After the whole ordeal of hurricane Katrina and Rita, many questions have been in the mind of many of us. We sit back and ponder on a lot of things and realize there is surely a God who sits in heaven and does on this earth as He pleases and rules over the affairs of men. He stays the hand of the storms and the winds obey Him. He sends them on errands and calls them back at will. I do not know what these hurricanes came to achieve in the land, but it has shaken me out of my complacency and I realize the omnipotence of God.

I find it intriguing that in my native land, serious intercession was made by saints to God for the hurricane to decrease in strength and to cause no damage to the city of Houston where I presently reside. Interestingly, we were spared the fury of the hurricane. A lot of us evacuated, so we had time to reflect on what is really necessary in life. I had time to reassess what is really important to me and I was convinced that more than ever before that there is a plan Heaven is playing out here on earth.

Isaiah 46:9-10 reads, "Remember the former things of old, I am God, there is no other, I am God, there is none like Me; Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. Saying My counsel shall stand; And I will do all my pleasure.”

Here, we find God talking to an adulterous nation and He is comparing Himself with the gods of the land they had chosen to worship instead of Him. They were a generation who preferred what they created. Trusting and walking with dumb and lifeless idols rather than with the Creator of life Himself. He rebukes them and tells them there is none else but Him who is able to declare there are things not yet done.

From the beginning of time we see in Scripture that God has a purpose in His heart…to have intimate fellowship with man. In every generation in every land, in every people group, educated or not God desires to have communion with man; to achieve this He is unfolding plans to restore us back to Himself.

Like a movie director, He has the cast, the settings the props and all the crew both in heaven and here on earth at His disposal.

He is tying things up and bringing people in to ensure that this purpose is established. Like a soccer coach He is giving the strategies for winning.

It is pertinent that I ask myself where I fit in this overall picture. Who am I? What is my role? Am I ready for my role? If not, what do I need to do to get prepared? How long am I on the earth for? What instructions have I been given? What is expected of me? Who am I on the stage with? Who is on my team? Who am I to pass the ball to? When? We must understand the import of the prayer in Matthew 6:10, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

There is a master script we are all here to facilitate. It is a simple task since we are not expected to carry out the game or act the movie out all by ourselves. There are team mates, co actors, mentors, and critics (yes) to help us reach our goals. We see this principle played out at the great plan of salvation. God was sending His Son to take away the sins of the world, but there were various stages needed to get to this point. He sends a forerunner!!!

Looking at one who had a phenomenal incident surrounding his conception and birth, I find John the Baptist an interesting character in scripture. He is so pivotal to the history of the Jews and ultimately the whole of mankind that he is acknowledged by the Lord Jesus Christ as a great man. This great prophet called back his generation to holiness and a reverential fear of God and most importantly ignited a revival for the return to the Rock form which they had been formed.

In Luke 1:57-79, we see his birth and circumcision. His father Zachariah who previously had been dumb began to speak and begins to prophesy the plan of heaven to hearers here on earth...He expounds to us by the Holy Spirit in verse 70 that all these events unfolding at his son’s birth were part of a large picture that has been ordained form ancient times. "As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets who have been since the world began.”

John had been on heaven’s agenda from the beginning of old. His birth did not just happen. He was part of a whole. I submit that you and I are part of a whole. We were created to fit a role in the big picture. We have been born at the right time, are in the right location, and have been configured for the part. We need to understand that it is not about us!!!! You are part of a whole, jointly fit together.

You are important to God! We need you! You need us! I cannot play my role without you. I may have a monologue for a while but after some time I need to be conversing with someone on my beat or I will be thought insane. You cannot throw the ball on the field all by your self and win the game against another other team. You cannot even be playing with others and hold the ball to yourself all through the game… We are in this together.

Verse 79 reads “And you child will be called the prophet of the Most high, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way.”

I believe this is the generation that will operate under the mandate and calling of John the Baptist. There is the forerunner call on us today. We are to prepare the way of the Lord before the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am excited at the privilege of being able to join in the workforce of God in these times as we unashamedly speak with one voice. We will not break ranks and our voices will reverberate in the heavenlies. There will be resonance in the earth and though many voices, we shall be heard as one. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” This voice will be heard in many languages, dialects, continents. It will be spoken in freedom, in persecution, in plenty and in lack. The thread of voices coming together will surpass all creeds, age, economic, social, and academic considerations...

It will be heard by the world as one voice.

Jesus Christ said “what you hear in the ear, shout it on the rooftops.”

It is not about us. This is bigger than us!!! It is about the call to turn the hearts of the children back to the Fathers and the prodigals back home. It is the cry of the Spirit to return from idols that cannot save to the true and Living God. It is the cry of salvation to a lost and dying generation that has been blinded by the prince of this world.

He is counting on me. I will bring Him pleasure for that is why I was created. We must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and in the fellowship of His suffering, as we declare His love and saving grace to all around us.

Jesus said the least in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptist, so we arise as one, team functioning in our God ordain, calling that has been declared right from ancient times. The lights are still on you and I. Lets play our roles and get off the stage for the next man and woman. Creation is awaiting our manifestation.

MARANATHA!!!!

I don't know that anyone here ever thinks about such things, but do any of you wonder if the spread of the faith was promoted early on by centurions?

Think about it, when prisoners were shipped off to Rome for being Christians, they would often be chained to a guard for a period of time (usually while they were traveling or at large in a city (under house arrest, if you will).

Look at just one Biblical example... the dudes who got shackled to Paul. be serious, talk about not being able to get away from the Word of God being shared...

Let me set the scene:
tough, hardened, battle scarred, no-nonsense, dyed in the wool pagan meets God's messenger to the gentiles... and is chained to him for extended periods of time.
Paul is 100% sold out in love with the Lord Jesus, and extends Christ's Grace and Mercy to the fellow.
The soldier starts to remember the odd look the last centurion gave him when they changed places... figures it is about time this criminal knows who is the boss.
Paul takes the warrior's pack and carries is not only without complaint for the required mile, but he continues to carry it...
until the soldier takes it back... stunned and a bit uncertain of this nut who doesn't seem at all perturbed to carry another man's load.
Paul asks the guy about his family and what his life has been like... the soldier hardens into granite... the prisoner must be trying to find a weakness so he can escape... he gives a grunted answer that equates to "leave me alone."
Strangers come up and greet the soldier and Paul... they are obviously Paul's friends but show absolutely no resentment of the soldier... in fact though they appear poor, they gladly share some pleasant food and water with both Paul and his guard.
As they walk, Paul talks with these new companions, encouraging them about the happenings in their lives...
Each one of the companions gladly accepts the soldier's pack, even a rather frail looking older woman.
The more he listens the more the centurion is torn between thinking these people are insane (they talk about some "risen" convict who was executed decades ago) and seeing their honest caring for each other (and even him)... it all calls to the man within the hardened warrior exterior. After a time these temporary companions leave them and return the way that they had just traveled... Paul offers to carry the centurion's pack...
the guard is just floored... he stops in the middle of the road with a look that reflects mingled astonishment and awe... he is totally nonplused... in all his years of service he has never even heard of such a thing... a criminal chained to a guard wanting to help the guard? Inconceivable! Paul is taken a bit off guard by the sudden stop and the chain trips him to fall in the dust. The centurion reaches to help him up and discovers Paul thanking him... not fake fawning thanks, but a genuine appreciation that values the man in the armor.
After the next mile is up, the soldier asks for his pack back... Paul smiles, gives it to him, and asks about his service.
The guard tells about battles and mayhem and boredom and frustration... and Paul listens... really listens.
the soldier starts to talk about things that reveal who he is and why he is in the military... and Paul, listening, begins to hear the Lord point out things in the man's life that are keeping him from the Relationship.
Finally talked out, they both trudge along in silence for a few minutes... this is also unexpected in the guard's experience... everyone else has had something to say as soon as he took a breath. Paul sings a psalm quietly...
The quiet rhythm of steps and the barely heard song become tools in the hand of the Spirit and the centurion asks the fateful question: "so what about you, why are you a prisoner?"
Paul replies, "let me tell you about my Friend..."

Maybe it happened that way once, maybe not... but I think you see the point. these dudes got chained to those who they expected to be reviled by who shared Jesus Mercy and Grace with them: apostles and elders, folks well known to us from history and those whom we will only know when we get Home.

Is it any wonder that Paul himself comments about the whole palace guard knowing why he is in chains... for Christ... (Philippians 1:13)