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Don’t Murmur—Adjust

Don’t Murmur—Adjust

There are many disillusioned people woefully offering their opinion of the coming years. If we listen to their dire predictions, it will be easy to become disheartened. There are people preaching and prophesying out of their anger over current national and world events rather than proclaiming the Word of the Lord in spite of the events. (What ever happened to the immensely popular scripture that was quoted so often in the ’80’s? “…calleth those things which be not as though they were” Rom4:17) There are those sounding off because of elections and appointments that didn’t proffer certain results from last time. (Rather than standing firmly upon the never-failing Word of Almighty God, people will shift loyalties and not endure sound doctrine to get a quick fix like Esau did; and like Esau who forfeited his birthright for a quick-fix they will actually vote for someone whose views on life and whose political affiliations reek of unrighteousness. “A man is known by the company he keeps.”)

A murmuring Israel left Egypt and their murmuring manner turned a two-week walk into a forty year period of time that allowed the murmurers to die off before the coming generation could inherit the promised land. The murmurers died outside of facilitation. How sad that a generation had to wait for a preceding, unbelieving generation to die before they could receive promise. But, as always, there was a remnant and there will be a remnant, and the likes of Joshua and Caleb got to enjoy what the remainder of their generation chose not to walk in.

In this season, we must adjust. We won’t be able to wear a waitress’s uniform to put out a fire nor will we be able to wear shorts and T-shirt to work in the Arctic Circle. Tennis attire simply will not sustain someone who has discovered themselves in an Arctic environment. We can gripe about present circumstances or we can adjust. Murmurers can complain about not having leeks and garlic. (Compare: Num 11:1  “Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.” Also vv.2-10) We can gripe about Egypt, Babylon and the Philistines or we can use the weapons provided by the Holy Spirit and take over. The gifts and armament of the Spirit are not adequate just for holding on. They are sufficient to win. Jehovah’s people were never meant to just hold on. They have always been actively included in His purposes of victory.
SEEC Ministries International

Issachar Is Crucial

The presence of and interaction with Issachar persons is crucial at this time. Their presence and active voice are required in all the seven mountains of culture. The ability of Issachar, the blessing, the anointing is in the Spirit of the Lord and we may ask and receive in ample portion. “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.” (Isa 11:2)Seeing that we end up with the knowledge and likeness of those we spend much time with, we should press in to the Presence of God and be renewed in the Holy Spirit. Our overcoming now, and in the seemingly shifting future, is in our relationship with the Holy Spirit who is heaven’s delegate in the earth (Jn16:13-15).
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FMCI Fall Conference Oct.22-24 * Jim Hodges, Dutch Sheets, Dr. Don Crum, Dr. Patti Amsden

Staying In Christ And On Track

May the Lord Almighty grant that today His people will be awakened by His Holy Spirit working with His Word and may we never go back to the place we were before He did. Egypt and religious legalism are not for returning to, they are for leaving. The enemy of the purposes of Christ does not have to destroy the church with civil laws. All he has to do is get it sidetracked from Christ.

“Earlier, before you knew God personally, you were enslaved to so-called gods that had nothing of the divine about them. But now that you know the real God—or rather since God knows you—how can you possibly subject yourselves again to those paper tigers? For that is exactly what you do when you are intimidated into scrupulously observing all the traditions, taboos, and superstitions associated with special days and seasons and years. I am afraid that all my hard work among you has gone up in a puff of smoke!” (Gal 4:8-11, Msg)

So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!”

Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they’ve personally experienced the sheer goodness of God’s Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can’t start over as if nothing happened. That’s impossible. Why, they’ve re-crucified Jesus! They’ve repudiated him in public!” (Heb 6:1-6, Msg)
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He Sits In The Heavens

This is the day the Lord has made so…

I will rejoice and be glad because Jehovah sits in the heavens and makes a laughingstock of the foolishness of the speeches of those who deny and defy the truth of God Almighty Jehovah. 

1-6 Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers: “Let’s get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!”
Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. At first he’s amused at their presumption; Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up: “Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet Is spread for him on the holy summit.”

7-9  Let me tell you what God said next. He said, “You’re my son, And today is your birthday.
What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? You can command them all to dance for you, Or throw them out with tomorrow’s trash.”

10-12  So, rebel-kings, use your heads; Upstart-judges, learn your lesson: Worship God in adoring embrace, Celebrate in trembling awe. Kiss Messiah! Your very lives are in danger, you know; His anger is about to explode, But if you make a run for God—you won’t regret it!  (Ps 2:1-12 Msg)    
[SEEC InterAct * “Healing and Signs and Wonders” * November 10, 2012 * No Fee]

Secure A Generation

Secure A Generation

In 2008 we passed through a portal in time. There will not be any “going back to the good ol’ days.” We must now make the “good new days.” There is a surefire way to not end up in fear of the future. If we create the future in alignment with the purposes of God, there will be no need to fear it. We cannot allow a future to be created for us by people who do not have a biblical worldview. Our children are a message that we send into the future. (Could that be why so many fear the future?) If we impart to them trans-generationally (which is biblical principle) they will secure the future for the Kingdom of God as did Joseph, David, Issachar and Daniel. Weeds grow but children must be raised. If we don’t have it, they don’t get it. What Abraham had, Isaac got. What Isaac AND Abraham had, Jacob got and they are his twelve sons that are the nation of Israel.

The future doesn’t happen, it is built by preparation in the now. Some are trying to secure economics, secure real estate and secure borders for the future but we must secure a generation.  (Mal.4:6)The future will not be secured by videos and pizzas. While many are crying out that the church is only one generation away from extinction, I would cry out that the church is only one generation away from dominion in the earth. (Jesus said that He would build the Church and that what He built would not see the gates or authorities of hell prevail against it. [Mt.16:18] The Church is not at the point of extinction if that is true.) If we have no faith that we are going to be able to draw out anything from our bank account, it is because we know that we have not put anything into it. If we have no faith in the coming generation it is because we have either neglected to impart to them or we have not had anything to impart to them. We’d best get ahold of something worth imparting. Failure to impart to a generation results in loss that can only be calculated on an exponential scale. We don’t want them to have to dig themselves out of a hole before they can go forward.
(seecministries.org)

Justice And True Weights

Justice And True Weights

Last night the music started and we were all under a blanket of the presence of the Lord by 6:35. Some were on the floor, some were weeping and some were slumped in their seats soaking in His presence. About halfway through the two hours of worship Melissa stepped back from the mic and the music shifted into what sounded like a warring tempo. I had a vision of many feet running swiftly. Within my spirit I heard, “I am sending out my ministers and my messengers to dispense justice.” After that I saw an unbalanced scale with weights on either side. On one side it was significantly lower. The weights on the scale were like discs with a small knob on top of each one so that they could be easily put on or taken off. The weights looked normal. The paint on them was perfect and they were the right shape but they were not true weights. They were not the proper weight and not made out of the right material. I then saw a hand remove the weights on the side that was lowest and replace them with true weights. At that time I heard, “Justice is coming for those who have been the victims of false weights and measures.”  “Diverse and deceitful weights are shamefully vile and abhorrent to the Lord, and false scales are not good.” (Prov.20:23, Amp) There are judges who have sold out who will be dealt with by God Jehovah and they will know that just weights are the only thing He will accept. There are people who have had injustice perpetrated upon their persons physically, financially and emotionally by unjust oppressors; they will receive justice. “A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” (Prov.11:1, Amp) A cry has gone up before the Lord because of injustice and corruption in our nation and He abhors injustice and oppression and He is acting to bring justice. I declare that God Almighty is acting in the midst of the election process and those attempting to perpetrate “unbalanced scales” in the voting and collection of ballots will be visited by those swiftly running feet sent out by the God of just weights and measures. Let’s continue to release a cry unto God for justice in our land. “Hear the voice of my supplication as I cry to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your innermost sanctuary (the Holy of Holies).” (Ps28:2, Amp)
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Opposition (Of Course)

Opposition (Of Course)

It is obvious that the men who joined David at Hebron for the purpose of “turning the kingdom” were well aware of and well prepared for opposition and resistance: “Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD”(1Chr 12:23). They didn’t wish themselves someplace else; they adjusted to the times and accomplished what could not be easily attained. What God has ordained always has been and will be most certainly resisted by the kingdom of darkness. Though we fight from a position of victory, the kingdom of darkness will continue to resist until the final manifestation of our victory that has come through the cross of Christ. Advancing the Kingdom of God (any aspect or all aspects of it) has never been without resistance and never will be until that day. In every generation there are scores of people who get discouraged and despair because of adverse circumstances and wish they were not living on the planet God ordained them effective on, but Jahweh is no less faithful in this moment of history than He was in 2Co 4:9: “we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side.” We live in this time in history because God ordained it so and He also ordained the days to come for His Name’s sake (Ps23:3;106:8;1Jn2:12;3Jn:1:7) even if there is opposition we must come to understand and gain knowledge to overcome (1Chr 12:32). Resistance takes different forms at different stages of history and is dealt with at various intensity levels at various times but we still win battle after battle and conflict after conflict.
(seecministries.org)

Those Who Understand The Times

Those Who Understand The Times

“The time in which we live requires people who can, by divine skill and impartation, read the times, read nations and political winds.” (Adam Clarke) Such were and are the sons of Issachar: 1Chr 12:32 And of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command. (NAS) Concerning this passage Fausett offers a noteworthy bit of advice to recall: “Jerusalem fell because she knew not the time of her visitation.” He then goes on to urge us [like Issachar] we should help to transfer the kingdom from Satan to its coming rightful Lord (Lk19:12-27, 44).” “It appears that in their wisdom, experience, and skill, their brethren had the fullest confidence; and nothing was done but by their direction and advice.” (Clarke) Lest we all simply give these poignant statements a courteous nod and just move right on to the next Sunday School lesson, we must realize that the presence of and interaction with such persons is crucial at this time. Their presence and active voice are required in all the seven mountains of society (1. Church 2. Family 3. Education 4. Government/Law 5. Media/Communications 6. Arts/Entertainment 7. Business/Finance).  Further import is that, not only are they much in want, they are possible; and it must surely dawn on us at some point that they must be us, (all of us) and not some untouchable Christian celebrities. (1Jn2:20 you have an unction; the “you” there is plural; “unction” is divine enablement) The Issachar enablement and advantage are available for this day and days to come—available to you and I. The enablement of the sons of Issachar is most important, not because God is not doing anything and we must think of something for Him to do, but because we must know which of the things that God is doing fall within our metron (sphere of influence) and how we are to go about doing them.
seecministries.org

God’s Purpose Never Changes

God’s Purpose Never Changes

      God, His purposes and God’s Word will never change. They are truer than true north and more certain than directions on a compass. If we know His Word and His purposes in this season of history, there is no reason to give up or concede defeat at any level. 2Co 4:7  …We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.  8  As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do,  9  but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken (The  Message). I recently heard a Navy Seal say that one of their basic doctrines they go into battle with is: the only way you can be defeated is to give up or be dead. Circumstances do not determine who we are or what we know. They may affect our attitude or willingness but we still make the choices regardless. Like ol’ Daniel Boone, we may be bewildered for a few days but Who we know and who we are will get us through the bewildering places and times.
(This is the second installment in the series “Time For Issachar”)

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The Contender Has Met Darkness Head-On

The Contender Has Met Darkness Head-On

The soaking-worship began at 6:30p.m. last Wednesday night. Melissa stepped up to the mic as the instruments began playing and she began to spontaneously worship Jesus. Pastor Bill, who was scheduled to teach on healing that night just laid down on the floor. About 6:55p.m. Kathy and I walked into the auditorium. We walked down to the third row under a heavy presence of the Holy Spirit.

I began walking, worshipping and interceding along the right wall. After a while I was leaning on the wall. A few minutes later, I was holding myself up with one hand on the wall and the other hand on a chair back. That wasn’t working so I knelt at the chair.

About half-way through the evening I and several others began intermittently releasing a yell as we were stirred and touched by the Holy Spirit in the midst of holy worship. It was at this point that Melissa stepped back from the mic and the instruments began to play a new song.

The music began to gently swell and recede in a most beautiful way. (As we compared notes after the meeting, we discovered that several of us had heard a keyboard though no one was at the keyboard.) As the music began to swell I had a vision like I have never had. I saw gently-rolling hills that seemed to be alive. Over the closest hill came a great hoard of powerful horses with flaring nostrils and great flowing manes. On their backs were fierce warriors who stood in the stirrups with hands fast upon their reins and leaning forward, alongside the horses necks. They seemed to be speaking to the horses. The warriors’ long hair flowed in the wind as did the horses’ manes. While they listened, the horses eyes were focused intently upon what was ahead.

The view was panoramic. On the far right were the horses and riders. There didn’t seem to be any ground that was not being covered with horses hooves. There didn’t seem to be any spaces between the horses. Their great strides were covering an amazing amount of ground with each gallop.

Suddenly, my attention was drawn to the left side of the panorama. Up from behind a rock a dark, startled creature popped up and began staring at the flowing tide coming down upon him. A ways over from this creature, another popped up from behind a bush and yet another popped up from behind a small knoll, all terrified at what was soon and inevitably going to happen. At this point, 2K 6:16 “more are those who are with us than those who are with them” came to mind. Then, the advancing tide of horses and warriors rolled over the creatures as though they were nothing before their fierce and focused momentum.

Just moments after I had seen the vision Melissa, without knowing what I had seen, stepped back to the mic and began to sing, “He is The Great Contender and He has met darkness head-on tonight.” Jehovah-Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts, is contending with those who oppose His purposes.

Psa 2:1  Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples? 2  Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers: 3  “Let’s get free of God! Cast loose from Messiah!” 4  Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing. At first he’s amused at their presumption; 5  Then he gets good and angry. Furiously, he shuts them up: 6  “Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet Is spread for him on the holy summit.” 7  Let me tell you what GOD said next. He said, “You’re my son, And today is your birthday. 8  What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? 9  You can command them all to dance for you, Or throw them out with tomorrow’s trash.” 10  So, rebel-kings, use your heads; Upstart-judges, learn your lesson: 11  Worship GOD in adoring embrace, Celebrate in trembling awe. 12  Kiss Messiah! Your very lives are in danger, you know; His anger is about to explode, But if you make a run for God–you won’t regret it! (Msg)

We are not helpless and ineffective before the opposition of darkness. Darkness is not the insurmountable, indefatigable force its propaganda is meant to conjure up.