Lisa Great

Tables, so many types of tables. Card tables for playing games with friends; banquet tables for dining with a large group of people; tables in the wilderness where manna is served; tables in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23); tables in coffee shops to work away from home; tables in restaurants for casual or special occasions. Tables, so common and yet so powerful.

There is an anointing on tables right now. Tables of reconciliation, we even say come meet me at the table or pull up a seat at the table. Passover was a table where Jesus sat and ate with His disciples and uttered those famous words, “Take and eat this is my body broken for you. Then after supper He took the cup and said the new covenant of my blood shed for you.” It as at a table the New Covenant was inaugurated.

There is another table we do not hear much about but is extremely significant for those who find it, it is Wisdom’s Table. Proverbs 9 says, “Wisdom has built herself a palace upon seven pillars to keep it secure. She has made ready a banquet feast and the sacrifice has been killed. She has mingled her wine, and the table’s all set. She has sent out her maidens, crying out from the high place, inviting everyone to come and eat until they’re full. Whoever wants to know me and receive my wisdom, come and dine at my table and drink of my wine.”

God is anointing Tables and we are invited to find our seat at the table. When you come to the table you will find food and drink, fellowship and fun, but you will also hear Wisdom speak. The table is not just for talking it is for listening, for it is at the table that Wisdom reveals truth that we need, and it is found at the table. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

Repentance is changing the way we think, it is not behavior modification. The way we think manifests in the way we behave. This is why the Bible says, a child is known by their actions (Proverbs 20:11). This is why people say they are good people, for they are not hurting anyone, their actions are not causing harm, but they still need to repent, because it is not their actions, it is the way they think.

Repentance is not for unbelievers only, yes they need to change the way they think about Jesus, who He is and what He came to do. But so do Christians, and honestly, we who are believers, can be the ones who have a harder time changing the way we think than unbelievers do. We think we know the truth, so what is there to change about the way we think?

Jesus came preaching, Repent for the kingdom of God is here/at hand. This message was spoken to a nation who knew Yahweh, who went to Temple, who attended the Feasts, who practiced the Law, who believed they knew the truth. Why do you think this message to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand was so hard for them to accept?

The same is true for us today. We are being invited to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Our thinking is hindering us more than we realize.

I was praying this morning and the Holy Spirit had me repent for not possessing what Christ has paid for. Tears fell down my face as I received a glimpse into what we have access to vesus what we have actually possessed. This is what I was invited to repent for on behalf of the body of Christ.

Genesis 22:17 says “Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” We have been granted access to possess for it has already been paid for. We must change the way we think, for there is more access granted than we have possessed. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

We as people were made for adventure. There is something innate in us as humanity that lives for a life of adventure. Some people like high adrenaline adventure like race car driving, bungy jumping, cliff diving or Olympic level down hill skiing. Others like lower impact adventures like fishing, water skiing, hot air balloon riding or even a sporting event.

Adventure, activity is built inside of us. If we are not active, we say we are bored. Boredom is not what we were made for, we were created for adventure, for advancement, for movement. This is by the very design of God, for the Creator of heaven and earth rested on the sixth day, He did not stop creating on the sixth day.

Psalm 139 says, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb…Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” The Creator has created every human being who has ever been conceived. Isaiah 9 says, “And of the increase of HIs government there will be no end. An ever increasing government is the work of an active God.

John 10 says, My sheep hear my voice and a strangers voice they will not follow. Not only is our God Creator, He is also a voice. The book of Revelation says, His voice is like the sound of many waters. A voice that continues to speak to us even today, a voice that will never be silenced. He is still speaking and He will continue to speak.

We are made in the image of a God who is not static, but active; who is not silent, but speaks. This is our God and this is why you were not meant to be static, which is why you do not like to be bored.

The question I have is, do we create warfare, drama, conflict, in order to avoid boredom? If we would read our Bible, we would get to know our God and in getting to know Him we see Him and He is the greatest adventure. His purpose for your life, His design for your desires, He loves to activate you. Even waiting on God is active, not passive.

Don’t settle for a lesser activity like conflict, arise to see, hear and engage in the activity of God on earth. You have a job to do here and now, but you must spend time with God to discover what He prepared ahead of time for you to do. I promise it will be the best adventure of your life. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

What you believe is what you will see, hear, and find. If we believe lies we will find lies and spread lies. We will not think it is a lie, because we believe it, so to us it is the truth or a fact, but in reality it is a lie whether we realize it or not.

There is someone I know and they continually share proven lies about some things on Facebook. I am not one that comments when I see these things, but they do make me ponder them. I was thinking of this person’s latest post, which was not an original but rather a share of someone else’s post. The post was not the truth, it was a lie about a public figure.

I was thinking about that post this morning and the Holy Spirit whispered to me, that is not the only lie they are believing. I thought, how true that is. We do not just believe a lie about someone we have never met, but we have other lies we believe as well.

What I have learned is that what we believe we will see, we will hear, we will find. If we are lovers of truth, we will find truth, seek truth, pursue truth, hear truth and listen to truth, for we love the truth. Proverbs 6 says it this way, “For truth is a bright beam of light shining into every area of your life,
instructing and correcting you to discover the ways to godly living.” Truth is light and it is not limited to one area of life, it affects them all.

Whether we believe lies or the truth, the choice is ours. We can believe the lies we believe are truth and then we deceive ourselves, which is the worst deception. But the truth is, when you hear truth, even when it hurts, humbles, corrects or directs, if you love truth you will submit to the truth.

Our response to truth reveals whether we love truth or prefer to live with lies. Jesus is the Truth. He is the standard, the plumb line and in the words of a song I heard yesterday, The Cross Cannot Be Undone. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I pray you love truth no matter the personal cost to you, for it will set you free. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

Before the sun rose, the invitation to wake up came. Out the door with the dog I go. Not a movement on the streets, not a dog barking in backyards, just the sound of birds beginning to sing their song to the Lord. If only I knew their language, i can only imagine they are saying with me, He is Risen, He is Risen indeed.

The moon was bright this morning, the air was crisp in such a good way. A very gentle breeze blew across my face as I smiled from ear to ear thinking of this day so many year ago, when Luke 24 says…

“Very early that Sunday morning, the women made their way to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. (10)Among them were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Jesus’ mother Mary. Arriving at the tomb they discovered that the huge stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside, so they went in to look. But the tomb was empty. The body of Jesus was gone!”

He is Risen, He is Risen indeed. He is alive, He hears when we speak, He speaks when we listen. Oh to serve a living God there is truly nothing like it. People all over the world will be going to gather in a church building this morning. From accapella singing to full band songs, the God of all the earth will hear His creation declaring His name today.

From the first sunrise in the East to the last Sunset in the West today, the Lord of Glory will tell His story of how He conquered sin, hell and the grave. He finished what He started. He did what He promised. What a mighty God we serve. Happy Resurrection Day! Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

SILENCE is possibly the loudest word in the English language. Silence is not a location like the beach, it is not a destination like death, it is posture, a position, we enter into. It is not something external, it is internal. People may not speak, people may go sit in the woods or on a lake fishing, but the silence is absent when internally the voices are so loud.

Historically today was the most silent day in history. The crucifixion of Christ was yesterday, the resurrection of Christ is tomorrow, but what is it about today, a day of silence. People were stunned at His death, they were in awe of His life, they pondered His possible resurrection, but no guarantees and probably more doubt that belief. Silence escaped them as voices inside of them pondered, wondered, questioned.

Yahweh is the God of silence. Silence is a gift from a very generous God. He loves to declare peace be still to the storms raging inside of us. He loves to silence the voices that are lying to us. He enjoys ordering our inner world, so we can live with silence. It is a truth many do not know but some actually enjoy on the daily. Silence.

Psalm 46 says, “God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice, and the earth begins to disintegrate before him. Here he comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence.”

Psalm 46 continues, “Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence.”

The noise outside of us is not the issue, it is the noise inside of us that causes anxiety, fear, doubt, but how do we silence the noise inside of us? We read the Bible until we get to know the nature and character of God. In this knowing we learn to trust Him and trusting God is where the internal silence comes from. Trust silences the voices. I pray you learn to trust, for silence is a gift from our God. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

The sights and sounds of creation are for our enjoyment and they are God’s communication. Birds are speaking a language we do not understand, but it is a language they understand. Trees are clapping their hands, rivers are roaring with the sound of a voice making a decree we can see and hear, even if we do not understand. The communication of creation is beyond understanding but still seen and heard.

This morning I saw a bunny hopping across the street as joyfully as can be. My dog’s ears raised, feet scurried and leash hindered, but the anticipation of a chase was obvious. As I watched the bunny the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Bunnies represent multiplication and I Am going to multiply supply.”

I continued walking and as I did the phrase multiply supply was rolling over and over again in my heart. Multiply supply, I am going to multiply supply. When the news is screaming scarcity, the Lord is declaring “I am going to multiply supply.”

The verse that jumped in my spirit to confirm this word is 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”

Now who would have thought a 9:11 verse would be about multiply supply? God did. God knows we are being inundated with fear narratives, but the good news is declaring “I am going to multiply your supply!” Whose report will you believe? Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

One of the attributes of God is generosity. He is extremely generous. Not just to certain people, not just to certain nations, not just to certain genders, He is generous to all. The question is can we see His generosity? Are we accessing His generosity? Do we even know what to look for when it comes to generosity from God?

God’s generosity is His over abounding love for us. We know John 3:16 for God so loved the world He gave…God’s generosity is seen in His Son Jesus the Christ. Forgiveness of sins is God’s generosity.

Did you know wisdom is God’s generosity as well? Proverbs 2:6-8 says, “Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you. For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly ones.” James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Wisdom is a gift to us from a generous God. When we need advice, counsel, direction, we turn to our trusted confidants, specialists in the field, or mentors we have surrounded ourselves with, seeking their wisdom. Wisdom is a person and that Wisdom is available to us from a generous God if we just ask.

Here’s where God’s generosity goes beyond all we could ask, think or imagine. We ask for wisdom, but He doesn’t stop with giving us wisdom, He adds revelation and pleasure. Proverbs 2:10 says, “When wisdom wins your heart and revelation breaks in, true pleasure enters your soul.”

God has no lack, He is abundance, therefore, He is generous on all occasions. He is not stingy, He is not saying I can’t afford it, He is fully supplied and wants to supply you with what you need. You may come asking for money and He offers you a job. You may come asking for healing and He offers you a “crunchy” friend. You may come asking for support and He shows you what church to attend. He is always generous, can you see it? Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

We see a date on the calendar called April Fool’s Day, but do we know why they call today April Fool’s Day? I did not know the answer but thank God for technology that shares with me information I do not know. Here is what I learned…

The true origin of April Fools’ Day is uncertain, but there are a few leading theories: The Calendar Change Theory (most popular): In 1564, France switched from the Julian calendar (where the new year fell around April 1) to the Gregorian calendar (January 1). Those who were slow to hear the news — or stubbornly kept celebrating the new year in late March/early April — were mocked and called “April fools.” Pranksters would stick paper fish on their backs, a prank still practiced in France today (poisson d’avril). (Claude)

The irony of this origin is that today is the start of Passover, Nisan 14, the beginning of the Hebrews Ecclesiastical Year according to what the Lord spoke to Moses in Exodus 12. So, prior to 1564 the Julian Calendar was aligned with the Hebrew Ecclesiastical calendar.

Exodus 12 is all about Israel leaving Egypt and the irony of calendars is we know April 1st as April Fool’s day, but Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” The irony is that on this very day, the 14th of Nisan, the 1st of April, is today, the beginning of Passover.

Passover is a memorial celebration, that is a perpetual celebration of how God rescued Israel out of the hands of the Egyptians with 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea and all under the leadership of Moses the meekest man on earth. So, how can you say there is no God when the exodus (Passover) blood on the doorposts, proves there is, just ask Pharoh.

We may be on a Gregorian Calendar now, but Julian and the Hebrews are on another one and I will gladly be called a fool for believing today is the New Year according to the command of God through Moses. Happy New Year, Happy Passover, Happy Dance coming from me for I have been set free from Egypt and I will remember what God has done. Today is a reminder you can be free too, if you want to be. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org

People are value added assets in so many ways. We each only have 24 hours in a day, which means we must lean on each other for information about things we do not know.

I have friends who are Geologists, Theologians, Rabbis, Tech Guru’s, Games and Ideas Specialists, Relators, Chefs, Military, Oil and Gas Executives, Farmers, the list goes on an on. The reason I love what they know and knowing what they know is because then I can just be really good at my subject of passion and can listen to them as they add value from theirs.

Israel had 12 tribes and I believe those tribes each added value to the community. Dan was the tribe of the judges, all things judicial was Dan’s specialty. Asher was the culinary specialists; Naphtali was the tribe of communicators; Judah was military and worship; Issachar was times and seasons; Gad was a troop; Levi was the tribe of priests; all of them had a speciality they were known for.

Psalm 111 says, “Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.” God works in all 12 tribes of Israel to reveal His glory on the earth. As each tribe studies what God is doing through their lens’s of expertise, we see and hear the works of God in a way we could not have without their perspective.

We need the voices of all 12 tribes speaking into us, so we can ruminate on the words and works of the Lord, not on the narrative of the culture and their counterfeit realities. Who in your life is an expert that can add value to your study as you ruminate on the works of the Lord during this Holy Week?

My friend Lindy has a degree in Geology and she loves to dig deep into truths and reveals elements to me and how they are linked to the veil in the temple that was torn. Oh how rich I am because of people like her. I pray you ruminate this week on the works of the Lord with people in your life, for their perspective adds value to your learning. Www.apostolicresourcecenter.org