I was having a conversation with someone this morning and we were discussing our desire for God’s move and presence among our church, the Body as a whole, and the nations.  As we were sharing I was reminded of some of the things we see or often come before God’s move.

Repentance.  Part of us beginning to walk in the freedom we were designed for is for us to pray and turn from our wicked ways as the scripture says.  When we are hung up on ourselves, harboring sin, and living in self reliance, it becomes a hinderance to our being a part of the move of God or sensing His presence.

Hunger. Simply, we must desire it.  As humans, we are so easily caught up in fleeting and short lived satisfactions.  We give in to the desires of our flesh and shelve the hunger of  our souls.  There is so much in scripture related to us choosing the things of God – wanting them.  ”Set your mind on things above”, “Clothe yourself with Christ”, “Believe”, “Where your treasure is there is your heart”.  If we want to encounter God in deep and fresh ways we must want it.

Expectation.  Do you believe?  Do you believe God can? Do you believe He will?  Faith.  Without it we will only see with our natural eyes.  When we live with the expectation that God is present and moving, we will begin to encounter and see His move much more often.  It is an issue of concrete perspective.  It starts with choosing to declare that God is who He says He is and continues in declaring that He will do what He says He will do.  The more we choose to see things from God’s perspective the more we will see things that way.

What would happen if today in your quiet time, or at your Bible study, or this week at church, or just plain out in public somewhere – if you would repent of your own sin and lack of belief, hunger and desire for God’s presence more than anything else, and actually believe that He will meet you there?  Try it.

One of the books on worship (aside from scripture) that has had the most impact on me as a worship leader has been “Facing the Wall” by Don Potter.  Below is a link to the the message I shared this past Sunday at church on the subject of worship entitled “Facing the Wall”.

Why do we worship? What should it look, sound, and feel like? What are the results of worship?

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

by Keith Miller
from the Elijah List website

I believe God is releasing both a Spirit of understanding and wisdom from some of our past visitations and impartations and bringing new impartation. I’m in the place where I don’t just want to know God’s prophetic word; I want to walk it out! With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding (Proverbs 8:14).

Isaiah 11:2 says the Spirit of the Lord came upon Him, and the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And the kind of understanding God is talking about is a river of understanding, not just a small stream.

Do you want to build your life according to Heaven’s blueprint? Do you want to be a wise master builder? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Do you want the Lord to burn up the wood, hay, and stubble of your life so you can offer Him the pure silver and gold? I don’t want to trust in my own understanding, I want the Lord to direct my paths. From this day on, say, I’m going to press in. I want wisdom and understanding for my life. I don’t want to operate in a measure, but an increase from glory to glory.

This Spirit of understanding comes in many forms. In Exodus 35:34, you’ll find that the Spirit of wisdom and understanding will give you that ability to teach. Remember, it’s not you, but Him. The best teaching flows out of the anointing—that way it won’t dull the ears because it won’t be powerless, it’ll be powerful!

God wants to open up a river of understanding of the things that He has spoken to you for your ministry, for your family, for all areas of your life. I know that you have something burning in you, but you can’t articulate it. God will impart the Spirit of understanding to you and bring understanding of the words and visions He has already placed inside of you! The words that have been spoken by God into your life are being imparted to your inner man.

The Spirit of Understanding Gives Clarity and Boldness

The Spirit of understanding gives clarity. Colossians 1:9 says, “For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things.” (AMP)

Paul didn’t say, Get more information! He said, I’m going to pray for you to receive knowledge, wisdom and understanding. He said, I do not cease to pray for you, to ask that you may be filled. I want to walk in spiritual understanding, to walk out what the Lord has spoken to me. God is bringing forth the Spirit of understanding, filling us with the knowledge of His will.

…in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.—Colossians 1:9b-10

It’s not fumbling and hoping, it is God. It’s authority and confidence. The disciples, in the Book of Acts, said they wanted to know God’s predetermined will before the foundations of the earth so that they could speak with boldness. They didn’t want to just speak the word; they wanted to know what they were talking about! The word boldness is confidence!

When We Walk in the Spirit of Understanding, We Please God and Become Fruitful in Every Good Work

When we walk in the Spirit of understanding, we walk fully pleasing the Lord, being fruitful in every good work because we are not walking in our own understanding—we’re walking in His understanding, and it releases authority! And wherever you’re from and whatever you do, God wants to remove all limitations and do something through your life that demonstrates His power!

We need the Spirit of understanding, don’t we?

When God imparts understanding it comes to your inner man. Ephesians 1:18 says it causes the eyes of your understanding to be illuminated. You know what that means? Awakened, understanding, the hope of your call, and your inheritance. It causes a confidence and a holy boldness. Isaiah 32:15-17 says when the Holy Spirit is poured out from on high, you dwell in that quiet assurance.

A few years ago I was in a meeting, and as I watched the speaker I thought he was one of the most arrogant persons I’d ever heard. And all of a sudden I heard the Lord say, “You call that pride? I call it confidence, and what you’ve been calling humility has been a stench to my nostrils.”

God wants us to operate in boldness and confidence! We are plugged right into the best Connection; we are getting our information from the best possible Source! We are receiving understanding from the One who can just speak a word and change the whole world. That should give us confidence. If God is for us, who can be against us?

It’s Time for Us to Become the Light on the Hill that Raises Up a Standard

This new season you are going into, you are not going in blind. God is going to give you the Spirit of understanding with strategies and clarity. The Spirit of understanding, it breaks off fear! Jesus operated in both the Spirit of understanding and the Spirit of wisdom. Even as a 12-year-old boy He had more understanding and wisdom than the learned Pharisees and Sadducees. When they heard Him, they marveled at His understanding. His understanding greatly exceeded theirs. He was blowing their minds.

It is time for us to become the light on the hill that raises up a standard. It’s not by our ability but by being connected into the Spirit of understanding. It is through understanding that authority is released. Don’t you want to get plugged in like that? You can!

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding!—Proverbs 3:13

Keith Miller
Stand Firm World Ministries
Email: info@sfwm.org

Quick Vote on Pastor Chris Online has been an interesting experience.  Each week, participants have been availed the opportunity to vote one question from given options. The winning question has been addressed by the man of God, Pastor Chris, during the weekly webcast!

On Quick Vote this week are intriguing topics for your selection. As always, the topic with the highest vote wins and gets to be addressed by the man of God, Pastor Chris, next week during the Q&A webcast. The options are:

1.      Honoring an abusive parent – How should a Christian face up to the responsibility of honoring an abusive parent as required by God in the fifth of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12)?

2.      Praying to Mary/ Saints - Some Christians believe Mary and some saints are intercessors before God. It is believed that a Saint, who is glorified in Heaven, has more “direct access” to God. Therefore, if a saint delivers a prayer to God, it is more effective. How scriptural is this?

3.      Can two souls be spiritually connected? - According to Bible scholars, the connection in the soul realm between two people is referred to as a soul tie. It links their souls together and  can bring forth either beneficial or negative results. How true or scriptural is this? Can the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible be referred to as a soul tie?

4.      Will Married couples remain married in Heaven? – The Bible says that at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30). What then happens to Christian couples who were married on earth? Will they maintain their marital status in Heaven?

Quite interesting questions you would say; don’t miss being a part of it! Click here to make your selection now.  Don’t forget to invite your loved ones to make their choice too and, make your thoughts known right here on the pastorchrisonline blog on your choice option!

God bless you!

If you haven’t viewed this week’s Q&A video with Pastor Chris, click NOW…it’s a MASTERPIECE!!! You can also view past episodes of the broadcast!!

Culled from Pastorchrisonline Blog

Tammy, I got this Healing School Faith Proclamations in my mail box and just the way you send me stuff, I was inspired to send it to all my friends…..guess what? I got this testimony today from one of my friends:

THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I’VE HAD SERIOUS PAIN AT THE LOWER PART OF MY ABDOMEN SINCE MORNING. I’VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WALK STRAIGHT. AS I DECLARED THESE WORDS FROM MY HEART WITH ALL MY BEING I FELT AN INSTANT RELIEF.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.

VICKY!!

Faith Proclamations!!

I have the life of God in me! My life is hid with Christ in God; it’s impossible for sickness to have dominion over me. I am not of this world; therefore, I refuse to be subject to the corrupting influences of this world. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I dwell in dominion and victory over all contrary forces. I walk in divine health and strength; no infirmity can stay in me. The same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead lives in me; therefore, no sickness or disease has the ability to harm me.

I am supernatural! The life of God is at work in my members; I refuse to accommodate sickness. The Maker of heaven and earth has made my body His home address; therefore, I refuse to worry about my health! I declare that I enjoy divine health everyday! I am from above; I am seated together with Christ in the place of power, dominion and victory. No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; the Word of God prevails in my body.

I declare that my body is daily vitalized by the power of the Holy Ghost in me; therefore, every fiber of my being is filled with life and strength. The healing power of God is in me because the Healer lives in me! Sickness has no place in my body! The matter of sickness was settled forever by virtue of all Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection; I refuse to be broken anymore  by infirmity.

I am complete through my union with Christ; therefore, I declare that every organ of my body is perfect. There’s nothing wrong in me; every part of my being functions with utmost perfection. My faith is the victory that overcomes the world; therefore, I declare that my faith is working and producing great and mighty results. Success is mine! Divine health is mine! Victory is mine, in the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen!

Do mail it to all your contacts, God bless you!!

Charly

Thank you Charly, as you can see, I did more than that, I made a post of it. For more of this, go to the Healing School web site……you will be glad you did and REMEMBER!!! freely you have received, freely give.

So send the link to this post to all on your buddy list and click on the comment button below to share your thoughts.

Tammy

We’re one breath away from eternity
So what are you waiting for
Come Come to Me and drink
I died for YOU
I Love YOU!!!!
Don’t wait says the Lord
Come and be with Me forever
I desire to be with You forever
I. Breathed the very breath of
Life in you and one day you’ll
Breathe your last 
Make your choice today for
Today is the Day of Salvation
Love your Savior_ Jesus the Son of
The living God
Jesus said to him,  I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except
Through  Me. 
John 14:6

God, who at sundry times and divers’ manners speaks in time pass unto the fathers by the prophets, hath these last days spoken unto us by His son PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME  [Heb 11:1 KJV]

On August 29th 2009, I introduced to you specially to the Pastor Chris Prophetic Blog and I hope you have availed yourself of the great blessings that accrue to all from this blog. Pastor Chris would always say – one word from God can change your life forever. In his last post dated Thursday 24^th September, Pastor Chris said:

It’s another season in the realm of the Spirit, which according to the book of Malachi 3:16, God’s book of remembrance is open for a season of sudden glory; and divine favor is granted in such a way that you’ll enter into a position of opportunity, influence, prosperity and power. This sudden glory is beyond what you could have imagined.

Awesome isn’t? “The Scriptures give account of several of such seasons of sudden glory initiated by a prophetic voice”…you need to read the rest for yourself, but one thing is sure – this is God’s Word to you as we start off the last lap of the year 2009. Make up your mind to finish strong, simply log on to Pastor Chris Prophetic Blog.

The Pastor Chris Prophetic Blog is loaded with words designed by the Holy Spirit to change your life forever; through the Holy Spirit Pastor Chris says, “I receive words for and about you every day that if you would believe and accept, they would become real in your life. These inspired words from God’s heart are based on revelations and visions. They never replace the written word of God – the bible – or the voice of the Spirit in your heart. Nevertheless, they give light and direction, re-echo, complement and even confirm the word of God and the voice of the Spirit in your heart.”

Culled from the Pastor Chris Prophetic Blog

I believe my man of God – Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, this is my season for sudden glory, what about you? Click on the link below and share your thoughts. God bless you!!

Tammy

Weak or weighty weak or weighty weak or Weighty?
Push in to Me..  Push in the Holy of Holies.. Push up and 
Out of this realm   Push up and out of your
Old thinking it’s hindered you from My presence
Do you really really want to affect the people around
You? Push Push Push into Me says the Lord. Look at the
Place where My peoples lives were changed drastically!!!
The woman with the issue of blood. The woman (gentile) whose daughter was possessed.   The centurion  soldier whose servant was sick. They all sought Me  they came to Me
Says the Lord. They were so so so desperate  for Me says your
God your Father your Friend come up higher today to Me

I’m causing an army to rise up in the 
Earth today.  why now you say.
All is groaning heavy weighted under 
My hand. Do you not know why that is?
What if I were to show you the end
I think you would be more APT
to WAKE UP and pursue Me with ALL might 
This will and is MY end time army
Will you enlist?

Nubuatan untuk Indonesia

Cindy Jacobs

I have heard your prayers. I have listened to your cries. I have seen my people coming together. You cannot imagine what I am getting ready to do. For I am going to heal this land.

And the Lord says, as a sign that I am going to heal this land, look to the fishing industry. For I am going to call fish from the ends of the earth to Indonesia.

And I am getting ready to open up new resources. I am going to open up oil. I am going to begin to open up the abundance from the waters.

I am getting ready to cause the land to be fertile. The Lord says you will see the harvests increasing and increasing. For even you will see on the news that the grain harvest and the rice harvest are doubling.

We are going to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit we welcome you into Indonesia. We welcome you into the Sudanese people, the Malaya people, the people of Sumatra.

The Lord says, look to the military. For I am going to bring a great revival to the military. And there is going to be many miracles in the military. And the Lords say, Indonesia military will be my army.

The Lord gave me a promise last September that there will be a day when the violence will no longer be heard in the land of Indonesia.

You see, the Lord is saying that He wants to stop the violence here. I mean earlier today, I challenged you to a forty-day time of twenty-four hour worship. So, it is good to heed those words. Because there is something that God wants to protect you from.

You know you have already had one bombing at the airport and you need to protect this nation. It’s time for serious intercession. Not that you haven’t prayed, but you have to pray some more.

Do you realize what history is being made here. Last year, I spoke in twenty-two nations. I have visited with prayer leaders on every continent. But this move in Indonesia is one of the greatest moves that I have ever seen. This is God of history. This is a God of visitation.

I prophesy a visitation of God in the universities when I was here before.

Now I prophesy that the Indonesians will help bring revival to the United States.

God is going to give you the keys to open this country for the Gospel. And there is going to be a revival that will be seen around the world from Indonesia. Look and see. God is going to showcase Indonesia.

Right now, you are on the brink of making history. Tonight there is something changing in the heavens. And not only is God going to heal the economy of Indonesia if you pray. But He is going to pull down corruption. It is not a good time to be in corruption. Because, God, after this week, is going to start uncovering corruption. He is going to shake it. He is going to shake it. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Hallelujah.

There are going to be hundreds of thousands coming to Christ. Your churches are going to be too small. You are going to need a lot more room. And God says to you, I am going to begin to even move in the cell movement. And you are going to see, “I am going to bring many to Christ.” There is going to be such a rapid movement in some areas, a movement of God in growth, that they will say what is happened is what is prophesied in

Isaiah 66:7-97 “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

Can a nation be born in a day? The Holy Spirit is going to do such a rapid work.

If you continue the unity, there are going to be many many mega-churches in Indonesia. God is going to pour out His Spirit like that. People will come from many many nations to Indonesia. Just to see the move of God and particularly to pray.

The Lord says, “You thought a lot of people came to Korea. Tens of thousands more will come to pray in Indonesia. Tens of thousands will come to pray. Many prayer centers will be built. Many many prayer mountains. In fact, there will be a day when every part of Indonesia has there own prayer centers. Because, this will be a prayer revival. It will be a revival of prayer.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me, and I wrote this in my Bible, September 7, 2002.

Isaiah 60:18, “No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.”

Can you imagine, in one day, all over this nation. Can you imagine, worship going on twenty-four hours a day. Worship never stopping. Can you imagine, from Indonesia, there is a cry that goes on twenty-four hours every day? Every day someone is fasting for the nation. And you will see in the physical what happens in the spiritual.

And the Lord says, there will be new songs written from Indonesia. And these songs will be sung around the world.

And the Lord says, it’s not just the Pentecostals that are going to see this kind of move. The denominations are going to see great growth because I am going to move in each of the denominations that will come into unity to pray.

There is also going to be an anointing for finance. Some of you need money to build buildings. God is going to give you favor for permits so you can build your buildings. You are going to find favor with government leaders and you are going to find favor with people to give you money. And Indonesia, one day you will see, the most money of any nation going for the mission field from Indonesia.

Indonesia is a Joseph nation. Indonesia is a Joseph nation. Indonesia is called of God to release finances to the ends of the earth.

Now listen to me. God is giving you such precious promises. There is sound of revival like a mighty river. But it depends on what you do. You can say yes. You can cooperate. Or you can lose the revival.

Now God is looking for some place to have this great revival. There is going to be many revivals coming. He told me He is going to bring in a great children’s revival. One of the most historic children’s revivals ever seen… your children, your grandchildren. But you know what, He will give that to another nation, if you don’t pray.

It’s a big responsibility. We need to have the fear of the Lord on our lives. Just because God says it, it doesn’t mean that it will happen if you don’t pray. It’s up to you.

This is one of the most historic prayer gatherings in history. Intercessors from three hundred cities, from many denominations, but you must continue. You must fight for this nation. You must not stop.

You heard last night about the music, the worship, from Indonesia. That the songs written from Indonesia would be sung around the world. So, therefore, prepare yourself. I expect there to be a large proportion of musicians among the prayer movement. Because this is part of the prophetic word.

Now I want to ask a question. Could God want to heal the economy of Indonesia? As you begin to worship the Lord, believe that the economy would be healed in Indonesia. It’s not enough to talk about becoming a house of prayer for all nations, you need to do it. And there will be a day when city after city have prayer towers. City after city will worship the Lord. And this will be a hallmark of the revival.

I said, Lord, What is the major key for the revival of Indonesia? He said it would be children worshipping Me.

Psalm 8:2 “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”

If God is going to bring a great children’s revival here, and He is, than you need to prepare the children. During our forty days of worship recently, our church had children’s worship night.

We have to prepare them. We need to teach them to pray for Indonesia. Listen, if you really believe that your children are the next generation, then you need to invest time and money in children’s programs.

You know we have been talking the last couple of days that the word of the Lord was that the Indonesian fire would go to the ends of the earth. I was talking to some people earlier, and I said, “You will be able to say, I’m an Indonesian.” And the people will say to you, “Oh, you’re where that great revival is taking place.” What an exciting time. And I just know that this is something great.

For the Lord says, there are going to be many books written by Indonesian leaders. And I am going to cause these books to be studied by the body of Christ. And as I was praying, I could just see so many books on Intercession coming out of Indonesia.

One day the Indonesian church will give more money per capita than any other nation of the world to missions. But that is not going to automatically happen. Somebody has to pray it in.

You are on the verge of war. What an exciting time to pray. Because you are going to see the hand of God move and intervene. And this very region, where there is a war brewing, God will bring a mighty move the Holy Spirit. Because, He is faithful. So the church needs to get ready to go in and help that area.

Prophecy for Achee

You are my treasure and your people are my treasure. I have seen you suffering. I have seen your children suffering. And I am going to bring a great move of God in Achee.

Aren’t we all ready for some breakthrough? This is a great word of encouragement from Matt Sorger to “Press” through for your breakthrough. Matt shares that “persistence” is the key.

I like what Matt also shares here, “If you feel at times the enemy pressing in against you, it may not be because you are doing something wrong. It may actually be because you are doing something right! If you keep yourself in a good place with God, if you stay in the light of His presence and keep yourself from evil, God will deliver the enemy into your hands.”

Don’t let the enemy lie to you…you are so close to your breakthrough and you ARE doing something right!

Over the last several months the Lord has impressed a word on my heart. That word is “PRESS.” I have been sensing very strongly from the Lord that a new hour of increase is upon us. The Lord wants to place a new level of authority, power and glory upon people. But we have been in a season of PRESSING THROUGH to the BREAKTHROUGH.

September will be crucial to make this push through into the next season God has for us. It is a time to consecrate ourselves in a fresh and deeper way before the Lord. It is a time to wait before Him and allow Him to deal with every obstacle in our lives. Allow His Spirit to search out hidden attitudes and sins so that your life is clean and pure before Him. This preparation will bring us into a place where the enemy has nothing in us and we are prepared and ready for the increase which God wants to entrust us with.

New Levels of Anointing, Influence and Authority

There is one thing the enemy fears the most. That’s the anointing. He is not threatened by lukewarm, complacent and prayerless Christians. He’s not even threatened by Christians who go to church. He is threatened by one thing, the anointing. It’s the anointing that destroys the enemy’s yoke. The enemy is terrified not just by the anointing, but by Believers who carry the anointing!

In 2 Samuel 5:3-5, we see King David coming under his third level of anointing. This is where he is anointed king over Israel. His first anointing took place when he was a shepherd boy. Later he was anointed king over Judah. And now he is stepping into the fullness of his call and anointing as he is anointed and inaugurated king over all of Israel. His sphere of authority, influence, territory and power was increasing. He was coming into a day of fulfillment.

There are those in the Body of Christ right now who are about to cross over into a new level of anointing and into a greater place of increase and fulfillment. A new level of authority, influence and anointing is about to be entrusted to those who have been preparing their hearts and pressing into this breakthrough. God has been preparing them through a deep process. They have gone through several levels of anointing and are about to come into another season of increase. As God increases His authority and anointing upon people they will be brought into a new level of influence and impact.

Overcoming Spiritual Resistance

But the enemy is terrified of this. One thing I have been aware of over the past few months is a sense of pressure and resistance in the spirit realm. Many of you have been experiencing this same sense of resistance or pressure around you. The Lord brought me to 2 Samuel 5:17-25. You have to understand, when the enemy senses an increase of anointing or authority coming into a person’s life, he gets terrified, because he knows this will do damage to and destroy his works.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king, they set themselves up against him. They came to contest the authority that David had been entrusted with. David inquired of the Lord and was reassured by God that the enemy would be delivered into his hand.

2 Samuel 5:20 states “And David came to Baal-Perazim, and he smote them there, and said, ‘The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters.’ So he called the name of that place Baal-Perazim (Lord of breaking through).”

As the enemy came up against David, because of the increase of his anointing and authority, God fought on his behalf and delivered the enemy into his hands. If you feel at times the enemy pressing in against you, it may not be because you are doing something wrong. It may actually be because you are doing something right! If you keep yourself in a good place with God, if you stay in the light of His presence and keep yourself from evil, God will deliver the enemy into your hands.

But you have to be aware of something. The enemy is persistent. In this account with David, he came back a second time. David inquired of the Lord again. This time God said in 2 Samuel 5:24, “And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then bestir yourselves, for then has the Lord gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines.”

Just as God dispatched warring angels to fight on David’s behalf, so God is releasing warring angels to go before His people to clear out every obstacle and hindrance that would attempt to stand before you.

Be More Persistent Than the Enemy

Just because the enemy comes back again and presses again, that does not mean that you didn’t get a breakthrough. It just means you have to determine in your heart that you are going to be more persistent than the enemy. The word of the Lord is PRESS. When the enemy presses in against you, you must press back against him. As you do, God is bringing you into this place called Baal-Perazim. He is bringing you into the place of BREAKTHROUGH. Persistence will be a key for you.

The reason you have been going through what you have been going through is because you are about to come into a new place of increase, authority and influence. The enemy is terrified of this, but he will not prevail. God is putting a breaker anointing on you today so that you can successfully PRESS all the way through.

I encourage you, as we finish out August and make our way into September, that you spend time before the Lord allowing Him to do a deeper work of consecration than ever before. Let go of whatever you need to let go of. Purge your life of whatever doesn’t belong there. Spend time in God’s presence and press through all resistance in the spirit realm through persistent prayer, worship and a holy, consecrated life. And watch what God will do in you and through you as we enter into this next season.

Let’s Pray: Lord, I surrender in a fresh way every area of my heart and life to You. May I be completely consecrated to You and may the enemy have nothing in me. May I be full of Your light and truth and may I be ready to move into the season of increase and blessing You have for me. May Your glory, authority, presence and power rest upon my life in new dimensions. May my impact for Your Kingdom increase in this hour as I fully surrender my all to You, in Jesus’ name. Give me the strength and endurance I need. I thank You for BREAKTHROUGH IN EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Matt Sorger
Matt Sorger Ministries
Email: info@mattsorger.com

Prophetic Word of the Lord

Below is a key encouraging prophecy that we heard the Lord speak as we sought Him in prayer this week. Following this are the next seven days of devotions.

The Lord is saying: “There is a wind that is beginning to blow the dust from your shelf. You are being called and will be sent forward again. There will be fastings in this next season that you didn’t experience in the last season. But the fastings will be for the enlargement of your territory. I am beginning to amass My people and join them together in troops. They will be land and structure changers. They will find and release those that were held captive by old ruling systems and release them to be restored. Many of these captives will be the leaders of My armies in days ahead.

“I am beginning to move on those people that have not known angelic intervention and they will know angelic intervention. I am beginning to blow again and some will say, ‘I must leave the mixed structure of my old Jerusalem, the place of my beginning that was mixed with sorrow and religion. I must come to Antioch, be renewed, and sent from there into where I need to go in the future.’ At this time, I am ordering the way for you to leave, be sent, return new, and complete what was not completed in the last season. I will come now and use what you have seen in your past as a pattern to propel you past the enemy and into the future.

“Look around you. Things might seem to be the same, but I have positioned you high on the mountain, and even the place that looks familiar no longer is familiar to you! I have raised you up to give you a vision of what I would do to bring down, build up and recreate your destiny that is waiting for you. The heavens are opening up over you and if you will ‘See’, I will use you to create the new.

“Hear the sounds of confusion that were confusing you. I have lifted you above that confused fray! I will cleanse and redirect My purposes in you. I’ve lifted you above confused noise and structures that would have held you captive. Sound has movement and confused sounds were moving around you. I will show you new ways to overrule the enemy and then you will descend as I send you back into the confused noise of the world that you once knew. You will be like a battle axe that has been anointed to cut through and form a path in the midst of the enemy’s territory.

“I’ve been disciplining and training you in new ways. You will be My engineer of a NEW Highway. You will engineer the way ahead. You will move ahead in a new way. You will be an engineer. You will begin to set an order that hasn’t been set. You will begin to be the engineer and know how things are measured and lined out for the future. But you’ll say, ‘I don’t feel trained.’ But I will train you as I give you one piece at a time. I will cause you to engineer a new way. I have a heavenly release that I am bringing down upon you, and from the heavenly sound you will re-engineer the highways through the confusion in the earth realm.

“I’ve had to pluck the very depths of your soul. I’ve had to create a sound in your soul that you didn’t even know was there. I’ve had to pull your personality from deep within you, because the sounds of the world had captured My sound in you and diverted your personality. I have settled you so your impatience that was linked with the cares of the world would not rule your soul. I have formed a Rest Center on your behalf so you could gain a strategy to move through the dark night of your soul and into day.

“I’ve brought a new assignment to your life that will cause your personality to shine in Me. I have plucked the sound of your soul, and caused your heart to create a sound that will express My heart. Now your soul will resound with Me.” (Read Isaiah 42:12-17 in the New Living Translation)

Wow, talk about a “Spirit of Wisdom!” Keith Miller shares one power-packed word on this very subject. There are so many nuggets to daily living in the spirit of wisdom, not just some time, but all the time as Keith shares here. He even gives some awesome testimonies of others who are walking and living in the spirit of wisdom. And like Keith shares we need to have and live in the spirit of wisdom more than ever in these days.

The Lord wants to anoint us with supernatural wisdom that will cause people to say, “How did he get so smart?” They said that of Jesus. “And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!’” (Mark 6:2b). You see, we need that again in the Church. We need to set the standard for the world.

Jesus lived His life plugged into the Flow of the Spirit of Wisdom, so His life, on a day to day basis, demonstrated skillful living that glorified and demonstrated the reality of the Kingdom of God.

Don’t you want an impartation from the Spirit of Wisdom? I believe we’re coming into new seasons and new times in the Lord. It’s not that it’s new to Him, it’s new to us. The Church needs to operate in the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding now! We need to raise up a standard, not by our ability, but by being plugged into the Spirit of Wisdom; this is not information or performance, but skillful ability and understanding that releases authority and strong leadership.

Dear friends, we are seeing major changes all around that will affect, and have affected, each of our lives; and more are on the way. If there was ever a time for you and I to live and operate out of the Spirit of Wisdom, it is now! Please know that I’m not talking about what your ability is or a few nuggets of thoughts. These things are a blessing, but I’m talking about something more—something deeper, wider, and greater. I’m talking about living and operating out of a River of Wisdom.

A River of Wisdom is different. When I say a River, I’m talking about the perpetual flow of the Holy Spirit in the area of wisdom. O dear friends, how we need this now. My heart is to see God’s precious people living out of the deepest part of the blessing of the Lord…to flow with all that He is in you. As you read this article, ask Him to fill you with all wisdom and understanding, for His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

The Bible in John 7:37-38 declares that out of your heart or belly will flow rivers of living water! Notice it declares rivers of living water. One of those rivers is the River of Wisdom! Let the River of Wisdom flow!

Spirit of Wisdom Defined

The Spirit of Wisdom is not just information. The Spirit of Wisdom is a supernatural endowment of an ability to do something above one’s own ability. It is actually the skillful ability to do what God has called you to do. There is a river of wisdom being released to the Church right now, and it isn’t analytical ability, but it is a skillful and creative ability.

The Church is about to minister out of a wisdom that is going to confound the wisest people on the earth. The world will start asking, “Where did he get that ability? He didn’t go to school for that!” Believers say, “I got it in a dream.” People will be mystified by this. The Spirit of Wisdom is supernatural ability. The Lord demonstrated this in Psalm 136:5a: “Him who by wisdom made the heavens.” Wow! By wisdom He made the heavens.

Benny Hinn describes it like this: “Wisdom is living skills; it is the ability to apply the knowledge of God’s Word to our lives daily. It involves the application of God’s truth to human experience on a day to day basis. Properly mastered, it can lead to a happy, successful, and prosperous life.” (from Welcome, Holy Spirit)

The Spirit of Wisdom flows from Heaven, straight from His throne; it comes out of communion with the Lord in intimacy with Him. It flows from His presence, which is the “center pipe” of the lampstand in Zechariah 4:2 from which all the other six operations of the Spirits also flow.

Gift of Wisdom versus Spirit of Wisdom

There is a distinct difference between the gift of wisdom and the Spirit of Wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 12:8, “…for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,” we see the gift of wisdom, or a word of wisdom. We give words of wisdom when the Holy Spirit uses us to deliver a particular piece of information, possibly about a healing, a wayward child, etc.

The Lord wants us to take it up a notch and experience the continuous flow of the Spirit of Wisdom. He is moving us into the function of the Holy Spirit where we will walk in the perpetual, ceaseless flow of the unlimited anointing on a day to day basis, not every once in a while. So we want more than just a word of wisdom, we want a river of wisdom; we want the Spirit of Wisdom.

Function of Spirit of Wisdom

Remember in John 7:38b it says, “Out of his (your) heart (belly) will flow rivers of living water”? (Emphasis mine) That’s more than just one river. These rivers symbolize multiple flows or functions of the Holy Spirit. Think about the Spirit of Wisdom as a river of wisdom flowing out of your life. As it was stated earlier, wisdom is not analytical ability, but creative power. So the Spirit of Wisdom is an impartation or a river of creative ability to function in what God is calling you to do.

As I write this, I’m feeling the zeal of the Holy Spirit very strongly. Rivers represent several different expressions or functions of the Holy Spirit ministry. One of those flows is the Spirit of Wisdom. So, as a Believer, you have the potential to have a river of wisdom flow from you, flow through you, and around you, just like it says in Ephesians 1:19, “By His exceeding great power for you, through you and around you.”

Wouldn’t you like to tap into Jesus, the “center pipe” of the lampstand that is described in Zechariah 4? Jesus is pretty wise, isn’t He? He sees the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. He’s the Alpha and Omega. Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of wisdom? He has the blueprint plans for your life right in front of Him. He has what God has already ordained for you. He hears from the Father, “Jesus, go get it,” and then He tells the Holy Spirit, who transmits it to you.

I know the potential for me in any area is unlimited because it is not based on how well I can do things, but it is based on how I learn to flow with the river of wisdom. Since He gives me supernatural ability to do things, I want to be able to cause people who have not seen me in three years to say, “Oh my, look at this guy! Where’s he getting this stuff from?” And I can give the Lord the glory for it all.

So, the Lord wants to anoint us with supernatural wisdom that will cause people to say, “How did he get so smart?” They said that of Jesus. Mark 6:2b “And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!’” You see, we need that again in the Church. We need to set the standard for the world.

Benefits of the Spirit of Wisdom

Look at this passage in Proverbs 4:5-13 which is all about wisdom:

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.

Promotion

The Spirit of Wisdom will bring promotion. Grace is favor, or supernatural ability to do what you can’t do; He does it for you. I have always had this kind of favor. I would wonder, Why do I always get these breaks? I used to call it luck. Once a man told me, “By the way, I am going to give you a race horse.” I said, “I don’t need a race horse.” He said, “Oh you don’t have to do anything.” I said, “Well, how much does it cost to feed that thing?” He said, “No, I’ll feed it too. I just want to put your name on it.” I asked, “Why?” He said, “Everything you touch turns to gold.” It was because of God’s favor.

I believe the Lord allowed me to touch that side of life because I came from such a bad background. We were very poor. When I was young, I stole clothes off the clothesline to help my brothers and sisters. Can you imagine going to school and being asked, “Hey, isn’t that my shirt?” It’s kind of embarrassing. I used to go to the grocery store at 4:00am to steal the food that was set outside the store for stock. I knew that side of life.

The Lord’s goodness allowed me to know His favor, and that is what is so awesome about His plan. He sees the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. He later allowed me to prosper in business, which released not only finances, but also important life lessons. Riches don’t entice me anymore. I have already had them and I was empty. It can’t compare to what I have now. I would never trade the anointing for any amount of money!

Long Life

Did you know that wisdom will extend your life? The Lord told me once, “Keith, a lot of My people are dying prematurely due to stress. If they would just embrace the Spirit of Wisdom, they would have a lot less stress.” Remember, Proverbs 4:10 above says, “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.” When people try to live by their own abilities instead of plugging into His ability, stress increases.

God has purposes and plans for every Believer. His plans are bigger than what you can do. They will either drive you or excite you. We usually go through a season where we’re driven by our vision until we get worn out and weary and give up, and that’s when God kicks in and begins to do it through us. But we don’t have to live like that! We can actually live in His wisdom. Jesus Himself said, “Take My yoke upon you…For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). Wouldn’t you like to live in the ability of the Spirit of Wisdom?

An Ornament of Grace

Wisdom will place on your head an ornament of grace and crown your head with glory. God says, “Let Me put an ornament of grace on your head.” Everywhere you go that ornament is there. Rejoice, because grace gives you favor with God and man. Grace gives you what you don’t deserve. Grace makes things easy. 2 Timothy 2:1, “You therefore, My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” The word strong means to be enabled or energized by grace; when we operate out of the function of Wisdom we are energized by Grace not our strength!

The reason why many things are so hard is because we are trying to do it out of natural wisdom instead of the Spirit of Wisdom. And we wonder why it doesn’t bring the Lord glory when we struggle and finally get it done. I’m tired of what we can do. Let’s see some things that only God can do.

Proverbs 4 refers to “a crown of glory.” The Spirit of Wisdom and understanding will promote you, put an ornament of glory over your head, and then crown you with glory. Have you been in meetings where the glory was so strong that you felt the weightiness of the Presence? Remember when Moses had to put a veil over his face because of the glory? Wouldn’t you like to be crowned with glory? When this happens, you become more God-conscious than self- or sin-conscious. Do you know what that would do for you if you became more God-conscious than sin or self-conscious? How much better is the new covenant? You want to be crowned with glory, the weightiness of His character, His nature and His power for your life.

Peace

Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding, for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge, the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.—Proverbs 3:13-20

Christians should be at peace knowing that the things He is asking of you He is not asking you to do in your own ability. He will give you the Spirit of Wisdom to perform the very thing that He is asking of you. See, it is an incredible thing for the river of wisdom to flow in your life. You will look at yourself in the midst of it all and think, “I can’t believe this is even me.” Guess what? It’s not!

When you begin to minister out of the Spirit of Wisdom, you won’t be in a state of emotional reaction. Jesus operated in a constant flow of the Spirit of Wisdom. His works, words, and teachings astonished the multitudes. Jesus provided the disciples with a great supply of opportunities to marvel. He commanded the fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:20), calmed a raging sea with a word (Mark 6:51), and boldly declared to the skeptical Pharisees and Herodians, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). All who heard Him were astonished with His teaching (Luke 4:32), His understanding, and His answers (Luke 2:47). He did many wonderful things, even raised the dead, and things don’t get much more astonishing than that!

In Acts 6:10, Stephen spoke with such wisdom, that those who were resisting could say nothing! “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” This is incredible manifestation of the Spirit of Wisdom through a person. Jesus said this in Luke 21:15, “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” This is a function out of the Spirit of Wisdom rather an emotional response.

As a Believer the Lord wants you to function in the Spirit of Wisdom in everyday living, so that you will be able to speak life to the hurting. You can lead many to Christ through the operation of the Spirit of Wisdom. “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4).

Many people will be lead to Christ through the operation of the Spirit of Wisdom. Daniel 12:3 says, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” Wow, what a powerful tool to lead many to the Lord…by the Spirit of Wisdom flowing through your life! We are the light upon the hill, and His glory shall be seen upon us which will lead many to the Lord.

Living Wittily (Intelligence, Clever)

God’s people should be the wittiest people on the earth. We should be the ones who set the standard. We have the advantage, but we seem to always make excuses like, “Well, if I had what they had…” The truth is you have the advantage over people who aren’t born again. You have the advantage because you have the Holy Spirit living in you. Even Jesus Himself said, “It’s to your advantage that I go away so He can come” (John 16:7). He was referring to the Holy Spirit.

Nehemiah 9:20a is one of my favorite Scriptures, “You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them…” God has given us His best, and the word for “best” means “beautiful, bountiful.” The Holy Spirit is His best one who can instruct us. The word “instruct” means “to shoot like an arrow; to guide wittily, like a wise master builder.” Christians should be the ones operating in the most skillful realms of ability and wisdom, because we’re plugged into the One who is orchestrating and bringing forth everything that He has purposed since the foundations of the earth.

Don’t you want to live your life wittily so that people around you start to take notice? The truth is God wants to do something in our lives that gives Him glory. You shouldn’t limit yourself to your education and your natural ability. I believe with all of my heart that this is for every Believer, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re 10 or you’re 70.

Heavenly Blueprints—God’s Plans for Us

You can begin to operate daily in the river of wisdom. Courses of action from God will enable you to be a wise master builder, building by custom-made Heavenly blueprints just for you. God has rivers of wisdom available to us for our lives. He has ordained our days for us before they ever come to pass, as Psalm 139:14-18 says:

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

I love that my days are fashioned for me in the Lord’s book in advance! Ephesians 2:10 also speaks of Him knowing our days in advance. It says: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

In John 15:15-16, Jesus Himself said, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

Do you want the fruit in your life that He has ordained and prepared? Do you want wisdom in order to walk out His eternal blueprints for your life? Wouldn’t you like to have all those things? A river of wisdom will bring this about. Wisdom is more important than any riches of this earth, as Proverbs 8:11 says: “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

Spirit of Wisdom Impartation is Transferable

In February I preached this message in a church in Austin, Texas. I told them, “I am going to ask the Lord to release this for you.” I prayed for the impartation for the activation of the river of wisdom and understanding. In attendance was a gentleman who had a business; he could hardly pay his rent. After this, in March or April, he invented a product to refurbish computer components. Now he can’t keep up with the orders. He just wrote me a check for $15,000 to build an orphanage, because the Lord is blessing him so supernaturally in the area of finances. God wants to do that for you, in the areas of ministry and for your family.

Since I preached that message we have had several people report that they received an impartation or activation in the Spirit of Wisdom so that their businesses, ministries, etc., have accelerated 20 times over. This is because as a man believes, so shall he receive. Every Believer can live in a river of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit—not just every once in a while, but daily.

The Lord wants you to enter into another level of the Spirit of Wisdom. I am going to ask and believe for you to receive the activation of it. The Holy Spirit is the wisest person on the earth, isn’t He? He knows what is going on in Heaven. By one Spirit we have access to the Father. So, when you connect with the Spirit of Wisdom or the river of wisdom, you are truly plugging in to a greater level of the wisest Person on the earth. You are going to flow with the Person who knows everything that is going on in Heaven and who has access to the One who has your blueprints.

Why don’t you make these faith declarations with me out loud now in prayer:

We’re coming into sync right now with the plan of Heaven for our lives upon the earth. As it is in Heaven, so shall it be in our lives. We’re going to walk in such a realm of the Spirit that we’re going to gain strength; we are going to increase and we’re going to be fruitful because we’re going to operate by the Spirit of Wisdom. We’re going to build as wise master builders, not with wood, hay or stubble. We’re going to build with gold and silver.

The Holy Spirit is going to search out the deep things of God and reveal them to us, then He is going to give us wisdom to be able to implement and see the fulfillment of those things. We thank You that we’re a people who are being led and instructed to live wisely and wittily by the Holy Spirit. Our steps are ordered by the Holy Spirit. Our lives will confound the wise.

This year is going to be the greatest year that we’ve seen for building the Kingdom. This is going to be the greatest year of building according to the blueprints of Heaven. We’re going to be amazed at what You are going to do this year. And Lord, because we’ve embraced the Spirit of Wisdom, You’re going to promote us. And because You’re going to promote us, You’re putting that ornament of grace on our heads right now. And I thank You for the crowning of glory. And I thank You, Lord, that we’re going to have long life, because we’re going to know a sense of rest in the Spirit that we’ve never known before, because we’re not going to do it by our strength and our ability but by the river of wisdom.

Now, Lord, I thank You that right now You are releasing an ability to teach like we’ve never been able to teach before. I thank You, Lord, that You’ve given us patterns to build by, but now the Spirit of Wisdom is going to see the fulfillment of those patterns. I thank You, Lord, that some of those things that we have waited for for ten or twenty years, that this year there is going to be a 30, a 60 and a 100-fold increase of them. I thank You for it in Jesus’ mighty name! Amen.

Keith Miller
Stand Firm World Ministries
Email: info@sfwm.org

We’ve been hearing lately about “scrolls and books” from Heaven being released in our day. I believe that day is soon at hand. Paul Keith Davis shares a fascinating experience he had with the Lord about this very subject, and how God was “grooming” people to receive profound heavenly insight.

Paul Keith also shares that the “spirit of the fathers” is being released to prepare the next generation for intimacy with God. This is very near and dear to my heart, being a physical father to my own children as well as a spiritual father to those the Lord has entrusted me to sow into. The generations merging and working together is key to God’s blessings.

A few years ago the Lord gave me a wonderful experience that I believe depicts the calling of several within the Church being prepared to go behind the veil and begin to understand great and mighty things which we presently do not know. There are some being groomed to experience Jeremiah 33:3 and receive key strategies and insight directly from the Lord that will be of paramount importance during this season. This prophetic Scripture declares:

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). (Amplified Version)

In the experience, I saw the Lord walking in a determined manner, but I could only see Him from the back. He was wearing a dark blue robe that reached to the ground. The color seemed to be indicative of His revelatory nature. I was not able to see His face for I was walking from behind Him. I suppose that could be good in that He was leading and we were following.

As I approached Him I knew exactly who He was. Other people were seemingly around but I paid little attention to them. As I approached Him I threw my arms around Him and placed my head on His right shoulder, feeling a great sense of affection and friendship. It would have been nice to simply remain there for a few years. It is important to remember this is an experience to help illustrate the relationship and affections this company will have with the Lord.

He allowed the loving embrace for a few moments and then pointed to a wall directly in front of us. It had a stone/tile appearance. I noticed at the base of the wall, an area that seemed to have been opened once before but was now sealed and “hidden” with small stones, flat rocks and scraps of paper. It was as though the wall was there the entire time but it took the Lord pointing it out to open my eyes to it. I began to remove the paper, stones and flat rocks and discovered that it was an access to a chamber behind the wall.

As I continued to dig, the tile and stone material could be easily removed. Once the hole was large enough for me to pass through, I discovered a room filled with thousands of ancient scrolls, parchments, journals and books.

I inherently knew this library of priceless materials had been primarily preserved for our day and contained key secrets in walking closely and intimately with the Lord. It will be a fulfillment of Isaiah 48:6-7 saying:

You have heard; look at all this. And you, will you not declare it? I proclaim to you new things from this time, even hidden things which you have not known. They are created now and not long ago; and before today you have not heard them, so that you will not say, “Behold, I knew them.”

Great forerunners like the Patriarch Enoch were allowed to go behind the veil and read the writings of Heaven contained in these books. Not only do they portray an intimate walk with the Lord, but also hidden secrets involving creation, time, space, matter and tremendous insights into the Scripture that we must contend for and give ourselves wholeheartedly to apprehend.

Three Key Scriptures

In the center of the room was a wooden stake about six feet in height and a parchment made from what seemed like a small piece of leather attached to it. I knew something important was written on the parchment. I could read three Scriptures that were inscribed. They were; Jude, Psalm 68, and 1 Kings 3.

Each of these passages could have a variety of meanings on multiple levels inherent with each individual. However, I believe there is a clear warning being issued, highlighting the characteristics of both true and false forms of leadership that can be identified through the Book of Jude. There are three counterfeit spirits pinpointed in this vital book that we must understand and identify. The spirits of Cain, Balaam, and Korah have been highlighted as New Testament adversaries having the following characteristics:

Cain = sincere form of religious activity with an absence of spiritual revelation as to what God truly desires.

Balaam = attempting to curse what God has blessed and utilizing spiritual gifts for personal gain.

Korah = a rebellious form of self-promotion.

The Lord has given us, and many prophetic friends, clear warnings about solely relying upon human ingenuity and gifting as a substitute for the true and legitimate apostolic ministry illustrated in the book of Acts. Very often a false spirit will preempt the release of the genuine with some very convincing qualities and attempt to sway many to its following. We are admonished in Scripture to “judge fruit” and the signs of the true apostolic ministry based in humility and a Christlike nature.

Authentic apostolic ministry will promote the revelation of Jesus Christ and build His Kingdom with the undiluted Gospel of the Kingdom confirmed with miracles, signs and wonders. The early apostles were vindicated by the Holy Spirit saying:

And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.—Acts 4:29-30

Supernatural Wisdom and Insight

I believe there are many who will also begin to be commissioned in a manner similar to the way Solomon was set apart and endowed with significant spiritual insight and understanding. Solomon’s wise prayer was for more than just natural human wisdom and intelligence. Careful examination reveals that he asked God for the ability to perpetually “hear the Spirit’s voice.” He prayed:

So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?—1 Kings 3:9 (Amplified Version)

The Scripture expresses that he received a “hearing heart” allowing him to walk with wisdom and supernatural comprehension during his days of leadership. We desperately need a similar impartation.

A Psalm for the Bride

There are numerous significant truths illustrated in Psalm 68. Primarily it is pointing to God’s justice beginning to be exemplified in the earth, rendering blessings for those walking in righteousness and judgment on unrighteousness. It also prophetically highlights the glorious consummation of the ages with the promised “latter rain” outpouring to fully appropriate God’s inheritance. It speaks of people coming out of slavery and bondage to be set free with the purity and freedom of the “dove company.”

The earth quaked; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel. You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God; You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched. Your creatures settled in it; You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God…When you lie down among the sheepfolds, you are like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its pinions with glistening gold.—Psalm 68:8-10, 13

It also points to the “spirit of the fathers” being released and restoring us to a place of intimacy and fellowship previously known by our apostolic fathers. We have been largely known as a “fatherless” generation. However, true and genuine spiritual fathers are soon to emerge with a heart of compassion and humility preparing a generation for intimate relationship with the Lord. These fathers will have the ability to impart spiritual gifts and awaken the seeds of desire and hunger for the Lord and the things of His Spirit.

Paul Keith and Wanda Davis
WhiteDove Ministries
Email: inquiries@whitedoveministries.org

This word by John Eckhardt will get you excited for the Kingdom and what God IS doing and WILL do through YOU. John gives an excellent perspective with insight into the Kingdom works.

I like what John says here, “Jesus did not come preaching faith or healing. He didn’t preach miracles. He preached about the Kingdom of God! Healing, deliverance and faith came to those who seized the Kingdom of God. The foremost thing on God’s mind is His Kingdom. Before Jesus Christ returns we’re going to get this right. He’s not coming back for a messed up Church. He’s coming back for a Church without spot or blemish or wrinkle. He is coming back for Kingdom people! He is going to show us what the Kingdom is.”

It’s ALL about the Kingdom!

…I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of Heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed…And the Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.—Daniel 7:13-14 and 27

Daniel’s prophecy refers to an individual called “the Son of man” coming to receive a Kingdom. In verse 13 we lay the foundation concerning the Kingdom of God. Remember, Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Everywhere He went He preached the same message, “Repent for the Kingdom of God,” or “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (see Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15). All throughout the Gospels, we find that Jesus’ emphasis was on the Kingdom.

Jesus chose twelve men, ordained them as Apostles, and sent them out with that very same message. Preach the Kingdom of God! Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils. He commanded not only to preach it, but to demonstrate the Kingdom of God. In Luke 10, Jesus appointed 70 others and sent them out two-by-two, telling them the same thing. He told them to go preach and proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand and He healed the sick.

The primary reason Jesus came to earth was to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. Often, we hear that the reason Jesus came to the earth was to die on the Cross. Jesus did come to die on the Cross, but that death on the Cross was for the purpose of establishing the Kingdom of God.

When the Kingdom Comes to You—
Grab Hold of it!

There were multitudes of people when Jesus preached the message of the Kingdom. Some missed it—others did not. Jesus said, “…the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). That word “violent” does not refer to a natural violence, but rather refers to a person who has a revelation of the Kingdom and seizes it! They take it by force.

To take by force means to “seize it.” When the police come, they seize someone, they take them by force. When the Kingdom comes to you, you need to seize it! You need to take it by force, don’t let it go by. If you do, you can miss it. Don’t take all the time you want to ponder and decide if you want it. When the Kingdom comes, you have to grab it!

The message of the Kingdom comes to some people and they think about it. They think about it, they examine it, and then it passes them by. Others who have had the Kingdom come to them grasped it. They grasped it because they were desperate. The Gospel was preached primarily to the poor because they were desperate. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor…” (Luke 4:18). The reason the poor enter the Kingdom of God faster than the rich is because they are desperate. The rich man has to come to the end of himself. The poor are dependent, they are broken, and they need help.

When the good news of the Kingdom of God comes to the poor, they are ready for good news. The poor and sick, the blind, the withered, the lame and demonized all rush into the Kingdom of God. Those were the ones that followed the ministry of Christ. The Bible says that in the days of John the Baptist, the law and the prophets were until John. But since the time of John, the Kingdom of Heaven is preached and every man presses into it (see Luke 16:16). The word “press” represented a crowd pressing to seize the Kingdom.

Jesus went about all the towns and villages preaching the Gospel—the good news. There were crowds of poor, sick, and demonized people. They were considered to be the lowest of society. Yet, they were pressing in, crowding to seize the best news they had ever heard. Even in their state of being—sick, poor, and demonized, they knew they had a revelation that this man Jesus did not come to condemn them. He didn’t come to judge them. But He came to bring hope, to bring a Kingdom that is not like the kingdom of the world. It’s the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is Greater than the Kingdom of Man

In the book of Daniel, you will discover that Daniel describes the kingdom of men as that of a beast. The nature of man is likened to that of a beast. The number 666 is the number of man; it is the number of the beast. Often, man can behave like beasts. They have the capacity to be cruel, domineering and abusive. Often in lower classes of society, the kingdom of man consists of those who have been rejected, looked down upon and talked about. They are mistreated as if they had no rights, they are despised and taken advantage of.

In the kingdom of man, value is placed by position, power, fame and how much money someone has. The Kingdom of God is the opposite. In God’s Kingdom, a person’s status, power and name mean nothing. And how much money you have does not impress God. Jesus said, “…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).

Jesus was not saying that it is impossible for the rich to enter His Kingdom. But often, when they have power, money, prestige and influence, they also tend to have pride and are not humble. They don’t need or depend on anyone, so when the Kingdom comes to them, oftentimes they reason, they ponder and examine, and say within themselves, “I don’t need that, I have everything. I have money and houses. I have a nice car, position, fame and power. I’m number one in my own kingdom, in my society.” They don’t have the revelation or understanding of their need for the Kingdom of God.

The poor who have been oppressed, who are in need of deliverance, those who have been run down are the ones that Jesus came to preach to. These are the ones who pressed into the Kingdom and seized it because they had understanding of their own need. They understood that there is a Kingdom which is higher than the kingdoms that have held them down. A Kingdom that is higher than any political kingdom, religious kingdom, higher than the kingdoms of witchcraft, or even the kingdoms of sickness. Every one of these people who have come to Jesus, they pressed, they believed and SEIZED the Kingdom of God, and they were healed, delivered and set free.

You need to seize His Kingdom—grab it—because if you don’t, it will pass right by you! It’s amazing how a miracle can be right at your door, and if you don’t grab it, it will go right by you. Healing can be right at your door, and if you don’t grab it, it will go right by you. We can’t sit and look religious—when God shows up, grab Him! Bring Him into your situation. This is not the time to be cool or worry about what your friends and family will say. Recognize your need for healing and deliverance, and your need for the Kingdom of God. Thank God for His Kingdom!

The Kingdom of God is Now—It is Here!

When Jesus came and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, it was not a foreign concept to the people of God—the Jews. They were expecting the Messiah to come with the Kingdom of Heaven. They had the prophecies of “…One coming…” (see Daniel 4:13, 23 and 7:13) spoken by Daniel. So, the Pharisees were looking for the Son of man to come in the clouds of glory to deliver them out of the hands of the Romans. They were looking for the King of Israel.

The Pharisees did not believe that Jesus was The One, but yet they asked Him when the Kingdom would come! Jesus had been preaching that the Kingdom of God had come—that it was here. He preached it then, and preaches it now. The Kingdom of God is now—it is here!

Some may like position, but the Kingdom is not about position. It’s not about how anointed you are, how great you are, or what your name is, or whether you are on television or radio. God says to humble yourself and He will exalt you. If you make yourself of no reputation He will promote you. When God promotes you, there is nothing man can do about it. He is the Judge. He puts one down and raises another one up. He is the King in His Kingdom!

Thank God for the Kingdom! Renew your mind; Jesus came to bring a different order. He came to bring a different Kingdom, unlike anything you have ever known. Remove from your mind those things that you are familiar with. Remove from your mind what you see on television, what’s on “Entertainment Tonight” or “Hollywood Minute.” It doesn’t matter who leads or who follows. Take all that out of your mind. That is not the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom is about being humble; it’s about serving and loving. It’s about being merciful.

We may be so busy in ministry that we miss the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not come to bring ministry—He came to bring the Kingdom! We sing, dance, preach and prophesy, we cast out devils, we travel and have big ministries, we have big churches and still don’t know about the Kingdom of God! We know about faith, we know about healing, we know about miracles, about the apostolic and prophetic. We know all about intercession and demons and casting them out. But we don’t know about the Kingdom.

Jesus did not come preaching faith or healing. He didn’t preach miracles. He preached about the Kingdom of God! Healing, deliverance and faith came to those who seized the Kingdom of God. The foremost thing on God’s mind is His Kingdom. Before Jesus Christ returns we’re going to get this right. He’s not coming back for a messed up Church. He’s coming back for a Church without spot or blemish or wrinkle. He is coming back for Kingdom people! He is going to show us what the Kingdom is.

“Heavenly Father, show us, show me Your Kingdom.” Do not miss the Kingdom of God.

How to Operate in the Kingdom of God

If you want to operate in this Kingdom you will have to humble yourselves. If you want to operate in this Kingdom you will have to lay some things aside. Lay aside ambition, desire to be seen, position, or lust for power. These are not the Kingdom. Jesus told the Pharisees (remember, the religious people) that the problem is you’re looking for some grand event, for the heavens to open up; the Kingdom does not come like that. The Kingdom of God is here and now, because I AM THE KING and you don’t see it.

In Luke 17, Jesus says that they would look to the heavens to what Daniel spoke of and they will say, “When are you coming back?” Your eyes have been focused up in the heavens, but right here in front of you is the Kingdom of God.

It’s the same today. People look up to Heaven looking for something to happen, when God is saying, “My Kingdom is right here, right now.” When you hear the Gospel of the Kingdom of God—seize it! Grab hold of it and press toward it. Don’t miss it!

John Eckhardt
IMPACT Network
Email: cmimpac@aol.com

About John Eckhardt: Gifted with a strong apostolic call, John Eckhardt functions in the office of apostle and overseer of Crusaders Ministries located in Chicago, Illinois. He has ministered throughout the United States and overseas in more than 70 nations. Apostle Eckhardt founded the IMPACT Network (International Ministries of Prophetic and Apostolic Churches Together) as a vehicle for global apostolic reformation. His vision, as a passionate minister of the Gospel, is to see the Church become truly apostolic by developing the saints for ministry and Kingdom living through teaching, training, activation and demonstration.

He has authored more than 35 books; many having been translated into several languages. He is also founder of the Apostolic Institute of Ministry (AIM), and is part of the faculty of the Wagner Leadership Institute (WLI) and a member of the Board of Directors for the International Coalition of Apostles (ICA), both under the leadership of Dr. C. Peter Wagner. He holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree. Apostle Eckhardt resides in the Chicago area with his lovely wife, Wanda, and their five beautiful children.

No one can deny what James Goll says in his article here, “The entire world is in the midst of one of the greatest times of change and transition I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.”

James Goll, who even as we speak is in the fight of his life against cancer, has paid a severe price to bring this and other such prophetic revelation to you. He is a living Epistle, and this word is current, active and completely worthy of your reading and comprehending what God is showing to James.

Here is also one of James’ newest books The Coming Israel Awakening, as well as a teaching by Robert Stearns about The Incredible Season of Transition We are In! I highly recommend both of them.

As the senior leader of Encounters Network and its associated ministries, I recently called for a special time of Praying through Transition. As we adopt this into our PrayerStorm efforts, I trust the Holy Spirit will reveal to you specific strategies for Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered prayers. Adapt this theme and make it practical for your own life, ministry and nation.

Worldwide Convulsions

The entire world is in the midst of one of the greatest times of change and transition I have ever witnessed in my lifetime. This is both for good and evil. Having prayer-walked over the Reconciliation Bridge from Heil, Germany to Strasbourg, France recently, I marveled at the atmosphere of genuine friendship and change. It was breathtaking for me, having sowed specifically into Germany for so many years. Not long ago, such a friendship between the citizens of France and Germany was only a pipe dream—but now, in part—it is a reality.

But consider on the other hand the worldwide threats to “wipe Israel off the face of the earth to be remembered no more.” (See Praying for Israel’s Destiny for details prophesied from Psalm 83.) War also rages in the mountains of Afghanistan, Pakistan and beyond. Many nations of Africa are in great turmoil, torn between one tribal group and another. There are wars and rumors of war…

With the worldwide recession under way, many people in the U.S. and other nations are losing their jobs; new leaders in power in Israel, the U.S., England and beyond, it does seem that everything around us is teetering! From my angle, we are in the midst of a worldwide convulsion. But we must drop the anchor of hope in such a time. We must be a light which shines brightly in the midst of darkness.

The Process of Transition

Transition means crossing over to a new place from one condition to another. Transition times are times when the Lord redefines and adjusts the rules necessary for us to move forward. He gives us focus and direction. He teaches us about Himself in a new way. We must admit that we have not been where we are headed. We have not crossed this way before!

In a literary sense, a transition is the phrase that connects the past communication or paragraph with the future thought. This is so important to understand as we move forward. We must seek the Lord for His revelation during times of transition. When He communicates to us, we can bridge the past season with the new. This causes a great treasure to arise. Without the communication being distinct during transitions, we lose the strength and wisdom of our past victories.

There is a process which takes place in a time of change. Part of that transition includes:

• A fresh level of revelation is released.
• Your present vision is adjusted.
• New vision is released and established.
• A mantle of restoration is placed upon you.
• You are healed and made whole from the past.
• A new identity is developed within you.
• New strategy is revealed to you.
• You see the fullness of your inheritance before you.
• You have the strength to overthrow your enemies.
• You secure your inheritance.

Keys for Times of Transition

Charles Stock reminded us at a recent Encounters Network Alliance Leaders Summit, that we can “shine” the brightest when it is the darkest. He emphasized four basic keys to help us grow through our seasons of transition:

1. God knows what He is doing!
2. Our scars can be changed into trophies of His grace.
3. Every battle we survive is a graduation to new realms of authority.
4. Grace works through time—and time is on our side!

In my family and ministry’s time of great personal loss and tragedy, there are a few basic things I will never let go of. Yes, God is good all the time, and all things work together for good. Period! Sometimes my lack of understanding screams at me, but in those very moments I must yield my right to understand and push the button called “Trust!”

James W. Goll
Encounters Network • PrayerStorm • Compassion Acts
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. (1 Tim 1:1-2)

Many of us believe that we are entitled to great relationships in our lives. We believe popular people should hang around us because by just being a Christian; we think we are all that. We are entitled to it. Many friends and relationships are determined by what the prize that is involved. Popularity, money, security, power, and other selfish motives.

However great responsibilities are given to people who have been faithful in the least. (Luke 16:10) How do you treat the people around you? It will be God’s indicator of the responsibility that He will entrust to you. He starts us all off with family.

God will bring a faithful friend, a homecoming date, a great spouse, great children and more to those who prove to God they will treat them in the highest regard. How precious is each person that God has brought to you? The principle is not limited to first impression but it just as powerful in reconciliation and restoration.When you change the value you have for another person to God’s viewpoint and not our own opinions.

God grants you grace.

Materialism has prestige among men.

However, how we value another person in love and purity has prestige before God.

It resembles the image of His son Jesus Christ. God loves you and values your life in the highest regard. He knows the number of the hairs on your head to the biggest issues you face. He cares for you.

My wife seems to have a more certain word of prophesy, yet at times the words of encouragement to me and I speak.
The following is an exerpt from a note I sent to brother in Christ, but it seems it could be applicable to more than one person so I’m going to post it.
I’m not sure of the trials you are facing, but I sense it could be the letting go of the old to allow room for the new.
We have been taught things from the platforms of men, about the things of God, that are not the words from the Father.
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into all truth concerning the things of the kingdom.
Men for their various reasons have played church now for a millenia.
It seems that the Kingdom of God is fanning the fires of the sons of God to arise and walk in their rightful place, as the manifested sons of the Most High.
But the traditions of men cause the word of God to be ineffectual in our lives.
Now when we, the sons of the Most High, REALIZE our call, and that it is sure within ourselves, speak these things to what we thought were our spiritual fathers, we get cautioned.
Not to say they don’t have the sheeps well being at heart, it’s that they don’t know or understand themselves the reason for attending a building. (for the equipping of the saints to do the work of the ministry, to be sent out into our jobs, full of faith and power in the Holy Ghost). To let our light so shine before men.
Not to lead them to our flavor of church gathering, but to our God.
We need to be fed to be sent.
When this spiritual feeding isn’t taking place, the true remnant that are seeking the face of the Father get antsy, and think that we must not be in alignment with the will of the Father.
There couldn’t be anything furtherfrom the truth.
Remember, the Lord is starting a new work in the end days that can’t be poured into old wineskins, or the old way of having church.
When I am at work and I talk about the things of Heaven, most peoples first question to me is what church do I go to. I say I am the church, and their brains hit full tilt.
Because they and ourselves have been told a lie, that going to church makes you a Christian. On the flip side I have had my salvation questioned because I haven’t made it to a gathering in a month or two.
The bible says “you worship Me with your lips, but your heart is far from Me”.
How could this be, unless our attending the building is for a social gathering, or of some other reason. We are not there to hear from heaven.
Now the Lord has always preserved unto Himself a remnant that has not bowed the knee to another god.
Where else will we go Lord? You have the words of eternal life.
If this word of encouragement does not bear witness to your heart, please in all humility and for the preservation of the unity of the saints simply disregard and my prayers will continue to be towards you and your family for the safe and peaceful fulfilment of your call in Christ.
Think on these things, that are pure and lovely.

This is a short yet powerful word from Mark Chironna. I like when the Lord ministers right to the core of our being through prophetic utterances from His servants, the prophets. Mark is hearing the Lord clearly for what many of God’s saints are struggling with and going through in this hour. Let this word encourage you that there IS a new day dawning with many things opening before you.

Prophetic word of the Lord given by Dr. Mark Chironna on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at The Master’s Touch International Church in Longwood, Florida:

For there have been days of sadness and sorrow. For some, there have been days of strange warfare. For others, there have been days of taking thoughts captive that never entered the minds of sons before. For some, there have been deep longings. For others, there have been deep yearnings. For some, there have been long seasons of silence. For others, there have been long seasons of pleading.

But for all, there is coming a dawning. There is coming a breaking through. There is coming a rising. There is coming an opening. For the eyes of the Lord are turned toward His sons, His daughters, His children, and He sees and knows and is intimately acquainted with the sufferings and the tests and the endurances that His people have been going through.

He will make His people a praise in this season. He will make His people a glory in this hour. For His affection is upon His people. His Church is His Beloved. His Church is His Bride. He will not forsake her. He will not disown her. For He now is revealing, through the tests of the sons and daughters of God, to principalities and powers, His manifold glory.

This season has not been for naught. This season has not been to wear you out. This season has not been to tear you down. This season has been to prove and manifest to the forces of darkness that the Church cannot be hindered; the Church cannot be stopped, and the Church cannot be thwarted for she will rise in this hour with greatness and glory. She will have weapons on the left and on the right. She will have dominion in arenas she never had dominion before. And God will make her young again.

I Am Going to Restore the Seasons of Loss

For hear now what the Spirit of Grace would say to those who have ears to hear: “I am making you young again. I am going to restore the seasons of loss. I am going to restore the seasons of denial. I am going to restore the seasons of betrayal. I am going to restore the seasons of strife, and when I restore them, and it will be in yet a little while, I will turn the captivity of My people and there will be laughter again in Zion. There will be joy again in Zion.

“I have seen the sacrifice of praise that has gone up from the ends of the earth. I have seen My people, who in the midst of their warfare, have lifted their hands high and have shouted the shout of victory even while the powers of darkness have seemed to prevail over their minds, hearts and spirits. Yet, even in the face of demons, My people still praise. Even in the face of dark forces, My people still rejoice. Now watch, for I am about to crush satan under your feet.”

Song of the Lord, Bishop:

The Spirit and the Bride are calling deep within
The Spirit and the Bride are calling deep inside
Even so, come Lord Jesus; even so, come
Even so, come Lord Jesus; even so, come.

We’re waiting for You right now
To come in Your splendor and power
The yearnings deep within us cry
We want to hear Your lullaby
Even so, come Lord Jesus; even so, come
Even so, come Lord Jesus; even so, come.

My heart within me cries
And the Spirit testifies
A new day is dawning in my life, even now.
The roaring of the lion has ceased
The powers of Hell cannot be released
For lo, He comes to bring increase
To your life
He rides upon your praises, high
He comes to you and you draw nigh
And as you lift His Name on high
He comes
Even so, come Lord Jesus; even so, come
Even so, come Lord Jesus; even so, come
Even so, come; even so, come
Even so, come.

 

Dr. Mark J. Chironna
Mark Chironna Ministries
Email: markchironna@markchironna.com

This is one powerful word chalked with wisdom and prophetic insight. God is going to pour out great authority through His people to do the greater works which He died on the Cross for. Just read this word by Francis:

“This next generation will not just teach the people; they will inspire the Body of Christ to live like Jesus. Their example in all things will awaken godliness in those around them. From true virtue shall the leaders of tomorrow draw true authority, for when the nature of Christ is revealed, the authority of Christ soon follows.”

Jesus paid the price for us to walk in this authority…which is ALL rooted IN LOVE as you’ll read in Francis’ article below.

While the doctrines of Christianity can be taught, Christlikeness can only be inspired. By their humble and holy lives, this next generation of leaders will inspire multitudes. They will truly walk in Christ’s love; they will be granted great authority.

The Church has many administrators, but few examples of Christ; many who can explain the doctrines of Christianity but few who walk as Jesus walked. Indeed, while many stand in leadership today, not many function in the higher realms of authority that Christ purchased for His Church. However, a new badge of authority is coming to the Church. It will bring deliverance on a scale unprecedented; in some cases, entire cities will be turned toward God.

What is spiritual authority? It is nothing less than God Himself confirming with power the word of His servant. Moses exemplified spiritual authority when he warned unrepentant Pharaoh. The Spirit of God confirmed Moses’ judgments with power that broke the pride of Egypt. Jesus manifested spiritual authority when He confronted demons in people, silenced storms, healed diseases, and then fulfilled redemption in resurrection power. The Father let none of Christ’s words go unfulfilled.

The Bible provides us with many examples of those with spiritual authority. Every example tells us the same underlying principle: those who are raised up by God are backed up by God. They will “decree a thing, and it will be established” (Job 22:28). Such is the nature of spiritual authority.

The Source of Authority

Obviously, as pastors, leaders, and intercessors, we need to operate in greater authority. Yet while we enjoy a variety of graces that add to our personal edification, God gives us authority for one specific purpose: to fulfill His purposes on the earth. What are God’s purposes? One main unveiling of the divine purpose is seen in the Great Commission. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:18-19).

Christ gave the Church authority to make disciples. We have been much more successful in making converts than disciples. In our day, many are Believers in Jesus, but few are truly followers of Christ. If the goal is discipleship, how do we accomplish this? We are to take our converts and teach “them to observe all that [Jesus] commanded” (verse 20). When the Church returns to teaching all that Jesus taught, our disciples will have authority to do all that Jesus did.

Yet, spiritual authority is not something we possess merely because we strive for it. We cannot buy it as Simon the magician attempted to do (Acts 8:18). The power of authority will not function simply because we copy the methods of another, as the sons of Sceva realized (Acts 19:14-16). Nor can it be attained automatically because we read books about building the Church. We cannot pretend to have spiritual authority. As we focus upon obeying the words of Christ, there are divinely ordained ways for Christ’s authority to unfold in our lives.

From the beginning of our salvation we have enjoyed the Father’s unconditional love. As we mature, however, there comes a time when the Father’s love toward us seems conditional. As it was for Christ, so it is for those who follow Him. He said:

For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life.—John 10:17

Jesus lived in the deepest intimacies of the Father’s love because He laid down His life for the sheep. If we will grow in true authority, we will do so by laying down our lives for His sheep. Have you felt the drawing, the divine working of the Father bringing you into Christlike surrender? Be encouraged: He is equipping you for this next outpouring of His Spirit. But also be advised: your authority will be an outgrowth of your life laid down in love.

As leaders, we do indeed have administrative authority due to our positions in church government; however, spiritual authority transcends administrative authority. Here is the path to true spiritual authority: in full possession of our souls, without fear or intimidation by any outside source, we choose to lay down our lives for Christ’s sheep. Yes, in full freedom, with avenues of escape plainly within view, we fearlessly surrender our souls to God. No one controls us but God, yet our lives are laid down, like Christ’s, in intercession for others. When we could easily fight and win, yet turn the other cheek; when we are unjustly opposed, yet quietly endure—at those moments spiritual authority is entering our lives.

No one has taken [My life] away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative.—John 10:18

Jesus was not forced to accept crucifixion; He chose crucifixion. Christ’s Gethsemane prayer was not an entreaty to escape the Cross, for while Jesus was still in the garden, He told Peter, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

Jesus had a choice: legions of warring angels and immediate personal deliverance, or death on the Cross and deliverance for the world. He chose to die for us. The willful decision to lay down our lives as Jesus did is the very path upon which true authority develops. Jesus said, “I have authority to lay [My life] down” (John 10:18). His authority came in the laying down of His life. Our authority comes from the same source: picking up our cross and laying down our lives for others.

Authority, Not Control

Spiritual authority is the provision of God to transform the temporal with the power of the eternal. It is not something our flesh can imitate, nor is it found in the tone of our words or the gaze of our eyes. Divine authority requires divine sanction. This sanction comes from passing the tests of love.

When authority is administered without love, it degenerates into control. God does not call us to control His people but to inspire and guard them. The outcome of control is oppression, witchcraft, and strife. But the result of love is liberty and the power to build up and protect God’s people.

True spiritual authority exists above the realm of fleshly control. Our lives, and the lives of those who follow us, are laid down on our own initiative. It is a choice we make because of love. Since true authority itself is born in freedom, freedom is what it breeds.

We will walk in either the true authority of love, the false authority of control, or no authority at all. Both false authority and no authority are rooted in fear, and we react to fear in either of two ways. The first reaction, which produces false authority, is to seek to control those around us, thus making the circumstances around us more predictable and less threatening. The other response to fear is to refuse to accept and exercise any authority at all. Many relationships are simply the pairing of these symbiotic needs: the desire to control and the willingness to be controlled. Both are fueled by overreactions to fear.

Scripture tells us, however, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Since true authority is built upon love, its goal is to liberate, not dominate. Therefore, before one can truly move in spiritual authority, he must be delivered from fear and its desire to control; he must be rooted and grounded in love.

Authority to Inspire Christlikeness

When our teaching about God and our obedience to Him are one, spiritual authority accompanies our lives. Jesus astounded the multitudes, for He spoke “as one having authority” (Matthew 7:28-29). What He taught was consistent with how He lived. Therefore, we also must live and display the virtue we seek to teach.

Dear pastor, if we seek to train our congregations to pray, we ourselves must first be intercessors. You may say, “But out of a congregation of several hundred, only three people join me for prayer.” Then with those three develop your intercessor base. Do not be discouraged, for you will win others. But the measure of our success is not the numbers in attendance on Sunday mornings. God has given us people so we may train them, not merely count them. Of this group, those whom we inspire to live like Christ are actually the measure of our success, the test of our effectiveness in the ministry.

Another may say, “But I’ve never been a leader.” When anyone lays down his or her life in Christ’s love, others will see and follow. Whether you are a business owner, a housewife, or a teen, such a one can speak with confidence and authority as Christ’s disciple. In truth, if you are following Christ, others are following you. You are, indeed, a leader.

This next generation will not just teach the people; they will inspire the Body of Christ to live like Jesus. Their example in all things will awaken godliness in those around them. From true virtue shall the leaders of tomorrow draw true authority, for when the nature of Christ is revealed, the authority of Christ soon follows.

Authority in Spiritual Warfare

As wide as our sphere of love, to that extent we have spiritual authority. We see this in the mother who loves her child. Such a woman has authority to protect, train, and nurture her offspring. She has authority to protect what she loves. The same is true of the husband over his family. His authority is not merely to rule but to establish in his home the life of Christ. True spiritual authority is born of love.

The individuals who love their local congregation have authority to build up that congregation. Their authority is not extended, however, beyond the boundaries of their love. If we love the entire Body of Christ in a locale, our authority touches the lives of those in our city or region, either through the burden of prayer or through teaching or outreach and service.

The testing ground of all spiritual things is love, for love alone purifies our motives and delivers us from the deceitfulness of self. Even authority in spiritual warfare must be rooted in love. David gained the skills to slay Goliath, not on a battlefield, but by defending his father’s sheep from predatory animals. David loved the sheep so much that he risked his life for them. So also we grow in authority as we protect our Father’s sheep, the flock He has given us to love.

Authority is muscle in the arm of love. The more one loves, the more authority is granted to him. If we love our cities and are willing to lay down our lives in service to our community, God will enlarge our hearts. He will grant us new authority in spiritual warfare. However, no man should ever engage in confrontational warfare who does not love what he has been called to protect. If you do not love your city, do not pray against the ruling forces of darkness. Satan knows the genuineness of our love by the brightness of the glory that surrounds us. A man or woman without Christ-inspired love will soon shrink back and fail in spiritual warfare. Only love “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Indeed, when it comes to spiritual warfare, there are many things the Holy Spirit has to say that we are not able to hear until the base of our love is expanded. In His wisdom, the Lord protects us from presumptuously attacking the strongholds of Hell and suffering loss. Yet, if we are truly anointed in God’s love, the price to see our culture saved is not too great. But it will be a price that love alone can pay.

Authority to Build Up the Body of Christ

For even if I should boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you…—2 Corinthians 10:8

Many so-called “prophets” today think they are called, like Jeremiah, to “pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow” (Jeremiah 1:10). Jeremiah’s message was to a people who were destined to be carried off into Babylon. The prophet spoke to a people who did not have the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus. Israel was, at that time, a nation that God Himself said was destined for captivity, and had been speaking and warning against judgment for over 250 years.

Yet, even if we had only the prophet Jeremiah as our example, God’s commission of Jeremiah was more than confronting sin. It also included promises of restoration and deliverance, “to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). To represent the heart of the Lord, which is the true prophetic role, the servant of God must know both God’s grace and His truth. We must know by revelation whether the Holy Spirit is preparing to destroy or seeking to rebuild.

Today, in my opinion, we are a people coming out of captivity, a people whom God is encouraging to build, as they did in the days of Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah. We have been in exile from the promises of God, but we are returning to rebuild the Lord’s house. Yes, we are in a time of judgment, correction and discipline, yet it is not a time to tear down the Body of Christ; it is time to establish and to build up.

The authority coming to the Church in this next outpouring will be an authority to restore the local, citywide church. Like Paul’s authority, ours will be given for building and encouraging and not for destroying.

God has this new leadership constantly before His eyes. Pastors from many denominations, along with their congregations, are meeting together in prayer, seeking to draw the very fire and heart of God into their souls. Emerging from this foundation of humility and prayer is a new authority to make disciples of Christ. Because their love extends outward into their cities, their authority reaches outward as well, even into the heavenly places. These are the leaders whom God is raising up. And those whom God raises up, He backs up with His power. Authority is muscle in the arm of love.

Dear Lord, make me a willing sacrifice. I desire Your authority, Lord. Give me courage to surrender in obedience, even when I do not see the outcome and when all I see is loss. Help me to trust as I walk through the narrow gate. Establish in me Your love that I might defend Your people with authority. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org