What is pure religion?
What is undefiled worship?
Unto what must the sacrifice take place?
Why has the mark been missed?
Pure religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble.
Undefiled worship to God and the Father is to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Sacrifice takes place because deception sets in if hearing the word only trumps doing the word.
The mark is missed because culture seeps into our services, prayer and relationships when our faith was meant to overcome the world not conform to it.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A Trip to Millersville, Missouri
Glorious Praise has a church and House of Prayer with two sets a week. We had the opportunity to minister at the Feast of Joy Conference and keep the fire on the altar for 48 hours straight. The Inkenbrandt's were wonderful hosts, visit http://www.gloriouspraise.com/
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Missed Connection
The inner chamber of the soul is where God is found. It’s in the deepest part of the heart where communion is really reached. I find that even in the most anointed atmosphere I can remain completely unattached from the presence of Jesus.
The reality of distractions sets in. I forget that there’s one reason, one desire, one passion and it’s for Jesus. I didn’t move to Kansas City to make friends. I didn’t leave my father and mother’s house just to pretend I was praying. I came to Kansas City to sacrifice my youth. I came to lay down, what the world calls, the best years of your life just to have God fill me up. Just to know who this Man is. Just to know what the purpose of life is.
I’m made to love God and be loved by Him. Even in the prayer room, six hours passes and all I’ve really accomplished is answering a few emails, reading a couple passages in the Bible and singing my favorite worship songs.
It’s in the dialing down of my mind. To ignore every distraction and just listen to Him. To stop the traffic and listen. It takes time. Sometimes hours of serious focus on Jesus and His sacrifice. Whispering gently, Jesus, I love You. This is when I find the inner peace, the inner joy, and the moments of communion.
Every day it’s an act of re-signing up to let Jesus have first place, not my schedule, relationships with friends or even the allotted chapters to read in the Word. It’s Him and Him alone. I must realign my heart with this truth and not let anything else take preeminence. No longer a missed connection.
The reality of distractions sets in. I forget that there’s one reason, one desire, one passion and it’s for Jesus. I didn’t move to Kansas City to make friends. I didn’t leave my father and mother’s house just to pretend I was praying. I came to Kansas City to sacrifice my youth. I came to lay down, what the world calls, the best years of your life just to have God fill me up. Just to know who this Man is. Just to know what the purpose of life is.
I’m made to love God and be loved by Him. Even in the prayer room, six hours passes and all I’ve really accomplished is answering a few emails, reading a couple passages in the Bible and singing my favorite worship songs.
It’s in the dialing down of my mind. To ignore every distraction and just listen to Him. To stop the traffic and listen. It takes time. Sometimes hours of serious focus on Jesus and His sacrifice. Whispering gently, Jesus, I love You. This is when I find the inner peace, the inner joy, and the moments of communion.
Every day it’s an act of re-signing up to let Jesus have first place, not my schedule, relationships with friends or even the allotted chapters to read in the Word. It’s Him and Him alone. I must realign my heart with this truth and not let anything else take preeminence. No longer a missed connection.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Flattering Lips
Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. Psalm 12
Help me Lord in my ungodly speech. How intricately laced is faithfulness to speech. It's so easy to speak idly, to go on and on about useless information, to waste time disclosing other's business. How simple it is to flatter someone without a genuine spirit. Often times flattery is manipulation just to get approval, attention and a nice reputation.
I want to be godly. I want to be set apart. I want my silence to become louder than my words.
A desperate cry rises up within my spirit pleading with God that He may help me in the area of speech. Aside from the obvious obscenities and inappropriate language there is so much purifying that I need. Truly no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
I pray May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things (Psalm 12). This may seem strange yet the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. To be full of wisdom, a perfect man, who can tame the tongue and steer my spirit into righteousness, joy and love of Christ.
In the same Psalm, David reveals his revelation of the Lord's words, The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. The Lord will not relent. The Lord will not go back on His promises. When this generation boasts with the tongues, speaks with flattering lips and declares the pride of life surely the Lord shall preserve the righteous.
O that the Lord may give grace for speech. That He may unite my heart with His. I cannot become the keeper of my soul, no amount of striving or zeal can cleanse my lips. From the overflow of my heart does my mouth speak. Only the Spirit that searches the deep things of God can reveal my lack to me and strengthen feeble knees.
Flattering lips, idle speech, boastful tongue are just as offensive to the Lord. Humanity places degrees and levels of correctness. We think we've written the line in the sand, which is sin and which is not. That's the problem, Jesus is the Judge. Not my pastor, not my parents, not my mentor.
Only Jesus. It's only going to be His last say on that last day.
Help me Lord in my ungodly speech. How intricately laced is faithfulness to speech. It's so easy to speak idly, to go on and on about useless information, to waste time disclosing other's business. How simple it is to flatter someone without a genuine spirit. Often times flattery is manipulation just to get approval, attention and a nice reputation.
I want to be godly. I want to be set apart. I want my silence to become louder than my words.
A desperate cry rises up within my spirit pleading with God that He may help me in the area of speech. Aside from the obvious obscenities and inappropriate language there is so much purifying that I need. Truly no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
I pray May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things (Psalm 12). This may seem strange yet the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. To be full of wisdom, a perfect man, who can tame the tongue and steer my spirit into righteousness, joy and love of Christ.
In the same Psalm, David reveals his revelation of the Lord's words, The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. The Lord will not relent. The Lord will not go back on His promises. When this generation boasts with the tongues, speaks with flattering lips and declares the pride of life surely the Lord shall preserve the righteous.
O that the Lord may give grace for speech. That He may unite my heart with His. I cannot become the keeper of my soul, no amount of striving or zeal can cleanse my lips. From the overflow of my heart does my mouth speak. Only the Spirit that searches the deep things of God can reveal my lack to me and strengthen feeble knees.
Flattering lips, idle speech, boastful tongue are just as offensive to the Lord. Humanity places degrees and levels of correctness. We think we've written the line in the sand, which is sin and which is not. That's the problem, Jesus is the Judge. Not my pastor, not my parents, not my mentor.
Only Jesus. It's only going to be His last say on that last day.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Perspective of Manifestations of the Holy Spirit Clip
This is a concise, clear and quick teaching of manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Mike Bickle, founder of IHOP-KC, reveals his heart and past experience on manifestations. He highlights funny, serious and spiritual sides of manifestations as well as some stories.
Enjoy!
Just to give you an idea of how good it is, here's my favorite quote from the clip:
"I don't want a manifestation culture, but a Holy Spirit culture- and they are not the same thing." - MB
http://mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3131?return_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmikebickle.org%2Fresources%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsearch_terms%3Dmanifestations%26x%3D0%26y%3D0
Enjoy!
Just to give you an idea of how good it is, here's my favorite quote from the clip:
"I don't want a manifestation culture, but a Holy Spirit culture- and they are not the same thing." - MB
http://mikebickle.org/resources/resource/3131?return_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmikebickle.org%2Fresources%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsearch_terms%3Dmanifestations%26x%3D0%26y%3D0
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Road to Inexpressible Joy
How is the road to inexpressible joy paved? I believe there is one singular truth that must rend the heart and bring light to the soul. The truth is that in Jesus Christ is eternal life. Apart from believing His word there is no life. There is no redemption. All hope is vain and helpless without Creator God becoming creation and bearing my sin, shame and guilt.
My inexpressible joy is found because I deserved hell yet one Man found me and wanted my love. My inexpressible joy consumes my life because no longer must I give way to what culture deems as "acceptable" or "right." I know I'm beautiful, regardless if I'm not a double zero, blond, outgoing and dress scandalously. I know this because Jesus has declared it. Precious in the sight of the Lord is a women full of grace and wisdom, with a gentle yet sharp spirit.
When my life no longer becomes my own is when I'm free to live. When I'm not tied down by insecurities or the thoughts and opinions of man, can live extravagantly abandoned to Jesus. I don't need the newest iPhone or cutest shoes anymore just to be satisfied or feel accepted. All I need is an open heart to Jesus. All I want is daily and constant communion with Holy Spirit.
My desires become less about what I can get to show off to people my importance. I instead turn to serve and love my family and friends in hopes that they may see how valued they are before the eyes of the Lord. To lay my life down. To let another get promoted above me. To keep silent when my pride wants to lash out with my opinions. To love with genuine Christian love.
This is the road to inexpressible joy. John the Baptist was a man of transcendence. He never had to self-promote his anointing. The people of Israel come out to see him because of the love in his eyes and the grace upon his teaching. John the Baptist had nothing. What can you take away from a man who has nothing? His locusts?
The anointing didn't come from years of bible college and seminary, but from the wilderness lifestyle. Listening to only one voice. Studying only one book. Living for only one Man.
The wilderness was not glorious. It's a harsh landscape. Not much socializing either, not too much networking happens in an empty, hot desert. John the Baptist said yes in the mundane. He said yes to year after year of rigor and discipline. He said no to the spirit of the age and yes to the Holy Spirit. The message was not a culturally relevant message. It didn't have quirky stories or good puns. He simply called the people of God to repentance. To turn from wickedness and acknowledge the hour they were living in. The hour of salvation. The hour of Messiah.
The mundane life of discipline works the muscle of joy in the heart which in turn causes an obedient willingness and trust to go where the Lord tells me and to die to my self when I must. This is joy! I no longer sit as king of my own life. Yet is why it's such a narrow road, many never find it for they're too busy running around.
My inexpressible joy is found because I deserved hell yet one Man found me and wanted my love. My inexpressible joy consumes my life because no longer must I give way to what culture deems as "acceptable" or "right." I know I'm beautiful, regardless if I'm not a double zero, blond, outgoing and dress scandalously. I know this because Jesus has declared it. Precious in the sight of the Lord is a women full of grace and wisdom, with a gentle yet sharp spirit.
When my life no longer becomes my own is when I'm free to live. When I'm not tied down by insecurities or the thoughts and opinions of man, can live extravagantly abandoned to Jesus. I don't need the newest iPhone or cutest shoes anymore just to be satisfied or feel accepted. All I need is an open heart to Jesus. All I want is daily and constant communion with Holy Spirit.
My desires become less about what I can get to show off to people my importance. I instead turn to serve and love my family and friends in hopes that they may see how valued they are before the eyes of the Lord. To lay my life down. To let another get promoted above me. To keep silent when my pride wants to lash out with my opinions. To love with genuine Christian love.
This is the road to inexpressible joy. John the Baptist was a man of transcendence. He never had to self-promote his anointing. The people of Israel come out to see him because of the love in his eyes and the grace upon his teaching. John the Baptist had nothing. What can you take away from a man who has nothing? His locusts?
The anointing didn't come from years of bible college and seminary, but from the wilderness lifestyle. Listening to only one voice. Studying only one book. Living for only one Man.
The wilderness was not glorious. It's a harsh landscape. Not much socializing either, not too much networking happens in an empty, hot desert. John the Baptist said yes in the mundane. He said yes to year after year of rigor and discipline. He said no to the spirit of the age and yes to the Holy Spirit. The message was not a culturally relevant message. It didn't have quirky stories or good puns. He simply called the people of God to repentance. To turn from wickedness and acknowledge the hour they were living in. The hour of salvation. The hour of Messiah.
The mundane life of discipline works the muscle of joy in the heart which in turn causes an obedient willingness and trust to go where the Lord tells me and to die to my self when I must. This is joy! I no longer sit as king of my own life. Yet is why it's such a narrow road, many never find it for they're too busy running around.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Deep Calls out to Deep
A sacred space where no other can venture into is the mind, the deepest place of the soul. The heart fully articulating it's passions, desires and wants. This is reserved for God and God alone.
It's an inner chamber of solitude. Complete solice. Alone with the Creator. Connected solely to the One from everlasting.
Yet too often this place is congested with traffic. Lies permeate. The fear of man emanates and replaces the fear of the Lord. The art of taking every thought captive is not an art at all, it's a grace. Grace given when asked for, when violently fought for. Hunger drives and grace ensues.
The other side of the face is where most of life is spent, why waste it living on the outside. Live from the inside out.
Communion with the Spirit.
Text messaging proves that humanity can, in fact, carry on a continual conversation. Text messaging has stolen the sacred space praying without ceasing. No, texting is not evil. Consider the time spent. Think about the wasted hours. Remember all the hurt and misconstrued communications that have resulted from this act should one emoticon be misplaced.
The Spirit groans jealously yearning to speak. Humans are the only ones in all of creation who have the capacity to join in on ancient conversations. To listen in on the mysteries from everlasting.
I confess I've missed the mark. Turn and live. Live for the cultivated, private arena where all my innermost realities can be gripped heart to heart with the One who knit me.
Deep calls out to deep. The depth in which yearning cannot even depict the intensity of the heart calling out.
The deep of God crying out to share with me. Yes, I will quiet down. Yes, I will respond to this cry. Yes, I will actively pursue the tending of the garden within in my soul and let the Spirit preserve me.
It's just a matter of time and wisdom will be justified. This is wisdom.
It's an inner chamber of solitude. Complete solice. Alone with the Creator. Connected solely to the One from everlasting.
Yet too often this place is congested with traffic. Lies permeate. The fear of man emanates and replaces the fear of the Lord. The art of taking every thought captive is not an art at all, it's a grace. Grace given when asked for, when violently fought for. Hunger drives and grace ensues.
The other side of the face is where most of life is spent, why waste it living on the outside. Live from the inside out.
Communion with the Spirit.
Text messaging proves that humanity can, in fact, carry on a continual conversation. Text messaging has stolen the sacred space praying without ceasing. No, texting is not evil. Consider the time spent. Think about the wasted hours. Remember all the hurt and misconstrued communications that have resulted from this act should one emoticon be misplaced.
The Spirit groans jealously yearning to speak. Humans are the only ones in all of creation who have the capacity to join in on ancient conversations. To listen in on the mysteries from everlasting.
I confess I've missed the mark. Turn and live. Live for the cultivated, private arena where all my innermost realities can be gripped heart to heart with the One who knit me.
Deep calls out to deep. The depth in which yearning cannot even depict the intensity of the heart calling out.
The deep of God crying out to share with me. Yes, I will quiet down. Yes, I will respond to this cry. Yes, I will actively pursue the tending of the garden within in my soul and let the Spirit preserve me.
It's just a matter of time and wisdom will be justified. This is wisdom.
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