Winning battles through rest

There are so many lessons to be learned from the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, but one of the most important ones that Holy Spirit has been speaking to me is about the battle- that it is his and not ours.  We all want to see supernatural deliverance like the red sea swallowing up our enemies, but rarely put ourselves in the position to where we have to trust God for the miracle or we will be destroyed.  The kind of confidence that puts you in front of the red sea with your enemies behind you comes out of a deep and abiding trust that many think is absolutely nuts.  

The fame of what God did at the red sea went ahead of  the people of God so that all of their enemies were quaking in their boots. When you let God fight your battles it is the gift that keeps on giving.  You are able to rest and he is glorified and the next enemy in line has already given up.  The enemies would have all given up without a fight and let the Israelites pass- remember Rahab at Jericho who confessed as much.  When we survey the enemy and determine our chances in the battles ourselves, we align ourselves with the 10 spies instead of Joshua and Caleb and the 40 day journey turns into 40 years giving our enemy more time to gain confidence and us more time to forget what God has done.  God called the Israelites ( minus Caleb and Joshua) an evil and unbelieving generation for not believing that they could enter into the promised  land  ( rest).  They couldn't get past trusting in their own ability to displace the enemy  to take posession of the land and God called that Evil and unbelief.  

Remember this is the generation that saw many miracles of supernatural provision, including Manna, quail, water from the rock, shoes and clothes that lasted for 40 years etc.-  Supernatural occurrences were not the evidence of faith, Rest is the evidence of faith. God wants us to trust him in the battle, the more seemingly overwhelming the odds, the more glory he receives.   Think about all the examples in scripture where God is jealous to do battle for his people:

*Jericho,  the Israelites marched in a circle and worshipped and God crumbled the walls

* God sent an angel who killed 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night who had laid a seige on Jerusalem

*More than once we see the example of mass confusion and the enemy ends up fighting amongst themselves because the Lord puts a spirit of confusion on them and they are confounded.

* Remember the severe punishment David received for numbering his soldiers and trusting in those numbers instead of the Lord

* Remember Samuel's rebuke of Saul who did not honor God by performing the sacrifice before battle

The principle is true spiritually for the church age as well.  Jesus has already defeated every enemy in every battle and there is nothing we can do to make the victory more complete, nothing we can add to his sacrifice. It really comes down to trust, believing that what he did was enough for everything we will ever have to face.

Do you see this woman?

"Do you see this woman ?"   Is the question Jesus asked Simon the pharisee who had invited him over for dinner.  This was a loaded question as are all questions that Jesus asks.  He is asking the pharisee in all of us if we really see and understand this woman he is highlighting as an example of what he is looking for in a woman, in his church, in his bride.  When Jesus told his disciples I am going away to prepare a place for you, he was referring to the Jewish custom of a groom going to prepare the addition to the home for his betrothed bride.  That is why he says in my fathers house are many mansions and that he will go prepare a place for you and come back for you.- He wants a Spiritual bride made of many members.

  Jesus speaking to Simon who is glad to have Jesus around (at arms length) can of course see the woman, he and many of his guests see her/judge her  by her past actions and her social status, but not her current heart condition before Jesus.  He and all the rest of the self-righteous are offended and embarrassed by her presence, boldness, and abandonment before Jesus.  Maybe they forgot about the book of Hosea and God's heart and commitment to his unfaithful bride.  In any event Jesus brings home the point to Simon and to us all,  when we invite him into our home, our heart, do we keep him at arm's length?  Or do we rush past the Simon's to the feet of Jesus, blocking out every distraction?  Do we honor him with our actions, time, our treasure and emotions irregardless of what the crowd thinks of us?  Is our passion and intimacy with him developed to the point that we look ridiculous to the establishment?  - What do you think when you see a man laughing uncontrollably in church or a woman in heaving tears, or a child dancing in abandonment?  Are you embarrassed and judgemental or do you see them like Jesus sees them fighting through the crowd to pour ointment all over his feet, greatful for what he has done in their life.  

Luke 11

 ^36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."

 ⁴⁰Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

   "Oh? Tell me."

 ^41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"

 ^43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

   "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

 ⁴⁸Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."

 ⁴⁹That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"

 ⁵⁰He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Already in heaven, but still on earth.

The picture of the tabernacle is rich with revelation of who we are in Christ.  It consisted of 3 sections:  the outer court, the holy place and the holy of holies. No one entered the holy of  holies except the high priest who did only once a year to make an offering for the sin of the people.  Most of us know and understand that Christ is our high priest who tore down the veil between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies so that we have access to him and the holy place once and for all through his blood.  
The life that we are called to live is as a citizen of heaven and heaven's ambassador on this earth at the same time. ( rooms 2 and 3)  We have been given a lamp, the light and life of Christ to navigate between the two realms. The light of heaven/shekinah glory that was the only source of light in the holy of holies now illuminates the other rooms since the veil has been ripped away.  At all times we have unbroken access to the spiritual realm.  Our union with Christ in those realms which are in Christ (eph. 2:6)  are not based on our feelings or emotions or how well we understand the scriptures or some deep mystery, but because and only because of Christ's blood.  We are in mystical union with him right now here on this earth and forever.  We were joined to him in his death and resurrection in a very real, tangible spiritual way.(Rom 6)  While we are here on this earth we are called to reflect the light of the Holy of Holies into the middle room and even the outer court.
The shekinah glory of God that shone in the holy of holies, shines on us and through us, we are still lampstands or vessels of that oil shining in the middle room.  The lampstand in the middle room shone upon the table of shewbread symbolic of the fact the church ( who is the lampstand) is to always to point to the bread of life, Jesus Christ.

Year of oneness

I Recently went to a conference in Pasadena and heard a comprehensive prophetic message from several well known leaders.  One of the threads the H.S. is speaking about  is transition to Oneness in 2011.  A couple things really stood out to me in the life of King David that I feel are worth sharing. 

David was anointed and called to be king over Israel many years before he actually took posession of the throne.  (  There are promises we have been given years ago that have not yet come to pass). The enemy continuously challenged the call from within and without. On his journey to the throne after the bear and Lion ( small victories) when David was ready to challenge Goliath, even his own brothers rejected him and challenged his heart and motives.  The enemy was trying to eliminate the support structure David would need during his reign early on.  Through a Spirit of hurt and rejection the strategy was to fragment, separate and scatter people, relationships, support structure.  David may have had a right to alienate or even punish his brothers as king, but instead he kept the lines of communication open and God sovereignly healed those relationships so that David's brothers were the ones who came to him when he was in the cave hiding from Saul.  ( I sam. 22, 2 sam. 1:8)

2 sam. 3: 1 says that there was long war between the house of Saul and David and that David grew Stronger and stronger and Saul grew weaker and weaker.  All of the fragmented relationships, the judgments, man made separations etc.  need to be healed and grow toward oneness before the glory is released in you, before David is crowned king.  God crowns and anoints unity and oneness.  I believe on all levels there will be restoration to oneness:  individuals one with their God, families one, local, regional, national and international body's of believers one by the Spirit of God, ( not ecumenical or theological agreement) before God can reveal Christ in his anointed ones.   (matt. 12:9)

When under attack

As the new year begins and all are optimistic about the future, realize the strategy of the enemy is to pop your balloon of faith and expectation by hitting you hard right at the beginning so you don't gain MOMENTUM for the whole year. We are told not to be surprised when we feel the fiery darts of the enemy, but we usually are.  Our responsibility is to give God glory and advance in our Spiritual growth under attack instead of glorifying the enemy by proclaiming what he (the enemy) is doing.  Our conversation should reflect the  mentality of a conqueror and the words coming out of our mouth, the word of God instead of fear or failure. 
  The enemy always attacks those that are close to the heart of God, but our victory is in the name of Jesus. We cannot avoid it , there is a spiritual battle and we have to fight.  We will never come to a place where we  outgrow the battle, but we can come to the place where we bring the battle to the enemy.  Some quick principles and strategies to be aware of: 


*  If enemy can't stop you he will slow you down with  Delay, Deceit, Distractions, Disappointment
* The enemy usually attacks just before there are transitions, blessings, and promotions headed your way
* Failure cannot happen in your life without your permission
* YOur battle is not against spouse, children, boss etc. but spiritual forces which have already been defeated
* Spiritual warfare is centered around the placement of the Son in our life, family, city
*Struggle is the proof you have not been conquered
* Satan's favorite entry point is often those closest to you
*YOu will not win a Spiritual battle with Logic
*Warfare surrounds the birth of a miracle
*Crisis occurs at the curve of change
*Satan attacks those in line for promotion
* Those unwilling to lose rarely do
* Battle is your chance for recognition in heaven and the enemy camp


( Summarized from  teaching by James Goll in "Deliverance from Darkness")
Ps. 18:37

Jesus at a Muslim wedding

My oldest son Jordan (22) has had a friend named Osama since he was 12 years old.  Osama's family is from the Sudan in Africa  and yesterday Osama got married in a traditional Muslim ceremony.  It was quite a cultural, spiritual and gastro-intestinal experience for me.  From the brightly colored dresses to the turbaned Imams ( teachers) who spoke of the sacred institution of marriage from their perspective, to the shrilled seemingly random screams coming from the women- "ay yay yay ya".  It was a good experience for me to see a couple hundred Muslim people enjoying themselves and celebrating with real  joyful expression and singing and dancing .  Honestly, it further eroded a false mind-set of Muslim people as my enemy and terrorists and instead  I begin to see them as humans, brothers, deceived by a religious system.  I know the kingdom of God is within me and that I am the temple of the Holy Spirit and so I wasn't afraid of any religious kling-on spirits attaching themselves to me, rather I was there to sow some seed and to be a light and so I began praying in my Spirit and at one point as I was experiencing his heart for them  I said to my wife -"Jesus really loves these people!" and he died for them too.

The final ceremony of the evening was why I was there and was a total set-up.  In a different room where the singing and dancing would take place, people started to gather and several little well dressed and well mannered littel children, 2nd and 3rd graders were flitting about and being silly like all children are.   As is my nature, I began to talk to the little kids sitting in front of me and asking them their names and joking with them and laughing.  We began to share names and I really took to this sharp 9 year old little boy named Yasin.  He and I exchanged names and I asked him to teach me how to say things like "I love you" in Arabic and in 10 minutes I had a new friend.  

The God moment came when I could see in this little boy's eyes that he trusted me and liked me and he wanted to ask me a serious question.  He had already told me that he read the Koran everyday. He also told me that he was named after one of the prophets and I just smiled and continued to talk and joke and relate instead of being argumentative and maybe it was that attitude that allowed him to ask me what appeared to be a burning question for him.  He said "you are a Christian aren't you"?  I said yes.  He said "we Muslim's believe that Jesus was a prophet too, but we have over 1000 other prophets".  I replied ( and it had an anointing on it) that the difference between Islam and Christianity hinges on the belief that Christians believe Jesus is more than a prophet, but that he is THE son of God.  A light went on in his head and he said to me in kind of a conciliatory way- "yeah I saw a show once where Jesus healed a man's ear that was cut off by a sword.  Did he really do that?"- and the door is now open.

Upon reflection,  I was in awe of how H.S. gave me his heart for this group of people  last night which broke down a barrier and opened a door to share a seed of the kingdom of heaven with a young boy, who in a way represents  a whole generation of a harvest field that we don't have to go to, but has been brought to us. He was seeking truth, It was natural to share with my new little friend and easy and unforced and I pray that along his path others water it and it continues to grow and that he come to the knowledge/experience of the Son of God and becomes a light for his people.

Its already done

When I was a junior in high school there was an arm wrestling championship for the school by weight class and the winner would go on to represent the high school in a district wide championship.   I was a wrestler, and for my size (122 lbs at that time), I was pretty strong so I signed up.  I beat all my challengers fairly easily, but when I found out that my opponent in the championship round was a senior named Jeff Kawaguchi who was also on the wrestling team and a better wrestler than me and a black belt in Judo and had rippling muscles with a body shaped like a giant letter V, my confidence teetered a little bit.  We had one week until we would arm wrestle during lunch time in front of the whole school and daily Jeff and his senior buddies would walk by and try to taunt me and intimidate me.  He tried to instill a fear in me so that I would give up even before we had the contest.
I decided however to be courageous and that I had a chance to win, since we were basically the same size.  For the 5 days previous to the match,  I would visualize myself beating him and also see the shocked look on his face and the cheers from all the underclassmen.  In my mind I would experience the thrill of victory.  Instinctually, spiritually, I knew that this was important and more than an arm wrestling contest for me, but a life lesson that I needed to learn. 
Because it was done in my mind, I was calm and relaxed about it when it came time to do it.  Not surprisingly it happened just the way I visualized it.  My enemy slithered away in defeat and shame and I felt 10 feet tall.  I went on to win the district championship as well 
I am not trying to be a proponent of positive thinking, but wanted to highlight a principle of faith.  When you know something is already done in the natural or the spiritual it is so much easier to walk through that circumstance or challenge with confidence.  In the Christian life everything is already done on the cross: your salvation, healing, sanctification, blessing etc.was accomplished 2000 years ago.   We were saved 2000 years ago, not when we asked Christ into our lives.   We were healed 2000 years ago, not at the point in time we ask for healing.  We were blessed 2000 years ago, not when we prayed for provision yesterday.   When we approach God from the standpoint of " its already done"- faith can do its job. 
Just like my classmate Jeff, the only weapon the enemy has is fear and intimidation, he is already defeated and you are already victorious.