Five-Fold Today - From Ashes To Glory - Assembling, Not For the Better - A Contrite Spirit - Leave Nothing Undone - Title Transfer - Fill Your Cup - God Sees Your Heartache - Controlled By Your Own Desires - Don't Be Discouraged, But Rejoice - Be Still Before Me
From Ashes To Glory
Jasminka Diehl
For some time now, many of us have been going through the INTENSE purging, through this "wilderness" experience, where the heat is almost unbearable. The winds have risen up and have stirred all kinds of things, the loneliness and heartbreak are our companions.
Some of us have built the strongholds all around us. I speak this from my very own experience, but I do know that I am not the only one, but am just one of many that God is bringing through, at this time.
There are walls all around us from all emotional hurts. Rejections and heart pains have taught us how to fortify our hearts, to protect and guard it against all that would come our way. We have made ourselves strong by building the wall with our own hands, and every time we went through the suffering and heart pains, the wall became bigger and stronger.
But that strength was made within us rather than allowing God to be that strength in our weakness ...
So the time has come, and He is tearing down all those defenses and walls we have carefully built with our own hands. The time has come to reveal all our life wounds and scars, to become completely open and vulnerable to God.
VERY PAINFUL EXPERIENCE!!!
But out of those ashes of the broken humanity there is the new spirit arising, totally and completely belonging to God, being devoted only to Him, and following Him wherever He may lead ...
Maturity has a PRICE - it costs us all. All of our will, and all of our flesh will have to be consumed in His fire, so that the holiness will become the NORM of our living, and Jesus Christ will become truly the one and only living within us.
That way it will not be just the words we talk about, the scripture we have learned to quote, but our very own life will become the Gospel, walking in the WAY of the Lord. For Jesus is THE WAY!
I know that I am not alone in these things I am experiencing. God is tearing down our walls, and through the tears of repentance and our heartbreaks, the NEW us is rising up, from the ashes of old we are being formed to His liking.
The fire of holiness is raging, the winds of change are blowing, gathering the ashes as the offering, so that the new man is being formed, and the Glory of God will be able to reside and fill that temple. The Body of Christ will truly become His Body, the Holy Temple, the true Bride.
There is the time and the place in God, where each one of us will have to "expose" ourselves, unlock, and open up all the hidden passage ways that lead to the CENTER of our heart, so that the healing waters can flow, and the restoration can take place.
For how can we help and restore others if we are in need of restoration ourselves?
God knows what He is doing, He is in ultimate control ... Belonging to Him we are not our own anymore, and He WILL accomplish all that needs to be accomplished.
Heart breaks will come, the pain and suffering, the loneliness and hardships too. But all those are just tools, used to help us being shaped into the true sons and daughters of God. For out of the broken heart the true compassion will flow ..
Out of the broken humanity the holy nation will arise, and their destiny and their purpose will finally take place. We will be called the PURE and HOLY, as we reveal God's Glory to all the people on the earth.
So let God's fire rage and consume, let the winds of change blow. For upon the ashes of old the former and the latter rain will fall, the power of the Holy Spirit will once again raise the dead out of the tomb and confines of this flesh, and we will shine, clothed in the very Glory of our God.
Jasminka
jasna37757@yahoo.com
Assembling, Not For the Better
Chip Brogden
Jesus made it clear that "where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Just two or three!
I thank and praise God that Jesus did not say, "Where two or three THOUSAND are gathered together, there I am." He did not say, "Where two or three HUNDRED are gathered together, there I am." And He did not say, "Where two or three DOZEN are gathered together, there I am."
Jesus also did not say where the two or three had to be gathered together. He did not specify a church building or a living room meeting. And He did not say how many times a week they had to be gathered, or if the gatherings had to be structured or unstructured, open or closed, inside or outside.
By establishing His Presence in the midst of a group so small as two or three, Jesus repudiates our fascination with large numbers. Anyone can gather a crowd if you tell them what they want to hear. May I say that a large group has no more of the presence of Jesus than a small group. The numbers are irrelevant. Either Jesus is in the midst, or He is not. If Jesus is not in the midst of us then having a large group of people will not compensate for Him not being there.
I would rather sit on the living room floor with three people and have Jesus in the midst than sit in a service with three thousand people where Jesus is nowhere to be found.
Of course, Jesus can sometimes be found in large groups of people, but as my wife says, He tends to get lost in the crowd.
http://www.watchman.net
A Contrite Spirit
Mary Lloyd
I am sending a contrite spirit among you in these urgent times. Feel the sorrow of the things left undone, the compromise that has drained you, the fruit not brought to perfection, the ministerial destination unreached. Know the sadness of things not as I would have them, in your hearts, in the hearts of your brethren, and the loved ones within your gates. I am sending a contrite spirit that will cleanse you; a fire that will consume all that is not of me. This is serious. This word is not for someone else, it is for you. It is so long since you trembled at My Word.
My dear ones you need now to look not only on the things that concern you, but also on the needs of others. There is a need that you repent not only for yourself, but also for the church, for the world as yet in darkness, and for the family suspended in promises as yet unfulfilled. You ask how that might be. You ask how it can be possible to repent for others.
It is not to see another's transgressions and ask for their deliverance as though you had no part in it. You do have a part in it. Look honestly at yourself and you will see that it is so, that every sin you see is the result of another, of things left undone, of compromise, of falling short.that you are not unconnected with the process of sin. This is why with your wholehearted repentance I will move mightily, and bring deliverance, and heal your land. When you do this and bring your petitions before me, so you will see me answer your prayer, because I will answer the prayer of My servant who has clean hands. I have promised that.
But these are urgent days ahead, and days that I have warned you about: when one shall be taken the other left; in the field, at the workplace, and sleeping unawares: one shall be taken and the other left. Be sure where you will be this day therefore. Leave this not undone, receive this contrite spirit, let yourself come under My scrutiny and be not afraid. Trust in what I have said, and not in your own works. Your works cannot comfort you like My Word to your heart. Your heart cannot receive Me without this cleansing.
I will pardon and I will deliver and I will heal. There are some things you are not unable to put right except by repentance. Corrective works would bypass My cross. Come to Me first. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me provide you with My solution. Trust Me. It is My pleasure to do good to you.
But know this injunction of holiness upon you: not for yourself only, but for the church, for the world in darkness, and yes for the loved ones within your gates.
mary@latter-rain.com
Leave Nothing Undone
Marsha Burns
Before you are really free to move forward, you must resolve past issues that still nag at your heart. Leave nothing undone that could trip you up in the days ahead. Forgive those who have victimized you, and release all resentment and bitterness. Now is the time to obtain forgiveness and be released from the wrongs you have committed. Seek Me for wisdom, and I will show you how to make restitution in order to leave the past behind. The season you are now entering requires that you be unencumbered by regret of any kind. Deal decisively and swiftly with all that could hinder your progress. Do not be afraid to humble yourself in this process, for pride has been the culprit in every situation where division, strife, and contention have manifested and caused pain for yourself and others. You are about to complete the struggle of breaking out of your cocoon before you take flight. This is a defining spiritual moment.
Faith Tabernacle
http://ft111.com
Cheri Henderson
We welcome "Apostle" so-and-so,
There are many parts to the Body
No.
Let's transfer the titles back to the Source
--Cheri Henderson
Fill Your Cup
Bill Burns
You are the people of the Most High, and you have been called for such a time as this. I say that I am calling the Remnant who will be fearless of heart, those who will rise up to join with Me and My purposes in this time, says the Lord. I am renewing your faith and opening the eyes of your vision that you may see, understand, and know the intentions of My purposes individually and corporately, says the Lord. Come and receive the wine of this season. Receive that which is being poured out by the Holy Spirit. Is He not to be your Teacher? Will He not open the eyes of your understanding? Will He not reveal to you My perfect plans? You know the answer already, so what keeps you from coming? I encourage you to come to the table of the Lord. Come and have your cup filled. Come and receive the anointing of this season, for you shall walk in the glory, and you shall walk on the high places. I give you hind's feet to walk in high places above the devil's kingdom where you may see his plans and know his intentions and understand the mysteries of darkness. Go forth My people and pull down those things which are born out of darkness and reveal a great light in this land, the Hill of Zion. It will be a light that beckons to the nations of Edom and the Gentiles who do not know My ways. When they see me as I am, then surely they shall come, says the Lord.
I am moving upon your Spirit. You will feel a harmony within your spirit. I am bringing forth the power of the song and the power of the dance. I am bringing forth the power of prophetic utterance,and I will begin to move when you establish a spiritual place for Me to come. I will bring the sound of My voice on the wind. I will bring the dance of victory into your lives and into the land where I have led you to, released you into, and established you in. I release you to come into the power of My kingdom, for these are the days of the restoration of all things.
Faith Tabernacle
http://ft111.com
God Sees Your Heartache
Charlotte Bartlett
There are so many of God's children whom live in the arena of heartache. God has willed that the unity you are in should correspond with the unity of the Holy Spirit's will and purpose. But, alas, circumstances have caused you to hold back that which seems relevant and the unity you once envisioned has been lost to carnal ways over which you cannot seem to see victory.
God reaches forth to draw you nigh to encounter His love and presence in a new and awesome way. Seek the Lord with your whole heart and your whole soul and being. Then you will encounter the reality of His will and purpose.
Do not allow the circumstances of the day to become mountains. Instead, rise up in faith and climb the mountain to encounter God's love and power in a new and personal way.
"I have drawn you in bonds of eternal love and so desire that nothing would obscure My will and purpose. For behold, I set before you the avenues of eternal life. In them is full reality and purpose. The scope of My doing is beyond the understanding of man. But as you abide in Me, you will have the power and presence of My Spirit resident, and you will have the ability to remain steadfast in the ways I reveal.
Look not to the right nor the left, but look steadfast unto Me, the Lord Jesus Christ. And I will likewise sustain you and bring you forth to inherit all that is in keeping with My will and purpose.
Be steadfast abounding in My love. As you draw near, the power of My love working in you will ultimately be released, working through you and touching all those areas which seem as impossible obstacles. Lo I am with you always, no matter where you go. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Allow the presence of divine love to saturate your inner being and embrace that which the Holy Spirit sets before you.
Take time and be still. I see every heartache and am near to bring healing and restoration to you. Absorb My love in stillness, and remain in My ongoing presence.
Peace be still. Receive the hope that I bring.
agapangel@sympatico.ca
Controlled By Your Own Desires
Doug Morrell
Being Controlled By Your Own Desires Will Stunt Your Growth
Much of what we do in our lives stems from low self-esteem; there is a definite connection between our sin nature and our attempts to prove our worth. Our self-image is a direct reflection of how we "see" our relationship with our Lord.
Perhaps this is why we feel the need to constantly ³do² as opposed to just "be." We have not learned how to live balanced lives. We find ourselves needing to be always on-the-go and desiring to please others through various "performance-based" activities which serve as evidence of our natural state; we are driven so that we may be viewed as acceptable (1 Corinthians 3:1). It is our innate insecurity, fear, and incorrect understanding of our relationship with our Father God that produces busyness, hurriedness and stress. We simply do not know how to "be still and know that He is God." The very act of being still would bring great discomfort for it is then that our sin would be revealed; a sin that if confronted, would bring certain death to our thinly veneered self-elevated image and lifestyle; we would find ourselves at a Cross-road of choice and very few willingly choose the path less traveled.
Our natural state, from which Christ has redeemed us, has been fed erroneous information from childhood. We question our value from day one. We have been taught to fear failure. Most have never experienced unconditional love and acceptance, whether at home, school, work, or church. We learned at an early age that the awards and accolades went only to those who performed well - the fastest, the prettiest, the smartest - those who received the "at-a-boys" or "at-a-girls". Everyone else who did not measure up found themselves picked last, benched, sidelined, avoided, outcast, ostracized. Little boy-souls and little girl-souls devoid of true measure found themselves attempting to compensate by masking real pain through counter-productive measures. We do what we do because we are afraid to do otherwise; we mask our pain with busyness. Instead of being "human beings" we have become "human doings."
We learned that the more and the better we performed, the more applause and valuable we became and so the busier we became. We realized that to be recognized and affirmed - to be accepted as individuals - that we must perform. This deception carried over into our marriages, our families, our work, our ministry.
We are driven by an inner compulsion to perform; so much of what we do is because we have not understood that we are accepted on the basis of what Jesus has already done. Our busyness and performance-based activities are addictions and are deeply rooted in childhood. Though the hallmark of the church is to love unconditionally, very few people have ever experienced unconditional love and acceptance.
We evaluate ourselves by what we achieve. We think that by always doing something of value that we ourselves become valuable. We have not learned certain elementary teachings that are essential for all believers to understand. Those basics include the foolishness of trying to be accepted by doing good deeds. To go on to maturity and to break the deception, we must move beyond (but not away from) the elementary teachings to a more complete understanding of the faith (Hebrews 6:1-3). We must re-learn before we can begin to learn.
We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds to believe that we have incredible worth in God's eyes completely apart from what we do. We do not earn God's grace by "doing" but by "being" (Romans 12:1, 2).
Our ambition, unlike unbelievers, is to make every effort to enter His rest, His yoke, to be still and know that God is God, to lead simple lives so that we are at peace both with God and in God (Matthew 11:28, 29; Hebrews 4:11; Psalm 46:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Peter 3:4).
The "church that love built" should be more than a slogan; it is the expressed Message and purpose of God. Practicing and learning to accept God's amazing grace through unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness is the foundational bedrock of our faith. We must realize that to seek to earn God's approval is idolatry.
A building's strength is determined by the depth and quality of its foundation. The foundation of our lives is Jesus Christ; he is our Rock, our reason for being. Everything we are and everything we do must fit into the blueprint provided by him. Have you built your life on the only real and lasting foundation, or have you built on a faulty foundation such as wealth, security, success, or fame?
This thanksgiving, take time to review and say out loud the following. Then give thanks to our Father for His amazing Grace:
You Are Accepted In Christ Jesus:
You Are Secure In Christ:
You Are Special In Christ Jesus:
Grow in grace and truth,
A fellow servant in the work of the Kingdom.
Christian Outfitters - Live Christ Deliberately!
Don't Be Discouraged, But Rejoice
Yolanda Ballard
Don't be discouraged, but rejoice for you do have the victory even though you might not see it at present. I AM doing a deep work of purification as you go through the testing and the tribulation. For I AM preparing you for the work that I will have you to do, and you must be ready. I AM calling a people so dead to the flesh that I will be able to trust them with the glory I will pour out. For I AM calling a people, a holy remnant, to greater works, and one must be in the state of mind of such consistency that would not want to stand in the way or to try to rob me of the glory.
I AM purging the church of all traces of manipulation and control even of My Spirit. I AM calling a people that will honor My Spirit and not try to get Me to work according to the will of man. For I AM the One with the authority, and you are only to be the vessel I AM to move through. You can't get Me to work according to your own time frame and plans. You are to yield unto Mine until My work is completely finished.
So many think that if they set up a date and plan for a revival, then I will show up. But it doesn't work that way, because the enemy appears like an angel of light and moves with counterfeit gifts and anointing to try to deceive others thinking that it actually is Me calling the revival together. Do not be deceived, but test the spirits to see if it is truly Me who is calling you to these appointments. I AM calling My people to be discerning and not one who will follow after men or even an anointing. Yes, do not chase after anointings or healings, but seek My face and My presence, and I will supply all your needs. If you will put My will first, I will take care of all your needs.
Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. Don't go after the fanfare or the amusement. Just because people are shouting and jumping doesn't mean they have the true joy. What I mean to say is look past the outward appearance and look to the heart of the matter. Do you sense My true presence in the midst of all the turmoil. Then if not, leave and seek My still small voice. I will lead you to that remnant that calls together a meeting led purely by My Spirit seeking My agenda. Even if it might appear like I didn't show up, they still will rest in My presence, because they don't seek the hype, the signs or the feelings, only My face and to worship Me.
Yes, don't be discouraged, but rejoice, because I AM doing a deep work in My called out ones. I AM preparing the remnant for an end time work never experienced by man of such intensity. Greater works I AM calling you to, but I need those I can trust. So that is why you are going through the sifting and the purging. I need those who are contrite and pure in heart, and then I will pour out My glory in waves. Yes, mighty tidal waves of glory I will pour out that will wash away the works of the enemy in My church. Those who will be left for Me to work through will be the faithful, My remnant, My bride.
Yes, I AM calling the overcomers, those who have endured through the wind and the rain, all the storms of life. They never gave up on My faithfulness to keep My promise of the vision given to them. And now is the time and the hour where I will pour out honor and blessings abundant. Those who loved not their life unto death and forsake all for My Kingdom. Yes, those who laid their lives down and of their own loved ones to prove Me faithful. My word means everything to them.
So pick yourself up and rejoice in the victory. Walk by faith and not sight and don't trust in feelings or circumstances, but in Me alone, and I will lead you through to manifested promises of life and health divine as I usher in the end time harvest of souls and through you, My beloved.
LionOfJudah1920@wmconnect.com
Be Still Before Me
Cheryl McGrath
This is a time to be still before Me. This is a time like none this generation has witnessed. What shall I liken this time to? It is like the days of Elijah when all Israel assembled before me on the mountain, and I contended with the prophets of Baal. In that day all Israel knew that I AM God, did they not? And also these days are like the days of Peter, James and John, who gathered before me on the mountaintop. My Son was revealed before their faces in the glory of My Kingdom. Were not Peter, James and John made silent before Me? And didn't they leave the mountaintop with a fear of Me they had not previously walked in? Did they not also know I AM God? Did they not know My Son and I are One?
I tell you this time is like that time, but greater than that. This is a time when even the groaning of My creation has hushed. All creation knows what is about to break forth. For My Kingdom is coming on the earth with power and authority. My Kingdom will be breaking through where and when you least expect it. And there shall be the conflict of spiritual powers beyond anything my people have yet known. There shall be clashes between My Kingdom and the kingdom of darkness that shall amaze and disturb those who are not prepared. I tell you there are those in my church who are not ready for the breakthrough of My Kingdom, yet nevertheless it shall not be held back.
Still yourselves before me, therefore. This is a time to know that I AM God alone. This is not a time for ceaseless activity and chatter. This is not a time to say "all things continue as they were." This is a time of the clash of kingdoms and unending change. This is a time when I shall reveal who is for Me, and who is against Me. Peter, James and John did not know what they were about to witness when they were led up the mountain by My Son. Neither do you know what you are about to witness, so watch and learn.
Peter thought he knew, but he was silenced. Peter, called to shepherd My sheep, was silenced. John and James, Sons of Thunder, were silenced. John, the one they call "revelator", knew not to speak. James, apostle upon whom I placed grace, wisdom and leadership, was wise to be silent before Me. Is this not also a time when the shepherds should contain their hearts silently before me? Is this not a time when the prophets should refrain their mouths? Is this not a time when those who are wise will be still before Me?
Be still, I say, and hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Be still and allow Him to show you the I AM. Be still! Despite the turmoil that surrounds you, there is a place of stillness before Me, and now is the time for you to enter that place, that I might complete your preparation for what I am about to do.
For there will be many things for you to do and many ways in which I will work through you. A time of unprecedented Kingdom activity is almost upon you. This is the moment of stillness before I break forth.
The Kingdom is at hand - be still!
southland@greatsouthland.org
November 26, 2003
Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse. (I Corinthians 11:17).
and listen to "Prophet" such-and-such,
and if the gender is female,
the correct title to use is "Prophetess".
But as we apply lofty titles
to confirm all these special gifts,
are we giving undue credit to ourselves
when it's really all about Him?
Are there special spiritual anointings
that deserve such affirmation,
or are we merely elevating ourselves
for the human recognition?
with gifts that are equally great -
none any better than the other,
yet no titles precede their names.
And do we limit God from using us
in different capacities
when we say were strictly a "this or that"
and He has for us other ministries?
Should a title precede our given name
to describe our holy gift,
when the gift should be quite obvious
if we're really moving in it?
for they have nothing to do with us,
and elevating man just contributes to pride.
Let the Gift Giver be lifted up
. . . and lets call ourselves "servants of God"!
http://hometown.aol.com/cheri144/myhomepage/poetry.html...overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. (Mark 4:19, The Message)
I am Godıs child (John 1:12)
I am Christıs friend (John 15:15)
I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)
I have been bought with a price; I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)
I am a member of Christıs Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1)
I have been adopted as Godıs child (Ephesians 1:5)
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:14)
I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)
I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:12)
I am assured that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)
I am free from any condemning charges against me (Romans 8:33, 34)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:35)
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6)
I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
I can find grace and mercy in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
I am the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13, 14)
I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15:15)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I am a personal witness of Christıs (Acts 1:8)
I am Godıs temple (1 Corinthians 3:16)
I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 17:20)
I am Godıs coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
I am Godıs workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
doug morrell
__________________________________
http://www.christianoutfitters.comThe Pharisees asked Jesus, `When will the kingdom of God come?' He answered them, `You cannot see the kingdom of God when it comes. People will not be able to say, "Look, here it is!" or "There it is! That is because the kingdom of God is inside you.' Luke 17:20-21 (W.E. New Testament)
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