The Word and Prayer

We believe as part of our mission as a ministry is to proclaim the gospel of Christ and prepare the way for Christ’s return by training believers everywhere to watch and pray. This ministry has helped hold leadership prayer and large evangelistic campaigns as well as lead by example a global prayer movement. We want to continue to train people to be watchmen over their children, cities and nation.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Tim. 2.15

The Word and the Holy Spirit
Other Topics Include...

  • Prayer, Intercession and Warefare

  • Praise and Worship

  • Healing and Deliverance

  • Walking in the Apostolic

  • Apostles and Apostolic Authority

  • Prophetic and "prophetic anointing"

  • Hearing God's voice and Prophesy

  • Teaching on our Identity, Anointing and Purpose

  • The Feast of Dedication


  • He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.(Nahum 2:1)

    • When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22)

    • "Receive the Holy Spirit." When you immerse a piece of fabric into water, you make sure that the fabric is fully soaked so that not a fiber of it is without water. This is how you receive the Holy Spirit. All of Him, leave no part or portion unfilled!

    • (Acts 1:4-5) And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (John 20:22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (Acts 19:2) And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

    • Jesus said to His first disciples after His resurrection, "receive the Holy Spirit." This was necessary for them that they might walk in His power, love and ministry. They had been walking with Him already for three years as His disciples or apostles. They had already seen His miracles and some of their own. But they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

    They had to be ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH,- baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH FIRE.

    (Acts 1:1)"... ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

    "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with your whole heart." (Jer 29:13).


    Prayer, Intercession and Warfare

      (Ephesians 6:18) "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…" (Colossians 4:2) "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."

      "A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust." (Proverbs 21:22)

                                     Developing A Heart And Mind Of Prayer

       

      1.  Preparing Your Heart Attitude:

       

      A.     God has multiple purposes:  to purify us, to express His love, to train us in prayer, to establish us in relationship with Himself, and to know the value of the Cross and His Kingdom, not simply answering prayer.

      B.     It is important to develop the habit of laying aside what you bring to prayer: personal opinions, prejudices and expectations and judgments.  Come willing  to be emptied of personal motives, which would contradict His, will and heart.

      C.     Come in faith believing: 1) confident that an answer exists in the heart and mind of God; 2) confident that He cares for you (1 Peter5:7); 3) that a solution is in place through Calvary, though we may not see the connection at the present moment; 4) that God is in charge of the process.  Even when we think we see what the end should be, we cannot travel from point “A” to “B” in our own strength and strategy.

       

      2.  Developing A Disposition To Learn  And Develop A Discerning Heart:

       

       

      A.     Daily practice discernment and notice His activity on your behalf, with an expectation of His action and provision.  Recognize His hand in your daily life that brings you joy, and helps you learn how to perceive His presence.  How He deals with you, and be aware of His voice within you (which He promised in John 10:4….we will know)

      B.     Cry out for insight and raise our voice for understanding…to search for it as for hidden treasure as Proverbs 2 instructs us.

      C.     God will arrange “divine appointments” for you in response to your prayers.  Be alert to those whom He has sent across your path, and ask that He will prepare you to respond in a discerning way.

      D.     A discerning and teachable heart is:

      ·         Awake to the wealth of help available form the Lord, which stirs up faith;

      ·         Thirsty for purity as we realize our unclean, unloving ways and the offense they are to the Lord’s heart;

      ·         Thirsty for love, to motivate us to ask and desire to be guided by LOVE;

      ·         Thirsty for empowering in the Spirit out of a desire to be one who sets others free though prayer and loving counsel;

      ·         Walking in meekness, knowing our own need of constant cleansing;

      ·         Walking in the fear of God, not man; as the woman who washed His feet was free of concern for reputation, we also will not act on our discernment if we are afraid of the judgment or rejection of others;

      ·         Walking in humility, so that God can entrust His power, authority and discernment to those who will not mistake it as their own, but will use it under His authority and out of His motives.

       

      3.  Bringing Life to Prayer Practicing Discernment:

       

      A.  God’s Word and Spirit operate through us, as we are open to them.  It is through     our obedience to God’s Spirit, He is able to give us that discernment which unlocks difficult situations.

       

             B.  Obeying God’s Spirit when He prompts us:

      ·         When someone’s name comes to us, offering prayer for them, though we may have no idea why;

      ·         Sometimes being prompted during prayer to pray something which does not necessarily make sense according to your knowledge of the situation, but which God discerns;

      ·         Revealing necessary insight through one of the gifts of the Spirit, which will give light to the situation; word of knowledge, word of wisdom, passage of Scripture, a song, or pictorial impression, which pertains to the situation.  When these come, ask Him to guide you in sharing and praying them in a sensitive and timely way (not always when they occur to you.)

       

      C.     We may want to pray for someone, but don’t know what their need is.  Hold them up before God; their name and circumstances.  Pray prayers of blessing over their life.  Often we become sensitive in the Spirit ot them and will find the Holy Spirit prompting us to pray more specifically for them, having prepared us in our hearts beforehand.

      D.     You may find in prayer that you find sin or unforgiveness present, which is blocking the desired answer.  Ask God to help you develop sensitivity to the “feel” of prayer situations; alertness to attitudes, which are contrary to God’s loving Spirit, or a sense of being blocked in prayer.  When you sense that there is not freedom, ask the Lord to show you the source of the trouble.  Ask and you shall receive.

       

      He may prompt you, or the person with whom you are praying, through an impression or memory, to be enlightened or aware of what caused the problem.  It can be confessed and forgiven, allowing prayer to proceed, and a new freedom for the one praying.

       

      E.      When praying in a small group, it is good to “discern together” what God’s Spirit is doing and saying.  Allow periods of silence and waiting on the Lord, and expect that no one person will have the whole picture, but that the Spirit will use each person and their giftings to accomplish His will.

       

      4.  Christ’s Love Activates Discernment:

       

            A.  Ask that the Lord specifically open a pathway of love when praying for broken or   

                  painful situations.  This allows Him to work out His loving and merciful purposes      

                  with your full participation.

       

      B. Though our minds and hearts can often perceive where untruths or immorality are       

           present, it is through love that we discern the best course of action, or prayer.   

          There, mercy and compassion of love will affect change without adding fear and

           condemnation.  In this context of love, we can pray for conviction and repentance

           without judgment or fear entering in.

       

           C.  We are told of the admonition of 11 Cor. 5:16 no longer to see people from a human

                  point of view, but rather to see them in Christ, as a new creation.  With His eyes of  

                  love, we can see what God sees for the person we are praying for, and pray

                  according to His ultimate plan for them, rather than for the creature or situation we

                  see at present.

       

      5.  Light Overcomes Darkness:

       

      ·         Our adversary the devil seeks to lead us into error and deception, while our human nature will often mislead us.  Know you are taking the light and reality of God’s Kingdom into prayer with you, and His love and authority are flowing in your prayers.  Pray with the understanding that He has conquered darkness, and you represent God’s truth and His powerful Name.

       

      ·         Avoid getting into a “dark place” with someone emotionally or spiritually; recognize when listening with compassion turns into a dragging down of your heart and faith so that you are not able to pray effectively, in confidence.  Avoid receiving emotional transference.

       

      ·         Praying with thanks giving, praise and blessing releases the love and hope of God’s Kingdom.  Thank God for what He will do, and bless the one for whom you are praying, praising God for His ability to bring life and change.


      "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4.18)
       
      "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4.8)

       
      One of the most complete teaching on prayer I have ever studied is the Prayer Portions, by Sylvia Gunter, and her many other writings.  
      Prayer Portions Contents                
      Prayer Portions © 1991, 1992, 1995, Sylvia Gunter, P.O. Box 380333, Birmingham, AL 35238 USA
       
      I thank the Lord for her and others that have added so much to my life in Christ:
       
        Grandmother Pearl
        Andrew Murray
        Charles Stanley
        Smith Wigglesworth
        Watchman Nee
        Rees Howells
        John R. Rice
        David Bryant
        Mike Bickle
        Dutch Sheets
        Peter Wagner
        James Goll
        and so many more.......

    Praise and Worship

      (Psalms 34:1) I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.


    Jenny & Donna dancing in Praise and Worship Jenny in ballet white Jenny dancing for Intervarsity 2006

    Jenny singing with Praise and Worship team 2007
    Jenny singing with Praise and Worship team 2007

                                                PRAISE AND ADORATION

       

      Our Father, Which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.

       

      Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless Your holy Name.  I adore You and make known to You my adoration and love this day.

       

      I bless Your Name, Elohim, the Creator of heaven and earth, Who was in the beginning.  It is You who made us and You have crowned us with glory and honor.  You are the God of might and strength.  Hallowed be Thy Name.

       

      I bless your Name, El-Shaddai, the God Almighty of blessings.  You are the breasty one Who nourishes and supplies.  You are all-bountiful and all-sufficient.  Hallowed be Thy Name.

       

      I bless Your Name, Adonai, my Lord and my Master.  You are Jehovah, the completely self-existing One, always present, revealed in Jesus, Who is the same yesterday, today and forever, Hallowed be Thy Name !

       

      I bless Your Name, Jehova Jireh, the One who sees my needs and provides for them.  Hallowed be Thy Name !

       

      I bless your Name,  Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, the Lord my sanctifier.  You have set me apart for Yourself.  Hallowed be Thy Name !

       

      Jehovah-Nissi, You are my victory, my banner, and my standard.  Your banner over us is love.  When the enemy shall come in like a flood, You will lift up a standard against him.  Hallowed be Thy Name !

       

      Jehova-Shalom, we bless your Name.  You are my peace – the peace which transcends all understanding, which garrisons and mounts guard over my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Hallowed be Thy Name !

       

      We bless You, Jehova-Tsidkenu, my righteousness.  Thank You for becoming sin for us, that we may be the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  Hallowed be Thy Name ! 

    Healing and Deliverance

      "If the Son makes you free, you shall be FREE indeed!"(John 8:36) - It's your inheritance.

      There is no such thing as false hope. As long as one has breath, he/she is to praise the Lord and God inhabits the praises of His people. I/we should never be ashamed or reluctant to ask the Father to heal. One of the aspects of the healing prayer is to intentionally distance the symptoms and present prognosis from the vision desired concerning the individual prayed for. In other words, believe and we must be careful how we describe and speak about the illness an individual is overcoming. Faith is involved in our language.

      A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
      Death and Lifeare in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18: 20,21

      Jesus honors our faith, and by His sacrifice, we have authority over the enemy. So, we must align what we say with what we believe. The language we use and what we believe is very important. I will not say "he/she is getting worse, or he/she is dying of ___." Although that statement may correctly communicate the present, manifest facts, they do not reflect the spiritual reality of the vision I have of one within whom the Spirit of the Lord is moving to execute restoration and healing. So, instead of saying "he/she is getting worse," I might say "he/she faces serious symptoms" or something else that recognizes the challenge while recognizing the faith we bring to the illness.

      And when Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw His wife's mother laid, and sick with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the eve was come, they brought to him many who were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all who were sick. That it might be fulfilled that which had been spoken by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases." Matthew 8: 14-17 KJV


                                                        “THE A B C OF HEALING”

       

      1.       THE ATTITUDE FOR HEALING.     Matthew 8: 1-4

      A.     HUMBLE SUBMISSION TO THE LORD’S WILL.

                                        1.   A leper” = outcast, untouchable. Leprosy = sin.

         “Covered with leprosy” – Lk 5:12.  Disease had progressed far.

         Should we pray for healing for those in late stages of cancer?

       

                2.    “He knelt before Him….”

                                          “He fell with his face to the ground and begged Him…” –Lk 5:12

                                          “He worshipped Him” – KJV

                                          “Proskyneo” (Gr) = to prostrate, bow to the ground, worship.

                                          Physical expression of the heart attitude of submission to the Lord.

      Examples:  Mt. 2:2, 11;  9:18; 14:33;  15:25;  20:2.

                                         What is the attitude of my heart as I come to Jesus for healing?

                                  

           3.    “He begged Him, ‘LORD”

                                    “LORD” = Kurios” (Gr) = LXX translation of Yahweh” (Heb).

                                    Ex. 3:14 – “I AM WHO I AM” “I AM”

                                    “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE”.

      Ex. 3:15 – “THE LORD” = “HE IS” = “KURIOS.

      What is my attitude towards “The LORD” as I approach Him?

      Who is He in my understanding and attitude of heart?

      4.        “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

      I know You can.  You are able.  But is it Your will for me now?”

       

       II.           THE BASIS FOR HEALING.              Matthew 8:5-13.

      A.        FAITH.

      1.        Faith sees God’s authority vested in the one ministering healing.

             Faith recognizes God’s appointment of that person to minister.

             Faith recognizes God’s anointing of the Holy Spirit on him/her.

      2.        Faith sees God’s authority in that person’s spoken word.

      Faith recognizes the spoken word as God’s authoritative Word.

      Faith recognizes obedience to that word in the spirit realm.

      3.        Faith receives and acts on God’s authoritive Word.

      “Go!  It will be done just as you believed it would.” (v.13).

      Matthew 17:20; 21:21-22.

      4.        Do you believe you have this authority?

      Luke 10: 17-19; John 14:12; Mark 16: 17-18.

      Do you act and speak with the authority of Jesus conferred on you?

       

      III.           THE CASE FOR HEALING.    Matthew 8: 14-17

                       A.       CHRIST”S ATONING WORK.

      1.        Isaiah 53:3, 4, 10.

       

      Presented by Dr. Morris Vaagenes at the April 9, 2000 Healing Service at North Heights Lutheran Church, MN.




      ----------------------------------------------------


      The Lord Jesus healed all sick people - as our Substitute He took upon Himself all our diseases.   There is healing in the atonement.  In chapter 8 in Matthew’s Gospel begins a detailed account of the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus.  Observe how He ministered with these four principles of Truth.  As we see there was no definite pattern as to how the Lord Jesus ministered, but two things we see clearly is that Jesus was compassionate to all sick people…..and He healed them (Matthew 4:24).

                 

      v     One:  It was His desire to heal all sick people.

       

      And behold , there came a leper and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.  And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, “I will; be thou clean.”  And immediately his leprosy was cleansed .  (Mathew 8: 2, 3)

       

      I will is from the Greek word thelo.  It means; “I want to.”   That leper said, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”  Jesus answered simply, “I want to; be clean.”  No more do we have to wonder or to add saying “if it be Thy will” to  our prayers when we pray for the sick.  It is the will of God to Heal.  In Isaiah it reads;  Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…..and with His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4a, 5d)  We can embrace and believe the last half of (Psalms 103:3) also; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases.  There is no searching or questioning if a person is worthy of receiving healing and it does not need to be an elaborate prayer.   It is the will of God to heal and it is for us to believe  His Word.

       

      v     Two:  The Lord Jesus sometimes healed through the power of His Word. 

       

      Take note of the insight a Roman officer had regarding that Jesus through the power of His Word in Matthew 8.  Someone outside the circle of religious people layed hold of this powerful truth!  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.  And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  (“when I come, I will heal him”)  The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof:  but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” … When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to them that followed, “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”  ….And Jesus said unto the centurion, “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.“  And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour - (Matthew 8: 5-8, 10, 13.)  Healing comes through the power of the Word of the Lord.  It comes in response to faith believing in the Word. Word in verse 8 is from the Greek word logos. 

       

      The centurion said, “Speak a logos only.”  This is more powerful than the Greek word rhema which also means “word.”  Rhema means a word as it is spoken, a declaration, a saying, a speech.  Logos means a word, written

      or spoken - plus all the power and light that’s behind it.  When planted in a believing heart, the healing that resides in it will spring forth life. 

       

      It is important that we meditate on the Word and believe it.  Let the Word touch your spirit, emanate through your mind, will and conscience, and find release in your body as well.  The centurion who came to the Lord Jesus was requesting healing for someone else.  Those of us who care for others who are sick can believe for them and see the release of healing power toward them.  It is important that we who are around those battling with disease or illness keep our own hearts and minds filled with Words of healing to be able to minister healing grace to those around us.

                 

      v     Three:  The Lord Jesus sometimes healed by touching those who were sick.

       

      And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.  And He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose, and ministered unto them.  (Matthew 8: 14-15)

      Jesus was always ready to come near those who were suffering, even though sometimes the disciples felt they should protect Him from the pressure of too many people.  Jesus had His times away alone, but if anything got His attention, it was the cry of those who were suffering. 

       

      In Matthew 8:3 He touched a leper and immediately that leper was cleansed.  Touching a leper was forbidden by the Law lest the disease spread.  Jesus disregarded His Own well-being to impart healing to a hopeless individual.  No one is beyond the attention of the Lord.

       

      In Matthew 9:29 He touched the eyes of two blind men and their eyes were opened. Those two blind men had called Jesus the Son of David - verse 27.  Take note that whenever anyone called Him the Son of David, it got His attention and they were immediately healed.  All the power of the Covenant God had made with David was wrapped up in Jesus being the Son of David.  A similar incident in Matthew 20:34 with two other blind men called out, “ Have mercy on us, O Lord, Thou Son of David.”  Jesus stopped, had compassion on them , and touched their eyes.  Immediately their eyes received sight.

       

      In Mark 7:31-35 we see Jesus touching a man who was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech.  Look what He did.  He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers into his ears, and He spit, and touched his tongue.  The man was healed straightway.

       

       

      In Luke 7:12-15 we find Him touching the funeral bier of a young man, the only son of a widow.  And he that was dead sat up…

       

       

      Jesus did not remain aloof from people.  He came near them, especially those who were destitute.  He’s still that way.  In Matthew 18:20 there is a powerful promise from Jesus.  For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”  He had yet more to say regarding this.  I will not leave you comfortless (orphans):  I will come to you - John14:18 Then….“he that loveth Me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” - John 14:21b.  Then He said, …..“lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 18:20b.

       

      May the Holy Spirit release a simple faith in us to believe that when we come together in Jesus Name, He comes with us to touch us.  If He is with us, then He will still heal us by His touch.

                 

      v     Four:  The Lord Jesus sometimes healed by the casting out of demons. 

       

      When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick. Matthew 8: 16.  It was is evident, as Jesus ministered, that some sick people could not be healed until demons were cast out of them.  His in the above verse is not in the Greek.  It could say simply that He cast out the spirits with “a word: - just one word.  And yes, it was a logos word.  In Matthew 8:32 we find what that word was.  It was, “Go”!  No embellishment, no explanation, no pleading - it was just a simple, straightforward command from One Whose authority was absolute. 

       

      Jesus imparted this same authority to us who believe.  The only difference is that we know that when we say “Go!” ….it is in the Name of Jesus!”

       

      Possessed with devils is from the Greek word daimonizomenos.  It means “being possessed, afflicted, vexed, or driven about by a demon or evil spirit.” It is not clear in the word itself whether the demon is in the person or simply nearby inflicting its evil influence.  However, it’s more likely that they are in the persons they afflict, for we take not that Jesus cast out the spirits, not “drove them away.:  Cast out is from exballo. It means “throw out“. 

       

      And when He (Jesus) had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power (from Greek exousia, “authority”) against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Matthew 10:1. 

       

       

      As being approved as a competent ordained minister of the Gospel I have the authority to serve as a pastor, baptize new believers, serve the Lord’s Supper, and perform funerals and weddings, etc..  Jesus didn’t give any of this authority to His disciples; He gave them authority, instead, against unclean spirits, to cast them out.  That was the first thing He imparted to them.  Should we not conclude, therefore, that it was important?  It still is and it is important for us to embrace His authority! We need to allow what Jesus teaches us in His Word to be active in our lives to be healed spirit, soul and body. 

       

      “And these signs will follow those who believe; In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”Mark 16: 17, 18

       

       ------------------------------------------------------------------------

        

       In years passed we have “known how to do things’.  We have experienced ‘conducting’ a Spirit-led meeting! We’ve even taught people what to do and how to minister, or have we? We’re coming again to the point of not knowing.  All we’ve learned and practiced through the years is insufficient for this day.  Only His presence - with His touch - will suffice.  What John recorded in Revelations 3:20 is upon us.  He’s standing at the door of His church knocking.  He simply wants to come in and sup with us.  He wants to move in our midst and touch us - and heal us.  When He touches us, we can touch others and they’ll be healed.  Learn anew to wait in His presence - worshiping Him - for His hand to come upon us.

       

      Mark’s Gospel contains a remarkable passage about our touching others in Jesus Name.  It’s a passage that’s difficult for some, but the Holy Spirit instructs us not to fear what it says.  And these signs shall follow them that believe;  In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark16: 17,18.  Also read Acts 28:3-5.  Jesus touched sick people and they were healed.  We who believe can touch sick people also.  They will be healed.  The human mind may not understand everything about this.  This is where faith comes in.  It knows God is greater than anything the human mind can face.  What Grace the Lord has released upon us!

    Understanding and Walking in the "Apostolic Anointing"


      Apostle means “sent one.” The Holy Spirit is an apostolic spirit. God’s Spirit has been sent to us (Galatians 4:6). Jesus Christ was sent by the Father. Jesus turned His disciples into apostles as He said, “ As the Father has sent Me, so send I you.” (John 20:21). Moses was called and sent. (Exodus 3:10) The sending also involves warring. But the power and authority given to Moses to war against Pharaoh came from God. God not only called and commissioned and commanded, God committed Himself.” Certainly I will be with you; and this shall be a token unto you, that I have sent you…”(Exodus 3:12) There would be signs and wonders, tokens that Moses would speak for God. (Exodus 3:20).

      Apostolic people are sent into an area to war against demons, to deliver people from bondage, and to serve God, as well as leading, nurturing, mentoring, disciplining, judging, and restoring and governing God’s people. The leadership God is looking for is the one that will take people from infancy to maturity; from the basics towards perfection. With this governing anointing, we also see a building anointing.

      Governing and building anointing has:
      • 1. Credibility
      • 2. Character
      • 3. Integrity
      • 4. Vision
      • 5. Discernment
      • 6. Ability to build order in the midst of chaos
      • 7. Energize people and rally them around God’s purposes


      Moses would go and gather the people, the elders. He would rally them around the Name and person of God. He would bring them out of bondage into their inheritance. He would build. With authority from God the people would be taken to a new place, to plant, to build, to make way for increase, to bless. Moses would activate the changes in order to come into the order of God, being God’s instrument to remove the hindrances to the destiny of God’s people. An apostolic attitude is one of destiny. Apostolic people invest in those people, places, and things that relate to their destiny and theirs. The unseen Hand of God is upon their ministry. It is the Hand of destiny leading and guiding them. An apostolic attitude is full of purpose and mission. Passion for destiny is an earmark of apostolic attitude. “And when they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them away.” (Acts 13:3) An apostolic attitude is one of impartation. “For I long to see you that I may IMPART….”(Romans 1:11) Paul expressed the core of apostolic attitude. Training, mentoring developing, and making spiritual deposits in other consumes those with apostolic attitude. This attitude has apostolic people constantly perceiving their “spiritual Timothys”, those with whom they can develop a mentoring relationship.

      Through impartation, their spiritual wisdom and understanding is transferred to another. Their ministry will not grow by knowledge alone. They must have both information and impartation. This is how their ministry can be established and bear fruit. “Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” (Proverbs 24:3)

      The apostolic anointing is also one of favor. God said, “And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when you go, you shall not go empty…” (Exodus 3:21) God promised to be with Moses, and thus Moses, like Joseph, would have good success, favor. This favor would then extend to God’s people.

      What God has purposed to do, those whom He has called, prepared, chosen, and commissioned, will receive grace to finish. There is with the apostolic anointing grace to focus on the task and execute what needs to be done. The anointing is an expanding and finishing anointing. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)There is an anointing to labor more abundantly, with nothing stopping, barriers broken, relentless, in order to finish. Territories must be claimed for the Kingdom of God. Spiritual, geographical, financial, mental and relational realms will be advanced by apostolic attitude. Apostolic people are extenders. We extend the Kingdom of God into realms beyond the average mind-set of believers. Apostolic attitude is constantly on the advance and expansion and it encompasses realms of the mind of the Holy Spirit.

      (2 Corinthians 10:16) - To preach the Gospel in regions beyond….
      (Acts 6:7) - And the Word of God increased….
      (Acts 16:5) - And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in numbers daily.

      The apostolic anointing is an anointing for righteousness. Apostolic ministry comes by call, not by trend. Apostolic people are sanctified to their Lord, separated to the task, sold out for God, having the battle lines clearly defined…they are on the Lord’s side. The anointing of the Spirit of holiness comes forth with an anointing to break the power of hindering spirits and confusion. Apostolic people have a holy fear of God (Acts 9:31) with an intense awareness of His presence and understanding that our God is a consuming fire. In reverence they focus on the Kingdom of God with singleness of vision. (1 Corinthians 15:58) They submit to the Word, for their desire is holiness and the sound, healthy, correct doctrine of the truth of the gospel submitting to the fire of God for cleansing, purging, deliverance from evil.

      Apostolic people desire to be steadfast, faithful, unselfish, caring for others, sharing, giving, and loving. They are believers in Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, living in one accord with God, with His Word, and with others in the Body of Christ. They are relational and vibrant, not compromising or complacent, hating corruption, enthusiastic, glad, joyous and praising. Aware of their destiny, they seek to glorify the One sending them forth. They enjoy God, looking up and out and forward. The apostolic anointing enables patience, the ability to endure suffering, to persevere, to inherit the promises through faith and obedience. The anointing may seem winsome, magnetic, drawing people to Christ by the fragrance of a life dead to sin and alive to God.

      Apostolic anointing brings boldness and clearly communicates the Word of God and apostolic people are not ashamed of the gospel, or of Jesus Christ, or of His Blood, or of His Holy Spirit, or of His people. They press forward on the front lines, pioneers, forerunners carrying the glory, servants of Jesus Christ. They are full of the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit, with confident of trusting God with their spirit, soul and body separated unto Him. (Acts 13:2) They are sent out as ambassadors, servants walking in humility with the power and authority of Jesus Christ from God the Holy Spirit.


    Apostles and Apostolic Authority

                                            Apostles and “Apostolic Authority”

       

      And God has appointed these in the church:

      first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

      (1 Corinthians 12:28)

       

      This is God’s order: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers…..

      The apostolic gift and anointing should always be at the heart of the Church, therefore, is a necessary and indispensable part of the church, not optional, but needed and required.

      Apostles are standard-bearers-commanders who lift the standard and rally the army of God (Isa. 59:19).  The Church needs apostolic leadership to help set the Church in order, being a catalyst to help organize and mobilize the believers into an army of the Lord.

      Every believer has been gifted by God to fulfill his or her calling and purpose.  We are loved and forgiven equilaterally and all necessary to the Body of Christ.  We are all equal in God’s eyes in Christ as to salvation; no gift makes anyone more important that anyone else, yet as you see in the scripture above lists apostles first in rank in the spirit.  The reason for this is that someone has to be first; someone has to be a pioneer or forerunner.  This is the divine order of ministry given to the Church, and it is not to elevate men or exalt the flesh but that each gift function can operate in it’s greatest capacity fulfilling its commission.  When the church neglects this it will cause disorder and confusion and inhibits the flow of anointing and power of God through His order.

       

      The apostolic prepares and opens the way for the prophetic, and in turn the prophetic prepares and opens the way for the teaching.   All   three are needed to establish God’s purposes in that region and our ability to fulfill the Great Commission is based on this order.  Evangelism and pasturing are utilized as ways of reaching and overseeing the people to perfect the saints.  The apostolic cannot function without these two gifts and the others as well.  The apostolic gift and anointing should always be at the heart of the Church making the Church relevant to our world without compromise.  Just think of all the pioneers in history; perseverance, the hardships, misunderstandings, injury, mistreatment and even deaths. The pioneering spirit is apostolic. Apostolic people have a breakthrough anointing that will invade and possess new territory – naturally and spiritually.  The apostolic ministry has the ability to penetrate the defenses set up by the powers of darkness, and apostolic preaching and teaching has this penetrating power.  (Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27, Luke 11:21,22, Daniel 7-10, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16 and Romans 8:38.)  Apostles can go into regions and break through the resistance by binding the strongman. We must break through tradition, religion, ignorance, poverty, witchcraft, rebellion, pride, and other obstacles so that people might be set free to walk in the truth.  In addition to regions being opened up to the Word of God, the Lord uses apostles to affect cities as well (Acts 13:44) and will help change the spiritual climate of their assigned areas, whether those are cities, regions or nations.  The result is that the people in those areas are more receptive to hearing the Word of God- and the Church will be that much closer to fulfilling its mission.

       

      A mature apostle, one who has embraced the cross and walks in awareness of his limitations, will spend and be spent doing everything in his power so his spiritual sons and daughters are equipped for the ministry and find their purpose.  The difference between local pastors and apostolic leaders is primarily in the way they think, not the size of their church.  There are many mighty apostles that no longer serve a local church. 

      God wants to build on the old truth of our forefathers and maintain their pioneering spirit and use our own faith and fresh revelation to push into new territory with God.

      (Ephesians 4:16) "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

       

      All authority in the Kingdom of God is by relationship.  Jesus is exalted as King in heaven ruling over both heaven and earth.  From there He gifts His church with the five fold ministries.  While He rules sovereignty over the earth, including the civil ruler i.e., the kings of the earth (Psalm2), He rules savingly over His church – those He is related to by the New Covenant in His blood.  Therefore, the church must respond in the right way to His delegated authority, which He has sent through the five fold ministries of (Ephesians 4:11).

       

      In (11 Corinthians 1:24) the epistle Paul feels compelled to defend his apostleship because he was the spiritual father of the church at Corinth.  However, for whatever reasons, the church was not responding to him as their spiritual father, therefore his apostolic authority was hindered in its application.  The functioning of authority is in direct proportion to the strength of the relationship. The church received him as another teacher like Peter and Apollos, but they did not receive him as their apostle.  Paul responds, writing this: ”not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy…..” 

       

      The word “workers” is a Greek word synergoi, translated “fellow-workers”, used also by Paul in (1 Corinthian 3:9).  We get the English word synergy from this word.  Paul is saying that through a covenantal working relationship between the apostles and the local church, including its leadership, the maximum efficiency is released for the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom agenda.  Authority is by consent not coercion. Paul understood that the saints of Corinth needed to stand on their own faith and his role was to help them walk in joy instead of defeat. They were not to place their dependence upon his faith neither were they to become recklessly independent of his apostolic authority in bringing correction and disciplined change.  They were to maintain the principle of interdependence in the local church:  the intricate interlacing of apostolic leadership, local leadership (such as pastors and elders) and the local membership in harmony and balance.  Neither the apostle or the local leadership nor the people can be complete without the other.

      All authority is the kingdom is given…it is delegated to us.  No one takes it upon himself. In the Great Commission, Jesus announced that all authority (Greek: exousia) had been GIVEN to Him!  Would His disciples respond to His authority and obey the Commission He gave them?

       

      Even through the sad stories of the past legitimate Biblical authority remains the same.  An abuse should not drive us into disuse, but motivate us to seek the proper use! 

      Relational apostolic authority should include:

       

      *  The Authority of Influence.  This should remain the lowest level of authority because those with whom we do not have a relationship with can influence us. Paul was able to minister to many (Acts 28: 30-31).  He was not their spiritual father (apostle), but he still had great influence there.  Ministers like Billy Graham and Dr. C. Peter Wagner that I have worked with, read their books, but don’t know personally very well, have influenced me over the years and I would probably not decline if either calls me to participate in something again.

       

      *  The Authority of Fellowship.  If one open my heart to a group of fellow ministers concerning some “unsanctified” area of one’s life, that brings a measure of spiritual authority into my life.  All of us respect and respond at least in some measure to those who minister encouragement to us and even to those through whom the Holy Spirit may release correction to us.  Doing so will obviously test whatever level of relationship one has with them.

       

      *  The Authority of Service.  The principle is: godly and unselfish service releases authority. Paul declares at the beginning of most of his letters as being a bondservant of Christ.  The nature of authority in the Kingdom of God, sharply contrasts the nature of authority in the world system, i.e., the Gentile overlords. In (Matthew 20:28), Jesus said:  “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many”.

       

      *  The Authority of Accountability.  This believed by most is the highest level of authority. We will give an accounting of my ministry to the Chief Shepherd.  Meanwhile, we are endeavoring to walk in a relationship of accountability with those minister-leaders to whom the Lord has relationally joined us.  Iron sharpens iron!   As in the previous illustration of opening of one’s heart with fellow minister-leaders may lead to either the forge that changes one’s life that we need or leave avoiding what must be dealt with. Whatever the problem may have been…everywhere I go there I am, so it is better to keep the accountability group in place! In a free flow of fellowship among minister-leaders, there is a measure of authority released.  

       

       

      *  There isn’t much said about women apostles but one is specifically mentioned and is an area for discussion and acceptance if indeed true.  I share with you some findings:

       

      In (Romans 16:6-8), Paul mentioned Junia, an outstanding apostle and fellow prisoner.

      “Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.  Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.”

       

      It is argued that Junia could be Junias, a man’s name, but scholars aren’t absolutely sure which gender is meant, since both the names Andronikos and Junian are in the accusative case.  Rather than beginning from a base of uncertainty, it is possible to search the writings of the early church fathers that were much closer to the original manuscripts and church than we are today.

       

      John Chrysostom (337-407), bishop of Constantinople, wasn’t partial to women.  He said some negative things about women but spoke positively about Junia.  “Oh, how great is the devotion of this woman that she should be counted worthy of the appellation of apostle!” (1) Nor was he the only church father to believe Junia was a woman.  Origin of Alexandria (c.185-253) said the name was a variant of Julia (Rom. 16:15), as does Thayer’s Lexicon. (2)  Leanard Swidler cited Jerome (340-4 19), Hatto of Vercelli (924-961), Theophylack (1050-1108), and Peter Abelard (10709-1142) as believing Junia to be a woman.

       

      Dr. Swidler stated, “To the best of my knowledge, no commentator on the text until Aegidus of Rome (1245-1316) took the name to be masculine.” (3)  Apparently the idea that Junia was a man’s name is a relatively modern concept but the bulk of the best evidence available is that Junia was indeed a woman, and an outstanding apostle.  What would Junia have been doing in prison with Paul if she were confined, quiet lady?  Surely, a silent woman wouldn’t have generated enough evidence to convict her of being a Christian!

      A common counter-argument against any woman being an apostle is this:  Why didn’t Jesus choose at least one woman among His apostles?  Christ ministered primarily to the house of Israel (Matt.15:24).  He preached to Jews who were governed by both the Bible and the oral law.  Jesus knew the oral law forbade women witnesses in both civil and religious matters. “The law about an oath of testimony applies to men but not to women.  One of those curses supposedly placed on women because of Eve’s transgression says, “She is not to be believed as a witness.”

       

      Christ chose His apostles for one main purpose, to bear witness of His resurrection (Acts 1:21-22).  One of the requirements for being an apostle was being with Him through the time of His death and resurrection.  They lived together as a family.  It would have been highly questionable, or wrong ethically, morally, and culturally, for a woman to be part of that original group.  No Jew would have accepted her witness.

       

      But Junia wasn’t one of the twelve apostles; she was a New Testament church apostle, as was Paul.  (Ephesians 4:8-11) tells us these apostles were not ordained until after Jesus ascended, and their qualifications were vastly different than those governing the twelve.  Only one of the original twelve was ever replaced.  Matthias took Judas’s place.  After that time no living person could fulfill the necessary requirements (Acts 1:21-22).  Paul wasn’t considered one of the twelve and frequently argued the validity of his apostleship.  Junia could have been one of the New Testament church apostles, although not one of Jesus’ original apostles.

       

      Notes for the study of Junia and apostolic women:

       

      1.        The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Series 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1956).

      2.        Joseph Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1968), 306

      3.        Leaonard Swidler, Biblical Affirmations of Women (Philadelphia, PA: Westminister Press, 1979), p. 299

    Prophetic and "Prophetic Anointing"

                               The Prophetic and the “Prophetic Anointing”

       

      His word says to us “be eager to prophesy” and “eagerly desire spiritual gifts,especially the gift of prophecy.” 

      (1 Cor. 14:1)

       

      We as a people have been called to carry a prophetic type burden; to live out God’s eternal purpose.  There is a working distinction that will be made in further teaching between the office of a prophet and the prophetic ministry of a person and of a corporate people.

       

      “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons”  (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

       

      Comparing oneself to another, and wanting what they have produces death.  Avoid jealousy and insecurity.  Through rejection or comparison, and the residue of legalistic traditions in a man/woman, we can walk under false “molds or yokes” that need to be identified and broken off with the help of the Holy Spirit so that we can walk with integrity within the Church.  Allow God to take the lid off the box.  Seek your own call and anointing, learn from others that are well seasoned and respected, but get your own. Walk in accountability with others and cultivate faithfulness with what you have a unique expression of all that you are to be in God. 

                                                                              

      We see the prophetic ministry as one aspect of the five-fold calling, resident in a degree in every ministry, more evident and activated in others.  God’s ultimate weapon is a man or a woman who has encountered the prophetic anointing.  God does not anoint projects but anoints men and women...people.  First and foremost, your identity is in Christ first, not the gifting.  God gives and we must allow the unique expression of His grace in our lives.

       

      “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  (Joel 2: 28-29)

       

      "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; And whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

      (John 14:12,13)

       

      *  Prophetic Anointing: The supernatural enablement, grace, manifested presence of the Holy Spirit operating upon or through an individual or corporate group to produce the works of Jesus.

       

      (Ephesians 4:11-13) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

       

      The prophetic are not by birth or official designation, but by the power of their inner call and the response of their hearers.  They speak the Word of the Lord in the Name of the Lord, and carry “weight” by virtue of the ethical, moral and spiritual urgency in their message. 

       

      (Isaiah 42:9)  “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and the new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

       

      The single most important characteristic of true prophetic people is the evidence that they have stood in the counsel of Jehovah and have faithfully declared what they have heard from His mouth. They are primarily concerned not with the distant future, but to tell forth the will of God in the crisis of their own days, essentially, interpreting God.

       

      Prophecy is the expressed thought of God, spoken in a language that no man in his natural gift of speech could ever articulate and the substance exceeds the limits of what the natural mind could conceive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways says the Lord.  (Isaiah 55:8)

       

      But, as it is written,

      “What no eye has seen, nor ear

      heard,

      nor the human heart

      conceived,

      what God has prepared for those

       who love him” -

      These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within?  So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.  And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.

      Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny. 

      “For who has known the mind of

      the Lord

      so as to instruct him?” 

      But we have the mind of Christ.

      (1 Corinthians 2:9-16)

       

      There are varieties of prophetic anointing:

       

      Old Testament and New Testament, had as their most major task to declare that in Christ, all the prophecies were foreshadowed and fulfilled:  (Acts 3:24, 1 Peter 1:10-11, Revelations 19:10)

       

      Some prophetic people are placed in the church to equip the church.  Others are placed in the church for ministry to the secular community to release God’s Kingdom influence.

       

      Transitions are difficult and won’t happen without an “agent of change” as a catalyst with that being the role of prophets, to help provoke or guide biblical change.  God wants to build on the old truth of our forefathers and maintain their pioneering spirit and use our own faith and fresh revelation to push into new territory with God. All change begins with repentance, a change of mind leading to a change of direction.  If we don’t change our way of thinking, in the end, nothing changes about our ways.  A real danger is that the church will adopt new terminology but still think old and behave old. 

       

      Some prophetic people carry a governmental leadership anointing (Moses, Abraham, David, etc.)  Others do not and should not, and it is wise not to covet or envy that call. 

       

      The list below is not a complete list and varieties may be varied; absent of sameness; different form of same thing, condition and/or collection of differences.  There are many gifted and revelatory people that may be radically different from one another. Differences may be more than the array of personalities or the way revelation is delivered.  This may include how a person receives revelation from God and the type of revelation they receive may vary from person to person.  This makes for a variety of differences visually when watching and listening how someone delivers or ministers a word for the Lord.

       

      1. Spirit –Bearers: They practice the presence of Jesus, releasing the ordinary manifestation of God’s glorious presence, through a love-walk.

       

      May have extraordinary manifestations, such as falling in the Spirit, quaking, shaking, ecsta speech, power encounters, kingdom clashes, angelic and demonic warfare, angel activity, fragrance of Christ, dreams and visions and interpretations.  Proclaim God’s corporate Purpose and heart standards for His people.  Proclamation of the church’s social responsibilities and moral actions and speak forth the administrative strategy of God.

       

      (John 3:8), “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is of the Spirit.”

       

      2.   Prophetic Intercessors:  Help make way for the prophetic fulfillment. 

       

      3.   Prophetic Worship Leaders:  They usher in the manifested presence of God. 

       

      4.  Prophetic Evangelist:  This is taking the revelatory gifts to the streets, stadiums, neighborhoods, health clubs, executive places, shopping malls, grocery stores, parks, etc.

       

      5.  Prophetic Counselors:  This is a combination of pastoral and prophetic.  Often mingles with the spirit    of counsel and understanding (gifts of healings and discernment of spirits).  Their concern is with the internal condition of the heart and mind of man.

       

       

      6.  Prophetic Enquirers:  These are a prophetic and teacher combination.  They explain the ways of the Spirit, taking the bizarre and making it practical, relatable, and understandable.  Their call is to multiply and disciple.

       

      7.  Prophetic Writers:  This is a gift-mix of writing and the prophetic.  They write with revelatory anointing, expressing God’s heart to a contemporary society. 

       

       

       

      “Make room for us in your hearts.  We have wronged no-one, we have corrupted no-one, we have not taken advantage of no-one.”  (2 Cor. 7:2)

       

      This scripture should and needs to be true for all of us.

       

       


    Hearing God's voice and Prophesy

      (2 Peter 1:19) "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."

      "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

      See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you" (Isa.42:9)

    Teaching on our identity, Anointing and Purpose

      "Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:7-10)

      "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

      Our Identification in/with Christ--the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit--Galatians 5:22-24:

        1. Love
        2. Joy
        3. Peace
        4. Patience
        5. Kindness
        6. Goodness
        7. Faithfulness
        8. Gentleness
        9. Self-Control
      Our Anointing--The Seven Spirits of God--Isaiah 11:2:

        1. Spirit of the Lord
        2. Spirit of Wisdom
        3. Spirit of Understanding
        4. Spirit of Counsel
        5. Spirit of Might
        6. Spirit of Knowledge
        7. Spirit of Reverential Fear of the Lord

        1. Lord Our Shepherd
        2. Lord Our Provider
        3. Lord Our Righteousness
        4. Lord Our Peace
        5. Lord Our Healer
        6. Lord Our Banner
        7. Lord Who Sanctifies
        8. Lord Of Hosts
        9. Lord Most High
        10. Lord Who Smites
        11. Lord of Recompense
        12. Lord is Present
      Our heavenly Father longs for us to draw neigh, to be set apart. Lay at the feet of Jesus everything, that we would walk in obedience to/with/in and because of His love. Dying daily that no longer us who lives but Christ! For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phil. 1:21)

      For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. (Acts 17:28)

      Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Phil. 2:2)..... That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:11

      Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. (Song of Solomon 8:6)
    The Feast of Dedication

      "I am the Light of the World: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life!" John 8:12

      Over 150 years before Jesus' birth, a group of Jewish warriors led by Judah Maccabee, defeated Anticochus IV. Though terribly outnumbered by their foes, the Maccabees triumphed over the Grecian Syrian Empire. This led to the establishment of Chanukah -- the feast of dedication.

      Judah entered into Jerusalem only to find the Temple desecrated by a sacrificed pig and an idol of Zeus. Upon seeing this, he immediately began to cleanse the Temple. Judah also found that there was only one cruse of undefiled oil which could burn in the Temple Menorah (holy candleabra which had to continually burn). This oil was only enough for one day but it miraculously lasted for eight days, just enough time to get more of this special oil made. So in memory of this miracle and the rededication of the Temple, Chanukah (Hanukkah) or the Festival of Lights has been celebrated by the Jewish people for over 2000 years and was even celebrated by Jesus Himself!

      Every Chanukah,(Hanukkah) chanukkiahs (the candelabra of nine candle holders) are lit. Each chanukkia has a special candle, known as the Shamash which is raised above the other eight. The word 'shamash' means 'servant, helper, or minister -- so the Shamash candle is the servant candle, or the ministering candle, and is used to light all the other candles. It is the servant who is raised up and lights all the others, symbolizing Messiah, for us who believe.

      Jesus came and proclaimed that,
      "I am the Light of the World: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life!"The one who serves the Lord will be a light! The one who does the will of God will shine!

      Let's allow God's wonderful promises to strengthen and comfort us in each circumstance so that we can run the race --- not to finish first being only one winner, as with the Greek olympic games of old. Yet interestingly so the winner was not the runner who finished first --- it was the runner who finished with his torch still lit!
      Let us run together, side by side------ the flame of each of our torches reaching the finish line blazing brightly with fire for Him!

      “We have come to Drive Out darkness; in our hands is Light and Fire; Each one of us is a small light—but Together a Strong, Steady Light. Flee darkness into the Blackness! Flee from before the Light!” (Translation from the Hebrew Hanukkah song “Banu Hoshekh Legaresh”).

      The miracle celebrated at Hanukkah speaks of: the Light of the World HIMSELF, Jesus, the Christ Child, the Messiah--the reason for Christmas.


      "Arise,shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1 Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

      "Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." Jer.29: 12,13


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