Five-Fold Today - The Seal of Apostleship: Planting Churches? - One Nature: The Old Man is Dead - Yom Kippur Word - Keepers of High Places--A Global Call - Cain's Faith? - Appearing In Glory - Victory - Concerning the American Presidential Election - Restoration - Global Sorrow - Fear not My Government - The Small and the Great - Burdens

October 11, 2000

The Seal of Apostleship - Planting Churches?
by Lloyd Phillips......

I have enjoyed the current interest and discussions continually being brought up on the current apostolic movement. I feel that it is a healthy and needed part of being wise and learning during the current transitional stages we are going through. Certainly we are all interested in watching for false ministries functioning in order to avoid problems and the associated hurt to people. I believe what is most needed currently is a clear understanding of what a true apostle is so that we can have a plumb-line to measure any who are being titled as apostles. The best thing that we can do to be discerning of the false apostolic movement, I would think, would be to have a clear familiarity with the true apostolic. When federal agents are being trained to look for counterfeit bills, I believe that most of their training is spent in learning what the genuine money looks like.

I would think that we could all agree that the scripture is and will be our standard for measuring what an apostle is and does. While a twenty first century apostle will not be functioning in the same fashion as a first century apostle did, they will still be after the same end that being - laboring until Christ is formed in the Church. How that is accomplished in this time and season will require the apostolic ministers of today to manifest Christ to the Church through their lives and acts until the Church is mature in Him.

One issue which I continually hear as proof of apostleship is that of church planting. Basically every book that I've read on the subject states this as the evidence and uses 1 Cor 9:1&2 as the proof text.

1 Cor 9:1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

I believe that understanding what the seal of true apostleship is will be a key issue, and yet I do not find the belief that church planting is the seal is strongly scriptural. Scripture should, of course be our basis of understanding apostleship. I would like to submit that the seal of apostleship is not planting a church, or churches at all, but that the seal of apostleship that Paul was referring to is that of establishing churches, which is significantly different.

Let me explain why I believe this. I think that we can safely say that the first church in the book of Acts, the Jerusalem church, was planted by the Lord Jesus Himself. He ascended on high, and left his church behind under the care of the apostles who were responsible to lead and care for that church and the new believers that were added. It was entrusted to them by the Lord to raise up, equip and send out the saints in accordance with the Lord's personal instructions. This process is not simply a planting process, but an establishing process.

The second church which was planted was the church in Samaria. It is very clear in Acts 8 that "Philip went down to Samaria". Philip was not an apostle at all, but was an evangelist. And he evangelized the city, bringing the good news, casting out demons, working miracles and baptizing in the name of Jesus. In short, Philip clearly planted the work in Samaria. The apostles were brought in to minister the Holy Spirit, and take care of other issues and Philip went on to other things. Very evidently from the scripture Philip planted the church and the apostles established the church.

Next we see the church in Antioch. This church also was Not planted by apostles. It was planted by ordinary believers.

Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

The Antioch church was also within the pattern that we are seeing. The church was planted, the apostles took note and showed a concern for the work which was planted. In this case a prophet was sent from Jerusalem under the authority of the apostles. His name was Barnabas. After assessing the needs in the Antioch church he in turn went to Tarsus for Paul who was at this time functioning primarily as a teacher. In the Antioch church the apostles had no direct involvement in the planting, and only indirectly at first with the establishing of the church. The church, in fact, under instructions of the Holy Spirit, commissioned Barnabas and Paul as apostles and sent them out from the church.

Now it is clear in scripture that the apostle Paul did go on to both plant and establish numerous churches. But was the planting of churches an apostolic sign for Paul, but not for Philip and others? One scripture which seems to give credence to the "apostles plant" doctrine is 1 Cor 3:6

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

In this situation the apostle Paul was writing to the Church in Corinth which he did plant along with others. But he also continued the relationship to see that they were established in Christ. The church in Ephesus is considered by nearly every bible and history scholar as Paul's greatest achievement. Yet had he written the same line to the church in Ephesus it would have to read - "Apollos planted, I watered, but God gave the increase" . It was Apollos, not Paul who planted the work in Ephesus, yet it was Paul who established the saints in Ephesus, not Apollos.

When Apollos came to Ephesus he was primarily functioning as an evangelistic teacher (Acts 18:25,26). Yet he was able to leave behind a small group of disciples for Paul to find, instruct and raise up. In short Apollos planted, but Paul established the church (Acts 18:24-19:1ff).

There are other examples which I might refer to, but my purpose is not to attempt to be exhaustive, simply to generate thought and discussion on the subject of the seal of apostleship. However, there is one other example that I think would be good to reference in order to see Paul's own words in relation to yet another church which he was highly interested in influencing as an apostle of Christ. That being the Church in Rome.

Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, (I.E. his apostleship, vs 1) so that you may be established;

The church in Rome, again as we have already seen, was not known to be planted by apostles at all. Yet Paul had a deep burning desire as an apostle of Christ to see that they as a church would be established. As we have seen with the examples in Samaria, Antioch, Ephesus and Rome, it is not the proof of apostleship at all to plant a church. In fact I would submit that any of the five-fold ministers may plant a church, and in some cases simply believers moved by the Holy Spirit will plant churches in Jesus name. If the seal of apostleship is that of planting churches, than all biblical apostles would need to have this seal, yet this is not the case. One major example to the contrary is the Lord's brother, the apostle James. In current literature James is often referred to as the pastor of the Jerusalem church, yet it is never stated in scripture that he was a pastor, nor is it even implied. In fact he is always referred to as an apostle. He was called by Paul a pillar of the church (Gal 2:9) and he may have included James among the chiefest, most eminent or super-apostles when he wrote to the Corinthian church (2 Cor 12:11). At any rate, it would be unlikely that the early church would have considered James an apostle if he did not have the seal of apostleship upon his ministry. If planting churches is the seal, than James would have been a failure at best, a false apostle at worst. Yet James was known to have been closely involved in the establishing of the church in Jerusalem and by delegation perhaps others. This would then mean that James as an apostle with the seal of an established church is also an example which we may use today to distinguish a functioning apostolic ministry from one which might be a functioning ministry, but perhaps not that of an apostle. I would submit that the clarification of the what the true biblical standard for the seal of apostleship is will help us keep from error, and hopefully release the Lord's true apostolic anointing to a greater extent.

Blessings, Lloyd

Lloyd C. Phillips, Director
The Fellow Laborer's International Network (FLInt Net)
flintnet@flintnet.org
http://www.flintnet.org

ONE NATURE - THE OLD MAN IS DEAD
(Excerpt from the book by Ken Durden, "The House of His Glory")
By Ken Durden

One Nature At A Time

I Cor. 15:22 "For just as [because of union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive." (Amplified)

There is a common misconception and erroneous mindset that has been propagated within the Christian community. It is the notion that we, as believers, have two natures within us, the new creation, in Christ, and the old Man, in Adam. However, this concept and error goes against even nature itself. If in fact we, as believers, after being born again through the blood of Jesus, can have the nature of Adam still residing within us, what then prevents us from having the nature of Jesus within us, along with the nature of Adam, prior to being born again. Prior to being born again we have one nature, the nature of Adam. Upon being born again we have one nature, the nature of Jesus. Of what effect is the cross if the old nature continues to exist after partaking of His divine nature (II Peter 1:4)?

This particular error comes into play as we try to reason through and determine the cause of sinful actions that we might engage in after becoming a new creation in Christ. However, a dual nature is not the reason for such actions. It is an unrenewed soul (mind, will and emotions), not a duality of natures (spirit), that is the problem (Rom. 12:1-1)! We have only one nature at a time, either the nature of THE Christ or the nature of ANTI-Christ (Adam). When we are born, we are born into death, into Adam the rebellious one. When we are born again, we are born into life, into Jesus Christ the righteous one.

Doing good deeds, while dead in Adam, does not mean that we have two natures, Adam the bad and Jesus the good. Prior to being born again of the incorruptible seed, we are DEAD, regardless of what "good deeds" we might perform. Doing good deeds, while dead in sin - Adam - is a function of the soul (mind, will and emotions) and has nothing to do with the fact that our spirit man is still dead. Conversely, when we are alive in Christ, the fact that "sinful deeds" are performed does not mean that Adam continues to live and coexist with Christ. Acts of sin, once we are born again, are against our nature (the divine nature of Christ), just as good deeds are against the nature of Adam. This is why performing good deeds, regardless of the wonderful results or how much they "help" individuals, cannot facilitate or appropriate good standing with God. Our nature must be changed, from Adam the rebellious to Jesus the righteous.

We have one nature at a time, and that nature is either born of Adam or born again of Jesus. It is our unrenewed mind, will and emotions, the realm of the soul, that must be dealt with and matured (Rom. 12:2). II Peter 1:4 says plainly that we have been made partakers of His divine nature. The Amplified version of I Cor. 15:22 makes it clear that union with the nature of Adam is death and union with the nature of Jesus is life. We are either dead or alive, in Adam or in Christ, partakers of the depraved nature of Adam or partakers of the divine nature of Jesus.

The Old Man Is Dead

Rom 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (KJV)

II Cor. 5:17 "Therefore if any person is (engrafted) in Christ, the Messiah, he is (a new creature altogether,) a new creation; the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! (Amplified)

II Corinthians 5:17 points out that we have been engrafted in Christ, therefore, we are new creations. The old man has passed away. If the old man has passed away and is crucified, why after being born again, do we succumb to things that are against the nature of Christ? The answer is an unrenewed soul, which must be and will be renewed by His Word and His Word alone. Rom. 12:2 "And 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." (KJV)

The old saying, "Old habits die hard", seems to fit. Old habits, old memories, old thought patterns, old actions and reactions learned while dead in Adam, continue to plague the realm of our mind, will and emotions even after being born again. However, Romans 12:2 trumpets that fact that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This is why II Corinthians 10:4-5 plainly declares that we MUST cast down imaginations and every high thing that tries to usurp the rightful authority of God in the realm of our soul.

The Greek word translated renewing, in Romans 12:2, is anakainosis (Strong's Concordance 342) and means "to change for the better, renovation". Anakainosis comes from the root word anakainoo (Strong's Concordance 341) which means "to grow up". God's desire is for us to have our mind, will and emotions (soul) renewed, renovated and matured by His Word, in order that we might grow up in Him!

The old man is dead and we have one nature- His nature. Our mind is being renewed as we pull down imaginations and barriers in the realm of the soul. We are growing up in Him in order to be His house, reflecting His nature in the earth! The only nature that His house has is His nature!

KEN AND PAM DURDEN
Bridal Affections Ministry and
High Calling Fellowship Church
bridal@imagin.net

Yom Kippur Word

Priscilla Van Sutphin

My sheep are scattered on the high mountains, but I will raise up for them deliverers, and shepherds who will tend them like I would. I will no longer wink at greed and avarice in My leaders. I will no longer allow them to pretend that everything is OK. When I do what I am going to do, many will falsely assume it is the enemy, when over and over I have warned the church to repent, and to seek My face that I could heal them, so I could uncover their nakedness, so they would not suffer shame. I will arise with healing in My wings.

I AM that I AM. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.
I AM the Sovereign Lord, the Creator of all things and I will do
In LOVE what is necessary to restore My church. Do not balk at
My judgements for when judgement is in the earth, the people will
learn wisdom. All the earth will KNOW that I AM LORD!

Arise and thresh daughter of Zion, it is time to move out into the streets and proclaim your love for ME. Come My Bride and dance with Me, Listen to the Sounds of angels wings, and trumpets blowing, the sound of the drums. War in the heavens, come dance with Me on the streets of the cities, come and spend your love for me with abandonment. He who is ashamed is not worthy of Me. Dance as David danced. Sing as David sang. I will come down in these times and make a show of My love to you in front of all to see.

Is anything too hard for me? Raise your voices in prayer and see if I will not make good on all the promises I have made to you. LOOK, for your Husbandman draws near to His bride. I am coming soon.

Now I will arise! Now will I make Myself known. Now will I shake all that can be shaken. My fire will burn against all that has tried to destroy My vineyards and the slain of the Lord will be many.

Isaiah 2 : 5-8, NKJV
O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord. For You have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with eastern ways; They are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they are pleased with the children of foreigners.
Their land is also full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is also full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots .
Their land is full of IDOLS ; they worship the work of their own hands, That which their own fingers have made.

Thus will I change the order of things. In a moment they will lose everything unless they obey my leadings. The humble will I exalt and raise up. The haughty will be brought low. A new order will be established in My true church.

Prophesy son of man, prophesy the restoration of all things, prophesy to the four winds, that My order be established in the church of MY making. Prophesy that the knowledge of the Lord will fill the whole earth as the water covers the sea.

This feast of trumpets, a new trumpet will blow in the land and the days of restoration of all things will begin, what the canker worm has eaten will be restored. What the swarming locust has destroyed will be restored. My will WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven through the mouths of my apostles and prophets. I will separate the chaff from the wheat so do not look to judge one another, leave judgement to the JUDGE of heaven and earth. Minister to the hands that hang low, and the feeble knees.

I AM NOT a GOD of DESTRUCTION, but a God of RESTORATION!
Still my heart cannot linger at the cries of my loved ones, who need to know Me. Those who know my character will understand. I have commissioned you as a nation to GO! Not to sit and grow fat on the word. And because you have neglected this commission in every way, I will give it to the young and they will be my showbread, and those who have been faithful will be blessed beyond their imagination. Those whose hearts have yearned to go, will now receive what they need to fulfill their hearts' desires because I put that desire in their hearts.

Hold on dear ones, for the best is yet to come. Cry out in the night watches, For Your Redeemer draws nigh!
The arrogance of the wicked will be brought low. You will overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of your testimony. Listen ! Listen for the still small voice, multitudes in the Valley of Decision. How will they know Without a preacher? I will raise up the voices of those crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!" They will speak only what I have ordained, and it will be followed with My signs and wonders.

http://www.upstreamcalifornia.org
elihoenai999@aol.com

Keepers of High Places--A Global Call
By Judith Grobelny

In a series of visions, I have seen people emerging from the clouds that cover this earth, I have seen them running across the clouds, moving into the jetstream of God's purposes.

I have heard the drum beat, calling us into His purpose now as His end-time army.

Now, something further is beginning to emerge.

Last night as I read what the Lord had shown to one of His prophets, I saw men and women of God, clothed in white garments, walking on the high places and STANDING there.

Each one walked slowly and steadfastly, and each was totally equipped to STAND because they were clothed in white garments, purchased to clothe their spiritual nakedness; they had been willing to approach the fire and receive what the Lord has promised to those who will do so.

They had walked into the white-hot heart of the furnace, into the heart of God, where all that is not of Him had been consumed.

They were quiet, unassuming, and totally unafraid!

I saw a new breed of such that has not been seen on the earth before -- those covered now with the Lord's authority and righteousness, who will be a significant threat to the enemy and his plans.

These people are now walking towards their positions. They know who they are in the Lord and the authority He has placed upon their lives. Even as I saw it, He was telling me that they are the "Keepers of the High Places."

As prayer and intercession matures now, it is undergoing massive change, and those who hold to the old ways will miss this new authority which is not coming forth with many words or clever ways -- these are the ones who have "become prayer" and walk clothed in the garments of Christ, with His Spirit and His Character within them. Their very presence will be terrifying to the enemy.

"Why now?" I asked the Lord.

This morning I read in the prayer, prayed in synagogues on the Sabbath Eve, from the Song of Songs and it reads:

I adjure you, O nations who are destined to ascend to Jerusalem, when you see my Beloved on the future Day of Judgement, won't you tell Him that I bore all travails for love of Him?

In the NIV 5:8 Song of Songs reads:

O daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you - if you find my lover, what will you tell him? Tell Him I am faint with love.

In this great call that is now going out across the nations of the earth, as men and women are being called to something no longer local but GLOBAL, and are coming to STAND on the high places, could it be that the Lord is speaking to us of our true function, to stand as the ingrafted branches, and put the Lover of our Souls in remembrance of the one He has pursued with such great love that she faints with need of Him now, and has borne her travails for love of Him? There would be no better time than now to proclaim it from the high places, and to STAND with our faces towards the Lord our God, holding firm to HIS revelation and HIS promises.

jaygee@ihug.co.nz

Cain's Faith?

Deborah Voetberg

"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain..." Hebrews 11:4

Lately the Lord has opened my eyes to the relationships of Cain and Abel to the Lord. In Hebrews 11 we find the men and women of faith mentioned. None of them perfect, but called of God the heirs of the righteousness according to their faith. ( Hebrews 11:7 )

Somewhere in my years of walking with the Lord and sitting under many teachers of the word, I formed the opinion that Cain's sacrifice in Gen. 4:1-8 was not respected because it came from the ground that was cursed. Made sense, but not true. After the fall of man, the whole earth and every living thing in it came under the curse brought forth through sin. Yes, the ground was cursed, but so was the flock of Abel.

Abel tended sheep; Cain was a tiller of the ground. Yes the sheep represented the shedding of blood and the shadow of future sacrifices; But Cain did not tend sheep. He was a farmer, not a shepherd. What else was Cain to offer, but the fruit of his labor?

Hebrews 11:4 holds the key. Where was the faith of Cain? By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice. No faith is mentioned with the sacrifice of Cain. The rejection of Cain's offering had nothing to do with what was offered, but had everything to do with relationship and the motive of his heart. This should bring freedom to those of you looking for an acceptable sacrifice or offering to bring to the Lord. Hebrews 10:5-9 clearly states that sacrifice and offerings God does not desire or have pleasure in, but a body He prepares for us to do His will, just as He prepared a body for His Son to do His will. In all that we do, we must act out of relationship and obedience flowing through the love in our heart for our Lord, our Beloved. We bring Him pleasure through our faith that grows and unfolds out of a relationship with Him.

Abel had a relationship with the Lord. And in that relationship God had revealed to Abel what to bring to Him as an offering. With boldness, confidence and by faith, Abel offered to God his sacrifice. On the other hand Cain's relationship with God was not built on faith but on Cain's strength and ability.

The evidence is found in Gen. 4:5-7. " But He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." In the Hebrew translation it says 'God did not look' at Cain's offering. No acknowledgement! God's answer to Cain is in verses 6 & 7." So the Lord said to Cain, " Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, BUT you should rule over it."

Cain brought what he thought would be a good offering, an offering according to his opinion, not out of relationship with God built on faith. He knew that he did not do well and was brought under conviction. Sin laid at the door, God wanted the murder and pride in Cain's heart recognized and repented of, so that faith could come in and overcome evil.

A New Testament example is the Lord's response to Peter and his upcoming sifting. Luke 22:31 & 32." Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your FAITH should not fail; and when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren."

God had found pride & murder in Cain's heart. God challenged his motive. " If you do well, will you not be accepted?" Cain had available to him the faith to rule over the murder and pride. But we know he choose to let evil rule him. There was no FAITH to sustain him.

God is not interested in what you bring to Him in offerings and sacrifices, but in the motive of your heart. It's the rich and their gifts vs. the widow and her two mites. The Lord is allowing our hearts to be sifted to reveal what He cannot look at. His heart is to receive all that we offer and bring to Him.

Find freedom and liberty in the fact that whatever you bring to the altar, whether great or small, it's the motive behind the offering mixed with faith that draws the look and acceptance of our Lord.

Isaiah 66:1 & 2 "Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the Lord. " But on this one will I look; on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Great Grace!

Deborah Voetberg Women Of Influence www.judges5.com judges_5@msn.com

APPEARING IN GLORY By Mike Danforth

Luke 9:29 And as He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. Luke 9:30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, Luke 9:31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

Through prayer and worship the appearance of the church is being altered. There is a fashion in the church today that is not really God at all. But as the church enters into prayer and worship, her wardrobe is beginning to change. Her style is changing. Even now the apparel of ministry is taking on a new look. As Jesus was turned inside out, even his outward apparel was affected. The word, "fashion" refers to form, figure and shape. So let me say this, the church, is taking on a new form.

That is why we call it reformation. She is developing a new figure that is much more attractive than the old one. The world can not and will not, be able to help notice just how beautiful she really is. Through prayer and worship she is coming into perfect shape. And let me say, the greatest indicator of an apostolic leadership, are those who have given themselves to knowing God through prayer and fasting.

The alteration of Jesus' appearance revealed that He not only had glory, but that he was in glory. The word, "alter" means, to come to be or to generate. Jesus went from a place of them seeing Him generate glory, to glory generating Him.

The word, "generate" implies the ability to produce. Everywhere Jesus went He was producing life, and He was known as a life giver. But now for the first time he was being seen as someone not just having the power of life, but being as the very essence of life itself. As we pray and worship God we are generated by a desire and passion to draw even closer to God and the results are, a desirous and passionate generation. Our legacy will be, that we went from just having life, to becoming life.

Prayer and worship regenerate the cells in our spiritual makeup that were once broken down, unable to produce the life flow, necessary to sustain right relationship with Jesus Christ. It was a powerful thing when the glory of God became flesh and dwelt among us, but it was even more powerful when He went from being known as having resurrection power, to becoming the resurrected one.

The altered state of Jesus revealed his true origin of existence. It's the difference of seeing the glory in a man, verses the man in glory. When the glory of God is in us we see the Kingdom of God wrapped up in humanity, but when we are in the glory we see humanity wrapped up in the Kingdom of God. The real color in this picture, is revealed through position. To be in glory, among many things, implies a position of total rest. In other words, to be in glory, is to say, we're entering into the rest of God.

Jesus had always been in glory, but His glorious state had not been fully realized. The church has been producing many things, most of which we could probably do without. However, we are about to be turned inside out and the kingdom of God will be realized on earth, just as it is in heaven, like no other time in history.

Jesus said, "the Kingdom of God is within you," (Luke 17:21) Paul said, "through great tribulation we enter into the Kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22) So how can both be true? It's the difference of having the glory of God's Kingdom in us, versus us, entering into the Kingdom of God, thus taking on the actual attributes of His Kingdom.

Paul said, "we have the mind of Christ," (1Cor. 2:16) but transformation does not take place until we give up our way of thinking, for the mind of Christ. That is why Paul said, "we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. "(Romans 12:2) Therefore transformation, is the process, of taking on the characteristics of the most dominate force that is working on the inside of us.

Into one form or another, you and I are changing; the important question is, into who or what? What is the most driving force in your life? Make sure the dreams and goals in your life are all about some One, and not some thing.

It wasn't until Peter, John and James were fully awake that they saw Jesus in all His glory. Like a Snow White, the church is coming out of a deep sleep. She is being awakened by the kiss of life. She is about to see Him in all His glory, and when she does, she will love Him, just as she is loved.

Ps 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. How will we know when we are fully awake? Because we will see Him as He is, and we will be like Him.

Mike Danforth
MTIsound@cs.com
Mountain Top Ministries International Prayer Center
http://www.mtmprayercenter.com

Victory

Joyce Derrick

Threatened are mine with fear of failures of the pass. Afraid to go on because they feel they have failed Me. BUT I say, NO, you have not failed Me. The timing was not right and you were ill prepared. But yea, I say look to Me and lay those thoughts of failure at My feet. I am calling you out now to proceed in My power, with My authority. Do not hold back because of the past. Yea, children the Kingdom is yours, now. I am leading you into greater works. Don't stay in the stands or on the sideline when you hear the call. Follow My voice all the way to Me and victory. For in Me is life/victory. You must be victorious for others so they may hear the gospel of My Son, Jesus. The enemy is the deceiver and he whisper in your ears, "you are a failure, you have failed God and have no purpose. You might as well quit". Have you heard that whisper? Yea, tell that devil to get ye behind me satan. Tell him who you are! You are God's chosen, covered in the blood. You have been redeemed! Set free. You are NOT a failure, you are Mine, forever. Father.

cooljoyce@webtv.net

CONCERNING THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
---An exhortation from Chip Brogden

"I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto Me." Jeremiah 27:5

"...seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will." Daniel 4:25b

"John answered and said, 'A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.'" John 3:27

I watch and observe how the Body of Christ becomes exercised from time to time over events and happenings occurring within the kingdoms and governments of the earth. We are in such a time now as the American presidential elections are about to take place. I believe I am moved to speak to this situation and use it as an opportunity to bring the Church back to Christ.

To begin with, God is neither Republican nor Democrat. When I hear people talking about praying for "God's man" to be elected it strikes me that God only has One Man, and that is the Man Jesus Christ, Whom He has appointed the Heir of all things, including the kingdoms of this earth (Psalms 2, Hebrews 1). God does not and never has had "His man" in the White House, but has always established His Man in a place of far greater power and authority, seated at His own right hand in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 1).

The reality is that the Kingdom of His Dear Son is ever increasing and enlarging (Isaiah 9:6,7). Every earthly institution and government will one day be swallowed up into this kingdom that Christ may fill all in all.

The Lord desires all men to be saved and to come to the full-knowledge (epignosis) of TRUTH, that is, to see and know the Son as the Preeminent One and give Him the honor and glory due His Name. This means of course that any nation which fails to do so will be smashed as a clay pot.

Christ as All in All: this is the divine END to which God is moving. He is orchestrating events on earth to bring about this all- encompassing, all-consuming WILL of Christ as Lord, bringing the individual heart, then the Church, then the nations, then all of creation into subjection to His Dear Son. In some cases this will mean a building up and establishing of things invisible and unseen, and in some cases this will mean the destruction and removal of things which appear and are seen.

What is clear from Scripture is that God rules in the affairs of men. He sets one up and brings another down. He used a heathen king, Nebuchadnezzar, to accomplish His End for Israel. Nebuchadnezzar was forcibly reminded that it is the Most High God Who rules, and gives earthly kingdoms to whomever He wills.

Some rulers are given to build up, and some rulers are given to tear down. Josiah is an example of a godly king who was raised up to tear down. Pharaoh is an example of an ungodly king who was raised up in order to bring judgment upon the land of Egypt. We may judge one man to be more suited than the other, but such judgment is rarely made with the Lord's End in mind. As citizens of a heavenly realm, we must pray God's Kingdom and God's Will to be done in earth as it is done in heaven.

Prayer may or may not turn an election in the direction we would like it to go, but it cannot but turn it in the way the Lord wills for it to go. We should vote, but we should leave the result to God, for it is impossible for a man to receive anything (including a Presidential election) except it be given him from heaven.

The Presidential election, while very important, is minuscule compared to what God is doing in Christ, for THAT Kingdom is being established and will never pass away, while our government and the nations of this earth will one day pass away into nothingness and be eclipsed by the glory and majesty of the Son of God. The question is, is the United States furthering and advancing God's Thought and Desire in Christ, or is it hindering the realization and actual fulfillment of Christ as all in all? For that matter, which country or nation or government on earth can be described as winding down operations and making preparations for ceding all power and authority to the Son? I search in vain for any earthly government who is ready to "kiss the Son, lest He be angry (Psalms 2)."

The only people group I observe making any progress towards God's Aim in Christ is the Church, a nation which has been called out from the rest of the nations to stand apart, and even here in this Holy Nation there is much to be desired. Christ is not yet given the preeminence that He is entitled to, even among the people who bear His Name. Even so, God's focus and aim is CHRIST AS ALL IN ALL, and because the Church is the firstfruits of the Kingdom of God's Christ, the real action and movement today is not centered around the White House, but around God's House - this Church that Jesus is building as a habitation for Himself. The ones who sit in the White House come and go, but the One Who sits on the Throne in the heavenlies is established forever. This Kingdom is in the world, but not of the world.

But just see how many people are consumed with the world, current events, the rise and fall of nations and governments, and the political intrigues and controversies which accompany such things as presidential elections.

Be warned: do not take your eyes off of Christ and allow yourself to be abosorbed with politics. If our desire is as fervent for God's Man, Christ, to come forth in the earth as it is for God's "man" to be elected into the White House, then we will see the Kingdom and the Will being accomplished and performed on earth as it is in heaven, in spite of the kingdoms and wills of men which are here today and gone tomorrow. Are there any who have set their affection on things above, not on things of the earth (Colossians 3)? Are there any who have aligned themselves with God's ultimate Aim and Purpose in Christ? Of the increase of THAT government there shall be no end, and we are either in that FLOW or we are fighting that flow. HE - Christ - MUST increase, and we, the Church, the whole of creation - must decrease and make way for Him. This is a spiritual catharsis, a letting go of the earthly and natural in order to embrace the heavenly and the spiritual. Our energies, our efforts, and particularly our intercessions, ought to be directed towards that End.

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©2000 Chip Brogden. Permission hereby granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears. ---------------------------------

"The heart has eyes which the brain knows nothing of." - Charles H. Perkhurst

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Restoration

Debbie Cossu

WHEN YOU WILL REST, I WILL TAKE ACTION.

Scripture
Daniel 11:34; Daniel 4:3
"Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure.... For how great are His signs, and how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation!"

Vision:
There was a grand old building, in fact it was an old church. As I approached it was clear to see it was very old. In fact the closer I got it was almost decrepit looking. The windows were broken. The roof had holes in it. The walls were falling in and the foundation had shifted and was cracked. The grounds around this building was overgrown and unkept. There was even a police line, you know that yellow ribbon thing they put around the scene of a murder so no one can cross over into the death occurred...The Lord looked at me and took my hand to go across the line and into the "house" as He called it. He saw the questioning and hesitant look in my eyes, and asked me if I thought it was possible to repair all the damage just seen just from the outside. I have learned that He needs no information what so ever, so I asked Him if that was His plan. He smiled a big smile, and said of course! That was why He had come. I know by now that the church could not repair itself. Not only was it unable to "move" to be able to do so, it was not the role she had been assigned. All this building could do to contribute to the restoration process was be there.

Now that He had arrived, He would do His part and accomplish the work necessary to restore this building not just to its original status, but go beyond restoration and refurbish it completely....

The Word of The Lord:

You have fallen down in the past due to sin and rebellion, but now remain on your face in repentance and humility. I have refined and purged and made you pure. You have ceased from your own efforts, and beckoned Me in this hour to come and accomplish what you could not. Do not be downcast, do not be discouraged, do not allow doubt to have any place. I am here to perform signs and wonders in the land, through you! My kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom which knows no end, and yields to no bounds. All generations alive will be a part of what I am about. I break out of the patterns and molds you have tried to hold Me in for so long. I will not be contained in your mind set any longer. I am a great God, might and just and true. I will arouse Myself to do My work, that which can only be accomplished by My hand will be done that no man may take the glory.

I am not bound by time or distance or circumstance. All things are at My disposal, but I have waited until you were ready to get back up. To get up and stand and show forth My kingdom and power and glory unto the ends of the earth. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth--through the church now restored and refurbished. The later glory of this house shall be greater than the former, for I, the Lord reside in your midst.

You have rested.
I am taking action.
All the world will know that I am The Lord.

debbcossu@juno.com

Global Sorrow

Marsha Burns

This is the beginning of global sorrow as prophesied from ancient times. For, I tell you that the earth will be shaken with mighty force. The grief and sadness and pain will continue to increase until My cup of wrath is empty. To those of you who see the suffering of neighboring nations and through your pride and indifference find satisfaction in their distress, repent of this evil or you will be partakers of their suffering. You, My people, must cleanse yourselves of all filthiness and draw near to Me. It is vital that you hear My voice and are sensitive to My leading, for I will lead you to places of refuge and safety. Seek Me with all of your heart.

Faith Tabernacle
http://ft111.com
ft111@uswest.net

Fear not - My Government

David Howe

Fear not my people for I AM at work - Yes fear not - Be of good cheer for your redemption draws near says the Lord.

For it says in My Word that when you hear of wars - Rumors of wars - Storms and pestilence on every front with the hearts of men failing because of fear - Then look up for your redemption draws near - Yes my coming is so very very close - For it is now only 3 minutes to midnight. Yes fear not my people and work while you still can - Work and snatch as many as you can from the coming burning - For soon my righteous sword will sweep over this world in Judgment

For when the clock strikes midnight then no man will be able to work for the night would have come. Fear not my church for I AM making you right before me - For the Government will be upon my shoulders says the Lord.

For I gave some to be apostles - Some prophets - Some to be teachers - Some to work as Pastors and some to be Evangelists for the building up of my body unto maturity until I come to take you unto myself.

So I would say to you - Do not copy the world in its ways - For if you do you will suffer loss and your works be burned in the coming fire.

Follow my Government - Not your own - Inquire of My Word for I will show you what is right in my sight - Consider what I taught my first apostles when I appeared to them in the days of old Taught them to be servants - Taught them not to lord it over each other - Taught them to be the least - To prefer others above themselves.

For only he who has a truly humble heart will stand in the days ahead.

For in the coming days at the end of this age only that which is truly built upon My Word - Built upon the foundation of my apostles and prophets with Christ as the chief corner stone will stand in the days to come - For if the government is not built on the rock - Then like the house on the sand it will be washed away in the storm - For only the house which is built upon the rock will stand says the Lord.

Fear not my people fear not that which you see happening around you - For as it was in the days of Noah - So shall it be on the last day before I come says the Lord.

Yes work while you can before the end comes for the end so close - Work and save as many as who will listen to you from the burning - For I AM now mounting My White Horse ready to lead the armies of heaven forth into the final battle of the ages says the Lord.

Dave Howe
Wellspring Prophetic Ministries England.
davehowe@fdn.co.uk

The Small and the Great

A.W. Tozer

...Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." --1 Peter 5:5

Some time ago we heard a short address by a young preacher during which he quoted the following, "If you are too big for a little place, you are too little for a big place."

It is an odd rule of the kingdom of God that when we try to get big, we always get smaller by the moment. God is jealous of His glory and will not allow anyone to share it with Him. The effort to appear great will bring the displeasure of God upon us and effectively prevent us from achieving the greatness after which we pant.

Humility pleases God wherever it is found, and the humble person will have God for his or her friend and helper always. Only the humble are completely sane, for they are the only ones who see clearly their own size and limitations. Egotists see things out of focus. To themselves they are large and God is correspondingly small, and that is a kind of moral insanity. This World: Playground or Battleground?, 34.

"Lord, help me never to be too big for a little place. In humility let me serve and revel in You as my 'friend and helper always.' Amen."

_______________________________________________________________
Read "Insight for Leaders" online at:
http://www.litmin.org/tozer.php3

Burdens

Loleen Denney

While in prayer I "saw" a person with their arms full of burdens, more than they could possibly carry. They were very laden down with all manner of things, trying to walk and function in this state. They being exhausted decided to turn and cast everything over on the Lord. As they did, this mountain of burden turned into a speck as a grain of sand as it landed at the Lord's feet. The person's "mountain of burden" in comparison to what the Lord carries is as nothing.

Then I "heard": My burdens are light. Why do you insist on carrying on your shoulders the weight of the world? Cast your cares on Me, I will give you rest. My people you weary yourselves carrying things I never asked you to carry. Do you think you are helping or relieving Me? Trust Me, the tiny burdens you carry make NO difference in the load I carry. My job is to be your burden bearer not you being Mine. I have promised to carry your cares, so how about trying to give them to Me.

mdenney@wyoming.com

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