A Reformation Day Prophetic Memory - The Wittenberg Castle

20 years ago, about the time the Berlin Wall was coming down, Peggy and I made a visit to the town of Wittenberg in Germany. The town where the 95 thesis were nailed to the door in 1517.

We visited Luther's home. We visited the church. It was Holy Ground as far as I was concerned.

It was not protected. I sat where Luther sat and had his table talks in his little home at the end of town. I sat in the room where he held chapel

Of course we saw other things that mattered.

While I was there I was overcome with a sense that the Mantle of Luther had not yet been picked up. Remember, this was shortly after the fall of ministers in 1986-7. Well before Pensacola and Toronto. I had not yet encountered supernatural other than in the walls of the church.

When I was all alone in the church, I stood on the spot where Luther's body lies. I Sat down on the floor. During that time I asked the Lord to give me a mantle of Martin Luther. Of discernment. Of reformation. Of passion. Of clarity. Of discontent with the status quo of the Church.

I can't say what did or did not happen but every reformation day when it comes around I think of that October day in Wittenberg when we visited those places. It's become a precious memory.

People wonder why I have affection for the Lutheran Church. I don't for what I consider dead works, but I have hope that once more a spirit of reformation will return to the fellowship that bears his moniker. I have often said that if Luther were alive today he wouldn't be Lutheran at least as it is practiced in many churches.

I believe that as Pastor said today, that the Reformation on that day in 1517 is the most important date since the day of Pentecost.

Thank God for Martin Luther and I hope somehow I carry a portion of his Mantle today. I hope we all do.

Proper Worship Guidelines by Pharisees of our Day

It's fortunate that younger more immature Christians have those of us of superior seasoning to explain to them the acceptable ways to praise the Lord. Things to do and not to do. Ways to avoid offending anyone. We must at all costs control the exuberance and unusual manifestations that might break out.

1. It is rumored that some men have danced in their underwear in worship. This must stop at once.
2. One man who claims he is a "Prophet" has been walking around naked. Disgusting
3. A whore came to a service and dumped smelly perfume on the pastor. Out of line.
4. One woman who had a supposed to have encountered an angel is known to laugh out loud.
5. Another so called "Prophet" has made a public spectacle of himself by laying on his side for over year, rumor has it he is about to turn over. What kind of God does this foolishness honor?
6. Some men have quit their jobs in the family business to get all fanatic. It's good to be religious, but this is over the top.
7. And the worse is a congregation was silent for several days and then began to shout and make all kinds of noise causing property damage.

These things are just out of line and if we can put a stop to it, it won't be too soon.

OK, I'll turn off the sarcasm machine now. I'm sure if you are a bible scholar at any level you will know these stories are of men and women of God right out of the word.

1. 2 Samuel 6:14
2. Isaiah 20:2-4
3. Luke 7:36—50
4. Ezekiel 4
5. Matthew 10:2
6. Joshua 6

Sure, there are specific disturbing manifestations occurring sometimes. Some are out of line and distasteful. The problem is one man's distasteful is another's prophetic action. And I have seen some doozies. I am not likely to be critical anymore.

SO, what to do. Do we come up with a code of conduct? You can do this, but not that? Draw up a legalistic set of rules for "proper" worship? If you do, someone somewhere in sincere worship will offend the rules.

It is egotistical and elitist of White American Christians to tell others how they should behave. I have traveled the world. Been in many culturally different churches. I have seen a great deal of diversity. In Brazil. In Argentina. In China.

In this country. I spend a fair amount of time in African American Churches, a fair amount of time in Hispanic Churches and time in a denomination that might be considered by some to be a cult. I have seen it all. Some of what happens as a routine in these American churches would be considered OUT OF LINE by some.

I have been in meetings when deliverance takes place. Mass deliverance. People start to howl, cry out, writhe on the floor, fall down as if dead. Some foam at the mouth. Some cough. Some throw up. Deliverance is messy work. Essential, but messy. It's worse in Africa. I have friends who just returned from there. They tell of things that are hair curling.

Most Pharisee spirits emanate from people who have lived in sheltered white American religion. Pretty insipid and narrow. What kind of an ego makes them think they have any standing to tell anyone how to worship or serve God? AND, they come up with "BIBLE" bullets to try to justify their mindset. If YOU don't want to worship or do these things, then don't. Where do you get off telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do?

If we want to define what is and is not acceptable practice in worship, then you go first. You tell God the Father, Maker of all the Universe what you DON'T like when he makes one of his children do something "Weird". You tell Him that you want Him to stay in the box. Stay in the back of the Church.

That's what you are saying. You are telling GOD to behave. Here's a key question: IF GOD clearly instructed you to stand up in Church and roar like a lion Sunday, would you obey? If he told you to go into a den of sinners and bark like a dog for ten minutes would you? If he told you to lay on your side in public would you? Oh wait he already did that one.

The question is, are you willing to obey even if it offends your flesh? IF NOT, GOD won't use you. You will be left on the shelf. You will be Barren just like the wife of King David who in my first example ridiculed David for acting like a fool in front of everyone. Barrenness in your life, barrenness in your ministry, barrenness in your relationships will be the fruit of you telling God what he can and can't do in other people's lives.

There are always Pharisees to be critical of the people touched by the power of God who shake, quake, dance and leap. Acts chapter 3.

They are with us today, I would call for repentance, but they won't. The Pharisees didn't.

Religion is a horrible thing.

Empty Suit Prophets and Apostles

I spend a lot of time with "apostles" and "prophets". Some are the real deal. Some, not so much. I won't identify which is which but there is a difference. Many who claim the titles, have it on their business cards or on the door are simply empty suits. Even if they dress well, look sharp and speak well, the question is, is there anything there there?

In getting to know apostles and prophets from the word of God I see things in them that has little to do with foolishness that goes on in the church revolving around these titles.

Apostles:
I won't condemn or identify them here. That's not my mission. What I would advise is try hard to see if your apostle carries the Marks of Jesus. They are the marks of an apostle. Compassion, vision, connection, kingdom mindset over a church building mindset, desire to see people equipped and readied for ministry. Those are the marks of Jesus. The marks of an apostle. By their fruit you will know them. IF you question the apostleship of your apostle, ask this question, if JESUS were here would HE do what this apostle is doing the way he is doing it. By his fruit will you know him.

Prophets:
Many so called prophets are simply good motivational speakers. We need motivation and encouragement, but we need the gift. And, freely received it must be freely given. Any resistance to provide the gift as it is needed is the sign that the Prophetic gift is absent despite the title. A prophet doesn't turn it on and off. In or out. They just ARE. It's a type of being. Saul became a different man when he Prophesied. That was in the old covenant. In the new, it's more. You become a different person as a prophet and it doesn't depart. And tears of compassion and sorrow. Most true prophets deeply feel the hurt of a nation or people. They prophesy out of a deep spiritual well of compassion. Not advice, destiny. Yes, there is judgment, there is a place to call out evil. But it's done out of compassion for the people. A true prophet regards the sheep more than the shepherd. He will have the heart of God to protect the sheep from those who would shear them illegitimately. I wish we had more true prophets. We have many many fewer than you would think. Test the prophets around you. Do they seek to build the body? To equip? To encourage the downtrodden. To correct the errors. To protect the Sheep? It's the fruit of the Prophet. IF your prophet won't prophesy or bring you to someone who will, they probably aren't a prophet. There are times when I don't have a word for someone. BUT, I will bring that person to someone who will. It's presbytery. It's the real deal.

I hope the Body of Christ will grow up to recognize the true prophetic and true apostolic among them. Not the false.

Here is a comment on this from a dear lady from Hawaii. It's worth reading and considering:

Thank you for this!!! I wanted to see a prophet that visited us recently telling my friends I would attend his meeting...God told me not to. When I kinda threw a small tantrum (forgive me Lord!) He gave me Matt 23 (He never did that before) and showed me a vision where pillars around me were getting taller fast and the worship music became loud noise. The pillars represented people. He showed me that people are rising fast, but some don't know how to steward their gifts therefore, there will be lots of ugly...greed, jealousy, pride, etc etc. It's what I'm seeing around me now. God was 'protecting' me...he then showed me a false prophet...now, I'm praying for discernment and trying to be quiet with Him. I am also trying to find a church who takes care of their body....it seems there are a lot of churches loving the pulpit so much they forget to 'see' the body. Finding a church who really cares for the body is hard to find...we need more churches that are willing to equip and help the body rise above the chaos, giving life, passing on the strength and confidence, the boldness of our Living God...meet the needs of the hurt to help them become overcomers...we need more fathers and spiritual mothers , we need more Holy Spirit in the churches, we need more God, we need to live the Word and pass what it looks like on to others...we need, we need.

He sees with His love...I know He hurts to see what's happening out there, which is why we hurt...I cry inside because I know my Father is sad...ohhhh if we only could see and feel with His... heart, we will then and only then do the right thing...remove the egos, think and feel, and see from His heart...I can go on and on about this...we have NO time, this IS the end times...we must must MUST start doing what's RIGHT and in ALIGNMENT WITH HIM!!! WE HAVE NOT TIME...URGENCY IS IN THE AIR, ALMOST DESPERATION TO DO THINGS OF GOD NOW NOW NOW....so I sit quietly on my knees in total surrender to try and hear what He wants and try to live as an example. I am still far from it, but am trying my best...I want ONLY God, nothing else...oops! Sooo sorry, I started rambling...it's an ache that is always there...I just want to see and experience God ALWAYS in ALLL WAYS..

Thank you for your post in sharing what to look for, to help guide us there...bless you!

Let those with ears to hear, hear what the Spirit of the Lord Says

Seeing What Others Cannot See

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman
10-28-2010

"And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6:17

Several years ago, a movie was made called Field of Dreams. The story is about a man who had a vision to build a baseball field in the middle of a cornfield on his rural farm. He did not know why; he just knew he was to do it. To the chagrin of his neighbors, he built the baseball diamond in the farm community. One night some players showed up. The man realized these were no ordinary players, but were actually the great players from the past. When the skeptical neighbors came to view this phenomenon, they were unable to see what the farm owner could see. This made it even worse for him. Now he was really a lunatic in their eyes.

This fictitious story has a spiritual application for us. First, if God tells us to "build a ball field," we should do it. It is not for us to determine the reason we are instructed to do it. Once we are obedient, God will allow us to see what others cannot see. It is the rite of passage for those who are willing to risk all for God's purposes. God increases the spiritual senses to levels we never knew before. Those around us will observe this.

Do you want to see what others cannot see? If so, it will require a level of obedience that will go beyond human reason. It may require risk and ridicule from others. But you will see what others cannot see.

Initiating Breakout

An Occasional Correspondent from Florida made contact.

Her Father is in the Hospital. She asks for Prayer. I ask you, reader to pray for Keri's father.

All will be well...

She is also an unemployed teacher. And is wondering what the Lord would say regarding prospects for employment.

I have sat on this for a day. Her original question was lost in posting. So what I say now is what the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance.

You ask for breakthru. Your breakthru comes thru the gifts I place all around you. Isolation will cause hopelessness. Find like minded people. Spend time. Develop relationships. Take the risk. Even if you get hurt, you hurt more alone.

Find a fellowship who can stand with you in a Hebrews 10:25 way. You need the prophet less in your life than you need people who can speak the word of the Lord in Casual conversation to you.

It's more than friends. It's connection. Your breakthru might be in that next cup of coffee you drink with another.

IF nothing seems like it's opening up in teaching, you may need to see if this is a door closed. Try other doors. Take a job doing something. Anything. I suspect you are collecting unemployment. That can be a trap. You might want to look in other areas. Even if you work off the books for a while, the work you do will matter.

Getting out among others will help you. The open door in your life is your own. You don't need advice, what I have just said you already knew. You need encouragement, one on one, face to face, so you can face the days to come.

Have no fear. You are where you are because there is a purpose. God never does anything without purpose.

Redeem the time for the days are evil.

Bless you, now get out there.

Apostolic vs Pastoral Church Modeling

From Kris Vallotton:

"The truth is, a pastorate form of government is not designed to transform cities. It is developed to attract people, to create a culture where flocks gather to get healthy and happy. Pastorates are, to some degree, irrelevant to their city's culture because their governmental structures are built to congregate, not to deploy. This principle is evident when you look at American cities statistically. Demographically, the U.S. cities that have the greatest Christian, church-going population density also have some of the worst social statistics in our country (with the exception of a few cities). In other words, the cities that have the highest crime rates, the most divorces, the greatest amount of abortions per capita, the highest levels of poverty and the poorest health statistics ALSO have the best church attendance. What we need to understand is that gathering believers for two hours on Sunday morning is NOT synonymous with cultural transformation! Pastorates are simply culturally ineffective by design"

"Apostleships, on the other hand, are developed around the principle of training, equipping, and deploying the saints to radically alter society. The primary message of apostleships is that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and their main strategy is to demonstrate the raw power of God in the darkest places on the planet. The apostolic government, like Ezekiel's river, creates a supernatural atmosphere that affects everything it touches, from the fish (people) in the river to the trees (nations and states) along its banks. Wherever the river flows, things get healed, become fresh and are supernaturally productive (producing fruit every month instead of one season a year). This river is the perfect metaphor for the emerging apostolic age"

(Heavy Rain by Kris Vallotton, pages 68,69)

From Jeffrey Stewart
Jeffrey Stewart

That explains why the megachurches are largely ineffective at changing their cities- which is a real shame. If Houston can remain largely unchanged even though there is a church with 43,500 members such as Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, th...at is very sad. Imagine the difference if - rather than those 43,500 meeting once or twice a week to come hear sermons - instead, if each of those 43,500 were equipped to minister and move in the Holy Spirit and sent out into the city, the whole city would be saved in a short time, Houston's high crime rate, high abortion rates, and high poverty rates would greatly diminish. Instead, those thousands come to hear a man speak a message, they minister TO EACH OTHER, and leave. The fact that the megachurches HAVE SO LITTLE IMPACT on their home cities is glaring proof that the pastoral model is a complete failure to change the world.

The Carving of the Prophetic Word

I heard a prophet read this yesterday. It pricked my heart. I don't ever want to be the prophet God is speaking about. The fear of the Lord gives me cause to carve carefully the word from my mouth.

Jeremiah 23:16

“Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you,
filling you with futile hopes.
They are making up everything they say.
They do not speak for the Lord!
17 They keep saying to those who despise my word,
‘Don’t worry! The Lord says you will have peace!’
And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires,
they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’

18 “Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence
to hear what he is really saying?
Has even one of them cared enough to listen?
19 Look! The Lord’s anger bursts out like a storm,
a whirlwind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked.
20 The anger of the Lord will not diminish
until it has finished all he has planned.
In the days to come
you will understand all this very clearly.

21 “I have not sent these prophets,
yet they run around claiming to speak for me.
I have given them no message,
yet they go on prophesying.
22 If they had stood before me and listened to me,
they would have spoken my words,
and they would have turned my people
from their evil ways and deeds.
23 Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord.
“No, I am far away at the same time.
24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?”
says the Lord.

25 “I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. 26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. 27 By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.

28 “Let these false prophets tell their dreams,
but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word.
There is a difference between straw and grain!
29 Does not my word burn like fire?”
says the Lord.
“Is it not like a mighty hammer
that smashes a rock to pieces?

30 “Therefore,” says the Lord, “I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me. 31 I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the Lord!’ 32 I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the Lord have spoken!

33 “Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, ‘What prophecy has the Lord burdened you with now?’ You must reply, ‘You are the burden![c] The Lord says he will abandon you!’

34 “If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the Lord,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family. 35 You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’ 36 But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

37 “This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’ 38 But suppose they respond, ‘This is a prophecy from the Lord!’ Then you should say, ‘This is what the Lord says: Because you have used this phrase, “prophecy from the Lord,” even though I warned you not to use it, 39 I will forget you completely. I will expel you from my presence, along with this city that I gave to you and your ancestors. 40 And I will make you an object of ridicule, and your name will be infamous throughout the ages.’”