February 7, 2010
The prophet Hosea was a man called by God whose life was a reflection of the current state of the nations of Judah & Israel. His marriage to a prostitute, the naming of his children, the redeeming of his adulterous wife, in short his lifestyle was an expression of the heart & longing of God for His people. He was a walking living testament from God in their time.
We are now living in that time when God is calling for a new generation of modern Hosea's to arise . People who are willing to obey Him like Hosea. People who God can direct in ways that will also reflect God's intent & desires for the nations.
These modern Hosea's will not only speak out God's word, but THEY WILL LIVE OUT GOD'S HEART Like Hosea of the past, they also will become living expressions of God for the nations for this current time.
LIFESTYLE INTERCESSION
There is a spiritual battle going on the heavenly for the heart, mind, and soul not just of people but also for the destiny of nations. The enemy has unleashed all his forces to trap people (believers included) & nations into his web. He has used, is using and will use any method to deceive, enslave, and to deviate people & nations so that God's will & purpose for them can't be fulfilled.
The devil has been busy sowing the seed of discord, greed, complacency, impatience, hatred, bitterness, confusion, and every other despicable acts that is contrary to the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Today many of the people including believers are trapped in these webs. Like during Hosea's time, we are also guilty of these sins today.
Hear the word of the Lord, O People of Israel! The Lord has filed a lawsuit against you, saying : ' There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. You curse and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere, with one murder after another. That is why your land is not producing. It is filled with sadness, and all living things are becoming sick and dying. Even the animals, birds, and fish have begun to disappear. Don't point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame. ... Alcohol and prostitution have robbed my people of their brains.”(Hosea 4:1-4,11- New Living Translation)
God is calling His people anew, to live a lifestyle that is IN TOTAL OPPOSITE to the lifestyle of the world. They will be called the GENERATION OF MODERN DAY HOSEAS. They will not only speak these truths, but they will live it as well. In this way, God will use the lives of these people to destroy the work of the enemy in the midst of the nations.
THE ASSIGNMENTS
There will be a call to live a life opposite to what the world offers. Different persons will be led to live in a different ways as the Holy Spirit will direct.
- Some will be led to stop using their credit card for a season and to use cash.
- Some will be led to spend only for basic needs & to stop buying for wants.
- Some will be led to minimize time spend on televisions, computers.
- Some will be led to stop watching sports shows.
- Some will be led to use the public transport instead of using their cars.
- Some will be led to use the stairs instead of using the elevators.
- Some will be led to talk less & listen more.
- Some will be led to smile more.
- Some will be led to eat more natural foods instead of processed foods.
- Some will be led to cut down on desserts or sweets.
- Some will be led to eat less meat and more vegetables.
- Some will be led to start exercising.
- Some will be led to say “sorry” more to spouses, children, family or friends even when they are not the one at fault.
- Some will be led to spend more time with their parents.
- Some will be led to start saving water. Every drop counts.
- Some will be led to start using energy more efficiently.
- Young people will be led to protect the sanctity of relationship.
Any other small acts that the Holy Spirit will lead or direct.
A WORD OF CAUTION
BEWARE OF THE NAAMAN SPIRIT:
We must be careful to avoid the 'Naaman spirit'. Since most of the things God wants His people to undertake are so mundane, ordinary and simple. Like Naaman, we might be tempted to want to ignore them or belittle them and overlook the importance of obeying them.
Every act done in obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading , though simple outwardly will be like a mighty hailstorm targeting the specific stronghold that the enemy has already build in our midst.
BEWARE OF CONDEMNATION:
God knows that even with the simple tasks assign to us, we will fail to do them at times. He WILL NOT GET MAD at us when this happen. Beware of the spirit of condemnation when we fail. THIS IS NOT FROM GOD.
Like any other good habits, God knows that it will take time for each assignment to become a lifestyle. And He also knows that at times we will not be able to comply with them. For we are human beings and not robots & we can be affected by different factors & various events that happen around us and even by the state of our body and mind.
So when we fail Him at times. GOD UNDERSTAND that this is part of the process of learning and He will continue to comfort us and encourage us to press in& not to give up. HE WILL NEVER CONDEMN US.
IMPORTANCE OF SMALL BEGINNINGS
We must not look down on small beginnings. For only those who will be faithful in the small things will get promoted to do bigger things.
In the comings days, you will hear the Holy Spirit more clearly than ever before. It will not be in a show of supernatural manifestation but it will be in THAT GENTLE VOICE impressing His thoughts to you. You will sense Him directing you in the everyday work that you are doing. He will help you set your schedules and the details of what you are to do that day. He will direct you moment by moment. All we need to do is to OBEY THAT LEADING no matter how simple the task may sound.
This is God's way of training His people this season. Day by day, moment by moment. A little step here and there. As we continue to obey Him, we will see a new pattern of living emerging in our midst which is in line with the heart & mind of God.
This is the way that God has chosen for this season to fight the spiritual battle before us. He is calling His Modern day Hoseas to be willing to walk with Him where He leads them. And though our eyes may not see much difference in things around us. We can be sure that GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE HEAVENLIES.
Posted by Julie Gilbert on Openheaven.com
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