June 15, 2012 Leadership meeting – focus: Spirit WarsManuscriptDJ: Welcome to the first square table event. Purpose: to assemble as a body. As pastors and leaders we want to equip others. The best way to do this is to hang out and share what we are sensing. Our heart beat is to help everyone feel connected – we are a body with one heart and one mind. Romans 12: A Living Sacrifice 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d] Gifts of Grace 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[e] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[f] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Marks of the True Christian 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. DJ: Agenda overview Jeremiah 23: The Lord gives warning to the shepherd that scatters. Jeremiah 23 (ESV) The Righteous Branch 23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord. Margareta: Vision of the seeds. I saw soil on a field that was being plowed – it was black soil. I saw seeds coming to the surface that was actually live that were embedded. Other seeds in the plowing process were deeper in the soil. Seeds that are truths need to come deeper in our life. I am starting to meditate and chew on the work of things that go deeper in life so that when storms come we are not being tossed to and fro. Sandi: Over five or six weeks ago, a change began in the prayer room. There was an increase of the presence of the Lord. It feels like a sense of being pulled up and being matured. God is requiring a maturing of us. He is widening the tent pegs – expanding our hearts. Last week – we prayed for repentance and a spirit of conviction. The Word says it is His kindness that leads us to repentance. We began to cry out for the scattered, the lost and prodigals. There is a Constant awareness of the voice of the Lord. Song “The Voice of the Lord is over the many waters,” is important to me.” Personal level: Paul Keith prophesied over me the words: “proclamation and declaration.” The Lord is moving us into a mature place of a proclamation and declaration – the Voice of the Lord that is over the many waters. Walter: Ever since I’ve had the open vision of the three wells bitterness, darkness to light, here -- I continue to hear people talk about these wells. The things we have said or agreed with have limited us -- God is challenging us – He opened a freshening in this house. He is removing bitterness, removing darkness. God is doing a freewill offering – a basket coming to us. It is unique to see so many of us gathered here. I feel like He wants to drop down into the middle of the room. He is wrapping around us, embracing us, releasing a hope to us that we can begin to do the things He has commissioned us to do. We are at war but he has given us the tools of war; He has sent us. DJ: Theme – a maturing that God is doing this year. Kris made fun of “another level greater devil” but there is some truth to that, right? The Lord spoke to me about that at the beginning of 2012 – I could see God’s perspective of them. I kept getting that the Lord is raising up priests – God is raising up priests here. Greg: Going back to the prayer room [Sandi]. He talked about thunder – when God spoke some thought it was thunder, some thought it was an angel, some heard the voice of the Father. There is a call to higher spiritual discernment – the Father is talking. When things happen in the spirit world we are not really sure but God want to bring clarity. Discernment is really needed – for us to look to the Lord on a personal and corporate level. Warfare going on but who is captive who is prisoner? There is consecration and inspiration followed by a demonstration. We set a side [consecrate], we focus on the Lord [inspiration] and then press in [demonstration.] DJ: Greg, What is consecration? Greg: We live our consecration. Everyone’s consecration is different. As leader we are called to a higher responsibility. Yours is not mine. Mine is not yours. There are things I feel the Lord has challenged me on – not sinful things but distractions. Being challenged – we go through seasons. Lord is challenging me to walk in a higher consecration. We all have a metrons we walk in – spheres of authority. God is challenging us not in a religious way or legalistic way. I will believe God for more. Keith: Share a vision from this morning of the sound that will gather the scattered. On Sunday nights we are seeing an increased level of the presence of the Lord. What is that? I believe it is unity. Those coming on Sunday have one purpose: to receive a touch God. At the Sunday morning service, many people come who are scattered. Sandi was talking about evidence of maturity is ‘unity’ – that oneness of spirit that God want us to come into. Beginning of 2011 we, the pastors and elders, felt we would need to guard unity. The greatest destroyer of unity is offense. Maturity leads to unity and with unity the key is to get over offenses. Not to be hung up on something offensive. For the sake of unity, we do not allow offenses and we move forward. I am not saying we white wash but rather we will not get our nose out of joint because we are offended. We are willing to set aside own personal agenda[s]. What is best to SRC and the people who attend here? That is what God is putting on our hearts. We do – we will refuse to allow a wedge to get in between us so we can move into what God is calling us to. GWEN: I got that same word – it is exactly what I got – there was going to come a spirit of offense. I did not want to give that word but thank you Keith for giving that. I got John 17. DJ: AMEN! DJ prayed for protection and for us to be on the offense against things that attack our unity. When does temptation become sin? How does this empower you to be an overcomer? Sara: I have not read the book so this is just my opinion: We all have things we struggle with – that is what makes us who we are. It is sin when we go forth in the temptation. Thoughts in your head can be sinful nature – especially if you have sinful thoughts regularly. Your mind is a powerful part in your head. Cheryl: When you entertain the thought -- that is when you start sinning. When you start thinking about it you have entered into sin. DJ: Anyone here thinking they want to sin? Paul: I have heard this analogy: If a bird landed on your head you would immediately shoo it off – not let it stay… We would get it off quickly. God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can endure but He will provide the escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13 English Standard Version (ESV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Greg: All three answers in line with Kris’ answer: When you agree with a thought and do not resist it, you sin. Whatsoever is not of faith is a sin. Margareta: How does this empower you to be an overcomer? Graham Cooke said: We must take our thoughts captive. We must say: No! This is what I am thinking … in a practical way. Wanda: For me sin this: – if the thought comes and if my desire begins to go after that thought – it is sin. When ‘foreign’ thoughts come – I reject them – and say they are not coming from me but from the enemy. John: For me, it is unction – a demonic unction that comes with a forcefulness that propels you [me] into this thinking. I have experienced that. I really enjoyed the book because it gives a good explanation of what is going on and where is this coming from. Jonathan: Book written sweetly – confronting serious issues – it is wonderful. This statement is key: bringing freedom to us [it ran right out of my head.] Rebekah: – there is an enemy that is coming to us. It is about understanding the war we are at – clear gently definition of --- not sure about what Rebekah said here – difficult to follow. Jonathan: I remembered. I think that something that comes out of the blue will not trip you up unless you are living it, unless there is already a siege. Exposing that war – how have you slowly gotten there? All these things bring separation between you and the Lord – entertaining things that are not true. You begin to become calloused. After a while you lose ability to understand what is actually true. DJ: Like the in the book and the pastor beating himself up because of all these temptations even though he did not give in to the temptations. I sat under this kind of teaching: you are a sinner saved by grace – but you are also a worm. This approach was validating a sinful nature. I appreciated the message out of Bethel: In the early days Greg debated with me. He said “You are righteous.” I said, “No I am a sinner.” This was liberating for me: Romans 6:14 Sin has no dominion over me because I am not under the law, I am under grace. I am a new me – sin has no dominion over me because I am not under the law, I am under grace. Bernie: We’ve been in churches under the law – it is a constant struggle to know you are the ‘Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.’ More I know that it is easier to overcome sin. ???? It is a struggle to know my righteousness. Sandi: I was encouraged by reading this. I saw this as an identity theft. We can make it complicated or simple. Our identity is being stolen with these thoughts. When we agree with the thoughts, we empower the thoughts. We have to choose to say or think something. When I read that I felt this is about ‘Who we are in Christ.’ We are in Christ – we are not those thoughts. If we few agree with these thoughts and say, “Yes I am,” there is an identity theft. Paul: I was reading about identity here when you mentioned that – regarding Jacob in Gen 32: 28 – God renamed him the Prince of God, Israel. If he would have kept going back to Jacob he would have been going back to his old identity – this is in harmony with what is being said. Walter: Greg offering and made a powerful statement about this. ???? lost some of this. In RTF when we read their identity over them it is very favorable. Kris mentioned: necromancy: When we begin to talk to the ‘old guy who is dead’ – we are not that old person we are not that defected person, that sick person. When we practice bringing that dead person back, in we are practicing the occult. We are discovering who we are. It needs to be declared by us as leaders about who they – the people – are in Christ. We need to be ‘fresh with the word of the Lord’ when we are speaking to them. DJ: None are beyond temptation. Even though we are a new creation – we are not beyond it. “Lead us not into temptation…” What rules of engagement spoke to you and why? (See chapter 3) Jonathan: We all have tasks – something we have to do. Getting too focused on our ‘job’ shovel in one hand, sword in the other one – stand in the gap stand in the middle. You are not by yourself, not so focused on what is going on that you cannot see what is going on to you or to others – family, etc. Debbie: What I liked was the five points he gave. The enemy attacks our personhood and our ability to get done what he wants us to do. He make I am just a “housewife, bus driver” God called Nehemiah – just a cup bearer – yet God called him to his mission very inspiring to me. Sharon: War is a family affair. We should not battle it alone. He talked about it being a family affair – everybody is involved. When Woody was sick – I made sure people prayed. People said, “You did not have faith – yes I did – I had faith when others prayed. When we have a problem we may not see the end of it but others can. Bernie: When you are in the midst of somethingit is hard to keep your eyes of God. Nehemiah remembered the Lord in the battle. We must look at the Lord and not the battle. When you are alone it is hard to do that. Need your buddies around you. Think of people in the church -- this is what you are looking out all the time. Keith: What hinders us – the culture of the strong was championed. You had to be strong. If there was death you could not cry – strength was praised, weakness was shameful. If you showed emotion – you hoped you can get it back together. Kris’ son was supported by family when he was in sin. DNA of SRC – this is a safe place to be ‘who you are’ – to deal with your stuff. We will not climb all over you. We can come together and work together and be family together. Pray we lift that up and continue to welcome people who are in sin who need others to support them in their sin or problems. Wanda: I was in churches where leaders can’t show weakness – that makes it an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. There is a division between lay leaders and leaders – it is not a family. ???? When we are reborn, the gates and wall of our souls have not be restored. We continue to need that. John: I liked the story of the haunted house. I have had a haunted house and did not know it. Do you have an old nature or not? This sealed it with a stamp like I have never seen it before. This sealed it for me. Gave me a big dream I have never had before. I was able to see Familiar spirits that had come – maybe they had operated in my life before salvation and then they came back. I had this sealed for me in this analogy. Paul: I kept getting a re-occurring imagery. A conversation around table. Military situation: Enemy tries to break lines of communication and isolate people and then they get lost. Anarchy and chaos happened after lines of communication are broken. In Viet Nam they slept in their gas masks and did not take off their armor. They were always aware they were in battle because they were constantly wearing battle gear. We as Christian can get very comfortable with our armor off. If we are on the battle field we would have our armor on. In secular society -- the enemy is laughed at – joked about. Maybe some Christians do not believe there is an enemy. They believe the danger does not exit. It is easy to drop the lines of communication and start relaxing while you are in the battle field. Communication, armor, chain of command. Pastor Gail: knowing who you are in Christ. Identity. Fear is huge but knowing who we are helps with fear. Enemy loves to attack our personhood. Like setting a plan in place. ?? When do I engage? Sometimes I engaged too early sometimes I engaged too late. 3. How will the concepts of “captive” and “prisoner” influence the way you do ministry in the future? Page 142: DJ: How many of you had this speak to you? Rebekah: Always grateful when scriptures are used. Huge insight and wisdom –I have duality in my mind. It can be this or be that – talked about counseling – he would touch someone to discern spiritual or personality things. This changed my mindset completely. Sandi: When I read this I was challenged by this with a k-sera sera attitude. I did not ask the Lord for discernment. We get into a flow with what we do. Kris said this gift is available to every Christian. We have to get rid of the idea that we sit and watch each other and we say, “He is so gifted” and we eliminate ourselves. The gift of discernment is available to each of us. We need to ask the Lord for the increase. He wants to give it to us. He wants us to be effective. I was challenged because I could not remember the last time asked the Lord for discernment. I know I will increase because God is not going to say no to me or to you either. Mike. Enlightening to me: captive versus prisoner. If you are going to pray for something/someone without knowing what is causing their distress you cannot expect good results. Vivian: Difference between captive and prisoner this is Sozo language. Showing you who the person needs to forgive – helps you know which direction to go when praying. The prisoner is just believing a lie. Wanda: This goes in line with RTF ministry. It is something he pointed out with the one woman who found comfort in idea that she would be better off dead. They/we get comforted by a lie and do not recognize that a lie is keeping them/us captive. WOW we need to pray strongly for discernment. Greg: In NC/RTF you can go into a room with all the tools but if you do not have the Holy Spirit, you will fail. We need to ask the Holy Spirit ‘what now? I have seen an RTF session over in 10 minutes because the Holy Spirit gave the word and the session was over. After a while you can have a lot of experience and rely on that – but you really need to rely on the Holy Spirit. Jonathan: Graham Cooke – coming into a healing room where sick people were gathered: looking to see who was in proclamation and who was on the wall. Who was getting the strategy and who was not. Get the strategy from the Lord even if we think we know what it is. When David came back and found all their families were kidnapped. I would have just reacted. David said ‘hold on let’s see what God wants to do. That is an amazing level of maturity. DJ: May 24 Paul Keith posted on face book; We are not asking the right questions. We can do ministry in and of ourselves or we can do things differently. I have been reading about this woman of God going into a service without anything to share – she would say what God wanted her to say. She was completely dependent on hearing the voice of God. We need to be asking God what should happen. God what do you want to say today, who do you want to touch today. I am feeling challenged. 4. What themes and values in this book do you feel are a core part of our DNA at SRC? What stirred up in your heart? What spoke to you? We as elders are putting everything through a set of values. Greg: Spirit Wars – one core value is being supernatural Gwen: Story of the grandfather at the end captured why the Lord led us to this church in the first place. Overcoming evil with love story of Kris going through life screwing up. GF loving him all the time – that is really one of the core values. DJ: Father’s love? Grandfathers’ love. LOL. John: not allowing rules to rule over relationship. Jonathan: Father’s love, father’s kindness that draw us to DJ: Father’s Love, Father’s kindness, grace, love acceptance and forgiveness Margareta: I would call all of that ‘family.’ Don: But we all need each other as far as the body of Christ. Swollen big toe – had to walk big toes is very important. The Body of Christ and each person is a member of that body. Walter: restoration – about being restored. Another one is celebration of joy – rejoice in in the presence of the lord, happy, identification repentance – identify that there is something there. Keith shared this is a safe place. DJ: laughter, joyfulness Rebekah: Chapter 11 on the job training – safe place, people are empowered to live out their identity. DJ: empowerment, training, equipping – on the job training. Demonstration. Mary: Generational curses: Holy Spirit terrorist training center. Greg: Whole thing of equipping – get kids in Sunday school to hold together until adults – hoping they get together with God. Kids should be trained up in spiritual warfare. Moving in the gifts --- prophesying, spiritual gifts. How are we training our kids? DJ: How do we do that – draw a line down to family. Sharon: I was alking to lady and she asked me to describe our church. We are in the father’s arms and we were holding your kids and they are leaning out. We are in the compass of grace and we are leaning out trying to do things. Child leaned back into the father’s embrace – people are learning to know what a father is because a lot of them are fatherless. Sara: This has nothing to do with the DNA of SRC but we are talking about training the children. Kailin says she sees angels. I ask her, “Do you see an angel?” I am now not just teaching but I am training the kids up. ???? DJ: Met with a new family. They said there kid was crying hysterically: child says Jesus is in my room and he is so beautiful and I can’t stop crying Presence of God – needs to be in there. Don: Saw a lot of angels in here. Asking the Lord what was going on. Like phili.1:6 Kept getting Philippians 1:6 Gail: Teaching who we are in Christ. This is part of our DNA. Bob Jones – said inspired teaching Also Paul: believes we should be scriptural. Keith talking: NO MORE AUDIO |
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
SRC Roundtable Notes, Spring 2012
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Dread Champions
Dread Champions
by Bobby Conner
January 05, 2010
Dread Champions, Arise!
Do you hear the battle alarm? It is ringing loud and clear! We are entering a very serious season—a season of confrontation. Our lukewarm “business as usual” attitude must die. The Spirit of God is awakening and arousing the Church, prompting us to arise and take a strong stand for Divine Truth. The war is raging and we must prepare for battle.
Meditate on this clear warning in Romans 13:11-14—and begin to declare this over your life and the life of this nation:
“Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).”
Now is the time for the Body of Christ to be bold, brave and extremely courageous, combating the spirit of this age.
How will this happen? First, we are to “make no provision” for darkness. We’re called to violently “fling away” quarrels, jealousies and any hint of immorality to make absolutely NO provision for the flesh. The Lord has raised the standard of holiness to the highest levels of perfection.
Next, we are to not only resist in a defensive posture—but we are also to be on the offensive for our King. We are not called to live passive, quiet lives in the midst of evil giants; on the contrary, we are to actively arise and violently drive giants out into the open, exposing wickedness and defeating it through His mercy and grace, for God’s glory. Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:12:
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.”
We are called to take the promised land of the Kingdom by force—without compromise or retreat. This war between King Jesus and His enemies of this world is going to be much, much more militant than we expected and we must prepare as serious soldiers of the Cross. Don’t misunderstand me—our weapons are not knives and guns, bombs and bullets, but eternal weapons of power: Zechariah 4:6 states that victory is won “not by might, nor by our human spirit, but only by the Spirit of the Lord.” Never forget it is by the Holy Spirit that we are empowered for action—but we need to come into agreement with the Spirit through the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, purity, revelation of the Word of God, faith working through love and, above all, radical, unquestioned obedience.
These are the characteristics of God’s dread champions. We are champions because we have overcome the world by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony; we are dread champions because we consider not our lives unto death. This level of radical obedience produces believers who will truly follow the Lamb wherever He goes—no matter the consequences.
This is the nature of a hero—and God is calling for spiritual heroes in this hour. The word heroism speaks of bravery and fearlessness. Heroes fight not for themselves, but for their King’s honor, their country’s honor, a greater honor than their own acclaim. These qualities of selfless valor are not born of the flesh, however. We cannot exert our will and abilities to become a dread champion. On the contrary: our heroism is in direct proportion to our yielding to Christ, the one true Hero. Only as we yield to the Holy Spirit will we be equipped to display these outstanding qualities of God’s champions.
Scripture declares in Proverbs 28:1 that “The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Are we timid? If we are, our timidity testifies to our carnality, not true humility and meekness. To the extent that we are passive and fearful, we are giving ourselves over to the flesh, not the Spirit. It is sad but true…many churches today are embracing a lukewarm, compromising culture and departing from sound Biblical teachings—to the point of embracing false teaching and activities that contradict Holy Scripture.
May lukewarm love never be found in our hearts!
Are you lukewarm? Are you ready to arise and be bold as a lion?
Ask yourself this most important, soul-searching question: are you, as a Christian, tolerated by a Christ-rejecting world? Or are you so distant from your Elder Brother (The Lord Jesus Christ), that you no longer truly resemble Him? If you did, you would be persecuted and accused just as He was. This is not an easy question to ask, but ask it, we must! Christ Jesus warned us, stating that “the servant is no greater than his Master!” While He walked the earth in the flesh, Jesus displayed perfect love. Do we? Jesus healed the sick and set captives free. Are we? Are we offending the world by working the works of God, loving with His love, forgiving with His heart?
Jesus did nothing wrong—yet wicked and cruel men struck His face with their fists and spat upon Him as a criminal (Matthew 26:67-68). The Lord Jesus’ back was beaten with many stripes. His beard was pulled from His face. A crown of cruel thorns was driven deep within his head. And, finally, He was nailed upon a cross to suffer horrendously and die between two convicted men.
What is the lesson we must learn? The servant is no greater than the Master!
We are no greater than Jesus! How can we, then, expect to receive the keys to the city and win Person of the Year? Saints, take heed! We must take a reality check. Remember that Scripture states, “All that will live Godly in this present world will suffer persecution.” Our lack of true persecution does not testify to God’s blessing on our lives—but to our weakness! To our flesh! To our desire to win the approval of men, not of God. If we do not resemble our Master, we pose no threat to the enemy and do not offend the world.
Ask yourself this New Year: “Am I a true witness for Christ?”
Indeed, one of the Greek words translated “witness” is martyrion, from which we derive the English word “martyr.”
Consider these Scriptures in which we find martyrion used:
“…and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15)
“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree” (Act 10:39)
“And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.” (Act 22:20)
The blood of the “martyr” Stephen is the blood of the true “witness” Stephen—it is the same Greek word. Are we willing to suffer as a martyr for our Lord? What does this mean exactly? We are called to pick up our cross and die daily…for die to this world we must.
The good news is that, as the battle escalates, so will God’s grace upon our lives. So will our passion for the King! Our lukewarm love is about to become inflamed for Christ. The timid Church is about to become the Church of the Lion of Judah, bold as lions!
Again, we have entered a serious season of confrontation in which we must contend for and defend the faith. This is the Word of the Lord for this hour: the battle is going to become fierce…but we know that “the battle is the Lord’s”!
“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.” (1Sa 17:47)
You can be confident that our foe, satan, has not changed his intent one bit: he still seeks to steal, kill and to destroy (John 10:10). We have nothing to fear because the Spirit of God is kindling a fire within the souls of God’s people to prepare them to walk in power and purity.
Dear saints of God, hear what the Spirit of God is releasing in this hour. It is a clear and forceful command to the Body of Christ: Be bold and exceeding brave, for God is with you in your quest! (Joshua 1:9)
Now is the time for the victorious dread champions to arise, come to the forefront and take a bold, strong stand, contending and defending the faith (Jude 3).
Dread Champions - Part 2
by Bobby Conner
January 05, 2010
It is time to arise and shine (Isaiah 60:1-8).
Holy Scripture warns that, in the End Times, the love of many will turn cold (Matthew 24:12). We must not let the light of our hearts dim, but we are to be a shining beacon of hope and love, radiating God brightly in a sin-darkened world (Matthew 5:14-16). If our light is to remain bright, however, we must rally now. Now! We must embrace the call to become “keepers of the fire” and defend the flame of the Holy Spirit.
This is who you are now, beloved: you are a people of burning passion, standing strong and filled with true conviction—never cowering, no matter the persecution or attack. Although we are observing an all-out attack to undermine the foundation of the Church and our nation, you are called to burn brightly with passionate love and radical obedience, true to the King. This is the call of the dread champions!
I challenge each one reading to answer one question as honestly as you can. Let this soul-searching question—a question asked by a young David—echo within the depths of your heart: “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel17: 29). In other words, is what you have worth fighting for?
In this passage of scripture from 1 Samuel, we see the cowardly heart of Saul’s army clearly revealed. Saul’s men had run from battle. They were cowering in a ditch, fearful of their foe. Suddenly, a young shepherd lad approaches with a very different heart—the heart of a true champion. As the young David ponders the proceedings before him, Goliath taunts and threatens Saul and his troops, but David is not intimidated. He boldly asks, “Is there not a cause?” And again, he asks, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
What are we to learn from this passage? As the armies of Saul, we, too, have been intimidated by the foes we face. We have retreated into the ditches while the ACLU and other antichrist groups remove our privileges and rights as Christians! In some places in America, it is against the law to pray in public or to read one’s Bible. This is America—not a communist nation! If we don’t take a bold stand, who will? “Is there not a cause?”
Our spiritual heritage is at stake—the legacy we will leave for our children and our children’s children, the legacy for which our forefathers fought and died in WWI and WWII. We can’t just sit by and let our nation spiral deeper into deception and darkness.
Why is this happening? The prophet Isaiah warns us of this very day in Isaiah 5:20, a day when people will call good evil and evil good. In our attempt to be politically correct, we have lost our goal of remaining Biblically correct. We see a culture that has contaminated the truth of God’s Word, accepting what is forbidden in Holy Scripture, voting for same-sex marriages and installing gay clergy, following New Age teachers, consulting horoscopes and psychics, practicing yoga, drinking to excess and considering violent, pornographic and God-mocking films as acceptable entertainment. Some who call themselves Christians are even accepting other ways to heaven than our Lord Jesus Christ, believing that there are “many ways up the mountain” (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
We must heed the severe warning of Christ:
“Straight is the gate that leads to life and few there be that find it, because broad is the gate that leads to death and many go in there.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
There will be many who call out to the Lord in that Day, explaining that they prophesied in His Name, cast out demons in His Name and did not just some, but “many wonderful works.” This is a fearsome Scripture indeed! For “many” will hear not a word of welcome, but a word that will cause them to gnash their teeth: “I never knew you, depart from Me, you workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
May it never be, Lord! That we may be known by You!
Yet, the Scriptures warn us that “even the elect” may be fooled in the End Times. We are in just that time. This is a season of confrontation and spiritual warfare on a level not experienced in our lifetime. The spiritual landmarks are being removed and destroyed. It is time for a spiritual revolution! Now is the time to take a strong stand. As Scripture reminds us, “Having done all to stand, stand” (Eph. 6:10-18).
No one can exempt themselves from this war as a conscientious objector. No one is too young, too old, too weak or too unlearned. Simple, everyday believers are being called to the front lines—and simple believers have always performed enormous exploits for their King. Scripture reminds us that “It is the people that know their God that will display strength and take action doing great exploits for God” (Daniel 11:32). Such bold and brave examples should motivate us to resist the foes we face, and not just resist and hold the fort—but to take the land! Ponder the great exploits of the mighty men revealed in 2 Samuel 23:8-12:
“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time.
And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder, or pick up the spoils.
And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils (beans). So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
These believers fought until they were weary, until their “hand stuck to the sword.” They contended with their very lives—with their entire strength—for the glory of their King. These reports are almost unbelievable, yet this history is reported accurately in the Holy Word of God.Just look at what these believers accomplished:
Adino was such a warrior that Scripture reports that he killed 800 men at one time.
Eleazar fought when all others fled. He stood his ground and defeated the Philistines until his hand cleaved to his sword.
Shammah took his stand in a bean field and defeated the Philistines.
These may have been called “mighty”—but we also have the example of Gideon. Here was a man of God who cowered and hid…until the Lord put on Gideon “like a glove” (the original Hebrew translation)—and prevailed!
These men were champions because they were true to their calling. The Lord gave them the heart of a warrior and the soul of a true champion—and they refused defeat.
The characteristics and conduct of these gallant, lion-like warriors of God serve as a prototype of the coming champions who are now being raised up. God’s Spirit is once again calling forth the gallant Gadites to become part of a victorious band of believers. These passionate warriors are the overcomers who stand strong for God’s Kingdom (1John 5:4), who defend the King and His Kingdom, no matter the consequences or persecution.
Remember the promise, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Knowing this truth will allow us to stand boldly, confident in the Lord’s Presence, no matter what situation we face.
Paul reminds us that we are “More than conquerors in and through Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:37). Many of us don’t feel victorious—but it is a disastrous mistake to consider our feelings as our guide to truth. We must walk by faith in the promises of God’s Word and bring our feelings into alignment with His truth, not our subjective experiences.
Practically, how do we manage our emotions in these End Times, when tempers flare, the news is gloomy and the darkness grows darker? The essential key is for each believer to maintain a consistent walk of forgiveness—a forgiveness lifestyle.
How do we walk in a forgiveness lifestyle? When your feelings stray away from God’s peace, even to the smallest degree, don’t deny your feelings, but ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where the root lies in your soul. He will indeed reveal a wound or open door, most often a wound or door resulting from unforgiveness and offense. Then, simply ask the Forgiver to come and release forgiveness to the person who caused the offense that opened the wound. That person may include a loved one, a stranger, yourself—or even God. Ask the Holy Spirit to take the “ground” that you had given to the enemy with His Spirit and Truth, and your feelings will inevitably shift to the Lord’s peace! It’s guaranteed.
We must renew our minds and hearts in this manner so that the peace of God may rule and reign in our innermost being. Become a champion for your own inner healing by pursuing forgiveness in every single area of your life. This is the first and most important step to becoming a dread champion.
When you are free from unforgiveness, you will be able to boldly declare, “Let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3:10). And to declare these mighty words of victory from Psalms 44:5:
Through You we will push down our enemies;
Through Your name we will trample those who rise up
Against us.
Amid the conflicts and confrontations, we will maintain great peace, knowing that it is the God of Peace who crushes satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).You, beloved, are an ambassador for Christ, a divine catalyst to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. You are salt and light in a sin-darkened world. For the true followers of Christ, this is our finest hour! Prepare to see multitudes brought into the Kingdom of God. Now is the time to shine brightly, to rejoice and to be very glad! We are now in the age of the great harvest! Dread champions, arise to contend and defend!
Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
www.bobbyconner.org
by Bobby Conner
January 05, 2010
Dread Champions, Arise!
Do you hear the battle alarm? It is ringing loud and clear! We are entering a very serious season—a season of confrontation. Our lukewarm “business as usual” attitude must die. The Spirit of God is awakening and arousing the Church, prompting us to arise and take a strong stand for Divine Truth. The war is raging and we must prepare for battle.
Meditate on this clear warning in Romans 13:11-14—and begin to declare this over your life and the life of this nation:
“Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light. Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).”
Now is the time for the Body of Christ to be bold, brave and extremely courageous, combating the spirit of this age.
How will this happen? First, we are to “make no provision” for darkness. We’re called to violently “fling away” quarrels, jealousies and any hint of immorality to make absolutely NO provision for the flesh. The Lord has raised the standard of holiness to the highest levels of perfection.
Next, we are to not only resist in a defensive posture—but we are also to be on the offensive for our King. We are not called to live passive, quiet lives in the midst of evil giants; on the contrary, we are to actively arise and violently drive giants out into the open, exposing wickedness and defeating it through His mercy and grace, for God’s glory. Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:12:
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.”
We are called to take the promised land of the Kingdom by force—without compromise or retreat. This war between King Jesus and His enemies of this world is going to be much, much more militant than we expected and we must prepare as serious soldiers of the Cross. Don’t misunderstand me—our weapons are not knives and guns, bombs and bullets, but eternal weapons of power: Zechariah 4:6 states that victory is won “not by might, nor by our human spirit, but only by the Spirit of the Lord.” Never forget it is by the Holy Spirit that we are empowered for action—but we need to come into agreement with the Spirit through the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, purity, revelation of the Word of God, faith working through love and, above all, radical, unquestioned obedience.
These are the characteristics of God’s dread champions. We are champions because we have overcome the world by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony; we are dread champions because we consider not our lives unto death. This level of radical obedience produces believers who will truly follow the Lamb wherever He goes—no matter the consequences.
This is the nature of a hero—and God is calling for spiritual heroes in this hour. The word heroism speaks of bravery and fearlessness. Heroes fight not for themselves, but for their King’s honor, their country’s honor, a greater honor than their own acclaim. These qualities of selfless valor are not born of the flesh, however. We cannot exert our will and abilities to become a dread champion. On the contrary: our heroism is in direct proportion to our yielding to Christ, the one true Hero. Only as we yield to the Holy Spirit will we be equipped to display these outstanding qualities of God’s champions.
Scripture declares in Proverbs 28:1 that “The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Are we timid? If we are, our timidity testifies to our carnality, not true humility and meekness. To the extent that we are passive and fearful, we are giving ourselves over to the flesh, not the Spirit. It is sad but true…many churches today are embracing a lukewarm, compromising culture and departing from sound Biblical teachings—to the point of embracing false teaching and activities that contradict Holy Scripture.
May lukewarm love never be found in our hearts!
Are you lukewarm? Are you ready to arise and be bold as a lion?
Ask yourself this most important, soul-searching question: are you, as a Christian, tolerated by a Christ-rejecting world? Or are you so distant from your Elder Brother (The Lord Jesus Christ), that you no longer truly resemble Him? If you did, you would be persecuted and accused just as He was. This is not an easy question to ask, but ask it, we must! Christ Jesus warned us, stating that “the servant is no greater than his Master!” While He walked the earth in the flesh, Jesus displayed perfect love. Do we? Jesus healed the sick and set captives free. Are we? Are we offending the world by working the works of God, loving with His love, forgiving with His heart?
Jesus did nothing wrong—yet wicked and cruel men struck His face with their fists and spat upon Him as a criminal (Matthew 26:67-68). The Lord Jesus’ back was beaten with many stripes. His beard was pulled from His face. A crown of cruel thorns was driven deep within his head. And, finally, He was nailed upon a cross to suffer horrendously and die between two convicted men.
What is the lesson we must learn? The servant is no greater than the Master!
We are no greater than Jesus! How can we, then, expect to receive the keys to the city and win Person of the Year? Saints, take heed! We must take a reality check. Remember that Scripture states, “All that will live Godly in this present world will suffer persecution.” Our lack of true persecution does not testify to God’s blessing on our lives—but to our weakness! To our flesh! To our desire to win the approval of men, not of God. If we do not resemble our Master, we pose no threat to the enemy and do not offend the world.
Ask yourself this New Year: “Am I a true witness for Christ?”
Indeed, one of the Greek words translated “witness” is martyrion, from which we derive the English word “martyr.”
Consider these Scriptures in which we find martyrion used:
“…and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15)
“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree” (Act 10:39)
“And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.” (Act 22:20)
The blood of the “martyr” Stephen is the blood of the true “witness” Stephen—it is the same Greek word. Are we willing to suffer as a martyr for our Lord? What does this mean exactly? We are called to pick up our cross and die daily…for die to this world we must.
The good news is that, as the battle escalates, so will God’s grace upon our lives. So will our passion for the King! Our lukewarm love is about to become inflamed for Christ. The timid Church is about to become the Church of the Lion of Judah, bold as lions!
Again, we have entered a serious season of confrontation in which we must contend for and defend the faith. This is the Word of the Lord for this hour: the battle is going to become fierce…but we know that “the battle is the Lord’s”!
“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.” (1Sa 17:47)
You can be confident that our foe, satan, has not changed his intent one bit: he still seeks to steal, kill and to destroy (John 10:10). We have nothing to fear because the Spirit of God is kindling a fire within the souls of God’s people to prepare them to walk in power and purity.
Dear saints of God, hear what the Spirit of God is releasing in this hour. It is a clear and forceful command to the Body of Christ: Be bold and exceeding brave, for God is with you in your quest! (Joshua 1:9)
Now is the time for the victorious dread champions to arise, come to the forefront and take a bold, strong stand, contending and defending the faith (Jude 3).
Dread Champions - Part 2
by Bobby Conner
January 05, 2010
It is time to arise and shine (Isaiah 60:1-8).
Holy Scripture warns that, in the End Times, the love of many will turn cold (Matthew 24:12). We must not let the light of our hearts dim, but we are to be a shining beacon of hope and love, radiating God brightly in a sin-darkened world (Matthew 5:14-16). If our light is to remain bright, however, we must rally now. Now! We must embrace the call to become “keepers of the fire” and defend the flame of the Holy Spirit.
This is who you are now, beloved: you are a people of burning passion, standing strong and filled with true conviction—never cowering, no matter the persecution or attack. Although we are observing an all-out attack to undermine the foundation of the Church and our nation, you are called to burn brightly with passionate love and radical obedience, true to the King. This is the call of the dread champions!
I challenge each one reading to answer one question as honestly as you can. Let this soul-searching question—a question asked by a young David—echo within the depths of your heart: “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel17: 29). In other words, is what you have worth fighting for?
In this passage of scripture from 1 Samuel, we see the cowardly heart of Saul’s army clearly revealed. Saul’s men had run from battle. They were cowering in a ditch, fearful of their foe. Suddenly, a young shepherd lad approaches with a very different heart—the heart of a true champion. As the young David ponders the proceedings before him, Goliath taunts and threatens Saul and his troops, but David is not intimidated. He boldly asks, “Is there not a cause?” And again, he asks, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
What are we to learn from this passage? As the armies of Saul, we, too, have been intimidated by the foes we face. We have retreated into the ditches while the ACLU and other antichrist groups remove our privileges and rights as Christians! In some places in America, it is against the law to pray in public or to read one’s Bible. This is America—not a communist nation! If we don’t take a bold stand, who will? “Is there not a cause?”
Our spiritual heritage is at stake—the legacy we will leave for our children and our children’s children, the legacy for which our forefathers fought and died in WWI and WWII. We can’t just sit by and let our nation spiral deeper into deception and darkness.
Why is this happening? The prophet Isaiah warns us of this very day in Isaiah 5:20, a day when people will call good evil and evil good. In our attempt to be politically correct, we have lost our goal of remaining Biblically correct. We see a culture that has contaminated the truth of God’s Word, accepting what is forbidden in Holy Scripture, voting for same-sex marriages and installing gay clergy, following New Age teachers, consulting horoscopes and psychics, practicing yoga, drinking to excess and considering violent, pornographic and God-mocking films as acceptable entertainment. Some who call themselves Christians are even accepting other ways to heaven than our Lord Jesus Christ, believing that there are “many ways up the mountain” (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
We must heed the severe warning of Christ:
“Straight is the gate that leads to life and few there be that find it, because broad is the gate that leads to death and many go in there.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
There will be many who call out to the Lord in that Day, explaining that they prophesied in His Name, cast out demons in His Name and did not just some, but “many wonderful works.” This is a fearsome Scripture indeed! For “many” will hear not a word of welcome, but a word that will cause them to gnash their teeth: “I never knew you, depart from Me, you workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
May it never be, Lord! That we may be known by You!
Yet, the Scriptures warn us that “even the elect” may be fooled in the End Times. We are in just that time. This is a season of confrontation and spiritual warfare on a level not experienced in our lifetime. The spiritual landmarks are being removed and destroyed. It is time for a spiritual revolution! Now is the time to take a strong stand. As Scripture reminds us, “Having done all to stand, stand” (Eph. 6:10-18).
No one can exempt themselves from this war as a conscientious objector. No one is too young, too old, too weak or too unlearned. Simple, everyday believers are being called to the front lines—and simple believers have always performed enormous exploits for their King. Scripture reminds us that “It is the people that know their God that will display strength and take action doing great exploits for God” (Daniel 11:32). Such bold and brave examples should motivate us to resist the foes we face, and not just resist and hold the fort—but to take the land! Ponder the great exploits of the mighty men revealed in 2 Samuel 23:8-12:
“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time.
And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder, or pick up the spoils.
And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils (beans). So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.
These believers fought until they were weary, until their “hand stuck to the sword.” They contended with their very lives—with their entire strength—for the glory of their King. These reports are almost unbelievable, yet this history is reported accurately in the Holy Word of God.Just look at what these believers accomplished:
Adino was such a warrior that Scripture reports that he killed 800 men at one time.
Eleazar fought when all others fled. He stood his ground and defeated the Philistines until his hand cleaved to his sword.
Shammah took his stand in a bean field and defeated the Philistines.
These may have been called “mighty”—but we also have the example of Gideon. Here was a man of God who cowered and hid…until the Lord put on Gideon “like a glove” (the original Hebrew translation)—and prevailed!
These men were champions because they were true to their calling. The Lord gave them the heart of a warrior and the soul of a true champion—and they refused defeat.
The characteristics and conduct of these gallant, lion-like warriors of God serve as a prototype of the coming champions who are now being raised up. God’s Spirit is once again calling forth the gallant Gadites to become part of a victorious band of believers. These passionate warriors are the overcomers who stand strong for God’s Kingdom (1John 5:4), who defend the King and His Kingdom, no matter the consequences or persecution.
Remember the promise, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Knowing this truth will allow us to stand boldly, confident in the Lord’s Presence, no matter what situation we face.
Paul reminds us that we are “More than conquerors in and through Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:37). Many of us don’t feel victorious—but it is a disastrous mistake to consider our feelings as our guide to truth. We must walk by faith in the promises of God’s Word and bring our feelings into alignment with His truth, not our subjective experiences.
Practically, how do we manage our emotions in these End Times, when tempers flare, the news is gloomy and the darkness grows darker? The essential key is for each believer to maintain a consistent walk of forgiveness—a forgiveness lifestyle.
How do we walk in a forgiveness lifestyle? When your feelings stray away from God’s peace, even to the smallest degree, don’t deny your feelings, but ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where the root lies in your soul. He will indeed reveal a wound or open door, most often a wound or door resulting from unforgiveness and offense. Then, simply ask the Forgiver to come and release forgiveness to the person who caused the offense that opened the wound. That person may include a loved one, a stranger, yourself—or even God. Ask the Holy Spirit to take the “ground” that you had given to the enemy with His Spirit and Truth, and your feelings will inevitably shift to the Lord’s peace! It’s guaranteed.
We must renew our minds and hearts in this manner so that the peace of God may rule and reign in our innermost being. Become a champion for your own inner healing by pursuing forgiveness in every single area of your life. This is the first and most important step to becoming a dread champion.
When you are free from unforgiveness, you will be able to boldly declare, “Let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3:10). And to declare these mighty words of victory from Psalms 44:5:
Through You we will push down our enemies;
Through Your name we will trample those who rise up
Against us.
Amid the conflicts and confrontations, we will maintain great peace, knowing that it is the God of Peace who crushes satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).You, beloved, are an ambassador for Christ, a divine catalyst to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. You are salt and light in a sin-darkened world. For the true followers of Christ, this is our finest hour! Prepare to see multitudes brought into the Kingdom of God. Now is the time to shine brightly, to rejoice and to be very glad! We are now in the age of the great harvest! Dread champions, arise to contend and defend!
Bobby Conner
Eagles View Ministries
www.bobbyconner.org
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
"Season of Grace"
Greg Daley – 2 Corinthians 4:7, But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. I heard the word “Vessels of Mercy” that’s us – that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. So God has placed within us a power that is superior. It goes well beyond whatever we may need to do or what God is calling us to do. Today God has placed within each of us His Spirit and his power to take us beyond where we could ever conceive we could go. God is calling us to prepare, I believe that. I also heard the word, “Make room for daddy.” So God is preparing us for his presence. …There is grace today, (God’s divine enablement) to take you to where the Lord wants to take you, not just individually but as a church a corporate body.
Walt Cowart – Children it is my desire to come forth into your life to show you who I really am. I am not who you have always pictured me as, I am not in some kind of container that can just be held for you to look at and say, “This is who he is and this is what he does.” But children I am more than that. This is a time that I want to come out so you can be free, so you can begin to go to the places I have always desired for you. Inside your expectation is this, “God is only able to do this much because that’s my belief.” In this season of empowerment that you are going to begin to discover, you will no longer have to have a small picture of who I am. You can begin to see inside the heavens what I am doing for you today. This is a time that in this house a level of expectation is going to rise up that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Therefore nothing is too hard in your life. A season of freedom that you have spoke of but never participated in. A season of risk where you take a step out and you say, “I am going where I don’t know but I know he is already there.” A time when we as a family can stand around as a family and begin to speak to a future that we no longer really think about but that we are rather participating in. A future that we are occupied inside of and seen the favor of the Lord and the fruit of the trees that is gathering around us. That we can taste and see that the Lord really is good. This is a season that I am beginning to take you to places that you have never been and never wanted to go. That I can show my glory in you, with you, through you to a people that don’t want you there and can’t stand the thought of you showing up. When you come you will set at liberty those who have been bound up and have no desire for the kingdoms truth. This is a season children where I say, “Let me out of the box that you have out me in. That I can demonstrate within your life everything I have thought about you, because you are so valuable to me, you are everything I have hoped for and dreamed up for all time, and I want to show my favor in and through your life. You are my dream, you are my hope, you are my life demonstrated to a people on this earth who know me know. So let me run through you in this season, let me out of the box so you can do all that I have told you you will do.
Theressa Hammelman: This morning in the prayer room I really felt like God was saying that there is a grace to enter his presence. Just like the Priest would wear the linen garments so that they weren’t striving. We’re not to strive. There was a grace to enter his presence, and in his presence there will be a grace to bring the change that we need.
Barb Snyder – This morning in the prayer room - I saw the Lords presence kind of like the steam or the fog from the drama this morning, and as we go forth in this declaration there was this cloud of his presence. It wasn’t us or by our might but it was by his spirit. Just like we saw the fog this morning that it is about his presence.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I-5 Revival
"Oregon Will Be Known as a Place Where the Healing Presence of God Dwells" PLUS "Words for Many Cities Across the West Coast"
by Rob DeLuca with Garris Elkins
Aug 13, 2009
From the desk of Steve Shultz:
The following prophetic words were given by Rob DeLuca while he was recently in Medford, Oregon. Rob mentions much happening here in the Northwest and up and down the West Coast in the next few months. God IS up to something BIG here. Also read Garris Elkins intro for Rob below of some powerful healings and miracles that took place.
For those new to this list, you may not have heard that up in the Northwest, much revival has broken out over the course of the last few years and decades. Others may remember that where we are located in Albany (mentioned in this word by Rob DeLuca) is where Kathryn Kuhlman was released into her worldwide ministry—yes, from little Albany, Oregon, blocks from The ElijahList.
Starting around the year 2000, a massive healing and revival broke out with Todd Bentley in Albany, Oregon, at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship (pastored by Denny Cline), and that healing became explosive around the world after that. Only last year did Todd take a step back after the pressures of the healing movement, and important restoration is being worked on in his life. (Few could possibly grasp the warfare on some ministries who are doing God's healing. Read the New Testament for more examples.)
In the early 2000s, massive healing revivals including healing tents (Grants Pass) came alive and the prophets began showing up in greater numbers then in recent memories to places such as Redding, CA, Grants Pass, Albany and Portland, OR, and northward to Kelowna, BC, Canada, as well as many other places. We all knew this to be a foretaste to come.
Yet another ignition is going to start this all over again, and some prophecies have indicated that this will go further north and further south, down into California (Southern California to British Columbia used to ALL be called the OREGON TERRITORIES, and I believe it has common DESTINY IN GOD).
Now, the prophets, including Rob DeLuca, are picking up from the Lord the NEXT WAVE—maybe the BIG ONE is coming to the West Coast—an EARTHQUAKE OF HEALING and REVIVAL to light up the West Coast!
Get ready San Diego, Los Angeles, and all points NORTH up into Canada. God is not jogging but sprinting up and down the coast. Soon, I believe, it will not only be known as the "left coast" or the "west coast" but perhaps even the "best coast" to find both HEALING and REVIVAL at this time!
One final point—many past and even recent healing revivals were short circuited and the fires were eventually put NEARLY out. But those embers are still burning, and THIS TIME, may be THE TIME, where both healing and citywide revivals will explode and remain. And no longer about what takes place inside churches only, but inside city malls, theatres, restaurants, and at stop lights!
In the last two weeks, I've felt a sudden shift in the spirit. It's huge! I feel healing manifesting from nowhere, even in my own body! Folks, it has begun!
Blessings,
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The ElijahList, Breaking Christian News and Prophetic.tv
http://www.elijahlist.com
Intro by Garris Elkins: Revival in Oregon
Several weeks ago Rob DeLuca spoke at Living Waters Church in Medford, and the following weekend at New Song Church. During these two visits Rob brought an ignition and acceleration to the move of God's Spirit in this region. Many were healed and destinies were released. While in Medford, Rob prophesied that "Oregon would be known as a state where the healing presence of God dwells."
During one of these meetings a leader in our church saw gold dust begin to appear on her hands. After the meeting she went home and the gold dust appeared again. She understood this sign to be an indicator to pray for her husband and for a visiting relative—both of them were healed. Her husband and her relative began to shout when gold dust appeared on their hands!
Just this week this same woman laid hands on a friend who is a waitress at a local restaurant. Then gold dust began to appear once again on her hands during dinner. This waitress had Celiac Disease (a gluten tolerance disorder). This woman was so allergic to gluten that if someone who had been handling a gluten product just touched her food she would have a violent physical reaction. The woman was healed and has been eating pizza and bread for the last week with no reaction. She had been sick for 28 years!
Another ignition has taken place (among others recently along the I-5 Corridor and the West Coast) and God's Spirit is moving through His people as they simply step out in faith. We have seen the gift of supernatural faith being released and imparted in our meetings.
When Rob was here he spoke of what carries revival—it is discipleship. As this move of God accelerates in intensity and dimension God is asking those who lead to make sure that systems are in place to disciple the thousands who will come into God's Kingdom. These signs and wonders are pointing people to Jesus who is coming with Kingdom power for a great harvest of souls.
Oregon will be known as a place where the healing presence of God dwells.
Wanting more,
Garris Elkins, Senior Leader
Living Waters Church - Medford, Oregon
Email: info@livingwatersmedford.org
The West Coast Prophecy by Rob DeLuca
The following words were given by Rob DeLuca on July 12, 2009 at Living Waters Church in Medford, Oregon:
There is a whirlwind of fire—a tornado of fire over Oregon and it lands here! It begins to burn the forests and torch Oregon. Then it begins to pull up gold out of the ground; small, big, thin, fat— all shapes and sizes. The gold glistens and burns hot, like coals. Then the whirlwind begins to send the gold flying. First it flies all over Oregon, and then all over America. Everywhere the gold lands it start fires. The gold is the people of Medford. The fire is the refining purity of God.
The Lakeland, Florida Outpouring was preliminary to the movement God is about to begin, and the West Coast is God's next place to land. All along I-5: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, Redding, Medford, Seattle, and Northern Washington.
Carry revival in such a way that the world is changed. To live this way, though, you have to be touched first. We need to avoid the failures of previous historical revivals. When the outpouring hits, we need discipleship to follow! Lakeland was only a taste of what God is about to do. Revival includes repentance, holiness, and souls saved!
God wants to show up in revival more than we want it! It will require, though, prayer and yielding before we become revived. It's not hard to live in revival if we realize that we live in an open Heaven! Get radically lost in God. Live in a Supernatural world. Revival is natural.
The following words were given by Rob DeLuca on July 19, 2009 at New Song Church, Medford, Oregon:
God gave me a vision while I was in Lakeland last year, and I saw this great fire burning in Florida. And the fire lit up the sky, and there were burning embers that were being taken by the wind and they were going all over the world. The majority of the embers I saw were hitting America. I saw burning embers landing across the nation and I saw campfires starting. I saw campfires taking place in other nations, but the majority of the campfires were taking place in America.
Schedules Will Change, Conferences Will Change
And the Holy Spirit spoke to me and He said: "I am about to change the plans of man. I am about to change men's schedules. I am about to change the agendas that men have made concerning My will for My people. Schedules will change, conferences will change, and I will bring back camp meetings as in the days of old. And people will gather around these fires and whole cities, entire towns, will be lit on fire.
"To those who are yielded and to those who will listen to My voice, I will send them to territories with revival fire. And they will bring My fire. They will take their families and they will go in My name. Some will go for three weeks, some for six weeks, some for three months, some for six months. And they will change entire cities with My revival fire."
And it reminded me of an old revivalist named Peter Cartwright. He was the "pistol packing preacher" who would ride on horse-back. He was a pioneer, he was a frontiersman. He would ride across the trails of America, and he would stop and have camp meetings. Some 2,000, some 10,000, some 20,000. They'd go for weeks on end, and people would come in their covered wagons and on their horses.
They'd build these big old wooden amphitheaters, because there was no amplification in those days. And they'd build these big platforms with wood up, wood out—wood walls that would amplify their voices and they would begin to preach. They would cut down logs and trees and make them into pews. People would come and they would just stay and camp out.
And it was recorded that Peter Cartwright said that hundreds, thousands, thousands of souls were saved as the preaching of the Word was brought forth. He said, "I would witness hundreds fall under the glorious power of God." He said that there were preachers that were preaching against it, but it could not be stopped. He said, "Glorious joy and laughter would breakout among God's people. To me it looked like all of America was coming to the Lord."
And I believe that what was brought forth, maybe 150, 200 or 300 years ago, in the birthing of this nation, is about to be brought forth again. And our conferences, and the way we do things in church, are about to change. And we're not going to care about our schedules so much—we're going to care about the GLORY of the LORD. God dwelling among His people.
And that brings me to what God gave me for Oregon...
Word For Specific Cities on the West Coast
Last year I saw a whirlwind land, and it hit Oregon. It started to spin and swirl, and it was a fierce wind of fire. It landed and hit Oregon. It started burning up the forests; it was doing like a trail-blaze across Oregon. And I saw golden stones coming out of the ground—they were being pulled up and sucked into this whirlwind of fire, and they began to burn—gold stones of fire. They began to get thrown all over the state and all over the nation. And they were starting fires. And I thought to myself, "This is what I saw over in Lakeland, the big campfire with burning embers landing all over." But I saw something happen here, in the Northwest. And the Lord just spoke to me in the last two weeks in regard to the West Coast.
From San Diego all the way up to Seattle and Vancouver, the LORD is about to do something VERY, VERY SPECIAL. Revival fire is about to breakout on the West Coast. I saw it hitting San Diego, I saw it hitting Orange County, and L.A. County, and I saw it hitting the northern counties of California. I saw it hitting Sacramento and Redding. I saw it coming up this way going right through your cities—right through Medford, right through Albany, right through Portland, and hitting Seattle. All the way up the I-5 Freeway.
And the LORD said, "There have been men and women who have prayed along this trail, and I will honor their prayers." Do you feel that? And I started looking up who has been through these lands:
Aimee Semple McPherson went right up this I-5 corridor, all the way up. William Branham, right over here and he hit Oregon. Even William Seymour. As a matter of fact, the Apostolic Faith publication, what was being published about the Azusa Street outpouring, much of it from Portland Oregon, through Sister Crawford—the reports of the revival in Azusa were being brought forth from Oregon. Billy Sunday came through here having revival fire. The Voice of Healing came through. California, all the way up this trail—this ancient path that's been prayed over for revival fire to be brought forth on the West Coast. HALLELUJAH!
One of my sons in the faith and I were out praying over California, and a vision came to us. There were four angels that manifested off the West Coast, and they were holding gold and silver trumpets. And they began to blow these trumpets and a sound and a massive wind was brought forth. What was witnessed was a dark cloud over America, but as these angels began to blow, this dark cloud was removed from the West all the way across America. So that includes Oregon.
I shared this with Pastor Bill and Beni Johnson recently at lunch. And we started talking about the time and the season. Beni had received the same thing from the LORD as I did, and we got real excited at the lunch table. I really believe this is going to happen within the fall. So that's probably in about three, four, or five months. Something is going to hit the West Coast; there is going to be something that takes place.
I don't know if there's going to be numerous outbreaks, but there is something that God is planning for the West Coast. I know there is going to be an outbreak in California, but I also know there's going to be an outbreak in Oregon and in Washington. And hopefully it will overflow into Canada.
Word For Oregon
This is what I received for Oregon. He gave this to me at 1am, as I was studying and praying. He spoke to me, and this is what was said: "Oregon again shall be known as a state of God's healing power. Once again Oregon shall be known as a state of God's healing power."
And then I saw people crossing the state line, and as they crossed the state line I saw people being healed. They were on their way to church services, but as soon as they hit the state line and crossed over, they were getting healed.
Then I saw a great river—the River of God—and I saw this river flowing throughout Oregon, and I saw the valleys being filled. The valleys of Oregon were being filled and they became pools of healing. And many were coming to the valleys to receive from these healing pools. And I looked at the mountaintops of Oregon, and the GLORY of God started to manifest in the mountains of Oregon.
And the LORD spoke to me and He said, "Multitudes will be healed. They shall come and be healed. Multitudes shall come and seek Me for periods of time in the land of Oregon."
And then I saw camp meetings, just like I saw in my vision that I had last year. And I saw groups of people coming to Oregon, seeking the GLORY of the LORD. And then I witnessed the settling of God's GLORY covering this state. And I said to myself out loud, "He has chosen to rest and make His abode in Oregon." That is a word. A holy, anointed word. A great, great great blessing is coming out of this state. This state is going to be known for healing, for healing, for healing.
Rob DeLuca
Rob DeLuca Ministries
Email: admin@robdeluca.org
Authors' Itinerary:
August 14, 2009 (7pm)
Canon Andrew White speaking in Albany, Oregon
Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Albany
2110 Santiam Hwy, Albany, Oregon
Contact: 541-924-0883
Rob DeLuca:
August 16, 2009
Iglesia Oasis Church, 10am
17508 Hercules St, Suite 8, Hesperia, CA, 92345
August 23, 2009 (10am)
His Way Church - New Zealand
10e Croftfield Lane, Wairau Park, Auckland, New Zealand
Contact: admin@hiswaychurch.com
Garris Elkins:
August 27-29, 2009
Multi-National Apostolic - Prophetic Summit
Lusaka, Zambia
Contact: George Palo at geoccipalo@hotmail.com
August 29-30, 2009
Leadership Summit
Harvest City Church
Ndola, Zambia
Contact: George Palo at geoccipalo@hotmail.com
Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.
ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250
Monday, July 13, 2009
War Room Survey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)