Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Ruffled Feathers!


RUFFLED FEATHERS!

God is using His apostles and prophets and others to exhort the body of Christ to come higher.  Many times a word goes out that is a sharp word and yet it is given in loving manner. How are you at receiving what the Lord sends your way? Do you get your feathers ruffled when you read or hear a word or are you able to receive what the Spirit is saying to His church. Your ability to receive will greatly affect your service to God and the lack thereof can over time harden your heart. 

Pray for a teachable spirit and that you are able to hear what the Spirit is saying to His church for your life may one day depend on it. Quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to get angry wins the race.

12 Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:  13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:  14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:  15 while it is said, To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:12-15

Monday, August 29, 2011

The Word of the Lord September 2011
and beyond Part 1
by Prophet Phyllis Ford
Arlington, Texas
www.carpenterstouch.org 
PhyllisFordMinistries@gmail.com
08/28/2011


This is the time when you will have to look to me for everything from your food, necessities, instructions, life, survival to every aspect of circumstances because the further and further you go through this month the more uncertain some things will be come. You must carry hope to others because this is when they will need your encouragement, admonishment, loving rebuke, truth from My word, and compassion for others to reflect every aspect of me as you navigate through troubled times ahead. For I am the Lord and I am preparing great things in the very midst of this uncertainty, understand you must rule and reign, walk in power and dominion. My leaders must train and prepare others for the lean times and the abundant times ahead, says the Lord. So stand in your place of authority and walk in the fulfillment of your destiny. You must be prepared to follow instructions so that you will not open yourself up to any unnecessary cautions and warnings of fear that others might have coming upon them. You must be able to properly discern when trouble is coming upon the land.



So reach out your hand to render to others the hope that I have established in this hour. Seek me so that you may find me as you walk through the pages of My word for therein you will find the scriptures that define where you currently are and you will understand the reasons for the events that are occurring right now before you. Stand before my presence in love and strength, ready to fulfill the work of the Kingdom that must be done. For I am releasing instructions and writing out My plans in the hearts of My people and I am giving them the grace to endure and be patient because it is important that you take heed to My promptings and allow the discernment that I have placed in you to come forth.



I say to you now you must conquer new ground and possess new territory don’t be  limited by what you see and hear from natural sources, but begin to move forward in that which I speak into your spirit. I have positioned you and placed you so that you can utilize the ability and wisdom that I have given you to raise above your circumstances and create that which you need for the time that you are in. For even as the worlds were framed by My word and they were created and shaped. So did My word also preserve a people and when the inhabitants were destroyed in a flood those who were chosen by me were saved. Take the hope that I have placed in you and bring forth the substances of things that are needed to preserve life in the midst of judgment and reform. 



Hebrews 11:1-3 Amplified version Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation the title deed) of the things (we) hope for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality {faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses}. (2)For by {faith---trust and Holy fervor born of faith} the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.(3)By faith we understand that the worlds (during successive ages) were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.         



 I have drawn a line of demarcation and I am commanding My people to come up higher, move in closer, to become what I have called you to be. You will not have the time nor the longsuffering that I have given in times past—it is time to rise up to be a part of the kingdom of priest and the Holy nation that must come forth to fulfill your destiny in this hour. I will not allow compromise to be a part of that which I have called to represent my people. “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1: 13-16) says the Lord as you will not be able to walk in the old excuses; carrying reasons that you behave a certain way because of this or that—this is a time of serious accountability. I am weighing words, actions, and trying hearts and reins. My assessment will be rendered on the basis of what I have called you to do, what you really desire in your heart to do; and the level of sincerity and purpose. My grace will be there to bring you through and even to lead you to deliverance and restoration. But if it does not lead you to change, it is not My grace. Many have debated the issue but my grace was never released to be used as a license to sin, nor was it given without the accountability of the truth of My word. This is a time for you to decide, you can no longer halt between two opinions for the time is coming that you will have to deal with occurring events as they happen that will shock you and even trouble you. You must be able to quickly obey and respond.



Declare your position of who you are and for that which you are accountable, even what I have purposed for you to do before the foundations of the earth. Many will look to criticize others even though they have fallen short of the assignments that I have placed before them. Seek me on how you can be more effective being what I have called you to and not just looking around you and assessing everything with great disdain. You can affect your surroundings; you can cause a greater impact upon that which you see, because the souls of men are waiting and inwardly crying out for redemption. Gather in the harvest, press into my presence and you will find a myriad of answers to the questions you seek.



Jude 23 Amplified version“{Strive to} save others, snatching (them) out of {the} fire; on others take pity {but} with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality. (Zechariah 3:2-4) 



(I saw a series of visions some concerning the elements and begin to ask about these visions and the Lord said) The earthquake activity in the land has to do with the major shifts* in the atmosphere spiritually and physically in the heavens and in the earth. Every shift affects every occurrence. Things are changing rapidly from every aspect as a result of the sins of the nations, evil treachery within our present financial structure, those who refuse to repent, unwillingness to change, the stubbornness and pride upon the nations, evil rulerships, and unholy covenants. In the midst of these I have heard the fervent prayers of My righteous ones. All of these things have impacted the atmosphere, the land and the people. The battle has ensued and the lives of the nations are hanging in the balance. 



2 Chronicles 7:14** (Amplified version) If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of the necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.



These words** are very important for this time but there are some who are praying for change in others without yielding change within themselves and prayer without change is not true repentance –pride must suffer a fall.  (Proverbs 16:18-19) You are now seeing the results of that fall taking place. Know that I will always have a plan and a people. In the midst of this confusion there are many that I have placed the oil of My anointing upon to cry out between the porch and the altar for truth and righteousness to prevail with power. 



For My remnant will continue to prepare and make ready my others who will be willing to do my bidding upon this land and that which I have established in the heavens will come upon this earth. For the time of My reign will come upon this earth in the face of my people. But before that day of great power My remnant will lead, teach and equip My righteous army to go forth and fight in righteousness and honor as they rise up in various nations to heed the clarion call that will prepare them for the days ahead. For I have placed My covenant before them as a foundation, a shield and even a weapon of war to move forward and not to be afraid for I am with them and in them as they walk in strength with My light and dominion says the Lord. And as kingdom’s fall I will raise up My kingdom and My people will march forward and they will not break rank, says the Lord of Host.





Prophetic Intercession:

Israel—there is much trouble surrounding her as her enemies are planning and preparing more attacks against her. We must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The Lord said that His promises concerning her shall be fulfilled.



Had a succession of visions (four of them concerning the elements) in particular: here are the visions and in red my concerns about these particular regions.

1)      I saw winds so high that it was uprooting everything in its path. (Although Hurricane Irene is currently being tracked) however I believe that this represented something to come that was more powerful. I asked the Lord are these evil winds? He said: Winds of judgment and winds of change. (See prophetic word on shifts*)     

2)      I saw a volcanic eruption where lava was rapidly gushing forth with ash so high it was startling. I am concerned about various regions in the US but especially Mt. St. Helens/Yellowstone Park is still on our high red alert list. Hawaii is still on our alert list.

3)      I saw an earthquake that the land shook so violently some of the buildings were crumbling and others were toppling it was day time and seemed to be very sunny outside. It seemed to be a hot temperature outside because of how people were dressed. Colorado and Virginia are having many aftershocks and it is affecting the fault area of the New Madrid which is still on our red alert. The west coast concerns are Washington State as they are still on our red alert, as well as New York, also Washington DC for a possible stronger earthquake in that area. 

4)      I saw a tsunami so violent that cars, various trees, debris and structures were slammed upon tall buildings (these were skyscraper like buildings). And then all of that and parts of the buildings were carried by the same waters that rushed in begin to rush back in the other direction. It occurred with much swiftness and violence of speed. These visions were over a couple days period.

Watch tsunami alert around the gulf coming from east (Puerto Rico region) and from the coastal regions to California.



We had been praying and alerting certain areas and on 8/11 I posted on facebook my concern for an earthquake to occur within the month of August everyone mentioned their concern about September but it occurred in August. The Lord had us praying around New York, Washington DC for since May-June and still we saw the evidence of earthquake activity in these regions this last week. Watch activity around Mexico and New Mexico as well---we are still watching Veracruz and possibility of earthquake and nuclear problems.



One of the major things that the Lord spoke to me about was---He said ---there is trouble in the gulf---hadn’t even thought about but with the sealed bp oil problems last year ---we don’t need an earthquake, tsunami or storm in the gulf region. Also right between Europe and Asia there is another hot spot for significant earthquake activity.

GO to our website to read my daughter Rachel Ford visions about the east coast and trouble in the coming stock market.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Anointed for Battle by T. Austin-Sparks



Anointed for Battle
by T. Austin-Sparks

A brief word at the close of the Whitsun Conference.
We have been occupied in these days with the nature and effect of the fulfilment of the Promise of the Father. A promise made to the Son, and then fulfilled through the Son to the Church, which is His Body. Thus the promise was ultimately revealed to be a corporate and not only a personal one as such. We have before pointed out that after His Baptism it is expressly and immediately affirmed that "He was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." The Baptism was in type His acceptance at the very commencement of His ministry of the Cross — death, burial, resurrection — and all His teaching and working from thenceforward was on that ground and in that light. It is most significant and suggestive that the first activity under the anointing should be a deliberate encounter with the "Prince of this World." The battle of the ages is joined, the Eternal issue as the ultimate purpose of "The Promise" is taken up at once. The point with which we want to stay is this, that the express purpose and outworking of the anointing with the Holy Spirit is conflict — warfare. 
What was true in His personal case has to be made true in His corporate case — that is, in the experience of the Body-instrument of His abiding outworking of victory. No one can ever come into a living spiritual experience and knowledge of the Cross without being immediately precipitated into this conflict. The essential issue of Calvary is the anointing with the Holy Spirit. The primary purpose of the anointing with the Spirit is the establishment of the sovereignty of Christ through His Church over the entire system of spiritual rebellion, revolt, anarchy, and hostility. Let it be a settled thing that identification with Christ implies and involves a warfare of increasing tensity from which there is no discharge in this life. So many there are who think that if only they can receive the Divine anointing they are going to have such a wonderful time; how rich and beautiful their lives will be; what power will be at their command, and what an end of all spiritual trouble. 
Truly there is a blessed side to it and with all the conflict it is well worth while. But it will be as well to settle it at the outset that there is a sterner side where personal blessing, enjoyment and comfort become secondary to the great interests of the Body of Christ. John Bunyan was given wisdom to put Hill Difficulty not far from the Cross. Pilgrim didn't get very far beyond the Cross when he met Hill Difficulty, and there is a suggestiveness to one in that which is full of rich and valuable significance, for it says in effect that the very nature of our Christian life is one of conflict, of battle, of warfare, and that our life absolutely depends upon it. You take our physical organism and you discover that the whole organism of our bodies is planned and arranged and constituted upon a basis of warfare, and real health and real life in our physical being is simply on the basis of triumphant warfare — a battle going on all the time. Our organism creates its own difficulties which in their overcoming constitute real health and real life. There are those difficulties in our organism which are pathological — that is, disorder — and they work death. Now you take that into the realm of the Body of Christ, and you find it is very like this. Its very health depends upon its conflicts, and the organism of the Body of Christ is designedly constituted by the Lord Himself upon a basis of conflict, and the Church is never vigorous without warfare. 
The unfortunate thing is that there are the pathological difficulties which create a warfare which ends in death and arrest in the Body of Christ. We find ourselves occupied far too much with those disorders which create difficulties and which we do not get the better of, and are all the time throwing us into a state of sickness and weakness and infirmity. The Lord would have us — and He has constituted His Body as a spiritual organism — upon a basis of essential conflict for Life, and Hill Difficulty meets us immediately we have faced the Cross and accepted it and stepped across it. It is not far, we meet it in the very ordering of God, not as some misfortune that has befallen us, but in the constitution of the thing to prove and try our Life, and to give our Life this supreme opportunity of demonstrating its reality. And here again is this wonderful insight of Bunyan, that there are those in his allegory who come to Hill Difficulty and never get past it. Formalist comes to Hill Difficulty. He is the man who has put creed and theory in the place of practice and experience. He never gets past Hill Difficulty — he gives up there, it is not the genuine thing. Hypocrisy comes to Hill Difficulty, and he likewise gives up. Hypocrisy is not the man who has put the creed or the theory in the place of experience as we often think, he is the man who is a parasite who lives on the spiritual energy of someone else and has none of his own. He finds his stimulus in someone else's triumph and when he is put to the test he has nothing of his own. Now we must be very careful that we are not spiritual parasites in word or deed. Hypocrisy cannot face Hill Difficulty. Timorous comes there, and Mistrust comes there, but they give up. It is only this reality of the thing, this genuineness of Life which proves itself there and demonstrates its nature and comes through, and is infinitely better for the difficulty. You see the wisdom of God in that; that we come immediately into difficulty, into conflict, into warfare, but that is the very thing for which we were born from above, and that is God's wise way of securing an increase of Life. 
The real spiritual effectiveness is that which takes the enemy at his full value into account, and is not ignorant of his devices, and knows exactly what the real business on hand is, and as being alive to that situation stands all the time in the Christ Who is a match for it all. That is the practical ground where the thing has got to be demonstrated. It would be quite an easy thing to say we will never say anything more about the devil. Now let us sing all about the Lord and be happy together, and we will forget there is such a thing as the devil. That is not the way. You may have a happy time in a way, but the range of your spiritual effectiveness is considerably narrowed when you get there. We have all had that temptation. We would all love to rule the devil out of the universe, and, thank God, we are going, in Christ, to have a share in it, but it cannot be done like that. 
Now the fact is that that is the background, and we are thrust into that immediately we really recognise the meaning of the Cross and the Body of Christ, and accept it. Do recognise that, beloved, because you are going to meet it, and therefore do not think it strange as though things had gone wrong when you meet Hill Difficulty immediately after your great surrender, and your great acceptance, when you have put everything over for that. That is the proper order — "Then was He led of the Spirit into the wilderness," into battle. We must be watchful against the devices of Satan whereby he would get us to settle down and stop fighting. We receive blessing and then our tendency is to hug our blessing, dwell upon it, seek more, instead of turning it into munitions of war. The Holy Spirit has to come in and pitchfork us into the battle again. He knows that our very life depends upon it. 
We often think that if only we could get out of the conflict, if only the conflict would abate a little, or cease, how much more life we would have; how much more joy we would have; how much more power we would have; how much richer and fuller everything would be if only we could get out of this awful battle for a bit. No, it does not work that way. One has, at times, tried for a spiritual holiday, and how the spiritual muscles sag, everything goes to pieces! Afterwards we have got to recover the ground, and we have got to redouble our spiritual energy and activity to get back again. You cannot take spiritual holidays. You cannot go on leave in this business. It is vital to your life, and that is true not only of the individual, but of the Body. You must not have a lull, unless the Lord gives you a lull. There are gracious respites given of the Lord from time to time — "Then had the Church rest," but it was not a long one. Bunyan put an arbour on Hill Difficulty, but Pilgrim went to sleep and lost his book. That is where the trouble began. It was not put there for him to go to sleep; it was put there for him to get more strength. To wait upon the Lord to renew his strength to go... oh, that is all. The Lord gives us a gracious respite here and there, but we must not think He has given us a discharge. No, and it must be the Lord's doing and not ours. Don't let us take ourselves out of the fight. Don't let us run away and think we are going to get more strength by getting out of the conflict. The Lord will check such a course. He will do a work which will bring us back into the fight. The enemy may say to us that the fighting business is the wrong line; it isn't really what the Lord means you to do, He wants you to stop that and go on in a quieter way, but somehow in the Lord's way you find you are fighting again. Yes, the Holy Spirit in the church is a militant Spirit to carry the battle right through to the final issue. 
First published in "A Witness and A Testimony" magazine, July 1928, Vol. 6-7



Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hurricane Prophecies * Utilize Discernment!

Hurricane Prophecies * Utilize Discernment!

by Adrienne Williams on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 11:03am

People of God, we would think that instead of people sitting around trying to figure out the next "deep" word that "they" (NOT God but THEY) are going to prophesy concerning the hurricane, that they would take equally as much time OR MORE to PRAY! It is amazing to me how EVERYBODY has a "prophetic" word concerning disasters but only AFTER they happen! Where was the prophetic unction BEFORE the storm approached? To give a warning IN THE MIDST or AFTER destruction IS NOT a warning!

A warning comes BEFORE destruction! People of God, if you do not have any discernment, you better ASK GOD for some and I assure you He WILL grant it liberally!

While there may, indeed, possibly be a choice few AUTHENTIC prophetic words coming forth concerning the hurricane, there are EQUALLY as many, if not more, FALSE words being released. Many of those releasing the false words are doing so in an effort to bring forth attention to THEMSELVES, however, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with God or concern for HIS people.

Now (OR EVER) is the time to embrace ANYTHING that DOES NOT come from God! Over these next few days and weeks as you begin to see the "prophecies" concerning IRENE come forth, utilize wisdom and utilize discernment concerning what you receive in your Spirit.

But, most importantly, DRAW CLOSER to God that you may KNOW what is of Him. The closer you draw to God, the more you are able to accurately discern what IS NOT of Him!

Grace and peace,
Apostle Adrienne Williams

Friday, August 26, 2011

Call On The Name Of The Lord!


Call On The Name Of The Lord!

One just has to turn on the television or internet to know that we are living in a time of great unrest and fear.  Man knows that the world is turning upside down and that they need an answer but are they willing to turn their lives over to Jesus?

 That is the long and the short of it for there is salvation in no other name and no other name under heaven where man can be saved.  We cannot put a bandage on the problems of this world. It seems like a can of worms that we can no longer put a lid on,and things are manifesting all over that are not God but the enemy trying to have dominion.  What do we do at times like these?  We were told to watch and pray!  As believers this is what we need to be doing, standing in the gap.  Now I know that some are getting tired of hearing this but it is something that we need to be hearing and doing.  Let us pray that He will have dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the end of the earth.

Many of God's children, still spend more time on the internet, and in front of the television than they do in prayer.  Many of God's children are still busy about much but not about their fathers business.  Sadly if they do not open their eyes and ears they are going to be sadly lacking in the protection of the Word of God in the days to come.  It is time to come out of this world, repent of sin and get right with God!  Yes, many need to get their hearts right with Jesus.  It is time to call sin, just what it is and come out and be separate. 

The time of separation is here and we must call on the Lord and choose our friends wisely.  Call on the Lord now and He will answer you.  Call on the Lord now for He is the only answer to fear.  He is the only answer to your finances and He alone is the answer to your family issues.  He is the only answer for the nations of the earth who are turned upside down and sin ridden.  He is the only answer when it comes to leadership.  Plainly Jesus is the only answer to this worlds troubles and as they get greater, Jesus will become more and more to those that will believe on His name, turn their lives over to Him and serve Him.

What are you waiting for?  Why do you delay?  Come to Jesus now, without delay, repent of your sin, and once and for all decide to serve Him.  He is your answer and calling out to you today.  Come.


33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Who Authorized You? by Apostle Adrienne Williams

Who Authorized You?



Apostles and prophets, please understand that every house (church) IS NOT yours to "set in order!" In other words, you DO NOT have jurisdiction (the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised) in every church (building) in the body of Christ. God has given each of us a measure of grace and authority to function. KNOW your measure of authority and the territory you've been assigned to cover!

Although God has given each of us a measure of grace and authority to function, you should KNOW where your authority extends BEFORE you continually go in and out of churches attempting to "set them in order" but, in reality, causing MORE confusion and damage to the congregations!

Wisdom, discernment, and most importantly, the leading of Holy Spirit will allow you to know EXACTLY WHEN you should move or when you should SIT STILL. As great of an apostle as Paul was, he yet remained mindful of His sphere of authority and how far that authority extended. In other words, Paul KNEW his lane and STAYED IN IT which caused Him to be extremely effective in doing Kingdom work.

It is written, "12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment." (2 Corinthians 10: 12-16 NKJV).

People of God, BE SURE that you are hearing clearly BEFORE you move and be careful of WHAT you hear and HOW you hear! There is a hefty penalty to pay for going into churches and sowing additional discord among the brethren but ESPECIALLY when God HAS NOT sent you in on His behalf!

Let us not keep going in churches UNAUTHORIZED by God trying to "set them in order" lest GOD set us in order! Only be found in those places which HE has commanded you to go!

Grace and peace,
Apostle Adrienne Williams

Is That REALLY What God Said? by Apostle Adrienne Williams



Is That REALLY What God Said?

Mouthpieces for God, it is not always "the people" whom are trying to "muzzle" you or keep you from "speaking" on behalf of God. On the contrary, sometimes, it is GOD Himself doing "damage control" and advising us to SIT STILL and BE QUIET until we have learned to PROPERLY administer His word to cause edification to the body of Christ as opposed to causing additional damage!

Be it known that "Cry loud and spare not" DOES NOT, in any way, grant permission for us to say any old thing, in any old manner, at any given time!

God is seeking DISCIPLINED mouthpieces that are going to administer their gifts accordingly as well as continually SUBMIT those gifts to HIM that they may be governed properly in the earth AND in the body of Christ.

If God can not trust you to properly deliver a "small" word, then certainly He would not send you with a word of correction OR judgment to ANYONE until you have matured to a place to administer such without "adding" your emotions or your own "twist" into the equation. You may send your own self, but God will not until He knows that you will obey and deliver ONLY the words that HE speaks!

If God can not trust a mouthpiece to simply get up, say a scripture and SIT DOWN, as the pastor requested, but they have to try and "deliver a word" or "give a mini-sermonette" instead, then it will definitely be a while before God opens a door to more responsibility for that vessel because they have not yet mastered being faithful over a little!

This is why we observe much non-sense and error being released "in the name of the Lord" on venues such as Facebook, NING, MySpace and other social media networks as well. In many cases (but not all), these are those who have not allowed themselves to be disciplined concerning their gifts inside OR outside of a church setting so they use venues such as these to build their OWN platforms to spew out all manner of teachings and inspirations in the name of Jesus when GOD Himself may NOT have spoken such.


It is not always the devil trying to shut our mouths! But sometimes it is GOD attempting to keep us from getting our own selves in trouble!

Grace and peace,
Apostle Adrienne Williams

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Quake Strikes Near Washington - Intercessors, PRAY! Apostle Adrienne Williams

Quake Strikes Near Washington - Intercessors, PRAY! Apostle Adrienne Williams

Quake Strikes Near Washington

POSTED: 1:02 pm CDT August 23, 2011
UPDATED: 1:19 pm CDT August 23, 2011


  An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck Tuesday in northern Virginia, the U.S. Geological Survey said.The quake, which struck at 1:51 p.m., was felt in Washington, in Richmond, Virginia, and as far away as North Carolina and New York, witnesses reported."It's one of the largest that we've had there," USGS seismologist Lucy Jones told CNN. Aftershocks were a concern, she said. "People should be expecting (them), especially over the next hour or two," she added.She said that she would expect to see "significant damage" to old, brick buildings near the epicenter. "If you've already got some damage, you might want to stay outside," she said.She also raised concern that water and gas lines may have been damaged."Our building was shaking the way a skyscraper isn't supposed to shake," said a lawyer in a high-rise in midtown Manhattan.The quake was 3.7 miles deep and was located 83 miles southwest of Washington, the USGS said.

Read more: http://www.wapt.com/news/28951692/detail.html#ixzz1VsWe7KPT

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Gathering: But Not For the Better

Gathering: But Not For the Better!

by Chip Brogden

"Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse" (I Corinthians 11:17). 

Jesus made it clear that "where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Just two or three!

I thank and praise God that Jesus did not say, "Where two or three THOUSAND are gathered together, there I am." He did not say, "Where two or three HUNDRED are gathered together, there I am." And He did not say, "Where two or three DOZEN are gathered together, there I am."

Jesus also did not say where the two or three had to be gathered together. He did not specify a church building or a living room meeting. And He did not say how many times a week they had to be gathered, or if the gatherings had to be structured or unstructured, open or closed, inside or outside.

By establishing His Presence in the midst of a group so small as two or three, Jesus repudiates our fascination with large numbers. Anyone can gather a crowd if you tell them what they want to hear. May I say that a large group has no more of the presence of Jesus than a small group. The numbers are irrelevant. Either Jesus is in the midst, or He is not. If Jesus is not in the midst of us then having a large group of people will not compensate for Him not being there.

I would rather sit on the living room floor with three people and have Jesus in the midst than sit in a service with three thousand people where Jesus is nowhere to be found.
Of course, Jesus can sometimes be found in large groups of people, but as my wife says, He tends to get lost in the crowd.

WHAT ABOUT ASSEMBLING TOGETHER? 

Concerning our assembling together, the author of the letter to the Hebrews says:
"Forsaking not the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). 

Praise the Lord for the simplicity of this Scripture. Once again, we are not told WHERE to assemble (the local church). We are not told WHEN to assemble (Sunday morning). We are not told HOW OFTEN to assemble (three services a week, prayer on Tuesday, youth group on Thursday). Taking this verse by itself, it simply tells us to make the most of every opportunity we have for encouraging one another face-to-face. Yet it gives no direction about where, when, or how many times a week this is to take place.

As a pastor, I misused this verse all the time. I did it in ignorance, but the message I consistently sent out was, "You need to attend more, pray more, give more, and do more than what you're doing. You need to be submitted to me so you can have a spiritual covering. You need to be accountable to a local body of believers. And if you don't come to church every time the doors are open and if you don't participate in every program we have available for you then you are forsaking the assembling of yourselves together!"

Is that really what this verse means? When you read the verses preceding this one it becomes apparent that the Spirit of God is not trying to get us to be more faithful to attend church services. In fact, when this was written, Christians did not have "church services" (or church buildings, for that matter).

So what does it mean? If you read the entire chapter (better yet, the entire letter), you find that we are being encouraged to draw near to God without fear, by a "new and living way", through Jesus Christ our High Priest, Who has already assembled us together as the house of God in order to lead us into the Holy of Holies.

Based on what we know about the Lord's Ekklesia, we could just as easily say, "Don't forsake the house of living stones that Jesus is assembling together, because there's no other way to draw near to God!" But people usually find what they expect to see, not what is really there. So we nullify the Word of God with our tradition, missing the blessing and turning it into a burden.

IN THIS I PRAISE YOU NOT 


Jesus said if HE is lifted up then HE will draw all men to HIMSELF. Instead, we lift up religion and draw all men into an institution.

Are we suggesting that Christians should never go to church or have fellowship with others? Of course not. But we ask, can fellowship only occur in the context of a church meeting? Once we realize that our fellowship is supposed to be based on a relationship with Jesus, not a relationship with "church", we will discover that there are more opportunities for fellowship OUTSIDE the local church building than there are INSIDE.

That is because Christ-based fellowship lasts as long as you are abiding in Jesus, while church-based fellowship only lasts as long as you are attending that church. When you go to their services and support their agenda then they love you. Once you leave, and they realize you are not coming back, they want nothing more to do with you. The reality is simply this: their fellowship with you is church-based, ministry-based, man-based, or money-based, but it is not Christ-based.

The true character of a church, fellowship, or ministry is not judged by how they receive you when you join, or how they treat you when you are there, but rather, how they send you when you go, and how they relate to you after you have left.

Many churches, gatherings, meetings, ministries and fellowships do more harm than good. They should be shut down because Jesus does not have the preeminence there. Thus, they serve no Kingdom purpose. I am convinced that most churches exist only to give the pastor someplace to preach on Sunday. The meetings continue but no fruit is produced. They are dead branches still clinging to the vine that need to be hacked off to make way for new growth.
Paul told the Corinthians that when they came together it was not for the better, but for the worse. To be sure, they gathered together. They were faithful to assemble. But their gathering together was not a testimony to their faith, it was a testimony to their division. Actually, they were not assembling together at all, they were assembling separately. "Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you!"

The apostle says it would be better for them to stay home than to gather together for the worse, have division, teach heresies, despise the church of God, bring shame to one another, eat and drink damnation to themselves, and come together "unto condemnation" (see I Corinthians 11:17-34).

This is strong language. When was the last time you heard a message on that? What pastor is willing to stand up and say, "There will be no more services until we can learn how to come together for the better, and not for the worse." Not many!


IN THE SPIRIT ON THE LORD'S DAY 

Brothers and sisters, do not be deceived or troubled. If we are one with the Head then we are one with the Body, even if we are not physically gathered together; and if we are NOT one with the Head then we are NOT one with the Body, even if we ARE physically gathered together. How can that be? Because Jesus is building His Church, and it is a spiritual house, not a physical house.

This principle is clearly demonstrated in the life of John the apostle. Exiled to the Isle of Patmos because of the testimony of Jesus, he was physically isolated from other believers and had no face-to-face contact with any of the churches. He had no "covering", no "accountability", no "authority" no "local body of believers", no "fellowship". He seemed to be cast off into a corner, forgotten.

But John says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day." He maintained connectivity to the Head and to the Body of Christ by way of a spirit-and-truth worship walk. This connectivity is spiritual, not physical, not social, not geographical. Because of this, John received a clear vision and a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ. As a side benefit, John knew the exact spiritual condition of the seven churches of Asia, even though he was not assembled together with them.

It is better to be alone and be in the Spirit than to assemble together and be in the flesh, going through the motions of Churchianity, gathering for the worse, and not for the better. Jesus said,

"Isaiah was correct when he prophesied about you hypocrites, saying, 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths, and they honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me, and they worship Me in vain, for they teach as doctrines the commandments of men'" (Matthew 15:7-9). 

Friends, there is a more excellent way! The Father is actively seeking and recruiting for Himself people who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus is setting them free from vain worship and traditions of men, and He is gathering them together into a spiritual house of living stones. The Holy Spirit is leading them into an ever deepening, ever increasing relationship with Christ. With them, every day is "The Lord's Day"!

While everything not established on Christ is being shaken, those who are being reduced to Christ are receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved. It is a wonderful time to be alive and to see God's Purpose being fulfilled! Why would we be content with anything less? He has given us new wine and new wineskins. Let us seek the preeminence of Christ in all things, and when Jesus does gather us together in simplicity, He will be in the midst, and our gatherings will be for the better, and not for the worse. Amen.

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Pray For Israeli People That Travel Daily on Dangerous Bus Routes

Six Israeli's Killed And More Than Two Dozen Injured

 Please pray for Israel.  Approximately six Isrsaelis were killed and more than two dozen injured in southern Israel Thursday as attacks came against a bus, assaulted Israeli soldiers and fired mortars and anti tank missiles.  Let us especially pray for this 12 mile area Eliat that is close to the Israeli-Egyptian border. Lets keep this area from Beer Sheva to Eilat in prayer as well as the community of Netafim. We need to keep these areas where innocent people are traveling on bus routes in prayer. 

Let God arise and His enemies be scattered.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Making the Mountains into Molehills - The Future is Lower than you Think

Making the Mountains into Molehills - The Future is Lower than you Think
by Gene Redlin
http://prophetgene.blogspot.com/
This morning as I drink my second cup of coffee I have been reflecting on Isaiah 40. It was the passage that many years ago, was prophesied by John Hinkle to begin to come into effect beginning June 9, 1994.

I have been asking the Lord what the future will look like when the fullness of Isaiah 40 comes to pass.

I believe He has given me a glimpse:
3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

The fullness of this is the mountains that have received so much attention in the past several years will be made low. Business, Government, Education, Religion, Family, Entertainment, Media. The large enterprises that look like a mountain today will after the change will be low hills. Molehills. They will be local. There will be no competition to occupy them. There will be need to occupy.

IF you drew a circle of ONE mile around where you are sitting right now....and everything outside of that mile was gone...it was just those who live in that are that is left...would there be any of the mountains left?

Consider also the absence of any TV, Radio, Electricity, Internet. Remember it's all in that one mile radius. You can't get out, no one can get in. No fuel anyway.

There would still be education by parents to children, some informal government, some spiritual activity, families, people would play piano or read, they might get news from a neighbor. In other words, all the mountains would now be local.

In that day, the Glory of God will be revealed greater than it is now. The mountains have all worked together to mask HIS Glory. Even in Religion and Christian Media. They have all become mountains of their own. Empires. Agendas. Institutions. They will all come down in that day. Nothing will mask his Glory any more. All FLESH SHALL see it together.

All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the LORD blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.


Our frailty, our weakness, our humanity and our puffed up estimation of ourselves will fade. It will be like the Grass. Fading away. Our regard for the importance of others, particularly celebrity and leaders of the seven mountains of today will become a mockery as the reality of our ends becomes clear. Only JESUS will matter. His word. It will survive and stand forever.

10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.


In that day we will see him for who he is.. A Savior with GREAT POWER who uses it to cradle his people in his arms. Those who rest in him, who rely on him for their protection and provision will live in fullness. Those who struggle against his love will see his power manifested in an unpleasant way. His reward and His recompense is with him.....

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD,
or what man shows him his counsel?
14Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
15Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
and are accounted as the dust on the scales;
behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.
16Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are as nothing before him,
they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.


In that day Nations will not mean anything other than a historical fact. Once there was a USA. Once there was a France. Once there was a Russia. That day will reveal God's attitude toward the mountains of Governments. Nothing and emptiness. The wisdom the supposedly comes from Government is like a drop in a bucket, like dust on a scale. Meaningless.

21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.


Think of the most important influential person you know. Or ten of them. Jesus brings them to nothing. Emptiness. Grasshoppers. He doesn't hate them. It isn't punishment. He just is destroying the top of the mountains to bring them low. Think of the most important people on the tops of all the mountains. Even the most important religious leaders. They will be brought to nothing. They too will have their circle. They will be emptied of any importance. They really already are.. It's just that we see them differently. Masking of the Glory

29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.


In that day...people will find strength they never knew. The Lord will renew it. They will become Eagles once again. They shall find that they are the ones that they have been waiting for and their calling is the ordination of increase.

Chapter 40 is about learning that those things we see as big are small and those thing we thing are insignificant, particularly ourselves are huge, strong and in authority. It's an upside down kingdom.

I am looking forward to the manifestations of the Sons of God in that hour. It's coming. Those that have heard the word will prosper, find protection and supernatural provision. Those who find strength in any of the mountains about to be brought low will find themselves lost to the future.

Let those with ears to hear...hear what the Spirit Says in Isaiah 40

Monday, August 1, 2011

Many Are Called...

 

CALLED FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Many Are Called...


For many are called, but few are chosen. Matt. 22:14
Interpretation of a Dream Given To Me by the Lord:

I keep hearing the scripture "many are called but few are chosen". I think the pastor represents the Lord and he is calling out individuals [those who are compassionate and weeping over the needs of human kind]. Some stepped up and chose to follow Him and then He looked to you and you stepped forward. The woman speaking may have been a distraction to you to listen to her voice in the process of walking forward and stepping into the full measure of the calling of Christ Jesus....
(interpretation by Apostle/Pastor Ruby Underwood a true friend and mentor in the Lord).

In this dream I knew Father was speaking to myself to come deeper but also there was/is a message in it to the body of Christ. For many are called, but few are chosen. 14 Matt. 22: The spirit of God is looking for those that will follow Him regardless of the cost. In the dream many were seated in the meeting but as the Lord stopped the meeting and called forward those that had tears of intercession in their eyes, there were only three myself included that has tears and came forward. Few were willing to pay the price.

Many talk about intercession, write about intercession but do NOT spend any concrete time interceding. The Father is looking for intercessors to stand in the gap, will you be one of them? Will those called die to self, and go deeper into this much needed place of intercession. It is a lonely place and one that man will not see but the Father looks upon the heart. He sees into the deep recesses and is calling deep unto deep and saying to you, will you be that one, that intercessor that will speak in the prayer chamber to the Lord on behalf of men?

Will you stand in the gap that people can be spared, and come to know Me? Will you watch, and pray and be that one to turn around events and see that judgment is lessened or averted altogether in the life of those that do not deserve His mercy and grace? God is looking at you brother, Father God is calling you sister into the place of intercession. Put aside all the distractions for they are many and enter into your place of prayer. Stay there till the calamity is past.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me: for my soul trusts in you: yes, in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over. Psalm 57:1

Be willing to pray! Do not doubt your effectiveness because the enemy tells you that you do little good and cannot pray. If you were ineffective he would not tell you this.

Come to Me with a clean heart, a pure heart, and enter into My presence with praise and true worship. I am speaking to you and many do not know My voice. I AM calling you! In this hour the Lord does NOT want you distracted with anything. He does NOT want your eyes on the titles of men but wants you to see past the outward appearance the hidden man of the heart. There is much to distract in this hour. Many things can appear as an angel of light but unless you bend your knee before Me you will not be able to discern. Rightly divide the word of truth. Learn to walk past the distractions, and hear My call. Many things may look good but discern if time spent in this way will allow you to fulfill you true calling as that intercessor God has called you to be.

The Lord is laying things on the line. He has entreated many and called but you have not responded. The warm bed at night feels good and a little slumber leaves the body of Christ open to attack. We are living in a time where intercessors must be on the wall. The Word of God needs to be prayed by the Spirit that His Kingdom may come and His will be done in the earth. Hear what the Spirit of God is saying to you today. Hear His voice for He is entreating you to come to Him. Spend time with Me and I will honour it. Spend time with Me and know Me. Hear My Still small voice for I am speaking to you, beloved come into our prayer chamber and spend time with Me. Come.

"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. Isaiah 59:16