Love is a commitment

"Love is a commitment that will be tested in the most vulnerable areas of spirituality, a commitment that will force you to make some very difficult choices. It is a commitment that demands that you deal with your lust, your greed, your pride, your power, your desire to control, your temper, your patience, and every area of temptation that the Bible clearly talks about. It demands the quality of commitment that Jesus demonstrates in His relationship to us."
— Ravi Zacharias (I, Isaac, Take Thee, Rebekah: Moving from Romance to Lasting Love)

Tiffany Ann Lewis: One with God

Tiffany Ann Lewis: One with God

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek... Psalm 27:4a

This great psalm is the "anthem" of the High Holiday season. It is read twice daily from the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul straight through to the end of the festival of Sukkot/Tabernacles in preparation for the High Holy days (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot/Tabernacles).

Traditionally, this is a time for prayer, fasting and soul searching, yet the bridal overtones are astounding. Let's take a step through the door at verse four and I'll show you what I mean.

"Oneness" I Have Desired of the Lord

I call it a "door" because, in Hebrew, the number four is represented by a letter that has the pictograph of a door; the dalet. Therefore, spiritually speaking, verse four opens the door to what we read next. "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek..." It may surprise you to learn that the word "thing" is not expressed anywhere in the Hebrew Bible but was inserted by translators. Let's take a closer look at the passage in Hebrew for I believe we will discover something outstanding that is revealed in this "one thing."

The Hebrew word translated as "one" in this passage is echad. Echad is a very interesting word because it represents a unity while recognizing diversity and multiplicity within that oneness. A noteworthy place, especially at this time of year, where we see an example of this is in the dwelling place of God, the Tabernacle of Moses. The curtains were fastened together to create one (echad) glorious entity, the Mishkan (Exodus 26:6). Another example is in Ezekiel 37:19 where it is written that God will take two sticks and make them one (echad) stick in His hand. And last but certainly not least, we also see it in Genesis 2:24 when "...a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one (echad) flesh."

The bridal theme that is woven in Psalm 27 is revealed even more clearly as we look closer at echad in the Hebrew font. It is not written echad, with a "d" on the end but rather as echat with a "t." This seemingly insignificant detail is stunning because changing the end letter to the "t" makes it a feminine word. For David to use echat with the feminine ending would not only be incorrect grammar but it would be totally out of context. I believe his choice of the word echat reveals to us that he understood and possessed the bridal heart as he penned this psalm.

What did he want? What was he asking for? Keeping in mind that one "thing" is not written in Hebrew, I wonder, could King David have been seeking and desiring oneness or union with God? Could he have been saying "oneness I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek"? One with God. Hummm...that's a lot to ponder. What is one? What is oneness? "Union" is probably as good of an understanding as anything we might suggest. The pondering takes on new light as we read John 17:20-21. The Master said, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us..."

Engulfed in the Wonder that God Desperately Desires to Connect with Those Whom He Has Created

Imagine for a moment being one with all that God is, the very essence of His being. Being united with all that is pure and all that is good. Imagine your heart beating with His. Imagine His thoughts implanted in you; imagine His Divine will united with yours...imagine.

...the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26-27

What is all this pointing to? I believe the answer is a true, deep and abiding intimacy with the Lord. Knowing Him, encountering Him, and being engulfed in the wonder that God desperately desires to connect with those whom He has created.

Marriage is the most intimate of relationships, and using the natural to define the supernatural, the Apostle Paul quoted Genesis 2:24 and said, "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church" (Ephesians 5:32). Intimacy is cultivated in communion. This spiritual union unites the soul with everything He is. As we draw near to the Prince of Peace we will have peace. As we seek the wonderful Counselor we will receive His counsel. As we fellowship with the Comforter we will be comforted. As we engage with the God of love we will know a love that is so fierce that not even death can contain it.

The Lord Never Desired to Dwell in a Building

Why this message now through this psalm of the season? Because we need the presence of the Lord dwelling powerfully in our lives more than ever before, and I believe that the types and shadows found in Scripture reveal that we can have it. As I mentioned earlier, the Tabernacle of Moses embodies echad. This great structure was God's dwelling place. Interestingly, it was divided into three separate areas yet was one holy habitation. The first area was the outer court where all could enter, the second was the inner court where only the priests (Levites) could enter, and last but not least, was the holy of holies where only the high priest could enter once a year, on Yom Kippur, with the blood of the sacrifice.

The Lord never desired to dwell in a building; He wants to dwell in us, to be one (echad) with us. We are the dwelling place of God. "...you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22). This is what drew Jesus to the Cross. As He breathed His last breath, the veil that blocked access to the Holy of Holies was split from top to bottom.

The Holy of Holies can be seen as a symbol of intimacy, for it is a space for only two: the priest and the Lord. Inside this chamber there is only once piece of furniture, the Mercy Seat, which also reveals the bridal paradigm. Let me explain.

God's Love for His People is Like a Husband's Love for His Bride

The Mercy Seat was placed upon the Ark of the Covenant. "And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings (kanaph) above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you" (Exodus 25:20-21). This is considered the most holy of all pieces of furniture, for inside of it were the Tablets, the bedrock of our faith – the marriage contract binding God's people together with Himself. Thus the Mercy Seat can be seen as a symbol of God's love for His people, a love that is like a husband's love for his bride.

Even the wings of the cherubim reveal this marital relationship. The word for "wings" in Hebrew is kanaph (pronounced kaw-nawf', Strong's #3671). Not only is kanaph a wing like you would think of represented here, it is also the corner of a garment and the corner of a tallit (prayer shawl) – a garment that every devout Jewish man wears. God's instructions for this garment are found in Numbers 15:38, "Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners (kanaph) of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners (kanaph)."

The tallit can also serve as a huppah, which is the covering that a bride and groom stand under when they exchange their wedding vows. Looking at the Mercy Seat one might see the cherubim with their four wings and imagine those wings as a huppah, the bridal canopy.

We Can Come Any Time, Any Day, to the Throne of Grace

One thing do I desire – union with God and to be hidden under the wings of His mercy. Beloved, we can experience this today. We can come any time, any day, to the throne of grace and find whatever we need for any situation we may be facing. We can find the peace, the advice, the comfort, the love. We can find everything that God is, right there at the throne of grace, and the tallit (prayer shawl) reveals one possible way to get there – through the portal of prayer and meditation.

Through prayer and meditation we can transcend the worries of this world, and Psalm 27 is as good of a place as any to begin. He is our light cutting through the darkness and depression. He is our Salvation, seriously, whom shall we fear? He's got us in the palm of His hands and nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus. Truly, I would have lost heart time and time again, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

When everything is falling apart...press into the prize: oneness with God. Him in us – us in Him. Everything is better together. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 27

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek." Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!

Tiffany Ann Lewis
Dancing with the Flame of the Lord Ministries
Email: tiffanyann@tiffanyannlewis.com

The call of the businessman

In the ancient middle-east, commerce took place at the city gates. If you had any business to conduct that is where you would go. Represented there at the gates, alongside of the leading merchants, were the spiritual voices of that town along with the judiciary. These three groups comprised the elders of the city. We see here a foundation of prophetic, wisdom, and finance. These three must come together once again in our culture.

There is a call going forth to the millennial generation. God is calling many of them to the realm of business. God wants to create a funding structure for the Church. There is a flexibility that is created when churches have businessmen (and women) that they can turn to for special projects. Many great movements (The Call comes to mind) and ministries have been birthed because God laid it on the heart of a few wealthy businesspeople to donate significant sums of money.

But these businesspeople will not just be conduits of wealth. They will impact society as they create it. They will correct much of the injustice that permeates much of large corporate America. They will ensure that proper labor practices are followed overseas. They will create businesses and run departments that glorify God. Whatever their heart finds to do will be done as an act of worship to God. This is where wisdom and justice has to meet business and economics.

In addition, these businesspeople will be a great asset to the Church. They will improve the stewardship of resources within the Church. But they won't do things as the world does. For the kingdom way often confounds the wise. This is where the prophetic comes in. At times they will give away entire fortunes. At times they will walk away from successful business ventures. But all of this will be under the leading of the Holy Spirit. The same God that gave Abraham, Jacob, and Job enormous wealth building abilities will release it over this generation.

God gave Solomon great wisdom. Solomon used this wisdom to create wealth. Kings and queens came from throughout the earth to view the wealth of Solomon. May this happen once again. May the wealth of the world come into the Kingdom. And may the world come to the Church and see the glory of God. There are those businesspeople being raised up right now who will shine that light of God's glory as beacons in this world.

The New Nazarites

A number of years ago there was a movement of the Spirit in which many young people took the vow of a nazarite. A nazarite is one who has decided to set himself (or herself) apart for God. You can read the details of an Old Testament nazarite in Numbers chapter six. I was one of those young men. For 18 months I didn't cut my hair, drink alcohol, or consume anything from the grape. During this period of time I devoted myself to the call of revival at Cal State Fullerton. It was an amazing time of zeal, passion, and fire for the Kingdom of Heaven. Through various circumstances I felt led to end that vow and to take a step back from that particular assignment.

Recently I have been feeling the stirrings of the nazarite once again. This time it is going to look different but the idea of consecration is the same. I have decided to go to Sacramento on Labor Day weekend to renew my vows of consecration. Thousands of others will be doing the same in the place of the sacrament that weekend. But this time it will be different. It will not be accompanied (for myself that is) with an outer sign as before. It will merely be a lifestyle of consecration.

The nazarites of old were voices crying out in the wilderness. They exemplified the spirits of Samson and Elijah- they called a generation back to God. They lived their lives in radical obedience. There is a new company of nazarites arising in this hour. They will live their lives with the same kind of radical obedience as the long-haired ones. They will have the same passion and zeal for purity as those who paved the way. But they will be voices within the culture. They will live in the world but not of it. They will be as Daniel of old. Daniel adopted the language, dress, and culture of the Chaldeans. But he was still that voice of consecration.

These are the new Nazarites! They will take their stand for purity wherever they are. They will arise from the ranks of business, entertainment, fashion, politics, government, and education. They will devote their lives to seeing the Kingdom of Heaven be made manifest. They will take their stand against injustice and give their lives in intercession. I have chosen to respond to this call. I have decided to place my life on the altar of surrender. It was a choice I made some time ago but it is a vow that I am renewing at this time. What is the Lord calling you to do?

The Spirit of Samson

God is raising up the Samsons in this day. These are those who will take the fight to the enemy. Samson wasn't content with waiting for the Philistines to attack. Rather he went to their strongholds and defeated them. In the same way we are called to go into the places of the enemy. To tear down the gates of their strongholds and expose their nakedness.

Will you allow yourself to be used in a style of warfare that most Christians will be uncomfortable with? Your methods will not be conventional. The religious ones will condemn you. Even you will not understand much of it. God will have you do things that are impossible to understand. He will have you do things that may even appear wrong. This is the spirit of Samson.

But in all of this do not forget your weaknesses. Do not allow yourself to compromise. Be ruled completely by the Spirit of God. Do not allow your destiny to be sidetracked. But do not be discouraged- for you will live out that destiny. It belongs to you and no one will even take that from you.

Don't focus on what the enemy is doing. Don't be distracted by the schemes of the devil. But be focused on what God is doing. Keep your gaze upon Him. Move when His Spirit falls upon you in power. When He stirs within you go and grab ahold of the gates. Expose the enemy for who he is. Bring confusion into the camps of the enemy. Destroy the structures of darkness.

The Dominion Mandate

At the beginning of time God spoke to Adam and told him to take dominion of the entire earth. Adam, and his descendants, were to tame and subdue the wilds of nature. They were to be fruitful and fill this earth with those who carried the image of God. Thousands of years later Christ instructed His disciples with a similar mandate- to go forth to the ends of the earth making disciples of all nations. In this new mandate we are to go forth and spread the light of the Kingdom wherever we go. These two mandates go hand in hand. As we go forth we are to be fruitful and multiply, both literally and spiritually. It is not enough to make converts but we are to raise up disciples capable of raising others up as well. Our mandate will not be complete until the whole world hears and there are worshippers from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

We must make a Kingdom impact on all spheres of society. It isn't enough to simply touch every nation. We must touch every part of that nation. Government, business, entertainment, education, the arts, and sports must all be brought underneath the Lordship of Christ. It isn't enough to simply make converts- we must transform those spheres so that they reflect the glory of God.

God is raising up those who will go to those spheres of influence. Those people will see these spheres as their mission field. They will give their lives to reaching those spheres. They will intercede daily for those places. They will love the people in those spheres. They will demonstrate excellence as they labor. They will win favor as Daniel, Joseph, and Nehemiah did. The world will not see them as missionaries. Most of the Church will not either. They will see them as businesspeople, artists, actors, teachers, politicians, and athletes. But their mandate will be as glory carriers. They will transform those spheres and bring them under the dominion of the Kingdom.

Bringing these spheres of society underneath the dominion of Christ is something more than mere conversions. But rather it is going in and being people of excellence and being the movers and shakers of those realms. It wasn't enough for Daniel to be an intercessor and a minister to those around him. But Daniel rose in favor among those in power and became one of the most trusted advisors to several kings. Daniel made his mark on society. In the same way we must pursue excellence in every field that God calls us to.

Are you a teacher? Then be one of the best- pour yourself into your students. Accountants, be one of the shrewdest yet honest accountants around. Coaches! Create winning teams. Politicians, rise up as shining stars of light. Actors, pursue excellence in your work. People have listened to men of faith such as Ronald Reagan and John Wooden because of what they accomplished- not because of their faith. Your character and relationship with God will get you to that place. Be the one who is honored in the city gates.

The Prophetic Uprising

A couple of years ago I had a vision of a mountain range. In this vision I saw prophets being placed upon the peaks of this range. When they had taken their place they could see the prophets on nearby mountains. I knew that the Lord was speaking that the time in the caves had ended and that the prophets were going to become visible once again. The prophets were not going to feel isolated any longer. There was a release of power and authority as well at this time.

Recently, the Lord has been speaking of another uprising that is taking place. This is an uprising in the valleys where the people live. The prophets have declared that this is a new season and this declaration has been heard by the bones that are dry. God is renewing the prophetic within His church. We will see the prophetic arise in power once again. The prophetic will become abundant once again as we see prophecy become commonplace. No longer will it be unusual to hear the voice of God. With this move there will be another release of power and authority. As the prophetic becomes commonplace God will be promoting many of His faithful prophets who have endured faithfully during the past season. There will be a shifting in their ministries as God moves them into a greater prophetic role.

God has called His people to be a prophetic people. He desires all of us to prophesy. He desires all of us to chase after His heart and to speak what He is saying. No longer will this communion be left to those who hold the office of prophet. Will you hear this call? Will you respond? Will you choose to live the priestly prophetic life? God is calling His people to live according to His heart. Will we be willing to live in perfect communion with Christ's heart? This is our commission as priests to the God Most High.