Glory of God in Herkimer County

In September of 2013, I was at a series of meetings about intercessory prayer.  At one of the meetings we were encouraged to ask God to show us something.   There are two things that I saw that have really impacted me since then.  The first one was a map of Herkimer County, NY, which is the county in which I live.  It was lit up with the glory of God.  It was pure white light.  The borders of the county looked like they were on fire.  I immediately thought of Zechariah 2:5 "For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."

When I came home from those meetings I went online to try to find more info about this county, to know better how to pray.  The first website I was directed to was the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce site. This picture was on the home page.

I was quite surprised to see the county in white with rays emanating from it to the rest of the state and beyond.  The location of the county within the state is very interesting as well.  

Even before seeing this picture I began to think about the fact that the county looks like a "key hole." That is of interest because what I saw after the county was a ring of gold keys that were glowing. God said, "He would give me keys to unlock this county and region."

Since that time I have been praying for God's glory to be manifested in Herkimer County and for God to give us keys to see this county and region unlocked.  

I believe the key ring had five keys on it.  Although at times I have thought perhaps it was only three. As prayed I about this several months ago, I would see 3 keys and then 5 keys and God began to speak to me about praying Isaiah 35 over the county. So we have been praying and declaring Isaiah 35 over Herkimer County.

If you live in this area or even if you don't and choose to join us in praying for this region, please feel free.

As a few of us have joined together to pray our theme song has become:

"And the earth shall be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
Just like the water covers the sea

Lifting up the standard for the nations
To demonstrate the purpose of His kingdom
His people unashamed to proclaim His name
And the fullness of the Lord fills all in all"

Herkimer County is part of the earth and it shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord!!!!!!

Your kingdom come Your will be done in Herkimer County as it is in heaven!!

HOLINESS MOVEMENT

Recently I was reading one person’s account of the prayer movement over the past couple of decades. It was rather amazing, yet we have not seen revival. There are little stirrings here and there, but not what you would expect in light of the prayer movement as it was chronicled.  I asked God, “Why?” The immediate answer I heard was, “there is a need for a holiness movement.” Jesus is coming back for a church that is “holy and without blemish.”

Leading up to the 2012 election I was glad to hear of so many prayer initiatives across the country.  But I began to be grieved because I had a sense there was prayer going on, but little true repentance or humbling of hearts before the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 does not only say, “if my people pray.”  It says we need to also, humble ourselves, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.

Ephesians 5:24-27 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

1 Peter 1:15 ESV “ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

 

Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

 

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Called By His Name

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ¹⁵ Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. ¹⁶ For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

 Some have a desire to be called by the name of Christ for the benefits that can bring.  Although it is becoming less popular as being a “Christian” becomes less politically correct.   But taking on that name comes with responsibilities.

In our culture it has become more common place for the wife to keep her name instead of taking on her husband’s name.  She gets the benefits of the marriage relationship and yet shuns the identity of her husband.  How often do we as Christians want the benefits of being a Christian but shun the true identity?  With the true identity comes a taking on of the character that name signifies.  The names of God throughout scripture show us the breadth and depth of His character.  His desire is for that character to be manifested in and through a people that take on His name. 

We have made 2 Chronicles 7:14 be only about prayer, but it is also about a people humbling themselves and repenting from their wicked ways in order to walk in a way that shows forth the character of the One whose name they are called by.

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Righteousness does indeed exalt a nation.  We are praying for righteous leaders to be elected to places of leadership within our government.  That is a very good thing.  I am greatly encouraged to see the number of prayer initiatives from various Christian groups leading up to the election, because we have realized that our country is in great trouble.   I am joining my prayers with those of the multitudes of others across the nation. 

But I believe God is looking for righteousness not just amongst our leaders in government, but for righteousness amongst those in leadership in the church and amongst all of us who are called by His name.  

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

This verse is the basis for the prayer that is being sent up across this land.  God is looking for more than just petitions for a change in our land. God is looking for a change in our hearts, then He will bring a change in our land.  We are to seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.  As we seek His face we will see things in our lives that are not in alignment with His heart and His ways, that we must do something about.  That is part of humbling ourselves as we pray.  We must repent of our own wicked ways and not just pray about the wicked ways of some in our local, state, or national government. Then righteousness will lift up our nation from the place it has fallen to.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: ²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Thy Kingdom Come

Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

When I pray “thy kingdom come,” I think of God manifesting His kingdom here on the earth in people getting saved and healed and delivered. When a person is born again they become part of the kingdom of God. (Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: )  Once a person says “yes” to Jesus, their life is now under the ruler ship of a new King.  As that rule of God is manifested in their life, they get healed and delivered.  So in one sense I am asking Jesus to reveal Himself to more people as the real King.

The ultimate fulfillment of the “Thy kingdom come,” is when Jesus returns to the earth to establish His rule on this earth, to establish the millennial kingdom on this earth .  This reminds me of Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come….” I do so look forward to the return of the Lord to establish His kingdom on the earth.

2 Peter 3:12 “waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God…” seems to suggest that I can hasten the coming of the “day of God.” (There are some prominent teachers/scholars who believe this to be true.) The fullness of the Gentiles can be brought in sooner. (Romans 11:25) As a result Jesus can return sooner. So when I pray “Thy kingdom come,” I am seeking to hasten the Lord’s return.

The signs we see around us everyday hint to the fact that we are coming closer to that day.  Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

THY KINGDOM COME!!!  KING JESUS BRING YOUR KINGDOM!!

Praying for Those in Authority

I would like to follow up on yesterdays post.....

I do believe in civil disobedience, i.e. not obeying government leaders that are in opposition to the Word of God.  But that does not negate our responsiblity to pray for that leadership.  We still need to obey the Word of God to pray for those in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

When the leadership is evil that is all the more reason to pray more diligently for those leaders. It is even a reason to bless them. 

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

In the USA at this time the government seems to becoming more and more opposed to Christianity.  Being a Christian is becoming more and more politically incorrect.  As Christians I believe we need to be even more diligent than ever in praying for our leaders and for our nation.  I also believe it is a time to be making a determination in our hearts that we are going to stand for the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost. 

I believe we are headed into  a time in this country when we as Christians are going to have to make some tough choices and we are going to have to band together like never before.  The body of Christ is going to have to truly become the body of Christ.  Not only do we need to pray for those in authority, but we need to pray for one another, that we may boldly stand for Truth.

Prayer for Egypt

My prayer for Egypt is for God's kingdom to come and God's will to be done in this situation. I pray for the Christians of Egypt to arise and to cry out for God's mercy for Egypt and I join my prayers with theirs for their nation.

Earlier today I watched some prayer alerts from Rick Ridings a prayer leader in Israel. Here are the links to his alerts:

1/27/11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5T68W61hro&feature=related

2/2/11 pt. 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDtyvvjlKk&NR=1

2/2/11 pt 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE4puozl3W8&feature=related

The enemy often tries to push the timing of legitimate events to try to bring them about ahead of God's timing. As we see in Dan. 7:25, the enemy seeks to change times and laws. But as we see in Dan. 2:21,it is God that has the ability to change times and it is God who raises up and takes down leaders. But the enemy would love to seek to upset the balance of things. I believe we need to pray for God's will to be done and not that of the enemy.


Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Daniel 2:20-22 20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Oil Disaster Needs Prayer and Repentance

I recently read that a prophetic person stated that the Lord had showed
him in 1997 that after Oral Roberts would go home to be with the Lord there
would be an oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that only the "thumb of
God " could stop.

So I am praying for the thumb of God to come down and stop this. But I have a feeling it is not going to be until man acknowledges there is nothing he can do to stop this oil from continuing to gush out of the sea bed.

I have a sense that this is the hand of God's judgment on our nation and perhaps the best thing any of us can do is repent. 2 Chron. 7:14 speaks of "my people who are called by my name" needing to humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways. I certainly have been in a place laying my heart open before the Lord to see if there is any wicked way in me. (Psalm 139:23-24)

In the mean time I am concerned for and praying for those living along the
Gulf Coast. I am praying for the Christians to hear a clear word from the
Lord about how best to protect themselves from the toxins in the air from the gases being released from the oil well and the very toxic dispersant that is being sprayed.

Nehemiah-Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

I know I have written quite a bit about the spiritual war we are in. I have done it because it is a constant battle. As long as we are on this earth that battle will continue. Satan is called "the enemy of our souls" by many because that is exactly what he is. His greatest desire is to see each one of us fail to continue in our walk with the Lord God Jehovah. He comes to "steal, kill, and destroy."

Recently I led the Tuesday evening Bible study while our pastor was in Ghana, West Africa. During those three weeks we looked at a few chapters in the book of Nehemiah. Primarily we looked at the constant war with the enemies of Israel and of Nehemiah as God's servant. For at least the next couple of posts I would like to take a look at some of that here as well.

One of the key things about Nehemiah is the fact that he was a man of prayer. We see in the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah, that when he received the news about the deplorable condition of Jerusalem and the Jewish people in his homeland, the first thing he did was pray.

Prayer is so important to spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 is where Paul tells us to take on the armor of God. Right after he tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (verse 17) He says: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (verse. 18)

That is the part that is often left out when looking at the armor of God.

Prayer/Intercession

I am going to try to do much better with blogging. I was away, with little internet access, for two weeks and when I got back I just haven't really gotten back to blogging. I started this blog because I felt a need to share some things that are important in these end times.

There is much going on around us daily in the spirit realm that we are often unaware of. It is my prayer that I and you and others will become more and more aware of what is happening around us so that we can do our part to stand against it. It is important to take a stand against the work of the evil one not only for ourselves, but on behalf of others by way of intercession. I have personally been sensing a prodding from the Lord to be more involved in intercessory prayer than I have been in the past few years. I believe we are all called to pray. Some are perhaps called to spend more time in prayer/intercession than others. If Jesus is our pattern for our lives, then prayer is something that has got to be central to our lives. (Mark 1:35, 6:46Luke 5:16) If Jesus, the very son of God, had to spend that much time in prayer, how much more you and I??

I believe it is because of this time spent with the Father that Jesus was able to do what He saw the Father doing. I don't believe He was surprised by the happenings of each day, because He had a clue as to what was coming because of the intimacy with the Father. Jesus certainly was not unaware of the spiritual battle going on around Him all the time.

Included is praying for others in light of the work of the enemy against them. (Luke 22:31-32; John 17:13-17) We need to cover one another in prayer daily. God please help us to be faithful to do this.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints