Greg Crawford

Category: Awakening

  • Thoughts from an Awakened Heart

    Thoughts from an Awakened Heart

    Here is a portion of my book “The Awakend Heart”.

    …. In this visitation, God woke me up at 3:30 AM . He had been preaching to me while I slept and then gave me these points to share with others. He also gave me the Scriptures to go with each section.
    1. Expectation releases the supernatural deposit within us. It comes from within the vessel be it a vessel that is unsaved or saved Acts 1:1-7— 2:1.
    The Lord showed me that saved or unsaved, that he had deposited expectation within every vessel. That we did not have the ability or the expectation within ourselves to seek him or hunger after him before we knew him. That this expectation deposit was what enabled us to experience salvation. This expectation enabled us to understand our need for God. He had put that expectation within every man, woman, and child to know God. Like David, every person has a hope within them. Even the vilest person has this deposit of hope or expectation abiding within. God showed me that no matter what a person says, excuses they make, or actions they display, deep within, is his expectation for himself that he deposited. The Lord showed me this is a key to unlocking any person’s heart.

    2. Fresh expectation always will produce the suddenlies in our lives. Mal 3:1, Acts 2
    Lord showed me that every ‘suddenly’ in our lives did not just occur but was the result of the release of expectation within us. He showed me that expectation also had creative ability within it that released the suddenlies that we see in Scripture. He showed me that as we walk in life, we always have an expectation of the day. That expectation is releasing things around us and putting them in motion towards us. But he showed me that a fresh expectation is what releases the suddenly. Fresh expectation is a collision of our faith with God’s hope.

    3. Expectation sometimes comes for a service as people begin to gather, that is why messages sometimes do not come until the last moment. Acts 3:5
    The Lord showed me that many times messages must change at the last moment before being presented. It’s due entirely to people’s expectation that they release. He showed me that leaders must be willing to change their message at any given moment because people’s expectations are shifting. He showed me that when everyone’s expectation becomes the same that is when His glory can invade. This synergy is when everyone’s faith and hope collide, allowing God to descend in a certain way to meet with everyone as if they were one person, body, or voice.
    4. When expectation shifts from an event to a daily lifestyle then revival has come to the people of God. Some can be in revival while others are not. Acts 3:5
    The Lord further expanded this by this statement. He showed me that revival, awakening, or reformation is depended upon a daily expectation more than a weekly event. The reason we are not seeing the results that we are looking for in the Church is because most of the Church only has an expectation for a single service each week. Revival, awakening, or reformation all has the makeup of daily expectation. The Lord showed me Paul’s daily expectation and how he walked in it. The release of daily faith caused the revival, awakening, and reformation of the early Church to occur daily not weekly.
    5. Awakening is the when the expectation of the Church exceeds the unbelief of the community. Acts 12
    The Lord showed me a community that has been completely changed because of the Church. He made the statement above and spoke to me that the Church’s expectation has to exceed the unbelief of the community. He showed me that when we realize the expectation is not from us but from him, he would change our perspective of what we would believe could really happen within a community. The awakening in a community is not about unbelievers getting saved at the church, but the Church coming into her realization of who God really is. He showed me how Peter was put in jail but that the Church’s expectation of God was greater than what held him. Even then, unbelief was rampant in the Church. He showed me expectation of the few gathered to pray exceeded the unbelief of the many. He told me not to worry about the numbers. But to make sure that the few were in unity and had the same expectation.
    6. Expectation is hope. Faith is putting expectation in fullness. This is why expectation releases revival. The Church’s hope in God and His ability to perform His covenant exceeds the world’s state of hopelessness. Heb. 11:1
    The Lord showed me that expectation carries the same dynamic and power as faith. He showed me that when we activate our faith we are actually putting in motion the expectation that he already has ownership of within our heart. This great hope exceeds the hopelessness of the world. Hopelessness carries a certain degree of power but expectation released is as if the power is doubled because faith is involved. He showed me that expectation is based upon our understanding that we know He is about to perform His covenant. The Lord showed me that many understand the covenant but many do not understand how the covenant goes into action. He spoke to me that it is about faith and expectations are the keys that unlocks covenant……

  • Light of Genesis

    The following is from my book “Return to Eden” available on amazon and Kindle.

    …….Both of these lights are called great. But He said one was greater light. The word great means large in magnitude and extent. But what is interesting is these lights were set to rule. Light has a rulership. The word rule means to have dominion. Now at first glance, we would assume the greater light of day would be the sun, and the lesser light would be darkness. But he also speaks of making the stars. He does not say the lesser light is void of light but is lesser. The lesser means younger, smaller, or less important. What is important is that both lights are ruling, one rules the day and one the night. Both have dominion. This began the rule or reign of light. It was set in motion that light would always rule, and the lesser light would always submit to the greater light. This is further explained in the following verse.

    Psalm 136:7–9 (KJV 1900) — 7 To him that made great lights: For his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: For his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever.

    The earth is ruled by something in Heaven and is always under its rule which is light, be it greater or lesser. This light rules all creation in the heavens. Now we all know that what is lesser is always submitted to what is greater. So, what is void of light submits to the smallest light. The smallest light is swallowed up in ever-increasing brighter light. It is progressive submission to what has the ultimate rule.

    Matthew 13:43 (KJV 1900) — 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

    The Garden was a place for the righteous. It was also a place to rule from. The original design was for us to “shine forth” as the sun or the greater light. That all other lights would be submitted to this light, the light of righteousness. The word shine in the original definition is made up of two words. Ek Lamp0. Ek means the origin point at which actions proceed and Lampo to give light, to radiant brilliance or to give light, something attractive and richly colorful. Again, this light is from the origins of the same light of creation shining upon Eden, the place of the righteous. This ruling light is directly connected to our righteousness and also to creation and the Garden of Eden being set aside for the righteous or for the shining lights. That light is Christ and the Father.

    We are an extension of that original light. The Bible says that light is dwelling in us and that “light” is Christ and he is the light of all men. He is the supreme light, the greater and greatest light which means all other lights have to come under His lordship. Even a sinner has a degree of light. It’s just that darkness is crowding or overshadowing the light within. When we come with greater light, the darkness has to submit to our light and the light of Christ begins to penetrate the heart of the sinner. Our light encourages and engages the light within the person and empowers them to step into greater light. Eventually, that light grows and pushes the darkness out and the person makes a conversion to allow the rule of greater light to take place.

    This transformational process is present in natural light. It’s amazing that even natural light has such power of transformation. Natural sunlight hits our bodies and takes what is dormant in us and transforms it into Vitamin D. Sunlight doesn’t carry vitamin D as we think but has the power to produce or make it. This same sunlight also can touch a plant and allow photosynthesis to occur. Taking different elements and bringing life from them. If God can transform our natural bodies and all plant life with the light he created we call the sun. He can also transform our spiritual bodies and all life around us with the SON. 

  • Vision of Declaration of Independence

    John 6:63 (KJV 1900) — 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

    Before I get into the vision let use this as a teaching moment. There is an activity of the spirit that causes life to come to us. It is God himself speaking directly to us. Our role is to eliminate the areas of flesh that blocks the flow or clouds what we hear. It starts with us walking in the spirit. Gal 5:16-17. He says walk in the spirit. The word walk means to regulate your life and to conduct yourself in opportunities. The word spirit means the nature of God. It is realizing that I am in union with Christ. It is not my spirit and His spirit but actually I am one in spirit. Because We are joined unison and I have yielded to this, I automatically am walking in the spirit with His nature present in me. As I have said many times it is being spiritually aware in the moments of life. Having your spiritual senses heightened to hear, speak, know and feel Gods heart in every circumstance.

    This begins to form a unique spiritual experience. We are to pray in the spirit. This is prayer that is done in union with Christ praying out of us. Praying with the spirit and praying in the spirit is different. It is knowing what to pray and maybe more important “why” we pray. When we know the why we have moved from the tree of knowledge (what) to the tree of life (why).

    What does it mean to be in the spirit? In the Spirit is being in 2 realms simultaneously or at the same time! The earth realm (which is not the flesh, which is will, emotions etc.) and the heavenly realms (both second and third heaven) which are spiritual dimensions. This is the only time we will ever live in 2 realms of God at one time. While we are upon the earth!  Being in the spirit is a state of being more than an action. It is taking our places as sons and daughters of God being seated in heavenly places.  It is the union of your spirit with Gods nature and His nature is controlling your spirit, and your spirit controlling your flesh.

    Revelation 1:10 (KJV 1900) — 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

    John heard something from the spiritual realm. Then john saw the voice he heard Rev 1.12. John was in a spiritual realm, a spiritual state, a union with the Holy Spirit and the Son. From simply being in the spirit the entire book of revelation unfolds for John. This is a threshold we need to step through. It needs to be more than I’m praying in tongues or if “feel” Gods presence. It is a spiritual realm to enter. Once we cross the invisible doorway, He will show us things that must be. We are in great need in this hour to know the times and seasons and to know what we need to do to pull the future into the now.

    1 Thessalonians 2:12 (KJV 1900) — 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

    Walking in the spirit is walking in kingdom realms as well. Kingdom and glory are always together. Kingdom can be translated as realm and glory as honor. So, this verse could read to walk worthy of God in the realms and honor we have access into. Recently I had a vision while being in the spirit. This is what I saw:

    I saw in a vision, a great scroll spread upon the alters of heaven. And at the top of this scroll was written Declaration of Independence. The Lord spoke and said to me, “Has my church declared its independence from the world?” I saw the scroll and all that was written on it.  The heading “Declaration of Independence” and when I looked under the page was blank.  I sensed a reason that nothing was there, and it wasn’t hidden from me. And I saw the golden flames of Gods fire leaping and the fire was speaking, “who has separated themselves to the KING?” Then I saw the silver fires of God that carry the redemption of man. They were the container for the golden fire. It was as if the silver fire at the base was a solid basin to hold the oil for the flames, yet as you went up the basin it became liquid and then fire. The silver fire was a large basin. And in the center of the basin was the golden flame. In the midst of the redemption fire of silver was the golden fire of the king’s flame. And I saw the golden flame illuminating the alter of the lord while the silver flame illuminated the pathways and what would be the floor area around it.  The redemptive ways of God enabled me to draw close to the alter to see the scroll and its words. The Lord said, “you mourn for a nation but who mourns for the harvest?”  The questions where penetrating not just my heart but the atmospheres of the earth. Then I saw the scroll again laying open with the blank page except for the heading Declaration of Independence. The Lord said, “Who will sign their name to break free into the fullness of my freedom?” I now knew the page was blank for many to sign. There was room for the multitudes. Then I saw the “waiting of the Lord.” A time went by and then it came to full. The Lord rolled the scroll up and sealed it with a great sealed. The words on the outside appeared, “The sealed of the signed”. The Lord put the scroll upon the shelves within a great hall in heaven. It was if it would never be opened for all in heaven and earth knew who had signed the great scroll. He then turned and said to me, “Now it is finished.”

    As I finished writing this, I felt undone in conclusion. I was going to stop at the end of vision. But I had a very dark dream in the night. I won’t go into details but give a general overview. I saw the darkness people were locked in. I was taken down a dark corridor to a large courtyard pit with all the different types of demonic shops offering all kinds of demonic bondages. I saw not just shops, but deep tunnels leading into nothing but darkness. These had gatekeepers who would not allow anyone into these portals unless they had certain approval. In the courtyard there were ones who were calling to those who came to see what darkness they should enter. They were selling their wares. I had to fight a succubus demon off to leave the area.

    The Lord spoke to me and said, “These are also part of the great harvest, but who is free to go to these places?” He told me this was the conclusion to this blog I was seeking. He then said, “unless your truly free and have declared it by walking in it you can not lead others to freedom.” Have you signed your Declaration of Independence? Will you be one to go into darkness and break the chains of bondage?

  • Books of Heaven

    Today I want to speak briefly to a little known and even less talked about subject. That is the books of heaven. Yes, I did say books plural. As far as I have studied it out there are actually 10 different types of books being penned concerning our lives. When I first got saved, I was only told of 2 of these, the bible of course and the Lambs book of Life. But as I started looking into how heaven operates and what is really going on I found it fascinating that God is so fascinated about us He has angels constantly scribing about our lives, the history we are making, and the unfolding of creation. I want to briefly touch each of these to perk your interest.

    We begin by knowing the entire bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through men who were moved by the Spirit. The end of the gospel of John says: John 21:25 (KJV 1900) — 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

    Book of tears

    Psalm 56:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book?

    Beginning here with the book of tears we experience all kinds of things in life. Sorrow, pain, suffering, burdens, headaches and even tears of joy and excitement. We have tears in prayer and intercession and tears of concern. These tears are collected by angel and placed in a bottle, which is a wineskin, a new wineskin to be exact. Then these are put into a book. I believe that book is read at a future moment and the words of it put into motion.

    Psalm 126:5 (KJV 1900) — 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

    The reaping of Joy is directly connected to tears. There is a transformation in heavenly realms not just reading the sorrow or sufferings but reading the answers and outcomes the tears will produce. No tear is lost or without meaning and impact.

    Book of the living

    Psalm 69:28 (KJV 1900) — 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.

    The word living means to have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live forever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health. David writes this in the midst of a prayer of imprecation against his enemies. He knows there is a book that lists those who lived. It has the names of every person ever created. Every baby aborted. It says that this list has within it those who are looked as righteous. They are mingled in the list. As it is an all-inclusive list. His prayer is not as if they never existed — being blotted out — but would show denial of existence. This is strong language. But what’s important is there is a book of those alive and that have lived.

    Book of remembrance

     Malachi 3:16 (KJV 1900) — 16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: And the Lord hearkened, and heard it, And a book of remembrance was written before him For them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

    This book is a book remembering all we have said about the Lord and spoken concerning him. Notice it says those who feared and spoke to each other or the conversations we had. It is a book of the words of believers. The word book here means written order, commission, a legal document that has been penned. The word remembrance means memorial record or mention.

    This is a legal document that was written before the Lord or in His presence. Angles are scribing our words and even our actions being produced. It will be read later at judgement concerning our words. It also is read by the Holy spirit as He brings all things back into remembrance in the selfsame hour, we need them.

    Book of days or Destiny

    Psalm 139:16 (KJV 1900) — 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

    The word Substance means embryo which is our origin in God upon the earth. This is a book about our physical makeup and the destiny of our life. It holds how God has fashioned us, sees us and the processes we are in. it also has the plan of God for us and destiny we are to become. This also has your giftings and desires come from, they were first in This book. Every aspect of us God has recorded! Each day upon the earth is a day of destiny!

    Book of House of Israel

    Ezekiel 13:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

    This is a book about citizenship. It is about those who are spiritual Israel and Old Testament Israel. Philippians 3:20 (KJV 1900) — 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

    The word conversation means the constitution of a commonwealth, form of government and the laws by which it is administered. The commonwealth of citizens.

    Ephesians 2:19 (KJV 1900) — 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

    This book is about how we conduct our kingdom citizenship and governor upon the earth. It probably has listed all the rights and privileges we have and the authority that has been given to governor.

    Books in the Court for Judgements 

    Daniel 7:10 (KJV 1900) — 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

    Daniel saw these books. Here multiple books are used here. Probably made up of the ones we are talking about. These books are associated with the judgement since it was set then the books opened. So, these would be books of accusations against us but not in the typical sense. But in showing the potential of what was intended and how far we missed opportunities.

    Book of General Assembly (Ecclesia) and first born

    Hebrews 12:23 (KJV 1900) — 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

    This is a book about 2 groups of people. First the General assembly, which is a public festival of all created beings. Second the Church or Ecclesia    of the first born, which means the first in place or time, to bring forth a son, new order. It is about the collective body. This book again is being written in heaven. It contains the names of those qualified. Notice it even states the qualifier, just men who have reached perfection.

    Book of life of the Lamb

    Revelation 13:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

    Revelation 21:27 (KJV 1900) — 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

    The book is about the lamb’s life and the activity of His life through ours. This is not the book of life but the lamb’s book of life. It holds all the attributes of Jesus and how he conducted his life. This book is a standard by which all other things will be measured, so it has been written down so there is no dispute.

    Book of Life

    Philippians 4:3 (KJV 1900) — 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

    This book is for the elect of God to be written in, those who labored in the gospel. This is a book about separation. Wheat from chaff. Those who know God and those who did not. Those who deserve access and those who don’t.

    Revelation 17:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

    Revelation 20:11 (KJV 1900) 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

    Revelation 20:15 (KJV 1900) — 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

    The Little Book

    Revelation 10:2 (KJV 1900) — 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

    Revelation 10:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

    The final book I want to speak about is called the little book. It is not little in value or importance but little in size compared to all the other books. This little book the Lord revealed to me is the Bible. It is a condensed version we read connected to the vast thought behind every word. The Lord told me there is a book written about every verse. In our eyes is a large book, but in Gods eyes it is little. If you think of all these books being written about us a vast library that is incomprehensible has been written and continues to be written. I believe we will read the stories of each other for all eternity.

    This study I did on the books here is short. I have written much more on it and taught on it as well. But what this study did challenged me to live my life differently knowing it was being recorded. It also made me see how much God is involved in our lives that he would have our lives scribed from so many different angles. Blessings.

    This book has an entire chapter to this subject….

  • Entanglements of the Stream, Leviathan

    Job 41:1, Psalm 74:14, Psalm 104:26, Isaiah 27:1

    In the scriptures, Leviathan is seen as a demonic being we have to deal with. This morning in a conversation, the Lord gave me a great revelation concerning this demonic force and how it works. First, some background on what Leviathan is. It is a seven headed dragon-like creature that was believed to live in the streams. Its counterpart, Behemoth looks like a rhinoceros and lives in the mountains. Leviathan, having seven heads and a singular body, has a primary assignment to create indebtedness. It was called a twisting serpent and was believed to wrap itself around a person’s eyes and cause the inability to see sunlight. It also is seen in Hinduism as one of their gods. It is called a piercing serpent and is seen as piercing the base of the skull with its tail. The base of the skull by those in occultism is looked at as the point of Kundalini and also life force or flow. This is why yoga is so wrong; it tries to trigger this area of the skull. The base of the skull is also the place connected to astral projection and connected to the silver cord found in Ecclesiastes 12:6.

    Leviathan is found in the streams or flows of many of the spiritual meetings going on right now in the overall church structure. It does not mean our stream is demonic, but I am speaking of demonic presence trying to come into the stream that is occurring. I believe we may have allowed past and even present streams to become polluted that allow access for this spirit. This demonic spirit is trying to stop others from experiencing the awakening by taking residence in streams and affecting those participating in those streams.

    Since part of its assignment is to bring poverty or lack, this seems to be a major hold right now with many apostolic and Kingdom works. Many Kingdom centers and emerging voices and places of awakening are lacking in the area of funds to perform the Kingdom work and assignments. I believe it is directly related to a second indebtedness, an indebtedness to religious systems. This is seen as an obligation to remain in the past structures that have no life. Many in this hour are benefiting from apostolic alignments and from revelatory teaching found in emerging Kingdom centers, apostolic churches and other forerunner type ministries. But at the same time, many are still putting their tithe in past structures or streams due to being “indebted” to that structure by obligations, soul ties or traditions and not by real life-giving relationships. These fading structures should be approached from a missiology perspective by those still attending both them and the emerging move. These structures should not be looked at except through the eyes as a missionary place to minister life-giving flow. They need awakening.   

    Leviathan’s seven heads represents the double mindedness and inability to make a full commitment to embrace the light and revelation that lies before us. This demonic force comes to wrap in a twisting motion around us and to take the truth and twist it as well creating many iniquities.  The truth of freedom, awakening, reformation and Kingdom has been twisted by those who want to deny its graces upon others. The wrapping of its long neck over the eyes is the stoppage of revelation coming that “seeing, we might see and be converted.” The neck represents the will and it is allowing its will to cover instead of God’s will to fully cover.

    Many outside of the Body are experiencing this in full force right now. Many are in such tight bondages and they are having such a hard time seeing truth. We have many different types of belief systems going at the same time. We are disjointed on End Times, Israel, the existence of five-fold ministry and function, the existence of the Holy Spirit, Kingdom/Church, open Theism, hyper- grace, and other multi- head beasts all fighting for a voice in the midst of the stream of truth. Many have taken over the stream fully and have become the main voice. Many of these streams are polluted and Leviathan is sitting in the midst of the streams controlling them.

     The covering of Leviathan is scales of pride (Job 41:15). This pride is very evident in the Body of Christ. It says the scales are joined one to another. Pride seems to connect to others walking in pride and when this occurs, it becomes a covering we think is impregnatable. This is reflected in many pastoral gatherings, alliances and meetings. As we try to participate in supporting these gatherings, we do not fit many times. Do not come under these coverings. What you submit to, you then are indebted to. The verse goes on to say ‘his heart is as stone’. This is the outcome of pride, hardness of heart. Pride protects what must be changed. This demonic force has tried to stop the changing of hearts in this current move from unfolding. Pride is such a terrible thing in men’s lives. The unwillingness to admit to a need or a lack causes stoppage of God becoming strong in our weakness. When we say we are without need we then enter into self deception. This spirit has led many into this place. If not careful, they will become reprobate in mind. I strongly urge you to read all of Job 41 and see the things we are combating.

    I hope these things make sense to you. I am seeing very clearly the struggles so many are going through are directly related to this demonic force. It is stopping the embrace of truth, awakening, etc. It has positioned itself in the streams of the past to try and stop the flow of new streams emerging today.

    Our hope is found in Psalm 74:13 As God says He will break the head of Leviathan and feed it to the people in the wilderness. I think of a song Ric Pino sings and the words go like this “He gives us giants for our bread”. The victory of defeating this power will be living bread for us. He goes on to say He will dry up the streams he is living in. We better be sure we have the right stream flowing.

    In Isaiah 27:1, He says He will take His sword and slay Leviathan. That sword is in us. It says He will both punish and slay. I believe that punishment will come through the Saints, the holy remnant rising and standing against him. For seven heads we have something more, the seven-fold spirit of God. The seven lamps are burning. Seven graces and divine enablement’s. Seven mysteries of Christ the great warrior and conqueror of all demonic powers. When his will no longer is wrapping us and his scales of pride no longer covering us, we then can free others.

    It seems to work with Diana in Acts 16. Diana means fully enlightened, but flow restrained.  We can have great enlightenment, which I believe we have, but something is restraining us. It’s the entanglement of a Levithan spirit. It is not so concerned if you get revelation but is concerned if you flow with revelation. It tries to slow the process of flowing by blinding what revelation we currently have. It tries to twist it. It tries to restrain it. If you desire or have to have more and more revelation but never do anything about it, you are falling into a spiritual trap. Our stagnation allows an entanglement to occur.  

    It’s time to defeat leviathan in our own lives and then in the lives of spiritual structures and in the culture. We do this by speaking the truth in love. We do this by doing works, so our faith is not dead. We do this by realizing I no longer live but Christ lives in me and through me and the life I now live I live by faith in the son of God.

  • Here is Your Battle Plan!

    This is small portion of a Class I recently taught in Legacy School our online school.

    Paul told Timothy a valuable insight. It was a charge he gave him. A charge was a command that was not to be taken lightly and was expected to be heeded. Paul gave 6 charges to Timothy over the 2 books written to him. This is the first or foundational charge. The word commit following the word charge was the passing of the charge into the hands of Timothy to steward.

    1 Timothy 1:18–19 (KJV 1900) — 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightiest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

    The word war means to make a military expedition, to lead soldiers to war or to battle, (spoken of a commander). It is a verb or action word. Paul was expecting Timothy to go on military conquest, campaign, or a mission. He was to be strategic in the advance of the kingdom. But not by natural means but by spiritual means. It was to be a “good” warfare. The word “good” means excellent in nature. It would hold the nature of Christ and the spirit of excellence. It was a battle that was to be done a certain way. As he did this the outcome would be a warfare. The word warfare means a military campaign, military service, or discharge of apostolic duties. It is the word Strateia which is the root of our word strategy. These means it would be calculated and planned. It is also a noun and descriptive of something accomplished. The outcome of deciding to lead others would result in strategic warfare that would require precise planning.

    Paul refers to how to strategize in this warfare, it is found in the prophetic words Timothy had been given when he was commissioned. It was what God said over his life. Paul connects the warfare that it is related to what was said prophetically over Timothy. The ability to lead others is related to the prophetic words spoken over our lives. It also holds the strategy we are looking for in how to conduct our campaigns, mission and visions. It is connected to kingdom exploits and advancements. This tells us how prophesy will also reveal what kind of things will try to stop us from fulfilling our destiny. Paul was saying to Timothy the battle is not just about your life, but it is about Timothy’s destiny upon the earth and the work he had been assigned for the Kingdom of God.

    Paul tells us the destiny and fulfillment of Timothy’s words will not occur by himself, but he will need to enlist other soldiers to war with him. The destiny was not about Timothy’s life but what Timothy was to accomplish with His prophetic words. He had been given the weapon of war within his prophesy and instruction to convey the importance of what he carried to others. The prophecy would hold such hope, power and vision that it would convince others to aid Timothy and join alongside him. Paul would tell him later to find faithful men able to teach others also. This is not just doctrinal instruction but prophetic strategy that would be sustained to generations coming forth from the prophetic word.

    The Power of Prophesy over a life is a seldom accessed or seen as tool of warfare. Your prophetic words are a battle plan for your life. These words must be worked out and strategized over. They must be safeguarded as well. Paul would also warn Timothy that as a good solider he was not to be entangled with the affairs of this live. The entanglements come to dimmish the prophetic words over His life. This prophetic word carried great force and power and worldly affections would reduce its impact. A strong word requires the application of force and resistance to whatever would hinder them from fulfillment.

    Perhaps if prophetic words were not so flowery but carried the sense of true kingdom destiny others would engage into them. Perhaps if prophesy were at a higher level, we would have the strategy we are looking for. Make war with your prophesy. Your prophesy is your battle plan given to you by God to fulfill.

  • Praying With Assignment

    I was up in the night contemplating the prayer life of the church and how much prayer is done daily on a global scale. The hours and numbers of those praying. The energy it represents and how much is happening and also how much for all the effort is not happening. I have just come out of a dynamic prayer meeting which had much heart felt repentance and open confession of lack and need for God to intervene. It was powerful. Why are some prayer meetings so strong and good and then others seem flat?

    As I contemplated this in the night I reflected on the early church of Acts. They had both individual prayer and corporate prayer. They also prayed with different types of prayer based on the current moment and need. Theses are thanksgiving, supplication, faith, agreement, intercession, binding and losing, and imprecatory. I have written about these before in my blog post and in my book on imprecatory prayer. They knew which type of prayer was needed for each situation. It was not one fits all. That is the first reason some prayer meetings are good, and others aren’t. We are hitting and missing with our approaches.

    I also reflected back to the single focuses of the church in Acts 2:42. To stay in the apostle’s doctrine, prayers (plural) fellowship and breaking of bread. The apostle’s doctrine was to implement the doctrines of Christ and bring forth the Kingdom. It is listed first as a target to hit, then prayers plural is listed as this is a tool to accomplish this. The fellowship or intimacy was with God and each other and able to happen because of the times of prayer.

    I then was reminded how they prayed in Acts 4 they prayed for boldness and suddenly the place was shaken and instantly they received boldness. The response was directly tied to the prayer and the prayer was based on advancing the kingdom. They said the one thing they lacked to be effective and cried out in desperation for it. God answered and they were forever changed. The right prayer meeting does not give you relief but produces lasting change. What a powerful prayer meeting. It reminded me of the one we had just had. Our prayer was not about meeting our needs but about shifting us for service.

    Jesus said don’t pray for what you need for your father in heaven knows before you ask. Matt 6:8. Then he gives the Lord’s prayer in the next verse. He gives the model for prayer with the emphasis on the Kingdom and the power and the Glory. It seems the personal prayer was for the examination of ourselves and the corporate prayer a defined intention.

    In Acts 12 Peter is in prison and the church is praying without ceasing for his release. A specific focus of why the meeting has been called. It was a continuous meeting probably with people in shifts coming and going. The assignment was driving them and the vision of the outcome. When Peter knocks on the door their assignment is completed. The ramifications of this a new season of Spiritual history is about to unfold. The transition from Jerusalem to the world.

    Again, in Acts 13 as they were ministering to the Lord the Holy spirit said, and Paul and Barnabas were chosen for an assignment. THEN they prayed before they were sent out. This prayer was for the corporate assignment that had just been spoken by the Holy spirit. It seems the meeting was not so much a prayer meeting seeking direction as it was a meeting of simply ministering to the Lord. The word ministered means to serve the state at your own cost, to do service, to discharge an office.

    I have been in all night prayer meetings and after doing it a few times and seeing pillows and sleeping bags come in the door it kind of lost its purpose. In Africa they have asked me if I wanted to call prayer vigil or all-night prayer. I asked the host pastor why? It seemed he felt the anointing was needing empowered by prayer or needed to increase and prayer was the answer. I told the pastor these people are up early and are working all day. They are coming here in the evening and the meetings are running long. This is the third day with one more to go. Why would I put this on the people?

    I know every move of God was birthed from prayer. I know nothing moves without prayer. I also know the very much needed times of prayer and have seen the changes that occurred. I’m just saying perhaps our model of prayer, the scheduled structures we have created, and our approaches need to have more of an intentionality about them to make them more of a special moment. I have done this with communion. I only do it when Holy Spirit prompts me to. This makes it hold greater value when we do share communion and takes away the religious pattern and traditions.

    Perhaps we should not call prayer meetings on a schedule but schedule them when there is a real need. How many times do people ask,” Are you going to the prayer meeting tonight?” If there is not a sense of urgency in gathering to get answers then why is there a meeting. Are we caught in traditions?

    So, what am I trying to say in all of this? I am seeing the direct correlation to not having prayer meetings to have prayer meetings, but they should always have a greater purpose and vision. Something beyond our own selves. They should reflect on the assignments and kingdom advances. They should be part of a flow. To me this is why prayer meetings seem to have low attendances, because these things are not seen. If you reflect on your prayer meetings the most successful were the ones with these elements or the dealing in hearts to be prepared for service. So like spiritual flow in a service, or flow in worship, maybe we need to have a spiritual flow in prayer meetings. Each one seen in the Bible produced an eternal result.

  • Self Esteem

    Everyone deals with self-esteem at some point in their life. Some deal with low self-esteem all their lives. It is something I have had to work people through over my entire ministry life. Some face the extremes of lacking self-esteem by the ongoing demeaning of a person until the person is completely broken down. This can come by others who press you down to gain advantage over you and feel better about themselves. It can also come by doing it to ourselves thinking we deserve it. Self-esteem could be termed self-value or how you value yourself. Self-esteem is how you value the very essence of yourself. We all deal with self-esteem in many ways. Confidence is a major one.

    Webster’s defines self-esteem as: a confidence in one’s own worth or abilities; self-respect.

    The confidence in one’s own self-worth is not in right decision-making but is found deeper. It is having a settledness in who you are, (Identity) and the potential that is inside you. Most of the time, confidence is eroded when things go bad or go in a different direction than anticipated. Life events have nothing to do with our self-esteem but if we are not careful, we will let it come in and begin to erode our confidence. I have had many life events go in the wrong direction. There was pressure to let those moments define me and who I am. I made business decisions that cost me tens of thousands of dollars. Other business decisions should have made me wealthy, but I ended up breaking even. Still other decisions made me doubt why I chose a certain direction. But all of them had factors out of my control along with my assumption that others would act like I act, from the same value system. But I decided to allow God to define me instead and He saw me through the detrimental life events. Self-esteem is never formed from hindsight and the what ifs. It is formed by knowing who you are and what you are capable of.

    We make decisions based on the information at hand, experience, and a trust in others to perform what has been determined. We believe they value what we value and will respond like we would respond. How they respond is outside of our control. Self-esteem is about you as a person and not outside influences, and how they affect you. You remain deep down who you are no matter what happens in life around you. You are a person, and those influences are events. Two very different things.

    Self-esteem is really a measuring of what we feel we should be doing and attain, versus what we are doing. The in-between is the place self-esteem is determined. The closer the gap between our reality and what we feel is “perfection”, the greater our self-esteem. The wider the gap, the less we feel about ourselves. We must be careful not to widen the gap by the words we speak and how we see ourselves. Self Esteem is not just how we value ourselves but starts by how we see ourselves. How we compare “us” to possibly a false image of “us” or what others might expect or even others we admire. Correct self-esteem will always have a gap between where we are at now and where we see our potential really is. That’s healthy self-esteem, evaluating improvement but not being driven by the standard of perfection.

    2 Corinthians 10:12–13 (KJV 1900) — 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

    We have wrong self-esteem when we have wrong standards by which we measure ourselves. We may be coming up with unrealistic ideas of what the standard for ourselves should be. We set standards upon ourselves that God never intended. He knows we have limitations, and He has made provision for the lack, mistakes, and choices. It really becomes a mental health issue of having healthy and realistic expectations of ourselves. Ones that give us a realistic target to hit and not a perfectionist mentality that we sometimes hit but most of the time, fall short.

    But self-esteem deals with how actions determine our value. Our actions come from our value system. How we value ourselves and what we know to be true about ourselves. That’s why when those values are violated by others, it cuts us deeply. Our first response generally is that there is something wrong with me. But really, how people respond and when they respond poorly or with differing values that are less than ours, only shows areas needing adjusted in their lives and not ours.

    Actions may be right or wrong at times, but the value of who we really are remains the same. It never changes nor is it reduced. God is no respecter of persons and values every person equally. He loves us because He chose to love us, not based on our actions or lack of actions. God has no variable or sliding scale. He sees us how He made us and not what comes at us, trying to change the very depths of who we are. His opinion of us remains the same while ours may change. Self-esteem is really who you are as a person, more so than the decisions you make. Value is not determined by our actions but by our character, value systems, moral living, treatment of others, kindness, compassion, appreciations, and the unique and wonderful way God made us. These are the things I point out to those who have self-esteem issues.

    If you have self-esteem issues, you can approach it in two ways. First is the resetting of the perfection bar you have established. Problems in life do come along. People deceive us, lie to us, abuse us and a host of other things. These do not demean our value but come to erode at our perceptions of ourselves. If we are not careful, we put them into how our self-esteem is formed. We set high unattainable standards thinking this will stop the life issues. Set a realistic goal for your life and find happiness that you are on the journey to reach it. Remember that how the journey unfolds will not define who you are.

    The other area is seeing if we truly are living below our potential. Perhaps we have a ‘let’s wait and see’ attitude or an unwillingness to put energy into bettering ourselves. This also must be addressed and shifted. God expects a good healthy attempt with what we can do and not ultimate perfection from us, as He says there is none perfect, not one. To adjust self-esteem, we need to take the undue pressure off us. We close this gap by making an effort, working our potential, and measuring it with God’s realistic viewpoint, and our self-esteem will quickly rise.

  • Here is Your Battle Plan!

    This is small portion of a Class I recently taught in Legacy School our online school.

    Paul told Timothy a valuable insight. It was a charge he gave him. A charge was a command that was not to be taken lightly and was expected to be heeded. Paul gave 6 charges to Timothy over the 2 books written to him. This is the first or foundational charge. The word commit following the word charge was the passing of the charge into the hands of Timothy to steward.

    1 Timothy 1:18–19 (KJV 1900) — 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightiest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

    The word war  means to make a military expedition, to lead soldiers to war or to battle, (spoken of a commander). It is a verb or action word. Paul was expecting Timothy to go on military conquest or campaign, a mission. He was to be strategic in the advance of the kingdom. But not by natural means but by spiritual means. It was to be a “good” warfare. The word “good” means excellent in nature. It would hold the nature of Christ and the spirit of excellence. It was  battle that was to be done a certain way. As he did this the outcome would be a warfare. The word warfare means a military campaign. Military service, discharge of apostolic duties. It is the word Strateia which is the root of our word strategy. It is a noun and descriptive of something accomplished. The outcome of deciding to lead others would result in strategic warfare.

    Paul refers to how to strategize in this warfare, it is found in the prophetic words Timothy had been given when he was commissioned. It was what God said over his life. Paul connects the warfare is related to what was said prophetically over Timothy. The ability to lead others is related to the prophetic words spoken over our lives. It also holds the strategy we are looking for in how to conduct our campaigns, mission and visions. It is connected to kingdom exploits and advancements. This tells us how prophesy will also reveal what kind of things will try to stop us from fulfilling our destiny. Paul was saying to Timothy the battle is not just about your life but it is about Timothy’s destiny upon the earth and the work he had been assigned for the Kingdom of God.

    Paul tells us the destiny and fulfillment of Timothy’s words will not occur by himself, but he will need to enlist other soldiers to war with him. The destiny was not about Timothy’s life but what Timothy was to accomplish with His prophetic words. He had been given the weapon of war within his prophesy and instruction to convey the importance of what he carried to others. The prophecy would hold such hope, power and vision that it would convince others to aid Timothy and join alongside him. Paul would tell him later to find faithful men able to teach others also. This is not just doctrinal instruction but prophetic strategy that would be sustained to generations coming forth from the prophetic word.

    The Power of Prophesy over a life is a seldom accessed or seen as tool of warfare. Your prophetic words are a battle plan for your life. These words must be worked out and strategized over. They must be safeguarded as well. Paul would also warn Timothy that a good solider he was not to be entangled with the affairs of this live. The entanglements come to dimmish the prophetic words over His life. This prophetic word carried great force and power and worldly affections would reduce its impact. A strong word requires the application of force and resistance to whatever would hinder them from fulfillment.

    Perhaps if prophetic words were not so flowery but actually carried the sense of true kingdom destiny others would engage into them. Perhaps if prophesy were at a higher level, we would have the strategy we are looking for. Make war with your prophesy. Your prophesy is your battle plan given to you by God to fulfill.

  • Prophetic Vision 1/12/2022

    Like Bob Jones would give the Shepherds Rod sometimes the Lord speaks to me like this. Recently this happened to me again as I was meditating on many things concerning the life of the Body of Christ, the disconnected ones, the order needed, the power required, and I was seeking asking God what will it take to align and re-order all of this to your intention. This is what was conveyed.

    The Mavericks

    First, I saw two groups of people. Mavericks and those who are rogue. The 2 groups were the same. The Lord spoke to me and said, “the mavericks are my sent ones. They do not fit the status quo but are still connected into the body and submitted to me. They love my church and are not critical of her. They have an assignment and an empowerment to challenge my bride out of slumber.” I then saw the other group the rogues. The Lord spoke to and said, “this groups is to themselves. They have gifting and anointing but are not submitted to any leader. They believe they know all things and are critical of my church. They have created their own way not within my prescribed order. ” I could see both groups operating in the same moment. Both were having results, the mavericks more so than the rogues. It seemed confusing that both could have results. Then I saw the eternal results of both groups. Not the actions but what was created in hearts who were around each group. This clarified the impact of the unseen of the Mavericks vs the rogues. The Mavericks had imparted things eternal while the rogues had only brought what was more temporal. The disconnect of the rouges coming from attitude disqualified them to carry the eternal.

     The War

    I saw a great war in the heavens going on. An ancient war with ancient demonic forces. These forces have been reserved for this moment of time, to wear out the saints. I saw the deceiver and accuser. I saw how many in the body of Christ have played into the deception and even the accusation. Their judgements of the church and the bride have empowered the demonic forces. The dissatisfaction they experienced coming from others and how they felt treated, was in reality, their own dissatisfaction with their own selves. This was making them rogue in living their faith. Their faith was empowering the deception. I saw a lying spirit and how all of this was empowering it. The empowering was so great in this hour it was as if it was becoming a principality over regions and nations. I saw fear gripping tightly upon areas of hearts. It was the whispering spirit collaborating with the lying spirit. I heard a voice speak and say, “the great war has come.”

    The Ecclesia

    I then saw the church, the Ecclesia. I saw a new way of battling with a new sound and a new sword being formed. I saw the church standing looking up , vertically, and speaking to demonic forces. Then I saw the church rise and speak horizontally. The church was being repositioned and it was critical to be both aligned and in order. The alignment was a multiplier. The order brought a confidence. I saw the Ecclesia step into position in the second heaven aligning itself with its destiny. They were also coming into order and began to reorder all things, beginning in the second heaven. The Ecclesia begin to wrestle with and contend face to face with demonic forces. The war was going to be differnet because a different ecclesia was emerging. Aligned and order to produce a bowing down of demonic forces and a giving way of demonic influences. But the Ecclesia was carrying a new sword. A sound never before heard.

    The Sound

    I saw a sound that had never been before, coming forth. A harmonious, synchronized sound. A sound that was coming from union and not unity. A sound recognized by both believer and unbeliever. A sound known in heaven but becoming known in the earth. It was the sound of war, but not of the battle, or call to war. Even though the battle was on you could not hear the sound of it like past battles. But the sound the Ecclesia carried was the dominate and only sound. It was the sound of ultimate victory contained in the ecclesia. The sound was soft and deafening at the same time. It was authoritative. It contained the power and breath of God. It had come to do business and the sound demanded a response that would have to give way. It was a new weapon of war. A new sword forming.

    The Order

    I saw an order coming into the earth again. This order was the ways of God. The order was defining the realignment of past structures. A structuring of governmental legislating. A way that would produce a path. The Path was part of the order. It was the outcome of the ways. The sound of the Ecclesia was the order. The order was coming to release authority. I saw wave upon wave of authority being released upon the earth, as another part of the order and path of God was being found and walked. The more this repeated the stronger the sound and the order became. Men’s hearts were giving way to the order as a more excellent way.

     The Tree

    I saw a new tree coming into existence. It seemed to be a short brushy type of tree but held great promise. I sensed it would produce a new fruit or food source. I thought this could be a supernatural  source possible for healing properties. Then I saw the bark and leaves of the tree being used as a tea and many being healed. Then the Lord spoke to me and said, “this is all of this and so much more. This is the tree of Life being restored. In the next season the focus and embrace of the life-giving source will become more dominate in the body. As it comes it will bring healing where there seems to be a lack.” I saw the tree being rooted into the earth again. I saw it spreading outward creating  a huge umbrella under its limbs and it became the covering for many. This tree of Life was and is Christ.

     The Intensity

    I saw the intensity. It was a force coming of such power. The intensity was overwhelming to think of. Its power could utterly destroy in a moment of being unbalanced. It seemed the sound and order the Ecclesia was carrying was the balancing required. The intensity was fearful and reverence instilling. It became an actual wall of power that could be felt that swept entire cities. It was known by all, felt by all, but none could see it. It was complete and stood to the heavens and reached horizon to horizon. But it was not a fixed wall but moved slowly as one single intentional force. It was obvious nothing could stand in its path, and nothing would even consider it. Everything seemed to have been set in order and alignment and because of that and the sound of the ecclesia everything was magnified thousands of times.