The Battle Belongs to the Lord 

By Judy A Bauman

http://​www.thefathersloveim.org
 

Trusting in the Lord
Many Christians, including myself, have had to declare with regularity, “Lord, I trust You!” We have read and heard teachings that “The Battle Belongs to the Lord!” However, we tend to do two things. One, we either fight until we are exhausted and at the end of our rope; or we sit back and do nothing and purport to be trusting God in the matter. I don’t believe either are Scriptural.

A principle wrongly attributed to Scripture is “God helps those who help themselves.” This statement is attributed to Aesop and later Benjamin Franklin. However, when we study the Scriptures, we see that there is truth to this idiom. God helps us, but there is action required on our part. Many examples come to mind, but let me just share these with you.

Send In the Praisers!
In 2 Chronicles 20, the people of Israel are backed up into a place they cannot escape the three great armies coming at them. Any one of the armies were big enough to annihilate the Israelites, but these wicked armies came together to make sure they wiped Israel off the face of the earth. (Where have we heard that before?) A prophet spoke up after they all had fasted and prayed, and said, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Did the Israelites lay around, eat popcorn, and wait to see how God would swoop in to save them? No! However, they did gain wisdom to do something out of the norm. Instead of sending the army out in front to fight, they put the praisers in holy attire and those worshippers went IN FRONT of the arm!* You see in this passage, the enemies of Israel were prepared for the fight, and King Jehoshaphat also readied his army; however, the king sent the praisers out and they SANG and PRAISED GOD! This was NOT the order of things! In the ears of their enemies, this singing was heard as a declaration that the victory was already won. Because of that, the enemy armies suspected treason and were self-slaughtered. God used the praises of His people to set ambushes against their enemies! Had Israel done nothing, how could God have sent confusion into the camp of the enemy armies?

What Are You Giving the Lord?
Like the loaves and fishes being multiplied by Jesus to feed the people, God multiplies what we give Him. If we give Him nothing, there is nothing to multiply. A million times zero is still zero.

Building Projects Face Obstacles
In Nehemiah, we see another example of how God fights for us. The Israelites are rebuilding the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem, but come under great persecution while trying to work. In chapter 4 verse 9 it states, “But we prayed to our God and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.” In verse 20 he says, “Our God will fight for us.”

At that point, do they lay back and see how God is going to do it? No. They carried on the work with half the men holding spears while the laborers worked with one hand and held a sword in the other! They worked from dawn until the stars came out and did not even chance changing their clothes. The work was so spread out, they had a signal worked out that if they heard the blowing of the trumpets, they were all to rally together for protection. Nehemiah said that when they rallied, “Our God will fight for us.”

Our Armor
Some would say that both of these examples are men doing something, and they did, but they did it with prayerful insight. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10 to “put on the full armor of God”. We are to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might,” but we do that by dressing for battle and learning how to use those spiritual instruments of warfare. We have to act on what God shows us. James 2:20 states that “faith without works is dead,” so clearly action is required to prove out our faith. The key is to work in the strength, timing and manner the Lord reveals.

What to Do
Though there are many more examples of God fighting for us in Scripture, in every case, there is action taken by the believer. There is a time to pray and seek God’s face, there is a time to prepare, there is a time to fight, and there is a time to rest. Wisdom dictates which process we are in at any given point. The only way we can know is to seek the Lord and then do what He reveals. May peace make the ruling in what concerns you.

In the Father’s love

Judy A Bauman

*(This by the way is why no one should be on a praise team or in a choir unless they are called to do so. Praisers who do not understand they are standing between the enemies of God and the church are in a very dangerous place. If you are called there, you know you have God’s grace.)

~

Are You Hungry for the Things of the Lord? It’s time to Eat!

By Judy A Bauman

August 31, 2016
 

After a productive week working on “Jewels from the River II,” I had a very vivid dream. There was a tiny house that I evidently owned and had rented. The occupant had moved out and the house was empty except for two aquariums filled with fish. One tank was big for the tiny house and stretched nearly the full width of it; the other was an average sized fish tank. The numerous fish in the larger tank were big (4-5”) for fresh-water aquarium fish. They were healthy, but hungry. (I have had reoccurring dreams for years where I realize I have fish that I have forgotten to feed. There is always food for them; I just have to give it to them. I have asked the Lord repeatedly what these dreams mean, but for the most part, I haven’t had clear understanding.)

There was something really wonderful and remarkable about the fish in the large tank of this particular dream. These fish had the faces of animals! They weren’t named after animals, like the lionfish, but actually had a miniature version of the face of an animal on a fish body. They were truly unique and beautiful. The first fish I saw in the large tank had the face of a male lion with a furry mane! I saw face of a bighorn ram on a fish – complete with large curled horns. There was an eagle’s face that had feathers, a zebra whose face and body were striped, but it had a long zebra nose. One looked like a goat and had such a sweet, innocent looking face. There were many more, but the last one I saw had the face of a horse with brown eyes, and long mane. They were all so amazing!!! The tank was full beyond capacity and each fish was different; however, they all seemed to live in unity.

I knew they were hungry, but was unsure what to feed them. They looked like they would each need a specialized diet. Then I looked over at the smaller aquarium and saw hundreds of goldfish in it. They were also hungry so I gave them flake food and they all readily ate it. I turned back to the fish in the large tank and saw feeding pellets on top of the hood. I put a good amount in because I knew there were a lot of them and they were ravenous. While contemplating whether I should give them some more, I woke up.

I shared this dream with my husband and a couple of friends, mainly because it was so vivid and amusing. However, through this dream, the Holy Spirit gave me a revelation about these “aquarium” dreams I’ve had over the years. Jesus used fish as an analogy for believers. (“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” Matthew 4:19)

Here is what I believe the Lord showed me: The reason these fish were so vivid and unique in the dream is that they represent us, the Church. God’s people are to be spiritually vivid and unique. We need the Father’s “daily bread” to sustain us. (Through food in the natural, the food that feeds us by studying Scripture, teaching of the Word, prophetic words that speak directly into our lives, and last but certainly not least, the promise of God’s covenant through remembering the Lord’s sacrifice by taking the Lord’s Supper. This is not so much about taking elements of communion as it is receiving JESUS. We must have a personal relationship with Him. We do not want to hear the Lord say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you...”)

The Fish (us) that I saw in this dream were vastly unique and marvelous creations of God, waiting for something they could eat that would give them sustenance. They were God’s delight and eager to receive something that would give them strength for the day. All I had to do was to put food in the water and they would eat what they needed. (We all have those we are called to feed, and others who are called to feed us.)

One Scripture that has always stood out to me, is found in Revelation 3:2, where the Lord admonishes, “strengthen the things which remain”. I do take the whole of that Scripture very seriously and I hope you do too. God is strengthening each of us by the power of His Spirit, but He doesn’t strengthen us void of the Church. He has called each of us into His service. Will we choose to put our hand to the plow, or lay back and assume someone else will do it? Remember, the foolish virgins in Matthew 25 did not go in because they did not invest in the needed oil. We need to be generous with our resources when it comes to the things of God.

There are seasons of rest and rejuvenation, but there are also seasons of clearing the land, weeding, uprooting, tearing down, building up, planting, watering, and harvesting. I am seeing and experiencing the change of the spiritual season we are in and rejoice for it! So many are losing hope, and we need rise up, dust ourselves off, and say, “Not on my watch!”

Let me pose some simple but very important questions inspired by a message my pastor recently gave:

• Where is God calling you to serve and to whom?
• Have you or anyone else identified your spiritual gifts? (Not sure? Go to: http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gifts)
• How can you use those gifts to build the kingdom of heaven?
• What do you love doing?
• What are your skills?
• What is your personality? Some people are more comfortable being behind the scenes, where others want to be personally involved. Whatever your personality, God has a place for you.
• How can you incorporate your life’s experiences to best serve God’s people?

God is building something and we need to focus on what unites us and not what divides us. We live in a time that people are very polarized, but it is important we keep our eyes and ears in tune with the Lord. His ways are not our ways, and to Him, obedience is better than sacrifice. Be like the wise virgins and invest your time, talent, and resources into the work of the kingdom. Do not miss the opportunities that come your way to feed the Body of Christ and those who don’t yet know Jesus. We are all hungry, we all need to eat!

In the Father’s Love

Judy A Bauman

If you would like to hear the series my pastor has given recently, go to http://riverstonechurch.com/sermons-2016 and listen to The Nehemiah Project. 

Jewels from Judy: Time for Clarity

Judy Bauman

www.thefathersloveim.org

Time for Clarity: Encouragement from the Father

“Now is the time for clarity. As a bell rings with clear sound, the Body of Christ must make a sound for all to hear. The time is now for those I have called to work in harmony with My word. Instead of individual sounds, it is time to make the sound of unity without compromising the truth. What unites you all is Me. I Am love. Love is the common denominator.

“My Bell rings the sound of liberty; it is the sound of freedom. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!1 Freedom in Me is what you are to clearly proclaim. I’ve called you to proclaim liberty to the captives.2 Do not call conspiracy what others call conspiracy.3 Don’t waste time on controversies that draw your attention from My will. Walk in My LOVE and LIGHT.4 This is what people need to see. They need to see HOPE. They need see JOY. If all they see is arguing, they live and die in the world’s system. Ring out My truth and call My children home!”
Lovingly,

Your Abba
 

It is my prayer you will study these Scriptures with this exhortation:

1. Gal 5:1

2. Isaiah 61:1; John 8:36

3. Isaiah 8:12-13

4. Ephesians 5:1-16

Excerpts from A Clarion Call

Photo taken in 2012 by Judy A Bauman of the Bell Tower at the school her children attended in Sacramento

Mission News August 2016

It has been a long time since I have written you all. Sometimes when we wait to see what God will say, He will test our resolve! Habakkuk 2:3 comes to mind:
 

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (NASV)

Recently, I told a friend that I feel like I am just coming out of a very long, cold winter. It’s so hot in Atlanta right now, it seems a strange analogy, but often things in the spirit are not at all like they are in the natural.

One big change for the ministry that I want to bring to your attention is that we have updated our website. So please check it out. www.thefathersloveim.org
My posts will be in blog form now. In fact, Make It Loud Web Designs, the company that built the site in 2005, have converted all my posts into blog form. (This was a little scary for me...) There are still some edits to be made here and there, but I will have to do that in time. Some of the photos and links are ‘broken’ and I will fix those as I come across them. This is ‘blog-thing’ is new to me so please be patient.

One things I do want to report (on the Mission side of things) is that the water well we raised funds in partnership with Riverstone Church has been built in India! Thank you so much for your part in it. Can you imagine? I am so excited that a whole village has water this summer because we linked arms and made it happen! You can find its location here: 

Please keep this ministry in mind in your prayers. Thanks

In the Father’s love,

Judy A Bauman

The Lord gave me this word quite a few years back, but I believe it’s again time to step out of the boat!

An Exhortation from the Lord to you: Come! Walk On Water!

“When I walked this earth, I told My disciples, ‘When the prince of this world comes, he has nothing in Me.’”

“Why was that? It was because I was completely submitted to My Father's will. I was committed to His purpose and plan. I was led by His Spirit – the Spirit of truth. I have given you the blueprint! Look at it. Follow it. Do not do anything that the Father hasn't shown you. My Father will never mislead you. He will lead you into places you did not know you could go, but if He has called you to a place for a purpose, He will fulfill it. It is My Spirit which will cause you to enjoy kingdom victory in that place.”

“Do not step out of the boat unless I invite you, but if I invite you COME!” Come immediately. Don't delay. Come! You know My voice, don't you? My sheep know My voice and you are my sheep. I have called you by name. Stop doubting. Stop having such small faith. You have My Spirit to teach you. You have My word to confirm to you what is truth. Speak My truth. Speak the words I give you. Don't delay; get out of the boat! Is it not your desire to walk on water?”

“Yes? Then come, Beloved. It is by My power and My grace that you are able. Your abilities are perfected in and by My grace. My power is made perfect in your weakness.” Will you come?”

Lovingly,

Your Shepherd

Scripture References:
Matthew 14:27-33; John 5:19; 8:28-32; 10:3-5;14:26-30; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Revelation 19:10c

An Exhortation From Fhe Father: Harmonize with My Lovingkindness

“How many people in the world right now are focused on politics and what politicians can do for them? How many are focused on Me and what I can do for them? I will tell you, very few.

“Even those who say they trust in Me have actually placed their hopes and plans in what ‘their’ politicians can do for them. While I want you to vote because it is a privilege I endorse, I do not want your heart and soul caught in a web of misdirection. Upon what path have I set your feet? What eternal consequence does any election have? Your integrity is attached to My name – the name of Jesus. When people you have tried to share My love with see you ranting on and on about an election, you are tarnishing My name. You are dragging My name into an arena of your choosing not Mine.

“Everything is permissible, dear one, but not everything is profitable. You have the freedom to speak your mind, but if your words to no edify the one hearing, then you are not in harmony with My will on earth. This disharmony does not reveal My intentions, nor does it convey the truth of My word. Being contentious is rooted in pride that you are right and others are wrong. You are saying that you know what is best, but you are mistaken. Only I know what is best for you, your nation and the world. Seek My counsel in this matter instead of looking for those who agree with your position and contenting with those who don’t. Are their eternal souls worth so little to you?

“Lay down your battle ax, beloved, and pick up My word. Don’t be as a loud gong, or a note played out of key. Harmonize your words and deeds with My lovingkindness and see what I do.”

Lovingly your,
Abba

A Time of Acceleration

In the secret place I sought the Father asking, “Lord, is there something You want to share with me?” The Holy Spirit gave this to me in reply:

“You are in a time of acceleration. What mans sees as progress has caused the world to reel in near madness. While the earth is not moving any faster than when I set it in motion, the manmade movement all around it reveals the disorder of the mind’s of man. It’s cluttered and frenzied and it hurries when it needs to rest. Because of this, many are in a near state of madness because there is no way they can keep up the pace. Some self-medicate, some go to doctors to get prescriptions to calm their nerves. Others completely disconnect, and while they may still be operating around other people, they choose not to trust, care, or have love for anyone else – not even themselves.

“The proof of this is seen in any social media where people comment on current events. The venom that people thoughtlessly spew at one another is so vile and deadly that anyone with the tiniest grain of faith in Me can see how disgusting it is to the soul. Unfortunately, there has been so much said over such a short amount of time that even those who have been saved are polluted by words and images. Language that was once considered by society to be vulgar is now seemingly common and acceptable. Respect shown when a person has passed away (out of care and concern for their family members) is not only ignored, but often violated. The more famous the person, particularly if they have stood for justice or proclaimed Jesus as their Lord, the worst the public comments that are made.

“The people who love Me, and love others as they do themselves, must guard their hearts. No one is immune to these assaults on their person or character. It takes very little effort to speak life over others. Be My light and speak My love, hope and well-being to those around you. I exhort you to walk worthy of your calling by building up and giving comfort in an all-too-often world of ridicule, anger, and insults. Guard your heart, for out of it flow the issues of life.

“Call to Me and I will show you great and mighty things. As you release My peace to others, you will see more and more ways to repair the breaches in your society. Remember Jesus’ words, ‘You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.’ ‘A disciple is not above his teacher...’” (Matthew 10:22; 29a)

Love,
Your Ever-present help in times of trouble

~Scriptures to Ponder:
Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 5:13-16; 22:36-40; First Corinthians 14:3;

Ministry Note: If this ministry has been a blessing to you, please prayerfully consider sending a love offering. We have had some very urgent needs arise on the mission field and we can only help if you help us. You may give by credit card online at www.thefathersloveim.org using the “Donate” button, or send a check or money order to the address on the Home page. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

In the Father’s love,
Judy A Bauman

An Exhortation from the Father: Allow Me To Share With You My Thoughts

“Remember, the mind of Christ is all that matters. I am the Author of all life. I give freewill and do not take it back when it is inconvenient to Me. I warn you not to pick up the weapons of your enemy, or you will become like your enemy. The ‘snake and the mongoose’ is not a dance you want to involve yourself. Shake off the snakebite, knock the dust off your shoes, and let us produce what is true and worthy of your time and Mine.

“What are you doing worthy of My time? What are you doing worthy of yours? You have a finite number of hours, I caution you to use them wisely. Like David who was continually surrounded by enemy combatants, you are to know that I will set a table for you in the midst of them. There is no servant of Mine who has ever been void of those who hate without reason. The fact is, the enemy does not like being exposed to the light – especially when he has been entrenched and hidden in darkness for a long time.

“Let My word speak for itself. I Am well able to defend it. If those who wonder about it will seek Me and what I have said concerning a matter, they will know the truth and the truth shall set them free. If they choose to believe a man or woman over what I have to say in the matter, then they will walk deceived until they seek Me.”

Your loving Father

Ministry Note: If this ministry has been a blessing to you, please prayerfully consider sending a love offering. We have had some very urgent needs arise on the mission field and we can only help if you help us. You may “Donate” online at www.thefathersloveim.org by credit card through PayPal, or go to the Home Page for instructions how to send a check or money order. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

In the Father’s love,

Judy A Bauman

Facing Trials? Face Your KING!

The Vision

This past Sunday, the prayer team was interceding prior to the morning service. The Holy Spirit showed one of the elders many people in the church (globally) who are fighting battles; however, in facing their battles, they had unwittingly turned their backs to God!

Reflections:
If we will turn and face God, bow down and worship Him, the Lord will battle our enemy for us. Consider Psalms 24:7-8:

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

As a whole, we must stop looking (with our eye and ear gates) to the world and its system to be our safety net, and lift our heads! Our God desires our attention and affection. He wants us to rely on Him and not what help we can get from some program. The government did not die on the cross for my sins or yours. It is by Jesus’ stripes that we are healed and not by our insurance plan.

Paul lived in one of the most brutal governments of all time. Remember, on either side of Jesus, two robbers were also crucified. If you saw the movie, Passion of the Christ,¹you saw a clear depiction of what public execution looked like in the Roman Empire. Paul wrote Timothy and exhorted him to pray for those in authority. ² Given the wickedness and corruption throughout the Roman Empire in their day, I ask, what is our excuse for not praying for our government (church, work, community) leaders? We have none because the word of God is clear on the matter.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is not slow in His coming, as some think, but the Lord wants none to perish and all to come to repentance.³ The Father of lights wants all to be saved! (Yes, that means your enemies too.) No matter how wicked we think someone is, Jesus shed His prefect, sinless blood for that person – just like He did for you.⁴ This is why we are admonished in and after the Lord’s prayer to forgive as we have been forgive.⁵ We want mercy from God – right? Of course we do! Jesus told us that if we are merciful, we shall receive mercy. ⁶

We all want God to show us mercy, so we have to stop extending our fingeroutward at what all the government is doing wrong (I know they often make it as easy as shooting fish in a barrel), and start obeying the precepts of our Father and King – the King of kings. I hope we pray for our leaders as we would our loved ones. I pray we turn and face Jesus, our King and keep our focus on the One and Only who is our Ever-present-help-in-times-of-trouble!

In the Father’s love,
Judy A Bauman

¹ Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson

² 1 Timothy 2:1-4

³ 2 Peter 3:9

⁴ Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 1:7; First Peter 1:18-20

⁵ Matthew 6:14-15; 18:32-35; Colossians 3:12-14

⁶ Matthew 5:7

⁷ Revelation 2:1-7

Do You Want More of Me?

“Beloved, do not settle for a false finish line. Settle only for My direction and pace. When I lead you into a place of pain, where your fleshly ways are to submit to My will, know that must be worked out of you for you to walk in the fullness of My power and authority. Do not look to the approval man gives, or it will distract you from My path. My path is narrow and few find it.¹

“Too many are more concerned about what man is saying instead of what I Am says. Do you really want more of Me? Am I really your passion? Then throw off all that hinders you! Run the race set before you and give Me the shackles that are keeping you from finishing in My fullness and My grace.

​Look at Me! Look at My love for you. It will never fail you. My love will sustain you for the race.”

Your Abba

¹ Matthew 7:13-14
² John 8:31-32; Romans 6:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-3