My wife and I will be attending a worship conference in South Carolina next week, so this will be the last session of this class. The ORIGINAL plan had us going through the last Thursday of August, but this Thursday, 18th, is the NEXT to the last Thursday. I\u2019ll leave it w Pastor Daniel as to what next Thursday might look like. And I am confident the church has a good plan for Thursdays as we roll into the fall months.<\/p>\n
Last week we were speaking of God communicating w men IN THEIR DREAM STATE \u2013 to encourage US to anticipate even that communication w God.<\/p>\n
And I\u2019ve had good reports of folks having dreams. Yea God!<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll be going through this second dream tonight, but I wrote it out in the notes since I mentioned it last week, and it is additional confirmation, not only of God\u2019s mercy as well as His serious dealings with ALL men, but also it\u2019s a great confirmation of the priority God puts on DREAMS as prophetic communication, so that we might anticipate God speaking to us in dreams \u2013 even to the point of maybe sometimes being able to dialogue BACK to God in our dreams, as Solomon did.<\/strong><\/p>\n NEBUCHADNEZZAR\u2019S SECOND DREAM<\/strong> That king plays a huge prophetic role in the master plan of prophecy for this age. King of Babylon \u2013 he represents the ultimate and complete image of absolute power by MAN. That same \u201cspirit of Babylon\u201d will prevail all the way through til the end of the book of Revelation, at which time we are told \u201cBABYLON is fallen\u201d.<\/p>\n Last week we looked at the statue representing the kingdoms of age. Daniel, always a man of prayer, received NOT ONLY the interpretation of the king\u2019s dream, but also the dream itself.<\/p>\n This second dream, King Nebuchadnezzar TOLD to his wisemen, and then finally called in the \u201cA TEAM\u201d \u2013 Daniel.<\/p>\n Daniel 4<\/strong> 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. THE DREAM TOLD TO DANIEL 12 Its leaves were lovely, 15 Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, 16 Let his heart be changed from that of a man, THEN A NARRATIVE, likely also by Nebuchadnezzar \u2013 as to what happens. (Likely still written as an honest account BY Nebuchadnezzar himself, speaking in the third person about himself)<\/p>\n 28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. DEFINITELY Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s personal testimony: THAT is the ONE personal biblical testimony of a sovereign autocrat being so humbled that he finally comes to the God of Israel. God is on the move, 24\/7.<\/p>\n OK \u2013 back to us and now and looking forward to our Lord\u2019s return, as people call to be PRE-PARED (cut in advance, circumcised hearts and minds) We concluded last week w me mentioning this historic truth during WW2: my dad worked in the shipyards, wiring battleships. The urgency of the battle had 3 work crews, each spending 8 hours, working around the clock, 24\/7, because of the urgency of the hour. Our nation was at war. I THINK WE\u2019D DO WELL TO ANTICIPATE THE LORD SPEAKING W AT ALL TIMES. That mindset and preparation of our hearts will place us into more effective place of readiness.<\/p>\n Here is Jesus\u2019 instruction to His disciples: THE TAKEAWAY FROM SEVEN WEEKS:<\/strong> How clear and concise is verse 36?<\/p>\n It speaks to me not only of our assured EFFECTIVENESS in winning souls for God in the those most trying times \u2013 it brings it home to our very own success being in our watching and praying always.<\/p>\n Verse 35 tells us that the situations on earth, both the \u201cseas roaring\u201d (natural events) as well as the necessary addressing of sinfulness (carousing and drunkenness) and also the intensified struggle simply to LIVE (\u201ccares of this life\u201d) will come on all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.<\/p>\n At the risk of flying in the face of teachings that the saints are out of here before severe end times trouble and only the unsaved, and maybe the newly-saved Jews will be on the planet \u2013 I think we\u2019ve looked deep enough into scripture to recognize God\u2019s end-of-age \u201cshaking plan\u201d is purposed to get the unsaved to cry out to Him, and He has plans to leave His army of volunteer lovers ON EARTH \u2013 surely delivered from the final wrath and yet surviving by His grace during the troubling, so that we might give a testimony to the desperate world and lead as many as possible to Christ \u2013 through righteous living, prayer, a testimony of light, etc.<\/p>\n We are called and destined to be that praying army.<\/p>\n ONCE AGAIN: I so very much appreciate the distinctions between WORSHIP and PRAISE and the bent-knee place of PRAYER \u2013 be it silent or spoken, or in a spiritual language of tongues \u2013 or even standing up or laying on your face. There are different postures and different focuses.<\/p>\n But in the broadest sense of the word \u2013 PRAYER is functionally COMMUNICATION WITH GOD \u2013 and in that light we would better understand what PRAY WITHOUT CEASING looks like in our own lives.<\/p>\n I want to get out of the compartmentalization of my relationship w God \u2013 my \u201chour of prayer\u201d being concluded and now the day is mine. A GREAT PSALM confirming INTIMACY during URGENCY \u2013 concluding w praise and declaration of His goodness.<\/p>\n So let\u2019s look again at how our Lord describes the times prior to His return \u2013 fully giving room IF you don\u2019t think THESE times are THOSE times, then at least let\u2019s all agree that the times in which we live are increasingly more troublesome. Foxnews confirms that.<\/p>\n JESUS\u2019 words again (this time from Matthew instead of Luke \u2013 but remembering the verses we read earlier in Luke 21 \u2013 men\u2019s hearts failing them, praying always, etc.): THE PSALMIST\u2019S declaration of INTIMACY in URGENCY: SONG, WORSHIP PRAISE<\/strong> EVANGELISTIC WORSHIP AND PRAISE<\/strong> IN QUICK REVIEW:<\/strong> We win.<\/p>\n Ending with an encouragement and a question WE can answer by how we choose to live our lives every day, every moment:<\/p>\n Luke 18:1, 7-8<\/strong> COMPARISON BY CONTRAST \u2013 our God is not an UNJUST JUDGE. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? Jesus wasn\u2019t questioning whether there would be CHURCH or \u201cChristians\u201d \u2013 He was asking whether there would truly be people of faith, who believed and walked according to the plans and purposes of God, in and by His Spirit.<\/p>\n THAT should be our prayer.<\/p>\n All scripture NKJV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My wife and I will be attending a worship conference in South Carolina next week, so this will be the last session of this class. The ORIGINAL plan had us going through the last Thursday of August, but this Thursday, … Continue reading
\nONLY BECAUSE I DON\u2019T WANT TO LEAVE ANYONE on the edge of their seat re Nebuchadnezzar and his second dream \u2013 we will go through it sort of quickly.<\/p>\n
\nNebuchadnezzar writes out his testimony \u2013 praising God:
\n1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
\n2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me.
\n3 How great are His signs,
\nAnd how mighty His wonders!<\/em>
\nHis kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
\nAnd His dominion is from generation to generation.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
\n6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
\n7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
\n8 But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying:
\n9 \u201cBelteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.<\/p>\n
\n10 \u201cThese were the visions of my head while on my bed:
\nI was looking, and behold,
\nA tree in the midst of the earth,
\nAnd its height was great.
\n11 The tree grew and became strong;
\nIts height reached to the heavens,
\nAnd it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nIts fruit abundant,
\nAnd in it was food for all.
\nThe beasts of the field found shade under it,
\nThe birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
\nAnd all flesh was fed from it.
\n13 \u201cI saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.
\n14 He cried aloud and said thus:
\n\u201cChop down the tree and cut off its branches,
\nStrip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
\nLet the beasts get out from under it,
\nAnd the birds from its branches.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBound with a band of iron and bronze,
\nIn the tender grass of the field.
\nLet it be wet with the dew of heaven,
\nAnd let him graze with the beasts
\nOn the grass of the earth.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLet him be given the heart of a beast,
\nAnd let seven times pass over him.
\n17 \u2018This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
\nAnd the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
\nIn order that the living may know
\nThat the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
\nGives it to whomever He will,
\nAnd sets over it the lowest of men.\u2019
\n18 \u201cThis dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, \u201cBelteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.\u201d Belteshazzar answered and said, \u201cMy lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!
\n20 \u201cThe tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,
\n21 whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home\u2014
\n22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth. 23 \u201cAnd inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, \u2018Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him\u2019;
\n24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
\n25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
\n26 \u201cAnd inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules.
\n27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.\u201d <\/em> (HELP ME JOHN CALVIN \u2013 here\u2019s a MAYBE \u2013 contingent upon a man\u2019s decision)<\/p>\n
\n29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon.
\n30 The king spoke, saying, \u201cIs not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?\u201d
\n31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: \u201cKing Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
\n32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.\u201d
\n33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles\u2019 feathers and his nails like birds\u2019 claws. <\/em>Nebuchadnezzar Praises God<\/p>\n
\n34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
\nAnd His kingdom is from generation to generation.
\n35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
\nHe does according to His will in the army of heaven
\nAnd among the inhabitants of the earth.
\nNo one can restrain His hand
\nOr say to Him, \u201cWhat have You done?\u201d
\n36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
\n37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTHAT is also another testimony of God using prophetic dreams to deal w people. And that autocrat stood as the head of the empire that FINALLY comes crashing down at the end of the Revelation conflict.<\/p>\n
\nPersonally, my own prayer awareness, the \u201cPRAY ALWAYS\/WITHOUT CEASING\u201d admonishment has taken on greater meaning for me. I am quite confident the Lord\u2019s plan is for the saints to be in constant communication w Him. And I believe the times in which we live, both scripturally as well as by our own awareness, would confirm that it\u2019s getting more and more critical to be in alignment w the plans of God. RIGHT TIME\/RIGHT PLACE.
\n\u201cCO-Incidences\u201d. Coordinated Incidences orchestrated by God so that the Romans 8 spirit led sons (and daughters) of God would be on post, on point, in position.<\/p>\n
\nI believe we should figure that God, knowing the lateness of the hour prior to His return, would want to be speaking w us, and having US speak w Him, 24\/7.<\/p>\n
\nLuke 21:25-36<\/strong>
\n25 \u201cAnd there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
\n26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
\n27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
\n28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.\u201d
\n29 Then He spoke to them a parable: \u201cLook at the fig tree, and all the trees.
\n30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
\n31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
\n32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
\n33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
\n34 \u201cBut take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
\n35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. <\/em><\/p>\n
\n36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPsalms 110<\/strong>
\n1 The Lord said to my Lord,
\n\u201cSit at My right hand,
\nTill I make Your enemies Your footstool.\u201d
\n2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
\nRule in the midst of Your enemies!
\n3 Your people shall be volunteers
\nIn the day of Your power;
\nIn the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
\nYou have the dew of Your youth.
\n4 The Lord has sworn
\nAnd will not relent,
\n\u201cYou are a priest forever
\nAccording to the order of Melchizedek.\u201d
\n5 The Lord is at Your right hand;
\nHe shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.
\n6 He shall judge among the nations,
\nHe shall fill the places with dead bodies,
\nHe shall execute the heads of many countries.
\n7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
\nTherefore He shall lift up the head.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe day is His.
\nThis is the day the Lord has made.
\nI don\u2019t see any place in scripture where we are invited to take a sabbatical from our walks w God, and in fact I see a declaration of greater INTIMACY when there\u2019s greater URGENCY.<\/p>\n
\nMatthew 24:6-14<\/strong>
\n6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
\n7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
\n8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
\n9 \u201cThen they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
\n10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
\n11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
\n12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
\n13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
\n14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then<\/em> (at that time, not 2,000+ years later) the end will come.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPsalms 57<\/strong>
\n1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
\nFor my soul trusts in You;
\nAnd in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
\nUntil these calamities have passed by.<\/em>
\n2 I will cry out to God Most High,
\nTo God who performs all things for me.
\n3 He shall send from heaven and save me;
\nHe reproaches the one who would swallow me up.
\nSelah
\nGod shall send forth His mercy and His truth.<\/em>
\nTROUBLE ALL AROUND<\/strong>
\n4 My soul is among lions;
\nI lie among the sons of men
\nWho are set on fire,
\nWhose teeth are spears and arrows,
\nAnd their tongue a sharp sword.<\/em>
\nPRAISE BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY \u2013 PRIOR TO THE DELIVERANCE<\/strong>
\n5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
\nLet Your glory be above all the earth.
\n6 They have prepared a net for my steps;
\nMy soul is bowed down;
\nThey have dug a pit before me;
\nInto the midst of it they themselves have fallen.
\nSelah<\/em><\/p>\n
\n7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
\nI will sing and give praise.
\n8 Awake, my glory!
\nAwake, lute and harp!<\/em>
\nEARLY RISING TO PRAISE AND PRAY<\/strong>
\nI will awaken the dawn.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
\nI will sing to You among the nations.
\n10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
\nAnd Your truth unto the clouds.
\n11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
\nLet Your glory be above all the earth.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Prayer has always been our HOT-LINE to God.
\n\u2022 Successful folks in the scriptures were men and women of prayer.
\n\u2022 Prayer is time SPENT. It is supposed to cost you something.
\n\u2022 Failed folks were those who did things their own way \u2013 even religious things (Ex: Saul forcing himself and offering a sacrifice).
\n\u2022 Prayer is time to speak to God and for God to speak to us.
\n\u2022 Our God doesn\u2019t need us preaching to Him, although He even instructs us to remind Him of His own promises.
\n\u2022 BTW \u2013 our brethren don\u2019t need us preaching to them either, in prayer \u201cTEACHING PRAYER\u201d typically isn\u2019t prayer. There\u2019s a time for every purpose under heaven, and prayer time is not teach-time.
\n\u2022 Jesus so prioritized the Holy Spirit baptism and anointing and infilling He instructed His own disciples not to even leave Jerusalem until they experienced that baptism. We still need that baptism, and that\u2019s a baptism to repeat and repeat again and again.
\n\u2022 There are specific things we are told to pray for (EX: the peace of Jerusalem, our leaders, etc.).
\n\u2022 We can pray w confidence and effectiveness when the word is in us and we are praying according to the will of God.
\n\u2022 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Our righteous living is solid foundation of assurance that are prayers are being heard.<\/p>\n
\n1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
\n(Our Lord speaks of a stubborn woman and an unjust judge, who gives in to her consistent and stubborn appeals to him. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nHe is a FAIR JUDGE and also a LOVING FATHER<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n