Rebellion

Rebellion is a very serious offense to the Lord. When we or our children participate in rebellion on any level we are practicing witchcraft.

1 Samuel 15:23

²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”

When we are rebellious and stubborn with our husbands we are practicing witchcraft and idolatry! WHOA! Most of us might think we are submitted to our husbands and our leadership but do you respect the authority that the Lord has placed over you as David did?

David knew not to speak against the Lord's anointed. I was recently at a church event where a mother of a four year old girl and her husband were sitting and fellow shipping when another mother asked them if she could paint their daughter's nails. The father said no and the mother said yes immediately after. When I addressed her not following what her husband said she just smiled and said it was fine as she waved her hand. Upon further inquisition the father made it clear he did not like it at all however the women painted the daughter's nails based on the mother's response.

This is rebellion and it will lead to rebellion in her children as well. I know the Lord has really been opening my eyes to my own rebellion toward my husband even to the extent that when he tells me to stop talking I obey. You may think this is a bit extreme. As I have started to submit more and more to my husband the Lord has done an amazing work in our home.

Deuteronomy 13:4-6

⁴ You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. ⁵ But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

⁶ “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known,

Let us ask the Lord to open our eyes and our hearts to see our own rebellion for what it is. If we see rebellion in our children we need to take a deep look into our own hearts and repent because they are the fruits of our labor. When our children are rebellious toward us we need to look at our attitude that we hold toward our husband and inevitably toward God.

Helpful Information for further Study

Disobedience to God Scriptures

Lev. 26:14-46 (A curse to those that break the commandments) There is a curse for each disobedience.

Numbers 14:11-24 (People murmur - God threatens them) Are you murmuring?

Numbers 32:8-13 (Moses reproves the Reubenites and Gadites)

Deut. 18:19 (God will require it of the people)

Deut. 28:15-68 (The curse for disobedience)

Helpful Scriptures and Bible History of Rebellion

Genesis Ch. 3 The Fall of Man

II Samuel Ch. 13 Absalom Avenges Tamar

II Samuel Ch. 15 Absalom's Conspiracy

I Kings Ch.16-22 Ahab/Jezebel Rebellion

Isa. 3:12 Children Oppress, Women Rule (Ahab/Jezebel Complex) A picture of our society: women will not follow and men will not lead!

Isa. Ch. 14 Satan's Fall

Eze. Ch. 28 Satan's Rebellion

Malachi 4:5-6 Smite the Earth with a Curse

II Thes. 2:9-12 Strong Delusion, Believing Lies

James 3:13-18 Earthly, Unspiritual, Devilish Wisdom

NELSON'S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT - The words "to rebel, rebellion and rebellious" are defined by the following phrases:

Be contentious, make angry, contend with, dispute with, stubborn headed, opposition to someone motivated by pride, stubborn and rebellious, speech and actions are against the Lord, rebellious attitude against God, disobey, act of defying the command of God, rebellious and defiled, listens to no voice, accepts no correction, make bitter, provoke, reject, not recognize, rebellion and stiff neck, double rebellion and rebellious house.

"Rebellion" can also be defined as revolt, overthrow, mutiny, breakup, destruction, spasm, convulsion, resistance, interference, friction, withstand, repulse and disobedient.

"Rebellious" can also be defined as revolutionary, defiance. aggressiveness, dare and scorn.

Day 18 of a 21 Day Fast

Daniel 9

Gabriel Brings an Answer

20 xWhile I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for ythe holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man zGabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, acame to me in swift flight at bthe time of the evening sacrifice. 22 cHe made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you dinsight and understanding. 23 eAt the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, fand I have come to tell it to you, for gyou are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word hand understand the vision.

In Daniel 9 we see an exemplary example of an intercessor. Daniel and consecrated, holy man of God fully devoted to His purposes, yet he humbled himself and repented on behalf of his people taking responsibility for the sin of the nation.

Then we see the Lord is so pleased and wanted Daniel to know this so He sends Gabriel while he is still praying. He came to give Daniel insight and understanding and to assure him that at the very beginning of his pleas for mercy a word went out, AND to tell him that he was greatly loved!

The Lord is so good to us He has shown us through Daniel's life how He delights in us as we fast and pray. I love that a word went out as soon as he began praying and that Gabriel came to him before he even finished praying! Wow that is a powerful picture.

Ask the Lord to send angels to minister His love and delight over you so that you have understanding and insight. We thank you Father for what you are doing through this fast. I very clearly see that the enemy is raging because he knows his time is short so we thank you and bless you for moving on our behalf as we humble ourselves through prayer and fasting. We love you so much help us to feel Your manifested love in our mortal bodies today. Saturate us with your delight over what we are doing on behalf of your people, In Jesus name AMEN!

Day 17 of a 21 Day fast

The Lord reminded me today that although we feel weak during our fast that the opposite is true as we press in and pray because in our weakness He is strong and as we humble ourselves in prayer and fasting He looks upon us with intent eyes and He leans in to hear what we are saying.

From the very first day of our fast He has heard us and although we feel powerless our prayers are power-packed. I have seen such great turmoil as well as great breakthrough in a few of the people that I have been praying for during this fast. I am so encouraged and reminded that while fasting the enemy would like you to get distracted by your physical state (frankly my clothes are hanging) or the turbulence that is kicked up in the spirit realm as a result of our fasting and pressing in to the Lord with resolution and perseverance. I have encountered much warfare in my home through this fast and the Lord will have me go and get on my knees and pray and He has been keeping me focused on the task and not getting wrapped up in the emotions that are trying to pervade my environment.

I want my time during this fast to be effective and have lasting fruit so I bring my will and my emotions and my body into subjection to Christ. I crucify my flesh that He might live in and through me. I do not want my efforts to be in vain. I want to run the race before me with integrity, diligence and perseverance. I don't want to be disqualified after preaching to others so LORD HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Corinthians 9
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives sthe prize? So trun that you may obtain it. 25 Every uathlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we van imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I wdo not box as one xbeating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and ykeep it under control,2 lest after preaching to others zI myself should be adisqualified.

Are your eyes and ears restrained?

Luke 24:12-16 (New King James Version)

¹² But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

The Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And they talked together of all these things which had happened. ¹⁵ So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

As I was looking at the Road to Emmaus I noticed something very profound. These men were in the presence of God and were not even aware who they were looking at let alone that they were hearing the voice of the Lord. Seems strange but what I found so profound is that many Christians today have times in their lives where they feel like God is silent.

Scripture clearly tells us that God is omnipresent and omniscient so to think He is not right with us is foolishness.

So why do we feel like God is so distant? I assume that this feeling comes from the fact that we do not know His voice. Well how can that be if the Bible says in John 10 that not only does He know our voice but we know His voice.

So how is it possible for us to know His voice but not hear it? I would propose to you the idea that we only know His voice to the degree in which we are in His word and allow His word to penetrate our hearts,minds and souls. We need to return to the first Commandment! For unless we love HIM and His Word we cannot love our neighbors!

John 1

The Eternal Word

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Because Jesus is the Eternal Word the only way we can truly know Him is to know His Word. If you are in a season of hiddeness where you feel as though God is somewhere out there and not aware of your trials, I would encourage you to get in His word and let His word take root in your heart, mind and soul and then your spiritual eyes and ears will be illuminated to the truth of His faithful omnipresence in your life.

Here is my prayer for the reader: Father I ask in the name of Jesus Christ that each one reading would have the eyes of their understanding enlightened; that they may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward them who believe, according to the working of His mighty power! (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Hi moms! I have been reading through the books of First and Second Samuel and I wanted to just share with you some of the notes I have been taking. I have really enjoyed reading these books again. It has been a while since I have read them through. These notes don’t really have anything to do with parenting or being a mom to young kids, but just a collection of thoughts. As I have read these books I have seen a reverence for God that is deep, and loyalty to the king and his people that is full of integrity.

1-18-11

Yesterday I read 1 Samuel 3:1-8:20. Several things jumped out:

1.) Eli failed to restrain his sons as they made themselves contemptible

2.) The Philistines KNEW about the God of the Israelites since they were afraid when the ark of the covenant was brought to the battle sight. They KNEW what happened to the Egyptians!

3.) The false God, Dagon, kept falling with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord while the ark was captured by the Philistines (Kind of funny!)

4.) The Philistines put up a fleece when they sent the cows out pulling the cart containing the ark. No one was steering the cows as they headed straight for Beth Shemesh. Thus the Philistines knew it was not by chance all the plagues happened to them while the ark was in their possession. It was really God.

5.) Samuel’s sons did not walk in his ways. They accepted bribes, made after dishonest gain, and perverted justice. What went wrong?!

6.) The phrase in 8:20 stood out to me, “with a king to lead us and go out before us and fight our battles.” They were thinking of an earthly king, but I was thinking of the Lord. The Israelites just saw the Lord defeat the Philistines not long ago and they still wanted an earthly king. Where am I trusting in something earthly than heavenly?

1-21-11

Saul became impatient when Samuel was late and things were getting desperate. King Saul thought for sure the Philistines were going to slaughter what was left of his army (most had run away). So Saul disobeys God by offering a sacrifice to the Lord that only the priest was allowed to offer.

In 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel says to Saul again that, ‘to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’ Saul did not kill all the animals and the people from the battle as the Lord directed. He kept some of the animals to offer a sacrifice and let the king live. He didn’t think he sinned until Samuel tells him again that Saul is to obey God. Saul admits he sinned and blames it on being afraid of the people. Wow! How many times do we compromise, or sin, in order to not displease the people around us, Christians even!

David’s father tells David to take food to his three oldest brothers who are with Saul fighting the Philistines. The Bible says David got up early the next morning, left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out as Jesse directed. In verse 28 of Chapter 17, David is speaking to some of the men in the Israelite army about Goliath and Eliab, David’s oldest brother, burned with anger at David. Why? Was Eliab jealous of David? Did Eliab know David had killed a bear and a lion, and David might want to fight Goliath? Eliab was scared of Goliath or he would have fought him; Eliab questions why David is even there, but he doesn’t really want any answers. He thinks he already knows why David is there – to watch the battle. Eliab says to David, “I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is.” Wow! Those are some pretty strong words! David answers, “Now what have I done, can’t I even speak?” David turns away and talks with the men again about Goliath.

It struck me how mad Eliab was at David. Is this like Cain and Able again? Eliab knew what David did for Jesse, as shepherd, for Saul, as the harpist and would have seen David anointed as the next king by Samuel. Maybe this is also like Joseph and his brothers, jealous. Eliab was probably jealous of David already.

These are some of my notes, things to think about. If you want to read along in these books too – feel free to leave your comments in the blog!

I am thankful for the AWAKE moms and I hope you are all doing well and growing in our loving Father.

Julie

I started to read Luke 1 the other day. I really enjoy this chapter. We have two story lines woven together by two babies. There is Elizabeth and Zechariah, who were old in age, and Mary, who is very young. Both were NOT expecting a baby to be in their near future.

The Bible tells how Zechariah was performing his priestly duties when he was chosen by lot to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense (verse 9). As he was going about his duty, an angel of the Lord appears. Can I stop right there! Zechariah was just doing what was required of him as a priest. This angel was not expected. But today was different - today was Zechariah’s day! Even though he had no children, he loved God. This is how I know. In verse 6 God testifies that both Zechariah and his wife were upright in the sight of the Lord. Wow! This couple was not fooling around, they were fervent for God. It wasn’t just religion, they loved God. Zechariah was afraid of the angel though, probably terrified (verse 12). I love what the angel says. He says, “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,…” All right, when was the last time Zechariah had prayed that prayer? Yesterday, or 60 years ago?! I think it had been many years since he had asked God for a child. By reading verses 18-20 we see how Zechariah did not believe what the angel told him. So it seems like Zechariah had lost hope. Even when this glorious angel tells him what is going to happen, he doubts. God had heard Zechariah’s prayer and was answering it with a ‘yes’! The verses in Matthew 7 just came to my mind. They say, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” NEVER GIVE UP – don’t let TIME become your reason for not expecting that good gift from God. God does not live in time, He is eternal! Zechariah had lost hope, but that did not nullify God’s promise. He got his son, John. (Though I wouldn’t recommend doubting, John was disciplined for his unbelief.)

Meanwhile, a young unmarried Jewish girl found favor with God also. An angel visits Mary as she is going about her day. The angel explains how she will be with child and He will have a kingdom in the line of David that will never end. Like Zechariah, she was not expecting to have a baby at this point in her life. She didn’t understand how it would happen so she inquired of the angel. She wanted to know what was required of her. Maybe in her earthly thinking she thought that she and Joseph would have a son after they were married and they were to call him Jesus. The angel explains to her how it will happen, and I love what Mary says. She says, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” (verse 38) She stated who she is (the Lord’s servant) and what she is willing to do (God’s will). She trusted God with her life because she knew the character of God.

Both Zechariah and Mary were lovingly obeying God when the angel greeted them. Both were not expecting a baby. Both received a blessing beyond measure. Let us learn from them that we can expect God to give us good gifts as we lovingly serve him. He has not forgotten us. He is eternal. (for other examples see David, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Joseph, Paul, Peter, Naomi, Sarah, …)

Our kids expect us to give them presents at Christmas because we love them. Let us not expect anything less from our loving Heavenly Father. Seek Him first and ask for the good gifts! These gifts from him to us can be the very answer that the world needs – faith, hope and love.

Anybody have a testimony that they would like to share with other AWAKE moms of how God answered a prayer that maybe you haven’t prayed in a while? Or a good gift that you were not expecting, but that God gave you? Let me know and I can send it to encourage all the moms.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Julie

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son…”

Behold My Face

The Lord has been speaking to me and saying, Behold My Face, Behold My Face, Behold My Face.....



7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When You said, “Seek My face,”

My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

9 Do not hide Your face from me;

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation. (Psalm 27:7-9, New King James Version)


As we behold His face we are changed from glory to glory! However, when we continually choose sin over righteousness there will come a time when He will turn His face from us.

Oh help us Abba Father to always search out Your face out and not hide our faces from your glory as You want to do so much to us and through us for your glory.

We now have access to His throne room through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The veil has been torn and we now have the ability to see His face as there is no wall of seperation!

Seek His face today in everything and He will reveal His glory not only in the situation but also through you in difficult times as those around you see His peace and glory resting on you. Through this He draws people to Himself!

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7, New King James Version)

Be encouraged today as He gives you opportunities to be a witness for His glory to others!