by Shirley Weaver | acleartrumpet.org

Love

As a child growing up in a traditional church, I loved and have fond memories of many expressions of the Church, especially the words to hymns and other portions of the “order of worship” – like the call to worship chorus following the pastor’s opening prayer: The Lord is in His Holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.

At the time that sounded to me just mystical enough to be God! I now know those words are taken from Scripture and in context, contrast the deadness of idols with the life and vibrancy of our God; and, that what sounded to me at the time like a dirge was actually the opposite: You have gathered together to worship me, presenting to Me your first, and best (of everything I first blessed you with) and My love response to you is joy . . . alive, vibrant and victorious. I love you! (1)

Sadly, I would say the spirit of our singing was not joyous; methodical, yes; joyous, no. The congregation solemnly went through the motions and fulfilled the order of worship but we did not have the revelation of God’s love. We had the order right but missed the Spirit of God’s Love embedded in the words.

New Day

Today is different—today we live in the tomorrow believed for yesterday. We have more revelation of the Word and therefore know where we “fit” in the big picture—namely, it really is all about us! We are the object of His affection. Our Father is the author of Love. He literally wrote the Book of Love! We love Him because He first loved us! (2)

His Love means that every day the sun rises on a new day and the Church wakes to fresh, unique opportunities as the shining Kingdom-example God intended — an epistle, read and known by all men. (3)

It’s a fact. The story others hear (more than in the volume of our words) is told in the priorities we place and whether the actions we live actually reflect the Spirit and mission of God’s Kingdom: Do we mean what we say we believe (and live it) or does the story reveal habitover substance (the thrill of the earthly at the expense of the divine); and do we really know the Rock from which we were hewn, or have we instead . . . settled?

Both corporate body and individual members (4) frame the story, equally sharing in the belief statement before a watching world. The story unfolds to reveal whether we are distinctive as disciples – what is the level of Kingdom reality that’s honestly present when we gather . . . and what is the degree to which spiritual maturity of each member is valued and therefore functioning? (5)

Every believer is on assignment with full authority and sending power from the Almighty. Jesus said that He had been given allauthority in heaven and earth and that He conveys that authority in His Name to all those in His Kingdom. (6) With a hands-on knowledge of that authority the assignment and mission is simple: We are sent . . . by God! . . . to fill the earth with tangible expressions of the Kingdom—on earth as it is in heaven! (7)

The Forerunner Spirit

Vital to the freshness of this story is the forerunner – one who goes ahead and opens a path. God sends them ahead of the rest . . . gifted as special influencers with a natural style that elevates everything and everyone around them. Their lives clear a path for others to follow. 

Humanly speaking, we credit personal effort and achievement more than the critical groundwork laid by those who paved the way. Spiritually though, and especially among those who are spiritually mature, we realize we have been blessed to step into a great deal for which we personally paid little; it is the forerunner who paid the greater price, investing in rigors we may never know.

An estimation of how far we’ve come is the sum total of what, and “who” the Lord sent to get us there! We honor these mentors, forerunners for our future and the mission. The spirit of the forerunner is upon them . . . we have prospered standing upon their shoulders! (8)

Consider this: As an epistle and modern messenger of the Lord in these end-times, you should go back to where the forerunner’s mark established and launched you—go back to the beginning of your journey. Identify those who opened the way at every turn along the way. Rehearse their counsel, imitate their courage, and repeat their example. As representatives of the Kingdom, we expect the forerunner spirit among us to increase!

Marching Orders

Discerning the times, it is wise today to consider our faith; how firm is the foundation—how high can we build? And discerning the times and faith level we have, can we find our place and get there? Discerning the times we must eliminate vain pursuits and prefer instead God-ordained challenges, like the enrichment of our fellow man, and the change of religious mindsets that oppose true, spiritualexpression.

Watching therefore, (9) we give attention to things eternal—the opposite of all that is passing away. Our perspective must be “far above” darkened powers beneath us; the view from our seat beside Him is refreshed continually with vision updates—our revelation increases as prophecy is fulfilled. (10)

The morning is our new day, an opportune time . . . the old becomes passé and new mercy arrives! We are the focus—born of God and rooted in His plan. Old or familiar patterns are evaluated and possibly eliminated altogether. Changes today move us – from where we are to the place we can be.

The Lord is leading. In the Spirit and the heavens there is movement. Yesterday’s fullness makes room for today’s increase of fullness. The pace quickens but the cadence is our servant. In the momentum we hear MANY marching. Thank God!

Amen.

¹ Habakkuk 2: 20 | ² 1John 4: 19 | ³ 2Corinthians 3: 2 | ⁴ 1Corinthians 12: 11-13 | ⁵ Hebrews 11: 6 |
⁶ Matthew 28: 18-19 | ⁷ Matthew 6: 10 | ⁸ Hebrews 6: 20 | ⁹ Ephesians 6: 17-19 | ¹⁰ Ephesians 1:19-21

Every opportunity to speak is another opportunity for me to encourage everyone to do what we have been discussing since the beginning of the year—to contact representatives in your state capitol and in Washington as often as possible.

I encourage everyone to study the issues for yourself first, and then communicate your view—thoughtfully, but briefly. To offer spiritual encouragement and prayer is good, but only if the content of your message underscores your grasp of the issue itself.

Your worldview matters! More than any time since our ministry began investing in Washington, the threat to Christian values is greatest, yet those with prayerful insight are most silent—a recipe for catastrophe.

Would you please consider coming out of silence?

Speak directly, clearly and considerately to your representatives. Appoint someone in your weekly group to “stay on top” of the issues and report to the group each week. As a group and individually write and call often. Email and fax are best when writing to Washington—security concerns delay postal mail by weeks, even months.

Lobbying government is the constitutional right of every citizen. Government cannot be faulted in its representation if elected officials do not hear from those they represent. (Every one behaves better when someone is watching!)

• In the United States, we each have three representatives in Washington – two senators and a representative from our district; locally, state representatives are close enough to actually visit—each district has a senator and a representative.
• Establish a relationship if possible, perhaps begin now so that as concerns arise there is a foundation of communication on which to build.
• Make every effort to encourage your representatives in their tasks, including the whole picture in addition to issues that are most important to you.
• When speaking to elected officials I personally do not see that sentiment expressed in spiritual terms is as effective as communicating a sincere grasp of the topic along with a desire to offer well-thought-out and balanced input.
• For example, 1) here’s the issue, 2) this is what I understand about it, 3) this is how MY FAMILY views it, and 4) what is your view and what additional understanding concerning the issue can you offer me?
• If you totally disagree, or if the official is rude of a staff member blocks you, express disagreement firmly and restate your point.
• Always, be gracious, and respectful—in other words, righteous.

Bottom line, prayer with educated action is critical now. Pease do not wait until it is too late. Our nation is changing dramatically—and quickly. Although a U.S. position globally is squandered more each day because “the borrower is SERVANT to the lender,” if, as individuals, we do not change our worldview on the full range of issues, and make it a biblical one, money issues will not matter.

Links to research national issues:
–Family Research Council www.frc.org
–American Family Association www.afa.net
–Wallbuilders www.wallbuilders.com

Link to the President at the White House:
www.whitehouse.gov

Links to House and Senate:
–www.house.gov
–www.senate.gov

Links to determine who your national represnetatives in Washington are, how to contact them, and details concerning legislation currently before the House and Senate and legislation scheduled for consideration in the near future:
–Congress.org www.congress.org

There is an important word from heaven today: Vindication. Also, there is evidence.

Vindicate–To show somebody to be blameless; to justify somebody of something; to uphold something.

Vindication–The act of, condition of being, evidence or argument used to clear somebody or something of blame, guilt, suspicion, or doubt; to show justified or correct, to defend or maintain a cause, or rights.

Prayer

Declare the scriptures below in the circumstance you know, the one where you are standing and where justice has not been fully released. Consider the Lord’s strong, right hand in the performance of this. Divine timing is involved.

(Scripture below taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.)

1SA 24:15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us.

May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me

by delivering me from your hand.”

PS 26:1 Vindicate me, O LORD,

for I have led a blameless life;

I have trusted in the LORD

without wavering.

PS 35:24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God;

do not let them gloat over me.

PS 43:1 Vindicate me, O God,

and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;

rescue me from deceitful and wicked men

PS 54:1 Save me, O God, by your name;

vindicate me by your might.

PS 135:14 For the LORD will vindicate his people

and have compassion on his servants.

PS 17:2 May my vindication come from you;

may your eyes see what is right.

PS 24:4-5 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to an idol

or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing

from the LORD

and vindication from God his Savior.

PS 35:27 May those who delight in my vindication

shout for joy and gladness;

may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,

who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

ISA 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

and this is their vindication from me,”

declares the LORD.

Visit  www.Gateway.com online Bible for other translations

There are SWM supporters in 16 states and monthly partners in 9 of those. What I am about to say concerns every partner and supporter but is especially relevant to those in South Carolina where the ministry’s main office is located.

Five days before the 2004 elections I was in Washington, DC and in a prophetic gesture understood the Lord to say that “purity had been unlocked in the state of South Carolina.” The following Tuesday voters selected candidates who supported strong Christian values, something for which many who prayed for the will of God to be accomplished through the election process were thankful.

But then we saw something beyond what we had asked – something ordained: That day a pro-life, pro-family governor and 2 pro-life, pro-family senators were elected in South Carolina, something rare in the 50-state statistical lineup, and something I realized was the beginning of a major, out-in-the-open, one-of-a-kind demonstration of the purity God had declared concerning South Carolina just days before.

As I shared that word in connection with election results it took off and I began hearing it in from other places, only without the purity connection. I’m not usually a stickler on these things, but this time the facts are critical: The connection to the Lord’s purity is THE connection to breakthrough for South Carolina and “purity” is the impartation I believe those in the state and even the region are carrying into every field opened to them. As for our ministry, the assignment is Washington, not for a political venue but as ambassadors. There are several impartations we carry and thank God, purity is one of them.

Purity, especially purity of vision, according to Oswald Chambers is “the result of continued spiritual harmony with God.” Since that time in 2004 there have been interesting changes in the state: Lou Engle moved The Call, The Cause USA and the Justice House of Prayer (JHOP) to Ft. Mill, SC; Rick Joyner and Morning Star Ministries, as well as other great ministries have also moved main operations into Fort Mill, something I understand precipitated Lou’s move. Important meetings regularly take place because of the presence of these leaders ministries and our state is blessed to have them! Another far-reaching ministry, The Inspiration Network has also moved to South Carolina and has a large building project underway.

Besides important political and ministry developments, the state of South Carolina has been experiencing divine intervention in recovering our young people lost in waters off the SC coast, and in the mountains of the state.

And in just the last hours and days, from the South Carolina State Legislature this amazing news: Dateline: March 27, 2007 “Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have approved legislation that would make their state the first in the nation to require women to see the ultrasound images of their child before an abortion.” (As reported by a church news agency.) Purity . . . the result of continued spiritual harmony with God.

The day before this ground-breaking legislation, the same governing body “ . . . ratified an amendment to the state constitution that bans same-sex marriages. The amendment states that the only lawfully recognized marriage is one between a man and a woman. Though the state already has a law banning same-sex marriage, the constitutional amendment will effectively prevent approval of civil unions as well.” (As reported online by a feminist organization.) Purity . . . the result of continued spiritual harmony with God.

Purity means our children understand virtue and families understand God’s idea of harmony in the home.  I have spoken many times of the hundreds – thousands – of believers in this region who have prayed in the face of persecution personally and ridicule of their hopes for orthodox Christian values in particular. These believers have been praying longer than I have been alive, and because of them there is a gusher coming forth in South Carolina begun years ago when they took a stand in the spirit to fight the spiritual battle for their children and the future. Thank God.

Throughout Bible history seedtime and harvest remained the center of Kingdom operation. Jesus likened our lives to that of a farmer in the parable of the sower (Mk 4:13), saying that to understand the parable of the sower is to understand all parables.

The sowing of seed is as a farmer would sow–in faith, expecting a harvest. Seed is the beginning and harvest is the expected result. Harvest is a multiplication of what was sown and therefore represents the largest return of all the four kinds of giving (tithe, firstfruits, alms and seed). All four are offerings and are a faith response to God’s Word, but each has a specific heart motivation and a specific result.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, NIV

The farmer sows in season but also continues to invest in his seed – prayerfully watching, cultivating, watering. Once the plant breaks through the ground a host of problems can threaten the expected harvest – disease, insects, heat or cold.

Small farmers may plant one seed in one field, receiving proportionate results; larger farmers have developed many fields for many crops, receiving proportionate results. Harvest size is determined by the amount of seed sown.

It’s the same for God’s people

• In the season of sowing – the season is each time we sow an offering as seed

• What, where and how much to sow – meaning, we obey Holy Spirit in each area

• Diligence until harvest time – prayerful confidence in God’s promise of harvest

• Continual sowing – generous sowing in every opportunity or way

• Expecting a harvest – co-laboring with God whose response to our seed is harvest!

Not to be confused is the passage in Luke 12:22-29 concerning the “birds of the air and the lilies of the field who neither sow nor reap, toil nor spin concerning clothes or food . . .” The sin of worry is the subject of this passage, so this is not an admonition to ignore or neglect God’s principle of sowing and reaping as the means to obtaining a harvest.

Harvest is the increase. By faith we move from having enough for ourselves to financing the building of the Kingdom of God here on earth. According to the passage, the Gentiles SEEK “things”; the response – “O ye of little faith!” God’s people should understand the principle of sowing for a harvest, and respond accordingly, sowing good seed into good, productive, fruitful ground.

Let’s pray:

Father, I pray that I will increase in my store of seed and enlarge in my harvest of righteousness, that I will be rich in every way so that I can be generous in every occasion. I determine to continually offer thanksgiving to God for His precious gift of seedtime and harvest.  In Jesus’ Name – Amen.