Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Deep Calls Unto Deep

Psalm 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of Thy waterspouts: all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me.
The indwelling Person of the Holy Spirit in our hearts is our open line of communication to the Father of spirits. From deep within our spirit man we can hear exactly what Deep Himself has to say to us personally. We must tune our souls and be willing to listen to Him, and He will speak volumes about the mysteries of our hearts through His Word.

Related Scriptures: Psalm 42:1-11; Jonah 2:1-10; Hebrews 12:1-13; 1Corinthians 2:1-16; Psalm 139:1-24

Monday, April 29, 2013

The Bride, The Lamb’s Wife

Revelation 21:9-10

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
The Holy City of Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven and inhabited by the raptured saints of God, is the bride of the Lamb. The Holy City Jerusalem is said to be prepared as a bride and adorned for her husband, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD created the earth to be inhabited by His own selection process, so also at the rapture and the judgment seat of Christ, the Word will have divided amongst those who will be made one flesh with Him.

Related Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-14; Isaiah 45:11-25 (inhabited earth); Ephesians 5:22-33; 2Corinthians 5:1-21

Sunday, April 28, 2013

In Power and In the Holy Ghost

1Thessalonians 1:5-6

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The power of God comes into our lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and is conveyed by the Holy Spirit. It is sound doctrine, but it is also far more: it is the Word of God that releases both the authority and explosive power of the Creator into our world to shape our circumstances. When affliction rises up and we walk in the power of God, the joy of the Lord will overtake us and we can rejoice in the middle of tribulation as the kingdom of God manifests through us. Thanks be to God, Who fills us with His power, and equips us to walk in victory!

Related Scriptures: John 14:12-31; Hebrews 6:1-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-12; Romans 14:1-23; 1Corinthians 15:34-58

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Spirit of Slumber

Romans 11:8

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
The dispensation of God was suspended in order that the fullness of the Gentiles might obtain the salvation offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel’s seventieth week is approaching, during which time the LORD God will gather His elect out of Israel and bring them into the eternal Promised Land. The former and latter rains of Joel are in progress, and will soon accelerate. Watch for the signs that the nation of Israel is awakening from the spirit of slumber.

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 29:1-24; Romans 11:25-36; Daniel 9:1-27; Joel 2:12-32

Friday, April 26, 2013

The Third Part Through The Fire

Zechariah 13:8-9

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
The landscape of the human heart is cluttered with the cumulative effects of iniquity, transgression, and sin. Before the Lord fulfills His Word to restore hearts of flesh to us, He pulls up the stones and prepares the soil. The remainder is passed through the fire to be purified and sanctified to the Lord. Call on His name in the midst of the fire. The LORD, He is our God!

Related Scriptures: Exodus 34:1-17 (KJV); Exodus 34:1-17; John 16:7-11; Matthew 3:11-12; 1Corinthians 1:1-9; Psalm 18:1-50

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Smite The Shepherd

Zechariah 13:6-7

And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends. Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn Mine hand upon the little ones.
When we open our hearts to those closest to us in the sincere love of God, we are wide open to the possibility of wounding. Inevitably the wounding comes. This is God presenting us with an opportunity to become like Christ. It is up to us what we do with this opportunity: either we can let it scatter us, or we can stand strong in intercessory prayer and be perfected in the image of Christ. When we purpose to follow Him, He will continue to present the tests until we pass, and greater challenges when we respond appropriately. That's right, prayer and fasting do not change Him: that is how He transforms us into His image.

Related Scriptures: 1John 3:16-24; Isaiah 53:1-12; Hebrews 7:13-28; Romans 8:28-39

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Broken, Snared, And Taken

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
As we continue deeper with the Lord, there will be a process that just does not seem as though it could come from Him, but it does. When we go forward without His prompting, there will be a falling backward; we will be broken, snared, and taken. This is to prevent us from much greater harm, and to build us up on the True Foundation, the Word of God. Like a stonecutter, He will take the edges off that do not fit with the Head of the Corner, and we will be shaped. It is all part of being perfected in the image of Christ.

Related Scriptures: Matthew 21:33-44; Philippians 3:8-15; Hebrews 10:1-25; Psalm 118:1-29; Romans 8:26-31

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Stammering Lips And Another Tongue

Isaiah 28:11-12

For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
The Holy Spirit manifests in the believer in many ways. He will inspire us to verbalize our own divine prayer language. He enters our hearts to turn them from stone to flesh, and to write all of God’s commandments there.[There are far more than ten of them.*] He helps us to pray with confidence when our souls are uncertain or deeply troubled. He teaches us the deeper wisdom of God, drawing us away from the milk to eat the meat. He inspires our hearts and souls to go deeper with the Lord Jesus Christ; to follow Him further into faith. He never talks about Himself, only about the Lord. He energizes our human spirits, and encourages our souls. Listen carefully, and praise the Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit!

*The Dake Bible details 1050 commands in the New Testament that God requires to be obeyed.
See also Latter And Former Rain

Related Scriptures: 1Corinthians 14:1-15; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Romans 8:26-27; 1Corinthians 2:1-16; John 16:7-16; Jude 1:20-25

Monday, April 22, 2013

None Of Them Was Cleansed

Luke 4:24-27

And He said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
People in the oppressive restricted nations of the world are continuing to receive dreams and visions of the Lord Jesus Christ and are being converted.  Here is a headline from one such instance reported on Persecution.com: West Bank--Former Muslim Evangelist Turns to Christ A young Muslim man in the West Bank who tried to convert a foreign friend to Islam, ended up giving his life to Christ.  This man was met by the Lord when he cried out to Him in frustration for answers.  The Lord responded in a mighty way.

Glory to God, who desires so deeply that none should perish that His eyes are searching the whole earth even now, seeking those who will respond to His call and receive His gifts of salvation, including a new spirit, a new heart, and His Holy Spirit dwelling within.  As for those who live in freedom and use that as an excuse for disobedience or apostasy, here is the sad truth: none of them was cleansed.  It is a perilous matter indeed to take the Lord for granted.
See also Given From Heaven; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat?

Related Scriptures: Jeremiah 23:16-29; John 3:1-36; 2Chronicles 16:9; Acts 10:36-48

Sunday, April 21, 2013

A Vesture Dipped In Blood

Revelation 19:12-13

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.
When Jesus Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to establish His millennial reign, He will be coming from the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God, and clothed with a vesture dipped in blood. It is the great and terrible day of the Lord, and He will bring God’s judgment upon His sworn enemies. Christ did not come the first time to judge the world, but to save it, yet rejection of His word will judge those who do. God is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. The Son of man will return to judge by the Word God sent out, and that never returns void. Adore the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, for His mercy endures forever to those who choose mercy over judgment.

Related Scriptures: Revelation 19:14-21; Joel 2:11-14; John 12:44-50; Numbers 23:19-24; Isaiah 55:1-13; Jeremiah 33:1-11

Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Testimony of Jesus

Revelation 19:10-11

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
The testimony of Jesus is our receipt of the promises of God, which are in Him yes, and in Him Amen. Through our testimony the Holy Spirit releases instruction, encouragement, and comfort to the saints on earth. We can receive His promises now: health and healing, soul restoration, dominion, continuous and continual blessing. Through the manifestation of these things the heavens are opened to us on earth, and we work the works of Him Who sent us in righteousness. As we do so the Lord Jesus, Faithful and True, will judge and make war on our behalf even now, until such time as the Scripture is fulfilled and He returns to redeem the earth.

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 1:12-24; 1Corinthians 14:1-40; John 6:28-50; Philippians 3:8-15; Micah 4:1-13

Friday, April 19, 2013

Discern Both Good and Evil

Hebrews 5:14


But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
       In the midst of gross darkness, there is Light from the Lord Jesus. He is the Light in the believer, and by His Spirit we are the light of the world. Maturity in Christ begins by distinguishing between good and evil, and to always choose the good and refuse the evil. With an eye that is always focused on the Light, we must reject the grey area mentality that has lulled so many to sleep.
       Believers in many nations of the world are facing imprisonment, torture, and death, yet they are standing as bold witnesses in the midst of deep darkness. Let us all remember that it was God who blessed the United States. He has given this nation much to be thankful for, and He requires much in return.

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-5; Luke 11:33-36; 
John 1:1-18; Malachi 3:1-18

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Whole Duty of Man

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Character is built one moment at a time. It takes place in the heart and soul, and Jesus Christ is the foundation of all. Faith in God is the beginning of life, and works combined with faith make life come alive.

Related Scriptures: Psalm 66:16-20; 2Timothy 2:14-26; Mark 11:22-26; James 2:14-26; John 10:9-11

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

They Held Their Peace

Luke 20:26

And they could not take hold of His words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace.
Many have tried since the birth of the Son of man to pick apart His words, and thereby to seize Him in attempts to undermine the truth before the people. Inevitably everyone will stand before God, silent and alone, marveling and in awe at the simplicity of His Truth and the righteousness of His judgment. To those who strive to manipulate His Word, the Word will judge them and grind them to powder, as Jesus Christ passes through their midst untouched. His desire is for mercy to triumph over judgment, but this can only happen after we submit to His Word.

Related Scriptures: Luke 20:1-25; 2Corinthians 5:1-21; Revelation 20:10-15; James 2:1-13

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Have the Light of Life

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts seals believers as God’s possession. Christ in us is the gift of God: we are now in possession of the Light of life. God has detailed expectations of how we should make use of His Light, but His central focus in all of this, what wraps up everything He desires, is the manifestation of His Son in our lives. Christ in us, the hope of glory, will be His glory shining through us.

Related Scriptures: Ephesians 1:11-23; Matthew 5:13-20; John 1:1-18; Philippians 3:1-21; Colossians 1:15-29

Monday, April 15, 2013

Cast Out of the Vineyard

Luke 20:14-15

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
The LORD of the vineyard has promised to cast out of His vineyard that which does not please Him. The Jews that stumbled at the Son of God sealed their own judgment by casting Him out. Yet God has not permanently cast out Israel in this: they have stumbled but not fallen. Instead this was an opportunity for the church to be born, and the Gentiles to receive inheritance from the Son. Let us be faithful husbandmen in the vineyard of the LORD of hosts. His kingdom come.

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 13:11-15; Romans 11:1-36; John 12:37-50

Sunday, April 14, 2013

The LORD of the Vineyard

Luke 20:13

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit took counsel in the ageless past of predawn creation. Before the foundation of the world, the LORD of the vineyard declared His decree to His beloved Son: You will be the Lamb slain for the sins of rebellious mankind. The kingdom of God and of His Christ were clearly foreshadowed by God, throughout the holy Scriptures, and also at Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit and at His transfiguration. All of this to patiently and eternally carry out His original purpose for mankind: Adam made from the dust of the created world in His image. Reverence the LORD of the vineyard!

Related Scriptures: Ephesians 1:3-14; Matthew 13:34-43; Mark 1:9-13; Mark 9:1-10; Genesis 1:26-28; Revelation 12:10-11

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Fall Upon That Stone

Luke 20:18

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
The Living Word of God is His commandment; and as New Testament believers Jesus Christ is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees of Israel, religious spirits of their time, were so caught up in the stone tablets of Mosaic Law that they were unable to receive the Person of God. Their hearts had hardened to the point that God could not write on them, and the Stone fell on them and ground them to powder. Today we must still align ourselves with the Chief Cornerstone in order to function within His Body, and be set free from religious spirits. We fall on the Stone in order to be broken, and then he can fit us into place as living stones.

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 3:1-18; Matthew 13:10-23; 1Peter 2:1-10; Hebrews 13:8-18; Isaiah 57:15-21

Friday, April 12, 2013

The Stone Which the Builders Rejected

Luke 20:16-17

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
God DID forbid that any man would come to Him in any other way than by the Stone, Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the Corner, and every other stone must line up with Him or be rejected from the building. The Body of Christ will be fitly framed together for all eternity.

Related Scriptures: John 14:1-31; Luke 20:1-19; Ephesians 2:1-22

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Cut Out Without Hands

Daniel 2:45

Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Iron, brass, clay, silver and gold: all the elements by which mankind deems to rule himself will be proven to be futile. Every idol of the human heart will be thrown down and broken in pieces by the coming kingdom of God, which will be established by His Christ, the stone cut out without hands. The dream vision that God revealed to Daniel will surely become reality; there is no doubt of the interpretation. Let God be true regardless of the unbelief of men.

See also LIVING STONES
Related Scriptures: Proverbs 21:30-31; Numbers 31:21-24; 1Corinthians 10:1-22; Romans 3:1-31

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Mystery of the Gospel

Ephesians 6:18-20

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
By praying in the Spirit we can truly access the throne of God, where Jesus sits at His right hand interceding for the saints. His intercessory ministry began at the cross, and will conclude with the eternal defeat of all forms of rebellion against God. Like the first coming, He will be preceded by the spirit and power of Elijah, already rising up in the saints who are boldly crying out for repentance. When He returns, the full mystery of the gospel will be revealed in the heavens with Him, as He catches up His saints. Then Elijah himself will preach the gospel with boldness again to the Jews in the streets of Jerusalem. When Christ sets foot on the Mount of Olives His everlasting kingdom will come to the earth.

[See The Two Anointed Ones]

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:26-27; Revelation 20:1-15; Matthew 11:1-30; Malachi 4:5-6; Zechariah 14:1-11

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

To Quench the Fiery Darts

Ephesians 6:16-17

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The most important piece of the armor is the shield of faith. Here the Holy Spirit is identifying our faith toward God as the shield that puts out the fires that are hurled at us by enemies. The LORD clearly identified Himself to Abram as his shield, and his exceeding great reward. As we run to the shelter of His presence, there is absolutely NO manmade weapon or satanic assault that can defeat us. Of course, this requires our total trust in Him, and the reward is the greatest prize of all: we are made in the image of Christ through the trials and struggles.

Related Scriptures: Mark 11:12-26; Genesis 15:1-6; Psalm 91:1-16; Psalm 40:1-17; Romans 8:26-39; 2Samuel 22:1-51

Monday, April 8, 2013

Christ: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Ephesians 6:14-15

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The truth that sets mankind free is that Christ was made sin for us. He knew no sin, yet He took it upon Himself in order to liberate man from his sinful fallen nature, and reestablish the covering of righteousness with which God endued Adam. We can rest in the peace of God wearing the breastplate of righteousness. When we dwell in Christ we have put on the Lord in our spirits, and this realization protects the very core of our being. Thereby are we made the righteousness of God in the gospel of Christ, and filled with His glory the way He intended.

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 5:1-21; Genesis 1:26-31; Philippians 4:4-9; Romans 13:10-14; Proverbs 4:20-27; 1Corinthians 1:18-31

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Withstand in the Evil Day

Ephesians 6:12-13

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The flesh and blood battle is about taking up the cross and walking in the Spirit. But when we are in the spirit and the conflict becomes heated, the battle is now against dark spiritual forces. This is when the enemy directly engages us, and we must always have on the full armor and be ready to respond. These conflicts are accelerating in pace and severity as the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ approaches, just as He prophesied in Matthew 24. Events around the world and especially in the Middle East, while they are of deep concern, are merely the beginning of sorrows. We can take hope in all of this, however, for the LORD has promised that believers are not appointed to wrath, and He also gave us His Word that He would never leave us, nor forsake us.

Related Scriptures: Luke 9:18-27; Galatians 5:16-26; Matthew 24:1-14; 1Thessalonians 5:1-25; Hebrews 13:5-21

Saturday, April 6, 2013

The Power of God’s Might

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
As we empty our lives of ourselves, the Lord will fill us with His might. Less of us and more of Him will always cause the power of God to flow through us, strengthening us and changing the circumstances around us, according to our yieldedness to Him. This is the same power which Christ applied, when He made an open show of the devil and all his demonic forces, and resurrected all those held captive in the Paradise chamber of Hell. The gates of Hell cannot prevail against the New Testament Body of Christ: saints who walks in the “dunamis” power of God and take authority over every dark spiritual force. That is man in God’s image, as He purposed so shall it be.

Related Scriptures: John 3:25-36; Judges 7:1-25; Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 16:13-28; Romans 8:28-29

Friday, April 5, 2013

The Fruit of the Lips: Peace

Isaiah 57:18-19

I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
The LORD sees the iniquities of the human heart, and every aspect of transgression and sin that is conceived in the heart is laid open before Him. He set out to make mankind in His own image, and He will perform it. It is the express will of God to remove all iniquity and heal us of its effects. When we repent and receive the Lord Jesus into our hearts, the healing can begin, by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. Then, by placing His Word in our mouths, peace will begin to flood our souls and the healing becomes progressive. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: and He is restoration in our souls that leads to eternal right relationship. Glory to God!

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 4:11-16; Psalm 107:1-43; Psalm 41:1-13; Psalm 23:1-6

Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Souls Which God Has Made

Isaiah 57:16-17

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before Me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid Me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
If not for the covenant God made with Noah the world would perish, along with every soul that God has ever made. If not for His purposeful intention to save mankind through the unveiling of Jesus Christ, every spirit would fail before the blast furnace of His wrath, in righteous judgment of iniquity. In His everlasting mercy God planned the eternal sacrifice of the Lamb from before time had a name, and has performed His Word not to contend with man forever, to fulfill His Seed and make mankind in His image for endless time in fellowship with Him. If He had not given the Lamb from the foundation of the world; if He had not hidden His face from the apostasy of mankind, He would have been honor bound by His own Word to judge and destroy creation. It is only by His Son, soon to be revealed in the heavens, that we, the redeemed, will stand before Him in glory.

Related Scriptures: Genesis 6:1-8; Revelation 6:1-17; Hebrews 4:1-16; Isaiah 53:1-12; Genesis 3:15

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

To Revive the Broken Heart

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, Whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
When our hearts are crushed, broken, and oppressed, the LORD has promised to move in and inhabit them. When our spirits are depressed and abased, this is when the LORD abides to make us alive again. This is the revival that speaks of the Lord’s peace: nourishment, restoration, wholeness, and energizing. There is the power of God behind His promise and His Word, He dwells in eternity, and here He is describing His second home. This is what draws the Creator of the universe to draw us; a humble spirit and a broken heart, submitted to Him.

Related Scriptures: Psalm 34:1-22; Luke 18:9-14; Psalm 51:10-17; John 14:23-31; James 4:1-12

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Inherit the Holy Mountain

Isaiah 57:13

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain;
The inheritance God promised to Abraham now also belongs to the church by faith, and we will possess the land and inherit the holy mountain of the LORD. For this to happen, the LORD clearly states one of His conditions here, “Trust Me!” This is a daily process of placing our trust in Him and continuing to trust Him every step of the way. To do otherwise amounts to leaning on our own understanding, trusting in ourselves, and getting in His way. He makes the results of this course of action clear-cut too: let your own devices deliver you, but the wind will blow them all away and leave behind emptiness and foolishness.

Related Scriptures: Genesis 12:1-7; Galatians 3:1-29; Proverbs 3:1-35; Isaiah 31:1-9

Monday, April 1, 2013

Out Of the Midst Of the Fire

Ezekiel 1:4

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
The vision Ezekiel described is a manifestation of the glory of God. When we truly submit our hearts to God, He comes in like a whirlwind: a rushing, mighty wind. This wind will tear down everything in our hearts that does not belong. Then the fire comes to purge what remains, refining our hearts to a purer state. If He meets with any resistance in our hearts, any areas that we try to hold back from Him, the process is only prolonged. What He sets out to do He finishes. Afterward, in a time of rest, we hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit offering comfort and guidance to the next level. Then the process starts again.

Related Scriptures: Acts 2:1-4; 1Kings 19:9-18; Malachi 3:1-6; Hebrews 12:1-29