I wish that you were sitting with me now. I wish you could be here in my family room as I've viewed the video clip that I am including in this blog. I wish you could feel my heart beating and see the tears streaming down my face and hear my prayers. I want you to please take a few minutes and watch this video clip and then read the remainder of this note. We are in such a desperate hour and God has given me a word for His body. That is not a statement I at all make lightly but with fear and trembling. Please, take about 15 minutes out of your time.... it's URGENT!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsxojbyAQGI
news report about this clip http://www.ktvu.com/news/17986914/detail.html
Last night, as a House of Prayer we spent the evening in intercession for these riots that are taking place in CA. At the time, I had not seen this clip. If you are unaware, the passage of Proposition 8 has created tremendous turmoil as the homosexual community has taken to the streets in protest. The preceding video is of but one example.
One of the passages of Scripture we used in our prayers was from Acts chapter 4 verses 27-31. The young lady in the video referenced them in sharing her testimony of what happened in that video clip. In this passage of Scripture, the believers in the early church were praying for boldness. Last night, I believe the Lord gave me a word and I want to share with you what He has highlighted in my spirit from these passages.
Immediately prior to this passage, Peter and John had gone before the Jewish council. They had been commanded not to preach in the name of Jesus. Peter immediately recognized that this was an impossibility for his life. As believers, in the hour in which we live now, we must not obey any authority that sets itself against preaching the gospel or otherwise require believers to disobey God's explicit commandments. I believe the Lord spoke very clearly to me that if you are a pastor, you are to in no way water down the preaching of the Word of God out of fear of losing your tax exempt status. God is your source and we are in a time where we have to speak the Word with complete boldness. Obviously, this is but one area of sin that needs addressing. But we must become bold!
Verses 25 and 26 were declared through David by the Holy Spirit. "Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed." These words were spoken regarding the Messiah, Jesus. But, can you hear them echoing down through the ages to God's anointed today? The kings of the earth, the governmental bodies are lining themselves up against Israel and against the church. Please be aware. Please become more alert than you have ever been. Be like the five virgins with their lamps trimmed and oil to spare. There are threats, there is rage against believers. And, in greater measure than ever before, it has come to our nation. It has been happening all over the world for generations and we've stood by in prayerlessness and without compassion as our brothers and sisters have endured tremendous torture and persecution for their faith. We are now seeing the beginnings of it here in our nation. Now is not the time to be consumed with anything but a firey passion for Jesus. It's time for the church to wake up and not be so caught up in TV and movies and sports and all of the distractions of this world. Legalism? NO! It's about holiness and pursuing a relationship that will sustain you in persecution. Being whole hearted for the one who was and is whole hearted for you!!
Continuing in verses 27 and 28, we see that the plan of Christ's crucifixion is being laid out as Herod and Pontius Pilate as well as the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel gathered together to "do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place." (vs 28) This is where the Lord spoke so clearly to me last night. GOD has drawn the line. Proposition 8 was but one method that the Father used in this election to draw the line of morality. A return to holiness. An opportunity to return to God. All that is taking place in CA and around the world was predestined and ordained by God! I Thess makes it clear that suffering and affliction are normal for those destined to be saved in the end. And, this is not just an issue for the unsaved turning to Christ as Savior. This issue and this line has been drawn for the body of Christ to determine our response and our readiness and our pursuit of Him.
The early church's response was a prayer not that God would look upon the threats and cause them to cease. Look at verses 29-30. "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness while you stretch out your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant, Jesus". They were praying for the boldness to continue preaching Christ DURING THE THREATS AND PERSECUTION!!! They weren't saying "save me from the persecution"... their cry was for God to come one the scene and make them bold in proclaiming Jesus and that signs and wonders would come and be performed! God, grant us that heart!
And, what was the result? Verse 31... "And when they had prayed the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Dear friends, if you are like me you were raised with the privlege of a heritage of the Full Gospel that includes the infilling and power of the Holy Spirit. But, I am telling you, if you really want to know what it is for, I can tell you it isn't for Holy Ghost goosebumps. It is so that you will have sufficient courage to proclaim Jesus in places like the Castro District in San Fancisco and do it as people are hurling obscenities at you and pouring hot coffee in your face.
I find myself all too often consumed with everything BUT Him. And, so easily justify it. When the kids take a place in my life that isn't there I justify it as "being a good Mom". When my relationship with Jesus takes second fiddle to my husband or to managing my household, I justify it as "being a good wife." We even allow spiritual activities to take precidence over time in the Word and in prayer and consider ourselves to be good Christians. Pastors, when was the last time your hours spent in prayer and study had nothing at all to do with your next sermon or Sunday School class but had absolutely everything to do with the fact that you are in love with Jesus and prayer and study is the only way to get closer to Him and you can't stand to not be as close as you can be? When was the last time you turned off the TV and chose Christ? Gave up the football game for Christ? Flipped off the computer for Jesus? Turned off your Blackberry for Him?
We have come so far out of a Gospel of holiness and pursuit of Jesus out of fear of being perceived as legalistic. View me how you want. I want Him!!! He is going to be all that sustains me when I'm faced with persecution. And, mark my words, it's coming. Don't think that you will somehow be secretly raptured out of here and miss out. Our brothers and sisters all over the world can only wish that were the case.
The line has been drawn. Do you have the perception to see the line and understand the hour in which we are living? I pray you do....
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Coming Soon....
Forgive me for not blogging in a few days. I know my last blog promised some teaching and it is coming! I've been asking the Lord what direction He'd have me take and I got a blaring answer tonight at the House of Prayer. So, bear with me... by tomorrow night or Thursday, I'll have a new blog and a powerful word from the Lord... and believe me, I don't take that lightly!
So... coming soon.... R U Ready?
So... coming soon.... R U Ready?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
HELP
By the way... if anyone can help me do something with the blog site itself, I'd appreciate it. I can't seem to make it look like anything...
Purpose
It is a cold, rainy Tuesday. One of those days that, from the moment the alarm clock goes off, you think to yourself "Why am I even getting out of bed today?" Then, you spend the rest of the day wishing you were doing anything but what you're doing. If you are anything like me, you end up thinking deep thoughts like "Why am I here?" "Why do I do the things I do?" "Did I shut off the oven when I left the house...."
Driving home, I was contemplating purpose. I'd just emailed a friend who is studying the Bridal paradigm that is so critical for believers to understand as we walk out our journey of faith. I had just explained that the reason that the Muslim faith is the fastest growing faith in the world is that it gives it's followers purpose. While the extremists are misguided, their faith has a purpose and ultimate destiny- - no matter what means they must use to achieve it. And, they are wholeheartedly committed. We look at them as crazy, yet they have found the one thing that everyone is searching for... purpose.
I grew up in a Pastor's home. I was NOT the typical PK. No wild child here. I know I had some moments of rebellion but I loved God with all my heart. I KNEW God had a plan and purpose for my life. I didn't want to do anything that would disqualify me from all that God had for me.
As I grew into adult hood, not much of anything seemed to have a point to it. Or, at least I made them about the wrong point... college was all about getting my M.R.S. degree. That bounced me from failed relationship to failed relationship... with all the fingers pointed back at myself for the failing. This set a pattern for my life that lead to a brutal divorce and confusion and what I was told was disqualification from the very purposes I'd lived so hard to try and achieve. My vision of ministry and life was fashioned according to a wrong mentality that it was somehow about being good enough. Looking a certain way. Singing a certain way. But, there was no ultimate purpose.....
Ok... so what am I saying? I had been in "the church" my entire life and knew all of the right answers and could quote all the right Scriptures and still found myself where the majority of society finds itself... asking "what now?". The church has offered plans and purposes but done a poor job of defining them so that people understand. We have offered very little more than stagnate religion that leaves people believing they've done everything right but find that nothing has turned out as promised. They aren't propsering financially. Their families are in ruins. Their lives look exactly like the rest of the world so what is the purpose of getting up and going to church every Sunday just to go to work on Monday and find you are no different than the guy in the cube next to you who spent the weekend drunk?
In the last four years I have been on an indepth spiritual journey. I've been after that purpose. I decided that if everything I'd been taught my entire life was real, I wanted it, but not the way I'd learned it or perceived it. I wanted GOD! I was desperate for an encounter with a real God...not just some emotional release for a moment. I have been devouring the Word. Finding out that some of what I'd been taught in church was actually incorrect... (let's face it... fallable people attempting to teach an infallable Word are not always gonna get it right)..... and finding a very different version of God than I'd ever dreamed about.
The Gospel we've been presenting as a church is only half a gospel. We preach that Jesus lived... He died...He was buried and He rose again. Come and serve this Jesus. Come and receive eternal life. That's GREAT. Don't get me wrong. But a get out of hell free card just doesn't do it when you are sitting in a house with no electricity in it and there is no food in the fridge. I've been there! There is so much more!!!
JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!! As a conquering King! As a Bridegroom who is passionate for a bride without spot or wrinkle who has been washed in the blood of the lamb!!! The very names of God are His very character. We have got to, as a church, connect people with more than an opportunity to float on a cloud and play a harp!
Ok... when the Bible teaches that those who are faithful with little will be entrusted with much.. what does that mean? For some, we've been taught that if we are faithful in our tithe that God will give us more finances. So, what happens to those who are faithful in their tithe and giving in offerings but still find that financial ends aren't meeting. Let me submit another thought....
God's intention from the beginning of time was to partner with us in the administration of His kingdom here on earth. We see this even in Adam naming the animals. So, what if, when we are faithful with little NOW the much comes when Jesus returns and we reign and rule with Him? There is so much more than just what is happening in our lives TODAY or TOMORROW or NEXT YEAR or TWENTY YEARS AGO! There is an eternal KINGDOM. Read Matthew 4-6. Jesus wasn't referring to building the church... over and over He talked of building a Kingdom.
So, I've covered alot of ground here. If anyone reads this, your head might be swimming. But hang on. Over the next... however long... I'm going to present some practical teaching and applications for kingdom building and finding your purpose. Finding a relationship that has value and meaning... a relationship with a man, Jesus, who is sitting at the throne of His Father cheering you on in this journey because He so passionately desires YOU!!! I hope SOMEBODY will join me.
Pursuing Him and Him alone,
Vicki
Driving home, I was contemplating purpose. I'd just emailed a friend who is studying the Bridal paradigm that is so critical for believers to understand as we walk out our journey of faith. I had just explained that the reason that the Muslim faith is the fastest growing faith in the world is that it gives it's followers purpose. While the extremists are misguided, their faith has a purpose and ultimate destiny- - no matter what means they must use to achieve it. And, they are wholeheartedly committed. We look at them as crazy, yet they have found the one thing that everyone is searching for... purpose.
I grew up in a Pastor's home. I was NOT the typical PK. No wild child here. I know I had some moments of rebellion but I loved God with all my heart. I KNEW God had a plan and purpose for my life. I didn't want to do anything that would disqualify me from all that God had for me.
As I grew into adult hood, not much of anything seemed to have a point to it. Or, at least I made them about the wrong point... college was all about getting my M.R.S. degree. That bounced me from failed relationship to failed relationship... with all the fingers pointed back at myself for the failing. This set a pattern for my life that lead to a brutal divorce and confusion and what I was told was disqualification from the very purposes I'd lived so hard to try and achieve. My vision of ministry and life was fashioned according to a wrong mentality that it was somehow about being good enough. Looking a certain way. Singing a certain way. But, there was no ultimate purpose.....
Ok... so what am I saying? I had been in "the church" my entire life and knew all of the right answers and could quote all the right Scriptures and still found myself where the majority of society finds itself... asking "what now?". The church has offered plans and purposes but done a poor job of defining them so that people understand. We have offered very little more than stagnate religion that leaves people believing they've done everything right but find that nothing has turned out as promised. They aren't propsering financially. Their families are in ruins. Their lives look exactly like the rest of the world so what is the purpose of getting up and going to church every Sunday just to go to work on Monday and find you are no different than the guy in the cube next to you who spent the weekend drunk?
In the last four years I have been on an indepth spiritual journey. I've been after that purpose. I decided that if everything I'd been taught my entire life was real, I wanted it, but not the way I'd learned it or perceived it. I wanted GOD! I was desperate for an encounter with a real God...not just some emotional release for a moment. I have been devouring the Word. Finding out that some of what I'd been taught in church was actually incorrect... (let's face it... fallable people attempting to teach an infallable Word are not always gonna get it right)..... and finding a very different version of God than I'd ever dreamed about.
The Gospel we've been presenting as a church is only half a gospel. We preach that Jesus lived... He died...He was buried and He rose again. Come and serve this Jesus. Come and receive eternal life. That's GREAT. Don't get me wrong. But a get out of hell free card just doesn't do it when you are sitting in a house with no electricity in it and there is no food in the fridge. I've been there! There is so much more!!!
JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!! As a conquering King! As a Bridegroom who is passionate for a bride without spot or wrinkle who has been washed in the blood of the lamb!!! The very names of God are His very character. We have got to, as a church, connect people with more than an opportunity to float on a cloud and play a harp!
Ok... when the Bible teaches that those who are faithful with little will be entrusted with much.. what does that mean? For some, we've been taught that if we are faithful in our tithe that God will give us more finances. So, what happens to those who are faithful in their tithe and giving in offerings but still find that financial ends aren't meeting. Let me submit another thought....
God's intention from the beginning of time was to partner with us in the administration of His kingdom here on earth. We see this even in Adam naming the animals. So, what if, when we are faithful with little NOW the much comes when Jesus returns and we reign and rule with Him? There is so much more than just what is happening in our lives TODAY or TOMORROW or NEXT YEAR or TWENTY YEARS AGO! There is an eternal KINGDOM. Read Matthew 4-6. Jesus wasn't referring to building the church... over and over He talked of building a Kingdom.
So, I've covered alot of ground here. If anyone reads this, your head might be swimming. But hang on. Over the next... however long... I'm going to present some practical teaching and applications for kingdom building and finding your purpose. Finding a relationship that has value and meaning... a relationship with a man, Jesus, who is sitting at the throne of His Father cheering you on in this journey because He so passionately desires YOU!!! I hope SOMEBODY will join me.
Pursuing Him and Him alone,
Vicki
Monday, November 10, 2008
Road Rage
So, it is Monday morning... I am driving along to work... I pull up to a red light where I am going to turn right. The traffic is moderately heavy, but nothing too major. I have the option of turning right on red which I decided to exercise. Now, the speed limit along this stretch of road is 45 miles an hour. There was a van a considerable distance away and by the time that van had reached me, I was up to 40-42 mph. Definitely a reasonable driving choice.
But, isn't it interesting how others view our choices? This woman was not happy with me. You know the drive-by stares you get. I didn't look in her window closely enough to know whether I got more than a stare. And, you know the feeling you get. You think about it forever after it occurs and then realize they are in the vehicle probably seething.
We live in such a crazy world. You can't even do anything that is within your "rights" to do without offending someone.
As I have pondered my experience this morning, I am faced with a couple of choices. I can continue to feel icky about the whole experience and frustrated that someone would be so ridiculous as to express their frustration at my driving choice. Or, I can surrender my rights. How often do we hang onto things... feelings... offense.... garbage... just because it's our right to hang onto them. We are justified. The other person was wrong. Choice number one... hanging on to my rights...leaves me feeling frustrated, depressed, angry. All negative emotions that are bad for our bodies, minds and spirits. But, surrender, that's the harder choice but the one that reaps more benefits.
So, next time you are faced with someone who is experiencing road rage, remember, just lay down your rights to holding offense against that person. The life you save just might be yours!
But, isn't it interesting how others view our choices? This woman was not happy with me. You know the drive-by stares you get. I didn't look in her window closely enough to know whether I got more than a stare. And, you know the feeling you get. You think about it forever after it occurs and then realize they are in the vehicle probably seething.
We live in such a crazy world. You can't even do anything that is within your "rights" to do without offending someone.
As I have pondered my experience this morning, I am faced with a couple of choices. I can continue to feel icky about the whole experience and frustrated that someone would be so ridiculous as to express their frustration at my driving choice. Or, I can surrender my rights. How often do we hang onto things... feelings... offense.... garbage... just because it's our right to hang onto them. We are justified. The other person was wrong. Choice number one... hanging on to my rights...leaves me feeling frustrated, depressed, angry. All negative emotions that are bad for our bodies, minds and spirits. But, surrender, that's the harder choice but the one that reaps more benefits.
So, next time you are faced with someone who is experiencing road rage, remember, just lay down your rights to holding offense against that person. The life you save just might be yours!
Friday, November 7, 2008
This is the Day the Lord Has Made!
It is a gorgeous Fall day! The sun is shining and the air is crisp and clean. While a good portion of the leaves have already fallen, I am looking out my family room window and my backyard neighbors have a big beautiful tree that is radiant with the colors of Fall! It's awesome! I get to enjoy the beauty and don't even have to rake the leaves!
With all the ugliness in our world, it is easy to get distracted from all of the beauty. We so easily fix our eyes on the junk. I commented on Tuesday that I was watching President-elect Obama's acceptance speech because it was like watching a train wreck... I just couldn't tear my eyes away.
I think many of us, in that same way, become focused on circumstances and situations that are difficult at best.... life altering at times. This trend sets our hearts and minds to a negative station that brings us to a point of depression and despair. God desires us to renew our mind. To focus on the good things He has given us. To set our hearts and our affections on His Son, our coming Bridegroom and KING!!!
Our nation has elected a president that I was very dead set against. But there are some things we must remember....
1. He is not KING!!!
2. He is not from everlasting to everlasting!!!
3. He is not our source..... Jehovah Jireh!!!
4. OUR GOD REIGNS!!!
Revelation 4 beautifully describes the beauty and majesty of THE ONE seated on the throne. I want to encourage you to grab your Bible, find a place of beauty and begin asking the Holy Spirit to really illuminate this chapter for you. Flip that switch in your mind. Then you will have the perspective God desires you to have!!!!
Shalom!
With all the ugliness in our world, it is easy to get distracted from all of the beauty. We so easily fix our eyes on the junk. I commented on Tuesday that I was watching President-elect Obama's acceptance speech because it was like watching a train wreck... I just couldn't tear my eyes away.
I think many of us, in that same way, become focused on circumstances and situations that are difficult at best.... life altering at times. This trend sets our hearts and minds to a negative station that brings us to a point of depression and despair. God desires us to renew our mind. To focus on the good things He has given us. To set our hearts and our affections on His Son, our coming Bridegroom and KING!!!
Our nation has elected a president that I was very dead set against. But there are some things we must remember....
1. He is not KING!!!
2. He is not from everlasting to everlasting!!!
3. He is not our source..... Jehovah Jireh!!!
4. OUR GOD REIGNS!!!
Revelation 4 beautifully describes the beauty and majesty of THE ONE seated on the throne. I want to encourage you to grab your Bible, find a place of beauty and begin asking the Holy Spirit to really illuminate this chapter for you. Flip that switch in your mind. Then you will have the perspective God desires you to have!!!!
Shalom!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Well Here We Go
Everyone has thoughts, feelings and opinions. Often we express them without stopping to think about the affect our words might be having. More often, we choose not to express them for fear of what others might think. Most of my friends and family would tell you that I am always very willing to express what I'm thinking. They've been telling me for years to get a blog. But, I'm not as comfortable with the concept as they think I am. But, I'm willing to give it a try.
I hope you enjoy this blog! I hope that it makes you think. Helps you out. Makes you laugh. Makes you cry and causes you to want to subscribe! It wouldn't be fun if noone showed up to read it!
I hope you enjoy this blog! I hope that it makes you think. Helps you out. Makes you laugh. Makes you cry and causes you to want to subscribe! It wouldn't be fun if noone showed up to read it!
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