Tuesday, August 2, 2016
The Mountain of God
By Francis Frangipane
(En Español)
"Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God" (Exod. 3:1).
Mount Horeb was not what it seemed. Though forbidding and barren, Horeb (also called Sinai in Exodus) was the gateway God used to reveal Himself to the Hebrew nation. It was here that the living God appeared in a burning bush to Moses. It was also here that the aged and stammering Moses was sent back to Egypt with miraculous authority to liberate Israel.
It was to Horeb that the Israelites came, following the pillar of fire at night and the covering cloud by day. On Horeb, God Himself inscribed Israel's laws on tablets of stone. Then in the midst of a blazing fire, a deep gloom, and a whirlwind, the terrifying voice of the Most High spoke audibly to His people, thus establishing His covenant with them.
Israel had other sacred places -- the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple in Jerusalem, and various altars men erected to God -- but Horeb was unique. Horeb was where Moses and the Israelites met God, and it was where Elijah fled when all he tried had failed.
Horeb was "the mountain of God."
Redeemer God
As a geographic and historic place, Horeb was weighty with spiritual significance. Yet the reality symbolized by Horeb -- that God chose a desolate place and then drew desolate men to meet with Him -- is a truth that resonates yet today. Horeb's message is this: the Lord does not turn away from our desolation; He comes to redeem it.
Consider Moses, the great prince of Egypt. From his high estate, he is exiled for forty years in the wilderness. He marries into a Midianite family and assumes the role abhorred by the Egyptians: a shepherd. Yet it is precisely at Horeb that God meets with Moses and commissions him. The wordHoreb means "desolation," and it is here that Moses finds redemption as he returns to Egypt empowered with godlike authority.
Or consider Elijah, the fierce prophet whose spectacular but failed efforts to bring revival burdened him with depression, fear, and discouragement. Elijah also comes to Horeb -- the loner, Elijah, who seemingly can't get over the idea that all the prophets are dead and he alone is left. Yet it is here that he discovers not only that there are seven thousand Israelites who are loyal to God, but among them is Elisha, a man who will receive a double portion of Elijah's power. He will bring an end to Jezebel's perverse reign and bring a season of revival to the northern tribes.
On Horeb Elijah discovers that his true call was not to lead a revival but to "go before" and "prepare the way" for greater things to come. Indeed it was this very spirit of Elijah that actually prepared the way for Jesus, Israel's Messiah, in the first century, and it shall again be the spirit of Elijah who prepares the way for the second coming of Christ. (See Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:11.)
Horeb in Your World
At Horeb we not only discover more about God but also finally begin to understand ourselves and what the Lord desires of us. Our lives simplify and truly focus on that which is most important. Beloved, you know you are at Horeb when God cuts you back to the root source of your spiritual life. Yes, you are at Horeb when you are inwardly repelled by the superficial distractions of modern Christianity and desperate for more of God.
You will not become a better person at Horeb. For Horeb is not about the perfection of self; it's about the abandonment of self. It is about the discovery that in us -- in our successes and our failures -- there dwells "no good thing." We do not have to perform but conform to the surrendered life of Christ.
Not everyone who walks with God goes through a Horeb experience. Some find God in worship; others knew desolation prior to knowing Christ and now know only thanksgiving to God for their salvation. Some may have actually been through Horeb but not identified it as such. At Horeb the morphine of religion wears off, and we can once again feel our pain. Reality manifests. We see ourselves in the light of God, and as we do, we fall upon Christ the cornerstone (Luke 20:18). Though "broken to pieces," we are finally fit to be used by God.
For those who are even now at Horeb, I urge you to let your soul open and your pain rise to God. He knows. He sees your heartache. He feels your sense of shame, bewilderment, and regret. Whatever He says, do it. When you leave Horeb, He will have brought you to a level you previously thought unattainable.
Recall the infusion of life that Moses and Elijah, the men of Horeb, each experienced beyond their season of desolation. Both experienced a type of the resurrection that is to come (Jude; 1 King 20). And in a mystery beyond our comprehension, it was these two Horebites who appeared in splendorous glory and spoke with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-3).
Horeb, once the place of desolation, is redeemed and revealed as a gateway to God. It is here, in brokenness and fearless honesty, where God brings wholeness of soul.
Horeb is the mountain of God. And once here, we are just steps away from the shelter of the Most High.
O living God, I bow before You. I confess my abject need of You. My guard is down, my actor is dead, and with him I fear my dreams are also gone. Yet you give dreams even to old men. You are the Resurrection. I cast myself upon You, O great God of my salvation. Draw me into Your holy shelter, and renew me.
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Shelter of the Most High
(En Español)
"Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God" (Exod. 3:1).
Mount Horeb was not what it seemed. Though forbidding and barren, Horeb (also called Sinai in Exodus) was the gateway God used to reveal Himself to the Hebrew nation. It was here that the living God appeared in a burning bush to Moses. It was also here that the aged and stammering Moses was sent back to Egypt with miraculous authority to liberate Israel.
It was to Horeb that the Israelites came, following the pillar of fire at night and the covering cloud by day. On Horeb, God Himself inscribed Israel's laws on tablets of stone. Then in the midst of a blazing fire, a deep gloom, and a whirlwind, the terrifying voice of the Most High spoke audibly to His people, thus establishing His covenant with them.
Israel had other sacred places -- the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple in Jerusalem, and various altars men erected to God -- but Horeb was unique. Horeb was where Moses and the Israelites met God, and it was where Elijah fled when all he tried had failed.
Horeb was "the mountain of God."
Redeemer God
As a geographic and historic place, Horeb was weighty with spiritual significance. Yet the reality symbolized by Horeb -- that God chose a desolate place and then drew desolate men to meet with Him -- is a truth that resonates yet today. Horeb's message is this: the Lord does not turn away from our desolation; He comes to redeem it.
Consider Moses, the great prince of Egypt. From his high estate, he is exiled for forty years in the wilderness. He marries into a Midianite family and assumes the role abhorred by the Egyptians: a shepherd. Yet it is precisely at Horeb that God meets with Moses and commissions him. The wordHoreb means "desolation," and it is here that Moses finds redemption as he returns to Egypt empowered with godlike authority.
Or consider Elijah, the fierce prophet whose spectacular but failed efforts to bring revival burdened him with depression, fear, and discouragement. Elijah also comes to Horeb -- the loner, Elijah, who seemingly can't get over the idea that all the prophets are dead and he alone is left. Yet it is here that he discovers not only that there are seven thousand Israelites who are loyal to God, but among them is Elisha, a man who will receive a double portion of Elijah's power. He will bring an end to Jezebel's perverse reign and bring a season of revival to the northern tribes.
On Horeb Elijah discovers that his true call was not to lead a revival but to "go before" and "prepare the way" for greater things to come. Indeed it was this very spirit of Elijah that actually prepared the way for Jesus, Israel's Messiah, in the first century, and it shall again be the spirit of Elijah who prepares the way for the second coming of Christ. (See Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:11.)
Horeb in Your World
At Horeb we not only discover more about God but also finally begin to understand ourselves and what the Lord desires of us. Our lives simplify and truly focus on that which is most important. Beloved, you know you are at Horeb when God cuts you back to the root source of your spiritual life. Yes, you are at Horeb when you are inwardly repelled by the superficial distractions of modern Christianity and desperate for more of God.
You will not become a better person at Horeb. For Horeb is not about the perfection of self; it's about the abandonment of self. It is about the discovery that in us -- in our successes and our failures -- there dwells "no good thing." We do not have to perform but conform to the surrendered life of Christ.
Not everyone who walks with God goes through a Horeb experience. Some find God in worship; others knew desolation prior to knowing Christ and now know only thanksgiving to God for their salvation. Some may have actually been through Horeb but not identified it as such. At Horeb the morphine of religion wears off, and we can once again feel our pain. Reality manifests. We see ourselves in the light of God, and as we do, we fall upon Christ the cornerstone (Luke 20:18). Though "broken to pieces," we are finally fit to be used by God.
For those who are even now at Horeb, I urge you to let your soul open and your pain rise to God. He knows. He sees your heartache. He feels your sense of shame, bewilderment, and regret. Whatever He says, do it. When you leave Horeb, He will have brought you to a level you previously thought unattainable.
Recall the infusion of life that Moses and Elijah, the men of Horeb, each experienced beyond their season of desolation. Both experienced a type of the resurrection that is to come (Jude; 1 King 20). And in a mystery beyond our comprehension, it was these two Horebites who appeared in splendorous glory and spoke with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-3).
Horeb, once the place of desolation, is redeemed and revealed as a gateway to God. It is here, in brokenness and fearless honesty, where God brings wholeness of soul.
Horeb is the mountain of God. And once here, we are just steps away from the shelter of the Most High.
O living God, I bow before You. I confess my abject need of You. My guard is down, my actor is dead, and with him I fear my dreams are also gone. Yet you give dreams even to old men. You are the Resurrection. I cast myself upon You, O great God of my salvation. Draw me into Your holy shelter, and renew me.
Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Shelter of the Most High
Monday, August 1, 2016
 | |
Word submitted for your discernment
By Yolanda Ballard
A FINAL CRY FOR REPENTANCE
Where have My people gone? Why don’t they cry out to Me with all their heart in this very hour with fasting and in prayer and travail for this is the hour of great tragedy among My people everywhere? There is much torment, much chaos and tragedy unceasing.
This is the very hour I will pour out My power if My people who are called by My name would humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways. Only then will I hear their prayers and forgive their sins and heal their land.
Many people say that I have turned My back on the United States of America that I will allow her to be destroyed. Do you really believe I would do that when I have invested so much of My love in her and many of My faithful intercessors have cried out for her unceasingly?
There is much complacency and backsliding and idolatry in this nation but I can turn the hearts of My people back to Me in one single hour. If I allow tragedy to hit the shores of this nation many would go to their knees in repentance. Do I have to go to this extreme measure to get her back? What do you think?
Yes, because she has hardened her heart against Me and became proud and arrogant and have boasted about their power, their success and accomplishments. I have allowed a leader to enter in to rob them of their pomp, power and glory. He has taken them down where no other nation looks up to her. They don’t trust or respect her no longer. They have said that they are no longer their allies, and the enemy who hates her is playing up to her like they are their friends through deception.
Yes, their leader has joined hands with the enemy and opened her borders to open attack. The streets are open prey and there is mass destruction brewing everywhere with mobs harassing one another and looting and raping. It is almost like piracy has taken place on its shores and coastlines. Yes, this is a travesty, a never-ending turn about of events sent from the enemy to destroy the nation.
I have made the promise that if you would repent and stand in the gap and cry out to Me, I would heal her land. There will come a time when the open gates to salvation will close and then I will allow the enemy to take over and destroy.
Yes, I am building an arc and I will draw My people unto Me for safety. I will use them in a mighty way because I will cover them and allow them to go out to draw in the lost. They will be ready at that time. Multitudes will come in. Remain faithful unto death and I will give you My crown of life says your God.
Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know theLord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3
The Shift Is Beginning
The Shift Is Beginning
The shift is beginning; first fruits are appearing as manifested sons awaken to the power and authority invested in them. I awakened this morning with clear words in my spirit, “The Shift is beginning, the shift is beginning, the shift is beginning.” Three times in succession I heard these words. Now, with my spiritual ear attuned, I hear additional words, “first fruits are appearing, first fruits are appearing, first fruits are appearing.” As I examine my own life, truly I see and sense the same – “The shift (from the past and all associated with it) IS BEGINNING); as FIRST FRUITS ARE APPEARING (newness of life, and it more abundantly).”
The enemy has feared the appearance of true manifested sons, fighting them to maintain his sphere of dominance in the world; robbing them of knowledge of their true authority. But now an ‘awakening’ is taking place, as these ‘sons’ recognize the appointed authority and power invested in them before the foundation of the earth. “Who is this uncircumcised giant taunting the army of the living God?” “Am I not sending you?” “You are appointed to reign and rule, not be ruled!” “Take your appointed position, recognizing the authority (in you) to rule over the circumstances of life.”
Yes, there is physical evidence in the form of first fruits (first the blade, then the ear, then the full corneal in the ear, then the harvest) for the Lord’s first fruits harvest of manifested sons upon this earth. Look around and see – we are moving beyond what ‘has been,’ to what was once beyond, to what now IS.
Awaken to His power within; come alive to the authority invested in you. Manifest O son of the Most High God!
Clay Sikes
www.lighthouseporphecy.com
www.lighthouseporphecy.com
You Will Triumph In Change!
Jennifer Eivaz, Turlock, CA
It was just after 3am, and I was walking up to my front porch having just completed a night-watch prayer shift at our church. The Lord had been speaking to me that week about "change," but I didn't know what He was referring to, and I had been seeking Him for more clarification. As I headed towards my porch, my eyes gazed down to the ground - to a dragonfly lying on the pavement. I thought it might be dead and gave it a little nudge with my foot. Apparently it was only napping and it gave me a loud angry buzz in response.
I felt the breath of God in that moment, however. I rushed inside my home to research on my computer the symbolic meaning for "dragonfly." I was not surprised to see that this beautiful insect was often a sign for "change." The Bible says that God speaks through His creation, and He was definitely speaking here. We need to prepare for change.
Quote from my husband, "Blessed are the flexible, for they won't be bent out of shape." –Pastor Ron Eivaz,
The disciples of John had been questioning Jesus about fasting. "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" (Matt. 9:14). Jesus took the opportunity to give John's disciples a lesson about change. Using highly visual language, Jesus explained why there was no reason to fast as long as He was around. He then revealed that He would soon be gone and His disciples would start fasting then. Contrasting old and new wineskins, Jesus instructs on the need to be flexible with the upcoming change. New wine can't go into old wineskins or it will break and be ruined! Only new wineskins can hold new wine (v. 17).
Prepare yourself to be flexible with upcoming change. You were redeemed to increase, but inflexibility will reduce you. Inflexibility will ruin you. If change, or even the thought of change, makes you anxious, you need to "fret not" because His peace will anchor you.
His Peace Keeps You Steady
Jesus portrayed perfect peace when He and His disciples set sail to the Gadarenes and a deadly storm rose up in the middle of their voyage (Mark 4). The disciples panicked while Jesus slept peacefully in the stern of the boat. You probably know the story, but the frightened disciples finally woke Jesus up to do something about it. He rebuked the storm with the powerful command, "Peace, be still!" And then He rebuked His disciples for not having any faith.Jesus stopped a storm with peace and apparently you can too. (Photo via Pixabay)
The peace of God is tangible. It's also a sign that God's Kingdom has invaded a chaotic situation and set it in order."Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end" (Is. 9:7). For example, a woman in our church had torn her meniscus disc in her knee and was scheduled for surgery. When I put my hand on her knee, I felt the tangible peace of Jesus leave my hand. I didn't feel power as expected, but I felt liquid peace! She was healed of all pain instantly and walked up three flights of stairs the next day.
Another time, I was in Beijing leading a group of Chinese men and women in prayer. A few of them were Christians, but most were not. As I prayed, one woman spoke out in English saying, "I don't believe in your God, but when you prayed I felt a strong peace come into me!" I responded, "That's Jesus! He's talking to you!" She was visibly touched having her heart arrested by His supernatural peace.
Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). We have a choice to fret or to remain steady during seasons of personal and national change. His peace is instantly accessible and powerful. It anchors us on the inside when it looks like trouble and uncertainty on the outside. We can navigate any change because His peace governs our soul.
Become Rock Solid
Just recently, I watched two ministries go down in flames in one week because of sin. It was sad! Yes, the devil is on the prowl. Yes, the devil takes aim at ministers (the shepherds) in order to scatter the flock. At the same time, the word is very clear as to WHY someone stands or falls in a storm.
Jesus said, "Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matt. 7:24). And then He goes on to explain that a man who does His sayings will not fall down even in the worst storm. On the other hand, those who don't do His sayings will most certainly fail under pressure.
My husband and I have always been "Word" people. It seemed obsessive at first, but I'm so grateful at this season in our lives that we chose to immerse ourselves in the written Word each and every day. In the night, in the morning time, and as we drive to and from our various destinations, there is one constant in our lives - it's the steady hearing and study of the Word of God.
There are many who don't do His sayings, not because they aren't willing to, but because they don't know what He has said. They don't commit their lives to reading or hearing His Word. The prophet Hosea said it well, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6).
How is your Word life? It's time to get obsessed with it. Permanently obsessed. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). It's not about hearing the Word once. It's about hearing and hearing it over and over. And in seasons of change, you'll remain rock solid because you've heard His Word and remained in His Word. While others are crashing, you'll be left standing. That's the power and strength of His Word in your life.
Our Blessing Comes From His Presence
Obed-Edom, the priest, was surprised by the arrival of the ark of the covenant to his household (2 Sam. 6). The ark was the Presence of God to Israel, and King David had delivered it to his home on an emergency order. Apparently, the king had failed to transport it from Abinadab's home to the city of Jerusalem properly.
David should have carried the ark on the shoulders of the priests, but instead he placed it on a cart being pulled by oxen. When the cart stumbled and the ark began to slip, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark being struck dead by the holiness of the Lord. Apparently you can't make your own rules when it comes to carrying the Presence of God.
It was a miserable event, and David put up the ark in Obed-Edom's home temporarily until he could sort out what to do. Because of the ark, an unusual blessing came upon Obed-Edom's household. The Bible doesn't specify what that blessing was, but an online Jewish Encyclopedia proposed that supernatural increase came upon the home. This encouraged King David to search out the proper order for handling the ark so he could transfer it properly to Mount Zion. He did so successfully, thus bringing the entire city of Jerusalem under the blessing of His Presence.
The ark of the covenant teaches us about the nature of His Presence. Where His Presence is, there will be the blessing of increase. I know this to be true having seen it in my own church. For example, during one year we saw three households supernaturally released from their mortgages while another household was supernaturally released from their car loan. Around the same time, a dairy farmer had three sets of calf twins in about nine months, which is almost unheard of. The blessing of His Presence is tangible and manifests with visible results.
In seasons of change, people often worry about their provision and safety and this is where compromise occurs. They think their preferred presidential candidate, a perfect healthcare system, or a glowing secular economy is what will solve all their problems! These things do affect us, but Jesus is the great problem solver. We are once again being directed to trust His Word and to trust His Spirit and prepare our lives to be distinguished by heavenly miracles.
The Holy Spirit is reminding us that, "...No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11).
You will TRIUMPH IN CHANGE.
Jennifer Eivaz, Executive Pastor
Harvest Christian Center, Turlock, CA
Asst2jeneivaz@harvestturlock.org
www.jennifereivaz.com
www.jennifereivazblog.com
Harvest Christian Center, Turlock, CA
Asst2jeneivaz@harvestturlock.org
www.jennifereivaz.com
www.jennifereivazblog.com
Sunday, July 31, 2016
of the fruit from My Tree. So
come and partake of Me in
Mercy and Grace. Bathe
yourself in My humility and
find Peace in all you do for I
AM a Wellspring of knowledge
and as you seek MY Face I will
adorn you in My manifold
Spirit so you to may walk in
the fullness of My ways and
not lack anymore.
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will liberally
supply (fill until full) your
every need according to His
riches in glory in Christ
Jesus.
__________________
Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truths !
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)