Many of God's people have known firsthand the purging, purifying and refining process.  Possessing understanding of God's ways is of vital consequence and will be a major dividing line between those who are fruitful and those who have the seed of the Kingdom stolen from them. (Matthew 13:19&23)  The Scripture tells us that many of God's people perish for lack of knowledge and comprehension of the times.  Nevertheless, great understanding is being released that will catapult a body of people into notable fruitfulness.

I remember the early days when I first realized that God still deals with His people in all the same ways outlined in the Bible and how excited I was to discover the ministry of Kenneth Hagan.  One of the first of his books that I read that greatly impacted my life was, "I Believe in Visions."

To this day I am still contending for what the Lord used that book to impart into my life.  Through Dad Hagan I learned the message of supernatural faith, living a life in the miraculous, and our promise of divine health and overcoming the schemes of the adversary.  Even so, it is undeniable that many of God's choice soldiers who live in realms of radical faith have been through extreme conditioning, refinements and pruning that have been somewhat difficult to interpret.

This however has been for a good cause.  Though it is difficult to reconcile this process with our belief in the abundant life promised in Scripture, many are about to emerge from this refinement with divine character and a clear vision of God's end-time plan because of these dealings.  They will be called the Bride of Christ and there will be a very specific anointing that will characterize their lives and ministries.

I believe this company of people will be synonymous with those described in Revelations 2 & 3 as those who "overcome."  "To him who overcomes" is a notable phrase with substantial spiritual benefits and blessings.  They include:

Victorious Ones

In the Greek language the expression "to overcome" means "to be victorious."   Presently, there are a number of people emerging as "victorious ones" having overcome diverse circumstances that have trained and refined their character.  Many of the Generals of the Faith throughout biblical history discovered a higher place in God through their trials.

Clearly, David found faith and rest in God during the season Saul attempted to abort his opportunity to rule.  The three Hebrew children discovered the Lord in the fiery furnace and emerged totally set free from all bondage.  Daniel found God's protection and sovereignty in the lion's den.  Moses discovered God's rest in his forty-year training season while tending sheep.  Peter was sifted like wheat in order to emerge with the level of character needed to preach on the day of Pentecost one of the greatest sermons ever delivered.

The list could go on and on.  It is not our intent to prophesy more trials and tribulations, but the emergence of a company of people from them into a place of significant anointing and authority.  The fact that many have been in this process is undeniable, but we need the understanding that this has been part of the qualification...not disqualification as our Accuser would like for us to believe.

Daniel prophesied this would take place resulting in a body of people with considerable insight who had understanding of God's ways and God's relevant times and seasons.  That is what we are fervently contending for.  The Spirit of Understanding is being released to a company of people who emerge with genuine spiritual authority and power in order to facilitate the harvest.

Many are genuinely being baptized in the Holy Ghost and FIRE that consumes the chaff of selfish ambition, human striving, and improper motives.  The God who desires to fill us and abide in us is a consuming fire and a jealous God.  He wants all of us!

Revelations 5:6 declares:

And I saw between the throne with the four living creatures and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

The One who walks among the lampstands has perfect revelatory insight to see the issues standing between us and our highest calling.  God desires for us to be enlightened and see ourselves and our circumstances from His perspective.  In so doing we are on the journey for victory and the activation of our destiny.

Sevenfold Spirit of God

In previous newsletters I have addressed the impartation of the Sevenfold Spirit of God promised to this Bridal Company called to do the "greater works."  Isaiah 11:1-2 declares:

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Jesus prophesied that as He was sent so shall we be sent to do the works He did. We have already outlined the basic functioning of the Spirits of Wisdom & Understanding and Counsel & Might and we will now seek to more fundamentally understand the Spirits of Knowledge & Reverential Fear of God.

The Spirits of Knowledge and Reverential Fear

As with the other spirits outlined in Isaiah 11:2, the Spirits of Knowledge & Reverential Fear of the Lord work in unison; seemingly in a "cause and effect" function.  We see this demonstration clearly outlined in John 1 involving Nathaniel's encounter with the Lord Jesus.

In the process of choosing His disciples the Lord journeyed to the region of the Galilee and found Philip and commissioned him as a disciple.  Philip in turn went to his friend Nathaniel and shared with him his enthusiastic encounter with Jesus.  Nathaniel responded rather apathetically saying, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  Philip wisely responded by encouraging him to see for himself.

While Nathaniel was yet approaching Him, the Lord said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!"  As the exchange continued Nathaniel was somewhat puzzled by this response and asked the Lord how He knew of his character.  The Lord said, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."  That single expression involving supernatural insight provided by the Spirit of Knowledge provoked Nathaniel through the awe-inspiring nature of God and he responded saying, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God!  You are the king of Israel!"

That response was quite a distinction from his earlier perception!  Clearly there was a spiritual atmosphere that surrounded this encounter that pierced Nathaniel's heart provoking him to awe-inspiring faith that changed the remainder of his life.  This is the functioning of the Spirits of Knowledge and Reverential Awe.

Knowledge and Reverential Fear Defined

The Spirit of Knowledge is taken from the Hebrew word "da'ath" and could be defined as spiritually imparted knowledge, skill, awareness, comprehension and discernment that are conveyed as instruction and insight from God's heart and sovereignty.

The Spirit of Reverential Fear is taken from the Hebrew word "yir'ah" meaning awe-inspiring, terrible, and awesome. Reverential Fear in its purest form is birthed out of love.  We fear God because we love Him and have a revelatory knowledge of His nature and character.  It is a working of the Holy Spirit that produces a reverential fear of God.  The Fear of the Lord does not make us afraid of God, but instead catapults our faith into the supernatural realm through a revelation of how great He truly is.

These two spirits functioning in unison constitutes the working of the Holy Spirit that imparts a comprehension from God with ability to discern the hearts of men and diverse situations, resulting in a wholesome and reverential awe of God.  Knowledge and reverential fear opens the spiritual realm and enlightens our eyes of understanding to look unto God that produces a healthy and overwhelming reverence for the character of God that promotes intimate relationship and abundant spiritual blessings.

Secrets of the Heart Revealed

This same principle is also outlined in 1 Corinthians 14:25:

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.  And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

In this passage the apostle Paul is describing how supernaturally imparted secrets of the heart produces awe-inspiring results.  I have actually seen this concept in operation when the Holy Spirit is powerfully present to reveal knowledge and information about a person's life that the individual ministering had no natural way of knowing.  This always produces the same result Paul describes in this passage.  The people will acknowledge that God is present and doing awesome things.  It is then up to the individual to make the decision to accept or reject the grace God is offering.

As I have studied Church history and in particular what has been known as the Voice of Healing/Latter Rain revival, I noticed numerous occasions when this principle operated and produced tremendous results.  I have actually interviewed a number of individuals who attended those meetings in the '50s and '60s.  I have often asked what it was like to be in an atmosphere when the manifest Presence of God was present to reveal individuals names, addresses, secret desires, personal needs and other information known only to God.

Invariably the response is consistently the same... they all said the Fear of the Lord was so manifestly presence that it felt tangible and the attitude prevailed that anything was possible in this atmosphere of God.

How desperately we need to return to those blessings and function in the Sevenfold Spirit of God producing these results.  History records countless millions who were saved through that revival and scores of others who were supernaturally healed and delivered of the most heinous infirmities.  The pathway to this reality can be discovered through the embracing of our refining and grooming process so that we emerge with the character and compassion to be entrusted with the "secret of the Lord" and divine information to be administered in healthy ways that produces an atmosphere of Reverential Awe.

Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.  He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth.  The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.

Whatsoever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.    Philipians 4:8

I keep finding this phrase coming out of my mouth over and over in all sorts of settings and situations... "think on these things." There is a reason God admonishes us through His divinely inspired Word to set our thoughts and minds upon certain things. His Word is repeatedly directing us to posture ourselves in a particular way to live out the life He has granted us in this earthly realm; in these physical bodies.

He knows how we are put together and He is fully aware of what influences us, and has an effect upon the way we process things that come across our paths. In order to have clarity of thought and the ability to rightly divide, so to speak, He has given us instruction that is for our benefit. They may even seem like simple strategies, but they are fundamental to what lies before us in this hour that we live.

So many influences bombard us daily, even minute by minute, that we must guard ourselves to not be swayed by the mixture that we are constantly exposed to in the culture that we are encouraged from scripture to "be in but not of."

I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.   John 17:14-17

Yes, these seem like elementary principles, but I'm afraid in all of our seeking out of the gifts and the experiences available to us, even though they be from the Lord, we have lost sight of some basic instruction that was given us to build these things upon. When the foundation gives way it is easy to get pulled into attitudes and carelessness that can cost us dearly along the way. It can even disqualify us for the very thing that we are contending for in the Spirit.

Apart from a sound foundation, God in His mercy will not allow us to step into some of the more mature experiences and places of authority in the Spirit that He has for this end time generation - even the mature sons of God.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.  Romans 8:16-19

All that He has invited us to partake of must be built on love and truth. I cannot emphasize this too much - it would be impossible to do so. There is way too much at stake in this hour. I feel like He is putting a fire under us right now to refine our foundation and to stir once again the elementary principles on which we should be building.

Unfortunately, I even see the criticism that has come at the participants of the move God has allowed in Lakeland, Florida as a huge test to expose some things in the body of Christ. I remember Mike Bickle always saying "God offends our mind to reveal our heart." The words that have been spewed out of the mouths of Christians in the guise of critique have been shocking. We've lost sight of love.

Please know that it is not my intent in this statement to address this matter, I'm just stating this as an obvious current example of where we are. I understand and agree with the principle of "testing the spirits" that scripture encourages us in, but we've wavered far from love in the acting out of it. I don't want to get sidetracked here, as I realize this is like opening a Pandora's Box, as I want to apply these things to where we are going as opposed to where we've been.

The battle that lies ahead of us between Satan's kingdom and the Kingdom of God is going to take great authority from the sons of God in the not so very distant future. I'm afraid we will be surprised to find what great conflict is at our door. That is not to put fear in our hearts, only to bring us to a place of the seriousness of the task, privilege and the unbelievable invitation from the Lord to us to be ones who walk in this level of authority and grace.

Once again, though, it must be bathed in love and truth. Exaggeration has got to be taken out of our mouths and critical words out of our vocabularies. The voice of authority that He wants to entrust to us cannot cohabitate with these things.

Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each of you speak truth with his neighbor, "for we are members of one another. "Be angry, and do not sin ": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:25-32

I've felt so strongly to pray and ask the Lord to help us, myself especially, to be able to position ourselves before Him in love and in truth that we may be ones to which He can entrust His Word of authority that must be carried in the days to come. We must ask for help that we would not add to, take from, or exaggerate what He gives to us. We must ask for help to guard our tongues from lying or from vicious, loveless words that we would be tempted to release.

The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.  Proverbs 12:19

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.  Proverbs 12:22

Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.  Proverbs 21:6

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.  Psalms 120:2

An interesting fact is that our bodies are actually weakened by lies. There is a simple experiment you can do with someone to test this out. Have the person to stand in front of you and hold out their arm. Tell them to resist with all their strength your ability to pull their arm down (of course this will need to be someone physically stronger than you) and then try to pull their arm down to show their strength. Next tell them, while their arm is still extended, to state their real name and try to pull down their arm. You can't do it. Now tell them to say my name is ....and then insert any other name than their own and you will be able to pull down their arm. It's really quite amazing, but it proves even that our whole being is weakened when we lie. My point is that lying will even tear our own bodies and spirits down when we give in to that temptation.

God is looking for those He can trust who will not exaggerate, lie or even use for their own benefit the authority that He must hand out in this dispensation of time if we are to stand and fight the level of onslaught that is coming.  While it is true, greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world, there is an authority from Heaven that is about to be released to the manifest sons of God that the earth has not seen or heard in quite some time - if ever before, apart from Christ, Himself.

It's something to ponder in the days ahead. We need to be admonished to "think on these things" in order to position ourselves to be ones who can and will carry Heaven's authority in the earth as we see this thing through to the end as ones who overcome the onslaught of hell in the coming days. Though the fire must come, be encouraged to know that we can and will overcome as He releases His authority and great grace upon us! Lord, touch Your coal to our lips and make us a people of clean lips before God and man.

To grieve the heart of the One who loves me most is a tragedy that I can not comprehend.  I had a dreamlike experience a couple of weeks ago.  In my experience, I saw a man who was so busy with the mundane activities of everyday life that he barely made time for true communion with God.  This man was a Christian and loved the Lord; but without realizing it, he had gotten too caught up with the cares of this world and doing things he thought were necessary.   He was becoming task oriented, working non-stop, going to meeting after meeting, and simply going through the motions.

Human striving was taking its toll on this man.  God knew the only way the man would stop, rest and spend time alone with Him was to cut his arms off.  So, from the elbows down, the man lost his arms.  I understand this experience sounds extremely weird and graphic but it was a symbolic picture. I honestly do not fully grasp its full meaning; however I know what I saw.

At the end of my dream, I saw the man lying in bed resting.  He had his little nub arms raised worshipping Jesus with the most satisfying look on his face.  I, by no means, believe the Lord wants us to be in pain nor have our arms cut off.   I believe this was an illustrative picture given to help me better understand the truth that nothing matters more than spending time with God.  The man's arms in my opinion represented tasks, works and endeavors that people put there hands to out of human striving.

The day after I had this experience, I was reminded of Matthew 18:6-7, which says:

Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come! If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire.

I believe until we realize that in and of ourselves we are crippled, and until we begin to become fully dependant on God, we will not walk in the true authority or places God has ordained us to walk in.  I have recently found myself in the same boat as the man in my dream.   Therefore, I believe this was a wake up call first for me and also others.  The Lord wants me to spend additional quality time with Him because He wants to speak to me more, and ultimately bless my life.  Within the last couple of weeks, I have begun to reevaluate my priorities and reconsider how I spend my time.  It is as simple as that...just spending time with God.

Childlike Faith

Matthew 18: 1-3 says:

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

This passage reminds me of when I was a little girl.  I would play outside for hours on end without a care in the world.  I was so innocent and simple.  I was entirely dependant upon my parents to ensure that all my needs would be met.  I trust this is the state the Lord wants us in.  He desires for us to have complete union with His Spirit.  To rest solely in His arms and embody the Fruit of the Spirit-- love, joy, peace patience, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control are attributes that rightfully belong to us (Galatians 5: 22-23).

We are to overcome the cares of this world like John did on the Isle of Patmos, and allow our spirit-man to be at the forefront and rule over our soul (mind, will and emotions) (Revelation 1:10).  Even in the midst of persecution, heartache, stress, and problems, to eat from the Tree of Life, which is the Spirit of the Living God, is our inheritance.  To have life and have it more abundantly is the place we find our identity.  We can possess peace and kindness even as we experience the craziness of everyday life.

An Example to Follow

I have recently spent time studying the life of Benson Idahosa.  Historians report he was a dynamic preacher and an evangelist of faith to the world through God's power.  He was also the first African preacher to visit over one hundred and thirty countries before he died.  He attained the position God destined for him and became an ambassador of faith to nations.  He led a delegation to put a stop to bloodshed in his home country of Nigeria, which was known for rampant bloodshed.

His community became a better place to live, without the fear of being made a sacrifice. Through his messages, millions of people were saved.  It was written by a researcher who studied Idahosa's life that the key to his success was twofold: childlike faith and quality time with Jesus; two simple, yet profound truths that need not be overlooked, because they can change our view of life.

Hide yourselves in Christ, and He will whisper strategies.  When the striving ends, there will be no more of the weariness that comes from attempting to do things every way but God's way.  Out of a place of rest will emerge the ability to achieve our calling!  There can be paradise on this side of eternity.  Revelation 2:6-8 declares:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the Tree of Life which is the paradise of God.

The Kingdom of Heaven is near; we are to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper, and drive out demons (Matthew 10:7-8).   Obedience is an essential gift and form of worship we can give our Lord.   Obey His words, He will speak.  He yearns for us to spend time with Him and in His word out of love for Him.  To love the Lord is the heartbeat of our mission.  It's the stream from which our service should flow.

I bless each of you to find your identity as you rest in Christ.  I also declare that you will become all that God wants you to be.  As you experience the pleasure of being who God has created you to be, you will benefit, others will also benefit, and the world will be blessed.  Union with Jesus will come when we comprehend that our true identity is in Him, and when we sacrifice who we are to Him.  Out of unity with the Lord, we will find ourselves in unity with other people around us.  This truly needs to happen in the Body of Christ so we can see the harvest in its fullest.

My pray is, God remove the stumbling blocks within me, so that the stumbling blocks before me will be removed as well.   I want to fulfill my destiny, and I know this will come when I learn to rest and find my place in You.  Help me Lord to become your dwelling place.