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

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.

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

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

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

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