Posts Tagged ‘pray’

While working as an auditor, one of the things I’ve discovered is that most theft happens internally than externally. Who are these people and why do they do it? Here are just a couple reasons I think we should look at:

1.      You have the employees who are mad at their manager for whatever reason.

2.      Then you have those who smile in the managers’ face. They will even go the extra mile so that they can gain the managers’ trust while secretly waiting for the opportunity to do the evil that is in their hearts.

Let’s read and discuss about a man in the bible who was an internal thief.

Matthew 26:6-16 (NLT)Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste of money,” they said. “She could have solid it for a fortune and given the money to the poor.” But Jesus replied, “Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory.Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you.” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus. John 12:1-8 (NLT)Six days before the Passover ceremonies began; Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him. Then Mary took a twelve-once jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one who would betray him, said that perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Not that he cared for the poor, he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use.                                    Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.

What a story! We see here Matthew never pointed out directly who made such a comment to towards this woman but John made it very clear who it was, Judas Iscariot. What do we know about Judas?

 

1. He was a betrayer
2. He was a thief
3. He had his own agenda
4. He cared nothing about the people of God
5. He was indignant of true worship
6. He was remorseful for what he did but never repented
7. He was a leader.

Let me explain number five. The bible says that when Mary began to wipe the feet of Jesus, the house was filled with the fragrance. See the fragrance was her worship. Now the question is why would Judas make that comment then? You see, Judas was in the midst of the fragrance of true worship which will always get Jesus attention. To Mary, Jesus was her everything but to Judas He was his ticket to getting what he wanted. This type of worship Mary released stopped the costly perfume from getting into the hands of a thief who had his own agenda. That’s the reason why he was so indignant with Mary because her worship stopped his agenda or plans, which lead him to resort to other means of fulfilling his desires by making a deal with the leading priests.

 

I encourage every Pastor to lead you people in this type of worship. Break the flask of oil and let the fragrance of your worship fill the house. Don’t let this spirit get its hands on this precious perfume.

The last thing we know about Judas was that he was a leader. I sensed in my spirit to list this as number seven because in this year of 2007, the Lord will expose the Judas spirit that is in operation in leadership.

 Matthew 13:18-19 (NLT) – “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know so well each one of you I chose. The Scriptures declare, ‘The one who shares my food has turned against me,’ and this will soon come true. I tell you this now, so that when it happens, you will believe I am the Messiah.Matthew 10:26 (NKJV) – Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

No, it is not the sheep but the leader. Remember, Judas was a leader.

 Acts 1:16-17 (NLT) During this time, on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us, chosen to share in the ministry with us.

Yes leaders are sheep as well but they are appointed to lead and be an example. The sheep will only do what they see the leaders doing.

 

Pastors, I encourage you to watch and pray during this hour. This spirit is influencing the very person/persons in leadership that you least expect. Please don’t be discouraged when this happens.

God must do this because he is ceasing the activity of this spirit and giving the leader/leaders the opportunity to move from remorse to repentance.

 

 As God reveals, it is imperative that you don’t get into what the Lord showed me last year, spiritual denial. I can’t even begin to tell you the many managers we have advised about watching their employees. The sad part is that we get the same response, “Oh, it’s not my people!” “I have some great people who been here for a long time.” As I said above it was the person they least expected to be. When I seen and heard this, the Lord prompted me to release this so that his people would not walk blind.

 

In closing, I also encourage you not judge anything before it’s time. Wait on the Lord. I release this word not to get you paranoid, but that you would watch and pray.

 

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due.

Father I pray in the name of Jesus, I pray that Your will be done in this hour. Let not your pastor be discourage during the time of exposing but let them be encouraged in knowing that you are looking out for them and that you are fulfilling your promise over them that You would never leave nor forsake them. I pray for those leaders who are influenced by this spirit. May the plotting, scheming, theft, sabotage, and wrong motives cease in the name of Jesus. I speak freedom now to their lives in Jesus name. Finally Father, I pray that they would now rise up and repentance while your mercy is ever present in Jesus name, Amen!