DAD IS GREAT!

To really understand the impact a father has on a child you need to look at the role the Lord has called a man to fulfill.  The role of the husband/ father was meant to be filled by the man.  This role was part of creation and was not based on circumstances or changing culture.  Although man sinned and the fall took place Jesus Christ restored all through His death and resurrection making a way for man to fulfill his God given role.  The wife cannot fulfill what God has called man to fulfill.   Fathers play a pivotal role in the life of a child and there is absolutely no substitute for the impact a father can have in his child.

Without the constant interaction of a father in a child’s life they will not have a base to draw from as they grow, mature and one day marry.   They truly will lack the influence and demonstration of what a man of God is or how a man is to treat his future wife, sons and daughters.

The man was called to headship or leadership.  He is to be the main provisional for his family making sure the needs of his wife and children are met.  He is commanded to love his wife setting an example for his children on how the son is to treat his wife one day and revealing to his daughter how a man is to treat her.  The man was called to servant hood just as Christ showed us an example of serving others.  The husband/father was created to withstand pressures and physically take on work the wife/the mother is not capable of. 

Children who are raised without a father may experience a warped view of Father God.  They may have insecurity issues in their life and look for acceptance and love in the wrong places.  They may lack skills for problem solving and the drive to press through not only daily issues but crisis events also.  A lack of confidence and low self esteem may be present in children raised in fatherless homes causing them to compromise and to reach out for unhealthy relationships in others.  Due to the fact that the mother has been attempting to fulfill both roles one as a father and mother a great lack of masculinity will be absent causing the child to form their own thoughts of what a man is or is not.  Because the mother has to exert so much time and energy endeavoring to meet all the needs of the child, little time is left to spend one on one.  Mothers typically do not discipline appropriately and there is no one to help reinforce what she may be trying to instill.  In the absence of a father/male influence, undue stress is placed on the mother and the child will reap the dynamics of this lack.

There is not a replacement for Father and thank God in His infinite wisdom He knew just exactly what was needed for a family to flourish.  We also thank God that He makes provisions for the fatherless. 

Psalms 68:5(NLT) Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

Psalms 92:13-15 (NKJV)  Those who are planted in the house of the Lord  - Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the Lord is upright;  He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

ANKLE DEEP (part #2)

Hebrews 6:9-20(NLT)
Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. 
For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:
    “I will certainly bless you,      and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.
Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 
God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 
Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. 

John 7:37-39(NLT)
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 
Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 
(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, a reminder what the Lord wants us to be partakers of and all the fullness He has to offer us.

Acts 1:8(NLT)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4(NLT)
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 
Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 
Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 
And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Peter later goes on to quote from Joel as a testimony of fulfillment of scripture, and the good news is – this same gospel is for us.

This promise is for us!

Acts 2:39(NKJV)
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

We know miracles, signs and wonders followed, but what is hindering us from “swimming”?  We are among friends here and this is a place where believers assembly to spur one another on.  Together let us spur each other to maturity.

I want to take a quick look at some Biblical patriarchs.

A couple of weeks ago some of our close friends begged us to go to GR First 80^th Anniversary celebration, we raised our children at GR First so we did attend and ran into many old friends.  One of those friends is Ed, he is truly a man of God who radiant’s the presence of Jesus.  I do not remember what we were talking about but something he said stuck with me like glue.

Many of us quote “David, a man after God’s heart” however the reason God saw David as a man after His own heart was…who will do all My will (NKJV)

The NLT says:

Acts 13:22  New Living Translation (NLT) 22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’[^a]

Awe, quick radical obedience.  In Deuteronomy chapters 7, 8, 28, and 30 we are shown there are blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.  Galatians 5:19-26 is a list of the acts of the sinful nature and a list of the fruits of the spirit.  I will let you look that up and study on your own for the sake of time this morning, but I do have a question for you.  Are you partaking of the list of the acts of the sinful nature?  The Bible has much to say about repentance. In Acts 3:19(NKJV) it says:  Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 

I encourage us to walk in daily repentance, David did sin but he was quick to repent and acknowledge his sin.  Let’s live in a place of continued refreshing so the life giving waters will continue to flow out of us and a lack of repentance and disobedience will not hinder us and keep us from maturing and flourishing in deep waters.

Next I would like us to take a look at Mary the Mother of Jesus.

God had an assignment for Mary the mother of Jesus to carry out.  What was it about Mary that got the attention of God Almighty to trust her to, to not only give birth to the Son of God, but also raise Him to become a man?  I have given profuse thought about Mary as I have contemplated her story.  I realized, I do not think I have ever heard a sermon other than the Christmas story preached on the life of Mary.  How sad to think, that this great woman of faith has gotten so little of my attention or the attention of those whom I have sat under their teaching of the Word.

Mary physically carried the Son of God and we spiritually carry the Son of God.  This is of great significance and demands our attention.  I believe we can learn much from Mary and her side of the story.  God trusted Mary to carry, give birth, raise Jesus, release Him into manhood, and watch Him be crucified, rose from the dead, and ascend unto the Father.  God trusts us to carry this same Jesus, the message of the good news of the Kingdom of God and fulfill the great commission.  However; if we are to fulfill this assignment just as Mary did, we must be willing to allow Jesus to grow into manhood within us. 

This cost Mary greatly, far more than what she most likely imagined but her response to the Lord was; Luke 1:38(NKJV) Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Again I ask.

What was it about Mary that got the attention of God Almighty to trust her?

Paul had tremendous zeal for the gospel of Jesus Christ and there is no doubt he knew a fullness of God and service to the Lord that goes beyond our comprehension but it is attainable.  Paul calls it discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27(ESV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

The KJV says to bring my body into subjection and the meaning of subjection is:  to be a slave driver, to enslave.

A few nights ago we were talking with Pastor Dave and Kathy Alderman; solving the spiritual issues of the world, discussing how the Kingdom of God could be ushered in.  I had mentioned how this would take a lot of money and I was ready for the wealth of the wicked to be given to the righteous…

Proverbs 13:22(NKJV) b … But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. 

Immediately I felt the Lord impress upon me….He is waiting for a righteous people that He can give that wealth to and trust them with it!

Only a few have been given the privilege of being called righteous by our Lord and I do not have time to elaborate on those in scripture that the Lord purposely makes us aware of (to name a few, Abel, David, Joseph, Zechariah & Elizabeth).  The word righteous in the Greek means; equitable (in character or act), innocent, holy, right.[i]  Webster gives us understanding as; free from guilt, morally right, acting in accordance with moral or divine law.[ii]  I have heard ministers explain righteous as in just standing before God.

My challenge to us today is to live in such a way (righteously) that we mature and are swimming in the depths of all the Lord would have for us and have for us to do.

I want to close with a quote from Charles H. Spurgeon:

Once let the truth of God obtain an entrance in to the human heart and subdue the whole man unto itself, no power human or infernal can dislodge it.  We entertain it not as a guest but as the master of the house – this is a Christian necessity, he is no Christian who doth not thus believe.  Those who feel the vital power of the gospel, and know the might of the Holy Ghost as He opens, applies, and seals the Lord’s Word, would sooner be torn to pieces than be rent away from the gospel of their salvation.[iii] 

Charles H. Spurgeon

We may all be at different levels in the water

Some are ankle deep

Some are knee deep

Some are waist deep

Some are swimming

For those who may be here and do not know Jesus as your Savoir, you have not entered the water of His presence but today you can pause and pray the prayer of salvation ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and be your Savior.  Admit you are a sinner who needs saved and you acknowledge Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to be born of a Virgin, crucified, buried, rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven where He rules and reigns at the right hand side of the Father.  The is only one way to escape hell and enter into Heaven and that is by Jesus Christ the Son of God.

I encourage believers who want to mature and enter into deeper waters to ask of the Lord to strengthen, lead and guide you.

Together church prepare to jump into the deeper waters of the Lord, become mature, drink deeply of the depths of the Lord.

by Penny Loosenort copyright 2012



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[i] James Strong, S.T.D.,LL.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible with Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries. (Christian Hertiage Publishing Company, Inc., 1988), G1342

[ii] Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus. Nichols Publishing Group, 1999.,635

[iii] Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning (Hendrickson Publishers, 1998), 30.

ANKLE DEEP

Ezekiel 47

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Healing Waters and Trees

47 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. ² He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

³ And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. ⁴ Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. ⁵ Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. ⁶ He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

⁷ When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. ⁸ Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. ⁹ And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. ¹⁰ It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. ¹¹ But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. ¹² Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

I have five grandchildren, soon to be six.  Our oldest granddaughters are eight years old.  Our GK’s have been acclimated to the water from their very first summer since their grand arrival.  We have watched as they have gone from wading in the water to swimming without aid over their heads.  The older and more skilled they have become at swimming fear as dissipated and excitement for the water takes them over.  In fact Saturday and Sunday they were in the water from the time they got up until they went to bed.  They absolutely love playing and swimming in the water.  When one child tries something new it is not long before they have all get on the swimming bandwagon of new adventures.  I am thrilled the GK’s have a love for the water and do not fear it.  We have all known adults who do not know how to swim and actually have a fear of water and that fear keeps them from enjoying what others have grown to love and take pleasure in.  In fact it is hard to understand how a grown adult could have such a fear. 

Spiritually speaking believers are like my grandchildren.  When they first become saved because of lack of knowledge and experience they are content and feel safe just to wade around close to the shoreline where they are next to dry land and can see the bottom of the lake.  As the new believer begins to mature in their faith, gain knowledge and watch other believers they may begin to venture out into deeper waters, little by little.  Physical age does not restrict the spiritual maturing process.  There are Christians out there that have remained in an infant stage much of their life as a believer and this is made evident in Hebrews chapter six (we will touch base on that shortly).

For those of you who swim, you can all attest to the fact that swimming while there is a certain amount of work involved is very refreshing and freeing,  it’s as though no inhibition claims you and no boundaries hem you in. The more skilled you become at swimming the greater freedom and the longer you can spend in the water.

In Ezekiel 47 as this chapter advances he is first led out into ankle deep water (think of this as the point of salvation), then knee-deep, waist deep and until he is led into water where he can no longer stand, but he must swim.

Take notice he is led, he is not expected to venture off on his own.  He is led through the waters.  In verse 9 we are told where the water flows everything will live. In the Bible we are aware of the fact that water is symbolic of life and the Holy Spirit.  As he is led into the water there is an order of progression.  This progression is measured off in equal cubits of 1000.  I began to ponder this.  He measured off 1000 cubits and was led into ankle deep water – then another 1000 into knee deep water – another 1000 into waist deep water –another 1000 he was led into water so deep Ezekiel would have to swim and would not be able to cross.  Ezekiel would not be able to skip the progression of each phase he had to pass through each phase and I found it interesting that each of these “4” steps of 1000 cubits were measured of equally - appearing to be of equal importance. 

Today’s Christians want to run with this torch or swim pare say, without having made the years of preparation the saints of old had to put into place in their lives.  The older saints have a fortitude that seems to be lacking in our generation and younger; a fortitude of pressing through into full maturity.

Just to give you a little more food for thought I want to you to read a short segment out of Ira Milligan’s book: UNDERSTANDING THE DREAMS YOU DREAM –Vol. #2.  Now this is not the Bible this is a woman’s interpretation of the meaning of 1000.  Thousands are interpreted in the same way that hundreds are.  Thousand is a unit of measure like ten and hundred, and refers to “maturity”.  So one thousand is the beginning of maturity, and two thousand is mature judgment.  That’s the reason Joshua told the people to stay two thousand cubits behind the priest when they went to cross the Jordon and enter Canaan. They were to use mature judgment in following their leaders (see Joshua 3:4)…Three thousand refers to being maturely conformed, as Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:13.  Four thousand refers to mature rule.[i]

We as believers are led by the Holy Spirit, it was the Holy Spirit that wooed us to salvation and it is the Holy Spirit that continues to lead us moment by moment, desiring us to mature as believers.

In the physical realm (world) none of us would want to jump into a stagnant swamp or marsh; we would know within those types of waters is death and disease.  In fact if we were to fall into that type of water we would want to wash off as soon as possible so we would not catch a bacteria or virus of some sort.  Verse 11 indicates the swamps and marshes would not become fresh, resulting in lack of life.  I truly believe this is a clear representation of sin, rebellion and disobedience.   ¹¹ But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.

The Bible encourages spiritual maturity.

In Hebrews 6:1-8(NLT) it says:  So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 
You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 
And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—
and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. 
When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. 
But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. 

Let’s not become stagnant as a swamp, marsh or a field that bears thorns and thistles, it is time to walk out into deeper water and keep going until we must swim, no we will not be able to touch or see the bottom but if we matured and increase in faith we know we will not sink and it will be refreshing and life giving. 

Hebrews goes onto say:

Hebrews 6:9-20(NLT) ....TO BE CONTINUED



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[i] Ira Milligan, Understanding the Dreams you Dream, Vol. II, (Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. 2000), 25

OPPOSITES ATTRACT - Like Magnets

Every married couple would benefit greatly if they were to take some sort of temperament profile.  The knowledge obtained in these profiles is indispensable and can be used throughout the entire marriage.  The Lord created us all uniquely and there is no “bad” temperament.  Every temperament has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding this will enable each individual and couple, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome weak areas in their temperaments.  Happiness and the ability to get along in marriage is greatly dependent on how well each spouse understands his or her partner’s temperament and how willing he or she is to meet that partner’s temperament needs.

An introverted person (such as a melancholy) tends to be a loner and prefers to be at home instead of in a crowd.  This type of person likes to choose where, when and with whom they will socialize with. They are highly selective when they choose their friends and very selective at choosing a spouse.   When they choose a friend it is for life.  An introverted person needs a great deal of alone time to regenerate and process their day and each day before them; they are true “thinkers”.   They are very detail orientated and will take their time investigating any pitfall that could transpire. A melancholy (introvert) has low energy levels and they will monitor their energy throughout the day.  They show their love or communicate love by doing tasks.  The need to talk is not a high priority for them unless there is a task to be completed.  However, when they do talk or communicate they will have something very important to convey.  This presents a problem within their marriage because by the time they have processed and endeavored to communicate all their unmet needs to their spouse conflict between the couple may have escalated to a major level, because of the lack of general conversation.  Introverts generally do not require a lot of touching, hugs or kissing and their words are few (they do not say “I love you”, often) so this also causes a breakdown in the marital relationship when married to an extrovert who requires a great deal of touching, hugs and kissing and verbal – “I love you(s)”.  Making the introvert aware of their temperament and encouraging them to learn how to express themselves better with their spouse will ease marital conflict.

The extrovert (Sanguine) is high energy, extremely social and loves to talk.  It really does not matter to them what they talk about as long as they can talk.  Now, this “talking” is superficially and normally does not have “depth”; versus their melancholy partner who when they decide to talk has scrutinized every word they will say.  The extrovert loves life, and lives for the moment giving little regard to the ramification of what they do.  They can have a hot temper and blow-up very easily but five minutes later forget what caused the blow-up.  There will never be enough money for them to spend, activities to do, or noise to surround them.  Unfortunately they love to talk but their listening skills tend to be poor and their attention span is short so unless they are interested in what you are saying they may just walk away.  If you did not have the extrovert (Sanguine) there would be no party because they tend to be the life of the party, entertaining all around them.

The reason opposites attract is because the opposite has what we need to experience a fuller life.   We are not only attracted to that temperament but need them in our own life to accomplish areas we are unable to.  In other words normally we are attracted to temperaments which possess strong attributes in areas we tend to be weak in.

How to communicate needs within marriage for couples where one is extroverted and the other is introverted:

Each person needs to study their spouse’s temperaments and be aware of their strengths, weaknesses and how to meet each area of need in that spouse.

The extrovert needs to recognize this about their spouse (the introvert):

• They need alone time that is quiet to be able to regenerate before they can resolve a conflict.
• Give them advance warning of no less than a week for any activates you wish for them to participate in.
• Because part of their temperament is a fear of financial failure you yourself will need to learn to budget money.
• Never criticize your spouse in front of anyone; this would be devastating to them.
• Watch your spouse for signs of depression, know them and draw them out – help them to tell you just exactly what is going on in their head.
• As the introvert:  Learn to express your feelings, express love toward your spouse, forgive easily, and allow your spouse to get into your space.

The introvert needs to recognize this about their spouse (the extrovert):

• They have a great need to socialize and be the center of attention.  They have a high energy level and you need to help them use this energy in a constructive manner.  If they are away from people and activates for too long they will become irritated.  Learn for yourself how you can join them in activities.
• Daily they will need for you to tell them that they are loved.   Your extroverted spouse also needs a great deal of touching, hugs and kisses.  This will take you beyond your comfort zone; but you can do this through learned behavior. 
• Find ways you can become part of your spouse’s active world, even if it is in a task orientated way (that will flow well with your temperament).

Our human nature is very self-centered, which is why the Bible encourages us to die to self and put others first. As we grow and mature in the Lord and in years, we learn the great necessity of dying to self. Unfortunately, even the most spiritually mature person will succumb to the flesh and need to apply conflict resolution to their marriage. Knowing our spouse’s temperament will help equip you with the tools in how to approach your spouse reach a resolution to conflict.

The National Christian Counselors Association recognizes a combination of over 4000 different temperaments.

Opposites attract (and react): Navigating personality differences within your marriage

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

The Lord is ready willing and waiting to do a great exchange.  Many people who once loved and served the Lord have drifted away, fallen into compliancy or lost all hope and given up.  But God never breaks His promises.

Hebrews 6:15-20(TMSG)
Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. 
When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they’ll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. 
When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee— 
God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. 
It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God 
where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

Today I encourage you run to God…He truly is waiting for you and will do a great exchange…you can count on that!  The Lord wants to gather you back!

Ezekiel 11:16-21(TMSG)
“Well, tell them this: ‘This is your Message from God, the Master. True, I sent you to the far country and scattered you through other lands. All the same, I’ve provided you a temporary sanctuary in the countries where you’ve gone. 
I will gather you back from those countries and lands where you’ve been scattered and give you back the land of Israel. 
You’ll come back and clean house, throw out all the rotten images and obscene idols. 
I’ll give you a new heart. I’ll put a new spirit in you. I’ll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart.  Then you’ll obey my statutes and be careful to obey my commands. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!
“‘But not those who are self-willed and addicted to their rotten images and obscene idols! I’ll see that they’re paid in full for what they’ve done.’ Decree of God, the Master.”



Violence that can Explode the Impossible

Ephesians 6:18

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,…

The last several weeks I have written blogs on the Armor of God and studying prayer is a fitting way to end this blog series on the Armor of God.

The Lord has given us as believers the power to overcome evil, to build up and spur one another on to greatness and victory! We do not have to walk around hopeless, but hopeful. We are His royal priesthood. Know who you are and the authority you have in Jesus. Prayer will not only loose Heaven’s provision in your life and marriage, it will loose Heaven’s abundance into your life and marriage.

Years ago I read a book that was written by Jack Hayford on prayer, I must have loaned it out because it is no longer in my bookcase. If memory serves me correct this was a short book that packed a punch in efforts to wake up the believer in regards to the power of prayer.  I wrote down a few statements from this book this one being my favorite: 

“The kingdom of heaven which Jesus set up as a powerful movement or reign among men (suffers violence) requires of them an equally strong and radical reaction.  The violent then who take it by force are people of keen enthusiasm and commitment who are willing to respond to and propagate with radical abandonment the message and dynamic of God’s reign.”

In my walk with the Lord I determined a long time ago if there is anything that I am going to be passionately radical about it is prayer. Even as a very young girl I remember kneeling by my bed storming the “Gates of Heaven” as some would call it.  As the years have pasted and I have grown older I cannot relent or give up regardless of what my natural eyes may or may not see.  Something within me spurs me on to believe pray is; Violence that can Explode the Impossible (Jack Hayford)!

Matthew 11:12 (NKJV) says;  "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

(NIV) MT. 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

971. biazo, bee-ad'-zo; from G970; to force, i.e. (reflex.) to crowd oneself (into), or (pass.) to be seized:--press, suffer violence.

Violent:  physical force or activity used to cause harm, damage, or abuse, exhibiting intense emotional or mental excitement: passionate intensity “heat” (Webster Dictionary).

Force:  to compel to do something or to act, to obtain  by coercion; to bring forth, as with effort; to move or drive against resistance; to break down by force; to press or impose; as one’s will.  Strong-effective-powerful-vigorous (Webster Dictionary).

We are to follow the example of Jesus and that includes the example of how Jesus prayed.  Jesus exhibited passion when he prayed and His heart was revealed as He prayed.

Hebrews 5:7-9 (NKJV)  who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Vehement or strong:  2478. ischuros, is-khoo-ros'; from G2479; forcible (lit. or fig.):--boisterous, mighty (-ier), powerful, strong (-er, man), valiant.

Cries:  G2906/G296 outcry, tumult, grief, clamour, cry

John 11:33-36 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

Wept:  burst into sudden tears, then silently wept, wailing, heaving of the bosom-and the cry of a soul in agony.

Groaned: to utter a deep prolonged sound of disapproval or pain.  G1690/G1722 to snort with anger, murmur against

Troubled:  G5015 to stir or agitate

There are times in our lives when we just do not know what words to pray and there are no words that we could possible formulate from our mouth that seem adequate for the intensity of the situation. That is when we can allow the Holy Spirit to move within us and pray through us.

Romans 8:26-27(ESV) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

We have a promise and rested assured, the Lord always keeps His promises.

Acts 2:38-39(ESV) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 

Acts 2:1-4(ESV)
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Think of Prayer as: violence that can explode the impossible!

THE HAPPIEST MOTHER'S DAY

My daughters have grown now and our oldest daughter has three children, daughter #2 has two children and daughter #3 well she has what we call; “baby Monk in the trunk”.  One of my often replies to my daughters is; “the greatest gift you can give me is to raise my grandchildren up in the house of the Lord.  Teach them to Love the Lord Jesus and follow Him. Raise them up to be mighty warriors for the Lord.  Sing to them and teach them the Word of God.

Yes, that is right – there could be no greater gift for this woman than to see her family loving and serving Jesus.  This is my Mother’s Day wish forever and always. 

This is my wish for you today – this Mother’s Day, may your children and your legacy be:

Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no wickedness in him.  Psalms 92:13-15 (NIV)

Father God,

May this Mother’s Day be a day of answered prayer for all the Mother’s whose hearts cry out to you for the sake of their children…Lord Jesus fulfill the desires of love that flow out of the hearts of mothers.  Amen.

Romans 10:9-13(ESV)
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”