BUILDING AN ARK FOR OUR GOD

Written in June: It's time gang. This is not about building my vision, so please chuck that thought. If you want to know the truth, my vision had to be put to the side. But I'm pretty confident about God wanting to do something here on Long Island. There's an "Ark" to be built on Long Island- a "city of refuge" - and its not a light endeavor. Really, it's about the lives of Long Islanders and our part in bringing the Kingdom of God into play for them. I'm out to serve you and them. By the way, if you would like to let me know what you and God have been dreaming about together and how we can help with that - I'm all in.

November 27, 2007

Leslie Herrier:

"BUILDING AN ARK FOR OUR GOD--GET READY FOR HIS PRESENCE TO IMPACT OUR LIVES"

I kept hearing the Lord saying to make an ark, for He is about to bring the animals into it. What does that mean? That was what I wanted to know as the Lord kept bringing this message to me. I couldn't get away from it. It was confirmed again and again. But I had no clue what it meant for me and for the Church. What, apart from Noah's ark itself, would that look like today? As I decided to seek the matter out, I felt that what the Lord revealed to me wasn't just for me--it was for all of us. Please allow me to share this timely word with you.

The ark is a refuge for people who will allow Him to lead them to the safety of His presence. I believe that many who will come into the ark, then, will be those who will receive the salvation of the Lord. This message is remarkable, because it means that the Lord is about to bring into His Kingdom multitudes of people who will sense the uncertainty of the times. That is why they will come.

First of all, we know that the times are becoming more and more uncertain every day. God will be getting people's attention, one way or another. Recently, during the southern California fires, I looked out the window and it was amazing, because I felt as if I were in the book of Revelation, in one of those difficult passages describing the tribulation period. Because of the days we are living in, the ark must be in place.

The Ark--A Place of Rest and Safety

First, it is interesting that the name of the Biblical ark's builder was Noah. His name meant "rest." The ark will be a resting place as we trust in the Lord, as life as we know it becomes more and more unstable. As the dove dwelt in the ark, so God will dwell with people that trust or rest in Him and Him alone. He chooses over and over again to come to dwell in a heart or a church that trusts and loves Him, and who simply believes in the power of so great a salvation.

Next, it is interesting to know that there were three arks in Scripture:

1. Noah's ark
2. The little ark that carried Moses away to safety when he was a baby (read Exodus 2:3, 5 King James version).
3. The Ark of the Covenant, which rested in the Most Holy Place.

Simply put, it is a place of safety. Except for Moses' little reed ark, they were made of wood, hewn from trees. It was a tree that the Lord instructed Moses to throw into the bitter waters at Marah (see Exodus 15), to sweeten them for the Israelites to drink representing the Cross that purifies.

Covering the Ark of the Covenant was the mercy seat. Inside the ark were the Ten Commandments. In God's mercy, the requirements of the law are filled. The ark also contained what God called the testimony. This was the evidence of God's deliverance, miracles and relationship with the children of Israel. These were things that built up Israel's faith. It was the proof of His saving power.

The ark was where Moses would go to commune with God and get wisdom and strategy to lead God's people. It was where David went to be assured victory in time of war.

It is the secret place of Psalm 91, the shelter of the Most High, under which we are to abide for safety. Over the ark's mercy seat, the wings of two cherubim stretched out toward one another, indicating the protective nature of the mercy seat. The ark was prophetically revealing the Cross and its benefits.

Building an Ark Today

To build an ark today means to bring the saving power of the Cross into our cities. It means to provide a place for the mercy seat to rest. But how do we do that? Simply, it is prayer. In this way we establish the secret place, the covering of God in every town, on our jobs, and in our schools. Wherever we can, we begin to build through prayer--a canopy of mercy for our cities and our churches. We pull this over our loved ones and those who don't yet know Christ.

Noah's great ark was built in a time of great judgment and difficulty. Wherever regions have houses of prayer, wherever people are crying out to God and standing in the gap, there will be a measure of God's mercy over that area. You see, the Lord will be watching cities, and what His people in those cities are doing. Are they interceding for them?

Building an ark on a personal level simply means intimacy with God. One of the greatest warriors of all time, David, knew that the key to Israel's victory was to worship and love God with all of her heart. In these days, the enemy will try to lure people away from the tabernacle of praise. Don't let him do it! Keep close to God, stay on the ark. Just read Psalm 91 to see the protective benefits of dwelling in the secret place.

I truly feel this is an urgent message from the Lord and we should be seeking Him about our part in building an ark of His presence in our own spheres of influence. He will show you. Together, we all have a part to bring to it. I believe that many lives be influenced by it.

One of the more humorous confirmations I received about this word (after God gave it to me) was on an evening that I rented a movie called Evan Almighty. I didn't have my glasses on when I picked the movie, but I could tell by the title that it might be good. But the real treat came as I watched it; it turned out to be all about this guy who is called by God to build an ark! Don't you just love the way the Lord speaks?

These days, the Church has been involved in prayer more than ever before. And this is what we are called even more to today. This is the march of the saints. We march and win our cities and the nations on our knees. If you don't belong to a house of prayer in your city, pray about joining one. If there isn't one, pray about starting one. Who knows, maybe you will feel the call to be an ark builder yourself!

Leslie Herrier
Email: leslieherrier@yahoo.com


Leslie's Bio:


Leslie Herrier has been an intercessor for key ministries for the last ten years. A graduate of Harvest Rock Church's ministerial school, Harvest International, she has been involved in powerful intercession with such leaders as Lou Engle for the nation and for the Body of Christ. In 2004, she joined Streams Ministries International where she worked as Editorial Assistant for two years and was closely involved with intercession there also. She has ministered in many churches in countries such as France and Mexico, with a heart to inspire believers to reach their full potential in Christ and to engage the Holy Spirit at a higher spiritual level. Regional intercession in these and other countries has been the very passion of Leslie's life and the fuel for her ministry. Leslie now resides in Ventura, California, where she is involved in teaching and prayer ministry.


Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Staying the course

I've attached two articles that I thought were relevant to the House - encouraging us to stay focused on what we are called to.



This past week, God has been speaking to a number of key 24-7 activists through dreams. The Bible tells us to expect the Lord to speak supernaturally in this way, and there is one particular dream we want to share because it is both an encouragement and a warning to this community.This dream was given to Tim Hewitt, a dear friend, and echoes remarkably the word the Lord spoke to us ( see below) at our recent ‘Feast’ in Seville - even though Tim had not been there to hear that message.



"My wife Anna and I went to Ibiza last week, to go back and see everyone. It was also a kind of pilgrimage to seek God about moving to be part of the 24-7 community on the island. On Friday morning I woke up after having a dream. This is really unusual for me. Through the dream God seemed to be speaking about the urgent need to strengthen values and distinctives. He is calling us [24-7 Prayer] back to the core of who we are."



At the recent 24-7 Feast in Spain God challenged the 24-7 Prayer community to live up to our name as a people of prayer. The message to stay true to our original call and to keep intimacy with Jesus at the foundation of all the fruit and good works inspired by prayer was received with passion. However Tim’s dream goes beyond simply confirming that word to bring a sober warning:



"I also felt like God was warning us that this could be a year of disease. Sounds quite dramatic, I know, but I didn’t feel in any way that it was physical or for anyone specific. It was warning about not letting ‘disease’ creep into and through who we are (from within or from outside), and what we’re about. By coming back to prayer we will be vaccinated. I felt that the ‘disease’ wouldn’t be a passive thing but that there maybe people attacking us, some of those wont even know that they are doing so. I woke up with a real sense of urgency about this all, it felt quite important."



God’s word is not designed to sow fear but faith. He’s calling us to love him more, to feast in His presence so that all our mission, creativity and communities are an overflow of intimacy with Him. The only we as a family and movement can make sure that what we are spreading is the good news of Jesus, nothing else, is to take the words of our Savior seriously in our own walk of prayer in the prayer life of the Church:

"Remain in me and I will remain in you." John 15:4



Petes' word:

As Pete Greig perched himself on a tall stool and lent forward to catch the attention of the crowd with his story, a sense of expectation grew within me. I looked around the room at the many faces gathered for the 24-7 Feast and I felt like everyone was holding their breath as Pete began to speak…



Pamplona, Spain is famous for the festival of San Fermin, more commonly known as the running of the bull. Thousands gather from the 7th – 14th July every year for a right of passage that can be traced back to the 13th century. An animal rights group was so incensed by the spectacle that they approached the council with a unique proposal: cancel the running of the bull and we will provide you with an alternative, animal friendly event that will attract the tourism you’ve come to enjoy.

Hmmm… what could equal such a daring race? Why, the running of the naked people! Sadly rather than replacing the traditional event the nude run is now merely a foretaste to it. The day before the traditional festival people turn up, strip down and run the traditional route minus the bulls and without a stitch of clothing.

When Bob Jobe and his intrepid filming team recorded this unorthodox sprint they were surprised by the answer of one Australian guy, in reply to the question, “Why are you running?” With a grin the Ausie shouted, “No idea mate, I saw everyone turn up, take all their clothes off and run that way. I thought I better join in!”

As everyone enjoyed the irony of the tale Pete’s face grew serious. “It’s easy to get caught up in a movement of the Holy Spirit and totally forget why you’re doing it.”

His words rang out clearly and their import struck home. There was silence as everyone considered this truth. Movements of the Holy Spirit can be fun, adventurous, challenging, exciting and fruitful, but if we loose our focus on the impetuous that gave birth to our first steps, where are we moving to?

Pete continued, “I remember the story of Napoleon inspecting his troops. As he made his way to a cowardly and pathetic soldier who shared his name he looked him in the eye and said, ‘Live up to your name or change it!’” Again Pete’s words echoed around the room: 24-7 Prayer, live up to your name or change it.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article that’s currently slipping down the news archive. It was called Eight Years, One Month and 28 days of Unbroken Prayer. In it I celebrated the fact that we are part of an unbroken prayer meeting embarking on it’s ninth year helping Churches learn to pray in creative tabernacles across the globe. Incredible when you stop to think about it! So why then, when all this prayer is happening, would God’s word to us be ’live up to your name’?

24-7 Prayer Rooms have been a birthing place for so many great initiatives that have built the kingdom of God. In Macedonia the 24-7ers felt moved to organise a protest and petition as part of the Stop the Traffik campaign that grabbed the attention of local law enforcement and the American embassy. In Finland one group felt compelled to leave the prayer room and go preach the gospel and see people saved at a New Age festival. In South Africa last year I heard a woman speak who had seen people empowered to break their drug addictions through time in prayer. All these things are good; social transformation, mission and setting captives free. One of the things I love about this movement is that it’s full of people willing to become the answers to their own prayers when God says, ‘Go’. Hence these encouraging testimonies…

Pete Greig has a beautiful, bubbly wife called Samie. They married because they were in love, their love led them to intimacy and from that intimacy came fruit: two gorgeous sons Hudson and Daniel. “Did I marry Samie as a strategy to bear fruit?” Pete asked those of us at the Feast, “No, I married her because I loved her and I wanted to be with her. Then we celebrated when that love produced such a wonderful result. Now that we’ve been fruitful do I abandon loving my wife and pour all my attention into my boys? No! If I did that my marriage would shrivel and die and the family that loves and supports our sons would fall apart.”

Behind every story of fruit in the 24-7 movement is a story of faithful, persistent prayer. We often tell stories of encounters and answered prayer on the Island of Ibiza, but what we sometimes fail to highlight is that the community there spend an hour a day praying. We love telling stories of Kelly Greene befriending prostitutes in Boys Town, Mexico but forget the faithfulness of Kelly who prayer walked it’s walls for 15 months before she doing anything else. We love the stories of miracles and healing from Churches praying in prayer rooms around the world but if we only pray in hope that something will happen we’ll miss the true amazement of intimacy with our Father God.

24-7 Prayer is not about new forms of community, it’s not about mission and it’s not about social transformation, creativity or even miracles. 24-7 Prayer is about prayer. As I remember the Feast in Seville (the friends I made from many different nations, the night of feasting, dancing and celebrating all God has done) the deep personal challenge to keep my life rooted in prayer has travelled with me back to the UK. God is speaking to us. We have an opportunity to respond in our own lives and in the life of the Church. Lets continue to push on and, “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Eph 6:18) I cannot wait to see where this renewed wave of prayer will take us.

Pressure, Pressure, Pressure

October 6, 2007


Paulette Reed:

"Pressure, Pressure, Pressure--The Birth Canal of God is About to Deliver Multiple Births"

"For those who have believed, labored and loved in the midst of persecution like our Savior, He is about to deliver--MULTIPLE BIRTHS."

To Everything There is a Season

"All these are the beginning of birth pains." Matthew 24:8

You're doing well friends! Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, and breathe out. Focus now and don't forget those years of coaching from the Master Teacher. Push, push...rest a bit. Okay, press through, you can do it. Remember--you are overcomers. Keep your eyes on the focal point of life...Jesus. He is the only way.

Honestly, I cannot begin to count the number of Christians who have shared about the tremendous spiritual warfare they're experiencing; the pressure and the intensity of their walk with Christ these days. Can you sense it?

The processes of God sometimes reminds me of the pressure cooker my mother used in preparing or preserving food. Pressure-cooking is a method using a sealed vessel that does not permit air or liquids to escape below preset pressure. The intensity and the high temperature completes the task quickly and purifies the precious commodities. This process is extremely efficient, but a bit dangerous. There is just one tiny hole on the lid of the cooker to release enough steam to prevent an explosion. Now, it's as if we're the precious ones in the cooker. Hold on, beloved! You're nearly ready to serve!

There is one absolute in learning to live under pressure while giving birth--we can't change our minds in the middle of labor (the battle). Oh, we'd like to, but the Holy Ghost has set us up and there's no turning back.

Liken it to a woman in intense labor during natural childbirth. As the force of the contractions increase, she'd love to say, "Excuse me, doctor, I've changed my mind. I'd really like to quit now. Things have just gotten too intense. No one told me it would be this messy, difficult and painful. Gotta run!" However, in reality, we know we must press through. Remember, dear ones, nothing can be delivered without that final push.

Of course, sometimes, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We're fatigued from the battle. We feel like we'll die if we push, but we'll die if we don't push. We must remember there is always labor before birth. One secret of bringing forth life is to not focus on the labor, as we'll just magnify the pain. We must stay focused on being a co-laborer with Christ. What an honor! He gave us His life, and we give Him ours. I don't know about you, but my life is all I have to offer Jesus as a sacrifice of my eternal love. Everything else is temporal.

I've heard many believers say the pressure is becoming so great it's almost debilitating. I submit to you that prior to birth, a baby is silent and still for 24 hours. If you're feeling a bit paralyzed, perhaps it's almost time for delivery and multiple births for some. Go ahead, be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). Congratulations! The Lord is preparing a place for you, as you prepare a place for Him.

To Resist the Pain is to Resist the Gain

As the "body" groans with the onset of birth pains, it seems to reject all that was. Everything that was comfortable, felt safe and warm and seems to be ending, and rightly so. There is massive change all around and the inevitably of this brings tension, perhaps even suffering. In fact, the rejection may seem so great it's comparable to stage three of transitional labor in natural childbirth, causing extreme pressure and nausea. But, alleluia! In birthing, it's the rejection and the pressure that actually pushes out new life as we labor in love.

Yes, it's tough. It's as if life is trying to cling to life when the Lord is saying, "Let go! Let God! I want to multiply. I want to bear fruit. Life must beget life. Don't cling to something that's not even yours." Dear friends, we're stewards of everything, and owners of nothing.

The long, dark birth canal of God's purposes seems to never end and the resistance is great. The enemy mocks, "You can't get in here!" (II Samuel 5:6), trying to throw confusion into the camp and abort God-ordained assignments. However, we must also remember it's God who comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. He loves us too much to allow us to be complacent, and He will not leave us as we are, where we are.

Birthing involves squeezing through a small, narrow space in order to launch us into a large, expanded place. As we're squeezed and pressured, we must examine what comes forth. Is it love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Oh, we say we have the fruit of the spirit and when it's time, we'll use it to reach the world. But, how do we really know if fruit is ripe until it's squeezed? Tested?

Beloved, if we can't survive in the birth canal of God, we'll never make it when we're thrust out into the world. Perhaps we must remain in the dark, pressurized conduit a bit longer as we're shaped into Christlikeness. It's here we're transformed into conduits ourselves to carry the Lord's glory. As mentioned above, perhaps we must stay in the pressure cooker until we're tenderized with the meekness of Jesus.

The secrets to survival during the pressure process are to trust the Almighty and stay in peace and stay in love. Yes, even when you don't have a clue what's at the end of the tunnel, your Father does. Beloved, it is not just what we say, but what we do that reveals the character of Christ in us. What seems like rejection from the body is actually what the Father uses to deliver His creations. We naturally draw near to Him as we suffer birthing pangs and it's in this intimacy that all fear is cast out.

I'm always so disappointed when I hear of women giving birth (in the natural) who swear during the process. I'm thinking to myself, "Wow, you need all the help you can get right now. Not a good time to curse God." I've read that birthing is actually the closest experience there is to dying. Everything in us is intense, fighting, laboring, struggling to hold onto something that's become a part of us. But, all the while, God is saying, "I am about to make all things new! Push, push into the future."

Let's refuse to go from drama to drama, crisis to crisis, my friends. Rather, we shall go from peace to peace and glory to glory, believing all things work together for the good for those who love Christ Jesus and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Are You Expectant?

As we are celebrating Rosh Hashanah and are entering into a seven-year cycle of blessing, let's reflect for a moment on the seeds we've sown and the labor we've experienced. How can we help but smile at the goodness of God? We've counted the cost, we've tilled the fields, and the Lord has made dreams grow. We've been as farmers preparing for the harvest. They begin with fertile seed, the Creator gives living water, and the "Son" brings forth fruition. Dear friends, the Church is entering into a season of fertility, a season of harvest. Consequently, she groans with birth pains. For those who have believed, labored and loved in the midst of persecution like our Savior, He is about to deliver--multiple births.

As we anticipate the future of a glorious Church again, we can liken it to natural childbirth, knowing that we will not remember the pain, once we are overcome with joy unspeakable. For the Lord declares, "Behold, I create new Heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isaiah 65:17

I enjoy the way The Message Bible describes it: "That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens" Romans 8:18-21

Press through beloved, push, push! It will all be worth it.

Groans for Future Glory

The whole earth groans under the pain of its iniquity. The lawlessness, evil, and darkness seem overwhelming at times. I don't think we can even imagine what it takes to usher in the new Heaven and new earth and that's why we co-labor with Christ--He knows. That's why the Spirit Himself intercedes for us and builds us up, even as we sleep. Very recently, I dreamt that Jesus, Himself, came to me and kept saying, "Faint not, I'm coming soon, faint not, I'm coming soon!" Fear not, dear ones, for Christ is not overwhelmed, but rather has overcome the world.

Can you feel the pressure? How can man comprehend the weight of the glory of God in the womb of God? We cannot. We must simply believe, anticipate and rejoice.

"Around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us; any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy." Romans 8:22-25 (The Message Bible)

Keep laboring for the harvest, beloved. It will all be gloriously worth it! At the end of a dark tunnel is the light, a rainbow covenant of love.

"Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God's bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, But God rises on you, and His sunrise glory breaks over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness. Look up! Look around! Watch as they gather, watch as they approach you: Your sons coming from great distances, your daughters carried by their nannies. When you see them coming you'll smile--big smiles! Your heart will swell and, yes, burst! All those people returning by sea for the reunion, a rich harvest of exiles gathered in from the nations!" Isaiah 60:1-3 (The Message Bible)

Let's Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, what an honor to be used as Your deliverers. You are ours, and we are Yours. May You strip us of anything that is not of Jesus, as we squeeze down the birth canal to reach our destinies in Christ. As we groan, Your Church groans and the whole earth groans. May you uphold us with Your mighty right hand. As we leave what's familiar and secure, entering into a place we've never been before, we trust You, our King. Help us to stay in peace and love under the pressure, and not be moved as You jettison us from darkness into light, to the glorious wonder of Your precious name. Amen

Paulette Reed
Extreme Prophetic Ministries
Email: Paulette@extremeprophetic.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Spurgeon's Devotional - Just loved these two

Morning Devotional




"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst."
- John 4:14



He who is a believer in Jesus finds enough in his Lord to satisfy him now,
and to content him for evermore. The believer is not the man whose days
are weary for want of comfort, and whose nights are long from absence of
heart-cheering thought, for he finds in religion such a spring of joy,
such a fountain of consolation, that he is content and happy. Put him in a
dungeon and he will find good company; place him in a barren wilderness,
he will eat the bread of heaven; drive him away from friendship, he will
meet the "friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Blast all his
gourds, and he will find shadow beneath the Rock of Ages; sap the
foundation of his earthly hopes, but his heart will still be fixed,
trusting in the Lord. The heart is as insatiable as the grave till Jesus
enters it, and then it is a cup full to overflowing. There is such a
fulness in Christ that he alone is the believer's all. The true saint is
so completely satisfied with the all-sufficiency of Jesus that he thirsts
no more-except it be for deeper draughts of the living fountain. In that
sweet manner, believer, shalt thou thirst; it shall not be a thirst of
pain, but of loving desire; thou wilt find it a sweet thing to be panting
after a fuller enjoyment of Jesus' love. One in days of yore said, "I have
been sinking my bucket down into the well full often, but now my thirst
after Jesus has become so insatiable, that I long to put the well itself
to my lips, and drink right on.
" Is this the feeling of thine heart now, believer? Dost thou feel that
all thy desires are satisfied in Jesus, and that thou hast no want now,
but to know more of him, and to have closer fellowship with him? Then come
continually to the fountain, and take of the water of life freely.
Jesus will never think you take too much, but will ever welcome you,
saying, "Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
"



--------------------------------
Evening Devotional



"He had married an Ethiopian woman."
- Numbers 12:1



Strange choice of Moses, but how much more strange the choice of him who
is a prophet like unto Moses, and greater than he! Our Lord, who is fair
as the lily, has entered into marriage union with one who confesses
herself to be black, because the sun has looked upon her. It is the wonder
of angels that the love of Jesus should be set upon poor, lost, guilty
men. Each believer must, when filled with a sense of Jesus' love, be also
overwhelmed with astonishment that such love should be lavished on an
object so utterly unworthy of it. Knowing as we do our secret guiltiness,
unfaithfulness, and black-heartedness, we are dissolved in grateful
admiration of the matchless freeness and sovereignty of grace. Jesus must
have found the cause of his love in his own heart, he could not have found
it in us, for it is not there. Even since our conversion we have been
black, though grace has made us comely. Holy Rutherford said of himself
what we must each subscribe to-"His relation to me is, that I am sick, and
he is the Physician of whom I stand in need. Alas! how often I play fast
and loose with Christ! He bindeth, I loose; he buildeth, I cast down; I
quarrel with Christ, and he agreeth with me twenty times a day!" Most
tender and faithful Husband of our souls, pursue thy gracious work of
conforming us to thine image, till thou shalt present even us poor
Ethiopians unto thyself, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.
Moses met with opposition because of his marriage, and both himself and
his spouse were the subjects of an evil eye.

Can we wonder if this vain world opposes Jesus and his spouse, and
especially when great sinners are converted? for this is ever the
Pharisee's ground of objection, "This man receiveth sinners.
" Still is the old cause of quarrel revived, "Because he had married an
Ethiopian woman.
"

"BURNING BEFORE HIS THRONE MEANS STANDING IN THE ALL-CONSUMING FIRE"

September 30, 2007


Bob Sorge:

"BURNING BEFORE HIS THRONE MEANS STANDING IN THE ALL-CONSUMING FIRE"


"His 'consuming fire' will burn away all from your life, until all that's left is love itself."

My prayer life was transformed when I discovered that prayer is the glorious adventure of an unfolding, growing, reciprocating relationship with the living God of the universe. Nothing excels the glory of burning with holy longing before a burning God who blazes with fiery passions for weak but lovesick worshipers.

I didn't stumble or wander accidentally into this discovery; it was a divine set-up. I was ambushed. In my case, a personal trial has been used by God to totally rewrite my spiritual DNA, redirect the course of my life, and bring me to the threshold of a relationship that I always longed for but didn't know how to find. The calamity made me absolutely desperate for God. I began to scour God's Word like a starving man trying to stay alive. It wasn't the fiery trial that changed me; it was the desperate pursuit of God in the trial that changed me.

There are two Scriptures that define my place before God in my present season. The first is Deuteronomy 10:8, "At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day." I now see my primary calling as being that of standing before God and ministering to Him. No great agenda, no mighty ambitions, no rush to move on to the next thing. I just stand before Him and love Him.

The second Scripture is Revelation 4:5, "Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." When I saw the phrase, "burning before the throne," my heart cried out, "Lord, I want those same words to characterize my life. I too want to stand before You and burn before Your throne!"

I have discovered who I am. I am a holy one (not because of who I am, but because of where I am) who stands before the throne of The Holy One, gazes upon His beauty and majesty, the fire that flows from His throne (see Daniel 7:10) flowing into my heart, setting me ablaze with the same fiery passions that kindle God's heart, and now my love flows back to Him like a volcanic eruption as my heart responds to the love He is now igniting in my heart (see Romans 5:5).

I will burn before Him for eternity. I will always stand here. By His grace, I shall never be moved. May nothing of this world or of hell's assault ever deter me from this holy stand before His throne. I've tasted of the ultimate privilege of burning before His throne, and I'm ruined for anything less.

Simply Stand

There are seasons when God calls us to simply stand. We might prefer the adrenalin of chasing down a great cause, but sometimes God calls us to stop all activity and just stand. Sometimes He gives us no choice. Occasionally, circumstances will constrain us beyond our ability to steer a different course, and we become prisoners to the chains that bind us to God's will. Incapable of extricating ourselves and moving on to the next thing, all we can do is stand and burn in holy love for our King.

It is commonly said, "Don't just stand there, do something!" When circumstances in our lives are careening out of control, the great temptation--when you don't know what to do--is to do something. "God can't steer a stationary vehicle," they say, "So start moving out on something, and let God direct your course."

That may be the way to go in some situations, but the Lord has been leading me in a different path. He inverted that common saying and gave it to me this way, "Don't just do something, stand there!" It came like this: "When you don't know what to do, don't just do something! Wait on Me, stand before Me, minister to Me, until. Until I speak. When I speak to you, then you can move out in response. But until I speak, just stand there."

I've been gripped recently by the phrase, "the fire never says, 'Enough!'" (Proverbs 30:16). There is a fire in God that is never satisfied; and there's a fire in me, placed there by God, that is never satisfied. The fire in me is constantly reaching out for more of God; and the fire in Him responds by desiring more of me in return. Eternity will be the unending adventure of ever giving more of our hearts in fiery love to Him, as He eternally unfolds more of His glorious beauty to us.

Do something dangerous. Get alone with God! His "consuming fire" will burn away all from your life, until all that's left is love itself. This is our God, "Who makes...His ministers a flame of fire" (Hebrews 1:7).

He'll make you one, too, if you'll let Him.

Bob Sorge
Oasis House Ministries
Email: oasisdesk@aol.com

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Restoring the Fallen:

Restoring the Fallen:
The Evidence Of Grace
~Danny Steyne~


"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

I watched him stumble. I watched the church quickly jump into action. "Accountability!" they cried, and then set up a system of hoops, hurdles and hoolas for the servant to perform. Whether or not the hoops, hurdles and hoolas were doing anything directly to bring about restoration was inconsequential. The fact that something was being done, was sufficient to keep the servant out of the limelight long enough to prevent them from being associated with the church that embraced him.

The word "restoration" has been thrown around the church for many years. I've watched, seen some good restorations, but mostly bad ones. Magazines, authors, TV shows, and tabloids continue to exploit failures long after the servant is gone. The servants of yesterday who failed miserably during their lives carry the darkness of their blemished lives well into the history books, without regard for the blessings and countless lives that were transformed through them while they lived. The malice of this behavior is abhorrent to God who is not looking for earthly advisors to increase punishment when He has increased grace! (Read Matthew 18:22-35) Jesus tells us that the ones who are "blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy". (Matthew 5:7) Paul writes that he was an example of the most hideous sinner, in order to display the unlimited patience of Christ Jesus! (1 Timothy 1:16)


Failure is history's school teacher for generations to come. It stands alone as the "principals office" as an example to those who walk naively by. I remember once in primary school in South Africa receiving two "cuts" (spankings) as they called them. It was with a bamboo switch and it helped me very quickly come to the decision that I would never get another one. I was made to sit in front of the principals office for what felt like hours, while everyone walked by, knowing I was about to enter a painful discipline process. My behavior was modified. I never endured that situation again! I failed. Others saw that I failed. They knew I was disciplined. But that was the end of it!

If restoration is truly from God, then the failures of the past are swept beneath the blood of Jesus too, and if we are walking beneath that blood, we too, must function as Our Father and forgive and move on! Restoration only occurs when we forgive.. and move on!

When we are invited into the process of restoration, it is to restore a brother or sister to the place destined for them by God who is STILL their Father! We are invited into that process with the caution to be careful. Be careful of falling as they have fallen and be careful of judging beyond the atmosphere of grace.

Paul deals with the this subject specifically when a man is caught and continues in the sin of adultery in the Corinthian Church. He administers the rod of correction when he tells the church to "turn him over to satan!" (1 Corinthians 5:5). Evidently the discipline worked and the man repented. But the church continued on in their discipline. They disciplined beyond grace. They went from discipline to punishment and from punishment to banishment and rejection. The didn't understand the restoration process was to restore the man to his function and calling in God. They operated under law. Law always produces a legal spirit that demands, extracts, and extorts more than what is required. The man was defiled and they didn't want to be associated with him anymore!

Paul writes to forgive and comfort the man so that he won't become discouraged anymore. He must again experience the LOVE of Christ. He must be embraced again or who knows what will happen to him! The schemes of the enemy are to produce self-righteousness in those who are trying to walk purely, and devastation for those who are trying to walk righteously. On either account. Grace is removed, and law prevails! We must not be outwitted. We must prevail.

(2 Corinthians 2:4-11) For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Time fails me to share about Peter who was restored fully after a bold, public, rejection of Jesus. The failure simply demonstrated that God invades humans who are frail. Peter's life reflected failure, but his life also, and more predominantly, reflected brilliant obedience that resulted in his ultimate martyrdom for Jesus! Or Elijah, who failed miserably and ended his days outside of the treasured promised land for disobedience in not anointing the two kings God told him to, and wallowing in self-pity. (1 Kings 19:15-16) I could also bring up Moses, who failed horribly during his life. He too, was prevented access to die in the treasured Promised Land. (Numbers 20:11-12) "Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.' " Interestingly, because of Grace brought by Jesus, both of these Old Testament examples were restored to the full Promises of God when Jesus invited them to the Mount of Transfiguration!

In October 2005, I had a lengthy visitation with Jesus that indicated a "Restoration" among the prodigals would begin after a restoration took place in my own home. On February 2, 2006, my daughters who have been abducted over six years prior were returned to me. They are home, and are thriving in His Presence today! I received emails and letters from around the world indicating that the restoration of my daughters was a prophetic sign to many. They didn't realize Jesus had spoken that to me specifically. I knew in general that there would begin a restoration with children of those who love God, but I also knew that there would be a massive release of restoration upon those who had failed miserably in years past; those who were now simply sitting on shelves and collecting dust would be restored! I saw Fathers, Mothers, Sons, and Daughters of the King waiting on a bench for those who were playing the game to invite them back into the game. I knew that many of them were far better players with greater skills, but they had been sidelined and they simply waited. I knew that some died while they were waiting, knowing that the Father had laid hands on them, but they were discouraged to the point of excessive sorrow. They couldn't measure up to those who could invite them back into the game, and so in mercy God allowed them to come home!

Samson failed miserably. He had his very eyes taken from him. His future vision was removed. But where were the rescuers who would go and restore him rather than leaving him to grind grain with animals? He was a powerful servant of the Lord. He fulfilled the office God called him to, but the people of God were not included in that victory because they left him to fend for himself. Where were the mighty men of Israel in that day?

It is easy to remember what once was? It is easy to remember failures in each other. Even a simple Egyptian can do that. Moses had plenty of those reminders in his life. (Exodus 2:14) The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."

Knowing the past about a person doesn't make us prophetic... calling them into their future does! The question has never been, can we read the history of a man. The question has always been, can we restore the future of a man! Anyone can read the history of the man but the Heart of the Father is to release the unfulfilled destiny of His broken Children.

The Father is calling in the fallen. Come off the bench! Come out and play! Come and release what God intended for you from the foundation of the earth!

August 23, 2007

Pursuing His Wonderful Grace!

Peace Pt. 2 - Addendum to the David Knowing

Hey folks, thanks for the encouragement regarding the "Peace" article. It's actually an addendum to the "David Knowing" blurb. I want to re-emphasize the point any way I can because I'm so sure - so impressed with the urgency/importance of being "Confident in Love" - i.e., God's. It's not just a good idea. Please go after it hard while you are NOT being shaken. There's a position of rest that can only be found in the confident "knowing" of God's Character. Now is the time to cultivate that. It is the oil of intimacy for the five wise virgins.

Can I take another shot at driving this point home from a different angle?

When Patti's sister was in trouble this last winter, the word we received in prayer was "Do not rely upon what you think or see, but upon what you know about Me." I've heard that echoed over and over again since then. I know that this position is challenging to lean into. I'm not minimizing it at all. I just know it must be contended for.

When I was little, I was held captive by Fears with a big, big F. They included: bees and wasps, spiders, dark rooms, life, death, the supernatural, poverty, loneliness, abandonment, rejection, school, tomatoes . . .

Do you know - It has been a lifetime of mostly failures in the arena of fear and then, eventually, a small, but victorious moment in Christ that has tutored me the most about the authority of peace (based upon reliance on the character of God) that I actually own as part of my inheritance. (I'm still walking this "knowing" out, so don't let the following illustration give you some sort of false notion that I'm holding up my conquests as the happy ending.)

When I was around 8 years old, I remember walking home for dinner one evening and as I approached our house there was a swarm of Carpenter Bees flying around the front door. They were carving out a home for themselves right over the entrance to the house. I was petrified.

I stood at the end of the driveway staring at the swarm for what seemed like forever. I actually was aware of the sun setting slowly and it grew darker while I stood paralyzed. I just could not figure out how to get past them. I was so afraid, I couldn't actually yell for help.

What was worse was the thought that no one apparently was aware of my plight and because no one in the house came looking for me – I assumed that no one cared about my circumstances. As I stared at the front door, I could see “safety” but had no way of accessing it. I prayed for a miracle – for someone to come to my rescue - but it seemed that there was no answer.

Eventually, and I mean what seemed like forever, someone (I think it was my Mom or Grandmother) noticed that I was still missing and opened the door. When the door opened, most of the bees flew away and I made a mad dash for safety. I was chided for my fear and because of the imprint of the experience, I made some dangerous assessments. 1.) No one understood me or how paralyzing my fear was and 2.) I ultimately couldn't rely on anyone, including God, to rescue me.

It was a lie I bought into because it had the weight of a twist on the experience to uphold it.
The truth of the matter though was that God answered my prayer for help and my Mom couldn't have been more than a few minutes behind the prayer, but my fears were exploited and as a result, exaggerated for years afterward.

It wasn't until my 30s, when I lived alone as an adult that I really had to work through victory in this arena. There were spiders appearing over and over again on my ceiling and wasps were finding their way in to my apartment. It was either "face my fear" and kill them or be bitten/stung. Not the end of the world, but still - it was an unpleasant thought.

So, I took a chance on God again and looked to Him in what I was sure was a really ridiculous circumstance – or so I thought.

He came through in a way that was different than I had hoped for though. Somehow, I hoped that He would just make them disappear or that in His Name I could just command them to leave and they would obey.

Instead, the Lord began to talk to me . . . about who He was; how good and strong He was on my behalf and who I am because He is so, so, FOR me. He stirred up reliance in my heart regarding how much He loves me (something I still struggle with) and asserted that circumstances don't negate that. He wanted to show me that the truth of who He is juxtaposed against my circumstances would be the vanguard to my safety. Then, He brought to mind a memory that I cherish. . . .

It was of me as a little girl - sitting on my grandfather's lap while he reclined in his chair in the Living Room. He had a sweet, cushy belly that made a great pillow and I had nestled up against him and laid my head on his chest while he wrapped his arm around me.

I remembered that I could hear his heart beat and the rhythm of his breathing above all other sounds. It was intoxicating.

I had closed my eyes and pretended that I was asleep because I wanted to stay there for as long as I could. I was sure it was the safest place in the Universe.

Looking back, I think my grandfather knew I wasn't asleep but liked the love and intimacy as well. The memory makes me weepy to this day.

I was so confident and at peace at that particular moment because I knew that no matter what else came our way - I was loved by him. For a few moments, while I sat on his lap and rested - I had no fear.

As the memory came to an end, I knew that my Dad in Heaven was the archetype for that moment and He wanted that peace for me. In the confidence of the fullest expression of His Love - Jesus - He had provided a way for me to have victory over my fears.

However, I still had to walk it out. I had to exercise what I knew was the truth about Him and my ultimate safety in Him - regardless of what might happen to my body. I had to pit the "knowing" that God lives in me, cares for me, empowers me and loves me over and against my fear of pain.

As I took the first steps toward a shoe, I exercised faith and held onto hope that He might be telling me the truth – that I was huge compared to the wasps and spiders and that He was infinitely bigger than all of us and that He, not the insects, had ordained my days.

So, I exercised dominion. I began the methodical conquest of every foul creature that entered my living quarters. With each splat, I gained confidence in the word of the Lord and my “ginormity” (my favorite new word) because of Him. (His gentleness has made me great. Ps. 18)

My confidence in Him; in the truth that HE is my confidence and safety grew and began to chase away fears.

(Now, to you that may have been a small issue - for me, it was a bear. I still had to face lions and giants though.)

I've been bitten by spiders and stung by wasps since then (and have discovered that I'm actually allergic so that adds an additional element of risk) but I no longer am paralyzed by that particular fear. Now, whenever I am faced with insects in my living quarters, I have an unusual peace, although I’m still challenged to embrace fear.

I still must lean on the truth and my past victories before I can warn them that they must leave or die. Sometimes they obey and leave, but most of the time they end up flushed down the toilet.

Compared to other circumstances, I know that this is a cheesy illustration, but it is the same approach I've had to walk through with the Lord time and time again over much more serious challenges. I still - constantly - have to turn away from fear and lean on what I know about Him. You too I bet.

But . . . I get better at it each time I move from the acquiescence of thought to leaning upon what I know of Him and then actually exercising my will in the arena of my fears and circumstances.

I know that it’s hardest to maintain my confidence when “I get stung” even after exercising faith. But it is THEN that I have a choice to “lean not on my own understanding.” (Proverbs 3) It is THEN that I can lean on what I know of God and His posture toward me and my circumstances. It is THEN that Psalm 18 must come to life. It is THEN, that I have an offering of worship built upon faith. And it is only THEN, that I can kiss Him with my “knowing” regardless of the circumstances around me . . . even if it costs me big.

However, it is THEN that I find my safety and my holiness in the place He has always intended for me . . . upon my “Daddy’s knees” – leaning in rest upon His heart and nestling up in the safest place in the Universe.

It is only then that I realize that He has in fact “enlarged my steps”; that He is in fact My Refuge, and that “His gentleness has made me great.” Psalm 18. (Please, please, please – meditate on this Psalm. It’s an oldie but goody! And, it’s the truth.)

One last note – The other day I woke up to the phrase “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” I realized that He was emphasizing the word “Behold”. It seemed to me that the Lord was saying “Look at Me. Meditate on Me – upon My character, My heart, the Truth. If I take away the sin of the world, what does that say about Me? What else do I take away? . . . and remember, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”

He was once again saying – “It is time for standing in the David knowing.”

“Be still and KNOW that I AM GOD.”

Just a side note that I forgot to add - two days ago, I was sitting on
the porch talking to God and realized that there were carpenter bees
and wasps hanging around. I hardly even noticed them . . .


.

Rule in the Midst of Your Enemies

Rule In The Midst Of Your Enemies!
Francis Frangipane

True peace does not come from extreme indifference, nor does it originate from becoming so "spiritual" that you fail to notice the world around you. Peace is the fruit of being confident in God's love; it is born of the revelation that, regardless of the battle, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). You are not self-assured, you are God-assured.

The God Of Peace Will Crush Satan
To wage effective spiritual warfare, we must understand and use spiritual authority. Spiritual authority, however, is not forcing your will upon another person. When you have spiritual authority, you have established God's peace in an area that once was full of conflict and oppression. Therefore, to truly be able to move in authority, we must first have peace.

The apostle Paul taught, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom. 16:20). When we maintain peace during warfare, it is a crushing deathblow to satanic oppression and fear. Our victory never comes from our emotions or our intellect. Our victory comes by refusing to judge by what our eyes see or our ears hear and by trusting that what God has promised will come to pass.

We will never know Christ's victory in its fullness until we stop reacting humanly to our circumstances. When you truly have authority over something you can look at that thing without worry, fear or intimidation. Your peace is the proof of your victory. Jesus' authority over the violent storm (see Matthew 8:23-27) was the exercise and expansion of His peace over the elements. He did not fight against the storm, nor did He fear it. He faced its fury and subdued it with His authority in perfect peace. In Pilate's court, in a world stirred to an emotional frenzy by the powers of hell, a holy tranquility surrounded Christ---peace that was born out of His resolve to do God's will no matter what the cost. His Spirit emanated a calm that perfectly represented the peace at God's throne. In a matter of moments it was no longer Jesus who was on trial, but Satan, Pilate and the religious establishment in Israel.

Satan's arsenal consists of such things as fear, worry, doubt and self-pity. Every one of these weapons robs us of peace and leaves us troubled inside. Do you want to discern where the enemy is coming against you? In the network of your relationships, wherever you do not have peace, you have war. Conversely, wherever you have peace, you have victory. When Satan hurls his darts against you, the more peace you have during adversity, the more truly you are walking in Christ's victory.

Paul tells us to be "in no way alarmed by your opponents---which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you" (Phil. 1:28). Your peace, your immovable stand upon the Word of God is a sign that you are positioned correctly in focused submission to the will of God. The very fact that you are "in no way alarmed" by your adversary is a sign that you have authority over him.

Peacemakers Are Sons Of God
Peace is spirit power. Peace is an attribute of the Holy Spirit, and when you are walking in peace, you are walking in power. A peacemaker is not merely someone who protests against war; he is one who is inwardly so yielded to Christ in spirit and purpose that he can be called a son of God (see Matthew 5:9). Where he goes, God goes and where God goes, he goes. He is fearless, calm and bold. Peace emanates from him the way light and heat radiate from fire.

In the battles of life, your peace is actually a weapon. Indeed, your confidence declares that you are not falling for the lies of the devil. You see, the first step toward having spiritual authority over the adversary is having peace in spite of our circumstances. When Jesus confronted the devil, He did not confront Satan with His emotions or in fear. Knowing that the devil was a liar, He simply refused to be influenced by any other voice than God's. His peace overwhelmed Satan. His authority then shattered the lie, which sent demons fleeing.

Rest Before Rule
In the 23rd Psalm, David declared, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me" (v. 4). There is a place of walking with God where you simply "fear no evil." During his lifetime, David faced many enemies including a lion, a bear and a giant. In this psalm he stood in the "shadow of death" itself, yet he feared no evil. David's trust was in the Lord. He said, "You are with me." Because God is with you, every adversity you face will unfold in victory as you maintain your faith in God. David continued, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (v. 5). The battle you are in will soon become a meal to you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually.

Only God's peace will quell your fleshly reactions in battle. The source of God's peace is God Himself. Indeed, "before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal" (Rev. 4:6). The glass sea is a symbol: there are no ripples, no waves, no anxieties troubling God. The Lord is never worried, never in a hurry nor without an answer. The sea around Him is perfectly still and totally calm. All our victories flow out from being seated here with Him.

God is our Father. The heavenly Jerusalem is our mother, the birthplace of our new nature (see Galatians 4:26). And you, you are a beloved child of God, part of the Father's family and a member of His household (see Ephesians 2:19). You must know by revelation that you are not struggling to get into heaven; rather, you were born there in spiritual rebirth (see John 3:1-8 AMP). Let your heart be settled and positioned correctly in your relationship with the Almighty.

To those who have been born again from above, He says, "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet" (Ps. 110:1). Before you go into warfare, recognize that it is not you that the devil is afraid of; it is Christ in you! We have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places (see Ephesians 2:6). This is why the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us that worship of God is our first response in battle. Position yourself in the presence of God. Sit, at rest, in the knowledge that Christ has already made your enemies the footstool for your feet. From a position of rest, the Word of the Lord continues, "The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of Your enemies' " (Ps. 110:2).

Rest precedes rule. Peace precedes power. Do not seek to rule over the devil until you are submitting to God's rule over you. The focal point of all victory comes from seeking God until you find Him, and having found Him, allowing His presence to fill your spirit with His peace. From full assurance at His right hand, as you rest in His victory, so will you rule in the midst of your enemies.

The David Knowing

I had a dream the other day that ended with a song being sung to me. The only line that I'm sure I remember and got right was "Is it time for standing in the David knowing?" The implied answer was "yes". Although I'm sure this makes no sense to you, I understood the question.

David was a student of God. He studied His emotions, the things that bring Him pleasure and the things that grieve Him; what moves Him and what motivates Him. He studied God's character and had insight into God's heart. He looked for Him everywhere and IN every thing and was utterly delighted.

David's legacy of greatness is not rooted in his ability as a leader or his prowess as a worshiper and psalmist, or any of the other really wonderful, transparent, broken yet beautiful things about him. His greatness is found in contemplating the immense heart of God and the understanding that His "gentleness" makes us great. Psalm 18:35. David steered his heart to know the Heart of God in the terrifying depth of naked intimacy. He understood something about God's heart that was radically intense and recklessly abandoned and we're still playing catch up to these revelations.

Now why would it be time for standing in the "David knowing"? I think it's because the times are getting shaky and we MUST cultivate an un-offendable heart. We MUST know Him and lean into the truth of who He is and His character or we will be shaken to our core by what we see around us and experience personally and accusation against God and His people will seem plausible; finding a place to root in our hearts. The results of giving way to lies about our Father will be devastating for not just you, but those who you have influence over. However, the results of knowing the true character of our Dad are life and hope.

Can I encourage you to open up the word with a new prayer in your heart? Ask Holy Spirit to show you the Heart of God. Cultivate an understanding of what truly moves Him and ask that He help you develop a reliance upon His character so that when everything else appears to contradict it, you can secure others and help them stand.

I don't think this is just a good idea. I think it's vital and it is part of the oil of intimacy that the five wise virgins had prepared. Ask God what He thinks about this and feel free to interact with me.

Roadposts

Roadposts:
This Gospel Must Be Preached II
~Danny Steyne~


"Danny, did you see all the signs in that meeting?" The question was rather a unique one, after all He was the One that put them there and the One who pointed them out to my dull mind. It was the next thing that threw me. "Signs are meant to be out in the world, not simply to be the focal point of conferences" Signs are simply "road posts" they are what I said they were signs "pointers!" Sometimes the larger signs are simply those intended to capture our attention to move in a direction because something is about to happen!

Over the past several years there have been many "signs" that have occurred in our meetings. We have had the smells, the clouds, the gold, the rain, the lightning, the wind, fire, angelic visitors, and many of the other signs that seem to be occurring in ever increasing waves across our country. I enjoy it when Heaven dwells on earth. It's wonderful to know that God has been where we are to set up the road posts to get us where we need to go! It's almost like following a trail that He left us through the woods!

When Jesus indicated that signs would accompany those who believed in Him, He wasn't indicating that they would focus on the signs. He was indicating that the Authority that was released through them would carry the numinous of God that would work through touch, atmosphere, sound, or event to demonstrate the Sonship we have in Him. The reason Peter's shadow "worked" and healed people wasn't because he focused on turning his shadow on, but rather he walked as a son before the Father and as a result the overshadowing of the Father worked through him.

If our focus becomes the signs we may miss the main thing that God has for us. The Power of the Gospel to save and to heal. The Power to transform not meetings, but nations with Him. Signs are merely intended to capture the minds of unbelievers and cause them to become believers! When we focus on signs, we have conferences of signposts! All the signs are in the building. God wants the signs in the streets pointing people to the Hope of their calling.

Exodus 33:16 shares a powerful understanding of the place of signs and wonders in a Biblical worldview. "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" The key to the Gospel is not the signs, but Him!

Having spent my early years in Africa, it was not uncommon to hear or see signs that were being done by those who didn�t know Jesus. As a young boy I watched men walk across fire, I saw demonic miraculous events. That changes the whole nature of everything if we have to compete by signs we will end up like Moses with the Egyptian sorcerers who replicated many of the same signs. The heart of Moses in Exodus was Lord, we want you, not simply signs!

As Westerners we become enamored with the supernatural. Most Easterners are not so easily affected. One precious servant of Jesus from another part of the world shared with me that supernatural events are a common occurrence in their life, on a daily basis, but the focus is not on the supernatural events, but the demonstration of the Love of Jesus. I am grateful that His Shadow overshadows His People and He Releases His Signs everywhere, but I am more grateful to hear His Voice, see His Face, and have His Presence with me.

Signs don't necessarily come with Love, But Love always comes with signs. Signs that transform people in His image, not sign-seekers. I was shocked about a year ago when I saw a picture with thousands of orbs at the sight of a Hindu festival. I asked the Lord what that was about and He responded to me, "If you look for signs you will see them everywhere, but if you look for me the signs will accompany first and foremost My Presence!" Now let me make it very clear I believe that signs SHOULD ALWAYS accompany His Presence, but they never need to be a focal point of the church. They are simply byproducts of His Presence!

The Gospel that we have been called to preach is one that is powerful. It is not in our picketing, demonstrating, legislating, or moral compassing that a nation will change. It is this Gospel that compels us with love! 2 Corinthians 5:14- "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died." Nothing is more powerful, nothing more pervasive than a tongue loosed with His Words of deliverance, freedom, healing, and salvation!

If we go simply for signs,we can be deceived. Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible." If we go for Him, we never will be disappointed!


Signs then are "markings" on the trees: "Jesus has been here". This is the way walk in it as You pursue Him with all your heart! Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Signs are for unbelievers to turn to Him. Not for saints to have parties over! We are partying around street signs when the King has just simply walked that way down the block! He demonstrates He is on us by these signs, but doesn't leave us to simply hold a sign. . . He wants us to hold Him!

Pursuing yet more of Him!

For Further Study: (Notice that signs are sent to confirm the main thing: HIM!)

(Mark 16:20) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

(John 2:23) Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.

(John 3:2-3) He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

(John 4:47-50) When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. 48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." 49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

(Acts 2:22) "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

(Acts 4:30-31) Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

(Acts 5:12-14) The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

(Acts 8:6-8) When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

(Acts 14:3) So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

(Romans 15:18-19) I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done-- 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

(1 Corinthians 1:22-24) Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

(1 Corinthians 14:22) Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

The Making of a Ministry

July 2, 2007


Francis Frangipane:

"THE MAKING OF A MINISTRY"


"The disciples came to Him, saying, 'The place is desolate, and the time is already past; so send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.' But Jesus said to them, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!' And they said to Him, 'We have here only five loaves and two fish'" (Matthew 14:15-17).

I want to talk about how the Lord raises up a mature man or woman of God--the drives and attitudes that propel a person into a fully committed walk with Jesus Christ. It is essential to realize from the beginning that, when it comes to doing God's will, both the person and God's provision will always seem inadequate. Oh, you will have been prepared, somewhat. You will have studied and prayed, but not enough. You will have faithfully given of your time and finances, but nothing you do will be something you can confidently rely upon. Indeed, when you've done all you could, you will mutter to the Lord your equivalent of the disciples': "We have here only five loaves and two fish."

Yet, to know that you are inadequate is a tremendous advantage in spiritual growth. It is a milestone en route toward true spirituality, which is born of dependency on God, not human self-sufficiency. Once a person knows he is inadequate, he will not waste years discovering it.

Not a day goes by that I am not aware of my inadequacies. Besides struggling with "feelings" of inadequacy, I know I actually am inadequate. I know the very best of my efforts, in and of themselves, are totally insufficient. The moment I think otherwise, I guarantee failure for myself.

While the Lord has many ways to inspire my spiritual growth, the greatest seasons of increase come almost in spite of myself. The process begins with the Lord revealing some task or need that is both absolutely necessary and totally impossible for me to fulfill. My first reaction is to pray, "Lord, raise up someone who'll do the job." But then, when no one else shows up, I realize He wants me to step forward. As I do, I soon hear Him say the words He spoke to His disciples, "You give them something to eat."

Sometimes, I hide in the "familiar" tasks I know I can accomplish, but a time of reckoning comes. It usually is a time of pressure or stress which, beginning with the rediscovery of my frailties, ends with me broken and waiting upon the Lord. It is right here, as I am contemplating the pitifully small "five loaves and two fish" which I am offering Jesus, that He says to my heart, "Bring them here to Me." And here is where the miracle of grace begins. For as I surrender myself afresh into His hands, a new dimension in my walk with God starts to unfold, one of supernatural multiplication.

"He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward Heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes, and they all ate and were satisfied" (vs. 19-20).

Whatever you give to Jesus, He will bless and break. A true disciple always carries these two seeming contradictory characteristics. We know His wonderful, undeserved blessing; and, we are broken of pride, self-sufficiency and boasting. He lets us know assuredly that, as Christians, we have one Source for all of our power. The sooner we realize our effectiveness does not originate in us, but in Christ, the quicker we will experience the miracles that He produces. Indeed, when He reveals to us our weaknesses, it is only because He is preparing us to receive more of His power into our lives.

Consider: When Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fish, He and His disciples were wearied and needed strength. Added to this came the distressing news that John the Baptist had been beheaded. The Lord was seeking to take His disciples to a place where they could "rest awhile" (Mark 6:31). Yet, great multitudes came, perhaps over twelve thousand men, women and children. It was in this very circumstance of weakness that He performed this great miracle of grace.

As it was with Jesus, so it is with us: It is when we sense our weaknesses most vividly that God can use us most mightily! The Lord will continually present to us tasks that we have never done before. He will require each of us to give our all, even as inadequate as we seem. There will be no "knights in shining armor" in God's kingdom; our armor will have many dings and dents. No perfect Hollywood heroes will ride in to save the day; just wearied saints to look to God and, in weakness, find Christ's strength. This, indeed, is the essence of God's Kingdom: Divine greatness manifest in common people.

In these days ahead, the Lord is going to show you a need that will seem absolutely beyond your ability to perform. Your natural response will be, "I'm just an average person with limited resources. I can't do what He's asked me to do." Yet, if you will be still, you shall soon hear your Master's voice quietly, confidently saying, "Bring the need to Me."

Do as He commands. For as you give the insufficiency of your skills and your pitiful provisions to Him, He will begin to bless and break you, and then miraculously multiply what you give Him. In all my years of ministry, I know of no transforming grace greater than that which comes when, in spite of our inadequacies, we obey God in the face of the impossible.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org


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Gatekeepers and Cross Polination

Catherine Brown: Cross-Pollination Vision

THE LORD HOLDS THE WORLD IN HIS HANDS

During a time of prayer, I had a vision in which I saw the Lord Jesus holding a small globe in His hands. As the Lord held the world in His hands, the central axis of the earth opened up, forming two equal halves, and swarms of bees emerged from the centre. Fascinated by what I had just witnessed, I continued to watch the activity of the bees. Half the bees worked on the fields on one side of the axis, whilst the other half worked on the fields on the opposite side.

CROSS-POLLINATE

After spending some time observing the bees working, the Lord gave this instruction: "Cross-pollinate!" In response, the bees began to cross over into other fields. They continued their work of pollination, but this time, they were in different fields and on the other side of the axis of the world from which they had originally been working.

IT IS GOOD

Jesus smiled. He surveyed the work and crossed His arms; still smiling, the Lord said, "It is good." I noticed that the blooms, which were produced as a result of the cross-pollination, were extraordinarily beautiful and unusual in their shape, color, and form. Their fragrance was breathtaking. Isn't it lovely when God engages our senses in a spiritual experience with Him?

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: MULTIPLY!

To cross-pollinate is to bring two elements (pollen and a flower or plant) together, in order to reproduce a new bloom or fruit. The bee is the means through which the Lord creates these new blooms. The vision speaks of increased fruitfulness in the body of Christ, brought about through the formation of new and unusual alliances inspired by the Holy Spirit. The cross-pollination vision indicates multiplication in the body of Christ as Holy Spirit strengthens existing Godly alliances and brings into being, new and unusual gatekeeper relationships. This will result in a powerful, spiritual shift in the nations to the glory of God, as we learn to co-labor together in innovative and exciting ways.

KINGDOM ALIGNMENT

Ultimately, God's intention is to give His ambassadors access to "gates" of nations to change and affect their destiny and bring them into Kingdom alignment. As Holy Spirit directs the cross-pollination of ministries, giftings, and callings, God will bring us together in unity, love, and servant hood so that He can pour out His Kingdom agendas on the earth, producing fruit to the glory of His name. Unity is God's strategy, and dominion is His goal.Spiritual cross-pollination will result in Kingdom deposits of wisdom, revelation, gifting, and authority being produced and distributed (and/or re-distributed) in different places or in a different manner than we may presently be accustomed to. God may ask us to go to a new place or to new people, either temporarily or permanently, as His ambassadors. He may simply ask us to go and serve another who is laboring in the harvest field. The vision and call to cross-pollinate speak of multiplication of blessing and multiplication of our effectiveness as Christians here on the earth. It is time for the Kingdom to come with great power and signs and wonders. It is a time to love in Christ's agape, and in this way, the multitudes will be won for Jesus.

GATEKEEPERS OF GOD'S PRESENCE

As worshippers, we are all gatekeepers of God's presence. We each have a place where we have been assigned to co-labor with Holy Spirit and each other. We have each been gifted in God's grace with His commission, with His commandments, and with Holy Spirit's gifts and callings. Some are called to be servant-leaders within the five-fold ministry. All are called to be lovers of Jesus and to prefer one another in love.

GATEKEEPERS HAVE INDIVIDUAL SPHERES OF INFLUENCE

In order for the fullness of these new Godly alliances to take place, we must be robed in humility and be willing to be servants of love. Without this virtue, the bride will be ineffective in her ability to communicate, collaborate, and cooperate with Holy Spirit and each other in the dynamic of spiritual cross-pollination.

To the church in Corinth, Paul said this:

"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond our proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you." -- 2 Corinthians 10:12-13

Paul exhorts us not to boast in our works, but to be humble and Christ-like. Paul loved to glorify Jesus and confined his "boasting" to be about our glorious Savior: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord," (2 Corinthians 10:17). Paul explains that we are each assigned a field in which we labor for God's glory, indicating that there are individual spheres of authority within which we operate. As Kingdom gatekeepers, we are each assigned a particular sphere or area within which we may exert a Godly influence and operate in Christ's authority and compassion. One of the first places we operate as gatekeepers is within our family units.

IDENTIFY AND RECOGNIZE OTHER GATEKEEPERS AND THEIR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

"We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limited by boasting of work done by others." -- 2 Corinthians 10:14-15

Paul recognized that others labored for Jesus, and [he] was happy to commend them for their ministry of the Gospel. We must recognize that there are others who labor and witness effectively for Jesus. Once we understand our calling as gatekeepers, and recognize others in their particular sphere of influence as gatekeepers, we can begin to enter into Kingdom alliances that form a corporate expression in this arena. Gatekeepers have spheres of authority in which they operate; the individual gatekeeper has an appointed sphere of authority. This is greatly enhanced when gatekeepers gather together and form a corporate Kingdom expression of gatekeeper authority, wisdom, and revelation.

EXPONENTIAL INCREASE IN CORPORATE GATEKEEPER ANOINTING

"Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you." -- 2 Corinthians 10:15b-16

There is the potential for an exponential increase of Jesus' Kingdom when individual gatekeepers form divinely inspired alliances. This may be described as a corporate gatekeeper anointing. We are not called to operate in isolation, since the overall work of the Gospel is enhanced with cooperation, mutuality, and preferring one another in love, which leads to Kingdom increase and multiplication.

WHAT IS A GATEKEEPER?

"But the four principal gatekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning." -- 1 Chronicles 9:26b-27


A Kingdom gatekeeper is simply this: a person whom the Lord has entrusted with keys of revelation, wisdom, and authority and walks in intimacy with Jesus. Gatekeepers have guardianship of the treasuries of the house of God. There are many different types of gatekeepers, and each has a particular "field" of influence (as previously mentioned). These include worshipping gatekeepers, community gatekeepers, market place gatekeepers, and apostolic or prophetic gatekeepers, to name a few. Our first ministry, as gatekeepers, is to minister to the Lord.

GATEKEEPERS ARE THOSE WHOM GOD CAN ENTRUST WITH RESPONSIBILITY

"Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord -- the house called the Tent." -- 1 Chronicles 9:22-23

PIONEER GATEKEEPERS

Gatekeepers are often pioneers. Two Old Testament examples of pioneer gatekeepers are Joseph and Daniel. Peter may be considered a New Testatment example of an apostolic gatekeeper as he was given keys of revelation, power, and authority:

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." -- Matthew 17:18-19

A gatekeeper has revelatory keys to unlock spiritual gates. In order to more fully understand the function of a gatekeeper, it is helpful to consider the purpose of gates.

JESUS IS THE GATE! HE GIVES ACCESS AND GRANTS DOMINION

"Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.'" -- John 10:7

The result of passing through the Gate that is Christ is salvation!

GATES ARE A POINT OF ACCESS

"While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses." -- Nehemiah 7:3

In the days of walled cities, gates were of tremendous significance. A gate was a point of access or a place where access was denied to an unwanted intruder or enemy.

GATES ARE PLACES FOR DECISION MAKING

The gateway was a place where the elders of the city met to make decisions and settle disputes. Decisions made at the gates affected the lives and destiny of those under the authority of the elders. Today, as we consider the corporate effects of gatekeepers, it is noteworthy that these will impact on a community, national, international, and global level.

GATES ARE PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

"When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra, the scribe, to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses. . . " -- Esther 8:1

A PLACE OF HOSPITALITY

Any stranger could seek hospitality at the city gates (e.g. Lot at the gate of the city).

A PLACE OF ENEMY ACTIVITY

"During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bighthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai." -- Esther 2:21-22

Satan recognizes that our homes, communities, cities, and nations are gateways and have the potential for the release of incredible power, either for good or [for] evil. The story of Esther reveals that although the enemy conspired at the gate, God had his man at the gate too, and ultimately, God's Kingdom-agenda prevailed.

A PLACE OF CONVERGENCE/TRANSFORMATION

"When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it." -- Esther 4:1-2

Gates were places where lives were touched and changed.

MILITARY AND STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

Gates were the weakest places in the city's defenses. Gates, therefore, had guards to watch over who entered AND who was approaching from far away. If the enemy took the gates, then the rest of the city could easily be taken. God is downloading "military" strategies and forming strategic networks and alliances in order to position the Church to be the soul winner in our cities and nations.

A PLACE OF OBSERVATION

"Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper." -- 2 Samuel 18:26

Gates are places where strategic reconnaissance information is exchanged between the watchmen of a community or nation and the gatekeepers.

A PLACE OF PROTECTION

"The King was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept." -- 2 Samuel 18:33

Spiritual gates that are won for Christ are strongholds of the Lord where we can be hidden from the enemy and find rest for our souls.

A PLACE OF PRAYER AND PROPHETIC REVELATION

"I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts. I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. [Then the Lord replied,] 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'" -- Habakkuk 2:1-3

A gate is a place of prayer and revelatory impartation. Spiritual gates are where we are given prophetic utterance to proclaim the decrees of the Lord. It is where Holy Spirit brings forth breakthrough, blessing, and victory on the earth.

A PLACE TO MAKE APOSTOLIC OR PROPHETIC PROCLAMATION

"The people of the Lord went down to the city gates. 'Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, O Barak! Take your captives, son of Abinoam.'" -- Judges 5:12

Gates are places where spiritual battles can be won or lost. Deborah and Barak, along with all the people, rose up to worship at the city gates.

A PLACE OF WORSHIP

"Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night." -- 1 Chronicles 9:33

As gatekeepers of God's presence, we are all worshipping gatekeepers. As we praise and worship the Holy One, we change the spiritual atmosphere in our homes, our cities, and our nations.

A PLACE FOR PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES

In Biblical times, gates also had names that described the nature of the part of the city they gave access to.

"By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool. . . " -- Nehemiah 2:13-14

GATES HAVE ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE

Gates are places of spiritual breakthrough! In Hebrews 13:11-4, we read how Jesus suffered outside the city gates in order that we might be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.

GATEWAYS

Gateways are portals of glory and places of Kingdom convergence. Gateways are places of power encounters.

DEVELOPING A GLOBAL MINDSET

Daniel was the Lord's ambassador; Joseph [was] a pioneer gatekeeper and administrator over Egypt. God wants us to develop a global mindset, particularly as we consider:

THE CORPORATE MARKET PLACE • Business• Government• Technology• Media• Communications

GOD'S AGENDA -- UNITY IS THE STRATEGY; DOMINION IS THE GOAL

As existing Kingdom alliances are strengthened and new gatekeepers alliances are formed, Holy Spirit will enable the Church to identify enemy and world gateway systems and empower us to infiltrate these systems by releasing bypass strategies. Bypass strategies are the means through which God will bypass the agenda of hell and bring to pass His divine will.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES -- AUTHORITY AND DOMINION

God will enable the Church to identify modern-day Cyrus (Isaiah 45) and Pharaoh type figures. Cyrus was a king (person) in authority in the world system. He was a gatekeeper into the world's resources and seats of authority. God used him to bring restoration and empowerment to his people.

GATES ARE SEATS OF POWER AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO RELEASE KINGDOM RESOURCE

God's intention at the gates is to release: • Worship• Warfare• Wisdom• Warnings• Wonders• Witness

Consider some of the world gateways, as we consider the geopolitical landscape:• United Nations• World Economic Forum -- global gateway organization of Trans National Corporations (TNC's)• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's)• World Trade Organization (WTO)• World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)• International Court of Justice (ICJ)• International Criminal Court (ICC)

KINGDOM ALIGNMENT

God's intention is to give His ambassadors access to gates of nations, to change and affect the destiny of nations and bring them into Kingdom alignment.Be blessed this day as a Gatekeeper of God's presence!

Catherine Brown
One Million Hours of Praise

The Gatekeeper Anointing

The Gatekeeper Anointing
Billy Humphrey
November 2nd, 2003

In the year 2000, my wife and I were in our 9th year of ministry as youth pastors at our local church in Norcross, Ga. During this season we decided to rename and revamp our youth ministry. The previous name was tired and no longer reflected the values and vision of the ministry. The driving force of our ministry was an intense yearning to see revival break out in Gwinnett County to sweep 100,000 souls into the kingdom of God. Most of our preaching, teaching and discipleship were anchored around this cause and we wanted a name that reflected this. After many discussions and brain-storming sessions with our key staff we believed "we" had found a name that accurately portrayed our passion. In reality the Lord had directed us to a name that had far greater significance than we could have realized. The new name was 212. 212 was derived from the Fahrenheit temperature for the boiling point of water. The idea was that everything that we were about was to be boiling, on fire for God. 212 really seemed to fit.

I searched the scriptures diligently through every chapter 2 verse 12 to find a reference that supported our vision and values. Unfortunately, there was no chapter 2 verse 12 that seemed to work. I then turned to one of our theme scriptures Isaiah 64:1 and read it more thoroughly. To my surprise, it was right there before me:

Isa 64:1-2 Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence; 2 As fire burns brushwood, As fire causes water to boil; To make Your name known to Your adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Your presence!

The boiling point was compared to the visitation of God that Isaiah prayed would shake the nations. Isaiah's prayer in vs.1 had already become a theme scripture for us and now it was clearer than ever.

About a year later a good friend showed me an obscure scripture that caught my attention.
1Ch 9:22 All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office.

It was stunning to see 212 right there in the middle of the scripture. I thought that it was interesting, but honestly, I had no clue what a gatekeeper was. I had heard of gatekeepers, but I thought that it was one of those ethereal, prophetic teachings that did not really relate to everyday life (I have since learned differently). Further, I thought that if Gatekeepers were an important part of seeing revival come that I would have already known about it because I had spent, what I thought was, a lot of time studying revival. How little I really knew and how little I still know. Isn't it wonderful that God doesn't base his calling and anointing on our lives upon our lack of understanding or our barrenness but upon His plan and endowment of grace?
Throughout that year the Lord would periodically bring back that scripture to my mind, but I did not doing anything about it. Finally, I decided to study and find out what exactly a Gatekeeper was. As I began to look at the whole passage in I Chronicles 9 I recognized that there were powerful truths hidden in the symbolism of the duties of the Gatekeepers of old. Further, it became clear to me that there were modern day Gatekeepers who were commissioned in similar ways as the ancient Gatekeepers in the Tabernacle of David. The revelations that were within this once obscure scripture staggered me.

In this article I want to unfold the powerful symbolism that the Lord showed me regarding modern day Gatekeepers and their role as it relates to the great revival to come. Let's look at some of the key points of the whole passage together.

1Ch 9:22-33 22 All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office. 23 So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment. 24 The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days. 26 For in this trusted office were four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning. 28 Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count. 29 Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices. 30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. 31 Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans. 32 And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath. 33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.

In Charge of the Gates

The first thing that I noticed was that the Gatekeepers were in charge of the Gates of the Tabernacle of the Lord. They were the ones who opened and closed the Gates to the presence of God. This was amazing to me because I knew that God had deeply wounded my heart with the desire for revival. I literally sensed a personal responsibility to "open the heavens" so that the Lord would come down in power. Now the Lord was defining my role as one who was "in charge of opening" the gates for the presence of God to come into the county and into the region. God had confirmed to me in the renaming of our ministry the very DNA that was already alive in my heart. We had been commissioned to open the gates to see the presence of God invade the region. In the same way modern day Gatekeepers are prophetic intercessors, another name is watchmen, who are commissioned by the Lord to open the gates over a region to see the King of Glory come in (Psalm 24:7)

This Trusted Office
The next point that struck me was that it was a "trusted office". In other words, there were literally people whom God was entrusting with the responsibility to fervently pray and intercede for the heavenly gates to open in geographical regions. The urgency of this responsibility gripped my heart with an even greater desire to see God come and break in with power in the region. The truth that He would entrust people in partnership with Him in regard to the manifestation of His Glory caused me to passionately set my heart towards the reality of His visitation and subsequent habitation. Modern Gatekeepers have been given a responsibility as forerunners to prepare places and people for the invasion of the glory of God.

They Lodge Around the House of God

The Gatekeepers literally lived in chambers around the House of God. The reason that they stayed there, so close to the Tabernacle, was because they had a revelation that it was their responsibility to open the gates (v. 27). I believe that as they began to serve in their ministry that they became captivated with the beauty of the Lord. Once their hearts were captivated by His beauty their natural commitment to serve became total surrender from a heart of voluntary love. This spoke so strongly to my heart of the difference in commitment that the Lord desires of His people compared to the way many believers seem to live today. Much of the church in the West has settled into complacency and casual Christianity. Yet God desires to see His bride alive with a heart that is smitten with the knowledge of His love, living lives of radical commitment to Him and His purposes. This truth needs to set in upon us. Once we get a true revelation of the reality of his love and His beauty, commitment to night and day intimacy with Him is natural.

Appointed over the furnishings

The furnishings of the Tabernacle included serving vessels, flour, wine, oil, incense, spices, anointing ointment and showbread. Each of these is full of revelation in its symbolism. Yet, for our purposes here we will focus on the flour, wine and oil. Throughout the Old Testament these three are used together. Flour or grain, new wine and oil are symbols of specific Kingdom realities. Jesus said look unto the fields for they are white unto harvest (John 4:35). The reason that the field where white was because it was covered with grain. So grain or flour is a symbol of souls. We are familiar with the symbol of wine as a symbol of the new move of the Holy Spirit which is to be held in a new wineskin (Mat 9:17). We are also familiar with oil as a type of the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit. (Isa 10:27) As we unveil the symbolism of the flour, wine and oil we see that Gatekeepers are directly involved with not only preparing for the new move of the Spirit of God which will see massive signs and wonders and salvations, but also furnishing these things or bringing them forth. The ministry of Gatekeepers is directly tied to entering into revival in a region.

These are the Singers
Finally, the scripture declares that some of the gatekeepers were singers who were free from other duties and they were employed in intercession and worship to the Lord day and night. God provided that the Gatekeepers could live lifestyles of prayer, worship and service night and day before Him. Comparable to this today is the prayer movement that God is raising up across the nations where people are supported as full-time prayer missionaries to pray in the great revival that is to come. God is recoiling in power at the prayers of these modern day Gatekeepers in order to explode in a blast of His power so stunning that the entire world will experience it (Acts 2:17). His Glory will visit and engulf the entire planet just as waters cover the sea. (Hab 2:14)

In my first contacts with these scriptures many of the truths did not strike me. God had not unlocked the power of their revelation to me. As the Lord began to deal with me about resigning our youth ministry and transitioning into the ministry of IHOP-ATL, the power of this scripture captured me in a brand new way. I had been stirred to understand that the revival to come and the prayer movement were one reality in God's economy. They were not exclusive of each other but simply complimentary facets of the same purpose. I also realized that God had deposited a hunger and passion for revival in me that would not subside. It is still an itch that I cannot scratch. However, I had not realized when we renamed the youth ministry 212 that it directly related to Gatekeepers in the Tabernacle of David. When we finally studied the Tabernacle of David and realized that it was a ministry of 24/7 worship and intercession it was after God had begun to deal with us about transitioning our ministry to start IHOP-ATL. Honestly, we never put it together that the Gatekeepers were in a 24/7 prayer ministry until after God had begun to transition us into the same type of ministry. Two things are for sure: 1) His ways are perfect 2) We are much more dim than we think. When we finally got the revelation that God had given us the name 212 to point to a reality that He was calling us into in the days ahead we were shocked and radically blessed at the same time.

Now, every time that I see the number 212, it is a reminder to me that God has called me to be a Gatekeeper. And not only a Gatekeeper but a Gatekeeper in the modern day Tabernacle of David, living a life of 24/7 worship and intercession to see the gates open and the King of Glory come in.

I pray that this revelation will grip your heart as it has gripped mine. Perhaps you too, are a Gatekeeper, called to open the presence of God in your region. I believe that the Lord is raising up an army of Gatekeepers to open the Gates in these last days for the revival to come. It is overwhelming to consider that the Lord has given us the dignity of having intimate relationship and even further, partnership with Him. As people in partnership with the Un-Created God we need to leave the entrapments of this world and give ourselves in passion and recklessness to His purposes. It is those who live lives of lovesick abandonment who will enter in to the reality of complete commitment to Him and His purposes.

If you believe it's possible that God has called you to be a Gatekeeper pray this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation that I may understand the truths and the calling of being a Gatekeeper. Tenderize my heart to serve you in night and day intercession to see your glory invade the land. Increase my faith to believe that my prayers and service will affect the spiritual climate of my region. I speak to the every Gate and say be open. King of Glory come in and have your way in this region, in Jesus' Name, Amen.