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Who or What is Your Jericho?

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Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho [a fenced town with high walls] was tightly closed because of the Israelites; no one went out or came in. AMPC

Jericho was the first fortressed city that Israel encountered in their advancement into the Promised Land. It was the first thing that stood between them and the manifestation of their inheritance, and their promises from God. And it was the first thing they were going to have to fight through to break through into all God had for them.

I don’t know about you but I hate conflict and confrontation. Unfortunately, it’s what all the saints of Jesus are called to. The Pre-incarnate Jesus is mentioned in Joshua 5:13-15 and He is described as a Man…with His drawn sword in His hand and Prince of the Lord’s host. King David referred to God, the Father as Lord of Hosts, or Lord Sabaoth, literally interpreted as Lord of Angelic Armies. If you consider yourself a lover and not a fighter – think again. You are called to both. Even the title assigned to Jewish people, Israelites, is an indicator of Jesus’ followers job description. If you remember, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, because he had wrestled with God and overcome. In other words, Jacob had to wrestle or “fight” God for the blessing.

Jericho was tightly closed because the Prince of Heaven’s Armies, as well as His warriors, were just outside its walls. Now that is an interesting thought. Jericho being tightly shut because King and Warrior Jesus, and His people, are just outside getting ready to conquer and cause its walls to fall in submission, and surrender.

But here’s another thing to consider: In the spring, when kings go forth to battle,….2 Samuel 11:1. In Biblical times wars were going to be fought in the spring time. Guess what? Not a whole lot has changed. Ecclesiastes reminds us that To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:…(Eccl. 3:1) We are presently in one of God’s Biblical seasons. There are seasons, or cycles of manifestation, or mountaintop highs, and then there are seasons, or cycles of wildernesses, or valley lows. And presently, we are in a season, or cycle of warfare – spiritual warfare to be more exact. But there’s a sad verse that follows 2 Samuel 11:1 and its this, One evening David arose from his couch… (2 Samuel 11:2) HIS COUCH? What was David the giant-killer, lion smashing, bear stomping warrior of God doing on a couch? He was sending others to battle. He was being tempted to lust after his next door neighbor’s wife. It did not end well for David. It’s true All things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28) but that doesn’t mean you are going to be unscathed by the poor decisions you have made.

Why do I bring all of these things to your attention? Because now is time when you are called to battle for what God has promised you. In this season, who or what is your Jericho? Who or what is tightly closed to you because you brought Jesus to the fight? Is your Jericho a person, a circumstance, a healing, or a broken-hearted hurting? Is your Jericho an unfulfilled promise or prophetic word you have yet to see manifested that was given years or decades ago? What would happen if you listed those and presented them to the Lord as something to fight towards, and for? What would happen if you got off the “couch” circumstances have assigned you and began to thank God for the unseen as if it is seen?

You might be tempted to think, Well I’ve been dealing with this for decades; I’ve been waiting for the manifestation of this promise for decades. But let me ask you a question, Have you waited for 40 years? Wilderness, wandering Israel had. Have you waited as long as Jesus? He’s still waiting on the Father to answer some of His prayers. Besides, what other plans do you have? Get off your “couch of resignation” and armor up for the fight. We just celebrated Jesus’ fight for our salvation. Fight from victory not towards victory. If you are fighting for victory you have already lost the battle. You aren’t fighting from a place of faith but from unbelief. Ask forgiveness for that and press on. Stand up in and through the finished work of the Cross and Resurrection. Put your trust in His Blood and begin to rigorously give thanks for the unseen as if it is seen.

Jesus Fast Day 5

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In light of a recent message regarding the baptism of the Spirit and Fire and it’s symbolic reference to zeal I thought Lou Engle’s Post for today was timely:

Bread From Heaven

“Passion is the north star compass for your calling.” Yesterday we spoke concerning passion as the mainspring for the 40-day fast. Passion is the north star compass for your calling. It enables you to make sacrifices that otherwise would be unthinkable. Have you written down the dominating prophecies, dreams, and inward desires that we spoke of yesterday? Take time, ponder these things, and be possessed.    

Today, we want to continue to help you climb this 40-day mountain. Jesus said, “This kind cometh not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21). To fast without prayer is starvation. Or at best, a diet. You can lose weight and lose your salvation at the same time. Prayer provides the oil that lights the lamp that illuminates the darkened path of your ascent to spiritual conquest. Eating takes hours of our days. We think about it, we talk about it, we spend time preparing it, eating it, and thinking about what we’ll eat before we go to bed. Almost without question, you will, during this fast, have dreams that you’re breaking your fast. You’ll wake up thinking “Oh no, I broke my fast!” Actually, the dreams reveal what really has a hold on you. In fasting and prayer, we find ourselves beginning to feast on bread from heaven that truly satisfies. Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51). In place of your normal eating times, set aside much time to pray and read the Word. Pray your promises and your passions. Put your headphones on and be swept along by the sounds of heaven’s epic music soundtrack that is playing above you and in you. Worship God. In fasting with prayer you know in the deepest sense that you love God more than anything. Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). Do not be discouraged if there is no light coming to you during the fast. Endure and persevere in your pursuit. “He who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God” (Isaiah 50:10). Almost by definition, the wilderness of fasting can be a dark place, but the realm of the invisible sometimes cannot be seen in the daylight of our normal existence. Stars can only be seen at night. It may be in your darkest moment of this fast that a dream comes and lights your lamp forever. Or it may be after the fast that angels will come and minister to you, like what happened at the end of Jesus’ fast. In many fasts that I have entered into, dreams have come and shown me a new dimension of God and a new direction of purpose. Other times, it seemed like the heavens were closed. But the Bible reassures us that the Father will reward you openly for the fast you do in secret (Matt. 6:4). 

Your soul will be attracted to entertainment and food, anything just to keep your mind off of the fast. Know that the fast creates a vacuum in your soul into which spiritual water is to be poured. Be careful what you pour into your soul. In the natural, fasting removes toxins from your body. I read somewhere that in a 30-day water fast, you actually get a new stomach through the renewal of your cells. Spiritually speaking, you receive a new capacity for spiritual renewal and breakthrough. Shut down other voices, shut down all the noises so that you can hear another voice, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord’” (Isaiah 40:3). Open the faucet of your spirit man through crying out to God, “Fill me with your Holy Spirit! Give me a revelation!”    

 Find the fellowship of fasting friends. They will fuel your fire. Speak often with one another and God will listen and hear. He will write you down in his diary of devotional lovers. Your fast moves heaven. Lock on to another brother or sister who will fast with you, for two are better than one, if one falls another will lift him up (Eccl. 4:9-10). For 35 years, I’ve had my close fasting friend as my wingman. We have flown together with revelation. Share your revelations with one another and that revelation will fuel your fast.  
Prayer: Lord we ask for bread from heaven in this fast. We ask for personal revelation that we can live by – every word that proceeds from your mouth! We ask for dreams and visions. We ask for the salvation of five unbelievers in this forty days. Lord of the harvest send laborers into their lives and here am I send me! 

Messages from God

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Sunday was a great day to be in the House of the Lord with my favorite people. I wanted to go around and “bear hug” all of you. Our trips to Indonesia and Maryland had exhausted us physically but created a greater desire to be back with our church family. What a welcome home we had with our guest Brad McClendon. I was left with the impression that no one wanted to leave church. (I believe we were here till 1:30) Many received prophetic words as tears flowed freely, and the Presence of God flooded the room. Matt Wagenmaker reported seeing the reflection of a “man” about 7′ tall standing behind Brad with his hand resting upon his shoulder. Matt rewound the video to see if the camera recorded the event but our “visitor” left no evidence of his visit. (How cool is that?) Also Brad asked at the beginning of our service if anyone was having shoulder issues to raise their hand. Several raised their hands in response. As a result, Cass Thompson reported that she had been suffering badly from a torn rotator cuff, and was having to wake up and take medication to lessen the pain. She reported that Ssnce Sunday’s meeting she has had no more pain. Praise the Lord!

After this Sunday’s service many of you received prophetic words and may be wondering, “What do I do in response?” Scripture teaches in 1 Thess. 5:20-21: Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. AMP Classic  Thus we are taught from Scripture to test the word from the Lord. But how do we test them?

1. A prophet must not contradict anything God has previously revealed. 

2. A prophecy must exalt Jesus Christ. 

3. A prophets life must be consistent with the prophecy he or she gives. Are they honoring Christ and bringing glory to Him, or are they bringing attention to themselves? Are they walking in humility, and does their ministry produce humility? Does their ministry produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

4. Because someone meets the above criteria does not necessarily mean that the message is from God. The leaders of each particular assembly should be the ones who make the determination. 

5. Prophets and prophecies should be submitted to the Shepherd or shepherds of the church. The prophet or the word should never circumvent the spiritual authority God has put in place (whether we like, or agree with that authority or not). 

6. A Prophet or prophecy should rarely give direction, or counsel. That is the job of the pastor.

7. Prophecy should meet the conditions of 1 Cor. 14:3: But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who [b]interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation.

These are great guidelines but what if you have to wait to see if the word becomes a reality? Here are a few pointers:

  1. Some words are “destiny words” regarding your future. For example, in the book of Genesis, Joseph received dreams that he would rule over his father, and brothers. The shepherd boy David was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel – even though Saul was still king. All destiny words are usually conditioned upon cooperating with the Lord in the process of becoming who He said you would be.
  2. Prophetic words will cause several reactions: “I can’t see it,” or “I can see it,” or “That’s confirmation regarding something I’ve had in my heart, (or were praying about.)” The prophetic word should support, confirm or clarify somethings we are already having clues about. Or they may cause you to pray about something you hadn’t even considered. (You see that in the case of Gideon).
  3. If you received a word you didn’t agree with simply release it. Those who have a prophetic ministry are simply stepping out in faith regarding what they believe is the Spirit of God. A practical reason why we are to test the words given.
  4. If you received a word that intrigued you even though you can’t see how it could ever happen. Then simply pray about it. Record the word, dating when and where it was given, and continue praying over it. The reason for doing this is because you will forget. If it’s from the Lord the enemy will try to get you to doubt it, or forget about it.
  5. The Lord does not want you to be passive regarding the word. He wants you to thank Him for it. Believe and trust that He will bring it to pass. Step out in faith positioning yourself to become a manifestation of that word. Also seek reputable resources to help educate you regarding the word, and position yourself among others who can help you grow into your word.
  6. Lastly if you have any questions regarding a word, or the gift of prophecy, please feel free to talk with me about it. I will do my best to answer any questions you may have, and provide wise counsel.

Paul exhorts us in 1 Cor. 14:1 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy…..Remember you are the Lord’s sheep and according to John 10 Jesus’ sheep hear His Voice. So pursue this gift, stepping out in faith to listen, and minister the word of the Lord. With every step you please the One Who made you to be like His Son. (Hebrews. 11:6).