Fresh Oil Christian

___The other day some family members were over and the younger people wanted to watch a movie.  As they were going through the selections on the screen and discussing the movies, I realized something.
    There are huge chunks of my life in which I have been totally 'unplugged' from the world.
     Yes, when I was a young woman, in the world, I can identify times in my life with that of the world.  Be it through music, movie, etc.  But HE was always there.
    One day I looked and saw Him.  One day, it was I who turned aside from walking the familiar path. 
     Christ was there always, but it was when I 'turned' from the path I walked and I 'looked' that I beheld Him.
     I looked and found love, I looked and found life, I looked and found peace.  I looked and found Him.
     Those many years of just seemingly being lost in Him, were years of true LIFE.  Yes, there were many things I could have done, many 'good' things.  But He called me to be with Him.  For me, I could not be with Him, and serve the world.  Yes, I had my struggles, victories and defeats.  But He never left me.  Nor I Him.
     I did not miss any thing of this world, it's entertainments, it's pleasures.  Yes, I was in this world, but I was not of this world.  I know experiential we can live in this realm.
     But we must turn aside, and 'look.'  He is waiting for you, He will reveal Himself to you.
     It will cost you everything just to find that ONE thing.  Just as David said in Psalms 27:4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
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HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND
In Ephesians 6:10-17, let us take this segment out for the purpose of this article.
However, briefly I want to say that, I have been shown in my study of this Epistle that in Chapters 1-3 he teaches us about our wealth in Christ. Chapters 4-6 he teaches us about our walk in Christ. There is a beautiful unfolding here of the Word.
     I want to briefly share about our walk as it relates to the above verses.
     Note from a Bible Commentary:  "After wealth in the first three chapters, and walk in the ensuring chapters, the end is about spiritual war. "We wrestle . . . against principalities." . . . Do you think satan is going to let such wealth and walk go uncontested? Nay, there is a need to 'wrestle."
     Here in this article I am not going to rehearse about what each part of the armor does, I believe we all know that. But just a moment let's look at it this way also.
     I have heard it said that praise/worship is our weapon against principalities. Well, pure praise and worship certainly does effect the enemy.  But I also believe we must be careful not to give what is to be given soley to God, don't take praise/worship and aim it at the devil.
     Praise/Worship bring the heavenly into the earth - we are lifted into an Open Heaven, it creates that open portal wherein God is, now darkness and light cannot dwell in the same place, so darkness must leave. No, let us be CAREFUL in that doctrine - Praise and Worship is our offering unto the Lord, very powerful YES, and when God smells the sweet fragrance of it, He will come, He will send His angels to precede Him, He will come.
     But here Paul shows us that it is our prayer that brings us to the place of wrestling with Principalities and Powers. You see, you cannot cast them out. Demons you cast out, but principalities and powers you 'wrestle' with.
     Prayer creates a 'highway' in the spiritual realm, an open door of conversation, and relationship with God. Prayer is direct contact with Heaven and all of it's resources for the purpose and outworking of God's will in the lives of His creation. The available possibilities of a life of prayer is overwhelming!
     In the economy of God, prayer is the major way wherein God talks and, reveals Himself (and so much more) to man in the earth. It is in Prayer we submit to God, it is in Prayer we come to a place of intimacy and relationship with God. It is in Prayer we 'ask' according to His will and He 'gives.' Prayer is the key.  Talking to God, Responding to God's voice is the very first act of Faith.
     So we must see that a life of Prayer, and getting before The Lord to sing unto Him, yes you can have a Praise/Worship meeting with just you and The Lord.  And try it without a CD.  He wants to hear your voice singing to Him.  When you pray you don't put on a prayer CD do you? So, sing to Him with your voice, He will love it!
     But getting back to this Life of Prayer. And that is why Believers have such a difficult time developing their prayer life, because we are wrestling with these principalities and powers.
     I remember once I read an article and the person was saying how the Hindus had a prayer wheel, and how they prayed. They said Christians should pray faithfully like that, etc.  Well, all that was good to say, but not so realistic.  These cults and such are not in a wrestling match with Principalities and Powers as the child of God is. They have no opposition.
     So, I just want you to be encouraged, and keep pressing. Keep pressing. I will share this with you. When you pray, do worship The Lord. Prayer/Praise/Worship go hand in hand. It is a most powerful way of The Lord. You won't dry up, but you will get caught up in Him if you do, and when you do, Principalities and Powers will part, because the Son will surely shine through that open heaven.
Bless you.
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O REMNANT OF JUDAH - KAREN RIEGEL
Judah means "Praise." God is seeking a people who will praise Him in the Beauty of Holiness.
Praise is the "fruit" of our lips. One may offer up praise to God at any time, and if it is truly from a grateful heart, He accepts it.
Yet there is another fruit the Word of God speaks of. A fruit that Jesus Himself will come for. Not to give you something, but to receive of it Himself. This fruit is for Him, and it comes from a life of abiding in Him.
                                    O MY PEOPLE OF JUDAH, THOSE OF
                                    YOU WHO HAVE ESCAPED THE RAVAGES
                                    OF THE SIEGE SHALL BECOME A GREAT
                                    NATION AGAIN, YOU SHALL BE ROOTED
                                    DEEPLY IN THE SOIL AND BEAR FRUIT
                                    FOR GOD - LIVING BIBLE
We want to be a fruitful people, but what is the true acceptable fruit unto The Lord? The Word of God speaks of many ways to bring forth fruit, but first now this, many are confusing spiritual gifts with spiritual fruit. The 'gifts' are given freely by God to whomsoever He wills, all you have to do is ask.
Gifts are not a seal of spirituality in God. The gifts are given to us solely for purpose of bringing the Body of Christ to Maturity, and seeing the mercy and heart of God. We receive the gifts by His grace.
NOT SO WITH FRUIT.
Fruit is the result of a growth process within each individual member of the Body of Christ. And unless there is a progressive growth in Christ, you will not produce fruit.
Christ will not come to us looking for gifts ... I say this again, Christ will not come to us looking for gifts. He comes looking for fruit.
In Song of Solomon it reads "Dawn shall find us in the vineyard, looking to see what flowers the vine has, and whether they are growing into fruit; ..." Song of Solomon 7:12--Knox--The Holy Bible.He gives us the gifts freely, all we have to do is "ask" for them. He gives us "gifts." However, spiritual fruit is something He receives from you. Do you see this? Spiritual fruit is something He receives FROM YOU.
This is what Christ is speaking today. This is your day of preparation so that when He comes to you, He will find fruit.
Mark 11:12-14 speaks of when Christ was hungry and saw the fig leaves on a fig free. He approaches the fig tree, perhaps it has some fruit, it appeared so, even though it was not the time for fruit.
I am told that before fig trees bear fruit they bring forth lush green leaves. Well this tree "appeared" to have figs upon it, but upon His inspection it was barren. Christ cursed the tree and it withered up and died.
God help us. We don't want to 'appear' as a tree bearing fruit and when He comes, and surely His approaching is near, we have nothing to give Him. Nothing to satisfy His hunger.
Please note that it was not the time for figs, however, Christ expected to find fruit on that tree, again because it 'appeared' to have fruit.
Why did Jesus curse this fig tree when it was not the time for figs?
Christ does not come to us at our own time, when we want Him to, when we expect Him to come. He sets the time and the season of our life for us to bear fruit, by our spiritual growth. We don't.
Our fruit bearing is not set upon the conditions in the natural realm, your fruit is spiritual and it is at the requirement and the need of God.
We are as "trees walking" and we are to bear fruit in the good times, and the bad times. We are not to be subject to the things of this world, this life, but in all things GIVE HIM PRAISE, GIVE HIM GLORY, GIVE HIM THE FRUIT OF YOUR LIPS.
"Jesus was hungry ..."
Fruit is something which must grow "upon" you. It starts with Him being the husbandman.
Our continual walk with Christ, our continually being enlarged to contain more of Him, Christ pruning you, cultivating you, watering you. Our abiding in Him. And truly He is very patient. He is very, very patient.
Prophetically speaking we have passed 2 DAYS and we are at the DOOR OF THE 3RD DAY. We are not approaching the door, we are entering the door. He is fastly approaching us,
                                        HE IS HUNGRY ...
                                        HARVEST TIME IS
                                        APPROACHING
                                        VISITATION RESULTING IN
                                        HABITATION IS UPON US.
Are you ready for Him to visit your garden? He is revealing Himself progressively to His people (Parousia).
One man of God said it like this:
"Let us never forget that the Fruits of the Spirit, and the Gifts of the Spirit, constitute the real test of spiritual life; for the latter are given to produce the former, and it is the fruit that is the embodiment and expression of Christ-likness within the heart and soul. That is why Paul exhorted, "Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts ..." (1 Cor. 14:1)
Gifts are necessary, but Love is the end, the consummation, the fruit for which God is waiting. Love, is the Ultimate, because God is Love," and it is His purpose to conform the saints even unto "the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29). Love is the End: but it is an End which knows no beginning or ending, for it is God Himself; and when we become thoroughly united with Him we are in a realm which is eternally progressive.
We truly need this fruit visible in the saints of God, and by this you will know that the Kingdom has truly come unto you.
First published in 1999

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A NEW SEASON OF WORSHIP
April 20, 2012

There is a new lifting in worship - I lead the music in our gatherings - but lately I have not been able to use the printed songs.

The songs have been coming spontaneously, also the music as I play.  The Lord has shown me and I am experiencing a LIBERTY in our gatherings as never before.

A liberty that allows this ministry to be the expression of Christ in the earth that is uniquely it's own. Every ministry has this unique expression, just as each and everyone of God's children, and even creation itself. That unique expression of worship. It is not what we do, but who we have become in Christ. For as we behold Him, we are being changed into His image, and that is what is coming forth, the sound of His new creation in the earth, the sound of Jerusalem, and the sound of His Bride.

And as His Bride ascends, yes is lifted up even unto Zion, the sons of God also give a goodly sound!

That liberty is here now, has been poured out to release ourselves from the confines of the 'service' and in a unity of spirit give love and adoration unto our creator through Christ.

It is truly a new day, and I am bubbling within, filled with the Song of The Lord that is being released.

You know I have experienced such a lifting before, but now this is another. As we walk with The Lord we will experience many akin to such as this, of being lifted yet, higher and higher into Him.

Are you experiencing this? Do you sense this? This is the time for the singing of birds, and the voice of the turtle is being heard. Yes, the winter is past, and the rain is over and gone, this is the time to arise, and come away with the Lord.

And it is in the place of worship you will experience the rapture of His love, His presence.

O, come and smell His garments, and listen to His voice, the voice of our Beloved!
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IF ANY MAN . . .
                                                        April 19, 2012
Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
This week marks one of the most profound times of my walk with the Lord.

So many are seeking financial relief, working part-time jobs (if found) and just in need of finances to make ends meet.  I too have been faced with these issues. Maybe this will help you, or someone you know.

Recently I was scheduled to go to the convention of one of these home based business companies. But financially I did not see how it was possible. But as the time drew near the way was made.

Right at the time of less than 24 hours before departure, God happened. You know how people ask you 'what happened, why you didn't show up?"

I began to experience the greatest unrest within my self. My peace about it went out the window and I could not function in any area as this weighed heavily upon me. No peace. That is a major sign that something is wrong. I began to pray and truthfully, for some weeks the Holy Spirit had been speaking to me about this day. But what seemed to be as such a great opportunity for financial freedom, well I felt I needed to go.

Money had been put out for me to go on this trip, and I felt obligated to go. But no release from God. It got heavier and heavier, the disturbance in my spirit became louder and louder.

Look, the sponsors and 'up-line' wanted me to go, so much so that they spent lots of time 'talking' me into making the decision to go. (smile)
But, you know the saying "Everything good ain't God."

I telephone another woman of God (I have learned to seek the Godly counsel of those I trust and know have a walk/relationship with The Lord) and we prayed. All was confirmed. In fact, she was the 4th person to confirm with the exact words what I was hearing The Holy Spirit speak to me.

So, here I was standing at this cross road. I could choose to go the way of the Lord, or I could choose to go my own way.  What was so significant about this, other than the obvious in the statement I just made above?
It was my choice, either way the Lord would be with me. But His higher desire for me was that I would trust what He has spoken to me.  Trust Him. Even though it does not look like what He has said,  TRUST HIM.

We, Believers are standing at the door (and it is happening now, get into position!) of a season which will bring tremendous blessing, financial blessing and provision to the Body of Christ. The only way we can miss the greater outpouring of this, is if we look to the world (Egypt) as our resource rather than God.

Example, take Abraham, Genesis 12:4-10.  The Lord told Abraham to go to the land He promised to give him, and Abraham journeyed through it. But when he got there a great famine was upon the land, a land which was usually fruitful when the rains came, and there was vegetation, etc. But Abraham obeyed God's word and went. GOD SENT HIM THERE.

Do you believe God sent Abraham to a place where there would have been no provision? Do you believe God sent Abraham to a place to starve? NO, God did not.  FOUNDATION HERE IS THAT ABRAHAM HAD A WORD FROM THE LORD TO BE WHERE HE WAS.

I believe that if Abraham would have sought God, if Abraham would have trusted the Word the Lord gave Him . . . the Lord God would have caused that desert to bloom for him, and all his provision would have been met. But it was easier for Abraham to pack everybody up and GO DOWN TO EGYPT, representing the world system of provision for his need.

Rather than pray and press into seeking God for His resources in that place, Abraham immediately seeks the resources that will quickly satisfy his need.

The world always has it's brightly lite neon signs, flashing, beckoning us to go that way, turn this way and be satisfied, meet your fleshly need here and now.

I believe that if Abraham had stayed and pressed in, and sought God, the trouble in Egypt need not have been. When God gives us a word, many times it seems as though we have been 'set up.' But indeed we have, but not set up to fail, but to succeed. To press through and believe God.

As servants of The Most High God that financial realm is a real place of overcoming. Jesus spoke about how the 'cares of this life' can choke the word of life right out of us, these cares will stop any spiritual growth.

Many times we are presented with another way, rather than trusting God.
Now, this is very important here. I am not saying we should not work, or even be involved with some direct/networking companies; but some of these companies actually take our heart from the Lord and cause us to begin to idolize the so called success and lifestyles of the idols of these companies. They tell us we want to be just like them, live like them, and O yes, don't forget they mix the Bible in their presentations just to give it that flavor of come and be blessed.

Before you realize it, you are living, eating and breathing that business. People see you and they run from you because that is all you talk about! You have become seduced. You have been bewitched, and you are lulled into thinking this is your ministry (and for some it may be), when in fact you are sowing into dead works. Your idol has been falsely covered with slogans and mind numbing, brain washing rhetoric that has been presented to you as the gospel and this is the provision and way of The Lord!

Now I don't forget the many who give of their money to the poor and support ministries. And we need that, but you cannot buy your way into the graces of God. Giving out of your abundance. Your money or gifts do not make you a better Believer, and it is surely not evidence of your faith.
Many set their heart on their riches, and their eye is never full. They run to and fro, as with a net catching the souls of men.

That is just some of what The Lord has shown me about some of these companies. Not all companies such as this have the spirit that lures you away from God.  And I have made it a point to pray and ask the Lord which ones (IF ANY) I may be involved with.

But WE ARE BELIEVERS and WE MINISTER The Gospel of Christ. We cannot be a billboard for anything or anyone else. We are to have no idols before us. Mark the signs of idol worship.

There is nothing wrong with sales, owning your own business or starting your home based business. We have a marketing page coming very soon if it is not available here yet; but I again emphasize, be careful of idols!

I did not make my trip, and I felt it useless to try to explain to them what I have written here. But I do pray for them.

FOR ME, it would have been a going down to Egypt, for sure I would have lost that which would have been of eternal value in my life. I would not have chosen God's highest and best for me.  I chose to pick up my cross and follow on with the Lord. A death, yes it was for me, as I said I had hopes here for a provision. I had to die to self here. For I saw a way, but it was not God's way FOR ME.
Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

I have committed my life to the Lord, and He is my source and provision. He has provided for me, my family in many ways and countless times. I will not lean on the flesh of man, much less on my own flesh.

There is misunderstanding as a result of that incident, and I have been counted as one who just does not 'see it,' or is just not 'ready for it' by their account.

But I will take the way of the Lord, believe Him, and trust Him, that He will cause the desert to bloom and set a table before me, that not only I may be blessed, but I will be a blessing to many, many others also.
Trust The Word of The Lord He has given to YOU.

Oh, and by the way immediately after I made that decision to TRUST THE LORD IN THIS SITUATION AND NOT GO ON THAT TRIP, IMMEDIATELY THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD CAME WITH GREAT PEACE.
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BLESSED ARE THE . . .
This morning the Lord took me to Matthew Chpt. 5 verses 1-3.  Jesus opened His mouth and began to teach - starting at verse 3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
    It is here the Holy Spirit began to give me fresh illumination to this verse - sometimes it is not about getting something new, but 'hearing once more' that which we should know - this poor is not a poor in the natural.  He is saying Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT.
        This blessed has to do with a hunger and desire, and thirst for more of the Lord. It is a poverty of spirit.  Bankrupt.
       Many people are in this condition and they don't understand why they are not satisfied. They are spiritually bankrupt, they may not know how to express it, yet there is a hunger for more.
     They are going to church, they are doing all of the 'right' things, yet they are not fully satisfied. They are praying, they are serving,  yet they are still not filled.  They are still lacking.
     The Holy spirit then told me to look at the people that Jesus was speaking to at that present moment.
     Chapter 4:23-25 "And Jesus went about all Galilee, . . ."  Chapter 5:1-2.  Now here we have the condition of the people, they had all of these various oppressions, spirits of infirmity, mental, etc.. Then there were those who bought the people who had the oppressions, who were not only seeking for their Loved ones, but also they were seeking relief for themselves.
     Most of these folk I imagine were faithful attendees of the synagogue, for they knew how to address Jesus, and Jesus looked upon them with compassion. He called them "sheep without a shepherd."  They, just like many of the sick had tried everything, but could not get healed, could not get relief from the oppressions, the ails of the body and soul.
     It says in verse Chapter 4:14-17(Read). The Holy Spirit showed me that you have to remember the condition of the people in that day and the people of this day.
    Now note this in  Chapter 4:14-17 this is the condition of the people and of the region.  They sat in darkness. And it is here that Jesus began to preach and teach.  He tells them TO TURN FROM THE DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING (REPENT) - for the kingdom of heaven is NEAR.  He is giving them directions on entering the kingdom of heaven.  The first one is they must TURN FROM THE DIRECTION THEY ARE HEADED.
    Now, a further word about the Kingdom.  What is the Kingdom of the Lord?  Well, first to establish a kingdom you must first have a king, and you must have a defined  territory and subjects of the kingdom, those who are submitted to the kingdom.  Those who have allegiance to the kingdom. Next, the kingdom must have authority, an authority with power to back up the laws of the land. This authority has consequences as to what happens if you break the laws, and if you obey the law, authority with consequence.
    These people had been bought up under the law, under the synagogue ,  Torah, but the inability to keep the law, and the mishandling of the law to control and oppress the people by the religious leaders had caused such a bankrupt spiritual condition in the people.  Now, remember the law could not give them life.  These people were bankrupt, they were poor in spirit. Their spirit's were not being fed with life. And for all their feasts, rituals, and traditions, they sat in darkness.
     No doubt many followed and obeyed the law as closely as possible, but as you know Jesus spoke about how the religious leaders put heavy burdens on the people.
     Even today, many in the church are bombarded with all kinds of schemes not to mention formula's. My 5 steps to Freedom CD Series, anointing oil with titles that promise results, this conference and that conference, O, sooo much.
     But those who desire the Lord put out the money and time to purchase and or go to these events.  Many times they go and receive a word that does witness, but all too many times there is no real impartation in the individual's spirit.  So over and over, all this self-seeking (and I say self-seeking because it is usually just that) ends up in nothing, just more hunger and thirst.  I say self-seeking because Jesus did promise that if you seek Him you would find Him.
      So my friend if we are to come up out of this place, you must move that hunger, desire and thirst to a higher level.  That is the Kingdom of God, move it to the King, Christ.
      These people sat in darkness.  Jesus arose, He is the great light, and the multitudes began to come out to Him.  He began to talk about this Kingdom, and not only did He talk about it, He demonstrated it!
     One of the things the Holy Spirit took me to was in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, David who is a type of Christ, 1 Sam 22:1-2 we see this principle operating here .
"And everyone that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men."  David is a type of Christ, David was anointed King, and there were those who submitted themselves to David, before the kingdom was given to David, before all the prophetic words ministered to David were manifested, there were these people who came out to him, and joined themselves to David.  They left all of that pertained to their lives, livelihoods, behind them to become outcast, why?
     Well, we see their conditions as listed above.  But they came out because they were waiting, hoping and looking for that kingdom that was promised through the prophets.  They could not live in the present kingdom as it stood. They had to forsake it all. And David represented that Glorious Kingdom!  They believed the prophets, and they believed in David as to being their king who would usher in this promised kingdom.
     We see the same with Christ Jesus, prophecies given many, many years prior to His coming promises of a kingdom, a kingdom they did not see, yet here was the hope of it. The people came out to hear Him as He spoke of this Kingdom.  (The Jews were looking for the Messiah, a great military leader. They did not really have an understanding of the kingdom He spoke of.)
    And just as surely as the kingdom was promised to David, and it did manifest, just as surely as Christ spoke the word of God, concerning the kingdom, it shall fill this earth.
     Now, just as surely as God is speaking to you about this kingdom it is going to be yours.  Surely you are hungering and thirsting for this kingdom.  The Kingdom that Christ is speaking about here in this scripture, is the HIGHER REALM OF GOD.
     You must realize that you are going in a circle and have nothing.  You are looking for something that is much higher than what you presently are experiencing in God. Joining another auxiliary or committee in church will not remedy this.
     You may be out serving the Lord, doing all the right things, as I said earlier. But there is a deep down, satisfied dis-satisfaction within your spirit.  You know there is more.
      Don't look at your material collections, you may have millions of dollars in the bank, but yet, you my friend are spiritually bankrupt.  This has nothing to do with your cars, your job, the house you live in, none of these temporary things.
     Your hunger goes much deeper than that.  Spiritually bankrupt.
     You are DISCONTENT, YOU ARE IN DISTRESS, YOU ARE IN DEBT, and yes there may even be darkness all around you, your family, your situation may be looking pretty dim. You need to come up. 
     But GREAT LIGHT HAS ARISEN AND IS ARISING.  You will come into the full reality of that real kingdom of The Kingdom of God.  This earth will be full of Him. It will manifest. But here I am speaking expressly of spiritual elevation that goes before.
     If you are satisfied with your present spiritual experience, then this message is not for you.
     But if you are not satisfied, and you have come to the end of your self-seeking, and you are just tired of the 'church life' then the higher realm is open to you, The Kingdom of God.    
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Today as I was worshiping, I was saw in the spirit a flower, like a daisy, with petals of beautiful cream color and the center as amber. It was attached to it's steam which was sturdy and strong with two leafs on it. The soil around it was green. It began to rain upon this flower and the thing about the rain was that the drops were very large drops of rain. Perfectly formed and they fell down from heaven and landed on the face of the flower and the flower was strengthened.
  In the Word of God we see flower relates to the failing beauty of man, and so does grass. Those who are waiting for transformation, transition, resurrection life, it is not far off.
  The rain speaks of revival, refreshing and the outpouring of the Word of God, with His Holy Spirit!
  This rain, this rain, this rain is not for the masses. No, it is for the revival, the refreshing as stated above, but it is for those who "have an understanding and have heard the Heart of God" for this hour and have BELIEVED WHAT HE HAS PROMISED.
  They have been waiting for a long time, and some are fading, some are transitioning on, however most are holding on to hope, but soon that hope will be a reality and you shall possess it. Some have said maybe it is not for our generation.  O, but it is.
  For this week the Lord quickened this word to me, Psalm 145:4 ONE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE THY WORKS TO ANOTHER, AND SHALL DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS KJV - Another translation says it this way - ONE GENERATION SHALL COMMEND THY WORKS TO ANOTHER AND SET FORTH THY MIGHTY DEEDS - NEB
  It is said in The word - Proverbs 13:12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
  I only know of one Tree of Life and that is Jesus Christ.
  It won't be long - keep waiting on Him with expectation.
    Those rain drops speak of impartation and enabling from The Lord Himself for His end-time purposes.  Fathers/Mothers of the Faith are being further equipped. This generation who will 'sing' to the next generation.
  Get into your secret closet and pray, yes, pray.  Depending solely upon the Holy Spirit yield to Him. May you prayerfully continue to allow the process of the Holy Spirit to move in your life so that you may be prepared.
Soon the Barren Woman will SING.
March 21, 2012
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Do You Really Believe What is Written Below?
1 Corinthians 15:51-58  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

I believe it.
March 9, 2012
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"...look on the fields; for they are..."  John 4:34-38

Before this, our Lord had just finished witnessing to the woman at the well, and she has gone back declaring He is the Messiah, the Christ, the One Promised.
  It is here Jesus makes that statement to His disciples, as He looks upon these many Samaritans of that city, who now believe on Him. 
  I find it very interesting that in these verses Jesus makes it very plain that what sustained Him was not this worldly life, dependence upon self, but He was kept by doing the will of The Father who sent Him.
  He and the Father are ONE. And God is the source of LIFE.
  Now, that does not mean Jesus did not need daily bread, for Jesus also tells us that 'man cannot live by bread alone.' Several times The Lord makes reference to items (food) that are necessary for life itself, as not having been His source of life.
  But His meat, His fuel, His delight was doing the will of The Father and finishing His work.
    Jesus goes on to lay out for us the time of seed and harvest. Interesting He says that it takes four months, and then comes the harvest.
  Four is the number for worldwide, universal (Now see harvest in this light).  Worldwide, universal harvest of the People of God. As in a mature people, Sons of God, Overcomers, The Bride of Christ.
  These names represent groups, realms that each Believer has pressed into as called by God.  These are COMPANIES of Believers.
  So He is letting us know that once the seed is planted, it will take some time, some care for that seed to grow and mature.
  These Samaritans were hungry, thirsty for the Living Word, and they recognized Christ, for themselves.
 Then He boldly declares to His disciples, "BEHOLD, I SAY UNTO YOU, LIFT UP YOUR EYES, AND LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE, RIPE ALREADY TO HARVEST." I believe the Lord is speaking about two things here.
  The Harvest of souls into the church, and the Harvest of some in the church to maturity.  Come in, and Come up!
  Yes, there will be a GREAT LAST MOVE OF GOD WHEREIN THERE WILL BE A MIGHTY HARVEST UPON THE EARTH OF SOULS.
  But these will be as BABIES! Not full grown mature Sons of God.
  Jesus already said, LOOK ON THE FIELDS; FOR THEY ARE WHITE, RIPE ALREADY TO HARVEST. We need not wait for disaster, earthquakes and such to be preach the gospel.
  Listen, Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God is also the GREATEST PROPHET THAT EVER WALKED THIS EARTH. Much of what He spoke, taught is profoundly prophetic!
  When I speak of end time ministry I am speaking about that ministry that will have a Word from The Lord which shall bring forth growth, and maturity to the Body of Christ. By the Holy Spirit, it is a supernatural work of the Lord. But believe me, there will be no overnight wonders. Jesus clearly lets us know there is a time for planting and a time for harvest.
    So many are are waiting for the disasters and earthquakes to come and then we will see the people seeking The Lord.  And that will happen, but we the Body of Christ are still responsible to preach the gospel, and the uncompromising Word of God NOW. 
  Even if we face persecution, rejection, literally being thrown outside the gate.  Consider who was outside the gate, that is not a bad place to end up.
  But beyond that we must not slack in our commission. The Word of God is not, I repeat NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT and many will BE OFFENDED.
  However, Christ said there is a harvest out here. We must not only sow the seed, but we must labour, entering into the labour of others who have gone on before us.
  There are many levels of end time ministry - those who sow the Word and those who labour to bring forth a harvest.
  Now, one thing I want to say about harvest.  You don't harvest a crop that has not matured.  You can't harvest tomato plants without any tomatoes, you cannot harvest corn, without there being a full ear, do you get it?
  I thank The Lord that He is sending out true Evangelists to preach to the unsaved, but ALSO there are Evangelists being sent to the commercial church to preach salvation.
  And in the true Church there are those who are laboring to bring forth a true, mature harvest, fit to be joined to the Head of the Church, Christ.
Date: February 2, 2012
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HE HAS GIVEN US THE POWER TO BECOME
I speak with many Believers who are struggling in their walk.  Much of their struggle is with the Old Man, the dis-in tangling themselves from many, many years living a worldly life, the life of a sinner.

I believe we forget that even though you may have not done some things, we all are born under the penalty of sin and death. Salvation is a PROCESS.  So much of the 'battle' Believers face today have nothing to do with the Heavenly Battle, but it is the battle of the Old Man not wanting to give up, it is the battle of the darkness of the unsaved soul man, the old man not wanting to die, and the impurity of their own heart, wants and desires.

It is not the Battle of The Heavenly War.  Those who are in this position are battling, nonetheless, but they are not in the place of true warfare with The Lord.  A bound soul cannot ascend.

When we are first saved, so much emphasis is on confession with our mouth.  The way to true salvation is as Jesus said Himself, REPENT.  Not many make a point to preach on this.  So much emphasis is given to CONFESSION.  This word has been centered solely on a mental ability to repeat what the minister tells one to repeat. We have taken Romans 10:9 and for so many have made it a mental ascent, of empty confession, with just that the mouth.  What does the heart mean here? Heart and spirit are used interchangeably in the Bible, more on that further down.

But in 1 John 1:9 we are told to confess our sins.  REPENT.  That word CONFESSION in ROMANS 10:9 MEANS TO REPENT.

The Bible says we can confess with our mouths, but our hearts still are far from Him.  Matthew 15:8 speaks of the people who honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from God.  They were not able to offer pure real worship, much less an acceptable life.  There was something lacking in their foundation with God.

I believe in a real Salvation experience the person is moved to brokenness, it is not a time to intellectually engage the soul.  It is a work of the Holy Spirit within the SPIRIT OF THE INDIVIDUAL.   IT IS A MIRACLE - UNEXPLAINABLE BY MAN!!  IT OVER RULES THE LAWS OF THIS WORLD - IT GOES BEYOND THE POWER OF MAN TO DO!!!!  THIS IS SALVATION - THE NEW BIRTH.

(JESUS SAID ONE MUST BE BORNE OF THE SPIRIT - I WILL WRITE MORE ON THAT - I DON'T WANT TOO WRITE MUCH HERE - BUT WE WILL EXPLORE THE WORD 'BORNE.'  AS JESUS MEANT IN THE NEW BIRTH.)

This experience is wondrous. Sometimes when there are those praying with the soul seeking salvation, they must be willing to pray with the seeker till the person is past this soulish experience until there is the release of THE LIGHT OF CHRIST upon the spirit and soul.  It is by faith, but faith that breaks the person.  But that faith is of GOD.  IT IS HIS FAITH GIVEN TO US TO EVEN BELIEVE WITH THE HEART.

If there is no revelation of their own sin, their own need of a saviour, their own lostness, their own unworthiness, (and more) that individual will come out of that experience with the belief that they chose Jesus, a self-righteousness that they somehow have done something to cause their own salvation.

True salvation is a RE-BIRTH of a person.  One will experience great joy that comes after the 'pressing' through into Christ, is UNSPEAKABLE JOY!  When a man is truly FORGIVEN and knows it, WOW! That is why true new Believers want to share Jesus with everyone they meet.  It is not about joining a church.

But at that time of salvation a seed is received, that seed is planted in the now QUICKENED (made alive) spirit of the man, that is now the place of the Presence of the Spirit of Christ.  This is where Christ lives in us.  In our spirit man.  But that seed must grow.  Many miracles happen at the New-birth experience.  Many fruits of sin may fall off.  Example, smoking, drinking, cursing etc.  But there is change in countenance, miracles of healing, understanding, light given, experiences of the Love of God, etc.  But this is just the beginning.

The Old Man who is rooted in the soul and the flesh, will have to be OVERCOME. And this is where many Believers spend many years battling because they do not understand how to overcome these strongholds.
Remember the parable of the sower?  Matthew 13:3 (it starts here) Jesus Himself gives the meaning of this parable as you read this entire teaching.
I cannot go into it all here, but in order for the new Believer to grow in Christ and the 'Seed of Christ' to grow in the new Believer, there is the need for the individual to have have received a revelation of their own as to the reality of Jesus Christ.  And that is exactly what the Holy Spirit does, HE REVEALS JESUS!

Then I believe there is given the desire to be with other Believers, to engage in life of a Christian and engage in study of the Word of God.  We are under the 'governors and tutors' that Paul speaks of in Galatians 4:1.
Yes we are 'heirs' but we have to come to a place of maturity before we can have all that is ours, before we can move in true authority.  We need to be taught and submit to those who are walking/living as true ministers. Those we know as 5-Fold Ministers who are sent to prepare the children to become sons.

Now, I know for some this is not possible to be in a Body of Believers, a true church in the area where you live.  But I pray you keep on seeking, for there is nothing like true fellowship, one with another in real Christ Love.
Don't get caught up in a building.  There are some true house churches.  Don't get caught up in numbers or celebrity ministries either.
God is seeking for spiritual quality not quantity.  What kind of Word is coming out of these places, and is there LOVE ONE FOR ANOTHER in these Houses of Worship.

This is just one site of many where you may receive teaching.  I minister live on Sunday mornings and I am also affiliated with an On-line Church.  Just as prayer has no bounds, neither does the anointing and Word of God.  These are not bound!

Now John 1:12 declares He has given us THE POWER to become SONS OF GOD.  God has given us all we need to GROW AND COME TO MATURITY.  That POWER IS IN US - THAT POWER IS THE SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST WHO HAS COME TO US IN THIS SEASON OF THE LORD AS THE HOLY SPIRIT.

I am so burdened that this false, self-centered leadership that has entrapped so many of God's people be exposed so that the true sheep will be set free, as God is raising up a TRUE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY that seek to turn the hearts of the children to the Father, and real Ministry that will turn, as a Father back to the Children.  This is happening.

The message is not popular, but we are HERE in the earth,(I say that humbly and with great soberness) and will be sought out by those who truly seek THE LORD.

It is here on the website that I too will endeavor to help each one to
overcome this part of the growth process in Christ.
Many of you know there is more - but it is not clear how to get there.  Let us help you, as the Holy Spirit gives grace.  READ MY ARTICLE ON AFFLICTION BELOW - for as long as we are on this earth we will have affliction - but we need to get free, delivered from our Old Man, from our Flesh and come into DIVINE ALIGNMENT.

Get free from this low plane of living in Christ, get off the roller coaster and learn to OVERCOME for HE HAS GIVEN YOU THE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD!
And then, only then will you truly be effective for the Kingdom of God!
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IN RESPONSE TO AN ARTICLE REGARDING, DECEIVED CHRISTIANS, JANUARY 10, 2012
I THANK YOU FOR THE ARTICLE - SO TRUE.  I, ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHERS HAVE WARNED THAT OUR BATTLE WILL BE MOSTLY WITH THE FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM IN THE EARTH TODAY.  THOSE WHO ARE UNDER DECEPTION.  AFTER ALL, THE REAL PUSH FOR THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST WAS NOT PRIMARILY THE WORLD - NOT ROME, BUT THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF ISRAEL.
    THERE ARE TWO CHURCHES IN THE EARTH TODAY.  JUST AS THERE WERE TWO ISRAELS'.   THOSE WHO BELIEVED AND THOSE WHO DID NOT.
     THAT RELIGIOUS SYSTEM HAS IT'S HEART IN ITSELF - PRIDE, REBELLION, JEALOUSY, SELF-RECOGNITION, ETC.  (PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM NOT SPEAKING ABOUT THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS A WHOLE - BUT A SPIRITUAL STATE OF THOSE WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHO CHRIST WAS - THEY HAD THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS - THE WRITTEN BOOKS OF THE TORAH - BUT THEIR LIGHT WAS IN DARKNESS).  PAUL WARNED THE CHURCH AND USED ISRAEL AS AN EXAMPLE.
     ISRAEL WILL BE DRAFTED IN AGAIN, BUT THIS FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM, BABYLON WILL BE DESTROYED.  AND IT WILL ALONG WITH SATAN WAR WITH THE TRUE CHURCH IN THE EARTH.  THE ONE NEW MAN MADE UP OF JEW AND GENTILE.
     WE MUST BE CAREFUL AND PRAY TO NOT ENTER INTO THE DECEPTION THAT IS IN THIS WORLD - FOR THE SAME SYSTEM THAT THE WORD OF GOD WAS GUARDED THROUGH - DID NOT RECOGNIZE WHO JESUS WAS, MUCH LESS THE CREATOR, GOD IN CHRIST JESUS WHEN HE CAME.  THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.  BUT THIS TIME IT WILL BE THE FALSE RELIGIOUS CHURCH.
     THIS ANTICHRIST SPIRIT THAT IS EVEN WORKING NOW STILL SEEKS TO DESTROY, WIPE OUT ANY LIKENESS OF CHRIST IN THE EARTH.  BUT IT ULTIMATELY WILL ONLY SERVE TO BRING ABOUT GOD'S DIVINE PURPOSE.
     THERE IS AN ACCELERATION OF DARKNESS IN THE EARTH - AND THE WORD OF GOD NEEDS TO GO FORTH WITHOUT COMPROMISE LIKE NEVER BEFORE WARNING ALL TO REPENT TRULY, AND WE NEED MINISTERS WHO WILL DEPEND UPON THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO RELEASE A WORD THROUGH THEM TO THE BODY OF CHRIST, TO THE WORLD.   THAT WORD WILL DO A QUICK WORK IN THE PEOPLE SO THEY WILL BE PREPARED FOR WHAT IS MANIFESTING UPON THE EARTH.   WOE TO THEM WHO ARE AS CHILDREN- THIS IS A SEASON FOR THOSE STRONG IN GOD, BUT GOD IS ABLE.
     MINISTERS HAVE SPOKEN TO THE SOUL AND FLESH OF MAN TOO LONG - WE NEED TO BE ENDUED WITH POWER SO THAT THE SWORD OF THE WORD CUTS AND SEPARATES THE FLESH, SOUL AND SPIRIT.  THIS IS A SPIRITUAL WORK!
     GOD DOES CALL SOME OF US TO BE SPEAR MEN, OR POINT MEN - WE GO THROUGH SOME THINGS BEFORE THE MAJORITY OF THE BODY GOES THROUGH IT.
     AND IT IS THOSE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH BEFORE THE MAJORITY OF THE BODY THAT WILL BE ENABLED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO MOVE WITH HIM TO DELIVER AND LEAD THE OTHERS ACROSS AND THROUGH THIS SEASON.
     I BELIEVE THIS IS OUR SEASON FOR HAVING LAID DOWN OUR LIVES SO THAT CHRIST MAY LIVE.
     LET US FIGHT.  BUT LET US GET THE HEART OF THE LORD, HIS MIND AND THEN WE WILL HAVE HIS STRATEGY.  HE IS GIVING IT TO US, THOSE WHO WAIT IN HIS PRESENCE.
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THE MINISTRY OF AFFLICTION - JANUARY 7, 2012
This is one Ministry that not one of us can lord over.  We cannot take any title concerning it nor can we label it.  It is a sovereign ministry, instrument of THE LORD'S.
Let us turn to James 5:7-20.  Here we see in verse 13.  "IS ANY AMONG YOU AFFLICTED?"  Which means suffering, going through any hardships and trials.  Now this is not to be confused with "SICK - organic in nature and promoted by spiritual condition."    We need to pray and seek the wisdom of The Lord and we need the discernment of the Holy Spirit  to know which we are dealing with.  Now, this is not my word, James sets these two differences before us.

James clearly says "If there is any 'sick' among you, let him call for the elders of (the local) assembly and let them pray over him, ANOINTING him WITH OIL in the name of the Lord; and the PRAYER OF FAITH shall SAVE THE SICK."  James also makes it a point to say that if the sick person has sinned, not only will he be healed, but his sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Also, confessing your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  This is the remedy that James gives for the sick.

But James distinctly asks "is there any among you afflicted?"  Remedy for Affliction?  LET HIM PRAY".  Healing is not promised for "affliction."   We cannot claim deliverance from something which God Himself has for a specific reason according to His purpose imposed or has allowed.  This would put us at odds with God and His Divine will.

  Affliction and sickness are not the same, nor is the remedy for which James gives to us.

We need to pray and seek the wisdom of The Lord and discernment of the Holy Spirit before we pray for people.

Affliction is the instrument by which God alone has the authority to use which will bring powerful LIFE, GOD LIFE, results.  Some examples in which God uses afflictions, briefly I will list here below:

We see that affliction was visited upon Israel when they were slaves in Egypt.  Genesis 15:15 - they were enslaved and afflicted and humbled, treated harshly and ill-used.  The Philistines afflicted Samson, David was afflicted by God, Psalms 88:7, Judah by God, Lamentations 3:33, Israel by the World, Psalms 129:2, the just by the wicked, Amos 5:12, Hebrew 11:37 and Christians by the world, 2 Corinthians 1:6.

The intent of affliction is to show God's mercy, Isaiah 63:9, to make us seek the face of God, Hosea 5:15, bring us back to God, Psalms 119:67 to Humble us, 2 Chronicles 33:12 and to Test us, Isaiah 48:10.   These are just a few scriptures that I have looked up, please do more research if you desire.

Now, what does this mean to us today?  Basically it is the same principle.  Affliction is a means of testing and it is a part of the Christian's life.  So many Christians today have been given a gospel that does not embrace the full gospel.  We fight the enemy of our soul at the drop of a hat when a situation contrary to what we believe should be happening to our sometimes, childlike fairy-tale religious walk happens.  We have bought into false expectations of The True Christian Life.

My intent here is to help you come to a balance.  There are so many in the Western Church that are now beginning to experience suffering, so many are not familiar with it, and don't see God in it.  Want no part of it. 

Affliction is a part of the Gospel as we see in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, for many do receive the Word with much persecution, maybe for now we don't see it here in America, as much yet, but in many other Nations, Christians and new Believers are severely persecuted for receiving the Word of God.  And if you truly receive the full gospel, you too will be persecuted.

But we are told to endure these afflictions, in 11 Timothy 4:5, "But thou--be sober in all things, suffer hardship..."

We are told to not be disturbed by these afflictions, in 1 Thessalonians 3:3, to not waver.

We are told it is just a momentary affliction, in 11 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"  "These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long.  And are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain."  (various translations combined).

These afflictions are sometimes intense, so intense.  Paul speaks of this in II Corinthians 1:8-10.

These afflictions cannot separate you from God and God DOES DELIVER THE RIGHTEOUS OUT OF THEM, Psalms 34:19!  AMEN!!!

How do we PRAY when we find ourselves in affliction.  Well, we must cry out to God in repentance if needed.  Asking Him boldly and ask big for HELP!  I tell you we need the infilling of The Holy Spirit to live the Christian Life.  Take the situation to Him in prayer and pray that your enemies not overwhelm you, that you not fail the test, that He strengthen you to go through what ever the trial may be.  Pray that you come out of it WITH GOLD, MORE OF THE NATURE AND LIKENESS OF JESUS!  Throw all of you upon the Cross and look to Him!  Yield to God, not the situation, make sure you have your dealing with God, not the devil!

Some of us talk to the devil and demons just too much.

Read Psalms 88 (and others) and see how David prayed.  Remember Job, he prayed, he interceded and it caused his situation to turn.  Listen, I am talking about God being in control. 

Yes, we are in a war and we wrestle with principalities and powers, wickedness in high places, we have an enemy.  But know this simple principle, demons we cast out, principalities we wrestle (you can't cast them out).   That is why we need the gift of discernment by the Holy Spirit! 

But know this that the end of affliction will be when Christ returns.  We as Believers will be afflicted in this world - 2 Thessalonians.  Yes, God allows the wicked to bring affliction, but woe to those who trouble you, for they will be troubled by God.  He shall put an end to it, give us relief, give us rest from affliction at the Appearing of The Lord Jesus Himself.

So now, do you understand a little more about some of the hardship you are experiencing?  I am one that it seems I have had to fight for everything.  But, because of the Favor of God upon my life, He has even gave me peace in the midst of my enemies.  In the midst of loss, pain, betrayal, attack, trouble, within and without, He can give you peace and confidence of an outcome of victory.

It has seemed that at times every day some tribulation, trial, some affliction would come my way.  One after another.  But truly it kept me on my knees, seeking (and finding) the face of God.

I have endured many hardships.  And do now.  But I know that in Christ Jesus I am more than a conqueror, because I know He loves me, and His desire is toward me.  I thank God, afflictions don't last always!  Might seem like it, but they don't.

It is about overcoming.  Enduring to the end.  Let us pray for one another that we not fail during this season of affliction.  For affliction will only increase, but know that God is in control. 

Mark 4:17 gives us one of the scenes concerning the sower who went out to sow.  Verse 17 Jesus clearly tells us how the 'word' was sown here but because of AFFLICTION or PERSECUTION ARISES for the WORD'S SAKE, immediately they are offended.

They did not pass the test.  This is happening today.  Right now, and it will happen to each Believer.  The test will come.  The Word in you must be tried.

I AM PRAYING FOR YOU, as well as for myself.  After James lays this out he says in verse 17b "THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH."    I like this translation by Williams, "AN UPRIGHT MAN'S PRAYER, WHEN IT KEEPS AT WORK, IS VERY POWERFUL."

Paul says in Philippians 4:13-14 "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.  NOTWITHSTANDING YE HAVE WELL DONE, THAT YE DID COMMUNICATE WITH MY AFFLICTION."  Paul is saying that you "SHARED IN MY TROUBLES."  We must pray for each other and share in each one's troubles.  Help each other, give what we can to meet the need of each other.  Don't just pray only, but it may require you to ACT as well as pray too.

And keep on praying.  For that is the remedy for those who are Afflicted among us.  Amen.
I hope this helps you.
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EPHESIANS 1 - NOVEMBER, 2011
If you have ever done a study on the Book of Ephesians you will know that Chapter 1, verses 3-14 is for spiritual POSSESSION.  I want to take us on a brief review of this section.

In verse 4 the Greek verb translated 'chose' is in the aorist tense, meaning "once for all."  It has the preposition ek prefixed, which equals 'out of."   It is the middle voice of the verb which adds the sense of choosing for one's own self.
Now, we could read that as chosen out of the world, once for all, to be God's own as a peculiar treasure.  Yes, and as the Word states we were chosen before the earth was.  WOW!  And what were we chosen to be?  To be Holy.  He goes on to say, be holy and without blame before Him in love.
In love.  Our hearts must be filled with love!  So first we see here ELECTION.
2nd Paul says in verse 5 "Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself"  Now, the Greek word here 'adoption' does not mean adoption as in our society today, like adopting an orphan.  What it means here the public attestation of adult sonship and the confirmation of privileges that belongs to being a son who has come of legal age.  Now, we are sons, children at the new-birth, but we must come of age to fully receive all the heir is entitled to.  Yet when Jesus Himself returns, some shall then be released into the full benefits of sonship.  I do believe that we are coming closer to it, as the earth is in travail, all living things travail for the manifestation of the Sons of God.  Now for any who follow my teachings, you know that word, Parousia.  Yes.
So here we see PREDESTINATION.
Verses 7, 8 Paul states "In whom we have REDEMPTION through His blood".  Our Lord has redeemed us - He paid a price to buy us back, to release by ransom.  Now, one commentary says this, "Not that God paid a ransom price to the devil, a queer theory propounded in the early years of the Church's history.  No, the redemption price was paid in respect of the eternal principles of righteousness which govern the universe, to the holy law of God which human sin has outraged."
We were guilty, and Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law, we have been bought with a price, and a most high price, purchased from slavery and the lowest level of sin and depravity possible.  And that cost was by HIS BLOOD, the Blood of Jesus Christ!
So here now is REDEMPTION
In verses 8-12 - we see Paul writing "He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in the heavens and which are on the earth." 
He will make known to us through revelation.  But that revelation will be revealed to us in THE FULLNESS OF TIME.  We know that we prophesy in part but there is coming a time, THE FULLNESS OF TIME, when we shall know.  That statement alone encompasses a vast arena.  We must look not only on the past, but the present and on into the future and eternity!  Somewhere, somehow God has a measuring device, and He alone knows where this all levels out to.
So here we have REVELATION
Verse 11 speaks of an inheritance.  "In whom (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." 
One commentator says this - "It is in those two little words "In whom" which give it such limitless significance.  It is "in HIM" who is heir to the whole universe that we have our inheritance!
WOW, just meditate on that will you?   Look this is why it is so, so very important to get into the purpose of God.  So many are out here with their own agenda, vision for some self greatness, some great ministry, but if we find our purpose in HIS PURPOSE, in HIS VISION, then, as we enter into the reality of IN HIM we know that all Paul says here is ours.  We are 'predestinated to' by "Him who worketh ALL things after the counsel of HIS OWN WILL."  No powers of darkness, no power can overpower God or rob you of your inheritance.
So here we have INHERITANCE
Verse 11 speaks of Sealed by the Spirit.  Paul writes, "After ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession."  Now, if you are one of God's elect that inheritance is yours.  God further insures that it is ours for we are then sealed with His Holy Spirit to secure us for that inheritance. 
Why does one seal a thing?  To provide ownership and security.  We are HIS and we are SAFE for real.  Men make promises, and back in the day a letter was sent with a seal, a decree was signed with a seal, and so forth, but seals made by man were always being broken.  But no one, nothing can break the seal of God!
I want to say further that this is a statement in which one must meet the qualifications to be sealed with His Holy Spirit.  And that qualification is BELIEF.  We need to seek God as to how people are being bought into the church today.  Are they being made a part of the Body of Christ, His Church of which He is the Head?  Or are some coming forth repeating a sinners prayer giving mental ascent, which is really acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Or are they truly experiencing the Miracle of the New Birth?  You may ask what is the difference, glad you did.
It is amazing the Jesus went forth with one repeated cry.  REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.  We have taken the repentance out of salvation and ask folk to 'repeat after me . . . now shout, YOU'RE SAVED!"  Listen, when true salvation has gotten hold of a man there is repentance, breaking and Godly sorrow for sin.  We need to let the Holy Spirit do what He is here to do, get off the program clock, take folk to the back and be willing to stay as long as it takes to help them by praying for them as the Holy Spirit works on them.  I know this sounds old school, but for the most part there are many confessing Christians right here in America, but the 'quality' is something to be desired.  We must allow the HEART to EXPERIENCE THIS MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH.  Paul says, AFTER YOU BELIEVED. 
This is a translation from the Twentieth Century New Testament - "...you believed in Him and were sealed as His by receiving the Holy Spirit, which He had promised, . . ."
So here we are SEALED BY THE SPIRIT
These 6 items listed here are ours IN CHRIST.  Election, predestination, redemption, revelation, inheritance, sealing by the Spirit.  Right after Paul gives us these words, Paul goes into prayer for us.  He prays for us to have Revelation, for our eyes to be opened to these marvelous spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.
Go and read Ephesians 1, and especially that Prayer for Revelation immediately following these 6 spiritual blessings listed above.  Meditate on them and let the Holy Spirit open them up to you and make them personal to you.  You will not be the same.  I still pray those prayers in Ephesians, and hopefully if allowed, I will write further on Ephesians.
God Bless you!
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GOD BLESS AMERICA
It had been a while since I have traveled to the West Coast. 
On the plane each seat had one of those screens that each passenger could either watch a movie among other items of interest, or watch your plane fly over each state and town on a animated screen.  I liked that.  Plane Mapping.
I liked my window seat, as it gave me the ability to not only look at the screen, but also look down and see what I could of each state.  We are certainly blessed with a beautiful Nation.
There is much I could relate here, but  America is certainly beautiful from shore to shore.  I saw the hand of God upon the Nation and I also felt the heart of God, The Creator.
So much is being spoken prophetically about our Nation.  And some of it to some hearers is what they call doom and gloom. But I know, we know that judgement is coming upon the land.  As I looked out that plane window, I caught my breath at the beauty of this great land.  God made something when he made America.  Yes.  I could see that God made this land beautiful, and He allowed man to live here, and many others come here.  But it is certainly the man who has caused the ugliness to erode this nation.
Beware of those who speak a word of judgment but do not also have a sense of the heart of God within that Word.  I believe I felt the heart of God concerning America.  And just as all of the Work of His Hands, what He created He said it was good, very good.  And all the works of His Hand He blessed, including man.  Now, God is hurting, He is grieved because of what He must do in order to not only cleanse the nation, but cleanse the earth.
As a people we have raised up so many idols here.  The definition for idol is:  the Hebrew word eliyl, which means 'good for nothing, vain or vanity, of no value, thing of nought.'  WORTHLESS.
That is what this Nation's idols are, WORTHLESS.  And the idols are without number.  This Nation has become populated with the "Children of Belial."  I am not going to give glory to the evil works of this Nation.  But just this week, in a particular township where the young people rioted on the behalf of a person who was well known and greatly respected was released from a position.
I sat down and watched in disbelief at the cult like devotion to calling that which is evil good.  If that is the mindset of some of our future generation, God help us even more.  We have to take responsibility as a nation for giving our children over to darkness in the name of progress, the name of education.  They are not being educated, but brainwashed into a new age mindset that there is no right or wrong, just people doing what they have to do at the time they need to do it.  They are being taught about a grey area.  There is no grey.  Only life or death.  Darkness or light.  No in between.
The same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, made a convenant with Noah.  Genesis 8 and 9.  God makes a promise that He will never destroy the earth again with flood waters.  In Genesis 8:20-22 (please read it).  The Lord makes an inward vow and says He will not curse the ground anymore again, for man's sake.  What caused the Lord to make this promise?  The worship of Noah.  Noah's worship, his sacrifice was a sweet smelling savor to God.
True worship of a Holy God.  Pure and simple.  As you read those scriptures mentioned above, you will see that God knows what is in the heart of man, and He knows that judgment will come again.  But He will not use the same method.
The things that we will go through as a nation are desired to cause a spirit of true repentance to be released upon this Nation and true worship to arise from the hearts of man.  And man in his own wisdom may try to fix things, and for a while it may appear fixed.  But believe me, God got a fix you can't fix.  No man can fix it, not even the anti-christ who will come first before Christ, and he will make war with the remnant of true believers, in all the Nations the Sons of God that will appear upon the earth.  But even anti-christ in the manifest will not be victorious.  He will fall too.
Listen, Jesus Christ is our Lamb of God.  The final atoning sacrifice God will ever require.  He will not fail. But He still seeks those who will offer up the sacrifice of praise, pure/true worship - song/life.  Where are those willing to pour out their lives to Him in this place?  You see I believe worship and prayer go hand in hand.  There is a place in prayer and worship, worship and prayer where we understand it is not about asking for what we want, but asking for what He wants, and just pure adoration, I like to say just simply caught up in Jesus!
I hear and see some religious folk almost give a ghastly horrible grin when judgment is spoken of on America, on all the Nations.  But that is not the heart of God.  The Lord is grieved, for He has to destroy that which He said was good.  God made man in His image, and then we are the fallen offspring of that first original created man and woman.  But sin has marred that image, and God, who is Holy,  just and true cannot and will not look upon it.  Man has corrupted himself and in the worst way.  Now let me make one note of interest here.  
This world we see is not the same one that Adam and Eve had the privilege of getting driven out of.  That was the Garden of Eden.  And this is not the same earth before the flood.  But it all comes from the same seed.  There are still places where one can get under an open heaven.  I am saying that there are truly geographical areas in the world that still have a bit of what use to be of the original creation.  This is seen in the Word of God.  One such place that God has a special interest in the land is Israel.  And if you read your Bible God has always been in real estate.
No matter how you came about getting here to America, we are here.  This is our home.  And we must believe that God had some purpose for this Nation.  If only but to save as many out of it as possible.  The Lord loves the work of His Hands and that includes you and me.
And no matter what happens, know that He loves us.  Noah came out of that ark with all mankind, animals, vegetation, all that was not in that ark gone.  Everything was brand new in the earth. New grass, shrubs, trees, it was clean.  (But we know that Noah and his family carried with them the deadly gene of sin, inherited from their parents.)  Noah did not spend His time in getting ready for the flood going about trying to save that which was already under judgment, He spent His time obeying God, and His obedience was a sign to them.  Every time he worked on that ark, Noah was preaching to those people.  They heard it, saw it, but did not believe it.
Is your life preaching the gospel?  Can God take you, your family to be used as a sign in this day?  Are you LOVING THE LORD OUR GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF?
Know that God will always have a witness in this earth.  I do not care what transpires in this world, He will not leave this earth without a witness, Jesus Christ having been the faithful witness, now so must we.  And the true witness of God is not just giving out tracs, inviting folk to your church.  But living what you believe in spite of.  Some of us are like Lot, we live in such sinful places that we are vexed with all of it around us.  But God is faithful, He will deliver you out of it.  
I know I have written a lot.  But the Heart of God is grieved and He finds no delight in bringing what He must upon man.  He weeps for us.  God loves us and it is His desire that all men should believe into Jesus Christ, confess their sins, repent and be saved.  Yes judgment is coming, but woe if we do not give ourselves to intercession with strong crying, weeping and travail for our neighbor.  Connect to the Heart of God and you will understand this even more.
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DOUBT ABOUT GOD?
Nov. 3, 2011
Doubts about Christianity
This is happening to many people all around us.  The pressure is being applied to many faithful, churchgoing folk and many are beginning to question their faith, their belief in Jesus Christ.
It is sorta ironic, many who are seeking because they are being crushed by the world are coming to The Lord (and we have not seen how full the net is going to get).  But there are those who have been in church for so long, but question God because of their hard times. 
Some Christians feel they should not be going through any of the economic quake, and loss of job, houses, etc.  They read their Bible, go to church, serve in the church, pay their tithes (notice I said pay), you know they feel they are doing all the right things.
Now I do not have all the answers, but I will say this.  Nothing reveals what is truly in the heart like pressure, and apply it to finances, and the things we love, speaking here of material things.  Pressure allowed by God on us all will truly reveal what is hidden in the heart.
Some of us love God because we equate His love with our accumulation of things, our way of life (super size it).  Some of us find our identity in our job, our zip code, the car we drive, even the building we attend church in, etc.  This could go on.
But remember, as a principle, when The Nation of Israel sinned and God moved to turn their hearts back to Him, EVERYBODY went into captivity.  But for those who knew Gods word, as the nation had been warned prior to judgment, they stood and were used to bring the people back to God in the midst of the judgment.
Jesus said to look to and remember the people would be as in the days of Noah.  I believe He did not just me sexual sin, but every type of evil.  Greed, thieves, no justice in the land, corrupt.  This will be found in religious arena, judicial arena, and the home.  No place will be exempt.  All places of authority will be attacked.   
When I hear Christians who are bitter and angry with God it is mostly due to having been taught in error of the word.  Much doctrine which is false has been given to the church, and these false foundations are cracking, in the reality of today.  Many, many have built their faith on sand, and not on the rock of Jesus Christ, who is the living word
The Word of God is true, but you cannot just keep confessing the word, it is time to take the Word of God and walk it out.  Then it becomes a reality in your life.  Not Theory.  The Name of Jesus is not some good luck omen, like a rabbit foot, and you can ask for the idols in your heart and get them, or keep them because you added His name to your give me list.
No, this is opportune time of the reality for most that if you suffer with me, you will reign with me.  That is the Word of God.
Now, there are many things happening about us.  And this is not intended as a blanket statement for all.  But this element is going on.
And as much as it grieves me, some folk decide they no longer want to walk with Christ, as I have heard, it is not working for me, I do not want to go through any more of this, etc.
I pray for those souls, but hopefully you are of those who answered when Jesus asked, "Will you too also leave me?"  They replied, "And go where Lord?  You alone have the Words of life." 
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GET IN PLACE
1 Peter 2:5  You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
GET IN PLACE
The past three weeks have been just flowing over with revelation.  Revelation about God and His word as it relates to me, personally, and thus subsequently to family, friends, ministry, community, region, state, Nation, and Globally.
I recall years ago I read  an article about the death of one of God's Saints.  As she lie upon her deathbed, loved ones gathered about her to hear any last words from her.
 This woman of God was releasing a legacy of anointing and ministry of Christ.  This is what she said, "Get in your place in God, find your place in Christ, if each one gets in their place, we all will fall in place and begin to function together in Christ."
So many of us are trying to function in the Body but we are out of place!  That is why there are so many works out here struggling, marked by smallness (Grand vision, but small minds) and poverty.
I tell you it is a spirit of rebellion, self-will if you are unwilling to be accountable to someone, one to another in the Body of Christ.  Pastor you will find it difficult to be accountable to one of your church members.  What do I mean by that?  The people have been sent to you by God to bring them into a living relationship with Jesus by the preaching of the Word of God, protection, counseling, and much more that involves the family of God; and giving them a full menu for growth through a healthy functioning 5-Fold Ministry. 
Pastor, you need to be accountable to those of the 5-Fold.  We need to be careful of so many of these ministries out here.  Listen, I am not talking about this "I'm under so and so, and you got to do whatever they say, controlled."  No, that is not what I am saying here.  But Man or Woman of God you cannot stand alone!
Now, don't shut down on me.  Please keep on reading.  You are not here by accident.
Take it from me, and that through experience, being accountable, I am speaking specifically to those called to leadership in the Body of Christ -- this accountability will protect you, and your ministry along with the people in your care.  People will come into your ministry on assignment to destroy you ministry and will attempt to discredit you.  Listen, that is one of the many assignments of demons in this day.  So many churches are splitting.  The spirit of offense is on assignment and it is increasing, with a host of other traps of the enemy.
I tell you, there are certain functions that have to be in place for a healthy thriving ministry. 
Listen, the Pastor is not the Head of the Church - (we know Jesus is and should be, but Jesus has set up a governing Body for His Church in the earth).  The Pastor is not the head, nor is the Apostle - The governing body of the church is the 5-fold ministry.  And if you are in the 5-Fold Ministry, we all need to learn to work, to move together as one unit in Christ Jesus.
Let's look at the Five-fold ministry in the example given by using the hand.  I first saw this in a class in 1983 and I never forgot it, but it has taken me some years to get the revelation of it.  Yes, I had the knowledge, but not the revelation, the life of this truth.
Look at your hand and see this.  All of your fingers are attached to your palm.  As we see each finger represents one office of the 5-fold.  The little finger represents the teacher (make a fist and pound it, this represents the breaking down of the word of God so that the people may digest it, feed the sheep).   Try to touch all of your fingers with your little finger without manipulation - you cannot do it.  Next the ring finger representing the office of the Pastor (loving and caring for the sheep).  Next the third finger, the most far reaching finger, representing the Evangelist, but that finger is still connected to the hand, not off doing it's own thing.  The pointing finger, representing the Prophet, (the office of the Prophet not the gift) is to give direction, and revealing from God, keeping the Body moving in the heart of God and purpose of God, and then we have the thumb representing the Apostle. 
Now the thumb can touch all the fingers of the hand, no manipulation needed.  But it is still connected to the hand - the Apostle sets in order - but does not control nor is to dominate the other offices and much less the people.  There is much more, but this gives you a basic foundation concerning function of 5-fold.  But what I want you to see is that they can only be effective as they all work TOGETHER.  ONE UNIT!
So many in The Body of Christ are moving about wanting to correct everybody else, so many are not in their place of calling (if they have even received one).  So many are coveting other ministries  I am speaking about unhealthy stuff.  I know a case where this person wanted their own ministry, but they could not get it going, so they literally bought in another person to start a ministry for them.
So many spiritual leaders have come under the teaching of the later '70's and yearly '80's that was really a doctrine of demons.  There are many who come against titles in the Body of Christ and therefore rebel against the ordained government that Jesus has set in the Church.  You must remember, Jesus gave those titles, and those who abuse them, misuse them will be held accountable for their misdeeds before God Almighty.   I know many, countless many have been abused by these false systems.   Not all are false.   And my darlings, you cannot throw out the baby with the dirty water!  God's word stands.  We have to build according to the foundation that is already laid.  If we build on another foundation we are in error and we will suffer lost on the day our works are tried in the fire.
So many out here have heard a sound but they cannot interpret the sound and are running with error.  They have no message, just a mess.
One of the end time spirits we will battle is deception.  And if you believe you have never been deceived nor think you can be, you are already deceived.
Listen.  We need to come together as a Body of Believers.  Seek by the leading of the Holy Spirit a Body of Believers with a Biblical, Healthy 5-Fold Functioning within.  You can't stay hidden, afraid in your home, you will die.  You will not grow.  You got to actively seek and pray to The Lord to lead you, and trust Him.  Exercise your faith and He will bring you to where you can grow in Christ and be placed within the Body of Christ.  Now I am not discounting the 2 or 3 Gathering in His Name.  But 2 or 3 can get off course just as 200 or 3,000 plus.  The cross is horizontal and vertical.  Relationship with you and God, and relationship with one another in The Body of Christ.
I cannot express to you the importance of this for the time we are in.  Even the hidden churches in nations that forbid Christianity have leaders other than Pastors.  Pastors are trying to bring the sheep in their care to maturity alone.  That is not scriptural.  And I know from experience it cannot be done.
You must do it as prescribed in The Bible.  A true 5-Fold is functioning in the earth.  Pastor, when you seek God and become accountable and in order, you will begin to see growth, blessing as The Holy Spirit moves upon the people of God.
Yes there is an army about to go forth - but this army of The Lord has been in the making for many, many years - and each generation has birthed some out for each generation has truly seen the Church progress - break through into a higher further place in The Lord.
There are so many things happening at once in Heaven and earth - but you, find your place and get out of the way so someone else can get in theirs, and this spiritual house, made of stones, not chiseled with the hands of man, but this spiritual house will be built according to God's plan.
Now there is a season where we will no longer need governors and tutors, Galatians 4:2  But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
 But we must have our season, as prescribed by Jesus to mature to this place.  It is not in the person of the 5-Fold, but in the true anointing, the Holy Spirit, The Spirit of Christ operating through them.  Remember that.
Father I bring before you each person who has read this article and it has witnessed as truth within them.  Lord I know that your heart is toward your people, and that you see all things.  But you have set the order, divine order, your order Lord for the way your house is to be built.  Lord, forgive us for trying to fulfilled your way in our own will.  Forgive us for allowing the spirit of fear, rebellion and self will to take control of us and rather than us being the answer we have become part of the problem, part of the very things that wars against you, your purpose for this earth.  God forgive us.  Lord we renounce every act of rebellion, witchcraft, every word curse we have spoken against other ministries, every soulish prayer, every word of judgment against your people, against your church.  Lord we bring our selves to you that you might cleanse us, wash us from these grievous sins against you.  Lord I ask that for each one, not only forgive the sin, but Lord deliver from any satanic hold created in their lives from such disobedience.  Lord, I ask that you would break off any curses associated with such disobedience from each life, each family, each ministry, in the Name of Jesus we ask. 
Amen
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October 13, 2011
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
1 Tim. 1:18-19  This charge I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you might war the good warfare, Holding faith