Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

***

"FOUR MINI-DEVOTIONAL TEACHINGS"

~ By Os Hillman

Resources: marketplaceleaders.org

*GIVING HIM THE KEY

*SACRIFICING AT WHAT COST

*SEEING THE WORKS OF GOD

*IN THE ZONE

***

"GIVING HIM THE KEY"

~ By Os Hillman

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

A friend of mine tells the story of an encounter he had with a very important government official - the head of state for a country. In the course of some meetings with my friend, the official came up to him and said, "I perceive that there is a difference between you and me. Is it because I come from a different denomination?" My friend began to explain why there was a difference.

"If you were to come to my home, I would invite you in as an honored guest. As my guest, you would enjoy everything I had in my home.

However, you would still be a guest. You would not have the keys to the home, and your authority in that home would be merely as a guest.

However, if I said to you that I am turning over my home to you and you now have the keys to my home, I would be your servant."

My friend continued, "This is the difference between you and me. You have merely invited Jeus into your home as a guest. I have given Jesus the keys to my home [heart] and I am his servant."

"How can I do this too?" the man replied.

"All you have to do is invite Him in as the new owner."

The man did this and is now allowing Jesus to rule and reign in every detail of his life.

So often many of us enter a relationship with God that brings us salvation. This is the gospel of salvation. But what God really desires for us is to experience the gospel of the Kingdom.

He wants us to experience His power and presence every day of our lives and to see His hand at work in us. This only happens when we give Him the key to our life; He must be more than an honored guest.

Where are you today? Has your life with God been more like an honored-guest relationship, or does He have the key to your life?

***

"SACRIFICING AT WHAT COST"

~ By Os Hillman

..."I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." - 2 Samuel 24:24

One day I was having lunch with a man who had a certain amount of notoriety in his life. After a time of getting to know each other, he said, "How can I help you?" Those words surprised me coming from a man who obviously already had many requirements on his time.

My first thought was that I was impressed with the individual. My next thought was to wonder whether it was a genuine offer or just an effort to impress me with his humility and Christian piety. I have since discovered he was sincere.

This encounter reminded me that each of us must be willing to give to others without a motive to get anything in return. It is simply an act of serving others.

Jesus said that we must consider others more important than ourselves. When is the last time you did something for another without a motive of getting anything in return?

When King David came to offer a sacrifice and pray for the removal of a plague on Israel, he was given the opportunity to make the sacrifice without the cost of purchasing the sacrificial animals.

But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped (2 Samuel 24:24-25).

David, understanding the principle of giving, said he could not offer anything to God that did not cost him something. Otherwise, it was not a sacrificial gift.

When was the last time you sacrificed for another with no expectation of getting anything in return? We can all give something to others, such as our time, our money, or our expertise. This is real Christianity that models the Spirit of Christ.

The next time you meet with someone, why not consider how you might be a blessing to that person. Why not ask, "How can I help you?"

***

"SEEING THE WORKS OF GOD"

~ By Os Hillman

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord.... - Psalm 107:23-24a

When you were a child, perhaps you may have gone to the ocean for a vacation. I recall wading out until the waves began crashing on my knees. As long as I could stand firm, the waves were of no concern to me.

However, as I moved farther and farther into the ocean, I had less control over my ability to stand. Sometimes the current was so strong it moved me down the beach, and I even lost my bearings at times. But I have never gone so far into the ocean that I was not able to control the situation.

Sometimes God takes us into such deep waters that we lose control of the situation, and we have no choice but to fully trust in His care for us. This is doing business in great waters. It is in these great waters that we see the works of God.

The Scriptures tell us that the disciples testified of what they saw and heard. It was the power behind the gospel, not the words themselves, which changed the world.

The power wasn't seen until circumstances got to the point that there were no alternatives but God. Sometimes God has to take us into the deep water in order to give us the privilege to see His works.

Sometimes God takes us into the deep waters of life for an extended time. Joseph was taken into deep waters of adversity for 17 years. Rejection by his brothers, enslavement to Pharaoh, and imprisonment were the deep waters for Joseph.

During those deep waters, he experienced dreams, a special anointing of his gifts to administrate, and great wisdom beyond his years. The deep water was preparation for a task that was so great he never could have imagined it. He was to see God's works more clearly than anyone in his generation.

God had too much at stake for a 30-year-old to mess it up. So, God took Joseph through the deep waters of preparation to ensure that he would survive what he was about to face. Pride normally engulfs such young servants who have such access to power at such a young age.

If God chooses to take us into deep waters, it is for a reason. The greater the calling, the deeper the water. Trust in His knowledge that your deep waters are preparation to see the works of God in your life.

***

"IN THE ZONE"

~ By Os Hillman

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. - Joshua 1:7

In sports, there is a term known as "in the zone." It is a description of a person executing his skills so well that total concentration is taking place, and the athlete is performing flawlessly. It is a wonderful feeling.

Performance seems effortless because it comes so easily. For the tennis player, it is hitting every shot right where he wants. For the baseball pitcher, it is throwing to a strike zone that seems big as a house. For the golfer, the fairways are wide, and the hole is big. Everything is flowing just right.

I grew up playing competitive golf. I turned pro out of college for a few years, but later God led me away from playing professionally. When I played competitively, I knew when I was in the zone and when I wasn't.

A few years ago, I played in my club championship. It was the opening round, and I was in the zone. I recall the difference was that my mental attitude was focused on executing the swing I wanted to make with little regard to the outcome.

I could visualize the swing so well; it was like a movie picture in my mind. Very little thought was given to the outcome of the shot. I knew that if I could make the right swing, the outcome would take care of itself. That day I shot four under par 68. I went on to win the golf tournament. I have had few such days of being "in the zone."

Obedience in the Christian life is being in the zone. When we live a life of obedience, we begin to experience the reality of God like never before. Wisdom grows in our life. Meaning and purpose are accelerated.

In the early Church, the Hebrews gained wisdom through obedience. Later, the Greeks were characterized as gaining wisdom through reason and analysis.

Today, we live in a very Greek-influenced Church. Many Christians determine if they will obey based on whether the outcome will be beneficial to them.

Imagine if the early Church had adopted this philosophy. No walls would have fallen down at Jericho. No Red Sea would have parted. No one would have been healed. No coins would have been found in the mouth of a fish.

"REASON AND ANALYSIS WOULD NOT HAVE LED TO MAKING THE OBEDIENT DECISION. TRUST AND OBEY. LEAVE THE OUTCOME TO GOD."

***

As posted on:

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe Today! ^^^

***

Note:  Please don't forget to add our new audio/music profile site to your friends list today!  It's new!!! You can find it on our "Top friends list" here on the Joshua-ap.net profile.  

When you do, leave us a comment on the page from time to time. We are working on it now,  and will  continue to add new mp3 audio messages over the weeks to come. Thanx so much and be blessed! ~ L.D.

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

***

In this revelatory two-part series learn why it's important to hunger and thirst after and contend for and pursue breakthrough for God's presence-for encounters with God that will release abundant favor and fruit in your life for His glory.

Keith examines exciting biblical truths and blueprints through the lives and testimony of King David in his Psalm 63 prayer, Moses, Aaron, and the study of the Old Testament tabernacle and tent of meeting.

Learn how to go from the tent of meeting to testimony to becoming a witness of the testimony of His presence. It's an exciting place where you can believe for the impossible and where anything can happen!

***

"THE BLESSING OF HIS PRESENCE" -- PART 1 OF 2

~ By Keith Miller

Resources

"O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD!"

I am so excited about what the Lord's doing right now. It's a time where the Lord is putting the same cry of David found in Psalm 63 into His people's hearts:
"O God, You are my God!" The Lord wants to release that cry in us daily, not just on Sundays! It's saying everyday, "I can't help but worship the One whom I am extremely, overwhelmingly in love with!" How awesome to awaken every morning with, "O God, You are my God!"

Friends, this is a time to PRESS IN to the Lord for this anointing-the anointing of a worshipful God-seeking heart. How would you like to awaken every morning with an attentive ear that eagerly anticipates the Word He has waiting to release for you? Aren't you glad He's your God?

What a privilege to get out of bed every morning with, "O God, You are my God!" Why do you think God included this passage in the Bible? There's good reason why the Holy Spirit inspired David to start Psalm 63 off this way, because not only is it a privilege to worship God, but also because we have the privilege of unlimited access to Father God through Jesus, our redeemer.

And as a result of unlimited access, we can go before the throne any time, and we don't have to bow back, we won't have to draw away, but we can go before God Almighty and say, "O God, You're my God!" Why don't you just praise Him for that privilege right now and tell Him aloud "O God, You're my God!"

"EARLY WILL I SEEK YOU"

In the next breath, David prays, "Early will I seek You." The implication here is that God is David's first love. He seeks God early or first thing in his day.

I tell you, I believe one of the things that the Lord is releasing to the Church right now is a fresh fire of His passion and love. Do you want to His love to consume you afresh? Of course you do! We need the primary motivation for everything we do to be His love.

God wants us to press in to God by faith to receive the imprint of a greater depth of His love in our inner man so that His love flows like a river out of our lives and touches people around us. We're not going to have to "pump the pump" in worship, but we can just BE worshippers.

Tell yourself right now, "I'm a worshipper." Do you know why you're about to break through into this? It is because He's about to break through for you! You can't help but be overwhelmed because of His lovingkindness!

"MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU"

How desperate are you for God? Do you thirst or hunger for Him, for His presence? David cried out, "My soul THIRSTS for you, my flesh LONGS for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."

How desperate is that? His flesh longed for God. Listen, when your flesh longs for Him, you're living out Galatians 2:20, ... "it's no longer I who live..." It's saying, "But the flesh crucified and I want Him to live His life through me."

The flesh doesn't like to be denied. It likes to eat and it likes its comfort. The flesh is used to getting certain things, and it doesn't like to let up.

When a group of people denies their flesh to cry out to God...something big is up! I believe the Church has stepped into a new season of hunger. We're beginning to put a demand on the presence of the Lord and we don't care what it costs, we just have to have more of HIM!

We have all had wonderful blessings of the Lord in our lives and we're truly grateful for that but God is stirring up an ache inside of us for more of His presence!

"SO I HAVE LOOKED FOR YOU..."

Hunger is something we must respond to, just as David did. He fed his hunger by feeding himself with revelations and remembrances of God. He'd lie on his bed at night and ponder about Him, and think about God and His goodness. He'd remember things that God had done, or reflect on His character.

Have you ever had little bits of flashbacks of God's promises in your life? Have you ever been stirred to say, "Oh, I remember the days Lord, when You promised me.. I want to see those days God!" God stirs our hunger. When He stirs yours, how will you respond? Like David? "O God, You're my God!"

A revelation is coming to the Body of believers whereby we are going to understand deeper still the vastness of God! It will awe us and we'll marvel that we have access to One so great; that He is OUR God, who spoke everything we see into existence with a word!

He knows the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning, and His counsel stands forever. From "ancient times," He knows things that are not yet done and says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do My pleasure!" (Is. 46:10).

It's just so awesome that this One who speaks is our God and I marvel that we have total access to Him!

While in Dallas for some incredible meetings, one night I awoke out of a dead sleep startling my wife Janet, and she says that I was saying, "Oh God You love me, You love me!" I recall also saying, "I want those things that You have prepared for me! Holy Spirit, search the deep, deep, deep things of God and give them to me!"

Are you ready to dive into the bottomless treasure chest of God for your life? Listen, when you awake hungry the Lord is up to something in your life because He initiates the hunger.

"IN THE SANCTUARY..."

King David tells God that he has searched Him in the sanctuary: "So I have looked for You in the sanctuary..." Where's the sanctuary of God? The Bible says that we are the temple "where the Holy Spirit dwells" (1 Cor. 3:16; see also 1 Cor. 6:19.). There's more though!

We as a Body of believers also are His sanctuary! Ephesians 2:21, 22 tells us that we are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, "Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Can you imagine a group of people together telling God, "O God, You are our God! We hunger and thirst, we say "No!" to the flesh, and say "Yes" to You!" It will be a whole lot more than a board meeting, praise God! Nothing boring about encountering the Living One!

We will meet with God because of our hunger. When we gather in one accord and cry out to Him because we're hungry, we WILL GET BREAKTHROUGH
in the "sanctuary," the corporate church body!

Now think for a moment what would happen if your family gathered in the house to say, "O God, You're our God!" Expect a Jacob's ladder anointing where your home will become a gate to heaven. Imagine a fresh hunger coming to your household where when people walk into your house, they'll encounter the Living God!

Do you know that my wife and I cannot get our grown kids to leave our home because they say that it's so peaceful there? Of course, the Prince of Peace lives at our house! When we hunger for Him, His presence stays!

When I awaken and say, "O God, I hunger!" I hunger for Him and I hunger for Him to blow the lid off anything I've ever seen or done before! How about you? How hungry are you? Are you ready to see Him lift limitations?

Gather with others and agree that where two or more gather in His name, to tell Him, "You are our God, we say "NO!" to the flesh and "YES" to you," that anything is possible!

Hey, it only took 120 people hungering after the promise of the presence of the Holy Spirit to receive the mighty outpouring of God's Spirit and incredible breakthrough for spreading the Gospel.

"TO SEE YOUR POWER AND YOUR GLORY..."

What did David say after he told God that he looked for Him in the sanctuary? He said that he looked for Him there to "See Your power and Your glory." We need His power and His glory in our lives! It's an awesome thing to see the power of the Lord at work! Nothing is impossible for Him.

Even more overwhelming is His glory. Contend to see His glory. Moses said, God, show me Your glory! Are you asking that of God? Remember that YOU are His dwelling place! Think for a moment what will happen when He shows you His glory and power in His dwelling place.

Imagine God's glory and power exploding in the sanctuary. We need an encounter with God that fills us afresh with His power and His glory. Do you know what happens after a fresh breakthrough and revelation of His power and glory? Of course! Praise!

"Oh God, I'm so glad You're my God! We're so glad You are our God!" King
David said, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You!" Our lips shall praise Him! Once you get a taste of His power and glory, all you'll want is more. You'll become desperate! Hungry! Thirsty! Your soul and your flesh will cry out to Him!

Ah, glory in the tabernacle, that's what I want! Gather your family, gather your church, and cry out to Him for His glory cloud to cover the tabernacle of meeting! When it covers that sanctuary, God fills it with His glory!

"Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Ex. 40:34). The cloud of His presence covers the tabernacle of your life" everywhere you go and on every journey, it covers you. Check out how the cloud of glory affected the children of Israel:

...and Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle meeting because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was taken from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys.

But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys" (Ex. 40:34-38).

"ARISE, SHINE!"

The glory makes you shine! "Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1).

Have you ever been around someone who has just experienced the glory of God? The glory glows so brightly in the inner person that we see its brilliancy!

The Book of Hebrews makes the point that our covenant in Christ Jesus is far better than the Old Covenant of the Law through Moses (see Hebrews 8:6), and if Moses came down from that mountain glowing after leaving God's presence, how much more we shine with Emmanuel, God With Us!

Oh my gosh! We serve Emmanuel God With Us, His glory constantly an overshadowing cloud of His presence. Are you ready to step into that realm of open heavens? We can live daily with a fresh infusion of dunamis dynamite power to live as an overcomer, not overcome. What's the difference?

An overcomer says, "I can leap over walls! I don't see any giants, I see the promises of God and they are "Yes" and "Amen" in the anointing!"

Friends, we are about to see families, churches, and business filled with the cloud of His presence and His power where anyone who encounters us, visits us, or does business with us will encounter God and His presence, and experience true freedom.

The anointing sets captives free! We must have an overcomer's lifestyle of ruling and reigning in this life. Life shouldn't rule us! Our walk should be that of living to glorify the Master who said, "Be of good cheer, for I have won!" He wins!

"BREAKTHROUGH FOR HIS PRESENCE"

So, how do we get or see this breakthrough of His presence in our lives? Second Chronicles Chapter Five describes a scene from Solomon's temple whereby the priests placed an offering on the mercy seat of the altar and the fire of God came down and consumed it.

Afterward, the glory of God filled the temple. For believers, the blood of Jesus is our finished and completed offering. This means that we can ask for the glory of the Lord to fill the temple (us).

When you gather with others, or when you spend time alone with God, do you ask that the cloud of His glory would fall upon you? Do you go for breakthrough? Maria Woodworth-Etter had this revelation. She understood that she could establish the realm of the kingdom wherever she put up her ministry tent by accessing the tabernacle of His presence and asking for the glory to come.

And when His presence would break through, people in their homes within a twenty-five mile radius from the tent would be overwhelmed by His presence. How desperate are you for that kind of glory to fill the temple?

Think of the possibilities for your city to be touched and awakened to His presence. I'm going to go for breakthrough! At a recent meeting in Cedar Rapids, a healing wave came in and God healed many, though not all.

I went for breakthrough and said, "Now Lord, You healed many the first time, You'll heal the rest also!" Then another wave came in and when I asked how many had any pain whatsoever, only three raised their hands.

Go for breakthrough! Believe God for breakthrough! You can have breakthrough in every area, including finances and harvest. The enemy loves to attack finances to cripple God's people, but GOD wants to give us breakthrough so that we can give out of abundance, not lack!

I'm pressing in for Ezekiel Chapter One to be a reality in the Church. I want to see the wheels in the wheels touch the earth. I want to see all the activity of the throne come and overshadow us.

Imagine gathering with other believers and standing in agreement for God to set up His throne over an entire stadium of lost people?

Listen, Ezekiel in his vision stood under the throne and looked up and saw lightnings, thunders, and flashes, and "in the appearance of His glory was the rainbow" (V. 28).

What did it signify? I believe it is the display of the manifold glory of God, which Ephesians 3:10 says will be made "known by the Church." We will display the glory of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms; to spiritual beings both angelic and demonic.

"Manifold" also has the idea of beauty, multicolored having different hues and tints. How would you like to radiate the multi-faceted brilliance of His glory that causes even the principalities of the air to watch your life and go, "Oh my gosh!"

***

"THE BLESSING OF HIS PRESENCE" -- PART 2 -- CONCLUSION

FROM MEETING, TO TESTIMONY, TO WITNESS

God has a great calling for everyone and to each one He has given giftings and anointings, for He has marked you for that purpose of displaying His glory and these things are testimony that you have met with the King of Glory!

In Numbers 17, the Lord instructs Moses to take all the almond rods of the twelve tribes of Israel and place them in the Tabernacle of Meeting. Aaron's rod went in for the Levite tribe (the tribe of the priests) and all the rods were placed in the tabernacle "before the testimony where I meet with you" (Num. 17:4).

"TESTIMONY IS ESTABLISHED WHEN WE MEET WITH THE LORD."

Your meeting or encounter with God establishes testimony that you just met the glorious One! What a testimony your life becomes! Aaron was a priest, just as you and I are priests, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), according to the New Covenant by the blood of Jesus our Great High Priest.

We have access to His throne. We don't have to draw away from it because the blood of Jesus washes us (there's no condemnation or shame) "that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Aaron's rod is symbolic of authority. Recall that it blossomed! He used it to demonstrate to the Pharaoh that the God of the Hebrews was the Lord. This same rod struck the rocks at Horeb and Kadesh to bring forth water (Ex. 17:1-7; Num. 20:7-11).

We move out and minister in our giftings and callings, we need to move in authority. The authority of God Himself is our platform for anything He's called us to do, be it over our community or over a nation.

When the Lord gives you authority to move, you have a platform. We all need the Lord to give us increasing authority, that He would touch us, as He did Aaron's rod with favor.

Shortly after Moses entered into the tabernacle of meeting he went to the area of testimony, and then into the tabernacle of witness (Numbers 17:8). The Lord's glory makes you a witness not in word only, but in demonstration of the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus!

When God commanded Moses to take the children of Israel out of Sinai and head to the land of milk and honey (Ex. 33) Moses took his tent, pitched it outside the camp, and called it the "tabernacle of meeting."

Everyone who sought the Lord went out to that tent. When Moses entered the tabernacle, the pillar of cloud descended (God's presence) and the Lord talked with Moses. Every person who watched from their tent could see the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door and they rose and worshiped!

Moses asked of the Lord, "Now, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people" (vv. 13).

Grace for a nation! How would you like to be a part of a history-making generation used to release a mighty move of God, whereby tens of thousands of people all over the U.S. came to the Lord! How hungry are you for such harvest?

 Are you willing to deny the flesh, enter into the tent of meeting, to the tabernacle of testimony, and into the tabernacle of witness to see the impossible? Are you ready to say, "Lord, here am I, fill me afresh with Your presence!"

I heard once about a prophetic minister from the 1950s whereby everything he prophesied came to pass except for one thing. He once had a vision of a tent like the tent of meeting. It looked like a revival tent.

Inside this tent was another little room filled with glory and power, so brilliant that it permeated the tent fabric and people lined up as far as one could see for healing: the blind, the deaf, and the cripple. Everyone wanted to get into this room in the tent because as soon as they entered in, they'd exit healed, just like that! I believe the tent this person saw was a tent of meeting.

This is where the Church begins to live in the glory. Don't just contend for an encounter with God, though. Rather, contend for a habitation of the glory, the glory of the Spirit of the Lord upon (Is. 11:2).

"NEW BEGINNINGS"

Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds (Numbers 17:8).

BEHOLD the rod sprouted, budded, blossomed, and bore fruit! Almonds and the blossoms represent new beginnings and resurrected life. When we behold Him, see Him, encounter Him, we're transformed too, from glory to glory!

Remember, the rod represented the whole Levi tribe, so His presence brought life and authority not only to Aaron, but also to the extended Levite family. Notice that God didn't say "Just listen to what I'm going to say," no, He said, "Behold," in other words, "Watch and see what I do for the House of Levi!" His presence will bring fresh ripe fruit into your household-this is that time!

Now let me unpack this phenomenon of God's presence producing fruit a little more, because it is truly exciting!

My beloved spoke, and said to me: "rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away! (Song 2:10-13).

The prophets have been speaking much about this season of new beginnings. Bob Jones refers to it as the season of the dove, as in Isaiah 11:2, the Spirit of the Lord resting upon us. The "dove company" comprises a people not satisfied with just a little touch from God. They contend for the tangible resting of His presence remaining on them.

I know that you want the Lord to come and rest afresh upon you! Did you read that reference from the Song of Solomon? Do you see what happens when the dove's voice is heard "in our land?" Fruit! Fragrant, tender, fresh fruit! Can you awaken every day with that song in your heart, "It's spring a new beginning!"

"JOY AND FAVOR IN THE LATTER RAIN"

Ask the Lord for a fresh cloud of His presence that releases the latter rain for your life! "And the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of latter rain  (Pr. 16:15). His favor releases the buds and blossoms in your life, and it keeps the foxes (thieves) from going after the tender little vines, so that you will produce much such fruit!

The presence of the Lord is a fruitful place! The light of God's face is life! It's pure joy, man! We as God's people should be HAPPY people! Are you happy or do you go around with a "woe is me" countenance?

I tell you, time in His presence beholding His face will cause yours to light up like the nighttime skyline of a great city. In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11). Pleasures forever more! His presence is JOY!

Would you like a fresh anointing of His joy? It's contagious! The oil of this joyful anointing will get on people! Trust me, with the oil of joy upon you, people will laugh and celebrate as they encounter you. Ha! You'll receive tons of invitations to visit because so many are miserable and need that oil that you have! The joy of the Lord is our strength!

That cloud of His presence releases joy and harvest! That's why the prophet says,

Be glad then you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the former rain faithfully. And He will cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain in the first months. The threshing floor shall be full of wheat and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil (Joel 2:23, 24).

"HARVEST IN THE LATTER RAIN"

If you're born again, you're a child of Zion, so this applies to you, and you can do what Joel says and rejoice in the Lord! We see that the rain releases the harvest. The threshing floors full of wheat symbolize souls and kingdom harvest.

You get to possess the Kingdom! This latter rain will also release overflow because "the vats shall overflow." Ask the Lord to enlarge your vat, and as He pours in, you can pour out blessings to the world.

Out of your belly shall flow RIVERS, not streams, but rivers of living water. We don't want dry riverbeds. We want constant, continuous, bank-to-bank overflow that overflows with new wine and new oil! Wine to make your heart glad and oil to make your face shine (Ps. 104:15, 16).

We're not talking alcohol here; we're talking partaking of the new wine in the new wineskins, supernatural wine that gets you drunk in the spiritual. Because you are a king in Christ Jesus, you're invited to drink deeply of the new wine He has for you. Spend time in His presence, drinking in of the new wine, and getting drenched with the fresh oil (not yesterday's oil)!

"RESTORATION AND FAVOR"

Are there things in your life that need restoration? Not only is this the year of God's favor, but a year of His justice. He will restore to you everything the cankerworm has robbed (Joel 2:26, 27).

So not only does the cloud of His presence release that fresh anointing of favor, the fresh flow of His latter rain that brings through the vat an enlargement of the overflow for kingdom harvest, but also, restoration of everything the enemy has stolen!

You see, you become the tabernacle of His presence, His latter rain, and thus, you can release restoration in your life because of that abiding presence. With the glory of the Lord shining so brightly in you, you can go about the ruined cities and see the desolation of heritages and generations restored (see Is. 61). Wow!

A few weeks ago again while in Cedar Rapids I met up with a group of young people from Davenport, Indiana. I walked right over to them and said, "Yeah! I love to praise the Lord in the Wal-Marts!"

They responded with an equally enthusiastic, "Yeah!" and at that moment, the power of God hit every one of them and boom, on the floor! Their group tripled in number the following evening and I learned that my words to them of the previous night had been confirmation from the Lord for them, because that's exactly what they'd been out doing, praising the Lord in Wal-Mart!

Of course, the Lord touched them mightily on the second night too! In fact, I received an email just a while ago from one of the members of this group of youth. He said that the Sunday following the Saturday meeting, during the service, the pastor asked, "What's going on with you young people?"

He called for one of the youth to come forward and explain, and the boy said, "Oh, we've been in the glory man, the glory of His presence! At that precise moment, gold dust fell upon the youth, and then the congregation! Suddenly, one of the young people said, "Pastor, we've got a few words of knowledge."

The pastor told them to go ahead, the church received twenty different words for healing, and everyone who responded received healing! Praise the Lord!
God will fill your river! "You visit the earth and water it. You greatly enrich it.

The river of God is full of water" Tell yourself that your river is full! "The river of God is full of water. It provides their grain. The Lord has prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly. You settle its furrows. You make it soft with showers. You bless its growth" (see Ps. 65:9-10).

When His rain comes, it's a soaking rain, not one that causes clots just to wash away. It softens and dissolves the clots as they literally become drenched by His presence. Lift your hands and cry out, "Lord, soak me!" When He soaks you with His rain, you'll see Him do things for you that you could never do for yourself.

His rain brings you that favor which is His presence and you'll never forget where that outflow comes from because His presence is so mighty and beautiful, strikingly wonderful! His presence is His Person; it's not His throne but Him sitting upon it- upon the throne of your heart sits the King.

Your paths will drip with abundance and His rain will drop on the pastures of the wildernesses in your life (v. 11). The anointing will soak your wilderness so that it becomes like a buttery path that you glide on because of His favor.

He the Rock pours out rivers of oil (Job 29:6) in your desert, in your wilderness, in your family and in your life and you become a witness to the goodness of God. Check out His Word, you'll see that throughout all the ages of time He always tells us that He wants to display His grace and His goodness for His glory, forever.

What happens when the rain drops in the pastures of your wilderness? His Word says, that the little hills rejoice on every side! The green pastures are white with flock and grain fills the valleys, such that the hills and valleys shout for joy and sing (v. 13)! It's full circle!

We're going to shout for joy and sing because of His presence upon, soaking, softening, healing, bringing favor, His glory, power, and beauty manifested in every area! As we meet with Him and encounter Him we sing of His presence and we become a witness, with the transferable oil of joy upon us.

***

CONCLUSION:

By now I'm certain that you want the Lord to take you from meeting to testimony to becoming a witness of the testimony of His presence! It's a different place to live-exciting! This place is a realm where you believe the impossible to be possible, a place where you believe anything can happen, and it will because of the authority and favor He's given you.

Faith is 90% courage. He told Joshua (1:9) to be strong and of good courage, not to afraid, fearful, or dismayed because God was with him for life!

Just as all of the great men and women of the Bible, God will give you authority that will release confidence, not in your ability, but in the strength of our Creator in and through us. As you go from strength-to-strength, tell yourself, "That's where I'm going "strength-to-strength!"

There's no better way I can think of to conclude this message than by praying the way David did to God in Psalm 63, as we've studied, when David was in the wilderness of Judah. He found much joy in the fellowship and presence of His King:

O God, YOU ARE MY GOD! Oh God, I hunger and thirst after You! Fill this sanctuary (me) with Your glory and Your power, and I will speak of Your lovingkindness which is better than life! My lips will praise You! I will be a witness of the testimony of Your presence upon my life.

I am being saturated with the abundance of Your house. And even when I lay down at night, Your presence is there with me. Thank You Lord for the privilege of Your awesome presence, and may Your presence rest upon me all the days of my life.

***

AND NOW, I PRAY FOR YOU:

Lord, let a mighty outpouring of Your presence and power be released upon all who read this, and their households. Let it be, God, to see hundreds of thousands of lives powerfully impacted through the Body of Christ Jesus, as carriers of Your glory and presence. May they spring forth, bud, blossom and bring forth much fruit for the glory of the kingdom.

***

As posted on:

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe Today!

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

***

Dear Joshua Family Subscribers and MySpace Friends:


Today, i am sending out to you an important word and some meeting information from Lou Engle, which i strongly believe that we should stand by and show support towards. If any of you are able to go to the "One Thing" Conference at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, i would encourage you to do so.


If you are not able to go, you may watch it online by internet on God Tv or on Direct Tv (channel 365) broadcasted across North America. For more info. you may go to www.god.tv or www.ihop.org for a list of program times and schedules .


In closing, my hope and prayer for all of you today, is that you, and your loved ones have the best holiday season ever, and a happy new year. God's love and blessings to all of you! ~ L.D. Oxford


***


(From: Lou Engle, Mike Bickle, Eddie James & Will Ford.)


"A PROPHETIC CALL OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEADERS"


Join 20,000 young adults on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 7pm, central time, at IHOP-KC's "onething" conference where Lou Engle, Eddie James, Mike Bickle, Will Ford and others will share a significant prophetic word calling forth African-Americans to the place of leadership in the coming move of God in this nation.


If you are not able to make this gathering at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, you can watch it LIVE on GOD TV (channel 365 on DirecTV) or by internet (for more details at www.ihop.org).


Over the past few months and days, the Lord has made it clear through many prophetic words that--now is the time to call forth a new breed of leadership in the prayer movement that will come from the African-American and Hispanic communities.


While this movement of prayer, fasting and revival will be made up of millions of believers from all the different ethnic groups, without a doubt, African-Americans and Hispanics will be raised up as the very tip of the sword to release revival to this nation.


The Lord has made it clear to us that African-American believers have a divine prophetic assignment of leadership in the next great move of God in our nation. We believe that the fullness of blessing to the Church in our nation will only be released as the leadership in this prayer movement is established in divine order.


Even now, Jesus is establishing His government in the Church in this nation where He is raising up young "Davids" from the African-American and Hispanic community to lead an emerging movement of worship and prayer.


Only when the Church begins to recognize the sovereign place of leadership that God has given to African-Americans and Hispanics in this nation--will we begin to see our inheritance in God multiply together.


"GOD'S PURPOSES FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE END-TIME PRAYER MOVEMENT"


In 1983, Bob Jones prophesied to the future leadership of IHOP-KC that the beginning breakthrough of revival in our nation would only come when African-Americans were functioning in their God-ordained role of leadership in the prayer movement.


Then earlier this year in October 2007, Bob again prophesied of a harvest of individuals coming from the black community, particularly from the young--who would be thrust into an accelerated mode of training to function as prophets to the nations with an emphasis of leading in prayer and prophetic worship.


However, statistics reveal that militant Islam is beginning to target the African-American community in this nation with a vision to convert young black men and women and train them to begin to lead Muslim houses of prayer.


Yet even now, the Lord is rising up a true worship and prayer movement in this nation, led by African-American leaders, to contend with every other house that would challenge the Lordship and Supremacy of Christ.


We believe that the Lord will marry the different ethnic groups and movements of prayer together--resulting in a synergistic power of the Holy Spirit--that will break the power of the culture of death in our nation.


God is calling for an exodus out of the Hip Hop culture (whose spiritual roots are found in black militant Islam and Rastafarianism) and into the true prayer movement. However, we do believe rap and lyrical prose, different from the culture of Hip Hop, will be used by the Holy Spirit as a dynamic art form and tool of communication in the new sound being released from Heaven.


In Exodus, the Lord delivered Israel from Egypt through Moses after 400 years of slavery and oppression--that they might worship God in the wilderness and fulfill their destiny to lead the nations in worship.


We believe the Lord also delivered (and is still delivering) African-Americans in this nation from slavery, racism and oppression--for the redemptive purpose of raising up a prophetic people that would bring deliverance to this nation even as the enemy comes in like a flood.


Thus, on Friday evening, December 28, 2007 at 7pm, central time, join Lou Engle, Eddie James, Mike Bickle and Will Ford at Bartle Hall in Kansas City or via God TV or via IHOP.org as we pray for the full release of God's mantle of leadership on the black community. For more information, visit www.god.tvor www.ihop.org.

***

As posted on:

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe Today!

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

***

"RECENT PROPHETIC WORDS AND INSIGHTS"

*** 

*DOVE EYES

*ALL CREATION IS GROANING

*CARRIERS OF THE GLORY

*IN THE BROOM CLOSET OF PRAYER

*WATCH RAISING THE DEAD
 

***
 

DOVES EYES:

"THE PURE IN HEART WILL SEE THE BEAUTY OF JESUS"

~ By Rick Pino

Fire Rain Ministries

Resources
 

"I am about to release the full revelation of My beauty to anyone who would be willing to allow it to steal their gaze." This is a quote taken from a word I released in September concerning the unveiling of Jesus' beauty. The difference between then and now is that, He is not just "about" to release this revelation, He is doing it right now!
 
"SO HOW CAN WE SEE HIS BEAUTY?"
 
The pure in heart are the ones who see God, so the pure in heart are the ones who will see His beauty! The pure in heart have what Song of Songs calls, "Dove's Eyes". 
 
In Matthew Henry's beautiful commentary on the Song of Solomon, he states, "Christ sees His fair ones as ones who have not the piercing eye of the eagle, but the pure and broken eye of the dove, not like the hawk, who, when he soars upwards, he still has his eye upon the prey of the earth, but a humble modest eye, such an eye as discovers a simplicity and Godly sincerity and a dove-like innocence, eyes enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit." 
 
"TO HAVE THE LOVERS GAZE, OR DOVE'S EYES, MEANS THAT YOUR HEARTS PERCEPTION IS TOTALLY FIXED ON HIM AND HIM ALONE."
 
It means, you are inflamed with holy love and desires toward Christ, with joyful expectations of His glory to be revealed! The amazing part is, you become like what you look at! That's right! What you look at is what you start to look like! We learn foundations for this principal from the story of Jacob's cattle in Genesis chapter 30. 
 
"THE MORE WE LOOK AT JESUS, THE MORE WE ARE FILLED WITH HIS BEAUTY!" 
 
The more we are filled with His beauty, the more we actually become the manifestation of this word I released in September! We literally become the revelation of His beauty to the world! If we stay under the ocean of His beauty, we act as a mirror that reflects His beauty into the earth. 
 

"WE MUST FIRST SEE HIS BEAUTY SO THAT THE WORLD CAN SEE HIS BEAUTY!"
 
So lets continue to cry out for purity of heart! Lets keep contending for purity in our motives, in our desires, in our ambitions, in our sexuality and in all other areas of life because as we do, we open wide the gates of our soul for the King of Glory to come in and invade our hearts with His glorious beauty! 
 
Psalm 90:17 "Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." 
 
God's tender blessings to you and your loves ones this Holiday season from all of us here at Fire Rain!

~ Rick Pino 
 
***
 

"ALL CREATION IS GROANING FOR A NEW BIRTH!"

~ John Mark Pool

Word To The World

Resources
 

"For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8:22 
 
"2008 IS A NEW YEAR WITH A NEW BIRTH! YET WE MUST BRING IT TO PASS." 
 
Women understand this more than men because they carry the process full term. All creation depends upon us in the birth chambers of intercession to bring this light of the world into existence on the earth as it is in Heaven. We can do this! Our time is now!
 
Sin will never have the last word. God made the earth as a habitation for His people. The occurrence of sin brought on decay and disturbance of purposes. "The Heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine: as for the world and the fullness thereof, Thou hast founded them." Psalm 89:11 
 
God, The only Creator, will one day redeem His people (those who are in Christ Jesus) and the earth. Paul personified the elements of nature as looking forward to deliverance the same way that Christians anticipate our glorified resurrection body. 
 
The same Holy Spirit that brooded over the waters in creation (Genesis 1:2) has been given to Christians as a foretaste and assurance of the glorious hope that awaits us. We can live with joy, assured that we have a wonderful expectation awaiting us. That hope includes a new, transformed world, which will again pass God's examination as "very good" (Genesis 1:31). 
 
"AS FOR NOW, HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT ALL OF CREATION THAT WAS MADE BY THE MOST HIGH GOD -- IS GROANING FOR MANY REASONS."
 

This is the season that coincides with the celebration of the birth of the Savior of the world. Mary was anticipating a birth that would cost her everything in reputation; and yet it would gain her place in the Kingdom as she willingly became the host of Heaven's pledge to regain all of the lost humanity that would accept Jesus Christ as their Lord. 
 
Those who know of the witness of Christ but have continually rejected Him, as THE ONLY Savior of the world, will begin feeling this season of anticipation causing them to groan in desperation for an answer. We are that answer, yet the world must be brought to a stage of acceptance either by their willingness or by increasing disasters that will certainly increase each year. 
 
The physical earth has been terribly abused and is reeling with the pangs of the anticipation of the new birth of the new Heavens. You do not sow into destruction of God's created earth without reaping certain natural disasters. Calamities will surely increase each year until we understand that God is serious about His creation. 
 
"THE BIRTHING TIME IS NEAR!"
 
Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 66:1-2, "Thus saith the LORD, The Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest? For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." 
 
God made it all for us to bring Him glory in our multiplication process. We are the ones that have been assigned the Kingdom dominion process. We are not waiting on God--He is waiting on us. 
 
"THIS NEW BIRTH IS DEPENDING UPON OUR ACTIONS NOW."
 
"Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God." Isaiah 66:9 
 
God is waiting on our intensity of pressing into the birthing process of something that all creation is groaning over today! Will we hear the pangs of the new birth? Will we stand in a gap and make up a hedge? 
 
It is not depending upon church size, church affiliation, days of the week of attendance, or names. The new birth of the Kingdom that is now coming in this earth as it is in Heaven, depends upon the people of God staying in the birthing chambers of intercession and being consumed by the Father in a holy desperation for something we have been promised--since creation! 
 
"COME ON, PEOPLE OF GOD! DESPERATION WILL INDEED PLACE A DEMAND UPON OUR DESTINY!"
 
ALL CREATION IS GROANING!

John Mark Pool
 

***
 

"CARRIERS OF THE GLORY"

Excerpts taken from:

(Dancing With Destiny: Awaken your Heart to Dream, to Love, to War)
 
~ by Jill Austin

Resources

Explosions of glory! The tangible presence of the Holy Spirit! This time it was not just I who was overshadowed but all 120 of us. Tongues like fire fell and we were gloriously baptized in the Holy Spirit.
 

We were so excited. We gave ourselves to prayer night and day, sharing all we had, and loving each other so much. We grew from one hundred and twenty to three thousand to five thousand. 
 
Signs, wonders and miracles followed as we told everyone about Jesus. It should be easy to grow the Church until we see Jesus coming again in the clouds. 
 
They were baptized in the Holy Spirit, and the Church was set ablaze. They received the gift of tongues and the courage to be radical and passionate lovers of Jesus Christ. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was, and still is, a ministry of multiplication, intimacy and partnership. 
 
When the Holy Spirit moves through us, it is not just for our benefit. He wants to bring conviction, salvation, healing and deliverance to suffering humanity.

"LIFE WAS ANYTHING BUT EASY FOR MARY AND THE EARLY CHURCH."
 
Persecution scattered the believers, resulting in the spread of the Gospel to other nations. Mary's journey on earth likely continued through seasons of revival and warfare-cycles of life and death maturing her toward bridal love. 
 
Our passionate, lovesick Bridegroom wants us to be His Bride and love Him wholeheartedly-not just when we finally see Him face-to-face, but throughout this perilous faith-walk on earth. As we peer into the glass darkly we sometimes see so little of Him that we grow discouraged. 
 
Beloved, never let your heart grow faint. Never give up. We are lovers on a lifelong journey. Let's pray to be overshadowed by His Spirit, impregnated with His purposes and eager to do His will. The journey of the lover's heart is where it all begins and never ends.

***
 

"IN THE BROOM CLOSET OF PRAYER"

Excerpts taken from:

(Dancing With Destiny: Awaken your Heart to Dream, to Love, to War)

~ by Jill Austin

I ran out of my pastor's office, absolutely terrified. I've got to find a place to hide so I can hear from God. At the end of the hall a door caught my eye. In desperation I rushed to it, ducked inside the tiny dark room and closed the door behind me. 
 

The room smelled of industrial strength disinfectant; I could feel the long handles of brooms and mops. My heart was pounding. I knew I had heard a Scripture once about getting into a prayer closet so I whispered, "Okay, God, I'm listening. Quick! Help!" 
 
What am I doing? I can't believe I'm hiding in the closet. I cried out again, "Lord, I've got to go out any minute and talk in front of two thousand people. I need a script. I didn't understand I needed a script. Lord, I need to hear from You." I was close to panic. 
 
I laid my head against the mops and brooms, breathing the dust and fumes from the cleaning products, as I continued crying out to the Lord. In just a few moments I would have to step up onto the platform at our church's popular Saturday night service and minister for the first time in my life. Sweat dripped down my face. 
 
"Lord, I'm listening. What do You want to say?" I strained to listen but I heard nothing. "Lord, are You going to talk to me?" Nothing.

Have you noticed that the harder you keep trying to hear Him the more you seem to get spiritually constipated? It seems that nothing comes out. 
 
All of a sudden I realized that my pastor was probably wondering where I was. I'd better get out. It wouldn't be cool for people to find me hiding in a closet. 
 
"Okay, Lord, when the coast is clear I'm going to step out of this closet and walk back to his office, and no one will even know that I've been hiding here." 
 
With my ear to the door I heard my pastor ask, "Has anyone seen her? It's time to start." 
 
One of the leather-clad musicians said, "She's down the hallway in the closet." 
 
I then began pleading with God to rapture me! I could hear heavy footsteps coming toward me. I was trapped. All I could think was, Can I just vanish? Can the earth open up and swallow me? What can I do? 
 
How did I get stuck here in this closet? I'm an artist; I'm a potter. I don't belong on a stage. Why did I agree to talk to an audience while seated at my potter's wheel? I obviously didn't understand what I was getting into. 
 
***
 
From:  Extreme Prophetic
 
"WATCH RAISING THE DEAD -- ONLINE NOW!"
 
God wants you to walk in the fullness of the Kingdom mandate. He wants you to heal the sick, cast out demons, be a blessing to all you encounter, and even raise the dead. 
 
As a ministry, we believe we are entering a time when God is going to allow His church to walk in a new level of authority and power to glorify His name and bear fruit for His Kingdom by raising the dead. 
 
In this video, Patricia teaches from the gospels, and shares testimonies about the dead being raised. In addition to recent testimonies we have heard, Patricia also shares a testimony from Stacey Campbell and Mickey Robinson shares how he himself was raised from the dead!
 
During this video, Patricia prays for you to be one who carries the glory in such a way that you will raise the dead and mightily glorify God everywhere you go! 
 

"WATCH RAISING THE DEAD NOW!"
 
Video here
 
Remember to REFRESH if you can't see the new video link on the page.

***

As posted on:

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe today!

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

*FROM L.D.


*THERE'S A SHAKING -- BY MATT SORGER


***


Dear Joshua Family Subscribers and MySpace Friends:


Today, i have an important message to share with you that came in from the ministry of Matt Sorger last week. When i read and pondered this, it brought me to realize again, exactly what we have been coming up against with principalities, deceptive spirits, and demonic powers working over areas and sometimes through ministries, and with certain people who have had to be dealt with over the past 5 years ... and even longer before then.


I also have some other things to share with you along with some scriptures references, which i believe will shed further light on what is coming to get the Body of Christ awakened and ready.


Ephesians 6:11-13 (King James Version)


11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.


12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the RULERS OF THE DARKNESS of this world, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places.


13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to stand.



There are alot of good people and ministries that are doing good things out there, but not necessarily God things that are truly ordained by Him. One thing that i have seen over the years, is that when any ministry is truly ordained, set apart by God, and doing the will of the Father, then it will stand the test of time, no matter what the circumstances, the people, or what the enemy tries to do to hinder it.

It will continue to stand, be pruned back more to bear greater fruit, or be re-structured by the Lord so that it can fulfill it's higher call and destiny.


Psalm 127:1 (King James Version)


1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.


Matthew 16:18-19 (King James Version)


Jesus said to Peter:

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.


Acts 5:38-39 (King James Version)


38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:


39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.


I know personally, that i have had to let alot of things go over the years that were probably good, but not necessarily a part of the will of God, but it is easier to let go of things when you realize that God has something much better for you in exchange, when you do.

He will not allow any of us to hold on to things that become idols in our lives, therefore He shakes all of the idolatrous things down, so that all that remains is only of Him.


There has been a strong shaking that has been taking place over the past year in the Body of Christ, but when you look back, you should also remember that similar types of shakings have also been going on in cycles over the past 20 years, or more with all of the idolatry, scandals and exposures in the Body of Christ..


Hebrews 12:26-28 (King James Version)


26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.


27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.


28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.


Right now, there is a stronger than ever shaking taking place that is going to intensify, to position the Body of Christ to be able to transition and move into the final endtime harvest...


We hear alot about the glory, miracles and manifestations, but what alot of ministers fail to mention, is what it is actually going to take for the Body of Christ to be awakened and ready, walking in holiness, and
prepared for this move of God, the final harvest, and the soon coming of the Lord.

The bride must be awakened, prepared and to MAKE HERSELF READY, walking in righteousness, and in love towards each other in the Body of Christ..


RE-STUDY THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS IN MATTHEW 25
(Whole Chapter)


ALSO:

Revelation 19:6-8 (King James Version)


6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.


7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath MADE HERSELF READY.


8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: FOR THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SAINTS.



One of the things that the Lord keeps bringing back to mind, is the fact that it is going to take heart-rending repentance, tribulations, desperation, and enduring persecutions, which is actually going to cause the people of God to become, mobilized, faithful, steadfast, and ready to move forward on a greater scale.


The good news is that they will be strong in God, doing great exploits, full of strength, and the power of the Holy Spirit, and having a deeper joy of the Lord to sustain them. This is where the greater Glory of God will be seen upon the people of God.


Believers in third-world countries and missionaries on the foreign fields know that this is true. God just shows up in greater ways, where crisis, persecution and all hell seems to break loose.


Mark 10:29-31 (King James Version)


29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,


30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, WITH PERSECUTIONS; and in the world to come eternal life.


31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.



John 15:18-20 (King James Version)


18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.


19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.


20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.



Acts 14:21-23 (King James Version)


21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,


22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.


Romans 8:34-36 (King James Version)


34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.


35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?


36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.



2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (King James Version)


9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.


11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.



2 Timothy 3:11-13 (King James Version)


11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.


12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.


13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.



1 Peter 1:21-23 (King James Version)


21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.


22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:


23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.



Many ministers don't like to talk about this, because it is not a popular message and it can possibly affect their ministry support bases.:) But why should it bother them, if what they are doing is truly backed up and reinforced by heaven.



See Matthew 7:20-22 (King James Version)


20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.


21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.


22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?


About three weeks ago, i had a angelic visitation where the Lord showed me a staircase going upward, then angelic reinforcement that had been dispatched from heaven. Next, i was walking down this narrow road, where the Lord was dispatching additional angelic reinforcements from heaven.


Then, i saw that there were four angels total walking with me down this path. On this path, i also saw a demonic force that had been trying to hinder the ministry, and i also saw where it had been defeated, was bent over in agony, and had lost it's power against us.


I am telling you people, that when the Lord is backing and reinforcing a ministry or even, an individual, then the enemy is no match for what the Lord will do to bring that destiny forth.


When i came out of this vision, i was so relieved and at peace with a fresh empowerment of the Spirit of God to move full steam ahead in God, whether we have many people with us, or only a smaller number of faithful ones. It doesn't really matter when you know that God and all
heaven is on your side.


Through the years, i have known what it is to be stripped down to nothing until all you have left is God. And that is one of the keys to find your spiritual destiny, when all of the crutches have been kicked out from under you, and you finally come to the realization that God is all that you have left, then He will come through for you.


He cannot, and will not fail any one of His children who will come to the end of themselves, and put their full trust in Him, to pick up that cross and to follow Him all the way.


When you hear about the move of God, transition and change coming, know that, there will be the circumstances that will accompany this to get the people of God awakened, out of their comfort zones, moving forward, and walking in love and righteousness. And this is not just for someone else ... but for you too!


Right now, a larger segment of the Body of Christ is still sleeping, but will soon be awakened as the Lord orchestrates and allows the events to take place, to bring all of this forth.


When this happens, then the greater glory of God will be seen on the earth and upon His people. When the unsaved can look at the Body of Christ, and see the Glory and Love of God shining through and upon His people, then the world will be turned upside down in a very short period of time.

When this happens, it will be a quick work, and then the Lord shall return for His own. ~ L.D. Oxford


***


"THERE'S A SHAKING"

~ Matt Sorger

Resources: www.mattsorger.com/

October 2007


There is a shaking happening across the corporate Body of Christ. God is getting us ready for an outpouring of greater glory and in the process He is transitioning the Church into the fullness of her inheritance.


"A DREAM AND A VISION"


Recently I had a dream in which I was preaching. Whenever I have a preaching dream I know God is trying to tell me something. In this dream I'm shouting at the top of my lungs "Everything that can be shaken will be shaken!" And I'm saying it over and over again.


"Everything that can be shaken will be shaken! Everything that can be shaken will be shaken!" I'm booming this out in my sleep and I wake up hearing myself say, "Everything that can be shaken will be shaken!"


In June of this year I was with my team in NY and we had gone out to lunch to celebrate one of our team member's birthdays. We were in the parking lot of a local restaurant when the presence of God came over our group and I was caught into a vision.


It was a very simple vision but it spoke clearly and powerfully to me of the time we're in right now. In my vision I saw a wall with a narrow archway in it. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Matt, I have a broad place that I'm bringing My people into.


But in order to get into the broad place I have for them, they have to first pass through a narrow place." And then the Lord said, "I'm stripping away everything that needs to be stripped away so that this transition can be made successfully."


"HOW TO TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY"


The Body of Christ is in a very important transition right now. We are transitioning into the broad place of the fulfillment and completion of our inheritance. This fruitful and blessed place includes every good promise that God has ever spoken to you.


Actually what we are seeing take place right now is the laying of the foundations for increase and multiplication. During the first 6 days of Creation God worked and was finished and rested on the seventh day. The completion of Creation on the seventh day was actually the completion of the foundation of Creation. From there the earth continued to multiply in fruitfulness and growth.


This year God is laying the foundation in the lives of many people and ministries that will bring great increase and multiplication in the season ahead. But in order to transition into this broad place of increase and destiny we have to first pass through a narrow place. This is where everything that can hinder us from transitioning successfully is stripped off.


There are some things that cannot go with you into the next season. When God is bringing you through a transition, sometimes even good things must be let go of. People hold onto a good thing only because they don't
realize it is keeping them from God's best for their lives.


Some people, when the Lord tries to strip something, they hold onto it. They don't want to let go. Their old thoughts and attitudes have become a security blanket. They hold onto offenses for years justifying the thought that the person who hurt them doesn't deserve to be forgiven.


They justify their ungodly belief systems. They hold on to their 'stuff' while trying desperately to transition into the place of blessing God has for them. As they are tightly gripping their baggage they end up wedging themselves right into the place of transition and they get stuck.


It's time we understand that God is stripping these things away from us so we will be free to transition into the broad place He has destined for us. God is stripping everything that can be stripped; every mindset, every thought, every ungodly belief system, every attitude, and every ungodly action. Everything that's hidden and everything that's covered over, God is stripping it all.


"DON'T BE SHAKEN BY THE SHAKING: RE-STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATIONS"


The Lord recently brought me back to a word He spoke to me coming into this year. It's on our website: "The Twelve Prophetic Sign Posts". The second thing God spoke to me coming into this year was that there is a greater sifting still to come in the Body of Christ.


This came to me in a vision in one of our meetings. A woman was standing in the back of the sanctuary and suddenly I saw her in a vision dressed as a bride. I saw a dove coming and landing upon her.


Then I saw the dove driving the bride into the wilderness. And the Lord spoke to me inner-audibly and said, "Matt, tell My people not to be shaken by the shaking that's coming."


If there is a faulty foundation, it will be shaken, corporately and individually. If there is something not built by the Spirit of God it will be shaken down to its foundations. The Lord spoke to me during a meeting in Texas and said, "It's time to re-strengthen the foundations."



A sifting has happened in the Catholic segment of the Body of Christ. The Lord has allowed things to be exposed and stripped away. The same is happening in the evangelical segment of the Body. The Lord is going to
allow everything that needs to be uncovered and stripped away to be stripped.


God is shaking local houses. God is shaking the corporate Church. God is shaking individual lives. He's shaking everything that has not been built by Him. We can rejoice in this because the shaking produces a deeper level of purity.


When that deeper level of purity is produced, like the olives being squeezed and pressed, it produces a pure oil. As that purity is released, we become ready for the greater glory.


"FLESH WILL NOT TOUCH THE GREATER GLORY"


Flesh will not touch this greater glory. Flesh can exist in the outer court, but if you want to move beyond the outer court into the flow of the anointing and into the Holy Place of God, flesh cannot live there.


Flesh cannot go into the holy place and it cannot go into the Holy of Holies. The flesh has to die. This is all preparation for the greater glory. There's a move that's coming that will hit the Catholic Church.


I've been prophesying this for several years now. God's not in a rush. God doesn't just want to do something quick, He wants to do something that will last.


There was a wave of that shaking in the Catholic Church and now there's a wave coming to the evangelical segment of the Body and there will be a wave of glory that is poured out on pure vessels; pure vessels that are
fully yielded over to God. It will be a pure glory, a pure anointing, a pure flow of the Spirit.


"THREE IDOLS THAT ARE COMING DOWN"


The Lord called a man in the Bible by the name of Josiah at a very young age. When the Book of the Law was found in the temple the condition of the nation was revealed and Josiah realized how far the people had
strayed from God. So he set on a journey to restore true worship into the house of God.


As he was dealing with these things, there were five idols that were found in the house of God. In 2 Kings 23 with the restoration of true worship, you find five idols that needed to be dealt with. These five idols represented three different aspects of idolatry that had crept in.



God is dealing with these same three things today. He showed me three things that He is shaking down to the ground. They're found in 2 Kings 23. First there was Baal. Baal was the chief male deity. Then there was Asherah, the wife of Baal. Also mentioned is the host of heaven,
speaking of astrology.


Then there was the god Molech, which is where they made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire as a sacrifice. Chemosh, another idol, was over witchcraft and idolatry. Baal was the main deity over all of them.


Under him was Asherah who oversaw all of the sexual immorality that was taking place in the day. Molech was responsible for child sacrifice, and Chemosh, witchcraft, astrology and all of those things involving the occult.


These are the three main things that the Lord is shaking down in our day as well as He prepares His House for great glory.


"ASHERAH: SEXUAL IMMORALITY"


God is exposing and shaking down everything associated with Asherah, everything of sexual uncleanness. If there is any area that is hidden with sexual uncleanness, it is much better to let God deal with it in secret than to be exposed publicly. This is the longsuffering of God.


He will be longsuffering and will deal with something in secret so that it doesn't have to be dealt with before people. God desires people to be completely whole and thank God for ministries He is raising up to minister to the sexually broken.


But if people harden their hearts, refusing to let God convict, heal and deliver them, especially if they are in positions of leadership, God's hand is forced to deal with them in a public way.


But remember, long before God deals with something in public He has long tried to bring that person to repentance and freedom in secret. This is His amazing grace and mercy. We must maintain God's standard while
staying humble, loving and free from judgment and condemnation.


MOLECH: CHILD SACRIFICE


God is shaking everything that has to do with child sacrifice, everything that is coming against the children of our nation including abortion, pornography, child abuse and everything that would try to take the life out of our children.


On a national level there is coming an exposing of child pornography and abuse. God's hand of justice will be seen in the sex-trade industry. God is taking it down to the ground.


In the area of abortion, God has tremendous mercy, love and restoration for women and men that have suffered this trauma and who turn to the Lord for healing and forgiveness.


God is a God of mercy, love and restoration but at the same time God is shaking the spirit of Molech down; that spirit that tries to attack and kill the lives of our children. The Spirit of God is targeting that which has targeted our children.


CHEMOSH: WITCHCRAFT


God is also shaking everything associated with Chemosh, the god that oversees astrology, occultism, and witchcraft. God is not just dealing with the obvious witchcraft and occultism that we know about. He's also
dealing with it in the pulpit. "Witchcraft in the pulpit!?" you may ask. Yes, it can even operate in a subtle way in the Church.


The root of the spirit of witchcraft is rebellion. The spirit of witchcraft is all about power, manipulation and control. The operation of the spirit of witchcraft is trying to manipulate things through control and rebellion. And the day of spiritual witchcraft in our churches is over. God is shaking that thing down to the ground.


The Lord is uncovering and exposing emotional and spiritual abuse that is happening inside the Church. There are some in leadership positions who rather than operating by the Spirit of God, they're actually operating with a spirit of witchcraft and control.


Under the guise of 'submission' people have subjected themselves to unhealthy control and abuse. For example, "If you leave this church, you'll never go anywhere". "If you leave this church, you're out from my covering, the devil's going to get you."


This spirit uses manipulation and fear to control people. That is not the Spirit of God. The Lord is bringing a purification to all the tactics of the flesh. Out of the fear of losing people we begin to manipulate them with fear and anger and say,


"If you leave, you'll be under a curse". I've heard these things come out of leader's mouths and I've seen sheep sitting under fear and control and they think that it's the will of God.


God is shaking us free from unbiblical submission and is teaching leaders how to lead in a godly way as well as teaching the Body to submit in true honor and respect for healthy, whole leaders.


God wants a pure, clean Body from the head all the way down to the feet.


And it's not just in the pulpit. Witchcraft, in the form of manipulation and control can also come from out in the pews. God doesn't want any of it.


You know sheep are beautiful, they look all nice and cute and fluffy, but some of them have sharp teeth, and if you do something they don't like, they bite you with those teeth. Well, smile and look in the mirror, you might find some there yourself. God is shaking it all down.


"LET HIM SHAKE IT ALL DOWN"


As the Lord sweeps through His house, all of these things will be dealt with so that the greater weight of His glory can be trusted to us. Let the Lord shake whatever needs to be shaken in your lives.


Let Him shake every attitude, every imagination and every motive. Let Him shake everything in your life that can be shaken. Because if you allow Him to shake it, what will be left afterwards will be the pure image of God. You will be a vessel that His glory can flow through in an  unlimited way.


You will also be free to transition into the fullness of your spiritual inheritance and destiny. May God's grace abound towards you as you position yourself before Him in prayer to allow Him to do the deeper work for His greater glory.


***


PRAYER:


"Heavenly Father, shake everything in my life that is not of Your Holy Spirit. Strip me of anything unclean or demonic and expose and uncover any darkness hidden within me.


I humbly come before Your throne of grace and ask for Your work to be done in my life. Keep my foundations strong and solid and may the enemy have no open doors in me. Prepare me to carry Your greater glory, in Jesus name. Amen."

***

Blog this!!!  Let's create some new dialogue here!

- L.D.

***

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe Today!

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

Dear Joshua Family Subscribers and MySpace friends:

I have a very important teaching here from Francis Frangipane that was recently published, which i believe is very crucial for every person, who calls and believes themselves to be a true Christian should read.

I am sure that many of you who read this will agree that there is alot of super-spiritual talk (or Christianese) out there where people do alot of talking,  but where very little genuine love is shown towards the the brethren, or towards the world for that matter, unless it is for show in front of onlookers.

But the true test is whether our words and conversation are true enough to actually carry out, demonstrate and to follow through with others. Because "talk is cheap" unless it is followed up with demonstrated love.

The Lord himself has indicated in the scriptures that the measuring stick of our love towards Him, is how we show his genuine love towards others.

And when we do not live this way, then we should stop the super-spiritual talk show, and to rend our hearts towards God in true repentance and to get full of His genuine love.

People are tired of empty words, empty promises, and mere words, which carry little weight while adding reproach upon an already scandalized and sin-stained Christianity.

Selfish Christianity has emerged as a "just me and Jesus" and the Body doesn't really matter. Yet, the Body of Christ and fellowship really does matter. And it also matters that the world around us goes to hell in a hand-basket because of a self-centered Christianity. True Christianity is a relational Christianity.

The truth is, alot of people think that they are walking in love and forgiveness when their actions show just the opposite. When we truly forgive and walk in the love of God, then it shows and is demonstrated in not only words, but in our actions.

These two scriptures really stand out in light of these facts.

"The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen" - John 4:20.

" 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' " -Mark 12:30-31

Remember:

Jesus said that the second commandment is like the first.

Please study the following teaching and let's create some new dialogue here on the blog. Blessings in Christ, L.D.

***

(An important teaching from the ministry of Francis Frangipane.)

"BEWARE OF THE STRONGHOLD OF COLD LOVE"

~ by Francis Frangipane

Resources: www.frangipane.org

Is your love growing and becoming softer, brighter, more daring and more visible? Or is it becoming more discriminating, more calculating, less vulnerable and less available?

This is a very important issue, for your Christianity is only as real as your love. A measurable decrease in your ability to love is evidence that a stronghold of cold love is developing within you.

"GUARD AGAINST UNFORGIVENESS!"

"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12).

A major area of spiritual warfare that has come against the church is the sphere of church relationships. Satan knows that a church divided against itself cannot stand. We may enjoy temporary blessings and seasonal breakthroughs, but to win a citywide war, Jesus is raising up a united, citywide church.

An earmark of this corporate, overcoming church will be its commitment to love. Yet, because of the increasing iniquity in the end of this age, true Christian love will be severely assaulted.

There is no spiritual unity, and hence no lasting victory, without love. Love is a passion for oneness. Bitterness, on the other hand, is characterized by a noticeable lack of love. This cold love is a demonic stronghold.

In our generation cold love is becoming increasingly more common. It shuts down the power of prayer and disables the flow of healing and outreach. In fact, where there is persistent and hardened unforgiveness in a person or church, the demonic world (known in Matthew 18:34 as "torturers") has unhindered access.

The Scriptures warn that even a little root of bitterness springing up in a person's life can defile many (see Hebrews 12:15).

Bitterness is unfulfilled revenge. Another's thoughtlessness or cruelty may have wounded us deeply. It is inevitable that, in a world of increasing harshness and cruelty, we will at some point be hurt.

But if we fail to react with love and forgiveness, if we retain in our spirit the debt the offender owes, that offense will rob our hearts of their capacity to love. Imperceptibly, we will become a member of the majority of end-time Christians whose love is growing cold.

Bitterness is the most visible symptom of the stronghold of cold love. To deal with cold love, we must repent and forgive the one who hurt us. Painful experiences are allowed by God to teach us how to love our enemies.

If we still have unforgiveness toward someone, we have failed this test. Fortunately, it was just a test, not a final exam. We actually need to thank God for the opportunity to grow in divine love. Thank Him that your whole life is not being swallowed up in bitterness and resentment.

Millions of souls are swept off into eternal judgment every day without any hope of escaping from embitterment, but you have been given God's answer for your pain. God gives you a way out: love!

As we embrace God's love and begin to walk in Christlike forgiveness, we are actually pulling down the stronghold of cold love in our lives. Because of this experience, we will soon possess more of the love of Christ than we had previously.

"LOVE WITHOUT COMMITMENT IS NOT LOVE"

And at that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.---Matthew 24:10-12

Allow me to be perfectly clear: there is no such thing as love without commitment. The measure of one's love is found in the depth of his or her commitment to others.

How often we have heard people say, "I loved once, but I was hurt." Or, "I was committed to Christian service, but they used me." When someone withdraws his commitment to a relationship, he is withdrawing his love.

It is not one's commitment that grows cold; it is their love. It may not seem like they have become cold---they may still attend church, sing and look "Christian"---but inside they have become hard and separated from others. They have withdrawn from love. Because their commitment is shallow, they will be easily offended.

Jesus said, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come" (Matt. 18:7).

In your walk there will be times when even good people have bad days. As long as you live on earth, there will never be a time when "stumbling blocks" cease to be found upon your path. People do not stumble over boulders but over stones---little things.

To stumble is to stop walking and fall. Have you stumbled over someone's weakness or sin lately? Have you gotten back up and continued loving as you did before, or has that fall caused you to withdraw somewhat from walking after love? To preserve the quality of love in your heart, you must forgive those who have caused you to stumble.

Every time you refuse to forgive or fail to overlook a weakness in another, your heart not only hardens toward them, it hardens toward God.

You cannot form a negative opinion of someone (even though you think they may deserve it!) and allow that opinion to crystalize into an attitude; for every time you do, an aspect of your heart will cool toward God.

You may still think you are open to God, but the Scriptures are clear:

"The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John 4:20).

You may not like what someone has done, but you do not have an option to stop loving them. Love is your only choice.

What do I mean by love? First, I do not merely mean "tough love." I mean gentle, affectionate, sensitive, open, persistent love. God will be tough when He needs to be, and we will be firm when He tells us to be, but beneath our firmness must be an underground river of love waiting to spring into action.

By love, I mean a compassion that is empowered by faith and prayer to see God's best come forth in the people I love. When I have love for someone, I have predetermined that I am going to stand with them, regardless of what they are going through. I am committed.

We each need people who love us, who are committed to us in spite of our imperfections. The fullness of Christ will not come without Christians standing with each other in love. We are not talking about salvation, but growing in salvation until we care for each other, even as Christ has committed Himself to us.

Many people will stumble over little faults and human weaknesses. These minor things are quickly pumped up by the enemy into great big problems. Oh, how frail are the excuses people use to justify withdrawing from others. In reality, these problems, often with a church or pastor, are a smokescreen which masks the person's lack of love.

We need to overcome our hang-ups about commitment, for no one will attain the fullness of God's purposes on earth without being committed to imperfect people along the way.

"Well, as soon as I find a church that believes as I do, I will be committed." This is a dangerous excuse, because as soon as you decide you do not want to forgive, or God begins to deal with the quality of your love, you will blame your withdrawing on some minor doctrinal difference.

The kingdom of God is not based on mere doctrines, it is founded upon relationships---relationships with God and, because of God, with one another. Doctrines only help define those relationships. We are not anti-doctrine, but we are against empty doctrines which seem like virtues but are simply excuses that justify cold love.

"THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS"

An expert in the Law once asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment. His reply was wonderful:

" 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' " (Mark 12:30-31).

Jesus said that the second commandment is like the first. When you love God, your love for others will actually be like your love for God. The more you unconditionally love God, the more you will unconditionally love others.

To those whose attitude is, "I am content with just Jesus and me," I say it is wonderful you found Jesus. But you cannot truly have Jesus and simultaneously not do what He says. The outgrowth of love and faith in Christ is love and faith like Christ's, which means we are committed, even as He is, to His people.

You see, the kingdom of God is most perfectly revealed in our relationships with one another. We are being perfected into a unit (see John 17). To have the kingdom, we must be committed to one another as individuals and as churches.

If Christ accepts us while we are still imperfect, we must also accept one another. The people who possess the kingdom of God in its reality are people who overcome the obstacles of each other's faults. They help each other become what God has called them to be: the living body of Jesus Christ.

Remember, the goal of pulling down the stronghold of cold love is to see the oneness of Christ's body revealed. You will be challenged in this, but if you persist, you will discover the height and depth, the length and breadth of Christ's love. You will become a body filled and flooded with God Himself.

***

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe Today!

Joshua AP Books and Resources

"TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD" — PART 1