Five-Fold Today - An Urgent Call for Spiritual Revival - A Separation On Every Level - Reach Out, Reach Up - Do You Really Want To Know Christ? - Come Out From Them - A Violent Wind - Worship - Repent

February 13, 2003

An Urgent Call for Spiritual Revival

George Otis Jr.

A Clear and Present Danger

America is entering a season of extraordinary danger. The threat, which includes potential multi-front nuclear conflicts, domestic terror, and a mounting economic crisis, is both unprecedented and imminent. Some have called the circumstances that are now converging around the world a precursor to "the perfect storm."

Many knowledgeable analysts believe an American-led invasion of Iraq—warranted though it may be—could trigger several undesirable consequences. Among the more ominous of these are opportunistic (and potentially catastrophic) military action on the Korean Peninsula, a wave of coordinated domestic and international terror, and a nuclear or biological attack on Israel (launched by a desperate Saddam Hussein).

Economic scenarios are no less grim. One top economist believes that continued unrest in Venezuela coupled with a "messy" war with Iraq could cause the price of oil to rise between $40 and 80 a barrel. This development, coupled with a 34 percent rise in natural gas prices, would trigger severe economic dislocation. Other analysts predict America’s growing trade and budget deficits will cause the dollar to lose more that 10 percent of its in value in 2003. Already, this witches brew of present weakness and future uncertainty has led to recent steep declines in stock valuations and corporate payrolls. More than 100,000 jobs were lost in December, and thousands of additional layoffs are being forecast for the coming weeks.

However we choose to respond (or not respond) to these threats, we must understand the stakes are incredibly high. And the implications of our choices will be on us within the blink of an eye. We need wisdom, for we have not walked this way before.

A Church Unprepared

If ever there were a moment for the Church to stand up and be counted, that moment is now. Unfortunately, American Christendom is in the midst of a debilitating spiritual funk. At almost every turn, supernatural power and insight have given way to religious inertia. Fellowships are growing numerically, but members are not maturing in character. There are programs aplenty, but little fear of God. Most ominously, modern believers seem oblivious to their unhealthy condition. Having succumbed to the Laodicean Syndrome (see Revelation 3:14-17), they view their compromised state as normal—even blessed.

A troubling, if predictable, consequence of this spiritual self-deception is that the Church has found itself unable to speak into the current crisis with any clarity or consistency. Burdened political leaders seeking direction from Christian clergy and prayer networks report receiving advice that "wanders all over the map." Needing perspicacious wise men, these national decision makers are finding instead blind guides and flesh-clouded counsel.

In the months ahead, millions of Americans will gather in homes, offices, schools and churches to seek answers and pour out their fears. The need for godly participation in this national discourse is obvious, but there are serious doubts about whether it will happen. According to noted researcher George Barna, the Church will have to work hard to avoid a repetition of its dismal performance in the aftermath of September 11—an occasion many now regard as a missed opportunity. In this exceedingly dangerous and confusing hour, the American Church must either give up its false assumptions (about its spiritual health and the prospect of continued divine favor), or run the risk of becoming irrelevant.

Blow the Trumpet in Zion

If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people…I will hold the watchman accountable. (Ezekiel 33:6)

If the Church is the nation’s best hope, it must be awakened from its slumber—and fast. Revival must become an urgent priority, not just a theological or historical curiosity. It’s promotion must become the task of every pulpit, it’s implementation the responsibility of every believer. For this to happen, desperate intercessors must prevail upon God to provoke within His people a deep and widespread dissatisfaction with the religious status-quo.

Some dismiss such talk as unnecessarily alarmist, citing America’s present global dominance as clear evidence the nation remains the apple of God’s eye. They argue that the greater threat lies in disrupting the lives of good people and successful ministry programs.

Such arguments are not new. Indeed they have attended the demise of nearly every revival, and many a civilization. America, given her present predicament, can ill afford a repeat of past mistakes. Rather, she needs godly shepherds who will refuse resolutely to downplay the urgency of the hour and the seriousness of the Church’s present condition. She requires committed prophets who will seize every opportunity to acknowledge with Ezekiel: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them." (Ezekiel 33:10).

We have come to the point, both as a nation and as a Church, where we can no longer coast on the momentum of past deeds and choices. Our relationship with God has gone fallow, and it can only be restored through true repentance and unreserved obedience. As Scripture reminds us, "The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys…" (Ezekiel 33:12)

In this unsettled hour, the eyes of the Lord are upon His people. Will He find faith in the earth? Will He find a hunger for His presence? Will He find a ready remnant through whom He can speak to this nation and its leaders?

Let us press in to hear what the Spirit has to say to the Church. If this requires us to suspend, at least temporarily, some of our most cherished routines—let us seize the moment!

George Otis, Jr.

From: Consuming Fire Prophetic Network
lionheart@gci.net

A Separation On Every Level

Marsha Burns

I have already spoken to you of a separation that is taking place on every level, and I tell you that the first place of separation will be in your own heart. If you will yield to the work of sanctification, the result will be a thorough cleansing and purging of your heart. All defilement and filthiness of flesh and spirit proceeds from the heart, which is the center of life. Be sensitive as I begin to reveal, confront and convict. You must yield to this process of purification, or the fires will become increasingly hotter and the trials more severe as you stubbornly cling to old ways. Throw off the garments that have been defiled by the flesh, and put on the cloak of righteousness, for these are the days of judgment.

Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Faith Tabernacle
Kremmling, Colorado
http://ft111.com

Reach Out, Reach Up

Ron Anderson

For I have given you this day. It is My gift to you. Use it -- not for your will, but for Mine. I will bring you into a new spiritual light. One that has much understanding. That is what I desire for you, My children.

Run now with what I have given you. You possess it now, much that you do not know of. It has come into you. It comes into you in the times you are not aware of. It comes from avenues on high that is just above you, waiting for you to reach out and reach up. It is easily obtainable. Only believe, and you shall see the mighty recompense of the Lord. It waits for you. Enjoy the many, and the much that awaits all My children. Only believe in that which is yours to own, that which you possess already.

rkapj@xprt.net

Do You Really Want To Know Christ?

Doug Morrell

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Phi. 3:10)

Do I really want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death? Have I understood that the will of God is not a program, it is a relationship? Have I yet discovered that it is not what I do, it is what I am? Is this acceptable?

For this is the will of God, your sanctification. (1 Thess. 4:3)

God's will is my sanctification. Sanctification has to do with what I am, not what I do.

The word sanctification comes from the same root from which we get our word holy. We are to be holy.

What makes something or someone holy? It is that it or they belong to God. It is God's desire that we become entirely His property. "This is the will of God, your sanctification; that you become God's property."

The Apostle Peter said:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, (1 Pet 2:9)

"God's own people" are "a people for his possession." That's it. A people for God's possession, God's property, a people he owns and possesses. The thought is more than the idea that he owns you, it also carries with it the thought that God dwells there: You are his home. As Paul writes in his prayer in Ephesians 3, "that Christ may make his home in your hearts," (Eph 3:17). That is God's purpose for us.

He is the Holy One and it is his presence in us that makes us holy. It is his dwelling in us that makes us his property, and this ownership extends to the whole of man, every part of his being. Look at the way Paul puts it in First Thessalonians 5, Verse 23. His prayer is,

May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Th 5:23)

The indwelling presence of God in our spirit, soul, and body is the will of God for us, but it is something we must choose moment-by-moment. Love never compels, and God is love. Therefore, God's desire is that we voluntarily allow Him to occupy our three-fold being, spirit, soul and body. It is God's will for us that He dwell in us and completely control our spirit, soul and body. However, we must agree to it. He will never force the process of becoming holy, set apart, our sanctification.

What is absolutely essential before any life is pleasing to God? "Without faith it is impossible to please him." (Heb. 11:6) Please note, it does not say it will be difficult -- it says it is impossible. Therefore, the life that pleases God is the life that is lived by faith and we must recognize the distinction between belief and faith; I can believe in Christ, but I must move out in faith to demonstrate the sincerity of my belief. We must live a life of faith to be pleasing to God.

We must believe that God's view of everything is true regardless of popular opinion. If God says something is good, and we say it is bad, we can never experience freedom. If God says something is bad, and we say it is good, we are undone in the presence of its power; we are deceived.

When we are united with Christ by trusting in him, we experience the power that raised him from the dead. That same mighty power will help us live morally renewed and regenerated lives; it is the power of the Holy Spirit. But before we can walk in newness of life, we must also die to sin. Just as the resurrection gives us Christ's power to live for him, his crucifixion marks the death of our old sinful nature. We can't know the victory of the resurrection without personally applying the crucifixion -- we must die to ourselves daily, not fulfilling the appetites of our old nature.

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. (2 Thess. 1:5)

As we live for Christ, we will experience troubles because we are trying to be God's people in a perverse world. Some people say that troubles are the result of sin or lack of faith, but the Bible also teaches that they may be a part of God's plan for us. Our problems can help us look upward and forward, instead of inward (Mark 13:35, 36; Philippians 3:13, 14); they can build strong character (Romans 5:3, 4); and they can provide us with opportunities to comfort others who also are struggling (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Our troubles may be an indication that we are taking a stand for Christ.

We can gain relief in knowing that our sufferings are strengthening us, making us ready for Christ's kingdom. We can also gain relief in the fact that one day everyone will stand before God; at that time, wrongs will be righted, judgment will be pronounced, and evil will be terminated.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance (Rom. 5:3)

In the future we will become, but until then we must overcome; overcoming this world's temptations, Satan's deceptions, and our own inwardly selfish desires. This means we will experience difficulties that help us grow. We rejoice in suffering not because we enjoy pain or deny its tragedy, but because we know God is using life's difficulties, Satan's attacks, and our own sinful nature to build our character. The problems that we run into will develop our perseverance--which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future.

Thank God for the many opportunities to grow, and deal with them in his strength.

Grow in grace and truth,

doug morrell

A servant of the servants of God
Live Christ Deliberately!

http://www.christianoutfitters.com

Come Out From Them

Yolanda Ballard

All things are subject to change, and I am about to turn the tide on those who feel that they can dictate to others the way that they are to worship Me. For I want you to know that I am tired of the religiosity displayed by those who call religion "worship". Come into the house of God, and cry out to Me. Worship Me with hearts of pure love and devotion unto Me. Give Me all that you have, and yes, I will turn the tide. I will set the captives free from the spirit of pride and religion. I will set them free so that they can rejoice with exuberant joy. Once freedom comes they will never return under that old taskmaster called religion.

This is the day that I will come and pour out upon My people an anointing that will set the captives free to be all that I've called them to be. Out of the caves will come My worshiping warriors with a message of hope and light to set others free to worship Me. I will go across the land and those who do not yield to My message of freedom will be judged. I will take those out of leadership who will keep My people bound up, for I am tired of seeing those hearts who are struggling underneath a dry message. They are dying to rejoice and to be free to shout and dance and to be themselves without others dictating how they should worship. For yes, all things are subject to change, and I come to turn the tides. I come to pull down the strongholds of religion and pride. I come to set the captives free like never before. I come to release those from bondage for yes, I AM and I come to take over, says your God.

Shout unto the Lord with a voice of triumph. Shout unto Me with a voice of praise! This is the day of the latter rain outpouring, and I come to move with signs and wonders as My people worship Me. I will pull down the strongholds over the land and release My heart cry for the lost as a mighty roar. And those who I gave My life for will return to Me. I am calling back those who have backsliden, those who were wounded in the house of God, those who gave their all for Me but were only used and abused and cast aside as one that was no longer valuable. I come to heal the broken hearted, those who were rejected, those who are no longer able to move in gifts that I gave them to use to minister to My body.

For woe to the taskmaster and the legalist for your time is running out. You will no longer hold back My people. You will no longer hold back the flow of My river, for My power is dynamite, and I come to blow apart the structures of man. Everything that I did not build will be torn down, and those who will not listen to My message of hope and freedom will be taken out of office. I will build My church over, based upon My grace and truth, and I will pour out repentance upon those with open and teachable hearts.

This is the day of salvation, the day you will decide who you will serve. Will it be the spirit of dead religion that works against Me or will you choose Truth and Life? The choice is yours to make. Escape now while you have time. Gather together and worship Me. Don't let anything or anyone get in your way. Follow My leading and be bold. Fear not for I AM your God. I will have a clean vessel to move through. I will have one that is free.

I AM calling My bride out. Come unto Me, My lovely one, and let Me trim the lamp that you may burn for Me like you once did before. Let Me stir your heart to come apart from the cares of the world, and lose yourself in My warm embrace. Dance with Me and let Me pull down the strongholds through you. For you are My bride, and you will be faithful to My calling you out.

Come forth, My worshiping warriors. Yes, come out of your caves, and wave the banners and the tambourines for this is the day of jubilee only if you worship Me. For gross darkness is covering the land, and pain and suffering unknown of until this time, but those who worship Me in the secret place I will provide for and cover with a blanket of joy and hope to others. You will be a light for others to follow who are lost. You will minister peace to those who have no hope. So obey My voice, and come out from those who call darkness light and that which is wrong right. Come out from the message of deception. Be free for this is the day, says your God.

RainNglory777@msn.com

A Violent Wind

Olivia Long

When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. Acts 2:2

I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her My people, so that you do not share in their sins, neither participate in her plagues. Rev. 18:4

I have separated a remnant for Myself, those who have been obedient to My will. My Overcomers, called out for My purpose. I have asked you not to just leave something, but to conquer it. But you found out it was not enough to just come out of it, you had to undergo the treatment of the Holy Spirit - to be cleansed from old religious ideas and influences - before you could understand what I Am doing. For those who chose to not remain standing due to the wilderness pressures, they are cut off from what I am doing.

I am anointing for service, priests and kings, to do great exploits and with power. I shall reveal My Sons of Glory to an amazed world. They will show power unspeakable and be full of glory. You wonder, will you be accepted or be rejected, as My Son was? Be assured of one thing, My Glorious Beloved, creation will welcome you with open arms. The world is about to see a ministry coming forth from the wilderness, bringing the restoration of holiness and truth AND a restoration of all that was lost.

Nothing shall stop My Chosen Ones. And nothing can stand before My judges, for once more I shall have judges in the land. You have wondered if you would ever leave this wilderness? You have My assurance that I have been working out everything for your good! I have a wonderful plan for the world and for you. Plans made in eternity! You shall discover that I have worked out everything in your life out to the tiniest detail.

I have taken out of them, a people for My Name. I will return again, the Tabernacle of David rebuilt - the fullness of My Glory in a people.

Yes, I have called out a people for My Name - delivering, purging, purifying and maturing them, slowly bringing them into the full stature of Jesus Christ. I am calling out My people, bearing My Name, My Nature, My Power and Authority throughout the earth. Kings and Priests after the order of Melchizidek to bring forth My Kingdom to pass on all the earth.

Stand firm, My wilderness people, stand firm - for My promises are sure! You are crossing into the promised land and you shall take the land and the enemy will be put under your feet.

Pentecost was the day the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples and they were empowered to go out to preach the good news. Once again you will hear the blowing of A Violent Wind coming from heaven and My remnant from 'every nation' shall be called forth.

Olivia Long
faithbuildersministries@the-i.net

Worship

Ed Key

ROMANS 12:1 (NAS) states the clearest Biblical definition of worship. Sacrificial Body presentation, motivated by the Holy Spirit through a pure heart, is our "spiritual worship".

Worship is not relegated to a song, it is a lifestyle of holy obedience unto God; Serving Him through serving the least of these our Brothers. Loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Loving our neighbor as ourselves. Feeding the Sheep of His pasture, and caring for the widows and orphans in their distress. This is true Body Presentation unto Most High.

The above are bottom line WORSHIP basics. Singing with great and varied vocal intensity is not the fullness of worship Father desires. Songs, Hymns, and Psalms about, and unto the Lord, are a portion of our our obedient activity.

PRAISE is more geared to the vocalization of the things of God, the first fruit of our lips unto Him. It is a musical, dramatic, and/or poetic rendering of the fruit required of us as saints. This is but a facet of the manifold wisdom of God being made known in us, to us and through us in heavenly places.

WORSHIP is more of the "lifestyle" of repentence, obedience and holiness unto the Lord. The results are the fruit of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, which is the Kingdom of God. Our very ACTS, including thoughts and conversation, should be rendered unto our Saviour, which is our spiritual service of worship.

Jesus NEVER defined worship as "singing", though we know it should be a portion, or measure, of a holy lifestyle. Corporate worship is not relegated to a Sunday praise time in unison with other believers. Do not be deceived into believing you've done your worship duty because you got the "feel good goose bumps" during the crescendo of a song at "church" or a "Christian" concert. Again, this is a portion of what God desires in worship in spirit and in truth, but it is not the fullness.

In Christ,

Ed Key

A More Excellent Way Ministries
newearthpioneer@yahoo.com

Repent

A. W. Tozer

Do not quench the Spirit. --1 Thessalonians 5:19

It is time for us to repent, for our transgressions against the blessed Third Person have been many and much aggravated. We have bitterly mistreated Him in the house of His friends. We have crucified Him in His own temple as they crucified the Eternal Son on the hill above Jerusalem. And the nails we used were not of iron, but of the finer and more precious stuff of which human life is made. Out of our hearts we took the refined metals of will and feeling and thought, and from them we fashioned the nails of suspicion and rebellion and neglect. By unworthy thoughts about Him and unfriendly attitudes toward Him we grieved and quenched Him days without end.

The truest and most acceptable repentance is to reverse the acts and attitudes of which we repent....

We can best repent our neglect by neglecting Him no more. Let us begin to think of Him as One to be worshipped and obeyed. Let us throw open every door and invite Him in. Let us surrender to Him every room in the temple of our hearts and insist that He enter and occupy as Lord and Master within His own dwelling. The Pursuit of Man, 71-72.

"Forgive me. Change me. Indwell me. Control me. Amen."

Insight for Leaders
http://www.litmin.com/tozer.php3

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