Love in the Form of a Rebuke

One of the more difficult aspects of being a cell group leader based on my experience is in the area of correcting and rebuking the young men under me. The frequent questions that come to my mind whenever I sense that one of the guys need 'a talk' are: "Lord, is this you wanting to correct them?", "how do I rebuke in love?", and "how far does the spiritual spanking go?"

I'm still somewhat getting used to the truth that discipline is a part of loving someone, and being a single guy with no biological children pretty much lends itself to the challenge of learning how to dispense rebuke with a father's heart. But as a leader and a maturing Christian who continues to learn daily, I want to immerse myself in all the ways that I can grow. This area of rebuking the ones I love is definitely one I need to learn more of.

Being submitted to a cell group leader myself has taught me that receiving rebuke is part of the discipleship process. As I have several times been corrected by my leaders, I have not only become better in the areas where wrongs were set straight but I have also become wiser and more equipped to administer admonitions.

I have had the privilege of talking to some of the guys in the cell group to point out certain behaviors and attitudes that are not in alignment with God's word. Most of the time I approach this situation with fear and trembling. But whenever I ask the Holy Spirit to check the motives of my heart before taking time to rebuke someone, I get reminded that the Bible tells us to teach a child what is right so that he will not deviate from it later on (Proverbs 22:6), and that even God the Father disciplines us when we go wrong because He loves us (Proverbs 3:11-12).

When these words come alive in my heart, I begin to get the assurance that, like my Father in heaven, I am correcting one of my guys out of love, out of the desire to see them become better than they are now and become the men God made them to be. I believe that when I admonish them in accordance to God's word, I am doing what I see my Father do - showing love in every possible way, even if it means meting out reproof.

There is still a lot for me to learn about the whole "discipline-the-ones-you-love" aspect of leadership, but I find encouragement in Proverbs 27:5, which says, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." I hope you do too.

DGen Lesson: Intimacy part. 2 [Love is the Protest]

After the topic of intimacy with the Lord was discussed in the cell group, the Lord impressed upon my heart the following week that the love of many have grown cold (Matthew 24:10-12), and that many have also lost focus on the main thing -- their relationship with Jesus.

He kept pointing me back to Matthew 22:37-38 where Jesus says, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."

Josiah (one of the guys in the group) pointed out that one cannot pursue intimacy without love. He was right. If the love of many has grown cold, then the fire of intimacy cannot burn ablaze. How can any relationship mature and deepen if the foundation of unconditional love is absent?

Love is so essential to everything we do for God. Everything we do for God should be an overflow of our love for Him. Our love for Him should propel us toward a more intimate relationship with our Creator.

This was the focal point of last Saturday’s cell group meeting – our love for God has to be kept the main thing. The fires of intimacy has to be constantly fueled with our affections and decision to love God. After all, our relationship with God should be the main course, not a side dish.

Henry Blackaby in the book Experiencing God put it this way: if our love relationship with God isn’t right, nothing else in our life will be right.

So, if we are in a status quo of coldness or of being lukewarm before God, we can always break out of that and fan the flames of our love relationship with the Almighty. Let us oppose complacency and nonchalance. That’s not the nature of God’s love. His love is progressive and active. We should be, too.

Let our love for God be our protest.

Run to the Tower

Peter Spencer: "Church: It's Time to RUN!"
[from the Elijah List website]

Most recently the Lord has been speaking to me about failure. Let's face it, we all fall short of the glory of God in one way or another (see Romans 3:23). We fail and others fail us. And yet, hallelujah, God is perfecting us; and in the midst of being perfected, the Lord has given us a key to victory. It is our response to failure that is so important to the heart of God and to the Kingdom that He wants to bring through us.

Recently, I woke up feeling burdened and stressed in my soul. But as I was reeling in this heaviness, something in my spirit just clicked. I could feel the Spirit of God breathing life into me, like spiritual CPR. "The righteous shall run unto Him and be safe."

All of a sudden I knew what to do. I began to RUN. I literally took my burdens and my downcast soul and I RAN to the strong tower of the LORD! I was immediately invigorated, and gratitude, worship and freedom took control of my prayer time once again.

I had just received a revelation from the Lord: There is a key that unlocks the doors of anxiety and passivity that are keeping us shut-in from His presence. We can run to Him, and we will be safe and delivered. Church, it's time to RUN!

I Choose YOU, Lord!

"This day I call Heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live..." Deuteronomy 30:19

There is a tremendous authority and gift that God has given to us. It is our choice. Here, God is clearly saying to Israel and to us, "It's your choice, now choose life!"

The Bible records many times when David spoke his own soul into alignment (see Psalm 103:1-2 and Psalm 42:5). The Bible even says that David "strengthened himself in the Lord" (1 Samuel 30:6). He literally took charge of his soul and told it what to do. He began to speak TRUTH, and that truth began to bring alignment to his soul and to his life.

To say that it is humbling to think that a God who is completely sovereign and all-powerful would somehow give us a say or sway over our own situations is a gross understatement. And yet, a close examination of Scripture proves just this. When hard times and failure come, the devil and your flesh say to you, "Run away from God!" But God is saying "No! Run to Me and be safe!"

"The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it (Him) and are safe." Proverbs 18:10

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Somehow, completely afforded by the grace of God, we can choose to take our soul and run to Him. Hallelujah! What a powerful weapon that God has given us: choice!

Time's a Wastin'

So, we have the power to choose, and God is joyfully calling us to run to His safety. So what are we going to do?

"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).

In this Scripture the writer is not saying that God is going to throw it off - no! It's us who have been given that authority. Yes, ultimately He is our breakthrough, and without Him we can do nothing (see John 15), but by His grace we can co-labor with Him; this God-given weapon is in our hands.

There are issues facing us almost daily: disappointment, fear, and the failure and sin of others close to us, and yes, even our own failures. The devil would like nothing more than to keep you weighed down, heavy and entangled with the thorns of life and the world we are challenged by. But God! God has given grace for you, and His grace is sufficient!

Just think: every minute that we are in the pit of discouragement is another minute that could be spent in fellowship with our God, hearing His voice, and moving with Him. There is grace in this hour to see Hebrews 12:1manifested in our lives on a new level. Can you feel the spiritual adrenaline flowing from this verse into your spirit?

God doesn't want you feeling separated from Him. Failures and disappointments will come, but we must take full advantage of the refuge we have in our God - the invitation to His table in the midst of our enemies - and we must RUN to Him, to His character, to His love!

It's interesting that God doesn't say the righteous shall walk to Him and be safe. No, they shall run. When issues arise that hinder, time is of the essence. God is lovingly beckoning us to a higher place of maturity in this hour. Take advantage of this grace given, and get up! Time's a wastin'! Brush yourself off, and RUN to the Cross, RUN to His Love.

Ok, so you've failed. Others have failed you. Maybe you think that God has failed you. He wants to be a refuge even from issues that you're having with Him!

We cannot afford one more second away from Him. His Love is too great, His Kingdom is too important, and His time is too precious. There is a vengeance that must rise up in us, a holy violence in our soul that shouts, "I will RUN to Jesus, I won't waste one more minute in this pigpen of condemnation, burden, and lies. I WILL RUN TO THE LORD!"

For some of you this means literally running, as a prophetic act. For others, it means just quietly speaking the truth to your soul and the distorted view created by your challenges and saying, "No more!" But the call is clear.

Church, it's time to RUN!


Peter Spencer
ElijahList Publications
Email: info@elijahlist.net

- - - - -

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

Hate it! Leave it!

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9


I had this dalliance with pornography and I kept wondering how I could still be loved by God when I was deliberately disobeying Him. But He showed me and proved to me that He loved me still when He restored me in alignment with my destiny and His purpose for me.

During that time of living in sin, I had kept asking God: “Lord, why won’t You remove this weakness, this lust for pornography?” He didn’t give me the answer right away, but over the years, the Lord revealed to me that He couldn’t deliver me from something that I still had a love for. I had to have a HATRED FOR SIN before deliverance came.

I didn’t doubt God’s love at this time but I didn’t feel it and saw myself unworthy because the sin of pornography kept me feeling guilty and unclean. That's usually the effect of sin. The spirit of condemnation comes in heavy and lies to us about who we are in the Lord.

But when I finally decided to HATE SIN, that I would no longer offer my body and my mind to serve the god of lust and pornography, God came rushing in and removed my inclinations to it. The temptation is still there, mind you. Everyday the devil looks for ways to entice me with porn stuff, but He whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). And I know I am!

Just last week, the Lord added this revelation about sin:

"In the same way that you have made the decision to worship Me no matter what circumstances come into your life, you can also make the decision to hate sin and stop living in sin."


It just takes one choice. We can choose to either love God or love sin. The choice we make reveals the sincerity of our love for God, and the intensity of our grasp on what is good.


Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9

The Savior is Love

LOVE is the weapon
LOVE is the tool
LOVE is the compass
LOVE is the school
LOVE is the measure
LOVE is the need
LOVE is the distance
LOVE is the seed
LOVE is the silence
LOVE is the rest
LOVE is the vision
LOVE is the test
LOVE is the helper
LOVE is the fruit
LOVE is the purpose
LOVE is the root

LOVE is rehearsal
LOVE is the act
Covenant keeping
LOVE is the pact
LOVE is the paycheck
The labor is LOVE
LOVE is the handle
LOVE is the glove
LOVE is the final
Law of all laws
LOVE is the center
The noblest cause
LOVE is the given
Gift from above
LOVE is the Savior
The Savior is LOVE

Love is the Reversal

Rick Joyner: "Love is the Foundation, Door and Path"

Last week we ended our study by asking the questions about knowing our purposes, ministries, gifts, etc., which we have been given by God. If our Word for the Week readers are typical, only about 2 percent could answer all of these questions with "yes," and less than 10 percent could answer any of them with "yes." This is remarkable because studies have concluded that the number one question that people have is what their purpose is in life. Every human being knows inherently that they are not here by some random accident, but they have a purpose. Yet most tragically, less than 10 percent of Christians, who know their Creator, have the answer to this.

This reveals what is probably the greatest failure of present church life, but we can expect it to be changed - soon. When this is corrected, and Christians begin to perceive their purposes and the gifts or tools that they have been given for accomplishing their purpose, as well as the corporate purpose of the Church in our time, the result is going to be the release of the most powerful spiritual force the world has seen.

Seeing our own purpose can have the single most powerful impact on our own life after coming to know the Lord, being born again, and being baptized in His Spirit. Every Christian knows they are called to be a witness, but we have a calling in His body that is more specific than that. Every Christian is called to function in at least one spiritual gift, which is the tool that we are given for fulfilling our purpose. So how do we come to the knowledge of these? There is a clear and easy path to it. My purpose for this study is to make it as clear and easy as possible.

How To Know and Fulfill Your Life's Purpose

I say easy, as in easy to understand, but it can be more difficult to actually walk out. However, not walking this out will result in a much more difficult and frustrating life. Let me first give you an outline of the following factors:

#1) Resolving to live to do the Lord's will as the chief pursuit of our lives

#2) Beholding the glory of the Lord

#3) Honoring our spiritual fathers and mothers

#4) Finding and becoming a committed part of the Body of Believers we are called to be with

#5) Receiving the ministry of the five equipping ministries listed in Ephesians 4

#6) Being recognized, trained, and discipled

#7) Engaging in our calling

These are necessary for us to accomplish the purpose for which Christ called every one of us and to be a successful human being. The most basic criteria for success as a human, becoming what we were created to be and doing what we were created to do, is loving God. We were created for this and known by God before the foundation of the world. If there is any measure of success for us, it will be to hear from the King on that great judgment day, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (see Matthew 25:21 NIV). Therefore, to hear those words should be the chief pursuit of our lives.

Our Chief Pursuit

Anything that eclipses our devotion to knowing and serving the Lord is an idol. An idol is anything that has more of our affection than He does, and it is also anything that we put our trust in above Him. The Word makes clear no idolaters will inherit the Kingdom of God (see I Corinthians 6:9). In Revelation 21:8, we are told idolaters will be thrown into the lake of fire and suffer the second death. Being an idolater is not something we want to be! That is the negative but, nevertheless, a true and necessary warning, so it is imperative that we not let anything eclipse our love and devotion to the Lord.

The positive is that keeping the Lord as our chief love and devotion is not only the path of life and the true fulfillment in this life, it also leads to eternal life that will be more wonderful than our minds can even now perceive. This present life is but "a vapor," a wisp that passes with remarkable speed. What we do here on earth establishes our eternal destiny, so we should not take this life or our calling and responsibility lightly but rather with all the seriousness and devotion that it deserves.

The Scriptures are also clear and we can totally trust in the truth that God is good - He is good to all and He loves all, wanting the very best for all. If we do not fulfill our purpose in life, it will not be His fault, but ours. We must want Him and His will enough to seek it.

He wants the best for us; living in His will and doing His will is the best life that we can ever live. This life that has been chosen for us could be hard at times and could even end in martyrdom, but if that is the case it is still the best life that we could ever live, and much better than any other option.

Love is the Foundation, Door and Path

Of course, the most basic calling for everyone is to love God above anyone or anything. Therefore, growing in love for Him is the foundation upon which every truly successful life is built. If we love Him above all and keep Him as our first love, then He will be the continuing devotion and pursuit of our lives. After that, we must love one another. So loving Him and one another is the foundation.

A foundation is something we not only walk on every day and build everything else on, but it must be the strongest part of the building. Since "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing," this is the main thing that we must always keep the main thing. Everything else is dependent on this. We must never be beguiled from the simplicity of devotion to Christ (see II Corinthians 11:3).

Love is both the door and the path to everything else. One who loves is not only the happiest human being, but the most fulfilled, as long as we keep the order of love right - God first and then people. It is not wrong to love things, but it is right to love the good things God has given to us, receiving them with thanksgiving. However, we must keep our love for the Giver first.

As we grow into the army we are called to be, one of our most powerful weapons is love. In many ways this army is like other armies in devotion, discipline, focus, training, seriousness, and so on, but in some basic ways it is unlike any other army. The weapons of this army are not like any human weapons, but are divinely powerful. We do not hate our enemies, but we love them! We do not fight to kill but to give life - not to conquer, but to set others free.

And this you can count on - you are going to love this job!


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

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

Every Christian is Called to be a Warrior

Rick Joyner: "The Army of God Mobilizes--Every Christian is Called to be a Warrior" {from the Elijah List website}

Quality of Warriors

We have been blessed by a core leadership team and staff that have been together many years. As a result, we have been through many battles together. I don't think anyone enjoys conflict, but they nevertheless thrive on it. They come alive with focus and resolve when there are attacks.

Even so, we have some that I have watched recoil with every new attack. Their first tendency is to draw back and retreat, but when they fortify themselves in the Lord, they tend to be the ones who stand with great endurance. On the other hand, the ones whose first tendency is to bow up and fight sometimes tire the fastest. For this reason, I try not to judge the quality of warriors by their first response to conflict, but by how they fare over time.

Those who can quickly engage and stand their ground and those who take a little longer to have resolve, are important to gaining success in the battle. Just as the natural Special Forces are now the tip of the spear in military campaigns and can accomplish things that would often take forces many times their size, these would be wasted and not fare well in the day-to-day fighting in the trenches. Few wars will ever be won just by Special Forces, but used rightly, they can help prepare the way for a much more swift and total victory.

My point is that we need to discern what kind of battle we are in or are going to be in. At our home base, we are doing some things that are considered radical and threatening to many other Christians - such as laboring to see an authentic prophetic ministry raised up in the Church. As we see in Scripture, this stirs up the wrath of those who serve other gods, or those with a Jezebel spirit, and we must have many who will fight with great endurance.

We also have a Special Forces Missions group being raised up that we deploy mostly in special missions. These are adventure junkies who do not do well sitting anywhere for long periods of time, so we use this characteristic and see it as a part of their missionary gifts.

Every Christian is Called to be a Warrior

Every Christian is called to be a warrior, but not all warriors are the same. I do not consider myself to be smart enough to really know people with much depth until I have known them for a long time. I am constantly amazed and surprised at people. One thing I have learned over time is to not try and fit people where I want them to be, but to let the Holy Spirit place them in the Body where it pleases Him.

I can discern the kinds of battles we are likely to be in by the type of people the Lord sends to us. We do not try to fit people into Special Forces Missions (SFM), but we put out a call. Those who respond to this type of training and danger will come. Our goal is to then provide the training that will help them to understand their own gifts and callings, and some learn that the SFM is simply not for them.

As we mature in age and experience, our callings can also change. I used to thrive on the edge of danger much more than I do now. When I was a young pilot, I gravitated to aerobatics and would get bored to tears flying a long, straight, and level flight. I was more of the fighter-pilot type, not the long-range bomber type.

When I owned an air charter company, I gravitated toward taking the freight runs that were going through challenging weather, rather than taking the passenger flights where smoothness was far more important. I knew the pilots who were more tense in the challenging situations would stay clear of them and were therefore better with passengers.

We all have our gifts, callings, and places, so we do not need to force others into trying to be something they are not. Therefore, one key element after mobilizing people is to discern what they have been created by God to do and help prepare them for that, not forcing them into something they are not called to be or do.

The Knights of Malta

One of my favorite and, I think, most inspiring accounts from church history is the history of the famous Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Rhodes, and Malta, or as they are more popularly called, "The Knights of Malta." They were a small order of monks who are credited with inventing the hospital, which they founded in Jerusalem to care for the sick pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land during the Middle Ages. Because many pilgrims were being attacked on the way to Jerusalem, these monks later formed a military division to protect the pilgrims.

As these military monks became recognized as knights, they started to become renowned for both their courage and skill as warriors. They also focused their resolve to not only protect the pilgrims, but protect Christian territory. They vowed to never retreat before the enemies of the Cross and to die rather than surrender an acre of Christian territory to them. They also vowed to do all that they could to preserve Christian unity and to never take up arms against fellow Christians or the forces of a Christian nation.

Because of this resolve, this little order became one of most important and strategic forces in history, not only impacting their own times, but changing the future course of history to the degree that European monarchs credited them with saving Europe from an Islamic takeover.

At the battles of Rhodes and Malta, there were just a few hundred of these remarkable knights, joined by several thousand militia, who took their stand against the most powerful Muslim armies numbering nearly one hundred times their own. After months of sieges, with some of the most fierce human assaults by numbers many times their own, and when the smoke had cleared, the banner of the knights still stood on the ramparts. The few but bloody knights who were left stood next to that banner.

Their courage and resolve even gained the respect and honor of their enemies. Today there are Muslim leaders who have such respect for this order that they give an audience to the modern knights. One reason may be because these more fearsome and courageous warriors never forgot their calling as healers. After each battle, the knights, even though exhausted and often wounded themselves, would not rest until all of the wounded on the battlefield had been taken care of, even those from among their enemies.

Humbling Ourselves to Serve

To keep their humility, these knights, who were mostly the scions of the most powerful and wealthy families in Europe, and even their leader, the Grand Master of the Order, would spend time weekly in the hospitals serving the sick and wounded, even changing their bedpans. They did this believing that as they served even the least of these, they were serving Christ Himself.

This is something that must be recaptured and maintained. People are not our enemies - we do not war against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in the spiritual realm. With all of the courage, resolve, strength, and devotion that we have as spiritual warriors, we must also grow in our skills as gentle healers, humbling ourselves to serve in this way even those who are used by the enemy to attack us.

We must always keep in mind that our victory is salvation and the greatest victory of all is the salvation of our enemies. However, even if our enemies do not turn to the Lord and continue to hate us, we must love our enemies, and while resisting their error, we must be open to serve them in any way that we have the opportunity without compromising our message and convictions.

Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
Email: info@morningstarministries.org

Kathie Walters: The Almond Tree Challenge--God is Asking: "WHAT DO YOU SEE?"

What Do You See?

I have a question for you today--I believe it's a question God is asking you. God actually asked Jeremiah this same question I am going to ask you. Ready?

First, a little background. Remember that at the beginning of Jeremiah's ministry, he didn't exactly have a great established ministry. I mean, he wasn't running around Israel speaking at big conferences and doing seminars. He was a kid, really. Well, a teenager, anyway.

When God first talked to Jeremiah about his calling to preach, He said, "Jeremiah, you know I called you before you were born and ordained you to be a prophet to the nations." Well, Jeremiah freaked out. He heard this before--after all, his dad was a preacher. But, you know, in your mind it's always, "Sometime down the road, when I am more mature."

Jeremiah answered the Lord and said, "You've got to be kidding. I'm just a kid, don't ask me. I can't do anything." Now, I know this is the Walters Translation, but go read it--that's what it says. If you want the King James Version, Jeremiah said, "Then said I, 'Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child'" (Jeremiah 1:6). But, you know people didn't speak in King James English then, just like we don't do that today.

God ignored Jeremiah's vision of himself as a useless kid. He said, "Don't say that, because I have put My word in your mouth." Then God gave him a pretty heavy-duty commission right there. Did He say, "Now, Jeremiah, go off to Bible school and study hard. One day you will mature enough to qualify to be used in the ministry"? No, no! Out of the blue, God said to the teenager, "Oh yes, I've called you to go to the nations; in fact, I've set you OVER nations and OVER kingdoms" (kingdoms usually include several or many countries). "You can pull down and uproot stuff and all kinds of powerful things." He told Jeremiah not to be afraid of their faces; He said, "I'll be there for you." When it says the face (or eyes) are a mirror of the soul, let me tell you, it really is.

Without even stopping to ask if Jeremiah was okay about it all, God suddenly said, "Well, what do you see, Jeremiah?" Jeremiah's dad was a priest, so he was used to God stuff--but not at that moment. God said, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" Jeremiah had to get into faith, quick. That is, you have to see by faith. Young Jeremiah had a vision, "I see a rod of an almond tree."

Aaron's rod was made from the branch of an almond tree, and in Hebrew it means "an awakening one." Jeremiah was seeing his destiny in his faith (but he didn't realize it yet). He was called to be an "awakening one." God told him to prophesy and challenge the people of Israel about their calling and destiny. God told him to go and wake them up. Personally, I would have asked God to send someone else and pleaded ignorance. Well, he tried that anyway--but it didn't work.

You know what? Often people don't like to be woken up. Not too many people are woken out of a slumber and get up in a good mood. You are mostly unhappy with the cause of the "awakening." "An Awakening One" was a good name for Jeremiah. "Mr. Popularity" wasn't exactly a good description of him.

So then...this is my question from the Lord to you: "What do you see?" I am not talking about the natural realm.

Take some time to chill out--take a break, go out for a nice meal, relax, take a couple of days--then go sit at the feet of Jesus. "Snuggle, don't struggle," is one of my favorite sayings, or, "Nestle, don't wrestle." Then get into rest and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He sees for YOU. Not for your town. Not for your church. Not even for your husband or wife right now--but for you personally. Your vision has to start with you, doesn't it? If you don't have a real vision for yourself, then you won't be able to believe with someone else for their vision.

The Thing About Vision

Do you remember those old TV sets? They had a tube, and when they got old, the tube would start to go. Do you remember what happened when the tube was going out? The picture would gradually get smaller and smaller. No one wanted to buy a new tube because it was expensive, so you waited until the last minute. You were leaning over sideways to see the wide but shrunken picture.

So what are you seeing? Most people are seeing a shrunken picture. My husband, David, says, "Most Christians aim at nothing and hit it." You can only aim at what you see. If you see a small call or a small destiny or a small vision, that's all you will aim for.

My challenge for you is this: See what God sees for YOU. He has a great vision--He has a big vision! We see our town, our family, our little place in the grand scheme of things. But God sees nations, God sees a place without walls. God has no limitations in His vision. He sees no limits for you--you can have what you believe and you can believe what you see--IF you can see by faith. You have God's faith in you--believe it! Because "...to every man is given the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).

What Is Your Adventure?

The Bible says that the will of God is delightful, "I delight to do Thy will, Oh my God" (Psalm 40:8).

God puts His desires in your heart. In other words, He puts His desires in your heart so that when you do according to your heart, it's delightful, it's wonderful, it's full of adventure and it's full of God. All you have to do is allow the Holy Spirit to show you what He sees for YOU. You have a wonderful, awesome, big and great destiny to fulfill.

If you are doing something tonight in the way of serving God and it's not delightful, forget it--it's just works. And, sorry to say, God is not interested in your works, He's interested in His works. He is not going to anoint your works, He anoints His works. The glory of God will never come on what you do--the glory comes on what He does. It's not trying, it's yielding to the anointing.

Isn't it easier to yield rather than to try and strive and work at it? Trying can be very trying. God is not running around your city trying to recruit workers for the Kingdom, He is just wanting His sons and daughters to rise up and be who He called them to be. You're not a sinner saved by grace--you were a sinner saved by grace, but now you are a son or a daughter of Almighty God. You are royalty of the Royalty, an heir of righteousness and an heir of the Kingdom. You don't have to earn it, you can't qualify for it--Jesus gave you this inheritance, freely. He paid for it 100% when He died and rose again.

But First, Enjoy Him

I nearly forgot to remind you--your first calling is to enjoy God. He called you to first enjoy Him. Don't go out and serve Him unless you enjoy Him. Do you know Jesus is in love with you? He totally adores you--He doesn't just tolerate you. He made you of His divine nature--eternity is in you. He has given you His power and righteousness and clothed you with the beautiful garments of Salvation.

This is a new and living way--walk in it and begin to see what HE sees for YOU.




Kathie Walters
Good News Ministries
Email: kathiewalters@mindspring.com

As I Lay Dying, I Prophesied

The valley of dry bones is going to be a battlefield where the destinies of many will be waged war on. As those who speak life to the dry bones speak, there will be instantaneous regeneration of flesh – in a twinkling of an eye, not gradual. I see the bones – as soon as they hear the words of life spoken – leap up and became warriors of flesh and blood… and spirit. As those who have come to the valley to speak life to the dry bones are speaking, others [those who have heard the call and have awakened] are helping the risen warriors and equipping them and leading them to the thick of the battle. I see angels battling alongside the warriors of God – waging war against demons, principalities… and the devil himself. Many are now rising up and are rushing to meet the horde of the enemy face on – fearless ones standing on their God-given identities and donning the full armor bravely – ready to give their lives for their promised land.

There is going to be a "take no prisoners" attitude in the hearts of the young warriors who have risen up and taken up sword and shield to war. There is going to be no fear of death – for death will be no longer an issue for the brave ones. There will be such a strong spirit of unity among them that at the mere sight of seeing God's soldiers march – no, run – towards their enemy, will make the demons tremble where they stand. There will be no room for an "every man for himself" attitude but each will prefer the other in love, protect each other's back in love, fight alongside each other in love, draw swords together in love, strike at the enemy in love… OVERCOME IN LOVE!

Strategies. Much power. Wisdom. The generals have been equipped and so are their foot soldiers. The Lord has downloaded His heavenly strategies for war and the generals have discerned it. As these strategies are now being applied, much power will be released upon those who will risk all in this war. Wisdom – to know how to strike and to know how to win – has been appropriated to each warrior, and they will fight with great accuracy and precision that not one swing of the sword will be wasted, but each blow will be felt by the kingdom of darkness, reverberating all the way to Satan's throne… if there ever was one.

I see more and more dry bones being restored; more and more rising up and rushing to the heart of the battle; more and more hearing the trumpet call and the beat of the war drums; more and more taking up their weapons; more and more running alongside others who have once fallen asleep but are now awakened by the blood of the Lamb.

I see feet running. I see banners of victory in the air. I see swords, swords, swords drawn, brandished in the air. I hear shouts of victory. I hear loud cries of desperation. I hear hearts resounding their battle cry. I see an army… undefiled… united… unafraid… unwavering… unyielding… unrelenting… unwilling to leave the battlefield without claiming their already won victory.

Seek and destroy. That's one of God's strategies. As we seek Him first, as we seek His kingdom first – and find the intimacy to hear His voice and know His heart – He will add all the other things unto us. It is in intimacy that we know who He is. It is in intimacy that we know who we are. It is in intimacy that we learn how to war, contend and destroy the kingdom of the enemy. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and see the camp of the enemy DESTROYED!

There will be a strong spirit of brotherhood among the warriors in this battlefield. There will no longer be a distinction between generations. Instead, the young and the old generations will fight side by side, hand in hand – fathers united with sons; sons one with their fathers. This war is a big family affair, with God the Father as overseeing His warriors, and His Son, Jesus the commander-in-chief.

Families are being united. Families are coming together like fingers coming to a fist. Where there used to be broken homes, God will restore love and unity and build an army in each household. Fathers will take up their mantle of leadership and rule. Fathers will teach and raise up warriors in their homes and train the hand of their sons and daughters for war. Fathers will take their position of being the head, not the tail, in families. Fathers will prophesy life to their children, speak words of life to them, show them the ways of God, instruct them in true worship, give identity and purpose, hone and sharpen their children as arrows so they can shoot them off – ready and prepared and equipped – to the battlefield. Fathers will produce mature warriors, not immature babies. Fathers will raise up strong worshipers, rabid intercessors, fervent kingdom seekers, fiery evangelists, loving shepherds, and intimate lovers of God. Fathers will walk in their God-given destiny and mantles! SO BE IT!!!

Generals as young as 12 and 13 are rising up. God isn't minding age. He doesn't set age limits because He is no respecter of persons. These young generals will strike at the enemy and the enemy will be surprised to see such empowered youth – filled with the Spirit of God, unafraid of facing the demons, emboldened by the love of God in their lives.

As the forerunners have run, many will follow. Seeing the courage of those that have gone before, will stir up the hearts and spirits of those that will come after. The Lord is raising up forerunners who will understand what it takes to go before everyone else; forerunners who know what the cost is; forerunners who are willing to leave every little bit of comfort just to see their nation changed and redeemed for the Lord.

As I see the soldiers, the warriors again on the battlefield, they continue to run to the fight; they continue to contend against the enemy; they continue to wage war for freedom in the land. As they do so, a huge wave of white water rushes from behind them and runs through them, but they are not harmed. Instead, it invigorates, refreshes and strengthens them. The mighty rushing waters fuels them and enables them to stand firm on every word of God as they persist in the war. But for the enemy and his soldiers, the waves of the river wipe them out and obliterate them into nothingness – easily! The river will make the fighting much easier for the warriors of God, for this river brings life for those who are in Christ, and destruction for those who are of the devil. LET THE RIVER FLOW, GOD!!!



from a nameless, faceless prophet

Beloved and Praised

[for "God's Beloved and Praised One"]

His eyes are ever on you to watch you as you live
His heart is always for you, His everything to give
His hands ever support you, sustaining you with grace
His beauty and His glory seen upon your gentle face

He calls you His beloved, His child so dearly loved
He calls you to draw close to Him; He calls you to come up
He calls you precious daughter; He takes delight in you
He calls you now to rise in faith and see what He can do

You are admired by many as your name prophesies
You are in all things favored in Father’s loving eyes
You are appraised, deemed worthy by Savior’s grace alone
You are a praised one pointing all glory to His throne

Beloved by the Father, beloved by the Son
Enveloped by the Spirit; their strength in you is one
Praised by the lips of people who see He lives in you
Their praise goes back to Jesus; keep on – He’s pleased with you

Beloved and Beautiful

[for "Beloved, Precious One who Shines with the Beauty of God"]

Beauty of God that shines from within
Holiness and truth that come from Him
Mercy and grace that on you are adorned
Make you the beauteous one that He formed

Lovely and precious to His eyes you are
Bringing delight to your Father’s heart
Beloved to Him, you can rest in His care
You can find all you need; He will always be there

Beloved – it means in His arms He will carry
Your burdens, your life, your all if you tarry
Beloved – it means His arms are wide open
It goes beyond words; His love heals the broken

Beloved – it means you can overcome all
For His love is your fuel, your weapon, your call
Beloved – it means you are whole and complete
No lack is in you, every need He will meet

Beloved – it means that His might is in you
To accomplish great things He has destined for you
Beloved – it means you are called "warrior child"
Whose spirit is power and love and sound mind

Beloved, be strong in the Lord and arise
His glory, His beauty through you brightly shines
Beloved, you are to the battlefield reckoned
No time for the doldrums; the war drums beckon

Lament/Repent

LAMENT
You have asked me the one question that made me stop and think so hard
You made me wonder and ponder this question: for You, just how far?
You asked such a great cost, a price I now have to face and pay
You asked for my life and you left me crying for two days

Is this how much it cost to see these young ones grow?
Is this the value in exchange just for You in me to glow?
Is this what I must lay down to see this nation changed?
Is this what You require for me to glorify Your name?

I am already broken and stripped of all that I held dear
I am already down, bowed low and humbled by Your fear
I am already out my comforts and I don't know where I am
I am hanging on Your every word because I know in You I can

REPENT
But You say, "all you lose is gain to Me, if you come and seek My face
And if you just boldly come to Me, you surely will find grace"
You tell me to press on and run to You because You see
The man that I can truly be – my all, my destiny

You say, "no cost is greater than a man lay down His life
My Son was hung upon that cross to bring end to your strife
You say to Me I ask too much to want your life laid down,
But, child, that is exactly where your life in Me is found."

"I've given you the best there is and I spared no expense
My love for you has been expressed, you can't expect no less.
I only ask that you trust Me in all the ways I move
For when you lay down everything, you'll see that I'll approve."

"You'll see that all along my heart was truly all for you
That even if you fall away I'm still in love with you
You never lose what you entrust to Me, so just let go by faith
For when you truly trust in Me, you'll clearly see the Way."

Intimacy Checks

The Lord reminded me of my intimacy level with Him today. With the flurry of things that I feel God has called me to do, it is easy to put aside the most important thing that I should do for and with Him -- that is to spend time with Him in prayer, in the Word and in worship.

Two of the most recent prophetic words on the Elijah List website were reminders of that. One was about God's jealousy for us, when other things start to remove Him from the number one spot in our hearts. The other is about the important of intimacy with the Lord as the key to a successful harvest.

The Lord God desires to be in an intimate relationship with Him -- Father to child. He desires for us to lay our head on His chest and just be in a loving embrace with Him. Sometimes I get to miss that out because of my "Martha" tendency, but I really love those time when I can just sit in the presence of the Lord and love on Him as He loves on my, like Mary did -- she found the better part.


Father, help me to maintain my intimate relationship with You no matter how busy I get, no matter what circumstances come into my life. You are all I need and my soul longs for You!

Let the River Flow 2008: Faith Bombs

Feb. 20, 2008 Wednesday 10:00 am
Pastor Rich Oliver

As a believer, we need to launch faith bombs, look for the fingerprints of God and ask, “What is God Doing?”

FAITH BOMBS WE CAN FOCUS OUR EYES ON:

GOD’S LOVE
The Father’s heart of love brings miracles.

Jesus is moved with compassion for the great multitude.

MATTHEW 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, HE HAD COMPASSION ON THEM AND HEALED THEIR SICK.

THE POWER OF HIS LOVE IN US BRINGS FAVOR AND BLESSINGS that overtakes us.

Pursue His love every day. Decide it – desire it. It unlocks healing, provision, miracles, supernatural experiences, wisdom, the hidden mysteries of the Lord, grace upon grace.

His love will clothe you, deliver you, bless you, strengthen you, bring back the prodigals.

Make it your aim to know the love of the Lord.

COVENANT-KEEPING GOD
EPHESIANS 3:6 This mystery is that THROUGH THE GOSPEL THE GENTILES ARE HEIRS TOGETHER WITH ISRAEL, MEMBERS TOGETHER OF ONE BODY, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

EPHESIANS 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 ACCORDING TO HIS ETERNAL PURPOSE WHICH HE ACCOMPLISHED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

EPHESIANS 3:16-19 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith . And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

He is always looking out for what’s best for you.

When you have a heart of compassion, when you cry tears in behalf of your family, your nation, your city, your declaration shifts things in the spiritual.

WE HAVE TO BE IN THE CORE OF WHO WE ARE, FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD.

His promises are sure. It’s His very nature to do what He promises to do.

His promise of healing is already done, finished.

1 PETER 2:24 He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED.

We as spirit-filled Christians should STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD. If His promises are not real, then everything we have in life, which He spoke into existence, is not real.

THE WILL OF GOD
God uses us to bring Jesus into our world. Are we in His will concerning this?

FULFILLMENT OF PROPHETIC WORDS
ISAIAH 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.

Jesus is the realization of this prophecy.

Healing is for everyone.

MATTHEW 8:16-17 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "HE TOOK UP OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED OUR DISEASES."

HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
HEBREWS 13:8 JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER.

JAMES 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE SHIFTING SHADOWS.

REVELATION 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOREVER AND EVER! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

HEALING COMMISSION
He has commissioned us to work miracles in His name.
JOHN 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

MARK 16:15, 18 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation…..they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Be a people who cry out to God for our calling.

GOD’S GOODNESS

We serve a good God.
MATTHEW 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

Even nature testifies of God’s goodness.
JAMES 1:17-18 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

These gifts are to empower us, so that we do not speak on our own strength but on the authority of Jesus.
EPHESIANS 3:20 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,…

GOD IS SOVEREIGN
ECCLESIASTES 8:3 Do not be in a hurry to leave the King's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for He will do whatever He pleases.

Sovereign – Monarch, Supreme Ruler, Autonomous or Self-directed

He is Sovereign and He does what He pleases.

DESPERATION
MARK 5:24-28 The desperation of the woman with the issue of blood.
24 A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

MATTHEW 15:22-28 The desperation of the woman with a demon-possessed daughter
22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

KINGDOM ADVANCEMENT
He does miracles to destroy the works of the enemy.
ACTS 10:38 …how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how HE WENT AROUND DOING GOOD AND HEALING ALL WHO WERE UNDER THE POWER OF THE DEVIL, because God was with Him.

1 JOHN 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. THE REASON THE SON OF GOD APPEARED WAS TO DESTROY THE DEVIL'S WORK.

You and I are called to lay hands on the sick, preach and proclaim the good news and to set free those in bondage.

HOW TO MAINTAIN HEALING:

PRAISE, PRAYER AND WORSHIP helps you maintain healing.

MEDITATE ON AND LIVE BY GOD’S WORD. Meditation brings revelations, revelation brings healing manifestation, healing brings encouragement to the heart from which the mouth speaks.

PROVERBS 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

MATTHEW 12:34 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks .

LUKE 6:45 For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks .

CONSTANTLY PURSUE HIS PRESENCE AND POWER inside and outside the church walls. We owe the world an encounter with God.

What I believe after I pray is as important as what I believe while I am praying.

Every problem is an opportunity for a miracle and to show the world HOW BIG OUR GOD IS. We’ve got to be a people of DISCIPLINED PRAYER, PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

Discipline will bring you to a place where God’s glory dwells. Regularly invite His presence in your life.

How Low Can You Go?

"...if you are called as a deliverer and a forerunner, the Lord has to work His heart of humility in you."


"So part of your journey as a deliverer and as a forerunner is the changing of garments. What season are you in? That is part of the divine strategy of the Lord--to kill us so that we look more like Him. The only problem is that it is a custom-designed death for each one of us. We don't get to choose how we get to die. We think it would be easier if we could choose our "death," but the Lord strategically sets it up for each one of us to deal with the motives of our heart, so that we love Him; so that we will be desperate for Him and press into Him--no matter what!"


- - - - -

from the prophetic word released by Jill Austin over at the ElijahList website.

The Garden

Excerpted from "Her Hand in Marriage" by Doug Wilson, pages 93-95
[thanks to UBS for sharing this]

- - - - -

As my horse trotted wearily up the road, I could see the walls of a beautiful garden ahead. Outside the gate was an equally beautiful woman. At the sound of my greeting, she turned and dropped a curtsey. “Good sir...good morning.”

I looked at her, and then at the garden walls extending out to the right and left. Behind her was the garden gate.

I said, “I am very thirsty… for something clean.”

She smiled, and her smile made me thirstier still. But she said nothing.

“Is there water here?” I asked.

“There is a stream within my garden.” Her statement was simply a statement of fact; there was no invitation at all in it.

I asked, “May I come in and drink?”

“No,” she said. “The lord of my mother’s garden does not permit that.”

“Why is this? Other women have let me drink from the gardens that they tend.” I glanced at the fruit-laden branches which were visible over the top of the garden wall. “You have a lovely garden, but those who let me drink had gardens just as beautiful.”

She laughed at this, and her laugh was merry indeed.

“I have no doubt that you have been in some lovely gardens. But was the water clean?”

“No,” I said, and in spite of myself, turned my head and looked down. She continued with a question. “Is that why you are no longer in the gardens tended by these women?”

I was ashamed so I did not answer her. Instead I looked past her into the garden. The path through the gate disappeared after a few feet, leaving the view of anyone on the road.

“It seems like a shame for such a garden to go to waste.”

She seemed both puzzled and amused. “How does it go to waste?”

“Does any man drink from your stream?”

“No, but no man fouls it either.”

“But isn’t that not a waste? Was not your stream made to quench the thirst of travelers?”

“I’m afraid you are seriously mistaken. It was made to quench the thirst, not of travelers, but of the lord of the garden.”

“Oh,” I said, “This garden has a lord?”

“No,” she said.

“Then I don’t understand. Are you speaking in riddles?”

“She smiled. “No, I am not. The garden will one day have a lord, although it does not yet. The stream is for him alone.”

“And who will your lord be?”

“When my mother’s lord gives a blessing, the one whom I appoint.”

“How can the lesser appoint the greater?”

“How can it be so? When my lord comes, I will grant to him my garden. But until I do, he is just another traveler.”

“And what do you look for? I am sure there are many who knock at your gate.”

At this she blushed slightly but looked straight at me. “I will not have a lord who does not have a lord himself – my lord must have taken an oath of fealty to the Landlord.”

“The Landlord? Who is He?”

“He is the owner of all the gardens along this road. In order to come into my garden, my lord must take an oath before the Landlord to tend the garden well. He must also swear that he will enter no other garden.”

I had never heard such words as these before. “How long must he stay out of other gardens?”

“Forever.”

“But what if he is born to travel?”

“Then he is not born for my garden.”

“I see,” I said, becoming a little angry. “Then why have I never heard of such an oath? I have been in many gardens.”

“Yes, you said that before. But was the water clean? Were the gardens tended? That is what happens when there is no oath.”

“So that is all? If someone takes an oath before the Landlord, you will make him your lord?”

“No.”

“Well, what else then?”

“There are many men who think they can tend my garden well, and who would be willing to swear an oath before the Landlord saying so. But that does not mean that my mother’s lord, or I, share their confidence.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that I know the extent of the garden. I have a knowledge of it that cannot be gained from the road. But no man can share that knowledge until after I have made him my lord and husband. So I must have the measure of the man before.”

“So what must a man do? It seems like much work.”

She smiled once again. “There is much work. There is also much fruit.”

“So what must a man do?”

“The first thing is to – “

“Yes, I know. He must swear to the Landlord. But after?”

“He must return to me, and ask to see my mother’s lord.”

“And what would he say?”

“That depends on the man.” At this parting comment, she turned and walked slowly back in to the garden, pulling the gate closed behind her. I spurred my horse, which began to trot down the road. I did not know what to think, but I needed to find this Landlord.

Father's Love Letter

My Child,


You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32


Love, Your Dad
Almighty God


'Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2006 www.FathersLoveLetter.com'

Tall Order

Half way through 2007 [my] Pastor Joe [DiSarno] preached about the qualities of God's love. Agape love looks so different from man's concept of love. Agape thinks more about the welfare of others than the welfare of self. Agape gives more than it takes. Agape is more than just feelings.

As Pastor Joe spoke on the matter over a period of a few weeks, I began to think that agape -- unconditional love -- is such a tall order. It's the kind that is not based on feelings. It's the kind that's always extravagant. It's the kind that's always willing to make sacrifices. At the end of this series of sermons, two questions came to mind: who can measure up to such high standards, and can I measure up to such high standards?

The answers? Well, to the first one -- Jesus measured up to the standards. He was born without sin. He lived a life without sin. He modeled love at its purest, highest form. He was compassionate to the corrupt, kind to the poor, merciful to the sinner, open to the oppressed. Yet His love was firm and strong and He wasn't afraid to dish out tough love when necessary. He made the most extravagant sacrifice that anyone can make -- He laid down His life for His friends... and enemies. He loved when it felt good. He loved when it hurt. He loved even when no one reciprocated. He loved completely, ultimately, unconditionally.

To the second -- by God's grace I can [attempt / hope] to measure up to the standard.

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Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Let the River Flow 2007: Day One

November 23, 2007 / Friday

Harp & Bowl
Before the 10am assembly started, we had a worship, prayer and intercession session. The spirit of intercession for the nation was heavy as it came down upon the Upper Room of the Maranatha World Outreach Center (in Manalili, Cebu).

There was a cry for the children of the nation, for the fatherless generation; that Father God would father them; that the Lord would send them father figures to train them and raise them up so they can fulfill their destiny in the Lord.

A prayer for the schools in the nation was also spoken. It was a prayer for the teachers to become the leaders and instruments that the Lord would use to raise up the students in righteousness.

There was also a cry for the Filipino church, the body of Christ in the Philippines, to rise up and stand in the gap for the nation.


Morning Session
The main emphasis during the morning session was a changing of seasons. Pastor Jerome pointed out that recognizing the seasons in our lives is one of the most prophetic things we can do. There is a new season that has already begun in the Philippines and we can either be part of it or just be bystanders. Pastor Jerome said it this way: "We could either be forerunners or drifters."

There was a call to revolutionalize our way of thinking, to have a mindset of serving God and fighting for the Lord as the Philippines has now entered a spiritual season of WAR! "We must have a wartime mindset," said Pastor Jerome. He also emphasized that Satan wants to lure us to a peacetime mindset in order for us to not be on the watch. "WE ARE AT WAR!"

The challenge toward the end of Pastor Jerome's preaching was to bring the focus back to God, and to put our wartime mentality on. We were encouraged to find joy in this season of war and to be confident in the fire of God to burn inside of us.

The question that lingers in my mind is: "Are you willing to lay down your today for your country's future?"


Afternoon Session
Stacey Campbell came in for the afternoon session and confirmed the prophetic word spoken by Pastor Jerome -- the season is changing in the Philippines; it is a season of WAR! Stacey pointed out that on her way to Cebu, on the plane, she sensed the strong presence of witchcraft and demonic spirits in the land; that these spirits are oppressing and opposing Christians in the nation. She called for us to fight against these spirits for GREATER is He in us than he that is in the world.

Stacey also encouraged us to turn passive faith into aggressive faith, and to not let the enemy's design (to make us quit) take over us. Instead, we should hold on to the fact that God wants -- and enables -- us to be successful overcomers.

She also said that God is training us for this new season and that even in our trials we can be happy because there is joy in serving Him -- this is also a confirmation of what Pastor Jerome said in the morning session that God doesn't want us to live a miserable life.


Evening Session
The evening session was a build-up of what had been shared by Pastor Jerome and Stacey during the day. Stacey felt that she was in Cebu to anoint the warriors and prophesied over Pastor Joe (DiSarno) saying he's a general who's gonna be getting battle strategies from the Lord and lead the army to war.

Then Stacey read from the book of Joel (chapter 3), which is call to war, to rouse the warriors. She highlighted the importance of becoming intimate with God in relation to going into battle: "You can't go to war if you don't know you're loved!" Intimacy is the key to victorious warfare! And acts of war does not have to be big and bold all the time. Stacey shared that during her times with the Lord, He told her that "it is enough that you die to yourself daily."

Another point of emphasis that night was the importance of how we pray and live our lives, because according to Stacey, "it matters to the nation." As we stand in the gap and pray for those who cannot pray for themselves in the Philippines, we also need to show God's love and righteousness by the way we act and live. And there was also the reminder to keep praying and fasting for this nation to bring in the prophets, prophetic words and prophecies.

It is time to get serious about the weapons of warfare God gave to us -- FAITH, HUMILITY, PRAYER AND FASTING (among others, of course). Because of John 3:16 -- because God so loved the WORLD -- we need to be in warfare for the world, for the lost, and bring them into the Kingdom of God.

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Day Two to follow.