A Heart of Holiness

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sunday was not our typical Sunday morning service. It’s nice to switch things up. Keeps us on our toes and the familiar spirit of routine from settling in.

However different this past Sunday was, it was still good. As the men exited the main room and had a time fellowship and prayer. I had the blessing of speaking to the women of Hope about 2010.

Back in October of 2009, while in prayer, the Lord revealed 5 things that we were going to see regarding women in the Body of Christ. As I wrote them out I could a great advancement in the Body of Christ as many (both men and women) found their places because they chose to live a life of honoring God and others.

Before we took the time to lay these out on Sunday I made a little disclaimer. “This is only the beginning, the knowledge of these truths don’t equate to immediate fruit. I am handing you a baton to run with as the Lord leads you. You will have to chose to run the race and reap the fruit of what God is making available.”

Here are the 5 insights for women to take a hold of and walk out in faith:
1. It’s all about God’s love for us: you must know that you are loved and that it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. (Phil 2:13) Women have had to work to hard to find their place in society and the church. God never intended for there to be a hierarchy of men ruling over women. The result of women having to work to find acceptance in society and the church has led to much of the witchcraft and manipulation we see in the church today. So if anyone is going to stand up for setting things in order let it be the male leaders who have ignored and restricted the giftings of women in ministry. Women, you must let go of the “works” approach to advancement and promotion. Trust that God loves you and sees you and will work things out for His glory.

2. I want to establish peace in your life: This is the fruit of letting God work on advancement in your life verse you working for placement and acceptance. Romans 8:15 says you have received a spirit of adoption. You should be walking in peace when it comes to your role in the family and ministry. The question that I encourage you to meditate on is “who have you allowed to hold your destiny?” If isn’t God, chances are it’s you are someone else (ie. Father, husband, siblings, pastors, etc.) Either you trust God with your life or you don’t.

3. Honor will open doors for peace, rest and healing: In order to receive honor we must sow honor. It’s the kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. The hurdle here will be to recognize that honoring is not about being a door mat. To honor means to: respect, admire, recognize, and esteem. It doesn’t mean to let yourself be run over time and time again and justify it by saying I’m honoring the other person by being humble.

This also requires you to examine how you see yourself. Maybe you haven’t had the benefit of being around people who honored you, but Jesus has called you His own and with that calling comes an honoring. Choose today to look yourself in the mirror and honor yourself, value yourself, tell yourself you are beautiful. You’re not lying or deceiving, you are speaking what God has already said about you.

It thought it important to make a note of something that I struggle with when it comes to seeing women honor each. I notice that some of the honoring that takes place is out of a spirit of manipulation and control. The motive of our honoring one another has nothing to do with ones advancement. I realize that all people wrestle with this at some point, but I find that most women use honoring or validating as a latter to gain advancement. This isn’t true honoring, this is a very destructive game. If get the first two points our honoring will truly come from a heart of love and compassion. Just beware of your motive when honoring others.

4. Experience the power of covenant: Covenant is key to a life of peace, joy and righteousness. Though we are not defining covenant here, it’s important to understand covenant so ask questions. Many women have been faithful to keep covenant in their relationship with God and their marriages. Many have not. Our faith was intend to follow out of covenant. My hope is that as we pursue greater understanding of covenant, we will also experience the power of covenant. Here are some mental imprints/strongholds you must start facing if you haven’t already. (2 Cor 10:5)
a. Fear of authority
b. Anger
c. concerns over money
d. relational blind spots (understanding how you receive love and show love)
e. sexual issues – I elaborated on this topic – you’ll want to get the CD to fully understand what God is saying here.

5. I will use you to promote: it the notes this is all I gave out. But to the women I finished the statement, I will use you to promote men, because I have revealed to you what they cannot see themselves. Beware of power in this statement. The unique design and gift of women is to satisfy a man. That satisfaction is not just sexual. It’s also the ability to see what they can not see because that’s how you’ve been gifted. I believe that next to physical intimacy with my wife, this is the next greatest expression of God’s creative nature in women. This gift has long been used as point of manipulation and control. The ability to see things that men can’t has caused many women to advance through means of unrighteousness. But now I believe we are going to see righteousness arise and promotion come to many in the Body of Christ because men and women honor one another’s gifting and ability.

The closing quote of hope for this year is this: Women of honor, who honor, shall experience great honor; for honor will flow out of covenant that is honored.

May the Lord bless you.

Sunday January 17, 2010

Hallowed Be Your Name!

The twelve disciples longed to be like their teacher and friend, Jesus, and were always asking Him questions. One of the questions they asked was, "how do we pray?"

Being good Jewish boys they knew "how" to pray, but when Jesus prayed it must of been different enough that it prompted the question. To Jesus, prayer wasn't a ritual, it was a form of communion with His Father. The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 wasn't intended to become a formula. He was shedding light to their real question - "why are Your prayers so different than ours?"

Our focus Sunday wasn't really on the Lord's prayer, but on His first instruction to a life of prayer, "Our Father who is heaven, hallowed be Your name" (Mt. 6:9).

The word hallowed means to revere, respect, value and honor. Jesus is revealing that we are to live our life in awe of His name. John 17:6 says, "I (Jesus) have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world." Jesus not only taught about God, He was the manifestation of God.

There is a book of remembrance that sits before the Lord night and day. Whether it's always open, always read from, or just there isn't the point. The point is that a book of remembrance has recorded your life. This recorded life is not a naughty list or goody list as if God is Santa Clause. This book holds the record of those that fear the Lord and meditate on His name. (Mal 3:16) It is a recording of the plans and purposes God has for you.

Jesus is saying, "know My name! Mediate on My name. Call upon My name." (Ps 116:4-5) Let My name manifest before you, so that the whole earth may see the glory of God.

As the book of remembrance is set before the Lord and your life is written in it, let the Holy Spirit stir up in you His name so that you may see the desires, dreams, hopes and promises that God has for you.

I passed out a bookmark with a few names of God to mediate on. Be sure to pick a bookmark at church, but until then mediate on these amazing names of God.

Jehovah-Tzidkenu:
“The Lord our Righteousness”
Jer 23:6, 2 Cor 5:21

Jehovah-M’Kaddishchem:
“The Lord Who Sanctifies You”
Lev 20:8

Jehovah-Shalom:
“The Lord Is Peace”
Jdg 6:24, Eph 2:14

Jehovah-Shammah:
“The Lord Is There” - Eze 48:35

Jehovah-Rapha:
“The Lord Who Heals” - Isa 53:5

Jehovah-Jireh:
“The Lord Will Provide”
Gen 22:13-14

Jehovah-Nissi:
“The Lord Is Our Victorious
Banner” - Ex 17:15, Rom 8:31,37

Jehovah-Raah:
“The Lord Is Our Shepherd”
Psalm 23, Jn 10:27-28

Adonai: “Lord” - Maker, Gen 15:2

El-Elyon: “Most High God”
Gen 14:19-20

Jehovah-Kavod:
“The Lord of Glory” - Ps 24:7-10

Jehovah-Or:
“The Lord Is Light”
Ps 36:9, 1 Jn 1:5

“For with you is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”
Ps 36:9

2010: Reigning in Life

I have such an excitement for the year that is ahead of us. Back in May of 2009 the Lord blessed me by revealing what I called a secret. Though I didn’t understand it at first, I’ve spent the last 8 months diving into it and making the necessary changes in my life to truly grasp the entirety of I what I believe God is revealing and going to reveal in this year.

Here’s the secret: “2010 is about reigning in life.” Not sure what that means? Well neither did I when I first heard the Spirit whisper it. What I’ve since discovered is that most of the Body of Christ doesn’t know what it means to reign in life either. Yet we are the ambassadors of heaven? The conduits of the miraculous power that is to fill the Earth? Now is just 2010 about reigning in life? Of course not, it’s been the plan ever since the beginning. So what is God really saying by asking us to step into this life of reigning? This is the journey we are embarking on!

Here are 3 things to examine as we begin this journey into “reigning in life”:

1. Is your life lived with purpose? Romans 5:18-21

2. Is your life lived with passion? Philippians 3:12-14

3. Have you given your life so that you may reign in life? 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

Take the time this week and look through these scriptures. Discover how Jesus Christ lived His life with purpose and passion. Then reflect on how He gave His life so that we could reign in life with Him.

Jesus didn’t sow sparingly; He fulfilled every prophecy by giving all of Himself. Though we are called to give our lives, if we don’t find freedom in the area of giving our finances we allow fear to rule and keep us down. As we closed service I asked Sean to lead us in a declaration regarding our giving in the area finances. He got this from Bethel Church out of Redding, CA. Declare this over your finances and remember – God wants a cheerful giver, whether it’s financial or relationally. So put a smile on because we are in for a great year!

Link to Bethel offering decree here.

Blessings, Jeph Chavez

Sunday December 27, 2009

On Sunday Decemeber 27, 2009 we had a great time of praise and worship, testimonies and communion.

We've been in a series about being powered by the Holy Spirit so this Sunday was nice to let Him work in our midst and refresh us.

Ginny Seymour shared a picture the Lord gave her regarding the time after war (i.e. the end of War of the Worlds.) People walking out of their hiding places still shell shocked, like they are dreaming, moving slowly but in the realization and knowing the war had been won and outside there is a great hope.

Psalm 126 1-3 When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. It was then said among the nations the Lord has done great things for them!..Verse 5-6 those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carring (precious) seeds to sow will return with songs of joy carring sheaves with him.

The leading for 2010 is to be prepared for many to come out of hiding as they hear the sound of the Saints arising and what has been sown in tears shall bring forth a harvest of joy.

She also shared some insight regarding our Sunday of rest (No service next Sunday Jan 3rd :)! ~ Last year it was the word Change. This year the word is Rest.

The prophets of old acted out prophetically what would be the future for Israel. Elijah built a sacrifical offering as a prophetic action just like the prophets of Baal built a site All waited to see whose God would answer. God showed up with great theater and confirmation.

You as the Pastor are preforming a prophectic action. Acting out for us what is to be made known for the New Year. You are beginning this year by resting from your work.

This is a year to enter into the rest. Allow God to completely direct our lives so that the work is easy. It is a prophetic signpost that we can enter into rest in him.

As we come into this new position of coming into what God has for us we can take hold of a promise of rest. Amen!

Jim and Lynnette shared during communion a word about our 2010 focus "Reigning in Life" that God isn't just going to use us to raise dead physically but also emotionally and spiritually. We are to reign in all areas of our life and lead others to do the same.