Then the LORD said to Joshua,“Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand,
for into your hand I will deliver the city.”
So Joshua held out toward the city the javelin that was in his hand.
- Joshua 8:18
photo source
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy,
and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- Luke 10:19
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.
- Psalm 2:8, 9
Then the LORD reached out his hand
and touched my mouth and said to me,
“I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
- Jeremiah 1:9
As another month ends, I listen to my heart to find the appropriate name for it.
Giving each month a name helps me keep track of my spiritual progress... to own my experiences, admit where I have fallen short, and to face up to the challenges ahead of me.
Naming the month also gives me a perspective to view the lessons learned from the past weeks, as well as a platform from which to launch the strategy for the next stage of the journey.
Living as a kingdom person. This has been my goal and desire for this year.
In January I began meditating on the book of Joshua, one chapter at a time, where I have found many kingdom principles that can be applied in my spiritual pursuits.
This month I have looked closely at chapters 7 and 8.
Joshua 7 records the story of the defeat encountered by the Israelites at Ai. After their glorious Jericho experience, it was easy to be presumptuous, and forget to seek the Lord's counsel about His battle plans for the next city.
Ai represents many things.
It stands for presumptuousness and pride... misplaced confidence... complacency.
For Joshua, the distance between a glorious victory and a humbling defeat was way too short.
Instead of consulting the Lord regarding the next step to take, he listened to the voice of advisers who told him Ai was chicken feed:
Joshua thought victory was sure; instead, he suffered shame.
A costly lesson, one Israel will never forget.
God was building His kingdom in their hearts, and when it comes to God's kingdom, righteousness is the top requirement.
Obedience is a must.
Achan had taken from the riches of Jericho after it was conquered, even though they were clearly instructed that the whole city, meaning all its people and their properties, was devoted to destruction.
They have been made liable to destruction.
What a chilling rebuke from the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
Unconditional obedience to the Lord's commands is for our own protection.
I cannot compromise my kingdom status by exchanging it for a Babylonian robe and a few shekels of silver!
Obedience.
My life depends on it.
Purity... it's a prerequisite for victory.
Because of Achan's disobedience, the life of an entire nation was endangered. Achan had to be put to death, together with his whole family, a graphic and sobering reminder to everyone that God will not allow His kingdom to be tainted or defiled.
The amazing thing about God is that He does not remain angry forever.
The Valley of Achor was named as such because of the trouble that Achan brought upon Israel. But in another passage, God Himself promises restoration to Israel; the same valley becomes a door of hope.
God's heart towards His people is always to redeem and to restore.
Once Achan's sin was dealt with, God once again revealed to Joshua the game plan for Ai.
From a place of former defeat, Ai becomes a place of victory.
Achor, a valley of trouble, is transformed into a doorway for hope to enter.
Having learned a valuable lesson, Joshua was careful to obey the Lord every step of the way.
May the spiritual lessons God has spoken to me these past weeks be forever embedded in my heart!
Therefore, I name this month Taking Authority.
By complacency... presumption... or disobedience, I could lose the fight, and allow the enemy to take over precious territory that rightfully belongs to me.
God had given Joshua authority, as represented in the spear, or the javelin, that he had in his hand.
The clear message of God to me for the month just ended is to take my stand, and use the God-given authority that I have.
It is easy to lose sight of this...
in a moment of weakness, it is easy to be carried away by the mundane...
to exchange my spiritual birthright for a bowl of stew...
to let my strength wane, to let my energies be dissipated by taking on assignments not meant for me to carry.
Yes, it is easy to be presumptuous... even in the way we interpret God's word, the way we think we understand.
Taking authority means something only when I recognize that I am under a Higher authority. When I humbly stand under God's authority, He opens doors of understanding for me to walk through.
These past weeks my eyes have been opened to my own spiritual needs, and that of my family.
But really, I know that my life is not for the needs of my family circle alone, though the needs are legitimate.
I lift up my church to God.
I lift up my city to God.
My province... my beloved homeland ... other nations that God lays on my heart.
Thailand.
America.
The Middle East.
Israel.
This month the truth was brought home to me. I must be about my Father's business.
And being about my Father's business means
... saying no to complacency and presumptuousness.
... saying no to self-focus.
... saying yes to obedience.
... saying yes to worship and intercession and a deeper intimacy with God.
... saying yes to a deeper understanding of kingdom authority.
I never presume to know all the answers... or the next move... but always willing to have my spiritual senses activated to understand what God is doing.
Ask of Me, the Lord says, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
My friend Ruby and I were talking about our prayer concerns a few weeks ago. After sharing with her what was on my heart, she said something that stuck.
Do not stop praying until the breakthrough comes.
I pondered over those words. They were a timely reminder to me in the midst of the battles we all face everyday.
It is easy to be sidetracked by what is temporary, and to lose sight of our eternal priorities.
Am I building God's kingdom, or my own?
More often than not, I give a mental assent ... but my heart is not in it.
This month, I was given a ministry opportunity to be manager of the Intercessors for the Philippines (IFP) office in Bacolod City.
After seeking the Lord's heart about it, my initial reluctance gave way to obedience.
and touched my mouth and said to me,
“I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
- Jeremiah 1:9
As another month ends, I listen to my heart to find the appropriate name for it.
Giving each month a name helps me keep track of my spiritual progress... to own my experiences, admit where I have fallen short, and to face up to the challenges ahead of me.
Naming the month also gives me a perspective to view the lessons learned from the past weeks, as well as a platform from which to launch the strategy for the next stage of the journey.
Living as a kingdom person. This has been my goal and desire for this year.
In January I began meditating on the book of Joshua, one chapter at a time, where I have found many kingdom principles that can be applied in my spiritual pursuits.
This month I have looked closely at chapters 7 and 8.
Joshua 7 records the story of the defeat encountered by the Israelites at Ai. After their glorious Jericho experience, it was easy to be presumptuous, and forget to seek the Lord's counsel about His battle plans for the next city.
Ai represents many things.
It stands for presumptuousness and pride... misplaced confidence... complacency.
For Joshua, the distance between a glorious victory and a humbling defeat was way too short.
Instead of consulting the Lord regarding the next step to take, he listened to the voice of advisers who told him Ai was chicken feed:
"Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”
Confident of victory, Joshua sent only about three thousand men to fight the battle at Ai.
... but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them.A costly lesson, one Israel will never forget.
God was building His kingdom in their hearts, and when it comes to God's kingdom, righteousness is the top requirement.
Obedience is a must.
Achan had taken from the riches of Jericho after it was conquered, even though they were clearly instructed that the whole city, meaning all its people and their properties, was devoted to destruction.
The LORD said to Joshua, "... Israel has sinned;
they violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep.
They have taken some of the devoted things;
they have stolen,
they have lied,
they have put them with their own possessions.
That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies;
they turn their backs and run
because they have been made liable to destruction.
I will not be with you anymore
unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.”
they violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep.
They have taken some of the devoted things;
they have stolen,
they have lied,
they have put them with their own possessions.
That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies;
they turn their backs and run
because they have been made liable to destruction.
I will not be with you anymore
unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.”
They have been made liable to destruction.
What a chilling rebuke from the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
Unconditional obedience to the Lord's commands is for our own protection.
I cannot compromise my kingdom status by exchanging it for a Babylonian robe and a few shekels of silver!
Obedience.
My life depends on it.
Purity... it's a prerequisite for victory.
Because of Achan's disobedience, the life of an entire nation was endangered. Achan had to be put to death, together with his whole family, a graphic and sobering reminder to everyone that God will not allow His kingdom to be tainted or defiled.
Then all Israel stoned him,
and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.
Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks,
which remains to this day.
and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.
Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks,
which remains to this day.
Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger.
Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.
Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.
The amazing thing about God is that He does not remain angry forever.
The Valley of Achor was named as such because of the trouble that Achan brought upon Israel. But in another passage, God Himself promises restoration to Israel; the same valley becomes a door of hope.
Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the wilderness
and speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
- Hosea 2:14, 15
We all have our own places of Ai and Achor, but we need not remain there.I will lead her into the wilderness
and speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
- Hosea 2:14, 15
God's heart towards His people is always to redeem and to restore.
Once Achan's sin was dealt with, God once again revealed to Joshua the game plan for Ai.
From a place of former defeat, Ai becomes a place of victory.
Achor, a valley of trouble, is transformed into a doorway for hope to enter.
Having learned a valuable lesson, Joshua was careful to obey the Lord every step of the way.
“Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand,
for into your hand I will deliver the city.”
As a result of Joshua's obedience, not only was Ai conquered, all the plunder of the city was theirs to keep.for into your hand I will deliver the city.”
Joshua did so, and Ai was conquered.
Twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai. For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai. But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the LORD had instructed Joshua.
- Joshua 8:25-27
- Joshua 8:25-27
May the spiritual lessons God has spoken to me these past weeks be forever embedded in my heart!
Therefore, I name this month Taking Authority.
By complacency... presumption... or disobedience, I could lose the fight, and allow the enemy to take over precious territory that rightfully belongs to me.
God had given Joshua authority, as represented in the spear, or the javelin, that he had in his hand.
The clear message of God to me for the month just ended is to take my stand, and use the God-given authority that I have.
It is easy to lose sight of this...
in a moment of weakness, it is easy to be carried away by the mundane...
to exchange my spiritual birthright for a bowl of stew...
to let my strength wane, to let my energies be dissipated by taking on assignments not meant for me to carry.
Yes, it is easy to be presumptuous... even in the way we interpret God's word, the way we think we understand.
Taking authority means something only when I recognize that I am under a Higher authority. When I humbly stand under God's authority, He opens doors of understanding for me to walk through.
These past weeks my eyes have been opened to my own spiritual needs, and that of my family.
But really, I know that my life is not for the needs of my family circle alone, though the needs are legitimate.
I lift up my church to God.
I lift up my city to God.
My province... my beloved homeland ... other nations that God lays on my heart.
Thailand.
America.
The Middle East.
Israel.
This month the truth was brought home to me. I must be about my Father's business.
And being about my Father's business means
... saying no to complacency and presumptuousness.
... saying no to self-focus.
... saying yes to obedience.
... saying yes to worship and intercession and a deeper intimacy with God.
... saying yes to a deeper understanding of kingdom authority.
I never presume to know all the answers... or the next move... but always willing to have my spiritual senses activated to understand what God is doing.
Ask of Me, the Lord says, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
My friend Ruby and I were talking about our prayer concerns a few weeks ago. After sharing with her what was on my heart, she said something that stuck.
Do not stop praying until the breakthrough comes.
I pondered over those words. They were a timely reminder to me in the midst of the battles we all face everyday.
It is easy to be sidetracked by what is temporary, and to lose sight of our eternal priorities.
Am I building God's kingdom, or my own?
More often than not, I give a mental assent ... but my heart is not in it.
This month, I was given a ministry opportunity to be manager of the Intercessors for the Philippines (IFP) office in Bacolod City.
After seeking the Lord's heart about it, my initial reluctance gave way to obedience.
“I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
- Jeremiah 1:9
Now I am looking forward to this new role.
As May comes to an end, I am grateful for the direction that God has given.
Juan and Helen Coromina
Intercessors for the Philippines Prayer Coordinators for the Visayas
It's another step of faith, another step of obedience. But a great opportunity to be mentored by a couple I look up to, Juan and Helen Coromina, Intercessors for the Philippines prayer coordinators for the Visayas Islands of this nation.
Above all, it is a move that takes me to the next level.
As the month was ending, I sensed God saying to me... "This is an invitation to partner with Me in the work I am doing."
What an honor... what a privilege!
Only a fool would say no to such an invitation.
I only ask God that as I stretch out my spear of authority over the places of former defeat in my life, victory and breakthrough will come.
And, I am looking forward to the plunder that God has said is mine as well!
Special family events for this month:
First Born, God-given, and their son Forerunner (Matthew). The three of them, second son Worshiper, and I had a very special birthday lunch out of town, at a seaside place two cities away from Bacolod, called Balaring. We had a feast of sea food, including freshly caught oysters, and mouth watering grilled squid. Worshiper's wife, Chosen One, and their baby Full of Hope (Elijah) were in Manila at that time.
First-Born son will always have a special place in our family, because he is the son that opened my womb! When Ernie and I dedicated him to the Lord in church the second Sunday after he was born, through tear filled eyes, we sang a special song dedicating this son to God, "Jesus be the Lord of All."
Jesus be the Lord of all
Jesus be the Lord of all
Jesus be the Lord of all
The kingdoms of my heart
Jesus I surrender all
Jesus I surrender all
Jesus I surrender all
The kingdoms of my heart
Dearest First Born Son,
you were dedicated to God from the moment you were conceived.
Your Heavenly Father has a very special plan and purpose for you.
He holds you close to His heart,
He keeps you safe through all the seasons of your life.
I thank God for you!
You are very special.
The kindness of your heart shines through your eyes!
I love you, dearest son!
Other month-end posts for this year:
January 2011: Walking
February 2011: Yielding
March 2011: Beautiful
April 2011: Contending
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
- Jeremiah 1:9
Now I am looking forward to this new role.
As May comes to an end, I am grateful for the direction that God has given.
Juan and Helen CorominaIntercessors for the Philippines Prayer Coordinators for the Visayas
It's another step of faith, another step of obedience. But a great opportunity to be mentored by a couple I look up to, Juan and Helen Coromina, Intercessors for the Philippines prayer coordinators for the Visayas Islands of this nation.
Above all, it is a move that takes me to the next level.
As the month was ending, I sensed God saying to me... "This is an invitation to partner with Me in the work I am doing."
What an honor... what a privilege!
Only a fool would say no to such an invitation.
I only ask God that as I stretch out my spear of authority over the places of former defeat in my life, victory and breakthrough will come.
And, I am looking forward to the plunder that God has said is mine as well!
Special family events for this month:
MAY 8 - Mother's Day
Mother's Day fresh flowers from second son, Worshiper. He went to the flower market downtown on the eve of the special day and bought many flowers for me. Yellow was my husband's favorite color. And I really love chrysanthemums and asters. Thank you, my dear son. Your thoughtfulness always touches my heart.
MAY 9 -First Born Son's birthday
This was First Born's 31st birthday. He and his wife work nights, and in this photo, both of them had just come from work. But they do not even look tired, or sleepy. We had a special breakfast at McDonalds, just the three of us.
This was First Born's 31st birthday. He and his wife work nights, and in this photo, both of them had just come from work. But they do not even look tired, or sleepy. We had a special breakfast at McDonalds, just the three of us.
First Born, God-given, and their son Forerunner (Matthew). The three of them, second son Worshiper, and I had a very special birthday lunch out of town, at a seaside place two cities away from Bacolod, called Balaring. We had a feast of sea food, including freshly caught oysters, and mouth watering grilled squid. Worshiper's wife, Chosen One, and their baby Full of Hope (Elijah) were in Manila at that time.
First-Born son will always have a special place in our family, because he is the son that opened my womb! When Ernie and I dedicated him to the Lord in church the second Sunday after he was born, through tear filled eyes, we sang a special song dedicating this son to God, "Jesus be the Lord of All."
Jesus be the Lord of all
Jesus be the Lord of all
Jesus be the Lord of all
The kingdoms of my heart
Jesus I surrender all
Jesus I surrender all
Jesus I surrender all
The kingdoms of my heart
Dearest First Born Son,
you were dedicated to God from the moment you were conceived.
Your Heavenly Father has a very special plan and purpose for you.
He holds you close to His heart,
He keeps you safe through all the seasons of your life.
I thank God for you!
You are very special.
The kindness of your heart shines through your eyes!
I love you, dearest son!
January 2011: Walking
February 2011: Yielding
March 2011: Beautiful
April 2011: Contending
16 comments:
What a wonderful opportunity for you! I have added you to my prayer list & will continue to keep you. & your work for our God in my heart & prayers.
Blessings!
Angela
Great post Lidj. I loved what you said about what being about our Fathers business means.
God bless,
Kne
I cannot think of a better choice for this important role. You will be sensational. SENSATIONAL.
Yes...whatever work the Father lays before us we must obey Him and walk the path He has given us...no matter where it leads...no matter is we like it or not..no matter what. When we do this there will be a blessing for us. For me the biggest blessing is knowing I have done the Father's work and pleased Him who loves me beyond compare and beyond reason-with all my faults...yet He loves me. Big hugs to you Lidj....May our Lord richly bless you in the days to come...
Hi Lidj -
Thank you
I so enjoyed what you expressed here.
In particular, I love this that you expressed, "As the month was ending, I sensed God saying to me... "This is an invitation to partner with Me in the work I am doing."
That is so adorable in content, Lidj. Your adoration for our Lord is evident. Thank you, dear friend.
Also, I love this, "I only ask God that as I stretch out my spear of authority over the places of former defeat in my life, victory and breakthrough will come."
Hearty Amens to this indeed!
Hi Lidj,
What a wonderful opportunity that has opened up for you. With God's blessings this will be blessed indeed! Partnering with God, how awesome!
I agree with you, keep praying until break through has happened.
Blessings and praying for you,
<><
Dear Lidj,
We may be so far away from one another, on the world atlas, but my sister, your words have been words from the LORD to my heart! I would like to print this post up and read it until it has truly "sunk in" and taken root! He's been prompting me to seek His kingdom purpose too...and oh you have given us words of wisdom to sink our spiritual teeth into!!!
"Taking authority means something only when I recognize that I am under a Higher authority. When I humbly stand under God's authority, He opens doors of understanding for me to walk through." ~~ Amen!!
Bless you for being obedient to the LORD and for sharing what He has been speaking to you.
I will pray for you too!
Love and hugs,
tammi
Your obedience is inspiring Lidj. It is good to be back to my blog...and to visit you once again.I appreciate your visits and prayers to my blog while I was gone. It meant a lot to me. Dee
Dear Lidj,
When I read this last blog post of yours, I was as usual impressed by your knowledge, your wisdom to use the words and your obedience when the breakthrough of your prayers came, to follow your calling.
It sure is not a task for anyone.
I kept thinking that you and I are moving in different spiritual spheres.
Where your fight os high above the everyday miseries, mine seems to stand still and be just there.
Then I started thinking that the fight, the struggle and the tasks are equally important for the wash-lady as for the empress.
We are giving work to do, and the good deeds are made ready for us to walk in, whether it is leading a ministry or reach a helping hand out to the few that no one else care about.
"Do not stop praying until the breakthrough comes".
I often feel that my knees and my soul are soar from begging for a mini breakthrough on the almost insignificant post I am placed.
Then again I know if I hadn't had this need and pain, I probably wouldn't have entered the fights I have been led into.
I sure haven't done it for my own gain.
So, the wash-lady and the empress may have different tasks of unequal importance in the kingdom of our Lord, but your words and your fight nevertheless are important to me.
Of course I will pray for you, dear Lidj, and I know you now and then will be reminded to pray for me.
And the themes you are writing for are important to me and all your readers, even though we fight and live of different levels.
I am so glad that you take time to do your blog mission too.
I get inspired and refreshed by attending your blog meetings.
From felisol
Lidj, this post complements the post I just wrote on being the answer, but you have taken me deeper as I am challenged to have a heart for kingdom building at the core of all I think and do. Saying no to self focus, even in prayer is a sober reminder of what he desires to hear in hearts tuned to the spirit. You've given me much to think and pray about this day. Thank you.
I am praising God for your new position of partnering with Him in this kingdom work. I respect you so. Intercession is very hard work and requires time and intimacy with Him. You are the perfect choice for this. May God bless your service and share many beautiful secrets with you.
A manager position--what a blessing and an opportunity!
I loved how you said, "I cannot compromise my kingdom status by exchanging it for a Babylonian robe and a few shekels of silver!"--if we could keep that view before us always, that everything that is not God is just a Babylonian robe, what a difference it would make.
I saw you visited tonight, which was just so neat because I had your blog entry already pulled up on my screen for reading once the children went to bed. With your grandson getting so big, I'm sure you understand how joyful and loud they can be.
May God truly show Himself in your work in the Philippines. Muck love, Lidj.
I'm thinking the week or two of "blog silence" might mean you are busy moving, settling in and putting your energies into your new role. You frequently come to my mind & when you do, I pray for you.
May your wisdom and example serve to motivate many in the great ministry of effective prayer.
Once again, I am so blessed by your words. Yes, obedience is a must in order to be blessed. We are called to take authority, but only under the direction of God. There are so many important lessons to be learned from what happened at Ai, and how amazing that God turned their defeat into a door of hope after they repented.
I am praying for you in your new ministry opportunity. God bless you, my sister!
And it's awesome sister Lidj to where the Lord is taking you to work for His glory! Praying God's discernment, wisdom and protection to cover you. I truly enjoyed this post. (again :))...God bless you and empower you. Hugs...Prayers...from your sister you always encourage...
Lidj
Thanks for sharing..I was so blessed by you naming what God showed you in each month. That really spoke to my heart..May brought a surprise and we have to move, an unprepared for move. Today I read the same scriptures you quoted here, so my timing to this post was right, even if weeks since you wrote it, it was timely for me.
Thanks for always sharing your heart and testimonies that increase my own faith and walk with the Lord.
Blessings for the month of June! Thanks for allowing the world to become so much smaller and the Body of Christ all over the world become so real to me.
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