Five-Fold Today Removing the Carnal Authority and System - From Conference to Confrontation - Great Wealth, Great Warning - Give Birth in the Battle! / Weep Over Saul! - Why A Powerless Church? - The Power of the Most High - The Perfect Church - Awakenings
Removing the Carnal Authority and System
Dave Eells
A picture of our time is found in Num.16 where Korah, Dathan, and
Abiram usurped the authority of the true ministers of God (verse 1-3)
and all the congregation followed them (verse 19,22). This gives you
an idea of the extent of the apostasy. So it is in our day. The
Levites were the true ministers of the sanctuary, and Aaron (Christ)
was the high priest. Korah was a Levite (minister ordained of God),
but he sought to usurp the high priest's office (8-10). Each believer
is like the tabernacle in the wilderness. We have a Holy of Holies
(spirit), a holy place (soul), and an outer court (body). The only
one permitted to rule in our spirit is our high priest, Jesus Christ
(1Cor.11:3). Anyone else entering the Holy of Holies had the sentence
of death upon them. This teaches us that a minister is not to take
the place of Christ in our life. He is to make disciples of Christ
and not of himself. He has authority only when he is in obedience to
the Word (Christ). A minister who is going astray from the Word is
making disciples of himself and is usurping the place of the high
priest, Christ. This is what Korah's error represented.
Since Dathan and Abiram were not Levites, they were not ministers
ordained of God. According to the percentage represented here, two
out of every three ministers are not ordained by God but by man.
History has always supported this claim, but it has never proved more
true than today. Even a brief examination of the conditions for
office in the New Testament would exclude the majority of ministers
(1 Tim. 3:1-10; Titus 1:5-9,16; Acts 1:4,5,8; Mk.16:17-20). Paul
said, "For we are not as the many making merchandise of the word of
God" (2 Cor, 2:17). Second Peter 2:1-3 says, "many shall follow their
lascivious doings." Merchandise is another word used in these two
places. Under the Old Testament type and shadow of the tithe, ten
percent was taken from eleven tribes and given to one tribe, the
Levites ([ministers] Num.18:24). Then the Levites gave a tithe to the
high priest (25-28). This left the Levites with an average of the
other eleven tribes to live on. Even when Israel grew, they still
lived on an average income. Today with a larger percent of the people
doing the supporting and coupled with the fact that the pastors have
usurped the authority of the rest of the five fold ministry (Eph.
4:11), ministers have become fat and filthy rich. This is a great
stumbling block to the world and to the ministers. This also makes
all the people of God bad stewards. We have made God's house a "den
of robbers" (Mt. 20:13).
The Lord has not changed his mind, "the
righteous shall live by faith" — not salaries. He said, "Freely you
have received, freely give. Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in
your purses." A man who lives by faith has to walk with God. This
ensures righteous leadership. The early church leadership was not in
the habit of taking up collections; but when they did, it was not for
themselves (1Cor.16:1-3). It was up to the individual to not store up
(Mt.6:19-21) but to meet the needs around him "that there may be
equality" (2 Cor.8:l4,l5), "not grudgingly or of necessity"
(2Cor.9:7), and for this God gave great grace (2 Cor.9:8). In Old
Testament type and shadow, giving was cast into the treasury which
was in the temple (1 Kings 7:51 / Mk.12:41). In the New Testament the
temple is God's people, and Jesus said that we would be judged by
whether we meet the needs of God's people (Mt.25:31-46, 1Jn.3:16,17).
This is how we store up treasure in heaven (Lk.12:33,34). Those who
will not renounce ownership and become stewards of one hundred
percent are not being disciples (Lk.14:33). Tithers need to know that
in the New Testament they no longer own ninety percent, for they were
bought with a price.
God separated his people from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and
Abiram (Num. 16:23-27) lest they be consumed in all their sins (verse
26). Revelation 18:4 says, "Come forth my people out of her, that you
have no fellowship with her sins, and that you receive not of her
plagues (see also Jer.51:45)." Those who did not come out were judged
with their Babylonish teachers "for the earth opened its mouth, and
swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men that
appertained unto Korah.... went down alive into Sheol: and the earth
closed upon them (32,33)." Notice that Num.16:26 says, "consumed in
all their sins"; and this verse says,"the earth swallowed them
alive." According to Gen.2:7 the earth and our flesh are one. To be
swallowed alive by our flesh (earth)is to be consumed in sins.
According to Jude 11 and 12, the New Testament Korahs and Balaams are
hidden among us and their real interest is to feed themselves. It
also says they are twice dead which means they were born again and
died again. In God's eyes they are dead while they are living. In
1Tim.5:6 "She that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she
liveth." Korah, Dathan, and Abiram went down alive into Sheol (Greek
[Num.16:30,33]),which is a revelation of the last days (verse 1).
These leaders are not easy to see for they have a "form of godliness"
(verse 5) and are "impostors "(verse 13); but if you could examine
their personal life, you would find they live according to the
description in verses 2-4. Do not trust your own heart (4:3,4); but
be full of the word (3:13-17) so that you may have discernment. Ask
God to show you how he sees your leadership. Expect God to answer
(James 1:5-7) either by word, dream, vision, or examination of the
Word (2 Thes.3:6,7). If you are led by some of the few good leaders,
pray for them and humble yourself to them.
While in prayer one morning a few years ago, God spoke to me. He
said, "I'm moving the Sauls out of the way to make room for the
Davids; and you are one of my Davids." (I only qualify because God
chose the foolish, weak, base, and despised of the world, so that no
flesh should glory. [1 Cor.1:27-29].) After the Lord spoke this, the
news of a famous minister's scandal broke that evening. After that,
there was a rash of nationally-known minister scandals. Saul was a
leader who would not obey God and became overwhelmed (swallowed) by
his flesh. I once ministered in a church where the pastor was in this
condition and was being a very bad witness to his congregation. He
told me one day that God had spoken to him and told him three times
that he was Saul and I was David. Later, I asked the Lord what he
wanted me to do about this man. He said, "Let the Philistines take
him out." Although I prayed and tried to bring him to repentance, the
Philistines (we wrestle not with flesh but principalities and powers)
took him out. A great army of Philistines is on the way. They will to
total corruption Saul, his sons, and his government. Then the lowly
David's will come out of the wilderness with God's authority. This is
also foreshadowed by Jesus in Lk. 4:1,2,13-18 (see also Isa.1:21-28
with emphasis on verse 26).
Dave Eells
deells@home.com
From Conference to Confrontation
Chad Taylor
The term "Council of War" was coined a hundred years ago by William
Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Once a year they would gather
in England to strategize and pray how to more effectively impact
unreached areas for Jesus Christ. 'People would flood the altars
every where they went. "The power of God was wonderfully manifest in
the meetings . . . people were frequently, struck down, overwhelmed
with a sense of the presence and power of God." '
Their fervency for the gospel knew no bounds. They would then march
through the streets beating hand held drums, waving banners, and
passing out hand bills for their nightly revival meetings. Sometimes
beaten and bruised they would assemble and the fire of God would fall
and souls would be saved. 'General Booth's battle cry was "Go for
souls and go for the worst." The worst of sinners were saved, saloons
were closed and entire cities were shaken. 'At another time, two
Salvation Army workers set out to found a new work, only to meet with
failure and opposition. Frustrated and tired they appealed to William
Booth to close the rescue mission. General Booth sent back a telegram
with two words on it, "TRY TEARS" They followed his advice and
witnessed mighty revival...' When spit on during the Midlands tour,
Booth encouraged his fellow soldiers, "Don't rub it off - it's a
medal!" '
God is putting the fire of self sacrifice back into our hearts to
preach the gospel with passion and fervency. Katherine Booth was once
heard saying, "at least let them see the tears in your eyes when you
tell them about the Master's love..." God is giving us tears again.
Tears of compassion, tears of passion for the lost and perishing that
flood our streets and cities. To be a "Salvation Army" once again
beating the drum of the Father's heart through the streets of this
country.
Revival is only a direct manifestation of the burning love of Jesus
displayed in human hands and hearts. It is only an overflow of a
church ablaze with the fervent passion of Jesus Christ. A passion
that compelled Him past mobs and whips to hang on a tree. Once we are
lit with this kind of love we will SEE revival and harvest! LET US
BURN THEN! LET US BURN!
Later in William Booths ministry he came to the conclusion that the
conference was no longer necessary, the formal gathering that
produces nothing but more formality was turning into a dead tradition
in itself. It was later recorded him saying, "There have been more
than enough conferences, and congresses, and committees and
deliberations. It is time to ACT! There is not a moment to lose!
There cannot be any question to what we have to do. No more
conferences! No more doubt! No more delay! Arise, ye children of the
light, and buckle on the armor bright, and now prepare yourselves to
fight, against the world and satan. We are called to be saints. We
are called to be brothers and sisters of Jesus, to fight with Him,
for Him, with every particle of strength we have to the last grasp.
That is enough! No more conference!" (end of quote).
Again the Lord is pressing on the hearts of His leaders and ministers
to take "conference" to a completely different level. From Conference
to confrontation, as the church marches from the upperroom experience
into the marketplaces of every city heralding a harvest and
reformation. What is being experienced in churches this last decade
will be eclipsed by the awesome demonstration of what God is about to
do on the streets. Notice below where the glory of God was appearing
and thus the sick were being laid, THE STREET! "So they brought the
sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at
least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also
a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem,
bringing sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they
were all healed..." (Acts 5:15-16).
Revival will demand unity. In the normal church pace of program and
predictability one does not feel any urgency to reach out and embrace
a church across the street or city. But let the lost begin to press
into our meeting houses by the thousands, let the sick begin to be
lowered through the ceilings, let the beggars and vagabonds abandon
thier "will work for food" signs and start to flood our sanctuaries,
suddenly we will be like those in Luke 5:7, "They signaled to their
partners in the other boat to come and take hold with them. And they
came and filled their boats..." When the net we have fashioned begins
to break under the strain of harvest, we will surely then call out to
one another for help at the cost of our own agendas! GOD GIVE US
HARVEST! It is the only force that will tear down the walls of
religion once and for all.
The conferences we attend next year will not have the same format as
they do this year. The time to just convene will be turned into a
time to invade. We will be busy at more doing than we are hearing.
Teams will be mobilized and released into targeted areas of the host
cities. Reports will charge each night of the souls that were saved
and the bodies healed. Prophetic conferences will become mass
baptismals as hundreds receive Christ and water baptism. A week long
conference will turn into months of training and equipping as the
hundreds even thousands that are receiving Christ during that
conference hunger and thirst for more. What started out as a week
will explode into revival and harvest as the lost fill the
auditoriums and church buildings. Until fields and parking lots
become the norm for meetings and gatherings.
Get ready saints! The face of Christianity is about to be
transfigured! What we saw in the mirror of the "perfect law of
liberty" yesterday is not what we are going to see tomorrow! The old
dry bones of the wilderness experience will have to lie there, we are
crossing over into the Promised Land! We are about to possess the
land the Lord has allotted us! The words of Joshua will ring through
the camp of God once again, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the
Lord will do wonders among you." (Joshua 3:5).
The church can not survive any longer on the old manna, the old
experience. As they did in Joshua 5, we must begin to eat the fruit
of Canaan and partake of the Lord's promises of revival and harvest.
"Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of
the land, and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they
ate the food of the land of Canaan that year..." (Joshua 5:12). We
must begin to hunger and desire a greater manifestation of His grace
and power to impact our city and streets. A pat prayer will not
suffice in this new millennium, God is looking for "DOERS OF THE
WORD, NOT HEARERS ONLY." Warriors that will cross the Jordan of
tradition and begin to radically possess the land. Leaders that will
mobilize the troops and train them for battle and confrontation.
Pastors that will dare to partner with other churches of different
denominations and races for the gospel sake. That are not ashamed of
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is the sound that will carry us into the deep, "to take in a
great catch..." This is the courage that will sustain the coming move
of God. This is the heart attitude that will compel a generation of
youth to "offer up their bodies as a living sacrifice..." Instead of
on the altars of drugs and sex. Nothing less will move them. Nothing
less will impact them. God give us a "Council of war" so that we may
"please Him who has enlisted us as soldiers!" (2nd Timothy 2:4)
Chad Taylor
Great Wealth, Great Warning
Pat Cocking
GREAT WEALTH
Open heavens in the area of material provision are going to be
experienced by many in the Kingdom who have prepared their hearts in
the presence of the Lord. The Lord's eyes are moving to and fro to
search out those whose hearts are completely His. He will show
Himself strong on their behalf.
The resource and provision will be released in copious measures to
many who will follow the leading of the Spirit in areas of helping
the poor, the outcast, the destitute, the widows and orphans.
A TRUE GOSPEL MODEL
Particular individuals anointed by God will carry fresh apostolic
vision and burdens in the area of equipping, outreach and missions
will lead the Body with a true gospel model. They will preach to the
poor, heal the sick, and work the miraculous in order to reach the
needs of the broken and bring the gospel to the nations. The Lord
will be honoring their love and faith by releasing increased
empowerment, favor and resource.
FINANCES UNEXPECTED
Many Christians will come into unexpected financial blessing and
increase within this next season. The Lord will test their hearts
and will be watching for those who are trustworthy stewards of
Kingdom provision. Those who are found to carry a single Kingdom
focus will be rewarded with a second wave of blessing which will far
exceed the first.
Churches and Christian organizations who are willing to seek the Lord
afresh for His heart for the lost in this season, will come into a
new level of fulfillment in the area of intimacy with the Lord which
will be followed by increased resource. Deep life prunings will take
place during these seeking periods, which will prepare the church and
individuals for greater fruitfulness and supernatural providence.
Many leaders will find themselves laying down their current
ministries and church structures in order to wait on the Lord. They
will be very aware of the fact that, "unless the Lord builds the
house, they labor in vain who build it."
APOSTOLIC MINISTRY, PERSECUTIONS AND VISITATIONS
The apostolic ministry in the church is going to move along a path of
maturation and testings. The maturing of the apostolic anointing in
the Body will produce new levels of unity and oneness in the
corporate Body. Persecutions as well as visitations of the Lord's
presence in power will strengthen this process and produce a true
apostolic movement exhibiting Kingdom humility, power, and purity.
Great grace, great power and great provision will earmark the
maturing of the apostolic foundations in the church.
"And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners
of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the
sales, and lay them at the apostles feet, and they, would be
distributed to each, as any had need." Acts 4:33-35)
BUT OTHER SUPPOSED APOSTLES WILL LUST FOR POWER
False apostles will also surface during this time. These will be
individuals who lust after power and resources and who carry personal
agendas. They will witness the abundance of favor on the true
apostolic river and will desire to reap the rewards without paying
the price. The true apostolic gift will be earmarked by the evidence
of a crucified life which will manifest authentic Kingdom
resurrection power.
GREAT WARNING
The love of money is clearly defined in the scriptures as being "the
root of all evil". It is also the force that strengthens the
"Babylonian system", through which all the world's buying and selling
is based. (see Revelation 18)
In this coming season of provisional outpouring, impure motives will
surface in many. Love for the world and love for money and selfish
gain will result in many choosing the path of Babylon rather than the
Kingdom. The end result of choosing the Babylonian journey is
destruction , great loss and sorrow, whereas "the blessing of the
Lord maketh rich and adds no sorrow to it."
IMPURE MOTIVES WILL CAUSE SOME TO PERISH
It is imperative that believers watch over their hearts with all
diligence for from the heart spring the issues of life. Deception
and unclean motives in the area of finance and provision will cause
individuals to perish and their silver with them. (See Acts 8:18-23;
also: the examples of Judas in Matthew 26:14 - 16; 27:3-5 and Ananias
and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11). This is a severe warning. "Every man
thinks he is right in his own heart but the Lord weighs the heart."
The Lord WILL be weighing the motives of His people and many will be
found wanting in the balance.
A SPECIFIC WARNING TO PASTORS, LEADERS, AND ITINERANT MINISTERS
The Lord is looking to abundantly bless those whose hearts are
completely His, with new levels of anointing, empowerment, gifting,
favor and resource. MANY leaders and Kingdom spokesmen will
experience these new levels of blessing. This will result in an
increased harvest of souls and Kingdom advancement.
The enemy is lurking however, and will attempt to move leaders out of
faith and trust and into worldly and carnal strategies for Kingdom
advancement.
THREE VISIONS . . .
THE GLITTERING SNAKE
Three visions were given regarding this on June 29, 2001:
Interpretation -- this vision sounds a warning to the Body
(especially leaders) that demon powers will attempt to appeal to the
lust of man's flesh and soulish desires in this next season. This
appeal will specifically target the heart in areas of personal love
for money and provision. If given in to--the temptation will wrap
leaders in demonic, worldly bondage and thus cause leaders to
misrepresent Christ and His Kingdom. Worldly and demonic glitter
will manifest rather than the nature of Christ. "There is a way that
seems right to a man, but its end is destruction."
THE HOUNDS
Interpretation: the hounds represented demonic spirits who
were looking to take for themselves that which they did not prepare
or plant. The vision gave a sense of warning concerning leaders to
be watchful for temptations to take from another's gifting or
resource pool. The area of motives in ministry relationships needs
to be carefully watched over.
LEECHES
Interpretation: The black leeches represented individuals
with impure motives who wanted to take (not just receive but TAKE)
from gifted members of the Body to feed themselves. This could
indicate areas of anointing, favor, reputation, and resource.
THE PLACE OF PROTECTION
Not even one individual needs to fall into the pre-mentioned traps
and temptations. It is the Father's desire to freely give His
children all things and in this coming season to bring about a flow
of blessing to and through His people such as history has never
known. Every child of God is a candidate to receive the
manifestation of this outpouring. The Father wants to confirm His
covenant and bless His people in order to make them a blessing (see
Genesis 12:1-3 and Deuteronomy 8:18)
The following are some ways that you can prepare to stand in the
midst of the coming outpouring of His kindness:
Some scriptures for meditation: Haggai - Chapters 1 and 2 Matthew
6:19 - 34 James 4:3 - 10 Deuteronomy 8
cocking@telus.net
Give Birth in the Battle!
Debra Westbrook
There are people, pregnant with God-given vision and dreams, that are
still standing behind enemy lines, fighting him as he hurls insults,
accusations, and lies towards God's people. Weariness has settled on
many of God's people when they should be rising up in a newness of
faith and a sureness of purpose. This should not be for as I saw this
picture unfold before me, I realized that God was making a way where
there seemed to be no way, telling those still waiting for an
opportune time that now is the time to walk forth and get ready to
give birth in the midst of the battle. There will be no cease fire for
the battle wages fearlessly around us but the army of the Lord is
called forth to walk this day, in faith, crossing lines of
demarcation that the enemy has drawn in the sand, taunting and
accusing God's people even now. Walk forth and step forth by faith!
Give birth in the midst of the battle!
The Lord impressed upon my heart that this is His kairos moment, a
divine window of opportunity orchestrated by His hand. I saw the
enemy draw these lines in the sand, leading many of the remnant to
still believe that they can go no further. He has boxed you in and
many remain bound to His lies. So many have stayed pregnant behind
enemy lines, boxed in by the enemy's lies, strategies, and tactics.
You have waged war against doubt and unbelief, fought against
confusion, yet there is no more waiting. Step forth.
Many are weary, for that which you are carrying is long overdue, so
you feel heavy and weighted down. You are fighting an unnecessary
battle and the enemy is wearing you out, that is his tactic.......you
have the weapon of victory. Faith to believe in the promises of an
almighty God. Only believe!
Step forth by faith on the surety of God's revealed promises to you
for faithful is He who called you, and He will do it. Get ready to
give birth in the midst of battle. The enemy will not give up for he
is a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour but greater is He that
is within you, great and mighty. Once again, I heard the Lord say
there will be no cease fire for these are the last hours and though
the enemy will be relentless in his pursuit of your destruction,
great is the Lord and worthy to be praised.
Many babies will be birthed quickly and suddenly as you step forth by
faith for without faith it is impossible to please God. What are you
waiting for? I saw many ministries ready to be birthed in the dawning
of the Third Day of His power. Out on the battlefield, in the midst
of accusations that fly overhead, lies trying to penetrate your
identity in Christ Jesus, so shall your victory be assured as you
rise up in faith to possess what is rightfully yours in the Lord
Jesus Christ. He is victorious and shall prevail in all things. Do
not hesitate for he who hesitates is lost, losing a sense of
prophetic vision and purpose. The weapons you possess are not carnal
but are mighty to pulling down strongholds. The time is now. Step
forth and give birth in the midst of the battle. The Lord God is your
stronghold and protector. He is your deliverer! He will hem you in,
front and back as you give birth and that which you thought was
impossible will be possible as you change positions to give birth on
the battle field.
Weep Over Saul!
God cautions us strongly against speaking against the old order of Saul. He said to me quite plainly, "Guard your heart against all self-righteousness!"
It became clear to me as He began to speak to me. We must weep, as David did, over the destruction of the old order instead of feeling prideful in our
triumph and victory. Our vindication has come from the hand of God as He seeks to work through those with the heart of David. Is it not evident that the old
order is dying in front of our eyes yet we are not called to rejoice and be glad for it is our brothers and sisters who are dying in front of our eyes. Shall we not
weep with compassion and mercy over each one before we can rule and reign as kings?
We must not touch God's anointed in any way, or speak against them in any way for David never spoke against Saul. Where is there room in our hearts,
consecrated unto our King, for us to rejoice that His children have fallen and strayed from intimacy and fellowship with their King? This is a call to weep and
lament before we rule and reign. Are we doing that? I hear these words.
"Do not foster anarchy in your hearts. Do not rejoice over the death of the old order but lament and weep tears of compassion and mercy before I can
establish you as kings and entrust you with My authority. For I will not entrust My authority and power to those who choose to abuse their privilege of
sonship by speaking against their brothers and sisters. Those who lay slain before you, those of the old order, should not give you any cause for rejoicing
but lamentation, weeping, and tears. Do not be joyful in this time of triumph but guard your hearts against pride and presumption for there only by My grace
do each of you walk in triumph and victory."
2 Samuel 1:17
The Song of the Bow was written during David's time of lamentation over Saul and Jonathan.
2 Samuel 1:23-27
One more thing we must consider. Like David, we are required to reach out and extend kindness to those of the house of Saul, lame and living in obscurity.
Rivers of Eden
Why A Powerless Church?
Clay Sikes
Twenty years of Charismatic Christendom does not make me an expert,
but has with clarity, produced some points worthy of discussion. By
sheer observation, I think we all can agree that the Church, as we
know it, operates in much less power than the First Century Church.
Perhaps there are discernable reasons for this, and though the
efforts of this writing will not be to engage the historical
comparisons, I will delve into spiritual revelations perhaps the Lord
has revealed. Please judge for yourself.
Much of what we call the present day Church is built upon the
soul-led inclinations of man. Wrought in good works, the sheep have
been busy building, doing, giving, and entertaining as their leaders
have taught them to do. We merrily go about our Church activities,
pleasing Pastor. The one-man show that replaced the five-fold
ministry of the First Century Church has, in the blindness of its own
traditions, changed the once functioning organism (Body) into a
man-implemented organization.
That built of God will exhibit God's presence and power. That built
of man will exhibit man's presence and power. I ask you to judge for
yourself: Which of the two make up the majority of what we call the
Church? I, like many of you, want God. I only want to do what I see
My Father doing. No doubt, the First Century Church spent much time
in prayer individually and corporately. As a result, they were able
to operate in the mind of the Lord. God ordered activity produces God
ordered results. Man ordered activity produces human results. Stress,
weariness, fatigue, powerless ness, unanswered prayer, lack, pride,
spiritual pride, hypocrisy, hype, emptiness, are but a few of the
symptoms that should alert us to the systems of men.
Additionally, men like to entertain in place of true worship, brag,
condemn and judge anything that doesn't look and sound like them;
control, manipulate, and tell people what they want to hear. Men are
given to programs, ministry agendas, and buildings in place of God's
true spiritual agenda, which is building people. People must be
edified, taught, and ministered to in many different ways, thus God's
creative genius in establishing the five-fold ministry. Just as you
do not go to a foot Doctor with a heart ailment, nor should one with
a prophetic need, go to a Pastor. Unfortunately, in many cases, there
is no prophet to go to.
The present structure (old wineskin) resists the new wine (the return
of the five-fold and the specific emergence of the prophetic and
apostolic ministry). The old order is protective of, and covets the
old wineskin. It (leadership) protects itself, because as with the
Laodicean Church, it is satisfied and content with what it has. As
leadership gets fatter with contentment, the people starve. Any
prophet who shows up to challenge the system, or challenge the
foundation upon which the system stands, is quickly admonished and
branded a kook or weirdo.
Religious men are given to the religious order of the Church,
promoting activities and doctrines that promote self-righteousness -
often teaching principles that negate the royalty attained for us at
the cross (examine the modern day prosperity message for starters).
Religion has and always will teach that works justify us, thus
negating the sacrifice made at Calvary. The ploy is 'keep them too
busy, too bound, and too hyped to figure out something is wrong.'
Religious men teach that our problems are results of not doing enough
(works) for God, often in the Church with phrases like, 'if you have
a money problem, you are not giving enough.' Philosophically we are
told, 'Get busy for God and He will get busy for you.' The one-man
show that has led the Church for so long has systematically replaced
God-worship with temple-worship.
We were never called to worship the Temple of the Lord, but rather
the Lord of the Temple. Temple worship is normally set up around the
Pastor-leader. The system (old order) calls for loyalty and reverence
for the Reverend. He is hallowed as the most Holy man in our midst,
hearing God for God's people. In this environment, the sheep are
considered second-class citizens, unable and unworthy to have or
understand the call of God in their lives.
Ridiculously, we have sat glued to our pews and accepted this system,
accepting an order that represses the very purpose and destiny upon
which we were put on the earth to do. Who can continue to sit in this
morass of nothingness, stymied, and helpless to move? Rebellion
against oppression started the Revolutionary War.
The settlers, seeking freedom from the religious and political
tyranny of the crown, could take it no more. War was declared and OUT
OF the American landscape rose two kinds of people; loyalist who,
from their fear, dared not offend the crown (old order), and the
fearless freedom fighters, patriots, seeking their freedom, willing
to declare their independence and lay down their life to fulfill
their dream (new order). Similarly, a new emerging Church cries for a
change in Church government; cries for the freedom to fulfill its
destiny and purpose, unwilling to continue in a system that can do
nothing more than allow God's people to walk in powerlessness,
oppression, and defeat; a system that not only allows, but also
promotes Goliath's continuous assaults on God's people.
Those wearing Saul's armor will never defeat Goliath, the time of
Saul has passed. Only those, who like David, reach into the brook and
remove the submerged five smooth stones, washed by the water will win
this victory. God is raising up a people who will embrace the
five-fold ministry (five smooth stones) with those who have been
submerged (hidden) for years and washed by the water of the word
(smooth) until their rough edges are gone. They will unify and slay
Goliath. The Church is destined to walk in victory, but God's power
can only come on God's order. He is the God of order.
God has breathed restlessness upon His people. UNDERSTAND THIS, if
you understand nothing else written on these pages, God is the author
and originator of this restlessness now felt my many in the Body. If
you do not feel it (the restlessness), this writing will mean little
to you. If you do, praise God, begin to get excited; Changes are
coming! What was once acceptable will no longer be acceptable.
Recognize the energy of the Holy Spirit stating, 'I have something
better for my people. I have spiritual refuges in your area being
raised up to initiate my plan and my purpose for My Bride. Pray and I
will direct you to them.'
On the other hand, some will be led to stay and pray, for some among
present leadership will catch the vision and embrace the changes God
is bringing to His Church. Some will not! Discernment and prayer will
reveal your path.
It is important that we begin to recognize the many chinks in the
armor of the present day Church, not in an effort to tear it down,
but rather in an effort to change it. Author and lecturer Dennis
Peacock has often stated, 'If you control the language, you control
the culture of any entity.' For instance, the Gay Rights movement of
the 1970s and 1980s successfully changed society's views on what the
Word of God calls immoral behavior.
Under the best of terminology's the homosexual way of life was termed
Abnormal Sexual Behavior, and yet now it is termed an Alternative
Lifestyle. Activist successfully lobbied to make their sexual
immorality a 'rights' issue as opposed to a 'moral' issue. In this
era of political correctness, society 'bought into this lie' and now
we are seeing States all over the nation allowing same sex marriages
and adoption rights, releasing standards of normalcy into what is
clearly, in God's Word, abnormal.
It all started with the language Saints of God! We have all been guilty of listening, BUT NOT HEARING what is
really being said. Many examples of how language controls culture
could be given in this writing; however, my efforts here will focus
on how 'Political Correctness' has invaded the Church with its
ability to completely turn God's people away from The Truth. During
the last twenty years, the Spirit of the World, and its father Satan,
has birthed this politically correct mindset into society, the
political arena, court room, business, and yes, even the Church. As
with other arenas of the Church, the World's System is alive and
well. Let us examine more closely how this LIE from Hell operates.
Satan's diabolical opposition to God and God's plan for his people in
known by virtually every Born Again believer. What are NOT known
however, are the subtle methods through which our enemy Satan works.
The term Love in Christian circles conjures up many mental images,
meanings and connotations, soft and gentle speech, hugs, handshakes,
vows to pray for each other, smiles, baskets of food during sickness,
hospital visits, Christian TV, Love Offerings. I could go on and on
but I think you get the picture. We leave little room for Love to
mean anything outside of a preconceived mindset, much of which has
been established by Church leadership.
For those who have been around for a while, experience with God has
taught that Love indeed means a great deal more than the 'Christy
Christian' 'Casper Milquetoast' image that many view this word with.
In God, (first and foremost, above all other preconceived notions),
LOVE IS TRUTH! Please HEAR this life-changing definition of Love -
Love does not lie, or bend, or compromise, or hide, the truth. The
highest and deepest form of God's love for us is a revelation of the
truth, even when it hurts, and often it does. Those He loves, he
chastens. 'Christy' and 'Casper' have a hard time with the words
discipline, chasten, correct, and turn over to Satan for the
destruction of flesh.
Yes indeed, political correctness has entered the Church with a
vengeance, and just in time to relegate the emerging prophetic
ministry to the back burner with words like 'mean spirited,' 'to
abrupt,' 'indiscrete,' 'overbearing,' all branding the mouthpiece of
God as 'not walking in love.' The present culture of the Church,
especially Church leadership, doesn't want to hear the truth,
preferring the status quo to the great changes that must take place.
These changes will require the diminishment of self and
self-importance for the five-fold to increase and come into
prominence. John-The-Baptist stated, 'I must decrease that He might
increase.' He, Jesus, was the entire five-fold, which he sent back to
us upon His death and resurrection. Like John, Pastors must begin to
hear the cry of God's people to be free to flow in their callings,
sense the restlessness within their congregations, but even more
importantly, HEAR the voice of God's Spirit.
The deceptiveness of the enemy has been to create in our minds a
definition and image of love that leaves no room for a hard word, a
corrective word, a disciplined word, ALL likely to come from the
prophet. Hence, with the emergence of the prophetic, the Church is
likely to only hear prophetic words that offer a great life and
future, financial blessing, spiritual authority and the like, all the
while, God is trying to bring His order to His Church. Where there is
much need of correction, there is much need of a corrective word,
most of which smacks 'Church Tradition' right in the nose.
These blows can be painful but necessary for truth to evolve. There
is a natural tendency to turn anything away that brings us pain, but
for those who are willing to embrace it and endure it, there is
awesome victory.
The forefront of His order begins by producing a Church in which
leaders are led by the Spirit, not the soul, whose purpose is to
acknowledge, raise up ministries, and send them out, not repress and
keep them bound to the old system of Pharaoh. Ministers led of God's
Spirit will abandon the hype, false prophecy, entertainment,
ear-tickling, man-pleasing soul led efforts, for a five-fold designed
of God to minister to the Saints.
We must awaken to the fact that to get on the right path, much of
what is considered the right way MUST be corrected. Occasionally this
will require a hard word. Let us not be guilty of turning those
anointed men and women of God away, simply because they are telling
us things that we do not want to hear. We must pray that Church
leadership be open to the new move of God and to the changes of an
emerging prophetic and apostolic ministry.
clay@coastalnow.net
The Power of the Most High
Bill Burns
It is not by might, nor is it by strength of man, but it is
by the power of the Most High, and these are those days that I shall surely
come like a flood upon My people and raise up a standard in the very midst
of My enemies. You are the standard that I am raising up. You are the
instruments of My justice, the instruments of My judgment. You are the
weapons of My war, for it is written that you are My battle axes. Do not sit
down. Do not slow down. This is a time of acceleration, and I am calling you
to the forefront, putting a sword in your hand, a trumpet in your mouth.
Blow the trumpet in Zion. Let the enemies be defeated where you stand.
Faith Tabernacle
The Perfect Church
A. W. Tozer
Our lofty idealism would argue that all Christians should be perfect,
but a blunt realism forces us to admit that perfection is rare even
among the saints. The part of wisdom is to accept our Christian
brothers and sisters for what they are rather than for what they
should be....
There is much that is imperfect about us, and it is fitting that we
recognize it and call upon God for charity to put up with one
another. The perfect church is not on this earth. The most spiritual
church is sure to have in it some who are still bothered by the
flesh.
An old Italian proverb says, "He that will have none but a perfect
brother must resign himself to remain brotherless." However earnestly
we may desire that our Christian brother go on toward perfection, we
must accept him as he is and learn to get along with him. To treat an
imperfect brother impatiently is to advertise our own imperfections.
We Travel an Appointed Way, 55.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
--1 Peter 5:8
Some misguided Christian leaders feel that they must preserve harmony
at any cost, so they do everything possible to reduce friction. They
should remember that there is no friction in a machine that has been
shut down for the night. Turn off the power, and you will have no
problem with moving parts. Also remember that there is a human
society where there are no problems--the cemetery. The dead have no
differences of opinion. They generate no heat, because they have no
energy and no motion. But their penalty is sterility and complete
lack of achievement.
What then is the conclusion of the matter? That problems are the price
of progress, that friction is the concomitant of motion, that a live
and expanding church will have a certain quota of difficulties as a
result of its life and activity. A Spirit-filled church will invite
the anger of the enemy. This World: Playground or Battleground?,
112-113.
"Lord, thank You for the many signs that we are alive! Satan must see
real life, and I guess that's a good sign. Give us victory though,
that we might not succomb to his attacks. Amen."
Awakenings
Catherine Albarella
That stirring in your spirit of things you had believed dead, is the
awakening of the Glory I have been preparing you for. It is the Glory
of My presence within and around you. But it is only a stirring, a taste
of what is soon to come.
You cry out "Lord, let Your Glory fall!", but are you ready for the cost?
Are you ready to stand alone without the one you thought you could not
live without? Are you ready to stand without that thing you thought you
could not do without? Are you ready to stand, criticized, chastised by
the ones you love most, because what I am doing within you is different
from their own personal experience?
I am beginning to heal, deliver, and renew in a way you have not seen
before. For I am "restoring"... not to a place you have formerly known,
but to the place that I had always purposed for you.
Now is the time to worship Me. In the midst of discouragement, sing love
songs to Me, and bask in the Glory of My presence. You will soon see My
purposes for your life accomplished.
Come, my love, and give Me All your mind and heart,
submitted by Catherine Albarella
July 31, 2001
While women weep as they do now, I'll fight; while little children
go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and
out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a
drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,
while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll
fight - I'll fight to the very end." (William Booth - Founder of the
Salvation Army)
lionheart@gci.net
www.the-war-room.com2 Samuel 1:12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they
had fallen by the sword.
Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son.
Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives. And in their death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger
than lions.
O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very
pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.
How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"2 Samuel 9:3-6 Then the king said; "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?' And Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son
of Jonathan who is lame in his feet." So the king said to him, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is in the house of Machir, the son of
Ammiel, in LoDebar." Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel from LoDebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son
of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, "Mephibosheth?" And he answered, "Here is
your servant!"
Debra Westbrook
http://www.riversofeden.com
d.westbrook@att.net
May these words bring glory to Jesus!
Kremmling, CO 80459
http://ft111.com
ft111@ft111.comNow we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the
fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
--1 Thessalonians 5:14
_______________________________________________________________
Read "Insight for Leaders" online at:
http://www.litmin.com/tozer.php3 To me you are priceless And precious in My sight;
I want you to know How you fill Me with delight.
Let Me embrace you, Let Me take you by your hand;
Let My Glory lead you through What you cannot understand.
And watch My Glory bring you What only I can impart.
You will soon receive Your deepest heart's desire
When My Glory fills you With My passion and My fire.
Psalmist4Yhwh@cs.comFive-Fold Today Archives
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