Generations

17 Jan

Generations

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;                                                             Exodus 20:5

 —-

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is his name,                                                                Jeremiah 32:18

 —-

The weight of the sins,

     of generations past,

     burden my shoulders.

 —-

I am tempted and swayed,

     toward an evil I don’t understand,

     and yet I crave.

 —-

I carry the mantle of a cursed generation,

     passed down,

     father to child,

     a covenant of sin.

     In which generation do I fall,

     3rd, 5th, maybe 7th?

 —-

The shadow of a cross

     falls across the path,

     I’ve been destined to walk.

     It breaks the pulling of the grave.

 —-

As I look to the man hanging thereon,

     calling my name,

     I feel the mantle lighten.

 —-

Resting at His feet,

     I look upward,

     into His pain wracked face;

     the blood from His pierced hands,

     falls on the mantle I carry,

     breaking the chains that hold it there,

     releasing the shell,

     it falls to the ground.

 —-

His eyes watch and question,

     “Will you pick it back up?”

 —-

Within my womb rests a nation.

     Their destiny rests within the choice,

     I must make.

     Their blessing or cursing

     rests in the power

     of my decision.

 —-

Do I pick up the mantle

     of my fathers,

     or wear a crown of thorns,

     adorned with the ruby red drops

     of the Savior’s blood,

     one day to be traded

     for a crown of gold.

 —-

There, at the foot of the cross,

     lay the empty shell,

     a wicked generation

     left behind  –  cleansed

     by the flow of blood.

—-

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

BEHIND YOUR VEIL

16 Jan

 Veil

“And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy”. Exodus 26:33 KJV

 —-

Pull me back,

Behind Your veil,

For I have ventured out,

Into the land of Giants,

Trying to forge the path,

I think You want me to walk.

Yet in this land is confusion,

Not born of You.

In this land is strife,

Not called by Your lips.

—-

Scourge the stubbornness from my soul,

Which says this is the way,

This must be the way.

 —-

I know this is the wrong way, Lord,

For ‘round about mingle tormenting demons,

Cast from the souls of the dying lost.

Light and darkness may not dwell together.

 —-

I humbly step back, Lord,

Behind Your veil.

Repenting of the thoughts,

That I could know Your will.

 —-

Behind the veil is perfect peace.

Behind the veil is Grace.

 —-

I’ll rest my mind and bathe my feet,

Until you open the door,

Preparing my journey.

Leaving no possible doubt

Of the path You have set.

 —-

But let me rest,

Behind the veil,

Until You are sure,

I will stray no more.

—-

Tags: , , , , ,

Voices in My Head

15 Jan

Voices

“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” I Corinthians 14:10

 —-

From as far back as I can remember, I knew things.  Things I had no way of knowing, I knew.  Little things and big things; things near and things very far away . . . I just knew.  I knew when people were hurt, I knew my father was going to die months before he did.  I knew my 2 year old nephew was going to die soon, the first time I met him.  I knew where lost things would be found, states away.  How did I know . . . the voice told me.

My mother felt that the voice I heard was my father, guiding me from the grave.  She was into the occult and encouraged me to try to communicate with him.  She had me try astral writing to see if I could ask questions and receive answers.  When she wasn’t happy with the results (couldn’t say for sure that it was my father) so she bought an Ouija Board, so that she and I could both ask the “spirit” questions.  I wish I had never seen that Board.  That Board is pure evil.

After trying to communicate with my father the voice changed and multiplied.  The voices told me that I had no value, that I should hurt myself, that life wasn’t worth living.  I struggled with depression and very low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts; hiding away rather than interfacing with people.  It was a very dark time in my life.

Although my father’s side of the family was very strong in their faith, I rarely saw them.  My father and mother were far from Christianity.  I did not understand about salvation and didn’t commit my life to God until I was 38 years old, although I prayed often and had a strong belief in Him.

During an evangelical event, a few years later, I was helping tape the event series for those attending.  No matter how hard I tried to focus in on what was being shared, I just couldn’t grasp what the evangelist was saying.  The evangelist saw me struggling, walked up to me, placed a hand over each of my ears and shouted “Voices stop, in the name of Jesus.”  That was the last time I heard those voices; I’m so grateful.

After that day only one voice has spoken to me, the voice of my Lord.  I hear Him clearly, without distraction.  I believe that when a child is gifted with a prophetic ministry, Satan will do everything he can to destroy it.  If Satan can’t confuse the voices, he will do his best to destroy the person, any way he can, so the prophetic can’t follow the call God has placed on their lives.

Recently a prayer request came to me for a young boy with voices in his head; tormenting him.  When I asked questions of the mom she said that he always “knew things.”  Another young man is being attacked with voices and depression.  This young man has worked in the prophetic realm from his early childhood.  Satan tries to pervert what God has blessed us with.

Guard your mind, Saints.  Don’t allow yourselves to listen to, see or participate in any activity that would allow the enemy to find an entry point into your mind.  If you see someone struggling, get into deep prayer and help them to repent of whatever activity allowed for the entry.  Keep our children and youth in prayer, they walk in a world filled with evil and temptation.

Lord, please keep my mind strong and unwavering.  Keep me from areas where no Christian should trespass.  Help me to be a gatekeeper for our tender children.

—-

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14 KJV).”

—-

Tags: , , , , ,

Firewall

14 Jan

Firewall

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”  1 Peter 1:7

 —-

In the eye of the storm,

The flame of faith,

Flickers and dims,

Holding perilously,

To yesterday’s truths;

Praying.

 —-

Satan’s doubt,

Quenches the flame,

Reducing it to an ember,

As the storm tarries.

 —-

A cry for help,

Faint, but heard.

 —-

Then, in a moment,

The flame surges,

Grows, strengthens,

When joined by the faith,

Of interceding saints,

Building a firewall,

Of committed prayer,

That banishes doubt,

And fuels the flame,

With the testimony of miracles.

 —-

Stand with me,

When the cutting winds blow,

Then I will be strengthened,

And ready to join with you,

When another saint’s flame,

Begins to dim.

—-

Tags: , , , , ,

Lord, Rest Here

13 Jan

Rest Here

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 KJV

—-

Lord, rest here.

Comfort in this humble home,

Shine with Glory through our prayers,

Lighting the way in our darkest hour.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

Sitting beside me as I read Your Word,

Explaining each question

as I meditate the passage,

Highlighting special scriptures

 when I need an answer.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

A misty image as I try to see Your face,

What Heaven must be like;

green, pure, peaceful,

Content at Your feet.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

Set Angels all about for the moments

 You must leave,

Keep anger and temptation and evil at bay,

Helping us become the people You need.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

I could not bear a single day without You,

I could not consider a moment

      without the touch of the spirit,

I could not imagine a thought

  without Your Son in it.

 —-

Lord, rest here.

For this child is Yours,

To mold – and shape – and place –

In Your world – in Your Perfect Will.

—-

Tags: , , , , ,

THE WASHERWOMAN IN THE PALACE OF THE KING

12 Jan

Washer Woman

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Romans 5:5

—-

It was a time of rejoicing – the King has returned and all had come together to celebrate.  The house was trimmed in Scarlet and Blue and most glorious Purples.  The Golden goblet was set, preparing for the finest Wine.

As the sky drew dim the people came – in beautiful raiment.  Their joy shown clearly – their love so pure.  In beautiful gowns the women danced – jewels sparkled all about – and from a distance the washerwoman watched.

She wondered how it felt to be so beautiful.  She wondered what it was like to feel such joy.  And as she watched each beautiful woman dance with the King, she wondered what it was like to feel such love.

Back she stepped, so as not to be seen, how could she chance to be seen in her rags and covering scarf.  Yet she dared to desire to belong.

She cherished the moments she cleaned for the King.  Did He know she prayed as she cleansed His garments?  Did He know that she treasured the brief moments when they shared a word?

So back she stepped, into the shadows – swaying with the music, drinking in the joy that danced around the room.  Careful, oh so careful, so not to be seen, she raised her hand up to the missing hand, and placed her arm around the missing waist as she moved slowly around the shadows.

Then a breeze passed by and a tender word touched her ear.  Opening her eyes she saw her King before her, at the edge of the shadows.  Bowing down she humbly and quietly spoke, “Yes, My King, your servant waits.”

Speaking not He reached down, taking her rough red hand in His.  Gently He pulled her up, placing His arm around her ragged dress and together they danced from the shadows to the light.

As the music stopped He kissed her hand and thanked her for her love and the beauty she presented every day.  And at that moment she knew herself what it was like to feel beautiful, what it was like to feel joy, and how wonderful it felt to be loved.

For SHE was the washerwoman in the Palace of the KING!

—-

Tags: , , , ,

TOWERS

5 Jan

 Towers

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”    Matthew 28:20 KJV

 —-

My life took a hard turn in my 60th year.  The job I’d had for 18 years ended and the job I found was completely across the state – a 4 hour drive time to be exact.

My new job was managing an information services division at a college that is dedicated to distance learning.  Part of the job included managing the maintenance of the many towers scattered within the 24,000 square miles the college serviced.

I will tell you truthfully, I’ve never paid much attention to towers before.  I’d see the red light flash off in the distance and glance quickly away.  I would recognize one along a road, but never paid it much mind.  I didn’t realize the critical element it was in reaching people and giving the opportunity to learn in remote regions.  Now I see the lifeline of communication towers bring to desolate areas – kind of like Jesus!

Jesus’ love shines forth as a beacon to the unloved and the unlovable.  Jesus walks with us every day, speaking to us, encouraging us, guiding our way – yet most of the time we don’t even recognize Him; we pass Him by unnoticed.

My God, please keep me ever aware of my surroundings and what it is that You want me to do with that awareness.  Please let me always hear Your voice and heed Your call.  Let me recognize the lifeline of hope and healing you bring to desolate areas.  Guide my steps Lord, even if they stop at the bottom of a giant tower.

—-

Tags: , , , ,

THIS HOUSE

30 Dec

Farmhouse

“And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?”  2 Chronicles 2:5-6

 —-

This house which stands is humble.

The outside is simple  –  neat.

It does not command attention,

It does not exalt wealth.

 —-

Yet, this house has become a home,

Each inch dedicated to the Gospel.

Look inside with the eyes of a Saint,

Past the aging tapestries,

Past the dull, sparse paint.

—-

This house glows in Gold,

From the essence of His Glory within.

It is laden with silver,

From the Light of the Son.

Every inch is warmed,

By the love of His children.

It is shielded and draped,

In the Armor of Righteousness.

—-

This house which stands is humble.

The outside is simple  –  neat.

—-

But this home which we’ve built is great,

For it houses the Mighty Living God.

This God which cannot be contained,

Not by strength,

Not by boundaries,

Not by false sacrifice.

But which chooses to dwell,

In a sanctuary of praise,

Raised by the hearts of His own.

—-

Tags: , , , , ,

A Chosen Vessel . . .

29 Dec

Chosen Vessel

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”  Jeremiah 18:4

 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”  Romans 9:21

 —-

 Painted with Love,

Fired with Patience,

Filled with Righteousness,

Kissed by the Grace of God.

I am a Chosen Vessel.

 —-

Tags: , , , ,

2 ½ MINUTES – UNITED

28 Dec

Highway Tunnel

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”  Revelation 4:8

 —-

On a recent vacation we traveled to California to visit family members not seen for too many years.  The Northern California cultures and obvious lifestyle was such a change from our South Phoenix home.

We were completely overwhelmed by the large numbers of people at every turn.  Traffic was bumper to bumper and lines at stores had to be a delight to the owners.  Remarkably, we saw few confrontations because of these inconveniences, something I cannot brag about in our hometown.  People there seemed to accept the inconvenience as a way of life, just the way things are.

Although I didn’t notice outbursts of frustration, neither did I notice outbursts of pleasantries.  People moved about much like ant colonies, each with a place to go and a job to do, no time to chitchat, no time to stop.

Shopping in San Francisco shops was an experience.  When you weren’t quick enough at choosing a souvenir in their overcrowded gift shops, someone would move over to assist you, pulling out articles from shelves, showing you hidden merchandise, color after color, then moving you quickly to the cash register line.  I had to sit back and laugh at the adventure and wonder if we frustrated them as much as they frustrated us, all under the guise of a smile.

But of all the interesting things that happened, one 2-½ minute section of time touched me the most.  On our way back from lunch with family we hadn’t seen in 20 years, we decided to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.  Our boys had never seen the bridge and were excited as it began to come into view.  They were blessed with the opportunity to study that bridge for quite a while, as we weren’t the only family that had the idea.  We crawled, bumper to bumper, for miles before the bridge.  My oldest son hung out the car window, snapping pictures of the bridge, Alcatraz Island, the city coastline, trees, you name it; anything to stay busy.

Not far from the bridge we had to pass through a tunnel.  It was a tiled arched tunnel, marked and stained with age.  I remembered the tunnel from my youth and the magic that seemed to spring to life as cars drove through – the lights passing by overhead and the long sounding honk as we swished under.  Had it changed?

Almost as soon as we entered the tunnel the faces of the drivers began to change.  First one car honked, then another.  Three short bursts, followed by three more from another car – soon the tunnel swelled with an orchestra of patterns and phrases.  People began to interact and play together, windows came down, laughter joined in, frustration left the faces of even the most distraught.  For 2 ½ minutes they were children again, enjoying a moment of comradery with 50 complete strangers while creeping bumper to bumper in a tunnel – and enjoying every second of it.

All too soon the tunnel ended and the honking stopped, except for one lone car that would give 3 short bursts every once in a while, looking to see if anyone would join in outside of the tunnel – no one did.

As I reflected back I wondered if that experience might be a little bit like what Heaven is going to be?  The cars will be replaced by white robes and the horns by voices.  Instead of 3 short bursts of beep, beep, beep there will be long melodic arias of Holy, Holy, Holy.  Every face will be happy, we will once again feel the joy of childhood and the safety of our Father’s House.

Thank you Lord, for that glimpse of what treasures lie ahead.  Thank you for a 2 ½ minute jewel today.

—–

By Linda J. Humes

Written 6/25/2001

From **A Walk To Gethsemane**

Tags: , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →