By Martha Bush

In her book, Marching Around Jericho, Lynn introduced me to Courts of Heaven, a topic I had never heard of. It sparked my interest as Lynn told about going into Court  for her husband’s baptism. (Chapter 17)

I confess, I don’t fully understand it, so I will leave more teaching of it to Lynn, or for you to do your own personal study. However, scriptures indicated to me it's another tool that can be used to partner with God to destroy the works of the devil.

With that bit of understanding, the Lord brought me to the place of “You do this.” I felt that meant to go into court for my pre-believer. After going through a cleansing of my life, which took on a dimension of its own, I finally got the green light to enter court.

What I experienced was not an over-the-top spiritual encounter; I would call it a product of my simplified mind, my goofy personality, and childlike faith working together. I don’t think the Lord would have recognized me any other way.

My mission was clear:  stand in proxy for my pre-believer and plead mercy, grace, and forgiveness be extended. “For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. (1 Corinthians 7:14)

“From My View” (December lst, 2020)

I didn’t see a throne room; I saw a regular courtroom.

I saw the Judge enter, dressed in the most gorgeous, elegant robe.

I scanned the courtroom, thankful for those who were here to support me.

1. My children and close friends

2. My four grandchildren: Zach leans over and whispers loudly, “Kick the old devil in his booty today, Nana.”  His teenage sister, Hannah, was so embarrassed; she shhhhhhes him while the little girls, Hadley and Hope, giggled  loudly.

3. Oh my goodness - -the SUMite Nation. Waving wildly at me was the Ministry Team: Ann, Tiffany, Ian, Jeanne, Gladys, Amanda, Barb. 

4. Thousands of angels were gathered.

5. The biggest crowd came from the baloney - the great cloud of witnesses. Ahh, I see my favorites - Abraham, Joseph, Rahab, Esther, and Paul. Paul is smiling knowingly, as if to say: “That old boy won’t be kicking against the pricks much longer.”

6. I felt the presence of those who had gone on to glory who had invested in my pre-believer's spiritual well-being.

• Our Parents
• Prophets
• My Pastors
• Oh my, there's Brother James Smith who married us. Well, Brother James, I believe we are about to make the scripture you read at our wedding a reality: “Whither thou goeth, I will go, my people shall be your people, and my God your God”  (Ruth 1:16 KJV)

As I was engrossed in this breathtaking moment, the bailiff walked over to me and said,  “It’s time to start. Is this all the people you were expecting to be with you today?”

I said, “Well, there’s one more. Could you give her just a few minutes; I know she will be here.”

About that time, this 5 ft. 2 blonde rushes in all smiles - Lynn Donovan.  If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here at all. She taught me how to live with a pre-believer, and introduced me to the Courts of Heaven.

She took a seat beside me and whispered, “I’m sorry I’m late, but I got so excited just thinking about this, I had to go to the restroom before entering.” We both giggled louder than my little grandkids had. Even the Judge looked over and smiled at us, reassuring us that life in the Kingdom can be fun.

I motioned to the bailiff I was ready to begin.

And so it was, I stood before the King of Kings in awe, but still with the same simplified mind and goofy personality I always have in prayer with Him. We had a few laughs, as usual, before getting down to business. Being in the actual presence of His love was something I can’t explain. 

His eyes of love beamed down upon me as I presented my case for my pre-believer. All of a sudden, something totally out of the ordinary happened in courtroom procedures.

The Judge said, “Martha, come sit on my lap." (Just like my daddy used to say.)  "I want to love on you today for being obedient to the place I pre-positioned you for such a time as this - the wife of a pre-believer. I also want to bless all those who have supported you on your journey.”

And with that, I knew my case for my pre-believer was a done deal from my loving father.

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 

(Hebrews 12:22-1)