Love Louisa...(29Jun08)

Hi

 

I felt the Holy Spirit lead me to read Zechariah before our open heavens meetings in Salt Rock held recently.

As I read it I felt such a similarity to what God is doing amongst us now. And I'd like to share it with you and anyone else who might be interested.

I read the commentry on Zechariah in the Message Bible and found out that he and Haggai had the prophetic task of getting the people of Judah to rebuild the ruined Temple. But Zechariah did more than that. The people of Judah had lost their self-identity as the people of God. He reinvigorated their imaginations with his visions and messages. Giving them a new vocabulary and energised them for the long-term purposes of God to be worked out in their lives. Insight hope and clarity was released to work out His purposes.

I underlined sentences that stood out to me and marvelled at the similarity of what is happening now.

God sent out messengers to check things out in the world. They reported, "We have looked over the whole earth and all is well. Everything is under control." I feel this is true now too. What a sense of peace and relief. No need to be afraid!

Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before God. Something's afoot in His Holy House. He's on the move!

At this time, everyone will get along with one anothet, with friendly visits across the fence, friendly visits on one anothers porches. Community, so much love and lovely people.

Horses sent by God to the North are conveying a sense of my Spirit, serene and secure. No more trouble from that direction.

He said to the priests, you're interested in religion, I'm interested in people.

God says then and says now:

Treat one another justly.

Love your neighbours.

Be compassionate with each other.

Don't take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors and the poor.

Don't plot and scheme against one another-that's evil.

I care

I'm involved says God.

Get a grip on things. Hold tight, you who are listening to what I say through the preachings of the prophets. The Temple of God-of –the-Angel-armies has been reestablished. The Temple is being rebuilt. We've been through a hard time; you worked for a pittance and were lucky to get that; the streets were dangerous; you could never let down your guard; I had turned the worls into an armed camp. But things have changed. I am taking the side of my core of surviving people:

Sowing and harvesting will resume,

Vines will grow grapes'

Gardens will flourish,

Dew and rain will make everything green.

My core survivors will get everything they need-and more. You've got a reputation as bad-news people, but I'm coming to save you. From now on you will be the good-news people. Don't be afraid. Keep a firm grip on what I'm doing.

Don't be afraid. And now here's what I want you to do: Tell the truth, the whole truth, when you speak. Do the right things by one another, both personally and in your courts. Don't cook up plans to take unfair advantage of others. Don't do or say what isn't so. I hate all the stuff. Keep your lives simple.

The days of mourning will be turned into days of feasting and celebration and holidays. Embrace truth! Love peace!

People and their leaders will come from all over to see what's going on. Leaders will confer with one another: "Shouldn't we try to get in on this? Get in on God's blessing? Pray to God? What's keeping us? Let's go!

Lots of people powerful nations will come to look for what they can get from God-looking for a blessing from God.

At this time men speaking a variety of languages will hold onto you and say, "Let us go with you. We've heard that God is with you."

And you because of my blood covenant with you,

I'll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells. Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I'm declaring a double bonus-everything you've lost returned twice over!

Religious experts spout rubbish. They pontificate hot air. Their prescriptions are nothing but smoke. And so the people wander like lost sheep, poor lost sheep without a shepherd. I'm furious with the so-called shepherds, they're worse than billy goats and I'll treat them like goats.

I will step in and take care of the flock I'll revive their Spirits and make them proud to be on God's side. God will use them in his work of rebuilding, use them as foundations and pillars, use them as tools and instruments, and use them to oversee his work. They'll be His workforce to be proud of, working as one, their heads held high, striding through swamps and mud. Courageous and vigorous because God is with them, undeterred by the world's thugs.

I'll put muscle in the people to save the people. I know their pain and will make them as good as new. They'll get a fresh start as if nothing has happened. And why? Because I am their very own God, I'll do what needs to be done for them. The people will be famous their lives brimming with joy. Their children will get into it too- oh let them feel blessed by God! I'll whistle and they'll all come running. I'll set them free- oh how they will flourish! I'll make them strong-God strong! And they'll live my way. God says so!

Do you hear the wailing of the shepherds? They've lost everything they once owned. The sheep have shepherds that couldn't care less about them. Doom to you useless shepherd walking off and leaving the sheep! Kill the shepherd scatter the sheep! The back of my hand even against the lanbs! All across the country sheep devastated. One third survive. I will place them in refining fires to be refined as silver and test them for purity as gold is tested. Then they will pray to me by name and I will answer them personally. I'll say that's my people. They'll say God my God.

Amazing hey?

Lots of love Louisa

Wayne's World...(28Jun08)

 

Fresh Revalation

For fresh revalation on Gods mercy check out Luke 6

 

God says love your enimies.

Pray for those who persecute you.

Love those who dont love you.

If someone wrongs you, pay back with good.

If somone robs you, give him more (stuff like that).

 

Then ...drum roll here it is...coz thats what our Father in heaven does!!

So much for God cursing you when you do Him wrong!

 

lovely

 

stillinlovewithgrace

 

Wayno

Wayne's World...(27Jun087

 

More from Robs book, written in 1997

"Grace Haters  Page 28 "living in the grace of God"

I cannot teach on the grace of God without addressing those who oppose grace. Grace is awesome in its power to change lives.

 

"radical change encounters radical opposition"

 

It is therefore not surprising that we have to deal with the grace haters.

Grace haters are the legalists who will try to intimidate, manipulate and dominate people with a spirit of witchcraft.

The religoius spirit in them wants everyone cloned, spereo typed and conformed to their own bondage. They are parrots and puppets, no longer voices for God, but echoes, not pursuing God but pursuing opportunities for position and prestige. They are little grey men cloned to act the same, dress the same and speak in the same religious tones.

 

If you try live in the grace of God, i guarantee Satan will send his agents across your path to try and intimidate you and insinuate that you ought not be living the way you are, that your freedom is not freedom but licentiousness.

 

If you have not experianced this sort of thing it's probably because you have never lived in grace." Rob Rufus 1997

 

At one time this teaching was celebrated, and published and sold at every event. Now it's rebelious, micshevious and heritical, birthed out of offence?

The message has not changed. So what has changed?

 

Wayno

Wayne's World...(25Jun08)

 

"Grace, not as license to sin.

 

Grace is not a license to sin, it is not a license to live disobediantly. Living in grace gives us the capactity to obey God.

 

"for certain men...have secretly slipped in umong you...who change the grace of uor God into a license for immorality..." Jude 4

 

The grace of God is not a license for immorality, though there were people in Pauls day who treated it as such. There are believers today too who misunderstand the grace of God. The grace of God ushers us into a supernatural endowment that allows us to live transcendant lives....it allows us to live transcendant, holy lives in intimacy with Him." Page 1.

 

ISBN 0 6463437402

Reprinted 2003

 

Published by New Covenant Ministeries International.

Foreward by Dudley Daniel, Gerald Coates and Chris Wienand.

 

 

 

Bill on Todd

 Question to Bill Johnson (www.bjm.org)

What do you think about Todd Bentley and the Lakeland Revival?

Bill Johnson's answer:

"Todd is a good friend, but more importantly, he is a friend of God. I've met very few people in my life who are hungrier for God and will take extended periods of time just to seek Him. God has entrusted him with an extraordinary outpouring for a reason—He can trust him to do whatever He says, regardless of the opinions of others. He is bold—amazingly bold. The miracles are legitimate and increasing. The church of America has asked for a great revival. God wonderfully placed this move in a package that few would have expected, just to see if we're as hungry as we say we are."

Recent response to the above answer:"How in God's name can you endorse Todd Bentley?" This is my response:

Have you spent time with Todd? Do you know him? Have you watched him with his wife? Or have you seen how he treats his kids? Have you spent any time with his staff? Have you been to his ministry? Has he been to yours? Have you laid hands on him and prayed? Has he laid hands on you and prayed? Have you grieved over tragedy together? Have you celebrated victory together? Has he sought your counsel? Has he traveled a great distance just to meet with you privately for advice? Have you ever received his counsel? Have you been in the room when God has showed up on him, and used him in stunning miracles? Have you seen him operate in the word of knowledge or the prophetic? Have you met with his counsel of elders? Have you personally benefited from his gift? Has he benefited from your gift and ministry? Has he ever honored you for who you are in God? Has he partnered with you as a friend? Have you sacrificed for his welfare, or that of his family? Have you sought God with him? Have you ever worshipped the Lord with him?

I didn't think so. I have. And I'll continue to support those who I have walked with in life and ministry. He's my friend. More importantly, God calls him friend. And if you and I were ever friends in that level, and people hated you and turned against you, and started web pages to tear down your ministry, and criticized you to your friends, and wrote against you in Christian magazines, and criticized you on the radio and wrote emails to other conference speakers and authors, I'd still be your friend.

By the way - criticism in the form of a question is not a question. But to respond to your statement, "How in God's name can you endorse Todd Bentley?" It's easy. I do it in God's name.

Bill

Dr. Greg (Biblical Perspective 2008)

On the Lakeland outpouring:

Please download:
http://www.freshfire.ca/UserFiles/File/drGreg_biblicalperspective2008.pdf

Something from Bill

"There are many self-appointed watchdogs in the body of Christ who have some explaining to do before God. Their web sites, books, radio shows are filled with slander and criticisms of God's closest friends. Now these friends of God may not always have the best doctrine and their mannerisms may offend many. They may even have areas of their lives that need serious adjustment and change. But they are recognized in heaven as those who will do whatever the Holy spirit tells them to do. And the signs that are supposed to follow a believer actually follow them. When people have to disregard the signs that follow a person's life in order to feel justified in their criticisms of that person, they have ignorantly stepped into a place of judgement before God. " Do not slander a slave to his master, or he will curse you and you will be found guilty" (prov 30:10).

 

We must not forsake our heavenly father's friends:

 

"Do not forsake your own friend or your fathers' friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity: better is a neighbour who is near than a brother far away. (prov: 27:10)

 

Recognizing the favour of God on another believer plays a huge role in preparing us for the increase of God's favour in our own lives, if I see the favour of God on someone, I am responsible to give honour where it is due and whoever honours the one who God honours is positioned for an increase of favour from God, specifically, when we honour those who possess a deeper revelation of God and a deeper intimacy with Him, we position ourselves to receive the same revelation - to be guided deeper into a relationship with God ourselves as we walk in the footsteps of those who are ahead of us. If we are going to develop a heart we must learn to perceive the lives of His closest friends as examples of what God has made available for us and follow their lead directly to Him"
Bill Johnson "Face to Face, pg 66-67

Antidepressant...(23Jun08)

Take the time to watch the linked clip - really blessed me!
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8616c159ab4221b3910

Hope!!! Spirit of Jesus.

LovejaAll
Ant

Wayne's World...(23Jun08)

Have you turned the Grace of God into a license to sin?

 

Jude carries in it a warning that we some have turned the Grace of God into a license to sin, then we should make sure that we do not. How do you know if you have? What can you do to ensure that you do not "turn grace into a license? Have your leaders done that to you?

 

These questions are good to ask, and discussion should be encouraged in this regard.

 

Firstly we must note that it is agreed amongst theologians that if you present the gospel of grace correctly it will lead to the inevitable question "So I can just sin then?" Paul had to address this question 3 times and Michael Eaton, John Piper, Martin Lloyd Joes, Rob Rufus, Terry Virgo and Charles Spurgeon all agree that this question will come up when grace is presented. If you've never faced this question, then you've probably never preached a grace message.

 

Secondly, it is important to answer this question well. Paul gave it a lot of attention, and so should we.

 

How to avoid turning grace into a license to sin.

 

1)      Be careful when you preach Grace to the unsaved.

 

If you present grace to unsaved, or those who think they are saved, you may give them license to sin. Cruelly keeping them in their life of sin, while thinking they are ok. The fruit of salvation is that we want to do what is right. This is the proof of salvation, proof of a regenerated spirit, and proof that we've made the transition into the new covenant, and into His kingdom.

 

A life of love to God , is manifest by a changed person in regards to his attitude to sin.

 

I John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God

 

I John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

 

Of coarse we all still sin (thank God for His grace), but if truly born again we don't want to.

 

So if someone blatantly develops a sin theology, in order to justify sin and continue sinning, it would seem neither loves God or is truly born again.

 

Jesus makes his followers "eager to do what is good"

 

Titus 2:14 …who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good…

 

If this fruit does not exist, question the salvation experience.

 

Wayne Grudum gives some helpful advice in this area in his chapter on perseverance of the saints in his book "systematic theology" chapter 40, and in chapter 34 on regeneration.

 

In Ezekiel's prophecy concerning the new covenant chapter 36v

 

26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

 

If a heart does not want to follow the way of the spirit, it is still stone, not regenerated it  is then unsaved.

 

2)      We must preach the "By no means" of Romans 6:2. We must explain that this does not mean that we just go on sinning mindlessly. We must explain that in the new covenant the Holy Spirit teaches us right from wrong, and that it is good to choose the "right" in those teachings. We must make sure that we teach that the Holy Spirit, will give them the power to do the correct thing, and that sin no longer has power over us. We must co-operate with the Holy Spirit as he leads and guides us, in His work of sanctification in us.

 

3)      We must teach Titus 2

 

" 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"

 

The fruits of grace are, saying no to, ungodliness, worldly passions, and produces self control, upright living and godly lives. If we understand grace right, and if it's "working", these positive fruits result.

 

4)      We should see an outworking of faith in a body. Friendship, fellowship, accountable loving relationships and fathering. This discipleship process enables "the truth to be spoken in love". Grace and truth operate together, and this is the environment.

 

5)      We must saturate people in the presence of God.

 

Grace is about good relationships. Good relationships with God and people. Is relationship with God being strongly emphasized? If were believing for people to live from a place of knowing and being with God, we need to ensure we are doing all we can to help eachother to have and maintain that presence. I'm sure well all agree that it is very difficult to be continually intimate with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit when we are in a dreadful sinful disobedience. Were also trusting and believing that his presence comes, and sets us free from problems, helps us and strengthens us, leads us in all truth and empowers us to live godly lives. The presence of God also releases the "fruit of the spirit" in and through our lives.

 

If we don't have a solid understanding of grace WE WILL NOT ACCSESS THIS PRESENCE IN A CONTINUED, SUSTAINED MEANINGFUL WAY IN OUR LIVES.

 

An important role in leadership becomes, helping/facilitating/ensuring people are full of God. Rick Joyner says "the role of the church is to fill people with God". Leadership wages war on anything that hinders that (Gods sustained manifest presence), and we teach people to do the same.

 

So facilitating the move of the Holy Spirit, and allowing His work, helps avoid the "license to sin" issue.

 

6)      Study other credible grace teachers to ensure that you've "got a good grip" on the correct theology.

 

7)      If you're leading a community or church, get outside perspective from other apostles, prophets, teachers, preachers and evangelists (and don't just go to sources you now support your leanings). Be accountable in your theology, and invite correction. I personally send my preach every week to about 6-8 guys inviting correction/criticism/comments. I find it reassuring in wondering if my theology and emphases are in place. Make sure you get a broad spectrum here, don't only consult teachers, who can have a tendency to follow the "letter" and often miss "the spirit", so involve people with all the gifts.

 

Don't believe everything you hear about grace, test it for yourself. Alot of trouble comes when we simply believe what we hear, process it, test it, digest it.

 

8)      Encourage intimacy.

 

Encourage people to be in Him, and with Him.

 

9)      People will become who you are.

 

Hebrews 13:

"...7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace,..."

 

Consider the faith and life of those who lead you. Do you want to imitate their life and faith? Are they holy people? Do they love God? How are their families? Are their communities (churches) healthy? Do they operate in the gifts of the spirit? Is there positive fruit? (Healings, signs and wonders, salvations, personal growth and maturing)

 

Remember people catch what you have and not what you say you have…Bob Mumford's law of mumps and measles.

 

"If you say you have mumps, but have measles, what do you think people will catch? They will catch what you got...measles"

 

The point is study the life and the fruit of those who lead you, it must be positive and desirable, and this is a great safeguard for you.

 

10)  Resist the urge to preach the law.

 

It may become easy to fear being "open to the charge" of perverting the grace message. The natural response would be to start to lay down the law. To preach Gods wrath, and punishment and fear and in so doing undo the work of grace, and release condemnation.

 

The body of Christ needs to mature into the place where we can learn to live in obedience to the king without manipulation, control or threat. Romans 8:1 clearly stated there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It then encourages us to live as those who are lead by the Holy Spirit, true sons of God.

 

Keep people free; keep people in love with God. Preach Justification by faith alone and Gods gift of righteousness, otherwise people will fall back into performance and works. Intimacy will be lost and with it the power for life and godliness. 

 

I hope these 10 points will help you to evaluate if you are safely preaching the glorious gospel of Grace, without making it a license to sin. I hope this helps you choose leaders who will preach a biblical grace to you, and keep you in the type of freedom that Jesus wants for you. I hope this brings a correction if you preaching grace as a license. I hope it helps you understand the "environment" in which grace is preached.

 

If you believe grace gives you a license to sin. Change your heart, and repent. 

 

Please feel free to criticize/comment/correct/.

 

Colossians 1:6 All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is this what Jude is saying?

Hi Guys

 

This is what has been fuelling some interesting debate in our neck of the woods recently.

Take a listen, and please let us know what you think.

 

Jude 1-4 www.lci.org.uk/audio/LCI_2008_05_04am.mp3

 

Jude 5-19 www.lci.org.uk/audio/LCI_2008_05_04pm.mp3

 

Jude 20-25 www.lci.org.uk/audio/LCI_2008_05_11am.mp3

 

Jude: Build yourselves up in your faith www.lci.org.uk/audio/LCI_2008_05_11pm.mp3

 

 

 

 

Wayne's World...(22Jun08)

Hey Guys

For some home grown stuff, take a look at Bertie Brits on:

http://www.dynamicministries.com

Wayne's World...(22June08)

An interesting comparison between Rob Rufus and Martin Lloyd jonses theology on justification, and forgiveness...

http://ern-baxter.blogspot.com/2008/06/dr-martyn-lloyd-jones-and-rob-rufus.html

 

 

Wayne's World...(21June08)

Some thoughts to bear in mind when reading Jude.

Some people use this book to counter the current preaching of grace. I'm not sure that this as the purpose of Jude.
The current preaching of Grace is by godly men who love Jesus, and is believed by spirit filled chiristians who bear positive fruit, and live holy, godly, upright, self controled lives...as in Titus 2.

What is Jude about?
Gnostics had slipped into the church and were releasing a heracy in the church. Evil men. Jude exposed them,warned against them, and encouraged the church to continue being lead by the holy spirit, rather than to fall into this heracy.
4For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

What were/are Gnostics.

A heretical belief system.
Main beliefs were that:
- there is no such thing as sin, instead the body was evil, and therefore harsh treatment of the body was encouraged
- they denied that Jesus appeared in the flesh
- spirit is entirely good, and matter entirely evil
- salvation is achieved by escaping the body, not faith in christ, but rather special knowledge
- christs humanity was denied
- they were unsaved (and therefore clearly not speaking about you if you have the spirit in you.)
Also this message was preached by those who dont have the spirit in them, again the ungodly and unsaved. They deny christ as the only soverign and lord.

Jude 19 (do not have the spirit NIV study bible note : pg 1962
"not the spirit" Jude denies that they even possess the spirit. A person who does not have the spirit is cleary not saved (rom 8:9)"

Verse 20 of Jude says, "but you friends...". The people Jude was written to were saved. Unsaved heritics were slipping in. Jude warned against them, and encoured them to "be in the Holy Spirit"

Again NIV study bible page 1961

"in the Holy Spirit...According to the Spirits promptings and with the spirits power.( Rom 8:26-27 Gal 4:6 Eph 6:17-18 and notes)"

We are not to be lead away from the Holy Spirit by ungodly men, to another Gospel preached by unsaved people. Instead we are to be lead by the Holy Spirit, in truth. Jude 24 then reassures us that Jesus will help us in this life and present us faultless and with great joy before the Father.

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

So it's easy simply examine the fruit, if its good, the tree is good.

Please feel free to dissagree/critisise/debate/discuss/correct this...

Wayne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism
Gnosticism (Greek: γνώσις gnōsis, knowledge) refers to a diverse, syncretistic religious movement consisting of various belief systems generally united in the teaching that humans are divine souls trapped in a material world created by an imperfect god, the demiurge, who is frequently identified with the Abrahamic God. The demiurge may be depicted as an embodiment of evil, or in other instances as merely imperfect and as benevolent as its inadequacy permits. This demiurge exists alongside another remote and unknowable supreme being that embodies good. In order to free oneself from the inferior material world, one needs gnosis, or esoteric spiritual knowledge available to all through direct experience or knowledge (gnosis) of God.[1][2] Jesus of Nazareth is identified by some Gnostic sects as an embodiment of the supreme being who became incarnate to bring gnosis to the earth. In others he was thought to be a gnosis teacher, and yet others, nothing more than a man

Sinful Nature by Michael Eaton

Upon further consideration, weve decided to remove the content from the blog...thanks for you input on this matter

Rob Rufus analyzed by Michael Eaton

Upon further consideration, weve decided to remove the content from the blog...thanks for you input on this matter

From Kathy De La Hunt

Prophetic Word      11 June 2008

 

I am pouring out my love
my fire
my presence and
my POWER
on all those who are desperate for more of me and have made themselves ready for my Spirit.
I am not a respecter of man and I will use who so ever is ready for me.
You will see my power released through those that you would never dream could be used of me
 – but they are hungry
-  they are desperate and I have heard their cry.
They have said
"I will give up all to follow you – here I am, Lord use me'
and I am about to use them in a might way.
People are about to be raised up quickly all over the world.
People with my heart and my passion.
People who will not let a fear of man rule their hearts,

 

I am about to pour out my presence and my power upon children
Children will prophecy
Children will intercede
Children will usher in healings
Children will raise the dead
Children who are hungry for me will be filled with my Spirit.
I am putting my heart in them
A heart of righteousness
A heart that is holy
A heart desperate for the lost
and they will be ready to be used by me
They will minister to and challenge, their parents, teachers, family and friends, and will usher in my presence through their prayers,
DO NOT LIMIT THEM
Allow them to flow in my anointing.

 

My spirit is pouring out all over the world and where the water of my Spirit goes, heart are being washed clean and a reverent fear will once again come into the hearts of those who know me and love me.
A reverent fear of my majesty and my holiness and a passion for more of both

 

I am pouring out my spirit over all flesh and those who reject me will be moved aside, but those who desire more will move into a realm they did not know was possible to reach.

 

Hearts that are filled to overflowing with the water of my Spirit will experience that water being changed to wine.

 

The water will be for the cleansing of hearts, but the wine will be the release of power that will intoxicate the nations, setting people free and releasing healings, miracles, signs and wonders.

 

See I am preparing my bride for my return and am coming soon.
       Kathleen De la Hunt

Grace Expose

 

Hybrid-Gospel

I just read this post on Voice of Grace by Julie.

http://voicegrace.blogspot.com/2008/06/hybrid-gospel.html

 

It is brilliant.

Open Heaven Pics

 

Be Scared!!!

Coatesman at Open Heaven

I love this

 

Isa 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch, as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far, from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

This also...

 

Isa 30:15  For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

Antidepressant...(10Jun08)

 

These two scriptures have been blessing me big time.

Is 45:2 - "Shower, O heavens from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness, let the earth open that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it."

Is 41:37 - "When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them; I will Open Rivers on the bare heights and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acaceia, the myrtle, and the olive.
I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Encouragement for our time together.

Loveja
Ant.

Wayne's World...(8Jun08)

Spiritual Gifts

 

1 Corinthians 12v1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

 

1 Corinthians 14v1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy 

 

Firstly we see here that God does not want us to be ignorant concerning spiritual Gifts. It's Gods desire that we all have a working knowledge about spiritual gifts. He wants every person to operate in the gifts. So every Christian should know what the various gifts are. We should understand their importance to the body, and there relevance to meetings.

 

But we also see that God wants us to desire them. He wants us to want them. In these chapters we will discover why He wants us to have them. What is the benefit? Who benefits? And we will discover the "launch pad" for the gifts.

 

Chapter 12v1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.  

 

Chapter 13v1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 

Chapter 14v1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

 

1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

 

As we already said, God wants us to know about and operate in the gifts.

 

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

 

We see that there is only one gift giver. God Himself gives gifts through the Holy Spirit. They all come from God. They serve the body, which we will look at a bit more.

 

Look at this important verse : . 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

 

We see here that the gifts are given to each one. That means that everyone has gifts. This is good news. Every one of us can experience the manifestation of God, and every one of us should, can and will have spiritual gifts.

 

8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

 

What are the gifts?

 

There are 9 gifts listed here. Were going to mention them, but not go into too much detail about what they are. This is an overview of the gifts. Well look at each one in more detail later.

 

Can you spot them?

 

message of wisdom

 

message of knowledge

 

another faith

 

to another gifts of healing

 

10to another miraculous powers

 

to another prophecy

 

to another distinguishing between spirits

 

to another speaking in different kinds of tongues

 

and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

 

This is not all the gifts there are others, but 9 are listed here.

 

Verses 12-29 talk about the body, and how every part of the body is indispensable. In order for a body to be well and healthy, it's needs all it's parts to be in working order, and to be working well. Imagine you had six arms and no legs? So we need all the gifts in operation. Generally speaking were unbalanced in gifts, having more of some that others. We need to be well balanced, which means a greater degree of some that we lack…Where are we strong? Where are we weak?

 

The truth of the matter, and God designed it this way…in order to be a healthy Christian, and a healthy body, we need each other. I need your gifts, and you need mine. The body needs your gifts and the body needs mine.

 

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

 

1 Corinthians 14v26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

 

Chapter 13 is the launch pad for the gifts…what is it? It's love. We love eachother, and desire all of Gods best for eachother. We desire encounters with God for eachother. We desire God to speak to eachother. We desire health for eachother. We desire guidance for eachother. We desire wellness and healing and all good things for eachother. Why? We love each other.

 

We don't want or use gifts for ourselves, it's for the strengthening of eachother, and ultimately for His bride. It's a service to Jesus born out of love for one another. This is important. We don't want power, and knowledge, so we look good, no…it's all for eachother, and for His glory, and His church. It's important to keep the heart straight here.

 

It's also very important to note that this passage also talks about gifts reaching out to the unbeliever. These gifts are also tools for salvation. They are not just for the church.

 

Chapter 14v1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts

 

Lets follow the way of love. In other words, lets desire the gifts that build one another up. Build the church up. Gifts that reach out to a dying hurting world. 

 

To summarize:

 

We are not to be ignorant about the gifts.

 

We are to desire the gifts.

 

We are to have and use the gifts.

 

They are given by the Holy Spirit.

 

They strengthen the church.

 

They are a tool for salvations

 

They are used because we love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wayne's World...(6Jun08)

Quote from John Piper

The commands of Jesus are a discription of the way human beings behave, who have been born again, and enabled supernaturally!

Grace Revolution

 

Hi Guys

 

Coatesman has started a community network called "Grace Revolution" www.gracerevolution.ning.com 

This is a great way to keep in touch with each other, learn and have your say in the wonderful grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Check it out.

Fire Fest

Fire Fest Holy Spirit Out Pouring Video

Wayne's World...(2Jun08)

Biblical Manifestations

 

We're looking at manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In other words what happens, and what does in look like when the Holy Spirit moves among us, and how do we know when its authentic. We're not at all interested in the fake, we only want authentic, so what does that look like and how do we establish the authentic?

 

Last week we looked at authentic manifestations, what is the test.

 

Here is a brief recap.

 

How do we test if its real.

 

Firstly how we do not test it is by what it looks like, so how do we test it then?

 

1)      Is it biblical, or unbiblical.

 

2)      Does it release a spirit of worship

 

3)      Does it point to Jesus, draw us nearer to Him, or release intimacy with Him.

 

4)      It must release a deeper love for God, people and the lost.

 

5)      Is there fruit. Short and long term fruit. As well as salvations and the changed Christian life.

 

Our measure as always is the word of God.

 

God wants to open them up more (manifestations), we're in the shallows. Not restrict or balance them. We're not after the manifestations, but the manifestor. They must point to Jesus. When you've been in the presence of Jesus you leave more confidant and secure, and in love with Jesus, that's the test.

 

There is a fear in the body today, concerning fake signs wonders and manifestations. It's easy, do they glorify God. The problem is that many do not know God, so their discernment radar is broken. If you know Jesus and His glorious presence, you'll know when something is fake. If a woman impersonating my wife meets me at the door, and tries to seduce me, claiming to be my wife, I would know in a few seconds that is was not her, coz I know her intimately! Knowing the real identifies the fake. The problem is that those who know nothing or very little of the manifest presence, are trying to judge and evaluate the authentic, but don't know it.

 

Many have head knowledge, but no experience of God. Empty theology. God said I'll pour out my spirit on all flesh!

 

The more your under the operation of the anointing, the more you change. You don't change by keeping laws and rules, you change by the presence of God and the Holy Spirit working in you. The work of the Holy Spirit may look unnatural to the natural mind, but the results speak for themselves. It's difficult to explain emotions with words...define the feeling of love. It's difficult to feel thoughts, what feeling is 1+1=2. The same is true how to you intellectually describe, or emotionally feel spiritual matters? It may not always seem logical, and may not ever be logical. We see Jesus spitting in the ground, making mud and putting it on a persons eyes…just plain weird. We see God telling a prophet to lie naked on his side for years, as a sign…plain weird. You may say, "well why do that, and what's that for?" I'm sure. I don't know myself!

 

So we can't judge these things by how they look, they must be spiritually discerned.

 

Daniel 8:15 Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. 16And I heard a man's voice between [the banks of] the Ulai, who called, and said, "Gabriel, make this [man] understand the vision." 17So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision [refers] to the time of the end." 18Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright.

 

Daniel 10:4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that [is,] the Tigris, 5I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist [was] girded with gold of Uphaz! 6His body [was] like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and [on] the palms of my hands.

 

Daniel 10:16 And suddenly, [one] having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17"For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me." 18Then again, [the one] having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.

 

19And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace [be] to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

 

Deep sleep Radan..the same word the bible used when God put Adam to a deep sleep.

 

So here we have falling trembling shaking, angelic visitations, visions, and all in a public place. It may not always be ordered and dignified. Some say, God would not embarrass you, or make you do anything undignified, well that's generally true, due to the goodness of God, but the greatness of God show us that he may do something different.

 

Is it dignified to be swallowed by a fish, or to be smacked off your donkey. Psalm 115 the Lord does what he pleases.

 

It's really pride and fear that resist these things. We don't ever want to loose control, or look foolish. "Lord touch me, but only the way that I like or want", this is not total surrender and trust, and will not bring you your divine encounter with the living God, who wants living sacrifices. For me there is a parallel for the Christian life here. He is looking for totally surrendered hearts. People who will go where He wants, say what He wants and intimately do whatever He wants. Like Jesus, the perfect model who said, my food is to do the will of the Father. If we can't surrender in the safety of the Christian family, how will we do it in the world. Will we respond to His prompting if we might look foolish. How can we step out and even share the gospel if were afraid of people, and what they may think or say. We learn in safety, and are empowered to have courage in the world. Total trust, total surrender, regardless of how it looks to man.

 

The other area that causes resistance to the flow of God spirit, is the indoctrination of the pharacees, the Sadducees and the wouldn't see's. Simply put, bad teaching about the move of the spirit by those who don't have or know the spirit.

 

The bible is full of manifestations and encounters, and the church by and large has none. Religious conservatism and pride must die. Dignity based on flesh and human pride, is not the environment for the Spirit to flow, rather He is grieved and hindered.

 

1 Samuel 19:23   Stripped naked, prophesied and loved

 

Genisis 15 :12     Abraham has a Ggod encounter, falls into a deep sleep.

 

Ezekial 3:23        Falling..

 

John 18:4-6         Fell in response to Jesus glory.

 

Acts 2:1-21         Drunkeness, disorder. What did that look and sound like?

 

Acts 9:3             Saul smacked off His donkey. Light from heaven. Heard a voice.

 

Here we have the very man who wrote 2 thirds of the new testament, being slain in the spirit, falling to the ground, seeing light, having heavenly experiences and hearing voices. Then we have people asking if its biblical to do the same when the very person who wrote the bible did it. He wrote the book that they are reading, asking I wonder if it ok to have an encounter.

 

Rev 1:17 Saw Jesus fell as thought dead.

 

The bible is the only foundation for true Christian theology and practices. It is full of many many other mighty manifestation and the effect that it had on Human beings.

 

How come then so little of these biblical manifestation are being experienced in the church today? The book of acts had these things happening every day, how come were not seeing it? How come? What's stopping it?

 

Sadly if the subnormal appears for too long then the subnormal becomes the normal. The subnormal has been around for centuries, so when the normal appears it seems abnormal. A simple open minded reading of the bible will reveal that the absence of the power and manifestation of God in abnormal. Revival is simply the church once again being wakened to experience normal Christianity. Throughout church history these manifestations have always appeared during revival.

 

An e mail from Patricia King, prophetess.

 

Friends,

 

The Lakeland meetings continue to bear fruit. As of yesterday, there are 15 documented resurrections reported that are directly related to the outpouring. Praise the Lord! Some are asking, "Is this a true work of the Spirit?"... Well, I guess we could leave it at this: "The gospel is being preached and people are daily being saved and filled with the Spirit. The Body is ministering daily on the streets. The sick are being healed, demons are being cast out, the dead are raised, and although I am not aware of any lepers yet being cleansed, there are many with skin conditions being cleansed and Jesus is being magnified and worshiped. I guess you can call it what you want... whatever it is... it makes me really, really, happy! I call it "revival", (Revival: to bring back to life, to refresh, to rejuvenate).

 

The faith measure in the Body is activated beyond anything I have ever seen (in fact, I see this outpouring as a revival of faith - faith to do the works of Jesus... it is contagious faith!)

 

I like her definition of revival

 

(Revival: to bring back to life, to refresh, to rejuvenate).

 

Why, it's to release and to empower people to do the works of Jesus.

 

We want to do some empowering, some reviving. Let's pray for folk and release an anointing to go do the works of Jesus. Were going to be praying for a greater measure of faith. For an increase in power to walk Godly lives. What area do you need His power is? In what area are you desperate for an intervention from God, today, give it to Him, surrender it, and receive power to effect that area.