A Season of Grace & Mercy for Sanballat and Tobias

Nehemiah 4 NIV

4 ^[a] When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall; he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, ² and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”

³ Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

⁴ Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. ⁵ Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of^[b] the builders.

⁶ So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

⁷ But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. ⁸ They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. ⁹ But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

¹⁰ Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”

¹¹ Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”

¹² Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

¹³ Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. ¹⁴ After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

¹⁵ When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.

¹⁶ From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah ¹⁷ who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, ¹⁸ and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

¹⁹ Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. ²⁰ Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

²¹ So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. ²² At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” ²³ Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.^[c]

Scriptural Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+4&version=NIV

Prophetic Insight:

A wellspring of revelation came forth this morning as it relates to kingdom building. It was revealed that the time has come for the Sanballats and Tobiahs of this past season to repent and purify their hands. They have worked tirelessly in order to block or stop the work of those (brothers and sisters in the Lord) who have been working and focused on kingdom building. Blinded by deception those who thought they were fighting against people have in fact been coming against the established work of the Father. Just as unruly children who throw rocks and then hide their hands, these agents of sabotage didn’t realize that the Sovereign Father not only saw them but He also knew the true purposes of their heart. 

The scepter of grace and mercy has now been extended to all who have purposely or unknowingly spoken against, restricted, hindered, blocked, delayed or even stopped those who were actively fulfilling their kingdom assignments in the earth. This space of grace is set for those who are to accept personal responsibility for their actions, repent to God, seek forgiveness, and then receive healing and restoration. The time has come, will you allow the love of the Father to make you whole?

Prophetic Healing Prayer:

Sovereign Father, you are holy. You are worthy of all of the praise and adoration that is due unto your name. I give you thanks for another day to come before your presence. Thank you that when you look at me, you see the righteousness of your Son. Today, I repent for any time I have personally spoken against, restricted, hindered, blocked, delayed or even stopped any of your precious ones from fulfilling their kingdom assignments in the earth.   

I ask you now for your forgiveness. I ask also that those whom I’ve hurt, whether in word or deed forgive and release me from all of the harm I caused them. I ask that they forgive me for trying to sabotage their divine assignment because  of my jealousy, envy, anger or fear. Father, I ask that you now wash me. Wash me, cleanse and restore me from the inside out that I may once again represent in purity your Son Jesus as an Ambassador here in the earth. I ask all of this in Jesus name, Amen.  

If you are in need of Jesus the Savior, you are welcome to pray the following prayer.

Prayer of Salvation:

I repent of all of my sins and right now I do confess that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for the remission of my sins. I believe that Jesus died and was buried and rose again, and is now seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. I receive Him now as Lord of my life and I now commit to serve him for the rest of my days. It’s in Jesus’ name I do pray, Amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer and want more information about beginning your new life as a Christian, please write us at the address below we will be happy to send you a free booklet.

PO BOX 754301

Memphis, TN 38175

Intercede for the lost and those who have fallen away from Christ

Moments ago I finished reading an article about a very influential Christian man who turned back into the world. Immediately I began to cry as I pressed into intercession for him. While I prayed, I sensed the heart of the Father grieved that someone who said that they loved and honored Him would in a matter of a few short years turn back as if they never been in a relationship at all. Beloved this is not a post to bring condemnation, however it is one to help raise awareness that we have truly entered the times where many will began to fall away and their love will wax cold for the true and living God. 

As Christians, now more than ever it is imperative that we continue to intercede for the incoming harvest, but most importantly we must continue to lift up those in the faith who may be facing struggles that cause their faith to be shaken beyond repair. The Bible tells us in Matthew 24: 9-14 “9Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”   

Our lives are truly living epistles and someone is watching and waiting for a sign that the God we say we serve is really real. While the earth continues to groan we must continue to be a light that is not only obedient but also full of the Sovereign Father’s glory.  While many more will eventually fall away in the days to come, let us all make sure that we are doing our very best through the grace of the Father to win the lost to Christ and to also help cover and gird up the people of God who are at a point of weakness in their faith.

Prayer: 

Dear Father, 

We thank you and give you glory. We honor you for who you are to us. We honor you for all that you have done. At this time we come before you lifting up the lost as well as our brothers and sisters who are one step away from falling away. Father we thank you for your son Jesus who paid a hefty price for the whole world that all might receive the free gift of salvation. We ask that you intervene today and begin to touch lives so that people may have an encounter with you that will change them forever. Father we thank you for household salvation which includes our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone we are connected to. 

Thank you for giving our Christian brothers and sisters strength to stand upon your word. Help them to know that someone cares. Help them to know that you love them and you desire the very best for them. Thank you for the opportunity to stand in the gap so that someone can get to know you in a brand new way. In Jesus name, amen.

Reference: Bible Hub http://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/24.htm

The Fire, the Rain and the Wind – Pentecost 2014

1 Kings 18: 36-45 
³⁶ At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. ³⁷ Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
 
³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

³⁹ When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” ⁴⁰ Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
 
⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

⁴³ “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.“There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

⁴⁴ The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

⁴⁵ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. ⁴⁶ The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+18&version=GNT

Prayer: Father thank you for this new day, and we give you praise as we celebrate the anniversary of the day that your Holy Spirit filled those assembled in the upper room. Thank you for another opportunity to reflect inwardly and to see if there is anything in us that is contrary to your divine will. We thank you for the fire that burns up everything in our lives that is not like you. We thank you for the cleansing rain which washes away all of the debris. And we thank you for the mighty wind which comes to reestablish your divine alignment and order. Father, you are welcome on this day to come into our lives and do an inside work that we may also be changed from head to toe. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

New Strength for the agents of intercession

Isaiah 40:28-31 KJV

²⁸ Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. ²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. ³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: ³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

This morning on the prayer line the Father revealed that many of the watchmen and gatekeepers are becoming a tad weary as they stand in the gap for the ministries and assignments they are assigned to. Everyone who says that they are on the wall  interceding but have not done so in a consistent and faithful manner are thereby causing a breach. However, the Father is sending forth divine help from on high to gird up the faithful and obedient and to strengthen them in their inner man.

To the obedient watchman and gatekeepers may you continue to keep watch and remain faithful on your post because the Father surely sees your labor of love and will reward you accordingly. To those who have gotten out of position know that you are not forsaken for you are loved by the Father. The scepter of grace is extended in your direction and your comrades are waiting in expectancy for you to come back and take your place  on the wall.

Prayer: Father thank you for those you have called to stand in the gap for such a time as this. Thank you for their courage, faith and obedience to stand and hold up a banner of excellence as they intercede for the lost and the nations. May you continue to gird them up with wings as an eagle that they may fly to new and greater heights of intercession in you.  Father, we give you praise and honor for each one in Jesus name, amen.

                                                                                                                  

Scribed May 24, 2014 @ 6 AM (CST)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

Romans 8:18-28

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 

²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Reference

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208&version=NIV

Message 

Today, if you feeling a bit out of sorts it is okay, just yield to the Spirit. If you are dealing with issues in your body that have come upon you suddenly, it is okay just yield to the Spirit.  If you have been feeling better than you have ever felt, yet been feeling just a tinge of uneasiness in your spirit, it is okay just yield to the Spirit.

Upon rising and going straight into resting before the Father, there was such a huge urge to ask God, about Jesus’ return because for the last couple of days, I have been feeling His nearness in the earth. So the question I innocently posed to the Sovereign Father was, “What is preventing Jesus from returning to the earth right now?”  

The reply I received was “The earth is groaning and is currently shifting and being brought into alignment with the purposes of the Father for this time and season. Not only are these the best of times for many, the days will also reveal to be the worst of times as well.   

On one hand we will be celebrating a victory with rejoicing and singing, and then moments later we will find ourselves humbled and back in a posture of prayer and intercession. This is not done in order to shorten the time for the people of God to enjoy, celebrate and bask in experiences associated with a victory, however it is in response to the seriousness of the times and a great need for true intercession  to go forth in the earth realm. 

Encouragement

Be not fearful for the Father has already revealed this in His word that there will be perilous times in the earth, but as we humble ourselves and yield fully to His Spirit, “the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” In all sincerity we must move into divine alignment and then stay in position in order for real change to take place. Not only are our families and others waiting on us, but all of creation is groaning in expectation of our obedience. 

Be encouraged and know that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Blessings

Today, if you desire to know the Lord as your personal savior, please pray the following prayer

Prayer of Salvation

I repent of all of my sins and right now I do confess that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for the remission of my sins. I believe that Jesus died and was buried and rose again, and is now seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. I receive Him now as Lord of my life and I now commit to serve him for the rest of my days.

It’s in Jesus’ name I do pray, Amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer and want more information about beginning your new life as a Christian, please write us, we will be happy to send you a free booklet.

PO BOX 754301, Memphis, TN 38175

Changing of the Guard Part III

Gehazi’s Greed

2 Kings 5:20-27 ²⁰ But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” ²¹ So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” ²² And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’”

²³ So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him. ²⁴ When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. ²⁵ Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?”

And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.”  ²⁶ Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? ²⁷ Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.

Message

Father shared a parable this past Thursday morning which aligns with the scripture reference from 2 Kings 5:20-27. The parable centers on a person who is hired as an employee at a company and becomes part of the company’s workforce. As an employee of this company, the individual provides a service to their employer and in return receives compensation for fulfilling what is required. One day after providing a service for a client who has connections with the local professional team, the employee announces that they need a favor and would like tickets for an upcoming game.  While the employee believes there is no harm in making this request, they may not realize that by soliciting goods or services from the client is in fact wrong and against company policy. They also may not be aware that the purpose of this policy is not only for protecting the integrity of the company but also for their benefit as well.  Companies normally put policies like this in place to help safeguard all employees including management from falling prey to greed. Without the proper boundaries in place, employees could easily be enticed away by any freebie presented and lose focus thereby affecting the integrity of the company’s vision.

It’s important to note that while some client/customer freebies may be viewed as free, someone somewhere already paid the price for it to be produced. Gehazi, who served the prophet Elisha, allowed the sight of a few “freebies” to draw his focus away from his ministry assignment. Apparently he felt in some way that he was somehow entitled to these items because Elisha had of course healed Naaman. What he failed to realize is that the boundaries that were in place were not there to hinder him from accepting and enjoying the “freebies” but to protect the integrity of his and Elisha’s ministry assignment. Unfortunately for him, his short lived greed came with a very high price tag.

Prophetic Utterance

Some major leaders will be stepping down because of what has happened within their ministries as it relates to greed. Father is now exposing on a grand scale. New leaders with a heart for Him will rise up to take their place. Things are being aligned and redirected so the church can truly begin to step out of its comfort zone to become a driving force in the earth before the return of the Lord. Father desires that His people be Kingdom generated and not greed motivated. Scribed @ 7:45 AM (CST) 2/27/2014

Encouragement

Grace is available. Mercy is obtainable and God is able to heal and restore you.

Deliverance Prayer

Heavenly Father thank you for who you are. You are Sovereign and worthy of all the honor and glory. We surrender our hearts, mind and emotions to you on today. We ask that you forgive us for any trespass against you and others. Forgive us for harboring greed in any area of our lives.  Father, forgive us for not protecting the integrity of your church and our ministry assignments. We ask that you wash, cleanse, and purge us of any contamination from the world. Purify and align our hearts with your divine will that we can become the effective witnesses and agents of change you desire us to be. Thank you Heavenly Father for your amazing grace and another opportunity to serve you both in spirit and in truth. Amen

Encouragement for those who are serving in the trenches

Psalm 24 
Of David. A psalm.

¹ The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

³ Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not trust in an idol
    or swear by a false god.

⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, God of Jacob.

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.

Reference:  http://www.biblegateway.com

Message 

This afternoon, a heavy tear filled intercession came up in my spirit for those who are serving in the trenches of the vineyard. Many have been crying out to the Father because they are feeling undervalued and forgotten.  

Father spoke, that yes He has heard your silent cries of anguish and frustration. And He is aware that many are serving others while in deep need. Many are wondering when they will be rewarded for countless hours of labor. Many have also wondered why they have not been allowed to enjoy the spoils as their leaders have been privy to. 

Father spoke that He has heard your request and wants you to know that your labor is not in vain. The reward that you are searching for, the recognition that you are seeking for is found in Him alone. Place not your confidence in the things of the flesh, place your hope in God alone. He is the rewarder of them that seek after Him with their whole hearts. As you work unto the Lord, it is He who will supply your every need. 

Be free today and set your heart and eyes back upon the Lord, the creator of all the earth.