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Luke 11
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say: ” ‘Our Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. this same prayer is completed in Matthew 6 with this:
but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
But, have you considered that we get to partner with God as He brings His Kingdom?? How? Through prayer, also known as “intercession”! More specific, through corporate intercession. If you look at this passage, it really is quite clear.
In the Luke 11 passage, Jesus has just finished praying. It’s not completely defined, but it seems that His disciples were with Him, and perhaps He was leading them in a time of prayer. But, one of them, probably being struck with the power and authority in Jesus’ manner of prayer, asks Him to teach them how to do “that”. Jesus responds by giving them an outline model of how to pray. If you take time to dissect the different parts, it’s really a great study (perhaps for another post?).
Now, we should consider here that Jesus is the “Great Intercessor”. He is the One who has and always will “live to intercede” for us:
Hebrews 7:24-26
but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Intercession is the way that Jesus runs His Kingdom (also seen in Revelation 4-5). And this kingdom, His government, is ever expanding and increasing (Isaiah 9). As He was praying this day, He was ruling His government, from Earth, through prayer. His disciple was looking for an invitation into this glorious governmental expression.
Jesus was more than happy to oblige. He shows them how to approach God, what the primary focus of this prayer is, and the way it’s meant to happen:
1. Worship the Father (“our Father.. hallowed be Your name”)
2. Focus on the Kingdom (“Your Kingdom come . . “)
3. Don’t just pray alone, in fact, the way to do it is TOGETHER, i.e. corporate prayer.
I hear you saying, “Ok, I get the worship part and the kingdom part, but where do you see corporate prayer?” Well, it’s almost so obvious that it’s easy to miss. It’s through the whole prayer!
Our Father
Give us . . .
Forgive us . . .
Lead us . . .
Deliver us . . .
All of the words in the prayer are plural pronouns, as if you’re praying this WITH others. It’s a little odd to be praying for “us” when you’re alone, isn’t it? Think about it.
I added in the Matthew 6 version of the passage because it goes even further to illustrate that us doing this TOGETHER and in right relationship with others is essential to prayer working right (if you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven).
This does not replace the power and necessity of personal prayer/devotion. Remember Jesus also instructed, “when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and the Father who sees what is done in secret…” (Matthew 6:6). Prayer is not just a show to do the “religious” thing. If the only place you ever prayed was in front of others, you might find yourself in the camp of the “hypocrites” of which He is speaking . .
But, what I’m highlighting here is what I see as the very misunderstood power and necessity of corporate intercession. Am I simply trying to get more people to show up to our weekly prayer meeting. No, but if you understand what is being said, you might just WANT to show up there…. and anywhere else where people are praying!!
It’s our grand privilege and honor to join with Jesus in the ministry of intercession!! Why wouldn’t you want to?
-Jessie
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August 4, 2009
July 23, 2009
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John 17
20″My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24″Father, I desire for those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25″Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Coming away from the message on Jesus’ unconditional love on Sunday, I kept thinking about this prayer Jesus prayed at the very end of His first earthly ministry (I say “first” because He WILL b .
e back!). Knowing this was the end of this very important season in His life, we have to realize that Jesus’ words to His Father here are immensely weighty. This prayer represents His greatest desire (see verse 24). It is THE thing that He has poured out His life, His heart, His soul for . . . that we would be “with” Him, in every way. That concept is HUGE. I invite you to pray through the depths of that. . .
However, I’d like to focus in on the very last sentence:
“I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known . .
(why?)
so that the LOVE You have fore me may be IN THEM.
Why has Jesus made God the Father know to us?
So that the very LOVE of God would be inside of us!
Think about that! How much do you think Father God loves His Son, Jesus?!? How much does God love God?? What kind of love do the Father and Son share? What kind of immense, passionate, uncontainable affection do you think they share? How perfect is it? How full of glory could it be? Could it be the very flavor of Heaven?
Well Jesus purpose was/is that this same love would dwell in US!
And with this love in us (yes, it is!), how shall we then love God? And, how shall we love those around us?
Oh, that we would possess this heart, and that we would express it to everyone we meet and every one we know!
-Jessie
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July 8, 2009
Luke 11
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27″Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34″Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39″Take away the stone,” he said.
”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27″Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34″Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39″Take away the stone,” he said.
”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
This passage is so illustrative of many of our interactions with the Lord. Dive as deep in it as you want. 
What I’d like to focus in on is verse 40:
What I’d like to focus in on is verse 40:
Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
Here were two committed, faithful lovers of God, Mary and Martha. They loved Jesus, they believed Him. They even believed that He could do anything, but they put it off for a past or future time (“if you were here…”, “…in the resurrection”). When Jesus showed up, they were happy to see Him, but didn’t think anything was going to happen.
How often do we do this? We know that God CAN do anything. We WISH that he would do something many times. But when Jesus comes face to face with us, we’re more prone to ask Him why He didn’t do something about ________ (enter past dissappointing situation here). But, at that moment, He is HERE and WANTS to show us His glory, RIGHT NOW! It’s His desire to show us His goodness right where we are, right NOW!
Can we choose to believe not only that he can, but that He WILL and that He wants to??
Consider your current situation. Wouldn’t you like to see the glory of God in it?
Consider the church. Can you believe that He WILL do something NOW to show us His glory?
In light of Sunday’s message, think of those who don’t know Jesus, who are in your life. Let’s believe that Jesus is THERE and WANTS to show them His glory!
And that is how we should pray!
I hear the Spirit saying, “There are NO limits to me and what I will do, if only you will believe, and open your eyes to see.”
Luke 11
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27″Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34″Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39″Take away the stone,” he said.
”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27″Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34″Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39″Take away the stone,” he said.
”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
This passage is so illustrative of many of our interactions with the Lord. Dive as deep in it as you want. What I’d like to focus in on is verse 40:
What I’d like to focus in on is verse 40:
Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
Here were two committed, faithful lovers of God, Mary and Martha. They loved Jesus, they believed Him. They even believed that He could do anything, but they put it off for a past or future time (“if you were here…”, “…in the resurrection”). When Jesus showed up, they were happy to see Him, but didn’t think anything was going to happen.
How often do we do this? We know that God CAN do anything. We WISH that he would do something many times. But when Jesus comes face to face with us, we’re more prone to ask Him why He didn’t do something about ________ (enter past dissappointing situation here). But, at that moment, He is HERE and WANTS to show us His glory, RIGHT NOW! It’s His desire to show us His goodness right where we are, right NOW!
Can we choose to believe not only that he can, but that He WILL and that He wants to??
Consider your current situation. Wouldn’t you like to see the glory of God in it?
Consider the church. Can you believe that He WILL do something NOW to show us His glory?
In light of Sunday’s message, think of those who don’t know Jesus, who are in your life. Let’s believe that Jesus is THERE and WANTS to show them His glory!
And that is how we should pray!
I hear the Spirit saying, “There are NO limits to me and what I will do, if only you will believe, and open your eyes to see.”
Luke 11
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27″Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34″Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39″Take away the stone,” he said.
”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27″Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34″Where have you laid him?” he asked.
”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39″Take away the stone,” he said.
”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
This passage is so illustrative of many of our interactions with the Lord. Dive as deep in it as you want. What I’d like to focus in on is verse 40:
What I’d like to focus in on is verse 40:
Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
Here were two committed, faithful lovers of God, Mary and Martha. They loved Jesus, they believed Him. They even believed that He could do anything, but they put it off for a past or future time (“if you were here…”, “…in the resurrection”). When Jesus showed up, they were happy to see Him, but didn’t think anything was going to happen.
How often do we do this? We know that God CAN do anything. We WISH that he would do something many times. But when Jesus comes face to face with us, we’re more prone to ask Him why He didn’t do something about ________ (enter past dissappointing situation here). But, at that moment, He is HERE and WANTS to show us His glory, RIGHT NOW! It’s His desire to show us His goodness right where we are, right NOW!
Can we choose to believe not only that he can, but that He WILL and that He wants to??
Consider your current situation. Wouldn’t you like to see the glory of God in it?
Consider the church. Can you believe that He WILL do something NOW to show us His glory?
In light of Sunday’s message, think of those who don’t know Jesus, who are in your life. Let’s believe that Jesus is THERE and WANTS to show them His glory!
And that is how we should pray!
I hear the Spirit saying, “There are NO limits to me and what I will do, if only you will believe, and open your eyes to see.”
-Jessie
June 11, 2009
Proverbs 2
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Luke 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
These Scriptures came out in prophetic words last Sunday, so I thought I’d highlight them here.
Clearly the Lord is trying to remind of us of His promise to answer us when we call to Him; that He LIKES to grant us what we ask of Him.
Notice the surety of his promise to give:
-”.. you WILL understand.. and (will) find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:5)
-”..it WILL be given”
-”… you WILL find”
-”… the door WILL be opened”
He is a GOOD FATHER who LOVES to give good gifts to His children! (Luke 7:11)
But notice the conditions of His giving –
1. Accept My Words
2. Store up My commands within you
3. turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understand
4. CALL OUT for insight and CRY ALOUD for understanding
5. look for it (wisdom) as for hidden treasure
6. ask, seek, knock
When you find a treasure hidden in a field, the wisest thing to do is sell everything you have to get it!
When we seek the Lord, sometimes it will “cost” us everything. But to get the Reality of Him in the end is more than worth it!
Many times we ask the Lord and seek Him for things (and notice here what is most needful to ask for is INSIGHT, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE OF GOD) — but we give up and stop asking before we actually get the answer! If He promises that the door WILL be opened, then we should never stop knocking UNTIL it actually opens! How many answered prayers do we miss out on because we didn’t CONTINUE to seek, ask, knock until we FOUND what we were looking for??
On a personal note, I want to testify that I have been seeing MANY remarkable answers to prayer, specifically prayers that I have prayed CORPORATELY (i.e. with others, in agreement with others). God is good!
Let’s be those that seek UNTIL we find. May we grow as people of prayer!!
Proverbs 2
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Luke 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
These Scriptures came out in prophetic words last Sunday, so I thought I’d highlight them here.
Clearly the Lord is trying to remind of us of His promise to answer us when we call to Him; that He LIKES to grant us what we ask of Him.
Notice the surety of his promise to give:
-”.. you WILL understand.. and (will) find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:5)
-”..it WILL be given”
-”… you WILL find”
-”… the door WILL be opened”
He is a GOOD FATHER who LOVES to give good gifts to His children! (Luke 7:11)
But notice the conditions of His giving –
1. Accept My Words
2. Store up My commands within you
3. turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understand
4. CALL OUT for insight and CRY ALOUD for understanding
5. look for it (wisdom) as for hidden treasure
6. ask, seek, knock
When you find a treasure hidden in a field, the wisest thing to do is sell everything you have to get it!
When we seek the Lord, sometimes it will “cost” us everything. But to get the Reality of Him in the end is more than worth it!
Many times we ask the Lord and seek Him for things (and notice here what is most needful to ask for is INSIGHT, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE OF GOD) — but we give up and stop asking before we actually get the answer! If He promises that the door WILL be opened, then we should never stop knocking UNTIL it actually opens! How many answered prayers do we miss out on because we didn’t CONTINUE to seek, ask, knock until we FOUND what we were looking for??
On a personal note, I want to testify that I have been seeing MANY remarkable answers to prayer, specifically prayers that I have prayed CORPORATELY (i.e. with others, in agreement with others). God is good!
Let’s be those that seek UNTIL we find. May we grow as people of prayer!!
Proverbs 2
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Luke 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
These Scriptures came out in prophetic words last Sunday, so I thought I’d highlight them here.
Clearly the Lord is trying to remind of us of His promise to answer us when we call to Him; that He LIKES to grant us what we ask of Him.
Notice the surety of his promise to give:
-”.. you WILL understand.. and (will) find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:5)
-”..it WILL be given”
-”… you WILL find”
-”… the door WILL be opened”
He is a GOOD FATHER who LOVES to give good gifts to His children! (Luke 7:11)
But notice the conditions of His giving –
1. Accept My Words
2. Store up My commands within you
3. turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understand
4. CALL OUT for insight and CRY ALOUD for understanding
5. look for it (wisdom) as for hidden treasure
6. ask, seek, knock
When you find a treasure hidden in a field, the wisest thing to do is sell everything you have to get it!
When we seek the Lord, sometimes it will “cost” us everything. But to get the Reality of Him in the end is more than worth it!
Many times we ask the Lord and seek Him for things (and notice here what is most needful to ask for is INSIGHT, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE OF GOD) — but we give up and stop asking before we actually get the answer! If He promises that the door WILL be opened, then we should never stop knocking UNTIL it actually opens! How many answered prayers do we miss out on because we didn’t CONTINUE to seek, ask, knock until we FOUND what we were looking for??
On a personal note, I want to testify that I have been seeing MANY remarkable answers to prayer, specifically prayers that I have prayed CORPORATELY (i.e. with others, in agreement with others). God is good!
Let’s be those that seek UNTIL we find. May we grow as people of prayer!!
-Jessie
June 4, 2009
Luke 5:17-26 (New International Version)
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.
17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.
18 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Tom Schroeder shared this Scripture at our prayer meeting yesterday and my heart was stirred, so I thought I would post it for our weekly word. What an amazing account! Jesus, with the scrutiny of the religious leaders is teaching AND the power of the Lord was present to heal the sick! I want to share a few observations and a few questions (without answers) for you to consider.
First, the questions that I’m asking God: What does it mean that the power of the Lord was present for Jesus to heal the sick? Was this power not ALWAYS with Him? And, how would one know if the power of the Lord was present in a particular way to heal or not? What would bring the power of the Lord in such a way?
Those questions alone would be a great menu for prayer . . .
But, I want to look at the faith of these individuals who became recipients of this power.
Surely there were many people in this meeting, and probably many who needed healing, and perhaps many more that got healed than just this man who is highlighted in the story. Luke, the author, surely highlights this part of the story because it wasn’t normal (then again, what WAS normal when Jesus was around??). It seems that these guys acted in particular way that made it inevitable that Jesus would answer them and give them what they wanted. They presumed upon His goodness and power.
It’s as if they said to themselves, “If we can just get right in front of Him. He WILL heal you!”
Here’s what I see as their mindset, and what we could apply to ourselves.
1. Do whatever it takes… to
2. Get as close to Jesus as possible
3. Believing that He WANTED to give them the answer
4. With no regard to what it would “cost” in terms of energy, reputation, etc.
5. Not worried about offending others (what did the owner of the house think as they were tearing off the roof?!!)
6. Any doubts about, “What if it doesn’t work”, didn’t keep them from trying.
I don’t know about you, but, I’ve been praying and seeking God to be present in such a way among us. I think these guys set forth a great template for us to follow as we seek to be people who believe AND see in faith. We must see the LIVING God at work among us. Let us seek to get as close to Jesus as possible so that His power will be present to heal . . and to save.. and deliver…. and do whatever Jesus does when He is around.
-Jessie
May 22, 2009
Right but Wrong
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
I think it’s human nature that we always want to believe that we are right. And surely in nearly every situation there is one side the is right and one that is wrong, specifically in terms of what’s right before the Lord. But, consider this: Do you realize that it’s possible to be “right” about something but, at the same time, be completely wrong?
What am I talking about? Well, you can have the completely right answer, perspective, etc. but in your zealousness to be right and prove your “rightness”, you can be totally unrighteous (righteous = right before God). Consider this: the Pharisees were very right in many ways in their zealousness for the laws of God. And, God loves His laws, they were made for our God. You would think that those who were fully committed to it would be fully pleasing to the Lord, right? But, as we know, some of Jesus’ strongest words of rebuke were for these guys! So, what was the issue? The heart! They were right but they missed the heart of God in the whole thing! They dealt harshly with those who “fell short” and lacked love!! THIS one thing made them completely wrong!!
So, what does this mean to us in light of these Scriptures?
God’s not as concerned about us being right as He is that our HEART is right. The testing question is: Is God’s love your motivation? Are you showing love in how you deal with that person/situation?
We could move mountains, raise the dead, heal the sick, and die a martyr . . . but if we have not love, it means NOTHING (see I Corinthians 13).
Our goal should always be love. Love for God and love for others.
Let us remember this in how we deal with our spouses when we disagree.
Let us remember this when our children disobey or disappoint us.
Let us remember this when a brother or sister is in sin.
Let’s remember this when we don’t see eye to eye.
We should think about this in our politics and our response to leaders.
Love covers a multitude of sin.
Love has the power to transform.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. Pbilipians 4:5.
-Jessie
May 14, 2009
Colossians 3:
The Word of God is so RICH! I truly is living and active. When our hearts and spirits are open to it, there is SO much to receive from it! It transforms us, makes us new, conforms us to the image of Christ, for Christ IS the Living Word!!
Let’s take a look at this passage from Colossians 3.
1. We are CHOSEN, HOLY and DEARLY LOVED. Do you know that this is your identity?
-We are CHOSEN. God saw fit to pick us as the object of His affection. He loves us!
-As He chosen us, and in the choosing, He has made us HOLY — we are purified, set apart, made for something very beautiful and special. We have been given His transcendence.
-We are DEARLY loved. We are cherished by God, not just “tolerated”. We are dear to His heart! Let that blow your mind! God is in love with you! Every moment of every day!!
How do we respond to this great calling and this great love?
2. We clothe ourselves, i.e., we MAKE A CHOICE, to be:
-compassionate
-kind
-humble
-gentle
-patient
These things don’t always come naturally to us. But, we are called in this identity as God’s people to be LIKE HIM and choose to act as He does. Obviously, these are fruits of the Holy Spirit in us (see Galatians 5). In other words, we cannot produce them on our own. However, since we have the Spirit living in us, we HAVE the ability to be all of these things, but we get to CHOOSE to act according to the Spirit or according to our own nature in every situation. The Spirit will not overtake us and make us act the way He desires. We make a choice to choose Him.
3. Bear with one anothers’ weaknesses and forgive whatever grievances you have…
-this is huge. We are so prone to hold grudges and judge others for their faults. But, we ALL have fault, we all have lack! And this is why we all must choose to operate in those fruits of the spirit. We ALL need a little kindness, don’t we?
4. PUT ON Love.
-Again this is a choice. Love is the very nature of God! And, we HAVE BEEN GIVEN His nature! The divine nature lives within us!!
5. Let PEACE rule in your heart.
-Sounds like we get to choose…. hmmm.
We can LET peace rule in us, or we can let something else rule our hearts….
6. BE THANKFUL!!!
in every situation
7. Let the Word dwell in you richly.
Tim shared a great message on this last Sunday.
May we put on Christ and bear abundant fruit today.
-Jessie
May 7, 2009
Isaiah 40
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
and complain, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who wait on the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
I Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Hebrews 12:
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
How often do we find ourselves in the place of complaining, thinking God is far from us. We think he has forsaken us. We think “surely He’s not interested/concerned in my little life”. As Isaiah quotes, we feel that our “cause has been disregarded” by Him. Surely God has more important items on His to-do list than our little, insignificant lives . . .surely He gets wearied with our asking and failing . . right?
“Do you not know? Have you not heard?” He NEVER gets tired of you! Your “cause”, your life, are not outside of His thoughts. He knows and understands COMPLETELY every detail! And, YES, He CARES!! Even better still — when you feel weak and weary, HE is the One who wants to give you STRENGTH! He wants to empower you to keep going! It’s not a vacation you need, or that one “thing” that you don’t have that you wish you had. It’ HIM you need!
There’s a race set before us, and we are ALL called to run! This “race” = the focused determination to make the most of every moment of this life, in light of Eternity. Every one is on the track ,and we MUST run. This is not a turkey trot run/walk thing. It’s not a shotgun sprint, either. We are called to give our all to run after the Lord, loving Him and serving Him. No one gets to opt out and walk, thinking, “well, those others are running, I’m not needed”. But, blasting out of the gate as hard as you possibly can, only to burn out a little way down the road won’t cut it either.
We are running to WIN. And that means a marathon pace; steady, determined, focused, efficient, persevering steps. We’re not stopping or slowing down until we reach the finish line; i.e. the end of our natural life or the return of Christ (whichever comes first).
However, our spiritual fervor — our passion and desire to serve God — does not come from us. It comes from God. As it has been said, “it takes God to love God”. In our own strength, we tend to run out of steam eventually. We get tired. We have weak moments. But, we’re not called to run this race by our own power. We are called to be fueled with power from on High. It’s a supernatural strength that causes us to NEVER grow weak or weary! And, it’s for EVERYONE, the old, the young, the rich, the poor, the minister, the housewife, the student the doctor, the sales clerk, etc.
The only way we will continue to run AND win is by waiting on the Lord.
Seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? If we’re called to give our all for His sake, what business to we have sitting around “waiting” on the Lord?
Well, think of this way: If you want to get to work, run your errands, visit friends, and do all the things you have to do in life,… you have to actually stop and put gas in your car, right? Right!
For anyone to live a life pleasing to the Lord and to fulfill His purposes for their life; to make the most of every moment and every opportunity — we must spend time in His Presence — in worship, prayer, Bible study, talking to God, singing to Him, listening to the voice of the Spirit. There is NO way around it. Otherwise, your running on fumes and you’ve got no power, though you may look ok on the outside and even go through the motions of life just fine. You will be accomplishing nothing — perhaps still “on” the track, but going nowhere.
Imagine yourself a waiter at a fine restaurant. The Father is your guest. You approach His table and ask what you can get for Him. And He says, “Have a seat. Let’s hang out for a while. I’ve got some great things for you to do, but there’s no way you can do them. If you spend this time with me, though, you’ll find a miraculous, supernatural deposit on the inside that will enable you to do this impossible!” Not only that, He pays you really well, and is a good tipper! 
I would take a seat if I were you!
I would take a seat if I were you!-Jessie
April 29, 2009
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Romans 8
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
The whole chapter of Romans 8 is profound. I’ve posted here just a portion of the beginning, Some of it may be very familiar to you. But, I want to encourage you — especially if this is familiar to you — to look beyond the first verse, and really try to absorb the weight of Truth the Apostle Paul is laying out here. I’d like to highlight a few points.
1. We are no loner condemned, becase we are FREE! (verse 1)
Verse one is always a favorite because so often the devil tries to make us think that we have ”blown it” when we sin, and accuse us that our efforts to live for God are fruitless.
It is so good to know that we no longer are trying in our own strength to fulfill God’s righteous requirements and hope to earn His favor. The Spirit of life has SET US FREE from the law of sin an death.
2. The law was powerless to remove our sin. So, the Son of God came as a sin offering, to remove the very power of sin from us! It no longer has power over us! (verses 2-3)
This point is worth stopping and meditating on. It is a past tense AND a present tense reality! When we put our faith in Christ, we are made compeletely clean in that moment. The stain of our sins is removed, the curse of sin is removed, AND the power of sin nature is conquered. Do you know what that means?!?! It means that by His mighty power at work within us TODAY, we CAN LIVE HOLY! We have no obligation to live in sin or to sin at all! That is why it says that “the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met IN US”. It’s obvious that Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, but this is saying that by His power, WE can live righteously!! 3. Because of the life of Jesus IN us (and us being found “in” Christ), the righteous requirements of God CAN BE fully met IN US! (verse 4)
(This part blew me away as I was studying this passage with the youth last week)
Do you see what that says?? God’s holy standards can be FULLY MET IN YOU AND I!!!!
I find this so remarkable, because:
-It’s easy to think that Jesus fulfilled God’s righteous requirements, but
-It’s hard to imagine that I could ever live so perfectly, and
-MANY people blame sin nature for their habit of continually living in sin
This passage shows us that OUR LIVES can be walked out in righteousness, IF we CHOOSE to live by the Spirit. It’s not automatic. We DO have to CHOOSE. We get to choose every day to say yes to God as He leads us, guides us and empowers us by His Holy Spirit living on the inside. Conversely, we can choose NOT to listen or obey Him. When we choose the latter, we sin. But, sin is not some overwhelming force that grabs us and takes control of us, as some would seem to describe it. If we are in Christ, it holds no power over us — NONE! But, we can choose to give ourselves to sin.
4. Our reality in Christ is to live in accordance with the HOLY Spirit and to have our mind controlled by the Spirit. His Spirit will also give divine LIFE to our bodies! (verses 5-11)
It’s our choice! Life or death. Freedom or condemnation.
Which will you allow to control you?
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April 21, 2009
Daniel 10 (New Living Translation)
1 In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future-times of war and great hardship. 2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. 4 On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people. 7 Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. 8 So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. 9 Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. 10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. 12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” 15 While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. 16 Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. 17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.” 18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 19 “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.” 20 He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come. 21 Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. . .
I’ve posted quite a large portion of Scripture here. But, I believe it’s worth our attention, in light of the message from last Sunday. It points out several things in relation to our seeking God and believing for Him to break in (personally, corporately, locally, nationally and/or globally). Let me try to summarize as simply as possible what this account illustrates, and which is so profound
1. Daniel had heard from the Lord what He was going to do.
2. Daniel responded to the Word by seeking the Lord in prayer and fasting.
3. At the very moment Daniel began to seek the Lord, his prayer was heard AND the answer was given. -God waits for a man or woman (you or me!) to respond to His Word BEFORE He will release the reality of that Word! Do you know the influence and power you have in Heaven and on Earth through prayer??
4. Daniel had to remain steadfast in faith while seeing NO answer to his prayer. -He believed God was able to do all things. -There was a war going on in the spirit, which was initiated and FUELED by Daniel’s intercession and persevering in faith.
5. After waiting in faith, Daniel has this encounter with the Lord, BUT the breakthrough still has not come! The war is still going on in the heavenlies!!
6. The Lord’s message to Daniel was: “I LOVE YOU!” and then He encouraged Daniel and strengthened him to continue to STAND in faith!
7. Then the Lord gave Him revelation of the Word that would empower Him to continue to fight until the breakthrough was made manifest (Chapter 11).
What would the Lord say to US through this??
I think it reminds us that He does not lie and that He will do all that He has said He will do, wether through the the Word or prophetic utterance. BUT, we are called to SEEK HIM faithfully UNTIL we see it and NOT give up. There is a war going on that is holding back the breakthrough and our stance to continue to BELIEVE and INTERCEDE is what fuels the battle and WILL bring the answer from Heaven to Earth.
May we be people of faith AND prayer!
-Jessie
