#invading babylon

[daily-invites]

05.27.19 ~ Sounds in Heaven

Entertainment 5 of 12

There are sounds in Heaven that earth has never heard.

When a musician taps into that reality and communicates that sound here, Heaven will have found agreement and will invade.

Ephesians 5:15-21 (Passion)

So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes. And don’t live foolishly for then you will have discernment to fully understand God’s will. And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord Jehovah. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit! Always give thanks to Father God for every person he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And out of your reverence for Christ be supportive of each other in love.

Psalm 40:3-6 (Passion)

A new song for a new day rises up in me    every time I think about how he breaks through for me! Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until    everyone hears how God has set me free. Many will see his miracles;    they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him! Blessing after blessing comes to those who love and trust the Lord. They will not fall away,    for they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud. O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you. Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you! And you think of us all the time    with your countless expressions of love—    far exceeding our expectations! It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart. Burnt offerings, sin offerings—that’s not what brings you joy. But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me, I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life.

Questions: ~ What talents do I have that I need to align with heaven? How do I tap into the reality of heaven to communicate talents here on earth?  ~ What new song has God given me to sing or play or write? 

Prayer:

Father -  Thank You for your inspiration and song and gifts to me. Breathe within me a new song - a praise song - when I have nothing to give. Give me Your understanding and compassion to communicate in ways beyond my comprehension. Help me understand worship and praise in a new way, so that I know You in a new way. Yes + Amen.

[daily-invites]

05.13.19 ~ Occupy Until He Comes

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We were not commissioned to look into the clouds for His coming (see Acts 1:11). We were commanded to “occupy” until He comes (Luke 19:13 KJV). Occupy is a military term. And according to Kingdom values, occupation is always for the purpose of advancement. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NJKV)

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

Acts 1:9-11 (NJKV)

Now when Jesus had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Luke 19:11-27 (Passion)

At this time Jesus was getting close to entering Jerusalem. The crowds that followed him were convinced that God’s kingdom realm would fully manifest when Jesus established it in Jerusalem. So he told them this story to change their perspective:

“Once there was a wealthy prince who left his province to travel to a distant land, where he would be crowned king and then return. Before he departed he summoned his ten servants together and said, ‘I am entrusting each of you with fifty thousand dollars to trade with while I am away. Invest it and put the money to work until I return.’

“Some of his countrymen despised the prince and sent a delegation after him to declare before the royals, ‘We refuse to let this man rule over us! He will not be our king!’

“Nevertheless, he was crowned king and returned to his land. Then he summoned his ten servants to see how much each one had earned and what their profits came to.

“The first one came forward and said, ‘Master, I took what you gave me and invested it, and it multiplied ten times.’

“‘Splendid! You have done well, my excellent servant. Because you have shown that you can be trusted in this small matter, I now grant you authority to rule over ten fortress cities.’

“The second came and said, ‘Master, what you left with me has multiplied five times.’

“His master said, ‘I also grant you authority in my kingdom over five fortress cities.’

“Another came before the king and said, ‘Master, here is the money you entrusted to me. I hid it for safekeeping. You see, I live in fear of you, for everyone knows you are a strict master and impossible to please. You push us for a high return on all that you own, and you always want to gain from someone else’s efforts.’

“The king said, ‘You wicked servant! I will judge you using your own words. If what you said about me is true, that I am a harsh man, pushing you for a high return and wanting gain from others’ efforts, why didn’t you at least put my money in the bank to earn some interest on what I entrusted to you?’

“The king said to his other servants, ‘Take the money he has and give it to the faithful servant who multiplied my money ten times over.’

“‘But master,’ the other servants objected, ‘why give it to him? He already has so much!’

“‘Yes,’ replied the king. ‘But to all who have been faithful, even more will be given them. And for the ones who have nothing, even the little they seem to have will be taken from them. Now, bring all those rebellious enemies of mine who rejected me as their king—bring them here before me and execute them!’”

Questions: ~ Do I occupy my field for the advancement of the Kingdom? How do I do that? How has God inspired me to do that?  ~ Am I stewarding my gifts and talents well? Am I investing in kingdom principles here and now so that I have something to show for it later? 

Prayer:

Father -  Thank you for spurring me toward the Kingdom, and inspiring me to lead and grow. Help me to discern when to take risks and when to not, when to stay and when to go. Keep me focused on You and Your Kingdom. Show me how to develop my talents so they can be used for Your glory. Yes + Amen. 

[daily-invites]

04.23.19

The call of God is important, not because of the title it carries (or doesn’t carry). It’s valuable because of the One who called us.

1 Peter 4:7-11 (Passion)

Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful, and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer.

Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.

Be compassionate to foreigners without complaining.

Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace.

For example, if you have a speaking gift, speak as though God were speaking his words through you. If you have the gift of serving, do it passionately with the strength God gives you, so that in everything God alone will be glorified through Jesus Christ. For to him belong the power and the glory forever throughout all ages! Amen. 

Matthew 28:16-20 (HCSB)

The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Questions: ~ Does my service to others and the world reflect God’s grace and love? What can I do differently to reflect God to the world? ~ What is the call of God in my life currently? How would I define it? What is God speaking to me right now about that call? 

Prayer:

Father -  Thank You for commissioning me to go out into the world as Your representative. Help me to remember that I should reflect You in all things, and my actions should be as Yours. 

[daily-invites]

05.05.19 ~ Unlocking Kingdom Creativity

Business 3 of 4

Creativity is a necessary component for the Kingdom businessperson. It brings fresh ideas that keep adventure as a central part of their assignment. Witty inventions are going to increase in the Christian community, as God is using that expression of wisdom to bring about a transfer of wealth for Kingdom purposes. 

Prayer: Thank you Father for granting us creativity and the ability to invent. Keep us focused on You so that we are within Your boundaries as we explore Your manifold wisdom. Help us to work with You to express the Kingdom of God in all aspects - including business - in this world. Yes + Amen. 

[daily-invites]

05.28.19 ~ Art Originates in God

Entertainment 6 of 12

All art finds its origins in the person of God; more specifically, it’s found in His holiness. The Scriptures say, “in the beauty of holiness” (Ps. 29:2).

It’s tragic that holiness gets such poor treatment from the people of God. It is God’s nature, His person. Beauty pours forth from that one attribute.

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of his holiness.” - 2 Chronicles 20:21

Psalm 29 (Passion)

King David’s poetic praise to God for the last days The Feast of Tabernacles

Proclaim his majesty, all you mighty champions,    you sons of Almighty God,    giving all the glory and strength back to him! Be in awe before his majesty. Be in awe before such power and might! Come worship wonderful Yahweh, arrayed in all his splendor,    bowing in worship as he appears in the beauty of holiness. Give him the honor due his name. Worship him wearing the glory-garments    of your holy, priestly calling! The voice of the Lord echoes through the skies and seas. The Glory-God reigns as he thunders in the clouds. So powerful is his voice, so brilliant and bright,    how majestic as he thunders over the great waters! His tympanic thunder topples the strongest of trees. His symphonic sound splinters the mighty forests. Now he moves Zion’s mountains by the might of his voice,    shaking the snowy peaks with his earsplitting sound! The lightning-fire flashes, striking as he speaks. God reveals himself when he makes the fault lines quake,    shaking deserts, speaking his voice. God’s mighty voice makes the deer to give birth. His thunderbolt voice lays the forest bare. In his temple all fall before him with each one shouting,    “Glory, glory, the God of glory!” Above the furious flood, the Enthroned One reigns,    the King-God rules with eternity at his side. This is the one who gives his strength and might to his people. This is the Lord giving us his kiss of peace.

2 Chronicles 20:20-28 (VOICE) 

Early the next morning they went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. There Jehoshaphat’s message to Judah was not about courage in battle.

Jehoshaphat: Listen to me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Trust in the Eternal One, your True God, not in your own abilities, and you will be supported. Put your trust in His words that you heard through the prophets, and we will succeed.

Having addressed his people, Jehoshaphat asked those who sang to the Eternal to lead the army and praise His magnificence and holiness.

Chorus (singing): Give thanks to the Eternal because His loyal love is forever!

As they sang and praised, the Eternal was ready to cause great confusion in battle for the men from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir (in Edom) who had come to attack Judah. They were utterly defeated, turning on one another. The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir, destroying them completely. Then, the Ammonites and Moabites turned on each other. When all was quiet, Judah looked out of the watchtower in the wilderness and saw a great army of corpses fallen on the battlefield. No one had escaped. Then Jehoshaphat and his people took various goods, clothing, and valuables off the dead bodies and seized the abundant livestock. There was so much that it took three days to recover it all. On the fourth day, they assembled in the valley of Beracah, where they had blessed the Eternal and where He had blessed them with a victory, and named the place, “The Valley of Beracah,” as it is still known today.

Every man of Judah and citizen of Jerusalem followed Jehoshaphat back to Jerusalem, joyous because the Eternal defeated their enemies. They paraded into Jerusalem with harps, lyres, and trumpets and up to the Eternal’s house.

Questions: ~ What is my understanding of holiness? What is my understanding of beauty? What is God teaching me about holiness and beauty? ~ What am I currently creating right now? Am I writing, speaking, singing, drawing, drafting, etc. something new or something that needs to be touched by holiness?  ~ If I’m not creating right now - why not? Or do I need to expand my understanding of what “creating” is? 

Prayer:

Father -  Thank you for being the source of holiness and beauty. Continue to teach me what they are and how they impact my life and creative process. Let me be holy as You are holy. Let me be beautiful, as You are beautiful. Inspire me to create that which is holy and beautiful for Your glory, and for the world to see. Yes + Amen. 

[daily-invites]

05.26.19 ~ Heavenly Access...Now

Entertainment 4 of 12

Heaven has what we want.

Every creative dream is fulfilled in Heaven

The great news is that we have access to that realm through prayers of faith.

2 Corinthians 5:1-11 (Passion) 

We are convinced that even if these bodies we live in are folded up at death like tents, we will still have a God-built home that no human hands have built, which will last forever in the heavenly realm. We inwardly sigh as we live in these physical “tents,” longing to put on a new body for our life in heaven, in the belief that once we put on our new “clothing” we won’t find ourselves “naked.” So, while living in this “tent,” we groan under its burden, not because we want to die but because we want these new bodies. We crave for all that is mortal to be swallowed up by eternal life. And this is no empty hope, for God himself is the one who has prepared us for this wonderful destiny. And to confirm this promise, he has given us the Holy Spirit, like an engagement ring, as a guarantee.

That’s why we’re always full of courage. Even while we’re at home in the body, we’re homesick to be with the Master—for we live by faith, not by what we see with our eyes. We live with a joyful confidence, yet at the same time we take delight in the thought of leaving our bodies behind to be at home with the Lord. So whether we live or die we make it our life’s passion to live our lives pleasing to him. For one day we will all be openly revealed before Christ on his throne so that each of us will be duly recompensed for our actions done in life, whether good or worthless.

Since we are those who stand in holy awe of the Lord, we make it our passion to persuade others to turn to him. We know that our lives are transparent before the God who knows us fully, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. 

Matthew 6:9-13 (VOICE)

Jesus: Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this:    

Our Father in heaven,        let Your name remain holy. Bring about Your kingdom. Manifest Your will here on earth,        as it is manifest in heaven. Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less— And forgive us our debts        as we forgive those who owe us something. Lead us not into temptation,        but deliver us from evil. But let Your kingdom be,        and let it be powerful        and glorious forever. Amen.

Questions: ~ What are my creative dreams that I should be developing or pursuing?  ~ How do I bring heaven down in my daily life? How is God encouraging me to bring down heaven each day?

Prayer:

Father - Thank You for access to Your creativity and presence. Help me to understand how You would bring heaven down to earth. Show me what actions to take and prayers to speak, so that my heart is aligned with Your heart. Above all, keep my eyes fixed on You, so that I can glorify You always. Yes + Amen.

[daily-invites]

05.24.19 ~ Light Invading Darkness

Entertainment 2 of 12

Entertainment is a mountain of influence that must be invaded. The indictment of that realm being “unholy” was accurate, but unfortunately it is also a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Anywhere we do not invade becomes darker in our absence. 

We are the “light of the world” (Matt. 5:14)

Matthew 5:14-16 (VOICE)

And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illumines the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.

Proverbs 119:105 (Passion)

Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear.

Questions:  ~ In what dark places have I been set, so they are illumined, so I can perform good actions, so God will be praised? ~ What areas do I view as “unholy” and how can I step into them to make them “holy”? ~ What is God teaching me about how He works in dark places? What have I learned recently that I need to put into practice?

Prayer:

Father -  Thank you for lighting my way by Your word. Keep me mindful of Your will and ways, and focused on being close to You. Give me courage to illumine and do good works from the desire to be the best for the world. May all praise Your Name. Yes + Amen. 

[daily-invites]

05.23.19

Entertainment 1 of 12

The Church has often fallen to the notion that darkness is stronger than light.

John 1:1-10 (Passion)

In the very beginning the Living Expression was already there.

And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God.

They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning. And through his creative inspiration    this Living Expression made all things,    for nothing has existence apart from him! Life came into being because of him,    for his life is light for all humanity. And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom—    the Light that darkness could not diminish! Then suddenly a man appeared who was sent from God,    a messenger named John. For he came to be a witness, to point the way to the Light of Life,    and to help everyone believe. John was not that Light but he came to show who is.    For he was merely a messenger to speak the truth about the Light. For the Light of Truth was about to come into the world    and shine upon everyone. He entered into the very world he created,    yet the world was unaware.

Questions: ~ What have I stopped fighting for that needs to have light shined on it?  ~ Where in my life do I need to address darkness, and allow Christ’s light to shine in?

Prayer:

Jesus -  Thank You for being the Light of the World. Keep me present in Your light and illumination of understanding and presence. Help me see where You are working and not be discouraged when I don’t notice what You are doing. Yes + Amen.