What's In Your Atmosphere?

"And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.""

John 20:22

Every one of us must breathe every day. In fact, we must breathe every moment of every day. We don't get to save up breaths for later on. If you don't like the smell of the atmosphere you are in, you can't decide not to breathe and catch up on your breaths later on. Every moment of every day, no matter where you are and what is around you, you must breathe. Of course I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. However, what we don't always remember is that there is a spiritual atmosphere around us all the time just like there is a physical, oxygen-filled atmosphere. 

What kind of spiritual atmospheres do you go through during the day? When you wake up in the morning is the atmosphere of your home a God-filled one where you are able to breathe in the breath of the Holy Spirit? When you go to work or school or wherever your day takes you, do you spend a good chunk of your day in an atmosphere where others are breathing out complaints and criticisms, or thanksgiving and encouragement? You breathe in the same air as them don't you, but do you breathe out the same air as them? Do you breathe out words of criticism or words of praise? 

It isn't always easy to breathe out words of life when you are breathing in everyone else's grumbling words. But Jesus gave us a clue here in this verse in John. The disciples were in the presence of Jesus after He was resurrected. He was talking to them--breathing out words of life. He said, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And after He said that He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit--the very breath of God--into them. They had to breathe His breath in first before they could breathe out. You can't breathe out life until you breathe it in! As a believer in Jesus Christ, you can breathe in the very breath of God--His Holy Spirit--and as your spiritual lungs stay filled with His breath, you can breathe out words of life wherever you are! How do we do this?

When we receive His peace and stay in the presence of the Lord wherever we are, breathing in His Words and the breath of the Holy Spirit, then we will stay filled with His breath. As we walk and talk with Him wherever we are so we continually breathe in His Words, rather than the poisoned atmosphere of the complaints of others around us, then we will be able to breathe out His words into the atmosphere around us--filling it with life instead of death. Life overcomes death! Good overcomes evil! Light overcomes darkness!

Jesus gave us another clue when He continued His conversation with the disciples and said, "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." If we hold on to the hurtful words of others and take offense then we succumb to that atmosphere of death, which is contrary to the Spirit of God who is loving and forgiving. Quit struggling and beating yourself up for giving in to the atmosphere around you and instead breathe in His peace, His breath, His words, and His Spirit. Stay in communion with Him throughout your day, and watch the atmosphere around you change!

"And He Gave Gifts to Men"

Right after midnight, the night of the election in the United States, I woke up with Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke on my mind. I had a very strong longing for him to begin ministering in America. I had heard he was coming to America, however I felt an intense desire for him to begin. I was trying to remember if I had heard he would begin meetings in 2015 or 2016. As these thoughts were going through my mind, the Lord began to show me some things.

First I saw that it's good for us to cry out for the ministry gifts the Lord gives, at that moment I felt the evangelist was especially important. I believe He wants us to understand how valuable these gifts are to the body of Christ--the evangelist, the prophet, the teacher, the apostle and of course the pastor. I saw how important it is for us to value these gifts and to cry out for God to raise up these ministers throughout our land. It's important to have godly politicians, but we must not ignore the value of His ministers, and in some cases they may be one and the same.

Next, I saw as important as it is for us to appreciate ministers of the Lord, it is equally important for us not to become impatient or compromise and settle for false gifts because we grow tired of waiting for the true gifts to be released. Immediately I thought of Aaron and the golden calf. Moses had gone to the mountain to meet with the Lord and the people grew impatient waiting for him to return. They ended up giving all their gold to Aaron who made the golden calf to be their new god and leader. Their impatience in waiting for the man of God to return with the Lord's instructions caused them to turn from the Lord who had miraculously freed them from slavery, bringing them out of Egypt.

After I saw these things, I became hopeful. My feeling was that God was answering the prayers of His people. He will raise up His ministers, but it will be in His timing. In the meantime, we need to continue to pray that He releases these powerful anointed gifts to us. We also need to take time to grow in our understanding of these gifts and realize just how much we need them. In Ephesians 4 we are told that these ministry gifts are given for the equipping, building up, unification and maturing of the body of Christ. However, we must not let impatience get the best of us and cause us to compromise and be deceived by the false.

Jesus said in the last days of this age that there would be many false prophets that would come and deceive many. We need the prophets and ministers of God, however we need the ones truly sent and anointed by Him. Those filled with the Holy Spirit will bear the fruit of the Spirit. This is not to imply that the ministers who are currently ministering are not true, anointed ministers of God, but that there is a greater anointing--a greater depth--to come on these ministry gifts that the body of Christ needs right now. It may be that those who "go to the mountain" to meet with the Lord as Moses did, will be the ones who receive this gift.

Exodus 32, Ephesians 4:11-16, Matthew 24:5, 11, 23-24

Victory After the Battle

The other day I heard these words, "Quit praying for peace, instead pray for victory!" I believe it was the Lord trying to make a very important point. It shows that there is a battle to be fought. Instead of praying for conflict to be avoided and for peace to come without a fight, we need to pray that we win the battle we are faced with. We are faced with unavoidable conflict. We can be victorious in the battle, but not if we ignore that the battle is there. If we stick our head in the sand, that won't make it go away. Peace comes after a victory, but victory comes after a battle! 

"While they are saying, "Peace and safety!

then destruction will come upon them suddenly..."

1 Thessalonians 5:3

Paul is talking about those who walk in darkness and are not aware of the signs of the times regarding the day of the Lord. The Lord doesn't want His people to be ignorant regarding what's going on in the world and how it relates to His Kingdom. He wants us to see what is going on through His eyes and from His perspective. When we do, we have time to prepare for tough times. 

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord."

Proverbs 21:31

We must not think that our own preparations and strength will win the battle for us, however we are still to prepare. The horse is prepared, so go ahead and prepare for the battle, but  it is the Lord who gives the victory. The best way to prepare is to be on His side and as close to Him as possible so you can hear His instructions. Remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, our weapons are not of the flesh. We bring our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."
Romans 16:20

God is in control. We don't need to be afraid. Our victory comes from Him, yet we need to recognize that we are in His army. We're told to fight the good fight of faith. We're told to put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the schemes of the devil. We're told to resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. These are fighting words, but we're also told that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. Put on your armor, pray, and prepare for the battle, but remember that victory is from the Lord and will follow the battle!

1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:3-7; 1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:10-17; 1 John 4:4; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

America's Grief Cycle

Whether we realize it or not, America is suffering loss. We have been losing the American lifestyle slowly and subtly for several years. Our freedom is under attack. When an individual suffers loss there is a grieving process he or she goes through. The same thing is happening in America. We may not be aware of it, but a grieving process has begun.

First there's been denial. Many have been unable or unwilling to admit that anything has been lost. They might see the country today as making many advances--more freedom--when in reality this is not the case. Our economy and our defense has taken a very large hit. We have gotten so distracted in trying to bring fairness to every single situation, that we have not noticed the looming threat building up against everyone. 

It's been very subtle, just as an aging parent or loved one slowly declines into ill health. When you see them every day you don't notice the decline as much as when you compare their quality of life to 30, 40 or 50 years ago. As Americans begin to wake up to the losses she's been suffering--through restrictive laws, violence or threats and fears of violence--some may choose to stay in denial because if they admit the reality of what is going on, it's just too uncertain and fearful for them. Denial feels better, but of course is a dangerous place to be.

Then there's anger. Many are awakening, coming out of denial and getting angry. They see how far our defense has fallen as we begin to experience, not only threats, but actual attacks of violence and greater frequency of less noticeable attacks like fraud and identity theft. This is where many people are right now--some in denial, some in anger. What comes next?

Once a person wakes up out of denial, the anger needs to be dealt with. Some anger is felt towards lawmakers and some towards the violent, the lawless and the intimidating. Some may be directed inwardly, for example if we have not voted or voted without being informed, resulting in lawmakers who do not have the country's best interests at heart. However, when we allow the anger to change into energy for prayer and, if necessary, repentance, then we will gain the humility and wisdom that is necessary to put us on the right path to recovery. Proverbs 11:2 says that with the humble is wisdom. Humility will open our hearts for the wisdom of God to be revealed to us. 

We need wisdom so we don't act impulsively and let our anger take us in the wrong direction. Yes, it may be that the government has gotten the country into a mess, but who is the government?--We the people. We don't want our anger to lead us to do impulsive and foolish things, yet, we are not to cower in fear either. A fearful heart is in panic, is impatient, impulsive and irrational. None of these are from the Spirit of God which He promises to those who believe in the Lord Jesus. We must make our decisions while influenced by the Spirit of God--from a heart of faith, peace, patience and love. This is a trustworthy, stable path. When we truly understand the love that God has for His people, we will be able to trust Him and follow wherever He leads us. We will understand that He is the only one who can truly lead to green pastures and still waters.

Take a look at what is going on in America and in the world today, but don't get overwhelmed and stick your head back in the sand as you begin to see it. Humble yourself before the Lord and pray, seek His wisdom and get going on the path He has for you. Do it confidently knowing that the safest and most productive path to be on is the path of His will for you.

Ecclesiastes 9:14-18: There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Lift Up Your Heads!

"But when these things being to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads,

because your redemption is drawing near." 

Luke 21:28

Jesus said when things begin to take place that indicate He is coming soon, to lift up your head because your redemption is drawing near. Jesus is physically returning to the earth and we are to prepare for that. We will physically lift up our heads to see Him. This indicates our spiritual condition and frame of mind as well. We will be lifting up our heads spiritually because we see Him and know Him, before we lift up our heads to see Him physically. 

The church is not to be in a position, when Jesus returns, where we are hanging our heads low, walking with a slouch in defeat or shame. No! We are to lift up our heads having the confidence that He is our redemption. We are not defeated in shame or cowering in fear, because the blood of Jesus Christ has purchased our salvation and redemption. Our trust is in Him, not in our own abilities to justify or defend ourselves.

Jesus said we are to be the light of the world. However we don't shine our lights in such a way that we are glorified, but so He is glorified. What we do is not for our own glory or for people to think highly of us. Our purpose is to glorify the Lord in everything. As long as we have learned to walk humbly with our God and our desire is to honor and glorify Him in all we do, then we can walk as Jesus did in the earth revealing the Scripture and the power of God. We walk in His love, which brings confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world.

What is your spiritual posture? Are you feeling defeated by guilt and shame? There is a posturing of repentance and humility that we all must do. But remember that your redemption comes from Jesus. Remember that He suffered so you could be free from all that. You can never be good enough to free yourself from guilt and shame, you must trust the Lord. We must take the postures of both humility and confidence. We can be confident because our trust is in the Lord, not in ourselves. If we remain only in a posture of repentance, that indicates we don't recognize the power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse our sin. His blood is more powerful than your sin!

Lift up your head! Lift up your hands! Do it now! Imagine the washing and cleansing of the Lord Jesus. Imagine Him washing off all that which would defile and dim your light. Rejoice in that and let your light shine in such a way that He is glorified! Worship Him! He is your hope, your strength, your confidence and your deliverance!

Psalm 24:7-9; Daniel 11:32; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:14-16; 1 John 4:17; 1 John 3:2-3; Hebrews 2:1-4; Hebrews 9:14

Remembering The Rainbow, The Trumpet and The Tassel

"He has made His wonders to be remembered..."
Psalm 111:4

What does a rainbow, a trumpet and a tassel all have in common? All of them are spoken of in the Bible to remind someone of something. Specifically in three different ways--God remembered certain things, people prayed for God to remember certain things and we are told to remember certain things. 

The Rainbow--God's Reminder

God remembered Noah in the ark and sent a wind to dry the land. Afterwards, He made the rainbow to remind Himself of His covenant with the living things on the earth. Yes, God actually made the rainbow for Him to look at it and remember something. This is not the only place in the Bible that talks about God remembering. He remembered Abraham when He was destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, and sent Lot out of the city to save him. He remembered things like His covenant, His word and His lovingkindness. He remembers the sins of some but chooses not to remember the sins of His people.

The Trumpet--Our Cry for God to Remember

We also read in the Bible that people prayed for God to remember them in times of need. In fact, God told the Israelites when they went to war against enemies who attacked them, that they were to blow the trumpets so He would remember them and save them from their enemies. When He heard the sound, He would remember. At other times, people prayed for Him to remember them--Samson, Hannah, Hezekiah, David, Nehemiah, Job and Jeremiah for example.

The Tassel--Our Reminder

Not only does God remember, but we are to remember things as well. The Israelites were constantly told to remember God's commands. They were told to remember the Sabbath, to remember Him, His Name, His deeds and wonders, all He had done for them and so on. When they remembered the fish and the cucumbers and all the food they had in Egypt instead of appreciating the manna He provided along with their freedom, the Lord became angry at them. He told them later on to remember how they provoked Him to wrath, so they wouldn't do it again. He gave them something to help them remember. He told them to put tassels on the corners of their garments to remind them of His commandments and be holy to Him.

There are other "reminders" in the Bible--Rahab's scarlet thread, and the memorial stones on the side of the Jordan River for example. The best one of all, of course, is remembering the body and blood of Jesus Christ which was broken and shed for us, so we may receive salvation. We remember Jesus every time we take communion.

Why is there so much talk about remembering? Why does God use objects and signs to remind us? Why does He remind Himself? It's not that He is in danger of forgetting, but that He stays true to who He is. The rainbow is a sign of God's faithfulness to remain true to His Word. The trumpet is a reminder of God's promise of deliverance. The reminders for us are for the same purpose. Jesus said that after a woman has a child she forgets the pain because of the joy of the birth. This is good, or no one would ever have more than one child! However there are moments when we need to remember the tough times. He told them to remember when they were slaves and to remember when they provoked Him. In Revelation He said to remember and repent. In the same way, we need to remember the battles we go through, along with the victories the Lord gives us, so we too will remain faithful to Him. We sometimes forget just how bad it is when we wander away from the Lord. All of these reminders are for a consistent declaration of His goodness, His faithfulness and our faithfulness to Him in return. 

Another thing happens when you remember the Lord. By remembering Him you are keeping the memory of Him current in your life today. But its more than just the memory of Him. Keeping Him current, keeps His current--like an electrical current--flowing through you. God is eternal, He's not bound by time like we are. Our spirits are eternal as well, and when we keep Him current in our thoughts His life is active within us. We all know that our words are powerful, however our thoughts are powerful too. We're told to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is considered a weapon against that which wars against us. Keeping our thoughts on the Lord is a powerful thing. So when the Lord gives a token to remind you of Him or something He's done, it's not that there is a special power in that token, it's not to become an idol, but it's to remind you of Him, empowering you to keep Him alive in your thoughts and as a result, keep His life flowing through you. There is power in remembering! Don't forget to remember!

Genesis 8:1, Genesis 9:16, Genesis 19:29, Exodus 6:5, Psalm 105:8, Psalm 98:3, Jeremiah 14:10, Isaiah 43:25, Numbers 10:9, Judges 16:28, 1 Samuel 1:11, 2 Kings 20:3, Psalm 132:1, Nehemiah 13:14, Job 10:9, Jeremiah 15:15, Deuteronomy 8, Numbers 11:5, Deuteronomy 9:7, Numbers 15:38-40, Joshua 2:18, Joshua 4, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, John 16:21, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Revelation 2:5, Revelation 3:3

Greater is He Who is in You!

When praying about what is going on in the world today, and the evil that seems to be running rampant, the Lord reminded me that the Spirit of God in His people is greater than the evil that is in the world. The Spirit of God within you, is more powerful than the evil in the world!

every spirit that does not confess Jesus

is not from God;

this is the spirit of the antichrist,

of which you have heard that it is coming,

and now it is already in the world.

You are from God, little children,

and have overcome them;

because greater is He who is in you

than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:3-4

I was reminded to put more faith in the Spirit of God living through me, than evil spirits living through others. Our faith is not in what we can do for God, but what He can do through us. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wipe out every sin from our life. This is the basis of our faith. Do we think our sin, faults and shortcomings are too much for the blood of Jesus? Do we think that what He did on the cross wasn't enough to change our hearts into one that can receive the Spirit of God? Absolutely not! No more false humility! It's time to rise up with courage and confidence in what our God can do through us. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you have the Greater One living in you!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; 

Who is the one who overcomes the world,

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5

Not long ago Psalm 93:7 seemed to jump off the page at me:

when the wicked sprouted up like grass 

And all who did iniquity flourished, 

It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.

When evil seems to prevail, it's only so that it can be dealt with. God will take care of wickedness in the earth. His heart is open towards those who love Him and call upon Him as David said...

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,

To all who call upon Him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;

He will also hear their cry

and will save them.

The Lord keeps all who love Him,

But all the wicked He will destroy.

My mouth will speak the 

praise of the Lord,

And all flesh will bless His holy name forever

and ever.

Psalm 145:18-21