Saturday, November 15, 2008
Back from Colorado: FIRE, FIRE, FIRE!
What a time to be Christians! Is it not exciting? I know the world and many in the church here in America and in many nations are shaking because of the calamities all around us. Yet, Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, He shall never be ashamed. This is a glorious day to be part of God's family. The 3rd New Testament day is unfolding around us, and we are about to see the Miracle of the water changing to wine.
I must say this conference in Colorado was not our largest in numbers, but it was the most intense fire of God we have ever experienced. The flame of God's presence was so hot people were literally burning on the inside of them by the manifest presence of the Lord.
I have been to Toronto many times, other meetings where God moved powerfully, but this was the most intense and personal time with the Lord we ever have had. The Lord was in our midst as a Refining Fire and Fuller Soap.
Beloved, there was no escaping the Flame of Love and Truth of Jesus Christ in our midst. It brought us to our knees to repent for ourselves and this nation. The Fire came down and delivered many from demonic influence by an outpouring of love we had never witnessed before. It was the most tender of God's outpouring love to the hurting I have ever seen, and the most violent flame against the enemies occupation in a believer's heart that was trying to kill, steal and destroy.
Many said that it was so hot they could hardly stand it, but at the same time the flame of God was as sweet as honey in them and through them. It kind of reminds me of the old saying, "God loves the sinner but hates the sin." The Holy Spirit was absolutely violent against the sin in our hearts and as tender as a dove to us who fell short. It was incredible!
A man with cancer begged to be taken to the meeting. He had to be carried in by three men, but he walked out under his own power with God. God is healing that man moment by moment, and he is answering the call of God upon his life by faith in God.
A young lady came so burdened with depression and discouragement, but the love of God poured on her and set her free. Another woman and her daughter were delivered by the overwhelming love of God. He reached into the depths of their hearts where the daggers were wounding and killing them, and took them out and healed their broken hearts. YEAH GOD!
Pastor Carl Jackson , the Director of Teen Challenge in Tucson Arizona, and his wife Anna came and ministered the heart beat of God to us. Pastor Carl preached a message of repentance with fire as if I never heard before. It was as powerful as Jonathan Edwards preached hundreds of years ago. People wept and shook on the inside of them, and several testified about the Holy Spirit of burning in them as he preached.
Sister Anna Jackson shared the heart of intimacy with God that ignited with a hunger for more of God. Rev. Mary Jasinski of the IAM Center of Tucson ministered about the "present working of God from a teaching called, "the Harness of the Lord." This teaching was about the flame of God likened to a harness put upon a horse. This harness of the Holy Spirit was given to those who would take it to prepare them to work "with the Lord in these last days. Beloved reader, This was a Holy Meeting with the Lord as we "danced and stood in the very flame of the Lord." I wish you all could have been there with us.
Saints of the Most High God, this is the day that Malachi wrote about in Chapter 4. The very day he writes that "will burn like an oven." This is the hour and moment we are living in, "the day of the burning oven" of the Lord. The day of transfiguration is coming upon those who are making themselves ready. We must now get prepared to live in the very Fire of God continually. We must learn the function and purpose of this flame of God in our midst. We must learn how to walk, dance and live in this flame and this flame of God in us! This Fire is bringing the Glory of God to His remnant with a call to "rise and shine" for the light has come. The Glory of the Lord has risen upon us!
Dear reader, it is hot, hot, hot!!! Who can stand when He appears, and who can endure the day of His coming?" This is what Malachi wrote in the 3rd chapter of his book. He says, "The Lord whom you seek, shall SUDDENLY come, and who can ENDURE THE DAY OF HIS COMING! He HAS NOW suddenly come as a Flame of Fire to those who are actively seeking Him.
This fire has wrecked me beyond belief. God is exposing things in me that are deep. He is cutting right to the quick where the enemy had a place in me. The Fire has come to do one thing in me and all of us, SET US FREE! Yet though He is exposing the darkness and killing it, His love at the same time is lifting us higher to hear His heartbeat. Go figure, what a spiritual paradox!
He is violent against the darkness still remaining in the flesh. His jealous love is invading and surrounding us with a fury, yet His tender love is there as well like honey from the honey comb transforming us from one degree of glory to another. WHAT A DAY OF THE LORD, WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY!
I told everyone in NY and in Colorado, I am still wearing my yellow construction hat. On the front of the hat it says, "under destruction" and "under construction." God is doing both of these things in me at the same time. The destruction is ugly because it goes to the very root of our self life. It brings the power of the deadly cross right to the roots of our hearts, Beloved, there is no mercy against the power of sin in us.
What remains in us at this present moment may be disgusting and ugly to God and us. Every trace of sin that refuses to love or forgive must be violently destroyed in us. Yet, this Holy Flame of love that destroys and overcomes these things in our hearts is the same flame of love that is sweet like honey. The fire destroys the works of the devil in us and the strongholds in our lives while the same flames bring the loving arms of Christ around us while doing it. It is the paradox and mystery of the ages!
God dealt with us at this conference until we were naked and exposed before God and one another. We were all so vulnerable in His sight, but there was no judgment, condemnation by anyone including God. The Lord poured out a compassion and love for one another as I have never witnessed before. I think we got a little taste of Acts chapters 2 and 4. Just a drop or so! I believe of the same Love poured out at Pentecost that would call them to sell what they had and give to each other as they had need began to manifest in the flame of God in these meetings.
What a Glorious day to be the Bride of Christ. What a joy it is to make ourselves ready as in Rev. 19:7. What a delight to be able to stand in the spirit of burning and judgment. Yes I said it, Judgment and Burning!
Beloved, Judgment begins in the House of the Lord. This is the day of the Revealing of the Baptism of Fire like an oven. This is the day God is testing our works to see if they will stand in the test of the Holy Flames in those who will let Him do it NOW.
He is going to show us "TODAY" if our lives are producing wood, hay or stubble or precious stones. This is the moment in time where it is not to late to start over again so we do not enter into heaven just escaping the fire! I want to encourage every reader of this blog to pray one thing for their live, family, church and ministry. One simple prayer, "God, SEND THE FIRE!!!
Beloved, please read Malachi chapters 3 and 4 ,and 1st Corinthians chapter 3. We are in beginning moments of the 3rd new testament day or the 7th Day of completion of God. We are in the day of the Revelation of our OMEGA GOD! The God who said, "that He who has begun this good work in you WILL BE FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT! Will you allow the Flame of God to consume you like a burning bush? Will you come forth from the fire without the smell of smoke or one hair burned by that fire? The choice is up to you. GET IN THE FIRE! AMEN!
I am sorry I have not written in a while, and I did not write about Sarah Palin yet. I will as soon as God will release me. There is too much attention on her at the moment, so I am going to wait until the "political" stuff settles down.
I am not overwhelmed at the outcome of the election not in the slightest bit, nor the economic downturn. You must think I am crazy! Beloved Saints of the Most High God, our Kingdom is not of the world. This world has no effect upon our King Jesus, His return, or upon our inheritance, or even upon us! We are citizens, aliens and strangers in this world, and we are looking for a city whose architect and builder is GOD!
Beloved, this is the day of Glory. The Glory of the Lord shall fill the earth. Look up, don't look down and don't be moved by what you see in the natural. Beloved, be moved in whom you believe, Jesus Christ. Be moved by what is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit and that which you see with your spiritual eyes and ears. The invisible things of God are more real than the things you see in the natural. This is the day of fire! Get ready, we will surely overcome!
P.S!
Check out our "new testimony link" of what God is doing in our midst. To Him be all the glory, honor and praise now and forever.
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Your bond-servant in Christ!
Friday, October 24, 2008
By the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS IN ITS ENTIRETY! I know it is a bit long, but somethings just have to be to gain understanding. Thank you for you patience.
I know it has been another length of time since I have been able to write on the blog, but I have been doing much traveling lately. I just returned from the IAM International Fall Conference in Albany, NY where I was invited to be one of the main speakers.
God was so wonderful to come with His presence in these meetings. His fire burned and brought many to the very throne of Grace. The Holy Spirit challenged us to go past the cross to the very throne of God. There was a great prophetic flow of God in our meetings. There were also many testimonies of how God healed people physically and spiritually. To Him be all the Glory now and forever!
Sister Ruth Fazel from Toronto ministered in her prophetic music, and many parts of the IAM family shared their vision and present work of the Lord. These were IAM builders, Youth Ablaze, IAM Intercessors. God is moving through these ministries. We also were encouraged by Pastor Jay Francis, the President and founder, and Rev. Sharon Carlson, Vice President. They stirred up the flame of God in us and encouraged us to press on in the Lord. We were all blessed to see the Body of Christ in unity working together with the Lord for His end-time purposes. My son ministered on the drums, and shared the heart for the youth at Rock Road Church on Sunday and that was a blessing to all as well.
We were honored by God to be with the family of God in Albany, and to be a vessel to help point the way to the heart of God. I believe DVD's and CD's will be available if you go to the IAM Headquarters link. I encourage all of you with a heart for the missions to go and read the whole website to get the heart and flavor of IAM.
At the end of the blog, I am going to post a vision and word a precious sister from IAM YOUTH ABLAZE received in September 2008. We had never met or talked to one another before. God put in their heart to meet me and me them. We just didn't know why. I went there to testify of all God has done in the youth. As I did, this sister wept and so did the others. I testified of 6,8, 10 and older and younger children were filled with the fire of God at our meetings. They preached, prophesied, and prayed as if they were seasoned veterans.
After I finished, she shared this word God gave her for the youth of the world. Then, I wept, for I am seeing this happen with my own eyes. This work for us began in Milliken Colorado in 2006 where we had a move of God amongst the young people. On Saturday evening at the tent meeting, I was called to preach a message about the refining fire. You could have heard a pin drop because of the Holy presence of the Lord.
When I gave the alter call not one adult came to the alter, but every youth came and the Lord said, "call down the fire." The fire of the Holy Spirit came, and they burned with God's presence and were changed before our eyes. They even began to pray the fire over one another with words of prophecy, wisdom and knowledge.
Unfortunately, much opposition and persecution came to them and us because of this. Many of them were discouraged not to come to get more at the meetings. Some were not allowed to come back to our meetings. The enemy tried to do all he could to shut them up and shut them down. Many leaders just didn't understand the flame of the Holy Spirit or they became threatened by the youth's hunger for more and desire to come to the meetings, I am afraid.
We are trying with all our heart to reach out to the Pastor's and leaders in each area we go. We
testify of what the Lord is doing in this hour. We are seeking hearts and hands to join with in seeing this flame of prayer, intercession, and this equipping flame of God, empower our youth and God's people. We just don't preach experience alone, but it's very foundation is found in the word of God of being filled with the Holy Spirit and Fire. (Mathew 3:11, Ephesians 5:18, Acts 2:4)
This fire puts a deeper hunger in their hearts to pray and read God's word like I have never seen, and they become ready to be taught and imparted to as disciples. We have seen that at our boot camp training sessions where more personal training can be done from the Word of God. We have shared with them that to much Holy Spirit without the Word of God you blow up, to much Word without the Spirit, you dry up, but the right blend of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit you go up and grow up spiritually.
Some places we are having more success than others in establishing relationships with Pastors and leaders. But we won't stop trying to reach out to those who will at least listen and have an open heart. I wish many Pastors and leaders could see how God has taken this flame of the Holy Spirit that was birthed for the youth and church in Colorado, and how He is spreading that flame from city to city and nation to nation.
Why am I writing this? Not to bring disunity to the body, but to bring a clarity to the present work of the Holy Spirit to the youth and the church. I am writing this as a call for us "ministers and Pastor's" to wake up and see that we are one family of God! I am writing this for us "leaders" to get out of the way of God and let Him set the youth on fire.
I am writing this so we as leaders will stop putting the youth in the OK corral of youth group, Sunday school first, and not find a place or allow them to be in our Sunday morning meetings as integral parts of it. We must stop thinking that putting on skits, or singing a song once in a while is enough for them. We must prepare them to preach, teach and pray as God the Holy Spirit moves through them. We have to teach them the Holy Spirit is not 6,7 or 10, He is the Almighty God in them and will pour through them if they will trust Him. Did not Jesus himself at 12 years old confound the wisdom of the learned leaders of the Jews? Why is entertaining them more important than the FIRE OF GOD that has come to change them?
We in the USA, have put the youth aside from us, and God wants them in the middle of us in worship and being with Him in the congregation. I am writing this to beg you to hear the voice of the Lord in this hour for his young ones. God wants to equip us as leaders to enable this young generation to be fire bringers to the schools, neighborhoods, cities and nations. He wants us to be the Joshua's that will lead them in to that promised land Jesus prepared for us.
Do we love the youth enough to let them be God's and not ours? Do we love them enough to listen to a message God is sending through many messengers to the church leaders in this hour and change our minds? These are the questions we must ask ourselves and face the truth of what we have been doing as the people of God to our young people. Our ideas were not evil, but we didn't realize how we took them away from the presence of the Lord in our midst. God is jealous over them!
Beloved, this flame does not just touch teens or is it for them alone, but it is for us adults as well. I have watched the fire go from the children to the parents and parents to the children in every conference we had. God's fire came at every building and church we were able to have our meetings in Hope Center, the 7th Day Adventist Church, Abundant Life in Greeley Colorado.
The fire came to Mercy Gate, the Spanish churches in Tucson, Arizona, and Better Life Church in South Africa. It was the same God, doing the same work, to those who had an open heart to hear what the Lord was saying to them. In one church in Colorado and another in Tucson, the whole atmosphere in the church changed and could be felt for days that many people testified of! There was an open heaven in and above those churches, why would we not want that?
Please Beloved Readers, ask God what He wants for the youth in this hour. Ask God what He wants for His intercessors in your church. Ask God, "have I been a hindrance to you with the youth and our intercessors?" Maybe then we all might see God's will from a different perspective if we could understand we are called to work "with God, and work "with" one another versus trying to bring everybody under you or "under us."
I know many people and leaders are fearful of people coming from the "outside" to their area. Of course there are false prophets and false ministries everywhere and we need to be discerning. But haven't we gone a little over board and trust no one now? Aren't we to know "no man after the flesh but after the Spirit?" But we won't even try to discern or we have become so spiritually dead we judge by the only thing we know, the flesh. Where is the Holy Spirit's power in our life to say "yes this is God or no this is not?" Why are we so afraid to see God uses someone else to help us grow in God?
This mistrust must go away in the household of God or we will truly lose out of the blessing of what it means to be a family of God. We as missionaries, have been accused of wanting to start a church, take people out of their churches and worse. Some leaders are afraid that if people come to our meetings there church will lose money because offering will go to this work and not theirs. Many believe, they (we) are not one of us (them) or if this work is even from God if "I didn't birth it. Some leaders have implied if you are going to do this in "my" area your work needs to be "under our covering."
Pastors, I understand that well. I Pastored over 22 years and I understand the responsibility we have to protect the flock. I understand we all need the finances. I understand that we want the people to work in our church. But what if God wants to give something to a whole church in a region like we have seen in Colorado. and now is spreading to the nations? Is not God bigger than one church or one ministry?
We don't nor can we take any credit for this work, it is not us, but God Himself. All we desire is to see is the hearts of God's people burn in love with Him and for one another. We desire to see the church grow up and come into full grown manhood, and for the youth to take their place in God for these end times. We desire to see every church become a house of prayer for the nations as the Word of God teaches us. We are being sent to help the local church come back to their first love and to pray 2nd Chronicles 7:14 for our nation. Is there not room in your hearts for the rest of the family?
But what is missing in the Body of Christ is the understanding of the"we" and not the "me." As missionaries, we are called to work "with" the local church. We have a work to do differently from the local church that can bless and strengthen the local church. In cities, like Tucson and Albany, God has so touched Pastor's hearts that the words "under us" never come forth.
They have joined together to love one another as Jesus taught, and really learn how to pray together. When they have seen the move of God where God has sent us, they have cried be "with us" and "us with" you. In those places God moves mightily for there is no spirit of competition. In these cities they understand the word "missionary!" Beloved Pastors and Leaders, God is raising up missionaries to our nation, to our cities right now. I pray we can recognize them and accept them. We are called to train and raise them up working with the local church to do so if they are willing? God is raising up an army in which we are all called to train and equip!
As missionaries, we are under authority. We have a covering! For us at Flame of Fire, it is International Accelerated Missions. We have a Pastor and Advisory counsel over us, like the local church, but when we are sent out, our mission is to join hands "with" and not be put "under" the local church, because we are the local church expression of missionaries on a mission from God! It is just hard to understand that He might send some intercessory prayer missions to your city or town in America. He is answering your prayers Pastors, to see the cities change, and to have an open heaven over your city, will you not perceive it? Are cities are filled with new age, witches, warlocks and worse. Why wouldn't God send out missionaries to help the local church in America, your state or city ?
In Colorado, a word came for us as a "regional church body" to repent of the OK Corral sin of what we did to the youth, and the youth came. He showed us that we dissected the youth from us by putting them into rooms and groups before even teaching them His presence and desire to be with them. When we truly repented of that sin, the youth came out at the tent meeting in Milliken. They came out to our meetings in Greeley. They came out to our meetings in Tucson. They came out to our meetings in South Africa. That proves that the prayer work done in this region was not just a work of a local church in that region, but a missionary work that needed to spread to every nation and church. All this from Milliken and Greeley Colorado, can you believe that?
In the region where God sends us missionaries, there are those in the local church who will be called out to be sent out as intercessory missionaries, youth missionaries to join with us to do this work. Some of the local church people in a region will be called to join the rest of the family of God in that region to pray 24/7 for that region, including all the churches, Pastors, and ministries in that area. This strengthens and unites us as one people of God. It is not a threat, Pastors, but a blessing if we can just trust God to do it.
In so many cities the Pastor's in the area understand that and release their people to do that work, even if that work is 100 feet down the street at a regional prayer center. It is not about keeping people in our church for the numbers roll or tithing roll, it is to raise them up to do the work of the ministry, isn't it? Why do we have to keep everyone for ourselves? Why are we so insecure in our hearts to trust God to arrange the Body parts as He sees fit. They are not mine, or yours, or any ones but God's. He is the builder of the house, the word of God says.
This is the message I preach everywhere I go, because God has shown us to repent of what we have done to the youth and the church. We divided the youth from us, and this needs to change. Milliken and Greeley Colorado were the launching pad for this youth ablaze for us.
In NY at our gathering of ministers, this word burned in people's hearts, they ran to the throne of Grace as God exposed the things in our hearts. What is wrong with that Pastors and Leaders? Can we not let God get the Glory for His work and not us? Can we not get out of the way and release God's people to be what God called them to be?
I want you to read this word of a revelation this sister got, who never met us. She never heard of what God was doing in our midst and test for yourself if this is not the present work of the Holy Spirit and the youth. If you are a Pastor who reads this, I pray you repent as we had to and may God open your eyes to see what we have done to them, and what God wants to do through them.
Let your church be a place the youth are fully welcome into the midst of the congregation to be who they are in Christ. Your church will be much stronger as God pours through them, and ministers through them to you and the people, just like you will do for them. Please read it for yourself and test it.
I know some will laugh, mock or even be scornful, because there is so much insecurity in God's leaders today that they have to "protect" the flock. We need great wisdom to discern that our protection is not a spirit of control,and we can't see it. Would you at least ask the Lord to search your heart? If it is control, this great God will lead us to brokenness and repentance, and we will be much stronger in Him for repenting.
As I close this blog, and getting back to the testimonies, I have put some of the testimonies you have sent me on our website to give God the Glory for what He is doing throughout our nation and the world. If you go to our homepage, you can click on the testimonies link to read what God is doing. Read the testimonies of Pastors, youth and others of what God is doing.
There are testimonies from Pastors and 14 year old boy and 17 year old girls, and everyone in between on this site. I pray they will encourage you as you read them, and ignite the flame of God's Holy love in you.
Beloved Reader, I will be on the road again going to the Burning One's Western Regional Conference in Greeley Colorado November 6-9, 2008. This is going to be an exciting and dynamic time of burning in the presence of the Lord and we will never be the same.
The Flame of God has ignited in many nations, and the wind of God is causing it to spread. Let God pour through you as a fire starter to your home, family, neighbors, city, state and nation. Come to this conference if you can, it will be life changing.
We will have the conference posted on our website shortly, but you can also link to www.ncrhop.org for more information. You can email me as well if you have any questions concerning the conference.
We will be teaching and sharing there, and bringing a FIRE BRAND Pastor from Tucson with us Pastor Carl Jackson who is the Director of Teen Challenge. This is a man of God with a word of "repentance and change" for the church of God. God has so burdened him for the church to come back to our first love and build with the Lord and not for him. You will be blessed by his life and ministry. I hope you can attend, it will be worth it and more. We are working at arranging hotel bargain rates now and will post these for you shortly if you come.
I should be writing a new blog in the next day or so about what God is revealing to me about Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice Presidential Nominee. The blog will not be political but a revelation of what God is doing in the Spirit. I hope to have it done soon, so keep checking.
As always please send us your prayer needs. Go to the IAM Center of Tucson link and find the prayer request form there and send us your needs, or just email me with them. It is of the greatest honor to pray with you and seek the Lord with you on your behalf.
May God bless and keep everyone of you, and yes, read the testimonies if you have time. Send me a comment or a question as well.
We love each and every one of you very much!
May God keep you in the palm of His love,
Brother Henry
Here is the word below:
As we began to pray for
Along with this great outpouring of God's Spirit, I also saw a great persecution that will come upon the children. I saw little ones, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11 years old being persecuted and martyred for His name sake. But through this great persecution I could see these children smiling and singing praises to the King. The children had such an unexplainable joy and peace, a peace that can only come from the Lord. A joy and peace that can not be explained, understood or rationalized among a natural thinking. It reminded me of the portion of scripture that talked about Stephen's persecution, all who looked at him saw that his face shined like the face of an angel.
There is such a pure line between children and the Lord that I believe the Lord wants to use this innocence and purity to do great exploits through the children. Children have such an innocence and trust in their faith, an innocence that is not muddled by life experiences or preconceived notions or ideas that cause them to question or doubt God and His Word.
I believe the Lord is putting a call out to the church, the ones who are older to train and equip these children where they are at. To know that their time is now and not in 5 or 10 years when they are older, but that God wants to use them at their young age. He wants us to encourage them in proclaiming the gospel and to be that voice in the desert. We need to encourage them in their faith to pray for the sick, to cast out demons, to raise the dead and to set the captives free.
I believe that along with this call, He is also putting out a warning to us not to hinder them in doing these exploits. We are not to treat them like they do not have the same power and authority that we do in Jesus. We are not to look down on the children and think that they do not have the same Holy Spirit, or to believe that they have a lesser ability in Christ and that they can not handle “these situations.”
We are not to push them to the back rooms, or to the back of the crowds, but instead, we are to invite them to be a part of what He is doing in our midst. We are to invite them to pray for those who need healing, to invite them to speak God's truth to those that are hurting and to allow them to experience His presence in the midst of His move.
We are to hear what God is saying, and I believe He is saying, “LET THE CHILDREN ARISE, LET THE CHILDREN ARISE.”
Received by Sister Jennifer
IAM YOUTH ABLAZE
Berne, NY
Labels: Word to the church
Saturday, October 4, 2008
A missionary tale: Love-bonds of intimacy.
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Again, it has been too long since I have had the opportunity to write. Truthfully, it has been a very difficult season of the Lord for all of us. The economy and the world situation is in so much upheaval that everyone seems to have pushed the "pause"button in their lives. Beloved, we must keep pressing through it all!
I recently was able to see the movie, "Fireproof" with Kirk Cameron. It was excellent, I encourage all my readers to go and see it. The movie was the testimony of my life and marriage, and the very lessons it demonstrates are the very lessons God Himself had to teach about intimacy and becoming the Husband He created me to be. In learning how to become a Husband to my wife, I learned (still am) learning how to be His Bride.
Our mission trip to Africa was such a wonderful and learning experience for all of us of these great truths.. Going to another nation, learning their culture and the way they do things is an excellent lesson for us to learn.We are taught "how to be missionaries' and to relate correctly to our host culture. This is most needed training to travel. Most of my missionary journeys to this point have been here in the USA ,Mexico and in South Africa. I learned a lot about the world and God' people by going to these places.
Though we in America do things much differently than most of other nations, there is still a common thread that is bigger than us learning each other's culture, diet and ways of life.That thread I have seen is called the Love of God, and a "Passion for Christ." That love and devotion for Jesus alone and loving one another is what allows us to overcome our cultural differences, lifestyles, etc.
God has such a sense of humor. He sends this fellow who has never eaten Mexican food growing up, except Taco Bell, to be a missionary to Mexico. Go figure! Can you could imagine what a "task" that was for me since I never ate real Mexican food before. I had to eat things I had never had eaten before like Menudo, and like most human beings found out, some things I would like, and somethings I would not and Menudo is one I do not like, SORRY! Enchilada's YIPPEE, DELICIOUSO!!!
What I learned was that it was OK to be human and not like a particular type of food and find one that I liked. I have watched some say to the host,"this is very good, and after they left, said it was awful." I will let you decide on that one. I learned to find the food that I could eat, and then I ate that one continually when presented. My host knew, I was sincere when I told them I liked the food, because my plate was empty! Being a missionary doesn't mean being a liar! It means to eat what is before you, but God knows what you can eat and what you can't. I learned that if I couldn't eat something, at least try everything. In this way I would learn what I could tolerate and show my gratitude for what they prepared. Even at times when we weren't always hungry, we ate some because our host prepared it with all the love in their heart for us. Plus eating together was a wonderful way to get to know one another in the Lord.
In most countries, our host would recognize what foods we were eating and began to offer us the foods that seemed comfortable to us. In South Africa, the Pastor even as we arrived asked us what we liked to eat. I guess that is what the gift of hospitality is all about. Love and hospitality take an intimate learning of one another with a desire to be a blessing as God has made us to be.. It would have been easy for our host just to keep serving us what they wanted, but they were observant, kind and loving in every nation I have gone to and ministered to our real needs.
They took time to learn what we liked to eat and found that type of food for us. I didn't sense a bit of complaining on their part, matter of fact I saw the love of God trying to make us know we were loved and cared for as family. I know when we have visitors come to minister at our headquarters, I and our team have always done our utmost to find out the "things they like" to make them feel at home and comfortable. We don't do this to get a reward, but because I and we love them so very much and want to bless them.
One of the things I have been blessed by is those who have come to minister with us have said, "you have made us feel like part of the family and at home." You see, beloved that is what love does! That is what love notices. The little things that mean something to you become a joy to do from the ones that are hosting you. I love to do that. When we have guest ministers, I like to leave them something special in their rooms, from favorite foods, to soaps, to whatever I can do to bless them.
I do this because they are a gift from God. I don't just do that for ministers, but I try to do that for everyone God brings in my path. It takes a lot of work, time and effort to really get to know someone, but if you listen carefully you may hear things they may say they like. Then it becomes love and joy to get them these things or do them for your guests because you know it would bless them. One of our missionary team members had a great fall before our trip and needed at least two visits to a chiropracter a week and a massage. We knew it was important for her to get in South Africa. The Pastor was so willing that he made the time to take us there and was even willing to pay for it for her in demonstration of that love. Doesn't sound like traditional missionary work does it, and it may not be. Our mission was to develop true and lasting love-bonds.
I have a little pet peeve and that is Starbucks coffee. I laugh with our ministry team in Colorado because I tell them, "Don't worry about feeding me, just please if you could just get me a Starbucks coffee, I would be so happy." I know it is a little thing, and I have surely gone without it where there are no Starbucks, but when someone would get close to me enough, and love me enough, to know that is something that makes me happy and does that, it really speaks to my heart they love and care for me in a "special way." This is "quality of love, not the quantity of love."
A cup of Starbucks is no big deal, but when someone knows that this is something I like and they get it for me, it speaks that this person loves me enough to know the small things that please me. I don't ever demand that, and what I said about the coffee to them was a joke verses food. But, it did let them know me a little bit deeper as to what is important to me and what is not.
I told some,in our ministry I am probably not the best missionary in the world. I have severe allergies, I have some medicals situations waiting to be healed, and some quirky things about me. I wish I could just dive in and be a missionary with "no needs." I have not yet have had to sleep on the floor, in a hut, or open air. I pray that if God leads me that way He would give me the strength to do it. I have hardly suffered compared to what the martyrs are suffering for Christ in other nations. These precious souls give up their physical life, freedom, liberty, and are tortured all for the name of Christ. My suffering is light in comparison. What I am talking about in this blog is LOVE'S EXPRESSION in the House of God!
As I study the word of God and read of Paul "s travels, I see him going to Priscilla and Aquila's home, Eunice's home and other places, and noticed how well they took care of this man of God out of love. In South Africa, this is what they demonstrated for us, and displayed this love of God to us continually. These precious saints gave us the best they had. Not that we asked for that, but they were so attentive to our needs. They listened and watched carefully on what we liked and needed.
From bottled water to fresh fruit and juices, they lovingly went out of their way to get them for us. Those of you who know me know why eating can be a problem for me, and I tried my best to eat what was before me. But because of a medical situation, I had to pick and choose carefully what I had to eat. There are foods in other countries that just don't agree with your dietary customs or ability to eat. I got a word from a man at home in Colorado, not to drink the milk while I was there. The Lord woke him up for him to tell me that. Now if I had "ate what was before me or drank it" after God told me not to, I would have rebelled against the Lord. Who knows what would have happened to me?
This put me in a difficult position, for I had to tell my host I could not drink the liquid milk. Do you know what they did? They went out and got me powered milk with the greatest love in their hearts. When they found out my medical condition in eating, they changed the preparation of the food to accommodate me. I didn't want to be a burden, so I did not tell them being a "good missionary." However; I have learned when you are a family those little things are not burdens but opportunities to love. Here in America, we always want to "break even, often to where it cost us nothing but our time." This is not intimacy, but work bond relationships. They function in our present state of the church, but they rarely change it to understand what love really looks like.
At our first national conference in Williamsburg Va, the people there were also incredible. They so took care of us as if they had known us all their lives. They helped with our stay, provided money for our food, and yes they even put out a full spread of food for all our team and all the people that came to the conference. Even after that, they attended to our needs. We went to one person's house, and they gave us a feast and listened intently at what God had for them. We were taken out to dinner and provided an offering as well. We didn't ask for these things, they went far and above in showing us the love of God.
In Greeley Colorado, the family there also has welcomed us as their own family. They always try to make sure our needs are met when we come to them and are so appreciative of the gifts God has given us to pour on them. We have had incredible outpourings of God's love even as they opened up their hearts to love us and one another. These are just a few examples of that love. Yet, beloved there still is a deeper specific and special love that God has for each one of us which is the reason why I am writing this. We can't put our missionary travels all in one box. There is the clasical missionary trips which pioneer new works at great sacrifice, there are building project mission trips and much more. The first work God asked me to do in Flame of Fire was to "establish the Kindgom of God in men's hearts and develop real and genuine love-bonds.
I know I still have a lot to learn about this, and I wish I could say I love perfectly but not yet! It seems only here in America these "extra" things become a burden for us to do for one another. It takes a lot of love and a lot of listening to really "know" someone and what is important to them. So it is with God. Have you ever wondered what makes Him happy? Have you ever thought about what His desires are? How about the things that bless His heart the most?
Unfortunately Beloved, not many even know they can know God like that. Most of our walk with God is based on what God can do for me. Who will take time to know the secrets of God's heart? We often think the secrets are prophetic mysteries of the end times, a present word of the Lord, a new level of anointing, answering our ministry call is what pleases that special place in Him.What I am trying to teach in this blog is this, finding the deepest desires of his heart and what truly satisfies Him from His perspective and not ours. Let me give you an example.
I am going to reflect back to a time when I got very busy "working" for the Lord. I didn't have time to worship Him on my Keyboard for a long time. Finally after a month or so, I stopped working for a moment and started to worship Him again on my keyboard with singing. I felt His heavy presence come upon me and I wept and wept. I asked the Lord, "why am I crying like this?" He answered, " I missed you playing the keyboard for me." Of course beloved when I heard those words, I really lost it then. I cried out to Him, " Lord I didn't even know you noticed me when I was singing and playing to you." He said, "that is what I love the most about you and it so blesses My heart." So much for more prophetic teachings, ministry, or new levels of anointing, power and place in God!
I found something much more rich and valuable to me and to Him. The love I was pouring out upon Him, satisfied Him more than all the work I was doing for Him. This was the beginning of my journey of intimate love. Like most, I often get caught up working in the Lord and yet His gentle tug brings me home to what most satisfies Him most. Just to show you that this desire is a two way street of intimacy with God, I will share another testimony from my end of the deal as well.
One day I heard the Lord tell me to go to San Marino's restaurant in Waterbury Ct.This restaurant was one my favorite places to eat Italian food, better than Olive Garden for me! I was Pasturing at that time and was very familiar with this restaurant because we had Pastor's meetings there. I felt for sure God was sending me there on a mission.
As I walked up to the entrance, I prayed for God to show me who He wanted me to witness to. As I was seated, I stared around the room and prayed in tongues quietly to see who God was sending me to. After 10 minutes I had no witness I was to minister to anyone at all. Then I said to myself it must be my server that I am to witness to. I prayed for God to give me something for her and I got nothing.
Now, I am getting very frustrated because I was not hearing anything from God on who to minister to. A moment later, the Lord speaks to my heart to order your favorite meal. I only had $15, so I ordered it with an ice water. I needed to leave the server a tip. As I wait for my meal, I decide to go to the bar area to see if there is anyone there God wants me to witness to, but I found no one.
I really thought I missed it now and was very upset. I got back to my seat and told the Lord I was sorry for coming there. I thought I really heard His voice in coming there, but I missed it. I did not finish those words out of my mouth when the Lords' presence drowned me in love. I became overwhelmed in that love, and I began to weep at my table trying not to bring any attention to myself. The server came and delivered my food and asked me if I was alright and I said yes, thank you.
As soon as she left, I lost it more and cried in my hands. I asked the Lord, "what are you doing to me." He replied, "Isn't this your favorite restaurant?" Yes, Lord you know it is. "Is this not your favorite meal?" Yes, Lord it is! Then why can't I bring you to your favorite restaurant to eat your favorite food and have lunch with you right here, right now to let you know how much I do so love you." I WAS UNDONE!
Some of you reading this, may doubt this is true. That is OK, you don't have to believe me. I know it is true. I have never felt loved like that in my life! My God loved me enough to know me that intimately! He desired to have lunch with me, and make me one with Him, while I ate my favorite food at my favorite restaurant! How is that for love!
I surely was seated at His banqueting table, and His banner over me was love" SOS 2:2-4. My God knew me like that, and this same God says, "love one another as I have loved you." Now, perhaps what I wrote about knowing one another, and finding the things that would bless someones heart, is a sign and a token of what true and intimate love really is! Then this teaching will make sense to you.
He could have taken me to Taco Bell and did the same thing, but Taco Bell was not my favorite place or food.. He could have chosen to give me what he liked to eat, if it were possible for me to learn that way. No Beloved, He took me to where I liked to eat, and gave me my favorite food because He knew me and loved me! I didn't ask for this, I would have been happy with popcorn from God, but this was to teach me a valuable lesson about knowing His heart and Him knowing mine. How can we truly say we love each other with out this kind of intimacy?
Many people have gotten me things they "thought" I liked or wanted, as a gift and I am very grateful for these gifts. Please don't take this out of context as if I would not be grateful. The word says, "eat whatever is front of you with gladness and thanksgiving. Amen! But how much more beloved, when a brother or sister prepares you your favorite meal without you asking them to do so? When they have done this I have asked them, "How did you know that was my favorite food or item?" They smiled at me and said, " I prayed and asked the Lord, and I listened carefully to Him and you."
There is a deeper blessing for those will take the time to know a person, and give the gifts that our special to their heart. This is what it means to be intimate with one another, and even more with God Himself. We can never demand these things and neither does God, but when you truly know someone, you know the secrets of their hearts.Then with the love of God motivating you to respond to their heart's desire, it becomes a joy to give these things to the one you love and it is never a burden.
I don't give my wife flowers every time I want to be nice to her anymore. I used to think candy and flowers were all women needed. I gave her gifts and she was grateful, but she WAS NOT SPECIAL! After a while of giving her the same thing over and over, she even lost that gratefulness because it was not what she needed or wanted. I was Stupid AYE!! I was not "intimate"with her, because I could not truly see her real needs or desires.
Now, I have learned differently. Today, I may do the laundry, or take her out for coffee just to let her share her day with me. She didn't need flowers everyday, but she did need someone who would listen to her heart and see her true needs. HUM! I wonder if we get a sneak preview into the heart of God's desire here? I wonder if God is looking for so much more when we come together on Sunday morning than 7 songs, 15 minutes of announcements, 40 minutes of preaching, 30 minutes of praying over people and then going home. I wonder if that really satisfies his deepest desires or ours? Just a thought?
Intimacy requires listening and learning the other persons deepest hearts desires. Why, because those things are what makes that person "feel loved and special!" For my wife, taking her for coffee and just listening to her tell me about her day and how her students did today was special to her. Imagine if I came home and said, Hi Honey, here is some candy and flowers. Today she may have had a terrible day with a student and maybe she needed to share that with me for prayer and councel, but I want to give her flowers. Maybe in our beginnng walk together those things may have comforted her, but now we are WAY PAST THAT, and what she REALLY NEEDS is a listening heart and a caring husband to pray with her. We must understand thatGod's love is special and specific love. It says in 1st John chapter 3:1 Amp. "See what an incredible quality of love that God has bestowed upon us, that would permit us to be the children of God."
Yes, I can show love by being a martyr and denying myself, picking up my cross and following Him. I could spend my last $10 on candy and flowers and say, "here I am honey, I love you." Yet in my "self sacrifice" miss the whole purpose and plan of what love really looks like. The candy and flowers surely was one way of demonstrating love, but in this case,it is not intimate love that knows what the other really needs!. I think to really love someone enough we must learn what makes them happy and what pleases them from theirs and God's perspective. This is the ultimate expression of intimacy and what love really is.That is why we are commanded to love our wives, as Christ loves the church and gave Himself up for it!
Love is not just a matter of eating what is front of you being a "good missionary without complaing, or even going without stuff." It is much more! It is knowing what is pleasing to another, and doing all you can to give whatever that may be in the love of God. If it is to sacrifice by not taking anything with you, than do that as He writes in Mathew chapter 10, the workman is worthy of His wages. If it is to eat only what is set before you with joy, do that. But you may find that the deeper love is finding out what the other could eat and preparing their favorite food, even in a foreign land. This is what we saw in South Africa!
When our hosts in South Africa found out we enjoyed pizza, they got it for us almost everyday (our favorites, not what they picked) with great love in their hearts. Their hearts were to find us food we could enjoy while we were with them.It was costly for them, and if this were a "typical" missionary venture you would probably be appauled at that thought. It may not even sound right to you. But our God, through out the whole time we were there, gave the Pastor of the church a miracle of supernatural provision of Rands for his needs and to take care of us!
But beloved, we didn't go on a "typical" missionary venture, we went to be family with our precious brother and sisters in Christ and establish love-bonds. This family of God in South Africa demonstrated that love for us and treated us like royalty though we never asked or expected that. It was humbling beyond words! God put this in their hearts for us, and He put it in our hearts for them as well to find out what made them happy, and to find out what their true needs were. The Lord instructed us to take them all out to dinner. The money could have been used differently, but the Lord spoke to me to take them out and let them know how special they were to Him. This was the beginning of a new day for them to see the favor of the Lord increase in their life and ministry.
The kids wanted to go to McDonalds. This would have been a bigger treat for them.So I asked the Pastor if we could take the children and them for a day at McDonald's. These kids were so blessed and knew that God loved them so much to do this special thing just for them. So much for "traditional thinking" here! Yes, the money could have done other things to help the poor or build something, but in this moment He saw their need. Their need to know that their God was a good God and wanted to give them a special gift from his heart. It was even their Son's Famous, (his name) Birthday!
We experienced this love and gratitude for us coming there like you could not believe. I am still getting thank you notes and testimonies of what God has done there. They are longing for us to come back and we are longing for them to be here with us and us with them. Beloved, What does love look like? Could there be even the slightest truth of God's intimate love in this teaching for you? Because of the love-bond God has started with us, with joy we can give ourselves up as He did to meet our spiritual family's true needs as God would desire.
Beloved, this is the real work God deeply birthed in our hearts here in the USA family, and in the hearts of our family in South Africa. We are now seeking God to labor together in this love bond relationship even to this day. They are our family, and we are theirs. Their lives are our lives, and our lives are theirs. They are for us, and we are for them,and God is for all of us! This is true covenant love-bonds are, and they must flow in three ways. God's love to us and our love to God, and then from that love, we love one another. This is love's greatest expression, and it is the true "unity of the Holy Spirit."Beloved, these are the relationships that God is developing in Colorado, Viriginia, New York, Arizona, Mexico and South Africa for us. Relationships based in the "quality of the love of God that He has bestowed on us."
I really hate the word "ministry" today. It makes me want to throw up. For most of today's ministry is work "without" God's love dwelling in us as found in 1st Corinthians 13. Most of what we do today could be seen by God as "useless clanging bells, having a form of Godliness, but denying the power there of." Something has to change, Beloved! Missionary work isn't just a helping hand, but a loving and lasting heart. It is the establishment of covenant love, God's love for us, our love for Him, and then loving one another as He has loved us. This love doesn't boast, it is not unbecomingly. It is not rude, proud, or even aware of itself or what it does. It is just love, God's love in us bringing forth the true fruit of the Spirit. Isn't that what covenant love is, or what love bonds are to look like?
In South Africa, I learned to listen and watch carefully. I noticed how much the Pastor loves juice, real juice, not our watered down kind. So when He comes to America, I am going to find the finest juices I can get. Why? Because I know He likes it! I am going to find the foods that satisfy him. Why, because I love him with all the love of Jesus.
Would I do know less for Jesus Himself? Wouldn't I ask Him what He would like to eat and prepare Him his favorite dish? This is what love does! It finds out how to lay down it's life in a pleasing way to the one it loves! Maybe this won't make sense to many of you. I found most relationships today even in the Body of Christ to be so very shallow, I am afraid. We may fellowship together and learn to eat together, but to find out what one truly loves and try to bless them is another thing.
Love is not just martyrdom alone, it is intimacy and knowing the Lord as He would want to be known. Beloved, I want to love Him the way He wants to be loved, not the way I think He does. I want to serve and obey Him from His idea of service and obedience and not mine. I am tired of giving God what I think He wants, I want to know what He wants. I want to know what blesses His heart. I don't want to bring a song, when He wants a tear. I don't want to bring a work, when He wants to be worshiped. I don't want to bring a sacrifice like Cain, when He wants Abel's. Nor do I want to do that for any brother or sister in Christ either?
You will find on our website many links to other ministries because I know that they are very valuable to the Body of Christ, but very few have asked us to link to theirs? In that little example, I can show you the difference between a work bond relationship in some cases and a love bond relationship in others. Now some websites are not able to do that, and for others that are linked to us perhaps God told them to have no other links on theirs. That is perfectly alright. It is just as bad to do something just for the sake of doing something. But to others who God has joined us with in love bonds, that was the first thing they wanted to do!
Why? Because there is a hunger to be a family in the House of God. The true family we are called to be in real genuine love-bond relationships. (Just a note for my dear friends and partners, please understand I am not asking to be linked to your site or speaking about you personally) It is just an example to explain the knitting together of hearts for teaching sake! A link to a website is not the only sign of these love bonds either. Some of our precious family of God througout the USA are linked together in other important ways as well that are not seen on a website, equally as precious to God. (Hope I have made that clear, that this is just a teaching point)
Beloved, Hosea chapter 6:3 says, "Let us press on to know the Lord, His going forth is as sure as the dawn . Let us find out what blesses God's heart, then He can teach us to love and bless each other the way He loves us. Only then can we establish true love-bond relationships.
Thank you Pastor Chetachukwu, your family, and church for loving as your family. For taking the time to truly know us and what our real needs were, and loving doing all you could do to meet them. I pray we showed and demonstrated that love back to you as well. May God continue to knit our hearts into His. and that we would become one even as He is one with the Father. These are the love-bonds that must arise in this last days. The love-bonds that will never break.
Thank you family of God in Colorado, Arizona, Virginia, New York for taking the time to do the same thing for us, and all the love you have shown us as well. I pray we will do the same for you even more in the days ahead.
I close with this truth the Holy Spirit taught me. "Work-bonds can never last, and Love-bonds can never break." Work- bonds only last as long as you agree to work together, you can break them any time you want. Love bonds can never break. They are not based on working together but loving together, even as I have loved you."
Your fellow bond-servant in Christ! 
Add your comments if you like to join the discussion!
Labels: Truths from South Africa
Monday, September 22, 2008
The unfolding Glory PT 1: The time of transition
Dear Beloved Readers,
I am now back from South Africa. I am in a time of great reflection of all that happened on our trip, and all that is happening in our nation and world at this present moment. In a time of great economic uncertainty for us in our nation and unrest in the world, what is the Holy Spirit saying to the church in America and in the nations.
Two days before my leaving for our trip, I had the most intense travailing prayer of my soul, I have ever had. The first day lasted 4 hours and the second was 7 hours. At first, I thought it was just about my upcoming trip, and the issues that God was dealing in my heart. Then I received a word from a brother in the Lord that God was having me in labor and was giving birth. I believe both of these were true in the purpose of the travail.
As I went upon the journey, I was able to stay focused on the task the Lord set before us and worked with Pastor Chetachukwu and the family of God at Better Life Ministries. God did so much in all of us and in the church with some incredible miracles in our midst as well.
I intended to come home and write about some of those experiences, but the Lord will not allow me to! There is such a urgent cry in my heart and a longing in my soul that I can't describe. Something is about to happen in our nation bigger than the election that is to come. Something spiritual is breaking forth, and as I ask the Lord what the labor pains are about, I hear a word in my Spirit," A time of transition has come!"
There is a hidden mystery about to be revealed to those that have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. The Lord is leading me to meditate in Romans chapter 7 and 8. There are some key verses of scripture the Holy Spirit needs to illuminate for us to consider in this moment in history. The Holy Spirit is revealing a doorway in these two chapters that correspond with what I have written in the "Anointing of the Moment." Romans chapter 7 and 8 represents "a time of transition" in our understanding from being under the" law of Moses" and the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."
I know many of you would say I don't live under the law of Moses, but the truth is that if if sin is still dominating our life and we are "trying" to fix or change ourselves or perfect ourselves, yes we are. This is the same lie that plagued the Galatian church in third chapter of the Epistle to Galatia written by Paul.
Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? Gal 3:2 This only would I learn from you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?
Many in the body of Christ are still struggling with the power of sin in their life, matter of fact I would say we all our. We all see the un-regenerated areas of our life, the areas where selfishness and self will prevail. Along with that understanding comes a hopelessness that says to our heart, will God ever finish the work He started in us? Will I always be like this until I go home with the Lord? What will ever take us from place where Paul cries in Romans 7:24 KJV, "Oh unhappy miserable wretch that I am, who will save me from these shackles of death?"
The following verses sum the portion of spiritual growth most Christians have at this present moment in time. Can you relate to this?
Rom 7:9 And there was a time when I was living without the law: but when the law gave its orders, sin came to life and put me to death; Rom 7:10 And I made the discovery that the law whose purpose was to give life had become a cause of death: Rom 7:11 For I was tricked and put to death by sin, which took its chance through the law. Rom 7:12 But the law is holy, and its orders are holy, upright, and good.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good, death to me? In no way. But the purpose was that sin might be seen to be sin by working death to me through that which is good; so that through the orders of the law sin might seem much more evil.
Rom 7:14 For we are conscious that the law is of the spirit; but I am of the flesh, given into the power of sin. Rom 7:15 And I have no clear knowledge of what I am doing, for that which I have a mind to do, I do not, but what I have hate for, that I do.
Rom 7:16 But, if I do that which I have no mind to do, I am in agreement with the law that the law is good. Rom 7:17 So it is no longer I who do it, but the sin living in me. Rom 7:18 For I am conscious that in me, that is, in my flesh, there is nothing good: I have the mind but not the power to do what is right. Rom 7:19 For the good which I have a mind to do, I do not: but the evil which I have no mind to do, that I do.
Rom 7:20 But if I do what I have no mind to do, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin living in me. Rom 7:21 So I see a law that, though I have a mind to do good, evil is present in me. Rom 7:22 In my heart I take pleasure in the law of God, Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my body, working against the law of my mind, and making me the servant of the law of sin which is in my flesh.
Rom 7:24 How unhappy am I! who will make me free from the body of this death? Rom 7:25 I give praise to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So with my mind I am a servant to the law of God, but with my flesh to the law of sin.
Most of us dear readers are familiar with the following texts found in Romans chapter 8, how Jesus Christ freed us from the law of sin and death for those who live in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Let us reread them for our discussion sake.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: Rom 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: Rom 8:8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: Rom 8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
The answer to the question Paul writes in Romans 7 :24. "Of who shall save me from these shackles of death" is none other than Christ Jesus. Romans chapter 8: 1-13 tells us how we will overcome this body of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet in so many of our lives this truth is a hope and not a REAL LIVING REALITY!
I have written extensively about the the "Anointing of the Moment" and the work that God is about to do as the OMEGA GOD, the FINISHER as the answer to this great need in the Bride of Christ. In John chapter 2 the wedding at Cana a miracle is done on this third day. A miracle that didn't heal anyone, feed anyone, or raise anyone from the dead. However: a miracle none the less that was prophetic of that which was going to be done in the last hour of time to His Bride. That miracle was nothing less than changing the nature of water into wine, and hasn't the Master of the feast said, "You have saved the best wine for last."
This is the moment that is about to be ushered in upon those waiting upon the Lord and listening to what the Spirit says to the church. Yet, so many of the Body of Christ are not even awakened to the moment we are living in. So many are like those 6 clay pots set apart for purification, but they are bone dry and empty. Those who have heard the clarion call of the "Anointing of the Moment" are being filled with water this very moment for a divine day of transfiguration. The transfiguration where the Lord will fill all the pots with water (perhaps the present revival of the second day) but He only draws out SOME!
The some are the "If any man be my disciple, the wise virgins, the bride, the over-comers!" These are those who have had their ears trained to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and have a cry with Him. The Spirit and the Bride say, "come Lord Jesus!" This bride is making herself ready as in Rev. 9:17! How do you know that the time of transfiguration or the changing of the water into wine is drawing near? That is a great question.
What would the Lord use as a sign to show us that the day is now approaching? I love the promise of Romans chapter 8, don't you as well? But, our reality of this scripture becoming flesh within us looks very slow and shows little progress in the life of believers. We are barely overcoming the day to day things in our life never mind overcoming the world. Yet, Jesus promises us that as He has overcome the world, so will we!
In the 14 verse of Romans we read a statement that stands out in the midst of the chapter and is a transitional verse of scripture between two places. In this teaching I am going to focus on the first part, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God!
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
This one statement is a statement that shows us the transition between where we are and where we are going. The first part of this verse describes where we are "as many as are led." This is the most important work the Holy Spirit is doing in the Bride to be! The destination of the many is to be "the sons of God." This represent the full grown man we are called to be in Ephesians chapter 4. This statement is also a key to understanding the "Anointing of the Moment." I want you to notice the tenor or tone of this statement. It begins with a declaration of a spiritual position: For as many as are led!
This statement is similar to the words of Jesus when He says, "If any man be my disciple, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me." As Christians we understand that salvation is conditional upon us receiving God's gift Jesus Christ as our sacrificial lamb as the means of washing away our sins. This acceptance of Christ as our savior and the confessing of our sins with a broken heart for our rebellion against God, allows the Holy Spirit to come and quicken our dead spirit to become alive to God again. This is called regeneration as most of you know or being Born Again.
A real Born Again believer passes out of darkness into the Glorious light of God's kingdom. He is able to "see the kingdom of God," as the book of John tells us in the 3rd chapter. That decision to repent and to receive Jesus Christ as our savior only allows us to see the kingdom, but possessing it is quite another thing. Possessing the Kingdom of God requires the full work of the Holy Spirit in completely changing our nature into the image of Christ.
That work requires a day by day continuous choice by us to give the Holy Spirit permission to change us through all the circumstances of life into the image of Christ. This is what we call sanctification. Justification (being made right with God) comes by the gift of God sending His son to die on the cross for us, and us receiving that Gift. Sanctification comes by our willingness to be changed from one degree of glory to another or picking up cross and following Him. This is what brings us to full grown maturity which is nothing less than the full stature of Christ. Ephesians chapter 4.
To become full grown mature Sons of God is to surrender to the maturing process that God allows in our life. This spiritual growth process is conditional determined by the choices we make through out the day. The choices we make in our life to choose God's will over our will in every single situation, every single day, every single moment of our life is what causes us to mature spiritually and there is no other way of growing.
Spiritual transfiguration requires us to literally pick up our cross and deny your will(wants and desires) and accepting God's will in everything, everywhere and at all times. The conflict of these two wills is what Brother Wade Taylor explains as what God uses to form a cross in your heart. The my will"(what I desire) comes in direct opposition to "The will be done" (what He desires).
Choosing God's will in our circumstances most often requires us to experience suffering, dying and loss. This is juxtaposed against choosing our will that screams, "fill yourself, save yourself, take care of yourself." When there is a collision of these two wills in our heart it forms a cross or a collision of wills. It is at this point we make "divine" choices. We can run away from God's will or make the choice to allow His will to form a cross in our heart, and pick it up and follow Jesus, or deny him and walk in our own desires and plans. This is what it means to pick up the cross in our life and following Him. The choosing of God's will above our will is the only way to grow and have real spiritual life! This is what will prepare us for the transfiguration to come.
This is why Jesus tells us that "if any man be my disciple, let him deny himself, pick up his cross, and then follow me." Oh the power of those words if they are allowed to possess your soul. It wrecks everything you ever knew of this world, for these words are not from this world but from the very kingdom of God.
Most of the believers in our nation desire these words to be their reality. Ask anyone in the church here in America if they are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, they would say yes. But in reality, are they really disciples?
If we would be real with God, I believe Romans chapter 7 would be our real life experience and testimony. "The things that I don't want to do are the things I do, and the things I want to do, I don't do." "There is another law working in my members, the law of sin that compels me to do these things, but with my heart and mind I want to serve God, but I can't!" (paraphrased) Wouldn't that be the truth for most of us Christians if we were to tell the truth?
Could you imagine if Jesus came back for His bride in this condition? Would this be a glorious church without spot, wrinkle or blemish? Would this be a bride all adorned in white? No, I am afraid we would be as ones that "just escape the fire." Who can save me from these shackles of death? OH! Thank God He will, Jesus Christ!
Beloved, something is happening right now in the Holy Spirit! A travailing prayer is starting to come forth from the bride and a miracle of transfiguration is about to be birthed. How do you know this Brother Henry? The Lord had me in travail for over 11 hours over 2 days. 4 hours of travail on the 1st day, and then 7 hours on the second day. That leaves us one hour short of 12 hours. 12 is number of Apostolic and the number of baskets left over.
There is 1 more hour to come, and that is what the Anointing of the Moment is all about. The hour and time of transition from one realm of reality of God to another more deeper reality. This reality is pictured in the miracle of Cana where water is changed to wine. That water would never be water again, not another moment. It would forever be wine, even the best wine for last.
Let us go back to Romans 8:14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God! This is what the Lord has desired from the beginning of our creation. That He would have a people who would be led by His Spirit. A people totally dependant upon Him and Him alone. A people who would fulfil the purpose of His heart.
For as many as our led leaves us two things to conclude. There would be some Christians that would be led by the Spirit and there would be some who wouldn't. I believe this is illustrated in the parrable about the 10 virgins. 5 of them were wises (led by the Spirit.) 5 of them were foolish. (not led by the spirit). I believe we see this illustration again in Revelation chapter 12.
Rev 12:1 And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; Rev 12:2 and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered.
Rev 12:3 And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems.
Rev 12:4 And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. Rev 12:5 And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.
I want you to notice two important points.
Point 1: In verse 2 "and she was with child, and she cried out, TRAVAILING IN BIRTH, AND IN PAIN TO BE DELIVERED!
Point 2: In verse 5, "and she delivered a SON, a MAN CHILD, who is to rule all the nations...
We will expound upon this in the upcoming blogs. But this is a sign and a wonder that is to come. What would water being turned into wine look like as a sign in these last days? This birth is not just of a child, but of a man child. Right now, beloved we are stuck in the reality of Romans chapter 7 though Romans chapter 8 is our destiny. Few now the power of the Holy Spirit to bring complete victory over the sin that is in their life.
This precious new life in Christ is completely victorious, and has totally won the victory or Christ would not have said," It is finished." He is the God who said, "Let there be light, and there was." So this finishing work of God will be completed, because it already is complete. He who has begun this good work in us, WILL BE FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT.
To those of you who can hear what the Spirit of the Lord says to the church, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God," This is what the work of the Holy Spirit is about to do in the wise virgins. This is the extra oil they will have in their lamps to go out and meet the Bridegroom at that midnight hour. This time of transition starts with TRAVAIL! TRAVAIL is the sign that this work is now at our door. The Lord had me travail for 2 days for 11 hours.
Do you remember Hosea chapter 6:1-3?
Hos 6:1 Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn,(travail) and he will heal us; he hath smitten,(travail) and he will bind us up.Hos 6:2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him.
Beloved reader, where is the man-child taken? Is he not taken up into heaven into a new spiritual place? This travail of the woman in Rev. 12 represents the whole church age giving birth to have one destiny to bring forth the man-child, the"many as our led by the spirit of God." This is what is about to come through great travail. So great is this travail that it not only touches us in our spirits and hearts, but all of creation is beginning to experience the travail along with us.
All the natural disasters, terror strikes, wars and rumors of war, financial instability are the beginning of the increase of the labor pains creation now is displaying. They are not going to lighten beloved, but they are going to intensify daily, weekly, monthly until this birthing miracle takes place. Listen to what Romans chapter 8 tell us of this travail not only of the "that as many as are led, but of all creation itself will travail.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings(the suffering is the travail) of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory(this is the transfiguration) which shall be revealed to us-ward.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation(for the whole earth is waiting) waiteth for the revealing(for the manisfastion, the making plain) of the sons of God.(Those who are led by the Spirit of God) Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. (For as many as that are led by the Spirit of God, these are the SONS OF GOD, the Man-Child)
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (This is what is now at our door step as the entrance upward in the Holy Spirit to reach our full grown destiny as full grown Sons! Eph.4)
Beloved, we must discern the times correctly! A Spirit of Travail is coming forth in the church. A travail that must reach into heaven! A travail that will bring forth the miracle of changing the water into wine and bringing forth our full grown maturity! Are you ready for this time of transition? If so begin to pray for that travail to be birthed in your heart to be the Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We will continue this teaching in the next blog!
Labels: The unfolding Glory
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Last Sunday in Johannesburg
Hello once again beloved readers. We wanted to post one last update before we travel home tomorrow evening. This has truly been a blessed trip, from the beginning the Lord showed us favor no matter the circumstances. It is now sad to be leaving but we know that the Lord made rich deposits in our brothers and sisters here and in us as well.
This morning was our last Sunday service and the presence of the Holy Spirit was strong, the word was strong, and the ministry went right to the hearts of the people. What was supposed to be a 2 hour service lasted just over 4 hours but there was no one who wanted to leave. We wanted to linger in the presence of the Lord.
After the service today we took Bishop Chetachukwu and his family out to McDonald's because that is where the kids wanted to go when we asked them what their
favorite place to go was. As it turned out is was Famous' birthday I think he said he turned 13 today. We celebrated it with ice cream all around.
We hope you have enjoyed our brief updates as the Lord has allowed us to post them. Please comeback and read the full recap hopefully wo be posted in the next week or so.Again thank you so much for you continued support of Flame of Fire Ministries, and the work of the Lord. It is because of your faithful support and continued, tireless prayers that we are able to fulfill the call taking the flame to the nations.
Labels: Missions
Friday, September 12, 2008
Teresa in South Africa
I have been so blessed to have the privilege to come on this trip. It is exciting to get to know my brothers and sisters on this side of the world. I have been able to hear their cry, the cry of the
need and afflictions and my heart is broken now I feel more compelled to intercede for then in a deep and special way. I have held the babies in my arms and that is a great privilege they are beautiful and precious I can't stop kissing them. It is like kissing the face of God. I am blessed blessed blessed.Thursday, September 11, 2008
Update from Johannesburg
Yesterday we had an awesome time with the Lord. His presence lingered and many soaked in His presence for a long time. There was one man that after our prayer time was over went into the prayer yard and continued to seek the face of the Lord. I am sure God deposited a rich blessing in him for his faithfulness and devotion. Then the Lord arraigned a divine appointment
for a man also name Henry. We were in the Bishop Chetachukwu's office and one of his former congregation members came to visit. During that visit he asked the Bishop if we might pray for him (he did this in their native language and we did not understand the request). At that very moment the Lord drew Pastor Henry back inside the office and started to share with Him about His journey to find the deep places of the Lord. As Pastor Henry spoke to Henry the Lord reveileved many wonderful things about His will for the young man's life, confirming what the Lord has already spoken to him. This young man was burning with the love of the Lord and the rest of the afternoon he was asking questions and really trying to hear all that the Lord had for him.Yes our God is an awesome God and He reigns on heaven and earth. There are many other stories to the Glory of God. Thank you all for your prayers and support. They have been a vital part of walking with the Lord to achieve His purporses. I encourage you to continue to seek the Lord with all of your heart.
As you read this may the love of the Lord fill you. May your be blessed becuase of your support of this work throught your prayer and finacial assistance. May the Lord return to you all that has been stollen from you by the enemy and may His grace shine upon you all the days of your life.
Labels: Missions
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