THIRSTING FOR THE POWER AND GLORY OF GOD

In Psalm 63: 1-5 David was going through his rough time. David was running from his son Absalom. David has fled from the city of Jerusalem and headed towards the wilderness. King David was away from his palace, his family, comfort. What did David missed the most? It was God’s house. Not his palace, not his throne, his friends, his family, comforts of wealth and power but the house of God. He missed the place of Prayer, place of Power and the place of Praise. If you are driven into exile what do you want the most. David’s only life and satisfaction was in God. Nothing else!

David says: “Lets us go to the house of the Lord” What is it? The body of believers gathers! How many times must we go to His House? More than 3 time a week? Then, they said you are a fanatic! What is a fanatic? A fanatic is someone who loves Jesus more than you! Why go to the house of God? The house of God is where bondage are broken, sick are healed, deaf heard, demons are cast out, its where sorrows are turn into the shouts of joy, people baptized in the Holy Spirit and an exchange of garments of praise with the spirit of heaviness. The House of God is where the anointing is. It’s the House of Salvation, Blessings and Glory.

Psalms 63:1 - David expressed “You are My God” - A Personal Relationship with God. The Word God here is “Elohim” or Trinity God. How can you deny the existence of God. David says,there is a God. A fool says there is no God. David served a Jehovah God – “You are My God.” My God is the Light of the World, my God is the Provider, my God is the Healer, the Victory and the Truth, Way and Life.

David says I serve no other gods? I serve the God of Miracles! When you are in trouble and sick who do you turn to? Where do you run to? Who do you seek? David went to His God – I go to My Shield, Rock, River of Life!! He is Jehovah Jireh, My Provider, Jehovah Nissi – My Banner and Johovah Rapha – My Healer. He is My God!

David says: Early will I seek thee!
Prayer should be first choice not last chance. Don’t try everything first and try God last and try God first and everything will work out at last. David says, communion with God is better than the soft bed or royal bed chamber, big dinners, big money and pleasure. David says “In His Presence there is Fullness of Joy” If our face looks like the reprint of the Book of Lamentation then we know we are not in His Presence.

Psalms 16:11 – says “in His Presence there are pleasures forevermore” at the right hand (Jesus) I believe only Jesus is the One that give us hope joy, pleasure and life. What kind of pleasure. Not a moment but eternal pleasures. Someone says: “Becoming a Christian is boring!” – It’s the devil’s deception. The world has many amusements but no lasting pleasures. The devil has no lasting pleasures.

David says “My flesh longs for thee – my whole being craves for God.
“My soul thirst for thee! I think only living things thirst? Only hungry people eat! If we have no thirst for God – then something is wrong somewhere and we need to ask why? The bible tells us about “losing our first love”, “having a “form of religion”. It is just having ritual without righteousness and programs without power. We need to be thirsty for God. Don’t get a drink! Drink until you are drunk. (Ephesians 5:18) - Keep drinking and drinking from the well waters of salvation.

The Story of a boy who wanted to see God’s power and hungry for God and told his pastor about it. The Pastor took this young boy to the river to baptized him. When he said “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost”; he pushed the boy until he had to struggle to gasp for air. He pushed the Pastor off and gasped for air. “When you are under the water what do you want the most? Boy reply “air”! The Pastor reply “just as you wanted Jesus as much as the air then you will see His power and glory”.

The flesh longs, the soul thirsts and the spirit seeks after God. Our spirit touches God and come to the Holy of Holies, a place when we do nothing but receive and see His Glory and Power. This is the place where we’re not longing, not thirsting but we are drinking. Be still and know God. You and I can’t talk. We’re not interested in what He can do for us – we’re interested in knowing Him and want More of Him.

In verse 2, David says “I have seen your power and beheld your glory” (My spirit seeks after thee) When you are all out for God you will see His manifest power in the church and only thirsty people will see the power of God in their lives. God wants us to see His power in the church. The Gospel is a gospel of Power. The Book of Acts says, “I have given you “Power” or ‘dunamis’ – Jesus has given power to us. For Yours is the kingdom and power. And Jesus will come with power and rule with power with a rod of iron. Every knee shall bow and mouth confess that He is Lord whether the world likes it or not.
There are Waves of Glory coming to His Church. His Awesome Presence as in Genesis 28:16, 17 – Jacob saw His Awesome Presence - the House of God. Here, David has seen His Power and Glory.

May the Lord bless you and His Word!

JUST FOR A LAUGH!

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head. He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with non stop chatting wife, 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.

Can I come with him tomorrow?

Posted by a friend.

DAVID'S LEADERSHIP OF GRACE

In First Samuel 18:8-18 and in chapter 19:9-10 we see the story of David. David was just a sheep keeper and a harp player for King Saul. David did some outstanding acts of grace and refused to act unwisely towards the King. Through David’s life we clearly see the blessings that can flow from acts of grace.

A) The Song of Grace

David was playing the harp for King Saul. He sought to bless the man of God who was jealous of him and who sought to kill him. Saul sought and attempted to kill David with a javelin while David was using his both hands to play the harp to minister to him. It happened twice. What are some precious lessons we can learn about the value of grace?

Firstly, Grace Seeks To Minister To Those Who Carry Javelins.

• Saul had the javelins of jealousy and resentment
• Others are javelins of gossip or trouble making

Sometimes the target is the leadership in churches today. The most difficult things in ministry are to preach to bless those who are mentally throwing javelins at you. With this most pastors and leaders of the churches have to leave or have a nervous breakdown. Pastors without grace or quality of grace of God cannot lead successful a church in today’s world.

Dear friends, do not yield to pressure from people. You may make the mistakes of your lifetime. When you have taken the wrong decision the same people will criticize you for making mistakes. People will push you into things but they will not support you when you are out there. This goes in your job area too.

Secondly, Grace is Mostly Easily Ministered From A Joyful Heart.
David’s heart was filled with songs of praise and worship. Many times leaders and pastors who received javelins threw back javelin of anger and bitterness. They used the Law which kills and only grace gives life. David sang in the Spirit of the Lord. Spiritual songs and making melody to the Lord is biblical in the New Testament.

• Be thankful for trial – I Peter 5:10
• Be thankful for everything. Speak to one another in psalms – Ephesians 5:19, I Thess. 5:18)

It is hard for bitterness to grow when your heart is filled with gratitude. David was so occupied with praising God and worshiping God (lips and hearts) and there is no time for javelin throwing. We can be hurt by javelins throwers, driven to tears when insulted instead of appreciated, made angry when our weaknesses and failures are exposed but the leaders of grace must continue to play the harp and they must seek to bless the javelin throwers.

Thirdly, Let Grace Deals With Situations That You Cannot Handle.

In I Samuel 24 David was running away from King Saul with his 3,000 men. David hid with his men in a large cave. Saul came to the cave to ease himself but David’s men found out and asked David to kill Saul. But David cut off a small piece of Saul’s coat and David felt he had done wrong.

What were David’s acts of grace?

• Grace was shown because Saul was the Lord’s anointed.
• Grace was shown because Saul would be judged by the Lord Himself.
• Grace allows us to look to God to judge and justify our lives.
• Grace must be shown for Christ’s sake.

Congregation must be careful how they treat God’s anointed leadership in church today. The Leaders must be careful in conduct and vice versa. Christians must be careful to treat each other with respect. Do not cut one another's coat off. Respect them for who they are. Christians are anointed people like Saul sealed with God’s ownership and God’s Spirit in their hearts.

All acts of grace are linked to the Lord Jesus Christ. The grace becomes sacred and holy. We must share the Grace of God. We show them to the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:15,16)

The King’s Psalms – Psalms 21

This is the Psalm of David and a type of us as believers. When we read these portions of scriptures we thought it is always saying something about King David. But in the New Testament we are kings and priest of the Lord. (See Revelation 1:6)

The first verse in Psalms 21:1 it says, “The king (you and me) shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!” The Joy of the Lord is our strength and in His Strength there we receive His joy and salvation. The Lord is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:19) Surely, His strength is made perfect in weakness.

The next verse two says “You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.” It is God’s desire to give us our heart’s desire because His love for us. And if we pray with faith He will not withheld the request of our lips.” God never refuses to answer scriptural prayers. In fact, it is God’s will to hear our prayers. God is listening for you and whatever your heart’s desire is. You and I serve a prayer answering God. “What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe you receive them and you shall have them” - Mark 11:24 “The desire of the righteous is only good…” Proverb 11:23

The third verse tells us that God will meet us with the “Blessings of goodness”. Every good gift comes from God and it is a blessings. God has installed all His blessings for us because of His goodness. We not only need a blessing, but also we need the blessings (specific). It is time we receive God’s best. God has provided for you a life without lack where He commands such a blessings and it overtakes and overcome every hindrances and every trials. God created you and me because he wanted somebody to love and bless. We can walk into the goodness of God’s blessings each day.

The fourth verse tells us about the life and God is willing to give us life. What kind of life? A long life, holy life and fruitful life. Some could enjoy a joyful and prosperous life. A life full of abundance for all His children. Someone says eternal life is a gift. But this eternal life is sufficient in quantity, superior in quality. Some says this life we experienced is a loving life from God.

The sixth verse says, “For God have made him (your name) most blessed forever; You have made him (your name) exceedingly glad with Your presence. Vs. 7 For the king (you and me) trust in the Lord and through the mercy of the Most High we shall not be moved or shaken.”

I like the word “most blessed forever”. God does not only blessed us He wanted to us to be the most blessed person on this planet earth. Everyone that believes is blessed but God wants us to be the “MOST” blessed person on this planet. And this is not only one time it says it is “forever”
The last verse says, God has made us exceedingly glad enjoying His presence daily. For our joy are to trust Him daily – His grace and mercy and we shall not be shaken in times of trials and needs.

May the Lord bless His Word to you today! Begin to enjoy the privilege of a king. You are that king.

THE YEAR OF RECOVERY

The Word in Isaiah 62:10 NIV says
“ Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.”

Firstly, “GO THROUGH THE GATES”
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
Isaiah 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel.
Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me."

I believe gates are strongholds of the enemy that prevent believers from entering into their dreams and blessings. God is saying that He will make a way when there is no other way for us. In the year 2011 there will be many gates that will be opened for us and God is breaking every barrier down. This is to get into the hidden riches of secret places for eyes have not seen and ears have not heard what the Lord has installed for His Church in these last days.

When stronghold began to tumble down and hidden riches revealed many of us will come to know our God even more. For He is a GOOD GRACIOUS GOD! For this is the time 2011 to get back what that has been stolen from us. We say to others, “Give me back this or that”? But to the devil we think it’s hard to say to him. I think it is time to tell the devil “Give me back all that you have stolen from me” Give me back my home, family, life, health, finance, job, church. My authority!! Anything that is lost just like JOB in the bible he got back twice as much. (Job 42:10) The Old Covenant righteous JOB got it. I say it again that Old Covenant righteous JOB got it. What about the New Covenant righteous believers? God loves Job and He loves the Church (His bride) more. Will He not restores us all things?

1) We are claiming back All that were stolen from us.
Exodus 12:35, 36 “Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked (borrowed) from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing.

Vs. 36 - “And the Lord had given the people favor (grace) in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they (requested) Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Faith asks and plunders! The Hebrew word for "borrowed" in Exodus 12 verse 35 means "demanded". The Israelites turned the tables on Pharaoh and told him, “If you want us to leave so bad, you are going to have to give us something. You are going to have to restore some things to us. Give us back our children, give us back our flocks and herds, give us some clothes and don’t forget to give us some gold and silver!” So Pharaoh loaded them up, sent them on their way and asked them to bless him before they left.

Satan Must Return All. For in I John 5:18 is says, “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him"

The wicked one cannot touch your health, peace, family and finance. But you know you are born of God – you will not be under the power of sin (continuing sinning) because the power of God keeps you and the devil could not touch you. You are on the winning side because of Jesus.
Don’t just ask for the devil to leave you alone; demand that he returns what he has taken from you. By the power of the Holy Spirit you have the awesome authority to tell the devil what to do. You and I should demand that everything the devil has taken or disrupted be put back on God’s side of the line. Tell him to leave you alone for you are born of God.

2) Secondly, God will prepare the way and building His Divine Love in Us.
Ephesian. 3:16 to 19 – God is able to grant us the riches of His glory … being rooted and grounded in love and vs. 19 to know the love of Christ … that you may be filled with ALL the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

It says, “all” of the fullness of God and to know the love of Christ. Vs. 20 says, Above “all” that we ask or think. Ask for “patience” he will give you more patience and even long suffering. If you ask for 10% God can give you 200% - exceedingly abundantly beyond all ….. that we ask!!!
Ask for His Divine Character to change you. Ask for the Love of Christ. Ask of all of His Divine Love for the Lost. What does its means to us, is that you and I cannot stop God from pouring His blessing on us. When God gave he gave “ALL” And ALL is ALL!

You and I cannot bankrupt God’s love. You may bankrupt yourself, but you can never bankrupt God. You can loose everything you have, but you can never lose everything God has for you. You can run away from God, but God will never run away from you. You can loose your love for yourself & God, but you can never make God stop loving you. God says to His children, “Yea, I love loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” – Jeremiah 31:3

3) God give His Spirit to All
Acts 2:4 – “ they were ‘all’ filled with the Holy Spirit. Stop limiting God. God has more faith in us than we have in ourselves. Because He knows the Christ who lives on the inside of us is greater than the evil one and Jesus in us will never bow down to the devil. He has given you all the power to command the forces of darkness to leave you alone, and He is waiting for you to exercise that power of the Holy Spirit. Let all His Living Waters flow out of you. Don’t limit God! God gave His Spirit without measure. Full of the Spirit of God.

We need to stop limiting God’s power. He is still the God of the impossible. He still performs miracles and is ready to bring you abundance, health, victory, vitality, joy, peace, love and security. Jesus was only limited by unbelief!! The church today has limited Him the One who gave ALL and will not withhold ALL. The church must recover ALL. Demands the return with God's help. God says,"I will go before you, I will break in pieces the gates of brass, I will give you the treasures of darkness, for I have called you and surnamed you." Receive All that God has in His Word.

Maybe God is saying to you today, “Love believes all things, hope all things and endure all things.” You’ll recover All. This is the Year of Recovery All. God wants you to receive your miracle, your healing, your restoration and your abundance. Recover all through my blood that redeems (brought back) ALL for you. Amen!

Roman 8:23 "If God is for us, who can be against us? vs. 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us ALL things?"

2 Peter 1:2-4 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, vs3 as His divine power has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us by glory and virtue, ...."

WALKING DEAD MEN MADE ALIVE 2011

The things that God likes and the things that we like are almost two different things. The services that God like and the services that we like are not the same. We like the high entertainment live show but God likes the death show type of meetings where by people repentance and broke in tears. God would rather have moments with a few who really love Him than for everybody to come and be entertained. God doesn’t care of numbers, in fact Revival started just by a few people who are seeking God and do not love their lives even unto death.

Revelation 12:11 –And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death”. This is fleshly death? Do you want God’s blessings on your life? The greatest blessing doesn’t come from God’s hand; it comes from His Face in intimate relationship. When you finally see Him and know Him, you have come to the source of all power. And these blessings are not cheap. I am tired of knowing God only, I want to see His face and glory.

Revelation 1:17 – John walked with Jesus, he an apostle who personally leaned on the breast of Jesus. He was the closest disciple. He saw Jesus calm the storm on the Sea of Galilee. He saw Jesus stop a funeral procession to touch the body of a dead boy and raise him from the dead. He knew who this God is. But on the island of Patmos the Bible says “He saw Him” in His unveiled glory for the first time. (Read Revelation 1)

• Lord’s head and hair were white like wool
• His eyes burned like fire.
• His feet were like fine brass.
• John fell at the Lord’s feet as though “he were dead.”

Why would John do that when he had already knew Jesus for 3 years? In that vision John saw Him, he tasted death because he had seen life. It takes death to really see Him. The Scripture says, Jesus who is alive, dead and more alive forever more. “ It is a good year to die!” Paul says, “I die daily” To die is to live more! I believe it is not a curse. Paul knew what he is saying. It takes the grace of God to die. The more he dies to the works of his flesh, the closer He gets to God. This is not by our self-effort but God's power in us changing us.

In Exodus 33:17,18, 20 - When Moses asked God to show him His glory, the Lord warned him that no man can see Him and live. This statement is true in N.T., where Paul says “I die daily”. Only dead men can see God. We see Moses have received the architectural details and models of the tabernacle that God gave him. He thought this is only some sort of a model of what God is going to do. It’s only a type, a shadow. All the furniture and utensils of the tabernacle all had symbolic meaning. What He wanted to see is the finished product. Moses said “Show me, Your glory.” That’s when God said “You can’t. Only dead men can see My face.” I put it as “Dead Walking Men” but walking with God Alive in Christ.

You and I have to say, “I’m really not alive anymore. I’m a walking dead man alive in Christ. That what’s Romans 12:1 is all about. “Living Sacrifice” Anything that is sacrificed is dead already like the time of Moses.

I Corinthians 1:29 - Paul the apostle said, “That no flesh should glory in His presence” If there is flesh present when the glory of God comes, then it will have to be dead flesh, because nothing can live in that presence.

Yes God call to us today to- “Come boldly into the Throne of Grace and I will come to you. I want to come near. Yet, if you’re going to get any closer, then make sure that everything is dead. If you really want to know Me, then everything must die. If you want to see My Glory.

PLEASE SHOW ME HOW TO DIE?
In John 3:30 quotes, “He must increase, but I must decrease” Less of me means more of Him. John says, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” - John 3:27 The gospel is not all about me and me only it is about Jesus in me the hope of glory. Basically, if there is less of me, then there is room for more of Him. The more of me that dies, the more closer God can get into us. Like Enoch who walk with God and God took him away. Enoch was so holy that God has to take Him directly to heaven – no need to bury him. For Enoch there was a rapture but for the church there is going to be a powerful rapture. Our death brings resurrection of life spiritually and physically.

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live (dead) but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh (body) I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Colossians 3: 2, 3 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. vs. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. vs. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in GLORY. AMEN!

Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin