Five-Fold Today - Spiritual Strategy - Glory - Come To Me and I Will Give You Rest - Deadly Rationalism - Out Of Obscurity - Freedom From Expectations - Transition: A Time of Frustration - Keys Of the Kingdom
Spiritual Strategy
by Pam Clark
One thing I hate is devils. They do so much harm, they just make me
furious. They hurt people, demean people, destroy people, shame people,
trap people, deceive people, steal from them, hinder them, and physically
damage people and lives. I hate them.
It was the father of all devils and demons (Satan) who led the original
man and woman into sin. Both sinned, so we are not placing blame on one
over the other.
The reason I bring all that up, is because I want to be like Jesus and
destroy the works of the devil. Thank God, He destroys the devil, but
needs to see in us that we agree with Him, by our actions and activities
to overcome his works.
"If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments." That is step one. But
some are good moral people, because it works as a healthy lifestyle, but
still need to know God and share intimacy - quality personal relationship
- with Him.
At this writing, I am working for a man (caring for his relative) who
lives such a life. He knows the Bible, believes in God and Jesus, but
does not have an abiding sense of peace. There are two possible reasons
for this. One reason, (and I don't know the whole of it so I am not
saying "I know"), could be that there is unconfessed or unrelinquished
sin in his life. Since he is sometimes quite argumentative at times, I
have wondered about that. But God has not opened the door to that
revelation so I choose not to judge it.
The other reason could be he doesn't know the truth that Jesus sets us
free from the law of guilt and condemnation in coming to Him. Some people
love God but don't know His benefits. I know this man respects the Lord,
but you have to approach people when they want to hear, and so far he
doesn't want to hear from me.
Being quite opinionated, he has a lot of things figured out. And being a
good moral person, he sees that benefit, but I've noticed that when he
thinks I have done something wrong, like make a natural mistake, if it
even was a mistake, (sometimes it wasn't), he seems really surprised when
I don't get upset. If I made a terrible mistake, I would feel terrible,
but I haven't made any, and I am talking about day to day living in a
decent environment of natural respect.
If there is an evil motivation of the heart, one could delight when one
gets it wrong, because they know punishment or confusion is coming. Of
course, God rebukes us for this evil desire, because He would rather us
cry for mercy and grace, since we will be judged the same way we judge.
But some people like it when others get it wrong. That is sad.
But, some get confused because they don't know why you don't condemn
yourself as they do. They don't understand why you don't get bashed as
they did. Grace has not yet arrived for them. See there is a difference
between discipline that corrects for sin, and destruction. The curse of
the Law was destruction. Jesus redeemed us from that destruction, and
brought Grace through repentance or correction.
However, the incredible thing with God is that this whole sin-based life
is being destroyed through Him - through the work Jesus did on the Cross
and redeemed. Some things cannot be corrected properly in this life.
Many things can be, even supernaturally so, but some things we have to
trust to a better life through faith in His ability to create a new Heaven
and new Earth through His Resurrection power. He gave us a foretaste, but
this Life is based on Love and it is being proven to see if we desire that
or not.
Because God through Jesus gave us the dominion of choice, it is even up to
us to win others to this faith, because it is a Body ministry of Life and
Love. Many prove it now by their actions and many need to! One thing I
noticed about this man I work for is that he has a great satisfaction and
a type of peace when he knows he has done things well and right. But if
he errs, it really upsets him and he will work to justify it in a number
of ways.
I don't want to get too personal with that, but what I am seeing is that I
have peace, even if I get it wrong, and I know why I do - it's God's peace
of love and forgiveness I know - and he does not seem to have that peace,
even though he is a good person. If I get the opportunity to share that -
and right now it's by my lifestyle - I will, but you can't force things
like that on people. They have to come. They feel insecure because they
only trust themselves - most likely because they have been betrayed or
lied to by the devil some way, often through people - and they either have
to see to believe or trust you enough to hear.
Some controlling spirits are there because the door was opened through
betrayal (by the enemy, ulitimately) or because of an evil heart that
harbors that spirit. It's hard to always discern. Whose child are we?
Love will project, and then comfort will be received as relief and release
with gratitude, or come as comfort into still yet a hard heart. Only God
can touch the heart and that is when we let Him. Prayer is important. We
can often change and soften hearts through prayer and acts of love.
Sometimes a rejecting spirit is there as a defense. Then we bind it to
get love in.
Now that was said to bring up this. The other day on my day off, a friend
of mine and I were driving around and I was asked, "How do you take a
territory for God?" I said, "Are you sure you want to know?" Because
once you know something, you are spiritually held accountable.
So since the answer was yes, I said, "Let's drive around this block or so
and I will show you." So as we drove around, I began to pray in the
Spirit. It began as an intercession for the people in that area. As I
prayed, I projected Love and Worship into those homes and as I did that,
certain things bounced back to me. Sometimes it was a need, sometimes it
was a counter-active illegal spirit, sometimes it was a thirst for
knowledge and fellowship.
So as we drove, I began binding and loosing different things as the gifts
of the Spirit came into operation - word of knowlege and discerning of
spirits primarily. It was a lot! As I interceded, I would carry serious
empathy for them and feel the pains or offenses or needs and cries. I
would bind illegal spirits like drugs, alcohol abuse, sexual perversion
and molestation, suicide, satanic activity and plead for Godly
intervention.
Now when you do this, you better be prepared ahead of time. You better
have all your sins confessed and under the Blood and your full armour on!
Because when you take on a challenge like that, the enemy spirits will
come back at you to challenge you challenging them and driving them out,
and if you are not secure in your FAITH about this, they will afflict you,
too, because they know this is a war - and they lose! But not without a
fight!
If you know your rights as a redeemed child of God, you can accomplish
much. Another thing I told my friend, was that in doing this you invite
personal involvement. If I interceed for someone, it is very likely that
God can use me personally to meet that need of the spirit. Do I love Him
enough to do that? Do I love as He did, enough to meet the need of that
person?
If we do not have personal relationship enough to know God's personal will
for us, if we do not know how to gain His peace through acceptance by
obedience, we can become other people's bondsmen. God is going to work
with teams of people. You may start off in your home praying for people
as an individual, but if you graduate in ministry, you will have to work
with other people and learn how to do it.
The need that is there, globally, is great, and it will take teams to
overcome major strongholds. We will do it person by person, block by
block, city and town and territory and nation then nations. My friend and
I just were taking a few blocks and it was a demanding challenge. The
needs discerned were great and God's Word had to be applied because that
is how Jesus did it, but the enemy did not like it.
Later, I had to get back to work, and had to stop by the store first, and
I was so sensitive that it bothered me. It bugged me to have people
around too close because I had opened myself up and would sense them and
their spirit world. Whether people know it or not, they project a spirit
world.
I was still carrying the burden of the intercessory prayers I had prayed
earlier when we departed. Because the needs were so many and so great in
that area, my spirit had not properly shut down and closed the doors I
opened properly.
(Sounds like a computer, doesn't it? "You did not shut your system down
properly - so we will scan your disk for errors - if you don't want to see
this message again, close all programs properly next time..." ha ha.)
Maybe you need to take a room before you take a house. Maybe you need to
take two houses before you take a block. Prayer for family often comes
before cities. God has order for this. Some people prayer walk certain
areas, and you may need to be specific on certain things. When I pray, I
have this tendency to want to order all activities into peace and
sometimes that is too big for me. I may just need to focus on one aspect
at a time, depending on my skill.
You also need to be aware that there is backlash. I will get backlash
from just writing this - which is why I have to stay in prayer - and keep
my armour on. You can't just know the words and promises, you have to
believe them, too!
God knows how to order your prayer life. He will help you. If you try to
save the country before you save your neighborhood, you may find a problem
on your hands or give up. Some things take persistance and many research
areas to know the strongholds. But knowledge must be subject to the
Spirit and will line up with the Spirit of the Word. Some people will use
white witchcraft, charismatic witchcraft or a mind/soul control to
exercise their spirit. A spirit submitted to God will exert His Spirit
into the area and win it for Him.
If you are there for a season, and then leave for a season, that is about
as long lived as your results will be. But if you know how to properly
project so that you change lives and win souls to commitment in Christ,
you can have long term results.
Some are better in prayer in some areas more than others. Some can pray
in souls, some can pray in needs, such as finances or resources, some can
pray for heart needs, such as comfort and healing and deliverance
ministry. All of it is needed. Each of us has a gift. And for that gift
to be faith, it must have a corresponding work. The Body needs each
other. We must win souls, but salvation is for wholeness - spirit, soul
and body.
Some things will be left for the next world. God gave us a way to
overcome but we still have to get it together as a Body. The good news is
that as the Body comes together, a quick work will the Lord do! The power
of agreement, knowledge, discerning and abilities will be on the increase,
too.
The Tabernacle of David that has fallen down will be resurrected. That is
praise and worship. Only a clean soul can really worship effectively and
that comes by submission to the Spirit of God. "Create in me a clean
heart, O God."
In that worship, true need and strategy will present itself. Then as the
Body learns to submit properly to one another in obedience to the will of
God (not man) and be led by the Spirit, exploits of overcoming power will
be released.
Keep me in your prayers!
Love, Pam
pamclark@prophetic.net
Glory
by Doug Fortune
The Glory of the Lord... the very mention of those words inspire
awe... what wonderful words to utter from our lips and wonderful
to our ears also. We know that the glory is something to be desired
and that the earth will one day be filled with the glory of the
Lord (Hab.2:14). Some say the glory is falling, some say it is
rising, some say it is a mist, some say it is pure light, some
say it is a feeling. We all want it, but we have difficulty defining
it. If the glory is something that will fill the earth, then
I believe it deserves our attention to gaining an understanding
of it, and pursuing not just an understanding, but an experiential
participating. Moses desired God’s glory, and many of us have
echoed his words, “And he said, I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory.”
(Ex.33:18) Let us consider the context of this encounter between
Moses and God, and it may unlock some secrets to understanding
and apprehending God’s glory.
You will remember that the children of Israel had just been brought
out of Egyptian bondage, gloriously delivered by miracles, signs
and wonders. Unfortunately, though they were out of Egypt, there
was still plenty of Egypt in them, as evidenced by the whole
golden calf episode. Although they had been set free and had
even changed locations, they were manifesting an old behavior
in worshipping the calf. Their primary cry to God at that time
had been “Meet our needs, O God!”
I dare say that there are many today who have come to Christ
and been set free from Egyptian slavery to sin, they have come
out of the world system, and even changed locations as they are
now seated in heavenly places in Christ; yet still manifest the
Adam nature at times. The primary cry is “Meet our needs, O God!”.
The needs-based gospel that is trumpeted through the earth today
tells of a God who exists for us. Yes, God loves you intensely
and is concerned with your needs, but you were created for Him,
NOT visa-versa... and in fulfilling His purposes, our needs are
more than met. So, what does all this have to do with God’s glory?...
let’s go back to Moses.
Remember in our passage of Scripture, Moses was before God on
behalf of the people’s needs; they needed forgiveness for the
golden calf ordeal! Yet the heart cry of Moses was not just to
meet needs, his cry was “I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory.”(Ex.33:18).
When I caught the revelation of the next verse after that (Ex.33:19)
it was revolutionary. “And He said, I will make all My goodness
pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before
thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will
shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
Did you catch that?... Moses asked to see God’s GLORY, God showed
Moses His NATURE- goodness, compassion, mercy. Remember, the
context here is the children of Israel manifesting the sin-NATURE.
In our pursuit of God’s glory, let us not get caught up in looking
ONLY for a supernatural manifestation... a mist, a light, a cloud,
or even signs and wonders (although these things are good!).
The GLORY of God is the NATURE of God! I do believe that there
is a natural manifestation of God’s Shekinah glory. We must also
understand that as His glory is increasing in the earth, as we
go from glory to glory (2Cor.3:18), there will be increased experiences
of this natural manifestation in the Body of Christ. However
I believe that the primary manifestation of His glory is His
NATURE manifested in the lives of people.
It’s interesting to note that the Father didn’t allow Moses to
literally see His face, rather He placed Moses in a cleft of
the Rock. The face shows countenance, it is symbolic of the character
or nature of a thing. The Father’s intention was not just for
Moses to be impressed and in awe of God’s nature manifested in
His divine face. The Father had something else in mind.
We need to explore some Hebrew word definitions in Ex.33:19 to
get a clearer picture of the Father’s intention in this encounter
with Moses. “And he said, I will make all My goodness pass before
thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee.”;
or as the Literal Bible says “I will cause to pass all My goodness
in front of your face, and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh
in the presence of you.” The phrase ‘will cause to pass’ is abar
in Hebrew, meaning to cross over, used very widely of any transition,
specifically to cover in copulation (sorry to get a bit graphic
there, that’s the definition though). The phrase ‘in front of
your face’ is paniym paniym in Hebrew; paniym means face, so
this is saying face-face, once again the possible idea of intimate
relations. The phrase ‘the name of ’ is shem in Hebrew, meaning
the idea of definite and conspicuous position, an appellation,
as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor,
authority, character. The phrase ‘in the presence of you’ is
paniym in Hebrew, once again paniym means face.
Given these definitions, this verse seems to be saying that God
caused His goodness, His Nature to cover over, to spiritually
impregnate, to overshadow (sounds a bit like Mary) Moses’ face,
countenance, nature. Then He decreed His name, His bloodline,
His mark upon Moses’ face, countenance, nature. Is it any wonder
that we see Moses manifesting the glory, the nature of God on
his face, on his countenance as he comes down the Mount? The
Father is giving us a prophetic picture of a people who are not
just in awe of God’s nature manifested in His own divine face
(Second Day mentality), but are impregnated with and manifesting
the nature of God in their face, their countenance, their nature
(Third Day mentality). “But we all, with open FACE beholding
as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into
the SAME IMAGE from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of
the Lord.” (2Cor.3:18). The KEY here is staying in the Cleft
of the Rock; or as the Father says, the “place beside Me” (Ex.33:21).
Remember, the phrase ‘the name of ’ is shem in Hebrew, meaning
the idea of definite and conspicuous POSITION... the Father has
made a definite and conspicuous POSITION for us to be beside
Him, as Christ is seated at right hand of the Father (Eph.1:20)
and we are seated in Christ (Eph.2:6).
You see, as religion has been feeding from the Tree of Knowledge
of Good and Evil, it has taught us much about getting Adam to
behave, part of that method includes keeping us under condemnation
because we don’t measure up, and focusing only on the nature
of God manifested in His own divine face... never getting to
the glory we are to behold in the mirror. God told Moses that
he couldn’t see His face and live (Ex.33:20). Yes, I believe
that was literal, but I also believe it is prophetic. As long
as we only see His nature on Him, we will never live the true
LIFE that Jesus came to give us. “I am come that they might have
LIFE (zoe), and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John
10:10). That Life is zoe life, the God-Life, not psuche-soulish
life. Hebrews 2:10 speaks of His bringing MANY sons to glory.
You see, only Christ can live like Christ... training Adam to
behave just doesn’t cut it! In reality, Adam has ALREADY been
dealt with on the cross, yet we can give him authority in our
lives by not allowing our minds to be renewed to our TRUE position
in Christ.
Jesus Christ became the LAST Adam (1Cor.15:45) in order that
you and I would receive a NEW nature! “And that ye put on the
NEW man, which AFTER GOD is CREATED in righteousness and true
holiness.”(Eph 4:24) “Being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth
for ever.”; or as the Amplified Bible says, “...not from a mortal
origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the ever
living and lasting Word of God.”(1Pet.1:23) “For we are His workmanship,
CREATED in Christ Jesus...” (Eph 2:10) We must understand that
we were not created when our parents formed a physical union;
we were created IN CHRIST; “Before I formed thee in the belly
I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified
thee...”( Jer.1:5).
Moses was not able to stay in the Cleft of the Rock, as the Father
was really foreshadowing that which was to come. We ARE able
to stay in the Cleft of the Rock Christ Jesus; “For ye are dead,
and your LIFE is hid with Christ in God.” (Col.3:3). Only Christ
can live like Christ, and His intention is to live through us;
“When Christ, WHO IS OUR LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also
appear with Him in glory.”(Col.3:4). Just like with Moses’ countenance,
Moses’ nature, God is impregnating a people who are bringing
forth a Manchild, a mature ‘huios’ son... a Stone not cut out
with hands that becomes a great Mountain that fills the whole
earth (Dan. 2:34-35). In prophetic fulfillment of Hab.2:14 (For
the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of
the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.), I’m not necessarily
looking just for the natural manifestation of a mist or a cloud
to fill the earth. Rather I am looking for the divine NATURE
of the Father to be manifested in the ‘whole earth’, the whole
MAN- spirit, soul and body. According to 2Cor.4:7, we have this
Treasure in EARTHen vessels, and as the whole earth (spirit,
soul and body) manifests the glory, the nature of God, then the
“waters cover the sea”. Remember, seas are symbolic of peoples
and nations, and rivers of Living Water shall flow from our inmost
being, our spirital womb (John 7:38-39) bringing healing to the
nations.
Like Moses, we cannot just see God’s glory, His nature in His
divine Face and live the (zoe) Life destiny we were created and
for. We must begin to see His nature reflected in the mirror
(2Cor.3:18). Like Moses, the cry of our heart cannot just be
“Meet our needs, O God!”... our cry must be “Show me your glory,
Your nature!”
info@DougFortune.org
Come To Me and I Will Give You Rest
Olivia Reitz
Many of My faithful ones, at this moment cannot find rest. I say unto you - "Come To Me and I
Will Give You Rest." How many times have you spoken these Words - My Words -
to others but yet fail to see this is for you as well. If you have back pain, or a migraine, your body
cannot find rest. The same applies with your spiritual nature, and only I can give you rest.
In the natural, your heart seeks an object for it's affection and when you find yours, because your
heart is so tender, the greater is your unrest. Sensitivity seeking rest and sometimes finding none...
To you, I say, "Look to Me," and never fear that I will fail or forget you. Your love for Me will
"never" be wasted. Love on ME and you will find contentment. You are My Beloved, joined with Me
by My decree. I have chosen you to be My Bride and no bridegroom could ever love you as you
deserve to be loved, than can "this Bridegroom." Only I, as your husband, can provide for all your
wants and needs. Come to Me, for I, will refresh your spirit ... Come to Me, for I, will renew your
soul ... Come to Me, for I, will surround you with My peace. Come to Me, for I, will bind up your
wounded heart and heal your broken spirit ... Come to Me, and I, will give you rest!
COME TO ME, for I will truly accept you for what you are. Bring your burdens to Me, and I WILL
GIVE YOU REST ...
Olivia Reitz
Deadly Rationalism
A.W. Tozer
There is today an evangelical rationalism not unlike the rationalism
taught by the scribes and Pharisees. They said the truth is in the
word, and if you want to know the truth, go to the rabbi and learn
the word. If you get the word, you have the truth....
But revelation is not enough! There must be illumination before
revelation can get to a person's soul. It is not enough that I hold
an inspired book in my hands. I must have an inspired heart. There is
the difference, in spite of the evangelical rationalist who insists
that revelation is enough....
In His days Christ's conflict was with the theological rationalist.
It revealed itself in the Sermon on the Mount and in the whole book
of John. Just as Colossians argues against Manichaeism and Galatians
argues against Jewish legalism, so the book of John is a long,
inspired, passionately outpoured book trying to save us from
evangelical rationalism--the doctrine that says the text is enough.
Textualism is as deadly as liberalism. Faith Beyond Reason, 23-24.
"Lord, I believe strongly in the inspiration and authority of the
Scriptures; I am committed to expository preaching. So I see the
danger and pray that You might keep me from this error of
textualism. Amen."
_______________________________________________________________
Out Of Obscurity
Bonita Chapman
Does the world consider you to be a nobody? Do they look
at you with disdain, as THAT KIND of strange person? Do
others, even in standard "church" circles snub you and
consider you to be a blight on their name? Then cheer up -
the Lord has a word of encouragement for you:
I am calling My people, those whom I have ordained to be
My representatives in this last hour, out of obscurity.
You have been on the back burners while I have been
preparing you for the fun and thrills of this last day.
The world has not understood you. They still won't. But
they WILL have to acknowledge the authority that you walk
in, and the power that you demonstrate. Those who call
themselves the "church", but who do not even know Me, will
still snub you and try to look the other way. But they
will be dumbfounded as to why that "nobody", that "out of
the mainstream" person, manages to accomplish so much
without even the appearance of a true "program".
I am calling you out of obscurity. I am not calling those
who have given Me THEIR plans and THEIR decisions and
called them Mine. Rather, I am calling those who have
buried themselves deeply in the folds of My heart,
learning of Me, and allowing Me to cleanse and purify
them. These I have shined up to a bright sparkle in My
eyes. They are a delight to Me. I am rightly proud of the
work I have accomplished in them, and I will no longer
cause them to live in the obscurity of the past. I am
calling them out. That obscurity was My protection. You
sometimes thought that you must have lost your way, but it
was Me, hiding away My priceless treasures, keeping them
safe from the influences of the world and it's
religiosity. But now the time has come, and I am starting
the process of putting you in the forefront of all that I
am doing. The time of obscurity has passed.
Keep you eyes focused on Me. That will be a true necessity
as this time of limelight begins. Do not let your head be
turned in any other direction. Look always to Me. I am
taking you out of obscurity to do My will in the earth,
but I can surely put you BACK into obscurity if you turn
aside to follow the world. This will be a kind of
limelight the world has never before seen, and will not be
able to categorize. There will be MANY who spring forward
during this time, MANY who shine like stars in this dark
world. No, you will no longer stay in obscurity. I am
bringing you out. Look for your pathway to appear before
you and follow it. It may be different than what is
expected, so stay close to Me so you will recognize it
when it appears. It is time for My own to SHINE. I am
bringing you out of obscurity!!
BONITA CHAPMAN
Freedom From Expectations
Chris Hirsh
The Lord's been drawing my focus on the vegetation outside. As I looked,
I noticed all the different trees, diverse in shape, color, size, some
already having their full dress of leaves, some being in full bloom with
different types of colors, some having a certain growth of leaves and
other still just starting to bud and hardly showing anything yet.
I hear the Lord saying that just as there are so many different types,
colors, sizes and even stages and season to development, it is the same
with us.
Many of us have been beating ourselves up trying to match up to certain
expectations others and ourselves have put upon us, even compared ourselves
to others' personality, ministry style and majurity. We have become
frustrated over this, discouraged, left with feelings of inadequacy, not
fitting in, being different. And He wants us to know that He didn't create
us to be something or someone else, but He made us who we are.
God wants us to stop comparing ourselves with other and what seasons they
are in and stop trying to live up to expectations we can't fulfill. Only then
we can be free to be ourselves and become ALL He has called us to be and
created us for.
OnFire4JC7@aol.com
Transition: A Time of Frustration
By Alison Papenfus
There is an intense amount of frustration around in the church right now.
To those not in leadership but who know the anointing of God is upon them,
it seems that the leaders are holding them back - puting a lid on their
ministry for no good reason - but all too often the reason is that leaders
are not ready to admit that they, themselves, are not sure where we are
going right now!
Leaders too, are frustrated. It seems as if what has "worked' in the past
no longer does. Have people changed that they no longer respond to Gospel
appeals? Have believers changed that they no longer give sacrificially
unless they "get" something in return? Has everyone gone crazy that they
are more interested in hype than solid teaching from the word of God?
As for the average guys who sit in the pew on Sunday - well, they are
still trying to assess whether they actually want to be part of this thing
- and - as good consumers in the 21st Century - what it is worth if they
do.
Yes, I know that is not a particularly sanctified scenario - it is at
least honest. How can the church be in this state? Simple - the church is
in transition from the old to the new - the old doesn't work any more, the
new ... well we don't actually know what it is going to look like yet, and
in the meantime everyone is testy and undecided. How do we respond to this
situation? Our response is extremely important! It is very easy to loose
your way in a time of transition. One of the symptoms that an organisation
is loosing its way is that leaders are accused of being "wrong" no matter
what they do.
TRANSITION - TIME TO STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK
In any competition when the athletes have to change direction, make a turn
- it is a transition. If the way is not clearly marked some will come off
the path; they wont finish the race. During labour a mother goes through a
stage called "transition" - it's the point at which she can most easily
get confused and give up the fight - if she does the medical staff need to
step in quickly to save the situation - she could loose the baby if there
is no one who knows how to guide her.
When King Saul was rejected by God and David annointed for kingship the
nation entered into a period of transition. Some stuck with Saul, some
went over to David - and only David's refusal to engage Saul in battle
prevented civil war. Can we avoid civil war in the church?
In the inter-testimental transition period (between Malachai and Matthew)
the Jews divided into theological camps and debated doctrine amongst
themselves rather than honestly seeking od's purposes. As a result, when
God's purpose was made flesh they missed Him! Now that it is the church
that is in transition - are we going to foment civil war in the church? Or
perhaps behave like the Pharisees/Saducees/Scribes and engage in endless
debates - or are we going to "press towards the goal" Phil 3.14? Unless we
recognise the unique tests inherent in a period of transition we may well
miss the turning as completely as the Pharisees did.
It is not sufficient to say "we are in transition" - there need to be
signposts in place. We can ask the guys who are running up ahead how they
found the way - but the chances are that they wont remember! There need to
be people in every local church who understand times and seasons and can
say "hey, guys, we are in transition. This is where we are going, and this
is the right road to get there."
TRANSITION - THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS UNCHANGED
How can I say that we need to tell people where we are going when I have
already said we don't know what the next phase is going to look like?
Simply - the goal has not changed. The goal is still Jesus, (Phil
3.11,12,14) the ultimate is still that we be part of (Rev 7.9) "a great
multitude which no man can number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and
tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb ..." giving glory
to God in heavenly places. That's where we are going! That's the prize!
Athletes don't aim at the route step by step along the way - they aim at
the finishing post. Mothers in labour don't aim at the process of labour -
the aim is to have a healthy baby. Whatever else we are preaching and
prophesying we really must keep the goal in view! I have a sort of
sneaking suspicion that if we would give ourselves to a bit more
open-ended heavenly activity (worship, the real thing, with and without
music!) we might move through this transition a bit quicker, I'm quite
certain that - if we worship - we will see the signposts for the road
ahead. What does the road look like? I have no idea - I'm looking for the
goal not the road!
Is it possible that we have become too focused on the road? We say that we
want to be part of a spotless bride, prepared for her husband - the motive
sounds pure ... but to be honest, when I was preparing to get married my
mother and my bridesmaid had to do just about everything for me, I was so
focused on the husband-to-be that if the wedding dress had been bright
pink I am not sure I would have noticed. Is this what Jesus meant when he
talked to the church at Ephesus about their first love (Rev 2.3)? Focus on
the goal! When we do Jesus himself will make sure we get to see the
signposts for the right road.
TRANSITION - THE ROLE OF PROPHETIC PEOPLE
Now - where do prophetic people fit into all of this? What is the place of
the prophetic in a church that is in transition? To be exhausive would be
exhausting - some pointers
TRANSITION - WHAT ABOUT LEADERS?
Leadership is changing. But it is not the job of prophetic-people to
institute the change. Our job is to hear God and speak what we hear. If we
are sent to leaders we go - not because they are leaders, but because we
are messengers with a job to do. We have no rights in respect of good
treatment - and the scriptural record is quite clear that prophets get a
fairly raw and rather violent deal most of the time. The world teaches us
to raise our expectations of a good life, personal freedoms, just
treatment and so on - but nothing in scripture indicates that prophets
have a right to expect that. We could, of course, resign our calling and
embrace the good-life the politicians are offering - but I don't think
that many of us are ready to form a queue waiting for THAT to materialise.
The truth is - being prophetic is tough. We need to get used to that, the
gifts and the calling of God is still without repentance - if we have been
gifted and called he is not about to give up on training us.
TRANSITION - MOVE TOWARDS THE GOAL!
We who are prophetic should be the ones who are capable of seeing the
goal. Focus on the goal, not on the other runners and the scenery of the
route. Be one who can see the way to the goal, not one who grumbles about
the other athletes or the state of the road. Be part of a bride mesmerised
by the company of the groom, not so taken up with the dressmaker that she
doesn't realise the groom is missing. Be ready to "hear a word behind you,
saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand
or whenever you turn to the left."(Is 30.21)
eap@icon.co.za
Keys Of the Kingdom
Jim Rinker
I have a personal testimony that I believe is a word the Lord wants to
release to His children.
The foundation of any ministry that we are called to will only be as
strong as the love that we have for the Lord Jesus Christ and for those we
are called to minister to. The evidence of how diligent we have been in
allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to weed and prune us so that
we will bear the fruit of love is manifest in the heat of battle. Rick
Joyner in his book "The Call" terms this "quality of our camp". The
strength of any army in battle is directly proportional to the quality of
it's camp. How was the time in resting spent? Was it wasted or was it used
to it's fullness to further purge us that we would produce more fruit.
I have been learning that the only thing that will sustain us in the heat
of battle is His love, both His love for us as well as His love for His
people. Standing firm in the face of opposition and perseverance through
difficult circumstances for the sake of others is a clear sign that His
love is being manifest in our lives.
I had been involved in a local church for 3 years in the area I live from
1997 to 2000. Last August I walked away from that local body bitter,
angry, disillusioned and discouraged. How did I fall so far? How did these
things gain foothold in my life?
Up until the time of my walking away, I had walked in increasing knowledge
and wisdom in the Lord's ways. God had been feeding me and giving me
prophetic insight into the "mysteries of the kingdom" and instructing me
in His ways. There was an increase in the prophetic anointing on my life
as well. The Lord was using me in many instances to give words of
encouragement and in general speak life into the lives of many.
If I can sum up knowledge, wisdom, and the anointing (gifts of the Spirit)
it would be "the keys of the kingdom". Those keys were given to me to
first and foremost unlock the prison cell I was in. Once free from my own
delusions I was then given limited responsibility to begin to share with
others to give them these "keys" so they could free themselves.
Those who hold the keys of the kingdom WILL be opposed. The opposition can
be seen as a sign and used as a great sharpening stone or it can be used
as a stumbling block in our pathway. The choice of how we are going to use
that stone is ours. That stone reveals how well we camped. How much of His
love is actually a apart of our lives. It also reveals hidden motives. It
says in Romans that ALL things work out for good to those who love Him.
Opposition can be a pruning tool to bring forth more fruit if we recognize
and receive it as a pruning tool.
The keys of the kingdom are used to free us from our prison cells. They
are not what sustain us. His love sustains us. In the midst of opposition
I grew weaker and weaker. I became more and more distracted by focusing on
the spiritual forces working through others (totally unknown to them) that
were trying to stop me rather than on those I was called to give the keys
of the kingdom to. What became manifest (not understood until months
later) was my lack of love for Jesus AND HIS PEOPLE.
His love NEVER fails. The reason I failed is because I was lacking in His
love. I ignored the warning signs the Lord posted on the pathway for me to
see if I would have not ignored them.
One of the warning signs is to focus on the forces of wickedness in high
places rather than on the Lord Himself. The enemy "suckered" me into
fighting a battle that neither you or I are called to fight. We are called
to sit with Christ "high above" all principalities and powers and not cast
them down. That time will come but it certainly is not yet that time. The
call is not to cast down but rather to overcome. What this means is that
those powers still exists, but they do not have authority over our lives.
A defensive end is called to sack the quarterback, not fight with the
offensive linemen trying to stop him. The defensive end is looking to "go
beyond" the lineman. If we get no further than the lineman, he has done
his job in protecting his quarterback. If the enemy can get us to fight
him instead of going to the prisoners who are requesting assistance we
will fail to free them.
The second warning sign was my reaction to what I saw. Jesus saw all
things as they were yet was able to stand knowing all things. What
sustained Him was His love for us. I was given vision because I asked for
it. Many others are given vision because they too have asked for it.
Standing under the weight of the "anointing" and not being consumed by it
is quite another matter.
The amount of love I had for God's people was manifest by the anointing. I
knew the spiritual truth that is in Ezekiel about an exceedingly great
army that would be risen up out of the driest of bones. I lacked the
patience and perseverance to stand in the midst of those dry bones,
however, to see them risen up. I became distracted by their dryness. I
became offended by the condition of the army. That offense can stop us
from ministering to the ones we are sent to heal and free. Our offense
manifests our expectations, which if are dillusions will hinder us.
The third warning sign was trying to make blind people see what you see.
Jesus said in Matthew 13 that "to you it is given to know the mysteries of
the kingdom but to those without it is not given". Blindness is directly
proportional to discipleship. His disciples were granted vision because
they chose to follow Jesus while those who were not His disciples were not
granted that vision. Vision first needed to be imparted. Agreement comes
as we all see as He sees. There is no disagreement when we look as a ship
and say "that's a ship". We disagree because we do not see as He sees.
Now vision is a wonderful thing but if it is not used to free others then
it will be used to judge others. Seeing that a religious spirit controls
the vast majority of the churches today is one thing. Being able to impart
vision to others that they may see as well is quite another. Knowledge is
power. It is power to rule over or it is power to free. It is also the
power to let someone have their free will to choose. To choose to seek Him
on their own or choose to not seek Him and remain as they are. Vision is
given to all who ask! Love will allow someone to choose. To choose
delusions or choose life without being offended. Offense = distraction!
It says in the book of Acts that Jesus instructed the disciples not to
depart Jerusalem but wait for the POWER. That word power is not
"strength". It is dunamas. Now it means dynamo and most equate that with
strength but a dynamo is a self sustaining mechanism that once going
requires no outside power source for it to run. It is deemed "inherent
power". Inherent power is the power of REPRODUCTION. It is the power to
reproduce the life of Christ in you in others. The disciples were
instructed to WAIT until they received the power of reproduction. But
locked in this word power is love for reproduction does not happen unless
an act or manifestation of love occurs. Meditate on this.
Now, I will sum all of this information up. The gifts of the Spirit are
given to free ourselves and others from our prison cells of delusion that
we may worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Possessing the anointing
is possessing the keys to the prison cells. The keys are given to those
who ask the Lord and seek Him. He then sends His servants to impart the
keys so the prisoner can free themselves. Those who hold the keys to
unlock the prison cells of those held captive will come under direct
attack by the prison guards. To walk in the face of direct opposition of
the enemy and persevere the mocking of other prisoners that have not yet
asked for freedom we need to posses His love for the prisoners. Our
ability to stand in the midst of this great battle is directly
proportional to the amount of unfailing love we posses.
Now, to those who are being given spiritual authority to go and free the
captives, I exhort you in the name of Jesus to listen to my words. I stand
as a living example of how one who is given the keys to the kingdom can
fail in their mission and fall on the battlefield. If any of these warning
signs ring true in your life, take time to camp and ask the Lord to impart
His love to you for His people. Do not justify yourself! You will be able
to BIBLICALLY justify yourself as I did. This is not a matter of who is
right and who is wrong. It is a matter of life and death. It is a matter
of learning responsibility. The walk IS difficult. If the walk is not
difficult for you then your probably not on the right path. But in the
face of difficulties and opposition is sustenance. That sustaining factor
is His love.
May the Lord Bless You and Sustain You in the Midst of Ever Increasing
Darkness!
rinker@3dp.com
May 11, 2001
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest.
[I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28
email: mreitz@penn.comAnd my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your
faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
--1 Corinthians 2:4-5
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