Transformation by Mary B. Dovie

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away.  Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life],”   2 Corinthians 5:17, AMP.

My child, you are a new creature, the old things have passed away.  It is now time to consider My Word and how it has been transforming you: within and without.

My Word has been working in you now to such a degree that even your outward parts are being renewed.  Yes, you have noticed and so have others.  But this is a much greater work as My Body corporately is going through a great transformation.

It may seem to some that I suddenly fell on My people, but this is not so.  I have been working deep within the heart of My people.  It is a lasting work: a true reformation of spirit, soul, and body.  I have plumbed the depths of many hearts and purged the dross of man’s traditions and unbelief.  I have shaken the foundations of false hope and promises of mere men.  No longer will My holy remnant eat at the table of lies set by the enemy of their souls.  They have learned to reject his food and turn away from his morsels of pride and greed.

This is a new year.  It has ushered in a season of great change in the supernatural and the natural realms.  The scales are falling off the eyes of My people as they have gone to their knees in prayer.  They realize I AM their only hope and that I AM willing and able to take care of every situation that comes against them.

Instead of fearing the evil one, now faith in Me arises in their hearts.  Love is springing forth where the seeds of division and hate were spread by the agents of evil.  No compromise with the wicked will be tolerated but in deep compassion they will stand against the wicked as they look to Me for direction.

I see My re-born ones emerging from their cocoons and flexing their wings as they ready themselves to take flight.  This year will be a notable year, but it is just the beginning as I release My glory fire along with the former and latter rains.  Oh! What a time awaits My harvesters as they take flight.

Rejoice with Me as I see My new creations coming into the fullness of knowing Me,  My plans, and My ways.  I shower you with blessings and gifts as I take delight in your progress.  All is well. Shalom.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way,”   Psalm 37:23, NKJV.

Scriptural References:

Psalm 18:19;  Proverbs 25:26;  Isaiah 10:17;  Jeremiah 5:24;  Hosea 6:3;  Joel 2:23;  John 1:12-14; 3:3, 7; 5:24;  Acts 2:2; 9:3, 18;  Romans 8:23; 12:2; 15:12; 16:17;  1 Corinthians 15:2;  2 Corinthians 6:14;  Galatians 3:26;  Ephesians 2:10; 5:8;  Philippians 4:9;  1 Thessalonians 5:2-6;  2 Timothy 3:13-15;  Hebrews 5:7-9; 12:27;  1 Peter 1:20-23;  1 John 3:3; 5:21

~ Mary B. Dovie
“In God We Trust”

Prophetic Word by Debra Lowe

http://daughtersofz.typepad.com/
daughterofz@ymail.com

As I have spoken to you often, I say again, stand, and be strong for this battle is the Lord's. You are in the midst of a war that has been sent by the enemy to carry the mist of weariness. He scatters the lies against your Father "that he does not care about what you are going through for if he did he would"... Do not be deceived by his ancient tactics, only speak My Word. Shut the mouth of these lies with My truth. You do not need to practice what to say to him, for I have prepared you for this very thing, by giving you My Word which is the only weapon that will silence him.

My Word rises up within your spirit, hear Me speak. For he shoots propaganda using the ageless deception of comparison, causing you to look around you and compare your life to others around, but I have said to you, to keep your eyes looking straight ahead, not looking to the left or right. Your arsenal is full with what will defeat him, do not succumb to this weariness, open your mouth and declare, and you will experience a lifting up of the hands that hang low, and the head that is bowed because of the longevity of this season.

Remember that I Am a warrior too, and I Am your leader and I have never let you down. I know all of the enemy's' plans and all of his ways to try and defeat you. I know the way to victory for you through all of the battles, and I speak those secrets to you in advance so that you are not taking down by his old familiar ways, I know them all. I also reveal them to My children. So, in this battle all you need to do is open your mouth and declare My promises to you, the ones that I have magnified over and over again to you.

Do not fight in your soul, it produces the weariness that the enemy desires. Use the weapons that I have fully equipped you with, weapons like praise, worship, and My Word. Do not repeat or rehearse his weary lies among yourselves. Stand and see the salvation of your God, and you will see the great things that I will do!

"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." (2 Chron. 20:17)
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (2 Corin. 10:4)
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Is. 40:31)

SPIRIT OF FATIGUE DISARMED AND STRATEGIC PLACES SET ALIGHT BY HIS FIRE by Lana Vawser

I saw a spirit of fatigue coming over many out of nowhere in relation to specific strategic areas of their lives. From moving in giftings, to next assignments, to contending for His promises, to pioneering, building vision, continuing the work He has placed before you and going after the ‘more’.

This spirit that has been released is specifically targeting these strategic places with an abnormal physical fatigue especially when going to do the very specific strategic task before them. It is attempting to release an apathetic, discouraged spirit over this strategic area.

I heard the words “worship before you begin” and I felt the Lord say the way to DISARM this spirit is to actively worship IN and OVER the strategic place. Worship before you begin!! As you worship not only will this spirit be disarmed but greater specific strategies will be released to you from the Lord concerning these strategic areas.

The very places that this fatigue is hitting, these strategic places, as you press in and don’t give up, keep being faithful, the fire of God is going to fall on these places and ignite them beyond what you could imagine. The enemy is hitting these strategic places because huge breakthrough and fruit is going to be released from these areas.

As I saw the fire of God fall on these strategic places, breakthrough was being released through them to many. I then saw the Lord blow on these strategic places that were on fire, and the wind of the Spirit picked up the fire and it was heaped upon the enemy’s head.

The very area that the enemy is attempting to bring sudden great fatigue on in your life is going to be the area that does the greatest damage to his kingdom in this season.

Worship your way through this! Your victory is already assured and you are positioned for a great IGNITING!

Extending yourself into Eternity! by Jim Hammerle

Why live only one life when you can live three and four lives at a time?  That’s right, the kingdom is designed to expand by multiplication on a continual basis.  Making disciples is a multiplication process, whereby you duplicate yourself in others.  By you presenting yourself a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Me, which is only reasonable, (Romans 12:1) you allow Me to be formed in you, as the hope of glory.  When you find someone else desiring to be a kingdom citizen, you can teach them to present themselves as living sacrifices.  Disciples are not clones, but distinct in every way because they maintain their personality outwardly, while conforming to My image on the inside.

During the discipleship process, I supernaturally knit hearts together in love,Colossians 2:2.  The knitting of hearts produces a duplication of the inner man.  When your heart is knit together with a disciple, you have duplicated yourself!  I can knit you together with as many as 5 at a time.  Now it gets better, when you teach your disciples to duplicate again, you will have generations of spiritual offspring, and you are building a kingdom legacy that can expand centuries on earth while you are enjoying heaven, 2 Timothy 2:2 KJV.

No discipling can be accomplished without the key ingredient of love! My Love is attractive so it draws, My love is desirable so it maintains, and My love bonds together so it knits, even during the hardest of times.  To be a discipler, you must lay down your life by sharing it with your disciples.  You must make yourself available 24/7, during the good times as well as the bad.  Your life is not your own, you are bought with a price, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 but you will have many of them to enjoy in eternity.  You get to enjoy a duplicate reward of everyone you disciple.  That’s what I meant when I said, “whoever will save his life will lose it: and whoever will lose his life, discipling others, for my sake will find it many times over,”   Matthew 16:25.

The Lord is Extracting Grief From His People (A Prophetic Word to the Body of Christ) by John Meyer

Bend, OR

The Lord is extracting grief from His people. He is extracting it in the way only He could. There are some who have come to a place where they've totally lost hope. You've felt like giving up!

The Lord says, "Where else can you go? Where else can you go? Can you make your bed in Hell? If you do, I'll chase you down. If you go to the left, if you go to the right, if you climb the mountain, and go back into the world, I'll chase you down. Why? Because I love you and I have placed My value within you. You're a masterpiece! Don't you know that I've created you for not only this time but for generations to come?

"That's why it's been hard for you. That's why it's been difficult, because I've been building something enormous within you, within the depths of your soul, within the depths of your spirit.

"See, you just thought the devil was attacking you. But do you know that I sit in Heaven and laugh? I laugh! I laugh! I laugh and I weep at the same time, because I know your potential. I know the fullness of who you are.

"All I'm asking is for you to open your life completely to Me, so that I can take you from here to there...so that I can help you understand where you are at in life. So that I can put something within you, a resolve that will rise up and say, 'I'm not going there! I'm not going back to that place! I'm not going back to those people and those relationships that took me down.'(Photo by Lillis Boyer "Heart of Fire and Passion" via elijahshopper.com)

"You see, you know you can't, because I put a fire in you that is unquenchable. Oh yes, your soul wants to pull and wants to tug, but I put such a fire in you that will not relent! No man put this fire in you. I put this fire in you by the power of the dwelling place – the resting place of the Godhead within you.

"You see, I turned, and I turned, and I turned, and I turned to show you My 360. Just to reveal around the corner and up the street and down the road, My simplicity and touch of the wisdom of My words.

"When you were going through Hell, I was there; you know I was. When you were in the pit, I visited you and I gave you another breath to make it another step. But what you didn't realize was the depth that you couldn't see that I was building in you, layer upon layer, upon layer, upon layer, upon layer!

"You see, that layer, is for more than your legacy...it's for those you carry within your heart. You have young ones and you have old ones, and you have those that surround your life that you care so much for. But don't you know that I gave them the spirit and the breath before the foundations of the world? I gave them a blueprint and a plan. So, carry them in a way that's not unhealthy. Yes, you know where you cross over, but listen, I'm not condemning you...all I'm saying, is open your hands. Open your heart. Open that place where you've carried them a little too far. Let me have them completely and entirely. When you do, you're going to see an acceleration happen that you've only dreamed of.

"Yes, I'm taking grief away from you today and it's being extracted right out of your life. Don't hold on to the familiar, don't hold on to those things that you're so used too; trying to survive the battle, trying to survive another day, trying to survive another week, another year! You know where that has gotten you... You've been tormented... Take your mind and place it where it needs to be, in the center of your second mind, your spirit. Take your mind and replace it with your spirit. (Photo by Jennifer Page "Washed in His Love" via elijahshopper.com)

"Live out of your spirit and watch what I'll do this day! I'll do it in such a way, in such a manner that you've cried out for! I'm going to remind you of those prayers that you prayed for this very day. You may have forgotten them, but I didn't. I didn't forget those prayers, I didn't forget those times when you shed the tear...don't you remember where I said that I bottle them up? I don't just bottle them up in some jar that I set on a shelf. No, they have your name on them. I cherish them and I hold them close and dear to Me. I've seen every tear. I've seen EVERY tear, every last one of them.

"I will accomplish what I've set out to do in your heart and in your life. I will do it! I will do it! It may not look like it right now. It may look totally contrary to what you have seen in the past, but that's OK. I hold you, and I hold everything in My hand! Everything! Everything that concerns you, I hold closely. I've got it all laid out. I've got it all laid out. Oh, you can turn the other way if you want... I hear you saying, 'But, Lord! But, Papa! But, Father!' That's OK, I'm not intimidated by that. I'm not intimidated by your "Buts"; I'm not intimidated. That's OK, I'll turn it around...I'll turn it all around.

"That's the God you not only serve, but the One that you are friends with.

"I call you My friend."
-Papa God

John Meyer
Base Camp
Email: basecampmedia@gmail.com
Website: www.basecampsite.org

Why It’s Time to Let Go of the Old Things by Doug Addison

Do you feel something new happening in the spiritual realm?

There has been a positive shift for the good and it might require you to rise above your current situation to catch it. This is a time not only to hear God’s voice more clearly, but also for us to activate the things God is speaking to us.

Hearing God, Knowing His Voice

God is speaking all the time but most people are not aware of it, or they have not been trained to recognize the variety of ways God speaks. This could be through dreams and visions, prophetic words, music and the arts, the Bible, or the still, small whispers we often get from the Holy Spirit.

I recommend that you write down or journal what God is speaking to you right now. The reason is that God often speaks over a period of time and through various circumstances and events in our lives and we need to “learn to discern” God’s voice from the clamor of things coming at us all the time.

One distinctive of knowing God’s voice is peace. Do you have peace in what you are hearing? Many prophetic words these days are instilling fear in people. You will recognize God’s love and nature when you have peace in your spirit with what God is saying.

Hindrances to Hearing God

These are just a few examples of things that can hinder us from hearing God:

• Our own theology. This can even stop us from hearing what God wants to say to us, especially if we believe God only speaks in a certain way. If God is calling you to something new, sometimes what you believe can get in the way. God wants to help us where we don’t yet trust Him to do things we have never seen before. He delights to show us His ways.
• Assuming. Presumption or assuming that you already know what is being said can be a hindrance too.
• Busyness. If you’re trying to find something new, busyness is another thing that will keep you from hearing God. What do you need to say “no” to so you can eliminate the hindrances to hearing God?

Called to Something New?

When God calls us to do something new, we often have to forget the former ways that we did things.
This is usually difficult for us to do. But it is our old ways of thinking or old ways of doing things that is the very reason we need to hear God for something new. God changes the seasons in our lives and what worked in a previous season might not work now.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

What is it for you?

What are some of the former ways you’ve been doing things?

As we advance and mature in our ability to hear God, our previous ways of doing things might not work as effectively as they once did. I have noticed that many people’s spiritual gifts are shifting or morphing right now.

For me, I have seen this happen recently in my own life. I used to be able to give over 100 prophetic words to people per hour. I did this in a rapid-fire process and the revelation would come in me and flow out of my mouth before I had time to think about it. This has lifted from me and I get exhausted after 25 people. Instead, I now am able to help people recognize their season, God’s timing and deeper wisdom.

God is doing something new right now. I believe that if you put yourself out there to learn to discern, and if you ask God to speak to you and begin to record what you hear, God will answer you and you will be more ready than ever to hear and respond.

This is such an exciting time to be alive. It is going to be a great transition into a new season of new effectiveness.

Blessings,

Doug Addison
DougAddison.com

The One Who Sits on My Right Hand by Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

During these weeks of my husband’s illness and ongoing recuperation, I have often sensed the Lord’s presence.  I sense Him reaching out with His left hand to comfort, console and encourage.  I sense Him actually massaging my neck and my shoulders.  Oh, what peace!!

These experiences have led me to contemplate the right and left hand of God.  I remember the mother of James and John asking that one of her sons sit on the right hand of Jesus and the other on the left.  Our Savior answered, “Matthew 20:23b (NKJV): “to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."  

Many scriptures tell us that Jesus is currently seated in at the right hand of God.  Two of those are found in the book of Mark:

Mark 14:62 (NKJV) 
^“Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."

Mark 16:19 (NKJV) 
^“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.”

The right hand of God is the seat of God’s omnipotence.  Jesus is the manifestation of that power.

I have been content to sit at the left hand of God.  Recently, the Holy Spirit deepened that contentment with further revelation.  From out of my spirit arose the truth that if I am seated on the left hand of God, He is seated on my right hand.  His strength becomes my strength.  “I am weak, but He is strong.”  Because I am seated on the left hand of God, I can do all things because He is my strength (Philippians 4:13).

The psalmist wrote Psalm 121:5 (NKJV): “The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.”

Father, I am thankful that while I am seated to Your left, You are seated to my right. You are my right hand of power.  Hallelujah!

Choosing Courage by Lonnie Crowe

http://www.generals.org/articles/single/choosing-courage/

Several years ago, I was ministering in the Philippines. Part of our ministry took us on a catamaran to a nearby island. When we left, the tide was in, and we easily stepped from the dock onto the boat and sailed away. When we returned in the evening, the tide was out, and our boat sat about ten feet below the dock. Our only egress was a rickety ladder sitting precariously in the rocking boat. I don’t normally like to climb short, firmly grounded ladders, so I definitely was not comfortable with the thought of climbing this ladder.  

Discouragement settled over me. Suddenly, through my spirit and out of my mouth came “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). One of the men holding the ladder gave me a hand, and I went up that ladder like a seasoned sailor. Courage came when I knew that I didn’t have to do it in my own strength.

In our difficult world, we are surrounded, bombarded and often overwhelmed with discouragement. Negativity fills the airwaves, the newspapers and the coffee klatches. A spirit of discouragement has attached itself to many people, even believers.

The spirit of discouragement can be so oppressive that we may neglect to cry out to the Lord for encouragement. We may also be so distraught that we do not recognize the encouragement when it comes.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines encourage as:

to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident; to make (something) more appealing or more likely to happen; to make (someone) more likely to do something : to tell or advise (someone) to do something.

These definitions are all about doing something. They miss the mark by not telling us what we need in our lives in order to do something. In order to chop down the tree of discouragement, we need to lay the axe to the root.

The root word of “encourage” is “courage.” In other words, if we want to be encouraged, we must be filled with courage. The Lord spoke to Joshua as he was stepping into the role of leadership after the death of Moses: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

God does not want us to be afraid. Fear tries to rob us of courage, and it is the fear that we need to lay the axe to. We fear tomorrow. We fear the unknown. We fear because we lack understanding. We fear because we perceive that God has distanced Himself from us.

Believers, however, are called to be Joshuas in this world. God has commanded us to be strong and of good courage. The word translated as courage has many synonyms. In the Hebrew, to be courageous is to be strengthened, established, strong, fortified, and obstinate.  

Courage is the strength to overcome in spite of fear. Courage is being established in the truth of the Word of God. Courage produces strength and fortification. Courage enables us to stand firmly for the Lord. We need encouragement.

I find that cliche expressions like “Remember, God is in control,” “Everything will be alright,” “Everything happens for a purpose,” or “It will all work out in the end” feel frustrating and trite. I know that the speaker's intent is to encourage, but the intent does not bring forth the desired fruit.

When people are discouraged, instead of all the conventional expressions, can we say, “I’ll go with you,” “What can I do that will help,” or “How can I pray for you?” That’s what God has promised us—that He will never leave us or forsake us.  We must stand and not forsake either ourselves or others around us.

In the Word of God, we will find words that dispel fear and fill us with courage. Speaking forth the Word causes courage to resonate on the air waves. Declaring the Word allows us to anoint ourselves and others with courage. Meditating on the Word—allowing that truth to become part of our spiritual DNA—enables us to move forward in boldness.  

Make a list of encouraging scriptures and hide them in your heart through memorization and meditation. The Holy Spirit will call them to your remembrance in the midst of discouragement.

Consider these words: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Encouragement comes in realizing that the spirit of fear, the discouragement that we feel, has not come from God. Instead, God has given us the strength in Him to overcome that fear. We don’t have to face it alone. We face it in the power and love of God. Our relationship with Him brings us into a sound mind.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Encouragement is actually a choice.  Let’s open our hearts to the encouragement of the Lord, so that we may encourage ourselves and others.

The Key to Your Turnaround by Diane Lake

http://www.generals.org/articles/single/the-key-to-your-turnaround/

Prophetically, it is being declared that 2015 will bring divine reversals and turnaround in the midst of what may seem like a whirlwind year. According to the ACPE Word of the Lord for 2015, in the midst of the shakings and trials, worship is the key to seeing your release.

The worship of God is not narrowly defined anywhere in scripture. Many elements are indicated to be part of worship expressions, including praise, thanksgiving, musical instruments, singing, clapping, shouting, and dancing. In essence, worship embraces anything born out of our intimate relationship with God in which we enter His presence, giving Him reverence and honor in spirit and truth (see John 4:23, 24).

Since worship is key to releasing our turnaround in this season, it is important to understand several principles at the core of worship.

1. Worship is eternal and establishes the atmosphere of heaven.

Lucifer was the guardian of God’s throne and the one responsible for the atmosphere of worship continually surrounding it. Ever since being cast out of heaven, he seeks to deceive men and women into worshipping him rather than God.1 When tempted in the wilderness by Satan to worship him, Jesus responded “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Matt. 4:10).

We glimpse this eternal atmosphere of worship in Revelation 4:8-11. There we read of the four living creatures continually giving God honor and the twenty-four elders who incessantly fall down to worship before the throne.

Scriptures such as Psalm 22:3 emphasize that God’s throne is established in the atmosphere of praise offered by His people. Where God is worshiped, His presence dwells.

2. Continuous praise and worship precedes restoration and revival.

The most significant difference between the tabernacles of Moses and of David (eventually the temple) was that there was no veil separating the people from the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God. Within this structure, David instituted the continuous spiritual sacrifice of worshiping God through praise. The restoration of the tabernacle of David is associated with continuous praise and worship in the unhindered presence of God.2

Jesus reaffirms the model that worship happens first, then the kingdom is manifested on earth. We’re all familiar with the words:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name [worship].

Your kingdom come. Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven [kingdom manifested]. (Matt. 6:9, 10)

As individuals, continuous worship is represented by an attitude of our hearts—meaning a lifestyle of worship. As modeled by the Lord’s Prayer, true worship will result in lives that demonstrate the reality of His kingdom.

3. The Lord looks for true worshipers.

David set an example for another principle of worship as well. Within the framework of the restoration of the tabernacle, he escorted the ark as it was brought to Jerusalem. There, David danced before the Lord in such an enthusiastic and uninhibited manner that it greatly distressed and embarrassed his wife.

His demonstration of freedom by expressing his heart of worship with such bold abandon embodies the spirit of true worship. Certainly David, who was identified as a man after God’s own heart and one who did all His will, can be said to have captured the essence of worship in spirit and in truth.3

Worship Can “Unlock” The Turnaround

Acts 16 contains the dramatic story of Paul and Silas praying and praising God in prison at midnight. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, and all the prison doors and prisoners’ chains were unlocked and opened!

And in 2 Chronicles 20, we read that three armies decided to attack God’s people under Jehoshaphat’s rule as king. Upon seeking the Lord, they were told that the battle was not theirs, but God’s. After worshiping and praising, the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and defeated them.

Worship is important because it’s like a tool in your hand. In Psalm 144:1, David praised and blessed the Lord for giving him victory over his enemies, saying, “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” (See also Ps. 149:6; Isa. 42:13.)

While David fought physical armies who came against the nation of Israel, believers today fight against spiritual forces of darkness that come against those in God’s kingdom (Eph. 6:12).

As we utilize the tool of our worship, I am convinced we will see divine turnaround!

Some Thoughts for Application

1. Think creatively. Individual worship can be as creative and unique as you are. One of my favorite ways to worship is to sit down at the piano and play without sheet music. Quite often I hear a beautiful, simple melody in my head during my day, and I use that as a framework to worship. Dancing, singing, painting and playing instruments are just some of the possible ways you might be stirred to worship creatively.

2. Think simply. Worship needn’t be complicated. Some of my deepest worship springs from a place of unanswered questions. Recently, a member of my family was involved in a serious accident. Times like these prompt me to worship simply. We might not understand events or circumstances, but we can always know these things:

·      God is good,

·      He is faithful,

·      He always has our best interest in mind, and

·      He is worthy of our praise. (Rom. 8:31-39)

Scriptures for Further Study

1. See Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:11-19
2. See 1 Chron. 9:33, 15 & 16; Amos 9:11, 12; Acts 15:16, 17
3. See 2 Sam. 6:14-22; John 4:23, 24; Acts 13:22, 36, 15:16

Partnering with the Holy Spirit's Leadership by Bethany Stephens

http://www.generals.org/articles/single/partnering-with-the-holy-spirits-leadership/

A couple of months ago, I was having a night of worship at my house. Before everyone arrived, I asked God to show me what He would like to say that evening.

As a person who earnestly makes an effort to recognize God at the center of everything, whether it is in my music or just life in general, I continued to pray the words, “Take over.” But then I felt impressed in my spirit that I shouldn’t be praying that—not so much that it was bad or wrong, but rather inaccurate. I felt like the Holy Spirit said to me,“Bethany, I am a leader; I am not a manager.”

In that moment, all I could think was, What in the world? Why would You say that to me two minutes before people start arriving? Then it hit me, as all of the leadership articles, blogs, emails, books, and discussions I’d previously absorbed began to connect.

There are some primary differences between a leader and a manager (borrowed from Kris Vallotton). Managers create safe environments by building systems that promote uniformity and predictability. On the other hand, leaders are always trying to reproduce what they see inside of them. They are constantly redefining reality with new revelation.

Have you ever seen or even experienced a moment where one of the bosses comes into the office and the entire team dynamic changes? But when a true leader walks into the room, the flow of what is happening does not stop; it progresses! In fact, a place that does not progress when leadership presents itself is unhealthy.

The healthy response to a true leader will never be, “Shhh, quiet! They’re here.” It will always be, “You’re here!”

With this in mind, I want to take a look at how we respond to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

I’ve noticed a pattern in our prayers—the ones where we ask God to move by “invading” our worship services. It might be considered an invasion if the worship leader starts singing a spontaneous, or prophetic, song over the congregation and a few people get touched. Or if the entire order of service is thrown out the window, and we’re all dancing like there’s no tomorrow (which, by the way, I have no problem with. I welcome these experiences with open arms). But in any case, this is usually what I’ve come to expect about a Holy Spirit invasion.

The word invade means “to enter forcefully as an enemy; go into with hostile intent; to enter like an enemy; to enter as if to take possession; to enter and affect injuriously or destructively, as disease.”

I realize that we use words in our prayers to show our heart’s desperation to God, but it doesn’t take words like these to get His attention. We already have 100% of His attention. He gives us the honor of carrying His presence with us daily. More importantly, God isn’t a manager looking to invade or control you; He is a leader looking to partner with a willing heart.

I can’t recall one time in the Bible where God forced people to do things. In fact, in gracious ways, He allowed Moses to argue with Him about his “inabilities.” He allowed Jacob to wrestle Him. He allowed David to question Him.

Good leadership is servanthood and partnership, not control. We read in the Bible that the crowds following Jesus always increased—because He was a good leader.

Even when a leader leaves the room, the vision still resides with the team. We usually say, “They’re with us in spirit,” because a true leader imparts vision so well that it just sticks. When the Holy Spirit comes upon people in a worship service, it is not an invasion; it is an invitation to partnership. He is with us in spirit to redefine our reality and impart His vision into us.

Somewhere in our theology, we’ve believed a myth that the Holy Spirit is here to take over and control, and we just need to surrender. If that were the case, then why would He create us with free will? To simply give up and let Him do the rest? (Of course, there are times to simply “stand and see the salvation of the Lord.”)

What if surrender on our part actually looks like aligning with what He has already done? What if He is looking for willing hearts to partner with His vision, to run with it, own it, and steward it well?

In John 4:23, Jesus says, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way” (NLT). Notice that He specifically says, “The Father is looking...” He is searching for true, devoted worshipers that will worship Him daily, inspirit and in truth.

The Holy Spirit isn't in the business of shutting down authenticity, but enabling it by being the perfect example of it Himself. This welcomes every type of expression He has given to the body of Christ, and I am in full belief that there is more to come. I personally love the Message translation of Romans 12:1:

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life— your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (emphasis added)

Even as I’m writing this, I’m challenging myself with this question, “How am I embracing what God has already done?”

Worship is a lifestyle, not a service. If we can’t learn to follow and partner with His vision every day of our lives, if we can’t “embrace what God has already done”, then a worship service where we completely throw out a set list isn’t going to mean much. It will just be another thing that we can talk about on Monday morning.

Here is my heart—I don’t want to just talk about this; I want to live it. I want His vision, as His DNA resides in my bones. I am passionate about seeing the Holy Spirit move in every aspect of my life. But I have too often confined myself to what I thought was God, out of my own humanity, and have pursued a hype or feeling because it felt right. I am done with all that.

I am keen to see God truly move in my life and in the lives of others, and I want to be a partner and good steward of what He is doing. And if I’m not seeing His movement in my day to day life, then being a worship leader means absolutely nothing.

Maybe, instead of praying for God to “invade” our worship services, we could pray for our hearts to be aligned and positioned with His heart. Maybe, instead of praying our normal prayer of surrender, we could pray that we would embrace more of what He has already accomplished. And just maybe, instead of praying for God to control us and move us, we could learn what it looks like to lead and move with Him.

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS

You have had to deal with hindrances, but now you will be able to break through barriers with very little effort.  It might take some planning and diligence, however.  Be glad and thankful that you are able to put those nagging things behind you, says the Lord, and set yourself to live in peace.  John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

Resuscitations by Priscilla Van Sutphin

Upstream Ministries--California
www.upstreamca.org    www.Facebook.com/tearsofmercy   goinupstream@hotmail.com

"I AM pouring out My oil, and it will resuscitate My Bride! There is no one who can stop the flow of what I will do for those who love Me, over the allurements of the world. There has been an assault on communications everywhere through deaf & dumb spirits working to cause miscommunications and interfering with electronic equipment and airwaves, websites and radio, TV and all manner of communications, mechanical and human! But HE who is your enemy cannot stop the power I will pour out to resuscitate My LOVE, and MY SPIRIT within you, that you can face what is ahead!

Don't be moved by what you see on TV or in the news, but watch because I'm going to CHANGE the dominion in the airwaves and in every other media format, so that I AM GLORIFIED throughout the earth. Even those who seem so far away in their Doctrine and deceived by cult brainwashing and false teaching will be touched, and restored to TRUTH. I AM SENDING MY ANGELS OF TRUTH, to convict and RESTORE. PRAY for your families, PRAY for those around you, PRAY for those at work, or in your neighborhoods. ASK for MY GLORY! ASK FOR SOULS. ASK FOR REVELATION. YOU have not because you ask not! BE EXPECTANT. I KNOW that many of you have lost expectancy due to so many battles, but I WILL RESTORE, and RESUSCITATE ALL I HAVE PUT IN YOU AND MORE!

I AM THE LORD OF GLORY AM I NOT? AND I TOLD YOU WHATEVER YOU PRAY IN AGREEMENT, I WILL DO, IF YOU ASK IN FAITH. AND I WILL GO EVEN BEYOND THAT IN THIS HOUR FOR MY WORD ALSO SAYS THAT EVEN SOME WILL BE SAVED BECAUSE OF THE PRAYERS & INTERCESSIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS! YOU ARE IN FOR SOME HUGE SURPRISES IN THE DAYS AHEAD. BELIEVE! BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF THIS AGE IS UNBELIEF!!!! AND IT'S FRIENDS, DOUBT AND SKEPTICISM, WILL BE BROUGHT LOW! I will level the false mountains of authority, and I will shock many with the way I do it, and whom I use to bring My LIGHT and GLORY. So do not think I have forgotten you. Do NOT think that I have passed you by because of your age, or because you're not one of the "beautiful" people.

Vanity is strong in the church that is influenced by the world, and all it's idolatry, but I will bring the haughty low, and every proud thing that is lifted up will be demolished. For I AM THE LORD AND THERE IS NO OTHER LIKE ME. I LIFT UP AND I PUT DOWN. I RESTORE, AND I ALSO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS OF THE ENEMY. READY OR NOT, HERE I COME, AND IT WILL BE MY GREAT DELIGHT TO SEE YOUR SUPRISED FACES FOR I LOVE SURPRISES!!!"

AN ASSIGNMENT TO DIVIDE by Lana Vawser

I saw the enemy releasing an assignment attempting to bring division right across the body of Christ. I saw this spirit attempting to wreak havoc, stir suspicion, division and breakdown of relationships all across the body of Christ. 

This spirit was attacking strategic relationships, and networks right now that are going to produce much fruit for the Kingdom of God when they "work together". 

As this divisive spirit was being released across the body of Christ I heard the Lord speak and He said "what you partner with, you will empower". 

So in the turbulence, what you partner with, is what is going to be fuelled and empowered. The enemy has been hitting strategic relationships so hard lately, because of the breakthrough, move of His Spirit and demonstration of His power and glory that is about to be released on a grander scale through them. 

The Lord then showed me the antidote and the cure for this divisive spirit and it was LOVE, LISTEN and HONOUR. As the enemy is attempting to stir up division, suspicion and trouble between believers out of nowhere, I felt the urgency of the Lord to continue to LOVE, LISTEN and HONOUR. As the people of God stand together in love, listening to one another and honouring one another, I saw the enemy fleeing screaming and shrieking and his plans falling to the ground. 

The Lord is wanting to bring His people together at a deeper level, a greater expression of unity across the body of Christ, and we are moving into a season of greater unity right now, and the enemy is terrified of this because in this unity there is great power. 

This is not an passive "sit back and let the Lord do it" but an active "moving forward and towards" one another with love, with ears to hear and listen and honour. 

Don't give into the strife attempting to be stirred, don't give into the suspicion, don't partner with this divisive spirit. The Lord is releasing greater clarity and insight, eyes to see things from His perspective that is going to break down walls, barriers and divisions. 

Great breakthroughs in unity and relationship are happening right now. Greater levels of favour is being released over these strategic relationships. New depths of relationship and networking to further the Kingdom of God. Don't allow the enemy hinder what God is about to do through relationships in your life by partnering with what he is whispering. Partner with the Lord. Move forward in love and wisdom, with a heart to listen and a heart to honour and that divisive spirit will flee in Jesus name.

A Time to Walk in the Spirit! 14 Days to Triumph! by Chuck D. Pierce

Corinth, TX

Newsletter dated Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Hearing the Word of the Lord!

Dear Walkers in the Spirit: The remnant in the Body is alive and well. The world is changing drastically. Dark is getting darker and light is getting lighter. This brings me to what I am seeing. The key to our spiritual life is learning to walk in the Lord! Here is what the Spirit of God is saying to us:

"Many of you are saying that you can't hear Me, but that is because you are rehearsing in your own ears all your problems and all your ills. Your thoughts can be your thoughts, but most of the time, they are Me trying to get your attention. Shut down all the contending voices, be quiet and still your emotions, and then listen to Me! I have something to say to you, and if you'd just listen to Me I can put you on the right path. I determine your times and places! Walk with ME!

"Focus on My horizon line so you know the destination that you are journeying toward! You are part of a painting that is being composed by ME! I am painting you into a destined landscape.Focus on the horizon line so you're not surprised by the darkness that is in your frame! I must have both light and darkness to compose YOUR PAINTING!Within the field of your painting there is a TREASURE to be found! You must weather your entire landscape to find the treasure in your field.(Photo by Mike De Lorenzo "River of His Delight" via elijahshopper.com)

"SEE differently! HEAR differently! SEE ME! HEAR ME! Change your frame of reference! I am adding new colors and new events to create the MASTERPIECE of your future!"

Walking in the Spirit!

Linda Heidler walks in the Spirit. She has helped me compose this focus that will help each of us gain a new perspective and direction. I feel the goal of the next 14 days is to WALK IN THE SPIRIT! Linda helped develop a teaching on "Nourishing and Exercising Your Spirit" so that you can fellowship in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is one of the least understood concepts of the Christian Life! When God formed man, He blew into him and created his spirit. Our spirit existed with God. When He blew into us, He created that inner part in us that belongs to Him.

Psalm 139 states that He knit us together in our mother's womb. That part in each human is there to be housed by Him. This allows our best destiny to be unlocked. That is the secret place in you that He longs to come and dwell to reconnect you to Himself.

We often try to relate to God through our soul or physical body. We try to find our worth through our mind, emotions, and looks. Unless we understand our true spiritual nature, we cannot function as a whole person! Many times we tend to seek the Lord in our quiet time, but then forget that He is present all day and would love to meet with us when we are least expecting Him. He is constantly longing to visit with you.

As Penny Jackson recently shared, "I am just realizing that when something comes to my mind, most likely God is speaking to me. Most of us spend most of our lives thinking that our thoughts are ours. However, we are not our own. I think we have to divide our thoughts out to determine what God is saying, but I am learning that He communes with us more than we know! I am learning to listen more clearly for Him all day, rather than just in my quiet time!" (Photo via Pixabay)

I believe that this summarizes the call to walk with Him in the Spirit. Let's listen more carefully over the next 14 Days!

14 Days to Triumph!

Day 1: Read, Meditate, and Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Be whole! "And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)."

Day 2: Read Genesis 1:26 through Genesis 3. Satan wants you to believe that God is not directing you, but God created you to walk with you. The enemy also wants you to think that God is holding out on you. This is what he did to the Woman in the garden as he manipulated her desires. Ask God to break any manipulation that is aligned with your desires. Ask the Lord to let you hear Him in the cool of the day!

Day 3: Read Psalm 37. Be sure your desires are aligned correctly. Temptation is linked to desires that are not within God's boundaries. Your desires must be sanctified to walk in the Spirit.

Day 4: Re-read Genesis 2:7. Read John 20:20-22. Let Him renew your spirit by the breath of His Spirit, and then allow Him to re-commission you. "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being."

"So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture). Then Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.' And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit!'"

Day 5: Read Psalm 23. This is a Psalm of Prosperity. Your path should be prosperous when you walk in the Spirit. Read this Psalm out loud three times! Psalm 23 comforts you in distress and affliction as He leads you in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. In Hebrew, the word "path" is 'agol, which means to be round or a cycle. He guides us in the cycles of righteousness. This is linked with the timing of the Feasts. Chag, or festival, means to make a cycle. If we understand the feast, then we understand cycles. We can be led properly, prosper and not have lack. If we stay in God's timing, we prosper. Walk in the Spirit on your PATH! Jehovah Rohi causes you to SEE your path!

Day 6: Read Galatians 3:4-5 and Galatians 5, especially verse 16 and 25! Look at the circumstances that you have been through and are going through. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how He has worked and is working in you. Feel His Spirit. Enter into the fruit of His Spirit. Evaluate His fruit. Walk and live in the Spirit. (Photo via Pixabay)

Day 7: Read and memorize Ephesians 1:3-6, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." Look up into Heaven and see all your spiritual blessings for your bloodlines. Claim them all, even the ones other generations did not claim. Walk in a way that they will manifest.

Day 8: Read Isaiah 55, and Matthew 16. Lean not on your own understanding. His thoughts are not your thoughts. See from His perspective. His word will not return void. Notice how Peter operated. He had great revelation, and then his mind and emotions kicked in and were occupied by satan. Ask the Lord to bring your mind and emotions under control.

Day 9: Read Ezekiel 36-37. As you read these chapters, know that the Lord is speaking and reiterating His promise for your future. He wants to break all scattering in your life. He wants to break all hope deferred. He wants you to recognize His power to perform His Word!

Day 10: Read James 5 and Matthew 4. The Word of God tells us to submit ourselves to God, draw near to Him, and then resist the devil. As we worship and submit ourselves to a Holy God, we can come into intimate contact with Him. Even though we walk here on the earth in our worshipful submission, we ascend into Heaven. As we individually seek God and ascend into the Throne Room, we can hear the sound of Heaven in our spirit man on Earth. Be sure to deal with any area where you are not operating in submission. Resist satan's temptation in your wilderness. Remember, the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness. Stop in the midst of your hard situation and see the Spirit's leading.

Day 11: Read Psalm 34 and Hebrews 1, especially verse 14. Praise God for the angels that are encamping around you. Declare that these ministering spirits will transcend to the natural realm from the spiritual realm. As we ascend in worship, we also know that a portal opens for angelic visitation. During our times of prayer and crying out to God, during those times when we worship with abandonment as David did, we enter the realm of the spirit. Angels help to bring messages and direct us. Don't negate the angels around you! (Photo by Mike De Lorenzo "Jesus' Return on the White Horse" via elijahshopper.com)

Day 12: Read Luke 10. Ask the Lord to remove all distractions that are robbing the best for you and your family. Ask the Lord to cause your will to realign so that you choose the best that He has for you. Quit swatting at gnats. Ask the Lord to teach you about His BEST!

Day 13: Read Hebrews 4-5, and memorize Hebrews 5:14. Let the Word divide asunder your soul and spirit to know His will. Ask the Lord to release discernment in you.

Day 14: Read Romans 8. Ask the Lord to give you a new, triumphant spirit. Read this chapter three times. Ask the Lord for your spirit to be quickened by His Spirit.

These are days of learning His Spirit. Walk in His Spirit and live in His Spirit!

Blessings,

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