Hillary emails suggest she was not part of Benghazi mess. GMO law upheld in Vermont. Better or worse, TPP (Pacific trade) pushes forward. French Le Pen: Globalization is barbarous, re: sister Atlantic trade, TTIP. Wal-Mart China’s bff. China has more vineyards than France. 62-year-old man baked alive at Bumble Bee (tuna), company disputes fines. Stock shock: Twitter loses cash. Posse comitatus Nat’ Guard in Baltimore, police threw a rock, Orioles closed to the public, play for empty stadium, Orioles’ chief defends peaceful protests. God answers prayer: Hamas Chief vetoed Hamas attack. Family: See Dad’s Response to Principal Who Wrote Him This Note About His Children’s ‘Unexcused Absences’. · · · →
continue readingTag Archives: prayer
The Blessing of Pain
I don't propose that we have the power to overcome these things by ourselves - but 'in Christ' we can. And I think we can actually benefit.
How we handle pain can 'make us or break us.' The old saying, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," can be true but sometimes what doesn't kill us, might just make us bitter. And then the enemy has gained a strong-hold in our lives.
I have had a very painful situation in my life from a very young age - my dad. Without going into detail and losing the focus of this post, this hurt in my life has shaped me and has had the potential to destroy the calling on my life. My dad died this past November and the last few months have been very hard. So I want to propose a new thought - what if pain can be a blessing?
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
This is a truth that I remind myself of whenever I am tempted to be discouraged. And meditating on this thought until it becomes a reality to you can change your perspective on everything.
It's the painful things in our lives that shape us the most. The Word tells us that Jesus learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8) and it's always fascinated me that Jesus, Who was perfect and without sin, had to suffer to learn obedience. And I confess that I don't understand that at all. But if Jesus had to suffer then I can accept that suffering can be a righteous thing and that God can use it to change us for His Glory.
So in this season, I have talked a lot to God. For me, this is different than 'prayer.' Prayer, to me, is to get into the Presence of God, receive His direction and declare the things that He is saying.
But I talk to God all day long. I give Him my hurts, tell Him what I'm thinking and ask Him to correct me and help me, confess my weaknesses, tell Him how much I need Him and that He is perfect in all His ways. I depend on God to get through my day.
And in this season, I've submitted to the pain.
I've asked God to use this pain to shape me into the person He's called me to be. I won't say for one minute that this has been easy. I have tears in my eyes even as I write this. And I can't say that I don't 'fear' how deeply this hurt can go.
But I know I have a Saviour. He is Faithful and True. I know He sees every hurt that's in my heart and He puts every tear in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). I know He knows me better than I know myself and even more than that, He knows things that I don't know. He knows what's coming. He knows what I need. He knows how to help me and strengthen me. I yield myself whole-heartedly to His wisdom and love.
This season is still hard but I can't imagine how hard it would be without Him. Without Him, I would be lost and I would break. But with Him, I am trusting that I will come out victorious and filled with joy. I am trusting that someday I will be able to look at this season in my life and see His presence through it all.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I have been fulling known." 1 Cor 13:12
love and blessings~
"Behold, I have inscribed YOU on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me." Isaiah 49:16
“Remember My Promises In 2015”
Patricia King, Maricopa, AZ
My husband and I were recently on a cruise when three rainbows appeared and the cruise ship traveled through them. My husband and I were sitting at a table next to the window and saw it vividly. The end of the rainbow was directly to the left of us and went up and over the ship. What a sign!The Lord spoke to me concerning 2015 through this sign. He said:
“This coming year is a year to remember My promises, no matter what you see happening around you – My promises are sure and they will prevail for those who believe.
“Tumult, shakings, and turmoil will fill the earth, and the Word and ways of God will be challenged on many fronts. But those who stand on My Word and live by My promises will be blessed beyond measure.
“I am inviting you to make a quality decision to live ONLY by My Word and promises. If you choose this direction, I will bring you into an abundant place and you will stand secure and blessed in the midst of an evil day. I will lead you into fields that are white with harvest. I will lead you into fruitfulness.
“Your life is in My hands. I am the Captain of your ship and I will lead you through the channel of promises into a glorious place. Remember My promises in 2015.”
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Prayer Directives For 2015:
1. Pray for the Body of Christ to consecrate themselves unto God and His ways in 2015.
2. Pray for Believers to remember the promises God has given them and to meditate afresh on them and believe them.
3. Pray for the Body of Christ to stand firm in the days that are coming with unshakable commitment to the Lord.
4. Pray for a harvest of fulfilled promises to be received by God’s people in 2015.
5. Pray for fruitfulness in Believer’s lives and spiritual journeys in 2015.
Patricia King
Founder and Director of XPMEDIA.COM INC
Email: info@xpmedia.com
Website: xpmedia.com
“Remember My Promises In 2015”
Patricia King, Maricopa, AZ
My husband and I were recently on a cruise when three rainbows appeared and the cruise ship traveled through them. My husband and I were sitting at a table next to the window and saw it vividly. The end of the rainbow was directly to the left of us and went up and over the ship. What a sign!The Lord spoke to me concerning 2015 through this sign. He said:
"This coming year is a year to remember My promises, no matter what you see happening around you – My promises are sure and they will prevail for those who believe.
"Tumult, shakings, and turmoil will fill the earth, and the Word and ways of God will be challenged on many fronts. But those who stand on My Word and live by My promises will be blessed beyond measure.
"I am inviting you to make a quality decision to live ONLY by My Word and promises. If you choose this direction, I will bring you into an abundant place and you will stand secure and blessed in the midst of an evil day. I will lead you into fields that are white with harvest. I will lead you into fruitfulness.
"Your life is in My hands. I am the Captain of your ship and I will lead you through the channel of promises into a glorious place. Remember My promises in 2015."
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Prayer Directives For 2015:
1. Pray for the Body of Christ to consecrate themselves unto God and His ways in 2015.
2. Pray for Believers to remember the promises God has given them and to meditate afresh on them and believe them.
3. Pray for the Body of Christ to stand firm in the days that are coming with unshakable commitment to the Lord.
4. Pray for a harvest of fulfilled promises to be received by God's people in 2015.
5. Pray for fruitfulness in Believer's lives and spiritual journeys in 2015.
Patricia King
Founder and Director of XPMEDIA.COM INC
Email: info@xpmedia.com
Website: xpmedia.com
“Remember My Promises In 2015”
Patricia King, Maricopa, AZ
My husband and I were recently on a cruise when three rainbows appeared and the cruise ship traveled through them. My husband and I were sitting at a table next to the window and saw it vividly. The end of the rainbow was directly to the left of us and went up and over the ship. What a sign!The Lord spoke to me concerning 2015 through this sign. He said:
"This coming year is a year to remember My promises, no matter what you see happening around you – My promises are sure and they will prevail for those who believe.
"Tumult, shakings, and turmoil will fill the earth, and the Word and ways of God will be challenged on many fronts. But those who stand on My Word and live by My promises will be blessed beyond measure.
"I am inviting you to make a quality decision to live ONLY by My Word and promises. If you choose this direction, I will bring you into an abundant place and you will stand secure and blessed in the midst of an evil day. I will lead you into fields that are white with harvest. I will lead you into fruitfulness.
"Your life is in My hands. I am the Captain of your ship and I will lead you through the channel of promises into a glorious place. Remember My promises in 2015."
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Prayer Directives For 2015:
1. Pray for the Body of Christ to consecrate themselves unto God and His ways in 2015.
2. Pray for Believers to remember the promises God has given them and to meditate afresh on them and believe them.
3. Pray for the Body of Christ to stand firm in the days that are coming with unshakable commitment to the Lord.
4. Pray for a harvest of fulfilled promises to be received by God's people in 2015.
5. Pray for fruitfulness in Believer's lives and spiritual journeys in 2015.
Patricia King
Founder and Director of XPMEDIA.COM INC
Email: info@xpmedia.com
Website: xpmedia.com
Wielding Authority to Change the World
I have been reflecting on the changes going on in the United States
But my thoughts focus not on what those changes are, but rather how we should respond to them.
Let us assume, for the sake of this conversation, that many of the changes are inappropriate, even evil, and should be opposed or reversed.
The question at hand is this: how shall we oppose the things we need to oppose. More specifically, what kind of power shall we exercise.
The changes are being made by the exercise of political power, the power of manipulation and intimidation, the power of deception, the power of public opinion, and some would argue that spiritual power is involved. Many of the changes have been by the use of a combination of these forces.
The question that appears to be neglected so often is this: what kind of power shall we wield as believers, to oppose the inappropriate or evil works in our land? Shall we exercise political power, or manipulation? Shall we wield the power of public opinion with petitions?
Let’s back up for just a moment, and ask a slightly more foundational question? What power has God given us? Or what kind of authority has he given us to exercise on his behalf?
In this whole conversation, I’d argue for these truths:
· Some forms of power are simply not appropriate for sons and daughters of the Kingdom to use: deception and intimidation, for example.
· The primary tool Jesus gave us was authority, which is not the same as power (that’s a topic for another article), and the authority he gave us is in the realm of the Spirit. Let’s acknowledge, however, that authority wielded in the spirit realm will manifest as changes in the physical realm.
· Having said that, there are some believers (I emphasize: not all believers) who are specifically called by God to represent his Kingdom in the political realm. These brothers & sisters have the right to exercise authority in that realm.
My tentative conclusion, therefore, is this: we as believers, when we see a political crisis (such as laws against Christians) or the exercise of violence (I think of ISIS or Hamas), we are not called to exercise the same force that is being used for evil. We are, instead, called to exercise authority in the spiritual realm, with the result of change in the natural realm.
This is the model of the New Testament.
When they experienced a political crisis (for example, Peter jailed, in Acts 12), their response was not to petition the government, and it was not a prison break); rather, they exercised spiritual authority in prayer, and angels were released to carry out the results of that authority in the natural realm.
The result was, ironically, a prison break of sorts, which was what the believers had been praying for, but also a testimony of supernatural power, which spread throughout both the church and the government.
And when they experienced violence (in the person of the Pharisee, Saul persecuting believers), they again went to prayer. In this case, Jesus himself appeared to Saul on the Damascus
The result was a conversion, which stopped Saul’s “threats & murder” (Acts 9:1), which was what they were praying for, but it also resulted in arguably the greatest preacher of the gospel that has ever walked this planet: the apostle Paul.
I know that we have brothers and sisters who are called to exercise authority in the realms of political power, or of public opinion, or other forms of power. I contend that these are few, and are specifically called by God to those positions of authority.
But all of us, the whole Body of Christ, we have all been given authority to wield in the Spirit. We learned long ago how to wield that authority to lead others out of sin and into salvation. We’ve learned more recently how to wield that authority to heal the sick and raise the dead.
It is time to wield the authority that God has given us – and by doing so, to lay down the power and authority of the world – in the spiritual realm on behalf of nations, and people groups and regions.
It’s time for us to walk away from the weapons of the flesh, and to pick up the weapons that God has given us, and with them, to change the world.
—
Come join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/northwestprophetic.
Living the Dream in 2015
2014 was the year of “Recovery and Discovery,” and the Lost was being Found. The Church and the people were being positioned for the Blessings and the Battles, and the Victories that await them in 2015. Yes, 2014 was preparational for 2015. Much was restored and recovered in 2014, personally, financially, and spiritually. The Spirit of The Lord was busy restoring, recovering and preparing, for it was a time of internal preparation. It was a fruitful year indeed. The transition continues into 2015. But 2015 will be the Year of Victories.
2015 is more about “external manifestation” to possess the promises of God over your life. Yes, the Glory of the Lord will be revealed in 2015 and many will be Living out their Dreams. As the prophetic drama unfolds, they will live out their parts that were scripted by Abba for them before the foundations of the world. Divine Strategies will come and Explosive Growth will result. This is a time of much activity in the Spirit realm and upon the Earth. It is much about positioning, for battles always precede victories. Time to take the land, which represents truth and the promises of God over your life, city or nation.
Lean and Mean in 2015
Yes, the Joy of the Lord is your strength, and the Power of Praise and Prayer will play an important role in the Possessing of the Promises in 2015. But, we must put “our game face on” like a boxer who enters the ring or a soldier who is on maneuvers. You must have a winning and a fighting mindset. As a soldier, you must be lean and mean, that is a Mindset. The Spirit of the Lord told me that Mindsets much change in 2015. Example: after 40 years in the wilderness the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan River . They had a “Wilderness Mindset” But you cannot Possess the Promises with a Wilderness Mindset. You must have a Warrior Mindset, that is why Jesus appeared to Joshua as a Mighty Warrior, the Commander of the armies of God. Joshua 5:11-15. So revelation will come in 2015 that will give you a New Mindset.
Many Christians will also lose weight in 2015. Yes the pounds will come off so you can be in your best shape both Naturally and Spiritually for the Battles and the Victories. Yes, and whatever else is weighing you down shall be laid aside in 2015. Hebrews12:1 There will be “Fireworks” in 2015, the Fireworks of Warfare and the Fireworks of Celebration. The Lord is appearing as a Mighty Man of War to lead you into Battles and Victories. And what He spoke to Joshua in Joshua 6:2 ... “See I have given ________into your hand... “ (Fill in the blank is for you.) Yes, It is time to fill in the blanks, and boldly move in the direction of your destiny with a shout of praise unto God.
The “Prevailing” Winds will Blow in 2015
The wind of the Holy Spirit will blow in 2015. This wind of God is like a trade wind, it is a favorable wind, and it will blow like a tail wind taking you forth into your destiny, it will guide you into victory. This wind will empower you and it will prevail over your enemies. Many will actually feel this “Wind of God” as a sign. Natural winds will also blow as a sign. The word “Prevail” is a key word to describe 2015.
Praise Encounters and Prayer Encounters in 2015
Divine Encounters will happen more frequently, especially during times of praise and prayer. These will be special times of meeting with God. Yes, God Inhabits praise. Ps.22:3 And this will be so much more evident as these times of praise will become encounters with God, yes praise encounters and prayer encounters. You will see it, and many of you will experience this. Key Verses for 2015 are Psalm 149:6-9 “Glory Storms” will also come and they will be a phenomena that is the result of prayer and praise unto the Lord. I am not sure what the term “Glory Storms” means, but when it happens we will know and be amazed!
With the understanding that “Judah Judah ended up with the birthright because Judah
Home-Coming Celebrations
Also there will be “Home-Coming Celebrations” and a feeling of “Homecoming” in the atmosphere. This is the beginning of a new mindset, a transition into the time of His return. The Home-Coming has to do with three things: to celebrate Church Heritage; to celebrate or welcome back former members; and to begin to celebrate the Occasion of the Lord’s return. Yes, Jesus is coming back with a Shout!
I declare that you will live your Dream in 2015, that you will position yourself for battles and victories and be lean and mean in 2015. As you yield to the prevailing winds of the Holy Spirit you shall be propelled forth into your destiny. Shouting unto God with the voice of triumph, you shall experience victories in every area of your life and ministry and finance, and be a blessing to many people as God will also prosper you in all things.
Mucho Agape,
Living the Dream in 2015
2014 was the year of “Recovery and Discovery,” and the Lost was being Found. The Church and the people were being positioned for the Blessings and the Battles, and the Victories that await them in 2015. Yes, 2014 was preparational for 2015. Much was restored and recovered in 2014, personally, financially, and spiritually. The Spirit of The Lord was busy restoring, recovering and preparing, for it was a time of internal preparation. It was a fruitful year indeed. The transition continues into 2015. But 2015 will be the Year of Victories.
2015 is more about “external manifestation” to possess the promises of God over your life. Yes, the Glory of the Lord will be revealed in 2015 and many will be Living out their Dreams. As the prophetic drama unfolds, they will live out their parts that were scripted by Abba for them before the foundations of the world. Divine Strategies will come and Explosive Growth will result. This is a time of much activity in the Spirit realm and upon the Earth. It is much about positioning, for battles always precede victories. Time to take the land, which represents truth and the promises of God over your life, city or nation.
Lean and Mean in 2015
Yes, the Joy of the Lord is your strength, and the Power of Praise and Prayer will play an important role in the Possessing of the Promises in 2015. But, we must put “our game face on” like a boxer who enters the ring or a soldier who is on maneuvers. You must have a winning and a fighting mindset. As a soldier, you must be lean and mean, that is a Mindset. The Spirit of the Lord told me that Mindsets much change in 2015. Example: after 40 years in the wilderness the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan River . They had a “Wilderness Mindset” But you cannot Possess the Promises with a Wilderness Mindset. You must have a Warrior Mindset, that is why Jesus appeared to Joshua as a Mighty Warrior, the Commander of the armies of God. Joshua 5:11-15. So revelation will come in 2015 that will give you a New Mindset.
Many Christians will also lose weight in 2015. Yes the pounds will come off so you can be in your best shape both Naturally and Spiritually for the Battles and the Victories. Yes, and whatever else is weighing you down shall be laid aside in 2015. Hebrews12:1 There will be “Fireworks” in 2015, the Fireworks of Warfare and the Fireworks of Celebration. The Lord is appearing as a Mighty Man of War to lead you into Battles and Victories. And what He spoke to Joshua in Joshua 6:2 … “See I have given ________into your hand… “ (Fill in the blank is for you.) Yes, It is time to fill in the blanks, and boldly move in the direction of your destiny with a shout of praise unto God.
The “Prevailing” Winds will Blow in 2015
The wind of the Holy Spirit will blow in 2015. This wind of God is like a trade wind, it is a favorable wind, and it will blow like a tail wind taking you forth into your destiny, it will guide you into victory. This wind will empower you and it will prevail over your enemies. Many will actually feel this “Wind of God” as a sign. Natural winds will also blow as a sign. The word “Prevail” is a key word to describe 2015.
Praise Encounters and Prayer Encounters in 2015
Divine Encounters will happen more frequently, especially during times of praise and prayer. These will be special times of meeting with God. Yes, God Inhabits praise. Ps.22:3 And this will be so much more evident as these times of praise will become encounters with God, yes praise encounters and prayer encounters. You will see it, and many of you will experience this. Key Verses for 2015 are Psalm 149:6-9 “Glory Storms” will also come and they will be a phenomena that is the result of prayer and praise unto the Lord. I am not sure what the term “Glory Storms” means, but when it happens we will know and be amazed!
With the understanding that “Judah Judah ended up with the birthright because Judah
Home-Coming Celebrations
Also there will be “Home-Coming Celebrations” and a feeling of “Homecoming” in the atmosphere. This is the beginning of a new mindset, a transition into the time of His return. The Home-Coming has to do with three things: to celebrate Church Heritage; to celebrate or welcome back former members; and to begin to celebrate the Occasion of the Lord’s return. Yes, Jesus is coming back with a Shout!
I declare that you will live your Dream in 2015, that you will position yourself for battles and victories and be lean and mean in 2015. As you yield to the prevailing winds of the Holy Spirit you shall be propelled forth into your destiny. Shouting unto God with the voice of triumph, you shall experience victories in every area of your life and ministry and finance, and be a blessing to many people as God will also prosper you in all things.
Mucho Agape,
Living the Dream in 2015
2014 was the year of “Recovery and Discovery,” and the Lost was being Found. The Church and the people were being positioned for the Blessings and the Battles, and the Victories that await them in 2015. Yes, 2014 was preparational for 2015. Much was restored and recovered in 2014, personally, financially, and spiritually. The Spirit of The Lord was busy restoring, recovering and preparing, for it was a time of internal preparation. It was a fruitful year indeed. The transition continues into 2015. But 2015 will be the Year of Victories.
2015 is more about “external manifestation” to possess the promises of God over your life. Yes, the Glory of the Lord will be revealed in 2015 and many will be Living out their Dreams. As the prophetic drama unfolds, they will live out their parts that were scripted by Abba for them before the foundations of the world. Divine Strategies will come and Explosive Growth will result. This is a time of much activity in the Spirit realm and upon the Earth. It is much about positioning, for battles always precede victories. Time to take the land, which represents truth and the promises of God over your life, city or nation.
Lean and Mean in 2015
Yes, the Joy of the Lord is your strength, and the Power of Praise and Prayer will play an important role in the Possessing of the Promises in 2015. But, we must put “our game face on” like a boxer who enters the ring or a soldier who is on maneuvers. You must have a winning and a fighting mindset. As a soldier, you must be lean and mean, that is a Mindset. The Spirit of the Lord told me that Mindsets much change in 2015. Example: after 40 years in the wilderness the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan River . They had a “Wilderness Mindset” But you cannot Possess the Promises with a Wilderness Mindset. You must have a Warrior Mindset, that is why Jesus appeared to Joshua as a Mighty Warrior, the Commander of the armies of God. Joshua 5:11-15. So revelation will come in 2015 that will give you a New Mindset.
Many Christians will also lose weight in 2015. Yes the pounds will come off so you can be in your best shape both Naturally and Spiritually for the Battles and the Victories. Yes, and whatever else is weighing you down shall be laid aside in 2015. Hebrews12:1 There will be “Fireworks” in 2015, the Fireworks of Warfare and the Fireworks of Celebration. The Lord is appearing as a Mighty Man of War to lead you into Battles and Victories. And what He spoke to Joshua in Joshua 6:2 ... “See I have given ________into your hand... “ (Fill in the blank is for you.) Yes, It is time to fill in the blanks, and boldly move in the direction of your destiny with a shout of praise unto God.
The “Prevailing” Winds will Blow in 2015
The wind of the Holy Spirit will blow in 2015. This wind of God is like a trade wind, it is a favorable wind, and it will blow like a tail wind taking you forth into your destiny, it will guide you into victory. This wind will empower you and it will prevail over your enemies. Many will actually feel this “Wind of God” as a sign. Natural winds will also blow as a sign. The word “Prevail” is a key word to describe 2015.
Praise Encounters and Prayer Encounters in 2015
Divine Encounters will happen more frequently, especially during times of praise and prayer. These will be special times of meeting with God. Yes, God Inhabits praise. Ps.22:3 And this will be so much more evident as these times of praise will become encounters with God, yes praise encounters and prayer encounters. You will see it, and many of you will experience this. Key Verses for 2015 are Psalm 149:6-9 “Glory Storms” will also come and they will be a phenomena that is the result of prayer and praise unto the Lord. I am not sure what the term “Glory Storms” means, but when it happens we will know and be amazed!
With the understanding that “Judah Judah ended up with the birthright because Judah
Home-Coming Celebrations
Also there will be “Home-Coming Celebrations” and a feeling of “Homecoming” in the atmosphere. This is the beginning of a new mindset, a transition into the time of His return. The Home-Coming has to do with three things: to celebrate Church Heritage; to celebrate or welcome back former members; and to begin to celebrate the Occasion of the Lord’s return. Yes, Jesus is coming back with a Shout!
I declare that you will live your Dream in 2015, that you will position yourself for battles and victories and be lean and mean in 2015. As you yield to the prevailing winds of the Holy Spirit you shall be propelled forth into your destiny. Shouting unto God with the voice of triumph, you shall experience victories in every area of your life and ministry and finance, and be a blessing to many people as God will also prosper you in all things.
Mucho Agape,
The Wordless Prayer of Faith
It happened during a gathering in our home. We’d had dinner some time ago, finished the dishes together, and now we were gathered in the living room, with mugs of hot tea, and the warm glow of good friendship.
It seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit to pray for individuals, for healing. We were all good friends, so there was much laughing and interaction while we prayed. That’s just who we were, and we didn’t feel the need to be different when we were with God.
We’d just finished praying for one person, and they got up from the “hot seat” (really a “hot hassock”: a place for them to sit in the middle of the group, so we could all see and all lay hands on if called for).One of the women kind of hobbled to the center of the room and sat gently down on the hassock as soon as it was vacant. She announced that she’d hurt her back lifting something incorrectly, and needed it healed, please. We turned our attention to her, and asked God for his prayers for her; if Jesus only said what he heard Father saying, we figured that was a good model for us, so we waited for those prayers.
And we waited.
The silence went on for a while, and it became kind of awkward. The fact that it was silence was unusual: there wasn’t laughing or joking going on; people were listening for God’s prayers for our sister’s back.
And we waited. I asked a couple of the more prophetic people if they had anything, but they didn’t. This was unusual. So we waited.
Then, quietly, a teenager in the back of the room giggled. Yeah, I thought, this is rather odd: all these adult believers can’t even pray for one woman’s back. I can see why she’d laugh.
And her laughter continued. She tried, for a moment, to stifle it, but that never works, and it didn’t work this time. OK, so she’s laughing. What is God saying, for how to pray for this back?
But the laughing teenager was herself funny, and a couple more people glanced at her and chuckled. And they fought it, and they, too, were unsuccessful. And the laughter spread. And nobody knew why.
And soon, nobody was even trying to pray for the woman’s strained back; we were just laughing, loudly, uproariously. We didn’t know why we were laughing, but it was clearly not something we had the capacity to stop!
And after four or five minutes of unrestrained hilarity, the laughter slowly faded back out, ending as it began, with the happy teenager in the corner. Maybe five or ten minutes had passed.
And the woman who had sat down with the hurt back now stood up and stretched. “Aaaah.” she announced. “That’s much better. No more pain. Thanks guys.” And she walked, confidently, completely upright, out to the kitchen for a fresh cup of tea.
We looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, chuckled again, and decided that we like hanging out with a sneaky God.
The Cleaning Lady
The Cleaning Lady
I’d like to tell you the story of a friend of mine, whom I’ll call Chantelle.
Chantelle had just found a roommate and a nice apartment, and they were in the early stages of moving in, when she called me. “I’d like your help in praying over our apartment before we move in.” She and I had dealt with some things together before, and she understood that teamwork is valuable.
So we began to pray. We prayed over the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, and declared the destiny we heard Father speaking about for the rooms and their activity. During the prayer time, I slipped away, and tossed a large handful of Dove’s chocolates into her empty room, just so she’s find a nice surprise.
When we finished praying about the public rooms, we headed down the hallway, and we both felt something strange, an unhealthy, unclean presence back there, and we both felt it at the same point, right as the hallway turned the corner.
Cool! A teachable moment! So we discussed it, discussed what it felt like, and I proposed that we check the back rooms individually for more sense of it.
We checked her room first, and there was no sense of that particular darkness, but there were wrapped dark chocolates scattered on the floor. She laughed and picked up a couple of them, and we agreed that this room wasn’t the source for the sense of the unclean that we felt. She offered me a chocolate and we moved on.
We prayed over the bathroom, blessed it, and ruled it out as a source of darkness, and moved on, while she nibbled her chocolate.
The roommate’s room. As Chantelle opened her roommate’s door, we felt the unclean darkness inside. “Aha! I suspect we’ve found a clue!” The roommate wasn’t home, of course; she wasn’t a believer, and wouldn’t understand what we were doing. In fact, there was just a small stack of boxes in the middle of the room.
We discussed the situation. We both sensed that there was uncleanness on the walls, though they appeared a clean white to our eyes. Chantelle stepped into the room, spiritual senses wide open, looking to sense where the unclean stuff was coming from. The closet? Nope. The window? Nope? This place where the bed obviously went? Nope.
That left the boxes in the middle of the room. They were just moving boxes, and only two or three of them; they looked innocuous enough. She popped the last of the chocolate in her mouth and touched the top box. Bingo! This is where the darkness came from! As we talked about the source of the presence, she straightened out the foil that had wrapped her chocolate, and read the quote it contained: “You are exactly where you are supposed to be.” We laughed!
We didn’t get into the boxes; they weren’t our property, but we felt the need to address the darkness, particularly, the darkness clinging to the walls. So we prayed that it would be removed. Nothing happened. We commanded it to leave. Nothing. We prophesied blessing on the room and its future. Nada.
I had an idea. “Chantelle, why don’t you ask Father for the right weapon to remove the darkness?” She gave me a funny look, but we’d done stranger things than this together. She prayed, and I could see from the look on her face that she’d seen Him give her something.
“What is it? What did he give you?” She scowled. “A washrag.” We laughed some more.
But she began to wield the washrag that she saw in the Spirit against the darkness. In reality, she began to wash the walls with it, and it was the first time that we saw the darkness give way, though it was a fight.
After a few minutes, we recognized that this was going to take all night, and I couldn’t help her, as I was still standing in the hallway (out of respect for someone else’s room).
Another thought presented itself. “I wonder if that washrag is for you to wield, or if it’s for someone else?” We prayed. “An angel is to wield it.” “OK. Why don’t you invite that angel in?” She did, and she laughed. “What do you see?” “A cleaning lady!” We laughed some more. So Chantelle handed the washrag to the cleaning lady angel, and invited her to wield the weapon. Immediately, she began washing the walls, and by the time Chantelle had reached the door to the room, the first wall was halfway clean; we could both feel the darkness lifting. That was better! We blessed the cleaning lady, and invited her to stay. It seemed to us that her assignment was the back of the apartment, particularly the hallway and the bedrooms.
We felt the freedom to invite a couple other angles to the house. A big armed one was stationed outside the downstairs entrance, and Chantelle assigned another, whom she named Cheese Grater Guy, to the front door, to remove any “Klingons” from guests to the home.
When we left, we looked back at the bedroom windows, and we both discerned what appeared to be a cleaning lady waving happily to us from the roommate’s window. We laughed and waved back.
The really fun part of the story came weeks later, when the roommate cautiously reported that she “could feel a presence” in the back hallway. Chantelle replied, “Yep, and she’s staying here! We’re not going to get rid of that one!”
And the cleaning lady likes cats. Both Chantelle and the roommate had pet cats, kittens, really, who loved to play with them. But from time to time, both women could see the cats in the hallway, playing with someone they couldn’t see with their natural eyes.
Some Experiences with Judgment in the Courts of Heaven
Some years ago, Jesus took me to a new place that I hadn’t expected: it was a tall, oak, judge’s bench. He took me around the back of the bench, and up the stairs behind it. But rather than sit down himself, he sat me in the great chair behind the bench, and when I sat, I was wearing black robes and I had a wooden gavel in my right hand.
I’ve learned to trust him in that place, and so I didn’t resist him, though my sitting in that chair was more of a novelty that first time than it was about actually judging anything. Since then, I’ve begun to learn some things about judgment, how important it is, how powerful it is, and especially how very good it is.I was charged with judging my brothers and sisters, but judging from Heaven’s perspective, from the perspective of a King who’s madly in love with them, who’s unreasonably proud of them, who’s amazed and overjoyed with their every step of faith. So the judgments that I’ve been invited to pronounce are about God’s favor on his children; I’ve been charged with finding them guilty of pleasing their Father, and sentencing them to be loved and adored for all their natural lives, and beyond! It’s better work than I first feared it would be; I’ve actually come to love that bench.
But some of the judicial work has been darker than that. Once, I was praying intensely for a dear sister against whom hell was having a measure of success. Jesus brought me around to the stairs and up to the bench. I could see more clearly from up there, and with his help, I saw the cloud of filthy spirits that were harassing my sister. “Judge them,” he said, and I understood.
I began to recognize their crimes, and as I identified them – the spirits and their crimes – I spoke its name. As I did, it was as if the gavel moved on its own, gently tapping, “Guilty!” to each charge. With each tap, a demon was bound and hauled of. Soon, I got into it, reaching into the Spirit for the discernment of each spirit and shouting its name, its crime: the gavel banged and the demon was bound. This, too, was judgment I could get excited about.
I needed to be careful, in my exuberance, to still judge accurately, according to what was true, not merely because I felt bad for my sister’s misery: this was a matter of justice, not pity, and it was a mighty justice that was handed down that day, and other days like it. I’ve developed the opinion that this judge’s bench is an excellent place for intercession.
There was one day, though, that I still shake my head about. It happened some years back, and I’m only now understanding what may have actually gone on.
God the Father somberly walked up to me, and he was looking really quite serious: he was cloaked in a rich black judge’s robe, and his eyes were as intense and alive with fire as I’ve ever seen them. With his eyes fixed on mine, he slowly opened his robe. I was surprised to see a red plaid shirt underneath, but before I had opportunity to react in surprise, he pulled a shotgun from the depths of his open robe, and handed it to me. Startled, I took it from him and glanced at it. Yep, that’s a shotgun, all right.
I looked up again, and now the robe was gone, and with it, the stern look from Father’s face. Instead, he sported a red hunter’s cap and a huge grin, and he held up a shotgun of his own. Movement caught my eye, and I saw Jesus, similarly attired with plaid shirt, red hat, grin and shotgun. Father asked, “You ready, Son?” but before I could answer, the air above our heads was suddenly filled with demons, their leathery wings flapping franticly as they zigged and zagged about the room.
Father laughed mightily, hoisted his shotgun and fired; a demon exploded into a black cloud. Jesus cheered and blasted another one. Soon all three of us were shouting and hollering and laughing uproariously. And blasting demons to tiny black dust. Shotgun blasts were interspersed with shouts of encouragement, great fits of laughter and the soft splatter of the demons shards. They had met their maker, and it had not gone well for them. He is a very good shot, actually.
I had enjoyed this experience so much that I hadn’t stopped to ask what it meant until recently; the answer wasn’t particularly surprising; something about “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” But the experience was, frankly, a great deal of fun. “Spiritual warfare” and “fun”: two concepts I never expected to put together.
That hunting party only happened the one time. I think it was more about teaching me a lesson than a regular part of our business in that place. He’s a good teacher, by the way: I’ve never forgotten that experience, though I’ve been slower to learn its lesson.
Why Does God Speak Cryptically
Anyone who has learned to hear Father’s voice has asked the question: Why does he sometimes speak in strange pictures and obscure messages? Why not just speak clearly?
One of the main reasons (in my observation at least) that Father speaks obscurely is because his goals are different from mine. If he spoke clearly, we’d grab that information and presumably do something with it. But neither the information nor the doing is his primary goal. Father’s primary goal is relationship. And toward that goal, he speaks to us. Most of what he says to us is about us, or is our personal (and probably private) prayer assignment. Most of the tiny remainder of what he says to us is for our metron, our close circle of relationships: church congregation, home group, family, etc. Very little is to be shared, and so he speaks obscurely, in order that we won’t share private conversation too quickly.
And it is an error, in my opinion, to assume that God is speaking literally. He has been pretty clear about that (see 1Corinthians 13:12, Numbers 12:6-8). And so he speaks obscurely is because he’s more interested in you than he is in the information.
So I encourage you to go for walks with God: talk out loud. Tell him about your day, and how you feel about your day. Ask him about his day, and how he feels about his day, or about your day. Talk about your favorite music, your favorite flowers, and why they’re your favorites. Ask about his.
Avoid talking about prophetic stuff for a long while, either the process of prophesying, or the “prophetic words” he or others have spoken to you. This is about relationship, not the business of prophesying.
This is a favorite topic of mine: intimacy with Father on His terms. Anyway, lest I get overly long-winded, I leave you with these two thoughts. They both apply to the subject at hand, though the application is not overly obvious.
One more detail: it’s pretty clear that the times, they are a-changing. It’s my opinion that this kind of intimacy with Father will be more important, rather than less important, as the world gets more tumultuous and our lives get busier.
Walmart: To Shop, or Not to Shop
A few years back, a familiar and none-too-pretty tale was played out yet again in the Northwest. (It is by no means exclusive to the Northwest, except that I am more in touch with what happens in the Northwest than other areas.) I’m going to use Walmart as an example, but the issue is not about Walmart. It’s about us.
It started with an announcement that Walmart was considering building a store in a modest-size town. The next phase was outrage from a great portion of the community, various lawsuits filed, for which Walmart had amply prepared and easily won, and sales of bumper stickers proclaiming, “I don’t shop at Walmart!”
Behind the scenes, Walmart built their store, stocked their store, hired employees and quietly opened for business. The Walmart haters still hated. People bought stuff. Employees earned paychecks. Life went on.
It strikes me that there are legitimate reasons for communities to not love Walmart’s influence in their community. Walmart does business differently, and that has social and economic effect on the community.
There are also legitimate reasons for Walmart to do business the way it does, and those business decisions have made Walmart incredibly successful.
And there are people who legitimately need the infamously low-paying jobs that Walmart offers, if only because they can get work nowhere else.
Father whispered to me about the protests recently:
o If I refuse to shop at Walmart, then I have judged Walmart in my heart and in my actions. That’s not actually good Christian behavior, partly because it opens me up to judgment, and I’d rather that didn’t happen.
o If a community joins in loud and apparently united outrage against Walmart, then we make its employees (and applicants) outcasts from the community. We create a caste of “untouchables” in our community. I don’t think we really want that to happen, either.
o If we declare that “Walmart is evil!” (as I’ve heard many times), then we’re also making declaration that they become evil, and we’re releasing the power of evil into those people who are part of Walmart; we’re giving evil a measure of freedom to work in our community. I surely don’t want that to happen!
o If there’s truth in the declaration, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” then the prayers of my heart regarding Walmart will be more effective if I spend a bit of my treasure there. I bought some supplies there this weekend; I consider that an investment in my prayers for this economic powerhouse in my community.
In fact, I’ll confess: I’ve been praying for and prophesying to my local Walmart since the very first announcement that they were going to build. I’ve walked through the building’s foundations, declaring that this store, at least, would be founded on righteousness and truth. They had to cap a well to pour that foundation, so I declare springs of living water in them, particularly that they would be a spring of life to their employees.
I don’t spend much of my treasure there. I believe strongly in doing business with companies that are locally owned, and Walmart doesn’t qualify for that one. Besides, I don’t love the quality of a lot of the products they sell. (There’s a difference between “inexpensive” and “cheap.” I tend to prefer the former.)
Now, I am absolutely NOT trying to tell others whether they should shop at Walmart or how to spend their money. I’m describing some results of our choices.
I was actually shopping at Walmart when Father began to speak to me about this. It was funny, but I felt his blessing flowing through me to the store, it’s employees and its very interesting customers.
But as he spoke to me about Walmart, he included other issues in the conversation. The movie Noah was one. There are many others. We’re giving away influence in the marketplace when we protest market leaders for acting like market leaders.
We believers have the freedom to spend our money where we wish. But there are real effects to the words of our protests, and there is an authority in our prayers that follows the spending of our treasure.