Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Battle
"...And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Sunday night was an amazing service with the Lord, salvations, healings, prophesy, demon casted out. God showed up and did what He does best, radically change lives.
I was so encouraged by this scripture up here as it was sang in worship and then spoken to me later that night. Monday I woke up and it was a gentle reminder from the holy spirit once again, same verse. As I got on the plane to head to dallas i opened my book and the scripture used on the first page i read, same verse. I began praying over this verse, do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength. I knew God had a reason for pounding this into my head. As the day went on it was an amazing day, God gave me revelation of what the Joy of the Lord is and how it is my strength (not where i'm going with this but if you'd like to know i'd love to share).
In the afternoon something happend and i just knew that situation had to be why He was reminding me and teaching me these things. So I continued saying the joy of the Lord is my strength. My joy is not dependent on my situation, or the condition of the people around me. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
It was not until last night when I received a phone call about the fire at the trailer park, that I understood why He had reminded me of these things. See this would be a situation that I would normally let get me down. A three 1/2 year old died. And several of the kids whose faces brighten up our ministry each week were in the trailer. The families are obviously devastated and I can't imagine the condition of the kids who saw the blaze. My heart broke as soon as i hung up the phone as I began to cry out to the Lord on behalf of our kids. His kids. babies. I WEPT. And I heard the voice again: The joy of the Lord is my Strength. . .
This morning I woke up praying in the shower, writing in my journal, when all of a sudden a 500 lb. boulder of revelation hit me so hard it hurt.
I had been playing life as if it were a game, when in reality it is a battle.
I have my quiet times, i worship, i praise, i do ministry, i go to church, but how long has it been since I treated this life as though it were life or death? Because it is.
See in a game we role our dice becoming upset if we make a wrong decision, get a bad hand, or lose. The cost of the game is really not that big, usually it's double or nothing, or bragging rights for a while.
In War it's all or nothing. You give everything you have fighting mercilessly until your opponent is defeated, you don't stop because if you do, you die.
I hate to get the word out but the truth is, this is a battle. Life is battle. It's not a game, IT'S BATTLE!
It is life or death! Not always physical, but surely spiritual. WE MUST FIGHT. Through all means. Intercession, evangelism, casting off of spirits, prophesy, healing... etc. all of the gifts we've been given we MUST use them, it's life or death.
How can we forget John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY!
He's not playing a game, he's at war, and it doesn't matter if you choose to participate or not, you're in it too. We can sit by playing our game, while he's attacking your mind, your family, your friends, your ministry, your church, life. He wants to take it all.
Paul says it best, of course: Eph. 6:
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We have to do EVERYTHING TO STAND. We must put on the full armor so that we can take a stand against the devil's schemes.
The Word that is so loud in my soul right now is... FIGHT!!! Do battle, stop playing a game, and fight. Fight for our kids, fight for our ministry, our church, our nation, our minds, FIGHT!!!
We sing a song at church that has never truly hit me until this moment... It says this is the War cry for the Warriors, pick up your weapons it's time to fight, prepare the way of the Lord!!
Finish reading Ephesians 6, put on the armor of God, use the Word to rebuke the enemy as Jesus did, intercede to our Father, stand firm, we're in battle.
I cannot take this lightly any more, in fact I'm stinking ANGRY. I have sat back and allowed the enemy to attack me, my mind, my friends, my family, through death, destruction, depression, he has stolen, he has killed, and he has destroyed on us this semester, and now he messed w/ our kids. THE WAR IS ON. Who's ready to stand up? Who is ready to fight? To say you can't take our kids, you can't have this generation, we're not going to let you take and take from us, We are going to stand firm with the power, authority, and blood of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
J. Tate
Sunday night was an amazing service with the Lord, salvations, healings, prophesy, demon casted out. God showed up and did what He does best, radically change lives.
I was so encouraged by this scripture up here as it was sang in worship and then spoken to me later that night. Monday I woke up and it was a gentle reminder from the holy spirit once again, same verse. As I got on the plane to head to dallas i opened my book and the scripture used on the first page i read, same verse. I began praying over this verse, do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength. I knew God had a reason for pounding this into my head. As the day went on it was an amazing day, God gave me revelation of what the Joy of the Lord is and how it is my strength (not where i'm going with this but if you'd like to know i'd love to share).
In the afternoon something happend and i just knew that situation had to be why He was reminding me and teaching me these things. So I continued saying the joy of the Lord is my strength. My joy is not dependent on my situation, or the condition of the people around me. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
It was not until last night when I received a phone call about the fire at the trailer park, that I understood why He had reminded me of these things. See this would be a situation that I would normally let get me down. A three 1/2 year old died. And several of the kids whose faces brighten up our ministry each week were in the trailer. The families are obviously devastated and I can't imagine the condition of the kids who saw the blaze. My heart broke as soon as i hung up the phone as I began to cry out to the Lord on behalf of our kids. His kids. babies. I WEPT. And I heard the voice again: The joy of the Lord is my Strength. . .
This morning I woke up praying in the shower, writing in my journal, when all of a sudden a 500 lb. boulder of revelation hit me so hard it hurt.
I had been playing life as if it were a game, when in reality it is a battle.
I have my quiet times, i worship, i praise, i do ministry, i go to church, but how long has it been since I treated this life as though it were life or death? Because it is.
See in a game we role our dice becoming upset if we make a wrong decision, get a bad hand, or lose. The cost of the game is really not that big, usually it's double or nothing, or bragging rights for a while.
In War it's all or nothing. You give everything you have fighting mercilessly until your opponent is defeated, you don't stop because if you do, you die.
I hate to get the word out but the truth is, this is a battle. Life is battle. It's not a game, IT'S BATTLE!
It is life or death! Not always physical, but surely spiritual. WE MUST FIGHT. Through all means. Intercession, evangelism, casting off of spirits, prophesy, healing... etc. all of the gifts we've been given we MUST use them, it's life or death.
How can we forget John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY!
He's not playing a game, he's at war, and it doesn't matter if you choose to participate or not, you're in it too. We can sit by playing our game, while he's attacking your mind, your family, your friends, your ministry, your church, life. He wants to take it all.
Paul says it best, of course: Eph. 6:
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We have to do EVERYTHING TO STAND. We must put on the full armor so that we can take a stand against the devil's schemes.
The Word that is so loud in my soul right now is... FIGHT!!! Do battle, stop playing a game, and fight. Fight for our kids, fight for our ministry, our church, our nation, our minds, FIGHT!!!
We sing a song at church that has never truly hit me until this moment... It says this is the War cry for the Warriors, pick up your weapons it's time to fight, prepare the way of the Lord!!
Finish reading Ephesians 6, put on the armor of God, use the Word to rebuke the enemy as Jesus did, intercede to our Father, stand firm, we're in battle.
I cannot take this lightly any more, in fact I'm stinking ANGRY. I have sat back and allowed the enemy to attack me, my mind, my friends, my family, through death, destruction, depression, he has stolen, he has killed, and he has destroyed on us this semester, and now he messed w/ our kids. THE WAR IS ON. Who's ready to stand up? Who is ready to fight? To say you can't take our kids, you can't have this generation, we're not going to let you take and take from us, We are going to stand firm with the power, authority, and blood of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
J. Tate
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Ministry
It's been a while since I have blogged, I continue to write in my journal but often forget about this neat little technological advancement of sharing my thoughts with a cyber world. Life has not been easy. I say that because what type of person would I be if all I ever told you were my joys, successes, and excitements. The truth is being a follower of Christ has an eternal glory, but sometimes a current pain. Paul puts it best: ESV version copied from biblegateway. 2 cor. 4
16So we do not lose heart.(AJ) Though our outer self[c] is wasting away,(AK) our inner self(AL) is being renewed day by day. 17For(AM) this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18(AN) as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
This has been one of my favorite verses for over a year now, a beacon of light and hope. See this semester has been hard, as paul said a momentary affliction. I'm sure if you're around me you know that. I have dealt with emotional, physical, spiritual weariness. Death, sickness, detachment, betrayal, controversy, confusion, spiritual warfare, and just plain hurt. I have been tired beyond understanding. I just prayed for this break to be a relief, restoration, relaxation, etc. God has definitely shown up BIG, like ephesians 3 says exceedingly abundantly more than i could ask think or imagine. On the other hand I feel the more He has shown up, the more He has worked on my behalf, the more I have failed this week. I've been ignorant, selfish, and haven't listened as the Holy Spirit has spoken.
So many realizations have come in the past two days as i wrestled my flesh, my spirit, my mind, my heart. etc.
One is... ministry is hard. I have felt my calling to be in ministry since I was ten, and ran away from that as even an option until I was 16. When I was sixteen God made it perfectly clear to me that ministry would be in my future. Since that time I've seen Him mold me, develop me, and give me many opportunities to prepare me for this lifestyle. I've been prophesied over too many times to count all saying the same for my future. I've had mentors such as pastors, pastors wives, youth pastors, evangelist and as i've had discussion after discussion meal after meal talking about full time ministry they've all said the same. You must be selfless because this is not easy. There is heartache, pain, frustration, conflict, drama... I've heard the warnings and never once have I questioned my calling.
Two is... now i wonder. As more and more occurs in my personal ministry, my lubbock ministry, my liberty ministry, my tech ministry, as the hurts have come, the successes, the salvations, the healings, the back sliding, the disappointment, the lies, as i have truly encountered many aspects of ministry, i once again sit here questioning it all. I just don't know if i'm cut out for this.
Three is... I am a sinner by birth, in a fallen world, living often for my flesh. I read so many times the words of paul in romans displaying our constant battles w/ sin and our flesh, the encouragemnt of him to live in the spirit, the fruits of the spirit, a life pleasing to God. I have never doubted these things, but today i am humbled beyond measure. The grace and mercy of my God, to look upon me, and see Christ blood, see a payment for sins, to see me as friend, child, daughter! why, oh God, why? His plan for sanctification is far beyond my understanding, as I have failed over and over, learned, and failed again.
I know this is a random process, but i can't think about an old song Sister act. "Lord send a revival, Lord send a revival, and let it begin in me"
I'm in need a redemption, restoration, revival that only my God can bring. I feel Him working, I see Him moving, and I have a hope in something beyond this world. Keep me in your prayers as I press on toward the goal, as I look heavenward to my Maker, as I battle this world, this flesh, as I pray for restoration, for a renewed mindset. God never stopped being faithful and I know He never will. I have seen Him do so many amazing things this week and in the previous weeks, it seems as though for every hard thing, He brings an encouragement, a miracle, a testimony, a salvation, something to that keeps me pressing on, keeps me pressing in. I know there is more good to come and more hard to come, i can just pray for my faith to increase.
J. Tate
16So we do not lose heart.(AJ) Though our outer self[c] is wasting away,(AK) our inner self(AL) is being renewed day by day. 17For(AM) this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18(AN) as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
This has been one of my favorite verses for over a year now, a beacon of light and hope. See this semester has been hard, as paul said a momentary affliction. I'm sure if you're around me you know that. I have dealt with emotional, physical, spiritual weariness. Death, sickness, detachment, betrayal, controversy, confusion, spiritual warfare, and just plain hurt. I have been tired beyond understanding. I just prayed for this break to be a relief, restoration, relaxation, etc. God has definitely shown up BIG, like ephesians 3 says exceedingly abundantly more than i could ask think or imagine. On the other hand I feel the more He has shown up, the more He has worked on my behalf, the more I have failed this week. I've been ignorant, selfish, and haven't listened as the Holy Spirit has spoken.
So many realizations have come in the past two days as i wrestled my flesh, my spirit, my mind, my heart. etc.
One is... ministry is hard. I have felt my calling to be in ministry since I was ten, and ran away from that as even an option until I was 16. When I was sixteen God made it perfectly clear to me that ministry would be in my future. Since that time I've seen Him mold me, develop me, and give me many opportunities to prepare me for this lifestyle. I've been prophesied over too many times to count all saying the same for my future. I've had mentors such as pastors, pastors wives, youth pastors, evangelist and as i've had discussion after discussion meal after meal talking about full time ministry they've all said the same. You must be selfless because this is not easy. There is heartache, pain, frustration, conflict, drama... I've heard the warnings and never once have I questioned my calling.
Two is... now i wonder. As more and more occurs in my personal ministry, my lubbock ministry, my liberty ministry, my tech ministry, as the hurts have come, the successes, the salvations, the healings, the back sliding, the disappointment, the lies, as i have truly encountered many aspects of ministry, i once again sit here questioning it all. I just don't know if i'm cut out for this.
Three is... I am a sinner by birth, in a fallen world, living often for my flesh. I read so many times the words of paul in romans displaying our constant battles w/ sin and our flesh, the encouragemnt of him to live in the spirit, the fruits of the spirit, a life pleasing to God. I have never doubted these things, but today i am humbled beyond measure. The grace and mercy of my God, to look upon me, and see Christ blood, see a payment for sins, to see me as friend, child, daughter! why, oh God, why? His plan for sanctification is far beyond my understanding, as I have failed over and over, learned, and failed again.
I know this is a random process, but i can't think about an old song Sister act. "Lord send a revival, Lord send a revival, and let it begin in me"
I'm in need a redemption, restoration, revival that only my God can bring. I feel Him working, I see Him moving, and I have a hope in something beyond this world. Keep me in your prayers as I press on toward the goal, as I look heavenward to my Maker, as I battle this world, this flesh, as I pray for restoration, for a renewed mindset. God never stopped being faithful and I know He never will. I have seen Him do so many amazing things this week and in the previous weeks, it seems as though for every hard thing, He brings an encouragement, a miracle, a testimony, a salvation, something to that keeps me pressing on, keeps me pressing in. I know there is more good to come and more hard to come, i can just pray for my faith to increase.
J. Tate
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The simplest form
The flu is straight from hell. I know this because i have felt like death for 5 days straight and then magically wake up this morning to feeling as if nothing has even happened. This week was maybe... needed. It definitely forced me to SLOW DOWN, a plea i'd been hearing and putting off as much as possible. I spent the week sleeping on my couch, reading my book when my head wasn't pounding, talking to the Lord over tea like you would an old friend, and yes, sleeping some more. Being sick is not at any point, fun, in fact i will indeed get my flu shot next year, but i'll say it accomplished some things in this week.
A friend and I have been discussing and looking at Moses' relationship with God over the past 2 weeks or so. We read in Exodus chapter 32-34 as it paints a great picture of the intimacy in the relationship. Exodus 33:11 says God came down and spoke to Moses face to face as if talking to His friend.
Dennis Jernigan wrote a song "Passionate Obsession" where he discusses striving to be so close to Christ in this life that there is not a whole lot of difference when he makes it to heaven.
As I read some of the old books from those old theologians you can tell the intimacy and relationship they had with the Lord.
As I read the practice of the Presence of God with Brother Lawrence, it drips from every page.
I write all this because with all the time to talk to God and think the last few days i remembered the greatest desire of my heart. To grow closer and closer to God.
We have all felt the highs and the lows of this walk w/ the Lord. The times when we felt Him so tender so close, and those times when we feel as though we're praying to the wall. I say all the time we can go as deep as we want to go. Draw near to me and i'll draw near to you. Reading Brother Lawrence thoughts on this Journey with the Lord I can't help but be humbled and have my eyes opened. I've heard pastor Mike quote things several times from this book and each time i have found it struck me. Throughout the book each paragraph can lead to weeks of prayer and meditation because of it's depth and i am going through the book again now. There is one part i wanted to talk about though. Mostly because we've discussed it several times in our small group. The book is written by a man who had conversations w/ brother lawrence and took notes on the things he talked about... in conversation 2 there are two topics that continue to challenge me... the first being diligence and love, the second being simplicity the key to divine assistance.
"In order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must at first apply to Him with some diligence, but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.
He expected after the pleasant days God has given him he should have his turn of pain and suffering; but he was not uneasy about it, knowing very well that as he could do nothing of himself; God would not fail to give him the strength to bear them."
Throughout this book you see how brother Lawrence naturally conversed with God about all things before choosing His own actions, even before discussing with friends or mentors. A friend of mine has been talking about this challenge for months now. The challenge for us to turn to God before we turn to a friend, a parent, a mentor, or the person standing next to us. This book brings new meaning to pray without ceasing. The other section discussed when Brother Lawrence was faced with a task He would simply say God this i can only do if you enable me. He always found God's strength sufficient. Then if he failed or sinned he would say God this I will always do in my own strength, forgive me, strengthen me, change me, and then he would continue on with his day.
Brother Lawrence communicated with God in every act, every movement, every doing, throughout his day, he prayed without ceasing, he practiced the presence of God, he lived conversing with his best friend. He discussed the problem of wandering minds in prayer and said he found the more he thought on God and prayed throughout the day the less he found his mind wandering, but rather desiring to be in that place with God.
In its simplest form, He just chose to include God in His life. I wander the change in our lives if we would choose to do the same. What if we would truly acknowledge His presence consistently throughout the day?
Misty Edward's sings a song called dove's eyes. it says i don't want to talk about you like you're not in the room. This line has always gripped me as i think about the way we talk about God, the worship songs we sing, the way we pray... as if He weren't right here. Even as I write this blog, He's with me. He is more with me than my roommate who is sitting on the other couch. Yet I'll sit here and have a conversation with her, and never acknowledge His presence until i go sit down in my bed to have my designated "prayer time" that i have every night before bed.
If my true desire is to grow more and more in intimacy with God you would think that including Him more and more in our daily life would be natural.
hmmm... more to come.
A friend and I have been discussing and looking at Moses' relationship with God over the past 2 weeks or so. We read in Exodus chapter 32-34 as it paints a great picture of the intimacy in the relationship. Exodus 33:11 says God came down and spoke to Moses face to face as if talking to His friend.
Dennis Jernigan wrote a song "Passionate Obsession" where he discusses striving to be so close to Christ in this life that there is not a whole lot of difference when he makes it to heaven.
As I read some of the old books from those old theologians you can tell the intimacy and relationship they had with the Lord.
As I read the practice of the Presence of God with Brother Lawrence, it drips from every page.
I write all this because with all the time to talk to God and think the last few days i remembered the greatest desire of my heart. To grow closer and closer to God.
We have all felt the highs and the lows of this walk w/ the Lord. The times when we felt Him so tender so close, and those times when we feel as though we're praying to the wall. I say all the time we can go as deep as we want to go. Draw near to me and i'll draw near to you. Reading Brother Lawrence thoughts on this Journey with the Lord I can't help but be humbled and have my eyes opened. I've heard pastor Mike quote things several times from this book and each time i have found it struck me. Throughout the book each paragraph can lead to weeks of prayer and meditation because of it's depth and i am going through the book again now. There is one part i wanted to talk about though. Mostly because we've discussed it several times in our small group. The book is written by a man who had conversations w/ brother lawrence and took notes on the things he talked about... in conversation 2 there are two topics that continue to challenge me... the first being diligence and love, the second being simplicity the key to divine assistance.
"In order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must at first apply to Him with some diligence, but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.
He expected after the pleasant days God has given him he should have his turn of pain and suffering; but he was not uneasy about it, knowing very well that as he could do nothing of himself; God would not fail to give him the strength to bear them."
Throughout this book you see how brother Lawrence naturally conversed with God about all things before choosing His own actions, even before discussing with friends or mentors. A friend of mine has been talking about this challenge for months now. The challenge for us to turn to God before we turn to a friend, a parent, a mentor, or the person standing next to us. This book brings new meaning to pray without ceasing. The other section discussed when Brother Lawrence was faced with a task He would simply say God this i can only do if you enable me. He always found God's strength sufficient. Then if he failed or sinned he would say God this I will always do in my own strength, forgive me, strengthen me, change me, and then he would continue on with his day.
Brother Lawrence communicated with God in every act, every movement, every doing, throughout his day, he prayed without ceasing, he practiced the presence of God, he lived conversing with his best friend. He discussed the problem of wandering minds in prayer and said he found the more he thought on God and prayed throughout the day the less he found his mind wandering, but rather desiring to be in that place with God.
In its simplest form, He just chose to include God in His life. I wander the change in our lives if we would choose to do the same. What if we would truly acknowledge His presence consistently throughout the day?
Misty Edward's sings a song called dove's eyes. it says i don't want to talk about you like you're not in the room. This line has always gripped me as i think about the way we talk about God, the worship songs we sing, the way we pray... as if He weren't right here. Even as I write this blog, He's with me. He is more with me than my roommate who is sitting on the other couch. Yet I'll sit here and have a conversation with her, and never acknowledge His presence until i go sit down in my bed to have my designated "prayer time" that i have every night before bed.
If my true desire is to grow more and more in intimacy with God you would think that including Him more and more in our daily life would be natural.
hmmm... more to come.
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