A great example of using words to frame and form your future is found in the book of Ruth. The death of the men of the family that she married into causes her to leave her country, her family, and her idolatrous faith behind to go to a new land. Her journey begins with a declaration.

(Ruth 1:16-17 AMP). Her words laid the foundation and went into her future for the life that was to come. Her eyes had not seen, nor could she even imagine in heart what her words were doing in the atmosphere. Her words were radical for the time in which she lived. Is anyone speaking anything that is radical for this age?
As I was reading the book of Ruth, I was led to meditate on the words that were spoken even though this is considered to be a love story. Shortly after her arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth spoke about going to work in the field and declaring that she would find grace. (Ruth 2:2). She stood in time, her present situation (now) and spoke what shall be (now). Then she acted upon her declaration. “You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light of God’s favor shall shine upon your ways.” (Job 22:28 AMP). She decreed a word that went into places that she had not even been as of yet or even seen. She decided what she wanted to happen. Being a stranger, she did not know that she would happen to end up in the field of a kinsman, Boaz. Did her declaration open up an avenue of position for this coincidence?
One thing I noticed in the conversations of this book was that Boaz, the owner greeted his workers with words of blessing and they did likewise. (Ruth 2:4). It made one think as to whether he was speaking a blessing over his workers for prosperity in his field. Did the words charge and change the atmosphere as well as bless the land?
The manifestation of what Ruth had decreed occurred as she caught the sight of Boaz and his favor. He inquired as to whom she was and was informed by his workers everything concerning her. He told Ruth not to go to any other filed for he had already given instructions for her protection as well as special privileges. There is much that could be said about moving from field to field or church-to-church to glean without divine protection or instruction. Please note that her arrival was just in time for the harvest. She did not have to plant but she reaped the labor of others. Destiny at work!
In verse 10 of chapter 2, Ruth position herself before humbly asking a question, “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” His reply was that he knew everything concerning her past and her present. Then Boaz spoke the blessing of her future. “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” (Ruth 2:12 KJV). Boaz was letting her know that the God of Israel sees and knows the sacrifice that you have made to come to this place to trust in Him. But Boaz did not know that the blessing he spoke was over the woman that was to become his wife and the lineage of David and the Messiah that was to come from their union.
The words that Boaz spoke penetrated the heart of Ruth. (Ruth 2:13) A word from God will not only pierce your heart but produce a stronghold of faith to wait and stand with anticipation for the manifestation of the evidence that will produce the change in your life. The key is holding on to the word.
Ruth received favor known and unknown to her. Boaz told her to come and eat with the others at mealtime. What she did not know was that he also instructed the reapers (the ones who are doing the work), to let her come forward and glean among the sheaves, the bundles. “Boaz ordered his servants: “Let her glean where there’s still plenty of grain on the ground—make it easy for her. Better yet, pull some of the good stuff out and leave it for her to glean. Give her special treatment.” (Ruth 2:15-16 MSG).
Did you know that your words could be the catalyst for special treatment? What type of material are you using to build your words? Do not use substandard equipment and material from the world system that is before your natural eyes. If you are speaking death because of lack of knowledge, God has spoken life and given you His word to speak in the earth realm to counteract and change the system that the enemy stole from Adam and perverted.
The Word of God is the most important word that must be read, studied, and meditated upon. Why? Because it is spirit and life. “Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.” (John 6:53 MSG). In the beginning God framed the world with His word. And God said. And God saw. Thousands of years later, Ruth said and Ruth saw. Keep speaking the word. The Word of God will demolish the system that the enemy has built against you. God has given you His Word to speak (not seen but heard) to call those things (not seen but hearing and listening) into existence (to be seen).

“Therefore, inheriting the promise is the outcome of faith and depends entirely on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace, unmerited favor, to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants–not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is thus the father of us all. As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. He was appointed our father in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that He has foretold and promised as if they already existed.”
(Romans 4:16-17 AMP).
© January 2012
Becky DeWitt

The strength of a Believer that is seen is not from that which does appear. It is an inside job. The very second that an unbeliever accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior; there is a change in the spiritual DNA. “Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. “ (Galatians 2:20 MSG). Even though we were born into sin, the born again experience not only reconciles us to the Father, but also activates secret hidden things that are yet to be revealed and understood.

It is not your strength that causes you to stand and press forward despite the satanic activity. The strength that you think that you have comes from the Spirit of the Living God who is on the inside of you. Your born again spirit is hooked up to the power and strength of the Almighty Creator. You are plugged into the eternal! It His strength will cause you to move beyond your limits or expectations and even the temporary outcome.

Recently I had to research the word “strength” as a promise of God for a program at my church. Basically I did not have the time to do the research until the Sunday morning of the program. Using Internet Bible concordance tools, I found that there were just too many scriptures with the word “strength”. So I began to focus on the book of Psalms because David had an unusual relationship with God.  He was always seeking God’s heart for whatever he needed.

I found that God wraps you in strength.  “For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God, The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (Psalm 18:31-32). When He girds me, He surrounds, provides, equips and He even invests strength in me. Have you ever thought that because you accepted Jesus and the price that was paid, that God invested much in you that you don’t even know about? There is an investment, but where is the return or profit?

Searching the scriptures can lead you to a word that is new and fresh but also gives a fortified perspective. I found that God gives strength that the enemy cannot penetrate. “The Lord will give unyielding and impenetrable strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace”. (Psalm 29:11 AMP) Now this really blessed me! “The Lord is my Strength and my impenetrable Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped;” (Psalm 28:7 a AMP). This means when I have His strength I will not give way under pressure and the enemy cannot break through. God is my shield and the enemy cannot pierce or pass through Him.  The created one (satan) cannot pierce through the Creator. In addition to being a shield, He lifts your head high above the raging circumstances. “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”  Palm 3:3 AMP).  As your head is lifted to see above the natural and into the spirit to discern the truth of what is happening, you will also see that your help is coming and is very much present. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” (Psalm 121:1 KJV). “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 KJV).

God on the inside of you commands His strength upon you to display His power and glory. It is a part of His investment. “Your God has commanded your strength your might in His service and impenetrable hardness to temptation; O God, display Your might and strengthen what You have wrought for us!” (Psalm 68:28 AMP). Notice again, the impenetrable hardness, which describes the quality and degree or extent of His strength.

His strength teaches you strategic movement to outwit the enemy. “Blessed Be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight” (Psalm 144:1 AMP).  Our hands have a variety of functions are a very important part of who we are and how we see ourselves. Many people talk with their hands using them to communicate expressions. Imagine what your hands are doing in the realm of the spirit.

We must continually seek the Lord for His strength. It is His strength that will not only cause you to outwit the enemy, but also outlast the attack. Instead of the enemy wearing you out, you wear him out so that he has to flee and regroup. “Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!” (I Chronicles 16:11 AMP).

Trust in Him and in His name for strength. “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:4 KJV). We know that there are many names that God has that He wants us to know because of His attributes associated with His names. His names are from Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, (James 5:4), to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide, (Genesis 22:14). One name that we sometimes forget is El Roi, the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). He sees your situation, the attack of the enemy, and He sees the level of your strength as well as the outcome that He has ordained, VICTORY!

Rest in Him and in His strength. “With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!”  (Psalm 62:7 AMP). Enter into His rest and strength so that your faith will profit, meaning that there will be an increase. Even though the enemy comes to test your strength, lean and rest in your Father so that which is in you that you are not aware of will manifest.

“He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” (Isaiah 40: 29, 21 AMP)

© December 2011

by

Becky DeWitt

Jesus taught many parables during His time upon the earth. These stories always contained another meaning beneath the surface. The parable of the sower is in Matthew, Chapter 13, where Jesus was speaking to a multitude. Afterwards, the disciples asked why did He speaking in parables. “And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because having the power of seeing, they do not see; and having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand.” (Matthew 13: 11-13 AMP). Are kingdom secrets a gift just waiting to be released? Have they been reserved in your name? Are you in a place to receive one or many?

Jesus even revealed the state of the minds of the people even as the Prophet Isaiah foretold it. “For this nation’s heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:15). Even as I read this scripture, I thought about the state of this nation. This was an ancient prophecy again speaking in modern times.
Actually, there is no secret as to how to make the changes that are necessary for the recovery. It is really very simple, seek the wisdom of God. In the book of Daniel when the king had a dream concerning the future and could not discern what it was about, he asked the Man of God for an interpretation. “Daniel answered the king, “No mere human can solve the king’s mystery, I don’t care who it is—no wise man, enchanter, magician, diviner. But there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and he has solved this one.” (Daniel 2:28 MSG). “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him!” (Daniel 2:21-11 AMP).

Sometimes we need to ask God what is own His mind and heart concerning us. He can give you the hidden truth about your self that needs correction. There could even be a revelation about your destiny that you cannot see or comprehend. Why? Because all you will think is the word ‘how’. We just need to have faith and believe. Take the reasoning out of your mind because it opens the door to doubt. Reasoning is not faith. Reasoning is the thoughts that are an attempt of the enemy to be projected into you mind to make you doubt God’s word. Remember he did that to Eve in the garden. Just take God at His Word. Hold on to the secret which is His thought. Can you even imagine that you would be holding the thought of God in your heart? Whatever He says that is what it is. Remember that with God all things are possible. “Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” (Mark 9:23 MSG).

This is a time that we need to press diligently to get into the secret place. Psalm 91: 1 states that “HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty ,Whose power no foe can withstand. (AMP). Even though this Psalm is commonly referred to as a Psalm of protection, the secret place is also a place of intimate exchange. It is in that place that those extraordinary secrets that God wants to reveal to you will be released. About three years ago, I was in prayer and God gave me a secret that I could not even utter. At first I did not even understand. In fact I was afraid to even speak about it as I was in awe. In fact the ‘how’ crept in. But as time passed that which He revealed came to pass. The secrets that you are given can also be a test of trustworthiness. Is your heart steadfast to carry the weight of a divine secret? Will you continue to pray about that which is revealed until the manifestation? Can you open your spiritual eyes to see through His eyes? Is it that you do not want this as much as He does? Maybe you forgot that you are peculiar people, vessels chosen for such a time as this.

Is this a new thing that will shift you into another place with God? “You have heard [these things foretold], now you see this fulfillment. And will you not bear witness to it? I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things kept in reserve, which you have not known. They are created now ,called into being by the prophetic word, and not long ago; and before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, Behold, I knew them!” (Isaiah 48:6-7  AMP). Will you allow Him to develop your spirit in an area that you have not even envisioned?

We are in a time of greater revelation as we are in the end times. Scriptures that we have read and meditated upon are now activated in our spirits with new revelation. Everyone in the Body of Christ quotes the scripture about “calling those things that be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17 KJV). The Amplified version translates those same words to “speaks of the nonexistent things that He has foretold and promised] as if they already existed.” We know that God is a spirit and He is in the spirit realm. He even speaks to us through His Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit speaks that which He hears. We know that His Word contains power and accomplishes and manifests what it is sent to do. If we speak that which is spoken, (His Word), and read (His Word), those words are spirit filled containers that are invisible. These spirit filled invisible containers of faith are entering into the spirit realm where those things that we are speaking to are not seen but exist, and causing them to become manifested into existence. It is an invisible thing speaking to an invisible thing to make it visible.

The Body of Christ is always mocked for doing this. “But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.” (I Corinthians 2:14). It is no secret that God has already planned every thing. It just that many of us have not discerned and our eyes are not open because we have not understood our position as a new creation in Christ and a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Many may find that asking Him for secrets is a foolish thing. “This is because the foolish thing that has its source in God is wiser than men, and the weak thing that springs from God is stronger than men. No, for God selected deliberately chose what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame. And God also selected, deliberately chose what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are.” (1 Corinthians 1: 25,27-28). If you are seated in heavenly places next to Christ Jesus, why not lean over and ask Him for something and see what happens. Once you hear Him, you will be in awe.

 “For behold, He Who forms the mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what is His thought, Who makes the morning darkness and treads on the heights of the earth–the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name!” (Amos 4:13 AMP)

©
October 2011
Becky DeWitt

One of the most powerful scriptures in the New Testament is “Love never fails, never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.” (I Corinthians 13:8 AMP). To say that “love never fails” is to say that love does not stop working or operating properly. Love does not lose its strength to be successful in any endeavor.

Love is a word that is used loosely and thrown into conversation without the full expression of its meaning. Of course one may have deep passionate affection or take great pleasure in another from the yearning of the heart. But there is a problem with our feelings which can be fleeting as well as subject to emotions. So the question is whether love is an emotion or is it a force that is deeper that defies explanation?

Recently, I had to opportunity to witness three young individuals in a born again experience at different times. But there was one who was different. He told me that he felt new and he just wanted to tell everyone in his family that he loved them. As he began to make calls to his family telling them of his experience accepting Jesus, I was overjoyed to experience the fullness of love that Jesus had deposited into him. He was full of love and I thank God for allowing me to be in His timing for this experience. This was a call to me for a love checkup.

We understand that man is a triune being; body (flesh), soul, and spirit. (I Thessalonians 5:23). As I wrote this sentence, I was quickly made aware of the order. It is upside down. A reversal and the correct order would be; spirit, soul, and body (flesh). This is the order that we should be operating in as members of the Kingdom. The spirit is where God resides after the born again experience. The soul is the operation center of the mind, will and emotions and the flesh is connected to the sense (feeling) realm. Has the Body of Christ lacked the knowledge, revelation, and discipline to conqueror the flesh by bringing under subjection to Jesus Christ, so that we can function and operate in the spirit as we were designed to?

Take time to notice where the soul is located in this order, the middle. Actually, there is a fight for the soul because the soul is following whoever is in control, spirit or flesh. If the spirit is in control, we will have the mind of Christ, possessing the thoughts and purpose of His heart. (I Corinthian 2:16). If the flesh is in control, the soul will be subject to be driven by emotions and thoughts that are injected by the enemy, not by the spirit.

We are commanded to love our brethren whether we like them, or feel like it or not. Our brethren include all men, not just those who are in the Body of Christ. Remember the flesh feels. “I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another, if you keep on showing love among yourselves.” (John 13:34 AMP).

Since we have the commandment to love and God is love, and He lives in us, we should be full of His love. Currently, that is not the case in many instances in the Body of Christ. The enemy does not want us to have the mind of Christ and has devised a plan of erosion through time against love. He knows that the love and compassion of the saints will lead many to Jesus Christ. So, he operates through the flesh with this subversion undercurrent activity. Actually, many saints cannot even realize where or even when their love departed.

Jesus gave the commandment, the authoritative order; because He knew that there would be difficult situations for us. It is difficult for us to go out of our way pick up someone that you don’t like to bring them to church. It is difficult to love and forgive someone who has hurt you many times over the years, especially if they are in the Body of Christ. It is difficult to pick up children to come to church whose mother is nowhere to be found continually. Many things that we must do are difficult and that is the reason that we must override our mind, will and emotions with love. “Since by your obedience to the Truth through the Holy Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren,[see that you love one another fervently from a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22 AMP). We dare not disappoint the Father as He has given us His only Son to redeem us. Let’s let love be our witness of strength, power, and compassion.

“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited, arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude, unmannerly and does not act unbecomingly. Love, God’s love in us, does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it ,it pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything, without weakening. And so faith, hope, love abide, faith–conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope–joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love–true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13 AMP)
©
September 2011
Becky DeWitt

Many think that tears are connected to emotions. But there is a depth that goes to the soul. Man is a triune being with a spirit, a soul, and a body. The soul is the seat of the mind, will, and emotions and is under the control of whoever is dominating, the spirit or the flesh.

Tears even produce a sound that is past the soul crying out from the depth of the spirit. In I Samuel, chapter 1, Hannah prayed and cried so intensely that the Bible says that her tears wept sore. Even the high priest Eli assumed that she was drunk in the temple. The torment of her being barren caused Hannah’s tears gave birth to one of the greatest prophets of Israel, Samuel. By tormenting Hannah, Peninah, drove her to a place in seeking God that she had never been before. Peninah may have had multiple births, but in a single birth Hannah produced a son who was a prophet that was important to the destiny of Israel. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psalm 126:5). Samuel anointed the first and second kings of the nation of Israel. He anointed David through whom the messianic promise of Jesus was fulfilled. Samuel was known for his sensitivity of hearing the voice of God and none of the words that he spoke fell to the ground. (1 Samuel 3:19). On the other hand, the Bible does not give any accounts of what happened to the children of Peninah.

Have you ever though about what your tears are saying to the Lord? I remember years ago, I was in a service praising and crying uncontrollably. A woman came up to me and said, “ it will be alright.” I did not understand her remark. She misinterpreted my tears. I was completely in another place in God. The flow of water from my eyes was because of the grace, mercy, and deliverance through the blood of Jesus that had redeemed me from the life of sin. Every now and then we need to think on where we were and if not for His blood, where we would be.

King Hezekiah wept sorely when the prophet Isaiah gave him the word of the Lord that he was going to die. God in His grace and mercy for His servant, warned Hezekiah of his impending death. Not only did Hezekiah weep and cry out unto the Lord, but he also reminded God of how he served Him. Before Isaiah could leave the court, God reversed His earlier word. King Hezekiah’s tears said, “I cannot even exist without your presence even as I bring the record of my life before you.”

Some tears speak of the hunger, the desire for more of the Lord. These are the tears of dissatisfaction. These tears speak loudly, saying, “God, there is more of you than I can even imagine, but I even so, I want more and then some.” Tears of this language indicate a shift in the heart of the Believer for a more intimate relationship with the Father.

Tears can also be searching questions. As you continue to seek and search for the Father, you will end up searching within for anything that will hinder you from coming closer to Him. These tears lead to the stripping tears to take everything off of you, removing the stony heart for a circumcised and purified heart after God. Any filth of the enemy must go. The hunger and desire of the spirit overrides anything of the flesh. As we lay on the potter’s wheel, under construction, the work continues for the imprint of His hand to be seen.

“Thou tallest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

(Psalm 56:8)

© July 2011

God planned in love for each and every one of us. He thought out our purpose beforehand. His plan is elaborate and extensive beyond our human comprehension down to the smallest details of our very existence. He arranged the layout of our definite purpose in eternity before we existed in time. There is nothing that He has not taken care of.

As I thought on the words tailor made, I remembered that I made my clothes when I was growing up. Usually in our society, the privileged wears tailor made clothing. When something is tailored made it is custom to order and fashioned to a particular purpose or demand. I went through a period where I did not want anything out of the store. Even when I worked on Wall Street, I found a seamstress to make my suits because I did not want to see myself or someone wearing what I had on. Isn’t it funny how we have these characteristics that make up our unique personalities?

Our Father, the master tailor has designed and cut each one of us from a particular fabric for the need of particular situations during our existence on this planet. There is a definite assignment for you if you are a part of the Kingdom. There are even assignments for those who have not yet come into their place in the Kingdom. Each and every one of us is a masterpiece of the master puzzle.

Everyone in the body of Christ has the mandate of the Great Commission to “Go.” There are different gifting and purpose for each one according to the Master’s plan. Everyone cannot go everywhere, even in your own community, because you may not be called and anointed for some particular assignments. You are one in the multitude of billions.

In the book of Samuel, chapter 30, David had a catastrophic experience at Ziglag when the Amalekites raided, burned, and took their wives and children captive. In their distress, the men blamed David and were getting ready to attack him. But David strengthened himself in the Lord and inquired for a strategy for victory. The Lord answered him, “pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” (1 Samuel 30:8). When God gives you the plan and purpose, just do it. He backs up His plan and His purpose with the evidence. Don’t worry about your critics because they will not understand.

Six hundred men started out with David, but two hundred could not go past the brook because they were exhausted. The four hundred continued in pursuit to defeat the enemy and recover all as the Lord said. Upon returning some did not want to share the spoils with those who remained on watch.

The scriptures reveal nothing about the personality traits of these men until they returned. It was at the point of the division of the spoils that were recovered that the truth of their hearts was revealed. In spite of the flaws, the men on the frontline were positioned for purpose. The word says that they were wicked. These men were in the camp living with David. They were not strangers. Was this wicked personality trait the cause of their fierceness as warriors? Remember they were going to attack David until the plan of the Lord was revealed and then they followed him. It was only after David spoke of sharing the spoils and made it a statute that all would share did they obey.

The body of Christ is many minds, many hands in different offices of fivefold ministry and many ordinary positions that should be united in teamwork focused on one goal – souls. The gifting and interactions of the body illustrate a grand design and strategy for the lost in this time. Jesus knew that everyone would not come into the church, spiritual or physical, that is why He issued the mandate to “Go.” “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15).

Have you noticed that people are not coming into the physical church? If there is a great crisis, they find their way. Even some of the members of the body of Christ have lost interest. They are not coming inside the four walls. We can no longer sit in the pews for the scheduled services. We have to go out and become wise to the plans of the enemy so that we may win many souls. We have to become a mobile church on the move.

Even though there is the Great Commission, everyone will not go across the brook. Some will only come to a point and become weary. There are those that God has appointed and anointed with certain personalities that will be able to go where some cannot. When the Spirit overtakes and floods the many souls to return to the church, those who stayed behind must be positioned with the revelation and joy to receive the harvest.

There is even a different sound in the praise and worship of the youth of this generation. Many have made decisions that what is occurring is not of God. It is really God moving a way that is unusual to their ideas and concepts. They have a limited mindset, which limits the outpouring of ideas, concepts, and insights that were designed and planned in love to be released at this time. As time continues, there are changes in every aspect of the spectrum of our existence. God has planned in love for the generations in the past, present, and the future, knowing what would be needed to position us for His purpose.

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2).

© May 2011

In recent years, the praise dance has become an expression of worship within the church. Twenty years ago it was unheard of and certainly not popular as a part of the order of service. Even those who may have ventured to be forerunners, it was considered a radical movement that many resisted. This modern church failed to realized that dancing was a very important part of Hebrew culture.

When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea walking on dry land and the sea swallowed the Egyptians, Miriam and the women sang a song of victory and danced. (Exodus 15). As you read the chapter, they celebrated the power of their God over the enemy in the dance. Their worship with words came first, then the dance.

This form of worship can be hindered by society. This is not a natural thing to be scrutinized based on gender. It is a spiritual communication with God that opens up a more intimate connection than just speaking with your lips. “And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning].” (Isaiah 29:13). For those men who are intimated by the dance of worship, remember David. He was the one who was after God’s heart in spite of everything that happened in his life.

In 2 Samuel, Chapter 6, and 1 Chronicles, Chapters 13 through 16, is the description of how David danced before the Lord. David had a desire to move the ark to the capital city of Jerusalem. He wanted the presence of the Lord with him. While making preparation, he failed to realize the ordinances of God for such a transport. As a result, Uzzah was struck dead for a good intention. This event placed fear into David. “ And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?” (2 Samuel 6: 9).

Perhaps in all of his zealousness to bring the ark to the city, David forgot the history of mishandling the ark. Even when the ark was returned from the Philistines to the Israelites in Beth-shemesh, the Lord smote a great number of people. The ark was then taken to the house of a Levite priest, Abinadab. The ark was taken to the house of Obed-edom when Uzzah died. So, when the ordinary people mishandled the presence of God, they ran to the priests.

After a while, David’s passion for the presence of God turned his fear in to a pursuit for the joy. He assembled the Levites with the order of God for the movement of the ark. “And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.” (2 Samuel 6: 13-14). After the animal sacrifices, there was a shift to sacrifice of joy, thanksgiving, and praise by David in his dancing. David, the king, the priest, did something that was unusual and uncommon but broke barriers because of his heart expression of joy moved from only words to leaping and skipping with excited emotion. David went from animal sacrifice to human heart sacrifice. He was not concerned about who saw him even his wife Michal. She was more concerned about his conduct and his position than the expression of his spiritual joy.

David had a passion for the presence of God. Was he thinking that I am going to dance until God’s presence is manifested? Is this what happens when someone dances before the King? Sometimes it might start with rehearsed movements, but there is a point that the fire and passion in the movement expresses and releases the depth of intimacy.

As a member of the praise and worship team, the movement of my hands is a part of my worship experience. When I began to move my hands while singing, I enter into another place, where if it were not for the order of service, I would be lost in and yet content in staying before him for hours.

The dance, an expression of worship before the King was lost and perverted from its original purpose because of the tactics of the enemy. This expression of intimacy for our King has been revived in these latter days. “Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.” (Song of Solomon 1:4). I applaud all of those whose desire has led them to this form of worship. Imagine the Lord sitting on the throne, opening a portal, to pour out His love and His presence as His creation draws near in an intimate expression from the heart for Him only.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power!

Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness!

Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!

Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes!

Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)”

Psalm 150

(c)

April 2011

In the New Testament, there are two accounts of an extraordinary catch of fish. Of course these accounts involve the some of the first disciples. The books of Matthew and Mark on mention the public call of the disciples. “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 4:19). But the book of Luke, chapter 5 gives details of the event that lead to the call.

These were seasoned fisherman who had been out all night and there were no results for all of their efforts. Imagine that they are just coming in and washing their nets, and Jesus is preaching on shore. Of course, He would have their attention because of the multitude of people that were listening. Then Jesus gets into one their boats and says, “launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.” (Luke 5:4).

I wonder how intently the fishermen were listening to what Jesus was saying prior to his getting into the boat. Was their faith built up to the point of “nevertheless at the word?” (Luke 5:5). Have you ever wondered what He said? Because everything that Jesus said and did, is not written. (John 21:25). Was there something in His voice that gave them just enough faith to be a part of the miracle that was yet to manifest?

The catch was so great that the nets broke and they had to call the other ship for help. Both ships were so full that they began to sink. This miracle opened Peter eyes to the revelation of who Jesus was. Immediately he fell at Jesus’ feet and confessed his sin. He recognized the Holy One. At this point the fishermen left everything to follow Jesus. It only takes one encounter with Jesus to turn and change the direction of your life.

At the end of spending time with Jesus, about three years, and experiencing His death, burial and resurrection, the disciples have the experience of another catch. In John, chapter 21, Jesus appeared to some of His disciples. They had been out all night fishing as it was their custom. Once again they caught nothing. Picture this scene. The resurrected Jesus is standing on the shore and asks, “children, have ye any meat?” (John 21:5). The answer was no.

Again Jesus tells them where to cast their nets. Of course the multitude of the catch was so heavy that they could not lift it. At this point one of the disciples recognized the stranger on shore and said, “It is the Lord.” (John 21:7). Instantly when Peter heard this, he threw off his outer garments. He stripped down to the basics and threw himself in the sea. Just like the first catch, it took two boats to bring it in. Now this was the third time that Jesus appeared unto the disciples after His resurrection. One would think that even if they could not recognize Him because of their distance from the shore, distance from Him, that they would recognize His voice and the term that He addressed them, children. After spending three years with Jesus, surely they could recognize His voice. But could it be the distance from the resurrected Lord that hinders their ability?

The most interesting part of this encounter is that Jesus is already on shore cooking a fish sandwich they arrived. He has bread and fish on the fire. Then He says, “bring of the fish which ye have now caught.” (John 21: 10). Peter brings the net full of fish to the count of 153 and the net was not broken. None was lost.

There has always been a great need for evangelism, but these are the days that have been written about and it is urgent that the gospel be told. When the disciples first met Jesus and launched out into the deep for the catch, their nets were not strong and stable enough to hold every fish, which resulted in the breaking of the nets. Notice that after spending three years with Jesus, on the next catch the nets held every fish and even gave a count.

Even though the leading of the Holy Spirit will direct us to those that are ripe for the harvest, once we cast the net, it must hold them to bring them to Jesus. Successful evangelism at this time will require much time with Jesus in meditation, prayer, praise and worship. This time spent with Him will wash our nets as well as mend them in the areas that we may not be aware of that are torn. As we are lights on the earth, we must keep oil in our lamps so that they burn brightly and not become dim. I wonder as the Father looks down from the throne room how many lights are fire hot, burning brightly, and how many are just flickering dimly?

Can you see in the ocean of people that are waiting for you to cast your net? All different types with every kind of problem in deep places that many will not even dare to go. Will you become seasoned and passionate in the way you throw you net? Bring them to Jesus and remember what He told Peter.  Jesus said “feed my lambs once and feed my sheep twice.” A lamb is a young sheep. Will you serve the gospel, the good news, the truth, the love, to those that you encounter? Is your net ready?

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”

(Matthew 45-46).

© February 2011