Certain Disciples

Greetings,
Please read the following passage. Acts 9:10-25
10. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias.'' And he said, "Here I am, Lord.''
11. So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12. "And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.''
13. Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14. "And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.''
15. But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16. "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.''
17. And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.''
18. Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19. And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
20. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?''
22. But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23. Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.
24. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.
25. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

I'm especially focused on verse 17:
a. Ananias (the certain disciple) went his way and entered the house
b. "His way" was the way the Lord had commanded him ("He has sent me")
c. The results were "and the Lord confirmed His Word with accompanying signs" - Mark 16:20

Ananias, "just" a certain disciple; not a big named guy, not someone with a "big ministry", nor someone who was in the "five-fold ministry" (that we know of). Just a certain disciple with whom the Lord could speak, lead and direct, command and expect obedience. Remember Proverbs 3:6, "in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Now it seems that Ananias was a little hesitant about the guy he was supposed to go see. Who wouldn't be, based on what had been happening. It's a good thing to note; the Lord doesn't tell us everything about every situation dealing with everyone. He expects us to trust Him enough to simply hear His voice and do what He says. And because of this "certain disciple" and the obedience he demonstrated to the Lord and His purposes, God was able to take His "move" to a NEW LEVEL!

If you would read further down in Acts 9 to verse 31 you'd read: "Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. " I see Ananias "walking in the fear of the Lord" in his obedience to the Lord. It was Ananias' fear of the Lord that gave him the ability to overcome the fear of man. It was his desire to please the Lord in everything that allowed him to not be so concerned about what man would do to him. Isn't that the way "certain disciples" are supposed to be?

God's plan, of course, will and does include the "5-fold" ministers - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. He has set them in their respective offices of ministry for the perfecting, equipping of the saints so that the saints (or, certain disciples) can do the WORK of the ministry (helping, serving, relieving, exhorting, healing, etc.) and thus bringing edification or the building up of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11,12). But the church won't multiply until the "certain disciples" walk in the fear of God and believe that God's will is more important than their own.

Look back through the passage in Acts 9. Here's what the "certain disciple" was involved in AFTER Saul (Paul) was healed and filled with the Spirit:
1. He spent some days with Saul (Saul spent some days with the disciples...)
2. He helped Saul escape the evil one's plot to shut up the voice of God that Paul was beginning to preach. Once again, see how important it is for "discipleS" (plural emphazised) to be working together for a common, God-given purpose. See that the work of "certain disciples" will effect what happens afterward. It would take MORE than 1 or 2 disciples to let a man down a wall in a large basket.

How many times do we have to fail to accomplish our God-given task because we don't have enough workers working together? How long do we have to wait for "certain disciples" to understand the fear of the Lord and live their life on purpose for His purpose? How much time will be wasted? How many people will be lost in the mean time? Why can't we just get on with God's plan and act like the world is at stake?

I've made up my mind and settled my heart. I am a disciple - first and foremost. Whether anyone knows me, other than the Lord Jesus, or not; I am His "certain disciple". In all my ways I choose to acknowledge Him and He directs my paths. There may be someone I am sent to that I don't understand, like, or even trust. But because I am a disciple, HIS disciple, I choose to fear the Lord rather than man.

Saints, let us find ourselves always where we're supposed to be, doing the work that "certain disciples" do. We will find ourselves right smack in the middle of God's move, with the accompanying signs and wonders. Amen!

Pastor Jan

Gathering Together

Greetings!
Please read the following passage: Acts 13:1-4~
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'' Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

In the church at Antioch there were people who heard from God and spoke for God. They ministered in the "office" of a prophet and/or teacher. There were others besides those mentioned, those who had maybe the same offices of ministry as those mentioned. There were undoubtedly others as well who operated in different spiritual gifts, such as the word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, etc; gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 - 14.

Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, records a time when the church came together to "minister to the Lord...". Whether they were singing, praying, shouting, sitting quietly, dancing, along with fasting is not really important. What is important is that they came together. Their "coming together" was a type of ministering to the Lord. Just showing up ministers to the Lord! The Greek word for "Ministered" is one we get our word "liturgy" or "liturgical" from. Liturgy means "prescribed ritual for public service". "Prescribed", in this instance, means that the people were doing things that pleased the Lord. And the first thing they did that pleased the Lord was "show up"!

It is impossible to minister to the Lord and not do what pleases Him. Our words can be so spiritual sounding; we can speak so eloquently about what we believe the Lord wants us to do. We can do so to the point of deceiving ourselves. James 1 - "but be doers of the Word, not hearers only (or speakers, for that matter), deceiving yourselves." Hebrews 10 - "Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves..." 1 Corinthians 14 - "...WHEN you come together, each of you have..." Point to be taken: We are NOT pleasing God by holding back from His gathering.

Of course, there are times when we must be here or there and won't be able to be with the "gathering" everytime. However, if the Lord is leading His church, trying to put His people into position to hear His voice and receive His impartations and commissioning, and, be a part of such "sending forth of the people" such as Paul and Barnabus, then the church MUST be where He wants us to be EVERYTIME!

This isn't to be a message of condemnation, but rather exhortation. There, in the church at Antioch, were people who had a vital part in the sending forth of two powerfully anointed apostles. Paul and Barnabus were known as prophets and teachers up to that day, but after the Holy Spirit spoke, they were Sent Ones, sent by the Holy Spirit for the purposes of the Spirit of God. The scriptures do not reveal how the Holy Spirit spoke. More than likely, though, He spoke through someone who had gathered together and was doing what pleased Him. You see, it really doesn't matter who He speaks through, as long as He has someone who has gathered to please Him.

Throughout the scriptures there are examples of people who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. In these last days, with so many things to distract us and lure us away from "only pleasing Him", it is vital that we settle in our heart that when it's time to gather, then we gather. "Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be...".

The Lord never leads people away from gathering. Not one instance in His word does He tell people to live to themselves. Quite the opposite is true. The very picture He gives of His Church being a Body says that. You may not be "gathering" with me, but the Spirit of God has some place in mind for you to be, regularly, gathering with those of "like precious faith". It sure would be terrible, don't you think, if He would "show up" at the place He's expecting you to be, calls your name, looks up and down the aisles, calls again, and then has to give your assignment to someone else because you didn't gather...Or someone is moved by God to bring something to "bless" you with and you're not there to receive the "blessing". Couldn't happen, you may say. "After all, God knows what I'm going to be doing." Think of it this way; the Lord is urging you, calling you, nudging you, and even believing the best of you. As far as He's concerned, since He looks through the work of Christ as He looks into your life, you're up and at 'em, arriving on time and at the right place just because you're so in love with Jesus! He sees you as His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. He sees you as faithful. He's given you the Holy Spirit so that the fruit He bears, such as faithfulness, you and I will bear also.

What might we be missing when people do "their own thing" rather than aim to please God in all we do. What might others be missing as well. Isn't it time for us to minister to the Lord and be in the right place at the right time? Only Heaven knows what can become of it...

Pastor Jan

He Brought Me Back To The Door Of The House

Greetings,
Ezekiel 47:1-5:
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. Then, when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

In the first verse it reads, in an alternate translation, "He brought me back to the door of the House...". A lot of things could be said about this such as Jesus is the "Door" and the "House" is the church (John 10; 1 Corinthians 6; and Hebrews 3). For just a moment, though, I want you to see the first part of the verse - a prophetic word for the Body of Christ - a RIGHT NOW word for us.

"He brought me back..." is something that He is doing, whether we're comfortable with it or not. It is quite a journey, going back to the place of God's plans and intents. It can appear, while we are being "brought back", that we are only losing ground. It may seem like we're completely out of "step" with what everyone else is doing. Perspective is so different when you're on "your way back".

But so much depends on being "brought back". Nothing of eternal value is accomplished unless it flows from the "door" of the house. And, unless we allow Him to bring us back, we will miss the mark and just keep doing our "house business" as before.

God has had enough of man's attempt at building His Kingdom. He is bringing us "back" so that the Glory of God can once again be seen flowing from "the door of the house".

Pastor Jan

God Is In The House

Greetings,
Mark 2:1 - And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.

Some things to consider and desire:
1. Jesus would AGAIN enter our town
2. It's been far too long, too many days
3. May the word of His Visitation spread throughout the land

I know, some of you are probably thinking, "Jesus is here. He said He'd be with us if we were gathered in His Name. What's the big deal?"

How long has it been since THE HAPPENING in the city is God showing up with signs and wonders? How long has it been since the REVIVAL FIRES of the Holy Spirit prevailed throughout the land? HOW LONG? Far too long! You know, when the Lord came to Mount Sinai and fire was on the mountain, I doubt very seriously if there were people sleeping in (because it's their only day to rest), working their second job (because life is just that way, you know), or doing anything else but standing at the base of the mountain in total awe! Oh God, let there be fire on the "mountain" again!

Sure, He's here because He'll never leave us or forsake us. But that doesn't mean that His will is being accomplished. When He shows up into town the way HE WANTS TO, His Kingdom is evident and His Glory is revealed. The sick are healed, the blind see, the oppressed are loosed, the possessed go free! The depressed find joy and the hopeless find purpose and hope. All this happens when God comes into the house, into the town.

Think with me...whenever Jesus is INVITED to a house (yours, mine, the centurion, Jairus', whoever) things happen. God's will is done even in someone else's house. The key is the invitation. And don't you think His will should be done IN HIS HOUSE?

Hebrews 3 says that the church is the house of God (not the building where the church meets, but the believers). Shouldn't His will be done in our lives? Without question! Why don't we see it more? Maybe it has something to do with an invitation. "But it's His House!" Maybe He doesn't feel welcome. Mark 6 says He went to HIS OWN country but COULDN'T DO ANY MIGHTY WORKS...because of their unbelief.

Brethren, it's time we INVITE the Lord back into His House and welcome Him when He comes. It's time we expect the will of God done in our midst as we receive Him by faith. It's time THAT WE SPREAD THE WORD that GOD has come back to the city. Let it be noised abroad, Jesus is in the House! AMEN!

Pastor Jan

New Levels

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

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

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.”

Holiness and Power

Greetings,
Misunderstandings abound when someone mentions the word "holiness". The picture I used to get in my mind when someone mentioned the word was that of an elderly woman with her hair stacked about 3 feet into the air and dressed in sackcloth and ashes. But I have since come to realize that Holiness isn't the way we dress or don't dress...

Romans 1:1-7a says: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection...through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints..."

Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the Savior of the world, revealed the power of God during His earth walk. But the greatest revelation of the power of God was when God raised Jesus by the Glory of God (Romans 6:4; Ephesians 1:19,20), by the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Holiness. Power and holiness ARE connected even though Peter asked the crowd if they really thought that the lame man in Acts 3 was healed by Peter's holiness. It isn't our holiness, per se, but it is related to how the Son of God can manifest Himself through us to the world.

"Holy" and "Saint" come from the same Greek work "hagios". Paul said to the Romans who are "beloved of God, called to be saints..." or, called to be holy. Peter said the same thing when he wrote, "because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). One aspect of holiness is what God does, through Christ, for and in us. Christ is our holiness. We have no ability to approach God or have any kind of relationship with God apart from Christ. Yet another aspect is where we, by our choice, separate, sanctify, dedicate our life to Him. We love what He loves and despise what He despises. It's this kind of holiness that makes way for the Spirit of Holiness to manifest the resurrected power of the Son of God. It's not OUR holiness, but our yieldedness to His. Jesus did extraordinary things while on earth, yet Paul mentions the resurrection as the way to measure just how powerful God is. And yet the resurrection wasn't possible without Jesus being COMPLETELY sold out to the plans and purposes of His Father. He HUMBLED Himself and became obedient, even to the point of going to the cross...wherefore God has HIGHLY exalted Him and has given Him a Name ABOVE EVERY NAME...Hallelujah!

Holiness and separation is NOT an old-fashioned idea. It is intricately part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord...
Hebrews 1:9 -(speaking of Jesus) You loved righteousness and despised lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. Notice, because Jesus loved the things God loved and despised what God despised, He was anointed above any and all! Shouldn't that give us a clue as to how to see more of God manifest in and through the Body of Christ TODAY?

Saints (holy, sanctified), let us pursue that which Christ Jesus died to give us; a powerful, holy, glorious walk and relationship with Father God. The world will then stand up and take notice!

Pastor Jan

The Love of God

Greetings,
Matthew 24:12 - "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
2 Corinthians 5:14,15 - For the love of Christ constrains us,
Ephesians 3:17-19 - that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 - Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God
Jude 20,21 - But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God,

While walking our dog this evening, walking through our neighborhood, I was meditating on the love of God. I began to think about the different verses such as are listed above. One main thought I'd like to share; it's actually a two-fold thought:
1. Where is the love?
2. The Spirit's Outpouring will be an outpouring of love.

While many may not agree with me, I believe that we are in a period of time that is kind of like a "pre-season". A pre-season to turmoil, birth pangs, tribulation, etc.; things never seen or experienced before. A time to prepare for the "regular season", if you will. However, I don't see the regular season as all gloom and doom. "When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Lord will lift a standard against him", Isaiah says. The pre-season we are in is also a precursor to the season of Heaven touching earth like never before. The season where God manifests Himself TO and THROUGH His Body, the Church, to a lost and dying world. Many will reject the gospel; but many will receive as well. Fact is, there are MANY people that just don't know what to believe or why they should believe in Jesus! This is really the first part of my thoughts; WHERE IS THE LOVE?

It doesn't take much discernment to realize that iniquity is increasing. Unfortunately, it has NOT reached its fullness. But, the more it increases, the more the love of many grows cold. Why? Could it be that those who are losing their love have lost sight of the Love of Christ? Could it be that their love has shifted from devotion to Jesus and has now become a devotion to the world and its way of doing things? Even people who are "tithers", as Jesus said in Luke, have passed over justice and the love of God. The love of Christ no longer is their motivation; it has become a religious phrase. Praying for others has become a chore, a duty. Or, it's become a source of pride; "please let me tell you how much I pray". Love isn't the motivation. Therefore, the power of God isn't there, either.

If the Love of God isn't the heart of the believer, it will not be the motivation either. And, without the love of God, there will not be the stamina to make it during the "regular season". Jesus Himself was able to do the tough things because He so loved the world...loved it enough to keep Himself unspotted from it and, at the same time, give His life for it. Jesus, kept His eyes on the joy set before Him and was able to endure the cross. The joy before Him was defined by the love of God. It wasn't defined by His circumstances or how well He was "received". Thank God!

So, where is the love? May we examine our lives and pray for one another the prayer of Paul in Ephesians 3: that we may KNOW (by experience) the love of God that is beyond our natural comprehension.

One more thought: the "regular season" will be marked by the Love of God. As God pours out His Spirit, more and more, it will be evidenced by the love of God. Love, power, holiness, justice, etc, all work hand in hand. In the book of Acts it was seen that the more the Spirit was poured out, in the midst of persecution, the more the Love of God was witnessed. So, while the love of many will grow cold, those who ARE IN LOVE with Jesus, and are KEEPING THEMSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD, will grow stronger. They will be fit for the Master's use! Don't let the iniquity around you keep you from the love of God!

Finally, brethren, "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."

Pastor Jan

Transition

Greetings,
Last evening was very refreshing as we worshiped and exalted the Name of the Lord. It was also a very important evening, I believe, for what the Lord is in the PROCESS of accomplishing in the central Iowa area. A lot of prophetic words were spoken; I see them as "road signs" along the path of the Lord. Words that encourage and words that chastise. Both are necessary from time to time. I won't take the time to repeat the words verbatim, but simply give the gist of a couple.

- Valley Junction is a dry place but because of the efforts and obedience of the Body of Christ the Valley will be flooded with the waters of God.

- Before the floods can be released, the spirit of rebellion (which is the same as witchcraft, and would include, to a measure, the spirit of pride) must be pulled down. Repentance must prevail among the people of God if the enemy is to be overcome.

Another thought came to me as I was ministering to the Lord earlier in the afternoon in preparation for the time of worship. I will speak on that in just a moment, but first I'd like to touch on the idea of preparing to enter the Presence of the Lord. Over and over the Lord speaks to His people about the need to prepare themselves to worship, pray, give, etc. Yet, over and over, people are so rushed that if they do get to a worship service it's just in the nick of time and they are so keyed up that they are in no position to hear the voice of God even if He was to walk up to them in a red hat and scream, "I AM GOD!". I believe the Lord desires for us to fellowship with Him BEFORE we go to fellowship with others and Him. That way, we don't arrive empty, but we are able bring TO the time of fellowship, worship, prayer, etc, that which we've received from Him. There just may be someone there that could use what we've received from the Lord. After all, aren't we supposed to be carriers of the Glory? Amen!

Now, on to my main thought. Transition. I was reading in Judges 21:25- "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." As you probably know, 1 Samuel begins where Judges ends. So, when you begin to read 1 Samuel you see where there is a woman, Hannah, who is desperate to have a child. She pours out her heart to the Lord, the Lord hears her and gives her a son which she names Samuel; "heard of God".

This wasn't just a coincidence or a nice story. God found a woman who was desperate to bear fruit, who would take that desperation to Him, and He in turn could use the fruit of her desperation to transition His people from following their own ways to following His order of things. Someone will say, "Israel wasn't supposed to have a king". That's true to a degree. Yet King David is a type of Christ in many ways. I believe that God raised up Samuel, the fruit of Hannah's desperation, to demonstrate how the Kingdom of God is to operate.

God has NEVER been a democratic God. (He isn't republican, either!) The Lord's Kingdom is a Theocratic Kingdom. It is to have ONE RULER! GOD! He is NOT pleased with everyone doing their own thing. He does not subscribe to a "let's just keep people happy, comfortable, and lazy". His words are like such: "if anyone will follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily...".

There is a transition taking place. Keep your eyes and ears open to the voice of the Spirit of God. There is a King that has been given the authority and the anointing to rule; JESUS! And, there is a move of the Spirit of God, through those who are desperate to bear fruit, that will take our desperation (which comes from God in the first place) and use the fruit of it to speak truth to the world around us. The truth is FIRST to be preached, proclaimed, to the church (1 Peter 4:17). Judgment must begin with us. Out of judgment comes either Glory or rejection.

Samuel came on to the scene where corruption, manipulation, covetousness, selfishness, etc, were prevalent among God's leaders; those who were designated to be His "witnesses". Before the Lord could touch the Nations (which has always been His plan) through His people, He had to change the way His people were. Samuel brought about the transition. And even though the people cried out for a king like all the other nations; and even though the Lord said to Samuel, "they haven't rejected you, just Me", the Lord still brought about great glory when the tabernacle of David was erected in Jerusalem.

Eli (the one who couldn't "see" well) and his sons had to be "eliminated". God was to preserve AND expand His work in His people and in the NATIONS! He needed to transition from one move to get to another. That's what's happening today. The old is going to be set aside; that which will yield to His plans and purposes (and allow His Son to rule and reign) will be established and those who have ears to hear His voice and a heart that yearns for His Presence will experience His Glory as never before.

Transition, transition, transition. Fairly easy to talk about, but change will not be easy. It will be VERY hard on the flesh. That is God's intent!

Time to go. "but seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..."

Pastor Jan

Calling All Backsliders

Greetings,
I have a word to share with each of you. A word that may be hard to hear; I know it's hard to write. It's a word that has been on my heart for better than a week. It's a word that will bring forth a harvest of righteousness or more hardening of the heart. Maybe the word isn't for you, maybe it's for someone you know and love. I believe it's a call from the Almighty One; a call that will help us discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts before Him (of Whom we must give account).

Proverbs 14: 9-16
9. Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor.
10. The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.
11. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12. There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of .
13. Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief.
14. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.
15. The simple believes every word, but the prudent man considers well his steps.
16. A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.

Verses 12 and 14 are the main focus for this word. There is such focus these days, especially throughout America, on being blessed and happy. The problem is when we are the ones who define what "blessed" and "happy" are. We are so easily upset when we don't get our way. We become jealous of others when it appears they have more toys, more money, more people in their churches, more people "falling under the power", more...whatever, than we have. We feel that since we did God such a nice thing by "getting saved" then we are entitled to the blessings. Notice the word of God. There is a WAY that SEEMS right...the BACKSLIDER in heart is filled with his OWN WAYS...

The call from God is for each of us to turn to Him with ALL our heart. To lean not on our own understanding but in ALL our ways acknowledge Him as Lord (the One Who has the right to rule over us). To lay aside our supposed grievance with God because He didn't perform as we expected. To quit holding God accountable to our theology; instead, to take Him at HIS word.

Backsliders in heart are those who find themselves in the wilderness; they never cross to the promised land. They become hard hearted to the point that nothing moves them to God any more. Oh, they still may go to "church" but they've quit being part of the church. The ways they once knew and embraced have been replaced with more important things. Things such as being "right", "comfortable", "rested", "having family time", "making more money", etc. Backsliders are FILLED with THEIR OWN WAYS. That means they can not be filled with God!

The children of Israel left Egypt and began to follow God. God had a specific route to take them. He didn't ask their opinion about the route, or anything else. He just told them to follow. But, as we all know, follow was the hardest thing for them to do. Every time they murmured about what God was doing they became more and more set in their OWN WAYS. THE WILDERNESS WAS GOD'S METHOD OF DELIVERING THEM, NOT FROM EGYPT, BUT FROM THEIR OWN WAYS. I've noticed, in my life and in others, that it's easy to start out with God. He's all we'll ever need, we're so quick to say. Sometime down the road of life, however, there are decisions we have to make: who do I trust in this situation, what's the path the Lord is taking me, etc; or, we become offended at God or one of His kids when things don't go as we thought they should. We let ourselves get worked up and start becoming cold to the promptings of the Spirit of God. We pull back from faith and start living according to our own ways and knowledge. WE BACKSLIDE.

It's time to answer the call of God and RETURN to HIM with ALL OUR HEART! The Lord is building a people who will SHOW FORTH His Glory and Power. He is igniting a fire among those who will stand before Him and allow Him to strike the match, light the torch, and set us ablaze with the Fire of God. He will do that with those who allow themselves to be FILLED WITH HIS WAYS!
Backslider in heart, turn to GOD!!!

I will close with some scriptures of HOPE. If your heart is stirred by this word and you are hearing God call you, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO TURN FROM YOUR BACKSLIDING WAYS. Also, for a really stirring message by Charles Finney, please see the link on the blog site entitled "the Backslider in heart".

Isaiah 55:6-9
6. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,'' says the Lord.
9. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Hosea 14:4-7
4. "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.
5. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6. His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like the vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Psalm 32:1-7
1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
2. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile.
3. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
4. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
5. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'' And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.
7. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

1 John 1:9
9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is the day to run TO God. Turn from YOUR WAYS and submit to HIS, regardless of how hard it will be. The Grace to obey is right before you, if you'll only start by admitting your sin and your need for Him. I pray for you now that you will hear the voice of God and repent of backsliding and turn back to the God you once knew. Remember, He is STILL able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you ask or even think. Answer His call and let Him reveal Himself to YOU.

Pastor Jan

Prophetic Words - Edify, Exhort, Comfort

Greetings,
Quite a bit happening lately. I figured it was time to write an update. I will start with a scripture from 1 Corinthians 14:3 - "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." I am going to share some prophetic words that have been spoken either at church, or they have been spoken concerning Valley Assembly over the last couple of weeks. I write these to share with you so that you will be edified, exhorted, or comforted. God is not a silent God. He also does not want us to walk in darkness. Psalm 119:130 says, "The entrance of Your Word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." A Word spoken by the inspiration of the Lord helps us to hear what His plans and purposes are and to encourage us to get and stay on course. His "right now word" is also for exhortation; exhorting us to change our thinking at times so we don't miss what He's trying to accomplish in and through us. So, with all that said, please read the rest with a prayerful heart.

Sunday evening a week ago the Lord directed us to take some time to read scriptures out loud. He instructed us (He put it on my heart to tell the people) to read verses that express what they believe the Lord is saying to us at that particular time. One of the brethren wrote down the scripture references as the people shared. A lot of the verses had to do with comfort and trust in the Lord. Others had something to say about a shaking in the earth and a parting of the heavens. Later, as we were in worship the Lord spoke through the gift of tongues with interpretation. He said, "For there is yet a hope, My children, a hope reserved for My people, a hope reserved for those who are called by My name. For the ocean will rise and the earth will tremble, but those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High will remain unmoved. As the day of great despair comes, do not be afraid. I have not left you orphans.


You are not without hope.



You are not without comfort.



You are not without weapons of warfare.



You are not without supply.



I AM the Almighty God and I will supply your need. Look to Me, all who tremble in the wake of these tragedies, and I will uphold you. For I AM the Lord. I AM the Lord."



A little later on there was another word spoken.



"It will be kingdom against kingdom. It will be light against darkness...It will be My grace and glory against the counterfeit. A time of great frustration and tragedy; the battle will be visible to those with eyes that see.



You will prevail. I am your strength. You are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken."



Jesus said, over and over to the churches in Revelation, "he that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches." I believe He also intends (as Paul writes in 1 Thes. 5) for us who have "eyes to see, let them SEE what the Spirit is doing in the churches and around the world." It's time to watch very closely. It's time to pay very close attention to the things the Spirit is saying AND doing. It's time to nestle in close to Father's heart and be quick to respond to even the "smallest" desire He has. It will mean living or dying.



Living or dying? Jesus said, "the words I speak to you are spirit and they are life." If we hear and obey His words of life, they will cause life to prevail. If we don't hear or judge the words not worthy of our compliance (putting it as nice as I can) then dying will ultimately ensue. One cannot base the results of obedience or disobedience by the immediate consequences. Be not deceived; whatever a person sows, THAT shall they also reap.



Another word was given by the Lord about the middle of last week. It pertained specifically to the Valley Junction area. It was given in 2 parts. The first was short:



"Clear the woods, knock down the giants"



The second was this: "As it was in '93, so shall it be also in the coming months and year. The rains came and the rivers rose. The people prepared to resist by using sandbags to keep the waters from changing their lives, their city. They united as one to hold back the floods of heaven. But ultimately they could not keep their world unaffected. See, it shall be that way now. The water of heaven is rising, rising. People are doing all they can to keep their world unchanged. But it will be, that just as every shop (in the Valley Junction area) was flooded by the rains of heaven and the river that could not be contained, it shall be that every life in the Valley Junction area shall be affected. The river is rising. The river is rising. Don't be discouraged at the inactivity of the people, or the way it seems that people are preoccupied with their own world. This, too, will change. There will be many to minister My grace to. Many that will be hungry to know Me. Many that will forever be changed..."



"Strategy - hear Me, learn from Me, work with Me - trust Me to do what I said I'd do. It's time the rain fell - INCREASE - FLOOD PROPORTIONS - it's time."



The Lord has since opened up my understanding, to some degree, concerning the "woods" that need cleared and the "giants" that need knocked down. I'll share more as the Lord allows, some other time.



Brethren, as we see THE DAY approaching, let's get and stay focused to what the Lord is saying and doing. I believe He's looking for us to look to Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Amen!



Blessings,

Pastor Jan

The Sound of Rain

Zechariah 10:1 - Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. the Lord will make flashing clouds; he will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.

1 Kings 18:41-45 - Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.'' So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea.'' So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing.'' And seven times he said, "Go again.'' Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!'' So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, `Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' '' Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain...

James 5:17-18 - Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

This seemed to be the theme last night as we ministered to the Lord. Another verse went right along with these: Joel 2:28-29 - "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Time for the Latter Rain...the cleansing, soaking, refreshing, changing, revealing, comforting, convicting, enabling, Spirit of the Living God!

We realize that the Spirit of God is here, and very active in what He does. I do believe, though, that in these last days, these days of the final harvest, there is to be a vast outpouring of God's Spirit, the likes of which NO ONE has ever experienced. As it was in the book of Genesis where God said that the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep, so it is these last days. Darkness is upon the earth in mass quantities. The god of the earth is running full speed to work his agenda. But the Lord is speaking His Word. The prophetic word of God is proceeding from the mouth of God. It is causing life to spring up. Light is shining upon our ways. "Behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon you and His glory shall be seen upon you"(Isaiah 60).

There is a FLOOD just on the horizon. Our responsibility is to be in the right posture to move with His Spirit and receive the Rain as a rain gutter would receive the rain from the roof of a house. The rain gutter is used to catch the rain and then direct it to the proper place. Father is preparing us, even now, to be in the right "posture" - connected to His House properly (whose house are we if we hold fast - Hebrews 3:6), not focused on OUR ministry, our aches and pains, or anything other than the Kingdom of God, and make sure that each of us cleanses ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit; perfecting holiness in the fear of God - 2 Corinthians 7:1.

The Clouds of God's Glory are forming. Jesus said "he that has ears let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the church". I'd like to add, if I may, that the same would be true with this statement: "he that has eyes to see, let them see what the Spirit is doing IN the church". Oh saints of God, cry out to God in this time of the Spirit's Season. Cry out with a passion for no one but God. Cry out, "come, Thy Kingdom; be done, Thy will!" Let's not use the "if it be Thy will" kind of praying; let's use the confidence, the boldness, and even the tenacity that the Spirit of God brings to us. Let's have the strength to not draw back during this critical time but, instead, move with God step by step.

Those who are listening and obeying the voice of the Spirit will catch the raindrops. The rain of God will not hurt them but will help them bring forth fruit - 30, 60, and 100 fold. Those who are living for their own little world will not see the Glory of God. Yet their lives will be shaken. Many that aren't seeing what the Lord is doing or hearing what He's saying, when they are being shaken by the Rain, Lightenings, and Wind, will even get to the point where they'll try rebuking the devil; because they have not recognized the workings of God.

May the Lord continue to direct our hearts, our whole being, into intimate fellowship with Him and one another. May the sound of rain become louder than the sounds of the world. Again, "ask ye the Lord rain, in the time of the latter rain..." Beloved, NOW is the time.

"I can here Him calling...I can hear the sound of Rain..."

Pastor Jan

A Move of God

Greetings,
I believe it's time I write again and share what the Lord is speaking to my heart. He is so gentle at times yet He can be so direct in His dealings with us. Of course, if we understand that He is grooming us to be partakers of His Holiness and conform us into His image it helps during the "direct" times. "Now no chastening is joyful...but afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it". Heb. 12

God is moving in the earth and primarily in a pre-revival mode. Regardless of what you and I are experiencing of God presently, it is still in "seed form". I want to share just a little about "the Move of God" and speak a word of exhortation to you in regards to the move.

The Lord spoke this to my heart just yesterday: "A move of God that brings freedom and the Glory of God will eventually become a prison to those who refuse to follow God's move".

Now this move can be on a world-wide scale or nationally, or even to you or I as an individual. God moves in our life; He touches us, changes us, brings us from faith to faith and glory to glory. We have a tendency, though, to get to where we feel we should be with God and then quit moving with God. We welcome a change, probably because we don't like the pain of the present situation. God comes and moves in our life and we are so appreciative that we testify of God's work in our life. We settle in with a routine with God and things are fine. But God is never going to leave us permanently in our state, regardless of how wonderful we now are. He is going to keep doing His work of training, pruning, scrubbing, releasing, watching, and all the things He does to bring us to the place of COMPLETE conformity with His Son.

I see a pattern throughout the Word of God and it's within the pattern that I hear the warning from the Spirit of God. Here are some examples I am referring to. I'll just give the scripture references so I don't take up as much space.

First example: Abraham had God move in his life (Genesis 12). God had a desire to bless Abraham, his people, and ultimately the world through Abraham's seed. He also wanted to bless the Egyptians, the Ethiopians, etc. God is always desiring that NONE perish; not before, not now, not anytime. When the famine came and Joseph was God's move in the earth, Jacob almost missed out by NOT moving to Egypt.

Second example: Israel had been in the new move (Joseph's move) for 400+ years. God had told Abraham that his people would be in a strange land but would return around 400 years. Joseph had prophesied to his family to make sure when they left they took his bones with them. But after Joseph, they forgot all about the next move. They began to become fruitful and multiply and really enjoy the "present truth" prosperity so God eventually had to "shake" them so they would begin to cry out. Unfortunately, the pain they experienced only moved them for a little while. They counted the new move of God to the promise land not worth the trouble. So they died in the wilderness.

Listen closely: Hebrews 12 states that everything that can be shaken will be shaken so that which cannot be shaken will remain. There is a move on the horizon. It dwarfs anything that has happened up to this point. Just as the Exodus dwarfed anything God had done up to that point, so is His next move among us and the world. Just think what many missed out on. God revealed Himself to the Exodus crowd (which included some Egyptians who believed) in ways He had never before! Watch closely, brethren, lest at anytime you let what you have slip. Listen carefully to the voice of God; He'll say, "THIS is the way, walk ye in IT".

Third example: Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' time. Once again, the greatest thing God had ever done was right in front of their faces. A new move! Yet, they missed the visitation (Luke 19:41-44). It wasn't because God didn't try to shake them and prepare them to come along. They were too fixed in their own idea of how God does things to be concerned with what God was doing RIGHT THEN in their midst.

I could go on and on but I won't. I just feel strongly about staying tuned up and prepared for whatever the Holy Spirit is saying. I believe there are some reading this that have let themselves get to the place of such complacency that it's going to take a major "shaking" in your life to start seeing things from God's perspective. You started out with God giving you freedom and a taste of His Glory on and in your life. But you have since refused to move beyond your place of comfort. You are satisfied with the way things are and now you are actually in prison to what used to be freedom. God did some things in your life but now is way out front of you saying "please follow me". Freedom isn't freedom unless God is in our life.

God isn't in the destroying business, but He is in the MOLDING and CONFORMING business. He is desiring to not only bless your life, but like Abraham's, create in you the capacity to bless the world around you as you allow the move of God THROUGH YOU. So, don't wait for the shaking if you know in your heart that you haven't been moving WITH GOD. Repent, turn around, and begin trusting the Lord to work in you that which is pleasing in His sight.

Time to go. I trust each of you will have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to you. He is talking. He is moving. He will complete His work. Make sure you are IN the move, not outside of it.

Please add your comments to this or any other message. I'd love to hear from you.

Pastor Jan

The Invitation

I started thinking about something last Sunday evening. At one point in the evening the Lord had us find different scriptures dealing with God's "invitation"; verses such as "come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest". We were to then read them out loud. I read a couple of verses but most of them were read by others who had gathered together to seek the Lord. I just sat back and listened to the Word of the Lord. As I did I found myself thinking about the description of Heaven found in Revelation 4. It speaks of a glorious Throne and the Almighty sitting upon it. I envisioned the One sitting on the Throne saying to me, "come". Wow! What an invitation!

Interesting how one thing leads to another, isn't it. Genesis 3:8-10 says-
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?'' So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was ; and I hid myself.''

Here is God's creation, the BEST God ever has done, hiding from the Lord. Think of all they had been through up to this point. It was Adam and God that named all the animals. Adam named them, God said, "so it shall be", or "Amen!". They walked and talked and the Lord explained mysteries to Adam that, probably, no one has known yet today. It was God, the One Adam is now hiding from, that had approached Adam about "giving of himself" so that the Lord could make a helper for Adam. It was Adam who had faith in his Creator to the point he was willing to trust the Lord to put him down and then raise him back up. And because of that, Eve was created. Eve, the one Adam was now hiding with. All this and more had been a part of Adam's short past.

Now, he hears the voice of God and hides. You may be thinking, "of course Adam's hiding; he just sinned". True, that's a good part of the reason. But understand something here; Adam sinned but God came looking for him. It was God Who said, "Adam, where are you?". It was God Who lost His BEST when Adam turned on Him. Yet it was God Who was willing to seek and save that which He had lost. And, we know that the scripture says of Jesus, "the Son of man has come to seek and save that which was lost." God not only was willing the first time to give the invitation, but He is forever calling to you and I, "where are you?". He LOST His BEST with Adam's treason, but He GAVE His BEST to win him back. Jesus, God's second Adam (1 Corinthians 15).

This is how the Lord is applying it to me and, I believe, the BODY of CHRIST. We welcome the invitation for "sinners" to get right with God. AMEN! HALLELUJAH! But there are people all over this nation and around the world that are hiding from the Presence of God. People that once were "on fire" for God. People who had "tasted and seen that the Lord is good". People that told other people that "Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life!" Now, a lot of these same people are hiding - hiding in the "garden" of the congregation; hiding in the shadows, keeping a low profile, not willing to be found. Here's part of their mentality, "As long as I go to church I'm alright. And, I've got to go to a church I'm comfortable with, or I agree with..." On and on that thinking goes. But think about Adam in the garden. Would it have been better for Adam to find another place to worship? Maybe a place where he didn't feel "uncomfortable"? Is that what he really needed?

Could it be that people shun the Presence because they're uncomfortable with Holiness? Could it be that deep down they realize that they have fallen short of God's Truth? (and who hasn't!) Maybe they have forgotten they were once delivered from the kingdom of darkness. Maybe the "good old days" of walking and fellowshipping with God have gotten too old. Maybe...

But the Lord is on the move! Walking among the trees of the garden calling our names, "WHERE ARE YOU?". This is not the time to hide, but the time to submit ourselves to His Presence. It is the time to FACE GOD and let Him forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is the time to REPENT and RECEIVE the garments of righteousness and the power to be free. It is the time to accept His Invitation!

Please listen carefully to this: the remedy for our unfaithfulness, our sinfulness, our whatever, is NOT HIDING! The remedy is GOD'S PRESENCE!

Revelation 22:17 - "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!'' And let him who hears say, "Come!'' And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."
John 1:12 - "and as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God, even to as many as believe on His Name"

It is time to COME OUT OF HIDING and embrace the call of God for your life! It is time! Will you answer, "here I am" and let the Lord have His say?

Pastor Jan

Sanctify Yourselves

Greetings in the matchless Name of Jesus!

Sunday Evening, worship, prayer, testimonies...I love it! Things are never the same when you're in the Presence of the One Who never changes. Odd, isn't it? He says, "I am the LORD and I change not". Yet He is continually working, molding, shaping, correcting, loving... us, who need plenty of changing.

Tonight, in His Presence, there were a few different things touching my spirit. Some of the things began earlier in the evening as I was seeking the Lord and praying for the night. I will share with you one of the main things; and that is what I believe the Lord is specifically doing and how it should affect us, the Body of Christ.

Throughout the Word of God we see that whenever the Lord was about to "move", or do something that hadn't been done before ( i.e. deliver the children of Israel from Egypt, God meeting the children of Israel at the Mountain, Joshua leading the people across the Jordan River, etc.) He told them to "sanctify" themselves and then told them the time in which He would come. The God Who sanctified them (set them apart for His purposes and glory) told them to cleanse themselves, sanctify themselves, so they'd be prepared to meet Him.

Several verses should be looked at as we relate this to our walk.
Joshua 3:5 - And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.''

Exodus 19:10,11 - Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. "

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'' Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.''
"I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'' Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Timothy 2:19-22 - Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His,'' and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'' But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful s; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Malachi 3:1-3 - 1. "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. behold, He is coming,'' says the Lord of hosts. "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like fuller's soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness."

The Lord is about to do something He has never done before. Yes, He has saved people, He has healed people, and all of those things. But He has never had the Body of Christ, His people, at this particular time before. He has never had His people AT THE END OF THE AGE. This is the most critical time! This is also the time we can't take anything for granted. This is the time to sanctify ourselves from the world's way of doing things and run after what God is doing.

In Joshua 3 we see where the Ark of God was about to go before the Israelites. The Lord told Joshua to "go after the Ark". Go after what God is doing and where He's going. Don't stay back, run right after it. If you don't you'll find yourself on the wrong side of the river. Be ready to step right in when the river parts!

Something else to take note of, though. Right after He said "go after it", the Lord said to make sure you don't follow too close. Why? Because we are so good at getting ahead of God. We are great at "knowing" what the Lord is doing. We get a glimpse and then run on ahead. We need to remember what the Lord told Joshua: "you haven't been this way before".

Folks, there isn't a person alive that has been THIS way before. God is preparing something never shown before. He is in the process of building His people so that the manifold wisdom of God will be demonstrated by the Church to ALL the host of darkness. He is going to make His Church the people to demonstrate to the WORLD who this Jesus REALLY is! It will be an end time showdown!

I love to quote Joel 2:28 about God pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. But there are some things that come first. The people of God repenting, crying out to God for their impurities and self-centeredness. THEN it will come to pass...! The Lord also says that He will take away the reproach of His people. Before this is all over, THE CHURCH will be known, though maybe not followed, as GOD's VOICE TO THE WORLD!

One more thing; Malachi 3. The verses teach that Jesus (God's Messenger) is coming TO His people as a Refiner BEFORE He comes FOR them. I'll let you chew on that one...

Brethren, this is the time to "sanctify ourselves" for the purpose God has sanctified us: revealing His glory through our lives. This is the time to "go after what God's doing". And, this is the time to keep Him is sight and keep presumption out of our lives for "we've never passed this way before".

May we find ourselves running after the Lord more and more. May we become more and more desperate for ONLY HIM.

Blessed are the pursuers, for they shall catch...

Pastor Jan

Greetings,
What a wonderful, peaceful evening we had tonight. There really wasn't a call from the Lord to pray and intercede for anyone else; just mainly a time for each of us to crawl up into "Daddy's" lap and enjoy His Presence and let Him enjoy ours.

Remember what it was like when you were a little kid and NO ONE was greater than your dad. Your dad could do anything, fix anything, and he knew EVERYTHING. There was such a trust relationship there; you didn't worry about anything as long as daddy was near. Then, as we became teenagers, our dad didn't seem to be as smart. After all, we could think of answers and know how to do things as good or even better than "the old man". We still loved our dad but we were preparing to become "independent", on our own. This is fine to a point, except when our "independence" turns into "arrogance". Pride does bring about a fall and one of the main reasons why the Body of Christ is so powerless (by and large) is because there is so much pride- "why should we need any help?"

"Daddy" called us into His Presence this evening to remind us, once again, that His Love is still as it's always been. He is CRAZY about us. He also is encouraging us to become (and remain) like little children so that we will still believe that He can do anything.

This world needs to know of God's love, grace, mercy, power, etc. They will "taste and see that the Lord is good" by hanging around people who know what their Daddy is really like. Father is desiring that His children not be ashamed to invite their friends over to the Father's house to meet their "Daddy". We won't be ashamed or afraid if we know He has the same love and care for them as He does for us. Also, when we're out in the market place, and our Daddy is with us (I will never leave you nor forsake you) we won't try and walk away from Him when our friends come around. Why in the world would we be embarrassed with a Father like we have?

Come on, get into the Presence of Almighty God and see the smile on His face as you snuggle in. Feel the mighty hand and gentle touch as He says to you, "it's so good to see you", and "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters".

Remember this: don't try and live your life without Daddy's Presence. None of us can really live apart from Him. Really now, why would we even want to?

Your Father knows what things you have need of before you even ask... have you thought about how He could do such a thing? One reason comes to my mind: HE IS ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT YOU!

May your life be blessed as you find yourself becoming as a little child before your Heavenly Father,

Pastor Jan

Push and Trust - Back to Basics

Greetings,
Sunday night was very interesting...

The Lord's Presence was very evident; such a sweet, peaceful, loving Presence. It was as though the Lord was sitting in the same seat with each person there. I know the team on the platform, the singers and musicians, felt the same.

Several prophetic words were spoken that night that have kept playing over and over in my mind and spirit:

One of the words was "push". As a woman in travail about to give birth. The Lord is saying that we, the Body of Christ, are very close to the birth of the "movement" we, and others, have been carrying. It began as a Holy Seed deposited in our spirits and has continued to grow by the nourishment it's received as we've received nourishment from Jesus. It's as though we are "pregnant" with a move of God. It isn't more religion, but it's a movement that will change the face of this entire central Iowa area. I see it as an "outbreak of the Spirit of God"; an "awakening". Not just a series of special meetings. Not just a prayer meeting. Not just something that man can point to and say, "look what we've done". We must continually realize that it isn't OUR kingdom, but God's. It isn't our resources or power, but God's. As Mary said, "be it done to me according to Thy word", so we say to the Lord the same thing. Let it be born in us that which is the Holy, Powerful, All-Consuming, world-changing, WILL OF GOD. So the word to us is "PUSH!", don't stop, don't grow tired, don't be weary, but PUSH! Stay with the Lord's plans and purposes.

Anyone remember "Lamaze" classes? I was my wife's "coach". Guess who our "Coach" is?

The second word was "Trust". I am really challenged with this one. How easy is it for me (and, possibly, you) to THINK I'm trusting but actually I'm relying on what I've read in the past, done in the past, heard others have done, etc. I believe the Lord's word to us Sunday night was more along the line of what Abram heard as recorded in Genesis 12. He was told to arise, separate himself from the familiar (family) and go to a place the Lord WOULD show him.

Regardless of our experiences in God, regardless of how much we know or don't know, and regardless of how much we've read in the past of great moves of God (including those recorded in the book of Acts), we are entering a time that will look and operate like no other. The Lord is bringing the Church to a place IT HAS NEVER BEEN BEFORE. These final days will be days of unprecedented Glory, Power, Holiness, and Judgment. A great harvest is to be gathered. But it will be done, not by our might or our power or even our great intelligence. It will be done by the Spirit of God and through those who will TRUST and OBEY. By the way, trust and obey must work together or you don't really have either one.

Allow the Lord to speak to your heart about these 2 words: Push and Trust.

Actually, as I think about it, I see the Lord pulling the Church back to the basics. Away from that which has man's fingerprints all over it. Away from things that display the "strut of man". Jesus said, "I will build MY Church...". Even so, do it, Jesus!

Well, I've rambled on a bit. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after God's way of doing things. They will find themselves right smack dab in the center of His will.

Please join us this Sunday night: 6 p.m. 313 6th Street. WDM (Valley Junction area)

Pastor Jan