Treasure Springing Forth
by Sue Kubik
As Spring is here, the season of things coming to life, I think of the beauty and treasure springing forth. Like people and flowers who were buried underground, under the dirt and dead. But now it's time to push through and begin to rise through all that's been keeping you down and hidden. It is your season! As we push through we are growing slowly, we don't come into full bloom overnight but through every step of growth we're becoming more beautiful, reaching towards heaven. As the Son (and sun) shines down and it rains (Living Water), we grow into what He created us to be. Like a flower whether it is a rose or lily etc. we are all different, yet all need the Son and Water to grow and rise, to give beauty, healing, joy and love to those around us or those who look upon us. Like flowers we can withstand the storms that come our way. We may lose a petal but we are not uprooted. We are still grounded with our roots going deep where the seed was first planted. Like God choosing us before we were in our mothers womb.
Only through Christ can the dead be raised. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and in Him all things consist. Apart from Him we are nothing and can't grow without Him. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
There is a treasure in each one of us, underground, waiting to rise above it all for all to see. So know you are His treasure!
PART 3 : THE FIGHT TO KEEP YOUR BOOK FROM BEING MANIFESTED
In part two of this series we talked about the books or scrolls in heaven and what they contain. The books or scrolls are important because they contain our written destinies and Kingdom purposes. Psalm 139:16 says, Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Your book is filled with your days, your activities and what you will accomplish in your life and the kingdom impact God has destined for you.
Romans 8:29-30 says, For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called, whom He called, these He also justified, and whom He justified, these he also glorified.
Before time began, decisions were made in heaven that foretold about you and your destiny. There is a predestined plan for your life and you have a choice to fulfill it or disregard it and go the other way. We are called to discover what is written in our books and there you get a glimpse of what you were made for.
Psalm 40:6-8 says , In the scroll of the book is written of me, and Your law is within my heart. This is a big question some of us have, what is the predestined plan of God for my life ? Psalm 40:6-8 tells us that there is a connection between what is written in your book, and what is written in your heart. Ask yourself, what are my interests, my passions, my dreams ? What makes my heart come alive ? When you discover the passion of your heart, you will begin to discover what is written in your book.
Next part of that scripture says we are justified. The word justified has legal implications. Justified is the stage where we have gone into the courts of heaven and every accusation the devil is using against us is silenced. Accusations are what the enemy uses to keep us from what is written in our books. Have you ever sensed you were created for something bigger than the life you have now ? Have you met resistance stepping into that destiny you know is before you ? What is resisting you are the accusations of the accuser against you in the heavenly courts. Satan knows if you get to live out what is written in your book, you will do massive damage to the kingdom of darkness.
In Hebrews 10:5-7
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said,“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desire but a body have you prepared for me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure . 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
This shows us that Jesus had a book in Heaven that He came into the earth to fulfill. Whether it is on a national level or a personal level. Satan does not want what is in the books of Heaven to become a reality. This is why there was such extreme attempts by satanic powers to keep Jesus from being born on the earth. First the devil tried to exterminate the Jewish race several times. Then he had Herod send out a decree to kill all the babies within Jesus' age. Why was he trying to destroy Him ? He was trying to keep the Word from being made flesh,( John 1 :14 ) Jesus was born and spent the next thirty three years living out what was written of Him in the scrolls in heaven. He lived a life with no sin and revealed to us just how the Kingdom could be manifested here on the earth through us.
The last part of Psalm 40:6-8 says we are glorified. This is where everything you have gone through is working together to propel you into your future. It is speaking about you stepping into all that is written in the books of Heaven about you. Jesus clearly demonstrated for us a life glorified, releasing the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven into the earth everywhere He went.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
The cross of Jesus was a legal transaction that bought back and reconciled everything back to us that was lost. We must apprehend for ourselves what Jesus legally provided for us.
Colossians 2:13-15 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
John 10:10 says, The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you a life in all it's fullness, or another translation says, life more abundantly.
I don't know about you but I want to live in all the fullness Jesus paid to give me. Join me in part 4 as we learn how to contend for our books and all the fullness Jesus paid for.
PART FOUR: CONTENDING FOR YOUR BOOK
In part two of this series we talked about the books or scrolls in heaven and what they contain. The books or scrolls are important because they contain our written destinies and Kingdom purposes. Psalm 139:16 says, Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Your book is filled with your days, your activities and what you will accomplish in your life and the kingdom impact God has destined for you.
Romans 8:29-30 says, For whom he foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called, whom He called, these He also justified, and whom He justified, these he also glorified.
Before time began, decisions were made in heaven that foretold about you and your destiny. There is a predestined plan for your life and you have a choice to fulfill it or disregard it and go the other way. We are called to discover what is written in our books and there you get a glimpse of what you were made for.
Psalm 40:6-8 says , In the scroll of the book is written of me, and Your law is within my heart. This is a big question some of us have, what is the predestined plan of God for my life ? Psalm 40:6-8 tells us that there is a connection between what is written in your book, and what is written in your heart. Ask yourself, what are my interests, my passions, my dreams ? What makes my heart come alive ? When you discover the passion of your heart, you will begin to discover what is written in your book.
Next part of that scripture says we are justified. The word justified has legal implications. Justified is the stage where we have gone into the courts of heaven and every accusation the devil is using against us is silenced. Accusations are what the enemy uses to keep us from what is written in our books. Have you ever sensed you were created for something bigger than the life you have now ? Have you met resistance stepping into that destiny you know is before you ? What is resisting you are the accusations of the accuser against you in the heavenly courts. Satan knows if you get to live out what is written in your book, you will do massive damage to the kingdom of darkness.
In Hebrews 10:5-7
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said,“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desire but a body have you prepared for me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure . 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
This shows us that Jesus had a book in Heaven that He came into the earth to fulfill. Whether it is on a national level or a personal level. Satan does not want what is in the books of Heaven to become a reality. This is why there was such extreme attempts by satanic powers to keep Jesus from being born on the earth. First the devil tried to exterminate the Jewish race several times. Then he had Herod send out a decree to kill all the babies within Jesus' age. Why was he trying to destroy Him ? He was trying to keep the Word from being made flesh,( John 1 :14 ) Jesus was born and spent the next thirty three years living out what was written of Him in the scrolls in heaven. He lived a life with no sin and revealed to us just how the Kingdom could be manifested here on the earth through us.
The last part of Psalm 40:6-8 says we are glorified. This is where everything you have gone through is working together to propel you into your future. It is speaking about you stepping into all that is written in the books of Heaven about you. Jesus clearly demonstrated for us a life glorified, releasing the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven into the earth everywhere He went.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
The cross of Jesus was a legal transaction that bought back and reconciled everything back to us that was lost. We must apprehend for ourselves what Jesus legally provided for us.
Colossians 2:13-15 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
John 10:10 says, The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you a life in all it's fullness, or another translation says, life more abundantly.
I don't know about you but I want to live in all the fullness Jesus paid to give me. Join me in part 4 as we learn how to contend for our books and all the fullness Jesus paid for.
PART FOUR: CONTENDING FOR YOUR BOOK
LEARNING THE WAYS OF THE COURTS
PART # 2
In part one of becoming a house of prayer, we learned the three ways that Jesus taught on prayer. He spoke of prayer as flowing from a son in relationship to his loving father. That type of prayer is when we take our own needs to the Father. Then He speaks of intercessory prayer as a friend approaching a friend. This type of prayer is when we come to God as a friend for the needs of my friend.
The third way Jesus taught on prayer was in the setting of a courtroom, Luke 18:1-8. Here this widow is seeking justice from a unjust judge in a court of law. Jesus was teaching them to pray and not lose heart, but He also said " hear what the unjust judge said. " Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out to Him ? I tell you, He will avenge them speedily. " Jesus was trying to show them through this parable to never give up in our praying, but also that this type of prayer takes place in a court of law. He was saying if this woman could get a verdict from an unjust judge, how much more can we come before God the judge and have Him render verdicts because we are His elect.
When we have been praying for something for a long time and not seeing the answers, sometimes it leads to frustration and striving. So sometimes we think we are not doing enough and we pray longer, louder, harder, add fasting, fly flags, dance, somehow thinking things might change by more effort. There is nothing wrong with using these type of things in certain settings, but more effort is not always the answer.
Many times the answer is in the discovering of secrets through revelation, that will bring about a breakthrough. Jesus was unlocking a secret that sometimes our prayers are needed to be taken to the courts of heaven. This widow in Luke 18:1-8 wanted justice from her adversary and she went into the courtroom, not the battlefield.. If you notice the widow never even addressed her adversary. She understood that if the judge rendered a legal verdict, the powers of the adversary would be demolished.
Because this type of prayer takes place in a courtroom, we must learn the spiritual protocol of God's courts. Lawyers go to school for years to learn how to operate within the judicial system. Just like in the courts here on earth, there is a protocol to follow. Presenting evidence, answering accusations, petitions offered, and verdicts rendered.
Jesus understood that we need to secure a verdict in the courts of heaven before rushing out into a battlefield. He shows us this in Revelation 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. When the Bible talks about judging, it is a judicial activity. There needs to be a judgment, decision, and a verdict to establish a legal precedent. If we want to get results from the courts of Heaven we need to know how to address the court, present our cases and ask for a verdict. So lets begin .......
Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. This scripture tells us that there are books or scrolls in heaven that must be opened before the court of Heaven goes into session. Once the court is seated the books are opened and the court comes into session. What are these books or scrolls and what is written in them ?
We find the answer to this in Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they were all were written, the days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them. God saw you in fleshly form before the earth was formed. He saw the number of your days, your activities and what you would accomplish in your life and the Kingdom impact He destined for you. Before you existed on the earth there was a book written about you in Heaven.
Hebrews 10:5-7 He came into the world and said, sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, " behold I have come, in the volume of the book it is written of Me to do Your will, Oh God. This Scripture tells us that Jesus had a book that chronicled the Kingdom purposes He would fulfill in the earth. Jesus came with a commitment to complete that which had been written in the books of Heaven concerning Him.
John 1:14 says, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus physical birth allowed what was written in His book or scroll to be manifested in the earth. He spent the next 33 years fulfilling what was written of Him.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepare beforehand that we should walk in them.
Psalm 40:7-8 Behold I have come, in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O God your law is written within my heart.
Anything God ordained is first written in a book in Heaven and when you were born, you began the process of living out our Kingdom purposes in the earth. When we live out what is written in our books, Kingdom influence comes to the earth and Kingdom cultures that look like Heaven are revealed.
Part three : THE FIGHT TO KEEP YOUR BOOK FOR BEING MANIFESTED
Lovely ladies......over the past few months we have heard from various leaders calling us to be a house of prayer. We have also been hearing the word breakthrough being spoken out over us for 2017. This journey is taking me into the Word of God and to discover what exactly is prayer?
God is calling us up higher and He is opening books of revelation so that His Kingdom purposes may fill the earth. Last Tuesday night Susan Morino shared a message and a word from the Lord concerning prayer. I quote her " The Lord told her, " I'm listening, I'm waiting, I'm here. I'm waiting to hear a sound from each of my children. I need them to realize as they seek the meaning of House of Prayer, that I've called them to as an individual, it will lead to an understanding of what I want them to partake in the corporate house of prayer. I want to stretch them and there is a sound that will come from the body that will be unlike anything else that has been heard..... " So pray with me.......Lord we ask for a Spirit of revelation and truth to open our eyes and ears and our understanding into your truths. Amen
PART ONE : So we need to ask some questions, what is prayer ? What happens when we pray ? How did Jesus teach us to pray ? Do we have a clear understanding as to just what is happening in the spirit as we pray ? When we pray we are entering into a spiritual conflict. We are engaging and petitioning God for answers, but at the same time engaging the powers of darkness that want to resist your prayers. Daniel 10:12-14 the angel says to Daniel, " do not fear from the first day your words were heard, and I have come because of your WORDS.
Daniel 10:12-14 is a perfect example of this activity. Daniel prays for 21 days and during this time there is a battle in the heavens holding up his answer. Ask yourself, do you have prayers that you have been praying for years but not seen the answers for ? I know I do. Where is the conflict ? Instead of getting frustrated or putting more effort into doing the same thing over and over again and striving. Lets dig in together to discover the hidden secrets and truths in God's Word that will bring about the breakthrough we need. John 8:32 says......you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
How did Jesus teach us to pray ? In Matthew 6 and Luke 11 Jesus is teaching about prayer. He first speaks about prayer as flowing from the relationship of a son or daughter to a father. Then He taught about prayer as a friend approaching a friend. The third way He taught about prayer was of a widow seeking justice in a courtroom in Luke 18:1-8. The activity of this prayer or encounter takes place in the courtroom. This widow cries out for justice from her adversary. The word adversary in the Greek is anti-dikos which means... one who brings a law suit to deny you your rights.
This is why Jesus was speaking this parable. He was unlocking a secret that some prayers take place in a courtroom. When the widow wanted justice, she didn't go to the battlefield. Jesus never taught about prayer on a battlefield. The widow went to the courtroom. She realized she didn't need to march onto a battlefield and yell at her adversary. She simply needed a verdict from the court and judge. She didn't even address her adversary.
Revelation 12:10 talks about the devil, our accuser who stands before the throne day and night bringing accusations against you. The accuser is bringing charges up against you in a judicial system........so why are we going out unto a battlefield to fight. ? We need to be like the widow in bringing our cases to the courtroom of heaven to judge.
Any adversary that is resisting God's Kingdom purpose for us will have to bow their knee to the verdicts from the courts of heaven. All we need is a legal precedent based on a verdict from heaven and the fight is over. That is good news ! We are on this journey together but we need an understanding of just where are we going. Let's learn how to operate within these courts, learn the language of the courts, and present our cases........ see you in court ! Diane
Watch for part 2...... coming soon !
Matthew 17:20 (AMP) For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
What Does a Breakthrough Look Like?
Many times when I hear the words "break through," I picture doors bursting wide open that were once sealed up, or the smashing of a brick wall...like something you would see from a superhero movie (as my boys love to mimic, "Hulk smash!"). We know as children of God that a "break through" often describes a moment of victory, either in our own lives or in some kind of circumstance connected to us. Breakthroughs resound with joy, healing, revelation and many times bring us to a higher place of faith.
I love break throughs. I love the incredible encouragement they bring. I love those moments when my heart cries out, "Yes! A true shift has happened!"
Some breakthroughs can happen suddenly, or with great momentum. I've witnessed that. Yet, I also believe breakthroughs don't always happen immediately, or over night. Prayer, perseverance and continuous trust in God are all part of the journey leading us to breakthrough moments. We sow precious seeds of faith and prayer into the soil of our lives and our spheres of influence....and then we wait. And wait. And sometimes wait a bit longer. Sometimes for years. Sometimes our tears become like rain, watering our prayers of faith. Our worship opens the window of our hearts to the beautiful warmth of the Son, radiating beams hope within our souls...bringing us the nourishment of God's very presence.
And the seed grows. Slowly. Hidden and unseen. The roots go deeper, developing an incredible system that encompasses absorption, support, nutrient storage and reproduction. The root systems become a true anchor for whatever it is connected to and upholding.... our seeds of faith. What we are hoping for, praying for...believing for. I am reminded of the tap root illustration Pastor Aimee gave us last year at Bible Study, as we are becoming like that tree, "planted by streams of living water." Rooted and established in the incredible love of our Father.
Picture with me a sweet little sunflower shoot, ever so slowly finding it's way through the soil, reaching and reaching upward until the surface opens. Pressing upward, through the dirt...through the surroundings of earthen sod where the seed was first planted. It rises higher....and higher. Then, ever so beautifully, the green color of life emerges. 🌱 I think sometimes a breakthrough looks like that. The incredible process leading to that shoot rising was hidden and unseen, and yet so significant and necessary. Breakthroughs are the harvest of what was planted in faith...and what was developed in the waiting. It remains rooted, yet has risen to meet the atmosphere for which it was designed to thrive. The picture you first saw introducing this blog shows a child, taking delight in a sweet little plant growing. I see in this picture an expression of faith and wonder. You see, even after this little plant has broken through, there is more life to be lived, more growth to take place. In fact, a breakthrough not only represents victory...but a brand new beginning.
That little green shoot will keep rising and is far from finished...
What Does a Breakthrough Look Like?
Many times when I hear the words "break through," I picture doors bursting wide open that were once sealed up, or the smashing of a brick wall...like something you would see from a superhero movie (as my boys love to mimic, "Hulk smash!"). We know as children of God that a "break through" often describes a moment of victory, either in our own lives or in some kind of circumstance connected to us. Breakthroughs resound with joy, healing, revelation and many times bring us to a higher place of faith.
I love break throughs. I love the incredible encouragement they bring. I love those moments when my heart cries out, "Yes! A true shift has happened!"
Some breakthroughs can happen suddenly, or with great momentum. I've witnessed that. Yet, I also believe breakthroughs don't always happen immediately, or over night. Prayer, perseverance and continuous trust in God are all part of the journey leading us to breakthrough moments. We sow precious seeds of faith and prayer into the soil of our lives and our spheres of influence....and then we wait. And wait. And sometimes wait a bit longer. Sometimes for years. Sometimes our tears become like rain, watering our prayers of faith. Our worship opens the window of our hearts to the beautiful warmth of the Son, radiating beams hope within our souls...bringing us the nourishment of God's very presence.
And the seed grows. Slowly. Hidden and unseen. The roots go deeper, developing an incredible system that encompasses absorption, support, nutrient storage and reproduction. The root systems become a true anchor for whatever it is connected to and upholding.... our seeds of faith. What we are hoping for, praying for...believing for. I am reminded of the tap root illustration Pastor Aimee gave us last year at Bible Study, as we are becoming like that tree, "planted by streams of living water." Rooted and established in the incredible love of our Father.
Picture with me a sweet little sunflower shoot, ever so slowly finding it's way through the soil, reaching and reaching upward until the surface opens. Pressing upward, through the dirt...through the surroundings of earthen sod where the seed was first planted. It rises higher....and higher. Then, ever so beautifully, the green color of life emerges. 🌱 I think sometimes a breakthrough looks like that. The incredible process leading to that shoot rising was hidden and unseen, and yet so significant and necessary. Breakthroughs are the harvest of what was planted in faith...and what was developed in the waiting. It remains rooted, yet has risen to meet the atmosphere for which it was designed to thrive. The picture you first saw introducing this blog shows a child, taking delight in a sweet little plant growing. I see in this picture an expression of faith and wonder. You see, even after this little plant has broken through, there is more life to be lived, more growth to take place. In fact, a breakthrough not only represents victory...but a brand new beginning.
That little green shoot will keep rising and is far from finished...
by Erin Paolercio
Psalm 145 God's Greatness (Passion Translation)
King David's poetic song of praise
Psalm 145 starting in verse 3 declares, "Lord You are great, and worthy of the highest praise! For there is no end to the discovery of the greatness that surrounds you. Generation after generation will declare more of your greatness, and discover more of your glory."
As I sat at the piano with this Scripture opened in front of me, I was deeply moved by the powerful truth that I am destined to discover MORE of God's glory! We represent what David prophetically declared...we are the "generation after generation" here and NOW! As we declare more of His greatness, we WILL discover more of His glory! The next verse describes how His "miracles of majesty are my constant meditation." What an awesome challenge, that His majestic miracles be what our thoughts dwell on! I have seen breakthrough after breakthrough in my own life when my gaze is fixed on God's nature and presence. He holds the answers! He holds the power to overcome! And that same power is IN us! I'm just amazed at how He continues unfolding and revealing more and more to us His children. What a good God, what a loving Father. No wonder David continues by saying in verse 8, "You're so kind and tenderhearted to those who don't deserve it...Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness." His love overflows, providing us with more than enough. He is a God of MORE! Even further in verse 19, "Every one of your godly lovers receives even MORE than what they ask for. For you hear what their hearts really long for, and you bring them your saving strength!"
I'm challenged myself, and I want to challenge you today...to see that there is more. More to see in Him today, more to praise Him for...more glory to discover! See that image today of that flooding river of His love, overflowing the banks of your life with His kindness. Be encouraged in the truth that He gives us MORE than we ask for, because it's Who He is. My mind cannot grasp this yet my spirit responds and cries out, "More of You Lord!" Let that be our cry and our prayer as we walk this life out. We are a generation who is destined to see MORE.
3D Woman 2016-17
