Aug 25
The Incense of Prayer III
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, …
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.” Micah 4:2
The Smoke that is arising from the Altar of Incense and slowly filling this first Room of Mystery (the Holy Place) is very sweet in its aroma. As a reminder you are still within the first room within the Sanctuary. To those who are looking at the Sanctuary from the outside, it appears to be one tall and long tent and its height is why it is also referred to as the Mountain of the Lord. Yet, to those who dare to go deeper, like you, the mystery deepens as you soon learn there are two rooms beneath the four layers of covering over your head. Here, kneeling before the Altar of Incense, you are in the middle of that mountain and the Cherubim woven into the fabric above you seem to urge you to pray and to not give up.
It is this mountain, whether found in the Tabernacle of Moses, or the Tabernacle of David, that we learn of the ways of the Lord. Prayer is the foundation of learning His ways. No one promised the journey here would be easy, or safe. The learning curve has been steep, the lessons have been painful, and the process has been arduous. Yet, here you are, preparing and being prepared to meet God.
BI-FOCAL PREPARATION
Prayer is the central focus of this bi-focal preparation process. It prepares you to prepare yourself, and it prepares you in ways that you do not have the capability of accomplishing on your own. Why would God prepare you? Because, He does not want any one to perish. Further, He has promised to be close to those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. So here you are, kneeling in humility, and submissively praying to the Creator of all things. Contrite people, humble people pray - in their desperation they have no choice; the proud and self-sufficient find no need to pray.
FIVE SPICES OF PRAYER
Your prayers will soon be composed of the five spices which are comprised of the five foundations of prayer. Five types of ingredients are being burned, five types of prayer are being prayed, all blended together in perfect balance as one in the smoke that ascends to the Father.
These five spices, like you, are all ground to a very fine powder. That is probably what you are feeling - you have been pulverized. Jesus calls this “falling on the Rock” and no one escapes it if you want to go to the next Room of Mystery, the Holy of Holies. Once finely ground the powder is compacted into a block of incense and each day the priest chips off some of the incense, regrinds it, and throws the fine powder onto the burning coals lying on top of the Golden Altar. So you see, the grinding process is not just a one time event, it is a daily experience. In fact, this process happen twice a day; once in the morning and again in the evening.
THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION
Only when the five spices touched the burning coals did the fragrance of the five arise. Just as Isaiah’s speech was purified when the burning coals touched his lips. Prayer, your prayers, will become purified and less carnal.
There are three Sweet spices in this compound - Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum. These three heal and restore the three parts of the Human being; one heals the Spirit, one heals the soul, one heals the body.
Stacte: Heals the Spirit - A gum that exudes in clumps called “tears” from the Stacte shrub. These tears contain resin and benzoic acid and will dissolve in wine. It is generally considered to be the purest form of Myrh. Stacte have very unusual flowers that are shaped like snowflakes and are pure waxen white. The unusual anthers are a vivid orange color.
Hebrews 5:7 [Jesus] who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,
Onycha: Heals the Flesh - Onycha, which means nail, and Gamaliel, whom the Apostle Paul studied under believed this to be a resin made from a desert plant. It has a ‘nail like shine’ and when prepared properly acts as a fixative and enhances the other ingredients in an incense mixture. It is highly aromatic and fragrant. It also has medicinal properties and is thought to evoke compassion for the sick. Thus, it represents the healing effect of prayer for the physical body.
Matthew 14:14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
The nail of Nail represents the words of Jesus, ”this is My body which is broken for you.”
Galbanum: Heals the soul -This plant spontaneously produces a milky juice which, when dried, takes the form of a pale, waxy yellow-green gum resin called “tears” and its sweet acrid smoke was long employed to keep snakes and insects away. In humans it is found to be a sedative and known for its calming properties. It enhances the fragrance of that which it is mixed with.
Matthew 26:38 “Then He [Jesus] said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and pray with Me.”
So you see, the words of the Apostle Paul are significant here, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Thesalonians 5:23. The transition you have been going through is actually “Transforming” you into His likeness.
From this Transformation, your prayers arise to God. There is still more concerning the incense of prayer.
Blessings,
John Paul
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I was considering the point I am at in my own transition. I know we have talked about the darkness, disorientation, and struggle through the dark nights but I’ve come to something I didn’t really expect. Perhaps this is the time of burning up the crushed pieces as a pleasant aroma?
In a few days our household will be without any jobs…no income. My husband is job hunting and I’m trying out school again. After reaching over halfway to retirement I am forced out against my will. It is the only career or thing I’ve known in my life. I’ve struggled, dealt with humiliation, and been disoriented for as long as I knew this was coming. Now, however I am having a feeling of great freedom, trust, and excitement about the future. I have little pride to defend, I can’t trust in my job security, and I can’t pick back up where I left off. It is just crazy but it feels great! I just have a knowing that God will take care of us and show us the way.
In the process of moving out years of things from my office I’ve buried my living room. So, I began undertaking the task of fixing other rooms in the house to put everything away and create a space to study. The WHOLE house is torn up! My husband is dismayed at the mess but I saw instead how wonderful it was going to be when I was done. I realized transition is a REAL mess but it is going to lead to something so much better. If nothing else, it will be good when complete just because the transition was so bad it will feel good when it is done! I like change and need it often but to have that I’ve got to deal with the upheaval.
I am greatly encouraged by your testimony. I heard you were climbing the ladder in corporate America only to have it fall out from under you. Then, the Lord directed you to ministry. I don’t know how long you struggled with that or how bad it was but I’d like to think I’m living a similar story. I hope that this inexplicable fall from my own ladder is so that I land into what He has planned for me all along. In any case, for Emily and my job I am learning about asking God for justice from your teachings. Thanks!
There is a shift in the aroma of the smoke within me, as my spirit intercedes for the greater things of God. The aroma is much sweeter in the ascent, after all that is said and surrendered to the heart of the Father.
His Servant & Friend
Shirley C.
I have a tapestry hanging in my home that depicts Jesus sitting up on the mountain. He’s looking down on Jerusalem…..
As I gaze at that wall hanging, I often sense Jesus calling me to climb the mountain and to come and sit beside Him. As I sit there, I see what He sees. I share His emotions and I gain a higher perspective on how I am to intercede.
There were 12 disciples—but three He led to the mountain when He was transfigured before them…..Before that event— do you think they sat with Him on the mountains as He prayed and that is what qualified them to see Him in the glory cloud? What set them apart???
I have been blessed. The Lord is leading me to have greater intimacy with Him as I go through a very difficult time in my life. The word” The transition you have been going through is actually transforming you into His likeness was rhema to me– it spoke comfort to my soul that what I am going through is a transition and I will come out of this transformed.
Btw, does Pastor Jackson give prophecies for individuals who go through difficult times? I hope he does.Please let me know Lizel
“The learning curve has been steep, the lessons have been painful, and the journey has been arduous.”
Yes, it has.
One of Those,
You and your family are in my prayers. The “journey” you are embarking on will not be easy. Many times, if you are like me, you will yell at the Lord and tell Him you can’t be stretched another inch—Lord don’t you know I’m going down for the third time in these deep waters—Lord am I going to have any skin left because the fire in the oven is so hot?
All the while you are being as faithful and loyal to Him as you know to be. You are faithful to tithe. You read your Bible–you pray hours on end— yet it is like you are being crucified because you are a spirit filled Christian.
God tested me in the desert/wilderness for 12 years. I know I had to endure this to get to the place Jesus was taking me.(I’m still going places, but the testing is not the same.) I can joyfully tell you that I am a desert “survivor” and that what I went through was worth it all! Like Paul I can say that I gained a revelation and knowledge of Jesus Christ that no man could have ever taught me.
One of Those, I am waving to you from the other shore.
I will encourage you as you cross this choppy sea. Hopefully, God will speed up the process for you all and you will thank Him that He allowed you to “suffer” in a small way for Him…..
The first time John Paul came to my church–4 years ago–He did a little skit. He got people from the audience to come up and be “waves” and they went up and down. Jesus is walking on the water—but when the waves went high—you lost sight of Jesus.
Look through the waves of adversity—Jesus is walking towards you! Look through the flames of fire—Jesus is walking towards you!—Look through the pain and anguish—Jesus is walking towards you! When you are hungry and thirsty look past the empty refrigerator—Jesus is walking towards you!!!
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Even though you may feel He’s a million miles away—Jesus is walking towards you—He’s not running away.
I am excited for you! I think you know your friends here at Coffee Talk blog. will stand with you in prayer. You are not alone!!!
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply “all” your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Keep focused!!!
Love you guys,
Linda
Did I get that northern phrase right Shirley C.? ha!ha!
Oops! I forgot!
John Paul give those Oklahoma brethren “HEAVEN” this weekend!!!
Praying for you,
Linda
Interesting. Snakes and insects represent the enemy which his “fiery darts” attack our mind. Faith is analagous with a shield which is strengthened by prayer (Luke 22:32)
-Shaun
Good to see your joy, One of Those, even in these testing times
Godspeed!
Linda:
Ya’ sure did get that right (lol). The Doc got my prescription wrong, its bifocal’s, from here on then (lol), maybe, John Paul was on to something, when he was writing about “Bi-focal Preparation”, how prophetic. Three cheers for the “Desert Survivors”.
Love to All, Ya’ All!
Shirley C.
(The New England Desert Survivor - Lol)
Hi Everyone:
The following prophecy is so appropo to what the Lord has been speaking to me personally regarding my life and ministry, that I just had to share what He spoke to His servant and friend, Chuck Pierce. May you be filled with hope and joy as you read this ♥
PROPHETIC WORD FROM CHUCK PIERC
Position Yourself for the Future
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Chuck Pierce: “On Sunday, August 16, I heard the Spirit of God say, “Some of you have had the fight knocked out of you. The Spirit of God is bringing a new wind of strength to cause a new fight to rise up in you. The fight has been knocked out of you because you stayed in an atmosphere too long.”
Anne Tate began to prophesy: “At this time I am breaking old associations and configurations. …”
I then heard the Lord say: “Rise up! Let My atmosphere rise up around you and cut the ties necessary so that I can cause you to fight again and be set into a changing wind. I am breaking down the old structure you’ve been protecting. It is you [who] has been protecting an old structure saying, ‘Remake what I’m comfortable in.’ I’m breaking that down.
“Catch the changing wind of My Spirit, for you will land in a new place, in a new dimension of My Spirit. You will say, ‘I see a new land, and I’m leaving the winds from the wilderness.’
“You had expectations in some relationships that you’re still trying to work out. I’ve been contending to cut you loose from those relationships. I am contending over you so that you rise up above the inordinate structure of the enemy that has been placed around you.
“Get ready to rise up, for I am contending, and My sword is the strongest. Raise your sails and catch the wind. You have been in a dry and desolate land. But even though water has not been there for you to move forward, I will send the water if you will raise the sail.
“This is a week to know My presence. This is a time to know My ark and to know what ark you are to enter to journey into your future. I am causing My presence to flood in the land. Raise your sail and watch the glory begin to take you to a new place.
“Don’t hesitate. Hesitation is set as a snare to My movement for your life. Let your faith push you and catapult you. When you hear the wind of truth being spoken into a situation, move immediately. You don’t want to miss the boat. You don’t want to miss your proper alignment.
“Don’t hesitate. Delay is set as a trap. The word is critical in this hour. The intensity that is behind the word is pushing you forward at speeds and levels that we know not of, so don’t hesitate and don’t fall for the trap.
“Within the sands of your desert, there is a highway. But in the sands of your desert you have grown accustomed to the atmosphere and the sherakah wind that has been around you. In the sands of your desert, create a new atmosphere and I will cause that highway that is down deep to rise up.
“For there are ways of escape for My people in this next season. There are ways of escape that are forming, but you must create the wind that causes the highway to rise in front of you.
“I am laying the road. I am laying a road. Watch it form now. Go with Me on this new road, for you are headed into a place that you have not been. You must bring forth the wind and create the road so that you can end up where I have called you to be—new businesses, new alignments, new assignments.
“I’m having you return to some business associates [whom] you separated from and chose to walk a different direction from in this past season. Even now you will go back and reform a new way to venture forward. New ventures are on the horizon for My people.
“You must now grab hold and get on a highway that sets you ahead of the curve. You will go back and re-form a plan with them, [just as] Paul went back and got John Mark. These relationships will no longer be the same but will be brought under a new covenant plan. They were once in an old structure but now will be brought into a new structure. If those relationships are unwilling to come into a new structure, move on down the road for there are new relationships that will create this new venture.
“I will give some opportunities that did not manifest in the past season, [but] now they will have an opportunity for a manifestation in this season. The ventures of My people now will take a shift in their formation. Realign and then align again so that those ventures might manifest properly!”
About the author: Chuck D. Pierce is the president of Glory of Zion Ministries International in Denton, Texas (gloryofzion.org). He is known for his accurate prophetic gifting and has been used by God to mobilize prayer throughout the world. Pierce is also the author of many books, including his two most recent, Interpreting the Times and Redeeming the Time (both Charisma House)”
Shirley C.
Liked the word Shirley, thanks for sharing! I’d like to know what the sherakah wind is. I’ve looked it up but I haven’t found anything. I guess I must look deeper
One thing I love to see, in prophecy and in life in general, is how God works as we work with Him. That dynamic relationship of working synergy between us and Him and Him and us…
I just love it! I love Him!
God Blees you all!
Shirley C,
Thanks for sharing that Chuck Pierce prophecy. I usually read all his material, but somehow I must have overlooked that article. I like that line “Realign and then align so that these ventures might manifest properly!”
When God released us from the “desert place” and released us back into this area, He put us in a remarkable home. We bought the house at 1/3 of the market value. 75% of our furniture has been given to us. This house set vacant 5 years–waiting for God to put us in it in His time. Finding out the history of the house–we found out that it was built in the 70’s but God knew Benny and I would minister from it in the 21st century.
The decor of my home is prophetic. God directed me to create a specific spiritual “mood” for each room. Our den is the nautical room with sailboats and lighthouses. I have a promo picture from a christian cd that depicts a sailboat sitting in the ocean that says simply SUPERNATURAL.
That expresses my heart. I want the supernatural winds to catch my sail–not normal wind. I want the supernatural Holy Spirit to be the source of my power.
Today through this blog. I am declaring anew–Supernatural wind of the Holy Spirit catch our sails and send us out to the place You have prepared for us……..Hallelujah!!!!!!!!
Benny and I have been sensing for some time now that a new alignment is on the horizon for us. God has not told us to put a For Sale sign up yet, but we know the season is changing. He hasn’t released the specifics to us, but we are on alert and looking for the stirring of the waters and the wind……..
Here are we–send us into the new season!!!
Linda
PS>On Facebook today (Sat.) Paul Keith Davis released a word GOING BEHIND THE VEIL. God is confirming many things through the prophets—right, John Paul!