Hallowed Eve

It’s almost Halloween—the time when our nation celebrates goblins and ghosts.  Maybe our American preoccupation with the frightful side of the spirit world is why the Holy Ghost always seemed so terrifying to me as a kid.  Thankfully, this is not the case anymore, as I realize the Holy Spirit is a beautiful transcendent expression of sensing God’s presence or nearness.  The term “Holy Spirit” is actually a better translation into modern language than “Holy Ghost” for the Hebrew phrase “Ruach HaKodesh”.   See the excerpt below from WikiPedia:  

In Judaism, the references to The Spirit of God, or “Ruach HaKodesh, abound. The term ruach ha-kodesh (Hebrew: רוח הקודש, "Holy Spirit" also transliterated ruah ha-qodesh) occurs once in Psalm 51:11 and also twice in the Book of Isaiah.  Those are the only three times that the precise phrase "ruach hakodesh" is used in the Hebrew Scriptures, although the noun ruach (רוח, literally "breath" or "wind") in various combinations, some referring to God's "Spirit", is used often. The noun ruach, much like the English word breath, can mean either wind or some invisible moving force.

In the Greek, the Holy Spirit is defined by the word “Paraclete”, see WikiPedia description below: 
Paraclete comes from the Koine Greek word παράκλητος (paráklētos, that can signify "one who consoles or comforts, one who encourages or uplifts; hence refreshes, and/or one who intercedes on our behalf as an advocate in court")

The best way I can describe the Holy Spirit, to someone who has no idea what I am talking about, is to try this exercise:  Get someone you love dearly to do this test.  Shut your eyes and then ask them to put their face as close as possible to your face without actually physically touching your skin or making a sound.  You will be able to absolutely sense their presence even without any other sensory clues.  Now, imagine this Presence as the greatest Comforting feeling you have ever experienced.  That’s the nearest I can come to explaining the Holy Spirit to those who haven’t yet had a “close encounter” with the Almighty. 

In a recent previous blog, (“You’re Once, Twice, Three Times Our God”, dated October 23rd), I outlined the triune nature of God.  The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One and the same—just different personages of God.  This should be a concept that is easy for us to grasp since we readily accept that human beings are also comprised of three parts:  body, mind and soul.  Since, the scriptures tell us that we are created in the image of God—this ought to make perfect sense to us. 

But WHY did God express Himself in three different forms?  I’m not sure I can be so presumptuous as to answer this question FOR the Maker of the Universe, but I can answer it from the perspective of why I believe WE need all three. 

1)  The God of the Old Testament is The Law-giver.  The Judge.  He’s “fiery”, Huge and  intimidating.  This “side” of God allows us to understand Law and Justice.  We learn right from wrong and the serious consequences of not obeying.   

    

1)  Christ the Messiah, represented in the humble bodily Personage of Jesus…now this is something we can all relate to.  Jesus represents Mercy.

3)  The Holy Spirit is required for “Rehabilitation”.  It is the Power placed within us to overcome and to change for the better.

We need all three:  Justice, Mercy and Rehabilitation operating in our lives for the completion of Salvation.

This reminds me of the following story.  A little boy was huddled under his covers one evening during an unusually loud thunderstorm.  He struggled to be brave, but finally he cried out to his parents in the next room:  Mom, Dad…can I come and sleep with you?  His dad replied:  No, son…you’ll be fine.  But I’m scared!  Go back to sleep…Just ask God to watch over you.  Where is He?  I can’t see Him.  God is everywhere—He will protect you.  Just go back to sleep.  A minute or so passed by with more thunder and lightening:  Hey Dad?  Yes son.  I think I need somebody with some skin on.

Ah yes…I can feel this little boy’s angst.   

I don’t know if the colloquialism “Give me some skin” is still popular anymore, but it was very prevalent when I was a teenager growing up in the 1970’s.  I’m not sure what kids say to each other today or if hand slap greetings are even still popular.  Maybe like Barack and Michelle during the 2008 election, it is more of a victory “fist bump”.  Perhaps they didn’t want to get too intimate or get their hands dirty.  Seems fitting in retrospect.   

God was willing to “give us some skin” when He came as our Messiah Jesus Christ.   

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

~Hebrews 4:15

Although, Jesus is the perfect physical embodiment of God Almighty, even He acknowledged that the Holy Spirit was Who we truly needed.  Jesus made this statement to his disciples:

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.

~John 16:7

While I am excited at the prospect of getting a new President, it is not the ultimate restoration that our nation needs.  On this “Hallowed Eve”…one week before the most vital election in American History…we need a fresh Spirit infusion.  Let’s pray for an American Pentecost. 

Any other outcome is truly scary. 

Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

~Psalm 85:6

"I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance equal in power and glory. That the scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

~Roger Sherman (Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution)

Interested in National Prayer and Repentance?

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org

2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/

Feel free to join any number of events calling for National Prayer and Repentance as we lead up to the November 6th elections.

Gatherings:

• David's Tent Washington DC: (24/7 Worship of Jesus Christ on White House Ellipse)

http://dchop.org/?doing_wp_cron=1348948399.4002270698547363281250

Prayer Initiatives:
40 Day to Save America
40 Days of Prayer

50 Days of Decision

56 Days of Praying: Sept 16 - Nov 10, 2012 Aglow International: America Arising Prayer Initiative
Awakening America
Davidstentdc.com
God Save America
If My People 2012
My People Pray 2012
Pray 31
PrayPsalm64.com
40 Days of Worship in DC
Intercessors For America - Saving America Through Prayer The American Prayer Initiative 
Get America Praying - One Minute Challenge
Intercessors For America - First Friday Prayer Calls

Yes, Yes, and Amen

Did you know that there are prayers that, if you seek God and are really sincere, God WILL grant your prayer request 100% of the time?  This is not one of those trick questions like: “God always answers prayer, sometimes he says “No” and “Wait”.  No…that’s not what I’m talking about.  For these particular prayers, He will ALWAYS answer YES and ALWAYS give you your petition.  Wow…right about now you are thinking “What are these prayers?”  This is better than Aladdin’s Lamp—definite answers from the Most High God, Creator of the World.  100% guaranteed.  Even more astounding, it’s not limited to just three!  Well, here they are:

1)     God—I want to know you.  Please reveal Yourself to me.

It always amazes me how few people have actually taken the time to pray this prayer.  There’s no end to the plethora of philosophies, religions and beliefs to select from.  I’m sure it gets confusing.  Which one is correct?  How can we be certain?  But, like the Fox News commentator, Bill O’Reilly likes to say—“I’m a simple person”.  Here’s my simple logic.  To me, it’s pretty obvious that God exists just by looking around at incredible marvel of the universe.  If He exists, He must be able to see and hear me.  “Hey God!  If you are really out there…I want to know You.”  Here’s what the scriptures have to say about this:

   

those who seek me find me.

~Proverbs 8:17

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

~James 4:8

There is just one very small requirement, as noted in these scriptures…He wants us to make the first move no matter how small or pathetic.  He’s respectful of our free will. 

2)     Please forgive me.

Again, I think we make this way too complicated.  The Bible is pretty simple and straightforward on this.  No hot coals to walk over. No hair shirts to wear.  No special incantations:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

~1 John 1:9

Like #1—you gotta ask.

     3) Please teach me how to live properly.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied.

~Matthew 5:6

Not only does God answer this prayer but it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee! 

4)      Please teach me to love my neighbor.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

~Matthew 22:36-40

In addition to being a simple person, I like to think I am a logical person.  If God says that this is part of THE greatest commandment—that everything literally HANGS on these two requirements, then it stands to reason that he WANTS to help you improve in this area.  Ask Him for help—you’ll get a definite YES.  

     5) Please supply my daily needs. 

Or…“Give us this day our daily bread.”  Sounds kind of obnoxious at first like “Gimme”.  But that’s what it says—Jesus’ exact words.

 

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

~Matthew 6: 31-33

I came to the realization that we are God’s children.  He doesn’t want us focused on scratching around in the dirt every day trying to make ends meet.  Now…I am NOT about to go off here on some crazy prosperity themed message.  I don’t believe God wants you praying for Rolex watches and Mercedes.  However, I do believe he wants you to simply EXPECT that, as your heavenly parent, he is aware of His obligation to clothe and feed you—just like any good parent would acknowledge this obligation without hesitation. 

6)     Please give me wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

~James 1:5

Wow…this one is cut and dry.  There’s really no way to spin this scripture.  Ask…and without God giving you a lecture about how undeserving you are, He will simply give it to you.  Why aren’t we praying this one EVERY HOUR?  Wisdom is more valuable than gold and it’s FREE for the asking!   

     7) Please help me to grow up spiritually.

Friendly Warning on #7:  You’d better be really SERIOUS when you pray this one.  Be careful what you ask for!  It comes with a test.  If you pray for patience—your patience WILL be tested.

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

~1 Peter 1:17 

If you’re like me, you may have prayed something like this:

“Lord—give me patience and give it to me NOW!” (for some reason that prayer never worked).  What DID happen is I would soon get a great opportunity to control my road rage--Or bite my sharp tongue while trying to curb a sarcastic reply. 

Now, for the record, I am not Catholic.  However, I greatly admire Catholics as the earliest founders of the original Christian Church.  Not the Joe Biden or Nancy Pelosi kind of Catholics…the ones that say they are ProLife in their faith but ProDeath in their public lives.  Those kind of CINO’s (Catholic in Name only) are the worst sort of hypocrites.  They basically are saying…I will assist in the killing of innocent babies if I find it becomes advantageous to me in my career, even though I agree it is morally wrong.  Scary—it’s the same mentality that allowed Hitler to prosper in pre-WWII Germany.  No…it’s the Mother Teresa types that inspire me.  Lately, since the HHS mandate, I’ve also admired the Vatican’s unwavering conviction on sanctity of life issues.  These Catholics will not bow to evil, even at the point of a gun.  But since I am not Catholic, you may be surprised when I tell you that I do have a “rosary” that I say every day.

At this point…I’ve probably lost every Protestant reading this, but please allow me explain.  I don’t think God likes “rote” prayers.  It’s no different then when my children get in the car after school and stick their heads into their IPads or cell phones while talking to me.  “How was your day?” Grunt…”Anything interesting?”...Unh Unh.  “Did you do well on your exams?” Unintelligible…Usually by the third question, I am annoyed and say something like this:  "Do you want a million dollars?"  I know by this time I’ve completely lost their attention so I am mocking them.

This is how I think routine prayers sound to God—you tick off your prayer time on your “to do” list and expect God to be pleased.  He probably tried to tell you something really important but you weren’t even listening.  So this is not what I am suggesting. 

I am suggesting that you write down a simple format of what you want from God that is in accordance with his will (perhaps using the 7 points above).

There is something to be said about getting up each day and at least attempting to have a Godly focus.  Call it your spiritual business plan.  Every study ever done on business success verifies that those with a written plan succeed far better than those who are making it up as they go along.  We need a personal, written spiritual plan.  This will by no means ensure perfection.  There are many days when you will fail miserably.  Even the Apostle Paul struggled in this area:

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

~Romans 18-19 & 24-25

BUT—slowly, over time, you will start to notice incremental improvements.  The change will come more rapidly as you GIVE IN to it. 

For some reason, having kids has helped me grow spiritually more than any other single factor in my life.  It’s one of the reasons I believe that we are supposed to spend loads of time with children, either our own (if we have them) or unselfishly with others.

Kids crystallize the moment.  They bring instant clarity to an issue like no other.  Ever tell a child that you planned on doing something with them or for them and then forget?  Well, we all know this line…But, YOU PROMISED!  No matter how many times you explain that you had a bad day, you have a headache, you will do it another day, you messed up…they will not let you off the hook.  Smart kids.  They WILL get their petition—trust me.

God doesn’t have a bad day.  If He PROMISED something—He simply wants you to remind him of his promises and be serious about receiving it. 

So…Don’t be afraid to BOLDLY approach the throne of grace on these issues.  Go ahead…Remind God…He wants you to say…YOU PROMISED!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

~2 Corinthians 1:20

Interested in National Prayer and Repentance?

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org
2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Feel free to join any number of events calling for National Prayer and Repentance as we lead up to the November 6th elections.

Gatherings:

• David's Tent Washington DC: (24/7 Worship of Jesus Christ on White House Ellipse)

http://dchop.org/?doing_wp_cron=1348948399.4002270698547363281250

Prayer Initiatives:
40 Day to Save America
40 Days of Prayer

50 Days of Decision

56 Days of Praying: Sept 16 - Nov 10, 2012 Aglow International: America Arising Prayer Initiative
Awakening America
Davidstentdc.com
God Save America
If My People 2012
My People Pray 2012
Pray 31
PrayPsalm64.com
40 Days of Worship in DC
Intercessors For America - Saving America Through Prayer The American Prayer Initiative 
Get America Praying - One Minute Challenge
Intercessors For America - First Friday Prayer Calls

You're Once, Twice, Three Times Our God

You’re once, twice, three times a lady, and I love you…~Lionel Richie

When Lionel Richie wrote the lyrics to this song in the 1970’s, no one had a hard time understanding that he meant just one special, particular lady.  Why then do we have so much difficulty grasping the “triune” nature of God?  The Trinity is perhaps one of the most misunderstood concepts of Christianity today—not just by those of another faith but by Christians themselves! 

The way most Christians describe God, we would probably be guilty of the very thing we are accused of by other faiths—Polytheism or the worship of multiple gods.  This is one of the primary stumbling blocks to describing our faith to Muslims who can think of no greater blasphemy in their Islamic beliefs than Polytheism.  Remember…they literally recite multiple times a day that their god is the one and only.  Even our covenantal Jewish brothers and sisters charge us with this, although Yahweh of the Old Testament is, in fact, our one and only God just like them.    

When I was younger, a Sunday School teacher told me to envision H20 in three different forms:  Water, Steam and Ice.  Yet, all of them are undisputably H20.  This explanation of the Trinity was decent enough but it still didn’t satisfy my over-active imagination.  H20 can’t be all of these three things AT ONCE and yet still maintain its distinct categories. 

To figure this one out we have to go back to the beginning…WAY back to when there was NO ONE except God.  Few people accurately read one of the most misquoted verses in the Book of Genesis:

 

Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.”

~Genesis 1:26

Whoa…wait a minute.  What’s up with the “us” “our” and “ourselves” in this verse?  This is the very same scripture that all people and faiths read if they accept Genesis as scripture.  In the Hebrew, the EXACT word is “Elohim”.  Elohim is a PLURAL.  Was God having a split personality disorder on that day?  Of course not.  He was referring to Himself—all THREE of Himself to be exact. 

Now… stay with me.  He said he would make man in His Image (He said “Our image” to be specific).  The rest of this exam is easy…What are you?  Are you just a body?  Well, no.  Are you just a spirit?  Uh, no.  Are you just a mind?  Nope.  Are you ALL THREE—Yes, yes, yes! 

We readily accept this as true in our everyday vernacular.  Let me give you a few quick examples.  I’m sure you’ve heard some variation of any three of these statements:

“She was there in body but her mind was elsewhere.”

“I’m so sorry I won’t be able to attend your wedding, but I’ll be there in spirit!”

“His mind and spirit were still active, but physically he was wasting away.”

If you said or heard anyone say any of these three comments, you wouldn’t call the loony bin and have them carted away.  You would TOTALLY understand the concept that was trying to be conveyed.  Why then do we completely acknowledge our own tripartite nature but find God’s triune nature a difficult concept to grasp?  He said we are CREATED IN HIS IMAGE. 

THIS is why I am so passionate about Sanctity of Life issues.  When you understand… truly grasp…that we are literally, wholly, amazingly created in the very image of the Most High God—the Great “I Am”—you slowly begin to become cognizant of the depth of wrong that is done when you snuff out someone else’s life. 

If you’ve had an abortion, this is actually good news—that little person still exists in spirit.  God is the great Reconciler…He’s sacrificed Himself so you can get forgiveness and see your child once again.  The same way God wants to see YOU after death and offers eternal life. 

I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

~ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

 

Interested in National Prayer and Repentance?

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org
2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Feel free to join any number of events calling for National Prayer and Repentance as we lead up to the November 6th elections.

Gatherings:

• David's Tent Washington DC: (24/7 Worship of Jesus Christ on White House Ellipse)

http://dchop.org/?doing_wp_cron=1348948399.4002270698547363281250

Prayer Initiatives:
40 Day to Save America
40 Days of Prayer

50 Days of Decision

56 Days of Praying: Sept 16 - Nov 10, 2012 Aglow International: America Arising Prayer Initiative
Awakening America
Davidstentdc.com
God Save America
If My People 2012
My People Pray 2012
Pray 31
PrayPsalm64.com
40 Days of Worship in DC
Intercessors For America - Saving America Through Prayer The American Prayer Initiative 
Get America Praying - One Minute Challenge
Intercessors For America - First Friday Prayer Calls

Fashion Disaster

The headline read: “Oxblood—Hottest New Fashion Color for the Fall”.  Oxblood…Seriously?  It is such an odd descriptive word choice to describe a trending designer color.  What’s next on the runway?— Leprous Yellow?  50 Shades of Deathly Grey?  

I got to wondering about the Biblical significance of ox blood.  Oxen in the Bible symbolize strength, vitality and zeal.  Blood, of course, would indicate something was wounded, dying or draining out.  Not exactly a good metaphor for the United States as our military strength and world influence has been waning along with our spiritual passion.    

The Book of Revelation is replete with color symbolism.  Most people are familiar with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  Like the latest lipstick, each one comes in a different shade:  

White=Victory/Conquest

Red=Mass Slaughter/War

Black=Famine

Pale=Death

Are some of these colors beginning to come into view on the World stage?

When Jonah prophesied in the Old Testament, he said:  “Repent!  In 40 days, Nineveh will be overturned”.

Jonah proceeded into the city the first day and cried out to them: "In forty more days Nineveh will be overturned."

~Jonah 3:4

 In keeping with the multi-faceted nature of scripture, I realized that this prophecy would have come true whether they repented or not.  If they were stubborn—God would literally overturn their land to a foreign enemy.  Thankfully, they wisened up and repented.  Their land was “overturned” back to God.  What God says—ALWAYS comes true.  The ultimate outcome is impacted by only one thing: how we react to the message.

Soon America will be “overturned”.  Our Constitution requires that we swear in our next President by noon every January 20^th.  Since January 20^th falls on a Sunday in 2013, our government will have a private swearing in to comply with the Constitution and then a public one on Monday, January 21^st, 2013.  Strangely, January 22^nd, 2013, the VERY NEXT DAY after we publicly inaugurate our newly elected President, it will be exactly 40 years after the 1973 Roe V. Wade decision.  The significance of this timing makes my hair stand on end.

God permits us free choice—just as he has allowed us to choose since Day 1 on planet Earth.  Similar to the first White Horseman in Revelation, we could be celebrating a great “Victory”.  Unfortunately, it could have more ominous overtones.  This word translated from the original manuscript of Koine Greek could also be interpreted as “Conquest”.  

When God looks down on America what color does He see?  Like the symbolic Second Horseman (Red), does He see the red blood of almost 60 million slaughtered babies crying out from the land?    

Another recent headline stated:  “Black Clouds and Black Flags over Obama”.  Recently a black banner or flag has been displayed in protests and riots throughout Iran, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Sudan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Indonesia, India, Turkey, including Germany, Australia, England and, yes…even Jerusalem.  It is the black flag of Islam.  The very same one featured openly during the barbaric Internet beheading of Nicholas Berg.

Coincidence?--or perhaps the Third (Black) Horseman is on the horizon?

Hopefully this Winter in America—the garment choice of “Repentance Ash” will be all the rage.  Like the 4^th Horseman, the other shades will “pale” in comparison.

If not, we may be facing the worst dressing down in all of American history

We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

~Isaiah 64:6

"Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

~Isaiah 1:18

Interested in National Repentance?

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org
2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Feel free to join any number of events calling for National Prayer and Repentance as we lead up to the November 6th elections.

 

Gatherings:

• David's Tent Washington DC: (24/7 Worship of Jesus Christ on White House Ellipse)

http://dchop.org/?doing_wp_cron=1348948399.4002270698547363281250

Prayer Initiatives:
40 Day to Save America
40 Days of Prayer

50 Days of Decision

56 Days of Praying: Sept 16 - Nov 10, 2012 Aglow International: America Arising Prayer Initiative
American Prayer Initiative
Awakening America
Davidstentdc.com
God Save America
If My People 2012
My People Pray 2012
Pray 31
PrayPsalm64.com

Mental Floss

Ugh!—Another sermon telling me that I was failing to set aside a “private time” each day to read the Bible and pray.  Yes, yes I know…I really should do that right along with the Dentist telling me I need to floss more.  Year after year ticked by with no real progress in this area (and flossing).  Somehow when something is made to seem so mandatory, boring, mundane—we innately resist doing it.  But that was a couple of years ago.  No one ever told me what I am about to tell you.  If they had, maybe I wouldn’t have wasted so much precious time.

Recently, I decided that I would read the Bible from start to finish without any previous expectations of what I would find in there.  It’s hard to shed decades of preconceived notions formed at Sunday School and from sermons at a variety of denominations.  After taking a mental inventory, I realized that I had attended all of these different denominations at one time or another:  Pentecostal, Charismatic, Evangelical, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Catholic.  I even spent many years at a church in the now fastest growing trend of “non-denominational”.    

So—with an empty head (OK—I know I left an opening there for a huge zinger)—I began my journey.  While I most certainly do not claim to be a theologian or an expert on exegesis (a critical interpretation or explanation of a religious text), I can attest that I was freshly amazed by something at almost every reading.

Probably one of the most influential sermons I ever heard in my life was in a small Connecticut church where the Pastor preached about the “prismatic” nature of the Bible.  What is this?—you may ask.  Look at a crystal prism if you get a chance.  There is no real way to see the entire thing at once.  When you turn it over and over, it changes dramatically depending on the way the light hits it.  There are many facets and sides to it.  Just when you think you’ve figured out its intricate structure—you see something new.  Now—I’m not going to get all “New Age-y” here on you.  There is nothing special about a crystal or a prism—I’m just using this for explanation purposes.  From personal experience, this is how the Bible reads over time:

1)      History Stage #1:  At first reading—flatly.  You read it like any other book.  Stories, anecdotes, history and plot lines.  Good guys, bad guys, strange cultures and practices.  By the time you struggle to the end you mostly think:  “What a long, strange trip it’s been”. 

2)      History Stage #2:  Next you start to see analogies:  I remember watching horror movies and seeing the main character continue to do stupid stuff:  Why oh why would you go back into the basement when you hear that noise?  Don’t take the shortcut through the cemetery again for goodness sakes!  This is sort of the next reaction you get as you read story after story of foolish moves that the Bible characters seem to continually make.  Let’s call this the “connect the dots” moment.

3)      Present Stage #1:  Somewhere in your reading it slowly dawns on you that YOU are the foolish main character.  YOU are no different than the whiny Israelites in the desert, the faithless characters, the wimps and misfits.  YOU share the sorry fallen state of mankind in need of salvation.  Ouch.

4)      Present Stage #2:  Finally—the revelation comes that if you can accept God’s correction—this information can be REALLY, REALLY helpful.  You selfishly begin combing the Bible for WIIFM (what’s in it for me).  God will let you go on this selfish journey for only so long until you are ready for the next stage.

5)      Present Stage #3:  More revelation:  How can I apply this to benefit others?  This is a real growth stage.  I don’t think we ever get out of this stage if we continue in our God journey.  It just keeps getting more wild and exciting. Like the “Parable of the Talents”—Use it or Lose it.  If you use it—you will get more.  Just like the manna from heaven.  If you try to selfishly hoard it—it will get maggots and rot.    

6)      Future Stage #1:  You start to realize there are many astounding Prophecies that have already come true.  For instance the prophecies regarding the Messiah found in the Old Testament are truly amazing.  Forget what anyone has ever told you.  There is no one besides Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus of Nazareth) that can fulfill these hundreds of prophecies.  You also will begin to notice historical Prophecy for nations, & peoples that have already come to pass. 

7)      Future Stage #2:  Prophecies that appear to be coming true right before your very eyes These include Israel becoming a nation in 1948—an earth-shattering prediction that seemed impossible.  Now we are watching Israel’s deserts become lush (Isaiah 51:3) and Damascus collapsing into ruins (Isaiah 17:1). 

8)      Future Stage #3:  Prophecies that you know will come true without a doubt—because, by now—you are a true believer in the power of this Book. This Book never fails. You realize you hold in your hands an amazing piece of God-inspired work that never ceases to reveal more Truth. 

This is by no means a complete picture.  I’m sure there are infinitely more “sides” to this Word that we will never comprehend this side of heaven.  I’ve even encountered another facet recently which, for lack of a better term, I will call “Patterns”.  Recognizing the amazing significance of numbers, colors, time, objects and on and on.  The more you read—the more they become apparent.  Barely a day goes by that I don’t get an awestruck “oh wow—never noticed that before” moment. 

For the easiest way to describe this, I use the analogy of a jewelry box.  Imagine having a jewelry box that you open every day.  Every day without fail you find a new gem tucked away in a compartment that you never noticed before.  Even though you are 100% sure when you close the box each night before you go to bed that you have scoured it completely—sure enough, the next day there is another jewel that was somehow overlooked in a compartment you have never opened.  After awhile, you stop trying to scour the box every day for completeness.  You simply “Go for the ride” and enjoy the mystical wonder and majesty and surprise that awaits you the next day when you open it up again.  You no longer try to completely figure it out—as this is simply not possible—it makes no “human” sense.  Instead you humbly accept the daily gold nuggets and jewels while never ceasing to be awed that such a treasure sits right on your night stand or desk.  Perhaps this is a treasure that you previously allowed to collect dust or be a showpiece instead of an alive, breathing wonderment.  You want to run in the street and tell everyone what you have found—that they too have this treasure at their fingertips!  When you try to express it to others who have not seen it, they think you are mad.  You begin to wonder if maybe you are mad!  It’s like walking around all day in another 3-D color dimension while others are in one dimensional black and white.  It’s like trying to explain the wonder of a vacation to the Grand Canyon while showing someone else a stack of flat, colorless photos.  It simply cannot be expressed or experienced unless they go on the journey for themselves.

If anyone had told me earlier that this is what the Bible is like—I wouldn’t have ever put it in the category of flossing.  I would have studied the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.  I would have run out and purchased it in every translation I could get my hands on. 

So…Open it up.  Ask for divine guidance…

Prepare to meet your God.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

~2 Timothy 3:16

Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good."
_{~James Monroe in his 2nd Annual Message to Congress, November 16, 1818.}

Interested in National Repentance?

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org
2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Feel free to join any number of events calling for National Prayer and Repentance as we lead up to the November 6th elections.

Gatherings:

• David's Tent Washington DC: (24/7 Worship of Jesus Christ on White House Ellipse)

http://dchop.org/?doing_wp_cron=1348948399.4002270698547363281250

Prayer Initiatives:

• 40 Days to Save America
• 40 Days of Prayer
• The American Prayer Initiative
• 40 Days of Worship
• If My People Pray
• Pray 31
• Cry Out America
• 50 Days of Decision