Paul's Prayer For Believers

Paul just has a wonderful way with words - look at how he prays for the Colossians - here are 7 layers of blessing over these Believers:

Colossians 1:9-12

• that you may be filled with the knowledge of HIs will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

• that you may walk worthy of the Lord - fully pleasing Him

•  that you would be fruitful in every good work

• that you would be increasing in the knowledge of God

• that you would be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power

• that you would have all patience and longsuffering with joy

• that you would give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance

Just imagine the impact on lives if we walked in these 7 things!!

God's Faithfulness - Psalm 89

I was reading Psalm 89 today - in this psalm, there are 6 declarations of God's faithfulness, and I claim them for your life and mine:

v1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.

The Lord wants us to to keep going in the things He has called us to - keep declaring his great faithfulness to all - young and old. rich and poor. His faithfulness comes out of our mouths! Sing and speak of His great faithfulness!

v2 For I have said, "Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens."

God's faithfulness reaches to the heavens - everything from earth to the rest of the universe is dripping with the touch of God. He is seen in us, through us and in everything He has created. His faithfulness is faithful!

v 5 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints

He wants us to declare His faithfulness to one another - let people hear what great things He has done and boast in Him.

v8 O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty like You O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds you.

Everywhere God goes, and every part of Him is clothed in faithfulness - Surely, He has surrounded us with His faithfulness as we are His dwelling place.

v26 But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him and in my name his horn shall be exalted (NLT …and by My authority he will grow in power)

The Lord spoke this over David, but He also speaks it over each of us today - Because of His faithfulness and mercy working in our lives, He is able to trust us with his power and authority. As we live in mercy, faithfulness and under His authority, the power of the Lord will grow in us!

v33 Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail (NLT But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him.)

The Lord is speaking of His faithful covenant with us - it cannot be taken from us - His love will never fail and His promises will last forever.

One more verse really jumped out at me as I also read this psalm from the Message Bible:

v 15 - 18  Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise, who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.

Delighted, they dance all day long; they know who you are, what you do - they can't keep it quiet!

Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us - you've been so good to us! We're walking on air!

All we are and have we owe to God, Holy God of Israel, our King!

Oh my goodness!! Is that wonderful or what!!?? We are blessed when we know the passwords of praise that open up a parade of God's presence throughout the land. I want to be a part of that parade! This parade is God on display in, and through us wherever we go! When we know His presence we can't keep it quiet. Also, His vibrant beauty has gotten inside us - we are consumed with Him and all else fades in comparison. How good He is to us - how wonderfully good.

How good He is - what favor He grants us all right now!

Thank You Father!! Let's just worship!

The Lord Manifests His Presence In Earthquakes

…Continuing on the subject of the places where God manifests Himself

God is found in the Earthquake — To Reveal His Power

Natural earthquakes can cause massive destruction and loss

God's earthquakes and shakings can lead to His manifest presence and a strengthening of our faith.

  

My home country of New Zealand has had some devastating earthquakes in the past few years. Two friends of mine were killed in a powerful earthquake in Feb. 2011. Since then, the government has passed laws requiring buildings to be strengthened and reinforced so that they will be able to withstand further shaking.

God is shaking everything that can be shaken in these days. The earthquake causes us to be taken to extremes. It is the end of self and the beginning of God's power and provision. The earthquake signifies great alterations and changes—everything is shaken to the core and foundation.

I believe that the Lord is calling us to strengthen our foundations and prepare for the difficult days ahead. Only those with firm and sound foundations of faith will be able to stand.

Many Christians cite earthquakes as a sign of God’s displeasure or judgment, but you will see below that the primary reason for earthquakes is because the Lord’s presence is near.

Seven reason for earthquakes in the Bible. We see them:

• Precede, accompany or follow God's voice Ex. 19:18; Ps. 29:8; Joel 3:16; Amos 1:1; Rev. 11:13-19

Ex. 19:18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

• In the midst of God's presence or a miraculous visitation of God's presence

Ps. 114:7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob (Ex. 19:18; Ps. 68:8; Ps. 77:18; Ps. 99:1; Is. 29:6; Nahum 1:5; Acts 4:31; Acts 16:26)

• At the death and resurrection of Jesus Matt. 27:51-54; Matt. 28:2;

• Preceding the latter glory of God in the earth Hag. 2:6 6

"For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;

and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the Lord of hosts.

• At the return of Jesus Zech. 14:4-5

• In judgment—mostly in the end times 2Sam. 22:8; Ps. 18:7; Is. 2:19; Is. 13:13; Jer. 10:1; Ezek. 38:19 -20; 

• As a sign of the end times Is. 2:21; Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11; Heb. 12:26 -27; Rev. 8:5; Rev. 11:13; Rev. 16:18

When a shaking comes in the earth or in your personal life – look for God. He is so often found in the shaking! No matter how uncomfortable life may be, set your eyes on the Lord. If your foundations are sound, you will stand in the trial.

GOD IS WITH US IN THE EARTHQUAKE:

Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

I just want to conclude with this verse: Is. 64:1 Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence—

I am praying for revival – that the Lord would come among us with His manifest presence – I am looking for the revival earthquake!