This Month's Prayer Resource from His Inscriptions
Dear Friends, Early in the morning on 8.13.22, the Lord drew me into an encounter with Him. I heard Him say: “The scepter of wickedness will not remain over the land of the righteous.” (Psalm 125:3.) I was immediately shown a vision of a “scepter of wickedness.” It resembled a rough, brown branch or wooden staff, much like a walking stick. Carved into it were words like “slavery;” “debt;” “fear;” “poverty;” “borrower;” “bribery;” “money;” and “interest.” All the words on this scepter spoke specifically of economic oppression that was being inflicted worldwide through ungodly leaders. The Lord then highlighted three Scriptures. The first was 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” In context, 1 Timothy 6 warns believers about false teachers, greed and covetousness along with the need for us to guard the “deposits” of faith and contentment we have made for eternity. The second scripture was Matthew 19:21. Here, Jesus responds to a rich young ruler’s question, saying: “If you want to be perfect (mature; complete), go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” The third scripture was from Matthew 6:24: “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Jon and Jolene Hamill’s Declaration of Independence from Babylon, decreed at Faneuil Hall in Boston on 7/22/22, was a powerful corporate verdict of freedom for our nation from the oppression of the spirit of Babylon. Now, as the tyrannical rule of this spirit is broken off our nation, I hear a strong call from the Lord for people to come out of Babylon captivity themselves. God is shaking the systems of this world in order to restore right relationship with Himself; complete freedom will come as we continue to pull the "talons" of Babylon out of ourselves and our families. The root of the rich young ruler’s sin was not primarily greed or covetousness, but idolatry. No one who serves two masters is given authority to rule! The danger of compromise is outlined in Psalm 125:3 (above) and Proverbs 2:22: “The wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous shall be forcibly uprooted and removed from it.” It is time for the Bride of Christ to walk in greater levels of personal maturity and commitment, with the kind of faith and integrity that forsakes all forms of idolatry. We must embrace the ways of the Kingdom, whose treasures and provisions all flow from honorable relationships. “Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the Lord’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves.” ~Jeremiah 51:6 Claiming possession of our Kingdom inheritance is only the beginning of our victory; as God exposes and uproots wickedness, a pure, righteous remnant is arising to rule their land! Like the rich young ruler, those who are rich in the things of this world may find it difficult to make the transition from the rigid systems of worldly wealth and debt into more fluid, Spirit-led transactions. Yet Jesus promises that with God, all things are possible! Today, Christ's hope is still a lifeline for those who are struggling to entrust everything - especially finances - to God. God is shifting His Body into an era of great resourcefulness and unprecedented creativity that will not only sustain us but will also bring much-needed solutions to a distressed world. God's exposure and censorship of idolatry is meant to be an invitation back into the highest place of communion and fellowship with Him, in the “holy of holies” of His heart. This season marks a return to kinder, gentler ways of the heart; whose rivers and streams are finding their way around every boulder Babylon has placed in our path like dams against the tide. In 1 Timothy 6:3-20, the apostle Paul lists eight specific actions believers like Timothy can take to counter false teachings and the snare of Babylonian “riches” and idolatry:
These cautions can become checkpoints for those struggling to exit the mentality of Babylonian strongholds. For example, how you personally “pursue righteousness” in this new season might include renewing your commitment to tithe (Proverbs 3:5-10) or deciding to bless the poor through your sacrificial giving, even when finances are tight (Luke 21:1-4). God will reward cheerful givers who demonstrate trust in His provision! Those who allow God to purify their hearts right now, being faithful in little, will find their authority to rule increases much! SECOND VISION: CHRIST'S SCEPTERIn a second vision, I was shown the Lord’s scepter, which was not crude or wooden but shining and glorious. It had only one word inscribed on it: “JESUS.” The scepter that bore Christ’s name represented righteousness and justice. (Psalms 45:6 & 89:14.) As I wondered about the striking contrast between the two scepters, the Lord brought to mind three more scriptures: Psalm 45:6 “Your throne, O god, is forever and ever; the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.” Psalm 60:7 “Judah is My scepter.” (Judah means “praise” or “thanksgiving”) Genesis 49:10: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes.” We know from history that Judah did rule, even if minimally during periods of captivity, until Shiloh (Christ) came. From that time until now, the Lord has given spiritual governing authority to His New Covenant disciples. I believe the Lord is calling His people into a place of increased, continuous rule through praise and worship; intercession and decrees. We are being asked to bring positive change from the high places of Kingly worship and the surrendered, Throne-room positions of priestly intercession. Abiding in protected places of heartfelt worship is essential as God continues to remove the wicked and expose evil leaders. (See Amos 5:13.) The Shepherd’s rod is now being used to “number” His sheep and gather those who belong completely to Him. The test of rule, promotion, and protection will always be the condition of our hearts! THIRD ENCOUNTER: BABYLON IS FALLING!In a third encounter with the Lord, I went out early one morning to worship under the stars. As I sat quietly with Him, I suddenly saw a very bright falling star - a meteor - shoot rapidly through the heavens on its downward slope. I had never seen this happen so clearly or closely before! I began interceding for America, repenting for wickedness that pervades every sector of our society. I prayed for mercy for our world, which seemed to be falling apart! But the Lord stopped me and said: “My world is not falling apart; I am still upholding all things by My Word!” There was joy on His face as He spoke these reassuring words. Then He added a promise: “I will settle you.” I discovered later that this particular promise is found in Isaiah 14, describing both the fall of Babylon and the fall of Lucifer: “The Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and SETTLE them in their own land… they will take them captive whose captives they were, and RULE over their oppressors… "On the day the Lord gives you relief from your suffering and turmoil and from the harsh labor forced on you, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! …The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers… All the lands are at rest and peace; they break into singing.” (Isaiah 14:1-7) A shift in perspective is necessary as we renounce tyranny and rejoice in Christ’s eternal rule. Instead of focusing on sin, it is essential to give PRAISE to the Lord for breaking the scepter of wickedness over our land and restoring righteous rule! God is bringing deliverance and rest from those places where you have been oppressed and unjustly persecuted. Be encouraged! He has seen and heard what the enemy has done both individually and corporately, and evil government will not continue! Those who have abused their positions will lose their positions, falling like stars from their places of governance. Our key to deliverance is not anger, backbiting, or political maneuvering, but worship as we respond to the extended scepter of our King to rule and reign with Him. The world is going to find that faith-based, relational transactions of the heart carry more authority and provision than any substitute systems they have set up! The Body of Christ is already discovering unusual power and glorious freedom as we begin to make UNIFIED decrees from places of authority before God's Throne. (*Note: this month's prayer card focuses on Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17. Order it here.) Lesser kingdoms are falling to the Greater One as we align ourselves entirely and precisely with the Lord and His individual mandates for our lives! Authority to rule is increasing for those who are forsaking Babylon's crumbling systems and entrusting themselves to Christ alone! Are you one of them? Will you accept the Lord's invitation to come out of any remaining places of idolatry? Will you rule and reign with Him? DECREE WITH ME:Thank you, Lord, that the staff of the wicked is being broken! True Shepherds are now arising who will lead the Lord’s Bride through His love in their hearts; not because they have been “hired.” The collapse of the world’s "Babylonian" system is ushering in a new era of great resourcefulness and creativity for the Body of Christ. Vindication is coming to God’s people as relational restoration takes place. Even young people who surrender themselves to the Lord are becoming noble vessels filled with the authority of Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit. They will rule on earth in their God-given spheres! Your plans for our world are good, Lord, and You are still sovereign, upholding our world amidst all this present chaos. I submit myself and everything I possess to You, for the good of Your Kingdom. I want to store up better, lasting treasures in heaven! Neither the love of money nor fears about personal security will stop the flow of Your goodness to me, Lord! I will worship You and believe in Your provision. Yes, I will reign with You! Amen! Deborah |
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Deborah Perkins 
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January 2023
AuthorA severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins to develop what she now calls her secret weapon: tuning in to God's voice. A Wellesley College graduate and an award-winning writer, Deborah is now a wife and mother of 3 boys. Deborah has devoted over 25 years to professional and lay Christian ministry in New England and beyond. Her passion is inspiring people to cultivate greater intimacy with God. 
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