DANCE OF FIRE

I wrote the content on this blog with sincere and holy intentions with the knowledge that I had at the time... We live, learn and amend...as errors are exposed and more truths are revealed...

Only GOD is perfect. It's vital that you seek the Lord to expose any errors that you've embraced. Please ask Him to expose any areas of darkness to you and for what is necessary to do to dispossess what's NOT of truth.

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POETRY: DANCE OF FIRE

Flames of fire dance joyfully as dreams of fervor conjure up images of red hot passion for the gusto of life.

Sizzle, spark, explode -

Fireballs light up the sky. Wow! a thunder flash with a clap -

The flames are vivid with the awesome glow of orange colors blended with yellow highlights that accent the blaze.

This display is the bomb torched with a rocket plan. Such rapture has lit our fire. We are dynamite on this journey.

Come on fire, fall on us. Pour your liquid potency. Ignite our souls that we may be engulfed with magnified intensity.

Blow up our hearts. Dance with us....

Sandra

Copyright 2010

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

HAIL! THERE'S A LION IN THE LAMB




Isaiah 42:13 - KJV

The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man,
he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war:
he shall cry, yea, roar;
he shall prevail against his enemies.

Greetings -

Scriptures are from the King James Bible, except 1 Corinthians 13:2, which is from the Amplified Bible.

John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Revelation 5:5
..behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda,...  

Proverbs 30:30
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

1 Corinthians 13:2 - AMP
...but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing...

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, ...

Isaiah 49:2
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword;

Luke 1:80
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing...

Recently, our Lord emphasized to me that JESUS is a Lamb, and a Lion - both are representative of His character.  The composition of our characters should reflect the attributes of both, as well.  

Typically, in many circles, including religious ones, emphasis is placed on the lamb characteristics of JESUS.  I obtained from The New Oxford American Dictionary, Second Edition, the following definitions:

- Lamb - figurative - used as the epitome of meekness, gentleness, or innocence

- Lionhearted - brave and determined

People who desire to continue in their sin habits favor the lamb qualities of JESUS, and His followers.  Seldom do they desire the lion qualities.  The Lion roars, and is bold, brave and determined.  Many folks are just not feeling the jungle fever.  They'd rather camp in the pastures where gentleness strokes them.  In extreme, neither represents the balance of life. 

It is absolute that GOD is love.  The depth of His love motions is beyond our finite ability to comprehend.  But this much I KNOW - GOD's love is not confined to whispers, blessings, and gentle strokes.  GOD also warns, shouts, roars, and renders punishment for evil sinful actions.  He is not mocked.  If we sow to the Spirit, we reap life.  If we sow to death, that is what we reap.  To be spiritually minded is life and peace.  The proof is in the Holy Bible where we can read about the FULL gospel.  This earth is full of walking "dead" people.  We must thrive in GOD to witness life to them.  

Let's visit Luke where it describes John the Baptist.  It states in Luke 1:80 that he "was in the deserts till the day of his shewing."  When John came out of the deserts, he was not timid.  He was lionhearted.  This is just some of what he said, Luke 3:7-9, when he came out, "...O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance,...  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

What was the response to John's fiery rhetoric?  Luke 3:10,12,14 answers that.  Verse 10, "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?  Verse 12, Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?  Verse 14, And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?"   As we go further, we read in verse 19 that John reproved King Herod for having his brother's wife, and "for all the evils which Herod had done."  Wow!  John came out in full blast, didn't he?  His utterances sound like lion roar "speak" to me. 

Now let's visit the book of The Acts.  This is what Peter had to say to a man in The Acts 8:21,22, "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."  And in The Acts 13:10, Paul had this to say, "...O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?"  When the magistrates sent to let Paul and Silas out of prison "privily," Paul spoke these words in The Acts 16:37, "...They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily, but let them come themselves and fetch us out."  What did the magistrates do?  The Acts 16:39 answers that question.  It states, "And they came and besought them, and brought them out,..."

Here I will share several of my experiences.  We need to watch the company that we keep.  Years ago, when I was backslidden, a dear Christian mentor of mine informed me that, due to my spiritual condition, she could not engage with me anymore.  As long as I was outside of our Lord's will, we couldn't be friends.  I respected her for her choice to choose GOD'S will.  Romans 16:17 says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them."  I must mention here that our Lord does expect us to engage, as He leads, with those who need to be exposed to our lights for purposes of the gospel.  But we must watch to practice, as well, what it states in 1 Corinthians 5:11, "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."  

During my last shelter experience, one night I was in jungle fever mode when I was talking to some people there.  The lion in me was in motion.  Well, at one point, I said more than the Lion of Juda deemed acceptable.  As soon as I got to my assigned room, the Holy Spirit convicted me, and told me that I had to go to those people to seek forgiveness.  Immediately, I did as He instructed.  Another day, some months ago, again, I was wearing my lion's "mane," though not on a high energy level.  I was on the bus and was engaged in a pleasant conversation with a Christian woman who I had never seen before.  Before she boarded, I had been engaged in conversation with the bus driver about something.  I had disengaged with him and began to talk with her.  A few minutes later, I  resumed communication with the bus driver.  At a certain point, I got out of order in my communication with him.  The Christian woman rebuked me.  I cannot recall what she said but I do remember that it was only a few short quick words spoken with authority.  Right away, I  knew that GOD had spoke through her mouth to my ears.  Immediately, after she uttered those words of rebuke, I shifted gears and got back into holy formation.  Thank GOD for people who do lion duties.      

Last week I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes make a statement that had a profound impact on me.  He stated, "JESUS had one Judas out of 12 disciples.  Many pastors today have 11 Judas' out of 12 disciples."  Also recently I read this phrase, "...new levels of cruelty and intimidation."  When I read that, our Lord quickened my spirit.  He reminded me of the scripture in 2 Timothy 3:13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."  He also alerted me to the scripture that follows that one.  It says, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;"

Our Lord encouraged me with His truth that though evil people shall become colder and colder for their father, the devil - holy people shall become hotter and hotter for our Father, GOD, and His worthy righteous causes.  Thank you, Lord!  As I mentioned earlier this week in another post, we can be surrounded by "polar bears."  The Lion in our hearts can keep us warm, determined and assured.  The heat that burns in us will cause some of those polar bears to come in from the cold.  They will be drawn to the Son shine that glows from the SOURCE - CREATOR, Almighty GOD!

Some of us have come out of the deserts for our shewing.  Thanks be unto GOD for our seasons with Him "in the trenches."  We have no intentions of being on the ropes while Satan pummels us
with his viciousness.  No, we are not pushovers for the kingdom of darkness.  We choose not to "buy" what he is "selling."  The devil shall not bully us into submission for engagement in his dark deeds.  

Our Lord has pinned on me my revenger badge.  He has done the same for others, as well.  2 Corinthians 10:6 says, "And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."  Romans 13:4 says, "...But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."  And in 1 Corinthians 4:21, Paul asks this question, "What will ye?  shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?"  GOD issues His revenger badges to those who have sufficiently learned to love, and that includes love for those who oppose GOD.  But of course, we know that GOD, in His sovereignty, can use any means for His revenge purposes.  Back in the day, I rebuked people from a posture of self-righteousness.  Love was NOT in the mix.  GOD did NOT give me a revenger badge until He had humbled me.  He taught me to love to an extent that He can trust me to use said badge in holy ways.  Certainly, GOD trusts His faithful that are in every part of His blessed earth.  Life is a journey and we must continue to learn and to teach.

Of course, we all have our flesh "moments" and need to repent and forsake that which displeases our Lord.  But if we routinely walk with JESUS, He trusts us with His best.  1 Corinthians 2:14,15 says, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,..."

There is much that I don't understand about the matter of Lamb and Lion.  GOD "wired" some of His children to have more lamb characteristics than lion, and some to have more lion characteristics than lamb.  But I do believe that none of us should have an extreme of one or the other.  May GOD help us all to know wisely that "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1.      

As for me, our Lord has made it abundantly clear - I am, mostly, in the jungle with the rest of the feline creations.  But we deeply love those who our Lord has wired to, mostly, be in lamb mode.  Only GOD knows precisely where we all belong, and how we fit into His MASTER plan.  None of GOD's missions are in vain.  All of His followers perform vital assignments.  When our Lord "marshals His troops" there is a formidable formation against the powers of darkness.      

This is my roar out:

GOD wound us up and "jack is out of the box" to set it off in the name of JESUS!  Squeeze us and out comes JESUS juice.  This is how we roll, people.  Oh yes, this is how we roll!

2 Samuel 3:1
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 

Sandra

Written Wednesday February 23, 2011 

Copyright 2012

Notes:

- Invitation: Come Flourish with Me - United, We Make Things Happen.

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- This piece, Hail!, There's a Lion in the Lamb" is available in my $4.99 e-book titled, Warfare Solutions Loaded with the Lion of Judah.

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24 comments:

  1. Hi Clint -

    Thank you...

    Love that "Amen."

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  2. This is very, very powerful. Wow!!!! So awesome. My personal interpretation is that the lion and the lamb is a prophetic picture of the two sided coin of judgment and mercy. Jesus has both characteristics in perfect balance, and we in our humanity simply do not. Sometimes, more often than not, we can get out of balance. My hubby is definitely a lion, and I am definitely a lamb. He is a prophet type, who sees things in black and white and has a strong sense of justice. I am more inclined to see the gray areas and would like to apply mercy. I think both areas can get out of balance, which is perhaps one reason why God put us together! :) Together we can get that balance, if we can figure out how to use it to our advantage! :)

    I think the Church has gotten out of balance too...yes, God is Love, but He is indeed also a righteous judge. He does not play around, the Gospel is serious, serious business. We end up swinging from one extreme to the other and not finding the point of balance. It can be tough! It requires deep surrender to the Holy Spirit...paying the price for the anointing! Some people don't want to pay the price. It's hard. One of the things I pray for my hubby is for a revelation of God's love, and that he can exercise his judgments and discernments in a spirit of love...I think that will help him be tempered. As for me, I need the opposite, lol! I need to be more lionhearted in certain areas.

    I also think of the verse that says "wise as serpents and harmless as doves”. There is another paradox! Or, in the words of Muhammed Ali, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. We have to really be close to Jesus in order to truly walk in His ways!!!

    (Oh, and I took your advice and typed this in a word document first!!!! Thanks for the tip!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sandra, this is an awesome post. Amen! Unfortunately what T.D. Jakes said about the 11 out of 12 disciples is probably true.

    We can not expect the unsaved to just turn from sin, yet we do need to confront them with it in a loving manner and show them the way to forgiveness through Jesus. We do need a balance between the Lion and the Lamb.

    May God bless you and thank you for sharing this amazing post.

    Ken

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  4. Greetings -

    Thank you for visiting and commenting.

    @Mining for Diamonds
    You stated some potent truths indeed. In particular, I was struck by the following that you expressed: "It requires deep surrender to the Holy Spirit...paying the price for the anointing!

    "We have to really be close to Jesus in order to truly walk in His ways!!!"

    Yes, I wholly agree, Mining for Diamonds, that there is a price to pay for the anointing. Isn't it so absolutely worth it? There is nothing greater than being a delight to our Father GOD!

    You are certainly welcome for the tip.

    @Ken
    Glad you found the post to be awesome. We know that our GOD is an awesome GOD. Praise His holy name!

    Interesting what you stated about T.D. Jakes' comment. That is something else, isn't it? The reality of that is something else...

    Yes, I agree Ken, with your solid truth, "We do need a balance between the Lion and the Lamb."

    May GOD bless you, as well. You are certainly welcome. It was my pleasure to do the post.
    To our GOD be the glory.

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  5. My sister, Sandra, is breaking out the warrior talk again!! Loving it!

    I'd have to say that I have more lamb characteristics, and that's OK. But I am beginning to see, more and more, that even lambs have to take a firm stand and speak out. Times are short, and whether we bleat or roar, we must proclaim the message of Jesus' Good News!

    We all have vital assignments - and we must follow courageously. We are a formidable formation against the powers of darkness. After all, they're all just a bunch of chickens...

    GOD BLESS!

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  6. Hi Sharon -

    Yes, we must go warrior, as our Lord leads...

    Satan is determined...

    We must be more determined to walk with JESUS and to do precisely as He leads...

    Yes, I wholly agree, Sharon, that we must follow courageously. I disagree though, that the powers of darkness are "all just a bunch of chickens." Satan is a warrior and he has some warrior devils. I believe that he has a hierarchy. Just as GOD has chief princes, such as Michael, the archangel - Daniel 10:13 - I believe that Satan also has chief demonic princes. He has a kingdom and it isn't comprised of chickens. In Daniel 10:13, it says, "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me;..." Michael had to be sent by GOD to help fight off the powers of darkness.

    Satan is a fierce opponent but never can he conquer GOD, and his pure-hearted saints.

    What follows is an excerpt from my Sunday January 23, 2011 post titled, "ESTIMATION MATTERS":

    "Satan is a warrior, albeit on the wrong side - but a warrior he is. By no means is he a lightweight. While he cannot, of course, defeat the most High GOD, who is FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, or GOD's purposes, Satan is a formidable opponent against the forces of purity. Those with pure hearts and clean hands are prime targets for Satan's opposition.

    "When Satan "shoots" at us, he is NOT shooting blanks. His ammo has the potential to kill in more ways than one. He operates with cold-blooded skilled calculations. He is a strategic and highly intelligent operative. He has a kingdom - the kingdom of darkness, and he is the god of this world..."

    I felt led to expound here, Sharon, because of who else may read this post and the comments here. It is of deep concern that others, who may be less experienced in gospel matters, be aware that Satan is fierce, and that without GOD's full armor - Ephesians 6 - Satan does have the power to devour and kill...

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  7. Oh your Blog is majestic!!!
    I am a lamb and a lion...wherever and however the spirit leads..
    Lamb passive and humble, not ashamed to wash another feet.
    Lion assertive with sword in hand ready to conquer. Standing firm on the promises of God.
    "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
    God Bless your ministry and faith. <><

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  8. Hi Crystal Mary -

    Thank you for visiting and commenting.

    Glory that we serve a majestic GOD!

    I love your spiritual spunk.

    You made it quite clear that you are a lamb and a lion. I love your confidence in that awareness... Praise our Lord, indeed.

    You expressed, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

    Hallelujah to that!

    Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Sandra,
    My husband is a lion and I am a lamb....I need to be or he would rip into people with the hard arm of God. Kind of like Kimberly, I need to balance my hubby out. But saying that I don't like the fuzzy coated Jesus attitude that a lot of Christians have these days. Oh it's ok Jesus won't mind. Hrumph! There is a balancing act and one that we need to learn in order to present the Gospel in it's true light.

    Satan is a formidable opponent after all he was the top angel so he knows a lot about God. He has lost the war but there are still battles raging on until the return of our King, which I think could be soon. Praise God!

    Blessings,
    <><

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  10. Boldness is a wonderful gift, but we who have it do have to be so careful to learn discernment of when it is the Spirit or flesh, so I identify... BUT just really commented today to send you a resounding I LOVE YOU and you are a beautiful warrior woman ! Be blessed and HIGHLY favored , my sister : ) Cyndi

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  11. Greetings -

    Thank you for visiting and commenting.

    @Child of God -
    It was helpful to learn about the balancing that you and Mining for Diamonds mentioned relative to your spouses. I'm single, and didn't even think of that aspect. I'm glad to have that awareness, thanks to you two.

    Also, I love this that you expressed, "There is a balancing act and one that we need to learn in order to present the Gospel in it's true light."

    That is so true, Child of God, we need to learn the balance.

    @Cyndi
    Yes, truly we must have discernment. It is vital to walk in the Spirit.

    I love you, too, and appreciate you and your love for our Lord. In truth, I so appreciate that we body of Christ members love, and serve the Most High GOD! He alone is worthy to be our FIRST LOVE!

    Thank you all - and as Cyndi said, "Be blessed and HIGHLY favored."

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  12. WOW!!! This is a magnificent post!!!

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  13. SO much here....once the Holy Spirit told me to "shut up" my first inclination was to think it wasn't the Lord but it was and it worked and I needed that - lion like command....

    A friend has a new (to her) Bible that was translated from the Aramaic and it is dynamite - clears up some of the mysteried I have always wondered about and seems very valid.

    guess what translation I hang around in (I will give you a clue from "wordy" me....GRIN (AMPLIFIED of course)

    Love you, Lady!

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  14. Sandra - You are so right. Point well taken. I suppose what I was thinking was that their power does not compare to our Lord's - and we need not unduly fear our enemies, for we do not fight in our own power. But, I just love what you said - and I think it was a much-needed addendum to my comment.

    Thank you for adding your very wise thoughts.

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Greetings -

    Thank you for commenting.

    @Marijo
    You expressed, " SO much here....once the Holy Spirit told me to "shut up" my first inclination was to think it wasn't the Lord but it was and it worked and I needed that - lion like command...."

    I feel you on that, Marijo. The Holy Spirit has told me to shut up when I went beyond... Oh yes, He needs to shut us up sometimes.

    @Sharon
    You expressed, "...their power does not compare to our Lord's - and we need not unduly fear our enemies, for we do not fight in our own power."

    A hearty Amen to that Sharon. Hallelujah!

    You are certainly welcome, Sharon. We are a body because we need each other's love, and help...

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is powerful stuff; lion and lamb natures of Jesus are so precious to me - it speaks of his authority, and his humility. And we can't be true lions unless we are also lambs inside. Jesus is both.

    Your verses are right on the dot, Sandra. I thank God that you are able to put all of these together, and even coming from your own experience. How true, we have to be humble. And Cyndi is right about discernment. Pride will keep us blind and self righteous. John the Baptist was lion hearted, but he was humble. So was Jesus.

    This is meaty, and so helpful.

    Thank you.

    Lidj

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  17. Hi Crown of Beauty -

    Thank you for visiting and commenting.

    Oh, how powerful is our GOD! Praise His awesome name.

    Lidj, you so well expressed about JESUS and his authority and humility. I love, in particular, this that you expressed, "And we can't be true lions unless we are also lambs inside. Jesus is both."

    Yes, pride is a "beast" that we must keep under subjection, along with other sins that aim to dominate us. May GOD help us all to steadfastly be more than conquerers - Romans 8:37 - over the powers of darkness.

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  18. Sandra~
    I love the depth you go to in your thoughts! Awesome, thought-provoking post!
    I think I grew up more of a Lamb and the Lioness is coming out more and more. Growing in the Lord helps,and feeling His leading.

    You brought up so many good points, about who we are in company with, the Evil One, keeping balance and our purposes here on earth.

    We have got to be out there, though, making and taking a stand for the Lord's Kingdom, which you inspire me to do more. We MUST put on the Armor of God and go into the battle, knowing that in the end, we ARE victorious! This battle is not in vain!
    Bless you and how God is using you to inspire His kingdom!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Greetings -

    Thank you for visiting and commenting.

    @covnitkepr1
    Amen!

    @Janet
    Truly, we know that our GOD is deep. Praise His awesome name.

    Yes, Janet, we all are in growth mode...
    It is so precious and helpful to be led by our Lord.

    You expressed, "This battle is not in vain!" You are so right, Janet. And the battle is not ours but GOD'S.

    Bless you, too, precious lady.

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  20. I've always been amazed at the lion and lamb nature of Jesus. This is why I have to be in His Word every day and draw near to know how to react in every situation. I love always learning from Him.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  21. Hi Mary -

    Yes, we do need to be in GOD'S Word daily to know what is necessary to please Him.

    You are right, it is a pleasure to learn from Him.

    ReplyDelete

Greetings -

Thank you for visiting and commenting. It is my pleasure to read from your heart places. We are all students and teachers and I so enjoy, precious people, the beneficial engagements with you.