2/23/2015 1 Comment Tipping The Scales of JusticeWhen I met my husband, over 8 years ago now, he had about 6 traffic tickets he was appealing in court. In the big city of Dallas, Texas, officers rarely show for court, and the ticket and fines are waived. Regardless, he would take along his license and proof of insurance to support his case and cause each and every time. If there was a witness in the car, or any other supporting facts, he would be sure to bring those along with him as well. Could you imagine on a larger scale, if in a double homicide case, you were on trial, and your court date is full underway. You stand before the council and judge, with a decent lawyer with a name that's fairly popular, and has a record of winning. However you stand silently before the court when it's your turn to speak. I'm not talking about the fifth amendment being used as protection here. I'm talking about quietly think about your case and facts and hoping somehow in your silence and solitude, that you'll be heard by both the judge and the jury. Maybe you think that's absurd. So let's take another angle. You open your mouth, and words come fluttering out- like a lot of words. Nice words. Pretty and eloquent words. Words that sound smart, full of intelligence, because they're long and fluffy. But that's all they are. You've neglected to include facts, evidence, support. Your lawyer is left helpless- you defenseless- because he is unable to help you when the evidence and documents necessary are strewn about your home rather than being used in this moment of justice. It sounds obnoxious. We would all be much more prepared if on trial where the death penalty is lurking about. But we do it- you, and I- often. Most everyday. Or maybe, you're not even approaching the bench. It's a lesson in faith I'm learning everyday. It's one I've heard, and maybe likewise, you yourself have also heard. But we can't just sit by and listen anymore. We have to act on what we know, and put motion to our understanding, otherwise it becomes knowledge instead of wisdom. I've had a lot of people say they are "praying for" us. Or "thinking of" us all. And I'm not suggesting that this is you- yes you- specifically, but as a general blanket statement, all of us at times. Because it's easy. And it's convenient. And it requires little effort. How are you praying? How am I praying? Because that's our opportunity to approach the bench. The bench of the most high God, who is seated above the earth, in high and lofty places, and yet not far from us; ready and waiting to move on our behalf. But most of us, when the opportunity to pray comes, sit silently. Sit in solitude. As if our silence will somehow protest against the gates of hell, and open God's mercy like a flood. I'm sorry friends, but this isn't the way to do it. Sure, silence is good. Sure practicing moments and disciplining our lives which are scurried about, with solitude is necessary and beneficial. But it's not praying. The enemy prowls around like a ROARING lion. He likes to toot his own horn. What makes you think you'll be able to chase him off and defend yourself or other with a pathetic moment of silence? Moments of silence are for showing respect to a flag, a person, a cause. Moments of silence are used to show submission and designate authority to the one who is speaking. It's why children are told to be quiet while being instructed. It's why we wait silently during funerals and weddings. We take moments of silence to honor service men and women, or martyrs of the cross, because their lives and deaths can be pondered for our own selves. But I urge you to not "pray silently". A mere thought will not suffice in the battle. Especially a battle of life and death as with Esther Jubilee. Don't "think happy thoughts" and certainly don't call your silence praying. You're showing respect, honor, and giving authority to an enemy who will not easily be silenced by a hush. Instead we need to be loud, and aggressive, and certain of our case before God- and in the face of adversity. The next category, and usually my downfall is here- simply because I am naturally a loud person, is opening our mouths to pray fervently. Allowing words to escape that are eloquent, and intelligent, and long and pretty. They sound nice and would look pretty on paper too. But they're meaningless in defending the case for which you're standing. See the only evidence that is of value in the "court" of the Almighty is His word. It's like the book of laws and regulations, both civil and criminal, 2015-and any other year edition. The bible is what He sees as truth. It holds both the law and the scales of mercy and grace, and is used to weigh everything else. You can beg and plead, you can cry and scream, you can work up a sweat, jump up and down, and fall on your face in prayer, but it's not much of anything, other than a cardio session, without the power of the Word. We need to be presenting the evidence that is the Truth, to our natural circumstances, and against the enemy. Saying "Father" 100 times, or phrases we've heard our pastors or parents pray over and over, isn't effective. It's not a formula. It's using the word of God to combat the enemy. It's also the example we are given by Jesus. He used the Word of God, verbatim, to rebuke and cast out the enemy when in the dessert. It's why the bible says we will live not by "bread alone, but by every WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God." You want to know what God's will is, and what God says about your situation: get in the word. Start praying the Word. And watch your circumstances change. Don't be fooled either- by name it claim it theology. The Bible isn't full of verses and chapters of Jesus giving people new cars and better homes to "help" in their dire circumstances. He gives them what they really need, over what they want usually. For example, the Samaritan woman at the well- who thinks she needs to get some water from the well, and yet Jesus tells her to "drink of Him" and never thirst again. It's also why Peter and John prayed with and allowed God to heal the lame man at the temple, and didn't fill his pockets. They replied to his request for cash, by saying "silver and gold have I none", and instead gave the man Jesus. But the power of the spoken Word is what will be the convicting evidence to win the favor of the court long before the closing argument. Now in our situation specifically, there are plenty of people who say they're praying. But I can't guarantee they are really, effectively, beseeching God on our behalf. So I want to equip you with some of the Word, in case you really want to be part of the prayer of faith that heals the sick, and just don't know how or where to start. I'm going to list some verses. And then list an example prayer. But remember that you can use the word to combat the enemy in any situation. It doesn't have to be the healing of Esther Jubilee. It may be the deliverance of a family member. The search for a job. The transition to a new location. Whatever the case may be, God's word is ready and available to pray for any circumstance. Here we go! 3 John 2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Father I thank you that your word says that you desire above all things that we would prosper and be in health. I thank you that you are wanting health for Esther Jubilee, and that even as her soul flourishes and is growing and prospering, her health is growing and prospering. Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise." I thank you Lord, that your word says that if you heal the sick, they will be healed. And that if you save, they will be saved. So I praise you and thank you for healing and saving Esther jubilee. Ezekiel 34:16 (Amplified Version) "I will seek that which was lost and bring back that which has strayed, and I will bandage the hurt and the crippled and will strengthen the weak and the sick...." Father God, you alone seek the lost and bring back what has been gone, and I thank you that just as your word says, you will bring about the necessary cells and life to heal Esther Jubilee's head and brain and skull. I thank you that your word says you bandage the hurt and crippled and that you strengthen the weak and sick, and so even now, you are bandaging, and strengthening, Esther jubilee. Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Father I thank you that you've given me authority over ALL the power of the enemy. Including sickness and diseases. I thank you thank NOTHING will hurt or harm Esther Jubilee, according to your Word. Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Father, I will not be afraid, for You are with me. I will not be dismayed, for You are my God. I thank you that you will strengthen me and my faith. And help me to pray effectively for Esther. And I thank you that You are also her God, and You will help her and uphold her with Your righteous right hand. Proverbs 3:7-8 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Lord Jesus, I look to you, and not myself for wisdom. For I know nothing apart from You. I worship You alone. I thank you that your word is health to Esther Jubilee's flesh, and that You are strength to her bones. Malachi 4:2-3 "But unto you that fear (reverence, worship) My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. You shall trample the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this says the Lord of hosts" I thank you Lord that because I worship you and honor you, and Your name, that You will rise with healing, and that Esther Jubilee will go forth, and grow up, just as young cattle grow and are able to walk themselves from the cattle stall, she will be able to function and be in health all the days of her life. I thank you that YOU trample and crush the wicked, and that the enemy has no power above You, and he is under your feet and your rule and authority. I'm not asking you to pray these prayers word for word. But I do want show you an example of what aggressive, effective, prayer from the Word looks like. Because we often find ourselves mumbling out a few words- be it sincere or not. But the enemy isn't moved as far or with force, as when we speak out and pray out loud, the Word of God. If you are thinking "how can I pray these verses unless I look at them?" Then you need to memorize them. Memorize one. The shortest one if you want. I don't care. Get that thing in your heart and all messy all over yourself. And when you pray, let it come up out of the inside of you, and watch the power of God - both heal and restore my daughter, and also build your own faith! Don't fight the enemy empty handed. Don't present a case without evidence. Not medical evidence. Not personal experience as evidence. Not what Google says, or what you feel like saying. Because that's all "hearsay". The only evidence that's valid in the presence of God, is His word. In fact, as high and mighty as His name is, the word tells us that He has magnified His Word ABOVE His name. So get reading. And then get praying.
1 Comment
Carol Jordan
2/23/2015 01:08:15 pm
I'm caught up in it. I am completely understanding your entire focus and I felt the prayer filter out and be amazing...I felt it.
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AuthorBri is the mom to four little people, the wife to a gentle giant, and a lover of Jesus. She's figuring out the best ways to parent by trial and error, and sharing her struggles, successes, and stories with you! Archives
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