Do you have time for others?

Gen 40:8And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

9And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph…

There are many things in the story of Joseph that amazes me. One of them is his interest in the dreams of the butler and the baker. You have to remember the surroundings and situation Joseph was in. He was in prison, accused of a terrible crime. His brothers had rejected him, and sold him as a slave. He could have said that I have more than enough myself to worry about. I don’t have time or strength to be interested in someone else’s dream. Besides, I am not so sure I believe in dreams anymore. Look where my dream has got me. But Joseph, still believed in his own dream. And he still believed in dreams. And he was willing to put his own dream aside for a moment to listen and pay interest in someone else’s dream. Here is the interesting part: If Joseph had not interpreted the Butlers dream, he would not have remembered by the butler when Pharaoh had his dream. The truth is that because Joseph interpreted the Butlers dream that opened up the door for Josephs own dream to be fulfilled. What can we learn from this?

If you invest in someone else’s dream, that might open up doors for your own dream to come true. If you put others first, God will honor that and bless you also.

The frogs and the river of blood

Ex 8:5And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.

When the frogs invaded Egypt, and filled the land, they came up from a river and from ponds that had been turned into blood. The Frog is a picture of the Devil, and the Devil cant stand staying where the blood is. That’s why he fled from the river. What we need in our city, and country is a river of blood flowing. It will stir up the frogs, and lead people to us, begging to help them get rid of their frogs. Often when a city or country is in revival, it stirs up people to come to the man of God. The reason for that is that the river of blood and revival flowing through the city has stirred up the frogs. It drives the frogs up and out. 

I remember the first place me and my wife lived after we got married. There was a lot of demonic activity in the building, since it was a former mental institution that had been restored into an apartment building. We lived in the top floor, and prayed God top protect us under the blood. We never had any incidents in our floor, but the one living under us, being a Psychologist, ended up with a break down, and admitted to a mental institution. I personally believe, we drove the frogs down to him.

If you are struggling with Frogs in your life there is two things you need. 1) You need a man of God in your life that can pray for you, and preach to you. 2) You need a river of blood flowing through your life. That will drive the frogs away. They can’t stand the blood. 

The Frog God

Ex 8:8Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord.

The Egyptians worshipped a Frog God they called Hekhet. Hekhet was their fertility God. We know that Egypt in the Bible is a picture of the world, and since Hekhet was their God, you can say that Heket was a picture of the Devil, since the Devil is called the God of this world. Now Hekhet was ok as long as they kept him on a distance. They were ok with him as long as he was in the Temple, or stayed in the rivers and the ponds. But when the frogs invaded every space of their lives, they were not ok with him anymore. When they found frogs in the cabinets, clothes, food and in their beds, they stopped being ok. It brought them to a point when they begged the man of God to help them get rid of the frogs.

Many people are ok and except the Devil as long as they know where he is. As long as they can choose when to visit him, and when to go home they are ok with him. But the name of this Frog God is Hekhet, and that means ruler. The Devil is not satisfied you visit him in the river. He wants to pay you a visit also. He wants to rule you. It begins wit a visit at the Pub, or the liquor store, but soon, you have frogs invading you, and you cant go anywhere without the drive for alcohol. It begins with a visit on a pornographic site, but soon, you have lust invading every part of your life. Your mind will be full of frogs you can’t get rid of. 

Thank God you can always come to a man of God that can preach to you. Thank God for a man of God that can pray for you. So you can get rid of your Frogs. Don’t flirt with the Frog God. Stay away from him, because before you know it you will find his name is ruler. 

The Frog God was uglier and more disgusting the closer he got into their life. The more they got off him, the more they wanted to get rid of him. It is the opposite with Jesus. The closer he gets, the more beautiful and wonderful he is. The more you get of him, the more you want of him. He is the best ruler to serve.

Soon you will have the attention

1 King 18:21Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

“…But the people said nothing.”

How frustrating when you know and have the truth, but you have no response. You have a message, and you try to get the message across, but there is no amen. Have you ever felt you are preaching to a mute and silent crowd in your family? You ever felt you had some wonderful news to share, but your friends and colleges show no reaction? You come out from a prayer meeting, or a great revival meeting with the thought and intention to “save the world”, but then reality faces you on Monday from the crowd that has not been in your conference or revival service, and you are met with no response? Well, that was the situation with the prophet here. But here is the good news. Just keep on building on the altar. Keep on being faithful, because soon you will have the attention.
They just have to get tired of their fireless worship first. They just have to face their disappointments. God just have to lead them through situations in life that drives them to an old fashion altar.
After hour and hours of hard and intense worship of Baal that resulted in nothing, they turned to the Prophet and received his calling. When they saw God answered with fire they cried out, “The Lord, he is God!”

Don’t give up on your family. Don’t give up on your friends. Stay at your altar and be faithful, because soon you will have the attention. When life disappoints them, they will know where to turn. And when they turn to you, you will lead their attention to an altar that produces fire, and not entertainment. 

Trial of the Century

Rev 20:11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.

"Juliana vs United states of America" is the name of a lawsuit that was filed in 2015 by 21 young people living in the US that are in different ways affected by the climate changes. The lawsuit asserts that the government violate the youth rights by allowing activities that harmed the climate. They are basically blaming the different climate challenges like drought, forest fires, flooding, etc on the government. In their opinion the older generations choices have destroyed their future. This has been known as the trial of the century!!

Who is to blame for our climate is hard to tell and to prove. But we are swiftly moving towards a greater and lot worse crises. The book of Revelation in the Bible describes horrific and terrible scenes, as Gods judgment and wrath is being poured out over the earth. This crisis is indeed human created.  No matter what we do or don’t do to save our planet by driving or not driving a car, or by recycling the garbage or in any other way trying to stop the climate changes, we cannot stop this crisis. It is prophesied, and it is written in the word of God. It WILL happen. It an NOT be stopped. And the reason is the choices made by our forefathers, and us. One day we will all answer for this. THAT will be the trial, not only of the century, but the trial of all times. It is God vs you.
You can do something to avoid this trial though. You can cut a deal. But you have to do it while still alive. After death, there will be no deal. See the judge, and tell him, I want to cut a deal. I am willing to repent, and be baptised in Jesus name. I am willing to give my life over to you.

Three boundaries in the Promised land.

Ex 6:8And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.

Before Israel could possess the promise land, they would face three different borders, or boundaries. The enemy set the first border they met. The enemy tried to intimidate them to take it. He tried to give an impression they were not afraid of them, and thought they were grasshoppers. But when spies came behind the walls of Jericho they saw that they were trembling in fear for Israel. Don’t be fooled by the strong walls and big Gates. The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the church, and the enemy fears you. God sets the other Boundary. He decides how far, how wide and who that can enter. If he says no, you will not enter in. Moses was not allowed in because of rebellion. Obedience is required to enter in. We set the third and last boundary. God said that every place you set your foot is yours. You decide how much of the Promised Land you want. Two and a half tribe came to Moses and asked if they could have the Eastern side of Jordan that was not part of the Promised Land. They had no desire for the Promised Land on the west side of Jordan. God got very upset about this. So what do we learn from this? Lack of Faith will keep you out. You allow the Devil to set the boundary. Lack of Obedience will keep you out. God will set the boundary for you. Lack of Desire will keep you out. You set the boundary. 

Dont worry, be happy

Psalm 37:25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

King Harald of Norway was operated for cancer many years ago. In an interview he was asked if he was afraid that the cancer would come back. I cannot go around worrying for that, the King answered. I leave that to the Doctors. Later he was asked if he was worried about the increasing terror threat. Again his reply was no, I cannot go around being worried for that. I leave that for the Police and the intelligence service. If I should think about that, I couldn’t sleep at night. In that way, if it should happen some day, I will at least be rested. 

How wise his reply was. Let us use our energy on the real crisis. Let us rest while we can, so when the storm comes against us, we are on top, and not on the bottom.
How many times haven’t I wasted a perfect day or a perfect week worrying for an exam that went well, or for bills I ended up paying anyway. When God gives me the solution, or help, I always ask myself, why did I worry so much? I wasted this whole week. If I only knew from the beginning, I could have used this time and energy so much better, focusing on other thing.

The Psalmist makes it clear. I have lived a long life, and I can testify. God will always take care of the righteous. He will always find a way. So why don’t you leave the worrying to God. Just like the King did to the doctors, and the Police. Live your life like the King. Leave the worrying to God, and trust he has it all under control. In the meantime, we can live and enjoy our life, resting and believing in him. 

Are you qualified?

1 Cor 1:27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty

Abraham lied, and ended up sharing his wife with another man, Sarah laughed at Gods promise, Moses killed a man, and had difficulties to speak. Moses sister Miriam was a slanderer; Noah got drunk and made a fool out of himself. Jonah fled from Gods calling, Gideon had no self confidence, David cheated and murdered to hide his sin. Elijah was depressed, Peter had a bad temper, Paul was a murderer, Martha was worried, Thomas doubted, Sacceus was a thief, and Lazarus was DEAD. The list could go on forever. The truth is that all men and woman God used in the Bible had flaws and challenges. None of them would have been anyone we would have picked for the task. The 12 men Jesus chose to carry the Gospel to the world were young unlearned teenagers. The Bible tells us that God chose that was nothing in this world. You may have heard it before, but the truth is still as powerful: God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualify the called. 

Do you know him?

Phil 3:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Paul had a desire to know him, and that is understandable. He thought he knew his God, but when God met him, he had to ask the question; who are you Jehovah? He did not recognize his own God. The answer came back, I am Jesus, the one you persecute, and he was shocked. He was persecuting his own God. What lesson can we learn from this?
If you don’t know your God, you can end up persecuting him. You may ask how? Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the Life. Truth is not a doctrine or a dogma, but first and foremost a Person. When you are persecuting truth, you are persecuting your God. So what should we do? We should pray with earnest like Paul, that I might KNOW him. Reveal yourself to me God. I have a desire to know you. Gemaliel gave a warning to those persecuting the Apostles. Be careful so you don’t find yourself opposing God.

Do you know him? That is a question you must ask yourself before attacking and persecuting truth. You may be surprised when he reveals himself to you.

At the Right hand of God

Heb 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Why does the Bible tell us Jesus sat down at the right hand of God? To answer that, we must see what it represents. As I can see it represent five different things:

1) It’s a sign of rest. When you sit down you rest. When Jesus sat down, it shows he is now resting after the job is done.

2) It’s a sign of Completion. It is finished. The job is done

3) It’s a sign of Victory. Kings sat on the throne after winning the battle. The loosing part bowed down before the throne.

4) It’s a sign of Glory. When the King sat on the throne he displayed his Glory.

5) It’s a sign of authority. When the King would sit on his throne he would make judgment and exercising authority.

All of this Jesus did for us. 

1)    We have come into HIS rest

2)    Everything is finished for us. No more things we will have to do

3)    We are more than conquerors with him that loved us

4)    Jesus prayed, the glory that you gave me, I have given them…

5)    Jesus said, see I have given you authority !!!

When did all of this happen? The book of Ephesians tells us that we are SAT with him in heavenly places. The one and only reason why Jesus sat down at the right hand of God was to invite us to sit with him, so we could take part in his rest, completion, victory, glory and authority. 

They that are dead with him will also resurrect with him. They that are resurrect with him, will also sit with him. They that sit with him will also reign with him.

Do you know him?

Phil 3:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Paul had a desire to know him, and that is understandable. He thought he knew his God, but when God met him, he had to ask the question; who are you Jehovah? He did not recognize his own God. The answer came back, I am Jesus, the one you persecute, and he was shocked. He was persecuting his own God. What lesson can we learn from this?
If you don’t know your God, you can end up persecuting him. You may ask how? Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the Life. Truth is not a doctrine or a dogma, but first and foremost a Person. When you are persecuting truth, you are persecuting your God. So what should we do? We should pray with earnest like Paul, that I might KNOW him. Reveal yourself to me God. I have a desire to know you. Gemaliel gave a warning to those persecuting the Apostles. Be careful so you don’t find yourself opposing God.

Do you know him? That is a question you must ask yourself before attacking and persecuting truth. You may be surprised when he reveals himself to you.

Who is the King?

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no King in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

They did not deliberately do what was wrong. They did what they thought was right. The only difference is that they did not ask for advice or guidance from God. Everyone was his or her own leader. Everyone was his or her own King. But that did not bring them any good. It brought them into bondage and slavery. 

Time and culture have changed, but people haven’t changed that much. Still everyone wants to decide for him or herself. This is MY life. This is MY decision. Don’t tell me what to do. I want to be in charge of my own life. I know what is right and wrong. I am not a bad person. I try to do well. Well, most people do. And most people try to do what is right in their own eyes. But look where it has brought us. Look around you and see. What your neighbor think is right the other think is wrong. What one political party think is right, the other think is wrong. What one country think is right the other gets offended by, and soon you have a war. Even in war, we still think we do the right thing. We do it for peace and stability. In the US the democrats says this and that is right, and the republican’s scream in outrage that they are evil. In Norway we have Christians that are on the left side, accusing the right side to be ungodly, and we have Christians on the right side accusing the left to be ungodly. Peoples opinions are so different based on what THEY think is right or wrong.
The truth is that we need a King. A King that can tell us what is right and what is wrong. Not just any King, but the King of Kings. If we submit to him, and do what HE thinks is right and stay away from what HE think is wrong, we will all be so much better. But first you must give up your throne, and give it over to Jesus. You cannot both be in charge, and have Gods blessings at the same time. His blessing only flows into our lives when he sits on the throne.
So, who is the King in your life? You or Jesus?

You can decide the size of your miracle

2 King 4:3Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.

Sometimes God invites us to be part of deciding and setting the parameters on our miracle. He told Pharaoh to decide WHEN he should give him the miracle. When he was asked when God should take care of the frogs, he answered tomorrow. The Prophet told the widow to bring empty vessels. The amount of vessel she brought decided how much oil God would give. He encouraged her not to bring few vessels. The Prophet told the King to shoot arrows out the window. After picking them up he was told to hit them on the ground. The amount of times he hit the arrows to the ground, decided how many times he would have victory over the enemy. 

Sometimes God gives us the miracle, but invites us to be part of the outcome. In the end, it is our hunger and intensity that decides. God told Joshua that every place you set your foot in the Promised Land is yours. 

Let us not hinder or cripple Gods miracle. Let us bring MANY vessels. Let us hit the arrow till he says enough. Let us not wait until tomorrow like Pharaoh, but say NOW is the time. Let us not settle for less than what God is ready to pour out and give us.

Dont be weary

Gal 6:9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

We shall reap in due time. What is due time? He doesn’t tell us. All he says is for us not to be weary, and not faint. Just keep on praying and keep on serving. Because in the end, when the time is ”due” for God we shall reap. It is hard sometimes to not be weary, when it seem like what we do doesn't make a difference. When the breakthrough doesn't come when we desire it and feel we need it.

When I was a kid we had an aquarium. If there was Fishes that didn’t go well together, we separated them with a glass wall. In the beginning they would try to go over to the other side, but hit that glass wall. After a while, they would stop trying. Then you could lift the glass, and they would never again try to go to the other side. 

Maybe you have tried many times, and felt its no use anymore. Nothing seems to happen. God doesn’t hear me. Don’t be weary in well doing. Keep on. One day, you will find the glass wall is gone, and it is due time. 

Peter had tried all night long and caught nothing. Then suddenly God lifted the glass and said, try one more time. It is due time for you to get fish. 

Some of you have "settled" for the side you are on. You have "excepted" the idea that this is all you will have or experience. I challenge you today to try again.  Maybe this is the day that God has made. Maybe this is the “due time” day. 

Not your Wish List

Eph 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

We have ALL spiritual blessings stored up for us in Heaven. How can we access it? How can we get it down on earth? How can I make an earthly deposit if you please? The answer is through prayer. This is how Jesus taught us to pray: Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In other words, bring down on earth what’s stored in Heaven. But to do this deposit, you need a pin code. The pin code is his will. Your WILL be done on earth as it is in Heaven. So two things needs to be in place for us to access the Heavenly blessing. 1) We must pray. 2) The prayer must be according to his will.

Many use 1 John 5: 15 to claim their blessing. “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

So, WHATEVER you ask, you KNOW you will have the petition you DESIRE. Its just ”name it and claim it.” They say things like; just envision your desire. If it’s a Mercedes, don’t only ask for a Mercedes, but tell him what color, and what engine you want. Just be specific, because you KNOW already by faith he will give it to you. But as so many false doctrines, they take scriptures out of context. God is not talking about our wish list. God is not talking about our carnal desires. When we read the verse prior to v 15 we get the correct picture. ”And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

So we have all Spiritual blessings stored up for us. We access it through biblical prayer which is according to HIS will. Not your wish list.

Therefore...

Ezek 22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.

The word Therefore reflects a troubling truth. You would think that the reason was first of all that they had sinned and left God? And of course that was the reason why God was forced to act with his judgment. God is holy, and his Prophets had given warning to Jerusalem again and again. And because God cannot lie, he had to act. But it is obvious from these verse that God didn’t want to do it. He waited for as long as he could. But finally ha had to act. And when he acted he said THEREFORE. “Therefore” is reflecting the previous verse. He sought for a man that could stand in the gap, and make up a hedge for the land. But he found none. THEREFORE….
The question is if behind an unsaved soul, and behind an undone miracle is a “therefore”. Are people facing Gods judgment because his people are not praying? 1 Chr 7:14 says IF my people pray….. He would forgive their sins and HEAL their land. But the question is; what if not? Is there a “therefore” behind a land that has not received its healing?
God help us to receive the challenge from God to stand in the gap. To humble ourselves and pray, seek his face and turn from our wicked ways. So, if people will be lost, at least it is not because we didn’t pray. Let it not be because we didn’t humble ourselves and sought his face. Let it not be because we did not preach to them the truth.
Will you stand in the gap?

Dont avoid the process

Matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

We live in a generation that doesn’t want to ask. Instead they demand. They “name it and claim it.” They teach that faith is not asking, but faith is demanding. It is this same generation that doesn’t like to seek. Instead they claim they have and know it all. Instead of knocking, they just proclaim and demand the promise behind the door.
But even though we think we already know the outcome, we must go through the process. We are interested in the end result, while God is interested in the process. We are interested in the prayer answer, while God is interested in the prayers. We are interested in the answer, while God is interested in the seeking. We are interested in the promise behind the door, while God is interested in the knocking.
It is this generation Jesus talked about when he said depart from me, I never knew you. Even though they claimed to have all signs and miracles. That tells me they were only interested in the gifts and not the giver. They took a shortcut and got their gifts without going through the process. It’s the process that makes us know him. Even if you know he will open, you still need to knock. Even if you know his answer will be yes, you still need to ask. Even if you know he will be found, you still need to seek.
Don’t avoid the process.

In the sand or in the hand

Jer 17:13O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.

”Written in the earth” is translated “written in the dust” in the Norwegian translation. In Hebrew the word describes the surface of the earth. The meaning of the statement is that as soon as it is written it will disappear. In other words, your name will not be remembered. Because you have forsaken me, I will not remember you. I wonder if that is what Jesus wrote in the sand, when he bowed down after challenging them that the one without sin could cast the first stone. These “righteous” Jews I am sure was well aware of this words from the Prophet. To emphasize that they were indeed sinners and that God meant they had forsaken him, Jesus starts to write their name in the dust of the earth. 

The contrast to this is from Is 49:15  Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 

16Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Jesus has graven our names into the palm of his hands with nails. He will NEVER forget us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Where is your name written? In the sand or in the hand?

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Rev 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS.

There are two types of Jesus the religious world loves to present. Either a dead man hanging on a crucifix during Easter time, or a little infant in a manger during Christmas. The reason for this is that none of them are any threat. A dead man can’t do me anything. A little baby is only cute, and not any threat for me. But the Jesus I believe in is not dead. He is not hanging on a cross. He is not only a symbol. My Jesus is not a baby anymore. He is not a cute little gift we can send around during Christmas to get our wish fulfilled.

He is the KING of Kings. He is the LORD of Lords. He has ALL power in heaven and in earth. And the Bible says that one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that he is LORD.

Have you confessed him to be Lord in your life? Have you bowed your knee and your will for him? Because one day you will anyway. It is better to do it willingly and be blessed, than to be forced and be judged. 

Where do you seek him?

Luk 24:5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

The answer the angel gave to the two women at the grave is worth reflecting on. Why do you seek the living among the dead? You want to find Jesus? Then you seek him at the wrong place. You see, there is a right and there is a wrong place to seek him. Yes, he did promise us that if we seek him, we would find him. But he also told us where to seek. Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be in their midst. The Angel gave them several clues.
1) You are seeking at the wrong place. He is to be found, but you must look at a different place

2) He is alive! So you will not find him among the dead. A lot of churches today are dead. There is no life. Rituals, traditions, and man made programs have killed all spiritual life. Entertainment and shows have replaced the presence of God. Jesus is not to found in dead, dry cultural institutions. 

3) You came too late to find him here. He was here, but is not here anymore. In many churches, this seem to be the truth. He used to be here, but he is not here anymore. They can point back to the time when he was there. Revivals, and great meetings filled with the power of God still rests in the walls of the church, but is now only history. The great and good old days are all they have left. Every service is chewing on old history. Yes, he was here for sure, but he is not here anymore. 

If you want to find Jesus, you must look where the signs tells you he is there. You can expect life where he is. You can expect power where he is. You can expect love where he is. So, my friend; are you seeking him. Then think about where you seek him. He is still to be found. Only, he will not allow no gave to hold him. Whatever you call that grave

Gods way...

Matt 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

When I was a very young kid, I had an elder brother whom I always wanted to play with or only to get to be in his room. One day he acted like he wanted to play with me, and invited me into his room. He asked if I wanted to play, in which I excited responded: YES. He proposed we play slave and master. And quickly added, I go first. As his slave he commanded me to take this here, and put that there. Before I knew anything, I had cleaned up his room. When it was my turn to be the Master, he didn’t want to play anymore, and told me to leave the room.

We live in a day and time where everyone wants to lead, but no one wants to follow. Everyone wants to make decisions, but no one likes to obey. Everybody wants to be in charge, but no one likes to submit.
Jesus called us to be followers. He taught us to be servants. He showed us and taught us to be last and not first. He told us to submit an not to rebel.

I choose to follow. I choose to submit. I choose to serve. That is why I get to lead. That is why I have authority. That is why God is using me. In Gods Kingdom the way to Life is taking up your cross and die. The way to lead is to follow. The way to authority is to submit. 

THIS DAY

18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

When Jesus was given the book in the synagogue, he chose to read from this famous passage. This was in no doubt a very popular choice. This was a promise they read and reminded one another of when in bondage and difficulties, that one day….One beautiful day the Messiah would come and free them from bondage. He would heal the brokenhearted and deliver the captives. Surely they had heard this many times, and this promise comforted them through the times of bondage under the romans. Maybe even someone leaned over and said: Good choice. We needed to hear this.
But Jesus was not reading to give them hope and comfort for the future. He closed the book and said: THIS DAY!! The day you have been waiting for has arrived. The day is here. Not tomorrow, and not next year but right here right now.
I wonder if we could receive and read a promise from the Bible and hear the words of Jesus: THIS DAY this is for you. “TODAY if you hear his voice” the Bible says. This is what Jesus tried to tell Martha and Mary by Lazarus grave. Stop saying if you were here. Stop saying in the future sometimes. I AM!!! the resurrection and the life. 

Give me THIS DAY!!

Stand in the gap

Ezek22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

God was about to send his judgment upon Jerusalem. He dint want to, but because of his righteousness he had to. But right before God poured out his wrath and judgment upon them, one last time he sought for a man. He made it clear that all it would take was just ONE man that was willing to make up a hedge and stand in the gap. When Abraham prayed for Sodom, God promised he would not destroy it if he only found ten righteous there…

Who is willing to build up a wall of prayer? Who is willing to make up a hedge between their family and judgment? All it takes is ONE man or ONE woman that will stand in the gap for their family. Someone that will stand in the gap for their city. A church that are willing to stand in the gap for their country. Can God count on you? Can your city count on you?

Are you available for him?

Is 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? 

We like to quote Jesus words, where two or three are gathered in my name, I will be in their midst. We like to remind God of his promise that he will hear us when we pray. We want God to show up when we need him, and we want him to hear us when we call. But have we ever thought of the other way around? Have we ever thought of the possibility that he tries to reach us, or that he wants us to show up to his agenda? What kind of relationship do we have with our God if it’s all about our needs, and our schedule? Here we read about God asking where we are when he comes? Have we set the boundaries where God can show up, or when we can talk?

I know some people using their cellphone this way. They only pick it up when THEY need to talk, or when THEY need to reach me. But when I need to reach them, its not so important. That makes me feel that their time, and their need is more important than mine. My idea of a cellphone is to be “connected” and available in case someone needs me. In earlier time, we had to stay by the phone in order for people to reach us. Before it was like that with God. The only place we could reach him was at the Temple, or Tabernacle. But now we can bring the connection with us where ever we are. But that also means that God should be able to reach us whenever he need us also. Let us bring our “phone” and connection with us where ever we are, and let him know, I am right here when you need me. And I will come to where you want me. YOUR Kingdom come. YOUR will be done. 

An open door

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Many times in life we need someone to open doors for us. It can be an uncle giving you a job, or a friend recommending you for a position. It could be a system like the education system in Norway, where education is free for everyone. It is a door open for all who wants. But if you get that position, or take that education, you still have to work hard. To prove you are the right for the position, or to study for those exams. Still, even if that is true, many people in many places in the world envy us for having these opportunities. Because that is what the open door is. It is an opportunity. It only speaks of possibilities. 

God has set an open door for us. It is an opportunity. The question is if you will take it. The question is if you will go in through it. Sometimes a door can be a bit frightening. We don’t know what is waiting for us on the other side of the door. Fear and doubt will try to hinder us going through the door.
I remember many years ago, me and my wife stood in front of a door that would lead us into an unknown future. It was a very difficult decision for us. We prayed God for direction, and while we prayed, we heard this song for the first time:

“Beyond the open doors, there’s a new and fresh anointing. Walk on through the door, and the Lord will go before you. Into a greater power, you have never seen before.”

Don’t let fear stop you. If God opens the door, he will go with you into whatever waiting on the other side.