2/6/2003    "Ministering to the Lord"    Topic:  Prayer, Worship & Fasting

"You shall anoint them ... that they may minister to me as priests."  (Exodus 40:15)

"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said..."  (Acts 13:2)

The prophets and teachers at Antioch were just spending time ministering to God.  This would have been time in worship and prayer - talking to God.  They were functioning as New Testament priests (we're all called to this), anointed by God to do that which He had called them to do.

It was in that place of ministering to God that they heard from Him!  It was in the place of focusing on God, placing their spirits above their physical bodies (fasting) that they received divine direction.  It was when they made room for the Holy Spirit to speak that they entered the Heavenly dialogue.  I need to do the same.

"Lord, today I want to hear from You.  As I go through my day, anoint me to minister to You.  Cause me to hunger and thirst after You more than the things of this world around me.  I know that in that place You will be drawn to me as I am to You."

2/9/2003    "They're Listening"    Topic:  Prayer, Praise & Relationship

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."  (Acts 16:25)

When Paul and Silas were in prison after being beaten, confined to the stocks, they began to pray and to worship right out loud, loudly enough that the other prisoners who were chained in the prison were listening to them.  They must have been impressed by what was said because when God responded with the earthquake and by loosing the chains and bonds of all the prisoners (not just Paul and Silas), they did not escape!

I would think that upon the obvious supernatural release they would have fled for their freedom.  There must have been some powerful things being prayed and sung to make criminals stay to hear more, however.  They must have seen a freedom in Paul and Silas more desirable than the freedom outside the stone walls of their jail.

Although it can be easy to turn inward in times of trouble, keeping Jesus to myself, I am reminded here that there are people watching me who, despite their appearance, rough or indifferent, maybe even hostile, are trapped in their own spiritual prisons.  They are watching to see if the Jesus in me is worth waiting around for.

"Lord, I want to be a light that shines brightly for You, both in the good times and in the bad.  I want to show You to the people around me in such a way that they see You through me - not just me saying that they should.  I want a heart that cannot only glorify You at any time of life, but one that is not ashamed to do so "in the presence of my enemies," so to speak.  Let my identity be so wrapped up in You, Jesus, that I can throw myself into worshiping You with abandon - that my prayers carry that authority that can only come with intimate relationship and complete dependence on You.  I want to see chains break when I worship You.  I want to see doors opened when I pray.  I know this is Your desire too, so "Let Your kingdom come.  Let Your will be done" in my life as it is in heaven."

2/17/2003    "Guarding the Presence"    Topic:  Ministering to the Lord

"Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, not take a census of them among the children of Israel; but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle..."  (Numbers 1:49)

Moses and Aaron were to take a census to number the armies.  They specifically did not number the Levites!  They had a different function - even in times of war apparently.  They were to guard the Presence of the Lord by maintaining His dwelling place among the people.  Without the presence of the Lord, why bother fighting anyway?  We need the presence of the Lord in the church today - with His presence will come victory over the enemy.  That presence must be with us or there's no point battling in this city, state, nation, etc.

"Jesus, I want You!  In times of prosperity or in times of war, You are still the center.  Remind me to guard Your presence in my life, even when the busyness of life's "stuff" would like to keep me running.  I need You, Jesus!"

2/21/2003    "When God Breaks Camp"    Topic:  Following God

"Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey."  (Numbers 9:22)

When the cloud remained over the tabernacle, it was fine to rest in the encampment.  If one were to move off and leave the cloud, very quickly he would not see the cloud so well.  At the same time, what if Israel decided not to follow the cloud one day as it began to move?  Again, those who did not move would soon find themselves on their own, not able to see the cloud.  Then where would they look for direction?  They would have to rely on their natural senses, knowledge of the lay of the land, etc.

How often do we rely on our natural circumstances in decision making?  All we need to do is watch to see what God is doing.  If we can't tell, maybe it's time to follow the tracks back to the cloud.  Once we can get to God (or rather, allow Him access to us), then we just move with Him!

"Lord, I want to stay with the cloud and the fire.  I ask so often to see You; help me to stay near enough to see!"

2/24/2003    "More Unauthorized Fire"    Topic:  False Worship

"And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense."  (Numbers 16:35)

There were 250 Levites offering up public "prayer" and "worship" to the Lord with wrong motives.  (Their incense is symbolic of prayer and worship today.)  They weren't really worshiping though!  It probably looked the same as the offerings of Aaron and his sons, but the heart motivation was for power and prestige, not for worship.  These men were actually offering fire which was commanded by the Lord.  God told them to do this!  And yet, it was still not received and blessed by God because it was all for show and to gain the admiration of the people.  Songs and prayers offered up to God out of pride are no more accepted today than they were then.

"Father, help me to remain humble and to truly worship You, whether in public or when I'm alone.  My heart's desire is to worship in spirit and in truth, not sing, play and pray for show.  I want to touch Your heart!  I want to fulfill my purpose, not chase after someone else's calling!"

3/16/2003    "Put it in Their Mouths"    Topic:  Singing

"Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me..."  (Deuteronomy 31:19)

"He has put a new song in my mouth-
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord."  (Psalm 40:3)

God gave Moses a song in Deuteronomy 31.  It sounds like God must have sung it to Moses, or how would he have known how to teach it to the nation of Israel?  God instructed Moses to "put it in their mouths"; He understands the power of song and rhyme; together they form a cement that seals the message into the heart and mind.  This passage also shows that God uses song and poetry as a witness of Himself.

A few hundred years later, David writes in Psalm 40 about a "new song" that God put in his mouth to use in praising God!  He writes that many will see, or understand, and fear God.  God will use song today to open up the eyes of our understanding, to foster a holy fear of the Lord, and to cause us to trust in the Lord.  What a blessing!

Our God is a singing God and He gives songs to His people so that they may praise Him and learn His ways and His truths.  He wants to do this today with His musicians, singers and poets.  The words "many will see" could also refer to the visual and performance arts as well.  God wants to express Himself through creative people today just as He did through David and Moses!

"Lord, take the creative gifts in the church and use them form your glory.  Give us songs to teach Your church, Your bride.  I ask for a release of Your creativity in me and in those I have the honor to serve.  Let Your music resound through the earth including right here in Missoula, MT.  Lord, I want to know You as the God Who Sings."

3/24/2003    "More Than Enough!"    Topic:  Praise & Blessing

"The inheritance of the children of Simeon was included in the share of the children of Judah, for the share of the children of Judah was too much for them."  (Joshua 19:9)

It's not surprising that the people of praise and surrender to God found themselves with more inheritance than they could handle.  When I live a lifestyle surrendered to God and keep praising Him, I can expect to be overtaken with blessing!  However, this is not intended for me to keep to myself.  There was "too much" for Judah.  If they had tried to keep all of their inheritance for themselves it would have overwhelmed them.  They were able to share with another tribe and there was still plenty to go around!

Who did they share with?  Simeon.  Simeon means "hearing" (OT: 8095).  So, the people of praise and surrender shared their blessing and inheritance with those who heard.  This ties right into 1 Corinthians 9:11:  "If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?"  Verse 14 states, "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel."

This example of Simeon and Judah is yet one more symbol of the spiritual truth laid out in the New Testament.  I am to share the fruits of my blessing in God with those who are hearing from God and benefiting me.

3/26/2003    "Boast of God"    Topic:  Praise & Warfare

"For I will not trust in my bow,
Nor shall my sword save me.
But You have saved us from our enemies,
And have put to shame those who hated us.
In God we boast all day long,
And praise Your name forever.
Selah"    (Psalm 44:6-8)

"I will not trust in my bow."  The bow represents the air war in the spirit.  God calls Judah (Praise) His bow in Zechariah 9:13.  We are not to put our trust in our praise and intercession by making them an idol.

"Nor shall my sword save me."  The sword represents the ground war and hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.  It also represents the Word of God.  Using God's Word as a magic formula, a silver bullet so to speak, is no more than superstition if we really have no knowledge of Whom we're speaking.  Taking the Word of God as a weapon in evangelism done in our own power will have limited fruit.

It is when we simply honor and boast of God, praising Him, that we see victories.  It's not our theology or our own righteousness or even our own striving in works or in prayer that really accomplishes anything.  It is God!  It is God who fights, who wins - we just obey!

Yes, we are to fight the air war through prayer, through worship and praise, and through prophetically declaring God over situations.  Yes, we have been given the "Great Commission" and there is a ground war to be waged and we will use the Word and good works in doing so.  The point, though, is that all of this is fruitless if our trust is put in these things as religious rituals instead of placing our trust in God which is where it belongs.

"God, in You I will boast and will praise Your name forever.  As a warrior for You, teach me to rely not on my spiritual weapons, but on You, the source of them.  I trust You to equip me for the battles that will be waged in the spirit.  Father, let my praising, dancing, praying, etc. be done not as routine or as a mantra, but in genuine celebration and knowing You, my Lord."

3/27/2003    "Battle Partners"    Topic:  Praise & Prophecy

"And the LORD said, 'Judah shall go up.  Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.'
So Judah said to Simeon his brother, 'Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.'  And Simeon went with him."  (Judges 1:2-3)

"There are differences in ministries, but the same Lord."  (1 Corinthians 12:5)

Judah was given the command to go up first.  This is critical for the church to understand.  First, we must surrender in praise to the Lord.  In modern military terms this is the "shock and awe" phase of spiritual battle.  When we praise we release God's hand on our behalf.  The people whose primary ministry is praising god should not forget that there are other parts of the body too.  Judah did not go up to fight alone.  They took Simeon and became partners together.  Simeon (Hearing) plays a different role; he hears.  This is understanding what God is saying and knowing His strategy for the battle.  It is vital that the communication lines between us and heaven are open - both ways!  We need to hear from God and He wants to hear from us.  These are two necessary ingredients for victory and dispossessing the enemy.

"Lord, teach me to listen as well as to pray.  I want to hear You and to partner with others who are hearing from You."

3/31/2003    "The Soul of God"    Topic:  Personal God

"So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD.  And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel."  (Judges 10:16)

Imagine!  When Israel repented and turned back to God, His soul couldn't take it anymore!  He just couldn't let them go on being oppressed by their enemies!  He had to deliver them.

He is still the same God today.  When I begin to chase after other things, placing God on the shelf, He will allow me to stumble that I may realize that I need Him, not my other "gods."  When I return to Him and cast aside the competitors, His heart is moved with passion and compassion for me.  How much better then, if I do not stray to idols, but continue in passionate pursuit of Jesus every day!

"Lord, I want to remain in close relationship with You every day.  Today, I want fellowship with You, my Friend!  What an amazing friend You are!  You desire to bless me and to be with me even more than I long for more of You.  I am truly blessed!"

4/4/2003    "Judah First!"    Topic:  Praise

"'Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?'  The Lord said, 'Judah first!'"  (Judges 20:18)

"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  (2 Chronicles 4:18)

God used Judah to prepare the way to Goshen, to lead as the first camp to move during Israel's journey to the promised land, they were the first to go up into the land to possess it, and now God says they are to be the first to go up against Benjamin, their own brother.  Judah means praise!  It also involves a surrendering to God in a situation. 

When I praise God in a situation I am telling Him that I trust Him and that He is in control.  By giving the command for Judah to go first, God is reminding us to look at the unseen spiritual battle that is going on, not just at the immediate conflict we see in the natural realm.  God is eternal and when we side with Him we cannot lose in the eternal realm!

In this case, praise is employed in a conflict within the church.  Even within our local church family praise should proceed before the rest of the "army."

"Lord, help me to apply this principle of praising You before I take on problems by myself in the natural realm.  Teach me to war in the Spirit!  Teach us this weapon and this battle plan in the church today.  Thank You, Lord, that You go to war for me when I praise You!"

4/6/2003    "Keys to Breakthrough"    Topic:  Praise & Righteousness

"May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."  (Ruth 4:12)

Perez means breakthrough.  Judah is the surrendered praise.  Tamar is a palm tree which stands for uprightness and righteousness (Ps. 92:12-15).  Praise all by itself bears no fruit.  However, when there is an intimate union between praise and righteousness there is an offspring; the fruit of praise from the upright is breakthrough!  I have been made righteous through Jesus.  When I am standing in that place praising Him I can expect breakthrough in my life.

"Thank You, Lord, that the praise of Your children (the righteous) bears the awesome fruit of breakthrough!  Thank You that we will see amazing things at CFCC when we pursue You and praise You at the same time.  Lord, cause us to love righteousness and to love praising You.  I am ready to see breakthrough in Missoula and in Montana.  Let's go!"

4/12/2003    "The Spiritual Blacksmith:  Part 1"    Topic:  Warfare

"Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, 'Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.'"  (1 Samuel 13:19)

Just as a blacksmith is needed to sharpen tools and weapons to keep them in working order, so spiritual blacksmithing is required to equip the church for both waging spiritual war and for keeping our harvest tools sharp.  Interestingly, the Philistines wouldn't allow Israel to have any blacksmiths so they could not equip themselves with swords and spears.  The blacksmiths weren't the military trainers, they made the very weapons for the military to work with!

Our weapon today is still the sword - the Word of God.  Our enemy wants to keep us away from the word because with it we can know the Truth and the Truth will set us free.  With knowing the Truth comes faith - "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith."  When we begin to train with our faith, knowing the word and learning to use it in love, satan suffers major defeat.

The Bible is our sword and Jesus is our Blacksmith.  He calls us to be like Him and will continue to use men today as He used Paul 2000 years ago to work in  the blacksmithing role of equipping the saints.  As iron sharpens irons, so the preaching and teaching of the word today sharpens our harvesting tools and our battle skills.  God is still using men and women today to equip the church to do the work.

Blacksmithing in the Spirit requires getting the focus off of oneself as the tools you are honing will be given away for others to use.  Pride must be laid aside, as your best work will give others the victory in war and facilitate them bringing in a great harvest.  Joy may be taken though in knowing that those you have equipped will have much more effect than you ever could have by yourself!

"Lord, You are the Master Blacksmith and I want to be like You!  I want to see Your people equipped to destroy the works of the enemy.  My desire is to be an excellent apprentice under You and those You have placed over me that I may also be a master smith here in this world.  Mold me into an equipper and releaser of sharpened tools and weapons in Your hand!  My only personal wish with this is that I get to wield the weapons and the harvest tools myself as well.  Amen."

4/13/2003    "Where's the Blessing?"    Topic:  Praise/Faith

"But his brothers did not have many children, nor did any of their families multiply as much as the children of Judah."  (1 Chronicles 4:27b)

This verse specifically states that Judah had more children than his brothers.  The children of Simeon (The hearers) were not as blessed as the children of Judah (The praisers).  Children were referred to as a blessing from the Lord, therefore Simeon was walking in some blessing, but in a limited fashion.  On the other hand, Judah was flourishing!

There seems to be a lesson here regarding hearing the word and doing it.  There is more to being blessed than simply hearing the word - blessed are those who hear the word and put it into practice!  The Bible specifically instructs us to be a people of praise.  It is in praising the Lord that we carry out God's edicts in the earth.  The Lord is enthroned on our praise and He is revealed to the next generations through our praise.  It is not hearing the word that releases the blessing, but in believing and acting on it, standing firmly on the promises contained within God's words and speaking them back to Him in grateful praise.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word - true!  This faith without action though is dead - praise is acting by faith and is living and powerful.

"Lord, I want to be a hearer, but then, more than that, I want to be a doer of the word, one who boasts on You through my actions and with my tongue."

4/14/2003    "Judah Prevails"    Topic:  Praise

"So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and then thousand men of Judah."  (1 Samuel 15:4)

"Yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's-"  (1 Chronicles 5:2)

Interestingly, the writer in 1 Samuel makes a distinction between the main part of the army and the men of Judah.  While praise is not our only weapon, it is a significant one - praise prevails.  To go to war without praise in our arsenal would be foolish in light of the emphasis God places on it.

The kingdom of Israel was given to David, of the tribe of Judah and the Kingdom of God has been given to Jesus, whose natural lineage is of the tribe of Judah as well.

"By faith, I am a part of the tribe of Judah.  Teach me, Lord, to walk according to who I am, to let You prevail in my praise and to let the Lion of Judah roar through my mouth.  Teach me to prevail through praise instead of forcing my will in my own strength."

4/16/2003    "Bending the Bow"    Topic:  Praise & Prayer

"For look!  The wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow on the string,
That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart."  (Psalm 11:2)

"...the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord..."  (1 Chronicles 6:31)

Elsewhere in scripture, God says He will bend Judah (praise) as His bow and will fill it with Ephraim.  The bow speaks of aerial warfare.  Now, the enemy fights in the air too; he is the prince of the air.  Whoever wins the air war and dominates the skies has the major advantage. 

The enemy wants to shoot secretly from a distance at the upright in heart to knock out our foundations - identity, relationship, vision, purpose, etc.  This is a major reason why God had David appoint those who would minister in song in the house of the Lord!  Read the Psalms!  These aren't just benign little tunes to be sung.  This was major intercession, crying out to god in times of trouble and proclaiming His victory over His enemies.  It's no coincidence that every revival in Israel and in modern times as well involved returning to the principles of the Tabernacle of David.  They won the air war and then took ground - both in the spiritual realm and in the natural.  The devil and his cronies fight with spiritual air warfare as we do, but we have the armor of God and God is for us.  Who can be against us?

"Lord, teach my hands to war and train my fingers for battle.  Let my songs of intercession and proclamation devastate the enemy.  Teach us to pray!  Teach us to worship!  Bend us as Your bow and launch Your blessing into the world."

4/19/2003    "Run to Judah"    Topic:  Praise

"Now the prophet Gad said to David, 'Do not stay in the stronghold; depart and go to the land of Judah.'"  (1 Samuel 22:5)

David and his men had been discovered at their "cave of refuge" or "cave of retreat."  They fled to the land of praise, specifically to a forested hiding place in Judah.  God was essentially saying to leave their own protection and go to His.  They left their "retreat" and moved into praise.  God then hid them in His secret place.

As I choose to abandon my own cave of protection, leaving the fortified place of my choosing and begin to praise God, He will provide the shelter and protection that I need.  He will be my fortress and stronghold!

"Lord, thank You that we can rely on You to be our defender and that we don't have to barricade ourselves in the darkness of the "cave of retreat."  Show us where we have built caves in our hearts, in effect allowing them to become hearts of stone.  Give us hearts of flesh as we praise You.  Give us a new stronghold named Jesus!"

4/23/2003    "Judah in Captivity"    Topic:  Praise

"But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness."  (1 Chronicles 9:1b)

"Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt..."  (1 Chronicles 9:3a)

Jerusalem = The Church    Judah = Praise

The rightful place of praise is in Jerusalem, the church.  However, because of a loss of God-given purpose Judah fell into idolatry.  When Judah was no longer fulfilling their purpose in the church, Babylon took Judah captive.  Praise was carried away from the church.

We've seen this in history too, but Judah is returning to Jerusalem.  Praise is being restored to its rightful place within the church.  Our arsenal is being filled again.  Let it not slip into idolatry!

"Lord, thank You that we are in a season of restoration of Your truth and a time of outpouring revelation in the church.  Let us see the church standing tall, taking its place as a bride at Your side as we join with You in joyful praise."

4/26/2003    "Song of the Bow"    Topic:  Praise

"And he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow;"  (2 Samuel 1:18a)

The Hebrew here seems to say, "teach the children of Judah the Bow;"  It mentions nothing about a song, but then a song follows.  The song title could be "The Bow" or this could be saying teach Judah to use the bow - teach them to fight the air war.

We need to learn to use our praise as the weapon it is.  We, the people of praise, need to learn to shoot:  learn to pray and combine it with our praise arsenal.  We can do this in songs of prayer, songs of praise, and prayers of praise.  It's time for Judah to learn the bow.

4/27/2003    "Soul Praise"    Topic:  Praise

"Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;"  (Psalm 142:7a)

This is a cry from a man in trouble.  He's on the run and hiding in a cave.  While he longs to praise the Lord, he admits that his soul (mind, will and emotions) are constrained.  It's as though they are held captive in the cave.

This seems to happen today within the church.  People who are burdened with the cares of life often have difficulty praising God.  People with deep emotional wounds or areas where their mind or will are not submitted to God have difficulty abandoning themselves in praising Him.

"Jesus, free my soul today that I may praise Your name!  Free Your church and continue releasing us from the strongholds in our soul that we may enjoy You in praise as well as in worship.  Let freedom reign in Clark Fork City Church and in the Church of Missoula!"

4/30/2003    "The House of Worship"    Topic:  Worship

"The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months.  And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had."  (1 Chronicles 13:14)

When Obed-Edom received the presence of God into His home, God blessed his home.  When he received God's presence and made room for His presence to rest in the middle of his family, God blessed his family.  The cherubim covering the ark in Obed-Edom's home represent our worship, covering the throne of God.  When I make my home a house of worship there will follow the blessing of God in my home.

"Lord, let me host You and Your presence in my home!  As I do work all day let me not just look at my home as a retreat from everything, but as a place I can run to to be with You.  Let my home be a strong tower and a refuge because of Your presence there.  Bless my house, Lord, and all that I have.  Amen!"

*In the house of worship God's presence is a blessing.  (Obed-Edom)
*In the house of idolatry God's presence is a curse.  (Philistines)

5/1/2003    "The Dynamic Duo"    Topic:  Righteousness & Worship

"Sanctify yourselves ... that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it."  (1 Chronicles 15:12)

"All Israel brought up the ark ... with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps."  (1 Chronicles 15:28)

"Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
And let Your saints shout for joy."  (Psalm 132:9)

The Levites sanctified themselves and brought the ark up successfully after that.  They were able to throw a pretty good party, so to speak, once they had set themselves apart and prepared for that purpose.

There is a sanctifying that must take place to prepare the way for the very presence of God to come.  However, once that process is complete the actual carrying of the presence to the place prepared for it (the church) is a joyful, celebratory process!  It's fun!  It's loud and exciting!  Once we as priests are clothed with righteousness (clothed in Jesus) it's time for us (the saints) to shout for joy!  Repent.  Then party!

"Jesus, You are my righteousness!  I want to be set apart to You and Your joy.  I want to usher in Your presence with singing and dancing and music.  Let my praise and the praise of Your church be coupled with the sanctification process."

5/5/2003    "The Key of Love"    Topic:  Worship

"'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?'  Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'"  (Matthew 22:36-40)

While the Pharisees knew there were many laws in the Law, they also knew that every one of them must be kept.  Jesus cut right through all of the Law and the Prophets to the core of the matter.  The whole point is to love God!  We become like what we worship so when we worship the God of love, we will become loving people.  God's command is that we love Him and love people - His creation.  As we worship Him, we will be transformed in His presence and loving people will become natural for us.  As we truly get to know Jesus through time spent with Him in worship and prayer we will find ourselves loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves, thus fulfilling the law through Jesus.

"Thank You, Jesus.  I know I'm changed in Your presence!  Make me like You."

5/7/2003    "The King's Face"    Topic:  Intimacy

"Now therefore, let me see the king's face;"  (2 Samuel 14:32)

"He came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king.  Then the king kissed Absalom."  (2 Samuel 14:33)

This is a great picture of how we can be with our Heavenly Father!  Even though we've sinned and deserve death, we have been given mercy!  Not only was Absalom not killed, but through his persistence he gained access to his father's very presence.

His cry was not just to live but to see the king's face.  He longed for relationship.  I too long for deeper relationship with the Father.  I have been given life, but I can have intimacy and see my Father's face!  I want to be embraced and kissed by my Father.

1.  No one can come unless the Father draws them.

2.  Worship in the presence of God - bowing down.

3.  The Father's response to our worship - passion & intimacy.  "When you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."

"Father, show me Your face!  You've given me mercy and salvation, but there is so much more..."

5/8/2003    "No Oil"    Topic:  Holy Spirit

"Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."  (Matthew 25:3-4)

Taking no oil is like having a great wine bottle of a wonderful vintage with none of the actual wine inside!  Now, all of the women in this story had flame in their lamps at the beginning.  We know this because the foolish ones' lamps were "going out" later.  The difference was that the wise ones brought extra oil with them.

We are told to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.  This means having reserves of the Spirit in us so that when we need a refreshing or a refueling we don't have to go to a revival meeting get prayer from some other anointed person.  Not that there's anything wrong with either of those things, but what if they aren't available?  Our "crutch" should be God and tapping into the Holy Spirit ourselves making Him a part of our lives all the time - continually!  In the midnight hour it's not always going to be someone else's anointing that will save the day.  How much Holy Spirit oil am I carrying with me?

5/11/2003    "Waiting For Judah"    Topic:  Praise

"Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, 'The king saved us ... he delivered us ... and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.  But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle.  Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?'  So King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, 'Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, "Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house?"'"  (2 Samuel 19:9-11)

"And all the people of Judah escorted the king..."  (2 Samuel 19:40)

The king had left the people on their own as they had chosen to follow Absalom.  When we choose to follow after rebellious men who would set themselves up as king in God's place, He may just leave us to them for awhile!  He will depose the Absaloms, but He is waiting for Judah to escort Him back into Jerusalem.  God is faithful and shows us through David how to bring Him back in glory once we have repented.

The church (Israel) is asking for the return of the King.  The King has sent prophetic intercessors (Zadok & Abiathar) with this message:  Judah will bring the King back to His throne.  God is enthroned still today on the praises of His people.  Judah (praise) escorts Jesus to His rightful place in the church.  Even when the church is crying out for Jesus to take His place as the Head and the King, He is waiting for our praise.  Just as the people of Judah were close to David, God is waiting for those who draw close to Him and who will celebrate with Him in praise!

"Come, Lord Jesus!  Come as King with all Your household and Your hosts!  Teach us to be not just Israel, but Judah as well.  Teach us to be a people of praise.  Give us, the people of praise, the burden to see You restored tangibly as King in our city.  As a leader of praise, I ask You, Lord, to come in glory to Your house in Missoula."

5/12/2003    "A Bow of Bronze:  Part 1"    Topic:  Praise

"He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."  (2 Samuel 22:35)

"For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit..."  (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

Judah is God's bow.  The Lord desires to train us and strengthen us with so much power that we can bend a bow of bronze.  Teaching us to war implies that without this training from the Holy Spirit and through the Word of God, the Bible, we may only be able to bend a smaller bow of praise.  Thus, not knowing how to war in the spirit to the "bronze degree," our arrows would fall shorter and be driven with less force.

Paul, who wrote the passage "not ... in word only, but also in power..." was the same man who saw his bonds broken as he and Silas worshiped in the Philippian jail.  Their praise was not just empty words, but was honored and backed up by God Himself.

"Lord, I want to bend a mighty bow!  Teach me to war effectively that my arrows shoot far, straight and forcefully.  Let my praise and declaration of Jesus be in power and in the Holy Spirit!"

5/15/2003    "Sanctified"    Topic:  Prophetic Music

"Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals."  (1 Chronicles 25:1)

David and the elders set apart, or sanctified, the musicians for the house of the Lord.  These men were to prophesy with their instruments and they were to be schooled and trained in how to do so.  They were under their fathers and mentors and were chosen because they were skillful.

Their job was to minister in prophetic song and they were accountable to those over them for how they did.  Even their leaders were held accountable by the king.  Every prophetic musician and intercessor under authority and accountable for their prophetic "flow" - everyone being trained and taught.  This was truly a sanctification principle - set apart from other music unto the Lord.  Set apart from other employment unto the Lord.  Purposefully training and being teachable for this purpose.

"God, teach me, train me and give me the humility to receive instruction from others."

5/18/2003    "Chosen"    Topic:  Praise

"Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which He loved."  (Psalm 78:67-68)

God still chooses the people of praise to lead His people.  He often bypasses those with great gifting and talent (the double portion of Ephraim) and picks out instead the one who loves and fears Him.  God chooses "Davids" who may have flaws but are genuinely passionate for Him.  As Paul wrote to the church, "Follow me as I follow Christ," this is the type of leader God is looking for:  one who will really praise and glorify God.  Jesus is looking for the John the Baptist types who are willing for Him to increase and receive glory even if that means we don't!

"Continue to mold me, Lord, into a man of praise who honors You and brings glory to Your name.  I thank You for the skills, talents and giftings You have given me.  Let those 'Ephraim' traits be used and cultivated into tools for 'Judah.'"

5/20/2003    "Pillars"    Topic:  Praise & Prayer

"Then he set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left; he called the name of the one on the right hand Jachin, and the name of the one on the left Boaz."  (2 Chronicles 3:17)

To enter the temple one would have to pass between these two pillars.  Jachin means "he will establish" and Boaz means "in him is strength."  These are the two pillars of the church today.  He will establish and in Him is strength.  What God establishes will last.  It's not my strength or my work that really accomplishes anything; it's all Jesus.

Another point here is that Jachin was a priestly name (see 1 Chronicles 24:17 and Nehemiah 11:10).  This represents intercession.  Boaz was in the line of Judah which represents praise.  Prayer and praise are the pillars in the church.  A worshiping church and a praying church will stand strong.  We need to keep these pillars in place and well maintained!  God establishes things through our prayer and strengthens us through our praise!

"Lord, establish Your church and strengthen us!  Let our prayer and praise be strong pillars, that they may support a great structure that You desire to build!"

5/24/2003    "In the Wilderness"    Topic:  Praise

"And Solomon built Gezer, Lower Beth Horon, Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land of Judah,"  (1 Kings 9:17-18)

These are areas of our inheritance in the Lord that are still wilderness and desert.  Solomon entered places in Judah that were as yet undeveloped.  God had called the land "Judah" even though it was wilderness.  When we begin to be the people of praise even in the wilderness areas, praising in the dry times, we can turn the desert places into an oasis, making streams in the desert!

There are cities to be built!  Clark Fork City Church is a wonderful oasis in many respects and yet, compared with what God desires to do here, it feels at times that we are praising in the desert.  God has called this place Judah though and as we praise even in dry times, we are laying a foundation for oasis cities to be built.

1.  Are you longing for your portion in God?  It is built in the wilderness with Him.  (Gezer = portion.)

2.  Are you desiring to hide in the cleft of the rock?  That too is built in the dry times.  (Beth Horon = House of Hollowness - like a cave.)

3.  Are you frustrated, wondering, "If we're the Bride of Christ, where is our dominion?"  It's molded in the desert.  (Baalath = mistress, as in the feminine of master.)

4.  Do you desire righteousness and holiness?  It's formed in the desert places.  (Tadmor = Palm City, which represents a city of righteousness.)

"Jesus, help me to see the wilderness areas in my life, my church, city, etc. as land to be developed in You, as an opportunity and not a liability.  Teach me to take wilderness places and build them into cities of Judah.  You have called the land "praise" and I know that as I praise You in the wilderness You are laying a sure foundation and will build mightily upon it in my life.  Thank You, Jesus!"

5/25/2003    "The Best of the Best"    Topic:  Music

"And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD ... also harps and stringed instruments for singers.  There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day."  (1 Kings 10:12)

"... and there were none such as these seen before in the land of Judah."  (2 Chronicles 9:11)

We should never use the statement "God uses the foolish things to confound the wise" as an excuse for mediocrity.  As shown in these scriptures, God provided the best of the best for His musicians.  Would He then desire only a half-hearted effort from them?  I don't think so.  He provided instruments of quality wood never seen before that time and never seen since!  It's interesting that God gave David the creative ability to design instruments and to put in place a training structure for the musicians to learn.  Then he provided this amazing wood to Solomon to build the best instruments possible for His equipped musicians.  When they had the skills, God gave them better tools!

5/28/2003    "Prepare the Ground"    Topic:  Zion

"Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  (Romans 9:33)

Zion is an expressive place.  It represents the Biblical place of worship and prayer, praise and prophetic proclamation.  Jesus is the stone represented in this passage.  It's interesting that Jesus, the Foundation Stone, is laid in Zion.  Nothing else but what is built on this foundation stone will last the storm.

Just like a farmer plants his seed in ground that is well-prepared, so the seed of Jesus will grow best in prepared ground.  The ground must be prepared before the foundation is laid.  The ground of our heart is prepared by becoming Zion - the place of worship, praise, prayer, etc!

Spending time in intercession and standing in the gap for the lost prepares the spiritual ground for them to receive the Foundation Stone.  When the lost come into our gatherings, their hearts can be prepared for the Seed by hearing us and experiencing the atmosphere of Zion!

"God, give us an atmosphere of Zion in our city!  Let my home and my life be a Zion, that my soil and the soil in the hearts of my family receives You readily."

5/30/2003    "Out Of Zion:  Part 1"    Topic:  Prayer/Praise

"The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;"  (Romans 11:26)

Many complain of sin and hypocrisy in the church.  There is something to be done about it however and it's not complaining!  The Deliverer of Jacob (the deceiving or hypocritical church) will come out of Zion (the praising, praying, worshiping, proclaiming church)!  Remember too that Zion was not just the ecclesiastical city but also the ruling and reigning city.  As we pray and worship and praise God we step into a position of authority as we step into the place of humility before Him.  (Proverbs 15:33 says "before honor is humility.")  When we humble ourselves before our God He honors us by allowing us to proclaim His plans and purposes, in effect ruling and reigning in Zion!  "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them," says the Lord.  When we praise and worship and pray and proclaim together, we are functioning as Zion and the Deliverer will come out of Zion!  He will turn away ungodliness from His church, purifying and washing His Bride-to-be.  Jacob can be renewed!  Praise God!

*When I release the "Zion" in me, my Deliverer, Jesus, can deal with the "Jacob" in me!

6/3/2003    "The Satisfied Soul"    Topic:  Spiritual Hunger

"A satisfied soul loathes the honeycombe,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet."  (Proverbs 27:7)

The satisfied soul has been fed, watered and satiated.  It perceives that its needs have been met and it's desires fulfilled.  This can be good or bad.

Just as a child (or an adult for that matter) who has gorged himself on sweets and candies no longer is hungry when it's time for dinner, so too can we be so filled with the distractions of the world that we simply aren't hungry for the food our Father has prepared for us, the sustenance we really need.  On the other hand, when we've been filled with the bread of heaven, the stuff of life's distraction is just no longer that appealing.  When we're full, we're full!

When we're empty it's another story.  Often we look for anything to fill the void and ease the pangs of hunger - anything!  It may be drugs, it may be alcohol or television, it may be food or music - anything to fill the space, the time, the silence.  No matter how bitter, to the famished soul it seems sweet while it's eaten.  But the pain quickly returns and it's time to quench it again.

This too has a brighter side when we fill our souls with God's intended meal.  When we come to God genuinely hungry and thirsty for Him then we are no longer looking for just the candy-coated Christianity or junk food religion.  We're ready for the real meal even if it doesn't taste as pleasant going down.  Repentance comes easier.  Tears flow more freely.  Forgiveness suddenly becomes something we do, not just a present we ask for.  No, we're eating the main course now and there is real satisfaction - and fruit.

Amazingly, we feel better!  The old proverb is really true - we've behaved our way into good feelings.  Now the honeycombe facade of the hamster-wheel culture falls off and we see it for what it is - junk!

"God, give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heat that refuses to be fattened and starved by distraction, a soul that holds out for the real thing.  Jesus, I am hungry for You.  I desire for the places in me that are complacent to come alive with a passionate appetite for You.  I am willing to hunger and thirst after more of You, Jesus.  I am willing, but only if You will satisfy my hunger and thirst with You.  I long for You more than anything - make that true in my heart, Lord, not just my words on paper!  Let me soul find its satisfaction in You."

6/5/2003    "Unleashing the Power"    Topic:  Praise

"Judah is my lawgiver."  (Psalm 60:7)

Praise is used by God as an extension of Himself.  The scepter, as some translations have interpreted "lawgiver," was the ruling staff, much like the modern judge's gavel.  When it comes down it seals the sentence or proclamation of the judge.  When praise is unleashed from our lips and through our physical bodies it acts as the scepter of God.  Declarations of the King of Kings are set in place, the works of God are set in motion and the devil is defeated!  God passes judgment on His enemy and we get to be a part of it through praising Him!

"Thank You, Lord, that You are defeating Your enemies.  You are exalted in this city and You reign in Missoula, Montana!  Your plans for this place since before the dawn of time will be accomplished in Jesus' name.  I am blessed to worship and praise You and it's exciting to know that while I'm enjoying You, You're defeating Your enemies!"

6/6/2003    "Rejoice and Enjoy"    Topic:  Enjoying God

"I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God."  (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

This is great!  God has ordained that it is good for me to enjoy myself!  Of course in this book of Ecclesiastes he also mentions that apart from God all is vanity.  With God, however, all is not vanity!  It is good for me to rejoice in God and in what He has provided for me - this is His gift to me.  This puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step.  Ecclesiastes 2:26 says in effect that as I am good in God's sight, he will continue to give me wisdom and joy and that He will cause sinners to work on my behalf.  God likes me and I have His favor - awesome!

"Father, thank You for choosing me and for blessing me!  I am truly blessed by You.  I ask on behalf of my city and especially for my church that You would bring that revelation to our hearts of how good You are and that You like us!  When we know You we can rejoice."

6/7/2003    "A Bow of Bronze:  Part 2"    Topic:  Praise

"He teaches my hands to war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."  (Psalm 18:34)

Praise is a bow according to the Lord.  he said He would bend Judah as His bow and fill it with Ephraim.  As God teaches us to make war in the spiritual realm by using our physical bodies (hands) to praise Him, we are then better equipped to bend the bow.  As we withhold the physical release of our bodies in praising God we are still praising Him, but how strong of a bow are we able to bend when we're giving a 25-30% effort?  This is not to say that there is a requirement that we must do this or we must do that.  The question is, "Are we submitting to the Lord and praising and worshiping Him wholeheartedly?  As we allow Him to be our praise trainer He will teach us to bend a more powerful bow, thus enabling us to see great blessing (Ephraim) launched from our praise.  (Also, the praising church will be filled with blessing!)

"Teach me to make war, Lord, by praising You and releasing my physical body to enjoy You!  Teach me to abandon myself in You, withholding nothing.  I want to bend a strong bow of praise, so teach not only my hands, but my feet and my whole being to make war - and I want to enjoy it!"

6/10/2003    "The Worship Aroma"    Topic:  Worship

"How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices!
Your lips, O my spouse,
Drip as the honeycomb;
Honey and milk are under your tongue;
And the fragrance of your garments
Is like the fragrance of Lebanon."  (Song of Solomon 4:10-11)

This reminds me of the incense offered by the priests and Mary's broken alabaster box poured out for Jesus.  This gives a picture of how much Jesus is blessed when we approach Him with sincere worship.  The expression of my love to Jesus is better to Him than wine or the best of spices.  He loves to hear my voice pour out my heart's adoration of Him.  It's not even the garments themselves here that are attractive to Jesus but the fragrance of worship on them that draws Him.  It's not my righteousness but my love for Jesus that He really wants.

"Jesus, thank You for loving me and drawing me to Yourself!  Your love truly is better than wine.  Keep calling me and I will keep coming to You.  Draw the worship out of me."

6/11/2003    "Can't Stop Love"    Topic:  Passion

"Turn your eyes away from me,
For they have overcome me."  (Song of Solomon 6:5)

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"  (Philippians 1:6)

Jesus is portrayed in the Solomon's Song of Songs as the husband - male - and very attracted to His Bride visually.  He sees more deeply though than just the surface appearance of beauty.  He is overcome by us when we, searching for Him with all our hearts, lock eyes with Him.  This is beautiful to Jesus.  Our God is stirred with a passion for us and, as it says later, "many waters cannot quench love" and "love is stronger than death."  When we are longing for more of Jesus nothing will stop Him from getting to us.  he will deal with anything in our lives that would stand in the way of our relationship together!

"Lord, I long for even more of You.  I need more revelation of the passion that You have for me.  Meet me in the secret place.  I am willing to give up anything that stands in the way of knowing You radically.  Keep doing Your good work in me."

6/13/2003    "Prepare Your Heart"    Topic:  Repentance

"And he did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD."  (2 Chronicles 12:14)

How do you prepare your heart to seek the Lord?  Seeking Him and His will through prayer and Bible reading is one thing but preparing for this is another.  Many cults have been started by people who pray and read the Bible but misapply it or leave parts of it out.  They were seeking God to some extent but their "eyes" were blinded.  They prayed but were unable to distinguish the voice of God from that of their enemy or themselves.  Why?

I believe the lack of genuine repentance is the reason, or at least one of them.  The Bible speaks of those who, because of their continual lack of repentance, have had their hearts hardened or their eyes blinded.  A repentant heart is a soft, changeable heart.  An unrepentant one is a hard, blind one.  The Word says we will find God when we seek Him with all of our heart.  Repentance prepares us for this!

"Lord, reveal to me where I need to repent.  I want a soft heart - one that can see, hear, smell and taste in the Spirit.  Repentance is a small price to pay for this."

*(You're less likely to stumble into evil when you're actively seeking God.  Evil may try to stop you but at least you won't be aiding and abetting it!"

6/14/2003    "Fortify Your Position"    Topic:  Praise

"Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted ... God struck ... the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers."  (2 Chronicles 13:15,18)

"Therefore he said to Judah, 'Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us.'"  (2 Chronicles 14:7)

The shout from the people of praise, made in faith, loosed the power of God into the natural realm, enabling them to route their enemies.  This gave them peace in their land.  Then "praise" built cities and fortified them in peacetime.  (The words of our mouth can build up or tear down.  Praise constructs cities in the spirit realm.  It builds our faith acting as a shield (bars, walls, etc.) around us.)

God gives us ground in the battlefield of praise.  We then need to build up and fortify that ground.  The walls of prayer must rise.  Clark Fork City Church is a city of Judah, a stronghold of praise.  We need to continue fortifying our city, building foundation and solid theology around what we do that it will not be taken later, but that it will last for generations.  A theology of praise and worship fortifies the city.

6/21/2003    "Our Eyes Are On You"    Topic:  Praise

2 Chronicles 20

Jehoshaphat was under attack.  He was afraid.  Many of us may try to deal with the situations we face first and then find time to worship the Lord.  Jehoshaphat called a fast - the people of praise (Judah) fasted and prayed.  The devil would like us to surrender our prayer and worship in the face of his schemes.  God's plan for us though is for us to durrender the situation to Him through prayer and worship!  By this we declare that He is in control, not us or our enemies.

They all prayed and then they heard from God.  He told them this was His battle, not theirs and their response was to worship.  They showed their genuine faith and trust in the Lord by making the front lines of their "battle force" be musicians who were praising God!  If they had planned a literal battle this would have been silly, but God had said that they would not have to fight!  So they just had church and praised the Lord!  God did what He said He would do and destroyed their enemies Himself.

The only responsibility the army had then was to collect and retrieve the spoils of the enemy.  They rejoiced, had a great time praising God and went home to have some more church!  Their enemies feared God and left them alone.  Awesome!

We get to praise God, enjoy Him, worship Him and seek His direction.  We pray and He fights.  We then go in and get the spoils of war - both the riches and the people who have been held captive by the enemy!  Tangible wealth and salvation - not a bad combination considering all the fun we get to have in the process!

6/28/2003    "Praise, Prophecy and the Church"    Topic:  God's Voice

"The LORD roars from Zion,
And utters His voice from Jerusalem;"  (Amos 1:2)

"Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord GOD has spoken!
Who can but prophesy?"  (Amos 3:7-8)

God roars from Zion, the place of praise, worship, and prophetic intercession.  This place, within the parameters of the church (God's people) is where God speaks.  God is always moving and He does nothing without revealing it to His prophetic people; therefore, God is always speaking!  We, the prophetic people, need to come into alignment with a local church and get into Zion.  Come freely and come often into the place where you are praising, you are worshiping, you are interceding and praying and you will begin to hear the voice of the Lord for yourself!  When He speaks, listen.  Do what God tells you.  Say what He tells you to say.

"Let me hear Your roar, Jesus.  Lion of Judah, roar into me and roar through me.  May I be both a receiver and a mouthpiece for You."

6/29/2003    "Seek Me and Live"    Topic:  Abundant Life

"For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel:
'Seek Me and live;'"  (Amos 5:4)

"...And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David;"  (Amos 6:5)

David was known for being a man after God's own heart.  He passionately pursued God and lived a radical life.  David was a musician.  God called to Him and David responded; when David called to God, He responded.  They had a deeply intimate relationship and because David sought the Lord he found life, and he was given the desires of his heart as well.

When God called David to serve the nation and chose him as king, David did not have to give up his love for music and songwriting.  Instead, we now have many of David's songs recorded for us in the Psalms and we read here that he actually invented new musical instruments!  His use of music was ground-breaking and innovative and he was given both a platform and resources by God to excel in it.  Very cool.

6/30/2003    "The Remnant of Edom"    Topic:  Worship/Revival

"On that day I will raise up
The Tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,
And repair its damages,
I will raise up its ruins,
And rebuild it as in the days of old;
That they may possess the remnant of Edom,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,"  (Amos 9:11-12)

This passage goes on to speak of the plowman overtaking the reaper, hills dripping with sweet wine and abundant blessing in the Lord.  God has big plans for the modern-day version of David's tabernacle, the tent of continual worship and prayer.  When we see the intercession and worship established in the earth, we also see revival!

I believe God has shown us in this passage the key to seeing His plan released into the Arab-Islamic nations of the world today.  "That they may possess the remnant of Edom," it says.  Edom represents some of the Arabic people today!  God wants to use our worship and prophetic intercession to see the Islamic peoples turn to Jesus.  "All the Gentiles" are mentioned, but Edom specifically.  God has a plan for the neighbors of Israel, the Islamic people.

Our prayer and time spent in worship has a significant effect in the spiritual realm and God wants to use us to affect change in the Middle East!

"Lord, send revival to the Middle East!  May spiritual Edom turn to Jesus and find salvation and freedom.  Lord, open the blinded eyes to see and cause deafened ears to hear.  Let the tongues of Your people, including my own, speak Your word boldly and confidently, both in evangelism and in the place of worship and prayer.  Jesus, I ask for the remnant of Edom."

7/1/2003    "Out of Zion:  Part 2"    Topic:  Praise

"For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."  (Isaiah 2:3)

Out of genuine worship, praise and prayer focused on Jesus, God's rule will be established on the earth.  We will learn how to apply what we see in the written word of God to our lives by spending time in Zion.  We will stay on track and on course by being connected within a local church body.  Within "Jerusalem," the church, there is accountability and every prophetic word that we think we are hearing can be brought into judgment.  There is safety in Jerusalem!

Our prayers and our worship offered in the place of a unified purpose with right motives and in faith will affect change on the earth.  The law is not just proclaimed within Zion; it goes "out of Zion."  Judah is God's bow and also His law-giver.  Our praise launches God's word and life into the world!  Even on the local church level, the time spent in communion with God in Zion will result in His plans for us being revealed.

7/2/2003    "Shelter and Shade"    Topic:  Tabernacle of David

"Then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night.  For over all the glory there will be a covering.  And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain."  (Isaiah 4:5-6)

God has placed His protection above every home which is a place of praise and above the gathering of the people of praise.  This new Tabernacle of David, the praising and praying church, will give us a shade, refuge and shelter from storm and rain.  The people who give themselves wholeheartedly to God through praying, worshiping, praising, etc., set themselves up for a blessing of God which keeps the storms of life from harming them.  (This happens after the dealing with sin in Zion and the church - Is. 4:4.)

7/3/2003    "Corporate Praise"    Topic:  Praise

"And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones."  (2 Chronicles 26:15)

If our individual praise is a bow then this is like corporate unified praise.  Together, and with this "machine," they could launch much stronger and more powerful weapons than they could on their own.  This is like comparing a slingshot with a catapult!  Obviously, the catapult can inflict serious damage on an enemy - much more than a slingshot could ever do.

This also demonstrates the creativity that should be operating within the church.  By thinking outside the box and beyond the realm of the usual, these inventers made their king and their nation famous!

"Lord, may our creativity in praising You both devastate our enemy and make You famous in all the earth.  Take Your church into greater cooperation and unity that we may use the heavy artillary in our worship."

7/5/2003    "Jesus Praises Too!"    Topic:  Praise & Prophecy

"I will declare You name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."  (Hebrews 2:12)

Jesus sings and praises in the midst of His people.  He is right there with us leading the way when we gather together as the people of God!  He is also releasing a prophetic flow, declaring the name of the Father to us.  Declaring God's name is declaring His attributes and His character (In Hebrew every name has a meaning).  Jesus' testimony of the Father through song is a prophetic thing and when His Spirit flows through us we are energized as the prophetic people He has called us to be!  "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

So praise God and declare who He is both when you're alone with Him and when we gather together with the saints.  Jesus is singing a prophetic, life-releasing song about the Father; when we hear Him singing and release the song into the natural realm through our mouths we will see great things happen.  We will overcome our enemy, the devil, through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.  (In this case, it's really Jesus' testimony of the Father released through us!"

"Jesus, let me hear Your song and help me to sing it!  Release Your prophetic song in Your people."

7/8/2003    "Better Than Anywhere Else!"    Topic:  Praise & Worship

"Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
...Enter into His gates with thanksgiving
And into His courts with praise."  (Psalm 100:1,4)

"Those who dwell under His shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon."  (Hosea 14:7)

Psalm 84:10 says that a day in the courts of the Lord is better than a thousand anywhere else.  Psalm 100 gives a glimpse of how awesome and exciting God has intended it to be when we come into His presence!  Joyful shouting, gladness and thanksgiving abound and this is just the beginning.  When we come closer to the Lord, into the inner courts where we dwell under His shadow (This is a place of deeper intimacy and vulnerability.) we will be revived and flourish.  Our very scent will be of wine.  The aroma of the Lord and His presence will permeate our very being - amazing!  The people we are around will smell something wonderful.  All this from enjoying God!

"Lord, teach me even more how to enjoy Your presence.  Take me through the outer courts and all of that excitement.  When I'm winded and flushed from the fun take me into the inner courts, into the secret place where I can rest in Your shadow."

7/9/2003    "Revelation in Judah"    Topic:  Praise

"And what are the high places of Judah?
Are they not Jerusalem?"  (Micah 1:5)

"For out of Zion the law shall go forth,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."  (Micah 4:2)

God's intent is that through the church and out of Zion - out of the mouths and physical expression of the people - revelation will go forth.  The life-giving word of God is intended to resound from Jerusalem, the church, and God will do this when the church is not just another idol or "high place" to us.

Micah 1:5 describes a church that has become an idolatrous place and that has become an idol that hinders praise and the people of praise (Judah).  When we restore the "Zion-ness" to Jerusalem and root out the idols, God's word will ring out and many nations will say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!"

7/11/2003    "Lord of Hosts:  Yahweh Tsaba"    Topic:  Zion

"...the LORD of hosts,
Who dwells in Zion."  (Isaiah 8:18)

"Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."  (Isaiah 9:7)

The Lord of hosts (OT: 6635) dwells in Zion!  Although we have yet to see the whole of creation bowing before the throne of Jesus, we can see right now the expansion of the kingdom of God in our world and in our cities and neighborhoods!  It is the zeal of the Lord of hosts that will accomplish this and the Lord of hosts lives in Zion; He dwells in the midst of a praising, worshiping, praying, prophetic people.  Learn to pray.  Learn to proclaim god's truth in your neighborhood.  Learn to praise and worship the Lord.  He will come and take up residence in that place and with those people, doing more in His zeal than we could ever hope.

7/13/2003    "Hastening Righteousness"    Topic:  Tabernacle of David

"In mercy the throne will be established;
And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David,
Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness."  (Isaiah 16:5)

The tabernacle of David on Mount Zion is the location of the throne of God on earth.  God sits on this throne in both mercy and truth judging His enemies on behalf of His people.  We have been crying out for a revival of righteousness in our city and in this nation.  This passage declares that when we stet up a place in Zion for Jesus to sit enthroned that He will hasten righteousness!

"Bring it on, Jesus!  Give us Your vision for what You want the tabernacle to look like in Missoula.  Reveal You plan to us for this city.  I am asking, Lord, for righteousness to prevail in these streets and in our lives and homes.  Reign in this place, not from afar, but near to the people in Missoula.  Judge the works of the enemy and cause the powers of darkness to tremble and to flee from this region!  I ask this in the name of Jesus.  Amen!"

7/14/2003    "By Faith"    Topic:  Faith & Worship

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."  (Hebrews 11:6)

It is my faith that makes everything I do pleasing to God.  When I step out in the prophetic realm of praise and worship it is not the physical acts of singing, clapping, shouting, etc. that please Him.  It is that I receive His word in my heart and step out in it that pleases God.  Anyone can go through the religious motions of "praise and worship" in a superstitious fashion and walk away unchanged except for an emotional high or adrenaline rush.  However, when walked out in an act of faith in genuine submission to the Lord, trusting in Him and standing on His word, there is power released!

Isaiah 19:7 says that "the land of Judah will be a terror to Egypt;" so in application, the praise of the people of God will cause the enemies of God, the system of this world, to be terrified.  If I truly believe this word from God and I obey it by faith by praising the Lord then I can see God's kingdom advanced around me - by faith.  If I do not believe this then by doubt and unbelief I may begin to question, "Why should I be so physical in my praise and so emotional in my worship?"

As I praise Jesus, surrendered to Him in praise, lifting my hands in agreement with His authority and placing my faith in Him, the spiritual forces behind "Egypt" will be terrified.  I love this!  They are terrified by the land of Judah.

The physical territory possessed by the people of faith, the people of praise, cannot be defeated by the enemy.  When we, by faith, accept this word that our very personal property is covered, we begin to walk in greater confidence in our God.  Why worry?  Why fear?  God is for us so who can be against us?

Why does "Egypt" fear this?  Because it cannot triumph over the land of praise.  Instead the people of praise will begin to walk in even more blessing as they:  1. Praise God in faith.  2. See Him enthroned on their praises.  3. See the enemies of God fall back at His presence ("The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,/ And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst."  (Isaiah 19:1))  4. The kingdom of God advances and the cycle starts over!

When Judah praises in faith its influence increases and Egypt's sphere decreases!  The devil knows that the Bible has prophesied in Isaiah 19:24 that at some point the Lord will say, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance."  Even Egypt will be a part of Judah some day.  We win!

7/15/2003    "Key of David"    Topic:  Worship & Intimacy

"The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open."  (Isaiah 22:22)

David was known as a man after God's own heart.  He was known as a man of worship, the sweet psalmist of Israel.  He was a man who was known for knowing God.  "The key of David - intimacy" are the words from a song by Jason Upton and I think he is right.

When I come into the place of intimacy with Jesus I walk in an authority on this earth.  When I know Jesus deeply it is easier to pray in faith and I can ask for things because of the relationship.  I can open doors and close doors because of relationship.

Jesus says to some, "Depart from me, I never knew you."  Paul expressed his desire to know God and to be known by Him.  If God knows me then He can trust me because in the place of worship in His presence I am changed and made more and more in His image.  Then, entrusted with His authority, I can speak things in the name of Jesus and see them happen.

"Jesus, I desire to know You and be known by You.  I long for greater intimacy with You.  Change me in Your presence.  I cannot deny that I desire to walk with Your authority in a greater measure, but I desire intimacy with You even more.  The authority to work amazing miracles would be empty without You, Jesus."

7/16/2003    "Sow Some Seed"    Topic:  Zion

"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation..."  (Isaiah 28:16)

"Does the plowman keep plowing all day to sow?
Does he keep turning his soil and breaking the clods?
When he has leveled its surface,
Does he not sow..."  (Isaiah 28:24-25)

Zion, (our praise, prayer, etc.) is only the ground for the Foundation Stone.  This atmosphere of relationship with God sets the stage for the things God intends to build.  But praise and prayer is not the end for us on this earth.

Judah, our praise, plows the ground, but that is only in preparation for the harrowing.  Jacob, prayer-intercession, harrows the ground and breaks up the clods but only in preparation for the seed.  At some point some seed must be sown!  If all we do is pray and worship we create fertile ground in the spiritual realm of our hearts and the hearts of others.  This is good but the weed seeds will grow well in that plowed ground too.  We must actively sow good seed into the fields.  Prophetically release good seed by the words of your mouth.  What kind of seed are you sowing?  What seed are you planting in your friends and neighbors for whom you are praying?

*Every word that leaves my mouth is a seed!  Every action that I make is a seed!

7/17/2003    "The Power of Our Worship"    Topic:  Zion

"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."  (Isaiah 30:15)

By returning to the Lord with all of our hearts and truly resting in Him we will be saved from our enemies.  Our strength is in Him!

"Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him."  (Isaiah 30:18)

Our praise, worship and prayer acts as incense before the Lord.  It brings us into His very presence.  Worship the Lord and patiently wait for Him.  He is waiting for us to be a people of worship so that when He shows up we will not die in His justice but live in His mercy because of relationship!

"Through the voice of the LORD
Assyria will be beaten down
As He strikes with the rod.
And in every place where the staff of punishment passes,
Which the LORD lays on him,
It will be with tambourines and harps;"  (Isaiah 30:31-32)

God goes to battle to the sound of music, including our music and song! (see vs. 29)

"As a lion roars...
So the LORD of hosts will come down
To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill."  (Isaiah 31:4,5)

God will fight for the people of praise.  Jesus, our Lion of Judah, will defend us!

"'...his princes shall be afraid of the banner,'
Says the LORD,
Whose fire is in Zion
And whose furnace is in Jerusalem."  (Isaiah 31:9)

Jesus is our banner and the princes of the enemy fear when they see the Banner with us!  We have been asking for the fire of God in this place and for revival fire to burn through Missoula.  Well, the furnace is in the church... the fire for the furnace though is in Zion - surprise!  The fire comes in the place of passion and intimacy - Zion - the place of praise, worship, prayer and prophetic declaration of the rhema word of God!

7/18/2003    "Promises in Zion"    Topic:  Zion

1. "The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high;
He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness."  (Isaiah  33:5)

2.  "The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:"  (Isaiah 33:14)

3.  "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like deer,
And the tongue of the dumb shall sing."  (Isaiah 35:5-6)

"And the inhabitant will not say, 'I am sick;'
The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity."  (Isaiah 33:24)

4.  A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness."  (Isaiah 35:8)

1.  God fills the land of Zion with justice and righteousness.  When we seek Him and make room for Him, He moves on our behalf.
2.  In the prophetic atmosphere of Zion sinners and hypocrites are convicted in their hearts.  Sin is exposed.
3.  There is healing in Zion!
4.  There is holiness in Zion.  There is a road of protection for the people of God.  We can walk in holiness when we live in Zion.  We can simply walk on the highway instead of striving for holiness.

7/22/2003    "Let God Wage the War"    Topic:  Spiritual Warfare

"In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.
In Salem also is His tabernacle,
And His dwelling place in Zion.
There He broke the arrows of the bow,
The shield and sword of battle.
Selah"  (Psalm76:1-2)

God is known and made known in our praise.  It is a releasing of His supernatural character through our natural bodies.  Israel (which means "He struggles with God") has the testimony of how God moved on his behalf when he cried out in prayer to the Lord.  God has made His tabernacle in the place of peace.  When we calm down and rest peacefully in the Lord He makes His presence be our peace. 

God's dwelling place is Zion!  When we live in this place of praise, prayer, etc., God goes to war on