The Chains of Deception will Pull YOU Down and Lock you Up

Those who buy into well packaged deception in every arena are the most gullible and subject to becoming enslaved by the deceiver. The devil thrives on souls who believe his lies. He is the ultimate bait and switch master; The sleight of hand expert that uses diversion to mask his every evil move.

The deception most easily missed is when he uses perception distorted by his lies to cause his people to follow his unwitting minions to perdition.

He uses distorted eschatology to deceive. Many of the most deceived are those who have bought into a picture formed by intense dispensational interpretation. Rejecting all dispensational teaching without recognizing the historic patterns of deception by the enemy is an opposite and equal deception.

Deception can be trust in a man. God spoke thru his prophet Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.

Deception can be fear of man. Peer pressure. Going along to get along. Proverbs 29:25

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.

I am seeing these all manifest right now. People are afraid to speak up and speak out because the don't want to offend. Deception thrives on this fear. People have bought into the lie that a political party, a political movement, a political person can rescue them or deliver them from troubles. That deception has been the tool the enemy has used again and again. Hath God Said?

Satan is clever but he is not creative. He has no new ideas. He only rehashes the old ones because they work so well.

People forge the chains that keep them in poverty, danger, despair, discouragement and feeling trapped because the devil has convinced them that they must go along, trust man and things are all set...don't worry be happy.

You can make a difference...but you will have to learn to be hated by the world, even some in the religious world. I have been ostracized by many because I would not toe the party line.

This roots from what I heard Kim Daniels say Thursday Night at Impact.

2012 NEW WORLD ORDER

I copied this. I don't fully buy into ALL of this, but some of it is sobering. It is important that we not be ignorant of the enemy's schemes. I am convinced that many are. SO, this is just a list of some things to keep an eye on. I DID NOT write ANY of this. If you have an argument...see the author. I don't embrace this, I offer it as someone's observation...




· More New World Order (NWO)/New Age events are being planned for 2012 – unprecedented.
· Fall 2012 – Rome, Italy – 300 top spiritual leaders representing the world’s religions are meeting to draft a plan for a new global consciousness and a NOW. Vatican, Dalai Lama, New age leader Barbara Marx Hubbard are among those represented.
· December 21-28 – Worldwide Occult Meditation Festival – groups all over the world meeting to bring about a global transformation to bring about a new birth of the world and is called “Birth 2012.”
· December 22, 2012 has been declared by the occult world as the unveiling of the New World Order.
· Occupy Wall Street (OWS) supports one world socialist financial system, backed by atheist billionaire George Soros, and has a goal to bring about worldwide unrest and instability in the nations’ economies in order to establish a new financial system and global currency. They are being backed by big labor unions and have close ties with the White House.
· The Pope recently called for a one world agency to establish a world financial system.
· Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, is supporting the OWS movement and is calling for a one world government. The late John Paul II was a close friend of Gorbachev and was in favor of a one world government and economic system.
· The OWS movement has added a “spiritual dimension” by adding “sacred ground” at their sites. Buddhists, New Agers, Occult, and churches have joined forces to provide a “spiritual dimension” to the movement. The only group to be excluded is JEWS!
· The 2012 Summer Olympics in London is being hailed as an occult/New Age event. I believe that profound “deceiving signs and wonders” may occur at this event. The Olympics is based upon an ancient Greek celebration of Apollo or “Apollyon.” Apollyon is the angel of the Bottomless Pit and rises and brings a plague of locusts that resemble war horses with crowned human faces and having women's hair, lions' teeth, locusts' wings, and the tail of a scorpion in Revelation 9: 1-11. Apollyon is Satan himself.

THE ECONOMY
· Gerald Celente, a top US economic expert, who accurately predicted the economic crash of 2008, recently stated that the US economy is collapsing in front of us. He predicts that it will completely crash in late 2012. The current US debt is now equal to 100% of what the nation is producing in one year!
· The true US unemployment rate is actually 15% or higher, not what the government is stating. The true rate for Canada is 14%.
· The Bush-era tax cuts are helping to keep the fragile US economy afloat. These will expire the March 2012. If not extended, federal, state and local taxes will rise sharply, dividend tax rate will soar from 15% to 40%, the capital gains tax will increase 25% and the estate tax will rise from zero to 55%!
· A total of 15 Euro zone nations were warned of being downgraded by the S&P recently. Middle of January 2012, nine were actually downgraded from AAA status. These included France and Austria. Spain, Italy, Greece, and Ireland are nearing economic collapse. Iceland’s economy has fallen apart.
· Calente recently warned that criminals are in control of the US government. In 2012 he warns that they will create a “catastrophic event” or go to war in order to disguise the economic collapse. It will be blamed on the “event” and thereby create a diversion to divert public anger away from them. In the event of such an event, the US and world economies will crumble.
· In such an event, martial law will be declared, civil rights suspended, curfews set up, guns confiscated, Homeland Security Office will have complete dictatorial powers, American citizens who protest will be labeled terrorist and arrested. Congress recently passed a law empowering the military to arrest and detain indefinitely anyone labeled a “terrorist” on US soil. This includes US citizens. The law is called National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "By signing this defense spending bill, President Obama will go down in history as the president who enshrined indefinite detention without trial in U.S. law," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.
· 20,000 US troops have been trained to deal specifically with economic collapse and civil unrest and ready to be deployed in the US. Detention camps have been erected throughout the US and are ready for use.

WAR
· War with Iran is a very high possibility in 2012. The US and Europe have tightened the economic noose around Tehran recently. Iran has responded by sending warships into the Strait of Hormuz and threatening to close it. This would stop the flow of all oil from the Middle East from that region. Price of gasoline would rise to unprecedented heights and throw the West into economic chaos. The US and Europe have declared that would be an act of war. Iranian gun boats are currently harassing US warships in that region. The US has sent Tehran a dire warning not to close the Straits or the US will use all military options available.
· US troops being removed from Iraq are being deployed along the Syrian border in Jordan. Syria has mounted poison gas on its missiles and has distributed gas masks to its citizens. In January 2012 a Russian ship loaded with weapons unloaded its cargo in Syria. The US and Israel are gravely concerned.
· Iran has sent ships into the Mediterranean Sea. Israel has responded by sending two submarines laden with nuclear missiles near the coast of Iran.
· Iran claims to have 150,000 missiles aimed at Israel. 70,000 rockets in Southern Lebanon and thousands of rockets in Gaza are aimed at Israel.
· Iran will have five atomic bombs by April 2012. Israel has vowed to stop Iran from becoming nuclear. Two Iranian nuclear sites have been mysteriously destroyed recently and several Iranian nuclear scientists have been assassinated.
· Should Syria fall to the “Arab Spring” protest, the Islamic Brotherhood (a radical Islamic group vowing to destroy Israel) will have a unified front against Israel from Algeria to Syria. It will in effect recreate the Islamic Caliphate or Islamic Nation and completely surround Israel.
· Israel recently distributed 6 million gas masks to its citizens.

SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

· 2012 is predicted to be a year of tremendous climate upheavals. NASA is warning of unprecedented solar flares which could destroy the nation’s power grid and plunging it back into the 19th century. Satellites, computers, cars, ATMS, cellphone, and all electronic devises would be destroyed. Mass transportation would be shut down, food distribution to markets impossible resulting in food shortages and mass panic. Martial law would be declared. If the solar flares are severe enough, it could pollute the nation’s water supply (radiation poisoning). The current US administration has done little to nothing to prepare the nation for the predicted immense solar flares.
· Scientists fear that the nation’s biggest fault line is coming to life. The New Madrid Fault line, which in the past caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards and change its course, is becoming increasingly active. Should a large quake occur along the fault, which extends from Arkansas to Lake Michigan, the nation would suffer severe damage and untold death. Recently, 500 earthquakes were recorded in Arkansas in a short time.
· Scientists are alarmed at the increasing volcanic activity in the Yellowstone Park – the nation’s super volcano. Pressure from its massive magma chamber has caused the ground to rise 9 inches in areas of the park. Temperature of Lake Yellowstone has risen from 60 degrees to the 80’s. Toxic gases are being released in many areas of the park. Recently, thousands of animals were found dead throughout Yellowstone. Many areas of the park have been closed due to toxic fumes and new hot vents. Scientist fear that this super volcano could erupt. It would destroy six states and blanket much of the nation with volcanic ash. This would effectively destroy the United States’ super power status and regulate it to a minor player in world affairs.
· Tens of thousands of birds and fish are mysteriously dying throughout the US. Scientists are at a loss to explain.

Bill Yount: Many Are Coming In Out of Left Field Into My Kingdom!

While watching a recent baseball game, I noticed that a player who'd dropped a ball in a previous game was playing poorly again. Angrily, I thought to myself: "Why doesn't the manager take that guy out of the game and replace him?" I sensed the Lord then say to me: "For the same reason I don't take you out of the game. The manager knows that guy is a better player than he appears to be right now." The next time that player got up to bat, he hit a home run!

Don't Count Yourself Or Anyone Else Out of the Game Or My Kingdom!

Recently, I sensed the Lord saying, "I am bringing many in 'out of left field' to be used in My Kingdom." Heaven's eyes are on left field. The meaning of "out of left field" is: to come from an unexpected place, to be a surprise, unusual or "didn't see that coming."

Suddenly, I had a picture of unusual people emerging from unexpected places of gross darkness. This surprised many in the Body of Christ. God was drawing them, but we hadn't seen them coming. Then the Lord said, "Who are these I see coming up out of the wilderness ['out of left field'] leaning on her Beloved?" (Song of Solomon 8:5, paraphrased).

These appeared to be pornography stars, mass murderers, witches, occult practitioners, and followers of Eastern religions – many souls who had committed horrendous sins and terrifying crimes. The pointing of their finger was the closest many in the Body of Christ had come to these. But they were being summoned by God's Spirit like a baseball coach waving in a relief pitcher from the bull pen to clinch the final innings of the game.

Most baseball stadiums have their bull pens outside of the outfield fence, some outside the left field wall. Interestingly, one of the meanings of the word bull pen is "a barred enclosure in a jail where prisoners are kept together temporarily until facing charges." Yes, many prisoners of sin are now being freed into God's Kingdom to display His great grace in Heaven's final All Star Game on earth! I saw "Hatfields and McCoys" jumping over the left field fence, leaping the high walls of hatred and historic grudges. I could not believe what I was seeing. God was waving them in.

I was left thinking: "Expecting the unexpected makes the unexpected expected and the expected unexpected" (anonymous).

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

Posting because I am watching a Leader Fall right NOW..he is exhibiting all these signs

From Joseph Mattera
Seven Warning Signs Before Leadership Failure

Unfortunately, in every level and realm of life we have all witnessed serious leadership failure! It is no longer a surprise when we read about a high-level pastor, celebrity, sports figure or politician who is disgraced because of ethical or moral failure.

As one who has worked with many struggling church and marketplace leaders on a very personal level for the past 30+ years I have made the following observations regarding warning signs before a fall, which I teach younger leaders so they will avoid the mistakes of the present generation of many leaders.

All of us have fallen into the following in one way, shape or form. Hopefully we will have learned the hard leadership lessons of life so we can pass on wisdom to the next generation! Here are seven warning signs before leadership failure:

First, often before falling a leader will cram so much into his or her schedule for a prolonged amount of time that they don’t get enough time for personal renewal and rest. Much activity is not always kingdom productivity; when a person is constantly running around from meeting to meeting, from state to state, from event to event without seeking God and personal times for reflection, they do violence to their soul and will eventually be operating on will power and fumes instead of the Spirit of God. This can lead to them being tempted to escaping from the pressure of life with adulterous relationships, pornography, excess entertainment and foolish endeavors.

Activity without clarity will also lead to making poor decisions. When we are always in a rush we will not have the proper time to process things, which leads to a lack of discernment and disastrous leadership decisions. This will compound the pressure even more and create more work to get out of the mess they are in! Sometimes less is more!

I am not saying leaders shouldn’t be very busy or have a lot of responsibility. But what I am saying is there always has to be enough time in between events and days of meetings for daily reflection, prayer and seeking God so that our level of discernment is high and we are walking in the grace and power of God to do His work instead of our own will power and strength!

Secondly, I have noticed that before falling a leader avoids intimate contact with their peers or overseers who can speak into their life. They live a life of isolation which is very dangerous!

As busy as I am, there are a number of mentors and spiritual sons that I open up to who give input and prayer; I am always open to hearing God’s voice through their prayers or exhortations to me. The more responsibility I have the more community I need to keep myself on track!

We also need intimate relationships to keep the human side of us active. It is very easy to go from one productive business meeting or anointed service to another and always be in front of strangers or crowds of people or with leaders who don’t know us well. There is no real community in those settings; even in the midst of a crowd we can still isolate ourselves because in a crowd a leader doesn’t have to be intimate or accountable since they are the ones calling the shots, doing the leading and speaking instead of the other way around.

Third, a leader is heading for a fall when he or she is not spending adequate time with their spouse and/or family. God told us that it is not good for man to be alone. I have seen many leaders, especially those who travel a lot, who are not in regular touch with their spouses and who rarely ever spend time at home. Being with family helps keep a leader grounded. Without that, they will be surrounded by superficial relationships related only to their productivity as a minister or business person, where they are always receiving accolades (from sycophants), as opposed to being a father, mother, husband or wife who has to constantly strive to work hard at intimacy in their family relationships—which God intended for us to keep us humble and grounded. A leader may get praise from everyone around him but the spouse really knows them and will tell them like it is and keep them in touch with reality!

Fourth, leaders are heading for trouble when they don’t exercise self-discipline in eating and indulging their pleasures. If a leader cannot control their eating patterns then most likely that is a reflection of a larger issue; that is, they are medicating themselves with food and most likely are vulnerable to other lusts of the flesh that will enable them to escape from the pressures of reality. Obesity is a social sin that has become acceptable in the Body of Christ even though Jesus warns against it (Luke 21:34).

Furthermore, when we as leaders have bad diets it begins to affect our minds, emotions and spirits in negative ways because it creates sluggishness, fatigue, and clouds our spirits with our carnality. Many leaders have died or have serious health issues once they hit their forties and fifties because of a poor diet. God will judge us if we prematurely meet Him and miss half our lives because of our lack of discipline and obedience.

Fifth, leaders are heading for trouble when they don’t seek God for God and only pray and read the Bible when they have to preach a sermon or minister. Worse than our lack of intimacy with the Lord is the fact that we are only using Him to make a living or using His word to achieve certain outcomes. However good they may be, our highest call in life is to know and love God. Matthew 7:22-23 teaches us that we can minister for God effectively and still fail if He doesn’t know us! Leaders who only seek God for a sermon have a professional relationship with the Lord and will eventually not have the grace and spiritual power to deal with all the pressures of marriage, life and ministry, which can lead to moral failure.

Sixth, leaders who love titles, positions, recognition, constantly join boards, and get involved in large events for public prominence are heading for a fall unless they repent. When we exalt ourselves God says He will humble us (Luke 14:11) and he who seeks his own glory is not glory (Proverbs 25:27).

We are not far from a fall when we try to lift ourselves up, promote ourselves, or get involved in events without hearing from the Lord; we are like the Pharisees who loved titles, prominent positions, greetings in the marketplace and to be called leader or reverend or bishop or doctor (Matthew 23:6-7). Leaders who are broken have learned not to try to create names for themselves by marketing their accomplishments and hype; they have learned that only when God exalts a person does it really last (Psalm 75:6).

Lastly, when leaders use people as objects for their businesses or ministries instead of having a motivation of empowering people to walk in their purpose—when leaders put programs over people and tasks ahead of relationships—eventually they will have no one around them who is loyal or who they can trust. They will have burned many bridges behind them because, eventually, their followers will become weary of them and leave them! Leadership is a lonely road to walk; leaders more than anyone else need to minister to people with a servant’s heart. When leaders come into the ministry with the attitude of being served instead of serving others they develop an entitlement mentality that can lead them to pride, arrogance and eventually to destruction.

May God help all of us who serve the kingdom as leaders to glory only in knowing Him (Philippians 3:7-11; Jeremiah 9:23-24)!

Keith Miller: The Set Time Has Come - Favor! Favor! Favor!

The Set Time Has Come

You will arise [and] have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. Psalm 102:13

I love this passage of Scripture. Of course I say that about every Scripture the Lord is revealing to me. I wanted to take a moment and share a few passages with you and thoughts about the favor of the Lord. Favor is an incredible blessing from the Lord. God's favor is one of the greatest things you can have upon you. It is the supernatural touch of God upon your life and work. Favor marks your life as special. It causes you and your entire life to be lifted up above the ordinary and stand out:

For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted. Psalm 89:17

Divine favor is the key to true and lasting success. Therefore, we should pray for favor and receive it by faith. Please know that God desires to bless us with favor.

I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word. Psalm 119:58

In Psalm 102:13 (see above), Zion represents the Church. Notice that the set time for favor has come!

Not just any time, but the set time. In looking up the words "set time" in the Hebrew, the Blue Letter Bible describes the meaning as:

1) Appointed place, appointed time, meeting
a) Appointed time
1) Appointed time (general)
2) Sacred season, set feast, appointed season
b) Appointed meeting
c) Appointed place
d) Appointed sign or signal
e) Tent of meeting

This is very powerful. An appointed time, place, meeting! Let's go one step further. "Appointed" means a pre-determined or set appointment.

I hope you catch this. In a set time, the Lord will favor Zion! And that time has come! Wow! I could write pages and pages of passages and thoughts about favor.

Favor!

For instance, Psalm 5:12 says, For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as [with] a shield.

We see favor is a shield that surrounds you. It is not just positioned in front of you, but it surrounds you.

Look at Psalm 89:17, For You [are] the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted.

Here are a couple more Scriptures:

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

In the light of the king's face [is] life, and his favor [is] like a cloud of the latter rain. Proverbs 16:15

We can see in these few Scriptures that favor is a wonderful blessing from the Lord. We pray this releases a hunger in your heart so that you ask and believe for God's favor for your life.

Favor! Favor! Favor!

Keith Miller
Stand Firm World Ministries
Email: info@sfwm.org

Two Kingdoms

There are two kingdoms in operation in the earth—the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. All ideas, beliefs, and methods of operation fall under one of these categories; there is no gray area. The kingdom of darkness operates through a system the Word refers to as “the world.” It is a system that opposes the Word of God. The world system is based on the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) and is headed for destruction. God desires that Believers switch “systems” so they can get consistent results from the kingdom of God.

The world system is governed by Satan. Everything, from the way relationships are conducted to finances, is based on principles that are designed to steal, kill, and destroy. We were all born into this corrupt system; however, as Christians we are now a part of a new kingdom and, consequently, a new system of operation.

When we talk about kingdoms, there are a few key things to consider so that we can gain concept of how things work. First, every kingdom has a king, and every king has dominion in his respective area of influence. Kingdoms have territories, as well as citizenship that is made up of people who are a part of that particular kingdom. Kingdoms have a constitution or set of rules that govern how the kingdom operates, as well as a government that involves hierarchy. Kingdoms also have armies that go to battle against other kingdoms when necessary.

Believers are a part of God’s kingdom and should no longer govern their lives according to the world’s system. Our King is Jesus and our constitution is the Bible, which contains the guidelines for how we are supposed to conduct ourselves in the kingdom of God. The territory that belongs to us is the entire earth. Though the enemy has taken a lot of ground for his purposes, our job is to reclaim what God originally intended for us to have by spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The gifts, callings, and abilities God has given us are designed to help establish and advance the kingdom. There are people in our immediate circle whom we have been called to minister to, and there are arenas God has called us to infiltrate for kingdom purposes. We are called to go out into the world to bring the reality of the kingdom to people so they can ultimately give their lives to the Lord.

Being effective for God’s kingdom will mean making some difficult decisions at times. The biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego is a great example of how choosing the kingdom of God over the world system results in deliverance, protection, and preservation. These three Hebrew men refused to bow down to the god of Nebuchadnezzar, even in the face of execution. They were thrown into a fiery furnace because they wouldn’t worship a false god, but God showed up in the fire and delivered them. The Bible says that not one hair on their heads was singed (Daniel 3:27).

Choosing God’s kingdom will mean saying no to the seduction and enticement of the world and turning away from the temporary pleasure of sin. In choosing God’s way of doing things, we will definitely face opposition and persecution. However, God will always deliver us and promote us when we trust Him.

OF Kings and Kingdoms - a Prophetic Perspective

This morning as I was meditating on some events of the last few days the Lord said,

"What you are seeing in your spirit is the manifestation of the kingdoms to which people have subjected themselves."

As Christians we all believe we are part of the Kingdom of God and are subjects. That at one level may be true, at least in confession. Yet, there are good people who call themselves Christ Followers who are of another kingdom. Paul the apostle called it another gospel preached of another kingdom:

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:8

I have heard this preached about in many iterations. Mostly having to do with faith, works and salvation. That is true..but there is more. Much more. Jesus identified the Gospel to be taught as the Gospel of the Kingdom:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

The hair splitters that define denominational differentiation as "Another Gospel" are mislead and are misleading. The gospel according to Jesus and according to Paul is the Gospel of the Kingdom.

In light of this, here's what I saw this morning:

There is a Gay Pride parade in Chicago today. A half million people will take part. It celebrates in the end sodomy and homosexuality. Another Kingdom and the people who find themselves in agreement with this are of another kingdom, another gospel.

I was at a gathering of very wealthy people. The conversation revolved around money, how we spend it, how we will spend it, how we invested it. How big a deal it is. AND all the relationships around that table were about money. Money gods. Another kingdom another gospel.

The Sandusky conviction. His sin is public. He is paying an earthly price. I hate what he did but I hope he can find peace with God before his soul is required of him. He is in another kingdom, another gospel. Driven, ruled over by lust for boys.

Titillation. Sex. Pornography. Stimulation. These are rulers over men and women's souls. Their thought life if taken by these impulses. The capacity of the world to continue to provide allure to these temporary pleasures are everywhere. When we subject ourselves as slave to these passions we enter into another kingdom, another gospel.

Drugs. Alcohol and addictions (including food). These have the capacity to take lordship over your normal restraints. We allow them to reduce our barriers to sin. Talking foolishly. Acting out fantasy. It's a trap. We allow by our indulgence to be ruled by a false king. Another kingdom another gospel.

Entertainment. Sports. Politics. News. Markets. Movies. Music. Physical Fitness. Diet. The world of flesh is being fed by these sirens is everywhere you look. People live lives dominated by needing to be up on all the sports, all the news, all the political gossip, all the latest movies, the hottest music, the club scene. The insatiable need for entertainment (Flesh Feeding) is evidence of another king being on the throne of your life, at least for a time. I am guilty of this. I need to keep reminding myself to not allow any another kingdom or another gospel to set up shop in my spirit.

People who could become KING or QUEEN in your life. A kingdom must have a sovereign. One who sits on the throne of your life or mine. It could be a friend or a lover. It might be a spiritual leader. It might be your Apostle. It could be a boss. It could be anyone who's opinion can drive your life. That is dangerous, that is other gods before... another kingdom another gospel.

There is only one KING. His name is Jesus. He is King of King and Lord of Lords. He is the true Gospel. He is the King of the Kingdom that is in your life that is trying to displace him. Yet he is above all. When you die, when you are in trouble, he will still be KING. LORD. He is called this at least Three Times 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:16.

The Lord said to me,

"Tear down those strongholds (YOU TEAR THEM DOWN) that have risen up against the knowledge of ME. They are another Kingdom, Another Gospel. They all lead to death, on this side of the veil and on the other."

I know this was for me...perhaps there is one other who has allowed another Kingdom and another Gospel to find a fiefdom in their lives. IF SO...hear the Word of the Lord

Robert Ricciardelli: You Cannot Turn Off the Light

Dualism remains a problem for many Christ followers. They compartmentalize their lives and miss the presence and light of God in every moment, breath, and context of life. Here are some Scriptural truths on the matter:

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Ministry by definition: the spiritual work or service of any Christian or a group of Christians.

One of the greatest revelations we can ever embrace is that whatever we do in life, IS MINISTRY, because the light of God in us and through us never goes dim.

Every job, every assignment, our family, our leisure, and whatever pathway that the Holy Spirit may lead us, IS MINISTRY.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Remember that you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should receive. You are working for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything We Do Can Serve the King and His Kingdom!

No matter what you are doing, you are to do it all for Him, serving Him and His Kingdom. If every Believer can grasp the revelation that they are carrying His presence wherever they go, it will transform them and many around them. They will desire to walk in His nature, His love, and His purposes, while establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth today.

When I first began falling deeper and deeper in love with God, I thought that the natural progression for me would be to become a full-time ecclesiastic, in the four walls, type of organizational ministry. This false impression came with a guise that I would be loving God more that way. As I put myself more and more into the ecclesiastical pattern of service, I seemed to be getting more and more restless. The Lord finally had to hit me upside the head and say, "You're going the wrong way." I finally got the message and understanding that God had a different plan for me.

I finally understood that as I am in Him and He is in me, everything I did in obedience was just as spiritual as being a pope, a pastor, a prophet or any other title that religion might bestow upon any of us. The Father seemed to say to me, "As you continue to hear My voice and obey My words, I will continue to take pleasure in every part of your life with Me."

As the Lord continues to conform us into His image, the world begins to see Him work through us in all phases of life. We become His divine stewards of our families, businesses, and in the communities in which we live. The stewardship of all that the Lord has for us becomes full-time ministry for each of us, because we never stop representing Him. We are called to be full-time ministers throughout our business day as well, regardless of what we do. A bus driver's ministry as the light of Christ is just as valid as those who shine His light from behind a pulpit. Mothers, you are full-time ministers to your family and community, even if you never work outside of the home. Everything we do is for the glory of God.

We become an act of worship to our Father in all that we do. In the name of Jesus, we become a people of character and integrity that bring salt and light to the world around us. In many ways and applications, ecclesiastic ministry may never reach or be relevant to those that are in the marketplace. But those in the marketplace who walk in the love and power of God, can be transformational instruments for His purposes.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure–this light and power that now shine within us–is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

We Carry His Presence Wherever We Go!

What an honor and joy it is to know that we bring His glory into every jurisdiction, situation and application in life. Just His presence alone can set people free. I have witnessed the presence of God transform lives through the simplicity of conversation or a relational engagement. There have been times when the people I am relating with feel amazingly safe in sharing their deepest and darkest secrets with me. They will often say, "I have never told that to anyone, but there is something different about you, I trust you." Well, we know what that difference is and what it isn't. It certainly is not you or me outside of God. It is God in us, and it is His presence through us that will allow the blind to see and the lost to finally find their journey in God.

Knowing we are activating His ministry every moment of every day, we must continue to be living epistles of grace and mercy to all we come in contact with. This does not mean we will necessarily preach. It just means we will be prepared to hear His voice, and give what He says we are to give. Our lives will preach beyond words, because of His presence. When we try and wear our own spiritual clothes, it becomes a fruitless occasion. He may want us to give a word fitly spoken without chapter and verse, or just deliver some love, understanding, and encouragement. We must have an ear to hear; which only comes from intimacy and time spent with the Father and His Word. With this intimacy, we gain a sensitivity to hear what He has for another during those opportune moments.

We cannot shut out the light of God. It is in us, on us, and through us at all times. We need every false religious tendency to die in order for us to flow in the life and experience of God. We must love supernaturally in bringing forth the Kingdom of God in powerful ways.

Father, give us wisdom and revelation as we serve in the marketplace and impart Your glory to the world in Jesus name, Amen.

Robert Ricciardelli
Converging Zone Network & Visionary Advancement Strategies
Email: Agaperoad@gmail.com

John Belt: God Is Giving Out New "Out of the Box" Ways of Doing Things

1. Lifting of the Heavy Burden

In this season, God is giving out new "out of the box" ways of doing things. Don't get set in "your" ways, but learn to embrace His ways. What does this really mean? It means not to think as the world thinks. Do not accept what the world calls normal. We need a fresh Gospel mentality that is willing to walk away from the things that hinder and hamper our call.

God is looking for people who are willing to respond to His call. Take Matthew the tax collector as an example, or any of the disciples. Jesus said, "Come and follow Me." What we do not see is all the details that were involved in the sacrifice of those who followed Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

There is a hidden treasure that is only discovered by those who answer this call. For Matthew, it was deliverance from operating in the world's system as a tax collector, a boring occupation. God invites us to a life of adventure in the Gospel. It is better than we could ever imagine. When we respond to His invitation, He lifts the heavy burden of all the things of this life. I can imagine that Matthew had much burden, much boredom, and much anxiety. When he chose to follow the Lord he left all that behind. His burden became a thing of the past as He embraced the easy yoke of Jesus. Instead, he chose to experience the glory of God being with Jesus.

It really comes down to the question of "What are we here for?" What is the point? Are we storing up treasure in Heaven, or are we looking for our reward on earth? Are we still trying to be somebody when Jesus is saying, "Come, follow Me"? He lifts the heavy burden, bringing us into a place of ecstatic joy, life, and peace. The Gospel is still good news. Do you still feel it in your heart?

2. A Time For Heaven's Strategies

We are in a time where God wants to release new strategies to us that go against the typical trend. There are ways of doing things that work. Being in a religious rut causes you to do the same things over and over again with the same result, never learning to move into something new, fresh, and different. Those caught in a religious trap are afraid of adventure, new things, different approaches, and will hold others back so that they won't feel so bad. Misery loves company. One of the main characteristics of fear is control. People in fear have to control to keep things safe for themselves. They will take things into their own hands rather than trusting the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

When we learn to trust the Lord, we then get a new and fresh perspective on things. It is like you had been in a box. As you learn to trust the Lord, you climb out of that box, seeing sunlight with the blue sky rather than darkness in the box. This is the way it works when we see as God sees. He has blueprints for each of us that will release life, making us contagious with His love and presence. Ask the Lord to get you out of the old place. Question your own thinking. Is your thinking in alignment with man's accepted way, or does God have a better way? Then, what are you willing to lay down for a fresh blueprint from Heaven?

3. The "YES" Harmony Experience

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

When we get in on God's plans, it is then that we experience the "YES" from the Lord as a seal upon His best for us. The good is the enemy of the best. When we discover God's best plan for our lives, then we experience an even greater affirmation of His voice to us. As we come into harmony with the Holy Spirit, He brings us into a revelation of God's acceptance. Jesus received the affirming voice of God, not only because He was God's Son, but because He was walking according to he desires of the Father's heart. There is a place of precision and excellence where His affirming voice is made even clearer to us. This comes as we come into synchronicity with His voice and desires.

4. The Sum of Two

One day in the last month, I was looking at our boy in amazement of how wonderfully made he is. The thought came to me that he is the "sum of two." There is power when two come together. When we are alone we have limited capability, but when we are together with the heart and mind of God we are not limited in what can be accomplished. This is why Jesus told us that when "two or more gather together in My Name, there I am in the midst of them." Together, we have an exponential impact for the Kingdom of God. In the Book of Acts they went out in pairs of two. God is looking for people to come together in unity so that His power will be released. When we are of the same heart and mind, God can do extraordinary things. When we look at the historical account of the Tower of Babel, God said that nothing would be impossible for them.

Genesis 11:6 And the Lord said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them."

Those people were speaking the same language and were unified, operating out of demonic power. How much more is nothing impossible for us when we are operating in the unity and power of the Holy Spirit?

5. The Spirit of Honor

1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Scripture says that we are to honor all men. If this includes people outside of the faith, then how much more those who are in.

What does it mean to honor? God gives us all opportunities to honor people. David was convicted when he cut a piece of cloth of Saul's robe. He was grieved that he did such a thing. Are you grieved when you speak ill of someone even though they may be wrong? We reap what we sow. If we sow the wind, we reap the whirlwind. Our mouths are to be a means of blessing people, not speaking curses over others. Maybe you think someone needs to repent. Did you know that it is the "goodness" of God that brings men to repentance? Try praying the goodness of God upon people's lives. Ask for God's love, goodness, and mercy to be displayed instead of gossiping about people. Or is it that people really don't want other people to change because of their own bitter hearts?

In many cases most would rather gossip than pray for others. Some prayer groups are more like "gossip groups." People look for places to vent their opinions. If you see this happening, expose it on the spot. Whenever you presume to speak negative things about others behind their backs, you are uncovering them and dishonoring them. It is backstabbing. God is not pleased with this. Make sure you have a heart that honors people, and avoid those who talk about others in dishonoring ways. Keep yourself clean. Then pray God's goodness and love be poured out on all involved. When you honor others in private, God will honor you in public. Let your speech be seasoned with salt. Salt is a cleansing agent. It preserves, heals, and restores.

God is faithful!

John Belt
Live In His Presence Ministries
Email: admin@liveinhispresence.com

21 Days till the end of the world...

There is a movie coming out today. The premise is that the world is going to be hit with a meteorite 70 miles wide and it will destroy all life on it. Everyone knows it. There is no cure. It is in fact going to happen.

What is the result?

People having orgies. People leaving marriages. People getting drunk. People looting. Lawlessness.

Probably going to be a stupid movie. I won't see it, even in two weeks when it goes to cable TV.

Yet, when I heard about it on the radio, it made me think. WHAT IF?

What would happen? What would YOU do? What would your neighbors do?

First, no one would go to work any more. Electricity, gas and fuel would disappear. Planes wouldn't fly. Communications would cease. Internet gone.

Oh there would be a few who would take to the airwaves. I suspect to the moment the rock hit. Talkers.

You wouldn't be able to go to a restaurant. Who is going to work or cook? Money...WHY?

The think that became even starker for me was what would happen to the Christian Church in the west? In the east, in Africa I have no doubts faith would build. People would prepare to meet God. Revival would take place.

In the US, Europe, Australia and other western lands.... would there be ANY move towards God?
Remember, no money means no offerings. Church buildings are going to be dark and cold. No sound system. Anyone more than a few miles away can't get there. The hirelings and the true Shepherds would be separated out in a moment. In fact the only human contact in these days leading up to the end would be those within a mile of where you live. How would that go? Do you have relationships with your neighbors? Do they know God? Could you be priest to your neighborhood? Could you reach them with the truth of the Gospel?

It's a question that haunted me.

I'm not predicting such an event... but in recent years there have been several doomsday movies. This one as silly as it is asks the question...if you knew you only had 21 days to live...then what?

For SOME of your neighbors the clock is already counting down for them. They won't be here a year from now. Now what?

When it's NOT the Prophecy you Hoped for

There are a couple of sad/funny stories in the Bible. I'll let you look them up.

One is the story of Balaam who was hoping to prophecy to Balak and make a quick buck. It didn't happen the way the king who paid the bill for his prophetic impartation hoped it would. He didn't get his money's worth. It took an ass to stop the madness. It wasn't the prophecy the king wanted. Amusing story. Numbers chapters 22-24. Read it and smile at the futility of buying off a real prophet.

Another is the story of Micaiah who prophesied opposite of what King Ahab wanted to hear. There were 400 house prophets who told the King what he wanted to hear. They made a living on false prophesies. When Micaiah came to the King, he mouthed what the others had said in sarcasm. Ahab knew baloney when he heard it. So he said in essence, "tell me the truth". When he did it was bad news and the King said in exasperation, "The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?” BUT it was the truth. 1 Kings 22:1-39

We have this in the Western Church today. Prophets that prophesy for gain, for a position in the church, for a seat in the front, for an offering, the hundred dollar line, the fifty dollar line or send an offering for a prophecy. Or some fancy oil, sand or holy water. It's all funny/sad.

If I have EVER prophesied over you wealth and prosperity, you can write it on the wall. You can stop it if you choose. You can short circuit your destiny. I know this is a short list because unless I see great prosperity coming your way I won't prophesy it. EVER. It is frustrating when I hear prophetic ministers (not actually prophets) prophesying this or that to people about how God is going to pour great wealth into different ones. I can sit there and groan. It's just not true of everyone. There is a place to enter into the provision and protection of God, but not EVERYONE will enter into great prosperity.

The same is true of leadership. Of ministry. Of anointing. Jesse had lots of sons but Samuel only anointed ONE. I'm afraid some of today's prophets I see would anoint them all. Balderdash.

We need to be less of a Prophetic Positive Thinking Motivational course and start telling the truth to people. A couple nights ago I prophesied to a dozen people or so. ONE is going to come into GREAT WEALTH. He has that destiny in his being. I laid hands on him and at once saw what is about to happen.

I told him.

I wouldn't say that if I didn't see it. We need fewer scatter-shot prophesies and more rifled, focused, aimed and carefully given words. I am saying this because the bad prophetic is ruining the office and I am defending my office.

So, know this. IF I have EVER prophesied over you and told you of a destiny not yet manifested, be patient or examine yourself on how you might be deferring the word of the Lord from manifesting in your life. IF I have NEVER prophesied this, it's not that it couldn't...I just didn't see it. When you don't get the prophesy you hoped for... live in the genuine Prophetic words you have.

The Gift of Hunger

I have been really impressed of the Bill Johnson statement that indicts every church leader that complains his people just aren't hungry enough for more of God. The fact is they have never tasted the real thing. Or some insipid tasteless substitute. I'm never hungry for tasteless bad food. Start feeding your people REAL SPIRITUAL FOOD and they will knock down your door for more. I think about when I first was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. You couldn't keep me away from the table. It was the same today. Time to get really really real about this. Here's Bill Johnson...hear him:

The Gift Of Hunger | Bethel Church

Bethel Church: Bethel's mission is REVIVAL. Senior Pastor: Bill Johnson. Senior Associate Pastor: Kris Vallotton

Misfortune

“All of man’s misfortune comes from one thing, which is not knowing how to sit quietly in a room.” (Blaise Pascal, in ‘Pensees’)

I find the inability of people to pray without worship music, to meditate without a book (even the Bible) or be all alone for an extended time without a phone, text or computer is the bane of spiritual growth. What if we could just be all alone and HEAR the voice of the Father. Do you think Jesus TALKED all the time when he went aside alone? I don't like group prayer meetings very much. There's too much talking and not enough listening. I would just once like to have the prayer leader say. "Let's just pray in tongues for a few minutes and then sit quietly without distraction or activity for a half hour". Much more would happen then happens in most so called Prayer Gatherings. We are worse off then the disciples, we don't know how to pray.

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10)

A Prophetic Showdown Is Coming by Jennifer LeClaire

Just like Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, the time is coming when God’s New Testament mouthpieces will confront modern day merchandisers. The true will defy the false. The holy will challenge the unholy. Until that day, spirits of divination, with a little help from the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, are working overtime to woo God’s true prophets to the side of err.

Some merchandising prophets, with their miracle water, prophetic soap and prosperity oil, are catching naive Christians hook, line and sinker. Other gospel gainsayers are profiting with urgent announcements that God will heal the first five people who run up to the altar with $100 bill in hand.

But perhaps the most dangerous merchandisers are those who use their gift to tap into divination. These prophets announce what the believer wants to hear in order to sow a false seed of faith in his heart and reap an improper financial reward, inappropriately earned position or wrongly received recognition. No matter the merchandiser’s brand of deceit, it is a practice that stinks in the nostrils of God.

“Then the Lord said, ‘These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts. Therefore, says the Lord, I will punish these lying prophets, for they have spoken in my name even though I never sent them. They say that no war or famine will come, but they themselves will die by war and famine!’” (Jer. 14:14-15)

Of course, most false prophets don’t start their ministries as false prophets, rather they are tempted and enticed by the idolatry in their hearts. Avoiding Satan’s snare begins with the fear of the Lord and the promised wisdom that follows. After all, the merchandise of wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies and all the things that you can desire are not to be compared to her (Prov. 3:14-15).

The wisdom in God’s Word plainly illustrates that with every temptation there is also a way of escape. By comparing the responses of Balaam with Daniel and of Jezebel’s diviners with Elijah, we get a clear view of the trap, the way of escape--and the ultimate fate of merchandising prophets.

Balaam is best remembered for his talking donkey. He was a true prophet of God who went the way of divination for the promise of financial gain when King Balak offered him rewards to curse Israel. But Balaam did not fall into sin upon the first temptation. In fact, he refused the king’s initial offer. His royal majesty then upped the ante, promising the prophet promotion, honor and power if he would curse the Israelites. Balaam once again refused, saying “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more” (Num. 22:18).

Despite his bold confession to obey the Lord’s will, Balaam secretly desired to attain the rewards pledged by the king. And so the testing begins. Balaam would follow his rebellious heart 320 miles on a donkey’s back to curse Israel and claim his coveted merchandise. But to his surprise, the Lord would not allow him to pronounce the curse when he arrived in Moab. Disappointed and still hoping to collect the king’s bribe, Balaam shared a strategy to trip up the Israelites through sexual sin that led to the downfall of his brethren.

Balaam had a clear way of escape: Telling the king’s messengers upon their first visit that the Lord forbid him to curse Israel. That would have closed the door to future offers and put an end to the temptation that would lead to his destruction. The end of Balaam came by the command of Moses at the sword of his own people--the Israelites he tried to curse through divination.

Daniel, on the other hand, refused to give in to the temptation presented in King Belshazzar’s dilemma. Belshazzar and his guests were drinking from gold and silver cups that his father had stolen from God’s temple and giving praises to idols when the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the palace wall. Belshazzar was frightened and summoned enchanters, fortunetellers and diviners to come, promising riches and power to anyone who could interpret it. When none could, the king called Daniel and made him the same offer (Daniel 5).

Daniel was faced with at least three choices at this critical turning point in his ministry. He could accept the king’s offer to interpret the message, thereby merchandising his gifting. He could exercise the gift he had freely received from Jehovah to freely interpret the message, all the while knowing that such a harsh word from the Lord could land him in the lion’s den. Or he could stand on his credible reputation as God’s prophet to falsely interpret the warning message as a blessing message and in all likelihood collect the loot anyway.

Unlike Balaam, Daniel unlocked the hard truth in the writing on the wall. He told the king that his days were numbered and that his kingdom would be divided up and handed over to the enemies. Daniel refused to compromise, no matter the consequences, and God used the king to promote him. As one of his last acts as king, Belshazzar robed him in purple, draped a great gold chain around his neck and positioned him as third-in-charge of the entire kingdom.

King Ahab and his wife Jezebel took the tradition of kings calling on prophets to unlock the mysteries of god a step further--and a few steps too far. Jezebel had false prophets on her payroll. The wicked queen regularly fed 450 prophets of baal and 400 prophets of asherah. Bible scholars estimate that feeding those false prophets cost her about $12,750 a week or $663,000 a year. That’s a hefty price tag for a good prophetic word.

So while Jezebel’s prophets had full bellies in a time of famine, the queen cut off the prophets of the Lord for fear of the truth (1 Kings 18:4). Obadiah hid 100 of God’s prophets in caves and fed them bread and water. While this may appear like a good work on the surface, Obadiah was only facilitating Jezebel’s plan to cut off the uncompromising prophetic word.

While Jezebel’s prophets looked well-fed and God’s true prophets looked like sheep being led to the slaughter, the story changes in a hurry when Elijah confronts the 850 merchandisers at Mount Carmel in what goes down in Biblical history as the ultimate showdown between the true and the false. Elijah threw down the prophetic gauntlet and challenged the false camp to bring fire down from heaven by calling upon their God. The merchandising diviners cried to Baal from dawn to dusk with no answer.

When the false camp had finally exhausted itself, Elijah built an altar holding a sacrifice to Jehovah, drenched it with four barrels of water, said a simple prayer, and watched as the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust and even the water in the trench. Then Elijah slew his false counterparts one by one. So the ultimate fate of the false prophets came at the hand of the true prophet, who was later taken to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Like Old Testament prophets, modern day prophets are also being tempted to merchandise the anointing for fame, fortune or friends in high places. Being plugged into a strong local church is a safety net because apostles boldly confront false moves of the Spirit and give merchandisers a way of escape by leading them into deep repentance.

Recall Simon the sorcerer, who was highly esteemed among the Samarians because he bewitched them. The apostles Peter and John met up with Simon after praying for the baptism of the Holy Ghost for the new believers there. When Simon saw that the people were filled with the Spirit when the apostles laid their hands on them, he offered them money. “Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:19-21). Simon may have repented and did ask the apostles to pray for him. Repentance is the appropriate response for New Testament prophets who fall into the trap of merchandising.

The decision to go the way of Baal and or to go the way of Elijah lies in the prophet’s heart. If pride, self-will, anger, or lust occupies the place where obedience, love and truth should live, then the merchandising prophet may succeed in reaping worldly rewards for a season but the retirement fund built on ill-gotten gains leads only to death (Romans 6:23). While there is certainly abundant grace for the true prophet who misses it, the Book of Revelation makes it clear that the false prophets (those who purposely set out to lie and deceive God’s people) will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone and be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev. 20:10).

Grafted in, you must allow the pruning, it's for your health and well being

I had a dream overnight. It was about a relationship in my life that must need to come to an end. Relational pruning is hard. Yet we all have those who are diseased and dying, sapping life from us. Keeping us from growth and effectiveness.

IF we don't get this pruning done we will find ourselves damaged and withering.

Yes, you/we will get to heaven. Yes we will find ourselves OK ... but we will not be of any consequence for the kingdom.

It is painful to prune. The branches we thought we cut off keep coming back. We see them in our lives. They are grafted in elsewhere. Now we are gone. But they keep popping up.

Don't mourn for them. They were only for a season.

The Lord is saying to me by this dream and perhaps by this word, "You know who and what must be pruned out of your life. I can cut them off or you can prune them intentionally yourself. It will be far less painful to do this yourself".

We many times think these relationships are essential, FOR THEM. That we are sent by God into their lives to save them from the fires of hell. IF that is your mandate..OK. IF NOT, you must do as Jesus told the disciples he sent out. "If they do not receive you shake the dust off your feet".

Some dust is on my feet and perhaps on yours. Life sapping people dust that keep you below your destiny. It (they) slow you down and keep you connected to things in your lives that are not healthy. I am going to tread lightly here, but, this may even mean family members. Brothers, Sisters, PARENTS, Children, in-laws. You don't have to divorce them. You do need to have boundaries. Weed barriers as it were. IF a person saps you of strength, of your energy, of your vision, they are a weed that is causing you to perish. Weed control.

Get out the pruning shears, you will find new fruitfulness and fresh growth when some of those toxic branches attached to you are cut off.

This may just be for me..but.... It's what I heard this morning. If the sandal fit's you can wear it.

A Prophet can't operate on Feelings, Senses and Thoughts... only what comes from the Father

I have been concerned that many well meaning people operate in the flesh realm in prophetic things. Feelings, Thoughts and the Senses. It is the realm in which most people are deceived.

As a prophet I have learned to steer clear of these traps. I no longer will live by what I feel, sense or think. In fact, many times the prophetic pushes me into places I didn't want to go. Recently I prophesied to a major national leader by mail. I didn't want to. BUT.... Mandates are Mandates. I won't risk the gift to disobedience.

When in the past I have been asked of people what I thought or what I was feeling or was I sensing anything I was uncomfortable. I am not wired that way. If I don't get a direct word from the throne I won't speak it out. I could publish more words of the lord if I didn't require that kind of integrity.

Going by feelings is fraught with danger. Smith Wigglesworth said, "I'm not moved by what I see, I'm not moved by what I feel, but I'm moved by the mighty word of God". Here is a good teaching on the dangers of Feelings.

Feelings is why many weak Christians are falling into the trap of embracing same sex marriage. It just Feels so right. Sounds like an old country song.

How can something so wrong?
Feel so right all along
Catch me I'm falling for you

Equally important is the idea of walking by sight, one of your five senses. It's a place of deception.
Here's a pretty good essay on that topic.

Never, Never, NEVER trust your own judgment. When common sense says that a course is right, lift your heart to God, for the path of faith and the path of blessing may be in a direction completely opposite to that which you call common sense. When voices tell you that action is urgent, that something must be done immediately, refer everything to the tribunal of heaven. Then, if you are still in doubt, dare to stand still. If you are called on to act and you have no time to pray, don’t act. If you are called on to move in a certain direction and cannot wait until you have peace with God about it, don’t move. Be strong enough and brave enough to dare to stand and wait on God, for none of them that wait on him shall ever be ashamed. That is the only way to outmatch the devil

The last danger is Thinking Wrong. The bible tells us to cast down vain imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God in us. It means that when a thought comes to your mind about anything depressing or other things recognize that the devil is at work and is whispering in your ear to get you to respond. He does not want you to pray, he wants to bring to your mind all kinds of things to distract you and make you not want to read the Bible or pray.
The place where the devil connects to us is in our thoughts. Be ready to stop the thoughts as they come. Out loud say this I plead the blood of Jesus around my mind and my thoughts. If you will do that each time the thought comes he will think twice about bringing negative thoughts to plant them in your mind. Just know that the the blood of Jesus puts a barrier between you and the wrong thoughts.It works. I have to do it too about any of the thoughts the devil tries to put in my mind.

Just do not feel badly about yourself. It is not you that thought up those lies it is the devil. And the Lord does not hold these thoughts against you personally. Just do not act on them.Tell them to go in the name of Jesus. The battlefield is our minds.

For all of the above reasons I must NOT respond to any idea that my feelings, thoughts or senses have any validity over the voice of God.

That does and must remain supreme. So if I ever bring a word...and I will, it must come not by feelings, senses and thoughts.

I must only be moved by the Word of God spoken into my spirit by the Father.

Sins are Sins

Seven marketing sins

Impatient... great marketing takes time. Doing it wrong (and rushed) ten times costs much more and takes longer than doing it slowly, but right, over the same period of time.

Selfish... we have a choice, and if we sense that this is all about you, not us, our choice will be to go somewhere else.

Self-absorbed... you don't buy from you, others buy from you. They don't care about your business and your troubles nearly as much as you do.

Deceitful... see selfish, above. If you don't tell us the truth, it's probably because you're selfish. How urgent can your needs be that you would sacrifice your future to get something now?

Inconsistent... we're not paying that much attention, but when we do, it helps if you are similar to the voice we heard from last time.

Angry... at us? Why are you angry at us? It's not something we want to be part of, thanks.

Jealous... is someone doing better than you? Of course they are. There's always someone doing better than you. But if you let your jealousy change your products or your attitude or your story, we're going to leave.

Of course, they're not marketing sins, they're human failings.

Humility, empathy, generosity, patience and kindness, combined with the arrogance of the brilliant inventor, are a potent alternative.

Prophecy Review, Written by James Goll in the year 2000

James W. Goll:

Paradigm Shifts - Change is Upon Us!

As we have crossed the threshold of a new era in the Lord, there will be a lot of shifting taking place in the Church and the world. It is the time of completing unfinished business, a time of cleansing, and a time to get prepared for a "spiritual Church-quake" to transpire in the life of what some prophetic voices call the "Third Day Church". With this view in mind, let me present some bullets on Paradigm Shifts for the 21st Century.

• An Apostolic Relational Mandate is being released emphasizing "networking" versus vertical authority structures. This fresh emphasis on cross-pollination will replace much of the inbred church associations, which are strife ridden by the spirit of competition and control.

• While in worship I was given the following phases: "When the Apostolic is Made Personal (AMP) there will be Mighty Authority in the Prophetic (MAP) in that day. The Lord will amplify His voice in those relational renewal centers and the Holy Spirit will put them on His map."

• Confrontation shall come with the "political spirit". Even as the "prophetic movement" exposed and confronted the "religious spirit" in the Church, so an "apostolic movement of grace and truth" will expose and lay an axe at the historical root of the "political spirit" in the Church.

• The restoration of David's Tabernacle as prophesied in Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:16-18 shall escalate resulting in authentic 24-hour houses of prayer and praise, worship and intercession sprinkled across the nations. New creative songs and sounds shall emerge as it was with the radical ministry of William and Catherine Booth's Salvation Army bands. Praise, once again, will not be confined to the "four walls of the Church" but will spill out into the open-air arena.

• In the Church world, there will be a continued theological shift away from the false theory of cessationism (spiritual gifts passed away with the closing of the cannon of Scriptures and/or the second generation apostles of the early Church.) In other words, cessationism is going to cease!

• A new Signs and Wonders Movement is growing. Healing Rooms and Centers will be instituted in many cities devoted to praying for the sick and casting of evil spirits (Luke 10). Parades of people healed of various diseases will once again occur as in the days of life of John G. Lake in the 1920's.

• This move of God will be so powerful that the Church will gather in stadiums to worship – both the collective Church in given regions as well as some local congregations growing so large that they will fill stadiums for their celebration worship services.

• There is and will be a great move of the Holy Spirit among women. Many women will be released into the five-fold ministry and they will be used in the worldwide revival and reformation, which is upon us. Ultimately, the issue will not primarily be "doctrinal" – it will be one of necessity due to the volume of need for laborers for the Harvest. The coming period could easily be termed "The Era of Women Preachers".

• A renewed Quietist Movement will emerge as Believers in Christ find the "secret place" of the Most High to truly be their dwelling place (Psalm 91). A fresh revelation of intimacy with God, communion with their lover/husbandman and Master will come forth. A generation in the spirit of Mary of Bethany will arise and gladly "waste their life" on the Lord!

• A fresh Holiness Movement will spring up in the Church worldwide. Its emphasis shall be one of the Father's mercies mixed with an authentic spirit of conviction of sin (John 16) causing many to repent and their stained garments to be experientially cleansed by the power and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• The Body of Christ will awaken to her call and responsibility to reach and lift up the poor and oppressed as stated in Isaiah 58:7-12. Finances will be released to care for the widow and the orphan as declared in James 1:27. Chains of orphanages will come forth as the Church awakens from her self-centered life styles and hilarious, joyful giving is restored.

• We will see tremendous transfers of wealth into the Kingdom of God through the ministry of "market place apostles and prophets". Those with anointing for business, administration and creativity shall be blessed – not resisted – by the Church. The wall between clergy/laity and secular market place/spiritual ministry shall come down.

• An extravagant Youth Movement is coming to the global Body of Christ that will "rock the nations". Public events will be led by youth to pray and fast for revival, which will spread rapidly around the nations. This will be a "trans-generational anointing" where the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children and the hearts of the children to the Father (Malachi 4:5-6).

• A wave of "Identificational Repentance" will overwhelm a remnant of the Gentile Church causing her to repent of her historical wrongs against the Jewish people. In response to this, a revelation of the "Sabbath rest" shall be released from the throne of grace that will be non-legalistic and result in healing for many.

• It is the devil's strategy to precipitate another type of holocaust – but God will raise up trumpeters like Mordecai who shall prepare the corporate Esther (the Church) for such a time as this. Radical prayer will open a hedge of protection for the Jewish people as the shields of the earth belong to the Lord.

• A "Convergence of the Ages" shall come upon us. The anointings of Pentecostal fire, the healing and deliverance crusades, the Latter Rain presence, the Evangelical burden for the lost, the Charismatic Gifts, the Jesus People zeal, the Third Wave credibility, the revelation of the Prophetic movement and the relational networking of the Apostolic Reformation shall all merge together into a tidal wave that will be greater than the impact of "reformation of 500 years ago." This will ultimately create what could be called "The Great Revolution in the Church".

• Radical deeds of identificational repentance, acts of mercy to the poor and the oppressed, presence and power encounters to the sick and the demonized, warrior praise and intercession arising over cities will mount as a Revolution comes upon the global Body of Christ and creates a great societal awakening! If history books are written of the years that lie ahead, they might be termed "The Days of His Glorious Presence".

(Note: I wrote this 12 years ago and it was published in my book The Coming Prophetic Revolution. I have looked at these declarations again, edited them slightly and thought it would be good to post them for you once again.)

Blessings!

James W. Goll
Encounters Network • Prayer Storm • Compassion Acts Team
Email: info@encountersnetwork.com

Eight Reasons Men Reject Spiritual Fathers

We are all aware there is a dearth of fathers in our land that is cursing our American civilization.
The millions of men in prison confirm this. An overwhelming majority of them have never had a normal relationship with their biological fathers.

Men in general are wired by God to achieve great things but to also receive their father’s affirmation for their accomplishments. The drive for a father’s approval is so great that some men have responded to fatherlessness by engaging in destructive, addictive behaviors and/or become workaholics in attempts to accomplish great things to somehow fill the vacuum left in their fatherless hearts.

It is no different in the Body of Christ. God has raised up the church as a family of families that can provide spiritual fathers and mothers who become surrogate parents helping to heal the pain of rejection in the hearts of their spiritual children.
Read this...I don't usually post links here, but this is good stuff

Eight Reasons Men Reject Spiritual Fathers

You Cannot Turn Off the Light -- Robert Ricciardelli

Dualism remains a problem for many Christ followers. They compartmentalize their lives and miss the presence and light of God in every moment, breath, and context of life. Here are some scriptural truths on the matter:

• Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

• Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (NIV).

• John 8:12: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

Ministry by definition is the spiritual work or service of any Christian or a group of Christians. One of the greatest revelations we can ever embrace is that whatever we do in life, is ministry, because the light of God in us and through us never goes dim. Every job, every assignment, our family, our leisure and whatever pathway that the Holy Spirit may lead us, is ministry.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Col. 3:23-24).

Remember that you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should receive. You are working for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything We Do Can Serve the King
No matter what you are doing, you are to do it all for Him, serving Him and His kingdom. If every believer can grasp the revelation that they are carrying His presence wherever they go, it will transform them and many around them. They will desire to walk in His nature, His love and His purposes, while establishing the kingdom of God upon the earth today.

When I first began falling deeper and deeper in love with God, I thought that the natural progression for me would be to become a full-time ecclesiastic, in the four walls type of organizational ministry. This false impression came with a guise that I would be loving God more that way. As I put myself more and more into the ecclesiastical pattern of service, I seemed to be getting more and more restless. The Lord finally had to hit me upside the head and say, “You’re going the wrong way.” I finally got the message and understanding that God had a different plan for me.

I finally understood that as I am in Him and He is in me, everything I did in obedience was just as spiritual as being a pope, a pastor, a prophet or any other title that religion might bestow upon any of us. The Father seemed to say to me, “As you continue to hear my voice and obey my words, I will continue to take pleasure in every part of your life with me.”

As the Lord continues to conform us into His image, the world begins to see Him work through us in all phases of life. We become His divine stewards of our families, businesses and in the communities in which we live. The stewardship of all that the Lord has for us becomes full-time ministry for each of us, because we never stop representing Him.

We are called to be full-time ministers throughout our business day as well, regardless of what we do. A bus driver’s ministry as the light of Christ is just as valid as those who shine His light from behind a pulpit. Mothers, you are full-time ministers to your family and community, even if you never work outside of the home. Everything we do is for the glory of God.

We become an act of worship to our Father in all that we do. In the name of Jesus, we become a people of character and integrity that bring salt and light to the world around us. In many ways and applications, ecclesiastic ministry may never reach or be relevant to those that are in the marketplace. But those in the marketplace who walk in the love and power of God, can be transformational instruments for His purposes.

“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure–this light and power that now shine within us–is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NLT).

We Carry His Presence Wherever We Go
What an honor and joy it is to know that we bring His glory into every jurisdiction, situation and application in life. Just His presence alone can set people free. I have witnessed the presence of God transform lives through the simplicity of conversation or a relational engagement.

There have been times when the people I am relating with feel amazingly safe in sharing their deepest and darkest secrets with me. They will often say, “I have never told that to anyone, but there is something different about you; I trust you.” Well, we know what that difference is and what it isn’t. It certainly is not you or me outside of God. It is God in us, and it is His presence through us that will will allow the blind to see and the lost to finally find their journey in God.

Knowing we are activating His ministry every moment of every day, we must continue to be living epistles of grace and mercy to all we come in contact with. This does not mean we will necessarily preach. It just means we will be prepared to hear His voice, and give what He says we are to give. Our lives will preach beyond words, because of His presence.

When we try and wear our own spiritual clothes, it becomes a fruitless occasion. He may want us to give a word fitly spoken without chapter and verse, or just deliver some love, understanding and encouragement. We must have an ear to hear; which only comes from intimacy and time spent with the Father and His Word. With this intimacy, we gain a sensitivity to hear what He has for another during those opportune moments.

We cannot shut out the light of God. It is in us, on us, and through us at all times. We need every false religious tendency to die in order for us to flow in the life and experience of God. We must love supernaturally in bringing forth the kingdom of God in powerful ways. Father, give us wisdom and revelation as we serve in the marketplace and impart your glory to the world in Jesus name … Amen.

About the author: Robert Ricciardelli and his wife, Joyce, are the founders of the Converging Zone Network, which desires to connect people and provide a platform to share their unique passions, experiences and purposes. Through their blogs, newsletters and social networking platforms, they bring collaboration to over 100,000 each week in various spheres of society.