The Value of Age and Wisdom by Os Hillman

"But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him (2 Chron 10:8).

Age and wisdom do not always equate to one another, but they often do. Rehoboam was the son of Solomon. It appears that Solomon had become heavy-handed in his employment practices by placing an overbearing burden on the workers. This was causing a problem with the northern tribes. It was the equivalent to a threat of a labor strike. Jeroboam was like the head of the labor union. In fact, he had fled from Solomon because of the abuse he perceived was happening. When Rehoboam was selected as the new king, he too was facing opposition to his practices.

"Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." Rehoboam answered, "Come back to me in three days." So the people went away (2 Chron 10:4-5).

So, Rehoboam asked for advice from the older men who had been a part of Solomon's reign and then he asked for advice from his younger contemporaries. The elders advised Rehoboam to not be too concerned. They told him that if he did, they would be loyal workers the rest of their days. He chose not to take this advice. The younger advisors told him to tighten the reigns more. This turned out to be bad advice. As a result, the northern tribes rebelled, and the kingdom was permanently divided.

Today there is a tendency to discount input from older people. However, God has placed wisdom in older people that the young can learn a great deal from. Do not despise input from those who may be considerably older than you. God has placed a level of wisdom in them that can help you avoid major mistakes.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

The Penn State Catastrophe -- when Relationship Trumps Evil

I lived this passage yesterday...it's was painful but it was right. It has to do with the Penn State Situation as well. IF those people had this ringing in their ears, they would have done other than what they did. Read this...then read the story below. There is a word for someone in all this right now....

Ephesians 5:5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

⁶ Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷ Don’t participate in the things these people do. ⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

¹⁰ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have all been in pain over the recent Penn State situation. If you read or hear what is being said the question that keeps coming up is, "Why when they saw this evil or heard about this evil didn't they do something"? Now the punishment is coming for all who saw no evil spoke no evil. They are sucked into the whirlwind they sowed by their silence. Innocents are being punished, yet the guilty are using influence and money to avoid accountability. Those who are partners in this is everyone who takes part in this at any level, players, coaches, college administrators, team boosters, ticket buyers, NCAA, Big 10-12, ESPN, TV Sponsorships. They are partners at one level or another in contributing to this evil. NOW they must step back and clean out the temple of the money changers who caused this. Don't be deceived, the main goal is not the Continuation of College sports, it's the MONEY. The root of this evil as well.

There are consequences for inaction. Ask Joe Paterno. He didn't DO anything, yet he was a part of this and now he is punished...legacy gone. Many of our churches will preach on this Sunday. Not against FOOTBALL..against the monster it has become. There are lessons for the Church, for politics, Even before today's game there was a time of prayer with both teams. I'm sure it was touching, even healing. YET, it's not the right response. If this goes on without all the passive players removed from any level of influence there will be no reformation. Reformation is needed.

Without too much cynicism, the prayer before the game in the shadow of still unrevealed evil is the moral equivalent to a story I heard from Apostle John Eckhardt. He was preaching a conference in Nigeria. He was staying in a nasty hotel. There were prostitutes soliciting right outside his room. They proposed a "business deal". Apostle said, "I'm a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus". They said, Oh, that's OK, we'll come in and pray with you. Of course they weren't allowed.

A guy I was counseling in his troubled marriage used the same logic of "Prayer Makes Sin OK". He had a girlfriend. He was a "Christian". He said his wife and he didn't get along. He told me how compatible and loving his girlfriend was. That she was the kind of Christian he wished his wife was. That before he would "Sleep: with his "Christian" girlfriend they would pray together. Right before they jumped in the sack to commit adultery. That is profound deception.

I'm afraid those who cooked up the prayer moment before and after the Nebraska Penn State game today were equally as deceived. Prayer without repentance and reconciliation is pointless.

This should be a teachable moment for the students from the whole of the Big Ten and particularly at Penn State, Actions have consequences and corruption must be rooted out at once or the whole thing comes down. Large institutions are clumsy at dealing with this kind of thing. Just ask the Catholic Church. I'll bet if they had a do over they would have dealt with the scandals of pedophilia inside the Church much better and with more decisiveness than they did. Now it's football's turn at bat. Let's see if they know what to do.

If I had a son or daughter at Penn State, I would LOVE to see him or her get the message that the Apostle Paul writes about. Have no part...at all in acts of darkness.

It's time for College Football to straighten out. Never mind the Outrageous salaries paid to the coaches (Nick Saban).

When this all happened I had a personal experience that drew directly from this event at Penn State.

On Wednesday I needed to use a large tractor for a task. I don't own the tractor. The landlord does. When I went to use it, it was gone. One of the tenants, a relative of the landlord had sold it. Fenced it basically. This was a $5000 tractor at least, and I'm sure he got less than a thousand. Just like a fence. The man who sold it has a track record of being a bit less than honest. In fact he has a streak. I had seen him sell of small things that he didn't own. I didn't say anything, but I asked. I always got an evasive answer. A lie.

But this situation on Wednesday in the Light of the Penn State Scandal was a turning point. I knew I had to say something. I had to go to the landlord and tell him that a tractor had been stolen from him and sold.

When I confronted the "Thief" he ran. He tried to hide. He made all kinds of excuses. He became defensive. No repentance. I can only hope he will come to repentance.
remember this:

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20

I was willing to sacrifice any relationship we ever had to do the right thing. I know this will sever what we had. That is the choice of the WORD of God. Take NO PART in works of evil.

There is a secular iteration the Ephesians 5 passage.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)

One must not remain silent in the face of obvious Evil and neither should any of us. These are evil times. There are evil people. When you are confronted with EVIL you have a choice. Speak out or become one of the monkey trio - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

We are accountable as watchmen and watch-women on the wall to cry out. Even as the son of Zadock did in 2 Samuel 18 when he brought the bad news of the Death of Absalom to King David. We must speak up without being a talebearer. We must confront evil OR allow evil to reign.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, And her salvation like a torch that is burning. Isaiah 62:1

The Fallacy of Full-Time Christian Work by Os Hillman

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:16,17).

Jonathon was a twenty-five year old son of a pastor who was working in his local Christian bookstore. He started seminary but was unable to finish because of a lack of finances. He was OK with working in the store, but felt it was second-best. In fact, sometimes he felt he had "missed his calling."

Then one day a young woman wondered into the store. She was distressed. She was not a believer. Her husband had just left her and she did not know where to turn. She was walking through the mall when she noticed the store. She decided to walk in, not knowing why.

"Hello, may I help you?" said Jonathon. "Well... I don't know. I saw your sign and just came in." Right then, she began to cry. She told Jonathon about her plight, not knowing why she would do such a thing with a perfect stranger. Jonathon listened and began to talk with her. Before the conversation was over, Jonathon had prayed with the woman and led her to faith in Christ.

That night Jonathon pondered what had happened that day. He realized he had personally led a woman into eternity by being available in his workplace. He felt a new sense of purpose behind what he thought was simply a job to put food on the table until he could get to his real ministry. He confessed to the Lord his wrong view of his work. For the first time, he realized it was ministry too.

We have incorrectly elevated the roll of the vocational Christian worker to be more holy and committed than the person who is serving in other arenas. Yet the call to any workplace is as important as any other calling. God has to have His people in every sphere of life. Otherwise, many would never come to know Him because they would be separated from society.

Wherever you are called, serve the Lord in that place. Let Him demonstrate His power through your life so that others might experience Him through you today.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Chuck D. Pierce: The Harvest Has Begun and Seven Key Revelatory Nuggets

During our Head of the Year Celebration, the Spirit of the Lord began to speak about containers and I began to prophesy: "This will be known as the year of the CONTAINER. You will either be contained or you will shout with Me and break out of your containment. Your house can become your captor or your house can become My glory. This is the time for structures that contain and stop the flow of My plan to be broken, so allow the shout of the King to rise up through your mouth. When you release that shout, walls and confinements will break."

I have shared several times since then about the need to watch our ports and the containers coming into our nation. Wednesday, November 2, 2011 news reports began to emerge regarding the safety of containers processed in Vietnam. FoxNews reported:

Exploding Shipping Containers Processed in Vietnam Raise Public Safety Concerns in U.S.

Multiple international shipping agencies are conducting a comprehensive review of refrigerated containers processed at a Vietnam port, the Pacific Maritime Association said in a statement, after some units exploded, reportedly killing two mechanics in Vietnam and one in Brazil... The Coast Guard said it is working closely with shippers and port officials around the nation to identify any potentially faulty containers, isolate them, and ensure they are rendered safe. – by Edmund DeMarche

In this watchman season, continue to pray for the containers that come into our ports, and that anything unsafe or hostile to this nation would be exposed and rendered harmless.

Worship and Harvest: An Apostolic Perspective

We have entered a new worship season in the earth. I call this "The Season of Harvest Songs!" This is an apostolic season.

An apostolic season is where we receive our call and are sent into the fields that have been prepared for harvest. We have a mentality of celebration, work, war, and triumph all expressed through worship. The harvest is a picture of God's judgment. Jesus used this as a metaphor to make us realize that there will come a time when He gathers those who believe.

The harvest has already begun. It began when Jesus first came and now is maturing rapidly. Yet there is a "tug-of-war" in heavenly places over who will control the harvest and bring the resources into the storehouse. Luke 10:2 says, "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (NKJV)

Worshipping in Spirit and Truth is necessary to enter the war in the earth realm for a Kingdom Harvest. There are many fields and all are being prepared for the harvesters, the WORSHIPPERS, to enter. Storehouses are being prepared. The final theater of war will be the War of Harvest. Harvest time is when we are at the end of a season, the crops have matured, and there must be a gathering.

Revelation 14:15-16 says, "And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped."

The Weight of His Glory

In God's Unfolding Battle Plan (Regal Books, 2007), I share the following: We face a multitude of wars in various dimensions and from every front. In the next 20 years, all nations will reconcile around Israel, while some will arise to become dominant on the world scene. The United States of America will attempt to find its voice new and fresh but will not be heard as loudly as in the past. Mammon will be the greatest influencing force of rule in the world. Bloodlines will continue to conflict with other bloodlines simply because nations are comprised of people with unredeemed blood. The carnal mind will continue, as always, to be in enmity with God and resist His knowledge. Antichrist will continue to have a plan to rule the earth. However, the earth – again, as always – will still be the Lord's and the fullness thereof!

Because the Earth is the Lord's and He has a plan of fullness, He has a plan of Harvest. Harvest is a process. The grain must be cut with a sickle. What has been cut is then gathered into sheaves and taken to the threshing floor where tools or animals are used for the threshing. The grain is winnowed and tossed into the air, where the wind separates and blows away the chaff from the heavier kernels of the harvest.

The last phase of harvest is the storage finale. This occurs when the kernels are shaken in a sieve so that the harvest can be stored. The war dynamic of harvest is maturing at this time over this point of the process. We are in a shaking process. What can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord is shaking away the iniquities in our lives, corporate gatherings, cities and nations that would make us less "marketable."

The key to our harvest is the weight of His glory. In the winnowing stage, the weightier kernels do not blow away. In the season ahead there will be many issues that cause us to be tossed to and fro. Without the weight of His glory resting upon us, we will be blown away and not complete the harvesting process that God has released into the earth. We can only receive this key to harvest if we learn to worship in Spirit and Truth.

We Are the Harvesters

Not only are we being harvested, but we are the harvesters for the future! Dr. Robert Heidler, the incredible teacher that I serve with, recently wrote me the following: "Two nights ago I had a dream. In the dream Linda had been out shopping and came home with a cardboard box. In the box was a rattlesnake. She said, 'The Lord told me if we would bring this rattlesnake into our house and keep it there for three weeks that we would enter into a season of endless harvest.' So we did. We put the poisonous snake in the garage and kept the door closed to make sure it couldn't get in to the main house. We were very careful how we went into the garage because we knew we had a rattlesnake in the house. I awakened and remembered that when we were commissioned and sent, we were given authority over serpents and scorpions.

The problem is the Church has been so frightened of the world that we won't let ourselves get anywhere near its contamination. But if we will put aside our fear and bring the world into our homes, not to become 'of it' but to convert and sanctify all the culture for God's purposes, we will see that we do have authority over the power of the enemy."

I heard the Lord say: "Some of you are resisting bringing the enemy under your feet. That's what is keeping your next level of portion from being unlocked. The harvest is yours. Do not fear the enemy when I give you the enemy. Ask Me for your desire on your enemy. If you'll ask Me for your desire on your enemies, what I will do is bring that enemy in and within three weeks everything that the enemy has held up, confiscated, or taken from you, I will give you. The storehouse the enemy was guarding, you will now own the key!

"There is a time that harvest comes! Even if your harvest season was once captured, in My plan and in My season I can cause a harvest season to come back around again. Open your eyes. Open your eyes of faith. Open your eyes of expectation! I am a God that is able to bring harvest back to you. If you are willing to seek Me, if you are willing to set your face like flint, I can bring the windows of Heaven back over you so what you've lost, what has been walled up and stored away from your use in one season, can be released now! You can see the harvest come in and secured for this day.

"Worship Me in Spirit and Truth and I can cause cities and cultures that knew Me not to be transformed in a day. Hear My songs of Heaven. New songs break old cycles. Harvest songs are being released. Sing with Heaven and I will send hosts to assist you in the Harvest."

Seven Key Revelatory Nuggets to Ponder

Newsletter dated November 9, 2011:

I believe it's very important that the Body of Christ understand that we are in a monumental time of shifting. I believe if we shift spiritually and grab hold of the keys of revelation that the Spirit of God has for us today, we will be victorious as we move forward in this season ahead. Here are seven keys to advancing:

1. New Synchronized Moves in a New Administration! Dream!

As the Body of Christ, we have entered a season of new vision. With new vision comes new administration. How will we "add and cooperate" with the ministry of Holy Spirit in the future? We are going through many changes here at Glory of Zion International and with the Global Spheres Center. I felt before the Lord allowed us to move us into our new offices there would be changes He wanted to accomplish.

I had a dream last night. In the dream, Rose Flieger, the administrator for our Schools, and I were learning synchronized swimming. They were new, complicated moves. We were in a group of five people and the instructor was teaching us how to move before we went into our next season of demonstration. Rose decided she did not want to learn new moves. When she did that, the swimming pool filled with sewage. What is the Lord saying to us in this? Don't refuse what He is trying to teach you, or else the living water you have been swimming in will become sewage.

2. Creating an Environment for Miracles!

I believe that the Lord is asking us to create an environment for miracles. What does that mean? Most people get frustrated because they have a difficult situation, ask God for a miracle, and then do not see what they were asking for manifested. We are seeing miracles begin to happen. In the past, I have seen miracles manifest, but I believe that we are going to a new level. We are creating an environment for miracles. The Body of Christ must not only take a turn toward healing, but press in for the release of miracles!

We have entered into a season where the gift of miracles will be activated in the Body in a new way. Ask the Lord, "What is a miracle?" We must see a faith activation! The Issachar anointing and miracles work together! Worship and praise lead us into miracles! The Mashach (anointing for miracles) is here today! The more Glory in a place, the more miracles can be conceived. This is why no miracles could be activated and seen in Nazareth! We want to break the Nazareth Syndrome and enter into miracles!

3. Overcoming Religious and Familiar Spirits!

This is a season to overcome religious and familiar spirits. What are religious spirits and how do they work? They are deceptive forces that have labored to stop the progress of the Church throughout the ages. Religion should not be a bad thing if we adhere to the literal meaning, which is to consider "divine" things. Religion has three meanings in the Word of God: outward religious service, the feeling of absolute dependence, and the observance of moral law as a divine institution.

James 1:26-27 defines religion from the Christian point of view: "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

Religion is linked with worship. Religion, when pure, is powerful. However, religion is also defined as an organized system of doctrine with an approved pattern of behavior. Behavior has to demonstrate a proper form of worship. This is where we move from pure and undefiled religion to ritual. Demons of doctrines take something that should be pure, and develop dark, spiritual forces, robbing individuals of their freedom to worship a Holy God, leaving them, instead, with only rules and regulations.

I have always been a creative thinker and an expressive worshipper. I have been known throughout the Body of Christ as a modern-day Prophet that expresses the heart and mind of God. I have always had to maneuver past spirits of religion that would resist the gift of God. Demons hate revelation from God. They resist those gifts in the Body that bring revelatory freedom to the members of the Body. Religion attempts to stone the revelation of apostles and prophets because this revealed Word establishes God's foundation in the Church for this age. First Corinthians 12:28 sets an order of governmental gifts in the Church for victory in the world. That order is "first apostles, second prophets." Religious spirits defy God's order.

Religious spirits can also just deny change! That can make individuals get so routinized, or in a "rut," that they do not want to shift into today's methods for victory. The carnal mind is in enmity with God. Therefore, religious spirits attempt to block strategic thinking for the future. Our mind and process of thought aid the Spirit of God to produce change in the earth.

The Lord's disciples had to have revelation of who He was, who they were, and who their enemy was. This is still relevant today. The Pharisees had a choice to either deny the divine nature of God or realign with the expression of His Son. They either had to keep rules in place that prevented any behavioral change in worship, or begin to worship in Spirit and Truth. Most failed in making the choice that could have changed their lives, their families, and their society. Therefore, in Matthew 16 we find Jesus taking the keys from the scribes and Pharisees of that day and giving them to the future leaders who would defy religion and lead the Church into its future.

4. Going Beyond the Footmen!

Anne Tate came to me this morning and shared the following: When dressing for work, I felt the Lord was asking me to wear my running horse necklace. Jeremiah 12:5 immediately came to mind: "If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if [you take to flight] in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do [when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions] in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?" (AMP)

The Lord is communicating to us that we are past the place and the time of our enemies being footmen. Our enemies are different in this new season and will require new things of us. In the last season we contended with enemies that were organized and ordered with a certain similarity. However, this season our enemies have the ability to give the illusion of flight and carry the reality of solid weight. Running horses look like they are flying. They occupy a place higher than men.

In this season we are not contending with forces that we can physically overpower. It is a physical impossibility for us, as men, to run with horses or compete with them in a race. Just so, it is not possible for us to pick our own path through tangled situations that threaten to overwhelm us circumstantially and devour us. In the season we have just entered, to overcome we will have to learn to gain authority over the wild things that infest our new territory by seeing from a new perspective over them and riding everything that can be captured and submitted for the purposes of God.

5. A New Big Wave Ahead! Can You Ride the Wave?

There is a new wave of God's Spirit coming. This wave is bigger than any that we have known. Carol Boren shared the following: I had a dream where Bill and I were in a boat and all of a sudden a huge wave, like a wall of water, rose up. The boat began to go straight up the wave. Bill was holding tightly to something so he would not fall out of the boat. He kept thinking that we would get to the top of this wave and then come slamming down. He looked at me and I was just calmly sitting in the seat of the boat taking it all in and enjoying the thrill and wonder of what was happening. Then suddenly we were back in calm water. He looked at me and I said, "You shouldn't have been so freaked out. I knew this was the Lord doing this!"

What God is saying: Many will be frightened by the swell of the Spirit of God that is coming. However, the Lord says, "Stay in the Boat and Ride the Next Wave of My Spirit!"

6. The Last Push into Victory!

There is breakthrough and then there is ultimate victory! Remember, David overcame the Philistines, but they regrouped and came against him again. The Lord said, "Here is a new strategy, 'Come from behind! But wait until you hear the sound in the tops of the mulberry trees!'" After many years of war with the Philistines, he finally took the Mother Bridle City in 2 Samuel 8. Don't stop until you overcome all!

Many of us have warred to enter, occupy and experience the fullness of our promise. We have warred against unrighteous structures that resist the righteousness of God and us, His people. The time has come to pursue and finish off our enemies so they can no longer raise their hand against us. This is what Gideon did in order to destroy the ravaging grip of the Midianites over them.

7. A New Power to Overcome! Stay Steadfast in Who You Are!

There is a new power being released. The Body is becoming less gullible and learning to discern in new ways! We have a power greater than the world structure that attempts to mold and conform us! Heidi DeHart shared the following dream: I worked in some kind of corporate job. I was working on a project for a specific company. I got a letter asking for private information about that company. When I looked closely at the letter, I realized it was a forgery, so I didn't send the information the forgers wanted.

That night, I was sleeping in my parent's house. It didn't look like their house, but it was. I was awakened by two men breaking into my room. One was armed with a sniper type rifle, the other wasn't armed. As soon as I saw them in my room, I began yelling loudly for my parents, telling them there were men in my room. They came in, but just stood there. I felt safer because I wasn't alone.

The unarmed man began to talk with me. He was not threatening; just trying to convince me that I was too "conservative" for the job position I was doing. By conservative, he meant "Christian." He wanted me to move into a different position because I wouldn't compromise the privacy of the company I was working with.

I said to him, "But this is America! Our freedom of belief is protected here!" He chuckled, and said something like, "That's what you think, but that's not really true." Occasionally, the man with the rifle would shoot me with a green laser. It didn't hurt, but it made me feel numb all over, and I'd sort of fall asleep and wake back up again. I think it was supposed to make me easier to convince.

While he was talking, I realized that the night was full of activity. People's lawns were being peeled back, and huge shipping containers were being dumped into holes under the lawns, and then the grass put back so that everything looked the same in the morning. It was a huge government conspiracy-type event, where everything was happening while the people slept, and it all looked normal in the morning.

The unarmed man kept trying to convince me, but I refused to agree to his plan. I began to explain to him that he was going to have a hard time convincing people when the Kingdom of God was inside of them. It was not a mindset and an attempt to change our identity.

I said to him, "Look, you're going to have trouble changing people's minds, and here is why: God is in Heaven. People and satan are here on Earth. God sent Jesus down to Earth, and Jesus is called 'Emmanuel,' which means 'God with us.'"

Suddenly my left hand moved like a magnet and the palm connected to the side of his left hand. I heard a sound like a triangle being rung over and over again, and power came from inside of me, down my arm and hand, and into him. All I could say was, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!" and then I woke up.

Use these seven keys to unlock your future ahead!

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion International Ministries
Email: chuckp@glory-of-zion.org

Dr. Charles D. "Chuck" Pierce has been used by God to intercede and mobilize prayer throughout the world. He is an ordained minister and serves as President of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas. This ministry facilitates the vision of other apostolic ministries worldwide. Chuck is known for his accurate prophetic gifting which helps direct nations, cities, churches and individuals in understanding the times and seasons we live in. He also serves as President of Global Spheres, Inc., an apostolic ministry for apostolic, prophetic and intercessory leaders. Peter and Doris Wagner complete the leadership team of this new apostolic wineskin.

He has a degree in Business from Texas A&M, Master's work in Cognitive Systems from the University of North Texas, and a D. Min. from the Wagner Leadership Institute. He has co-authored eleven books and authored five books. Chuck, his wife Pam and six children live in Denton, Texas.

Signs of a Counterfeit Church by Joeseph Mattera

Signs of a Counterfeit Church by Joeseph Mattera

There are many things a person could imagine when they hear the words “Christianity” and “church.” At times I even hesitate calling myself a Christian because of the various ways Christianity has been defined, as well as because of the many public scandals that have been connected to ministers in the church.

Nevertheless, I still consider it the greatest privilege in the world to be considered a Christ-follower who also happens to be the overseeing bishop of a local church and network of churches.

At the same time, it must also be made clear that not all who call themselves Christians will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-23) and not every church is of God (for example, in Revelation 2:9 Jesus calls one segment in the church of Smyrna a “synagogue of Satan”). If you happen to be attending a church that fits the description in this article of a counterfeit church, run from it as fast as you can!

The following are some signs a church is a counterfeit and not biblical:

The church doesn’t honor the scriptures above all else for faith, practice and doctrine

Unfortunately most Protestant denominations have rejected the high view of scripture as espoused in 2 Timothy 3:16 where it says “all scripture is inspired of God.” Instead, these denominations take the position that the Bible was primarily culturally inspired and, thus, only some of the words of scripture remain true for us to follow in today’s world regarding faith and practice.

These folk teach the Bible has nothing whatsoever to say about true science. For them, Adam and Eve, Noah’s ark, and every miracle in the Bible are merely metaphors that teach a moral story; for them, these supernatural events didn’t really take place, not even the resurrection of Christ!

One translation that used liberal scholars (the Revised Standard Version) even says in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “all scripture that is inspired of God is profitable” which leaves open the strong possibility that some passages in the Bible are of God and some are the result of human convention. Thus the Bible is “demythologized” and stripped of all supernatural elements, collapsing it down to only good literature with some divine sparks strewn within.

Some Evangelical liberals may still believe in the biblical miracles but reject much of the relevancy of scripture because they believe it was God’s word for another culture and another time. They believe the Bible must be reinterpreted today to accommodate the contemporary context regarding homosexuality, male headship in the home, modern understandings of family, and evolution and science. These liberal believers who take away the relevancy of the word of God violate the principle found in Revelation 22:19 because they are taking away from the integrity and power of the Bible.

The church doesn’t honor Jesus as God the Son who rose from the dead

On Easter Sunday 2011 I was listening to a sermon while driving to church. The preacher said during his message that he is a fully committed Christian even though he doesn’t believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

Why that man is even in ministry is a mystery to me because, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” The whole point of the resurrection is that Jesus rose Himself (John 2:19-21) which demonstrates that as God the Son He is both Lord and God. (Colossians 2:12 and Romans 10:9 teach that God raised Jesus from the dead; John 2:19-21 teaches that Jesus raised Himself from the dead).

According to John 5:23 we ought to honor the Son even as we honor the Father. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, and the Church of Christ Scientist teach that Jesus is only a created being and is not equal with God. This violates what John the Apostle said about Jesus in John 1:1 and 5:18. Churches that espouse doctrines that make Jesus less than God are synagogues of Satan and not worthy to be called Christian churches.

The church allows for same-sex marriages and espouses gay theology

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America now ordains practicing homosexuals as bishops. This is as bad as ordaining a practicing adulterer or fornicator because, biblically speaking, the church should only recognize legitimate sexual relations in marriage between one man and one woman as per Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:4-6. The sexually immoral (all sex outside of biblical marriage between one man and one woman) and adulterers God will judge according to Leviticus 18:22, 29 and Hebrews 13:4. Thus, any church that legitimizes gay marriage, or sex outside the bounds of biblical marriage, is no longer a true church. They may be nice people who do good works for their communities but they have no biblical right to be called Christian.

According to 1 Corinthians 5:11 Christians shouldn’t even associate with those who call themselves Christians yet live sexually immoral lives. How much more should we stay away from churches that legitimize these errant behaviors in the name of Christ!

The church’s ecumenism is so extreme they preach of many ways into the kingdom of heaven besides Christianity

These churches have a Universalist bent, preaching that all good people will go to heaven and that there are many ways to God. They believe that as long as you pray to a god, whether it be Muslim, Buddhist, etc., you will be saved if you sought this god sincerely and did good works for fellow humans.

This violates the clear teaching of Jesus in John 14:6 that there is only one way to get to the Father and that is through Jesus. The apostles preached the same thing in Acts 4:12. They said Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. In 1 Timothy 2:15 Paul taught there is only one God and one mediator between God and man: the man Jesus Christ. This has been the historic position of the church for two millennia. Those who preach that the road is broad and all sincere religious people will be able to enter heaven violate the Old Testament teachings that we should not have any gods before the one true God (Exodus 20:3, the first of the Ten Commandments); that God doesn’t share His glory with any other (Isaiah 42:8); and that He ended His revelation concerning Himself when He spoke in finality through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).

This means that the Book of Mormon, The Quran, and any other book that came after the New Testament apostolic writings are not of God and not to be viewed as divine scripture. Those leaders and churches who add to the word of God with new heretical revelations that deviate from this divine canonical fount will eventually be cursed (Revelation 22:18 and Proverbs 30:6).

The leaders of the church use Christianity as a platform to promote liberal social activism and Marxist ideology

There are some so-called activist churches in which you will rarely if ever hear the gospel message of salvation preached, but will only hear left-wing political rants having to do with equality, social justice, and politics.

While I respect the right of all leaders to preach politics from the pulpit, the main call of the church is to make disciples of Christ by establishing people in the faith and maturing them so they can become Christ-like (Romans 8:29-30).
 
When I was helping to lead the fight against same-sex marriage recently in New York State, the New York Times wanted to hear me preach before the vote by the New York State Senate (which eventually legalized same-sex marriage). But they weren’t interested in coming when I told them I was not devoting a whole sermon to the issue but would only speak on the topic for about 10 minutes urging people to attend our pro-traditional marriage rally. I told the Times that our pulpit is used primarily to preach the gospel, not to deal with social and political issues; I do that primarily when I am out of the Sunday pulpit.

There are many important social and political issues we are constantly grappling with. If we are not careful, our pulpits will only be sounding boards to promote our own political and social agendas and we will lose hungry people who attend church to be grounded in the scriptures (which, if preached properly, will result in biblical positions regarding the sanctity of life and biblical marriage anyway).

I have especially noticed that many liberal churches that espouse liberation theology use Christianity to promote class warfare and push for the Marxist view of social justice, which involves the redistribution of wealth and egalitarianism (for example, the primary message of Occupy Wall Street).

The church worships God as Mother and Father, and refers to God as She and He

I have been in some settings in which hymns referred to God as “Mother” and referred to God as both “She” and “He.” This is not taught in scripture. I am neither a sexist nor a misogynist, but the Bible refers to God as “Father” and not as “Mother.” This is good enough for me to use as my model and frame of reference when I pray. (Read how Jesus prayed in John 17 and how He taught us to pray in Luke 11:2-4).

Any church that calls God “Mom” shows its deviation from scripture due to cultural pressure, which most likely means they cave in to culture regarding other major social issues having to do with sexual identity, the lordship of Christ, salvation through Christ alone, and even the inspiration of scripture (which they are compromising in regards to how they address God). A church like this is either already a counterfeit or on the road to becoming one.

In summary, we need to have great discernment which comes from consistent study of the Bible; the study of church history and important creeds, confessions and councils; and fellowship with peers who form a hermeneutical community that gives us accountability regarding doctrine, faith and practice. These will give church leaders biblical boundaries which enable us to remain the authentic Body of Christ, resulting in protecting us from devolving into the “synagogue of Satan.”

A Message to His Holy Highness the Worshipful Bishop Rev. Dr. Apostle Grand Poobah by J. Lee Grady

Jesus just wasn’t into titles. We shouldn’t be either.

I am often asked if I have a title, and my answer doesn’t satisfy some people. I travel a lot, so I don’t consider myself a pastor. All kinds of labels have been pinned on me: Reverend, prophet, apostle … even bishop. Once I was introduced to a church as “Dr. Grady” and I almost crawled under my seat. I only have a college degree. There are no letters after my name.

I tell people: “You can call me Lee. Or if you want to sound formal, you can say, ‘Brother Grady.’”

“Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Son of David, the Prince of Peace and the Apostle of our Confession. Yet when He came into this world He laid aside His heavenly glory and took on the lowly name of Jesus.”

Today it seems we’ve developed a title fetish. For a while everyone in charismatic circles was becoming a bishop (and some were installed into this office with rings, robes and funny-looking hats). Then the same guys with the pointy hats started calling themselves apostles. Then the prophets got jealous and started calling themselves apostles too! I knew one lady who, not to be outdone, required people to call her “Exalted Prophetess.”

Now the latest fad is requiring church folks to address certain people as apostles. (As in, “When Apostle Holy Moly arrives, please only address him as, ‘Apostle,’ and then make sure he is seated in a private room while his two adjutants, wearing dark glasses, guard his door.”) They’ve even invented an elaborate theology to go along with this ridiculous rule. It suggests that you can’t receive the true anointing from a man of God if you don’t honor him with the right title.

Sounds so very ooo-ooh spiritual to the naive. But it’s garbage.

Jesus didn’t play this religious game, especially when he was around the Grand Poobahs of His day—the long-robed scribes and Pharisees. After accusing them of loving the best seats in the synagogues, He pointed out that they loved to be called “Rabbi” by men (see Matt. 23:7).

Then He warned them: “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. … the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (v. 8-12, NASB).

People have quibbled over these words for centuries, insisting that ecclesiastical titles are not the problem; pride is what Jesus was rebuking. I would agree that Jesus was going to the root sin. But He was also asking these title-crazy guys if they’d be willing to ditch their labels and act like normal people.

When I was in China several years ago, I met some amazing leaders who had planted thousands of congregations. They had also spent a lot of time in jail for their faith, and they’d been beaten with iron rods for preaching the gospel. They were the bravest apostles I’ve ever met. But when I asked them if they used “apostle” as a title, one guy said: “We believe in those roles in the church. But we prefer to call each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister.’”

That settled it for me. A few years later I met Iftakhar, a Pakistani apostle who has oversight of 900 churches. He also has two scars on his arm from gunshots fired by Muslim extremists who have put a price on his head. When I asked him how I should address him, he smiled and said, “Iftakhar.”

If these two giants of the faith—and true apostles—don’t require to be addressed with titles, then Your Worshipful Grand Master Rev. Dr. Bishop Jones (who claims oversight of maybe four churches) shouldn’t wear his ministry role around his neck like a tacky neon name badge.

If people can’t see the anointing on your life through your character, then don’t cheapen the gospel by wearing a title you don’t deserve.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t use reverend, minister or even bishop to identify their roles in the church. But can we please dispense with the insecurity, and the childish “I’m more important than you” appellations, and get back to the simplicity of the gospel? Let’s get over ourselves!

Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Son of David, the Prince of Peace and the Apostle of our Confession. Yet when He came into this world He laid aside His heavenly glory and took on the lowly name of Jesus. He wore no fancy robes. He demanded no titles. He did not come to be ministered to, but to minister. If we want to serve Him honorably, we must forsake our need for fame and cast our crowns at His feet.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. His most recent book is 10 Lies Men Believe (Charisma House).

Shirley Carter: Frontline Prophetic Report

I have found Prophetess Shirley Carter to be Sound. This word is good and there's a video as well:

This is an indication of the lack of honor and importance given to prophets and Kingdom dwellers fighting on the frontlines, these days. For prophets have great spiritual discernment for strong deception and delusion that creeps into the Church. They are also positioned to contend with these unseen spiritual forces and expose how they operate. Anyone given such influence and attention as Oprah who openly denies that Jesus Christ is the only way, while our brothers and sisters are dying/persecuted/martyred all over the world, because they are driven so powerfully by God's supernatural love (same as original Apostles) to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ who declares "I AM The Only Way", it is sad to see a Pastor declare she is a great voice of our generation.

Is this what Paul, the Apostle would say? Is this what Elijah, the Prophet would say? I'm afraid many don't understand the spirit world and cannot discern seducing spirits, anti-Christ spirits when they begin to get a voice through a human being. Paul said "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you." Gal 1:8 Paul was sent into places to tear down idols erected to the goddess Diana in Acts 19:27-28 "So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”.

In this day of cotton-candy Christianity, emotionalism, Idolatry, and a feel good mindset, the eyes of many have become blind. Just as Samson was seduced and blinded by Delilah, left with no strength...many are falling into this trap. Instead of applauding, the Church truly needs to be interceding, evangelizing, weeping for souls deceived and headed for hell without Jesus Christ, Who's Heart's desire is that none perish. He paid a high price, not for a good life now, but eternal life, in Jesus's own words praying to The Father ("And this is the way to have eternal life--to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.") No greater Love than a man lay down his life for a friend.

True Godly love is to be willing to pay any price to present/demonstrate the only hope found in Jesus. To say "I believe Jesus is the only way, but..." is a sign of fear. There is no "but" when you speak the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Speak the Truth and allow the Holy Spirit to move on the hearts of men...once you begin to back paddle you strip the power of the Gospel. People are today worshipping personalities, charisma, etc. Be on guard, when the anti-Christ appears to set up the false peace, you better believe he will have charisma, like you have never seen before! How will you recognize him, if already being put to sleep by the spirit of the Anti-Christ, for the word of God declares many have aready been unleashed. CLOTHE YOURSELVES IN JESUS!