"The glory of the LORD
shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth
of the LORD has spoken."
Isaiah 40:5
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When you and I turned our calendar page from June to July, something more than the passing of one month to another took place. I have never been more joy-full!
Do you remember when King David brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom into Jerusalem? They were singing, dancing, and rejoicing in the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet—offering blood sacrifices every six paces.
David’s wife scolded him for his free and unrestrained praise, trying to shame him for making a spectacle of himself. What was the King’s response?
“And I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight…”
2 Samuel 6:22
Why was David’s joy so uninhibited?
Because the Ark of God contained the Presence of the Most High God!
While the Ark was at the house of Obed-Edom, he and all his house were blessed.
David and all the house of Israel were rejoicing because the Most High and The Blessing would now be with them and upon them. 2 Samuel 6:18.
The Presence of God Resides In and Upon His Church
The Old Testament is of great value to us, giving us examples that were written for our admonition. See 1 Corinthians 10:11 As God was with the patriarchs of faith, so God is with us.
His Presence shall be known and seen upon us in a mighty way as we get closer to the return of Jesus Christ.
King David was experiencing the great blessing of God, His tangible Presence in the Ark of God! But David would have given his all to actually become the place where God would dwell, the temple of His Holy Spirit.
That’s you, that’s me…a new creation in Christ Jesus!
We don’t have to offer animal sacrifices every six steps we take. Jesus shed His precious blood once for all…forever and ever. God has written His laws on our circumcised hearts and has become one with man through the new birth.
These are the “better things” that were provided for us…the promise the First Covenant Saints did not receive while they were here. Read Hebrews 11:39-40. We have a glorious heritage of faith, a grand cloud of witnesses that scripture says we are surrounded by. Hebrews 12:1
THE BLESSING—NOT THE CURSE
What is the blessing?
The blessing is part of God’s original plan when He made man/woman.
The curse came to steal it.
Jesus Christ came to get it back and to put it in man...through Him.
What is the main objective of The Blessing?
The Blessing is God’s authority upon His people to accomplish His will.
Read Genesis 1:26-28 and Galatians 3:13-14.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND--Mark 1:15
This is our time to rise and shine, not to whine about what our government is doing.
“His Kingdom rules overall.” Psalm 103:19
Remember who you are.
Remember your training and remember that The Creator of all is with us to prosper us and not with those who are wicked. Let’s boldly declare what King David said, “I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight….”
God is our strength! We are joint heirs with Jesus. Romans 8:17
Let’s be more fervent for the gospel, more bold, and more courageous still!
GOD’S DESIRE…OUR DESIRE
But guess who our prayer assignment is for? The wicked! 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
It is vital that we do not look and dwell on things we see, for they are subject to change.
God can change your State in one day!
Prayer is needed for those government leaders who oppose The Church… “they know not what they do.”
Guard Your Heart—and Your Tongue
Criticism will not encourage your faith to do the mighty works but will eat at it just like rust corrodes metal. Faith is a spiritual force coming forth from your heart.
Faith requires us to love those who are ignorant of spiritual laws.
Jesus said when you stand praying…forgive.
Maybe our leaders would be making better choices if we, The Church, would stop being so bitter and hateful toward them. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Forgiveness is not an option but a command from the Head of The Church.
Moving Mountains? Mark 11:22-26
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Unforgiveness, bitterness, and holding onto offenses inhibit our capacity to receive more of the glory.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper
God’s Presence is with us to help us release fear and bitterness toward others.
God wants our hearts full of love so that faith can be more effective. Clean out the heart, watch your thoughts and words, and bless your enemies.
Your actions affect the Body of Christ, either for good or for bad.
God looks on the heart.
“… if My people who are called by My name
- will humble themselves,
- and pray and seek My face,
- and turn from their wicked ways,
- then I will hear from heaven,
- and will forgive their sin
- and heal their land.
“Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” 2 Chronicles 7:14-16
The Presence of God has criteria or protocol for us to follow.
It was so in the time of King David. When Uzziah touched the Ark of God, he died immediately.
After the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter had a Holy Ghost meeting. When a certain husband and wife conspired to deceive and lie to Peter, both fell down and breathed their last.
Why? They lied not to men but to God. Read Acts 5:1-11.
JULY 2015—Times are A-Changin'
This prayer ministry began with scripture—Isaiah 40:3-11.
We, along with a multitude of other prayer groups, have been called to lay a foundation for the glory of God to be manifested. Just imagine all the people that have had this same assignment to pray for the glory in all the years before us.
When our Father was distraught with the children of Israel, He looked forward thousands of years as He revealed the future to Moses.
“Then the LORD said: ‘I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD ….’”
Numbers 14:20-21
THE GLORY OF GOD—Our Assignment Now
“The glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5
Scripture was written…so that it might be spoken.
Memorize this scripture.
Pray it! Write it on a card. Say it throughout your day.
Open your window and declare it to your city!
THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER!
Wow!
Only God knows what the fullness of His glory will look like.
But one example can be found in the following prophecy from Jesus. The final impact of His word is to a generation to come: The Church of the End Days!
That’s now and that’s us!
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
“‘But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, “Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?” He said to them, “An enemy has done this.” The servants said to him, “Do you want us then to go and gather them up?” But he said, “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” ’ ” Read Matthew 13:24-43 which includes the Lord's explanation.
SEPARATION—Good for the Church—See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.
Did you know that one definition of judgment is separation?
This is a work of the Holy Spirit: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…” John 16:8
Separation for Preparation
The Church is on target to harvest the earth and to meet her Savior in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Another definition of judgment has to do with the “Day of the Lord” (Joel, Chapter Two)
or a period of divine judgments brought about by the increase of rebellion to God.
See Vines Dictionary: “Judgment.”
Praying Saints, don’t be fearful about recent changes in our laws and what the wicked desire to do. It’s only temporary. If Jesus came to get us right now, those laws would only be in effect for seven years.
What God speaks lasts forever!
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh…Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.” See Matthew 19:4-6 and Genesis 2:24.
Marriage did not originate by human law. It was ordained by God, our Creator.
Those taking a stand for righteousness and those taking a stand for sin widen the gap between us and draws a very definite line in the sand about what one believes.
We can see this also in the parable of the tares and wheat.
Consider God’s Timing
God withdrew the children of Abraham from slavery in Egypt to send them into the Promised Land where The Blessing would come upon them. But the time for Egypt’s judgment had come upon them. Have no fear Saints!
The word of the LORD for you today is this:
“The Blessing is in your house!”
Declare this often.
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