A Remnant is Rising in the Land

Robert Stearns: A Remnant is Rising in the Land
By Robert Stearns
Nov 11, 2011
Dear Friends,

I was in Israel on Yom Kippur, preparing to enter the Holy Days of the Biblical calendar, when I felt the Lord impressing this word on my heart... I pray it is an encouragement to you.
A Remnant is Rising in the Land.

Unseen, unrecognized, they know Whose they are and have died to this present world's ambitions. They want nothing of a consumer Christianity, where God exists for their earthly pleasure. They have caught a whiff of Heaven's fragrant food, and just the smell has satisfied them more than the sweetest delicacies of this passing age, and motivates them to remember that they are just passing through.

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.

They will not be bought or sold with position or money. They are remembering why they "got into this" in the first place – for the Lamb. For Jesus Christ's honor, for the sake of His worthy name. Their backbones are being steeled in the furnace of affliction, and purified of contemporary dross. They are old-school, hard-core Jesus freaks, and they are not apologizing for it. The remnant is not ashamed!

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.

They are blood-bought,and fiercely committed to the Word – the Logos and the Rhema.

Something within them stirs because they know they are here on a kairos assignment. They realize that they may have forgotten that for a moment, been diverted off the path for some years, but like soldiers who remember drills from long ago, they are coming to attention and position and awareness.

They are here on purpose. They are necessary to Heaven's narrative. They are not bystanders. They are the players on the stage of His-story.
A Remnant is Rising in the Land.

This army is realizing they never should have eaten Babylon's food in the first place, even if it was served in halls decorated to look like a cheap imitation of Zion. They would rather be pilgrims than settle. They would rather be fools for Christ than wise in the world's eyes. They would rather be known in Heaven and feared in Hell than recognized on earth.
Whatever happens to them in the world really doesn't matter. They have locked gazes with the Lamb's eyes, and locked step with the cadence of Heaven's march.

His remnant understand that this is the Final Act and there is no turning back now.

A Remnant is Rising in the Land.

They are nowhere to be seen and everywhere to be found. There are very few of them chosen, and a great host of them who will emerge.

It's going to be very, very intense, for the sword they carry is stained with the blood of their lesser desires and their crucified carnality. They've had their battles, faced their own personal Valleys of Decision, and made their choice.

I have Decided. To Follow Jesus. No Turning Back. We have decided. Have you decided?

Ready or not, here they come.

Dr. Robert Stearns

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

"TO HIS HOLY HIGHNESS the WORSHIPFUL BISHOP

"TO HIS HOLY HIGHNESS the WORSHIPFUL BISHOP
REV. Dr. APOSTLE GRAND POOBAH"
-extracts by J. Lee Grady.

Jesus just wasn’t into titles. We shouldn’t be either.

I am often asked if I have a title, and my answer doesn’t satisfy
some people. I travel a lot, so I don’t consider myself a pastor. All
kinds of labels have been pinned on me: Reverend, prophet,
apostle … even bishop. Once I was introduced to a church as “Dr.
Grady” and I almost crawled under my seat. I only have a college
degree. There are no letters after my name.

I tell people: “You can call me Lee. Or if you want to sound formal,
you can say, ‘Brother Grady.’”

Today it seems we’ve developed a title fetish. For a while everyone
in charismatic circles was becoming a bishop (and some were
installed into this office with rings, robes and funny-looking hats).
Then the same guys with the pointy hats started calling
themselves apostles. Then the prophets got jealous and started
calling themselves apostles too! I knew one lady who, not to be
outdone, required people to call her “Exalted Prophetess.”

Now the latest fad is requiring church folks to address certain
people as apostles. (As in, “When Apostle Holy Moly arrives,
please only address him as, ‘Apostle,’ and then make sure he is
seated in a private room while his two adjutants, wearing dark
glasses, guard his door.”) They’ve even invented an elaborate
theology to go along with this ridiculous rule. It suggests that you
can’t receive the true anointing from a man of God if you don’t
honor him with the right title.

Sounds so very ooo-ooh spiritual to the naive. But it’s garbage.

Jesus didn’t play this religious game, especially when he was
around the Grand Poobahs of His day—the long-robed scribes and
Pharisees. After accusing them of loving the best seats in the
synagogues, He pointed out that they loved to be called “Rabbi” by
men (see Matt. 23:7).

Then He warned them: “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is
your Teacher, and you are all brothers. … the greatest among you
shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (v. 8-12, NASB).

People have quibbled over these words for centuries, insisting that
ecclesiastical titles are not the problem; pride is what Jesus was
rebuking. I would agree that Jesus was going to the root sin. But
He was also asking these title-crazy guys if they’d be willing to
ditch their labels and act like normal people.

When I was in China several years ago, I met some amazing
leaders who had planted thousands of congregations. They had
also spent a lot of time in jail for their faith, and they’d been beaten
with iron rods for preaching the gospel. They were the bravest
apostles I’ve ever met. But when I asked them if they used
“apostle” as a title, one guy said: “We believe in those roles in the
church. But we prefer to call each other ‘brother’ or ‘sister.’”

That settled it for me. A few years later I met Iftakhar, a Pakistani
apostle who has oversight of 900 churches. He also has two scars
on his arm from gunshots fired by Muslim extremists who have put
a price on his head. When I asked him how I should address him,
he smiled and said, “Iftakhar.”

If these two giants of the faith—and true apostles—don’t require to
be addressed with titles, then Your Worshipful Grand Master Rev.
Dr. Bishop Jones (who claims oversight of maybe four churches)
shouldn’t wear his ministry role around his neck like a tacky neon
name badge.

If people can’t see the anointing on your life through your character,
then don’t cheapen the gospel by wearing a title you don’t deserve...

Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Son of David, the
Prince of Peace and the Apostle of our Confession. Yet when He
came into this world He laid aside His heavenly glory and took on
the lowly name of Jesus. He wore no fancy robes. He demanded
no titles. He did not come to be ministered to, but to minister. If
we want to serve Him honorably, we must forsake our need for
fame and cast our crowns at His feet.

-Please comment on this article at the following website-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

WARNING: PRAY this PRAYER at YOUR OWN RISK

WARNING: PRAY this PRAYER at YOUR OWN RISK

-J. Lee Grady.

When I said to God, “Here am I, send me,” a real adventure began.

More than 12 years ago I found myself at a church altar in Orlando,
Fla. God had been dealing with me about leaving my comfort zone.
I had a great job with nice benefits, yet I felt spiritually unfulfilled.
I knew there was an amazing adventure in front of me, but I had
placed serious limitations on my obedience.

As I buried my head in the carpet in that church, I realized God
was requiring unconditional surrender. He wanted me to wave a
white flag. I knew what I had to say, but it was difficult to form
the words. Finally I coughed them up. I said the same thing the
prophet Isaiah prayed long ago: Here I am, send me! (see Is. 6:8.)

This is what I call a dangerous prayer. It’s risky because God
immediately takes you up on it. I believe when you utter these
simple words, heaven takes a Polaroid picture of you with your
hands up—and an amazing process begins. He closes in on us
in order to crush our fears and demolish our selfishness.

When I prayed this prayer in 1998, I immediately had a vision while
I was still on the floor. I saw a sea of African faces. I knew I’d be
going to Africa, and I was scared to death. I had no idea how I
would get there, what I would say or who would pay for the trip.
So I swallowed hard and prayed again: Here I am, send me!

Less than two years later I found myself standing on a huge stage
in a sports arena in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, speaking to 7,000
pastors. I did not enjoy the bumpy flight across the Sahara, and
my knees were knocking when I preached. I felt as if I had been
pushed way out on a limb. But even though I was terrified, my fear
was mixed with incredible joy. The Lord had overcome my
resistance, and He was using me! And since that trip I have
ministered in more than 25 other countries.

Grace is so amazing. God not only gives us the power to serve
Him; He plants in us the desire to surrender to His will even if we
are scared of the consequences. This is what the apostle Paul
described when he said: “For it is God who is at work in you, both
to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13, NASB).

God has an uncanny way of wooing us into obedience and
submission. Our flesh may protest; our fears may paralyze us.
But in the end, if we will simply lift our hands in surrender, grace
takes over. He gives us power, strength and a willing heart. And
the results are supernatural because it is God at work in us.

Jesus taught His disciples to cultivate this willing spirit and to pray
this dangerous prayer. He told them: “The harvest is plentiful, but
the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2).

This is what I call a trick prayer. You pray it at your own risk.
When we ask the Lord to send workers into His fields, we are
really praying, “Here I am Lord … send Mike … or Chuck … or
Barbara.” But the Lord of the Harvest will likely tap you on the
shoulder and say, “Well? What about you?”

The church has advanced throughout history because of people
who surrendered to God. One of them was the brave David Brainerd
(1718-1747), a missionary to American Indians during the First
Great Awakening. Although he died of tuberculosis at age 29, his
legacy of total consecration lives on in his journal, which was
published by his friend Jonathan Edwards.

Brainerd recorded this very dangerous prayer in his diary: “Here am
I, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough,
the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called
comfort on earth; send me even to death itself, if it be but in Thy
service, and to promote Thy kingdom.”

We rarely hear prayers like that today. Brainerd’s passion would
be considered politically incorrect fanaticism today. We don’t
promote self-sacrifice; we have a new gospel of self-fulfillment.
We don’t talk about carrying a burden for lost people; we ourselves
are lost in our comfortable materialism.

I wonder what would happen if all of us prayed Isaiah’s prayer with
full sincerity before this year is over. What if you raised your hands
and left all your fears, worries, excuses, stipulations, limitations
and conditions on heaven’s altar—and invited God to use your life
in any way He wants. I dare you to try it.

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

The “FULLY PREACHED” GOSPEL

The “FULLY PREACHED” GOSPEL
-by David Wilkerson.

The apostle Paul said to his generation: “I have fully preached the
gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:19). And he described the “fully
preached” gospel as one that is much more than words. It is a
gospel of words and deeds! “For I will not dare to speak of any of
those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in
word and deed” (v. 18).

Paul was saying, “The Gentiles turned to Christ not because of my
preaching alone, but because my words were accompanied by
miraculous deeds!”

“In mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so
that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully
preached the gospel” (v. 19).

If Paul had preached and taught without signs and wonders
following, his message would not have had its full impact. It would
not have been the gospel fully preached! He said to the Corinthians,
“Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with
all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds”
(2 Corinthians 12:12)

Note Paul’s words in this verse: signs, wonders, mighty deeds.
Most Christians today cringe when they hear these words! Why?
Because these words have been made an abomination by
unscrupulous, power-hungry preachers and teachers! The great
tragedy is that such perversions have caused many God-fearing
pastors, evangelists and laypeople to turn away from the truth of a
fully preached gospel.

Beloved, God is still God—and He is mighty in working miracles
and wonders! He is still our healer and He wants to show Himself
strong on behalf of those who trust in Him! Great supernatural
workings took place in the New Testament church without any
perversions—without advertising, showmanship or any person
claiming all the power and authority. The ministry of Paul is an
example:

At Troas, while Paul was preaching a long message, a young man
fell asleep while sitting on a window sill and fell three stories to the
ground. The Bible says the young man was “taken up dead”
(see Acts 20:9-12).

When Paul got to where the boy was, he quieted everyone. Then,
just as Elijah had done, he stretched himself out over the dead boy
and suddenly life came back into the young man. The boy had
been resurrected—raised from the dead! What a mighty miracle!

After this happened, Paul did not send everyone out to spread the
news that a miracle had taken place. No, that was not what
happened at all. Everyone simply went back to the third floor, took
communion, and Paul continued preaching. Scripture does not
even mention the young man again. Why? Because the church
expected supernatural works to happen! They preached a full
gospel—with signs and wonders following!

MORE than PREACHING & TEACHING

I believe the gospel should be accompanied by the power and
demonstration of the Holy Ghost—working mighty wonders, proving
the gospel is true!

Paul boldly stated, “And my speech and my preaching were not
with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of
the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). The Greek here means
“with proof.” Paul was saying, “I preach the gospel with proof. God
and the Holy Spirit are backing me up with signs and wonders!”
Hebrews 2:4 says that God did confirm Paul’s message with signs
and wonders: “God also bearing witness both with signs and
wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
according to His own will.”

The New Testament believers had one prayer: “That signs and
wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant
Jesus” (Acts 4:30). These apostles went everywhere fully
preaching the gospel.

“Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles”
(Acts 2:43). “And through the hands of the apostles many signs
and wonders were done among the people. . . . And believers were
increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women”
(Acts 5: 12, 14).

Here is one of the most conclusive of all verses—proving that a
fully preached gospel must include signs and wonders: “They
stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was
bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and
wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3). This verse says
that the apostles ministered boldly for a long time, preaching grace
and repentance, and then God granted signs and wonders to be
done by their hands.

God’s last-day church will go “out and [preach] everywhere, the
Lord working with them and confirming the word through the
accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20). That is what God envisions for us.

The miracles of this last-day church will be genuine, indisputable,
undeniable, and yet they will not be well known. Instead, they will
issue forth from the hands of ordinary, holy, separated saints who
know God and are intimate with Jesus.

These believers will emerge from the secret closet of prayer—a
small, prepared army full of faith, with no other desire than to do
the will of God and glorify Him. They will be fearless and powerful
in prayer. They will open entire nations for the gospel and God will
confirm His Word by their mighty deeds!

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

1000 CHURCHES and 4000 HOMELESS??

1000 CHURCHES and 4000 HOMELESS??
-by 'Beres'.

I live in Nashville where more Bibles are printed than anywhere else
in the world. We have more Christian publishing houses in Nashville
than anywhere else on the face of the earth – more churches per
square mile – and, outside the Vatican, a greater percentage of
bodies in buildings on Sunday morning than anywhere else on
earth. So we in Nashville have a better chance to get it right,
wouldn’t you say??

We have 1000 churches and 4000 homeless people living and
dying under bridges and in culverts. I know because I have prayed
with them and lain with them as they died, and every week I feed
and pastor them. We can’t even get it right enough for every church
to reach out to 4 homeless people. And yes, that includes children
as young as they get.

Nashville is the headquarters for a swag of church denominations,
and para church organizations like the Gideons, and from this
buckle on the Bible belt of the richest nation on earth, missions
go out all round the globe. Those missions are funded with .01
percent of all monies collected in North American churches.

That’s right! For every $1000 collected by North American churches,
ONE Dollar is sent to evangelize those who have never heard the
name “Jesus” - but from the latest stats, are probably well aware
of the name “Coca Cola”.

And frankly, whereas I once despaired of these manifest failures
of the church, now I say, Bring it on! Let the world see forever the
rich failures of putting religion before Jesus, ritual before relationship,
rules before lives and liturgy before love.

When the world at large finally see that the emperor has no clothes,
so also will the light of the real gospel of grace and peace shine
the brighter. For where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!

Let it get darker, our Jesus will shine brighter.

-Please comment on this topic at the website below-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

The sovereignty of God from Tozer

Here is A.W. Tozers take...

 "Another real problem created by the doctrine of the divine
sovereignty has to do with the will of man. If God rules His universe
by His sovereign decrees, how is it possible for man to exercise free
choice? And if he can not exercise freedom of choice, how can he be
held responsible for his conduct? Is he not a mere puppet whose
actions are determined by a behind-the-scenes God who pulls the
strings as it pleases Him?"
"The attempt to answer these questions [those three questions raised
in the passage above] has divided the Christian church neatly into two
camps which have borne the names of two distinguished theologians,
Jacobus Arminius and John Calvin. Most Christians are content to get
into one camp or the other and deny either sovereignty to God or free
will to man. It appears possible, however, to reconcile these two
positions without doing violence to either, although the effort that
follows may prove deficient to partisans of one camp or the other."
God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise moral
choice, and man from the beginning has fulfilled that decree by making
his choice between good and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he does
not thereby countervail the sovereign will of God but fulfills it,
inasmuch as the eternal decree decided not which choice the man should
make but that he should be free to make it. If in His absolute freedom
God has willed to give man limited freedom, who is there to stay His
hand or say, "What doest thou?" Man's will is free because God is
sovereign. A God less than sovereign could not bestow moral freedom
upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so."
-A.W. Tozer

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

1968 PROPHECY from 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN in NORWAY

 1968 PROPHECY from 90-YEAR-OLD WOMAN in NORWAY

An old woman of 90 from Valdres in Norway had a vision from God
in 1968. The evangelist Emanuel Minos had meetings (services)
where she lived. He had the opportunity to meet her, and she told
him what she had seen. He wrote it down, but thought it to be so
unbelievable that he put it in a drawer. After 30 years, he understood
he had to share the vision with others.

The woman from Valdres was a very alert, reliable, awake and
credible Christian, with a good reputation among all who knew her.
This is what she saw:

"I saw the time just before the coming of Jesus and the outbreak
of the Third World War. I saw the events with my natural eyes. I
saw the world like a kind of a globe and saw Europe, land by land.
I saw Scandinavia. I saw Norway. I saw certain things that would
take place just before the return of Jesus, and just before the last
calamity happens, a calamity the likes of which we have never
before experienced.

She mentioned four waves:

1. "First before Jesus comes and before the Third World War
breaks out there will be a ‘détente’ like we have never had before.
There will be peace between the super powers in the east and the
west, and there will be a long peace. [Remember, that this was in
1968 when the cold war was at its highest. -E. Minos]. In this period
of peace there will be disarmament in many countries, also in
Norway and we are not prepared when it (the war) comes. The
Third World War will begin in a way no one would have anticipated -
and from an unexpected place.

2. "A lukewarmness without parallel will take hold of the Christians,
a falling away from true, living Christianity. Christians will not be
open for penetrating preaching. They will not, like in earlier times,
want to hear of sin and grace, law and gospel, repentance and
restoration. There will come a substitute instead: prosperity
(happiness) Christianity.

"The important thing will be to have success, to be something; to
have material things, things that God never promised us in this way.
Churches and prayer houses will be emptier and emptier. Instead
of the preaching we have been used to for generations -like, to take
your cross up and follow Jesus, - entertainment, art and culture will
invade the churches where there should have been gatherings for
repentance and revival. This will increase markedly just before the
return of Jesus.

3. "There will be a moral disintegration that old Norway has never
experienced the likes of. People will live together like married
without being married. [I do not believe the concept ‘co-habitor’
existed in 1968 - E. Minos.] Much uncleanness before marriage,
and much infidelity in marriage will become the natural (the
common), and it will be justified from every angle. It will even enter
Christian circles and we pet it - even sin against nature. Just before
Jesus returns there will be TV- programs like we have never
experienced. [TV had just arrived in Norway in 1968. -E. Minos]

"TV will be filled with such horrible violence that it teaches people
to murder and destroy each other, and it will be unsafe in our
streets. People will copy what they see. There will not be only one
‘station’ on TV, it will be filled with ‘stations.’ [She did not know the
word ‘channel’ which we use today. Therefore she called them
stations. -E. Minos.] TV will be just like the radio where we have
many ‘stations,’ and it will be filled with violence. People will use
it for entertainment. We will see terrible scenes of murder and
destruction one of the other, and this will spread in society. Sex
scenes will also be shown on the screen, the most intimate things
that take place in a marriage." I prote[sted and said, we have a
paragraph that forbids this kind of thing. -E. Minos.] There the old
woman said: "It will happen, and you will see it. All we have had
before will be broken down, and the most indecent things will pass
before our eyes."

4. "People from poor countries will stream to Europe. [In 1968
there was no such thing as immigration. -E. Minos.] They will also
come to Scandinavia - and Norway. There will be so many of them
that people will begin to dislike them and become hard with them.
They will be treated like the Jews before the Second World War.
Then the full measure of our sins will have been reached [I
protested at the issue of immigration. I did not understand it at
the time. -E. Minos.]

The tears streamed from the old woman’s eyes down her cheeks.
"I will not see it, but you will. Then suddenly, Jesus will come and
the Third World War breaks out. It will be a short war." (She saw it
in the vision.)

"All that I have seen of war before is only child’s play compared to
this one, and it will be ended with a nuclear atom bomb. The air
will be so polluted that one cannot draw one’s breath. It will cover
several continents, America, Japan, Australia and the wealthy
nations. The water will be ruined (contaminated?). We can no
longer till the soil. The result will be that only a remnant will remain.
The remnant in the wealthy countries will try to flee to the poor
countries, but they will be as hard on us as we were on them.

"I am so glad that I will not see it, but when the time draws near,
you must take courage and tell this. I have received it from God,
and nothing of it goes against what the Bible tells.

"The one who has his sin forgiven and has Jesus as Savior and
Lord, is safe."

WHEN the OIL FLOWS

An elder in the Pentecostal Church at Moss, Norway, Martin
Andersen, heard the following prophecy in 1937, in Moss:

‘When oil comes out of the North Sea and along the Norwegian
coast, things will begin to happen, and the return of Jesus is
approaching.’

When these words had been proclaimed, people stood up in the
congregation and asked the man to sit down and not speak such
nonsense. In 1937 it was indeed nonsense to talk about oil being
pumped along the Norwegian coast. Today all the world’s big oil
companies are pumping oil along the coast of Norway. Norway is
the world’s third greatest exporter of oil - after Saudi Arabia.

Original source editor’s note:
Because of my fear of transmitting false prophecy, I have diligently
inquired concerning the information in this letter. Publication has
been delayed until permission could be secured from Ragna [Von
Porat] in Israel. In my contact with her, she has assured me that
these accounts are true and reliable. In fact, she relates that the
first account has already been published in one of Norway’s
Christian newspapers.

I have found in my own research that the first account was also
published by the Christian Information Service in Germany. The
website of Dr. Emanuel Minos is active today and can be accessed
for verification. Although the language on this site is Norwegian, the
very similar story of the woman and her vision is posted there in
English. The above accounts are transmitted just as they were received.

Ragna took it upon herself to verify as much of the above
information as she could... Ragna states, "I certainly have no
objection to your going ahead [with publishing]. It must be now-if ever."

Please comment on this article at the website below-

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Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

REVIVAL: It REQUIRES OBEDIENCE

REVIVAL: It REQUIRES OBEDIENCE
-by A W Tozer.

"But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and not do the things which
I say?" - Luke 6:46.

It is my conviction that much, very much, prayer for and talk about 
revival these days is wasted energy. Ignoring the confusion of 
figures, I might say that it is hunger that appears to have no 
object; it is dreamy wishing that is too weak to produce moral
action. It is fanaticism on a high level for,according to John
Wesley, "a fanatic is one who seeks desired ends while ignoring
the  constituted means to reach those ends."...

The correction of this error is extemely difficult for it entails more
than a mere adjustment of our doctrinal beliefs; it strikes at the
whole Adam-life and requires self-abnegation, humility and cross
carrying. In short it requires obedience. And that we will do
anything to escape.

It is almost unbelievable how far we will go to avoid obeying God.
We call Jesus "Lord" and beg Him to rejuvenate our souls, but
we are careful to do not the things He says. When faced with a
sin, a  confession or a moral alteration in our life, we find it much
easier to pray half a night than to obey God. 

-Please comment on this article at the website below-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

"The 14 PREDICTIONS"

UPDATED- "The 14 PREDICTIONS" + More Added
-by Andrew Strom.

Additional warnings are below. But first, I believe the most important
point that needs to be made about the current financial crisis is
that it had SPIRITUAL roots and causes – not just physical or
economic ones. Materialism, greed and selfishness are SPIRITUAL
diseases. And these had an enormous role to play in the crisis that
has unfolded. That is partly what enabled myself and others to see
what was coming. It was obvious “spiritually” that this age of
rampant self-indulgence would bear terrible fruit. We could “feel”
it and see it.

It is this ‘spiritual’ crisis in the West that is ultimately responsible
for what is happening. And it is this materialism and selfishness
that must now be stripped away. Until this purging has done its
full work, I do not believe God will allow it to end. He loves us too
much to leave us in such a state.

When it comes to these “14 Predictions” I am often reminded of
Arthur Schopenhauer’s famous saying that “All truth passes through
three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” I guess we are getting
up to the “self-evident” stage about now, but there sure was a lot
of “ridicule” flying around in the early days!

Below is a timeline of the specific warnings that we published from
2001 to 2010. After that I will add some additional points to ponder:

SEPT 11, 2001: “The HORNS of American financial power have
fallen, have fallen…” [-About the Twin Towers].

JUNE 2003: “Revival is going to come in the midst of judgments
the like of which you’ve never seen, and God is going to touch
your economy…” (-’Thundering in Nashville’).

14 DEC 2006: “Let me make some predictions at this point, so
I can be clear about what this country [USA] is facing:
(1) Firstly, I believe it is IMPOSSIBLE to avoid Judgment…
(2) Expect a great economic crash – and expect it SOON.

MARCH 14, 2007: “Eight months ago we began to publish warnings
about the bursting of this Housing bubble, and the likely impact it
would have… saying that in many ways it would be God’s MERCY -
to shock us out of our complacency and apathy – and to cause us
to desperately seek His face.”

NOV 8, 2007: “I continue to stand by my statement of many
months ago that within 3 years this nation will be in a terrible
financial depression – possibly the worst that it has ever seen.
Right now, things are right on track to see this fulfilled.”

NOV 2007, Wisconsin USA: “This is the last good Christmas
America will have for years….
“Here’s my scenario. You can test me. You can remember what
I’m saying right now…. See if it plays out how I say. In six months
time I expect Recession in the United States. In 12 months time
I expect the beginning of a Depression.” (-AUDIO – ‘Survive the
Coming Depression – Nov 07' on Sermonindex.net).

10 MONTHS LATER – Sept/Oct 2008 – The two largest Mortgage
giants in the world (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) fail, the largest
Insurance Company and the largest thrift bank in the USA both
collapse, Lehman Brothers goes bankrupt (almost taking the entire
financial system with it), Money Markets reel, the Investment
banking industry crumbles, and the stock market suffers its
worst-ever one-day loss, plunging 777 points in a single day.

24 SEPT 2008: “The DEPRESSION HAS BEGUN”.

BACK-TRACK – 31 JAN 2008: “My strong belief is that, particularly
in America, this crisis is going to be WORSE than the GREAT
DEPRESSION. And it is going to last for YEARS. Other developed
nations, such as England, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Germany and
even Australasia, are going to be very hard-hit also. China, India
and much of Asia will be pounded at first, but I believe will recover
faster…. I believe that Christians in America need to face the fact
that they are about to live through one of the WORST 5 – 7 year
periods that this country has ever seen by far. And they need to
be preparing NOW.”

OCT 2008: “I am convinced this “breaking” is not merely financial
in nature. It is also aimed at the church, the media and the culture…
We are about to see another ‘Great Reformation’.” (-From Andrew’s
book, ‘SURVIVE THE DEPRESSION’, Oct 2008).

OCT 2008: “When I was down in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina
there was one Spirit-filled Fellowship that was “thriving” in the midst
of the chaos. They had filled their sanctuary with food, clothes, and
emergency supplies of all kinds – and they were ministering to
hundreds… I cannot tell you how important this is, if we want to
“thrive” – not just “survive” – through this current crisis… So will you
be a “light shining in the darkness” during this present crisis, my
friends?” (-Book ‘SURVIVE THE DEPRESSION’, Oct 2008).

20 DEC 2008: “The WORST of the slump is set to last for… 7 years.”

10 APRIL 2009: “A “DOUBLE DIP” DEPRESSION .. The phrase
“A Double-Dip Depression” has been on my heart for many months,
so it is no surprise to see a temporary respite. But we need to be
aware that it is simply an illusion – so we don’t get lulled back to
sleep and cease to prepare for what lies ahead.

18 JUNE 2009: “We stated not long ago our belief that we are
headed for a “Double-Dip” Depression… I do believe there will be
a further ‘wave’ downwards, and we need to keep preparing – both
physically and spiritually.”

1 APRIL 2010: “If this ‘second wave down’ has not occurred by
the end of 2011 then I will need to issue a public apology to the
Body of Christ.”

FURTHER POINTS – THE ‘TIMEFRAME’: As you know, I am on
the record as stating that I believe the “worst” of the slump will
last for 7 years. People may think that, since this ‘Depression’
really began with the great collapse of late 2008, perhaps we can
expect to come out of it around the end of 2015 or so. But wait.

While I certainly acknowledge the “possibility” of 2015 – we need
to remember that we are talking about the “worst” of the slump
here. By all indications we are now entering a “second leg down”
in this crisis – and things are about to get noticeably worse.

My own view is that I expect the “worst” of this crisis to last for the
next 7 years until around 2018. And even then, I expect only a
“mild” recovery until the early 2020's – when I expect things to
start taking off again. (That is – if we survive intact).

If we look at the last two “Great Bear” markets, they both resulted
in war. The last one was 80 years ago – which ended with World
War 2. The previous one was 70 years before that – and ended
with the American Civil War. I expect this one to be ugly also.

People think it is “impossible” and ‘ridiculous’ to talk about a
breakup of the USA or war in Europe, etc. These people have not
lived through a 10-year “Bear” market. The possibility is very real,
the stresses are unbelievable, and I personally will be delighted
if we make it through the next 15 years without major armed conflict.
Even though America may be at most risk from forces “within” rather
than without, we should not even rule out war involving the US on
her own home soil. We are in an hour when anything could happen –
especially towards the end of this crisis. Civil strife will greatly increase.

RESPONSE FROM the CHRISTIANS: We have entered the time
of greatest ‘shaking’ and danger that we are likely to see in our
lifetimes. We have the choice of either cowering in fear or being
about the work of the kingdom. The true Christians will stand up
at such a time. I believe God’s call to us is very simple. His people
will be preserved if they stay focused on serving and loving God
and others. It is about as simple as that. Great shaking means
great opportunity for those in tune with Him. Please stay in prayer –
and be encouraged, my friends.

Do not allow “fear” to rule your heart. Be listening to the Spirit of
God and many spiritual victories will be won in this time. But it is
important to know what kind of period we are entering into, so we
can truly prepare our hearts. “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

-Please comment on this topic at the website below-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

EXTREMES of "LEADERSHIP"

EXTREMES of "LEADERSHIP"
-by Andrew Strom.

I have been having a discussion with some friends on extreme
types of "Leadership" in the church. It would be great to hear others'
opinions on this.

I wish we could find a better "balance", but today it often seems
that the choice is limited to either the "One man band" style of
leader who rules the church like a mini-"fiefdom" - or in the more
"post-church" type settings the "facilitator"-type leader who is
anxious not to be seen to really 'lead' at all ("group hug", anyone?)

Neither of these types are the answer, in my view. But I have seen
a lot of both over the years. The first "chieftan" style is so controlling
and likes the sound of his own voice so much that he hardly lets
anyone else minister to the people. The second type is so apologetic
about "leading" that he would rather not preach and wants everyone
to have "equal time". He thinks that the early church was "all body"
and 'no strong leaders' at all. In this he is quite mistaken.

I have spent quite a bit of time in the last 25 years around "House
church" and 'Out-of-church' type Christians. A lot of them have
rejected the "One man band" style of leadership completely. (I
cannot fault this). But then they have gone right over to the
other extreme. There is to be no real leadership or preaching,
no authority, no "Joshuas" or Peters or Pauls exhorting the Body
to "go forward and take the land". And there is certainly to be no
"eldership" to come 'under'. (Perish the thought!)

Many of these people will "say" that they believe in leaders and
the "5-fold" ministries, but in every way by their actions and
attitudes they show that they basically want *none*.

The opening sentence of John's gospel tells us that "In the beginning
was the WORD". That is how important the "spoken word" is to
God. He uses it to "found" everything. And we need to take note
that the very first description of the early church starts with this
phrase- "And they gave themselves to the APOSTLES' TEACHING"
(Acts 2:42). In other words, the very first thing that the early
Christians did was to devote themselves to the "anointed word"
coming out of the apostles' mouths. That 'word' was life-transforming
and essential. But many today no longer want preachers. It is seen
as an "outmoded" form. Tomorrow's church, they say, will be "all
body" and no leaders. (Because its too "old-school," they say).

I beg to differ. I say that without such preachers or leaders there
will be no Revival, no Reformation, no new move of God, and no
"New Testament" church. As we can clearly see from Scripture,
true New Testament Christianity is simply LOADED with preaching
and LOADED with leadership. And if we cannot see how important
these things are, then we will never get back there. We need to
start valuing the "anointed word" just like they did. But where
do we find it today? -That is the biggest problem.

This is not to say that it will be back to the "One man band". For
true "apostolic" preaching raises up the whole Body to be who they
are meant to be in Christ. That is what real anointed preaching
does. It cleans people out and helps raise them up into their calling.
Especially if the leaders have learnt to be truly "Body-enabling" in
a very active, practical way. In this sense, I totally believe in the
"Facilitating" model of leadership as well. Only then can all the
gifts and functions of the Holy Spirit flourish and be raised up
into their fulness. -"Every joint supplying". -Full "body" ministry.

Sadly it is so rare to find this combination - this "balance" of both
types of leader. I am convinced that this is what is needed in any
future move of God. Not one extreme or the other, but leaders who
are both "word"-oriented and "Body-enabling". -Totally essential.

I would love to hear your comments on this topic of "leadership",
my friends. Please post your thoughts at the website below-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

God Bless you all!

Andrew Strom.

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

Untitled

Run the Race with Patience

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Hebrews 12:1 KJV (emphasis added)

            This passage has been on my heart for the past week or so.  I know many of you can relate when God is trying to teach you something and it sits on your heart for a good bit of time, Hopefully until the lesson is learned and then beyond that of course.  I would venture a guess that most of us have heard the above passage many times.  We all probably know it by heart, or think we do.  I thought I did until the Lord began to open my eyes to a couple of things in it.  I’d like to share some of the things that stood out and hopefully you can be blessed as I was and am. 

            The first thing I’d like to point out is the mention of a ‘race’.  The writer of Hebrews clearly states that there is a race.  Repentance at the cross of Jesus gives us our running shoes.  When we first come to Jesus we are given what we need to begin the race. 

            As believers who desire relationship with Father we are expected to run the race.  Of course we have the right to say no and sadly there are many who do.  The idea of a race can be overwhelming for some and they become content to just ‘putter’ around the starting line and never set out.  It’s not hard to understand that attitude when you think about it.  Races are not easy.  They make us sweaty, smelly and filthy.  They can cause pain and injury.  They can be exhausting.  But there is a price to pay as spiritual life for these people becomes stagnant and dead as the road to growth and maturity is never begun. 

           The next thing that stood out is the lack of competition in the race.  There’s no platform at the end for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place to stand on.  As long as we finish the race we win.  The impact of this is that is should remove all competition.  We are not in competition with each other but yet everywhere believers are stepping on each other, betraying each other and jockeying for the best position possible. 

          Christians not only do this to other believers but really to anyone standing in their way.  This isn’t just in the “world” it’s in the churches.  There is a huge price to pay for this attitude and lifestyle because when we reach the “goal”, as we think it is, we are met my God telling us we have to go back to the beginning and He erases everything we thought we were doing for Him by stepping all over others.

          The last thing I’d like to mention is running the race with……perseverance right?  Actually the word is “patience”.  We are to run the race with “patience.”  Perseverance is not part of the definition of the Greek word used here.  I believe we have misunderstood what the writer was trying to say here.  To use perseverance instead of patience here shifts the understanding dramatically.  I’m not saying that we don’t need perseverance in this race because we most certainly do.  I’m just saying I think a different point was trying to be made here.  Earlier in the verse the writer addresses the “perseverance” point when he writes “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us”.  It’s also no mystery that we will encounter trials and tribulations on our journey.  That point has been made many times in the bible (John 16:33, James 1:12, Romans 12:12, 1^st Cor 10:13, Rom 5:3 and many more) and we are encouraged to persevere through them. 

          But how do we run a race with patience?  What if we entered a race but nobody told us where to go?  What if nobody gave us directions?  We can’t have a race without some sort of finish line.  What would happen if we started the race without knowing where we were supposed to go?  Or maybe we start the race because we got directions from someone other than the one who laid the race out.  Well, we would run in the direction we think is right or we would follow the directions we got from someone else.  In both cases we would wind up lost, tired and very frustrated. 

         Are there people who run ahead without direction?  Absolutely.  It happens all of the time to people who have allowed their zeal to drown out their patience.  Zeal is a great thing unless it’s making us deaf to direction. 

So we have two commands here; Run the race but wait patiently for direction before we start.  It’s impossible to accidently stumble upon the finish line God sets for each leg of our journey.  We must wait for Him to direct us and we must get our feet out of the mud and set out.  Not running the race at all will get us just as lost, tired and frustrated as those of us who start running without waiting for direction. 

         The interesting thing is that this “running and waiting” thing plays out many times in our journey because the race is made up of many ‘legs’ and God only gives us enough direction to complete one ‘leg’ at a time.  We must be continually making the choice to run, with the patience to wait for direction.  Remember also that the only way to grow in patience is to wait longer than we think we can or should.  We need to allow God to destroy our beliefs of how much patience is enough patience.   

         We should understand that sometimes running the race means just being still.  God can really mature our hearts when we resist the urge to fill our lives with activities just because we have nothing else going on.  Sometimes God wants to teach us patience by taking us into seasons of inactivity and rest.  Blessings,

Jesse Birkey         

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

Not Judgmental, But Prayer-mental

Not Judgmental, But Prayer-mental

 
Mercy, Not Wrath by Frangipane

The church is created not to fulfill God's wrath, but to complete His mercy. Remember, we are called to be a "house of prayer for all…nations." Consider passionately this phrase: "prayer for." Jesus taught His disciples to "pray for" those who would persecute or mistreat them (Matt.5 44). When Job "prayed for" his friends, God fully restored him (Job 42:10). We are to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Ps. 122:6), and "pray for" each other so that we may be healed (James 5:16).
According to the Word of God, the Lord "desires all men to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4). Therefore, Paul urged "that entreaties and prayers…be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority" (vv. 1-2). You see, the call is to pray for people.
"But," you argue, "my country (or city) is a modern manifestation of ancient Babylon."
I don't think so. But even if it were, when the Lord exiled Israel to Babylon, He didn't order His people to judge and condemn their new cities. Rather, He said, "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you…and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare" (Jer. 29:7).
Time after time, the scriptural command is to pray for, not against; to pray mercifully, not vindictively. God's call is for prayer moved by compassion, not condemnation. Indeed, at its very essence, the nature of intercession is to appeal to God for forgiveness and redemption to come to sinful people.
We have studied what is wrong with our society and can prove, with charts and surveys, the trends of sin, yet we have failed to appreciate the influence of the intercessions of Christ. We consider ourselves experts on the nature and cause of sin, but deny the nature and cause of Christ, which is redemption. Friends, being informed by the news media is in no way the same thing as being transformed into the nature of the Savior.
The media sees what is wrong with the world and exposes it; Christ saw what was wrong and died for it. If one could gaze into the image being created within the heart of the church, one would find that it would be more the cynical attitude of the news media than the redemptive attitude of our Shepherd. Righteousness must ascend higher than ascribing to the moral views of our political party; we are called to the standards of God.

Study Isaiah 53. It reveals in wondrous detail the Savior's nature: Christ numbered Himself with the sinners (v. 12). He interceded for the transgressors (v. 12). He is "with us" (Matt. 1:23) and "for us" (Rom. 8:31), even when He is speaking to us of our iniquity.
But the world sees a church with rocks in its hands, looking for adulterers and sinners. We have become the "church of the angry Christians." In the drama that is unfolding in the world today, we have not usually been playing the role of Christ, but more often the part of the Pharisees. Let us drop the rocks from our hands, then lift our hands, without wrath, in prayer to God (1 Tim. 2:8).
"Prayer-Mental," Not Judgmental
God does not want us to be judgmental; He wants us prayer-mental. As instinctively as we have judged people, we should pray for them instead. Today, countless Christians are angry with their elected officials. We say our anger is "righteous indignation." I too feel this troubling that people elected to serve have so misused our national treasure, bringing our nation to near ruin. Yet, if my goal is to be like Christ, I must remember: Jesus expressed "righteous indignation" for, perhaps, a total of one hour during His recorded ministry. Once was for the hardness of people's hearts (Mark 3:5), another was for the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes (Matt. 23:13-36), and other times were at the temple when the Father's house was used for something other than redemptive prayer (Mark 11:17). So, yes, Jesus was angry, but His anger was always replaced with love and intercession for God's people.
How long has your anger lasted? Are you sure your love has not grown cold? Are you sure you are not seeking to justify a root of bitterness and call it righteous indignation?
"Well," some argue, "our government officials have sinned." When Paul called for prayer for kings in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Nero was emperor of Rome. Nero was one of the most corrupt men who ever lived. He did not have an illicit relationship or two; he had public orgies. He skinned Christians alive. There were occasions when he illuminated his night banquets with living torches, Christians, who were tarred and then set ablaze on poles. Nero and his guests dined surrounded by Christians dying for their faith. Yet Paul wrote that we should pray "for kings and all who are in authority" (v. 2). Nero was king when Paul wrote this command.
Some may misread my words, assuming that I think there is nothing wrong in government or society. Yes, there are many things wrong in our world, and God will certainly call us, at various times, to confront the sins that plague our lands. However, my concern is not as much with the White House as with the Lord's house! If we are not praying for our elected officials, the least we can do is to stop cursing them!
The Father's house is to be a house of prayer for kings and all in authority. We can adamantly disagree with the political views that a leader has, but we must also adamantly cry to God on their behalf and serve as intercessors, even for our cultural enemies.
I can understand the reason for anger toward elected officials, especially if we consider that they are not doing their jobs. But if all we do is judge them, we are not doing our jobs. It is not the Holy Spirit within us that calls for God to judge sinners; it is our frustration with people and the delay in the restoration of righteousness. My friend, beware; for when you pray for judgment to come, remember that it begins "with the household of God" (1 Pet. 4:17). To pray for God to judge a nation or city for its sins actually initiates judgment from God on the church for its sins! And the Almighty will start with those who are quickest to judge others!
When I pray for the political leaders guiding the United States, I ask the Lord to protect them from the influence of ungodly counselors. Where they have failed, I appeal to God to forgive them and to show mercy in regard to the relaxed moral standards of our land and especially concerning abortion, which breaks the Lord's heart. For those who are clearly corrupt, since we are a democracy, I pray that God would replace the evil leaders with righteous leaders.
The Lord desires for us to "stand in the gap" (Ezek. 22:30), positioning ourselves between the failings of man and the sufficiency and forgiveness of God. Then, He calls us to persevere in this intercession until, in one form or another, righteous change occurs in our society.
For all who are embittered with their nation's leaders, remember: each of us must give an account for our sins at the "judgment seat of Christ" (2 Cor. 5:10). Let us consider with holy fear the warning of God: "Judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.reflectministry.com
jbirkey@reflectministry.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

Intense breakdown of Galatians 5 and Rev. 21

 Intense breakdown of Galatians 5 and Rev. 21

 

 

What follows is a breakdown of the fruit of the flesh and what Jesus mentions in Rev. 21.  Paul clearly states in this passage that those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God and Jesus says the same in Rev.  The greek word "do" here means "practice, habitual, repeated".  We are not talking about a single or couple of  occurrences disqualifying you from the Kingdom.  What we are talking about here is habitual or repeated manifestations of any of these "fruits of the flesh" (addictions) which indicates a heart in need of repentance and purification!  This is not a message of condemnation it's a message of Love and restoration!  I have defined these from Strong's Concordance.  I encourage you ask the Holy Spirit to show you any of these that could be dealt with.  Jesus is coming back for a spotless Bride! 
 

Galations 5:19-21

Adultery-  Lust or sexual activity with someone else while married (Matt 5:28 lust in heart is adultery)

Fornication-  From por-ni'-ah, lust, to be a harlot/prostitute, lust/sex w/o marriage.

Uncleanness-  homosexuality, masturbation…….morally lewd

Lasciviousness-  Obscene or indecent sexual behavior or desire

**Based on these first four I would challenge anyone who would say that lust is acceptable in marriage and that anything goes in the marriage bed**

Idolatry-  Anything held in a higher priority than God

Witchcraft-  Medicine, sorcery, magic

Hatred- bitterness, unforgiveness

Variance-  A quarreling heart, contention, debate and strife

Emulations-  envy and jealousy

Wrath-  passion, Impression of loosing control in anger, bitterness and unforgiveness (crime of passion)

Strife-  Contentious heart, to provoke

Seditions-  Cause dissention or division

Heresies-  Err, deception that can lead to a faction or sect 

Envying-  Ill will or spite

Murders-  to kill, premeditated from deep bitterness and unforgiveness

Drunkenness-  intoxication, not just alcohol

Revellings-  to just let loose with no moral consideration (south beach example)

-and such the like- things similar in appearance or character

Rev 21:8

Fearful-  timid, dread implication is faithless

Unbelieving-  without Christian faith, passivity, it is an active form, actively unbelieving

Liars-  ANY untruth, deceit

 

These are the strongmen!  Now we know their names so we can repent of them specifically, bind them specifically and cast them out specifically.  Blessings, 

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.marriagewhatsthepoint.com
reflectministry@yahoo.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

Posted via email from jessebirkey's posterous

Having a form of godliness but denying its power!

Having a form of godliness but denying its power!

  
2 Tim. 3:5, "Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away." Verse 7 continues, "Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Through the years there has been a progression of growth and knowledge in the church. We have seen the huge buildings built. We have seen where the music has changed (becoming more sophisticated) and we have seen the numbers increase exponentially over the last 50 years.
The Scripture above I believe has a dual meaning. There are those within the confines of religion that are on the fringes of truth. They deny that God is able to do what His Word says, therefore, negating the possibility of seeing the signs and wonders and miracles that we are told would follow us as believers.
But I believe that V. 5 has another more profound meaning. Although we have accepted the message of the gospel, and accepted Jesus (as friend, but not as life-changer). For many, they have felt the conviction, but yet there was no real change.
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if anyone will open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with Me." Jesus has knocked at the door of hearts untold millions of times, but many have denied Him access, even though they may have said a certain prayer, or gone through a certain method (and were told they were "saved").
But in this process, what 2 Tim. 3:5 is saying is that they are denying the power of Christ to come into their hearts and transform them. If we deny the power into our lives to change our lives, then how can we expect that power to flow through us to touch other lives? So many, it seems, have given the enemy access to their lives, but yet have denied the Lord full access to their hearts.
For many, they confess the Lord and believe to some extent in their minds, but their hearts are far from Him. Seeing the progression of mega churches, orchestras on the church stage, Hollywood lights, and stage performances impresses many people, but is it really accomplishing what the gospel tells us to do? Are people drawn to a "show," or are they drawn to the power of God?
Oftentimes, we see many converts, but few disciples. Jesus said, "Make disciples." A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and allows His power to change him or her, and then to flow out to others to change them.
If we have so much of the things of the world influencing us in our walk in life, then it’s obvious there is a mixture. We cannot serve two masters. It is impossible to have "the best of both worlds." This world is enmity with God. We will love the one and hate the other, and if we end up loving the world more than God, the result will be confusion, double-mindedness, and failure. This state of being produces no fruit for the kingdom, because God does not honor doublemindedness, and confusion is not of Him.
Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle at a time that we least expect. When our time is up here on earth and we are called into eternity (whether that be in death, or in the catching up with Jesus in the air) we must be ready. If Jesus were to ask you today, "Are you ready?" what would you tell Him?
By Vito Rallo

Author of Shocking Secrets Behind Martial Arts & Yoga – Now being released through Sovereign World Ltd (UK) under a new cover & title, Exposing the Dangers Behind Martial Arts & Yoga: A Christian’s Guide to the harmful effects of these spiritually rooted practices. ISBN # 978-1-85240-581-6 ($15.99)
(Available now on Amazon Kindle and iTunes (Apple iBook store.)

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.marriagewhatsthepoint.com
reflectministry@yahoo.com
813-405-7952

"God does not expose our needs in theory, but in relationship with others."

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Exposing The Dangers Behind Martial Arts and Yoga

    Exposing the Dangers Behind Martial Arts & Yoga
 
A Christian’s guide to the harmful effects of these spiritually rooted practices
By Dr Vito Rallo
Former Five-time National USA
Karate Champion

 

DESCRIPTION

 

Follow former five-time USA National Karate Champion, Dr Vito Rallo, on a journey into the secret world of the martial arts.

Trained by the best Japanese instructors dispatched to America in the mid 60’s, Vito rose to become the best-of-the-best in his field. He ran his own dojos; he was a university instructor; he mentored teachers and professional athletes, coached corporate business executives, and trained law enforcement agencies.

With thirty years experience as an instructor and competitor Vito pulls back the covers and unveils the dangerous spiritual realm beneath the surface of the martial arts and yoga. He answers these and many other questions in this exposé:

Do you know the true origins of the martial arts?•

Are you aware of the connection between yoga and the martial • arts, and what mysteries and secrets are entangled in their roots?

Are the forces that empower these Eastern arts simply physical • powers, or could they be something more diabolical?

Have you noticed how these arts are being re-packaged and • promoted in the West?

Are martial arts & Christianity compatible?•

CONTENTS

The book also includes Vito’s own fascinating story of how he entered into the highest ranks of martial arts and how he came out of it.

Advice is provided on how to receive ministry for those who have been involved in these practices and there are set prayers for those wanting to take individual action.

AVAILABLE JUNE 2011
ISBN 978-1-85240-581-6
UK RRP $15.99
Format 6x9" PB
Extent 192pp
Category: Christian Life / counselling / teaching
Rights: Exclusive Worldwide in all languages
These details, including the cover, are subject to change and Sovereign World reserves the right to amend them.
CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 1 – ORIGIN AND HISTORY
CHAPTER 2 – EVOLUTION – THE YOGA CONNECTION
CHAPTER 3 – HOLLYWOOD OPENS THE FLOODGATES
CHAPTER 4 – WEIRD, WACKY AND DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS
CHAPTER 5 – KIDS IN KARATE
CHAPTER 6 – SECRETS BEHIND MARTIAL ARTS & YOGA REVEALEDCHAPTER 7 – OUT OF DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT – MY NEW IDENTITY
CHAPTER 8 – ARE MARTIAL ARTS & CHRISTIANITY COMPATIBLE?
SUGGESTED PRAYER TO RENOUNCE THE MARTIAL ARTS
SUGGESTED PRAYER TO RENOUNCE YOGA AND
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION

 

REVIEW

Christians, I urge you to allow Vito Rallo’s book to open your eyes, and then do everything you can to spread his wake-up message wherever you can. We must pull the wool off of our eyes and our friends’, and learn to steer clear of the traps of yoga and martial arts, and the idolatry and defilement into which they lead.

John Loren Sandford

Founder, Elijah House Ministries, Inc.

Sovereign World products are distributed in the USA by

Bridge Logos Foundation: Phone: 800-631-5802 / Email: info@bridgelogos.com

   

Jesse and Kara Birkey
Reflect Ministry
www.marriagewhatsthepoint.com
reflectministry@yahoo.com
813-405-7952

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REAL DISCIPLES OR NOT??

REAL DISCIPLES OR NOT?? - The Big Question
> -by LibertyWorld.
>
> "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring
> repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without
> confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace
> is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace
> without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
> Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it
> a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great
> price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the
> kindly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye
> which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which
> the disciple leaves his nets and follows him."
> -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.
>
> (Hitler had Bonhoeffer shot because he chose to bow to Christ
> rather than to the Gestapo.)
>
> Matthew 28:19 reads "Go therefore and make disciples of all
> nations..." R.S.V., and most versions. The Greek reads, "To
> become a pupil." "Enroll as a scholar."Christ did not say to make
> "converts," but rather to "make disciples." "Followers." In verse 20
> He says, "Teaching them to 'observe' all things whatsoever I have
> commanded you..." Again the Greek reads to "hold fast." How
> very imperative it is to hold fast the teachings of the Lord Jesus
> Christ!
>
> The 'gospel' of our Lord Jesus Christ is not the gospel that is being
> preached in most pulpits today! Today's gospel is "another gospel,"
> it is not the gospel of the Scriptures! Generally speaking, the church
> that provides the best and the most entertainment is the church
> that garners the greatest number of attendants.
>
> Much of today's gospel is a false gospel, built on false premises,
> built on false teaching! Should any sincere Christian question this
> statement, let this individual read Matthew chapter 7:13-28 and
> verse 29 which says that those who heard Christ's teachings were
> astonished. Can you imagine the astonishment of people today
> also, if His message were being preached and taught in our pulpits!
>
> And they of the church
> And they of the world;
> Walk hand and heart,
> And only God who knoweth all
> Can tell the two apart.
>
> Hear what Dr. A. W. Tozer has to say on this matter, "Any
> objections to the carrying on of our present golden-calf Christianity
> is met with the triumphant reply, 'But we are winning them.' And
> winning them to what? To true discipleship? To cross carrying? To
> self-denial? To separation from the world? To crucifixion of the
> flesh? To holy living? To nobility of character? To hard self-
> discipline? To love for God? To total commitment to Christ? Of
> course the answer to all these questions is 'No'." John Fletcher
> said, "More is said from our pulpits in favor of sin than against it."
>
> "No longer is the thundering message of the prophet of God
> heralded from the sacred pulpit, warning against the wrath of a
> holy and just God against sin" - Wesley Duewel.

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A CALL TO THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES BELIEVERS!!

A VISION FOR THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES BELIEVERS!!

   VISION - ESCAPING the SPIRIT of THE AGE
> -by Gary/Dagazz.
>
> Vision of the Present and Coming Western Church - 06-05-11:
>
> I saw the people of God scattered in dark foreboding waters. They
> were broadly scattered and mostly trapped into an apathy of the
> status quo. As I looked I could see that many were comfortable
> being scattered and overcome by the spirit of the age, but I sensed
> a storm was about to shake many out of their apathy and awaken
> them to repentance and revival.
>
> As the sea began to roar in the coming storm I was able to see
> that many individuals were alone, discouraged and struggling as
> the waves and wind began to beat upon them. Some began to
> realize the bondage and danger they were in and call out to God,
> seeking a way of escape, many had begun to seek out others in
> the tossing waves and together they had managed to keep their
> heads above the swelling storm and encourage each other to
> hope and trust in Christ.
>
> I was fascinated and moved with empathy and compassion as I
> saw my brothers and sisters struggle and endure; what I saw
> happen next amazed me. Those who began to seek a way out of
> this ocean of bondage were lifting their heads, seeking their Lord,
> seeing a glimmer of the revelation of His kingdom, power and glory
> and beginning to move towards the brightening land that was visible
> on the horizon of the dawning day. Those that did this were for a
> time fighting for their lives as the waves tried to push them down,
> crashed over their heads as the wind stung their faces and sought
> to blind them to the hopeful vision they were beginning to see.
> Those who didn’t struggle had no such drama and were carried
> along by the storm, spared the battle that these others were
> going through. Some struggled for a time, became discouraged
> that things seemed to get worse and lay back, defeated in the dark waters.
>
> As I watched those that refused to quit, it was as if these
> persevering, praying, struggling saints suddenly became vessels,
> like small fishing skiffs, or mullet boats as we call them. The wind
> and waves tried to sink these vessels but as they got their bearings
> and began to steer the course towards the growing glory, the bows
> of the boats rose above the waves and the wind filled the sails and
> sped them towards their destination. Because they had persevered
> and not been thrown off course these people began to rejoice in
> the stability and freedom they were experiencing now they had
> escaped the clutches of the raging sea.
>
> I was excited as I saw that this was God’s church that was being
> raised up, those in the vessels were of one heart and mind,
> focused on the Lord, His kingdom and glory and filled with hope
> and joy. Some of these vessels would rescue others as they sailed
> along and had soon grown into a great multitude. As I saw what I
> believe the Spirit told me was the end time church, I was impressed
> that they were what could best be described as a powerhouse of
> encouragement, unity of purpose, prayer, proclamation and exhortation.
>
> I saw one of these vessels cutting through huge waves that were
> seeking to drown a group caught in the storm. A cry of intercession
> came forth from the body of believers in the ship that had a power
> like holy violence, it was as though the darkness was in an instant
> driven back and the roaring waves scattered. The sacrifice of these
> vessels, in seeking to save those lost in the worst of the storm
> meant they had to turn aside from their straight path and the comfort
> of rising above the waves, and again be for a time be beaten and
> tossed by the storm, but love enabled them to endure this for the
> joy of seeing captives set free. I was weeping as I saw this great
> love and sacrifice for the sake of others being expressed by the church.
>
> I then made two errors in comprehending what I was seeing, both
> ideas were met with the rebuke of the Lord as they rose from my
> heart. The first was that this church seemed to be free from leaders
> as we know them in the church today and just seemed to be made
> up of ordinary everyday people doing extraordinary things. I was
> asked a question. “Have I not set in my church leaders, teachers,
> prophets, evangelists and shepherds; for what purpose are they
> given to the church?” I instantly knew my heart was wrong, this
> end time church was not against leadership, but was in fact the
> product of ministry gifts that are focused on maturing and mobilizing
> the saints to be God’s people. There were prophets in the Spirit of
> Elijah, convicting, challenging and proclaiming holiness. As I looked
> closer I saw such people uniting families, diverse cultures and age
> groups on the vessels they served on. I also saw teachers,
> evangelists and other gifted leaders, all were giving glory to God
> and proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their head, their
> vision and their treasure. None were elevating themselves above
> the people, they were lifting up Christ and enabling people to truly
> know and walk with God for themselves. One crucial characteristic
> of these groups was that they were all extremely sensitive to, and
> empowered by the wind of the Spirit, and were no longer fearful of
> the storm or its power.
>
> The other error I made was in determining in my heart to devote
> myself to becoming part of the glorious church that I had just seen.
> I was shocked that such a goal was subject to correction as I saw
> it as a noble and valuable pursuit. I was encouraged to, “Seek first
> the Lord and His righteousness,” and warned of the danger of
> settling for any experience, movement or ministry along my journey
> that would cause me to camp at a certain place of progress and
> lead me to not continue in the upward call of God in Christ. I knew
> that my carnal, religious heart could easily settle for less than the
> fullness that God desires to bring to His church.
>
> One tragic part of the vision was that in the dark stormy sea I could
> see large crowds of people gathering together but seeming to be
> at ease in this environment. As I looked closer I saw that these
> groups of people were gathering around gifted and charismatic
> people who held these storm tossed but united believers together
> with their words, slick presentations and dynamic personalities. I
> thought that they also would acknowledge that they were trapped
> in worldly, satanic or other enslavements in this storm and find
> freedom as others around them had begun to. As I considered this
> I saw that during this time these groups would also gather new-
> comers who were drawn to the big crowds and the bold encouraging
> words that the leaders spoke. I heard many of the people trapped
> in these groups encouraging each other that their church was
> growing and that this was a sign of God’s blessing upon them.
> They were also questioning the authority of these other believers
> sailing past them to freedom, feeling they were not in proper
> submission to church leadership. They were sadly comforted in
> their blindness.
>
> Some leaders did realize the deception they were living under and
> turned from being the centre of these groups and began to humble
> themselves and lift up and turn the eyes of their followers to Christ.
> Soon many of these groups were becoming like the others that I
> had seen, escaping the storms, being mobilized in their true gifts
> and callings and finding liberty and victory in their lives, with Christ
> as their head.
>
> I pray this will encourage everyone in the storms they are facing
> or about to face.
>
> -Please comment on this at the website below-
>
> http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

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WOW

WOW

  http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DWW77WNX

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Warning for believers!

This is a forward I recieved.  This is for your information!

   

 

Dear Christian Family,

I am writing to warn you of occult images that could exist on your clothing and jewelry that you may be un-aware of and can innocently be bought and worn.

My wife was having a conversation with one of the members of our church about a sandal with the brand name "Teva" that had an occult symbol on it and Jill remembered that she purchased a pair of sandals with the same brand name "Teva," in a garage sale. They look extremely comfortable. So Jill went to the closet and brought it out and they looked it over and found on the back strap a very tiny "Hasma," (an image of a hand with a swirl in the palm of it). Below is an image and an explanation of a "Hamsa." This symbol clearly represents an amulet for it is used to ward off evil and for protection. It may have a swirl, eye or heart designs in the middle of the palm of the hand. When people look to any other source other than God our creator, for protection, healing or guidance, they are going to other gods. This is spiritual adultery. It makes God jealous

( Ex 20:3-5) ³ “You shall have no other gods before Me. ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ⁶ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

When we willfully bring images of other gods into our home which are ban (cursed), we fall under the same ban (curse)

This is written in Deut. 7:25-26. You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. ²⁶ Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.

 

A "Hamsa" represents an ancient Middle Eastern Goddess who's hand wards off evil. Guess what we are going to put in the fire pit and burn at next Sunday service. Go through you house and see if there is anything that needs to be burned and if you can, come and joins us in a "burn it up" party after church next Sunday. Bring your own idols and stuff to burn. 1300 Weymouth Dr. Deland, Fl. 32720 10:30 AM.

Blessings, Frank Marzullo, Jr

PS Click on Healing Touch Earrings below in Blue. A Reiki healer uses this symbol to channel energy into the jewelry she makes and sells.

Subject: Hand Swirl

Hamsa / Healing Hand / Hand of Fatima / Kabbalistic Hand / Khamsa
Hamsa is an ancient symbol of protection used by many cultures. It is called the Hand of Fatima by Muslims, the hamsa hand in Arabic and hamesh hand in Hebrew. There is also strong evidence that this symbol predates Judaism and Islam and refers to an ancient Middle Eastern Goddess whose hand wards off the Evil Eye. There is usually an image in the center of the hand: eye, spiral and heart designs are common. The Hamsa’s protective energy is said to attract good luck, happiness, riches and good health. As a Reiki healer this symbol is very dear to me, a representation of Universal Healing Energy being channeled through the hands. A healing hand with a center spiral dangles from each of the Healing Touch Earrings

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