Five-Fold Today - Is Anyone Listening? - Radical Christianity - The In Christ Revolution - In Demonstration of My Power - Assurance Of My Love - A message To the Shepherds - Call For the Intercessors - A Quarter - Pruning Time

February 8, 2001

Is Anyone Listening?

By Larry Taylor

ZECHARIAH 1:4 "Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, "Thus says the Lord of hosts; turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.'" But they did not hear nor heed Me." says the Lord.

Zechariah's word to the people of Israel spoken in the context of rebuilding the temple and the city was to avoid the errors of the past. "Don't repeat the mistakes of your fathers" The specific area of transgression was not listening to or taking action on the "now" word of the prophets. Jesus spoke of those who honored the dead prophets, revealing their hearts. They had the same spirit of those who put them to death. The future messianic golden age was celebrated by Israel as a matter of much national pride. But where they failed miserably was in receiving and obeying the current revelation.

This was especially sad when understood in the light of Isaiah 1:19. The promise in this passage states: "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword' For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Unfortunately, there were many who disregarded the Word of the Lord and as a result, their enemies stole their God given inheritance.

In the case of Zechariah's generation, they heard the word and repented. Work on the temple resumed and the enemies of God's purpose were overcome. Isaiah 1:9 says "Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah." Thank God for the remnant who hear and obey and are blessed!

Now let me speak in the context of the current state of affairs of the evangelical and spirit filled churches in the U.S. (My specific assignment as of now) God is not just speaking, He is shouting! "Arise, shine for your light has come....and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together..." It is time to receive and release the glory of the Lord. It is time to be the city set on a hill. Take the baskets off your light and let it shine! The miraculous is being poured out in a fresh new wave. Signs and wonders are increasing and His word is coming forth with increasing clarity--IN SOME PLACES. But the majority of the religious community is still mired in ambivalence or outright opposition to what God is saying and doing. Thank God for the places where the Spirit is allowed freedom to rule. But it is time to heed the word...prepare your vessel to receive the glory. Don't repeat the mistakes of the past and miss the day of the Lord's visitation.

The distractions in the body are too numerable to list in this format, but we are in a mess. Immorality is rampant. (In the church) While God is doing a true work of apostolic and prophetic restoration in His Church, men are gathering to themselves organizations that carry the same stench of the denominationalism of the past under the guise of "apostolic renewal." Those who carry the anointing for sign and wonders and power evangelism are still viewed as "fringe" and their words are ignored or marginalized under an ever increasing avalanche of seminars, books and conferences on how to do church based on the principles of commerce and the world systems. True righteousness is being replaced by an "integrity" emphasis that often measures men by men and overlooks gross transgressions when the "right" people are involved; while magnifying the failures to follow man made rules and procedures among those not in the "in" group.

God help us. Let's not go back. Were it not for the remnant, we would really be in trouble. My prayer is that the remnant will be like orange juice concentrate. When water is added, it goes a long way. "God pour out the multiplied harvest that has been promised. Take those who have heard and obeyed and multiply them into a mighty ocean!"

LRT

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Larry & Carol Taylor
GOINMIN@aol.com

Radical Christianity

Debra Westbrook

In being radical, there are different things that must take place within one's life. Within me, I must be radically inclined to immediate obedience in any and all circumstances where I step out of the boat and onto the water- following Jesus wherever He may lead me. Immediate obedience will rip and tear my flesh, rending all religious veils within me that keep the light of the Holy of Holies from shining forth within my life. I must allow the Spirit of God by the Word of God to rend that veil that still exists within me.

I must allow the cross to be a "finished" reality in my life. Its power must kill and crucify my flesh while establishing me in total submission and humility. Christlikeness must be worked through my very being. There is a separation that exists in each of us where still the flesh holds dominion over the spirit. I must willingly bring it to the cross and crucify it.

In order to live and move and have my being in Him (Acts 17:28), I must be led and controlled by my spirit and not my flesh.

Romans 8:5-6

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; (NIV)

Romans 8:9-10

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (NIV)

Romans 8:13-14

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (NIV)

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (NIV)

This radical foundation of being led by the Spirit of God is being birthed into me, destroying my flesh, which always attempts to rule and dominate my life. As God is breathing new life into me, I must turn my back on dead religion that seeks to keep man in bondage to programs and agendas while failing to release them into the realm of glory that Jesus promised to us.

We are to walk in the abundant light of His presence, which will move us forward in passion and power. To be radical, I must first confront what exists within me that would want to live an apathetic, complacent Christian existence rather than to work the works of the Kingdom by the King who resides within me.

I must choose to bring my complacency, lethargy, and apathy to the cross to receive an abundant provision of grace to set me on fire for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When a radical foundation is established in my life, I start to look more like my Lord. He astounded and confounded the religious leaders of His day by challenging their traditions and structure. Imagine that!

Who ever heard such claims? How preposterous! Proclaiming to be greater than the temple in their midst! (Matthew 17:24) Driving out the moneychangers with a passionate vehemence that bordered on lunacy! (Matthew 21:12-13) Hanging out with prostitutes and tax collectors! Empowering women and loving children! How absurd to a religious establishment whose love had gotten cold beyond measure!

Healing everywhere He went by unconventional means that astounded their idols of common sense and wisdom! Putting mud on blind eyes, unstopping ears, and driving out demons from the very souls of those kept in bondage! Yes, oh yes, He did it all with a radical abandoned passion and calls us to do the same.

The staid and formal religious system in His day stayed hidden behind formalized tradition and structure while Jesus took it to the streets and got in the face of lost humanity. Are we called to do anything less?

As this radical platform is established in my life, I will challenge the forces of darkness that try to keep me from being victorious and triumphant in Christ. That in turn will challenge and bring down my strongholds as well as destroying the strongholds existing in the spiritual atmosphere in my neighborhood, city, and nation. It all starts with me. Does anyone hear what I am saying?

Stop complaining, fighting, and bickering. Refuse to bow to depression, despair, or self-pity. Rise up to be radical in Christ Jesus. Enter the flow of the Holy Spirit in these times. Rise up from the pews or chairs that we sit in to start a revolution. I am not talking about rebellion anger, or control or anything that is not of Jesus.

Let a revolution start in my own heart so that it may spill over into the lives of others! Be radical! Be passionate in my love for my Savior! Throw caution to the wind. Refuse to be complacent. Run from those who desire to bring me down to a state of apathy and status quo Christianity. Let my Jesus set the world on fire through me, by igniting once again the embers that once burned bright for my first love.

I prophesy to myself and whoever reads this that we will never be the same. May God ignite our lives for the sake of the Gospel.May we consider our lives not unto death to bring forth and trumpet a cry of freedom in these days. May we burn with undying love for our Jesus. May we let the hand of the Spirit of God lift us out of our fears, insecurities, slumber, complacency, self-pity, depression, despair, loneliness, bitterness, and unforgiveness or whatever impedes or obstructs our progress into an intimate revelation of falling madly in love with Jesus, now and forevermore!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rivers of Eden
Debra Westbrook
http://www.riversofeden.com
d.westbrook@att.net
May these words bring glory to Jesus!

The In Christ Revolution

by Warren Litzman

The revolution is on and we are a part of it. Wonderfully and gloriously, the Father has let us be a part of it. This revolution centers on the greatest truth recorded in the Bible -- the truth that we are "in Christ." It would seem that there would never need to be a revolution on such a subject especially a revolution led by God, the Holy Spirit but that is exactly what is happening today. It is a revolution in that the entire course of Reformation theology is destined for a radical advance into the fullness of Christ and a deeper understanding of God's eternal plan than ever before experienced.

The in-Christ truth is certainly not new. Neither is it some hidden and obscure truth. It is the most visible and oft-written truth in the entire New Testament, not to mention its vivid presence in the Old Testament. In fact, the in-Christ truth is mentioned over 200 times in the New Testament, with at least 146 of those times referring directly to the foremost doctrinal truth to be found in the entire Bible.

It may seem strange that the one truth that is the center and the circumference of the plan of God should have to be proclaimed by anyone. It should be the best known and most practiced truth of any Bible-believing saint. Yet the very opposite has been true, and this is the reason the Father has provoked a revolution. I believe He does this so He might direct our attention to what He is doing in the universe, as well as to what He is saying in the Word

It must be noted that without this truth being made known to the believer, there will never be a church pleasing to the Father. Satan's primary intent is to keep the believer from this truth. Satan knows that the entire plan of the Father is centered in Christ, so to confuse modern believers, he keeps them majoring in the minor issues. How ironic that this truth in Christ is mentioned more often as a doctrine than any other in the Scripture, yet many fail to see it.

Perhaps that happens because many think, as I once did, that this wording alludes to Old English or to a special vernacular that was common to Paul. For whatever reason, the believer is denied an understanding of this truth. Without it, neither the Bible as a whole nor Christ as a Savior can be fully known or understood. It is a growing fact among the hungry believers of this world that, without a Spirit revelation of the in-Christ truth, the believer will never become all that the Father planned for him to be.

Now the Father, after waiting for centuries for men to turn to Him in hunger, has heard the cry of those searching ones and has provoked a move of the Spirit to reveal His liberating secret. It is called a secret because three times Paul spoke of it as being hidden in God. It was hidden from the Old Testament writers; it was not made clear in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, though He often spoke of it; and it was not until Paul had his revelation of Christ in Galatians 1 that the truth was made public. By this, one can see that the Father has a will to reveal His greatest truth when, and only when, He chooses.

It is my feeling that the Father has once again accelerated among hungry believers the knowing of the one truth that runs the plan of God and is the only reason for the universe itself. So you can see why I call this a revolution. Praise God, the revolution is on as we see the Father alerting and teaching believers all over the earth His liberating secret. This move of the Spirit is not doctrinal except in the light that it is the main doctrine in the Word. This move of the Spirit is not denominational, yet people from every denomination are involved. It is not of man nor is it a truth held by "a man," for it is God's will for all men to come to its knowing. It will be a truth that will revolutionize modern theology and be the ultimate fulfillment to the Reformation church

Not A New Truth

The one important thing about this truth is, it has always been in the Scriptures. We certainly are not plucking out and promoting some obscure truth. It is as well known as any biblical truth. That is probably the reason that its greater essence has been so overlooked by the modern church. This is where Satan has tricked us. Because the in-Christ truth is so prevalent in the Word, many have not taken it seriously. There is a spiritual pride in most believers that surfaces when someone comes saying a thing differently than they understood it, or when someone says that emphasis should be placed in another area. This, of course, causes a revolution among believers, but as I see it, it is the only way the Father can ever bring His plan to its ultimate conclusion.

The Reason for Everything

To have a clear picture of what God is doing in His eternal plan, we must see how the in-Christ truth is the catalyst for everything He does. The incorporation of all believers in Christ is the prime work of God to correct the self-independence resident in all creatures since Satan was in the Father's house. Notably lacking was any feeling that Lucifer and the Father were one. Thus, when the Father drew up the plan for us, He in essence had to devise some way His sons could be one with Him. He is love and has always wanted love from His sons. What He wants is a union of all men with Himself, and further, a union of all men with themselves. This is His greatest desire, for one of the most singular truths in the Scriptures, in Christ, is translated 146 times to read union with God. It is further proven in that this most-often-stated truth is not just a prepositional phrase but a doctrinal truth. As a doctrinal truth, it is stated more often than any other doctrinal truth in the Word -- more than faith, or power, or love, or baptism, or church. All of these doctrines are genuine, but none of them hold the importance or weight of Scripture as does the in-Christ truth.

To really get a clear picture of this truth, we need to see the truth in the Old Testament. To do this properly, we will rely upon the New Testament to explain the Old. As theologians say, "The New is hidden in the Old; the Old is revealed in the New." As I have often taught students, the Epistles explain the Gospels, and the Gospels explain the Old Testament. Therefore, to understand this great truth in the Old Testament, we must call upon Paul. For example, all creation in and before Genesis 1 is to Paul an overwhelming fact, that God's purpose is to bring the creature to a union with Him by placing the creature in Christ. This is evidenced by Paul's words in Ephesians 1:4, "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.... " Here at the foundation of the world is also stated the foundation of the greatest truth, "chosen in Him." For Paul, all of creation deals with the in-Christ truth. In Colossians 1 :15-19, he states, "[Christ] the firstborn of every creature...by Him were all things created... all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist... that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell."

Warren Litzman
CLFLitzman@aol.com

In Demonstration of My Power

Gloria Shepherd

Walk away from all that has tried to enslave you in this hour, my beloved ones. All that has held you in bondage to the chains of religion and of the works of the flesh must be shaken off, and removed for you now.

Many of you are trying to still walk into the new 3rd day work of my spirit through the fleshy work of your own hands, and you are not surrendering to my spirit says the Lord. You cannot come into the new 3rd day work of my spirit, until you are fully surrendered at the cross and have dyed fully to self before me. Then I can bring you into the resurrection power for this hour. I am about to pour out my power upon you, says the Lord so that you will walk in great demonstration of my power now, and many will be healed. Come and receive all that I have for you this day. For I have chosen many of you to walk in this mighty explosive firey anointing for this hour. Your words will go forth in explosive power of my spirit, in mighty demonstration of my spirit upon the earth.

These will release great firestorms of my fire over the earth. Out of these fires that will be ignited upon the earth, will be birthed true revival over the earth.

This 3rd day power that is going to be released now,. will set the earth on fire through it's explosive power. A power that is not fueled by man's hands, but by the power of my spirit says the Lord.

nitehawkdw@earthlink.net

Assurance Of My Love

Olivia Reitz

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." Romans 5:5

My children, you have allowed anxiety to come into your circumstances. You say, you long for peace and joy once more. I have been asking you to diligently seek My face. For it is in MY presence "that you will be filled with joy." It is in My presence "that you will be find the assurance of My love and Concern for you." It is ONLY in My presence that you will find the "peace" that you are longing for, and that nothing else matters but to be with Me. In My presence, I will reveal words of love meant only for you, you will hear My heart of love and feel My touch upon your face. You have struggled with My love for you, now I want to reveal that love in a way that you will know without a doubt My love for you, but you MUST be 'quiet' before ME.

You are concerned about your circumstances - DO NOT allow doubt to come in, My children! DO NOT question My methods! DO NOT question what I have been doing, or what you perceive I have not been doing and accomplishing in your life! I have the plan I have laid for you. You do not understand, but soon you will. There have been deep things I have been working out in your life, and only I see the end from the beginning. I have the answers and only I can bring them to pass. Say not in your heart that nothing is happening. There is much happening. Stand back and watch what I AM doing.

My beloved, you are in a faith walk and that requires "walking with ME." Without that walk, you cannot have the faith to live in the many situations your life has taken you and in those where I "will" be taking you. I have called and chosen you for My purposes, you must resist looking to "your" resources to carry it out, but to MY resources. It is not about you getting ready, it's about Me getting you ready. Twelve disciples were chosen, none of them had the natural giftings and abilities to carry out My purpose, but they were willing vessels. All you need is a heart completely yielded to Me, trusting Me and in obedience to Me. FAITH! Faith, not in what you have, or who you are, but Faith in ME. There is a new page being written, a new chapter, a new beginning. You have waited long and now the new chapter begins. This is your victory chapter. But I ask you now, who do you serve? Your circumstances - OR - your VICTORIOUS GOD? You cannot serve two masters - CHOOSE to walk 'into' your new beginning and speak words of praise for your God and what I AM about to do. REJOICE, MY CHILDREN, REJOICE for the victory is yours!

Olivia Reitz
email: mreitz@penn.com

A message To the Shepherds

Wendy Barrraclough

My children - My children - My shepherds have scattered them each to their own - where they grieve behind closed doors.

I will strike the shepherds and they shall no more scatter my sheep - My sheep for whom I died.

They (the shepherds) will not give their lives for them.

I wanted them to pick up the lost pieces of their lives.

with meanness and despicableness they have robbed the flock of their inheritance in me.

oh - they have hated them - they have treated with contempt those I died for.

People weakened by disease and life's problems have been cast aside as worthless - flotsam - driftwood - cast out into the world to fend as best they can - Is this MY heart? - Do I not seek and save that which is lost? - do I not bind up the broken hearted? - Do I not test those I love and is not suffering a mark of my grace? - I have not said "you shall be trouble free" but "in this world YOU SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION".

Suffering is not the mark of enemy work in peoples lives - but the mark of my holy spirit.

You have scorned and neglected the very people I have sent you to defend and nurture.

With discipline and tyranny you have broken their hearts still further - Love was what was needed and a listening ear.

You judged those I have not judged - You treated with indifference those who needed a caring hand on their shoulder - And then told them that it was their fault they had problems in the first place.

What did this do to them? - It made the sick sicker and the wounded doubly wounded.

It is not my heart and it never was and never will be.

My heart is to seek and save those who are lost - Peoples souls can be lost by disease and neglect - It takes a careful surgeon to cut out the areas of disease and a tender doctor to ease the bruising and calm the troubled soul.

You still have time to repent - to go to those you have wounded and ask for forgiveness.

Your high and mighty attitude has sent them reeling into the depths of despair - and there is no hope for some of them - unless by a miracle of My grace caring hands to retrieve the lost pieces of their lives.

Repent now while there is still time - My anger is hot against those shepherds who have scattered My sheep - And I will not contend with forever says the Lord.

Matthew 25:40 Psalm 34:19 Jeremiah 23:1-2 Ezekiel 34.

This message is word for word as I received it - I questioned the part where it says "suffering is not the mark of enemy work in peoples lives" as it is clear in scripture that Satan is involved in suffering.

What I have come to understand is that this message is primarily intended to counteract an attitude that has sprung up in the church over recent decades - Its would seem to have been fuelled by the false "Prosperity gospel" teaching that Christians should not suffer if they are in Gods will.

I believe that this teaching has brought in a false spirit that masquerades as Jesus Christ but is devoid of His compassion - mercy and tenderness.

Wendy Barraclough
Folkestone Kent England
wellspringpropheticmin@yahoogroups.com

Call For the Intercessors

Marsha Burns

I tell you that I have raised up intercessors from one end of the earth to the other, and they pray not according to the will of man but according to My will and My purposes. Ask Me to have them pray, and you will be flanked by My warriors and escorted out of this valley of destruction. I will cause those who do not even know you to pray effectively on your behalf. And, I hear and answer prayer! I speak particularly to those who feel isolated and alone -- you are NOT alone. I have set aside for Myself a company of intercessors that know how to pray into My throne room with the kind of faith that moves mountains. They know how to pray the "effective fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails much." I urge you to tap into this resource.

Faith Tabernacle
http://ft111.com
ft111@ft111.com

A Quarter

Alice Weeks

Several years ago a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh" forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet."

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change." The driver with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change."

When my friend stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on, and said, "O God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter"

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.

Be Encouraged.

Alice Weeks

ahweeks@hotmail.com

Pruning Time

Ras Robinson

Last year I planted some crepe myrtles. This year they needed spring pruning before growth begins. I was pruning for shape and strengthening of branches. The goal is to increase quantity and quality of blooms, the ultimate purpose of the plants. During this exercise, the Lord spoke to my heart: "I am bringing extensive pruning to My bride during this spring. I have purposes unfolding soon that will require her to be shaped and structured according to My desires. She needs to look like my pattern and design for her. She must be strong for there will be very difficult days ahead. Yet, during this, she will bloom profusely and bear much fruit. I speak of those who will receive My pruning. Many will not. Pray for My bride! I will hear your prayers." (John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit." Hebrews 12:11 "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent.")

fullness@airmail.net

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