Why are we afraid of the prophetic?

   For many decades now, I have had a healthy fear of anything that smacks of ‘New Age,’ of ‘small s’ spiritual’ things, of what I saw as ‘wacky’ teaching, of sensationalism related to Christianity, or any form of idolatry. However, I have learned over the last decade of my faith that I have prejudged some Biblical truths as false teaching without in-depth study or even stopping to ask God what He thinks.. Some of it, God has shown me, is from my zeal for His truth, but some has been from intellectual arrogance and reliance on my own human judgment.

   Questions like, “How could this ever take place? “How could this possibly be true? Comments like “That’s ridiculous!” Declarations like, “God just doesn’t do that today!” Or…”who do they think they are, proclaiming themselves prophets?” I am ashamed to say these have been in my mind even if they haven’t come out of my mouth. God has humbled me many times in my life, so I thankfully am used to repenting and asking Him where I have gone wrong. 

   I have believed in and experienced the gifts of the Spirit since 1979. I have believed they were for today, not just to ‘get the church going’ at its inception. Yet somehow, it never occurred to me that God was still anointing people in the office of prophet, not just in Old Testament days. I believed in individual prophetic words, as described in Corinthians. I believed in aforesaid gifs of wisdom and knowledge. But it never entered my head that God was still speaking through specially anointed individuals in the 21st century. Yet why would Holy Spirit suddenly stop communicating in this way? Yes, we can each hear from Him individually, but in the same way that He has specially anointed certain people for healing, for deliverance ministry, for words of knowledge, etc., He has continued to choose people to speak to the Body as a whole. I have come to be so very grateful for these prophets ‘for such a time as this’ when God is doing unprecedented mighty works in the world, like bringing ‘epic revival’ and ‘a billion soul harvest’ and has called us to be a part of it. It is only relatively recently in the history of the church that we have had the technology to join together as a world-wide Body and agree in prayer and decree that His specific will for these times be done. Now it is happening…across denominations and nations.

   We musn’t relegate this powerful ministry to the bathtub of current false teachings. We must, indeed, check prophecies with His Word as the plumb line of truth and ask God for discernment. However, we must not reject them in a knee-jerk reaction of our ‘higher spiritual understanding, as I have seen many do.

   So, let’s take a look at some examples of what the Word says about prophecy and it’s ministry::

“ Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. —1Thessalonians 5:20 

Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.   —1 Thessalonians 5:19 

To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the ability to judge between spirits; to another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues; and to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues. —1 Cor 12:8-10

“And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” 1 Cor 12:28

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Ready to Ride?

 

   So much of the American church is totally ignorant of what is happening through the international Remnant of believers of Jesus’ Ekklesia, His Church. Last night, hundreds of thousands of believers around the world gathered to agree in prayer and declare and decree God’s will be done in the Middle East and in our own nations. Hundreds f thousands of others had no idea this was even taking place. How can this be?

   Fear of man, obliviousness, intellectual arrogance, innocent ignorance, and fear of what Holy Spirit will do if allowed free rein (and reign) in their churches, have kept many pastors and parishioners from pursuing what God is doing and desires to do on the earth. This has kept their congregations ignorant and out of touch, as well. This includes countless Christians who sincerely want to know and do God’s will in these times. It has also left many believers fearful and hopeless about local, national, and international conditions.

  Meanwhile, the Remnant church, beyond denominations, has zealously pursued the move of God in this amazing season., especially over the last 6 years. it is a privilege to be a small part of this awakened Giant. If you have been kept in the dark about the epic worldwide revival God is bringing …His Glory coming to the earth ‘as the waters cover the seas,’. come  NOW. Come as a church, come as a family, or come as one sold-out, committed soul. 

   This is not the time to sit around waiting for the end. Holy Spirit says it’s the time for a great harvest of souls, a time for the prodigals to come home, for the nations to come to His rising. A time where the revivals of the past will seem tiny in comparison to what He is doing now, through partnership with His Ekklesia. This is not a time of doom but of unprecedented awakening to Yeshua as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as well as Shepherd of His sheep.and Lover of our Souls.  A time of great rejoicing, if we will commit ourselves to truly BE His church, speaking specifically what He is saying, His Rhema Word. Speaking what He desires. Agreeing with His will ‘for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven.’

   It is a time of awareness of the evils which threaten us and the whole world. A time to stand up against them, to speak out. And take action. Yet it is not a time of despair. Rather, it is a time to be Warriors both on our knees and on our feet! A time to Ride with Jesus wherever He wants to take us, spiritual swords unsheathed.

If no one goes with us will we still come astride?

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More to come Monday: “Why are we afraid of the prophetic?”

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“Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little bit.” —Edmund Burke

“We must understand the power of one and the synergy of millions.” —Tim Sheets

“Some are famous, but most are not. Most are common, ordinary people who simply make a contribution to the cause, knowing that without their stand the cause will suffer. They simply do their part, even if that part seems minuscule. It may be a behind-the-scene part, but small as it may be they are willing to push forward for the cause.”

—Tim Sheets

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A good way to get. In touch with the international remnant church is to follow Elijah Streams, where you can hear prophets, apostles, and patriots. Elijah Streams is careful to vet those whom they present. 

Also, Dutch Sheets, Give Him 15 and Tim Sheets at Oasis Church 

Occupation

    

   Many of you know well of the time when Daniel prayed fervently for his people near the end of their exile to Babylon* (Daniel 10). Nothing seemed to be happening in response to his prayers and fasting, until finally Gabriel appeared before him and told him how God had responded immediately to Daniel’s prayers before he had even finished speaking, but demonic intervention had waylaid his arrival. 

   This morning as I was rereading this section of Daniel, I heard God promoting me to stop and see something new. In this passage. The word occupation came strongly to mind. Gabriel was kept occupied by the enemy so he couldn’t get to Daniel. Holy Spirit pointed out to me that the enemy of our souls does the same thing today in our minds and in our lives. If he can keep us otherwise occupied and distracted from connecting with Him, we won’t hear His messages of direction and encouragement or receive the strengthening He is sending us. 

   It isn’t that He hasn’t immediately responded to our prayers. His help has gone forth, but we haven’t put ourselves in battle position to receive it. Yes, thankfully we have angels to help us, but we must do battle, also, in order to receive what the Father wants us to have.

   Sometimes this means, in addition to intercession, the putting aside of various activities, entertainment, all-consuming worry, self-pity, lack of trust, or the demand to understand….to have answers to the ‘whys’. Occupation can take so many forms. The Lord wants us aware that these can all be ‘spiritual battles in the heavenlies’. We must treat them as such and fight accordingly, knowing that He is on our side. He doesn’t want us to be passive victims of attacks masquerading as busyness, soundbites, escapism, or simple distractions. Our very lifeblood, our very breath come from our connection with and trust in The Lover of our Souls. 

   He has also given us authority to fight powerfully, to fight effectively, and to win. To stand up, to decree, to declare what His Word says. Yes! But also to be still and commune with Him. To speak to Him of our abiding trust and love, and even more, to listen. I know this word just now was for me, but I share it because it may well speak to you, also.

   Yes, “the battle belongs to Him,” but it also belongs to us. Let’s ponder our part and not find ourselves passive victims by being ‘otherwise occupied’.  Let’s make it our first priority to be occupied by Him.

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 “You man so greatly loved, don’t be afraid. Shalom to you; and be strong, yes, truly strong.” His speaking to me strengthened me, and I said, “My lord, keep speaking; because you’ve given me strength.” —Daniel 10: 19

“Don’t be afraid, Dani’el; because since the first day that you determined to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard; and I have come because of what you said. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia prevented me from coming for twenty-one days; but Mikha’el, one of the chief princes, came to assist me; so that I was no longer needed there with the kings of Persia. —Daniel 10: 12-13

“Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world..”** [1John 4:4]

“For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.” Ephesians 6:12 

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+after the Persian takeover from the Babylonians

Abba’s Advent Calendar

   

 

   After Christmas last year, I found a half-price wooden Advent calendar with drawers our grandchildren could open each day in December to discover assorted treats.  I then purchased a Scriptural cardboard one to accompany it, so its true meaning wouldn’t be lost. When I gave it to them yesterday on Thanksgiving, my granddaughter asked me if the paper one also had candy inside the doors (as it had one year). I asked her, “What is better than discovering the Word of God each day?” She enthusiastically responded, “You know what I think is better, Nuni*? The Word AND chocolate!”

   This morning in my devotional time, I was thanking the Lord as “the Giver of every good and perfect gift”** when that conversation came to mind. How often I want His God and….   As the loving Parent He is, He does delight in giving us good gifts. His lifetime Calendar of drawers is chock full of blessings which He loves watching us open, His eyes sparkling, His face wreathed in a broad smile when we delight in and appreciate the treasures He has hidden inside. Treasures extending from tiny to life-changing. Divine appointments waiting to be met.

   He knows us so well that He never gives peanuts to those allergic or Mounds Bars to those who dislike coconut. Rollos surprise the caramel lovers, and coins are tucked inside for those whose piggy banks are running low. The specially-chosen peppermint that flavors the M’nMs, causes the child in some of us to say, “Lord, You remembered!” But of course He does. He knows us down to the roots of our (sometimes grey) hair, not to mention reading the longings of our hearts. To Him, we are forever young, forever His children, forever the ones in whom He delights. The ones whom He enjoys surprising with good gifts, even if we sometimes don’t recognize them as such.

   Let’s respond by flinging our arms around Hs neck in affectionate abandon. Let’s recapture our wonder, opening each drawer of our days in excitement and anticipation of what our ABBA has carefully deposited inside, tailor-made for each of us, His beloved children. 

   And while we’re at it this Advent season, let’s 

   “Fling wide the portals of your heart, Make it a temple set apart for earthly use and heaven’s employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy” —Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates, George Weissel, 1642

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*My grandmother name

**”Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. —James 1: 17 TPT

***”Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.” —1 John 3: 1 

**** It is said that ‘gratitude unlocks blessing.’ I know that ABBA often blesses before gratitude, as well. Let’s imitate our Dad and be lavish in giving our thanksgiving back to Him. Let’s also be lavish in sharing what He has provided. Because we can’t outdo Him, this in turn unlocks bigger drawers stuffed to overflowing….’over and above what we can ask or imagine’.