In this issue:
God’s Heart of Sadness - Our strategic Mt. Carmel moment continues!
Look for Linda’s new book arriving this summer about the Prophetic Prayer Journey to Iowa’s 99 county courthouses. It’s strategic for this hour!
A Communion Prayer - for the Easter season.
Linda and Mike Schreurs
Fresh Air!
One thing about living in the Midwest, you’re exceptionally glad when spring comes! I just can’t imagine people in the southwestern portion of the US getting too excited over spring time arriving. After all, they live in the warmer climates all year round. But here in Iowa, after being shut in for months, breathing in fresh, fragrant, clean, sunshine-filled springtime air is invigorating! It’s a natural high! It puts a smile on your face and a ‘spring’ in your step.
Staying fresh in your daily walk with the Lord will also put a spring in your step! Partake of the Bread of His Presence without fail within each 24 hour day in order
to retain your strength and anointing in Him. Eat of His Living Manna in the Holy
Scriptures every day. Psalm 92:10 says, “But Thou hast exalted my horn like that of
the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.”
If you want the exhilaration of growing more in the things of God, then your Christian life must be lived in fresh oil. Keep seeking, knocking, asking, looking, listening and learning. Keep an attitude of insatiable hunger for knowing the heart of the Lord in ever-increasing degrees.
There is another reason to stay fresh in our revelations and encounters with the Lord. Every spiritual warrior must have his shield, his heart, oiled for protection against the evil one. King Saul’s demise is a good example of not staying fresh in the anointing of God. It is sadly spoken of in 2 Samuel 1:21b, “…For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.” These words, spoken from a heart of grief from King David, give testimony to what happens when daily prayer and reading of God’s Word is neglected. One can easily lapse into being backslidden, thus becoming vulnerable to enemy onslaughts.
Saints, let’s stay fresh in the Lord!
Linda Schreurs
GOD’S HEART OF SADNESS
My heart sank to new depths of sadness and I became nauseous as the fresh springtime air was afoul with an unholy judgment from the Iowa Supreme Court. The verdict - Iowa became the third state to sanction gay marriage on April 3, 2009. This is NOT simply a civil issue. It is a moral one. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Prvb. 13:12) “My soul, my soul! I am in anguish! Oh, my heart! My heart is pounding in me; I cannot be silent, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.” (Jer. 4:19)
My immediate prayer that day was for God to have mercy on us. “Reverse the curse, O God!” I began to tremble and it was as much internally as outwardly. I shook for most of the day as though I were a woman in labor. I felt like Eli’s daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, in 2 Samuel 4. Upon hearing the Ark of the Covenant of God had been taken by the Philistines, she died giving birth. It wasn’t the labor that killed her. Scripture says it was the pain of the Ark being defiled! Thus, while groaning within her body and soul, she called her son, ‘Ichabod.’ It means, “The glory has departed.” This is a fearsome thing that has taken place in our land!
Reverential fear
I sensed a reverential fear of our Almighty God who created those dear people who made these unrighteous decrees. They will discover sooner or later, one way or the other, their Maker is the First Word and the Last Word. He is the Alpha and the Omega. (Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13) Who were they to redefine God’s holy covenant from the foundation of the world?! “They do not know nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” (Jer. 82:5) This whole book of Jeremiah ought to be read at this precarious hour of humanity. There is now a heavy weight upon these judges with eternal consequences unless they repent. Let’s pray they do.
CPR
Iowa is my home state, my cherished homeland. But now, an incomprehensible travesty has happened in the very heartland of America. The heartbeat of this nation is now in critical condition. If ever there was a need for spiritual CPR, it is now - Christ Performing Resuscitation! Life as we’ve known it for millennia with God’s holy covenant of marriage is now on the chopping block. It’s not just happening here, but globally.
The people of God need to be on high alert! Our country is quickly losing the Christian foundations of which it was founded. That shouldn’t surprise most of us. However, we may not fully realize our ‘rights’ are ebbing away faster than we can imagine.
Make a difference
Isn’t it time we step up to the plate and begin making a difference in our society? We cannot remain silent as often as we have. Our Bible tells us the Kingdom of God is taken by force. (Matt. 11:12) It means holy aggression in our commitment of love and truth in taking a stand against unrighteousness. God bless those brave hearts that do so through many avenues, but especially politically, because it can mean persecution.
No doubt the Lord has taken note. All things are recorded by Father God. (Daniel 7:10; Rev. 20:12) May He gloriously bless them! “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.” (Malachi 3:16) What’s being recorded in your behalf?
There’s an old saying, “When good men are silent, evil prevails.” What a travesty. So let’s ask ourselves, what are our lives speaking?
Perhaps these ungodly judgments will begin to awaken the sleeping giant of Christianity in America ushering in a fresh breeze of revival! Let’s recommit ourselves to more prayer for the Kingdom of God to come, that His rule and reign will begin to pour over every state in this nation. Many dear hearts need an epiphany more than ever!
Armageddon Bride
Who is the true bride? Who is the true groom? Who is the real Bride of Christ? I’ve written a whole book on this subject. It’s called: Armageddon Bride. Get it today! I did not choose to write this book. I was compelled to do so by the Holy Spirit ‘for a time such as this’! The Lord is truly coming back for a Bride without spot or wrinkle, without compromise or contamination. (Eph. 5:27) She will be pure. She will be filled with fiery passion for her Divine Beloved Bridegroom. She will have the holy fear of God upon her as none other!
Sadly, these ungodly judgments are edging us dangerously close to the precipice of the cliff where the epic battle of the ages is looming closer than ever.
During this holy season of Easter and Resurrection power, I merge my heart’s cry with my Beloved Savior, Jesus. His gut-wrenching, torturous voice went heavenward to God the Father screaming out in pain, agony and desperation: “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken Me?!”
Maybe this is why I began to shake for hours after the Iowa Supreme Court Justices handed down their ungodly decree regarding God’s holy covenant of marriage. The pain of separation from the Lord by not standing for His Divine Truth is a scary thing! It puts one’s soul in jeopardy.
Nevertheless my heart is encouraged during this Easter season. There is indeed Resurrection power! Hallelujah! We need fervent prayers at this time that many will have their eyes and hearts open. Pray they will take hold of their divine destiny through the saving power of the Lamb of God.
Divine Court
All those who believe in the Lord Jesus know there is a Higher Court! It is conducted by our Eternal Godhead who will have the just, righteous, truthful and restorative last word. The Divine Court is recording these things for our viewing upon our departure from this earth. Which side of the ledger will we be on? Life or death? Paradise or pit?
The hell of separation
During this Passover/Easter season, I can’t help but think of the depths of sorrow that invaded the Son of God’s heart as he hung on the Cross for our sins. Inept is human language to describe this horror of unspeakable pain. His horrendous cry bemoans the hell of separation from God. But His sacrifice rent the veil separating earthly things into heavenly things for all who will enter in through repentance at Calvary’s Cross. (Rom. 10:8-11) The Eternal Righteous Judge has spoken. He Himself is the eternal conclusion! He is the way, the truth and the life.
We must wake up! We must be on high alert! We must know the hour in which we live. The shakings have begun! The heart throb in the heartland of America, with these unrighteous judgments, is now thumping with demonic pulses into men’s hearts everywhere. Spiritual pollution has crept into the landscape. Lord, have mercy!
Where are they?
Who will stand, at the cost of their lives, reputations, homes and careers professing righteousness, holiness and purity of God’s ordained covenant of marriage? Forget political correctness. Seek spiritual godly, holy, Biblical correctness!
Jesus signed the deed for our spiritual inheritance for all those who will repent of their sins. This is for church members as well as people of the world. Scripture tells us we have all fallen short of the glory of God. (John 3:16; Rom. 3:23) This is not only about gays and lesbians (Rom. 1:18-32), but adulterers, liars, murderers, corrupt judges, gossipers, deceivers, cheaters, thieves (two were crucified with Christ!) or those filled with pride, rebellion, and the list of sins goes on and on. The deed of salvation, signed in Blood at Calvary, is for ALL of us. Each one of us needs a sorrowing spirit of repentance to leave our wretchedness behind. Have you and I repented? Do we LOVE with His love?
Have we read the entire Bible? Do we read it regularly? If not, we could very well be opening ourselves up to half truths, diluted truths. This is dangerous! It’s time we look into these matters straight on.
Who will be your judge?! Decide this day who you will serve. (Deut. 30; Joshua 24:15)
Sands of time
Each one of us needs to turn from our waywardness before the sands of time run out. Remember, how the Lord wrote in the sand when the adulteress was being readied for death by stoning? (John 8:1-11) The line of demarcation in the sand no doubt meant ‘her time’ had arrived. She was at death’s door and at that precarious moment, she was given the opportunity to choose her eternal destiny.
Her repentant, tearful gaze into the holy, loving eyes of her Savior, Jesus, spoke volumes. She knew she had to follow Him! She chose wisely. Listen closely to the Lord’s divine commissioning upon her life, “Go, and sin no more.” A new lifestyle had begun in her life. Wow!
We all have this commission. We can all start over again no matter what our sins have been. Let us depart immediately from unrighteousness and live unto God in full and complete surrender to His will and to His ways.
Let’s not just re-enact the miracles of Easter. Let’s LIVE them! Jesus is ALIVE, now and forevermore! May we witness the glorious miracle of thousands of new spiritual births! It is after all, spring time. Let the new come forth in full blossom. Pray for your friends and family as never before. Let this be a springtime goal as you’re planting new flowers, shrubs and trees.
Mount Carmel Moment
The sands of time as humanity has known it for millennia, is fast approaching closure. Armageddon’s fight is at our doorstep and the true Bride of Christ will be revealed. We are now, as Lou Engle (of The Call) says - at a Mount Carmel moment in history. 1 Kings 18:20-21 says: “So Ahab sent a message among all the sons of Israel, and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the people did not answer him a word.” Fire came down and judgment was swift. This kind of silence is deadly. Make your stand now.
Just as the Israelites in the above passage, we too must decide whose side we are on. Our own Mount Carmel moment is now at hand. We have to decide this day who we will serve - God or the Baals of this world? Fire is in the air! (vs. 38)
Also, in this powerful passage of scripture is the miracle of a deluge of rain after years of drought. (vs. 41-46) Many of God’s people in America have been crying out for a fresh move of God upon our land. It has been encouraging to see hot spots here and there. But much of the spiritual landscape has been dry far too long. Can a deluge of fresh, revival rain be on the horizon for us? I believe it is!
Strategic
Mt. Carmel moments are strategic! They’re times of decision. It’s a place of demarcation upon God’s people where they witness His manifest power in glorious ways. In this same chapter of I Kings take note of how Elijah outran Ahab’s chariot because of God’s anointing on him. He was empowered beyond any Olympic champion. He outran horses!
Another Mt. Carmel moment is seen in 1 Samuel 25. Abigail’s husband, Nabal, acted unwisely scorning King David and his men. Therefore, the king was preparing to destroy this man’s whole household and all that he owned. This beautiful, humble woman of God intercedes for her family thereby saving them all including her husband’s business.
In 2 Kings Chapter 4 is yet another spectacular Mt. Carmel encounter. In this portion of scripture, the prophet, Elisha, is used by the Lord to bring a little boy back to life. What a powerful resurrection!
Finally, look in Isaiah 35where it speaks of profuse blossoms in the wilderness…and how the majesty of Carmel and Sharon will be displayed. It speaks of the splendor of God, the joy of the redeemed, and the way of holiness. They will enter Zion with singing, overtaken with gladness as sorrow and sighing flees from them. Glory!
My prayer for you and me during this Easter season and this Mt. Carmel moment in history is for our faith to advocate the Lord’s Resurrection. It is the miraculous power to change a heart, healing brokenness in mind, body, soul, and spirit. It is the power to restore us to a right relationship to God.
May the Lily of the Valleys and the Sweet Rose of Sharon bestow brilliantly fragrant bouquets of profound blessings over each one of us! Hallelujah! (Song of S. 2:1)
Communion Prayer
By Linda Schreurs
Taking the bread:
My heart pounds for Thee My Beloved Redeemer! My heart pounds frantically deep within. Your love covers me, cleanses me and I’m aghast at such profound love for me! Ohhh…Thy Body, so pure and holy, tortured for my ugly sins. My God! My God! How can this be that you would allow Yourself to undergo this horrendous pain and agony?! I simply cannot fathom it. It causes my whole being to tremble in holy fear of Thee.
I do desire the pleasure of Your company, Your divine Presence that soothes my very being. I do desire Thee! I bow low before Thee, and lower still. There is nothing I desire except You. You are my utmost fulfilling joy. I love you!
Taking the cup:
What holy, holy blood! Yours…the only body ever created to full perfection! {without sin;} The very Word of God, made flesh and who dwelt among us. (2 Cor. 5:21; John 1)
…How could they do this to you?! My own sins brought this horrid devastation upon You. I seek forgiveness for every fiber of my being. Cleanse and purify me to walk in the light of Your Resurrection glory and power. May Thy holy blood lift me up far above this contaminated pit I’ve wallowed in.
Oh Lamb of God, I stand in awe of Thy amazingly powerful redeeming love. It takes my breath away as I fall before You and love You back with all that is within me. I adore You! How magnificent is Your holy Body and Blood! Praise You! Praise You forever and ever and ever!
Amen!