The Bible tells us that there's both an order and a law of subjection. All things are subjected to Jesus, and Jesus is subjected to the Father. The verb "subject" is defined as "bringing under control or dominion and being governed by the law of the one in authority."
1 Cor.15:24-28 - "Then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet..... For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. And when all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all."
Because "we do not yet see all things subjected to him" (Heb.2:7-8), our time on earth becomes an opportunity to bring the kingdom of the world (Satan's kingdom) into subjection to the kingdom of God within our sphere of authority. As we ourselves are submitted (to the Lord first; then, husbands to Christ, wives to husbands, children to parents, employees to employers, etc.), we have absolute dominion over the powers of darkness in our home, business, ministry, and all the territory the Lord has given into our hands. It is in this place of being under authority that we are able to proclaim, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!" (Matt.6:10). We are able to confront the powers and principalities within our sphere of authority, enforce the laws of the Kindgom of God, and decree:
Rev.11:15 - "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever."
Rev.12:10 - "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come (to my home, to my family, to my business)!"
Nugget of Gold: We must learn to exercise our God-given authority over the powers of darkness in our homes, our families, our businesses, our ministries, and all territory that the Lord has given into our hands. Ask the Lord to clearly define your boundaries. Know your sphere of authority. Paul said in 2Cor.10:13, "But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you."
You have been given a "measure" of territory to bring into subjection to the rule of the King. Even now, you are being prepared to rule and reign with Jesus in His eternal Kingdom.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Prayer Effectiveness
The Lord is doing a new thing in this season with regard to prayer, especially corporate prayer. I see Him calling together teams of at least 3-4 people for specific prayer assignments and strategies. There is a fresh anointing for these types of God-initiated gatherings, with great authority and power being released in the spiritual realm. In the past, we've been able to identify God's "prayer warriors", and these individuals have carried great weight in the kingdom. However, I believe the Lord is now assembling His nameless and faceless "craftsmen to terrify the demonic horns of the nations" (see Zech.1:18-21).
I recently had a vision in which I saw a car full of people. The driver had started out for a particular destination, but somehow got off course and began wandering around. This carload of people ended up in an open field with two large intersecting runways. Suddenly, huge jet airplanes began taking off and landing right over the top of the car, narrowly missing it. The car scrambled to get out of the way as the jets continued their carefully orchestrated activity.
I believe the Lord was showing me a picture of the prayer activity that He has initiated in this hour. Both cars and airplanes can take us to a particular destination, but the latter is much faster and more powerful. A car is earthbound, while a jet soars in the heavenly places. The type and amount of fuel required is vastly different for both vehicles.
We've all been in prayer meetings where there were many words, but very little power. It's as though these prayers weren't "getting off the ground". This happens when we pray out of our minds and emotions (soul), letting our own experiences and feelings guide our words. However, a person can speak forth the Word, powered by the Holy Spirit, and suddenly the atmosphere changes. All present can sense that God has shot an arrow that has directly hit its mark, revealing His heart, His mind, and His strategy.
Jesus Himself only spoke what He heard the Father speaking. Following the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit, "and with great power were giving witness...." (Acts 4:33). Let us be diligent, therefore, to wait upon the Lord during times of prayer and speak forth what we hear the Father saying!
I recently had a vision in which I saw a car full of people. The driver had started out for a particular destination, but somehow got off course and began wandering around. This carload of people ended up in an open field with two large intersecting runways. Suddenly, huge jet airplanes began taking off and landing right over the top of the car, narrowly missing it. The car scrambled to get out of the way as the jets continued their carefully orchestrated activity.
I believe the Lord was showing me a picture of the prayer activity that He has initiated in this hour. Both cars and airplanes can take us to a particular destination, but the latter is much faster and more powerful. A car is earthbound, while a jet soars in the heavenly places. The type and amount of fuel required is vastly different for both vehicles.
We've all been in prayer meetings where there were many words, but very little power. It's as though these prayers weren't "getting off the ground". This happens when we pray out of our minds and emotions (soul), letting our own experiences and feelings guide our words. However, a person can speak forth the Word, powered by the Holy Spirit, and suddenly the atmosphere changes. All present can sense that God has shot an arrow that has directly hit its mark, revealing His heart, His mind, and His strategy.
Jesus Himself only spoke what He heard the Father speaking. Following the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit, "and with great power were giving witness...." (Acts 4:33). Let us be diligent, therefore, to wait upon the Lord during times of prayer and speak forth what we hear the Father saying!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Worker is Worthy of Support
For the past several weeks, the Lord has spoken very clearly about those who perform works of service in His Kingdom. The following word is especially true for those who work full time in ministry, whether as a prayer leader, intercessor, ministry leader or worker, pastor, etc.
It is a Kingdom principle, both in the Old and the New Testament, that the "laborer is worthy of his wages." Jesus Himself said in Matt.10:7-10, "And as you go, proclaim, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give...Do not acquire gold or silver... or a beggar's bag for your journey... for the worker is worthy of his support."
1 Cor.9:7-14 - "Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? The plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? So also, the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel."
There is a similar Kingdom principle noted in a previous post about the Levitical tithe. The Levites had no inheritance in the promised land. Instead, the Lord was their portion and their inheritance (Numbers 18:20-26). However, in return for their service, the other tribes were instructed to bring their tithe to the Levites in the temple. This was their means of support. Should we expect any less in the body of Christ today?
Many in the church have adopted the attitude that those in spiritual service should expect only a heavenly reward. However, scripture is clear that God highly esteems those who labor among us and that He has made material provision for them. This provision is not to come from the world, but from the body of Christ. May we be quick to give generously, as the Lord leads, and not ever allow His servants to go "begging for bread".
It is a Kingdom principle, both in the Old and the New Testament, that the "laborer is worthy of his wages." Jesus Himself said in Matt.10:7-10, "And as you go, proclaim, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons; freely you received, freely give...Do not acquire gold or silver... or a beggar's bag for your journey... for the worker is worthy of his support."
1 Cor.9:7-14 - "Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? The plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? So also, the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel."
There is a similar Kingdom principle noted in a previous post about the Levitical tithe. The Levites had no inheritance in the promised land. Instead, the Lord was their portion and their inheritance (Numbers 18:20-26). However, in return for their service, the other tribes were instructed to bring their tithe to the Levites in the temple. This was their means of support. Should we expect any less in the body of Christ today?
Many in the church have adopted the attitude that those in spiritual service should expect only a heavenly reward. However, scripture is clear that God highly esteems those who labor among us and that He has made material provision for them. This provision is not to come from the world, but from the body of Christ. May we be quick to give generously, as the Lord leads, and not ever allow His servants to go "begging for bread".
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Great Shaking
I believe the Lord quickened that the prophesies of both Haggai and Zechariah hold keys to what He is doing in the season we have now entered. The word of the Lord came to both prophets in the second year of Darius the king - Haggai in the sixth and ninth months, and Zechariah in the eighth and eleventh months (Zech., chapters 1-6).
The Lord has brought a remnant out of Egypt/Babylon (i.e., the world system). Some of His people have actually been called out of the corporate world, but all of the remnant have allowed the Holy Spirit to do a work of separation in their hearts. This group of believers has heard the Lord's admonition to set their hearts on God's business and put their hands to the work He has mandated for this hour (Haggai 1). The Lord has stretched a measuring line over that which He is building in order to separate the holy from the profane.
Zech.1:16; 2:1&2 - "Therefore, thus says the Lord, I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it....and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem. Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand."
Haggai 2:12,13; Ezek.44:23 - "Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."
Rev.11:1,2 - "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations, and they will tread under foot the holy city...."
When we are in this place of separation, in which the work of our hands is "holy to the Lord", then we will see God "shake the heavens and the earth, overthrow the thrones of kingdoms, and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations." (Hag.2:21,22) This will bring about the transfer of wealth that we've been eagerly anticipating! Notice, though, that the Lord is releasing His hidden treasures and the great wealth held by Satan's kingdom to His temple and to those who dwell in it. Many in the body of Christ remain in the "outer court" and have not allowed the Lord to "stir up their spirit", nor have they put their hands to that which He is building.
Hag.2:7-9 - "And I will shake all the nations, and they will come with the wealth of all nations; and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former...."
Nugget of Gold: The Lord has declared an end to drought in the lives of His children who are living in total obedience to His voice in this day. He is causing a separation to come between those who truly serve Him and those who don't (Mal.3:18). To the former, He is declaring that we are now in a time of Blessing such as we have not seen before. All the seed that has not born fruit in our lives will now come forth abundantly! (Hag.2:19) Wealth will come as His glory is seen upon us. This beautification of His remnant will give the Father the Glory that is due Him.
Oh, what a Planner! Oh, what a plan! Let us be quick to put our hands to the work of the Kingdom and watch as the Lord unveils His mysteries in these last days.
The Lord has brought a remnant out of Egypt/Babylon (i.e., the world system). Some of His people have actually been called out of the corporate world, but all of the remnant have allowed the Holy Spirit to do a work of separation in their hearts. This group of believers has heard the Lord's admonition to set their hearts on God's business and put their hands to the work He has mandated for this hour (Haggai 1). The Lord has stretched a measuring line over that which He is building in order to separate the holy from the profane.
Zech.1:16; 2:1&2 - "Therefore, thus says the Lord, I will return to Jerusalem with compassion; My house will be built in it....and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem. Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand."
Haggai 2:12,13; Ezek.44:23 - "Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."
Rev.11:1,2 - "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations, and they will tread under foot the holy city...."
When we are in this place of separation, in which the work of our hands is "holy to the Lord", then we will see God "shake the heavens and the earth, overthrow the thrones of kingdoms, and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations." (Hag.2:21,22) This will bring about the transfer of wealth that we've been eagerly anticipating! Notice, though, that the Lord is releasing His hidden treasures and the great wealth held by Satan's kingdom to His temple and to those who dwell in it. Many in the body of Christ remain in the "outer court" and have not allowed the Lord to "stir up their spirit", nor have they put their hands to that which He is building.
Hag.2:7-9 - "And I will shake all the nations, and they will come with the wealth of all nations; and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former...."
Nugget of Gold: The Lord has declared an end to drought in the lives of His children who are living in total obedience to His voice in this day. He is causing a separation to come between those who truly serve Him and those who don't (Mal.3:18). To the former, He is declaring that we are now in a time of Blessing such as we have not seen before. All the seed that has not born fruit in our lives will now come forth abundantly! (Hag.2:19) Wealth will come as His glory is seen upon us. This beautification of His remnant will give the Father the Glory that is due Him.
Oh, what a Planner! Oh, what a plan! Let us be quick to put our hands to the work of the Kingdom and watch as the Lord unveils His mysteries in these last days.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Individual Ministry
The goal of ministry to an individual is to effect change in the seeker's life. When scripture is merely read or shared, or when examples are given from one's own life, the result is ministry to the soulish area (mind, will, emotions). However, when the Word of God is delivered as that which is "living, and active, and sharper than a two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12), or as "a hammer that shatters the rock" (Jer.23:29), or as "fire that consumes" (Jer.5:14), then change comes to the spirit of man, with eternal results!
1 Cor.4:20 - "For the Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power."
1 Cor.2:4 - "And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
Rom.15:18,19 - "For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.... in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit....."
Nugget of Gold: It's not our words that effect change, but the Word of God. When a child of God speaks the Word under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, things happen in the realm of the spirit. Evidence of this can be seen in the natural in the form of changed countenances, changed lives, and victorious living. The Lord has promised that in these last days, signs and wonders will also be seen as confirmation of the Word. So, let us speak boldly, with reliance upon the Lord, who will bear witness to the Word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by our hands!
1 Cor.4:20 - "For the Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power."
1 Cor.2:4 - "And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
Rom.15:18,19 - "For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.... in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit....."
Nugget of Gold: It's not our words that effect change, but the Word of God. When a child of God speaks the Word under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, things happen in the realm of the spirit. Evidence of this can be seen in the natural in the form of changed countenances, changed lives, and victorious living. The Lord has promised that in these last days, signs and wonders will also be seen as confirmation of the Word. So, let us speak boldly, with reliance upon the Lord, who will bear witness to the Word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by our hands!
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