Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Instead He Suffered (pt.2)
Yes, this is "just" scripture. I cannot tell you how earnestly I desire for you to read these words and soak them up. I pray the Spirit of wisdom and revelation would rest on you and the God of peace would comfort you. The Word brings life-I earnestly contend that you would live.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrews 2:14-15, 17-18
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Revelation 2:25-26
But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My words until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
Revelation 3:8, 10, 12
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem...and I will write on him My new name.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrews 2:14-15, 17-18
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Revelation 2:25-26
But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My words until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
Revelation 3:8, 10, 12
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem...and I will write on him My new name.
Instead He Suffered (pt.1)
Jesus became a man. Wrapped Himself in flesh. Infinite Divine. Limited to breath.
That brings comfort right now. Jesus became a man. He was tempted. He suffered. He shared in our humanity so that He could destroy death. And this is where my security lies - in the hands of a God who willingly humbled Himself -wrapped Himself in skin- foregoing His garments of glory and became one of us. He suffered when He so easily could've let it all go and clothe Himself in the glory that is due His Name.
Instead He suffered.
He shared in our humanity -every part of it. He suffered when He was tempted. He experienced physical pain and heartache. His whole crew -best men- deserted Him. And then the unspeakable happened -complete separation from the Father. Not just a physical separation, no, complete darkness.
Complete agony.
Right now there is so much comfort in that.
There's so much pain and suffering. There is so much striving.
Self-inflicted wounds birthed by sin, rebellion, doubt, insecurities and fears.
Wounds bestowed by relationships, empty words and neglected promises.
Oh, how Jesus is able to sympathize.
There is so much death. Our culture celebrates death. We celebrate darkness. We celebrate separation and rebellion of God.
And so death consumes us.
It is everywhere -universities, media, pop culture- everywhere we are instructed to live to make a name for ourselves...and this is not life.
To die is gain.
Oh, that my flesh would sink to the grave.
There is so much death disguised as life. If only our eyes could see. And death is constantly trying to overtake us (but it cannot win, it's defeat has already been secured by the Blood of Jesus).
Death. Pain. Sorrow. Affliction.
My heart cries to be clothed with my heavenly garments and home with Jesus.
Darkness creeps closer and closer. But Beloved, it shall not overtake you.
BELOVED-it SHALL NOT overcome you!
Amen. And even so - come, Lord Jesus, come.
Maranatha.
That brings comfort right now. Jesus became a man. He was tempted. He suffered. He shared in our humanity so that He could destroy death. And this is where my security lies - in the hands of a God who willingly humbled Himself -wrapped Himself in skin- foregoing His garments of glory and became one of us. He suffered when He so easily could've let it all go and clothe Himself in the glory that is due His Name.
Instead He suffered.
He shared in our humanity -every part of it. He suffered when He was tempted. He experienced physical pain and heartache. His whole crew -best men- deserted Him. And then the unspeakable happened -complete separation from the Father. Not just a physical separation, no, complete darkness.
Complete agony.
Right now there is so much comfort in that.
There's so much pain and suffering. There is so much striving.
Self-inflicted wounds birthed by sin, rebellion, doubt, insecurities and fears.
Wounds bestowed by relationships, empty words and neglected promises.
Oh, how Jesus is able to sympathize.
There is so much death. Our culture celebrates death. We celebrate darkness. We celebrate separation and rebellion of God.
And so death consumes us.
It is everywhere -universities, media, pop culture- everywhere we are instructed to live to make a name for ourselves...and this is not life.
To die is gain.
Oh, that my flesh would sink to the grave.
There is so much death disguised as life. If only our eyes could see. And death is constantly trying to overtake us (but it cannot win, it's defeat has already been secured by the Blood of Jesus).
Death. Pain. Sorrow. Affliction.
My heart cries to be clothed with my heavenly garments and home with Jesus.
Darkness creeps closer and closer. But Beloved, it shall not overtake you.
BELOVED-it SHALL NOT overcome you!
Amen. And even so - come, Lord Jesus, come.
Maranatha.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dare to Die?
I was sitting down, playing my guitar, singing to Jesus, and all of a sudden words and lyrics just started pouring out of my heart and mouth.
I was singing a phrase that I had just wrote,
"I still believe the rains are coming. I still believe the new song is rising. Voices are raising loud and clear, crying out, 'the Lord is near. Marantha.'"
And as I was singing this I was thinking about the forerunners that the Lord is rising up in the spirit of John the Baptist and in the spirit of Elijah. He is raising up end-time forerunners that will cry out with all that they are that Jesus is coming to return. They will be voices in the wilderness crying, "prepare the way for the risen Lord!"
I began to think about the price that these forerunners will pay. There is a cost. And the cost is great. The cost is death to the flesh, total abandonment for Jesus. But these forerunners that the Lord is raising up understand the cost and they see the effects it will have on them, and yet they run! And yet they cry out and they beg for boldness and truth at the feet of God. They beg to be equipped and they beg to be set apart. They see the cost and they joyfully beg for the mercy to abandon all for the sake of Jesus Christ.
As I was thinking all of this over and singing my verse I started crying out, "This is no sacrifice. This is no sacrifice. I am giving You death, You're giving me life, how is this a sacrifice?"
And then the two verses just merged into a beautiful prophetic word:
"This is no sacrifice (new rains are coming). This is no sacrifice (voices rising). I'm giving You death, You're giving me life, how is this a sacrifice (they cry out)." And over and over again I sang this, and I did not want to stop.
Do you see what the Lord is doing? He is doing a new thing!!! He is doing a new thing. And He is raising up men and women who will see the cost but will not stop. They will see beyond the cost and they will see reality. God is raising up men and women who will dare to relentlessly pursue His heart and His vision and His dreams. He is releasing a new thing on this earth.
And my heart is stirred within me by a new anthem. And I know that I am not alone in this vision...and to know that is so beautiful. There is a new thing rising up.
Oh Beloved, the King is enthralled by your beauty.
I was singing a phrase that I had just wrote,
"I still believe the rains are coming. I still believe the new song is rising. Voices are raising loud and clear, crying out, 'the Lord is near. Marantha.'"
And as I was singing this I was thinking about the forerunners that the Lord is rising up in the spirit of John the Baptist and in the spirit of Elijah. He is raising up end-time forerunners that will cry out with all that they are that Jesus is coming to return. They will be voices in the wilderness crying, "prepare the way for the risen Lord!"
I began to think about the price that these forerunners will pay. There is a cost. And the cost is great. The cost is death to the flesh, total abandonment for Jesus. But these forerunners that the Lord is raising up understand the cost and they see the effects it will have on them, and yet they run! And yet they cry out and they beg for boldness and truth at the feet of God. They beg to be equipped and they beg to be set apart. They see the cost and they joyfully beg for the mercy to abandon all for the sake of Jesus Christ.
As I was thinking all of this over and singing my verse I started crying out, "This is no sacrifice. This is no sacrifice. I am giving You death, You're giving me life, how is this a sacrifice?"
And then the two verses just merged into a beautiful prophetic word:
"This is no sacrifice (new rains are coming). This is no sacrifice (voices rising). I'm giving You death, You're giving me life, how is this a sacrifice (they cry out)." And over and over again I sang this, and I did not want to stop.
Do you see what the Lord is doing? He is doing a new thing!!! He is doing a new thing. And He is raising up men and women who will see the cost but will not stop. They will see beyond the cost and they will see reality. God is raising up men and women who will dare to relentlessly pursue His heart and His vision and His dreams. He is releasing a new thing on this earth.
And my heart is stirred within me by a new anthem. And I know that I am not alone in this vision...and to know that is so beautiful. There is a new thing rising up.
Oh Beloved, the King is enthralled by your beauty.
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