Cancellation of Assignments

 

 

As we began our Praying over our city meeting, we read scriptures that assure us that Jesus can and will set us free from those things that keep us in bondage - - He is ready and willing to give us gifts to enable us to serve him and others - - -

(If you then be free from captivity, STAND and do not be moved away from Christ.)

 

Psalms 68:18, 19  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.  Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

Ephesians 4:7, 8  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he says, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

Galatians 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

  

The Children of Israel were rebellious and constantly forsaking God and worshiping idols and other gods of the heathen nations around them.  God used Babylon to punish them.

 

Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and took many Jews captive.

This Babylonian captivity of the Jews lasted 70 years.

 

During these times of captivity the Jews set up homes and were allowed to tend crops and raise sheep.  Assignments by the King were set up to rule over the households of the captives.  Many were forced to build towers, walls, and plant gardens for the King.

 

Babylon was destroyed in about 1531 BC by invaders from the northwest, the Hittites.

Medes, and the Persians. The Jewish captives, were allowed a certain amount of freedom to enjoy their religion and customs; Yet they were heavily taxed as were the Jews in Jesus day, when the Romans held rule over them.

 

Oppression hovered over the Jews because of their disobedience to worship God only.

 

As we prepare to pray over our city, we understand that because of rebellion in the hearts of many citizens, the enemy king satan has set up assignments to rule over individuals.  Strong towers of doubt and unbelief have been build holding our citizens captive and in bondage.

 

We have a greater KING, who is able to break the assignments set up by the enemy.  Our God can pull down the strong towers of resistance and leave not one stone unturned.  Jesus desires to remove all the old stones - - leaving nothing of the old.  All must be purged and nothing of the old to remain.  All must be made brand new, not the same.

Jesus is the Greater One, and a Greater King is able to break the assignments of the enemy king.

 

However Jesus cannot enter the domain of our citizens to tear down and replace, unless He is invited.  He is a gentleman, always polite and waits for a willing mind and a teachable spirit.  God will not force himself until He is wanted.  He is ready and powerful but He waits patiently. 

 

Jesus wants to rule supreme - only Him.  He cannot allow any thing or anyone else to rule along side of him.

 

No man can serve two masters.  Jesus demands we serve only Him.

 

Some have tried to clean up a little space for Jesus, while keeping things that were friendly and familiar, but that will not do.  Jesus is the deep cleaner and he desires to remove all those things that are not acceptable in His sight.

 

Jesus came to bring us Life, more abundantly and He is our Eternal Life and Glory. 

 

As we pray over our city, we prophesy that assignments are broken, walls and towers torn down, citizens become awake to realize their need for Jesus, and open eyes and ears to understand as God is calling them to repentance and to invite Jesus into their life.

 

Thank you Jesus for making everything new in our citizens as they invite you into their lives.

 

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Notes from our Bible Study at Open Door Church:

 

  

Our Bible study continues in John chapter 12.  Jesus had just been anointed with precious ointment by Mary and had raised Lazarus from the dead.  Many believed on Jesus because of the miracles that He did.  The Pharisees were angry that many Jews were coming to Jesus because of the miracles.  They failed to believe the Prophesies written by the Prophets in the Old Testament.

Jesus was ready to enter Jerusalem at the time of the feast, he requested His disciples to fetch a young donkey for him to ride on - - to fulfill a prophesy; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt."

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people came to meet him shouting, "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."

Many from other nations were present at the celebration, and certain Greeks came to Philip,  and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.    Philip went and told Andrew: and together they tell Jesus.

 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.   Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him.

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.   And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  This he said, signifying what death he should die.

But although Jesus had done so many miracles before them, yet the Religious leaders did not believe on him:  That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?   

Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

As we consider our lives and this day - - we may not hear a voice from heaven saying: "This is my beloved Son, listen to what He is saying." 

Also we see too few miracles to cause us to believe in Jesus, however we have the inner witness as we read and study God's Word, that Jesus is our Messiah. 

When we believe on Him and receive Him into our life, the Holy Spirit will bring us His eternal life and we can know Jesus personally as He walks and talks with us daily. 

There is more that Jesus has available for us with gifts as we present ourselves ready to receive and to obey His leading.

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Things Still Happen Today

 

 

Recently my daughter Judie and I attended a Glory Conference with Joshua Mills, as he inspired us to seek Jesus and enter into His presence. 

This can be done by silently being with Jesus as you pray and read your Bible, but also as you sing and praise the Lord with a Joyful Noise. 

 

Keep Jesus first in your life, and allow the Holy Spirit to become real to you in a "personal" way. 

From the Bible, we consider the life of Jesus as He ministered on earth and wondrous miracles happened as he preached,  healed the sick, and cast out demons.  

On one occasion - - After feeding a crowd of 5000, Jesus went to the mountain to pray, and the disciples entered the boat to go to the other side leaving Jesus there.  When a storm arose, Jesus came to them as he walked on the water.  They were afraid. . . (of course) but at his command to not be fearful, they allowed him to get into their boat.  IMMEDIATELY they were (transported) to the other side.  The people knew Jesus was not in the boat when the disciples left, so they asked how did you get here Jesus?   

Jesus called himself the "son of man," because when he came to earth, he left ALL of his "God powers." in heaven and became flesh on earth.  Everything Jesus did on earth was by listening to his Father God, and then moving in the anointing he received when he was baptized by John the Baptist.  Remember when the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove?  That began the anointing as he was filled with the Holy Spirit - - - same as we can be filled with the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus into our life.   

Amazing things happened to Jesus as he walked with His FATHER GOD.  At times the religious leaders tried to kill him as they were not believers.  Times of danger, guess what?  Jesus passed through the crowd and seemed to disappear.  WOW, did that really happen you say?   

Remember Philip preaching to the eunuch in the desert.  After believing that Jesus is the Messiah,  at the eunuch's request, Philip baptized him, and IMMEDIATELY Philip was lifted up and appeared in another city. (transported) - - WOW do things like this happen today?  Not as often as they should, but they do. 

Realizing that strange to us, many things in the Bible are actually true, and we can expect similar things to occur today.

~ ~ ~

 

At the Glory conference, Rev Mills told a story about himself and a valuable ring that had been given to him but sadly to say that during a stay at a certain hotel, it was lost.  The valuable ring also had sentimental value because it has been passed down from family to family.   He was extremely sorrowful about the missing ring. 

One day in prayer as he cried before the Lord, he asked for help in finding his ring and having it restored to him.  He was praising the Lord and the presence of God was like a cloud heavy in his room.  A vision began to appear before his eyes, and he saw himself walking in a quiet neighborhood.  One of the homes stood out to him and the walked up to the house and opened the door.  As he walked through the home, he entered into a bedroom and noticed a tall dresser, on which sat his missing ring.   

God told him to reach out and take his ring.  He did as he was instructed, and grabbed the ring in his left hand.  Immediately the vision ended and he was once again in his own bedroom - - - and he felt something solid in his hand.  There it was his missing ring, that had been stolen, but was now returned.  (true story)

~ ~ ~ 

In life, the enemy has stolen many things from us.  Some through ignorance, or neglect on our part, and some through NO fault of our own.  Understand that God desires to bring back to you things that the devil stole.  Perhaps it was your marriage, your job, your finances, your health, or your children taken from you outside of your control.   

God can and will bring you peace to go forward regardless of the situation, but in many cases He desired to bring a restoration of things lost. 

Believe God is for you and not against you.  What he has done in the past, He will do today.  Place your trust in Jesus, and get as close to Him as you can.  Know that you are His Child and as a Child of God, his DNA becomes a part of you.  God is Holy,  He has character to keep His Word,  He is healthy, He is rich, in that he needs nothing because he has more than enough. 

 

Walk with Jesus and you will never be disappointed.

 

Moving Mountains in Simple Steps

 

 

James says in simple terms.   Get close to God and He will get close to God,  Repent and keep your sins under the blood, and your mind focused on what is important.

 

          James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 

We are meeting to pray over our city and asking God to remove Mountains that are in our citizens.  Many in our city are full of doubt and unbelief; Pressed down with Mountains of habits and addictions.  Full of fear with Mountains of pride and rebellion and self will.

 

As we prepare to take authority over these mountains, Mark shares how to receive - - -

 

Step 1.  Have Faith in God:

          Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saying, Have faith in God.

 

Step 2.  Open your mouth and Speak

                Mark 11:23  For verily I say unto you, That who ever shall say unto this mountain,   Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart,    but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have what ever he says.

 

Step 3.  Believe and not doubt

          Mark 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

 

Step 4.  Forgive if  you desire your personal forgiveness

          Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

 

We are reminded in the Lord's prayer that first we come to God to honor Him,  Next we are able to ask for our bread and our needs, but Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiving others.

 

Our families are a big part of our life, and as young children, mountains are put upon us.  Parents and relatives, friends, teachers do not always understand the power that there is in words, and as most of us have experienced, words that hurt and deeply cut into our soul.  These words make deep wounds and cause us to become easily offended.

 

As a young person, the sad thing is that we take those harmful words to heart and believe them, not realizing they are not true. 

 

If anyone has ever told you "leave us alone, we don't want you here," or "you can't do anything right," or "you are not really loved,"  or "you are not the pretty one,"  or you are not smart and will always fail."   Often these types of statements are often said in jest, or in anger, and they are NOT true, because they are lies, - but believed by the young child. 

 

So what happens as the child grows up.  They remember those words, not really connecting that the words are not true, and believe everyone they meet must be saying those same words about them.  

Although a blessing from a parent figure will help to counteract childhood hurts, the major point in healing these hurts is for you to pull up the memory of your parent, sibling, teacher or friend and the words they said - -  Then determine to say verbally,  "I forgive you."  Do this with each face that comes to your mind.  Forgiveness is powerful.

 

Lastly take time to fast forward to times later in life when you experienced pain from words and again say with your mouth - - "I forgive you."    Believe the mountain is gone.

 

As I was teaching the Lord spoke to me and said, Once the mountain is now level ground, it is time to plant a "Tree of Righteousness." 

 

I shared this with our prayer warriors, and said, as the many mountains in our city are moved, we shall plant a tree where there was once a mountain.  In our city we shall plant an orchard of trees.