A SEAON FOR 'NEW' PROPHETIC DECLARATION

By: Ching Co

These past weeks, I felt the Lord leading me to do certain things like sorting through my old records, files and to do housecleaning (throwing out things that are no longer useful to me). This gave me time to work and talk with the Lord. In the process, I found myself sharing my struggles with Him.

I felt that I have not done enough for Him. As I go over the years past, I noticed that many times I felt the Lord leading me to do something which I obeyed wholeheartedly, then along the way events overtook me and I had to let go of those projects and let go of the vision.

These experiences make me feel like I have been a failure. The enemy of our soul has been quick to pick up the momentum to continually use these memories to torment us about our shortcomings. Many times I felt that I have missed my calling, failed the Lord and am a total failure. I was in this state of mind when the Lord interrupted me with that “small still voice” to give me His message. Furthermore, it was impressed to me that this message is not for me alone. Many of God’s warriors are standing in the same place where I am now. So my prayer is that as I share this message with the body of Christ, that you please allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as well.

First, God brought to my mind the prophet Jeremiah, and how in the midst of the calamity that was about to befall Jerusalem, God asked the prophet to buy a field which, if taken on face value, was a very foolish act. These were Jeremiah’s words to Baruch and the other witnesses:

“In their presence, I gave Baruch these instructions: ... ‘Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land’” (Jer. 32:13-15, NIV).

“Once more fields will be bought in this land which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without men or animals, for it has been handed over to the Babylonians.’ Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed ... because I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord” (Jer. 32:43-44).

Then, the Lord reminded me of the story of Hosea who married an adulterous wife and took her back, even when she left Hosea for another man (Hosea 1, 3). As I was pondering what these stories have to do with my own situation, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking the words below to me. As always, please test them and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

“When you obey Me, great things are taking place in the heavenlies. My beloved, you know that I do not see as a man does, nor do I act as a human does. Even the smallest thing that you do for Me has great significance in the kingdom of God. Therefore, listen and I will explain to you the spiritual significance of your life. You, beloved, are called ‘children and saints of the Most High God.’ Your very life is an intercession for God’s kingdom to be established on earth. Every word that you speak, every action that you take, must not be judged nor measured by their outward appearance because all these have greater spiritual value.

“Look at Jeremiah and Hosea; when they followed My command, their actions were prophetic declarations of what is in My heart. They were symbolic of things that are happening and of things to come. The same is true with you today. Many times I will call you to do things which appear foolish, unreasonable and insignificant in the eyes of men. But when you obey Me, great things are taking place in the heavenlies.

“Nations are being marked, families are being saved, spiritual barriers are being broken and My kingdom is being push forward. Every action that you make has meaning. When I asked you to do physical housecleaning, and as you began to throw away things that are not needed, so I am also doing housecleaning in the hearts and minds of men and even in the midst of nations. Begin to listen intently and you will hear and see the Holy Spirit showing you people, nations and visions of the significance of these actions.

“At times, scenes from war movies will be brought to your mind. You will see soldiers marking boundaries, breaking enemy barriers and claiming lands for their leader. As you have seen them in your spirit, and as you act them out and declare them, so the same is already happening in the heavenlies. These pictures represent angels carrying out your orders as you declare them prophetically. As you do your regular exercise and walk around, you will hear the Holy Spirit guiding you of how to claim nations for Me.

“Every step that you take represents something spiritual. As you do any acts led by the Holy Spirit, listen to Him and ask Him for the spiritual meaning and significance for these, and as you do speak them forth. Just know My precious ones that nothing you do is insignificant. Do not worry about the end result of what you are lead to do. Just do what I told you to do. And one day, when we are together, you will understand the importance of your obedience to Me.

“This day, I pour down a new anointing upon you all. Go, declare, and take My kingdom back for Me from the clutches of the enemy. Remember: I am God. I am in control. I love you dearly.”

This is the message of the Lord for His children this season. Amen and amen, Lord.

A HOLY EXPERIENCE

BECAUSE GOD REALLY KNOWS HOW TO MEET NEEDS

HIGH POSITIONS

by Os Hillman



"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position" (James 1:9).


Whenever God takes a saint to a very lowly state it is designed to accomplish something only that process can do. Job learned that "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). Job's trials allowed him to learn things about God, himself and his friends that we all needed to know as well. He assumed things about God that he had to recant: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know" (Job 42:3).

God reveals things in the dark places of circumstances that will be used to reveal something He wants you and others to know. He has sent you ahead to learn these things so that you and others will benefit from your unique experience. God views this place where you receive these truths as a high position. The world views it as a place to be despised.


"He called down a famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them - Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true" (Psalms 105:16-19). Joseph was also led to this high position. It was here he was prepared to be the most powerful man in the world as a thirty-year old. He learned many things about God during his captivity that was used later as a ruler over a nation.

So, if you find yourself in a lowly state, realize your lowly state is considered a high position by God that is preparation soil for revealing deep things from the dark places that God desires you to learn.

DEFINING YOUR SELF-WORTH

by Os Hillman

What measurements do you use to define your self-worth? Do you define it based on your financial assets? Is it based on what you have achieved professionally? Perhaps you define your value based on the number of children you have.

There are many things we can use to define our self-worth. However, the scriptures tell us there is only one measure for our self-worth. Each of us has self-worth because we are made in the image of God. And because we are made in the image of God, we are valuable. Whenever you and I place a value in ourselves that is based on some other performance criteria, we have moved beyond God's view of our worth as human beings. You are never more valuable to God than you were the day you were born.

Many of us have sought to determine our self-worth based on the amount of money we have. This is a dangerous trap. Paul warns us against seeking to build wealth in order to gain greater value. Paul came to understand that the greatest riches could not compare with knowing Christ. In fact, he considered all other material things to be mere rubbish in comparison: "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8).

Basing our self-worth on how much money we have or our achievements is an easy trap. We are bombarded with messages that say we are defined by what we drive, where we live, how many toys we own, and the size of our investment account. The media message is designed to create dissatisfaction and lust for what we don't have.

Paul said the purpose for his existence was......"to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10).

In what terms do you define yourself?

WHAT GOD EXPECTS

By BGEA

What God expects, and all God expects, is that we dedicate completely all of our talents and gifts to Him. That is the meaning of the parable of the talents in Matthew, chapter 25. Read this parable, and you will see that we are always rewarded because of our faithfulness. You can be just as faithful as anyone and have the commendation of the Lord. Take the one talent you have and invest it in eternal things. Some talented people lose their reward because they do things to be seen of men. Some untalented people lose their reward because they fail to dedicate what they have, because it is not noticed by men. Both have sinned equally.

Prayer for the day

Let me not be concerned with the praise of men, but may my talent be completely yielded to You, Lord Jesus.

TRAINING UP A CHILD

By Pastor Andre Butler





Let’s say that you are training your body to run in a marathon, or maybe you’re training yourself to play well on the basketball court. Well first, you have a goal that you’re trying to accomplish. There’s some result that you want, whether it’s being able to make a jump shot every time or being able to run a mile in five minutes.

Second, you have some type of training curriculum. In other words, you have a plan that you’re following to reach that goal. This of course then involves repetition. You have to do it over and over again so that you’re trained to do it. So now let’s apply this to what the scripture is saying. Well, there’s obviously a goal you’re trying to reach with your children. There’s a result that you want, which is for them to be Godly, mighty, and blessed seed in the earth. And the curriculum that you need to use in training them is the Word of God.

This of course involves the need for repetition.

I’ve learned with my own daughters that what this scripture is really talking about is similar to programming a computer. What you’re doing is programming their spirits. You’re teaching them the Word of God so that this becomes a part of their own spiritual programming. As a parent you need to keep giving the Word of God to your children so that the Word abides on the inside of them, becomes a part of their programming, and eventually they can automatically make the right decisions.

You have to keep teaching them the Word of God and making sure that they understand the boundaries that the Word has given them. If you don’t give your children boundaries, they will absolutely ruin their lives. They have to learn about boundaries in the home before they’ll really be able to stay within the boundaries outside of the home. You have to teach them about things that they can and cannot do, and then you have to repeat it over and over.

Training requires constant attention. Sometimes we can get so caught up in regular life—and in many cases just surviving--that we forget about training. And before you know it, your child’s all grown up and you never really trained them, and then you wonder about the result that you see. One of the most important things that you will ever do on this planet is train up your own children.

Doing that should be a high priority in your life. So ask yourself: what kind of job am I doing in training my children so that they can be the type of person that God wants them to be and therefore a person that will be blessed?

Scripture Of The Day: "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

ANSWERS TO UNPRAYED PRAYERS

By Brenda J. Davis

Several years ago, God sent me a special friend—even before I asked for one. When we first became acquainted, Roz and I were attending the same church in Virginia.
Roz is not only a fierce intercessor and one of the godliest women I’ve ever met, she is also a professional Christian counselor. She was the answer to one of my unspoken prayers for a number of reasons.

I was in my early 40s, coping with seminary and graduate school demands and battling chronic illness. I was hundreds of miles away from my family, facing major surgery.

Roz, who barely knew me at the time, opened her home to me while I was recuperating. Her incredible family surrounded me, prayed for me, fed me and saw me restored to health—and hope.

Both Roz and I have long since moved away from Virginia. I miss the closeness we shared when she was just a few blocks away. But in 2004 when I needed her, the Lord sent her halfway across the country for a different purpose, just so she could stop by and set me straight on her way back home.

Five minutes into our talk she strongly suggested that I read Bruce Wilkinson’s The Dream Giver (Multnomah). A modern parable, the book tells the story of Ordinary, who leaves the land of Familiar in order to pursue his Big Dream. Reading it according to Roz’s careful instructions gave me a new perspective on how God uses us to answer the prayers of others.

Various passages in the Bible refer to the fact that God responded to mankind’s need for deliverance by sending a human deliverer (see Judges 3:9).

Some cries for help are never uttered aloud. They are too desperate for words, but God hears and answers them in spite of that fact.

An example of this is the work done by Heidi and Rolland Baker among the children of Mozambique. It is a striking demonstration of the fact that God visits the hearts of His people with big dreams in order to reach those who are crying out in their need.

Vision is about more than personal success. Purpose is more than individual fulfillment. God’s dreams, when embraced by His people and allowed to flow out through their lives, will bring both, but more importantly, they will express His desire for oppressed people everywhere to know love, freedom and deliverance.

This is what Ordinary discovered in The Dream Giver. His Big Dream was directly connected to the needs of others.

God will manifest His dream through your life by making you the answer to someone’s prayers. Allowing Him to do so is a costly way to live, but it is clearly the pathway to reaching Moses’ loftiest goal (see Exodus 33:18) and our own—experiencing the fullness of His glory.

STEP INTO DARKNESS

By Christine Cain

God has a purpose and a destiny for our lives. Not so that we can reach a safe nirvana on here on earth but so that we could take risks and make a different in our generation. Let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our father that's in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

CHANGING OUR PARADIGM

by Os Hillman

"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.'" Acts 10:19-20

Peter had never preached to the Gentiles. In fact, he believed it was against Jewish law to associate with the Gentiles. God needed to change Peter's attitude about this, so during the night God gave Peter a vision that showed him it was permissible to preach to the Gentiles. The Spirit came to Peter and informed him that some men were about to come visit him, and he was to go with them. He went with them, and the Lord did great miracles in the lives of Gentiles through Peter.

Sometimes we are so bent on our particular belief that the Holy Spirit must do something miraculous to change our paradigm.

I was once asked to attend a conference overseas. At the time, finances were such that the very idea was ridiculous to me. The very next day a man I had met only once before informed me of this event and asked if I would come if my expenses were covered. I was dumbfounded! The Lord had sent a messenger to change my paradigm because He knew I didn't have the faith to think of the possibility. He knew I needed help.

Do you need a paradigm shift in some area of belief? The Lord still intervenes in the lives of His people every day. Don't be surprised when God begins to change your paradigm by giving you a vision or sending you a messenger of His choosing.

OUR PLANS AND GOD'S PLANS

by Os Hillman


"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have considered.

Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon after. He went to Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments in electromagnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by electricity." In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects received funding.

Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester, Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]

God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path (see Prov. 3:5-6).

ANGELS OF MERCY

by Kathy Duffy

Have you ever been in a predicament and someone appeared from out of nowhere to help you? That's happened to me more than once.

Years ago I took a trip from Oklahoma to Michigan driving an old, worn-out car. During the middle of the night somewhere in Missouri my car broke down. Here I was, a female with no credit cards, no AAA, no cellular phone and very limited cash, stranded in the middle of the night on the highway. I prayed and asked the Lord to help me.

Almost immediately from out of nowhere a man in a pick up truck appeared, fixed my car and made sure that I made it safely on my way. Whether he was human or an angel, heaven only knows. But of one thing I'm certain, he was sent by the Lord to help me out of a potentially dangerous situation.

Likewise, the Lord sends us out into a world that is engulfed in darkness, and to a people who are destitute and without hope, dying in their sin. Every day we meet them. They are headed down a road that leads to eternal destruction and they are all around us.

Jesus said, "broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matt.7:13-14, NIV).

As Christians, it is our God given responsibility to help people find the road that leads to life. How often does the Holy Spirit bring people across our path so we can help them find their way, but we're too busy to even notice, let alone help them find Christ?

Let me give you an example of one such divine appointment that I could have easily missed. One day I went to a lake to pray. While walking in the woods, I noticed a woman dressed in a business suit sitting on a bench. I remember thinking how peculiar it was for her to be at the lake in a business suit.

Suddenly, before I could even think about it, I found myself running over to the lady, throwing my arms around her and asking her what was wrong. She grabbed me and sobbed uncontrollably in my arms. I began to pray aloud. Between sobs, she eventually told me her story.

Sin had taken its toll in her life to the point that she was contemplating suicide. She had just cried out to God and pleaded that if He was really there and if He still loved her, to please send her an angel to let her know. It was at the precise moment that I ran over to her. She literally thought I was an angel when I put my arms around her and began to pray for her. The Lord intervened and changed her life that day, and ultimately the lives of her husband and children. To her, I was an "angel" sent by God.

What if I had been too busy to stop and talk with her? What if I had let my head get in the way instead of following my heart? I was His angel (messenger) that day. It was a simple act but the results were life changing.

I challenge you as I do myself to follow the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit in your heart and avail yourself to be used by God however He wants to use you. Then, in utter amazement, watch Him work through you and see what He'll do!

ARE YOU A THREAT?

by Os Hillman


"One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?'" - Acts 19:15

Are you a threat to the kingdom of darkness? If Satan and his demons had a board meeting and your name came before the board, what would they say? Would they say that you are one of their most feared enemies and they needed to keep many demons harassing and opposing you? Or would they say, "Gentlemen, this person poses no threat to our activities. Leave him alone. He needs no help from us." There are millions of church-going believers sitting in pews Sunday after Sunday who pose little threat to the kingdom of darkness.

If we truly believe that we war against rulers and principalities that cannot be seen, then we must realize that their mandate is to hinder any believer who is seeking to walk in the fullness of God. However, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 Jn. 4:4b KJV).

If you are seeking to fully follow the Lord, you can expect harassment from the enemy. God permits temptation because it drives us deeper into the soil of God. These times reveal God's power to keep us and walk us through the temptations. Our message becomes fruitful when it is born out of obedience and suffering for His name. Do not consider it strange if you find yourself fighting major battles the more obedient you become to the Master. God desires each of us to become a feared enemy of hell in order to affect Satan's domain. When you begin to feel harassed, chances are you are beginning to affect the kingdom of darkness, and Satan doesn't like this.

So, how many demons do you think are assigned to you?

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE!

by Os Hillman

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12).

In the old west it was common to see a poster on the wall of the town jail or post office with a man's picture below the words: Wanted: Dead or Alive! These were the most notorious criminals who posed the greatest danger to society.

Let me ask you a personal question. Is there a "Wanted: Dead or Alive" poster in hell with your name on it? Are you a real danger to hell? Do you cause problems for Satan's legion of demons? Are you pushing back Satan's agenda on planet earth?

Are the unsaved in danger of receiving salvation through you? Will someone receive healing because you dared to pray for them? Will someone's life be impacted because you chose to pray for them in your workplace during a difficult time? Will a city be impacted for Jesus Christ because of you?

Millions of believers sit on the sidelines everyday having no impact on the Kingdom of darkness. Their names will never appear on a Wanted poster in hell because Satan sees that they are no threat. However, God wants you to be a threat to Satan's kingdom.

What are some things you can do that will pose a threat to Satan's agenda? Perhaps you can begin praying for one of Satan's most notorious talk show personalities. Or maybe you are called to visit an elderly home to bring the love of Christ into a lonely place. There are many ways you can earn a reputation in hell.

Are you willing to be a force to be reckoned with by Satan's legions?

CHANGING THE WORLD ONE CHILD AT A TIME

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