Someone shared with me about a ministry concept that involved a team of ministers who would offer a "courts of heaven session" which I assume meant they'd interceded upon someone's behalf and utilize their gifts to hear what God's decision was and then then pray, declare or proclaim in response to that to the word of the Lord.  This kind of ministry has actually been offered for centuries through those with a prophetic gift.  Only in the last two decades has intercession begun to be explained from a courts of heaven perspective.  I believe it is part of the manifold wisdom of God being revealed in this day.  It's a new look at an old discipline from a different perspective.

Candidly, I distinctly remember God speaking to me about this concept in the early 2000s and the ORT/1Church1Day prayer strategy incorporates that revelation. In the strategy continual prayer, praise and worship seats the courtroom of heaven so you can come and plead your case and await to hear God's decision.  Now, back to the purpose of this article.

As I recall, they said something to the effect that there was a fee and that it just did not seem right to them.  They were uncomfortable with it as it seemed like they were charging for prayer.  It seemed like "pay to pray."  

When they asked me about it I had to qualify my answer because I did not have time to address this subject and cover all the bases.  You see, I was hearing things second hand and I did not have all of the information.  I did not know the motive of the ministers nor how things were actually being handled.  But I can tell you the way it was presented did not sound good to me either. 

It caused me to remember prosperity ministers who would use manipulation and violate trust in order to get more for themselves kind of like Eli's sons did in 1 Samuel 2:38-30.  Eli's sons took the very best for themselves.  Their greed defiled the altar.  Greed is typically accompanied by compromise and manipulation.  Why Paul even warns in 1 Timothy 6:5 that in the last days corrupt men would seek to use godliness as a means of gain.  But let me be clear, I do not know if that was the motive of the ministers offering the service.  It was the statement of "pay to pray" that inspired that the thought.  (Click here for Purifying the Altar.  This book impacted my thoughts about the minister's responsibilities years ago.)

The Bible is also clear that the the giver has responsibilities as well.  It is possible for the worshiper to have wrong motives and which is manifested when they try to use their offering to manipulate God or the ministry.  It's one thing to appeal to God's covenant exercising your faith but it is quite another to resort to a formula devoid of relationship with God.  This often descends into a form of witchcraft if left unchecked over time.  Galatians 5:9 teaches us that faith works by love while James 2:20 teaches us that faith without works is dead.  

Why we had a donor just weeks ago attempt to do that very thing.  They thought the could use their large offering they gave months before as leverage to manipulate our ministry into compromise.  Here's the truth.  

Do you know what KLI did?  Why we gave the offering back with a stern warning to never ever do that again. It was a  defiled offering which could lead to a defiled altar had we allowed it to lead us to compromise. 

The reason I am focusing on offerings and worship is because I have found this to be one of the consistent keys to answered prayer.  It has to do with honor and covenant.  You see, God is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth."  

The Goal is to Hit the Mark!
Our adversary the devil seeks to make people sin.  People includes the ministers who are responsible for the altar and everyone else. Satan seeks weaknesses to exploit.  Sin literally means to miss the mark.  I don't care if you go to far to the right, or to far to the left, or to low or to high these all miss the mark.  The goal is to hit the bullseye.  

Personally, I like to use the term "hit the mark."  God's word is my standard and defines the mark.  In my worldview, the Creator of the Universe designed all natural and spiritual laws.  The Bible is like the manufacturer's warranty and owner operators manual.  It describes how things work and what will happen if I operate life within the parameters of the Creator's design and what the consequences are of operating outside of designed parameters.  

Candidly, I have found that tithes, offerings, first-fruits and alms speak to the four basic types of giving in the Bible.  These are signs of a people keeping covenant with God.  With each form of giving you will find God gives the worshiper a covenant promise to go with it.   The reason I share this is because I've discovered that when handled rightly, these are some of the important keys to answered prayer which I've observed over the last twenty seven years in ministry.

Here are the challenges we face: imperfect people, ignorance, mis-understandings, demonic influence.... and the list goes on.  Our goal is to hit the mark.  

The Times of Israel reported in US funds aided 2015 campaign to oust Netanyahu, Senate probe finds "the US government supported a group that tried to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year to the tune of nearly $350,000.."   This act triggered a oft ignored spiritual law found in Genesis 12:1-3 that invited God Himself to interfere with the United States 2016 presidential election. 

My friends, spiritual laws work like the natural law of gravity.  They are always there.  They always work.  If you are wise you work with them.  If you are foolish or ignorant then you will suffer the consequences. If you are smart, you work with them.

President Obama authorized the use of tax payer dollars to interfere is Israel's election.  Yes, interference in another nation's election.  But in this case, not just any nation.  It was the nation and land which God promised to Abram.  Israel! 

In spite of all the issues, accusations, hoaxes, lies, mis-information and or truths surrounding the 2016 election one thing is certain.  The spiritual laws found in Genesis 12:3 as well as in Galatians 6:7 went into effect the moment President Obama interfered with Israel's election and that act invited God to interfere with ours.  

Spiritual Laws

I saw this post by the Oak Initiative regarding a 2017 report provided by CBS News.  The facts presented in "Islamists extremism caused 84,000 deaths worldwide in 2017," provide facts which help frame the term "Islamophobia" and its use in their cultural jihad!  These facts provide context to introduce radical Islam's war on your mind. 

Islamaphobia was a word created around 1995. It's a word meant to shame the hearers into not taking action or ignoring actions like are described in this report.  Tell me, can you point to any other religion in the world today who is committing such violence against innocents and soft targets like women (acid attacks), children (child marriage starting at 9), or restaurants or schools (bombers)? 

Fear is actually part of God’s design.  The Bible teaches us there is such a thing as a healthy fear, like the scriptures that admonish us to fear (reverence, respect and honor) God.  God's word also warns us against unhealthy or excessive fear to.  God's antidote for excessive fear is found in 1 John 4:18.  It's perfect or mature love which casts out all fear.  

Phobia's Role & Islamaphobia's Goal

Phobia refers to an unhealthy fear that goes way beyond a healthy boundary. Islamaphobia is a word made up around 1995. It's goal was to assist Islamic operatives with their cultural jihad.  Don't forget that Jihad refers to their "holy war" and Islam means "surrender."  The practitioners of radical Islam it is said make up close to 20% worldwide.  Pew Research says that there are about 1.8 billion Muslim's world wide.  Twenty percent, hey, even ten percent, provide a clear and present danger which is reinforced by the CBS article.  

The word Islamophobia is used by organizations like CAIR (click Council on American Islamic Relations) in their efforts to work in a nation as a minority so as to protect their efforts and goals of setting up Sharia Law.  If you want to understand their goal just look to Europe.  

Shame and the War on Your Mind
Islamophobia is a word meant to illicit shame and sympathy by painting the Muslims as victims.  To be clear, many Muslims are victims of radical Islam to.  But this word was not made for them.  The word was made to be used in the West.  You can see how the term was used in Europe in conjunction with immigration so as to create majorities in certain areas were Sharia could then be instituted.  

The term is meant to be used to distract you from facts.  It's meant to dull the mind or hide the threat in plain sight through the use of shame and even create allies through sympathy.  

On this Sunday which we celebrate our Lord's resurrection from the dead I'd like to share with you the daily teaching I get from Al Houghton's Word at Work.  You can sign up for his daily teaching here at The Word at Work.  Here's the main point I want you to hear.  He says, "it can't flow through us if we don't welcome it to us."  

The Word at Work by Al Houghton, April 21, 2019
Scripture: Luke 4: 6-8. 

We see this principal again in Luke 4:6-8. This passage says, “And the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship (proskuneo) before me, all will be Yours.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Get behind Me, satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve.’” Proskuneo means bow your knee, like a puppy, expecting to get food from the master’s hand and submitting to the master. There it is again, the same thing. Bow your knee and submit. If we as believers steadfastly refuse to bow our knee and submit to the devil and we only bow our knee to God, then we have the authority to cause others to bow their knee or flee. That is the only way we get it. Walking in power and authority is a product of Who we worship! Who do we yield to? Do we bring ourselves under God’s authority? That is the test! It can’t flow through us if we don’t welcome it to us. Over and over again Jesus makes this point! Yielding to the Spirit guarantees power! Moses, Samuel and the prophets all had to learn this Biblical truth! End of Al’s message.

In this scripture “led” implies submission and it illustrates how our submission to God’s authority, not only gives us authority but qualifies us to share in His glory. The glory Jesus prayed we’d share with Him in John 17. I find the following scriptures very appropriate on this Resurrection Sunday.  

I saw a post on Lance Wallnau's Facebook this morning highlighting this Brietbart article Report: Chicago Police Believe Jussie Smollett Paid Two Men to Stage Attack. Immediately God began to speak to me using this situation as an example to expose the secret strategy of our adversary the devil.

This is spiritual intelligence for the Government, Media, Education and Religious spheres and intel regarding the culture war. Now remember, when I say culture war I am referring to the spiritual war in Revelation 12 which spilled from heaven to earth.
​
Soon, I’m going to address another holy grail and favorite saying by challenging you to focus on the Ephesians 6:11-12 which says:

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

How will I challenge you? I’ll challenge you by looking at this scripture in context of the book, the New Testament and then Old Testament scriptures just like I’ve been challenging the favorite quote from Matthew 7:1 that even unbelievers seem to know about “you shall note judge.”

The cry racism has become the go to strategy on the Democrat Socialist Left because they’ve found success in using guilt and shame for the past. It’s been as effective or more effective than the go to scripture that even unbelievers seem to know so well and works hand in hand: “THOU SHALT NOT JUDGE!” it seems like their actions declare they really only want this applied to themselves. Candidly, the “Me Too ” movement, LGBT etc. basically uses the same strategy with a different subject. It’s like the unholy trinity in their strategic verbal arsenal.

At the core of this strategy is the intent to use partial truths, guilt and shame to manipulate behavior. This is done by stirring up emotions with a false narrative which distracts from the truth and advances a demonic agenda.

Do you know who is tripped up by this an ensnared? Immature disciples, those who have not “studied to show themselves approved,” those who are ignorant of God's word and those who fear because they've not come to know the perfect love of God which casts out all fear.

Please hear me, I’m not saying this with a superior attitude, but rather with a tone of discovery. If you will, one beggar trying show another beggar where the bread is.

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

Even Satan knows God's word and can quote it accurately. For example in Matthew 4:5-7 we see, "Then the devil took Him up to the holy city, set Him on a pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "It is written, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'"

John 8:44 and John 10:10 reveal Satan's nature and modus operandi. It's the fruit of demonic operations. He is the father of lies, a deceiver, a murderer and he kills, steals and destroys.

Now, I want to emphasize the tone with which you read this article. It is not condemning, angry, belligerent, etc. Rather, it is calm, truthful and spoken with a backbone instilled with the love of God and under girded by the Truth of God's word.

The Democrat Party's Platform is anything but the Lord's work. In fact, this platform serves as the host to several "doctrines of demons." If you call yourself a Christian and you are still part of this party, you have serious problem for what Pelosi just said is the epitome of Satan's nature and Isaiah 5:20 which says "woe to those who call evil good and good evil;"

Are You Out of Your Mind? Doctrines of Demons?
​No, I'm not out of my mind. In fact, I'm in my right mind doing what agape' love is supposed to do as it says in Ephesians 4:16 which is to "speak the truth in love." Here's two examples.

When one accepts Christ they are born again.  They are introduced to the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.  A new born baby is cared for and loved by parents who heap affection on their child.  They take care of EVERYTHING!  They even act like their poop is cute!  OK, maybe not to everyone, certainly not to me, but I've heard some ladies say something to that effect in years past.  Bottom line, there is a huge amount of mercy and grace demonstrated due to the child's inability to care for itself. 

But as the child matures the method of instruction changes. For example, have you ever noticed you don't have to teach children how to lie?  Love administers correction, pain, to teach them there are consequences for lying, not obeying their parents instruction, being disrespectful of elders etc. (Proverbs 22:15, 23:13 & 29:15). 

As I matured into my teenage years I played football. You can get hurt if you are not careful.  Therefore, the method, content and expectations the coaches put upon us also increased. Their love for us and the game was expressed through drills and disciplines that were forms of tough love.  The more you bled and sweated in practice the more likely you'd play safe and win.  I learned you were more likely to get hurt when you only played at half speed.   

I Learned Tough Love in the Navy
When I joined the Navy, the stakes got even higher.  In fact, we operated in an environment sometimes where  even in peace time where there was a higher risk of injury and death.   Therefore the officers and drill instructors involved in my training confronted even the smallest infractions.  Why?  Because of the consequences. 

I'll never forget Master Sergeant Flagger marching into my first day of Aviation Officer Candidate School and throwing a desk through the wall to get our attention.  Why?  Because two of his men had been killed trying to rescue a pilot and he was going to make sure that if anyone else died they'd be worth it.  My class started with 42 and only 15 of us made it through.  His method was designed to create an experience we'd never forget!  His motive?  Love of the brotherhood, love for the Corps, love for His country.  You see, he lived, they lived, we lived what Jesus taught about "greater love has no one than this, than to lay one's life down for his friends."  John 15:3   

​The problem we have today is that a significant portion of the Church majors on the love that is displayed through the Lamb of God to children.  They'll never mature unless a father's love is demonstrated through progressive correction (Hebrews 12:6).  What do I mean by progressive correction/instruction.  I mean as responsibility grows the consequences for failure to perform increases. 

Growth is of a child is assured if they are fed.  Maturity is assured if they are trained. 

God used the Navy as my seminary.  I saw many Biblical truths and principles actually applied there than I ever did in the local churches which focused primarily on meeting people's needs.  The military prioritized their country and assigned mission first.  The people, which are considered very important, were prioritized second.  It reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 about seeking the kingdom first and then all your needs would be taken care of. 

The Spiritual War is a Culture War ​
Bottom line, you cannot prepare the army of God using the same kinds of disciplines you would use with a little child.  The truth is, we were born into a spiritual war that spilled from heaven to earth in Revelation 12 and the issue at hand are the souls of men and women and their eternal destiny in heaven or in hell.  

1 Corinthians 15:44-46 introduce a spiritual truth.  First the natural and then the spiritual.  Daniel 6:27, Acts 2:19, and Hebrews 2:4 are just a few of the scriptures that teach us another important spiritual truth and that is that God uses signs and wonders to communicate.  

The signs consists of events that point to God's word and His will.  Here is a current example. 

On January 7, 2019 I shared the word of the Lord regarding God's desire for His people to recalibrate their moral compass.  Three days later God marked that message with a powerful sign that should make everyone wonder.  Fox News reported how that scientists were baffled by the geomagnetic northpole's movement which causes them to recalibrate all their instruments years earlier than expected.  To see the whole story click the Sign Scientists Just Discovered at the Northpole that points to our Moral Compass! 

God Just Gave Another Sign through His Prophet
What's the sign?  It's two things. 

It's a current event combined with consistent prophetic words that points to an element of God's word that reveals His will. In this case, a prophet had a dream on the 18th which is what prompted the bold title in this article.   

Consider These Words

Today marks the 10th day of a Daniel Fast God called us to in order to Make Way for the King in 2019.  It is a call to consecration.  The day after I wrote the last article I read a word from Jeremiah Johnson, The Cleansing Angel Visited Me, Many Will Fast & Pray in 2019,  that basically says the same thing!

This morning I awoke well before the sun rose with God speaking to me about how God wants, God needs consecrated vessels.  I was impressed that "God wants consecrated vessels.  Vessels where the cup on the inside is clean.  Why?  Because the King is coming in 2019 and He wants vessels prepared to receive the glory He is going to pour out."  

Then a number of scriptures immediately to flooded my mind!

The other day we were driving to the store listening to Christian radio.  It was one me, me, me song followed by another me, me, me song, followed by another..... until finally I heard one song that glorified our Lord and worshiped Him. The focus was all on Him. 

Then I noticed I had an "aition" stirring in me.    I'm not quite sure if it was frustr-aition, irrit-aition, or inspir-aition or a combination of all three. But it is my hope to plant an aspir-aition in your heart by the end of this.  

There is a trend among Christian artists whose songs are played on Christian radio and also in many churches. Its seems like the lyrics and focus of the song is me, me, me, me.... Help me, bless me, heal me, save me, prosper me..... me, me, me, me!  You know, almost everything we do today in a modern worship service is focused on blessing the people. Helps, healing, teaching are all good and necessary. God loves and cares about ME and every other "me" that is out there.

I hope you don’t misunderstand, but the worship service, where we sing, lift our hands, praise Him and worship by bowing down, kneeling or giving tithes and offerings is the only part of the service focused on Him. We give Him so little when He is worthy of so much.  He is worthy of all praise, all thanks, all glory and all honor. 

Personally, I love the songs that focus on Him. I want to hear Him, Him, Him, Him, in modern day hymns!  Did you catch the word play?  Or I want to hear the song focus on His word so that as we sing we are proclaiming His truth; His word! 

Scripture says: