Defender

We know that many of you who read our blog also listen to our Seven Minutes of Wisdom at http://powerpodcasts.blogspot.com or via iTunes. But we wanted to give you an opportunity to listen to a long-form teaching, versus reading one.

Our CD Defender is an hour of power -- delivered with our special brand of humor -- for those who are looking to defeat end works of satan in your life. Here is the teaching in six parts (click each to listen... or right-click to download):

• Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three
• Part Four
• Part Five
• Part Six

Enjoy!

Meditations from Judypie: Strength in Difficult Times

Father, I come before the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace to help me in this hour of need. LORD, You are my Refuge and my Fortress: my God, in You will I trust. You are my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and again I say You are the One in whom I trust. O LORD, my Strength, You are my Refuge in the day of affliction, anguish, distress and adversity. If God be for me who...I say...who can be against me? In the name of Jesus, I decree that I am strong in the LORD and the power of His might. Amen.

Psalm 91:2

Psalm 144:2

Jeremiah 16:19

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Father, in the name of Jesus, I am abiding in the Vine, and He abides in me to cultivate a harvest of love, joy, peace; forbearance, kindness, benevolence; meekness, and self-restraint in my life. I belong to Christ, having nailed my natural evil desires to His cross, where they were crucified. Father, I am not desirous of vainglory, and will not provoke or envy others, but I seek to bring forth those good fruits, which are to the praise and glory of God. Amen.

John 15:1-17

Galatians 5:22-23

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Father, we pray for those in our nation who have lost their jobs. You promised, and we believe that You supply to the full their every need. You know their work records and what they are doing. We ask You to set before them doors of employment that no one is able to shut. We pray that they will prize Wisdom and acknowledge that You are the One who gives power to get wealth. In everything they do give them the grace to put You first, and You will direct them and crown their efforts with success. Cause them to increase in Wisdom and in Favor with You, Father, and with man, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Philippians 4:8

Revelation 3:8

Proverbs 3:6

Proverbs 4:8

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Father thank You for Your goodness. My soul was melting because of trouble I was at my wits’ end. Then I cried to You my LORD in my trouble and You brought me out of my distresses. You calmed the storm and the waves are still. Now I am glad. Thank You for guiding me. I give thanks to You for Your goodness and for Your wonderful works to my children in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 107:23-31



I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
  -- Psalm 18:1-3

Martin Luther King Day

Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. G. Copeland offers the following prayer in memory of him and of the legacy he left to the world.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we repent and ask forgiveness for tolerating prejudice in the household of faith. Forgive us for segregating ourselves by color, by a measure of wealth or intellect. We pray and look forward to the day when every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain made low, the rough places made plain, and the crooked places made straight. We believe that one day the glory of the Lord shall be revealed to all flesh. We call for an end to division and segregation in Christ’s family. The Kingdom of faith is now our home country, and we are no longer strangers or outsiders. We are one in the bond of love – the love of God, our Father. We pray in the name of Jesus that this nation will acknowledge in deed that all men are created equal. Amen.

My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?

James 2:1-4 [The Message]

Every valley and ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be leveled; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough roads shall be made smooth

Luke 3:5 [AMP]

And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

Isaiah 40:5 [AMP]

^11-13 But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

^14-15 The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.

^16-18 Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility. Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

^19-22 That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Ephesians 2:13-22 [The Message]

Ambassadors

am·bas·sa·dor [am-bas-uh-der, -dawr]
–noun

1. a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary).
2. a diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission, as for negotiating a treaty.
3. a diplomatic official serving as permanent head of a country's mission to the United Nations or some other international organization.
4. an authorized messenger or representative.

As we watch the Secretary of State flying around the world, representing the interests of the United States, and others providing support to disaster zones like Haiti... or negotiating peace in volatile areas such as the Middle East... or with froward leaders like the President of Iran... we see an embodiment of the dictionary definition of the word Ambassador. But have we ever considered the fact that Christians, as members of Christ’s body, are also ambassadors?

So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

2^nd Corinthians 5:20 [AMP]

God has called those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives to be His ambassadors in this world. We are to be instruments of His will in a world that has become so twisted and torn by the wicked schemes of the devil.  We are to minister healing to those who are hurt.  We are to show love to those who feel hated.  We are to offer hope to those who are without hope.

We are Christ’s personal representatives -- representatives of His anointing to a dying world.

Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One.  The title Christian means one who is Christ-like.  Someone who is a “little anointed one.”  Given the understanding that Jesus is the Anointed One, those who are in Christ are in His anointing.

Jesus is King of Kings (1^st Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16).  As such, He has made us kings and priests.

And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!

Revelation 5:10 [AMP]

Easton’s Bible Dictionary says that anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1^st Samuel 16:13; 2^nd Samuel 2:4). Psalm 103:4 tells us that we are crowned with His loving-kindness and tender mercies. We are kings and priests.  We need to be both -- a king has authority and a priest has access. 

Authority

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Luke 10:19 [AMP]

When a man or woman is given a uniform and a firearm, they have the authority of the government to enforce its laws. That man or woman can use the power of their imparted authority to arrest or stop a criminal and incarcerate that person. Their authority is symbolized by the uniform... the badge... the gun belt.

Luke 10:19 tells us that we have His power and authority to arrest the devil and incarcerate him.  Our authority is not symbolized by a badge or a uniform.  Our authority is realized by the spiritual armor, available to all who have accepted Christ, that the Apostle Paul enumerated:

Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:11-17 [AMP]

When we were given our spiritual armor, we received the power and authority to trample over all of the wicked works of the enemy.  We have the ability to quench the flaming missiles launched toward us by the enemy.  We have the offensive weapon empowered by God’ holy word.

But then, we have to ask this question... are we truly operating in our capacity as an ambassador?

Access

Before Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross, a priest had to gointo the temple to offer sacrifices before God.  The priest was the only one with access to enter into the presence of God.  The average citizen
could never do so and live.  But now that we are in the dispensation of grace... now that we are covered by the blood of Jesus... we can boldly go where no one could ever go before!

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Hebrews 4:16 [AMP]

We have free and unfettered access into the very presence of God.  But is that just so that we can present our wants and needs before Him?  While we can do so... that privilege carries so much more!  We can now take the needs of other people before God!  And, also important, we can take the word of God into the lives of those who do not know Him.  As God’s representatives, that is our prime directive.

By the way, that was the second Star Trek reference.  Did you catch the other one?

If we are to be God’s ambassadors to this world, let’s make sure we are living before the world in an honorable manner.  That doesn’t mean to be all stuffy and smug and self-righteous.  That doesn’t mean to twist your mouth around and speak like you are in a Vincent Price movie.  Au contrare, you need to represent Him by following His commandments!

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

John 13:34-35 [AMP]

Walking in love will do more to show people the mercy of God than, well...than anything.

Just do it.

When I was a teenager, my friend Harry Bristow used to play this song by The Hawaiians on his radio show. I learned later that the song was the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

What a great prayer. What a great lifestyle. What a great resolution as the new year and new decade continues to unfurl before us. What a great way to be an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.

It is also a great way to avoid feeding the atheists.

Our book, “Please Don’t Feed the Atheists” is required reading for all ambassadors. 

Wisdom from Judypie: Commit Your Way to The Lord

Heavenly Father, I choose to let go of the past and receive the new transformation that you are working in me according to Your Word. You are upholding me with Your victorious right hand, and I make it my primary goal to know You better and more intimately. I ask You to fill me with Your mighty, glorious strength so that I can keep going no matter what happens — always full of the joy of the Lord. This year I will love, laugh and spread the joy that You have set before me in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Read these scriptures:

• Genesis 1-3
• Matthew 1
• Colossians 1

Meditations on Security from Judypie

Praise

Father, I will praise You with my whole heart... I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth: for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.   Praise the name of the Lord!  Amen.

¹ I WILL confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praises to You.
² I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!

Psalm 138:1-2 [AMP]

Security

Each and every day the media releases fear-filled words into the airwaves. At one time we followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air. Now we who are in Christ have been delivered out of darkness, translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. Pull down fear-filled words by speaking God’s Word, and fear not for God is with you.

Father, thank You for comforting and assuring me of Your divine intervention as I walk this journey here on earth. I dwell, remain and settle down under the shadow (defense, protection) of the Almighty. I abide in You and Your Word abides in me. I that You Lord are my Refuge, my place of Protection. You are my God, True and Faithful. You are my Security. You have given me a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. I choose to replace feelings of insecurity with confidence and faith and assurance. You are my exceeding great Hope. In Your name I bind my emotions to the control of the Holy Spirit and go forth with confidence. In Jesus name. Amen.

• Genesis 7-9 [AMP]

• Matthew 3 [AMP]

• Psalm 91 [AMP]

• 2^nd Timothy 1:7 [AMP]

Happy New Year

To the glory of the Father I welcome you, Holy Spirit. I'm so grateful that You are my Helper as I prepare for the New Year.  I humble myself before You asking for Divine Guidance.

In Jesus’ name I commit myself anew to Your plans and purposes, that I might run the full race completing the destiny to which You have called me.  I trust in You, Lord, I put my full confidence in You and Your word, and delight myself in You.

Father-God, as I reverently fear you and keep Your commandments to walk in love, be glorified in my life throughout the coming year as never before, in Jesus name.  Amen.

³ Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:3-5 [AMP]

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

Isaiah 26:4 [AMP]

Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

James 4:10 [AMP]

All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 [AMP]

³⁵ And one of their number, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him.

³⁶ Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light--which are heavy?]

³⁷ And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).

³⁸ This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.

³⁹ And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

⁴⁰ These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:35-40 [AMP]