When the holy invades the secular......

So today I was really taken aback by a commercial on TV.  It began with a family around a Christmas tree, the house is all decorated for the holiday.  There are stockings hanging, presents under the tree and then the doorbell rings... the little girl says "IT MUST BE SANTA!"  She runs to the door and flings it open.  In walk three scantily clad "Elves" and Santa.  (And here comes the part that really got to me)  This was what they said....

"WE HAVE COME TO BRING YOU GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY"

And then the next line was..... of all things..... some wrestling stuff that will be on television next week.  Really???   I couldn't decide if it was better or worse that it was SANTA saying those words.  I guess I would have been much more offended if they had used people dressed up like angels.  But those Biblical words just kept swirling around in my head.  I was thinking about this.....

This was Lia's Christmas program in 2011.  She is that sweet little angel on the right.  I am sure that there are many, many Christmas programs around the world, with sweet little ones who are reciting that Biblical verse.... sharing the good news that will be of great joy to ALL people. The proclamation of the birth of Jesus.  

Isn't it interesting how the HOLY invaded the secular?  At first I was thinking that the secular was invading the Holy.  But it really is the other way around.  This is exactly the way that the Holy Spirit works.  There might be some who think this is just "making fun" of that Biblical passage.  But Jesus knows better.  I am sure that there are many people who will see that commercial, and like me, remember the TRUTH about that line from Luke 2.  Maybe some who only heard that phrase in some long ago Christmas pageant, or possibly from a Christmas Carol.  That is the really amazing thing about the Holy Spirit.  He can use the littlest thing to remind, to convict, to comfort, to encourage.  

So I am thankful tonight for that commercial.  And I will be praying that every time that the commercial airs, the Holy Spirit will be at work.  I know that Jesus can accomplish His work through any means....even a television commercial.  And for me, today, it was good to be reminded of all of the Christmas programs that have brought those verses to life for me.  It has been very difficult to really enter into this season.  To think about that precious baby boy that is the central focus of Christmas.  And then to think about our sweet baby boy that we are missing so much.  But today, I was able to shift my focus to the powerful impact of those important words, and feel a bit of that great joy in my spirit.  

Jesus, thank you for stopping me in my tracks and letting me really hear and see this television commercial today.  Thank you for using it powerfully in my heart today.  Holy Spirit, please reach and touch the many, many others who will see that advertisement.  Let them all be impacted by the Holy that is invading homes all over the country.  Thank you for working in the most unusual ways.  Amen

More Banners!

Last night I attended a worship night sponsored by Chicago HUB Ministries.  In my experience, it is always worth it to press through and get to the HUB meetings.  You can be sure that you will be in an anointed place and hear from Yahweh.   Just before I left the house, I updated my blog.  So the Banner was flying over me as worship began.   Suddenly I saw a rainbow of banners over me and noticed right away that there was writing on each banner.  


The first was the gold banner!  It said.... WAIT  WEIGHT
Then I noticed the blue banner! It said..... RAINING  REIGN
Then the third was the red banner! It said.... PRESENT  PRESENCE
The fourth was the green banner!  It said ....... PIECE PEACE
And the white banner was also there! It said.......WHOLLY HOLY

*Isn't it neat the way that Yahweh uses the words of our English language to speak?

I heard Yahweh say.................

Wait for the weight of my glory to fall over you, on you and in you.  I will be raining down the power and anointing of my reign. Open your heart and receive the present of my presence. All that I am and all that is in me, is in you.  Bask in your piece of my peace.  For it is my glory, my power and anointing, and my peace that is the path to wholly holy. 

                                                            

And all I could say was WOW!!!!!

 

The worship was so great.  The Word was just amazing.  There was even more revelation as the night went on.  It was a simply fantastic night.  Expect some future blog posts as I digest all the wonderful nuggets from last night. 

 

Thank you  Yahweh for speaking to me.  Thank you Nancy Mageira and Chicago HUB Ministries for all that you do to make these opportunities possible. 

 

 

His Banner Over Me is Love!

Tuesday night in worship I saw a wonderful white banner flying overhead. (Think a large, long flag that was fluttering in the breeze).  On the banner were the words "Wholly Holy".   No, this isn't a typo - it said wholly, holy.  I knew that Yahweh's message was that he was and is and will be always - totally holy.  100%.  No part of Him that is not holy.  Isn't that amazing?  I was blown away by this.  I am so grateful that I often "see" these pictures, especially for this.  Because if I had heard this, it would have just been "Holy, Holy".  And I would have missed the entire message of the night.  Yahweh is totally, entirely holy.  While contemplating the depth of this picture, I began to hear the song "His Banner Over Me" and knew that this banner was His love.  During the remainder of our meeting I saw that banner flying over us.  It was a picture of the great love that IS Yahweh.  Then, as we celebrated Communion together, I saw that banner descend on all of us in that room and fill us with His love.  What a great night. 

Later, as I was seeing that banner over me and over my family, I had a clear picture of a baby being swaddled in a blanket.  As a grandma and nanny I know the effect a good tight swaddle can have on a fussy baby.   There is a great comfort for infants when they are held tightly.  Some babies can't relax and burp without being swaddled.  And the Lord reminded me that in these times of great shaking, He is swaddling His people in the blanket of His love.  Even when we feel as if we are being tossed around and swung back and forth, His love is holding us tightly. 

Thank you Yahweh for your pictures and revelations that bring me such peace.  Thank you for your wholly, holiness that is who you are. I am so blessed  to have your banner of love over me, around me and within me.  
                               His Banner Over Me Is Love
    The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love.
    The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love.
    The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love.
    His banner over me is love!

    He brought me to His banqueting table, His banner over me is love.
    He brought me to His banqueting table, His banner over me is love.
   He brought me to His banqueting table, His banner over me is love.
   His banner over me is love!

    He lifted me up into heavenly places, His banner over me is love.
    He lifted me up into heavenly places, His banner over me is love.
    He lifted me up into heavenly places, His banner over me is love.
    His banner over me is love!

    He is the vine and we are the branches, His banner over me is love.
    He is the vine and we are the branches, His banner over me is love.
    He is the vine and we are the branches,His banner over me is love.
    His banner over me is love!

    Jesus is the rock of my salvation, His banner over me is love.
    Jesus is the rock of my salvation,  His banner over me is love.
    Jesus is the rock of my salvation,His banner over me is love.
    His banner over me is love!
 
One additional, interesting thing.  Tuesday was also the day of "Abide In Me".  Everything seemed to be about the vine and the branches.  I did not remember until finding the lyrics for this blog, that the message of the vine and branches is part of this song also!  So I will continue to reflect on abiding in the vine, as well as on His banner of love!