Revelation 1:11 YOUR ALPHA AND OMEGA

REVELATION

A Verse by Verse Study

My own personal journey

"A journey of studying what’s revealed to me!"

REVELATION 1:11 YOUR ALPHA AND OMEGA 

Revelation 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

Jesus is Alpha and Omega.  He's not only THE Alpha and Omega but he is YOUR Alpha and Omega.  Both are Greek words meaning beginning and end or first and last.  Jesus isn't just the beginning or just the end.  In your own life, don't just start well with Jesus without finishing with Jesus because he isn't going to abandon you. He's going to stay with you through it all! He isn't going to begin with you and then tire of your relationship, nor is he going to give up on you when the going gets tough.  He's the author of your faith and he's the finisher of your faith and he's doing a perfect work with and in you.

Hebrews 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him...

Hebrews 12:1,2  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Recognizing Jesus as the author of our faith, we recognize our faith was his idea.  Just coming to him to be born again means we lay all of our burdens at the foot of the cross.  We enter into a race in which we run with him. Our goal is the same as his, the joy set before us.  Our joy is in him.  Our new life is in him and although there are trials and temptations, finishing the race means we endure in-between the obstacles that come our way and cross the finish line.  Our life on earth is just the beginning.  While there's a finish line, which is our eternal destination, our life doesn't end there! Praise God we live forever in a place with no more tears and no more sorrow...a world without end! Let's therefore take the advice in Hebrews and lay aside sins and weights.  Let's lighten the load and place every burden at his feet.

Jesus is not just the author and finisher of our faith as individuals but for the entire body of Christ. He mentions the 7 churches and names them one by one.  Later, he will address each one according to their present state.  He will speak his Word in a way that will minister directly to their most desperate need.  We all will find ourselves somewhere in the Words to his church and the Word that ministered to them will minister to the intimate places in our hearts.   Although he is risen from the dead, ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of God the Father, he is present by his Spirit. John was "in the Spirit," and heard a voice and SAW what he spoke.  Jesus named the churches one by one!  He didn't say the letter was only FOR those churches but he said to distribute them there.  He knew that through this distribution, this WORD, the prophecies of THIS BOOK would reach the entire body of Christ, becoming part of the Canon of Scripture. God is intimately aware of his church; his bride; his love and he is the author and finisher of HER faith.  He is ever present and ever making intercession.  What a comfort to know Jesus sits at the right hand of the father and there, he is praying for me! There, he is praying for you!  He ever lives with that purpose, to see his bride come home!   His Word is alive and well as he is and he is with us! He will never leave us or forsake us. He will bless us and correct us.  He will make his bride ready. He is not only our author, our starter, and our companion.... he is our finisher!  When we as his body, lay aside our weights and look unto him, we will walk through this life and one day we'll step across that finish line and be with him forever! Amen and glory! It excites me to think about that!

Jesus is also not only the author and finisher of our faith, he is the author and finisher of this world. The bible says by his Word, the earth both came into existence and is held in existence.  One day, every Word of this prophecy will come to pass and we'll see the end of the story of earthly creation.  May we find ourselves "in Christ" on that day!  If "in Christ," the story ends well.  If not, the ending isn't so great but we'll leave that for another study.  Just know he is the beginning and the end.  The Word of God opens with the phrase, "In the beginning," and ends with these words:

Revelation 22: 20-21  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

Everything in between is all about him and the joy set before him. He is gathering all things to himself but the choice is ours whether we will be gathered and end in his joy or will we have that undesirable end? The choice is ours! May we be found in his grace!  Won't you accept his grace today? Won't you lay your burdens down at his feet? Won't you hear his voice calling you to run your race with him by your side?  If you've never asked Christ to be your author and finisher, please do so today with a simple prayer, "Lord I give myself to you! Mold me and make me! Precious Lord take my hand!"  Amen!

REVELATION 1:3 - THE BOOK THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

REVELATION

A Verse by Verse Study

A journey of Studying What’s Revealed to Me

Revelation 1:3

Verse 3  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

John the Apostle, the author of the book of Revelation speaks both a blessing and a condition over not only the readers but the hearers of the book.

One of the things people most often in life want is to be happy.  To be blessed is to be happy but it’s not the happiness the world brings but a specific happiness that comes from God.  When a life is blessed it is because God has invoked a blessing upon that life.  It means he has declared the blessing through his mouth which can’t lie.  Blessings are also the result of obedience.  While grace comes to an undeserving life, there is a correlation between obedience and blessing.  To read the book of Revelation with an understanding and receptive heart, with ears that are willing to hear what God says to his church (in all ages,) will bring the blessing of knowledge and understanding!  Reading and understanding the book of Revelation brings a blessing which can only be gained by carrying out the action.  The blessing is a direct result of the action.  

There will be happiness that comes from understanding the book!

Most people avoid this book because of the intensity of the prophecies.  They have erroneously believed the book will instill fear and uncertainty in their heart.  The contrary is true.  

The book of Revelation is a book of hope. It is a book of victory and a book of good news. 

While at times Revelation is sobering, it also contains the promises of victory, reward and the final making of things right on the earth. Reading and understanding revelation will make the lover of Christ happy!  

Understanding the book of Revelation will also fill you with important information in your witness.  Your knowledge and the confidence you gain in knowing the things which must shortly come to pass will help you in your witness of Christ.  Your knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge could lead a person to the choice they make to place their hopes in the victorious King rather than the defeated deceiver!  Take courage as you read the book and be prepared to be made happy!

Understanding in the heart of a person prepares that person for life.  Understanding will bring you to a more fulfilled life and guide you in decision making.  Understanding dispels confusion.  Understanding helps you to judge situations more clearly.  As this world grows darker and the time for Christ’s return draws nigh, understanding will give you light. There is truly a blessing in reading AND hearing with an understanding ear the book of Revelation. 

God has revealed these things by his Spirit and not left them secret.  Many people avoid the book but God says to read it and hear it. You will be blessed if you do!

My recommendation would be to go through the book with the help of the Spirit of God. Only he can open the ears of your understanding. Ask him to give you wisdom and understanding in knowing him.  Let the Words of God take root in your heart understanding and growing from  what God reveals to you. 

God’s desire is not that we know times as in the day nor hour but that we understand seasons and grow in the knowledge of him.

There are things that are for babes in Christ and things that are for the more mature. Don’t worry about the things you can’t grasp but grasp the things you can, as the Holy Spirit helps! There’s no shame in being a babe in Christ but if you aren’t growing, it’s time to change!

Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Hebrews 5:13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

1 Peter 2:2  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

May we walk through this book gaining the growth, wisdom, knowledge and understanding God will open our ears to hear!

Revelation is a book of prophecy.  That doesn’t mean everything is for the future. Take for example the letters written to the churches.  There are seven churches mentioned that address several issues.  These churches existed at the time of writing but are applicable both today and in the future.

Prophecy is the revealed will and Word of God. It may be true today, come to pass tomorrow or come to pass at some disclosed or undisclosed time in the future.  No matter when it comes to pass, it is the Word of God and we can glean from it now!  

No matter when the ultimate fulfillment, we can glean knowledge and understanding applicable for today! Through the Bible, we can know God. We can know his ways and we can know his plans. We can know his character, his attributes and his desires for mankind.  We will undoubtedly be blessed as he opens our understanding of the book of Revelation!

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.. “Bible Gateway. 2013. 11 May 2013. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%201:3&version=NKJV

REVELATION

A Verse by Verse Study 

A journey of studying what’s revealed to me

  

Revelation 1:2

Verse 2  who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

John bore witness to the Word of God. Not only was he with Jesus during his ministry on earth but he is the one who received this Revelation from God.  God has not asked us to accept his Word, without eye witnesses or first hand accounts of what is written. He has been very careful to preserve the integrity of the written Word throughout the years. The integrity of the authors or origins of the bible are not questioned by those who look with untainted eyes.  When this verse says he “bore witness,” it means that it is affirmed by the author that he both saw and experienced these things he is writing about.  John was an apostle, a real human being, who walked and talked with Jesus Christ. He was also one of the first Christians, and part of the first Christian church.  He is a part of the body of Christ. John is a real man and John saw these things and had these experiences. He is giving a first hand verified account!  This is an account we can trust as authentic.

The Words John is bearing witness to are the living and breathing Words of God!  They have been thought out by God and given an avenue of delivery to ensure placement of these very Words of God into our hands, eyes and mouths! God has made a way to make his will known concerning the things John saw and experienced which are things which will definitely come to pass.  These are the Words we are to stake our very existence upon!

These Words are the testimony of Jesus Christ.  They are not to be considered the testimony of a man- but of God!  Concerning the future, the Words are coming from one who surely knows the things which must come to pass.  A testimony is as one who is on a witness stand and is sworn to tell the truth. The truth is what is told here and God cannot lie!  According to the Word of God which says:

Numbers 23:19

¹⁹ “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

These words are true. God cannot lie. He will not take them back. He will make good on his Word! Read the Words and soak them into your being for these are the things which will surely happen!

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for martyreō (Strong's 3140)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 9 May 2013. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G3140&t=NKJV >

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.. “Bible Gateway. 2013. 7 May 2013. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%201:2&version=NKJV

RECEIVING FROM GOD-THE WHATS OF RECEIVING

RECEIVING

THE WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY AND HOW OF RECEIVING FROM GOD- WHAT ARE THE WHATS

What are some things we can receive from God? What can we expect and should we expect to receive from God?  Is life in Christ nothing more than salvation or just as we exchanged our life for his can we expect to receive of his fullness? Have we truly become children in his kingdom? Is he not our father now and us his children?  I’m going to cover just some of the WHATS that we can expect or that we have already received!

HIS FULLNESS

John 1:12-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.....

16 And[a] of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

We have already received him and gained the right to be called “the children of God.” Many people say that all of mankind are God’s children but the bible teaches that  receiving sonship comes through receiving his son, Jesus Christ. Only those who have received him, according to this scripture have the right to be his children.  Jesus himself said, “You must be born again,” and here John says we are those who have been born not by flesh and blood but by the will of God.

When you are a son, living in the house, the fullness of what the father has is yours so you can expect to receive from the hand of the father all that you need and all that he has. All of his kingdom is available and accessible to you!  You need to worry about your needs. You need only expect to receive.

Matthew 6:31-34

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

We need not worry about receiving from God. The key to receiving is seeking God. As we seek him and his ways, he will provide for all of our needs. He knows what we need. As we seek him and his ways,  “all these things” will be added. What things?  He’s speaking of needs- the need to eat, drink have clothes and other necessities. God will take care of us and we need to be in a state of expecting to receive of his blessings and in a state of casting all of our cares upon him!  In this passage we are told to be concerned with each day. As we walk in that state of expectancy we’ll see each days needs met.

FINANCIAL PROSPERITY

I posted in an earlier blog concerning sowing and reaping. This is a principle found in the bible. God wants to move through us and provide through us. He wants to establish his Kingdom through our hands.  We are vessels and if he knows he can get it through us, he will get it to us. This isn’t meant to be a thorough teaching on sowing and reaping or on finances but you can go here to read more: 

http://joyreaperlisa.blogspot.com/2013/01/receiving-from-god-and-why-some-dont.html

This is an area of contention in the body of Christ that shouldn’t be. While it is true that the love of money is the root of all evil, money is not.  Almost all churches believe in offerings and understanding God’s teaching about them is something every child of God should understand. The principle of sowing and reaping endures forever. I’ll just list a couple of passages showing the truth that God desires to prosper his people!:

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Psalm 35: 27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

WE RECEIVE ANSWERS TO PRAYER

MATTHEW 7:8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Looking for something? Don’t stop until you find it.  The bible teaches that whatever we seek we will find.  We have to press in to God.  So many ask for an answer to prayer and give up when the answer doesn’t come right away.  We need to believe what the Word of God says and although we don’t have to beg, we also need to continually seek God and let him know in prayer we are believing and continually knocking until we see the answer.  Delay is not denial. Sometimes its just a matter of timing. God hears the moment you ask and you also receive the moment you believe. This is where standing in faith comes in.  Believe that you have received the answer from God and then wait patiently for the arrival, even unto death.  The bible says Abraham stayed in faith believing the things he heard from God’s Word. Some of what God promised him is even today coming to pass!

MATTHEW 21:22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

LUKE 11:10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

One sure way to receive from God is to not give up until you receive. Don’t ever back down. Don’t ever stop believing!

ETERNAL LIFE

One of the things we receive of his fullness is the promise of eternal life.  All Christians believe they will live in heaven forever.  The same way we receive eternal life, we receive the other blessings that flow from his fullness so why do we find it so hard to receive?

100 FOLD IN THIS LIFE AND ETERNALLY

MATTHEW 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or         brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

When we gave up our life in exchange for his, we did receive the promise to inherit eternal life. What a great exchange! A promise that this life on earth is not all there is but we live a life that goes on forever. 

I’m thankful that not all Christians have to turn their backs on family members. Here, in America we don’t realize the persecution many in other nations go through just to be able to believe in Christ. Some are disowned by their families or threatened with death just to become believers in Christ. This scripture promises any person that gives up anything to become Christ’s can expect to receive from God in this life and eternally!  This is not only an American gospel. This gospel is for the world and while we are persecuted in America, some of us could not imagine what it’s like in other nations when you become a follower of Christ!

WE RECEIVE THE WORD SOWN INTO OUR HEART

 Mark 4 The Parable of the Sower Explained

13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word.15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

Some receive the Word by the wayside- they hear, but Satan takes it away immediately.

Some receive the Word on stony ground- they receive gladly but have no root or endurance through tribulation.

Some receive the Word on thorny ground- they are consumed with cares & the DECEITFULNESS of riches and desire for OTHER THINGS.  They pay more attention to the world than the Word and are unable to receive.

Some receive the Word on GOOD GROUND- they hear, accept, bear fruit- 30, 60, 100 fold.

HOW TO RECEIVE INTO GOOD GROUND? Be constant. Receive gladly AND endure. Don’t be distracted. Grow roots into the kingdom.

This may be the most important thing we receive from God. When we receive the Word into good, attentive, soft and yielding soil in our heart, we can expect to receive the fruit that Word brings.  When we tend to our heart as a good farmer does his soil and we place God above all else, and yield to the teachings of his Word, there will be lasting fruit in our lives.  You may say, “What fruit?”  The fruit produced by believing all things found in the Word of God. The Word of God is a life changer. The Word of God is alive and able to bring needed change to the person who is willing to listen and learn.

HEBREWS 4:12,13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Let’s commit to allowing the Word to do a living and powerful work in our heart, changing us into vessels for his glory!

In Christ, there is healing, finances, answers to prayer, and many blessings too numerous to mention.  Let’s follow the most important teaching and that is to allow his Word to work. Seek it today, find out what it says and allow it to be planted deeply into the soil of your heart.  The blessings the Word will bring are too numerous to mention!  Amen!

RECEIVING FROM GOD AND WHY SOME DON'T

The Spiritual Law of Seed-time and Harvest and Why Some Don’t Receive

WE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIS FULLNESS

John 1:12-17¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.....¹⁶ And^[a] of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Many have no problem believing Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected but their pursuit of the knowledge of God and the riches found in his word stops there. All Christians receive Christ’s sacrifice and RECEIVE him into their hearts, receiving the sacrifice he offered and the promise of eternal life as reward.  Does the Kingdom of God stop at salvation?  No! There is love, joy, peace, blessing, finances, healing, success, answered prayer and so many promises.  There is the promise of a future, a plan, gifting, spiritual growth and more! There is wisdom beyond measure for the one who is willing to seek.

REASONS FOR NOT RECEIVING

• Many don’t know how to receive.  The good news is the bible teaches there is a way
• Lack of knowledge- The bible says people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)
• Lack of faith- they don’t believe!  Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by  the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) We must read it, know what it says, believe what it says and receive the truth into our heart.  The truth we have in our heart is what we act on. The bible says even the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart. 
• Wrong perceptions of God- what we’ve been taught from wrong sources or even false teachings can hinder us from receiving.
• Mindset: We must change our mind. We must believe God doesn’t want us poor, sick, disgusted, depressed or in despair.  
• Many don’t receive increase because they believe money is evil.  It is the love of money; not money that is the root of evil (1 Timothy 6:10.)  God wants you to have the resources you need to get by and enjoy life. 
• The Word- interprets itself. We need to seek it out as the apostles did and people of early church did. They searched the scriptures to see if what the apostles said was true. (Acts 17:11)
• Religious establishment teachings-  The religious establishment was challenged by Martin Luther’s 99 point thesis- They had received wrong teaching!  From that point the bible began to be distributed among common folks, not just priests.
• Traditions that are contrary to the Word of God.  If tradition stands in the way of truth, it is tradition that must be thrown out, not the truth of the Word of God.

GOD TOLD MY PASTOR  OF 13 YEARS TO “GET MY PEOPLE FREE IN AREA OF FINANCES” 

Oppression is seen mainly in three or four of lives most important areas- finances, relationships and health! God is often blamed for the oppression but it is God that frees from depression and evil and it is the evils of the world and their source that both induce it and exacerbate it.

Learning what the bible says about finances, depression and all the things that cause depression sets one free.  If you seek out the Word of God, you will find truth!

John 8:31,32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

As teachers of the Word of God, we must teach truth! It is the truth that brings freedom and it is for the purpose of bringing freedom to people’s lives, we are called to teach!

Luke 4: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.

ONE WAY TO RECEIVE:  SEEDTIME & HARVEST

Seed-time and harvest is a spiritual law.  The bible says as long as the earth remains, that law will stay in force.  This is good news since we are constantly threatened with climate change but this law will be in force as long as the earth remains and as long as God leaves the law in force.  Since the earth remains forever, so will seedtime and harvest.  Throughout the bible, this law applies to not just seed for vegetation such as flowers, vegetables and trees but it applies to whatever is sown or whatever is planted.  The heart of man is a planting ground.  Whatever is sown into the hearts of men will be reaped.  There will be a harvest of some sort.  I will just insert that is why certain laws such as gun control won’t stop evil from happening. Evil happens because evil is sown into hearts.  It’s not the lack of weapons that will stop evil but the lack of evil.  When God’s goodness is sown into the hearts of people, there will be lasting fruit.  It’s up to you to choose what you allow to make entrance into the soil of your heart.  In addition whatever you as a farmer of life’s seeds sow, you will reap! Remember! This is a law as long as earth remains!

Galatians 6: 6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

• Many lack the knowledge of the truth in knowing how to receive from God.
• Many know how to give but don’t realize it’s ok to expect to receive from God.
• The knowledge of the truth sets people free.
• Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
• The bible teaches us clearly HOW to receive from God and the bible teaches us that it’s perfectly ok and right to expect to receive from God!
• We are truly a blessed people with answers right under our noses!
  
  

So remember, one way to receive from God is to sow.  Sow good seed and you will reap a good harvest.  If you need to increase in the area of finances, if you’re already sowing seed on a regular basis, keep sowing.  If you haven’t been sowing seed, start sowing today!  In addition to obeying God in the area of sowing and reaping for finances, start sowing other good things as well. Sow God’s goodness into your life, the life of your children (if you have them,) and the lives of others.   In due season you will reap!  The bible tells us so and the bible tells us to sow!  Amen!

PROPHECY: A HUGE PART OF THE END TIMES

PROPHECY- A HUGE PART OF THE MOVING OF GOD!

I have a desire to prophesy! What does that mean? It means I desire to hear the voice of God and declare it out of my mouth. Prophecy is a HUGE part of the last days! Today we have the privilege of having the Holy Spirit living inside of us. We have the privilege of hearing his voice and he wants us to both desire to speak it and he wants us to speak it! Yes we are in subjection to the house we're in but you can prophecy in your prayer closet! You don't try to overpower or take over services. You don't force yourself to be heard where you are not welcome! You prophecy in subjection to whatever house you're in! In your house, you're the head so if you aren't in position to prophesy in a church, then prophesy in your prayer closet! I dare you to try it! I dare you to declare what the voice of God speaks to you!

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Acts 2: 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 

17 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.


18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.

TODAY YOU CAN HEAR HIS VOICE- TODAY YOU CAN PROPHESY- TODAY THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY IS INSIDE OF YOU

HEBREWS 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son

I hear a lot of people use this scripture as a text for debunking prophecy but I use it as a text to prove that prophecy is for sons and daughters everywhere who have Jesus inside of them. In the Old Testament, everyday man did not hear the voice of God but people went to the prophets. To use this as a text to debunk prophecy would be inconsistent with scripture in both the new and old testaments since there are multiplied passages teaching the correct doctrine of New Testament prophecy. This text shows that we now hear the voice of God through Jesus Christ!

If you are not seeing prophecy poured out on menservants and maidservants you may not be in the middle of what God is doing!

Now you may say that doctrine passed away but I refuse to get into a theological debate when the Word of God is as plain as day!

Now you may say that I'm drunk on wine but I will say, not wine but new wine, his wine, the wine of the Holy Ghost for I am not drunk as you may suppose but I'm filled with the Holy Ghost and this promise is for you too!

I tell you if you want to see a last days move the way God wants to move in the last days, you need to firmly embrace prophecy and let your sons and daughters prophecy! There's power in declaring the Word of God because God doesn't do anything until somebody speaks it out of their mouth! Fruit is born of seed and God's word is seed so embrace prophecy and teach it correctly and then release it from your mouth and allow the release of it! It's the Word of God!

I dare you to declare!

Amen and be blessed!

AT THE END OF THE DAY

In Joshua 10 we find a pretty intense situation.  Israel was in the promised land and there were battles to fight.  They would find themselves fighting for a nation that had at one time been an enemy but was now in covenant.  The surrounding armies were in fear and everyone had something to say:

·         The remaining enemies had something to say.

·         The new found friends had something to say.

·         God had something to say.

·         Joshua had something to say.

It really doesn't matter who says what! What matters is what God says.

When we find ourselves in a battle- whether fighting for ourselves or fighting for friends, we need only to know what God says.

Once we know what God says, that's what we are to say.  When we do that, we demonstrate the kind of faith God honors.  The child of God that will stand in faith, look the enemy in the face and fight the good fight in confidence will see the hand of God and the power of God come to their defense.

For Joshua, the sun stood still at his command!

There was no day like that before and no day like that after that day!  

Even the calendar has changed because of that day! 

What changes are we affecting by standing on God's word?

THE ENEMY ARMIES SAID WHAT?

The kings of the surrounding enemy armies spoke in fear among each other, planning and conspiring how they could defeat the Gibeonites.  This obligated Israel to protect Gibeon as if they were one nation.

These kings spoke!  What came out of their mouth was an evil yet futile plan to attack Gibeon and preserve themselves!

Joshua 10:3,4 Wherefore Adonizedec king of Jerusalem, sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4-Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel......5- Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

·         They said they would smite Gibeon.

·         They said it alone and they said it together.

·         The defeat of Gibeon, was spoken from the mouth of the kings.

Sometimes what the enemy, being the devil, says will come into your ears. When the talk comes into our ears, we just need to call upon the name of the Lord!

THE GIBEONITES SAID WHAT?

Joshua was the leader of the army of Israel and this nation had made peace with Israel.  The Gibeonites called on Joshua for help according to covenant!

Joshua 10:6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

Joshua means Savior and surely he would be that to the Gibeonites.

When we call on our savior he comes running.  When the Gibeonites called on Joshua, he came running, bringing ALL the armies with him.

Joshua 10:7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

GOD SAID WHAT?

Here's what God said as Joshua stepped out to help their new friends:

Joshua 10:8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

·         God says fear not!

·         God says he's already delivered us!

·         God says he will fully defeat our enemies and really, already has!

·         God says he will not do a partial work!

WHO SAID WHAT AND WHO DID WHAT?

It doesn't matter who said what when God has spoken. Only what God says matters.  God said he had delivered them and that's what happened!

Joshua 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11-And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

JOSHUA SAID WHAT?

Joshua said, "Sun stand still" 

God had said, "There shall not be a man standing!"

Joshua held God to his word.  It says he spoke to the Lord but commanded the sun to stand still. 

God will stop at no lengths to bring his Word fully to pass even if he has to stop time. 

Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon 13-And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14- And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

When we line up our mouth, in faith with what God has said, God will listen to our voice.  Joshua was a man of faith. He had full confidence in God's ability to do what he said and was so confident he was willing to speak to the Lord and command creation.  That reminds me of a scripture:

Isaiah 45:11  Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “ Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons;

And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.

God wants us to know that he will honor his Word above his name.  God has given us dominion and the ability to speak in his name!

·         He has said we could speak to mountains.

·         He has said we could ask anything in his name.

·         He has said, "Whatever we ask in prayer believing, we receive.

·         He has said we will have what we say!

·         He is looking to someone that will confidently, in faith, believe him, even in the face of great battles.

The day was over. The night was upon them. There were enemies still standing yet God had said, "There will not be a man standing before you!"

Have you ever heard the saying, "At the end of the day?"

Well at the end of the day, it didn't matter who said what; it only mattered what God and Joshua said.  God is looking for those who will believe him, and stand in faith in what he's said.  Then concerning the work of his hands, we can command and God will honor his word!

At the end of the day, God's word came to pass!

Some of us may want to give up before the end of the day but don't give up!

Keep fighting and keep speaking and you'll see, at the end of the day, God's word is true!

AT THE END OF THE DAY

At the end of the day, the sun stood still.  At the end of the day, God's word was true! At the end of the day, they could all look back and say, "Who said what?" 

We can know for certain that it doesn't matter what the enemy said - it only mattered what God said! 

What is God saying to you concerning things you're going through.  Whatever God has said, that he will do.  Hang onto his promises and stand in faith.

I wonder what the enemies said..... AT THE END OF THE DAY!