"Go...Join Thyself to This Chariot"

"The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'" (Acts 8:29, NIV)

Last evening I had an experience which most Followers of Jesus have I'm sure.  During a session last evening, just around dark, I noticed a young man on a bicycle who had stopped not far outside the tent.  Okay, nothing unusual; many people have been doing that.  But later, I looked back again, and he was still there.  I couldn't see his face, but his observance had an intensity about it which caught my attention; so, as normal, I suppose, I would look back again from time to time.  I had the strongest "urge" to go talk to him; he just seemed very interested, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."  I did.  He works for the Navy and lives not far from the tent site; he was out riding and heard the music.  I told him a little of what was going on, no "Four Spiritual Laws;" maybe I should have.  I did invite him, however, to come back and pray he does.

Our text is not necessarily a precedent of all encounters with unbelievers, but neither should it be as infrequent as it tends to be with me.  This encounter and leading of the Holy Spirit was so strong that I want to renew my efforts to be more like Philip.  Watch today.  There just may be more of these encounters awaiting us "out there" than most of us imagine.  Remember the one who saw you, prayed for you, and "encountered" you?  It was my Dad for me who introduced me to Jesus, but it was a dock laborer who placed two books in my hand which ultimately brought me into the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and my Mother-in-Law who sent me Brother Andrew's book, God's Smuggler, which too, changed my life.  It is an awesome privilege and responsibility that we are someone's "Philip."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for my friend and me today that we just be more aware today.  Amen.
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Twelve hour days of worship and intercession (with just a few "breaks") can be very tiring; blessed tiredness.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Unless the Lord," All Is, "Vain"

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

This is true of this city, your city, or any city in the world, and of our churches, families, businesses, well, etc. 

Taking a break from "the front."  While praying in my spirit in the Holy Spirit this morning, I looked at the White House and "saw" the scene from the film, "Independence Day," where the White House is blown up from the top.  I'm am not making any prophetic declaration; just sharing what I "saw."

Be sure to visit us on Facebook today for some Yom Kippur reminders for Jew and Gentile alike.  Our text is a constant reminder to anyone who dares imagine we do what we do, and affect anything because of who we are in ourselves.  The only reason anything is accomplished through our prayers, intercessions, supplications and worship is our servant-relationship in Jesus Christ.  If we are not in such a servant-relationship in Jesus Christ, anything which follows is, "in vain."

You can be assured today that if you are in a servant-relationship in Jesus Christ, you do not, "labor in vain."  On the contrary, all you do today, and the rest of your life will be, "....the Lord builds the house," and, "the Lord guards the city...."

Father, in Jesus' Name, You are the Watchman; You are the Builder.  Keep me in You.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

The Beginning

"And the Lord said to Moses: 'Tell your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the Mercy Seat which is on the ark....And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering.  But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness."  (From Leviticus 16)

One might say that the first goat die a merciful death, the last, a horrible death, probably torn apart by some wild beast.  Such is the result of sin; such is the penalty to pay for sin; such is what our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled on His Cross.  Leviticus 16 is a wonderfully complete revelation of the Day of Atonement.

I am now in my hotel room on Yom Kippur.  It is fitting that the 24/7/40 "worship watch" begins on Yom Kippur, a day whose "central themes are repentance and atonement."  This, one could say, is the theme of Jesus' time in Israel while in His Earthly Body.  "Repent," was the first recorded pubic word of Jesus.  As for Atonement, the cry, "It is finished," from the Cross marked the end of man's slavery to sin.  All who trust Jesus, cling to Jesus, and rely on Jesus are no longer under the penalty of sin.  Rather, what Jesus said to the repentant thief He says to all who receive and obey Him, "Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise."  I pray you take great comfort in the reality of the atonement of our sin. 1 John 2:2 says, "And He [Jesus] Himself is the propitiation (literally, "atoning sacrifice") for our sins...."    

Four people made it possible for me to stay in the closest hotel to "David's Tent."  I thank them so much.  It is way out of my "league," but I pray I will be worthy of their investment.  I am still praying about my time in the tent, some day time, some night time.  I was already out last night and today "engaged."  The tent is supposed to be up some time later today.  I do plan, however, to be each evening in the 19:00-21:00 corporate emphasis time (Below is the schedule).  I got to spend quite a bit of time with Jason earlier today and we both took note again of just how literally we were/are in sight of, and were in sight of, the White House.  The President cannot help but know what is going on just outside the "South Lawn."  As the leaves fall from the trees, the view both ways will be even greater.  One of the US Park Authority personnel said to Jason, "We ought to plan for this again next year."  The "favor" with government officials has been great.

I ask that wherever you are and wherever your "world" has you in the coming days, that you take a few moments to remember us here in the Capitol of the nation which King Jesus has used to be Israel's friend and greatest benefactor, which King Jesus has used for nearly 100 years to keep the global anarchists and tyrants at bay.  This is not pride as an American citizen; this is fact, a fact which should make all Americans  thankful and walk in humility-------------- "America, America, God shed His grace on Thee."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for Your so very great and faithful provision which has allowed me to be here.  Amen.
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Timeline of David's Tent:

September 25 from 7-9pm – Opening Ceremony at David's Tent; Yom Kippur begins

This will  be a time of commissioning David's Tent and Dedicating Washington DC to the Lordship of Jesus.  We will take communion together in honor of Jesus' Blood, the Atonement for all sin.

September 25 from 9pm through September 26 at 7pm – Yom Kippur observed

Silent Reflection on the efficacy of the atonement blood of Jesus for all sins of America

September 26 at 7pm 

Strike up the band to begin the 40-day-and-night continuous love song to Jesus!

Daily, September 27-November 5

7am – 9pm Stage-led worship teams changing every 2 hours.
9pm-7am Unplugged night watch, with stage-led worship teams changing every 2 hours
7pm-9pm Each night we will have a main corporate worship set.  We encourage attendees to gather together en masse every night for a more-corporate time, 7-9pm, but please come all other hours as well!

November 5 from 7pm-9pm

The Final worship set of David's Tent DC

November 5 from 9pm- 9am

Unplugged Night Watch
The After-party: Exodus 33:11 says that even after the main meeting with God was over and Moses left the Lord's presence to return to camp, Joshua stayed in the presence of God…

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2