Greetings,
The Lord has spoken several things to me since a week ago. I will summarize as best I can...
"We must keep any ground we gain, and we gain ground by keeping the promises that have been given to us." The Lord reminded..."wage the good warfare with the prophecies that have been spoken". Another thing..."with each new level of victory comes a new test. Proceed through the test and take a step higher, a new level. Besides the new test to accompany each new level is also a new level of power; God's miracle working power." I believe with each new step He helps/allows us to take comes a new level of anointing.
That new level just happened last Sunday night. This is what the Lord spoke to me early Monday morning (a week ago). He said that we took a "new step" and would see a new level, new anointing (which will produce greater degree of miracles) and new tests designed by the evil one to knock us "off the steps".
Last night was different than all the rest so far. I was instructed by the Lord to have someone else lead most of the worship time and I was to be "ready" to minister in other areas. As I prepared and waited before the Lord, He spoke some things to me that I was to share that evening at the appropriate time. Here is the essence of what He told me to share:
"A new step is being taken, into a new level of anointing and authority. A new prophetic word is being given for a new level of consecration. Arise, shine, let your rising, the brilliance of the Lord, the Glory of the Lord, be seen. I have granted you this new level; though it seems awkward presently, allow the awkwardness to pass as you rely upon Me. I will arise in you! And your enemy, My enemy, will be scattered and My people gathered. The Lord is calling each of you... calling each of you to a greater degree/level of anointing and authority. See the Glory of God. See the transforming Glory of God."
"The Glory of God and the new level and step you are called to is not just to heal the sick and work miracles. The Glory of God and My assignment for you, along with the necessary anointing and authority, is to disrupt the kingdom of Darkness! The devil isn't bothered so much by healings and miracles. Some have used healings and miracles to exalt their own "ministry" and assist them in building "their" kingdom. The time for that is coming to a close. I will not tolerate such irreverance and pride. I will not allow that to continue."
"When the devil's strongholds of doubt, unbelief, despair, hopelessness, pride, etc, are disrupted, then he is bothered; he is furious. But don't hold back. It's the anointing and heaven's authority that will break every yoke of slavery. Every thing you need to build My kingdom and establish My rule is available. So...Arise and Shine".
Another phrase opened up to my understanding that goes right along with His word to me. Isaiah 60:1-5 speaks of the Glory of God being risen on His people. It says that the Glory will be seen. It speaks also of a "rising" (a brightness, a sending forth of light beams). Reading about the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt. 17) and about Mary becoming empregnated with the "seed" of God (the Spirit of God was to "overshadow" her), Luke 1:35, I saw where Peter's "shadow" in Acts 5 was actually the Glory of God, the "rising", the brilliance and shining forth of the "light" of God! The same word translated as "overshadow" in Matthew 17 was used to describe the situation in Acts 5.
Beloved brethren, it's time to follow the Lord, step to step, glory to glory, faith to faith, and SHINE FORTH! May the world see our "light" (Jesus said we're the light of the world - Matt 5) and GLORIFY our Father! It's all about Him, not us.
Go ahead, step into the place Jesus has prepared for you. You may find it awkward at first but He will help you adjust. You will discover His anointing is sufficient for anything and everything.
Pastor Jan
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
It's time to wake up!
Greetings!
I want to share with you 3 passages of scripture...
Romans 13:11-14 - And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and ness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its s.
1 Corinthians 15:34 - Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Luke 9:32 - But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
The verses listed are verses about being asleep and becoming awake. To be awake is to become fully aware of what's happening around us. To be awake is to be sensitive to the inward witness of the Lord; to His leadings, promptings, convictions, etc. To be awake is to be able to see what time it is regarding God's time table. The Spirit of the Lord is speaking a word to His people and His word is to put us all on the same "page" so we will follow Him explicitly and His Kingdom work can be accomplished.
Unfortunately, MANY of the people of God throughout the land are not in the spiritual condition to hear the Lord clearly. It is though many are asleep; though they "don't sin" (meaning they don't smoke, drink, cuss, commit ery, etc) they cannot ascertain what the Lord is doing or saying. They are INSENSITIVE to the yearnings of the Lord. They are asleep and need to become awakened.
Luke's gospel records Jesus saying earlier in chapter 9 to the disciples that some will see the kingdom of God real soon. Then He took some to go pray with Him. The scripture shows Jesus meeting with Moses and Elijah and Jesus being transfigured before them. What an opportunity for Peter, James, and John. Wow! To be on the mountain, watching Jesus and the power of the Kingdom of God, hearing the conversation between Jesus and a couple of Old Testament heavy hitters...
"So, Peter, what all did they talk about? What did they say to you? What's happening in Jerusalem and how will you, the Rock, fit in with the plans? You what??? You didn't hear a thing between them? You say you were asleep?" I just imagine a conversation like that when Peter climbs down off the mountain and the others, who didn't get to go up, heard what happened. Notice, though, when Peter was FULLY AWAKE he saw the Glory of God upon Jesus. Shortly after that, the other 2 departed.
The Glory of God that raised Jesus from the is inside each and every believer. "Christ in you, the hope of Glory". The Glory is not demonstrated, though, when the believer becomes sleepy, insensitive to the Lord. Paul wrote - AWAKE TO Righteousness! Awake to living for God and in a way He desires. Some people believe, as mentioned before, that because they don't act like "heathen" then they've quit sinning. They're living righteously. But sin is not just doing bad but it is also adding to what God wants or taking away from what He instructed in the first place (Deut. 4:2).
Father is attempting to AWAKEN us from our slumber. Awaken us to live in close communion with Him so we hear His voice. As we do the Glory of God will arise upon and within us to demonstrate to this world the reality of the Power of the Gospel. It is the churches responsibility to wake up. It is our mandate from Heaven to "arise from sleep and walk in the light of God" (Eph. 5). Let's become fully awake, fully alive, fully Spirit - led, fully Spirit - filled, fully taking our place as sons and daughters of the Living God!
Hear the sound of the alarm; it's time to awake, get dressed, and get to work! Arise and shine, for your light has come; and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
Pastor Jan
I want to share with you 3 passages of scripture...
Romans 13:11-14 - And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and ness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its s.
1 Corinthians 15:34 - Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Luke 9:32 - But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
The verses listed are verses about being asleep and becoming awake. To be awake is to become fully aware of what's happening around us. To be awake is to be sensitive to the inward witness of the Lord; to His leadings, promptings, convictions, etc. To be awake is to be able to see what time it is regarding God's time table. The Spirit of the Lord is speaking a word to His people and His word is to put us all on the same "page" so we will follow Him explicitly and His Kingdom work can be accomplished.
Unfortunately, MANY of the people of God throughout the land are not in the spiritual condition to hear the Lord clearly. It is though many are asleep; though they "don't sin" (meaning they don't smoke, drink, cuss, commit ery, etc) they cannot ascertain what the Lord is doing or saying. They are INSENSITIVE to the yearnings of the Lord. They are asleep and need to become awakened.
Luke's gospel records Jesus saying earlier in chapter 9 to the disciples that some will see the kingdom of God real soon. Then He took some to go pray with Him. The scripture shows Jesus meeting with Moses and Elijah and Jesus being transfigured before them. What an opportunity for Peter, James, and John. Wow! To be on the mountain, watching Jesus and the power of the Kingdom of God, hearing the conversation between Jesus and a couple of Old Testament heavy hitters...
"So, Peter, what all did they talk about? What did they say to you? What's happening in Jerusalem and how will you, the Rock, fit in with the plans? You what??? You didn't hear a thing between them? You say you were asleep?" I just imagine a conversation like that when Peter climbs down off the mountain and the others, who didn't get to go up, heard what happened. Notice, though, when Peter was FULLY AWAKE he saw the Glory of God upon Jesus. Shortly after that, the other 2 departed.
The Glory of God that raised Jesus from the is inside each and every believer. "Christ in you, the hope of Glory". The Glory is not demonstrated, though, when the believer becomes sleepy, insensitive to the Lord. Paul wrote - AWAKE TO Righteousness! Awake to living for God and in a way He desires. Some people believe, as mentioned before, that because they don't act like "heathen" then they've quit sinning. They're living righteously. But sin is not just doing bad but it is also adding to what God wants or taking away from what He instructed in the first place (Deut. 4:2).
Father is attempting to AWAKEN us from our slumber. Awaken us to live in close communion with Him so we hear His voice. As we do the Glory of God will arise upon and within us to demonstrate to this world the reality of the Power of the Gospel. It is the churches responsibility to wake up. It is our mandate from Heaven to "arise from sleep and walk in the light of God" (Eph. 5). Let's become fully awake, fully alive, fully Spirit - led, fully Spirit - filled, fully taking our place as sons and daughters of the Living God!
Hear the sound of the alarm; it's time to awake, get dressed, and get to work! Arise and shine, for your light has come; and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
Pastor Jan
Monday, August 07, 2006
Truth and Freedom
Greetings,
Very interesting evening...I would even say penetrating at times. Things were kind simple and sweet at the beginning. After a few songs and the sweet Presence of God settled in upon us I read a little from Luke 1 about "carrying a vision" and not letting anything cause us to abort it. I felt I was supposed to just mention that passage and anything else would be as He would direct. Then, I led a couple of good 'ol "jumpin'" tunes that typically get the cobwebs blown out of everyone. It was after that ended (and the cobwebs seemed to stay in place) the Lord began to speak to my heart about the place (that evening) being a house of freedom to those who will release their addictions, their hangups, etc. and receive. As I said before, very penetrating at times.
I would like to take the thought of freedom just one step further. Freedom is only freedom when it has boudaries and rules. Freedom and lawlessness do not run the same track. Jesus said in John 8:31,32 (to those Jews who believed Him), "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'' Disciples are those who have embraced not just the Master, but the Master's cause. The same thing the Master embraces the disciple embraces.
Truth. Truth to the core of our being. No shadows or hidden corners allowed. He desires truth "in the inner parts" (Psalm 51:6). "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;" Psalm 15:1,2. Truth is very hard on that which is "flesh". Our spirit, the hidden man of the heart, hungers for truth; but our flesh rebels against it. The flesh only desires to take the easy steps, the easy way. Given the choice, our flesh will never side completely with Truth. At best, it will seek a compromise. However, without truth we will not be embracing that which our Master has already embraced. And, without that connection we will not know freedom as He has stated.
Think about it for a second. By embracing and protecting something in our life that may conflict with Truth, whatever that may be, it keeps you and I from embracing truth. We may say we're His disciples but if we don't embrace TRUTH we are settling for something else. Seems real at times. But imagine what it costs in the long run.
Instead of arguing with this person or the other one about what Jesus meant about knowing the truth and freedom, let's just simply have a heart to run after and EMBRACE whatever Jesus embraces. Amen!
One other thing...here is a word from the Lord given later on in the service last night. Encouraging, challenging, penetrating...because of His desire for TRUTH "in the inward parts"
Pastor Jan
word from the Lord:
“Is the lumberjack overwhelmed when he confronts the forest of towering oaks? No, he sees what will come forth from his labor: a rocking chair, a cradle, a table, a home. His eye is on the finished product, and tree by tree, branch by branch, he labors, considering not the weightiness of the task, but rather looking to the end result.
“And so I, when I look at your heart, do not see a forest of sin. I see the work of glory that will emerge beneath the axe of My Spirit. I will transform your oak of sin into a table fit for the King, fit for Me to dwell at and partake and of gracious and holy fellowship with you. My axe is laid at the root of your sin, not to harm you or to bring you to wounding, but to release you to what I have for you.
“Do you not yearn to be what I have created you to be? Behold, I come to you in great love, seeking to bring forth My image in your life. Do not shrink back. Let the freedom I offer be taken up by your own hand. No other can choose [for you], [no other] can receive your freedom. What I offer is free. Freely receive.
“Freely receive.
“Freely receive.
“For I purpose a work of perfect love in your life. Do not draw back. The labor of My hands will profit you much. Lean in.
“Lean in.
“Receive.”
Very interesting evening...I would even say penetrating at times. Things were kind simple and sweet at the beginning. After a few songs and the sweet Presence of God settled in upon us I read a little from Luke 1 about "carrying a vision" and not letting anything cause us to abort it. I felt I was supposed to just mention that passage and anything else would be as He would direct. Then, I led a couple of good 'ol "jumpin'" tunes that typically get the cobwebs blown out of everyone. It was after that ended (and the cobwebs seemed to stay in place) the Lord began to speak to my heart about the place (that evening) being a house of freedom to those who will release their addictions, their hangups, etc. and receive. As I said before, very penetrating at times.
I would like to take the thought of freedom just one step further. Freedom is only freedom when it has boudaries and rules. Freedom and lawlessness do not run the same track. Jesus said in John 8:31,32 (to those Jews who believed Him), "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'' Disciples are those who have embraced not just the Master, but the Master's cause. The same thing the Master embraces the disciple embraces.
Truth. Truth to the core of our being. No shadows or hidden corners allowed. He desires truth "in the inner parts" (Psalm 51:6). "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;" Psalm 15:1,2. Truth is very hard on that which is "flesh". Our spirit, the hidden man of the heart, hungers for truth; but our flesh rebels against it. The flesh only desires to take the easy steps, the easy way. Given the choice, our flesh will never side completely with Truth. At best, it will seek a compromise. However, without truth we will not be embracing that which our Master has already embraced. And, without that connection we will not know freedom as He has stated.
Think about it for a second. By embracing and protecting something in our life that may conflict with Truth, whatever that may be, it keeps you and I from embracing truth. We may say we're His disciples but if we don't embrace TRUTH we are settling for something else. Seems real at times. But imagine what it costs in the long run.
Instead of arguing with this person or the other one about what Jesus meant about knowing the truth and freedom, let's just simply have a heart to run after and EMBRACE whatever Jesus embraces. Amen!
One other thing...here is a word from the Lord given later on in the service last night. Encouraging, challenging, penetrating...because of His desire for TRUTH "in the inward parts"
Pastor Jan
word from the Lord:
“Is the lumberjack overwhelmed when he confronts the forest of towering oaks? No, he sees what will come forth from his labor: a rocking chair, a cradle, a table, a home. His eye is on the finished product, and tree by tree, branch by branch, he labors, considering not the weightiness of the task, but rather looking to the end result.
“And so I, when I look at your heart, do not see a forest of sin. I see the work of glory that will emerge beneath the axe of My Spirit. I will transform your oak of sin into a table fit for the King, fit for Me to dwell at and partake and of gracious and holy fellowship with you. My axe is laid at the root of your sin, not to harm you or to bring you to wounding, but to release you to what I have for you.
“Do you not yearn to be what I have created you to be? Behold, I come to you in great love, seeking to bring forth My image in your life. Do not shrink back. Let the freedom I offer be taken up by your own hand. No other can choose [for you], [no other] can receive your freedom. What I offer is free. Freely receive.
“Freely receive.
“Freely receive.
“For I purpose a work of perfect love in your life. Do not draw back. The labor of My hands will profit you much. Lean in.
“Lean in.
“Receive.”
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