Love your Neighbor as Yourself
My friend said, "The Christian life is not that complicated; you just love God with all your being, love yourself, and love your neighbor." Something about the way he said it, did not ring true. I had never heard it said like that. For most of my life I had heard the verse love your neighbor as yourself, but truly I had never really thought about the fact that if I didn't love myself, then how could I love my neighbor? I have written about this before, but as I was listening to the Lord this morning I realized there are still areas of struggle in my life and I am sure I am not the only one.
In religious thinking we are taught to hate ourselves. We draw errant conclusions about who we are. We think self-deprecation is an act of humility. We constantly focus on our insufficiencies and think we are spiritual in our self-loathing. We beg and plead with God to make us something He says we already are. We set standards for ourselves and others that neither us nor them can achieve.
This morning, I felt the Lord was speaking to me and I felt this wrestling in my soul and spirit. The things I was hearing were things that God had said in the past and I had not seen them fulfilled. It was like the Lord was saying to me I am going to restore and fulfill dreams that I have given you in the past. My soulish thinking was, "Lord, I'm old"; "Lord, I don't have the strength or energy anymore"; "It's too late", etc. You get the idea. What I realized was deep down inside there were doubts that I was worthy of such a blessing. I'd rather be known as a man of faith and power for the hour, but I'm trying to be real here because someone needs to hear this. Let me express a few thoughts that came to mind this morning:
1. Self-deprecation is not humility. Tearing oneself down does not build you up. False humility is a coverup for pride. Humility is not weakness. It is the recognition that apart from Him we can do nothing.
2. Self-exaltation is not loving oneself. Exalting oneself is often a compensation for one's perceived lack or attitude about themselves. Pride is not loving oneself. That kind of love is destructive. God resists the proud. Pride goeth before a fall. Pride keeps us from grace.
3. If I don't know who I am, then I will be who I think myself to be. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.
4. If I cannot receive myself then I cannot receive others.
5. Self-hatred and self-rejection leads to rejection by others. That which I project upon myself will be projected to others. Not only will I minister rejection, but in the principle of sowing and reaping, I will reap it in greater measure than I sow.
So what is loving oneself? It is not the "all about me" syndrome; it is the ability to receive myself as God has created me. Accepting myself just as I have been accepted in the beloved. If I can receive myself I can receive others. If I accept myself, I can accept others. What you see in the mirror does not determine your acceptance. It is the heart. Remember little David. God looks at the heart. Paul said that we regard no man according to the flesh.
I am having difficulty expressing what is on my heart today, but there is something I saw in my own life that I need to express. I saw that if I cannot receive myself; I cannot receive the promises of God. Unworthiness will keep you from receiving the blessing of the Lord. I know that apart from God none of us are worthy of God's blessing, but it is not about you; it is about the Father and the Father loves His children and desires to bless them. As parents, you know your children are not perfect, so do you choose to do them harm or do you desire to bless them?
Guilt, condemnation, self-hatred, rejection, and pride are very destructive forces in the lives of a Christian. They keep people from their potential in God. They keep you from God's best. Self-rejection rejects the grace of God.
So often people come to God like the man whose son was demonized and said to Jesus "If You can". God says that is not the right question. The leper came to Jesus and said "If you are willing You can make me clean." Jesus said, "I am willing, be cleansed." I know there are areas in my life that unwittingly by doubting God's ability to do it in me, I have said, "can you?" I must get past the question "Can?" and even the question of "Are You willing?" to the place of hearing Jesus say, "I am willing, be released into your destiny."
I am thankful for a Father who is infinitely patient with me and is still teaching me and bringing things to mind that I had forgotten. God loves you so much. Be blessed today.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
You Shall be Called by a New Name
Dear friends,
I trust you are well. I have been teaching out of Acts for several months now and I haven't quite finished chapter 4. I was reading about the apostles giving Joseph a new name, Barnabas, which is often translated "son of encouragement or consolation". Bar means son and nabas means encouragement, consolation, or prophecy. I personally believe he was given that name because he was operating prophetically, but that's another message. I want to talk about name changes today. I believe this will encourage you.
You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. Isaiah 62:2b
Back in the 90's I heard that Paul Yongi Cho had changed his name to David because the Lord told him to. As has happened to me a few times over the years my religious perceptions were disturbed. I was familiar with the success of his ministry and that he was a man of prayer, but this just didn't seem right. Over the next few years I would discover that God was in the name changing business. In the mid nineties I heard Jack Taylor do a teaching on destiny names which impacted my life. Jack had first heard the teaching from a young man pastoring in Vermont, Jim Sneyder. I preached at a campmeeting sometime later with Jim and heard him do the teaching and God confirmed some things for me. You don't have to search the scriptures long to find that God changing one's name was not too uncommon. In Genesis we see Abram's name changed to Abraham, meaning "father of multitudes" and Sarai to Sarah meaning "princess".
Then we see Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord. Jacob refused to let go (even in great pain) until he was blessed.
And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said,"I will not let You go unless You bless me." So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." Genesis 32:26-28
Jacob's name meant "heel grabber, supplanter" and the Lord changed his name to Israel meaning "the prince that prevails with God." God's names are prophetic; they speak to our destiny. God changed Abram's name to Abraham before Isaac was born. Our parents may have named us according to a name in the family, or a whim, or a name that was popular. I'm sure some people really pray and listen to God concerning their children's names, but that is probably the exception rather than the rule. In Hebrew culture children were usually named according to some circumstance regarding their birth or the time of their birth. I've come to believe that the most impactful name is not the name given at our birth, but the names and labels, put on us by those close to us, the world, and yes, even ourselves. Let me give you a few examples:
Some people wear the name "Rejected" like a banner. What does this name do? It just sets them up for further rejection. Some people have the name "Stupid", some "You never do anything right", "You'll never amount to anything". They really become ungodly mindsets that destroy your faith and your destiny in God.
In Isaiah 62 God is speaking to His people and telling them that He is changing their name. In the eyes of the world and even in their own eyes they had been named "Forsaken" and their country "Desolate". The Lord says I'm taking that name away and giving you the name Hephzibah, "The Lord delights in you" and your land will be called Beulah, "Married." The Lord delights in you and your country is His bride. He dances over you with joy. You know it is hard for so many to think that God feels that way about them. I just thought about Luke 10 where the 70 returned so excited because demons fled in the name of Jesus. In verse 21 it says, In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit.... The word rejoiced there is much more graphic in the Greek. It is the word, "agalliao" which means," To exult, leap for joy, to show one's joy by leaping and skipping denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight." He got excited and when you walk in truth He gets excited about you!
I believe the Lord wants to give some of you a new name today. It maybe that we have to recognize what we have been named so we can renounce it and receive our new name. I don't think the angel of the Lord , believed to be the preincarnate Christ didn't know what Jacob's name was. He came to ambush Jacob. The Lord is asking you, "What is your name?" He's not asking for Tim or Jim, but what is that name that's been put on you which keeps you from your destiny in God. Be honest. Renounce it and ask God for the name He wants to give you. Hephzibah, "my delight is in you". There is so much more we could say about names, labels, and ungodly beliefs, but I am sure you see what I am saying. God wants you to have a new name. He talks in Revelation about us being given a new name which no one know except to whom it is given. God is into names. His name represents His character and there is a name for you that speaks destiny and potential. Be blessed today.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I trust you are well. I have been teaching out of Acts for several months now and I haven't quite finished chapter 4. I was reading about the apostles giving Joseph a new name, Barnabas, which is often translated "son of encouragement or consolation". Bar means son and nabas means encouragement, consolation, or prophecy. I personally believe he was given that name because he was operating prophetically, but that's another message. I want to talk about name changes today. I believe this will encourage you.
You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. Isaiah 62:2b
Back in the 90's I heard that Paul Yongi Cho had changed his name to David because the Lord told him to. As has happened to me a few times over the years my religious perceptions were disturbed. I was familiar with the success of his ministry and that he was a man of prayer, but this just didn't seem right. Over the next few years I would discover that God was in the name changing business. In the mid nineties I heard Jack Taylor do a teaching on destiny names which impacted my life. Jack had first heard the teaching from a young man pastoring in Vermont, Jim Sneyder. I preached at a campmeeting sometime later with Jim and heard him do the teaching and God confirmed some things for me. You don't have to search the scriptures long to find that God changing one's name was not too uncommon. In Genesis we see Abram's name changed to Abraham, meaning "father of multitudes" and Sarai to Sarah meaning "princess".
Then we see Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord. Jacob refused to let go (even in great pain) until he was blessed.
And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said,"I will not let You go unless You bless me." So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And He said your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." Genesis 32:26-28
Jacob's name meant "heel grabber, supplanter" and the Lord changed his name to Israel meaning "the prince that prevails with God." God's names are prophetic; they speak to our destiny. God changed Abram's name to Abraham before Isaac was born. Our parents may have named us according to a name in the family, or a whim, or a name that was popular. I'm sure some people really pray and listen to God concerning their children's names, but that is probably the exception rather than the rule. In Hebrew culture children were usually named according to some circumstance regarding their birth or the time of their birth. I've come to believe that the most impactful name is not the name given at our birth, but the names and labels, put on us by those close to us, the world, and yes, even ourselves. Let me give you a few examples:
Some people wear the name "Rejected" like a banner. What does this name do? It just sets them up for further rejection. Some people have the name "Stupid", some "You never do anything right", "You'll never amount to anything". They really become ungodly mindsets that destroy your faith and your destiny in God.
In Isaiah 62 God is speaking to His people and telling them that He is changing their name. In the eyes of the world and even in their own eyes they had been named "Forsaken" and their country "Desolate". The Lord says I'm taking that name away and giving you the name Hephzibah, "The Lord delights in you" and your land will be called Beulah, "Married." The Lord delights in you and your country is His bride. He dances over you with joy. You know it is hard for so many to think that God feels that way about them. I just thought about Luke 10 where the 70 returned so excited because demons fled in the name of Jesus. In verse 21 it says, In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit.... The word rejoiced there is much more graphic in the Greek. It is the word, "agalliao" which means," To exult, leap for joy, to show one's joy by leaping and skipping denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight." He got excited and when you walk in truth He gets excited about you!
I believe the Lord wants to give some of you a new name today. It maybe that we have to recognize what we have been named so we can renounce it and receive our new name. I don't think the angel of the Lord , believed to be the preincarnate Christ didn't know what Jacob's name was. He came to ambush Jacob. The Lord is asking you, "What is your name?" He's not asking for Tim or Jim, but what is that name that's been put on you which keeps you from your destiny in God. Be honest. Renounce it and ask God for the name He wants to give you. Hephzibah, "my delight is in you". There is so much more we could say about names, labels, and ungodly beliefs, but I am sure you see what I am saying. God wants you to have a new name. He talks in Revelation about us being given a new name which no one know except to whom it is given. God is into names. His name represents His character and there is a name for you that speaks destiny and potential. Be blessed today.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Before they call, I will answer
Dear friends,
I pray you are well. God is calling us to war. There is a mighty prayer movement taking place across our nation. It is yet behind the scenes, but like the kingdom of God it is growing in scope and measure and the results will soon be evident. I want to encourage you today with some scriptures and a thought or two that the Lord is giving me.
It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear. Is. 65:24 God knows your prayer before you pray it.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things we you do not know. Jer. 33:3
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 The verbs here are present imperative so ask and keep on asking.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14
Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and cast into the sea' and does not doubt in His heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. Mark11:22-25
We would all agree that those are wonderful promises, but we could probably agree as well that has not been our experience. Are there conditions to answered prayer? There are some things we see here in these scriptures directly or indirectly. I'll list the things I see.
1. We must ask. James said you have not because you ask not.
2. You must believe. I confess I have prayed many faithless prayers over the years and I have also found myself begging for things He has already given me.
3. Forgiveness. Unforgiveness is rejecting God's grace. I personally believe unforgiveness is the one of the most or possibly the most common reason for unanswered prayer.
4. Obedience
5. Persistence
6. Praying His will
7. Abiding in His word
You may say, I have walked in those things and I still don't see my prayers answered. It could be a matter of timing. It maybe that God is developing something in you and He knows the time for what you have asked is not yet.
What I am sensing in my heart is that there is a dynamic tension right now in the earth. Wickedness is being exposed; the assault of the enemy has intensified, yet the kingdom of God like the leaven in the lump is expanding and beginning to become more evident. There is a greater sense of God's presence and we are about to see many of the promises that God has given personally and corporately fulfilled. Prayers that have been prayed for years will be answered and you will begin to see answers to prayer that you have just prayed. There will be those that before they finish voicing their prayer, there will be a phone call revealing that the prayer has already been answered. There will be those who have prayed for a financial need and after praying they will find a check in the mailbox. The answer was dispatched before it was even voiced. There is coming a quick turn around in prayer. We are entering a season of acceleration and especially in the area of prayer.
Spring is a time when I usually clean out the gutters on my house. If the gutters get full of leaves and trash the water does not flow and it can cause leaks and water damage. I think of our spiritual lives that way that the heavenly conduit needs to be kept clean for the Spirit to flow. I believe the Lord is saying that it's time for spring cleaning, because there is the sound of the abundance of rain.
Be encouraged, our Father is attentive to our prayer and He will answer. He is always with us, He is not distant or aloof and He will answer our prayers. The psalmist said,"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Be blessed of the Lord, my friend.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I pray you are well. God is calling us to war. There is a mighty prayer movement taking place across our nation. It is yet behind the scenes, but like the kingdom of God it is growing in scope and measure and the results will soon be evident. I want to encourage you today with some scriptures and a thought or two that the Lord is giving me.
It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear. Is. 65:24 God knows your prayer before you pray it.
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things we you do not know. Jer. 33:3
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 The verbs here are present imperative so ask and keep on asking.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14
Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and cast into the sea' and does not doubt in His heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. Mark11:22-25
We would all agree that those are wonderful promises, but we could probably agree as well that has not been our experience. Are there conditions to answered prayer? There are some things we see here in these scriptures directly or indirectly. I'll list the things I see.
1. We must ask. James said you have not because you ask not.
2. You must believe. I confess I have prayed many faithless prayers over the years and I have also found myself begging for things He has already given me.
3. Forgiveness. Unforgiveness is rejecting God's grace. I personally believe unforgiveness is the one of the most or possibly the most common reason for unanswered prayer.
4. Obedience
5. Persistence
6. Praying His will
7. Abiding in His word
You may say, I have walked in those things and I still don't see my prayers answered. It could be a matter of timing. It maybe that God is developing something in you and He knows the time for what you have asked is not yet.
What I am sensing in my heart is that there is a dynamic tension right now in the earth. Wickedness is being exposed; the assault of the enemy has intensified, yet the kingdom of God like the leaven in the lump is expanding and beginning to become more evident. There is a greater sense of God's presence and we are about to see many of the promises that God has given personally and corporately fulfilled. Prayers that have been prayed for years will be answered and you will begin to see answers to prayer that you have just prayed. There will be those that before they finish voicing their prayer, there will be a phone call revealing that the prayer has already been answered. There will be those who have prayed for a financial need and after praying they will find a check in the mailbox. The answer was dispatched before it was even voiced. There is coming a quick turn around in prayer. We are entering a season of acceleration and especially in the area of prayer.
Spring is a time when I usually clean out the gutters on my house. If the gutters get full of leaves and trash the water does not flow and it can cause leaks and water damage. I think of our spiritual lives that way that the heavenly conduit needs to be kept clean for the Spirit to flow. I believe the Lord is saying that it's time for spring cleaning, because there is the sound of the abundance of rain.
Be encouraged, our Father is attentive to our prayer and He will answer. He is always with us, He is not distant or aloof and He will answer our prayers. The psalmist said,"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Be blessed of the Lord, my friend.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
God is Our Refuge and Strength
Dear friends,
I pray that you are well. These are challenging days in our nation and the world. Someone after hearing about another powerful earthquake in a month or so, asked,"What in the world is going on?" Some would answer using their eschatological beliefs. I am not going there; my desire is to offer hope to the fearful. In these difficult times we are being summoned into the presence of Father God. As I was praying this morning Psalms 46 came to mind. I sent out a devotional from Psalms 46 a few weeks ago so I wondered was the Lord laying this on my heart or was it in my mind because it was familiar. I picked up my Bible and read Psalms 46 again and it so spoke about the present situation in the world that I felt the need to share it.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Psalms 46:1-3
As I read this I thought of earthquakes and tsunamis. The scripture was so timely for what is going on now in Haiti and Chile. A leading seismologist said that in the U.S., it is not a matter of if but when. The psalmists says that though these things happen we will not be afraid. Why? Because God is our refuge and strength. A refuge is a place of safety and protection, a shelter, security. God is our place of protection. Our security is in Him. Strength is power and might. As we said a while back there is nothing outside of us that is greater than He Who is in us.
A very present help in trouble. Where is God when trouble comes? Did He leave you by yourself? No, He is very present. Did He not say that He would never leave or forsake and He is with us always? Is not His Spirit in us? He is very present; He's more than just present, He's very present. We have discussed before, the difference between omnipresence and manifest presence. Very present is like manifest presence; He is present to do something. God does not promise that we won't have trouble. If the apostles had been a little more mature in their faith they probably would have let Jesus sleep when the storm really got bad. Some think that if we walk in obedience we won't have trouble. The night Jesus walked on water they were doing exactly as they were told, but there was a contrary wind. You will encounter resistance. Those who live godly lives will suffer tribulation. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God. You will have trouble but you have a helper who is along side.
Both of the earthquakes were devastating. In Haiti over 200,000 people died. Many were left homeless. The earthquake in Haiti registered 7.0 on the Richter scale. The earthquake in Chile measured 8.8 on the scale. You may or may not know that on the Richter scale as the number goes higher the amount of power registered increases exponentially so that the earthquake in Chile was over 500 times more powerful than the one in Haiti. It was deeper in the ground and the epicenter was further from the population but it was still much more powerful. Yet in Chile less than 800 have died. What made the difference. In Chile they had much stricter building codes. They knew there was a threat of earthquakes and they built their buildings accordingly. I am reminded of Luke 6 when Jesus said,"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded upon the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and it immediately fell. And the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:47-49.
I am not drawing a conclusion about the spirituality of either nation and I am not using either man to represent one of those nations. I am just using the example to make a point. Let's look at the two men:
1. They both heard the word.
2. They both built a house.
3. They both encountered a storm.
The difference was what they did with the word. One laid a foundation in obedience. The other did not act upon the word and had no foundation. Our foundation for whatever we build in our lives must be laid in obedience. Yes we have a very present help in trouble. As I looked at those scriptures again I saw that not only does He take us through the storm, but prepares us in advance for it. However when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and he will tell you things to come. John 16:13
The Holy Spirit is in you. That is about as present as you can get. He is our helper, the paraclete, the one along side.
In closing I would like to encourage you with some good news. For over a month millions have bombarded heaven on behalf of the nation of Haiti. Apart from this terrible catastrophe Haiti would probably not have been on many of their minds. I read a report this morning that there have been over 40,000 recorded decisions for Christ and I suspect the numbers are much higher. There has been a cry of repentance coming from that nation and I believe God is rebuilding it. Continue to pray for them and for Chile. There are over one half million whose homes were destroyed in Chile. We pray that God will move mightily there as well and that redemption will come out of this tragedy.
I pray that these letters encourage you. I always get something in the writing of them. Thank you for allowing me to invade your computer space. Be blessed of the Lord.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I pray that you are well. These are challenging days in our nation and the world. Someone after hearing about another powerful earthquake in a month or so, asked,"What in the world is going on?" Some would answer using their eschatological beliefs. I am not going there; my desire is to offer hope to the fearful. In these difficult times we are being summoned into the presence of Father God. As I was praying this morning Psalms 46 came to mind. I sent out a devotional from Psalms 46 a few weeks ago so I wondered was the Lord laying this on my heart or was it in my mind because it was familiar. I picked up my Bible and read Psalms 46 again and it so spoke about the present situation in the world that I felt the need to share it.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Psalms 46:1-3
As I read this I thought of earthquakes and tsunamis. The scripture was so timely for what is going on now in Haiti and Chile. A leading seismologist said that in the U.S., it is not a matter of if but when. The psalmists says that though these things happen we will not be afraid. Why? Because God is our refuge and strength. A refuge is a place of safety and protection, a shelter, security. God is our place of protection. Our security is in Him. Strength is power and might. As we said a while back there is nothing outside of us that is greater than He Who is in us.
A very present help in trouble. Where is God when trouble comes? Did He leave you by yourself? No, He is very present. Did He not say that He would never leave or forsake and He is with us always? Is not His Spirit in us? He is very present; He's more than just present, He's very present. We have discussed before, the difference between omnipresence and manifest presence. Very present is like manifest presence; He is present to do something. God does not promise that we won't have trouble. If the apostles had been a little more mature in their faith they probably would have let Jesus sleep when the storm really got bad. Some think that if we walk in obedience we won't have trouble. The night Jesus walked on water they were doing exactly as they were told, but there was a contrary wind. You will encounter resistance. Those who live godly lives will suffer tribulation. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God. You will have trouble but you have a helper who is along side.
Both of the earthquakes were devastating. In Haiti over 200,000 people died. Many were left homeless. The earthquake in Haiti registered 7.0 on the Richter scale. The earthquake in Chile measured 8.8 on the scale. You may or may not know that on the Richter scale as the number goes higher the amount of power registered increases exponentially so that the earthquake in Chile was over 500 times more powerful than the one in Haiti. It was deeper in the ground and the epicenter was further from the population but it was still much more powerful. Yet in Chile less than 800 have died. What made the difference. In Chile they had much stricter building codes. They knew there was a threat of earthquakes and they built their buildings accordingly. I am reminded of Luke 6 when Jesus said,"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded upon the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and it immediately fell. And the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:47-49.
I am not drawing a conclusion about the spirituality of either nation and I am not using either man to represent one of those nations. I am just using the example to make a point. Let's look at the two men:
1. They both heard the word.
2. They both built a house.
3. They both encountered a storm.
The difference was what they did with the word. One laid a foundation in obedience. The other did not act upon the word and had no foundation. Our foundation for whatever we build in our lives must be laid in obedience. Yes we have a very present help in trouble. As I looked at those scriptures again I saw that not only does He take us through the storm, but prepares us in advance for it. However when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and he will tell you things to come. John 16:13
The Holy Spirit is in you. That is about as present as you can get. He is our helper, the paraclete, the one along side.
In closing I would like to encourage you with some good news. For over a month millions have bombarded heaven on behalf of the nation of Haiti. Apart from this terrible catastrophe Haiti would probably not have been on many of their minds. I read a report this morning that there have been over 40,000 recorded decisions for Christ and I suspect the numbers are much higher. There has been a cry of repentance coming from that nation and I believe God is rebuilding it. Continue to pray for them and for Chile. There are over one half million whose homes were destroyed in Chile. We pray that God will move mightily there as well and that redemption will come out of this tragedy.
I pray that these letters encourage you. I always get something in the writing of them. Thank you for allowing me to invade your computer space. Be blessed of the Lord.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
More Than they That Watch for the Morning
Hello friends,
I pray that you are well. As I began to pray this morning the phrase came to mind, " more than the watchman for the morning." I read the Psalms often so I have read Psalms 130:6 many times and had never given a whole lot of thought about those watching for the morning. The more I study the scriptures, the more I realize that there is inexhaustible revelation. I know I often read the word too fast as if the more quantity I get the better off I am, but there are precious nuggets to be found in meditating upon the word. So this morning when this phrase comes to mind, I ask what is its spiritual significance? Here are a few thoughts I hope will encourage you.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning--- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. Psalms 130:6
The psalmist finds himself in the position of waiting on the Lord for deliverance. It seems that he is placing his hope on promises he has been given by the Lord. He was probably in a position where some us of now find ourselves or have been and that is recognizing that God is our only hope. He is more desirous of God's hand moving on his behalf than the watchmen are for morning. The implication here is that the watchmen long for the morning, but even more so he longs for God's deliverance. So why is it that watchmen long for the morning?
Let's look at the responsibility of the watchmen. In those days there were usually three watches in the night.(Remember Jesus walking on water in the third watch of the night.) The last watch was usually 2am to sunrise. The watchman usually had a place on the wall in a tower so that he could see for distance in all directions. He had to be observant and alert for he was given the great responsibility of warning the city of an approaching enemy or enemy activity. An incompetent watchman could put his entire city at risk. If he failed to warn his people they could be overrun and easily defeated. A watchman who fell asleep during his watch could cause the destruction of his city. The competent watchman kept his eyes and ears open and was sensitive to unusual sights or sounds. He was not ignorant of enemy operations and knew what to look for.
It was an indispensable duty. You can imagine that there were times when it seemed morning would never come. Word may have come that there were marauding bands in the area or possibly invading armies so there were nights of stress. There were times where they were worn out from the pressure and concern they felt. They were awake when everyone else was comfortably in their beds.
It is not difficult to understand why they were anxious for the morning. Most of us must admit that even if we love our jobs we look forward to quitting time and even if we don't you still have to rest. With the dawning of the new day comes the sunlight and with sunrise there would be the release from duty. They could see clearly now and there would be an opportunity for rest.
As we look at the church today some of you have been called to be watchmen on the wall. Some have recognized this calling and have been there faithfully seeing things in their spirits and hearing the sounds that are coming forth. You have intercepted things through prayer and there have been times when you have had to speak forth warning. You have worked in the obscurity of night with few recognizing the importance of your calling. There have been times when you have grown weary on the wall and you have hoped anxiously for the morning. You have longed for the light that you might have clarity and vision. Friend, it is not yet time to come down from the wall, but know that the Father is sending reinforcements and refreshment. Some of you have a hot cup of coffee coming your way. Your morning will come soon, but there must first be those who are young in the Spirit who you must train to have eyes in the darkness and then you will see with clarity the purpose for which you were stationed on the wall and you will enter into your rest.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Is. 62:6,7
The watchmen are the intercessors. In their intimacy with Lord they are often given prophetic understanding, discernment, and authority. As a pastor I would like to personally thank those who have faithfully stood on the wall crying out on be half of the church. Thank you for praying for me.
So in closing if I am waiting on the Lord, hoping in His word, more desirous of His deliverance than a watchman on the wall, I have would have to say I have gotten serious with the Lord. There are promises for those who wait on the Lord. Enter a season of renewed strength.
I bless you today. As I write this I know I don't see or know who'll read this, but I just feel the Lord's love for you welling up in my heart. He loves you so much. He loves you so much, it bears repeating. Be blessed today my friends.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I pray that you are well. As I began to pray this morning the phrase came to mind, " more than the watchman for the morning." I read the Psalms often so I have read Psalms 130:6 many times and had never given a whole lot of thought about those watching for the morning. The more I study the scriptures, the more I realize that there is inexhaustible revelation. I know I often read the word too fast as if the more quantity I get the better off I am, but there are precious nuggets to be found in meditating upon the word. So this morning when this phrase comes to mind, I ask what is its spiritual significance? Here are a few thoughts I hope will encourage you.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning--- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. Psalms 130:6
The psalmist finds himself in the position of waiting on the Lord for deliverance. It seems that he is placing his hope on promises he has been given by the Lord. He was probably in a position where some us of now find ourselves or have been and that is recognizing that God is our only hope. He is more desirous of God's hand moving on his behalf than the watchmen are for morning. The implication here is that the watchmen long for the morning, but even more so he longs for God's deliverance. So why is it that watchmen long for the morning?
Let's look at the responsibility of the watchmen. In those days there were usually three watches in the night.(Remember Jesus walking on water in the third watch of the night.) The last watch was usually 2am to sunrise. The watchman usually had a place on the wall in a tower so that he could see for distance in all directions. He had to be observant and alert for he was given the great responsibility of warning the city of an approaching enemy or enemy activity. An incompetent watchman could put his entire city at risk. If he failed to warn his people they could be overrun and easily defeated. A watchman who fell asleep during his watch could cause the destruction of his city. The competent watchman kept his eyes and ears open and was sensitive to unusual sights or sounds. He was not ignorant of enemy operations and knew what to look for.
It was an indispensable duty. You can imagine that there were times when it seemed morning would never come. Word may have come that there were marauding bands in the area or possibly invading armies so there were nights of stress. There were times where they were worn out from the pressure and concern they felt. They were awake when everyone else was comfortably in their beds.
It is not difficult to understand why they were anxious for the morning. Most of us must admit that even if we love our jobs we look forward to quitting time and even if we don't you still have to rest. With the dawning of the new day comes the sunlight and with sunrise there would be the release from duty. They could see clearly now and there would be an opportunity for rest.
As we look at the church today some of you have been called to be watchmen on the wall. Some have recognized this calling and have been there faithfully seeing things in their spirits and hearing the sounds that are coming forth. You have intercepted things through prayer and there have been times when you have had to speak forth warning. You have worked in the obscurity of night with few recognizing the importance of your calling. There have been times when you have grown weary on the wall and you have hoped anxiously for the morning. You have longed for the light that you might have clarity and vision. Friend, it is not yet time to come down from the wall, but know that the Father is sending reinforcements and refreshment. Some of you have a hot cup of coffee coming your way. Your morning will come soon, but there must first be those who are young in the Spirit who you must train to have eyes in the darkness and then you will see with clarity the purpose for which you were stationed on the wall and you will enter into your rest.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Is. 62:6,7
The watchmen are the intercessors. In their intimacy with Lord they are often given prophetic understanding, discernment, and authority. As a pastor I would like to personally thank those who have faithfully stood on the wall crying out on be half of the church. Thank you for praying for me.
So in closing if I am waiting on the Lord, hoping in His word, more desirous of His deliverance than a watchman on the wall, I have would have to say I have gotten serious with the Lord. There are promises for those who wait on the Lord. Enter a season of renewed strength.
I bless you today. As I write this I know I don't see or know who'll read this, but I just feel the Lord's love for you welling up in my heart. He loves you so much. He loves you so much, it bears repeating. Be blessed today my friends.
In His love,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Be Still and Know That I Am God
Be Still and Know that I Am God
Over the years I have found myself in what seemed like desperate situations, frantically trying to figure out what to do. Sometimes I made some wrong choices. On one such occasion, I was operating in anxiety mode exhausting all human possibilities, but still dutifully doing my bible reading, and the Lord brought this verse to mind along with a companion verse, "Cease striving and know that I am God." I knew that it was the Lord speaking to me and I released the situation to him. I received His peace and shortly thereafter the problem was resolved.
There have been other times that I was asking the Lord what I needed to do and I clearly heard the word "Wait". When you feel like you need to do something or you feel like something needs to be happening that is a difficult word to hear. Peter wrote that God isn't slack concerning His promises, but God doesn't get in a hurry. When you have all wisdom and all power and know the end from the beginning, you know when the right time is and He does.
As I was reading the Psalms this morning, I once again read Psalms 46: 10 and there it was,"Be still and know I am God." I really felt I was to write something today, but there was nothing burning in my heart. Once again this verse leaped off the page, but I sensed it was not so much for me as it was for someone else. I had this sense that someone was in panic mode, that they were darting back and forth like a squirrel startled by a car on the highway. I have seen squirrels panic and run back under a wheel when they had it made. If that's you, the Lord is speaking to you this morning, "Be still and know that I am God." Stop and take deep breath, collect your thoughts (really you probably need to bring them captive to the obedience of Christ) and let's wait on the Lord and get His mind in this situation. Often the Lord allows us to exhaust all human possibility bringing us to the end of ourselves so that all we can do is turn to Him. I often jokingly say, " All we can do now is pray, oh no! has it come to that?" That is sad, but true, in so many instances. God wants us to turn to Him first.
I just saw someone in my spirit treading water and they were growing weary, barely keeping their head above water. I am reminded of a camp that I ran at a children's home many years ago. It was on a tidal river and when the tide was in, we would take the kids skiing. The younger kids begged and pleaded to go, so I devised a test they had to pass before they could attempt to ski. It was a fairly simple test. They had to swim the length of the pool and tread water for a full minute before swimming back. One eight year old boy was very determined that he would pass so he could ski. After about 20 seconds he began to sink. I extended a broom for him to grab, but he wouldn't take it; he was frantically paddling as he sank. I had to go down and pull him out. Some folks are like that little boy; so determined to get what they want that they reject the lifeline even though they are sinking. Some allow pride to keep them from getting the help they need. There are others, who through no fault of their own find themselves sinking. Don't panic and flail at the water, just rest in the Lord, and He will buoy you up.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the Lord! Psalms 27:13,14
I believe this is a word for someone this morning and it it's not for you, then you may know someone who is panicking, fretful, or anxious this morning. Feel free to pass it along. May these additional verses encourage you:
Commit (to roll) your way to the Lord (over on Him), Trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass. Psalms 37:5 (parentheses mine)
Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you. 2 Peter 5:7
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28
Be blessed,
Herb Dean
Over the years I have found myself in what seemed like desperate situations, frantically trying to figure out what to do. Sometimes I made some wrong choices. On one such occasion, I was operating in anxiety mode exhausting all human possibilities, but still dutifully doing my bible reading, and the Lord brought this verse to mind along with a companion verse, "Cease striving and know that I am God." I knew that it was the Lord speaking to me and I released the situation to him. I received His peace and shortly thereafter the problem was resolved.
There have been other times that I was asking the Lord what I needed to do and I clearly heard the word "Wait". When you feel like you need to do something or you feel like something needs to be happening that is a difficult word to hear. Peter wrote that God isn't slack concerning His promises, but God doesn't get in a hurry. When you have all wisdom and all power and know the end from the beginning, you know when the right time is and He does.
As I was reading the Psalms this morning, I once again read Psalms 46: 10 and there it was,"Be still and know I am God." I really felt I was to write something today, but there was nothing burning in my heart. Once again this verse leaped off the page, but I sensed it was not so much for me as it was for someone else. I had this sense that someone was in panic mode, that they were darting back and forth like a squirrel startled by a car on the highway. I have seen squirrels panic and run back under a wheel when they had it made. If that's you, the Lord is speaking to you this morning, "Be still and know that I am God." Stop and take deep breath, collect your thoughts (really you probably need to bring them captive to the obedience of Christ) and let's wait on the Lord and get His mind in this situation. Often the Lord allows us to exhaust all human possibility bringing us to the end of ourselves so that all we can do is turn to Him. I often jokingly say, " All we can do now is pray, oh no! has it come to that?" That is sad, but true, in so many instances. God wants us to turn to Him first.
I just saw someone in my spirit treading water and they were growing weary, barely keeping their head above water. I am reminded of a camp that I ran at a children's home many years ago. It was on a tidal river and when the tide was in, we would take the kids skiing. The younger kids begged and pleaded to go, so I devised a test they had to pass before they could attempt to ski. It was a fairly simple test. They had to swim the length of the pool and tread water for a full minute before swimming back. One eight year old boy was very determined that he would pass so he could ski. After about 20 seconds he began to sink. I extended a broom for him to grab, but he wouldn't take it; he was frantically paddling as he sank. I had to go down and pull him out. Some folks are like that little boy; so determined to get what they want that they reject the lifeline even though they are sinking. Some allow pride to keep them from getting the help they need. There are others, who through no fault of their own find themselves sinking. Don't panic and flail at the water, just rest in the Lord, and He will buoy you up.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the Lord! Psalms 27:13,14
I believe this is a word for someone this morning and it it's not for you, then you may know someone who is panicking, fretful, or anxious this morning. Feel free to pass it along. May these additional verses encourage you:
Commit (to roll) your way to the Lord (over on Him), Trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass. Psalms 37:5 (parentheses mine)
Casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you. 2 Peter 5:7
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28
Be blessed,
Herb Dean
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
For the Word of God Is Living
Dear friends,
I pray things are well with you. As I woke up this morning the Lord was speaking. He brought to mind Hebrews 4:12. I want to share with you this morning what the Lord was giving to me. Prayerfully consider these things.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
In 1 Kings 3:16-27 we see a spiritual picture of this verse in action. Two harlots came before the king for him to make a judgement. One had lain on her baby during the night and accidentally killed him. She took the other ladies' baby and claimed it for her own. These were ladies of the night and a nursing baby was a means of birth control. They came before Solomon wanting a decision as to which woman the baby belonged. The king asked for a sword and then gave orders for the child to be cut in half with each woman getting half. The one lady would rather give the child up than for it to be killed while the woman who had stolen the baby would rather the baby die than be exposed. The sword revealed the thoughts and intents of the heart. The baby was given to the woman who was willing to give him up rather than see him die. The truth was revealed by the sword.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13
Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10:26
This is what the Lord put on my heart: The hearts of men will be laid bare. Wickedness will be exposed. That which has been hidden will be revealed to all. The intents of the heart will be revealed. We will again see the days of Ananias and Sapphira as the fear of the Lord is restored. 1Kings 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgement which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. Godly justice brings the fear of the Lord. It is a time of purifying our hearts; it is a time of purifying our motives. Though I had a sense that the primary application was to leaders in America it certainly applies to the Christian community.
For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1Peter 4:17
It begins first with us. This is not a message of gloom and doom. The heart must first be revealed before it can be healed. God desires to bring healing. His peace is everything set right. The revelation of His glory exposes that which is not glorious. Wickedness must first be exposed before it is destroyed. When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. Psalms 92:7 It truly is a message of hope.
I have often looked at 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a formula for national revival, but as I was studying for a teaching the other day I saw it in a different light. I remembered how a great teacher, Alan Vincent, who had once been an atheistic scientist before getting saved, shared the fact that an element such as copper will always test copper whether it is a bar, a crystal, or a molecule. He went on to say that everything that is kingdom will apply at every level whether it be an individual, a family, a church, or a nation. We can apply that verse to ourselves individually. If Herb Dean who is called by My name will humble himself and pray and seek My face, and turn from His wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive his sin and heal his land (soul). parentheses mine. Some may say that's old covenant; that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I say, yes, and amen. I am not wicked; I've been given a new heart, but there are still areas of my life where I struggle with my flesh or am I the only one? There are times I've had selfish motives, times when I have rejoiced at the fall of my enemies, times when I envied the success of others. Yes, it is true there is wickedness in my flesh and sometimes carnality in my thinking. This must be brought into the captivity of Christ. Humility, prayer, seeking, confession, and turning are as relevant now as in the old covenant and praise God we have the Spirit inside us and His enabling grace to do it. Can we expect the heathen to change if we are unwilling or unable ourselves. I had not intended to get into all that, but just to say we are entering a season of the revealing of hearts.
As I said earlier, weigh these things prayerfully. God is moving. It is a time of transition and God is desirous to move each of us to new levels of glory. I appreciate all of you and am always thankful for your encouragement. If I can be of any assistance to you send me a note.
In His love,
Herb Dean
I pray things are well with you. As I woke up this morning the Lord was speaking. He brought to mind Hebrews 4:12. I want to share with you this morning what the Lord was giving to me. Prayerfully consider these things.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
In 1 Kings 3:16-27 we see a spiritual picture of this verse in action. Two harlots came before the king for him to make a judgement. One had lain on her baby during the night and accidentally killed him. She took the other ladies' baby and claimed it for her own. These were ladies of the night and a nursing baby was a means of birth control. They came before Solomon wanting a decision as to which woman the baby belonged. The king asked for a sword and then gave orders for the child to be cut in half with each woman getting half. The one lady would rather give the child up than for it to be killed while the woman who had stolen the baby would rather the baby die than be exposed. The sword revealed the thoughts and intents of the heart. The baby was given to the woman who was willing to give him up rather than see him die. The truth was revealed by the sword.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13
Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10:26
This is what the Lord put on my heart: The hearts of men will be laid bare. Wickedness will be exposed. That which has been hidden will be revealed to all. The intents of the heart will be revealed. We will again see the days of Ananias and Sapphira as the fear of the Lord is restored. 1Kings 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgement which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. Godly justice brings the fear of the Lord. It is a time of purifying our hearts; it is a time of purifying our motives. Though I had a sense that the primary application was to leaders in America it certainly applies to the Christian community.
For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1Peter 4:17
It begins first with us. This is not a message of gloom and doom. The heart must first be revealed before it can be healed. God desires to bring healing. His peace is everything set right. The revelation of His glory exposes that which is not glorious. Wickedness must first be exposed before it is destroyed. When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. Psalms 92:7 It truly is a message of hope.
I have often looked at 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a formula for national revival, but as I was studying for a teaching the other day I saw it in a different light. I remembered how a great teacher, Alan Vincent, who had once been an atheistic scientist before getting saved, shared the fact that an element such as copper will always test copper whether it is a bar, a crystal, or a molecule. He went on to say that everything that is kingdom will apply at every level whether it be an individual, a family, a church, or a nation. We can apply that verse to ourselves individually. If Herb Dean who is called by My name will humble himself and pray and seek My face, and turn from His wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive his sin and heal his land (soul). parentheses mine. Some may say that's old covenant; that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I say, yes, and amen. I am not wicked; I've been given a new heart, but there are still areas of my life where I struggle with my flesh or am I the only one? There are times I've had selfish motives, times when I have rejoiced at the fall of my enemies, times when I envied the success of others. Yes, it is true there is wickedness in my flesh and sometimes carnality in my thinking. This must be brought into the captivity of Christ. Humility, prayer, seeking, confession, and turning are as relevant now as in the old covenant and praise God we have the Spirit inside us and His enabling grace to do it. Can we expect the heathen to change if we are unwilling or unable ourselves. I had not intended to get into all that, but just to say we are entering a season of the revealing of hearts.
As I said earlier, weigh these things prayerfully. God is moving. It is a time of transition and God is desirous to move each of us to new levels of glory. I appreciate all of you and am always thankful for your encouragement. If I can be of any assistance to you send me a note.
In His love,
Herb Dean
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