Now Is The Time
To Arise!
In reading Philippians 3:14 this week I was struck by the phrase, “…the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul goes on to talk about the “enemies of the cross of Christ…whose end is destruction…who set their minds on earthly things.” (V 18-19)
The Woven Lies
In daily headlines you can clearly see now the enemies of the cross who seek destruction. The massacre of the Dallas police officers this week is just one more horrific example of the destructive times in which we live. As the teachings of Islam and pronouncement of the 5 Pillars of this ideology overtly make way into our schools and cities, Christianity becomes more and more controversial and not allowed within public walls. Since 2008 we have been repeatedly told, “Islam is a religion of peace,” yet a simple read of the Koran reveals an ideology based in submission or death to apostates. Since 2008 we have been told many racial lies that have only served to inflame and divide this great nation across lines of color. Since 2008 we have heard ad nauseam about police brutality.
We now have seen the change we were promised that some bought into and believed. We are now a nation severely divided and fractured across racial, political and career lines. Clearly, minds were set on destruction. That is the change they envisioned. That is the change that has been fueled…destruction by those whose minds are set on earthly things of power and degradation. Of course there are situations that take place that clearly are wrong but to paint an entire race or career path with a broad brush that all are bad is criminal at the very least.
Check Your Heart Temperature
Jesus told us that because of the proliferation of evil, the love of many would grow cold. I am sure you have noticed this taking place in this time in which we are living. As evil appears to ramp up, so potentially does every evil work in the individual spirit. It is always a heart issue. It is always rooted in the heart to produce good or evil. Even if you check your heart daily, it can be quite challenging today to stay clear. All the negativity swirling around can easily filter into your heart and create anxiety, fear and slowly change the basis of love residing there until you simply grow cold. It is insidious and often takes place without your initial awareness.
You Will Know His Voice
With all we have been told and all we continue to be told today via the news media, it is imperative to know that you know that you know what God says. If you do not know His personal word to you through the Bible, you will be deceived. If all you hear is what is in the news, you will be deceived. The news presents facts. God’s word is truth. There is a huge difference. Facts can be manipulated and distorted from truth. Truth is truth. Period.
Those called according to His purpose are called to walk by faith and not by sight. Do not be discouraged by that you see and hear around you. Keep your heart fixed firmly on Him. Keep your mind firmly set on His Word. There is much work to do in this season. There are countless souls to lead to salvation. There is much healing to be done in this great country and it begins with each and every one of us wherever God has us planted. You are responsible for the territory God has placed you in whether it is your home, your neighborhood, your church, your city, your state, your country or the nations. If you are unsure, ask the Holy Spirit for counsel and proceed from there.
Can You Be Counted On?
In this season each and every true disciple of Jesus Christ must rise up and be the light in this dark world. No more can ‘playing church’ suffice. To truly follow Jesus there is a cost to pay. If you are looking for an easy ride this is not for you. We are at war. We are at war in the natural within our very boundaries against ideologies and belief systems of hatred and division that do not in any way line up with our Constitution or our foundational beliefs. We are at war in the spirit realm against principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual hosts of wickedness. Put on the whole armor of God every day. Arise to and walk in “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Suit up, Army of God. We have the victory through Jesus Christ!
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins. Ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and be Lord over your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“And because of the abundance of evil, the love of many will grow cold. But whoever will persevere until the end will have life.” ~Jesus, Matthew 24:12
“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” ~Jesus, Mark 11:23
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” ~Jesus, Luke 9:62
“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” ~Jesus, Luke 14:27-35
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” ~2 Corinthians 5:7
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ~Ephesians 6:11-13
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of god, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ~1Peter 2:9-10
“Behold, I make all things new.” ~ Revelation 21:5
“Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with m, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” ~1 Chronicles 4:10
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” ~Psalm 37:5
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ~Proverbs 3:6
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” ~Proverbs 16:3
“Lose all your identity in the Son of God. Let Him become all in all. Seek only the Lord, and let Him be glorified.” ~Smith Wigglesworth, Devotional, page 534
“You are Lord and You are mighty and You are merciful. Raise up all who would call upon Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Lord, we need an army of believers that would stand on Your Word above all else. Raise up warriors, Lord, who will fight on their knees; who will worship You with their whole hearts, Lord. Lord, call us to battle that we may proclaim the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Raise them up, Lord. Raise them up!” ~Miss Clara, War Room the Movie
A Word
Those who have been on the front lines a long time are coming through a time of much weariness with heavy spirits…down but not finished. I will raise each one up whose eyes and hearts are fixed firmly on Me. This is the time to arise, stronger in resolve to bring My Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven ‘for such a time as this!’ As revival breaks out throughout the land I am bringing revival to each individual heart set on Me…revival and restoration 100 fold. The latter days will surely see My remnant arise with new strength, with a fresh anointing, with healing and renewal and miracles for My glory. Many will see. Many will come to salvation. Do not grow weary now. Arise for this is the season of renewal.
A Prayer Request
These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America. #Revival. Please join us in prayer: https://drmicheleburke.org/esthers-warriors-ministry/
We thank You , Father God, that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail concerning Benghazi and all issues as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen. SEEK: Stay Equipped, Empowered, Kingdom focused! ©