By Stephen Bennett:
Just trying to be cool and current can leave you wanting. The latest contemporary songs sound terrific. Your own nostalgic favorites can still enjoy the glory of yesteryear. Volume still stirs and pumps. The sweet and soft sounds, soothe and make us fly. Skill and excellence are important. Yet the end-time glory and the governing anointing and power of God still hovers and waits. What is He waiting for?
Over the last 15 years a new generation has immerged into an established contemporary church culture in the Body of Christ that now has its own sense of tradition and denominationalism. This young generation has nonetheless been blessed with the freedom and liberty of music expression that many had pioneered in the decades before the nineties. Yet in the current journey, incredible success, and now global marketing, the prophetic and governmental power of music and its end-time purposes, as we see in Scripture, is becoming lost on much of this generation in contemporary church culture. What is the Holy Spirit waiting for now?
Musicians and singers who are worshipping warriors, that understand, and carry the presence and glory of God through their intercession and worship. They are prophets of sound yet to fully emerge that will articulate heaven into earth. The Body of Christ is in what is termed an apostolic reformation where the fullness of God’s authority and power is to be unleashed in the Church and on the world - this includes through the music. There is a cost to carrying this level of authority. It requires intimacy with God, consecration and total death to self - in this rapidly accelerating busy world many do not have the time for this.
Spiritual Shifts
The Holy Spirit is stirring the Body of Christ to realize that He wants to bring great quantum shifts in the way ministry is released in everything to do with what church is, the market place, events etc. These are shifts in the lives of people, where they can be accelerated quickly from one point to the next in their lives. They change so significantly in a moment of time that they are never the same again – this is not just the hype of contemporary religious church, but the tangible reality of spiritual change by the power and glory of God manifesting in lives. This is all part of the ongoing end-time transition into the apostolic reformation of the Church that will be able to have major affect in cities and nations.
Elements that hold this back in Australia are complacency, church cultures that are more obsessed with themselves, easy look good lifestyle, measures of worldliness and success based on things, and spiritual structures that tend to shut down or control the revelatory prophetic and apostolic flow rather than release it.
A significant change will happen when the Body of Christ embraces and releases its artists, singers and musicians to function in the proper biblical way. There are many that you would know, who are either disenfranchised, in the wilderness because of ''church'', or are aware of what God is doing and are looking for where they ''fit'' now''. God is re-building the Tabernacle of David for the rest of mankind to seek the Lord (Amos 9:11, Acts 16:15); musicians and artists have a very significant role to play. It’s not just about ''the songs'', or getting the latest worship leader into church with a current promoted album (this is where we can miss it). But the significance of power is from a synergy of musicians working together in close Godly relationship, who are called within a prophetic paradigm of church, as in David’s Tabernacle. To affect a governmental shift in the spirit over the lives of people, and to decree change into the atmosph! ere for the church, their territories and nation (Psalm 149).
The most powerful moves of the Spirit can come in the spontaneous gaps or prophetic interruptions in songs that are led by the Spirit, this can release the profound ministry strategies the Lord has for that time or moment. This is part of what being a prophet musician is about, this is the call of the artist, musician, singer today - to carry governmental spiritual authority and bring heaven to earth, to open up the earth as it were. See the glory of God released in all power and authority - which is what was given to Jesus by the Father and consequently to us in Christ. Tradition – old or new - cannot do this.
Performance or Prophetic?
In the western world the songs performed in many church meetings are often just well crafted popular styled music: now they are often more predictable as we follow one another, easily marketed, entertaining, and consumer friendly, some are even just produced for the royalties they generate. We call great sales as success, and the music is celebrated. Much of it is of course exemplary, positive, and incredibly well produced, although some of it can fall short of the full impact it could have in the world of the spirit. Why? Because many musical artists lack prophetic and apostolic revelation, mainly because they are untaught or just not in a church paradigm that releases it.
If overly contrived popular style praise is the only music ever played in churches, it may be fun and edifying, but may rarely carry an apostolic breakthrough anointing that takes you to a place of glory and the quantum shifts in the spirit that can bring immense change. This is true, especially when there is a major over emphasis on performance, or keeping up a church image, or when the music presentation is often produced with a marketing motive, or just for media. At worst, when it is a sleek church showcase set to just impress man. The emphasis on image (which is quite prevalent today) creates a stage performance, where moving in time, clicking fingers, wearing exquisite robes, or trendy brand clothing, or colors, often overshadows the reasons why we are on a platform. The lyrics we sing may all sound good, however, we end up missing the point of our purpose.
In many church services the music has been reduced to a predictable 15 minute warm up before announcements and the preaching. People’s hearts are left hanging out for more. You feel suspended, not having arrived anywhere - before all the advertisements and in house news and media take over. This is not a healthy place to be in for worshippers. Over time people can be lulled into thinking that is all there is. Sunday morning can end up feeling like a rushed ‘snack’ – in and out in an hour and half, yet left wanting for more. This is not the way to treat God’s people, or presenting this as the only definitive modern way of Christ.
In our efforts to be contemporary, current, and popular, our sounds can easily become spiritually dull, although it all seems right. The dullness then gets on you because you are under that authority and influence, and music has huge covering power over people in a local church. Why does this happen? In our highly stimulated visual world, we have allowed image and performance, to sometimes usurp the more important consideration of a greater relationship and consecration to Jesus Christ and hunger for His presence. The end result is a form that denies the release of real governing power. It is in such a place where God may say, "take away from me the noise of your songs." Amos 5:23. If all we have is a controlled religion with no power – we may as well close the doors and go home and play with the children in the sunshine, it’s more fun.
Many styles and expressions of music are used and blessed by God. In right context they are all effective. Many Christian artists are called into the numerous areas of music as a witness for Christ. There are bands with vision to release the glory of God through various music genres in the world market. This trend is increasing, and is highly effective in reaching people who will never go near a church building - especially the younger generation. With the apostolic anointing, we should be invading our culture in all realms outside the walls of what we call churches. However, if we just try to stay only popular or trendy within established church, we may create a maintenance level of music that is safe and spiritually middle of the road. This can breed an entertained, spectator audience, who are hooked on meetings - when they should be a participating congregation who can be accelerated and matured through intimacy with the Lord that releases them to be the mi! ghty Army of God, that affects the world.
We can now ask the question why we don’t often see the spontaneous prophetic song, or the song of the Lord much anymore. This used to be normal in church especially in the eighties, and is modeled in the Tabernacle of David as a major part of the prophetic purposes of music. Performance or Prophetic? Many in the Church are hungry for the prophetic today, and deep is crying unto deep. Many churches are fearful of releasing the fullness of it because of past extremes or lack of understanding. But times are changing and the Lord wants to move rapidly and release His glory on the earth. It will take the Church to fully shift into apostolic and prophetic understanding for the end-times.
End-Time Advance
True advancement in the 21st Century must come from moving on with the Spirit of the Lord and living in His ways. Many of us have just thought about God, Church, and spiritual authority, in the various ways it has been handed down to us in our Christian traditions, or movements.
If we are to fully embrace the apostolic move in these days, we must change the way we think. The Prophet Isaiah said, ''on the throne of David…to order it and establish it'' (Isaiah 9:7). God is on the throne, so we must all be throne thinkers. In Christ we sit with Him ''in heavenly places far above all principalities and power'' (Ephesians 1:20-21). Throne thinking is governmental thinking - we think as God thinks (as Jesus did), and we do as God does. God promised David he would establish this in these days. "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn to my servant David: ''Your seed I will establish forever and build up your throne to all generations.'' " ''…I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David; His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me'' (Psalm 89:3-4, 35-36).
God is establishing and building up the throne of apostolic authority in the Church. It has endured through history and is flourishing now. We are in apostolic days, the majestic, glorious, royal authority of Christ will shine like the sun in the Church (Isaiah 60); the sun is hot, warm, and inviting. The Lord promised David. God has great zeal to establish His authority, government, and right order (Isaiah 9:7). The Hebrew language paints the picture of the Lord being red in the face, with an absolute righteous burning desire. This zeal for His temple was manifest in Jerusalem; it had ''eaten Him up'', moreover, Jesus violently cleared the temple on account of the merchandising ways of it’s religious ministers (John 2:15-17).
God does not tolerate anything against His Holy desire where His government is concerned. He wants to advance His glory now against all substitutes, false and futile. God is hot for this to happen. If the Church does not flow with God''s ways, we are warned by the Psalmist, ''He who instructs the nations shall He not correct…? The Lord knows the thoughts of man that they are futile'' (Psalm 94:10-11).
Man made ideas from the spirit of this age, the principles of the world, religious traditions, or simply just trying to be cool and contemporary, are just not enough anymore. They are futile in truly being able to reform and change nations. God is establishing apostolic and prophetic authority in the Body of Christ; we cannot resist it, even in our music. ‘He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’ Revelation 3:6.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Is Tolerance Love?
Tolerance has been misused in our society, being wrongly affiliated with the “approval” point of view. But Jesus provided the perfect example of speaking the truth and showing love when he defended the adulterous woman against those who judged her, and also told her “go and leave yourlife of sin.” (John 4:1-30)
Here is some of what Josh McDowell has to say about worldly “tolerance” versus love:
Here is some of what Josh McDowell has to say about worldly “tolerance” versus love:
Tolerance says, "You must approve of what I do." Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will love you, even when your behavior offends me."
Tolerance says, "You must agree with me." Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will tell you the truth, because I am convinced 'the truth will set you free.' "
Tolerance says, "You must allow me to have my way." Love responds, "I must do something harder; I will plead with you to follow the right way, because I believe you are worth the risk."
Tolerance seeks to be inoffensive; love takes risks.
Tolerance glorifies division; love seeks unity.
Tolerance costs nothing; love costs everything.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
THE CROSS IS CENTRAL TO THE WORK OF PRAYER
Precisely how does a human being, with all their feelings and emotions, relegate his (or her) natural sense, ignore what his eyes and ears tell him, and really get into a place in God where he can pray in cooperation with God's Will? What we have called "taking up the Cross" is now about to hit home for many of us who have held it as a mere doctrine, but not an experience. For only someone dead to himself can do it, and this is exactly what the Cross is meant to accomplish in the life of the Christian. The very struggle itself is necessary, not too unlike the baby bird which must struggle with its own shell before it can be free of it. We see this pointedly illustrated in the Garden of Gethsemane by Christ Himself, when He prayed:
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not My will, but Your Will be done (Matthew 26:39)."
His sweat mingled with His tears, and He wrestled with Himself three times before He could settle the issue, but once it was settled, He gave no resistance, and within a few hours everything was accomplished. Oh! That is where we are lacking today! How long will we kick and struggle against the pricks? How long will we argue and complain against God and resist His dealings with us? If we have to die in order to truly live, let us be about the business of dying! If we must be crucified in order to have Resurrection Life, then let us just submit to it and get it over with!
Some very telling features are found in this passage and in the ones related to it. We see at once that there is a thing called God's Will, and there is a thing called My Will. If this was true of Jesus, believe me when I say it is abundantly true of us. Forget about the devil for a moment, this issue of God's Will versus My Will is one hundred thousand times more intense than any fight with some devil or demon. God's Will and My Will are not always in agreement, and that is going to be a problem for God and for me until it is resolved. How can I represent His Kingdom in the earth and talk about His preeminence over all creation if He does not have the preeminence in my own life?
HENCE THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER: to get aligned with the Mind, Will, Heart, Desire, Purpose, and Aim of God Himself. It is a fight and a struggle just to get to Gethsemane. It is a battle to get your brethren to stay awake with you for even one hour; and it is an all-out war to "pray thrice" or ten times or twenty times or one hundred times, as the case may be, until you have gotten the victory over yourself, and come away soaked with the blood, sweat, and tears of that early morning wrestling. But once the outcome is decided in God's favor, what awesome power and Life one receives, to drink that Cup that looked so impossible before, and to go forth bearing the Cross in the strength and power of God Himself, to do whatever He requires!
Admittedly, the kind of prayer we are calling the Church to will require a great deal of self-denial and work, more work than most of us are accustomed to, and for that reason the majority of people who read this will give it up as too laborious. Like the disciples who fell asleep, some simply cannot stay awake (literally or figuratively) to watch and pray for any length of time. This is due in part to the "lazy man's" way of praying that we have been taught and have followed for so long. Now we are not talking about how many hours per day you should spend in prayer. You can be effectual and fervent for twenty minutes per day, and you can be totally ineffectual and half-hearted for several hours straight. Which fulfills God's purpose? We need to work on the quality of our intercessions first and foremost, and then we can work on the quantity of them.
Thus, a serious call to prayer and fasting involves something more than an occasional prayer meeting, an hour-long prayer vigil, or an occasional skipped meal or two. It is a call, not to the world in general, but to the Church, for it is the Call of the Cross all over again: to give no place to the flesh, even in prayer; to subjugate all that pertains to the natural man; to get aligned with something larger and bigger than myself; to get one's own house in order; to bring a message of warning AND mercy to the unsubmitted earth; to prepare the way for the preeminence of Christ, and to demonstrate that preeminence to the rest of the world. Towards this End, we pray that the Lord will raise up more of the saints to represent His interests as the House of Prayer for All Nations.
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not My will, but Your Will be done (Matthew 26:39)."
His sweat mingled with His tears, and He wrestled with Himself three times before He could settle the issue, but once it was settled, He gave no resistance, and within a few hours everything was accomplished. Oh! That is where we are lacking today! How long will we kick and struggle against the pricks? How long will we argue and complain against God and resist His dealings with us? If we have to die in order to truly live, let us be about the business of dying! If we must be crucified in order to have Resurrection Life, then let us just submit to it and get it over with!
Some very telling features are found in this passage and in the ones related to it. We see at once that there is a thing called God's Will, and there is a thing called My Will. If this was true of Jesus, believe me when I say it is abundantly true of us. Forget about the devil for a moment, this issue of God's Will versus My Will is one hundred thousand times more intense than any fight with some devil or demon. God's Will and My Will are not always in agreement, and that is going to be a problem for God and for me until it is resolved. How can I represent His Kingdom in the earth and talk about His preeminence over all creation if He does not have the preeminence in my own life?
HENCE THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER: to get aligned with the Mind, Will, Heart, Desire, Purpose, and Aim of God Himself. It is a fight and a struggle just to get to Gethsemane. It is a battle to get your brethren to stay awake with you for even one hour; and it is an all-out war to "pray thrice" or ten times or twenty times or one hundred times, as the case may be, until you have gotten the victory over yourself, and come away soaked with the blood, sweat, and tears of that early morning wrestling. But once the outcome is decided in God's favor, what awesome power and Life one receives, to drink that Cup that looked so impossible before, and to go forth bearing the Cross in the strength and power of God Himself, to do whatever He requires!
Admittedly, the kind of prayer we are calling the Church to will require a great deal of self-denial and work, more work than most of us are accustomed to, and for that reason the majority of people who read this will give it up as too laborious. Like the disciples who fell asleep, some simply cannot stay awake (literally or figuratively) to watch and pray for any length of time. This is due in part to the "lazy man's" way of praying that we have been taught and have followed for so long. Now we are not talking about how many hours per day you should spend in prayer. You can be effectual and fervent for twenty minutes per day, and you can be totally ineffectual and half-hearted for several hours straight. Which fulfills God's purpose? We need to work on the quality of our intercessions first and foremost, and then we can work on the quantity of them.
Thus, a serious call to prayer and fasting involves something more than an occasional prayer meeting, an hour-long prayer vigil, or an occasional skipped meal or two. It is a call, not to the world in general, but to the Church, for it is the Call of the Cross all over again: to give no place to the flesh, even in prayer; to subjugate all that pertains to the natural man; to get aligned with something larger and bigger than myself; to get one's own house in order; to bring a message of warning AND mercy to the unsubmitted earth; to prepare the way for the preeminence of Christ, and to demonstrate that preeminence to the rest of the world. Towards this End, we pray that the Lord will raise up more of the saints to represent His interests as the House of Prayer for All Nations.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Blessing and the Breaking
"And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him" (Luke 24:30-31).
After Jesus blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Until you have the blessing and the breaking your eyes will remain closed. Blessings alone do not open our eyes. Indeed, blessings by themselves tend to close our eyes. We do not come to know Him in the blessing, but in the breaking. Then what we already have in Him will be revealed. Our eyes will be opened and we will see that He has been standing there the whole time.
Do you want to know Him? Do you want to see Him for Who He is? Do you want to go deeper? Do you want to have your eyes opened? Embrace the blessing AND the breaking; receive them both. If you are a bruised reed or a broken cistern, take heart, because you are making progress.
After Jesus blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Until you have the blessing and the breaking your eyes will remain closed. Blessings alone do not open our eyes. Indeed, blessings by themselves tend to close our eyes. We do not come to know Him in the blessing, but in the breaking. Then what we already have in Him will be revealed. Our eyes will be opened and we will see that He has been standing there the whole time.
Do you want to know Him? Do you want to see Him for Who He is? Do you want to go deeper? Do you want to have your eyes opened? Embrace the blessing AND the breaking; receive them both. If you are a bruised reed or a broken cistern, take heart, because you are making progress.
Friday, April 11, 2008
When Average Men Follow Christ
By Francis Frangipane
Before we doubt whether we are the caliber of the first disciples, here is a fact sheet compiled from over 200 New Testament Scriptures concerning those whom Jesus first called.
The disciples... came to Christ, believed in Him, followed Him.
They...
dined with Him, often became hungry, often didn't have time to eat, twice fed the multitudes.
They...
received special authority to heal and deliver, became Jesus' confidants, were often rebuked and corrected, were entrusted with the mysteries of God's Kingdom.
They...
did what was not lawful on the Sabbath, broke the traditions of the elders, entered the Kingdom of God and walked in God's power.
They...
were frightened, fell on their faces, were much afraid, were very astonished, they marveled, they were indignant and they rejoiced.
They...
became weary on a number of occasions, grumbled and withdrew, some stopped walking with Jesus; even after the resurrection some still doubted, they wrote the New Testament and died for their faith.
They...
were taught to pray for the Kingdom to come and for laborers for the harvest, yet slept while Jesus prayed; they spent ten days in continuous prayer before Pentecost, and prayed corporately every day afterward at 3:00 p.m..
They...
forgot provisions, made commitments they could not keep, individuals begged them to heal people they could not heal, they attempted to exorcise demons that would not leave, they rebuked parents bringing children to be blessed, abandoned Jesus in His deepest need, they were frequently jealous and ambitious, and they turned the world upside down after the resurrection.
They...
had a tendency to invent doctrines, tried to command fire to fall on the Samaritans, put a limit on how many times to forgive, presumed John would not die, wanted to build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, became the tabernacle of God on earth after Pentecost.
They...
prepared cities for the arrival of Jesus, prepared the Passover for the last supper, and were prepared by God to represent Christ; ultimately, they were prepared to die for the Lord.
They...
remembered what Jesus taught, received the great commission, faced terrible opposition from principalities and powers, Jews and Gentiles, yet they made disciples of all nations.
Let us read the words of Christ as though we were sitting at Jesus' feet learning. What did Jesus say concerning love, spiritual authority, or the power of faith? It is time to not be overwhelmed by our flaws and weaknesses. Rather, let us obey all Jesus taught and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, even as His first disciples were.
Before we doubt whether we are the caliber of the first disciples, here is a fact sheet compiled from over 200 New Testament Scriptures concerning those whom Jesus first called.
The disciples... came to Christ, believed in Him, followed Him.
They...
dined with Him, often became hungry, often didn't have time to eat, twice fed the multitudes.
They...
received special authority to heal and deliver, became Jesus' confidants, were often rebuked and corrected, were entrusted with the mysteries of God's Kingdom.
They...
did what was not lawful on the Sabbath, broke the traditions of the elders, entered the Kingdom of God and walked in God's power.
They...
were frightened, fell on their faces, were much afraid, were very astonished, they marveled, they were indignant and they rejoiced.
They...
became weary on a number of occasions, grumbled and withdrew, some stopped walking with Jesus; even after the resurrection some still doubted, they wrote the New Testament and died for their faith.
They...
were taught to pray for the Kingdom to come and for laborers for the harvest, yet slept while Jesus prayed; they spent ten days in continuous prayer before Pentecost, and prayed corporately every day afterward at 3:00 p.m..
They...
forgot provisions, made commitments they could not keep, individuals begged them to heal people they could not heal, they attempted to exorcise demons that would not leave, they rebuked parents bringing children to be blessed, abandoned Jesus in His deepest need, they were frequently jealous and ambitious, and they turned the world upside down after the resurrection.
They...
had a tendency to invent doctrines, tried to command fire to fall on the Samaritans, put a limit on how many times to forgive, presumed John would not die, wanted to build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, became the tabernacle of God on earth after Pentecost.
They...
prepared cities for the arrival of Jesus, prepared the Passover for the last supper, and were prepared by God to represent Christ; ultimately, they were prepared to die for the Lord.
They...
remembered what Jesus taught, received the great commission, faced terrible opposition from principalities and powers, Jews and Gentiles, yet they made disciples of all nations.
Let us read the words of Christ as though we were sitting at Jesus' feet learning. What did Jesus say concerning love, spiritual authority, or the power of faith? It is time to not be overwhelmed by our flaws and weaknesses. Rather, let us obey all Jesus taught and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, even as His first disciples were.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
$$
How many of us sweat over money and finance issues..?
Kindof puts it into proper perspective don't you think?
RICHER THAN YOU THINK?
How do you feel about that? A bit richer we hope. Richer and ready to give some of your newly found wealth to those who need it most. It not hard - just slip your hand in your pocket and pull out something special. Something that can help redress the balance - and also make you feel uncommonly good. Many peoples lives could be happier if you donated just one hour's salary (approx $14.36 - UK estimate).
All you have to do is make a choice.
$8 could buy you 15 organic apples OR 25 fruit trees for farmers in Honduras to grow and sell fruit at their local market.
$30 could buy you an ER DVD Boxset OR a First Aid kit for a village in Haiti.
$73 could buy you a new mobile phone OR a new mobile health clinic to care for AIDS orphans in Uganda.
$2400 could buy you a second generation High Definition TV OR schooling for an entire generation of school children in an Angolan village.
Kindof puts it into proper perspective don't you think?
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Grace..
"And He said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (II Corinthians 12:9).
All those who want power with God must see that His power is released through our weakness. Do realize that you are weak whether you admit it or not, but the power of humility is in recognizing and agreeing before God that we really can do nothing of our own selves. God's power is not for those with natural charisma, talent, leadership skills, education, training, or "connections". God is not looking for volunteers to serve at their own convenience as their schedule permits, but calls for disciples who will lay down their lives. The flesh counts for nothing in spiritual matters.
All those who want power with God must see that His power is released through our weakness. Do realize that you are weak whether you admit it or not, but the power of humility is in recognizing and agreeing before God that we really can do nothing of our own selves. God's power is not for those with natural charisma, talent, leadership skills, education, training, or "connections". God is not looking for volunteers to serve at their own convenience as their schedule permits, but calls for disciples who will lay down their lives. The flesh counts for nothing in spiritual matters.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
ITS WAR TIME..
When Kings Go Out to Battle
By Francis Frangipane
Beware of a Passive Spirit
There are many examples of David's valor. As a young man, for instance, while others trembled, David was ready and eager to face Goliath. David is an example of one whom God chose, whose passions for God sustained him for most of his life.
Yet David also provides an example of what happens to good people when they go passive when they should be fighting. For there was an occasion when David did not pursue his enemies and the consequences were grave. It happened because he allowed a passive spirit to subdue his will.
"Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem" (2 Sam.11:1).
During a time of war, the king allowed a passive spirit to immobilize his soul. Soon we find this great warrior king almost helpless to resist the unfolding spiritual attack.
"Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance" (2 Sam. 11:2).
The woman was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. From the moment David accepted the influence of that passive spirit, his resistance was weakened; a paralysis of conscience occurred. Scripture says that "when evening came David arose from his bed." Perhaps it was customary to rest in the afternoon, but it strikes me as inconsistent for David to nap while his men fought. It is possible that this nap was not a response to a bodily need but an expression of the slumber that gripped his soul. He was in bed until "evening."
This heaviness of soul resting on David was actually part of a larger, synchronized spiritual attack. The other part of that battle was the quiet, inner prompting that stirred Bathsheba to bathe in a place where David could see her. Finally, unable to resist, and in defiance of his noble qualities, David "sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her" (2 Sam. 11:4).
Dear friend, remember: This terrible moral failure was not driven by David's lust or flagrant rebellion to God. A passive spirit introduced David to his sin! The problem was simply that, in a time when the kings went forth to war, David stayed at home.
We ourselves are in a time of war. The Spirit of God is calling us to fight for our souls as well as our families, cities and nations. Indeed, God's Word reveals that "The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isa. 42:13).
Is that holy fight in you? Is there a war cry in your spirit? If you are born again, that cry is within you, even if it has been muted by lethargy.
We will never succeed as overcomers without carrying in our spirits the war cry of God. We must stop resisting the call to prayer; we must embrace the reality of spiritual warfare; and we must fight with the weapons of warfare that God has given us, both for our own progress and also on behalf of those we love.
Know, however, that the moment you accept a passive spirit, you should anticipate that a temptation appropriate to your weakness will soon follow. It may not be Bathsheba; it may be pornography on the Internet. Or it may be a coworker who begins to look attractive at a time when you and your spouse are struggling. Whatever the area of weakness in your life, Satan will attack that area. It will likely not be a bold frontal assault; if you first drop your guard and relax your fight, he will disarm you with a passive spirit. If the enemy succeeds in his assault, you will find yourself wrapped up in something that can devastate you and your loved ones.
One may argue, "I'm walking with God. I'm a bond-servant of the Lord. I'm not vulnerable." Remember what the Lord warned the church in Thyatira: "I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols" (Rev. 2:20) .
Jesus was concerned, not only for the corrupting influence of Jezebel in the world; He was concerned that the leaders of the church had grown tolerant. More, her seductions not only targeted the wayward or new believers, but she led God's bond-servants astray.
Although it does not identify this seductive spirit by name, Proverbs warns of the temptations of the Jezebel spirit. Speaking of "the woman of folly," she calls out "to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight: Whoever is naive, let him turn in here" (see Prov. 9:14-18).
Who is this spirit after? Those "who are making their paths straight."
Beloved, it is springtime here in the northern hemisphere. It is that time of the year when seduction begins to call out "to those who pass by." Let us not become passive in a time of war. Rather, let us fight for our nation, our cities, our families and, especially, our own souls.
It is time for kings to go to war
By Francis Frangipane
Beware of a Passive Spirit
There are many examples of David's valor. As a young man, for instance, while others trembled, David was ready and eager to face Goliath. David is an example of one whom God chose, whose passions for God sustained him for most of his life.
Yet David also provides an example of what happens to good people when they go passive when they should be fighting. For there was an occasion when David did not pursue his enemies and the consequences were grave. It happened because he allowed a passive spirit to subdue his will.
"Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem" (2 Sam.11:1).
During a time of war, the king allowed a passive spirit to immobilize his soul. Soon we find this great warrior king almost helpless to resist the unfolding spiritual attack.
"Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance" (2 Sam. 11:2).
The woman was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. From the moment David accepted the influence of that passive spirit, his resistance was weakened; a paralysis of conscience occurred. Scripture says that "when evening came David arose from his bed." Perhaps it was customary to rest in the afternoon, but it strikes me as inconsistent for David to nap while his men fought. It is possible that this nap was not a response to a bodily need but an expression of the slumber that gripped his soul. He was in bed until "evening."
This heaviness of soul resting on David was actually part of a larger, synchronized spiritual attack. The other part of that battle was the quiet, inner prompting that stirred Bathsheba to bathe in a place where David could see her. Finally, unable to resist, and in defiance of his noble qualities, David "sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her" (2 Sam. 11:4).
Dear friend, remember: This terrible moral failure was not driven by David's lust or flagrant rebellion to God. A passive spirit introduced David to his sin! The problem was simply that, in a time when the kings went forth to war, David stayed at home.
We ourselves are in a time of war. The Spirit of God is calling us to fight for our souls as well as our families, cities and nations. Indeed, God's Word reveals that "The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isa. 42:13).
Is that holy fight in you? Is there a war cry in your spirit? If you are born again, that cry is within you, even if it has been muted by lethargy.
We will never succeed as overcomers without carrying in our spirits the war cry of God. We must stop resisting the call to prayer; we must embrace the reality of spiritual warfare; and we must fight with the weapons of warfare that God has given us, both for our own progress and also on behalf of those we love.
Know, however, that the moment you accept a passive spirit, you should anticipate that a temptation appropriate to your weakness will soon follow. It may not be Bathsheba; it may be pornography on the Internet. Or it may be a coworker who begins to look attractive at a time when you and your spouse are struggling. Whatever the area of weakness in your life, Satan will attack that area. It will likely not be a bold frontal assault; if you first drop your guard and relax your fight, he will disarm you with a passive spirit. If the enemy succeeds in his assault, you will find yourself wrapped up in something that can devastate you and your loved ones.
One may argue, "I'm walking with God. I'm a bond-servant of the Lord. I'm not vulnerable." Remember what the Lord warned the church in Thyatira: "I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols" (Rev. 2:20) .
Jesus was concerned, not only for the corrupting influence of Jezebel in the world; He was concerned that the leaders of the church had grown tolerant. More, her seductions not only targeted the wayward or new believers, but she led God's bond-servants astray.
Although it does not identify this seductive spirit by name, Proverbs warns of the temptations of the Jezebel spirit. Speaking of "the woman of folly," she calls out "to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight: Whoever is naive, let him turn in here" (see Prov. 9:14-18).
Who is this spirit after? Those "who are making their paths straight."
Beloved, it is springtime here in the northern hemisphere. It is that time of the year when seduction begins to call out "to those who pass by." Let us not become passive in a time of war. Rather, let us fight for our nation, our cities, our families and, especially, our own souls.
It is time for kings to go to war
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
This is amazing..haha..
check out this link..its hilarious:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1358314062/bclid1363192294/bctid1482436596
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1358314062/bclid1363192294/bctid1482436596
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Jars of Clay ...
A blog friend steered me to Blood Water Mission, started by Jars of Clay..the video speaks for itself. I even went without coffee for two whole weeks, saved what I would have spent, and sent it on to them..this is an amazing way to connect with our brothers and sisters in Africa..
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