occupyingforjusticeandfreedom

What Can We Learn From California? ~ a supplement for Day 80

I've been "imagining" what may transpire in the days to follow, regardless of what is ruled...and found this news article:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/California-Supreme-Court-to-Reveal-Prop-8-Decision-Tuesday.html

Excerpts from article:

 "Monday, a group calling itself the American Civil Responsibilities Union will hold a news conference at the California Supreme Court Building to announce plans to initiate a statewide effort to recall any state Supreme Court justices who vote to overturn Proposition 8."

"We believe homosexuality in all its manifestations is an unfortunate abnormality," the group said in a statement. "However, we wish it understood that we fully support alternative civil unions between like sexes. As registered `domestic partnerships,' they should have all the state rights and responsibilities that are assumed in traditional marriages."It is again time to remind such biased, dictatorial, appointed justices who ignore the will of the people, here and nationally, that we citizens maintain our right to remove them from office if necessary via the recall."

Following Tuesday's ruling on three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which is to be revealed at 10 a.m. on the Supreme Court's Web site, attorneys for the plaintiff couples and community leaders will respond at a news conference at Leimert Park in South Los Angeles.

...rallies are being planned in Long Beach and throughout the state.

Some gay activists feel that America is becoming more tolerant of gay rights in general, and point to the fact that five states -- Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Maineand Vermont -- have legalized same-sex marriage.

Gaining some understanding why fasting/prayer needs to continue past the decision date, the days that will follow are going to provide some needed insight for us as Christians. I hope the grassroots groups are watching. Whether Prop 8 is upheld or overruled, there are groups ready to fight.

In the same way that the state of New York is imagined by outsiders to be one big city, I've always imagined the majority of California to be quite liberal. This battle over same-sex marriage has proven fundamentally different, considering the majority of California is not in favor of of it.

There are 5 states that have already legalized gay marriage without monumental dispute. What can we learn from the people of California?  Keep your eyes open...we can glean much from this...and should, if we want to get our nation back. 

Day 80 ~ Relationship is the Greatest Goal

2 Corinthians 5:13-15

¹³For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

I broke my fast for today.  It wasn't in disobedience nor in rebellion, but I prayerfully considered that since the California Supreme Court has announced that they will reveal their decision at 10am tomorrow, then their choice has been made; so I asked the Lord to be released for today.  Have I given up on God and His ability to move on hearts and minds?  Absolutely not. Is this fast/prayer over?  Not until the Lord says so.

My fast has been something of pleasure.  Today, I let go and laughed whole-heartedly, enjoyed watching ventriloquist Jeff Dunham with Achmed, the Dead Terrorist.  Timing be as it may, I was taking a break from research on (guess what subject?):  the truth about 9/11.  So, I let God speak to my heart about this contrast and found one of the ways He's worked in my life.

I confess...I tend to have an odd sense of humor and laugh at things others may not find funny.  For example, I was a Gary Larson fan (remember The Far Side?) and understood 95% of his weirdness...it was rare for me not to "get it".  For the most part, I'm not proud of that as a claim to fame because it's a remnant of life without Christ being Lord.  Without Christ, my entertainment tastes were mostly PG-13, R-rated and sometimes unrated.  After giving my sense of humor over to Him for deeper cleansing, He began to teach me where to draw the line.  Christ's love has the power to constrain us in a positive way.

Why am I sharing all this?  Not only as a testimony to know one of the ways the Lord continually works in my heart, but as an encouragement.  It's one thing to say we know the Lord and have Him in our life.  It's yet another to be able to testify that He knows us and has our life.

Father God, I love You and am grateful to You for Jesus and for the Holy Spirit...not just for me, but for all.  I thank You for Your grace, mercy and love which You give us in abundance and for the privilege You've given us to boldly come to Your throne of grace.  I thank You for the ministry You've given the Holy Spirit, to work in us and to perfect all that which concerns us...working toward our reflecting Christ to You.
Father, I ask that You bless each one who comes across this page...that You would continue to work in their life, through Christ.
Father, I pray for Your peace that passes our understanding...that it would rule as umpire in our lives.  I pray that You would give us of Your joy and strength, reminding us to dress each day in Your armor while remembering that it's not our might that counts but that power and salvation belong to You.

You are the head of all things, Lord...and I pray for tomorrow's revealing of the Court's decision...asking of You that You are preparing the hearts of each one that will view it...that there will not be chaos, but peace and understanding.

In You, Lord Jesus, we live and move and have our being...we worship You, Lord, in spirit and in truth.  You alone are worthy of all glory, honor and all our praise...and we give it all to You with thankful, grateful hearts.  May Jesus be who You see when You look at us...decreasing to make room for Him to increase...in Jesus' precious name, Amen.

 

Days 78-79 ~ Announcement re: Prop 8 Coming Tues 5/26

The 90 day decision re: Prop 8 scheduled for June 5 will be announced this coming Tuesday, 5/26/09.

Supreme Court of California

The California Supreme Court has announced that it will issue an opinion in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. (Strauss v. Horton, S168047; Tyler v. State of California, S168066; City and County of San Francisco v. Horton, S168078.) Tuesday at 10 a.m., the opinion will be available on the California Courts Web site at this link: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

California high court set to rule on gay marriage

16 hours ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court will issue its long-awaited decision on the validity of the state's same-sex marriage ban on Tuesday.

The high court announced the pending opinion on its Web site Friday morning.

Justices are considering a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn a constitutional amendment approved by voters in November that overruled a court decision that briefly legalized same-sex unions. The suits claim Proposition 8 was put on the ballot improperly.

The court also will decide whether the estimated 18,000 gay couples who married before the measure passed can stay legally wed.

Court observers say the state's high court is unlikely to invalidate the ban.

Same-sex marriage is legal in five states.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Related articles

• California high court to rule on Proposition 8 on Tuesday
  San Jose Mercury News - 1 hour ago
• State Supreme Court to rule Tuesday on Prop. 8
  San Francisco Chronicle - 2 hours ago
• California Supreme Court to rule Tuesday on gay marriage
  Los Angeles Times - 7 hours ago
• Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Set for Tuesday in California
  New York Times - 8 hours ago

 

Day 77 ~ We Have What it Takes!

2 Peter 1:2-4
²Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 

³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

With our nation in more trouble than we know, we truly need the Lord to come and do a mighty work, if not a miracle, on her behalf. 
1) 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God, according to His divine power, has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that called us to glory and virtue.
2) Ephesians 6:12-20 tells us how our enemy is not flesh and blood and instructs us in putting on the armor of God, which doesn't end with the Sword of the Spirit, but includes prayer.  YES!  Prayer is part of the armor! 
3) Nehemiah gives us scriptural instruction to intercede (see yesterday's entry).

You and I have what it takes to rise up and answer Freedom's cry. While we need God to do His part in this, we need to remember that America's rights never came on a silver platter. 
 
In addition to standing and occupying for the people's vote of Prop 8 to be upheld, issues regarding Obama's eligibility factor are in need of prayer. There really is something to this issue because rather than simply producing the requested documents, Obama has employed multiple legal firms to prevent disclosure. Why? Fighting disclosure logically means there's something worthy to be kept hidden...most likely done at the expense of us taxpayers.

Observing the three major battles (Berg, Taitz, Martin), it seemed logical that if they became allies, it would allow opportunity for truth to come out.
Berg was Hillary's lawyer, representing her in bringing eligibility issues to light during the primaries. After she conceded the primaries, he stepped out on his own in August and brought the case to court in Philadelphia.
Martin is a columnist/investigative journalist based in Chicago who calls himself the Internet Powerhouse (contrariancommentary.com) and fights corruption in politics. Before the election, I emailed Martin, who had been on O's tail for a few years, and suggested he and Berg work together; Berg had approached him, but he directly refused.
Taitz is a US citizen who is Russian-born and was raised in a communist country. She came on the scene closer to election time, recognizing the probable onset of communism in the US and not wanting to see it happen. 

Instead of truth and resolution, there's confusion and division causing the camp to appear like a three ring circus.  Berg, who terms his efforts the "eligibility movement", is now suing Taitz on a number of counts. Whatever credibility there was in the beginning seems lost by the personal backbiting.  

A couple days ago, I saw an email from World Net Daily regarding a campaign to raise funds for billboards in major metropolitan cities that simply say "Where's the birth certificate?". (click to see article)  According to WND, the purpose of this action is to encourage public debate and to hold Obama accountable to produce his official records.   

Congratulations to WND for stepping out! To overcome the foothold that the enemy has gained, action must involve the public at large.  My prayer is for the leadership at WND, that God will help them retain the vision our ForeFathers had for America.  I pray for people/groups to answer the call of Freedom's cry for constitutional justice. God is in control and I pray for the integrity and endurance of those He will raise up as watchmen and warriors...and for those who will "march around the camp" like Jericho...with praise and prayer, giving God all the glory!  (instead of shooting ourselves in the foot and backbiting)
 
Ephesians 5:15-21
¹⁵See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  ¹⁶Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

 
I also continue praying "on earth as it is in heaven" and declare in agreement with scripture that "the kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ...and He shall reign forever and ever."  Amen!

Day 76 ~ "This Work Was of God"

Wailing Wall at night

Below is a devotion from the Institute of Creation Research entitled This Work Was of God, based on Nehemiah 6:15-16 and their finishing the rebuilding of the wall.  As was Nehemiah, we are servants of the Lord who fear His name.  We need to continue in prayer/fasting, following Nehemiah's example in chapter 1:4-11, repenting and interceding for the children of Israel...the Body of Christ...
 

 ⁴And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

 ⁵And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

 ⁶Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

 ⁷We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

 ⁸Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

 ⁹But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

 ¹⁰Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

 ¹¹O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

Blessings to you,
~ jms ~

This Work Was of God

May 21, 2009

 

"So the wall was finished. . . . And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God." (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

 

There have been so many occasions throughout history when God worked mightily, either to establish or to preserve America; there can be no doubt that God has uniquely blessed this country. There have always been those who would destroy, establish themselves as dictators, or who have scoffed at or hindered the American experiment in freedom, but in His grace and in His time and way, He has responded with victory.

 

Similarly, there were many times in the history of God's chosen nation of Israel when mighty victories were accomplished. In the events surrounding our text, a ragged band of exiles had returned from captivity in Babylon and were attempting to rebuild the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. The detractors were many, saying it couldn't be done--but it had to be done!

 

Satanically inspired opposition came through ridicule (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1-3); threats of invasion (vv. 7-9); discouragement (v. 10); fear of attack (vv. 11-23); internal friction (5:1-5); diplomatic treachery (6:1-8); and lying prophets (6:10-14). But in the face of each threat, Nehemiah was equal to the task. "We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night" (4:9), and eventually, as we read in our text, "the wall was finished."

 

Nehemiah's victory was preceded by his confession of his own sins and that of the people (1:6-11), and the purification and dedication of the people. It was followed by great rejoicing and blessing. Would that America's present leaders and people would follow this godly example. JDM  

Day 75 ~ Specific Instructions

What is God speaking to you?  and to me?

1 Kings 19:11-15

 ¹¹And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

 ¹²And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

 ¹³And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

 ¹⁴And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

 ¹⁵And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

Micah_small

Not in the mighty wind

11 Your Voice

Nor in the earthquake
Not in the blazing fire
But in the whisper...
Is Your Voice

I want to hear You
Teach me to listen
Here in the quietness
of this holy place

                                                                                         
Jesus, come talk to me

                                                                                          So I may know

                                                                                          Your will for me

                                                                                          Please, just come talk to me

                                                                                          With all my heart

                                                                                          I will obey

                                                                                          Your Voice

Day 74 ~ He is Able...I Won't be Moved

The days are getting increasingly complex...even in 2009 ALONE!!...even within the last two months!!!  Even so, come, Lord Jesus...we do wait for You.

Psalm 62:5-12
⁵My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

⁶He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Natalie Grant LIVE @ Freedom Concert in Dallas

⁷In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

⁸Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

⁹Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

¹⁰Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

¹¹God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

¹²Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

Today, I am praying for you from Ephesians 3...

¹⁶That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Down in the River to Pray

 ¹⁷That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

 ¹⁸May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

 ¹⁹And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

 ²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 ²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Day 73 ~ Approaching the HomeStretch

In approximately two weeks on June 5th, the California Supreme Court will announce its ruling regarding Prop 8 and we will learn whether or not the court will choose to uphold or overrule the people's vote.
As stated previously, while this decision will likely set a precedent for the future, we are assured as God's children that regardless of the outcome, Jesus has the final victory and God will bring His word to pass. 
As we continue to pray, let us continue to exhort one another and keep our eyes on the Lord.

Below is a video series by Louis Giglio entitled "How Great is Our God".  I pray you receive a blessing through this message as we learn in the natural how all things consist in Christ (Colossians 1:16-17).

God bless you,
Judy

Louis Giglio: How Great is our God Part 1

How great is our God part 2

Louis Giglio: How Great is our God Part 3

Louis Giglio: How Great is our God Part 4

Louis Giglio: How Great is our God Part 5

Day 72 ~ Rejoice!!

We Want to See Jesus Lifted High (worship video w/ lyrics)

We want to see Jesus lifted high
A banner that flies across this land
So all men might see the truth and know
He is the way to heaven.

We want to see....We want to see..
We want to see Jesus lifted high.

Step by step we're moving closer
Little by little we're taking ground
Every prayer is a powerful weapon
Stronghold come tumblin' down..and down...and down!!

From World Net Daily: 

---

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS
Whaddya mean, 'America is not a Christian nation'?
Congressmen challenge Obama assertion by drafting 'spiritual heritage' legislation

---

Posted: May 16, 2009
8:45 pm Eastern

Excerpt: 

A bipartisan group of 25 members of the House of Representatives earlier this month submitted H.Res. 397, which calls on Congress to affirm "the rich spiritual and religious history of our nation's founding and subsequent history" and to designate the first week of May as America's Spiritual Heritage Week for "the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith."

More.....

Day 71 ~ Encouragement and Edification

09 Arms of Love

05 Abba Father

Below is a devotion by David Wilkerson, received yesterday via email. Encouragement and edification are things we need and need to be sharing with one another. I pray it is a blessing to you.

Just as I was preparing to write this message, the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to me: “Edify the people.  Bless them with my Word.”  I responded, “Lord, I would love to, but what do you want to say?  You must impress deeply upon my spirit the right word for these times.”

 

Here is what I received from the Lord.  I hope you will receive it and be truly edified.  Perhaps you are the very one whom God has prepared to receive such a word of encouragement at this particular time:

 

• God desires that you believe what he has spoken to you, especially about healing and guidance.  (See John 4:48-50.)

Jesus told a nobleman his son was going to be healed.  “The man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”  This man believed the Lord’s word, and his son was healed that same hour. 

 

• The Lord is going to answer your heart-cry according to the multitude of his tender mercies.  His timing is perfect, so be patient.  (See Psalm 69:13-14, 16-18, 32-33.)

In this passage you must substitute “demonic power” for “enemies.”  Your real enemy is Satan, who hates your continued hunger for a closer walk with the Lord.

• Here is a very specific word for you personally.  Yes, a number of people will receive this same word in my message here, but the Holy Spirit has a way of applying God’s Word in different ways to many believers.

Go to Psalm 145.  Before you read it, pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to you directly in a verse or two.  I know the Lord spoke this to my heart, that you are going to be edified in Psalm 145.

 

(Verse 14 is one that has been pinpointed to me for you, but the Spirit may pinpoint others to you also.)

 

May God give you much Holy Ghost fight, to resist the devil and put him to flight.