Today, I share a prayer Yahweh’s Spirit quickened in me and I pray you join in with Him and I:
“More and more and everyday we need Your love, our Father, not more stuff! We’re praying for Your leaders in the body to be enveloped in 1 Corinthians 13.”
Because so many professing Christian leaders don’t have a clue about the eternal, glorious treasures stored up for us, they bow to Baal, mammon, run after wicked kings’ dainties, and pursue the world’s riches. That being said, I’m led to share this scripture with you today.
He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge, and fear of ADONAI, which is his treasure. – Isaiah 33:6 CJB
There will be times of security for you—a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. – Isaiah 33:6 HCSB
When we have fully surrendered our way, will, and success or lack thereof to Yahweh, some (just SOME!) of our treasures are security, safety, the fear of Yahweh, and a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. To explore more treasures of the righteous, go here.
Today, Yahweh led me to visit the website of one our previous coach training clients who is doing some pretty awesome work in the area of Christian health. It’s no secret that many leaders in the body of Christ struggle with unhealthy eating habits and attitudes about food and their temple.
Healthy Freedom is your portion, beloved.
While on the site, I found a f^ree e-book Yahweh graced her to write. I want to share something that she said that literally jumped off the page into my spirit man. She said, “People that are truly healthy emotionally can always say no to food that is unhealthy for them, they can always say no if they’ve put on a few pounds and know they want to lose those pounds, and they live with a sense of self-control around food.”
Umph . . . isn’t that powerful? Did it hit you like it impacted me? Do you possess the self-control that only His Spirit fills? We glorify Him by possessing holy temples that are free from focusing on food all the time.
“Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?” – Matthew 6:25 AMP
“[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17 AMP
You may or may not know I’m a consultant for the local government in my hometown. As a matter of fact in a recent video, I testified about being re-awarded the contract with a huge increase. Well, as you might have suspected, there’s a huge responsibility that comes with such increase. The person responsible for the vision of the department that I report into shared with me day one the desire to see the role grow into be more entrepreneurial. I remained silent at the time due to past experience with the philosophy and culture of management.
Fast forwarding to the present, Yahweh’s been orchestrating some things to birth today’s lesson for you. You see, almost immediately after sharing the new entrepreneurial vision with me, that I began to operate in by the way, everything I touched had the brakes pulled on it!
The internal players’ pride manifested and they went to management and told them they weren’t going to and shouldn’t have to take order from a “consultant.” Management, in turn, approaches me with a new laundry list of: This needs to go through me, that needs to go through here, and carbon copy me on this, that, and the other thing. I nodded in agreement and replied, “Will do, and I must point out that many in this organization need to grow up!” Yes, He (Yahweh) released me to say it; so I did.
Management agreed wholeheartedly and then proceeded to make excuses for their colleagues. A couple of weeks go by and I’m approached with another “take this, lead it, and run with it” task. Okay, I’m off. I’m on it. Mid-stream into the task, management takes over. Okay, I think, pray, and watch it all unfold. I could hear Yahweh saying, relax, listen, and go with it. Two to three weeks go by and the exact same thing takes place. I said to myself, “Are you kidding me?” Okay, now I’m really praying, and Yahweh gives me this to say:
“Although you’d like me to be entrepreneurial, the reality is that’s not possible in our current environment given the management philosophy. So, I’m sharing this so what’s running under the table is out on the table and acknowledged. Also, what this means for me is that most to all of what I perceive , based on my entrepreneurial mindset, would take 5-30 minutes to complete turns into hours and in some instances days worth of work. It is what it is; let’s just call it what it is.”
If you’re like most, you’re wondering how management replied. For now, I’ll just say hold on it’s coming. Your first lesson is, just because you hold a position of empowerment, it doesn’t mean you’re actually fully empowered. Beloved, I’ve said it before and it still holds as He leads me to repeat it, there’s a lot of fear in the workplace amongst managers, and many of them breed risk aversion. If you’re like most, you’ve had a “Are you kidding me?” moment or two.
Well, back to our conversation to leave you with this glorious hope. Management’s reply to what Yahweh gave me to say, in essence was, “We’ve got to change and we get to be the standard, Karen!” YES . . .
Your second lesson is, you must pray for everyone in your direct working sphere. Anyone who touches a project you’re working on immediately goes on your prayer list right at the onset of the project. If you’ll pray faithfully, Yahweh will grant the favor to speak truth seasoned with wisdom and grace to impact change. If you take me up on this prayer challenge, I’d love to hear the results. It’s time to stop shaking our heads and saying, “Are you kidding me?” and become the light showing them way; be the Standard!
1 When the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a cedar house while the ark of God sits inside tent curtains.” 3 So Nathan told the king, “Go and do all that is on your heart, for the LORD is with you.” 4 But that night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 “Go to My servant David and say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you to build a house for Me to live in? 6 From the time I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until today I have not lived in a house; instead, I have been moving around with a tent as My dwelling. 7 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked anyone among the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel: Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ – 2 Samuel 7 1-7 HCSB
How many of us are assuming Yahweh is with us in our building endeavors and have yet to seek or stand in His divine counsel? Unfortunately, many leaders are running ahead under the premise that He’s with them and that they can do all that’s on their heart. At least David received a word (presumptuous as it was) to do all he wished, thought, felt, and that dwelt in his heart. Beloved, the problem with this is two-fold. The first is, if our hearts have not been cleansed and are not being continually cleansed in His presence, then what’s on our heart to do is not what’s on Father’s heart for us to do as His leaders. The second is, we have totally excluded the Master architect from His very own plans for us as leaders.
There is too much presumption, assuming, and flat out failing to consult with Yahweh, and this is why much of we see out there is glory-less. Your lesson today, “Don’t assume you can do ALL that’s on your heart. Ask Him!”
Last night my husband and I listened to a music DVD/CD, and Yahweh began speaking. Today’s post focuses on what He shared. As a music minister, you’re not singing to minister to you. Yes, the song(s) should minister to you. At the same time, your spiritual need(s) should be met before you get up to lead others into His presence and into worship. If you are not full, what do you have to give anyone else (Ephesians 3:19)? You can’t minister empty, and by the way the oil isn’t for you. So many professing music ministers and psalmists are playing and singing to minister to their selves. Beloved, this is like taking the oil slated for His people and pouring it on yourself and everything you sing and play isn’t anointed. As a music minister and singer, you need to know what His glory is upon. His glory is upon the music and songs birthed in prayer and then consecrated before Him by singing and praying them in prayer. This, and only this, is what you should sing and play. Don’t fall into the trap of giving the people what they want to hear because it sells. That’s not His glory, and it’s not anointed! Don’t waste Yahweh’s time singing nine un-anointed songs that you or they want you to sing if they weren’t birthed and consecrated in prayer. Yahweh would rather have you offer Him one anointed song than 15 un-anointed songs and one or two anointed songs on a particular project and in a particular service or ministry engagement.
Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. – 2 Peter 1:10 AMP
Far too many are falling from the grace to minister musically so that yokes are destroyed and captives are set free (1 Samuel 16:16-23). Don’t let this be true of you, minstrel and psalmist.
Are you still seeking Him the same way you did in the earlier part of 2011? How selfish is your seek? When have you subjected yourself to a divine inquisition that resulted in the knowledge that you are favorably passing the tests you need to pass in order to be and do all He’s ordained for His glory? These and many more questions are addressed in this 7-minute video where we explore the many aspects of seeking Yahweh (God). Watch it now.
Mentee, I’m learning that money and food have ensnared many a leader, including myself at a point in time. When I wondered and inquired of Yahweh, He revealed this: Both are appetites that need to be under the control of His Spirit.
If you and I were to take a look around the body we’d see a lot of leaders unsubmitted in these two areas of their lives. I’ve come to know through firsthand experience that it is one of the most stubborn areas of our flesh. When you don’t have a revelation on the purpose of money or food, you’ll abuse, misuse, and eventually lose everything and find yourself on the road to destruction (Proverbs 23:21).
Beloved, our appetites can never be satisfied (Eccl 4:8, 6:7), which is why we must depend on Him to be our bread and meat and the sole source of satisfaction and joy. He’s blessed us with richness (Proverbs 8:18, 10:22, Isaiah 45:3, Romans 11:33, 2 Cor 6:10, Ephesians 1:7, 2:7,3:8, 3:19). Any leader who is seeking His glory will be tested and tempted by money and food. These trials and tests are common to all; the issue is will you submit your greed for food and riches to Him? If so, you’re headed straight for His glory. If not, you’ll find yourself spinning y our wheels chasing things that don’t truly satisfy.
Father, I lift up all of your leadership today praying they come into a revelation and deep understanding about Your purpose for money and food. May they surrender the false appetite for what they see for a true appetite for Your true riches that are seen, recognized, and realized by those with spiritual eyes/ears. Loose them from the snare on their soul to lust after, crave, and seek money and/or food. Bring them into the place where their meat is to do Your will. Quench and satisfy every longing that is pure by Your Spirit. Ruach HaKodesh, stir them to find comfort in Your and You alone. May Your embrace satisfying more than the allusion of the warmth and safety of food and money. Lift them beyond reliance on the natural into reliance on the supernatural fruit that brings richness, joy, and peace. I thank you for destroying false kingdoms they’ve built and for erecting Your true Kingdom in them, and we know that all things will be added according to Your word, will, and way. Protect their eye gate from the realm which stimulates their senses to develop an unnatural and ungodly longing, craving, and desire for money and food.
More meat for healing and deliverance: Psalm 52:7, 62:10, 119:14, 36, Proverbs 11:4, 28, 13:27, James 1:9
ABBA, Father I pray that the leaders of your church will be humble enough to admit their faults and when they are wrong. I pray that you deliver them from the deception many of them are walking in, in the area of ministry. I pray that you will tear down every idol in their lives, and create a hunger and thirst for righteousness and holiness. I pray that you will set them free from the belly god and that new Kingdom appetites emerge. I pray that they’re glory not be found in destruction and shame. I pray that they love you more than the temporal things of this world, especially mammon and food. Father, these are the two areas that many of your leaders seem struggle with the most. They have a difficult time breaking free and are often oppressed and possessed with greed, lust, and selfish appetites. ABBA, break the yoke that they may be truly free to serve you without any thoughts of “what’s in it for me”. I pray that they take their eyes of “self” in 2012, and place them squarely on you. In and through Yahushua’s name.
Over the past several days, He’s been mentoring you in the area of becoming righteous stewards that reflect His glory (i.e., nature, character, and power) in the area of finances. Under His leading, I’m inspired to pray for based on the scriptures we’ve been meditating on.
Yahweh, make me a righteous steward who considers the poor and gives and loves you more than mammon. Make me a righteous, faithful steward over little as well as much. Let not my trust be in money, but in you. Clean my eye from the lust of the flesh and the deceit of uncertain riches. Make me single eyed and of single focus and devotion to you, the Living Yahweh, who richly gives us all things to enjoy! Help us do good and be rich in good works towards others and willing to give that we may store up a good foundation of eternal life versus storing up things that will corrupt and can be stolen. Amen.
Beloved, when you can be trusted with unrighteous mammon, it tells us you can be trusted with the riches of the Kingdom!
