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This year marks fifteen years since the terror attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. In Scripture, the number fifteen represents rest, which is made possible by deliverance, which is what the number fourteen represents. The Feast of Unleavened Bread occurs on the 15th day of Nisan in the first month on the Hebrew calendar. It was to be observed as a day of rest. The 15th day of the 7th month on the Hebrew calendar begins the Feast of Tabernacles, also a day of rest. God appeared to Abraham on the 15th day of Nisan and told him that his descendants would be slaves in a foreign land (Egypt). Years later, God delivered all the firstborn of the Israelites from the death angel just as Passover began after sunset on the 14th day of Nisan. Twenty-four hours later on the 15th of Nisan, the Israelites began to come out of Egypt (see Exodus 12:40-41).
Walk steadfast over stones of time. Uproot and plant the fields. Stand firmly in this present place. The prophets now reveal. The depths of understanding run. Beneath the tide of hours. With holy vision the seers see. And broadcast from watchtowers. The poet's words like tapestry. Expresses truth and pain. The sound we hear from pens and swords. Uncovers hope again. Listen. Look. Live.
When we receive God's salvation through Jesus Christ, our reality is then forever changed. "Jesus said to him: 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life...'" (John 14:6). Then and forever, we as believers enter a new realm of authority. "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty'" (Rev.1:8). Although the way God's presence and power are experienced differs during distinct seasons in various settings, our priorities and processes of life are eternally impacted: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Rev. 22:13). And for those fully responding to become truly positioned to move with God as He moves, life becomes more and more exclusively about the Lord: "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Php. 1:21).
I remember walking down the well-worn sidewalks of Sunset Strip in Hollywood, California back in the mid 90's and thinking about all the rich history of such a beloved and controversial city. For some, it's the thrill of the flash and the rush of stardom that draws them to go to any length to relocate to the place people call the "City of Dreams." For others, it's the place where only demons reside and judgment looms. But for God, it's the place where people live and His inheritance awaits. It's the place where The Creator of the Universe creates and messages of hope come flooding through the movie screen and into the hearts of humanity; causing them to awaken to a new reality they've never known before.
Are you currently waiting on the Lord? Maybe you're waiting for a job, a spouse or a wayward child to return home. Maybe you're waiting for wisdom for next steps or how to handle a hard situation. Waiting is hard because there is so little we have to wait on these days. We can microwave a meal in three minutes. We can journey across the globe in one day.
This summer, as has been true for the past few summers, racism has made headline news. Deep divisions have been put in the spotlight, and it can sometimes feel as if that spotlight has served to dig them even deeper. But we can't confront racial strife if we don't acknowledge that it exists. The challenge is that racism does not just have a deep root, but has many deep roots in our lives, communities, and country. Like much of our nation, I've been doing substantial soul-searching to seek understanding about my own actions, beliefs, and behaviors, as well as the systemic patterns that write collective actions, beliefs, and behaviors in quite
What is "Holy Spirit religion?" How would an authentic anointing be recognized? How would we know that the Dove and not the pigeon has come down on the preacher? It is not always so clear — at least at first. What then would true religion look like? How would one recognize pigeon religion versus Dove religion? Here are the six cardinal issues for which we must be prepared to go to the stake:
People, organizations, corporations and nations that are great are that way for a reason. They have connected the dots to the reason for their existence. Organizations or people that exist merely for themselves aren't worth leading. Idolatry of self is the biggest "miss" in our age. We all long for purpose – a reason to invest our lives in something bigger than ourselves. The good news is that we each carry a story that God has written in our hearts…it's a storybook! Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16 NIV We each have a book with the story of our future in it! Want to read it? Absolutely! Everyone does. So how do I practically go about finding my story?
In a recent encounter I saw someone who had not experienced "a song of joy" in a long time. I karate chopped them in the back to help deliver them from this oppression then started playing joyful songs. Joy is heavenly substance, energy and strength to us. Joy is not something that can be obtained apart from the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 "…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." People can be happy about things, stuff and events, but joy is from God's world. When we pursue the Lord, desiring Him above all things He gives us songs of joy. The psalmist David knew this realm of joy that was accessible through a life of worship and praise to God.
As I was searching through some older notes of mine, I came across this word that the Lord had spoken to me in 2009 about the First Nations People. I don't believe I ever released it publicly, but as I read through it I felt the strong prompting of the Holy Spirit that now is the time to release it to more than the few I had shared it with at the time. In a vision, the Lord showed me a leather moccasin. As I looked upon this moccasin, I heard the Lord say, "Restoration is coming to the First Nations People. Restoration of peace, and the loosing of the bondage they have been held in. I am restoring them to a place of purity and respect. The wind of My Spirit is about to sweep through the tribal lands and through the households of those who are among the heritage of the First Nations People. A new day, a new joy, a new liberty, the liberty of My Spirit and their true heritage in Me."
