JACOB - It's time to become Israel

From Christian Couchey:

The hour has come for Jacob to become Israel. No more will my people look for revival to fall from heaven, but those who have come to dwell in heaven while on the earth will cause my kingdom to come. The new Jerusalem that comes from heaven is about to be unveiled as a bride in preparation for the marriage supper.

Those who have gone beyond simply interceding but have become intercession will find they have entered a new day of release and power. My heavenly portals ARE my people who are the gateway between the heavens (spiritual realm) and the earth (physical realm).

Those who have bypassed titles of authority and position with men to come into union with me and seek my favor alone will walk in a place of My authority that those with titles and authority with men will look from the outside in on and weep. I will display My glory upon these who have picked up their cross and followed me, forsaking the praise of men.

All that men have built for Me will be seen as the stubble and chaff that it is. All that I have built WITHIN the hearts of those who have heeded and followed me in the way of suffering, will be blessed and will be the wind that blows away the stubble and chaff. Be prepared to see the face of God's love and the hand of God's compassion, be prepared to see them in the face and hands of His sons. You ARE the kingdom come to earth.

The Pig Returns to it's Wallow 2 Peter 2:22

It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:22

This is more true than you can possibly imagine. It has much to do with comfort. A clean HOG is an unhappy hog. She doesn't like being clean. It's better to return to the mudhole.

This is true particulalrly of Churches. Breakthru comes and then.......Mudhole.

The Prosperity Message: the Good, Bad, and Ugly

God has consistently stirred my heart over the past few months to write on this subject of prosperity. I have conveniently tried to set the message aside, as I figured there are more important things to talk about, but God in His infinite wisdom, always knows what’s best, so I yield the floor to Him.

God’s desire is that we, the church would come into a place of purity, of maturity, and unity. He does not want us confused, divided, or to be children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, but God wants us to grow up in all things (Eph 4:11-16). In the days ahead I believe God is going to bring much understanding, correction, and balance to His Church. And it is so important that we all remain humble and teachable, quick to adjust our beliefs to line up with the full counsel of His word.

NO ROOM FOR OUR PET DOCTRINES:
As you read this article today, I prayerfully ask that you would set aside any pet doctrines you may have in this area – either for or against, and just consider God’s word. My desire, as I believe yours is, is to walk in the full counsel and truth of God’s word, I desire to rightly divide the word of truth, understand it, and walk completely in it.

THE BABY AND THE BATH WATER:
When we see abuse or extremes in the church, many times our first response, is to turn and run all out in the opposite direction. I think we have all been guilty of this at some point in our lives. But, we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water, ie. We mustn’t abandon the pure truths of God’s word because someone mixed them with error, excess or manipulated God’s word for their own personal gain.

What Does God’s Word Have To Say?

THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT: (II Timothy 3:16)
If all scripture is inspired by God, then the same God who inspired the words in Deuteronomy 8:18 – but thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is He who gives us the power to create wealth, that He may establish His covenant… also inspired Jesus to speak what we find written in Matthew 19:23 – it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God,…. but with God all things are possible.

When we do a general overview of the Old and New Testaments we see quite a difference in the message on this topic. I used to find this confusing until one day when God gave me great understanding and showed me His purpose in this.

OLD TESTAMENT PROMISES & PROSPERITY
To be completely honest with you, I cannot read through the Old Testament including the Prophets, Psalms, and Proverbs without coming across numerous accounts of God’s promises to His people. If God’s people would obey Him, they had the promise of blessing, prosperity, success, and victory, this is very consistent throughout the Old Testament. But, if they disobeyed and rebelled, typically the result was a curse, famine, sickness, invasion by their enemies, early death etc. You will find examples of this throughout the Old Testament as well.

NEW TESTAMENT WARNINGS
However, when I move into the New Testament, I find mostly warnings about wealth and a few promises. In the parable of the sower in Mark 4:19 we see a warning about the deceitfulness of riches and how they choke out the word and make us unfruitful. I Timothy 6:9 warns those who desire to be rich, that they will fall into many temptations. And I Timothy 6:10 warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and those eager to get rich would wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many sorrows.

PROMISES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
I do think it important to bring out a few of the promises in the New Testament. Many who followed Jesus left everything they had. Peter said, Lord we’ve left everything to follow you! But, we do see that Jesus made a promise in Mark 10: 29-30 for those who sacrificed all, a promise for a 100 fold return in this life and in the life to come eternal life. We see another instance in III John 2 which is more of a prayer than a promise for prosperity. For the most part, if we will be honest, we see mostly warnings in the New Testament about riches and wealth. Why is this?

SO WHAT IS OUR CONCLUSION?
Are the Old Testament Promises for His people today or should we disregard them because of all the warnings we see in the New Testament. Why do the two Testaments seem so different on this issue? Are they really different, or is there something deeper being dealt with here?

JESUS COMES TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES & IDOLS OF THE HEART!
When Jesus came, He did not come to do away with the Promises in the Old Testament, for Heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will never pass away. Nor, did He need to teach the Jews about the blessings of obedience or the curse of disobedience and rebellion. They knew this teaching all too well, they had learned it from early childhood. But, Jesus did come to confront and deal with the issues and idols of the heart. I love that about Jesus, He always went straight for the heart!

BALANCE & THE FULL COUNSEL OF GOD’S WORD
If we will embrace the full counsel of God’s Word and not just our favorite scriptures, God will keep us in balance, and our hearts right. His Word washes and cleanses us. The Old and New Testament scriptures we mentioned today do not contradict each other but rather compliment and bring balance to one another. This is the beauty of God’s Word. It keeps us on the straight and narrow path that leads to life.

GOD WANTS OUR HEARTS AND AFFECTIONS SET ON HIM!
God wants all of us, not just a part. He wants us chasing after His heart and not just His hand! Colossians 3:2 admonishes us to set our affections upon those things which are above, not things of the earth. God wants us to be spiritually minded which is life. He wants us to fix our eyes on Christ.

CONCLUSION: SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
I believe Matthew 6:32-33 communicates so well what our focus and priorities should be as His people. God does not want us chasing after and worrying about all the things the world does, He wants us to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, then He promises that everything we have need of will be added to us. We should keep this truth close to our heart so we do not get pulled into the world and its ways and patterns.

IN CLOSING:
I want to close by making a few comments regarding the prosperity message. I pray this will help bring understanding and balance.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY of the Prosperity Message:

THE GOOD:
When parts of the prosperity message are preached and taught in balance and in context it can have a great affect and influence.

1. PUTTING OUR HOPE IN GOD:
It can cause people to look to God as their provider and source, encouraging them to put their trust in God rather than man or money.

2. BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND ESTABLISHING HIS COVENANT:
When people with a pure heart motivation to give towards the gospel, apply God’s word regarding prosperity in their lives, it. can have great impact. God responds to faith and acting on His word and this results in us being able to give more generously to advance the purposes of God in the earth, to give to missions, feed and care for the poor. Care for our families and the elderly, give to organizations who are taking a stand for righteousness in our land – this is all a very good thing. So this prosperity has purpose and is not to feed our pride or the lusts of the flesh, but to build the kingdom of God.

THE BAD:
When not in balance this message can really draw people’s hearts away from the things of God and more into chasing after things, materialism and worldliness. They get there eyes on the blessings rather than God. It becomes deceptive and dangerous, and more self serving than God serving. When out of balance, there is no teaching on surrender, dying to self and taking up our cross, but instead hearts can become filled with the pride of life.

THE UGLY:
I think the saddest, and I will label the ugliest of all is when God merely becomes the means to an end. The relationship is so cheapened that God is no longer God, but becomes nothing more than a slot machine and someone we go to when we want something. The person is no longer a yielded servant of God but rather sees God as His servant.

IT'S TIME TO EMBRACE THE FULL COUNSEL OF GOD'S WORD
It is time for the Church to embrace all of God's word, we must set aside our pet doctrines and be willing to embrace correction. God wants His Church to be glorious in the earth and that will only happen when we walk in the light of His counsel and words.

But, Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and everything you have need of will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

The Urgency with Which you Engage ME will Put all your OTHER Urgencies in their Proper Place

This morning I heard the Lord say:

The amount of urgency you place on your intimacy with Me will position all the other urgencies in your life. You will see them for what they are.

Some are critical, need to be taken care of, important.....and I will give you grace to face them with confidence and peace

Some are loud and urgent, insistent, but not of long lasting importance. They are just noisy gongs going off all around you. Keep your eye on them, but don't become distracted by the noise. Sometimes the urgent is a tool of the enemy to keep you off kilter. Filter the noise thru my word.

Some things are those you "Should" do are not even on your list. Some of these things can be easily shunted aside, but you don't realize that they are critical, important but silent in your life. Make time for them, find your place in them. They are the important but not noisy. Tell someone you love them. Call an old friend. Start with ME. I'm your God, I'm that friend that sticks closer than a brother. I want to hear from you. It's critical. I will reward you with peace as you diligently seek me.

My Precious child, avoid the clutter of your life. Those things that are just things you could do, think or waste you life on that are neither important nor urgent. Say NO to them. Your time with ME will be easier to find as you throw away these clutter things in your life. In the end it will just be you and ME. You will bring nothing with you except your love for Me.

What you don't realize is you to ME are both urgent and important. Nothing is trivial about you. Everything is focused. You are my favorite one. I spend all time on you since I live in eternity.

There is no one else but you to me. Please make it so for me. I will give you the faith. Every precious child of mine is my favorite. Every one deserves and gets all my attention. Every hair on their head is counted. I am the Eternal Father. I will never ever leave or forsake you. You are supremely important and every need and desire you have is urgent for me. I will work it all out for you, for your good because you love me and I called you for a purpose. I will not waste your purpose...your purpose is both urgent and important on the earth as well as in Heaven.

Trust me to work it out for you.

The Chuch that Treats a Prophet without Honor Slaps God's face

Jesus said that a prophet has no honor in his own home town. Or extrapolated, in his home church. This is a misunderstanding of the Gift of the Prophet God Sent...

Jon Cressy and I may not see Eye to Eye on many things, and we have argued.

But, he has written a couple pieces I endorse. I believe that the Church of Jesus that fails to deal appropriately with the gift of the Prophetic slaps the face of the Giver of the Gift. That doesn't in my opinion seem to be a smart thing to do. So, here is a primer:

Here's How the Church is to treat the Prophet among them:

#1 Pray for the prophetic person - Paul Cain is always asking for prayer. I am not sure that he always believes that God is going to answer that prayer, but he appreciates it. Pray for God’s wisdom an favour so that they will be a blessing to those they minister to.

#2 Pray that they will get on with Church leadership without sulking if they do not get their own way. Prophets with strong and remarkable gifting rarely get told ‘no’ when they should!

#3 When it comes to the prophets in your midst give them titles! Make sure that everyone knows that they are a prophet by Calling them ‘Prophet’ instead of just by their first name. The ones who are in it for titles love this one. For the rest - call them friend and invite them home for a meal and talk about 24, Lost or James Bond and have fun together!

#4 Never pay them for interpreting your dreams or giving you words. It’s not what they are about. But, as has happened to me, if you want to give them a slap up steak meal, it is appreciated!

#5 Pastors; if prophets have contributed in the meeting let them know how they did. But tell them in a sensitive way, the way you would like them to talk to you if they were evaluating your preaching. Like you, they probably are not as good as they think - we all need encouragement and direction.

#6 Prophets really should not be treated in any way different to other folks in the Church. The apostle James made that very clear in his epistle. Some of the prophets today expect lots of little perks. Don’t give in to them!

I don’t expect any favoritism, a special seat or a financial gift - if folks want to show that favour then I will praise God for it, but it certainly is never about faith with hinting!!

I say most of this lightly - but there is a challenge that we need to face and it is that prophets are in place to serve. Our expectations can only ever be met in Christ - He alone is the author of our salvation. We love Christ and serve Him, and in serving the Church with love, commitment and loyalty we reflect a little of that love for our wonderful God. The Church owes us nothing, but we do appreciate the prayers, love and affection that they show us.

Here's what the Church Should EXPECT of the Prophet Among them:

#1 Honesty
If God has not spoken to you don’t say he has, and don’t share something that God spoke to someone else as if He said it to you personally. The Church is not at all impressed when they accidentally stumble upon the original source of such ‘revelation’. If anything it just makes you look a bit desperate for profile and attention. If you want to share something that someone else has said, then admit that they said it, but you think it is relevant. Do that, and you may be on your way to finding God’s blessing!

#2 Opportunity
If God is speaking to you and wants you to share things with others, He will give you opportunity. Don’t moan at your church leadership if you are not getting the opportunities that you think you deserve, it just turns them off. True story! When the right moment comes, with humility and gentleness you will seize it - with God’s help.

#3 Be like Elijah
That sounds very emotive, but the issue is a very simple one. When Elijah realised that the rain was coming he made the prophetic declaration and then he did something radical. He went and prayed for what was coming to come. Don’t assume that God’s blessing is coming because you have ‘decreed’ (awful religious term) it. Pray, pray, pray!

#4 Make a mark in history
If you are a prophet, and not just one of those who likes the title, do something really radical. Commit yourself to doing something that few are doing. Pray like few do, and read your Bible like few do. But don’t go bragging about your devotion time, keep it to yourself. When was the last time you read the entire gospel of Mark in one go? When did you last pray for an hour or more? I am not talking of a ’should or must’ that comes from legalism, but of investing your life fully into your calling. What kind of a prophet does not immerse themselves deeply in prayer and scripture? Only the presumptuous ones in my view.

#5 Have fun
Prophets can be intense and not much fun to be around. That makes them nothing like Jesus. Crowds gathered around Him at every opportunity. He was amazing, kind, generous, encouraging and, although Scripture never says that Jesus was fun to be around, it does mention that the Spirit of Joy was on Him. Instead of having the ‘burden of the Lord’ this weekend (the one that makes everyone know what a mighty prophet of God you are - not!)try joy! There is time for serious words, but learn to have fun - I beg you!

The Grace Shortage

More than once I have had the Spirit of God say over and over again to me, "My Grace is Sufficient for you".

I love to hear it. I don't always believe it. I'm sometimes painfully unspiritual.

Then, all at once, like candid camera, when I least expect it he floods me with love. He washes over me. He gives me boldness. He fills me with hope and faith. It's a gift.

That's grace. That's what is enough, not just enough, more than I can possibly imagine and then double that.

When he says My Grace is Sufficient... He means there is so much that no matter what comes up, no matter what goes down, no matter what twists and turns come along, His grace is more than enough to make up for it all.

I'm just prophesying to ME. You got to ride along.

Shammah

Sometimes when the presence of the Lord is great, when I am overcome with His goodness, I find myself expressing it in a word.....Shammah.

This has been for years. I always had a sense this did NOT come from the gift of Tongues. I didn't have any idea that it originated in a name for God.

It just never came up.

So in reading David Wilkerson today I noticed he identified the word Shammah as a name for the God who is THERE. The very last words of the Book of Ezekiel. Here's a bit more.

It blessed me. I recognized that many times in worship, in meetings, in times of glory that the word came from my mouth and I didn't understand it. I do now.

SHAMMAH!!