THE MINISTRY LETTER 2007 ISSUE 8
To all
handmaidens and bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ:
THE DEVIL MUST BE RESISTED WITH GREAT DILIGENCE IN THIS HOUR
While
the Devil is still on the loose [and he is apart from where God's people take
their authority over him] he needs to be bound, and this is precisely why Jesus
said, "I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions -
and over all the power of the Enemy". In many cases, we open doors through
fear, disobedience, unbelief etc. that allow the Devil to attack us openly in
ways that he never could have apart from our sin. The aim of every Christian
should be to abide in an absolute trust and faith in the Father and His Word.
This is a much higher life than suffering defeat - gaining the victory -
suffering defeat - gaining the victory etc. Discouragement and hopelessness are
of the Devil and must be rebuked or they will linger on and maintain control
over the mind and, eventually the entire life and ministry, of the child of God
if they are not resisted. Peter wrote, "Resist the Devil and he will
flee". Until the Devil is in the pit - and ultimately the lake of fire
[Revelation 20:10] - he MUST be resisted!
THE SIMPLICITY OF GODLY DESIRE
Jesus
said, "If you abide in My Word and My Word abides in you ask what you
desire [which would be godly desire] and it shall be done for you [John 15:7].
The Word also states, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God" [Romans 10:17]. Faith comes by hearing [this refers to one putting
themselves in the proper position to hear the Word] and hearing [this refers to
the revelation that comes forth through the Word and the Spirit of Wisdom and
Revelation] as one's heart is pure [wholly given to the Lord]. As one purposes
to fellowship with the Father and His Word in the "inner chamber" on
a daily basis they will come to the place wherein they can easily tell between
that which is a godly desire and that which is an ungodly desire. Many are
caught in a place somewhere in between and, thus, the leaven of unrighteous
continues to rise up and consume their thinking [darkness and confusion as to what
the will of God really is for them]. On the other hand, as one maintains the
"leaven of righteousness" [from the position of a heart wholly given
to the highest purposes of God] then, ultimately, they will enter into the
place of abiding in the heart of the Father and the mind of Christ - and thus
they shall be found to be righteously motivated in all things, and their every
desire will be godly.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFESSING THE WORD OF GOD [BOTH
WRITTEN AND PROPHETIC] INTO AND OVER OUR LIVES
The
story of Abram - Abraham is one of the key patterns in the Old Testament
concerning the importance of words - and how they are part of the corresponding
action that is required for one to be found walking in faith ["Faith
without works (corresponding words and actions) is dead (inactive)"]. I
realize that there were many who "mentally ascended" to the
revelation that came forth through the Word of Faith movement, and it certainly
caused some confusion [and even division] in the Body - but one must never be
found "throwing the baby out with the bath water". It is certain that
much godly revelation came forth from the Throne Room during that period.
Getting back to Abraham: when God changed Abram's name to Abraham [Genesis 17]
which means literally "the father of a multitude" it was very
significant. In Hebrew society a name was always given for the purpose of
bestowing a prophetic blessing and proclamation over one's life concerning the
will of God for them. In other words, every time that name was spoken it opened
the door for the will and destiny of God to be continually established until,
ultimately, in the fullness of time [and through a continued obedience in the
life of that one], that will and destiny were perfectly fulfilled - according
the highest purposes of God. Jesus is another perfect example. From Genesis to
Malachi the words of the prophets were spoken and written and, ultimately, this
birthed "the Word made flesh" in the earth [John 1:14].
THERE IS NOTHING TOO MYSTICAL ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE AND
POWER OF CONFESSION [DECLARATION]
There
is nothing too mystical about the importance and power of confession
[declaration]. It is the way that God planned it from the beginning. He chose
words to be "receptacles" [repositories] of faith [they only became
receptacles of fear after the Fall] - and the creative power that was the
spontaneous result of them being spoken. When He said, "Light be"
THEN light WAS etc. On the negative side, it is certainly easy enough to
understand how one can continually speak words of fear, unbelief, worry,
discouragement, sickness, lack etc. and see how they eventually come to pass in
that one's life. The exercising of a true faith means that the child of God has
a "revelation" of the Word [Will] of God and, thus, upon every
remembrance of that word quite possibly they are led to praise God for its
completion in their life - continually calling those things which do not yet
exist in the physical as already being manifest [which they are in the
spiritual realm]. Many times - especially in the beginning - it takes continued
repetition in the speaking out of God's Word [THROUGH THE PROMPTING AND
DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT] for one to receive the "revelation"
that is needed to establish one's heart and mind in the will of God - either
individually or corporately - for any given situation.
REVELATION IS TRULY THE KEY!
Revelation
is truly the key! The problems that arose over the past number of years were caused
by those who attempted to take the blessings of God's Word for themselves
[selfishly] WITHOUT entering into proper [intimate] relationship with Him. This
led to all sorts of chaos - as the Devil had almost free reign to deceive the
people with his "desires" [ungodly desires - lies] and led them into
thinking that they were godly desires - which they were not! Let it be clearly
understood that there is no other way to experience DIVINE prosperity
[blessing] apart from obedience and intimate fellowship with God! It is a
fervent [burning - passionate] love for God - and the desire to carry out His
highest purposes - alone that should motivate one in their pursuit of the
fullness of the blessings that are theirs, "in Christ".
Let us hear the words of the Father:
"BY THE WORDS WHICH PROCEED FORTH FROM THEIR
MOUTH"
...."It
is much easier for My children to stand in faith as they gain a deeper
revelation of the power of the Blood of Jesus. For in gaining this revelation,
they shall begin to understand that My power transcends both time and space.
And because of this, BY THE WORDS WHICH PROCEED FORTH FROM THEIR MOUTH, they
shall be able to "control" every circumstance [situation] with which
Satan has attempted to lure them into an area of fear"....
"WORDS SPOKEN IN LOVE [FAITH] WILL BRING ABOUT MY
MANIFESTED PRESENCE"
...."Words
spoken in love [faith] will bring about My manifested presence in every
situation. Words of pride will bring about the manifested presence of Satan
[darkness, confusion]. Words spoken in love will ALWAYS control any given
situation - and Satan shall surely suffer defeat"....
...."Hearing
the voice of My Spirit should be clear; when "all" the
"obstructions" have been removed"....
...."Love
takes no offence because love understands "all" things"....
...."Always
remember, My children, that there is power within your "inner man"
that you are not even aware of at this time. Go forth and freely speak My Word
in every circumstance you find yourself in and you shall surely see the fruits
of your time spent in fellowship with Me in the "inner chamber"....
...."Spending
time fellowshipping in My presence is not an "escape", it is a
necessity for those who would walk in the "fullness" of My
authority!"....
*****
MEDITATIONS ON THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE:
+ The
Cross leads to the Holy Spirit back again to the Cross. Through the death of
Christ alone, can the soul receive the Spirit, and only by the Holy Spirit,
thus received, can the believer be vitally united with the death of Christ, so
as to know with assurance the indwelling of the Risen Lord, and be able to say
with truth, "I have been crucified with Christ". "Christ liveth
in me!" Yet again it is true, that only through a still deeper fellowship
with Christ in His Cross, can we know the Holy Ghost in fullness and power.
+ When our minds
are conditioned by prejudice or paralyzed by traditional views, we may face a
truth in Scripture again and again without its ever touching us. Our spiritual
inhibition concerning that truth permits us to see, but not to perceive. The
truth lies dormant within, mentally apprehended but not spiritually applied.
This is particularly true in relation to fasting.
+ The Father
will always "forgive" sin but He will never "condone" sin!
+ As the child
of God exercises the "force of faith" through their continual praise
and confessing of God's Word (will), they cannot fail to inherit the blessing.
It is never a matter of "time", it is a matter of believing!
+ Those who have
dominion over the destruction and the curse of the law of sin and death are
responsible for exercising that dominion! God is not protecting us from the
Devil. As far as He is concerned, Satan has been defeated and the Body of
Christ has been given authority over him.
+ Because we
need help against the ungodly haste and unrest which threatens our service to
God. Only from the peace of God's Word can there flow the proper, devoted
service of each day.
*****
GOLDEN MANNA FROM
THE MOUNT
"A COVENANT OF PROVISION AND HEALING"
Bill Burns
ft111@spiritofprophecy.com
http://ft111.com
I
will do great and marvelous things in this season. Even this very day I have
sent witnesses to proclaim the covenant that I am striking with My people, a
covenant that is beyond and greater than any you have experienced. This is a
covenant of personal direction and leading and guidance by My Spirit. This is a
covenant of provision and healing. There will be a demonstration of My power,
says the Lord. It is now that I choose to bring the greatest outpouring upon
the Church than has been since the Day of Pentecost so that My kingdom may be
demonstrated through you, My people. I shall be with you to direct you, and you
will no longer live in the realm of fear or under the pressure of anxiety if
you will trust Me. I will lead you through the maze of the next few months into
the perfection of that which I have designed for you. Be encouraged and be of
good cheer, for indeed you will overcome every obstacle and recover all that
the enemy has taken from you. Believe it and receive it!
*****
"YOU WILL NEED MY DISCERNMENT AND WISDOM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY"
Marsha Burns
ft111@spiritofprophecy.com
http://ft111.com
I am
bringing you by a way that you have not known. You have not been this way
before. And, even though some things that you encounter will have a ring of
familiarity, you must respond differently than you ever have. You will need My
discernment and wisdom every step of the way, and the necessity of your seeking
will draw you ever closer to Me, says the Lord. This is good!
...."But it
is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I
may declare all Your works"....
Psalms 73:28
"A NEW ZONE OF ACCELERATION"
You
have entered a new zone of acceleration. Everything will take on a different
slant or point of view as you see with new perspective. You will be tempted to
try to revert back to what is routine and comfortable, but you will find it
nearly impossible to do. And, if you insist on not moving with the flow of My
Spirit, you will find yourself getting stuck in a place from which you cannot
progress. If you submit to this acceleration, however, you will be moving at
God- speed, and will find it very rewarding, says the Lord.
...."He
will lift up a banner to the nations from afar, and will whistle to them from
the end of the earth; surely they shall come with speed, swiftly"....
Isaiah 5:26
"NOT ONLY A TIME OF ACCELERATION BUT
ALSO ELEVATION"
This
is not only a time of acceleration but also elevation. You are moving higher in
the realm of the Spirit. Yet, this upward movement will occasionally be
interrupted by minor setbacks. Make sure that you do not allow discouragement
to creep in, for that would certainly open a door for the enemy to attack and
afflict you. Maintain emotional stability and peace, which will be vital to
your progression, says the Lord.
...."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
"WHAT YOU ENCOUNTER AT THIS TIME IS ANOTHER
NECESSARY STEP IN BRINGING ALL THINGS INTO DIVINE ORDER"
Refuse
to allow the noise of difficult situations to drown out or overpower My voice,
says the Lord. Stay calm and maintain peace, for surely I will lead you through
this in victory if you will let Me lead, says the Lord. Do not take matters
into your own hands or "go off half cocked." What you encounter at
this time is another necessary step in bringing all things into divine order.
This must be dealt with at this time.
...."You
will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts
in You"....
Isaiah 26:3
"HOLD EVERYTHING WITH AN OPEN HAND INSTEAD OF A TIGHT
GRIP"
Trust
Me to go before you to make the crooked places straight and the rough places
smooth. Keep moving ahead, but be flexible. You must learn to hold everything
with an open hand instead of a tight grip. I will lead you into My plans and
purposes as you yield to My order, says the Lord. Be encouraged and go with My
flow.
...."Every
valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked
places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth"....
Isaiah 40:4
"TRANSITION IS NEVER EASY OR COMFORTABLE"
Refuse
to be distracted by the strange discomfort that tries to get you off balance.
Transition is never easy or comfortable, but if you will stay focused on what
you know to be truth and light and continue to trust Me, it won't be long until
you come through to a new level of stability. You will arise to greater
insights and revelation and will find new strength to move forward. You will
also find renewed courage to accomplish all that I have set before you, says
the Lord.
...."Wait
on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I
say, on the LORD!"....
Psalms 27:14
*****
"TOUCH NOT
MINE ANOINTED"
PART SIX
THERE IS NO FAITH OR LOVE IN ANY FORM OF CONDEMNATION
OR ACCUSATION
...."Beloved,
do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for
your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the
degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also
at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are
reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory
and of God rests upon you. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer or
thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler, but if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify
God"....
1 Peter 4:12-16
It is time NOW
for every believer to diligently guard their lips [always controlling their
tongue], in order that NO unwholesome [unholy] word be found proceeding forth
out of their mouth. One must never be found speaking against the
"anointed" ones of God [all other believers]. Neither should we be
speaking against those in the "world" either, but rather believing
and interceding for them so that they might be "delivered" from all
of the tremendous bondage they are under. Can they really "help
themselves" if they do not have a "revelation" of the Lord Jesus
Christ? So let us be concerned ONLY with carrying out the ministry that we are
called to - both individually and corporately - and thus shall we cause the
captives to be set free by the power of God dwelling within [and flowing out
of] us - rather than condemning and accusing them, held captive ourselves by a
"spirit of self-exaltation" and "self-righteousness". In
"condemnation" and "accusation" there is no exercising of
faith [or love] - and it constitutes only arrogance and sin on the part of
those who do so. Let the Living Christ be seen in us by all those who cross our
path and let the "Spirit of Glory" flow unhindered to accomplish the
Father's highest purpose in any given moment - even in the time of our greatest
persecution!
DEFINING
"SUFFERING"
As we
study the ministry of Jesus we begin to see the "sufferings" of
Christ. They were many and they were continual, and thus it is extremely
important that we have a deep revelation of "suffering for righteousness'
sake". We must be well aware of the picture that Satan attempts to form in
our thinking - that is, that we, in some way, are still "under" the
physical suffering [sickness] and "afflictions" that are a product of
the law of sin and death, while in reality:
The
"suffering" we are called to in this earth is to stand continually
against all the things which we have been redeemed from; it is in no way
associated with physical sickness or any other manifestation of the law of sin
and death, but rather it is to continually release faith in the Word of God
regardless of the pressure of the
circumstances that surround us.
As
our minds become transformed and renewed by the Word of God
"suffering" will become the joyful opportunity to further establish
the Kingdom of God in the earth it was intended to be rather than the
sorrowful, painful "concept" religion has made it to be - through
unbelief!
WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED "ABSOLUTELY" FROM THE LAW OF
SIN AND DEATH
Every child of
God must come to the deep realization that they have been redeemed
"absolutely" from the "law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2)!
If a child of God is in any way under the impression that God will allow Satan
to come in and destroy them in any way [apart from the one's constant wilful
sin and rebellion and disobedience over a long period of time], then they must
draw near to the Word of God, and "allow" the Holy Spirit to reveal
to their hearts the "true" nature of the Father and His discipline.
Jesus Christ did not come and shed His precious Blood on the Cross for us to
remain in the suffering and bondage which has its source in fear and sin and
death but, rather, He shed His Blood to redeem us from ALL that is under the
CURSE! We must be found diligent in our handling of God's Word in this hour so
that we might not "mentally ascend" in any way to any portion of that
Word. True suffering is NEVER a matter of being under bondage to Satan and his
ways, but rather a "suffering for righteousness' sake" - and the
establishment of the Kingdom. To all those who walk with God this matter of
suffering for righteousness' sake is a joy and a blessing and something to be
sought for - as it is a catalyst for the Spirit of Glory to be released through
them. If one's heart is not "wholly given" to the highest purposes of
God, the "suffering" that they have been called to by Him is
something that they will seek to avoid at all cost and, thus, they shall remain
in a place wherein their "flesh" [self-desire] remains dominant [at
least until a deep "repentance" is forthcoming].
*****