Newly Spiritually Circumcised

Circumcised at Heart 

I know this is a incredibly weird and incredibly blunt statement, but I feel like I’ve been newly circumcised. I feel like the excess has been cut off. Like I am really ready to do whatever it takes. Not that I wasn’t before. I feel like I have been sharpened. Once again, all I can see is Jesus.

CausingEffect

I will post what happened at worship practice last night, but first I want to post how we got started, then I’ll share what God is doing with us. We put a lot of thought into our name, and decided on CausingEffect. We consist of Chris on the keyboard and vocals, Chase on the keyboard and vocals, Zack on the bass, Zeke on the drums, Jennifer on lead vocals, and me also on vocals. I’ll put some links in the next blog to give you an idea of who I am talking about.

Hangers today, people tomorrow

Because of last night, I have felt like my communication with God was better. Like He was speaking to me more. So a funny thing just happened. I took some hangers into the laundry room so that when my clothes came out, I could hang them right up. They usually get folded because I use the plastic hangers, and my mom and grandma use the clear, acrylic hangers. So I put them on the dryer, in a staggered stack, plenty far away from the edge. I started to walk away and God said. “They are going to fall.”

Let me share my history. For so long, Iwould want God to speak to me, and my mind would get carried away and I would make things up. They would be insignificant, even annoying things, and I would get so frustrated. Maybe like the devil would put thoughts in my head to make me think it was the Lord. Argh! It would just really bother me. And I would get so discouraged.

So I walked back to the dryer, and attempted to move them, suspicious that it was my thought. They looked fine to me, and I didn’t really move them much. As I walked away, I said out loud, “God, I don’t want to talk to myself!”

Not 5 minutes later, I was sitting in the living room talking to my grandma, and I heard one fall. She said, “What was that?” “A hanger.” I was amused. And we kept talking. About thirty seconds later, that same noise times 20. I knew they had all fallen. And I laughed. I went into pick them up, and sure enough. It was a mess of hangers. Turns out, when the washer started spinning, they all shimmied themselves onto the floor. What a blessing this was. A confirmation that God is speaking to me and I am hearing. Hangers today, people tomorrow.

Lukewarm Generation

Lukewarm-A substance that should be hot;neither hot or cold.

Colossians 4:16 says, “…read the epistle from Laodicea.”

-What epistle? There are many theories on this lost epistle, one thing is for sure, this generation has been robbed and is lacking from the starting line. Knowing that the times are shortened, the enemy is already making it difficult for our laodicean generation to become righteous through rebuke (by reading the instruction within the pages of this lost epistle).

Rev.3:20 says, “…behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

-Our vomitous state, which to explain in detail, vomit is actually to emit something in an uncontrollable stream or flow. So, our vomitous state is nauseating to God. So much so that He stands at the door of His own Church, not even stepping in to commune with them.

This church (generation) sits there, hears the word, agrees, and even goes up for prayer. They make all the promises possible under the sun, committing their faithfulness, only to then turn around and unable to stomach the responsibility of their new life in Christ, they immediately emit the Word in an uncontrollable stream. The flow of the Holy Spirit that once drew them near, is immediately emitted by our vomitous generation.

Rev.3:20 also says, “…He stands at the door and knocks…(amplified version) If anyone hears, and listens to, and heeds my voice…”.

The Verb put a verb (Knock) into action! 

Jesus stands at the door knocking to attract attention, but the key is in hearing, listening to, and heeding His voice.

2 Peter 2:21 says, “For it would have been better for them not to have known, the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them”.

In other words it’s not the knocking that will get this generation to turn around, the knocking they’ve heard. The knocking is Religion and our church culture. They have already opened the door to that and are still lukewarm. The Voice will be this generation’s ticket out of their Laodicean trance.

One of the characteristics of Laodecia was the fact that nothing was known of it’s ministy in preaching the gospel throughout it’s region as it was with Ephesus, so needless to say, knocking on doors wasn’t their thing nor did they respond to it. This voice that will save this generation will sound like the bell @ chow time. It will be what the hungry will be listening out for. Those that want out will be known for their desire and hunger for action on behalf of our bridegroom, Jesus. They are waiting by the door, they are listening for a voice. They are ready for a real meal. They will know that God wants intimacy rather than what we have had for years… a religious experience.

Rev. 3:20 furthermore says, “…I will come in to him and dine with him.” The origin of the word dine comes from the Old French for ‘desjeuner’ which means‘to break fast’. This generation will deeply desire to end their fast from God. They will no longer walk around indifferent to the Holy Spirit ignoring every knock, too busy to come to the door. They will no longer hold back, avoid, refuse, forgo, or do without the presence of God.

A Hot and Hungry Word, and a Hot heart will increase the degree of intimacy between this generation and God. And, this generation is crying out for Freedom. Freedom from religion, church culture, from a stale and mediocre Christianity. We are in a war, a Spiritual war against principalities and strongholds that are holding this generation captive, but we are starting to arise out of the trenches of war and this generation is crying out: FREEDOM.

                                              *******by Jen Figueroa

 So because you are lukewarm(tepid. metaph. of the condition of the soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor(dulllness, apathy, extreme sluggishness, stagnation) and a fervour of love), and neither hot(boiling hot.
metaph. of fervour of mind an zeal)
nor cold(of cool water metaph.
cold i.e. sluggish, inert(powerless to move, lacking in active properties)
in mind: of one destitute of warm Christian faith and the desire for holiness)
, I will(to be on the point of doing or suffering something
to intend, have in mind, think to)
spit(vomit, vomit forth, throw up) you out of my mouth(the mouth as part of the body, or the edge of a sword).

What strikes me is that the proper translation is I am about to spit you… This is a warning. Lukewarmness is the fluctuating between apathy and fervor. It is not that you are never hot and never cold. You are not decidely one thing.

As I was looking up references to God’s mouth, I found that mostly it is the place of His word.

It is also the place of fire. Both 2 Samuel 22:8-10 and Psalms 18:7-9 say “Then the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of heaven were trembling and were shaken, because He was angry. Smoke went up out of His nostrils, fire from His mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down with thick darkness under His feet.”
Psalms 33:6 says, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.”

Isaiah 11:4 says, “But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.”

This speaks of the breath of His mouth, and the rod of His mouth. It is very interesting that the greek word ‘mouth’ in 3:16 also means the edge of a sword. Revelation 1:16 says, “In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.” Revelation 2:16 says, “`Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 19:15 says, “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.” Revelation 19:21 says, “And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse…”

I think Jen has something here with Him knocking at the door. God is tired of playing games with this generation. Either they want Him or they don’t. If they do, let them open the door and let Him come in and live in true communion with Him.

I love her ‘ready for a real meal.” Here’s the thing. Before Christ came, there was a veil separating us from God. That veil was rent by the cross. However, God, as a gentlemen, still will only come in with invitation. Until Jesus came and abolished the law, the religious community kept Him at the door, where He was waiting for our redemption to be able to come in. The problem is 2000 years later, we still hold Him outside the door of our hearts. We have to understand His desire for us, His desire to come in, to be intimate with us. He said He would abide in us and we would abide in Him. If this is not happening, we are stuck in the religious. We need to proclaim His heart to this generation. He stands at the door and knocks, but WE are the voice they will hear that will cause them to fling open the door of their hearts and enter into the high calling of His fullness in their lives.

We, as prophetic worshippers, come to proclaim to the hearts of a generation that has been lied to, stolen from, and beaten down that God is passionate for them. That He is jealous for their love and desires that they walk in love and power and in all He has for them. We will declare Who God is and His purposes. If only by creating the atmosphere of the Spirit, so He can show them. Once they experience Him, they will no longer be satisfied with anything less. The baptism of fire will come and seal their hearts to love Him forever!!

Blessed Again By His Name

I am continually amazed at the crazy work that God is doing in me. Today I started praying for more revelation regarding God’s purpose in it.

Today, a lady came into the bookstore to sell back a book. When I told her how much she would get back, she said, “The Lord is so good!” A simple phrase, right? Hardly!

Immediately, I started feeling full, laughing from the joy, and the air was heavy. There I am looking at the computer, trying to remember what I am supposed to do next, trying to think clearly, and I feel the Spirit messin’ me up! And she says it several more times. Finally, I mustered up, “You gotta stop.” Lame, so lame. The Spirit was so thick I couldn’t even think.

Craziness!

I was going to try to agree with her or something, but I was bowled over by the reaction of the Spirit in me. This work that God is doing, whatever He has done, it amazes me.

My friend Chris got a revelation about Psalms 133:1-3. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forever.”

What I remember of what He is said is that the Spirit comes in power where there is unity. The oil is the Spirit, and its coming down to the edge of Aaron’s robe is its covering us.

All I know is that his revelation confirmed what I had already experienced, bringing understanding, and I have lived it since.

Jessy and I have the most amazing times in the Spirit, consistently, in the most random places. Because we are ’best’ friends, we are incredibly close and in unity. We get messed up in the car, in Red Lobster, in Taco Cabana, in Walmart, at her house, at my house, at Chris’s, at Cynthia’s and just about anywhere. We are both full of the Spirit and answering the calls on our lives. So this unity happens, and this ‘oil’ and ‘dew’ comes on both expectedly and unexpectedly.

God is bringing unity in my worship band, as He has instructed us to pray for it, and as we are unified, He moves mightily. As I get closer to certain friends, I find myself more blindsided by His Spirit. It’s cool!

What amazes me is that this happens with strangers. As all this was happening, I thought of this revelation, and so I was thinking, this lady must love Jesus and be filled with the Spirit, and it was making me even more messed up.

What a blessing!

Just an Update

Praise the Lord! He is so good!

Continue to pray for my mom and grandma. They both went to the doctor today. I have yet to hear the details, but I talked to my mom for a little bit. She’s been upset and in tears all day. She’s in a lot of pain and she doesn’t know what to do about it. It’s probably going to take her longer to recover than she anticipated, and that’s hard for her. She has been working 2 full-time jobs for the past couple of weeks, and she doesn’t want to give either one up. My grandma might be feeling better, but she has to ease into doing stuff around the house, and she is the type who does what needs to be done whether she feels like it or not.

As for me, I am so thankful. I am fine. I called into work Friday and Saturday, but worked yesterday and today. I definitely didn’t want to be there yesterday, but I had no choice and God got me through it. My arms were sore on Sunday but they are fine now. My knee is still weird, but I am believing it will go back to normal. And the bruise on my side has hurt less and is going away.

In fact, on the way home, I felt God spoke to me to do what I need to do and stop acting like I am hurt. So when I came home from work, I folded some towels, made my bed, hung up some clothes, and attempted to straighten my room.

See, I pretty much got back to normal life on Saturday (I went to worship practice on Saturday, then morning service, worship practive, and evening service on Sunday) where my mom and grandma didn’t move much until today. So it’s hard for them.

I really appreciate your prayers. God is faithful.

Say a Prayer

If you would, please say a prayer for my grandma, my mom, and me. We were in an accident just before midnight last night.

We were on the freeway, and the weather was bad, though it had pretty much stopped raining. We were going 50-55, and we hit a puddle of standing water in the slow lane. The van hydroplaned, we hit the concrete wall head-on, then to the right side, we bounced off back into traffic, and my mom quickly maneuvered us onto the side.  

Miraculously, we were not seriously injured. We are seriously bruised and sore, but we are so thankful that God really protected us.

We called 9-1-1 3 times, and an hour after the first call, the ambulance finally arrived. They said 4 accidents happened in that area at about the same time. My two aunts and my uncle got there pretty quick, and my cousin-in-law brought his wrecker to tow the van to my uncle’s body shop. A policeman arrived after about 45 minutes, and stayed on the phone trying to get the ambulance there.

My mom and grandma were put on backboards and taken to the hospital in the ambulance. My mom’s chest hurt a little, but her arthritic knees were bruised, swollen, and hurting. My grandma got hit in the chest with the side airbags, and also her foot was hurting really badly. She was in the most pain, and she was having trouble breathing because of it.

I was praying the whole time. Just saying the name of Jesus over and over. I was so thankful that I wasn’t badly hurt and that we were all okay. Waiting for help to come, I kept putting my hands on my mom and grandma and repeating, “Jesus, take away the pain.” And to keep myself from getting upset, I would sing, “Jesus, Jesus. There’s just something about that name…” And I just kept praying.

We were really afraid my grandma had broken ribs, and possibly a broken sternum. So just before the paramedics went to get her out of the van, something was mentioned about the danger of punctures organs in moving her. 

Immediately, I leaned forward to pray for her, and told my mom, “Agree with me.” My 2 aunts, who were peeking in the door over my grandma, did to. I personally prayed that God would put little angels around her organs so that they would be protected. But then I prayed that God would just heal all her bones so that they would be completely whole.

The doctor and his nurse both commented that my mom and grandma were in amazing shape. They were so surprised at their x-rays, that they had not broken anything. I just know it was God’s protection and our prayers.

As for me, I wasn’t buckled in. And yet I was least hurt. I was sitting forward in the seat, so when we hit, I was thrown into the back of my mom’s seat, with my legs trapped between my mom’s seat and mine, and then across the car, where I hit my head on the passenger door. So I have a bump on my forehead, an ugly bruise and scrape on my side, and my arm muscles are real sore. My left knee hurt the worst, and I was concerned, especially because it was badly injured in an accident last January, but it’s just bruised. They gave me a knee immobilizer, and it has helped.

I am really sore, but better, and I hope I’ll still feel okay in the morning. My mom’s doing okay, but my grandma’s chest still hurts her anytime she moves. So we’re just trying to get through, to rest and feel better.

An old friend of the family called today and said the Holy Spirit had her praying for us last night, and she wanted to know what happened. A lot of people have been praying for us, and I am so thankful.

Thank you for saying a prayer for us. 

God is so ridiculously good. A constant, faithful friend. I praise Him.

Have Mercy

This Morning, I woke up to pray and I was pondering what to listen to while I was praying. This song by Out Of Eden popped into my head.

“Have Mercy” 

It struck me as random because I haven’t seen the cd, or thought of, or heard the song in a while. It’s always been a great prayer song for me, and for so long it always made me cry. So I put it on, and I naturally thought to pray for mercy, but really felt impressed to thank God for His mercy. It was like I was literally looking at His heart, and it was filled with mercy, and I was filled with a reverant awe. And I was just humbly, but profusely thanking the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for mercy, as God revealed to my heart the roles They played. Then I felt released to pray, and agree that He would have mercy.

When I finished, you know, I got up and got ready for church, and I kind of noted the amusement of it. But during the morning, I started wondering who it was for. Then I remembered my revelation from the Worship service.  

It was for me.

God had given me revelation of His Lordship, and I was never afraid, but how amazing of Him to immediately show me His mercy!

And what’s more is that as the day went on, I was listening to Misty’s song “Track 4″ that I just recently discovered. Don’t know the name, but it echoed the same message.

The Lord is gracious and slow to anger. He’s rich in love. He is good to all! 

I am always amazed when God says the same thing over and over again, but this might be the beginning of it all being spoken by God to me, instead of by people. Sweet!

Worship Night with Rick Pino

Rick Pino was really incredible! 

It was a very interesting drive, and long. From Spring to Groves, it must have been 2 hours. At one point we were all really concerned that we would run out of gas because we drove so long without seeing a gas station. We literally turned around, and followed the sight of civilization to find a hole-in-the-wall station. I was like, well I can’t go to the restroom in there! And actually, I’d be really interested to see if it was real, or if God gave us an angel-station. Anyway, the 5 of us were very squished in Chris’s Montero sport, but we had so much fun.

It was funny because it was a little church in the middle of nowhere, and when we first went in and sat down, it kind of felt like a youth rally from back in the day.

The service started and Rick Pino asked everyone to take off their shoes. To remove what was separating them from holy ground. Then we prayed for the atmosphere of Heaven. A comment was made later about Rick’s ministry not really being one that you could was sing along to. What’s funny to me is that, despite how ridiculously important singing is to me, I didn’t even notice. The whole service was comfirmation what we decided at dinner last night: what we need, for our generation, is warfare prayer.

During the service, Rick prophetically sang over us, “God is with you Mighty Warrior! So Rise. So Rise.” And I kept feeling it turn inside of me into a cry for God to speak to the dry bones and tell them to rise. To the dry bones of this generation, of my generation.

We ’spread our wings’ as He sang over us that we were eagles, who could fly by just spreading out our wings and catching the wind of the Spirit. We cried out that God would push even the baby eagles out of the nest if they were ready.

We had some ‘Kingdom Fun’ playing a ‘kids’ game’. It was ridiculous. He told us to get in groups of four and take hands, then run in circles. And He played, ‘a little bit faster now, a little bit faster now, a little bit faster now,’ singing it faster and faster. Then, ‘a little bit slower now, a little bit slower now, a little bit slower now, while slowing down. He sang each twice, but we didn’t make it to the fourth, mainly because I fell. The Holy Spirit just messes me up. And all the time! I almost fell a couple times, but finally I couldn’t stay upright. My circle stopped, and I stopped, but I kept going. I thought, “Oh. I’m not supposed to be on the ground. No one else is.’ But when I tried to get up really fast, I couldn’t. It was crazy. Later, we were all laughing about it.

Then He played that we were at the Throne, and He had everyone that was able to bow down, and God gave me a revelation. I saw Him as LORD. As someone that I will answer to. That I answer to now. The LORD that I SERVE. I wasn’t afraid, but I’ve never felt such a holy fear.

Then He had us all sit down and close our eyes so he could play a song of peace over us. He compared it to David playing for Saul, and in the OT, when the musicians prophesied with their instruments, but not specifically singing. Before too long, he began to sing peace and love over us. He repeated over and over: ‘Perfect love’. What struck me was that although it started out quiet enough, he was getting louder and more powerful as he kept singing; ‘Perfect Love’. I thought how profound the revelation that just as we get excited, and loudly and passionately sing our love to the Lord, so would He get excited, and loudly and passionately sing His love over us. He said a key phrase to the daughters of God that really meant a lot to me. “When no one else understood, I knew just what you meant.” I could literally feel waves of peace.

He explained that banners in times of war meant that there was more to come. So when our BrideGroom says His banner over us is love, He means there is more coming. Rick had people come foreward and take up flags to wave before the Lord. He said, “these aren’t the only banners in the room!” So we waved our arms as an offering to the Lord and it was quite the celebration.

On the way home, it wasn’t quite as squished because Chase, the skinny one, gave up the front seat to someone else. We still had issues with body parts going to sleep though. The whole ride home, we listened to Rick’s new cd, and tried to come up with a name for ourselves. God is making us a worship band. Whether we are for the public, or for Himself, is yet to be determined. But it was fun, even a little ridiculous.

So our favorite name, that might just stick, is “Near The End” To warn that we are near the end. And to cry out for God to near the end! And after our name, we would put, “…and the Bride says Come!”

I’m so thankful for this night and for what God has done, is doing, and is about to do. He is moving more and more and stirring more and more. I’m excited to see all His purposes come to pass! In the nations of the world, and in my own life. Glory be to God!

Going To See Rick Pino

I’m going to see Rick Pino in Beaumont tonight. Stinkin’ excited about that! If you haven’t heard him, he is awesome. He is a phenominal prophetic worship leader. You should watch his video here.

While reading Song of Solomon, I was struck by something. (Again!) It was at Onething, listening to Jennifer Roberts, that I first heard 4:10, ‘how much more pleasing is your love than wine…’ from the Lover to the Beloved. But while I was reading it this week, first I read 1:2. It is the beloved, His Bride, telling Him, ‘your love is more delightful than wine.’ Then I came to 4:10. And I was stunned. Do you mean to tell me that God says about my love what I say about His?! What a blessing to be assured that my love, my flawed, yet whole-hearted love to Him means so much to Him and is accepted by Him.

The Joy Set Before Him

Wednesday Morning, I was reading Song of Solomon. I came across this verse that struck me and I’ll tell you why.

Come out, you daughters of Zion, and look at King Solomon wearing the crown, the crown with which his mother crowned Him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced. (Song of Solomon 3:11)

Now, the Bridal paradigm is new to me, and so I was delighted when God gave me the following revelation. I don’t know if is already common knowledge around Ihop-KC, but it is incredible to me.

When I read the verse, I immediately thought of Hebrews 12:2. I have been studying ‘running the race’ lately in Hebrews 12 and Philippians 4.

The meaning of ‘the joy set before Him’ has long been speculated, from conversations I’ve heard, or even ones I’ve held with myself  in my head.

We were the joy set before Him.

He endured the cross for His wedding day. For the day He would be united with His Bride. He will come as our King, as our BrideGroom, and we will finally take our place in partnership with Him. It will be a day of great joy for Him, and for the church!

WE were the joy set before Him. Wow.

The Blessing of His Name

This morning, two guys came into the bookstore. It was a blessing because one is a regular who I’ve noted before to be really nice. The one I’m not familiar with was selling back his book. When I told Him we were offering $64 for it, the other exclaimed, “Praise God!” It felt like I was rising out of the deep places of the ocean after a painfully long journey to the surface, where I took in an incredible breath of fresh, living air.

Last week, I was taking Jessy home from church, and she ‘accidentally’ spoke in tongues, as she was telling about praying for someone. (The subject of speaking aloud in tongues in conversation had been coming up alot and I intend to write a whole blog about that soon.) It was insane. I felt power, but it was different from anything else I have ever felt. It wasn’t the electric shock kind that I am used to. It reminded me of getting a shot, the way the medicine is injected in your body. It was like slow-motion and quiet, kind of like ’silent but deadly’. It was funny to me that I couldn’t express the impact but it impacted me nonetheless.

One day, a while ago, a guy came into the bookstore, one who likes to come and just hang out, and noticing that his shoes were untied, said, “I need to tie my shoes in the name of Jesus!” It was like I came alive. Eager to talk about Jesus, I said, “Well, I guess we should do everything in the name of Jesus.” He said, “No…” I was only mildly deflated, but Cecil has since become a good Godly friend, and an incredible encouragement.

One day, a couple weeks ago, though I had been conversing with Jesus off and on, I was having a somewhat calm morning. On my lunch break, I talked to my sweet friend Jessy, and she began to tell me some things that God had revealed to her. When I got off the phone, I was completely lit with passion for the Lord.

Can I get a witness? Anybody know what I’m talking about? Share your story.