Sunday, July 31, 2005

Are You Hungry Enough to Fast?

CONSECRATION
SANCTIFICATION
HOLINESS

These are the things God is requiring of us in these last days. So many Christians are falling under demonic attack. Satan is having a field day in our minds, our finances, our health... These things should not be so. Instead of standing up against adversity, we allow ourselves to be complacent, or we create excuses for the positions we're in. When will the people of God stand up and fight in the spirit realm according to the Word of God?

Religion will no longer sustain us. Tradition will no longer hide us in the day of danger. I am so tired of seeing God's people try to deliver others when there is so much bondage in our own lives. Why do we try to save the children of others when our own are on the way to hell? We counsel married couples, but can't speak to our own spouses. Have mercy, God. Of course, ministry is necessary and required. However, those of us who don't handle our own houses first, are worse than the unbeliever!

Human nature causes us to fight only when we get tired and frustrated. A level of frustration comes when one's hunger is not satisfied. So, are you hungry for God yet? Are you hungry for victory in the spirit and in the natural? Are you tired of being defeated on a daily basis. Are you hungry enough to fast?

All week long, I have struggled with battles in my mind. I've questioned God like never before about the adversity I've been facing, the problems I'm having and all the frustration that's built up inside. I've been praying about all the attacks I am seeing against the people of God. Even more, the fact that many of us are being spiritually slain by the attacks of the enemy. I asked Him, "Lord, why are your people struggling when those in the world seem to be thriving? Why are those who are trying to live holy having such a hard time?" Well, the obvious part of the answer is that Satan always attacks where God blesses. We know this to be true. Jesus was tempted, ridiculed and tormented, so we should expect this same. Not only that, but we should rejoice when men persecute us, according to the Scriptures. Nevertheless, the Lord showed me that He is calling His people to a new level of holiness. We must SEEK Him like never before. For many of us who are maturing in God, He is not "just showing up" like He did once before. Now, we must press in and seek God's presence. He wants to take us to a new level, but we must show Him that we want more of Him. We must consecrate ourselves. When we ministry to our Father, He will minister to us in return. Turn town the plate and get in your prayer closets. This is the true battlefield. This is true spiritual warfare. This is how we move into a new level in God. Only at this new level will we experience the power and deliverance He has for us.

Mat 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.


My God. Our Father wants to bring us to a level where we can rebuke the devil and watch him flee, just as Jesus did when he healed the young lunatick in this Scripture passage. The key is that we must move from "saved" to "holy." As many have said, "Salvation is free, but the anointing will cost you something." The Father wants to use us to perform miracles. He wants to demonstrate His power upon the earth, but our vessels must be clean. We must be completely HOLY. The Lord told me to tell His people, "I want everything." God requires complete sacrifice from us. In this day, we must be completely SOLD OUT. No more excuses. No more slacking. No more messy salvation. No more "cute" ministry. THIS IS WAR. There is no time to be cute, no time to promote your own name, no time to worry about little band-aid wounds. There is a war at hand! God's people must be hungry enough to suffer for Him. We have been given the solution for more power - prayer and fasting. So, we must get in God's face and look to Him as never before.

Now, many of us say we fast regularly, but the Lord ministered to me about that as well. He wants a new level of sacrifice and most importantly, committment. If we are honest with ourselves, many of us have participated in all kinds of "man-defined" fasts and consecrations. Nevertheless, God wants us to break down our flesh and seek him on an individual basis, that our spirit man may be edified. He wants us to sacrifice for Him and ministry to Him without the recognition of men! My God! Yes, keep it to yourself. How many of us married women run and tell the whole church everytime we minister to our husbands in the bedroom? None, I hope. In the same manner, we must stop running our mouths every time we have an intimate moment with God. He wants a private relationship with each of us. He wants to glorify us, but will not do so if we glorify ourselves.

NEWS FLASH:
Fasting is supposed to be uncomfortable!!! Saints of God, we need to understand that a dizzy spell, an occasional headache and stomach cramps are signs of victory. It's not a sign to break the fast or eat a cracker. That means you are fasting correctly! Your body is breaking donw, and that is the whole point! We must get away from these littly "patty cake" fasting plans that we do just to make us feel good on the outside, pleasing the flesh. That's the exact OPPOSITE of what fasting should do! Don't get me wrong. For some, partial, timed fasts are quite a sacrifice. But for most of us, they are truly a joke. No food from 8:00 AM to Noon...No bread or meat for 24 hours...No desserts after sundown... Where is the real sacrifice? Then, when we do fast completely, it does no good to skip all the meals but watch television and talk on the phone all day. DENY THE FLESH! FEED THE SPIRIT! FEAST ON THE WORD AND TALK TO GOD! This is the key! This is true sanctification and consecration.

Fasting and prayer. The Lord is nudging us into a new level. I feel God's hand in my back like never before. I desire to continue moving from glory to glory. A new level, a new level, a new level!

How bad do you want it? Are you hungry enough to fast?

Bless God!

Monday, July 18, 2005

Chasing a Word - Hmmm...


It truly sickens me to see so many false prophets operating in the church today. Even moreso, it bothers me to know that so many "Christians" run around seeking a prophetic word. I believe this is the fault of the church. We must get back to the Word and back to a realationship with God.

I distinctly remember a moment when I was younger - about 17 or 18. My younger brother is three years younger than myself. This particular day, my Daddy was VERY UPSET with my brother. The three of us were sitting in the living room, and my father was so heating that he looked and me and said, "Joy, tell your brother over there to pack his mess and get out of this house!" It's funny when I think about it now, but the implication there was very serious. My father was literally sitting amongst both his children. Yet, his wrath was so great that he could not speak directly to his son. Instead, he relayed the message to me and told me to pass it along, as if my brother couldn't hear him. My, my, my...

What's your point, Joy? I'm glad you asked!

In the Old Testament days, prophets were despised and hated. Why? Because they spoke forth the wrath and judgment of God. While a few positive prophecies were spoken, most of them were prophesies of correction and consequence. It amazes me how prophets were so feared and reverenced then, yet they seem to be celebrities today. In fact, I don't even feel the need to list scriptures here. Every true prophet of the Bible brought the fear and respect of God along with the Word in their bellies.

Last night, I was thinking on this and the Lord gave me understanding. Do you know that many times, when God sends a true prophet our way, it's because He's so upset and we're so disobedient that He can't talk to us. Just like my natural Father, He has to send another one of His children to speak to us, when He's right there in the room!!! And what do we do? We rejoice like that's a good thing! Saints of God, we've got to get ourselves together!

Today, the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer and bears witness to the Word of God. He also teaches us all things. These so-called prophets who come around prophelying...I mean, prophesying...houses and cars all the time are not of God. Now, don't get me wrong. The Lord does send some prophesies that carry good news. On the other hand, prophesy should be confirming, meaning that it verifies something the believer should have already received directly from God. If this is the case, why is it a "good" thing to always chase a Word. Where is the fear of God?

Just like the scenario with my Father and my brother, if I hear God the first time, why would I always be seeking a confirming word? On the other hand, as God revealed to me, He sometimes has to speak through the REAL prophets, because his child has been disobedient and refuses to hear His voice. My God!

Saints, the "word" we seek is often not of God. Why do we always look to men to comfort our flesh, but account it to the Spirit? There should be fear and trembling in the presence of a prophet if they carry the true Word of God. There should be fear and trembling in the presence of a prophet if the believer is truly born again. They should be thinking, "if I miss God, I pray it's not because I missed Him."

Why is this not the case? Is it because we don't hear and recognize the voice of God as Christians, or is it because we're chasing the word of false prophets? After all, if we get to a place where we can hear God ourselves, we won't always need to chase a Word. The Lord will be able to release more confirming and comforting words to us.
Hmmm...

A prophet of God is the mouthpiece of our Father, and deserves to be treated as such. Saints, we shouldn't be too comfortable around the living Word of God. In the same manner, thos of us who call ourselves prophets of God shouldn't be comfortable in every environment - around everything and amongs everybody. AMEN.

God is dealing... He is purging...

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Get a REVELATION


Over the last week, God has really been dealing with me and challenging me to a new level in Him.

My prayer is always that I will receive a new "revelation" from God. I don't know about anyone else, but I am vexed by all the so-called ministers, pastors, prophets, teachers, etc. who proclaim they received a revelation, just because their message has a catchy title. Saints of God, when will we get back to the Word in the pulpit???!!!

It's a shame when the leaders of the Church are still preaching, hooping and hollering in the House of God, but saying absolutely NOTHING! Where is the growth? Where is the challenge? The Word of God has a purpose...

12For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, Amplified).

My God. When was the last time you gave or received a Word from the Lord that was sharp? A word that revealed your true character by showing it's separation from the Spirit? When was the last time something in your life was expsed and judged, challenging you to walk closer with God? What's making you UNCOMFORTABLE...???

Now, I thank God for these online groups and forums. There are many people of God who feel free to share the Word of the Lord, without holding back. It is a blessing. Nevertheless, we need this kind of preaching and teaching in the physical church! Have we allowed the enemy to kick the Spirit of God out of His own house!? Those who desire to preach the HEART OF GOD should not feel uncomfortable in the house of God.

Now my husband and I share a home where we are raising our children. It's called the "Allen" household, because the Allen family dwells here. It's OUR HOME. Now, if a strange woman walks in here, and my husband starts to call her his wife, do you really think I'd just sit back in a corner and say "Amen." O NO - THE DEVIL IS A LIAR. I would literally CUT SOMEBODY!!! Why? Because I will not be made to feel uncomfortable in MY OWN HOUSE! Because no "strange" woman can just walk up in here and claim what's mine! Because no stranger will get the glory for all the work, prayer and time I've put into my marriage! Because no strange woman is going to walk into my house and influence my children!

So, what's going on in the church? Why does the TRUE BRIDE OF CHRIST sit idly by while the "mistress of deception - the watered down, lying, half-gospel" gets in the pulpit Sunday after Sunday, and has intercourse with God's people, making empty and deceiving deposits into the children of God???!!! There is a "strange" gospel being preached, and the Spirit of God cannot rest in God's own house!!!

God is proclaiming that we must CRY LOUD AND SPARE NOT according to the Word of God. This is what God is saying. It will not be easy, but the altars of Baal MUST BE TORN DOWN. God is not pleased!

The church is not a place for prophesying houses and cars. God's house is not "Date-Finder Central." God's house is not a meeting place. It's not a storefront. It's not an auction block, nor a political arena. Don't get it twisted! We have tried to evict the Lord from His own house!

According to the Word, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, God has set an order for the Body of Christ. We are instructed to assemble together and exhort one another (Hebrews 10:25). Then, those of us who are called to ministry have a charge to "perfect the saints for the work of the ministry" and "edify the Body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). In order to perfect anything, there has to be some correction. Saints, we have gotten too comfortable in the physical church. Where is the spirit of excellence? Where is the desire to be holy? Sadly, the mistress of deception is moving into our house, and the Bride of Christ is just letting her take over.

The people of God need REVELATION. The biblical term comes from the Greek Word, apokalupsis, which means "disclosure: - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed" (Strong's G602). The key is that THERE IS NO REVELATION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP. We need to crucify RELIGION and build a RELATIONSHIP with the Father so He can reveal His heart to us. Then, and only then, will a REVELATION be received.

What do I mean by that? Well, my natural Father, Mr. Rollins, has a name and a career. Any stranger can write a great novel about him, with a catchy title, and make it a best seller. However, if they don't have a relationship with him, they'll never know his heart...how he thinks and feels. This means they can never have a "revelation" of who he truly is. On the other hand, I'm my father's daughter. I may know his birthday, his occupation...even his shoe size. Nevertheless, these things don't have too much importance beside our relationship as father and daughter. I know how he thinks, how he feels, what he likes... We have a solid relationship. So, I know his heart, and have a REVELATION of who he truly is. I feel his hurts and rejoice in his victories. I am concerned about him, as he is about me. We take time out to talk and we support one another.

So many "preachers" know the Word of God. I'm not impressed. Satan and his demons know it too! The question is, how well do they know God? We need more in leadership who know the HEART of God. That comes only be relationship and revelation! We must seek God. Any true relationship is not always comfortable and content. God has me in a place of ministry that is not comfortable. I can't receive mess just because it comes from a person with a title. In the same manner, I can't minister mess to the people of God. The Gospel has not changed. We MUST PREACH the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We MUST PREACH HOLINESS to God's people. HOLINESS IS RIGHT! TOLERANCE IS NOT OF GOD! If sin doesn't make us sick - if evil spirits are comfortable in the church, something is wrong with us! Selah.

Friday, July 01, 2005

What in HELL Do You Want?

As a child, I was always taught to work for what I want and need. Like most of us, I still realize today that every action has a consequence. So, if I have goals to attain, I must DO SOMETHING in order to get what I want out of life. Even as Christians, though salvation is free, we have to DO SOMETHING in order to maintain a positive relationship with our Heavenly Father. There are commandments set in place which we must follow. After all, “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

A few years ago, God dealt with me about the presence of sin in my life. He basically said to me, “What in hell do you want?” Of course, my response was that I didn’t want anything hell had to offer. God’s response: “Then, you don’t believe my Word.” It didn’t take long to realize my Father’s point. We, as Christians, know the result of purposed sin – DEATH. Yet, many of us continue to consciously disobey God on a daily basis. So, which is it? Is there something in hell we want, or do we just not believe the Word of God? If we DO SOMETHING that displeases God, it must mean we want the consequences or simply don’t believe the consequences will come.

Matthew 14:44-51
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.



We as the saints of God are truly living in the last and evil days upon this earth. Though many of us have heard this since our youth, the signs that Christ promised before His return are becoming more evident and frequent than ever before. Though we don’t know the time, we do know it’s closer now than ever before. Unfortunately, many Christians don’t believe the time is really drawing near. Most unfortunate, most “Christians” don’t have a TRUE RELATIONSHIP with God. In other words, most “Christians” are vocational believers. They claim Christ only because they believe they'll get something back – the hope of eternal life. Those with a relationship, however, do the will of God in order to please Him. Yes, an award awaits, but
a relationship is essential in order to PLEASE the Father.

We know that only righteousness leads to eternal life. Sin leads to death, hell and the grave. Romans 6:23 tell us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

If we know this to be true, why do we continue to sin? Why are we not faithful servants over the gifts God has given us? Why are we not reaching out to souls? Why don’t we pray, fast and seek the face of God? Our Heavenly Father has given us a choice. Any sensible person, when given a choice, would choose the path that leads to his or her ultimate desire. In other words, if I choose Path A, it’s sensible to assume that I want Result A. If I choose Path B, it signifies that I desire Result B. Are you living a “spiritually sloppy” life? If so, I have only one question… What in HELL do you want? After all, only YOU can choose to go there!

Revelation 14:10-11
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.



Saints, we must face it. Hell is real! We must MAKE AN ACTIVE DECISION (Deuteronomy 30:19). Doing nothing, or being stagnant is a choice against the will of God. The lukewarm will be spewed out of His mouth, according to the Word of the Lord. Where are the saints who are willing to TAKE A STAND and BOLDLY PROCLAIM THE WORD OF GOD?

Revelation 21:7-8
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.