Showing posts with label God's heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's heart. Show all posts

Sunday, November 5, 2017

The Princely Leadership Mantle by Morris Ruddick, Global Initiatives Foundation

[SIGN] The Princely Leadership Mantle

Building Community Builders

The Princely Leadership Mantle

By Morris Ruddick on Nov 04, 2017
THE PRINCELY LEADERSHIP MANTLE


The Princely Leadership Mantle


THE PRINCELY LEADERSHIP MANTLE

True leadership is not about being in charge or wielding power. Historically, the heroes of faith operated with a much higher leadership standard. True leadership pivots on serving. It is a regal mantle found in righteous hearts with the priorities flowing from God’s heart.

The princely leadership mantle is recognized and acknowledged even by the world. Abraham was referred to by a Hittite leader as being “a mighty prince among us” (Gen 23:6). The NASU version translates God’s instruction to Samuel to anoint David as a “prince over His people” (1 Sam 9:16). 
The Princely Leadership Mantle (http://strategic-initiatives.org/princely-leadership-mantle/) appeared first on Global Initiatives Foundation (http://strategic-initiatives.org)  

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Recent Articles:

Discerning the Subtle
Greater Authority
A Safe Place
The Counterfeit Spirit
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Thursday, November 12, 2015

SAFE PLACES by Morris E. Ruddick (SIGN)



SIGN
SAFE PLACES
(c) Morris E. Ruddick

Note from Morris:
My latest book, "Mantle of Fire," will be available in hard copy and e-version from Amazon, Applebooks and Barnes & Noble by mid-January. It is a timely message. It targets God's empowerment of today's Joseph-Daniels, as well as God's economy.
I would be very grateful if those of you who have been blessed by any of my books would go to Amazon.com and write a review, especially for my last two books ("Righteous Power" and "Leadership by Anointing").
From a personal standpoint, the foundation of the pieces I prayerfully scribe for SIGN has been driven by my time in seeking the Lord -- to better know Him and His ways. In this process, I've learned to rest in His presence and not force issues. The goal is to better understand God's heart in preparing for the times we've entered.
This is a new day. The bar has been raised with a major shift in focus. The Church has become global with distinct expressions reflecting significant differences in their power structures, cultures and economies.
It is crucial in this hour to appreciate the role of the different expressions of the Body, while also understanding our own roles, tactically and strategically, as we heed God's instructions to mobilize and deploy. The aim of SIGN is to provide timely prophetic insights to enhance this mobilization and deployment. Within the new day we have entered, SIGN will be giving keen focus to strategies for the hour.
The SIGN ministry is close to its twentieth year of operation. From the beginning it has drawn prophetic intercessors and leaders from almost every continent seeking God's insights into understanding the times in order to know what to do. Because it reflects God's focus, it has given keen focus to what the Lord is doing in the marketplace and Israel.
It is my prayer and I would seek yours as well, that I incisively glean and impart the wisdom of God in each future SIGN post. Our need for the Lord today is greater than it has ever been.
Morris
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"My people have become lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains; they have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place." Jeremiah 50:6
The world we live in has changed dramatically. Turbulence has been amassing with an increase of the hazardous. The impact of media-spin just adds fuel to the fires of the realities.
Some have commented that the recent tanking of China's stock market exceeded the US crash of 1929. Yet neither the meltdown nor the consequent ripples speculated by many due to the Chinese nose-dive has materialized. What's the difference? China has averted panic because they control their media. Despite huge losses, their sights have stayed focused on a bigger picture economically with much larger stakes.
Getting the Focus Right
Yet, in the midst of all the global economic and power shifts and hurdles, Israel faces realities tied to its very existence. It begs the question of the matters receiving our attention amid the gathering sea changes rife with information pollution.
The issue involves rightly discerning our tactical thrust so to be poised and prepared for the Lord's instructions for next steps in this time of change.
The opening scripture from Jeremiah deals with just such a topic: getting the focus right. It places a high standard on spiritual leaders cutting through the distractions in establishing right priorities for the sheep for whom they are responsible.
The spiritual leaders have the duty to prepare and equip their people tactically. They also are responsible for the wisdom needed for the places of rest. These are the safe places needed to be refreshed and properly poised to anticipate and respond proactively and strategically to God's "next steps," the consequent shifts, along with the onslaught of evil schemes.

"He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you see the recompense of the wicked." Psalm 91:3-8
The Age-Old Context
The context for Jeremiah's prophesy was God's judgment on Babylon and Chaldea. Babylon and Chaldea represent the age-old alliance between mammon and sorcery. This unholy alliance goes back to the days of the Amorites, when fallen angels produced a defiled race whose DNA railed against God and His people.
All this was compounded by the subsequent infiltration-advice given by Balaam to Balak. This dynamic has been one of the evil one's repeated strategies over the centuries. Its intent has been to weaken God's empowerment of His people and redirect the anointing to work against them.
This is what manifested with the infiltration of the Nicolaitans in the early church, whose doctrines and deeds began polluting the truth and power of the Kingdom message so central to the early church.
"'And I will repay Babylon and Chaldea for all the evil they have done in your midst,' says the Lord." Jeremiah 51:24
"The evil done in your midst" points to this subtle infiltration. It targets the tares among the wheat. Jesus notes a time when His angels will be sent to remove the lawless offenders. God's judgment is His strategic-response on the Babylon-Chaldean alliance. The impact is designed to amplify the tactical efforts of His faithful warriors.
"With you I will shatter nations and with you I will destroy kingdoms." Jer 51:20
Today's Response to the Realities
So as this day approaches, what is the pathway and the response of those called by His Name to facing today's global realities?
Jeremiah's prophesy was couched with some hard words for the priorities being given by the leaders. They not only missed the mark, but they made God's people vulnerable to the enemy's schemes. They failed to provide the focus and with that, the safe places, places of rest needed to be ready for God's subsequent steps. These are safe places employed during times of great turbulence. These are the safe places from which God's people will advance.
At the core of Jesus' message were the principles on how to employ Kingdom power in a corrupt world. These were not intended as defensive measures, but rather the proactive means to overcome the enemy's schemes and to advance the Kingdom.
These principles do not conform to the way the world exercises power. They require something more.
Jesus clearly stated that He had come to destroy the foundations of the devil's works. It involved the demonstration of the Spirit and power. Like Jeremiah, Jesus spoke words of judgment on the focus and blindness that described the shepherds of His day. With His victory over death, the balance of power shifted. Those he had trained were empowered to turn the world upside down. They did.
The Stewardship of Power
The behind the scenes battle then was redirected to target the stewardship of power. Power can be seductive and the mantle of shepherding God's people carries high responsibility. Shepherds have a mantle designed to prepare and equip God's people, not as followers, but as a band of leaders prepared for the changes of the times.
The task of leading the sheep beyond being followers is significant to God's purposes. The Gospel accounts outline a sequence of Christian maturity. Beginning with being a follower, one progresses to disciple, then servant. Servants graduate to be friends of God, with the design for them finally becoming the sons that all creation awaits.
Idealism has never lacked in providing prime candidates for the defiled counterfeits, even within the context of the Body. Maturity brings the right focus and the discernment to expose the infiltrators.
Over the centuries, every people and nation has responded in one way or another to the bondage that has long gripped the world. Wielders of power have generated a range of mass movements, national, social and religious. Counterfeit movements have produced the zealotry of the Judases, the Nazis, the suicide bombers and those innumerable sheep following a range of causes for change to doomsday prophets.
The enduring solution will only come through God. The realities of this hour give sobering evidence of the need to advance in maturity beyond the confines of followers and disciples. The issue for the Body is getting the right focus and priorities for the saints to steward His power.
Mobilizing and preparing the saints to deploy is central to this stewardship of power. Such deployments require the seasoning and anointing that combine maturity and consecration. The undefiled maturity and consecration needed for Joseph's alliance with Pharaoh was significantly more than that required in his stewardship in Potiphar's house. So it was with Jeremiah's prophecy about the aimless, loss sheep. So it will be with God's judgment against the Babylonian-Chaldean alliance and the polluted infiltrators embedded amongst God's household.
The Gateway
The task hinges on the shepherds breaking the mold of the illusions of success in ministry, properly assuming the calling to lead by serving and then embracing the Kingdom mantle to lead the sheep into the unpolluted realms of truth, the places needed to spiritually and maturely discern the realities and strategies clearly.
The response to these unpolluted regions of truth is to bring us into His presence. This is the place of unfettered peace in which we abide in Him. In indicating that He was the door of the sheep, Jesus unveiled that He was the good Shepherd, that safe place where we learn to abide. He told us that He would not leave us as orphans, but would send the Holy Spirit to abide with us,

"Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My instructions and keeps them [abides], it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." John 14:19-21
In this same sequence in John, Jesus told us that with the Helper, the Holy Spirit would come His peace.
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." John 14:27
Fully grasping the significance and extend of His peace is critical to abiding in His place of rest. When Moses was on the mountain in God's presence and the Israelites wobbled and made the golden calf, a man called Phinehas interceded and made atonement for the Israelites.
This act touched the heart of God. The Lord spoke to Moses to tell Phinehas that because of Phinehas' zeal for God's honor among his people in making atonement for them, that the Lord was making a covenant of peace with Him. It was a covenant of a priesthood that would extend to he and his descendents throughout the generations (Numbers 25:10-13).
Isaiah 53:5 refers to this peace with the Messianic prophecy of: "The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him." Malachi also referred to the covenant of peace.
"My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, that he might fear Me. So he feared Me and was reverent before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity." Malachi 2:5-6
His peace is in His presence. It triggers oneness with His heart, the mercy that intercedes when judgment is at hand. His rest that brings sanctification.

"Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations that you may know that I am Yehovah-Mekiddish, who sanctifies you." Exodus 31:13
The setting described in Jeremiah's prophecy is the setting reflected in many segments of the Body across the globe today and even more so in Israel.
The setting among God's people is replete with "zeal without knowledge" as described by Paul. Far too many are on very low batteries spiritually-speaking. Some are burned out due to lack of maintenance for the level of zeal with which they are operating. Some are burning out because they are running with twenty and thirty-year old operating instructions and they need a fresh word from on high for today's times. Far too many are in a condition that is blind to the enemy's schemes to distract and deceive.
Distractions and deceptions breed discord, division and vulnerabilities in facing the realities. On the other hand, the maturity that fosters truth and His peace provides the firm ground for the pathway to provide the seasoned and empowered responses needed for the challenges and tribulations Jesus foretold for this hour.
The Model
The setting for Acts 15 was a time of great turbulence and change. The leadership reflected by the Apostle James is a model for the days upon us. When Barnabas and Paul shared with the gathering about the miracles they were experiencing among the Gentiles, the leadership was being confronted with something that challenged their doctrines and traditions.
The messages given to the churches in Revelation add to these insights. They point to the snares: from the persecution imposed by imposters hating true believers to the embedded infiltrators within: the Balaams, the Nicolatains the Jezebels. In times of change the bar of the mantle for leadership is raised.
Leading God's people into safe places has nothing to do with avoiding tribulation and turbulence.
From the father's heart evident in James in Acts 15 we realize that it has everything to do with hearing His voice and being prophetically in tune with the flow of the Spirit. It has everything to do with pruning tradition to make way for the restoration of the ancient truths that will demonstrate His power. It has everything to do with searching the Scripture to grasp the implications that the words of the prophets have on the change underway. It has everything to do with the sanctification and consecration needed to close the gates to the infiltrators in order to mature, prepare and deploy the saints for the work of the Kingdom.

"To Shebna, I will throw you away violently and there you will die. On that day, I will call my servant Eliakim. I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt. I will give your responsibility into his hands. He shall become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the house of Judah. The keys of the house of David I will lay on his shoulders and what he shall open no one shall shut and what he shall shut no one shall open." Isaiah 22:17-22
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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world.
He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.comwww.apple.com/ibooksand www.BarnesandNoble.com.
Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card athttp://strategicintercession.org/support/
Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your congregation on the Joseph-Daniel Calling or on anointing the creative in business.
2015 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org
Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org
Morris Ruddick
Global Initiative Foundation
www.strategic-initiatives.org
www.strategicintercession.org

Global Initiatives is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt ministry

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Prophecy: God Is Calling History Makers to the Prayer Closet - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Don't be afraid

Who will answer this call in their generation? (Flickr)

Prophecy: God Is Calling History Makers to the Prayer Closet






Two weeks ago I lay face down at Awakening House of Prayer, and the Holy Spirit showed me things to come—and it's not all good. That didn't surprise me, of course, but some of the things I saw shook me to the core.
If you've read my columns for any length of time, you know that I'm sober-minded but also full of hope. You know that I once saw a tsunami of perversion heading for America. But you also know that the Lord told me He will bring a Third Great Awakening to this nation.
As I stretched out on the carpet in the prayer room, I found myself grieving. The fear of the Lord struck my heart. I saw the persecution that is coming to America. I mourned over the blood of abortion that is on our hands. I pondered the eternal value of how I spend my time. I considered the failure of the church to be salt and light. And I felt the pain of God's heart.
Taking an Eternal Perspective
God wants to break out, break in and pour out His Spirit over America. But here's the issue: We're waiting on God to move, and He wants to move us. We're praying for God to send revival, but He wants to revive us. We're asking for an outpouring of glory, but we need an outpouring of repentance first.
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I didn't sleep much that night as I pondered how so much of what I do makes no impact on anyone. I woke up early and prayed in the Spirit for over an hour trying to come to grips with the reality of where America is heading if we don't repent. We like to pray 2 Chronicles 7:14, but so many of us fail to live 2 Chronicles 7:14.
I watched David Wilkerson's video montage on anguish. I listened to Leonard Ravenhill's classics on revival. The Holy Spirit prayed through me with groans too deep for words (Rom. 8:26). I considered what love really is. After all, we can pray in the tongues of men and angels, we can prophesy with the best of them, we can feed the poor, we can have mountain-moving faith, we can even die for the sake of the gospel, but without love it's useless (see 1 Cor. 13:1-3).
It's true that "love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-6).
Love also warns, but it does not seek to breed fear for profit's sake. Love makes intercession. Love stands in the gap and on the wall. Love has violent faith that presses into what God is saying and doing in this hour despite what it looks like. Love hears His voice and sounds the alarm. Love carries the burden of His heart and prays until something happens.
Overcoming the Reality of Now
That morning, while I was in my room praying, I heard the Lord say this:
"If My people who are called by My name would think more about life in 1,000 years than life tomorrow, they would make a greater impact in their generation. But the cares of this world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life and other demonic distractions have consumed many with the reality of now instead of the reality—of eternity.
"Millions die and go to hell every day because My people who are called by My name are not about My business. Rights and freedoms are lost, people murdered, lives destroyed, babies aborted because My people who are called by my name are not about My business.
"I am looking for those in this hour who will look up instead of looking back; who will cry out; who will press in; who will determine in their hearts to see My kingdom come and My will done on the earth—in your cities and families—as it is in heaven.
"I want to pour out My Spirit. I want to save souls. I want to heal sick bodies. I want to restore broken families. I am depending on you to rise up and fight on your knees like there's no tomorrow because for many there isn't.
"Who shall I send to the closet of prayer to shape history? Who will go for Me? I will show myself strong in your life. I will take care of your needs. I will bless you and keep you. I will show you things to come if you will partner with Me in the place of prayer. I will do it, and I will be glorified."
Who will answer this call in their generation?

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Thursday, October 15, 2015

Answers about the “War of Gog & Magog.” Part Four - Joel Rosenberg

New post on Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

Joel Rosenberg

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the “War of Gog & Magog.” Part Four in our series on the prophecies of Ezekiel 38-39.


by joelcrosenberg
(Source: screen capture of a CNN report on July 9, 2015)
(Source: screen capture of a CNN report on July 9, 2015)
(Central Israel) -- Today is Part Four in our study of Ezekiel 38 & 39 and what Bible scholars call the "War of Gog and Magog."




  1. To read Part One of the series, please click here.
  2. To read Part Two, please click here
  3. To read Part Three, please click here
In light of the growing alliance between Russia and Iran, and the growing interest in eschatology among Muslims, Jews and Christians, many of you have questions regarding these prophecies.
Today, let's answer three of the most frequently asked questions.
Q: Will the War of Gog and Magog happen before or after the Rapture?
A: The truth is we simply do not know the answer for certain, because Ezekiel does not say. Many of the theologians I cited in Epicenter believe the war will occur after the Rapture. In the novel Left Behind, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins describe the War of Gog and Magog as having already happened before the Rapture takes place. In The Ezekiel Option, I also chose to portray the war occurring before the Rapture.
In Matthew 24:14, Jesus says, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (NASB). We also know from Ezekiel that God will use the War of Gog and Magog to display his glory to all nations and to pour out his Holy Spirit, particularly on the nation of Israel. As a result of the entire world seeing God defend Israel from the onslaught of the Russian-Iranian coalition, a dramatic spiritual awakening will occur around the globe. It would certainly be consistent with God’s heart for humanity that he would cause this cataclysmic moment to occur before the Rapture in order to shake people out of their spiritual apathy and/or rebellion and give them at least one more chance to receive Christ as their Savior before the terrible events of the Tribulation occur.
But let me be clear: I believe that the Rapture could occur at any moment, and I would certainly not be surprised in any way if it occurred before the events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 come to pass. Christian theologians speak of the “doctrine of imminence.” This means that according to the Bible there is no prophetic event that has to happen before Jesus snatches his church from the earth. That is, the Bible teaches us that we should be ready for Jesus to come for us at any moment. I fully believe that. But it should be noted with regard to this doctrine that while no major prophetic event has to happenbefore the Rapture, that doesn’t mean no such event will happen first. Perhaps the clearest evidence of this truth is the rebirth of Israel. This major prophetic event was foretold in Ezekiel 36–37, yet its fulfillment happened before the Rapture. Thus, it is certainly possible that other events—such as the events of Ezekiel 38–39—could happen before the Rapture as well.
Q: Ezekiel says the War of Gog and Magog will happen in the last days. Doesn’t that by definition mean it will happen during the seven years of the Tribulation?
A: Ezekiel 38:16 does say these events will happen in the “last days” (NASB), but this term is not necessarily limited to the period of the Tribulation. The apostle Peter, for example, used the term in Acts 2 to refer to the period he was living in, and that was nearly two thousand years ago. Likewise, consider the words of another apostle in 1 John 2:18: “Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.” Again, John was writing nearly two thousand years ago.
It’s important to note that the Hebrew term translated as “the last days” can also be translated as “in the distant future” (NLT) or “in days to come” (NIV). Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the term the last days refers to an indeterminate period of time leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. This period includes—but is not limited to—the seven years of the Tribulation.
That said, I don't believe the War of Gog and Magog can begin during the Tribulation. Why? Because Ezekiel 39 indicates that after the supernatural destruction of Israel's enemies, the people of Israel gather up and burn the weapons of their enemies for seven years. Yet when we look carefully at the writings of the prophet Daniel and the Book of Revelation, we see that 3 1/2 years into the seven year Tribulation, the Antichrist will invade Israel (aka, "the Beautiful Land" -- see Daniel 11:16 and 11:41-45) and set up his throne here and desecrate the Third Temple (which will have been built and been operational by Day One of the Tribulation). There is no way that Jewish Israelis will be burning the weapons of their enemies if their country is being invaded by the Antichrist. Thus, since the burning of the weapons occurs for seven years, it cannot be the same seven years of the Tribulation.
Q: Doesn’t the Bible tell us that the War of Gog and Magog will happen at the very end of time—after the Rapture, after the Tribulation, after the Battle of Armageddon, and after the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth—not before all these things as you have described?
A: Revelation 20:7-10 does speak of another War of Gog and Magog that occurs at the end of time, after all these other events. But this is a second war, not the war referred to by Ezekiel 38–39. We know this for several reasons.
  • First, Ezekiel’s war is described as occurring relatively soon after the rebirth of the State of Israel and the ingathering of the Jewish people from around the world (Ezekiel 36–37). The war in Revelation, by contrast, occurs after Jesus has reigned on earth for a thousand years.
  • Second, Ezekiel’s war involves a fearsome but limited coalition of countries that surround Israel, as we learned in earlier chapters. The war in Revelation involves all the nations from “every corner of the earth” coming to attack Israel (Revelation 20:8).
  • Third, after Ezekiel’s war, life continues. Bodies are gathered and buried for seven months, weaponry is gathered and burned for seven years, and Ezekiel 40–48 describes the Temple that will be built. By contrast, the war in Revelation is followed immediately and literally by the end of the world. Satan and his followers are judged and thrown into the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10). The heavens and earth are destroyed. A completely new heaven and a new earth are created, and followers of Christ will live on this new earth for the rest of eternity.
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joelcrosenberg | October 15, 2015 at 8:33 am | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-3nz

Saturday, August 9, 2014

'Luke 9' Prophecy Reveals God's Heart for Backslidden America

'Luke 9' Prophecy Reveals God's Heart for Backslidden America

Can America still be "One Nation Under God"? (CreationSwap)
Have you ever wondered what God has called the U.S.A. to be? I want to share with you the prophetic name the Lord has spoken to me about the United States of America—"The Good Samaritan Nation," and the great hope He has in His heart for the U.S.A.
Jesus' outreach and ministry to Samaria is very instructive to us...especially in light of this revelation about how our Heavenly Father views the role of the USA in His purposes as "The Good Samaritan Nation."
In Luke 9, the Samaritans, who had the serious spiritual problem of mixing the Jewish faith with false religious notions, wanted Jesus to leave their region. Jesus' disciples were terribly offended for His sake: "When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, 'Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?' But He turned and rebuked them, and said, 'You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.' And they went on to another village" (Luke 9:54-56 NASB).
However, even after being initially rejected by the Samaritans, in the very next chapter, Jesus uses them as a surprising symbol of God's kindness in sharing the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Later on, in the Book of Acts, the whole region of Samaria responds to Jesus.
God is calling the U.S.A. to show forth His kind and benevolent heart to other nations, and many will respond to the Lord of Reformation. God is calling us as a nation to get ready to go to these nations and reap a harvest.
God's Hopeful View of Cities and Nations
Jesus is not commissioning His followers to call fire down in angry judgment upon the U.S.A. when He has actually slated a second reformation of hope for our nation and many others places. The Lord spoke a new name to me over certain locations as well: "God as King" China, "Faithful" France, "Zealous" Zimbabwe; as well as cities such as "Caring" Kansas City, "Affectionate" Atlanta and "Beautiful Redeemed" Redding.
Remember that there was a whole village in Samaria that believed in Jesus through the testimony of the woman at the well (John 4:39-42). It was also the Samaritans that received the gospel and a great move of the Holy Spirit under the ministries of Philip, Peter and John in Acts 8:9-25.
No, our nation is not beyond the reach of God's good purposes. And, we will be surprised at some of the unlikely hope reformers that He will redeem and raise up as catalysts for this next great move of God. The U.S.A. will be known as the Good Samaritan Nation.
Bob Hartley is the founder and CEO of The Hartley Group, a conglomeration of five successful businesses. He is also the founder of the Deeper Waters, Inc. ministry. Bob has served as a youth pastor for the Metro Christian Fellowship and Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, later serving on the FCA/KC board. Bob is a highly sought-after and very popular speaker locally, in America and around the world.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

God Said it…Just Believe it by Tiffany Ann Lewis

God Said it…Just Believe it 

by Tiffany Ann Lewis

Identity Network

"…Do not be afraid; only believe." (Mark 5:36b)

God said it - just believe it…is a phrase I saw on a bumper sticker years ago.  The goal of the bumper sticker was to evoke childlike faith.  However, it did just the opposite in my mind.  I remember thinking to myself, "easier said than done."  You see, when your house is falling down, your health is failing, and your finances are dwindling it's hard to keep believing.  In moments like these we may even wonder, "What did God say?"  Or even worse, "Did He really mean it?  Is it really so?"  This is something humanity has wrestled with from the beginning of time.

The Intentions of God's Heart

In Genesis 1, we have the first record of God speaking.  At the head of all things, God's Spirit was hovering over the face of confusion, the waters of chaos, circling over the darkness, brooding over it.  Then suddenly God spoke the intentions of His heart and as you know, what He said came to pass bringing order out of chaos.

Everything God said/says, past, present, and future will come to pass and has the power to bring order out of chaos. Yet, since the beginning, the slippery serpent has been messing with the minds of God's kids attempting to pluck the seed, "His words" right out of our hearts with one simple question, "Did God really say?  Did God really 'amar?"  (see Gen 3:1) It is the classic deception from the enemy of our souls because he knows that God's word has the power to calm our chaos.

However, the very word that the serpent uses to stumble us with, "Did God really 'amar/say," is actually the chief cornerstone to our house of faith.  Let me show you what I mean.

The Hebrew word for say/said is 'Amar. (Strong's #559)  It's a root word that is found nearly 5000 times in the bible.  'Amar is spelled: aleph, mem, resh.  These three little letters are found three times in the book of Ezra and have brought order and peace to my own moments of darkness, chaos, and confusion.

Now, Ezra didn't use this word to explain something God said, no it's way better than that.  Ezra uses this word to define the lambs that were brought to the restored Temple for sacrifice.  

"And whatever they need - young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem - let it be given them day by day without fail." (Ezra 6:9)  

The word here for "lambs" is 'immar (Strong's #563) which comes from the Aramaic root "amar (strong's #560) in the sense of bringing forth and is connected to the root we have been studying, 'amar (Strong's #559).

The Word of God Stands Up for Itself

Are you still tracking with me?  It's easy to get confused. 

The bottom line of this word search is that the Word of God stands up for itself and it cannot deny itself.  It supports and confirms itself.  It's all hidden right within His word.  This is the mortar that will hold our house of hope together when the devil is trying to get us to doubt the fullness of God's intentions, to doubt what God said.  This isn't just a type and shadow this is a truth that is inscribed in the Word of God forever, in His own Holy language!

Jesus Christ is both the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) and the Word of God made flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14).  He is the total message from God's heart to ours.  The Holy Spirit is still hovering today bringing forth/ reminding us of all that Jesus said (see John 14).  That which God utters into the darkness, void, chaos and confusion in our lives has the power to bring forth order and perfection.

Why did Ezra choose to use this word?  Only the Spirit of God knows but Scripture reveals that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (see Ephesians 6:17).  Therefore, I'm going to use it as a sword to cut through the lies of the enemy.

The Word that God has spoken, His promises, do not change.  God is the same yesterday today and forever and His blood - the very blood of the Lamb, still speaks.  Let's choose to listen to His voice and believe what He says.  Amen and Amen.

Tiffany Ann Lewis
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