Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Spiritual Exodus is Coming to the Body

God has shown me a large exodus of his people taking place in 2008. I saw the modern-day saints, the remnant, as the children of Israel escaping Egypt. In the spirit realm, God’s people are being set free from bondage.


I saw the saints being released from what the world considers success. I literally saw God’s people being laid off, losing jobs and homes, being forsaken by family and falling into financial turmoil. The things that have kept God's people in bondage are being removed. The excuses are be annihilated. As they were leaving their places of what seemed to be prosperity, the people became weary and worried. Yet, God began to supernaturally supply their needs as they were freed from slavery to the things of the world.


God is calling His people to true ministry – absolute reliance on the Father. A season of great faith is upon us. God is going to completely strip some of the saints that must rise. The voices that must be heard in the next season will not be backed by money and mega-churches. The anointing and the favor of God will be their only assets. The ways of the world will be forsaken. Saints of God, prepare to be blessed in a realm beyond your understanding. Get ready to have joy without the success of the world and the standards of this nation. Many of you will see loss in the natural, followed by elevation in the spirit realm. I hear God saying that you shall not lack in you lack! Do not store up. Do not panic. Your latter shall be greater, says the LORD.


The days are upon us where men shall buy without money. Your daily bread shall be supplied, and you shall prosper, but outside of your natural means. The time has come when God’s people shall truly live by faith.


I see many in the forefront of what we call ministry falling into financial distress. Money will no longer be used to measure anointing. The prosperity era in the church will be challenged in this season, and the anointing shall prevail. God is about to baffle the world with His people. True power is coming to the forefront. The world will see the salvation of the Lord as recession and distress come upon the land. Do not look back to that which kept you in bondage. Continue in the ways of our God and remain encouraged. The remnant shall be covered, and will not be left to die.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Are You a Witness to Your Integrity?

Job 27:5-6
God forbid that I should justify you--saying you are right [in your accusations against me]; till I die, I will not put away my integrity from me.
My uprightness and my right standing with God I hold fast and will not let them go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days and it shall not reproach me as long as I live.


I thank God for this season in my life and ministry. I have learned to simply commune with Him and receive His instruction. There are numerous rewards in just being real and transparent with God. People of God, I HAVE MADE MISTAKES in life and ministry. In fact, I've made LOTS of mistakes. Yet, I rejoice, because my Father corrected me (often through my leaders of the past and present). Now, even when others still dwell on my past, God has used those things as my footstool. Often, my Pastors quote the following:

"It's MY past, so YOU get over it!" I thank God that He has done just that. I am at a place in my life where I am truly able to rejoice in the face of persecution. I am not here to make friends or prove anything to anyone. I'm here to be used of God. Many may not agree with what I may say or do. Yet, I know the integrity within me. Only I know what God has said directly to me.

Job was in a place where everything he had was lost. Those closest to him searched for a reason to "justify" the trials he endured, and they accused him of sin. They made a profession, at least for some period of time, of trying to make a point using Job's trials. Do you not understand that there are others who are doing the same to you? As much as we may hate to admit it, not everyone is for us. Some are sent simply to discourage you. However, there are also sent ones to rebuke and correct. This is why it's so important to KNOW YOUR LEVEL OF INTEGRITY IN GOD. We must remain transparent before God.

We all know how to play church. Any of us can claim a level of anointing. We know how to quote Scriptures and share a testimony. However, only YOU know your true level of integrity in God (unless He sees fit to reveal it to another). Either way, YOU know. Too many try to make excuses and act like they don't - NOT SO!

I distinctly remember many occasions where FALSE accusations were made against me. Because I was taught "order," I literally apologized and took the "punishment" for those actions, though I never really commited them. I convinced myself that leadership or other Christians knew best, even when they were simply wrong. They used every Scripture possible to explain how the accusation was more "spiritual" than "literal", and I took the bait. Needless to say, after I took man's rebuke, God rebuked me. By taking the blame and agreeing to false accusations, I did two things:

1. Nullified the word of God, which states that every tongue rising against me in judgment shall fall (Isaiah 54:17);
2. Caused others to miss God by planting doubt in them concerning my own integrity and ability to hear from God.

So dangerous! Despite all the accusations against Job, he refused to repent for what he had not done. This was not an act of pride or conceit - it was protection for his integrity. It was a testimony of his holiness. Too often, we look for others to justify us and allow everyone to judge us. These things ought not be so.

Are you a witness to your integrity? Can you testify to your own relationship with God? Is your true testimony one of holiness and faithfulness unto our God? If so, walk in the victory and proclaim the TRUTH. Don't walk in "false humility" as one of my leaders once taught me. You are who God says you are, and others need to know.

Selah.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Jonah Complex (A Repost)

My heart is heavy today, because God is showing me so much that must be proclaimed. I know it will not be easy, but I am full to the point of spilling over. People of God, I am reposting this message from May of 2006. God is showing me that many of you have been VICTIMS of this Jonah mentality, and it has caused some of you to become stagnant because the "Jonah complex" was prevalent in some of the leaders of your past. Yes, some of them are angry with you because YOU RECEIVED THE WORD UNTO REPENTANCE. Some of them are angry with you because God is using you, despite their rebuke.

Oh, I see the VICTIMS!

Some of you are being slandered by those who were ORIGINALLY sent to bring you a word of judgment. When they thought you would rebel, you RECEIVED IT. You REPENTED! Now, the same messengers are saying that you have a false voice. They are saying that you are out of order. They are saying that you have evil motives BECAUSE YOU ARE PROSPERING IN THE THINGS OF GOD.

Be careful! Do not allow their words of judgment to make you miss God. Some of you are thinking that because you were wrong originally, everything else must be true as well. I see some of you in BONDAGE to the opinions of old leaders. I'm not talking about your spiritual parents or your present leaders. I'm talking about leaders who no longer sow into your life. You are still bound by their thoughts and opinions of you. You have grown since then. You have repented since then. God has elevated you since then. You now operate in order. You are accountable to your leadership. You have a solid relationship with the Father. RELEASE that old bondage, and stop calling it God. Stop allowing that spirit to control you.

I know this is not for everyone. I warn those now who would try to make this an excuse when it doesn't apply. I'm talking about those with a pure and repentant heart toward God and the leaders you served. There is a work to do. If God can release you from past relationships, sinful habits, foul language, pornography, lying, backbiting and so many other things, surely He can release you from a misunderstanding with the church choir or a misunderstanding between you and a pastor you had 7 years ago.

It's BONDAGE. Some things are being held over your head by those who felt like Jonah.

I thank God for my pastors and the many awesome leaders that are in or represented by this group. There are some AWESOME men and women of God who know how to rebuke, instruct and build up. I thank God for them. Embrace them, and be free from those who are not so. Not every severed "church" relationship was due to sin and disobedience. Some were severed as an act of DELIVERANCE.


Please, prayerfully consider you ways to make sure you're not a VICTIM or a PERPETRATOR. God is exposing. This is a time for prayer and humility before God. I pray you are blessed, encouraged and set free!


~ ~ ~

The Jonah Complex
Modern Prophets Coveting the Judgment Seat of God
May 12, 2006


Many times I sit in my car or in my office meditating on the Word of God. In the midst of that, He will give me clarity or a prophetic word relating to whatever it is I have been lead to read at that time. This evening, the Lord told me to be careful of the “Jonah Complex.” It’s funny, but I knew exactly what He was speaking of. Many times, I have to ask for clarification, but not this time. Now, this was a word for ME, but I feel lead to share it, because I’m sure there are others who can benefit from it. Amen?

Jon 1:1 And there is a word of Jehovah unto Jonah son of Amittai, saying:
Jon 1:2 `Rise, go unto Nineveh, the great city, and proclaim against it that their wickedness hath come up before Me.'
Jon 1:3 And Jonah riseth to flee to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah, and goeth down to Joppa, and findeth a ship going to Tarshish, and he giveth its fare, and goeth down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the face of Jehovah.

So many times, the Lord has given me orders to go to a particular place or face a group of people in order to speak against their transgressions. Yet, instead of obeying, I went in a completely different direction. Too many times…on too many occasions. Like Jonah, I failed to remember two very important things:

1) I cannot run from God;
2) When I am disobedient, it will cause a storm in someone else’s life.

Yes, while the first point is easily accepted, how many of us don’t think about how the intended recipient suffers due to an UNDELIVERED word? Can I be honest? I’ve often thought, “Lord, if you send me to give a word of warning, they will then be held responsible. If I don’t go, maybe it will buy them some time.” Not so. See, God had to show me that many times, the prophet is sent because prior warnings were not heeded. That’s why we must have a face like flint…that’s why we can’t look on their faces and be intimidated. I must be real. I’ve got to GET OUT OF GOD’S BUSINESS. How many of us still question what He does and what He says? Is He not God?

All because of Jonah’s disobedience, the sea began to rage and every passenger on the boat suffered the violence of the storm. How many are being tossed and fro because of my disobedience or yours? Do we not realize that we can curse a situation by not delivering the Word of God? Yes, a sin of omission is just as bad as a sin of commission. Disobedience is still better than sacrifice.

Jon 4:1 And it is grievous unto Jonah--a great evil--and he is displeased at it;
Jon 4:2 and he prayeth unto Jehovah, and he saith, `I pray Thee, O Jehovah, is not this my word while I was in mine own land--therefore I was beforehand to flee to Tarshish--that I have known that Thou art a God, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, and repenting of evil?
Jon 4:3 And now, O Jehovah, take, I pray Thee, my soul from me, for better is my death than my life.'
Jon 4:4 And Jehovah saith, `Is doing good displeasing to thee?'

Now, this is where Jonah really reminds me of myself. In the 3rd chapter, the Bible tells us that God gave him instruction, once again, on what message to deliver to Ninevah. This time, he is obedient and takes the word he feared delivering. To his surprise, the people RECEIVED it. One might think Jonah would be happy…NOT!

Deep down inside, I believe Jonah expected opposition. Once the people repented, he was mad with God. People of God, let’s get delivered together. Let’s just be real. There are some people I simply don’t like, yet God is sending them a word through me as His prophet. Some of them are going to receive it and get right. Can I handle that? Can you handle that? Can we handle our enemies receiving from the Lord and ending up better off than we are? Can we handle our loved ones getting saved and surpassing us in miraculous works? Can we handle our ex-husbands and ex-wives getting hold to God and walking into prosperity? Ahhh…more flesh that has to die!

Even atop of that, notice Jonah’s excuse for being upset. He feels that his word has been discredited. The people heeded the word given to him, changed and therefore received mercy from the Father. Rather than rejoicing in the victory, Jonah is upset. He tells God this is the very reason he didn’t want to deliver the word in the first place. How many of us have been called to deliver a word, and God completely brought that person out of a dry place? Then, our concern is, “God, why did you make me look stupid…like I can’t hear from You?” Uh oh, there is it again…PRIDE…FALSE HUMILITY. We act like we wanted God to bring forth wrath to protect His word and to set the house in order. Let’s face it…for some of us, it feels good to see others corrected. That brings back a thought…WHO is the measure of your holiness? Yes, seeing others in a seemingly lesser state often makes us feel more secure, but that’s not God’s way. We cannot measure our holiness next to any man…just Jesus Christ.

One of the hardest things for us to do is stand on the Word of God, even when it seems to be wrong. This goes for the written Word (logos) and the spoken Word (rhema) alike. We must learn to walk in obedience and stop trying to judge and/or predict God’s actions. Let Him be God.

As I before stated, this was for ME, yet I pray it is a blessing to someone else who may be dealing with the same thing. I know there are some Ninevah’s in my life. Deep down inside, I know it will be difficult to see some of them prosper. Even moreso after the Word comes forth from my own mouth, but to GOD be the glory. Pray for me on this one, saints. The Jonah Complex within me must die! This is where I struggle within the office of the Prophet, especially because there is so much Teacher in me. Yes, I try to reason with EVERYTHING. Yes, I’m guilty. I want to know God’s entire war plan before taking care of one battle. It’s like I’m a sniper, and I see the enemy. I have a clear shot, yet I don’t just shoot. Instead, I start asking questions. Yes, this is my dilemma. God is telling me to hear and proclaim. That’s it! PLEASE pray for and with me on this. AMEN

Friday, November 02, 2007

This, I Recall... (A Response to "God, I Need...")

I thank God for the response to this poem. This was literally my prayer to Him at the beginning of the week. I realize that many are feeling the same way, and I am in prayer. I am also encouraged, knowing that God has not forsaken any of those called of Him.

One of my favorite scriptures is located in the Book of Lamentations. Jeremiah lamented before God. He was very open, honest and transparent about his feelings and concerns. Even in the midst of literal depression, Jeremiah had a revelation that I would like to share...

Lam 3:19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
Lam 3:20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
Lam 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Lam 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Jeremiah notes that his affliction and misery have caused him to be humbled. So often, in ministry, we feel like we are the focus ourselves. Though we've all heard it, it sometimes takes struggle to remind us that ministry IS NOT ABOUT US. It's for God's glory, for His will to be done in the earth.

The thing that blesses me most is the way Jeremiah pulls on his memories to find encouragement. He recalls to his mind all the things God has done on his behalf. He realizes that even in the midst of his mess, he was not consumed. God has a track record with him. The Father's credit is good. He is NOT a man, that He can lie. Every word He speaks SHALL accomplish the very thing it was sent to do. Jeremiah's own testimony reminds him of God's goodness.

Be encouraged, saints of God. Just like Jeremiah did, take a moment and RECALL TO YOUR MIND...