Gal 3:22 But the scripture says that the whole world is under the power of sin; and so the gift which is promised on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe.
Gal 3:23 But before the time for faith came, the Law kept us all locked up as prisoners until this coming faith should be revealed.
Gal 3:24 And so the Law was in charge of us until Christ came, in order that we might then be put right with God through faith.
Gal 3:25 Now that the time for faith is here, the Law is no longer in charge of us.
Gal 3:26 It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.
"The law kept us locked up as prisoners":
This means the law was a sort of 'watcher in advance'; it means that it mounted guard; hemmed in, to protect.(phoureo)
It held us under, especially in an inferior position or condition and specifically covertly. (hupo)
The law being the regulation and prescribed principles.(nomos)
"in charge of us":
This is the word 'paidagogos' - meaning being led by a servant whose office it is to take the children to school; a tutor; instructor; schoolmaster.
So, the law hemmed us in and mounted guard over us with regulations to keep us in an inferior condition and position, and that done covertly, to lead us bound, in a sense, to school to learn and be tutored.
But why?
It was only till Christ would come and we could believe in His completed work for us. The law held us in bondage, till faith came. Jesus revealed the power of faith when He walked on the earth. Never before had man been able to live by the power of his own faith. Jesus fulfilled all the law and took its curse (Gal 3:13), thereby giving us the ability to live by our personal full persuasion, moral conviction of truth; especially reliance upon Christ for our salvation, and then the constancy in the profession of our faith; assurance, and belief. This is what FAITH is. (pistis)
Just like the Pharisees who wanted to keep people under the bondage of the law even though Christ was the Redeemer, so even today, we have those who use the 'law' of regulation to manipulate and control as many as they can. The Judiazers insisted that the gentile believers be circumcised as they were, but Paul the apostle refuted this as a 'frustration' of the grace Christ has brought us.
We cannot 'control' peoples behavior, much less their personal belief system. We can persuade and influence through the Word, but not 'control'.
The Bible tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb11:6) and that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17).
Laws and regulations will only leave you spiritually in a place of inferiority and bondage. Your condition will always be one of hemmed in feeling of being 'watched' at every move you make. But Christ came and with Him the time of faith. Now we receive the promise on the basis of faith because we believe.
Galations 5:1
"We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So, stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law. 2. Listen, I Paul tell you that if you go back to the law by being circumcised, Christ does you no good".
The freedom we have through faith is because Christ set us free.
Freedom: eleutheria: legitimate, chiefly moral or ceremonial: - liberty.
Made us free: eleutheroō; to liberate, that is, (figuratively) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability): - deliver, make free.
Stand strong: stēkō; to be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere: - stand (fast).
Christ has delivered and liberated us from moral or ceremonial liability, and He made it a legitimate liberty so that we are free and can stay free. In fact, we are to persevere in that liberty. If we don't, we end up back under the entanglement and snare of being yoked or brought into servant hood and slavery and bondage to laws and obligations to the ceremonies, regulations of this yoke. Its the yoke of being 'balanced', judged and brought into the ensnarement. (enecho; zugos; douleia) You are never sure of your ability to do it right or fulfill its obligations. In fact, you cant!
Only believing in Christ, walking by the faith of the Son of God, do you experience knowing that all is fulfilled because of Him and now you can walk in all of it because of Him.
When men are 'laying' on you the 'law' of regulations, you too feel as if nothing you do is right or enough, leaving you to try and obtain your promise through the fulfilling of your ceremonies and regulations.
You may even be applying this personally. Because you cannot 'believe' Christ would do it all for you , you feel you need to give Him some 'help'. But you don't realise you are bringing yourself into a snare of bondage, slavery to your own 'works'.
Eph 2:8 For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.
Christ has brought us freedom and legitimate liberty, so that we may walk in faith in His total complete work for us and receive His promised gift. No more slavery, no more yokes of bondage.
All is Christ.
Everyone needs to be brought to faith so that they may receive. Personal and individual.
Questions:
1. Are you constantly 'striving' in your faith walk to try and be good enough or accepted?
2. Do you feel you are 'good enough' to receive what Christ purchased for you?
3. When leaving meetings, do you feel you not good enough and the standard is too high for you?
4. Do constantly feel you need to please someone to 'earn' your acceptance?
Confess today:
I walk by faith and not by sight. Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Its not by my might or the power of my own effort that I receive and enjoy all that Jesus died for for me, but by His grace and by my faith I enjoy all. Today I stand strong in His freedom for my life purchased with His blood. I am free to worship and free to receive. My faith works today. No more bondage for me.
Monday 28 April 2008
Sunday 27 April 2008
Legalism is bound to produce pride of heart
Legalism is bound to produce pride of heart. To live by the law I must exert my strength of will, often against my own inclinations. Such effort inevitably leads me to despise or pity those who are not trying as hard as I, or who are trying and failing.
My very exertions give me a superior feeling that sours me toward them, and even though I keep my feeling to myself, I shall soon find I am too aloof even to pray with those I consider less spiritual.
Living by the law leads to this . But God is too big to stereotype His saints. People are not to be conformed to me, but to His death. And that is just as well. For sourness in apples is no mark of maturity! Ripe apples are sweet.
If God is really producing something in me I shall find no difficulty in going along with other saints whose history is different from mine.
Watchman Nee
My very exertions give me a superior feeling that sours me toward them, and even though I keep my feeling to myself, I shall soon find I am too aloof even to pray with those I consider less spiritual.
Living by the law leads to this . But God is too big to stereotype His saints. People are not to be conformed to me, but to His death. And that is just as well. For sourness in apples is no mark of maturity! Ripe apples are sweet.
If God is really producing something in me I shall find no difficulty in going along with other saints whose history is different from mine.
Watchman Nee
Thursday 24 April 2008
Discipleship of the Twelve
Luke 6:12 At that time Jesus went up a hill to pray and spent the whole night there praying to God.
Luke 6:13 When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles:
It's interesting that Jesus focused on a group called disciples. In these passages here, we see that he goes up on a hill to pray. He spends the night there. When He returns the next morning,He chooses 12 guys who will be with Him.
What we must understand that He had disciples all around Him, most of the time. In fact, Jesus constantly put out a call and an invitation for people to join Him as His disciples. now that was nothing unusual in those days, because the pharisees had disciples and so did John the Baptist. So, coming down from His night in prayer, Jesus approached a bunch , maybe ranging in the hundreds of His already following disciples, to choose 12 to be with Him.
Let's understand that Jesus was the pattern Son, reflecting His Father in nature and example. Jesus said if you saw him you had seen the father. That's what he told Phillip at one point. Jesus never operated independently. He always followed the pattern that had been set by the scriptures and represented the God of heaven, His Father, in everything.
A question I asked myself many times was, why 12? Why not 10 or 13? What was so significant about the number 12?
We know the number 3 speaks of Trinity, 4 Earthy, 5 Grace, 6 man, 7 Perfection, and 12? ...Government.
Not only that, there were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 loaves, 12 stones, 12 governors.
Jos 4:3 and command them to take twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests were standing. Tell them to carry these stones with them and to put them down where you camp tonight."
Jos 4:9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, where the priests carrying the Covenant Box had stood. (Those stones are still there.)
1Ki 4:7 Solomon appointed twelve men as district governors in Israel.
1Ki 4:27 His twelve governors, each one in the month assigned to him, supplied the food King Solomon needed for himself and for all who ate in the palace; they always supplied everything needed.
Eze 48:30 There are twelve entrances to the city of Jerusalem.
1Ki 18:30 Then Elijah said to the people, "Come closer to me," and they all gathered around him. He set about repairing the altar of the LORD which had been torn down.
1Ki 18:31 He took twelve stones, one for each of the twelve tribes named for the sons of Jacob, the man to whom the LORD had given the name Israel.
1Ki 18:32 With these stones he rebuilt the altar for the worship of the LORD.
There must be some significance to this number. So much so that Jesus felt the need out of all those following Him to choose 12. But Jesus knew the pattern. He invested Himself in these 12, putting His vision and character into them. They were the one's who would carry His vision and goverment to the nations. In fact, we are the result of those 12 men's lives and ministries.
These 12 were the "foundation" of all that He would do while on the earth.
Mar 3:14 and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. "I have chosen you to be with me," he told them. "I will also send you out to preach,
Mar 3:15 and you will have authority to drive out demons."
These men were more than just helpers or assistants or 'staff'. No, they were to be the very foundation of all His 'building'. His investment.
I don't believe this is something unique or 'way out' idea, but just a following of the Master and how He did it, how He built what the Father sent Him to do. I believe it was very effective, don't you?
So, even though we we may be making disciples of those we instruct are we investing, like Jesus, into the lives of a few that the Father shows us, for a duplication and multiplication of the work we have and the vision we carry.
Mat 28:18 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Mat 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."
This was Jesus' last and final commission to those disciples and eventually to us.
Because he has ALL authority, we should be "going" and doing the same as he did. That is what this greeting to them actually means. And because he is with us ALWAYS, we do not have to fear in doing what He has has commissioned. In fact, we CAN do it.
This is what we as the church need to be actively involved in, making disciples.
Luke 6:13 When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles:
It's interesting that Jesus focused on a group called disciples. In these passages here, we see that he goes up on a hill to pray. He spends the night there. When He returns the next morning,He chooses 12 guys who will be with Him.
What we must understand that He had disciples all around Him, most of the time. In fact, Jesus constantly put out a call and an invitation for people to join Him as His disciples. now that was nothing unusual in those days, because the pharisees had disciples and so did John the Baptist. So, coming down from His night in prayer, Jesus approached a bunch , maybe ranging in the hundreds of His already following disciples, to choose 12 to be with Him.
Let's understand that Jesus was the pattern Son, reflecting His Father in nature and example. Jesus said if you saw him you had seen the father. That's what he told Phillip at one point. Jesus never operated independently. He always followed the pattern that had been set by the scriptures and represented the God of heaven, His Father, in everything.
A question I asked myself many times was, why 12? Why not 10 or 13? What was so significant about the number 12?
We know the number 3 speaks of Trinity, 4 Earthy, 5 Grace, 6 man, 7 Perfection, and 12? ...Government.
Not only that, there were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 loaves, 12 stones, 12 governors.
Jos 4:3 and command them to take twelve stones out of the middle of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests were standing. Tell them to carry these stones with them and to put them down where you camp tonight."
Jos 4:9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, where the priests carrying the Covenant Box had stood. (Those stones are still there.)
1Ki 4:7 Solomon appointed twelve men as district governors in Israel.
1Ki 4:27 His twelve governors, each one in the month assigned to him, supplied the food King Solomon needed for himself and for all who ate in the palace; they always supplied everything needed.
Eze 48:30 There are twelve entrances to the city of Jerusalem.
1Ki 18:30 Then Elijah said to the people, "Come closer to me," and they all gathered around him. He set about repairing the altar of the LORD which had been torn down.
1Ki 18:31 He took twelve stones, one for each of the twelve tribes named for the sons of Jacob, the man to whom the LORD had given the name Israel.
1Ki 18:32 With these stones he rebuilt the altar for the worship of the LORD.
There must be some significance to this number. So much so that Jesus felt the need out of all those following Him to choose 12. But Jesus knew the pattern. He invested Himself in these 12, putting His vision and character into them. They were the one's who would carry His vision and goverment to the nations. In fact, we are the result of those 12 men's lives and ministries.
These 12 were the "foundation" of all that He would do while on the earth.
Mar 3:14 and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. "I have chosen you to be with me," he told them. "I will also send you out to preach,
Mar 3:15 and you will have authority to drive out demons."
These men were more than just helpers or assistants or 'staff'. No, they were to be the very foundation of all His 'building'. His investment.
Luk 7:11 Soon afterward Jesus went to a town named Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd.
Even though Jesus did minister to the crowds and other followers or disciples and they would travel with Him, he did choose and minister specifically to these 12 men, imparting to them not just a knowledge but a practical outworking of who He was and what He did. he called them "apostles" meaning ambassadors or governmental representatives. they would be the one's who would be able to represent fully the government of Jesus Christ to the earth.
To build any Christian work effectively, we should follow Jesus' pattern and though we minister to the crowds and the disciples who come because of our teaching and instruction, we find the '12' in whom we can invest the character and vision of the Kingdom of God, not only in knowledge but in practice. 12 who will carry out the 'work' and the vision to the generations.I don't believe this is something unique or 'way out' idea, but just a following of the Master and how He did it, how He built what the Father sent Him to do. I believe it was very effective, don't you?
So, even though we we may be making disciples of those we instruct are we investing, like Jesus, into the lives of a few that the Father shows us, for a duplication and multiplication of the work we have and the vision we carry.
Mat 28:18 Jesus drew near and said to them, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Mat 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."
This was Jesus' last and final commission to those disciples and eventually to us.
Because he has ALL authority, we should be "going" and doing the same as he did. That is what this greeting to them actually means. And because he is with us ALWAYS, we do not have to fear in doing what He has has commissioned. In fact, we CAN do it.
This is what we as the church need to be actively involved in, making disciples.
Wednesday 23 April 2008
NEWS APRIL
Hi Everyone
PA is well into spring now and the surroundings here are amazingly tranquil. We are enjoying the slow pace of the rural world with Amish buggies going by daily and plenty of bird life.
We, again, have begun to make good friends and meet wonderful new people, even a couple from South Africa who have been a blessing to us already.
After stressing a little as we sought the Lord for His purpose for our lives here, we at last have begun to see the hand of the Lord begin to direct and bring destiny to us. What I have learnt these past few weeks is that if we would rest in Him and trust that the Lord will direct our paths we would experience destiny being brought to us.
Live on purpose for your destiny every day and you will begin to live it out over time and seasons.
While wondering what we are doing here in PA, we through a series of divine connections and appointments , were approached by a family to start a work in a town called Reading which is about 14 miles or so from here. After praying and discussing and seeking the Lord's wisdom for us, we have come to conclusion that this it!
We received a letter not long before this from someone in Europe out of the blue saying that they sensed from the time we met in SA that we should be pastoring, with an apostolic thrust. That was such an answer to prayer as we had been praying and seeking the Lord that week about how He wanted us to position ourselves and what He wanted us to do.
Soon after that we received this "Macedonia call" to come and plant and pastor a church in Reading.
Act 16:9 That night Paul had a vision in which he saw a Macedonian standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!"
Reading has a population of +/- 80,000 people and is located about 2 hours from Philadelphia.
Already I sense an intense urge to pray and press for a significant door of opportunity to open there for the message of Christ to be brought to these people.
Col 4:2 Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.
Col 4:3 At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach his message about the secret of Christ. For that is why I am now in prison.
Col 4:4 Pray, then, that I may speak, as I should, in such a way as to make it clear.
Please pray for us over this season of planting. The foundation of any work is the prayer labor that goes before and during the planting. I honestly believe that 80% of the success is due to prayer and 20% due to effort. Obviously it cannot just be us, but as many as we can muster to help with this work of the Spirit to preach the Word to a hungry people. Even hunger for spiritual things comes with prayer. Prayer moves heaven that moves the hearts of men.
We still sense though that this is not just a local work,but will reach much further to an international level. Already we are beginning training and mentoring of people for church planting to other nations. Some of this will be online and some locally.
As a source of income I am also mentoring Christian business people and individuals in personal strategy for their lives. A real blessing has been an online marketing coach who is assisting me to launch the ministry online and market the market place ministry. The Lord never abandons or fails us, never. He always makes a way, even when it seems all the ways have closed.
If we obey Him and are sensitive to His positioning of our lives for His purpose, tremendous provision comes with it.
We were also recently accepted by King's Way Fellowship International (www.kingswayfellowship.org)as an ordained international minister and missionary and so soon we will have non-profit status, for tax exemption.
So, what is the Lord saying to you at this time?
How is he positioning you?
What changes is He requiring of you for the establishing of His goverment?
Where is your world of influence?
It is vital that everyone of us seek the Lord to be spiritually and physically where he wants us to be in this season. World wide there is a shaking going on and the Lord wants to position us not only for our salvation and increase, but also for Him to influence the world through us.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus defined the difference between a faithful leader and a religious leader.
A faithful leader is an example worth imitating.
A religious leader only cares about external appearance and always justifies his actions.
The apostles belonged to the first group and the Pharisees to the second.
To which group do you belong?
The vision Jesus established goes beyond simple religiosity, it is the character of Christ reproduced in us so that we may reproduce it in others.
Rom 8:29 Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Many blessings to all
Thank you for everyone's love and support and prayers over this transition time for us as a family. It all has worked effectively on our behalf and will result in a pouring out of gratitude to God from many who will receive because of the positioning of the Lord.
Thank you also to all who are partnering with us for the mission and purpose of Christ on our lives to preach the gospel message to this great country and more. We appreciate you and pray blessings on you and your family.
Shaun, Michelle, and Boyz
www.aFatherVoice.blogspot.com
--
The Enoch Enterprise
+1 717 412 1828
A ministry of discipleship and mentoring to reach, establish and send individuals and groups to influence their world.
PA is well into spring now and the surroundings here are amazingly tranquil. We are enjoying the slow pace of the rural world with Amish buggies going by daily and plenty of bird life.
We, again, have begun to make good friends and meet wonderful new people, even a couple from South Africa who have been a blessing to us already.
After stressing a little as we sought the Lord for His purpose for our lives here, we at last have begun to see the hand of the Lord begin to direct and bring destiny to us. What I have learnt these past few weeks is that if we would rest in Him and trust that the Lord will direct our paths we would experience destiny being brought to us.
Live on purpose for your destiny every day and you will begin to live it out over time and seasons.
While wondering what we are doing here in PA, we through a series of divine connections and appointments , were approached by a family to start a work in a town called Reading which is about 14 miles or so from here. After praying and discussing and seeking the Lord's wisdom for us, we have come to conclusion that this it!
We received a letter not long before this from someone in Europe out of the blue saying that they sensed from the time we met in SA that we should be pastoring, with an apostolic thrust. That was such an answer to prayer as we had been praying and seeking the Lord that week about how He wanted us to position ourselves and what He wanted us to do.
Soon after that we received this "Macedonia call" to come and plant and pastor a church in Reading.
Act 16:9 That night Paul had a vision in which he saw a Macedonian standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!"
Reading has a population of +/- 80,000 people and is located about 2 hours from Philadelphia.
Already I sense an intense urge to pray and press for a significant door of opportunity to open there for the message of Christ to be brought to these people.
Col 4:2 Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.
Col 4:3 At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach his message about the secret of Christ. For that is why I am now in prison.
Col 4:4 Pray, then, that I may speak, as I should, in such a way as to make it clear.
Please pray for us over this season of planting. The foundation of any work is the prayer labor that goes before and during the planting. I honestly believe that 80% of the success is due to prayer and 20% due to effort. Obviously it cannot just be us, but as many as we can muster to help with this work of the Spirit to preach the Word to a hungry people. Even hunger for spiritual things comes with prayer. Prayer moves heaven that moves the hearts of men.
We still sense though that this is not just a local work,but will reach much further to an international level. Already we are beginning training and mentoring of people for church planting to other nations. Some of this will be online and some locally.
As a source of income I am also mentoring Christian business people and individuals in personal strategy for their lives. A real blessing has been an online marketing coach who is assisting me to launch the ministry online and market the market place ministry. The Lord never abandons or fails us, never. He always makes a way, even when it seems all the ways have closed.
If we obey Him and are sensitive to His positioning of our lives for His purpose, tremendous provision comes with it.
We were also recently accepted by King's Way Fellowship International (www.kingswayfellowship.org)as an ordained international minister and missionary and so soon we will have non-profit status, for tax exemption.
So, what is the Lord saying to you at this time?
How is he positioning you?
What changes is He requiring of you for the establishing of His goverment?
Where is your world of influence?
It is vital that everyone of us seek the Lord to be spiritually and physically where he wants us to be in this season. World wide there is a shaking going on and the Lord wants to position us not only for our salvation and increase, but also for Him to influence the world through us.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus defined the difference between a faithful leader and a religious leader.
A faithful leader is an example worth imitating.
A religious leader only cares about external appearance and always justifies his actions.
The apostles belonged to the first group and the Pharisees to the second.
To which group do you belong?
The vision Jesus established goes beyond simple religiosity, it is the character of Christ reproduced in us so that we may reproduce it in others.
Rom 8:29 Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Many blessings to all
Thank you for everyone's love and support and prayers over this transition time for us as a family. It all has worked effectively on our behalf and will result in a pouring out of gratitude to God from many who will receive because of the positioning of the Lord.
Thank you also to all who are partnering with us for the mission and purpose of Christ on our lives to preach the gospel message to this great country and more. We appreciate you and pray blessings on you and your family.
Shaun, Michelle, and Boyz
www.aFatherVoice.blogspot.com
--
The Enoch Enterprise
+1 717 412 1828
A ministry of discipleship and mentoring to reach, establish and send individuals and groups to influence their world.
Monday 21 April 2008
Going to a new level
From the book of Nehemiah we find some principles that give us direction and encouragement as we pursue the Lord in our season of seeking Him for the way forward and to a new level.
I am quoting from the the New Century Version. Nehemiah chapter 1 + 2
1. VISION
verse 2,"One of my brothers named Hanani came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish people who lived through the captivity. They answered me,'Those who are left from the captivity are back in Judah, but they are in much trouble and are full of shame. The wall around Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned'".
Nehemiah has this vision of what Jerusalem should be and inquires into its present state. Leaders are visionaries. All effective leadership involves vision. Vision guides a leader and keeps him/her on the right track toward the fulfilling of their calling and destiny. Without vision people perish. Vision motivates and strengthens. Vision is the language of the Spirit.
Nehemiah had clear vision for the future and what Jerusalem should be, but his inquiry reveals that the present state of the city is one of trouble, shame and broken down conditions. Gates are broken, he hears.
For us as the church to go to another level in this season, we have to be clear about the vision Jesus has for his church. What has he said about it?
Matt 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."
The glory that he has purposed to be released through her and the end result is not what we see now. Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church, but at present we see her gates burning with hell's onslaught.
Nehemiah wanted to know the state of the city of Jerusalem presently, but knew clearly and absolutely what it should be.
We need to have a clear and concise, descriptive vision and dream of our ministry, what it is, what it should look like, what it will accomplish and when.
2. PRAYER
Verse 4: "When I heard these things, I sat down and cried for several days. I was sad and ate nothing. I prayed to the God of heaven".
Once you have a vision burning in your heart, given from heaven by the Holy Spirit, and you perceive the true condition of things at present, you are moved to intercessory prayer. A deep stirring in the heart with groans and travails.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much or has much power in its working". James 5:16
Prayer is what moves the hand of heaven to move conditions, situations and men's hearts. To go to another level we need to labor in prayer for the vision. All ministry and Christian work should be 80% prayer and 20% effort. All the 'greatest' programs and efforts in the world can never accomplish what time in prayer will. True vision will inspire true prayer. No vision always dampens prayer, except the religious kind.
Nehemiah's prayerfulness and travailing, burdened heart become evident to the King.
Verse 2: So the king said,"Why does your face look sad even though you are not sick? Your heart must be sad."
Even though he says he had not been sad in the presence of the king before, he now showed his deep groaning, prayer-burden. Some Christians don't need a prayer burden, they are just sad all the time, besides, when they are mad. We should be like Nehemiah, experiencing the travail of the Spirit as He stirs us to pray for the vision and dream He has established in our heart.
At present, as I 'take on' a new project of the Spirit in planting a church again in the region here, I wake at night with groans, I find myself with a heaviness in Spirit as I begin to intercede for the manifestation of the dream the Lord has in His sight for the city.
3. THE LORD HEARS YOUR PRAYER.
Verse 4: Then the king said to me,"What do you want?"
God never ignores the cries of His children and He certainly never ignores those that are the travail of the birthing of the vision He has laid upon your heart. He asks "What do you want?"
I love Nehemiah's response. He doesn't answer immediately.
"First I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered..."
Its important at this stage in seeking the direction of God, to seek His will for the response to His request for what do you want. Does He know? Absolutely! But He seeks to reveal your heart for this vision He has given and wants to see fulfilled.
Answer: Send me!
Are you committed the dream, or is it just a nice ambition? Are you willing to be the vessel or do you seek convenience?
Send me so I can rebuild, restore, complete.
Isa 61:4 They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins. (GNB)
A clear mission is envisioned in this servants heart. "Send me so I can rebuild and restore". He doesn't palm it off on someone else. "Well you know Lord it is a great dream but not for me. Please send Joe Soap, I'm sure he'll pay the price". Not like Moses, who said he wasn't qualified. The vision and the process of God for your life is the qualification. It was his time and he knew it. What is your answer to the Lord's request today?
Isa 6:8 Then I heard the Lord say, "Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?" I answered, "I will go! Send me!"
Isa 6:9 So he told me to go and give the people this message:
4. GET THE PROMISES THAT COVER YOUR VISION.
Don't presume. Know what the Lord says about what you are embarking on.
Verse 7: I also said to him, "If you are willing, give me letters..."
God gave Abram the vision of the stars, but also spoke into his heart "So shall your seed be." He had the vision every time he would look at the stars, but when it was a cloudy or foggy night, he had the Lord's promise reverberating in his heart. Find the scripture that 'speaks' to you concerning where you are headed. Write them down and hold onto them. Speak them when you feel like it and when you don't. They will speak to you when you need them. I cannot tell how many times in my walk with the Lord and in my pursuing the dream He has placed on my heart, I have needed the word He has spoken concerning my life and the vision he has laid on my heart.
Rom 4:20 His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God's promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God.
Rom 4:21 He was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he had promised.
5. TRUST THE ANGELS WILL BE YOUR PROTECTION AND MINISTER STRENGTH TO YOU.
Verse9: The king had also sent army officers and soldiers on horses with me.
Psalm 34:7 His angel guards those who honor the LORD and rescues them from danger.
Heb 1:14 What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.
Luke 22:43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
6. REJOICE, PERSECUTION WILL COME.
A true vision from the Lord will always stir up the demons of hell to hinder, ridicule and oppose your move in the Spirit. Be sure it will happen. But Jesus said:
Mat 5:10 "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Mat 5:11 "Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
Mat 5:12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.
The devil does not mind when we do our 'churchy' stuff and never bring onslaught to the kingdom of darkness. If we are not experiencing opposition in spirit and from people, we need to know we are not a threat, but those that have a true vision will be shaking the status quo and will be, through their prayer and preaching and their work, shaking devils from their comfortable positions. therefore, opposition, criticism and accusation will be the order of the day. I remember at one time , a group of men I was discipling, met and were saying how wonderful it was to be fulfilling the vision of the Lord and that we were the only ones who got it, finally. My admonishment to the them was that, already, the 'enemy' was studying the weaknesses and strengths of this group and will apply himself to destroy and that we were to be vigilant and cautious of our behavior and attitude. Sure enough, it took some time, but a few years later, that enemy had found our weakness and exploited it and us.
6. INSPECT AND EXPLORE YOUR VITAL AREAS.
Verse 13: I went out at night through the Valley gate. I rode toward the dragon well and the trash gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah goes out and inspects certain parts of the wall, without anyones knowledge. This is a crucial exercise and just as crucial a time. Firstly, notice he did not discuss with others what his intention was. I have thought on this and think about Paul who did not discuss his vision with anyone for 14 years and then he only mentioned it and did not give detail. We, today, find it hard to keep quiet for even 14 minutes. Before we share anything, let us first begin an inspection or investigation of some crucial elements.
The Valley Gate: The valley is the most fertile part of the land and speaks of the place where we will plough and sow and reap the harvest. Where is it that you are going to put your effort? Where is the area of provision going to come from? Where are your resources?
The Dragon Well: Know your enemy. What areas of opposition can you predict? What laws could work against you? Who will be your biggest accusers? What 'devils', strongholds and spirits can you anticipate? What are your threats?
The Trash Gate: This refers to the 'sin' of our lives. What are your weaknesses? Two areas Satan works on is your strengths and your weaknesses. Know them and be very ruthless with them bringing them to the Spirit light so they cannot 'rule' over you. What are those areas that you know, now, that could be fatal to you staying and walking in integrity? What is it in your life that could cause you to 'fall'? What could trigger your flesh?
6. GOD ADDS PEOPLE TO HELP WITH THE VISION.
verse 17: Then I said to them,"You can see the trouble we have here. Jerusalem is a pile of ruins, and its gates have been burned. Come, let's rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so we won't be full of shame any longer." Verse 18: Then they answered, Let's start rebuilding." So, they began to work hard.
This was commitment to the vision. People don't commit to need, but they do commit to vision.
As you receive a vision from God and dwell on it and pray it through and find scripture that backs it up and gives it substance and you commit to that vision, God sends resources in the form of people to support and carry the vision through to fulfillment with you.
By the vision the Spirit of God births into your heart you will know the guidance of the Lord into your future and into your destiny. Many do not have a vision for their ministry or their lives in its various facets. Dreams and visions are the language of the Spirit. You need to fellowship with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to reveal the Father's will and future for you.
I am quoting from the the New Century Version. Nehemiah chapter 1 + 2
1. VISION
verse 2,"One of my brothers named Hanani came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish people who lived through the captivity. They answered me,'Those who are left from the captivity are back in Judah, but they are in much trouble and are full of shame. The wall around Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned'".
Nehemiah has this vision of what Jerusalem should be and inquires into its present state. Leaders are visionaries. All effective leadership involves vision. Vision guides a leader and keeps him/her on the right track toward the fulfilling of their calling and destiny. Without vision people perish. Vision motivates and strengthens. Vision is the language of the Spirit.
Nehemiah had clear vision for the future and what Jerusalem should be, but his inquiry reveals that the present state of the city is one of trouble, shame and broken down conditions. Gates are broken, he hears.
For us as the church to go to another level in this season, we have to be clear about the vision Jesus has for his church. What has he said about it?
Matt 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."
The glory that he has purposed to be released through her and the end result is not what we see now. Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church, but at present we see her gates burning with hell's onslaught.
Nehemiah wanted to know the state of the city of Jerusalem presently, but knew clearly and absolutely what it should be.
We need to have a clear and concise, descriptive vision and dream of our ministry, what it is, what it should look like, what it will accomplish and when.
2. PRAYER
Verse 4: "When I heard these things, I sat down and cried for several days. I was sad and ate nothing. I prayed to the God of heaven".
Once you have a vision burning in your heart, given from heaven by the Holy Spirit, and you perceive the true condition of things at present, you are moved to intercessory prayer. A deep stirring in the heart with groans and travails.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much or has much power in its working". James 5:16
Prayer is what moves the hand of heaven to move conditions, situations and men's hearts. To go to another level we need to labor in prayer for the vision. All ministry and Christian work should be 80% prayer and 20% effort. All the 'greatest' programs and efforts in the world can never accomplish what time in prayer will. True vision will inspire true prayer. No vision always dampens prayer, except the religious kind.
Nehemiah's prayerfulness and travailing, burdened heart become evident to the King.
Verse 2: So the king said,"Why does your face look sad even though you are not sick? Your heart must be sad."
Even though he says he had not been sad in the presence of the king before, he now showed his deep groaning, prayer-burden. Some Christians don't need a prayer burden, they are just sad all the time, besides, when they are mad. We should be like Nehemiah, experiencing the travail of the Spirit as He stirs us to pray for the vision and dream He has established in our heart.
At present, as I 'take on' a new project of the Spirit in planting a church again in the region here, I wake at night with groans, I find myself with a heaviness in Spirit as I begin to intercede for the manifestation of the dream the Lord has in His sight for the city.
3. THE LORD HEARS YOUR PRAYER.
Verse 4: Then the king said to me,"What do you want?"
God never ignores the cries of His children and He certainly never ignores those that are the travail of the birthing of the vision He has laid upon your heart. He asks "What do you want?"
I love Nehemiah's response. He doesn't answer immediately.
"First I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I answered..."
Its important at this stage in seeking the direction of God, to seek His will for the response to His request for what do you want. Does He know? Absolutely! But He seeks to reveal your heart for this vision He has given and wants to see fulfilled.
Answer: Send me!
Are you committed the dream, or is it just a nice ambition? Are you willing to be the vessel or do you seek convenience?
Send me so I can rebuild, restore, complete.
Isa 61:4 They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins. (GNB)
A clear mission is envisioned in this servants heart. "Send me so I can rebuild and restore". He doesn't palm it off on someone else. "Well you know Lord it is a great dream but not for me. Please send Joe Soap, I'm sure he'll pay the price". Not like Moses, who said he wasn't qualified. The vision and the process of God for your life is the qualification. It was his time and he knew it. What is your answer to the Lord's request today?
Isa 6:8 Then I heard the Lord say, "Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?" I answered, "I will go! Send me!"
Isa 6:9 So he told me to go and give the people this message:
4. GET THE PROMISES THAT COVER YOUR VISION.
Don't presume. Know what the Lord says about what you are embarking on.
Verse 7: I also said to him, "If you are willing, give me letters..."
God gave Abram the vision of the stars, but also spoke into his heart "So shall your seed be." He had the vision every time he would look at the stars, but when it was a cloudy or foggy night, he had the Lord's promise reverberating in his heart. Find the scripture that 'speaks' to you concerning where you are headed. Write them down and hold onto them. Speak them when you feel like it and when you don't. They will speak to you when you need them. I cannot tell how many times in my walk with the Lord and in my pursuing the dream He has placed on my heart, I have needed the word He has spoken concerning my life and the vision he has laid on my heart.
Rom 4:20 His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God's promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God.
Rom 4:21 He was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he had promised.
5. TRUST THE ANGELS WILL BE YOUR PROTECTION AND MINISTER STRENGTH TO YOU.
Verse9: The king had also sent army officers and soldiers on horses with me.
Psalm 34:7 His angel guards those who honor the LORD and rescues them from danger.
Heb 1:14 What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.
Luke 22:43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
6. REJOICE, PERSECUTION WILL COME.
A true vision from the Lord will always stir up the demons of hell to hinder, ridicule and oppose your move in the Spirit. Be sure it will happen. But Jesus said:
Mat 5:10 "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Mat 5:11 "Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
Mat 5:12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.
The devil does not mind when we do our 'churchy' stuff and never bring onslaught to the kingdom of darkness. If we are not experiencing opposition in spirit and from people, we need to know we are not a threat, but those that have a true vision will be shaking the status quo and will be, through their prayer and preaching and their work, shaking devils from their comfortable positions. therefore, opposition, criticism and accusation will be the order of the day. I remember at one time , a group of men I was discipling, met and were saying how wonderful it was to be fulfilling the vision of the Lord and that we were the only ones who got it, finally. My admonishment to the them was that, already, the 'enemy' was studying the weaknesses and strengths of this group and will apply himself to destroy and that we were to be vigilant and cautious of our behavior and attitude. Sure enough, it took some time, but a few years later, that enemy had found our weakness and exploited it and us.
6. INSPECT AND EXPLORE YOUR VITAL AREAS.
Verse 13: I went out at night through the Valley gate. I rode toward the dragon well and the trash gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah goes out and inspects certain parts of the wall, without anyones knowledge. This is a crucial exercise and just as crucial a time. Firstly, notice he did not discuss with others what his intention was. I have thought on this and think about Paul who did not discuss his vision with anyone for 14 years and then he only mentioned it and did not give detail. We, today, find it hard to keep quiet for even 14 minutes. Before we share anything, let us first begin an inspection or investigation of some crucial elements.
The Valley Gate: The valley is the most fertile part of the land and speaks of the place where we will plough and sow and reap the harvest. Where is it that you are going to put your effort? Where is the area of provision going to come from? Where are your resources?
The Dragon Well: Know your enemy. What areas of opposition can you predict? What laws could work against you? Who will be your biggest accusers? What 'devils', strongholds and spirits can you anticipate? What are your threats?
The Trash Gate: This refers to the 'sin' of our lives. What are your weaknesses? Two areas Satan works on is your strengths and your weaknesses. Know them and be very ruthless with them bringing them to the Spirit light so they cannot 'rule' over you. What are those areas that you know, now, that could be fatal to you staying and walking in integrity? What is it in your life that could cause you to 'fall'? What could trigger your flesh?
6. GOD ADDS PEOPLE TO HELP WITH THE VISION.
verse 17: Then I said to them,"You can see the trouble we have here. Jerusalem is a pile of ruins, and its gates have been burned. Come, let's rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so we won't be full of shame any longer." Verse 18: Then they answered, Let's start rebuilding." So, they began to work hard.
This was commitment to the vision. People don't commit to need, but they do commit to vision.
As you receive a vision from God and dwell on it and pray it through and find scripture that backs it up and gives it substance and you commit to that vision, God sends resources in the form of people to support and carry the vision through to fulfillment with you.
By the vision the Spirit of God births into your heart you will know the guidance of the Lord into your future and into your destiny. Many do not have a vision for their ministry or their lives in its various facets. Dreams and visions are the language of the Spirit. You need to fellowship with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to reveal the Father's will and future for you.
Saturday 12 April 2008
Psa 33:1 All you that are righteous, shout for joy for what the LORD has done; praise him, all you that obey him.
Psa 33:2 Give thanks to the LORD with harps, sing to him with stringed instruments.
Psa 33:3 Sing a new song to him, play the harp with skill, and shout for joy!
Psa 33:4 The words of the LORD are true, and all his works are dependable.
Psa 33:5 The LORD loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth.
Psa 33:6 The LORD created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.
Psa 33:7 He gathered all the seas into one place; he shut up the ocean depths in storerooms.
Psa 33:8 Worship the LORD, all the earth! Honor him, all peoples of the world!
Psa 33:9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.
Psa 33:10 The LORD frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans.
Psa 33:11 But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.
Psa 33:12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD; happy are the people he has chosen for his own!
Psa 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven and sees all of us humans.
Psa 33:14 From where he rules, he looks down on all who live on earth.
Psa 33:15 He forms ( through the squeezing into shape; to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively to determine (that is, form a resolution): - X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make (-r), potter, purpose.
all their thoughts and knows everything they do. -its powerful that he gives the thoughts, the purposes and determinations of our hearts and imaginations.
Psa 33:16 A king does not win because of his powerful army; a soldier does not triumph because of his strength.
Psa 33:17 War horses are useless for victory; their great strength cannot save.
Psa 33:18 The LORD watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love.
Psa 33:19 He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.
Psa 33:20 We put our hope in the LORD; he is our protector and our help.
Psa 33:21 We are glad because of him; we trust in his holy name.
Psa 33:22 May your constant love be with us, LORD, as we put our hope in you.
Psa 33:2 Give thanks to the LORD with harps, sing to him with stringed instruments.
Psa 33:3 Sing a new song to him, play the harp with skill, and shout for joy!
Psa 33:4 The words of the LORD are true, and all his works are dependable.
Psa 33:5 The LORD loves what is righteous and just; his constant love fills the earth.
Psa 33:6 The LORD created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.
Psa 33:7 He gathered all the seas into one place; he shut up the ocean depths in storerooms.
Psa 33:8 Worship the LORD, all the earth! Honor him, all peoples of the world!
Psa 33:9 When he spoke, the world was created; at his command everything appeared.
Psa 33:10 The LORD frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans.
Psa 33:11 But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally.
Psa 33:12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD; happy are the people he has chosen for his own!
Psa 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven and sees all of us humans.
Psa 33:14 From where he rules, he looks down on all who live on earth.
Psa 33:15 He forms ( through the squeezing into shape; to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively to determine (that is, form a resolution): - X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make (-r), potter, purpose.
all their thoughts and knows everything they do. -its powerful that he gives the thoughts, the purposes and determinations of our hearts and imaginations.
Psa 33:16 A king does not win because of his powerful army; a soldier does not triumph because of his strength.
Psa 33:17 War horses are useless for victory; their great strength cannot save.
Psa 33:18 The LORD watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love.
Psa 33:19 He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine.
Psa 33:20 We put our hope in the LORD; he is our protector and our help.
Psa 33:21 We are glad because of him; we trust in his holy name.
Psa 33:22 May your constant love be with us, LORD, as we put our hope in you.
Remember
Remember giving is more important than receiving, that anything worthwhile is difficult, and that anything is made much better if you keep smiling.
Wednesday 9 April 2008
A day is coming...
Isa 2:11 A day is coming when human pride will be ended and human arrogance destroyed. Then the LORD alone will be exalted.
Isa 2:12 On that day the LORD Almighty will humble everyone who is powerful, everyone who is proud and conceited.
Isa 2:13 He will destroy the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the oaks in the land of Bashan.
Isa 2:14 He will level the high mountains and hills,
Isa 2:15 every high tower, and the walls of every fortress.
Isa 2:16 He will sink even the largest and most beautiful ships.
Isa 2:17 Human pride will be ended, and human arrogance will be destroyed. Idols will completely disappear, and the LORD alone will be exalted on that day. (NCV)
We have to realize that we are on the brink of a new season and work of God. We need a revival, but I do not believe it is going to be anything like we have experienced in the past and certainly not like we would like it to be. I believe this is simply because the generation that will need to embrace it it so different, besides, the Lord will not allow this 'move' to be exploited, by men's boasting of their part in it. It will be a nameless and faceless generation moving with the Spirit in obedience to the Fathers will.
We will not be able to contain it or organize it.
The main signs will be, humility, boldness, supernatural signs and wonders, but not in the church structure, rather in the streets and in the market place. It will evidenced by deep personal relationships igniting the foundational principle Jesus taught, discipleship.
Strong apostolic fathering without control, will be the driving , stabilizing adhesive to keep this move pure. Prophets will again remove themselves as John the Baptist did, from the establishment of the day, rather choosing to wear different "garments" than they do and eating different "delicacies" than they do. They will be found in the "wilderness" areas of society, causing the "Herod's" of our time to seek to remove their voices by cutting off their heads, in other words they will attempt to remove their authority.
Evangelism will be relational rather than confrontational, hence the move of the Spirit to encourage and establish men and women in market place ministry. Supernatural signs and wonders and unhindered free flow of the manifestations of the Spirit will be the world's confrontation with a real and very present gospel.
God is presently raising up equippers of the church to prepare them for works of service in the market place. Some leadership are still not embracing this and could find that the Spirit of God will bypass them in these days.
There will always be leaders who are so insecure and immature that they will, more and more use manipulation and seductions to control the Bride of Christ, but that is only because they are afraid of losing their 'platform', but in the days to come they will find themselves with only a very small center of influence, not making significant impact anywhere.
Unrepentant sin, pride, arrogance, evil motives, compromising leadership, performance oriented leadership will be exposed through the fiery trials that only faith can overcome.
This is going to be a season of perilous times or lion-like times that will require God's children to live by faith, true faith. not hinting or manipulative. I see there will be many leaders going into the market place to work "with their hands" as the Lord will require their influence there and to purge His 'house' of those who only occupy their platforms as a career.
Again, there will be a spirit of wisdom and revelation released so that the reality of Christ will be known in the land.
Apostles and prophets will bring forth revelation of who Christ is in spirit and truth. The 'builders' will take this revelation and bring forth a practical living for discipleship and holiness. Persecution is going to come from the fact that these disciples and followers of Jesus live by faith and therefore will evidently live supernatural overcoming lives. Those around them will either gravitate to their faith or begin to accuse them of all the trouble on the earth.
It is important that now while we have the opportunity and the liberty, we spend time in prayer and the Word, that we begin as leaders to evaluate and place ourselves on the Rock to be broken, that as disciples we position ourselves for the will of God ,that we live a simple faith life acknowledging every good thing that is within us, that we seek God in these days even though it may seem He is hidden and afar off. A famine, not only economically, but also spiritually has begun in the land, a famine for the revelation Word of God. If you seek the Lord in these days and nurture a intimate, living relationship with the Spirit of God, many will come to you for the refreshing word that you will not only carry in your heart, but also become, as you practically live it out before your world.
1Pe 4:17 The time has come for judgment to begin, and God's own people are the first to be judged. If it starts with us, how will it end with those who do not believe the Good News from God?
1Pe 4:18 As the scripture says, "It is difficult for good people to be saved; what, then, will become of godless sinners?"
1Pe 4:19 So then, those who suffer because it is God's will for them, should by their good actions trust themselves completely to their Creator, who always keeps his promise.
Isa 2:12 On that day the LORD Almighty will humble everyone who is powerful, everyone who is proud and conceited.
Isa 2:13 He will destroy the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the oaks in the land of Bashan.
Isa 2:14 He will level the high mountains and hills,
Isa 2:15 every high tower, and the walls of every fortress.
Isa 2:16 He will sink even the largest and most beautiful ships.
Isa 2:17 Human pride will be ended, and human arrogance will be destroyed. Idols will completely disappear, and the LORD alone will be exalted on that day. (NCV)
We have to realize that we are on the brink of a new season and work of God. We need a revival, but I do not believe it is going to be anything like we have experienced in the past and certainly not like we would like it to be. I believe this is simply because the generation that will need to embrace it it so different, besides, the Lord will not allow this 'move' to be exploited, by men's boasting of their part in it. It will be a nameless and faceless generation moving with the Spirit in obedience to the Fathers will.
We will not be able to contain it or organize it.
The main signs will be, humility, boldness, supernatural signs and wonders, but not in the church structure, rather in the streets and in the market place. It will evidenced by deep personal relationships igniting the foundational principle Jesus taught, discipleship.
Strong apostolic fathering without control, will be the driving , stabilizing adhesive to keep this move pure. Prophets will again remove themselves as John the Baptist did, from the establishment of the day, rather choosing to wear different "garments" than they do and eating different "delicacies" than they do. They will be found in the "wilderness" areas of society, causing the "Herod's" of our time to seek to remove their voices by cutting off their heads, in other words they will attempt to remove their authority.
Evangelism will be relational rather than confrontational, hence the move of the Spirit to encourage and establish men and women in market place ministry. Supernatural signs and wonders and unhindered free flow of the manifestations of the Spirit will be the world's confrontation with a real and very present gospel.
God is presently raising up equippers of the church to prepare them for works of service in the market place. Some leadership are still not embracing this and could find that the Spirit of God will bypass them in these days.
There will always be leaders who are so insecure and immature that they will, more and more use manipulation and seductions to control the Bride of Christ, but that is only because they are afraid of losing their 'platform', but in the days to come they will find themselves with only a very small center of influence, not making significant impact anywhere.
Unrepentant sin, pride, arrogance, evil motives, compromising leadership, performance oriented leadership will be exposed through the fiery trials that only faith can overcome.
This is going to be a season of perilous times or lion-like times that will require God's children to live by faith, true faith. not hinting or manipulative. I see there will be many leaders going into the market place to work "with their hands" as the Lord will require their influence there and to purge His 'house' of those who only occupy their platforms as a career.
Again, there will be a spirit of wisdom and revelation released so that the reality of Christ will be known in the land.
Apostles and prophets will bring forth revelation of who Christ is in spirit and truth. The 'builders' will take this revelation and bring forth a practical living for discipleship and holiness. Persecution is going to come from the fact that these disciples and followers of Jesus live by faith and therefore will evidently live supernatural overcoming lives. Those around them will either gravitate to their faith or begin to accuse them of all the trouble on the earth.
It is important that now while we have the opportunity and the liberty, we spend time in prayer and the Word, that we begin as leaders to evaluate and place ourselves on the Rock to be broken, that as disciples we position ourselves for the will of God ,that we live a simple faith life acknowledging every good thing that is within us, that we seek God in these days even though it may seem He is hidden and afar off. A famine, not only economically, but also spiritually has begun in the land, a famine for the revelation Word of God. If you seek the Lord in these days and nurture a intimate, living relationship with the Spirit of God, many will come to you for the refreshing word that you will not only carry in your heart, but also become, as you practically live it out before your world.
1Pe 4:17 The time has come for judgment to begin, and God's own people are the first to be judged. If it starts with us, how will it end with those who do not believe the Good News from God?
1Pe 4:18 As the scripture says, "It is difficult for good people to be saved; what, then, will become of godless sinners?"
1Pe 4:19 So then, those who suffer because it is God's will for them, should by their good actions trust themselves completely to their Creator, who always keeps his promise.
Thursday 3 April 2008
Passion
We should not be so concerned about just getting political influence back as we should be about getting the passion back in our lives, the loss of which has caused us to lose the influence Christians once had for good. We must get the fire back. We must get our first love back and never lose it again.
(GNB) But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first.
(ISV) However, I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.
(GNB) But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first.
(ISV) However, I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.
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