Tag Archives: jesus

POWERFULLY!

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For those of us who have experienced the unmistakable presence of God, we know when we have stepped outside of His will. The only way that we can be comforted is to once again feel His presence. It’s what prompts us to enter back into covenant relationship. He requires that we humble ourselves and regain an in-sync posture.

The nearness of God is security, safety, and calm. But for those who haven’t experienced His presence, they can’t understand the apparent “addiction” to being right where we belong. As we learned to walk in lockstep with God, we also learned when we stepped outside of the intentional path. We were taught by the closeness or absence of His presence.

Are you right where you belong? How do you know?

(Part 2) Today’s theme with God is about HIS PRESENCE. I woke up this morning feeling the presence of God around me powerfully. It wasn’t just His gentle whisper or usual morning humor, it was His unmistakable presence that could not be denied. He wanted me to know that He was near.

I remember early on in my walk with the Lord, that I wondered if I was just imagining the subtle voice and presence of God. Maybe I suddenly had a greater imagination than ever before in my life. Do you know how it is when you see someone else yawn, and you find yourself yawning? I wondered if maybe those little nuances were my mind playing tricks on me. Until … God made Himself too obvious to deny.

In the years of walking with the Lord, the subtle reminders of His presence are greatly welcome. But at times, I want to feel His Spirit come powerfully on me. Not for the power so much as the intimacy of Spirit. It’s a reminder that I’m right where I belong at exactly the time when I belong.

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:13 NIV)

“The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.” (Judges 14:6 NIV)

“Then the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of everything and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he returned to his father’s home.” (Judges 14:19 NIV)

“When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.” (1 Samuel 11:6 NIV)

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all” (Acts 4:33 NIV)

“The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.” (1 Samuel 10:6 NIV)

“As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands.” (Judges 15:14 NIV)

Is The Watchman Accountable?

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“However, if the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the trumpet, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives, then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” (Ezekiel 33:6 NIV)

You can’t be everyone’s buddy and be right with God. Sometimes it’s in the person’s best interest for you to be firm, speak a hard word, caution or warn, or harshly criticize to help them know truth. Those things may not look or feel good in the process but it is the loving thing to do. It may save them from future difficulties, expanded trials, hindered relationships, heartache and loss. Always point them to seek God with priority.

If God has given you insight to see what the watchman sees, then you will be held accountable by God if you refuse to warn. It doesn’t seem loving at all to stand by and watch their defeat when you could have easily spoken a word. A word of caution is much more important than a word of encouragement. Seek God yourself before speaking but speak truth!

Noah’s God

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What is it going to take for God to get your attention?

Whatever it takes, He can do it. I don’t like seeing these areas ravaged from a hurricane. And as many want to think that the destruction comes from the hand of the enemy, that’s wrong. God is very aware that there is an election coming up where the fate of our nation is at stake. He knows exactly how many of our citizens have come to Him in prayer, and asked for His direction … and exactly how many haven’t.

I’ve spent the last two decades teaching people to learn to listen for God’s voice in prayer. What I overwhelmingly see is that MOST everyone refuses to listen to God because they want to be their own god. What other reason could there be? Tell me. Why wouldn’t Christians want to hear God’s voice in prayer? I’m right here. I haven’t moved. Still offering and still ignored. Maybe I’m the crazy one for still being willing to be ignored and equally ready to help.

God is very aware of your excuses. He can get your attention! But don’t believe me …

Contrast Teaches

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There are many lessons that God teaches me through the art of contrast.

Recently, I purchased a $5 McDonalds’ gift card to have in my wallet for the next time that I saw someone in need. Just knowing that it was there, shifted my attention to the details of who might need help the most. For the two weeks that I have had the gift card in my possession, I haven’t noticed anyone in need … or at least nobody that God would point out as one who would receive the gift. Yes, I realize that it’s a small gift, but to someone it might signal that the world is less harsh, that there are those who see their pain, or even that God is providing their needs. So it’s a gift worth giving.

This morning, I was sitting alone at McDonalds. I had earphones on listening to praise music while I enjoyed breakfast. A few booths away were two teenage boys. They were neatly dressed and happily enjoying breakfast of their choosing. Another young man, carrying a backpack, approached the counter and patiently awaited for a server to take his order. He only ordered a cup of water, which I know because the server was sure to yell it loudly, non-discreetly into the kitchen.

I wanted to give the young man the $5 gift card. Wasn’t that why I had it? But, as I always do, I asked the Lord if that was His will. I was surprised to hear Him say “No”. It pained me to see the young man clearly hungry. He was just a boy. Why would the Lord withhold His help from him? Over the next few minutes, I continued to ask the Lord if I could help the young man. The Lord’s response was the same.

The contrast that I saw was that the two situations seemed to be based on parenting. The two boys appeared to have a quality family life, their needs provided, and happiness that comes from contentment. While the other boy might have hoped that he had a home or parents to rely on. I realize that I’m making that assumption with little information to go on. My compassion wanted to reach out and help the other young man feel valued, but God withheld it.

What did I learn from that contrast? I’m not sure just yet. That $5 gift card may have been there to teach me more than to help someone. What do you think is the lesson?

Authorized Signature

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When the boss signs your paycheck, he is authorized to have money withdrawn from the bank as payment. The boss can have other authorized signers available to also sign the paychecks. But if someone who is not authorized to sign, signs the paychecks, the bank will refuse to withdraw payment. Is that a correct statement?

When God puts authority on someone to deliver healing, they have His authority. When God sent the disciples out, they were able to do miraculous wonders. But those who were not sent by God did not have that same ability.

If all that is true, then why would someone who is not sent by God for the specific purpose of delivering His healing to an individual be able to have His authority? They wouldn’t. God can withhold His healing power until it is delivered appropriately. You can have all the people in your church praying for you, you can have the church ministers lay hands on you, you can have a gallon of anointing oil poured on you … and still not have God’s authority. God decides who He sends. It’s not rocket science. God is the boss, and you are not. If you keep refusing His messenger, the healing will not come. But don’t believe me … ask God yourself.

Yes, this was a message for you.

The Road of Least Resistance?

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It’s been 15-20 years ago since I led women’s ministry at two churches. The one church was mostly wealthy older women who didn’t seem to have a hunger to know God, and the other church was full of younger women who had so many hurts and were starving for a touch from God. The contrast was amazing and taught me something valuable.

If we are comfortable in our lives we can play what I call country-club religion. We can pray before meals in public and participate in group Bible studies to feel like we have given God His due. But when we are needy, whether it be through illness, financial hardships, abuse or loss, suddenly we are willing to put more effort into knowing God and His will for our lives.

We should thank God when He puts a great need before us if it leads us to intimacy with Him. But if that need only leads to more country-club religion rather than a true hunger to know Him, it has no value but to reduce us. Listen, God can reduce us to nothing. What use are we to Him if we are too busy enjoying the gifts and not the gift-giver.

While I believe that we should be thankful to God for the loved ones that He brings into our lives, like spouses, children, grandchildren, and dear friends, we cannot ignore God and expect that He doesn’t see.

All these years later, after walking away from women’s ministry into deliverance and prophetic ministry, the contrast of a willingness to know God intimately is so very obvious. Yes, there are times when I miss the fellowship with the ladies who I adored, but I wouldn’t trade my time with God. No regrets here with my determination to set myself apart to know God. I will walk intentionally on the path that He has for me. Will you?

The Old vs. New Covenant

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Two important pages from “The Covenant Voice of God” edition of The Rogue Prophet Magazine. Same God/Savior, same covenant promise, but different sign of the covenant, people of the covenant, and atonement methods.

Do you HAVE ACCESS to God for covenant restoration conversation?

Introduction Page

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The Covenant Voice of God
The Rogue Prophet Magazine
Draft 7/7/24

It’s likely that many churchgoers have never experienced what it’s like to walk with the Spirit of God. As a result, they cannot fathom the overwhelming presence of God or His supernatural anointing. They miss out on fellowship with the Almighty. Some are not even sure that He is real.

As one who grew up in the church, I was instructed to study a Bible, not to walk with God. It was if God were dead and all we had left of Him was a book of instructions. But then … I heard the voice of the Almighty speak to me in prayer. Everything changed! When we commit to covenant relationship with God, we are promising on oath to obey Him wholeheartedly. How can we obey Him without hearing His voice? We are often taught by pastors to interpret the Bible and follow rules agreed upon by the church. How does that process create intimacy with God? God is not a book, and He’s not dead. God is Spirit. I’m so disappointed with the church leaders whom I trusted to teach me to know God. They never once told me that I should expect to hear God’s voice. They wasted every opportunity to teach me true obedience to God. I promise you that I won’t waste my voice of truth. I will teach believers to know God.

In this edition of The Rogue Prophet Magazine, we will study what it means to have faith, grasp spiritual discernment, revisit the Biblical stories of those who heard God speak, discuss the profession of faith versus the covenant oath of allegiance, and walk through steps to discerning the voice of God. There is so much that I want to cover in these pages. But I realize that it’s difficult to navigate the unknown and to set time aside to earnestly pursue hearing the voice of God. I have tried to condense this study as much as possible while still bringing the most important topics forward. My hope is that if I can help you get to a place where you are hearing God’s voice, then you and God can take it from there. I’m counting on you to give this your best effort! God is too!

The covenant relationship is integral to hearing the voice of God. If you are not in unbroken covenant with Him, you cannot expect productive prayer conversations between you and Him. Initiating or restoring a broken covenant are prerequisite to being positioned to hear God speak direction for your decisions. If He’s not your only God, then He won’t take second place or share His throne.

You will need to decide how much you are willing to sacrifice to make God priority. Wholeheartedly actually means wholeheartedly. One day, the Lord is going to call you to step into the destiny path that He has uniquely ordained for you. Will you willingly lay down all the encumbrances and follow Him? Can He trust you to be faithful with the anointing? If not, why should He bother speaking to you?

“but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23 NIV)

Christianity is Monotheistic

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If you are attending a church that teaches that there are three gods (aka trinity) that church is not a Christian church.

Christianity is monotheistic, meaning one God. To be clear, there is only one God. God is His title, much like “mom” and “dad” are titles. God’s name is Jesus. Just like your mom and dad have names, you don’t call them by their names, you call them by their most excellent title. However, if you’re introducing your parents to someone, you would use their names. When I’m talking to God or about Him, I refer to Him as God, but when I need to be specific for others, I use His name “Jesus”.

God is Spirit. When God, as Spirit, wanted to make His presence known on earth, He created a flesh and blood frame delivered through the human reproduction process. God provided the daddy seed implanted in a human woman named Mary. Mary gave birth to the flesh and blood frame. She did not give birth to the Spirit of God who created her. The invisible Spirit of God put on visible flesh and walked out ministry on this planet.

The title “Son of God” refers solely to the flesh and blood frame that was created by God. Jesus is God. He is God’s Spirit. He is the one and only Spirit of God. The flesh and blood frame was temporary but the Spirit of Jesus is eternal. He is the first and the last. Jesus is the one and only God. There are not three gods in Christianity.

If you want further explanation about this, please reach out to me. The “three gods” doctrine is the major false doctrine in the churches today. You should only have covenant relationship with one God, not three. If you are not in covenant relationship with God, you should not expect to hear His voice in prayer. I truly want to help you know how to hear God so that you can have fellowship with the Creator. It’s my mission in life!

Waking Up in Fight Mode!

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Lately I have been having night dreams that involve someone stealing from me, trying to harm children around me, or some other fist-clenching scenario. It happened again last night. When I awakened, I asked God why these dreams so often. I should say upfront that I believe all dreams are from God versus as a result of something I ate or any external issues. (I could give you the Biblical foundation for my belief, but then this would get off point, so I will provide that separately if you request it.)

God answered my question seemingly without words. The answer just came into my mind. God wants me in fight mode. That’s the reason for all the little annoyances too. God doesn’t want me peacefully enjoying a content life. He wants me constantly in fight mode ready to defend truth and justice. He doesn’t seem to want me to settle for comfort. So to be sure that I don’t have that option, He constantly requires me to strive. Let me just say this: I understand the technique and why it’s required, but that can’t be fun to be around. I’m certainly not enjoying it. So is that why all the Biblical disciples and prophets were always on edge? Were they always aware that battle and sacrifice might be just around the next corner? I suppose that it requires constant training to be ready to “take a bullet” for your beliefs. Obviously, I don’t expect to actually take a bullet, but the dreams that I have been having demand that I fight with everything I’ve got to defend what’s right. I think that I’m naturally a fighter. I just don’t give up. I take perseverance seriously. If there is a stance to be taken, I’m going to stand firmly with truth.

So God wants me in fight mode. Ok then, I will do my best to stay focused on the battles. What about you? Are you in fight mode? It certainly would be easier to want the sweet dreams that don’t require anything but comfort. But what does that do for the Kingdom of God? Should we be building up our own little kingdoms when the Lord wants us fighting for His? Should we choose ease in this life rather than wanting to submit ourselves to the Lord’s specific will for us? I’m in the fight!