Biblical Meditation

Christian meditation isn't the same as other forms of meditation. Here's an excerpt from an email I sent to a  ministry recipient about how some engage in  Christian meditation: 

1) Take a seat: Find a place to sit that feels calm and quiet to you.

2) Set a time limit: If you’re just beginning, it can help to choose a short time, such as five or 10 minutes.

3) Notice your body: You can sit in a chair with your feet on the floor, you can sit loosely cross-legged, you can kneel—all are fine. Just make sure you are stable and in a position you can stay in for a while. It also helps to create a space specifically for Christian Meditation. It should be clean, clutter free, and  refreshing. You can use incense and include plants, a fountain, or scented candles. Its important that this isn't a space that is used for other forms of meditation.

4) Breathe: Take several cleansing breaths until you feel fully relaxed (at least three). Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Breathe deeply. Hold each breath a few seconds. Breathe out intentionally through pursed lips. Don't hold the last breath. Fully fill your lungs and blow out the last breath hard and fast.

5) Open your bible: Read  a short  scripture- perhaps 1-4 verses. Usually the shorter the better. It's good to take small bites of scripture for meditation. Write down the words which really jump out and resonate with you. Perhaps 4 or 5 words.  Think about why these words jumped off the page. Ask God what God is saying? Be still. Be quiet. Write down what you think the message is. Ask God to help you understand the message and apply it to your life. Be still. Be quiet. Write down what you understand. Write down how you will  apply this. Be still. Be quiet.

You may ask "How do I decide what to read?" You may 1- Ask the Holy Spirit, 2- Follow an established reading plan, 3- Read a scripture that is relevant to your circumstances, 4- Read a scripture that focuses on a specific topic, 5- "Randomly" select one. 

7) Close: When you’re ready, gently lift your gaze (if your eyes are closed, open them). Take a moment and notice any sounds in the environment. Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions.

Weapons to War

Grace to build. Weapons to war: The Razor of the Lord

According to an online source, "a war scythe or military scythe  is a form of pole weapon with a curving single-edged blade with the cutting edge on the concave side of the blade. As an infantry weapon, the military scythe had practical applications both in offensive actions against enemy infantry and as a defensive measure against enemy cavalry."

In a dream I saw a woman who is gifted in the prophetic lying in bed. The woman pulled something out of her mouth from beneath her tongue. It was a razor.

When I woke up I thought about the practice in some subcultures to hide razors as weapons beneath one's tongue. I asked God "What are you showing me? Is this an attack against this woman to silence her by cutting her tongue at its base? Or is this her weapon hidden for use as needed?

While I believe the dream is applicable to the woman, I also believe the woman represents prophets, and the prophetic ministry (prophetic voices, scribes, intercessors, etc.) I believe that God has released special weapons to some to do the work which is required in this hour.  I also believe the enemy will try to counter this movement. 

I believe there will be increased activity from the kingdom of darkness to silence this woman of God, prophets, and the prophetic ministry. God will allow things that the Adversary will try to use to muzzle these ones. These prophetic voices will feel as if they've been thrown into a fire.  My word to you is" The Lord is with you in a very special and tangible way!" The Lord is the fourth man in the fire! God can deliver you out of the fiery trials of life and bless you in ways that will amaze, astonish, and confuse the enemy. When God delivers you, you're not coming out the same way you went in. God will use the fire to deliver you from forms of bondage. You may go into the fire bound up in some ways. But youre coming out unbound.

The fire won't change your identity. In fact, it will be a place of preparation to walk in your identity and calling in a greater measure. God will continually ensure you of God's love for you in unique ways before, during and after the fiery trial. These will be like kisses on the forehead from a loving parent to her child. The fire will be a place of consecration and anointing which will give you the grace for new levels of authority. Your sacrifices of praise will be a sweet smelling aroma unto the Lord. God will reward your sacrifice with promotion.

As I inquired more about the meaning of the dream, I heard the Lord say "I've  released to you [the woman in the dream along with certain prophets and prophetic voices] the  Razor of the Lord." Prior to this conversation with the Lord, I'd never heard of the Razor of the Lord. But this isn't unusual for me to hear something from the Lord about which I'm clueless and then spend time investigating the matter.  So I began to inquire more of the Holy Spirit and search out Scripture. Isaiah 7:20 says "On that day the Lord will shave with a razor hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will take off the beard as well." -NRSV

What is the Razor of the Lord-  I believe it is the words released by the God's chosen prophetic voices for a time such as this. I believe in the realm of the spirit that these words look like a war scythe. This weapon is used to disgrace the enemy. In ancient middle eastern culture plucking a man's beard was a way to disgrace him and bring shame. Jesus disarmed the works of darkness and made a show of them openly. In this season,  prophetic voices are being raised up to do likewise in unprecedented ways.

I believe that God has released the Razor of the Lord to some who have been resting in a place of preparation. These ones will do great and mighty deeds- particularly in the areas of dismantling the works of darkness and deliverance. This weapon will be used to bring God's wrath upon the enemy of our souls, fate and destinies, and the purposes and plans of God.

The Razor of Lord will be used to shred and destroy platforms and structures that have perverted world systems. The Razor of the Lord will be used for deliverance to break generational curses, sever ungodly soulties, and bring an abrupt, complete and permanent end to stubborn issues which have plagued God's people for decades, perhaps even centuries. 

May these chosen vessels take their positions to "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins (Isaiah 58:1)."  For the Lord says, "Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant (Jeremiah 1:10).”

"Wisdom for Walking THROUGH the Darkest Valley

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff- they comfort me." -Psalm 23:4 NRSV

Our darkest valleys can be divorce, a negative report from the doctor, a job loss, the disappointments of a wayward child, or the unexpected death of a loved one.  It could be any number of things. So what are some strategies for walking THROUGH the darkest valley? 

1. Take heart.  Do not be afraid. (2 Timothy 1:7)  
When you study 2 Timothy 1:7 in the Aramaic you find that the word for self-discipline or sound mind can also be translated as revelation light or instruction.  It is this revelation light or instruction that lights our paths to walk through the darkest valley.
2. Remember, you are not alone in your suffering.
You have:
• The presence of Christ (Matt. 28:20)
• The prayers of other believers (2 Tim. 1:3)
• The “fellowship of suffering”—other believers who are facing hardships for the sake of Christ (2 Tim. 1:8; Heb. 13:3; Col. 1:24).
3. Be assured the Good Shepherd defends and fights for you even in the darkest valley. (Psalm 23:4)
Rods were sometimes used as weapons of defense or offense. 
4. Keep in mind, the Chief Shepherd is sovereign. (Psalm 23:4; Matthew 28:18) 
The staff is symbolic of the Chief Shepherd’s sovereignty and authority.
5. Bear in mind, suffering is sometimes permitted so that God may be glorified. (2 Tim. 2:8–9; John 9:3) The Apostle Paul said he was willing to suffer for the proclamation of the Gospel, for the sake of the elect, and for the glory of God. Our suffering, big or little, can be used to bring about the same purposes.
6. Remember, you are not a prisoner of your circumstances. (2 Tim. 1:8)
7. Trust what you saw in the light when darkness surrounds you.  (2 Corinthians 5:7)
8. Stay the course. (Romans 12:12; Colossians 1:11-12; Galatians 6:9)
Persevere, stay the course, and be faithful, regardless of any opposition or hardship.
9. Stay focused on God and do not allow the Adversary to use discouragement,  depression, and isolation as an open door to devour you. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The implication in the context of verse 8 is that if you do not bring your worries and cares to God, the devil will use depression and discouragement to devour you. Just as lions go after the feeble, the young, and the stragglers, so the enemy of our souls will always seek out those who are isolated, alone, or depressed to devour them
10. Revisit your faith files. (Revelation 12:11)
Be quick to praise God and testify to others
11. Rely on the resources God has given you:
• The power of God (rather than your own strength) (2 Tim. 1:8; Phil. 2:13; Eph. 6:10).
• The indwelling Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 1:14).
• The Word of God, which will keep you grounded and give you perspective (2 Tim. 2:7, 9; 3:12-17; 4:1-2).
12. Trust the truth of Scripture.
The Truth is:
• All wrongs will one day be righted (2 Tim. 3:8-9; 4:14).
• The Lord will deliver you from all evil—in His time and way (2 Tim. 4:17-18). In the meantime, counsel your heart according to the truth and promises of God (Psalm 27).
• All your suffering, efforts, labors, and faithfulness will be rewarded in “that Day” when believers stand before the Lord (2 Tim. 1:12, 18; 2:12; 4:8; Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16; James 1:12).
• You will give an account, so guard the “deposit” entrusted to you (2 Tim. 1:12, 14; 1 Tim. 6:20).
13. In all your suffering, remember Jesus Christ.
Remember:
• His life and His suffering and sacrifice for you (2 Tim. 2:3)
• His triumph over Satan, sin, and death (2 Tim. 2:8)
• His power, promises, and presence (Matt. 28:18-20)
• What He is doing for you in heaven (John 14:2-3; Rom. 8:34).

The Metamorphosis

A New Year Blessing for 2021

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18 KJV).

The Greek verb metamorphoō is the same word used for Jesus being transfigured on the mountain (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2) and for our transfiguration through the renewing of the thoughts of our minds (Romans 12:2) [Biblegateway.com].

May 2021 be a year of transfiguration, transformation, and metamorphosis for you. 

May your face be unveiled to gaze  upon the beauty and splendor of Jesus Christ.

May every self-limiting belief and ungodly mindset which cloud your perspective of God, self, others and the seen and unseen realms around you be dismantled by truth and revelation.

May you be elevated through the renewing of the thoughts of your minds. 

May you be transformed into something more beautiful. 

May you become like a mirror who reflects the glory of Jesus Christ. 

May you move from one brighter level of glory to another. 

May BELIEVERS with an INDWELLING of God's Spirit be transformed into SONS/CHILDREN  of God (teknon- John 1:12; 1 John 3:1) with an INFILLING of God's Spirit who are LED by God's Spirit.

May the sons/children of God (teknon) be transformed into MATURE SONS/CHILDREN of God (huios- Romans 8:14-19; Galations 4:7) who BEAR FRUIT of the Spirit and OPERATE in the gifts of the Spirit. 

May the mature sons/children of God (huios), be ESTABLISHED and SEATED in heavenly places to REST on  THRONES as HEIRS to the Father's name, authority, possessions, and, responsibilities.

In Jesus' name. Amen.