Prophetic Article
by
Patsy Grubb
(G.C.P’s)

I saw a vision of Father God sitting on a throne, obviously in His capacity as King.
There was a cry to prepare for war that went out throughout the Kingdom and I saw many begin to gather to seek counsel with the King. A small group of warriors, about a dozen, were granted access to the King and each came individually before the throne, and on bended knee, pledged their allegiance to the King and the King in turn gave each individual a blessing and commissioned them for war.

Many stood outside the court eager to fight - loud, rowdy and gung-ho. The King looked sad and concerned as the mob cried out and spurred each other on to fight. The scene inside the courts was somber, serious and yet I sensed the tenderness of the King’s heart toward the people.

The warriors (knights) were humble and respectful in the presence of the King, with a genuine love that was apparent, and I knew that they were preparing for the fight ahead, knowing that they may lose their life and being fully prepared for that outcome should it eventuate.

I enquired of the King as to why He would not grant those outside the court counsel, especially as those He had blessed were small in number. He responded that He would not allow the people‘s lives to have been in vain. He paused then asked the question -

How can they lay down their lives for a God they do not know?

Prophetic Article
by
Jesse-John Jabore
(G.C.P’s)

To the ‘shoulder nudges’

Written in the expressive form of Ecclesiastes

I have no need for order
Order cause me pain
It’s authority in love I disdain

My God tells me ‘He’s no respecter of man’ – He wastes no time in comparisons – He loves us all equally and because of this leaves us to our own devices to implement His word and His will, both personally and corporately. For so long now the established order of Church government has lorded it over the masses and, prophet-like, we should ‘shout this ill from the roof-tops for all to hear’. We’re children of God, with one Father who parents us in love, Jesus His Son who rules over us and the Spirit who teaches us. Yes, the Bible is ‘Spirit breathed’ and ‘divinely sourced,’ yet my interpretation of it may differ from yours, and if they differ, in the words of Mark Twain “never the twain/two shall meet.” AND ON & ON IT GOES! Possibly, for your good pleasure I should write a book.

God’s response: (from His word and by His Spirit in truth)

2nd Peter 2:10 ‘But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities’.

Let’s break it down: Let them that have ears, let them hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying.

The topic here is KINGDOM government. In this dispensation of time the apostle is being restored to the five-fold to complete it. This word is not to prove to the reader the truth of the previous sentence. Specifically, it is dealing with our attitude to authority, especially God ordained authority. Some may say though it’s timely in light of the federal election in Australia on August 21st.

The question being posed, ‘Is it possible that in your desire to rid the’ body of Christ’ of ungodly government you be likened to Balaam who was rebuked for his iniquity? (verse 16 – specifically directed to prophets). The verse above (2 Peter 2:10), applied to those opposing God’s implementation of Kingdom government is damning. Let me spell it out and in so doing, expose my heart at the risk of being despised. The kingdom of God is not a democracy. Its authoritative structure of rule in essence is more a military one. Be assured like Moses and David of old, God generals are being revealed and along with it the mandate of things to the body of Christ worldwide. The Australian band Midnight Oil wrote a song and it went ‘when the generals talk you better do what they say’ – they were mocking the American ‘control’ over lesser powers/subjects. These words ring out true to the end-time army though. We’re not to fear or despise true Godly authority. Remember as someone once said “a person who possesses true authority is superior to it, not driven by it” The cry of God’s heart to the disenchanted is “DARE TO TRUST AGAIN – DARE TO TRY AGAIN – ENLIST – PUT AN END TO THE CIVIL WAR” and upon doing so “KNOW YOUR PLACE – TAKE YOUR PLACE – IT’S TIME FOR WAR – FEAR NOT, YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!”

Following are dictionary meanings to help in the specific application of 2nd Peter 2:10 in relation to Kingdom government -‘But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities’.

‘flesh’ –   the body, especially as opposed to the spirit or the soul
‘lust’  –  ‘I must have it at once’ (Oswald Chambers)
‘uncleanness’  –  spiritually impure
‘despise’  –  look down upon, as with hate or contempt, scorn; disdain
‘government’  –  the form or system of rule by which a grouping is governed
‘presumptuous’  –  supposition of something as true; inexcusable boldness
‘self will’  –  a strong power to act according to one’s own wishes
‘dignities’ –  persons who hold high rank or office, especially in government or church

Prophetic Article
by
Patsy Grubb
(G.C.P’s)

Metabolism is an interesting phenomena.

The human body requires that in order to have a healthy metabolism it must consume healthy food often. When our consumption of food is irregular our metabolism slows down causing it to be ineffective. When we fail to eat, as in a fast, within a short time, usually around the third day we cease to be hungry .When we starve our bodies of nutrients for a prolonged period of time our appetite becomes non - existent and our bodies cease to function effectively. The body goes into survival mode and begins to break down the storehouse of nutrients within, which in turn robs us of valuable muscle and protein. If this continues our muscle begins to waste and our internal organs and even our brain are affected in their ability to function effectively. Sustained deprivation of food of course ultimately leads to death. On the other hand when we eat small healthy regular meals our metabolism speeds up and we become extremely efficient at processing food to create energy. Our appetite increases as do our energy levels, we burn excess fat, our internal organs work more efficiently and our thought processes are clearer. We eliminate waste more efficiently and generally enjoy improved health and lifestyle.

As it is in the natural so it is in the spiritual.

When we consume good healthy teaching/preaching/prophecy our appetite is stimulated and increased and we find we are hungry for more. As we spend time in God’s presence and in His word we become hungrier, healthier and more efficient and effective. Waste /rubbish is dealt with more efficiently and processed and eliminated faster. The areas in which we have been depleted are strengthened, built up and balance is restored. Our thought processes are changed and we think clearer and discern more effectively. Similarly when we starve ourselves of healthy balanced spiritual food, we soon lose our appetite, we become sluggish and ineffective and our inner storehouse begins to be depleted resulting in us losing spiritual muscle mass and if sustained for long enough this can result in spiritual death.

Just as the human body is composed of large amounts of protein and water, and in turn cannot survive or function properly without these 2 components in its dietary intake, the spirit also needs a healthy balance of the Word of God and the Spirit of God in order to survive and indeed thrive.

So if you are finding that your appetite has been suppressed, if you are simply not as hungry as you would like to be or once were, if you are feeling weak or depleted , be encouraged to look at your spiritual dietary intake and partake of small balanced meals OFTEN  until your hunger returns and increases . If you persist your hunger will return and then once more you will find that you can freely feast …………The Lord has set  a banqueting table before us ……….we simply need to come.

Psalm 34:8, ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him’.  

Prophetic Article
by
Toni Gordon
(G.C.P’s)

Australia’s Federal Election

Christians unite - in prayer and fasting. What type of Prayer? Prayer where we are quiet before God and ask God what He wants in the Federal Election. Not prayers telling God who we think/believe should be in government or how God should act.

Time is short. Do we as a nation want what God wants. If so, what are we prepared to do about it?

IT IS TIME FOR ACTION - GET ON OUR KNEES, AUSTRALIA. REPENT FOR OUR ARROGANCE, PRIDE, APATHY AND WANTING OUR OWN SELFISH WAYS.

Seek God and His Will for Australia while there is still time.

God says, “Seek Me and know what My Will is for Australia in this crucial time.”

Challenge: How will you handle it if God asks you to vote in a different way to what you have voted in the past? Are you going to vote as God has instructed you to? Or are you going to stay with your tradition (the way you have always voted or the way your family has always voted or the way a leader is telling you to vote).

Have you sought what GOD wants for Australia and who HE wants in power? Have you asked Him what He wants. This cannot be emphasized enough – God wants what He wants and always has. Are we going to be His Hands here on this earth to do His will. Walk into the polling place and mark with your hand the one/s He has instructed you to vote for.

Christians - it is time for you to get involved in what is happening in Australian politics. If we cry out to God after the election, He will ask us, “Did you seek My counsel on the elections before the day and did you do what I asked You to do?”

Christian you can hear from God for yourself. You are responsible before God to ask Him who He (God) wants you to vote for and THEN DO IT.

I WANT THE GOVERNMENT THAT GOD WANTS FOR AUSTRALIA! DO YOU?

It is not time to sit back and say, “I’ll just see what happens in the elections or I will leave the praying to someone else.”

God is asking you to be part of what is going to happen in this Federal election on 21 August 2010.

Prophetic Article
by
Glenice Mills
(G.C.P’s)

‘We’ll get the government the church deserves.’  What a statement.  The other night the Lord spoke this to me.  At first I thought it was my own thoughts but soon realised it was the Lord.  The tone was firm and commanding.  He got my attention!  Such was His concern!  He was concerned about the state of the church here in Australia and the consequences to this nation.  We are in God’s prophetic timetable and there are some things that will happen whether we like it or not, as this is about His kingdom purposes coming here on earth, ushering in the Lord’s return.  Some things will happen that we as Christians will have to ride through and it would be naïve of us to think that we will by-pass every negative thing that is going to happen here in Australia and the world in coming days and times.

For too long we Christians have been lulled into a complacent false peace and rest because a people pleasing, user friendly, watered down version of the Word that has been preached.  There has been a false evangelistic message preached that says ‘come to the Lord and your life will go well from then on.’  There is next to no talk or preaching about sin, and the consequences of sin.  Sin in the church is not confronted, instead a blind eye is turned.  The reality is: there is a battle we all face in different areas of our lives that we need to learn to over come in.  There must be a deeper knowledge and revelation of the character and ways of God as we grow up into Him.  There is an appeasing gospel being preached that keeps God’s people stuck in immaturity. Unfortunately it  renders them ineffective and unable to stand when the storms of life come.

So what is happening in the church that is also taking place in our government?

Those in authority positions MUST lead.  That can mean a losing of one’s reputation and the ire of those to whom the leader must lead.  What is more important: reputation or popularity?  That is the crux of the matter in both government and church leadership.  The truth is a leader cannot and MUST not be all things to all people.  It will result in compromise.  In the end there will be a dishonouring and irreverence of the leader, resulting in a take over by someone who appeals to the status quo.  There is a line a leader must not cross: Will you bow to the demands of the people or risk unpopularity for making the tough decisions?  A true leader will die to their reputation and embrace what they believe and stand for.  This requirement is even more so for a church leader who has the Word of God to teach and guide them as to the right and wrong things to do.  A leader must STAND FOR something or fall for everything.  That is why we must pray for those in positions of authority such as government and church.

The government of Australia, all sides of politics, have a dangerous thinking.  The position of parliamentary representatives is a serious position, one that the people expect to be treated with respect.  The people need to know that their elected representatives are looking out for their best interests.  Unfortunately this does not always happen and it is breeding a discontent and cynicism of those that we should in fact think highly of because of the position they hold.  It is in fact a servanthood position of the highest order.  Unfortunately the revelation of this is generally lacking. Pride because of the position takes root and blinds them to seeing what really are the issues and concerns of the people.

Replacing leaders is not like replacing a coach when a football team loses a few games.  However, there is the same thinking: that a leader is somehow disposable if they don’t reach an expectation put on them by the people.  This is how both politicians and church leaders succumb to people pleasing, thereby compromising what they stand for.  Popularity polls are not a good way to gauge whether a person is doing a good job leading a nation as people are fickle.  The reality is people love the good times and the good things that come because of it, but opinions quickly turn if there are bad things happening and people‘s self interests are not being met.  It is a sad indictment on us that we are shown to be this shallow, though sadly I think most of us are.  We are selfish in our motives and only see things as to how they affect us.  As Christians we should be rising above this thinking, instead we bow to the general consensus of opinion out there.  If we are to be the salt and the light in a world of darkness perhaps we need to see things differently.  It is about the bigger picture, what the Lord wants for this nation at this time, and where we can best play our part as watchmen and being a voice at this pivotal time in history.

In the past three years we have had five leadership takeovers if you count the leaders of the opposition.  This is concerning.  We can say to ourselves what’s the big deal however it is a warning as shown in Scripture.  Leadership is about maintaining stability whether that be church or in a nation.  If there is instability among the key leaders of a nation it is a sign that some things are very amiss.  Often where there are many leaders it means sin is a reason for this.

Proverbs 28:2, ‘When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue’.

We see an example of this throughout the Books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings where if the people were doing what was right before the Lord there was a righteous king governing, and where there was disobedience and the breaking of God’s covenant unrighteous kings led.
It is no different today.  God’s principles still apply.  The church of Australia must ask whether they are walking righteously before the Lord?

We will get the government the church deserves.  It is a righteousness issue.
It always was and will continue to be, however the onus is on us to individually and corporately repent where we have chosen ways that grieve the heart of God.  The church likes to quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the verse for praying for a nation.  However if you take a deep look at what this verse is truly saying we must first examine it.  The first statement of this verse: If My people, who are called by My name, is a challenge in itself.  Are we truly God’s people for if we were we would be different, we would be a people of influence and would stand out as having and being light in this world.  Perhaps we need to ask the question: what is required to be My people, true people of God?   What is required to be a people called by His name?  This is about belonging to Him, being His disciple, and walking in obedience to all the Lord requires.  Are church leaders in this nation walking in true obedience and teaching, training and equipping the saints to come into their destiny in Christ?  Are they allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in church meetings so that breakthrough can come into people’s lives and for this nation.  Is the individual aspect of God in and through His people able to be expressed so the fullness of Christ can be released?  Are the people being trained and positioned so the Kingdom of God can be advanced here on earth at this time in history?   Is the church here in Australia a force to be reckoned with, with a voice speaking out what is right and true or are we rightly deserving of the mocking and ridicule that seems to be pervading all aspects of society here?

How can we be a voice of influence when we are impotent to even helping our own people because we don’t truly believe and embrace the power and authority of Jesus Christ and the gifts - both motivational and ascension gifts - that He wants to release to His church?
We see bickering, backbiting, slander, gossip and contention being shown by our government representatives.  Is this not how the church also behaves?  Our behaviour must be exemplary if we are to be respected and have standing in the community.
The church has lost its way but the good news is it can come back on course.
Things can change and it starts with us individually to examine our own hearts and ask the Lord to show us where our lives do not line up with the Word of God.

The church can no longer stay asleep and continue bowing to an appeasing gospel, shutting its eyes to blatant and hidden sin.  This means confronting sin not talked about such as sexual sin, dishonesty, and prejudices.  Unless and until true honesty and the truth of the Word of God is preached, and repentance as a part of church life we will continue to be dissatisfied with our parliamentary leaders and the laws they pass.  This word is not a judgment or criticism of the church but rather a challenge to stir up the church so it can be positioned, respected, acknowledged and honoured as the influence in this dark world that it was always meant to be.

It is time to arise, to influence and to be the hope that the Lord shed His blood for: that is His church, His body of believers who have the answer to a dying world.  We need God’s grace and His mercy like never before, and this is a rallying call while we can still speak publicly and through the website, before evil increases in this land and we won’t have a voice anymore.

We must speak now before it is too late!!!

Prophetic Article
by
Patsy Grubb
(G.C.P’s)

The law of accumulation.

Accumulation can both advantage and disadvantage us throughout life. Over time cents become dollars, raindrops become dams, seconds become hours, hurts become wounds, grams become kilos, habits become addictions. We are by nature creatures of habit .We rarely if ever do things only once.

Satan in his quest to destroy us does not always attack with one huge onslaught but rather he uses our human nature against us and to his advantage. The attack can be very subtle and yet very effective and debilitating. Often we are unaware of our wounding, deception, etc until we are in the critical stages and we are fighting for our lives (spiritually and/or physically). For example, cancer does not usually result from a one- time exposure to a toxin but rather to repeated exposures. Emphysema is generally not the result of one cigarette but rather sustained exposure to an irritant. Obesity is not the result of one bout of overeating but rather the result of sustained surplus intake of food.  Often these conditions are not realized until they are at a critical stage.

As it is in the physical so it is in the spiritual.

Deception is not the result of exposure to one falsity but rather to extended exposure to the false and /or sustained absence from the truth. Hardness of heart is not the result of one offense but rather to self protecting from regular wounds, offenses, bitterness etc. We are by nature creatures of habit. Our habits if they remain unchecked have the potential to lead to our demise.

Equally if we have positive habits they also have the potential to lead to our success.
If we save small amounts on a regular basis we will have a financial storehouse. Should we exercise on a regular basis we will have increased physical well being. If we regularly examine our lifestyle we can avert health risks etc.  If we regularly expose and submit ourselves to the truth we will avoid deception. If we regularly engage in true fellowship within God given relationships we will avoid isolation. If we engage in regular fellowship with God and have a truly repentant spirit we will avoid hardness of heart. If we regularly submit ourselves to the process of having God search our hearts and motives we will avoid pride.

If one dollar a day was saved in a year it would become three hundred and sixty five dollars available to be drawn on in times of need, If one scripture a day was read and meditated on in one year that would be three hundred and sixty five scriptures within one’s being to draw on in times of need, etc, etc. If we are diligent and disciplined we can achieve much with little because what we sow will accumulate whether it be positive or negative. We need to examine what it is we have allowed to accumulate in our lives and similarly what it is we need to accumulate in our lives. Great things can come from small beginnings. Remember the mustard seed …..?

Prophetic Article
by
Glenice Mills
(G.C.P’s)

If?  What a powerful little word!!!  Think about it.  IF?  IF?  IF?

It’s a word that hangs out there.  It is a word that defines a line. A line in the sand that actually says will you or won’t you?  The Word of God comes with conditions and this is a time of, ‘Will you come up to living your lives abiding by the conditions in My word or will you continue to do your own thing’.  Every day we have choices.  Not one of us can say we have it altogether.  We all have areas in our lives that are not yielded to the Lord yet.  The question is: are we prepared to have a look at the area/s that the Lord is wanting to highlight in our lives at this time?  We are all at defining times right now, particularly as to whether the Lord is able to use us and to the degree that he can entrust us with His anointing and with the gifts He has given us.  For too long His name has been bought into disrepute by what appeared as well meaning, anointed ministers of the gospel.  However, times are changing and there is a higher demand being placed upon all at this time.  What we had got away with before is no longer acceptable.  The bar has been raised higher, because the Lord is wanting to release His kingdom here on earth at a greater level.  He can only use ones that have stood the tests of time, have not wavered to compromise and have held onto Him even when things seemed impossible.  To whom much is given much is required.  We dare not squander what the Lord has given us individually or corporately.  Sadly there has been much that has been squandered, that is, spent wastefully, without achieving what it was meant to because of immaturity and lack of the true fear of the Lord.   We have got away with much, and now is a time of restraining, of pulling us in tight, so we don’t run off amiss.  Perhaps it could best be described as coming into greater maturity.  Toddler like behaviour - throwing tantrums when things don’t go our way, sulking, saying “No” every time we don’t want to do something required of us, can no longer be accepted as a right way of behaving.  Our no is a bit more sophisticated as adults and manifests in different ways, however it is rebellion.  Perhaps it can best be spoken in the following Scripture.

James 4:17 - Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

God has requirements for righteous living and the Bible is our instruction manual for helping us to learn of the ways of God and how to put into action those requirements.
There are some key Scriptures that focus on what the Lord is requiring of us at this time.  It is the Holy Spirit that convicts, however, the Lord is looking for a people who are willing to go deeper with Him and are prepared to allow the Holy Spirit to show us our deep and hidden sin.  This means it will get ugly, and the Lord will bring situations across our paths that will challenge us in the areas He is wanting to reveal and bring to the light.  For too long sin has been seen as a shameful thing, best kept hidden and brushed under the carpet.  In the general church it is a subject that is rarely spoken of, but it is the Truth, and IF we are going to move forward as a mighty army our sinful nature must be confronted, confessed and change made in our personal choices.

Following are some key Scriptures the Lord is wanting to highlight at this time, dealing with particular areas.

1. FORGIVENESS:

Matthew 6:14,15 - “For IF you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. BUT IF you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Wow, what a word!!  In other words, if you choose to hold onto offence and unforgiveness the Father cannot forgive you.  That is the condition.  To the degree that we hold onto any grievance against another, any resentment, bitterness, and offence, that will be the degree that the Lord cannot allow His grace to come and bring his forgiveness.  Our grievance may be right, we may have been seriously wronged by someone but that does not make it an excuse for staying in our sin and unforgiveness.

That is a serious thing.  So who in your life are you still holding onto offence and unforgiveness that the Lord is highlighting at this time?  Do you want to be right and get even with the person or do you want to forgive them and release them to the Lord?

The choice is yours!  IF?

2. ARE YOU LISTENING?

Jeremiah 26:4-6 - And you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “IF you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, to heed the words of My servants the prophets whom I sent to you, both rising up early and sending them (but you have not heeded), then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

We have a responsibility to listen to what the prophets are saying and to heed what is being said.  We are without excuse.  We are spoilt in these days and times for we are in danger of being fat, fat from hearing the word, but not so active in doing the word.
When a prophet speaks, it is not to tickle your ears.  It is God speaking and in the fear of the Lord we need to do what is required.  We dare not take the word of the Lord for granted for we have a responsibility to put into place what is asked of us.  I don’t know about you, but I want the Lord’s blessings, not His curses.  I don’t want to become deceived, thinking I know everything and am above correction and discipline.  I want to come into all He plans for my life.  Time is short and the choice is: do we want to muck around playing games with God or do we want to get serious and address the areas in our lives not yet yielded to Him?

The choice is yours: IF?

3. FAITH:

Matthew 21: 21, 22 - So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, IF you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also IF you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

This is a big one.  The Lord is dealing with our unbelief and doubt at this time.  IF we are going to be a courageous army standing for what is right and true we must know our Lord with such a depth that no matter what assails us we will stand strong.

That is the challenge.  The Lord knows the areas we struggle in with our faith and He individually hit’s the mark to bring up the areas of unbelief.  This is exciting as it brings opportunity for us to arise and make a stand in God, to not bow to fear and unbelief but to see the hand of God move to bring about His plans.  IF we are faithful to trust Him with what is beyond what we know or can do. Are you willing to go beyond what is comfortable trusting Him with all concerning your life?

The choice is  yours.  IF?

4. THE SABBATH:

Jeremiah 17: 21 - 23, 27 - Thus says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.  But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction.
But IF you will not heed me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.”

We see clearly, there will be a consequence IF we do not keep the Sabbath’s  requirements, such as not working.  It is a holy day, a day set apart to the Lord.  Are we obedient to set the day apart or do we compromise His day by getting caught up in the subtle things that would derail this day from being His.  Does our focus go away from Him to the concerns of this world and the everyday traps that would lead us astray?  It is interesting to note that those who do not obey become stiff necked and do not hear or receive instruction.  That is serious.  Deception will come and we will be blinded to truth.  Will you keep the Sabbath a Holy day dedicated wholly to the Lord?

The choice is yours.  IF?

5. WALKING IN THE LIGHT:

1 John 5 - 7 - ‘This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  IF we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But IF we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.‘

This is about our relationship with the Lord.  When we blatantly make wrong choices choosing darkness rather than light that impacts and has a flow on effect on our relationship with the Lord and with each other.  There is a clear distinction between darkness and light, there is no grey shaded areas.  For too long we have muddied what should be a pure stream of living water by compromising the Word of God and preaching an appeasing gospel that waters down sinful behaviour.  So what area in your life are you compromising the Word of God, trying to justify or deny sin in your life? Are you prepared to have the light of God shine into your heart and have the impure motives, the hidden sin be exposed, so light can shine in at a deeper level?  There is a condition.  Darkness or light?

The choice is yours.  IF?

6. OBEDIENCE:

1 Samuel 12:14 -16 - ‘IF you fear the Lord  and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God.  However, IF you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers.‘

Walking in the fear the Lord is an everyday choice.  It is how we live our lives, so aware we do not grieve the heart of God by deliberately going against what He requires.  Often our actions show complete contempt of walking in the ways of the Lord as we open doors to the enemy by the choices we make.  To obey means to do what one is told to do.  That is not doing half measures, not doing enough to just get by, not being half hearted in our actions or just getting by.  It does not mean we twist what we have been instructed by doing something the way we think because it seems the better way in our eyes.  It means following instructions, whether by obeying the Word of God, or by obeying an instruction given to us by someone in authority, such as a church leader or someone who speaks into our lives with the greatest detail.  It is pride if we think we know more than God because disobedience is actually saying my way is a better way than the Lord’s, I can do my own thing because God does not know what He is doing.

So it is with whoever instructs certain things into your life, whether that be someone in authority in the church or out in the workplace.  Do you want the hand of God to be against you because you think you can do things a better way than God?  There will be consequences to the choices you make - good or bad.  It come down to one word with a condition attached to it.  IF?

Will you come into all the Lord has for you and give up those things that entangle you and hold you in bondage or will you choose your own way?

The choice is yours.  IF?

Prophetic Article
by
Johanna van Weeren
(written Jan ‘05)

The profile contours of a new breed of prophets is starting to be recognised. When I say this, I don’t mean they bring something which never existed before, but rather that it’s easy to forget or be oblivious to them due to the type of church culture we have, stage/pews, even in the prophetic/charismatic movement.

Their existence is a collective force we have to recognise, embrace, validate, affirm, mentor, nurture and cherish, because it is a breed of believers which touches ground zero in terms of an incarnated prophetic lifestyle, a much needed model for everyone.

Many of them are survivors of tragedies and traumas, have difficult issues with their health, physical and emotional, and don’t fit in the present paradigm of mainstream ‘ministry’ types. Howeve, they are like hound dogs hitting the prophetic trail, joined by kindred hearts, running in the direction they feel the Lord leading them, scouting the land for those coming behind.

They love God with a consuming passion. Seasoned through trials and tribulations, they walk a path of eagerness to know more of Him. They journal, write on forums, have their own blog, support and pray for ministries and people, in fact, the Internet is their preferred vehicle. They spawn virtual communities all over the world. Their ministry of encouragement is outstanding and their compassion runs deep.

They recognise each other when they meet, and form spiritual friendships anointed with a fierce passion to share blessings and discoveries, working tirelessly to mentor each other and witness the establishment of spiritual revival at a level never seen before. They are usually recognised for having visions much bigger than their own lives, visions that can’t be beaten into smaller packages to fit the mainstream ‘box’ paradigm. They speak of heaven as if it’s next door, pray and intercede for strangers with dedicated passion, they worship with tears and usually can be prophetically ministering art deeper levels than any counselor could expect to reach, all this without even knowing it!

Some dream of bigger ‘ministries’ but what they mostly mean is that they would like to see their lives be a greater blessing to many. They can’t flow as well within the boundaries of rigid religion, but will find patches of sun anywhere they can. They give sacrificially, long for meaningful spiritual fellowship, dream big dreams and often live a hidden, almost anonymous life. But they are giants. We have heard it said in many ways that praying mums may be of greater stature in heaven than 100 great preachers on earth. These are chips from the same block.

Their destiny is the Bride’s. Their song is for the Bride to awake and walk in her prophetic stature and maturity; Jews and Gentiles united in Christ; purity in the media and in our cities; unity in the Body of Christ; daily signs and wonders on a very, very large scale; power and miracles through faith-based prayers; no-nonsense leadership in our churches and government; prophetic understanding of social and internatiional events, and subsequent prophetic strategies applied to specific tasks in response to the Lord’s guidance and assignments, etc.

Most of these people don’t have a secular day job, a huge number of them are women, many mostly home during the day, some are ’stay at home’ mums, many are people living with a disability, dealing with debilitating conditions. But if you try running with them, you could end-up out of breath! They tirelessly read, pray, minister, worship, all the while tackling difficult life situations. Yet, they grow by leaps and bounds, cross-pollinating through the vast international network of home-based communications that the Internet has become, creating a new breed of anointed ministers who are, to use a prophesied term: “the nameless and faceless.”

I call them “Bathrobe Prophets.” I don’t use the term ‘bathrobe’ ina derogatory way, like in ‘couch potato.’ I use it because at times, that’s what many would wear most of the day, due to their condition.

They write tons of dreams and miles of prophetic words, thirst for the Presence of the Father, and hunger to see the Kingdom of God be all it can be. They love to speak words that bring life and healing, encouragment and truth, they are ever learning about proper prophetic ‘etiquette’ so they walk in love and not arrogance, and will astound many with their tireless scribing activity and vibrant need for fellowship.

There are so many prophetic ‘ministries’ today, and our attention will usually be solicited by the most noticeable and loud ones. These are more like Mary Magdelene, the apostle John, Daniel and many others, loving God’s presence, and fellowship with Him as friends is their utmost passion.

If you recognise yourself in this, blessed are you. You have not been overlooked, passed by or ignored by God. You simply may be part of one of His secret armies. Your prophetic life is not barely lived on a stage before thousands, or addressing a limited number of issues relevant to the latest prophetic fad. Your life is a rich and glorious prophetic canvas where God is weaving the words of His heart as they resonate and transform your daily life. You are not ignorant of the enemy’s fire and brutal attacks on your life, but you still pursue God’s fire.

Healing is in His wings, and you believe it, yet, as broken and disabled as you are, you do not give up, trusting with a robust, unpretentious and unadorned faith that He will come through some day. Many of you believe that your sicknesses or conditions are used by the Lord as intercession material, and so it is. We know little about how much we are carrying in our bodies the prophetic assignment of intercession for His Body on earth…

A voice of one calling:
“In the desert prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3)

Prepare a way. For the Lord. As you are in the desert. A highway (huge and faster traffic).  Not just a trail. In the wilderness. Isolation. Barrennes. The pace can increase full speed on a highway. Multiplication. We are to prepare this highway for the Lord. Not ourselves. Making straight a highway so we won’t have to make detours. In the desert, detours can cost you your life if water is not present.

I just can’t keep from thinking: “Bathroom Prophets of the world: UNITE!”

1 Cor 12:14-18, “Now the body is not made up of one part but many. […]” But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

1 Cor 14:5, “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.”

1 Cor 14:24, “But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Prophetic Article
by
Glenice Mills
(G.C.P’s)

At the beginning of the year when seeking the Lord about this coming year, He said it was a year to endure.  I didn’t have an understanding of what that would look like and what it would mean until now.  Even as the year unfolds I can say I am still learning what it means to endure.  Many have spoken about this year being different and for a lot of us it has meant a real pushing into God to just get by.  However, the Lord does not want us to just get by.  He is doing a foundational work.  For many of us who have walked with the Lord for many years this does not make sense.  However it is about foundations going in because of the new positioning the Lord is requiring of us.  As we go higher and further with the Lord there is a greater requirement and responsibility that comes with this.  As with any foundation, it is not seen, but as builders will tell you, it is the most important part of the building.  It is time consuming, exacting work.  It can be frustrating at times because there is no opportunity for error.  It is a time when a builder has the clear vision of the end product but this foundation stage is about enduring the trials, the difficulties, yet still holding onto the vision of the completed building.  There are stages in the foundations of a building that can be equated with our lives.  Following are some key aspects of laying a good foundation using a building analogy.

1. Setting out where the building is to sit:
Perhaps this could best be described as being positioned exactly where the Lord wants you to be.  For many it is a time of fine tuning, like tuning into a radio station.  You have to be dead on, if not the sound is distorted and you can’t hear clearly.  If a building is not positioned where it should be the consequences are disastrous.  It is about precision work.  The building plans have to be followed to the tiniest degree for there can be no margin for error.

2. Setting out the string lines:
The string lines place the boundary of the house and exactly where the foundations have to go in.  It is crucial these lines are dead straight, particularly the positioning of each corner. This could be equivalent to knowing the boundaries of what we are to endure and not going into areas we are not meant to.  Again this is exacting work, and if it is rushed, and any corners cut, the long term affect can be devastating.  This can be a time consuming part of the foundation.  So often at this time it is easy to rush in, skip the process by cutting corners and moving before we are meant to. If the boundary string lines are inaccurately placed and cross into an area they are not meant to, the long term problem takes a lot of rectifying.

3. Digging of the foundations:
This is when the really hard physical work takes place.  You don’t know what you will strike until you start digging.  Many a building project has been seriously delayed because of striking hard rock, or a creek bed.  This means going over the plans again,
redoing engineer calculations and finding other ways of putting the foundations in.
This usually requires more steel work, deeper holes being dug, and a lot more concrete going in to strengthen the foundation.  It can be a messy, often muddy, expensive part of the foundations.  It frequently takes longer in time, it incurs greater expense and the inconvenience can be very frustrating.  Again it is unseen, but crucial to the end product being held up. It is a stage of true endurance, of pushing through, of learning patience and perseverance.  No corner can be cut. It is about the deep work being done central to holding the building up.  Like our walk with the Lord, this is our time where the Lord is doing a deep healing work, and a deep character work.

There are many tests at this stage to see if we are strong enough to take the weight of the anointing.  In this building process there are many inspections by the building inspector to check everything is being followed according to the plans and engineering requirements.  This is like us passing tests the Lord brings along our path to see what we will do in certain circumstances. Again it is not seen but it is critical to the final product being all it is meant to be.

The depth of the foundation of a building often depends on the weight of the structure of the house.  Perhaps it could be said the greater the call of God on a person’s life the deeper the foundations must go. This means the work will be thorough with no margin for error.  Interestingly foundations are always bigger on a building than what’s needed, so the weight can be spread.

4. Steel work and concrete go into the foundations:
The steel is what gives strength and holds everything together.  The concrete protects the steel from rusting but together they make the foundation strong.  The grade of concrete provides the right strength in the footings.  The concrete takes time to dry and cannot take the weight straight away.  As concrete dries it strengthens.  The steel and the concrete work together as the steel ties the house to the foundation and the concrete strengthens across the foundation and floor of the building.  This steel is like our vertical relationship with the Lord, and the concrete is like our relationship with one another.  We can’t have one without the other.  When the concrete floor is poured covering over the foundation it lays the platform for the structure of the house to be built on.  It appears superficial, however, it covers all the work that has gone into the foundations and is the base for the growth of the next stage, the building of the house.

We are all in process but like the building it must be built upon the rock, Jesus Christ.
The deep work is unseen, however, it is what defines us and equips us ready for what the Lord wants in bringing us to fulfilling our calls.  The truth is we cannot escape from the dealings of God, and endurance is a part of the building of fortitude into our lives.  Sadly many have abandoned their destiny or tried to short cut what the Lord is doing because it got too hard.  For many, we have gone around the mountain a few times but to endure is to actually be prepared to navigate and climb directly up the mountain with the help of the Holy Spirit and the ones the Lord has given to help us along the way.   A while ago a word came to us at Forerunners about climbing up the mountain and the way we needed to be tied together following Lynne as she leads the expedition.  As you near the top of the mountain greater energy is needed for it is often the steepest part of the climb.  When we think of endurance, perseverance and patience, they are often mistaken as meaning the same or similar.  However they are quite different.

To endure means to undergo pain.  It is an ability to withstand prolonged strain.  It is to tolerate, to bear, to last, remain and to suffer.
To strain is to press to extremes.  It requires exertion.
To suffer means to experience pain, or grief or discomfort.
The meaning of persevere is to continue steadfastly, persist in and to maintain effort.
Patience is calm endurance of hardship, pain and delay. When I think of patience it is more passive where as to endure requires exertion, it requires effort, it is more active.

It is interesting to note that where the King James Version of the Bible has the word endure, it is found in the NIV and other versions as patience. However, the difference in meaning between these two words is quite profound. When we think of endure it does require suffering, strain, discomfort and exertion. They are words that are not so ‘user friendly’, however, if we are honest, for many who are in the process of enduring the true meaning of endure best describes what we are feeling.

Many are going through a time of transition.  There is a sense of change of season but what is to come hasn’t quite been released yet.  It is a waiting on God time, a time to endure when nothing seems to be happening.  It feels uncomfortable and it is especially designed to build muscle to our faith.  It is having our faces set like flint keeping our eyes fixed on the prize.  There can be no wavering.

It is interesting going through Scripture to see the areas where there will be enduring.
Following are some areas the Bible tells us we must endure.

1. Hated for the Lord’s name sake:
Matthew 10:22 - ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’

This verse says about enduring even when family rise up against us when we make a stand for the Lord.  People will hate us and for what we stand for but to endure this brings salvation.

2. Bearing tribulations, persecution and enduring afflictions:
2 Thessalonians 1:4-7 - ‘So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.’

It is sobering to think that our endurance is about being counted as worthy of the Kingdom of God.  We should not be surprised then when we suffer persecutions and afflictions.

3. Enduring hardship
2 Timothy 2:3 - ‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet he is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.’

We are quick to picture ourselves as soldiers in an army however we forget that a soldier at war has to endure much.  We must remain single minded, never forgetting the crown which is ours,  It is dependent upon choosing not to get caught up in the cares of our day to day lives.  Easier said than done I think.

4. Enduring afflictions
2 Timothy 2:9,10 - ‘Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.’

We are sinners and we will all suffer troubles.  It is how we endure our troubles that is the test.  It is about our attitudes, how quickly we repent, and the choices we make to walk in His righteousness.  Perhaps it can best be described as outworking our salvation with fear and trembling.  That is a day to day experience and we are each accountable for how we do this.

5. Endure chastening:
Hebrews 12:7 - ‘If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?’

Whether we like it or not the Lord disciplines those He loves.  We all have areas in our lives that the Lord is adjusting and correcting and that means enduring these areas of discipline.  It is about being willing to be trained in the things of God so we would be true examples of ones with Godly character.  This requires day to day choices. Choosing God’s way instead of our own is not always easy, however, to endure these disciplines grow us up into Him.

6. Endure patience:
James 5:10,11 - ‘Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure.  Ye have heart of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.’

In these days and times it is hard to equate suffering affliction with blessing.  We so often moan and groan when things are going wrong forgetting that it is the Lord bringing the circumstances to test us to see if we will endure.  This is in fact a blessing of God, a thought not often easily aligned with our day to day experiences.  However it is a way of God.  We live in a society of the here and now, of instant gratification so to endure with patience flies in the face of what is happening in our world today.

It is interesting to note that prophets are mentioned as ones who must endure patience.
If you are called as a prophet one of the tests will be endurance.  It is part of the requirements of the training of a prophet.

7. Endure unjust suffering:
1 Peter 2:19,20 - ‘For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, for this is acceptable with God.’

There are times in our lives when we are placed under harsh leaders in the work place or in an environment where we are to submit ourselves to ungodly governing authority.  This releases the favour of God as we pass these tests of character. It is about suffering for right when you know things are wrong.  It may require quietly yielding to this authority or it may require speaking out.  No matter which way it will mean attracting the favour of God on your life.

8. Endure for the promise:
Hebrews 6:13-15 - ‘For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’

This is the place many of us are at.  We see the promise, it is out there, however, it is about enduring for the perfect timing of God for His release of the promises to us.
Everything is in the timing of God and it is a good thing to endure for the promise for multiplication will come if we faithfully endure.

9. Endurance brings faith:
Hebrews 11:27 - ‘By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.’

Moses was an example of a man of faith, who stood his ground before the king believing God would come through for him.  He believed in an unseen God, just as we do.  This increases the faith in our lives.

10. Endure temptation:
James 1:12 - ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.’

This is about overcoming every temptation that comes our way.  Temptations will come, but it is what we do with them that is the test.  The choice is ours.

11. Love endures all things:
1 Corinthians 13:7 - ‘Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’

Ultimately for us to endure it is about love, - that is the love of God toward us and our love toward each other.  Love will get us through every trial.  That is why we need the Lord and each other.  We cannot do it alone.  We were never meant to do it alone that is why we have our church family.

It is interesting to note that with every verse on endurance there was always good  coming IF we pass the test of endurance.  These included salvation, being worthy of the Kingdom of God, receiving the crown, eternal glory, the Father’s love, blessing, acceptance, promises to us and an increase in faith, favour and the multiplication in the fulfilment of the promises.  It brings everything into context and reminds us that it is not only about us here at this time on earth but it is also about our destiny and spending time with Him in eternity.

If we endure, there are rewards for us, such is the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Life is a journey, endurance for the race can only come from the Lord.

We are graced this year to endure and we can do it with the Lord’s help!

Prophetic Article
by
Glenice Mills
(G.C.P’s)

These past couple of weeks I’ve had a burden for America.  Before our eyes we are seeing how a once mighty nation has fallen (and is continuing to fall.)

This can be viewed negatively, perhaps as God’s judgment upon this nation, or it can be viewed as God’s hand reaching out to a nation to rescue it from itself and to show its people that the Lord is wanting to bring it back on track.  It has always been viewed by its people and by other nations as one of God’s blessed nations.  So often we think that when things are going wrong it is God’s punishment, however, we forget that it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance, and that God will use whatever He feels to use to bring His people back to Himself.  God’s heart has always been, and will always be, about people and about relationship with Him.  America acknowledges its Christian heritage and is one that readily boasts that it is a Christian nation.  Perhaps the real test at this time is how Christian is America?  Only in times of affliction can we really know this.  It is the same with our lives.  How often have ones fallen away from the Lord because it got too hard?  How many have hardened their heart because they felt that the Lord had somehow let them down because they had a wrong perception and understanding of the character and ways of God?  God has a timetable and what is happening to America does not surprise Him.

Many prophets have spoken the warning of what is now coming to pass.  The prophets are speaking that there is still more tough times to come.  This is correct, however, we need to know what the Lord is doing in this time and reveal His heart and His understanding to what appears to be a mix of many complex problems.  The Lord happened to use the economy of America to expose the idolatry, the greed, corruption and love of mammon that has insidiously pervaded its way into the fabric of this nation.  Perhaps America got ’too big for its boots’.  In other words, it had got full of itself and in its pride thought it had no need of the Lord or only on demand to feed the pride and love of self.  This is not a criticism but perhaps a challenge to look at what defines a nation and its people, what in its culture has led to it falling away from Truth and how has it grieved the Father heart of God.  Just like our own lives as individuals, a nation collectively has to look at where it has been in error, repent and choose to change.  The onus is on the church to come together in unity, to ask the Lord for the Spirit of repentance and to reveal what has grieved His heart.  As pride has been an issue, humility needs to be shown.

A deep divide has come in the church over political issues, over the election of President Barack Obama and what he and his political party stand for.  The truth is, that President Obama has been put in place at this time in history to accomplish God’s purposes for America.

Romans 13:1-2 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinances of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

It is interesting to note that the Bible says let our ‘souls’ be subject to governing authorities.  Our souls - our mind, wills and emotions need to come into line.  It is our souls that rise up against governing authorities. God puts authorities in place.  Sometimes His ways are not our ways.

When we read 1 Kings and 2 Kings in the Bible we see there were kings put in place - some were Godly leaders others were not.  All the kings were required to pull down every idolatrous thing that were in the high places, they were to remove everything that was an abomination to God.

However, things are very different today,  - but are they?

God still hates idolatry and He will remove every idolatrous thing that raises itself up against Him.  That being so, does it still not require leaders today to still go after those things that are against God?  God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  His character and ways do not change.  The church of America must look at this issue of idolatry, first as individuals and in the wider context of the church.  Judgment first starts in the house of God and until, and unless, the issue of pride and greed are looked at and repented of, change cannot come to this nation.

An underlying problem is greed.  Many, both in the church and in business have made huge amounts of money by dubious means.  They have gone into huge debt and put a yoke upon themselves and their people.  That is what needs addressing.  It is rooted in the love of money, it is rooted in idolatry, and until or unless the leaders actually have the courage to address this and do something about it, the problem will only compound itself and America and the American people, including the church will get into a greater mess. In a nutshell the idol of greed has to be brought down and it has to take leadership and leaders who are prepared to make a stand, even if it means being unpopular to pull down this ‘high thing’.

2 Timothy: 3:1-3, “But understand this, that in the last days will come perilous times of great stress and trouble.  For people will be lovers of self and utterly self-centred, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate greedy desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters.  They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.”

God is addressing the ‘lovers of money, aroused by an inordinate greedy desire for wealth’ issue.  God is going to continue to mess around with the money markets, with the share market, with finances with people and with nations until a point is reached that people will cry out to Him for help, until people realise that everything belongs to God and we are responsible for how we use it, whether that be as an individual as a church or as a nation.  It is an issue of ownership, and the Lord will challenge this thinking and way for we must all be mindful that it all belongs to the Lord.  It must start with us, the Christians, to see the hold that money has on us, repent of it and ask for the Lord to change our hearts regarding this.

We need to look at the fear and anxiety that is revealed because of the fear of not having enough, of losing control of the hold of money in our day to day lives, of the uncertainty in the future - re employment, and finances.

There is another issue that seriously needs looking at.  It ties in with the finances but it is from a different angle.

There has been change in the government of America because the people had wanted a change.  Change is not necessarily a bad thing, however it depends on the motive for the change.  We can want change for change sake, but that does not necessarily mean that it is good for you.  It depends on the heart motive for wanting the change.

There is huge discontent among people at this time.  When change is wanted because of a heart of discontent it will not necessarily bring about a positive result. Again it is based in a selfishness, a selfish desire for more, for better. However, as we see an example of this in the Bible, the results are not good.

In 1 Samuel 8 we see that there is a problem.  Samuel was old and the Israelites were looking for a leader.

1 Samuel 8:5-7, “All the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel at Ramah. And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint us a king to rule over us like all the other nations. But it displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to govern us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; For they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.”

1 Samuel 8:19-21, “Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, No! We will have a king over us. That we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

The reality is, there is that same thinking today.  People do not want to take responsibility for their own lives, instead they look to the Government, to the leaders to resolve their problems with a quick fix.  They are looking for a bail out measure, something that is painless and quickly mended.

The truth is the problems are much more deep rooted than this.

No man, or woman, leader of a nation or gatherings of people are going to resolve this.  We cannot look to a man, we must look to God.  I would like to bring up a concern also related to this.

The Americans voted for Barack Obama, that is the leader they wanted, God gave them the leader they desired.  It is good that he is an African-American and that has in some way resolved the underlying racial issues of America.  However there is a deeper problem in America.

Like the Israelites they demanded a leader, a leader to resolve their issues.  Was he the leader that the Lord wanted, I don’t know, but I do know that the Lord gave America the leader they demanded, whether it be for their good, I can’t say. What I can say is, he is the leader that God has put in place, He has answered the demands of the people, and His plans will come to pass.

The truth is sometimes God answers the call of the ungodly so His Kingdom plans can be outworked here on earth.  It will ultimately be His Kingdom come, His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.  It will be about salvations, about the preaching of the good news, that all may hear of the Lord Jesus Christ and His love, grace and power to save. The big problem is that many Americans have looked to the man, Barack Obama to resolve their problems, and not to God. A concern I see is that they are putting him in a ‘saviour’ position when he cannot and is not the Saviour that America needs.

There is only one Saviour for America.  It may be a Godly nation, or purports to be one, however God will severely challenge that thinking in the next decade.

Barack Obama needs prayers like never before.  There has not been a leader who needs the Lord’s wisdom, insight and knowledge in a greater measure for these times that we live in.  He is not only America’s leader but he is a leader of great stature in the world.  He has a huge responsibility upon him.

Unfortunately it is one that people have also put upon him. It will not be easy for him as he leads. There have been many words spoken that there will be attacks on his life because he is African/American. I fear that there could be loss of his life, not because he is African/American but because man has placed him in an idolatrous position, as the ‘one’ who will make everything alright.   We dare not put any man in a position where he can be taken out because we look to him instead of to the Lord. The Christians in America need to be aware of this and they need to pray for his protection, not only because he is the leader of America but because he is also a husband and a Dad to his two beautiful daughters.

How Godly a nation is America really?

On their dollar notes they have inscribed ‘In God We Trust’.  They will be severely challenged in this, particularly financially, like never before. God will remove every idolatrous thing that exalts itself against the Name of God. He is dismantling the financial systems so change can come, so that the foundations can be re-laid on right principles, on Godly principles. God’s kingdom purposes will come to pass.

We know we are in a time of huge change, it is like a fast flowing river, we must go with the flow, we cannot resist it, if we do, harm will come. The leaders of nations need our prayers like never before. They need ones placed around them who speak wisdom, who speak the word of the Lord, who have insight to resolve issues so a new foundation can be put in place.

We are in a time of the Apostolic/Prophetic, it has been prophesied that there would be much pulling down in areas of governance.

We should not be surprised by what is happening in America and in the world.  However it is imperative that we pray that the right foundations be in place, that the right people be put in pivotal positions to be instruments of those changes.

The media have a power at this time to speak for good or for evil. The words that are written and spoken have power to sway a people’s thinking, whether that be hope or fear and anxiety. They have an important responsibility at this time to report accurately and to be careful how what is happening is reported wisely to avert any panic. Did the media pick up on the discontent of the people and report this to bring about the changes in government or did the media create the discontent of the people to bring about their own agendas to bring about governmental change? Only the Lord knows, however it is a critical time that the media do all they can to report accurately to avoid any major problems. They also need our prayers.  There also needs to be journalists placed by God to report accurately, to speak truth so God’s will can be done here on earth at this crucial time in history.

America has been viewed by the world as a ‘super power’.  I don’t know if that is a role that America necessarily wanted to play but it has resulted in other nations looking to America as like a saviour.  Is this right?  I don’t necessarily think so because it gives power and position to another that maybe they were never meant to have in the first place.  If this is so, then other nations also need to take accountability for where they have looked to America for their needs to be met when maybe there were other ways these needs could have been met.

This is not an Anti- American word, but these issues are ones the Lord is wanting us to address in these times in history, so America can be free to be the mighty nation God always intended but also that other nations take up their rightful position as leaders in their own rights.

This is also so with the American church.  Sadly churches all round the world have looked to America as an example of how church should be modelled, but maybe they are the ones that now need to forerun and be their own unique expression of God.  America is not the only nation that has God’s anointed, that moves freely in the Holy Spirit, displays signs and wonders and preaches truth.  We, the churches from other nations have been and are complicit in this by placing the American churches and their leaders in positions that we may be required in God to now fill.  Therefore we also are in sin for placing the American church in an idolatrous position, for looking to America to meet our spiritual needs, for believing the lie that somehow they have a greater truth, and that we couldn’t possibly have what they have.  The truth is the Holy Spirit is all around the world doing amazing exploits through various vessels that aren’t necessarily from America.  Maybe they are the holders of the next measure of truth and we dare not shut them down because they are not from America!

The Americans are a very patriotic people and this is not necessarily a bad thing, however, like any way it must yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Patriotism can cross a line where in pride it can become a wrong stronghold of thinking.  It can bring falsehood which blinds the people and brings deafness and a closed mindset.

It is God’s mercy and grace upon America that is sustaining it and this is a time when the Lord is wanting to bring a new revelation and expression of the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord upon the American church.  There is new ground to be broken and new foundations put in that will bring such change that America will arise and be all that it is meant to be in the world and part of God’s new wineskin in an ever changing church that is advancing to take back ground the enemy has had.

America needs our prayers at this time for it is on God’s heart and we all have a part to play to uphold this mighty nation and its people!