Category Archives: The Kingdom of God

Is Your Spiritual Community Wrong?

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I wanted to put something together after several pieces came to me this week from different places. I want to talk about spiritual community. The BASE is apostolic driven and hence a LARGE part of apostolic is relationships. As a kingdom center we are really a relationship center for those doing kingdom work. Hence if you are not doing kingdom work and just going through life you might not fully fit into the BASE. Second if you are not into relationships or do not like fellowship you won’t fit at all. These two things may limit who wants to participate fully.

But the relationships at an apostolic center are different than a Sunday church.  In the typical church the relationships are about doing community life, while anything that is apostolic will be about spiritual life. Community life is about surviving life and having family. There is nothing wrong with the focuses of a local church as they are foundational. But a kingdom center focus is much deeper, to create victorious warriors and bring the kingdom to the earth.

Spiritual life community develops strategy out of relationships with each other and those relationships do a vast amount of perfecting as “Iron sharpens iron”.  Spiritual life communities also have spiritual fathering by investing and life partnering instead of life instruction coming by teaching only. The community is made to mobilize individuals to fulfill calling and bring the dreams and visions in their hearts to come to pass through opportunities and responsibilities. While a typical church life is made to serve the vision of the local gathering, a kingdom center is made to serve the vision and dream in the hearts of those gathering.

Now with our worship team coming back from a conference were spiritual community was talked about, it was discussed that because people do not fit your community or come and leave it, does not make the community you built wrong, it just means they don’t fit. I have had several national leaders I have discussed this with tell me what you are teaching or doing is not wrong, the people attending are not willing to act on what is being given. That helped but did not explain the why. Now I think I see the why.

As I look back at 20 years of ministry and those who have come and gone, the pattern seems to hold true. People left because they wanted community life relationships over spiritual life relationships. People left because they did not want deep fellowship. And people left because of being unable to relate because they were not doing kingdom work and were unwilling to fulfill calling or the dream assignment God had given to them for their life.  For those building true apostolic spiritual community keep building what you have started. It’s not wrong, it is from God. People just have to mature yet to fully participate.

Exposure of False Prophets and Apostles

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            Today there is much talk of Apostles, prophets and the Apostolic move that is now unfolding upon the earth and within the church. With every move of God, there is a constant vying for positioning coming from a spirit of jealousy and competition. This spirit always comes with new moves of God as people who are insecure of their calling and anointing are threatened by the next move. Sometimes it is a feeling of being exposed, sometimes it is a power struggle of having control over their life and others lives as well. I would like to talk about some of the things I see happening as the apostolic movement is emerging.

            I believe what we see now is only a forerunner of the true apostolic movement that is to come. Many are trying to be Apostles with only partial understanding as people have declared these things falsely over people, or they have received some teaching on the subject and think they are an expert concerning this area. I have come to the conclusion that we are indeed living in a progressive revelation that continues to unfold. Because of this, those who are truly doing apostolic work “ have not been this way before” like Joshua, and the answers to define things are not yet fully comprehended. All true apostles eventually come to a statement that they are not exactly sure what this will look like at the end, since God is the one unfolding things and we are only stewards or managers of the “mysteries of Christ”.

            The prophetic movement has come to point to the next movement which is apostolic. The pattern in the Bible is Moses a prophet pointed to Joshua an apostle, Samuel to David, John the Baptist to Jesus and Jesus to the 12 apostles. Each could not define the next movement, but only give some expression of what it would entail. Each of these also had false prophets trying to point to false apostles as well. Today, we are no different with false prophets and apostles trying to operate. False is never birthed outside of the church but within it. True Apostles will point out these false prophets and apostles, and give time for repentance before God brings judgment against them.

            A Biblical example that best exemplifies the things we need to be on guard for is found is 1 Kings 1-2. I encourage you to read the story as you read the following understanding.  David had reached an old age and it was time to pass the mantle of leadership to a new generation, much like today. False is always birthed right before a transition is to occur. Absalom, his son, was killed by Joab, David’s commander of the army, because of rebellion in his life. (2 Sam 18:15). This story has several people involved representing different areas. Here is a list and how they play out so we can see the spiritual pattern. Bathsheba represents the church going before the king and being the king’s bride. Zadok, the high priest is a true prophet from God. Abiathar the priest is a false prophet from God. Adonijah, David’s son, is a false apostle, Solomon is a true apostle, Joab is an intercessor, (The commander of the army who acted out what he thought was right by killing Absalom. Most intercessors who are not submitted act out what they should only be praying about) and of course, David, a true Apostle, who will pass the mantle to the next apostle. It is assumed we all have a good understanding of the dynamics of apostolic ministry of conquerors, builders, and kingdom mindsets. In 1 Kings 1:5 the false apostle, Abiathar, makes a false proclamation concerning his office and destiny. All false people do three things, they proclaim their ministry without affirmation, they gather others to support them in their proclamation, and they promote themselves over the kingdom of God. In verse 7, we see an unholy alliance being formed with a self appointed false apostle, Adonijah, a false prophet, Abiathar, and Joab, an intercessor, who is to be watching out for David as the one in charge of security and the army. The false always tries to bring leadership from the true into to add affirmation. In verse 8, we see the true do not associate with the false but maintains a distance. The false only seek confirmation from the false. They do not expose themselves by coming into a relationship with those who are true. The true will not associate themselves with the false also, as it would mean they approve of their actions. In this story, the false are not submitted, not appointed, and not approved or recognized by Godly authorities already in place. In verse 9, we see that these false leaders produce false sacrifices to affirm themselves. Adonijah did not offer spiritual sacrifices like David gave for example, but offered a fleshly offering. This occurs at the stone of Zoheleth (means serpent) by Enrogel (mount of the fuller), which is one of the two main streams that fed Jerusalem. This is symbolic of the true and false, both spiritual, vying for our cities and regions. In verse 10, we see that those who are true were not invited. We see the deception of those who are false doing things in secret and not openly before others. We also see them try to gain control of the springs of the cities, regions and even nations by going to the sources, in a spirit of competition.

            In verse 11-27, Nathan, the true prophet, spoke to Bathsheba (the church) and revealed what is going on in secret. Today prophets will begin to speak concerning hidden motives and affections. The church needs to listen with new ears and understanding. Bathsheba received direction from the prophet and went before the king to speak concerning the passing of the mantle to the true apostle, Solomon. Nathan, the prophet, backed up Bathsheba as everything must be established with two witnesses. In Mosaic law, accusations had to be done in such a matter for it to be addressed. Today, the true prophets are speaking and telling the church “hidden things” so we can go before our King Jesus and speak these concerns. The King will always give us confirmation that His promises are true (Vs. 28-31). Once we put these things into motion, God will orchestrate that which is true. David called for Nathan and the true priest and made public declaration of the true apostle and rightful heir of the throne.  They had an authorized procession. This brought great joy into the land. The true causes rejoicing, the false does not release joy in the land.  They took the horn of oil from the Tabernacle, set Solomon in place, and sounded a public trumpet to declare the new King (Vs.39). This true anointing and decree was something the false could not do. We may announce that we are anointed, but only if we truly have been appointed by the Lord and not ourselves.

            What happens to the false? He cried out to God not because what he did was wrong, but because he was caught in the act. He feared Solomon but not God. His focus was notKingdom of God focus but kingdom of earth focused. In verses 50-53, Solomon puts the judgment upon themselves. If they be wicked, let them die, if worthy, then not. He allowed the false to be exposed over time, even though he knew them to be false. Solomon, like David, was able to separate family from ministry and place judgment into God’s hand and not his own. Today, these same things are occurring through imprecatory prayers. These are prayers that David prayed concerning his enemies in a way that left judgment up to God concerning them. We see them scattered throughout the book of Psalms. False ministry is always given the time to repent. In this case, there was no true repentance and Adonijah said in 1 Kings 2:13-18 and still proclaimed what he coveed  in his heart concerning the kingdom. He desired to have what the king once had, even if he could not have the kingdom then at least the king’s handmaiden who was still a virgin. (Vs.22) Solomon named all those who supported him and his endeavors. In vs. 23 he declared Adnijah is condemned by his own words and in verse 24 declared that he be put to death. He also address Abiathar the priest, and spoke to him that he will not die but be removed from office. Because as a priest he could not killed but could be disciplined. The final one was Joab, who ran into the tabernacle thinking this would protect him from certain death. But Solomon ordered him to be killed, as well.

            What we see from this pattern, is that the false will be exposed and will be brought down. Their ministries will die, they will be removed out of office. They will be given time to repent but God will decide the final outcome of all things. It is a time to recognize true callings from the false. We should  not associate with those who are false. We also need to realize that God will use men, not in a vengeful way, but in a spirit of humility, to expose and deal with false ministries. When these things begin to come to pass, we will know the mantle is about to be passed to the next generation. Lately, I have had to confront some of these very things. It is not pleasant. For David and Solomon, it was not pleasant but it was all part of Kingdom necessaries.    

Laodiceans

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Revelation 3:17–18 (KJV 1900) — 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 I find it hard to believe so many are in the organized church and are living below what could be a life of true joy and glory in God. The eternal purpose of God was put in place before the earth was formed and man was made to both have fellowship with God and to fulfill this eternal purpose he created us for. Why do so many not live any greater depth of Christian conviction and even many seem to once have the fire in their bones have fallen away and or fallen short of any heartfelt desire to truly know him? Past success, knowledge and relationship does not guarantee future positioning!

We do know it is the last days not because of wrong eschatology but because as time continues to unfold as we measure it, we are getting closer and closer to a new age invading this present age. The veil between the realms of what we know and understand and the supernatural realm of Gods eternity are thinning on a daily basis. This thinning could be quickened on our side if we would decide to press through our unbelief and begin to live as he said we should.

Yet the question remains of the great falling away. Many are thinking they have such knowledge of God but are not living the life of God. Many are in self deceived and even delusional state and vain imaginations saying God said, when in reality God did not say. The worst deception is not from the corruption that surrounds us but from our own unwillingness to not face the change required to answer convictions call. This self deceived state makes us reprobate and of no real use to our father in heaven, his plan, eternal purpose, or kingdom. We in our own strength have made ourselves of no true value to the one who paid such a high price for our freedom and for it to be on display before all people and nations.

The end result seems to be a self induced belief system that is disconnected from full and absolute truth found in Gods word. It also has breed confusion within the unbelievers heart of what is to be embraced and what is to be denied. We have traded the comfort of our own deception and the riches of worldliness and its standards of knowledge over the freedom of God expression and his eternal riches.

I fear many in that day will cry Lord Lord did we not cast out devils and speak with new tongues and do all these wonderful things for you. Yet those things are not things coming from our own ability but as the spirit wills. They are borrowed and we only stewarding them. God will want an account of our stewardship, but more so He will want an account of our relationship with him to know how we were to steward these things. Many will not be the Bride of Christ found in intimacy. Many will not rule and region as they have not even ruled and reigned their own lives. Many will be cast out thinking their exploits of yielding to the spirit will guarantee them position.

If you have fears then you have not been illuminated. If you are anxious then you are not found in him. If your faith is not creating then the doubt of the world has become your portion. Only those whose hearts and motives are pure will enter in.  Those who did not love this world or their lives but saw themselves as foreigners and outcast of an unredeemed world. Citizens of a far better place. Ones engaged in the business of a king and His kingdom. These will be the ones chosen in the eternal purpose of God for great pleasures of eternal friendship and privilege of heavens vastness to participate in. Will we be numbered in the redeemed? Will all our works be burned in the fire and tried wanting? Let the Spirit of the Lord illuminate your heart and life with his illumination Glory and let him show you what true freedom really is.

Non Spirit Filled Living, The Life of Ease

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I have noticed something and have been trying to sort it out recently. There seems to be so many people who once were Spirit filled and living the Spirit filled life who have left this life and now are in non Spirit filled environments for their spiritual growth. This, to me is baffling to say the least. I guess if you never really experienced the Spirit filled life fully, and it was more or less a function instead of a daily lifestyle, it would be easy to walk away. But what a person is walking away from is a relationship with the Holy Spirit, a person!

The Holy Spirit is a real person just like Jesus. The problem is we have looked at the Holy Spirit as a function we decide to engage into, instead of relationship with the personhood of the Holy Spirit. I believe those who walked away did not see what they desired, not knowing the ways of God are only found as the Holy Spirit speaks and instructs us concerning them as we are in relationship with Him. We today are repeating what the Romans and Pagans did in the past; we are questioning the doctrine of the Holy Spirit not realizing we are really questioning the existence of a person of the deity of God. If not careful, the next step is to question salvation and then the existence of God!

The Romans and Pagans claimed the Holy Spirit was just the influence of God and not a person. That what you saw and experienced were only influences that came because of a belief system. Today many believe in the Holy Spirit and even the Spirit’s activities but don’t believe in the relationship with the Holy Spirit. A lot of the Church today still holds to this belief. It allows us to have a mindset of the possibilities of God not being ruled out, but no real activation of relationship on a daily basis.

 One of the more vocal opponents in the past was Arius, who taught the Holy Spirit was only the “exerted energy of God” realized in a created world; his view was rejected at the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325. Again a lot of the Church believes this, a power not the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Even though there is an energy that is released, it is not released based on our faith as much as the relationship of the Holy Spirit. The relationship like all relationships has energy in it. What we fail to recognize is all the activities of energy we want to enjoy are released as the relationship is engaged. If we deny this person of the Deity, we actually are denying the portion of God that gives us life. We get eternal life from the Son of God but we get spiritual life now from the Holy Spirit. Could the result of denying the personhood of the Holy Spirit which brings life, be associated with bringing the results of abortion in our nation?

We are in the same place again as the Romans and Pagans in our culture. We also are in the same place questioning the Holy Spirit doctrines? We either see the Holy Spirit as an influence, or a power. It seems the things so many desire to “see” or “experience” fall into either one of these categories of thinking. We seem to think the Holy Spirit is there for our entertainment or at our beck and call. When in reality, only a person can be grieved or can know the thoughts of God as they search out the deep things of God. Perhaps the reason we don’t see the things we desire is we have never really made room in our own lives first and in our corporate gatherings for a person over a function.

The name of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament for Spirit is Ruach meaning ‘wind or breath’. In the Old Testament, He is referred to as the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of the Lord, My Spirit or just the Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:11, Isaiah 63:10, 11).  In the New Testament, the Greek word for Spirit is pneu’ma. Pneuma, which like the Hebrew, is derived from the meaning of wind or breath. The Holy Spirit is also called as the Comforter or Helper, translated from the Greek word, paravklhtoß.  Parakletos, meaning ‘one who comes alongside to plead the case before the judge’ (John 14:16, 26; 15:26). He is also called the Spirit of Jesus (Phil. 1:19). This breath is living inside of us. It is the life flow of God and needs to have expression also.

We have relationship with the Son and through the Son have forgiveness of sin and become children of God. Through the Spirit, we experience sanctification and the transformation of our lives. I recently heard someone pray ‘God, help us to repent’. Another time, ‘God help me love you more’. Both are requests based on a non Spirit filled life. A life that only has relationship with the Son, believing salvation should fix the areas requiring sanctification when in reality; it is the Holy Spirit’s role to help empower us to change. It is being responsibility for your own heart and not putting the lack in how you respond on God not changing you!

Perhaps what many are seeking is to not deal with transformation and change, but are still hoping God will suddenly transform them like when they were first born again. That was freedom from sin and deep forgiveness was experienced but sanctification is an ongoing process. It is easy to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit’s activity because nothing is really required. Christian life is only living by set standards and these happen to be Christian, not another religious belief. Those standards without the Holy spirits activity borders on works and being under the law.

Living a spiritual life will require relationship not only with the Son but the Holy Spirit as well. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no leading into truth, which causes change. No sanctification which requires deep dealing. No moving in the gifts which requires responsibility upon us for our future. No relationship means I don’t have to cultivate that relationship. It also means I set my own belief system and bring my own interpretation of the scriptures to my life. I can only come to one conclusion, those who are not living a full Spirit filled life are still at the believer stage of their Christian growth and are in need of transitioning into being a disciple (Disciples are trained by the Holy Spirit’s activity) and eventually a Christian (one who does the works of Jesus). Looking outwardly, we see most of the Church is in need of this type of relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The scripture says in John 3:3 “Except a man be born again, he cannot “see” the kingdom of God”. That is the Son’s role to open us into that realm and give us access to the Father. But then in John 3:5, it says “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”. The Spirit is our guide and the one leading us. Not in some super-hyped spiritual way, but in a relationship of being alongside us. Without the life of the Spirit, we cannot be Kingdom people, for it is Spirit filled living and not having knowledge about God or memorized ways of living, which all have elements of the law and Old Testament modeling, that will produce life.

So my concluding thoughts are that people who have left Spirit filled living never really understood it as relationship. They have walked away from a large portion of how Jesus prayed to the Father to leave the Comforter. You see, until He prayed, this was not the plan of the Father. But our need justified the Holy Spirit staying. I believe people are saved, yes. I also believe unless you are filled with the Spirit, meaning a full relationship with the Holy Spirit, you are living below the fullness of life that God planned.

Awakening!!!!

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I want to post concerning the awakening we have been experiencing over the last 8 weeks. We are seeing a genuine awakening that has transpired. I want to tell you about what it is marked by and what we are seeing happening. But first let me attempt to define awakening. 

There is a great difference between awakening and revival. Revival means ‘to be brought back to a former state of being that has been lost, to revive’.  Awakening means ‘to come out of sleep or to have something suddenly revealed in an enlightened way that changes your focus’. Revivals are focused entirely upon the individual and meeting the needs of the individual through the gifts of the Spirit. Revivals are very internal focused and are short lived. Awakening is focused entirely upon the revealed Christ and Kingdom by the life of the Holy Spirit. Awakening is outwardly focused in function and the effects are long lasting.

One of the greatest things that awakening brings forth is truth, bringing function, through yieldedness, to a greater purpose. It brings clearer identity and definition to the intentions of God for the moment of time upon the earth. Awakening brings revelation that causes a person’s spirit to be made alive in a way that is sustained. Awakenings all start with a remnant people who then begin to reform, that causes a greater group to be awakened which then leads to society transformation. What everyone is looking for is the larger sweeping awakening and not many are seeing the remnant awakenings that are occurring right now. The greater is coming and the remnant is already occurring!

So what is going on with us at The BASE? We are seeing an activation of people where it is almost the entire Body contributing in some fashion in a meeting. We are seeing so many people bringing prophetic direction at times you wonder how it will all fit in the gathering, and when it is done, it does! We are seeing a strong moving of the gifts of the Spirit that are not hit and miss but accurate with instantaneous healings and results occurring.

In our last awakening meeting, there was activation of singing in the Spirit. It was modeling the supernatural in a natural way. The Lord spoke to establish a heavenly choir. We asked those who flow with singing in the Spirit easily to come forward and face the people. About 15 came. We then placed 3 mics and they all began to sing in the Spirit and passed the mics around so 3 led from the mic at any one time and all carried and led at some point. They sang over the congregation for about 30 minutes. We then had those in the congregation who had become free in this to come forward and join the others and the number about doubled. We also had someone filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time. The activation brought many who had not sung or struggled to be freed into this beautiful heavenly symphony.

The Lord told me several years ago that when you see three generations flowing together, that is the move He is bringing. We are seeing this as children dance and worship with us. All ages are moving. You know you have awakening when without prompting or no one around the children, they are praying for each other. We had about 15 kids this past meeting and when someone stepped into the lobby, the children had been praying for each other.

You know there is awakening when an entire room full of people show up hungry.  This last meeting the room was packed. There were not enough chairs and we had to set up more.  Some came as far as 2 ½ hours to encounter God’s presence. This was the first time in such deep veins of the Spirit for some people, but God met with them and they felt relaxed enough to participate. Some raised their hands for the first time in worship, others danced for the first time.

We have had another ministry and some spiritual children move here to be part of what is unfolding. We had another man tell us he is moving from another part of the state to be here. I have another spiritual daughter in Georgia who will end up here as well. A traveling ministry has connected with us and told us that in all their travels for 3 years they have seen some places that have freedom but no place has it as deep as what they see going on with us now. You know you have awakening when people relocate their lives to be a part of it.

Awakening is when the worship songs go from singing about God to singing to God to singing God’s intentions. The Way, the Truth, the Life. Our creative prophetic worship has deepened and the prophetic stream is connecting people into a deep place in God. What I am saying is we have flowed in creative spontaneous worship for almost 8 years and this is now different and deeper. It has been awakened.

Prayer time is awakened as well. A whole room of people in our last meeting turned and faced a 12 foot map of our state. We cried out to God for over 20 minutes for God to move and bring awakening. Many went and laid hands on the map and a fish net with piles of names written on paper placed within it. The names are of people needing salvation/return of prodigals/awakened. When we concluded this, many continued to be gripped with a burden for our state and its souls.

You know awakening is present when you can experience messages that confront and issue sobering challenge without the concern for offense. We, as a ministry, went through a season of those who were not really with us and God replaced them with people who love seeking truth. We gained some extremely solid people who are also extremely serious. I say that to encourage those of you who are getting pared down in this hour- the serious ones are coming! This changes the revelation delivered to a deeper place. We are seeing a steady stream of visitors. Many are now joining us and not just visiting. I love the group we have and the spiritual family and community that have formed and could see no other type than what has emerged!

You know awakening has come when leaders are confronted with the truth of their fruitfulness in ministry and though they may not change, they are now wrestling with decisions they must make. We are seeing this as we have presented a new model for Sunday gatherings, with the merging of congregations to be the Church of a city. Some are interested and others are wrestling. We are walking this out as it too, is also part of awakening.

You know awakening has come when the breath of God has come and is blowing new life into you and out from you. This is how I describe the corporate gathering times. It is fresh, exciting, and free flowing. It is seeing the strategy of God is people, and the resource is His presence. Riches that have no end on both accounts!  It is looking out into a room full of people who almost all are dancing and rejoicing before God. This is the motion of His creativity being released and seen in this unhindered expression of appreciation.

Awakening is when young teenagers come into a meeting and the presence of God is so heavy they are caught away in it. To see them pray for each other, weep before God and worship and it is their first time. To see a young teen boy so gripped with the state of our nation he comes to me as I’m leading the meeting to ask me if he could lead us in prayer to see things change. A heart so pure and motive so clean, with no agenda but change, no pride but humility and simple prayer that touches the heart of God. A boy who has no real deep understanding but His spirit is alive unto God and energized in His presence. This is the way our last awakening meeting occurred! All of these things in one meeting!

When congregations come into one sound and one voice and one heart, this is awakening!

When people are living for nothing else than His presence, this is awakening!

When people will abandon all and forsake the accolades of men, this is awakening!

When Truth is proclaimed and game playing stops, this is awakening!

When we desire all to participate, but cherish what is present so we allow nothing to taint it, this is awakening!

When each corporate gathering has greater intensity than the last and is building, you have awakening!

When holiness is the standard, and the breath of God is what can be tangibly seen, this is awakening!

This is the awakening we are experiencing!

Apostolic Suffering

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We all suffer many things in life. Some are self induced due to our poor decisions. We may suffer for what we believe or for righteousness sake. We may even suffer because of others actions or lack of actions. The Holy Spirit woke me this morning and began speaking to me about the suffering of true apostles.

Apostles’ suffering is different from the “fellowship of suffering”. Apostles experience all the forms of suffering and take on one more as well. The suffering they endure is beyond them personally or their personal suffering but it’s suffering because the plan and intentions of God are being rejected by his sons and daughters thus the entire plan of God is delayed or sidetracked wasting precious time. Apostles are strategists, visionary planners and know the intentions of God.  As wise master builders, they see how the pieces fit and what will be created. When people reject the investment of God and God’s plan for their life, they never stop to see how their life affects the overall larger plan of God He is trying to unfold. Apostles take on the suffering due to others’ decisions to reject God in these areas.

True apostles carry a suffering in how these decisions affect the heart of God and His intentions. They relate directly to missing elements within that plan, once present but now missing.  Each ministry gift relates to the suffering of Christ differently. True apostles take on the sufferings of Christ in this area, not so much his rejection but another aspect- the rejection of God’s plan. True apostles do not take the suffering personally, or in other words it does not affect them negatively nor is it a thing of “look at me suffer for what I am doing”. But true suffering by true apostles is done in humility and in secret and seldom talked about. They carry suffering as a battle scar and reminder of how men can reject God’s intentions at any time. For the most part even when things are going well for them, apostles are still suffering. It actually is almost a lifestyle as they see the end and desire to see it in fullness.

False apostles portray their suffering to try and get affirmation of their false identity and office. They believe if others see them suffer then that affirms them. Nothing can be further from the truth. Most who claim to be apostles and have suffering is because of their own decision to take on a false identity, an identity God never intended. Their suffering is personal and they take the circumstances in life personally. These false apostles see their personal suffering as part of an ongoing lifestyle to bring affirmation. After all, the only way they see suffering is through personal suffering for righteousness sake possibly, and relate to the rejection of Christ on the cross being rejected by men. They become self deceived in what true suffering is. They find themselves in a perpetual state of saying the right words but seeing no result. Thus suffering is the fruit coming from being self deceived and is possibly the worst kind of deception because it comes from the individual themselves so they cannot see it as easily as coming from an outside source. The kingdom is not advance but that does not affect them, not being affirmed does.

The true sufferings of an apostle cause them to be on guard to make sure God’s strategy and intentions are always going forward with multiple participators. If one drops, another is in place to take their role. This suffering has caused them to be a “wise master builder” in approach and contingency planning. They are suffering for the sake of the King and His kingdom coming to the earth. The things others see as suffering as they go through life, things all believers endure, hold no grip on them and are discarded as not truly suffering because no lasting fruit is being produced.

True apostles actually see suffering as part of the process of their own development and also the only way the truths of God will come to bear in the earth. True apostles suffer for the things that bring God’s intentions and plan to the earth. They are suffering for the Word’s sake. Suffering for the advancement of the Kingdom to their own demise. Suffering hardship to unlock the destiny and dreams in others. Suffering the loss of spiritual sons and daughters who were not willing to embrace God’s plan and strategy. Every true apostle has suffered the loss of these things and if they have not, then their apostleship may be in question. Most apostles suffer in silence as “the sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the Glory yet to be revealed”. So why would they talk of the suffering when a greater Glory is coming?

The Kingdom of God suffers violence and comes with opposition. It comes with a price and every apostle knows it. They know there will be loss. They know they will be misunderstood and rejected, but they also know the rejection is not towards them personally but of the Message and models they bring.

Angelic Governmental Structure

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Cover Angels helping us contend with spline

Here is a small section out of my new book “Angels Helping Us Contend”. You can get it on Amazon and Kindle here: http://www.amazon.com/Greg-Crawford/e/B00BEGN362/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1360948944&sr=1-2-ent

Up to this point, we’ve been given a basic understanding of angelic activity, functions and categories. We have seen some patterns emerge in Scripture and also the function of angels in different dynamics interacting with humanity upon the earth. Now we will look further into this angelic structure that God designed and see that it is a reflection of God’s government that He wants the Church, had always planned for the Church, to function in.

What I’m about to share is the revelation the Lord has given to me concerning angelic government. For starters, I will say that angels are willing to hold what men refuse to hold. I believe it is the role of God’s fivefold ministry government to hold and function in some ways how the angelic host functions. We should be doing spiritual warfare, we should be messengers of God, we should be declaring the holiness of God and protecting it, and we should be burning ones. All of the dynamics that we have seen describing angels are actually somewhat a description of what God would want out of His fivefold ministers and leaders.

In the Old Testament, angels helped govern the spiritual condition but they were limited because of man’s free will operating in opposition to them. They have been given a measure of authority but not full authority. This is unlike man who has been given full authority, which is either rightly exercising it or delegating it, unfortunately, to satanic influences. As we see how angels operated in the Old Testament trying to bring the intentions of God, so should we, His fivefold ministers and leaders today.

In the New Testament, man’s will is more aligned because of the Holy Spirit and not in so much direct opposition to what and how God desires to govern. The Holy Spirit has become a great teacher, comforter, instructor, and revealer.  The Holy Spirit’s role has replaced much of what angelic messengers in the Old Testament would do. Perhaps this is why we do not have so many angelic encounters as they did in the Old Testament. But I do believe there is a balance for angelic activity in our life, as long as our life is in balance with the Holy Spirit. If we are more focused on angelic activity surrounding us than on the Holy Spirit, then we are out of balance and in danger of worshiping angels.

What we have seen so far is that angels are given angels under them to command. We see that there are chief angels as well as other angels. This points to a structure or a way of governing that God has put into place. Once again, we see that God has an overall structure that He wants us to follow and the pattern is repeated through families, the Church and fivefold ministries, and even into angelic functions.

Revelation 12:7-8  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

But we also see that angels take and give orders. We see that there are other angels submitted one to another and working in harmony to bring the intentions of God upon the Earth. We have seen that there are angels overseeing other angels and even waiting for them to complete their assignment before their own assignment can take hold. We have also seen that there is no insubordination or unwillingness to perform certain assignments given. We see that once an assignment was given to an angel, they held fast until it was completed.

These things are all governmental or show governmental structuring. If angels are in a form of governmental structure, then so should we be. I believe we are falling far short as the Church or true ecclesia of God, in moving in full authority that we have been entrusted with. We can see from the previous paragraph, that many of those things that angels do, we do not do or fall short of completing.

Governmental positioning

There is a tremendous parallel of the different groups of angels and the government of God. Upon aligning them side by side, we begin to see just how much God is a God of order and structure. The longer I study all kinds of different topics the more I see you just cannot escape a governing body being established as oversight for the Body of Christ.

In Ephesians 4, we see there is a government that God has set up of the fivefold ministries. There are five distinct gifts with the reality of a fourfold function. As you look at the angelic structures, we also see the same pattern emerging of five distinct giftings. If we begin to parallel these, they look something like this:

Apostles – Archangels

  • Both are warriors and      conquerors.
  • Both have strategic      assignments.
  • Both oversee and direct others.

Prophets – Messenger angels

  • Both have God’s heart and      intention.
  • Both have foreknowledge.
  • Both bring a specific message.
  • Both bring a message that may      not be understood.

Pastors – Watcher Angels

  • Both are assigned to watch over      Earth and humanity.
  • Both are given specific      territory.
  • Both are not transient but are      more resident.

Teachers – Cherubim

  • Both are proclaimers.
  • Both are protectors of the truth.
  • Both are protectors of God’s holiness.
  • Both are called to protect what is precious to God.

Evangelists – Seraphim

  • Both are trying to bring men      into the holiness of God.
  • Both look at how sin holds back      man’s approach to God.
  • Both take coals from the altar      to touch the lips and heart of men.

Now I know that these things seem hard to receive but there are distinct similarities. There is also a governmental structure with angels. Each one is staying in their function and assignment. And each one allows others to function in their assignment.

I believe that there are primary corresponding angels to each office working alongside God’s government. I also believe these are untapped resources to help us align with heaven for a greater impact…….

Prophecy Over New America 2013 and Beyond

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This is the most accurate prophetic  word that I have read concerning America after the election. I ask you to read it and pass this on to others so they can be encouraged as well. It comes from well known apostle, Jonathan David, from Malaysia. I had the privilege of ministry conference with his spiritual son several years ago. From that point I started following is your father Jonathan David, for the past 12 to 15 years and seeing nothing the accuracy on prophetic direction that he gives. Since we are not hearing to clear word from our national prophets, God speak to us from other nations as they are looking from the outside in. For me I follow leaders and other nations more than our national leaders as the direction and perception is more clear and pointed without the fluff and feel good words that many bring here in the US to maintain their followings. I trust that this word encourages you as much as it does me. It resonates deep in my spirit as a roadmap for the next few years.

Prophecy Over New America 2013 and Beyond

“Redesign, Realign, Rebuild and Restore America”

The Church in America has assumed that there has been a systematic power shift from God’s House to the White House. The enemy has had deceived the Church to believe this lie and force them to accept the place of defeat in the spirit realm. This is further compounded by the Churches divisive line around political ideologies and personalities. The church  has taken their basic human right to chose who they are to vote into the self agenda and humanistic realm.

The Church in America must rediscover her place, position and power in the affairs of their Nation and the nations of the world. God is summoning the Church in America to regain her place as Head over the Nation. She is to believe that her Lord is on the Throne and He has not abdicated His rule. Kingdoms may come and kingdoms may collapse BUT He is still on the throne. The church sits before Him in honor and this reality must hit home among the Christians across America.

The Christian supporting the different political parties see their human right perspective as the deciding factor rather than the prophetic aspects of God’s purposes and destiny for this land. Until the Church recognizes that and pull together as One Voice, One People, One Race, One Nation, for One Purpose and One Destiny, the White House will symbolize the illusive power of men over the kingdom of God.

The Church will become the Tipping Point to stop the power struggles in the political arena. The Church from all across America must unite as One Voice and be His Representative to lead the Nation into this Decade of Acceleration.

The Church must stop dividing itself and weakening its hold on National agenda and Destiny. The Church must pull together if America is to regain her place, position and power in the Spiritual Realm and before the Nations. Thus saith the Lord, “I will kindle a fresh fire in the heart of the Nation, a new love and passion for the land. A fire that will burn every dry tree and every green tree until all are consumed by its engulfing flame. I will ignite this fire and spread the flames across the nation.There will soon be a breaking down of these divisions that is keeping My House divided. A sovereign Move and a fresh Fire will consume these barricades of men and boundaries of ancient powers. I will cause them to become united on the kingdom Agenda for this Nation.I have not finished with America yet. There is a final move that I will bring across America to “Redesign, Realign, Restore and Rebuild America!

This Move of God will give America an opportunity to Update and Upgrade. Each Church denomination and strategic ministries will need to come into the Kingdom agenda and mandate; particularly the Charismatic, Faith and Prophetic Movements will converge and become the leading force for this Decade of Destiny (2012 – 2022). No longer will it be said that the Charismatic Movement are just superficial, the Faith Movement just indulgent and the Prophetic just futuristic. The Lord will cause this thing to come about suddenly that they can see the bridge to connect with each other and in doing merge to become upgraded and updated; to complement and complete each other. It is this coming together on the Kingdom Platform that will restore the power, honor and trust in what God is doing in His House. The politicians and political realm will bow to Mount Zion, and Mount Zion will be the highest of all mountains (domains and governments). This coming together of the SAINTS and SONS that will cause thekingdoms of the earth to serve the Lord (Ps 102:22).

I foresee when these three movements converge that others in Christian Church will recognize it is the Time for America’s Transformation. They will shift their focus from Mega churches and Mega Ministries to the Omega. He will find pre-eminence and prominence in their pursuit of the future. I foresee America has a final phase to make good what God started on her soil. The nation will rise once again. I foresee that the American Economy and its currency will rise up stronger than it is now; though the growth will move from sluggish to slow to healthy. It will not hit the “Unusual” realm and strength in the next few years (3-5years) but will become once again the currency to be reckoned with. I foresee the ability of the American people to rise above every crisis and rebuild America will cause the Nations to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.

The prophets of doom who have been sent to prophesy America’s downfall were motivated by the spirit of jealousy stemming out of the nations. Why is it that America has been given all these blessings and prosperity and fame with no price tag or sufferings; so the evil spirits of men have said. Let us strike her to her knees and see if she will still bless and honor her God. The time of calamity and trials are just times of transition. God will give America the grace to rise from one pit to another but she will eventually prevail.

God is summoning America to bear the fruits of repentance and return to her passion for God and for His purpose. As the American Church at large turns to God the power shift at the White House will be felt. Out of Zion will go forth the Sceptre (Ps 110:1-2) not just from the White House!

Since the second Iraq war, America has been stripped of her honor, dignity and place among the Nations. God will remove the curse of the shedding of innocent blood even that of Americans as well as others caught in these wars. When Abraham went to Egypt, he brought back Hagar. But he became obedient as time went by and God commended him to Isaac (Gen 26:1,5). However the Hagar issue still plagued his descendents. God will turn around in His favour to protect this Nation from the ill decisions of its leaders. Policies after policies have kept this nation in debt, in decline and in distress.

This Election will bring no significant change to reroute us towards America’s destiny. However a change of style and policies will put confidence back into America and in the heart of the nation. There must be drastic increase of employment and jobs must be created and filled by the competent. America needs more than just policies but the will and power to implement them accurately. We need more than talk we need the ones who can walk the talk. We need someone who understands the business arena because that’s the only thing that is NOW keeping America from sinking further. We need someone who will train others NOT to be dependent on the government but we need proclaimers who will say, “my own hands have ministered to my own needs”.

“Democracy can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote for themselves largesse from the publictreasury. From that moment on the majority of voters will always vote for the candidate promising the most benefitsfrom the public treasury with the result the democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policies”

Alexander Fraser Tytler

 We need to protect the goose that lays the golden eggs as they are keeping things intact because of their self effort and interest for the well being of their own enterprise. We need to find ways to educate the larger populace to rise above bailouts and handouts. This entitlement mentality is destroying economies across the nations. TheGovernment is not our Shepherd BUT the Lord is. We do not want more of the same for the future. We need change that will cause the people in the streets rolling up their sleeves for work and productivity. We can then create the conducive environment and technology for greater efficiency and effective delivery. There is a new generation in America who has seen the future as God is enlightening their eyes so that they will crossover to takeover. This generation will not die in the wilderness but crossover to posses the land. They are sitting outside the walls of Jericho so that God can finish His work in them, removing the reproach of sin, sickness and satanic influence. Then they will be ready to eat the harvest of the land. They will know how to till the land and work on the ground and produce their own crops and prepare their own meals. That’s the New America.

We will welcome that finishing generation that has power to prevail and grace to govern. This Decade of Acceleration will see the rising of a new breed without greed. They will be like Gideon set upon the national interest and not wrapped up in self agenda (Judg 6:13).A New America needs A New People, A New Passion, A New Church and A New Nation. America this your time to come out from decline and rise up into your former glory. The latter glory will be even more that the former.

God bless America

God’s Servant,

Dr. Jonathan David

Kingdom Centers Defined

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I have been mediating on some things recently after reading a post by my friend Jim Becton.  I know we have the right message but it seems we are having a hard time getting the structure really set to grow and advance. There is always a given message, then a structure exists for that message to be demonstrated, then a culture forms around the message and structure. The structure does not necessarily mean a physical building but more so a community or an outlet for the “doing”. These then creates a hidden outcome which we call culture.

Today in Christdom we have a congregation setting and an Ecclesia (Biblical Church) setting existing at the same time. Traditionally the congregational structure exists for the people to serve it. The ecclesia exists to serve people. Traditional builds is life around the congregational setting and the Ecclesia builds its life around equipping people to do works of service as weekly missionaries into the world setting.

However, what has occurred is most Christians ministering inside the four walls (programs) while the unbelieving world outside is ignored. Apostolic churches will have teaching and some training, but their mindset is to go outside the walls to demonstrate Jesus in all walks of life. They in essence are emerging kingdom centers, a local community, a congregation ‘called out’ [ekklesia] of the world. A community that has decided to live in the power and values of Jesus [Acts 2:42-47].

A kingdom center looks different than an apostolic church. It encompasses a much larger area of influence than a single local church meeting. It would be a regional center where individual local meetings can come together in true Holy Spirit unity to demonstrate true Christian unity of the Body of Christ to the unbelieving world by a community living out the power and values of Jesus.

What happens at a kingdom center is the following.

  •  Receive continual prophetic revelation for what God is doing and wants to do in the region. This helps prevent stagnation.
  • To bring in five-fold ministries, and insights from around the nation and world to maintain knowledge of what God is doing in other places; to bring teaching and instruction the Holy Spirit is revealing.
  • To combine resources for large works that God would like to do in the region. These works would be beyond the resources of a single meeting.
  • To train and send out apostolic teams to local meetings in the region, state and nation when a need arises.
  • To be a place where Christian music and art can be brought together and demonstrated to the world.
  • To be a house of worship where Jesus is exalted; where prophetic songs are birthed; where singers, musicians and worship leaders can be trained and sent out.

A kingdom center is really a stewardship center that serves a region. It has a visionary apostolic leader appointed as oversight not of people, but gifting in people. Along with prophetic gifting and insights a team ministry is formed that actually becomes a stewardship center of how Gods is forming the kingdom over a region. This stewardship is walked out by:

  • As a hub interconnecting house churches, home meetings, churches, networks, ministries and saints with the city and regional Church.
  • As a training center encouraging, supporting, and equipping church planters, strategic leaders, and intercessors representing every sphere of society and the five-fold ministry within a specific geographic region.
  • As a strategic operations center communicating, coordinating, and facilitating the gathering of spiritual intelligence and supporting the strategic councils formed to represent the 7 spheres of society and the five-fold ministry.
  • As a resource center where the gifts, talents, abilities, and anointings in people are assessed and deployed into their community.
  • As a supply center where resources are received and distributed.
  • To facilitate the mobilization of people and the implementation and coordination of the plans developed by their councils.
  • To connect para-church ministries, including but not limited to healing rooms and crisis pregnancy centers, with the Church in the city/region.
  • To assist in any capacity that supports the Church’s role in presenting the gospel of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in character and power.

A kingdom center acts outs its assignment by instruction and equipping people into greater revelation and understanding of identity and purpose. Most kingdom centers do not want to pastor people or micro-manage things, or control people, but see a larger picture of what is needing done due to apostolic and prophetic insights they have been graced with. The structure built from the community exist to:

  • To established the five-fold ministries, to equip, empower and release the people of God into their missional callings.
  • To see the call of God in both the church gathered [Sunday] and the church scattered [Monday – Saturday] are in mission. Mission shapes their reason for existence, their ministry training and their lifestyle through the week 24/7.
  •  There is a dynamic engagement between the people of God in mission and the recognition of market place ministries and the commissioning of people into their callings and destiny.
  • The apostolic center is a teaching/training centre networking with other churches, which are like minded, forming a learning community. Those churches are regiona and national.
  • A focus on the Kingdom of God – the declaration and establishment of the king and His kingdom in the world – the ever present mission context – through the commissioned people of God.
  • A focus on overall assignment being completed in a region

So within the context of message forming community establishing culture and the aspect of stewardship of the things of the kingdom, every kingdom center is formed and birthed with a distinct missionary call, grace and ability to affect change in a region. Most Kingdom Centers emerge from an apostolic church that has developed a fuller Kingdom mindset. There are some Kingdom centers that have been established for the set purpose of being a center within a region not emerging from a church. This occurs mainly by relationship and authority that has been demonstrated. Many Prayer Centers have Kingdom center dynamics but most have no leadership training or five fold developments, vision other than prayer, or other dynamics of a true Kingdom center.

We at the BASE emerged from an apostolic church reaching Kingdom fullness and transitioned into a regional Kingdom Center. When we reached being a kingdom center within a region of our state we were most effective and had great influences.

But now we have transitioned by a relocation of our center to our capital. This type of transition poses many different challenges. First we carry with us an already established authority along with other dynamics. This means we are not a new work but already established. But for those who did not see the years of process it is hard for them to accept the depth of what is represented. It also is hard to portray this to others in a short or even singular encounter with the Kingdom Center. For us we have a rich proven accomplishment that God done through us that most have never seen and may not even hear of.

A second challenge in a relocation is not making assumptions of past accomplishments are to be duplicated in a new location. There are dynamics but maybe not all things are to be duplicated. A couple examples are our School of Ministry which operated 5 days week, 3 hours a day, 9 months. We had over 45 full time students being taught over 550 of apostolic instruction. Today we have 2 hours per week.  This is a big shift. Moving from a small town to large city shifts time. Where many people’s lives flowed around the ministry in the smaller population, in a larger setting time is divided by travel and distance and distractions so involvement is different.

 

One thing as I look at the overall missional call upon us is there is a greater authority and grace resting upon us than we realize. For God to relocate us over rising up a center tells me many things. It shows the apostolic mindset present within a city. It also shows the desire of God to bring certain dynamics that must be needed to a city. The thing we have learned is that whether people participate with what is offered, or even want to recognize it, does not diminish our existence, what we have to offer, or assignment as a Kingdom Center.

THE SALVATION ARMY “Articles of War”

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SIGNED BY ALL SALVATION ARMY SOLDIERS

Having received with all my heart the Salvation offered to me by the tender mercy of God, I do here and now acknowledge God the Father to be my King; God the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to be my Saviour; and God the Holy Spirit to be my Guide, Comforter and Strength; and I will, by His help, love, serve, worship, and obey this glorious God through time and through eternity.

Therefore, I do here and now, and forever, renounce the world with all its sinful pleasures, companionships, treasures, and objects, and declare my full determination boldly to show myself a soldier of Jesus Christ in all places and companies, no matter what I may have to suffer, do or lose by so doing.

I do here and now declare that I will abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquor, and from the use of all baneful drugs, except when such drugs shall be ordered for me by a doctor.

I do here and now declare that I will abstain from the use of all low or profane language and from all impurity, including unclean conversation, the reading of any obscene book or paper at any time, in any company, or in any place.

I do here declare that I will not allow myself in any deceit or dishonesty; nor will I practice any fraudulent conduct in my business, my home or in any other relation in which I may stand to my fellow men; but that I will deal truthfully, honorably and kindly with all those who employ me or whom I may myself employ.

I do here declare that I will never treat any woman, child or other person, whose life, comfort or happiness may be placed within my power, in an oppressive, cruel or cowardly manner; but that I will protect such from evil and danger so far as I can, and promote, to the utmost of my ability, their present welfare and eternal Salvation.

I do here declare that I will spend all the time, strength, money and influence I can in supporting and carrying on the Salvation war, and that I will endeavor to lead my family, friends, neighbors and all others whom I can influence to do the same, believing that the sure and only way to remedy all the evils in the world is by bringing men to submit themselves to the government of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I do here declare that I will always obey the lawful orders of my officers, and that I will carry out to the utmost of my power all the orders and regulations of the Army; and, further, that I will be an example of faithfulness to its principles, advance to the utmost of my ability its operations, and never allow, where I can prevent it, any injury to its interest, or hindrance to its success.

And I do here and now call upon all present to witness that I have entered into this undertaking and sign these Articles of War of my own free will, feeling that the love of Christ, who died to save me, requires from me this devotion of my life to His service for the Salvation of the whole world, and therefore do here declare my full determination, by God’s help, to be a true soldier of The Salvation Army till I die.