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Loving and Hating

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Malachi 1:2-3 I have loved you, says the Lord. Yet you say, How and in what way have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? says the Lord; yet I loved Jacob (Israel), 3But [in comparison with the degree of love I have for Jacob] I have hated Esau [Edom] and have laid waste his mountains, and his heritage I have given to the jackals of the wilderness.

If you are reading this for the first time it is really offensive. God teaches us to love Him, others, and even our enemies. Who gave Him a pass on hating others? Or is there another way to interpret this passage? Yes! We see the same teaching device used by Jesus in Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple. In this passage, what is known as a hyperbole is being used to teach the high cost of following Jesus. What’s a hyperbole? “Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.” They are exaggerated to make the point: the cost for following Jesus is costly. But what is God saying about Jacob and Esau? He is saying that His love for Jacob was greater than it was for Esau. In other words, His preference for Israel versus Jacob made His comparative love for Esau look like hatred.

But what was it about Jacob – the deceiver; one who seeks to take the place of through any means necessary; the manipulator, and liar – that God loved or valued? Surely, it wasn’t his character traits. The Bible makes no bones about it: He hates sin! If you have ever been repelled by how offensive the crucifixion of Christ was portrayed in the Passion movie then you get a small glimpse of how much God, the Father hates sin. It is offensive to some because it took an offensive act to take care of the offensiveness of our many sins. But what was God seeing in Jacob that clearly his brother Esau did not have? Jacob valued above all things the birthright of his older brother Esau. What was the big deal? The birthright was a gift of spiritual and material inheritance. Esau valued immediate, physical needs more than the long-term spiritual and legal blessings of the birthright, Jacob sought it for its spiritual, and covenant promise value. The birthright included a double portion of inheritance, leadership of the family, and the role of the spiritual head of the household.

Not only did Jacob value the birthright he also valued the patriarchal blessing due to the first born at the father’s passing. What was the significance of the blessing? The patriarchal blessing represented prophetic promises, blessings, and a significant inheritance from God. Jacob was willing to do whatever it took to secure those blessings. You see the same thing happening when Jacob wrestles with the “Angel of the Lord” (an OT manifestation of Jesus). He wrestled through the night til sunup to secure the blessing from this visitor in the night. Now do you see what God saw in Jacob? Do you see what He loved?

What do you value in life and what have you done to secure it? Are you more like Esau or Jacob? Mt. 6:19-21 states, “Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.20 But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” What gift can you give to an individual who owns everything? There is absolutely nothing you can purchase for them so what can you give them? The short answer? Yourself. Guess who God’s treasure is? You and I. How can you lay up treasures in Heaven? How can you lay before God that which is truly valuable to Him? We look for the treasures in others seeking to secure them for Jesus’ Kingdom. As the Moravians used to say, “For the reward of the Lamb and for His suffering.” Every person you have led to Christ; every person you have baptized or discipled; every person you have loved closer to Jesus – are the treasures you are laying before Jesus’ feet. One more crazy question, How many of these “treasures” will greet you when you enter through Heaven’s Gates?

Revelation 7:9 gives us a glimpse of that day: After this I looked and a vast host appeared which no one could count, [gathered out] of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. How many people from the nations, tribes, peoples, and languages are there because you partnered with the Godhead in leading them there? I know I’ve got some there. Hallelujah! Do you? Imagine Billy Graham’s treasures. Whew! that will blow your mind. But guess what? In an interview on national TV, as Billy was getting older, he wept, confessing, “My life has been a failure.” If Billy Graham’s life is a failure we are all going to Hell.

Earning Your Stripes

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Hosea 1:9-11 And the Lord said, Call his name Lo-Ammi [Not-my-people], for you are not My people and I am not your God.10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and instead of it being said to them, You are not My people, it shall be said to them, Sons of the Living God!11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together and appoint themselves one head, and they shall go up out of the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel [for the spiritually reborn Israel, a divine offspring, the people whom the Lord has blessed.]

The Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible states the following regarding this passage: There is a play on words between Jezreel and Israel; they look and sound more alike in Hebrew than in English. Hosea’s reference to Jezreel in verse 5 states: And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel – has a significant opposite meaning to that in verse 11. The scene of the breaking of the bow of Israel will become the scene of mending and reunification. The place of thorough disruption and scattering will become the place where God sows, which is the meaning of Jezreel: God sows.

Hosea 10:12 states: Sow for yourselves according to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to inquire for and of Him, and to require His favor, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you. In both passages the place of breaking becomes the place of mending; the place of harvest. Question is, what are we harvesting from that which is breaking? To those who have learned from both, the breaking and mending, become the sons and daughters of God ruling and reigning with Jesus. It’s interesting to note that Israel was one who wrestled with God and overcame. But that wrestling came with a price. For from that day Israel walked with a limp, his walk forever changed. Fast forward approximately 1600 years and Israel had blossomed and bloomed into a full blown nation – yet walking without a limp. Israel had quit wrestling with God for His promises; for His blessings. As a result God had to come to Israel and do the breaking so that many sons and daughters would be raised up like the sand of the sea. What’s the bottom line of all of these things? God’s people are broken people. Karl Marx once noted that religion was a crutch for the masses. He added, Religion is the opium of the people. Unfortunately for Marx, he failed to take a deep look into a mirror to see we are all broken people in need of a crutch. Spoiler alert: the crutch isn’t religion. Religion is what crucified Jesus (and is still crucifying Jesus). But Jesus is the Broken-hearted One Who is a friend to the broken-hearted, and broken. He has nothing to do with the religion of man. Jesus, the Son of Man, isn’t welcome. But into those who recognize their need He has sown His life, purpose, love, and joy. To the outside world we look weak and broken – but from an eternal perspective we cause Heaven to cheer and hell to tremble; we are the sons and daughters of God shaking the earth with the soon, approaching Kingdom of God.

One last observation: Military rank is designated by the stripes on their uniforms. In the Lord’s Army we are earning our stripes – our ranking in Heaven’s Armies – through our faithful suffering. The more faithful (FAITH-FILLED) we are – through the suffering – the higher the rank and esteem in Heaven’s Armies. This ranking equals authority, and that authority gives us power to set others free from their prisons. So get out there and trample on those serpents and scorpions.

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.

I Will Not Let You Go

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In Genesis 32:24-32 the Patriarch Jacob has an encounter with an Angel in which they find
themselves in a wrestling match. Jacob says to his night time visitor, “I will not let You go
unless You declare a blessing upon me.” And there you have it. Many times in our prayers
we won’t persevere in prayer to breakthrough to the answer. Isaiah 64:7 states: “And no one calls on Your name and awakens and bestirs himself to take and keep hold of You…” In
wrestling with God for our answer we are changed, and that’s God’s goal. Seeing our walk
through life changed to look like Jesus is God’s ultimate desire for our lives.

I got behind on Lou Engle’s blogs so today I will send you 2 to catch you up. God bless you in your pursuit of God, and may your walk be changed forever.

“Billy Graham, I will not let you go!”                                 
Read 2 Kings 2.
 
Seventy years ago, Billy Graham pitched his tent in Los Angeles, and Jesus the evangelist was manifested through him and many others. In the course of his lifetime, Billy preached the
Gospel to more than 215 million individuals, but I am convinced that his life was a down payment for a nameless and faceless generation to come that would fill stadiums across the
whole earth. It is time for Billy Graham’s mantle to come on entire nations!
 
Years ago I received a word that I was to watch closely for the passing of Billy Graham.
Earlier in 2018, in an extended season of fasting and prayer, I was reading about the mantle of Elijah passing to Elisha. Next to the passage, I wrote in big letters in my Bible: “Billy
Graham I will not let you go until I get a double-portion of your mantle on the next
generation.” What I did not know was that Graham would pass away in just ten days! When he passed, I knew that it was the moment we had been waiting for all these years. Seventy
years were up! When Daniel understood that it was time, he set his face to fasting and
prayer. We just held the Send with 59,000 praying for Billy Graham’s mantle. It is time to
fast.
 
Fasting is the great era-shifter. Moses’ 40-Day fast shifted Israel into the era where the glory of God was made manifest.  His fast released a double-portion on Joshua, whose name means
“The Lord Saves.” Elijah’s 40-Day fast released a double-portion on Elisha, whose name
means “God Saves.” John the Baptist’s lifestyle of fasting and even Jesus’ 40-Day Fast released
the prototype, a double-portion Son, our Jesus, whose name means “The Lord Saves.” 
I believe that this 40-Day fast can release a season of the double-portion Jesus
Movement, through which the Lord will save prodigals, drug addicts, those held in
bondage, and release Stadium Christianity into the earth!
 
Prayer
Lord, we believe that the millions who heard Billy Graham’s preaching was just a down
payment of what You are about to do.  Loose a double-portion on the next generation! Release Stadium Christianity in America and all of the nations of the earth!

A New Scroll for the Nation

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:16-19)

In 1999, I prayed the prayer, “How can I turn America back to God?” It became the defining prayer of my entire life and birthed the movement of TheCall. That very night I had a dream where I was overwhelmed with the impossibility of seeing America turn back to God. In the dream, a scroll rolled down before me with the Scripture of Luke 1:17. When I woke up, I knew at that moment TheCall would be like a John-the-Baptist type movement that would prepare the way of the Lord. For the last two decades, we have gathered hundreds of thousands in fields, arenas, and stadiums to fast and pray, believing that it would lead to a moment where, like John the Baptist, we would declare, “Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world!”

“This is a random picture taken by David Parks at The Send. Look at the time on the clock in the photo. We Prophesied The Send would release the Luke 4:18 scroll. The photo is a whisper that has become a roar in my heart.”
It was last year on the Central Coast of California that a new scroll began to unfold. I heard the prophetic storyline of Paul Cain’s life and stadium vision that confirmed the transition I was feeling in my heart. At the end of Anna Cain’s life (Paul Cain’s mother), who was a prophetess in her own right, she told her son Paul that the Lord had one last prophetic word. She said that it would be the most important prophecy she would ever give to her son and the whole world. Then, she slipped into a coma. Weeks passed. Suddenly, one night Anna woke from the coma to say, “Paul, the Lord is going to release over your life and the Body of Christ across the world – Luke 4:18.” After prophesying, she slipped back into a coma and then passed away the next day. Mike Bickle, my friend, and leader of the International House of Prayer, who was there with Paul, noted that she passed on 4/18 at 4:18 PM.

When I heard this story, and as I now ponder the recent death of Paul Cain, I know that a new scroll is unfolding for my life and the nation. It is not just the Luke 1:17 scroll of TheCall. It is now also the Luke 4:18 scroll of Jesus. Coming out of the 40-Day Fast, Jesus entered Galilee “in the power of the spirit” (Luke 4:14). He then went to Nazareth and opened a new scroll for the whole nation -Luke 4:18. I believe that we are in the season of the great transition. We are in a moment where the scroll of Luke 4:18 could be opened up over the whole nation, and then it will be a Jesus Movement like we have never seen before.

Prayer
Father, we thank you for 20 years of The Call and now thank you for The Send! Now let the scroll of Luke 4:18 roar throughout the earth. Raise up thousands of workers who have the spirit of the sovereign lord upon them to unleash the ministry of Jesus to the broken and the oppressed. Heal every manner of disease, sickness and mental oppression. Let joy erupt!