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"It Ain't Over" - Maurette Brown Clark

Victory Of Our Faith

The spirit of the lord led Jesus Christ into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil, just also as the anger of the lord rose against the children of Israelite and caused David to count the people in 2 Samuel :24. Everything a child of God goes through, it is for the fulfillment of his(God's) power. If Jesus have not been led to the wilderness and tempted he will not have that on his resume that he has also been tempted by the devil and believers will say ,well after all he was never tempted. He has no idea to it means weep and want and abandoned. The Spirit was with him, the Spirit led him to the wilderness, not his short comings or the status cuo the Spirit of the Lord put him there. It doesn't matter if you are in the promise land or in the wilderness or in the land of Egypt, the important factor is being led and obtaining the victory of our faith. Walking in the full success of the things we hope for and not be defeated by the devil

Longing For Yesterday??

Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

I flipped on the TV recently and caught a few minutes of a popular sitcom that ran in the ‘80s and ‘90s. As I watched a few minutes, I marveled at how innocent the dialogue was, how straightforward and understood the values and family ideals which were advocated. And this was an NBC comedy from only twenty years ago!

While it’s normal for every generation to bemoan its culture and its youth, certainly where we’re at right now in America is exceptional – school shootings the norm on a given news day, unconstitutional laws forced on the citizens, drugs legalized in some states even as addiction soars and schools demand more money to educate on drug use. Families are being ripped apart by divorce at staggering numbers, even as homosexual couples gain free access to children.

The sheer madness of our current culture makes me think that if our founding fathers could come back in the flesh for one day, they would weep in sackcloth and ashes. What a tragedy that so many lives of so many generations were given in wars that this nation fought – so our framework could be shredded and we could become an abomination on the planet, a stench in the nostrils  of God!

I’ve found myself longing lately for simpler times, when the foundations weren’t destroyed (Psalm 11:3) and the security walls were intact. When the times were not so violent and chaotic compared to today.

The Lord’s perspective

However, the Lord has been speaking to me about this very firmly. I share this because what He is saying to me is doubtless a word for others as well. “I appointed you for these times, to  be a warrior standing up against the unprecedented forces of darkness unleashed on the nation.” He has underscored Isaiah 58:12 to me as a personal promise, and assured me of His faithfulness and His protection even as I “dwell among the tents of Kedar” and those who hate peace (Psalm 120:6).

The surpassing word that He has given me and which I share as applicable to anyone reading this who can relate to these sentiments is “GLORY.”  As dark as it is around us, as horrific has our world has become, this generation will see the glory of God like none other before it. That is the promise I am contending for, the hope that I have that makes me believe it is better to live now amidst the madness and uncertainty of these days than it was to dwell in the milder calm and safety of yesteryear.

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace’” (Haggai 2:9).  The prizes and promises of the Kingdom of Heaven to which this generation is entitled I believe will outshine every previous one – but we must contend for them!

Indeed, where else can we go, but toward His presence and toward His immeasurable glory, and seek with all our heart and soul and strength to bring that glory to earth!

The Sword In Your Mouth

“He made my mouth like a sharpened sword” (Isaiah 49:2 – NIV)

“I saw…one like a son of man…and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword” (Revelation 1:12, 16 – NIV)

John’s description of Jesus in Revelation fills me with awe each time I read it. Eyes like blazing fire, voice like the sound of many rushing waters, and a two-edged sword coming out of his mouth. This image bears little resemblance to the nice flannel graph Jesus of my Sunday school days – this is the glorified Christ to whom every knee on this distracted, self-aggrandized, war-weary planet will someday bow.

“And coming out of his mouth was a double-edged sword.” What is this sword that is coming out of Jesus’ mouth? It is the very word of God.

In Hebrews 4:12, the word of God is also likened to a double-edged sword, “penetrating even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow.” In this instance, it is the logos or written word of God to which the writer of Hebrews refers.

Psalm 149:5-6 says “Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.” In this passage, the double-edged sword comes in the context of God’s people worshiping Him. Again, the image of the sword is in conjunction with their open mouths.

Paul tells the church to put on the full armor of God, and to “take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). The Greek word used for “word of God” in this passage is rhema, meaning the spoken word.

Have we stopped to think about the word of God in its various forms and why it is compared to a sword? Do we have any idea how powerful it is when we use it? Do we keep the word to ourselves rather than speak it out, for reasons we’ve convinced ourselves are noble?

The enemy wants to intimidate Christians out of speaking the word of God – whether praying, praising, prophesying, declaring the scriptures, or confronting someone as the Spirit nudges – because that sword is death to his kingdom of darkness.

Power in speaking when it’s uncomfortable

I want to focus particularly on speaking up and speaking out when it is difficult, because the Lord gave me a revelation about this. Twice in two days, I spoke up when it was very uncomfortable to do so. (Now I am someone who is shy about speaking up and telling the manager of the fitness center I belong to that the locker room is exceptionally dirty!). The first instance was to talk to a friend who is continuing in sin and using God’s word to back up her actions. I had no intention of being the one to do this – but immediately following a time of prayer and fasting, the Lord brought this situation before me, and before I knew what I was doing, the words were out of my mouth. The church that she attends with her live-in boyfriend evidently has been unwilling to speak the truth to her about the danger she’s put herself in.

I was uneasy about my actions, but I knew they were prompted by the Lord. While my friend did not respond favorably to what I told her, the very next day I learned from a family member that she had done something which indicated radical repentance in some of her behavior, which they said was huge. I don’t even know that she consciously did this as a result of what I told her; but I know that spiritually, something heavy and dark over her was cut by speaking the truth into the situation.

The other instance of speaking up was also one which I did not feel like doing, but I had asked the Lord for an opportunity to be His witness and He gave it that same day. Immediately after I spoke up for what I believed, I had the sense in my spirit of something being cut away and coming into a wider space – like an impassable path suddenly being cleared by a machete.

That is when it hit me – there’s a reason the word of God is compared to a sword. When we use it, we go on the offense full force in the spiritual realm. We’re not just hunkered down protecting what we have – we are striking the kingdom of darkness. After I spoke the truth, when it was particularly difficult for me to do so, I was impressed with the Lord saying,“Ten thousand just fell at your right hand” (Psalm 91:7).

No inertia in the word

There is always a reaction to the word of God. When His word is in our mouth, speaking out or praying or in prophetic utterance, it is as powerful as if God Himself were speaking.

“My word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). That is an astounding promise of God! Simply speaking, it means that every time we use words that are borne of the spirit, God’s kingdom advances!

How about you – is God prompting you to speak? Is there something intimidating you? If you don’t know, just ask Him. He will tell you, and use you in a mighty way if you’re willing.

Ministry wife Series: God as Your Pastor

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Ministry Wife Series: God as Your Pastor Posted: 25 Aug 2013 07:37 PM PDT **Once upon a time I wrote a series of articles for ministry wives based on common topics of email questions I receive.  These articles were first published at Christian Women Online but I am re posting them here for those of you who may find them helpful.  I would love to hear some fresh conversation on these subjects!** An anonymous sister asked, “Few people realize the dilemma of a pastor’s wife. Her husband is the ONLY preacher/pastor that she ever has! This is great, if he is a good preacher, but what if he is not that great a preacher?  Is she doomed to  spiritual starvation and boredom as she sits through his sermons each week?” By asking if she is “doomed to spiritual starvation and boredom,” I am assuming this pastor’s wife is looking for permission to attend another church where she perceives she will be neither spiritually hungry nor bored. I find no biblical support for making this move. Let’s turn the tables on this one. Let’s say you love to cook and find great joy in preparing meals for your family. Imagine now that your husband informs you that his mother’s cooking is much better than your own and, in order to satisfy his hunger with the best food, he will start eating supper at her home every night. It’s tempting to respond with, “Let him go eat at his momma’s and see if I care.”  However, before you do, truly consider what his decision would do to you as a woman. Personally, I would be devastated to think I had really tried and my husband chose the better meatloaf at the expense of my dignity. I believe this is the same concept as leaving your husband’s church for another just to find “a better meal.” Two phrases stuck out to me in the initial question:  spiritual starvation and boredom. I think there are ways we can avoid either without taking the drastic measure of seeking nourishment outside the family. 1.  Go to church full. Early in Luke’s ministry, he and I served in a church that did not have the greatest of preachers.  He was an excellent pastor, but his teaching skills were lacking.  I remember clearly Luke and I concluding that God was preparing us for servant leadership by getting us used to feeding ourselves instead of expecting someone else to do it for us.  Luke has stated many times over the years that a Christian will never survive on one thirty-minute sermon per week.  The purpose of Sunday worship is to come in to God’s house overflowing with what He has revealed to us through a week’s worth of personal study and prayer.  If we come in starving, we will still leave with a growling belly. 2.  Don’t force your husband into a role he isn't meant to fill. As much as I love Luke and his teaching, his sermons are not the meat of my Christian walk.  I love to hear him expose a passage for my deeper understanding and discipleship but he is not God to me, nor does he seek to be.  If I seek spiritual fulfillment based on how effectively he demonstrates his calling, then yes, I will always be disappointed and perhaps even bored.  However, our joy as pastor’s wives should be found in upholding our husbands’ ministries while exercising our personal gifts. 3.  Be honest about your reasons for not following your husband. I read several forums in preparation to write this article and it’s obvious there are many reasons pastor’s wives choose not to attend their husband’s church. The most common scenario is a woman being deeply attached to a congregation where she was a member before her husband was called to minister.  Because of her long history and love for that body, she is hesitant to depart. To this Scripture only says one thing:  Leave and cleave.  (Genesis 2:24)  Your place  is by your husband.  Period. Another reason is the wife not believing her husband is truly ‘called’ to ministry and that he is perhaps pursuing it in vain ambition.  Also noted is that she knows that her husband is not the man he proclaims to be in the pulpit and she refuses to reinforce the lie. These situations are tough at best. The Bible does not call us to submit to ungodliness.  Honestly, I think the answer to this question is as varied as the individual circumstance.  If marital strife, deceit, or heaven forbid, abuse, has you feeling you can’t sit in the same church body as your husband, then my advice is to seek godly Christian counseling to determine the next step.  There are many low-cost or free resources available.  The Parsonage (www.parsonage.org) is a ministry of James Dobson’s Focus on the Family and is a great resource I recommend to find support for the pastor’s family. I believe with all my heart God’s desire for the minister includes his entire family worshiping in one body.  If you find yourself feeling empty, consider beginning a women’s Bible study group.  You may just find that the measures you take to curb your own spiritual appetite will serve to feed others as well.  That is true ministry and I promise, once embraced it will be the great thrill of your Christian life.  In fact, I’d be willing to bet you’ll forget all about your husband’s lackluster sermons when you are pouring it out into the girls God has entrusted to your care. Even if the man behind the pulpit happens to be your husband, ultimately, God is your pastor.  I can’t think of another person more supremely qualified to lead you into righteousness than Him!

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Superfoods for a long and healthy life

Superfoods for a long and healthy life