Report from USAA - Day 2, Session 3 - Tim Sheets

NOTE: These are my notes from the sessions. They are sometimes just bullet points or summary statements. If you want more information or clarification on something, please contact me.

Tim Sheets started by saying that “Everyone has a God ordained purpose.” It is vitally important that we understand it. Myles Munroe says that “the greatest tragedy in life isn’t death; it’s life without purpose.”

Tim's message centered around the fact that instead of expecting everyone "who loves God" to leave the secular world and move to the "religion mountain," we (as 5-fold ministers) need to be helping them identify the purpose God has for them, for their life, and then equipping them to fulfill it.

Tim provided the following statistics:
- 65% of our grandparents’ generation were actively involved in the Church.
- 35% of our parents’ generation were actively involved in the Church.
- 15% of our generation are actively involved in the Church.
Unless something changes …
- 4% of the next generation will be actively involved in the Church.

Christians stayed on the Religion mountain preoccupied with Christ’s coming instead of occupying until He comes. … We need to think occupation instead of evacuation.

God wrote your thesis before you were ever born; He had intents and purposes for you being born when and where you were. He gave you everything you need to accomplish your destiny – gifts, talents, and abilities. He then wrote your calling on your thesis.

Calling: a divine invitation to vocation or employment AND a divine invitation to ministry or service to the Body of Christ.

Jesus was born in a marketplace house. God wanted Him to have a marketplace mindset. His parables were marketplace examples: master builder, winemaker, farming – sowing & reaping, finding treasures, ranching, management & labor, family business, hostile takeover, observation & research before starting a business, venture capital in high risk investments, etc. The gospel is designed to work in the marketplace culture.

We need to embed the next generation on each of the mountains – trained in the skills they need in the natural [for their calling or vocation] and in the ways of the kingdom to help take that mountain for God. Remember, the 6% “Ruling Elite” control the mountain and the other 94% on it [and all the others that are influenced or affected by it].

Strategy
Tim had been praying for a strategy for Ohio. What he feels God gave him is a plan for each local church to work to send (at least) one young champion into each of the mountains. The concept of being called in spheres other than the church needs to be taught. Callings need to be identified. Young people need to be groomed [educated and equipped] to go into the sphere in which God is calling them.

If each of the 50 states raised up “just” 50,000 over the next 10 years, that would be 2.5 million young warriors on the mountains. Tim’s ministry has developed curriculum at all levels, starting with preschool, to teach the concepts of taking the mountains to all ages. (These are available for purchase from his ministry.)

Report from USAA - Day 2, Session 2 - Len Munsil

NOTE: These are my notes from the speakers sessions. They are sometimes just bullet points or summary statements. If you want more information or clarification on something, please contact me.

Len Munsil (attorney & professor of political science) felt the bias against Christians in the public arena early. At 20, as the editor of the school paper at Arizona State University, he wrote an article about homosexuality and the need for help for homosexuals. He also refused to publish the meeting notices for the gay & lesbian groups in the paper. He had 100 people picketing outside his office, with full media coverage. He continued to promote a conservative view both in the paper and in the very liberal school of law at ASU. He was one of four professed Christians in his law class of around 450.

Len says America is collectively suffering from amnesia of our heritage. Pres. John Q. Adams said that the Revolution had combined the bonds of government and Christianity. That was the worldview of our forefathers. We have lost that view!

The structure of our government is found in scripture – Isa 33:22. There we have the Judge (judicial branch), Lawgiver (legislative branch), and King (executive branch).

Chief Justice Joseph Story (served 1811 – 1845) was considered the leading authority on constitutional law for over a century. Books he wrote were used to teach constitutional law until the mid-20th century. His view of “separation of church and state” was that “Christianity should receive encouragement from the states.” Now, the course on constitutional law in most law schools focuses on case studies rather than on the actual constitution. Many constitutional law classes never require the students to actually read the constitution itself – only the briefs of arguments about it.

According to Len, we need to get past the lie that “You can’t legislate morality.” The law sets the moral line for a society. The Civil Rights movement was ignited by a Christian pastor to change laws that perverted morality. [Things that had been considered “acceptable” by society no longer were. The law cannot change men’s hearts, but it can (to some extent) change their behavior. At a minimum, it establishes what is “acceptable” behavior within the society.] Bad policy hurts people – for example, policies that allow abortion, pornography, or slavery.

God’s Purpose for Government:
· Keep peace and order
· Provide police force & national security
· Protect of human life (widows, orphans, weak)
· Provide justice without regard to race, gender, or wealth
· Collect taxes to provide for these limited functions
NOT
· Take care of the poor
· Redistribution of wealth
· Provide for retirement
· Provide all health care
· … and lots of other things they now do.

Religious left has concern for the poor & social justice – which is our responsibility, not the government’s. Religious right only engaged out of frustration (and sometimes anger) and were too harsh. We must realize that our political opponents are not enemies to be vanquished. They are hurting people. We oppose their policies and beliefs – not them. We are inexperienced in the legislative process.

Our responsibility:
· Resurgence in governmental prayer
· Increasing pro-life sentiment
· Growing interest in government & law among young Christians
· Growth in Christian colleges and worldview institutions

Footnote:
What’s happening in Arizona (where Len is engaged with others bringing transformation to their state):
In Arizona, they did a 21-day fast. Out of that, they declared a solemn assembly for 9/11/02 at the state capitol. To their surprise, 1000 people showed up. Arizona was in draught. As they cried out for their state during the solemn assembly it began to rain. The draught was broken. It was a turning point in Arizona. For the first time, Arizona now has a prolife governor and a prolife legislature.

About the USAA Conference

I will continue to post my notes from the USAA conference, but it will take me a little while to get them all out there. :-) There was some excellent teaching. However, I wanted to go ahead a post my overall take on the conference in general.

The messages were all great and they covered a breadth of topics and perspectives. Remember that the slogan for USAA is "Awakening in Our Day - Reformation in Our Lifetime." Hence, there was emphasis on both. We have to have the awakening for people to understand the need for reformation (as well as the belief that it really could happen).

However, the thing that impacted me, personally, the most was not the messages from the "known" ministers that were there, but hearing from some of the younger generation and those who are ministering to the youth of today. The intensity of these young people astounded me. And their cry was so different from our past generations.

The thing that we heard repeatedly from those in their 20s and early 30s was "teach us the way ... point us in the right direction" but also "allow us to do our part." Dutch Sheets shared how Rick Pino (one of Dutch's spiritual sons and an awesome worship leader if you have not heard him) said to him one day, "Put me on your shoulders, so I can see where to run." Selah!

The cry of his heart being, "I value the foundation you have established. I want to build on that. I want you to speak into my life and make sure I'm heading in a right direction." But, also, "I want to run the race set before me - for my generation to do our part and build with you."

Dutch challenged him to write a song about that. Here are the words to chorus:

Put us on your shoulders
So we can see where to run
We need each other
To get the job done

One of these young lions who spoke titled his message "Synergy versus Succession." That was their cry. They are not looking for succession - passing of the baton (get out of our way and let us clean up the mess you've created) but rather synergy - let us grab hold of the baton and run with you so we can learn what you know and learn how to run well. There was a deep cry for true spiritual fathers (and mothers).

I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face as I once again feel the impact of their heart for the God, their willingness to submit to discipleship, and God's heart for them and pleasure with seeing the generations begin to work together. God is a God of generations - Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.

The question is, will we father (mother) them? As one speaker asked, are we willing to be "inconvenienced" and, "at times, almost annoyed" by them? Will we let them hang out at our house, ride in our car, just be with us whenever & whereever they want to? Will we answer the phone when they call - or txt - multiple times a day? Will we truly let them into our hearts - as though they really were our (natural) sons and daughters who are allowed to do those things?

Will we see Malachi 4:6?

"He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."

Report from USAA - Day 2, Session 1 - Lance Wallnau

The morning session on Day 2 of the USAA Conference opened with worship, again led by Jeremy Burk. It was a deep, intimate worship where the line that seemed to be the theme was “This is no ordinary love.” There was also a period of time spent in crying out through song and other ways for God to extend mercy on this nation.

Lance Wallnau was the first speaker. He started by referencing the comments that had been made about Lincoln last night. He pointed out that Lincoln was not a strong revivalist when he was elected. He was shaped by the crucible in which he found himself. The situation within the nation drove him to prayer. Four months after the National Day of Prayer & Humiliation, the tipping point came in the war at Gettysburg.

Lance then moved into his message for the morning, which, of course, focused on the seven mountains or the …

7 Mind Molders

[Note: If you have ever heard Lance Wallnau speak, you know that trying to take notes is a challenge. He talks faster than Bill Hamon and while he does sometimes repeat his point, he never states it the same way twice. What follows are the notes I took from this morning, supplemented with points from previous messages I have heard from him along with some of my own thoughts or insights. Long sections of my “add ins” are in brackets, but shorter additions are simply woven in with the point. It’s my blog – I get to write it the way I want. :-)]

Lance first pointed out that Satan’s only power is deception. [This was a truth that God revealed to me many years ago and then substantiated for me in scripture. It is his only weapon. Yet he is good enough at it. So good, in fact, that he will deceive “the whole world.” (Rev 12:9)] Satan uses mind control to deceive.

Luke 4 tells us the elements to be mastered in each of our lives. Luke 4:5-6 talks about the kingdoms (plural) of the world and the domain in which they reside and their glory. Satan says he can give them to whomever he wills, which is apparently true since Jesus does not dispute his claim. At that point, Satan had dominion over all the kingdoms of this world – ruled the domain in which all these kingdoms reside. Jesus did not dispute his claims nor did He accept his offer. Jesus knew that he would receive the nations of the earth as his inheritance – legitimately.

While Jesus purchased back the legal right to these, most are still under the control of Satan and “whomever he wills.” Jesus is still intent on reclaiming (possessing) all of those kingdoms. Neither God nor Satan can move beyond the agreement of men. Satan cannot; God will not. How far either kingdom is advanced depends on the response of people. Jesus can not repossess that inheritance without us cooperating with Him to do so.

We need to understand that nations are part of God’s strategy. Satan seeks to suppress nations. God wants to liberate nations. The Holy Nation (God’s people) must get liberated first! Only then can we begin to liberate the other nations or kingdoms.

Kingdoms: Nations and spheres within nations (e.g. economic, political etc.)
Power: A remnant of people who dominate the spheres.
Glory: A liberation of the Church to show forth His glory. When the Church matures into fullness, God releases the fullness of the glory.

The Church has a kingdom to proclaim, but the kingdom is larger than the Church.

Kings (those who currently control each of these mountains) need to either be converted or replaced. We need to begin believing that.

We must restore the Church mountain to receive the Honor of the bride; the Family to Strength; the Education system to Wisdom; the Government to Power; the Media to Blessing; Arts & Entertainment to Glory; and Business to Riches (Wealth). Then the Lamb will receive “power and riches and wisdom and might [strength] and honor and glory and blessing.” (Rev 5:12)

The Church must transition to become an equipper for people to go out and possess their mountain. Someone will be at the top of each mountain – either a sheep or goat. If the sheep do not take it, the goats will! Israel was warned that if they did not “drive out the inhabitants of the land” then those whom they left there would “become as pricks in [their] eyes and as thorns in [their] sides, and they [would] trouble [them] in the land in which [they lived].” (Num 33:55) Further, Isaiah 2:2 tells us that the House of God is at the top (or chief) of the mountains.

Each sphere is sovereign. The church is not intended to rule over the other mountains, just as they are not intended to rule over the church (religion mountain). Each has its role – its responsibility and authority. The religion mountain is intended to affect each of the others by training people who are on each of those mountains in the ways of the kingdom. Those kingdom people then instill kingdom values and kingdom principles in each of their spheres of influence. In order to have sovereignty in a sphere, we need to raise up those with sphere authority in that mountain.

One signature of the kingdom is that it removes demonic structures from the house. When the kingdom of God shows up, the demons have to go. Kingdom people should be bringing freedom (deliverance) everywhere we go.

You have sphere penetration when you receive favor from someone with sphere authority. For example, David accomplished sphere penetration when he received favor from Saul. [Realize that favor can be a temporary thing!]

The secret to gaining favor is realizing that you are there to solve a problem. You first look to solve the problem. Only after you have successfully solved their problem do you earn their trust to be able to save their soul.

[Today there are LOTS of voices pointing out the problems in our nation or society – not only here in America, but in other nations as well. I believe we MUST get this point. We need to be reaching out to the non-believing world with answers to the problems being experienced on the various mountains – not just a finger pointing at all the things that are wrong. We need to become the solution people, not just the critics.]

You can move from a place of obscurity to a place of sphere preeminence in a moment, if you have had proper preparation – even if that preparation is with “just a few sheep.” (See 1 Sam 17:28 where Eliab rebukes David for inquiring about the challenge from Goliath asking him “And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?”)

When David went out to meet Goliath, he knew he had to deal with “the head issue.” He hit Goliath in the forehead and knocked him out. He then cut his head off. He could have done any number of things. Once he was knocked out, he could have run the sword through his heart or bowels. But he dealt with “the head issue.” When David did that, it also broke the mind control off the Israelites, and they ran out to route the rest of the enemy camp.

We need to understand that favor is often just part 1 of the message. Part 2 of the message can be backlash. The biggest backlash will come from the religious spirit of those who are threatened by what you have done. David felt the backlash! Saul would one minute love him and the next try to pin him to the wall with a spear. [Usually it is the very ones that we use our gifts and abilities to help (often at their request) that then turn on us the worst. When they are “in their right minds” (not under the mind control of deception), like Saul with David, they will admit we have only done good towards them and ask forgiveness. But, when the mind control settles back upon them, we are once again having to duck to dodge the spear. We have to realize that they are acting out of their insecurity. Instead of viewing the gifts or abilities that we have as an asset to complement theirs, we become viewed as a threat because we were able to do something that they could not. This situation is often worsened if those around the situation compliment (or praise) what we have done to the insecure leader. “Saul has slain his thousands, but David has slain his tens of thousands.” We have now, unknowingly, become a threat to the security of “their” kingdom. This is especially sad in that we were sent there by God to help “secure” the kingdom for them!]

When we experience sphere overlap we get to what the military terms forced multiplication. An example of this would be when the “kings” or sphere elites from the business realm finance the use of the media to promote a particular political agenda. Here we have three spheres working together to accomplish a goal, resulting in a synergistic multiplication of efforts. The world understands this. Islam understands this. In Islam, a successful businessman is expected to fund a mosque or a training center or something of that sort. If a Christian businessman tries to do the same, he is viewed with suspicion. Likewise, Islam constantly mixes religion and government. If a Christian runs for office, they are critiqued on their religious views rather than on their knowledge and capabilities for the office for which they are running.

We need to begin to raise up a generation that will move into these mountains in a stealth mode – under the radar. We need Remnant Elites in each of the mountains.

When we begin to have emerging democracies (such as in the Soviet Union and the countries that had been part of the Soviet block or in some of the emerging African nations), we did not address the corruption that was present at the top of the government and the top of the financial sector. Failure to deal with these “ites” caused the failure of the fledgling democracies. Further, the message of salvation that we have brought to these nations, has impacted them adversely. For example, in Africa, we have a growing disparity between the rich and the poor. That is because of our doctrines of benevolence of caring for the poor rather than stamping out systemic poverty.

So, what do we need to do? We need to identify the current elites at the top of each sphere. Wallnau suggests identifying the top five (5) in each sphere. We need to be praying for them. If they are not believers, we need to pray for their conversation and the conversion of their households (spouse, children, and those under their sphere of influence). We need to pray them into the kingdom or at least to a place of working with kingdom principles or pray them out of position. We also need to identify and be praying for the emerging elites.

We need to understand and employ the concept of micro-churches. These are groups that are formed for a particular assignment. It is through these that we will mobilize the kingdom elites. An example of this is the Clapham group that was formed by John Thornton and led by William Wilberforce in the late 1700s / early 1800s. This group changed not only England but the world. They had sphere elites from all seven mountains and knew how to link forces to get the force multiplication factor working for them to blitz the people with information and education to bring about a change in thought on a matter. They not only ended slave trade, but slavery itself in Great Britain and then in other nations. They even influenced many in America, including Pres. John Q. Adams.

We are beginning to see the emergence of “cross-functional apostles.” These are apostles who can work with those in the other spheres. Not all apostles have been able to do that. These apostles can activate saints to go and possess their inheritance in the other mountains.

We have to learn how to apply kingdom principles in a covert way. Once there is acceptance and buy-in to the principles, then (and only then) can we deal with the souls. Solve their problem. Gain their trust. Then they are willing to hear what you have to say about your God.

Report from USAA - Day 1 - Robert Henderson & Dutch Sheets

Tonight was the first session of this year's United States Apostolic Alliance (USAA) National Conference in Colorado Springs. For those not familiar is the USAA, check out the link. They summarize their vision and mission in the following statement: "Awakening in Our Day - Reformation in Our Lifetime." Hence, the conference is focused on hearing the strategies of God to bring these things to pass.

The meeting was kicked off with an extended period of worship that was some of the best I have been in for a while. Once worship leader Jeremy Burk "found the vein," he stayed in it and the press into the heavenlies was awesome as we continued to cry out Holy, Holy to the Lord.

Robert Henderson - Lessons from the Potter's House

Robert Henderson followed that with a brief teaching from Jeremiah 18:1-4.

"1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: 2 'Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.' 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make."

His primary point was that God will bring reformation through vessels that have been marred, but allowed God to "make them again" into another vessel, as seems best to Him. He pointed out that the vessel was not marred due to a lack of skill of the potter, but rather due to the deficiencies (impurities) within the clay. Still, the potter did not discard the clay; rather he reshaped it into a different vessel that was still useful and could fulfill its purpose. He then shared four (4) points to answer the question, "How does God use marred vessels to bring Reformation?"

1. We must realize where we came from - that we each have our areas of deficiencies (imperfections).


2. We must understand that the Potter (God) can take the good that is in the clay (us) and re-form us into something of use and value.


3. We must get positioned to hear from God. Jeremiah had to go to the potter's house. Once there, God, Himself, "caused" Jeremiah to hear His words. If we are not in the appropriate place, we will not be able to hear God speak.


4. We must become instantly obedient. (See verses 7 & 9 where God says, "The instant I speak.") We can not hesitate or "continue to pray" over a matter once God has spoken. We must learn to act immediately, when God says to do so.

Dutch Sheets - Time for Action

After a few opening remarks, Dutch Sheets brought the message for the evening. I will digress to share some of his opening remarks.

Two statements that particularly caught my attention were: "You can be left-brained and be prophetic. You can teach and be prophetic." Those who know me well, will know why I am delighted that others are finally figuring that out!

He stated very clearly that it is time that we, the Body of Christ, put the grief (including the hope deferred and the disbelief) of this past election behind us.

He expressed the fact that he could, genuinely rejoice for the healing that had been brought to many African-Americans by having an African-American elected as our President. Unfortunately, it was not one that shares our values and beliefs. (Those are my words, not a direct quote.)

Nonetheless, "It's time to put the past behind and focus on the moving forward." He shared a dream (or vision) that one of the state leaders had recently that involved someone trying to drive a car while looking constantly in the rear-view mirror. You cannot steer where you need to go when you are totally focused on where you have been. It's time to get our focus back on the road ahead of us. With that directive, he began to do that.

Cindy Jacobs had called him today with a word for the meeting for tonight. She had been reading in a book by Derek Prince and had come across his reference to Pres. Abraham Lincoln's having appointed a National Fast Day. Dutch read us the following:

"Senator James Harlan of Iowa, whose daughter later married President Lincoln's son Robert, introduced this Resolution in the Senate on March 2, 1863. The Resolution asked President Lincoln to proclaim a national day of prayer and fasting. The Resolution was adopted on March 3, and signed by Lincoln on March 30, one month before the fast day was observed."

The USAA conference started on March 30. According to the word of the Lord through Cindy, the USAA conference had been delayed (it was originally planned for a different week) in order for it be held on March 30 - and that Dutch was to decree the beginning of healing in this nation.

Lincoln's proclamation (as written by the Senate) is too long to quote fully here, but take the time to read the entire statement. You will see that other than not being in the middle of the Civil War, it is equally applicable to this nation today. The proclamation was a call to "set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation" because of the condition of the nation. In part, it states,

"And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. ...

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

"It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."

By signing this proclamation, Pres. Lincoln did "designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. "

As an apostle to this nation, Dutch has called for "a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer" this April 30. (Interestingly, April 30 of this year is also a Thursday.) I, personally, urge all who want to see reformation come to this nation as well as to the Church to join in on this day of prayer and fasting. We realize that it is just a few days before the National Day of Prayer - but this is a matter of God's timing, not man's. And, following what Robert Henderson taught earlier in the evening, when we hear God, we must obey.

From that point, Dutch said God had pointed him back to the prophetic words given at the "Starting The Year Off Right" conference (held each Jan 1-3 in Denton, TX) after his message there. In that message, God had given him "the first half" and told him to preach "the first half" and then call certain of the prophets to then prophesy "the second half." As he looked back over a transcribed copy of those words, God told him to re-read them tonight and then have certain people pray into each of those words, which he did. Each of the words to too lengthy to even begin to take it all down. Following are the titles he gave to each one and a brief recap of the word and the key point that was prayed over it tonight. [Note: The recaps are from the notes I took. They may not be totally accurate to the original wording.]

1) The Jacob Generation & the Josiah Reformers - We have been a generation of supplanters, deceivers, who did not deal rightly with one another. God is raising up Josiah reformers. The children will be a hidden weapon in this nation. Revival is coming to the children. Though we have not believed it, God is saying, "I am coming to visit your schools. I am coming." These reformers will tear down the altar of humanism. God is going to visit the 8-year-olds (which was Josiah's age when he became king). "The sign is flashing in the heavens for a time of visitation." [Note: The word used for "visitation" in the New Testament is the same word translated as "bishop" and means "to watch over, look after, cover or oversee."] The prayer centered around release for the children to come forth and begin to understand their role and take their stand for righteousness.

2) The David Generation & the Kingdom Generation - Many have been in hiding, as David hid in the cave of Adullam. These are those that religion does not know what to do with them; those that tradition does not know what to do with them. God said, "I will bring them forth for they hae a vision of My kingdom." They were willing to stay hidden in the cave until God brought them forth. God is saying to them, "Arise knowing that you were born for such a time as this." God said, "By the 8th month, the 12th day, I will bring a change" that the government and political system cannot stop. "Get ready. I am releasing your marching orders." Some key issues from the prayer was repentance for putting the kids in "the back of the church" (children's church) instead of training them in worship and ministry and a call for the Esthers to link up with the Mordacais to work together across the generations to bring about the reform. The word was that this was to be a three-generational movement.

3) The Melchizedek Spirit & Kingdom Warriors - It is a day to engage in the battle. That which is to be birthed requires intercession equally as intense. Angels of the Most High God are dismantling governing structures of the enemy. These warriors will be "fearless in the face of the mockery of the enemy's camp." The giant that has ruled this nation will fall. The enemy will free the sound of faith, the sound of righteousness, and the sound of the Word of the Lord. "I see fire on the east coast. I see fire on the west coast. I see floods in the [middle of the country]." The Lord says, "America, you have not completed your destiny." The prayer centered around calling for the release of these kingdom warriors and for them to arise and fight for their nation, their city, and the Church.

4) The "Covenanteers" - Sharon Stone indicated she kept wanting to use the word "reformer" and God was saying "Covenanteers" - those who were in covenant. "A fresh covenant is released when it is a day that people understand defining choices." There will be a release based on craving the presence of God. He will cause a "hero's spirit" to rise up in those who crave His presence. There will be a release of a promise to bring forth a national destiny that is not yet fulfilled. "By the 9th month, the 12th day a new cycle will begin." God's presence and His glory will be seen not just in the "churches" but on the streets. There will be "risks [taken] that will produce proactivity of destiny rather than only a vision of destiny." There will be "suddenlies" that will be signs and wonders in the land. "I have some strategies to initiate reform that accelerates you engaging your community and sphere." The prayer proclaimed an announcement to the Body of Christ to "come out of the pain of personal lose and pursue to overtake and recover all" as David did at Ziklag. A shifting was decreed, for strategies from heaven that would shift and move a nation. The "covenanteers" are the ones carrying the covenant - just as the priests bore the ark of the covenant on their shoulders. We, the covenanteers, must step out into the Jordan, even though it is at flood stage (and doesn't look like a good time to cross) and watch God perform the miracle to lead a nation across and into the promise.

WOW ... and this was just the first service!

A Season of Change

We here in the U.S. know how the mantra of “Change” resonated with the masses, even if they didn’t know what was going to change or how. On the other side of the ballot was a pair who labeled themselves as “reformers.” That message also resonated with their supporters.

Why?

Why is it that people who normally prefer the “don’t rock the boat” philosophy suddenly embrace the idea of turning it over and forcing everyone to “get involved” in the process – swim or sink!

Why? Because we have entered a season of change.

Like it or not; embrace it or fight it; things are changing.

What is changing?

In the U.S., the first answer is “the Administration.” Technically, it is the executive branch of our national government – the president and his cabinet. (There is also some change within our legislative branch – the Congress.) The fact that this is changing is not new. It happens at least every eight years, and, potentially, every four. This time, however, there is the “feel” of a much more drastic shift than we have previously experienced.

The current changes in the economy is not restricted to the U.S. It is much more widespread. While the U.S. is going through everything from the housing crisis to the potential meltdown of the “Big Three” automobile manufacturers, both Europe and Asia are experiencing their own economic challenges.

Other major cultural shifts are also occurring in both the U.S. and other western countries. The vocal minority is managing to exert the political influence needed to cause laws to change to empower behavior and agendas with which the majority do not agree. This runs the gambit from the legalization of same-sex marriage in various states in the U.S. to the legalization of the execution of Islamic Sharia law in parts of the United Kingdom.

I could spend pages enumerating the issues that are having negative impact on our societies and seem to be moving us further and further from godliness and righteous rule. For those with a theological view that things will continue to get worse and worse until God finally snatches us out of here to save us, it might seem that the end is near. I’m hearing more and more people say, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” It seems as though they are simply waiting to leave – and hoping it won’t be too much longer.

Not me. I know that (among other things) Christ is held in the heavenlies until His enemies are made his footstool (Hebrews 1:13) and until “times of restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21). Since neither of those things have yet happened, He cannot yet return. So, instead of retreating and waiting on the evacuation, I’m sharpening my sword.

Those of us with a different understanding of scripture also have a different view of the current situation. Rather than being ready “to throw in the towel” or to hunker down to “hold the fort” while we wait for God’s emergency airlift to evacuate His people from the planet, we’re sharpening our swords and trying to “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Hebrews 12:12). We know that while “the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people” that “the LORD will arise over [us], and His glory will be seen upon [us].” (Isaiah 60:2)

Change is not just coming to the secular world.

Change is also coming to the Church.

God is restoring the revelation of the true message of what the Kingdom of God is about. As we begin to understand, embrace, and walk out that message, we know that we will begin to take back the territory we have allowed the enemy to take. We know that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us. (Matthew 16:18) We know that gates don’t move (or at least not easily!); they are stationary. We have come to understand this passage means we storm those gates and take the territory that the enemy thought was protected behind them. It is time we go on the offensive and invade his territory to reclaim it for the Kingdom of God. How else will we ever reach the “times of restoration of all things”?

What territory do we need to recover for the Kingdom?

First, we need to retake any real estate the enemy still holds within the soil of our own heart or mind.

Then we need to pull down any strongholds he has built within our families, in the lives of those we love or with whom we have covenant relationships.

Then the territory under enemy control in our businesses, places of work, neighborhoods, stores or restaurants we frequent or anywhere “[our] foot shall tread” (Joshua 1:3) must be recovered.

Finally, we need to reclaim those areas within our governments – at all levels including city, county, state and national governments – that are not functioning under principles of the Kingdom of God.

How?

There is much teaching and training to be be done here. Let me boil it down into a very brief summary for you to think upon.

We must understand what it means to be “kings and priests” – and start functioning in both roles here and now in this present age. If we are going to impact our world, we must do as Hebrews 6:5 tells us. We must taste “the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.”

We need to be able to access heaven to see the solution to earth’s problems and bring that solution into the earth realm. Then and only then will God’s will be done on earth (here and now) as it is in heaven (as we look into the heavenly, eternal realm and see it).

Then “the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” And then, “the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:2-3)

Why will the Gentiles come to your light? Because you have light and they don’t.

Why will kings come to “your rising”? Because you have the answers to the problems they could not solve.

When we begin to access heaven (from our priestly position) to bring heaven’s solutions to earth, then we will begin to rise upon our mountain and displace the kings who currently rule there (establishing our kingly position).

Selah!

lessons from Narnia – part 3

In lessons from Narnia – part 1 and part 2, we have discussed five lessons:

1. Impatience is costly.
2. Failure to deal properly with personal trauma will knock you off course.
3. Talking with the enemy will cause you to lose your advantage.
4. Disunity will set you up for deception.
5. When you don’t finish the job, you allow room for the enemy to work.

In part 3, we will wrap this series up with two additional lessons.


6) God is waiting for us to engage Him in our battle.
When Lucy finds Aslan, he has been waiting for them to come for him. He is well aware of the situation and their need for him. However, he was waiting for them to come to him to ask for his help rather than him simply coming to their rescue. This is consistent with what we are told in Jeremiah 29:11-13.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

While God’s plans for us are good ones, He waits for us to seek after Him to obtain them. It wasn’t until Lucy went searching for Aslan with all her heart and all her strength that she found him. And it wasn’t until she found him that he “listened” to the cry for help she brought from the others. He began to fight on their behalf immediately. Even before he arrived at the scene of the battle, he engaged the trees and elements of nature to fight for Peter, Edmund, Susan, Caspian and the Narnians.

This may seem like just part of the tale spun by Lewis in his writings, but the Bible records the fact that the elements of nature do sometimes align themselves to assist God’s people in their battles, as well as God, Himself, “getting in on the act.” Following are a couple of examples.

“And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword. Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.” Joshua 10:11-13 (emphasis added)

“And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” Exodus 14:19-29 (emphasis added)

I just love the stories where God gets into the fight!


7) The enemy always underestimates God.
In 1 Kings 20:23, the servants of the king of Syria reasoned that “Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they.” Of course, that was not true. In fact, according to scripture, God took the accusation personally and it ensured their defeat!

The Telamarines similarly argued that if they crossed back over the river, they would be able to defeat the Narnians. The scene that follows reminds one of the Egyptians pursuing the Israelites – though this time the Telamarines are fleeing before the Narnians. It is here that the Telamarines come face to face with Aslan and realize that he does exist, that he is fighting against them, and that his power is definitely greater than their power. Any time we encounter God “face to face” we will always be reminded of Who He truly is.


As stated at the beginning of this series, these are just a few of the truths that C. S. Lewis wove into the story and that were portrayed in the movie. I trust you have found some nugget of truth in this series. If so, Selah, “think on these things” – and on other Simple Truths from the Word of God.