THE MINISTRY
LETTER 2006 ISSUE 3
To
all handmaidens and bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ:
...."Those
who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting"....
Psalm 126:5 NASB
A while back I received this word of exhortation
for the Body:
"The
seeds of love which you have planted in faith, in a time of famine, have now
reached fruition - and truly I say to you, you shall reap the joy which you
have sown in tears."
The
"tears" that are sown by all those who have truly been seeking the
fulness of the Father's purpose for themselves - and for all those with whom
they have to do - are tears that are (in their purest or root form) based on
the love of God abiding in one's heart. In other words, they are tears born out
of a love for God and a desire to see only His will and perfect purpose
accomplished in their lives - and in the lives of others. They are also a
spontaneous by-product of a true (divine) compassion for all those who cross
their path and this creates a strong desire to see the captives set free, in
Christ. Initially, when one may experience an extremely bad and troublesome
attack by the Enemy, there may be "tears" of great sadness, grief or
mental torment. But as the true believer perseveres in drawing near to the
Father and His Word the tears that are shed in pain are a precious thing in His
sight, and this is why He made the promise that when tears are shed in the
course of one's faithful pilgrimage they will SURELY reap a harvest of joy. It
is these trials and tribulations that cause the pure heart to draw near to God
- as opposed to retaining unforgiveness and, thus, lashing out against
"flesh and blood" in a spirit of self-justification and
unforgiveness. It is certain that we are in a time of divine restoration like
no other - a time that will see every tear dried up and every heart both healed
and restored! Everything that Satan has stolen will be returned in a new and
glorious way. Every ounce of faith and obedience shall bear maximum fruit - and
the tears that have been shed in the pursuit of God's highest purpose shall,
again, SURELY reap a harvest of joy - a supernatural joy which comes from one
taking their proper place in the presence of the Lord (in the "inner
chamber") - a joy that will surely strengthen that one to finish the race
that they have been called to run - perfectly.
Related Scriptures: Psalm 30:5; Psalm
51:12; Jeremiah 31:12-13; Psalm 16:11
*****
THE FATHER IS BUILDING AN "UNSHAKABLE"
(ABSOLUTE) FAITH IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE TRULY SEEKING THE FULNESS OF
THEIR DESTINY IN CHRIST
Once a
Christian truly makes a quality decision to seek the fulness of God's will in
any given aspect of their life and ministry THEN Satan attempts to come in like
a flood and disrupt - and if possible - nullify their decision. It is in these
times that we truly begin to learn about faith and trust in the Father and His
Word - ABOVE all else. In this season EVERY Christian who is truly seeking
first the Kingdom of God - and to be righteously motivated in all things - is
experiencing a very intense refining process. The only thing that is left for
one to do - when they are experiencing the tremendous pressures which may arise
- spirit, soul, body, financially, relationship-wise and environment-wise - is
to press on into perfect fellowship (intimacy) with the Father - KNOWING that
somehow, and in some way, He will sustain them and that, ultimately, they will
both experience the peaceful fruit of righteousness and gain an absolute trust
and faith in the Father and His Word that is "unshakable". It will be
this "unshakable" (absolute) faith that will carry the child of God
right through to the end of the race that has been set before them with a
pin-point accuracy.
NOTHING CAN PREVENT A CHRISTIAN FROM FULFILLING
THEIR DESTINY IN CHRIST EXCEPT WILFULLY HOLDING PART BACK FROM GOD FOR
THEMSELVES
Again,
the key in these days is for one to simply draw ever nearer to God - for as
they do they will SURELY rise above all of the schemes of the Enemy, and they
will gain great clarity as far as what to do DAY BY DAY. In spite of any
circumstances in the life of the believer this entrance into the "inner
chamber" on a consistent basis will most certainly restore the joy and
peace of God in that one's life. Regardless of any mistakes one might make in
their walk they are NEVER too big for the Father to fix - as long as we repent
(turn around and go in the opposite direction) when convicted by the Holy
Spirit. Nothing (I said NOTHING) can prevent a Christian from fulfilling their
destiny in Christ except wilfully holding part back from God for themselves -
and this, of course is not the case in the lives of all those who are truly
seeking the fulness of their destiny in Christ.
SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSTRUCTION TO THE
OVERCOMERS:
Begin
to meditate on the Word of God more than you ever have before - asking the Holy
Spirit to lead you and teach you in all things. Remember, this time (even
though it has been a very intense time) is not the end of your walk with the
Lord but, in actuality, really the true beginning of the fulness of it. We must
be free from the "past" (fear-based experiences) first before we can
truly enter into the "fulness" of destiny - the fulness of our
Kingdom-position.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPOSING GENERATIONAL CURSES AND
KNOWING OUR GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS
It is
important to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any generational curses that have
been attempting to control your life. As you receive revelation from the Holy
Spirit - AND take authority over them - you will begin to experience a freedom
you have never known up until this time. I can speak from experience that if
you will stay with the entire refining process the Father is leading you
through - refusing to escape into past securities which were rooted in the
soul-life THEN, in your faith, you will indeed be set free - and that glorious
freedom will be forever (eternal). Also, it is important to ask the Holy Spirit
to reveal whatever "generational blessings" are in your family. As He
reveals those to you then you can exercise faith for them to manifest in your
life. The aforementioned freedom from the generational curses added to the
generational blessings that come forth will begin to bear much fruit in your
life and for the Kingdom.
THE ESSENCE OF ALL TRUE MINISTRY
The
essence of all true ministry is to lead God's children into the fulness of
their inheritance and liberty in Christ - and that is most certainly a very
dangerous thing as far as the Devil is concerned. Once the child of God is free
and walking in the fulness of their covenant he knows that they will turn and
do great harm to his strongholds. Do not be moved by ANY of his intimidating
tactics - for as you persevere in faith and love and obedience you will SURELY
overcome in ALL things. Continue to press in to know the Father. He is PERFECT
and, as His precious love is continually shed abroad in your heart by the Holy
Spirit, you will come to know Him in a way that will both set you free from the
past and prepare you perfectly for the future. In your continued diligence you
will SURELY come into an absolute faith and trust in Him.
STRATEGY FOR PERFECT DISCERNMENT IN ALL THINGS:
Pure
and simple: staying very close to the Father and His Word. And, in doing so,
remaining sensitive to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. The living
Word of God abiding within a heart that is pure is able to separate between
that which has its origin in the Spirit and that which has its origin in the
"flesh" - perfectly.
Let us hear the words of the Father:
...."To
reproach one is to "hate" one....
...."From
this moment forth, My beloved ones, there shall be an exponential increase in
"divine connections"!....
"HOW CAN TWO BE AGREED UNLESS THEY HAVE A
REVELATION BURNING IN THEIR HEART OF MY WILL, VISION AND PURPOSE - FOR ANY
GIVEN SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE"
...."How
can two walk together unless they are agreed? And how can two be agreed unless
they have a revelation burning in their heart of My will, vision and purpose -
for any given situation or circumstance. Truly I say to you, all shall see
those whose hearts are wholly given to Me in this hour. And all shall see those
who have "held part back" from Me. For I have never called anyone to
be yoked unequally or established [divinely connected] with those whose heart
is not wholly given. Blessed are those who are faithful and obedient to carry
out My will in this most glorious hour. For My power shall work mightily within
them - and rest mightily upon them. And all shall surely see that it is My hand
- and My hand alone - that is upon them".
...."Hold
no man or woman in high esteem - except that they are first held in high esteem
by Me!"....
...."What
is wisdom but a revelation of My heart and mind"....
...."If one
fails to humble themselves before Me then they shall SURELY seek their
"own" platform".
...."It
will take a "perfect" patience to accomplish My "perfect"
purpose"....
...."If you
have loved Me then you have loved everyone that I have brought across your
path!"
...."Whatever
has to happen "MUST" happen!"....
...."The
"inner chamber" is where the "job" gets done!"
*****
MEDITATIONS ON THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE:
+ The
sermon cannot rise in its "life-giving" forces above the man or woman
giving it. "Dead" men and women give out dead sermons, and dead sermons
kill! Everything depends on the spiritual character of the preacher.
+ Not only have
we a Redemption that is literal and absolute, but we are a "new
creation", and Satan has no dominion over us. Jesus is the Head and
Lord of this New Creation. We have been taught so long and so persistently
about our weaknesses and our lack of ability and our unworthiness that we
hardly dare say that we are what God says we are in Christ. We are afraid that
people will misunderstand us and think that we have become
"fanatical".
+ If one does
not "diligently" seek Jesus, they are much more harmful to
themselves, than the whole world, and all their enemies!
+ The love of a
created thing is deceiving and unstable. The love of Jesus is faithful and goes
on forever. The one who "clings" to a created thing will fall with
what can fall; the one who "embraces" Jesus will be established
forever.
+ Not only do we
have power to use the name of Jesus to cast out demons, or to heal the sick,
but that name gives us access to the Father, and is the absolute guarantee of
answered prayer.
+ The true
prayer life is based upon absolute knowledge. It is not based upon emotion nor
feelings nor the theories of men, but upon the living Word of God. When you know
in your heart that you are what He says you are, then you act it in the face of
all, confessing what He has done in you, confessing what He has made. This
glorifies Him and His work. To deny what we are, to tell what Satan is
attempting to do in our bodies and minds, is denying what we are in Christ.
What masters the Father has made us to be in Christ! How invincible we are! Can
you not see what it would mean for one in the face of all this glorious
Redemption to be talking about their weakness, their lack, making their
confession of their inability? "Of His fulness we have all received",
and it is grace and the ability of God for us to enjoy to the very limit all
that we are in Him.
+ The living
Word of God is "the" foundation of our faith. The Word lies
"dormant" in one's life until it becomes the foundation for faith.
+ Faith is as
important to your spirit-being and to the rest of your eternity as breathing is
to your physical body! It is going to take more faith to "exist" from
now until the catching away of the Church then it used to take to receive great
and mighty miracles!
+ There is going
to be "far more" revelation poured out in the Body of Christ between
now and the catching away of the Church than in the previous two thousand years
of Church history!
+ Faith holds
fast to its foundation (the living Word of God) in words and actions. Doctrines
of men and creeds do not hold up as foundations.
+ Faith-filled
words dominate the law of sin and death. The Word of the Living God dominates
death. Faith-filled words dominate the laws of death because faith-filled words
are life and life "swallows up" death, just as light swallows up
darkness.
*****
GOLDEN MANNA FROM THE MOUNT
"I AM BRINGING A MOVE OF JOY TO THE EARTH THAT CANNOT BE DENIED"
Bill Burns
ft111@spiritofprophecy.com
http://ft111.com
The
Father says, I have sent you My Son who gave His life. This day, I say unto
you, I am bringing a move of joy to the earth that cannot be denied, for it is
written, and the scriptures cannot be broken that I have given you My joy. Come
and abide in that joy. The joyous and glorious conversation of the saints shall
be voiced and heard abroad. That joy will set you free from disease and shall
bring into the house of God and into your own homes a glorious expectation of that
which I am about to do in the earth. I will not be denied. Those I have called
will learn to abide in a continuous glory, which shall be full of joy and
fulfillment of all that I have spoken, says the Lord.
"THERE IS A THRESHOLD BEFORE YOU"
There
is a threshold before you, and I invite you to step through without hesitation.
Come boldly before the throne, for entrance has been given to you. Fear not,
little ones, but come into My glory for the times of refreshing. Step through
the door. I declare to you that a new door in heaven is being opened. This is a
new season that I have prepared and called forth and released by My Spirit. I
say to you that the only way to enter in is by the door, and you do this by
faith and as you trust in Me.
Come and step
through. Leave the past behind, the heartache of old, for you have been in a
wilderness, but I say that the wilderness has a purpose. It is in the
wilderness that you get to know Me. In the wilderness I strengthen you. In the
wilderness I feed you with heaven's bread. In the wilderness I bring forth the
water from the Living Rock. In your wanderings you have learned of Me and found
Me in a fresh way. Because you have not let go of the promise or left the
vision now you will cross over the Jordan. Through the waters you shall come
and receive the promise.
You must now
rise up and walk in obedience, for it is written that the children of Israel
refused to follow My direction because of unbelief. I say now, gird up the
loins of your faith and get ready to cross over. I am sounding the trumpet, and
the door is open and the threshold is before you. It is but a small step of
faith, and you will be transported into the newness of life and into the place
that I am taking you in this season, says the Lord.
In this place I
will give bread, and I will give living water. You shall be transformed. You
shall be renewed. You shall be healed. You shall walk into your destiny, for I have
ordained it and spoken it forth. Now I am revealing it to you that you may
simply belief and receive that which I am giving in this season, says the Lord.
*****
"YOU HAVE COME A GREAT DISTANCE SINCE YOU FIRST
ENTERED THE REALM OF MY KINGDOM"
Marsha Burns
ft111@spiritofprophecy.com
http://ft111.com
Beloved,
you have come a great distance since you first entered the realm of My kingdom.
You have been faithful in many things and have sought to be obedient to My word
and have been strong in faith. Yet, now the temptation will be to go back the
way you came, to retreat. But, I tell you honestly that this is an attack of
the enemy against you to render you ineffective in your kingdom position. You
have opened the door through believing the lies of the devil and entertaining a
spirit of fear. Gird up the loins of your mind, and do battle.
"For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your
obedience is fulfilled."
2 Corinthians 10.4-6
"BELIEVING HIS LIES PRODUCES FEAR THAT BRINGS
FORTH TORMENT"
The
devil is a liar and the father of lies. Believing his lies produces fear that
brings forth torment. Take time to discern the lie and apply the truth of My
Word. Truth produces faith that brings forth deliverance and freedom. Remember
that double-mindedness produces instability and brings forth nothing. Ascertain
what you really believe in every situation, and make the necessary corrections.
Then, rise up in the spiritual authority that I have given you, and put the
devil under your feet.
"For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down
strongholds, casting down vain imaginations (arguments) and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all
disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
1 Corinthians 10:4-6,
*****
"IT IS IN ADVERSITY THAT YOU ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE"
Shelly Mathis
mrsmathis@qwest.net
You
have heard the Spirit of prophecy declaring that prosperity and blessings are
in store for My people in this coming season. Yet, I find some of you shaken in
your faith, surprised that your current circumstances are not what you
expected. The challenges, difficulties, and apparent calamities that you are
now facing are designed for your advancement and progression in My kingdom.
They will not harm you if you will only believe that I Am, and that I will lead
you forth in undeniable victory. It is in adversity that you are given the
opportunity to thrive. The key is whether you will choose to be a victim of
circumstances, by failing to apply faith in My Word, or to exercise violent
faith, by seizing your circumstances with the intention of flourishing in the
midst of the flames. Choose the way of faith, and you will not be disappointed
in the results.
"Have I not
commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be
dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
*****
INTIMACY WITH
GOD:
THE KEY TO THE FULNESS OF TRANSITION INTO KINGDOM LIVING
PART THREE
"IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR EVERY
CHRISTIAN TO HAVE A DEEP AND ABIDING REVELATION OF WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF THEM IN
THIS FINAL HOUR"
...."Enter
by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to
destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the
way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it"....
Matthew 7:13-14
The absolute key
for EVERY child of God to enter onto the highway of holiness (Isaiah 35)
through the "narrow gate" is their time in fellowship with the Father
and His Word in the "inner chamber". The scripture says that,
"the way is broad that leads to destruction", and therefore it is
extremely important for every Christian to have a deep and abiding revelation
of what God requires of them in this final hour. So many tragically continue on
in the "broad path" - believing in their heart that their walk is
righteous in the sight of the Father when, in reality, they have not entered into
His presence through the "narrow gate" but have remained on an
unrighteous path that is leading them to destruction. It is a path which
"seems" (appears) right but its end is the way of darkness and death.
In vs.14 the scripture states, "for the gate is small and the way is
narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it". The gate is
small and the way is narrow simply because there is only one way to enter in
and that is to give one's heart wholly to God. The reason that there are
"few" who find it is because many attempt to fulfil their destiny in
God by their own strength and by their own means (formula or method).
"IT IS ALSO IN THIS PLACE OF INTENSE REFINING
THAT A DEEP REVELATION OF THE FATHER'S LOVE AND CHARACTER IS BEING EMBLAZONED
UPON THEIR HEART"
It is
certain that we are in the last of the last hour, and now a great separation is
taking place in the midst of God's people. The prophet Malachi - speaking of
this final hour - said that we would once again be able to distinguish between
those who are righteous and those who are wicked, between the one who serves
God and the one who does not truly serve Him (Malachi 3:18 - 4:3). Indeed, the
day has come, burning like a furnace (crucible), and all those who have sought
to enter in through the "narrow gate" (because of their absolute love
for the Father and His Word) are being - through the deep and intense refining
process that they have been undergoing - brought into the place of an absolute
trust in the Father and His Word. It is also in this place of intense refining
that a deep revelation of the Father's love and character is being emblazoned
upon their heart, and in the days between now and the end of this dispensation
(the Church age) this deep and abiding trust (an absolute faith being the
spontaneous by-product) will serve them well in their carrying out of the
Father's mandate for the Glorious Church (remnant Church) - both individually
and corporately. Without this absolute trust (faith) in God we could not
possibly be prepared for the glorious things and times that have come upon us.
These are times in which God will be enabled to show Himself stronger in the
earth than EVER before.
"THERE ARE ONLY
TWO CATEGORIES IN WHICH THE CHILDREN OF GOD FALL INTO"
Those
who have remained in the "outer darkness" through a continued
heart-fellowship with the "world" and its ways (through the
maintaining of self-desire and self-agenda) - have not submitted (yielded)
themselves fully before the Father, and this is a most dangerous position in
this most critical hour! There are only two categories in which the children of
God fall into. The first category includes those who hear the words of God, and
continually act in obedience (corresponding actions) seeking first the Kingdom
in all that they do and say. This is the child of God that, in this hour, is
entering into the place of "abiding" in revelation knowledge and a
perfect trust of the Father.
The second
category includes those who have heard the words (written Word and the true
prophetic words) of God but have not acted upon them in obedience, simply
because they have continued - through their own self-effort - to build their
house upon the sand (the shifting sands of the world and its ways). Because
they have "maintained" selfish ambition and the lust for self-glory
they are found living outside the precepts and ordinances of God in the
ever-deepening darkness that is consuming the "world" - devoid of the
necessary knowledge (revelation) of the fulness of their "salvation" (deliverance)
in Christ that it will take for them to both enter into and fulfil the fulness
of their destiny.
"THE FATHER IS CALLING HIS CHILDREN OUT OF THE
WORLD (BABYLON) AND INTO THE SECRET PLACE OF HIS PRESENCE"
Let these two things be clearly understood by
all who truly have "ears to hear":
1. The "storms" are coming with a continually greater
intensity.
2. Each man's work shall become evident in this hour.
Those who have
built their house on the rock of revealed knowledge shall be honored and
exalted by God in this hour
"exalt[ed]" - given the
platform [power] to release all that God has blessed them with;
and those who
have refused to humble themselves before the Lord - those who have exalted
themselves before men - shall be brought low. In this hour, each and every
"work" shall be shown for what it is: righteous or unrighteous. From
these things we can see the extreme importance for each one of us to enter into
the presence of God through the "narrow gate". The entrance into the
"inner chamber" - through the laying down of our own lives
(soul-life) - is the only way for us, as Christians, to directly connect to the
life of God. When this intimacy with the Father and His Word is put as the
first and foremost thing in one's life THEN - through the continual
acknowledgement of the Father and His Word - their paths will be both directed
and established in righteousness, and thus the light, life, love etc. of God
will continually be manifested in their life and ministry. The Father is
calling His children out of the world (Babylon) and into the secret place of
His presence - for it is only from this "esteemed" position - and
this esteemed position alone that one shall overcome in ALL things in this last
of the last hour!
*****