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.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, July 09, 2007
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
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.
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
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.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
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 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
Friday, July 06, 2007
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.
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.
By Faith Walls Fall Down
BY FAITH WALLS FALL DOWN
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen"By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days." (Hebrews 11:30)
Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal (1394-1460) never captained a ship or sailed on a voyage of exploration. He stayed home and read accounts of others who had. He thought about what they said and let his mind march around new theories about what the world must be like. He wondered and imagined, calculated and drew maps. Prince Henry died thirty years before Portuguese explorers were able to test his theories, but when they did, they brought back proof that he had been incredibly accurate. As a result, Portugal took the lead in world exploration for fully a hundred years. Other nations held back, making excuses about internal problems. Other explorers did not see the possibilities or worried about lack of money. They lacked faith to move past what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles.
To feel bound by perceived limits is so human, so common. A century ago there were predictions that no one could ever drive a car 60 miles per hour because the wind would suck one's breath away. In 1934 the track coach at the University of California laid out what he believed were the absolute limits of achievement in track and field events. All of them, of course, have long since been exceeded. High school athletes today are out-performing Olympic champions of a few decades ago. There appears to be no limit to how fast we can run, how far we can go, how high we can leap.
So we do well not to set limits on what we can do and become as children of God if we believe in the power of Christ within us. We do well not to minimize the potential of the people of God when we act in faith. Walls fall down. Families are transformed, communities changed.
When my two grandchildren blow out the candles on their birthday cakes each year and make their wishes, I make one of my own for them. My birthday wish for each is faith, the single quality that will guarantee him a successful life. Faith is simply trust that God is stronger than all the limitations, hurts, fears and problems they may face. I do not pray that they will have superior intellects or well-coordinated bodies. I am not concerned that they be popular or clever, blessed with talent or wealth. I care only that they will persist in faith toward the goals and dreams that God may give them — the Prince Henrys of their time.By faith walls fall down.
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen"By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days." (Hebrews 11:30)
Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal (1394-1460) never captained a ship or sailed on a voyage of exploration. He stayed home and read accounts of others who had. He thought about what they said and let his mind march around new theories about what the world must be like. He wondered and imagined, calculated and drew maps. Prince Henry died thirty years before Portuguese explorers were able to test his theories, but when they did, they brought back proof that he had been incredibly accurate. As a result, Portugal took the lead in world exploration for fully a hundred years. Other nations held back, making excuses about internal problems. Other explorers did not see the possibilities or worried about lack of money. They lacked faith to move past what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles.
To feel bound by perceived limits is so human, so common. A century ago there were predictions that no one could ever drive a car 60 miles per hour because the wind would suck one's breath away. In 1934 the track coach at the University of California laid out what he believed were the absolute limits of achievement in track and field events. All of them, of course, have long since been exceeded. High school athletes today are out-performing Olympic champions of a few decades ago. There appears to be no limit to how fast we can run, how far we can go, how high we can leap.
So we do well not to set limits on what we can do and become as children of God if we believe in the power of Christ within us. We do well not to minimize the potential of the people of God when we act in faith. Walls fall down. Families are transformed, communities changed.
When my two grandchildren blow out the candles on their birthday cakes each year and make their wishes, I make one of my own for them. My birthday wish for each is faith, the single quality that will guarantee him a successful life. Faith is simply trust that God is stronger than all the limitations, hurts, fears and problems they may face. I do not pray that they will have superior intellects or well-coordinated bodies. I am not concerned that they be popular or clever, blessed with talent or wealth. I care only that they will persist in faith toward the goals and dreams that God may give them — the Prince Henrys of their time.By faith walls fall down.
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