Excerpts from "The Air of Heaven"

The air of Heaven this book is about is so close to God that we are embraced by the Spirit, literally cuddled like little children by His enveloping love. It is a place we should visit often, because we come away with a changed perspective, a deeper relationship, and a more committed lifestyle. The first time I went there I burst out in angelic praise. My heart so overflowed with love that I simply could not keep my mouth shut. Like the rocks that the Lord said would cry out, such intense closeness to Him transcends us beyond our earthly existence and everything we are is compelled to show it. I used to wonder about the scene in Revelation (4:8) where the creatures are saying:

            “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.”

I thought it probably boring to say the same thing over and over. Now I know that not only can they not help but do so, they are eager to. Every fiber of our being is moved to praise Him when we are that close. His holiness commands it, and we will comply with no small amount of joy.

To get to this point we have to be fully committed to Him, totally reliant on Him, and completely pliable in His hands. He has to be the breath of our lungs, the blood of our hearts, and the hope of our souls. For some this will require a re-commitment to the things He is concerned with, a purging of hidden sins, an appreciation of sins not recognized, and a purging of those sins, as well. This fragrant air does not come cheap. We must be willing to be broken, so that He can lift us up, draw us close, and bring the revival so many of us are seeking. 

Is Our Auschwitz Showing?

Reportedly the churches near this death camp would call on members to sing louder as the trains bringing new victims would arrive. They wanted to be able to claim innocence by lack of knowledge regarding the massive slaughter of human beings in their own backyard. Worldwide reaction was astonishment, repulsion, and disgust. It was unthinkable that the church could ignore such egregious offense.

In the same way in the U.S. most churches have ignored the slaughter of tiny human beings in their own backyard. The very people horrified by Hitler embraced men like Tiller, Gosnell, and Carhart. Churches refused to teach the Biblical reality that abortion, or the shedding of innocent blood, is a nation-killing sin. As a result brutal murders continue to be carried out weekly while the church "sings louder", seeking God's mercy over the nation's obvious decline.

We are so caught up in ourselves that we don't recognize the reality that many of our problems are the fruit of looking the other way. We don't seem to realize that being the light of the world means standing up for His will, not pretending it isn't our problem. Day after day we plead with God to deliver us from the hands of evil, but ignore the ones killing our children and destroying young mothers. Week after week the death toll rises and the level of our responsibility increases.

Not even the disassociated grasp the seriousness of the situation. To join with them to pray is to understand that abortion is not their problem, meaning not one they'll seriously pray over. Building their reputations, tending to their members' personal issues, and revival are their main concerns. Even when they lament the lack of true revival, they can't or won't make the connection. There are wolves and worse among them. Like the Pharisees of old they prefer these thieves and liars to the truth. Like the Pharisees of old they would rather have death than life where they are no longer in charge.

Meanwhile, we have the atrocities of Gosnell and Texas and a Holy God who is about to punish us for our insolence. One can only hope that our Auschwitz is showing. If the church doesn't wake up soon, there may not be anyone left to save.

More from "The Air of Heaven" -- The Intimate Love of God

Despite the unloving, unreasonable image painted of Him by those who reject His authority, God is intimately and vastly compassionate towards us. He does not desire that any be lost. He calls to those headed down the wrong path again and again, “Come back! Come back! You are headed for destruction.” He warns us to stay on the narrow path. He gave us complete instructions on being His people. He is the One who revealed the true price we pay for rejecting Him. And He is, also, the One who provided for our reconciliation to Him.

Yeshuah replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

ALL the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:37-40

Trust in Him

Do not fret because of evil men

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord and

He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in Him and He will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret -- it only leads to evil.

For evil men will be cut off,

but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:1-9

Working for God is not about being popular with man. Man does not like his sins exposed. He will abuse, mistreat, and lie about you to keep his secrets hidden, but God knows. God is the One who vindicates His chosen. So, do not fret. The truth will out.

Excerpts from "The Air of Heaven"

We are bid come boldly before the throne of grace.  If we are earnest

enough -- steadfast enough, and if He is listening; we can draw so near

that our eyes wince and tear up from the sheer magnitude of His brilliance.

It is as if all Heaven holds its breath while we reach out for spiritual heights

unattainable by our earthly self. The closer we draw the closer we want to be.

Having been cleansed by Yeshuah’s blood, we approach in humble reverence.

We may have come to address our earthly problems, but proximity to Him

causes their importance to fade away like yesterday’s news.

At times like these, when we are so pliable before the throne, it is as

though we are permitted for a moment to breathe the holy air of Heaven.

Like a child that has entered the adult world to plead for favor, all Heaven

listens intently for what will come out of our mouths. And if that request is

based on faith, angels stand prepared for action. It is with this scene in mind

that this book has been written; to encourage the brethren everywhere to

continually seek that closeness and, in doing so, to become even more

fruitful and useful to the awesome Holy God we serve.