A Kingdom Prayer

1 Tim 2:1-72:1

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. NIV

Artwork: The Power of Prayer by Danny Hahlbohm

http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?startat=/getthumb.asp&CID=3E866987C2B549D598395A1B80395161&PPID=1&sortby=&c=c&page=1&Search=61337

Thank God For Your Faith In King Jesus

Eph 1:15-18
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, 16 I have never stopped thanking God for you.
I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called.

I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. NLT

Becoming Mature Disciples of the King

When God's Spirit River moves among us it is not in a vacuum. He understands who we are and how we will respond to His work in and through us. Once we are transferred our of the darkness and into the Kingdom of His Son (Jesus) the Messiah Col 1:13-14 we should eagerly seek to grow in our relationship with God and discover what it is to be in Christ and in His Kingdom.

It is because we do not do this nor do we who are mature and in leadership provide a solid path of discipleship for believers that many believers do not benefit from the fresh outpouring of God's Glory, Power and Mercy. They end up constantly partaking of the river of life, but never growing into mature, passionate disciples of Jesus.

We must focus on three areas that get us to the next level in His kingdom design for us.

1. Understanding the depth and width of the salvation Jesus our Messiah has purchased for us. Jesus the Christ is the key to the success of any fresh move of God.
2. Comprehending who we are becoming in Christ is also necessary if we are to fulfill Ephesians 4:13. Becoming mature unto the measure and stature of Christ.
3. Perceiving the King's leading is necessary if we are to get all we should be getting during a fresh move of the Kings River of life. There is a need to descern what is of God and what are the results of a man's or woman's will.

How do the following three pieces from Ephesians 4:11-13 work together to bring Christians into Maturity?
1. Preparing God's people for the works of service
2. Building up the people who are in the Body of Christ
3. Equipping to maturity believers through discipleship training, impartation and ministry opportunities.

Note:
1. Our first objective is to know what has done for us and who we are in Christ.
2. The final goal is to become who we are to be in Christ as mature believers and leaders.
If we are to accomplish these goals and objectives there are certain principle teachings we must grasp and put into action in our daily lives.

I. Motivational gifts. Romans 12:6-8
These steer us or move us in a certain direction as a rudder does a boat. The Human Body can signify the differing motivational or ministry giftings: These can be broken down into two parts: above the heart and below the heart
1. Administration Shoulders
2. Mouth Teacher
3. Eyes Perceiver/prophet
4. Exhorter Mouth
5. Heart Compassion
6. Hands Giver
7. Hand and Feet Server

II. Life Context the soil of our lives - we are molded by these exterior factors: Our personality is molded and shaped by these factors. This is then defined as our filtering system. It is made up of our Family Uniqueness, our Culture our Physical characteristics, our Education and our Socio-Economic context. We must also add to this the experiences of life as we move through it as a unique receptor and responder.

III. Manifestational Gifts I Corinthians 12-14 (after we are saved)
1. Made manifest through us by the Spirit and as the Spirit desires. These gifts are the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer after they baptized in the Holy Spirit. This was a regular and expected experience for all New Testament believers after Pentecost. I Corinthians 12:1-28
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus
is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except 1aby the Holy
Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for
the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the
Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing 1by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another
various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one andthe same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings,helps, administrations,various kinds of tongues.
New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update.
LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995, S.

IV. The Key Elements needed for the Believer's growth.
A. Teaching or Doctrine: continually growing in our knowledge of Him and His Word.
B. Spiritual Disciplines: prayer, Bible reading and study, worship, fasting, memorizing scripture, journaling, giving, service to others and living as a witness of the Kings Mercy and power.
C. Nurture: Pastoring nurturing and care of flock or people of God.
D. Fellowship with or Connectedness with a local group of believers.
E. Experience: allowing believers to exercise giftings and live the Spirit filled life.

The Church needs all of the 5 Fold Ministries to grow successfully and fulfill its mission. Although the titles may be different the functions are needed for us to fulfill Ephesians 4:11-13. A brief description of each follows:
Apostles A Sent One; they started churches, raised-up leaders and passed on core beliefs. Prophets/Perceiver Spoke to the people of God about things to come and unfolded the heart of God for the people they spoke to.
Evangelist Proclaimed Christ publically to people. Peter was evangelist on the Day of Pentecost Teachers taught, discipled and raises up the saints
Pastor leads the flock with nurture and teaching

Note:
There are two types of leaders.
a. Identified leaders lead by position
b. Unidentified leaders lead from midst of the people.

Note: We need to apply, the following process of gaining Spiritual Wisdom to any event, teaching, observation, revelation, vision or dream.
1. Revelation or Observation: The same process that works for revelation and observation is also used for dreams and visions. Seek God About the actuating event:
a. Pray for wisdom: Both to understand and apply the truth revealed.
b. Study the Word and research: Did this happen in or occur in another scripture
c. Meditate on: Process God's answer, think about it pray about it
d. Confirm: Speak to another mature Christian for conformation

2. Interpretation: Discover the meaning through the process of 1 through 4 above.
Wait on the Lord for His Wisdom and instructions for the delivery.

3. Application: The Impact that God desires.
In Due season=right timing, right weight. Our delivery must be Gods way! We must be wise when we sense the Holy Spirit at work that we are waiting on God's manifestation for specific details from God so that we don't filter everything through our own experiences. We must be careful how we execute what He reveals to us.

The Process for Maturing Saints, a summary.
(Growing from Salvation to Maturity)
1. Once we are born again we must discover the depth of Christ work in and for us.
2. Identification with Jesus or Understanding oneself in Christ.
3. Healing/Cleansing/Deliverance Process
4. Spiritual Disciplines of Christianity
5. Understanding our Life context.
6. Discover our Motivational Gifts.
7. Learn to operate in the Manifestational gifts.

The object is to build Christians into the Master's Image. We can understand, who we were created to be apart from sin and who we are to become in Christ included in three areas.
a. Spirit: Our New Nature in Christ is the resource of life to the Spirit, Soul and Body.
b. Soul: Mind, Emotions and Will,
c. Body: Flesh / physical. It is the working together of the Motivational gifts, our Life Context and the Maifestational Gifts along with the Working out of our New Nature as seen in the
first 3 chapters of Ephesians that make us who we are.

Artwork: Walking in the Light: http://www.majesticartworks.com/detail.aspx?ID=3961


This article is also posted at www.fathwriters.com

The River of the King and His Kingdom

When God Mixes His Kingdom Glory with Our Lives, Culture and Times.

When God's presence or the River of Life flows among people it does not do so in a vacuum, but flows into their time in history, culture and theological understandings. It also embraces their gifts, talents and personalities in the process of forming the new wineskin or organic unit in and from which the glory of God flows out to the people of their day. These wineskins seem to have varying life spans, but all seem to follow similar patterns in their life cycle.


This pattern is seen throughout Church history. It is similar to the pattern in the book of Judges. It all starts when believers begin to call out to God for more of Him. They repent and humble themselves, God moves on them and they rediscover God’s power and supernatural work, and they see a biblical truth or truths that have been neglected or ignored, these new discoveries become a part of their core values or doctrines. They begin to spread this new life or renewal of God’s power and truths and grow in numbers. The move of God among them needs defining and conceptualizing; there is also a need to organize as they continue forward with this fresh work of God. The people, who have been leading, organize things and form a recognized unit, terms are defined and doctrine established.

It is at this point where the trouble usually shows up. There is an attempt to camp out or build tents at the point of renewal or revival. This is similar to Peter wanting to build three tents on the Mount of transfiguration. The people begin to get fixated on the unique things that happened or truths discovered and the hardening of the wine skin begins. All future fresh working or teaching from God must fit the new grid or it becomes unacceptable. God is grieved and begins to wait for His people to start the process again. It might be a different group in a different place at the same point in History or among the same group. The other thing that occurs among those experiencing a fresh move of God is a tendency to retreat back to previously known ways and beliefs when the new move of God begins to fade and /or its teachings get to be a challenge to live with or walk out in daily life. Evaluating what is or is not of God along with teaching others the proper way to express and operate in these gifts or according to these teachings has been a major challenge to those who experience a renewed work of God among them. This is particularly true if there is supernatural manifestations of God’s Spirit among them as was true in the book of Acts and as have been recorded throughout church history. We have a tendency to either abuse or deny anything new. We either become fixated on it or flee it and those associated with it. This seems to be just as true for justification by faith as it is for divine healing. If you are familiar with molding clay, mixing concrete or even plaster you are aware that the mixture only has so long before it will set into some permanent form.

This is somewhat true of the mixing of God’s living water into the lives, times and culture of people. Once you set the form it seems hard for us to change. Wineskins are also limited in their durability. Although, it is true that with proper care they can last a long time it is also true that they have to be replaced from time to time. This knowledge requires of us that we care for the wineskin we are a part of so that it will accomplish all that God intends and last as long as He desires it to be useful.

Isa. 55:8-11 presents us with a truth that must be considered in our examination of God’s work among people. 8 "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

God knows what he sends His Spirit or River of life to accomplish and into the context which he sends it. He knows the strengths and weaknesses and the life span of His work among each time and people. This brings us to awareness that God is constantly pouring out His presence or river of life to accomplish His work among the different peoples and in the different cultures and times. Although culture and times change peoples need for the life of God does not.

The question then arises;

Can we change with the seasons and changes in culture to allow the River of Life to flow through us so that God’s purpose in the earth is accomplished on a continual basis? If we say yes, how will we do it?

With our different Wineskins we are faced with accomplishing the same task in order to fulfill the commands of Christ and to equip His people in accord with His truth to us in Ephesians 4:10-13. Ephesians 4:10-14 10 The One who descended is the same as the One who ascended far above all the heavens, (A) that He might fill [a] all things. (B) 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, (C) 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, (D) [growing] into a mature man with a stature (E) measured by Christ's fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, (F) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

Footnotes:
Ephesians 4:10 Or fulfill; see [Eph 1:23]
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.



Are you willing to let the River of the King flow and accomplish His plans?

The river of God our King working in us is awesome to be apart of and is not reserved for a select few, but is open to all who call on His name!

It must start in us and then flow out to others.

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and Kingdom Today P3

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and Kingdom Today.
Part Three

In this study we will look at another Biblical example of God’s supernatural interaction with people. This God encounter is a reminder for us that an encounter with God or an experience of the move of God among His people are not restricted to one time encounters at the beginning of our journey of faith. The prophet Isaiah was already called of God and had been faithfully serving Him.

What we see these elements during this encounter.
1. Isaiah’s heart was burdened for the people of God and he was in the Temple seeking God because the King who was God’s appointed leader of the people had died.

2. Isaiah was seeking God’s wisdom and direction for the nation or people of God.

3. During his visit to the Temple Isaiah had an encounter with God in which the throne room of heaven and the activity there was revealed to him.

4. Immediately Isaiah realizes that he has enter the throne room of God and his heart cries out, ‘woe is me’. This is not because he is not living a life that pleases God, but because he realizes that that he and the people of God are unclean when compared to God.

5. It is in response to his arrival and reaction that an angel brings a hot coal and places it on his lips symbolizing the cleansing of his heart and life in the presence of God. This sanctification is seen elsewhere in scripture as a requirement that preceded a significant encounter with God. Isaiah is told that his iniquity, guilt and sin are atoned for.

6. Once the cleansing has taken place Isaiah hears a conversation among the Father, Son and Holy Spirit asking whom they shall send with a strong message of rebuke and correction to God’s people.

7. It is in this place of awe that Isaiah’s willingness to do the tuff stuff for God is revealed, as he says, “Here am I send me.”

Isaiah in the Temple
(Fresh fire, Fresh revelation, Fresh humility and holiness, Fresh call, Fresh vision)
Isa 6:1-8
6:1 IN THE year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. [John 12:41.] 6:2 Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew.
6:3 And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!
6:4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! 6 Then flew one of the seraphim [heavenly beings] to me, having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with tongs from off the altar;
6:7 And with it he touched my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity and guilt are taken away, and your sin is completely atoned for and forgiven.
6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. AMP

Other Places where the Glory of the King is revealed in some way.
Ex 33:21-34:1;
Job 38-41;
Rev 1-4.

Isaiah’s Encounter
Please note the following points.
1. The Circumstances
2. The Setting
3. The Reaction of man
4. The Response of God
5. The Call or Opportunity of God
6. The Opportunity and Response of man

Questions to consider
1. Are you responding to your circustances by seeking God for His answers?
2. When you encounter Him will you respond with Isaiah's attitude?
3. If He calls you to a new asignment will you say yes?

Artwork: http://www.templemount.org/solomon.html

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and His Kingdom P2

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and His Kingdom
Part Two

The Pillar of Fire

God's Provision, Protection and Leading (preparation and readiness) ready to wait and ready to go. Ex 13:19-22; Neh 9:11-12; Neh 9:19-21; Ex 16:10

A First Look
When we look into this example of God's Supernatural intervention into the events of human history we are tempted to only see these obvious or stated truths.

1. The people were to make themselves clean before they left Egypt.

2. They had to be ready to go at all times.

3. The people were protected and comforted by the power of God made real by the Pillar’s majesty and by the visible demonstration of God presence of with them.

4. The people were organized by tribes but it was the priest-levities who watched for any changes in the status of the pillar and blew the Shofar to announce that God was on the move or that He was stopping.

There are facts that might escape us.

1. Moving approximately 3.5 million people took time and patience. Once the first tribe arrived at the new destination it would be a while before the last of the last tribe arrived. This is true of any new work that God does among His people. There are those who are aware and move quickly and those who get there at a latter time. The Leaders of God's people must lead as good shepherds, realizing that God may be leading but that we as leaders must allow the people to go through the same processes that have given us awareness that God is on the move. We must also be aware that people no matter how dedicated and committed move at different speeds in following the Lord. There are also some who will refuse to move at all and while we may be concerned for them and make every effort to encourage them to participate in what God is doing we cannot disobey God and refuse to follow Him if they will not.

2. Waiting at the appointed place may take more effort and strength than moving ahead to the next big or little thing God is doing for many people. It is the responsibility of leadership to minister to and train God's people when they have reached that next stopping place or plateau and help them to grow in God and be ready to go or stay as called on by God.

3. Miracles, Signs and Wonders are given as God directs and not as we might desire in the flesh. They are also not to be denied as a part of God's provision and direction either. Since he is a supernatural being we should expect Him to be and act supernaturally.

4. There is a purpose to the Supernatural manifestations of God and while they are not for entertainment or fleshly fulfillment of His people we must seek God who is supernatural and expect Him to work supernaturally. If we fail to seek the whole counsel of God for His people we will never attain the full level of maturity He desires. Eph 4:12-14.

5. Teaching that He is and works supernaturally must be ongoing. We must not shrink back from teaching the wondrous and glorious ways in which God has and does work when we are waiting for a long season for the pillar of Glory to move again, or for a fresh outpouring to be given. As we shall see in the book of Acts, there were many fresh outpourings or moves of God's Spirit among His people then and throughout Church History. We may not hear about them because their impact may have been limited geographically. We also may not have heard about them because those who wrote the history may have not understood or have been threatened by them. There are many times when God has poured out His Spirit on people only to have that outpouring of fresh fire hindered by the church, the ineffectiveness or corruption of the people involved or the lack of favor a particular movement had during a certain historic period. History after all is written by the victors.

6. There is a danger in wanting to camp out or constantly be in the glory or experiencing a fresh outpouring of God's presence. There is work to be done. These times of God's manifest presence are meant to change and motivate us as we shall see when we examine Isaiah 6:1 and the verses that follow and the mount of transfigured experience recorded in (Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36)

Questions we need to answer.

1. Are you seeking the majesty and wonder of God?

2. Is your walk with God blessed with fresh manna or stale bread?

3. Have you tried to store up manna or hoard it so that you do not have to seek it daily only to find it rotten?

4. Do you proclaim or say you believe in a supernatural God without having a fresh and supernatural relationship with Him?

5. Are you seeking the signs and wonders or the giver of the wonder?

6. Has the pillar been stationary at you church or in your life for a while?

7. When the Pillar is in one location for a longer period of time are you getting mended (made whole) and helping others to get mended as well? Are you growing in your relationship and knowledge of Him so that when the pillar moves, His work among you will be accomplished?

8. Are you seeking the fresh and living water that flows from His presence?
Artwork: http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=1592821654&c=c&search=14071

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and His Kingdom Today P1

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and His Kingdom Today
Part One

What do we need to understand to have ‘Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with The King and His Kingdom Today?' When we examine the history of revival movements and the outpourings of the Holy Spirit in Church History we see that God has poured out His Spirit and moved among His people continually in every generation since He began to pour out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts.

We can also see in scripture that God has supernaturally interacted with His people throughout history and that we have many examples in the scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments. The interactions of God with His people throughout scripture serve as both examples and wisdom for us as we seek to be apart of what God is doing in the earth today.

Recommended Reading :
Encounters with God have been well documented in Church history both within Charismatic Movements and within what many would call Revival Movements. How has God encountered His people in the Old Testament, the New Testament and Church history and what were the results?

The list of books below will give you a good start at understanding these encounters:
1. Miracle Workers, Reformers and The New Mystics by John Crowder, Destiny Image
2. 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity by Eddie L Hyatt, Strang Communications Company 3. Dynamics of Spiritual Life, an Evangelical Theology of Revival by Richard Lovelace, IVP
4. Revival by Winkie Pratney, Whitaker House
5. Rivers of Revival by Neil T. Anderson and Elmer L. Towns, Regal

Personal Experience:
I have had the privilege of experiencing the supernatural work of God among His people several times in my 39 years as a believer and know that every new supernatural outpouring of God's Spirit carries with it great blessings and challenges for those who are blessed to be a part of it. Some of these moves of God had local, while others had national and international impact.

This study is designed to provide Biblical truths that will allow us to chart a course during these times when the river of life runs both deep and often fast. A course that will take us into greater growth and helps us to allow the deeper encounters with God to produce good fruit for His kingdom among the people we live around and minister His life to.

Church History:
There are has many examples of those who allowed the fresh outpouring of God's Spirit to grow His kingdom and them and those who were shipwrecked when an outpouring of His Spirit was mishandled and produced error and destruction. Since history tends to be written by the victors, those who were shipwrecked were often seen as heretics and the work God began in them is seen as error and not attributed to God and His goodness.

Key Biblical Examples of God’s supernatural encounters with people.
1. Pillar of Fire (preparation and readiness) ready to wait and ready to go. Ex 13:19-22; Neh 9:11-12; Neh 9:19-21; Ex 16:10
2. Isaiah in the Temple (Fresh fire, fresh revelation, fresh humility and holiness, Fresh call) Note Isaiah’s state of mind. Isa 6:1-9
3. The Mount of transfiguration (Let’s build three tents and camp out here)

Does the experience lead to deeper call and greater commitment as well as new power for ministry? Matt 17:1-9

4. The Baptism, Fillings and Outpourings of the Spirit; Starting in the Upper Room (baptidzo: pickling something or dyeing a garment takes more than a single dip)

The baptism in the Holy Spirit brings us to a new level. Fresh (fillings) make us more continually useful as vessels of His Spirit and Glory. Luke notes that people were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4; 9:17), that “they received the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:17), that “the Holy Spirit fell upon (them)” (Acts 10:44), that “the Holy Spirit had been poured out on (them)” (Acts 10:45), and that “the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 19:6). These quotes are from the Spirit Filled life Bible.

Finally, (every supernatural encounter of God with people has certain elements).
1. Do you know what those elements are? I have listed some below.
2. What else do you see in the book of Acts?
3. Is there a formula and pattern to follow or are they not always in a set sequence?
4. Is there a pattern to follow or common elements to note?

Preparation for Gods Spirit to Work or the results of His working can include: Cleansing, Repentance, Holiness, Revelation of man’s imperfect state in light of God’s majestic nature and holiness, a willingness to die to self and serve God, or making ourselves available for His call.

Please read the scriptural accounts listed and ask your self these questions during the coming week.
1. What lessons or truths can you discern or observe from each passage?
2. How do these truths apply to outpourings of God that you have heard about or been a part of?

ARTWORK: Power of Prayer Art Print by Danny Hahlbohm http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=1592821654&c=c&search=14071

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and His Kingdom Today

Wisdom for a Fresh Encounter with the King and His Kingdom Today
Prelude

What is it that happens during an encounter with the Most High God that causes such an impact in our lives? This is but one of the questions I was asking after attending three days of meetings held at Bridgeway Church in Denver some time ago. These meetings were led by a lady named Leslie Ann. During these meetings there was a significant work of God accomplished and a very intense anointing present throughout the meetings.

When I began to reflect on these meetings and the magnificent and powerful presence of God which worked in and among the people attending, I began to look in scripture and back both at church history and my own experiences. Lots of questions arise after such encounters with God. How can I experience more of the majestic and wonderful presence of God? Why don’t we experience more of these outpourings? What is of God and what is of man during these encounters? When God does work so powerfully what are or should be the results?

In the Bible the last four chapters of Job and the first four chapters of Revelation came to mind, as well as, Genesis chapter one and John chapter one. In these scriptures we see the majesty, splendor and wonder of God revealed to people.

When we look at Church history both in and out of scripture it is this breaking forth of God’s majesty and power that has continued to capture the minds and hearts of people and kept each new generation crying out to Him and standing in awe of Him!

We also see in scripture that both individual and collective moves of God start with a realization of the greatness of God and a humility that comes from that realization. This awareness of God's majesty and holiness is an opportunity to choose His ways instead of our own. The choice to submit to Him leads us to consecrate ourselves so that He has a clean vessel to live in and work through. Below are three keys to personal and collective preparation for a fresh work of God.

Keys to Experiencing a Fresh Encounter with the King Every Day.
1. Remember: We have been transferred out of the Kingdom of darkness Col 1:13-14
A. When is the last time you remembered the joy of your salvation?
B. What are you doing with and about it?

2. Choose you this day whom you will serve Josh 24:13-16
A. Death to self and our ways, plans, goals etc.
B. Lay down His gifts, calling and assignment and submit to the masters direction each day. They are His gifts, calling and assignment. We must allow Him to manifest, direct and assign afresh each day.

3. Consecrate yourselves Josh 3:1-6
A. Every day and in every situation.
B. A clean soul and spirit is His greatest goal, because it provides good soil for Him to work in.

Each day is 'the day that the Lord has made.' If we are to rejoice in each day that He has made (In Him and what He is doing) we must submit all to him anew.

Parting the Waters, Art by Chiu @http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=1592821654&c=c&search=14071

A Kingdom Response to Disappointments and Hurts

You can choose to be 'Nursing and Rehearsing the things of the Past or Walking in the Wonder of New Life in God Right Now?' Bitterness is 'A Choice You Don't Have to Make.'

When we nurse and rehearse the disappointments and hurts of our past we miss what God has for us today. If we, like the man in the Gospels who had been forgiven much by the king are unwilling to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed us and who owe us comparatively little compared to what God forgave us, we are in
danger of losing the very freedom Christ died for.

Matt 18: 21-35 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, _Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?_22 Jesus answered, _I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 _Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 _The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 _But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me_' he demanded. 29 _His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'30 _But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 _Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 _This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart._NIV

All of us experience hurt, disappointment and pain at the hands or because of the mouths of people who are acting out of what they believe to be the best intentions. These people may be passionately serving God and due to their own character weakness or lack of wisdom and understanding disappoint or hurt us. Sometimes the more passionate ones are the most harmful because they act with great force to do what is right. Although we do not want to stifle passion we do want to temper it with wisdom and Godly compassion.

I Corinthians 13 4:-7 states that love keeps no record of wrongs. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. NIV

The next time you get to talk to someone or a group of people ask them if they enjoy being around people who are angry, complaining and bitter all of the time. Most people will say NO.

Psalm 1:1-2 tells us about the person who sat in the seat of the scornful,
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night. NKJV

This was a person who sat at the gate of the city and rehearsed to everyone who would come by his plight(circumstances or situation). They would nurse their wound by telling everyone how they were wronged and by doing this to gain favor so that their cause would be supported and they would be judged innocent and the one with whom they had complaint would have to act to make things right.

When we were transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of the son of God's love (Col 1:13-14) we had the penalty and the shame of sin removed from us.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.NIV

When we refuse to forgive others we sit in the seat of the scornful and bring our lives back into darkness because we shut ourselves off from God's life giving Spirit when we cling to the filthy rags of someone's sin against us. We cannot cling to death and darkness and walk in the light and life that God wants for us to have each day.

Today God has given you a wonderful opportunity to live for Him in freedom and experiencing the fullness of His love for you. I am not saying this is easy or that it might not take time and hard work, but we have a choice to make. Are you ready to become what God desires, to forgive, let go and move onto the life that God desires for you or are you going to rehearse your story and nurse your wounds for all to see that you are unwilling to move on to the new things God has waiting? Rejecting God's love for us and through us to others will not resolve our issues.

He is waiting for us to forgive others or ourselves as we have been forgiven by Him!
Artwork, 'Loaves and Fishes' by Graham Braddock http://www.majesticartworks.com/detail.aspx?ID=3960

Kingdom Fitness Training

Kingdom Fitness Training, It requires more than armor!

Today when we read about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven we are often told we are to reign as kings and priest on the earth in the here and now.

Although I find this appealing, I wonder if we are willing to undergo the training necessary to rule and reign with Him. We also know that our inheritance will not be complete until the 2nd coming of Christ.

Understanding what parts of the Kingdom we have or to what degree we have Kingdom authority and power depends on our understanding of the King and the training undergone by someone who was being groomed to rule with the king.

It is said that in ancient times a prince or princess was to be in submission to the person or persons training them to one day become the king or queen of the land, until they reached a certain age or actually began their reign. The person training them was given authority over them to equip them to one day rule the people of the kingdom they lived in. There was no room for the undisciplined or rude or spoiled child. It required having a heart after God that was tested and tried to reveal the character of someone fit to rule in the authority of the king.

This training encompassed all of the elements necessary to rule under the authority of God. The character, skill and knowledge required were great. Perhaps the greatest training was to come face to face with the fierce trials of life for which dependence on God and confidence in God’s willingness and ability to bring them through the trial was more important than the king or queen’s abilities, wealth or perceived power and influence among people.

We know of the Father God's love for us, His ability to destroy our enemies with a single word and we also know about the authority of the believer. In order to truly become like the King we must look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith and follow His example. Jesus humbled himself and gave up His authority and power so that we might do the will of the father empowered by the Holy Spirit just as he did. Paul said that he wanted to know Christ and the fellowship of His suffering.
_____________________________________________________
Question.
Have you given yourself to God and now wonder why trials and testing have come upon you?

Response.
You can stop wondering, It is true! You have entered into the King’s fitness training program.

Basic Training, advanced training and survival training will be looked at in future articles.
______________________________________________________
A few closing thoughts.
1. It can be said of testing ‘This too shall pass.’
2. Your life will not always be in the refiner’s fire.
3. You will have times of great joy and peace in your life.
4. Testing is for a season
5. His grace is more than enough
6. His mercy is new every morning.
7. His compassions do not fail.
8. He has made you to be more than a conquer through Christ Jesus.

Below are many of the scriptures supporting the material above.

1 Pe 1:1-7 1:1
PETER, AN apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, [writing] to the elect exiles of the dispersion scattered (sowed) abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]. 3 Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 6[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed. AMP

Jas 1:1-4 1:1
JAMES, A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings ( rejoice)! 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. AMP

Jn 1:32-34 32
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." NIV

Php 3:7-14
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
KJV

Php 2:5-8
5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God, God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
AMP

Jn 17
17:1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
NIV

Heb 12:2-4 2
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps 110:1.] 3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. 4 You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. AMP

The Artwork above is from James' Goll's Ministry, The Encounters Network.
http://encountersnetwork.com/