Hark & Herald
11 Tuesday Dec 2012
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in11 Tuesday Dec 2012
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in11 Tuesday Dec 2012
Posted Uncategorized
inEvery year, about this time, Christmas Carols are piped through the airwaves all across America. Yet sometimes, I wonder how many of those words contained in these heartwarming songs, do we truly understand.
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing ..
To HARK meant to LISTEN UP or to PAY ATTENTION. Those who would turn their attentions and listen were about to hear something of great importance!
A HERALD was an ambassador, a forerunner or a liaison who would go ahead and prepare the way. John the Baptist and the angelic host certainly HERALDED the Good News of Jesus coming as a newborn babe into His earthly ministry.
But, now.
You and I, as children of God, are also called ambassadors, forerunners, liaisons. We are to call to those who need be to awakened to the Great News that Jesus has not only come into the world to save them, BUT that He is coming again. Never allow the Truth of this to become dull to your hearing.
Don’t wait for someone else. Be your ‘town crier’.
Because people need Jesus, more than they need Christmas.
30 Tuesday Oct 2012
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inYears ago, I was in a Prayer Gathering in Minnesota. It was in that meeting that in a moment, my eyes were opened to a room of grand proportion.
When the Leader in prayer uttered the words, “orders from headquarters”, it was as if I was swept in a grand ballroom. Only this room was limitless.
It was circular in scope with doors of every imaginable and unimaginable size, shape, color, hardware and even composition. One door would be red, still others, varying shades of blue and yet still – some were ablaze with color that I couldn’t describe in English because I’d never experienced those colors before. Some doors were short, others tall, some wide, others narrow. Some had burnished bronze hardware, while others had shimmering gold features and some were held together by what appeared to be hand hammered wrought iron. And again, the doors were unique and limitless.
By each door, stood a majestic angel. I wasn’t made to know what rank these angels served in, but it was clear, that each angel was standing guard over the entrance of each door. You see, these doors, represented callings. And when, someone would wait for their specific and unique ‘orders’, they would gain access easily and without resistance.
As I looked, I was at the end of a very long line. Up head, Jesus was seated and adorned, as a General. In proper timing, each one stepped up receive their “orders from headquarters”. Heavenly assignments were being given.
Only as I watched, some standing in line, were getting weary, taking their eyes off of Jesus. And instead of waiting on God, some would step ‘out of line’, advancing to a door that was never assigned to them.
One in particular caught in attention as they began to be wooed by a particularly beautiful door, or should I say – assignment. As they approached the door, after knocking and then, beating, then kicking and finally pounding at the door, try as they might – it simply wouldn’t open. And, interestingly enough, contrary to the angelic presence who made the door open wide before those who waited on God, these angels appeared to not even recognize the ones exhausting themselves — trying to make a way — on their own.
As quickly as it started, it concluded, but this experience has stayed with me. It has helped me to understand that callings are still calling. Your assignment is waiting on you. Your calling is still calling you.
And, these orders from headquarters come for one reason only.
Because people need Jesus.
30 Tuesday Oct 2012
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inHave your ever wondered about the Spirit of God? Some call Him the HOLY GHOST. I call Him – friend.
How is it, in churches today, that we are taught so much with regard to our Heavenly Father and of course, in Jesus’ earthly ministry. We are taught practical living tips on how to be a better parent. We are given whole series on how to walk in authority and who we are in Christ and YET — so very little about the Spirit of God – the third person of the Trinity?
The Holy Spirit and His job in yours and my life isn’t mystical or magical or thank God, it is NOT mundane. It’s POWERFUL! I REALLY should say, HE’S POWERFUL!
Oftentimes, because of a lack of understanding or even having been wrongly taught, we shy away from the ministry of the Holy Spirit, AND YET – He lives IN US! He longs to accomplish the impossible THROUGH us – as we simply yield to Him, asking Him to baptize us (being fully immersed) in His Spirit.
Many years ago, (at age 15) I was introduced to an amazing relationship with the Spirit of God, and I have been on an adventure ever since. Praying in the Spirit, by example, is a wondrous inroad to the heart of God — praying out His perfect plan to come to pass — in the earth.
This kind of praying isn’t for the super elite Christian, or the beloved one (like the Apostle John), but for all of His kids! It isn’t relegated to the mature alone, but is available for the hungry. It is a gift. Freely given.
And GET THIS .. Jesus is the Baptizer IN the Spirit and Mary — the mother of Jesus prayed this way. If Mary prayed this way, (after all, she was in the Upper Room), I want to pray this way! Who modeled an intimate life with Jesus more than his mom? Only a few, I’d say.
So .. I invite you to begin to hunger for more of God. Begin to assess where you are at, spiritually speaking .. and, maybe, just maybe – He’s calling you to more.
I leave you with one last thought.
There are currently 5,000+ languages in operation in the earth today. This doesn’t include languages that have passed away nor the languages of the innumerable company of angels. God’s got A LOT of languages to choose from to both speak TO us, and WE to Him! As in any relationship, it is after all, supposed to be a dialogue. Yes?
He desires for each of us to speak in His language – the language of heaven. And, in doing so, we affect change – in the earth.
I don’t know about you, but I want to affect eternal change in the earth and if God gave me His Spirit to help me do that, then I’m linking arms with Him!
EM Bounds said something like this .. “it is far better to speak to God about men, than to merely speak to men about God.” We SHOULD be engaged in the hunt for men’s souls, but we first must commune with God. It is in this order, that we find ourselves knowing Him .. and then, making Him known.
I dare you to do the same.
Because people need Jesus.
26 Wednesday Sep 2012
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inNOW faith is .. WHAT?
If you asked most people, they would respond with – it’s my ‘religious’ belief. It’s the rudder of my life’s decision-making. It’s my core philosophy that causes me to turn one way or another.
However, I challenge you with this. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that FAITH is SUBSTANCE and EVIDENCE. Hmm .. interesting notion.
FAITH is tangible? It’s visible? It’s real? Not, some nebulous, philosophical, ideological thought process that I can’t wrap my hands, much less my head around?
Not only does it say it is SUBSTANCE and EVIDENCE, it says .. NOW faith IS …
Faith that takes action in an unseen God, is the visible reflection of an invisible realm.
There are so many aspects of life and creation that we cannot see, and yet we are firmly convinced that they exist.
We can’t see the electrical current, but our ‘faith’ in electricity causes us to take action upon entering a room, by flipping the switch.
Go ahead, flip the switch of faith in your life TODAY because …
NOW faith WON.
21 Friday Sep 2012
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inIt seems everything comes in it’s own timing.
I’ve had babies. Two, to be exact. However, they aren’t babies any more. Although, if you’re like me, or if your momma was like me, your babies are your babies even when they turn 80.
Babies in their eighties.
Funny thought, eh?
And while I COULD tend to baby my babies until they’re in their 80’s, it wouldn’t be a help to them.
It probably would be problematic.
Firstly, I would be 100+, and well, the tables may have turned by then. But, I digress …
What happens in homes, happens in the church.
When people give their hearts to God .. they are spiritual babies. But, although babies are adorable and really, can do no wrong, when they are infants. As kids grow, to see them ACT like babies is no longer adorable.
Now, it’s deplorable.
Now, we have undisciplined children who are not growing into the adults they were created to be.
As it in in life, so it is in the Spirit. As we come to Christ, we aren’t to remain babies. His desire is for us to be disciplined or discipled, so that we become the fully mature Christ followers He’s called us to be.
But, only when we die to selfish ambitions and pursuits that stroke our proverbial egos, does His Christlike character begin to emerge, up and out of our lives.
For we are not ours, but our lives are hidden in Christ – in God.
So .. are your growing? Do you see changes in your life? Are you where you want to be with God?
If not, there’s great news, TODAY is the first day of a fresh season – for you.
Pick that ripe apple, it’s time has come.
21 Friday Sep 2012
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