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A Word of Encouragement

Becoming Sons of Issachar

 I Chronicles. 12:32 and of the sons of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…

First I want us to look at John 1:12 where the Bible says, 'But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.' And in Galatians 3:28 it states that … 'there is neither male nor female ; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' So ladies you are actually sons as well, isn’t that great news! Now you know that we can all become like the sons of Issachar. How do we become like them? Is it only a few who can have understanding of the times and know what we ought to do? No, we can all understand and know what to do, really, we can.

It always amazes me that when I am seeking God about one subject He seems to want to talk about a different subject. I have learned to follow Him into His preference since continuing to ask about the thing I want to know about only delays seeing the things He wants to show me, and oh what wonderful things they are!

The Lord said to me, “Understanding the times and knowing what to do is so simple, My people make it much harder than it is.” Now He had my attention! How, I ask Him. I for one had always wanted to be like the sons of Issachar but felt that that was only for a chosen few and I didn’t think I was in that caliber of people.

He told me to read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. As I read through these verses I saw there were 28 different seasons.

1. A time to be born

2. A time to die

3. A time to plant

4. A time to pluck up that which is planted

5. A time to kill

6. A time to heal

7. A time to break down

8. A time to build up

9. A time to weep

10. A time to laugh

11. A time to mourn

12. A time to dance

13. A time to cast away stones

14. A time to gather stones together

15. A time to embrace

16. A time to refrain from embracing

17. A time to get

18. A time to lose

19. A time to keep

20. A time to cast away

21. A time to rend

22. A time to sew

23. A time to keep silent

24. A time to speak

25. A time to love

26. A time to hate

27. A time to war

28. A time of peace

He said, “The sons of Issachar were just paying attention, they saw what was happening around them and knew if it was the right season for the thing that was happening. If what was happening was not in the right season they knew what to do, pray. They knew My will, and if what was happening wasn’t lined up with My will they knew what to do, pray. Sometimes the situation called for prayer and fasting, so that’s what they did. When My Word is hid in the hearts of My people they know instantly what My will is.”

When we see our nation headed in a direction that isn’t in God’s will we understand what we must pray. We know what our nation must do, and we pray.

When we see our children getting involved in drugs, drinking, and so many other things, we understand what we must pray, and we pray.

Jeremiah 27:18 But if they are prophets, and if the word of the Lord is with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of Hosts

Our Father gives us prophets not only to let us know what is happening but so we will make intercession to Him on behalf of others and ourselves. If God gives us revelation it is so we will pray, and know how to pray, not just so we know stuff. If we yearn to be sons of Issachar we should also yearn to pray God’s will.

Charles Capp has a great analogy I love. He states that a thermometer can very accurately tell you the temperature of a room but has no power to change the temperature in that room. But a thermostat can cause the temperature to change in the room. The thermostat does not have the power in and of it’s self to change the temperature but is connected to the power source that causes the change. Many call themselves prophets because they can accurately tell you what is. But they don’t feel that pull on the inside to intercede for the things they know. They are more like the thermometer, needed and helpful but without the power of a thermostat to cause a change in the atmosphere.

Sons of Issachar were both, thermometers and thermostats, having understanding of the times and knowing what Israel should do. We can be just like them, by paying attention to the temperature and adjusting our thermostats to change the atmosphere.

Sons of Issachar here is your assignment, should you choose to accept it, watch and pray. As the Lord speaks to you about a situation or you read the newspaper, or see the news on TV discern the will of God and pray. If you aren’t completely sure of God’s will on a matter just simply pray, “Thy will be done, Thy will be done, on earth as it (already) is in heaven.” Just make sure your thermostat is plugged into the power source.

Blessings,

Pastor Paula Baker

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