"Acts...."

I just had a wonderful weekend with friends.  We laughed, ate, talked, played together in beautiful surroundings.  At various intervals we prayed for individuals, and finally for our beautiful nation and its people.  It felt like living in an "Acts" environment, our unity was not because we all met in the same building, or under the same banner, but because of our shared love and life in Jesus Christ which we were continuing to live even in this environment.

When I came back I was told a little of other meetings that had taken place in the city over the same weekend.  At one of them an invited overseas speaker had asked where our own prophetic people were.

I'd like to suggest that some of our own prophetic people were doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing ... they were meeting, ministering, praying and having fellowship in Jesus Christ. 

They were encouraging one another forward in a most trying and difficult time. 

They were praying for greater strength, anointing, and endurance to continue in the race.

They were listening to God speaking through various ones present and responding to His voice and heart in prayer.

They were wrapping their arms, love and prayer around those who have been wounded and grown weary along the way.

I know of others visiting and ministering in fellowships in 'off the track' places that important invited people would probably never get too.

Those of you who know me will understand that I am reasonably mild-mannered and not often given over to anger.  However, at the end of our prayer time something arose from deep within me and I found myself 'roaring' into the heavenlies the enormous pain and concern I feel for this nation, while others wept over the place we find ourselves at this time.

The following day I was back amongst the women and children who are representative of the pain and disfunction of this nation.  Monday night I sat and listened again to their stories, their courage, and their pain and anger.  Today, as a result, I am spending another Tuesday weeping.

"Where are our people?"

My prayer and hope is that they are crying out to God to be positioned by Him IN AND FOR THIS TIME.  I desperately ask that He would reach into our lives and bring His transforming truth before it is too late.  My heart's desire is that our itchy ears would be opened to hear His voice, and our eyes would begin to look for and desire ONLY His face.

Perhaps then there will be no-one coming to ask such questions because the answer will be obvious for all to see.

Dear Jesus, lead us in the paths of righteousness for the sake of Your Name.  Please give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand what is important in Your heart in this season.  Give us love for You and one another that truly shows who you are.  And please dear Lord, give us grace, grace, grace for this season.

THE PRAYER POOL

Our life in prayer is rather like going swimming!

Initially we are all playing, laughing, shouting and having fun around the edge, until we feel we need to get into the water. We either dive in, making a huge splash and disturbance of the water around us, OR ease ourselves in little by little, moving cautiously and barely making a ripple. Either way, we are eventually up to our necks in the water, immersed in it, feeling it all around us, becoming free and comfortable in this environment.

As we are comfortable, we swim more, and go deeper, until we are either treading water or under it. Ultimately we will be immersed in it, and so it is with prayer.

There comes a time when we are so immersed that our whole life, words, thoughts, actions, emotions, are simply woven with prayer, so joined that we don't stop and separate them to pray, but prayer flows in and out of everything we are, wherever we are. We BECOME prayer, rather than DO prayer.

At this point, it's as if we can breathe under water, and even when we hit really hot water, prayer explodes out of us in response, instead of being shut down.

Prayer begins as an external thing, but becomes an integral part of everything we are and do.

This leads us away from the noisy clamour and into a place where we can 'be still and know' our God. We begin to ponder His attributes and His greatness in our hearts rather than difficulties and circumstances, and so He become LORD in our lives, and over everything that concerns us.

Now we walk in and as prayer. We are full of thanksgiving and praise, and find the way is open when we speak to Him of what is in our hearts.

We are becoming those people the prophet Daniel speaks of who know their God, are mighty in the knowledge of Him, and can withstand the enemy!

We are held in a quiet place of humility, love, and wonder. We are in a place of becoming an unceasing prayer - as long as we have breath (which He gives us) we will be praying, because it is in Him we live, move and have our being, as He has instructed us to live.

2008 A YEAR TO GAIN WISDOM & TO SHINE and OF SPEAKING TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS

CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON

I see and feel the new year building on the horizon like great white cumulus clouds.  The year will be full and intense - are we ready for it?

Isaiah 19:1 See, the Lord rides in a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt.

The clouds look huge and intimidating, as if they block the way - it will be important to remember the composition of clouds, that it is possible to walk right through them.

This reminds us that only God can create - the enemy moves with counterfeit and deception.

This emphasizes the need to ask the Lord for increased wisdom and discernment for the year ahead.

SEEK WISDOM AND SHINE

Daniel 12:3 is the scripture I am hearing for 2008 ... (In a time of distress) ... Those who are wise (who impart wisdom) will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

I believe the Lord is exhorting us to seek Him for the wisdom that we will need in the coming year, in order that we will indeed shine for Him in the darkness.

We are made to shine!  Not so that men can gather and admire or bathe in the glow of our success, but so that the light of the world can be reflected into the darkness of souls and circumstances and shine in the darkest places in order that the darkness will flee.

Matt. 5:14-16  You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matt.13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears let him hear.

Rev.2:1-7 speaks to God's people today - it is a critical time to take care of the lamp stands, to return to our first love, to get oil for our lamps, and to SHINE.

There continues to be an urgent sense of our need to gain wisdom in this time, God's wisdom rather than the understanding of this world.

Daniel 11:32 speaks of a people 'WHO KNOW THEIR GOD'  who will BE MIGHTY AND WITHSTAND the pressures evil, and says that even in the midst of great tribulation (v.33) "Those who are wise will instruct many".

How do we obtain this precious commodity that we so vitally need?  James gives us the answer in chapter 1:5 "If any lack wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

THEREFORE we hear again the words of Proverbs 8:11

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

WE HAVE A MODEL AND EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

PROPHETIC EXPERIENCE 

Twice a year for the past 3 years the Lord has consistently led me back to Amos 3:7 and 8

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.  The lion has roared - who will not fear?  The Sovereign Lord has spoken - who can but prophesy? 

Amos is speaking "what he saw concerning Israel 2 years before the earthquake.."  The Lord was giving warning to the people of real shaking that was to take place.  In the light of that I take the highlighting of these scriptures very seriously.

Amos 3:4 "Does a lion roar in the thicket when he has no prey?"

It is time to cease from idle and soulish chatter and to listen intently for His voice.

Isaiah 21:3 & 4 speaks of the prophetic man's physical experience after having received a 'dire vision' from God.

"At this my body is racked with pain, pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labour; I am staggered by what I hear, I am bewildered by what I hear.  My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; the twilight I longed for has become a horror to me."

We remain men and women in physical bodies serving our God, and Isaiah reminds us that there is a physical price to be paid for the increased seeing and hearing that is required and is to come.

NEW ZEALAND

I see the two oceans meeting at Cape Reinga and see that the northern tip of New Zealand juts out into the collision of two great oceans.

New Zealanders will be sent out by God into the great oceans of humanity in the midst of great spiritual battle, and will be used to bring God's love and peace, even in the midst of collisions of culture and creed.  Many events, and the outworking of God's call, have been building the nation towards this.

The enemy would have us focus on politics and negative events in our nation and communities - even become consumed with these things - but the wise will continue to pray for 'ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand' what God is building at this time for His purposes.

There are many in our nation who have faced great pressure, pain and hardship, and are no longer afraid of, or bound by, the things they will face in this and other nations.

One national anthem continues to be a prophetic statement that has been sung and spoken over the nation for decades.  We would do well to continue to speak, pray and sing it in this day.

 Lord please  give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand what You are wanting to speak to us in these days.

INVITED GUESTS

This morning I was reading in Matthew 22 about the king inviting his friends to the wedding banquet for his son, and was astonished at how much it began to speak to me of the time in which we live, with some very serious implications.

We see that the king sent his servants to those he knew and was associated with - he wasn't sending a random invitation, they were to go to those that the king had already had communication with to tell them that it was now time for the banquet.  However, those who had been invited refused to come.

Again the king sent more servants to tell the invited guests that the dinner was prepared, everything is ready, "Come to the wedding banquet".  But they paid no attention and went off, "...one to his field, another to his business."  Those remaining mistreated and even killed the servants. Then the king was enraged and he sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city! 

Then the king sent out his faithful servants again saying "The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.  Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find."

I had a number of thoughts about this as it relates today to the church and the nation.

- How important it is to be sure HE is sending us and to whom.  Our lives depend on it.

- Is this a sign and a warning for this time, especially now people are being directed to go outside the church and into the streets and community?

- What does this mean for the church, for the nation?

- Does our greatest danger lie with those who were invited guests but said no? 

- Who are those who have been friends and associates of the the king, but are now too busy with growing things and their own businesses to heed the call to come and celebrate at the wedding banquet?  So busy in fact, that they mistreat and even kill those sent to remind them of this great event?

All this should cause us to ponder and to pray; to read this important chapter over again; and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts the directions that the King would give us in this hour.

 

 

INHERITANCE

In the days when there is more and more dispute over the issues of this land we all live in, it seems of great importance to go to the true foundation, the basis upon which all things are built.

It is time for those who believe to come constantly to the feet of the God, at whose feet our national anthem says we sit, and begin from the 'uttermost ends of the earth' to send His Word and Truth forth into the throne room. It is time to agree with His plans and purposes for this nation, and to remember that the true government is upon His shoulders.

“Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.."

Begin to speak out:

Life to you New Zealand

Arise O God in our nation, be our way, our truth, our life. Breathe upon us again.

Let this nation be at Your feet and all that has arisen against You be under Your feet Jesus.

We move again to take up our place and inheritance as a nation.

We ask of You Lord, that Jesus would possess this nation and take her as His inheritance.

We ask that the works of darkness be exposed to Your light, and forced to flee,

All of this we ask in Jesus’ Name.

May it be so.

A STRONG TOWER & A PLACE OF POWER

2Sa 22:3  The God who is my Rock, in Him will I trust. He is my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Savior. You save me from violence.

In the place we find ourselves walking, between towering mountains of great good and great evil, it is difficult to see the path ahead, and at times the assault of the enemy feels almost too intense to bear.

This morning as I waited on the Lord and questioned a little about these things he spoke to me on personal matters, and then began to speak in a way that is to encourage all of us.

This is what I believe I heard Him saying:

"There is a castle/a temple/a building that is mine being put in place and man could not conceive of such a place.  It will truly be A STRONG TOWER AND A PLACE OF POWER unlike anything known before.   The wise and the righteous will know how to access it, where to run to when under attack.  Do not be afraid to search for this place, and do not think that anything on this earth built by man's hand will suffice.

My kingdom is coming and so now is the time to lift your eyes, hands, hearts, and begin to live in this world but not of it's kingdom or authority.  As rapid change takes place you will see what seemed secure falling down all around you.  Do not try to rebuild, simply look up towards what I am establishing.

Let the sense of eternity be expanded in your heart and allow yourself to move beyond the finite limitations of your world to embrace all that is infinite and eternal.

ASK, again and again, come and ask.  My Spirit will instruct you and show you the way.  So far you have not asked of these things, and so you have not received knowledge of them. 

ASK, SEARCH, INQUIRE .... as never before.

Amongst other scriptures I was led to read, Isaiah 54, Psalm 122, and John 15:20 which were very relevant to what is taking place.

OUTSIDE THE CAMP

Art Katz talks of a place in God, a place of seeing as we are required to see, that will take absolute abandonment to His entire will for us, something beyond the repentance for our carnality and that in fact confronts our spirituality. Can we give up what we see as good, even wonderful in God, in order to go to the place He requires of us?

We see the outworking of this challenge in the case of Israel's official priesthood as they find Jesus Christ, the Messiah, a challenge to all that they hold to be utterly spiritual and therefore they have him killed to protect what they consider to be of God.

Are we facing such challenges today? I truly believe that many of us are, and have to learn to look at them in this light.

What does it mean to go 'outside the camp' - the place that Jesus went to be crucified?

How does it feel to be on the outside looking in - looking at what is apparently gloriously spiritual. Looking at people seeing apparent signs and wonders, receiving prophetic words that are passed around the Body as the word of the moment, and knowing that none of that is for you.

What is God doing when He begins to take people out beyond all that is familiar in God. Yes, outside the comfort and protection of the walls of the church. Outside the security of being part of a family in God, and doing what seems right and good in building up the Body of Christ.

What is God doing?

It is time to be prepared to be utterly surrendered to His will, reminding ourselves that our model is not the church, or its leaders, but Christ Himself. He was a threat to the church of the time that had become so structured and full of rules and regulations. Suddenly they were confronted with the love of God Himself and did not know what to do with Him!

What is He asking of me and of you? Is He asking that we lay down what is most dear, seemingly most good, in order to follow Him into something even better? Is He calling some outside the camp, to wait quietly, without voices or positions, for His instruction, His Word, His way, His truth, His very life itself?

Is this what it means to be separated unto Him? Is this what it means to give up everything for the sake of the One who gave up everything for us? Is this what it means to go outside the camp, so that something can be accomplished that can be accomplished no other way?

Perhaps there are more questions than answers right now, but they are most certainly questions that need to be asked, considered, and ultimately acted upon.

Grace, dear Jesus, grace, love, more grace, more love ....

HIS PLANS : HIS SHAKING

Right now I see us making our way carefully on a VERY narrow path between two huge mountains. One mountain contains great good, and the other exudes great evil. It is a time to hold on to THE TRUTH and not let Him out of our sight. A time to remember that there is no opposite to God - He IS God, and He alone rules and reigns. EVERYTHING else is subject to Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

The Lord is talking to people in captivity and exile, who are probably wondering where their God went to! In this chapter He encourages them to pray: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

We see here that while God is in charge, the people do not find themselves in a very comfortable place - doesn't that speak to us of our lives? However, God is encouraging them to work and pray EXACTLY WHERE THEY FIND THEMSELVES. He doesn't say put life on hold until everything is perfect, because WHEN WE DO THAT WE ARE ROBBED OF TODAY, AND BEGIN TO LOSE OUT ON LIFE ITSELF.

Jesus was the One who came to die for us and also to rise again from the dead and be seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and rule and reign in glory with Him.

Jesus was doing miraculous healings and seeing all kinds of wonders, at the same time as men were plotting to betray Him and kill him!

The prophet Isaiah foretold all of this in chapters 52,53,54, and they are full of both pain and promises. Those same chapters can be a map and guideline for us to understand what real life is all about.

THIS IS REAL LIFE - as long as we live in this world we will experience both good and bad, joy and sorrow. We live in a battle zone, and the battle is heating up. However, God remains on His throne, and HE IS OUR WAY THROUGH THIS ZONE, IF WE WILL HOLD ON TO HIS TRUTH HE WILL TRULY MAKE A WAY FOR US TO LIVE A REAL LIFE!

We need to have our minds transformed so that we begin to think differently to what we have been taught. We have been raised in a society that constantly seeks personal comfort, quick fixes, instant gratification. We have been trained to think that this is our object and goal, along with material prosperity.

GOD SPEAKS into the midst of this, and HE BEGINS TO SPEAK DIFFERENTLY!

"I know the plans I have for you …"

THERE IS SOMETHING BIGGER, SOMETHING WIDER, SOMETHING GREATER THAN THIS WORLD.

JESUS SPEAKS (Matt.6:25-34)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink" or "What shall we wear"? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

BASICALLY HE IS SAYING - I know what I am doing, I know everything about you, and I don’t want you to worry about those things. I made you for relationship with me and I'm asking you to trust me, and understand the things that I hold in my heart for you.

Daniel 11:32(b) (Amplified Version) "…but the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God)."

OUR JOB IS TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE! If we do that He will take care of EVERYTHING ELSE.

THE OUTWARD FLOW

The way God's creative power is released and works is astonishing. Recently I have begun a new area of work in the women's refuge with a scripture the Lord gave me at the start. When I asked for something to sustain me in this time He clearly spoke "John 15:16".

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.

Because this call is one to touch lives and primarily to pray, the scripture covers absolutely EVERYTHING I need. I feel empowered to go, know there will be fruit of this time, and to ask with great boldness for what is needed in that place!

NEVER have I walked in such an empowering word before, I can feel it alive and active, strengthening me, giving me boldness, courage and faith. It is totally amazing and joyful.

This has led me to dig deeper, and yesterday as I prayed, I could feel the power of God's river running over and out of the areas that He has secured. It was within me, but outside of my strength and power, and I thought of the scripture I love so much in Ephesians 1:19,20.

…and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.

There is this amazing flow of life-giving power from the Father (the creator of ALL things). This great power is released FOR us, and was exerted IN Christ to raise him up. I am seeing and experiencing something beyond what I have previously understood. This great power comes out of the Will and Heart of God, and is released FOR those who believe in Who and What God is. He reaches IN and has His way over EVERYTHING because our belief/faith makes a way for this great surge of life to flow.

This is not 'drummed up' faith because we think/know we need to have it to see something happen. No, this flow comes through, over and around, a peaceful and quiet knowledge and love of God. Not from a place of human strength and striving, but from the surrendered, submitted soul, spirit, life, of one who has TRULY given his/her life into the hands of their Maker.

The difference is like looking at a skillful, beautifully executed painting that is pleasing to look at, compared to a work of art that is less perfect and skilful, but pulsates with life, passion, and carries something of the very life of the artist.

We can sing a lovely song with a God-given lovely voice, but when the whole of the life is given back to God, that voice becomes HIS instrument through which He pours something that touches, moves, changes the hearts and lives of the listeners.

It is not about religious piety, but about LIVING with THE WAY,THE TRUTH, THE LIFE, HIMSELF.

His river flows over all the rough and uneven surfaces of our human lives, washing, cleansing, healing, smoothing rough edges. It flows on and outward as He begins to release this life FOR us, into our circumstances and world around us, into what we bring to Him in prayer.

Now we truly become prayer in a new way.

Whoever believes in Me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water shall flow from within him". By this He (Jesus) meant the Spirit whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. John 7:38,39.

PROCESS OF PRAYER

THOUGHTS ON PRAYER 30.8.07

FEAR NOT FAITH

Many prayers arise out of fear of the outcome of the circumstances we find ourselves looking at.

We (finally) begin to speak these to God (and maybe in some cases this was His intention - to get our attention and some conversation!).

TWO-WAY CONVERSATION

Having prayed out of our fear and concern, we often then go on to do whatever WE can to fix things.

However, having opened conversation with God, it would be better t wait for His reply … could be an instruction, an action (His or ours) or the need to wait for His timing. We may sense a need to change our attitude or actions.

Most people don’t WAIT for His answer.

King David 'inquired of the Lord' and did what he was instructed with great results - most times! The bible account shows us how messy things got when he didn’t do that!

STRATEGIC PRAYER

Many times a situation arises and people start shooting off prayers as a response to it. This is rather like an army running on to a battle field in times past just shooting off arrows in all directions, sometimes wounding their fellow fighters.

Battles are won with wise strategy. Perhaps one, well placed big gun, carefully aimed, would accomplish much more with less loss of life.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AND WITH UNDERSTANDING

It is ok to talk to God AND to talk to one another, hearing God's wisdom through others, determining a strategy and a direction.

OPPOSITE SPIRIT

The enemy would like to draw us to fight on his terms - out of our frustration, fear, anger, pain. It is important to stop and come before the Lord about our response. There is a difference between raw anger and righteous indignation, between personal reaction and a burden arising from how God sees and feels about something.

E.g. Prayer against demonic assignments - His wisdom is to pray for the hurt and brokenness that brought people into these beliefs; for their healing and their salvation.

There is no weapon in the enemy's camp to fight the love of God.

LOVE IN ACTION

Prayer is love in action - love for God and love for each other - His creation.

This will be displayed with words and with actions - it is still prayer. Either way there is an outflow of this love towards God and others.

PRAYER CHANGES US

As we begin a life-time conversation with God, He begins to reveal Himself, His heart, and His ways. We begin to reflect what we are looking at. We begin to find His life and mind formed in us more and more each day.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS, BUT MOST OF ALL IT CHANGES US…WE BECOME PRAYER.

All our thoughts, words, actions, and especially motives, begin to show that they've been in the fire of His presence regularly.

We begin to abide (live always) in the secret place (Psalm 91) and to know our refuge and shield personally.

We know that He contends for us and will keep us from all harm.

We KNOW His greatness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, power and unfailing love.

FAITH NOT FEAR

NOW, we find ourselves praying out of faith and total trust in our God and His ability.

Now we begin to pray out of His wisdom and His word.

Now we 'pray believing' in the One who does the work and answers the prayers - we will receive answers and be amazed.

Daniel 11:32(b) (Amplified Version)

"…but the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God).