Greg Crawford

Category: The Kingdom of God

  • 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….

  • Apostolic Burden of the Lord Part 2

    Last time we covered what is the Burden of the Lord. If you didn’t read it go back so you have a foundation to launch into part 2. In this writing we will see how burdens from the Lord come. For the most part they are not our ideas or extensions of ideas of ministry we have. Many times, they are contrary to our plans and maybe even our desires. They will take us off our typical course into a course of Gods ultimate plan unfolding. We will look at Nehimiah, an apostolic builder and restorer. A mobilizer of workers and one who sets things in order.

    Nehemiah 1:3 (KJV 1900) — 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

    The first thing is he heard. He heard a report. But it was not just idle talk but factual and not with speculation or assumption. Something in this report pricked his heart having a profound effect upon him. Many times, we hear things, and the hardness of our heart keeps us from really hearing. Sometimes something catches our spirit, and we react. This was what occurred to him.

    Nehemiah 1:4 (KJV 1900) — 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

    The words were heard by others but no one else responded. The words were actually reserved to have an effect upon one person and that was Nehemiah. The others had become accustomed to hearing reports. But probably because of hardness of heart and loss of faith and hope accepted the state of things. But the words caused Nehemiah to take time to process as he sat. the more he processed the more he wept. A burden doesn’t accept the current situation but has come to change the situation. His weeping went to mourning and mourning turned into fasting and prayer to find the solution.

    Nehimiah 2: 11-16   The burden will cause you to evaluate the true conditions firsthand. Burdens take us from secondhand knowledge to first-hand experience. He went by night to examine the assignment. What he saw was different from what others saw. He saw through promise not circumstances. He did not deny what he saw but looked beyond and saw the ramifications. He sees how it affected Gods glory and Gods people. He was seeing with his spirit.

    He then is burdened with reality. The reality the burden has within it is holy. It bears the weight of Gods glory and the work that must be accomplished. He sees beyond the natural. Part of this reality is the personal responsibility that comes with burden. Those with a burden see not only the problem, but the role they play in the solution. The only solution or answers that work is from God and you must hear clearly. Because very burden for God will have those who are critical coming from your own camp. Nehemiah 4:10–11. He is able to share the reason for the burden.

    Nehemiah 4:14.  (KJV 1900) — 14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

    Every burden form God is also connected to Legacy.Moses was burdened for the people of Israel. Others had burdens as well like David, Paul, Samuel, all the ones we talk about doing exploits, but seldom do we talk of their burden. Without Gods burden our faith is in vain. Our prayers are lacking, and our impact is greatly diminished. A true burden form God cannot be stopped. It is fulfilling a plan that is required. To me the burden is the key to active faith that produces results. We really only see spiritual changes when we tap into the burden of God, or we get burdened for people where we finally fully engage ourselves. Burden is about transferring. Transferring people from the power of darkness into the kingdom of His son Jesus.

    Every burden will create your apostolic vision. Without a true burden then vision is hard to define, and mission is even harder to operate. We see Ezra in chapter 10:1-4 having a burden before he had vision. We see Nehimiah as well in Chapter 1:3-4. Daniel prayed and fasted for 3 full weeks. What God is looking for is not anointing, which is borrowed from him, or giftedness, which is birthed by him, but the greatest need is who will carry His burden. What is your burden today?

    Those who carry a God given burden are the ones who will do exploits. There may be suffering but the suffering will bring greater glory. Paul was driven by apostolic burden. Building is also coming from burden. Burden touches almost all things we do and reforms values. The burden just has to be from God to be effective. Jeremiah 20.8 says it was like fire in his bones and he had no choice but to respond. Burden brings you into service. Burden makes you go.

    In Galatians 6:1 it says we carry each other’s burdens which the word means heavy crushing loads. But in verse 4 it says each man is to carry his own burden. This burden is “phorton” and is used to designate the pack a marching soldier carries. It also means carrying the ships cargo, which has connotations of being connected apostolically. Paul says you must prove your work, or it must be authenticated to see if it is genuine. He was speaking if your burden is from god or just a good idea.

    Then as we look at spiritual fathering, we also see Sons and Daughters are to carry the burden of the Lord spiritual fathers carry. Many times, we seek spiritual fathering, and we only pick and choose what that fathering is carrying and offering. But we neglect that there is more than the positive fun side of spiritual fathering. In Phil. 3:10 Paul speaks of the “manner of Life”. Paul was saying what Timothy received encompassed how Paul carried and exercised his burden as well. The activation of Paul’s burden in Timothy’s life brought him into his own apostolic journey. Timothy as a son was not disjointed from Paul’s burden but embraced it with the assignments given to him.
    Paul said he was like-minded in Phil. 2:20. That like-minded was also concerning how  the burden would be completed.

    Burden will create a message in you. It will take you on a mission as well. It will give others a vision, so they qualify to have their own. Burden will take you from a second hand knowledge to a first-hand experience. Burden summons us into the destiny we are longing for. Burden has a sense of urgency. It has a sense of responsibility. The size of your burden will also determine your impact on the earth. But because you have a burden doesn’t mean everything is automatic. It requires your response and others as well.

    In the book I wrote “Awakened Heart” has a prophetic word coming from Habakkuk. It encompasses an entire chapter. As I was researching for this blog, I found the word burden spoken 45 times in this prophetic word. It seems it must be important to God.

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    Blessings

  • Apostolic Burden of the Lord Part 1

    I want to speak on the to topic of burden. Having the right burden will activate your faith, allow you to find purpose, bring you into your destiny and create your future. Without a true burden from God you will go through life and ministry aimlessly wandering.

    Jesus was burdened for what would become the church. Paul was burdened for the church. A burden is not pity or feeling sorry for someone. A burden for the Lord is an extension from heaven. When you have Gods burden you will give yourself to it, both like Christ and Paul.

    2 Corinthians 11:28 (KJV 1900) — 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

    Paul said daily this burden was present. The words come upon is associated with pressure, anxiety and comes from a word describing the force a riotous crowd carries. Without a burden for something you don’t have the perspective to speak into it. Paul was burdened for the church so he could address the issues. Today we move out of need-based perception and seldom burden focus. We have a lot of good suggestions but little change. Burdens from the Lord are catalyst for change.

    For myself I am burdened to see Gods people in fullness, I am burdened to see stronger leadership come forth. I am burdened to see those who are disillusioned about God, be shifted.  I am burdened to see us live at a higher spiritual life. You see the message you carry, the way you minister, the things that drive you all come from the true Burden of the Lord you’re stewarding.

    Paul was also burdened for his family, and especially his fellow Roman kinsmen. Romans 9:1–5.  He also was burdened for Israel to find salvation. Because of these burdens his teaching reflected upon it and also his energy in travel. Romans 10:1–4. His burden influenced his prayer life. Romans 1:8–12 . And even caused internal conflicts with himself. Colossians 2:1–5. But those burdens would active him into great faith, passion, and spiritual determination. Maybe today what we lack is not more teaching but a real God given burden we are to accomplish with our lives.

    Your burden will cause a motivation in your faith to occur. It is actually where true ministry occurs and how new ministries are to be birthed. Burdens from the Lord have the Love from the Lord within them. Without the love behind it there is no sacrifice. Without love there is not willingness to suffer. But with love you will to do extreme faith things.

    The burden and the love within it are what forms vision. A vision that has no burden is a religious structure. I feel today we have a lot of structures based around ideas or seeing needs but no real burden. We may have compassion, or sympathy but that is not the burden I’m talking about. The burden is the why you do things and defines the motivations behind actions.

    Answering the call is really answering the Burden. A calling without a Burden has no destination. But when burden is acted on it will also release Grace … the ability of God to create change. Think of how many times a burden in prayer receives an answer. It’s because Grace was released. The fullness of grace is present were burden is being nurtured. This is why some do exploits and others don’t. Colossians 4:12–13, 1 Thessalonians 3:10. Burden is a pure form of activating grace!

    Burdens will cause us to come out of complacency. We will come into new depths. We will study to find answers to the burden. We will take action, whiles others don’t. We will bring new truth to open ears. We may even find those of like faith, which is really finding faith that is active in the same burden we carry. Burdens always create and build for longevity. The burden of the Lord takes us on a fantastic journey! A journey of apostolic building.

    Part 2 we will cover how to acquire the Apostolic Burden of the Lord.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Test of Grieving The Lost Sovereign Moments

    I decided to write on this topic to help other leaders who possibly experience what I have had happened several times. I have had to answer a lot of questions with other leaders as well about being in or out of spiritual flow of meetings and how to handle these situations as they arise. From people taking over meetings, saying mixed prophesy, prophesying out of their own heart or imaginations, missed responses, doctrinal error present, manipulation of a body, and doing things that are perfectly correct and doctrinally sound but maybe in wrong timing. It is one thing to miss something in a meeting that has only an effect for that meeting. That happens probably almost every time we gather. That is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about meetings that have a sovereign intentional release of something required for the corporate bodies mission to succeed. In other words, what is missed carries a key component to affect from that point forward to unlock the future. For me this is probably the greatest time of discouragement is when I know a meeting has shifted from Gods intentions of a great deposit. Thank God He is merciful, but that still does not take away the feelings that occur or the knowing of what could have been.

    The Test Described

    This test occurs when you realize an intentional sovereign moment of God has been missed that would deposit a much-needed element that is missing. This occurs when a meeting seems to shift direction away from an opening into a heavenly realm. This may be because of others stepping out of spiritual flow affecting a corporate body and taking the meeting in a different direction. It could be because of mixture or prophesy that is assumed to be prophecy when in reality it isn’t, or a host of things. It could be as simple as the hearing of things may be right, but the timing or implementation may be what affects the shift that occurs. It shows well-meaning intentions outside of the timing of God will not create the intentions of God.

    The Effects

    This test has both frustrations, disappointments, discouragement, feelings of failure, and an overwhelming feeling of loss. This causes a  grieving with it. The grieving is not being able to rescue the moment as the spiritual climate or atmosphere has shifted. This is magnified when only the leader has these feelings and no one else is aware of it. It is as if the pathway to the next thing has been removed. I would liken it to a bridge from one bank to the next. The bridge has been removed, and you see the other bank but have no means to get there. You know it will take time to build the bridge again.

    A leader will feel out of sync with the meeting they are in and the feeling can carry on into the next day or several days. Restlessness as they wrestle with the why’s, and if that moment can be recaptured. It will cause deep inner reflection and analysis of their preparation, leadership abilities, and even the call. It will cause a re-examining to find the moment it was derailed or what lead to the shifting so they can see how it could be stopped in the future. A leader will look at themselves first, assuming they did not hear correctly. They will evaluate to see if they are too critical or their expectations were too high or wrong. It has nothing to do with the leader’s role being fulfilled, but what the Body of Christ did not receive. The leader will see the far-reaching ramifications of the missed moment and will try to figure out a pathway forward.

    Paul felt this many times with the churches he oversaw. He was constantly having to go backward and relay foundational doctrines instead of advancing deeper into the things of God. He was having to sort out what people did as accurate, verses speculations. He was sorting the mixtures of flesh, doctrines, reasoning etc. He had to address the Corinthians concerning the use of spiritual gifts and the overabundance of what was being released. He had to put in place a structure to facilitate the spiritual flow that seemed to always be open. A lot of this was training. But when there was not training you do not see this overabundance. When you see directives from God given you see precise sovereign moments with little to no input.

    What Does the Test Show?

    This test is a hard test to get beyond. The easiest route is to say the leader is too serious but this requires them to embrace a mindset they have to compromise in what they knew to be true. To not allow it to affect them or deny the moments importance also diminishes that they heard God correctly. This test puts a leader into multiple dimensions of overlapping conflicts making it hard for them to move forward not knowing what exactly needs addressed. Most everyone doesn’t want to make mistakes and their heart keeps them in check. That is what makes this test so hard to sort out. You cannot find false truth or mixture. But it comes down to timing. Just because a person hears or sees does not mean it needs to be shared instantly. Many times, the opportunity for others to be trained can outweigh the results attained.

    This test also shows the interconnectedness of the Body and how each person is to function in unison with the others. Without us being led by the spirit you soon see that the body lacks a full understanding and even missing elements that can make it healthy. This test shows the different maturity levels. I have seen the most screwed up meetings and some people still get touched by God. Again, this makes for a conflicting evaluation by the leader of the meetings impact. We have and still show grace for the body to develop and grow. These opportunities are not taken away but are better monitored and given oversight.

    This grieving will test your tenacity to stand against the opposition and even good intentions that have created a false finish line. It reinforces the seriousness of God and it forms a finish anointing. The impasse is being able to stay on course long term in the midst of missing the mark in the short term. The resetting of values is a delicate game of weighing in the scales and not coming up wanting. I have had to weight this in the training of people. Training people will cause mistakes. The mistakes are how we grow. I have sacrificed forward vision unfolding for the sake of giving opportunity. In hindsight I would do it again, but not to the degree I did. I felt it caused the vision to be delayed and kept us always feeling slightly behind or not quite in sync. My conclusion is there are meetings for training and then are some meetings for a sovereign moment of God to come forth. These meetings are not times of training, or it could be derailed. These sovereign moment meetings are setting new courses.

    This test also causes deepening of values to occur. As you realize you cannot simply recreate the exact moment or conversion point as almost all factors are beyond your control. This is because the moment was  a sovereign moment. You look forward with a different mindset to not allow the missed moments to be allowed. As a leader that knows Gods intention realizes also how far reaching the value is and holds a greater love for Gods intentions and how much He believe in us.

    What is to be Formed?

    Having others to share the moment with or to talk about it will help divide the burden. The more who understand the burden and are willing to help carry the less the leader feels isolated in the grieving. The bible says to carry each other’s burdens but this is not natural or our feelings but also our spiritual burdens. This is why there is to be team leadership. This will help bring others into greater spiritual awareness and sensitivity. This plays into the scripture of mourning with those who mourn and laugh with those who laugh. We think of natural things, but can we mourn with those who mourn with spiritual things. The Holy Spirit can be grieved, can we also feel that grieving as well. This test softens our heart to God and allows our spiritual feelings to begin to override our natural feelings.

    A leader will be more intentional next time and not allow feelings to get in the way to maintain the flow of a meeting. They will also not allow as much freedom and will monitor what is said or done. The verse of all things being done decently and in order also comes into this. The decently is probably not the issue as much as the order. I have found after working through all the processes associated with this test, I have to come to conclusion, that moment may never occur again or will have to be ramped back up to that place. You come to the realization you are going forward with a piece of the overall plan sitting, still available as it was Gods intention, but not fully in your possession yet. A pathway will need to be built towards it again, but then at the possible expense of other things. You also realize God can bring that portion again, it just will have to look different as all the factors have now shifted.

    The other thing I have learned is I can’t depend on others to help carry those intentions. Which means I need to not allow the opportunities that I have done at other times. At the end of the day, I’m responsible and I need to take on that responsibility. As leaders we live in enough repercussion of people’s choices! We need to live in the repercussion of our choices more so. Those come as we lead to advance. What we create or form we can shift. What others create or form we are sometimes on the receiving end.

    If you have experienced this missing of a moment, you’re the leader God is looking for. Sounds strange doesn’t it? Will its not the reason you missed the moment but that your spirit is sensitive that a moment was missed. Its that you value those moments and cherish them that when they don’t materialize your heart-broke for the people of God and even God himself. It just goes to show how serious you are as a leader. Imagine what would be revealed when leaders gather, that same honor was shown to the atmosphere God was present in. Imagine the body so protecting the atmosphere that it causes their senses to be heightened to it. If you can relate to this then I say to you be encouraged. Your heart is right.

  • The Call For Freedom

    The one thing all humanity desires deep down is to be free. People work to better themselves everyday around the globe to attain greater freedom in living. People create money sources and business to “buy” time to do what they want to really do. People look for ways to escape their sin consciousness and generational curses and iniquities with addictions, looking for short lived freedom. At the heart of Christianity is the answer of Christ who frees us from all the worlds bondages restricting our freedom.

    We as a nation are to be a model to the nations, is currently going through a crisis of freedom. The current battle going on is will we remain free or will we allow bondages to begin once again to take away what has been so costly paid for. As I write this, it is the day after Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address. At a time, a nation was divided over freedom, he took a stance and stated that all men are to be free. It was an overall perspective of answering the God placed desire in all men to be free. But the evil of men’s hearts to control and dominate was the enemy of this freedom. Today we are running some very exacting parallels. I can see we are in the midst of a civil war over freedom. We are a divided nation. We are pitted within families of being divided of which side we stand on. This division was implemented by a virus much like the virus of slavery.

    A few years ago, the Lord told me “Your message this week is written on the capital wall. Go to the state capital and get your message. “I went to the capital and began my search. I read everything hanging on all the walls. I read plaques and things posted on every floor and almost every public room. I was coming up with nothing. As I kept ascending to the very top floor in the rotunda, I finally found it. Written around the very top was the words, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. “ The words “a new birth of freedom” is what stood out. I would later learn this was Lincolns last line of the Gettysburg address. The lord spoke to me and said “This will become the rallying point for awakening and reformation you seek. This will be the common sound that will united and draw people to a common cause.” I assumed for my state, today I see it for the nation.

    The longing in men’s hearts is to be free. As a nation now with the recent election held in the balance, it is not about who will be president, but men’s freedom held in the balance. When they killed Lincoln, they thought they had won over the freedom he was bringing. But it only gave resolve to follow through that the nation would not be lost to binding men’s lives. Soon after that time the democratic party was birthed to change law to bring slavery back, to steal freedom from men. The history of that party is seen in different ways of taking freedom away and creating a dependency on programs, governmental control etc. That’s why their platform is contrary to biblical morality and principles that God established for his creation.

    Now here stand the church and its leaders, divided due to influences of the culture and political affiliations. Many including leaders, not understanding Godly principles and their role upon the earth. This alone has caused freedom to be stolen. This has caused men to lose hope of being absolutely free. But also standing, the ecclesia, the active authoritarian body of Christ is also present, who are standing for truth to be seen, for freedom to prevail. This group has been marked standing for truth and crying out against the abominations upon the earth. (Ezekiel 9) This same group is crossing thresholds into heavenly realms to begin to legislate from a higher perspective. To be a voice and declare freedom. We must not cower down or remain hidden or silent.

    We are indeed being marked and even separated of who will be carries of truth. Once this marking is completed then we will be asked to let go of what is in our hands and cross the threshold again. In Ezekiel 10 the one marked had to put his inkhorn down and take the fire from the alter and scatter it to the cities. This is the awaken and reformation we so desperately need. So in this hour perhaps we should be firming declaring from the other side of the threshold “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

  • Kingdom Finances

    I want to speak to the approach of the New Testament church had concerning Finances and giving. The giving was not done by obligation much like what we do today with tithing but came from a much deeper understanding. The primary place giving was done was towards leaders for one purpose to advance the kingdom and the money was used according to the current vision being acted on.

    Paul received support through 2 different avenues. The first was spiritual sons and daughters he was in relationship with supporting him. Most of this was used for his personal wellbeing. Contrary to living a life as a tent maker you see that was a short lived time while support was being built for him. The second avenue of support was through the mission upon his life and kingdom mandates he implemented. This was more through larger gatherings of people and the general church at large over regions and territories. Both of these 2 avenues established kingdom culture around support and giving.

    In that day the support was consistent for those who did give, it was sacrificial for the kingdom cause most of the time required it, and it was expected that kingdom work and workers would be supported. They knew they would spend it properly so this is why they laid it at “The apostles feet”

    Acts 4:34–5:2 (KJV 1900) — 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

    Kingdom establishment of ministry deems what is necessary to accomplish the current assignments. The stewardships is not based on this is what I desire but what the Lord has ordered. We are not giving to a church, but actually giving to clearly defined kingdom vision with certain tools and initiatives needing funded. Jesus funded ministry from his supporters of ministry.

    Luke 8:2–3 (KJV 1900) — 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

    And Paul put a demand that funding would come to Phebe.

    Romans 16:1–2 (KJV 1900) — 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

    Leaders sent by God into regions should be supported by that region. This unlocks kingdom blessings, and all of heaven. The kingdom will advance at a fast pace. But to not support those sent by God is to not honor them and not honor God and can close up a region. The Philippian church saw that others were not taking care of Paul, mainly the Corinthians and Thessalians, and they looked for opportunity to give to Paul!

    Philippians 4:10 (KJV 1900) — 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
    Philippians 4:15–17 (KJV 1900) — 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

    Paul goes on to tells them the offering was sweet smelling, acceptable and pleasing. When you look at these words you find they have a strong meaning. The definitions refer to the same type of sacrifice of Christ at the Cross carrying the same type of impact! In other words when the offering is done right God views it liken unto his son being an offering that is agreeable and far reaching to all.

    2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV 1900) —7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

    We are to give as we have determined, The Holy Spirit may lead us in giving but for the most of the time it our decision where and how much. The Holy Spirit will not compel you to give. So now to the heart of what I want to bring out. What forms a right perspective in our giving?
    Turing to 2 Corinthians 9 the most famous passage used for giving, I’ll bring out some key thoughts in each verse. Please read this chapter.
    V. 5 Bounty
    V. 6 Sowing
    V.7 cheerfully
    V.8 Sufficient
    V. 10 Multiple the seed sown
    V. 11 bountifulness

    The Lord showed me in this chapter a hidden meaning in the middle of giving as we know it. V. 9 “His righteousness remaineth forever”. We focus on giving and God is focused on righteousness. Righteousness is directly related to giving. We are not sowing and reaping because of what we give but because of who we are, righteous. We are giving from our position and what we are giving is not money but ourselves. The reason people don’t give is they disconnect from righteousness. Now we all know righteousness is being in right standing with God, a right alignment. Offering your righteousness like Christ did at the cross is what God is desiring not our money.

    But then V. 10 talks of “fruits of righteousness”. The fruit of righteousness is sanctification, which springs from justification, and manifests itself in holy living. Which is through Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God’s saints is not by the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Your right understanding of giving will release grace into situations. V.8 “That grace would abound”.

    Now looking at the section. We don’t have righteousness because of giving. Nor do we increase the fruits of righteousness because of giving. But we give from a righteous place – meaning it is a spiritual action of not what we believe but who we are….. our giving reflects righteousness. The giving parallels the degree of righteousness that has been formed and our awareness of it. It is a by product that is then acceptable to God because we are acceptable. The early church giving from this point of righteousness was giving from a zeal and passion of appreciation of the relationship they had with Christ. It was easy for them to sacrificially give to kingdom assignments. Now going lets go back and look at the verses spiritually and look at sowing not money, but righteousness.

    V. 5 Bounty – the over abundance of sanctification and righteousness, holy living
    V. 6 Sowing – will be sown not sparingly
    V.7 cheerfully – from a heart of full gratitude and rejoicing because of righteousness
    V.8 Sufficient –it makes the grace to abound – it’s a catalyst for grace to be in action
    V. 10 Multiple the seed sown – there will be the fruits of righteousness
    V. 11 bountifulness – causes thanksgiving – the additional giving of ourselves
    V.12 it is the service coming forth from righteousness not obligation
    V. 13 Others will glory over your life (not your offering)
    V. 14 that others would desire not the blessing they see but the grace you have activated by righteousness and would pray and seek God for it.
    V15 The gift of righteousness (not your offering) has no descriptive word of its value

    Your giving is not because you have to but because you get to. Your giving is for people to come into Kingdom fullness and to come into righteousness When your righteousness is in place your giving is not by obligation but alignment to assignments and kingdom vision. Your righteousness empowers your offering to release grace and cause an effect for Kingdom advancement!

  • A Pathway to Awakening

    I recently completed a mission of delivering a series of messages through the state of Kentucky. I was sent by God, based on a prophetic word, to give answers and a pathway to the future. I want to share the details here as I know it’s a “now word” for the Body of Christ.
    The Lord has spoken several things to me over the last year about awakening and the early Church. The first thing He told me was, “You will not see awakening until you heal the brokenness in people’s hearts caused by disappointments, unfulfilled dreams and a host of other things causing hope to be deferred. People are full of disappointments, but they are hiding it well.” Hope deferred means it has been put off to a future time. When hope gets deferred, it stops true faith from working and brings a halt to our forward advance. In short, it causes a barrenness in our lives.
    The Lord took me to Hannah and showed me her barrenness. She had a great desire to have a child that would serve the Lord. But the dream she carried did not come to pass and brokenness settled in. When you study the depths of the word broken it comes from a word meaning to be caught in a rut, to replay the sounds of a detrimental event. Hannah had to put up with the mocking and ridicule of everyone around her year after year. She was going to the temple regularly and doing the right things. She was paying her tithes, praying, seeking God and living right but was still barren. In other words, she was fulfilling her obligations but deep in her heart she was bitter, grieved, afflicted, and sorrowful. (Read 1 Samuel) Her confession was right but her state of being did not align with it. She had gotten into a rut playing the sounds of unfulfilled promise over and over. Sounds very familiar doesn’t it? An unfulfilled promise is not God’s disapproval of you. The dream or promise in your heart exists to keep hope alive.
    I agree we have good solid meetings and God is doing things, but I see a real barrenness that has settled in. This barrenness has stopped the Samuels sitting in the womb of the Ecclesia from coming forth to point to the Davids who will truly build the dwelling of the Lord. Like Hannah, we must change the frequency we are speaking and realign with the frequency of heaven. She promised God that she would return her male child to Him if He would bless her womb. This is the struggle we are having right now; we want an awakening, but we want to own it. It seems we are trying to find a pathway that we can have some form of ownership in. We need to heal broken heartedness and break barrenness off people like I did with my own people and those in Kentucky.
    The second thing the Lord showed me was the early Church had a given message. The message became so much a part of their lives, it compelled them to go on mission. The mission turned to momentum and the momentum turned into a movement. I told the people in Kentucky I did not come to do some meetings but to build and lay a foundation to come back and build upon. Today most of our traveling and speaking is not building and our messages are more random. The early Church was very intentional in building upon a set message. They were so consumed with the message that it became who they were, they then took themselves as the living epistle on mission. Once people valued the message, the momentum started and eventually a movement was formed. I released this Biblical pattern in detail in Kentucky.

    The Lord showed me a third thing. Where did they get the message from? We can easily just say heaven, the Holy Spirit, etc. But there is more to it than that. They fellowshipped with the mysteries of Christ. The Lord told me that awakening comes by one way, fellowshipping with the mysteries of Christ. In Eph. 3 Paul said part of his role as an apostle was to show all men how to fellowship with the mysteries. That is challenging, how do we do that? Looking at Paul’s life, he spells out that he fellowshipped with seven specific mysteries. They are the mystery of iniquity, the Church as a bride, regeneration, Israel’s blindness, the indwelling Christ, the translation of the saints, and the Church. Fellowshipping means to have intimate knowledge. We can easily see these seven mysteries made up Paul’s message.

    The fourth thing the Lord showed me was how Hannah’s frequency changed as she fellowshipped with the mysteries to resonate with them until it broke the barrenness and released the destiny of the nation. There is a big difference between producing and resonating. Something reproduced is a cheap copy and holds no real value. Hence like most of the meetings we do. We have learned how to produce a good sound, preach a great message, copy mannerisms, and appear ‘un-barren’ or fruitful. We have stopped being an original, a masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind, wonderfully made and unique in every fashion. Something produced is based on the skill set and gifting of a person. Something resonating is a conductor of a frequency, the frequency of heaven, the mystery of Christ. See the difference between reproducing and resonating is the source of the sound. Either we are the source and only reproduce with barrenness or we resonate and bring forth fruitfulness.
    Now what I am doing is putting these things into reality. How you may ask? In a very simple way, by having all my people build relationship with the person of Holy Spirit. You see we have built relationship with anointings, gifts of the Spirit, revelations and functions and have left Holy Spirit, the person out. Holy Spirit knows all things. Leads us into everything, guides us, etc. These functions are really extensions of His personality. Holy Spirit knows how to bring forth what is needed in this hour and how to form it within us. Holy Spirit sees the hidden brokenness and barrenness and has a way to remove it. He, as the Spirit of Truth will reveal the mysteries in us until we resonate with the frequency of it. He will lead us into mission, and He will be the movement we all are contending for.
    How will awakening come? When brokenness is healed and barrenness removed. When we take time and I mean real time, to fellowship with the many mysteries of Christ until we resonate with those mysteries, and then everywhere we go people will be feeling the Presence we are carrying. So, build relationship with Holy Spirit!

  • Kingdom Challege

    What I’m about to share this time will probably challenge you to the very core of how you are doing ministry and view success. The kingdom of God is advancing but because of a religious mindset we are sometimes are missing its impact. We probably believe that success is determined by the number of salvations occurring. But the mandate we really have is to build the Kingdom of God and as we do that salvations will occur. The message of the Kingdom is: The gospel is the good news that a king exists with a kingdom to bring Royal power and sovereign rule to regenerate the earth and all within it through a people called the Ecclesia. The regeneration that the kingdom releases is what causes salvation to come. Now to the challenge. It is found in this verse.

    Romans 15:19 (KJV 1900) — 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

    The context of this verse is about a geographical region and the gospel of the kingdom within that region. Digging into this we find the area was relatively large and circular in nature. It also contained one of the major Roman roads which many used traveling. This road was lined with occult statutes and as people passed, they were expected to lay offerings down. It was an area with a lot of mixed beliefs, and with many traveling through it. But what Paul was talking about is not about preaching everything about the kingdom. But he was talking of a region that Paul worked in. Now did Paul get everyone saved in this area? No. Our mindset of success is conversions and Gods mindset is kingdom influences being felt. Not everyone was saved but everyone in the area knew about the kingdom. Are we in a strategy that everyone will know about the Kingdom in what I call my assigned territory? Now that is a real challenge!
    He said the reason he impacted this geographical area was mighty signs, wonders and the power (dunimas) the nature of Christ within him. The word mighty is also the word dunimas. The signs and wonders contained the nature of God as they came and were performed. Looking at the previous verse he also states that he did things in word and deed and that everything he did was Christ working through him and he did nothing on his own accord. He trusted the Christ within him was enough to speak though him and perform his word by the Holy Spirit.

    Now just how much did Paul allow Christ to work through him? We see verses in his writings of “I die daily” “My life is hid in Christ” “to die is gain” and a host of other verses. We use these in attempt to let go of sin and things that seem to distract us. But Paul’s process of dying was not to overcome shortcomings but to advance the kingdom of Christ. Christ was so formed in him was at a whole different level, a greater fullness of yieldedness, obedience and death even. The answer is also seen in this section of Romans.

    Romans 15:21–22 (KJV 1900) — 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

    Paul is quoting a verse found in Isaiah 52:21. This verse like so many was a prophesy concerning Christ coming. But now look at the context, Paul claims this verse for himself! It seems we hold certain prophet verse to only be Christ, but Paul claims this and others as his. He knows this verse in Isiah was focused towards Christ so why would he claim it as his own? Paul had so died, Christ was so formed in, He was so alive in Paul, that he saw that what was spoke pertaining and pointing towards Christ, that if Christ was really working through him, then those things were Paul’s as well! Now that is the root of the challenge we see here.

    Romans 15:23 (KJV 1900) — 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

    Paul concludes a couple verses later stating with such confidence that he no longer had a place of effectiveness in that region. Imagine he was so well known and made the kingdom so well known, in his perspective he no longer was needed there. Instead of moving on out of frustration which so many do, he was ready to move on because of completion. To reach our regions we need signs and wonders. To see them in our regions we need Christ formed in us. But we need Him so real in our lives that not only do we take on the nature of Christ, but we take on what was said over him and prophesied about him is ours as well as we become his extension, his ambassadors upon the earth.