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| Saw this on Brenda Obondo's Instagram :-) |
“Before she was in labor
she gave birth;
before her pain came upon her
she delivered a son.
Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?
For as soon as Zion was in labor
she brought forth her children.
Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?”says the Lord; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?”says your God."(Isaiah 66: 7-9)
There comes a time when, in the midst of your hustle and bustle of what has become your life, you stop in your tracks and then you see more clearly.... you see what's right in front of you... One of those times came for me towards the end of April... My sis Flo who's a nurse found this job for me for ten days back home... I didn't want to take it at first coz it would take me away from SB and my time here is running out fast... but sometimes a break is needed, to step back and gain perspective... Anyway at work I took my laptop with me so that I could use it during the down time but on May 1st I forgot to bring it with me so during the down time I read the paper and I also watched the movie, The Cinderella Man, with the nice elderly man I was taking care of. So let me share those visions with you: (Main Section: May: A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance and for application: "It's Time to Praise!!!)
May is for Unity!
I asked the man I was taking care of if I could make a collage using the newspapers he wasn't using and the pieces I ended up cutting out were flowers, the arts, colors, people from different ethnic groups together smiling and dancing at a music festival, family and hearts. Then I flipped over the page and saw this ad on the left, "ONE VOICE UNITED IN PRAYER: Over 40 churches from .... will be participating. May 1st, the National Day of Prayer." I was really excited to see this, coz the One Body group was planning an event called, "One Voice: A Night of Unity."-- I'll come back to that.
K back to the story... I knew the month of May would be important (through various means). I saw that A.S Program Board was showing "300: Rise of an Empire"in IV Theater on May 27th and if you remember I had a "vision" when I watched the trailer when it first came out, like I shared in the Rise of an Empire post, "this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war" and that entailed a coalition of commanders including a female commander. Also, I mentioned that I watched "The Cinderella Man"- "One man's extraordinary fight to save the family he loved" and it's based on a true story. In his last big fight, his wife wasn't backing him up because she was afraid for his life but she decided to later go and support him and he was happy to see her and said, "I told you I can't win without you behind me." Then with the support of his wife and his whole hometown, who came together to pray for him in church during the big fight and cheered him on while listening to the game on their radios and others at the match, the "Cinderella man" fought the fight and won the price; he came from being a washed-up boxer to a champion and when he won they all won... with his winnings he was able to improve the living conditions of his family and he also helped out his town by paying back the money he got while he was on welfare. So what does that have to do with anything?? Moral of the Story: There is Power in Sacrificial Love. There is Power in Unity. It also brings it back to the body of Christ how there's different members and different gifts and how each part of the body is important... so we need to love and support each other while using our gifts so that the whole body is strengthened and that the war is WON. Related posts: Be ONE.
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May is on Fire!
In Acts 1: 4-5 "On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then what did they disciples do? "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." (vs.14) There was unity in constant prayer. And then what happened? "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them." (Acts 2: 1-3) So Jesus give them a promise then they prepared to receive it then they received what was promised. Dear church, let's apply this. We received the promise of a great revival (great move of the Holy Spirit leading to an awakening) coming from Santa Barbara. So what should we do in the meantime? Let's prepare ourselves. Let's wait on God. Let there be unity in constant prayer until we see breakthrough in this city, until we are consumed by the fire of His Love. We can do this church! :-) Related post: Time to SEEK! I also saw this yesterday:
On this day in 1998 - British Protestants and Irish Catholics of Northern Ireland approved a peace accord. #Mayisawesome!!!
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May is for Glory!
Also, last Winter God had highlighted the month of May... I was reading some article about the planet Venus, the best time of the night to see it (coz I had seen this really bright 'star' late at night and I thought it was Venus so I just wanted to confirm) so anyway, I can't find that article right now but it had said that it was in May that Venus would shine forth in all it's glory. Venus was named after the goddess of beauty and love. Also, Venus is known to be the "morning star" coz it's said to shine brightest before the dawn. So what does all this mean?? I could go on and on but I think the point here is that God is calling the church, the body of Christ, to unite coz it's all about LOVE at the end of the day (even at the end of the age)... so yeah to love each other but also to unite and fight for the harvest -- through waiting on God (waiting while expecting) through corporate prayer and our praise.
"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God." (Romans 15:6)
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)
So am I saying that Jesus is coming back in May? No that's not what I'm saying... I'm saying that He wants us to be prepared for His return --Venus shines brightest before the dawn-- now is the time to shine through humbling ourselves before God praying together, loving and forgiving each other, serving each other through our gifts, and especially waiting on God for more of His Spirit. What brings glory? FULLNESS OF LOVE. FULLNESS OF GOD. (Related Post: Pimp My Ride)
"May is for Freedom!"I posted this on my instagram a few weeks ago: Vision of the day! :D My sis and I were driving on the freeway when I saw this! My people are you ready?? :D "But for you who fear My name, the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go FREE, leaping with Joy like calves let out to pasture." (Malachi 4:2) // "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His Holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with Singing!" #Psalm68#SingaNewSong #Victory! #Freedom! #ThisTimeForAfrica :') ♥
And then I found out that Harriet Tubman died in May and she was known to be "A Moses for her people" freeing thousands of slaves through the underground railroad (post: Harriet Tubman).
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MAY: A TIME TO MOURN AND A TIME TO DANCE
After last Friday night you don't need anymore convincing that May is important. For those who don't know there was a mass shooting leaving 7 dead and 7 injured. The news was so shocking and so sad. For more info read this: IV May 23rd. Earlier on that same Friday I remembered this post and I was working on it but then I decided to go support Maria at her salsa night fundraiser... and that's when the shooting took place...
Let me now tie in the importance of all of this... A lot of stuff has happened in IV this year: all the sexual assaults, Deltopia riot, a girl found dead at the beach and now this tragedy that has plaqued the whole town :'( ... but all this shouldn't be news for the church... in fact it reflects the condition of the church which is responsible for the city's direction and preservation (Matthew 5:13-16).
Let me now tie in the importance of all of this... A lot of stuff has happened in IV this year: all the sexual assaults, Deltopia riot, a girl found dead at the beach and now this tragedy that has plaqued the whole town :'( ... but all this shouldn't be news for the church... in fact it reflects the condition of the church which is responsible for the city's direction and preservation (Matthew 5:13-16).
"Do Your Worst": The Death Plague before The Exodus
When a girl was found dead on the beach </3 I posted an article about it on facebook and my friend Ashira Angel Solomon, asked me, "What's going on in my town?" She lived in SB for a while before moving up to Redding to be part of Bethel. When I thought about what she asked I remembered these verses:"Raise the war cry (in some translations: "Do your worst"), you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! "Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; State a proposal, but it will not stand, For God is with us."//"Now I will arise," says the LORD, "now I will lift Myself up, now I will be exalted."(Isaiah 8:9-10, Isaiah 33:10)
In the Hair Revival post God had reminded me of that vision and gave me one interpretation which I shared in that post which I'll get to... I was hoping that only the metaphorical meaning of the vision would happen rather than the literal meaning but unfortunately worst came to worst :( but not all the way due to some divine intervention.... So what am I talking about?? So the weekend before the Isla Vista tragedy, One Body (United for Christ) -the organization God told me to start on campus made up of representatives from different campus ministries- had an event called "One Voice" a night of unity in prayer and worship. After the tragedy happened, my friend Lois Carmen, said, "It's good we had the One Voice event the weekend before because maybe it could have been worse if we didn't have it...Imagine if he went on campus? He could have killed so many more people in the open air and it would have probably taken longer for the cops to get to him... And you know what, I wish that we also did a prayer walk into IV at the end of the event." She said this two different times in our convo and then at the end of the conversation God revealed something to me: First I remembered Marissa's vision ... in the vision the shooter was on campus but what happened was in IV... so I realized that by our united prayers for IV on campus we had built a wall of intercession around it and prevented a bigger disaster from happening. That's the power of prayer! =) That was good to know but only partial consolation for the reality of what was...
THE EXODUS: A TIME TO MOURN AND A TIME TO DANCE
Ariel made this picture his profile pic and someone commented: "Moses" when I saw that it reminded me of how it was Passover the other day and I had re-watched Prince of Egypt... God sent Moses to Pharoah to free the Israelites from bondage but the Pharoah's heart was hardened even after God sent 9 plagues... and it was only after the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn of the Egyptian sons (God told the Israelites to smear lamb's blood on their doorposts so that the angel of death would pass over their houses). So after the death plague the Pharoah finally cooperated and allowed Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. The Israelites had been mourning under their slavery for a long time and Moses was also mourning for his people... and it's only when there was unity in mourning -The Pharoah also in mourning for the death of his son - that led to the Phharoah being humbled and freedom for the people. And after they crossed the Red Sea they sung, danced and rejoiced in God's great deliverance. This reminded me of Marissa's vision... at the beginning her and Ekaete were holding hands (representing unity in the multiethnic body of Christ) but then they became divided and it was only after someone died that they came back together. I could see this after last weekend's tragedy, it produced a lot of solidarity in the school and also in the church -- it brought humilty, the church coming together united in mourning and praying for the city, but the battle's not won yet.
IT'S TIME TO PRAISE!!! :D
The week before One Voice I had an idea of getting together all the believers and doing the very praise flashmob like in the video above. I felt like God was calling us to praise Him and as we praise Him together He will fight the battle for us. Also, Ariel included this gospel song as his caption: "You don't have to worry and don't you be afraid. Joy comes in the morning. Troubles they don't last always." And it reminded me of this Scripture that I posted in Africa ARISE!
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(2 Chronicles 20)
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanksto the Lord, for His love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah ("praise") to this day. 27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets. 29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
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And then today Ariel posted this "Stomp" song by Kirk Franklin: "Lately I've been going through some things that really got me down. I need someone, somebody to help me come and turn my life around. I can't explain it, I can't obtain it. Jesus your love is so, it's so amazing. ...Makes me clap my hands. Makes me wanna dance... Its been a rough week gentlemen. A praise break is in order. Find a worship song, get somewhere you're comfortable, and Dance."
I think God is calling us to exalt Him through singing and dancing and with the expectation and faith that He will come through and defeat all our enemies (spiritual strongholds) bringing breakthrough in our lives and our city. It's time for the church to lead the revolution! Some application:
I think God is calling us to exalt Him through singing and dancing and with the expectation and faith that He will come through and defeat all our enemies (spiritual strongholds) bringing breakthrough in our lives and our city. It's time for the church to lead the revolution! Some application:
- Every Praise flashmob-- This was actually Pie's idea and we need help in carrying it through: Help in gathering people, getting the word out and filming the flashmob.
- For InterVarsity-- I know most people went their separate ways, moved on with their lives and are doing their own thing even for those still in SB. But it's always been in my heart for us just to come together, pray and worship as we wait on God to finish the work He started in us as a family. Some people come back to SB to visit their friends or for events, so why not come back and come together also for the sake of our city. The tragedy last weekend has united us in mourning though we are apart... some people came back to see the memorials. What if we could end the war by coming together... won't that be worth it? Anyway, that's just my heart.
- Everyone else -- we need to keep praying, worshipping together and loving each other. We can make use of the prayer shed for times of prayer and intercession. Also all this stuff I've prophesied about May-- it's not about "lets wait and see" it's always up to us to claim the promises for them to materialize (like the children of Israel making rounds in the desert before reaching the promised land and once they got there they still had to fight to take the land). So help us God. And thank You so much for Your aMAYzing Grace! (It was so cool to hear them sing that song at the Candlelight Vigil before we marched)
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