ON PASSIVITY AND APATHY

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ON PASSIVITY AND APATHY

~L.D. Oxford

victorious1_2005@earthlink.net

http://www.joshua-ap.net

http://joshuaapld.blogspot.com/


WE SHOULD NEVER SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR RESULTS

(Serious dealings of God that are going on in the Body of Christ)


We as the Body of Christ, should not sit back and wait for results, as this also goes for anything in our lives, whether it be for individuals, families, or for our nations. There are many who have sat back for too long, and this is part of what has gotten our nation and the Body of Christ in some of the messes that it has been in.

The Lord is calling all of His people to mobilize and to get active during this very critical time of history. If we sit back, then each one will be held accountable before God, for knowing what the right things to do are, and then not doing them because of passivity and apathy.

Some may say that they are just "waiting upon the Lord," however waiting upon the Lord is not an "inactive or passive state" to be in, but literally means to do what we know to do, while waiting for God to move us into the higher plan and destiny that He has for our lives.

Even, when you go to a restaurant, the "Waiters" are busy and active serving others who are seated, even while others are coming in and being seated at the freshly cleaned tables, waiting to be served.

Waiting is not to be inactive, passive or apathetic, but is to serve in what we know to do, (nor is it a lacking of response to any given situation.) God is calling all of His people to arise to the occasion and to take an active part in what the Lord desires to do in the nations, including our own.

JESUS "OUR ROCK" DEALS WITH THE NATIONS AND THE CHURCH

Matt. 21:42-46- Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? vs. 43, Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

vs. 44, And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall (upon), it will grind him to powder. vs. 45, And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. vs. 46, But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Luke 20:17-20- And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? vs 18, Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

vs 19, And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. vs 20, And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. KJV

He is calling each one of us to look directly to Him as our salvation and hope as a nation, as He is our Rock and the very foundation of which we stand upon. Even, our nation was originally founded upon this Rock, keeping in mind that the "nation" are it's very people, who are us.

So whatever God plans to do, He will do it through His people who have willing hearts for Him. Each one of us must fall upon this Rock (Jesus Christ) as believers and to be repentant and broken over our condition as the Body of Christ and over the condition of our nations.

What the government is doing to help people right now, due to the hurricanes and other disasters, is what was originally meant for the Body of Christ to do. And because "some" of the church (the household of God) has failed to meet the human need in many areas, the government has had to pick up the tab and to create secular programs to help others, due to the large demand of human need.


BODY OF CHRIST, ARISE!

So, it is time for the "true Body of Christ" to rise up to meet the occasion of what has and is going on in our nations. If we do not rise up, as the Lord has command us to do, then that "same Rock" will fall upon a people for not taking a stand in righteousness.

This would be a crushing blow of humiliation for any of us as a nation. It's time to cry out to God, for our sins, for passivity, apathy, for pride, arrogance and for so many of the deceptive practices that go on in so many ministries at large.

None of us can afford spiritually to "be an island unto ourselves as individuals or ministries." The Lord has been calling His people time and time again to take a stand for righteousness together.

The Body of Christ needs to be connecting together and to allow the Lord to use them as "every joint supplies to the Body." And this also goes for all of those people and true ministries who love the Lord, on or off of the internet!

It's time to unite as the Body of Christ and to stop thinking only about ourselves. Selfishness has been a Pandemic in the Body of Christ, and it is now being dealt with by the hand of God during this season.

Matthew 7:21- Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but "he that doeth the will of my Father" which is in heaven. vs 22, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? vs 23, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Vs. 24, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: vs 25, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.

vs 26, And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, "and doeth them not," shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.


I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.

(Other dealings of God concerning the Body of Christ)

EXCUSES: "I CAN'T AND I'M NOT ABLE TO" MENTALITY = UNWILLINGNESS TOWARDS GOD

It amazes me sometimes when i hear various stories from believers in Christ, where they say, I can't do this, or i can't do that...or I am not able to...or sometimes waiting for some sort of audible voice from heaven in order to move forth in particular situations.

But, the Word of God says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And His Word is truth! It is Christ in you that will do the work through you, as you learn to move and step out more in faith.

It seems that so many people these days have an excuse for almost everything, and this is something that is also being dealt with by the Spirit of God in the Body of Christ, even now.

Even, during the days of the Apostle Paul, there was evidence of passivity and apathy in regards to the way that some of the churches lacked in communication or in caring for the needs of the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

Read some of the words of the Apostle Paul on what he experienced in his life and on what he encountered with Churches also in particular regions of his time.

He had it very difficult in his life and yet he still fulfilled his mission in life by the grace of God. So it is with many of us in the Body who are ministering and pouring out our lives in serving others.

There was only "one church" mentioned out of all of the others evident here, that showed care for Paul and the mission that the Lord had given to him in this particular region. (evidence of passivity and apathy)

THE APOSTLE PAUL

Phil. 4:12- 21- I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. vs 13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

vs 14, Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. vs 15, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, (no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.)

vs 16, For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. vs 17, Not because I desire a gift: but i desire fruit that may abound to your account. vs. 18, But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

vs 19, But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. vs 20, Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

DEALINGS OF GOD CONCERNING DISHONESTY

Recently, the Lord also showed me during the early morning hours where there are some believers who are actually lying to the Holy Spirit by being dishonest and lying to leaders in the Body of Christ, much the same way as Ananias and Sapphira did in the the book of Acts.

Some of you leaders out there have encountered the same or similar type of lying from some that were even close to you in ministry or from others who are sitting under the ministry. It seems hard to believe at first, yet this does happen with those who are in the household of God.

We are going to see some of these things much like in the book of Acts in regards to lying to the Holy Spirit in the presence of Apostles and other leaders, although the Lord would rather, that people do not lie in the Body of Christ and to completely avoid this sort of situation.

But this will change also, as the Fear of the Lord increases over the Body of Christ and this is now taking place.

Read the account of Ananias and Saphirra in the book of Acts. This is another condition that the Lord is presently dealing with in the Body.

Act 5:1-11, But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, vs 2, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the Apostles feet. vs 3, But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

vs 4, While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why has thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

vs 5, And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. vs 6, And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

vs 7, And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

vs 8, And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. vs 9, Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

vs 10, Then fell she down the straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried by her husband. vs 11, And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

SHOWING FORTH A SPRITUAL CONDITION

So, what i am sharing with you here today, is not meant to be a Word of heaviness by any means, but is actually a Word to show the spiritual condition in a sizable segment of the Body of Christ. The purpose of what i have shared here with you today is bringing the light of truth into this condition.

To bring forth repentance, to activate and to release the believers who have not been making signifigant spiritual progress in moving forth . All believers should learn what it means to come into alignment with God and with His Body.

No one can honestly carry "the name-tag of Christian believer," if they are not willing to obey or to follow what the Lord has commanded us to do in HIs Word. He has already given each one of us the grace to follow him, yet it takes a firm committment on our part.

God has a plan for each of our lives, and blessings untold for those who will only surrender "who they are" to God and become willing to obey and to serve Him wholeheartedly. The grace to do this is already there. He longs to do this through your willingness and is waiting upon you, rather than perpetually "waiting passively" for Him to do everything.

The truth is, God desires to do not only a work within His people, but also through His people and then out to others. Even discipleship training should be mentoring, teaching and hands-on-training going outside of the four walls of the Church.

The Lord is looking for vessels who will honor Him with their lives, their availablility, their resources and their humble service to Him. This is what God is really looking for. Not one of us as believers have arrived spritually however, yet we should all be moving forward, growing and making progress in this journey with Him. For faith without works is dead faith.

He loves each one of you and desires for you to move forward in Him without any more delay.

The following prayer is a prayer of activation for the Body of Christ, so pray this along with me here.

A PRAYER OF ACTIVATION:

Lord, we desire to see Freedom, Liberty, Truth and Justice for all of our nations represented here. May we as your people arise, shaking off all passivity and apathy that has been like a cloud over many of the people and the nations. May we as your people arise as true warriors, full of Love for you Lord, and with a deep compassion for others.

Let us arise with a deep passion for you, that we will be willing to make the sacrifices to deny self, to take up our crosses and to follow you. May your Holy Love and your anointed Word be our greatest weapons, and that each one will cease from attacking their own brothers and sisters in Christ, laying aside those petty differences and putting the axe to the root of this, once and for all.

Let each one of us, guard each others backs and stand together, shoulder to shoulder and back to back, staying true to each other in relationships.

May we be full of deep compassion for humanity and to be color-blind and merciful to others. Let your truth thunder throughout our lands, doing this through your people, and may each one of us leave a mark, upon a lost and dying generation.

May we take a stand of righteousness that will turn the world upside down for the Glory of your Kingdom. Let us recognize, and take our true postions in the endtime harvest.

Let the Warriors of God (men, women and youth ) now arise, and move forward into their true destinies in you, Lord! In the mighty name of Jesus! So be it!

AN ACT OF FAITH FOR YOU TO DO AT HOME:

*TELL THE LORD JESUS DIRECTLY THAT YOU "SURRENDER ALL OF SELF" TO HIM AND MAKE HIM LORD OVER EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE. ALSO, TELLING HIM THAT YOU DESIRE TO LIVE FULLY FOR HIM NO MATTER WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES MIGHT BE.

*THEN, STANDING IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BIND UP SATANS POWER VERBALLY AND AGGRESSIVELY COMMAND "THE SPIRITS OF APATHY AND PASSIVITY" TO GO.

AND THEN WITH YOUR BODY AND HANDS, SHAKE YOURSELVES LOOSE SPRITUALLY FROM THIS BY FAITH. (AN ACT OF FAITH WHICH WILL RELEASE YOU)

*****

*MAKE A NEW AND FRESH COMMITMENT TO GOD, TO TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND TO FOLLOW HIM AT ALL COSTS.

(SOME INSTRUCTIONS: YES... FOR BELIEVERS)

*DO THIS ON YOUR KNEES: CRY OUT TO GOD, REPENTING OF ANY KNOWN SIN OR OFFENSES THAT NEED FORGIVENESS. THEN ASK HIM TO IMPART A DEEP PASSION FOR HIM, AND ALSO A HEART FOR HIS PEOPLE. ASK HIM FOR A NEW, CLEAN HEART TO SERVE HIM.

*THEN SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE LORD AND TALK TO GOD YOUR FATHER LIKE HE IS YOUR MOST INTIMATE FRIEND WHOM YOU DEARLY LOVE. HOLD A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH HIM AND THEN TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO HIM.

*WHEN YOU ARE DONE, TAKE A NOTEBOOK OR PAD, AND WRITE DOWN YOUR NEW, FRESH COMMITTMENT TO GOD AND WHAT IT INVOLVES. THEN SIGN IT WITH YOUR OWN SIGNATURE.

*THEN, STAND BACK UP AGAIN AND DECLARE THAT "YOU ARE A "SERVANT OF THE LORD," AND WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BRING GLORY TO HIM WITH YOUR LIFE.

*THEN DAILY SET ASIDE SOME TIME FOR THE LORD EACH DAY. SET ASIDE A TIME TO READ/STUDY THE SCRIPTURES IN DEVOTION TO HIM, AND GIVE TO HIM A TIME-SLOT FOR SPENDING TIME AND TALKING WITH HIM.

FOR THOSE WITH A TIGHTER SCHEDULE, THIS MAY BE IN YOUR CAR ON YOUR WAY TO WORK AND ON YOUR WAY BACK HOME FROM WORK.

*WORSHIP HIM AND PRAISE HIM WITH YOUR VOICE REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY WHENEVER THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

*KEEP A NOTE-BOOK AND WRITE A JOURNAL OF WHAT THE LORD SAYS TO YOU AND HOW HE DEALS WITH YOU DURING YOUR PERSONAL TIMES SPENT WITH HIM.

WORSHIPPING GOD IS ALSO A WAY OF LIFE, (A LIFE-STYLE.) SO WHATEVER YOU DO IN YOUR LIFE DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT, DO EVERYTHING "AS UNTO THE LORD", AS THIS IS ALSO A PART OF WORSHIP.

YOUR WORSHIP TOWARDS HIM WILL PENETRATE THE HEAVENS AS A SWEET SMELLING FRAGRANCE.

"YOUR LIFE WILL BE CHANGED FOR EVER, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!!!!"

*****

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FAITH WORKETH BY LOVE

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The following message was written back a few months ago, yet i came across this again tonight, and sensed that the Lord wanted me to share this with you here tonight. May this message have a fresh impact upon all our lives in our service to the Lord. Many blessings in Christ, L.D. Oxford

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FAITH WORKETH BY LOVE

~L.D. Oxford

Victorious1_2005@earthlink.net

http://www.joshua-ap.net


Tonight, i was reading in the book of Galatians, some of the teachings of the Apostle Paul and i sensed the need to share some of the scriptures here along with some notes.

In Galatians 5, beginning with verse 1, the Apostle begins with the challenging statement, “So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the Law.”

He was speaking to those that were counting on circumcision to make them right with God, instead of relying on what Christ did for them to save them and set them free.

vs. 2, Listen! I Paul tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ cannot help you..

vs. 3, I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey all of the regulations of the whole Law of Moses..

vs 4, For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the Law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.

But he goes on to say in vs. 5, But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith.

vs.6, For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

This is an important point here. Faith expressing itself in love. When we walk in faith through Christ, then faith expresses itself in Love. Think about it. This is God's Word and not my own. Faith works and expresses itself by Love and by no other means, for God is love .

So we are right with God through believing Christ by faith, we live by the Spirit through faith, and we receive everything promised to us by faith also....and faith expresses itself in love.

It seems evident that so many believers today seem to live by emotions and feelings rather than by faith, and this is where so many fall short ...and this is why there is such a shortage of love in so many of God's people today.

They are reacting to fears rather than responding in faith towards God. Because true faith in God expresses itself in Love. (or faith works by Love and it lays itself down for God and for others)

The opposite of faith is unbelief. The opposite of Love is fear and hate. And if faith works by love then unbelief works by what? Fear. Fear which opens the door to hate or the dislike of others.

Fear of the unknown. Fear of tomorrow. Fear of the future. Fear of ones destiny. Fear of others, Fear of rejection, Insecurities etc. which not only causes one to become a victim, but also causes one to victimize others through their own fears and woundedness.

Along with this comes an increase in hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness which in turn causes so many to carry around emotional baggage for years and years because of the rejection, pain, and for what others have done to them, and blaming others for their predicaments and lots in life.

This is a absence of faith and Love in our lives. Because faith works by love and love lays itself down for God and for others, just as Christ laid down His life for us. God's love is a sacrificial love.

What Christ did for us was an act of selflessness, yet what so many usually do is to react out of fear rather than to respond in faith towards God. The opposite of selflessness is selfishness.

When we respond in faith towards God in our lives, we will find ourselves making great strides forward in our walks with God. When we react to fears instead, we are retreating, taking backward steps and trying to preserve self instead of moving forward in God.

God gives to us choices everyday to either follow faith with Love or to follow unbelief and to react out of our fears. It is our choice to make and God will not make those choices for us. If we follow faith with Love, we will willingly forgive, lay our lives down for God and for others.

If we follow unbelief and react to fears instead, then we will hold on to our issues of unforgiveness, mistrust, the suspicious fearful nature and unrighteous behavior towards others.

Jesus came to set us free and if we choose the life of faith through our believing and following Christ, then that faith will express itself through love. It's time to choose a life of faith today through the grace that God has already provided through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to truly save us, set us free, and to give us new fresh hope for the future, yet there are still choices that we must make every day to walk out that faith in Him. And although we are saved by grace, we are still required to obey God in our everyday walks with Him.

His power and grace has already been provided to do this, and we get to choose how we will respond to Him and to others. Faith working by Love, or unbelief working by fear.

(Scriptures taken from the New Living Translation)

*****

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GOD GAVE HIS VERY BEST FOR US

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*GOD GAVE HIS VERY BEST FOR US
(ABOUT OBEDIENCE & GOD'S LOVE)

* & PRAYER ALERT:

*****

This morning, i sensed the need to share with you a simple, reflective message on obedience and God's love along with a prayer alert, which i sent out to the Global Warriors Intercessors just a few minutes ago.

This prayer alert recently came in from Cindy Jacob's ministry, which i knew was very important to send out to each and every one of you here as well.

This concerns Islamic Jihad and violence against Christians, which i know each one of us should not only be concerned about, but to take to prayer and intercession before the Lord.

So, let's join together along with Cindy, to pray for a move of the Holy Spirit among the leaders in the Islamic movement while keeping a focus with Iran during our intercessions. Thanks and many blessings to all of you! ~ L.D. Oxford

*****

REFLECTIONS ON OBEDIENCE & GOD'S LOVE

GOD GAVE HIS VERY BEST FOR US

~L.D. Oxford
victorious1_2005@earthlink.net

http://joshua-ap.net

Let's keep this in mind, ... on how God gave His very best for us and how we should all give to Him our very best when it comes to serving Him.

This is also the greatest(and only) way to become known as a "friend of God" and to experience the release of the promises of God in our lives as well.

When we become His friend, then we can experience our great inheritance in Him, not only in the life to come in heaven, but in the "here and now" on this earth.

So obedience to God is of utmost importance. Even Jesus said, if you love me, you will obey (keep) my commandments. And that is to totally Love God and then allowing His love to flow out of us to make a difference in the lives of others.

So, it's namely summed up in one, but mentioned in two. Simply, it's to totally love God and to love one another as He said to do. When we really love God, then we will love one another according to what Christ had to say.

Also when we really love each other, then we are also proving that we love God. And when we don't, then we aren't loving God. Plain and simple.

In John 13:34, Jesus said, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another .........14: vs. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments . also vs. 23-24. ~ references are KJV

And this is what serving and ministry is all about. About Loving God imtimately, and showing that love for Him in the way that we show love towards others. Not "sloppy Agape" :), but out of the flow of that love which comes only from Him. "Are you God friendly?" ~L.D. Oxford

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SEND IN YOUR PERSONAL PRAYER REQUESTS

I am now preparing the new personal prayer requests here to be posted soon on the Global Warrior's Elist, so if you have any that you would like to have posted on the list there, please get them in as soon as possible and i will make sure that they are posted for you. (please do not send forwards with attachments as they will not be opened).

Below, i am putting the correct email address to send in your requests, prayer alerts or other personal correspondance to me here.
victorious1_2005@earthlink.net .
L.D. Oxford

*****

PRAYER ALERT:


IT'S TIME FOR A HOLY SPIRIT MOVE AMONG ISLAMIC LEADERS AND TO PRAY AGAINST, A VIOLENT SPIRIT AGAINST CHURCHES AND CHRISTIANS

~by Cindy Jacobs

Generals International
www.generals.org


Dear Prayer Warriors,

The Lord spoke to me last night that a spirit of Jihad has been loosed among the Islamic world. This is a very violent spirit because it will particularly stir up those who are already wounded and hurt either by perception or reality by the western world in particular.

WE NEED TO BE ON GUARD

This principality will begin to hit soft targets in particular such as churches and even Christians. While we are not to fear, we are to be on guard.

Let's pray for a great moving of the Holy Spirit among the leaders of these Islamic movements in particular.

Iran must be a focus of this intercession as the Prince of Persia is trying to manifest through that nation and is working to make the fundamentalist leader a strong man through whom he can function. We must indeed bind the strong man and fast and pray.

FOCUSED FASTING AND PRAYER FOR THE BELIEVERS IN THESE NATIONS IS CRITICAL AT THIS TIME

Also, we must not grow weary in being watchmen on the wall for Israel. Pray a hedge of protection around that nation and the Jewish people, as well as the congregations of Israel.

The European Union (EU) will become a target and, we will find that this jihad spirit will turn against them as well. You will see this on the news as the radical Islamics start to burn the EU flag side-by-side with that of the United States.

The Church in Europe and around the world needs to be vigilant at this time to turn the enemy back from their midst.

A POWERFUL HARVEST OF MUSLIM SOULS

The Lord wants to cause a fresh awakening of prayer groups across the face of the earth and an admonition not to be weary in well-doing.

This season will turn into one of a powerful harvest of Muslim souls, both Arab and non-Arab, if we stand, watch, and pray.

~Cindy Jacobs

*****

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS COMING!

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS COMING

~L.D. Oxford
Ldo2003@msn.com

http://www.joshua-ap.net


Isaiah 55:8-11, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

vs 9, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

vs 10, As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

vs. 11, So is my Word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what i desire and achieve the purpose for which i sent it.

Jeremiah 32:39-40, I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

40, I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Hebrews 12:28-29, Wherefore we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverance and godly fear:

29, For our God is a consuming fire.

*****

The fear of the Lord is coming to many in the Body of Christ who have not taken to heart His Word and warnings that He has sent to His people over the last several years is what i have been hearing recently.

This fear, of course is not the same as the fear that torments and causes people to walk in suspicion and mistrust toward others, but is a Holy fear , respect and reverence towards the awesomeness of our God who is the God of righteousness.

Along with this fear comes great conviction upon the hearts of those who have been operating out of a wrong spirit who call themselves Christians.

No longer will the Lord allow those who are called by His name to misrepresent Him or to step upon others, in attempts to move up the ladder in Ministry or even in the workplace.

He is shining His light upon the hearts and motives of many in the Body of Christ who would operate out of a spirit of pride, self-promotion and the spirit of Absalom, instead of taking the place of a true servant in His Kingdom.

Being a servant in the Kingdom of God involves serving others and not seeking after recognition and laying claim to a title or to make a name for oneself.

This is one of the very things that causes schisms and continues to keep the Body of Christ from coming together as the Lord desires to see accomplished.

There are way too many of those who would prefer to take the role of a leader without ever learning what it means to be servant-like. In blessing and serving others, the Lord will do the promoting only when a individual has been thoroughly trained and tested on being a servant.

Matt: 20:26-28 ...but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave- Just as the Son of man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Some (not all) have left ministries and fellowships because they have failed the tests of servanthood, and in doing so decide that they themselves will become a leader and find others who will recognize and follow after their own ministry.

That is characteristic of the spirit of Absalom. It is often the case of usurping authority that God has not entrusted to an individual .This sort of behavior will not work however, as it is not the way that the Lord operates in His Kingdom.

Promotion does not come through selfish ambition or rebellion, but through servanthood to God and to others. (See the story of Absalom and his demise in 2 Samuel Chapters 15-18).

The world and even the internet is populated with many of those types of people who are ever learning, but not able to come into the knowledge and understanding of Kingdom truth because they have not learned to serve others without later betraying or maligning a ministry or two in the process.

I am speaking here in reference to the many tales and stories that i have heard from others over the past few years regarding why they left a ministry or Church, or why they are no longer in relationship with the ones that the Lord had put them together with.

Many times, the Lord does move people on when the time is right and they leave with the blessing of leadership, yet a number of people still often leave ministries with unresolved issues and unforgiveness.

Many of these people have gone on to try to build their own ministry because they were not willing to be submissive or servant-like towards authority where the Lord had previously placed them.

I am telling you this today, that it wont work that way and will only produce an Absalom (or Ishmael) type ministry that will ultimately fail because the Lord was never in it although the individuals may have some spiritual gifting.

Yet, a gifting is not a sign of obedience unto God, as the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. I have seen this happen with people quite a few times and the results are not pleasing to the Lord.

Some of them later come to understand this and turn around, where they are later embraced by former leadership and finally learn to serve.

Others may reject the the same opportunity due to a lack of love and humility.But the Lord has been showing me recently that His fear is coming to the Body of Christ and already has in some cases, but will be coming on a greater scale in the days to come as the move of God accelerates and literally explodes on the scene.

This Holy fear and respect will accompany the move of God that is already taking place in a number of areas. When we respect and reverence God and His ways with a Holy fear, then we come to desire unity with others in the Body and wont continue to focus on ourselves "as first" before God and others.

We will then learn to keep our focus on Him and on how we may please Him with our lives. Then we will truly please Him with our lives when we become servant-like and are willing to come together with others and to lay aside all pride, arrogance and the "me first" mentality.

Deut. 8:5-10- Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

vs.6, Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and revering (fearing) Him.

vs. 7, For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land-- a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills;

vs. 8, a land of wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey;

vs.9, a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

vs 10, When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.

For many years, the Lord placed me to sit under great men of God and to render my service, to support and to help them to be able to fulfill the vision that the Lord had given for their ministries, even if i did not totally agree with their way of doing ministry.

I had to learn the discipline of servanthood and to be willing to put myself last and to put God's desires first. And one of those desires of God that i had to work on was to serve others, even when it was not comfortable or convenient to do so.

And during the process of learning this, i was tested over and over again and also had to make things right and to clear the air through discussion whenever i got off-track with any of them.

There were a number of times when i had to humble myself whether i was right or wrong in a situation. I would have to go and make peace and work on reconciling particular situations.

And this was pleasing to the Lord and as a result became very blessed and at peace when i worked those situations out. But from what i have seen and experienced in dealing with a number of people and their problems has been... that they usually walk away from their problem situations and dismiss them rather than to reconcile.

As a result they carry issues of unforgiveness and bitterness (sometimes for years) towards ministries or individuals that they do not see eye to eye with and just ignore them altogether. Is this God's way? Of course not.

What often happens is when conviction does finally hit them, the Lord requires them to go back and to reconcile whatever situation that they had left unresolved. God's way is to communicate and to bring closure to the situation so that healing and forgiveness will come.

In Matthew 18:21-22, (Jesus laid down the perfect measure of forgiveness, being seventy times seven.)

vs 21, Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall i forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

vs 22, Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.?But one of the problems with walking in forgiveness is when the person has a victim mentality and thinks that someone else is always the problem and feels victimized when things do not go their way.

But the Lord brings change to this also. And the day is fast approaching where this and other types of divisions in the Body will be dealt with by the Fear of the Lord and great conviction is coming upon the Body of Christ.

When the Fear of the Lord comes, people will come to see themselves the way that they really are in regards to their character. They will be able to see their true lack of development and will also come to know that they are absolutely nothing without God and are at His mercy.

This will bring a strong "reality check" to them. When individuals come to this place in their lives, they will desire change as it becomes a matter of "life and death" to them.

It's like hitting rock-bottom and recognizing where changes are needed and then calling out to God out of conviction. Then they are ready for true repentance and deliverance as needed.

This is the place that the Lord is bringing the Body to as He is coming back for a bride that is without spot or wrinkle and not for a bride that is unclean who does nothing to get the spots out.

The Fear of the Lord will change the way that we see ourselves and will bring the Body to a place of true repentance so that they can see their role in the Kingdom of God as a true servant rather than trying to make themselves something that God has not truly ordained for them to be.

The servant will become a true leader when God does the promoting and they are processed by God Himself through fiery trials, intense training, growing in knowledge,wisdom and maturity, and when they no longer feel consumed with the need for recognition.

When recognition is no longer needed or an issue, then God will raise those servants up to become leaders in His timing and in His own way.

Then they will be servant/ friends to God and continue to serve others for the remainder of their lives. For a true leader is a servant.

The Fear of the Lord is coming, so don't be surprised when this happens to you and even corporately as the move of God accelerates, for God's Power is about to explode on the scene in the lives of multitudes.

Allow God to train you to have a servants heart so that you will have ongoing peace with Him and with others also. This will release the flow of God's love and genuine unity in the Body of Christ.

GO THE DISTANCE AND PASS THE TESTS THAT THE LORD PLACES BEFORE YOU! In His Love, L.D. Oxford

*****

Psalms 25:4-7, Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths;

vs.5, guide me in your truth and teach me. for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

vs 6, Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from old,

vs.7, Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.

Psalms 128:1,4- Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walk in His ways;... 4, Thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

Prov. 1:7- The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov. 14:27- The Fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Prov. 16:6- By the Fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

*****

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TODAYS MESSAGE TO SHARE:

FOR HE FIRST LOVED US!


Dear friends and family:


I received the following message from Graham Cookes ministry two days ago and am finally getting around to posting it here for your edification.

Graham Cooke is a speaker and author from Vacaville, California where he is part of the leadership team at The Mission, which was once known as Vacaville Christian Life Centre.

He has been involved in ministry since 1974 and is a itinerate speaker and teacher, involving intimacy, warfare and leadership development. May you be encouraged and blessed by this message on love. ~ L.D. Oxford - victorious1_2005@earthlink.net


*****

FOR HE FIRST LOVED US!

~By Graham Cooke

www.GrahamCooke.com


Every February, the western world's attention turns to a singular theme:Love. Millions of people will celebrate St. Valentine's Day on February 14, and honor their loved ones with gifts, flowers and chocolates. Yet it is the Lord who is the great love of our life, and the basis of every loving relationship we have.

If we can just grasp how the Holy Spirit promotes the love of Almighty God in our lives, we will never be anxious or fearful again. God can be wonderfully trusted with everything: this is the foundation for a loving friendship. He is our keeper, and He takes that role very seriously.

Once we understand that God is our keeper, we can begin to keep someone else. As He is, so we are. We love because He first loved us. We must learn the dimensions of how God keeps us, and what He wants to be for us.

God has places He wants to take us; He has a role in the Kingdom that only we can fill. God wants to commit each of us to outrageous adventures that, without Him, would scare the life out of us. With Him, it’s fun!

Christians are not ordinary people: we are extraordinary men and women who do extraordinary things. With God as our keeper, we can be strong.

When we don’t understand God’s keeping power, we stay in our little boats, too terrified to walk on water. Without God, we hide and wait for the battle around us to end.

God longs for us to be wholehearted in our love for Him, and in our love for one another. He does not want us to sit back and withhold ourselves. He is delighted when we enter relationships that honour and worship Him.

When we live in unity, God can bring us into a deeper existence in the realm of the Spirit.

It is my prayer that Christians would become the family, the company of friends, which God desires us to be. If our friendships are continually strengthened and stand the test of time, we will become an enigma in the earth.

People will look at us and marvel. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us,” says 1 John 3:16. “And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Our love for one another makes God’s heart glad.

We must not back down, break down, or run away, but instead run together and break through into everything He has called us to be.

This February, love God and love one another with all your heart.

*****

FOR BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS, GO TO: www.GrahamCooke.com

GOD'S KEEPING POWER

In God's Keeping Power, Graham Cooke examines the overwhelmingly loyal friendship and companionship of God. Using examples found throughout Scripture, Graham shares his experiences of a God who never turns away from those He calls 'friend.'

How should that revelation of God's keeping power affect our own relationships with others? What if the church lived in the God's keeping power, remaining completely loyal, loving and open to one another?

This book features teaching, meditations, and exercises and is prefect for both individual and group study.

*****

QUESTION AND ANSWER

Every month, Graham receives dozens of questions from people working through significant spiritual issues. It is impossible for him to answer every question, but in this space, Graham will address some of those common queries.

QUESTION: Why does it feel like I am constantly in a spiritual storm?

GRAHAM'S REPLY: Everything that God is doing in our lives is intentionally relational. To walk with Him, therefore, we must also be intentionally relational—with Him and with others.

As I have said many times before: God, in His wisdom, allows what He could easily prevent by His power. In everything, He is constant and in charge:

Sometimes He leads us into good situations, and other times, He leads us into difficult things. But God’s commitment to us never wavers. Every situation in life is about God wanting to give Himself to us.

Right now, our lives could be good, bad, or ugly, but we can be joyful knowing that God has designed our current circumstances to enable us to see a part of Him that we couldn’t see at any other time.

We should never ask God, “Why?” The why question will never be answered on earth, because it’s the wrong question. The question we must ask is, “What is this for?”

We must see what Jesus wants to be for us in every situation. God always wants to be true to His name, to be the “I AM.” Whatever is happening in your life right now, I AM is with you.

Together with Jesus, we can walk in the high places of the Spirit, but only if we come to the simple understanding of who I AM truly is.

A NEW GENERATION OF WARRIORS

http://joshuaapld.blogspot.com/

A NEW GENERATION OF WARRIORS

~L.D. Oxford
Ldo2003@msn.com

http://joshua-ap.net/

Today i am presenting you with a couple of other articles that came in from one of the ministries that we are networked with, concerning what the Lord is doing with the youth in different areas.

This will surely provoke some of the older generation to fervently seek after God and to realize what opportunities may be passing them by while sitting on the banks of the River of God.

It's surely time to jump into the river and to leave traditions behind that would damper or to keep our youth in a religion-imposed box.

During the move of God which is on the increase, all should allow the Lord to break off the old-mindsets in exchange for His glorious presence in our lives, so that we will be able to impact and to also encourage a new generation that God is raising up .

The Lord desires to use the older generation to come forth as spiritual Fathers and Mothers who will nurture the youth in this amazing and radical youth revolution, along with the powerful anointing that is being released in them.

Youth are being drawn to the Lord across the nations by the thousands, who are very radical in comparison to what the Church has been used to over the years. They are hungry for God and ready to leave a mark on their generation, and to take the Kingdom by force.

Overseas in some of the muslim nations, the radical fundamentalists are training their youth at a very early age in terrorism and suicide bombing, while the Lord is raising up a radical new generation of youth who will terrorize the devils kingdom and "to explode" with the true message, power and love of Jesus Christ.

These youth are being clothed with the fatigues of the righteousness of God and have the glory of God shining upon them. The weapons of their warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Some of them are on their way to bootcamp, while others have already graduated and are now being moved to the frontlines of battle. But the Lord is with them.

These are walking in the fear (awe and reverance) of the Lord, while looking forward to the precious time that they get to spend in the presence of God, for hours on end.

They are finding their intimacy with the Lord, in abandoning themselves in His presence. They are learning how to be intimate with the Father and to also have a heart for a lost and dying generation.

Being used of God is not limited to the age of a person, as everyone in the free world or otherwise, has the same opportunity and choices to know, to seek, to obey and to serve God. However, much of the learned religious mentality that many people have been conditioned in over the years is not sufficient or compatible with the endtime move of the Spirit.

Many are being required by God to unlearn the old ways, while allowing the Lord to move them into His new way of doing things.

(Note: It's not new to God, but will be new to us when we learn of His ways.)

God is desiring to move people off of the padded "phews" and into the harvest that is now upon us while devoting a portion of that time to be spiritual parents to a new generation that He is raising up.

If those spiritual parents try to put these kids in a religious box, they will break out of it, only to find someone else that will nurture them who has the heart of God in this fresh and new move of the Spirit.

Will you be one of those who will cast aside your "old box" for your own sake, for the sake of the youth and for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

Embrace them, love them, teach them the Word, and encourage them to arise as a part of God's endtime Army who will go forward, to do the works and exploits of Christ.

In doing this, the Lord will also continue to use many of the older generation in an awesome way as well. But it all depends on how they are willing to change and to align themselves with the heart of God.

The Lord knows exactly what it will take to get His people to where they need to be in Him. However, the straight and narrow road of obedience to God is the best route to take to find your destiny in Him.

He loves you and so do we here.

~ L.D. Oxford
Ldo2003@msn.com

*****

SPIRITUAL GRAND-KIDS DO MIGHTY WORKS

By Bob Brasset
Extreme Healing Ministry
Victoria, BC, Canada

Over the past 10 months or so, I've noticed something quite wonderful. It's an acceleration in the spirit. All that we've been doing in the nation of the earth for the past seven years - healings, salvations, signs and wonders and the miraculous - are here, BUT now, they seem to be happening faster and increasing in quality and number.

The other notable diference I've noticed is that they seem to be now happening in the street and the marketplace and the ones spearheading this are the youth.

I want to ask those reading this report, "Do you notice this as well?" Isn't this a new season of fruitfulness we've entered? Would you mind giving me some feedback? Please send me reports of changes you've noticed and experiences you are having with healing the miraculous.

SPIRITUAL GRANDSONS EXCELL

I'm in my 60's. I have spiritual sons in thier 40's who are doing truly wonderful exploits but it is the spiritual grandsons, those in their teens and twenties, who have truly surprised me and who are "taking it beyond" anything I, or my spiritual sons have experienced. Let me explain.

I've been spending time with these young people - these spiritual grandkids. They are absolutely radical and sold out. They've accepted my training and mentoring and are taking this to new levels.

HOW THEY OPERATE

Here's how basically they operate. They lavish time each day in the presence of the Lord, the secret place of intimacy (Psalm 91), sometimes 7 or 8 hours at a stretch. Then they come with me or sometimes go out alone.

They remind me of how Wigglesworth or Finney would just sit down near people, not say a word, but just project God's presence. The people would begin shaking, then weeping, then crying out for mercy.

Well, that's exactly what is happening now both here in Victoria in North America and abroad. They sit down near people. After 15 orn 20 minutes, the people begin shaking, then sweating, then weeping, then asking "what is happening to me?"

At this point, one of us intervenes and tells them, "you need Jesus." They begin repenting and crying out. They they receive Jesus Often what happens next, usually without our initiating anything, is that demons begin to manifest and are quickly cast out.

Sometimes there are bystanders, sometimes not. Remember this is almost always in a public place. Then, after about another 10 minutes, the atmosphere changes and the power of God touches them and they begin speaking in tongues, again usually without my help or encouragement from my spiritual grandkids or me. This goes on for about 20 minutes and we don't interrupt.

More:
http://www.openheaven.com/forums/

forum_posts.asp?TID=6384&PN=1&TPN=1

*****

ACTS OF AGGRESSION

Larry R. Taylor

Mat 11:12 "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

One of the more popular interpretations of the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 11:12 is that the Kingdom of God is taken by those who aggressively pursue the Kingdom. This understanding is consistent with the clearer statement found in Hebrews 11:6:

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

This morning I heard the Lord saying He desires a passionate people not a passive people. Of course we know He loves all people, especially His own. But there is a release reserved for those who demonstrate by their actions an aggressive posture towards His presence and His promises.

I believe both from scripture and experience that the Lord is pleased with those who demonstrate a type of faith that will not be denied. A few years ago while ministering in San Diego I witnessed a startling example firsthand.

As I was preaching in a Sunday evening service a group of teenagers were seated near the front. The whole time I was speaking they seemed to be restless. They were fidgeting and on the edge of their seats the entire message.

I misinterpreted their behavior thinking they wanted me to finish quickly so they could get on with important stuff like cell phoning their friends.

When I gave the altar call for those who wanted to be filled with the glory of the Lord, all 14 or so of the teenagers ran to the front. As they ran to the front I realized how badly I had misread the situation.

More:
http://www.openheaven.com/forums/

forum_posts.asp?TID=6303&PN=1&TPN=1

*****

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SHIFT FOR 2006

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*****

Todays message:

THE SHIFT FOR 2006

by Dutch Sheets

*****

Sharing from the heart

from L.D. Oxford

Dear Joshua-ap.net subscribers:

Today i recieved the following article from Lindy that was written by Dutch Sheets on "THE SHIFT FOR 2006."

I sensed that i needed to share this article here with you today on the blog and know that this will shed tremendous insight on what the Lord is doing this year, both individually and corporately in the Body of Christ.

The Lord has had so many of us in such a transition during the past year through testings, shakings, shiftings, adjustments, setting many free from the mindsets of the past, while clarifying vision and assignments.

He is bringing us into that new move of His spirit where changing from the old way of doing things into the new is "an absolute must" for all of his people to not only wake up, but to heed to.

God loves each and every one of us too much to allow any of us to remain the same. And that goes for all of His people. If you are reading this and think that this message must be for someone else.....no, it is for you too. :)

Alot of people seem to talk about this "new thing" alot and sometimes talk and act as if the new thing that God is doing, is "doing their own new thing", when it is not.

Sometimes the religious spirit and mindset that goes along with that only changes faces, when in fact, it is a time for God's people to learn what it means to be true disciples of the Lord and to learn to follow Him.

This involves getting back to the basics of a committed, sold out relationship with God, and when this happens, then ones life will begin to change all the way around.

This involves getting back into spending more time with God, more of the personal study of His Word, while walking out that obedience to Him daily through His grace.

There is a great need for more discipline, getting emotionally healed through the power of forgiveness and recieving the needed correction in love once again through the Body of Christ.

Building relationships and making things right with God and others with a sincere heart is such an importance aspect of making progress spiritually, rather than remaining the same, carrying the same old emotional baggage, while only developing a different face of religiousity.

What the Lord is actually doing is a total restructuring within the Body of Christ, while showing His people that serving Him is not some sort of selfish bargaining chip relationship with God. It is growing into an intimate love relationship with Him and being transformed by the power of His Spirit.

Also, we should not be serving Him to just take, take, take, but to give, give, give, give more of ourselves to Him and to also share of our lives so that God can use us to make a remarkable difference in the lives of others.

Those that are basically focused only on themselves need to return to their first love which is a living, loving, intimate relationship with the Lord himself.

Our very existance should be to love, serve and to obey Him with our whole hearts which seems to be largely overlooked by those who have been used "to not changing", seemingly using God to help them out of a jam.

We are not to use Him, but we should present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice, as vessels of honor and integrity for His own glory. The way to really get free and out of a jam is to spend time with God seeking Him for who He is, loving Him, then to show His love towards others by giving of ourselves. This is one of the best ways for much of the bondage to be broken.

This is part of the law of sowing and reaping. What you do for others, God will do for you. Because what you do and how you act towards others is how you are treating Christ.

God desires to see more fruit in His people which is the very character and nature of God flowing through His people and out to others. Those that are unwilling to change, will sit back and criticize others who are making progress and moving forward in God.

John 15: vs 2, Jesus said, Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. vs. 4, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

vs. 5, He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.; for without me ye can do nothing. .....vs 10, If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments....Study John Chapters 14 & 15. also Matthew 22:37-40

There is no other way to go than all the way forward with Him and off of the lukewarm compromising band-wagon.

It is true that this is a year of favor for the obedient, but it is also a year of disfavor for the disobedient. This depends alot on how one spends their time for God, on how one has plowed, sown, fasted, repented and have hungered for God.

However, God looks on the heart and knows exactly where each of us really are with Him. He also knows how to get us where we need to be when our hearts are willing.

He is a just and merciful God, but also sometimes severe in the way that He deals with His people when they are stubborn and unwilling for change.

It is definitely a time for those who belong to Him to refocus on Him, to seek Him, denying self, by taking up that cross once again and to truly follow Him. This is the way to a life of fulfillment and blessings in Christ.

Then said Jesus, unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.- Matt. 16:24

We are saved by grace and it is a free gift. But to receive the fulfillment of the promises of God and our inheritance in the Kingdom comes through obedience to Him with the cost being great.

The cost of a willing heart to serve Him, even without the recognition of men. God sees, knows and recognizes you. He is both the promoter and rewarder.

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." And what are those commandments of Christ? Namely summed up in one, but mention in two. Simply, to totally love God and to love one another. Because when we really love God, we will love one another according to what Christ had to say. Also when we really love each other, then we are also proving that we love God. And when we don't then we aren't loving God. Plain and simple.

In John 13:34, Jesus said, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another .........14: vs. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments . also vs. 23-24. ~ references are KJV

Be blessed with todays message by Dutch Sheets and if you have any further insight that you would like to share with us , please do feel free to send in your comments also. Many blessings in Christ, L.D. Oxford

*****

Greetings,

My pastor then passed this e-mail on to all of us last night, as we met for intercession and I wanted to share with you! (that is if you've not yet read this)

Blessings,
Lindy

*****

These words are from the Starting The Year Right Conference with Chuck Pierce in Texas. They were sent to me by Sharon Webster to send on to our leaders. She is our Regional Leader from the Central Coast.

*****

See below:

THE SHIFT FOR 2006

~Dutch Sheets

*****

Ministries will restructure, as will Churches, Businesses, Individuals, and Families ~By Dutch Sheets

Ministries will restructure, churches will restructure, businesses will restructure, individuals will restructure, and families will restructure.

This will be a year of the greatest change the Church has experienced in our generation. While preparing to minister in Dallas on January 5, I heard the Holy Spirit very clearly say, "Tell them. . . "I quickly grabbed a pen and wrote the following as it was given to me:

1. Tell them, "The greatest shift into the Apostolic Age comes this year. -For this year, they will begin to see the abundance of fruit come forth." The Church will begin to eat the fruit of a movement!"Everything up to this point in time has been primarily the restoration of the apostolic and the prophetic--a preparation for what I am about to do."

-The fruit of God establishing the fullness of His ministry giftings and His government in the earth is going to allow Him to release unprecedented power, authority, favor, revelation, judgments, and righteousness.

2. Tell them, "Opposition to the apostolic and prophetic will also be the greatest this year."-He is going to expose wineskins (new or old) and religious spirits, taking off the masks of those who oppose His move.

Those who refuse to move in current truth will begin to openly criticize leaders in the Body of Christ that are moving in the flow of the apostolic and the prophetic. Some have been doing so in a very subtle way, but this year, it will become obvious.

When they do, God is going to begin to judge them. God said, “I am bringing a sword this year”!-Don’t be afraid of criticism---don’t be intimidated---go forward---all the way! Don’t worry about the opposition; in your family, with elders, etc. people are coming out of hiding.

You are going to know who your friends are this year.-You must learn who you can go to lunch with and who you can go to war with.

3. Tell them, "I must bring further changing of paradigms, not just to those who have not been moving in the flow of My Spirit, but even to those who are in the flow of My Spirit."

-Higher level of Kingdom thinking will come to the Church.-I heard Him say, "Restructure, Restructure, Restructure."

-Ministries will restructure, churches will restructure, businesses will restructure, individuals will restructure (the way they do things, their time, the way they think, and the way they operate), and families will restructure.

-Teaching on the kingdom of God will bring about great changes of paradigms, taking us back to the original mandate of Genesis. You will hear it taught over and over again this year. Kingdom theology is going to be at the forefront.

4. Tell them, "I am waiting for those who will fulfill My mission statement." (Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 61) -Preach the gospel to the poor-Proclaim release to the captives [radical anointings of deliverance are about to be released It will actually be violent at times, and people will be radically delivered in a moment].

-Recovery of sight to the blind [miracles, extraordinary miracles – not just physical but spiritual eyes opened]-Set free the downtrodden [oppression is going to be broken off the Church].

-Proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [Jubilee—a year of amazing restoration] Powerful season of Jubilee if we will make His Mission Statement our mission statement.

-The favorable year of the Lord refers to Jubilee. Captives go free, and inheritances are restored.

5. Tell them, "This is a year of favor--and disfavor." -What you have prayed for, plowed for, sown into, longed for, cried out for, what you have seen but not been able to taste, what you have fasted for, and wept over--this is the year of favor.

His favor will be seen on your family, business, finances, and body.This is a year that He will no longer allow people to ride the fence. He will draw a line in the sand and make them decide who they are and what they stand for.

-The political games in the Church will be judged. For those who refuse to flow with current revelation and resist it, you will see them come into disfavor. Some ministries and churches will lose their favor this year.

Others will be raised up and given more influence.- It is a year of dismantling that which is built that is not bringing Him glory and a year of great building for others. The landscape of the Church will change this year.

6. Tell them, "I am looking this year for those who will be more heavenly minded than earthly minded."-He is looking for those who will set their affections on things above, on His kingdom, and what He wants.

For those who will do this, He will give them insights from heaven. This will allow them to bring heaven to earth, instead of simply praying, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." He will give them authority and understanding on how to bring heaven to earth.

The Lord said, I want to get heaven to earth--not you to heaven—move into God’s way of thinking. -Also, for those who do this, He will cause them to see things from a heavenly perspective. Problems, challenges, vision, difficulties in their families, financial needs--all of these will begin to be seen from His perspective.

-Things are in order in heaven; He wants to teach us how to get heaven’s order to earth! It’s time to rearrange your priorities again!

7. Tell them, "I am looking for those who will believe in My power. Miracles are there for the taking." -Miracles are here for the taking! More will take place outside the church building than inside.

Power gifts are ready to be given.God said, our thoughts are holding us back, He wants to restructure our thinking in this area—read the scriptures, What did I do (Jesus) Chuck Pierce prophesied that we will see a move of God this year in which signs and wonders will break out on university campuses.

Yale and the University of Texas were mentioned specifically, but the word was not limited to them. The power of God is about to invade the universities of America. Baptism to the youth of the supernatural!-

Baptism of the supernatural is coming, immerse us in the anointing for the miraculous. He wants to bring us back to the original intent—back into His Mission—a miraculous demonstration.

8. "Tell My leaders to pray more and work less." -The sense I had was that if they will pray more, they can work less. Everything will get done!

9. Tell them, "This is the most important year yet for right alignment." -This year, if we are not in proper alignment with leaders, properly connected to those we need to be walking with, and properly covered by those in positions of authority, it will begin to cost us fruitfulness and health, resulting in destruction in other ways, loss of revelation, and destiny.

The setbacks will begin for those who are not properly aligned—you will become completely ineffective for Him.

10. Tell them, "This is the most important year yet for the right timing”-Opportunities will come and go quickly. The timing of endeavors will be critical. Being at the right place at the right time will be essential.

Don’t hesitate, or move to slow—when God says move, move!

11. Tell them, "The great transfer of wealth begins Now”!

12. Tell them, "The river of God is coming but not as they have known it before." -This river is: advancement, deeper, stronger, and very, very different than before, not renewal! It will be deeper and will bring about great power and great harvest.

13. Tell them, "This is a year of unique assignments."-You will be sent to do things you have never done before. You will be sent with decrees, on missions that will be very unique.

14. Tell them, "This is a year in which I will release an abundance of creativity."-Business-Technology-Inventions-Songs, ideas, and strategies -I heard Him say, "The secrets of heaven are coming to earth." Some of it will be so revelatory that even creative ideas on how to transform whole regions of the world will be released.

15. Tell them, "I am going to wreak havoc in the U.S. government." -Corruption will be exposed. The wrong motives will be exposed.

Judgment is coming to this nation with great intensity and God is going to show who is on His side. Some people will be removed from office and some will die.

-Prayer Movement: Governmental authority will be released to the prayer movement! Do not be afraid to decree the judgments of the Lord, God will reveal when to speak mercy and when to declare judgment

16. Tell them, "This is the year that the lid comes off of the youth movement." -The Lord made that statement as I saw a picture of a giant pressure cooker, shaking and ready to explode.

Suddenly, the lid blew off, and the contents flew everywhere.-The shift this year will be monumental. Shift with Him, and see your greatest year ever.

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." --Isaiah 43:18-19

Let's shift with Him!

By Dutch Sheets

Dutch Sheets Ministries

www.dutchsheets.org

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