Archive for the ‘Prophetic’ Category

The End of “Unlove” – The “Day of the Lord”

Posted: January 12, 2012 in Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching
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Probably all of us are feeling an intensification of the shift taking place in our world as it comes into the next season or phase of the major transformation God is bringing in our world. This article follows the previous one on “The Transformational Love of God,” and deals with the transformation of a world without love to a world ordered by the love of God.

“Unlove” is the absence of God and His love.

Life in the fallen world is based in and derived from unlove. Every aspect of natural man’s life in the fallen world is guided by the ways of unlove.

Mankind is designed to abide in God and God in him.

Great emptiness characterizes the lives of people whose inherent need for God’s love is unfulfilled.

The neediness in mankind can never be fulfilled without the continuing experience of the reality of God’s love filling our lives by the Holy Spirit.

Man’s desperate need for more and more of something to fill the emptiness without God leads to inordinate affections such as lust for romantic activity, substance addictions, depression, and other negative disorders, including things such as, competition, greed, strife, fear, pride, and every negative, stressful, destructive force known to man. The entire world becomes filled with disorder and strife. War is everywhere as people compete against one another. People fall into bondage to inordinate sex, drugs, alcohol, religious deception, and many other entanglements in an attempt to satisfy the emptiness of unlove. All of the problems of the world stem from the basic lack of God’s love in mankind.

Husbands and wives fight and divorce. Employees strive against and deceive employers. Employers exploit employees. People climb over one another in a competitive effort to attain a higher position. Customers strive with merchants and merchandisers take advantage of customers. Law enforcement fights with criminals in an attempt to enforce thousands of laws enacted in an attempt to control the deceit and violence of the people. The whole world becomes a battlefield.

Everything in business and all of life revolves around trying to get more while giving the least possible to get it. Even the highest of charitable human motives are mixed with hypocritical values of “What’s in it for me?” All this and much more exist because of the lack of love abiding in mankind.

Are you beginning to see how that God’s love in man can alleviate needs and stop strife in the world? No more wars, no more crime, and, eventually, no more sickness, no more disease. Some would say, “Yes, but it is not possible for man to love and live this way,” and they would almost be right, if Jesus had not come.

Jesus made a way where there was no way. He provided all that is needed for us to be fully redeemed into life in God and His love. Christ Jesus did what others did not do and lived as one with God in the Holy Spirit. The GOOD NEWS is that Christ Jesus can now live in us by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the potential now exists for all to have Christ’s life abiding within. Through Christ everyone can now abide in God and His love. We can now bring the transforming power of God’s love into practical reality in the world through Christ in us by the Holy Spirit. Christ in His people can destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8: For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

The greatest mystery of the kingdom, the transformational power of love is changing our world. The world has already been greatly affected by the love of God expressed in the cross of Christ Jesus. No other person in all of the world’s history has had as great a transformational effect as Christ Jesus. Now, the LIFE OF JESUS is set to transform every area of life in the world through Christ Jesus living in us

By love, individuals filled with Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit, can transform families, businesses, schools, media, cities, nations, and the world.

The End of “Unlove” – The “Day of the Lord”

Perhaps one of the most dramatic interventions of God ever to take place in our world is soon coming upon the entire world to destroy unlove and all the works it has produced. For many years, God has been pouring out His Spirit and His pure holy love into His people producing the life of Christ within His holy people. This will increase and continue through the season of the ending of the rule of unlove. God has prepared and is preparing a pure and holy people filled with His love to bring forth the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

The next big intervention of God is the great cleansing work of destruction of the wicked and all that lifts itself against God, all that will not turn to God.

What is the “Day of the Lord”? (For a very enlightening and more detailed biblical study of the answer to this question follow the link to Kingdom Growth Guides and scroll down to (#038). http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=12550&a mp;PN=1

There have been many “Day of the Lord” judgments throughout biblical history. The “Day of the Lord” would come against an area or nation for destruction of evil.

The “Day of the Lord” that we are entering now is part of the process of purification leading to a godly kingdom people ruling on earth God’s way. The chastening and purging is aimed at the pride and loftiness of man, the ways of man that are exalted over the ways of God. “Day of the Lord” judgment brings chastening for cleansing of God’s people, those who will repent and turn from their ways of mixture to God’s way. The day of the Lord is always chastening for God’s people. It is not intended for their total destruction. Rather, it is for their purification. No matter how severe the chastening, there will always be a purified remnant. It is not so among the ungodly. The “Day of the Lord” can bring total destruction and annihilation to the evil and ungodly of the world.

In both the Old and New Testament the “Day of the Lord” is a season of destruction for the ungodly and a purification of God’s people resulting in the shining forth of God’s ways to govern the world. The focus is not only fire but also the beautiful kingdom of God brought forth from the ashes.

Isa 61:3: To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Mat 13:40-43 “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.”The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, “and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Personal “Day of the Lord”

Like me, probably many reading this have gone through a personal “Day of the Lord” when great devastation and despair came upon our lives. Some may be going through a personal “Day of the Lord” time of reckoning now. Sons of God, those whom God loves, He will chasten, and it never seems good at the time. When all that once sustained us stops working for us and all we have built crumbles around us, the pain may seem unbearable. Brokenness of our ways turns us to His ways, and we are further purified and made more holy vessels for His use.

Corporate day of the Lord

Just as individuals may meet the “Day of the Lord,” so it is for families, tribes, nations, and the entire world.

The great and dreadful “Day of the Lord” for the entire world is now at hand.

After the destruction has done away with the loftiness (pride) of man, after everything high and lifted up is thrown down and only God remains exalted, the purification is accomplished and restoration begins. The new life of restoration is always more righteous, more holy, more filled with peace and joy than the old life. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Father, Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

The Sword of the Lord Comes.

Ron McGatlin

Possess Godly Character and the Anointing of God

Posted: December 22, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, wilderness
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I was reading a magazine article in a Christian Magazine. This article was discussing the question– What is must important for a Christians to possess a godly character or the anointing of God?

Immediately I felt the Holy Spirit rise up within me and say, “You must have both. You must possess godly character and the anointing.” “The anointing with no godly character brings shame to the Body of Christ.” “There has been too many who have gone forth ministering in the Body of Christ who have not possessed both–a godly character and the anointing of God.” “You must have both.” “It is not meant to be one without the other.”

Saul

In 1Samuel 10:1 Samuel anointed Saul as ruler over Israel.

1Samuel 10:20-22 Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found. 22 Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” So the LORD said, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.”

Saul began walking in his position as the anointed of God with the godly character trait of humbleness. He was hiding himself by the baggage.

Saul already knew from the Lord that it was he who was anointed as King and ruler of Israel. He was not exalting himself among the people and yelling “It’s me!! I’m the anointed one!!!” “Look over here at me; I’m the anointed one of God!!” Saul humbly hid himself among the baggage.

Saul did not continue to walk in a godly character. In 1 Samuel 13: 8-9 we find King Saul offering a burnt offering. This violated what God had commanded him to do. In 1Samuel 13:13 Samuel tells Saul because of his disobedience that the Lord had sought out another to appoint as ruler over His people.

In 1Samuel 15:9-11 we find Saul once again disobey God. God spoke to Samuel that He regretted making Saul king because he had turned away from following Him and had not carried out His commands. In 1Samuel 15:26 Samuel tells Saul that the Lord has rejected him from being king over Israel.

In 1Samuel 16:14 we find the last state of Saul — the Spirit of the LORD had departed from
Saul.

Saul did not continue to walk in a godly character. Because of his lack of possessing a godly character along with the anointing, God removed the One who anointed Saul – God removed the Holy Spirit from him.

Saul remained the one who was anointed to the position and title (we know this because David refers to Saul as “the anointed of God”), but the presence of the Holy Spirit was removed from him. Saul kept his position and title until his death, the Holy Spirit’s presence which had dwelled with him was removed

We see this today in the Body of Christ. There are those who because of faulty and flawed characters have had the presence of the Holy Spirit removed from them, their ministries and their churches. They continue on in position and in a title but the Holy Spirit’s presence has been removed from them.

We see these (pastor, teacher, prophet, apostle and evangelist) still able to operate in their spiritual gift but the Holy Spirit’s presence has been removed from them.

God’s Word says that his gifts are given without repentance in Rom 11:29.

Romans 11:29 (KJV) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

The Word in the Greek for repentance means IRREVOCABLE.

Irrevocable according to the dictionary means: not to be revoked or recalled; unable to be repealed or annulled;

Do you see that Saul’s call was irrevocable—he still continued on in the title and position of king until his death? Even as he retained the call the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit was removed from him.

Do you see that many in church today still operate in their spiritual gifts but the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit has been removed from them?

David had seen Saul without the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling with him. I believe that is why David cried out to God “do not remove the Holy Spirit from me.” He had seen the terrible state that it was to be in if you did not have the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. David did not want to walk in title and position without the presence of the Holy Spirit. I believe that is why he cried out to God “don’t remove the Holy Spirit from me.”

What a terrible position it truly is even this day – to walk in the spiritual gifts but have not the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

I personally sat under and served on staff with a pastor whom I knew lied and gossiped about his people. I often heard him at staff meetings speak critically, harshly and in ridicule of the people in this congregation.

The Word of God says we shall be known by our fruit.

Matthew 7:16-17 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

I was looking at the wrong fruit!!! I was looking at the fruit of the spiritual gifts being in operation in this pastor’s life. I was not looking at the fruit of his character that was pouring out of his heart. I mistakenly thought the fruit of the spiritual gift in operation through him at the altar verified the presence of the Holy Spirit and the approval of God upon this pastor.

As we saw with Saul, the gifts and call is irrevocable but the presence of the Holy Spirit can be and is removed. Seeing spiritual gifts in operation does not verify that God’s presence is upon someone or that God has set His approval upon them.

Matthew 7:20-23 “So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

God is saying clearly in this scripture that we are not to look upon the fruit of the spiritual gift operating in someone’s life. They had these gifts in operation but God calls them “those who practice lawlessness.” These did not walk in godly character and because they
did not the presence of the Holy Spirit was taken from them. How do I know this??

Because the Word says that He does not know them. God knows all who have His Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit’s presence with them.

God is clearly saying we are to look for the fruit of a godly character. Where there is the fruit of a godly character there will be also be the anointing of God.

God is clearly saying our fruit must be the fruit of a godly character!!! God is clearly saying when we manifest the fruit of a godly character we will possess His anointing which comes through the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

I understand now what the Holy Spirit meant when He said, “You can’t have one without the other.” If you walk in the fruit of godly character you will possess the anointing through the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit said “Godly Character without the anointing has no power to change lives.”

I understand now what the Holy Spirit was saying. The anointing is the presence of the Spirit in our lives and without the presence of the Spirit you do not have the effectual effective working power to see lives changed. I understand now that when I walk in a godly character and manifest the fruit of that character, His Holy Spirit anointing will also be manifested in my life.

We are not to have one without the other!!!

David

In 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 we have the story of David’s anointing as king over Israel. David is picked by God from among his brothers and anointed as king.

1Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

When David was anointed as king of Israel the Holy Spirit came upon him mightily. David now possessed the anointing of the Lord. The presence of the Holy Spirit was with David from that day forward. He went forth from that day to work mighty exploits in the name of the Lord; he did so through the presence of the Holy Spirit which was with Him.

We know from scripture that both Saul and David sinned against the Lord. The Holy Spiritwas not removed from David as He had been from Saul because David possessed the godly character of a repentant heart. Saul when confronted with his sin made excuses and blamed others for his sin. He did not take responsibility for his actions. He did not come to true repentance. He did not come to a repentance that was according to the will of God
that leads to salvation.

2Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

David when confronted with his sin repented. David was not a man after God’s own heart because he was sin free. David was a man after God’s own heart because he came to repentance according to the will of God that led to salvation. David walked in godly character and he manifested the good fruit of repentance.

The Holy Spirit and His presence remained with David. David possessed both the qualities of a godly character and the anointing of the Lord.

When we sin we must have the godly character of repentance. We must repent as David – without excuse, without blaming others for our sin, and by taking responsibility for our actions. We must turn from our sin and turn to God. We must move forward by bearing good fruit in keeping with our repentance.

Matthew 3:8 “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;

Luke 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance …

Act 26:20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

We are to perform deeds/ bear good fruit appropriate to repentance.

Where there is the fruit of a godly character there will be also be the anointing of God.

Balaam

Balaam walked with a faulty and flawed character. He is an example of many in the body of Christ today who function in a title and position but possess a faulty and flawed character.

We find the story of Balaam in Numbers 22 – 25. Balak the king of Moab sent the elders of his nation to Balaam with money to pay for his service of cursing Israel. God told Balaam to not go with them, for He, God, has blessed Israel. Balaam speaks correctly to the king’s emissaries that God has refused to let him go with them.

The king of Moab then sends to Balaam more numerous and more distinguished leaders with a promise of honoring him richly.

Here is where we begin to see the flaw in the character of Balaam. He knew God’s word to him that he was not to go and that Israel was not to be cursed for He, God, had blessed them. The character flaw we find in Balaam is love of honor and love of riches!!!

2Peter 2:15 forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Balaam speaks three times the words God tells him to speak over the people Israel. Numbers 23:5 says God put a word in Balaam’s mouth and Numbers 23: 16 says the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth. We find the last time Balaam speaks for the king of
Moab to be different.

Numbers 24:1-2 When Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times to seek omens but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came
upon him.

I believe the two times Balaam spoke before that he was speaking out of his gift. He did not speak these words by the anointing, which is the presence of the Holy Spirit with him.

The Holy Spirit’s presence was not with him until this third time
and he did not seek omen as he had at the other times.

Balaam mixed the worship of God with pagan worship!! The presence of the Holy Spirit was not with him until he did not seek to hear through omens. Not only did Balaam possess the flawed character of love of honor and money, he also possessed the flawed character of mixing the worship of God with pagan worship. His heart was not totally Gods!!

We can not be as Balaam and mix the worship of God. We must worship Him and Him alone. We must not have this flawed character. Our hearts must totally belong to God and
to Him alone.

We are going to look at the next example of Balaam’s actions that we often see in the church today. He spoke the right words but his actions did not line up with those words!!!

Numbers 24:13-14 ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the LORD, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the LORD speaks, that I will speak’? 14 “And now, behold, I am going to my people; come, and I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

What did Balaam advise the King of Moab? First, Balaam prophesied the future of Israel to the King of Moab. A deeper look at scripture will tell us the rest of Balaam’s advise to the king.

Numbers 25:1-3 While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. 2 For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the LORD was angry against Israel.

Num 31:16 “Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD.

Revelation 2:14 ‘But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.

Balaam spoke the right words from his mouth that made him sound as if he was totally dedicated to God. His actions of teaching Balak the king of Moab how to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel did not line up with his words of devotion to God.

Balaam advised Balak in the way only way Israel could be cursed and destroyed!! He knew that idol worship/departing from serving God and God alone was the only way Israel would be cursed and destroyed. Balaam advised Balak to send in the women of his nation who would then entice and lead the men of Israel into idol worship.

It is the same in the church today, many speak what is right in front of others – where they are seen, but the actions of their lives do not line up with their words. They speak as if they have great godly character but their actions/ their true character shows that they do not.

They are as Balaam—their lives do not line up with their words.
These do not possess a godly character and the anointing, the presence of the Holy Spirit is not with them.

Philippians 2:21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Many in the church today are as Balaam, seeking after their own interests of wealth, of honor, or fame and are not seeking after the interests of Christ.

Philippians 1:15-17 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit…

Some in the church today preach Christ out of selfish ambitions—what is in it for them!!!

They do not preach Christ out of pure motives. They preach Christ out of the motive of what will it bring to them. They will not go where they do not receive a large honorarium, they will not go where there is not a large crowd who will give honor to them—they are too busy and important to serve the small congregations. They preach Christ with the impure motive of “what is in it for them!!!” These do not walk in godly character and are in danger of losing the anointing and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

We are commanded to not operate as these.

Pharisees

The Pharisees had “religion” they did not possess godly character. Because they lacked godly character they did not have the anointing or the presence of the Holy Spirit with
them.

We must not confuse having “religion” with possessing a godly character. God does not see them as the same. Jesus called the Pharisees who had “religion” a brood of vipers.

Jesus called them evil. Jesus told them they were of their father, satan!!! We must not confuse having “religion” with possessing a godly character and the anointing of God.

Matthew12:34-35 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.

Good fruit comes forth from one who has godly character. Good fruit does not come forth out of “religion” it alone comes forth from one who walks in a godly character. The presence and the anointing of the Holy Spirit are present with one who walks in a godly character.

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Pharisees were a sect of self-righteous and zealous Jews. They were zealous for their interpretation of the law and for their traditions. Jesus corrected them for their traditions nullifying the Word of God.

Matthew 15:3 And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

Matthew 15:9 ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'”

Mark 7:8 -9 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

Mark 7:13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

In the church today there are those who set aside the commandment of God in order to keep their tradition, their religion. Their “religion” and “tradition” has become more important to them than having the presence of the Holy Spirit and His anointing with them!!!

The Pharisees through their interpretation of the law and traditions laid heavy burdens upon men. They also by their religion prevented others from finding liberty and freedom. I want you to know that religion always does this – it keeps others in the same bondage they are in – it refuses to allow others to be set free.

Matthew 23:2-4 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4 “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

Matthew 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow
those who are entering to go in.

Religion always makes “carbon copies” of those who follow in its way. There is no freedom in religion.

Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Jesus came to set us free from religion and all its traditions!!! Religion is devoid of the presence of the Holy Spirit and His anointing.

The Pharisees loved honor and glory to be given to them from men. The Pharisees were full of the spirit of pride. They esteemed themselves above all others. The Pharisees did all their deeds to be noticed by men, not out of a heart of compassion of love for the people. They did their deeds for the “good report” it would bring them. Many in the body of Christ do the same today.

Matthew 23: 5-7 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.

Matthew 23:14 [“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their “religion” and their appearance of righteousness when they did not possess righteousness or a godly character.

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Matthew 23:25 -28 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 “You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Matthew 23:33 “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?

The Pharisees had “religion” they did not have godly character. The Pharisees were devoid of the presence and the anointing of the Holy Spirit and if they remained in this state would not be able to escape the sentence of hell.

The Holy Spirit began this discourse with the words “We as Christians must have both a godly character with the anointing.” “We are not to have one without the other.” We have learned we walk must in a godly character, then the anointing and the presence of the Holy Spirit will be with us.

Let us as the people of God who seek to be His anointed in the earth examine our walks and our characters this day.

Let us persevere to walk with a godly character and the anointing which is the presence of the Holy Spirit with us.

Author: Dawn Wilson
http://www.dawnwilsonministries.org

The Power of A Clean Life

Posted: December 13, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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The Power of A Clean Life

A holy people of God are being prepared for the great fulfillment of the kingdom of God on earth. Sons of righteousness with pure hearts in whom there is no guile are being prepared to minister with the army from heaven with supernatural wisdom and power. Their clean hearts and lives will offer no hindrance or resistance to the love and power of God flowing from Father in heaven by the Holy Spirit.

The maturing sons of God will not be daunted by the apocalyptic, cataclysmic events of a world being cleansed by the fire of God.

Who are these people demonstrating the full faith and power of a clean life? They are a new breed of grown up children of God that have emptied themselves and made room for God to rule in their lives. They are humble people of God who have allowed the fire of God to burn away every tendency of sin and the bondage of doubt and unbelief in their souls. They are those whose spirits are made alive and are fully redeemed to the fullness of the love and life of Christ Jesus. They are those who have no regard for the lies of the fallen world and its foolishness. They are those who have thrown off the past shroud of religious unbelief and ungodly madness of the fallen ways of a people sickened by lust and greed. They are those who are as if they had no past but live fully in the embrace of the life of Christ in the presence of God. They are people like you and I breaking through into a glorious life in the Sprit of God on shores of a new land filled with glory.

We are soon entering the most powerful and glorious time on earth. Before us is the time of fulfillment of that which the saints throughout history have sought. They gave their lives knowing it was for a future time. There is rejoicing in heaven when one is TRULY born anew as this new breed of redeemed spiritual creature into a new life of unhindered faith and power of God.

Not all will enter this new creation army of maturing sons living holy clean lives.

Many Christians believe that we are waiting for God to do something further to cause us to walk in supernatural victory. The general belief seems to be that the promises of Jesus to His people are true but not for us now.

For example, the promise that we would do the works that Jesus did and even greater works than the mighty miracles He did is seen as true but they will not come to pass until some future day when God does something more or some other event occurs from heaven.

John 14:12: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

This common belief, I should say unbelief, is largely based on the natural reality that we do not see men around us doing these works. We need to keep in mind that our natural vision only sees what is closely around us and does not see all that is happening worldwide. Also we may not see clearly events that happen around us. Even if supernatural events happen around us we may attribute them to natural causes.

In part these erroneous beliefs are caused by the negative faith implanted in people through religious and secular training over the past centuries. Our experience has trained us that faith and power are limited and simply do not work today as they did in the first century.

People are locked in bondage of doubt and unbelief regarding the word and works of God. Many people reason that since supernatural works are done by God and not man, we are waiting for God to do something to make things happen. It is true that faith and power are gifts from God through Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit and not of our human effort or doing. However, there is no problem with the availability of the grace gifts of God. They are fully available now.

God is still all powerful and His word is still valid and cannot be changed. These provisions have been fully purchased by Christ Jesus at the cross and the delivery system has been fully established in the Holy Spirit since Pentecost. For a season after Pentecost the gifts were operative and flowing. Faith and power were supernaturally changing the world. Powerful miracles and works of God impacted masses of people and the kingdom of God was beginning to come forth on earth as it is in heaven. Supernatural power gifts came way back then and are available now?

Why should the people of God today have the faith and power of a beggar? Waiting beside the road of life begging God for a morsel of faith to get by for today. Why should we be begging for a hand-out of enough power to endure our bad situations one more day?

Gal 4:9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

What is going on people?

We are the world changers! We can have the faith and power of the first century! We can have the wisdom of God that will lead us into the kingdom of God!

Everything has been done so why should we be lacking in faith and power and continue waiting for God to send something more?

The problem is not with the quality of the gifts prepared in heaven for us. The problem is not with the delivery system. The problem is with the reception. There is not proper place in the hearts of men to receive the gifts and ways of God prepared for His kingdom people. The receiving dock and the storage rooms are filled with other things that are blocking the way. The data banks in the hearts of men are filled and the faith and power cannot be downloaded until space is cleared and existing data deleted. A decision must be made by man to make the deletions to clear space for downloading great faith and power that will bring forth the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

Experiencing the fullness of Christ in us is not waiting for God to do something further. Rather, God is waiting on a people that will make room to receive the faith and power of the kingdom.

God is waiting for clean hearts upon which to write His all-wise and all-powerful laws of heavenly wisdom and kingdom reality. The hearts of the people of the world including most Christians are filled with other writings. The space for God to write is already filled and there is not place for Him to scribe the all powerful wisdom and ways of heaven.

Heb 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

2 Cor 3:3: clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

A far greater standard of holy kingdom living is being lifted up. A pure holy people of righteousness are to be prepared to walk in the supernatural kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. For the most part, mankind is not currently operating with God’s standard but has developed other standards. According to man’s standards many things are seen as good and worthy of retaining that are NOT from God and are not heavenly wisdom and truth. All that is not of God that is stored in the hearts of man and serves as standards for man is unclean to God. Even man’s best righteousness is as filthy rags in the site of God.

All natural men and many who are called Christians are filled with knowledge but lacking in truth and wisdom.

The false standards written in our hearts blind us to the powerful supernatural ways of God and prevent the reality of God being written upon our hearts. The ways of God are much higher and far more powerful than most Christians have even imagined.

Can you hear the call of God? Can you feel God pulling on your heart to turn to Him with your whole heart and leave the past to be made a witness of the things which Jesus will reveal to you? Can you see the call to be used in opening the eyes of the religionist and the secularist to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God? God is calling a people in this day as He called Paul who was one of the most religious men of His day. He was involved in the death and imprisonment of the followers of Christ. Yet, he surrendered his heart to be completely cleansed from the past and gave His all to change the course of history. He made room for God to write His way upon his heart.

Acts 26:16-18: But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

Keep on pursuing love.
It never fails.

Ron McGatlin

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

Reality Replacing Religion

Posted: December 4, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, wilderness
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2012 will be a year of the release of heavenly authority to many who have turned from religion to the reality of life in God. The mighty works of Father God in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit are now becoming reality in this season. The Pentecostal power that had morphed into a religious form is becoming living reality in God�s people. This year of 2012 will see the waning of religious form and the beginning of true kingdom reality for maturing sons and daughters of God.

What we have preached and hoped for but did not truly experience is becoming the reality of our lives in this season. Seemingly without effort the supernatural miraculous works of Jesus will come forth in God�s humble people without even a hint of pride or merchandising. What we have said that we believed and tried to make happen will be done by the power of God abiding in His holy humble people. Truly the priesthood and the kingship of Christ are becoming manifest in His body of believers on earth.

Do not look for this as a big show. It will be seen in multitudes of humble gatherings, small and large that will be veiled to those who are not willing to receive the fresh reality of kingdom life.

Religious striving is passing away among God�s kingdom people.

Religion has ruled the world under the prince of this world � the prince of the power of the air. All religion is powerless without believers/followers. Religion appears to be man-made. However, it always originates from the dark spiritual world of the enemy. The only authority the enemy has is the authority we allow him to have. Deception is his primary weapon.

The enemy was in the garden with Adam and Eve but was completely powerless until he deceived Eve and then Adam. The devil must deceive human beings to usurp the authority given to mankind to rule in the world. To usurp our authority, he must separate us from the reality of life with God and entice us to follow him. The more he can make his false religion look like the reality of life in God, the more easily he can deceive people into following him and releasing their God-given authority to rule in this world. Religion is designed to placate the innate desire in the hearts of men for life in God.

Eph 2:1-3: And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

The Precious among the Vile

2012 and beyond will be a season of separation for sanctification and connection for preparation. God will lead His people into an intense time of preparing for the coming season of devastating circumstances in the world and glorious spiritual life in Him. The kingdom of God that has been formed within us will manifest under cover from the world in the most precious spiritual gatherings we have ever known. In these God connected groups and gatherings, the manifest presence of God will lovingly bond together and prepare His people to endure the hard times immediately ahead and to eventually plant the kingdom of God solidly into the entire world.

Beyond the season of devastation, in another season to come, the fullness that is developing under cover will be released into the world. The clearing and the deep plowing of the land of this world will leave little to none of the previous world order and fully prepare the soil of this world to receive the seed of the kingdom planted by the prepared people of God. The Bride City of God will become a reality on earth.

Draw near to God

By far the first and primary area of preparation for every child of God is intensely relating to God in the Spirit. Of course, this should have always been our priority. However, it truly must be our number one focus in this season. All other preparations will be of little or no value if we are not truly seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness FIRST in our lives. Intimately relating to God in the Spirit and becoming one with Him will release the authority of heaven within us to supernaturally accomplish the will and plan of God. Clear direction from God through praying in the Spirit and hearing in our spirit will enable us to walk through turbulent times without fear.

As we walk in oneness with God, we must hear and obey what He speaks for us personally to be and to do. He can prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. God may use some of us to be a part of growing and preparing the food for that table. Others may be used in preparing for other needs, for other provisions and services. Extremely basic life will develop with the necessities of life locally grown, made or built from whatever is available and with whatever tools are available. If we are truly one with God and are obediently doing what He says when He says, the Spirit will coordinate the works of all to fit together in the tribal lifestyle of the future.

Through the life of God in us, we shall overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony and not loving our lives to the death. Whether we live a long life or a short time in this body, we are the Lord�s and will never be apart from Him. Our great desire is to fully serve Him and to accomplish all He has given us to be and to do in this life.

We are very important to one another and closely knit together in Him as each joint supplies its part. This will be more acutely seen and experienced in the seasons of devastation ahead for this world and the glorious season of experiencing the deepest river of His love filling us with His life and flowing the glory of the kingdom to one another. The glorious kingdom lifestyle is at the door. The kingdom is truly at hand in this day of the Lord.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. ~ Proverbs 3:5-8

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ~ Jesus

The Sword of the Lord comes.

Ron McGatlin

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

Moving in the Spirit of God

Posted: November 25, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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As servant sons of God,, we not only have the privilege to walk in the reality of Spirit-empowered supernatural life, we have the responsibility to do so. We must be about our Father’s business. All of the resources of heaven are potentially available to us for accomplishing the will of our Father. Every day everywhere we go the limitless potential of Spirit God surrounds us. Countless powerful holy angels (ministering spirits) are available to assist us in the works of the business of our Heavenly Father.

A spiritual army is arising from the valley of the shadow of death. The lifeless shadow has lain upon the hearts and lives of God’s people, who were created to be kings and priests to rule and reign in this world with Christ. The enemy has, through false religious and secular doctrines and understandings shadowed our hearts from God’s supernatural spiritual reality. The arising spiritual army does not move by natural human strength or guidance and does not employ weapons built by man. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. ~ Paul

Divine supernatural love, power, and wisdom of Christ abiding in mature servant sons working with powerful angels will overcome all that lifts itself against God. Major strongholds of the enemy that are well fortified in the social order and governments of the world will be overcome by God’s army moving in the Spirit of God.

Ascending Above the Shadow

The shadow of death robs God’s people from life in the brilliant light of spiritual reality. It limits our ability to walk in the love, power, and wisdom that is far above natural fallen human life and the works of the enemy. Under the shadow of death the fullness of the reality of heavenly life in the Spirit is greatly limited. Intimate trust in God and faith to powerfully serve Him is hindered by the shadow of death. We are to serve Him by bringing forth His life into this world to transform the world into the glorious kingdom of God.

God told Adam and Eve that they could eat from all the trees of the garden except for one tree. They were told that if they ate of that one tree in that day, they would surely die. That day they were separated from intimate walk with God. They spiritually died that day, and life in the world abruptly changed. They were excluded from the intimate life with Father God and were cut off from the fullness of His provision in the garden. God provided a temporary sacrificial covering for them but their intimate walk with God was broken by their disobedience. Death (separation from God) passed upon all descendents of Adam.

For all who will receive it, Christ Jesus has provided the restoration of all that was lost in Adam.

The shadow of death on God’s people is not total spiritual death. Total spiritual death is total separation from God.

From Adam to Christ, God’s people lived in the valley of the shadow of death. God’s provision sustained them through their faith expressed by keeping the law of blood sacrifices and offerings that looked forward to the coming of Christ Jesus to fully redeem all that was lost in Adam, including walking with God in the Spirit. David wrote in Psalm 23 about God preparing a table before him in the valley of the shadow of death, in the presence of his enemies. This is a picture of God’s provision while moving through the valley of the shadow of death.

Spiritual life was poured out at Pentecost. The Spirit of Christ in the Holy Spirit returned to abide in His people to bring forth the finished work of restoration of heavenly Spirit-to-spirit life on earth. The shadow of spiritual death was removed from those who received the Holy Spirit. The brilliant life of supernatural spiritual life was poured out upon and into those who received it.

Sadly, through the generations, many people returned to partaking of the fruit of the forbidden tree of human intellectual knowledge as supreme over spiritual reality of God’s strength and guidance in life. The shadow of death returned upon the hearts of people and the brilliant supernatural spiritual reality of God became foreign to them. The enemy, working through religious and secular education, devised doctrines of demons that became traditions of men that opposed the truth of supernatural spiritual reality and restored the valley of the shadow of death.

The army of God arising in this day is ascending above the valley of the shadow of death into the fullness of the brilliant glory of spiritual life that is far above natural life (supernatural life in Christ by the Holy Spirit).

The proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven is releasing the power of God from heaven to overcome the death of separation from God. Eventually the whole earth shall be free from the shadow of death and filled with the brilliance of the glory of God.

Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! ~ Jesus

The Sword of the Lord comes,

Ron McGatlin

Moving in the Spirit of God

Posted: November 21, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
0

As servant sons of God,, we not only have the privilege to walk in the reality of Spirit-empowered supernatural life, we have the responsibility to do so. We must be about our Father’s business. All of the resources of heaven are potentially available to us for accomplishing the will of our Father. Every day everywhere we go the limitless potential of Spirit God surrounds us. Countless powerful holy angels (ministering spirits) are available to assist us in the works of the business of our Heavenly Father.

A spiritual army is arising from the valley of the shadow of death. The lifeless shadow has lain upon the hearts and lives of God’s people, who were created to be kings and priests to rule and reign in this world with Christ. The enemy has, through false religious and secular doctrines and understandings shadowed our hearts from God’s supernatural spiritual reality. The arising spiritual army does not move by natural human strength or guidance and does not employ weapons built by man. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. ~ Paul

Divine supernatural love, power, and wisdom of Christ abiding in mature servant sons working with powerful angels will overcome all that lifts itself against God. Major strongholds of the enemy that are well fortified in the social order and governments of the world will be overcome by God’s army moving in the Spirit of God.

Ascending Above the Shadow

The shadow of death robs God’s people from life in the brilliant light of spiritual reality. It limits our ability to walk in the love, power, and wisdom that is far above natural fallen human life and the works of the enemy. Under the shadow of death the fullness of the reality of heavenly life in the Spirit is greatly limited. Intimate trust in God and faith to powerfully serve Him is hindered by the shadow of death. We are to serve Him by bringing forth His life into this world to transform the world into the glorious kingdom of God.

God told Adam and Eve that they could eat from all the trees of the garden except for one tree. They were told that if they ate of that one tree in that day, they would surely die. That day they were separated from intimate walk with God. They spiritually died that day, and life in the world abruptly changed. They were excluded from the intimate life with Father God and were cut off from the fullness of His provision in the garden. God provided a temporary sacrificial covering for them but their intimate walk with God was broken by their disobedience. Death (separation from God) passed upon all descendents of Adam.

For all who will receive it, Christ Jesus has provided the restoration of all that was lost in Adam.

The shadow of death on God’s people is not total spiritual death. Total spiritual death is total separation from God.

From Adam to Christ, God’s people lived in the valley of the shadow of death. God’s provision sustained them through their faith expressed by keeping the law of blood sacrifices and offerings that looked forward to the coming of Christ Jesus to fully redeem all that was lost in Adam, including walking with God in the Spirit. David wrote in Psalm 23 about God preparing a table before him in the valley of the shadow of death, in the presence of his enemies. This is a picture of God’s provision while moving through the valley of the shadow of death.

Spiritual life was poured out at Pentecost. The Spirit of Christ in the Holy Spirit returned to abide in His people to bring forth the finished work of restoration of heavenly Spirit-to-spirit life on earth. The shadow of spiritual death was removed from those who received the Holy Spirit. The brilliant life of supernatural spiritual life was poured out upon and into those who received it.

Sadly, through the generations, many people returned to partaking of the fruit of the forbidden tree of human intellectual knowledge as supreme over spiritual reality of God’s strength and guidance in life. The shadow of death returned upon the hearts of people and the brilliant supernatural spiritual reality of God became foreign to them. The enemy, working through religious and secular education, devised doctrines of demons that became traditions of men that opposed the truth of supernatural spiritual reality and restored the valley of the shadow of death.

The army of God arising in this day is ascending above the valley of the shadow of death into the fullness of the brilliant glory of spiritual life that is far above natural life (supernatural life in Christ by the Holy Spirit).

The proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven is releasing the power of God from heaven to overcome the death of separation from God. Eventually the whole earth shall be free from the shadow of death and filled with the brilliance of the glory of God.

Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! ~ Jesus

The Sword of the Lord comes,

Ron McGatlin
basileia@earthlink.net

THE FIRE OF GOD COMES

Posted: November 17, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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Throughout recent centuries God has been restoring piece by piece that which was lost when Adam and subsequently all mankind fell. The process of restoration involves first the revelation of what is to be restored. It is revealed as being reality for the time in which it is to be restored.

Over 500 years ago salvation by grace through faith was restored. In the early 20th century, the revelation of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was restored. The gifts of healings and miracles were restored. Later in the mid 20th century, prophets were restored, and then in the latter part of the century and into the first part of the 21st century, the apostles are being restored. These are just a few of the most recent major restorations to the Body of Christ.

Now that the prophetic is restored, God reveals what He is doing to His prophets. As the prophets proclaim the revelation of what God is doing, it begins to come to pass. A true prophetic proclamation resonates in the hearts of mature believers and prepares God’s people to receive the next piece of restoration from God.

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets, Amos 3:7.

The Restoration of the Baptism with Fire

This may not be fresh to some of you. However, the greater revelation of the fire portion of being baptized by Christ Jesus with the Holy Spirit and FIRE is being freshly revealed and made real in me.

Mat 3:11: I (John) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

New or fresh revelation is God uncovering for us what has always been. It is as if God lifts up the cover or lid, and our eyes are opened to fresh revelation. We may then marvel that we have not seen before this obvious reality that is now so clearly exposed.

I believe that in this season, the lid is NOT being gently lifted off the revelation of THE FIRE of GOD. The lid is being blown off with an explosion of power.

This will be more than the revival fire that has been poured out historically time and time again. In revival we cried out for God to SEND THE FIRE. His fire has now come and we are beginning to grasp what it means to be baptized by Christ Jesus with the Holy Spirit and FIRE.

This does not involve the hype and showmanship of highly promoted performance-based conferences. This is not a stage or platform production. The fire of God is not geared to man-made staged performance. You can lay aside the rock bands and high powered so called “praise music” with its costumed and choreographed dance. The fire of heaven is coming down in the person of Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit. The Body of Christ will come forth filled with the Spirit of Christ from within and saturated with the fire of Christ upon us.

Living Water and Fire

Probably most if not all of us have been experiencing to some degree the inner working of the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit – the gifts, peace, inner power, joy, and more. However, most of us have probably not truly experienced the baptism with Fire coming UPON us in this present season. The fire of God is the glory of Christ falling upon us from above. It is the Christ in us coming together with the Spirit of Christ from above. The restoration of the baptism of fire is coming upon us exploding the powerful works of Christ Jesus into a desperate and failing world.

The fire of His glory is suddenly coming upon purified holy sons and daughters of God. The glory will not rest upon mixture or flesh, as the revival fire of the past has done. The Holy Spirit was poured out on flesh in revivals and outpourings in the 90s, and a measure of fire came for a short season. This that is now coming forth is much more and will be Spirit to spirit. Mixture will be quickly burned away, and only pure holiness will remain in the fire.

This past Sunday afternoon, I was meeting with a few close friends. We were seated in a relatively close circle each sharing from our hearts and from the scriptures. Something was said about being thirsty for the coming of more fullness of God or something like that. I heard in my spirit that it was in us and needed to flow out of us as living water. I read a couple of scriptures from John.

John 4:13-14: Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 7:38: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

As I read these verses I began to feel a strong stirring of unrest and dissatisfaction within. I began to proclaim that it is in us. We have it and are not letting it flow out to each other. We thirst and do not have, because we are not pouring out the rivers of living water to each other. I don’t have it because you are not letting it flow out to me. I was saying something like that when suddenly the fire of God fell upon me. The Spirit of God came UPON me and fire (glory) came upon my being like I have not experienced in a long time, if ever before.

At my age, I usually get up from a seated position slowly with help by pushing myself up with my arms. When the fire came upon me, I suddenly leapt straight up from my chair with shouts and did some sort of a rapidly stepping scooting sort of a dance or something in a tight circle as tongues and words flowed profusely from me. I could not see anything but the glory. I fell back into my chair and prophesied and praised as the river poured from me. As far as I could tell, glory filled the room and impacted us all. I do not sing at all, but at some point in all this, I actually flowed into spontaneously leading worship choruses. Prophecy, prayer, and praise flowed like a river.

It was like the flow of living water (Spirit) from within flowed out and met the fire of God. Perhaps this is a key to the fire (glory) falling upon us. First the dissatisfaction with our not flowing the living waters of the Spirit of Christ out of us. At the instant we begin to flow the living water, the fire comes.

It is as if the inner flow of the living water of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God’s people can meet up with Holy Fire and create explosive power. The heavy lid of religion with its erroneous theology of doubt and unbelief and our personal gods of prideful self-consciousness have held back the release of the power of the Spirit, creating an extreme back pressure in the bosom of God’s Spirit-filled people.

In the natural realm water contained in an enclosed vessel that is heated with fire becomes steam pressure. As the fire increases the pressure builds, and when the lid comes off, it explodes. At best we have been experiencing small leaks of power flowing out to the atmosphere of the world from the sons of God.

The pressure for the release of God from within us is now ready to explode into the world as God helps us to blow our lid off to full-out release the explosive power of spiritual reality of Christ Jesus.

First the Cross, Next the Spirit, Now the Fire

After the cross, the resurrected Christ Jesus gathered with His disciples before ascending to the Father and gave them instruction. They were sent by Jesus to do the same work God sent Jesus to do by the same power. Then He breathed the Holy Spirit into them (John 20:21-22).

Prior to this moment the disciples had not received the Holy Spirit. Even though they had followed Jesus and believed He was the Son of God, until Jesus died on the cross they remained of the first Adam. Because of the sinful state of mankind, they could not fully receive the Holy Spirit. However, it was at this moment after the cross, the sin curse had been broken and those who followed Jesus were able to receive the Holy Spirit from the breath of the resurrected Christ. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them much as God had originally breathed His Spirit into Adam (Gen 2:7).

At this point redemption became a reality for the disciples who now had the Spirit of God in their lives. For the first time since Adam, the Holy Spirit was again within men other than Jesus. However, they did not yet have the full empowerment of the life of Christ Jesus within and upon them. He was still standing before them awaiting His ascension to the Father.

Christ Jesus had to return to the Father and become a “life-giving Spirit” (1 Cor 15:45). Only then could the Holy Spirit impart the fire of Christ Jesus to dwell with and empower the disciples who would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were instructed to not depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the empowering baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8).

All of this took place in a relatively brief period of time. The cross and resurrection had broken the curse of sin and changed the sinful state of the disciples, opening the way for Jesus to breath the Holy Spirit into them before ascending to the Father. Then the promise of the Father could come at Pentecost in the full baptism of the Holy Spirit and FIRE. These works of God were being planted into the world to be multiplied in the fullness of time when all things were made ready.

From the revelation of the work of the Cross by grace through faith being restored around 500 years ago, to the baptism of the Holy Spirit about 100 years ago, to the revelation of the kingdom of God life on earth in the past few decades, to the recent restoration of true holiness by the Spirit within, to the today restoration of the FIRE of Christ Jesus coming UPON pure-hearted Holy Spirit-filled people of God, the restoration continues.

The Fire of God is the Glory of Christ Jesus

Forerunners of FIRE are emerging now. The real and fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire will soon spread to the corners of the earth bringing the manifest presence and power of God into view of all. It will bring great empowerment to the humble and sudden destruction to the pride and loftiness of man. The progressive transformation to the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven is now being clearly seen by God’s people. The gospel of the kingdom is restored and being widely proclaimed. The FIRE of the Spirit of Christ is coming upon Holy Spirit-indwelled people bringing God-empowered LIFE.

The Sword of the Lord Comes with Fire.

Ron McGatlin

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

How can those who claim to be the “Church” neglect the poor?

Posted: November 9, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching
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Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

As I read many such verses in the Word of God I am astonished at how those in the Church can neglect the very principals of God and His Word. I have heard some say – the poor are not our assignment. To which I say if you think your assignment is greater than the Lords, whose assignment are you playing out.

I am not saying that we all become a homeless ministry, open a food pantry ( actually the House of God should have a store house from which Gods people are feed in times of need) yet they must hear and obey the Lords command in regard to the poor.

I could care less if you are in the top 1% of the most requested Pastoral speakers, if you are neglecting the ministry to the poor, you are out of alignment with Gods Kingdom message.

You can go to churches across the land or turn on the TV to a Christian show and listen to all kinds of messages about God blessing His people, God is raising up Millionaires in our body, give here because God wants to increase your wealth. Yet when it comes to the poor, we are only hearing ” Well Jesus said the poor will always be with us”. Yes He did say that, but to twist it into such a perverse statement meaning we are not to minister to the poor, to give to the poor is way outside of what the Lord has truly taught us. Look at what God really says in this regard:

“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land”. (Deuteronomy 15:11)

Many “churches” to day are more concerned about the building project than the poor in the community or for that matter the poor within their own congregation. They resemble what was spoken of in Ezek :

Ezekiel 16:49
” ‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

Instead of listening to the counsel of the Lord in His Word :

He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.(Jeremiah 22:16)

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.(Deuteronomy 15:7)

Then we have such ministries who refuse to give to the poor – or they will give a round the Holidays to make it look good. Then they wonder why their ministry is always in financial turmoil, or the members of their church or ministry are always under attack and struggling. Number one the people are failing to study the Word themselves and are living on the watered down opinionated version of Gods truth – a lacking of spiritual vitamins. Their leaders will tell the people, lets press through, this is only the enemy coming against us because we are invading his land, Half truths!

Never once taking in to consideration what the Father has decreed over those who take from the people, putting it into His Storehouse, yet spending it on their dreams and aspirations instead of feeding Gods people and those in our gates. Gods storehouse is for the needs of the people, for those going forth carrying the Kingdom Message not for building projects to leave monuments unto men.. In the days of old when the temple was a building made with hands, there was a portion set aside for the up keep, yet there was also a portion for those in need. In our day often times upto 90% of that which comes in goes to the building expense, not to the missionaries, not to the needy and surely not into the storehouse for Gods people.

Today anyone in need has to come begging for help and often times will be told, we have not set anything aside for such things. And again you wonder why you struggle, why the people are sick, depressed and oppressed. Look again what the Word has pronounced over you and this is not an Old Testament thing that passed away and is now covered by grace:

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.( Proverbs 28:27)

The poor are mentioned all through the Bible and not in a manner that calls us to turn our back on them:

Arise, LORD ! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. — Psalm 10:12

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall.(Isaiah 25:4)

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. (Acts 10:5)

“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. (Acts 24:17)

For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. (Romans 15:26)

As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9)

The storehouse of God is being robbed in our day and it is not only in reference to those who are not giving into it – it is also because the keepers are plundering the Storehouses and building empires, getting fat themselves with big houses and such and then hide behind such things as does not the Lord want His people to prosper? Yes He does, yet that which the Lord refers to in reference to prosperity and that which the world views as prosperity are two different views.

It is a plague upon the House of God in this and other Nations that is not un-noticed in Heaven – The Lord is in the process of a mighty house cleaning, He is emptying those things which have attracted dust and dirt, those things which have left a stain upon His Sons name. He is removing and replacing many the Gate -keepers and the guards watching the doors of His storehouse because they have sold-out to the world.

This is a place that the House of God in this Nation needs to repent for, because it has plundered the Store House of Billions of dollars in the recent decades and build up worldly processions while the whole time neglecting the treasures of Heaven. They have played the part of the harlot and God is removing the adulterous spirit from His house in our day.

In the Masters Service,

Russ W

The Deeper Life

Posted: November 3, 2011 in disciples life, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

In every generation there are a few rare individuals who break free from mediocrity and apathy. These trailblazers are hungry for God and yield their lives to follow hard after Him. They yearn for something deeper and more meaningful than just a surface relationship with the Savior.

We know from Scripture that “wide is the road that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life.” Hell’s highway is wide and broad with people standing shoulder to shoulder, unknowingly edging toward the very edge of the abyss. But there is also a narrow road that leads to life, and if you were to sit under a tree beside the road and watch you would notice that only every so often does anyone pass that way.

There is also within the body of Christ a broader path called “status quo.” Many believers are on this road, saved, with heaven as their final destination, but they fail to seek God’s highest or best for their lives. Along this path there is also a narrow gate that leads a few of us down a path far less traveled. On this path are many twists and turns with bumps and awkward places that require a leap of faith to continue. This is the road called “sacrifice.” It is a long walk down this unpopular and lonely road and few want to go there.

Satisfaction in His Presence

On the road called “status quo,” travelers are content with what they’ve always had. They are enamored by the “blessings” of God. They seek Him for what He can do for them and become spiritually satisfied with the gifts of His hands. They desire a life of ease, comfort, and simplicity. They avoid those who preach about “carrying a cross” or “denying self.” It is far easier to seek a popular, “feel good” message.

A rare few travel the path called “sacrifice” and are not content merely to follow the multitudes down a crowded highway. For these saints the only place of deep satisfaction is in His manifest presence, where they can actually touch His face and feel His heartbeat. They’re absolutely convinced that He is the only One worth pursuing! They have a kingdom mindset and see things in light of eternity rather than being consumed only by what they see and hear. They cry out with passion, “Jesus I want the deeper life found only in you.”

So what does it mean to live the deeper life? It means walking a road far less-traveled where consecration, holiness, humility, intimacy, devotion, and sacrifice are treasured–where its travelers would rather invest themselves in pleasing God than in pleasing man. It is a place where the Lord rules and reigns in their hearts and they realize that crowns aren’t simply given as souvenirs, but are earned. Where taking up the cross and following hard after God, though difficult, still brings deep contentment to the soul-and is its own reward. To them pleasing God means everything.

A life of sacrifice and devotion is a virtue, a sweet fragrance that actually scents the throne room and blesses the heart of God. To be perfectly frank, anything less leaves us all feeling empty and dissatisfied. It is not good enough to think ourselves devout because of the number of prayers we pray. If we go home from church and are arrogant and angry toward those we say we love we are only deceiving ourselves. Spiritual maturity must be more than just a desire or an intention–it must be walked out.

We often fill our lives with empty things and shallow pursuits gradually growing weaker and colder in our souls until we have finally had enough. At that point a hunger from deep within is born and we rise up and say, “I’m desperate for more of God!”

Seeking a Fresh Encounter

Why does it take so long to realize our desperate state and seek the cure? Because it’s tough to face the truth we often conceal, even from ourselves-that the old way just doesn’t cut it anymore. When the Holy Spirit shows us how weak and wayward we are, we are then humbled and can only cry out with deep hunger for a fresh encounter with the living God, and nothing else will do. In fact, we feel like we’ll die without it. It’s only at the place where we will settle for nothing less that we are truly ready to go deep with God.

But be warned. Going hard after God will offend others. It is inevitable–the moment you press into God, Christian friends will show up with “words of encouragement” that are actually ordained by the enemy, designed to quench your fire and stifle the deep hunger inside you. And make no mistake about it, if you act on their words they will lead you back through that narrow gate and onto same old wide way. Better to lose a friend than the miss out on the incredible treasures of the Spirit of God.

And while you may offend those close to you by going hard after God He is pleased and excited by the deep hunger in your heart. That’s why you must silence the conflicting voices around you, of both humans and spirits–that urge you to settle for less than God’s best. In order to go deep you must determine in your heart to march to the beat of a different drummer leaving others behind who are not willing to walk the road of sacrifice.

Are you determined enough to arrest God’s attention-to say you won’t let go until you’ve pressed in? Are you tired of standing on the sidelines, a mere spectator while the passionate pass you by? Get desperate enough today to press in. Cry out with all your heart, refusing to settle for anything less than God’s best. Get hungry for the deeper things of God, moving beyond the status quo to touch His very heart.

Surrendering to God

Going hard after God will mean loving God not just in word but also in deed. Sweet surrender is the first step to empowerment and the anointing that comes only when we refuse to settle for anything less than serving God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. It is hard to convince our finite minds that carrying a cross can bring peace and contentment, but because it is by His strength that we accomplish anything, He gets the glory and we are filled up in the process.

He is the sweet master, and in order to please Him we need only adore Him on this narrow path, even without fully understanding it all. By walking the path of sacrifice we finally realize that we can never become mature without first dying to the old selfish lifestyles that demand more and are never satisfied. In dying to our old man we become that fully developed “new man” that God intended-something that could never happen otherwise. As we walk down the narrow path of sacrifice He accomplishes His grand design for our lives. We become reliant on Him and He frees us from self by revealing our weaknesses by the power of the Holy Spirit. An intense desperation is created by the emptiness we find in all earthly things, which hold little appeal at that point. We discover the doorway to the deeper life by first being discontent with a shallow, egocentric existence.

The natural man would love to go deep in Christ and his pure love at no cost, but it is only his excessive self-love and pride that acts so childish and demanding in the first place. And while God’s fatherly heart takes no joy in seeing us struggle He knows the road of sacrifice brings about steadfastness and meekness, purifying our motives and intentions to the point where we are worthy to feel His deepest heart cries and carry His message of love to a lost and dying world.

Take heart, precious friend, when bearing the cross down the narrow and winding road of sacrifice, as you anticipate the joy that comes with pressing in. As you go hard after God, let me encourage you. You have set out on a journey of divine proportions, determined to settle for nothing less than touching the very heart of God, and I guarantee that in that place is fullness of joy, where you will find that He is altogether lovely and everything you ever wanted.

Steve Porter

Investing Christ into This World

Posted: November 2, 2011 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, teaching, wilderness
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As natural fallen human beings, we have a very tiny window of perhaps 86 years through which to view only a microscopic speck of the vast existence of creation from its origin to its end of time. Only a micro portion of created history is visible from our tiny natural window. The wisdom of the ages past and future is not in view through our tiny window.

The knowledge of natural man is less than trivial in the scope of all that is and was and shall be. Even with serious study of stored historical data and our best future casting that is based upon our limited understanding of the past, we remain clueless of the reality of the spiritual kingdom of God.

Spirit to Spirit Enlightenment

In great contrast to our fallen natural state is the redeemed state of becoming one with God in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit of God. The wisdom of the ages past and future is opened and available to redeemed man. As a son of God, our available light from our spiritual window comes from the fullness of God from eternity past to eternity future. There is no end to the potential of available light of heavenly wisdom, love, and power flowing from the open-heaven connection in the Spirit of Christ Jesus.

Connecting, becoming one with the life and light of heaven is for those who truly and completely love God � those who have become living sacrifices unto God. The beauty of holiness is measured out in our love from God and for God. The more love, the more holiness � the more holiness, the more access to the potential of heaven now on earth. Holiness does not produce love; love produces holiness.

To live and walk in the Spirit is to live and walk in love with God. The walk of faith begins and ends with walking in God�s love. All wisdom and power are available to those who believe (walk in faith) � those who live and walk in the Spirit � those who walk in love with God.

With God all things are possible. If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. ~ Jesus

The living Spirit of Christ in us is the only source of heavenly love, holiness, faith, wisdom, and power. This powerful heavenly Christ-Life in us always leads to true humility of soul. There is a complete absence of pride and fear. Perfect love removes all fear and pride and replaces it with humble rest in righteousness, peace, and joy. To live and walk in the Spirit is to live and walk in love with God.

Localized Tribal Villages of Love

The Spirit of Christ in us will draw us together with others who also live and walk in the Spirit. As we connect and gather with others walking in the Spirit, the presence of the glory of God increases. A spiritual radiant glow of the light of the life and love of God emanates from the villages and shines among men (Mat 5:14-16).

Sadly, many people in the world today have witnessed a lot of religious mixtures and counterfeits. Many will be greatly encouraged by experiencing the true manifestation of Christ appearing in His people on earth. Evangelism will be easy as people are drawn to the light and will seek out those who are walking in the Spirit to help them find the way to the fullness of Christ and become living sacrifices to God.

God�s investment will produce the fruit of the kingdom of God on earth.

God has invested the life of Christ Jesus into His many sons. Our lives are to be invested into serving one another in kingdom villages that are, in turn, invested into the world to establish the love economy of the kingdom of God on earth. God has also invested special spiritual gifts and holy angels (ministering spirits) to help us to disciple people into the reality of the kingdom of God under the headship of Christ.

God�s investments will pay off. All will not be lost. His word will not return to Him void. His purpose will be accomplished. However, we have a vital part in whether or not we will be part of what God is doing. It is possible for us to waste the investment God has put in our hands. The greatest investment is the cross and the potential of the resurrected Christ in us by the Holy Spirit.

In my opinion, one of the most grievous sins is to rob God of the offering of our lives as a living sacrifice to Him � to steal from God by wasting or misusing our lives and the gifts that He has given. Using our lives and gifts for the god of self or any other god is to waste God�s provision and sacrifice our God-given kingdom potential to another god. To turn our backs to the potential of Christ in us by the Holy Spirit and turn to fulfilling the lust of our flesh with the things of this world or to a man-centered religion that denies the Spirit of Christ in us by the Holy Spirit is grievous spiritual harlotry.

Many Christian people today are beginning to see that they are not walking in the reality of the kingdom in the Holy Spirit. They are beginning to sense that there are some among them who are filled with the Spirit of Christ and living a humble life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit that they do not have. They are recognizing that their lives currently consist in the self-fulfillment of satisfying natural desires for self aggrandizement and pleasure. Ultimately, though, they do religious things; their life is wasted in a form of godliness without the reality of the life of Christ manifest in them by the Holy Spirit.

In the increasingly difficult times of judgments in the very near future, there will become a greater contrast and separation between those who both live in and walk in the Spirit and those who do not. The kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit. There is no kingdom of God outside the Holy Spirit. There is a major difference from having only the earnest or gurantee of the Holy Spirit and the fullness of the Holy Spirit by being submersed, saturated, and filled with the Spirit of God. The difference is like the difference in having a seed or experiencing the full fruit of that which was in the seed.

Gal 5:24-25: And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Rom 8:9: � Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Rom 14:17: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Mark 1:8: “I (John the Baptist) indeed baptized you with water, but He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

We do not worship the gifts or the process. We worship the Giver and use the gifts wisely according to the leadership of Christ in us by the Holy Spirit.

Those who receive and are baptized in the Holy Spirit are filled with the fullness of the Spirit of Christ and have the potential to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, to establish the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

The Sword of the Lord comes,

Ron McGatlin

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

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