Equippers Network (via Mowser)

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers and Fresh Fire

There is a great deal of conversation and commotion in the Body of Christ today about the reality of having Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers as described in

Ephesians 4:11-13.

Some say that God never intended these Gift/offices to fade away or be done away with while others say these gifts do not all function today, others believe they are still functioning in the church today but under different names.

You’re Wineskin (church government and structure) along with the point in history and context of the birth of your fellowship or church group (revival or move of God or desire of man from which it sprang into life) will greatly determine how you understand the meaning and function of these gifts.

It is not my objective to argue this point today. Instead, I would like to look at the purpose or responsibility and character of these 'gifts to the church' and all who are called into the leadership of God's people. These verses when examined in a variety of translations and the Greek in which it was originally written help us to understand that 'the gifts' God has given have the responsibility to:
1. To Equip believers to do the work of the ministry (those things that Jesus began to do and teach and then were carried out by the Holy Spirit through those who made Jesus their Lord and Savior)
2. To build up one another (those who have also become believers and disciples of Jesus the Messiah)
3. To bring them into a place of full maturity.'

When we examine the words and their meaning in context we see that a part of this equipping is the mending or making whole of individual believer so that they can fulfill God's call on their life.

We also see that another part of being equipped, is to be properly fit (taking ones proper and unique place) into the body of Christ according to God's grace given each individual, as well as, the operation of His gifts in them, along with their skills, maturity and experience.

The death and resurrection of Jesus was designed to make us whole and make maturity in Him not only possible but our primary co-objective as we continue to do those things that Jesus began to do and teach through the power of His Holy Spirit.

A more complete look at the context of this passage will assist us in understanding the purpose of these three verses. The greater context will also help us to understand the expectations we should have of ourselves and those called into these positions which the Holy spirit in scripture calls Gifts to His Church.

Eph 4:1-16
4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high, he led captives in his trainand gave gifts to men."
9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. NIV

A powerful move of God, a revival, or releasing of His glory or presence which does not then become the catalyst or launching pad for the continuation of those things Jesus began to do and teach has failed to accomplish what God desired.

It is the responsibility of the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers to make sure that those things Jesus began to do and teach are continued as a result of THE FRESH FIRE!

Artwork, The Road to the Cross by Graham Braddock http://www.christian-artprints.com/

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Joseph Daniel Calling

I have the privilege of knowing a Joseph-Daniel Fore-runner. This is a person who along with the Joseph Daniel calling on His life is called as one who goes before (or sent out before) others with such a calling on their lives. He is not only the one who spies out the land but then must go back and give a report of what is ahead for those who also have this calling on their lives. Now this all sounds very wonderful and magnificent, Oh what a calling!!! Callings this BIG require both great vision and a great sacrificial heart.

Before I go any further let me ask you a few simple questions to put this all in context.

1. What is a Joseph or a Daniel or for that matter a forunner calling?
A. Joseph: He had the coat of many colors and the father’s favor which may have meant a larger share of the inheritance.
B. Daniel: had encounters with angels in his battles in prayer. Did not get hurt in the Lions den.
C. the Fore-runner: the one called to go before, a path finder a path maker! John the Baptist. Eating grasshoppers and dressing in camel hair. A message purified by the wilderness.

2. What preparation does each of these callings demand?
A. Joseph
B. Daniel
C. The Fore-Runner

3. If you are called to one or all of these ministries what should you expect from God, from people and from yourself? What kind of lifestyle does each of these demand?
A. What is a Joseph dreamer and visionary without humility and the experience to make the God given dream come true and in turn bless all who are involved. He did not require harm or vengeance upon those who mistreated him.
B. What is a Daniel without faith to stand in the battle with Angels and trust God in the pit with Lions?
C. What is a (fore-Runner) and what is their ministry? When you cut into new territory, enemy territory you are being cut as well.

You cannot lead where God desires without more of God and less of you. So as you are pruned you will continue to produce an even greater harvest. Now greater here may mean more quality or, more quantity or both. The truth is that each anointed calling requires the death of the flesh and all of the power, authority and influence we may wield and the total dependence on the power and authority of God in our lives.

Jesus himself is our example in this. He relinquished His authority and power yielded to the father’s authority and was empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we might always be able to say;”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and “not my will but yours father.”

1. Do you have a Joseph Daniel calling?
2. Are you willing to pay the price to make yourself ready for the weight of His Glory in your life?

If not turn back now before it is too late.

If you answer yes than gird yourself for battle and give all you have for the heart of God, the Mind of Christ and the Power of the Spirit!

To Discover more about the Joseph-Daniel calling buy
Joseph Daniel Calling Morris Ruddick from Arsenal Books at the Link below.

http://arsenalbooks.com/category/s

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Joseph Daniel Calling by Morris Ruddick

Book Summary
In the face of political instabilities, economic reversals, fear, and uncertainty, Kingdom opportunities not obvious to the world are quietly on the rise. These Kingdom agendas reflect an interlinking of secular enterprises with overriding ministry objectives.

What is emerging is a move of God in the marketplace that will parallel the rise of the parachurch ministry movement of the early fifties. At the forefront of this movement is a group of men and women of God called in the same way as Joseph and Daniel of the Bible. Modern-day Josephs and Daniels will serve strategically as instruments of God’s purpose in secular positions of influence within seats of power of this world. This book addresses the dynamics of this calling, God’s economy, and the preparation, character, and challenges of these uniquely called Josephs and Daniels. Among other agendas, they will be facilitators of the release of the wealth of the wicked into Kingdom initiatives.

Author Profile
MORRIS E. RUDDICK is a business executive, consultant, entrepreneur, missionary, intercessor, conference speaker, board member, and writer. He is at the forefront of mobilizing a unique group of anointed marketplace leaders, referred to as modern-day Josephs and Daniels. As head of a market planning consulting firm serving an array of clients from Fortune 500 firms to respected ministries, his expertise includes business planning, forecasting emerging markets, developing business strategies, funding initiatives, modeling entrepreneurial bypass strategies, and applying principles of biblically based businesses. He was chief architect in two successful corporate turnarounds. His ministry activities target strengthening the brethren in locales ranging from Afghanistan to Israel. But the foundation of both his business and ministry activities is his role in leading a global intercession ministry known as SIGN (Strategic Intercession Global Network), which has as its purpose targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis.
http://www.strategic-initiatives.org/

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Revolutionary Champions and Principles

The Bible is full of Revolutionaries (men and women) who saw beyond what was and into the Spirit realm and saw what God was doing or desired to do. One of Biblical account which demonstrates this truth is 2 Kings 6:15-17.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha . NIV

What is the definition of a Revolutionary?

1. According to Webster: Major Fundemental Change

a: of, relating to, or constituting a revolution b: tending to or promoting revolution c: constituting or bringing about a major or fundamental change

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revolutionary

2. According to the Bible: Turning the World Upside Down

These New Revolutionaries want more than revival of what is and have diligently prayed and worked for what God in His Word has promised. They seek the work of His Spirit in this generation with such magnitude that nations are changed and the tide of darkness and the stench of hell and death are cleansed from their cities and nations. These New Revolutionaries are the ones who reject the spirit of religion and passionately embrace the truth and power of God's Word to change what is by into what God desires, a reformation of every village, town and city in the nations of the earth.

Acts 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out,"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.NKJV

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The Champions:

The faith of the people are listed in Hebrews 11, in God's supernatural ways and character caused them to do things and say things that put them in direct conflict and opposition to the way things were in their culture, and often to the government and the ways people around them lived and behaved. The Bible tells of these Revolutionaries who looked for the life, provision and home God had built to share with them. Hebrews chapter 11 tells many of their stories.

Heb 11:1-40

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.Heb 11:11-40
11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age — and Sarah herself was barren — was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones. 23 By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. NIV

1. Principle One: FAITH

One of the Keys concepts for the The New Revolutionary is FAITH that God is the greatest supernatural being in existence and that He desires to provide us with all we need to have a supernatural life and accomplish all He desires in and through our lives.

Hebrews 11:1-3

'Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.'

2. Principle Two: DEATH

Another Key concept for the New Revolutionary is a willingness to DIE to all of the desires of our heart and this world even to the point of DEATH for the cause of Christ. The New Revolutionaries, as well as, the Biblical ones were so desirous of gaining what God had for their lives that this earth and all it offers had no hold on them.

Hebrews 11: 13- 16.

And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11 is not an exhaustive list of the Biblical revolutionaries. It is however a review of many and the cost they were willing to pay for the cause of God!

Will you pay the price needed to answer the call to be one of the New Kingdom Revolutionaries for Jesus the Messiah?

Will You Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb?

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fd28e0f6fcdffbcdd760

ARTWORK: 'Guardian Angel' Danny Hahlbohm

http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getthumb.asp&CID=B76AE35B549945EEB3B53AB313FF3271&PPID=1&sortby=PD&c=c&page=3&Search=19294

Saturday, August 02, 2008

A CALL TO THE NEW REVOLUTIONARIES

There is a Call that is going out across the Earth. This call is to those who will die to themselves, their dream, hope and fears and become part of the New Revolutionaries for Jesus.

This Call is being heard by many who in turn are crying out to this generation of believers to become New Kingdom Revolutionaries to Cry Out to and Seek God with all of their heart soul and strength! One of the visible results of this is THE CALL DC 2008 led by Lou Engle.

The material below is from The Call web site. I encourage you to click on the link below and find out more. Find out how you can be a part of this God called Generation of Revolutionaries for Jesus!

LOAD UP A BUS AND MEET OTHER REVOLUTIONARIES AT THE CALL DC AUGUST 16 2008!

About TheCall
http://www.thecall.com/Group/Group.aspx?id=1000029165

"TheCall is a divinely initiated, multi-racial, multi-generational, and cross-denominational gathering to corporate prayer and fasting. We believe that our nation is in desperate need of the mercy of God and a great Spiritual Awakening. TheCall is committed to mobilizing people from all across America to gather together to petition God for His undeserved mercy for our nation in 12-hour solemn assemblies. Just as in the days of Joel, we believe that now is the time to blow the trumpet across our land, to fast, to pray, and return to the Lord with all our hearts.In the midst of an “entertainment” driven society,

TheCall does not seek to entertain, but to encounter God. Unlike other mass gatherings which attract people through the rhythms of loud music, the glamour of flashing lights, or through the appeal of charismatic personalities, TheCall is a gathering centered around the affections of a loving God. There will be no advertised bands and no promoted speakers, as our purpose is not to promote any man or ministry.

TheCall is a FAST not a festival. TheCall is a SOLEMN ASSEMBLY not a conference. Whereas conferences focus primarily on training and discipleship, the 12 hours of TheCall are spent primarily before the Lord in the place of prayer and worship. We believe the hour is late and the times are urgent. Our nation is in desperate need of revival and it will be only through the corporate body of Christ uniting in the place of prayer that we will find any hope in this hour. We believe we can see our nation changed as the Lord pours out His Spirit and brings refreshing to the broken, destitute, and the weary across our land.
History of TheCall

In 1997 our nation witnessed one of the largest Christian gatherings in American history. The Promise Keepers, a ministry specifically focused on igniting men with a passion for Jesus, gathered a million men on the National Mall in Washington DC to call men across our nation to a lifestyle of purity and godliness. A man named Lou Engle was deeply impacted by this highly profound event and burdened with a God-given dream. The vision was to raise up a corresponding youth movement to cry out to God for a revival to sweep across America. .

Two years after the inception of this dream, a woman approached Lou Engle and asked if he had ever considered putting young people on the Mall like the Promise Keepers did in 1997. Taken back and amazed, Lou replied that two years prior he had been burdened with a dream to see the youth of our nation gathering at the National Mall. He confessed he actually prophesied this coming gathering would be a sign from God that there was still hope for our nation. The woman promptly wrote a check for $100,000, setting into action a whole chain of supernatural events that would eventually result in the TheCall DC on September 2nd, 2000. God’s blessing was clearly manifest throughout the day as the presence of the Holy Spirit infused the prayer, worship and intermittent words of encouragement from our nations spiritual leaders. The result of one man's obedience to the God-given dream was an attendance of over 400,000 young people.

After this TheCall DC in September 2000, TheCall was exported across the nation to twelve different locations, each one gathering thousands of people hungry for a movement of God. Rather than promoting man’s good ideas, these massive gatherings were spent in corporate fasting, prayer, and worshiping before God. Specific regional issues were confronted in each gathering in the place of prayer. In each Call, issues such as racism, sexual immorality and abortion were brought into light and repented for corporately by the body of Christ. In New York, Dallas, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, and Kansas City, a movement of prayer and fasting has filled stadiums with the sounds of worship and the incense of prayer. This divinely-initiated movement of repentance has extended beyond the narrow borders of America as TheCall has traveled to Australia, Germany, the Philippines, Norway, England and Israel.

Today TheCall is marching across our land to Washington D.C. to come together for a historic gathering on August 16, 2008. We believe that our nation is in a critical hour and in desperate need of revival. While our society's moral compass continues to erode the faith of our nation is becoming increasingly secularized. The world in its rebellion violently pursues the fulfillment of all fleshly desires, yet the church has fallen prey to many of the same sins that plague our society. Even within the church truth has been substituted for spiritual relativism and religious tolerance. Sexual immorality, racism, and abortion are just as prevalent from our pews and pulpits as they are in our secular universities. We are in an hour of crisis, an hour when we have to confront our own spiritual barrenness as the church and in the place of prayer cry out to God for mercy on our nation and revival in our land. Our hope in this hour is in God and God alone.

On August 16, 2008 we are calling for 1,000,000 people to again gather together in the National Mall to fast and to pray for God to pour out His undeserved mercy on our land." http://www.thecall.com/

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ARTWORK "Midnight Herald" By William Hallmark

http://www.majesticartworks.com/ID11herald.htm

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"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Matthew 25:13

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

The New Kingdom Revolutionaries

God is raising up New Revolutionaries within His Church to bring about a New Reformation! The Leaders or Captains of these New Revolutionaries have been exposed to the greatest Shift in the work of God that has occurred in centuries.

These New Revolutionaries embrace many streams of God's work but are more interested in the work God is doing and wants to do than being a part of a particular fellowship, organization or denomination! With this message on my heart and having recently delivered this call for New Revolutionaries which included this message and the previous two articles below at a gathering of younger believers at Prepare the Way Ministries led by Pastor Dan and Jennie Yeackley. I began to search to discover if others in the Kingdom had also sensed the urgency of the Spirit concerning these things.

I found the Reformation Manifesto on the Arsenal Book site linked below and did some investigation into its content. Cindy Jacobs, who has been a leading force in taking the power of God to the nations, as well as, a leader in both the prayer, spiritual warfare, prophetic and market place ministries movements has captured the heart of God in this book.

When we read Isaiah 6:1-8 and other places in the Bible where God reveals Himself to people there is a process which includes the Revelation of God's majesty, a realization of even a godly person's short comings in God's presence, a cleansing and affirmation of God's desire to make us partners with Him and then a opportunity to be used of God to carry out an assignment at His direction.

Isa 6:1-86:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. [John 12:41.] 2 Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew. 3 And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! 6 Then flew one of the seraphim [heavenly beings] to me, having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with tongs from off the altar; 7 And with it he touched my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity and guilt are taken away, and your sin is completely atoned for and forgiven. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. AMP

We see several times in the Bible that God reveals Himself, His glory and the wonder of His majesty to people. The glorious presence of the God above all gods and Creator and sustainer of all that is, is meant to both change us and motivate our lives and passions to be poured out for the purposes and ways of His choosing. It is more than a bless me experience it is equipping and changing us to be partners in His workings among mankind.

We must have His glory and wondrous presence, but we must also respond to Him when we encounter Him and be available to be cleansed and sent to do what pleases Him if we are to see His glory translated into changed people, communities and nations!. God is calling for New Revolutionaries, will you answer the call and say, Here am I send me?

Ray Boltz has a great song and video, I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb you can find it on you tube. Answer the call and pledge allegiance to the Lamb of God, King Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=I+pledge+alligance+to+the+lamb&search_type=&aq=f

For Information on The Reformation Manifesto by Cindy Jacobs and information of how to get your own copy go to these sites.

http://equipperstoolbox.blogspot.com/

http://www.arsenalbooks.com/category/s

Copyright © 2008 Wayne Newcomb

This article is a revised version of a previous article by me, The New Revolutionaries.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

A Revolutionary Kingdom Shift

God is releasing a New Generation of Kingdom Revolutionaries who are leading a major Shift in the battle between the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness.

Over the last several years many have said there is a Shift of major proportions coming in the church. A brief look at the several recent books that have been published, such as, The Revolution by George Barna, They Like Jesus but not the Church by Dan Kimball, and talk of having Permission to do Church Differently in the 21st Century by Graham Cook and Gary Goodell all speak to us clearly that The SHIFT is not just coming but already happening.

The continous Shifting (Revival and Renewal) within the Kingdom has facinated me off and on for a long time. The SHIFT (the coming of the Kingdom of God into the kingdom of Satan and man) can be seen in many examples throughout church history.

I believe that an examination of Church history shows that God has been shifting and sifting the Church for over 100 years in significant ways. In fact He has been shifting it for several hundred years and Power shifting it for more than the last 100. With each new wave coming more quickly than the previous one.

When the age of enlightenment began knowledge began to increase among men. Scripture says in the last days knowledge will increase. With each new increase the pace has quickened and with it the enemy has enlarged his efforts to shift people's hearts away from God. God in turn has been shifting His people to respond by releasing His Spirit (life or Kingdom) and with it the Gifts and the Fire of God to cleanse people who follow Him so that they can walk in the knowledge of God and respond to the increasing waves of knowledge with the wisdom and power (the life) of God.

We often see THE SHIFT as a season of change and renewal, a period where Christians have an increased passion and desire to please God and know Him better and where the Holy Spirit operates more noticeably. It is however, more than just and increase in our desire to please God. It is a change in how we do things and why we do things related to the work of God both on a personal and church wide basis.

It is from the Life flow from God (Holy Spirit) that man is made able to respond as God desires to captivate the hearts of people while the world the flesh and the devil seek to captivate them through ever increasing knowledge and self satisfaction. This truth, that knowledge brings carnal satisfaction and fulfills the desire of a person's inner soul needs and wants (while masking the innermost spiritual needs of a person, which are only met as we align our spirit man with God and His purposes) is seen as it springs forth in the attack so cleverly implemented by the Morning Star turned deceiver in the Garden. "You shall not surely die, but you will become as God knowing (knowledge defined by the Greek mind set: one who is aware of both options of a concept) good from evil.

”The truth is that by disobeying God they became partakers of both evil and knew it even as they had been partakers of good and knew it.; one who has awareness gained by participation in evil, but had been partakers of good)

This Greek idea of knowledge, while very much like Lucifer/Satan was also very much un-God like because He (GOD) has never partaken of evil for it is contrary to His nature.

All of this to say YES, The Shift (away from the old wineskins and kingdoms built by man in the name of God) is gaining momentum at this very hour.

May we humble ourselves before God so that we can Shift with God as He releases His Spirit and Fire to bring His message of deliverance salvation, and cleaning accompanied by the working of His mighty power through His signs, wonders and the lives that have been radically changed by Him!

ARTWORK: http://www.majesticartworks.com/ID11herald.htm by William Hallmark http://www.majesticartworks.com/

Saturday, July 19, 2008

When the King Releases His Glory and Power

I had the honor and delight of attending some meetings with a few hundred other believers in which a humble and wildly in love with Jesus women of God who has been used mightily by God in some of the most interesting places in the world led us into greater intimacy with God.

The points that follow are areas that need to be considered as a result of this fresh outpouring of God's presence and should lead us to a greater understanding and ability to yield to God's Spirit, whenever God is doing a fresh work or is manifesting Himself and His presence to His people.

1. There was a process over the course of three days.

2. The process led us to a point of a fresh commitment and celebration the likes of which I have experienced only a hand full of times in more than 39 years of being a believer. In fact it was my early days as a believer during the Jesus movement when I first enjoyed such a high time of freedom, joy, commitment and celebration.

3. Many of us have experienced those times of soaring to great heights in God which we cherish and which are intended to lead us deeper and encourage us to go further in God.

4. There are issues that arise out of such experiences and that follow such experiences.

Biblically speaking we can gain the wisdom needed to deal with such high times in God by examining three such experiences in scripture:
A. Israel following the 'Pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.'
B. Isaiah in the Temple, 'In the year that King Uziah died.'
C. Jesus and the Disciples on, 'The mount of transfiguration.'

A study of the principles in these three Biblical examples of God's manifest presence among His people will follow in the next part of this article. For now let's continue our current line of thinking.

5. Throughout history we have been faced with the challenge of what to do when God moves upon His people in power and majesty.
There are dangers that lie in:
A. Trying to repeat in the flesh what God did in the Spirit
B. Not remembering that it took several days and steps to get to the high point or climax of the experience.
C. Establishing a formula based on what occurred or how we felt.
D. Not realizing that the timing, circumstances and events preceding the current work of God can not be duplicated and therefore the resulting work or move of God will be unique and not a clone or repetition of any other previous one.

There are elements of each move or fresh outpouring of God's presence which pertain to the character and nature of God.

6. We should ask ourselves these questions as we reflect on a specific fresh move or outpouring of God's presence:
A. What should our attitude be about what God is doing?
B. What should we have gained from what God was doing?
C. What should we expect now and as we move ahead after the experience?
D. How do we go forward, honoring what the Lord has done while not attempting to build a shrine on the experience or its location?

E. What will you do when God reveals Himself in Power: Are you a Joshua or a Balaam?

Joshua Josh 5:13-15
13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and behold, a Man stood near him with His drawn sword in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are you for us or for our adversaries?

14 And He said, No [neither], but as Prince of the Lord's host have I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What says my Lord to His servant?

15 And the Prince of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Loose your shoes from off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy. And Joshua did so. [Ex 3:5.]
AMP

Balaam Num 22:21-25
21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.
NIV

The question arises,” What next" and "What are we to do in the meantime or with the results of the work of God both personally and as a group of believers who have shared in the experience?"

Issues We Must face____________________________________

For pastors and leaders these times create a unique set of challenges as well. We must lead others through the high waters of the River of Life, and because of this we face additional challenges as we lead. Among them are:

A. Honoring what God has done without enshrining it into some new FORM. (Or Let’s do this every time we think God is really working)

B. Avoiding the tendency to explain away the parts we do not understand. (Trying to make others or ourselves think we did not buy into everything that happened to protect ourselves from appearing foolish)

C. Making the Apparent Excesses of some who’s responded to the Presence of God in ways we would find unpleasant or extreme and appear to others as not of God.

(It has been said that Revivals can be messy as imperfect people respond to the power of God)
(Church history is full of stories of the extreme actions of people when they encounter the power of God and His Glory)

I believe that many of the answers to these questions are in the three passages listed above and truths that will give us wisdom as we help others navigate the Flood of the River of Life.

____________________________________________________

Artwork "The Head of God" by Michelangelo Buonarroti @allposters.com

Monday, July 07, 2008

A Kingdom Prayer

1 Tim 2:1-72:1

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. NIV

Artwork: The Power of Prayer by Danny Hahlbohm

http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getthumb.asp&CID=3E866987C2B549D598395A1B 80395161&PPID=1&sortby=&c=c&page=1&Search=61337

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Thank God For Your Faith In King Jesus

Eph 1:15-18
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, 16 I have never stopped thanking God for you.
I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called.

I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. NLT

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Becoming Mature Disciples of the King

When God's Spirit River moves among us it is not in a vacuum. He understands who we are and how we will respond to His work in and through us. Once we are transferred our of the darkness and into the Kingdom of His Son (Jesus) the Messiah Col 1:13-14 we should eagerly seek to grow in our relationship with God and discover what it is to be in Christ and in His Kingdom.

It is because we do not do this nor do we who are mature and in leadership provide a solid path of discipleship for believers that many believers do not benefit from the fresh outpouring of God's Glory, Power and Mercy. They end up constantly partaking of the river of life, but never growing into mature, passionate disciples of Jesus.

We must focus on three areas that get us to the next level in His kingdom design for us.

1. Understanding the depth and width of the salvation Jesus our Messiah has purchased for us. Jesus the Christ is the key to the success of any fresh move of God.
2. Comprehending who we are becoming in Christ is also necessary if we are to fulfill Ephesians 4:13. Becoming mature unto the measure and stature of Christ.
3. Perceiving the King's leading is necessary if we are to get all we should be getting during a fresh move of the Kings River of life. There is a need to descern what is of God and what are the results of a man's or woman's will.

How do the following three pieces from Ephesians 4:11-13 work together to bring Christians into Maturity?
1. Preparing God's people for the works of service
2. Building up the people who are in the Body of Christ
3. Equipping to maturity believers through discipleship training, impartation and ministry opportunities.

Note:
1. Our first objective is to know what has done for us and who we are in Christ.
2. The final goal is to become who we are to be in Christ as mature believers and leaders.
If we are to accomplish these goals and objectives there are certain principle teachings we must grasp and put into action in our daily lives.

I. Motivational gifts. Romans 12:6-8
These steer us or move us in a certain direction as a rudder does a boat. The Human Body can signify the differing motivational or ministry giftings: These can be broken down into two parts: above the heart and below the heart
1. Administration Shoulders
2. Mouth Teacher
3. Eyes Perceiver/prophet
4. Exhorter Mouth
5. Heart Compassion
6. Hands Giver
7. Hand and Feet Server

II. Life Context the soil of our lives - we are molded by these exterior factors: Our personality is molded and shaped by these factors. This is then defined as our filtering system. It is made up of our Family Uniqueness, our Culture our Physical characteristics, our Education and our Socio-Economic context. We must also add to this the experiences of life as we move through it as a unique receptor and responder.

III. Manifestational Gifts I Corinthians 12-14 (after we are saved)
1. Made manifest through us by the Spirit and as the Spirit desires. These gifts are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer after they baptized in the Holy Spirit. This was a regular and expected experience for all New Testament believers after Pentecost. I Corinthians 12:1-28
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus
is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except 1aby the Holy
Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for
the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the
Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing 1by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another
various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one andthe same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings,helps, administrations,various kinds of tongues.
New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update.
LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, S.

IV. The Key Elements needed for the Believer's growth.
A. Teaching or Doctrine: continually growing in our knowledge of Him and His Word.
B. Spiritual Disciplines: prayer, Bible reading and study, worship, fasting, memorizing scripture, journaling, giving, service to others and living as a witness of the Kings Mercy and power.
C. Nurture: Pastoring nurturing and care of flock or people of God.
D. Fellowship with or Connectedness with a local group of believers.
E. Experience: allowing believers to exercise giftings and live the Spirit filled life.

The Church needs all of the 5 Fold Ministries to grow successfully and fulfill its mission. Although the titles may be different the functions are needed for us to fulfill Ephesians 4:11-13. A brief description of each follows:
Apostles A Sent One; they started churches, raised-up leaders and passed on core beliefs. Prophets/Perceiver Spoke to the people of God about things to come and unfolded the heart of God for the people they spoke to.
Evangelist Proclaimed Christ publically to people. Peter was evangelist on the Day of Pentecost Teachers taught, discipled and raises up the saints
Pastor leads the flock with nurture and teaching

Note:
There are two types of leaders.
a. Identified leaders lead by position
b. Unidentified leaders lead from midst of the people.

Note: We need to apply, the following process of gaining Spiritual Wisdom to any event, teaching, observation, revelation, vision or dream.
1. Revelation or Observation: The same process that works for revelation and observation is also used for dreams and visions. Seek God About the actuating event:
a. Pray for wisdom: Both to understand and apply the truth revealed.
b. Study the Word and research: Did this happen in or occur in another scripture
c. Meditate on: Process God's answer, think about it pray about it
d. Confirm: Speak to another mature Christian for conformation

2. Interpretation: Discover the meaning through the process of 1 through 4 above.
Wait on the Lord for His Wisdom and instructions for the delivery.

3. Application: The Impact that God desires.
In Due season=right timing, right weight. Our delivery must be Gods way! We must be wise when we sense the Holy Spirit at work that we are waiting on God's manifestation for specific details from God so that we don't filter everything through our own experiences. We must be careful how we execute what He reveals to us.

The Process for Maturing Saints, a summary.
(Growing from Salvation to Maturity)
1. Once we are born again we must discover the depth of Christ work in and for us.
2. Identification with Jesus or Understanding oneself in Christ.
3. Healing/Cleansing/Deliverance Process
4. Spiritual Disciplines of Christianity
5. Understanding our Life context.
6. Discover our Motivational Gifts.
7. Learn to operate in the Manifestational gifts.

The object is to build Christians into the Master's Image. We can understand, who we were created to be apart from sin and who we are to become in Christ included in three areas.
a. Spirit: Our New Nature in Christ is the resource of life to the Spirit, Soul and Body.
b. Soul: Mind, Emotions and Will,
c. Body: Flesh / physical. It is the working together of the Motivational gifts, our Life Context and the Maifestational Gifts along with the Working out of our New Nature as seen in the
first 3 chapters of Ephesians that make us who we are.

Artwork: Walking in the Light: http://www.majesticartworks.com/detail.aspx?ID=3961

This article is also posted at www.fathwriters.com