Prophecy given by Clem Ferris
411 Meeting, October 8, 2008
“Haven’t I called you as watchmen on the wall? Is this not a season that I would call you to be observant, watchful, looking, not for things, not for circumstances, not even for signs of the times, but look for me,” says the Lord.“ For there is a clear way forward. Even when the fog of fear rolls in, even when uncertainty and doubt roll in, even when anxiety overtakes the hearts of those that you are even watching over. I have set before you a clear way. This is a time as watchmen to stand. This is a time as watchmen to watch and pray.” The Lord says, “I am going to show you the clear way. I am going to show you the way you must go. I have made it simple,” says the Lord. “ I said, ‘Follow me’. Don’t follow trends; don’t follow rumors; do not follow the ways of the world. This is a time to be vigilant. This is a time clearly to follow me,” says the Lord. Worship. This is a time that I will shepherd you. This is the time that I will lead you as the Great Shepherd This is a time that I am going to lead you into a place of triumphant positioning and repositioning. So carefully observe and carefully listen for I am going to reposition some of you on the wall. I am going to reposition some people around you. I am even going to reposition some people within, even as it were, networks and groupings and even stereotypes. I’m going to reposition. As the fog is rolling in the enemy would say ‘I’ve got them now. They are in confusion!’ ”And the Lord says, “He does not know what I’m doing. He doesn’t know what I am up to.” The Lord says, “Though it looks like a fog of confusion,” the Lord says “there is strategy being released, but you must watch and pray. If you will look with spiritual eyes and not with natural eyes, if you will hear with spiritual ears and not with natural ears, when the fog lifts and when seemingly man says ‘All is well’, the Lord says, “I will have shifted and repositioned and refashioned my army to move into a place of conquering. These are days that I am getting ready to conquer. Are you with me? Will you follow me?” says the Lord.
10/31/2008
HALLOWEEN BLESSING
Halloween Blessing
Lord, we bless this family. We pray that you will bring peace, the peace of Jesus Christ to this home. We speak the blessing of health to this family. We proclaim that no weapon formed against this family will prosper, that their relationships will be blessed, and their finances will be blessed. God we pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.
10/30/2008
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOVEMBER 2nd DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
NOVEMBER 4th ELECTION DAYNOVEMBER 5th CULTS SERIES STARTSNOVEMBER 8th CITYWIDE WORSHIP GATHERINGNOVEMBER 13th ANNUAL POLITICAL PRAYER BREAKFASTNOVEMBER 15th UFCNOVEMBER 20-22 GCI LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Posted by THE SAINT at 7:40 PM
FEAR NOT!!!
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os Hillman
Thursday, October 30 2008
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
God calls each of us to engage in spiritual warfare at times. Whenever satan wants to come against one of God's children, he does so by trying to intimidate through fear. Goliath's formidable size and arrogant boasting intimidated Saul and Israel's army. And because God's anointing had fallen from Saul, he was unable to respond with courage to Goliath's charge. Fear paralyzes and torments. That is why Saul could not respond.
The anointing had fallen on David, who was just a young boy, but mighty in spirit. David did not cower at the size or shouts of the giant Goliath. He saw Goliath through the eyes of God, who saw him as a mere speck. David had righteous indignation for an affront to the armies of the living God.
David did not weigh the risk of failure because his faith was resting totally in God. That is another important factor in overcoming fear-complete trust in God. When the Lord began training me to confront fear, the training grounds were a groundless lawsuit, intimidations, and calamity that confronted my very existence. Learning that these were merely tactics of the enemy, designed to instill fear, allowed me to stand firm in God's power to overcome. Do not fear sudden calamity if you are walking uprightly before God. It may be setting the stage for a great victory that will bring praise and honor to your heavenly Father. These battles are training grounds for greater victories to come.
by Os Hillman
Thursday, October 30 2008
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
God calls each of us to engage in spiritual warfare at times. Whenever satan wants to come against one of God's children, he does so by trying to intimidate through fear. Goliath's formidable size and arrogant boasting intimidated Saul and Israel's army. And because God's anointing had fallen from Saul, he was unable to respond with courage to Goliath's charge. Fear paralyzes and torments. That is why Saul could not respond.
The anointing had fallen on David, who was just a young boy, but mighty in spirit. David did not cower at the size or shouts of the giant Goliath. He saw Goliath through the eyes of God, who saw him as a mere speck. David had righteous indignation for an affront to the armies of the living God.
David did not weigh the risk of failure because his faith was resting totally in God. That is another important factor in overcoming fear-complete trust in God. When the Lord began training me to confront fear, the training grounds were a groundless lawsuit, intimidations, and calamity that confronted my very existence. Learning that these were merely tactics of the enemy, designed to instill fear, allowed me to stand firm in God's power to overcome. Do not fear sudden calamity if you are walking uprightly before God. It may be setting the stage for a great victory that will bring praise and honor to your heavenly Father. These battles are training grounds for greater victories to come.
10/27/2008
THE MOUSE TRAP STORY
My wife sent this too me and it is a story that sums up what we have been teaching lately. We have on many occasions talked about how there is no such concept in Christianity "that what I do in MY life is none of your business" or "What I do in MY life has no bearing on yours" or even "MY private life has no bearing on MY public life." The Bible very clearly teaches us that we are one body and that what we do matters. If one part of the body is sick the entire body is sick. Read this story and think about it in the context of the Christian Life.
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. What food might this contain? The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house! The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, 'Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence tome. 'I cannot be bothered by it.' The mouse turned to the pig and told him, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!' The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. 'Be assured you are in my prayers.'The mouse turned to the cow and said 'There is a mousetrap in the house!There is a mousetrap in the house!' The cow said, 'Wow, Mr.. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.' So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital ,andshe returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. What food might this contain? The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house! The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, 'Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence tome. 'I cannot be bothered by it.' The mouse turned to the pig and told him, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!' The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. 'Be assured you are in my prayers.'The mouse turned to the cow and said 'There is a mousetrap in the house!There is a mousetrap in the house!' The cow said, 'Wow, Mr.. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.' So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital ,andshe returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
THE ISOLATION CHAMBER
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os Hillman Sunday, October 26 2008
"Be still and know that I am God...." Psalm 46:10
There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities--simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something," while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God." You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot say what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others. Has God brought you to a place of being still? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.
by Os Hillman Sunday, October 26 2008
"Be still and know that I am God...." Psalm 46:10
There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities--simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is an isolation chamber designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something," while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God." You know the signs that you have been brought into this chamber when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Most religious people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot say what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others. Has God brought you to a place of being still? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, the chamber will open soon after.
HOW AND WHERE GOD SPEAKS
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os Hillman Saturday, October 25 2008
"The hand of the Lord was upon me there, and He said to me, 'Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.'" Ezekiel 3:22
God speaks in many different ways to His children. He spoke through a bush to Moses. He spoke through a donkey to Balaam. He spoke through prophets to His kings. He speaks through other believers. He speaks directly to us through the invisible Holy Spirit. And He speaks even through circumstances.
When God wants to speak a very important word directly to us without interruption from the noise of our busy lives, he will take us "into the plain." The plain is a place of no distractions and no other persons. It is a place of silence. It can be a place of great need as it often fails to have the normal provisions we are accustomed to. It can be a place we go to voluntarily to seek His face, or we can be moved there without choice by His supernatural ability. More often, it is the latter method that brings us into the plain. In modern times, it often means a separation from our normal activities such as jobs or families.
The plain can also be a place where we discover afresh that God's hand has been on us all the time. When we are so busy with life, we sometimes forget that God's hand is still there, gently leading our path. When our lives get so busy that we are not listening or responding to His gentle touch, He must take more aggressive measures to get our attention. Thus, the plain is one of those appointed times of one-on-one communication with our heavenly Father. No distractions, no people, no beautiful surroundings to capture our thoughts. It is a barren place designed to allow us to seek and hear clearly. When He speaks, we need to be able to listen. We hear much better in the plain. Do you need to hear God's voice today? Is your life such that you cannot even hear His voice? Each day God calls us to our own mini-plain in order to speak to us and for us to hear. If we neglect this time of open communication, we may be invited to His plain in order to hear without distraction. Pray that you might make time to hear.
by Os Hillman Saturday, October 25 2008
"The hand of the Lord was upon me there, and He said to me, 'Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.'" Ezekiel 3:22
God speaks in many different ways to His children. He spoke through a bush to Moses. He spoke through a donkey to Balaam. He spoke through prophets to His kings. He speaks through other believers. He speaks directly to us through the invisible Holy Spirit. And He speaks even through circumstances.
When God wants to speak a very important word directly to us without interruption from the noise of our busy lives, he will take us "into the plain." The plain is a place of no distractions and no other persons. It is a place of silence. It can be a place of great need as it often fails to have the normal provisions we are accustomed to. It can be a place we go to voluntarily to seek His face, or we can be moved there without choice by His supernatural ability. More often, it is the latter method that brings us into the plain. In modern times, it often means a separation from our normal activities such as jobs or families.
The plain can also be a place where we discover afresh that God's hand has been on us all the time. When we are so busy with life, we sometimes forget that God's hand is still there, gently leading our path. When our lives get so busy that we are not listening or responding to His gentle touch, He must take more aggressive measures to get our attention. Thus, the plain is one of those appointed times of one-on-one communication with our heavenly Father. No distractions, no people, no beautiful surroundings to capture our thoughts. It is a barren place designed to allow us to seek and hear clearly. When He speaks, we need to be able to listen. We hear much better in the plain. Do you need to hear God's voice today? Is your life such that you cannot even hear His voice? Each day God calls us to our own mini-plain in order to speak to us and for us to hear. If we neglect this time of open communication, we may be invited to His plain in order to hear without distraction. Pray that you might make time to hear.
ARE YOU GOD'S NEXT DELIVERER?
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os Hillman Friday, October 24 2008
"But when they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them." Judges 3:9
Have you ever heard of a man named Othniel? Probably not. He was Caleb's nephew. When the people of Israel went into the Promised Land, they were victorious through the courageous efforts of Joshua and Caleb. As this generation grew older, a new generation began to emerge. Israel again fell into sin by worshiping idols. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He allowed them once more to be enslaved by their enemies. However, the people again cried out to the Lord and God heard them.
Whenever God's people cry out to the Lord, He hears them. When they are truly repentant, He responds. He responds by rising up those whom He has prepared for such a time. Every soldier looks forward to the day he can use the training he has received. God had been preparing a nephew for such a time as this. He had the same Spirit as his uncle, Caleb.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died (Judges 3:10-11). Has God been preparing you for a time when you will be called upon to deliver God's people? Millions of men and women are enslaved to the god of mammon and idolatry in the workplace. Has He placed you there to be a deliverer? Pray that you will have the same Spirit as Joshua, Caleb, and Othniel.
by Os Hillman Friday, October 24 2008
"But when they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them." Judges 3:9
Have you ever heard of a man named Othniel? Probably not. He was Caleb's nephew. When the people of Israel went into the Promised Land, they were victorious through the courageous efforts of Joshua and Caleb. As this generation grew older, a new generation began to emerge. Israel again fell into sin by worshiping idols. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He allowed them once more to be enslaved by their enemies. However, the people again cried out to the Lord and God heard them.
Whenever God's people cry out to the Lord, He hears them. When they are truly repentant, He responds. He responds by rising up those whom He has prepared for such a time. Every soldier looks forward to the day he can use the training he has received. God had been preparing a nephew for such a time as this. He had the same Spirit as his uncle, Caleb.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died (Judges 3:10-11). Has God been preparing you for a time when you will be called upon to deliver God's people? Millions of men and women are enslaved to the god of mammon and idolatry in the workplace. Has He placed you there to be a deliverer? Pray that you will have the same Spirit as Joshua, Caleb, and Othniel.
A REMNANT THAT PRAYS
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os HillmanThursday, October 23 2008
"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'" Luke 11:1
God is calling out a remnant of workplace believers throughout the world who understand the role of prayer in their work. These people have learned that prayer is not a five-minute exercise in the morning devotion time, but it is a vital strategic tool to discern and know God's will and purposes in their work lives. You see they have learned that their business lives are their ministries to God and others.
These men and women have entered into covenant relationships with intercessory prayer partners who help discern the activities they should be involved in. Some even have paid staff, who intercede for the decisions and activities in which they will be involved. They are a small remnant of workplace believers who know that skill and technique are not enough to fulfill God's purposes.
A servant of the Lord has well said: Prayer is the rail for God's work. Indeed, prayer is to God's will as rails are to a train. The locomotive is full of power: it is capable of running a thousand miles a day. But if there are no rails, it cannot move forward a single inch. If it dares to move without them, it will soon sink into the earth. It may be able to travel over great distances, yet it cannot go to any place where no rails have been laid. And such is the relation between prayer and God's work. Without any doubt God is almighty and He works mightily, but He will not and cannot work if you and I do not labor together with Him in prayer, prepare the way for His will, and pray "with all prayer and supplication" (Eph. 6:18) to grant Him the maneuverability to so work. Many are the things, which God wills to do, and would like to do, but His hands are bound because His children do not sympathize with Him and have not prayed so as to prepare ways for Him. Let me say to all who have wholly given themselves to God: Do examine yourselves and see if in this respect you have limited Him day after day. [Watchman Nee, Let Us Pray (New York, New York: Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1977), 11.] Is prayer a vital part of your strategic business practices? Put prayer on the front lines, instead of making it an afterthought. You will begin to see renewed power in your work life.
by Os HillmanThursday, October 23 2008
"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'" Luke 11:1
God is calling out a remnant of workplace believers throughout the world who understand the role of prayer in their work. These people have learned that prayer is not a five-minute exercise in the morning devotion time, but it is a vital strategic tool to discern and know God's will and purposes in their work lives. You see they have learned that their business lives are their ministries to God and others.
These men and women have entered into covenant relationships with intercessory prayer partners who help discern the activities they should be involved in. Some even have paid staff, who intercede for the decisions and activities in which they will be involved. They are a small remnant of workplace believers who know that skill and technique are not enough to fulfill God's purposes.
A servant of the Lord has well said: Prayer is the rail for God's work. Indeed, prayer is to God's will as rails are to a train. The locomotive is full of power: it is capable of running a thousand miles a day. But if there are no rails, it cannot move forward a single inch. If it dares to move without them, it will soon sink into the earth. It may be able to travel over great distances, yet it cannot go to any place where no rails have been laid. And such is the relation between prayer and God's work. Without any doubt God is almighty and He works mightily, but He will not and cannot work if you and I do not labor together with Him in prayer, prepare the way for His will, and pray "with all prayer and supplication" (Eph. 6:18) to grant Him the maneuverability to so work. Many are the things, which God wills to do, and would like to do, but His hands are bound because His children do not sympathize with Him and have not prayed so as to prepare ways for Him. Let me say to all who have wholly given themselves to God: Do examine yourselves and see if in this respect you have limited Him day after day. [Watchman Nee, Let Us Pray (New York, New York: Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1977), 11.] Is prayer a vital part of your strategic business practices? Put prayer on the front lines, instead of making it an afterthought. You will begin to see renewed power in your work life.
10/23/2008
OUR GOD IS A WARRIOR
Our God is a Warrior because there are certain things in life worth fighting
for, must be fought for. He makes man a Warrior in his own image, because he
intends for man to join him in that battle.
One day the young man Moses, prince of Egypt, went out to see for himself
the oppression of his kinsmen. When he witnessed firsthand an Egyptian
taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, he couldn't bear it, and killed the man.
A rash act, for which he becomes a fugitive, but you see something of the
Warrior emerging in him. Years later, God sends him back to set all his
people free, and, I might add, it is one intense fight to win that freedom.
David also fights, battle after battle, to win the freedom of his people and
unite the tribes of Israel. Something in the man compelled him, that same
something that wouldn't allow Lincoln to simply sit by and watch the Union
tear itself apart, wouldn't permit Churchill-despite the views of many of
his own countrymen-to sit by and let the Nazis take over Europe unopposed.
For he knew that in the end they would have England, too.
There are certain things worth fighting for. A marriage, for example, or the
institution of marriage as a whole. Children, whether they are yours or not.
Friendships will have to be fought for, as you've discovered by now, and
churches, too, which seem bent on destroying themselves if they are not
first destroyed by the enemy who hates them. Many people feel that earth
itself is worth fighting for. Doctors fight for the lives of their patients,
and teachers for the hearts and futures of their students. Take anything
good, true, or beautiful upon this earth and ask yourself, "Can this be
protected without a fight?"
(The Way of The Wild Heart , John Eldredge 140,.141)
for, must be fought for. He makes man a Warrior in his own image, because he
intends for man to join him in that battle.
One day the young man Moses, prince of Egypt, went out to see for himself
the oppression of his kinsmen. When he witnessed firsthand an Egyptian
taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, he couldn't bear it, and killed the man.
A rash act, for which he becomes a fugitive, but you see something of the
Warrior emerging in him. Years later, God sends him back to set all his
people free, and, I might add, it is one intense fight to win that freedom.
David also fights, battle after battle, to win the freedom of his people and
unite the tribes of Israel. Something in the man compelled him, that same
something that wouldn't allow Lincoln to simply sit by and watch the Union
tear itself apart, wouldn't permit Churchill-despite the views of many of
his own countrymen-to sit by and let the Nazis take over Europe unopposed.
For he knew that in the end they would have England, too.
There are certain things worth fighting for. A marriage, for example, or the
institution of marriage as a whole. Children, whether they are yours or not.
Friendships will have to be fought for, as you've discovered by now, and
churches, too, which seem bent on destroying themselves if they are not
first destroyed by the enemy who hates them. Many people feel that earth
itself is worth fighting for. Doctors fight for the lives of their patients,
and teachers for the hearts and futures of their students. Take anything
good, true, or beautiful upon this earth and ask yourself, "Can this be
protected without a fight?"
(The Way of The Wild Heart , John Eldredge 140,.141)
10/22/2008
GOD'S DOUBLE-TALK
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, October 22 2008
"The Lord said to Moses, 'When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.'" Exodus 4:21
Have you ever had a boss tell you to do something only to have him sabotage your ability to complete the task? Nothing is more frustrating than to begin to carry out a task and have your superior thwart your effort to do what he asked you to do. Moses must have felt this way after God told him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. He said, "I am going to give you the power to release the children of Israel by the miracles I will do through you." Yet at the same time, He told Moses they would not be released because He was going to put a hard heart in Pharaoh. How do we reconcile this?
In my own life, I knew God called me to certain endeavors. Yet every time I turned around, a roadblock stood in my way. It took years of plodding along before the light came on as to why there was such a distance between what God called me to do and the manifestation of that calling. When David was anointed king of Israel, it was years before he realized the manifestation of that calling. There were a number of reasons for these delays.
In the case of Moses and Israel, God wanted to demonstrate His power in such a way that generations would be able to hear the story of their deliverance from their ancestors. God wanted greater glory from the situation. God also wanted to deal with Egypt by sending specific plagues. Finally, the very process built character in Moses and tested Moses to see if he would stay the course. There is a time for everything. If God has called you to some endeavor and you are frustrated that it has not manifested, know that times of preparation and simmering are required before the vision can be achieved. Seldom does God call and manifest something at the same time. There is preparation. There is testing. There is relationship building between you and God that must take place. Once this is complete, you will see the vision materialize.
Wednesday, October 22 2008
"The Lord said to Moses, 'When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.'" Exodus 4:21
Have you ever had a boss tell you to do something only to have him sabotage your ability to complete the task? Nothing is more frustrating than to begin to carry out a task and have your superior thwart your effort to do what he asked you to do. Moses must have felt this way after God told him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to release the people of Israel. He said, "I am going to give you the power to release the children of Israel by the miracles I will do through you." Yet at the same time, He told Moses they would not be released because He was going to put a hard heart in Pharaoh. How do we reconcile this?
In my own life, I knew God called me to certain endeavors. Yet every time I turned around, a roadblock stood in my way. It took years of plodding along before the light came on as to why there was such a distance between what God called me to do and the manifestation of that calling. When David was anointed king of Israel, it was years before he realized the manifestation of that calling. There were a number of reasons for these delays.
In the case of Moses and Israel, God wanted to demonstrate His power in such a way that generations would be able to hear the story of their deliverance from their ancestors. God wanted greater glory from the situation. God also wanted to deal with Egypt by sending specific plagues. Finally, the very process built character in Moses and tested Moses to see if he would stay the course. There is a time for everything. If God has called you to some endeavor and you are frustrated that it has not manifested, know that times of preparation and simmering are required before the vision can be achieved. Seldom does God call and manifest something at the same time. There is preparation. There is testing. There is relationship building between you and God that must take place. Once this is complete, you will see the vision materialize.
10/20/2008
October/November Announcements
ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLE
OCTOBER 22ND PROPHET JAMIE ENGLEHART
OCTOBER 25th CRUSADERS AT SHONEY
OCTOBER 25TH CLARKSVILLE PRAYER GROUP
OCTOBER 25TH UFC AT THE RENKEN’S HOUSE
OCTOBER 26TH DEMONS, WITCHES, AND OTHER THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT (PIII)
NOVEMBER 2ND POLITICAL RESPONSBILITY IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN
NOVEMBER 5TH WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY NEW SERIES ON CULTS
NOVEMBER 13TH CLARKSVILLE POLITICAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
NOVEMBER 20-22ND GCI LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
OCTOBER 22ND PROPHET JAMIE ENGLEHART
OCTOBER 25th CRUSADERS AT SHONEY
OCTOBER 25TH CLARKSVILLE PRAYER GROUP
OCTOBER 25TH UFC AT THE RENKEN’S HOUSE
OCTOBER 26TH DEMONS, WITCHES, AND OTHER THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT (PIII)
NOVEMBER 2ND POLITICAL RESPONSBILITY IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN
NOVEMBER 5TH WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY NEW SERIES ON CULTS
NOVEMBER 13TH CLARKSVILLE POLITICAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
NOVEMBER 20-22ND GCI LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
Tragedy at Ft. Campbell...LETS PRAY
Everyone, one of our soldiers is in desperate need of prayer! MSG Jeff Frensley's family was brutally murdered this weekend. I have listed the link below for you to read and pray.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20081020/CRIME/810200319
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20081020/CRIME/810200319
JAMIE ENGLEHART
Hey everyone just a quick reminder that prophet Jamie Englehart will be with us Wednesday Night at 7:15.
Please come and join us.
Please come and join us.
ENVISIONING GREAT THINGS
Your soul hosts your mind, emotion, imagination, reasoning and intellect. The warfare that attacks your mind operates within your soul, particularly your thought life and within your imagination.
Envisioning Great Things
With your spirit you connect to the unseen spirit world, with your body the natural world, and with your soul the magnificent world of imagination.
Can you see yourself with sword in hand winning the war against your mind? To succeed you will need to discover how God created you, a champion that is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God created you spirit, soul and body. Just like God, you are a triune being. With your spirit you connect to the unseen spirit world, with your body the natural world, and with your soul the magnificent world of imagination.
When you were born again your spirit became a “new creature in Christ Jesus.” Your body and soul, however, remained unchanged. They need some help. You understand that exercise and diet is good for your physical health but what about the health of your soul? The Apostle John said, “Beloved I pray above all things that you might prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2). A person can be born again, physically fit, and yet suffer tremendous warfare within their mind. Throughout this material you will learn battle tactics that will help you overcome the warfare against your mind. Let’s start with the soul.
Your soul hosts your mind, emotion, imagination, reasoning and intellect. The warfare that attacks your mind operates within your soul, particularly your thought life and within your imagination. When God created you He gave you the ability to “see all things as possible” within your imagination. Satan understands how God created you and will use your imagination and ignorance of God’s Word against you. That’s why it is important to “Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Imagination is your seeing gift from God. With it you can envision great things, dream great things and achieve great things. All outstanding achievement in life is birthed within someone’s imagination. Before you can benefit from positive imaginations, however, you need to win the war against vain imaginations. Vain imaginations are those corrupted negative images and possibilities that form within the spirit of your mind when you linger on negative thoughts.
Vain imaginations defeat many Christians and take them out of successful Christian living. Our imaginations, like military forts in the old American West, need to be fortified with Gospel truth. That’s why Paul taught believers to renew their minds with the Word of God. The devil is a strategist. He uses imaginations to gain access into your life to steal, kill and destroy. The Apostle Paul passed on a tremendous truth that you can use for victory. Throughout this essay we will use it as foundational truth to help you win every battle that attacks your mind.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
From this verse you will learn how to overcome every vain imagination and every thought that tries to take you out of the generous life that Christ provides. One of humanity’s greatest struggles is the spiritual warfare in the mind caused by corrupted thoughts and imaginations.
WARFARE WITHIN
All men have eyes but few can really see. It’s amazing how much is written in the Bible about imagination. The realm of imagination is the realm of images. It is the place of seeing and visualizing. scri pture says, “Thou shall have no graven images (imaginations) before me” (Exodus 20:4). Our Lord never wanted His sons and daughters to worship him through graven images but with their heart and through their imaginations. With your imagination and only with your imagination can you image the greatness of God.
“So what is an imagination,” you ask? An imagination is a mental vista or picture seen within the spirit of your mind. It’s a picture of something created in the mind of man, or said another way, in the spirit of man’s mind. It is an image of something you see and suppose might happen. It is seeing yourself in a place you’re not. It is a real place called the spirit of your mind, the world of the unseen within.
The spirit of your mind has nothing to do with your born-again spirit. The spirit of your mind is within your soul or psuch man (pronounced psoo-khay, Greek for soul). An imagination forms a mental picture of things unseen or things only seen within. Something that exists only within the imagination is a virtual world that is not real until acted on.
Again, scri pture declares, “For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3). The warfare theme is consistent throughout the Bible. All of us are in a spiritual war for dominion. Dominion in our lives, and yes dominion within our minds. As said before, when you were saved, your spirit man was born again. You became a “new creature” in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your mind, however, didn’t change. It was not born again and needs renewal. After salvation you still had, for example, carnal thinking, bad information and troubling life experiences and memories that affect your judgment. Even so God has given you mighty weapons to stop every damaging thought and corrupted imagination. With these weapons you have authority and power to cast down every imagination and “high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” in your life. He has given you the ability to bring into captivity every vain thought and imagination every time they attack your mind. You can do it! Start today.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
With your spirit you connect to the unseen spirit world, with your body the natural world, and with your soul the magnificent world of imagination.
Your soul hosts your mind, emotion, imagination, reasoning and intellect. The warfare that attacks your mind operates within your soul, particularly your thought life and within your imagination.Vain imaginations are those corrupted negative images and possibilities that form within the spirit of your mind when you linger on negative thoughts.
Envisioning Great Things
With your spirit you connect to the unseen spirit world, with your body the natural world, and with your soul the magnificent world of imagination.
Can you see yourself with sword in hand winning the war against your mind? To succeed you will need to discover how God created you, a champion that is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God created you spirit, soul and body. Just like God, you are a triune being. With your spirit you connect to the unseen spirit world, with your body the natural world, and with your soul the magnificent world of imagination.
When you were born again your spirit became a “new creature in Christ Jesus.” Your body and soul, however, remained unchanged. They need some help. You understand that exercise and diet is good for your physical health but what about the health of your soul? The Apostle John said, “Beloved I pray above all things that you might prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2). A person can be born again, physically fit, and yet suffer tremendous warfare within their mind. Throughout this material you will learn battle tactics that will help you overcome the warfare against your mind. Let’s start with the soul.
Your soul hosts your mind, emotion, imagination, reasoning and intellect. The warfare that attacks your mind operates within your soul, particularly your thought life and within your imagination. When God created you He gave you the ability to “see all things as possible” within your imagination. Satan understands how God created you and will use your imagination and ignorance of God’s Word against you. That’s why it is important to “Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Imagination is your seeing gift from God. With it you can envision great things, dream great things and achieve great things. All outstanding achievement in life is birthed within someone’s imagination. Before you can benefit from positive imaginations, however, you need to win the war against vain imaginations. Vain imaginations are those corrupted negative images and possibilities that form within the spirit of your mind when you linger on negative thoughts.
Vain imaginations defeat many Christians and take them out of successful Christian living. Our imaginations, like military forts in the old American West, need to be fortified with Gospel truth. That’s why Paul taught believers to renew their minds with the Word of God. The devil is a strategist. He uses imaginations to gain access into your life to steal, kill and destroy. The Apostle Paul passed on a tremendous truth that you can use for victory. Throughout this essay we will use it as foundational truth to help you win every battle that attacks your mind.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
From this verse you will learn how to overcome every vain imagination and every thought that tries to take you out of the generous life that Christ provides. One of humanity’s greatest struggles is the spiritual warfare in the mind caused by corrupted thoughts and imaginations.
WARFARE WITHIN
All men have eyes but few can really see. It’s amazing how much is written in the Bible about imagination. The realm of imagination is the realm of images. It is the place of seeing and visualizing. scri pture says, “Thou shall have no graven images (imaginations) before me” (Exodus 20:4). Our Lord never wanted His sons and daughters to worship him through graven images but with their heart and through their imaginations. With your imagination and only with your imagination can you image the greatness of God.
“So what is an imagination,” you ask? An imagination is a mental vista or picture seen within the spirit of your mind. It’s a picture of something created in the mind of man, or said another way, in the spirit of man’s mind. It is an image of something you see and suppose might happen. It is seeing yourself in a place you’re not. It is a real place called the spirit of your mind, the world of the unseen within.
The spirit of your mind has nothing to do with your born-again spirit. The spirit of your mind is within your soul or psuch man (pronounced psoo-khay, Greek for soul). An imagination forms a mental picture of things unseen or things only seen within. Something that exists only within the imagination is a virtual world that is not real until acted on.
Again, scri pture declares, “For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3). The warfare theme is consistent throughout the Bible. All of us are in a spiritual war for dominion. Dominion in our lives, and yes dominion within our minds. As said before, when you were saved, your spirit man was born again. You became a “new creature” in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your mind, however, didn’t change. It was not born again and needs renewal. After salvation you still had, for example, carnal thinking, bad information and troubling life experiences and memories that affect your judgment. Even so God has given you mighty weapons to stop every damaging thought and corrupted imagination. With these weapons you have authority and power to cast down every imagination and “high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” in your life. He has given you the ability to bring into captivity every vain thought and imagination every time they attack your mind. You can do it! Start today.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
With your spirit you connect to the unseen spirit world, with your body the natural world, and with your soul the magnificent world of imagination.
Your soul hosts your mind, emotion, imagination, reasoning and intellect. The warfare that attacks your mind operates within your soul, particularly your thought life and within your imagination.Vain imaginations are those corrupted negative images and possibilities that form within the spirit of your mind when you linger on negative thoughts.
ARE YOU SALTY?
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os Hillman
Sunday, October 19 2008
"Everyone will be salted with fire." Mark 9:49
Jesus used parables to communicate principles of the Kingdom of God. He said each believer's life should have the same impact on his or her world as salt has on food. Salt gives food flavor and brings out the best, while at the same time it serves as a preservative.
What allows a Christian to become salty? Fire. God knows that each believer needs a degree of testing by fire in order for Christ's fragrance to be manifested. We cannot become salty without this deeper work of the Holy Spirit's fire in our lives. Fire purifies all that is not of Christ. It takes away all the impurities that prevent His nature from being revealed in us. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7). Are you a salty Christian? If not, pray a prayer that the immature are unwilling to pray. Pray that God makes you a salty Christian. It will result in praise and glory at the throne of God.
by Os Hillman
Sunday, October 19 2008
"Everyone will be salted with fire." Mark 9:49
Jesus used parables to communicate principles of the Kingdom of God. He said each believer's life should have the same impact on his or her world as salt has on food. Salt gives food flavor and brings out the best, while at the same time it serves as a preservative.
What allows a Christian to become salty? Fire. God knows that each believer needs a degree of testing by fire in order for Christ's fragrance to be manifested. We cannot become salty without this deeper work of the Holy Spirit's fire in our lives. Fire purifies all that is not of Christ. It takes away all the impurities that prevent His nature from being revealed in us. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7). Are you a salty Christian? If not, pray a prayer that the immature are unwilling to pray. Pray that God makes you a salty Christian. It will result in praise and glory at the throne of God.
THE POWER OF UNITY
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1
by Os Hillman
Saturday, October 18 2008
"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." John 17:21
What is the greatest power that allows the unsaved to make a decision for Jesus Christ? It isn't prayer, though this is important. It isn't good deeds, though deeds indicate a fruitful relationship with God. It isn't good behavior, though Christ commands us to be obedient as sons. The greatest power God's children have over darkness is unity. Jesus talked a great deal about His oneness with the Father and the importance of unity in the Body of Christ. It is the most difficult command Jesus gave to the Church, because it wars against the most evil aspect of our sin nature-independence.
In the last days we are seeing God's Spirit convict His children of the lack of unity among His Church. We are seeing God move between blacks and whites, ethnic groups, denominations, and parachurch groups. There is much work to be done. The walls of division and competition among His Body are a stench in God's nostrils. He sees the competition and the pride of ownership and weeps for the lost who cannot come to Him because they cannot see Him in His Body. When His Body is one, the unbelieving see that Jesus was sent by God. It is like a supernatural key that unlocks Heaven for the heathen soul. The key is in the hand of Christ's Church. When there is unity, there is power. Scripture tells us five will chase 100, but 100 will chase 10,000 (see Lev. 26:8). There is a dynamic multiplication factor in unity of numbers. We are a hundred times more effective when we are a unified group. Imagine what God could do with a unified Church.
Jesus prayed that we all might be one, as the Father and He are one. He wanted the same love God has for Jesus to be in each of us. When this love is in us, we are drawn to each other with a common mission. The walls fall down. The independent spirit is broken. Competition is destroyed. Satan's accusations are thwarted. Our love for each other is manifest to the world around us. Lost souls begin to seek this love that is so foreign to them. Have you contributed to an independent spirit within His Body? Are you seeking to break down walls of competition among Christians, churches, denominations, and ethnic groups? Until we walk in the spirit of unity, we will hinder those in whom God has reserved a place in Heaven. Pray for His Church to be unified.
by Os Hillman
Saturday, October 18 2008
"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." John 17:21
What is the greatest power that allows the unsaved to make a decision for Jesus Christ? It isn't prayer, though this is important. It isn't good deeds, though deeds indicate a fruitful relationship with God. It isn't good behavior, though Christ commands us to be obedient as sons. The greatest power God's children have over darkness is unity. Jesus talked a great deal about His oneness with the Father and the importance of unity in the Body of Christ. It is the most difficult command Jesus gave to the Church, because it wars against the most evil aspect of our sin nature-independence.
In the last days we are seeing God's Spirit convict His children of the lack of unity among His Church. We are seeing God move between blacks and whites, ethnic groups, denominations, and parachurch groups. There is much work to be done. The walls of division and competition among His Body are a stench in God's nostrils. He sees the competition and the pride of ownership and weeps for the lost who cannot come to Him because they cannot see Him in His Body. When His Body is one, the unbelieving see that Jesus was sent by God. It is like a supernatural key that unlocks Heaven for the heathen soul. The key is in the hand of Christ's Church. When there is unity, there is power. Scripture tells us five will chase 100, but 100 will chase 10,000 (see Lev. 26:8). There is a dynamic multiplication factor in unity of numbers. We are a hundred times more effective when we are a unified group. Imagine what God could do with a unified Church.
Jesus prayed that we all might be one, as the Father and He are one. He wanted the same love God has for Jesus to be in each of us. When this love is in us, we are drawn to each other with a common mission. The walls fall down. The independent spirit is broken. Competition is destroyed. Satan's accusations are thwarted. Our love for each other is manifest to the world around us. Lost souls begin to seek this love that is so foreign to them. Have you contributed to an independent spirit within His Body? Are you seeking to break down walls of competition among Christians, churches, denominations, and ethnic groups? Until we walk in the spirit of unity, we will hinder those in whom God has reserved a place in Heaven. Pray for His Church to be unified.
10/17/2008
CPR CERTIFICATION AND CHILDREN MINISTRY TRAINING
Hey everyone we just wanted to remind everyone that we are having a CPR certification at the gym tomorrow for anyone who is interested. It is 25.00 dollars and it starts at 9am. Also we are having a childrens ministry training.
Let me know if you are interested
Let me know if you are interested
10/16/2008
APOSTLES AND SPIRITUAL JURISDICTIONS
Apostles and Spiritual Jurisdictions: How apostolic ministry activates every believer.
A true apostolic ministry paradigm is one that gathers, teaches, equips, assigns, targets, builds, shapes, raises disciples, and deploys teams. Today, thousands of churches have no apostolic structure in place to move people beyond a teaching- or pastoring-only structure into apostolic ministry.
Spiritual Jurisdiction - the right, power, or authority to exercise dominion.
The apostolic dimension activates and empowers every believer to occupy their assigned places of spiritual authority.
Apostles understand how critical is the way we perceive our cities in this hour. Apostles understand that churches are not placed in a city by chance; they are strategically positioned by the wisdom of God. Apostles also understand that the authority and grace to occupy a territory comes from God. As such, one role of the apostle is to reveal to believers a deeper perspective of the local church as a place of spiritual jurisdiction.
When an apostle builds a local church it becomes a place of spiritual jurisdiction and influence with the power and authority of God to rule and reign in the territory. Apostolic believers understand the responsibility to reach that territory and possess a different orientation of ministry because they fully discern the overall scope of the local church. Places of Spiritual Jurisdiction
Assigned places of spiritual jurisdiction are called “metrons,” a Greek word for measure. The understanding of metrons is vital to every believer because it is the believers who are “sent” out (from the Greek words apo and stello) from the local church to occupy these territories. The apostolic dimension of a local governing church activates and empowers every believer as a sent-one to invade and occupy God-given metrons. Let’s examine an important scri pture and some key Greek words to study this out:
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring (judging) themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure (metron) of the rule (kanon) which God hath distributed to us, a measure (metron) to reach even unto you” (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).
This is a revealing scri pture. The Greek word “metron” means a portioned-off measure, determined extent, measure, or limit. The Greek word “kanon” means a rule or line, a fixed space within limits where one’s power of influence is confined, an assigned province, one’s sphere of activity, or limit of authority or jurisdiction. A metron is clearly defined as a measured-out boundary. It can be likened to a fenced in area (kanon) of authority or an assigned territory. This same area (metron) would also be known as a place of spiritual jurisdiction and influence assigned to a local church, person, ministry, apostolic team, etc., by the Holy Spirit.
So a metron is a target area, a place where one has an assigned scope of ministry and spiritual influence, a marked-off territory, a place of focused spiritual and natural activity, a place with marked-off boundaries, a territory with specific limits of assignment and responsibilities known as kanon, or place of spiritual jurisdiction. Simply stated, your metron is your place of ministry assignment and responsibility. You will be the most effective in ministry when you are planted in your assigned sphere, or metron.
Not only does the Holy Spirit assign a metron (ministry assignments) within specific territories for churches and apostolic believers (sent-ones) to occupy, He also gives ample grace to back up those assignments. Grace is the power to advance beyond our own abilities. Remember, “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure (metron) of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).
Again, this is a very important verse because we see that God gives us grace amply sufficient for our territory, or place of our assignment. Grace, favor, and everything we need to be successful in ministry is given to us to accomplish our task when we are within our metron. So when things are hard in ministry, remember that when God assigns you a ministry task or a ministry territory, He also provides everything necessary to be successful in accomplishing your mission in your assigned metron.
The harder the territory, the more grace given. It doesn’t make any difference how hard the area or the task at hand is. You will find grace sufficient when you draw near to God. Much difficulty, much grace. Much hardship, much grace. Much sin, much grace. So how do we obtain this grace? The answer is through faith and prayer. scri pture declares, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Paradigm Shiftings
With the apostolic reformation, there will be at least four specific paradigm changes taking place within local churches. A paradigm is a model or pattern in which we function.
Perhaps one of the most profound changes is a breaking free from the one-man-only paradigm. This paradigm requires the church to use all its marketing efforts and resources to draw people to a building where they are taught by only one ascension gift. The apostolic model will bring a sending dimension to the local church.
The second change has a powerful impact on the goal of evangelism, taking it from just getting a decision for Christ to raising disciples of Christ.
Third, there will be a major shift in the Church from an inward-focus only to an outward-focus of ministry. Not only will the local church be a place where people gather together to worship and find refreshing, it will also be the place where God reveals apostolic strategies and goals; a place where believers are commissioned and released into ministry.
Finally, various apostolic teams will be built, activated and sent out into the surrounding city and into the nations of the world.
A true apostolic paradigm is one that gathers, teaches, equips, assigns, targets, builds, shapes, raises disciples, and deploys teams. Today, thousands of churches have no apostolic structure in place to move people beyond a teaching- or pastoring-only structure into one that sends believers into the harvest fields. This is changing now in the 21st century apostolic reformation. Emerging apostolic leaders are embracing these mighty truths as they equip the believers to fulfill the Great Commission.
© by Jonas Clark
A true apostolic ministry paradigm is one that gathers, teaches, equips, assigns, targets, builds, shapes, raises disciples, and deploys teams. Today, thousands of churches have no apostolic structure in place to move people beyond a teaching- or pastoring-only structure into apostolic ministry.
Spiritual Jurisdiction - the right, power, or authority to exercise dominion.
The apostolic dimension activates and empowers every believer to occupy their assigned places of spiritual authority.
Apostles understand how critical is the way we perceive our cities in this hour. Apostles understand that churches are not placed in a city by chance; they are strategically positioned by the wisdom of God. Apostles also understand that the authority and grace to occupy a territory comes from God. As such, one role of the apostle is to reveal to believers a deeper perspective of the local church as a place of spiritual jurisdiction.
When an apostle builds a local church it becomes a place of spiritual jurisdiction and influence with the power and authority of God to rule and reign in the territory. Apostolic believers understand the responsibility to reach that territory and possess a different orientation of ministry because they fully discern the overall scope of the local church. Places of Spiritual Jurisdiction
Assigned places of spiritual jurisdiction are called “metrons,” a Greek word for measure. The understanding of metrons is vital to every believer because it is the believers who are “sent” out (from the Greek words apo and stello) from the local church to occupy these territories. The apostolic dimension of a local governing church activates and empowers every believer as a sent-one to invade and occupy God-given metrons. Let’s examine an important scri pture and some key Greek words to study this out:
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring (judging) themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure (metron) of the rule (kanon) which God hath distributed to us, a measure (metron) to reach even unto you” (2 Corinthians 10:12-13).
This is a revealing scri pture. The Greek word “metron” means a portioned-off measure, determined extent, measure, or limit. The Greek word “kanon” means a rule or line, a fixed space within limits where one’s power of influence is confined, an assigned province, one’s sphere of activity, or limit of authority or jurisdiction. A metron is clearly defined as a measured-out boundary. It can be likened to a fenced in area (kanon) of authority or an assigned territory. This same area (metron) would also be known as a place of spiritual jurisdiction and influence assigned to a local church, person, ministry, apostolic team, etc., by the Holy Spirit.
So a metron is a target area, a place where one has an assigned scope of ministry and spiritual influence, a marked-off territory, a place of focused spiritual and natural activity, a place with marked-off boundaries, a territory with specific limits of assignment and responsibilities known as kanon, or place of spiritual jurisdiction. Simply stated, your metron is your place of ministry assignment and responsibility. You will be the most effective in ministry when you are planted in your assigned sphere, or metron.
Not only does the Holy Spirit assign a metron (ministry assignments) within specific territories for churches and apostolic believers (sent-ones) to occupy, He also gives ample grace to back up those assignments. Grace is the power to advance beyond our own abilities. Remember, “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure (metron) of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).
Again, this is a very important verse because we see that God gives us grace amply sufficient for our territory, or place of our assignment. Grace, favor, and everything we need to be successful in ministry is given to us to accomplish our task when we are within our metron. So when things are hard in ministry, remember that when God assigns you a ministry task or a ministry territory, He also provides everything necessary to be successful in accomplishing your mission in your assigned metron.
The harder the territory, the more grace given. It doesn’t make any difference how hard the area or the task at hand is. You will find grace sufficient when you draw near to God. Much difficulty, much grace. Much hardship, much grace. Much sin, much grace. So how do we obtain this grace? The answer is through faith and prayer. scri pture declares, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Paradigm Shiftings
With the apostolic reformation, there will be at least four specific paradigm changes taking place within local churches. A paradigm is a model or pattern in which we function.
Perhaps one of the most profound changes is a breaking free from the one-man-only paradigm. This paradigm requires the church to use all its marketing efforts and resources to draw people to a building where they are taught by only one ascension gift. The apostolic model will bring a sending dimension to the local church.
The second change has a powerful impact on the goal of evangelism, taking it from just getting a decision for Christ to raising disciples of Christ.
Third, there will be a major shift in the Church from an inward-focus only to an outward-focus of ministry. Not only will the local church be a place where people gather together to worship and find refreshing, it will also be the place where God reveals apostolic strategies and goals; a place where believers are commissioned and released into ministry.
Finally, various apostolic teams will be built, activated and sent out into the surrounding city and into the nations of the world.
A true apostolic paradigm is one that gathers, teaches, equips, assigns, targets, builds, shapes, raises disciples, and deploys teams. Today, thousands of churches have no apostolic structure in place to move people beyond a teaching- or pastoring-only structure into one that sends believers into the harvest fields. This is changing now in the 21st century apostolic reformation. Emerging apostolic leaders are embracing these mighty truths as they equip the believers to fulfill the Great Commission.
© by Jonas Clark
10/13/2008
Peter Dunn at Glenn Kennedy's Home
Hey everyone I know this is sort notice but Peter Dunn from Australia will be speaking at Glenn Kennedy's home tonight. I have had the immense pleaure of getting to know Peter and he is an awesome man of God!!! If you can make it tonight it would be well worth it. Start time is 7:00
For more information give us a call
For more information give us a call
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
