Seeking Atonement for Our Nation

By Reverand Lonnie C. Crowe

 

Abba Father, we come before you today and rejoice in you as David did. We give thanks unto You; we call upon Your Holy name and make known Your deeds among our people. 

We sing unto You, sing psalms unto You and speak of all Your wondrous works. 

We give glory to your holy name:   We rejoice as we seek the Your face.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.

As the wickedness of worldly philosophies, decisions and behaviors seemly surrounds us, we are caught in a whirlwind of fear of the judgment of God.

It is true that those who continue in their desire to destroy Christianity and righteousness will face the judgment of God.  Much of the judgment will be the natural consequences of choices they have made.  

When we exchange freedom for license, immorality, addictions, and confusion, desolation of the soul will arise.  When we destroy the preborn, we destroy much of our future.  We also destroy much of the present because we will no longer value human life.  All lives do matter.   

^{We gather today as defenders of the truth that sets us free. Mic 6:8  He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does Jehovah require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?}

^{We are Pro Israel,  Pro Biblical values,  and Pro Life.}                  Wyoming may be small in population, but we have powerful voice in the spiritual realm and therefore, in the political realm.  The Word of the Lord will rain on Wyoming.  It will bring release.  It will bring breakthrough. 

Wyoming is also known as the "Equality State" because of the rights women have traditionally enjoyed here. Wyoming women were the first in the nation to vote, serve on juries and hold public office.

As we are gathered here, Lou Engels is leading a 1,000,00 women event in Washington, D. C.    We are part of that 1,000,000 praying for the salvation of our nation.  We are gathering in an Esther/Haddasah anointing.    

The story of Esther/Hadassah took place over 2,000 years ago when the Jewish people were primarily living in Babylon under the Persian Empire.  It was a difficult time.  The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and lay in ruins.  For 70 years they struggled living in a foreign land.

^{The prophecies of Jeremiah said that the exile would end, and that the Temple would be rebuilt after 70 years of exile.}

When Xerxes needed a new queen, his men went house to house in all of Persia and took the young girls away to Shushan where they prepared themselves with beauty treatments until they were brought before the king.  

In Shushan, a Jewish orphan named Hadassah lived with her cousin Mordechai.  When the king's men came to her house to take her to  the palace, Mordechai said, "Don't be afraid. Go with them.  Do not tell them you are a Jewess.  

Tell them your Persian name -- Esther. God will watch over you!“ 

Esther is named for the goddess of sexuality and fertility. She is often referred to as the wife or consort to Baal. The Bible refers to her as Astarte. To the Greeks, she was Aphrodite. To the Romans, she was Venus. To the Egyptians, she was Isis.

^{Baal was the universal god of fertility, and in that capacity his title was Prince, Lord of the Earth. He was also called the Lord of Rain and Dew, the two forms of moisture that were indispensable for fertile soil in Canaan.}

The worship of both Baal and Astarte required sexual activity. Priests and Priestesses were, in reality temple prostitutes. Astarte was recognized as the patron goddess of prostitutes.

Hadassah means myrtle.  Myrtle is often used in healing infections and inflammation, such as colds, bronchitis and sinusitis.  It as antioxidant properties than can protect against environmental toxins like pesticides and heavy metals.  It is also used for skin conditions.

Just as Hadassah was used to bring healing to her people, the Body of Christ is to be the hands of God to promote God’s healing of our land.  We do not need to hesitate to come before our King.  

Women in the Old Testament many times represent the Church.  We are the bride of Christ.  We are the bride of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We have come into His Kingdom for such a time as this.  The Church, in the anointing of Hadassah, is to be a hedge of protection for Israel.  

Even today, the battle is manifested in the political world.  However, it is not a political battle.  It is a spiritual battle.

Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 18:8 NKJV). Jesus has given that authority to us.  (Mark 13:34; Luke 10:19)

We have authority in the heavenlies to stand against the power of Hell that seeks the destruction of Israel.  

    

Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 18:8 NKJV). Jesus has given that authority to us.  (Mark 13:34; Luke 10:19)

After Daniel the prophet had prayed, an angel had to war against the demonic Prince of Persia before he could deliver the answer to Daniel’s prayer.  Haman was the personification of that spirit in Hadassah’s day.  

^{Persia was under the dominion of the demonic spirit that the angel Gabriel called the Prince of Persia. That spirit is one of the principalities that Paul was alluding to in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”}  

Persia is known today as Iran. Iran was known as Persia until 1935. Satan raised up a prince of Persia in 550 B.C. to stop the move of God and burden the people of God just as he is doing today. At this moment, Iran is waging war against Israel.  

Ahura Mazda was the supreme god of the Persians.  The Persians believed that he was the creator. The Greeks identified him with Hades, the god of the underworld.  The Roman name for Hades is Pluto.  Not only is Pluto the god of the dead;  he is also the god of greedy wealth.  Even today, a person who thinks he should rule just because he is rich is called a Plutocrat.  Many churches give influential positions to the big tithers to keep the money flowing in.  

The name Iran means land of the Aryans. Aryan, in the Persian language, means noble, educated and sophisticated.  In other words, it is used to describe people who are deemed to be superior to others.  Hence, the Nazi use of the term.  Today anti-Jewish groups in the USA and other western countries often refer to themselves as members of the Aryan nation because they are bigoted against any people who are not of northern European ancestry and in agreement with them. 

Esther/Hadassah lived in the world of the ancient Aryans.  Her people were considered less than desirable.

The villain in the story is Haman, an arrogant official, who was angry because Mordecai refused to bow to him. He convinced the King to issue a decree to destroy all Jews.  Haman was an Agagite, a descendent of King Agag whom King Saul had refused to kill in spite of a command from God. Haman operated in the same spirit as his ancestor King Agag. This spirit seeks the destruction of God’s chosen people.  

According to Jewish sources, Mordecai and Hadassah were descended from King Saul.  God was using them to do what King Saul had failed to do..  

Mordecai urged Esther/Hadassah to use her position to help her people.  At first she was hesitant, but out of compassion for her people, she decided to humble herself and willingly risk her life by approaching the king uninvited. 

She asked the Jews to fast for her.  She resolved, “If I perish, I perish.”  In prayer and fasting, she sought the face of God.  In other words, she sought a relationship with her Lord.

Hadassah had been called. When she accepted the call, she received the anointing to accomplish her calling.

John 15:13  No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  

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On the day originally decreed for their destruction, the Jews defended themselves and defeated their enemies throughout the kingdom.

Even when God seems silent, He is actively working behind the scenes for the good of His people.  

Another demonic stronghold over that area of the world is the Hittite spirit.  The Hittites were an ancient empire that spread over much of the Middle East.  Translated, “Hittite” means “terrorist.”  Both the Prince of Persia and the Hittite spirit seek the destruction of Israel.    

In the heart of God, the Church has not replaced Israel.  In Genesis 17:7 God established an everlasting covenant with Abraham.  Everlasting is everlasting.  The covenant with Abraham still stands.  Christians have been grafted into that covenant.  (Romans 11).  Because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, we are in blood covenant with Him and with Israel.    

Before enter into spiritual warfare for Israel, we must prepare our hearts.

Romans 12:1-2:  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

1John 1:7-9:  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Eph 6:13-15:  Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Eph 6:16-18:  Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Take a few moments to silently go before the Lord.  Ask Him to search your heart and bring to your attention if and when you have even unknowingly bowed to Baal and Astarte with any immoral sexual activity even in your thoughts and daydreams. Have you submitted to the Prince of Persia by placing yourself above others? Have you desire to threaten or take revenge on another?  Confess and repent that you may come before the throne and receive forgiveness and cleansing.

so that you may come before the throne and receive forgiveness and cleansing.

 

 

Thank You, Lord

By Bessie and Seth Sykes

 

Thank You Lord for saving my soul

Thank You Lord for making me whole

Thank You Lord for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free

 

Job 22:26-28:  For then you shall have your delight in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face to God. You shall make your prayer to Him, and He shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows. You shall also order a thing, and it shall be fulfilled to you; and the light shall shine on your way.

Jesus has given to the Church the authority to bind and to loose.

Mat 16:19  And I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to you. And whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven.

Through standing on the promises of God and equipped in His armor, we, like Daniel and Hadassah, can stand for Israel in prayer. 

Psalm 122:6-9 encourages us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; those who love you shall be blessed.

Peace be within your walls, blessings within your palaces.

For my brothers and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you.

Because of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek your good.”

Remember, when we pray and declare the word over Israel, we are praying and declaring over ourselves as well. In Jesus Christ, we are grafted into Israel.

 

We declare Psalm 81:9 over Israel: There shall be no strange god in you; nor shall you worship any strange god.

Isaiah 43:1-2:But now so says Jehovah who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame kindle on you.

 

DECARE: Holy Spirit, we welcome Your ministry in this place.  You are our helper, teacher and comforter.  (John 14:26)  You are the spirit of truth that comes from the Father. We pray for the spirit of truth that will set us free.  (John 15:25, John 8:32)

When Peter refused to believe the truth that Jesus must suffer, Jesus, knowing the source of that refusal, rebuked Satan.  (Matthew 16:23) As we enter into spiritual warfare, we must do the same.

DECLARE:  Satan, you were a murderer from the beginning, and you do not abide in truth because there is no truth in you.  You are a liar and the father of lies.  (John 8:44).  Satan, leave this place and the hearts of the people.  You have no authority here..

 

 

 

Reformation:  the Celebration Continues

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the door of  a church in Wittenberg, Germany.  The reaction sparked the Protestant Reformation and the counter-reformation within the Roman Catholic Church itself.  In short, God intervened and cleaned His house. 

            Unfortunately, we have allowed the practice of Halloween to obscure the significance of the Reformation.   While some congregations recognize its history on Reformation Sunday, most Christians are unaware of the impact that the Reformation made, not only within the family of God, but within Western Civilization as a whole.  

            Reformation should not be considered as just a historical event.  Reformation should be a continuing experience in our Christian lives.  Scripture tells us that we are to grow from faith to faith and glory to glory:

▪ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” ( Rom 1:17 NKJV)

▪ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18 NKJV)

            Paul wrote to the Roman Church declaring that the reformation experience results from the transformation of our thinking: 

▪ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

            Many believers struggle with a flawed concept of good vs. evil.  This is an area where we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Part of the problem is that we have determined that good is the opposite of evil and have, thereby, equated the power of good with the power of evil.  The next step in that erroneous thinking process is equating the power of God with the power of satan.  Transformation of our minds about this perception can lead us into deeper reformation and further growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 Evil is not the opposite of good.  Evil is the absence of good. In like manner, darkness is not the opposite of light.  Darkness is the absence of light.  Hatred is not the opposite of love. Hatred is the absence of love.  Just as light dispels darkness, love dispels hate and good dispels evil. 

     Remember the words of the beloved apostle John, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NKJV)  

We need not fear the enemy of our souls.  We need not ascribe power to the one who was made powerless by the blood of Jesus.  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 NKJV)

May we continue our reformation through the transformation of our minds until we live and move and have our being in Him.

 

Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles

The Last Great Day

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Leviticus 23:33-36 (NKJV)

³³ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ³⁴  "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. ³⁵  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. ³⁶  For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.”

Today, Christians who celebrate the Lord’s Appointed Times often refer to the celebration of the eighth day as “The Last Great Day”  in reference to  John 7:37-38 (NKJV) “³⁷  On the last day, that great day of the feast. . . .”  While seven in scripture is a reference to fullness, to completeness, eight is the number of new beginnings.  

In the days of Jesus, God’s people celebrated the eighth day by lighting the temple courtyards with lampstands and torches until it truly shown forth as a city on a hill that could not be hidden.  With much pageantry, the people praised the Lord in song and dance.  Even today, the eighth day is a celebration of light.  The process of creation in Genesis began when the Lord said, “Let there be light.” New beginnings are birthed in light.

During the time of Moses, the Israelites followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  The wise men followed the light of the star to Bethlehem to worship the Christ child. 

 On the great day of the feast, after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had been lighted for all to see, Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.", “John 8:12 (NKJV).  (John 7 takes place at after sunset, the beginning of the last day of the feast.  The events of John 8 take place starting early the next morning.  Some would argue that John 8 takes place after the last great day.  However, the biblical day begins at sunset.  In biblical timing, the next morning is still the same day. )

At another time, Jesus spoke to us saying, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

Just as Jesus is the light of the world, as His ambassadors, we, too, are to be shining lights for the Kingdom of God. 

Another event of the celebration included an offering of water.  The high priest, with the other priests and thousands of worshipers, marched from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam.  The pool of Siloam was a renowned place of healing.  At the pool, the priests filled a pitcher with water and went back to the Temple.  The high priest then poured the water onto the altar. By offering the water, the people were praying for healing for themselves and their land.   The healing of the blind man who washed in the waters of Siloam occurred on the last great day. (John 9: 7-11).  

New beginnings in Scripture often begin with water.  In Genesis 1:1, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters as the process of creation began.  In the days of Noah, the Lord sent the floodwaters upon the earth, and the earth was recreated.  (Genesis 6) When the Israelites left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, they passed through the Red Sea.  Later, when Joshua led them into the Promised Land, they crossed over the Jordan. Jesus was baptized before He began His earthly ministry.  We are “buried with Him in baptism, in which we also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12.)

Knowing the need for new beginnings in all our lives, ^“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  John 7:37-38 (NKJV). 

New beginnings start with drinking from the well of the water of life. The result of that experience should be evident in our lives. 

The last great day was also a time for celebrating the Word of God.  Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) is all about praising God for His Word, for His statutes and commandments that bring us life, peace and joy. The greatest part of our praise should be for the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Let’s behold and proclaim His glory. (John 1:14)

.  Take a few moments and celebrate Jesus who is the light of the world, the living water and the incarnate, life-giving Word of God. Then step forward into a new beginning in Him.

 Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles:   

The 7 Fruits of Israel:  Olive Oil 

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

 

Deuteronomy 8: 7-8 "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and date honey.” 

 

These seven fruits make up the Bikkurim, the first fruits offered in thanksgiving to the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem during the Appointed Times of the Lord: Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkoth). 

 

In scripture, oil often represents the Holy Spirit.  While the Holy Spirit indwells all believers, we do not always avail ourselves of His power and direction in our lives.  He is our Helper (John 14:16). He is the one who leads us into all truth (John 16:13).  He imparts to us the spiritual gifts as described in 1 Corinthians 12.  His presence allows the fruit of the spirit to enrich our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).  He empowers us to do the work of the Kingdom (Acts 1:8). 

 

Everything olive oil is used for in the natural has a spiritual significance.  Olive oil is used for light, sustenance, healing, preservation, and anointing.  The Holy Spirit works in our innermost being in the same way.   

 

Consider the parable of the wise and the foolish virgins. Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV) "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 

And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 
But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 
Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” 

 

One of the many lessons of this parable is about missed opportunities to serve and to fellowship with our Lord because we are unprepared. 

 

All ten virgins had been invited to meet the bridegroom.  All ten had lamps.  All ten slumbered and slept.  The difference lay in their preparedness.  Five had oil and five had none.  

 

Attempting to do the Lord’s work with no oil in our lamps leads to frustration, despair, missed opportunities and burn out.  It is imperative that we keep our lamps full.  

 

In 1 Kings 17, we read the story of Elijah and the widow.  Her flour and oil were continually replenished as she used them to feed her family and the prophet.  Obedience to the Lord kept her supply replenished.  In our obedience, He will supply our need (Philippians 4:19). 

 

Prayerful meditation on the Word will also keep us ready and willing to serve as the Lord would have us serve. The psalmist wrote, “I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word” (Psalm 119:99-101 NKJV).   

   

Worship will cause our cups of oil to overflow.  Declaring to the Lord His glory, majesty and power lifts us to higher ground. Living on that higher ground empowers us to meet our Bridegroom in every circumstance of our lives. 

 

An old favorite song is “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.”  The biblical truth is that in the Holy Spirit we do have oil for our lamps.  It is up to us to replenish that oil through obedience, service, meditation, worship and fellowship with our Lord.