W.O.R.T.H. Ministry

Break Every Chain, LORD!

2011-11-26T13:04:00.001-05:00

Last night during a worship gathering this song was sung in an outcry to the Father to break every chain.

My heart cried out for Him to break the chains of oppression, depression, sickness, addictions, poverty, sexual perversion, hate, religion -etc... I prayed for God to raise His people to go out and help free a people who are bound by spreading the Gospel.

As I was praying I heard the LORD say "How can I break the chains of those who refuse to have them broken. How can I set a people free when those whom have been set free are bound themselves. My Body is in chains. I have given free will. Freedom has been won AND when they choose to accept the freedom and walk in the power thereof is what will cause the chains to be unlocked. Break free from rebellion, disobedience, slothfulness - Break free from sins that has yoked you again. Repent, Return, Re-establish your place in Me. For who the Son sets free is free indeed."

This word is for everyone, including myself. We cry out on behalf of others; we pray that His hands move and break the chains but yet He is waiting for those who are His hands to be released from their chains so that He CAN move.....He's waiting for those to put action to their faith as well. We can have all the faith and we can pray and intercede but if we don't go out there - we are accomplishing nothing. We need to break the chains of fear!!

There is a multitude who are walking bound. The sound of the shackles on their feet overpowers the voice of God. And how can they hear the Truth if those who are called to be the voice of God, the hands and feet of God, - His Body are in the same condition. It is impossible.

It is time to ask God to remove our chains so that we may be His vessels to help remove the chains of others. Whatever it is that has you bound - surrender and allow God to free you once and for all. Do not let pride deceive you that you are free when you know in your heart you're not. Do not worry of what others may think. Worry about what God thinks.

It's time to become the Body of Christ and go and reach a people because we have been anointed to set the captives free; heal the sick, mend the broken-hearted, and raise the dead. There are many dead men walking - let us walk in the power of our freedom to overcome the power of their bondage. For where the Spirit of the LORD is there IS LIBERTY!!!

Christians: Run for Your Life!

2011-11-25T14:26:00.001-05:00

"Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being assembled to meet him ... Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion [in the original greek: apostasy - 'great falling away'] comes first, and the lawless [one] is revealed, the son of perdition..." 2Thess 2:1,3

Brothers and Sisters in Christ I pray that you will receive this message in your spirit and that it may cause you to take action. We are living in times in which the "church" is falling away by the multitudes.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils..." 1Timothy 4:1

False doctrines are being erected to please a people and keep them comfortable in their sins. Prosperity messages, story-telling and jokes have graced our pulpits to entertain the people. Musicians are ministering to the audience of many versus Worshipers that minister to an audience of One. The altar has now been transformed into a stage with spotlights. There is lack of reverence for the Lord and His House. The standard of God has been reduced to accommodate the people in hopes of maintaining memberships and gaining new ones for revenue purposes. Discipleship is non-existent. Instead activities, concerts and fundraising have taken its place. Many leave the service feeling empowered but not transformed.

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord..." Amos 8:11

Each day the deception increases. Truth no longer is digested. Instead it is rejected by those who continue to call themselves Christians. The bible speaks about God giving these people over to delusion

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”~ 2 Thessalonians 2:11

“God shall send them strong delusion - For this very cause, that they would not receive the love of the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness, therefore God permits strong delusion to occupy their minds; so that they believe a lie rather than the truth, prefer false apostles and their erroneous doctrines to the pure truths of the Gospel, brought to them by the well-accredited messengers of God; being ever ready to receive any false Messiah, while they systematically and virulently reject the true one.” (Clarke’s commentary of the Bible)

People of God, it’s time to take a stand for Christ! The Lord is raising a remnant that will bolding bring truth despite the cost of doing so. Will you be part of that remnant?

Please take a moment and see this short sermon clip. I pray this message will find a common ground in your spirit that cries out for truth! Be encouraged and empowered to take action! God bless you!

If I Was The Devil

2011-08-08T14:02:00.000-04:00

This is a short yet very powerful video that will awaken you to see the true battle. If the enemy can convince us that our struggle IS with flesh and blood he has successfully deceived us to war against one another and ourselves to take us out of God's purpose and plan. We must pray for discernment and move accordingly to the truth. For the Truth will expose the lies and overpower them.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:10-13

Acknowledge Your Need! Get Help!

2011-08-08T08:48:00.003-04:00

Introduction

In love, I want to share that this message is not intended for those who "wallow" in their sin state and constantly live in a place called "OH PITIFUL ME." These types of people are constantly and consistently looking for men to take sides with them, stroke their fortified positions of rebellion and ignore the places in their heart in which there is great unforgiveness, roots of bitterness and constant striving to MAKE things work.

Depression brought on by this type of behavior is self inflicted and will only be broken by (1) facing the truth about one's own condition, (2) surrendering one's will to the Lord and DOING THE HARD THINGS required; (3) truly confessing sin before the Lord and (4) entering into true SELF-repentance to break the child-like cycle circling one's life.

Many times the Lord gives us directions, instructions and guidance concerning our own condition and we simply IGNORE HIM because we FALSELY BELIEVE it will make us "give in" or "bend" into the will of others. Some people are SO BLINDED by their own condition that they can't see that this TRUE BENDING is really a bending-breaking into the will of Father. The places of depression and heaviness that they experience are a result of those rebellious choices and cycles.

When a person walking in this tired of rolling around in dog vomit change CAN come --- and come quickly. The consequences of rebellion (mutiny in the spirit) has a very high price that often eludes its pride-drenched carrier. Again, this type of depression is self-inflicted. This is not what Father has led me to talk about this morning, but clarity needed to be made before proceeding.

There is a deeper place of depression that some believers walk in -- and it is a completely SPIRITUAL depression. It comes from a longing for spiritual breakthrough in one's life that is often related to isolation from the body; being uncovered or improperly covered in prayer; failing to see prayers answered when you are walking a righteous life; walking in fear of one's assignment from the Lord even when you are doing it; estrangement from fellowship; the results of experiencing deep rooted betrayal in ministry; disconnection from family members (due to circumstances beyond our control - like geographical location); the sudden death of a loved one; the loss of resources or the sudden onset of illness; or any other situation that we did not initiate or cause -- but somehow found ourselves facing anyway. This is the focus of the post Father has led me to share this morning.

THE PROBLEM

For some, this will be a difficult post to follow -- as it takes them out of the clouds and their matter-of-factness concerning healing in ministry. There are believers who think that all it takes is a confession and a prayer to make the pain go away. While this may work for SOME PEOPLE, it is not always the case for others. Remember, there are numerous testimonies in the scriptures of instant healing and I tell you WE WANT THESE! There are also just as many testimonies of healing through process -- all of which were for God's Glory.

People of God, I am teaching in this on what I know personally. I have walked HARD in both of these types of depression at some point in working out my soul's salvation. The latter, by far, is the most difficult to overcome when you are MATURE in the things of God. Maturity, as used here, is referring to how well we respond to situations and circumstances that come our way. An immature person responds in a child-like manner -- often through impulsiveness, temper tantrums and raw emotions . While a mature person pursues patience, restraint and wisdom.

In the body of Christ, we forget that JUST BECAUSE one person may have been able to overcome a situation simply by standing on a scripture or two and going on a fast, have had a longer and more difficult road. I am in no way justifying being depressed in any state or standing in agreement with darkness' purpose for it. I do, however, want us to realize that this is a VERY REAL PLACE of pain for many believers and as a body, we have to do more to be our brother's keeper.

Jeremiah 14:2 CJB prophesied it this way, "... they dress the wound of my people, but only superficially, saying, 'There is perfect shalom,' when there is no shalom. "

In other words, Jeremiah is sharing with us that some congregations are ILL EQUIPPED to bring healing to God's people. They simply tell you to GO PRAY & TRUST GOD without any practical application concerning your specific situation. You are just EXPECTED to get over it... and go on with the persona of everything being alright.

It's time to stop living this lie! EVERYTHING IS NOT OKAY!

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR NEED & GET HELP
I'm going to speak frankly here. Some of the patriarch's in the bible had some SERIOUS problems. Jeremiah suffered often from the kind of "spiritual" depression we are talking about today. There are MANY instances where we can see this in His walk with the Lord. (Lamentations 2 is a good place to get a deep picture of what He went through.)

Job went through a very deep "spiritual" depression and we know that He was a righteous and MATURE man of God BEFORE his affliction. Circumstances beyond his control drew his soul into this place. Look at what is recorded in Job 1 CJB: "I am just worn out. "By my life [I swear], I will never abandon my complaint; I will speak out in my soul's bitterness. 2 I will say to God, 'Don't condemn me! Tell me why you are contending with me."

We can look at Elijah, Peter and a host of others in the scriptures. These were STRONG MEN OF GOD who met a place in their lives when they NEEDED BREAKTHROUGH! They were desperate to rise above the heaviness and the depression on their lives! THESE MEN NEEDED HELP!

I tell you, some people:

Have received victory simply by a WORD in the midst of their situations! (Apostle Paul)
Some have had to press amid great discouragement and discontentment with NO HELP, just their trust. (Job)
Some could ONLY get through with encouragement and help from men and divine encounters with God. Otherwise they would have given up! (Moses, Elijah)
Some didn't make it through "in power" at all. Their lives didn't have to end that way. (Samson, Saul)

I used to be so religious and SO MATTER-OF-FACT about everything! But I tell you people of God, I've seen the Lord heal me and other instantly of things. Then I've also seen situations in which the THORN in the flesh took time to be removed and to be healed.

WHO KNOWS the work of our Lord? Who can explain why some people are healed in the earth realm and others in heaven? ONLY GOD KNOWS!

But one thing rests sure: "We must acknowledge our need and reach out for Holy Spirit guided help! DELIVERANCE IS NEAR TO YOU!"

Father DESERVES our honesty wherever we are. If you need HELP, CRY OUT TO HIM... lest you dash your foot against a stone. Don't fall prey to the superficial healing.

Even in my faith, I have sense enough to DECLARE AND STAND in my wholeness even when everything in the natural isn't whole. Don't be RELIGIOUS in your responses to the Lord... walk in truth, be free of men...

IT IS OKAY TO BE IN NEED OF YOUR BRETHREN! THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR! (My capitalization is not shouting, but stressing the point.) You're not alone in this walk. The Christ in your brethren is also with you.

Galatians 6 CJB: 2 Bear one another's burdens - in this way you will be fulfilling the Torah's true meaning, which the Messiah upholds.

I DECLARE THAT YOUR NAME IS JOSEPH!

2011-08-08T08:40:00.000-04:00

Copyright 2011 Theresa Harvard Johnson

This morning, I heard the Lord say this to me:
"I DECLARE that your name is Joseph!"

Immediately, I knew that Father was not only speaking to me, but to His remnant. We all know the story of Joseph and transpired in His life. This declaration that I received is simply a strong admonishment to us today to HOLD ON to the DREAM, to HOLD ON to the promises that He has spoken over your life.

I began to REBUKE the Dream Killers, in Jesus Name! Declaring that you will be able to RESIST the temptation to:

Fall Prey to disappointment, disillusionment and discouragement;

Succumb to unforgiveness, bitterness and the fallout of treachery of assaults from the brethren;

Succumb to the cunning wiles and trickery of Potifer's wife; and

Give in to the "visual" hopelessness of your present situation or circumstance!

DREAM KILLERS are moving through the congregation in this hour -- SEEKING to devour God's people.

Dream killers, as Father showed me, are those things in your life that come to SNUFF OUT YOUR HOPE, BURY YOUR TRUST & BLOCK YOUR BELIEF that God WILL answer the DREAMS he has given you.

These dream killers seek to convince you that "you've missed it" and that "it is too late" to begin anew. I hear Father saying, "THESE ARE LIES!" I pray, by the power of Messiah, that you will RISE ABOVE this discouragement TODAY.... and see that God is yet working on your behalf.

Oh I sense so strongly in my spirit today that some of you are really FIGHTING in your mind to rise above hopelessness today in varying aspects of your life. Father wants you to know that this is AN ASSAULT from hell -- targeted at BLOCKING YOU from fulfilling your purpose and destiny in Him.

The enemy want's you to believe that YOU are not special in the Kingdom or special to God. He wants you to believe that YOU are not worthy. He wants you to believe that what is in your hand is of LESS importance than what is in the hand of others. These are SMOKE SCREENS, DISTRACTIONS..... that STEAL YOUR DREAMS. Father wants you to stand in your authority in Jesus Christ and DECLARE, "That YOUR NAME is Joseph!" Because of Holy Spirit -- who lives in you -- you have been EMPOWERED by God to come out and remain out of the pit.

Today, understand that every test and every trial are a part of your Joseph journey.

I was praying over a prophetic word the Lord gave me concerning myself in a dream some years ago. Some of the things I saw made me laugh like Sara because I saw myself as a grasshopper. Then the Lord said to me, "In that dream beloved, I gave you a glimpse of where your faith and belief will take you in years to come." Later, as I matured and as Father began to teach me His word.... I realized that I had received a glimpse of what was written in heaven concerning me.

In other words, I was seeing a page from the volume of the book (Hebrews 10:7) that had been written for me. Father had released into my spirit, so that I could hold on to and BELIEVE that what I had seen... WAS MY NOW! It was the evidence and the proof of my faith...

People of God, you are SO SPECIAL TO FATHER....

The enemies comes only to STEAL, KILL & DESTROY! If He can take your dream, he takes your hope away. In truth, the enemy can't "take" anything from us. We make the choice to give it away...

Dreams release long range vision. They give life to what is to come... A people without vision will perish.
Father wants you to KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, that your name is Joseph!

Hidden Secret

2011-08-07T21:22:00.001-04:00

In the night hours where the hidden is unseen, man fumbles in darkness with their sexual sin.

They intensely wrestle with flesh’s appetite, disputing if masturbation is wrong or right.

“Surely the bible does not speak of this thing. It only condemns of those for-ni-ca-ting.

'Surely you're not hurting anyone? If unsure, just repent when you’re done!”

Suddenly a myriad of images appear

Dissolving all traces of “holy fear”…

A naked man, woman or even a child

Pornographic scenes begin to run wild.

Arousal stimulates their body to unwind

Overlooking the One who searches their mind.

“Surely the darkness will hide me” – deception speaks

“Who sees Us? And Who will know?” they shriek.

Quickly their flesh renders to “lust’s influence

An orgy of demons now taking residence

One night here, one night there

they’ve easily fallen for satan’s snare.

Silently they hide behind the darkness of night

Living contrary to sons and daughters of LIGHT

For the Word declares “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed,

or hidden that will not be made known.” (Luke 12:2)

Living in abstinence and purity in a world defiled with perversion seems almost impossible to many. Billboards, magazines, television, music, and fashion entices the eyes and ears to sexual immorality. Obvioulsly those who do not know the Lord, Jesus Christ fall prey and are controlled by their lustful desires of their flesh. But as you can see in this poem, those who are hiding behind their secret are Christians; a son or daughter of Light.

This is a subject shunned by the "church" as well as any other sexual sin because god forbid it exposes these spirit, convict the souls of those who are struggling with them or make them feel uncomfortable. God has required of me to share this poem and write about this about two months ago and I had procrastinated until today. He desires to bring deliverance but in order to obtain it, it must be first exposed.

In the past and present we have seen in the media world-renown pastors, evangelists and leaders who were exposed of a sexual sin. Nonetheless there are those who are not in the limelight or those lay people who have fallen just the same. Was it an impulse? or Was it a hidden sin that pride kept in chains over the years? A sin that is kept in darkness and fed continuously will never experience deliverance. Therefore, the desire of the flesh will increase creating an appetite that overpowers the spirit - bondage has now yoked the individual. Pride will keep it undercover for fear of exposure of "self" and judgment of man. As if our All-Knowing, All-Present God is unable to search the heart and mind of man.(Romans 8:27)

As Christians we are commanded to be led by the Spirit. In Galatians 5:16 it is written "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Following after that starting in verse 19 it lists the deeds of the flesh which immorality, impurity and sensuality are the first mentioned.

Masturbation is NOT a substitute or lesser offense than fornication as many would like to think and justify! First of all our bodies are the temple of the Lord - HIS SPIRIT DWELLS WITHIN US! He abides in us as we abide in Him. (1 John 4:13-21) Therefore on that note let's take a look at what we expose before a Holy God in our quest of pleasuring ourselves.

A spirit of lust seems to be present that has not been evicted otherwise we as a Christian would have not succumbed to the influence and act upon it. It begins with this spirit causing you to be stirred. Therefore the struggle between spirt and flesh begins. Obviously the flesh overpowers and gives way. We allowed pleasure to push away the conviction of the Spirit, grieving Him. We have made room and given access to the enemy to come and plant the seductive thoughts in our minds dividing ground with the mind of Christ that we possess. Now we share the imagery of pornograhic scenes that arouses us and we begin to release what God has purposed for procreation. In Genesis 38: 8-10 we see the story of Onan and his consequence of spilling seed. Of course many will argue that it has nothing to do with masturbation. To those I say seek the LORD for His truth. Sometimes perception is clouded because it does not gratify the one who is enticed by this particular sin.

A man or woman who is entangled with sexual sin whether its masturbation or fornication commits sin against their own body (1 Cor. 6:18). Remember the "body" houses the Spirit of God! When a married couple is unfaithful they commit adultery whether it was in thought or action. Just as such consider that adultery is being committed against God who is in essence ONE with us. Can you perceive the displeasure of He whom we say we love?

The enemy, and those spirits of lust and perversion will convince you otherwise. They will deceive you to justify your sin because "masturbation" is not literally mentioned in the bible. They will keep you in denial and pride to keep your from deliverance. They want to steal the freedom that Christ victoriously purchased for us. They desire to yoke us in slavery to our old nature of the flesh disabling us from walking in Spirit.

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires."~ Gal. 5:24

If we say we belong to Christ, we cannot give ourselves or share the standards of the world. Instead, we ought to master our sins (Romans 8:12), live and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

If you are struggling with this hidden sin, confess and repent from it.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." ~ Colossians 3:5

Allow God to deliver you from these spirits that continue to lure you towards the passions of the flesh. Stand firm and do not be yoked again (Gal. 5:1). When temptation comes, submit to God, resist the devil and he shall flee. (James 4:7)

Keep in mind that you must maintain your deliverance. Exposing yourself to pornographic movies, magazines or websites will only awaken your flesh to a familiar spirit you once possessed. Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) and think on what is pure (Phil. 4:8). We are a separated people - not like the world although we live in the world. Let us live as such.....

"But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior" 1 Peter 1:15.

The Pain of God's Hiddenness

2011-08-07T14:42:00.001-04:00

O’ Lord my pain is deep and wide

Emptiness has settled inside

‘'Where is your God?’ my soul cries

Where is He? as your spirit dies!

Discouragement has entered and made its home

Causing me to feel alone

Its shadow of lies has extinguished my light

Why are You hidden from My sight?

O’ my soul arise from this slumber

The enemy seeks to put thee asunder

Sever the enemy’s deadly rope

By anchoring yourself in the eternal Hope.

"For He promises a little while I will struggle

Yet I will deliver you from all troubles"

God’s promises are faithful and true

Awaken my soul and be renewed………….

For several days I have battled what I come to understand now as “spiritual depression”. I could not comprehend what was happening within me. The overwhelming feeling of despair and hopelessness darkened my soul. I felt isolated, withdrawn and desperate as I was experiencing the pain of God’s hiddenness.

“Where are You, Lord”? I cried, and cried. “I need You!” The tears saturated my pillow night after night to no avail. All that followed was a deep silence.

During a soul cry one evening, I penned the poem above only to be reminded of a psalm from one of the sons of Korah. As I read Psalm 42 my spirit identified with every word.

Why did I feel so downcast? When did it start to surface? What caused me to cave in? Where did I go wrong? And HOW do I overcome this?

As I reflected on the “why”, I’ve come to the revelation that “discouragement” has been the factor. There were many reasons behind my spirit falling that I had suppressed. Besides the obvious outer struggles of dealing with the absence of my husband, maintaining the household, caring for our son and dealing with family issues – there was an inner struggle that was outweighing the outer.

My private battles stemmed from disappointments within myself and others. I’ve come to the realization that my heart was stained because of it. Jealousy, pride, envy, passivity, fear, bitterness, and resentments covered the light within and overshadowed it with darkness. Accusations and condemnation followed.

I focused more on the voice of confusion and the emotions that followed rather than God and allowed the intruder access. As I opened my mouth with complaints I invited the enemy to my pity party. He took my words and put them to action to kill my spirit, steal the joy of my salvation and destroy my hope.

I’ve come to realize that I was not as strong as I thought or had other believed. The heaviness crushed me under its weight. I felt anxious, lonely, angry, and hopeless. “Where is my God? Why would He allow me to experience such emptiness?’

While I felt abandoned by God, He was at work in His silence. He led me to search out spiritual depression and I came across this sermon "The Pain of God's Hiddennes" based on Psalm 42! Was it a coincidence that I had read that Psalm along with Psalm 43 the other night? Absolutely not! As I sat and heard this man speak, everything that I was going through he spoke about! I learned that spiritual depression is caused by many factors and that they are others, including himself that have gone through this. It brought me comfort in knowing that I was not alone. I came to the understanding of where I went wrong and how I can overcome this.

“The main trouble in this whole matter of spiritual depression is a sense is that we allow our self to talk to us instead of talking to our self. (D.M. Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure)

It taught and encouraged me to speak to my soul: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” ~ Ps. 42:11

Through God’s Hiddenness, I was able to see my condition and my need. His silence was a means to my deliverance although I didn’t understand. He knew what it would take for me to awaken from the slumber I fell into.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ~ Is. 55:8-9

Many of us have journeyed through this experience alone for fear of what others may say or think about us and our faith. Some of us hide for the simple reason of being prideful. I, myself had a combination of both. Therefore by posting this I break both strongholds that have caused me to battle alone; fear of man and a prideful spirit.

I invite you to listen to the sermon (click on link "The Pain of God's Hiddenness highlighted above) and be encouraged! Speak to your soul "Hope in God, for yet I will praise Him again"!

Enforcing Christ's Victory – Because YOU Can!

2011-07-26T00:44:00.000-04:00

I had written this on my FB status and wanted to add a little more to this statement:

"I would like to make an announcement: Jesus did NOT die on the cross for US to live bound! We are victorious -no longer victims! The enemy comes to rob Us from this gift of freedom, but he can't unless you hand it over to him. Cherish what's been given to you. Honor the Giver by maintaining His Victory in your lives!! Each day is filled with cares, but we are overcomers because He has overcome! Enforce His Victory - because YOU Can!"

Can I just say this? As Christian men and women when we came to Christ not only did we receive the gift of Salvation, gained back our identity, given authority and purpose! BUT also the ability to maintain and enforce Christ’s Victory!!

It’s not of our own that enables us but the Spirit of the Lord who resides IN us!!

When an off-duty police officer is out of uniform they blend in with the crowd and go unrecognized as a law enforcer but when they put on their uniform something happens.

There is this change that occurs and suddenly there is a shift in power. Once they strap themselves with their duty belts loaded with gun, ammo, baton, and handcuffs their posture takes a change. Their head is held high, shoulders back, chest out and their stance is one of influence! They are ready to enforce the law head on!

As Christians there is a posture of influence that we must take daily. It requires us to put on the FULL armor of God. (Eph. 6)

• Head is lifted up as we put on the Helmet of Salvation
• Shoulders back and chest out as we place the Breastplate of Righteousness
• Strapping on our belt of truth, we hold with one hand our shield of faith (baton) and with the other our sword; the Word of God (ammunition)
• Shod our feet with the Gospel (power) - taking our stand of influence over EVERY principality of darkness and enforce Christ Victory head on!!!

Unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of being off-duty and out of uniform! Unlike the off duty officer, we don’t go unrecognized. The man of lawlessness sees when we are out of uniform and when we have on the FULL armor of God! Either way he will attack! His goal is to arrest us before we handcuff him. He comes to steal, kill and destroy and your freedom is on his hit list. He convinces us to strive endlessly for something we have already and that is VICTORY. He will wear us out in this deception to keep us from enforcing Christ victory!!

Therefore, take your stance of influence and enforce His victory – because YOU can!!!

Stand in the Power of the LORD and the strength of His Might!

Plead Your Case: Guilty or Not Guilty

2011-07-20T02:13:00.001-04:00

But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love] ~ Rev. 2:4 (Amplified Bible)

In Revelations this charge is against the Ephesus assembly. And today this same charge is held against the “church” both individually and corporately.

In the previous verses the angel (messenger) acknowledges their endurance and their intolerance of the wicked as well as testing and judging those who call themselves apostles. In doing so they have found them to be impostors and liars!

The Ephesus assembly was recognized for their industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble. Yet in all their toiling for the Lord’s Namesake physically they have deserted Him spiritually. Their hearts have abandoned their first love.

In all their building and church activities they have strayed far away. The passionate love that drove them to laboriously toil for the Lord has been replaced with coldness. Their intimacy became religion. Their affections shifted. Grace poured upon them in times of troubles now forgotten

“Remember then from what heights you have fallen” (v.5a)

Can you hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying? Consider, bring to mind, take into account where I have first encountered you. Who was the One who captured you in your fall? The depth of your brokenness was hopeless to the eyes of man but I saw the end from the beginning.

When you lost all hope, I gave you hope. When you felt worthless, I gave you worth. When you were in darkness, I shined My Light. When you felt useless, I gave you purpose. When you had nothing, I gave you everything. When you sought me, you found me. When you lacked understanding, I gave you knowledge. When you asked for a sign, I gave you revelation. When My will became yours, I gave you a vision. When you asked for power, I gave you My anointing. As your influence, along with your name gained prominence, your affections for Me shifted towards yourself.

You honored Me with your lips but your heart was far from me (Matt. 15:8) In my Name you profess the wonders and miraculous manifestation of your works in which My hands have never touched. Yet, in my mercy I allowed you to continue in hopes that you recognize your ineffectiveness and cause you to return. But you have totally abandoned Me otherwise you would have been able to discern the source in which you operated from.

“Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when you first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.” (v.5b)

Our first love caused us to seek Him at all times, we prayed, fasted, evangelized, and radically testified of His works with everyone that had ears. If they refused to listen, we were willing to talk to the walls because we had this fire within us like Jeremiah. Our lamps were always lit and set upon high places for all to see! We heard His voice like the sound of mighty rushing waters and in His presence we soaked day and night.

Can we confess that we possess the same passion we had at first? Are we deeply in love with Jesus? Is His word in our heart burning like fire shut up in our bones? Is our lampstands filled with His oil or our own?

The charge is against us. How will we plead: Guilty or Not Guilty?

Do not allow the enemy to deceive you to think that you’re not guilty if you are! Loving Jesus with ALL your heart (not half-hearted), soul and mind (Matt. 22:36) is the greatest commandment and if he can cause you to compromise and break this one, he will cause you to break them all.

Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal the depth of your love for Him. Repent Beloved and serve Him with the love that will be your driving force until He returns.

“He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (v. 7)

You and I are the church! Let us take heed brothers and sister in Christ. And let us pray for the church as a whole that we may return to our first love and be declared NOT GUILTY!

God bless you and increase your love every day….

An Unusual Divine Appointment

2011-07-15T19:48:00.001-04:00

What is a “divine appointment”? It is a ‘meeting’ which was inspired and God led. Divine appointments are supernaturally orchestrated by God with purpose and are NOT coincidental.

Our finite mind narrows our perception of these ‘meetings’ as an opportunity to hand a tract, evangelize and pray for others. Therefore, we pray for these encounters; pack our tracts and with bibles in our hands we venture out.

Although God’s purpose entails sharing the Gospel of Salvation, we cannot limit it to such. That is why we must heed to the command in Ephesians 6:11 to put on the WHOLE armor of God in preparation.

“For we are not wresting with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” ~ Ephesians 6:12

God’s divine purpose has an end. Meaning that He knows what He has set out to do from the beginning and thus it shall be accomplished. (Isaiah 46:10) Therefore, if we limit our understanding of His purpose for our assignment (divine appointment) and do not incline our spirit man to be sensitive to the Spirit of God, discerning the spiritual struggle, we will miss the purpose! We will be easily detoured from prayerfully warring against the invisible works of the enemy.

The armor of God is not just a passive protection in which we need in preparation of ministering the Gospel to others, but it is to be used offensively against these satanic forces that bound the people from hearing and receiving the gift of salvation.

Allow me to share with you yesterday’s divine appointment. It truly was not what my mind perceived when I had prayed and asked God for one.

First let me say that I have been under the teaching of a particular prophet whose been ministering a series called “Fresh Oil”. Although I will not go into details of the teaching, there is one particular aspect I want to share with you about the significance of the anointing oil.

Throughout the bible, when God selected a new king for the nation of Israel, one of His spokesmen (a Prophet) would go find the candidate. Then he’d state his purpose, and pour some oil on the newly-designated king. It simultaneously symbolized the recognition by some important person of the work and worth of someone else who now has a new, important endorsement and assignment. An example would be in 1Samuel 9-10.

Let me interrupt for a moment to say this “Are we not kings, anointed and appointed for an important endorsement and assignment for the Kingdom of God?” People of God we need to awaken to who we are!!! It’s not being arrogant to state your identity! We have kingdom purpose.

Because of the deep revelation this teaching series has brought, I anointed my head with oil as I prayed asking the Lord to use me, to enable me to have a divine encounter orchestrated by Him for His kingdom purpose. I dressed myself in the full armor of God and headed out to help my daughter move.

Early in the morning, when I had posted on my Facebook status “Anointed, appointed and ready for my divine appointment! Lord here I am. Send me to that person whom someone prayed for~ As I pray that you send someone to those I've prayed for.....LOVE YOU LORD!!”, I had no idea whom my audience would be.

As I was loading into the moving truck and came down the ramp, I had my divine encounter. There were two women and a young boy about 6-7 years of age coming down the stairs of the complex. Immediately upon my eyes resting on them I felt my spirit go into intercession. One of the women was large in stature. Her physique resembled one of a man as well as her demeanor. She looked at me as we locked eyes while I continued to pray in the spirit. Then following after her was another woman who also possessed the same spirit but not as aggressive as the previous one. She passively looked at me but withdrew her gaze. The young boy walked alongside with his head down. I noticed the earrings he had on both ears and the swag he had in his step. His countenance was bent over as when a yoke is placed on the neck and chains pulling at him to follow the one who was holding the chain. I engaged in battle as I rebuked the spirits that were present and severed the root of homosexuality. My spirit could not rest until they were out of view. A powerful encounter of kingdoms transpired: the kingdom of Light versus the kingdom of darkness.

Even now as I am writing this, my spirit has been thrown into yet another deep cry of intercession, especially for the young boy. Truly our assignments do not end until God says it ends.

It is not for me to decipher whether I was effective in casting out these demons, but believing that the One who devised this encounter has fulfilled His purpose! For who can stand in the Presence of the Almighty and live!! Spirits bow down before Him recognizing His power and they must flee!

Had I not anointed my head; had I not prayed and had not I put on the whole armor of God my spirit would have not been prepared to discern and stand against what I faced. We cannot war without our battle dress or without the appropriate weapons as you read in Ephesians 6. There is a reason why God requires us to do so. Even as the work of the Cross accomplished victory, we must maintain it!

Each of our assignment will vary as the Lord orchestrates who, what, when, why AND how. Our responsibility is to be prepared in season and out of season enabling us to be physically and spiritually available at any given moment to stand in the presence of His chosen audience. This requires preparation and positioning yourself - spirit to Spirit to hear, to be strengthened, to be equipped, anointed and appointed to do His work.

WE ARE ALL AMBASSADORS PURPOSED TO OVERTHROW THE ENEMY’S KINGDOMS AND BUILD GOD’S!!! Not because of the gifts we possess or anything we do of our own but because greater is He who is within us than he who is in this world (1 Jn. 4:4)

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound. ~ Luke 4:18-19 Amplified Bible

Let us be diligent in seeking our assignments daily and preparing for them by spending time with the One who equips us!! All for His Glory!!

Re-connecting to God

2011-07-11T01:38:00.001-04:00

There has been a disruption that has caused many to disconnect from God's heart. For many it came in the form of hardships, afflictions, rebellion and overall consumption of ministry. Although we engage in prayer, reading the bible, services, conferences, worship, and all godly functions, we have disengaged our hearts.

What do I mean? If we examine our hearts closely and find that in all our striving we feel empty, confused, powerless, lack of direction and our motives are negative, there has been a disconnection. Somewhere along our walk with God, we have cut the lines that run directly to His heart. Where once we strived to seek Him out of our love, now has become a duty we must perform in order to continue walking as Christians and in ministry.

We read the Word of God seeking a good message for others but not for ourselves.
We study the Bible to obtain and develop knowledge instead of intimacy
We pray in order for God to bless our desires and works instead of seeking His.
We attend conferences and other functions to network our ministries and promote ourselves rather than supporting one another.
We come to services to check it off on our list of things to do rather than seeking His presence.
We keep ourselves from fellowship instead of building community within the Body of Christ.
We allow pride to hide our need instead of reaching to others for prayers.
We seek God's face to obtain favor instead of transformation

The bible says that many hearts will grow cold and although we see this in the world, the Lord is specifically speaking to His children (Matthew 24:12). Not only has it grown cold towards one another but towards God. We must rid ourselves of all that hinders us from reconnecting. For apart from God we cannot do nothing (John 15:5).

We have turned away from our first love (Revelation 2:4) and we must return. How? Acknowledge your sins against Him, confess them, repent and strive to develop an intimate relationship that requires you setting all aside to be with Him daily. In this place, we lay down our thoughts, ways and will to hear His. In this place we connect hearts and share our love. In this place we are renewed, replenished, equipped, and established to move in compassion and love in fulfilling His desires on earth....Ministry is ministering to God first and from that place all things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33)

Where You Go, I'll Go.....

2011-05-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

"Where You go, I'll go" is more than physically going into a place where the Lord sends you. It's going to a place where the Lord spent most of His time: Before the Father! Jesus stole moments away from the crowds to receive instruction, direction, revelation and strength during His walk in ministry on the earth. Just the same we must go into His Presence to receive the same.

"...I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." ~ John 5:19

"What you say, I'll say Lord" will require us to speak those things we receive in our prayer time with the Lord. Many times these are words of encouragement, prophecy and declarations but there are also words of warning and correction in which many will refrain from speaking forth due to fear. Jesus only spoke those things He heard the Father say and He didn't refrain from speaking them regardless if they pleased the people. As we all know not many were. He stood to be persecuted for the things He spoke because they were harsh to the flesh of man: "When His disciple heard this, many of them said, This is a hard and difficult and strange saying (an offensive and unbearable message)" (John 6:60a)

...and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me."~ John 8:28b

"What you pray, I'll pray" is praying the will of the Father and not ours. It's coming into a posture of silence and inclining our ears to His Heart. As we receive the burden, we cry out - interceding for those very things that He cries out for. It can be a person, a situation, a nation, a particular sin that we ourself are struggling with, the coldness of the hearts of many, for the lost, and overall His Bride. His desire is to return ALL unto Himself and as we pray what He prays, there is a release of Heaven on earth.

"He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." ~ Matthew 26:42

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:10

"How can I expect to walk without You" becomes a declaration as Moses' "...If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." (Exodus 33:15) We CANNOT proceed without the Spirit of God for He is our guide and the One Who empowers us to fulfill what the Father has spoken for us to do. Without the Spirit of Life, all that's left is the "flesh" of death. We must go not in our own power, might or name, "..., but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6b)

It is only in the secret chambers of prayer and intercession where we find ALL we need to "go, speak, and do - in the Power of the Lord. It is in this place where: "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--Isaiah 11:2

Now we are able to sing "Where You, I'll go...What You say, I'll say Lord,...What You pray, I'll pray....

This is Candy Belt our Worship Leader along with Pastor Ron (guitar) from Christian Family Fellowship in Bradenton, Florida. This was an amazing night of worship as we honored Israel. Be blessed!

Little Bit of God or ALL of God? Your choice!

2011-05-26T17:58:00.000-04:00

A brother in Christ posted this sermon by Frances Chan on his Facebook page and I must say it is a message that will leave you naked before the Lord. Its a message that requires a response. You either want a little bit of God and more of the world or ALL of God and nothing of the world! What will be your choice after viewing this heart-arresting, Spirit-convicting, life-transforming preaching?

Frances admits that he was sick with the disease of "comfort" and basically if we truly place down our pride for one second, we too will be able to see how infected we are as well as today's church with this disease. It's spreading widely like a wild fire and the Body of Christ overall is sick. Yes, the Body. What we yet have understood is that one member of the body that is diseased (suffers), all the body suffers with it (1 Cor. 12:26).

Although this message was geared to be ministered to individuals about their "lukewarm" condition, I felt the Father's heart grieve because His Bride is so sick. They have become weak and unable to stand and maintain their garments cleaned (purified). They see the spots, yet they overlook them because it requires action (effort) on their behalf to give up those things that drip onto their garments. We have become satisfied with just wearing the stained garment in hopes that God will look at all the good we do despite our sin marked robe. We try to cover it with good works but regardless it's there and God sees it.

People of God, our Father is able! He is Glorious! So Mighty! EVERYTHING is possible with God and if we say we serve and trust Him, let us surrender all that will hinder you from experiencing ALL of Him. Stop scrutinizing and dissecting the Word of God to fit into your comfortable life. In doing so you risk being "spit-out" of the mouth of God! Living in "lukewarmness" will guarantee you a one-way ticket to hell. Yes, I said "hell". Sounds ugly huh? Yes it does! Nobody speaks about it because its repulsive to even think about but how I wish we had the same reaction to sin. Beloved, do not allow your pride, critical spirit or intellect keep you in darkness. Take the risk in asking God to reveal to you your heart. Only He knows the deepest parts of it....

It is out of LOVE that this message is posted here not to condemn for I too have been brought low on my face in hearing this. Love you all....

Awaken Me, LORD

2011-05-25T17:18:00.001-04:00

"AND TO the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Sardis write: These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit ] and the seven stars: I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but [in reality] you are dead.

Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.

So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a theif, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come.

Yet you still have a few [persons'] names in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes, and they shall walk with Me in white, because they are worthing and deserving. Thus shall he who conquers (is victorious) be clad in white garments, and I will not erase or blot out his name from the Book of Life; I will acknowledge him [as Mine} and I will confess his name openly before My Father and before His angels.

He who is able to hear, let him lisen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches)." ~ Revelations 3:1-6 Amplified Bible

Time is short Beloved. He Who comes is coming soon and is calling us to Himself! As you see & lend an attentive ear to what the Spirit of God is saying through His servant, John, ask the Lord to reveal how you are walking in His sight.

It's not about condemnation but revelation. Many have come under deception to their own human efforts and ways. Building empires of "self" in the Name of Jesus as the enemy deceives them that they are doing much for the Lord. When in essence they have done nothing but positioned themselves for the wrath of God. Beloved, do not allow pride to keep you from receiving this prophetic word that is prevailant in this hour.

I, myself have come to a place of conviction in which I cry out to Abba Father "Awaken Me, LORD"........

Being Put in Your Place!!

2011-05-23T15:44:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share this article that a friend sent me today. For those who have been pursuing a life of holiness and righteousness, many have been ridiculed, shunned and even removed from a certain leadership role or particpation of conference or other church "events".

This may have caused you confusion as they have removed you out of jealousy or envy. But do not fret. Despite their motives, know that you have been set apart for a purpose in these coming days. You see sometimes we get comfortable in an area of ministry that was meant to be a stepping stone along our journey to our destiny. The Lord will push you towards the position He has purposed you for. It will require you to open your eyes and see where He is leading you and follow. In this hour do not let the hurt stand in your way of God repositioning you!!

Be encouraged in this article as I was!

Being Put in Your Place! by Randall D. Kittle

While I was worshiping, the Lord gave me an open vision. In it I saw a number of jigsaw puzzles being put together. It soon became apparent that certain pieces which appeared to fit in each of the puzzles were being set off to the side and were not even being looked at to see if they could be utilized to complete the picture.

Then the vision changed and I saw a cupboard with numerous puzzle boxes in it. In each box was a puzzle that was nearly complete, missing only one or two pieces. I also noticed a shelf with a number of separate pieces which were set apart and not even in the boxes with the puzzles to which they belonged.

Suddenly, I saw the hand of the Lord reach down into the cupboard and extract these discarded puzzle pieces. He took them to a table where there were a number of puzzles which were nearly complete — missing only a few pieces — and He put them in place completing the pictures.

Fitted Together
The Lord has seen the neglect and rejection of many of His precious saints whom He has gifted with spiritual gifts to advance the kingdom of God. He is declaring in these days that there are a number of spiritually gifted believers who have been “set aside” by the church they have been part of. Whether it is due to their mistakes, their immaturity, or simply the jealousy of others, they are no longer part of the picture of what is being done, and in some places they have become practically discarded.

But the giftings and callings of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29), and the Lord is coming to deliver them with a strong “katartismos” anointing. This Greek word is found in Ephesians 4:11–12, the portion of Scripture that tells us God’s purpose in giving us the five-fold office gifts. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” The Greek word “katartismos”rendered here as “equip” is also translated “to prepare or perfect.” It literally means “to fit together,” as when a doctor would align and set a broken bone so that it would heal properly.

The Lord desires those gifted in pastoring, teaching, the prophetic, etc., not merely to teach or train others — but to help them find their place and release them into serving others. The call is to more than instruction. It is to help believers determine how they are to use their gifts to help advance the kingdom of God, what is God’s place for them in the Body, and then assist them in doing it.

For too long some in church leadership have been “putting people in their place” instead of helping the saints find their place. Many gifted believers who could help complete the picture of what God desires to do in and through various churches have been set off to the side or put on the shelf. While those in church leadership might be finished with them, the Lord isn’t done with them. They will yet exercise their gifts to bless and build up others, and finish all of the good works God has created for them to do.

If you are one who has been set aside or put on the shelf, now is the time for you to allow the Lord to divinely reposition you. God has allowed you to be set to the side and taken out of the picture because He has a new place for you, a place where you will fit it and fullfill what He has for you to do. Lay down your shattered expectations of what might have been … what should have been. Stop believing the lies the enemy has spoken about you that you are no longer valuable in God’s service. God has a place for you where you will not only perfectly fit in, but will help complete the picture of what He is doing in your midst

Osama Bin Laden's Death

2011-05-03T00:17:00.002-04:00

Last night as news broke out about Osama's death there has been a flood of facebook status' rejoicing in what they say is a historical moment for USA. Some are questioning and debating whether his death occurred back in 2001 and the government has been hiding the truth for a decade. Whether he died ten years ago or yesterday, I do not share in the same excitement as many. I just cannot rejoice in someone's death regardless what they have done.

Yes, this man killed thousands of innocent people in the WTC September 11th bombing and was a ruthless murderer even amongst his own people. He was a man that was driven by greed, hate and pride. But we as Christians must ask ourselves, is his sin any different or greater than our own. This man was a human being, born of a sinful nature like all us. Unfortunately he was so deceived by the enemy that the darkness overruled and conquered his heart and soul.

If we look close enough and take the speck out of our eyes, we can see that terrorism surrounds us daily. In our abortion clinics, mass killings of innocent babies are carried out but yet do we set out to kill every mother and doctor that partook? Do we go into the streets and kill every drug dealer that is pushing deadly poison in our children and killing them? Do we hunt down pedophiles who sexually terrorizes our children and kill them? Do we search every home and kill the parents who are abusing and neglecting their children? Do we kill every homosexual because it is against God's original design? Do we remove all the Christians from the church that commit adultery whether physically or spiritually and stone them to death? No, I believe not. Why, because I'm sure we either have been in one of these shoes or know someone close to us who is.  So therefore, what sets Osama aside from all the rest of these acts of terrorism?

As sinners we cried out from that dark place of bondage to God for deliverance or we have travailed in prayer on behalf of someone who is, especialy our children. Nonetheless we sought forgiveness and received it and those we pray for have the same opportunity. God did not kill us, instead He saved us! God does not kill those we are praying for who are still in sin - thank God! Instead He extends mercy as He hears our cries.

The bible speaks of sin having no measure. If you lie, it is considered sin just as murder. If you hate, it is just like murder, if you gossip, slander, fornicate, steal, even doubt -  Romans 14:23: Whatever is not from faith is sin ... Romans 14:23. So how is it than we can rejoice in the murder of this man. You may say well its not the same, but the bible says "ALL wrong-doing is sin" ~ (1 John 5:17).

This is a soul that has now gone to eternal damnation because instead of blessing and praying for our enemies, we have cursed them. We have taken justice into our hands and justified it. Are we any different from them killing and justifying it with Allah?

Are we right to be angry about all he has done? YES! "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." ~Ephesians 4:26-27 We must be careful what our anger produces because in the same manner the enemy came flooding through Osama's hatred for USA, leading him into a deep darkness, we too can fall into that place of "hatred"- a very dark place.

I'm sure many will find this rather odd that a military wife would take this position. I may be a wife of a soldier who is fighting against terrorism on our behalf, but I am foremost a daughter of God. My allegiance is not to man, but to God and His Word. His word says to love, to forgive and to be peacemakers.

I'm sure this post will rattle some bones, maybe even my husband's bones but the Spirit of God that dwells with me grieves in the knowledge of a soul perishing. Therefore I grieve. I pray for peace for all nations and protection for all the soldiers and for the people to be bound in "love".   God bless.

"I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live" Ezekiel 33:11… Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. Proverbs 24:17-18

I AM singing over you!

2011-04-27T10:10:00.015-04:00

I awoke this morning with a song in my heart. I experienced a very peculiar, different kind of joy. I don't know how to describe it, but it was there just the same and was immensely intense.

I began to dance in my own way unto the Lord. (Anyone who knows me will tell you, I have no rhythm and very little grace in movement. So I know without a doubt the Lord was pushing my spirit ...LOL.) Intercession took over my soul and I saw several of God's daughters who are dear to my heart presented before me in the Spirit.

Then I heard the Lord say this: "I am singing over you and I am singing over my daughters today. I am lifting every weight, every burden, every trial! I AM SINGING over you. Today, my beloved daughters, I am singing your victory over every obstacle! I am singing MY LOVE over, in and around you! I am singing over you..."

This touched my heart in a way that I can't adequately articulate. It was a place, at least for me, of experiencing the Lord in a deeper, more intimate way. I was lost in this place of intercession and worship with Him...

I personally experienced a great release in the realm of the spirit... and the FAITH to believe for each of the daughters He brought before me in prayer. In this, Father is speaking to His daughters globally in this hour. He is calling us to rise up and rise above what our eyes see and into a deeper place of TRUST. He wants us to SEE OURSELVES the way HE sees us in the midst of great adoration and love. This place of hearing HIM SING.... was a place of immense...

Cleansing and comfort...
A place of intense joy and love...
It was a SECURING comfort... and ROOTED JOY....

Zephaniah 3:14-17 CJB says, "14 Sing, daughter of Tziyon! Shout, Isra'el! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Yerushalayim! 15 ADONAI has removed the judgments against you, he has expelled your enemy; the king of Isra'el, ADONAI, is right there with you. You no longer need to fear that anything bad will happen. 16 On that day, it will be said to Yerushalayim, "Do not fear, Tziyon! don't let your hands droop down. 17 ADONAI your God is right there with you, as a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you and be glad, he will be silent in his love, he will shout over you with joy."

This word "SHOUT" means to sing, rejoice, sing aloud, shout, shout for joy, sing for joy, crieth, cry out and shout aloud. It is done with INTENSITY AND PASSION! It is a FOCUSED & CONCENTRATED cry. It is a command for awakening and revival...

This isn't SINGING in our understanding.... but one of a heavenly magnitude! IT IS OUR GOD SINGING.... SINGING... CRYING OUT... SHOUTING.... OVER US!

As Father sang, I saw broken and devastated walls HEALED AND RESTORED! I WAS IN A PLACE OF MIRACLES THIS MORNING... A PLACE OF SIGNS AND WONDERS! It was like the wall that Nehemiah restored... Father was rebuilding them around His daughters! I knew immediately that those daughters I'd seen were in the midst of a REVIVAL FIRE...

Daughters, IT MAY SEEM LIKE A DRY PLACE! But I tell you, it is THE WALK OF REVIVAL that we are standing in the midst of right now. There is a special release that Father is pouring ON US in this hour! He is pouring it out THROUGH HIS SONG! Seek to hear him! Seek to listen! Seek to be visited in dreams and visions!

Father is saying, "You are in the midst of a revival fire. YET, I sing over you. You have prayed and asked me to bring change and revival into your heart -- yet, you didn't expect it to come this way.... by FIRE, by TRIAL, by TEST. YET, you have sought me and stood... and I am SINGING OVER YOU. I AM SHOUTING over you... calling you into the FIRE. Calling you into a place unexplainable joy, a place of unexplainable comfort and safety, a place of deep trust unlike anything you've experienced before. Daughters.... dance in me..."

As Zephaniah prophesied in the scripture above, sometimes the Lord loves us IN SILENCE! He is watching OVER THE PROCESS! It's not that HE IS ABSENT... but that He is allowing that perfect work to be done. It is in this place of SILENT LOVE... that He is waiting to RISE UP... and SING OVER US! I pray today that you receive ALL that He desires to release into your spirit and your soul...

Costy Love

2011-04-22T14:13:00.002-04:00

During this time of reflection of Jesus’ death, many come to embrace His sacrificial love of His dying for us on the cross for our sins. He is our Savior and through His death we were redeemed to experience freedom. Not the sort of freedom to do what we please, but to walk in His ways as He has taught us.

Throughout the bible, Jesus has demonstrated the “Word” for He is the Word. Everything that He asks of us, He has walked through so that we may follow. From baptism in water, temptation, prayer, fasting, trials, hostility, persecution and forgiveness amongst other aspects of the Christian life, He taught and gave us the tools to walk with our cross.

Therefore Christ suffered and died to call us to follow His example of lowliness and costly love. Yes, there is a cost: Obedience and to fulfill the command to love one another!

“This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly…For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” ~1 Peter 2:19-21

The Ultimate Sacrifice
by Magdalena Rodriguez

I can’t imagine the pain you felt within,
of sending your Son to give His life for our sin.
Yet you knew this plan must come to pass,
To redeem and conquer us from the enemy’s grasp.

You saw Him descend, transformed into man,
to come and inhabit this sinful land.
Prepared to endure the rejection of some,
you gave Him the strength to overcome.

You gazed from above to see what was done,
They mocked, and tortured your only Son.
Each time they flogged Jesus, you clenched your eyes,
Your heart was grieved and you cried deep inside.

Yet His love and obedience to fulfill your will,
He continued His journey with His cross up the hill.
His Spirit He surrendered on the cross where He hung,
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’ve done.”

The prophecy fulfilled of the ONE who’s to come,
Our battle is over, Redemption was won.
So I’ll take up my cross each given day,
Like your Son Jesus, I will walk in YOUR way.

Like Paul, let our ambition be to share in Christ's righteousness by faith, and then to share in his sufferings in ministry. (Philippians 3:9-10)

In doing so, we endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:10). Our imitation of Christ will point people to him who alone can save. Let us also imitate His love....

Threshing Floor: Have You Purchased YOURS...

2011-04-16T22:37:00.001-04:00

As I was reading a post from Apostle Theresa Harvard Johnson on Scribal Anointing Literary Network called "It WILL Cost you!" there was mention about David purchasing a threshing floor (1 Chronicles 21). This immediately drew my attention to the significance of the threshing floor. This is a place that I truly believe everyone needs to purchase for themselves! Atleast those who desire to walk in the Spirit and become the pure instruments of God! This is a dying process to "self" and it is a place that will cost you! It will cost you more than just something - it will cost you EVERYTHING! In this place of threshing there is pain because its a tearing of the flesh, but its also a place of blessings and power!

I came across this article and it was everything I wanted to say but couldn't find the words. Therefore I have linked it (Threshing Floor). Please take the moment and read it! It is so significant in living a life of purity, consecration and holiness and becoming a remnant that walks in the power thereof!!

Also I highly recommend that you click on the link provided above and read the post "It WILL Cost You" so you can have a greater understanding of the cost! I was so blessed by it and want to pass that blessing on to you! Warning: It's a hard teaching that will cause you to re-examine yourself but its one that will add to your growth in the LORD!!

God bless you Beloved.....

Raising Up The Elijah's

2011-04-16T15:35:00.003-04:00

On April 5, 20011 at 7:58pm the Lord spoke the following to me during prayer and intercession:

"I am raising up the Elijah's. I am pouring the anointing of Elijah upon you. Cry Aloud & Spare not."

Honestly, I didn't know what to make of this. I did some more reading about Elijah and I recorded what the Lord had spoken and closed the book.

People of God, there is this stirring in my spirit that I cannot contain. Please bare with me as I try to explain what the Lord has been speaking to me about in this hour.

I have found myself with a burden that has weighed heavily in my heart and spirit. Lately, the Lord has been placing a cry of intercession for the people of this nation and for the people that are called His. There is this call to "holiness" in preparation of His Coming! I literally can hear and feel the heart of the Father's cry for the sin that has saturated the people. Oh my Lord, people the sins that the Father has ministered to me about is overwhelming. What He desires for me to expose in writing is of taboo for many to speak about especially within the church: sexual immorality amongst other things. -(click link).

Even as I am writing this, my heart is filled with mourning. It is not of my own, but His. Many have become enslaved again by sin and have justified their weaknessess as a means for God to show His Glory. ""Grace, grace" they proclaim. God is merciful. Surely, He understands our human weaknessess." Deception of who God is, is spreading and diminishing His Holiness, His role as Judge and for whom He is coming for. Holy fear no longer resides in the hearts of the people. They have approached Him and His Word, passively. Where God has made His commands known with conditions: "when" and "then" the people have interjected with a "But". Too many excuses are being offered for the lack of mastering our sins (Romans 6:12,14; 7:4,6;8:12).

People of God, I am not speaking from a place where God has not dealt with me personally. He has exposed the filth that were hidding in the deep crevices of my heart. In this season, He has set me in His furnace in which my flesh has been burning up for weeks now. It has been uncomfortable and painful to say the least. I never would have imagined these sins were lurking. My cry is "Lord Clean Me"!

Through the process of purging and cleansing comes the ability to hear and walk in the Spirit! My being have become so sensitive to Him, that I cannot contain myself. The intensity of His words when He speaks causes me to tremble and travail. There are times that I think myself crazy because of what I feel inside. What He causes me to see, hear and speak are not easily accepted or embraced by others. His command to "cry aloud and spare not" resounds in my spirit whenever I contemplate on pleasing man. Therefore I cannot despite the rejection I may endure of many.

"O son of man, I HAVE SET THEE A WATCHMAN unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me... IF THOU DOST NOT SPEAK TO WARN THE WICKED from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND... IF THOU WARN THE WICKED of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but THOU HAST DELIVERED THY SOUL..." - Ezekiel 33:7-15

Others will define what is being said in this hour by those, who like myself are being raised to be the Elijah's of this generation as judgmental and possessing a critical spirit. To those I say judge not but test all things (1 Thess. 5:21). There is a difference between being judgmental and sounding the trumpet to warn the people of danger as watchmen on the wall (Isaiah 58:1). It is not to harm or destroy but to bring those who have erred and strayed from the truth by deception back to the ways of God (scriptures of correcting a brother/sister). For He is coming for a Bride: A holy, spotless, and umblemished one (Eph. 5:27)!

Truly in this hour the Lord is raising a generation of Elijah's. The word of the Lord that I recorded and closed in my book has now been opened as today I received a confirmation from the Lord through a friend. This is what she wrote:

"These are the days of Elijah!! These days. today. Where are the Elijahs who speak out with holy boldness without fear in the face of great wickedness. They are being groomed in God's furnace and altar. Coming forth as a mighty weapon. Transformed by the hand of God. Arise o Elijah generation! The church needs you and the earth awaits you." ~Sharilee R.

Immediately this scripture came to mind: "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God"~Romans 8:19 - The Revealing of the Elijah's! ~ Cry Aloud & Spare Not! (Lexicon link)

Elijah Story from Elijah on Vimeo.

A People Set Apart

2011-04-13T12:56:00.002-04:00

Beloved Saints, I wanted to share this article that I came across on my facebook page:

Romans 12:2 (King James Version)

²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Parasha: Acharei Mot "A People Set Apart"

by Torah Portions on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 9:43am

Acharei Mot - אחרי מות : "After the death"
Torah : Leviticus 16:1-18:30
Haftarah : Ezekiel 22:1-19
Gospel : John 7:1-52

Thought for the Week

In Leviticus 18, the Lord warns the Israelites, "You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes." (Leviticus 18:3) We are not to imitate the ways of the Egyptians. This means that we are not to turn back to the evil ways of our past. He tells them not to do as the Canaanites do. This means that we are not to allow ourselves to be seduced by new temptations.

Commentary

The Torah this week warns us against the sexual deviancies of the larger culture. We are to be easily distinguishable from the secular/pagan context around us, and one of the most obvious ways in which we are to be different is in the area of sexuality.

The way we express our sexuality should draw a clean line of distinction between us and the rest of the world. As believers, we are still in the midst of the modern equivalent of Egyptians and Canaanites. Modern society is obsessed with sensuality. Fed by the media, advertising images, fashion industry and entertainment industry, the appetite for sexual display and deviance grows ever hungrier and more twisted. Free access to pornography, whether through internet, television or print, has seared the conscience and sensibility of our culture. Immodest dress is the standard wardrobe for men and women even within churches and liberal synagogues.

Believers are supposed to look different. According to the Bible's standards, it should be fairly obvious whether a person is one of faith or not simply on the basis of the way they dress and conduct themselves.

In the First Century, sexual immorality was intrinsically connected to the popular worship systems. Devotees to the gods followed their sexual exploits and imitated their base behavior in temple rituals which incorporated sanctified prostitution. Roman culture, for all its austere talk of moderation, was one of perversity, indulgence and depredation. In the midst of the sexually charged atmosphere of the First Century, the believers stood out as a people quite set apart.

Unfortunately, believers within our modern Egypt and Canaan have adopted the dress and behavior of the sexually depraved culture around us. This has created an unbearable contradiction. We dress our women like Canaanite women and tell our men not lust. We send our children on dates, little practice-run love affairs, and tell them to remain pure. We tell our singles that it is all right to kiss and touch here but not there, and the arbitrary lines keep moving. It's not kosher. We attend sensual movies and tell ourselves to close our eyes in the naughty bits, but we are peeking. We enjoy an endless supply of drama and comedy premised upon sexual deviancy. We shake our heads at the immoral culture around us, but we are voyeurs feeding off of it. It is self-defeating and psychologically harmful to simultaneously feed the wayward desire of the flesh and fight against it. We have lost the fight before we have begun.

God's solution is a total break from this culture. We are to be completely different. We should look different, act different and be different. That is the meaning of holiness.

Wages of Sin is DEATH

2011-04-09T13:28:00.001-04:00

As I was drawn into the presence of the Lord in travail for sins of this world, I can hear the heart of the Father cry "Their sins are great, Their sins are great".....His cry was not only for those who do not know Him, but for those who call themselves sons & daughters. People of God, please hear the cry of the Father in this hour. He desires that none shall perish, but there is a great deception amongst His flock.

We cannot live according to our ways and expect to please God in all we say or do. Despite the messages coming forth from the pulpits that He is a loving God who forgives, there is also a Just God, A Holy God a God WHO is a Consuming Fire (Heb. 12:29)

The "church" has been operating against the design of God. He never intended for us to compete against one another, to envy the gifts of others, to slander or gossip about others, to be divided in doctrine or denominations - we were not suppose to blend in with the world. We were not to be subjected again to a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1) The desire to be greater in the Kingdom has led us astray from our call to "servanthood" - the very example Jesus gave us to exemplify to others.

James 4

Submit Yourselves to God

¹ What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
⁴ You adulterous people,^[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^[b]? ⁶ But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”^[c]
⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister^[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. ¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Romans 6:16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Beloved sons and daughters, we are drawing near to the coming of our Lord. Therefore let us live these days according to His design and purpose for our lives. Let us come to a place where all we do is thirst and follow after righteousness. Let us present ourselves as holy servants of God. Abandoning ourselves to the Lord who has called us out from death so that we may live for and through Him.

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? ~ 1Corinthians 6:9a

I pray that you hear what the Spirit is saying. That you are able to hear the heart of the Father in this piece:

Beloved...

Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand,

THIS the Lord demands.

For the wages of sin is death

It will cost you your last breath.

Take hold of what the Spirit says and turn from your wicked ways.

For the Kingdom of God is drawing near,

Present yourselves in holy fear.

"I am a Holy God; A consuming Fire who judgment is just.

For those who enter MY Kingdom,

Repentance and Holiness is a must.

Therefore, do not delay

Repent from your sins and your human ways

For those who hearken to my call

Will arise and stand to inherit ALL."

"For the wages of sin is death" ~ Romans 6:23

Proverbs 11:19 The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.

Matthew 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

You Are Cordially Invited:

2011-04-06T18:15:00.000-04:00

The Anticipation of The Bridegroom
by M. Rodriguez

His eyes look to and fro envisioning her beauty as he patiently waits for his bride at the altar. This glorious day has finally arrived; a day that has been marked in his heart from the moment he beheld her beauty.

Behold the moment has come! The music fills the sanctuary and excitement builds all across the pews as others stand in her honor awaiting her entrance. The beautiful gate has opened to reveal the “Bride” adorned with purity. Radiance transcends through her veil, illuminating the heart of the bridegroom. As she enters, her white and spotless gown gracefully flows as she walks along the aisle covered with rose petals; a sweet fragrance that captivates those gazing upon her splendor.

The bridegroom beholds her beauty once again just as he saw her the very first time and their eyes interlocked. As she approaches the altar in all her royal glory the bridegroom extends his hands toward her in admiration. The bride lengthens her reach and takes hold of him. Face to face, shoulder to shoulder and toe to toe they stand across from one another. An oath of love declared “I am my Beloved, and my Beloved is mine”. Their breath has become one as they embraced their union in marriage.

Joy fills the air as the witnesses rejoice and prepare to feast at the wedding table in their honor. At the banquet the bridegroom lifted his glass to esteem his bride “Whatever your request, may it be granted to you; whatever you want, up to half the kingdom, it will be done.” His devotion enthralled the bride and she wept with gladness. An overflowing joy swept through her soul for she spent years of preparation for this day and now it has come to pass as promised.

Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and triumph and give Him the glory; for the time for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready."

Ephesians 5:27 that He might present the Church to Himself a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and unblemished.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Hosea 2:19 And I will take you as my bride for ever; truly, I will take you as my bride in righteousness and in right judging, in love and in mercies.

Read Esther 2 & 5; The parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt.22:1), The Ten Wedding Guests (Matt. 25:1); The Great Banquet (Luke 14:15)

Will you be attending? ARE YOU READY?

Concerning Spiritual Elevation by Apostle Theresa Harvard Johnson

2011-04-06T18:01:00.001-04:00

Scribal Anointing Literary Network
"CONCERNING SPIRITUAL ELEVATION"

Father has taught me that spiritual elevation isn’t a “thing,” it is a process. It is a STATE of going from one level of maturity in the things of God into the next. Unfortunately, in our westernized, Christian culture the phrase “spiritual elevation” generally walks hand-in-hand with ordinations and licensing in ministry. It walks hand-in-hand with the lust for titles and power when in truth, this type of thinking -- outside of wisdom -- can cause and has caused many of God's people to become “targets for the enemy” when they are placed upon the shoulders of people ill-equipped to walk fitly in them.

In truth, people of God, spiritual elevation is a place of rising above where you are into a place of greater experience, wisdom, knowledge and understanding in the things of God -- an all the others things follow the elevation. It is a place of constant death to the ways of childhood and a process of being catapulted into a place of assured and proven maturity.

We must see spiritual elevation BEYOND the “stuff” that is often associated with it.

The understanding of spiritual elevation (which is a sound biblical concept) can best be taught by looking at what it takes to rise in military ranks in the natural. You see, we are often referred to in the scriptures as being a part of “Adonai’s Army” or the “Army of the Lord.”

No one enters service in the military as a five-star General – without any formal training; tedious and challenging exercises; practical experience; an understanding of tactical and strategic warfare; tests and trials; or even understanding order and protocol. Jesus himself is said to have been taught. EVEN IN THE MILITARY, there are people OVER YOU that help you rise and watch your progress. (So many forget this... as it is also true in the body of our Lord.)

Hebrews 5:7-9 says, “7 During Yeshua's life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness. 8 Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. 9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, 10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”

Spiritual elevation is rooted in the process of moving from MILK to SOLID FOOD? From one position of GLORY to the next position of GLORY? Giving solid food to a child who is only able to drink milk is not wise. So is it in the realm of the Spirit! That child must grow to learn how to move from drinking to chewing... and that child's system must learn how to digest the heavier, weightier food...

Some people love their "milk-position" and get stuck there...

It is a terrible thing to become unteachable – entering a place of rejecting wisdom and wise counsel. The bible calls such people FOOLS. Proverbs 23:9 says, “Don't speak in the ears of a fool, for he will only despise the common sense in your words.” People of God, we are even commanded to LEAVE FOOLS ALONE… and leave them to their own twisted thought processes.

When true ELEVATION COMES – which is spiritual growth and maturity – you will exemplify the lifestyle and characteristics of Christ. In the military in the natural, there is certain criteria that one must go through to move up in the ranks. It’s no different in the realm of the Spirit. This is why MENTORSHIP, SHEPHERDING & GODLY COUNSEL are so critical to our lives. Can you imagine the condition of children raised outside of the bounds of godly parenting? YES YOU CAN! We see the results of it every day when we turn on our television or walk down the street.

This pattern in the realm of the spirit still exists in the midst of parenting (in the spirit and in the natural) and in shepherding (church headship & Godly mentorship). In addition, we never – EVER – lose or devalue Father’s place of headship in our lives. That doesn’t disappear in the lives of those who may be called to be imparted into by others.

The true test of spiritual elevation can be found throughout the scriptures! While these aren’t the only places to find out what maturity looks like, these are a good place to start:

■Examine the Fruit of the Spirit – particularly love, patience, self-control, etc. (Galatians 5:22)
■Examine Christian Conduct & Response (Hebrews 5)
■Examine the Qualifications for a Congregational Leader (1 Timothy 3)
■Examine the respect/order for Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12)
■Examine how we are to act/respond amongst one another (1 Corinthians 3)

This list is endless. Moving from milk to meat is not just about teaching from REVELATION. People of God, it is about walking in the WISDOM OF GOD, the UNDERSTANDING OF GOD and the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD… and rightly applying that knowledge to one’s life and ministry.

Personally, I’d rather serve under a man of wisdom whom no one knows; than the man who seeks the approval and recognition of men. TRUE SPIRITUAL ELEVATION, moves you up in the RANKS without YOU doing anything at all to draw attention to yourself. People RECOGNIZE LEADERS… and announce their coming without that leader saying a single word.

Spiritual elevation IS MOVING INTO MATURIT – not by your own will or man’s design – but by God as you walk in obedience and learning as Christ did. With every place of spiritual elevation THERE IS A COST, A PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID to get there. For every place of elevation there is a DIFFERENT test. Don’t be deceived in this hour about what spiritual elevation really is...

1 Corinthians 3:13 says this: But each one's work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire - the fire will test the quality of each one's work.

YOUR WORK will be REVEALED BY FIRE.... and that FIRE WILL TEST THE QUALITY OF EACH ONE'S WORK.

What is the FIRE revealing about YOUR WORK? HAS ITS QUALITY BEEN TESTED?

Look at the lives of the apostles and prophets... the patriarchs and matriarchs. They were constantly tested. They began on milk and were walked into the maturity and the gifting of their callings as they lived out the process of death. Moving in the gifts, acknowledging the gifts or even walking in the gifts – whatever they may be – are not enough people of God. There must be MATURITY AND FULLNESS in the midst of them….

Hour of Power! Be Encouraged!

2011-04-06T16:51:00.002-04:00

What a glorious time this is for the "church"! As the Lord is calling us forth in holiness in preparation of His coming, there is a release of His power unto those who will answer the call!

For it is not by our power or might but the Spirit of the Lord (Zech. 4:6) that through US, we will walk in the greater works in this hour! Do you believe this? YES Glory!!!! Hallelujah!

Yes Lord!!

The Hour Has Come!

2011-04-06T15:14:00.002-04:00

What is this trumpet sound I hear?

Is the Son of God drawing near?

Could it be the hour man have spoken?

Oh Jesus! We’re not ready - the church is broken.

In ruins we lie!

Why?

We refused “the flesh” to die!

Therefore our garments are stained

Do we have time to iron the wrinkles and blemishes that remains?

The hour has come!

The Coming of Jesus Christ, His Son!

Riding on His white horse with glory & power

This day no one knew, nor the hour.

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! They cry and shout…

“I do not know thee, now depart!”

But Lord, I have preached your word,

Have you not heard?

Sunday after Sunday

Your people I served!

“These people you have scattered in deceit.

Who along with you, remains asleep!

Instead I’ve come to gather MY sheep!

The hour has come for the righteous.

Have YOU not heard?

The Groom comes for the Bride who’s washed and spotless!” ~ Maggie Rodriguez

Keeping our garments clean is an individual responsibility as well as collectively as the "church". As we are all members, each of us has a function and responsibility in the "Body."

It is written: "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ~ Romans 12:4-5 (emphasis added)

"..But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. ~ 1Cor.12: 24-26 (emphasis added)

Those in spiritual leadership positions are particularly called to a higher standard of accountability and judgment according to James 3:1. For to whom much is given, much is required (Lk. 12:48)

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” ~ Ephesians 4:11-12 (emphasis added)

In Jeremiah 23, Ezekiel 34 and Matthew 23-24 you find countless warnings of those who lead in deception or hypocrisy. “For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness" (Jer. 23: 9-11).

Just the same, the believers (laymen) have a responsibility to pray for their leaders as commanded in 1 Tim. 2:1-2 and not excuse their immoral behavior, false doctrines, and watered-down messages. Warn them as a brother/sister (2 Thess. 3:15), show them their fault (Matt. 18:15) and restore him gently (Gal. 6:1) Its not to say that leaders cannot or will not fall, but if they do wander from the truth it is the responsibility of the “church” to bring his brother/sister back (James 5:19). For they too are subject to weakness (Heb. 5:2)

There should be an equal concern for one another’s spiritual condition. For as if one member of the church suffers because of un-confessed sins, the body suffers as a whole. But when they confess to one another and pray (upholding one another) there is healing and restoration within the Body. (James 5:16)

Let us take heed that the Lord is coming for A Bride whose garment is without wrinkles or blemishes. Let us present ourselves as such (Eph. 5:27).

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” ~ Romans 13:11-12
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Where are the Praying People?

2011-04-05T04:22:00.001-04:00

Have you ever entered into a prayer meeting to find all the seats occupied? I don't think anyone has ever had trouble finding a seat on those nights! Unfortunately, many are persuaded to stay home and quote "be there" in spirit or so they say.

Prayer is more than just making our requests known to the Lord, but it is a tool accompanied with the Word of God that transforms into a spiritual weapon along with praise!

It is in prayer where we stand proclaiming, decreeing and breaking strongholds that continue to bound us individually and collectively as the church! Intercessory prayers demolishes the plots of the enemy and it builds the kingdom of God. For what we bind on earth is bound in Heaven and what is bind in Heaven is bound on earth! It is in our position of obedience to pettition, intercede and travail on behalf of a people and nation that our influence penetrates the kingdom of darkness. This authority and privilege is ours as believers in Christ to take hold of and subdue and conquer territories for God!

"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Prayer will cause God to move through us to release heaven on earth! His desire is that none shall perish. Therefore, our prayers are a license for God to come and manifest His will upon the people and land.

So then, where are the praying people? Our meetings should be a full-house! Instead they are empty. Then we wonder why we live powerless lives, our churches are powerless and we continue to be bound in sin and troubles continue to follow us!

Prayer doesn't only change things; it changes EVERYTHING!

There is a great need in these days if you haven't noticed. Marriages are ending in divorce, families are divided, our children are lost, there is an identity crisis: men want to be women and women want to be men! The churches are in ruins with division, false doctrines amongst other things! Wars, earthquakes and famine are becoming the norm. Heart have waxed cold: everyone looking out for only themselves! The world is going to hell as we know it, yet our prayer meetings are empty!

Let us awaken from our slumber to think that it is enough to pray on our own just before we go to bed and when we arise. In the book of Acts they ALL gathered together in the upper room and prayed:

"They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus." ~Acts 1:14

And we all know what happened next! Read Acts 2! People we need to march on our knees and seek God for a revival within us, the church and the nation but who will press in and seek the Lord as such? Will you? If so, make it a priority to attend your prayer meetings with a heart of expectation that all that you ask according to His will, He will give to you! Praise the Lord for His promises!! Glory be to His Name!!

Revere The Lord, Your God!

2011-04-05T02:44:00.003-04:00

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. ~Hebrews 12:28-29

What is reverence? Reverence is a feeling of deep respect, love, awe and esteem. Because of His majesty and holiness, God arouses a feeling of reverence in those who worship and serve Him. (Nelson’s Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible)

Through out the bible, there are many instances in which the people bowed down before the Lord as they came before His Presence. Their encounter caused them to fall prostrated whether they were seeking healing, in thanksgiving or in worship. Most of those who came seeking and bowing didn’t know Him, but heard of His power and their need produced faith; faith that brought freedom and healing. They arose with awe of His love, goodness and power causing them to praise His Holy Name. They went forth boasting of the One who delivered them from their afflictions, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. In the atmosphere of His presence there was a sense of awe of His Majesty!

Oh God! We have lost that sense of awe! Somewhere, somehow along the way we have forgotten His Majesty. Long ago, when we first encountered Him through our desperateness and brokenness, we found Him. He embraced us, forgave us, transformed us and we tasted His goodness. Oh how we sang His praises unto all who lent their ear!

But then, somehow we entangled ourselves with the routine of living a Christian life and we lost our awe. Our once fiery and passionate love slowly dissipated and our affections turned away from Him.

Our devotion now consists of attending weekly services, occasionally attending bible studies and rarely attending prayer meetings. We have become content and passive in our service to the Lord. (“This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me" ~Mt. 15:8).

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever--holy and awesome is his name. ~ Ps. 111:9

Is it NOT enough the salvation we received to keep us in that place of awe and reverence? The sacrificial love that He offered to each of us deserves a continual flow of gratitude, love, awe and esteem.

My heart grieves when I enter the sanctuary and I see the people talking amongst one another, sitting nonchalantly, and even sleeping while others are worshipping the Lord! The children are running, people are coming and going. There is no respect for the house of the Lord and neither reverence for His Presence. And these are the very ones that will sit and complain that they didn’t feel His Presence in the service. Yet they did not position themselves to seek Him and distracted others that did!

Please people of God, teach your children to revere Him as well, if they are too small and are crying then take them to the nursery until they are calmed. If you are sleepy, then stand! It's hard to fall asleep while standing and if you do, well atleast you be on your face prostrated! If someone approaches you to discuss something that is not important, ask them kindly to speak to you afterwards! Give God your full attention despite if you don't "feel" Him! He is worthy of such!

I wonder if Jesus was physically present with us, if He was sitting by our side, would we still be sitting, talking or sleeping or would we fall flat on our face.

"The first element in worship is adoration. The Hebrews expressed this by their posture and not alone by their word. For they prostrated themselves before God. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker (Ps. 95:6). They did not come with an easy familiarity into the presence of God, but were aware of his greatness and majesty, and came with a sense of privilege to His house." H.H. Rowley "Worship in Ancient Israel"

We serve a Holy and Sovereign God! And He deserves ALL of our heart. A heart filled with love, passion and holy reverence not only for the great things He has done in and through our lives. But for Who HE is! He is God! We have been privileged to come boldly before His Throne. Therefore let us do so in holiness, reverence and awe …lifting holy hands, rendering our hearts and bowing before Him as the King He is….

““Great and marvelous are your deeds,

Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways,

King of the ages.

Who will not fear you, O Lord,

and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

~ Revelations 15:3-4

Article for further reading on Reverence Toward God

A Call to Holiness

2011-04-02T03:47:00.006-04:00

Be Holy For I Am Holy

The Lord commanded us to be holy as He is holy, to be "holy in every aspect of (our) conduct" (see 1 Pt 1:15-16). Holiness is the very character of God, and our heavenly Father wants His children to act and look like Him. We are called to be a "holy nation" (1 Pt 2:9), and the Lord is coming back a final time for a holy Church, "holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27). Without holiness, we cannot go to heaven and see God (Heb 12:14).

This call demands a response. It is a decision that will determine whether you see God in heaven or spend eternity in hell. This is not an opinion but its the word of God.

Holiness has been neglected to be preached in today's pulpit. Why? Because it does not appease the flesh. Its a message that brings conviction if it were spoken to a people who "do" church instead of "being" the church!

People of God I implore you that you seek the word for yourself and allow it to minister to you. Hear what the Spirit is saying and embrace the wisdom and revelation He desires to impart to you in regards to living in holiness. If we say we are God's children and He dwells within us, then we must cleanse and purify our temples daily for a Holy God cannot abide in a place that is defiled and in darkness!!

I have heard the clarion call to holiness and I have purposed myself to submit before the Lord as well as to sound the trumpet as He has called me to do in this hour.

Therefore, if you find yourself living a powerless life and ministry I beseech you to examine yourselves. Allow the Lord to confront you with what is hindering you to walk in the resurrection power. It could be that you have yet to lay your flesh down. This may be a hard pill to swallow, but it is one that I myself had to push down my throat!

I pray that you receive this message in the Love of Christ in which I offer to you today.