Fighting To Believe

We can experience many different types of “battles” as believers. One of the most fundamental is just the most basic choosing to believe. Believing in something as a human sometimes can be a challenge. We have this ability to perceive through our five senses. And then, for the believer, there is this other something we call the Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches us all things.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Not only will the Holy Spirit teach us everything, He will cause us to remember whatever our Messiah has said to us. We need not fear or worry. He can even teach us how to believe.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

If we will cry out to the Father, He will have the Spirit teach us, even to believe.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here as it is in heaven. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Wipe away all thoughts and memories of the evil done to us or by us, and replace them with only thoughts of You and memories of Your goodness. Deliver us from the evil here. Much has been taken or held back from Your people Father. Rise up my King! Rise up and restore these things one hundredfold, and the more besides. Rise up and show us a token for good, show Yourself strong, that all men might know that You alone have done these things. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

What Matters Most

This can be a tough one. In spiritual warfare, what matters most? Some would say prayer. Others might say doing good. Still others the work of the Messiah. And all would be partially correct. Ultimately, it is you – and me. Each of us is the most important part of spiritual warfare in our lives. If we don’t show up, the rest really doesn’t matter for us.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Today, don’t quit!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Heal our hearts and minds, and wipe away all bad thoughts and memories. Deliver us from the evil here. Restore unto Your people one hundredfold all that is good that has been taken or held back in any way, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Changing Times

It seems like there is an ongoing discussion in the church about where we are on God’s time line of biblical events. Many say we are in the end times, that part of the bible where the world as we know it ends. Thinking about who God is as having been always, an eternal being, saying we are near the end seems an unusual way to describe timing. Yet, there is one reference to timing that would make it seem as if we might very well be in those “end times” people talk about. In Daniel chapter seven there is a beast at the end of time that most would call the anti-Christ. Something quite interesting is said about this “beast” in reference to time.

Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

It seems that the beast at the end of time changes the “times and laws” that were familiar to the prophet Daniel. Looking at a different translation makes this even more clear. This is from the New Living Translation.

Daniel 7:25 He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.

It is always important in spiritual warfare, just like in traditional warfare, to know who the enemy is and what they are doing. Meditating on these passages, one can see the importance of keeping the moedim – the appointed times called “feasts” in scripture. And it also seems worthy to note who would encourage us not to keep them.

One thing is certain, our God is King and reigns forever.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done in this earth as it is in heaven. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us. Heal up our hearts and minds. Deliver us from the evil that is here. Restore unto Your people one hundredfold all that has been taken or held back in any way that is good, and the more besides. Move today, O King, my King!. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Full Court Press

In basketball when it is time to get aggressive in play, teams go into full court press where they attack the ball from the time it is thrown into play. As believers it is easy to fall into the trap of only defending our position, and not attacking at every opportunity. There are times when this is a fine strategy. There are other times when we need to challenge every move of the evil around us. I sense we are in a time of being aggressive. It is now time to dislodge the darkness. One way is to resist the enemy.

JAmes 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Today, let’s be aggressive against the work of the enemy.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here as it is in the heavens. Send us now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses, and help us all to forgive those that trespass against us. Deliver us from the evil here. Heal us from the inside out. Restore that which has been taken or held back in any way from Your people, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Even When We Don’t Feel It

So many times in my own walk I have felt either too tired or to inadequate to engage in the warfare that our Father calls us to as believers. When those thoughts come, I try to remember that it is not about feelings. It is not about how rested I am. It is not about how good I am. It is all about our Father, and who He is and what He is doing and saying. All that is required of us is to believe that He is and that He is on our side.

Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Luke 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are on a mission, to spread the kingdom of God.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Bless the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here as it is in Heaven. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed and transgressed against us. Blot out the memories and thoughts of the evil that all have done, that we might be healed from within. Let us now rejoice in Your name with one voice! Restore all the substance and provision that has been taken or held back in any way from Your people, more than we can think or imagine. Show us a sign for good, that all men might know that You alone have done this, and that You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

First The Mind

Something occurred to me this morning that was so simple, I am surprised I missed it before. As someone that has spent a greater part of a lifetime studying patterns, it seems obvious as I think about it now. There is a pattern to both victory and defeat for a believer. And assuming we are only talking about believers, both patterns begin at the same point. Both begin with the mind. What we say begins in the mind and heart.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

It was well known that the heart was what needed turning to our Father, and if turned the person would turn.

Deuteronomy 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,
2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

When Moses was pronouncing the blessing and the curse of the Law (Deuteronomy 28) he also talked about how to get back to the Father in Deuteronomy 30 (above). Moses said if man would return to Him and do what He had commanded (the Law) our Father would circumcise the heart of a man to love Yahuah (Lord) our Elohim (God) with all our heart and soul that we might live (revive, green, substance). In the previous Luke passage, we see how important this is.

Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

In Deuteronomy 30, we see that Moses tells us how we can make the change of heart and mind possible.

Deuteronomy 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Paul quoted this very passage to address how we are made whole (salvation).

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The circumcision of the heart comes from hearing, which comes from speaking. And if we love our Messiah, we do what He says, which Moses said takes faith that begins with speaking. The mind starts the speaking, and follows the speaking. If we will fight to take over the thoughts of the mind, which speaking will help us do because speaking interrupts thinking something different, we can empower the machine of our physical being, empowering it to follow God.

We must fight four our mind, and the weapon is in our mouth.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Praise the name Yahuah! Bless the name Yahuah! You are our King! Let Your will be done in this earth as it is in the heavens. Send us today Your abundant provision, for wholeness. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, utterly covering them and blotting them out as if they never happened. Help us to forgive those that have trespassed or transgressed against us, utterly covering them and blotting them out as if they never happened. Heal our hearts and minds and bodies unto wholeness. Deliver us from evil. Rise up, O King, and deliver Your people now. We need You and love You. We cannot make it without You. This is our cry for help for us and for all believers and family. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Changing My Mind

This morning as I think about all that our Father tries to teach us, I marvel at how easy it is to not assemble all of the pieces into a coherent whole. Said another way, it seems odd that it can take so long for us to “get it.” And we never will get all of it, I don’t believe. Each of us has opportunity to get some part of the revelation that our Father has for all of us. So, here is what I assembled today. We are like these creative machines. We take in raw materials, sort through various inputs, and output “product” into the universe. What remains unseen to most of us is the losing battle that the devil is in trying to regain control of the earth that was given to him by Adam. I say losing battle because our Father has a plan, is executing that plan, and declared the end from the beginning.

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

There is a victory planned that will come to pass. We, by our choices, can be a part of that or just go along for the ride. One of the ways we can be a part of the victory is to participate for the good in the battle. There is a cycle to the creation process. what ends up in our mind ends up in our heart, and what is in our heart ends up in our mind. Eventually, that will come out of our mouth.

Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The things we speak give us the power to do our Father’s work and change the universe. Paul quoted Moses to say that our wholeness comes from this power to speak and declare our future.

Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

What Moses said was that the power to hear and do the Law was in our mouth. Paul has quoted Moses to show that that is a principle that works. Paul goes on in this same letter to say how important the mind is in this creative process.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

And this work of transformation is done by our Messiah, when we let Him. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes how Yeshuah (Jesus) does this work.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

The Messiah cleanse us by the “word” which here in the Greek is the word rhema which means utterance.

What we say matters very much. When we start our “machine” up with what we say, eventually that will be in our hearts and minds, coming back out of our mouths in power, and creating the universe.

Today, let us focus on only saying what the Father is saying, just as our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus) did. We can change our minds.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here in this earth among us as it is in the heavens. Send us now Your overwhelming provision that it overflows to those around us. Forgive us our transgressions and trespasses, and help us all to forgive those that have transgressed or trespassed against us. Cleanse our hearts and minds, wiping away any evil that has lodged itself there. Make it as if those things never existed, and replace them with thoughts and feelings of goodness from You. You alone can do these things Father. We are Yours, and this is Your kingdom. Rise up, O King, and strike at the heart of the enemy. Restore Your blessings upon Your people as Moses declared. Let the blood of Your Son, cover our transgressions, and restore us to the blessings that we might be blessed in all we do, lend and not borrow, be the head and not the tail, be blessed in our fields and the work of our hands. Magnify one hundredfold and return all that has been taken or held back in any way from Your people, restoring the new covenant, which is the Law written on our hearts and minds. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

When In Doubt, Speak Out

When the topic of spiritual warfare comes up, there almost always seems to be interest from believers. While I am uncertain why this is, it is good that we want to be involved, for the most part. I say this because scriptures tend to indicate that there is some type of “spiritual fighting” that we will face.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The word here for wrestle in the Greek means to first throw the opponent, then hold the opponent down with your hand upon their neck. What a great visual! We can become enamored with the power to overcome the enemy of our souls. However, our Messiah warns against this.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

There is much to be said here, including that Satan fell from heaven, a high place. He was not already here. It is important to note, there was the caution at the end that we should not rejoice that the spirits were subject to us as believers, but that we should rejoice that our name is written in heaven. It is also important to note what was their assignment.

Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

This is also affirmed by the Ephesians scripture that we referenced. The only weapon mentioned is a sword.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Often we have heard that the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is the bible. But according to this scripture, that is inaccurate. The Greek word translated here in English as “word” is rhema. It’s meaning is utterance. This utterance for warfare is further defined in the very next scripture.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Therefore if we come up against doubt, we can speak scripture, and we can also pray in the Spirit. Both will bring us to the enlightenment of our Father and His ways.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be here as it is with You in the heavens. Send us today Your overwhelming provision that we might extend it to those around us, thus demonstrating to them that You love them. Forgive us for our transgressions and trespasses, and help us all to forgive those that trespass against us. Wipe away bad memories such that we can never recall them again, cleansing and healing our hearts and minds. Restore seven fold all that has been taken or held back in any way by the wicked one. Let there be abundant provision in the house of Your servants that they lend and do not borrow. Let that begin today. Rise up, O King, and deliver Your people yet today. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Living The Dream

Here in America we are taught, or at least were once taught, sayings like, “Dream Big” or “Live the Dream.” It is good to have a positive attitude toward life and the happenings in it, the scriptures agree.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

There is a qualifier in this scripture. The goal is the perfect will of God. Assuming that we are in agreement that the dreams we have for ourselves and our family are in this vein, there is yet another meaning that we as believers can apply to the idea of “Living the Dream”, and that is the dream itself. Here I reference another scripture, just as Peter did on the day of Pentecost (Shauous).

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

We live in the afterwards, since the crucifixion of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). We should expect to hear of people with dreams and visions. When those dreams and visions come, just as in the days of Daniel, they speak of warning to return to our Father Yahuah (Lord) and of blessing to those that do turn. We only need to cry out with fasting and prayer, and we can expect these dreams and visions to come. And when they come, if we walkl in them by faith, we will stand and see the deliverance and overflowing blessing of our God.

Live the Dreams and Visions!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here with us as it is in the heavens now. Send us now Your overwhelming provision such that it overflows to those around us. Forgive us our trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed and transgressed against us. Help us find the path to unity, and to walk it together. Cleans our hearts and minds. Heal us from the inside out. Help us to resist temptations of this world, and deliver us from all present evil. Restore unto Your people their kingdom authority and power that is Yours alone, and that You have given to us. Restore unto Your people right ways, and the bountiful wealth that is in those ways. Restore all that has been taken or held back from Your people in any way, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of Your Son, our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.

Fighting Tired

Waking up this morning after minimal sleep was a challenge. But it was good. God granted me to see one more sunrise. It took a while to actually get up and get going. But as I did, still feeling the sleepiness in my eyes and the weariness in my bones, I realized I had to fight one more day.

Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Our Father comforts the wearied warrior.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done here. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our trespasses, and please help us all to forgive those that have trespassed against us.. Cleanse and heal our minds. Restore all that has been taken or held back in any way from Your people, and the more besides. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.