Soul Food Revival Series Has A New Location

Hello Everyone,

Soul Food Revival Series has moved and been revamped.  I appreciate any readers who have visited this site.  I started this with very little to no knowledge of setting up a WordPress blog.  And it is still a struggle.  I believe that the new look and changes will be refreshing and I hope that you will continue to be encouraged pursue spiritual intimacy unto Christ-like fruitfulness.

This blog has been placed under our organization, Get The Word Out Productions, along with the other ministries we produce.  From now on you will be able to catch the latest posts at http://soulfoodrevival.gtwop.com/.  You will find in the footer that I have provided RSS feeds to this site, the original Blogger site, Hephzibah House Of Prayer (my wife’s blog), and Kingdom Of Fire Ministries.

Grace & Peace be multiplied to you in the Name of Jesus!

<><  Jimmy  ><>

I Hope It Sticks

Yesterday morning my mom came to my condo to visit for the first time.  My mom and one of my daughters live together.  In June, my mom (66yrs old) had her thyroid removed due to cancer.  A month ago she had to take a radiation pill to complete the process.

To my surprise, my mom was able to make it up the stairs to our condo without stopping for rest or heavy breathing.  It was truly the beginning indication of a greater work of grace that we were about to experience.  During mom’s visit, my wife was baking a pumpkin in the oven in preparation to make a pie.  My mom shared that since the radiation pill, she has lost her ability to taste food.  She was advised that it could be a side effect (temporary or permanent).  Not only could she not taste her food, but most of time there is a metallic taste in her mouth.  Because of this side effect, she would forget to eat.  My wife ended up giving her yogurt, which she confirmed she couldn’t taste.  She also learned in recent weeks that she was diabetic.

This was the first time my mom had shared this with us, so we anointed her with oil and prayed.  We spoke to her taste buds to be healed.  We cursed the diabetes and commanded the healing virtue in the name of Jesus to remove that metal taste out of her mouth and for her to be able to enjoy food again.  It was very simple direct prayer.  My mom is not familiar with praying in faith on purpose.

Yesterday was also our daughter’s 21^st birthday, so after she got off work, our family went to their place to bring cake & sorbet.  As I was distributing the pieces of cake, my mom blurts out, “This cake is too sweet!”  Realizing that she was healed, my wife turned to her and reminded her that we prayed for her that morning.  My mom replied, “I hope it sticks”.

Two scriptures come to mind in response to yesterday’s healing.  Well, not exactly two scriptures, because one of the scriptures is not in the Bible and the other is a passage of scriptures in the Bible.  Let me first address the Biblical account of Jesus cursing the fig tree in Mark 11:12-24.  This is a passage that has been one that the Lord has been impressing upon me for the past two weeks.  What happened yesterday morning is similar to what happened in Mark 11:12-14.

[Mark 11:12-14 NKJV] 12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard [it].

Jesus cursed the fig tree.  He spoke directly to the tree and cursed it by declaring that it should not produce fruit ever again.  The tree did not show any outward sign of being affected.  We know that because they kept on traveling to Jerusalem and no one in the group acknowledged any visible change.  However, the next day, returning from Jerusalem, Peter realizes that something looks different on the road they traveled the day before.

[Mark 11:20-21 NKJV] 20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

The authority used to curse the fig tree is the same authority we used to curse the effects of the radiation pill and diabetes.  The point is that when we prayed in faith, that’s when the healing took place.  It was not dependent upon seeing results.  What we observed in the evening, was already enforced in the morning.  We just didn’t have any outward sign.  But the lesson from both situations is summed up in Jesus’ response in verse 22.

[Mark 11:22 NKJV] 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

This has been the theme that the Lord has been impressing on my heart for a couple of weeks regarding some trials that my family is currently facing.  “Have faith in God” means to pray believing that when you pray you will receive.

[Mark 11:23-24 NKJV] 23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive [them], and you will have [them].

Jesus (The Word) is saying this to us today, just as much as He said it to them.  We are under the same covenant in Him.  He is not suggesting a theory but giving explanation to a confirmed event.  And in addressing Peter’s discovery, He is teaching a pillar principle regarding the law of faith.  In like manner, my wife and I stood on that principle for my mom’s situation apart from immediate outward persuasion.

[James 5:14-16 NKJV] 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

[John 6:63 NKJV]  “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and [they] are life.

When we prayed we didn’t have to whoop and holler to be convinced that God would answer.  The Greek word for “effective, fervent” is “energeō”.  It is a word that explains why a righteous man has outward success in prayer.  It is not describing performance of prayer.  The emphasis would be inward realization of the praying person.  That is the operative activity of earnestness that gets results.  Jesus exhorts us to “have faith in God”.

[Hebrews 11:6 NKJV] But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Now earlier, I mentioned that there was another non-biblical scripture that applied to last night’s healing.  This spirit behind this phrase is used by many who are immature in the faith or just plain unbelieving.  It is a verse that is not found in God’s word but is often quoted in prayer circles and meetings, even amongst well-meaning Christians.  As Pastor Rice Broocks of Every Nation humorously references, these verses and their many versions can be found in “the book of Hesitation”.  I am referring to my mom’s comment, “I hope it sticks”.

That verse and many of its varied versions (“If it is God’s will”, “If you can do anything”, “If you find it in your heart to have mercy”, etc.) have crept out of the hearts and mouths of many people (including myself) when God was giving an object lesson on His will and the principles of faith.  For four weeks, taste buds inoperative.  With one prayer, operative.  Is it God’s will to reverse or undo the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)?  Certainly!  Is prayer ineffective if we don’t see immediate results?  Certainly not when it comes to prayer according to Jesus.  So, what is the exhortation from the Spirit of the Lord in all of this?  It is the principle taught by Jesus in Mark 11:24.

[Mark 11:24 NKJV] “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive [them], and you will have [them].

God personally has been dealing with me to apply the same principle that I use in healing to every aspect of my life.  The same faith that you have in believing that you are saved is the same faith that is required to receive anything from God.  You have to believe that you received them (permanently, not temporarily).  And if that is basic level of faith unto salvation is shaky, then you let the spirit of this word replace the false verses in your heart.

[1John 5:13-15 NIV] 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.

If Jesus Had Facebook What Would He Post?

If Jesus Christ the Lord had a Facebook page, what would He post?   Would His posts, comments, photos, and likes, reflect the values, emotions, attitudes, entertainment, and experiences of many of His followers?  I don’t mean to suggest that Jesus would always be in church reading His Bible and never getting a chance to enjoy life.  On the contrary, Jesus said,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. [John 10:10 ESV]

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [John 15:9-11 NIV]

In light of His words, would He post about being bored, depressed, overwhelmed, & frustrated on a daily basis?  Would the spirit projected from His FB page encourage “likes” and “comments” of sympathy because of His focus on defeatism?  Would He be surprised that His posts received no attention or one maybe two likes because He remained encouraging and uplifted in His posts?

I envision that His three years of FB posts would be loaded with pictures and testimonies of Him laughing, smiling, teaching, preaching, laying hands, and eating with His disciples and a multitudes of people from all social-economic backgrounds.  Of course, most of His posts would be facilitated by someone in His group that would be like a Luke-figure, encouraging Him to post so that more people could be informed and encouraged by the exciting display of the kingdom of heaven.

Yet, when I observe the content of Facebook posts by many Christians, I tend to believe that the most liked and commented post Jesus would write would be in response to His dialogue in the Garden of Gethsemane.

³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying,“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [Matthew 26:36-39 ESV]

The overwhelming response would no doubt be an attempt to encourage Him to adopt the disposition, “It’s okay to not be okay”.  And somehow, because of the popular and increase momentum to support this ideology, many would think they are doing Jesus a favor.  However, because of His love for the Father and unwavering faith in the Father’s love for Him, He would shut down all false pretenses of support with a word,

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” [Matthew 16:23 NIV]

For sure, Isaiah prophesied correctly concerning Jesus,

“He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;” [Isaiah 53:3a NASB]

However, the central and all-consuming purpose in the heart of Jesus that most assuredly would have made it to His Facebook page is found in the following scriptures:

4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace [was] upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. … 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put [Him] to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see [His] seed, He shall prolong [His] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, [and] be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. [Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-12 NKJV]

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:2 NKJV]

What Jesus suffered outwardly is not a reflection of what He posted inwardly.  And if He had a chance to post on Facebook His innermost thoughts and feelings, they undoubtedly would have reflected the weighty powerful display of His faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).  He would not have spent His time retaliating or over-emphasizing “the bearing sorrows of mankind’s inequities and unbelief”.  I am confident, Jesus would encourage us with His attitude towards life to cut off our “faded WWJD bracelet form of Christianity” and “just do it”; acknowledge His love, receive His joy and make it complete.  Here’s a word directly spoken to His disciples, that John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, posted in the Bible.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33 NKJV]

THE WONDER OF WORSHIP

Posted by: Kingdom Of Fire Ministries | on August 20, 2013

Every morning my wife and I start our day in prayer to the Lord.  We don’t have an established routine, because God is living and anyone who’s alive knows that no day is the same.  To define our prayer time, it is a composition of praise, worship, petition, singing, meditation, scripture reading, scripture quoting, thanksgiving, reviewing of testimonies and prophecies, and so much more.

This morning we incorporated the use of worship music videos with lyrics.  There is something powerfully inspiring about worship music that no other music can provide.  There is a spirit of encouragement, hope, and power that is released from true praise and worship music.  By this I mean the lyrics in the music that come into alignment with the revelation of the glorious excellence of the Godhead (the Father, Jesus Christ the Lord, and the Holy Spirit).  The lyrics are important because they create the atmosphere in the soul to respond to God and to this natural world.

I have found this to be true and to be measurable:  What we listen to in worship has the ability to build our faith, direct our focus, and foster intimacy.  Throughout the Bible praise and worship has been used as a weapon, as a comforter, and as a healer.  Below are examples of great victory and deliverance through worship:

2 Chronicles 20:1-25

1 Samuel 16:14-23

These examples do not directly reference lyrics, but Psalm 59:16 does.

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

True worship will get the focus off of our weakness and onto His strength (power, might).  It will turn our attention to the character of God’s steadfast love (mercy, goodness, kindness, faithfulness).  Interesting enough, God’s goodness was not withheld from King Jehoshaphat and King Saul in the passages I referenced as examples.  If you read the context of their stories, their troubles were self-inflicted to a degree.  Therefore, there is great hope for us since the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Encourage yourself in the Lord by entering into worship.  Build an altar with your mouth.  Here are some worship songs that can be of great help to cultivate a heart of faith and reverence:

“Jesus At The Center” – Israel Houghton

“Our God” – Chris Tomlin

“I Surrender” – Hillsong

“Break Every Chain” – Jesus Culture

“Worthy Of It All” – David Brymer

“More And More” – BJ Putnam – Israel Houghton/New Breed

“Holy” – Kim Walker

“Victor’s Crown” –  Darlene Zschech – Israel Houghton – Kari Jobe

John 4:23-24 niv – “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

It Is The Year Of Testimony

The word received in prayer this morning is that we have entered into a year of testimonies.  There are going to be many many testimonies that will spring up in this year.  It is a season of testimonies.  I saw it in a vision like a sports stadium.  It was 100,000 plus fans doing the wave.  It kept circling around the stadium as the fans in each consecutive section would leap to their feet in a cheer and sit back down.  That was the vision of the testimonies in this season.  It will spring up in one region, then another, then another.  From one person, to another, then another.  It will be heard out of the mouths of those who have never uttered a word, people who have been mute concerning the goodness of God.  Their testimony will rise up and create an excitement and a desire for others to want in. The sound of their testimony will be contagious.

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:18-19

 

While The Enemy Pursues You, God Pursues Him

Yesterday in prayer the Lord spoke to me to read Exodus 14.  What’s interesting is that I had no idea what that chapter was going to entail before I went to it.  What’s amazing is that I have been under heavy trial and stress identical to times past when I was on the crest of great exoduses of dramatic change.  What’s incredibly powerful and prophetic is that Exodus 14 is about God leading Israel to the Red Sea, Israel crossing it, and the Egyptian army drowning in the Red Sea.

I was awakened at 12am today to get up and pray.  The Lord directed me again to Exodus 14 after some time.  And now at 1:30am, I share this word He has given me to encourage you.  “While the enemy is pursuing you, God is pursuing him”.  What does that mean?  It means that God is a master at setting up traps for our enemy, the devil.  Just when it looks like all of hell’s demons are about to rejoice over your downfall, there comes the upper-cup of God’s mighty right hand.  The ultimate demonstration of this is revealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  For now, let me give you the Old Testament example.

1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. (Exodus 14:1-4 NASB)

There is so much here that can be missed without the aid of outside resources.  To begin with, I normally study the bible with the aid of www.blueletterbible.org.  It just so happens that today i decided to test drive the Blue Letter Bible Beta Version.  I have to say that this was by divine leading.  I got distracted by the new layout and eventually navigated towards the miscellaneous aids for Exodus 14:2 (tools>misc>related maps/images). I stumbled upon the map image of the “route of the exodus” found on this link:  Israelites route to Red Sea.  As I observed the map, the thought came, “It would have been easier if the Israelites had journeyed  to the right, on the other side of the water, when they were near Goshen”?  If they would have gone that route they would not have needed a miracle at all to cross the Red Sea.  They would have simply avoided it altogether.  Then, I thought, “why would God take them down on the left side of the Red Sea and then to the right, at Baal-zephon?  I would have went around it at the top”.  That’s when God nudged me, and showed me I was thinking like the Pharaoh in verse 3.

“For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ (Exodus 14:3 NASB)

You ever feel like your aimlessly wandering?  Nothing going right?  Trials and distractions?  It just so happens that the condition of my car is reflecting one of my trials that is causing great stress.  My vehicle is a manual transmission.  The transmission is slipping in every gear.  That is the equivalent of pushing on the gas while the car is in neutral.  We have a saying for that, “Going nowhere fast”.  The foot is on the gas to accelerate, but it is all noise and no motion.  It may appear that way to you and the devil, but God is actually up to something.

“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. (Exodus 14:4)

Hear the Word of the Lord.  You may feel like you’re being chased, but the real chase is on.  And it will be a Romans 8:28 moment in the end.  If you continue reading Exodus 14, you notice that Pharaoh responded the way God wanted him to.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”6 So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 7 and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. 9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. (Exodus 14:5-9 NASB)

And here is where God wants to correct our response in trials.  Many times we react like the Israelites did in their situation.

10 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:10-12)

If we don’t have God’s perspective we will end up shipwrecked in fear and discouragement.  That will lead to murmuring and complaining.  And I have had my great share recently.  But God is faithful.  He has better plans.  What God said to them, He says to us.

13“Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. 14 The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”(Exodus 14:13-14 NASB)

Did you catch that?  “While you keep silent”.  ‘Oy vey!’ is right.  That’s Yiddish for ‘woe is me’.  However, over the years I have learned and reaped the benefits of instruction and obedience.  Honestly I agree with Job:

Job 23:1-12 NLT (focused emphasis on v.10-12) 10 “But he knows where I am going.  And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.  11 For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

In the end, the Israelites did not get destroyed by the Egyptians.  The Lord spoke to Moses and told him to stop crying and to part the Red Sea.  You don’t believe me?  Well, here it is.

15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. 16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall fngo through the midst of the sea on dry land.(Exodus 14:15-16 NASB)

So, now i have the mind of Christ (understanding into the mystery) on why God would lead the Israelites to the edge of the Red Sea.  It is not so that they could cross over to the other side.  They could have done that at the top of the map near Goshen.  No, He has much better plans than that.  He has great plans for you.  While the enemy is pursuing you, God is pursuing him.  And God will lead you to an impossible crossing in order to destroy your pursuer.  The Lord is after him, more than the enemy is after you.  He is going to let the devil know that his rebellion cost him and God will be glorified.

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (Rom 15:4 NLT)

I encourage you to stay the course until the end of the chapter you’re in, so that you might see the same results as the Israelites did in their story.

30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses. (Exodus 14:30-31 NASB)

Response to prayer requested

I figured I would do something different for this post.  The Lord never stops revealing things, but the time to write has been hindered.  In the past few weeks, I have received many calls, texts, IM’s, and FB messages for prayer.  And for myself, there has been a lot of spiritual attacks to distract me from accomplishing tasks that the Lord placed before me. So, i figured I would post a response to a friend that may just help a few others.  May the Lord richly bless you with the knowledge of His will in all areas of your life.

Good morning [Theopolis].  I would not be so concerned with what spiritual gifts you have been given as much as you need to be convinced of the pure love the Father has for you.  Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.  The rest is icing on the cake.  

The Life you’re looking for that seems to avoid you is hidden in Him.  Lose your life and be obsessed with Him, then your Life will return to you. [John 12:25]

He is not looking for what you can do for Him.  Jesus came to die that the Father might recover many sons & daughters.  The Father planted Him into the earth as one son, in order for Himself to reap many children. [John 12:24]

Search the scriptures concerning the Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven & you will discover it is not about what you eat or drink. You will lose your thirst and appetite to eat & drink the things of the world (sinful pleasures) when you begin to dine at His table in His presence.

You get into His presence with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100:4) & by praying according to the knowledge of His will. If you know that you are invited then you just might come inside.  If you think He has something against you, then you will not accept the invitation.  

Here is His commitment to you: Hebrews 13:20-21; Jude 24,25.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] glory forever and ever. Amen. – Hebrews 13:20-21

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present [you] faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, [Be] glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. – Jude 24, 25

Don’t let anyone rob you of the grace offered to you. The Father has set up a new covenant which is better than the old covenant.  The new covenant sets His Son, Jesus, as High Priest & Mediator. May God grant you understanding to distinguish the difference as revealed in Hebrews chapters 8-10. I pray that He open your understanding to discern the variety of contrast and comparisons the writer of Hebrews presents by the Spirit of Revelation. It is given to you to KNOW the mysteries concerning the kingdom of God. (Mark 4:11)  

Therefore, according to His will expressed in Matthew 7:7-11…ask, seek & find.

Let The Motive Of The Sower Create Motivation For The Harvest

Last night, I was at a prophetic conference in Henderson, NV.  The speaker, Abner Suarez, made a simple statement that I shared in experience.  In summary, he said that there is nothing as frustrating as when you give a prophetic word and the person receiving it acknowledges it as a word from God, yet after receiving that word says, “Please pray that it happens in my life”.  Why do many Christians rush into prayer lines and flock to conferences to receive a word, but experience no change?  I believe one of the best explanations is found in Matthew 13:1-23, when Jesus gave the parable of the sower.

Most Christians, familiar with the parable, will agree that the emphasis of the parable appears to focus on the types of soil in which the seed was sown.

“And as he sowed, some [seed] fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. (v.4)

“Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. “But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. (v.5,6)

“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. (v.7)

“But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (v.8)

Jesus went on to explain that the soil in the parable refers to the condition of man’s heart and how that affects the outcome of the word sown.

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand [it], then the wicked [one] comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (v.19)

“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; “yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (v.20-21)

“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (v.22)

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands [it], who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (v.23)

This explains a lot, but still leaves many sincere christians confounded.  They love God and earnestly seek Him.  They serve Him and serve others.  However, if honest, they would say that they are not even seeing a thirty fold return on what they heard.  So, what’s missing?  I believe it is found in the obvious.

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”  He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (v.10,11)

Do you believe that?  That the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are not to be mysterious to you?  Observe the obvious;

“But blessed [are] your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; “for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous [men] desired to see what you see, and did not see [it], and to hear what you hear, and did not hear [it].  “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: (v.16-18)

Jesus points out, that they have been given the ability to see and to hear things concerning the kingdom.  He goes one step further in providing revelation for what was spoken in parable.  In like manner, you and I, as disciples of Jesus Christ, born of the Spirit of God, enjoy the same privileges.

But I remember a time when I could see and hear but got no results.  I wanted a tangible harvest and none was to be found. I have come across many who are still there and I have something for you.  Observe the obvious;

“Behold, a sower went out to sow. (v.3b)

The obvious is very simple yet extremely profound.  I grew up in northern California, where there are many fruit orchards.  As a youth, one summer, I worked on an apricot orchard for an extremely short stay.  The fruit orchards are normally lined with trees in a military fashion.  Rows and rows covering a large mass of land.  Well, those fruitful trees started with the sowing of seed.  Whether the seed is sowed by hand or by machines, there is one common denominator;  It is the harvest.  The sower sows seed for the harvest.  The harvest is the desire of the sower and if you can perceive that in light of the Spirit and the Word of God, then you have discovered one of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

No farmer looks forward to the labor of sowing without the expectation of reaping a large harvest.  They want an abundant return for their labors.  This is by design of Elohim, our creator, who created us in His likeness.  And God is perfect in all His ways.  He sows on purpose and He can back up His expectation.  Therefore, there is no problem with the seed sown.  The issue lies in the quality of the soil.  But here is another mystery revealed;

“For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways,” says the LORD.  “For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.  “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:8-11 nkjv

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:31-32 nkjv

So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17 nkjv

Whatever we hear by revelation in the scriptures or through prophetic proclamation in the Spirit is given to us to for God Himself to receive a harvest.  Let this encourage you to walk in the promises of God and His prophecies over your life.  Let the motive of the sower create motivation for the harvest.

Enter His Rest – The Pursuit of Intimacy

The purpose of this blog is to bring personal revival to the lives of those who would take the time to view the material presented.  I mainly share the lessons or experiences in my communion with God, through Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit.  In these years, what I have become and come to know about the nature of God, has resulted in being weaned from living by the law.  Those early years were filled with the same exhortation from the Lord.  He would say, “Jimmy, you’re trying too hard.  How are you to finish in the flesh, what I started in the Spirit?”  Then, He would direct me to the book of Galatians to study so He could instruct me on my error.  I would repent and do well for awhile, but i would inevitably turn my course back to trying harder to live the Christian life on my own.  That would lead to more frustration and confusion.  Before I could give up, He would come back, “Jimmy, you’re trying too hard…”

One encounter that was a stepping stone on the road to freedom happened while I was using the “Experiencing God” workbook by Henry Blackaby.  Back then, I used study guides as my devotionals.  God used those tools to teach me to pray and listen for His voice.  However, He weaned me from those resources, when He felt I was mature enough to get it straight from the Bible with total dependence upon the Holy Spirit.  Somewhere in that workbook, the Holy Spirit pulled out a scripture that became my “eye-opening” encounter that would lead me on a journey to breakthrough.  The scripture is Philippians 2:13.

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. – Philippians 2:13

When i realized that God was giving me the desire to please Him and that, He even gives me the ability to get it done, I stopped striving in the flesh and relied more on the Spirit.  From there, over time, He began to teach me about entering into His rest.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.- Hebrews 4:1,9,10

Abba was saying to me, “Jimmy, what keeps my people out of the promises of the fellowship and provisions of my loving-kindness? Hear what the Spirit is saying”.

It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. – Hebrews 4:6

So, i read and reread and reread.  I meditated and kept going back and forth to Hebrews 4 along with other scriptures the Lord gave.  This took several months maybe a year and several months.  I was so law-driven. Then, by the Spirit it came;

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.'” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. – Hebrews 4:2,3

That’s why He kept pushing me to stop striving in the flesh.  Striving in the flesh is works without faith.  But, faith is a gift from God which will produce ability that works.  More than that, striving in the flesh never produced intimacy with God.  That is the Cain-syndrome.  That offering will never get recognized.  Hear a new testament interpretation and get understanding.

but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” – Romans 9:31,32

According to the Spirit, do you hear what the Spirit is saying?  Friends, our righteousness is a gift as much as our faith is a gift.  Our worship is our gift to the Father, with the assistance and ability of the Holy Spirit, when we recognize the gift we received through Jesus Christ, our Righteousness.

Our faith, not works, is our love gift back to the One who loved us first.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.- Galatians 5:6

Now, my life is characterized by intimacy with Him.  I have found the secret and I am determined to let others know the Truth that sets us all free.  What has begun in the Spirit cannot be perfected in the flesh.  And what God wants is a relationship not your payments.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.- Colossians 1:19-23

This is the revelation that will bring the next wave of revival.  Of course, there will be a lot of cleaning, but that will be out of a heart of love and gratefulness on our part.  We will willingly lay it down because of our faith working through love. It will be in response to the revelation that we receive and not because of fleshly effort to live holy.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:14-16

I want to add this awesome word from Kim Walker-Smith that will encourage you in the pursuit of intimacy.

May the Lord richly bless you with the knowledge of His will.

To do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.  So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.  And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.”  Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. – Mark 3:1-4

It is unfortunate that this scene still happens today in churches around America.  However, let Jesus, Himself, settle the matter for the religious in our day as He did when He walked the earth in human form.  The religious spirit will always seek to condemn the use of the miraculous demonstration of God’s kingdom as an unlawful thing.  It refuses to believe in the available power of God to heal.  It will harden its heart to the compassionate heart of Jesus to do good.

And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, – Mark 3:5a

Praise God for His will.  Let the silent, stiff-lipped, religious persons take head to the words of Jesus Christ, the Anointed.  As Elijah called down the fire from heaven to consume the watered down sacrifice in 1Kings 18, so Jesus released the power of heaven down upon that withered hand.  The audience is the same.  Both sit silently, unwilling to answer truthfully on who is God.

“Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You [are] the LORD God, and [that] You have turned their hearts back [to You] again.”- 1Kings 18:37

So, I will ask this 21st Century audience, “Is it okay if we allow Jesus, the hope of glory, within us, to be Jesus?”  “Are you offended if some of us still believe in the power of Jesus Name to heal as well as save?”  Better yet, “Will you oppose us if we demonstrate the kingdom, by moving outside the church to use the prophetic and healing gifts to haul in the lost?”

For those who prescribe to the mindset, “just give me the word (logos)”, but are inexperienced in the “rhema”, at least observe Paul’s testimony.

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.  – 1Corinthians 2:4-5

Hence, I lead you, religious and non-religious, to the goal that the Master has put before us all.  The Father seeks to redefine Himself. He has called us to believe in the name of Jesus.  Every area of our lives are fit for His touch to bring healing and deliverance.  It is time for excusing, doubting, unbelief supporting stinking thinking to leave the church.  We are called to walk in confident expectation that God is good and, through His goodness, He rewards those who acknowledge it and draw close to Him (Hebrews ll:6 paraphrased).

Therefore, I exhort you in the Name of Jesus, “Stretch out your hand.”

And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward… Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched [it] out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. – Mark 3:3,5