Five-Fold Today - Where Are the Fathers? - We Need Humility - Oh Manna! - Growing In Intimacy - Repent Quickly - The Cost - Mary and Martha

December 3, 2001

Where Are the Fathers?

Johan Boot

For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers… 1 Cor 4:15 (NKJ)
Today I am preparing an army to gather in the end-time harvest. This army as prophesied in Joel will be made up of young and old, rich and poor, insignificant and important. I will use all my people in the last days. There is coming a great wind of liberty over my church. I am preparing My bride to stand in her full glory and power, but this will only come as My Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh. I am going to break the spirits of control and fear over My bride and I will shake all standards of false authority in the church. But before the great release of this army of believers, who will march in the power of My Spirit, I need to release the fathers who will lead them in love and humility.

Today I am calling many to step into fatherhood. Today I am speaking to many to change their perspective on the ministry. Today I am even shaking the models and moulds of many of my most trusted servants, because I desire for them to begin to father this coming army. The world calls them the lost generation, yet I see them as the generation seeking for the only True One. But where are the fathers who will guide them, give them the confidence to believe in Me, mold their characters, give them hope and show them My true love?

Today many desire the titles and authority of an apostle or father in the faith, but they do not have the heart to father. Have you exchanged your heart for My heart? Have emptied yourself of your own selfish ambition? As long as you still want to be ahead of others, you will not allow others to lead the way. As long as you still need the satisfaction of winning your own war, you will not empower your sons. Today I am looking for fathers who will make it their mission to see the next generation succeed, instead of battling for their own significance. Your reward is with me, and your significance shall be magnified by the exploits of you sons.

Today unless you will humble yourself and see that it is by my grace alone that you are what you are, you will not step into this great calling. For the fathers that I am raising up will be men serving their sons with grace and wisdom in all humility and love. Trust Me, for this kingdom is mine, and I will pour out My grace upon those who will step up in obedience to My call.

www.propheticfire.com
bootj@mweb.co.za

We Need Humility
By Robert I Holmes

John Sandford once said, "We have two options: either we humble ourselves, or be humiliated. We can do it, or God can do it to us, but either way all flesh will be brought low". When praying this week I felt the Lord say, "Humility is the critical character trait I am looking for in the nations. In the times ahead, I will judge the nations, and those who humble themselves under my mighty hand will receive grace. Those who shake their fist and rage in pride shall be brought down" (Psalm 2:1-2).

I asked a few friends what they thought of when I said, 'humble'. They said: someone in the background, someone who does not promote themselves, a servant or perhaps a gentleman. What other words connect easily to humility: meekness, lowliness, modesty and perhaps gentleness?

Humility defined

In the Old Testament language of Hebrew the word for humble was 'anav'. It was certainly connected with things like being gentle, lowly, meek and poor. However at its root it was rather more about being able to abase yourself, deal harshly with yourself, forcing yourself down and being able to submit.

The word was applied directly to Moses, who was "very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). Moses was no push over. He was a strong leader, well able to command a mobile unit of 3.5 million people. He was courageous, long suffering and patient. When challenged for leadership - humility came to the fore. He did not rail against his accusers. Instead he humbled himself and let God decide. Invariably his detractors lost the battle, as God rose up in his defence.

In the New Testament language of Koine Greek the word for humble was 'praus'. Borrowed from the military, praus related to horse training. The Greecian army would find the wildest horses in the mountains and bring them to be broken in. After months of training they sorted themselves into categories: some were discarded, some broken and made useful for burden bearing, some were useful for ordinary duty and the fewest of all graduated as war horses.

When a horse passed the conditioning required for a war horse, its state was described as 'praus'. The war horse had 'power under authority' or 'strength under control'. A war horse never ceased to be determined, strong and passionate. However it learned to bring its nature under discipline. It gave up being wild, unruly, out of control and rebellious. A war horse learned to bring that nature under control. It would now respond to the slightest touch of the rider, stand in the face of canon fire, thunder into battle and stop at a whisper. It was now 'humble'. That's some definition!

Biblical humility is not about being able to fight for last place, putting yourself down or being able to stay out of the limelight. It's about being able to bring your character under the control of the Spirit, being able to submit whilst remaining strong and passionate for Jesus. Paul counseled Titus to, "be subject [submit] to rulers and authorities, be obedient, be ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, avoid quarrelling, to be gentle [humble] and show every courtesy to everyone" (Titus 3:1). This can be shortened down to "submit, obey, be ready, be kind, be humble." Be like that war horse.

A rare and highly sort after trait

God highly values humility. He searches the earth for one who will humble themselves (Isa. 66:2). Those aspiring to leadership need to know that humility, and it's companion self control are mandatory traits (1 Tim. 3:2, 3 & Titus 1:7,8). Don't think these are for leaders only, all Christians are to bear the fruit of the spirit, which is includes "gentleness and self-control" (Gal. 5:22). There is a pay off, God promises to make his dwelling place with those who are humble (Isa. 57:15) and promises them the earth as their inheritance (Matt. 5:5).

In the classic story of scouting the promised land, there were twelve men selected for the task, "every one of them a leader among men" (Num. 13:2). They got forty days to examine the land and God got forty days to examine them. The land each man saw was the same. Ten of them saw it as impossible - the inhabitants of the land were 'giants'. Two of them saw the God they served and knew the land could be taken. An entire generation died in the wilderness because of the ten. Of that generation only the two entered the promised land - Joshua and Caleb. It is true, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Conclusion

The process of becoming humble seems to be two way. Humility and gentleness are fruits of the Spirit, given freely by grace. But we are also told to clothe ourselves with humility (1 Pet. 5:5), an act of the will. Some might say to themselves, "Let's see, I lack humility in several areas of my life, I should start work on them one at a time". Benjamin Franklin reported in his autobiography, "I tried this approach, and it didn't work. As soon as I had mastered one area and went onto the next, the first area started slipping out of my grasp". Character change takes life experience, hard work, pain and a lot of grace.

Storm-Harvest Ministries
http://www.storm-harvest.asn.au
shm@storm-harvest.asn.au

Oh Manna!

Ginger Gardner

In the midst of some life-changing trials God began to speak to me. It is important that I keep my hands out of the dough so-to-speak so the finished work will have His signature alone and everyone will know it is He! Then He alone will receive all glory. He gave me the idea of homemade bread. I have never made it but I enjoy partaking of it! Look at the process a loaf of bread goes through before you reap the benefit of it!

After all the ingredients are gathered in the precise amount, they are stirred, blended and mixed together -- some are even cut in! Every ingredient is vital in of itself -- but in unity with the rest.

It has to be kneaded (prayer on your knees!).

It has to be permitted to rise properly. If you force this process you will have inferior bread (Ishmael). Some breads require a second kneading and rising for a finer grain!

Then the dough must be shaped! This is called "punching". Turn it on to a work surface and briefly knead it to remove gas bubbles (that which would cause us to be puffed up!)

Using a knife (His dealings), divide the dough for specific loaves. (Our individual purpose.)

Let the dough rest a few minutes. This process called "Bench Proofing" allows the gluten (the soul) to relax slightly for easier shaping.

Cover the loaves loosely (giving space to expand) with lightly oiled plastic or waxed paper (anointed covering).

Let dough raise in room temperature or a warm place. (Conducive atmosphere) As with the first rising, verify the dough has risen enough by pressing it with a fingertip. (Be gentle...a punch is not required at this time. The harshness of the blow will damage it in this season.)

Before the loaf goes into the oven (Refiner's fire) it may be scored with a sharp knife but not too deep. (A deep cut will ruin the bread now). The scoring serves as decoration but also without scoring the pressure of the expanding dough will tear the crust, or worse, the dough will be trapped by its own crust and rise very little. (In of ourselves we cannot do much as we will ruin ourselves. He desires to develop us beyond limitations but safely through His oven! He will not scorch or burn us; but He will remove us at the proper moment when we are GOLDEN brown). Obviously, it can't go into the oven too soon or too late--it will not rise to full potential if done too early and it will fall if done too late! And it has a special timing and temperature in the oven.

God spoke clearly to me and said...

"Just as a loaf of bread has a certain process so I have a certain process in your life. There is a time to cut with the knife and another time to simply score using the same knife. There is a time to punch and a time to touch--both with the same hand. If you are backwards in your directions you will foil (ruin) the loaf of bread.

"You must know when to knead, rise, punch, cut, divide, touch, or bake in the Spirit! Anything out of order will ruin what I am doing and you will not understand when it falls. Harken unto Me, not to the world, to her opinions, ways or ideas, as she will lead you astray. Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from My mouth! You must have ears to hear or you will miss it and you will go hungry, unsatisfieD and you will get disappointed and fall. This is not a time to back off or shy away. Come by beloved, come!

"My dealings will be stern with you now. You were a child and much grace abounded, but to whom much is given much is expected. Don't turn away from your Father when I speak. Stand and hear what I am saying. The deeper the root, the sweeter the fruit, as it comes with maturity.

"This is a season of maturity so others can taste and see that the fruit is palatable. It is time to grow up and put childish ways behind. Answer the call on your life. Let Me mature you. You will only glean from Me as you listen. Take heed as dark nights are coming and you won't be able to see Me or feel Me but you can hear My voice in the dark and you will have to depend on it to lead you to the left or to the right. You will have to know when to stop, go, move fast or move slow."

a_dragon_slayer@yahoo.com

Growing In Intimacy

Teresa Seputis

To know Me in intimacy requires that you spend time with Me. Do not think that the time spent casually, where I am almost not perceivable, is of less value than the time where I manifest My presense strongly. Child, I am the key to all that you desire. Seek Me and pursue Me. Know that I am with you. Fear not. Know that I am with you in all that you do. It is My ferverent desire to draw you closer, and that is why you have had this yearning for My presense within your spirit.

Child, I am not in a hurry. Know that I will accomplish my plans and purposes for your life, and that they are very good. But do not be in such a rush to do My work that you try to do it without Me. Do not leap ahead.. wait for Me to send you. When I send you out, there will be a power and anointing that will amaze you. The anointing will be there because I am there. You do not have to be afriad that I will send you out without the where-with-all to do My work with Me. Yes, My life, My power and My anointing shall be upon you when I send you out.

I am taking you to a new place of intimacy with me. I am going to take you in many different ways. Do not look to only one method to come into my presense, for there are many ways that I would manifest myself in your midst: in worship, in personal devotions and quite times of waiting before Me, in times of intercession and agreeing together in unity, in times when you are serving Me, in times when you are sent out to speak forth the good news and to minister to the needy and the hurting. I am faithful. I will work my glory in these areas, and I will reveal myself to you in the midst of them.

The time is coming very soon when I will break the power of doubt over you. There will be a freedom and a liberty in faith that you have not seen before. At that point, you will no longer need my constant reassurances. But until that day, I delight to give them to you. Child, know that I am with you as you walk with Me. I will show myself real and I will show myself faithful, and I will increase My power in your life. But child, that will be less important to you, because I am taking you into a new place if intimacy with Me.

You will find that the level of My authority in your life will continue to increase as your level of intimacy with me increases. I am bringing you up and I am going to put a seal of approval on you.. You will be sent forth, you will be thrust forth, and I will put my message in your mouth and you will speak it with my authorty. There will always be opposition to what I am doing in you, but know that I will cause you to overcome it, often without noticing it is there.

I have loved you with an everlasting love..my love for you is perfect and I will accomplish it in your life. Do not fear child, my plans for you good, and I will accomplish them in you as you grow closer to me. I am going to shed more and more of the light of my presense on you. You will be one who walks in my light and who walks in close intimacy with me. This is my plan for you.

teresa@godspeak.org

Repent Quickly

Ras Robinson

Suddenly I will deal with you unless you repent quickly. There is about to come correction and discipline from my hand. My patience is running thin and there will soon come a moment when I will step in and deal firmly. At this moment there is still time. But as with Moses, Aaron and Miriam there came a point in time when I had to bring discipline. It is better that you hear quickly at this time before I take more drastic action. Those whom I love I discipline. I take no delight in this! And yet is it my will that you receive mercy. It is my word that will bring justice. My word cannot fail. It is the plumb line and not the opinions nor grace of man. So consider your ways now while you still have time. You have been going around this mountain again and again. Now it is time for action. I weary of your delays. Have some backbone and face up to your situation in maturity. Humble yourself while there is still time. I have my servants standing by to help you and pull you from the mire and the muck. But they will not be available indefinitely. Wouldn’t you rather see mercy? Time is running out. Suddenly I will deal with you.

And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and Aaron and to Miriam, "You three come out to the tent of meeting." So the three of them came out. Numbers 12:4

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. Proverbs 29:1

------
Ras and Bev Robinson, Pastors
Fullness in Christ Church
Fullness in Christ Ministries

www.fullnessonline.org/fcc.htm
rasrobinson@fullnessonline.org

The Cost

Linda Evans

I 'see' these end times perhaps in a little different light than what I hear from most others in the body. I am not believing for a new or an additional 'anointing' to come upon His Remnant Church of Love in these last days --but rather a 'state of being' which I believe is union with Christ Jesus --Christ Jesus glorified in His Church. The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ being glorified in us -- and us being glorified in Him, according to His Grace.

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Th 1:12

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 2Th 1:10

Historically, there has always been a remnant of the Church, whose hearts, captured by the Heart of God, experienced a spiritual union in which they became one with the Beloved - He was glorified in them and they were glorified in Him -- I believe these many recorded *temporary* experiences are but a foretaste of what shall be openly manifested in this new day.

In my own life, the Lord has spent the past four years taking me back to the early writings of the Church, and the writings of many of those who in later years also came to this realization of God's Divine Purpose for the Church to be for "the Praise of His Glory". This glorified end times church is what I believe we are being prepared to be and there is a great cost to this faith-struggle. This is not a new "anointing" - but it is the Anointed One Himself, manifesting His Own Glorious and Risen Resurrected Life in and through those in whom He has become their all in all. It is the natural progression of soterion, or salvation -- it is the transformation of which the Scripture teaches; It is what most of us have believed is not possible in this life -- and yet, Paul did indeed say, that not all shall die, but all shall be changed; We are of that 'generation' - a remnant which existed in all prior generations too -- those who became "mature" in the Lord's Meaning of telos.

My heart has grown to understand that we have a choice. In order to 'press on' to the Out-Resurrection of which Paul spoke, all things; all gifts, all anointings, all the former partial tastes of God that we have experienced must be freely given up in order to step forth into the new day. We must return to our "booths" -- leaving the comfort and security of all that we have known -- not being understood or accepted anywhere (except maybe where there are others who *know* this same workings in their hearts?)

Although the gifts and the call of God are without repentance, if we are willing to do so, we can lay them down at the Feet of the Savior. Jesus willingly left all the Glory that was His in Heaven, in order to kin Himself to us; In some small way, we too are asked to willingly lay aside all that we have known of Him - the Glory we have known - for the sake of pressing on, in our ongoing conformity to Him; There is a divine work which must be accomplished in the dark -- and in this dark, all that has been 'normal Christianity' is removed... perhaps this is the "Bride's Chamber" in reality; where she is being clothed in her Wedding Dress. It is from a place of humility, that exaltation takes place.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. 2 Sam 2:8

We have been called to the "booths" of insignificance and (apparent) non-usefulness -- becoming completely hidden. This union with the Beloved cannot be entered into without becoming once again, completely naked and vulnerable; this time it is not the filthy robes of 'human righteousness' which are being required of us, but rather the clothing of the former days anointings and gifts; When we come forth from this place of transformation, we shall indeed be leaning for support upon the arms of the Beloved, singularly dependent upon Him to whom we belong. ... All our founts will be in Him.

So.. I do not see these last days robes as any type of "increase" of what we have known. All that has come to a natural end -- now we shall go on into the New Day, and in order to do so, we must let Him remove from us all that belonged to that former day.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ Phl 3:8

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14

In my own little human way of understanding this, He reminded me of the game show (The Price is Right???) in which - if the participants were to continue playing the game, going for the Grand Prize which was set before them.. they had to relinquish what they had already gained, in order to "choose what was behind Curtain Number 2"

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (Phil 2:5-9)

Love, Linda the Beguine
levans@netw.com
Submitted to the APDiscussPanel
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/APDiscussPanel

The Problem of Authority: Mary and Martha

Mary Lloyd

Jesus said,

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10: 41, 42

These two sisters in the family of God provide a view of two parts of the whole church and the conflict of authority within. Where are we in this picture?

Martha's irritation with Mary for sitting at Jesus' feet while she worked hard serving, reveals a confusion of authority, and it is abroad in the visible church. Frustrated and tired of all the fleshly burdens she was carrying, Martha believed it was Mary who was in error, and not herself. Martha was so convinced of this that she appealed to Jesus to correct Mary, even suggesting that the Lord didn't care about Martha having to serve alone. Martha had not yielded herself fully to Jesus, so her understanding of His authority was not complete.

Mary started the tongues wagging from the beginning, pouring out her precious perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus. How wonderfully that anointing was reciprocated in the Spirit: Mary was set to upset the status quo with her extravagant gestures of love. See the true church emerge anointed among the people, full of a special kind of love for the Master that others find it hard to comprehend. Jealousy, irritation and suspicion begin to force isolation upon her. Many of us have experienced this within the church while innocent of the understanding of what was happening to us. Some have felt the full wack of persecution which we know is to come: the greater the love poured out, the more the hatred seemed to be inflamed

What has happened to us individually in fellowship will happen to us more collectively as we are brought together in greater love and unity. Jealousy, suspicion, rejection, persecution and attempts to bring us under false rule will escalate. There must come a point where the Bride, the Mary church of pure devotion, will reach its full loveliness and leave behind the Martha ways of fleshly effort and unbelief for good. There is a polarisation taking place, and Martha is in the middle, she is having to choose.

The church of tradition, of fleshly rule, seeks to maintain the status quo: business as usual means bottoms on seats, means money and power and success. It is useful to it to teach a Martha principal of fleshly devotion, which would lead to exhaustion and finally the dying of her love. Believing this church to be the true authority keeps some Marthas "tied to the kitchen sink" spiritually, unable to break out into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Martha would pull us back to drudge and duty in our carnal mind, whispering of unfairness as we give ourselves to Jesus and pour ourselves out in these times. But we must know, and hold on to this, Jesus must be FIRST in our hearts and in our lives, FIRST in authority, FIRST in devotion, FIRST in our ministry, no matter what the circumstances are, He is FIRST. ONE thing is needful.

Martha does not know yet how strong her attachment is to the world in all her ceaseless activity, but she will. It took the death of her brother Lazarus to shake her to the depths of her unbelief. (John 11) How gently and firmly Jesus brought her to heart knowledge of all the things she found it so easy to say. Then the miracle happened "Lazarus come forth." Martha in the modern church these days will see the miracles start, and when they do she will know for sure where it is that she belongs. Not in the kitchen struggling with frustration and exhaustion, but resting, really resting, at the feet of Jesus with her sister.

Sending love from Mary Lloyd
glyn.lloyd2@btinternet.com
Submitted to the APDiscussPanel
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/APDiscussPanel

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