by Dr. Stephen Crosby (http://drstevecrosby.wordpress.com)
There is no spiritual significance inherent in moving a meeting out of a sanctuary into a living room. The question to be asked is not related to how we meet (form), but how we live life together in Christ (substance) and the values we embrace. Whenever love wanes, efficiently administered corporation ethics subtly and subversively displace family (kingdom) values.
The only way a family grows is by giving itself away. A family remains a family by giving away life. A family is bonded in covenantal love, but love lets children grow, and through tears of love, releases them to “increase” the family by “scattering.” In a sense, the individual family decreases, the greater family increases. A family cannot experience increase by clinging to what it has.
Children grow up, leave, most often marry, and new life is often the result. The gene pool is diversified for the overall health and well-being of the greater family. A family that never releases its members–a family that never allows the introduction of diverse DNA into the family–will soon cease to be a family, or become a pocket of isolated genetic defectives. A family that is obsessed about the purity of its own image, is headed for trouble. Introduction of diversity, is key to genetic health. You have to be willing to allow one’s own image to seem to be lost, to see it again in modified reflections (family resemblance) of one’s self in new life, that you have no direct control over. Seed must be sown to reproduce. We are the seed, not our money. We are sown in death, raised in newness of life, to bear a family image and likeness.
On the other hand, a corporation sustains itself by insulating its assets from risk. It has no life to give away. Because a corporation does not have life and does not operate on love, it requires structure, order, and rules to maintain its identity. When love is absent or diminished, systems become a necessity to maintain group order and to perpetuate the group. A corporation grows/survives by protecting itself, assuring that it experiences no decrease. A corporation grows through accumulation of resources, not the scattering of them. A corporation can only experience increase by clinging to what it has, and trying to acquire more.
The kingdom of God is a family, not a corporation. If we gather in a living room with a corporate mindset, Jesus’ kingdom will have experienced no increase. We will delude ourselves into thinking we are involved in something spiritually significant simply because of our spatial geography at the moment.
Jesus’ family grows by scattering–the giving away of resources because we are animated by the power of love, and love’s compulsion is to scatter. Love compels us to release resources: time, money, people, gifts. We gather to love, nurture, and disciple for the sole purpose of seeing the greater family increase through the scattering/release of resources, not the maintenance of our singular group, through the accumulation of resources and the aggrandizement of individual egos and reputations.
It makes no difference if we gather in a living room or a sanctuary if the values of “asset protection,” the perpetuation of pet doctrines, gift addictions, the ego need of teachers/preachers for a weekly audience, and a misdirected sense of purity are present, we will become nothing other than an isolated pocket of spiritual defectives.
A greater change has to take place than the location of our posteriors during a meeting. A deep purging and realignment of our values must take place, lest we fool ourselves by just running a “mom and pop” religious shop instead of a Fortune 500 version of the same religious machine.
by Clay Sikes
The time of corporate gathering and gifting is upon us: the time for some to get beyond the four walls of the church, for others, beyond the isolation of our small groups. We must recognize a great joining of unprecedented nature is upon us, as isolation is transitioning into a worldwide ‘joining’ for His purposes. Now is the time for the corporate Body of Christ to ‘join together’ through ‘God called’ gatherings and supernatural connections. Those with a nose for this ‘word’ will sniff it like a hound dog on the trail of a fox. They will trail it to wherever it leads, through swamps, rocks, ridges, bush and briars; whatever it takes to stay on the trail.
It is as if we have all been given this new appetite for God and His Kingdom upon earth, as “the whole creation is groaning for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). We are yearning as never before to see His Kingdom upon earth as it is in heaven.” The first step to satisfying this yearning can be found by unlocking one of God’s hidden mysteries (great treasures); and that is the power and authority released into the earth as the Body connects to the parts that it is called to be ‘connected to.’
The Army of God is now beginning to make strategy for VICTORY; the primary focus of this strategy involves unifying the Body and joining the parts that are ‘called’ to be JOINED. We must work to properly discern and join the Body properly… This is not a joining for the sake of joining, but rather a fitting of the parts that are CALLED to be joined. We must now allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to those who have a part in ushering in our calling, purpose, and destiny.
Elohim (the Father of the remnant) is offering us keys to unlocking the Kingdom in each of us, and thereby releasing the authority of the Lion in God’s people. God’s desire and intent to release His authority on earth is undeniably connected to the ‘joining of the parts that are called to be joined:’ Just as joining is connected to gathering, so too is authority connected to joining. It is critical to understand that this joining and gathering will not be done by man – man will only serve as a point of contact. The Spirit of God will deal with hearts with strong direction ‘to gather.’ Spirit appointed gatherings have begun on earth. Discernment will distinguish between another great sounding conference with all our spiritual heroes on the speaker list, and the real thing! The real thing may not look or sound like what our preconceived notions think it may. The proof of desire is pursuit, and those with a hunger will not be denied in this hour.
2011 will usher in the greatest changes many of us have ever experienced, and one of the greatest times in Church history. The remnant of God will begin to ‘take back the land,’ as authority and offensive spiritual weaponry replaces our ‘survival’ techniques of the past. Hirelings will fall aside as true sons emerge as God’s appointed leaders in the earth. God is separating the precious from the vile in us, in His Body, and in the earth. Everything lost is being returned, as God’s appointed heritage will come upon His remnant people in this hour. This is the year of ‘Solemn Assembly’ as the Clarion Call has been sounded. When the proper joinings are completed, our Commander will speak from His Oval Office with Orders to His Army upon earth.
By Ron McGatlin
Recently the Lord spoke to me to tell a person to stop trying to walk circumspectly. My first thought was but Lord that does not sound biblical. However, I quickly obeyed because I have learned to not hold back when the Lord speaks. I can seek to understand it later. He is always faithful to bring clarity.
Some of the most unfulfilled people in the world are devout Christians who strive daily to live righteously and to get every detail right in their lives and behavior. Often they feel guilty or hopeless because they are continuously striving and still fail in one way or another. It is possible to make ourselves and the people around us to live in a measure of misery by our striving to walk circumspectly. Many people and probably some reading this believe this is the only way to live the Christian life. They may strive with a lot of taste-not and touch-not rules. They may count it their place in life to carry this heavy burden of striving against sin and concern of failing to measure up in some area of the walk of righteousness that God requires of them.
They may devoutly and religiously pray and read the Bible seeking Jesus continuously and yet never find the love, righteousness, peace and joy that come only from the Spirit. Always seeking but never finding the promised rest in God.
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world (Heb 4:1-3).
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedient unbelief (Heb 4:9-11).
Yes we are to walk circumspectly. However, we are not told to strive to do it. If we do we are working toward the right goal in the wrong way. Jesus said that His burden was light. There is a much larger factor involved. When that factor is in place it completely fulfills our walk in righteousness without striving to make it happen. The walk of righteousness or walking circumspectly is effortless, if we live in the Spirit and WALK IN THE SPIRIT. (Gal 5:16-25)
We don’t have to strive, sweat and toil over the many smaller things if we get the one big thing right. We get the treasure hidden in the field when we buy the field. When we buy the field of living in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit we get the hidden treasure of righteous living. Our diligence should be to believe and yield in order to enter into His rest walking in the Spirit. We should not be striving to do right things or not do wrong things. Likewise we should not be striving to keep those around us doing right and not doing wrong. We don’t have to keep beating on our flesh to keep it in line and, just as importantly, we don’t have to keep beating on other’s flesh to get them to do right and stop them from doing wrong. The Spirit of God wars against our flesh and overcomes it with the love and joy flowing in the rivers of living water from within us by His Spirit (John 7; 37-39).
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love (Gal 5:5-6).
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
Who is it that does the work?
Christ in us by the Spirit is the desire and the power. His righteousness will manifest from the love of God experienced in our relationship with Jesus. Rest comes from intimately knowing and relating to Christ Jesus by the Spirit.
There are widespread and strongly held perversions of the truth propagated by the enemy through religion. It is widely believed that righteousness by faith means that while we live in sin, we believe God sees us as pure and holy as Jesus because we believe. This leaves us to struggle and repent over and over again for our continued disobedience and lack or to just live with sin. Righteous living comes by believing the truth.
The truth is that we are being transformed by the ultimate power of God in Christ Jesus abiding in us by the Holy Spirit. God is working in us by His Spirit empowering us to live in this world now as Christ Jesus lives in and through us. We are delivered in this life from darkness to light into a kingdom of living by and walking in the spirit, overcoming all sin and tendency to disobedience BY HIS POWER FLOWING THROUGH HIS PRESENCE OF LOVE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
God is not requiring us to come up with righteousness – He is empowering us to live pure and holy lives of righteousness. Our part is to believe this and yield or agree and obedience is an effortless joy. THANK YOU JESUS!
Ron McGatlin
www.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net
If we are centered on the person of Jesus Christ instead of teachings ABOUT Him, then I have often questioned the common practices of “evangelism” and how today’s organized religious system has stretched the “great commission”.
Frank Viola’s blog post has some excellent insight on the issues.
Check out Taylor Burton-Edwards’ blog post for additional insights on the Greek in the so-called “Great Commission.”
Beware, this will challenge your belief systems.
By Ron McGatlin
We are soon witnessing the most colossal systemic failure of human and world order since man began governing himself independent of God. The climax of human failure will come upon the world. The destined harvest of the seed of man’s rebellion against God must come to pass in such a way that all creation will know that God reigns in His kingdom now and forever. None will be able to say man has no need of God. Every created thing will know that the governance of man without God has utterly failed, and all will acknowledge that God is supreme above all. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Rom 14:11) (Phil 2:9-11).
Once and for all it will be known that man cannot rule Planet Earth without God. Mankind is incapable of bringing forth the one indispensable substance absolutely required to bring the world into perfect order. Only by perfect unconditional love can the power, wisdom, righteousness, peace, and joy required to bring the world into perfect order be available to bring peace on earth and good will toward men.
Probably the most foundational statement of the kingdom of God on earth is “God so loved the world.” Probably the most fundamental reality of Heaven and all creation is “God is love.”
It is impossible to separate God and love. It is equally impossible to separate God from all creation. God is the creator and continuing sustainer by which all things continue to exist in order. The great trial of Lucifer/Satan along with all the fallen angels and demon spirits that seek to rule the earth through mankind will soon be completed. The verdict is decided and the carrying out of the sentence waits only for the purified holy sons of God on earth. The Holy Bride-church people, the true Body of our Head, Christ Jesus, must manifest bearing many mature sons of God, joint heirs with Christ Jesus. The “parusia” (the coming of Christ in His people) is present with us now in His seed scattered across the world much as one would sprinkle salt to affect the whole.
I see the unconditional love of God setting on fire every maturing scattered son of God. Much like a powerful lightning strike, the brightness of the pure, holy power of heaven released from the throne of God is exploding in fiery power in every prepared humble son of God. A child is grown in a day. A city is formed in a day. Your life is changed forever in one burst of lightning from the throne. Without a thought prepared sons throwing down all their earthly life and possessions and bursting into fountains of limitless fire from heaven. A garden of God will be wherever they are and smoldering stubble where they are not. No tolerance remains for rebellion and filthy lustful pride of life. The LORD God Almighty, the Great Spirit Father of all has spoken in these latter days by His SON, The only begotten Head of the holy prepared Body of sons of God. It is God incarnate in His chosen willing volunteers who have lost their lives and gained their part in the working practical reality of Christ ruling and reigning in full light of heavenly glory on earth as it is in heaven.
Let the simple remain simple, the old and feeble that never grew up in Christ but lived and loved Him as best as they knew shall leave through the gate of passing in their day.
Let all those who have the call of this generation cry out to God and turn from their pride and lust of profane life. Let them fall on their faces in total shame for their self-inflicted blindness. Let the deceived ones who have led them fall before those they have led and moan for the error they have brought upon these who have sought God in their institutions of deceit.
Let the dead bury the dead, but let those who have life in them arise from their time on their faces and lift their lives of death unto the Son of resurrection. Let them arise from their graves of empty life into the glorious life of Christ flowing life to all who will crucify the past and arise into the light that has come.
Christ Jesus, the resurrection and the life, has come as a glowing white Spirit-Star shining to every corner of the world. In a flash of His glory, nothing is the same and will never be the same again. Run now from the cares of this life and the filth of the past. Run into the place of the refiner’s fire that will melt your being and remold you into a working, functioning son (cell or part) of the whole of the Body of Christ on earth. Be set on fire as the LOVE of God Himself lays hold of the scattered salt of the earth. The salt shall become as yeast in the dough of the earth and spread in that day through the whole lump of the earth unto all people in whom the life abides.
Read: Acts 2:17-21 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10.
The SPIRITUAL coming of the day of the Lord is approaching in a living cloud of heaven. The supernatural cloud appears as great and fierce darkness with fearful thunder and impending doom and destruction to those who do not love Him. To the sons of light the cloud appears as a cloud of great glory filled with the brightness of heaven – a source of great joy and everlasting life beyond measure.
The source of all love and all life is come to earth, and the peace of His power shall utterly end the evil works of the devil and all who work with him. No one shall remain neutral or straddle the fence. There shall no more mixture. The evil will be completely evil and the godly will be only godly. The sons of darkness will be all darkness, and the sons of light shall be all light.
The time for only talking and not doing is passing quickly. Hearing without obedience is worse than not hearing. Doing without hearing is always futile and leads backward and not forward.
The love of God is constraining us to shut off the sounds of the evil one and all he has fostered. The unconditional love and power of God is releasing the wisdom of God from heaven that says LISTEN ONLY TO ME – TURN YOUR EAR, LEAN FORWARD, AND HEAR WITH YOUR EARS AND SEE WITH YOUR EYES – RECEIVE YOUR SIGHT AND YOUR HEARING NOW! TURN OFF THE SOUND OF THE WORLD AND LOOK UP FOR THE SOUND OF HEAVEN HAS COME AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE LIGHT AND LIFE IN THE SOUND OF HEAVEN REACHING EARTH – HEAR AND OBEY THE LIFE, THE TRUTH, AND THE WAY FOR YOUR DAY HAS COME!
The words of the Lord are truth and life. They come by the Spirit and must be heard by the Spirit.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Rev 22:20-21
Keep on pursuing love. It never fails
and His kingdom never ends.
Ron McGatlin
www.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net
Tags: kingdom love
This is a speech given by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly in 2009. It is one of the most elegant summarizations of the issues facing not only Israel but also the world. I have included both written and video versions. I found it quicker to read the speech than to watch the videos.
Written Format
You can read the original speech on the Israeli Prime Minister’s website at:
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Archive/Speeches/2009/09/speechUN240909.htm
Video Format
The video of the speech is recorded in four parts (each on about 6-8 minutes):
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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by Clay Sikes – www.lighthouseprophecy.org
As many know, we are living in a modern day ‘reformation period,’ much like Martin Luther’s time in the past. We have moved into the third third, from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age, from Pentecost to Tabernacles. Much has been written about this transition by many, and I won’t belabor the point here. I will however, begin to highlight changes that this new Age (era of time) demand – new times produce new characteristics. As in the natural, spiritual times produce new aspects for consideration. Just as the horse fell victim to the car, the telegraph to the telephone, the lantern to lights, the fan to air conditioning; all these factors had one common trait – major change brought on by time! Let us not be short circuited by our own traditions: Ignorance often comes disguised as tradition!
My great grandmother was transported by mule and wagon the first 20 years of her life, yet she lived long enough to see a man walk on the moon. She once told me that during those early years there was no way to imagine traveling by air much less jet travel, much less space travel. The characteristics of travel, even from mule and wagon on dusty roads, to the vast Interstate systems she would ride on before her death were far more than she could have comprehended. As the Industrial Age rolled into the Information Age a few years back, so too has the spiritual Age changed. Few are fortunate enough to see the change of a century, the change of natural age (Industrial to Information), and now a spiritual Age, yet those living today have seen all three. Mind and soul comprehend the first two; but only by the Spirit is the third known or seen. Every season has its unique characteristics, and just as we don’t wear warm clothes in summer, or shorts in winter, so too does the season we have entered have its unique characteristics. To know these characteristics and to be vigilant to look for them is to forearm us with some expectation. Let us not be found with oil less lamps.
What is mentioned here is the tip of the iceberg. I see through the glass darkly, and invite comment and understanding as we ask God’s leadership and provision in building His Kingdom (in all spheres on earth).
For years I have recognized being called out of ‘her’ that I might be drawn to HIM, and in the process ESTABLISH! For years I have been instrumental in the local market in breaking break the mold and establishing change by introducing new ideas and new ways, thereby releasing a new paradigm. This preparation and gift, which first started as a natural phenomenon prior to my salvation, has remained; however the ESTABLISHING today is for His glory, not mine! God is establishing a distinct and clear path to His Way, and as with times past, He can be seen and recognized when the times are urgent, as the hearts of men are more open in times of famine and desperation.
I submit the following for prayer, and that you hear God as to the spiritual validity of this writing. This first in a series of articles is written to those ‘called’ to the marketplace. I cannot shake what I believe God to be saying: “Flow into the new wineskin in the marketplace, and in worship and assembly.” I so strongly believe God is calling the elders at the city gate to pray as to how this wineskin is to look. The last thing I desire is another organization; I abhor the thought, but cannot resist the strong, almost compelling thrust to enter the ‘new wineskin.’ Just what that is remains to be seen. This is where the elders (forerunners) will collectively pray and hear what God is saying. This message is to both Kings and Priest.
I believe that this new wineskin will welcome the hurting world and Body of Christ, ministering to them in great love, compassion, and understanding; and further believe that its strong mission field will be the lost world, lost church, and the generations behind us. We are indeed living in Revelation 12 and Isaiah 60 times. What I see in this effort is an amazing spiritual feeding ground for starving people, coupled with an unparallel opportunity to shape the current generation and the generations following – establishing God’s Kingdom over the deeply rooted world’s system, a system in great decline brought on by its on greed, manipulation, and self serving purposes; and which, by the way, is right in the middle of many of today’s churches.
Many of us have been part of, and hence loathed the organizations of men. This exposure and experience happened for a very defined reason – to contrast the darkness from light. The new wineskin will carry the light into the dark world, and while I so strongly sense the wineskin is in both the marketplace (businesses), and assembly (the church), as stated, I will focus here on the marketplace (our business models). The single characteristic that distinguishes this model from those of the world, and even those we call Christian businesses today is the profound unity and spiritual flow in the appointed leadership of these marketplace models. Hirelings will not exist in leadership roles in these businesses, but rather true called sons and daughters – those led by His Spirit. A single hireling in a single place of core leadership will signal a lack of completeness in the work at hand – a little leaven spoils the whole lump.
Other characteristics exists beyond the absence of hirelings. The one man, top down, hierarchical corporate structure will not be seen in these business models, but rather a flow of confirming ideas under the leadership of God’s spirit. Each leader will have a specific responsibility in tandem with his gifting, with checks and balances (by spiritual witness) among core leaders. This model is not absent a leader, as leaders have a specific responsibility for all final decisions, but this leader is a servant to those who serve the ‘calling to the marketplace’ as unto the Lord, and not unto the leader himself. Each member of this core leadership recognizes his assignment as a ‘calling,’ further understanding the vast significance of Acts 17:26. Core leadership never seeks productivity, but rather creativity from those associated with the business. Core leaders are creative and spontaneously produce ideas that are productive, often defying the realm of possibility, whose thinking has escaped the arena of logic and reason and entered the arena of faith. These business models cry for creators, not producers.
The connection to, and trust for God allows this core group to continuously walk in the revelation of Romans 8:28. Nothing shakes their faith, even when it looks like sure destruction is at hand. Like David’s mighty men in the cave, these called one’s are settled in their callings and the places this calling takes them – cave or palace, makes no difference; never judging from the outward appearance.
These unions are taking place today as radical men and women are joining for His purposes. Nothing can stop the compelling urge to meet and gather IN HIS PRESENCE. The joining of those called will be signaled by a miraculous anointing, which will clearly separate those called from the world’s system to the Kingdom’s Way. Many are convinced that they know what the Kingdom’s Way is, but there is much to be learned as this new model will be constructed specifically by the Holy Spirit for God’s glory. Other characteristics of this company are men who despise not small beginnings, extreme transparency, repentance, praise, worship, prophetic and apostolic leanings, courage, no fear of death, premium time with God, and a strong testimony of overcoming power.
This Age will reveal the miraculous and those called to it as they will live in the world of the supernatural as naturally as a fish swims in the sea. Their testimonies are riddled with occasions of Divine Interference, as the Age will produce another unique characteristic – repeated Divine Interference in the affairs of men. Think it not a strange thing when these things begin to happen, first in God’s forerunners, then to the full remnant, and then with the Body of Christ. God’s time to shine in this dark world is upon us, and He will shine within the skin of men, those obedient unto death, who have exchanged their life for His. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. Watch out for a Kingdom business coming to a town near you
Tags: kingdom
This podcast is from a meeting in middle Tennessee. The group is led by Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings who have a blog called The God Journey. The gathering was organized by Jason Duncan in Sumner County, TN (www.theway247.com). It is life giving as they ask some of the “hard questions” which are part of this “journey” from Religion to Relationship.
Part 1 of 2:
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Part 2 of 2:
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Definitely outside the box….. I love it.
-Benny-
| By David Orton | ||||
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Tags: Jesus, kingdom, relationships
This is a STRONG confirmed prophetic WORD for this current season. It is provided by Christine Beadsworth who is from South Africa.
Please test it according to the Spirit.
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