A Broken and Contrite Spirit

Father,
You know better than we the perilous times we are living in. You warned us in Your Word that in the last days perilous times would come. There are many voices in the world, all striving to be heard, and so many would lead your people astray. God I ask in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, Your Precious Son, that you strengthen your people, that you would open our eyes and ears and send the Holy Ghost to show us who Jesus is! Help us to look away from ourselves so He can show us Christ. To understand who Jesus is, to know Him, is to love Him, and want more than anything to be like Him. Show us what we can be so we will have the desire to let go completely of everything we are now. Draw Your people back to their prayer closets, turn their hearts Father, back to You. Help them to see those who have failed you and those who are struggling that You do not despise their struggle or their weakness-for no, You told Paul Your strength is made perfect in weakness.

So many are struggling with fear, with guilt, and feel condemned for their failures. They are hurting and ashamed and they want to come back to You but the voice of the condemner is harsh in their ears. God Almighty grant them eyes to see and ears to hear. So many are tired of the fight and weary and need to be refreshed and refilled with Your Holy Spirit. Father, so many have not been filled, they have been struggling with confusion, and longing to understand Truth, but someone has so misrepresented You to them, that they need help and You promised You'd make the crooked places straight! Straighten the crooked places, Oh, Lord, break the bars of iron, destroy the yoke of the flesh, of self, of religion, My God, destroy that yoke! Expose what is not like You! Rise up, Lord, oh, it is truly time for You to work for they have made void Thy Law!

Help Your people oh, Lord, to remember it's not about us, it's about You. Grant us Your boldness, Your strength, Your Holy Spirit's power in us that we may be accurate witnesses of You, and share Your heart. Your heart is not one be lost or perish. You came to seek and save that which was lost-not to gather things and possessions to Yourself! You didn't come to build a ministry or reputation! You came to show GOD to a people who were in great darkness and so blind they didn't even know they were blind! You came into a hostile, dark world and the Light of the life of the Father in You showed those around You HOPE-a bright shining hope!

Help us get over ourselves and get back in the altar and learn what it means to pray through to the glory again, Father. You told us to tarry in Your presence until we got the power we needed to overcome what we struggle with. You promised we'd receive that power-but we've made excuses, we've allowed so many trivial things to interfere, because we have catered to self so much. Forgive us, Father. Please forgive us for being religious, for not putting You first, for thinking You would understand. We've been chasing our tails and struggling with ourselves because we haven't wanted to follow the leading of the Holy Ghost to the cross and just let self die. And all around us a lost and dying world is perishing. Oh, God I don't want to waste the life You gave me on myself! What a tragic waste! I give it back to You, I want YOU not me! There is nothing good in ME apart from You. Oh, Lord help your people who are hungry and thirsty to come, for You promised whomever came to You that You would never cast them out! You won't turn them away or send them away empty! You are willing to forgive and cleanse and purify and sanctify and fill people with the Holy Spirit who will just come and yield to You, and let You take them to the cross and put that hostile nature that is so carnal in us to death so You can raise up the life of Your Son in us.

Give us clean hands, Father, and pure hearts. Forgive us for bowing to the idol of self. Give us hearts full of Your love, Holy Spirit pour God's Love in us as we empty ourselves of self to make room. Pour the Father's love in us so others around us can see the light and be ministered to. We aren't to serve self-but to minister Christ to those who will perish without Him. If we believe You are coming and could come at any time, why aren't we more broken? Why aren't we willing to weep between the porch and the altar and rend our hearts and fast and pray and humble ourselves and repent and turn from our wicked ways? Forgive our unbelief, Father. Cleanse us, and forgive us. It is wicked to think we can live the Christian life without being totally dependent on Your power, Your leadership, and Your Spirit to do it! You said it's not by might, not by power, but by YOUR Spirit. There is no place for human strength or reasoning in there.

For those who are fighting hard battles, and need to be refreshed and encouraged, grant them to remember the deliverances You have already brought them through. Help them understand You didn't bring them this far to fail them now. You know exactly where they are-You haven't changed. You haven't abandoned them. Sometimes it's hard to see and hear in the storm, Father. Speak peace into their troubled hearts. For those who are grieving and mourning the loss of loved ones, for those who are fretting because they have a child who is ill or suffering, Father grant them grace to endure and commit it into Your mighty hands. For those whose marriages have come under attack, grant them grace and strength to return to the altar to get the help and power they need to stand, and trust You to intervene and move on their behalf. You said Your eyes run to and fro in the earth searching for those whose heart is completely honest before You. The enemy is sending out his flood to try to carry away Your people in despair, and desperation, in fear. Many are struggling to pay bills, and feed their families. God help them remember You are their Resource.

All around the world Your people are hurting, but God You are moving. For those who are truly being persecuted, who live outside the United States, they are already enduring what is coming to us. Many live in fear of corrupt governments, and vicious militias who would slaughter them for their faith in Jesus Christ. God You promised You'd never leave them nor forsake them and You'd go with them all the way for those who go with You all the way. Oh, God help Your church get back to what You birthed her to be-a vessel for Your life to minister to others. Let Christ be seen once again in Your church, enlarge our hearts, grant us vision to see for without a vision the people perish. They who don't understand who You are and what Your purpose is, they don't fear, they throw off restraint, they begin to let truth slip from them, Lord. For those who are asleep, who are too busy, Father interfere in their lives. Trouble their souls until they return to the altar and bring self to be the sacrifice there. Oh, God grant us courage to lay self on the altar and trust You to send the Fire of the Holy Ghost to consume the sacrifice, burn up the chaff, and then raise us up in the resurrection life of Christ-

Father, Peter was so full of Christ, He walked so close with You, his shadow had the power to heal. OH GOD, do it again. Send forth the power of Your Holy Word to separate between soul and spirit, You said it's sharp, quick, powerful, and would accomplish what You send it to do. For those in a dry place Father, help them hold on until the rain gets there. I know it's coming. It's already begun falling in places. That latter rain. Grant us strength to hold on until it gets to us. We need to be a prepared people, Father. Show us the way back, Lord, and grant us the strength and courage to face our sins and transgressions, and return with all our heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, grant it to be so. We praise You, Father, oh, Lord You have been so good to us, so merciful, so long suffering with us. Forgive us for our excuses, our ignorance, our weakness. We bring it all to You, Lord, we know only YOU have what we need. We lift Your name High, we ask You to come and be glorified in us, through us, Lord. That our lives no longer be an expression of selfishness, but an expression of YOU. You alone are worthy, You speak and Your Word creates life, hope, restores order out of chaos, brings light out of darkness. Your Word has the power of to heal and comfort and strengthen. Father, You have been speaking, but so many have not heard, they've not taken heed. Open their ears, Lord, send the convicting power of the Holy Ghost, send forth Your fear into their hearts, shake what needs to be shaken so they will know.

For our lost, Father, we hold to Your promise that if we believe on You, You will save them. We commit them into Your hands, we ask you begin to trouble their souls, whisper to their hearts, Lord, like You did mine when I was lost, cause them to question what they are trusting in, turn their hearts back to You, oh, Lord. Help them see through the lies of the devil who would keep them bound. Help us as Your people be unwilling to let go of the horns of the altar until they are free. Help us understand what has them bound and pray Your Word and power and deliverance into their lives. We want to share Your heart-and Your heart is that the souls of men and women are more important than anything. No matter what they have done, no matter how bad they have messed up, Father, send forth Holy Ghost filled laborers into Your harvest to minister Your life, Your grace, Your love to them. Your truth.

For the homeless and helpless, Father we pray, grant us to be Your hands and feet, to minister help and hope wherever we can. That early church sold everything they didn't need so others could be ministered to. Help us to see this and be willing to do likewise. Father, not our will but THINE be done. It's time to get down to business, and stop playing church. The hour is so late, Lord. Oh, Father, deliver us from ourselves. For we are our own worst enemy. We love You, Lord, and we thank You for Your mercy, for everything You have done for us. You have brought us so far, and You will not leave us perish. But help us to realize You are the Light, and You do not stop moving. Neither does the darkness, Lord. We don't want to be overtaken by darkness. Strengthen the weak, Lord, so they can continue on to know and follow You, and draw us close to You so we may know You, for You are eternal life. Knowing You is what matters. We ask it in Jesus' name, as humbly, and honestly as we know how.

Psa 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psa 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psa 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Preparation for His Return (excerpt)

Preparation For His Return

In Matthew 24, Jesus has just finished exposing the religious fraud and blasting the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They are furious with Him. He has stood and wept over Jerusalem. He said your house is left to you desolate. I would have gathered you to Me, but you were unwilling. You won't see Me again until you say blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Oh, we must welcome that precious Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit of God-for it is HE who has been sent to show us Christ! It's not a popular message but Jesus Christ is the ONLY Way, the Only Truth, the Only Life. (Joh_14:6) The world needs truth not tolerance. The disciples are stunned. He's ripped everything their life up until they met Him was based on. They privately ask Him "When will this happen? What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of this age?"

The first thing Jesus says to them is be careful that no one deceive you, seduce you into believing a lie, or lead you astray. First and foremost, be careful you know the truth so you don't believe a lie. He knew there would be rampant error taught as truth. Paul warned Timothy that the Holy Spirit had told him explicitly in the last days some would leave the truth, and lead others away from it as well. They would pay attention and turn to corrupting spirits and demonic instruction. (1Ti_4:1) Jesus said many would come in His Name, they would stand as representatives of His character, His power, His authority, and deceive many. They would declare they had the anointing (for Christ means the anointed One of God) and lead many into error. Many imposters will rise and deceive so many souls. There will be so much transgression of the law of God that people will lose the love of God, the love for God, and for their fellowman.

Nations turning on nations, famine, hunger for food, for spiritual truth, all kinds of pestilences, diseases, earthquakes all over the place, natural disasters, wars, rumors of wars keeping people tense and unsettled. Many will be offended and turn on each other. (Remember great peace have they that love His law and nothing will offend (cause to stumble) them. Nothing will make them fall when they are rooted in His Word, and His life. Those who aren't will be offended- (G4624 skandalizo) it means they will behave in such a way they will cause offense, they will cause others to fall away from truth, they will entrap, trip up others, entice them into apostasy.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. That word 'endure' caught my attention. It means they tarried, they stayed behind, they waited, they persevered. There is only one place I can think of you can tarry, and wait and get something that will give you the strength to endure what He just said is coming. This verse keeps coming back to me, I can't get away from it. He said you would receive power if you tarried in His presence until you received power from on high. The Holy Ghost will come on you and you will receive power to overcome. (Luk_24:49, Act_1:8) So this tells me the only folks who will stand are those who are meeting God, praying and seeking His face and being filled with His Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is what they will have to have.

When you see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place, comprehend what it means and flee from it. What does this mean? It's mentioned in Dan_8:13. The sanctuary of God being trodden under foot by God's enemies. 2Thess 2 mentions it as well. Paul tells them "Don't be troubled in your mind, upset in your spirit by what you hear or read. Dont be deceived. There will be those who fall away. There is that man of sin and he will sit in the temple of God and exalt himself as God, over everything that is called God." That is a selfish spirit. A selfish spirit demanding what is due God-and demanding it in GOD'S own House!

Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Stay awake, stay alive, for you don't know when I'm coming-don't let me find you spiritually asleep.

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

We need to love one another, because if our love is God's love poured out through us to others, it will not hurt others, or neglect them. Who is our neighbor? Our brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the Body of Christ. It's time we rise up from our inactivity and obscurity. If we've been neglecting God, we need to shake ourselves from the dust, from self, and make it right. If we have been languishing in a spiritual stupor, making excuses and looking to "Someday things will change, and I'll overcome" we better shake ourselves and face the fact that NOW is the time to get busy, and get in the presence of God to seek Him and get what we need so we are prepared before He tires of our excuses and shuts the door. Our rescue, our deliverance, it is much nearer now than when we first put our trust in Him. Don't let loose of the truth. Don't over indulge in anything except prayer and the Word of God. Be clothed with the presence of the Lord, be like Him, and don't provide for self to have its way.

God loves us-don't let anything, including self cheat you of fully knowing and experiencing that precious love.

Strangers to Him

Strangers To Him

Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

He is telling them there is going to be a struggle here. We have an adversary to contend with, and it's a fight of faith. There is something that has to be overcome here to make it in this narrow entrance. Struggle to go in through the only channel or avenue there is to enter here. Remember, Jesus Christ Himself is the Door-the entrance. He said by Me if any man enter in he shall find rest. But any who try to get in any other way are thieves and robbers. (John 10). Many will demand entrance into this life which is eternal, this kingdom of God that is available. Many are searching, trying to obtain this life. The question is about how they are trying to obtain it. If He is the Door, we must be joined to Him-for he that is that is joined to the Lord is one spirit-united with Him. Our life must be hid in Him. We are to put off self and put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for self. (Rom_13:14) Self cannot get through this entrance. He plainly says no flesh can or will glory in His presence. (1Co_1:29) He said many are going to try to come in but the can't. They won't be worthy. It will be impossible for them to enter. They are unwilling to pay the price to enter here. They won't have what it takes to enter here. They won't have the strength to make it in.

Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

The Master of the house is the Head of the Body-Christ. When He appears, and closes the door-that is the entrance, the gate, some will be left outside. What a horrible thought. Remember the five foolish virgins here, folks. This door isn't going to stay open forever. There is a set time and it will close. Those who have been making excuses, who haven't done what He told them, will be left outside. If they have been misled by a preacher because they didn't take time to dig in the Word and pray for understanding themselves, they didn't seek God for themselves, they will still be left outside. There will be those who are left outside and will realize they are outside and not understand why. How tragic, folks! They'll be knocking, just like the foolish virgins, "Lord, Lord, open up, let us in with You! And He will respond, "I don't know you, or where you have been or where you are from." He does not regard them for they are strangers to Him. They use His name but He does not know them. He had a table spread, full of the provision of God, but He never saw them there. They had no time for prayer and communion. They were perhaps religious but would not pay the price to come into His presence, and learn Him, and tarry there until they got the power they needed to overcome what they were. There was no relationship, no intimacy, no hunger to know Him. Their lips were full of His Name but their hearts were far from Him. Where they had been, He was not.

It is a straight, or narrow entrance because there are obstacles all around it. There are many things that are naturally in us that won't make it through that gate. Self will, pride, anger, envy, jealousy, malice, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, bitterness, unforgiveness, dishonesty, things like this are obstacles that will hinder us from entering that gate for what fellowship has Light with darkness? Christ will not let these things come in Himself. Only what is centered in HIM, only lives that are hid in HIM get through. To do that we have to reject ourselves and all we are apart from Him and embrace the cross that will destroy self, crucify it, and embrace everything HE is. It's like trading our rags for His righteousness. We give up what will destroy us, and receive what will save us. Hallelujah!

How do we do this? Take Him at His Word-Believe it and then act on it.We get in His Presence and tarry there, waiting on the Lord, praying for the power to overcome what we are, we pray for the Holy Ghost to come on us and fill us and be the power in us to do what He's calling us to do. You can't represent Someone you don't know. So how can you be an honest witness for Christ if you don't spend time in His Presence learning Him yourself?

But what is a true witness? Someone who knows personally this great God. Someone who can accurately represent Him to a lost and dying world. Someone with the oil of the Spirit of God burning brightly in their vessel so those in darkness can find their way out of the darkness, into the light, and be saved! THAT is what it is all about. THESE are the ones who will be taken INSIDE before He shuts the door. If you are strangers to prayer, strangers to His Word, then you are strangers to Him. If you don't make time for Him now, He will have no time for you then. You reap what you sow. I pray to God in the name of Jesus that all who read this, if you sense your need of Him, that you resist the pull of your self that will try to draw you away from Him, resist the pull of the world that would have you believe other things are more important. Nothing is more important than knowing HIM. For if you don't know Him, you have no life. Joh_17:3 says THIS is eternal life-knowing HIM. They learn to know Him, through relationship, they are ever learning Him, daily learning Him, spending time with Him, gaining understanding of who He is and sharing His heart. He is Life-to have life you have to connected to the Life Source. Break the connection, the flow of life leaks out and the vessel is empty and dead. It can't be otherwise.

When You Fail God

I'm still thinking about Moses, and his life, especially his early life. I can't seem to get away from it. He was born in perilous times, miraculously spared and preserved. He was educated in his enemy's palace, indoctrinated with idolatry, yet God watched over his heart. When Moses grew up, somehow he knew the Israelite people were his own. He was aware of their suffering, he'd always known this, but something happened in his heart that caused him to want to deliver them from their suffering and oppression. This had to be an operation of God in his heart. Moses had it good, his life was easy, comfortable, luxurious. He was well educated, powerful in word and deed, because of his position in the family of the Pharaoh.

God had a plan for this man's life, to use him greatly to deliver a nation of people from cruel bondage and oppression. Moses hadn't learned to wait on God, and didn't understand what to do with what the Lord was revealing to him. God was showing him truth, and Moses responded in the wrong way to what God showed him. In short, he handled it badly.

Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Act 7:23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Act 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
Act 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

Moses had a desire to serve God. He had a burden for God's people-God had shown him their suffering. God had shown him that by his hand God would deliver these people. But Moses acted in his own strength, to try to deliver them, and murdered an Egyptian. What a burden to bear-to have shed the blood of another. What a failure he must have felt for now he had to run for his life. How he must have heard the enemy whisper --well, you sure blew it. God did have a plan for your life, but you blew it. You killed somebody. You sinned bad. God can't use you now, you have blood on your hands. It must have been awful, the taunts of the enemy whispering in his mind.

Moses ends up in a wilderness, a dry, desert place. He ends up taking care of someone else's sheep. He learned that desert, and in the process lost all confidence in himself and his own ability to do anything for God.

Moses was a failure, but in spite of his sin, God forgave him and used his life to deliver others. When I'm sure Moses thought he blew any chance he might have had to make a difference, to be used of God, to glorify God with his life, God still had a plan. He did not abandon his plan because Moses acted rashly, in himself, and sinned.

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.


In His great mercy, God had a record written of the lives of some people he used in His Word. Some started good and ended bad. Some started bad and ended good. He knew we would make mistakes, and He had these things written so He could point them out to us and whisper peace to our hearts when we are broken and mourn over our failures. When the enemy has assaulted us with his lies, with accusations, and our own hearts condemn us for our weakness and failures, the Lord can whisper, "I forgave Moses and he killed a man. Will I not also forgive you?" He sees the repentant heart. He knows the pain and misery there. He hears the cry of the broken heart that loves Him and knows that love is flawed, but wants to serve Him and be yielded to His will. He knows. Don't quit, don't give up and don't lose hope. Turn to the Word of God, and wait on Him.

That word for patience means to endure some things. There are some things we will have to endure, and they won't always be pleasant. But oh, in our trials, in enduring the dry, desert places that are to strip us of self, and confidence in human strength and reasoning, we will suffer. It's a hard place to be. But through enduring patiently these things, because we have the testimony of the Word of God, we can find the comfort in His Word, and that comfort builds and preserves hope.

That's a precious word, 'comfort'. G3874 Paraklesis. It means solace, to call one to come near so they can be exhorted, and helped in their hour of need. He draws us to His Word so He can reveal Himself to us, and minister encouragement to our hearts. Sometimes when we have failed Him miserably, we will have to press through the lies in our minds, the resistance of self, the doubts, and guilt, and fear. We have to remember He said whosoever comes to Me, I will not cast out. (Joh 6:37) He said call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will glorify Me. (Psa 50:15)

That word "deliver" means to strip, equip, strengthen and arm. Hallelujah!!! Look it up yourself, H2502 in your concordance. Praise the Lord! He will deliver, he will strip us of confidence in ourselves and our ability apart from Him, He will equip us for the spiritual conflict that attacks our faith and position in Christ, and He will strengthen us so we can endure, and stand, and He will arm us with His truth to protect us and keep us. He is the Power that keeps us through faith, because we are kept through faith by the power of God!

When Jeremiah was in a prison for preaching the truth, and warning the people, God spoke to him and said "Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know." (Jer 33:3) Things he could never know apart from the Lord revealing these truths to him. Things that are inaccessible apart from a divinely given understanding.

He says for us to cry out to Him, He will look upon us and hear us, He will respond and begin to speak truth to our heart that will sustain us! Glory to His Name! If you have been struggling with depression, fear, anxiety, a sense of failure, I pray you can hear the voice of the Lord calling you to come. Come to His mercy, come to His promises, come to His love. They that wait in His presence, upon Him, will be renewed and strengthened. Amen? Amen!