We Are Royalty

We just finished reading "The Supernatural Ways of Royalty" by Kris Vallotton. If you have not heard of Kris, he is one of the Senior Associate Leaders of Bethel Church. His story is simply amazing and his ministry is divinely anointed. He is a modern day prophet. Coming from a background where prophets and prophecies were not recognized, I was skeptical when I first learned of him. But personally sitting under his teaching has truly revolutionized my life.

Discovering your rights and privileges
of being a son or daughter of God

The main emphasis of the book, and the school I am attending, is about our identity in Christ. Many believers refer to themselves as "sinners saved by grace", "servants", or even "worms" in relation to God. Though these may be sincere perspectives, they are either incomplete or false. When we came to the cross we were sinners saved by grace, but because of the resurrection we are now saints in the Kingdom! We are sons and daughters of the King! We are princes and princesses of the royal family! There are so many implications of living as royalty- it tranforms our thoughts, behaviors, expectations, authority, power, resources, responsibility, and ultimately our relationship with the Father. May we embrace our God-given identity in order to fulfill our God-given destiny!

"Then Samuel explained to the people the behavior of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the LORD."
I Samuel 10:25 (NKJV)

Searching Out Mysteries

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. It's a state of constant humbling. For instance, below is a composite of images taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Kitt Peak National Observatory of the Helix Nebula. Referred to by some as the "Eye of God", astronomers believe it is a trillion-mile-long tunnel of glowing gases over 400 light years away from earth.

Awe-inspiring wonders we rarely ever see

The discoveries being made in this generation alone are truly amazing. Humanity loves to search out mysteries. We were created that way, because God is the ultimate mystery. Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings". Our Heavenly Father doesn't hide things from us, he hides things for us!

Like a dad playing a game with his child, God delights when his children seek out the secrets of his heart. He is looking for people who will draw near to him and get to know him better. If you desire more for your life and the lives of those around you, become intimate with the Father. You will never be the same.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Isaac x 3

Today was Isaac's 3rd birthday! I'm learning that it really is not just a cliché how kids grow up too quickly. They change so much in just a short amount of time. This is how he's developed physically:

2006


2007


2008


2009

Jenney created a treasure map for Isaac to find his three birthday gifts hidden throughout the house: A "Little Einsteins" DVD, a toy Rocket, and an electric toothbrush. Amazingly his favorite gift was the toothbrush. He brushed his teeth six times tonight! We love you, Isaac!

"Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?"
Psalm 127:3 (The Message)

Seeking the More

There is no question that God is mysterious and difficult to understand. That is logical when finite beings seek to relate to the eternal, all-knowing, omnipotent, Creator of the universe. But did you know that Jesus intentionally withheld revelation when he preached to people? It is commonly understood that Jesus used parables to illustrate or teach truth. Interestingly, he also used parables to conceal spiritual realities. In Matthew 13:10 the disciples ask Jesus why he spoke to the crowds in parables. He responded by saying, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."

Let our hearts be good soil

What a strange thought that Jesus would purposefully hide revelation from the people who were eagerly following him. Why would he do this? Perhaps Jesus is testing our hearts, looking for disciples who are so hungry to get to know him better they are willing to make a sincere effort for greater understanding. He desires lovers in pursuit of greater intimacy. He is giving an opportunity for those who want more to seek his face.

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." Matthew 13:34-35

Got Meat?

The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of infants only able to drink milk when characterizing the spiritual condition of Corinthian believers. He writes, "I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly" (3:1-3).

Also in Hebrews 5:11-14 it states, "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

Are you drinking spiritual milk or solid food? Have you ever wondered what solid food or spiritual meat actually is? Perhaps the reason why much of the church is not growing or making a significant impact in the world is because we are still babes in Christ.

Although I accepted Christ about 15 years ago, my experiences over the past year and half have made me feel like I am starting over as a Christian. I desire a fresh touch of God, a divine encounter, a holy visitation. I am hungry for greater things. I want more...

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."
Hebrews 6:1-2

May Tim Hughes' song "Consuming Fire"
be the cry of our heart

More

Have you ever felt a yearning or restlessness for more in your life? The "more" I am referring to is a deep desire for something greater than what is normally seen or experienced. It is a hunger for God. Interestingly, our physical appetites are set up in a way that the more we eat, the less hungry we become. Conversely, the more we consume of God in the way of intimacy, revelation, and encounters, the more spiritually hungry we become. Thus a good indication of our spiritual health is our hunger for God.

We were created for more

If you feel this spiritual hunger, ask God for more. If you do not have a very intense spiritual hunger, ask God for more. We are destined and commissioned for great things. Let us seek His presence and be filled with more of His Spirit to be transformed and to transform the world around us!

"God can do anything, you know—far MORE than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

Removing the Veil

So much has happened since my last entry: college football is finally over, a miracle landing of a plane in the Hudson River, the final address by President George Bush after eight years in office, Martin Luther King Day, and the inauguration of President Barack Obama, just to name a few. Obviously media attention has mainly been focused on the new administration in the White House, but I believe one of the biggest events of the past two weeks was the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 22.

The Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

Although it came as no surprise, on January 23, President Obama signed an executive order reversing the ban (known as the Mexico City Policy) that prohibits funding to international family planning groups that provide abortions. This means that millions of our tax dollars will now be sent to fund agencies which aggressively promote and perform abortions. We are in a battle for the lives of the unborn. Because the root of abortion is spiritual and not political, it requires a spiritual solution. Let us pray that our leaders and all people who support abortion will experience the truth and have the veils lifted from their eyes.

"Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." II Corinthians 3:16

Treasure Hunt Testimony

Today I had an opportunity to go on a Treasure Hunt with some of my classmates on our weekly outreach in the community. Before we left the church, our group filled out treasure hunt maps by asking God for clues to lead us to specific people. We spent about five minutes writing down what we thought God was telling us in the following categories- location, person's name, person's appearance, what they might need prayer for, and the unusual. When we arrived at our local park, we were divided into smaller groups. I was paired with a classmate named Sarah, who had never done a treasure hunt before. She was scared and shy. We saw a couple of women walking on the path who looked like they matched a couple of clues Sarah had written down. As we were catching up to them, I asked Sarah if she wanted to start talking but she was too timid. I was trying to suppress feelings of fear as well but managed to say hello and introduce ourselves, explaining that we were from a church doing a treasure hunt. We found out that one of the women (Linda) was from Bethel church and actually went to our school the first year it started, before Treasure Hunts were created. This comforted Sarah and she quietly spoke to the other woman (Molly) saying, "I think you are on my map". Sarah had written down the following clues: brown jacket, blue pants, red hair, and blue eyes (all of which matched Molly's appearance). Sarah then shared that she had "back", "stomach", and "ankle" written under "ailments", which Molly acknowledged were all places with physical ailments! At this point, Molly asked if we were making this up but we reassured her that this was a divine appointment. We then offered to pray for her and she agreed. Molly wasn't able to test out any of her ailments because she had taken some medication just prior to her walk and didn't feel any pain at the moment, but we believed for her healing. All of us were pretty amazed at this point.

We then turned to Linda and asked if she needed prayer for anything. She told us that her right hip needed replacing. We prayed for complete restoration and that there would be no need to have surgery. When we finished, we asked if she felt any difference and she said it felt a little better. We thanked God and asked if we could pray again. She agreed and after the second prayer the pain was completely gone! Praise God! After talking together, we hugged and got their contact information so we could follow up on their healing. Needless to say, we were all excited and encouraged by what just happened. Linda even said she would like to start doing treasure hunts too! God is so good!

"He called his twelve disciples to him
and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits
and to heal every disease and sickness." Matthew 10:1

Searching for Treasure

For those who have been part of a youth group or served in youth ministry, you have probably done a scavenger hunt. It's an activity where you try to find various people, places, or objects on a list. The group with the most items found is declared the winner. At Bethel, we are learning about a different type of hunt- the search for people in need of God's touch. It is based on Kevin Dedmon's book "The Ultimate Treasure Hunt".

A supernatural method of evangelism

The basic idea is that a small group of Christians can pray and ask God for clues that will lead them to treasure (people). They write down what they see, think, or hear God may be sharing with them in categories such as a person's name, appearance, ailment, and location. The group then pools together their clues and begins looking for the people on their list. For instance, the list could include mall, blue shirt, and sprained ankle. They would then go to the local mall and begin looking for someone with a blue shirt and a limp, brace, or crutch. Once they find the person who seems to match the clues, they would introduce themselves, explain what they are doing, and offer to pray for their ankle. As absurd as this may sound, sickness gets healed, miracles happen, and people accept Christ during these treasure hunts! I encourage you to read this book and get a vision for how we can reach out to those in need through supernatural ways. May we believe that we are anointed by the Holy Spirit and step out in faith to bring the kingdom wherever we go!

"As you go, preach this message:
'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8

Declaring a Powerful 2009

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was filled with much joy and love. We had an enjoyable time visiting both sides of the family, although traveling with two small children was a constant challenge. It's good to be home...

Spending time with Nana, Papa,
Uncle Charles, Aunt Haley, and Cousin Allison

As we begin 2009, many people have made resolutions for change or growth. Along with setting goals, I am learning the importance of declaring truth and blessing over our lives. Take a moment to read the excerpt below from Ignited Hope Ministries. May this be a year of supernatural growth in your relationship with God!

These ten basic declarations (confessions) are foundational to the building of our faith. They will increase your expectancy of God's goodness; and, thus, will increase the manifestation of that goodness in your life. Jesus said, "According to your faith, so be it" (Matthew 8:13). Say these every day for a month and see what happens to your life. It will be exciting!

1. My prayers are powerful and effective (2 Cor 5:21; James 5:16b).
2. God richly supplies all my financial needs (Phil 4:19).
3. I am dead to sin and alive to obeying God (Romans 6:11).
4. I walk in ever-increasing health (Isaiah 53:3-5).
5. I live under a supernatural protection (Ps 91).
6. I prosper in all my relationships (Luke 2:52)
7. I consistently bring God encounters to other people (Mark 16:17,18)
8. Through Jesus I am 100% loved
and worthy to receive all of God's blessings (Gal 3:1-5).
9. Each of my family members is wonderfully blessed
and radically loves Jesus (Acts 16:30.31)
10.I uproariously laugh when I hear a lie from the devil (Psalms 2:2-4).

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21