Fighting While We Have Breath

Someone recently asked me how long they should wait for God to make something happen. My first response is always, “As long as it takes.” Recently I have been in a couple battles to get certain things changed in my life. One of those victories came today at work. But it made me revisit the question.

Psalms 150:1Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

I have been trained since growing up that only “good people” get anything from God. Not so, I suggest. I do not see in this psalm that it is restricted to “good people” and why would “good people” need help? Also, we know from scripture that Paul and Elijah had struggles as well.

Acts 14:7 And there they preached the gospel.
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Let us therefore cry out to Yahuah (Lord) and fight while we have breath.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. We praise the name Yahuah. We ask Father that You send now Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our sins for we are weak humans. Heal us and deliver us from the evil that would steal from us what You alone have provided. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Day Of Visitation

When Yeshua (Jesus) approached Jerusalem just before His crucifixion, He looked at her and wept.

Luke 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Visitation here is the same word that is translated elsewhere oversight or overseer. He was saying that because of the lack holding fast to the commandments of God versus the traditions of men (in the next verse He throws the money changers out of the temple) they were unable to see He was their Messiah, their Prince of Peace. He was there to deliver them, but they could not see it.

Peter also speaks of God doing great works and our role in that.

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

There is a mistranslation here. In verse 12, “they may by your good works” should be “they may by good works” because the word “your” is not there. What Peter is really saying is that if we keep the commandments of God (all the things we should abstain from that he mentioned) that they will glorify God for the good works He does in our lives in the day that He shows up as our Delivering Leader. This is spiritual warfare at a very basic level. It is like hand-to-hand combat with our own flesh, and God says we can win and be victorious!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy, You alone are King. We praise and exalt the name Yahuah (Lord). Send us today Your overwhelming blessing. Forgive us for our sins. Let Your strong hand deliver us from bondage and poverty. Help us to resist temptation. Show Yourself strong in our lives that all men may glorify You, that all men might praise the name Yahuah (Lord)! In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Fight Within

As believers we are frequently presented with the cares of this life to dwell on in our thought life. Most of the time we think about actions before we take them. Since our actions then seem to originate in our thoughts, it becomes important to guard our thought life. In fact, this is one place where our enemy will try to attack us regularly. The scriptures give us wisdom in what to do in these situations.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We can address these things by giving them the litmus test with the scripture. If we are angry with someone, or wish we had what someone else has, or are not content, or in lust, or thinking of deceiving someone – all of these fail the litmus test of this scripture. A good question is how to apply this scripture. Here is an answer to try. Make up some 3×5 cards with an example of each of these good things listed, and keep them with you always. When the temptations come, pull out the cards and go through them, one at a time. Keep doing it as long as there is temptation. Eventually you will win, because our Father (Yahuah (Lord) always comes when we turn to Him.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High King. We praise and thank the name of Yahuah. You alone are worthy of our praise. We ask that You send Your overwhelming abundant blessing in the form of overflowing provision today. Forgive us our sins, and help us to overcome them. Heal us from the inside. Deliver us from temptations here. Deliver us from the evil that would take from us what You have provided. You have given us the power to get wealth that we might establish Your kingdom. You have given us great provision when You set us free. Please renew that freedom and set us physically free as well from the bondage we suffer here. Deliver us with a mighty hand that all men may know that You alone are God, Yahuah (Lord) of Hosts. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

God Does Not Turn His Back

Today was a most interesting day. It began by thinking of the many battles we are in and it continues in that same direction. In particular I was thinking of the coming Passover. The greatest battle ever fought and won had for weapons only words and the will of One Man – Yeshua (Jesus). I will likely expound on this more in a few days, but I want to draw particular attention to something I have heard wrongfully spoken from the pulpit on many occasions. It is the idea that God turned His back on Yeshua (Jesus) His Son. Nothing could be further from the truth. This comes from the phrase that came from His lips on the cross.

Matthew 27:46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

But what the casual reader may not know is the origin of this scripture. It is the first verse of Psalms 22. It is a Psalm – a song. Yeshua (Jesus) knew the power in praise, and He was demonstrating it for us to the vary last. He was SINGING! He only had enough strength to get out the first line, but it was enough to save us all. Here is the rest of the song in its entirety.

Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.
10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.
11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations.
29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. We praise and thank the name of Yahuah! You alone are worthy to be praised, and we love You. Send us Your overwhelming provision, especially for those that are far from us. Forgive us our sins. Heal us up Yahuah (Lord). We are cast down inside. Deliver us from those that would steal from us. We need You now. in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Trust In God

Sometimes I hear about people facing challenges and they call out to their friends for help. It is good for us to help each other. Scriptures encourage us to do just that.

Galatians 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

But even more important is to call out to our Father, Yahuah (Lord) for His deliverance. He is our Deliverer and will help in time of need. This is what David always did, and He praised Yahuah for His help.

Psalms 20:1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.

David knew to put His trust in God.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. We give thanks and praise to Your name, Yahuah (Lord), Maker of heaven and earth. Send us overwhelming provision today. Forgive us our sins. Heal us and deliver us. Protect us from evil that would try to harm us. Let us not be dismayed but trust in You. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Overcoming Fears Of Inadequacy

A friend of mine and I were speaking today. We were discussing the challenge that believers can face in wanting to serve God. It has always been common for me to pursue God and hope that I have a good enough day that God will still like me and want to be on my side. This thinking is a carry over from childhood for me where my earthly father was always critical of my performance and I was always trying to please him. While it may be an approach that many hold to I now realize that this is actually a lie. Nothing in our relationship with God begins with us. He is the one that called us. He is the One that will finish the work in us. It is because of Him that we are made whole and righteous. In this earth we will never be perfect. That said, yes, we are to strive to follow Him completely. But it is God who battles for us and gets us to the end.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Our God is faithful He will defeat our enemies when we call out to Him as David did.

2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.

What God wants from us is simple – us. He wants our hearts and our lives. He wants to be our God and for us to be His people.

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

It is the Law in our hearts that is the new covenant. And our God, Yahuah (Lord), will fight for us to defend His Law in our hearts because He loves us.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our God. We praise Your name, Yahuah (Lord). Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us when we sin against you. Heal up our hearts that we may know deep inside that it is about You and not about us. Deliver us from those that would steal from us what You have given to us. Destroy their works, and bless all the works of the hands of your people. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Learning From The Battles

We are called to spiritual warfare with our enemy. This can be seen in many of the scriptures from Paul and others.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
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.

We see here that Paul says to put on the whole armor of God, which he describes in detail in the chapter. We are also to wrestle with, or fight, the enemies. It can be a scary thing to consider fighting an invisible foe. The good news is we also see that we are doing this is God’s power, not our own. God is with us.

These things are important to consider when thinking about why we have these battles. Certainly it is not because our Father Yahuah (Lord) needs our help fighting darkness. He created them as He did everything, and He could make them nothing at any time. He has us battle to learn to trust in Him, to gain understanding in who we are in this world, and to learn to know good triumphs over evil. We are in a classroom that teaches belief and trust. And we have the most perfect loving Father to watch over us to ensure our safety and success.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the One True King. We love and appreciate You. Thank You so much for Your kingdom and Your watching over us. We praise Your name Yahuah (Lord). Give us now Your abundant provision. Forgive our transgressions, for we are human. We need Your help to do the right things. We need to know Your ways just as Moses knew Your ways. Heal us. Deliver us from the darkness and the evil that would take from us what You alone have given to us. Let men see that You alone are Elohim (God). In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Worship As Warfare

There are many types of spiritual warfare, and many reasons for deliberately entering into the battle. We may not always be consciously involved in the battle, but we are the subject of it. Our enemy is relentless in trying to harm us and our loved ones. We can be equally relentless in pushing back. We do it by calling on the name of Yahuah (Lord) just as David did. The result is the whole earth trembles at His judgements as He sets things right.

Psalms 99:1 The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
4 The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8 Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.

It is not that God will not address our sin. He has, He does, and He will. But when we humble ourselves in the earth, His footstool, and call upon Him praising the name Yahuah (Lord), He delivers us. Praise the name of Yahuah (Lord)!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy of our praise. You are King. We praise the name Yahuah (Lord)! Send us Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us for our sin and separate it from us. Heal us and deliver us. Show Yourself strong on our behalf. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Fighting Through

There are times when we have advance notice from God about what is going to happen. More often that not this is true. It is also true that we frequently will miss these advance notices. What do they look like?

Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

Once our God Yahuah (lord) shows us something, we need to take the appropriate steps to find out what we need to do next. We do that through prayer by seeking wisdom.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Today if you have been given advance notice, cry out to God for the wisdom of understanding and He will give it to you.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy to be praised. We praise the name of Yahuah (Lord). We exalt You and Your kingdom. Send us Your overwhelming abundant provision now. Forgive us our transgressions. Guide us in Your ways. Heal us and deliver us. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

Taking Up The Battle Call

When we become believers we are called. One of the actions that we are called to is the call to battle. We all are under the attack of our enemy.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Even though there is this invisible power that is out to kill us and steal from us, we do not have to just lie down and let it roll over us. On the contrary, we are equipped to fight back.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
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.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

In this we see that we are called and equipped to fight against the enemy. Our power is in our God, Yahuah (Lord). We can trust in Him to fight with us as we put on the whole armor of God. Don’t let the evil one run over you today. Fight back! Praise the name of Yahuah (Lord) our God, and He will rise up and destroy the enemy.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are worthy to be praised. You stood from before time began, and You created this place. We exalt Your name, Yahuah (Lord). We need Your kingdom. Send us Your abundant provision today. Forgive us our sin. Help us to return to Your ways. Help us to find Your will for our lives, and to do it. Heal us from within. Deliver us from the evil that would steal and destroy in our lives. Grind to powder our enemies. Restore unto us the position You have for us. Deliver our land from the thieves that would steal it. Show us a sign for good. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.