4 Things You Can Do Right Now to Position Yourself to Be The Agent of Change That Your World Needs Now

I am proud to be an American!

And a Christian! Praises to God that we live in a country that was founded on freedom and Biblical principles!

Sadly, Biblical principles and the truth of the freedoms that steeped deep within our country's forefathers and founders isn't readily understood by the majority of our culture...

But we have each been strategically positioned to influence the people and the culture around us.

Yes! YOU! Even you!

But how you might ask?

As this graphic post today states:

Sow righteousness for yourselves,

reap the fruit of unfailing love,

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the Lord,

until he comes

and showers his righteousness on you.

The NIV puts the emphasis on looking to your own heart first, and that is what you can do today...

1. Sow to righteousness (righteousness is right standing before God - seeking Him, growing in Godliness, putting away the things He tells you to and walking by faith are all ways we can 'sow to righteousness for ourselves')

2. Reap the fruit of unfailing love (the love that comes through dependence on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to produce).

3. Break up your fallow ground - this is a farming reference. Before a seed can be planted and expected to grow, the ground has to be broken up, softened and prepared, sometime amendments to fuel the growth of the seed is added. Fallow ground in particular is ground that may have been prepared at one time, but now is overgrown with weeds and thorns. It needs to be turned again to be good for seed growing. Soil is turned upside down and broken apart when the plow blade furrows through it. You may have been living through difficult circumstances, where you feel everything in your life is being broken apart. This is plowing. Where might you have strayed from the Lord? This is where your heart, your 'land', is fallow.

4. The final instruction is to seek the Lord until He comes. This means to seek Him and keep on seeking Him until you have the evidence of being in step with Him once again...the evidence is the "rain of His righteousness"...you might think of this as a fresh outpouring of His Spirit.

When you experience the fresh outpouring of His Spirit...that is when you know you are equipped to be an agent of change for the your world and your culture!

Spend time with Jesus. Let the Spirit of Truth flow through your heart and mind today, allowing yourself to be open to what He reveals...

(And comment below to share it with all of us - we can encourage one another!)

Encouragement for Inner Healing

The Peace of Wild Things

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry

The Journey of Wise Men - Then and Now

The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, the 12th Day of Christmas. As in any story, it impacts us most if we see ourselves in it, when we become one of the characters acting in the story itself.  When we read an ancient story {or any story for that matter}, we can imagine what it must have been like to be there, to experience it, to be faced with the circumstances those we read about faced, and to contemplate what our choice might have been if it had been us. 

For Epiphany, the story is found in Matthew 2:1-12.  This is my summary of the well loved and ancient text: Wise people - the curious, the seekers, the analytical ones, the intelligent ones, the spiritually sensitive ones - recognize the sign of an incredible event, and go on a journey to find the meaning.  They go prepared, they embarked on a journey, they remain alert, they find what they were looking for, these wise, intelligent, curious, scientists remain open to the supernatural, bow in worship, and return to their home, different than when they left.

What lessons can I learn by their story?*

1. Follow the star to where it leads

The story begins with the our travelers heeding the message that comes in the night.  Navigation in ancient times was largely by stars and constellations. Travelers had to know the night sky and trust the path through darkness and unknowing. Embracing mystery was a regular occurrence, a part of life.  So often we want exactness, assurances, predictability, to know the end before we begin or we won't begin.  This isn't living in the reality of the world we are a part of - it is trying to create fiction.  The wise men travel along on a journey with no set answers, but with knowledge and faith about what their destination will hold...this drives their preparation.

What journey are you being called to? What is your "map", your "guide"? Is there a path to follow, even if the endpoint is not directly known?  How will you know when you reach the end? What preparations do you need to make to go on the full journey?

2. Make the journey your own

We must act.  We must initiate the journey and travel the path.  If we stay "home" (where we are comfortable, where we are right now) we will never find that destination we are being stirred to seek out, we may not find that Hope, that Purpose, that Person who promises to be our Lord and Savior.  We cannot life on our parents' or friends' faith...we must make faith our own.  Herod and all Jerusalem see the signs, but will not travel 3 miles to find the Hope that awaits there.  They want to remain in control (granted it is an illusion, but it is what they know and are familiar with) 

Where are you content to allow other's opinions to shape yours?  Where are you telling yourself you are "OK where you are" and not making a journey to freedom, hope and stability?  Where are you reading and learning, but never stepping out in action yourself? How might you enter into your own journey of life more deeply this year?

3. Open your heart to joy by recognizing God's hand

The scriptures tell us that "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” In the original language, the last 'joy' means "grace recognized".  The fullness of the verse indicates that they rejoiced abundantly because they recognized God's grace! A sign in the sky such as this star must have been could strike terror into men's hearts, or men might have been mostly indifferent like Herod and the religious leaders of their day.  Or, men can recognize God is doing something powerful and rejoice. 

What circumstances do you need to see "grace recognized"? In looking at the past, where has God's grace blossomed when you faced unknowns and journeys you didn't necessarily choose?  How can these times direct how you face they mystery and unknowns of a new year?

4. Look for holy encounters in humble places

The wise man find a humble baby in a home and they bow down and prostrate themselves in worship. Prostration is an act of humility and honor. 

As you encounter the holy in every ordinary place you move, how might the wise men's actions be adopted into your situation? How can you embrace the sovereignty of God in every situation, every moment, every day?

5. What if you haven't prepared to meet your King?

The wise men give baby Jesus the gifts they have brought of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There is much rich teaching about these gifts and what they symbolize!  But for our purposes I want to focus on the fact that each gift represents one of Jesus' offices: 1) gold represents His Kingship and Deity, 2) frankincense acknowledges His High Priestly authority and position as Intercessor (corresponding to prayer - both his and ours), and 3) myrrh represents His position as Messiah - the Anointed One and His anointing.  The gifts show that the wise men acknowledged Jesus as the One prophesied to come.

In what ways can I show Jesus is my King? In what ways can I show that He is my High Priest?  In what ways can I show that He is my Messiah?

6. Listen to the voice of the Lord, in any way He talks to you

The wise men - in their intelligence and wisdom - remained open to the supernatural, and acknowledged that the Lord had led them thus far, and listened when He spoke to them through a dream.  God loves us and in that love communicates with us.  He will warn us, comfort us, lead us.  He speaks to us many ways, through dreams and visions, through the written Scriptures, and through gentle guidance and leadings of the heart.  In our culture, the supernatural tends to be frowned upon, even in Christian circles.  Belief in a personal God is relegated to superstition and simple mindedness.  But true science always points to an Intelligent Creator.  And He came to be "Emmanuel, God With Us".  His presence with us means He WILL speak to us!

How do you know when God is speaking to you? Do you act on it? Commit to following His voice, His communication with you this year and acting on it.  Again, keep a journal to document your journey.

7.  Be open to change

The wise men heed the message from God they received in a dream; they go home by a different way. When we encounter God, we are changed, our journey (or at least how we experience our journey in life) changes, it takes on a new meaning. 

How does hearing God change you? How does hearing God change how you approach life (or does it)?  Is there some area He is speaking to you that requires a change?  Spend some time allowing awareness of these areas to emerge.  Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to change you or are you resisting?  Have you ever had problems/trouble because you didn't heed the Lord's words - either generally in the Scripture or specifically through the ways He speaks to you?  Is there any place you are resisting His direction for you? Do you KNOW that you hear God speak to you? How can you develop an "ear to hear" if you don't already know (hint: ask someone whose spiritual walk you respect)? 

Spend some time every week this year to reflect on the story of the wise men and on your answers to these questions.  Document the journey you are on through journaling {written or art}

*Response from an article from http://abbeyofthearts.com/blog/2017/01/06/feast-of-epiphany-follow-the-star/

Prayer for the Night Watches {#1}

Lord, 

I love how Your day begins in the evening, as we slow and enter our time of rest. It is in these moments that You wait for us, speak tenderly to us and guide us towards Your heart...our cares, our wounds, our strivings and our dreams all come forward in our hearts and minds, and we can lay them down at Your feet, let them go...release them into Your open hands.

I lay my cares and concerns, dreams and goals, weaknesses and strengths at Your feet. Refine them, purify me. Heal, sift and mold my heart, and let all that You desire infuse me...

Let these Night Watches pass in peaceful contentment as I release myself into Your embrace...

Amen

How to Walk Out of Self-Sufficiency {It's Easier Than You Might Think...}

Faith is hard to come by some days. 

This former perfectionist still drifts towards self-sufficiency.  The spiritual disciplines can become the end instead of the vehicle to journey into His Presence. 

My stressed out body lets me know that I have wandered, and now I recognize that my mental state of “being out of sorts” has little to do with the pressures of the world or the schemes of the enemy, but rather it is because of my heart, still prone to wander…

I need to change my perspective…like Job.   

My life hasn’t been reduced like his.  That is perspective right there!  

I have been in Job lately, reading chronologically with my sweet teen through the Bible.  Job was asking “why God…” when all of a sudden, God comes in {after 37 long chapters of man’s wisdom, mind you} and “spoke to Job out of the storm.”

Wow! 

Selah…{pause and think about that!}.

God has a few questions for Job, like: 

 “Who is this that obscures my plans
    with words without knowledge?
  Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand.
  Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line across it?
...

What is the way to the abode of light?
    And where does darkness reside?
  Can you take them to their places?
    Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
Surely you know, for you were already born! 
 You have lived so many years!

…

God continues speaking of all sorts of wonders, each one illustrating that He is the one in total control - the creation and the continuing rhythm of life…all are sustained by God’s hand.  We can only comprehend a fraction of the entire picture of our lives and all of life on earth; then the heavens are even beyond this. When we look at just the simple processes that we observe everyday, we can begin to move to looking at our lives from God's point of view, instead of our limited earth-bound vision.

Whenever we question “why, God”, we show that we believe we are the ones in control.   

There it is again - my self-sufficiency rearing up in my being…a grandiose heart blind to its short sightedness!  Such is the nature of the flesh!

Notice the bolded and italicized verse, Job 38:2, and these particular words: “that obscures my plans with words without knowledge”.   God is saying that we actually hide our ability to perceive His plans for us when we enter into that domain ruled by our own fruitless words and thinking! 

So, when faith seems far away and I have drifted into controlling my life apart from Him again... 

a walk outside grounds me. 

I can see the heavens, grass, trees, rocks and insects. 

I hear birds and crickets.   

Depending on my direction, I can walk beside a pond or come up to a vegetable garden.  

A spent dandelion head reminds me of the charm of making a wish.   

A hopeful kitten checks for a treat in my hand.  

It is fall, so masses of color are everywhere.  

Leaves let go of their anchor and pirouette to the ground.   

Dried abundance crunches underfoot.   

The air smells pungent and warm.   

I am in the midst of everything God has designed…

                  and my perspective is lifted from hidden “whys” to the true questions…

“How should I respond to this?”

and

“What do You want me to learn from this?”

The Secret to a Blessed Year - 4 Blessings That Are Already Ours {Part 5, Final of the Jubilee Series}

There is a reason so many Christians today live in fear and confusion. It is because they don't understand the joyful sound of Jubilee! They know that Jesus died and rose again, they know His blood has power to save. But they have not yet understood the joyful sound of all that He has provided for us to live in freedom!

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound..."  

(Psalm 89:15) 

The joyful sound we hear today is the trumpet of God proclaiming our deliverance, through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Now, here are the other blessings of Jubilee: 

1.  "...they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance" (Psalm 89:15).  The Hebrew meaning here suggests, "They shall walk in cheerfulness, secure in God's promises, at ease in His presence." Simply put, we no longer have to walk in darkness or confusion - because we will behold the light of His face!

2.  "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted"(Psalm 89:16).  We know our own righteousness is as filthy rags.  And so we are to take courage by rejoicing in his righteousness - which is ours by faith alone!

3.  "For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted"(Psalm 89:17).  We know that Christ alone is the source of all our strength.  And we don't have to live under the devil's thumb anymore.  All we have to do is look upon Satan's back, where we'll see the heel print of our Savior.  Jesus has crushed our enemy!

4.  "For the Lord is our defense... " (Psalm 89:18).  We are utterly helpless in our flesh.  And so we trust totally in the victory of Jesus'cross.  He defends us against every enemy?

 Dear saint, we are headed for one last, great Jubilee - 

signaled by the final trumpet blast:  

"...We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.  

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 

at the last trump: 

for the trumpet shall sound, 

and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, 

and we shall be changed" 

 (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). 

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord". 

(1 Thessaloninans 4:16-17)

When those trumpets sound, the dead shall be raised.  There will be no more prisons, no more bondage, no more sin, no more sickness.  And in that moment, we will have eternal Jubilee.  hallelujah!  

Part 1 can be found here 
Part 2 here
Part 3 can be found here

Bonus - Jesus' Intercession 
 

Wilkerson, David. Times Square Church Pulpit Series. 13 October 1997. 
Used with permission - link to Times Square Church here  

The Secret to a Blessed Year - {bonus} - Knowing What Jesus is Doing RIGHT NOW for our Jubilee!

Christ ascended into glory not only as our Conquering King, but as our High Priest - making intercession for us...

Just as the high priest ascended the stairs to the holy place on the day of atonement, our high priest, Jesus, ascended into the heavenly tabernacle, "...a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands..."  (Hebrews 9:11).  John describes seeing Jesus in His priest robe "...a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle" (Revelation 1:13).

Jesus ascended not merely to enjoy the glory He deserves - but to do a work on our behalf.  The apostle Paul writes:  "...When He ascended upon high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men"(Ephesians 4:8).  He is quoting from Psalm 68:  "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive:  thou hast received gifts for men...Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation..." (Psalm 68:18-19).  The psalmist is saying, "Our savior has given us every gift and benefit we need to live in freedom!"

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus' work in heaven is all for us:  "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24).  "...He ever liveth to make intercession for them [us]" (Hebrews 7:25).  Jesus Christ does all this for us!

Yet, what exactly does it mean, that 

"He lives to make intercession for us"?

 1. Jesus intercession is Him stepping into Satan's accusations against us and declares the victory of His cross.  He doesn't have to convince the Father not to believe Satan's words...and then Jesus turns to Satan and says "Didn't you hear the trumpet sound, devil?  You know you have claim over this child of Mine.  Keep you hands off my property!"  

2.  Christ's intercession for us means He makes sure we obtain and enjoy all the benefits provided by Jubilee.  Just as the Levites enforced the law that provided every man with his just blessings, Jesus today enforces the privileges of Jubilee for us.  He makes sure we know we are legally free!

Satan may try to circumvent the victory of the cross by telling us, "you're under my hold, and you know it.  You'll be bound by lust all your life!  You'll never get victory over your habits."

 

But the moment that happens, Jesus intervenes.  he sends His sheriff - the Holy Spirit - to enforce His decree of Jubilee, saying, "The trumpets have sounded, devil.  It's Jubilee time!  Release your claim on this free child.  You have no further rights to him!"

We may still struggle with sin - but we have been legally declared free from all bondage.  And we are to claim our freedom and our full inheritance, no matter how condemned we may feel.  

3.  Jesus intercedes in our own hearts, reconciling us with the Father.  He continually answers our doubts and fears, reminding us:  a) we are forgiven, b) we must remember God's goodness and mercy toward us, and c) we can trust in God's faithfulness to provide us with all the power and strength we need.

Because of Christ's intercession, we now can say, "I may have my battles with the flesh - but I know in my heart what Jesus did for me.  Sin can no longer hold me.  I've heard the joyful sound!"  



Part 1 can be found here 
Part 2 here
Part 3 can be found here

Wilkerson, David. Times Square Church Pulpit Series. 13 October 1997. 
Used with permission - link to Times Square Church here 

A King is Coming!

The following was sent in the monthly newsletter from Paul Wilbur ministries.

It is so good!  Encouraging!  I had to share!

"So what about the blood moon tetrad, the schmitah, the solar eclipse, the Jubilee, all happening in the month of September this year? The massive U.S. Military movements, the Iran deal, the Supreme Court decision on marriage, gay rights, abortion limits removed, Christians being slaughtered in the Middle East, policemen murdered in their cars and on the streets, wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, fire...what are we to think? Is this all a sign of coming judgement, do we build bunkers and store up food and water expecting the worse? I have a simple answer for you...

A KING IS COMING! 

"This has become my battle cry and the unseen reason for so much of the unusual events that are taking place, and will continue until the day we hear the Angel of the Lord and the shofar of Heaven sound. 

Be prayerful, 

watch and pray, 

look up, 

do what you are told (by the King), 

keep your lamp full of fresh oil, 

trim the wick, 

let your light shine, 

be salty, 

be instant in and out of season, 

stay in the Word of God, 

remain in Him...

Yeshua warned that a time would come when the love of MOST would grow cold (Matt.24). These things must all take place, and then the end will come. Remember, He chose you, you didn't choose Him.  

And He chose you for such a time as this, 

which says to me He knew you could handle it, 

and you would remain faithful to the end. 

So let's honor our Father and finish strong, finish well, be somebody's hero, and receive the reward that is laid up for you."

words by Paul Wilbur, emphasis mine

You can sign up to receive his newsletters here:  https://www.wilburministries.com/

The Secret to a Blessed Year - {part 3 of 3} - Declare YOUR Jubilee Prayer + Journal Prompt

Jesus IS the Believer's Jubilee

The prophet Isaiah declares the Messiah's role as the bringer of Jubilee:

   "...He hath sent me...to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord..."

Isaiah 61:1-2

 

Your declaration!

 These are the words that Jesus used to announce the beginning of His public ministry: 

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim - 

freedom for the prisoners and 

recovery of sight for the blind, 

to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Luke 4:18-19

As Christians, we recognize this passage as a proclamation of Christ's victory over death and sin, yet Isaiah is using the language of Jubilee here!  

David Wilkersen, the founder of Times Square Church in New York City, also says that the entry in Isaiah also refers to Christ's ascension into glory!  Using this and other passages, Pastor Wilkersen paints a splendid image in words - 

 a.  The heavenly Father prepared for Jesus a glorious entrance into heaven.  Indeed, as Christ made His ascension, He was escorted by a host of angels and multitudes of chariots:  The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels:  the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.  Thous hast ascended on high...Psalm 68:17-18

b.  Our finite minds can't begin to conceive of this glorious event.  As Christ approached the eternal city of God, riding on His white horse, He was escorted by this huge procession.  And as He entered the gates, the trumpets of God began to sound:  God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet...Psalm 47:5.

This was the joyful sound - the trumpets blaring, announcing the believer's year of Jubilee!  And the sound proclaimed to all humankind, "I have made provision for you - to walk you out of prison, be restored to your family and have everything you need for a fulfilled life.  You are free to live without fear of any enemy.  Enter now into my joy! 

 c.  Paul writes of Christ's ascension: Having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it...Colossians 2:15.  Staggering behind our Lord's triumphant procession was the prince of darkness himself, bound in chains!  And behind the defeated devil - underneath the wheels of the heavenly hosts - were all the powers of darkness, bound and vanquished.  They were being put to an open shame before all those who had died in faith before the cross.

And Jesus entered the gates carrying in his hand a scepter of righteousness - His "rod of iron" with which He rules all nations.  Then, after His triumphant entrance, He took His rightful place on the throne, in full possession of all power, authority and dominion.

What a glorious picture!

Satan is not in control.  

Communism is not in control.

Atheism is not in control.

Terrorism is not in control.

Neither Democrats nor Republicans are in control.

The enemies of Christ exist only by His permission.

And right now they only continue to fill up their cups of iniquity.  

Jesus is in control of all things - and one day, when He is ready, He will

"...dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel..." (Psalm 2:9)

 

Beloved, our understanding of Christ's victory over Satan and the dominion of sin cannot be a vague, confused theology.  We must know and understand the joyful sound!  Satan is totally defeated; he cannot hold us prisoner.  And Christ has freed us by His blood from every bondage.  Now He sits on His throne with all power and authority - offering us peace, joy and freedom!

Journal Prompt:

Write the Jubilee declaration in your journal, on an index card to tape in a strategic location...encourage a friend with it! 

Pray:

Thank You, Jesus, that You have brought me the Good News 

and I have received that Good News!

 Because of You, my broken heart is healing;

I rejoice that I have been set free from bondage;

 and my mind is no longer oppressed;

I thank you that where I was once blind

that now I have spiritual sight.

I declare that the Lord's favor rests on me.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Part 1 can be found here 
Part 2 here

Wilkerson, David. Times Square Church Pulpit Series. 13 October 1997. 
Used with permission - link to Times Square Church here