God is Raising Up the Men

Kim Clement:"There is About to Be a Huge Revival with Men in the Kingdom—Fathers, Husbands, Entrepreneurs and Leaders All Included"

[from the Elijah List website]

"God says there's an unusual movement that's going to take place with men. Wholeness will be restored so that once again industry can be laid aside for the hands of those who are righteous and diligent; to bring purity once again to the pulpits across the Earth. It's going to take a man, just like you. Show me that man."—Spoken in Chicago, Illinois, August 28, 2009 (for the full versions of the prophecies, see the bottom of this article)

Dear Friends,

After a short absence from my ministry duties, I have returned and hit the ground running. My son Caleb entered the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in August, and after settling him in to his dormitory with mixed feelings, I went to San Jose on Sunday morning and ministered at Pastor Dick Bernal's church, Jubilee Christian Center. What took place that morning was nothing more than an outpouring of divine knowledge, and what resonated out of my spirit and my mouth was probably more of a surprise to me than anyone else.

I have discovered over the years that if God wants to address difficult subjects or controversial issues, He will not share it in advance but simply wait for the perfect moment, then breathe on His servant and release the word that has been dormant within. Sunday morning, August 16th, I woke up with unusual anticipation and expectation. I had prepared a great message in the hope that God would bypass the usual "surprise" revelation that so often accompanies the prophet's ministry and allow me to expound my "vast" theological knowledge with structured exegesis. But no, it was not to be. He had something to say and He was not going to tell me in advance. So during the music, and under a tremendous anointing, I began prophesying about an incredible move of God that would take place amongst the men in the Kingdom—fathers, husbands, entrepreneurs, leaders, etc.

Soon, an excitement arose as I declared from the Holy Spirit how God was going to restore the priestly anointing to the men of this nation again. I felt a deep compassion in my heart as I felt the pain that men were feeling because of their feelings of inadequacy and the awareness of their flaws and failures. Then came a moment I will never forget. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, I began singing a song that God the Father was singing to the thousands of men who had now gathered around this vast altar. The song was about how God felt when He had to turn His back on His only Son. It was such a moving moment for any father and for us as the benefactors of that incredible moment in history. (You can view this song on my website on KCTV Videos on Demand from San Jose, CA — August 16, 2009.)

The Lord is Going to Move Upon the Men and Restore Them Back to Their High Priestly Positions

Christ predicted that "men would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God," and I believe that this would be a sign for us to look up for the redemption to come. Presently, it seems that there is a preoccupation with the need to fulfill emptiness with various kinds of material pleasures. There is no problem with enjoying our life and the various toys available for our enjoyment, but when it removes our love for God and the desire to be with Him, then it is a problem.

When he was a lad, long before he was anointed as the King of Israel, David would use his harp to worship God. And when he became King, he always found time to play his songs and write the inspirational psalms to God as he did when he was in the fields and caves. Sure he enjoyed hunting, sport and whatever recreational activities there were at that time, but his legacy were his songs and psalms that he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and his ability to protect Israel from their enemies as he did when he was a young boy—protecting his father's sheep from wolves, lions and bears.

David sinned, but when he was confronted with the sin, he took full responsibility for it and rose to the occasion by sorrowful repentance. God used David to bring Christ into the Earth as a result of his heart and faithfulness towards God. Samson, on the other hand, found more pleasure in the Philistine women than he did in God's destiny and plan for his life. His eyes were torn from their sockets, which represents spiritual blindness to us in this day. He spent most of his days working a mule's job at a grinding mill, basically going around in circles. Eventually he did fulfill God's purpose and will, but only after he had lost everything, and with great shame and embarrassment.

Today, very seldom will you hear someone refer to Samson as the great deliverer of Israel, but rather as the Samson of "Samson and Delilah", sadly. It appears to me that there are many men that are in this position today and I believe that God wants them fully restored and anointed. Marriages are falling apart, churches are shutting their doors, attorneys are getting richer from unnecessary bankruptcies, and women are having to step up to the plate and salvage the mess (no disrespect to women).

When I heard the Lord say He was going to move upon the men and restore them back to their High Priestly positions, I knew that it was going to be a huge undertaking. Over the years there have been wonderful movements involving only men; Edwin Cole and Bill McCartney were instrumental in reaching into the hearts of men and bringing an awareness of their role as High Priests of their homes. It seems that since these movements have ended their season, now the lack of "watchmen on the wall" has caused many of the problems we are facing in the Body of Christ today. Please don't think that I'm judging in any way; I am simply obeying what I heard in San Jose on that Sunday morning. Men need a breakthrough! I didn't plan what was spoken on that Sunday morning; it was the cry of God's heart.

God is Crying Out and Looking for a Man After His Own Heart

Thank God for the great movements with the youth so graciously and powerfully led by men like Lou Engle and Che Ahn, just to mention a few. These moves of the Spirit are vital and we must continue to bear them up in prayer so that this never dwindles. My burden, however, is if the men do not fulfill their role as fathers, husbands and spiritual leaders so that God can strengthen the Church and the values that we represent in this Nation, the youth will be morally stifled and spiritually dysfunctional.

Mothers have had to become fathers and fathers have had to become mothers to accommodate the infidelity and incompatibility that now seems to be rampant in so many marriages. Young men look up to the spiritual leaders to follow in their footsteps, and in many cases these spiritual leaders have abandoned the simple responsibilities of being fathers, husbands, Priests and Kings because of, in most cases, the love of pleasure. Those who have failed in this area are not condemned but are able to be spiritually restored, not only by the power of God's grace but with a spirit of meekness from their spiritual peers. I am fully aware of the fact that any one of us could fall, and so with fear and trembling I approach this very sensitive subject.

Galatians 6:1 says, "Brothers, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."

Please notice what Paul says here: "Considering yourself lest you also be tempted." In other words, if you would dare to judge or condemn someone who has fallen, instead of approaching them with humility and gentleness, it is possible that you will be tempted and more than likely fall. We have seen this happen time and time again with leading ministries in America.

I am honored and privileged that God chose to speak this powerful prophetic word through me and I claim it for myself, my sons and the men of God surrounding me. I have attached below the words to another prophetic song that the Spirit of God sang through me in Chicago—"Give Me a Man." In this song, God is crying out and looking for a man after His own heart.

I encourage you, and even challenge you, to grasp a hold of this for yourself, your husband, your father, your son, and let the chosen men of God rise up and claim their position and promise from God. I pray that God would continue to ignite the hearts of men across this Nation and the nations of the world and that this movement would continue and spread throughout the Earth.

Give me a man who will show his son My hand
Give me a man who will pray for his nation
Give me a man who will love his wife
I'll show you a man after My heart

Give me a man who will reach into his daughter's heart
And show what life will be
When she finds a man and she changes to a woman

Give me a man who will find the place on his knees
And I'll show you a man after My heart
Give me that man

I'll find a man who will cry out for the priest
Give me a man who will shed a tear as he worships Me
I'll show you a man, just like Me

In This Nation There Will Be an Extreme, Unusual Movement Amongst the Men

Prophesied on August 28, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois:

The Spirit of God says there is a mighty army coming forth. God says, "There is about to be a huge revival with men. Men should be greatly touched. Men will begin to shout out, men will begin to dance like David danced, and pray like Daniel prayed."

When Edwin Cole died, many men began to pull away from the great truth that he taught. Ed Cole nurtured men, and then there was a great men's movement again. Suddenly it went. But the Lord says, "This time I shall raise up men, gather them together, and Priests of the Most High God shall be raised up," says the Lord.

Prophesied on September 1, 2009 in Tampa, Florida:

The Spirit of the Lord says, "Hear the word of the Lord tonight. For I am not here to bring shame to anybody, I'm not here to bring anybody down. There has been a theft and the priestly garments that once stood to sanctify the pure have been defiled; ashes have come upon them.

"This nation is about to have an eruption of the priestly anointing. Men shall rise to the occasion. I'm not talking about the men in the pulpits; I'm talking about men in industry, men in artistry, men in ministry, but most of all men in family. I'm about to bring together men from all over the nation. I will cast upon them an anointing. They will pray again, they will seek My face, and the authority shall arise back into this nation. Men shall take their stand, they shall say, 'We will pray,' and they will fight."

God says, "Because they have chosen to do that, I will bring a fresh new anointing into the house. This is My promise," says the Lord. "You shall see fallen ones raised up. You will see young men who have gone away come back. I cast upon you a mantle as I walked into the field of rejoicing, where Elisha stood and I cast My mantle upon him, so," God says, "tonight I will cast my mantle upon the men that stand for their families and will pray. In this nation there will be an extreme, unusual movement amongst the men. Ed Cole brought it before, T.D. Jakes brought it to the women, many came to speak to women and men, but this thing that I am about to do will shake the very core of this nation. Shake it."

With love and prayer,

Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
Email: hope@kimclement.com

Greater Things Are Yet to Come. Greater Things Are Still to be Done.

Barbie Breathitt:

"2009: New Leaders, New Voices and Resurrection Power"
[from the Elijah List]

The restoration of ancient wells and mantles, in addition to the new level of anointing God is releasing in the earth, will cause a "healing river" to overflow its banks. The healing revival of the 1950s still holds a standard of miracles we seldom see today. But, as we move into this new season of exchange, the glory of God will far surpass the healing anointing He poured out in the past. This Holy Spirit revival of fire will trump the 1948-50s healing revival. We will see more extreme miracles and deliverances take place than ever before. Ministering angels have been assigned to ensure those who move in this new level of love and healing don't repeat the same mistakes from past generations.

William Joseph Seymour, of the 1909 Azusa Street Outpouring, prophesied the "glory cloud of healing" would return in 100 years (2009). We are witnessing the glory explosions and healing miracles in our Breath of the Spirit's meetings weekly. God is releasing specific words of knowledge that are opening deaf ears, straightening backs that have been twisted with scoliosis, restoring torn ligaments and joints, removing cancerous tumors and healing cancer ridden organs. The anointing is stabilizing hearts with arrhythmias, healing chronic issues of pain and much more.

See What the Father is Doing

The New Testament passage in John 4 speaks of the Pool of Bethesda, which is translated "outpouring." The healing angel would come and trouble the water. When the anointing began to pour, the first to step in was healed. Those who weren't able to step in became bitter, murmuring and complaining of those who were more fortunate than they. Jesus approached a particular crippled man that His Heavenly Father had shown Him in a vision. This man's crippled identity was enslaved to sickness for 38 years. After one supernatural encounter, strategic appointment or divine confrontation with Jesus, his life was healed.

In the place of outpouring we will overcome the victim mentality by renewing our mind to become "victors." Ephesians 4:23-24, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." If we will come to Jesus for healing during this time of outpouring we won't have any more excuses for our crippled, weakened conditions.

The new move of God will usher in a new breed of leaders who will only do what they see the Father doing. John 5:19-21, "Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes."

The realm of vision is so powerful it ignites passion and clarity of purpose in the heart of the beholder. To walk into the greater works we must see what the Father is doing in Heaven and allow it to flow through our lives here on earth.

New Voices Will Be Heard

God is opening doors to release new voices in 2009 that have only been heard on a limited level. This new breed of leadership will be full of godly wisdom, knowing the seasons and proper timing like Issachar. The Daniel and Joseph anointings of understanding mysteries, dreams and enigmas will also operate on a governmental level.

New faces will grace the conference and media arenas with an authoritative Kingdom message and the power to back it with signs, wonders and miracles. These hidden ones will emerge out of the wilderness carrying the mantles and wisdom of past generations.

The Kingdom that is within us is expanding and beginning to flow like a river, watering the barren places. We will continue to increase and expand if we will focus on unity and God's Kingdom business and mandates first. Isaiah 55:11 says that every word that goes forth from His mouth shall not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it. The sound of God's voice shatters darkness. Psalm 89 tells us that we are blessed if we know the sound. The sound is God speaking. Everything He says He will do; He will accomplish everything.

Great Grace and Favor

2009 is a season of a supernatural endowment of great grace. Grace and favor gives us the capacity to live as an overcomer, or a victor, not as a victim who is overcome by the enemy of their soul.

The Shekinah glory descended upon the Tent of Meetings and Moses met with God face-to-face, but that glory faded. Moses died in the wilderness but Joshua continued to walk with God in the glory. He received Moses' mantle, crossed the Jordan and entered the "Promise Land."

Throughout history we see men and women who learned to walk in a "spirit of holiness with God." The Spirit of holiness is the divine nature of God manifesting in maturity with resurrection power! Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Enoch walked in resurrection power and never experienced death.

Romans 1:4-6, "Who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ."

Enoch's anointing or mantle was to walk and talk with God in the Spirit of holiness. He displayed the divine nature of God in its fullness, walking in resurrection power! Genesis 5:23-24, "So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." Enoch's earthly walk was the same as his walk with God in heavenly places. He was not double-minded. Enoch was renewed in the spirit of his mind. He put on the new self, in holiness and truth in the likeness of God. Enoch was a forerunner of what we are called to be in Christ. It is the Christ in us that gives us the hope of glory.

Intimacy learned in the Song of Solomon will enable the hidden ones to emerge from their wilderness wanderings with their hearts panting for the Lover of their souls. Their ears are tuned to hear the whispers of His voice leading every step of the way.

Deliverers to Set the Captives Free

God is equipping deliverers to set captives free. His eyes are searching for those who will walk in His ways of truth. Isaiah 42:22-23, "But this is a people plundered and despoiled; all of them are trapped in caves, are hidden away in prisons; they have become a prey with none to deliver them, and a spoil, with none to say, '"Give them back!' Who among you will give ear to this? Who will give heed and listen hereafter?"

Kingdom revelation builds faith producing Kingdom power through which many people will be set free. Psalm 9:9-14, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, That I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation."

Salvation has the power to save and heal us completely in our mind, emotions, body and spirit.

Resurrection Power to Do Miracles

On January 11, 2009, I awoke from a dream of resurrecting four men from the dead:

I found myself in a room with four dead men. Several more who knew them were present, grieving for their loss. The Holy Spirit spoke to me as I entered the room and said, "Their spirits are still in the room at ceiling level." In the vision I saw myself lay hands on the stomach of one of the dead men and commanded life to enter him. His spirit manifested in the form of a transparent spirit skeleton. It lay on top of the man's dead body. As it entered his body the man's breath or spirit returned and he resurrected from the dead. When the men in the room observed what had happened they followed suit. The other three men were raised from the dead too. Then I was transported to another state to raise a woman from the dead in the same manner.

Leaders are to demonstrate and teach so the Body can learn to do the works of Christ. Jesus is looking for a place to lay His head. The Body of Christ must arise in the Church so His head will have a resting place. I am learning about resurrection power through the dreams God has been giving me. Resurrection power operates the best outside the four walls of the Church.

Paul went down to the street to resurrect Eutychus from the dead. Acts 20:8-10 tells us, "There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together. And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, 'Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.'"

Paul left the safety of the four walls of the Church. He went into the streets to embrace the broken and the dead. He released resurrection power and brought Eutychus back to life. We are called to do the same. Matthew 10:8 says, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give." When Paul stepped outside the walls of the Church, resurrection power was released.

During this time of transitioning into the resurrection power, God is calling the Church to pray as never before. We are to seek His face while he may be found. Psalm 105:4-5, "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth." It is time to seek the Lord for increase.

A Plentiful Harvest: Gifts and Fruits

Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you."

His rain will bring forth a plentiful harvest. This speaks of continuing to seek the Lord until breakthrough is obtained. Isaiah 55:6 further exhorts us to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call upon Him while He is near. We must enter the presence of the Lord to access His power. A clear, clean conscience will bring forth a new level of boldness and power to enter His presence. 2 Timothy 1:3, "I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day."

We are told in 1 John 3:21-22, "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." As long as we are asking in the name and character of our Lord it shall be done for us.

2009 is a year of developing the nine fruits and the nine gifts of the Spirit with divine great grace!

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

"For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."

The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-25 enable us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

When we mix the fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit we release the resurrection power in our lives.

Power Evangelism

This season of great grace is a call for us to walk in Power Evangelism releasing salvation to the lost as a free gift of God.

Ephesians 2:4-10, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

God's great grace is releasing a flow of testimonies that demonstrate God's great power to save, heal and deliver.

Acts 4:33-35, "And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need."

Signs and wonders are increasing as the proceeding Word of God leads us into abundant life. Matthew 4:4, "But He answered and said, 'It is written, "MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD."'"

New Wine: Drink Deeply of His Joy

This is a year to be filled with the Spirit of God and His new wine in 2009. Drink deeply and abundantly of his joy and grace. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. It is time for us to rejoice, not fear.

Philippians 4:4-7 instructs, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Adjust your mindset to think positively, count your blessings and taste and see that the Lord is GOOD! Be focused on and totally dependent upon God to meet your needs supernaturally this year. Psalm 34:8-9 tells us to, "taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want." He will abundantly satisfy.

Our old dry wine skins are fading away and they will be exchanged for a new flexible wineskin, shining with the glory anointing. Our focus will change from the past moves of God to the present "Now" new move, and we will have vision for the future. When we prepare our hearts to become a new wineskin God will fill us with the new wine. The New Wine is God's dunamis power releasing His glory, demonstrating His goodness, manifesting His presence and the commanded blessings of unity coming forth.

Good wine is a blend of the finest of grapes confined in a barrel for a specific time to blend and meld together. The winery test and tries each vat of wine until it reaches its peak or premier taste. The dregs settle to the bottom and are poured off. Every person has their own taste or flavor, but when we come together in unity—no one stands out but we blend to perfection.

Isaiah 65:8 spoke of the new wine in the cluster or in the spirit of unity, "Thus says the Lord, 'As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, "Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it," so I will act on behalf of My servants in order not to destroy all of them.'""

God's Breath to you,

Barbie Breathitt
Breath of the Spirit Ministries
Email: Barbie@BreathOfTheSpiritMinistries.com

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.

Seven Things That Are Non-negotiable for Pastors

Notes from the preaching of Pastor Ricardo Santiago during the G12 Conference in Cebu City, September 11, 2008


A pastor must live in the presence of God every day
It is absolutely necessary for a pastor to always be in the presence of the Lord if he is to do the work God called him to do.


A pastor must be a visionary
God always starts His work with a vision. Pastors must have a revelation of God’s vision and God’s dream for their lives and their ministries. Pastors need to have a clear vision of where their congregation is going.


A pastor must be a manager
Administrative skills are essential for pastors. They have to be able to institute order in their families, organize church affairs and conduct their personal lives in a godly and orderly fashion.


A pastor must be a leader
As leader of the flock, a pastor must know the details pertaining to his congregation. He must also be a person who solves problems and unites people.


A pastor must have a renewed mind
It is important for a pastor to not limit himself to the old methods of doing the ministry. Just as Paul encouraged the Romans to renew their minds, a pastor should be open to new things that the Lord wants to do in the ministry.


A pastor must be an excellent communicator
Encouragement, comfort and edification are some of the thoughts a pastor needs to convey to his flock. He also needs to teach and preach effectively so that people get a clear message from the Word of God and get changed by it. A pastor needs to efficiently communicate these things.


A pastor must raise up a team
Jesus set the example by choosing 12 men to be trained and discipled. He multiplied and produced His own kind and they continued His work after He went back to Heaven. A pastor needs to raise up men to be trained and who are able to train others as well.

Leadership… God’s Way

God wants me to read books… again!
[Hahaha! He has a sense of humor!]


I’m not much of a bookworm but I do, every now and then, read a few good ones. This time, two of my friends from church gave me really interesting books.

The first one is entitled, Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders. My former discipleship classmate, Venus, gave it to me as a going away present [uhm, she was the one who went away… to Canada].

The second one is called, Experiencing God, which was given to me by one of the young men in our cell group – one Famous Warrior.

God has been preparing me for something greater in the past few months, and with these books He’s thrown my way, I’m getting an idea of what it is. I continue to pray that the Lord would sustain me and enable me to learn what I need to learn in this season of testing, training and fine-tuning.

I’ve already read the first five chapters of SL, with a plan – a concrete one – to finish it by next Wednesday. I’m also planning to finish EG in a week’s time. This book reading schedule is actually leaps and bounds beyond what I used to do – it used to take me two to three months to finish a single novel (I’m progressing! God is a progressive God!).

Lord, let my days of experiencing God propel me to true spiritual leadership…


… but first, please help me get over my lack of interest in books.

- - - - -

To Venus and Louie: Thanks for the books, guys. Thank you for sowing Kingdom seeds into my life. The Lord bless you and keep you, and return what you have sown in due time through a harvest of righteousness.

God bless you!

Father. Leader. Lover.

Do you stop loving your sons even when they don't conform to your idea of who they should be?


One of the Lord's first leadership/fatherhood questions to me.

Each son is different. Each son has his own anointing, gifting and calling. Each son has his own personality, temperament and character. Each son has his own destiny and identity.

Each will take their own path to who they will become. No path is the same. Each son's path is unique.


Will you stop loving them when they don't fit into the image you have of them in your mind?

Will you still care for them when they take a path that's quite different than the one you thought they'd take?

Kingdom Leadership

Rick Joyner: "Leadership in the Kingdom is Built Upon Loving the KING, Loving His PEOPLE, and Loving His PURPOSE"


Having His Cause

People mobilize for a cause, and then they follow leaders in pursuit of that cause. In the case of an army, the possibility of future conflicts could result in injury or even death, so for one to mobilize, there must be a high degree of belief in the cause.

To endure the daily discipline and training that is required to become part of an army also requires a continuing, deepening, and enduring devotion to the cause. Articulation of the cause and then building on the foundation of devotion to a noble cause is crucial for leadership.

In Christ, we have the most noble cause. Articulating and projecting the cause is basic to leadership. Because "the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (see Matthew 12:34), the most basic qualification of leadership in God's army is having His cause, which is His Gospel and His Kingdom in our hearts. The deeper and more real it is in our hearts, the more powerful the articulation will be because living waters come out of the innermost being or heart (see John 7:38).

Of course, the purest water is the most untainted and unclouded. Because the army of God is also His Bride and we know that by the end of this age He will have a pure Bride "without spot," we can expect her leadership to be both deep and pure in their motives. The deeper we go in our understanding and love of the Lord and the Gospel of His Kingdom, the more it should also purify our motives.

When the angel released the apostles from prison in Acts 5, he exhorted them to return to the temple and preach "the whole message of this Life" (see verse 20). After our call to the army by the Gospel, which is the commitment to give our lives to the Lord, to obey Him and follow Him, there is the need for the continual reiteration of the cause and "the whole message of this Life," including how we should live to represent His Kingdom. This, too, must be done from the heart because it takes "living water" to motivate the soldiers to excellence in their training, which in our case is all life skills.

Enlistment in the army of God is not over after a four-year stint or after a conflict is decided because we know this conflict will continue until the Lord returns. Therefore, it is crucial for the leadership in this army to be skilled at projecting the message on every level as a continual motivation of the army. Morale is crucial for the performance of any army.

Love God Above All Things

A person in love will not quit. Those who truly love the Lord above all things will do all things for the Lord. Those who have kept their first love wake up thinking about Him. The primary devotion of their lives will be to get closer to Him, to know Him better, to know His voice better, and to obey Him in all things.

If this is not our most basic devotion, then something less than God has eclipsed our affections for Him. The first and greatest commandment is to love God above all things. Anything else but this means we have departed from the path and have become deceived because there is no person or thing that is more lovable than God. Who could possibly perceive His great love, His great heart, and all of His ways and not love Him more and more? To let anything else eclipse that love is to make it an idol in His place.

This is one reason why lukewarmness is so offensive to the Lord. How could anyone really know the living God, the consuming Fire, and not be on fire for Him? To be lukewarm means to be shallow in our devotion, and if that has happened to one who knows the most noble cause there is, there must be a most serious character flaw or deception.

We should appreciate preachers and leaders who study how to be more articulate or effective in their preaching just as we should appreciate those who seek to do their jobs better. Even so, true greatness in preaching or teaching will be the depth of love that we have for the message.

We should appreciate the preachers and leaders who take courses or seek to learn better leadership and management skills. This, too, is necessary to lead well. We should want to do the best job possible leading those who have been entrusted into our care. Those who are trying to improve their leadership skills are to be commended and will likely also be the ones who are promoted by the Lord.

We should do this first because we love the Lord and want to do the best possible job for Him, but the best leaders will also love the people entrusted to their care. It should be the love in our hearts for the Lord and His people, not just promotions, which compel us to always study and try to do a better job.

If We Love Him We Will Esteem and Honor What He Trusts Us With...

We should care for the resources that have been entrusted to us enough to be the best stewards of them that we can be by managing them well. We often hear the saying, "seek the Giver, not the gifts," but that is not Biblical because the Scriptures exhort us to seek the gifts. This is not an "either/or matter," but one way we seek the Giver is by letting Him use us for His gifts and ministries to operate through. The Scriptures also exhort us to seek Him for our provision, our daily bread, and other things that we need or even want. This binds us to Him even more closely as our Source.

Of course, we must not let the seeking of His gifts and provisions eclipse our seeking Him personally. Also, if we love Him we will esteem and honor what He trusts us with and will want to be the best stewards possible. If we love the gifts, we will treat them with more respect and take better care of them. This is why it is right to "earnestly desire" (see I Corinthians 12:31) the gifts, just as Paul exhorted the Corinthians.

It is not wrong to love our ministries; it is wrong not to. It is not wrong to love the gifts; it is wrong not to. It is not wrong to love anything else He has entrusted to us; it is wrong not to, but in all things we must love Him more. We will also find that the more we love Him, the more we will tend to love other people and things. Love, passion, and compassion will all be the basis of the zeal for the message of His true messengers.

Certainly other factors contribute to becoming a good leader, but heart is the first. Therefore, we must guard our hearts and its affections, but we must also use them. Have you heard people say that love is not a feeling but a discipline? Try telling your spouse that you no longer feel anything for them but are just loving them in obedience to God. That is actually promoting "cold love."

Leadership in the Kingdom is built upon loving the King, loving His people, and loving His purposes. You cannot truly love someone or something without feeling it. If you feel it, it will come out in your words. Words without feeling simply will not motivate, and motivation is crucial to leadership.


Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
Email: info@morningstarministries.org

- - - - -

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

Holiness and the First Stone

"Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." Leviticus 19:2


I was hanging out at one of the Roman Catholic churches near our congregation yesterday and was able to catch the 7pm mass there. The priest was talking about the issue of holiness and how men of the cloth are often misunderstood -- because of the scandals involving priests that have plagued the Roman Catholic Church [and even in other denominations].

As the priest was speaking, the Lord spoke to me about His requirement of holiness. People always have this high standard of holiness measured against priests, pastors and ministers without realizing that God requires holiness from all His children, not just from those chosen to minister in front of people.

Parishioners and congregants have this glossed over idea that their clergy, church leaders and ministers are in a higher plane of holiness simply because they appear in front of the masses. While it is true that there is a higher level of accountability for priests and pastors, I believe God requires the same standard of holiness for everyone, whether we are the shepherd of our flock or a sheep in the flock.

In Leviticus 19:2, God clearly states that requirement: "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." He does not give this command to a chosen few of his people but to all His people. "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel..." God says in verse 1 before giving the mandate of holiness to the people of Israel.

Immediately, what came to mind when the priest was sharing his homily was the story of Jesus and the sinful woman who was about to be stoned by the people because she was caught in sin. I was reminded of how easy and quick it is for us, the bench warmers and the pew-packers, to turn into a mob once we see our leaders, pastors or priests falling into some form of sin and immorality. Almost everyone of us wants to be the one to cast the first stone, without first checking if we ourselves have been living in complete, untarnished holiness and if we have managed to avoid every temptation that came our way.

Two questions came up while listening to the preaching last night:

1) do we, as congregants and parishioner, apply the same high standards of holiness in our own personal lives that we expect from our leaders?

and

2) do we pray for our leaders and cover them and the ministry that they do?

See, it's easy to point fingers at the mistakes of others, especially if they are front line ministers, people who have been called to serve us in front of many. But who's pointing a finger at our own mistakes? I can only hope we're are as adamant at our own failures as we are at the failure of others. Otherwise, we'd all be like the Pharisees and Sadducees who lived a life of hypocrisy. If we demand such high standards of holiness on priests, let us remember to apply the same high standards of holiness on ourselves because God doesn't have a holiness discrimination -- He requires and expects holiness from all of us, whether we are pastors or lay ministers or churchgoers. He requires it from all of us because He is a holy God.

Also, if our leaders fall into sin and fail, let's check ourselves to see if we did our part in covering them and supporting them in prayer. Paul encouraged Timothy -- and all of us -- to pray for all people and to "pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God"[1 Timothy 2:2]. As much as our leaders and authority figures are accountable to God for their own lives and for leading us, we are also accountable to God for our own lives and for spiritual support [among others] we are to give to our leaders. It takes two tango you know, and if our priests fall into immorality or our pastors fall short in the area of holiness, chances are we didn't do our part in covering them with our prayers.

I have heard many people [and I was one of these before] complain about the weaknesses of their leaders; complain about the duplicity of some priests; criticize the flaws of their pastors; point fingers at the inadequacies of their ministers; bawl about how the pastoral style is not to their liking; whine about the holiness and purity issues in the clergy; while we ourselves did not take time to check our own lives and our standing before the Lord.

Our leaders, pastors and priests are only human... and still human regardless of the titles attached to their names or the priestly garments they put on their bodies. They face the trials and testings as we do; encounter temptations like we do; they feel lust, pride, jealousy, anger and hurt like we do. They've not shed their vulnerability to the flesh just because their names are prefixed with Fr. or Rev. It just means that they are called to serve where they are. They have a calling and they have heeded that call. That doesn't make them holier or stronger or better than the rest of us. They are still human beings like you and me, but they are just called to that area of ministry.

This is not to excuse the sins and shortcomings that our ministers and leaders commit and fall into. Far from that actually. The Bible tells us to confess our sins and repent of them. It also tells us to correct and rebuke when ever a wrong comes up. I believe that if our leaders fall into issues of immorality and sin, they should be subject to disciplinary action as much as any member of the flock is. But the point I'm trying to make is this: to expect others to abide by a certain measure of holiness without adhering to the same measure ourselves is foolishness. It's like the old saying "do as I say; but do not as I do." Or saying something like "I expect you to be flawless and blameless, but never mind shining that light on my life."

If we expect our leaders to be good examples of holiness and righteousness, we must first have a realistic view about the issue. The truth is NONE OF US IS HOLY ON OUR OWN. That's why we all come to Jesus and adopt His holiness and righteousness as our own. The moment we start to think that we are holier than others, is the moment that God will begin to humble us and remind us that our righteousness as just like filthy rags before His eyes.

Jesus was very much against the issue of duplicity. He warned people about living pious public lives while leading sinful ones in private. If we are quick to point out the faults of our leaders -- even of our brethren -- we must be reminded to "first remove the plank from our own eye". Yes, there are priests who are errant, there are pastors who transgress, but we have been taught by the Lord Himself to forgive, to be compassionate and to carry each other's burden.

We all make mistakes, we all fall short of the glory of God. Instead of wanting to cast the first stone in the public square, let's put ourselves in the shoes of our leaders, priests and pastors -- or of anybody who sins for that matter -- and show the compassion of Christ to the sinner, while remaining hateful of the sin. "Separate the sinner from the sin. Love the sinner, hate the sin," is what I often hear from the first row from the pulpit where I sit. And it is sound advice. Jesus Himself adhered to it -- this was the message of His life. He extended His compassion and forgiveness and mercy to us. Why should we not do the same for our brothers and sisters?


Imagine what it would be like if Jesus was the one eager and ready to throw the first stone at you!

Taking Back What The Enemy Has Stolen

[notes taken by Arlene del Socorro from Pastor Jerry Berenguer’s preaching Tuesday, July 8, 2008]

We had the privilege of still having Pastor Jerry with us to share God's Word in tonights' revival meeting, and we basked in the river that night. It was soul-refreshing and mind-renewing. But so you understand what I mean, I am sharing with you my notes from Pastor Jerry's preaching that night and I pray God's living Word will become a "rhema" to you and bless you.

1 Samuel 30:3-10 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David's two wives had been captured — Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Ravine, where some stayed behind, for two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the ravine. But David and four hundred men continued the pursuit.

1 Samuel 30:18-19 David recovered everythingthe Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.

Trouble's EFFECT in our Lives:

1) Troubles in life can wear us out, and it doesn't matter if we are faithfully serving in the ministry or not. When troubles come, they can wear us out. David was a man after God's own heart and yet trouble came upon him. The enemy weighs us down with troubles so that we are unable to move and accomplish what God has called us to do. David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep, much more do what God has called them to do.

2) Troubles can take away our focus and make us blame and fight one another. At every sight of trouble, the Israelites blamed Moses whom God used to lead them out of bondage in Egypt. David's men were bitter for their loss and blamed David who led them in many victorious battles and thought of stoning Him.

3) Some people become bitter in their spirit when troubles come. A lot of couples find themself in this situation and their marriages break because they have allowed the enemy to confuse them into blaming and fighting each other. When we allow bitterness to cloud our decisions, we lose because we cannot fight the enemy in the condition of bitterness.

How do we RECOVER?

1) Don't give up. David did not give up when trouble came upon him. Giving up is easy - staying on is the hard part - it's going to require everything we've got. God has a great plan for you and me (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.). But we have to be moving on in our journey to discover His plan. If we are to recover everything the enemy took from us, we must not give up. Jesus is seated on the throne beside the Father - we are victorious and more than conquerors in Him.

2) Remain focused on what God wants you to do. David knew who his enemy was, and it wasn't his men who were threatening to stone him. We must get to the source of the problem for the enemy wants to destroy our life. Let us not allow bitterness to settle in our heart like that which happened to David's men. Bitterness ruins relationships and splits them up. We must be focused on our goal and the plan of God in our life. Instead of looking at our troubles, let us look on what God wants us to do at that particular time.

3) Find your strength in the Lord. In the face of trouble, David turned to God, not man. He knew who could restore him.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail ,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Nehemiah 8:10 ...Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength .

We should not go out and try to do something ourself - let us find our strength in the Lord - He is our best encourager. The devil will weigh us down with troubles and will even use loved ones against us but the LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.

4) Pray and seek the Lord. David prayed and sought the Lord instead of taking a position of revenge. When we just run after, we make mistakes and fall because we have not inquired of the Lord. David asked for the ephod (a sacred garment worn by a priest when he comes before the Lord) instead of his armor, and went before God's presence to inquire of the Lord what he should do. Troubles cloud our decision and we make mistakes when we react and just go after. God tells us to call upon Him.

Psalms 50:15 ... and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

When we inquire of the Lord instead of going in our own knowledge, God reveals things to us when we come before Him. We need to hear the Lord because His Word will bring victory, breakthrough and confidence to go and pursue.

5) David pursued. After praying, move - do something. We must focus on what God has called us to do and take back what the enemy has stolen. David fought till evening and recovered everything. When you hear from the Lord, go and pursue and take back everything. God caused David to win even with fewer men, 400 instead of the original 600 with him. David heard from the Lord and he acted on it and God gave him victory.

Have you ever lost something in your life? in your family? Have you lost peace and joy over something? Because I lost them for a time... but praise be to our God and Father who is in the business of restoring everything to us through Jesus Christ. Dominion, power and authority, which have all been stolen from us through Adam, has been restored to us through Christ. If God has restored these to us, how much more is He able and willing to restore whatever was stolen in our life? He has restored to me joy and peace and freedom in worship. He is in the business of restoring and He wants to restore what has been stolen from you. Don't give up - set your eyes on the Lord - strengthen yourself in Him - pray and seek His face - then when you hear from Him, go and pursue! God bless you richly.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine , according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Being the “Hands Under”

[notes taken by Arlene del Socorro from Pastor Jerry Berenguer’s preaching Sunday, July 6, 2008]

This Sundays' Word spoken through Pastor Jerry Berenguer was such an eye opener, not just as a member of the Maranatha congregation, but as a wife, a manager and as a choir member as well. From the Book of Exodus 17:8-16, Moses lifted his hands up to the throne of the Lord and for as long as his hands were lifted, Joshua and the Israelites were winning against the battle with the Amalekites. But when his hands grew weary and were lowered down, the Amalekites were winning. When this happened, Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, till sunset, so that Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

1 Samuel 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S, and He will give all of you into our hands."

Exodus 17:15-16 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."

Hands have to be lifted up to the throne of the Lord if we are to see victory in our home, in our community, in our office, in our city and in our nation. In Exodus, Moses was the one who had his hands lifted up to heaven and for as long as his hands were lifted up, the victory of the Lord was theirs. Moses represents the hands of those today, whose hands are or should be lifted up to the throne of God so that His banner may be over our lives. At home, those are my husbands hands, in Maranatha, those hands are Pastor Joe's hands, in the choir, those are Urduja's hands, in my office where I am the branch manager, those are my hands.

But like the example shown to us in Exodus, Pastor Jerry shares that while some of us are called to be the ones with hands lifted up like Moses, some are called to be like Joshua, with hands on the battle. Some of us are called to do the things that need to be done so that the hands that are to be lifted up are not worn down by these things. I have determined in my heart that I will do what I can do with the giftings that the Lord has given me to bless and honor the man or woman of God.

Some of us are also called to be the hands under the hands that need to be lifted up at all times. God really spoke to me through that Word. As a wife, I am to be like Aaron and Hur, who will serve as the hands under the hands of my husband whom God has placed over me. I am to hold my husband's hands up at all times, specially when he is wearied down, so that he may intercede for our family before the throne of God. As long as my husbands' hands are lifted up and my hands are under his, God will bring the victory.