JDM Prophetic Ministries
Perceiving Heaven's Frequency
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This week's topic (Mar 8-12): False Teachers & Prophets
There is Good News...A New Day Dawns
A New Day Dawns
Biblical Basis
In Scripture, the dawning of a new era in God's plan is illustrated by the rising of a sun. Such "dawns" or "mornings" can pertain to a single person (Ps 57:8, 108:2, Isa 38:13), God's people (Mt 4:15,16), or even the entire world (Isa 26:19). However, the metaphor is consistent: a glorious sunrise terminating a long, dark night. Here's a few examples.
The incarnation of the Messiah dawned a much-awaited new day. Matthew, quoting Isaiah the prophet, said of Jesus' arrival (Mt 4:15,16, underline added): "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Zechariah, in his prophetic celebration of John the Baptist, spoke similarly (Lk 1:78,79, underline added): ...the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Jesus, the Morning Star, was dawning the New Testament era. Notice the providential metaphor...He resurrected at dawn (Lk 24:1-3), and birthed the church in the morning (Ac 2:15).
Isaiah and Hosea prophesied a new day would dawn for Israel, a day when the Lord would relent from His judgments against her and restore her completely. Isaiah 30:19-26 is the entire passage with several promises, but notice the illustration used in verse 26 (underline added): The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. Hosea foretells likewise. The entire passage is Hosea 6:1-3, but once again, notice the illustration used in verse 3 (underline added): Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
The dawning of new days can also be personal. David said weeping would last throughout the night season, during the momentary anger of the Lord. However, joy would come "in the morning"--when a new season dawned--and that favor would last a lifetime (Ps 30:5).
Hezekiah, in the midst of his agonizing illness, said (Isa 38:13, underline added): I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me. After eating some boiled figs, he recovered miraculously and his new day dawned (v21).
Song of Songs refers to Solomon's bride as a "sunrise". Song of Songs 6:10: Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? The friends could see that her presence in his life was a brilliant sunrise to him. She dawned a new day for Solomon.
The Lord God is a sun, dawning new days of shielding, favor, honor, and good things for those who walk blamelessly with Him (Ps 84:11). He is the Morning Star (Rev 22:16), and that very nature demands that He manifest as a sunrise somewhere. Will you be that somewhere?
The incarnation of the Messiah dawned a much-awaited new day. Matthew, quoting Isaiah the prophet, said of Jesus' arrival (Mt 4:15,16, underline added): "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Zechariah, in his prophetic celebration of John the Baptist, spoke similarly (Lk 1:78,79, underline added): ...the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Jesus, the Morning Star, was dawning the New Testament era. Notice the providential metaphor...He resurrected at dawn (Lk 24:1-3), and birthed the church in the morning (Ac 2:15).
Isaiah and Hosea prophesied a new day would dawn for Israel, a day when the Lord would relent from His judgments against her and restore her completely. Isaiah 30:19-26 is the entire passage with several promises, but notice the illustration used in verse 26 (underline added): The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. Hosea foretells likewise. The entire passage is Hosea 6:1-3, but once again, notice the illustration used in verse 3 (underline added): Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
The dawning of new days can also be personal. David said weeping would last throughout the night season, during the momentary anger of the Lord. However, joy would come "in the morning"--when a new season dawned--and that favor would last a lifetime (Ps 30:5).
Hezekiah, in the midst of his agonizing illness, said (Isa 38:13, underline added): I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me. After eating some boiled figs, he recovered miraculously and his new day dawned (v21).
Song of Songs refers to Solomon's bride as a "sunrise". Song of Songs 6:10: Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? The friends could see that her presence in his life was a brilliant sunrise to him. She dawned a new day for Solomon.
The Lord God is a sun, dawning new days of shielding, favor, honor, and good things for those who walk blamelessly with Him (Ps 84:11). He is the Morning Star (Rev 22:16), and that very nature demands that He manifest as a sunrise somewhere. Will you be that somewhere?
A New Day Dawns
Prophetic Rhetoric?
I present this message to you today in childlike sincerity and divine seriousness. I say this, because, numerous prophecies are presently circulating about a coming "new day" or "new era", in this arena or that. Some of these words are 100% authentic, while some are hand-me-downs reissued in the spirit of prophetic rhetoric. The phrase new day has a high voltage, charged with sensation and hope, capable of being exploited simply as a mesmerizing catch-phrase.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, from the depths of my heart, I assure you this message is not prophetic rhetoric, spiritual sensationalism, Charismatic mesmerism, or trending/fadding. This is not a bandwagon prophecy. I have enjoyed several enlightening experiences the past few weeks that verified the Lord is truly revealing the dawning of a new day. A giddy excitement has filled my heart as this hope trickles down into my core!
Brothers and sisters in Christ, from the depths of my heart, I assure you this message is not prophetic rhetoric, spiritual sensationalism, Charismatic mesmerism, or trending/fadding. This is not a bandwagon prophecy. I have enjoyed several enlightening experiences the past few weeks that verified the Lord is truly revealing the dawning of a new day. A giddy excitement has filled my heart as this hope trickles down into my core!
As with all prophetic messages, I urge you to prove this word in your own secret place with the Master. I urge you to prayerfully wait on Him and the various confirmations He will provide in the coming weeks and months. And as He does, rejoice! I am so happy for what the Lord has scheduled! Many of His weary warriors and faithful fighters have waited long years for this good news.
In writing this, the Spirit urged me on joyfully from Isaiah 40:1,2: Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
For those of us who thought/think our warfare would never give way to a new era, the Lord cries from Isaiah 66:9, "Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.
In writing this, the Spirit urged me on joyfully from Isaiah 40:1,2: Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
For those of us who thought/think our warfare would never give way to a new era, the Lord cries from Isaiah 66:9, "Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God.
A New Day is Dawning
I do not speak for literally every Christian, but I do speak for MANY. Around May/June of this year (beginning of summer), and also September/October (beginning of fall), many Christians, churches, ministries, and other kingdom segments will enter a significant new day, a new era. The Lord has scheduled other dawnings, but this word is graced only to address these two in particular. Some will dawn in May/June, some in September/October, some at both.
This new day is not simply "a new season". This will be a new mega-season, one that will mark the end of a very long and distinctly undesirable period in an area(s), and begin an even longer one marked by the fullness of rewards and inheritance in that same area(s). This is that glorious new day many have labored for, battled for, waited for, and only dreamed about from the prison cell.
Generally speaking, this day will be marked by the following (obviously, some will experience certain ones more than the others):
An Era of Peace from War
The Ending of Heavy Warfare
The day is coming when many will no longer look over their shoulder for fear of the enemy's flood. The bullride will be over. It will be a day of peace from war, a day of rest on every side, a day when mega-seasons of brutal warfare have resulted in victory and subjugation of the enemy. David entered this era personally (see Psalm 18, the caption).
In that day many will quote the following scriptures (Ps 9:6 NKJV, 18:37,38, 46:9): O enemy, destructions are finished forever!...I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet...He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. Their prayer from Psalm 7:9 will finally be answered: Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just. An Era of Successful Building
A Time to Build
The circumstancial peace will allow for settling down and the development of God-inspired projects. The enemy's resistance will be minimal and quickly manageable. It will be a time to focus energies not on warfare, but on building. Important progress will be made and God-dreams will become reality.
In that day many will have the experience of King Asa and Judah (2Chr 14:5-7): He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest. "Let us build up these towns," he said to Judah, "and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
The Ending of Heavy Warfare
The day is coming when many will no longer look over their shoulder for fear of the enemy's flood. The bullride will be over. It will be a day of peace from war, a day of rest on every side, a day when mega-seasons of brutal warfare have resulted in victory and subjugation of the enemy. David entered this era personally (see Psalm 18, the caption).
In that day many will quote the following scriptures (Ps 9:6 NKJV, 18:37,38, 46:9): O enemy, destructions are finished forever!...I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet...He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. Their prayer from Psalm 7:9 will finally be answered: Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just.
A Time to Build
The circumstancial peace will allow for settling down and the development of God-inspired projects. The enemy's resistance will be minimal and quickly manageable. It will be a time to focus energies not on warfare, but on building. Important progress will be made and God-dreams will become reality.
In that day many will have the experience of King Asa and Judah (2Chr 14:5-7): He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest. "Let us build up these towns," he said to Judah, "and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side." So they built and prospered.
An Era of Long-awaited Second Chances
The Redemption of Major Mistakes
Waiting for a second chance to redeem colossal mistakes can be torturous. The humiliation and reproach weigh heavy on our souls, imposing a necessary sanctification on our pride, motives, and goals. For those who cooperated with the humbling, a new day of long-awaited second-chances will arrive.
In that day many will sing from Joel 2:19,26,27: The LORD will reply to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations...You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
In that day many will sing from Joel 2:19,26,27: The LORD will reply to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations...You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
An Era of Unusual Confidence
Fearless and Sure, Finally
Insecurity and hesitation are pandemic in God's people. Heaven and earth are overwhelmed by the opportunities missed, relationships passed up, expressions suppressed, destinies delayed. This new era will be one of great inner strength and confidence, where insecurities and hesitations no longer restrain the faithful from the risks and adventures of the Christ-life. The faithful will assert and initiate in ways that terrified them before. Fear of rejection will be replaced with fear of missing the blessing.
In that day these once-fearful ones will praise from Psalm 65:5 (NKJV): O God of our salvation, you who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth.
Fearless and Sure, Finally
Insecurity and hesitation are pandemic in God's people. Heaven and earth are overwhelmed by the opportunities missed, relationships passed up, expressions suppressed, destinies delayed. This new era will be one of great inner strength and confidence, where insecurities and hesitations no longer restrain the faithful from the risks and adventures of the Christ-life. The faithful will assert and initiate in ways that terrified them before. Fear of rejection will be replaced with fear of missing the blessing.
In that day these once-fearful ones will praise from Psalm 65:5 (NKJV): O God of our salvation, you who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth.
An Era of Surprising New Work
Unexpected Vocational Reordering
Work will be reordered in a major way. Many will be surprised, even shocked (pleasantly), at the unexpected new tasks and projects the Lord appoints them to. Major portions of many destinies have been kept carefully concealed until this time. This has been for both lofty and practical reasons. The dawning of this new day will dawn abrupt and unforeseen work assignments that will reorder many Christians' vocational lives completely.
Unexpected Vocational Reordering
Work will be reordered in a major way. Many will be surprised, even shocked (pleasantly), at the unexpected new tasks and projects the Lord appoints them to. Major portions of many destinies have been kept carefully concealed until this time. This has been for both lofty and practical reasons. The dawning of this new day will dawn abrupt and unforeseen work assignments that will reorder many Christians' vocational lives completely.
In that day many will testify with the words of Amos (Am 7:14,15): "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
An Era of New Demarcation Lines in Conscience
Expansion of Personal Liberties
The Lord will be greatly expanding the personal liberties of many in this new day. The demarcation lines of their conscience will widen into a broad place (1Co 8:7-12, 10:25-29, Ro 14). Many who were under divine "restriction" and testing will be released from seasonal prohibitions. Many who were legalistic in certain areas will be illumined to the overstrictness of their convictions. A widespread relaxation from divine permission is dawning.
In that day many will say (Ps 16:6,11, 84:11, Ro 14:17): The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places...with eternal pleasures at your right hand...no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Expansion of Personal Liberties
The Lord will be greatly expanding the personal liberties of many in this new day. The demarcation lines of their conscience will widen into a broad place (1Co 8:7-12, 10:25-29, Ro 14). Many who were under divine "restriction" and testing will be released from seasonal prohibitions. Many who were legalistic in certain areas will be illumined to the overstrictness of their convictions. A widespread relaxation from divine permission is dawning.
In that day many will say (Ps 16:6,11, 84:11, Ro 14:17): The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places...with eternal pleasures at your right hand...no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
An Era of New Authority Spheres
New Leadership for the Next Mega-season
We are on the brink of a new mega-season in God's plan, corporately and individually. Corporately, God is establishing new spheres of authority that will remain untouched and unchanged for many years to come. This is why we have seen the deaths and public exposures of many previously-established leaders. (If this is happening on a global scale with the highest leaders, imagine how much more at the regional and local level!) "Musical Chairs" is being played, authority seats are being rearranged and reset, and God is establishing His leaders in crucial new seats for the new era.
New Leadership for the Next Mega-season
We are on the brink of a new mega-season in God's plan, corporately and individually. Corporately, God is establishing new spheres of authority that will remain untouched and unchanged for many years to come. This is why we have seen the deaths and public exposures of many previously-established leaders. (If this is happening on a global scale with the highest leaders, imagine how much more at the regional and local level!) "Musical Chairs" is being played, authority seats are being rearranged and reset, and God is establishing His leaders in crucial new seats for the new era.
In that day the words of Job 12:19 will be well understood: He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established.
An Era of First-century Churches
Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins
The chastisement of both the lukewarm and religious church is fast approaching. Conversely, the rebuilding of authentic, first-century, New Testament churches is already underway. However, this new era will see church growth explosions in the spirit of Acts, as the kingdom and the church finally reunite in that magnificent first-century precedent.
In that day the brethren will run with the inspiration of Isaiah 58:12: Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Rebuilding the Ancient Ruins
The chastisement of both the lukewarm and religious church is fast approaching. Conversely, the rebuilding of authentic, first-century, New Testament churches is already underway. However, this new era will see church growth explosions in the spirit of Acts, as the kingdom and the church finally reunite in that magnificent first-century precedent.
In that day the brethren will run with the inspiration of Isaiah 58:12: Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of incense.
--Song of Songs 4:6
Burning Eyes, Baylor University, Tri-cities, & Two Sisters
Hello listening church!
Our God is a communicating God, and He will be even more so as the clock of world history races to a redemptive consummation. Listen for His voice! Listen for it in Bible study. Listen for it deep in your inner being. Listen for it in other Christians, in conversation and ministry. Listen for it in prophetic messages. Listen for it in providential circumstances and events. Our overcoming depends on hearing and following well the Shepherd's voice.
The Lord says, "My eyes burn..." "I see you on the street, yet you walk by unconcerned. Even your walk displays the agitation that comes from a hungry soul. I follow you just steps behind, to and fro throughout your day, yet you still do not hear me for the clamor of your thoughts. Suddenly you notice and turn, yet you choose to look the other way as your eyes burn with tears. Do you fear the look in my eyes? Do you not know the burn in my eyes will burn the chaff in your soul? Is this why you look the other way? You are afraid to look into my eyes to protect your precious. "But know this: it is the burn in my eyes that will lift your hanging head. Who has not noticed your hanging head and downcast eyes? Who has not noticed your burning eyes restraining a mighty torrent of tears? So I speak and declare this in your ears: do not resist me. My eyes burn for you and it must be this way. My work on your cross was more trying than my pursuit of your heart. I did not relent until I cried out, "It is finished!", nor will I relent until I become the only seal upon your heart. Open your heart to me and I will give you the love you wander here and there searching for. Open your heart with the key I give you. A key is appearing, a key I give you. Use it to open your heart to me and your wandering will subside. |
Baylor University "I have noticed Baylor University in my survey of the earth. Much incense has risen from that place, it has become a tabernacle to me for pleasing aromas. Many worshipers! Many singers! The musicians of the Most High! The skilled musicians in this place will awaken the dawn! A great light! A brilliant light! The glory of the Lord and the day of His people! Lead my people, O singers, lead them in songs of unity from your campus! "I have watched intently as this man and woman resist my plan in your midst. If they knew the thoughts I think toward them surely they would plead with you before the time of distress. I will remove them, yes, I will depose them. Do not fear their threats my singers, for I will remove them. In the evening you will be afflicted by them, and in the morning they will be gone before you awake. |
Tri-cities "Would you set your intention on one city only? I will give you the tri-cities and you will see that your city alone falls short of my purpose. In one city you will find refuge and that which is pleasant, in the next city you will find training you must complete for the next allotment, and in the final you will see vision for times to come. Prepare your chariot! You will drive much with me in days to come. |
Two Sisters "I remember the day of your wickedness, the day you sat in my ephah and flew away to your beloved Babylon with unclean wings. You set my ephah in a vile place, and you determined to build a resting place there, in Shinar, far from the place where I longed to establish you. There, in a land of detestable idols, you set my ephah. (Note: The Lord's allusion here is to Zechariah 5:5-11) "Yet you became short of breath in my basket. When you raised your head for air, the lead covering hindered your rising. Even my angel with his strong hand kept you from the freshness of air. Time and time again my angel's hand rested heavy on the lead covering, and you become faint in my ephah. "When the measurement of time reached its fullness, I called to you. I called to you in your shortness of breath and you heard me from within my measuring basket. From the dark confinement of my ephah you heard me, yes, you and your sister together. You called upon me with one voice and I heard you. And though you departed from me through the wings of a stork, I brought you and my ephah back to a good land on the wings of an eagle. I took you out of my ephah and gave you a meadow to dance in. I strengthened your legs once again and I gave you coolness of air to restore your breath. I washed away your impurities and I gave you back your fields of sunflowers. You sang to me once again and I was pleased by your fragrant offerings. "Now listen to my words: you are no longer sisters in a basket! I have torn off the wings of the stork that carried you far away. I will watch over and strengthen the wings of an eagle I have given you. Your meadow of dancing is safe, together with your sunflowers, for I have surrounded them with a ring of fire. "You are no longer sisters in a basket! You are no longer sisters in a basket! The time of your rebellion has past and I am preparing a tree for you to eat from. See, if you look to the left, you will see a tree I am preparing for you. You have looked right long enough and my tree is not there. Look left! Look for the desires you have left behind! Look for the conversations you left unfinished! Look for the strange desires you left on my altar! Look left! "My tree for you is not on your right. I have heard the insufficient counsel of your counselors, and they keep turning your eyes to the right. My tree is not right to them. The way they advise seems right, but in the end it will lead to your frustration. Hear me and obey when I cry out from your left! My tree is left! To the left! |
The Lord says, "You will eat from the same tree" "Do you think it strange that I will nourish you from the same tree? Is the tree that I have planted, watered, and grown to fullness lacking in fruit that you cannot share? I tell you no! I have prepared this tree especially for you! My hands, my very hands, have tended it carefully because I am set upon its flourishing. "Do you think I have tended to this tree only? You also have been carefully tended. Have I not guided your whisperings about this? Did you think my ear was dull to hear? I inclined my ear to hear you, now incline your ear to hear me: you will eat from the same tree, and as you are nourished by its ripening fruit, you will find rest for your souls leaning on its massive trunk. |
"And the roots?" "And what of the roots? Who would speak of its roots? I have known your fears concerning this thing. Change your worry to laughter, the roots go down three times deeper than you know! "You will be surprised at this tree I have prepared. Its root system will puzzle you and you will ask, 'How could a root system be so excellent in every way?' "I will laugh and reply, 'Have you not read that I once planted a garden, that I made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground, trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food? Why then, will you be amazed when I show you such magnificent roots? I am skilled in planting trees pleasing to the eye and good for food!' "I have secured your tree by favoring its roots with a triple blessing--blessed to reach deep into the earth's hidden rivers, blessed to spread far and wide across various soils, and blessed to nourish one another through endless connections.' |
"Yes it is strange, but it is sanctified" "Do not call impure what I call clean. Do you wish to be approved before me? I will quiet your conscience that condemns you unfairly. My will is pleasing and acceptable, therefore, let my strange be strange yet sanctified as clean in your eyes. Did my people not ask of the manna, 'What is it?' It was strange to them, yet it was the bread of their blessing. Did they not ask of the Christ, 'What is he?' The Promised One was strange to them, yet sanctified as clean only to a remnant. And what about the serpent of deliverance? Was it not strange to find my help from a serpent on a pole? It was strange to all, yet sanctified as clean to those who believed and were preserved. Let my strange be strange, yet sanctified as clean in your own eyes. |
"My secret counsel and the strength of two" "Come close and hear this word from my mouth you sisters! Sisters in the Lord, sisters by purpose, sisters by experience, sisters by blood, sisters by name, sisters from the womb: I have entrusted secret plans to you. They declared time and time again that your closeness was strange, but it was sanctified as clean by the judgment of my Spirit. You will bear great secrets that require the strength of two to conceal. I have yoked you together with iron bands that cannot be broken. The loyalty you have known is from a high and holy place. I have even set a line of protection that many spirits cannot cross. What I do with you I intend to be a mystery to many. I desire the excellent glory of concealing a matter in plain sight! You fellowshipped in my sufferings, now you will share in this glory. Who will conceal a matter for me? Two sisters? My eyes range to and fro searching for two sisters fully devoted to me!" |
Three Prophetic Insights for 2010
A Year to Finally Become Balanced Of all the neat things God intends to do this year, near the top of His burden list is accomplishing balance in His people. All who walk consistently with the Lord this year will see significant moderation tempering out-of-balance areas of their life. Living and behaving in extremes has injured us in serious ways till now. For many, the bleeding will finally stop this year. A Year to Finally Live a Sabbath a Life Though many people, situations, and projects will court our attention this year, there is one we must attend to immediately--the voice of the Lord of the Sabbath. This voice is renewing an ancient call, a call to live a Sabbath life. The Sabbath Spirit is turning on His lamps, inviting us to come sit awhile and be illumined in Sabbath ways...and you will find rest for your souls (Mt 11:29). A Year to Finally Be Released from Prison The Lord has pressed three scriptures on me pertaining to this. Psalm 68:6 (NASB): He leads out the prisoners into prosperity. Psalm 146:7 (NIV): The Lord sets prisoners free. Job 36:16 (NIV): He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
Balance
Balance is the equal distribution of weight, with no one part or side being too pronounced or too deficient. Balance is so fundamental that God designed the human body with two balancing sides as an illustration: two hemispheres of the brain, two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, two lungs, two hands, two arms, two legs, two feet, two, two, two. It couldn't be more obvious.
Other realities also illustrate the primacy of balance. Romance and reproduction: male and female. Ministry: Jesus sent the evangelists two by two. Biblical truth: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Direction: up and down, left and right. Human beings: inner man and outer man. God Himself: unique, yet relational, holy, yet merciful.
When we live and behave in extremes, we defy a very basic divine institution--balance. Ecclesiastes 7:18 (NIV): It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
Become Balanced!
Here are a few key ways I've noticed the Spirit intensifying to balance out His people this year:
Being Spirit-filled and truth-based simultaneously Some Christians polarize to charismania, while others to legalistic orthodoxy. The Spirit now intensifies to make many Spirit-filled, yet truth-based...truth-based, yet Spirit-filled.
Being emotional and intelligent simultaneously Some Christians are overly emotional and unstable, while others are overly brainy and unfeeling. The Spirit now intensifies to make some more emotional, some smarter, everyone more balanced.
Being eaters for pleasure and eaters for health simultaneously Some Christians eat for pleasure and comfort, while others eat deprivationally and legalistically. The Spirit now intensifies to remove both gluttony and deprivationism from the eating habits of many. (NOTE: This would naturally exclude those in the fitness industry, i.e. bodybuilders, fitness models, pro athletes, etc., where meticulous eating habits are critical for success.)
Being true to our gender and apt in both gender traits simultaneously Some Christians are hypermasculine (like Saul or Jezebel), while others are hyperfeminine (like Ahab or the weak-willed women of 2Timothy 3:6). The Spirit now intensifies to create well-rounded and comprehensive Christian men and women.
Being merciful and discerning simultaneously Some Christians are overly merciful pushovers, while others are overly judicious and suspicious. The Spirit now intensifies to join both mercy and discernment into a healthy coexistence.
Being honest and compassionate simultaneously Some Christians are brutally honest, while others are appeasing. The Spirit now intensifies to accomplish that classic ideal in many, "speaking the truth in love" (Eph 4:15).
Being generous and prudent simultaneously Some Christians are loose and indiscreet with their resources, while others are stingy. The Spirit now intensifies to unify both generosity and prudence in many.
Being prosperity-minded and modest simultaneously Some Christians are prosperity-obsessed, while others idealize/spiritualize barely enough, even poverty. The Spirit now intensifies to rid many of materialism and opulence, and many of financial mediocrity and poverty.
Though the Spirit will be doing more than just these, this is where I have seen Him flaring up as we move into 2010. We can no longer negotiate with our extremes. Become balanced!
Our great Jehovah has never lied, is not lying, and will never lie (Deu 32:4, 1Sam 15:29, Ro 3:4, Heb 6:18). His promises of "perfect peace" still remain (Isa 26:3, Heb 4:9), though it is possible, even as a born-again Christian, to never experience them (Heb 4:1,11). Our wanting emotional-mental life can only be attributed to our own misunderstanding or misapplication of God's restorative ways. Our King has not failed our hearts. His Word has not failed our hearts. Psalm 73:26: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
This year the Holy Spirit is illuminating and renewing an ancient call to His people. A call to rest, peace, and contentment. A call to live a Sabbath life, everyday, in every way. If you've longed to enter a Sabbath-rest (Heb 4:1,9), consistently experience perfect peace that surpasses all understanding (Isa 26:3, Php 4:7), and enjoy deep contentment in any circumstance of life (v11,12), this is the year to call on and commune with the Sabbath side of God. He is intensifying His presence to Sabbatize our life completely. Go to my home page ( www.juniordesouza.com ) for the first three Sabbath teachings.
This year the Lord intends to release many from significant prisons they are confined in. He has shown me two types in particular (but not exhaustive).
Literal prisons Many who are incarcerated, justly and unjustly, will be surprised by another chance at life in society. This is not the typical your-sentence-is-up release from prison. God will be intervening dramatically in cases, judges, juries, and legal systems to release certain prisoners.
We often see only crimes committed (like Moses' murder of the Egyptian, or Saul's murder of Christians, or Nebuchadnezzar's evil against the Hebrews), but God sees much more. This does not mean He gives people a "pass" on wrongs committed. Of course not, He is the God of justice (Job 8:3, 34:11,12, Ps 45:6, Isa 30:18). Realize though, God can mete out perfect justice in a variety of ways, not all of which include incarceration. Justice is multidimensional, as is God's execution of it. Above all, He seeks to redeem a criminal life, and in so doing, prevent many more from ever beginning.
Relational/Social prisons Many who are trapped in imprisoning relationships and social situations will see release. The Lord has highlighted young Joash, how he was "imprisoned" and confined to the temple for six years while Athaliah ruled Judah (2Chr 22:10-ch23). In the seventh year, however, Jehoiada staged his revolt, brought Joash out of hiding, and coronated him openly as king. He was released from his prison.
The Lord has also highlighted Abigail's imprisonment to her wicked husband Nabal. She remained faithful and respectful to the end, and eventually God struck him dead (1Sam 25). She was released from her prison and became the wife of David.
Why is the Lord so touched with compassion for prisoners? Because He Himself was a prisoner when He incarnated to accomplish our redemption. The God who dwelt in parameter-free omnipresence and omnipotence chose to confine Himself to a human body, to a three-dimensional world of time, space, and matter, to a restricted existence in almost every way. He knows the depressing frustrations of prisons and prison situations. He really can relate, and He will let it be known this year to many.
Generational Mandates
Hello church!
Understanding generations and generational mandates opens our perceptions to the work of our God in our day. Not understanding these can lead to various spiritual frustrations and obstacles never intended.
Every generation is under particular divine mandates. The fulfillment of such mandates continues the ongoing evolution of God's kingdom on earth, non-fulfillment to the kingdom's deceleration, stagnation, and redundancy.
Noah's generation was to preserve a remnant from the Flood and begin a new, post-Diluvian world (Gen 7:1). David's generation was to conquer the Gentile world militarily, establish Israel as the head of nations, and through the spoils amass wealth to finance the temple's construction in the next generation. Solomon generation was to foster peace with the previously conquered world, create international alliances that would further bless Israel, and construct a magnificent temple that would attract even Gentiles. Peter's generation was to birth the church and inaugurate the New Covenant administration. Martin Luther's generation was to exodus the church out of Romanized Christianity and return it to its basic, biblical foundation.
Noah's generation was to preserve a remnant from the Flood and begin a new, post-Diluvian world (Gen 7:1). David's generation was to conquer the Gentile world militarily, establish Israel as the head of nations, and through the spoils amass wealth to finance the temple's construction in the next generation. Solomon generation was to foster peace with the previously conquered world, create international alliances that would further bless Israel, and construct a magnificent temple that would attract even Gentiles. Peter's generation was to birth the church and inaugurate the New Covenant administration. Martin Luther's generation was to exodus the church out of Romanized Christianity and return it to its basic, biblical foundation.
If every generation is obligated to certain divine mandates, what is ours?
Mandate #1: Recentralize the Gospel
We are a generation of Christian lingo, Christian fads, Christian schools, Christian programs, Christian movements, Christian music, Christian clothing lines, Christian dating, Christian entertainment...but have we crowded out the saving gospel in the midst of our abundant Christianness? Thankfully, some have not. Tragically, some have. There's nothing wrong with societal Christianization, though our motivating center and emphatic message must remain, Repent and believe.
All of our Christianizing is worthless, a mockery of Christ, if we marginalize the desperate meaning of it all: Jesus came to seek and save what was lost (Lk 19:10). If our Christian stuff is not saving lost sinners racing to a very real lake of fire, we have merchandised holy things for common gain. Woe to us! Mandate #1 for this generation: marginalize the "Christian clutter", recentralize the pure gospel of salvation that can save sinners still under the wrath of a holy God.
All of our Christianizing is worthless, a mockery of Christ, if we marginalize the desperate meaning of it all: Jesus came to seek and save what was lost (Lk 19:10). If our Christian stuff is not saving lost sinners racing to a very real lake of fire, we have merchandised holy things for common gain. Woe to us! Mandate #1 for this generation: marginalize the "Christian clutter", recentralize the pure gospel of salvation that can save sinners still under the wrath of a holy God.
Mandate #2: Rediscover Self-death
Jesus did not point us to "self-help" or "self-improvement". He called people to exchange their life for His, their goals for His, their way of doing things for His--total self-death. Our generation is one of pop psychology, self-help, personal makeovers, and self-deifying humanistic alternatives to the crucified life. Such inferior, worldly wisdom has encroached on holy ground, challenging the church's die-to-self ideal, luring us to play the self-help game garbed in Christian lingo. Some Christian circles have minimized or abandoned the personal cross altogether.
Luke 9:23: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Philippians 3:7,8: But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
Though self-death be true, Scripture equally celebrates God's will as good, pleasing, and perfect (Ro 12:2), a delightful inheritance (Ps 16:6), a Father joyfully giving good gifts to His children (Mt 7:11), a God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment (1Ti 6:17). However, we can never feast on this promised blessedness until we have first lost ourselves to find Him, first died to our reality to be resurrected in His (Mt 10:39). In doing so, God often returns those very things back to us that we have faithfully sacrificed to Him. On the return though, we are matured with new intentions to use that thing for His glory and purpose.
Luke 9:23: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Philippians 3:7,8: But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
Though self-death be true, Scripture equally celebrates God's will as good, pleasing, and perfect (Ro 12:2), a delightful inheritance (Ps 16:6), a Father joyfully giving good gifts to His children (Mt 7:11), a God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment (1Ti 6:17). However, we can never feast on this promised blessedness until we have first lost ourselves to find Him, first died to our reality to be resurrected in His (Mt 10:39). In doing so, God often returns those very things back to us that we have faithfully sacrificed to Him. On the return though, we are matured with new intentions to use that thing for His glory and purpose.
Mandate #3: Reunite Spirit & Truth
Around 150AD a civil war began in Christianity--the mystics versus the intellectuals. The Montanists propagated a Christian hypermysticism fixated on ecstatic experiences, prophetic utterances, extreme fasting, grueling moralism, and other related emphases. The episcopacy countered with a Christian hyperintellectualism, restricting legitimate spiritual expressions to the sober and disciplined study of theology, regular prayer, and practical obligations to others. If we could simplify the conflict, it was the "Spirit" group versus the "Truth" group...the mystics versus the intellectuals.
The civil war continues to this very day. It continues in websites, blogs, YouTube uploads, articles, books, sermons, denominational fortresses, parking lot arguments, church splits, bitter feelings, and on and on. On one side we have the "Spirit" Christians. They emphasize the mystical side of Christian spirituality, often using mystical rhetoric along the lines of spiritual gifts, revelations, power, miracles, manifestations, experiences, encounters, visions, and so on. These Christians champion the Spirit's active and vocal presence.
On the other side we have the "Truth" Christians. They emphasize the intellectual side of Christian spirituality, often using intellectual rhetoric along the lines of orthodoxy (in a positive sense), doctrine, teaching, education, study, counseling, Christian duty, practical service, and so on. They champion Scripture's authority and sufficiency.
In the middle are the spiritually keen who have discerned the contest, and have concluded, wisely, that a child of God must come forth with both. Ecclesiastes 7:18: It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. Jesus, the author of the Spirit-Truth paradigm, said true worship only happens when a person approaches the Father with both. John 4:23,24 is one of the most important statements Jesus ever made, one of the most important passages in all of Scripture. Every Christian and Christian group is situated somewhere on this Spirit-Truth spectrum.
Admitted, it is a daunting mandate, but one we can fulfill with His never-failing grace and a heavenly amount of humility. Our generation is charged with the task of ending this civil war once and for all, and reunite Spirit and Truth into that remarkable, first-century balance.
The civil war continues to this very day. It continues in websites, blogs, YouTube uploads, articles, books, sermons, denominational fortresses, parking lot arguments, church splits, bitter feelings, and on and on. On one side we have the "Spirit" Christians. They emphasize the mystical side of Christian spirituality, often using mystical rhetoric along the lines of spiritual gifts, revelations, power, miracles, manifestations, experiences, encounters, visions, and so on. These Christians champion the Spirit's active and vocal presence.
On the other side we have the "Truth" Christians. They emphasize the intellectual side of Christian spirituality, often using intellectual rhetoric along the lines of orthodoxy (in a positive sense), doctrine, teaching, education, study, counseling, Christian duty, practical service, and so on. They champion Scripture's authority and sufficiency.
In the middle are the spiritually keen who have discerned the contest, and have concluded, wisely, that a child of God must come forth with both. Ecclesiastes 7:18: It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. Jesus, the author of the Spirit-Truth paradigm, said true worship only happens when a person approaches the Father with both. John 4:23,24 is one of the most important statements Jesus ever made, one of the most important passages in all of Scripture. Every Christian and Christian group is situated somewhere on this Spirit-Truth spectrum.
Admitted, it is a daunting mandate, but one we can fulfill with His never-failing grace and a heavenly amount of humility. Our generation is charged with the task of ending this civil war once and for all, and reunite Spirit and Truth into that remarkable, first-century balance.
Mandate #4: Rescue the Poor
The church is responsible for its poor--period. Not the US government and not secular social services. The church. 1John 3:17,18. Acts 2:44,45.
While some Christian leaders are buying their fourth, two million dollar house, some under their care can't even pay their medical bill. While some churches are fundraising to build their next ecclesiastical Eiffel Tower, some of their very members are sleeping on a cold floor with an empty fridge. Tell me brothers and sisters, how can we bask in our unnecessary opulence when our own people are suffering lack? Which is more important, lives that are magnificent or buildings that are magnificent? How about selling that $10,000 Rolex and giving the money to the single mother raising three kids who barely has a working car to get to work! We should be horrified by the opulence, greed, and materialism that has infected parts of Christianity.
When the great apostle Paul met the great apostle Peter and the others for the first time, did they tell him to squeeze every drachma and denarius out of God's flock, buy three or four beach houses on the Mediterranean next to Ceasar, three or four luxury Roman ships for his ministry team, and a fleet of fifty of Rome's finest horses for ground transportation? Here's what Peter said, Galatians 2:10: All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. What has happened to us I cry.
Is it a sin to have ministerial facilities? Of course not. Is it a sin to have nice things in moderation? Not at all. As long as primary New Testament financial obligations are met first. In the majority of cases I have witnessed, a few bucks are thrown at the poor while the multi-million dollar building campaign goes on. An occasional check is sent to an orphanage somewhere in Romania while more and more luxuries are accumulated almost indiscriminately. Saints, our generation is mandated by Heaven to remove this materialistic curse from God's people and return to the biblical operations of prioritizing, educating, and rescuing our poor.
While some Christian leaders are buying their fourth, two million dollar house, some under their care can't even pay their medical bill. While some churches are fundraising to build their next ecclesiastical Eiffel Tower, some of their very members are sleeping on a cold floor with an empty fridge. Tell me brothers and sisters, how can we bask in our unnecessary opulence when our own people are suffering lack? Which is more important, lives that are magnificent or buildings that are magnificent? How about selling that $10,000 Rolex and giving the money to the single mother raising three kids who barely has a working car to get to work! We should be horrified by the opulence, greed, and materialism that has infected parts of Christianity.
When the great apostle Paul met the great apostle Peter and the others for the first time, did they tell him to squeeze every drachma and denarius out of God's flock, buy three or four beach houses on the Mediterranean next to Ceasar, three or four luxury Roman ships for his ministry team, and a fleet of fifty of Rome's finest horses for ground transportation? Here's what Peter said, Galatians 2:10: All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. What has happened to us I cry.
Is it a sin to have ministerial facilities? Of course not. Is it a sin to have nice things in moderation? Not at all. As long as primary New Testament financial obligations are met first. In the majority of cases I have witnessed, a few bucks are thrown at the poor while the multi-million dollar building campaign goes on. An occasional check is sent to an orphanage somewhere in Romania while more and more luxuries are accumulated almost indiscriminately. Saints, our generation is mandated by Heaven to remove this materialistic curse from God's people and return to the biblical operations of prioritizing, educating, and rescuing our poor.
Mandate #5: Reestablish House Churches
The early church did not use house churches for a lack of money or buildings. Remember, several early Christians were very wealthy (1Ti 6:17,18) and some had positions of societal influence (Mk 15:43, Ac 17:4,12). At any time they could have rented or bought or built a church building. At times, the church did use public facilities as a meeting place, such as the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Ac 19:9) or the temple courts (Ac 2:46, 3:1). The early church used house churches because it is the one location that exerts the greatest influence over us. In a literal sense, home is where the heart is.
Why have we venerated the church building as a Christian temple, pedestaled with Mosaic terminology like "the sanctuary" and "the altar" and "the house of the Lord"? Because it is easier to manage and control. It makes Christian consolidarity structural, associated with the building, geographical, associated with a specific location, and clerical, associated with a priest-like pastor who is perceived as the high priest of the building (some pastors even live with the building, in parsonages or apartments on site).
When a congregation meets often in home groups, true spiritual consolidarity becomes critical. The consolidarity is intangible, invisible, and cannot be faked. More leaders are needed to facilitate and shepherd, making leadership development essential, not optional. With house churches, the structural hangup is minimized by the multiplicity of structures (houses), the geographical hangup is minimized by the multiplicity of sites (various neighborhoods), and the clerical hangup is minimized by the multiplicity of shepherds.
Once again, is it wrong to have a church building or ministerial facility? No; let's not go beyond Scripture. It is our generational mandate, though, to decentralize church life away from the "Christian temple", taking kingdom realities to the setting where they are needed most--the home.
Why have we venerated the church building as a Christian temple, pedestaled with Mosaic terminology like "the sanctuary" and "the altar" and "the house of the Lord"? Because it is easier to manage and control. It makes Christian consolidarity structural, associated with the building, geographical, associated with a specific location, and clerical, associated with a priest-like pastor who is perceived as the high priest of the building (some pastors even live with the building, in parsonages or apartments on site).
When a congregation meets often in home groups, true spiritual consolidarity becomes critical. The consolidarity is intangible, invisible, and cannot be faked. More leaders are needed to facilitate and shepherd, making leadership development essential, not optional. With house churches, the structural hangup is minimized by the multiplicity of structures (houses), the geographical hangup is minimized by the multiplicity of sites (various neighborhoods), and the clerical hangup is minimized by the multiplicity of shepherds.
Once again, is it wrong to have a church building or ministerial facility? No; let's not go beyond Scripture. It is our generational mandate, though, to decentralize church life away from the "Christian temple", taking kingdom realities to the setting where they are needed most--the home.
Mandate #6: Reconcile the Various "Moves" with Broader Christianity for Corporate Maturation
God moves and initiates movements in His church to produce corporate maturation. To supply a missing or struggling element of the church, an element necessary to progress the church to greater maturity (1Th 3:10, Ro 1:11). All genuine moves of God are motivated by this purpose in Ephesians 4:12,13: ...so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
If the human stewards of a divine move do not fully embrace and enforce this intention, sadly, the move eventually dissipates. God then schedules another move, in another season, with the same intention. This cycle will repeat itself until the move has been successfully integrated into the true, cross-denominational church, and a new level of corporate maturity has been reached. For example, the Protestant Reformation brought about a tremendous move of the Spirit concerning salvation by grace through faith alone. We have not seen any more significant moves along these lines because the corporate church, for the most part, is established and mature in this area.
If the human stewards of a divine move do not fully embrace and enforce this intention, sadly, the move eventually dissipates. God then schedules another move, in another season, with the same intention. This cycle will repeat itself until the move has been successfully integrated into the true, cross-denominational church, and a new level of corporate maturity has been reached. For example, the Protestant Reformation brought about a tremendous move of the Spirit concerning salvation by grace through faith alone. We have not seen any more significant moves along these lines because the corporate church, for the most part, is established and mature in this area.
Every move of God, then, must be successfully reconciled with the broader church for corporate maturation. If not, we will abdicate this particular generational mandate and its reward to the next generation, and the Day of God will not be hastened, but further delayed (2Pet 3:12).
The Spirit says, "Come closer."
The Spirit says, "Come closer." "Come closer to hear it. The answer you seek has already been whispered. Have I not said to draw near? Would you approach me in vain? Come closer. As surely as troubled waters are stirred before me, I see you restless in my sanctuary. Do not strive in vain to hear my words. Does a young child labor to hear his father's voice? Does he not speak even before he is heard? "Observe and consider faithful ones. I am skilled in whispering, but are you skilled in coming close? I am a craftsman in preparing your answers, but are you a craftsman in finding them? Will you learn the arts of the Most High? Only come closer. Do I have pleasure in closed ears? Am I not the One who fashions ears that hear? I will heal the deafness of my people. I will remove from them the spirit of dizziness that they might understand my thoughts plainly and walk steadfastly with assurance. "Now then, hear the word from my mouth concerning the prayers and tears you have poured out before me: be still and come closer. My whispers have already left my lips, yes, long before you washed my altar with your tears. My wind around you is filled with my words, the cloud above you is heavy with my replies, but I call you closer to hear it. Wean your soul before my face and your ears will pop open to hear! Is your accusation against me and my tongue? Is it my mouth that relents from uttering? Did not David my servant draw near with an instrument of praise, crying aloud the wonders of his God? |
The Lord says, "I know." "Who has ever counseled me or showed me knowledge? Show me a man to teach me the pathways of wisdom! Surely you can find him! Is any secret hidden from me? Can any insight prevail against me? Who is clever enough to oppose me? Set him before my face! How long will you be dull? When will you believe that I know? My hand settles upon you to be still and also know. "I know how to whisper, and I know how to speak with the voice of many rushing waters. I know where to touch you, and I know where to pass over. I know when to embrace you, and I know when to only stand beside you. I know when to convince you, and I know what to leave obscure. I know how to hasten time and perform my word for you, and I know how delay it and form my handiwork in you. I know what I am forming in you, and I know the intentions of my Spirit. I know how long until my handiwork is complete, I know where you need to be, yes, I know who I will use. Understand just ones, I am the One who knows, who knew, and who always will know. "I know all the roads and pathways you look to with a wandering eye. I know the road to relationships you desire and I know the pathway to your pleasure. I know the road that leads to green pastures and I know the pathway to mountains that drip with oil. I know the road to hidden riches buried in the sand and I know the pathway to silver and gold carefully concealed in enemy basements. Are my feet not calloused from walking these roads? You may seek them, but I know them. |
The Lord says, "Out of nothing at all." "But now I hear you say, 'How Lord? How will you make a way for me, my hope has dried up and I am only a withered branch?' "I will perform my good promise toward you out of nothing at all. At that time you will laugh in my tabernacle saying, 'Where did this blessing come from? It came from nothing at all!' See, your branch will come alive. I will nourish your roots in a time of rain, and I will command the earth beneath you to drink the abundant showers I send. Again your roots will be strong and blossoms will appear on your tree. Your leaf will flourish once again and you will rejoice in a lively and fruitful branch. At that time you will be called Strong Branch, one the Lord has revived by his own hand. You will rejoice loudly in the hearing of those around you saying, 'I was withered and fallen, but the Lord helped me. He watered me in a time of rain and I was made strong out of nothing at all.' |
The Lord says, "Will I not send a boat?" "I have been watching you. The savor of your thank offerings has turned my face to look upon you. You need me to look upon you because I have determined to win your life. I know what you need, I know what lacks and I know how to make it right if you only rest your head on my breast. "Can I introduce you to my way? Can I show you the other side of life you have not been seeing? I will show you where it is and I will show you how to get there, but you have overlooked my boat. Time and times over I have sent a boat to carry you to the other side of life, but you turned away because my boat looked strange and undesirable. Will you know my boat this time? Every time you miss my boat you multiply your hardships. Am I not the merciful One? Will I not send a boat until you see me in it? "Should I not have good intentions for you as a father? My gospel is good news for every side of your life, beginning with the saving of your soul. I approached you for a good and expected end, offering my will that is good and pleasing. Search now, search from the book of the Lord, is your inheritance not delightful? Should your boundary lines not fall in pleasant places? "But now you are cast down because of the sins of others. Am I too small for this? Watch my handiwork and see how I build your future upon the sins of your brethren. Stand and be amazed as the iniquity of your neighbor becomes your first sign of strength. You who are cast down, you whom they call Destitute and Forsaken, I have known your pain. I see the shame that is hindering your every step, and I have sworn by myself that I will cut down the load that is upon your shoulder." |