Feeding the Wrong Wolf

Two wolves, one is darkness and despair and one is hope and light. Which wolf will you choose to feed? 

The following is an over-simplified analysis but still it calls for a second look. For years the Christian media made money on doom and  gloom projections. 

Even recently, some of the churches with the most filled auditoriums were congregations which specialized in teaching on "end times"....doom and gloom. How can we represent our LORD in this way?  

Christians who presume themselves safe from judgment sit smugly, patting their neighbors back, thinking they are beyond the reach of dooms control. Yet the dark wolf is licking his lips in the shadow of their pews. He has been devouring their children.

Then politicians quickly observed and capitalized on how easily people were captivated by this message. They too looked for power and influence to control the mind of the public, of the citizens. They too fed the craving of the predator wolf. 

This approach was never used by the Messiah. He wasn't focused on sin or on doom and gloom but was wholly the spokesman of love, wisdom, hope and joy. 

He always brought healing, wisdom, love and a future hope. When He called for change- He also restored hope.

Only after touching people with His love and by revealing His light; only then did He admonish them to "go and sin no more". 

He did not focus on the problem...He focused on the solution...light and hope.

What is my point? After so many years of flooding America's atmosphere with false predictions of doom and gloom, the dark wolf is devouring our next generation. It has grown freakishly large and threatening.

The youth who have never heard the voice or call of salvation... can hear nothing but the growl of its hunger. They are paralyzed by the sound of its howling.

The riots, the unbelief, the lack of moral compass thrives in this atmosphere of doom and gloom.  

Sorry to say, the church is in a stall and now needs a reset for the transgression of feeding the wrong wolf. Soon the media, big business, universities must also stall out and be placed on reset.

The Biblical prophets, which I have tested and learned to listen to ...are feeding the right wolf. They feed the light... because...They see with the eyes of a loving, joy filled, creative, beautiful, glorious God Almighty. 

We must stop supporting, voting for, listening to-  people who think its okay to doom and abort our future. Wether it be pastors, politicians, professors or leaders of any kind. 

In the Movie, "Tomorrowland" they make a profound statement. Though it would seem to be just a kid's sci-fi entertainment show...they (the producers/writers) actually have their finger on the pulse of our political climate and they correctly diagnose the problem facing this nation.

 It is well worth watching. It is a message that proves and justifies the "word of faith" teaching. 

The old proverb of feeding the right wolf is written into the story line of Tomorrowland.  The characters of the movie discover they have been inadvertently forecasting their own doom by broadcasting a  constant "warning" of said doom. 

They forget the power of the spoken word. We also forget the power of the spoken word. Their "warning" becomes a prediction which the people then fulfill due to hopelessness. The dark wolf devours all hope and creativity. 

The Messiah is THE WORD of life. He breathes life into a dying world. Scripture clearly teaches us to choose blessing rather than cursing. 

"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Full of grace and truth...is that our Gospel? Those who teach doom and gloom, aren't they truly the false prophets of this day?

Choose life rather than death. Choose hope rather than despair. Choose light rather than darkness. 

When the Apostle Paul said a farewell to his people he said, " I leave you to this WORD OF GRACE". This is how ministry begins, this is how ministry delivers, this is how ministry continues. Intercession,  time spent with the Lord, releases the WORD OF GRACE.

"With the heart one believes but with the mouth one confesses"...

 ... confess your faith in the God of life;

 confess your faith in the creator, the author of all goodness...

the author of all grace and truth.  

Intercession, What is it?

"While they were worshiping as priests before the Lord in prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, I have set apart Barnabas and Saul to do an important work for me. Now release them to go and fulfill it." Acts 13:2 (Passion version) 

What is intercession and what is it's biblical, historical and factual basis? Is it a biblical call, title or position? 

We know in Ephesians 4:11 the Lord established 5 offices to guide and SERVE the church (or ecclesiastical body of Christ). The Lord specifically assigned leaders to take up 5 positions, roles or functions: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. 

Where do we find the title or office of "intercessor"? You won't generally find it in your Strongs Concordance or specifically find the word in your Bible. Except to describe Jesus.

Intercessor: when I say you won't find it, I mean as a title or call. Jesus is The Intercessor so to function in Intercession we must be connected and engaged with His heart.

It is actually a "function" which is clearly a part of the corporate church and the individual believers life and service.

To some it is a center stage function of their walk with Christ and to others it is more of a tithe of time within their ministry life. 

Clearly, Jesus spent time away in prayer yet He spent large amounts of time teaching, preaching and giving Himself to one on one ministry as well. 

In Luke 2, Anna the prophetess was functioning as an intercessor. Her life was devoted to prayer almost non-stop.

"Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age,...

she was a widow of 84 years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. 

And coming in at that instant (Jesus' dedication as an infant) she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him (Jesus) to all those who looked for redemption." Luke 2:36-38

Here we see Anna spent most of her time in prayer, in intercession, but when she recognized the answer to her prayers...her response was to witness publicly. She publicly prophesied of the Truth. 

Note that the scripture said she SERVED GOD. When she was in intercession she was serving the Lord. When she was witnessing she was also a minister or servant to the people in her community. 

The opening scripture in Acts 13 demonstrates that our early ministers spent time serving God in prayer as "intercessors or priests" before they laid hands on Barnabas & Saul to go out to serve the people with The Testimony of Christ. 

 So there is a function of ministering to God in worship and prayer which proceeds the ministry of the Gospel unto people; serving God in intercession releases the authority, wisdom and grace to minister to the body of Christ as servants.. 

The 5 fold "offices" are functions of service. You can only have the heart of a servant when you spend time first and foremost in times of worship. It places the mantle of humility upon your shoulders. I call this- THE GARMENT OF THE LAMB. (See Genesis 3:21). We are naked in His presence without this. 

The function of the Apostle (builder), Prophet (one who speaks The Word accurately, in a timely fashion) Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher (self explanatory) follow the function of intercession. The function of the 5 fold follows the function of intercession. Intercession always comes first.. This is the accurate and required protocol to ministry.

This is clearly seen in Acts 1:14:

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."

They were commissioned by Jesus Himself to wait upon the Lord in the upper room for a specified amount of time...10 days. 

40 days of Jesus appearing to them, demonstrating the Ressurection power and teaching. Then  10 days later, came the outpouring of Pentecost. 

There was a time of intercession required of them; a time with Jesus, then a time of intercession, in that order. We know they were also searching the scriptures during that time. 

Intercession is an integral part of ministry. These people had lives; daily chores, livelihoods and families to care for. There is a time and place set aside for every believer to enter into "intercession".

Some set aside a tithe or first fruits time for prayer...as shown in Acts 1 and 13. Others like Anna spend a central focus of their time in intercession. Yet she too was a witness for Christ. 

 If you hear someone call themselves an intercessor they are most likely saying they have an "Anna" type of call. 

Some call themselves a "prayer warrior". That means they are contending in the courts of heaven for the good promises in The Word of God. 

In Kansas City where they train many intercessors they use the title "prayer missionaries" because they acknowledge that prayer is only part of the commission. The other aspects are witnessing (evangelism) and ministry to the poor. 

Intercessors are to minister unto the Lord first and foremost. This is where they get the authority, wisdom and grace to minister to men.

They are not to contend with principalities and powers...one on one. They contend as an attorney would present a case in a court room setting. 

At no time do you see an attorney taking on, either, the alleged criminal or the bailiff who represents the judge. That would be "contempt of court". (See Luke 18) Though there is a proper time to question them. 

Yes, the Lord has given us His authority but we function in that authority by taking a (restful) seat with Him, in His courts, through intercession. Through engaging Him in worship then acting upon what He reveals and commisions us to do next. (See Ephesians 1:20 and 2:6). Meaning we contend for a "verdict" which we can then declare with full authority.

Remember when Jesus told the disciples that He witnessed Satan falling like lightning? What were they doing at this time? (Luke 10:9) They were ministering the Gospel with grace and healing! 

Nowhere do you see them yelling at the devil or contending directly with principalities or powers! Yes, they were delivering individuals of oppressive demons. (See Luke 10:17). 

There are anointed ones who have this authority but only when they are soaked in The Word of God & spending much time in The Courts of Heaven. In those cases, they enlist the aid of heavenly warriors (Psalm 103) & they declare "The Lord rebuke you!" as did the angel quoted in Jude 9.

This business of taking authority outside your comission is a presumption made by many self proclaimed  "prayer warriors."

The Word of God tells us that presumption is a great transgression. (See Psalms 19:13 & Jeremiah 23:16,18)    

☆ It can also be hazardous to your health and well being... and to those whom you are praying for. 

The Disciples spent time in Jesus presence, He commissioned them and they distributed His goodness to all who would receive. This is also your requirement before moving into authoritive. intercession.

We will talk more about contending in another blog. Contending for our faith, contending with the enemy or contending with The Angel of the Lord? There is a specific and mandated protocol for each aspect of contending. 

Footnote: Isaiah 53:12, 59:16, Jeremiah 7:16, 27:18, 36:25, Romans 8:26, 27, 34, 11:2, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:1.

☆These are the 11 scriptures on intercession. The only one named as an Intercessor is Jesus, who is our One Mediator. 

Who Would Dare?

Who would dare touch The Apple of His Eye? The One He calls His Pearl of Great Price? 

Who would be so foolish as to go after the One He calls, His Beloved, His enclosed Garden, His Chosen? 

Who would oppose His fiery, passionate, all consuming love? Who would jeopardize their own well being by touching the prize of The Captain of the Host? Would you dare lay a finger on the One He describes as;

"O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners. Turn your eyes from me, for they have overcome me." Song of Songs 6:4,5

Who in their right mind would oppose the One He calls His Jewel, His Treasure? 

One would sooner go after the cub of a lioness or the newborn cub of a she bear with their bare hands, unarmed and un acquainted with danger! Who would dare? Why would one begin a battle which is already lost? 

If the Almighty sent an angel that caused the earth to shake and Roman soldiers to be paralyzed as though they were dead men...what do you think His response will be to those who touch His glory, His Beloved? To those who touch His Anointed One? 

"And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning and his clothing was like snow. And the guards shook with fear of him and became like dead men." Matthew 28:2 3 

Who would dare touch His Beloved? Who would dare touch His Anointed?

This is the One whom He has given The Last Word in The Bible, in The Book of Revelation...

The Shining and Radiant One who lights up in His presence and responds to His voice, alone;

when she says, 

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! and let him who hears say, Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely." (Rev.22:17)

and He responds to her call, alone, and replies,

"Surely I Am coming quickly!"   (Rev 22:20)

Who would think to oppose her or underestimate her value or her standing with the Prince of Peace? 

This is The One who is The Word Himself... who responds to the voice of noone else but His Heavenly Father...

yet here, He responds to His bride alone. Who would touch this? 

Who would look upon their own life with such disdain? Who would be so foolish? Who would be so vain? Only he who has no value for his own life! 

Cornerstone

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined it's measurements? 

Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? 

Or who laid it's cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Job 38: 4

Many have been counseling to stay away from the news media due to its present level of corruption. So I went into my prayer garden (which I have urged you to do). 

Recently I have learned to ask at the gate, "Lord, which chamber should I retreat into? Which section of the Word would you like me to meditate on? Lord, what would you like to talk about as we commune together?" 

There are expanding dimensions of the garden. Some secret private gardens and some areas are more open to take retreat with friends. It's a wonderful place with surprises around every green and verdant corner. 

This day, as I rested with the Lord on a bench near flower beds; I was directed to Job 38. The verse listed above about the "Cornerstone of Creation"...this caught my focus. 

The Holy Spirit will highlight certain verses which you have previously read over on other occasions. He will cause you to drill down for treasure. 

JESUS, THE MESSIAH is the Cornerstone of creation! This was a Selah moment for me as I began to peruse through other verses about foundations and cornerstones.

 It is important to not only read a verse within its context but also to read corresponding verses throughout The Book. 

That is how the puzzle fits together into a majestic whole illustration. The cohesiveness of scripture will then become astoundingly accurate right before your eyes. 

We are somewhat familiar with the concept that Jesus is The Cornerstone of the church. Do we realize He was also The Cornerstone of Creation? The Cornerstone of the Cosmos? 

He who was before time was the planner and support foundation to the natural realm where we exist and live out our natural lives! 

"By faith we understand that the world's were framed by The Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. " Hebrews 11: 3

"Behold, I lay in Zion a chief Cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes in Him shall by no means be put to shame. " Isaiah 28:16, 1 Peter 2:6, Romans 9:33 

This brings me to the question... how can man put their confidence and trust in other created beings? 

Some put their trust in the words, teachings, directives and philosophies of those who were "created by" and so...how can they rely upon those to give them LIFE, NEWNESS, GOODNESS, REDEMPTION OR WISDOM? 

Some of these have often been revered as gods. Buddha, Mohammed, Lucifer, the Pope, Mother Mary, etc. 

Even some Bible characters have been raised to the level of homage such as Peter who is thought to be the Cornerstone and basis for the earthly priesthood of the Catholic church. 

Also, you may ask, what is the foundation or substance to this ecumenical movement requiring us to unify all peoples by calling all gods by one name? And are we really all worshipping the same god or goddess but just arriving by different roads and means? 

Did these created beings become the Cornerstone to Creation? How will they help or save us if they do not understand our very frame or make up? Are they the original One? Are they our true Genesis? If not, how can they plan our end game? 

Can they give us back our eternal and pure beings? Can they save us from death?

Clearly Peter understood that Jesus was the Cornerstone and he himself was a lively stone added to the church by virtue of his revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. (See Matthew 16:15-20)

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4

Peter is saying we all are coming to Him...Jesus...including himself. Paul also reinforces this truth in Romans 9: 32-33 when he teaches the Roman contingent about true faith in God. 

This whole idea that we can trust in man or created beings for enlightenment is put to rest when we acknowledge that Christ alone...

(not Peter, Paul or Buddha or Mohammed or Lucifer or the Pope or Mother Mary) 

is The Cornerstone of the Church but also, marvelously, Christ alone is The Cornerstone of Creation. 

He is the Sum of all things. 

He was before the natural realm existed; He made all and became its support and foundation. 

This assures us that we can rely upon Him alone for Salvation. We need call upon One God, One Name,  alone, to have everlasting life, the gift of true Salvation. 

Jesus said in John 14; 

"I Am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one comes to The Father but through Me."

This is a matter of public record now but originally, it was spoken in a very private moment at the last supper. Jesus was trying to encourage His followers, though He was leaving them. He told them they would know how to find Him. The very down to earth and practical Thomas challenged Jesus;

"Lord, we do not know where you are going and how can we know the way? "

Jesus is not only the Cornerstone of All Life but He is the door into All Life. He is the Author and finisher of All Life.