Proverbs 8:7-9
For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

We have been in Tyler, Texas for about a month now. It has been an interesting beginning to this next phase of God’s continuing plan for Nate and me.  It is remarkable to be walking out what has been spoken to me in the secret place of prayer.  Our passion is for the Body of Christ, to see them healed, trained, equipped, and mature.  This has taken shape since we arrived the first of June in our House Church.  I don’t know that I expected it so quickly. I guess I felt like we were still transitioning, but God said, It is time!

I can’t state the details, but I can tell you that Nate and I did exactly what we have passion for and that is to bring truth into the lives of God’s people. The enemy would twist and pervert the Word of God, but Jesus is Truth.  He requires truth from His holy people!

Psalm 145:18-19
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.

I love this scripture! We must come to God with truthful lips! To say that we love God and then twist His Word is deceitful. It lacks the fear of the LORD! To walk in the fear of the LORD is to hate what is evil. Lying is sin and it is evil.  So, as we have had to confront some of these issues, we are falling on the LORD for grace. We do not in any way want to injure God’s people, but to ignore sin is not a loving response either. 

So, we seek Wisdom to lead God’s people. We ask to be clothed in humility and compassion as we speak truth. Wisdom is supreme the proverb states, and I believe it. As we seek the LORD, He brings His wisdom to the situation.

A couple of days ago, I awoke feeling heavy in heart.  I did an introspective look at my heart. I needed Jesus, plainly and simply.  I had been so caught up in the counsel and issues of the church that I had neglected my quiet times. I had grabbed a word here and a quick prayer there, but just enjoying the lover of my soul? I had neglected Him!

He is so faithful when we are faithless! He restored my soul.
I began reading a verse that has become a life verse for Nate and I.

Zechariah 4:6-10
Then he answered and said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of Grace, grace to it!

Also the word of the LORD came to me saying, the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel, these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth

This is an excerpt from the book of Zechariah. He was a prophet during the first generation after the Babylonian exile had ended.  God wanted the temple to be restored and He used Zechariah as a voice to the people of Judah to get this accomplished.  He also used Zerubbabel the governor of Judah to begin the work. It says in the above passage that Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Temple, but construction ended for a number of years. Why? Because Temple worship, the law of the LORD was not popular among the people of Judah. They were comfortable in their sin. They did not want a righteous standard brought back into Judah.  God’s word to Zerubbabel was one of encouragement; don’t give up, don’t despise this small beginning, it’s not by your might or your power that this Temple will be finished. My Spirit will accomplish it through you! I know we can all relate to this passage. It also says that these seven will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. The plumb line was used for measuring a wall so that it is built true to plumb. It is a carpenter’s tool for making something square. It is symbolic to God bringing in a righteous standard to a situation. His righteous standard is His Word.  God will rejoice! Man may or may not rejoice when they see a righteous standard coming into their city, or coming into their church, but God will! He will also empower you for the work! He will accomplish what He has planned and He will be glorified through us!

It is not always a popular place to be used of God to speak truth. To set things straight in the lives of God’s people is tricky, but Nate and I know we are called to do this. This is not our only calling, but for this Cassia Offering this is the topic.

I read this entire book as I was studying this topic, and I uncovered something in Chapter three that I want to share.

Zechariah 3:7
Thus says the LORD of hosts, If you will walk in My ways, and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here.

This is such a beautiful promise from the LORD spoken through Zechariah to Joshua the High Priest during that time in Judah. Christians are all priests according to I Peter 2:9.  We are to walk in His ways by patterning ourselves after Jesus, the good Shepherd.

Performing service in the Hebrew lexicon states, to safeguard, to watch, take charge for, and to protect. Govern my house in the Hebrew means to judge, to minister, to plead the cause, and to rule.  Having charge of my courts would be to walk in God’s authority.

God speaking through the prophet Zechariah then says, I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. Who is God speaking of? Read this in context and you will discover the angel of the LORD was there. I would say He is speaking of Jesus. We have access to Jesus. This is earth and heaven coming together.  I will say, Nate and I love the Body of Christ, and we are sometimes required of the LORD to take a stand against sin in the Body. Why? To safeguard her, to protect her, to plead the cause for her.  God is faithful to bring forth the fruit, we are only required to be obedient and love.

In my footnotes regarding the above passage it stated. 
Joshua the High Priest was given authority to govern, render justice and judge the house of the LORD on the condition that he himself walked in the ways of the LORD.

That is very good counsel! I love, love the Word of the LORD!

A word of the LORD from my quiet time on June 28th

I have begun a work in you that will have a lasting effect on generations to come. Wisdom is Supreme and you have chosen well. Wisdom has called aloud in the streets and you have responded to Her call.  Steadfastness has been the fruit of seeking Wisdom.