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Small Things

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2 Samuel 1:14-15 David said to him, Why were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed? 15 David called one of the young men and said, Go near and fall upon him. And he smote him so that he died.

Throughout Scripture from the fall of Adam and Eve to the crucifixion of Christ, from the writings of Paul to the end of the Book of Revelation – one fact remains: the wages of sin is death! The Amalekites had proven themselves enemies of God since the Exodus as described by Moses in the Book of Exodus: And the Lord said to Moses, Write this for a memorial in the book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.…And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. (Exodus 17:14,16) On the surface David’s response against this messenger of doom seems to be a little extreme. But underneath this narrative lies a larger monster that hides beneath the shadows lurking along the edges like a ravenous wolf ready to pounce upon its prey. First of all, this Amalekite is lying. He did not slay King Saul. Saul had taken his own life. Secondly, the messenger had looted what belonged to King Saul and the people of Israel – Saul’s kingly crown, and the bracelet on his arm. Thirdly, this man exposed his greed and lust for more. It wasn’t enough that he had plundered the crown jewels. His plot was much more twisted and devious. He had reasoned that there must be an even greater reward for the one who would kill Saul. Rather than taking the crown and bracelet and cashing in on his prize. He chose to up the ante. Finally, this man failed to realize that David was God’s man – God’s anointed – and God’s enemies were his enemies. But there is an even greater story unfolding before our eyes and Exodus 17:14,16 gives us the clue: I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.…And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord…

Did you catch that last part? The Amalekites had not simply lifted their hand to destroy God’s people. They had actually lifted their hand against God Himself. Against His Throne, Kingdom, and Reign. Consciously or unconsciously, this Amalekite was participating in the sins of his fathers and mothers. Ultimately, he was reflecting the heart of his spiritual father – Satan himself. For you see, the Amalekites, and their descendants could be traced all the way to King Herod himself, an Idumean (a descendant of the Edomites from which Amalek had come). Amalek had come from Esau’s son who had married a descendant of the Horites – and they were descendants of the demonic hybrid of the Nephilim (half-demon, half human. Think Goliath)

King Herod sought to kill Jesus – God’s Anointed King of Israel. Why had God said that He would personally fight against Amalek? Because they represented an Anti-Christ spirit. An anti-Christ agenda.

But how does all of this apply? Romans 8:7 states the carnal mind is at enmity with God. The carnal mind being our soulish mind or our propensity to rely more on our thinking, will, emotions, and personality or temperament to have things our way. This way of doing things is an enemy to God and the things of God because it hearkens back to the Garden of Eden, and you shall be gods. In other words having it our way is not doing it God’s Way. God’s Way obviously being Jesus Himself – The Way. But rest easy: the Lord will have war with (it) from generation to generation.

In Mark 8 Jesus warns of the leaven or yeast of the Pharisees, Herod, and the Herodians. (Matthew 16 adds the Sadducees). Leaven is a small thing – but it’s the small things that lead either to the anti-Christ rising in our lives or Jesus, the Bread of Life. Question is, Are we utilizing the yeast of the Kingdom of God or the yeast of satan himself? Remember it’s the small things that make all the difference in the outcome of what’s reigning in your life. What we sow into will determine the “rain” that falls in our lives.

Milk and Meat of God’s Promised Land

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Judges 1:1-3 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.3 And Judah [the tribe] said to [the tribe of] Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my allotted territory, so that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your territory. So Simeon went with him.

There are several ways to interpret the writings found in the Bible. Some are literal, like commands, instructions, and teachings. Others are inferred, like following the examples set before you. Still others are historically, and literally true, yet there is an allegorical, or symbolic meaning behind their narrative. For example when you read the parables of Jesus, or the Book of Revelation, most are not to be read literally, but symbolically. Participants in the New Covenant, primarily get their spiritual “milk” (a metaphor for the Word of God) from the New Testament. We can read and ascertain clearly what we are to do and not do. (which explains why most New Testament readers scratch their heads in confusion when they read the Parables of Jesus or the Book of Revelation). Unfortunately, or fortunately, when it comes to reading the Old Testament you will need to come prepared to read most of it allegorically, or symbolically (although it is literally, and historically true). You will need to see the message behind the message.

The passage in Judges 1:1-3 is just such an example. You can read it literally, and historically but it doesn’t make for much of an in-depth Bible study. As a pastor-teacher I could make the obvious point (which we all know and need to be reminded of) that when it comes to conquering our enemies we can’t do it alone. We need to call on others to help us achieve our goals. Which is a nice devotional thought – what the Apostle Peter, Paul, and the writer of Hebrews would call spiritual milk. But if you want some spiritual meat added to the meal you would need to ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit. He would reveal the message behind the message. You could begin with the Hebraic meanings of the words for the two tribes that partnered together: Judah, and Simeon. Judah means to praise, or give thanks, which is a form of worship (serving or ministering to the Lord). Simeon, on the other hand, means he who hears or a man of listening; or one who hears and accepts what is heard. Now, what’s the application? When I, or the church, partners in praise, thanksgiving, and worship (serving and ministering to the Lord) – with hearing and listening (to God) – accepting what has been heard – I, or the church, can defeat enemies. Not only can you defeat your enemies you are empowered to possess the manifestation of His Promised Inheritance. The real challenge comes when you ask, Is He calling you to partner with another – to see the manifestation of His Inherited Promises – in your life and theirs? Another thought, even more challenging, would be to ask, Do you want me to lay down the promises You’ve specifically given; the inheritance you have prophesied was mine; the dreams, and prophetic words You have given – so another can inherit theirs? Now, all of that taken together has enough milk, to wash down the meat at the table He has prepared for those who are spiritually hungry. But that table has only been prepared for those who have made the Lord their Shepherd.

Hidden Treasures

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There was a very poor man down in West Texas in the 1930s who barely made a living on a very poor sheep farm around Odessa and Midland. His name was E. L. Yates and he was so poor that he was contemplating bankruptcy and allowing the bank to repossess his farm. He was constantly worrying about how he could pay his bills and feed his family. One day a survey crew from an oil company came to him and asked for permission to drill for oil on his property. The contract stated that he was to receive every eighth barrel if any oil was found. At 1,115 feet they hit a gusher. The well produced 80,000 barrels of oil a day! Wells soon followed that could produce twice that capacity. Even thirty years later government surveys showed wells with a capacity for 125,000 barrels a day. It proved to be one of the richest veins of oil ever found on the North American continent. Mr Yates owned it all! When he purchased the land the oil came with it. During all the years of poverty he was rich and didn’t know it. Years passed before Mr Yates possessed what he owned and enjoyed the privileges of ownership.

In Gen. 28:16 Jacob makes a similar discovery: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” Acts 17:27 makes a similar observation: So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us. In our time of fasting and praying, seeking to meet Jesus outside of the camp, it is easy to become discouraged, disillusioned, and give up. But faith keeps digging until it strikes the riches of Who God is just beneath the hard surface of silence.

Graham Cooke states that “Hiddenness connects us with God’s Wisdom, and wisdom is the revelation of Who God is and the internal recognition of how He likes to work in our lives. Faith depends upon one thing – your understanding of the Nature of God. Real Wisdom and Understanding are hidden from us. We don’t gain spiritual maturity by accumulating knowledge, but by increasing in godly Wisdom. In Rev. 2:17 Jesus doesn’t aim to take away His Followers oppression in Pergamum. Instead His intention was to provide more revelation. He promised, To him who overcomes (conquers), I will give to eat of the manna that is hidden. In hiddenness we find His Wisdom, Understanding, and Revelation. Our task is to search for it. Colossians 2:3 states: In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. Psalm 51:6 states: Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Remember that in the New Testament Jesus is known as Truth, but in the Old He is known as Wisdom! While seeking Jesus in the hiddenness and darkness of our faith we will discover and unearth Him in His hidden Wisdom, Understanding, and Revelation. Happy digging and remember you are wealthier than you realize!

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!