Wednesday, October 29, 2008

You can vote however you like - Students of the Ron Clark Academy

This is the cutest! Surely, America can use better education and more kids who enjoy learning.

The Wisdom of Men Shall Perish

Isaiah 29
13 And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning],
14 Therefore, behold! I will again do marvelous things with this people, marvelous and astonishing things; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their discerning men will vanish or be hidden.
15 Woe to those who [seek to] hide deep from the Lord their counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, Who sees us? Who knows us?
16 [Oh, your perversity!] You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be considered of no more account than the clay? Shall the thing that is made say of its maker, He did not make me; or the thing that is formed say of him who formed it, He has no understanding?


No more lip service! Even in the midst of trouble, who will stand? So many of us confess Christ with our lips. We say we a living lives of faith. We claim to believe the word of God, yet our hearts are removed from the Father. God is seeking, in this hour, the remnant that know His voice. He is calling to the forefront those who know His heart and mind. Even now, religion and divine relationship are on the threshing floor. A great separation is taking place. God is calling forth those who are faithful to Him. He is calling forth those who are not caught up in idolatry.

The Lord is speaking to those who claim salvation, but are only as close to God as they are to a man. Too many in the Body of Christ have become separated from the Father, but have a false sense of security due to allegiance to flesh! Literally, people of God are worshipping people week after week, but missing God. As stated in Isaiah 29, so it is today. People of God, many of us are more attentive to the commandments of men than the commandments of God. We are doing what we’ve been taught by organized religion, but have never inquired of the Father, what is it that YOU desire of me? Our pastors are taken care of. Our families are prospering. We love on our leaders, but our relationship with God has waxed cold.

In this season, God will be God. Many of us have watched notorious leaders fall and fail in many ways. We have pointed fingers in many directions. Yet, God is saying that He has allowed the exposure. He is allowing the wisdom of who we consider wise to fail. The Father is showing His people that we must return to our first love. Faith in men will always bring disappointment, but God is faithful!

Despite our positions or titles, we must humble ourselves and always put God first. Too many of us, as leaders, are taking the glory for ourselves. We are only ambassadors in this earth, not worthy of any praise or worship. That honor belongs to God. Our good works must be motivated by a desire to bring Him glory.

So, there is a prophetic word of warning on today. Humble yourself, that God may lift you up. To those who have allowed yourselves to become idols, repent and direct the honor to God. The creation is NEVER greater than the creator, and our Creator is a jealous God. Woe to those who receive gifts and honor, but fail to teach and direct the sheep. Woe to those who value their status more than the salvation of their followers. Woe to those who receive what belongs to God. Too many shepherds are scattering sheep by failing in the ministry of reconciliation. We must preach the Gospel and call the people to repentance. No more compromise. In this hour, God will shake the earth, and all things done in the dark shall come to light. Idols shall be exposed, and those who call on the name of the Lord will be tested in this season. Who will stand when opposition comes and the pastor/leader/idol is not able to save? Do not be caught unaware.

2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Vision of Washington, DC

As I was praying this evening, the Lord allowed me to see a vision. There was a great cloud and stronghold over Washington, D.C. There was a great wind that blew, representing an upset and turmoil in this country. As I looked more closely, I literally saw imps blowing on the White House. They blew on the economy and blew on the pride of the American people. They were setting into motion a strategic, demonic plan to attack the nation. God began to show me that the attack is not on Americans so much as against His people in this country. As the attack went forth, God begant to show me that His people are wearing their faith on the sleeve of their finances. So, as the nation is being attacked, so many of His people are falling prey.

People of God, we must understand - this fight is not against your finances. You are not fighting for your jobs or for your well-being. This is a spiritual attack. Even when 9/11 ocurred, there was a new level of spiritual warfare that was released into the atmosphere. We cannot lose focus. God is saying, Open your eyes and discern! The enemy is succeeding by taking our eyes off the real battle. He has distracted God's people, and we must refocus.

Even this presidential election has concentrated so much on the "middle class." This includes those who lived by faith for so long. Why have we so easily forgotten?

Oh, I see the demonic activity in the air. It is permeating through the air and suppressing the people of God. We must break through. Prayer and fasting must go forth. I see the spirits blowing on God's people. This is war. This is a spiritual attack - it is only manifested in the natural. There is no bail-out plan that can save. There is no president that can redeem. The people of God must rise up and get on assignment. The enemy is the prince of this atmosphere, and he has released the command to war. Stand, people of God. Stand in this season. Stay on your faces before God in prayer. Turn down your plates and repent. Do not be discouraged. Do not fear. Do not fall into the snare of the enemy. He is blowing and setting his plan into motion. He is waiting for the desperate to run to his trap and forget their God. No fear. Stand. No fear. Stand.

Selah.

Deliverance Ministry

To GOD be the glory!

For many days now, God has been speaking to me about the ministry of deliverance and the gift of discernment. This is a season, in the Body of Christ, where God's people are being deceived on a very large level. In general, the people of God do not understand the spirit realm and the power of demonic influence.

In order for us to cast out demons, we must first recognize them. We need to understand the difference between the flesh and spiritual influence.

God is directing us, people of God, to sharpen our gifts. There is a generation of prophets, specifically seers, who are armed with discernment and must be used. God has raised them up for His use in this season. It is so important that we not be moved and awed by signs and wonders, but recognize and know the spirit and the voice of God.

I encourage each of us to pray and ask God to sharpen our discernment. There is a great hoax being played on the church, and the enemy is rejoicing in our ignorance and confusion. Seers, come forth! People of God, stand and do not run from the enemy or his imps. You have been given power over them, and many require deliverance.

Amen.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Can You be Questioned?

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully (1 Pet 3:15) AMP


Can you be questioned? There is a spirit of pride that has risen up in the Body of Christ. For some reason, many of us feel we are “above“ being questioned. So many times, Jesus answered questions of those who followed Him, as well as those who challenged. We must remember that we are here to be teachers and ambassadors of Christ. Not only will we be questioned, but we must be ready to provide answers respectfully and wisely, at all times!

Can you be questioned? In the same manner, do you know leaders who cannot be questioned? Be cautious of those who always challenge, but cannot be challenged... those who demand, but cannot be asked... those who teach, but cannot be taught...

Of course, when we question others, it should be done with respect. However, none of us are obsolete from correction. We will all be challenged at some point concerning the things of faith. When that time comes, we must be ready! After all, knowing how great God is, why would we withhold such a testimony from others? Zeal for the things of God will excite us about any opportunity to talk about the things of God. It was during times of adversity that Peter shared his most powerful and convicting sermons. It was when he was questioned and challenged in his faith that conviction was stirred and repentance obtained. Selah.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Imitators of God

Ephesians 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.



God has blessed me with two children – an 8-year-old little boy and a 4-year-old little girl. My son looks like me and has my temperament, but my daughter is almost an exact reflection of me. She copies my every move, looks exactly like I did at her age, and acts at 4, just like me at 32 in many ways. She’s a well-behaved child, but very mature in her thinking. She’s literally like a mini-Joy walking around. Every day, she wants to carry my purse, play in my shoes, and do her hair like mine. She studies me, prays like me, and even tries to preach like me in front on the mirror. She tries to imitate my worship and dances like me. She is such a student of everything I do, and while I want her to have her own personality, it is quite an honor to have someone who admires me the way she does.


As I look at my daughter, I understand more our Father’s desire for us to imitate Him. As believers, we often claim that God does not want to change our personalities. We often teach that He can use us just where we are. Well, that’s true to a point, but repentance does both merit and require change. The church is in a season where we have simply spiritualized the FLESH. Everything is “deep“ these days. Very simply put, God wants us to imitate Him as His children. That means we should love Him and take on His character, His fruit, His way of doing things. Flesh has to die!


So many of us are claiming that God is our Father, but we simply don’t look like Him. We don’t speak the way He speaks. We don’t act the way He acts. We say we have accepted Christ as our Savior, but we haven’t modeled our ministries after His. We don’t share His priorities. We don’t consult the Father as He did, and most of all, we refuse to suffer for the Gospel’s sake, though we have been instructed to take up our crosses and follow Him!


Whose shoes are we really walking in? Children do imitate their parents, both spiritually and naturally. Who are we really reflecting in this season? Imitating the flesh is not of God, but imitating God is His desire for us. Preaching like your pastor doesn’t make one look like God. Wearing the same suit as the elders in your congregation doesn’t make one look like God. It’s bearing the fruit of the Spirit that make us look like God. As Christians, have we become more patient, more loving and more kind? Or, are we still hateful, attempting to cover up our meanness as a deep prophetic judgment? Are we really more patient and longsuffering, or are we impatient and demanding, covering up as a leader trying to train others for service? Father, help us to see ourselves as YOU see us! Selah.