Joy of Being

I have almost 12 posts in my drafts on the "Names of God" that I have been meditating on.... but the Lord is teaching me more and more in the discipline of 'Being'. Though, I have mentioned this elsewhere the state of being in the presence of the Lord is becoming very clear yet intensely paradoxical & mysterious to me...strange isn't it? I have mentioned the picture He has been

impressing me for a few months is that of Mary sitting astounded, enjoying and being in the lavishness of His presence. The state is not about doing, yet in a way it prepares for doing so much more.

The state is not just about wasting time but investing in what He is making and revealing you to become. God is a relational being and He always starts out with defining our relationship with Him; which means though we want our honey do lists be satisfied by Him, His first yearning for us is to be in Him and He in us; to be extravagantly loved in the identity He has called us into. The mystery just does not stop there but continues in the same marveling of the nature of who He is.

God is relational and His motive begins with love in relationships. I may not be making any sense here but the idea is paradoxical indeed, so much so that this state is what He was referring to in John Chapter 15. Imagine, how awful it would be for a wife and a husband if they only talked to him/her when they just wanted their needs met or a child only talks to the father when they want something. Our heavenly father wants us to have fellowship with us, His eternal purpose is in crafting this story to reveal His Son so that we might have fellowship in their love. He is not here to just meet our desires, goals and to do's He yearns for our fellowship and hence He purposefully and masterfully puts the divine hole in every being. And even in the ones that know Him intimately, the Lord's desire is to take them into a journey of infinite revelations of His Glory.

The Bible tell us Moses was acquainted and accustomed with the presence and the ways of Lord whereas Israel was only expectant to receive the next level of His miracles. Clearly, though a continuous transformation occurred in Moses life, his only desire was to be in and abide in the presence of the One who had called Him from the burning bush. During the 40 year journey Moses's relationship grows so intimate that the scriptures reveal that He talked to Him like a man talks to his friend. Moses reveals his desire that He would not move till the presence of the Lord moved with them. The joy of being is also the greatest leadership quality a person can have as abiding in the one who is wisdom itself, relying on the one who reveals and transforms situations, the one who goes before our enemies and the one who wants me and you to abide in forever in His goodness.

Blessings,

Sam

Names of God - "Elohim"

I am thinking of meditating for a while on the "Names of God" and re-living some research I have done in the past. I will make these posts concise devotionals and spend more time as the Holy Spirit wants me to live on the strength of His mighty name.

Today's concentration will be on the hebrew word "Elohim" - The Biblical writers used the singular verb 'Elohim' to express the equivalent in English  to say "Almighty God" and does not refer to anything specific. It is rather  difficult in any language to express the infinite God in anything else and contain Him in a name.  The jewish rabbis of the old very well knew this and thought it even unworthy to spell it out completely while writing it. The idea expressed is of the plural magnitude of the one who saved the children of Israel from bondage.

The wikipedia entry on Elohim has an interesting passage which may be enlightening to some but I suspect it encompasses this idea of trinity very much early in the life of the patriarchs. I paste here for your reference:

Jacob's ladder "gods were revealed" (plural) In the following verses Elohim was translated as God singular in the King James Version even though it was accompanied by plural verbs and other plural grammatical terms. Gen 35:7 and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed (plural verb) himself to him when he fled from his brother (Genesis 35:7, ESV) Here the Hebrew verb "revealed" is plural, hence: "the-gods were revealed". The Authorized Version wrongly translates: "God appeared unto him".[21] This is one of several instances where the Bible uses plural verbs with the name elohim.[22][23] [edit]The Divine Council of Elohim Marti Steussy in “Chalice Introduction to the Old Testament” discusses: “The first verse of Psalm 82: ‘Elohim has taken his place in the divine council.’ Here elohim has a singular verb and clearly refers to God. But in verse 6 of the Psalm, God says to the other members of the council, ‘You [plural] are elohim.’ Here elohim has to mean gods.” [24] Mark Smith referring to this same Psalm states in “God in Translation:…” “This psalm presents a scene of the gods meeting together in divine council…Elohim stands in the council of El. Among the elohim he pronounces judgment:…” [25] H. M. Stephenson in “Hulsean Lectures for…” (p14) discusses Jesus’ argument concerning this Psalm (82) in John 10:34-36 “And then, in answer to the charge of blasphemy, he (Jesus) replies ‘Is it not written in your Torah (viz in the Asaph Psalm xxxii) ‘I said Ye are gods? If he called them gods unto the word of God came, the Scripture cannot be broken.’ Now what is the force of this quotation ‘I said ye are gods.’ It is from the Asaph Psalm which begins ‘Elohim hath taken His place in the mighty assembly. In the midst of the Elohim He is judging.’” [26] That righteous humans ascend to become part of a council of holy gods/elohim composed of one-time mortals is a tenet also discussed in depth by Wade Cox[27][28] Michael S. Heiser[29][30] and Martha Helene Jones.[31] As such this use of elohim is recognized as distinctly different from YHVH/YHWH who, being infinite[32] has no image.[33] and who becomes the spirit of all the living.[34]

“Know therefore that Yahweh thy Elohim, he is Elohim, the faithful Elohim, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations,” Deut. 7:9

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.
Psalm 97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

God is all powerful and He should be our first, the source and the beginning for everything.

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Way of the Warrior - Thought - 'Healing'

I have found specially in my own experience that those who live in Him are aware of Holy Spirit's tugging and Jesus's nudging as He guides and teaches us. We as co-reigner's still are in the pursuit of living lives in the mandate given to us for advancing a Kingdom in a fallen world. Though all authority, Kingship and Kingdom has been regained, Yeshua wants us to live in the pursuit of revelation  and romance till we await His return. Hence our longing....hence our desires...:)

As we journey though this life, warriors get wounded but He comes and address's those wounds, He not only address's, He heals and not only He heals He sets us up for victory and advancement to reveal His glory and make us grow in His intimacy. I am reminded in the last movie of the Lord of the Rings series where Frodo recalls to Sam that it has been four years since Weathertop where he was stabbed by a Morgul blade, but so much has passed since then but he still feels the wound. Some wounds are healed by time but some remain as a reminder of great victories. Jesus still has marks of the wounds in His resurrected body.  Wounds hence have a place in a warrior's growth and his heart learns that from time to time the Healer, Savior, Redeemer and Friend comes in and purposely will address those wounds so that our greatest victories are set in place for us to come and take over.

Jesus did this for Peter one of his closest disciples. Peter was one in the inner circle of Jesus's ministry. In the beginning of his ministry the story starts when Jesus meets him at his work place, where Peter after witnessing the miracle of the hundred fold catch knows that He is the Son of God. Peter is the one God boldly affirms His plan as the rock on which His church will be built. In spite of this mandate by the end of Jesus's ministry, the last man standing Peter denies the master three times. Devastating as it was, Jesus knew the one who had procalimed to Him thrice that he loved him deeply had betratyed him the same number of times. After resurrection, the dejected fishermen think the story/the ministry is over and go back to their lives so does Peter full of remorse and discouragement. After a lousy night of fishing, they are hailed by the ressurected savior who again tells them to cast the nets in the right place, again resulting in bursting abundance of fish catch. 

At breakfast, Jesus turns his love to Simon Peter "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter now is grieved, deeply hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." (John 21:15-17). Peter knew the Healer was at work, he knew Christ was reinstating him, completing him at a deeper level. Christ does not leave the wound unaddressed and if it is not, it will haunt Peter all his life. Jesus prepares Peter to be the leader he is to become, hearalder of the church and truly the Cepha. Yeshua heals and He brings healing and truth in the inner most parts and He does that while you drive down a road, or reminding you something from the past, or a incident, or words from a friend or parent that deeply wounded you. Anyway the object for Him is not to let you forget it but He address's it so we are healed and set us up for great victory.

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Joy Of The Lord

John Eledredge one of my favorite author's latest book is out and what a fantastic title for the Lord "Beautiful Outlaw". Though I haven't read it, I will still recommend it, as anything coming out from The Ransomed heart ministries stable is so fresh, rejuvenating and life giving as they strive to reflect Him. Anyway I started with this because I get John's newsletters, blurbs and promotions. In the inauguration of the book one of the terms John uses for describing Jesus is "His Playfulness" and many in the religious quarter may be aghast with this portrayal. I got an experience of His Playfulness in setting me up last week so stay with me on this. Last week as I drove to work the Lord spoke to me saying " I am giving you a gift of the "Joy of the Lord" and so use it (I thought I already have it, so why is He reminding me of this again). So I took it lightly or light heartedly and was on my way.

That day on my lunch break I went to the DMV's office for registration of my license plates for my new SUV.After the waiting ordeal ended I realized the front license plate needed a mount which apparently is a sold as an accessory. So after that I drove off to Advance Auto - a parts store bought the plate for back, they didn't have one for the front and engaged in the project of mounting the back plate. As I did, I kept the front plate on tailgate side and within moments the plate disappeared. While fiddling with the back plate I had put my keys in my pocket and started looking for the front plate. How in the world could the front plate disappear? I searched and searched. Frustration set in and  I knew somehow a spiritual attack was forming to be in place. Though I did realize this consciously but didn't use the morning gift the Lord had given me. Finally! I found the plate sitting in the groove hiding between the third row and storage space behind it. I took it out carefully and CAREFULLY examined the groove for anything else and saw NOTHING (Even used a flashlight). As soon as I found the front plate, I embarked on getting on with life, I had to be back at the office by 1:00 pm for a meeting, it was already 12:30. But now my key was missing from the bunch of keys in the key ring I carried and ...of course the only key that was missing was the SUV key. I cannot to date understand how a single key would come out of a solid key ring (which by the way is even difficult to get it out by hand). I frantically started searching, inside, outside, under the cover, over the hood..to no avail my frustration took the tarmac at 100 mph. But another interesting thing happened along with frustration fear set in, a fear of a presence that clearly was telling me you are under attack and I have got you.

I called my wife who in wisdom calmed and rebuked the spiritual attack and agreed to come down to pick me up. As soon as I was going to hang up I saw the single key right in the groove where I dug the license plate out. Again I have no idea why and how a single key would come out magically (it was not magic)  and lie in the same place. Those of us who know and believe in the supernatural realm know that because we are spiritual beings there is a struggle that goes on in the supernatural realms both from God and demonic side manifesting in the natural realm. Though my realization came in late, I did not use the Joy of the Lord to come out in praise to rebuke this spiritual attack. However finally as I drove off I knew it was time to praise God (a little late) but I eventually did so.

That evening at cell group we were listening to one of the Bethel Church evangelistic tools teaching  by Chris Overstreet. In my spirit I felt His playful tug saying - "I am going to set you up so that you learn deeply". In the teaching Chris talked about the primary core values or motivators that Bethel Church holds closely for Supernatural Evangelism. I summarize them here:

1. Love - Our motivation should be "love"
2. Honor - "People don't care how much you know but they do care about how much you care. Realizing that People are not projects and every individual needs and deserves honor irrespective of what their state or belief system is.
3. Presence Of the Lord - His presence teaches us how to move in the miraculous. Every time we turn our hearts affection to Jesus it ushers in the presence of the Lord.
4. Power of God - His presence brings His power and hence the signs and wonders are natural pointers towards God in revealing to Him deeply who He is. Raw power (His power) is basic to our ministry and the very fundamental of steps. Power of God allows for power encounters and God uses them to transform lives.
5. And Finally there it was I knew He was waiting to spring this on me "Joy of the Lord"...His presence and praise brings His Joy.

I knew it He was bringing this closer to home in His own playfulness (I never knew he could use something like this and be playful with you deep within) with the afternoon incident.When He says and gives it freely, we should jump on it, soak in it and be in it. At a deeper level He was teaching me that the Joy of the Lord equates to also the "beauty of the Lord". Moses in Psalm 90 sings "May the beauty of the Lord be upon us" , he is also essentially saying this brings the Joy of the Lord upon us".

I was realizing that when God gives something, Satan comes to steal it, destroy and if your starter finally lights up and realizes that you forgot what God said, Satan will guilt trip you even for that. Yeshua in His love and His playfulness is patient and teaches me that its a state of being and I cannot work for it or strive for it. He has done it, He gives it freely and I love it and I love Him deeply for this.

Shalom and Blessings,


Sam Kurien

"Bridegroom King" - I will set you as seal upon my heart

I recently heard a amazing exposition of the word from Mike Bickle on his talk on Revelation 17 and 19  where he beautifully explains the revelation of the Bridegroom King. He goes on to say those chapters in scripture relate to at least 150 chapters in the Bible which talk about the "The Day of the Lord".  The day when the Bridegroom King returns to Jerusalem to bring his judgement on the nations and kings of the earth. Both terrifying and amazing, both gruesomely bloody and at the same time joyously the beginning of a new era for earth.

Millions upon millions executed in judgement and at the same time breathtakingly the most glorious moment of the church as it beheld its eyes upon the Bridegroom King.  A day of reckoning where the history of earth changes in one day as the armies of all nations march towards Jerusalem to annihilate the King's city, they think they have got Jesus but instead are lured into the trap where the King of Kings as promised in Isaiah 63 treads them in the wine press and His white garments are drenched in Blood.

The passage in Isaiah 63 as we read starts of giving a picture of the single handed massacre the Lord gives. A final battle that does not even last a day because He fights in against the whole earth:
 

1 Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?— “ I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”; 2 Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the wine press? 3 “ I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. 4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. 5 I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered That there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me. 6 I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, Made them drunk in My fury

Zechariah 14 also gives us a glimpse of the "Day of the Lord". Through all this the Lord's remnant will go untouched so will the church who is intimately in love with Him. The chruch's glorious moment truly is in its state of being, rescued by her bridegroom King.  The Lord has been impressing deeply on me about the concept of "being" and its a hard one for me especially because I am always wanting to be in the state of "doing". The picture He has been giving me is that of Mary at His feet, who was overjoyed to be in the presence of the Lord. The next thing He tells me is paradoxically the state of "being" with Him also accomplishes a lot of doing. I may sound crazy here but, I think we as Christians are being called to this as His return dawns closer and and closer. And the only way for the bride to recognize Him from all the other impostors is to be in the state of "being", intimately knowing Him and ever desiring His return.

I am reminded of the beautiful words of Misty Edward's song "You won't relent until You have it all" which brings in full circle the idea expressed in the Song of Solomon.

You won't relent until You have it all My heart is Yours I'll set You as a seal upon my heart As a seal upon my arm For there is love that is as strong as death Jealousy demanding as the grave Many waters cannot quench this love Come be the fire inside of me Come be the flame upon my heart come be the fire inside of me Until You and I are one

Spirited Chroniclers

I was recently very impressed with Dustin Smith's  blog post  (lead worshiper and song writer) at World revival church about being a spirited chronicler, he quotes the Roman poet Horace who said "there were many heroes who lived before Agamemmnon; but they all remain unknown and unwept, extinguished in everlasting night, because they have no spirited chronicler."

Dustin boldly proclaims that God had called him to be more than a songwriter; he was to write songs that are birthed out from living encounters with God. Songs that make prophetic declarations and  proclamations of who God is and who we are in Him. Dustin's  ended his post by saying it was time for spirited chroniclers to rise up and take their positions of praise for the living God so that it enabled the saints to tear down the forces of hell. Hence let us not forget to recount his wonders, miracles and encounters and record them as stones of remembrance for the generations to come.

This again reminds me of the miraculous crossing at Jordan, God asked Joshua to tell 12 men from each of the tribes to pick up 12 stones from the river (Joshua chapter 4) and erect them as memorial stones so that in the future when the children of Israel asked as to "what these stones mean?" they were to tell them that the Lord God of Israel had cut off the flow of the Jordan for his children to cross through.

I find this awesome that God throughout his word has mentioned to do these actions/acts of remembrance so that the next generation not only know the wonders and encounters we have had with God that will boost their faith but also to expect their own personal miraculous encounters with Him.

The psalmist says (I paraphrase) "So many are your wonders and goodness towards me, so hard for me to recount them all."

So, unlike Horace  we will etch these moments in history for the generations to come to tell them that God does come down to earth and dwell among His people.

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Way of the Warrior - "You Are My Son"

Last saturday on my regular walks with God, the Holy Spirit was impressing and loving on me a deeper meaning and revelation of just to enjoy being the beloved, fully loved child of God. Living in the confidence that I am loved by my father deeply and that is the identity of who I am. God is good and He does good all the time (Psalm 119) so we got to believe in the goodness of God completely with no shadow of doubt. The Holy Spirit showed it to me like a movie scene the return of the prodigal son and how his father who has waited for him runs towards him to welcome him, flinging wide his open arms in embrace. What the Holy Spirit was showing me was, the father was not concerned about "what his son had done", "where he had been", "what he had not done" or even give an account of his squandering's. The father was just wanting him to know that he is a well loved lavished son and everything in the father's house was his, and not for a moment he had lost favor in his sight.

A few months ago I had seen the movie called Blood Diamond set back during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Solomon Vandy a local fisherman wants his son to study hard and become a doctor. The innocent son was a well loved child full of life and fun. The family gets separated and Solomon gets captured by the rebel forces to work in the diamond mines that are traded and syndicated with international diamond firms in exchange for weapons to continue the anarchy and exploitation of families. Solomon's son Dia gets captured and recruited to be a child soldier; the demon possessed leader robs the child's innocence to drug addiction, training him to be a murderer, rapist and bestows on him a false identity. Meanwhile Solomon Vandy has partnered with a diamond trader in the hopes and dreams of rescuing his son and reuniting his family in exchange for a rare pink diamond he had hidden in the jungles. Their journey crosses the camp where Dia, his son is and in the escape the lost son points the gun at his father. Below is the key scene of the movie.

The father calls out the persona of the child, his real identity and most importantly calls him his son. Solomon reminds Dia that inspite of whatever he has been made to do, he is still his son and loves him very much. The father reminds him, that he is his father, the things that await him and he has come to take him home. The calling of the father breaks off all the shackles of hardness, chains of bondage and most importantly the heart of the son is called out from his addictions and crimes to be who he rightfully is. Dia though broken. tears rolling comes into the embrace of his father. Innocence returned! real Identity restored! and an Heart regained!

Our heavenly father does the same, because He is a just God and the justice has already been served in redeeming us by the blood of His own son. He now sees us in the righteousness of His son; we are covered by the blood of the lamb. He calls us out by the persona that He put in us when He thought of us even before we were conceived in our mother's womb. The enemy tries to rob our identity or sometimes keep our identity from us because when we know who we are in Christ we are positioned to walk as warriors and take the gates of our enemies.

We are in warfare and by the grace of God we know who we are and we are ready for battle. At the same time we enjoy being set up by the father himself a table full of refreshments and delicacies right before our enemies (in the midst of battle) because I know I am a well loved highly favored son.

Shalom & Blessings,

Sam Kurien.

No one like Jehovah

And of course this one too...what a powerful anointed song!!!



Here are the lyrics for this one:

NO ONE LIKE JEHOVAH

© 2006 Kelanie Gloeckler

VERSE 1:

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob
Elohim, Adonai, God who answers by fire
Glorify Your Son, Jesus Christ, the true Messiah
Breathe on us, send us out in the spirit of Elijah

CHANNEL:

The sick are healed, the blind can see
The cripples dance, the demons flee
At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow
The dead are raised, the deaf can hear
As we proclaim, “The Kingdom is here”
At the name of Jesus, every tongue will shout

CHORUS:

There is no one like our God
There is no one like Jehovah
You are worthy forever, worthy

VERSE 2:

Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today, forever
King of kings, Lord of lords, only Son of the Living God
Rise up in Your Bride, show Your power, show Your glory
Breathe on us, send us out in the spirit of Elijah

Dance - I am after your heart

I couldn't resist putting this one, I love it "I am so after your heart O Lord and I am so in love with you and what can man do to me when I spend myself on you" - (paraphrase mine!)



Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Just Let Go Now

For the last few months this amazing song from Kelanie Gloeckler ministers to my soul, its a reminder of the patriarch Joseph's life for me. If he knew this song, this is something he would have sung from the prison. Here are the lyrics and the video...worship, enjoy and taste the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.



LET GO NOW
© 2006 Kelanie Gloeckler

VERSE 1:

Holy Spirit, overshadow me
Take me by the corners of my soul and shake me
What a love, You’ve been waiting to
Break me wide open to carry Your heart

VERSE 2:

Oh my Jesus, draw near to me
Take me to the center of the flame, consume me
I surrender to this holy burn
Break me wide open to carry Your heart

CHANNEL:

All I wanna do is lose myself in You
Lean back in Your arms and just let go (now)
(repeat)

CHORUS:

Let it be to me according to Your Word
Your ways are higher than mine
Let it be to me according to Your Word
Your ways are higher than mine

BRIDGE:

I let go…Your kingdom come
In my life…Your will be done
(repeat)

Supernatural Courage

This month has been as usual super busy but I want to record what I learn from time to time from different spirit filled leaders who have influenced my life and who have been fathers of our amazing faith. Bill Johnson and Graham Cooke are rated high,the impartation of revelation and wisdom they speak with is sound and resonates with my spirit. So here's a summary about "Supernatural Courage" from one of Bill's talks.

The story is from 1 Samuel 14 when Jonathan and his armor bearer take on the Philistine army. The Philistines and the children of Israel meet on the battlefield. The Philistines are pitched on high ground on a hill and are definitely the urban sea faring dwellers in the land with the knowledge of iron and its use in weaponry. Israel on the other hand have like two swords and the rest are pitched down with whatever they can find for the impending battle. Another major disadvantage they have is the children of Ephraim have not come to join their brethren in battle. In such overwhelming odds, here's Jonathan the son of the king and his armor bearer proposing to employ the worst battle strategy ever. However; the strategy is aroused out of supernatural courage, stirred by Faith in the God of Israel that He is able to deliver by many or few. Based on this Jonathan proposes to his armor bearer "let us climb the hill (just two of us) and if the Philistines call us up we know the Lord has given us their camp into our hands" (paraphrase mine). The armor bearer's encourages Jonathan to do whatever is his heart, influenced by the the call of identity, the two set out on this arduous climb on the hill towards the Philistine camp. The Philistine soldiers look down upon them and call them out jeering "Look they Israelites are coming out of their holes" only to see in their amazement that there are only two of them. Jonathan and his armor bearer in full confidence know in their heart of hearts that the battle is their's and God has delivered them into their hands. They rush and within the first half an hour twenty or thirty Philistine soldiers fall and the armor bearer is killing them as he comes behind Jonathan. God was pleased with the supernatural courage that these two displayed, so much so that He intervenes. There is chaos in the Philistine camp, the earth shakes and the news of the courage of the two strikes panic/fear and defeat in the hearts of the enemy.

What amazes me is that the Bible says, there were Israelites within the Philistine camp living like them and fighting for them against the armies of Israel. They had foregone their identity, were dressed like the Philistines and fought like them  and for them. But when they heard the supernatural courage of Jonathan and his armor bearer, the news or the message goes out deep into their hearts and souls and called out their identity, their persona as to who they were. As I reflect on this, I am adding here they must have know deep inside who they were, who their God was and the promises of the God of Israel on their ancestors that their descendants will seize the gates of their enemies. The act of these men suddenly spurred them to tear of their Philistine garb and join the children of Israel in battle against the enemy. The story is so familiar when the lies of the enemy fall off and we come into knowing who we are in Yeshua, the supernatural courage rises up and raises up for the fight.

Another thing happens, the news of the supernatural courage of the two travels even faster to the hills of Ephraim and calls them out and when they hear what just two of their kin did, they come and join the battle.

What do I take away from this:

Supernatural courage is sometimes doing the most crazy things that the logical mind will not even fathom to do. It is all about coming into alignment with faith in the God of Israel with a understanding that because you move in the majesty and the might of God you can take on the impossible. It is knowing that when you live in that kind of faith and identity of know who you are in Christ you are able to get supernatural advise from the Holy Spirit, a supernatural strategy and the He always intervenes in the midst of the battle.

I am also learning that warriors are handpicked by God for great and special assignments. The testimony of supernatural courage is an opportunity that God gives to his special ones so that future generations can stand on that testimony of what God did and arouse a similar spirit to stir deep in our hearts the calling of who He is and who we are in Him. Eleazar the son of Dodi one of the mighty men of David who hand was fused to his sword knew the spirit of this testimony as he fought the same enemy on the same battle ground where David had slain Goliath, he knew who he was, he knew whom he was fighting for, he knew about the previous victory that had been won here on the holy ground and most importantly he knew that he was an Israelite whose God is the ruler of heaven and earth and able to deliver.

Blessings and Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Writing My Crafted Prayer - Inheritance Promises & Words

After reading "Crafted Prayer" I have begun the exercise of creating one for the intentional purposes of piercing the heavens and the earth. As a start I have recorded all the important words that the Lord has give me as my inheritance promises from the word and sometimes very audibly to my heart. I record them here:

INHERITANCE PROMISES

Jesus, thank You for creating me to be a Mighty Man!  You have called me by name and called me for great things!  I am one of Your favorite sons and You delight in me because I have set my love upon You!  

God watches over me!  His Light shines upon my head and by it I will walk through the darkness.  The friendship of God is over me and the Almighty is with me!  
My family surrounds me in love and unity.
My way is bathed and washed in abundance and richness.  Even the rocks pour out streams of oil for me!  
There is a seat appointed for me at the gate and the city square, where young and old alike will respect me and listen to my counsel.  The words I speak will be so wise that no one can add to it or speak against it.  Every ear that hears me speak will bless me and every eye that sees me will give good testimony of me.  
I will deliver the poor, help the orphan, bring joy to the widow, be eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.  
I wear righteousness as clothing and justice as a crown.  In might and authority I fight and triumph over the wicked, breaking his power.  
My roots spread out to the streams, my branches are covered in dew, my bow is renewed in my hands, and my glory is ever fresh.  
(Job 29)

God has plans for me that include prosperity and hope for the future.  He will listen to my prayers and He will show Himself to me as I seek Him. 
(Jeremiah 29:11-12)

I am strong and courageous!  I will lead people to their inheritance promised by God.  I am strong and very courageous!  I am careful to obey all that God communicates to me, not turning from it to the right or left.  Because of this, I am successful wherever I go.  I will be prosperous because God’s Word is always on my heart and tongue day and night.  I have received God’s commands and refuse fear and discouragement.  
(Joshua 1:6-9)

The Lord has everlasting kindness and mercy towards me.  He is my Redeemer, my Lord, and His love covenant cannot be removed from me.  Jesus makes me to rest in fair and glistening colors; He lays the foundations of my counsel in celebration, communion, declaration, and testimony; Holy Spirit purposes a deepening of brilliance in me;  He makes my boundaries of pleasure, desire, and purpose.  My children will be disciples accustomed to the ways of the Lord.  My family will have great peace, health, wealth, safety, and well-being.  God will establish my family in righteousness, free from demonic oppression and terror.  Jesus is my defense against any who rise up against me.  
(Isaiah 54:8, 10-15)

The Lord has created me and called me His own.  I walk in the confidence of that qualification alone.  Holy Spirit is with me through fire and water and no harm will come to my soul in His presence.  
(Isaiah 43:1-3)

I am the Lord’s servant, hand-chosen by Him to do His will on the earth.  Not only that, but also His friend.  I will never fear because of His presence.  He is my God, so nothing can dismay me.  I am strong because He helps and upholds me.
(Isaiah 41:8-10)

The Lord has made me into a threshing sledge to pulverize mountains in my way.  As I walk on my path of destiny, my feet winnow down obstacles and they are blown away.  I will rejoice in the Lord always and glorify the Holy One of Israel!
(Isaiah 41:14-16)

I don’t remember the former things, because Holy Spirit is doing something new in me!  
(Isaiah 43:18-19)

Jesus has blotted out all transgressions, sins, and iniquities and sees them no longer!  I am free from all sin and it has no influence over me any longer because the Lord has redeemed me!
(Isaiah 44:22)

The Lord goes before me to subdue nations before me and those who wish to oppose me will lose even the desire and ability to stand against me.  Instead of a fight, I will walk through a double portion of opportunity and blessing!  Holy Spirit goes before me and comes behind, making my path clear and established.  I will receive the hidden spoils of darkness from His hand!  
(Isaiah 45:1-6)

I trust in the Lord and His goodness works through me.  I am fulfilled and satisfied with His faithfulness wherever I dwell.  My delight is in Jesus and His Holy Spirit, my desires are His and so He fulfills them!  My way is committed to the Lord and my trust also, because of this I know He will accomplish it!  His righteousness will shine as a bright light in me! 
(Psalm 37:3-6)

I am righteous in Christ and my steps are ordered by God alone.  He delights in me!  
(Psalm 37:23)

No evil has permission or right to set foot anywhere near my family; likewise, no sickness or epidemic can plague any within my house. 
(Psalm 91:10)

I have an intimate love relationship with the Almighty God and He delivers me!  I know Him and He knows me, that is my honor in life!  When I call on Him, He not only hears, but also answers me.  His presence is my rescue from troubles and His salvation is life!
(Psalm 91:14-16)

The Lord is faithful to remain with me, working in me to finish all He has spoken to me.  I am aware and alert to His presence and remain lined up with the open heavens!  
(Genesis 28:12, 15)

The Lord encircles me, instructs me and keeps me as the apple of His eye.  Holy Spirit hovers over me, covers me in His wings, and carries me higher.   Jesus leads me to ride on the heights, to eat of productiveness, providing sweetness and anointing even from unproductive situations.
(Deuteronomy 32:10-14)

The Lord has blessed me, therefore I am rich and without sorrow!  
(Proverbs 10:22)

Way of the Warrior - Thought One!

Finished reading "Coming into Alignment" by Graham Cooke what a brilliant book! Cool and awesome cooperated work with the genius-ness of the Holy Spirit. Well I am almost talking like Graham now..what a blessed father of faith who is able to call the gold in people with the words inspired by the Spirit of God.

This season is the beginning of new upgrades, going into higher levels of being a warrior and being in the warrior generation God is calling me into. The secret is learning to last or outlast  with Joy. The secret is to be in the holy of holies, in His secret pavilion and continue to stay in worship and learning to pray like the bride.

Warriors now know this is a new strategy of warfare. The time of standing on the wall and interceding is over, the time for interceding like a bride is the answer to a greater walk of not only intimacy but great exploits, great adventures and greater deliverances.

I tweeted this morning that "12 special force guys were send to Canaan only two went in with the majesty of God. The result ten came back as wimps and the two all ready for taking on the giants in battle." Warriors are being reprogrammed by the brilliantness of the Holy Spirit to increase their focus, be more accountable of the time that is been given. I am realizing more & more this is also choice driven from my part. It is the process of allowing the Holy spirit to take control that makes everything else easier. I am learning that process, impartation, and revelation from God and giving His Holy Spirit permission to do this in any order He may see fit for the different phases of my life results into the strengthening of my inner man.

Thoughts from my journal.

Shalom & Blessings,

Sam Kurien

Mahanaim

Read couple of psalms about God's deliverances. Then was thinking about the term "Mahnaim". I knew this was one of the places Jacob the patriarch had named on his journey back to Canaan.As two camps meet in conflict the result is peaceful separation. Just before the meeting Jacob pitches his tents on one of the hills by the Jabbok, heart though filled with fear, he realizes the spiritual significance of the place and in the super-natural sees the angelic encampment around him. He instantly knows God Himself was bringing him peacefully back into Canaan. The Angelic encampment causes him to name the place "Mahanaim" which means "this is the camp of God".

O Lord may my tents be the place of God's encampment. I know it is. I am in your hiding place, I hide in the holy of holies and this is a new place and new strategy of warfare. Satan and all dominion of evil knows that their plans/schemes cannot chase me in the hiding place because they know who they will meet there.

I love your ways O Lord. This is none other than the camp of God!

Shalom & blessings

Sam Kurien

Are you a Prince Or a Pauper?

I recently finished reading "The supernatural ways of Royalty" by Kris Vallatoon and Bill Johnson and thoroughly enjoyed it. We who are called as heirs and friends of Jesus need to know that we are truly the royal Princes & Priests of God's ever advancing Kingdom. This understanding needs to be so deep resulting in us living a life that is a of knowing it with an intentional (purposeful) conscience-ness. The prince mentality is something we need to cultivate if we are not consciously aware of it. The Christ related people are a different breed; altogether a new race of people that has not been seen before on the face of the earth. We are called by Him to live life in victory as we emerge and operate from a position of victory which is what supernatural royalty does naturally.

Last December we saw the movie "Tangled" on our vacation and we thoroughly enjoyed watching it again with the kids. Its truly a Kingdom movie as it refletcs some deep scriptural truths. The princess is locked up in a tower by not only an evil step mother who has used her for her selfish purposes but keeps from her the true identity of who she is. Yet destiny of our royalty beckons; Her quest to see the lighted laterns turns and eventually will lead to her true home, to her true father. The road is not easy, its dangerous, its filled with life threatening battles. In the journey she meets a prince who is struggling with his own identity. He somehow knows he is much more, (he is a prince inside but does not know it)as circumstances of life and the enemy desires keep him from his destiny and is reduced him to be a petty thief always running. But occasion for true love, and true and unselfish love finds their way. He rises to the rescue. On the other hand lies fall off the princess, the truth sets her free to know who she really is. The enemy will stand none of these developments and will kill, destroy and attempt to completely annihilate their history of true identity. But Eugene (previously flynn rider) fights and is ready to give up his life, so the one he loves can have life.

Though I have summarized this through the lens of the movie, the true story of Christ and his bride is similar and He beckons us to know who we are in Him, His majesty has revealed our true nature of royalty. Those who know not... are paupers. Its interesting in the book Kris quotes from Proverbs "What happens if you give a pauper the Kingdom?..It eventually crumbles because it cannot bear the weight of the fools folly". The evil one is bent on inducing destruction, but the Life giver is bent on giving us life and hence this battle of good and evil continues, but the paradigm shift happens when those who are in Christ know and reveal themselves as the Prince & Princesses who overcome by their royal nature. I like to think it as Graham Cooke in his book "Coming Into Alignment" quotes "When we have identified our royalty in Christ we know we have two things the favor of the Lord and constant opportunity to wreck vengeance on the plans of the enemy". I like to add that the more we are fascinated by His majesty the more favor pouring comes on our lives and automatically opportunities are set up for defeating the enemy. Taking back out castles and thrones, recovering kingdoms that are really ours become the norm. Again the most important thing to remember is the position is operating from victory rather than for victory...(ways of a Royalty).

I have finally added the soundtrack of the song "I see the Light" from the movie, which I think is appropriate here. Because when royalty realizes & recognizes who they are they find dreams are fulfilled and most importantly the fog is lifted and we see the true "Light"



Jesus said "I am the Light" of the world.

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Bethel Trip

Last week I was in California in Redding and what a wonderful time to soak up the anointing from a small church in Bethel. The dew of heavens blessing was upon me and my family as lot of prophetic words and confirmations were poured into my life by people that I don't even know. Without going into details, the time was extraordinary, very blessed by God's outpouring in this season and the things that He is teaching us. Increasingly I am aware of practicing living in and bringing in the supernatural in the natural, but more than that what I want is to live from His presence than just merely live by kingdom principles. Signs and wonders are to follow us than us chasing for them, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Its how Prince's are suppose to live (more about that in another post). 

Highlights of the events were meeting new friends, Josh, Natalee, Brian and Lorilee can't wait to hear the war exploits coming from you. I am so enriched by seeking the anointing of Bill Johnson and other pastoral staff at Bethel, my life is enriched and the grace on my life has multiplied. Hearing Andrew White, the vicar of Baghdad once again reminded me of how my life is connected to the rich heritage of the Lord's calling on our family and the connection with that ancient calling of the faith of my fathers. The healing room experiences, the prayer time at the Alabaster house and empowering environment of the the saints point to the One that Rocks my world everyday!!

These are just reminders in the journey. I am Blessed. 

Shalom & Blessings,

Sam Kurien

I love this man "Yeshua"

Recently I heard a song called "Let Go Now" a 9 minute rendition by Kelanie Gloeckler. As I heard this song multiple times and meditated on its words, the Holy Spirit's presence was surrounding me and bubbling within me. It was almost as if my heart was about to explode multiple times. I knew then at the moment the Holy Spirit was presenting me to this man "Jesus" ...all I could say is I am in love with this man "Jesus". The Holy Spirit was presenting me as a bride to the Son of God, tears rolling uncontrollably, my devotion and commitment unceasing and my surrender complete.

The song has these two beautiful lines in its chorus: "All I want to do is lose myself in you, lean back in your arms and just let go now." O Lord I want be in the center of your holy flame, your ways are higher than mine, ready to give you everything - to take your heart to the ends of earth. The songs goes on to say "I surrender to your holy burn, break me wide open to carry your heart".

I love you O Jesus. There is no one I love more than you and you have my everything.  I know now what Mary Magdalene and the disciples felt when He was around. I understand the parable of the ten virgins the five that had the oil - "the oil is the intimacy" - I know I am not coherent or correlating rightly here but I know its about being in "crazy love" with Him and enjoying Him constantly.

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Promise Verses From My Quiet Time

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you, with My righteous right hand."


Isaiah 41:15-16 "Behold I have made you a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges; You will thresh the mountains and pulverize them, And will make the hills like chaff. You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, And the storm will scatter them; But you will rejoice in the LORD, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel." 


There are lots of hidden messages that He is revealing to me which I won't necessarily record here but the Lord has impressed on me and Sarah about the rivers flowing from bare heights and the planting of different types of trees. Here is the pic that Sarah drew of the different trees mentioned in Isaiah.

Isaiah 41:18-19 "I will open the rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water. And the dry land fountains of water. I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia and the myrtle and the olive tree; I will place the juniper in the desert together with the box tree and the cypress, that they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it." 

We have been and continue to be in the season of God's revelations, closeness and our home is a greenhouse for believers, planting of mighty oaks and in the midst of battles, resting in pools of living waters. 

Come and Drink!!! May these living words be encouraging to you too...

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kuiren

Prophetic Painting

Been very busy with taxation season last month but now I plan to catch up on some writing. End of January got an unexpected gift; a painting. The painting is that of Joshua lingering at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Here is the picture:

What the gift giver didn't know was that I had written a poem a few years ago with the title "Lingering" that talked about Joshua hanging about the tent long after his leader Moses had returned back to the camp after talking and being in the presence of Yahweh. Lori titles the paining "The Young man would not depart from the tent  ". May we all continue the lingering and the longing for Him. Wait we don't have to long or be that desperate...His presence is very close. Yet He creates the longing for you to come more closer.

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Tarnish The Twisted Theologies

I am tired of a powerless Christianity where 90% of the church believes the heart is evil. But most of us forget those who are in Christ have a new heart. They are a new creation. The heart is misunderstood, maligned, feared, dismissed and numbed. We are aware of the loss but the recovery and restoration has been done by the great work of Christ and that is a powerful liberating idea. And the good news is its not just an idea, it is a done deal, a completed work in a born again believer.

The enemy doesn't want you to know who you are in Christ and wants you to ignore your heart, wants you to forget that you have the mind of Christ now. The enemy either wants you to live in fear or anxiety, when he has that corner he knows he doesn't have to do anything.

The heart is the wellspring of life because that is where God resides, He has made your heart a throne room. Without your heart you cannot love God, you cannot have faith and most importantly the new man now lives there. Its the place where He has given you abundant life, He kept His promise and now your heart is good and you can do great things with who you are.

Let us cast our twisted theologies, there is a struggle but my heart is controlled by the Spirit of God living in me and if I stumble, I have an advocate in Heaven but the miracle is He has changed my desires, He has made me extremely powerful in Him.

Blessings, & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Transformation

A few days ago I tweeted "What happens when you put a prince in a prison, he transforms the prison into a Palace". This transformation can happen only when the Lord Almighty is with you. It does not matter what your circumstances are or what your surroundings are, Yeshua takes you through the process where sometimes it just does not make sense. But this is for sure because you are His son, you are His Prince, He waits for the golden things in your heart to shine forth. So you are ready for greater things when they happen. Even if they don't you are in a good place. I have posted about this through Joseph's life in my post of December 2009, the patriach's life has always been close to me and I upload these videos again from my Vimeo channel as a reminder.



I was thinking King David went through the same process for almost 17 years before he became king, I wonder if we were to ask David what he felt was comfortable the Palace life or the life of a mercenary? I suspect he would reply the life of running from one battle field to another, from valley to valley where he felt closest to God. I am not an advocate of a painful life, but the painful process that reveals what is in our heart is what God is after. The process can take in a palace or in the battlefield and even so in the mundane routines....

What I take away from Joseph and David's life is that we are called for greatness because His greatness and His glory is what we are living for, it ends up being a blessing and saving of many.



Blessigns & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

My Soul Cries!

There is something about having a burning hunger for the deeper things of God, its a combination of being lovesick with Jesus and basking in holiness and holy fear of the Lord. I can understand this at some deep level today through King David's Psalm 63:

1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. 9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced

My tweet today was based on Misty Edwards song "My soul, My soul dries out without you, my soul cries, my soul cries. Hunger is an escort for the deeper things of God"

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

The Healing Harp of Serech

I love the Kinor - the harp as an instrument of worship, symbolic along with its significant association in the Scriptures. The Harp is of course the instrument of choice used by one of the greatest worshipers of all times King David himself who used it to in the fields (and battlefields) while shepherding his flock worshiping God and composing psalms which he set to music.

I have decided to research stories and sources of interesting anecdotes (side notes) in the Scriptures and share them here from time to time which have immensely blessed my life. So on the topic of harp here's one from the Midrash.about the "Healing Harp of Serech". Though the accuracy of the legend cannot be confirmed about Serech living as long as David's time the story  is pretty cool.

"Jacob's sons worried about how to break the news to their father that they had found Joseph alive and ruler of Egypt. They feared the shock might be too much for him to bear.
When they approached Jacob's house, they noticed Asher's daughter, Serech, coming out to greet them.She was an extraordinary girl, spiritually greater than all the other children of the tribes, and she played the harp beautifully. 'Appear before Jacob with your harp' they instructed her, 'and sing a melody, stating that Joseph is still alive'. Serech slipped quietly into Jacob's tent and stood behind the mourning Jacob. Softly she began to play a tune with the words, 'My uncle Joseph is still alive, he is ruler over Egypt!'
Jacob drank in the words thirstily and enjoyed the pleasant music."May you be blessed, Serech" he said to her. "You have revived my spirit. May you live forever!"
Jacob's blessing was fulfilled. Serech was still alive in King David's time, and was one of the righteous people who were taken to Gan Eden alive.

~ The Midrash ~

This reminds me also of the story of the Israelites lead by Miriam and Moses with their harps breaking out in dance before the Lord after their great deliverance from Egypt.

In Israel today Micah Harrari and Shoshanna Harrari of the House Harrari are makers of ancient day harps, I plan to get one for its symbolic spiritual significance and meaning. In the Hebrew language there are 22 letters and interestingly the Israeli harps have 22 strings and they are not connected as just with the musical notes but to each Hebrew letter. From time immemorial the Hebrew letters of the Hebrew alaphabet (aleph-bet) were know to be more than just a means of communication as Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsberg says each letter represented deep significance, and is connected to the very essence of creation itself. As the letters preceded from the voice or word of G-d creation came to be. The letters when bonded together form new patters helping to illuminate more clearly who He is and who His creation is. The Atara Harp made by the Harraris have the 22 Hebrew letters carved on the soundboard which not only add the beauty but bring in the character of kedusha (holiness) and deeply related with scripture. When King David played his harp and meditated on Him, the way he played it was putting his ear and strumming the strings audible only to his ears opening and leading his heart into meditation with the Lord. The 22 letters of Hebrew aleph-bets are even reflected in the number of chromosomes in DNA, interestingly the word for letter in Hebrew also means "sign" or "wonder" which in rabbinical sense means wonder or divine insight.

"Blessed be the One He who spoke and the world came into being"

"Praise the Lord with the Harp" (Psalm 33:2)

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

A Song Rises to My King

What beautiful songs have come from Australia's Hillsongs. "Glory To the King" has immensely blessed me from time to time...I love it.!!! Love the songs from down under.

You're the comforter to the lonely The lifter of my head I see You veiled in majesty We cry glory,glory We cry glory to the King Verse 1 Lord,my heart cries out Glory to the King My greatest love in life I hand You everything Glory,glory I hear the angels sing. Verse 2 Open my ears Let me hear Your voice To know that sweet sound Oh my soul rejoice Glory,glory I hear the angels sing Chorus: You're the Father to the fatherless The answer to my dreams I see you crowned in righteousness We cry glory to the King Comforter to the lonely The lifter of my head I see You veiled in majesty We cry glory,glory We cry glory to the King Repeat 1st and 2nd verse Repeat chorus 2 times We cry glory glory We cry glory to the King.

As I saw, I see Him high and lifted up on the throne of heaven, Glory surrounding His throne. Majesty Majesty!!

Blessings & Shalom,

Sam Kurien

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to you all! 2010 was a whirlwind but God in His mercy and faithfulness provided and protected His servants, His remnant from harm. May we continue to fight the good fight He has called us to, pick up the cross and lay down our lives everyday.

As Samwise Gamgee says "There is good in this world Mr.Frodo and its worth fighting for!"

Blessings & Shalom

Sam Kurien