Modern Day Mystics

Endorsement from Francis Frangipane:

"Paulette Reed is serving in our ministry as the Chief Administrator of our school. She is a Godly woman who has a strong love for excellence. At the same time, she has proven to be flexible and submissive, quick to adjust to the priorities of those she serves. She is a woman of faith, grace and spiritual maturity. We are blessed to have her among us."

Francis Frangipane
Senior Pastor, River of Life Ministries
Director, In Christ's Image Ministry School

A Baptism To Undergo

Much of our world insists on things being accomplished quickly! The computer we purchased only a year ago needs more RAM, and the microwave seems to take "forever." Granted, we are living in an accelerated hour in the Church as well, and will certainly witness many "suddenlies" of God. However, one characteristic of the fire of God, defies instant gratification.

Those saints who will appear to catapult into their destiny overnight will have a different tale to tell. Divine preparation always involves a time of waiting, waiting and, did I mention waiting? There is a baptism to undergo--a season in the fire before we're able to send the flame forth with relevance for the Kingdom of God.

Jesus says in Luke 12:49-50, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed."

Preparation to Carry the Fire

Let's ponder how God intends to send the fire He speaks of around the earth. Well, as always, the Father loves to work through His precious daughters and sons as we represent Jesus to the people. The Word shows us in Genesis 22, that Abraham "carried the fire," implying that we, too, are called to be torches.

In preparation for a sovereign move upon the earth, rest assured, God would not hide your destiny "from you," however, He may hide it "for you." He will conceal your destiny until your response to preparation reveals you are ready for manifestation. God may even ask us to lay our dream upon the altar, as with Abraham and Isaac. He wants to see if we are serving the dream, or the Dream Giver. Fear not, He will return the dream unharmed once we pass the test of obedience.

It only makes sense, beloved, that we are unable to carry the fire of God to the nations until we ourselves have experienced the furnace. We can impart nothing unless the Creator first deposits it within us. Consequently, the Father perfectly orchestrates our steps so all of us are blessed with his or her unique baptism of fire.

What is the Baptism Jesus is Speaking Of?

What is this baptism Jesus says He must undergo before He brings fire upon the earth? Jesus speaks of a baptism of agony. He speaks of Gethsemane--the oil press. He speaks of a baptism of pain, anguish, and vicarious repentance.

He says, "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed." He's saying He's pent-up, distressed, not free to let the flame go forth. He's saying it is not yet time.

Listen friends, "Everyone will be salted with fire" (Mark 9:49). Everyone! And, if a baptism of fire was necessary for Jesus, it will most certainly be necessary for His followers. The baptism of fire is difficult, indeed. However, we have not sweat drops of blood like our precious Savior. We must not despise the hour of testing in light of the love Jesus poured out on the cross.

Jesus proclaims His willingness to drink the cup full of bitterness, betrayal, and mental and spiritual suffering. This cup contains agony and loneliness. He is assured His baptism of fire will not be in vain. Isaiah 53:11 states, "After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life, and be satisfied..." In other words, we rest in the knowledge that this suffering will accomplish God's purposes. As you endure difficulties, challenges or trials, dear ones, consider them purpose driven fires, suitable for the Master Craftsman. James 1:2-3 challenges us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Tested in the Fiery Furnace

Many, many Christians today are being tested, stretched, and tried. It's as if our God, whose eyes are like blazing fire, is blowing His mighty wind from Heaven. He's fanning some smoldering wicks as He equips His servants to become flames of fire. We should not be surprised or amazed. The Apostle Paul writes that the believer's spiritual "foundation" would be tested by fire to reveal the endurance of his faith and love (I Corinthians 3:13-15).

When we consider the fiery furnace, we readily think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We can compare the furnace of affliction and the process of refining to that of pottery being fired in a kiln. In Genesis 11, the Word speaks of bricks being baked. The brick kiln is mentioned in Jeremiah 43, Nahum 3, and II Samuel 12.

It's important to note that the temperature in a kiln is always perfectly controlled. So it is with God's processes. He won't turn up the heat any higher than necessary in order to burn away impurities, producing transformation.

Another noteworthy feature of a kiln is its insulation. Without proper insulation, it's impossible to control the heat. That says to me that we must be appropriately covered in the righteousness of God, cloaked in humility, and clothed in Christ Himself. It is when we are properly "insulated" that we can trust God in the fire for transformation and not cremation.

Take heed, beloved. When entering a season of firing, don't run! Fleshly running can produce more earthly oxygen, causing the flames to flare even hotter. Allow only the breath of God do its work. Stop, drop, roll, and ask, "Father, what part of self needs to die in here?"

God Transforms Tragedy into Triumph

Most of the impurities the fire burns away, are obvious. Jealously, lust, pride, and greed, for example, cannot withstand the fire of God. Yet, the Lord also uses what the opposition has thrown at us as fuel for the fire of God. This Divine strategy creates the opposite of what the enemy intended. Our Father is the champion of taking potential tragedy and transforming it into triumph! In doing so, He creates an antidote for the glory of His Kingdom!

Please, allow me to expound on this:

As God longs to bring unity to His Church--He may allow a season of the fiery pain of disunity.
As God delights in igniting joy in the morning--He may allow sorrow for a night.
As God wants to engender honor--He may allow a season of dishonor in the furnace.
As God desires for us to grow in grace--we may first experience a baptism of disfavor.
As God longs to entrust us with Kingdom wealth, according to His riches in Glory--He may allow a season of walking through the fire of poverty.
As God intends to exalt He servants--He may humble us in the flames.
As God begets us to be love--we may first experience the fiery darts of hatred.

It's important to remember, the enemy had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego BOUND when he threw them into the furnace. However, it was in that very fire that Jesus set them free. Alleluia!

Listen, friends, we don't just go from glory to glory. We are CHANGED from Glory to Glory. II Corinthians 4:7 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God, and not from us." When jars of clay go into the kiln, they are a brown, gooey consistency that doesn't have much strength or resistance. But after firing, a beautiful piece of pottery emerges, strong and translucent, aglow from the fire, crafted by the Master Potter's hands.

We need the refining fire, beloved. We need to see the Church on fire, ignited for Christ Jesus. Since we know our God is a consuming fire, the Spirit of God lives and dwells in us, and we want to do only what we see the Father do, should we not be a consuming fire also?

When we lay hands on someone and pray for them, they don't need to experience doctrine, they need to experience the fire of God, the power of God! The world is waiting for a consuming fire, one that burns up all that is not of God: cancer cells, addictions, sickness, and disease. This is a fire that will light up the world!

Fire Produces Passion

In addition to the purity created in the fire, a passion is imparted. This inner passion, imparted by the Holy Spirit, is for God's righteousness and for the advancement of His Kingdom.

Fire is the image used throughout the Bible to describe the inner nature of God's heart. I want to know the Father's heart; I want to have the Father's heart. How about you? To possess the Father's heart is to walk in the love of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, to feel wrath against sin. If that involves a baptism of fire, so be it!

Fire heals, cleanses, purifies. The fire Jesus brings is holy fire! Fire produces passion! It's in the fire that that all of our false heroes, all of our false kings die, and that's the season we will see the Lord.

Listen friends, it's in the fire that the Son of God is manifest. Alleluia! We become more and more passionate for Him and His Kingdom because we realize we must cling to Him, walk with Him, and become one with Him, as exquisite crystal fused in a kiln. It's all preparation for an eternal dwelling as we recall in Revelation 15:2, "And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God" (emphasis mine).

Can I get an Amen here? The Son of God is manifest in the fire! In the fire of our experiences, we truly realize He is all we will ever need. If you've been in the fire, are in the fire, or will be in the fire, be encouraged; you are not alone. The Savior of the world stands with you. The Rock of my salvation is in that fire with you. The Restorer, the King of Glory, The Son of God, The Word, Rabbi, The True Light, My Shield, My High Tower, The Great Physician, The Ransom, The Peace Offering, A Ruler, The Refiner, and Purifier are in there with you! "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:2).

Beware, "wet blankets" will attempt to douse the fire and extinguish the passion. Let me ask you this--what really happens when water is poured on the fire in the trenches? I propose to you today, that it only fuels the fire! Where is the God of Elijah? He's in you. Don't let the enemy lie and use water to put out the fire. Maintain your faith in the promises of God. Keep an attitude of gratitude, speaking truth so there is redemption, and use the water for fuel to fan the flames. And when the people see the fire, they'll say, "The Lord He is God, the Lord He is God" (I Kings 18:39).

We Must Persevere

Once you've endured the fire and have received the passion, you must persevere. You made it; you've come so very far. Jesus didn't quit at Gethsemane. He went all the way to crucifixion! Once you've sustained the fiery furnace you can't give up, put up, shut up, or turn around. You must set your heart like flint, ready to go all the way with God! It's in "Gethsemane" that we say, "Father, not my will but Thine be done."

Dear ones, may we allow the Lord to prepare us in the fire for, "In the last days, God says, "I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, (flames of fire) both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the Heaven above and signs on the earth below..." (Acts 2:17-19, emphasis mine).

May we allow the Lord to prepare us down here, so we'll fit in up there, when we meet our God whose eyes are like flaming fire? II Timothy 2:8-13 from The Message:

"Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now--but God's Word isn't in jail! That's why I stick it out here--so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing: If we die with Him, we'll live with Him; If we stick it out with Him, we'll rule with Him; If we turn our backs on Him, He'll turn His back on us; If we give up on Him, He does not give up--for there's no way He can be false to Himself."

Paulette Reed
Daughters of the Morning Ministries
www.dotmm.org

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Coming Out of Deep Darkness

Even a cursory look at church history, reveals many things that were not only contrary to the teachings and nature of Christ, but were diabolical in nature. Today the church tends to deal mostly with matters of insensitivity, but in times past, the issues were how to deal with the brutal and inhuman cruelty being inflicted on literally millions in the name of Christ. Certainly, progress has been made out of the deep darkness which the church had fallen into. So where are we now? What's next?

This terrible time of darkness was clearly prophesied in Scripture, and it was allowed for a reason. In the same way that the nation of Israel failed in its covenant relationship with the Lord and was scattered over many nations, the church failed also, and was likewise scattered into thousands of denominations. Just as Israel has been regathering to its inheritance in the natural, there is a corresponding regathering of the church to its spiritual inheritance. As we are told in I Corinthians 15:46, "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual." What is taking place in the natural is a forerunner and prophecy of what is about to take place in the spiritual realm.

The Jew has always been a prophecy of the condition of the nations. Just as Israel has been regathering to its promised land, but has no peace within or without, and is still groping for its purpose, the church is likewise in a similar place. The nation of Israel will awaken to its purpose and its Messiah. When it does, we can expect the church to likewise awaken to its purpose in these times, which is linked to Israel's purpose in the natural.

The Seed of Abraham will Join in Purpose

The spiritual seed of Abraham--those who are grafted into the vine by their faith, and the natural seed of Abraham, the Jew according to the flesh--will join in purpose. When they do, it will open a bridge between the Heavenly realm and earthly, leading to the restoration of all things lost by the Fall. Even death will ultimately be destroyed.

There was a time of about 2,000 years in which the Lord worked almost exclusively through the Jews to lay the foundation of His plan for the redemption and restoration of the earth. Now there has likewise been a time of about 2,000 years, the "times of the Gentiles" in which He has worked almost exclusively through the Gentiles.

Contrary to what many believe, what we are about to enter into is not another time of the Jews, but a time of the Jews and Gentiles being joined together in purpose. We will witness the Jew--the natural seed of Abraham, and the church--the spiritual seed of Abraham, becoming the "one new man" Paul wrote about in Ephesians 2:15. When these two are joined, it will open the gate between the Heavens and the earth, and for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth.

Because of the terrible history that both Israel and the church has suffered (and since the greatest threat to the existence of the Jewish people came from the institutional church or "Christian nations"), it will take a great miracle to cross the gulf between Israel and the church. This is a reflection of the similar gulf between God and mankind which seems to be greater than ever. How will these be bridged?

Just as all of Israel's problems are really beyond human remedy and will take a miracle from God to solve, so are the church's and the world's problems. The great troubles at the end of this age are the result of mankind trying to run this world without God, a lesson that will finally and profoundly be learned. However, God will resolve the entire mess that we have made of things.

Prepare the Way for His Return

In the meantime, between now and these great miracles that will surely come, the greatest of all being the return of the Son of God Himself, it is our calling to help prepare the way for His return. How do we do this? In the prophecy that was quoted from Isaiah in relation to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Him the first time He came, the same principle applies for how we are to prepare the way for His return:

"A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.'"

"Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley."

"Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Isaiah 40:3-5).

Here we see that a highway must be prepared for the Lord in the wilderness, "Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed." So building this highway is first. How do we do this?

If you have ever been part of a crew building a highway, you know that this is some of the most difficult of all construction work. As this text declares, it requires mountains and hills being brought down, and valleys being built up. It is slow, tedious, and messy, as anyone who has lived near the building of a highway can surely attest. There are times when it is easier and faster than at other times, but it can be grueling work for days, weeks, or even months to make the smallest amount of progress, and it is fraught with constant danger.

Preparing the Way Can Be a Thankless Task

After extraordinary labors, when the highway is finished, people will drive on it, and zip through at 70 mph in the same place where progress was at times measured in inches a day. And very few of those people who go merrily along the highway (which was so much labor to accomplish), will ever think for even a moment about those who built it, much less ever thank them. Few who build highways are celebrated, but they have made the progress of the modern world possible, both in the spiritual and natural.

In this same way, the job of preparing the way for the Lord is hard, being done through the wilderness, the most inhospitable territory where the progress is usually slow and difficult. Few will thank us for what we are doing, and some will curse us for the mess we are making, especially if it brings them any inconvenience. Few who see the present mess have the vision to see how much better it will be when the highway is finished. It is quite a thankless task.

In seeking to see authentic, Biblical, prophetic ministry restored to the church, our team at MorningStar has experienced some of this. It has been hard work, with at times seemingly very little progress. Most who see us working, just remark about the mess we are making, with very little encouragement coming even from those who will ultimately benefit from what we are doing. We know also there will be very little thanks when it is finished, at least from people, but to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21) from the King, will be worth it. We are doing it for the church, which may have little appreciation for it now, but more than this, we are doing it for Him, and are very thankful just to have a job in His service.

Even so, for those who labored for so long and hard to watch others walk on the path they have cut with such difficulty, just taking off, may be hard. However, that is the reason for building a highway--to make it much easier and faster for those who come behind us. If we have been successful, others will be able to go as far as we have much faster, easier, and safer. In fact, that is what church history has been.

Past Generations Have Made the Way For Us

The great souls in history took ground that future generations could walk over much easier, faster, and safer. A good example is Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians, who took a generation to establish the principles of modern missions. They not only cut a path which others could follow, but at times, they wandered up box canyons and had to turn around, seemingly losing a lot of time and resources with their mistakes. However, even those diversions saved future generations from having to make the same ones. They prepared a highway and a good map to go with it.

We only stand where we are today because others fought through the forests and underbrush, cut down mountains and hills, and built up the low places--spiritual swamps that were full of dangers and disease. They left us a wonderful highway, so we could easily make it this far with relatively little effort. Let us resolve to carry this highway as far as we can in our own generation, making it much easier for others to make it as far as we have, and then go farther.

Build A Highway

There will be a generation who actually finishes the job. It could even be ours. We may go around the next turn, cut through the next acre of underbrush, and come face to face with His glory. Even if we are not the one who finishes the job, let us do our part as well as it can be done. The way we prepare the way for the Lord and His Kingdom to come to the earth, so that His will be done here just as it is in Heaven, is to build a highway.

If we have been wise in raising up those with true prophetic gifts, maybe we can send scouts ahead so that they can map out the territory well enough, so we do not go up any more box canyons. Maybe they can see easier paths, which to us would look like diversions from a straight line, but in fact, will make our progress toward the goal much easier, faster, or safer.

If the highway becomes more clear, maybe others who are now all cutting their own individual paths in various directions, will join together, making the progress of our generation much greater. Instead of doing so much work that will not really be used (cutting down a lot of underbrush destined to grow right back because no one is going to follow on that path), wouldn't it be better to see our efforts actually result in a useful highway which leads to the Kingdom?

There is a highway being built. We should all want to be sure that we are a part of building the one which really prepares the way for the King.

Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
www.morningstarministries.org

Increased Anointing

This is the season when we are confronting demonic structures that we may have once defeated. We have come full-circle once more and God is charging us to fully put some old things under our feet...to fully put to death the works of the flesh, tradition, and mindsets. We have a choice as to whether we will rise up and get victory over the old things that hinder us, or circle-around again next year, and battle once more.

For an increased anointing, one of the first things we must understand in this new place with God's Spirit, is in order to INCREASE we must RELEASE. Once again...Release to Increase.

What exactly does this mean? Well, we must release God to move in our lives the way He wants to. We must release His Spirit to move in our families, our churches, our businesses, and our government. If we release control, there will be an increase. Everything in creation was made to be fruitful and multiply (increase). If there are areas that are not increasing, God will judge that area by His Word. In other words, if the increase is not in alignment, He will convict us to change so that we willingly "let go." Most likely, we all have dealt with control issues along the span of our lifetimes. We become fearful, so we attempt to control the outcome. In most cases, it has become our survival...at least up to NOW.

In this new place, there must be total trust. In order to grow, we must let go and be submitted to His perfect plan. Because His desire is for us to increase, He will keep leading us back to the same situations, so that He can deal with heart issues and control issues. Our ultimate survival requires that we totally yield ourselves to His Spirit, and then for us to always follow the leading of His Spirit.

Secondly, we must release old mindsets concerning how WE think His Spirit should move. Obviously, He is God and He can flow as He chooses, but our faith levels have much to do with His visitation. Because of mindsets and judgments, we could easily miss our hour of visitation. If a certain flow does not line up with our mindset, we too quickly negate how God desires to minister. Remember, they rejected Jesus because of their religious mindsets, and many missed the hour of His divine visitation.

The Testing for the Increased Anointing

As I prayed about the increased anointing, I still heard Him speak to me concerning the Glory and the double portions that Elisha received. Elisha went through his "testing four different times." Let's look at the four different tests and challenge ourselves to press into the overcoming power within us, so that we also, can step into that increased anointing.

The First Test: Gilgal

One of the meanings of the word Gilgal is "circle." As I stated earlier, this is a season of coming full circle. Whatever was in our hearts that was and still is unpleasing to the Lord has come full circle, and the Lord will lay the axe to the root of that situation. Unless we determine to rid ourselves of the works of the flesh, we will go around this mountain again.

The enemy has a plan to continue to "shame" God's children. This is an old trick of our enemy. Through the lie of rejection, he will speak lies of unworthiness, shame, and words that speak "you are less than." Though Elisha was determined that he was going to receive a double portion anointing, he was most likely still tested with rejection. When Elijah and he stopped at Gilgal, Elijah instructed Elisha to remain there, but Elisha insisted that he would not leave his destiny link. At first, it appears Elijah did not desire for Elisha to tag along with him. He actually told him to remain and not follow. However, Elisha's statement was "I will not leave thee" (2 Kings 2:2). This is a kingdom--covenant statement.

Covenant relationships are divine connections that have future purposes for the work of God's Kingdom. All too often, we quickly leave a ministry that was meant to be a destiny link. Maybe we feel left out and rejected, so we leave a ministry or relationship prematurely. Well, please understand that when we are in covenant with the Father, He will test our hearts to determine how desperately we want the anointing. We must become focused and set our faces like flint toward prophetic destiny. We must "hang-on" to our destiny links and endure until we have received our double portions.

If we do not pass the test at Gilgal, we will circle once more, and God will examine our hearts. If the past heart issues were related to rebellion and a lack of respect for authority, He will do whatever is necessary to properly align us with His corporate body, so that we can pass the next test and move forward into destiny.

Many of us will be required to overcome obstacles and tests before increased anointing can be imparted by our mentors. We must realize who our destiny-links are, and be determined and focused to remain in covenant no matter what tribulation occurs. Then, when it is our season to receive the double portion, we will be properly positioned to receive the mantle of authority and increased anointing.

The Second Test: Bethel

Bethel means "The House of God." In type, the house of God is where the presence of the Lord is. One of the earliest recordings of Bethel in the Scriptures is Genesis 28:16, where Jacob had a dream and experienced a divine visitation. He was not in a synagogue, not in a temple; he was in the desert with his head against a hard rock for a pillow, and God visited him in a dream. When he awoke, he recognized that God was in that place and he named it God's house. Is it possible that Jacob received prophetic revelation as to what the true House of God was? Did Jacob recognize that God's house was within him (that he was God's temple), and the revelation ministered so much to him that he dedicated the land and built an altar?

Each of us "houses" the anointing. We are the temple of the Lord because He lives in us. At that moment, in that dream, Jacob KNEW God. He had become God's house. The house of God is within each of us, and in this passage, it is revealing that we house His Spirit within us. Saints, this is why we can minister wherever we are! Because we are God's temple, we are not limited to any building, setting, or place. We should be ministering under the unction of the Holy Spirit, being divinely led.

The New Testament believers ministered all day long in their businesses! It was a daily part of their lives; they incorporated ministry into their businesses. Just think of the spiritual shifts that would occur if we got serious about ministering to the lost as we realize that everywhere we go is an opportunity to show the love of God.

Now that we understand that we are God's temple, please also know that any area in our heart where the door is locked to God's Spirit, will be tested. Hidden motives and attitudes will be exposed as God's truth searches every room of our hearts.

At Bethel, Elisha was tested once again. Did he fully want the double portion? Did he give the Lord his entire heart and life? Was there any area of rejection that rose up when his mentor once more said, "Stay here...you can't come." Once again, Elisha responded with a covenant reply, "I will not leave you." We must press into staying with our assigned positions, assigned destiny links, and assigned callings.

The Third Test: Jericho

When I think of Jericho, I am always reminded of the WALLS that had to be shouted down. Though we know that mindsets can be walls and God will have us move beyond our natural thinking, the word Jericho means much more to us in this season. Jericho also translates as "sent." The word apostle means "the sent one," implying that in this season, we must apostolically be sent out with an apostolic assignment. When we are truly sent, we are actually similar to an ambassador who is "sent" to represent one in authority. As we become "sent" by the Father, we go forth in His authority. The anointing can only truly flow when we are under legitimate authority and sent out with that same authority.

As a five-fold minister I meet many ministers who are not truly "sent." Rather than being "sent," they "went" on their own accord, and with no accountability. This is very sad because unless we are released and sent with authority, there will be a lack of authority as we minister the Word. Without authority in the Spirit, we are simply preaching another message with no anointing, or we are teaching the Word with no manifestation of the Spirit. Saints, there is no time to waste. Jesus IS coming soon!

Just as Elisha approached his test at Jericho, so will we be tested. Are we waiting to be sent ones, and are we pressing into the fullness God has for each of us? Being obedient to WHEN we are sent, is just as important as to WHERE we are sent. So, it is very important that we are obedient, and only go WHERE we are sent, and must complete our assignment before we can move to the next place.

Elisha knew his destiny was to receive double portion and so, once again, he pressed past any possible hindrances, and chose once again to remain in Kingdom covenant with his destiny link. Though Elijah once again tried to convince him to remain in Jericho, Elisha responded with "I will not leave thee." I believe that deep inside of Elijah there was a silent joy! Finally, a prophet-in-training that was fully committed to his mentor! Elijah might have had this planned all along, thinking, "I'm going to see just how much this young prophet desires this anointing. It's not as easy as he might think to get this kind of anointing...let's see if he makes it 'till the end." The Lord has a test for each of us...how much do you want the anointing?

The Fourth Place of Testing: Jordan

Most of the time, we think of Jordan as a place of fresh baptism, and the parting from old behavior and mindsets. Once more, I believe God is releasing more revelation concerning Jordan and how it relates to the anointing. Since Elisha's whole desire was for the increased anointing, the place of Jordan was very significant because it is more than leaving the past behind; it also refers to being properly positioned to receive the mantle of anointing.

Jordan means "descending" or "flowing down." Now, this really gets exciting to me, because the only way the anointing flows (according to Psalm 133), is downward. The anointing will always flow from the head down. If you are properly positioned within the Body of Christ, if you find your place and remain there, the anointing will flow (descend) down upon you. Finally, Elisha had come to the place where the anointing would fully flow downward upon him!

The reason that Elisha received double portions is because Elijah told him that if Elisha "saw him" ascend to Heaven, he could receive the double portion mantle. This meant that Elisha had to remain faithful, determined and properly positioned so that the anointing could truly flow down upon him. Elisha pressed past all rejection, possible abandonment issues and different tests to endure until the very end. He would not let go of God's anointed Elijah!

Also, Elisha's life had to be in unity with God's plans and purposes for all of this to take place. If we are also in unity with God's Spirit, the anointing that is upon Christ, will flow over us, and we can receive double portions of anointing. The anointing of your mentor will flow down upon you if you remain faithful to the end of your testing. Ultimately, we know that Christ is the head. However, when we are submitted to Christ, we are also submitted to those He has placed in authority over us, and we are in UNITY. It is only then, that we are properly positioned for the flow of anointing.

A Song of Degrees of David

Psalms 133:1-3, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."

Hallelujah! Are you excited yet? Well, you should be! Get ready, get positioned, God is about to release you in a mighty way. Get ready for your double portion so that in 2007, you experience your open Heaven and receive your double portions!

In Him,
Sandie Freed

Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Email: info@ZionMinistries.us
www.zionministries.us

Glory of Zion International
www.glory-of-zion.org






Dear Friends and Devoted Prayer Warriors:


I am sure by now that the new year is moving quickly around you. In the last two weeks, I was privileged to attend three leadership roundtables. The first was hosted by Steve and Joy Strang of Charisma along with Jack Hayford on the issues of today's changing church. Then Dr. Peter Wagner hosted his annual Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders. And last week I was with Rick Joyner's MorningStar Ministries Roundtable. We concluded there is a need for prayer and fasting through March 14 (Purim).


WE ARE IN A SEASON OF BREAKING CYCLES

We are in a season of breaking cycles. Let me refresh you on what a cycle is. A cycle is an interval during which a recurring sequence of events happens. A cycle can also be a periodically repeated sequence of events, or something that happens over and over at a certain time. Sometimes this is impregnated with supernatural phenomena. A cycle can be linked with time or an event and orchestrated supernaturally so a repeating wound or injustice occurs from generation to generation.

I am praying that every old cycle that would bring you or your family decrease or destruction in the future is being broken in your life. I am declaring that you enter into God's restorative power. Restoration is the power of returning to any place where "God's best covenant plan was deviated from." Restoration includes reclaiming lost land, lost health, and lost joy.

Restoration is linked with restitution. For instance, if a stone in your house was broken by a workman, it is substituted with another that is even better. I am declaring that every broken stone in your foundation will be replaced with new strength in this coming year. Restoration also means the perfecting, mending or fitting together of every detail of your life that will cause you to complete or end your race greater than how you began it. If the enemy tried to overtake you in the past year, I am decreeing that you have new strength to outrun him and finish stronger in 2006.

May He UNRAVEL every old cycle in your life linked with a three fold cord of poverty, infirmity and religion.

Remember:


The opposite of poverty is increase and trust.



The opposite of infirmity is healing and strength through joy.



The opposite of religion is being willing to embrace something new when presented to you.


A SIGN FOR CHANGE: THE WIND HAS BLOWN

The Lord's timing is perfect. In November of last year, the Spirit of God moved on us in a meeting at the church pastored by David Ireland in northern New Jersey. We asked the Lord for an anointing to come down so our feet would be set in perfect timing for the year ahead. We asked Him to break doubt, unbelief, and weariness from us so we would not be lagging behind, and to remove presumption from the Body to keep us from running ahead.

The Spirit of the Lord began to respond to us by saying,

"Let Me rearrange your circumstances. Look deep in every circumstance around you for they are setting a new order for your life. Let Me remove your past. Do not strive to hear Me. Let your prayer life be one of asking in simple faith, and I will answer you. I will release favor so you can build your future. Let Me train your hands to prosper for building. Stake your claim on your future and expect Me to do wondrous things on your behalf this year."

We then asked the Spirit to stir up the Wind of God in Northern New Jersey. We decreed that the wind of awakening for the churches, state, and region (touching New England and New York) would blow. The Lord began to speak,

"I say to you do not fear the snow. Even in the time of snow, the wind will begin to blow. When this wind reaches 67 miles per hour, you will know that one season has ended and you are entering into your future. I say let the WIND BLOWWWWW!!!!"

The Lord in His sovereign timing used Dutch Sheets and Brian Simmons to coordinate a meeting for us to return to New England this past week. The day before arriving, THE WIND WAS RECORDED AT 68 MPH. The headlines of the paper in Connecticut read "BLOWN AWAY."


DUTCH SHEETS DECLARES A TIME OF MIRACLES

The Lord visited Dutch Sheets w

July 31, 2006


This two-part teaching entitled The Gospel is Power is sure to whet your appetite and inspire you to come up higher so that you’re empowered to advance the cause of Christ in the earth. You’ll learn about God’s creative power and how it goes hand in hand with the gospel of the kingdom and the release of miracles, signs and wonders. Next week you’ll discover how faith and the power of God can bring you into new levels and fresh revelation for sharing the gospel in a dynamic way.

The Gospel is Power
by Revivalist Todd Bentley
Part 1

Hallelujah! We serve a mighty God! We can boldly declare with the apostle Paul, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Think about that! We can be absolutely sure that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the power of God to salvation for every single person who believes. The gospel of Christ is the power of God!

So today I want to discuss how the gospel of Christ is the power of God. We’ll begin by examining the function of the Holy Spirit in the context of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. Then we’ll discuss: the realm of God, the activity of God, creative power in an earthly scene, and how God’s kingdom overrules the material realm. Here we go!
The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven

The presence of the Holy Spirit, which brings both the manifestation of the kingdom of God and the nature of the Holy Spirit, is creative. It’s who He is. You can’t ever take that from the Holy Spirit. Miracles can’t be prevented! Healings can’t be stopped! Do you know why? It’s because of the presence, the dynamic, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit! The presence and personality of who the Holy Spirit is brings the manifestation of the creative power of heaven to earth. His creative power gives evidence when He is on the scene, and when He releases His creative power on the earth, that action reveals the kingdom of God in operation.

When Jesus declared that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15), or “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17; 10:7), He never said that again. From that day forward He spoke about the kingdom in the context of “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21) and He demonstrated (showed) the manifestation of the kingdom. I’ll talk about some of those manifestations in a minute, but let’s take a further look at the kingdom of heaven first.

Most Christians are waiting for the kingdom of heaven to happen when they die—“absent from the body and present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). But Jesus said, “… the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And from the beginning of the time that Jesus first began to walk on this earth in His earthly ministry and He released the dynamic and the presence of the Holy Spirit, He ushered in the kingdom of heaven. AND IT’S STILL HERE!

Listen! It’s not just when we die that we experience the kingdom of heaven! We can come into the realm of the kingdom of heaven now by experiencing what Jesus meant when He said: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). The kingdom of heaven is the manifestation of the kingdom of God on the earth, as it is in heaven. The reality is this: as it is in heaven means that there is no sorrow, or pain, or sickness because such conditions do not exist in heaven.

So, do you know what the Lord is beginning to reveal and to say? Here’s what I sense God saying: “I want you to pray: as it is in heaven so let it be done in the earth. I want you to begin to release and contend and lay hold of that in the spirit because I want to bring into the earth, as it is in heaven. You are waiting to get to heaven but I want to bring ‘as it is in heaven’ to the earth. I want to bring ‘as it is in heaven’ in the area of glory and angelic activity—no more sorrow, no more pain, no more sickness, into the earth.” Friends, this is what the kingdom of God is.

I love what Paul the apostle said about the kingdom of God—“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). We’re not supposed to fix our eyes on what’s temporal and get stuck there. The temporal things aren’t going to last. Instead we need to focus on what’s eternal because what’s eternal is going to last forever and it’s in the Spirit realm. The eternal is the unseen substance of what’s in heaven. In fact, the eternal overrules the material or physical realm, the physical symptoms of the sickness that are in your body, and the physical circumstances of your life.

Therefore, we need to say, “Come Holy Spirit; so as it is in heaven, it will begin to be on earth.” As you invite the kingdom of God and as you say, “Holy Spirit come,” He brings the realm of God, He brings the activity of God. When the Holy Spirit shows up, a superior order shows up, and it breaks the law of science, it breaks every doctor’s report and what every person has said about you concerning what you can and cannot do. It breaks the law of physics and the realm of the impossible. It begins to open up the impossible! It begins to open up the eternal! It begins to open up the supernatural! People get healed! Doctors say, “I don’t know. There was a cancer in your body. Scientifically this doesn’t make sense. I don’t know what to say. The cancer isn’t there now.” How did this happen? It’s because of the presence of the Holy Ghost. So we need to begin to believe for a manifestation of God’s kingdom in our lives.

Here’s an example in scripture of God’s kingdom in action. “When evening had come, they brought to Him (Jesus) many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick” (Matt. 8:16). Casting out demons with a word and healing the sick are manifestations of the kingdom of God! Later, Jesus said, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28).

Believing for a manifestation of God’s kingdom in our lives and walking in a kingdom mindset is vital. Why? Because we were created on purpose for this purpose! We are body and we are spirit; we are born from above. Jesus told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God unless that person is born again or born from above. Here’s what Jesus said: “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 Amplified).

July 16, 2006 - Humble, Texas

Your Enemies Will Come Out and Bite the Dust

"I'm going to send My light to America. I'm going to send My light to this Nation. And My light will uncover the darkness. And My light will uncover your enemies in this land of Mine, land of Mine, land of Mine--America, America," says the Lord.

"And your enemies are going to come out from every side of this Nation, from the north northeast to the south southwest, to the east to the west." God says, "I'm going to bring your enemy down. This Nation that I call My own, I will save you from another war. I will save you from another war."

"Syria, who do you think you are? You will not rise against the Lion." Listen to what God says, "Iran, you will not rise against this Nation or the Lion."

God says, "Your enemies will come out, and they will bite the dust because of My light. I will send My light, I'm going to send My light to this Nation."

"And your children will dance, dance. And your children will praise, praise in America. Your children will dance, dance, dance, and your children will praise, praise in America. Because of My light, because of My light."

This Nation Will Not Be Forgotten

The Spirit of God says, "There has been a great attack that has been planned against a family member of the President of this Nation. I speak from this city, and I let My prophet reveal it because from this Texas soil, came a President that prayed and sought My face. Will I turn My ear? Will I harden My heart against one who prays? No! Therefore this attempt to come against a family member will not succeed, but shall be revealed. And they shall say, 'How could that have been? This one was not from the Middle East. This one was not from China, from Asia. This one was from amongst us.'"

"The hatred has come as a stench before Me. Hatred has come and division in this Nation, but not amongst My people. And because of that, I will save you, and I will raise up a righteousness in this Nation, and prosperity shall rule and reign because of the greatness of My people," says the Lord.

The Spirit of God says, "Would you hear, would you hear the word of the Lord tonight? This Nation will not be forgotten. I will not forget the prayers for your forefathers. I will not forget the prayers and the pain, and the blood of the soldiers in the battlefield for this Nation. For as they were dying, they prayed prayers for the children of this generation. I will not forget the prayers of a soldier dying before he goes for this generation. You are not forgotten." God says, "Look up, for your redemption draws near."

"There is a miraculous thing that I'm going to do. And I will save this Nation from embarrassment, and 'phooey' to the United Nations, for they have brought shame, they have brought shame to the soil of this Nation. They will no longer be a voice to be reckoned with. I'm raising up something new," says the Lord of Hosts.

By Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
www.kimclement.com