Covenant Opens the Door

In His great mercy, God showed up here yesterday. It was a day I couldn't have planned any better. Even so MY plans had to shift, and in the end there was a total shift. I had been planning all week to teach on "covenants" during the teaching time on Friday, calling them to covenant as a House to bring unity and greater authority in the Spirit. In a random turn of events, not all of the teens were there, causing Chris to delay the message for later in the afternoon, hoping that all of them would be there. During the time I would have taught, Chris had some things on his heart to share with the crew regarding Matt 7:21-23, and the importance of putting intimacy and integrity first. He was also addressing some deception that was taking place in the House regarding the toleration of Jezebel. It was so powerful, and stirred me to the core. I prayed, "God, bring the fear of the Lord." I was able to speak into what he'd been talking about for a few moments as well, hoping to bring some urgency to the situation. Immediately afterward, the spirit of the Fear of the Lord came upon the room and the majority of the people hit the floor in repentance with tears. It was SO powerful.

Needless to say, this paved the way for the teaching on covenant and what was to transpire later. I shared some background on covenants in the Word, and shared my experience in DC, making covenant with my JHOP/Cause/B4L family. This ministry has gone through a lot of transition, mainly regarding the shifting from a primarily evangelistic-based ministry to becoming first a House of Prayer, then doing evangelism out of the place of prayer. Just like America 10 years ago, this country currently has no grid for the prayer movement or the validity of maintaining a vocation in night and day prayer. Additionally, there have been other situations that have caused division in the past.

I believe God wanted to come in and shore up the foundations and heal old wounds. After I taught, I exhorted the team to examine their hearts and restore relationships, for we would take communion and make a covenant later that night. OH, how sweet it was! Chris had prepared a simple sheet for those to sign who wanted to be a part of this covenant. We took communion together and we voluntarily covenanted together to fight each other's battles and be a true family. And yes, I signed. It was a holy moment for sure, as Chris and I discussed later, we didn't think they would all sign it. But they did.

During worship later, I could feel the shift. There was clear unity. Hearts had been cleansed and were passionately worshiping the Lord. It was a beautiful time of praise & worship. It had been a hard day for some, truly examining their hearts before the Lord, and going to one another in repentance. I knew the Lord wanted to impart more of His love, so after we worshipped, I shared about how the Lord had delivered me from self-hatred and how He wanted to do the same here. The atmosphere was sweet and the Lord showed up with His love, delivering many from self-hatred and imparting His love. Oh the Lord, and the depths of His love! Thank you Jesus!

Precious Firebrands

Well, I've been here a little over a week now. The luster is wearing off and I am seeing beneath the surface of things here. There are some nasty strongholds over this city, but how opportune that Jesus has set up shop here. His presence is so sweet in the prayer room, yet I see oppression everywhere. Yesterday I read in the newspaper that 31 men were on trial in Guatemala City for raping just one woman. As I looked at the picture I saw men controlled by demonic forces, with smirks on their faces. I was so grieved, but it runs even closer to home. I am learning some of the stories of the youth here, and many have experienced horrors never meant to come near a kid. I am baffled by the needs here, even in a House of Prayer. What kindness, what mercy of the Lord to establish one here, and pluck these youth out like firebrands plucked from the fire. I feel honored to tell them their filthy garments have been removed and they have been given clean turbans (Zech 3). Please pray with me for freedom for these precious ones.

First Message

The Lord is so amazing. He designed this trip so much better than I ever could (especially in the short notice that He gave me - all a part of the plan)! The youth here have a different school schedule than in the States, and their "summer" vacation is actually from Oct-early Jan. So, they are technically in school right now. However, they are actually on a two-week break that is like our Spring Break but a little longer. This is great news, because I get to see them and minister to them more! Because all the schools are on break, they won't be ministering in the schools in the mornings, so Chris gave me an open door during that time to share whatever the Lord is speaking.

This morning was the first of these sessions. I have so much bubbling up within me I could explode. I took the time to set the stage for numerous things I'd like to share in the following days, by giving a message on the importance of having a VISION (for without it people cast off restraint - Pr 29:18) for the House of Prayer. Oh, it is all unto the Return of the King! The talk went great, flowing in the Holy Ghost, and finally getting to pour out some of what I've amassed over the last six years. The best part about it was that right at the beginning after I prayed, the bottom fell out and it began to POUR rain. God loves to put prophetic exclamation points on what He is speaking through His messengers with signs in the heavens. This has happened to Billy a number of times at IHOP ATL, the most recent having been on the last Wed of GBF when he was talking about God collecting our prayers in the bowls before His throne, which He throws back to earth in the form of thunder & lightening, when it actually started THUNDERING. So, when it started to rain today I felt the KISS from Abba and almost could not continue, because I was so overcome with His goodness and the glory of being in the center of His will. It was truly glorious.

On a different note, I've been battling intense neck pain for the last couple days and hardly slept last night. However, after I spoke, most of the pain was gone. Ironic? I think not. There is a bit of warfare down here even with the grace - I covet your prayers.
Hasta luego...

Guatemala: Week 1 in Review

I am in Poptún, Guatemala. Sitting at a desk, listening to the sounds of nature sing to me. It is peaceful and only one other person on the Base here besides me, which is rare. The sounds of life are always filling this place. The youth who are the crux of the ministry can be heard from 6:30am-7pm daily. Not to mention the live or piped music (which is usually 1 of 2 CDs). At dusk more sounds emerge: the neighboring dogs & chickens, resident frogs, birds, lizards, and bugs.

Above it all, God speaks. He is in our midst here, though few truly recognize it. I know He is not offended though, because we are all growing in maturity and discernment, but to me it is like music to my ears. I have been in a wilderness for so long, and now I am in a sort of paradise, physically and spiritually. Though the excitement of the first few days has worn off, I still sense Him near, wooing me, drawing me into His presence. Even just hanging around with the youth I feel Him. His eye is on this place. In the midst of a culture that has little understanding of a living relationship with Jesus, here is this little house of prayer, seeking the Lord and making incense arise before His throne.

These kids go HARD in this house of prayer. The full-timers preach in the mornings and have prayer in the afternoons. The part-timers, who are still in school, do either prayer or preaching in the mornings (depending on the rotation), then school in the afternoons. Friday evenings they all come together to celebrate Shabbat. I was so joyful to celebrate this with them, feeling the eternal significance of doing so, as we practice entering into TRUE rest. Afterwards, they usually spend time praying for Israel (in addition to a prayer set every day for her). This past Friday though, we just worshiped and the Spirit came upon us heavy, with groanings, travail, and other interesting manifestations. It is my prayer and desire that God would visit this house with His wine (joy), as He has in Kansas City & Atlanta!

The Lord has kissed me with this trip, that I was created to be a part of from eternity past, as Eph 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." I am excited, expectant for what the rest of this trip holds. It is truly a divine journey with my Beloved.