As the people of God assemble today may they assemble as a governing body. When we assemble as a governing body (ekklesia), there is a synergy created by the power of the Holy Spirit that brings us into the functioning of our destiny. If Jesus did not think that it would work, He would have never ascended to the right hand of the Father. He has, therefore, sent the Holy Spirit with the authority and the power of heaven to bring heaven to earth (Jn.16:7). Heb.10:25, TPT — “This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.”
Jesus was shaking the present religious and political scene when He was recorded to say, “All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and earth has been given to Me. Go then…” (Matt.28:18-19a) and “…just as my Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.” (Jn.20:21) Key factors we must be aware of: (1) “all authority” and (2) “just as” and (3) “go then.”
Kathy — If we pray out of our opinions and judgments rather than the heart of God, we can bring ourselves under judgment rather than blessing. Also, we position ourselves for discouragement and unbelief because our prayers are hindered as Js.4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives.” (NAS)
Is the real need of this nation a great politician or a real church? Politicians would hardly ever get a mention in the news media if the church was being and doing everything Jesus was and did when He was on earth. One of the major factors that got Jesus crucified was that He was getting more press than Caesar. People were following and clamoring after Jesus because of His acts which so effectively represented the Father. When Jesus confronted and contradicted darkness through redemptive acts it got the nation’s attention. After consistently revealing the Father in this manner, there was a snowballing effort to make Jesus king. Simply put, Jesus was more representative of life and productivity than was Caesar with all his financial resources and all his millions of citizens. Needs were met and problems solved that Caesar had no capacity for.
Kathy — How do we fight for a corporate cause when we are fighting to survive individually? First, we must take hope that God has positioned gifts and strengths geographically and relationally for corporate wars ahead of time, and we must believe corporate agreement will defeat customized weapons as well as enemies with tenure that are attempting to protect ungodly strongholds. Secondly, we have to be confident that being the target does not mean we have to just take a right hook and then wait helplessly for a left jab every time the enemy gets upset. We are not a victim nor a God-authorized target. Once that is settled in us we can fight with confidence and win through time and perseverance. Heb.3:14, Msg — “If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.”
Preferred Government — Nebuchanezar was in office for an unlimited term. Nebuchanezar is the one who took the choicest of Israel’s future and enslaved them for the purpose of culturizing them to the values of Babylon. In spite of that fact the Hebrews Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego triumphed and impacted the culture of Babylon with the precepts of Jehovah. (Let us not forget that much prayer was the habit of Daniel.) Saul was in office for an unlimited term. Saul is the one who attempted to murder the future of Israel’s government. In spite of that fact David triumphed. Saul was actually used as a catalyst to join the tribes of the nation to David and see that he was seated on the throne. (Remember: David is an Old Testament type of the New Testament Christ) After being under Saul’s government, Israel much preferred the government of David (NT Christ) over the government of Saul (Heb.: “desired”). He who was so desired became so undesired. (Let us not forget that much worship was the habit of David.)
Kathy — Warfare and Tipping Points — In the old western movies, when the town was too conditioned to the reign of an old foe, the lone sheriff (governmental agent) had to fight him alone. The governmental agent, (the God-appointee to the situation), moved forward and equipped them through example, inspiration and direction. Then “the few” stepped up to unify and finally brought the tipping point. The eventual key to victory was when enough of the townspeople and landowners decided to defy evil and stood together. However, realistically, the tipping point can take a long time to develop because victims are so conditioned to corruption or fear of bucking it. During the time it takes to unify a corporate tipping point, unfortunately, the government agent more often than not becomes the target of rulers of darkness who hold tenure. While being targeted by the enemy, there will be attacks on relationships, circumstances and health to the point that it can seem like the real challenge is keeping the governmental agents ALIVE for the mandate! Rom.12:11-12, The Message — “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder.”
As the people of God assemble today, may they realize that they have been elected to an unlimited term of office. May they rejoice in God their Savior Who has elected them to be defended and to provide justice in their behalf. “And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?” (Lk.18:7, Amp)
In spite of some past inferences we might have heard concerning prayer, God is not a celestial bellboy waiting in an anteroom for us to ring a bell to do what we require. Rather, in prayer, we partner with God for His purposes in our lives and in this earth. Jesus went apart from the crowd to pray so that He might find how to partner with His Father so He could glorify Him. Jn.12:27, (The Passion Translation) — “Even though I am torn within, and my soul is in turmoil, I will not ask the Father to rescue me from this hour of trial. For I have come to fulfill my purpose—to offer myself to God.”
Kathy—When we are in a hard place the first decision we have to make is to trust God or harden our hearts & handle things our own way. The only recourse you have if you don’t trust God is to take control of the situation. Control is about ME, my feelings, my rights, and my desires. To trust God we must embrace the truth about His character and His ways consistently until belief is consistent in us. Prov.3:5-6, KJV — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
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