Poem and Song Dedicated to my Mom, Ruth Anne--

Unspoken "I Love you's" they were bottled up inside,
I didn't know how to pour them out
So I hoped they were implied.

Til I felt an Outpouring...
Of a Love--so much greater than mine
Spilt Out Unreservedly
A Love that Bled Upon a Tree

So Much More than I can Ever Say
So Much More than I have to Give Away

So my Love for you ---I Pour it Out for you
At the Feet of Jesus
Praying you'll hear HIS  "I Love you's"
Spoken so Personally
Praying you'll know the Power of HIS Love
That's So Enveloping

Often, when the term "emotions" are mentioned by Christians, the statement is accompanied with a caution, implying that they are unreliable. While it is true that emotions can vacillate and should always be in sync with Truth---we don't need to shut them off in fear of vulnerability. Rather, we need to max them out for God because God is a God of EMOTIONS!! Being made
in His very image, we have the amazing ability to release our hearts. God
doesn't want us to supress our emotions, but rather He desires us to align them with His own.
Jesus expressed passionate emotions on Earth that were aligned with the Father's heart.
He wept, steamed with righteous indignation, and loved vehemently.  Jesus' didn't supress His
emotions but expressed them, even publicly at times, because of the freedom that He walked in.  Free people are liberated with their emotions.  It's those who have been wounded and hurt that often supress their emotions as a protective measure. For example, by not opening their hearts so wide, they conclude that the pain of any heart break won't be felt as much.  But Jesus came to set the oppressed free. He wants to remove those shields of defense off of our hearts so that we can align them with the One whose love never fails us.

Through prayer and intercession, directed by the Holy Spirit, God will open our
hearts wider than we ever thought possible. Our emotions of love, hate, sorrow, joy etc.
will soar to greater heights than we have ever known as the Holy Spirit guides us into the  heartbeat of the Father. To explain, the ectasy of revelling in His Presence, the indignation against sin, the sorrow of a broken world, and the joy of our salvation will be expressed with God's propelling passion into astronomically diminsions.
And as  we deeply intercede for others, the Holy Spirit will guide us to tap into God's desires for their needs to be met. Consequently, our emotions will burn with passion that will press the prayer through to victory in the Spirit realm; asthey flow in God's heart and compel His  intervention. Our emotions move the heart of God, because the Holy Spirit prays through our emotions expending them on Kingdom pursuits. Instead of a warning accompanied with being too emotionful, perhaps the opposite should be true. A dead person doesn't express emotions. Emotion's are the release of the heart and through the power of the Holy Spirit, even God's heart. Therefore, we need to encourage Christians to be MORE EMOTIONAL  for God, opening our hearts as wide as possible, so we can throb with His heartbeat.

Keep Not Silence

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night, ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give Him no rest till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa 62:6,7)

It's Biblical to keep on ""keeping on"  --to keep praying and crying out --because the more we insist, the more God will come.  

God does answer single prayers, but sometimes it takes persistency to get His attention. That's how it was with my Mom, especially when my sister and I decided that we needed an adorable yellow duckling. After all we didn't need hamsters, mice, cats, dogs--we had our fair share of those. So, it was time for a baby duck.  So, in unison, from the backseat of the car, we chanted our request and insisted over, and over and over again!  Before long, we were enjoying watching our yellow duckling waddle around.  

In Luke 11, we can read a parable that Jesus spoke in relation to importunity and how the door was eventually opened for the man that refused to leave and kept knocking, and knocking, and knocking. Jesus related this to the importunity that we need to demonstrate in prayer at times too.

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a house meeting where the mayor of Jerusalem was speaking. He shared an amazing revelation of the Hebrew language. He said that there are two Hebrew word for "watchmen" and one of them is the same word for "Christians".  Isaiah 62 speaks of --us--it's Christians that  God has called to be watchmen, not holding our peace, upon spiritual walls. God wants us to cry out for Jerusalem, in the Spirit realm,  to be a praise in the Earth.

Jesus told the woman at the well who was looking for confirmation about the right place to worship;" Woman, Believe me the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain , nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father....But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.( John 4:21,23)  
So, while the natural Jerusalem is significant, Christians understand that
Jerusalem is in the Spirit realm--the definition is "City of Peace" and God wants  the "City of Peace realm" to be a praise in the Earth.

John the Revelator saw the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev 21:2)
The more we cry out,  the more this realm of peace will lower from the heavens to the Earth and the more others will enter this peaceful city. Jesus
is the Prince of peace and there are millions through out the nations that don't know Him. Instead of a descending city of peace hovering over their land, there is chaos, darkness and massive spiritual strongholds occupying the heavenly spheres over vast territories. But as watchmen on the wall, we have cries that will change the spiritual atmospheres. That's why we can't hold our peace--we have to pray, cry out, and intercede more--many are suffering in darkness and souls are at stake daily. We can't afford to hold our peace--We need the Peace of Peace to Come, to Bring His Dwelling--to Bring His Presence and Descend in Glory that will shatter strongholds, save masses, and manifest His Glory in the nations.  

The more we cry out--the more His Glory will Descend--will you cry out as God's watchmen?  Don't hold your peace day or Night--keep on "keeping on" --keep not silence and we will see Him make Jerusalem a Praise in the Earth!!  The City of our Great King in the Spirit will manifest globally in the Nations. And it will be a Purely Glorious Praise!!

Worthy to Receive Power

Rev. 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for
thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We know when we worship and serve God that we are giving Him the glory
and bring honour to His Name. But how does He who is all Powerful, receive Power
from those who are impotent without Him?
God is a God of multiplicity. The devil subtracts, man adds, but God multiplies.
It's not that God needs to receive power, because He is omnipotent but He is worthy
to multiply His Power. And that is exactly what happens when we press wholeheartedly
to desperately seek and worship Him in Spirit and Truth. As we abandon ourselves, and focus all our attention on glorifying His name in deep, intimate worship--we are magnifying (extoling .lauding) His Presence and consequently; He is magnified (enlarged, increased)  in the heavens and earth. His immediate Presence travels and expands as it breaks out on the north, south, east and west. Though God is  not limited to time and space, He funnels His power and inhabits vessels that occupy both realms-- and the more vessels He inhabits --the more He receives power, honour and glory.  Just as sound and light travel, so as His people revel in prophetic sounds of declaration, prophecy, throne worship accompanied with instrumentals --so the Light of God's presences prevails and displaces darkness. This is how God's people take over the spiritual atmospheres of neighborhoods, cities, states, nations and manifest God's Kingdom on the Earth.  As we invoke the Lord of Host to arise-- God's  light devours darkness.  He flexes His spiritual muscles, and He receives power. We revel with Him in His Victory and  His Power! We receive His power too---Christ in us--the Hope of Glory!!

Crying out for others:Holy Spirit Empathy Results in Holy Spirit Victory

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities....(Heb4:15a)

Contrariwise, He was touched with the feelings of our infirmities. And His heart is still throbbing today for His people that are spiritually and physically  infirmed--He longs for the victory that He won to be received and manifested --for His Body (the Body of Christ) to be completely whole---spiritually and physically whole!  We know that Jesus was our vicarious sacrifice. He paid the price that we deserve, taking our place as a substitutionary sacrifice in judgment; so that we can have life and life more abundantly in and through Him.
As Believers, filled with God's Holy Spirit, we are the members of His Body, and as a whole, we are the Body of Christ and Christ is the Head.

Just as every member of our individual physical bodies operate and  flow together as one living organism, so we are called to be ONE spiritual  living organism as the Spiritual Body of Christ on the Earth; flowing and functioning together in unity.
If one member hurts, the other members feel the pain. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to emphathize with the needs of our spiritual family members, as we take time to intercede for others.  The deeper we go into the heart of God seeking His intervention on the behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ; the deeper the need becomes our own.
Just as Jesus gave Himself as a substitute; taking our place before God, so we will find ourselves standing in desperation for others.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the love and commisseration for our spiritual brothers and sisters dire needs to be met, is much stronger, than mere human sympathy.  Because  this heavenly, sacrificial love from the Father's heart already proved to gives it's all when it flowed through the wounds of our Savior. It's God's Love for His own; through the residing power of His Holy Spirit, that moves us to intercession so that His victory can manifest within His whole Body.
The urgency of the need will become as if  it's our own and the Holy Spirit will lead us to intercede: plead, groan, mourn, travail and wail on behalf of others.
As Jesus laid down His life for others, so we are callled to do the same. As Jesus gained the victory for others in the spiritual realm;  so we called to do the same
through intercessory sacrifice. This means denying ourselves and carrying the cross that's  laden with burdens and agonies of others---carrying it all the way to Calvary
where the Finished Work manifests in resurrection power that brings spiritual and physical Victory.   Every member will feel the victory.

Anointed Aroma Permeates Generations

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious
ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this
waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why
trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresover this gospel shall be
preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (Matthew 26:6-13)

The fragrance of this women's heart still permeates as this account is retold accompanying the Gospel, because she displayed the key revelation of the Gospel. That key revealtion is: salvation is through an anointed death---- that rises victorious in resurrection life. The disciples focused on the monetary value of the ointment, because they didn't understand that Jesus was called to be the firstfruit of the resurrection, so that a harvest could come forth. 
The culmination of the Gospel was at hand and  would result in multitudes hearing and receiving salvation through Jesus' anointed death, burial and resurrection.
Jesus' retort about the poor remaining was not an expression of blantant disregard for their condition, but rather was an
acknowledgement of the abiding needs of the poor, while He was focusing on the imminent spiritual solution. Jesus knew that the "set time anointing " to die would result in victorious resurrection, offering redemption to the poor.
    
We all should treasure this same anointing, because through Christ we are called to die daily or pick up our cross daily, denying ourselves, so that through our anointed deaths, we can live in the resurrection power of Christ. Just as the disciples called the spilled-out ointment on Jesus' head a "waste", so others may consider our completely abandoned, spilt-out lives  "wasted" while they vocalize their assessment of  other more benefitable things we could be spending our energies on to help others. But just as Jesus knew the importance of his anointing to die; we too understand that there will always be an opportunity to help others--but the most effective way for us to help anyone is to die to self and expend our lives for God--even die to our best benevolent intentions --because anything we would offer on our own will doesn't come close to comparing to the true benevolence and salvation that we can offer multitudes by allowing Christ to live and shine through us---His resurrection power allows us to have life and life more abundantly. God is a God of multiplicity. The devil subtracts, man adds, but God multiplies. Just like he took this woman's account of her free will  offering, and preserved the savor of it for future millennials; so He will do with our lives. As we die to ourselves and abide in Christ's power,  the same anointing will permeate and emit from our lives with an aroma that permeates ages to come. Our personalized accounts may not be preached, but the impact of a surrendered life will waft into future generations--and a harvest will come forth. "Verily, verily I say unto you Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24).

For Such A Time As This!!

Purim, which was celebrated by many today*,  is the commemeration of the victory of God's people when Esther found favor in the sight of the King, the main enemy of God's people was destroyed and the dictate to annihilate the Jews was
rendered powerless with a new dictate for their defense.
Through Christ we have received favor in the sight of the Most High King. Because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus'--divine forgiveness so gloriously lavishes all of us who receive Him.  Jesus won the approval that we needed from the Father.  Symbolically and spiritually, the high and lofty One has stretched out His royal sceptre in acceptance of us-- so that we can boldly come into His Presence, be filled with His Spirt and fellowship with Him. How amazing the Father's love was demonstrated for us--that He would allow His Son to sucuumb to a cruel death so that we could be received into His courts with favor and make petetions of Him
Esther was a prophetic foreshadow of the Church who intercedes before the king, because she was called to the kingdom for such an appointed time of deliverance.  Likewise we, as the Bride of Christ, are called for such a time as this...to bring judgment on the enemy; cancelling his agendas and ushering in great deliverances for ourselves, families, and multitudes.
Through Christ, the prophetic antetype is capable of being fulfilled in the Spirit realm which results in the victory both spiritually and physically.  Because it's through Christ that we are made priests to intercede on behalf of others. The anti-semitic and anti-christ spirits are on a  mission to annihilerate God's remnant in both the natural and the Spirit, and during certain seasons they plot more deliberately. Though, unlike Esther, we can rest assured that we are accepted into the Kings courts, however just as it was for her--it's still imperative for us, to deny ourselves and fervently beseech the King's invention for those appointed to death. Through corporate fasting, heart rending petitions, and exposing the enemy's agendas, we will prevail and reach the heart of the One who will save us. Though today* was a  powerful time to commemerate God's  intervention, the template of intercession and deliverance is certainly not limited to today*. For I believe the more we engage in our priestly role to cry out for others, the more frequently we will celebrate in joyous
victories.   Little prayer, little power, More prayer, More power, Great Prayer, Great Power!!!

* Today refers to Thursday March 8, 2012

A Heavenly Rendezvous!

Back in my colleges days, my friends and I, had a weekly allocated party night. We often revised night to night(s) plural. But regardless,every week, we had atleast one "going out" night.. and when that day rolled around it was time to get ready to party. Apart from some legal and few moral boundaries, pertinent to our capacity to drink, and as long as it was night--we didn't have many limitations. To explain, we didn't have a curfew or a quota, just a mission to have fun and that meant drinking and drinking and drinking until we were drunk (and perhaps then some).We partied, and we partied hard!Though disguised as fun at the time, looking back, by the Grace of God, I can see what a counterfeit that was...exceeding healthy boundaries to travel into deeper paths of darkness. But now I rejoice at the opportunity to exceed traditional and manmade (including self made) boundaries to travel deeper into the heartof God. Ofcourse, it's most likely much less consequential for a student to dictate their own schedule and evade responsiblity , but in a demandingwork world, with financial and family obligations, it almost seems impossible to consistently find time to escape--- and this applies to even finding adequate time to spend with God.That's why the one or two hour weekly church service is most fitting for society; for those who do attend. What if apart our daily devotions and short church services, we dedicated one night a week to "go out" with God without a curfew attached. Even if there is not a house of worship open; we all need the intimacy of time alone with God. So to "go out" we don't have to leave our houses or even prayer closets--because we're really just "going up." We can still party!!  We can crank up some anointed worship music and party hop from song to song- jumping, shouting, clapping, and singing His praises---all in celebration of Him who sits upon the Throne and the Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns. And perhaps, because the night is still young, we may even assail deeper into heavenly worship--the Heavenly disco lights will flash with multipy colors as we're imbibed with particular glorious manifestations of God's Presence. And if we move from outer court praise to inner court worship as we adore and long for Him; the smoke of His glory is likely to descend.  And if we keep drinking deeply; a fierce longing for love may stir in our hearts. Instead of a fling, or a fleeting romance we will discover a love that is beyond ourselves and is relentlessly sacrificial. As we delve deeper, deeper into seeking Him--His heartbeart will manifest and when it does--the night is no longer about us---but this LOVE-- so true, so amazing, so overwhelming will envelope us. The Lover of our Souls will escort us into His Bridal Chambers where we will dance with our Bridgegroom and revel in His eternal beauties; as He heals, cleanses and makes us more like Himself. What encounters we may have--what visions we may see--God has things in store for us beyond what we can think or imagine!! And if we are desperate enough to continue to pursue the intimacy of His heartbeart -- we may find ourselves vehemently longing for others to know such sweet holy romance. Because, in the holiest of holies of God's heart--is where we will conclude this sacrifical love is the resolve for all--He is the Desire of the nations!!! Our love language is subject to expand and resonate throughout heaven with magnanimous wails; as the worldwide vision because so clear in our hearts and we see the dire need that only He can fulfill individually and globally. The redemption of the nations--the deliverance of the hurting and the salvation of the lost- may become such a passion that rends our hearts with a groping that can't be uttered with words. We may just become smitten with His love that manifests with His desire for the lost, the hurting, the needy. What miracles He may wrought, what multitudes he may save,heal, and deliver!Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we're subject to wax strong in vehement travail, groaning, gasping and pleading with birthpangs for the man child to be born (Rev. 12:5) for HIs Kingdom to manifest!   What nations may shake, what trumpets may blow and what thunders may sound!!!  (..the Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever Rev. 11:15.) Finally, when our energies are spent and we're waxed to nothing-ness- then He will wrap us in His wings of Love and envelope us with His surpassing Peace, confirming in our hearts that He is our Lover; and His pleasure has truly become ours too---what a pleasure to be drunk on True Love; to be consumed with a Love Stronger than Death---  such a Heavenly Rendezvous!!

Is Living for God Boring??? Or Awesome???

I remember when I was college, someone came up to me and gave me a word from the Lord. I went back to my dorm and said a prayer and thought maybe I would start getting involved in a bible study on campus and focus on church more. But the more I was around my boyfriend and friends, the more I saw how incompatible that would be with my lifestyle. Because not only was any suggestion of it, decisively confirmed by my  friends that I wasn't get their encouragement , nor would they accompany me. But even to me, the thought of a sober "Bible study" life seemed so boring and dull, and in the midst of such wild and crazy fun we were having--what teenager would want to do that? 
I didn't consider myself rejecting God, because I still claimed to be a Christian, it was more just like... "deferred".  I knew in my heart that the Bible was God's book and I certainly had plans to read it, so I tentatively planned to do that down the road when I had grey hair. My image of Christianity did include some good times at church camps in my even younger days, but ofcourse even there  it was more so the social aspect, which paled to my current social life.  And I did recall having some heart touching moments at church where faith arose and I definitely believed in Jesus' and was encouraged to live uprightly, but majority wise, my church experiences were quite boring.  So, as for my bleak idea  of possibly attending a campus Bible study, well I wasn't movtivated to put much effort into finding one, especially if it meant having to adjust my social life. Consequently, that thought soon dissipated.  Frankly --it just wasn't going to be fun!

But by the Grace and Power of God, within two years, I found out the Truth.
And the Truth  is that there is No One More adventurous than God who rides on the clouds by His awesome name YaH. God is amazing and He has made a way for us to be empowered with His amazing, adventurous, extremely glorious, creative and beautiful Holy Spirit.
Through faith in Christ, we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit--as a matter of fact, we can be  baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire!!
Notice He comes with Fire--that's how passionately extreme His desire burns with love for His people--yes, He ardently desires to dwell and fellowship with us.
Yes, He provides extreme living ----to the max because God's Spirit Himself actually comes to live in and through us. Abundant and exciting life truly begins with a dose of Holy Ghost! Mind altering drugs have nothing on God's power!!  There is No High like the MOST HIGH!!  He's power will surge  through your body and fill you to the brim, instead of surpressing hurtful emotions, it lifts them away. The Holy Spirit is being being poured out  from on High--if we open our hearts and minds to God He will fill us to overflow.And no, the intensity is not fleeting--it does not have to go away--as a matter of fact, the outpouring is getting greater and greater! God wants all of us to be people filled with His Holy Spirit. In the Book of Joel it says that In the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28)  The Holy Spirit is so Real and He is so Powerful. The Holy Spirit is not just to be acknowledged as an  intregal of the Trinity that makes our doctrinal creeds replete, but the Holy Spirit is  to be received and yielded to wholeheartedly. The Holy Spirit is diety who comes to reside in believers to remind us of what Jesus' said, lead us into all Truth and show us that which is to come. The Holy Spirit always glorifies the Son and as we surrender to the promptings, unctions, and guidings of the Holy Spirit, we will respond with emotions that reflect God's heart and  bring pleasure to Him.  We will delight in what He delights in,so His  pleasure become our pleasure when we are one with Him. As you give your all for God, He won't ever cease to amaze you with mighty superventions, opportune answers, and unique manifestations.  

This doesn't mean that you will always be high on happiness, but it does mean that you will be enveloped with  His love that's always sweeter than wine and stonger than death. And when you align your heart with God's heart you will tap into astronomically high emotions as you flow in the characteristics of His passion.
We are not talking about a remote, austere Diety aloof from His creation, but  He is the Bridegroom Lover, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb with
Seven eyes and seven horns. You might be overflowing with joy one season and then soon find yourself steaming with righteous indignation, or gasping in heart wrenching intercession. But whatever manifestation, you encounter--it doesn't just disappear leaving you with emptiness or a ponderous hangover.
The encounter will have  produced an abiding work that trenched out a greater capacity in your heart for God's love--allowing you to have even more abundant, fulfilled life. With God you will see things you never thought you would see, learn things you couldn't have imagined, and impact lives you never thought you would --with God your daily life becomes a mission laced with divine appointments and miracles. The Most High God is truly AWESOME- -He who stretched out and adorned the heavens, does all things elaborately!  How boring life is without HIM.

Preparation Tips for Morning and/or Evening Prayer

Preparation Tips for Morning or Evening Prayer!(From the rising of the sun
to the going down of the same,
the name of the Lord shall be praised. Psalm 113:3)

There is not one special ritual or formula for break through prayer and if none of these things are feasible, then certainly don’t allow anything to stop you from praying. But hopefully, these tips will help you have easier access on a daily basis.
We so often find ourselves bogged down from morning sleepiness or our busy day that we don’t have an ounce of energy (or desire because they seem to become sapped synonymously ) to pray until we are delivered from sluggishness and/or worldly oppression.

It’s a good idea to change clothes—though certain garments are not a necessity like they were for the priests of the Old Testament---they still drape us, thus pertinent to our immediate atmosphere (and very symbolic too).
For example, if it’s morning and you keep yawning in your sleep-filled pajamas or if it’s evening and you have 50 peoples cologne and 5 peoples cigarette smoke lingering as a oppressive stench in your shirt (even if you can’t smell it anymore doesn’t mean it’s not there); an easy fix in both cases is to rid the plagued garment and clothe yourselves in a crisp clean garment—what a relief!!
(More intensive cleaning and perhaps awakening for some can be accomplished through a shower or bath—but if you’re one who will get stuck soaking right through your prayer time then just splash some water on your face and/or just stick to a clean heart).
The next step in your transition from the Bed/Babylon to the heavenly Throne is drinking a picker upper; if need be. I’ll spare you the legend of God creating coffee by sending rain to the prophet’s coffee beans, and I’m not trying to get you to be an addict or stay up all night—but needless to say, coffee has been known to to assist in shaking some somnolent and carnal spirits off. If you’re too healthy for coffee, hot tea or another refreshing drink may suffice. Thirdly, lighting candles can add that special element of Fire to the room. No, you don’t have to be Catholic to light candles; after all He is the God of the Burning Bush. Furthermore, music has an amazing impact as it ushers your mind and soul into the Presence of God; fulfilling your created purpose to worship Him. This is of course, assuming it’s anointed worship music (make sure you have some on supply beforehand, so you don’t resort to commercial ridden radio or oppressive tunes) You are almost ready, to enter in….but first…….turn your cell phone off. Yes, there actually is an off button on it. A beautiful way that we can convey love to others is through…Undivided Attention. Jesus asked His disciples aghast, “Could you not tarry One hour? God Himself is worthy of our Undivided Attention!! We should worship, pray, and meditate on Him without interruption. That’s probably why Jesus called it a prayer closet (Matt 6:6). Enclosure allows us to escape the influx of distractions so that we can focus on the God of Glory!! Worship, Pray, and Enjoy His Presence---allow Him to be the Lover of Your Soul as You breakthrough to His heart!

PRESSING INTO DEEP TREASURES TO BE HIS PECULIAR TREASURE

Jacob was known as the supplanter. In accordance to is mother's instructions, he
deceived his father by pretending to be his brother,  so that he could receive the pronounced blessing that customarily was decreed over the eldest son (Gen. 27:19). Years later, the commanded blessing he earnestly desired  didn't come as easily.  Instead of surreptiously obtaining it, he had to contend and strive for it.His tenacity and desire for God's best was evident with his refusal to let go of a visiting angel until he received a pronounced blessing. Consequently, God's blessing was released upon him,that gave him a new identity as his name was changed from Jacob to Israel "a prince that has power with God and men, and prevails."
Israel was God's overcomer and from the Book of Psalms (135:4) we see that he was also chosen by the LORDto be his peculiar treasure. What a priviledge to the peculiar treasure of  the magnificent Almighty God who has filled the earth with myraids of precious natural treasures. Such substances hid in the Earth bespeak of  enormous resourceful value and scintillating beauty. And Scriptures reveals, that God's treasuries are not only limited to the Earth, but He has storehouses of heavenly treasuries filled with His elements. In the same Psalm (135), it reveals that God brings forth his winds out of His heavenly
treasuries. How amazing that yet,  even with God's vast wealth and supplies in the heavens and the Earth , Israel still was chosen as God's peculiar treasure; the apple of God's eye. Ofcourse, mankind, is in image of God and thus is of more value to God Himself than earthly materials, but to be God's own chosen treasure shining peculiarly in His sight is uniquely phenonemonal. 
 God chose Israel to prevail and  he proved himself to contend for the blessing.
This principle of tenacity and persistence certainly applies in acquiring hidden treasures in the earth, and through Israel's name we can see that it applies in heaven too.
In order for  the vast supply of earthly resources  to be obtained they have to be dug or drilled; sometimes  even requiring a reach of multiple miles into the deep places of the earth.
Mankind has learned that diamonds and other precious jewels are discovered  through persistently digging deep, refusing to give up until the secret is revealed and obtained.
Like Israel, we receive the blessing when we strive and contend for it.  The more we spiritually dig, pressing into the heart of God, through prayer,intercession, and worship;  the more
we will tap into his heavenly storehouses discovering those spiritual precious jewels.  As we discover them in the Spirit, we tap into  their excellencies, refract their glory, and operate in their resources. The elements released, generate, empower and fuel our lives endowing us with prosperity in every arena. As we tap into these deep heavenly riches of God's Spirit, we behold the beauty of God Himself. Through the New and Everlasting covenant of the Messiah, we are called as  Israel, to be a peculiar people, a chosen generation; God's special treasure; prevailing with God and men.

Christian Devotional Suffering for Christ
The Recompense of A GREAT REWARD That's Worth Dying For
by Ansley Mathis  can be ordered at http://www.recompenseofagreatreward.com/

Prayer for the Harvest

Father,

I pray that You will send out more laborors into the harvest field today. I thank You Father, that your power  is prevailing across the nations today and that You are snatching many out of darkness and transferring them into Your glorious, marvelous light. Father, I pray that You will  raise up the Tabernacle of David, so that the Earth will be Filled with the Knowledge of YHWH as vast as the waters cover the seas.  Thank You for releasing Your sanctifying power that is transforming Your Bride into the image of Your dear Son. Father, I ask for the blessings of the precious things that come forth from the moon today. I pray a hedge of protection upon our lives. I pray that You will bring forth those commanded blessings, so that we can be a blessing to the ends of the Earth. You are Mighty to Save. There is None Like!! I worship You and praise You today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Daily Christian Devotional Suffering for Christ is Pain with a Purpose by Ansley Mathis
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Time to Feel His Compassion so Others Can Feel HIs Love

I believed in the Holy Spirit in my younger days , but never knew about the manifestation or baptism of it.When I became born again in my college days, I was amazed at the ability to feel the power of the Holy Spirit. Instantly, I wanted to share this power with others in hopes that they would experience it too. Evangelism immediately became part of my life; but it wasn't so much organized evangelism, because at the time I didn't even know that theological term; rather it was simply just telling others about Jesus. And whether they had previously heard the Gospel or not, I was excited to pray with them. After the "amen" and as soon as I could lift up my bowed head up and open my eyes, the first words that blurted out of my mouth was "Did you feel it?" I didn't understand all the theological doctrines or terms of infilling or baptism of the Holy Ghost, but I naively , yet zealously wanted people to know that God's power is real.The answers varied from some definite affirmations to other blank stares. I soon realized that while, some were more receptive to God than others; not everyone was receiving the same encounter that I hoped. But I was on the right track, because evangelism was and is Christ's clear directive to God's endtime plan of reaching the world. But what I would soon discover is that it's intense intercessory prayer and soul travail that fuels God's plan of redemption; birthing His power in the Earth; so that multitudes can receive Him and know His Power.
Meanwhile, there was a weird dichotomy within my understanding. On one hand, I was dumbfounded at the number of Christians that did love God passionately--especially when I visited a Spirit filled Christian college and from the moment I stepped in to the sanctuary, I felt like I had been transported to heaven. God's Presence was such a tangible cloud. The new experience of His corporate anointing for me was the paradox of utopia coupled with a painful remorse for my former obviousiness, as I rhetorically wondered how could I have not known about God's nearness beforehand, like all the students there that apparently did.
But on the other hand, even when I was not in such a corporate sanctuary setting, the outpouring of God's anointing was still so present that it was hard to conceive the thought that everyone around me wasn't experiencing such power. It was hard to understand why they wouldn't be; even though it was obviously confirmed through fiercely hurled persecution at times. It wasn't a matter of pride--I certainly was aware of the fact that I was not transformed to perfection. But God's presence was so overwhelming that it only seemed logical to me that others were receiving some measure of the outpouring, and if not, then it was easily accessible by yielding to it. So, one night I was talking on the phone to an estranged boyfriend and I just couldn't resist the curiousity. I had to ask, "Do you feel it?" It was a serious question at the time, because I was really convinced that either he did or could. But his nonplussed response certainly revealed that not everyone feels it, nor is wiling to yield their hearts.. And the reality of that fact, tore my heart more as other loved ones couldn't relate to my new passion. I was cognizant of the fact that I was no longer considered normal. I won't diminsh the pain of that realization, nor can I wholey describe it with words, but just that it so apparently revealed the blantant rejection of Christ in daily conversations and proprieties. Above all, it enlightened me to deeper understand the necessity of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. Not just for society at large, but for me personally. It opened my eyes to see that I had so conveniently followed the crowd in rejecting total surrender to Christ, due to pride and selfishness.Those pangs let me see how spiritual darkness subtly hardens individuals, to accept a compromised life that despises God through pride, selfishness and comfort. This revelation hit home so hard , that it ripped my heart in repentance. Without a shadow of a doubt, I knew it was me Jesus died for; because it was my sins that nailed Him to the cross, all the while it was others that He paid the price for too. He took upon Himself our punishment that wasso deserving, so that we can have the opportunity to be forgiven and reconciled to God. What amazing love God has for us. That while we loved darkness more than light, He still sent HIs Son to pay the price so that we can receive eternal life.
Many more sobering truths came; in more heartbreaking ways than one, confirming that we are still in a fallen world and that God's redemption in my life was and is just a part of His great worldwide plan; which didn't happen to consumate at the moment of my new birth. But I came to the revelation that if the pain of that realty is responded to from God's persepective then He will use our response to bring resolve. And because He is the only resolve, we are called to stand in the gap for individuals and nations; beckoning God's mighty intervention.In other words, ....here's where prayers, tears, travail and worship come in. When we humble ourselves to tap into God's heartbeat; He will use us to manifest His Kingdom in the Earth. The more salvation is sent forth through fervent intercession, the more His kingdom manifests, bringing redemption and deliverance.
As the years went by, through revelation, encounters, salvations and testimonies an even greater realty of God's glorious kingdom became apparent to me, but it didn't completely drowned out the  hissing of the creeping serpent; especially not when the hissing magnified vehemently at times. It was heard on more levels than one, but I am referring to the large scale of society and how local news could sting with shocking reminders of how prevalent evil is in the hearts of the depraved. Regardless of how many wonderful Christians I knew, the weekly schedule of prayer, Bible Study and fellowship was obviously not the weekly routine of all families, nor did all uphold priorities that sought the best for others. Of course, this was clear through almost any type of media.
But an even greater awakening came through my awareness of riveting atrocities of murder, violence and abuse. It's not that I hadn't ever heard about committed atrocities,or atrocious news before, it's just that I didn't have Christ's heart of response to deeply care for the victims or the revelation to see the spiritual battle at hand. But the deplorable facts revealed that where unregenerate men exist, so do victims. And when Christ's love opened the eyes of my heart to see and to care , I saw both the abuser and victim's need for deliverance; and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I could feel the dire pain of the need , as if it were my own. It erupted in wails of Christ's compassion; breaking my heart and compelling me to cry out to God for deliverance and redemption. I felt the agony in the heart of abused children, because spiritual darkness raged against fraility. A deep grieving for Christ's intervention, overtook me for the lives almost snuffed out by anger's vengeneance on the weak. And the more I knelt at Jesus feet to hear His heartbeat for the nations, I heard the blaring truth that confirmed; no, not everyone feels God's power. Some only feel hatred,anger, hurt, rejection and sorrow. Others only feel unbearable pangs of hunger because spiritual darkness has reaped physical curses of poverty, famine, disease and death. They don't have to bear this burden alone. Christ interceded for our salvation and as we surrender to His heart for the hurting; He imparts a longing within us to intercede for others.
Though both, the joyful and agonizing answer to my initial question, has resounded louder and louder in my life, as I have seen the kingdom of God advancing and simultaneously became more cognizant of the staggering number of lost and suffering souls.The truth of the latter hurts more now than it did then--because I know that the pain in the Earth is not limited to the isolated incidents heard on the local news, but rather such atrocities are rampant worldwide. It's not just a fallen suburb, but a fallen world we live in-- millions of girls and women are sold are into sexual slavery annually, hundreds of millions of people across the globeare starving daily, genocide in Africa is slaughtering masses of innocent lives , and abortion and child abuse are in staggering numbers---and beyond all the volume of these cries, are the eternal cries of torment in damnation yet to be heard by so many more, unless their souls are plucked; like firebrands, out of the fire. The need for redemption is greater than ever before. How can we, as the Body of Christ, stay silent when there's still a world out there that needs God's transforming power that changes lives?
As we take our eyes off ourselves and prayerfully consider others whose lives are ravished by darkness, God will use us mightily and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of Christ will manifest with great empathy and compassion, stirring us to weep and cry out. And as we cry out and travail for others, God will send salvation. He will intervene, manifest and save multitudes.Our heart-filled prayers and soul travail will move the hand of God in the Earth; fueling God's redemption plan. Many will respond with a resounding YES as they feel His touch, come to understand His love and power, and advance His Kingdom; now and eternally.