Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Subtle Distractions of the Enemy

Over the weekend, the Lord spoke a very strong warning to me about two spirits that are rampant in the church - offense and flattery. The enemy is using these weapons against God's people, because they easily distract us from the work of the ministry. We must mature to a place where we are able to see and discern in the spirit. Too many of us are getting caught up with the person, and missing the spirit and intent of a thing.

Offense makes us angry and bitter. It causes us to dwell on insignificant issues. Flattery makes us prideful and comfortable. It causes us to lose our sense of urgency about the things of God. Discernment is key! Watch our for flattery and offense in this season.

Mark 13:37 "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

My Apostles Take Ownership

Just needed to share some quick thoughts, as God is speaking...

After battling with false apostles for the last few weeks, God spoke to me very clearly this morning about the fruit of TRUE apostles.  He said, "My Apostles take ownership."

Rather than giving me one particular scripture to reflect on, the Lord told me to look at the example provided by Paul.  Not only did he travel preaching the word of God, but he provided static oversight to the churches.  He wrote them letters and sent his own students and spiritual sons as leaders among them.  He had accountability to those he oversaw and they, in turn, were also accountable to him.  When Paul spoke, the people listened.  When he rebuked, things changed.

We see, in this season, many walking as apostles with no accountability to a body of believers... a local church.  Quite simply, this is not biblical.  While an apostle does not have to be a pastor, they are accountable to at least one body.  While traveling and preaching, there should be churches, ministries or some combination of those accountable to them as well.  A true apostle understands the need for corporate worship and fellowship with the saints.  Simply traveling and preaching, without ownership in building the Kingdom of God, is not the call.  That is indeed a preacher, but the call of an apostle is much greater.

Let us be careful and mindful that all called by the spirit of Christ have accountability and a clear purpose - to build God's Kingdom and raise up His people.  It's a simple responsibility, and should not be tainted by "deep" nonsense.

Selah.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Spiritual Lesbianism - An Epidemic in the Church

A much-needed repost... God first gave me this word in 2007...

I have struggled with this message since Monday when I first began hearing God speak it. It is a sticky, difficult topic, but I must be obedient and share as I have been instructed. During corporate prayer, I distinctly heard God say, “The spirit of lesbianism is rampant in the church.” We discussed it briefly following prayer, but God has continued to speak on the subject, and I must share what He has given me, though this is a hard word – even for me to swallow.

All that God said particularly caught my attention, because He said “lesbianism” rather than homosexuality. I had to get further clarification on why He used this term. I took the message as a general one for the Body of Christ, but God said this message is a direct one for those in my sphere of influence – those with whom I interact on a daily basis. In that case, mostly women...

One of the first indications of lesbianism is the denial of natural affection. “I don’t need a man. A woman can do anything a man can do. I can take care of myself.” There is a polluted level of independence that moves beyond the natural tendency, causing a woman in the natural to dismiss what God has designed – the union between a man and a woman. Essentially, women in the church are doing the same thing as women in the world – denying the dependence God has ordained.

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Yes, God has shown me and rehearsed the conversations in my ears. “I don’t need a Pastor or a covering. I operate in all the gifts. I can do ministry all by myself.” Many are moving outside of God’s natural order – outside of what God has designed for the Church. Even in the realm of partnered ministry, many women in particular are dismissing the mandate on their husband’s lives. Pulpits are becoming divided. How many churches have we seen pastored by a man or a couple when suddenly the wife has a television show titled “Her Name” Ministries? Why the division and the need to be separate from the unity God has put in place? Ladies, why have we adopted the lie that we must walk alone in order to prove our strength? Why do we feel that we can only trust one another with what God has given us? Why are we threatened to submit to the men God has placed over us, whether they be in ministry or our own homes?

Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.


I understand there are times when God will call a woman out for spiritual or ministerial service. There are situations when a man in a relationship may not be at the same level spiritually as the woman or vise versa. NO EXCUSE. In fact, this used to be my excuse for many of the things I did to “overstep” my husband’s position as head of the household. God’s response – “YOU married him. By doing so, YOU submitted to the authority.” Yes, the same holds true in the church. When we feel our leaders are out of line or that they have “missed God”, we take it upon ourselves to overstep their authority or step out into our own ministries, without their covering and without accountability. We then justify it by saying they are not in God’s will. The word of God remains the same. This is the season to LEAVE or CLEAVE. Stop bashing, insulting and criticizing those to whom you can’t submit. God is saying the same thing. “YOU decided to make covenant with that body of believers. In doing so, YOU agreed to submit to the authority.”

We spend too much time justifying disobedience by exploiting what we consider to be the sins and shortcomings of our leaders in the spiritual and the natural. Oftentimes, men are the target of this ridicule. Either way, it is out of order. Instead, we should be asking God to reveal our own character. If, in fact, they are so wrong and flawed, what made us CHOOSE to enter the covenant? Even more, where is the POWER we should have to bring change to that situation? Are we so special and holy – are our ministries so sanctified that God will excuse us from His plan, allowing just a select few to defy authority and step into the spotlight, leaving behind the ones we agreed to follow?

Women of God, let’s be careful not to leave God’s plan and order – naturally or spiritually – as they are both against the nature and will of our Father. The spirit of lesbianism is being manifested and is running rampant in the church. Do not be a carrier, but work to restore order in your homes and the Body of Christ.

Spiritual lesbianism is a serious ordeal, and it is rampant – not only in the organization of the church, but on the internet. The internet is flowing with “lack of order” because accountability cannot be mandated. The internet can be hidden. One’s true identity, motives and emotions can be covered up. This is a season of exposure. Some of us need to return to what God has ordained. Natural order has been abandoned. Many are more accountable to an email inbox than to spouses and pastors. We feel that reading a message board is ministry. We allow Yahoo! Chat rooms to take the place of prayer. Hmmm… Fellowship is good, but there must be balance. We must use this tool to glorify our Father, not to defy Him or His order. Submission must return to the Body of Christ, and it must be done in God’s order. Women of God, YES, we must submit to our husbands. YES, we must submit to the Church as God has ordained it. NO, we cannot do this alone. NO, we are not called out alone. What good is your elevation if you have brought no one along? Selah!

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Just Stick Around

Ruth 1:16

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:



Naomi was a faithful woman of God who, like many of us, had a moment of tragedy in her life. After losing her husband and two sons, she is left with her daughters in law, who also have no children or inheritance. She encourages Orpah and Ruth to return to their homeland, as they are Moabites. Their families worship other gods and observe other practices. Despite her coaching, one decides to stick around – Ruth.


As the story progresses, we find that Ruth is able to take advantage of kinsman redemption. Her tenacity and willingness to press on, even when times got rough, eventually reaped a reward on her behalf.


As the people of God, we must learn to stand in midst of tragedy, turmoil and tests. Too often, we give up because things don’t go the way we planned. Once our situations look bleak, we assume that God has forgotten about us. We must remember that this race must be completed. We cannot afford to grow weary in well-doing, when the promise is only to those that endure until the end.


No matter what you may be going through, always remember to do what is right… not just what is easiest. Your redemption lies in your obedience. Press through and move forward, even when things get rough! Let’s stop proclaiming that God “changed His mind” just because we are dealing with trials and challenges. Our steps are ordered, including the ones we don’t like!


Ask yourself today… Am I an Orpah or a Ruth?

Saturday, August 13, 2011

SELAH Moments

Just a few short thoughts the LORD has given me to share over the last few weeks...



"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Romans 1:16). For the record... I am a PREACHER of the Gospel... I'm not a life coach, motivational speaker or entrepeneural guide... I preach the GOSPEL, plain and simple. If you are a preacher that will not compromise your message for a check or acceptance by the world, say AMEN. It's a NEW SEASON!!!

"“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor 6:19-20). Praise and worship are completed with our spirits AND our bodies. Zip it up, strap it down, tuck it in... whatever we must to ensure God gets the glory...not our flesh! Remember, a "diva" is a demon! Look it up... It's a NEW SEASON!


"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Romans 13:7). Those who serve deserve our honour... We may not always agree, but that doesn't take away from what they are due. Enough said! It's a NEW SEASON!!!


"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Be careful who and what you entertain... what you say AND what or who you listen to. It's a NEW SEASON!!!


"And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mark 3:24-25). Like it or not, we must work together. We agree that Jesus is Lord, so why can't we all just get along? Let's just lock arms and build the Kingdom. It's a NEW SEASON!


"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord" (1 Cor 9:1-2). Let your ministry speak for you. It's God who ordains and vindicates. Do the work of the ministry and operate in the power of God... Don't sweat the "small" stuff. It's a NEW SEASON!!!


"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:16). I am determined, TODAY, to do something that brings glory to the Father. People are watching us, so let's make Abba, Daddy proud! It's a NEW SEASON!!!


John 4:44 says, "For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country." I know that 'church hurt' is some of the worst hurt there is, but I still believe the sting of family aches deeper. Lord, help me with those I love, though they just don't understand. Help me with those who want to judge my every step, but refuse to yield to You. It hurts, but this time, I don't have time to slow down. It's a NEW SEASON!


People of God, be VERY careful about letting people who were NOT called to be who you are tell you how to be who you are. Godly counsel is always good, but you must know who you are in God. If the advisor were an expert, they would be doing this... not you. Be led of God and walk out the ministry God has assigned to you! It's a NEW SEASON!


Isaiah 6:8 "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Does anybody else feel God PUSHING? Time to get out of our comfort zones. Yes, Lord, I'll GO! It's a NEW SEASON!!!
 

Monday, August 01, 2011

Revival Tsunami

God has been speaking to me about a NEW SEASON.  So often, this has been just a saying, but I literally feel the push of God... moving me into a new realm of the Spirit.

Tonight, in prayer, the Lord revealed to me a warning about the coming revival.  IT IS COMING, but it will be different.  This is a powerful move of God, so the flesh and those natural treasures we hold so dear cannot be included.

After praying, I saw a vision of a huge wall of water... hundreds of feet high.  All around me, people were running and screaming, "It's a tsunami!  Run for your life!"  Interestingly enough, I wasn't afraid.  I couldn't even move.  I was in awe.  I just stared at the wall of water and said, "Wow, God!"  I was in so much peace.  I knew I was safe.

Then, the Father said:
"Revival will hit like a tsunami, with no warning.  There will be no time for fear.  It will either kill you or consume you.  Those who receive will be refreshed, but it will destroy everything not like Me.  Let it go.  Do not fret over what I destroy.  The storm brings joy, power and purity.  They will say you were destroyed, but you will know you were revived."

To GOD be the glory!  God has even been speaking about fear of the unknown.  If we pray for Him to do a "new thing," we cannot be afraid when He performs it!  We must discern and move in faith, being led of the Holy Ghost.  We must also know that purging comes before the power!  I'm ready for a new season.  I am not afraid of the tsunami and the storm.  I am at peace, and I thank my God!