Gaia Community: Theway2k's Blog

Moving On

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:30:19 GMT

To those few that actually read this blog I am writing to say this is probably the last blog entry.

I have been a spread out in my blogging quest; thus I have decided to down size the amount of locations in which I blog.

It has been a pleasure; nonetheless I am eliminating the blogs that I rarely post at our have little response. This location meets that criteria.

To those few friends that did check in, I will continue the theme I have used here at

THE WAY at JournalSpace.com.

Tags: Adios

GOOD REPORT

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:50:27 GMT

May 12, 2008

I know I am not a big participant here in sharing, writing and commenting. There is something I need to share though. My wife Diana has been under attack from the enemy.

The Doctor's report has stretched from brain seizures to Lupus. We do not except the bad report.

The good report is no matter how we see, hear or feel; Word of God says we are HEALED by the Stripes of Jesus.

Diana received a report confirming Lupus in her body, but the Doc did not feel there was something right about the lab report. The Doc ordered another lab.

Diana found out this morning there is not one trace in her body. Medicine may explain it away as a bad lab test; however I explain it as confirmation the power of God is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever.

Hallelujah!

Tags: Anointing, Faith, Healing, Jesus Christ, Prayer

Let God Breathe Into Your Life!

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:18:20 GMT

All Scripture literally has the Breath of God imprinted alive in the Words seen. The power of God is unseen in what is seen yet it is there to give life to the person making a willful decision to enwrap them self in the wind of the Spirit of God - the very Breath of Life of God.

JRH 5/2/08

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Let God Breathe Into Your Life!

Rick Renner

Sparkling Gems from the Greek

Rick Renner Ministries

Email Sent: May 2, 2008 3:42:12 AM

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness.
- 2 Timothy 3:16

Would you be interested in getting plugged into a power source that will permeate you with extraordinary energy, vitality, strength, and wisdom to assist you in overcoming any challenge that comes against you? Of course you would like to have that kind of help! The amazing thing is that you already have it at your disposal! However, you may not have learned yet how to tap into this power source to receive its full benefits. Right there in your home or apartment is a source of power beyond your wildest imagination.

It's probably sitting on a shelf, situated nicely on a table, or perhaps even kept in the magazine rack in the bathroom. Or maybe you keep this source of power in the drawer of your desk at work or on the back seat of your car.

You may have guessed by now that I'm talking about your Bible, which is one of the greatest sources of power on earth! If you learn how to tap into God's Word and let its power flow into you, it will equip you with wisdom, answers, and the power to overcome in every single situation in life.

When Timothy felt attacked on every side by difficult situations he was facing in the city of Ephesus, he wrote to Paul, seeking answers and help to his various dilemmas. Expecting counsel and advice from Paul, he received a letter from Paul that contained these precious words: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Especially notice the word "inspiration" in this verse, for this word is a powerhouse when you really understand what it means! It comes from the Greek word theopneustos, a compound of the words theos and pneuma. The Greek word theos is the word for God; however, the real secret to this powerhouse is the second half of the word, pneuma, which comes from the Greek root pneu.

The root pneu communicates the idea of the dynamic movement of air. For instance, it can mean to blow, as to blow air or to blow air through an instrument to produce a distinct musical sound. There are also places where it is translated to breathe or to emit a fragrance. Finally, this root word can be used to denote the projection of emotions, such as anger, courage, or goodwill.

But when the root pneu becomes pneuma, as in this verse, it carries a more profound range of meanings, including life, force, life- force, energy, dynamism, and power. The Jews considered the pneuma to be the powerful force of God that created the universe and all living things, and the force that continues to sustain creation. In the Old Testament, the pneuma of God would sometimes move mightily upon a person, enabling him to do supernatural feats.

When this word pneuma is compounded together with the word theos, it forms the word theopneustos, which is where we get the word inspiration. Together, these words literally mean Godbreathed. The word theopneustos - or "inspiration" - is the picture of God breathing or emitting His own substance into something. Just as a musician would blow on an instrument to produce a distinct sound, God mightily moved on those who wrote the Scriptures, and they temporarily became the instrument through whom God expressed His heart and will. They were the writers, but God was the Great Musician who breathed upon them, His instruments. Thus, the Bible is God's message delivered through human writers to you and me.

Just as the word pneuma can carry the idea of a fragrance, the Word was breathed out from God and thus carries His very essence and fragrance within it. Since the word pneuma can also portray the projection of emotions, this tells us that God projected the totality of His emotion into the written Word when He inspired its writing. Therefore, the Word not only conveys an intellectual message, but it has God's heart in it as well.

It's important to understand that the pneuma of God didn't create the Scripture and then depart from it. This power - the same pneuma power that originally created and continues to sustain the universe - is still working inside the Word, upholding and empowering it to be just as strong as it was the day it was penned by "God- breathed" writers.

Let me give you this very simple example of the word theopneustos. If I hold a deflated balloon that is without form to my lips and breathe into it, the balloon will inflate. The blowing of my breath into that deflated little piece of rubber causes it to fill up so that its true form becomes visible. When the balloon is fully inflated, I tie a knot at the base to trap the air within. Now the air that filled up the balloon and caused it to take form is the same substance that empowers it to sustain its form. It was my breath that created its form, and it is my breath that now sustains it. And if the molecules inside the balloon were analyzed, it would be found that a part of me is held inside in the form of the air I breathed into it.

Now let's apply this to the Bible. When God was ready to speak to mankind, He held up human language to His mouth and breathed into it. After breathing His pneuma power into the language to produce life-giving words, God moved upon the hearts of those He had called to write His Book, and men began to write under divine inspiration. As God continued to breathe on words and phrases and sentences, His Word began to form and take shape until finally it had become the Bible as we know it today.

Today the same breath of God that caused the Word to materialize in written form is now held inside the Bible. It was God's own breath that caused this Word to manifest in the first place, and now His own Presence, His breath - His "molecules," if you will - are permanently held inside the Word of God itself. In other words, God didn't just inspire the writing of the Bible. God Himself - His life, His life-force, His essence, power, energy, dynamism, and power - is contained inside the Word.

Think about it - the Bible you own that is sitting on a shelf, stored away in your desk drawer, sitting on the back seat of your automobile, situated nicely on your coffee table, or placed on the nightstand next to your bed contains the very life, essence, energy, and dynamism of God Himself ! If you'll get hungry for more of God and determine to meditate on this truth long enough to tap into it, God Himself will come pouring out of the Bible into your life and situation. The pneuma held inside the Word will blow mightily upon you and upon the situations that surround you - and when that happens, everything will change!

Because of the word theopneustos,
Second Timothy 3:16 carries this idea:

"All scripture came into existence because God Himself breathed upon men, who then wrote as this divine
breath moved upon them - and thus, the Word took
shape and came into existence."

The supernatural breath and life of God that is held within His written Word is the reason Paul went on to say that the Word is "profitable." The word "profitable" is the Greek word ophelimos, and it means helpful, profitable, useful, beneficial, or something that is to one's advantage. Paul goes on to list all the ways that God's Word brings benefit to the one who reads it, meditates on it, and taps into its pneuma.

So when Paul wrote to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God," he was reminding the younger man that because Timothy had the Word, he possessed the greatest source of power and energy that exists! If he would get into the Word - tapping deeply into its internal resource and allowing the life of God in that Word to flow up, out, and into his life - enough power would be released to change every difficult situation he was facing.

That is why Paul said the Word is "profitable." Wouldn't you agree that this kind of power operating in your life would be to your advantage as well?

Once you understand the meaning of this word "inspiration," you realize that the Bible is not just a Book about God; it is a Book that actually contains God. His own breath and Spirit are contained within it. That's a very good reason why you should spend time studying and meditating on God's Word. By studying and meditating on the Word, you will learn to unlock the power contained within it. And when you have unlocked that door, the power of God will come pouring into your life and into the situations you are facing. Believe me when I tell you that when this power begins to operate, it will definitely be to your advantage!

Tags: Christ, Image-of-God, Rick Renner, God-Breathed, Scripture, Pneuma

Grace Works!

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:14:37 GMT

Francis Frangipane provides an essay about Grace and Works from a Protestant perspective.

JRH 4/17/08

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Grace Works!

Francis Frangipane

Elijah List Email

4/10/08

Whether we realize it or not, most Christians of Protestant lineage carry in their doctrinal heritage the revelation of Martin Luther, that "the just shall live by faith." For whatever flaws may have otherwise been in Luther's life, his contribution remains a living revelation in the consciousness of the modern Church.

Today, we know we are saved by grace and justified by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. The Lord's grace remains a consistent, liberating power in our lives. If I fall, grace does not retreat; rather, it lifts me up. If I become virtuous, I know virtue is truly the result of grace working in me.

We must never forget that salvation is the gift of God. As it is written, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God knew us before we were born. Before we knew Him, He was working in us in secret, drawing us to Himself. He led us to someone who then helped us find Christ. Of course, we told others that we made a "decision for Jesus," but in truth, it was God who made a decision for us before the foundation of the world.

So, we can thank God in Christ for liberating us from a "works based" salvation, thanking also Paul for explaining grace so well in his epistles, and Luther for persevering to see this great truth restored. It is obvious why "salvation by grace" is the inspiration behind most of our greatest hymns.

Salvation and Good Works

Christ delivered us from a religion about God and brought us into a family fathered by God. We are not working for acceptance or to earn our salvation. Such a difference is profound.

Yet, the revelation that salvation is not based on our works should not be interpreted as though the family of God is a "work-free zone." God has not liberated us from the realm of works, only from self-generated, religious "dead works." As new creations, the Holy Spirit dwells in us in an eternal relationship. His presence is a living reality, capable of speaking to us, inspiring and directing our lives to fulfill God-inspired works.

Thus, just after Paul explained our salvation is not "of works," he writes, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

We are not saved by our works, but neither are we saved from works. The truth is, we have been "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand." So we are saved by faith, but God has a plan for us that requires that we work with Him to see it come to pass.

Destiny

Our destiny doesn't just happen; it is connected to our fulfilling the "works, which God prepared beforehand." God is producing something in each of us that fits into the grand scheme of His will on earth. It may be a life vocation or a prayer ministry or feeding the poor or developing spiritual gifts or editing for a Christian writer or raising godly children. The list is as endless as it is varied.

But whatever God's will is for us, Paul says, "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).

"God is at work in you." This is such an amazing reality. It does, indeed, inspire fear and trembling, yet it is also the source of great confidence. For if it is God who is working in us, He will soon be working through us. It will look like us working, but it will really be God manifesting His works through us.

You see, our lives are the outworking of God's grace. Our task is to seek Him, to study His Word, to minister to Him through prayer and worship, and to draw close to Him so we can discern what He is doing in us. Then we are to make His inner working visible through us.

This is exactly how Jesus revealed the Father. He said, "...my Father who lives in me does His work through me" (John 14:10). Again, "...I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does" (John 5:19). And again, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me..." (John 9:4).

There should be God-inspired ideas, love-activated thoughts bubbling up into our minds from the redemptive Spirit of God. His inner working will ultimately affect every area of our lives. He will reach to others; He will work through us to reveal Jesus. These are the "good works" that God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

He whose grace led us to Christ will also conform us to Christ as we obey Him. Yes, grace works!

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org

____________________________

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
http://www.elijahlist.com/
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Tags: Eternity, Grace, Protestants, Works, Francis Frangipane

Film legend Charlton Heston dead at 84

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:53:41 GMT

John Wayne was my Hollywood movie star growing up; however Charlton Heston ranks right up there of childhood Hollywood heroes.

Heston was on of those actors that were larger than life in the roles that he took. The word "LEDEND" comes to mind.

I also must mention he was one of those rare breads of Hollywood - a Conservative.

JRH 4/6/08

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Film legend Charlton Heston dead at 84

By BOB THOMAS, Associated Press Writer

April 6, 2008 9:55 AM CT

Yahoo News

Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing "Ben-Hur" and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.

The actor died Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side, family spokesman Bill Powers said. He declined to comment on the cause of death or provide further details.

"Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. He was known for his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played," Heston's family said in a statement. "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country."

Heston revealed in 2002 that he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, saying, "I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."

With his large, muscular build, well-boned face and sonorous voice, Heston proved the ideal star during the period when Hollywood was filling movie screens with panoramas depicting the religious and historical past.

"I have a face that belongs in another century," he often remarked.

Publicist Michael Levine, who represented Heston for about 20 years, said the actor's passing represented the end of an iconic era for cinema. "If Hollywood had a Mt. Rushmore, Heston's face would be on it," Levine said.

The actor assumed the role of leader offscreen as well. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of the American Film Institute and marched in the civil rights movement of the 1950s.

With age, he grew more conservative and campaigned for conservative candidates. In June 1998, Heston was elected president of the National Rifle Association, for which he had posed for ads holding a rifle.

He delivered a jab at then-President Clinton, saying, "America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns." Heston stepped down as NRA president in April 2003, telling members his five years in office were "quite a ride. ... I loved every minute of it."

Later that year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. "The largeness of character that comes across the screen has also been seen throughout his life," President Bush said at the time.

"America has lost a great patriot. The Second Amendment has lost a faithful friend," said Wayne LaPierre, of the National Rifle Association of America, in a statement. "So have I, and so have four million NRA members and eighty million gun owners. And so has every American who cares about the Bill of Rights, individual liberty, and Freedom.

Heston engaged in a lengthy feud with liberal Ed Asner during the latter's tenure as president of the Screen Actors Guild. His latter-day activism almost overshadowed his achievements as an actor, which were considerable.

Heston lent his strong presence to some of the most acclaimed and successful films of the midcentury. "Ben-Hur" won 11 Academy Awards, tying it for the record with the more recent "Titanic" (1997) and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003). Heston's other hits include: "The Ten Commandments," "El Cid," "55 Days at Peking," "Planet of the Apes" and "Earthquake."

He liked to cite the number of historical figures he had portrayed:

Andrew Jackson ("The President's Lady," "The Buccaneer"), Moses ("The Ten Commandments"), title role of "El Cid," John the Baptist ("The Greatest Story Ever Told"), Michelangelo ("The Agony and the Ecstasy"), General Gordon ("Khartoum"), Marc Antony ("Julius Caesar," "Antony and Cleopatra"), Cardinal Richelieu ("The Three Musketeers"), Henry VIII ("The Prince and the Pauper").

Heston made his movie debut in the 1940s in two independent films by a college classmate, David Bradley, who later became a noted film archivist. He had the title role in "Peer Gynt" in 1942 and was Marc Antony in Bradley's 1949 version of "Julius Caesar," for which Heston was paid $50 a week.

Film producer Hal B. Wallis ("Casablanca") spotted Heston in a 1950 television production of "Wuthering Heights" and offered him a contract. When his wife reminded him that they had decided to pursue theater and television, he replied, "Well, maybe just for one film to see what it's like."

Heston earned star billing from his first Hollywood movie, "Dark City," a 1950 film noir. Cecil B. DeMille next cast him as the circus manager in the all-star "The Greatest Show On Earth," named by the Motion Picture Academy as the best picture of 1952. More movies followed.

Most were forgettable low-budget films, and Heston seemed destined to remain an undistinguished action star. His old boss DeMille rescued him.

The director had long planned a new version of "The Ten Commandments," which he had made as a silent in 1923 with a radically different approach that combined biblical and modern stories. He was struck by Heston's facial resemblance to Michelangelo's sculpture of Moses, especially the similar broken nose, and put the actor through a long series of tests before giving him the role.

The Hestons' newborn, Fraser Clarke Heston, played the role of the infant Moses in the film.

More films followed: the eccentric thriller "Touch of Evil," directed by Orson Welles; William Wyler's "The Big Country," costarring with Gregory Peck; a sea saga, "The Wreck of the Mary Deare" with Gary Cooper.

Then his greatest role: "Ben-Hur."

Heston wasn't the first to be considered for the remake of 1925 biblical epic. Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster and Rock Hudson had declined the film. Heston plunged into the role, rehearsing two months for the furious chariot race.

He railed at suggestions the race had been shot with a double: "I couldn't drive it well, but that wasn't necessary. All I had to do was stay on board so they could shoot me there. I didn't have to worry; MGM guaranteed I would win the race."

The huge success of "Ben-Hur" and Heston's Oscar made him one of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood. He combined big-screen epics like "El Cid" and "55 Days at Peking" with lesser ones such as "Diamond Head," "Will Penny" and "Airport 1975." In his later years he played cameos in such films as "Wayne's World 2" and "Tombstone."

He often returned to the theater, appearing in such plays as "A Long Day's Journey into Night" and "A Man for All Seasons." He starred as a tycoon in the prime-time soap opera, "The Colbys," a two-season spinoff of "Dynasty."

At his birth in a Chicago suburb on Oct. 4, 1923, his name was Charles Carter. His parents moved to St. Helen, Mich., where his father, Russell Carter, operated a lumber mill. Growing up in the Michigan woods with almost no playmates, young Charles read books of adventure and devised his own games while wandering the countryside with his rifle.

Charles's parents divorced, and she married Chester Heston, a factory plant superintendent in Wilmette, Ill., an upscale north Chicago suburb. Shy and feeling displaced in the big city, the boy had trouble adjusting to the new high school. He took refuge in the drama department.

"What acting offered me was the chance to be many other people," he said in a 1986 interview. "In those days I wasn't satisfied with being me."

Calling himself Charlton Heston from his mother's maiden name and his stepfather's last name, he won an acting scholarship to Northwestern University in 1941. He excelled in campus plays and appeared on Chicago radio. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a radio-gunner in the Aleutians.

In 1944 he married another Northwestern drama student, Lydia Clarke, and after his army discharge in 1947, they moved to New York to seek acting jobs. Finding none, they hired on as codirectors and principal actors at a summer theater in Asheville, N.C.

Back in New York, both Hestons began finding work. With his strong 6-feet-2 build and craggily handsome face, Heston won roles in TV soap operas, plays ("Antony and Cleopatra" with Katherine Cornell) and live TV dramas such as "Julius Caesar," "Macbeth," "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Of Human Bondage."

Heston wrote several books: "The Actor's Life: Journals 1956-1976," published in 1978; "Beijing Diary: 1990," concerning his direction of the play "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" in Chinese; "In the Arena: An Autobiography," 1995; and "Charlton Heston's Hollywood: 50 Years of American Filmmaking," 1998.

Besides Fraser, the Hestons had a daughter, Holly Ann, born Aug. 2, 1961. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1994 at a party with Hollywood and political friends. They had been married 64 years when he died.

In late years, Heston drew as much publicity for his crusades as for his performances. In addition to his NRA work, he campaigned for Republican presidential and congressional candidates and against affirmative action.

He resigned from Actors Equity, claiming the union's refusal to allow a white actor to play a Eurasian role in "Miss Saigon" was "obscenely racist." He attacked CNN's telecasts from Baghdad as "sowing doubts" about the allied effort in the 1990-91 Gulf War.

At a Time Warner stockholders meeting, he castigated the company for releasing an Ice-T album that purportedly encouraged cop killing.

Heston wrote in "In the Arena" that he was proud of what he did "though now I'll surely never be offered another film by Warners, nor get a good review in Time. On the other hand, I doubt I'll get a traffic ticket very soon."

Tags: Charlton Heston

Resurrection

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:02:58 GMT

I wish I had found this poem before Easter. I think I had read it some time ago however I am not sure. The surety I do have is this poem is beautiful.

An unknown WWI soldier ponders the meaninglessness of life if there was no Resurrected Redeemer.

Totally Awesome!

JRH 3/30/08

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Resurrection

Sunday, March 23, 2008 (Easter)

--Unknown Soldier, killed in World War I
(From The Life of Christ in Poetry, comp. Hazel Davis Clark)

Posted by Jordon J. Ballor

Acton Institute Power Blog

If it be all for nought, for nothingness
At last, why does God make the world so fair?
Why spill this golden splendor out across
The western hills, and light the silver lamp
Of eve? Why give me eyes to see, the soul
To love so strong and deep? Then, with a pang
This brightness stabs me through, and wakes within
Rebellious voice to cry against all death?
Why set this hunger for eternity
To gnaw my heartstrings through, if death ends all?
If death ends all, then evil must be good,
Wrong must be right, and beauty ugliness.
God is a Judas who betrays his Son
And, with a kiss, damns all the world to hell--
If Christ rose not again.

Tags: Resurrection, Resurrection Power, Redemption, Unknown Soldier

In God We Still Trust

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:07:27 GMT

I have never heard of the group "Diamond Rio."

You know I am not much of a Country Music fan and this song has that flavor; however I got to tell ya this honors God Almighty. American should feel a sense of veneration of America and God when listening to this song. It is truly awesome.

I now know who "Diamond Rio" is and God Bless them for honoring God.

A well deserved Hat Tip to Humbled Infidel.

In God We Still Trust

Tags: America, Christianity, Diamond Rio, In God We Trust, Patriotism

Stopping Satan At His Own Game

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:32:17 GMT

Satan became a defeated foe when Jesus Resurrected from the Dead in complete victory over the goals of replacing God as god of creation.

At the moment of Resurrection the only power Satan possessed was the power a human being gave, especially those that in faith believe in the Redemptive victory of Christ.

Those outside the faith of Christ are sitting ducks open to the devices of Satan's new goals since his defeat at Calvary via the Resurrection.

The new goal is to control humanity to the point of destruction. The ultimate destruction is to separate humanity from all connection from God for separation from God results in the Second Death.

The Second Death is eternal separation from God which occurs when Satan deceptively convinces a human that God is powerless or non-existent or there is another way to find eternal peace.

I suspect Satan is so deluded that even if defeat he believes the more human souls that he can separate form God that he has another shot at defeating the Lord God Almighty.

Satan's device is deceptive control and his fall is self-delusion a defeat can turn around to victory. In Jesus, Victory is a done deal. Hell was created and reserved for Satan and fallen angels. All that allow themselves to be deceived by Satan will join him there even though the place was not designed for humanity.

It is the will of God that all humanity be Saved and God gave His Beloved Son up to death to pay the price that Adam sold himself and his progeny to the Devil. All that believe are Redeemed! Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so - I AM REDEEMED!

JRH 3/22/08

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Stopping Satan At His Own Game

Rick Renner

Sparkling Gems from the Greek (Link Updated Frequently)

Rick Renner Ministries

March 3, 2008

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:
for we are not ignorant of his devices. -2 Corinthians 2:11

I don't like talking about the devil, but time after time the Bible warns us that the devil is like a roaring lion who roams about, seeking whom he can destroy (1 Peter 5:8). Whether we like it or not, the devil is a real personality who is looking for ways to destroy our lives. Since the Bible frequently warns us about this sinister enemy, we need to know:

How the devil operates.

How to identify the devil's attacks at their very onset.

How to block and stop his devilish assaults.

How to prevent repeat attacks from occurring in the future.

In Second Corinthians 2:11, the apostle Paul wrote a verse that is teeming with insight to answer these questions. He wrote, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

Paul clearly understood that Satan was constantly seeking ways to take advantage of people. The word "advantage" in this verse is the Greek word pleonekteo. This word means to outwit; to trick; to take advantage of someone through some sinister or sneaky means. It is a compound of the word pleon, which means more, and the word echo, which means to have. Together, these words form the word pleonekto, which denotes a desire to have more, more, and more. It is a form of the word pleonexia, the Greek word for greediness. In this case in Second Corinthians 2:11, it pictures someone whose lust for something is so intense that he will take any actions required to obtain what he wants.

Because Paul used this word about Satan, we are alerted to the fact that Satan desperately wants something in his control. He wants us! The devil will use any method necessary to take advantage of us and get us under his control. He will deviously and artfully endeavor to outwit us, trick us, dominate us, and ultimately take us as his hostages. That is why Paul said, "We are not ignorant of his devices."

When you have an enemy who hates you this much and who wants to destroy you, you can't afford to be ignorant. In Paul's case, he and his team were invading new territory with the Gospel all the time. Paul knew that Satan wanted to hinder and even stop them and that it was therefore essential for him to understand the way the devil operated. He had to be able to discern whether he was facing a mere human problem or a planned demonic attack.

Likewise, you need to know if the storm you're facing right now is just a natural problem that will blow over, or if are you facing demonic turbulence sent from hell to disrupt God's plan for your life. You can't just shut your eyes and hope the problem will work out by itself. If this is an attack from the devil and you do nothing to stop it, it will not simply go away. On the contrary, it will actually increase and become more intense. That's why being able to recognize Satan's game is so important!

The word "ignorant" in Second Corinthians 2:11 is the Greek word agnoeo, and it refers to one's ignorance or lack of certain facts. However, it also includes making mistakes or errors due to a lack of understanding. It is the picture of an uneducated person who, due to a lack of knowledge, is prone to arrive at mistaken conclusions. The word agnoeo depicts someone who is in the dark or without a clue. Because this person lacks understanding, his conclusions are faulty, erroneous, and misguided. This is where we get the word agnostic, the official name used to describe individuals who claim they don't know what they believe. So when someone claims to be agnostic, he is literally claiming to be ignorant!

An example of this kind of ignorance is often seen when a person is diagnosed with a terminal disease sent from the devil, yet the person believes his sickness comes from God. Because the sick person is ignorant of the fact that Satan and not God is the author of sickness and disease, he mistakenly concludes that his sickness must be God's will for his life. This ignorance is so devastating that it could possibly lead to that individual's premature death. Do you see how dangerous it is to remain ignorant about how the devil operates?

This is the reason Paul says, "...We are not ignorant of Satan's devices." Paul and his companions had carefully observed how the devil operates and the primary methods he uses to attack. As a result, they knew how to recognize the onset of an attack when Satan started maneuvering to frustrate their plans. Paul and his team were definitely not in the dark about the devil; hence, the enemy found it much more difficult to take advantage of them.

Paul had to learn these things because he faced problems with people, religious leaders, governmental leaders, and even with friends. He was thrown in prison, cast into the sea, and beaten during moments of persecution. Traps were constantly being set for his capture, and he constantly had to be on the lookout for people who tried to use him and take advantage of him. Paul couldn't afford to be in the dark spiritually about the way Satan operated - and neither can you!

But notice what Paul says next: "We are not ignorant of Satan's devices." The word "devices" is the Greek word noemata, derived from the word nous. The word nous is the word for the mind or the intellect. However, when the word nous becomes the word noemata, it describes a mind that is scheming, calculating, conniving, devious, shrewd, sly, or clever. This is very significant because it alerts us to the reality that Satan isn't just hoping to hinder us; he is incessantly scheming and conniving to injure or deliberately mess up a person's plans, health, marriage, business, and family. The enemy doesn't really care how he accomplishes his evil plan; he just wants to find ways to ruin whatever that person holds dear.

Thus, the word noemata denotes Satan's insidious, malevolent plot to attack and victimize human beings, clearly demonstrating that the devil loves to captivate and ultimately destroy human beings. If this devilish process is not aborted by the power of God, it is only a matter of time before Satan puts the last touches on his plan to take captive a person, family, church, ministry, business, organization, or even an entire nation!

When you put all of these words together, it expresses this idea:

"Satan can forget it if he thinks he is going to pull the wool over our eyes! We know how he operates, and we understand the way he schemes and connives to take us out."

So don't shut your eyes and ignore the fact that the devil wants to bring about your downfall. Instead, open your eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you how to recognize the devil's operations so you won't fall prey to him any longer. Then you'll be able to say, "Devil, I know this is you attacking me, so I am telling you to leave now in Jesus' name!"

Tags: Jesus Christ, Messiah, Resurrection, Resurrection Power, Rick Renner, Satan, Devil, Victory

Psychiatrist Demon Possession in the New Oxford Review

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:49:25 GMT

Documented case of demon possession by Dr. Richard E. Gallagher who is a board certified psychiatrist and also a Professor of clinical psychiatry at New York Medical College. Dr. Gallagher documented the demon possession in the February issue of the New Oxford Review.

The story goes on to tell of Roman Catholic exorcists going to work on exorcising the demon.

I find the Roman Catholic ritualizing of exorcising fascinating; however that does not line up with a "What Would Jesus Do" moment. Jesus always was prayed up and cast a demon out with a command. Jesus gave this authority to all who Believe on Jesus. Believers can cast out demon by being prayed up and using the NAME OF JESUS.

...they brought to Him [Jesus] many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, (Matthew 8: 16)

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!"But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He [Jesus] commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." (Mark 1: 23 - 27)

When He [Jesus] had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. (Matthew 8: 28-33)

Then He [Jesus] appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: (Mark 3: 15, 16)

And when He [Jesus] had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (Matthew 10: 1)

And He [Jesus] called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. (Mark 6: 7) [Scripture References from TheBibleSpeaks.com]

Trust me; there are more New Testament references which are similar.

Now you Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox or other ritualized Christians; don't send me the haterade because I believe in the simplicity of the Word. I am not saying the ritual thing is ineffective or wrong (as many of my Pentecostal/Word fellow Believers would). For Jesus the Lord said,

38 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."
39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our[c] side. (Emphasis mine - Mark 9: 38-40 NKJV)

I am saying don't play with demonology if you don't know what you are doing yet if it concerns you find and meditate on Scriptures that build faith and the sense of authority that Jesus gave to those who Believe on Him.

In either case it is fascinating that a secular trained psychiatrist is publishing in a respected psychiatric journal the case of a demonic possession and the use of Christian Faith to get rid of the bugger.

JRH

Tags: Christianity, Supernatural, Authority, Spiritual Warfare, Demon Possession, Demonized, Psychiatry

Jesus: The Way, The Truth and The Life

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:03:39 GMT

The Way, the Truth and the Life in CHRIST: click HERE.

Tags: Jesus Christ

Pray: Ever play a scratched vinyl album?

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:18:13 GMT

This gal below has a said story and she sounds like she has given up. If you are an intercessor she needs your faith and prayer for the power of God to change her life in health and redemption.

I am withholding her name for she set her blog entry to private for only a select few to read it. I am honoring her privacy by with holding her name; however the power of God has no limitation in time, distance or dimension.

Healing, healing, and healing in the NAME OF JESUS.

JRH 2/27/08

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Ever play a scratched vinyl album?

27 Feb 08 Wednesday

Remember how it would repeat the same bit of sound over and over until you moved the needle or replaced the album? Well that's just how I felt listening to my latest doctor read the report from a recent exam.

Quite a few of you have been asking how I'm doing. I want you to know that I'm not ignoring you but rather, I'm trying to become accustomed to this latest bit of distasteful news myself.

There were 6 or 7 negative line items on the report. 3 were sufficient to lend me to tears. Once more, I have tumors and this time they appear on my kidney, liver and right ovary. The organs are tentatively functioning correctly.

I'm not surprised; I'm distraught. It's too much, too soon and too serious while all I can do is cooperate with sometimes ignorant physicians who aren't always listening.

The good news is, I'm going snow skiing. I figure however the docs choose to address it will probably incapacitate me if not worse so I may as well have fond memories of peaceful snow covered hills, blue skies lined with white puffy clouds and the handsome ski patrol on the hill ;o)

How's that for making lemonade out of lemons?

Take care ya'll!

Tags: Faith, Healing, Life, Signs, Supernatural, Wonders, Prayer

Apostolic Networks And The God-Family

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:51:39 GMT

Ron McGatlin writes of a snapshot of the Church or the ekklesia that may ruffle some feathers; however as the actual Last Days approach I think it is a picture of the strength of Christianity as the Church is looked down upon even in Western culture.

JRH 2/23/08

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Apostolic Networks And The God-Family

By Ron McGatlin

2/23/08

OpenHeaven.com Digest (InJesus Group)

Item #1

God is connecting His scattered people through the Holy Spirit into close spiritual families and extended families. All are to be part of heaven's God-family of Father, Son and Holy Spirit preparing a Bride/Wife/Mother raising up children to become mature sons of the Father.

The current worldwide shift among God's people toward the original plan and model of Christ Jesus and the first century disciples has two primary characteristics.

(1) The leadership of man-made religious church systems and organizations are giving way to Holy Spirit led relationally based family style groups under the direct headship of Christ Jesus by the Spirit. The ekklesia was birthed on the day of Pentecost when about 120 men and women disciples received the initial return of the life-giving Spirit of Christ Jesus. The life of Christ began to flow in and through them empowering them to do the works of Christ drawing thousand to Christ as they preached and demonstrated the kingdom of God in the Holy Spirit.

(2) The worldwide shift of today is characterized by the return to the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God instead of the man-focused gospel of being saved to go to heaven when we die and all the man-focused church that developed around it. The reign of Christ Jesus as King on earth by His Spirit living in His Body is the focus of the gospel of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. It is a spiritual Kingdom ruled by God, Who is Spirit, living in redeemed mankind who is spiritual and natural (heavenly and earthly).

Our natural minds can limit our ability to discern and participate in the realities of the Spirit and the spiritual realm. God's design for mankind includes man's mind serving under the Spirit of God as a tool for functioning in the physical world to bring forth the plans and purposes of Spirit God on earth from heaven. From the time of Adam's partaking of the tree of knowledge man's fallen mind has attempted to overrule God's will and desires.

1 Cor 2:14: But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The tension between living in the ways of the natural as opposed to the spiritual continues to be a factor for all seeking to function as sons of God in the natural world. The religious church system with its many denominations and hierarchical ruling structures is the product of natural thinking overtaking and replacing life in the Spirit. The ekklesia of God began in the Spirit and eventually it will finish in the Spirit even though many centuries of walking in the natural have brought devastation to the real kingdom of God from heaven on earth. Life in the Spirit has been eroded by the continued practice of walking in the natural mind or the flesh portion of the natural/spiritual makeup of man.

Gal 3:3: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

God's people are the interface between the Spirit realm of God from heaven and the natural or physical world. The design of creation is to reflect the glory of God revealing His glorious character and nature of unchanging love, righteousness, wisdom and power far beyond human understanding. Only as mankind walks in the Spirit can he fulfill his place of bringing forth the will and plans of God from the spiritual into the natural.

Walking in the Spirit means our minds, will and emotions are saturated by the Spirit of God and functioning by the empowerment of the Spirit of Christ.

The great overall God-family consists of Heavenly Father, Son Christ Jesus and Bride/Wife/Mother on earth. Spiritual babies are born that must be nourished and trained to grow into mature sons of God. In the spiritual Body of Christ on earth, there are spiritually mature (elder), younger or less mature, small children and babies. It is the design of God that the Spirit of Christ impart tools to the mature (elder) to bring the whole family to spiritual maturity. The mature ones are known as elders and serve like fathers or more accurately as elder brothers to lead the families into spiritual maturity. The spiritually mature are those who have been seasoned through the experiences of walking in the Spirit. Their spiritual discernment has grown keen by way of exercise.

Heb 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

It is by the Spirit of Christ that the people of God are being built up into mature sons unified in love to fulfill God's purpose of returning the kingdoms of this world to the kingdom of our Father. The Spirit of Christ imparts special servant gifts of Himself to some for the job of building up the saints into mature sons. These gifts cause certain elder sons to function in specific areas to equip others to build up the Body of Christ - the whole connected organism of sons under the one Head of His Body, Christ Jesus.

Eph 4:11-12: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,"

Elder (mature) sons of God function in the Spirit of Christ to provide the specific functions needed to equip the Body to buildup itself in the love and oneness of God. The functional service gifts to the Body are apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher. Not all elders function in these service gifts. But all who function in them are elders - mature sons who lead the families toward their heavenly Father through Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

1 Pet 5:1-3: The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

This is truly organic spiritual reality that develops as love relationships and does not require the confines of organizational structure devised by natural man. It is spiritual networking and flows from the spiritual realm of heaven which is beginning to imprint its patterns for life on earth as it is in heaven. It is the New Jerusalem living patterns coming down from heaven, the beginnings of the manifesting of the purified holy Bride city - the New Jerusalem / Bride of Christ lifestyle.

Rev 21:2-3: Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Evidence of the spiritual family of God is seen in the reality of the spiritual networking of close spiritual families with connections to extended families. The servant gifts of shepherd, teacher and evangelist are functioning within the families. The special gifts of apostle and prophet are especially emphasized and needed in the season of major shift from the religious past to the family of God relational reality of the future. True apostolic and prophetic works are being expressed to make the deep and sometimes difficult changes required to move from religion to relationship.

The demise of the family of God reality in the ekklesia came about as men established a human structural framework to govern the spiritual reality of the God-family on earth.

The original God-family ekklesia was birthed at Pentecost as Christ Jesus returned in the Spirit to abide in His people and express the special gifts and power to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. There was only Christ Jesus as head directing the birthing of the kingdom within the ekklesia through the Holy Spirit.

In a similar way the rebirth of Pentecostal reality poured out in the 20th century began to bring forth the God-family on a broad scale again for the first time since the takeover by man's ways around the 3rd century. This is the great shift and transition of this time in history.

The same natural fallen-world concepts that brought the demise of the ekklesia of the early centuries is hard at work seeking to again replace the headship of Christ Jesus with man-made structural framework.

Apostolic Networks

Multitudes are seeking a greater reality of spiritual relationship with God outside the man-made structural frameworks of religion. Often a season of isolation which is sometimes referred to as a wilderness experience is used of God as part of the process of removing ingrained patterns of the past religious framework prior to being reconnected in close spiritual family groups as the ekklesia of God.

I believe Father wants to enlighten us regarding two major snares the enemy is attempting to use to entrap fledgling family style groups. They both stem from the same error of substituting man-made structural frameworks for the real headship of Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

The first snare is allowing the focus of the family group to become purely human fellowship. There is a vast difference in Christians fellowshipping in the natural and real spiritual fellowship with Christ Jesus and the Father through the Holy Spirit.

There can be a good and refreshing time in a group that is only bringing forth their natural human personalities and natural gifts without any real spiritual fellowship with God taking place. A group like this is easily led into deception and can fall into fallen-world practices.

Spiritual fellowship takes place as each person brings forth the Spirit of Christ from within to the group. Christ Jesus truly becomes evident among the group as real spiritual fellowship brings adoration, worship and thanksgiving to the glory of God in the Holy Spirit. Love and powerful spiritual ministry may flow life from Christ by the Holy Spirit. As each joint flows to the group, the Holy Spirit brings forth the ministry of Jesus to cleanse, heal, strengthen, empower and spiritually refresh the group.

The second snare is to reestablish man-made structure as a framework to order the release of the Spirit among the group. This can happen entirely within the family group or by connecting the group to a leadership organization that is not free of man-made structure. The group could be a traditional church that is not yet changed or it could be an apostolic or prophetic network that is emerging but is also not yet fully free of man-made structure that impedes the headship of Christ flowing through the Spirit.

Christ Jesus is today flowing His life as apostle through prepared and selected elders who are apostles sent to oversee the ekklesia. The supernatural wisdom of God flows from them to the groups to help with foundational understanding and direction. The discernment of the prophet is needed as well to clearly see and confirm specific situations and encouragement. All of the gifts of the Spirit of Christ are needed. Some will be resident within the group but others will be transient. Several apostles or prophets may be sent from time to time to impart to a family group or gathering of groups and will relate as part of the God-family. All of this is to be ordered by the head of the ekklesia, Christ Jesus. The kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit.

God is Spirit.

The apostolic headquarters is in heaven at the right hand of the Father. The leadership of Christ flows by the Spirit through the sons of God on earth who walk in the Spirit. We need to remember that God is Spirit. Jesus was Spirit in heaven with Father who is Spirit. The Spirit Christ Jesus became a man on earth and eventually returned again to earth as Sprit to abide in a many-membered Body. Yet, He remains at the throne in heaven. There is no problem for Sprit God to be in all places at any time.

From Pentecost onward it is possible for God's people to walk in the Spirit. The first century apostles were examples of walking in the Spirit. The power, wisdom, and sacrificial love of Christ Jesus lived within their beings and did the works of Christ Jesus according to the will and way of the Father. They are recorded examples of apostolic elders. Apostles today will move by the same power, in the same love and wisdom by the same Spirit.

Elders with the gifts of prophets, evangelist, shepherds and teachers will operate from the same Spirit as those gifted as apostle. Only their functions are different. All of these are simply the work of Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit leading, equipping and edifying the body into love and oneness with God. They are NOT a separate class of believer. Without the work of the Spirit of Christ we all can do nothing.

1 Cor 12:12-13: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Rom 12:4: For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

From the youngest to the oldest, all in the Body of Christ are brethren one with another and with Christ Jesus in the God-Family. All who have been added to the family are connected by the spiritual bloodline of our Father through Christ Jesus. In the God-family there is no longer male or female, bond or free, Jew or Gentile nor any other division that would cause one member to have dominion over another. Yes, in the natural human existence there are all these things and there are offices and men ruling over men. But in the spiritual reality in which we live and move, as we walk in the Spirit, these things do not exist. The only vertical distinction is maturity and it is temporary. The heir of all is like a servant only until he matures. Mat 23:8-10: "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren." Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ."

Heb 2:11: "For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,"

God gave dominion on earth to mankind but God did not give man dominion over other men.

In the first century, there were those who called themselves apostles and were not. There are those today who do the same. Beware of so called apostolic networks that set up a hierarchy of rule and revert to the same errors of man-made systems of government that brought the demise of the spiritual ekklesia of the past. Walking in the Spirit and God-family life was replaced with religious systems of men over men that was called spiritual authority. The false two-class system of clergy and laity is attempting to be implemented again in some man-made apostolic networks. Even networks that begin functioning by the Sprit can easily slip into human organization, rule and leadership while claiming to be Spirit-led.

Rev 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;"

Apostolic connections are vital. We must depend on the Holy Spirit to connect us into close family style groups and also with extended family. We must receive the itinerant elders gifted as apostles, teachers and prophets who will help the local elders bring oversight and connections to the Body.

Keep on pursuing love.
It never fails.

Ron McGatlin
Coordinator OpenHeaven.com

http://www.openheaven.com/
basileia@earthlink.net

[Editor: I ran a spell check to correct some grammar; however I left the spelling intact as Brother McGatlin originally posted this article on his InJesus website.]

Tags: Church, Ron McGatlin, ekklesia, Apostolic

Beyond What You Can Ask or Think

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:58:39 GMT

Here is some excellent advice on the efficacy of praying in Tongues or if you prefer in the Holy Spirit (Ghost for you KJV Believers)

JRH 2/12/08

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Beyond What You Can Ask or Think

Gloria Copeland

Devotional Email

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Monday, February 11, 2008 1:34:32 AM

Few things in the Bible have created more fuss than the issue of speaking in tongues. Churches have split over it. People have been persecuted for doing it. People have even been killed for it.

Who's behind all the trouble? Satan himself. He's so frightened of our ability to pray in tongues that he's continually trying to steal it from us through persecution and strife.

You see, the devil knows (even if we don't) that praying in tongues is the only way you and I can pray beyond what we know. It's the tool God has given us to use to tap into the mind of the Spirit.

When we pray in tongues, we activate the Holy Spirit within us and He begins to teach us and enlighten us. If you want to see an example of what praying in tongues can do, look at the Apostle Paul. He said he prayed in tongues more than anyone in the whole Corinthian church and he was responsible for writing most of the New Testament!

Another example is the first church at Jerusalem. They didn't yet have any of the New Testament to read. They couldn't turn to Ephesians and find out what God's plan was for them.

They just had to pray in tongues until the revelation light of God dawned in their hearts. That's all the equipment they had. So they used it and turned the world upside down.

Some years ago God began directing me to spend an hour a day praying in tongues. After I did it awhile, I began to talk to other Christians who'd been directed to do the same thing. God was speaking to believers all over the world to spend time praying in the Spirit.

If you haven't made a commitment to spend some time each day praying in tongues, make one now. Set aside all the disagreements and confusion the devil has stirred up about it and just say, "Lord, I'm going to do it. I don't care what the devil says. I don't care what any man says. I know You have plans for me that are so good my human mind hasn't even conceived them--things that are beyond what I can ask or think. And by praying in the Spirit, I'm going to receive them."

Don't let the distractions of the devil disturb you. Tap into the mind of God. Speak forth His wisdom. Pray in the Spirit today.

________________

Scripture Study: Isaiah 28:9-12

Tags: Glossolalia, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Tongues, Gloria Copeland

Michal Ann Goll – Urgent Prayer

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:17:16 GMT

February 11, 2008

When Satan attacks Believers it is a vile thing indeed. I do not have all the answers but I do believe in Divine Healing (1 Peter 2: 24). Many call this faith healing. I call it a promise in the Word of God and connected to at least three Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 1 - 11).

I have speculations which are of not profit to the faith about why healing or death occurs to Godly Righteous people even with these promises. Since there is no profit in dwelling on speculation that engenders doubt more than faith, I will not go there. Believers should do what the Word encourages - BELIEVE.

I say that because I am aware of a married couple that has been used mightily by the Kingdom of God to witness Salvation to the Lost and peace to the faithful in a prophetic ministry.

James and Michal Ann Goll have both been attacked with cancer. Over the years they have good reports and bad reports.

In a recent email James Goll has asked for urgent prayer for the healing and health of his beloved Michal Ann. She has had a collapsed lung, fluid in the lung and the discovery of more tumors. This is an unacceptable report for a person Redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and transferred from the kingdom of darkness in the King of the Son of the Father's Love in which Divine Uncreated Light extinguishes all darkness.

So I offer the email from James Goll's email list and join him in faith to ask for prayer the unstoppable overpowering prayer of a righteous person for Michal Ann Goll.

JRH

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Urgent Health Crisis for Michal Ann Goll!

We are in the hour when we need to see a miracle!

Email Date: Thu 07 Feb 2008 05:13:26 PM EST

Encounters Network

Thank you for continuing in the fight for divine health for Michal Ann and I in our battle against cancer over the past few years. This past Sunday, February 3rd, Michal Ann was experiencing difficulty breathing and was taken to the Williamson Medical Center Emergency Room in Franklin, TN. After a series of tests they found that her left lung had collapsed due to excessive fluid surrounding the lung. In addition, tests showed the right lung full of tumors and that tumors had multiplied in her liver.

In a surgical procedure on Tuesday afternoon, February 5th, the doctors removed almost 3 liters of fluid from Michal Ann's left lung. The upper cavity of the lung soon re-inflated on its own, and though the lower cavity did not, Michal Ann experienced much relief in her breathing. After this procedure she was able to sleep through the night. They will continue to watch the lung to see if it will completely re-inflate as well.

As of Wednesday, February 6th, Michal Ann was breathing, sounding and looking remarkably better from earlier in the week. Today, Thursday, February 7th, Michal Ann will have a port placed into her chest cavity as she will begin a regimen of chemo. This will allow it to be administered directly into her artery. Also, as of today fluid had begun to again collect around the lung. So a semi-permanent shunt will be inserted to drain the fluid over the next several days. The hope is that this will result in the fluid being completely removed so as not to return.

Michal Ann will remain at the hospital for an undetermined period so that she can regain her strength and so that her medications can be monitored. So, though the procedure has given Michal Ann a boost in energy and she is breathing more freely, this is still a major health crisis and we need to see a miracle!

Feb 14th is Michal Ann's Birthday...

On another note, Michal Ann's birthday is coming up on February 14th - Valentine's Day. So we are going to have a surprise card shower on her birthday. We are asking you to send cards, prayers and sentiments to Michal Ann so that we can surprise her with them on her birthday.

Please send all cards to:

Encounters Network, PO Box 1653, Franklin, TN 37065

Please pray with us that the Lord will do a major miracle in Michal Ann's life!

Thanks for your love and support.

James W. and Michal Ann Goll and the Encounters Network Team

If the ministry of James and Michal Ann Goll and Team has blessed you, please consider giving a financial contribution so that we may continue to serve you and others. Checks can be made out to Encounters Network and sent to our office address or contributions may be made on line as well. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law and a receipt for your donation will be mailed to you. Thanks for your consideration.

>>>Click Here<<< for Web Donations

If you would like to give specifically to the Oasis program or our medical expenses, please select "Mercy Assistance Fund" from the drop down menu. All "General Donations" will go toward the ongoing operational expenses of Encounters Network.

____________________________

Tags: Healing, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare, Word of God, Michal Ann Goll, James Goll

Charismatic Monasticism?

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:55:15 GMT

I guess I don't get out much for I just ran into a concept on the NET about "Monastic Evangelicalism." Browsing some Christian blogs I found a link to a Christianity Today article so entitled.

This hit me like a ton of bricks because I think this might be a concept missing in Charismatic/Pentecostal/Prophetic circles. Charismatic/Pentecostal/Prophetic circles emphasize the gifts of the Spirit and the Holy Spirit very much to minister to the needs of man most often a corporate setting yet on an individual basis. There is a call to enter one's prayer closest to draw nearer to God (in my circles - according to the Word of God) and God will draw nearer to you.

For the Charismatic lacking discipline (cough) the prayer closest may be a happenstance occasion or a moment of listening to God but interpreting incorrectly what the Spirit of God is conveying. Sometimes this can lead to spiritual trouble.

Think what a Charismatic Monastic Movement could do. It could teach the discipline to a community of Believers yet not be insular like traditional Monastic Orders. It could a community similar to a Church yet rigorous to evangelize to witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ inviting transformation into the Kingdom of God the Light of the world via the Redemption of Christ Jesus with sign and wonders following.

The concept that comes to mind for me is the sharing of the Kingdom of God as the emphasis and not the material possessions or needs that God knows that we need. Seeking the Kingdom knowing provision follows without seeking the provision as a source of materialism. The Seeking of the Kingdom be a path of Union with God.

Of Course humble leadership would be a must or such a Charismatic Monastic group could easily fall into the trap of glorifying the leader more than the Christ. That is how cults are formed. Yet I still think it is a God idea.

Read "Monastic Evangelicals" in Christianity Today and see if God speaks to you.

JRH

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Monastic Evangelicals

The attraction of ancient spiritual disciplines.

Chris Armstrong

Posted 2/08/2008 10:03AM

Christianity Today

A growing number of evangelicals-younger evangelicals in particular-are maturing the movement in another way. They are taking their newfound love affair with Christian tradition and the early church beyond the realm of books and talk and into their churches and Christian lives. Covenant's Kenneth Stewart noted at the Wheaton conference that more and more traditionally evangelical congregations are now experimenting with advent candles, sampling practices associated with Lent, and marking Holy Week with special services like Tenebrae-an evening service featuring songs, readings, and the gradual extinguishing of lights to represent Christ's death.

This fascination with early liturgy has perhaps grown out of the recent trend toward what Richard Foster has called "the classic spiritual disciplines." In his 1993 book Devotional Classics, Foster argued that "pure modernity makes us parochial," so we need to return to practices "weaned from the fads of the marketplace" that will give us "perspective and balance."

One aspect of these disciplines that has captured the imaginations of evangelicals is monasticism. In The New Faithful (2004), Colleen Carroll Campbell believes the public love affair with things monastic surged with the 1996 publication of Benedictine oblate Kathleen Norris's The Cloister Walk. Among evangelicals, the trend has extended to retreats at Catholic monasteries, recovery of Celtic spirituality, and observance of the divine hours. Not surprisingly (given the biblical focus of evangelicals), the slow, meditative monastic prayer technique called the lectio divina has captivated many. They have taken up the practice guided by such books as the three-volume Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle, The Rhythm of God's Grace: Uncovering Morning and Evening Hours of Prayer by Mennonite professor Arthur Boers, and a book for youth, Divine Intervention: Encountering God Through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina, by Minneapolis Emergent leader Tony Jones.

More radically than the sometimes cafeteria-style adoption of monastic practices, a small but growing group of Protestant "new monastics" has now taken up the task of molding their lives by ancient practices. Their goals are described in the book Schools for Conversion: 12 Marks of the New Monasticism, and their desire to learn from the monks and nuns of the early and medieval church is explored in Inhabiting the Church, by Jon Stock, Tim Otto, and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. At the conference, Trinity Western's Mark Charlton noted that the phrase "new monasticism" now crops up almost every day on Internet news services, and that writers such as Rodney Clapp, Jonathan Wilson, Arthur Boers, Tom Sine, and Brian McLaren have all been calling evangelicals to monastic models as a guide for the future.

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Monastic Evangelicals

"This article first appeared in (2/8/08) issue of Christianity Today (Online). Used by permission of Christianity Today International, Carol Stream, IL 60188."

Tags: Charismatic, Christianity, Kingdom of God, One in Christ, Monasticism, Evangelicalism

Islamist Infiltration in America and the West

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:16:27 GMT

Christian evangelism is winning the hearts of people for the Kingdom of God through the sharing or witnessing of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the Lord's bodily Resurrection of New Life.

Yes there have been bloody wars over what man has thought to be the correct doctrine of the nature of Christianity; however that is contrary of the Great Commission written in the Holy Scriptures.

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.[d] (Matt. 28: 16 - 20 NKJV)

14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.[c] (Mark 16: 14 - 20 NKJV)

46 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise[h] from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24: 46 - 47 NKJV)

21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (John 20: 21 NKJV)

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1: 8 NKJV)

These New Testament Scriptures demonstrate the true way to convert or proselytize people to Christianity: Find people, Share the Good News, People believe or disbelieve and people are Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus through belief or have chosen self-condemnation by disbelieving. Human force is not part of Redemption. Humanity then is divided up between the sheep and the goats at the Last Judgment and they are rewarded/judged according to their choice.

Of course we know as the nature of the human being, self-enthusiasm took the road of forced conversions and judgment of choice mostly in the Middle Ages through the Reformation. The Scriptures show that this was not the Way of Christ Jesus.

Now let us look at the Mohammedan way to win converts to their Allah.

Here are numerous Mohammedan scriptures that demonstrate that persuasion was part of the plan of conversion: CLICK HERE. Peaceful persuasion was not the example neither set by Mohammed nor even found in many of the Mohammedan scriptures.

Here is a host of Mohammedan scriptures that require forced conversion: CLICK HERE. Unlike Christian New Testament Scriptures it is inherent in Mohammedan scriptures to utilize violence, humiliation and mayhem to force a conversion or receive a judgment of death.

It is the path of forced conversion that spread Mohammedanism in multi-directions to build an empire. The only way such a huge empire could be maintained is to have loyal Mohammedan subjects as the majority who had power to humiliate and tax heavily an allowed minority of non-Mohammedans. Forced conversion was essential. It was like a Star Trek Borg thing - Resistance is futile. (I wouldn't be surprised if Roddenberry got the Borg idea from Mohammedans.)

So really Mohammedanism is a political ideology that uses religious rules and rituals to maintain control of the populace. As the centuries went by in the conquered lands the religious rules and rituals became inculcated in the minds of the populace as the generations of people went by.

At this point if you are still with me you have to be asking yourself, "Why is this guy making a point to show his dislike of Mohammedanism?"

Here is the thing. Mohammedanism - particularly the Islamist kind - is a program for one world rule by man utilizing religious cultic symbolism to maintain a system of despotic oligarchs by tribal leading elites or clerical leading elites. There is little respect of the rights of man in the Western sense because all sentient humans must submit to the will of Allah according to clerical (i.e. humans) interpretation of Mohammedan holy scriptures. In essence the rule of law is based on an often despotic ruling oligarchy which sometimes is transcended by a charismatic individual that is a supreme cleric (a Caliph or Ayatollah) or a supreme all ruling monarch or dictator.

The spread of Mohammedanism is non-Mohammedan peoples are by persuasion, deceit or violence. These three conversion methods are all a part of the Mohammedan scriptures. Although violence has been used in the history of Christianity to convert people, it is not a method prescribed in Christian Scriptures as fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

The one world aspect of Christianity is the result of the fulfillment of God-action not human-action. The martyrs that die for Mohammedanism die as a result of fighting for a devoted human leader (even if it takes innocent lives with him). The martyrs that die for Christianity die because they are persecuted or not willing to give up their faith to a belligerent human leader.

Now that I have defined my view of Christianity and Mohammedanism in the world today, let us look at Mohammedanism in lands that it is the minority or dar al-harb in Mohammedan language. (Lengthier description of the Islamist view of dar al-harb HERE)

In the West I still believe there is a large amount of Mohammedans that seek to live a Western law abiding life; however I also think this is a pendulum swinging toward the Islamist view of jihad and dar al-harb because most of the well financed Mohammedan Non-Profit Organizations (NGO's) and Mosques are being financed and/or are teaching radical Islam.

In America there is a significant appearance that radical Islamist organizations have infiltrated the highest levels of American Government that at the very least may affect policy making decisions.

One example of this is the outrageous dismissal of Maj. Stephen Coughlin as an Islamist expert by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England at the behest of his friend advisor Hesham H. Islam. The Defense Department has given a cover story of termination of the Coughlin contract because his services were no longer in the budget. The thing that makes the cover story fishy is that Hesham H. Islam has been linked to American-Muslim organization Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) which was an unindicted co-conspirator in the HLF trial (Doc. Attachment A Section VII no. 3) and a front organization of the Egyptian Islamist organization Muslim Brotherhood.

Mohammedanism is clearly becoming a political force in the West and America where I live. The Theo-political cult is increasingly following the Muslim Brotherhood fifth columnist infiltration and it is a scenario I truly am not amenable toward.

JRH

Tags: America, Christian Heritage, Christianity, Fifth Column, Islamist, ISNA, Muslim Brotherhood, Terrorism, Western Europe

It’s the Time of the Changing of the Guard at the Gate in 2008

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:06:21 GMT

As with many involved in the Prophetic Movement, the beginning of a New Year often marks a wave of prophetic pronouncements for that New Year.

I am on several email lists and read many; however in 2008 I seem to have missed many partly because of a little disillusionment that has confused my mind and disturbed my inner man.

It is nearly February and you know it is just good to read the leadership of Christianity regardless of Movement or denomination.

I am posting a piece by James Goll of the Prophetic Movement. Brother Goll has a good prophetic Word which the theme is for every bad seed that is coming; the seed of the Word of God will overshadow the fruit of the bad seed.

JRH 1/30/08

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It's the Time of the Changing of the Guard at the Gate in 2008

by James W. Goll

Encounters Network E-List

Encounter Network Email

Fri 25 Jan 2008 05:31:25 PM EST

2008 is a year of the Changing of the Guard. Having traveled the globe and seen many different cultures and forms of government; one of the scenes engrained in my mind is one that took place in London, England. Seeing the guards standing alert at the Buckingham Palace. They are on guard at the gate watching and protecting those who come in and go out. They do not leave their station until the watch shifts and the next appointed guardian is in place.

Many prophetic voices tell us that 2008 is the "Year of the Gate". But I want to add to this a bit. It is a critical year for both the church and secular spheres. If 2008 is a year when the government shifts. Who will stand guard at the gates of our cities, churches, and nations? It is a critical hour where guardians are replaced. I see a volatile contending for the soul of nations this coming year. Not just the United States - but in places like Russia, Israel, across South East Asia, Australia, Guatemala and many other nations. In the next 18 months it might look a lot like that childhood game called "Upset the Fruit Basket!"

But what I see even more clearly is a changing of the guard at the door of the church! A few prominent church leaders will graduate to their heavenly reward and this will be a sign of the changing of the guard. Other leaders will fall and fade from the scene of prominence due to controversy, sexual sin and pride resulting in a lack of accountability. But the Good News is that new voices, new faces and next/new generation leaders will emerge this year. It is the time of the "Changing of the Guard!"

With this frame in place for the big picture of where we are headed in 2008 and beyond, let me give you a few specific pieces.

Two Righteous Seeds Fell into the Earth

In the fall of 2007, two of our champions of the faith graduated to their heavenly reward. Each lived a long life for our Lord and finished well. One was Rex Humbard from Ohio and the other was James Kennedy from Florida. They each were pioneers in specific areas of the faith. As a righteous seed falls into the ground, a harvest or multiplication of the gift and calling they carried often becomes multiplied.

Ten years ago, two other righteous seeds fell into the ground. They were Lester Sumrall and John Wimber. There carried anointing of "deliverance and missions" and "signs and wonders". Since that time, they are hundreds of new ministries that have been raised up walking in these graces. A true multiplication has occurred. So it will be with the anointings that rested upon Rex Humbard and James Kennedy.

Rex Humbard pioneered Christians in media. His services at the Cathedral of Tomorrow were broadcast on TV long before we ever had "Christian stations." Rex Humbard would pray for the sick and broke the membrane of media for the larger body of Christ. James Kennedy was an integrous man who championed many causes such as the Pro-Life message. But the one that stands out to me the most of all was "personal evangelism". He effectively taught thousands how to go door to door to share their faith in Jesus and prepared people for eternity.

There will now be an explosion of Christians in various forms of media. In fact, 2008 is the year to go through the gate for a media mania in and through the body of Christ. There will also be a fresh emphasis and gifting in personal and presence evangelism. Outreach events will be tied to our conference venues and we hit the streets in 2008! Yes, a harvest is upon us!

A Moral Plumb Line is Being Dropped

A plumb line of righteousness is being dropped in the midst of church and secular leadership. Sexual sin in leadership will be exposed at high levels - especially sexual abuse, bi-sexual and homosexual relationships. This will create a wave of disillusionment and, out of necessity; accountability structures and deliverance ministry will be given a greater place. This will ultimately result in some powerful testimonies for the glory of God for those who choose to humble themselves.

Divorce and rumors of divorce will appear to be rampant in various circles. In some spheres, marriage will be viewed as a piece of paper that can just be torn apart. Therefore, the Holy Spirit will emphasize teaching on forgiveness, covenant relationships, and restoration.

A next generation purity movement will emerge on the scene. True Nazirites of God will blaze a trail and will begin to rediscover the ancient boundaries of holiness in a lawless age. In dreams I have seen a new wardrobe of righteousness where young people are dressed in white to counter the gothic dress of black. Let a Pure Life Revolution begin!

There will be an attempt to hide the American (and other nations as well) abortion issue from the forefront of the political scene (front page of the news), but the Holy Spirit will not allow this to happen. Circumstances will cause this issue to emerge to the front page. The issues of LIFE will be a major political "hot potato" in days ahead.

Change in the Global Prayer Movement

There will be a true changing of the guard in the prayer movement. New prayer watches, prayer chains and special times of fasting will be initiated by ministries and churches that have not been known for this emphasis. New leadership will come forth as the baton is passed from one generation to the next. This is great news - the global prayer movement is growing and becoming stronger.

While in recent years "bridal intercession" has been a needed emphasis, the "warrior anointing" will be emphasized as the Holy Spirit pours out an authentic spirit of "faith that fights" to break the straggle holds of darkness. Counsel from the heavenly war room is accessible and this will result in new effective strategies of spiritual warfare.

There will be a spot light on Israel - what was once a side issue in the Global Prayer Movement will now become a main issue seemingly over night. All eyes will rest on Jerusalem.

An Explosion of Faith and Healing

A shift will occur in the area of faith. The prophetic movement and sectors of the faith camp will have a divine interchange. This convergence will create a culture for a new wave of miracles.

As in the medical field when a scientific breakthrough is discovered and new cures are found, breakthroughs in healing ministries will occur. What was once considered hard cases to heal will begin to be normal and regular occurrences.

Greater insight and increased authority over the deaf and dumb spirit and the demonic spirit of infirmity will result in many healings from deafness and long-term generational illnesses.

I see an increase in angelic activity everywhere I go. I especially see "harvest angels" being released to aid us in our End Time work. Watch for angels of His presence and messenger angels declaring Good News! Angels, angels everywhere! These angels will be used to shift the atmosphere from that of skepticism to one of expectancy!

Divine Creativity on the Rise!

Creativity in the church world will result in various approaches to E-Church stumbling forth - it will be rejoiced over by some and held at arms length by others. Innovative discipleship tools, online training schools, worship and interactive prayer rooms will capture a young generation for Jesus Christ sake.

Where once the Christian artisans had to go outside the church world to express their talent and gift, a fresh renaissance movement has begun to never be stuffed back into the box again. Conferences, seminars and equipping tools will be released from the church to the glory of God! This will ultimately create holistic expressions of the life of the Holy Spirit into mainstream media.

It is time for new disruptive technologies to be released. This is the beginning of years for Christian innovators and inventers to come from the back room of trial and error and be released into the pubic with great insight, skill and influence in secular society.

The creation and transfer of wealth through Godly entrepreneurs laboring under an anointing of creativity coupled together with diligence and wisdom will pay off. This creation and transfer of wealth will be both a test and a blessing. But those who set their gaze with practical goals to touch the poor of the earth and walk in accountability relationships will prosper. Yes, Joseph's storehouse is now open.

Go Through the Gates in 2008!

This is a year of wrapping up old things and stepping across the threshold into the new.

It is the time for the changing of the guard at the gate.

It is a time of Kingdom alignment.

It is time celebrate that in Christ Jesus, everyday is new!

Go through the gates in 2008.

Forget the things that lie behind, and move forward in fresh faith.

Remember, we each see in part, know in part and prophesy in part. From my vantage point, this is a little bit of what I see for the months and years that lie ahead.

__________________________

About Encounters Network

Tags: Christianity, Faith, Moral Fabric, Prophetic

The Heritage of Jerusalem is through the Jews

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:17:44 GMT

10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. (Jer. 29: 10-14 NKJV)

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[a] for the glory[b] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. (Revelation 21: 21 - 23 NKJV)

Jerusalem is the place where God's Presence will dwell eternally, particularly when the New Jerusalem of Heaven transforms the earthly Jerusalem of temporal time.

It is a time when Christians and Jews will have an epiphany. Salvation is of the Jews and the Times of the Gentiles spread the Gospel globally. The chosen people will accept the adopted and engrafted Gentiles that Believe on Christ as fellow sons and daughters of God.

By adoption Gentile Christians can call Abraham; Isaac and Jacob part of their lineage and by the Blood of Jesus Christ Jews and Gentiles will be united.

King Jesus will be on the Throne of the Kingdom of God that will be unlike any governmental monarchy of earth's history. The Capitol of the Kingdom will be Jerusalem.

Not West or East Jerusalem, but a unified City of David with King Jesus on the throne.

In this time Christians and Jews disagree about the scenario I have painted. For the Jews Jerusalem is the Holy City in the very Presence of God resided within the Holy of Holies within the Temple of God. For Christians the Temple of God is now in our Heart where Christ Jesus resides in the New Creation expiated by the last sacrifice - the Lamb of God.

Jews may be suspicious of Christian motives (and they should be); however regardless of suspicions Biblical trusting Christians believe that Jerusalem should be one City under Jewish Rule. Jerusalem should not be split up into an East and West in part of the city is governed by those that seek to end the lives of Jews on planet earth.

Jerusalem is the City of David, not the City of Mohammed.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray that Israel retain authority over all of Jerusalem, in Jesus' Name. Amen!

JRH

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I Hear the Holy Spirit Releasing a Warning Concerning JERUSALEM

Do Not Separate What I Have Joined Together!

by James W. Goll

Wed 23 Jan 2008 06:52:23 PM EST

Encounters Network

On July 4th, 2004 the external audible voice of the Lord came to me saying, "God's Road Map is Israel's Future." God's word contains God's will. Unfortunately, President George W. Bush is moving forward with his own Annapolis Road Map, a plan to have a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital before he leaves office a year from now. While pondering these current political steps, I hear the Holy Spirit warning, "What God Has Joined Together, Do Not Separate!"

The current Road Map to Peace proposal was seemingly raised from the dead at the recent U.S. hosted peace conference in Annapolis on November 27, 2007. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas pledged to bring about this false peace deal by the end of 2008.

This current plan of a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in a supposed state of peace was first outlined by President Bush on June 24, 2002. Bush called it a "framework for progress towards lasting peace and security in the Middle East." The Road Map to Peace, is proposed by the so-called international Quartet: the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations.

In the final stage, the Road Map of the Quartet proposal calls for vigorous and aggressive negotiations that would end with the creation of a two-state solution. Bush is the first US president in the 60 year history of Israel to officially commit to recognizing a Palestinian state. On the other hand, he refuses to allow the U.S. Embassy to be moved to Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem, under the claim of "national security." Again, the issue involved here is the upsetting Saudi Arabia and the other Arab League nations, who already refuse to recognize the existence of the only true democracy in the Middle East, Israel.

As Bible believing Christians, we consider the rebirth of Israel in 1948 a fulfillment of prophecy. When President Harry Truman recognized the State of Israel, the chief rabbi of Israel declared, "God put you in your mother's womb to bring about the rebirth of Israel after 2000 years." Many of us also believe that the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 was also a fulfillment of prophecy. "What God has joined together, do not separate!"

Points of Prayer for the PrayerStorm!

Cry out for mercy for the United States and other countries that take such a stand. Intercede for the President of the Untied States and other governmental leaders for adherence to biblical revelation and execution of foreign policy toward Israel and Jerusalem. Intercede for our leaders - that every decision, action or plan to pressure Israel to give up land for false peace would be frustrated and abandoned.

Pray that God raises up leaders in the United States, Israel and the nations who support His end-time purposes for the people of Israel. Pray that Jerusalem remains a united city! Pray that modern day "Josephs" arise in Christ name!

In his autobiography, "A Charge to Keep," President Bush states that he senses a "call from God" upon his life. Intercede that the Lord will grant President and Mrs. Bush divine encounters with Himself so that he can be the "burning Bush" in his last months of his term in office.

Pray that the spirit of wisdom and revelation be granted to the President, and that he will fulfill his God-appointed destiny as a contemporary Cyrus (Ezra 1-6) as a protecting friend and blessing to the Jewish people, Israel and Jerusalem. Intercede that President Bush will be used of the Lord as a modern day Hezekiah according to 2 Chronicles 29-32.

May the fear the Lord fall upon the nations that we in turn seek the Lord's favor so that we might experience long-term revival in Jesus name! Lift a strong cry of intervention in your PrayerStorm hour - the hour that changes the world!

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The Heritage of Jerusalem is through the Jews

John R. Houk

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I Hear the Holy Spirit Releasing a Warning Concerning JERUSALEM

James W. Goll Bio

Tags: Israel, Kingdom of God, Jerusalem

Eight Prophetic Directives for 2008

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:14:17 GMT

I consider myself a Charismatic/Pentecostal/Word-of-Faith/Prophetic (and so on) kind of guy. I agree with the basic foundations of this group of people often labeled as heretic and false teachers; however some of the subdivisions of this group of Believers I do not agree with. For me, it is eat the hay and spit out the sticks (be at least as smart as a dumb cow) principle.

A group of Charismatics that run with Charisma Magazine crowd got together in prayer for the Church and its leadership. They had a sense of direction in Spirit of which J. Lee Grady of Charisma Magazine summarizes.

It is a very interesting self-examination for the leaders that were there.

JRH 1/20/08 (Hat tip to Visionary Advancement Strategies)

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Eight Prophetic Directives for 2008

By J. Lee Grady

January 18, 2008

Charisma Online

We are desperate for a word from God in a year of new beginnings. I received these encouraging insights while listening to a group of Christian leaders gathered in Orlando.

2007 was a difficult year, but I'm feeling more positive about 2008 after spending two days with 61 key leaders of our movement. They convened in Charisma's offices this week for the Charismatic Leadership Summit, an informal and refreshingly honest dialogue designed to help the church respond proactively to current challenges.

We didn't solve the world's problems by having this discussion. But a smaller miracle occurred when we knelt together on the first night and repented of the pride that has tainted the American church. The holy hush of that moment encouraged me more than any comment made from the podium.

Here's my feeble attempt to summarize what these leaders said, and what God was saying through them, during three sessions that focused on these questions: (1) Where is the charismatic movement headed? (2) Is the charismatic movement healthy? and (3) Is the charismatic movement making a difference?

1. We must have personal revival. Marcus Lamb, founder of the Daystar Television Network, fought back tears as he lamented how far leaders have fallen in this day of Christian superstar scandals. "When was the last time we fasted?" he asked. "When was the last time we studied the Word just to hear from God?" Lamb believes "an alarm was sounded in 2007" that is calling each of us back to the simplicity of devotion to Jesus.

2. We must embrace humility. This was the overarching theme of the Orlando event. Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in suburban Dallas, said we must "go overboard in humility" by being genuine, touchable and accessible. Naomi Dowdy, who has pastored in Singapore for more than 30 years, noted that too many leaders today are enamored with their image or their frequent flyer status. "We think we are OK because our numbers are good. But prayer will break that seduction," she advised.

Missionary mobilizer David Shibley, who spends most of his time training pastors in Africa and Asia, said he believes God is raising up a new breed of charismatic leaders today who display "anointing without arrogance, boldness without brashness, and power without pride." Steve Murrell, a missionary to the Philippines and leader of the Every Nation church-planting movement, said his main concern for the American church is a prideful spirit. His comment prompted the crowd to get on their knees in repentance.

3. We are experiencing gracious judgment. Many leaders alluded to recent theological and moral scandals involving charismatic ministers. Theologian and author R.T. Kendall, based in Nashville, Tenn., explained that there are five kinds of judgment in the Bible, some of which have no positive outcome. Gracious judgment, he said, involves correction but leads people to repentance and obedience. Joni Lamb of Daystar called 2007 "a year of sifting and shaking" and then held up a plumb line like the one described in the book of Amos. She said the Lord is measuring the church in this hour, and then asked: "Are we lining up to the Lord's plumb line? Are we men and women of character in a world of compromise?"

4. We must balance the prosperity message. Although not everyone in the room was in agreement about the recent U.S. Senate investigation of six charismatic ministers, many called for restraint and a new attitude toward money. Several leaders, including Hispanic apostle Héctor Torres, emphasized that God is calling us to a higher standard of ethics, integrity and corporate governance. A prophetic warning was also issued: Leaders should either adopt a policy of "full disclosure" in the financial area, or they can expect "full exposure" of financial misdeeds.

Robert Morris used the term "hyper-prosperity" to describe a theology that emphasizes wealth and personal blessing. He urged leaders to teach people "to give extravagantly, not expecting anything in return" instead of suggesting that people should "give to get." Revivalist Rodney Howard-Browne bluntly suggested that the prosperity movement has "gone off the tracks." Biblical prosperity, he explained, is not given so that people can focus on buying houses or cars but so they can fund the work of world evangelism.

5. It's time to get back to evangelism. The phrase "get back to the basics" was repeated numerous times over the course of our 24-hour session. Michigan pastor Barbara Yoder told how she totally restructured her church in Ann Arbor last year because her congregation was not evangelizing or nurturing new believers. "We've got to make it simple," she said. Dallas-based evangelist Steve Hill agreed, announcing that our priorities must return to soul-winning and discipleship.

Other leaders, while stressing the absolute importance of the presence and power of God in our churches, cautioned against an inordinate emphasis on manifestations of the Holy Spirit. "We must get back to the core doctrines of the Bible, and test all things," said prophetic minister Cindy Jacobs of Dallas, noting that our focus must not be on manifestations but on souls.

Rice Broocks, pastor of Bethel World Outreach Center in Nashville Tenn., said he believes our mandate for 2008 is simple: "Don't get cute. Don't get fancy. Go and make disciples." He urged leaders to stop majoring in minors when evangelism has been neglected. David Shibley reinforced that message, noting that since the death of Bill Bright in 2003, no one is really championing the necessity of evangelizing the world in our lifetime.

6. We must root out racism in the church. The tensest moment in the discussion came after California-based church leader Samuel Rodriguez, president for the National Association of Hispanic Evangelicals, called on the group to challenge racist attitudes toward Hispanics. He warned that unless we develop a true "kingdom DNA" in our churches-by welcoming and celebrating all ethnic groups-we will not successfully impact our culture or enact biblical justice on issues such as immigration policy. Charismatic prophet Rick Joyner also challenged what he called "spiritual bigotry" that is caused by "our prideful attitude about the groups we are associated with."

7. Holiness is not an option. The leaders had a lively discussion on the need for proper accountability so that leaders who have moral failures can be properly restored. Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Kan. decried the "greasy grace" that quickly forgives a fallen brother but does not offer tough love and discipline. "That is no grace at all," he said. Everyone agreed that leaders not only must learn to restore but also must focus on how to prevent moral failure-which will require a new emphasis on holy living.

8. God is calling us to transform society. Several leaders, including Harry Jackson of Washington, D.C., noted that American culture-and our government-is becoming increasingly hostile to the Christian faith. He and others challenged the group to become active politically, in the current presidential contest and on every level. If we run from our calling to transform culture, we may end up in a fish's mouth like Jonah. We must engage in a kingdom mission rather than hide behind an escapist Left Behind eschatology. Barbara Wentroble, an apostolic leader from Dallas, noted that Christians for too long have viewed politics, education and the financial realm as evil when we must see those arenas as mountains to claim for Christ.

My quick summary: As we enter this significant year of challenge and opportunity, a big 'IF' hangs over us. Our faithfulness to God will be determined not by our prophetic conferences, the size of our churches, the trendiness of our music or whether we have gold dust appearing in our meetings. It will be judged by whether we make the Great Commission our priority.

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J. Lee Grady is the editor of Charisma. To see a complete list of the leaders who attended the Charismatic Leadership Summit, click here.

Tags: Holy Spirit, Prophetic, Prosperity Teaching, Charismatic

Prosperity Teaching

http://imageofgod.gaia.com — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:43:22 GMT

Regner Capener's debt is bondage essays entitled Kingdom Economics is classic Prosperity Teaching 101. You can find the link below and find Kingdom Economics I - XIV if you so chose. I suspect it is an ongoing message so their may be more than XIV in the future.

I have not read the other parts of Brother Capener's message so I do not know where the thread is leading; however this part is the good side of Prosperity Teaching that I agree with.

The theme is the devil wants humanity in a poverty spirit trapped in worldly debt but the Good News is Jesus Christ came to deliver us from Satan's grasp and transfer us into the Kingdom of the Father's dear Son where the curse of poverty has no hold.

Capener goes on to write that wealth is not evil, it is the mindset of worldly thinking combined with wealth that is evil; i.e. the love of money rather than the love of God.

This is all good! However if Brother Capener spins off later that Christians are to be wealthy and not poor as a way of life, then the Brother would be getting into the part of Prosperity Teaching that I have a problem with. The part that implies the material position one holds in the world is a measuring stick of righteousness or sin OR the justification to live a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption looking down on others who do not have a mind-set to arrive at debt free material possessions. I believe that is error. I don't get bent out of shape with this kind of error for it is on the scale of false teaching as to praying to Mary, Angels or entitled Saints. That is error also but I don't believe one is going to the eternal flame for believing that way or not believing that way (if you are Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox).

It is good to understand that God's Grace through his Son Jesus Christ is Salvation from the dark kingdom of the god of this age - Satan the deceiver. (SA Gen. 3: 1-5 and Luke 4: 3 - 4)

So meditate on the good and eschew the bad.

JRH

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Kingdom Economics I

Tithing, Giving & Seed Sowing

By Regner Capener (the coffee break guy)

Sent: 6/27/2007 11:11 AM

ConservativeValues MSN Group

MSN Group Delivery: Sun 1/06/08 2:38 AM

Greetings!

Are you the kind of person that likes to watch the finance programs on TV -- like the weekend block of shows that appears on Saturdays on Fox News? You know -- like Bulls & Bears, Cavuto on Business, Forbes on Fox, etc.?

Guess I've always been interested in economics. I'm NOT an economist, but like many of my family -- aunts, uncles, cousins -- I was in banking, both consumer and international investment for several years. Unlike other members of my family, I chose not to make the world of finance and economics my career, and it simply was not the realm God called me to. Yet, I thank the Lord for the years I did spend in banking and the things I learned in the process.

Oddly enough, my father was the island banker for many years at Saint Paul Island, Alaska, although it was an unofficial job he took as a means of helping and ministering to families. My cousin, Lowell Argue, was the President of First Chicago for several years -- among his many banking positions. My cousin, (and Lowell's sister) Joan Gering, was with Wisconsin First National for much of her financial career. (Correct me if I'm wrong on the bank, Joan.) Another cousin, Annette Darlington, was with Rainier National Bank in Washington for most, if not all, of her financial and business career, and both of her daughters are in banking.

And on and on it goes. There are many more family members who've been in the financial arena as bankers, stock brokers, investment consultants -- you name it. It just seems to have been a significant part of our family heritage. Anyway, I've always had an interest in the world's economy, and particularly our nation's economy; and I've been a stock-watcher of sorts and watched the trends in various industries and financial sectors.

I've said all that to say this: the world has an economic system. That system has some very basic underlying rules and functions. Violate those rules and you can suffer various rather unpleasant consequences. Take advantage of those rules and functions with understanding and wisdom, and you can create a sizeable estate for yourself and your family. Learn to invest wisely, and you can become a blessing to your family and many, many people along the way.

What's unfortunate is that our society tends to program folks with a poverty mentality -- the "Beast" mentality -- that keeps people in debt, keeps them subservient to the system, trains them to become "dependents" instead of "providers." We have a credit-based society that has put millions of people in bondage to credit-card debt, struggling with interest rates (that amount to extortion) to make ends meet while they try to meet certain societal "norms" in "keeping up with the Jones." People are enticed to live beyond their means, and debt is painted as "easy monthly payments."

I refer to this as "the Beast mentality" because it comes out of an understanding of what it means to "take the Mark of the Beast." Today and Friday, I want to lay a foundation for you in helping you understand some basic spiritual concepts in economics. By the help and grace of the Lord, I will try to show you the difference between what the world sees and operates in and what God intends for His people. I'd like to show you why Christians have been programmed with the same mentality -- by the Enemy, of course -- so as to keep them from prospering as God intends, and in the process keep the Gospel from accomplishing what it is supposed to do: namely, evangelize and transform the world!

OOOPPPSSSS! Just realized I hadn't poured my morning coffee yet. The French Press has been steeping, and if it sits too long in that glass carafe, it cools off. The French Press I have here at the office is glass, whereas the one we have at the house is one of those Nissan insulated stainless steel pots. I get used to the fact that I can go back to the French Press at home nearly an hour after it has steeped and the coffee is still piping hot. Hang on for a second while I pour my cup. Better get yours, too.

The world has an economic system and a way of operating that Jesus refers to as "Mammon." God has an economic system which preceded the world's, and when we operate within that system we have blessing, abundance, and true prosperity available to us, no matter where we begin. It matters not whether we begin to utilize God's Kingdom principles at the very bottom of the so-called "economic ladder" or whether we begin employing those principles with some resources already at hand.

A few years ago, Dr. Leroy Thompson wrote a book titled, YOU'RE NOT BROKE, YOU HAVE A SEED. In it he relates how he began his life in abject poverty in the Louisiana bayous. Reading God's Word, he discovered some very basic Kingdom principles which he -- despite his utter lack of money for even basic needs -- began to employ. Today the man is extremely wealthy; and he regularly and consistently applies Kingdom economic principles to his daily life. What Dr. Thompson learned along the way was that money itself can never be the objective of prosperity and abundance. Ahh, but wait. I'm getting ahead of myself.

What gets most people's thinking skewed is that the world's economic system is based -- at its core -- in sound, Godly, Kingdom principles. Satan has perverted it -- just like he perverts everything else -- and twisted it to entice people into financial and economic servitude. As we go through this series of discussions on Kingdom Economics, my purpose and objective is to show you what I've learned personally, what I am currently learning through experience, where and how Satan has corrupted and distorted our thinking, how the Body of Christ has suffered as a result, and where God is taking His people.

Sound like a lot? It is. The Body of Christ has been consistently cheated year after year, generation after generation and century after century by the lies of Satan -- and more specifically by the Spirit of Mammon.

Let's begin by laying some basic Scriptural foundations. These are laws of economics: Kingdom Laws. Because God's people have been so effectively programmed with fear, doubt, unbelief, lack, need, insufficiency and poor health; and made to believe that the only real blessing we get from God is spiritual, I intend to be very liberal (this is the correct use of the word....Hehehehehe....!) in drawing from the Word so that your understanding is clear. God's Word is thorough on this subject, and it is only by and through ignorance of God's Word that Satan has kept Christians -- and the world at large -- hung up with a "make do" mindset where lack and insufficiency are the rule of the day.

Here's the first set of Scriptures. These Scriptures clearly demonstrate the heart of the Lord for His people.

III John, vs. 2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

Proverbs 10:22: "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."

Psalm 112:1-3: "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever."

Proverbs 8:13, 17-18: "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. .... I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness."

Proverbs 22:4: "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life."

Ecclesiastes 5:19: "Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God."

Philippians 4:19: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

II Chronicles 22:11-13: "Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."

II Chronicles 26:5: "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper."

Psalm 1:1-3: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Deuteronomy 8:18: "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."

Psalm 35:27: "Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."

OK. There you have a tiny fragment, a representation of the heart of the Lord concerning His people and His desire for them to prosper, to live in abundance, and to enjoy wealth and riches. And we've only scratched the surface. But let's be clear. The desire of the Lord for His people to live the abundant life, to enjoy wealth, riches, prosperity, health, strength and long life comes with some very basic requirements.

Is there any question in your mind at this point that the heart of the Lord is for His people to prosper, to enjoy a long and healthy life, to enjoy an abundant life filled with not just spiritual, but material blessings? The lie of Satan, you see, is that the only thing we get from Jesus is "pie in the sky, in the sweet bye and bye." The Enemy delights in painting a picture of poverty, of need, of lack, of insufficiency, of poor health, of [...]

As we begin to delve into this series in depth, we'll come back to these Scriptures so that you can see some very specific applications.

There are spiritual laws that govern our ability to live prosperously. There are also traps set for us by the Enemy to keep us from enjoying that abundant life. Let's lay out the next set of foundational Scriptures to draw this picture. We'll begin with what Jesus said concerning our motives and objectives.

Matthew 6: 25-34: "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

You see the picture, I'm sure. The first priority of ALL Kingdom principles is to seek first the rulership of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth. When we put Him first and foremost in every area of life, He guarantees you provision for everything!

But, wait. There's a lot more.

Matthew 19 relates the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus. Here's a man who had kept the law and the commandments, and had accumulated much wealth for himself. The problem was that his wealth still left him wanting for something he couldn't identify. Jesus tells him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

Matthew 19:23-26: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Sounds contradictory, doesn't it, when compared to Deuteronomy 8:18 or Proverbs 10:22 or Ecclesiastes 5:19? If it's so difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (please take note of this phrase for future reference), then why on earth would the Lord cause His people to be rich? Doesn't seem logical, does it?

Let's keep going.

Mark 12:41-44: "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

Is the picture any clearer for you? OK. One more, and we'll quit for today.

Luke 12:16-21: "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

We're really just scratching the surface with these pictures, but you do no doubt understand that it isn't wealth God is speaking against: it is the motivation of the heart. Jesus wasn't saying that it is hard for a person who has wealth to enter the Kingdom -- and we'll get to this picture on Friday -- He was saying that it is difficult for a person who is focused on money and possessions to enter the Kingdom.

In the temple, Jesus commented on the wealthy who gave out of their abundance and the motivation thereof by highlighting the woman who gave the very last that she had. Those who carelessly and publicly cast in their financial gifts had no heart towards God in their giving. There was no trust or dependence on God manifested in their giving. The poor widow, on the other hand, demonstrated her complete trust in the Lord for His provision by giving her last money.

Did Jesus take notice? You bet! Think that woman ever had a financial need from that day forward? I'd venture to say not. We'll pick it up here on Friday. Don't forget. These are just some basic foundations. We have to lay these foundations for you to understand Kingdom Economics. My conviction is that once you understand how God's economy works, it will permanently change the way you live.

Lack is not supposed to be everlasting: it is a temporary situation until you can grow some Word seed to meet the need. God has given us the two things we need to get whatever we desire: Dominion and Seed.

Bless you.

Regner A. Capener

CAPENER MINISTRIES
RIVER WORSHIP CENTER
700 South 6th Street
Sunnyside, Washington 98944
(509) 837-4657

________________________

All Coffee Break articles are copyright by Regner A. Capener, but authorization for reprinting, reposting, copying or re-use, in whole or in part, is granted - provided proper attribution and this notice are included intact. Coffee Break archives are available at: http://groups.msn.com/RegnersRangers/. Coffee Break articles are published three times weekly, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, except for holidays.

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[JRH: Kingdom Economics I is the first of XIV in this link (to date)]

Tags: Christianity, Faith, Word of God, Prosperity Teaching