HEAVENLINESS - A DEFENCE SYSTEM OF A NATION

HEAVENLINESS - A DEFENCE SYSTEM OF A NATION

T. Austin-Sparks

Heavenliness is a tremendous factor in the life of the Lord’s people. Heavenliness, which is spirituality, which is ascendancy, or elevation, and which is faith, is a tremendous factor. All that is gathered up in the concept of the heavenly city, Jerusalem. It means being on other ground than on the ground of this world, on the ground of the natural man. Oh, that the Church had maintained that position all the way through! What terrible tragedy have resulted from coming down to lower ground.

We will give an illustration of the tragedy of coming down from a heavenly position on the part of the Church. I found this written by Sir George Adam Smith. Speaking of the Moslem invasion of Syria, by which Syria and Israel became swept and dominated by Islam, he writes:”The Christianity of Syria fell before Islam because it was corrupt, and it deserved to fall”. And again: ”In an attempt by purely human means to regain her birthplace, the Church was beaten back by Islam because she was selfish and worldly.”

”In neither of these cases was it a true Christianity that was overthrown, though the true Church bears to this day the reproach, and the burden of the results. The irony of the Divine judgment is clearly seen in this, that it was on the very land where a spiritual monotheism first appeared that the Church was first punished for idolatry and materialism; that it was in sight of the scenes where Christ taught and healed, and went about doing good with his band of pure devoted disciples, that the envious, treacherous, truculent hosts of the Cross were put to sword and fire.They who in His name sought a kingdom of this world by worldly means could not hope to succeed on the very fields where He had put such a temptation from Him. The victory of Islam over Christendom is no more a problem then the victory of Babylon over Israel.”

That is a tremendous statement. What history there is in a statement like that! Perhaps the greatest problem today of Christianity, of the mission field, is Islam. I do not think there is a greater problem than Islam for the Church. Why? Well, Sir George Adam Smith puts his finger right on the cause when he says the power of Islam is due to the corruption of the Church at a given point in history; divided, selfish and worldly. Islam gained mastery because of that.How, then, would Islam be overthrown ? How would the mischief be undone? Surely by a heavenly Church, by that which has been wholly separated from this world in all means and methods, and united in one spirit as a great spiritual force, under the government of the Holy Spirit. That, and that alone, will overthrow the forces which have gained their position by reason of the unspirituality and unheavenliness of the Church.

If that applies to the whole, it applies to us individually, that spiritual power over any ground of the enemy demands detachment spiritually from the world, a close walk with God, and a heavenly life, a life which is above with Christ. The Lord lay upon our hearts the tremendous importance of this heavenly fellowship with Him from day to day, for the sake of spiritual power.

T. Austin-SparksFrom ”The City which hath Foundations”

HELD BY TRUTH

As spring endeavours to break forth through the wind, rain and hail of these past few days I am reminded that it is very similar as we move through the seasons of our own lives that repeat time and time again. Only THE TRUTH can hold us steady as we are buffetted by life, and as I read something from the journals of Thomas Merton today it resonated in my spirit.

Thomas Merton, a modern day Trappist monk, writes of following the rules of St. Benedict who

founded the Order (they are: obedience, humility, work, prayer, simplicity, the love of Christ) and goes on to say:

"The light of truth burns without a flicker in the depths of a house shaken with storms of passion and fear. "You will not fear the terror of the night." And so I go on trying to walk on the waters of the breakdown. Worse than ever before and better than ever before. It is always painful and reassuring when he who I am is not visibly destroyed by the hand of God in order that the depths of me, which is His image, may be set free to serve Him in peace.
Sometimes in the midst of this I am tremendously happy, and I have never in my life been so grateful for His mercy. And no more professional spirituality! Terrifically purged of ideas about prayer, and of all desire to preach them, as if I had something!"

How amazingly he writes of these struggles, and it is always good to find another soul walking on the same road! We speak and pray about being broken as if it were some kind of beautiful spiritual experience, but then we find that it is the flesh that breaks down, very painfully and noisily, and in that place only that which has been formed and forged by God holds us.

How powerful are HIs great hands, and how amazing is His tender love and speaking in this desert place. He gently repairs and restores what He created and here we come ... up from the wilderness leaning on our Beloved.

MYSTERIOUS WAYS

God works in such mysterious ways! Each time He surprises me I am reminded that He can do anything at all, and fortunately is not limited by my understanding - what a relief!

Just this week I was reminded again! After praying for breakthrough in someone's life, asking that God would make a way to touch her, He did exactly that - He made the breakthrough through touch!

In the midst of all the pressures of life, there came an opportunity to paint some fingernails, massage a pair of hands and arms ... just to pamper someone who had never experienced that before in her life!

Suddenly there was connection, a smiling face, joy, and a new sense of worth ... whereas it had previously seemed it was impossible to make any connection at all.

I think we make things too complicated. We look for huge cataclysmic events that are earth shaking and shattering, and because we think this way, we never take the first step.

This week a life was touched, and change began, in the very simplest way. Nothing happened because of my cleverness, or my skill, or even the words I spoke. He just allowed His love and His life to flow out of my life as my hands touched another pair of hands.

Please, please, please ... dont hold back because you think you dont know enough, cant speak well enough or dont know what to say. Just be willing to go. All Jesus asked was that we would "Go..." and we have to take a first step to be able to do that.

So, go and do what you are able to, in the place He leads you. Do it with a heart full of His love for the people He has made, and out of His desire to bring redemption and healing to His children. He will most certainly take care of the rest.

FIRE THAT CONTINUES TO BURN

"His messengers are flames of fire" - so how can we continue to be His messengers and servants if we are not aflame with His Spirit, and burning with passion for all that is of His Kingdom.

Jesus promised that because He left this earth the Father would send His Spirit. So, to walk in the ways of God we must be walking in and with the Spirit of God.

How can we live in Pentecost?

How do we come to find this place as natural as breathing so that we truly 'live and move and have our being' in You Lord?

Are we in deeper than we know, or are we still just splashing in the shallows?

We can never be completely filled with the Holy Spirit as long as there is any selfish craving for our own will, for it is His will that is to be done. As long as we remain adept at maintaining and ministering to our flesh then how can we say that we walk and live by His Spirit?

Smith Wigglesworth gave a warning cry many years ago. From a man who moved in the power of God's Spirit for the very great good of others, we should perhaps take careful note of this comment.

"Unless Pentecost wakes up to shake herself free from all worldly things and comes into a place of the divine-likeness with God, we will hear the voice of God saying "Come out", and He will have something far better than this."

It is not enough to call ourselves pentecostal - it becomes merely a name if we do not live it moment by moment and day by day.

We need to remember that in His greatness and holiness God doesnt settle for near enough or second best, they are not part of His make-up, for He is perfect in every way. He doesnt ask us to be perfect in our own strength, but He does say (Rom 8:14) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

If all creation eagerly awaits the appearing of the Sons of God, then it would seem good to ask the Lord to bring us to this place!

WHERE ARE THE TALL TREES?

Where have the tall trees gone?

Tonight I was in a women's home, surrounded by women and their children, all there because the tall and righteous trees that should be there for them to lean on have fallen over or never existed at all.
Something has failed them miserably - whether it be our society, their family, or the one who should be standing there beside them to give them strength and protection from the storms of life. For these fragile little groups something has gone terribly wrong!

My heart cries out for them that they would find "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord" under which they might take shelter and begin to gain strength and grow. Like the tall trees that give shelter in the forest, standing high above the others that grow and are nourished beneath.

Are the tall trees missing because our society cuts them down? What are we doing to raise up righteous ones, establishing them as heads of families, leaders in society, righteous men and women who become the pillars of society, keeping it strong and safe?

In a nation where everything conspires against the biblical family unit, and single parents struggle alone to provide for their children the physical, emotional, and (sometimes) spiritual necessities of life, what is being established that will stand strong and tall in the future?

As society is less and less able to build and sustain such lives, the responsibility for those who live their lives as followers of Jesus Christ begins to be highlighted. It is not enough to attend church once a week, have a great time with those of like-mind, and go home feeling set up for the week.
There is more required of us.
There is a need now that we live more than a life that sustains us.
There is a need for us to understand that the daily bread Jesus provides for us must be eaten DAILY and the cup of salvation drunk deeply DAILY in order that we have sufficient to sustain ourselves and then an abundance over and above that to give away.

We are carriers of HIS LIFE. We are carriers of HIS HOPE. We are carriers of HIS HEALING.
We have been made rich in order that we would have a treasure and investment to give away to those who are poor. Are we taking such a treasure and burying it daily so as not to lose it - or are we liberally investing it, pouring it into the places it is needed, in order that we would see it multiplied over and over and over and over....ensuring great fruitfulness and food for all.
What have we done with our fives loaves and fishes today?

I feel embarrassed that with all He has given me, I find so few places to invest this great richness.
Dear Lord, I continue to ask for your divine appointments and opportunities, not just for myself but also for my brothers and sisters in You. Come Lord Jesus and lead us in the paths of righteousness for the sake of Your Name. Begin to establish great trees of righteousness that you plant deep in the soil in order that they will display Your love, Your security and safety, Your hope, Your healing..... Help us to pour out the riches You have invested in us Lord....today....tomorrow........

A NEW SOUND

For years I have spoken and prayed about the new thing I believe the Lord has been trying to bring us to in terms of prayer/intercession/worship that will release more of His Kingdom

and purpose in the earth. There is so much we do not yet understand, and yet, at times we have touched a powerful resonance that excites us to press on. EVERYTHING that worships God is worship, not just music! So there is coming combination of

ALL that we are towards ALL that He is that I seek constantly.

Years ago I had an experience of heaven in which even the molecules of the atmosphere burst open with praise and worship of God - it was incredible and beautiful.

As I read what I will post below there was such a witness in my spirit. I hope anyone who reads it here will also experience this stirring and encouragement. May you be encouraged to press on.

July 6, 2006
The Divine Exchange Between Heaven and Earth--A New Sound Is Being Released

Constant Exchanges
There is at all times, a sound being released from earth to Heaven, as well as from Heaven to earth--a divine exchange, so to speak. In the unseen realm, it is in the form of energy patterns, waves, particles. Although the vast majority of it is not heard with our natural ear, it is sensed by us because we are part of this existence.

What is coming from our end is "heard" by God, and I believe that He has an ever-flowing response back to us, which we need to be aware of and "tune into" with our spirit man, so as to tap into that constant communion we can have with Him. We often refer to it, as does Scripture, "spirit to spirit, deep to deep." In John 17, Jesus prays concerning our oneness with Him, "...that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and you in Me."

Regardless of whether we are conscious of it or not, without that constant exchange, this world as we know it, would not even exist..."in Him all things consist."

When God set up this whole existence of ours, He put it all in motion with the release of His sound, His Word, "Let there be Light."

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome) it." John 1:1-5

Science is just now catching up with the Word, but what they are discovering these days, especially in the quantum world of physics, is absolutely amazing as it pertains to Scripture.

He released His sound...His Word out of Eternity. All we have experienced, all we do experience, and all we will experience, is held together by His Word. Science calls it the zero energy point, which is at the very center of the smallest particle. It is what keeps everything from collapsing all around us. Jesus is the fleshly Manifestation of that Word--He IS the Word.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in Heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Colossians 1:15-17

It is all held together by Him, again, "...and in Him all things consist." I had to look up the word "consist." I've heard this passage misquoted many times. I, myself, have misquoted this passage because of the way I've heard it said so often as "all things exist," rather than "consist." I looked up the word "consist" because the Holy Spirit used that word specifically, and the misquote drew my attention to it. The word consist means, "To be made up or composed, to be comprised or contained, to exist together or be capable of existing together." I found this very interesting--all of this is made capable of existing together only in Him.

There is a sound of BREAKTHROUGH being released from Heaven in this hour that I believe can even be activated by our sounds of worship mixed with the sound of faith here on the earth. Our agreement with Heaven's agenda will truly affect the outcome.

It may be strange to hear the phrase, "the sound of faith" or "the sound of good works," but energy that is released from these things really does have a sound. Worship is a sound, whether it be audible or inaudible to our natural ear, flowing from us to the Father. When we direct our hearts, our intent toward Him, even when we don't verbalize it, there are waves and/or vibrations that are released into the atmosphere that He sees, smells, hears, tastes--that He receives unto Himself.

Obviously, Scripture uses metaphor to describe the exchange between God and His creation--"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Our prayers are as an incense unto Him and He "fills His nostrils" with it. There are so many examples. But if you were to really look at what is happening at a subatomic level, that unseen realm, our words and sounds are releasing energy into the atmosphere that everything around us is affected by.

I am reminded of something Neville Johnson (a father to the body of Christ in matters of the Spirit) shared in a teaching session. He went through a period of time, I believe several months, where the Lord caused him to see and smell the spirit realm--particularly, the realm of emotions. He actually saw the colors and smelled the fragrance that was released from people as they entertained emotions.

If a person was angry he saw red coming from them with a foul scent accompanying it. Jealousy in a person released a greenish grey color, again with a particular foul smell. The most fowl scent of all came with self-pity. Demons would see and smell it and flock to the person to fuel the emotion. It worked as well on the flip side of that.

Positive emotions released particular colors and pleasant fragrances, causing angels to come. My point is that we see, hear, and sense only in part what is taking place in the unseen realm. Actually, Neville begged God to "turn it off" because it was driving him crazy to be constantly aware of all of this. God is constantly aware of all of this, and even more, in all of creation at all times.

I remember John Paul Jackson shared an experience he had in Heaven during a visitation. He said every fiber of his being was illuminated as if it were alive, and he was conscious of how everything in his body was connected--even things science and the medical field are not yet aware of.

In his thoughts, he knew that God was that aware of every aspect of creation at all times--every blade of grass, every particle of every atom, as well as every creature, every human on the earth--not to mention the things of Heaven. What we say and what we do, does not go unnoticed by God. Every intent of our heart, every action, every word, every song, it's all "breathed in," so to speak, by God.

John Paul went on to say that when a word was released in Heaven, with it came music, fragrance, a color of light, and a numerical equation. I was undone by this statement, as I had been studying physics, light, sound, and color for a couple of years, and at that point, I wasn't even sure why.

I would go to the book store, stand in front of the science section and throw my arms up to God, saying "What?! What am I doing here?!" Then a couple of titles would catch my eye, and I would buy the books, go home, and try to read them. Well, when John Paul mentioned the numerical equation with each word I just started sobbing. That's what physics is all about--mathematical equations!

My heart was so relieved, thinking, "This is You, God. You really are behind this!" Many of you have that same sigh of relief, "I'm not going crazy after all, and I am hearing God on all of this." I can't tell you how many people have said the same thing to me in the last few years--God is up to something!

Something's up in the Spirit and it's a spirit to spirit understanding He is giving us in this hour. Things have escalated drastically and there is a divine acceleration going on. I liken it to an earthquake. If you were to say that the end of time as we know, is at the epicenter of the quake, then the closer we get to it, the stronger and faster the ripples will be that pull us toward it.

God is going to be releasing understanding at a greater pace. We are going to be much more acclimated to the unseen realm, and I believe we will be more able to sense and discern what is happening as a result of our actions and our words. We will see and hear more clearly His response and Heaven's response, as we become more skilled in the ways of the spirit and the unseen realm.

I am setting the stage to move into some explanation of just how our words, our actions, our worship affect the unseen realm. The church is finally exploring that which was meant for us as believers from the beginning of time. We lost the understanding of His ways as we trusted more and more in the thoughts and ways of man...the opinions and traditional ways of thinking in Greek-based philosophy.

We need to begin to pray and ask for the fullness of God to be released in our spirits, that we might be enlightened to the way He meant for us to walk with Him even on this earth. He said He would have those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.

There really is something on the horizon in the not so very distant future. Worship will be key in releasing much of this. It will be used to change the atmosphere for the Light to penetrate the darkness "and the darkness will not comprehend (overcome) it."

As He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him. God is unlocking mysteries and allowing us to peer into things we've not understood until now.

There is a line in a song that He gave me that goes, "Breaking the sound barrier, breaking the barrier of sound between Heaven and the ground." We've got to get in touch with the power of our words and, yes, even the intent of our hearts. As we align ourselves with the "Sound of Heaven," these things will begin to manifest on the earth.

Grace...grace.

JoAnn McFatter
WhiteDove Ministries
www.whitedoveministries.org

THIS IS MY FRIEND

I would like to introduce you to my friend Stefan whom I have known ever since he was in his early teens.

Now Stefan is 22 years old and has spent nearly four years as a soldier fighting for his country. Right now he finds himself responsible for the lives of other men and in the midst of a war. His parents who love him dearly pray and cry out to God for his safe-keeping in the midst of great danger.

Each time we are tempted to take a self-righteous stance on war anywhere perhaps we could begin to think of individual men and women called to fight and affected by the fighting.

So often we pray as if we can change a war! What arrogance! We can pray, speaking to our loving God about the men and women involved, and affected, with great love in our hearts for each and every one of them. Without doubt we know that God created and loves every single person, and our prayers are far more effective when we have found His great heart of love and pray from that place. Is it not by our love for one another that the world will know who He is?

If you are uncertain about this, have a look at this photo of boy who has become a man, and look at the eyes that have seen things none of us would want to look at ... perhaps...just perhaps...then your heart will break as mine does...and you will begin to pray "Our Father Who is in heaven, Holy is Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven .... ".

WHERE IS THE FIRE?

Today I have to ask the question of myself and others:
"When did Pentecost become a denomination instead of a way of life?"

Surely this is not at all that God intended when He sent His Spirit as a flame to the upper room where the disciples were praying and waiting for Jesus to send to them what He had promised?

Are we living today as though Jesus kept His promise, ensuring that there would be a continuation of His life and power in the earth when He had returned to heaven?

I am asking this question of myself, challenging myself, and anyone who reads this, to examine the question. "Am I living a pentecostal lifestyle?"

Is there visible evidence of the life and power of Jesus in my everyday life and relationships?
Is there any evidence of lives changed, healed, restored, as I encounter them and speak and pray?
Is there any evidence of this strength and power in my ability to walk daily in strength and overcome the things I encounter?

In this day, as we see the nations rage around us, it is time to ask again as Wesley did - "O God of burning, cleansing fire ... send the fire ... send the fire today!"

 

THE CURRENCY OF HEAVEN

How often do we think about ourselves as 'heaven's currency'? Each and every one of us has been created and 'deposited' on the earth for a distinct and amazing purpose. God put each of us together in such a way as to accomplish a plan that originated in His great heart - WOW, how amazing is that!

If we consider that when we one day stand alone before Him, the questions asked will not be about our sin (Jesus already took care of that) but rather how we allowed the precious currency of heaven that is invested in us to be spent ... might we view how we live and act a little differently?

Imagine being a big bag of gold coins dropped out of heaven onto this planet. :)
So now, there can be the odd coin scattered here and there, with some kind of minimal effect, OR there can be a bag given back into God's hands. As it is given back, He gets permission to spend the contents EXACTLY as He chooses, and of course, EXACTLY as He always planned. This should have maximum effect for His Kingdom, and leave us knowing that we are living lives that really make a difference.

In this current time, many have been tried and tested, sometimes beyond what we might consider to be a reasonable measure. Now, as we have been tried and tested, and refined by the process, God is going to be able to spend big handfuls of gold - we are just going to love what He is able to do with what has been worked into our lives.

Get ready to see God have a big spend up!! Your life and mine will never be the same. This is time to say "Here I am God ... Your precious currency ... spend me as You will for the blessing and extension of Your Kingdom on earth." Sit back and get ready for the ride of a lifetime! 

THE ENDURING STRENGTH OF OUR SPIRIT

We are both flesh and spirit, but we often consider flesh more real because this is what we can see daily in the natural realm.
We attend to the flesh because it is always there and very demanding.
Flesh is finite and will die and decay, and eventually cease to exist. It is VERY temporary.
Our flesh is merely the earthly temporary container of our spirit.

The spirit is eternal and will continue to exist when our flesh has ceased.
Our spirit connects us to all that is eternal and needs to be attended to and grown towards our eternal life.

Although we cant see our spirit with our natural eyes, it deserves more attention than our flesh because it will live FOREVER.

From a Christian point of view the question is where will the spirit spend eternity, in heaven or in hell?

Therefore, we begin to make choices in life that will take us in one direction or the other.
If we choose, we can be led by God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who He sends to counsel, teach, comfort and help us.
Though we cannot see Him, He is as real as our spirit, but far more powerful. He is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, now sent to work very powerfully in God's children.

John 14:10 (Amplified Bible)
….what I am telling you I do not say on My own accord; but the Father who lives CONTINUALLY in Me does (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power).

God has sent His Spirit to work in us as He did in Jesus. He wanted us to have what Jesus had, so that His life would be evident in us and others would believe in Him also.
Why?
Because He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE.

John 14:16
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby) that He may remain with you FOREVER.
John 14:17
The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart) because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for HE LIVES WITH YOU (CONSTANTLY) and will be in you.

Jesus gives us the ability to know and recognize the Holy Sprit and promises us that He will be with us CONSTANTLY.

(Doves are not skittish birds and don’t fly away quickly! They just step aside quietly til the threat has passed and then carry on as before.)

John 14:26
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name (in My place to represent Me and act on My behalf). He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (remind you of, bring to your remembrance) EVERYTHING I have told you.

John 14:27
PEACE I leave with you; MY OWN PEACE I know give and BEQUEATH TO YOU. Not as the world gives do I give to you. DO NOT let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (STOP allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and DO NOT permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and unsettled).

Thank you Holy Spirit that You are ALWAYS and CONSTANTLY with me. The PEACEFUL STRENGTH of God, abiding with me.
I choose to stay with You as You stay with me.
I choose to let You guard my heart and mind.
I choose to let you do the works of God, wherever and whenever You desire.
I desire to know You more and more, and to be taught and counselled and comforted by You.
I choose to live in eternal things, not waiting til my life ends, but engaging now with FOREVER and not being bound by the temporary and finite things that surround me.
Thank you for being My Life, My Way, My Truth.