Yesterday, the Lord gave me a word for a person involving "rest". The word dealt with the Lord's command and design that we enter into rest one day each week.
There are all kinds of benefits to rest that we as 21st century Americans choose to overlook. We use our time off to catch up on the tasks and jobs, shopping and chores that we cannot squeeze into our normal week. We later reward ourselves with some form of entertainment but can any of us say that we have rested in a long time? Even on vacation we often drive ourselves to "have fun" and finish that time of rest more tired than when we started. As Christians, we have run rough shod over the Fourth Commandment as much as the others--and I am no exception!
Later that same afternoon, I was listening to a talk by a missionary to Africa. The missionary mentioned that "rest" was a powerful weapon of God's Holy Spirit. She went on to tell of the victories that were won as great men and women of God "rested" in Him. God moves when we rest in Him.
When the same theme shows up several times on the same day I listen. I have never thought of rest as a spiritual weapon but it actually is. That is one reason why the writer of Hebrews admonishes us to "enter into God's rest". Naomi wanted Ruth to find a husband so that she (Ruth) could have rest in her life (i.e. provision, protection, and love).
This then led me to consider the things that drive me from rest. Fear drives us from rest. There is that driving sense that we must be doing something in order to fix our lives. Doing often provides the anesthesia to the low grade pain that is always there that we have grown accustomed to.
When we rest in God, we shut down our lives (the operative word being "our"). We sit before God and we sit with God! We re-create. It is not just a command for our well being (literally, our well being) but it is the foundation of a powerful weapon against hell.
I find it interesting that the Jewish concept of day is evening first and then morning, versus our Greek concept of the day beginning at sun rise. When day begins at evening, it means that we first rest and then out of that rest we work. Evening then morning.
Finally, as I write this, I write this as condemned as you probably feel reading it. I have no idea where I can squeeze rest into my weekly schedule. All I can think of are the multitudinous chores that will pile up if I rest one day each week. However, let's not give up. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us. He seems to be bringing this concept (or "brick") to the forefront, and so let's see what He can do to help moves us into the direction of "entering into God's rest".
When introducing a new discipline into your spiritual life, it is often wise to begin small and work up from there. At the beginning, the Holy Spirit may encourage you to take a few hours a week to simply rest. But let Him start with something. Offer Him something and know that every time you "rest", you are lobbing a grenade at hell.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
You May Not Cross The Blood Line
In The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein, there is a scene where a Balrog (an ancient and menacing creature that lived under the mountain where their journey had taken them) is chasing the Fellowship and its leader-protector, Gandalf.
Gandalf tells the others to go ahead as he takes his stand on a narrow stone bridge. As he turns, he raises his staff and shouts to the Balrog, "You shall not pass! I am a servant of the ancient fire of Arnon!"
It is a powerful moment in the book and movie. Two powers stand against one another face to face. This illustrates how spiritual warfare and prayer operates. Two powers face off, yet one power is clearly stronger than the other. "You shall not pass because we are servants of the Ancient God-the Ancient of Days!"
As I prayed for those who were sick this week, I turned to the Scriptures. I found myself reflecting again on the first Passover night. Moses had instructed God's people to smear the thresholds of their homes with the blood of the Lamb. The Hebrews were told to stay inside and under no circumstances cross the blood line or their lives would be in peril.
That evening not a dog barked nor a cat whimpered. There was deathly silence through the land until the wails of the Egyptians grew as their first born were found lifeless in their beds.
God's people, however, were untouched. The powerful Angel of Death could only go so far. Even though it held great power and authority, it could under no circumstances cross the blood line.
This became my prayer this week for those touched by sickness. Much like Gandalf staring down the Balrog, it is our duty as servants of the Ancient of Days to declare and pronounce that sickness may not pass. It may get close, but it is not allowed to pass the blood line. When you gave your life to Christ and embraced the all powerful work of the cross it was not just to get us into Eternity. The blood of the Eternal Passover Lamb became the bloodline that could never be crossed by evil, no matter how ancient nor how deadly.
Cover your home and business and loved ones with the blood of Christ and command the enemy to get back. He is not allowed to cross the blood line.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Gandalf tells the others to go ahead as he takes his stand on a narrow stone bridge. As he turns, he raises his staff and shouts to the Balrog, "You shall not pass! I am a servant of the ancient fire of Arnon!"
It is a powerful moment in the book and movie. Two powers stand against one another face to face. This illustrates how spiritual warfare and prayer operates. Two powers face off, yet one power is clearly stronger than the other. "You shall not pass because we are servants of the Ancient God-the Ancient of Days!"
As I prayed for those who were sick this week, I turned to the Scriptures. I found myself reflecting again on the first Passover night. Moses had instructed God's people to smear the thresholds of their homes with the blood of the Lamb. The Hebrews were told to stay inside and under no circumstances cross the blood line or their lives would be in peril.
That evening not a dog barked nor a cat whimpered. There was deathly silence through the land until the wails of the Egyptians grew as their first born were found lifeless in their beds.
God's people, however, were untouched. The powerful Angel of Death could only go so far. Even though it held great power and authority, it could under no circumstances cross the blood line.
This became my prayer this week for those touched by sickness. Much like Gandalf staring down the Balrog, it is our duty as servants of the Ancient of Days to declare and pronounce that sickness may not pass. It may get close, but it is not allowed to pass the blood line. When you gave your life to Christ and embraced the all powerful work of the cross it was not just to get us into Eternity. The blood of the Eternal Passover Lamb became the bloodline that could never be crossed by evil, no matter how ancient nor how deadly.
Cover your home and business and loved ones with the blood of Christ and command the enemy to get back. He is not allowed to cross the blood line.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Waiting for the other shoe to drop
Yesterday I was telling a person how blessed I felt and yet how I was waiting for "the other shoe to drop". Even as it came out of my mouth I knew that what I had said was toxic thinking that needed to be washed and renewed by God's Word.
Again, later that evening, I was talking with someone else and again that toxic phrase popped of my mouth. It didn't sit well with me, yet I couldn't wrap my mind around why.
This morning as I listened to a teaching, the preacher began to prophecy blessings over the congregation and had listeners renounce doubt and unbelief. As soon as it came out of his mouth I knew that "waiting for the other shoe to drop" was actually a stronghold of unbelief. It was a fortress of doubt! It was a citadel of superstition. Plain and simple? It was sin. Is that the way God wants us to go about life--waiting for the other shoe to drop? How victorious is that? Wouldn't He rather His children live from blessing to blessing?
Once I realized what I had been saying (and believing), I began to repent and renounce unbelief and doubt in Jesus' Name. Doubt and unbelief are toxic to the spirit. They usher defeat into our lives. They dominate faith with fear. That is why doubt and apprehension not only need to be confessed but renounced.
With this said, I believe that the Body of Christ lives with the low grade fever of doubt and unbelief in the form of "waiting for the other shoe to drop". It is time to be set free. Just as Jesus took the hand of Peter's mother in law and her fever departed, so ask Jesus to do the same for you. Be gone "other shoe" in Jesus' Name.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Again, later that evening, I was talking with someone else and again that toxic phrase popped of my mouth. It didn't sit well with me, yet I couldn't wrap my mind around why.
This morning as I listened to a teaching, the preacher began to prophecy blessings over the congregation and had listeners renounce doubt and unbelief. As soon as it came out of his mouth I knew that "waiting for the other shoe to drop" was actually a stronghold of unbelief. It was a fortress of doubt! It was a citadel of superstition. Plain and simple? It was sin. Is that the way God wants us to go about life--waiting for the other shoe to drop? How victorious is that? Wouldn't He rather His children live from blessing to blessing?
Once I realized what I had been saying (and believing), I began to repent and renounce unbelief and doubt in Jesus' Name. Doubt and unbelief are toxic to the spirit. They usher defeat into our lives. They dominate faith with fear. That is why doubt and apprehension not only need to be confessed but renounced.
With this said, I believe that the Body of Christ lives with the low grade fever of doubt and unbelief in the form of "waiting for the other shoe to drop". It is time to be set free. Just as Jesus took the hand of Peter's mother in law and her fever departed, so ask Jesus to do the same for you. Be gone "other shoe" in Jesus' Name.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Where Your Attention Goes...
For some time I have heard one of the ladies in our church muttering, "Where your attention goes your energy flows." At first I did not think much of it until recently when the Holy Spirit brought into the forefront of my spiritual life. He asked me, "Where is your attention today?" "What was my focus?"
Once I realized where my attention was directed I realized that my energy really was flowing into those areas. If my attention was focused on a problem or a concern then my emotional energy was being spent around the same. If my attention, however, was on the Lord and His Kingdom, then I found that my energy was being renewed by what I was focusing on.
What disturbed me, however, was how often my focus was not on the Lord or His Kingdom. My focus was instead on the cares and concerns of this life. These were not necessarily "bad" things, but they were not holy things. My energy was draining out of me like pasta draining in a colander rather than being renewed by things eternal. "Where your attention goes, your energy flows."
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is actually occupying your attention today. Once He has shown you, confess it to the Lord. Allow Him to focus your attention on Him. Once you have done that, you will quickly find that is where your energy will flow. Instead of your energy draining out on worries seen, let your energy be renewed by things unseen.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Once I realized where my attention was directed I realized that my energy really was flowing into those areas. If my attention was focused on a problem or a concern then my emotional energy was being spent around the same. If my attention, however, was on the Lord and His Kingdom, then I found that my energy was being renewed by what I was focusing on.
What disturbed me, however, was how often my focus was not on the Lord or His Kingdom. My focus was instead on the cares and concerns of this life. These were not necessarily "bad" things, but they were not holy things. My energy was draining out of me like pasta draining in a colander rather than being renewed by things eternal. "Where your attention goes, your energy flows."
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is actually occupying your attention today. Once He has shown you, confess it to the Lord. Allow Him to focus your attention on Him. Once you have done that, you will quickly find that is where your energy will flow. Instead of your energy draining out on worries seen, let your energy be renewed by things unseen.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Cup Of Cold Water
Each of us go through seasons of trial. Trials are like trudging through a desert. They could take the form of a serious illness, economic worries, or marital difficulties. Whatever the trial, however, the emotional and spiritual landscape is parched and there is little quality to life.
One thing I have noticed, however, is that we see God's hand in the small things that happen to us along these journeys. I call them God's cups of water. Our flesh wants the trial over NOW. We want God to bring us to the end of the journey immediately! We do not always understand why certain trials have to take so long. When we pray, He does not answer by ending the trial, but by offering small cups of water along the way. If we keep track of each glass, we soon begin to notice that the trial is not marked by its beginning or its end but by the cups of water along the way.
When we realize that each cup of cool water is actually a miracle of love from God, we can then take our eyes off of the big problem and begin to thank Him for the daily blessing.
Each glass of water offered to a weary traveler is a kindness. It may be an encouraging note or balloons at the hospital or a well timed visit during a busy day. Whatever form it takes, however, it is the cool water of grace that refreshes the soul of the person in need. God uses these to keep us alive long enough to get to the next blessing. So the reality is that each hardship is really a string of blessings linked together from beginning to end. That is why there is no good deed too small for any of us to overlook because that small grace might possibly be the very glass needed to keep a fellow traveler alive.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
One thing I have noticed, however, is that we see God's hand in the small things that happen to us along these journeys. I call them God's cups of water. Our flesh wants the trial over NOW. We want God to bring us to the end of the journey immediately! We do not always understand why certain trials have to take so long. When we pray, He does not answer by ending the trial, but by offering small cups of water along the way. If we keep track of each glass, we soon begin to notice that the trial is not marked by its beginning or its end but by the cups of water along the way.
When we realize that each cup of cool water is actually a miracle of love from God, we can then take our eyes off of the big problem and begin to thank Him for the daily blessing.
Each glass of water offered to a weary traveler is a kindness. It may be an encouraging note or balloons at the hospital or a well timed visit during a busy day. Whatever form it takes, however, it is the cool water of grace that refreshes the soul of the person in need. God uses these to keep us alive long enough to get to the next blessing. So the reality is that each hardship is really a string of blessings linked together from beginning to end. That is why there is no good deed too small for any of us to overlook because that small grace might possibly be the very glass needed to keep a fellow traveler alive.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Back To Blinders
During the 1800's when horses were the main source of transportation, drivers would put blinders over the horse's eyes. Blinders were flaps used to keep horses from seeing from side to side. The horse could still see, but only what was directly in front of it. This kept them from becoming skittish or fearful in case something or someone came up quickly from the side.
Scripture tells us to look neither to the right or to the left. I.E. Put on blinders. The enemy tries to temp us away from what God has called us to in the given moment.
When we focus on the past and the mistakes made there we can end up suffering from guilt or depression. If we look into the future we usually encounter fear. In both cases, we are looking to the right and to the left. It is just today that the Lord gives us. He calls us to live in the present and to put blinders on re the past and future.
A week ago, I woke up to bad news re a person who was very sick that we had been praying for over an extended length of time. There would be several days of good news followed by a day of bad news. Good news then bad news. That particular morning, upon hearing the bad news, I immediately wanted to give up--despair tried to take over. I did not want to pray about this any longer. I was tired being on the medical report roller coaster.
It was then that the Holy Spirit said, "Put blinders on." This meant, don't look to yesterday's good report and do not take on tomorrow's fear. Just pray about today's issue.
Recently, I wanted to give a (critical) opinion of someone I did not even know. (How foolish is that according to Proverbs!) As I was cranking up, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Put blinders on. That is none of your business. It is a trap from the enemy to get you to sin and lose the grace that I am offering you."
What is on each side of you today that is luring you to get off the straight and narrow path?
Keep your blinders on. Keep the face of Jesus and His Word in you. Ask what is the specific thing that He would have you do today!
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Scripture tells us to look neither to the right or to the left. I.E. Put on blinders. The enemy tries to temp us away from what God has called us to in the given moment.
When we focus on the past and the mistakes made there we can end up suffering from guilt or depression. If we look into the future we usually encounter fear. In both cases, we are looking to the right and to the left. It is just today that the Lord gives us. He calls us to live in the present and to put blinders on re the past and future.
A week ago, I woke up to bad news re a person who was very sick that we had been praying for over an extended length of time. There would be several days of good news followed by a day of bad news. Good news then bad news. That particular morning, upon hearing the bad news, I immediately wanted to give up--despair tried to take over. I did not want to pray about this any longer. I was tired being on the medical report roller coaster.
It was then that the Holy Spirit said, "Put blinders on." This meant, don't look to yesterday's good report and do not take on tomorrow's fear. Just pray about today's issue.
Recently, I wanted to give a (critical) opinion of someone I did not even know. (How foolish is that according to Proverbs!) As I was cranking up, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Put blinders on. That is none of your business. It is a trap from the enemy to get you to sin and lose the grace that I am offering you."
What is on each side of you today that is luring you to get off the straight and narrow path?
Keep your blinders on. Keep the face of Jesus and His Word in you. Ask what is the specific thing that He would have you do today!
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Is The Grass Greener Somewhere Else?
Many people spend their lives searching for greener pastures. This is an effective ploy of the enemy to cause discontentment and ingratitude. It also keeps us looking elsewhere so that we miss out on the joys and blessings somewhere.
I confess, I have been a "the grass is greener somewhere else person" most of my life. Yesterday, however, the Lord downloaded this truth into my spirit. If I am where He wants me to be each day, then I am in the greenest pastures possible. There is no place greener than where I am!
Yesterday, I attended a priests' meeting in Greenville, Alabama. En route, the Lord showed me that this meeting in this small southern town would be the greenest pasture for me of any place in the world. If I had the choice of being in London or Washington, outside of God's plan, or in Greenville, AL in God's plan, which would be the greener pasture? Greenville! (I don't think the name of the town was an accident either.)
How many times have we looked past the blessings of the present day because we believed the lie that "life" was happening somewhere else and we were missing it. No, life happens where God has planned for us to be each day of our lives. There is no greener pasture than where He calls us to be today.
When Psalm 23 says, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...." The shepherd means it. Find God's place for your life today and you can be certain that it will not be any better somewhere else. The most exciting place in the world for us might be Greenville, AL rather than New York. Rest in that and give thanks that He makes us to lie down in green pastures.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
I confess, I have been a "the grass is greener somewhere else person" most of my life. Yesterday, however, the Lord downloaded this truth into my spirit. If I am where He wants me to be each day, then I am in the greenest pastures possible. There is no place greener than where I am!
Yesterday, I attended a priests' meeting in Greenville, Alabama. En route, the Lord showed me that this meeting in this small southern town would be the greenest pasture for me of any place in the world. If I had the choice of being in London or Washington, outside of God's plan, or in Greenville, AL in God's plan, which would be the greener pasture? Greenville! (I don't think the name of the town was an accident either.)
How many times have we looked past the blessings of the present day because we believed the lie that "life" was happening somewhere else and we were missing it. No, life happens where God has planned for us to be each day of our lives. There is no greener pasture than where He calls us to be today.
When Psalm 23 says, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...." The shepherd means it. Find God's place for your life today and you can be certain that it will not be any better somewhere else. The most exciting place in the world for us might be Greenville, AL rather than New York. Rest in that and give thanks that He makes us to lie down in green pastures.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
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