Pause, Reflect - What Are We Doing?

Robert Ricciardelli: "Pause, Reflect - What Are We Doing?"

We are all living in a fast-paced, hard driven, "make it happen" world. I know this world well and have operated in it for most of my life by the world's standards and measures. By the grace of God, the Lord took us out of the Matrix several years ago. Through continued trials and tests, Father has forged in us a resolve and a faith in Him that otherwise had been and would have continued to be minimized.

As we travel, we see common patterns that limit our effectiveness and ability to be Kingdom ambassadors to the world. If we do not pause, reflect and hear correctly, we will often look back and say, "Wow, so much time has passed and very little of what we had intended to do ever got in motion."

PAUSE...Be Still and Know I Am God

"Pause. Be Still." Can that really happen in our lives on a regular basis? We all know it should and should know that it is vital if we want to be "Father pleasers" - hearing from Him and what He has to say and how He sees things going. This does not have to be in the form of a ritual, but just time with Him. He will take every moment you give to Him and make something good out of it. As we pause long enough to hear His voice, we can then move on and reflect - based on His divine plans.

REFLECT…Navigational Fine-Tuning

"His ways are not our ways" should always be part of our reflection. As we look into the spiritual mirror of our existence, how much of our lives are spent reacting to the world and its systems? How much worry or focus is given to these very same systems? Even Jesus reminded us to give to Caesar and His systems - give what is Caesar's and give to God what was due Him, with our very lives.

Jesus was not concerned with politics; He operated beyond the worldly systems while still within them. He was in them but not OF them. We must begin or continue our conversations with the Father to hear His plan, engage with it, and seek His voice for the next steps. Then we can seriously begin to objectively ask the real question, "What are we doing?"

WHAT ARE WE DOING?...Good Question, But Do We have the Answer?

God never intended for religion. He intended to have a people called by His name to steward, be productive, and carry His presence to those around us and to the nations. Does sitting in a church service each week hearing a good message and worshipping together give us all of what we need? Are we living our experience of being the Church through two hours on Sunday and maybe a home cell on Thursday? Are we active in our thoughts and communications with the Father in our everyday life? Are we being transformed by His presence? Is the transformation manifesting selectively depending on the people we engage with or the environment we are in?

I love corporate worship and the time when we come together, whether it is Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, but what are we doing in between those corporate gatherings? It is great to have a corporate vision, but do we have an identifiable vision and revelation from God for ourselves? Are we living our lives thinking we are okay because we sit and listen to great preaching and have a wonderful church expression each week, or are we allowing the Holy Spirit to mobilize us every single day into His purposes and plans?

His Kingdom wants to encompass everything. The King and His righteousness desires to influence everything we are and everything we do. We must pause, reflect, and examine all that we are and all that we do. How is our heart toward those who have rejected us? Do we forgive, do we love, or do we just move on? How do we treat coworkers that are different than us in their beliefs and lifestyles? Are we praying for them, loving them, or do we sit back in judgment of them?

Those who run businesses - have you examined how you are treating employees, customers, vendors in light of His love and His Word? Are we living in the revelation that the Father is your Senior Partner in business and in life, and have you been making important decisions without Him? Are you living in the reality that people are God's greatest asset, always? These are the types of questions we ask in our coaching and consulting of others. Here a few beginning steps.

Some Steps Toward Kingdom Reality

• We must all continue to migrate toward relationship with Him first, which is the only hope of real and lasting transformational change.

• We must examine our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate and reflect back to us the things that we may not be aware of. Once revealed, our love for Him should motivate us to take the steps He shows us to get healed, get whole, and forgive or release others to Him.

• We must look at our daily activities and check and see if the actions please the Father or grieve the Father. We should decide today to be "Father pleasers." We also must recognize that religious activities do not cut it in pleasing the Father in everyday life: How we treat our spouses, how we love our children, how we give without having to receive, how we become absorbed with Him and others, rather than self.

• Talk to Him continuously. Jesus only did and said what the Father gave Him to do and say. Jesus is always our model. Sometimes Jesus would turn away the crowd, the noise, the ministry stuff, to get away with the Father. So must we. He loves to hear from you and He is big enough to listen to the gripes and complaints. He is also big enough to show you that the gripes and complaints are insignificant in light of His eternal plans for you.

• Just love. God is love. Everything about Him oozes love. Love does not mean we ignore justice. His perfect love always includes truth and justice. But how our hearts move towards truth and justice often reveals where we are in His love. Love seems to gravitate towards healing and restoration, rather than judgment. You will find that your life does not matter and will pursue loving those who have hated and rejected you. You will pray for your enemies and you will begin relationships with those who are different than you.

• Walk humbly before your God and others. When I write, I am writing these things to myself. I thank God for my development, but boy I have a long way to go, just ask my wife. The more I know, the more I don't know and the more it keeps me pressed into Him. If you think you are nearing completion, think again. You've come a long way baby, but He has eternity waiting and changes are going to happen.

I have found it much easier to be a willing partner with the Lord. He loves us enough to make our path straight, but it is so much better to get on the right path first, rather than being extracted from the ways we thought were the right ones.

Let's Pray: Lord, we embrace Your path today. Illuminate all things to us and we choose to follow all that You show us. Forgive us for our rebellion and our religious ways that have brought us a false comfort. Show us how we can truly live and move and have our being with You each moment for Your glory alone, Amen.


Robert and Joyce Ricciardelli
Visionary Advancement Strategies
Email: Robert@vision2advance.com


ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Gifted. Protected. Exalted.

[for "Gifted to Heal. Protected by God. Exalted by the Lord."]

Hands that bring healing to body and soul
The Spirit that's leading will take full control
You have been anointed to go forth, make known
That God is the Healer; the glory -- His own

Your life in the daytime is kept well secure
Your life in the nighttime is safe, be assured
That Savior is able to watch and to know
His hands will protect you wherever you go

You will be exalted when humble you stay
He'll lift up your head, you'll see this one day
Just keep your light shining, the dark will disperse
You are exalted, you're blessed and not cursed

You're gifted to heal, your Lord is the Healer
Protected for life, your God is Redeemer
Exalted on high, your King will uplift you
Get ready to rise, the Kingdom's within you

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody!
I declare blessing to you and your loved ones; more prosperity; more love; more peace; more joy; a deeper relationship with God...

... and a partridge in a pear tree!

God bless you all!

Warriors Creed: I Am a Soldier

[from http://www.warfaresaint.com/print.htm]


I am a soldier in the army of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.

I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
but, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.


I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.


I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders,
praising His name, and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.


I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win.
My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me!

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound.


There are four kinds of soldiers:
1. Active Duty: Serving the Lord faithfully, daily, and on duty 24-7-365.
2. Reserve Status: Serving only when called upon,
or twice a year: Christmas and Easter.
3. Guard Status: Backing up the Active Duty group.
4. AWOL! Absent With Out the Lord.


Which kind are you? Be an army of one for an audience of One.

Start at the Heart

Muller on Prayer

When asked how much time he spent in prayer, George Muller's reply was, "Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise. And the answers are always coming." Source Unknown.

Prison Break

Bill Yount: "There Are Waves of Grace Coming Upon 'Prisoners' This Coming Year!"

"Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee." Zechariah 9:12

Grace Will Overpower "Self Righteousness" in this Coming Season!

I sense there is a "Zechariah 9:12" anointing coming to the prisons and jails to signify what is in store for those in "spiritual" prisons this coming year. I believe Zechariah, Chapter "9," represents the year "2009," and verse "12" represents a "governmental" anointing being released upon prisons that will call forth those whom the King is summoning. There will be those prisoners who will be surprised to hear..."The King calleth for thee!" I sense the Lord saying:

"I will pour My grace out in a new way. I will grant grace to those who are bound, unloved and forgotten in this next season. For some have said, 'This one will never get out because of what they have done.' Because of this saying, that has become a proverb in the land; watch and see what I will do, for I look upon the heart.

"I am going to release those appointed as a sign of My abundant grace and mercy coming back upon My people throughout the earth this hour! This proverb shall be swallowed up by My Word that declares, 'Where sin abounds, My grace much more abounds!' (Romans 5:20). Grace will overpower 'self righteousness' in this coming season! The goodness of the Lord will lead many to repentance."

There will be a fresh revelation of the phrase "amazing grace" found in this song: "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see!"

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

A Remnant of His Glorious Bride is Now Rising from the Prison House of Steel Bars and Razor Wire

God has been preparing a glorious hidden remnant of His Bride to come forth from the prisons and jails. This remnant will be used to teach free Believers in the earth to not only survive but to overcome when everything appears to be falling apart around us.

This Bride rising from the prison house will impart new spiritual tools that will break open the heavens over cities and nations! Some have been in long-term preparation, like Josephs with anointings to preserve many people alive!

While ministering in prisons we often see the shame on many of the faces of the inmates. Yet there is lately an unshakable peace and unquenchable fire in their eyes which seem to prophesy, "There's a better day just ahead!"

When You're Living "Self-Righteous" You Don't Need God's Grace!

One particular lady who was sentenced for a long time for a hard crime stated that it was not committed by her. What was so impressive was that she was burning with the fire of God on the inside more than ever before in her whole life. She was now realizing that before she went to prison, she had been walking too much under the laws of God and not enough under the grace of God.

Before prison she said her life was so well under control that she didn't even need the grace of God in her life. The woman went on to say that in prison you must have the grace of God every second in your life or you will not survive! She has experienced God in a whole new dimension. Even behind bars she talked about God's grace with such passion.

Wherever People are Imprisoned By "Racial" and "Ethnic" Divisions by the Enemy...GRACE Will Pursue Them!

I heard a key turning in the lock of many racial and ethnic groups who have been bound by misunderstanding in our present day culture. I saw great grace being given to the American Indians, Asians, Hispanics and African Americans. Yes, there is a wave of grace coming upon Muslims! I sense the Lord saying, "I have not changed My mind or My Word that says, 'In the last days I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh!' I have a remnant in the earth who is praying for all flesh to come to know Me!"

I sense with the rise of Barack Obama, the first African American President, that this is a sign that God is focusing specifically this hour to bring forth a new "spiritual" hope to the African Americans. I sense God is going to visit them in the spiritual realm of revelation, showing them that promotion comes from the Lord. "I raise up one and sit down another for My purposes and plans."

Could God have raised those ones up in order that we must honor and pray fervently for them now? I sense the Lord asking many of us, "Are you receiving or rejecting your next President? If you reject him, it will be difficult to honor and pray the heart of God for him. Remember, I am still your King and your citizenship is not here but in My Kingdom. I am calling you to rise and shine My light in this world beginning in your government, on down through every race and culture group. I gave My only Son for all of you!"

"Many Bound in My Own House Will be Delivered by 'Grace' This Coming Year"

There are waves of grace coming upon prisoners wherever they may be this coming year. This includes those behind bars and razor wire as well as those bound in "spiritual" prisons walking the streets. Even many held captive in the house of the Lord will be delivered as they experience wave after wave of His marvelous grace. We will experience grace that is greater than all our sin and grace to turn us from our sins and live holy for Him.

Amazing Grace!

Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries
Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com



ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

When I Go...

An office mate of mine was answering a random question on Xanga. The question: "If you died today, what would your epitaph say?" I found it very interesting and posted my answer on my friend's blog.

At the top of my head, my answer to the question was this:

"He brought nothing into the world when he was born. He left everything behind when he died."

I hope that when my time comes to say goodbye to this earthly tent that I would have given away everything in me to the next generation, for my nation and for the Kingdom of God.


- - - - -

In connection to this, I would also like to have this song played during my funeral...

All My Tears
[Julie Miller, as covered by Jars of Clay]

When I go don't cry for me, in my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul will all be healed and I'll be whole
Sun and moon will be replaced with the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed, for my Savior knows my name

It don't matter where you bury me, I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay, All my tears be washed away

Gold and silver blind the eye, temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store, come and drink and thirst no more

It don't matter where you bury me, I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay, All my tears be washed away

So weep not for me my friends, when my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him, who will raise the dead again.

It don't matter where you bury me, 'cause I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay, all my tears be washed away

Adjustments

I had a conversation with my mother last week about my brother and sister-in-law starting a new life in New Zealand. We talked about them getting involved in the church there and how my sister-in-law has been saying that their fledgling congregation could use someone like me [down pride!].

I told my ma that my brother is the one who is needed in ministry there, that's why he's there. And she replies, "Well, he's still adjusting to life there."

This got me to thinking last night while showering.

"Isn't our life here on earth about adjustments anyway?" No matter how old or young we are, no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable our life situation may be, no matter how far or near we are from our geographical homes, all of us make adjustments. Every single day. Since the day we were born.

I found this very revealing. Life is about adjustments. All of us are born into a certain family lifestyle, certain nationalities, certain traditions, certain personality traits. And we've all gotten accustomed to it, especially if we didn't get much godly discipline when we were younger.

But our lives aren't our own. We belong to God, who created us. The moment we choose to entrust our lives to Him, is the moment we start making adjustments in our lives -- our way of thinking, our way of relating to other people, our way of responding to life's challenges.

Everything needs adjustment. Everyday needs adjustments. God has a standard, a measuring stick called the Bible. That's what we need to use to make necessary changes in our lives. His Word should be the basis for any and every change that is to take place in us.

If we conform to the measuring stick of Babylon -- worldly attitudes, unwholesome speech, impure thinking -- then the adjustments we make take us the wrong way. Yes, we are in the world, but we are not supposed to be "of" the world. We are supposed to influence people to godliness, not be influenced by others out of godliness.

Some adjustments in life take time. Some take effect in seconds -- miraculously. But we still need to make them. We still need to pray for them to come into our lives. We still need to ask God for help because making adjustments is hard.

This is the journey of a Christian. Adjustments are inevitable. But so are the victories once we've been recalibrated and realigned to living a Kingdom lifestyle.

End Time Signs

[Something I found at BibleProbe.com. Better to issue the warning than be accountable for not doing so.]

End Time Delusions: According to bible, in the end times, expect widespread deception, counterfeit miracles, and the appearance of false prophets. Each of these evils will contribute to an atmosphere that will deceive an untold number of people throughout the world. The Antichrist, possibly a charismatic Muslim with a fake Jesus as a sidekick, will convince his followers he is the answer to the world’s problems. Paul tells us that those who become caught in the Antichrist’s web of deceit will be guilty because they freely choose to enjoy evil while denying the truth.

END TIME SIGNS 1. False Bible teachers would be money hungry. They would be smooth talkers, have many followers, and slur the Christian faith (2 Peter 2:1-3) See some at: Fakemessiah.com 2. Homosexuality would be increasingly evident at the end of the age (2 Timothy 3:3) 3. Earthquakes would be in diverse places (Matthew 24:7) 4. Stress would be part of living (2 Timothy 3:1) 5. Many wars would erupt (Matthew 24:6) 6. People would forsake the Ten Commandments as a moral code, committing adultery, stealing, lying, and killing (Matthew 24:12) 7. There would be a cold religious system, in denying God's power (2 Timothy 3:5) 8. Men would substitute fantasy in place of Christian truth (2 Timothy 4:4). This is so evident at Christmas when the birth of the Savior is lost behind the myth of Santa Claus. 9. Deadly diseases would be prevalent (Matthew 24:7). The worldwide increase in AIDS deaths is almost inestimable. Over 160,000 Americans die of cancer each year. 10. The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6). There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by the scientific world because of its uncanny implication. 11. The institution of marriage would be forsaken by many (1 Timothy 4:3) 12. There would be an increase in famines (Matthew 24:7) 13. Increase in vegetarianism would increase (1 Timothy 4:3-4) 14. There would be a cry for peace (1 Thessalonians 5:3) 15. The possession of Jerusalem would be at the center of international turmoil (Zechariah 12:3) 16. Knowledge would increase (Daniel 12:4) 17. There would be hypocrites within the Church (Matthew 13:25-30) 18. There would be an increase of religious cults/false teachers (Matthew 24:11 & 24) 19. The future would seem fearful to many (Luke 21:26) 20. Humanity would become materialistic (2 Timothy 3:4) 21. There would be many involved in travel (Daniel 12:4) 22. The Christian Gospel would be preached as a warning to all nations (Matthew 24:14) 23. Jesus said Christians would be hated "for His name's sake" (Matthew 24:9) 24: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26). 25: Youth would become rebellious. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy (2 Timothy 3:2) 26: Men would mock the warning signs of the end of the age saying, "for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2 Peter 3:4). The Bible even reveals their motivation, they love lust (verse 3). They fail to understand that a day to the Lord is as a thousand years to us. God is not subject to the time that He created. He can flick through time as we flick through the pages of a history book. The reason He seems to be silent, is because He is patiently waiting, not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance. Reference: "Nostradamus: Attack on America" by Ray Comfort Ray tends to believe that the Holy Bible and possibly the occult was the source for Nostradamus' prophecies. Nostradamus was probably reading Scripture at a time the Catholic Church forbade anyone other than clergy to read it.

No Crutches

Every single thing I can possibly lean on, God takes away... until I learn to stand with no crutches and learn to lean on Him alone.


This is the cost of following Christ.



Are you willing to follow?

Pray This Way

Kathi Pelton: "The Power of The Father's Prayer"
[from the Elijah List website]

"Our Father, Who is in Heaven, holy is Your Name; Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4

Over the past couple of months, I have found myself beginning each day by praying the entirety of the "Father's Prayer." I have to admit that I have never done this in my entire Christian life. I have prayed the prayer occasionally, but never daily with such a sense of the power of the Holy Spirit backing up these Words. Although I do not know, I would not be surprised to find out that many of God's people around the world are being led by the Spirit to pray these words.

Holy Is Your Name

"Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'" Revelation 4:8

It is so appropriate that the first line of the Father's prayer is the echo of what is heard in Heaven both day and night, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty..." As Jesus taught His people to pray, He knew the sounds of Heaven and taught us to come into the unity and the sounds of His Kingdom as we approach our Father. As we pray this first line, "...holy is Your name..." we are joining with the angels in raising an anthem of "Who He is."

In our schools here in the USA, the day begins with the Pledge of Allegiance to our nation, and in Canada each Monday morning the national anthem is sung by the students. So, as God's people, we can begin our day with our "pledge of allegiance" or singing the anthem of Heaven that shouts "Holy is Your Name."

As I enter into each new day, I want to declare that He alone is Holy, that He alone is God Almighty, and that He was and is and is to come. Even now my Spirit is rising up as I write this, declaring, "Holy is Your Name!" There is great power in this statement alone. It is an acknowledgement of His Holiness, His might, and His Name being the name above all names.

Stop even now and begin to let your spirit join with the voice of Heaven and say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." I believe this is the most powerful statement we can make. It must be, since the four living creatures never stop saying it! May all His living creatures, in Heaven and on Earth, begin to say both day and night, "Holy is the Lord."

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done

"...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven..."

As God's people we long to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. My greatest desire, above every other desire, is to see the desires of God's heart accomplished in the lives of His people. Though I live with many personal desires, each one of them are laid down at the feet of Jesus and submitted to His desires alone for my life.

Recently, my family took a foster baby into our home. He is a six-month-old, adorable baby boy. Our entire family has fallen in love with this little bundle of joy. Our five teenagers have become the source of his constant entertainment. Though we have less sleep (way less!), less free time, and less energy, we have gladly exchanged these things for the beauty of his little smile, the sweetness of having his little fingers stroke our faces, the tenderness of kissing his cheeks, and the adorable giggle that he releases when we act funny.

But, here's the dilemma: There's another daddy and mommy who love him too and are longing for his return to their arms. In my natural thinking, it would make sense if God gave him to us for adoption since he would be raised in a Christian home, but God understands things in ways that I can never understand or figure out. It just may be God's will for him to return to his birth parents.

Each morning (and sometimes numerous times throughout the day), I pray the Father's prayer over him, "Your Kingdom come and Your will be done..." By doing this, I submit my desire over to His perfect will, knowing that His will carries wisdom that my desire alone will never comprehend. I believe that as God's people do this in every area of their lives, it is a pleasing sacrifice that invites Him to entrust us with the deepest desires of His heart.

Our Daily Bread

"...Give us this day our daily bread..."

As many in these days face economic struggles, there is a reality to the prayer for our "daily bread." Although I believe that this verse is speaking of provision of our daily needs, I also believe that it speaks to the daily needs of us spiritually, emotionally, and in every way. This year, it's often been daily comfort that we needed to eat of.

For our family, 2008 has been an especially tough year as we have faced numerous deaths, the greatest financial struggle of our married life, unexplainable delays and trials that have stretched us and our faith beyond anything we have ever experienced. But God tells us not to worry, because our daily bread will be provided...this is a promise to us. Let's look at this promise in Luke 12:22-34:

"That's why I'm telling you to stop worrying about your life - what you will eat or what you will drink - or about your body - what you will wear. Life is more than food, isn't it, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky. They don't plant or harvest or gather food into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. You are more valuable than they are, aren't you? Can any of you add a single hour to the length of your life by worrying?

"And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies in the field and how they grow. They don't work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. Now if that is the way God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, won't He clothe you much better - you who have little faith?

"So don't ever worry by saying, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?' because it is the Gentiles who are eager for all those things. Surely your Heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God's Kingdom and His righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

As God's people, we struggle with the worry that will come and hit us without advance notice. It is hard in those moments to feel very excited about the faith that we have been called to walk in. But here's the truth: Faith is not a feeling - it is a posture and conscious decision that we make for our lives.

We must daily submit our flesh and it's feelings to the truth that our spirits know. When our family lived as missionaries for a number of years, it rarely "felt" good to not have a weekly paycheck to depend on, but once again, it was not a walk of feelings but rather a walk of faith. Our faith came from the promises of God as we just read in Luke 12. God will give us our daily bread.

Forgive Our Sins

"...and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us..."

We have been forgiven of so much! The longer I walk with God the more I realize how much I have been forgiven. It has been like the peeling of an onion. I now see the truth of the sin behind some of the things that seemed permissible in my youth. The good news is that I am not condemned in any of these things because of the merciful forgiveness that flows from God. I understand the words that Jesus speaks about the woman in Luke 7, who washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair:

"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Luke 7:47

Jesus was quick to love and quick to forgive, and I want to be like Him. Whether it was tax collectors, prostitutes, or fishermen - He forgave their sins and poured out His unconditional love upon their lives. We must do the same.

Last week my husband and I were at the memorial service for his best friend's father. During the service, this man's sons got up to speak about coming to the place of forgiving their father for not being everything they needed him to be when they were young. Do you know how they came to this point of forgiveness?

It was when they became men and fathers and began to realize how we all fall short, even when it is our deepest desire to be all that our children want us to be. When they were able to forgive their dad, they began to see all the beautiful gifts that he possessed. Prior to the point of forgiveness, all they could see were his failings, but after forgiveness they saw what an amazing man they were privileged enough to call "Dad."

Forgiveness is a gift that we give ourselves, because when we forgive we set ourselves free. My husband loves to say, "Unforgiveness is like eating rat poison and expecting the rat to die." This is such a true statement. We have been forgiven much so we need to love much. What a great act of love...to forgive someone who has sinned against you!

Even while dying on the Cross, Jesus was forgiving the ones who hung Him there as they divided up His clothing, "Jesus kept saying, 'Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing.'" Luke 23:34

Deliver Us From Evil

"...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

This is such a powerful verse to pray. This is a prayer for God's "keeping grace." I would rather be kept from sin and evil than to have to be forgiven for it! There is so much evil in this world and temptation that is put before us each day that we must ask God to lead us away from it. I am sure if you were to talk to other brothers and sisters who fell into sin in their past, you would discover they needed God to deliver them from temptation, because that came before the sin (evil). I would bet that none of these people desired to fall into sin. None of us want to either, so this simple prayer is important as we walk out our Christian life.

This is a prayer that we should be teaching our young people as they begin to face the many temptations that will dance before them to allure them into evil. Not even Jesus was kept from temptation, although He never gave into any of it. Not one of us is beyond temptation, but we can ask God to keep us from being led into temptation.

Final Thoughts - Thanksgiving

"...For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen."

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name."--Psalm 100:4

As I have been beginning each day with the Father's prayer, I have also been reminded of another verse to enter each day with. Psalm 100:4 exhorts us to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. I want to enter into each day with thanksgiving and praise. Thanksgiving is the key to open the gates, and praise is the way to go through His courts.

I also want to encourage each of you to enter each day with thanksgiving and praise. As we pass through our U.S. holiday called Thanksgiving, let us mark this day with the beginning of a year that we release thanksgiving each and every day to our God. As our nation enters into a new era with a new President, let us open up the gates for the King of Glory to come in with thanksgiving and praise.

"Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty - He is the King of glory." Psalm 24:7-10

Kathi Pelton
Light Streams Ministries
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net

- - - - -

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

We Teach

This is part of the Great Commission. And we are all called to do it. Some may be more anointed for it than others, but that doesn't make that an excuse to not teach. It's the same with evangelism. It's the same with healing, and preaching. We're all called to do it regardless of the levels of anointing.

So, we teach. We teach the young to mature. We teach the lost the way to salvation. We teach children to obey their parents; wives to submit to husbands; husbands to love their wives. We teach humility to the arrogant. We teach self-control to the willfull. We teach people to praise and worship in spirit and in truth.

We teach.

Without the passing on of what the older generation knows to the younger one, there will be much more than just culture, education and heritage that will be lost. The greatest price that will be paid for the lack -- and, God forbid, absence -- of instruction is the loss of vision. And the Bible says that without vision, God's people perish.

We teach.

The Elisha generation are a fledgling batch of prophets, preachers, teachers, apostle and pastors in the making. They are presidents, governors, engineers, nurses, businessmen, policemen and artists in seed form. We teach them so they can learn what we have learned from God through our own mentors and leaders. We teach them so they can stand on their own two feet, then onto our shoulders and see much farther than we ever saw, go farther than we ever went, and reach higher than we ever reached.

We teach.

We pass not only the baton to the Joshua generation but also the vision the Lord has given the Moses generation. We pass on the wisdom and the discipline. We pass on the courage and the faith. We pass on the pursuit and the perseverance. We pass it on through teaching.

We teach.

We serve by teaching. We serve by imparting. We serve by rebuking, correcting, instructing and training. But all this is useless if the Timothy generation do not receive from the Paul generation. No amount of teaching can ever penetrate a heart shut up by pride and apathy. Our words cannot reach a mind set on things other than Kingdom things. But we still teach.

We teach...

...not because it is easy, but because it is essential. We teach not because it is a chore, but because it is a calling. We teach not because it is wanted, but because it is needed. We teach what we know, what we have received from the Lord in the hopes that the vision will be caught and catch on.

We teach.

We have to.

We must.

We need to.

We will.

We are.





We teach.

DGen Lesson: Knowing the Names of Jehovah

Last month, I had the opportunity to do a more focused teaching on two of the guys in the cell group.

The topic that I shared with "Warrior and Follower of Christ" and "Tender-hearted One Whose Salvation is God" was about some of the names of God, the characteristics and promises attached to those names.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:10 that "the name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe," and the emphasis during this cell group session was that knowing God through His names gives us security and confidence that the God we serves is a strong tower that we can run to for safety.

Here are the Jehovah names of God from the Bible.
[Bolded ones are the ones discussed during cell group time]


Jehovah
The Lord - Exodus 6:2-3

Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha'arets
Lord of Earth - Josh 3:13

Jehovah-Bara
Lord Creator - Isaiah 40:28

Jehovah-Chatsahi
Lord my Strength - Psalm 27:1

Jehovah-Chereb
Lord the Sword - Deut. 33:29

Jehovah-Eli
Lord my God - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Elyon
Lord Most High - Psalm 38:2

Jehovah-Gador Milchamah
Mighty in Battle - Ps 24:8

Jehovah-Ganan
Lord Our Defense - Ps 89:18

Jehovah-Go'el
Lord My Redeemer - Is. 49:26, 60:16

Jehovah-Hamelech
Lord King - Psalm 98:6

Jehovah-Hashopet
Lord My Judge - Judges 6:27

Jehovah-Helech 'Olam
Lord King Forever Ps10:16

Jehovah-Hoshe'ah
Lord Saves - Psalm 20:9

Jehovah-Jireh
Provider - Gen. 22:14, I John 4:9, Philip 4:19

Jehovah-Kabodhi
Lord my Glory - Psalm 3:3

Jehovah-Kanna
Lord Jealous - Ex 34:14

Jehovah-Keren-Yish'i
Horn of Salvation - Ps 18:2

Jehovah-M'Kaddesh
Sanctifier - I Corinthians 1:30

Jehovah-Machsi
Lord my Refuge - Psalm 91:9

Jehovah-Magen
Lord my Shield - Deut. 33:29

Jehovah-Ma'oz
Lord my Fortress - Jer. 16:19

Jehovah-Mephalti
Lord my Deliverer - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Metshodhathi
Lord my Fortress - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Misqabbi
Lord my High Tower - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-M'gaddishcem
Lord my Sanctifier - Ex 31:13

Jehovah-Naheh
Lord who Smites - Ezekiel 7:9

Jehovah-Nissi
Banner - I Chronicles 29:11-13

Jehovah-Rohi
Shepherd - Psalm 23

Jehovah-Rophe
Healer - Isaiah 53:4,5

Jehovah-Sabaoth
Lord of Hosts - I Sam 1:3

Jehovah-Sel'i
Lord my Rock - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Shalom
Peace - Isaiah 9:6, Rom 8:31-35

Jehovah-Shammah
Present - Hebrews 13:5

Jehovah-Tsidkenu
Righteousness - I Cor 1:30

Jehovah-Tsori
Lord my Strength - Psalm 19:14

Jehovah-Yasha
Lord my Savior - Isaiah 49:26

Jehovah-'Ez-Lami
Lord my Strength - Ps 28:7

Jehovah-'Immeku
Lord Is With You - Judges 6:12

Jehovah-'Izoa Hakaboth
Lord Strong -Mighty - Ps 24:8

Jehovah-'Ori
Lord my Light - Psalm 27:1

Jehovah-'Uzam
Lord Strength in Trouble - Is 49:26


[this list is lifted from the Prayer Today website]

You Know You Can Hear God

James W. Goll:
"Our Geiger Counter of Guidance: Hearing the Voice of God"
from the Elijah List website


Thank you for all of your prayers for my family and me in this season of adjustment. One thing I have always tried to do is remember the ABC's, especially when change is happening all around me. That is why I want to share an excerpt from The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God, titled "Geiger Counter of Guidance."

In these times we need to be moving according to the leadings of the Spirit and not moved by the media, world events, people's opinions or the latest news report. We need to, like John the Beloved, lean our head upon the chest of our Messiah, listening for the very heartbeat of God and cultivating a friendship with Jesus.

True guidance is not just a one-time thing or a one-time event - it is finding the Guide Himself. Remember, Jesus did nothing of Himself. He only did those things which He saw the Father doing. This is our model and example. Let us "look to see" what our Father is initiating. Then we need to DO IT!

These are times when we truly need divine guidance and wisdom. For some solid foundations in this area of discerning the voice of God, I encourage you to read The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God. It is an excellent source to start learning how to hear the voice of God.

May you grow in your knowledge of the love of Jesus this week as you listen to His heart!

In Christ Jesus!

James W. Goll

Our Geiger Counter of Guidance

"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.

"Although the Lord has given you the bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. And your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:18-21

Perhaps you have come a long way in your journey of learning to hear God's voice. But as for my life, I always have to review the A, B, C's! Reflect back with me for a moment...from the starting block of realizing our need to hear God, we became familiar with our personal tutor, the Holy Spirit, given to guide us into all truth.

Yes, there are many courses to take in the lost art of hearing God. We must have a working knowledge of the Word of God. We must have the spirit of revelation, according to Ephesians 1:17-19. But now I want to give you some important guidance lessons for wisdom for the journey. We have been given a "Geiger Counter of Guidance."

Hear the Clicking?

Do you remember playing games as a child? One child would be blindfolded and the others kind of steering them around. Some object in the room would be selected and the one blindfolded would have to try to find it. Shouts of, "HOT!", "No, COLD!" proceeded from the children participating in the room. Hot, of course, meant you were getting closer to the desired object. Cold meant you were going in the wrong direction. It was fun, remember?

There is an interesting instrument called a Geiger counter. Its use is actually similar to the game I just described. A German physicist invented the Geiger counter in 1945. It is an instrument used for detecting the presence and intensity of radiation (as cosmic rays or particles from a radioactive substance) by means of the ionizing effect on an enclosed gas, which results in a pulse that is amplified and fed to a device giving visible or audible indications. The thing I remember is the distinct clicking sound it makes.

The closer you get to the substance and the greater intensity of its matter, the louder and faster the clicking noise becomes. I have often thought that is a lot like hearing God's voice once you put all the pieces together. There is an inner witness that you learn to pay attention to. You check in with the Holy Spirit; you listen to your "knower"; and you bear witness or you don't. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit there is a divine guidance system that comes with the package.

Are you getting warmer - closer to the desired subject?

Or are you getting colder - further away from the will of God?

Do you hear the clicking...?

Ten Principles of Divine Guidance to Help you Find God, Not Just His Will

Number One: The Will of God is Made Known in the Word of God.

Now let's start by getting real basic. One day you read in Exodus 20:14, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." That registers in your spirit and remains. Not long after, you are walking in the mall and you hear some inner nudge say something like, "Look at that person. They really want you!"

But because the Scripture is hidden in your heart, it is easy to reject that thought. You don't even have to evaluate whether that voice was God, you know it isn't. You know because you have read the Word and have hidden it in your heart. So our first guidance principle is always the will of God is made known in the Word of God. God's Word is the final judge in all guidance.

Number Two: The Will of God is Confirmed through Circumstances.

Years ago in my senior year of college, I was quite zealous for the Lord. I probably needed a little bit more tethering in those days, but I was so on fire for God and I didn't care anymore about the pursuit of credentials in this life. I was ready to quit college at the end of my first trimester of my senior year, needing only 20 more hours to complete my degree.

I was ready to quit university, but I diligently sought the Lord's direction. "Oh God, I just want to forget this stuff and get on with my real calling." I don't know for sure how I said it, but it was something like that with an addendum: "But if You want me to finish out this year, I bid You to do something. Show me Your will!"

Then a surprising thing happened. I was ready to quit in November with only six months to go till graduation. Somehow I received another scholarship and was given a Religious Leadership Scholarship at a secular university to help me financially complete the rest of my year. So I decided, "That's a pretty good circumstantial sign. I'd better go ahead and complete what I have finished!"

I realize there are some exceptions to this one, but God does guide us circumstantially as well. I'm glad I completed that degree.

Number Three: The Holy Spirit Speaks from Where He Dwells.

Where does God dwell? God not only dwells in Heaven, but if you are a child of God, and if you've been filled with the Holy Spirit, He lives within you. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19, "We are the Temple of the Living God." He speaks to us from where He dwells. Where does God dwell? Colossians 1:27 tells us plainly, "Christ in us is the hope of glory" (Scriptures paraphrased).

Have you listened to your heart lately? What is beating in your heart? The Holy Spirit is Heaven's Representative in all-true guidance. John 16:13 states, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come."

Number Four: Divine Guidance Comes from Meeting God's Conditions.

Isaiah 58 is an incredible passage of Scripture where God's chosen fast is brilliantly described in detail. It speaks about honoring God and the observance of the Sabbath. Removing the pointing of the finger and feeding the poor are also addressed. Several key conditions and the attitudes required are listed.

Then God's corresponding promise is listed in Isaiah 58:11, "And the LORD will continually guide you." But the conditions are listed first.

The passage quoted at the beginning of this chapter (Isaiah 30) gives us marvelous promises: The Lord will be gracious to you; He will be your Teacher; You will hear a word behind you. On and on it goes... But conditions are laid out that must be met as well. "When He hears the sound of your cry..."

What are the conditions that must be met for your promise to be unlocked? Has He heard you really cry out to Him? Meet the conditions and His eye will surely guide you.

Number Five: True Guidance is Accompanied by the Peace of God.

There is peace in the midst of a storm. Peace does not mean there is no storm. Peace does not mean there's no warfare either. There is a center of quiet that is in the midst of the turbulence of life. True guidance from God does not push you; it brings peace and satisfaction.

James 3:17 remarks, "...the wisdom (which comes down) from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." I love the order. Pure, peaceable, gentle... Isn't that everything you would want hearing God to be all about? Don't you want to bear good fruit?

Number Six: Much Guidance from God Comes Unaware.

Much of our guidance comes undetected. We're often unaware that we are being guided. Why? Because of His marvelous ways! Also because we've asked Him to continually guide us! We want to do His will.

Psalm 25:9 wisely depicts, "He leads the humble in justice, and teaches the humble His way." I love the ways of God. Again, a condition is spoken which unlocks the provision. Humility is the doorway whereby we learn not just the will of God, but the ways of God.

Thank You, Lord, for Your gentle nudges, whispers in the night and even what seems like pushes and shoves at times. Even Your electric cattle prodding's are wonderful. Thanks for guiding us even when we did not acknowledge it was You.

Number Seven: Divine Guidance Does Not Mean We Know All the Details.

Oh-oh, that isn't what you wanted to hear. Now the Lord wants us, in a sense, to have a rooftop view. But along the way it's often only the knotholes that we get to look through. There are those special times perhaps, in revelatory giftings and experiences that we see A, B, C and even see a portion of the end of the matter of X, Y and Z. These experiences are for a great, awesome purpose. They're to ruin your life, so that you will never, ever be able to be a successful, boring Christian again. You will know you have a destiny in God and you will pursue the God of destiny no matter what!

But most of the time, you will only see what is in front of you. A word of wisdom - enjoy life. Life is more than just another meeting or hot word. Life is precious. Live it to the fullest and for His ultimate glory!

Number Eight: The Process of Guidance is Not Always Pleasant.

Isaiah 55:8-9 declares, "...My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

There is Good News though. The New Testament teaches us that we can have the "mind of Christ." But still, guidance isn't always pleasant. He calls us to authentic apostolic lifestyles where bearing our cross is not a pain but a delight.

God has made a decision in His walk with you, that you will never remain in a static position. And when you start freezing up, God just says, "Change!" That's when guidance doesn't appear to be very pleasant, because there are breakings that occur.

Then it's time to choose His way over our way. It might seem painful for the moment, but the end result will be His life expressed through us in exchange for our own efforts. Choose Life. Choose His ways!

Number Nine: Hearing God Speak Should Prompt You to Action.

Daniel 11:32b promises, "but the people who know their God will display strength and take action." I want to be a person of faith and who does exploits in the name of the Lord. Don't you?

If there's been a failure or a fumbling, cry out for the great mercy of God. I've been learning our God is the God of the fiftieth chance. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Wash yourself in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and learn from the past. But forgetting what lies behind, press forward into the upward call of Christ Jesus. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of Christ. Let's show that we are a genuine community of faith and get to movin' for Jesus' sake!

Number Ten: Guidance is a Skill to Be Learned Over a Lifetime.

It's not a one-time experience where you heard God speak once and then you rehearse the same old testimony all the rest of your life! It is a skill to be learned over a lifetime and passed on to others.

One time I was sitting at my office desk getting ready for an appointment when the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "You are now hearing Me through a gift." Interesting. So I listened some more since a gift was being activated! The still small voice continued, "But when it comes to you and Me, I speak to you through a relationship."

Be like John the Beloved and lean your head upon the chest of your Messiah and Master. Listen for the very heartbeat of God. Cultivate a friendship with Jesus. True guidance is not just a one-time thing or a one-night stand, it is finding the Guide Himself.

Here is my parting word of wisdom: Hearing the voice of God is a lifetime relationship that can never be taken away.

Blessings and Grace,

James W. Goll
Encounters Network
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com



ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
http://www.elijahlist.com/
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Ojos y Alas

The cleanness of your hands can deliver even those who are not innocent.

Even if no one is praying for you.

Go to a quiet place. Get some rest.

Great patience. Careful instruction.

Command and teach.



What to do and how to get there.

What You've Been Prophesying

Paul Keith Davis:
"God Tabernacled in His Bride: It is TIME to ARISE from the Wilderness and SHINE"

First-Fruits Bridal Company

In his classic book The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer wrote, "The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart."

Although this objective appraisal was written a generation ago, its truth is still pertinent to our day. Even so, hidden among us there exists a company of people who will never be satisfied substituting religious activities for intimacy with Christ and the fullness of His stature.

For a season, God concealed David in the Cave of Adullam. At the appropriate time, he and his mighty band emerged in strength to execute God's commission. So shall it be with this company. God knows how to groom and release champions who embrace and embody righteous standards of leadership.

Many called to play key leadership roles in the Bride's preparation are not even widely known on earth; but they are recognized in Heaven. They are spiritual warriors who have received God's imputed righteousness and carry His influence. Having captured Heaven's attention, it is now time to arise like Moses from the wilderness and shine like a bright evening star. Only then are we qualified to exercise the Lord's delegated authority to usher in a wave of harvest. Daniel foretold that:

"Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of Heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3

We are presently called to a heightened place of intimacy and fellowship with God. Our covenant is built upon better promises than that of Moses. Even so, Moses was required to veil his face because of the residue of God's glory resulting from his close encounter with God. How much more should we experience His glory in the new covenant and the literal fulfillment of the spiritual implications associated with the Feast of Tabernacles!

New Seven Year Cycle

Rosh Hashanah 2008 ushered in a new seven-year season in God; it will be much different from the previous seven-year cycle that emphasized warfare and preparation. Substantial fruitfulness and restoration will characterize those who are spiritually mature and strengthened to become trustworthy stewards of His mysteries and power. A first-fruits company will begin to experience heavenly realms and embrace great insights from the now "opened book" containing notable strategies and revelations of the Lord. (See Revelation 10)

There is a present Word being released in God's people that is preparatory for the impending outpouring. It is through His Word abiding in us merged with the Spirit that makes us "Sons of the Kingdom" and the "Tabernacle of God." To espouse manmade traditions, doctrines and perceptions of men rather than the true revelation of the Word, will only become cumbersome weights that interfere with our ability to meet the challenges of this new day.

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13

For years, the Lord has been nurturing and empowering many people in anticipation of this hour. We are now at a crossroad in His blueprint with great change on the horizon. As we determine to worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth, we will also draw nearer to His heart with greater levels of revelatory insight. This model is essential to be entrusted with keys to the Kingdom that unlocks Heaven's greatest resources.

Deep to Deep

This group, by responding to "deep calling unto deep," is being prepared to travel in a new way not yet known to the Church. Our call is to be prepared to carry mantles of power that will be unique to the harvest generation. These things will be called forth by the Spirit of Prophecy. According to Isaiah 48:6-7:

"You have heard [these things foretold], now you see this fulfillment. And will you not bear witness to it? I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things [kept in reserve] which you have not known. They are created now [called into being by the prophetic word], and not long ago; and before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, 'Behold, I knew them!'" (Amplified version, emphasis added)

A fresh prophetic word is being delegated to the Church to articulate Heaven's desire. When a clear directional word has been imparted, it is our place to announce it through an atmosphere of His anointing. This will be part of the Bridal calling.

Those anointed with this Spirit will begin to speak against sickness, sin and spiritual corruption. This past season of grooming and refinement has been for this purpose. There has been a sifting of our soul and the establishment of contrition and humility essential to embody extravagant levels of power and authority. The Spirit of Understanding will bring illumination to this reality and mobilize God's people for this great task.

Sanctified in Truth

An issue of great importance consistently emphasized by the Lord is the full manifestation of the Spirit of Truth. As the emerging army of Believers, we must learn to embrace Truth so the "fog" of deception and delusion would have no place to flourish in the Church.

By girding our loins with the "belt of truth," our foundation in Christ is firmly established, allowing us to be leaven-free and fully released into His anointing for this seven-year spiritual season. When wonderful reports began to circulate out of Lakeland, Florida, and it seemed a revival was on the horizon, I asked the Lord about it and received an unusual response. The Spirit impressed upon me the phrase, "It is the last of the old order." Initially I did not fully understand its implication, but greater clarity has developed in recent months.

Based on a prophetic word, our ministry co-sponsored with MorningStar Ministries a conference in March entitled "Honoring the Fathers," with the promise that a spirit of revival would follow. We felt what was developing in Lakeland could have been the initial response to that promise. In retrospect, I do believe that revival was God initiated and the last of an old order.

Clearly great spiritual outpourings are forecast for the coming days. We will see more tent meetings, evangelistic crusades and powerful gatherings in stadiums and churches. However, despite our great appreciation for the healings, miracles and salvations, what we saw demonstrated in Lakeland did not model or demonstrate the "new thing" that is promised. There is more...much more!

Leaven Free

Pentecost was the only of the Lord's Feasts that allowed leaven. What is coming will maintain an emphasis on the extraction of spiritual leaven. Jesus said:

"'How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.' Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Matthew 16:11-12

We have seen the realization of Passover, the Feast of the first month, and Pentecost, the Feast of the third month. Now, we are poised to see the literal fulfillment of the Feast of the seventh month - Tabernacles. God will tabernacle in His Bride to do through her all the great and wonderful things He did while on the earth in human form.

Of the seven Churches outlined in Revelation, the Laodicean Church most accurately defines this present age. Like Laodicea, our admonition is to be clothed with white garments that the shame of our nakedness would not be revealed; these are representing priestly and divinely powerful apparels by which we clothe ourselves spiritually. To experience Tabernacles is to be "clothed with Christ."

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:12-14, emphasis added

Our ultimate calling is to be like Him and display His garments of righteousness, sanctification, revelation and power. This is only achieved through the union experience and God Himself tabernacled in His Bride. Isaiah prophesied this saying:

"I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10

If we put on Holy array then our motives will carry no misrepresentation or selfish ambition. Either we must learn from history or we will be doomed to repeat it. In times past many wonderfully anointed leaders stumbled because of the failure to be completely clothed in Christ. We are commissioned at this time to embrace His offering of grace to "become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (See 2 Peter 1:4)

We are to be "galvanized" with Christ! An iron chain is a very powerful tool; however it can be compromised through corruption and rust. When the iron chain links are galvanized they are coated with zinc, which is non-corruptible. Galvanized iron then becomes much more powerful because it is no longer subject to corruption; it will endure under the harshest of conditions that would otherwise compromise its integrity.

Likewise, when we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" our spirits are "galvanized" with Christ and our flesh is coated with the anointing. Corruption will then take on the incorruptible nature.

Removing Mixture

The Feast of Tabernacles is referenced more often in the Bible than any of the other feasts and is recognized throughout Israel's history as the greatest of her festivals. It is also known as the Feast of the Open Book.

When Moses came to the end of his journey the Lord commanded him to open the Book of the Covenant and read it to the new generation since the former generation perished in the wilderness because of unbelief. Only in the Feast of Tabernacles was the book opened and read before the people as a symbolic gesture of the great revelation that will come to the generation that literally fulfills all that this Feast represents.

Not only are we called to access the revelations of the "open book" but also devour them and prophecy them to this final age, that the fullness of the Gentiles may come in. According to Revelation 10:10-11:

"I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. And they said to me, 'You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.'"

This is none other than the book concealed in Daniel's day and revealed to the end-of-time generation. It is the full stature and revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like the sons of Zadok, the Bridal company will minister to the Lord and dine at His table in order to emerge with the discernment necessary to separate the precious from the profane and the clean from the unclean. (See Ezekiel 44)

From a practical point of view, we should expect tremendous revelatory teachings to surface in the coming days that will take us deep into God's Word and the full revelation of the wonderful things concealed through Daniel but revealed to the Bride. This will present her without spot or wrinkle and cleansed of spiritual leaven.


Paul Keith and Wanda Davis
WhiteDove Ministries
Email: inquiries@whitedoveministries.org


ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
http://www.elijahlist.com/
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

DGen Lesson: Discipline

Last Saturday the cell group discussed the topic of discipline using Herbews 12:7-12 as the springboard. The Lord gave me this word to share to the guys just hours before and I really believe it was a "now" word. I see in the spirit that many young men and women in this generation dislike discipline -- they don't even like the concept of the word.

Of course being the older man that I am now [33, thank you!] I am in a position to say that discipline that comes from parents most of the time brings good results to one's life. More importantly, my physical age also puts me in the vantage point of seeing the inevitability and infallibility of the discipline that comes from the Heavenly Father.

Lately, the Lord is seemingly placing me in the position of rebuker-corrector-reprimander of the young men in our church. Believe me, this is something I didn't ask for and if I could, I would give these duties to the likes of our drummer Caloy (who can really hammer in the truths of the Kingdom like no one's business) or our youth pastor Nap (who commands more respect).

But you know, God, in His infinite wisdom, chooses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; He chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong; and, apparently, He also uses the former non-confrontational, former laid back ones to dispense heavens proverbial rods on the rear ends of the semi-straying sheep. Yes! God does uses the foolish. Haha!

In the course of the discussion, we saw in the passage that no one is really excempt from discipline -- everyone receives it. More importantly though, we also saw that God's discipline is actually a form of love, because He is treating us as sons and daughters.

Below is the passage from Hebrews [12:7-12] with some of the revelations and ideas the Lord gave me:


Endure hardship as discipline;
-- discipline comes in many forms but is always accompanied by hardship, because the flesh is always resisting it

God is treating you as sons.
-- scripture says God disciplines those He loves. His correction is always motivated by compassion

For what son is not disciplined by his father?
-- this, to me, is a rhetorical question. I believe that fathers are "correctional" by nature

If you are not disciplined
-- no order comes into your life; no boundaries are set; chaos ensues

(and everyone undergoes discipline),
-- like I said above, no one is excempt

then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
-- would a father care as much for an illegitimate child as much as he would his own flesh and blood?

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us
-- and, as imperfect as they are, they have every right to rebuke us because they are reponsible and accountable for us

and we respected them for it.
-- if we have chosen to respond the right way. The quality of the life we live depends on the kind of choices we make. We can choose life or death; blessings or curses. Our response to discipline also determines how we grow and mature, how far we will reach in life and how fruitful we become in the spirit

How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
-- and we know that He never fails, never does anything that will harm us, and always wants to bless us. Instead of running away from God when He rebukes us, we need to humble ourselves and sumbit to His loving correction, because in Him we live and move and have our being

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;
-- and even if they weren't perfect persons, their intentions -- which include seeing their children raised to be upstanding citizens and teaching them to stand on their own feet -- are noble

but God disciplines us for our good,
-- which is why we should always ask for God's grace to respond to discipline the Jesus way: in humility, obedience and submission. Because in the long run, we are the beneficiaries of said correction

that we may share in his holiness.
-- and why shouldn't we? He's a holy God after all and He requires us to be holy as well. Discipline helps us get there

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
-- amen to that! But the trick is to see beyond the discomfort and the pain, and lift one's vision higher to the end result. We are more than now creatures; we were made for eternity, so having a forever mindset will set everything in perspective

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
-- and this is why it would be foolish to run away from hardship, challenges and testings: you'd miss out on the harvest; you'd miss out on your inheritance; you'd miss out the character development; you'd miss out ... A LOT!

for those who have been trained by it.
-- again, our response is crucial. If we see every trial and tribulation as a test of our fortitude, as an opportunity to grow and learn, and as a chance to see God move in our lives, our perspective towards discipline will totally be revolutionized

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
-- the whole point of discipline is this! To strengthen us, never to weaken us.

If You Listen, You Will Hear

Even in the smallest, most minute way known to man, God speaks. If you pay attention to the subtleties of His communication, you will get what He is saying.

Then there are also none subtle ways that God speaks. But even that still requires focus and determination to hear something from your Creator.

To the best that I can, I always start the day with the Word of God and talking to God. I want to hear what my Father has to say about life, about today and so on. It doesn't take hours, mind you. My morning devotional is a prep for my full day's worth of devotional time to the Lord.

For the past few days He's been speaking. And I have been listening. Here are some of the things He had to say:

"Sow in tears. Reap in joy."

"Let your light shine!"

"Endure hardship as discipline."


Today, He spoke to me about putting feelings aside and letting faith prevail. Sometimes there are things that God asks us to do that we don't really feel like doing. But as citizens of His Kingdom, your choice is just either to obey or disobey. It's a simple as that. And the Lord told me that even when I don't feel like doing what He asks me to do, I must still submit to His will and purposes and do it!

The Bible warns us about hearing His voice and not heeding it [Hebrews 3:15]. We really need to open our spiritual ears and take a listen to what God saying. Because He does still speak to us. He hasn't stopped communicating with His creation. He's still in the business of conversing with us. He's just waiting for us to take notice.


God is speaking to you. If you listen, you will hear.

Sex is Currency

Timothy asked me some questions about sex today. SEX! The all-too-taboo issue...

...or is it?

He told me that some teacher said sex is a psychological need; and that another person said that next to food, sex is one of the things man cannot live without. And based on recent studies, having sex might lessen the incidence of prostate cancer.

I answered the young man's questions with a very long text message and told him that God created sex as expression of enjoyment between two people in a covenant relationship [marriage], telling them to be fruitful and multiply.

There have been a lot of misconceptions and lies about sex -- the former from the minds of men, the latter from the schemes of the devil. Sex is not bad. God created it and therefore it is a holy concept and act. The devil came in and screwed things up [pun intended] and perverted the whole concept of sex. And since man was born with a sinful nature in a world of sin, his natural inclination towards evil has spilled over to the arena of sex and sexual expression.

So, what was supposed to be a private, intimate and holy act shared by husband and wife has been ravaged, mass produced and placed in a glossy, eye-catching package to appeal to the lusts of humanity. Society has used and abused sex in so many ways for the sake of capitalism, commercialism and humanism.

We can see this in the obvious (in the industry of pornography, tv, film and media); in the blatant (it is ever-present in the world of adversting -- I never saw the relevance of a woman in a bikini crawling on her knees in an ad that sold shoes); in the subtle (in the dialogue and imagery of some tv shows, including cartoons -- I saw one episode of the PowerPuff Girls where the Mayor was being seduced by Ms. Bellum [who was actually Sedusa in disguise]. This was a kids' show for crying out loud!!!).

The world -- or most of it -- has lost its grasp on God's original intent for sex and what sex is supposed to be. Jonathan Foreman and the rest of Switchfoot hit the nail on the head when they wrote the song Easier Than Love to voice out their observation of how sex has been raped and perverted and objectified. The lyrics goes...


Sex is currency, she sells cars, she sells magazines
Addictive bittersweet, clap your hands with the hopeless nicotines
Everyone's a lost romantic, since our love became a kissing show
Everyone's a Casanova, come and pass me the mistletoe
Everyone's been scared to death of dying here alone

She is easier than love, is easier than life
It's easier to fake and smile and bribe
It's easier to leave, it's easier to lie
It's harder to face ourselves at night
Feeling alone, what have we done?
What is the monster we've become?
Where is my soul?

Sex is industry, the CEO, of corporate policy
Skin-deep ministry, suburban youth, hail your so-called liberty
Every advertising antic, our banner waves with a neon glow
War and love become pedantic, we wage love with a mistletoe
Everyone's been scared to death of dying here alone

She is easier than love, is easier than life
It's easier to fake and smile and bribe
It's easier to leave, it's easier to lie
It's harder to face ourselves at night
Feeling alone, what have we done?
What is the monster we've become?
Where is my soul?


...and the tune to this song is not bad either.

This is nothing new, by the way. God has a looooooong list of unlawful sexual relations given to Moses in Leviticus 18. These are guidelines for the safety and sanctity of God's people.

The misuse of sex leads to a path of confusion and guilt and separation from God; leaves a trail of broken hearts, wounded souls and diseased bodies; reduces men and women to mere objects; and demeans a sacred creation by using it to promote and sell cars and magazines. What is the monster we've become?

Sex is not a substitute for love. It is an add on to love. It is an expression of love. God wants us to enjoy it in the boundaries of a marriage relationship. Engage in sex outside of those boundaries, then you're on your own.

But because many have turned their own separate way and completely disregarded God's plans and intentions for His creation, the purity and sanctity of sex has been buried in a sea of humanistic ideas and misguided practices. The after effects of these always leave man asking, "Where is my soul?"



Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Leviticus 18:24