers heart You give me the message of the Father You speak to me about all that is to come You warn me You enlighten me You bring me revelation
Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
You are the Light of the World! In the midst of darkness and gloom Your light breaks in and breaks forth driving out every ounce of evil and opposition to God. Your Light causes me to walk in complete understanding. Your Light shines on what is the spirit of the age so I won’t fall into the trap or deception. I have light because I follow Your Light.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)
Your light causes me to know what is in the world and of the world and not of Your world! Your light is in this world and will always lead me – I will never be in darkness because you are the Light of the World. Your light is enough to light up the entire WORLD! There is no lessening or diminishing of YOUR light there is nothing that can overcome or darken Your Light there is nothing that can remove your Light there is no end to YOUR light
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: (Malachi 3:2)
You are a refiners fire, You are the purifying fire that purifies the World, Your fire is eternal it is everlasting Your fire removes the dross, removes the impurities, removes the inconsistencies. Your fire makes me strong like gold and silver is strong in the fire it melts but it doesn’t disappear , Your fire is hot and burning its an everlasting burn with zeal and pure holy fire
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)
The fire that purifies silver is and refines it removes what doesn’t belong its more than melting it brings to the surface all that is not consistent with your kingdom with your ways with your word with your character.
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14)
You are my Redeemer you bring from what was into what will be you take me from my past transform me and bring me into all of your kingdom promises you place me in eternity You place me in my future you transform me. You have paid the FULL price for me for my future for my past the Price is more than enough for the cost of my sin and my life
You are the HOLY One of Israel You are HOLY and there is NO OTHER YOU are more than HOLY YOU are Righteous YOU are the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL All of Israel can look to You
You are other than, You are sacred You are majestic You are set apart You are hallowed You are to be worshipped You are worthy of all of our lives You are worthy to have our lives dedicated to YOU You are deserving of Israel’s worship and devotion You are worthy of Israel’s consecration, You are worthy of Israel’s dedication
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. (Isaiah 25:4)
You are MY Refuge, You are my shelter, You are my protection You are a shelter in the storm you are who I can put my trust in You are who I can confide in You are who I HOPE in My refuge You are a refuge for a city you are a refuge for a nation
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
You are the ROCK You are God Your way is perfect You are my strength in bad times and in good times You are always HONEST You are always Truthful You are without iniquity You are JUST YOU are right and never wrong You are the Rock that brings judgment on evil that brings and an end to evil that removes wickedness and lies and deception You are JUST You are RIGHT YOU are PERFECT
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)
You are the Faithful always there never leaving or forsaking You are the AMEN the SO BE IT done unto us as YOU said and as You lived it out for us Your true and in YOU is no LIE YOU speak truth and never lie never make up something never deceive you are faithful to bring it all to pass you are at the end You are the substance of what has been uttered by God and all that will come to pass that He spoke You are the surety You are the fulfillment of it all
You were in the beginning there was nothing before You – You created this world You can create anything we need You can heal every single body every organ You already healed every single body and already delivered every soul we just need to receive it
You are able to win the world to favor me you are able to persuade all me you are able to bring faith to believe you bring confidence to me you build trust in me you win me over You persuade me you cause me to trust because you are Faithful
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1)
You are the true vine you abide in the Father and everything in the Father is in you You are my source for strength my source for nourishment my connection to the Father
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
You are My head, You are the beginning of me and you have pre-eminence in all that I am and do, You are my Head You are over me You are my protector my provider you are my church my family where I am planted where I grow
Personal Mandate – Be A Witness
But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; (Acts 26:16)
“So now come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.” (Genesis 31:44)
A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous. (Proverbs 14:25)
PERSONAL MANDATE – BE A WITNESS
For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. (Acts 22:5)
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Matthew 18:16)
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Jesus spent three and a half years with His disciples witnessing who His Father was, what was in His heart, the Kingdom of God and who the disciples were. His witness left no questions, no doubts, no inconsistencies, it was pure undefiled and holy. There is no greater witness God could swear by, Himself.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, (Hebrews 6:13)
When making an oath or promise there were witnesses who they would swear by and this witness had to be greater than the one making the promise in order to secure it. God made a promise to Abraham and He could find no one greater to witness so He swore by Himself. That fulfillment was met in Christ Jesus, who brings the promise to fullness. His Son who was the propitiation for all mankind, bringing us into that covenant promise and the fulfillment of it, there is NO greater witness in the earth.
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. (Hebrews 6:16)
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: (Hebrews 6:17)
We become that witness when we walk in the fulfillment of that promise. When all that God made available is activated and we are walking in it then there is no denying that all God spoken will come to pass.
Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (Luke 24:45)
and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, (Luke 24:46)
and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)
“You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:48)
All the things which are written…must be fulfilled Jesus told the disciples and then He said and You are witnesses of these things. There is no clearer job description for every disciple of Christ – we are to be His witness and our lives are to testify that everything God promised in Christ has come to pass.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22)
Jesus and the Father have equipped us to be this witness. The same power that raised Christ from the grave lives and fill us to be this witness and our lives will testify to all the world that Christ has conquered death, hell and the grave and we have to power to release this life to world that doesn’t believe or can’t see. The blind will see and the deaf will hear that Jesus is able to save, deliver and heal all who call on His Name.
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8)
The Greek translation for the power is dunamis (1440grk) which means strength power, ability
inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
power for performing miracles
moral power and excellence of soul
the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
power and resources arising from numbers
power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22)
The power (dunamis) is to become a witness. If you are not willing to be a witness you won’t have any power or if you are witnessing your own strength and ability you won’t receive power but you will just lots of “soul energy”. (also known as hype, charisma, personality, skill, talent and drama etc.)
and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us– (1 John 1:2)
The word manifested is the Greek word phaneroo (5319Grk) which means to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way
make actual and visible, realized
to make known by teaching
to become manifest, be made known of a person
expose to view, make manifest, to show one’s self, appear
to become known, to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood
who and what one is
We are to manifest this life which is Zoe (2222Grk) which means of the absolute fullness of the logos and of Christ put on human nature, a life that is real and genuine, active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed because we put our trust in Christ, the more perfect, that which lasts forever.
I question whether we truly are manifesting this life as a whole, Jesus never sinned, never got ill and never needed prayer, He had perfect communion with the Father, no one had to prophesy to Him what was coming or give Him a “word” He walked in humility, meekness, bore reproach, was hated bruised and beaten but still loved unconditionally.
What could be keeping us from a Full Witness of this life?(Zoe)
One thing is certain we must have communion with the Father. There is a difference between our communion with the Son and with the Father and there is a difference between the Holy Spirit communion and communion with the Father. We must have an ongoing relationship with the Son that is alive and active and with the Holy Spirit all day long but if we never reach for the Father we cannot manifest this Zoe life that carries resurrection power.
It is possible to know this and still not walk it out. All the knowledge in the world will not manifest if there is not a relationship that is a divine exchange of life. The disciples were able to manifest the “name” and authority of Jesus but they did not have their own authority until they met the Father in the upper room.
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14)
This unity “one mind” was a supernatural sign of what had taken place as they were giving themselves to prayer. Only the Holy Spirit can unite a people in one mind. The Strong’s Concordance describes it like instruments in a symphony producing an entire musical piece in harmony and directed by the Holy Spirit. All different instruments, one hundred and twenty disciples all coming into unity with passion. The passion makes all the difference, it stirs them to action that is unstoppable and unshakable as we witness throughout the New Testament.
The power of this passion took twelve men through the most horrifying experiences, what we call persecution today isn’t measured the same as what they experienced.
Peter was crucified upside-down
James was beheaded
Andrew was crucified on a diagonal cross
Phillip was crucified
Bartholomew was skinned alive and beheaded
Matthew was killed by an axe
Thomas was killed by a spear
James was stoned, brains beat out of his skull with a club
Jude was crucified
Simon was crucified
Matthias was stoned and beheaded
The disciples knew the Father through Jesus but in that upper room they were encountering Him directly. They had watched Jesus pray and heard from Him what the Father wanted now they were praying and they were hearing directly. There communion changed, their relationship changed, their authority changed.
Their entire direction changed from observing to participating, from watching to leading. The first words Peter utters gives us insight into the fullness of this encounter
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. (Acts 1:16)
Coming to grips with the reality that God knew that Judas would betray Jesus and that all was according to His plan. The encounter resulted in such conviction and power that Peter took His place to become the solution, to be the witness, to see to it that the rest of the Fathers plan would come to pass. His understanding produced something in His heart that moved the rest of those gathered to agreement and action. This witness manifested life. This covenant was going to have fulfillment.
It is not so much what they did but what it produced. It is not so much the way they went about it but why they did it.
“We must fulfill the scripture”
Judas was given an important assignment, that assignment needed to be completed. The plan of the Father needed the twelve witnesses and God would provide someone who could produce a pure witness, a pure manifestation of the plan in action, someone who could manifest that resurrection power that transforms a life.
The words must needs be fulfilled is the Greek word pleroo (4137Grk) which means to verify, fully preach, perfect, supply, to fill a vessel/hollow place, to bring to a full end, accomplish, make complete, perform fully. (Syn) to make authoritative
The revelation those one hundred and twenty had was their mandate for the rest of their days and they said Yes, a resounding to the end Yes. We can see their commitment was unto death and they faced it in that upper room because the Father showed them, He communed with them like He did with Jesus and they were never the same, they were transformed. It was a work of the Holy Spirit but it was more than just a baptism, it was communion with the Father.
Our Personal Mandate
What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:26-27)
DISCOVERING OUR PERSONAL MANDATE
“But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
The ministry we have at home is so important to the Lord. He sees our life from the moment we awake to the moment we fall asleep as our ministry to Him. We can enter into a context of 24/7 communion and literally minister to the Lord all day. Whatever we put our hand to can be a way to minister to the Lord. He has plans for our entire globe and they start with us and our home.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)
Many people have received visions for stadium ministry, concert halls or conferences but the Lord when He looks at that type of ministry He is looking at families and sons and daughters. His perspective is not always ours.
As believers we set our sights high, we want to change and influence the world. This is how God thinks He wants the rule the world through us by the Leadership of Jesus Christ and the operation of the Holy Spirit.
This begins at home. It is hear in the secret place with the Father we find His heart for us, our family, our neighborhood, our city, state, nation and the globe. In the place of communion we “walk with God”.
We build an altar for the Lord in our home. A place that is sacred, we honor and respect this time as Holy before the Lord. He directs the time and His Spirit leads us. We want to know what is on His heart, we want Him to share with us His thoughts.
So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” (Genesis 32:30)
This is developed over a period of time and should include the reading/studying of His word and worship. Communion with the Lord includes a response not just listening. This first step in not about our ministry, job or relationships; this is personal one on one. We meet God face to face.
“There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony; I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel. (Exodus 25:22)
“It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the doorway of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. (Exodus 29:42)
“You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you. (Exodus 30:6)
…in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you. (Exodus 30:36)
… where I meet with you. (Numbers 17:4)
Everything we are and we do will come from the “meeting”. We meet with God everyday and we hear His heart and we move on what He reveals to us about the world around us and about who we are to Him. He speaks, we listen and then we respond.
This respond is a heart response before it ever materializes into action. It comes from being wounded with Love. When we hear His heart, not just in our minds but in the core of our being because we opened up our lives to receive all of Him, we will find His heart become ours.
You have given him his heart’s desire, And You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. (Psalm 21:2)
For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. (Psalm 21:3)
He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. (Psalm 21:4)
We respond with Yes without even knowing what it will require to fulfill His heart’s desire. We long to see every dream of His heart come to pass. Our hearts are united and we find our purpose, our mandate is hidden in His desires to establish His kingdom in our world.
To every individual these times of communion are individual but as we gather together as a family we will find that the Lord is speaking the same things to all of us. This unites our heart because we are discovering He loves all of us and wants us to respond to Him individually and corporately. Everything in the earth can be accomplished when we unite with His heart and each other.
The Lord is faithful to reveal His heart about us. He will show us what is hindering us and what adversaries are planning to subvert His plans. He is jealous over His plans in our life. They are not our plans but they are His plans so He wants to speak to us about them.
A true surrendered life has laid down all preconceived ideas of how our life is lived. We surrender our days, our nights, our now and our future to Him to recreate in us the live that gives Him glory. We must find out what that is, we must hear His voice thundering in our being telling us what He wants in our home, our neighborhood, our schools, our marketplace, our government, and around the world.
We become the witness of His will, His plan. We testify of His life, of His power, glory and plan. Our lives become the inscribed word to be read and understood by all those around us. There is no limit.
UNDERSTANDING/INTERPRETING OUR MANDATE
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, (John 13:3)
got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. (John 13:4)
Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:5)
Our mandate is always going to be a position of serving. We begin by serving the Lord in a personal way. We give ourselves to that altar in our homes that is our secret place. We discover His heart and His desires. This ministry is to the Lord. We express our love and our desire to please Him. We open our lives and surrender everything that hinders a full expression of this love.
It is from this place we can then turn and wash the feet of those in our home. As we discover the Lords heart for us and our lives, and the world around us He will speak to us about our home.. He will give us His heart and we will begin to understand that all that is in our life is a part of His plan. He has strategically placed us and connected us for His purpose.
Our ministry to Him is all about Him. This is our personal mandate. It incorporates a personal ministry. This is our first place of ministry; to the Lord. We can look in the bible to help us understand that it is priesthood to the Lord. Every believer has this mandate.
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast. (Isaiah 61:6)
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance. (Joshua 18:7)
Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, (Numbers 18:7)
This is a mandate for us to do continually. It is an eternal mandate and we will minister to the Lord this way throughout all eternity. This communion is truly heaven on earth. It is all of God coming into our spirit and releases all of Him. The fullness of God is found in this place of communion. This ministry is more than receiving His heart because communion must be the pouring out of our lives to minister to Him. We love Him the way He wants to be loved.
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15)
We love the Lord in this place of communion. It is not an emotional philos which is the Greek word for friendly love. This is best described in Jesus’ encounter with Peter after the resurrection. He knew Peter’s heart, his plan and Jesus wanted deeper communion so He helped Peter locate his affections (John 21:15-19)
More than anything in this life we love Him. We love Him more than our possessions, more than our ministry, even more than our own family. We must have a witness of this Love in demonstration and in power. We begin this witness by truly giving Him our time. We must commune with Him and become one with His heart.
The expression of this communion must be undistracted. The sacred holy place of communion may be opened up into our entire day. We express it in the natural, it is more than a concept, it has an expression. There is an exchange and we walk away from communion and ministry to the Lord changed because you can’t be in His Presence and remain the same. If you do, you were in your presence and not His.
Mary expressed her personal communion with the Lord in a physical way. What she had already expressed in her heart and with the Lord all alone was made public. She found the Lord, He was not alone but she didn’t care, she wanted to pour out her future, her security her livelihood, all that she had. She wanted to minister to Him. She wanted to tell Him I have heard you, I know where you are going, I want to minister to You so You know I am going with You.
Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. (John 12:1-11)
Jesus told the disciples that this would be made manifest everywhere the gospel was preached. Meaning you can’t truly preach the gospel unless there is an expression of this kind of communion.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. (Mark 14:6)
For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. (Mark 14:7)
She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. (Mark 14:8)
Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Mark 14:9)
Out of our communion flows the knowledge of God. We can read and we can study but we do not have communion we will be unable to truly witness. The gospel is preached through a witness, something tangible that describes and testifies of what cannot be seen in the natural.
the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– (1 John 1:2)
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)
Jesus was a witness of the Father who could not be seen. He came in the physical to testify of the Father’s love. There was no way to deny the Father’s love once we encountered Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father’? (John 14:9)
Our personal witness of the life of God in us comes from this place of communion. We received the life of God on the inside through Jesus Christ and by His Holy Spirit. His Spirit living on the inside is what communes with the Holy Spirit. This communion reveals to us who the Father is, His heart, who Jesus is, His plan and how He plans to execute it in the earth and the Holy Spirit how He operates together with us and the Lord to bring it all to pass. Our ministry to the Lord will reveal this in our lives.
It is about Him, His plan, His life in us and our life as an offering to Him.
Partnering With Jesus – Praying For Government
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (Romans 13:2)
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; (Romans 13:3)
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. (Romans 13:4)
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. (Romans 13:5)
ALL AUTHORITY COMES FROM GOD
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)
The entire Kingdom of God is set up under God’s authority. His authority governs the universe and everything created and uncreated is subject to God. This structure is eternal and will operate not only this age but in the age to come, it will never change. When we encounter God’s authority we cannot remain the same.
The structure of the Kingdom is made up of divisions of delegated authority beginning with heaven and each division or office of authority has rulers and dominions. When God began creation, He began releasing delegated authority. If we understand His authority we can subject ourselves to it and find we can operate in that same authority. To the level we honor and submit is to the level that authority manifests in our life.
Authority is freedom, protection and provision. Authority has parameters and boundaries and they are pleasant to those who are subject and in agreement with Him.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. (Psalm 16:6)
He has cast the lot for them, And His hand has divided it to them by line. They shall possess it forever; From generation to generation they will dwell in it. (Isaiah 34:17)
Boundaries were given to the sons of Israel and those lines gave them the boundary of their inheritance.
When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:8)
“When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment” (Prov. 8:29
In the same way there is spiritual authority given to the church. These boundaries are given ruling power and dominion. See Spiritual Authority I and Spiritual Authority II
The Father and the Son operate in authority and Jesus came to the earth to demonstrate the fullness of that authority.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. (John 17:3-7)
Everything Jesus did was establishing the Father in the heart of His people. He was doing what He heard and saw the Father doing. He was under the Father’s authority and His continual submission to that plan gave Him the power to enact it.
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)
You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there. (Psalm 68:18)
The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)
Jesus now seated at the right hand of the Father has released that authority to every believer.
I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)
“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. (John 17:18)
Moses is an excellent example of delegated authority in the church. He told the Lord the burden was too much to bear.
“I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. (Numbers 11:14)
The Lord responded to Moses’ intercession.
The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. (Numbers 11:16)
“Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. (Numbers 11:17)
God spoke again instructing Moses to place/delegate some of his authority onto Joshua who would be in partnership with the priest Eleazar to minister to the people so that Moses could attend to other matters the Lord required.
“May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, (Numbers 27:16)
who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:17)
So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; (Numbers 27:18)
Moses delegated his authority to Joshua.
“You shall put some of your authority on him (Joshua), in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him. (Numbers 27:20)
Another example of the importance of delegated/shared authority is Aaron and Hur. Moses is engaged in a tremendous battle with the enemy that requires the lifting of the rod of God to sustain victory.
So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” (Exodus 17:9)
Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. (Exodus 17:10)
So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11)
But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. (Exodus 17:12)
Intercession is much like lifting up the hands of the government leaders. We never turn the hands nor do we try to reposition the hands, we just want to lift them up. In other words we never have our own agenda we just want to support the mandate already given to the government leader.
Just as Jesus knew the mandate of His Father and Joshua knew the mandate on Moses we must understand as best as we can the mandate of our government leaders. This way we can unite our hearts to what God has deposited in them. Our portion is to see to help them step into all God has for them.
UNDERSTANDING THE MANDATE
“Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. (Numbers 11:17)
The mandate is an endowment from the Father. It is the Father’s heart shared and imparted to His Sons and Daughters. This mandate is His plan for the nations of the earth.
for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)
Jesus knew what the Father wanted to accomplish and He knew how to bring it to pass. He carries the title deed to the earth. He has the authority to execute the plan. He can implement the Father’s heart perfectly. Jesus has perfect leadership.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 45:9)
We must be in communion with the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit to execute justice in the land
Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. (Numbers 11:10)
We must have our hearts tuned into the people. Moses heard the cries of the people. He knew that the cries of the people moved the Father. There was another time that God was moved by the cries of the people and Moses knew this meant his leadership was needed.
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; (Exodus 3:7)
Moses interpreted the peoples cry as a need for provision.
Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. (Numbers 11:13)
However Moses could not minister to the people the Father’s heart. He needed help. He was displeased and unable to bear their complaints.
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. (Numbers 11:14)
This wasn’t the first time the people complained. Moses carried the people before the Father in intercession even as the wrath of God was ready to consume them with fire, Moses stood in the gap and turned the wrath of God away.
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1)
And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. (Numbers 11:2)
Now his was too busy to pray, he was unable to take all the responsibility in addition to standing in the gap. The Father moved when Moses prayed to Him asking for help.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. (Numbers 11:16)
And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. (Numbers 11:17)
The spirit of God that was upon Moses was now on the seventy elders and they began to prophesy, that means they could say exactly what the Father was saying just like Moses. They didn’t replace Moses but they had the ability to be one in the spirit and share the mandate with Moses.
In order for the mandate to bear fruit those in partnership must stay in communion with the Father and the government leaders. Just as Moses got in the gap and interceded for the people and prophesied to the people the Father’s heart the seventy would do the same.
It takes a surrendered heart to represent and to lead. It takes communion. The Father wants to come and speak and we have to be always available to hear what the Father is saying and what the government leaders is speaking. This takes a concerted effort to listen. Not just one on one but whenever they are speaking to anyone, listen for that mandate, listen for the plan to be described, this is our portion.
“Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. (Numbers 11:17)
Intercession is more than prayer but often it means becoming the solution. To execute and explain the purposes of the mandate. The Father has a mandate for all the nations and only Jesus can open up those seals and describe to us that plan. Once we have that understanding than we partner with Him and declare what He is saying.
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. (Revelation 5:1)
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” (Revelation 5:2)
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. (Revelation 5:3)
Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; (Revelation 5:4)
and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)
This plan is broken down and distributed to men in a city and in a nation. This plan or mandate when partnered with other mandates together gives the full expression of the book in the hands of Jesus.
The distribution of this mandate is by the Spirit. Just as the Father came down and put of His Spirit on Moses and the seventy elders, today He does the same.
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:5)
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. (1 Corinthians 12:6)
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. (1 Corinthians 12:18)
But now there are many members, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:20)
David had revelation of the Father’s mandate when He spoke these words.
“Go and say to My servant David, `Thus says the LORD, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? (2 Samuel 7:5)
“For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. (2 Samuel 7:6)
“Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, `Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’ “‘ (2 Samuel 7:7)
Night and Day Worship At Home
I sought for a man among them that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30)
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. (Isaiah 59:16)
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them (Psalms 106:23)
Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. (Jeremiah 5:1)
MAKING AN ALTAR AT HOME
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up its breaches; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will rebuild it as in the days of old: (Amos 9:11)
..Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is]… for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. (Psalm 25:14)
We were made to commune with the Lord night and day. This communion is unbroken fellowship. The journey to intimacy with the Lord begins when our day begins. From the moment our body awakes in the morning we can begin to worship and commune with the Lord.
Communion can be a heart response, it doesn’t necessarily mean dialogue, often we tune our ears, our heart, our spirit to hear what in on the Lord’s heart. This could be personally or for family, ministry, church, business or wherever our influence is released in decisions, change or participation.
In the night seasons we can dedicate our sleep to the Lord, we can offer Him our nights give Him access to us night and day, 24/7, anytime He wants for whatever He wants. Giving the Lord our nights may mean He wants us awake to talk to us, to get our intercession or to study something. When we offer our nights we must say Yes to whatever He wants before we know what it is that He wants. This position of yieldedness may release dreams, prophesy, or unusual encounters with the Holy Spirit.
Once this is a decision of your will to agree with God’s desire to have unbroken communion you will find the Holy Spirit pouring out grace to fulfill it. The Lord is jealous for us, He has much to say and much to show us and we can give all of our lifetime to discover the unending riches of His Glory.
Beginning your day with worship is helpful to set the atmosphere. Worship magnifies the Lord above everything and everyone. Worship can bring the hearts of all your family together in one focus and one purpose. When we lift up who God is and magnify His beauty and His majesty the heavens open and the angels draw near.
The angelic host joins worship. They partner with the Lord and they partner with us.
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,(Revelation 5:11)
Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. Jacob said when he saw them, “This is God’s camp.” (Genesis 32:1-2)
Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! (Psalm 103:20)
Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! (Psalms 148:2)
They ministered to the Lord and they can minister to us.
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matthew 4:11)
They are assigned to us. Jesus cautioned the disciples, teaching them that theses angels bring the children before the Father continually. I believe these angels are communicating to the children the Fathers will, leading and guiding them lest they dash their foot against a stone, (get into serious trouble.)
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12)
THE MANDATE OF YOUR HOME
And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. (Genesis 2:8)
The Lord God formed man and then He placed him in the garden, the place of his habitation. A partnership, relationship began. The next several verses the Lord God showed man what He wanted, He showed Him His plan. *see http://nancicraig.com/2011/12/19/god-makes-covenant-with-man-and-land/ and http://nancicraig.com/2011/11/26/the-habitation-of-the-lord-is-a-place-of-provision/ and http://nancicraig.com/2011/11/26/covenant-relationship-releases-provision/
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. (Genesis 2:10)
The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; (Genesis 2:11)
And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. (Genesis 2:12)
And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. (Genesis 2:13)
And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. (Genesis 2:14)
Then the Lord God gave man his rule, his government, his leadership role in this plan.
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (Genesis 2:16)
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17)
The word took is the Hebrew word Laqach (3947Heb) which means to lay hold of, to marry, to take possession, to take captive, to be brought unto, to flash about (lightening). This action was not a simple act, it was a consummation of the plan, an event that changed Adam from knowing God’s plan to becoming God’s plan. He has a purpose.
The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. (Genesis 2:8)
In Genesis 2:8 we see that the Lord God placed man in the garden. This word Suwm ((7760Heb) means that He set him, directed him, lay hands on him and ordained him, in a fixed position as a sign, He fashioned him for this work to bring it to pass. Before Adam even knew what the plan was God already placed everything in him to bring this plan to pass. Adam would be a sign to every man from hereafter, this is how God plans to rule His Kingdom.
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
Now in Genesis 2:15 the Lord God gives Adam His direction. He put the man in the garden. This word Nuwach (5117 Heb) means to rest, settle down, remain, cause to give rest, to obtain, to lay down. His position of partnership is one of rest, settled, comfort, remain and a position of waiting. He is not alone in this mandate, he is in partnership and they will do this together. God provided everything, showed Adam how that provision came forth and He instructed Adam what his part was in this garden.
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
The word cultivate is the Hebrew word abad (5647heb) which means to work, serve, labor, work for another, till the land make oneself a servant, cause to serve, led to serve. The word for keep is the Hebrew word shamar (8104heb) to guard, to protect, to give heed, watch, save life, watchman, to refrain, to abstain, to preserve, to keep oneself from. This word lets us know that the protection means even from yourself. You have the responsibility Adam to protect this garden even if it means abstaining or restraining yourself from it.
Everything you need Adam is here but that doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want with this garden. The Lord God had leadership, He was the One Adam took direction from but his participation in a servant role to serve not only the Lord God but also to make himself a servant to others. He had power to cause to spring forth, to prepare the ground, to serve that plan, to guard and protect the provision, to save life all as a sign to every generation that followed this was what the garden is for, this is the plan of the Father.
From this place of relationship the Father began to bring partnership with others. He formed a help meet making it impossible for Adam to complete the Father’s plan without serving another and coming into partnership with her.
Not only do we have a witness in the garden with God but we now have a witness in the flesh with a man and woman.
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
In this place of rest Adam had to wait for the Lord God to show Him who that helper was. He knew that the Father had a plan but Adam didn’t know the entire plan. It was a signal to Adam that there is more to come, I am looking for something more and Adam’s position was to continue in partnership.
Often when we are in the plan of the Father we know there is more that He wants and we are not sure what it is but we can sense He wants to make a change. The best place to be in that season is to keep doing what you know to do but look with expectation of what He may show you or bring to you. The way of the Kingdom is so much more that ourselves and our plan, God wants the partnership with His creation and with His body.
