Hi all, I would like to start with two famous quotes of Jesus:

Jesus said "As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8).

Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened "(Matthew 7:7-8)

In Matthew 10 Jesus gives us a command, one that requires much faith, a whole lot of Holy Spirit, humility, and courage! Such a command as to 'raise the dead' seems to put believers in two camps: 'Amen, lets Go!' or 'Give me proof that this can or does happen today'.

To the first camp I would say this: GO! DO IT! Heal the sick, see the fruit!!! To see people emotionally and physically healed by the Gracious hand of God is something that I personally find to me an amazing way of testifying to who God is, pointing to His reality in a manner that sees Him glorified. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED by unbelievers, but pray for them, respect there belief, understand that we are all on different stages of different journey's. I have many times felt sick in my heart and spirit in people unwilling or unable to believe in such things, but be the change you want to see - who can argue with the fruit? Be humble, don't even consider operating in these things to prove some point, God doesn't need your help! If you desire these things, ask for the heart of Christ for His people, and the Power to do something about it! Partner with Him and enter into a realm of the supernatural that will leave you and sinners in awe at the goodness of God.

To the second camp I would say this: Keep praying, searching, and studying! If you are happy with your beliefs then may God bless you, for in the end of the day theological difference is inconsequential to the fact that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Matthew 7:7:8 is important here, for what you seek you will find. If you seek lies, false prophets, false apostles, false healers, YOU WILL find them. I ask all people in this camp to not come to a conclusion or belief that is set in stone, and then ask for 'evidence' or 'proof' - YOU WILL FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR - NOTHING; and if you were to see it, you still would not believe it. It is similarly foolish to believe in things such as miracles because of hearsay or someone else believes. However, SEARCHING MUST BE A GENUINE, UNBIASED SEARCH FOR TRUTH. Do not seek truth from a place of skepticism, for only when you seek in faith will you find…This is not 'blind faith' but saying something like "I am uncomfortable with the concept of the supernatural, or the attitude of those who claim to operate in it, but I will seek if there is substance to the testimony that is being heard". The testimony that is being heard by the Church in this hour is large indeed, he who has ears let him hear!

A great starting place may be simply finding and reading 'Mega Shift' (cover below) by James Rutz. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE ALL PEOPLE TO DO THIS. Rutz details why the dead being raises is not on TV or in the papers on a regular basis, does not shy away from the fact that some of the testimonies he pursued in his diligent study did turn out to be fake, yet offers credible and verifiable testimony to the very command Jesus gives in Matthew 10, and what God is doing at this time.



Paul

Asleep in the Light

The Salvation Army is not changing its name - so let's live up to it!

Alexander the Great, one of the greatest military generals who ever lived, conquered almost the entire known world with his vast army. One night during a campaign, he couldn't sleep and left his tent to walk around the campgrounds. As he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty - a serious offense. The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was, in some cases, instant death; the commanding officer sometimes poured kerosene on the sleeping soldier and lit it.
The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him. Recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man feared for his life. "Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?" Alexander the Great asked the soldier.
"Yes, sir," the soldier responded in a quivering voice.
"Soldier, what's your name?" demanded Alexander the Great.
"Alexander, sir."
Alexander the Great repeated the question: "What is your name?"
"My name is Alexander, sir," the soldier repeated.
A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, "What is your name?"
A third time the soldier meekly said, "My name is Alexander, sir."
Alexander the Great then looked the young soldier straight in the eye. "Soldier," he said with intensity, "either change your name or change your conduct."

We who call ourselves 'Christian' or 'Soldier' have a much greater responsibility!

Breathe

Come from the four winds
Breathe into me
Make these bones live
Lord this valley is dry
Yet you are here
Make my heart sing

There's a spirit in me
There's a destiny
Filling these dry bones with your life
There's a promise to see
There's a hope longing to
Be echoed in each breathe of life
Breathing you
Come from the four winds
See our great need
Settle in this land
Now the dust gives way
To prophecy
Your army will stand

Open the graves of our exile
We cry out from the valley floor
Oh resurrection life... Oh resurrection life
Come to me

There's a spirit in me
There's a destiny
Filling these dry bones with your life
There's a promise to see
There's a hope longing to
Be echoed in each breathe of life
Breathing you

(Aliki, House Of I AM)

Lets pray for God to breathe his life into The Salvation Army and to bring the dry bones back to life!

Colin.

Phone Booth

Hey all! Just watched 'Phone Booth', a flick about a man called Stu Sheppard, a publicist whom is held hostage in a phone booth by a sniper wielding caller on the other end. The premise is simple: The caller does not desire a ransom or money but to rather see Stu transform his life - removing his mask and being honest with himself...and others. Sometimes I think God would like to have us alone in a phone booth - with Himself on the other end. There He could talk, we could listen - and not run away or let ourselves be distracted. Certainly God would never hold us at gun point - His invitation is Grace and Love. It takes Stu Sheppard a good few hours - at gun point - to look inside himself and have the courage to see what is there, I wonder what we would find? What fear, insecurities and hostilities to we need to let go of? God is always listening.
This is the confession of Stu:
"I have never done anything for anybody who couldn't do something for me. I string along an eager kid with promises I'll pay him money. I only keep him around because he looks up to me. Adam, if you're watching, don't be a publicist. You're too good for it. I lie in person and on the phone. I lie to my friends. I lie to newspapers and magazines who, who sell my lies to more and more people. I am just a part of a big cycle of lies, I should be president. I wear all this Italian because underneath I still feel like the Bronx. I think I need these clothes and this watch. My Two thousand dollar watch is a fake and so am I. I've neglected the things I should have valued most. I valued this junk. I take off my wedding ring to call Pam. Kelly, that's Pam. Don't blame her. I never told her I was married. And if I did she, she would have told me to go home. Kelly, looking at you now, I'm ashamed of myself. Allright? I mean, work so hard on this image, on Stu Shepherd, the one who refers to himself in the third person that I only proved I should be alone. I have just been dressing up as something I'm not for so long, I'm so afraid no one will like what's underneath. But here I am, just flesh and blood and weakness, and uh and I love you so much. And, um, I take off this ring because it only reminds me of how I've failed you, and I don't, don't want to give you up. I want to make things better, but it may not be my choice anymore. You deserve better."

-Paul

God Moments

My husband and I, along with a friend, went out today and ended up going to the Warrawong Sanctuary. What a beautiful place. Perfect spring weather, we walked around the park and saw wattle trees, kangaroos and many tortoises.

A Southern Brown Bandicoot caught us by surprise. We were by ourselves and we saw one in the bushes. We stood still, watching the bandicoot in the bushes, not daring to mke any sudden movements in case it got scared.The daring little thing, crept up to us,little by little, getting so close. Unfortunately other people were around so it got scared and ran back, but it kept trying. In that moment, I could really feel God's presence, and praised Him for His awesome creation.

O Lord My God, when i in awesome wonder, consider all thy works thy hands have made!
Blessings, Phoebe

A must-watch!

Hey there, a friend of mine got me onto a drama performance that is incredibly annointed - it speaks of the seduction of Satan, and the entrapment of such things as money, lust, drinking, and cutting...and there is Christ just waiting for a response...enjoy!

Lifehouse Everything

Add to My Profile | More Videos

THIS is heart-felt prayer

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=933777

Not by might or by strength but by the Spirit....

Jesus

Author Charles Allen describes Jesus this way:

"He might have preached lengthy sermons on the dignity of labor, temptation, how to enjoy life, the immortality of the soul, the worth of children, and the fact that God answers prayer. Instead, He worked in a carpenter's shop, He met and conquered temptation in the wilderness, He went to parties and laughed with other happy people, He raised the dead, He stopped to love little children, and after He prayed, the power of the Lord was present."

"He might have talked long and loud about the need of man for human sympathy, the worth of womanhood, the blessing of humility, and the equal worth of all men. Instead, He wept at the grave of a friend, He treated all women with deep respect, He took a towel and washed His disciples' feet, He gave His time to the poor and outcasts."

"Instead of talking about how He could transform lives, He took a harlot and made her the first herald of the resurrection. Instead of preaching that people need bread, He fed the multitude. Instead of arguing the spirit is stronger than matter, He walked on water. Instead of telling people how bad it is to be crippled, He said, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk.' Instead of merely telling people they should forgive, while He was dying and being spit on He prayed, 'Father, forgive them.' "

Daddy is also Holy Lord of the Angel-Armies

The following is an excerpt from Wolfang Simson's 'The Starfish Manifesto', a Spirit-breathed free E-book.

Vision:

I saw a long line of newly saved people entering the Kingdom of God. Everything was new for them, so there were three booths set up for them to
pass through. At the first booth, they would sign up for God’s army and pledge total loyalty to God. From then on, they were under orders, no
longer their own, and were given a uniform and boots. At the second booth, they were given a sword, and at the third, a scythe - a harvesting tool.
Astonishingly, only around one in a thousand of the new arrivals even went to the first booth; almost everyone went to the second stand, and
almost everyone also ignored the third stand. Almost nobody went to all three stands, as God explicitly intended.

The Irregulars

Everyone hurried directly to a huge plain full of people and activity. Under an enormous dust cloud thrown up by the many feet, small groups quickly
formed and were joined by the new arrivals. These countless groups made themselves banners, flags, and uniforms decorated with very creative
logos and emblems. It was an incredible colorful confusion of thousands of small militia. In other words, an irregular army. The chaos was complete;
some blew for attack, others for retreat. Some acted out bizarre rituals, others sat around the campfire laughing. Some practiced sword fighting,
others gathered their weapons and spoke of peace. Some of the groups even attacked each other. It was a scene of hectic activity, but without
any recognizable order. Generals cooked, cooks were pilots, and pilots dug trenches. I was horrified, and saw clearly that this army would never win
any battle. Everyone was terribly busy, but all the zealous action came to nothing in the long term.

The Angels

Suddenly someone shouted, “The Angels of God are coming!” They were right. Way off, I could make out a huge number of God’s white warriors,
powerful, almost larger-than-life angels. The people broke out in an ear-shattering shout and cheer, “Hallelujah, the angels are coming. At last, it’s
about to begin!” The cheering was indescribable. But the excitement slowly faded, and the shouts of “hallelujah” died out. Finally, silence
descended. Then I looked at the angels more carefully. Standing close together, they looked like a police cordon in front of a crowd of hooligans,
with set, sad faces. Step by step the white phalanx slowly approached the motley crowd. Consternation spread, and some of the banners began to
retreat. Pale-faced, the people stumbled backwards, shocked and unable to comprehend what was happening. In their shock, some even lost their
swords and pennants. The mass of people were driven back into a large valley without exits as the rows of angels slowly but deliberately advanced.
The people were finally trapped in the valley like sheep. Some began to cry; others called out to God for mercy, yet others called for help. Most
were simply silent.
At last, a huge angel stepped forward and said in a voice loud enough to be heard in the farthest corners of the valley, “That is enough! You have
done as you please for long enough. End the war you declared yourselves. Submit to your God. Lay down the banners and flags you made yourselves.
Take off the uniforms and boots you were given, as well as the insignia you created. Repent, because you have been disobedient. Lay everything on
the ground beside you and kneel to ask your Father to forgive you. In His mercy, he will grant you a fresh start.”
The people froze. Astonished disbelief spread through the crowd. Some started to talk, some even started shouting, “Pay no attention to them!
Listen to me!” But some began to understand. A few sobbed. One or two started to remove their insignia, lay down their banners and flags, take off
their uniforms and kneel in the dust, asking God for forgiveness for their disobedience. Whenever another person knelt - or even an entire group -
an angel left the phalanx, took what the person had laid down, and carried it out to the plain, slowly creating a huge mound of banners, flags and
uniforms.
The angel then returned to the kneeling person, both as a sign and a guard, because some of the people who had not yet understood what was
happening were angry, shouting, “Traitors! Deserters!” at those who knelt, ordering them to return to their militia. The number of stubborn rebels
and militia leaders shrank continuously as more people recognized that they had been incredibly misguided, and they laid down their uniforms and
weapons. Finally, after a long time, everyone was kneeling. The angels set the huge mound of uniforms, banners and flags alight, and everyone
watched transfixed as their once so precious possessions vanished in the flames. When the fire had burned down, the angel spoke again in a very
gentle voice, saying, “Now stand up and follow us. Let’s start over again.”

A new start

The people stood up, naked, without uniforms, but their shame covered by the angel at their side who led them back to the point at which they had
entered the Kingdom of God. This time, each person went slowly and deliberately to the first booth to write their name in the army register
before receiving a new uniform and boots with no insignia. The angel then took them to the second booth, where they received a sword, symbolizing
the Word of God. They then went on to the third and final booth, where they were given harvesting tools and a clearly defined task and position.
The angel then took them to a specific position on the plain, where he instructed “his” person to assume his personal position and to obey God’s
battle orders. The angel then left. With time, an incredibly powerful army formed. Everyone was in the right place and knew exactly what his job
was. Nobody did what seemed right in his own eyes, but paid great attention to his own task and function. I saw joy, but also wild determination,
written on the people’s faces. That was the end of the “film” for me. I had tears in my eyes, and was both horrified and thankful.

Have your way, Father - Kym

Crown the Saviour

Look, you saints! There is a glorious sight;
See the Man of sorrows now,
He has returned victorious from the fight;
Every knee will bow before Him.
Crown Him, crown Him!
Crowns be for the victorious One.

Crown the Saviour, angels crown Him;
Rich the treasures Jesus brings;
In the seat of power enthrone Him,
While the saints of heaven sing.
Crown Him, crown Him!
Crown the Saviour King of Kings!

Sinners in confusion crowned Him,
Therefore mocking the Saviour's claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him
Own His title, praise His name!
Crown Him, crown Him!
Spread everywhere the victor's fame!

Shout, those bursts of acclamation!
Shout, those loud triumphant cries!
Jesus takes the highest ground;
O what joy this sight demands!
Crown Him, crown Him!
King of kings and Lord of lords!

Thomas Kelly 1769-1855 (rephrase by Phoebe).

Blood and Fire

Originally intended to be an interpretation of Anthony Castle's dream (http://holywarpropaganda.blogspot.com/), the following word became a prophecy to The Salvation Army. Many are waiting for God to pour His Spirit out - He is waiting for a unified Army to kneel and receive it:

"Blood and Fire! Blood and Fire! Blood and Fire! Oh My beloved Army, you have neglected the Grace of My blood and dependence upon the Lamb. And so, I have withdrawn the fire. Without the blood, there can be no fire. Woe to the child who forsakes her first love. Ashes and dust be sprinkled before an institution of idolatry.

Angel’s trumpets no longer play with your cornets.
Holiness has become a stumbling block to a holiness movement.
Religious spirits have invaded where shekinah glory stood.
Where you have broken My burning heart, your hearts have grown cold.
Cynicism has choked discernment.
Hurting hearts have refused healing,
My heart aches, through healing refused.

Oh My beloved Army! My beloved. My heart is broken. If you would return to Me I would draw you unto Myself as a mother hen gathers her brood. Like a she-bear I would tear to shreds the enemies of one of My favourite cubs.

And yet fear has eaten your faith.
Planning has slayed providence.
I desire a new foundation, and you lay new carpets!
I desire to reignite your lamp, and you form committees about your building’s lighting!
You put up safety signs on your Corps walls, yet refuse to run into My arms of protection and love.
You make plans and form committees and ask for My blessing, without leaning your head against My chest and receiving My council, My blessings, My heart.

You fight My discipline.
And yet the Lord disciplines the child He loves.

You persecute My prophets.
And you say ‘what is a prophet’?

You grease the wheels of your machine of madness,
And refuse My oil of anointing.

Will the balm of Gilead by smoothed over an unacknowledged wound?
Will an archer congratulate himself on his marksmanship, when he is too far away from the target to see that he has missed the entire thing?
You put up umbrellas to shield yourself from deception, not knowing that manna falls from heaven and it is the heart which is deceitful above all things.

Behold, the time is coming. Thunderclouds billow in from the horizon. That which does not stand in the flames shall be burned. Only that which is birthed of My Spirit shall stand. I am restoring Holiness as a pillar in My end-time church – shall you not then, Army of Salvation, be judged severely, such that you may walk in purity and righteousness? That your commission may be fulfilled.

What is not motivated by love is motivated by Hell. What is performed in the flesh is an affront to the cross.

But you say, “what of our good works”?
I acknowledge your many works. Some will be remembered at the Great End; not because of the hours of toil, but because they were made in Love and were the works I prepared in advance for you to do. The rest will be remembered no more. Let the Spirit of Wisdom guide you: ‘You are not righteous and good because you work, you work because you have tasted goodness’.

In your repentance will be your salvation. For it is the Salvation Army whom I will save! I desire the sacrifice of humility. The aroma of dependence on My Spirit. To pour out Empowerment through the freedom of Grace. Only in the death of self, can the Life of Christ reside. In repentance you fear loss, yet I, even I shall be your gain.

Justice is what I desire! I have given you a rod of justice, and yet you lean on your own understanding. This is folly! Babes made in My image are aborted in the name of ‘justice’. Bloodshed and violence and wars have flourished in the name of ‘justice’. Euthanasia is supported in the name of ‘justice’. Do you not see? Do you not perceive? Routine works, justice as ‘the right thing to do’ will no longer be sufficient. True justice is fuelled by the burning of My Spirit in the strength of My Grace, and flows from the same Love that fuelled My Sacrifice. As one can perform and support abominable acts in the name of ‘justice’, how much more does My Army need to minister My justice through the authority and power of the King? You are a Living Stone of Justice that is an integrable part of My Church. No other stone fits your place in My temple. Justice is your birthright.

Let your blazing banners unfurl! And behold! The angels will sing! March with the Strength of My Power and the Boldness of Christ’s eyes of flint. Repair the broken walls. Repair the breaches! March again O great Army to the beat of My heart! Fall to your knees in repentance, and I will lift you up in glory! Admit your shortcomings, and be crowned with a crown of purity. Come and eat at My table and be filled! Drink of Me, and be as a fountain of Living Water to a lost and dying world! Are not My angels seeking soldiers of the Cross by which to stand? Do I not desire to bless you with such an overflowing abundance, that your delight will give you wings? Will not trees spring forth in the wilderness and water burst out of the rock? Will not that which has become bitter be made sweet? Will not eagles encircle the ones who worship in Spirit and in truth? Will I not prepare a work for you in this end-time harvest, that will make you again the scorn of man, but the darling of Heaven?

A word is upon My lips. Many have perceived it before it has been spoken. Salvation Army, it shall be spoken with an outpouring that William both saw and claimed for his offspring. It will be announced as you lay your burdens down, and pick up My gifts of grace and weapons of warfare. It shall soon be spoken in blood AND fire. Wait for it. The word is coming as you kneel before My throne…"

Written by a sixth generation Salvationist whose love for TSA is only eclipsed by love for the God of Truth and the Army’s Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Still the same

I don't know about you but sometimes I find it hard to remember that the Bible is history, not fiction; that people mentioned in the bible such as Daniel and Luke were in fact just people (like you and me!) and not mere fictional characters. Sometimes I think that we can all have a tendency to ready the bible with glassy eyes, having a subconscious mentality that the things that are recorded in the Word are from a different world or some kind of parallel universe! A friend once usefully told me that when reading the bible he 'entered into a passage', visualizing that he was actually in the actual biblical account, at the location, observing what was happening. This is why movies such as the Passion of the Christ are so shocking - suddenly it becomes visible and 'real'.
The God of the Bible and His miracles are for the people of today, and some of the happenings we read in the Bible are but a foretaste of what God has planned for our generation. People are being raised from the dead, food is multiplying, and souls are being saved at unprecedented rates! The following is a clip of a gathering of over 1 million people gathering in a SINGLE SERVICE in the name of Christ, I wonder if this was listed in Scripture if it would seem less 'real' or believable?'

In His joy, Paul

No Limitations in Christ

I was in a prayer meeting the other day, and God gave me this word for someone, "There is no limitations in Christ". After i gave this word to the person, I was mulling over this phrase for a while, and I realised that this wasn't just a specific word for one person- it has huge connotations for all of us, and for us as an Army if we really think about it.

There are no Limitations in Christ. There is nothing GOd cannot do. He will be Lord even over the imposssible. There is nothing we have done that can limit God. Who are we to have obstacle that God can't cross, that God can't deal with- thats ridiculous- God CAN DO ALL THINGS! WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES US STRENGTH! (Phil 3:14. There is nothing our God cannot do! :)

There is nothing that you have done, or anything in your past that will limit what God can do in you and through you. Nothing you have done is so bad that God has dismissed you. Christ died for you- he loved you so much that he died for you while you were still sinners. Christ died for all of us- no matter how good or how bad we may seem. God loves us- God can take the most messed up dirty person and turn that life around and do something amazing with it. There are no limitations as to what God can do in you! God can still do things you never thought possible through you!

Never limit or dismiss the the dreams that God has placed in your heart. They may seem far fetched or crazy, but if God has given them to you, then they are more than possible. They may not be being played out right now, but don't lose hope. Whereever you are at, God is working in you to make you ready for it- whatever happens, happens for a reason,. Eph 3:20 says that God can do immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine- our dreams are God's starting point. So dream big!

Forgive me if I'm about to say something controversial, but The Salvation Army can tend to put alot of limitations on ourselves. I get so frustrated because we have structured into the Army so much red tape that we think restricts us from doing anything. Yet we still believe that there are no limitations in Christ- so what can this mean for us when we think about it?

Our buildings do not have to limit what we can do- The size of a building is not the reason for the size of the Church. The building isn't the church, the church is the people. Just because the building only holds a certain amount, that doesn't have to be the limit of people. Cell groups can explode the size of the church. That can be church, and it is so intimate and powerful, that God can do incredible things there.

Our buildings or 'Occ Health & Safety' do not have to limit us reaching out to the poor and winning them to Christ. Jesus has commanded us to go out into all the world to win the world, not to stay where we are and have the world come to us. Just because official 'welfare' has to be done in a certain way etc etc, doesn't mean we can't reach out to the people where they are at. Like our founder William Booth, we need to go out the last, the lost and the least of our community, we need to love them and help them, and show Christ to them. Find out what the greatest needs and issues of your community are and just do it! Don't let anything limit you- it doesn't have to!

This have been a bunch of random thoughts, but God really wants you to know and apply into your lives that there are no limitations in Christ! None! Nothing you have done, there is no red tape, that can stop you fulfilling God's plan for your lives. No matter what your history, the devil can't take away your God-given destiny!

God bless,
Phoebe

Prophetic Training 2

Following on from the previous post, I feel that God wants to start a restoration process of the office of the prophet in the Body for believers and practical ministry. Remember, we may all prophesy (even if it is not our primary spiritual gift) and are to eagerly desire it (1 Corinthians 12). All things must also be tested against the Word.
For prophetic exercises, I would recommend a cell or bible group to begin with. In your group, try and get rid of distraction and enter into the anointing by prayer, worship, thanksgiving and praise: Don't be ritualistic but enter into the freedom of Christ.
When your group feels ready, get each individual to choose another individual whom they will prophesy over. Blank your mind, open your heart, and you will find He will speak through MANY methods, some of which may be vision, mental pictures, 'simply knowing things', hearing an internal audible voice and many others!
Remember, some revelation received may be wrong, it takes time to learn His voice from self or the enemy, so test all words as a Body and with discernment but above all trust in Him. Go around in a circle and speak out what you receive, it may seem really silly some of the things you receive, but can be very powerful to the receiver even if it does not make a whole lot of sense to you.
Here are some good practical exercises:
1. Ask the Lord how much He loves the other person.
2. Ask Him for some things he admires about the other person (caution, He often will not limit Himself to just 'some' things!)
3. Ask the Lord for a bible passage.
4. Visualize (meet with) the Lord and see what He is doing/saying.
5. Have one person sit in the middle of your group and prophesy over them as a group (patience may be required, don't 'over speak' each other; have a designated scribe or a tape recorder for future remembrance).

How great is our God who longs to speak to us, let's commune with Him and be intimate with Him!

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Grace, Paul

Prophetic Training

God has been speaking to me and a few friends a lot lately about the prophetic and its power to comfort, edify, heal, transform lives, change destinies and save souls. God is so eager to speak, to communicate to us personally and to use us as vessels to speak into each others lives that it is simply not funny! God often does speak to us through people subversively, however He is also raising up a generation that has the boldness to live a life of invocation, calling upon Him and then proclaiming what He is speaking.
Prophesy is hearing what the Father is saying and then speaking it out, it is a Supernatural God inviting a natural source (us) to participate with Him, allowing Him to say what is on His heart. Its never ceases to amaze me how just two spirit filled words direct from Gods heart can have greater affect then a 1 hour sermon or years of 'preaching' at someone, God knows what another person needs to hear. These words penetrate any sin, melt any hardened heart, displace any lie, resonate with the receivers being, and is a avenue God has chose for His Spirit to touch another persons spirit. Prophesy is powerful and it’s hell draining truth can change the world. Prophesy is to be eagerly desired (not for self – glory) but for the glory of the One whom is really speaking.
Like any gift, the prophetic needs to be humbly asked for, practiced, applied, and developed. Strangly, it has been ‘practicing’ this gift and practically applying it that God has been encouraging us to do with great conviction, and I guess this makes sense: it is a gift for the edification of belivers and the salvation of souls and should not be neglected.
There are three parts to prophesy: 1.Revelation, 2.Interpretation, and 3.Application. We must be very careful to determine the source of the revelation, seek and pray for the correct interpretation, and apply it in the manner, heart, and time that He desires.
In the following post I will share some creative and innovative ways that God has taught us where believers can practice the prophetic with each other, such as in cell groups - its safer amongst friends for beginners ;)

Every Blessing, Paul.

'Let us name it for what it is...'

'School of Prophets' (http://schoolofprophets-australia.blogspot.com/) has made a brazen yet timely post concerning 'social club salvos' which I encourage everyone in the blogging community to check out; it is this type of Salvationism that seems to have William Booth crying out from his grave and stirs the spirits of many revolutionaries to a boil!
In the same context, why are so many spiritually anointed leaders being neglected in Corp leadership whilst those whom 'look the part' on external appearance hold these critical positions? Where are the prophets on the Corp Council table? Where are those who have a mantle to lead but are over looked by the office of man? Something to think about, AND PRAY about!

Sin and Repentance

Sin is the refusal to let God be God.
Repentence is letting God be God in our lives.

In true repentance a person feels drawn to God.
In false repentance a person feels driven by God.

Are you in agreement with God in your life (Obediance)?
Are you in disagreement with God in your life (Disobediance)?

Are your motives connected to the very heart of God?
Are your motives motivated by self, law, or others?

God is speaking this Sunday

'But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong', 1 Corinthians 1:27.

It never ceases to amaze me that God chooses people, everyday people like you and me to share His Word. In the bible He called upon fisherman, tax collectors, and in the case of the Apostle Paul, even tyrants to preach His Word...and this method has not changed today! One of the primary ways God has chosen to speak to people is through people; this can take place over a coffee with a friend, a remark from a stranger, and most notably, through preaching.
When it comes to preaching we must note that some the very best public speakers can be the worst preachers, and the best preachers are sometimes very bad public speakers. What does this mean? It means that He isn’t always speaking just because a person who has alot of personal charisma is being entertaining, and it doesn’t mean that He is not speaking just becasue a person has a monotone voice!
In the next meeting this Sunday God will be speaking though the preacher, that is to say, if sanctioned by the Lord the preacher will be His instrument, His mouth piece to say what He wants to say. God is speaking to us through the preacher directly each Sunday, so is this out expectancy? I have noticed (and this is true of most churches) that in many Salvo meetings, the moment that God is going to speak through the preacher something happens...people switch off! It is almost as if as soon as the speaker has been announced people have an internal 'snooze' button and dis-engage. If you don't believe me, next Sun meeting have a look for yourself! This is the opposite to expectancy...are we expecting God to speak to us, assured that He Himself is speaking to us from Heaven through the speaker?

Sometimes sermons can be boring, but let’s not expect them to be boring, and expect to hear what He is speaking to us through His people!

Holy is He, Paul

The unforgiving servant

"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'
The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'
In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
(Matthew 18:23-25).

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
(Mark 11:35)

Glory Conference (Part 2)

*We still have to deal with the spirit of the Pharisees, systems of reason and logic; Faith needs to rest on the power of God and need not be something that is separated from experience.

*You can begin in the Spirit but then try and perfect or finish in the flesh; It is not only the foundation but every level that needs to be built by His Spirit; When you rely on your own strength in something God gives you you will end up miserable.

*When you ask Him something believe your going to get an answer.

*Do not evaluate the Spirits move by the criteria of the program you came out of.

*The Disciples were successful at proclaiming the Good News and performing demonstrations – even when they were rejected.

*To some you smell like heaven, to others death – your success cannot be measured by people’s evaluation but doing what God has told you to do.

*You don’t need permission to preach and lay hands, God says ‘go’; He is our Father not our Mother!

*The Spirit of revival is contagious – take it and use it – it is all by One Spirit.

*Common thread of revivals: When the Spirit came, they said ‘yes’. Welcome Him and let Him have His way.

*He stays where He is celebrated, not just tolerated or dissected.

*Church should be the happiest place on Earth.

*You feeling often display your relationship with God, your facial expression often shows your theology; you can tell almost anything by just looking at someone’s face.

*God’s presence and truth brings release from trauma – the days of counseling are numbered.

*Process healing? Nahman washed 7 times (2 Kings).

*For His glory we must be dependent upon and trust in Him.

*When a manifestation touches our heart we still need Jesus to carry it through to change our heart.

*The Holy Spirit supersedes all others (drugs/alcohol); people don’t want to see the menu but to be fed, they wan't to experience Him, ‘taste and see that the Lord is good’

*The devil will keep coming back to make you doubt, but He is the same God.

*He/She that perseveres inherits the promise.

Glory Conference (Part 1)

The following are some random notes from a 2007 'Show Me Your Glory Conference', feauturing Larry Taylor and Heidi and Roland Baker - some of which really captures what God is speaking to His church right now...

*Glory is God revealing Himself to us; it is Him showing up and bringing everything He has got with Him.

*His glory is not only being revealed but at this time He is revealing a knowledge of it.

*What is 'holy laughter'? It is the reality of laughter and joy in the Kingdom.

*Presentation of the Gospel: Good News/Holy Spirit/ Smile.

*'Emotionalism'? God created our emotions – what started the emotional experience? A spiritual experience with Him will touch your emotions.

*We need people that come from the throne room.

*A genuine encounter with Gods glory leaves you talking with Jesus – it is He who is with you when you are alone on Monday morning.

*It is the goodness of God that leads man into repentance.

*Let God have His way, let Him run the church.

*Let yearning rise up to Jesus – not anger or bitterness; praise Him, seek Him, go to Him, this desire is placed deep within us by God.

*Revival is the church being normal.

*The purpose of the law was to show people that they couldn’t keep the law.

*God is not comfortable in an atmosphere where there is no joy.

*When you see glory revealed you see Gods goodness revealed.

*We need to partner and link together.

*The church needs to lose control as He directs.

*Our starving are just as starving as those in Africa – the difference is they know they’re starving.

*Have a banquet and invite the poor, a feast for the lonely and outcasts.

*People in Australia sit home and drink because they don’t know there is Someone who loves them – our crippled are just as crippled as those in Africa but our crippled are emotionally so. Don’t be fooled by the disguises in the West – people are dying.

*If you desire healings, glory, manifestations - have a Holy Ghost party!

*Lack of spiritual hunger makes God furious.

*Healing from sickness is not always instant, sometimes it’s contending.

*Keep believing and loving, do not grow weak, PRESS ON.

*Emotions/sickness/sin all try and destroy Gods temple. Do not give up or stop short from what God wants to do.

*Evil has no right to inflict you who are holy – the apple of His eye.

*God likes to hang around people who are fun and child-like.

*The most enjoyable thing in life is relationship.

*Being a vessel and letting lose the anointing of revival releases revival – carry the Spirit and spread it around!

-Paul

The Salvation Army - Call To Prayer

Soap, soup………..and what was the other one??

The Soap Army…..The Soup Army…...doesn’t quite sound right does it? However, I believe this could be our greatest legacy, that of good works and secular bravado if we do not keep our focus as an Army of Salvation; certainly it is a worry when many secular people do not see the Army as a Holiness Movement that is a branch of the universal Christian Church, but rather as a ‘charity’. As a soldier, I take offence to this.
Please do not misunderstand me, part of the Army’s greatest strength is pioneering social justice, but I believe social justice and the Salvation of souls should not diverge (as a fork in the road), nor should they be ‘side by side’ (like railway tracks), but social justice and salvation should be interlocked, intertwined, not one without the other.
The previous post mentions the importance of being a ‘living river’ where He flows through, but I dare say that many in the Army today are but lakes, lakes polluted with self work, self effort, self satisfaction, and self appeasement and duty. Is this being harsh? Perhaps, but if we are not motivated by the Fathers love we have missed out calling – if we no longer care about the soul but the work then we are serving the Army, and not God.
The motivation of William Booth was the salvation of souls, and service to the widow, the orphan, the poor and the outcast was a means of sharing (showing) the love of Christ. The General did not feel like he could share the Gospel with a person who had an empty stomach, so he fed them, then saved them in Christ. The soap, the soup, these are to be Christ to the people, that the people may see Christ, repent, and be saved. So have we digressed at all? What do you think?

Consider the ‘Red Shield Appeal’, an appeal where in Australia thousands upon thousands of Army ‘collectors’ collect money by going door to door. Here we see many soldiers APPROACH the unsaved, not with Good News but with a request for money. We knock on people’s doors, collect money, use this money for social service, and this ‘work’ thus points to the love of Christ, opens people up for the Gospel, and therefore the people can find salvation
On the other hand, we could just share the Gospel and see them saved directly.

The loss of focus in some parts of the Army is evident by what a (as of yet) unsaved friend of mine told me when he had an interesting experience with a man from the Salvation Army yesterday. This is what he told me happened via MSN (name changed for privacy reasons):

Mr.X says:
some dude from the salvation army just rang

PAUL says:
thats pretty weird, what did he say

MR.X says:
was askin if i could knock on doors..he was a %$#@

PAUL says:
what? a guy rang asking if you could knock on doors?

MR.X says:
yes, and i sed nah sorry and he kept persisting and hes like..so u dont wana help ppl? and then he just sed hmm didnt think so and hung up

PAUL says:
he said "hmmm didnt think so" and hangup on you?

MR.X says::
yeah he was angry

PAUL says:
and he goes "what you don’t want to help people?'

MR.X says::
yeh he was tryin to make me feel guilty as if i never help ppl

MR.X says:
and i never get p&^* off with ppl but he was a JERK

I do not want to state that this man who used rudeness, sarcasm, and guilt is representative of the Army as a whole, but I think it illustrates how important it is to be motivated by the love of Christ. If I had the opportunity I would of told this Army ‘representative ’”If your work for the Army is just work, not participation with God, motivated by the Love of Christ for your brother, then don’t bother”.

Come on comrades, without Him we are nothing! He is not impressed by work that is not motivated by His Spirit, so why should we be? He wants people fed to be saved, not for His beloved to go to hell on a full stomach!

Soap, soup, and Salvation….Sounds pretty good to me!

Much love, Paul.

p.s When I door knock (collect) for the Army, I also try to ask each individual I approach if they have any prayer requests ….give it a try!

As A River, Not A Lake

I have just been listening to a sermon by Pastor Bill Johnson, a great man of God who is at the cutting edge of what the Lord is doing in these last days. In this instance, he was speaking of how the children of God are called to be carryer's of the presence and kindness of God.

We are called to be His vessels wherever we go. We are to be as rivers through whome the Holy Spirit can wash away hurts in others, melt hearts hardened by frustration and religion, and bring hope where there was none. Such things cannot be faked. Only through intimacy with Christ, with communion of our spirits with His Spirit, and in the freedom of childlikeness can we do such wondrous things. As we let ourselves be loved by the One who has held nothing back, we are empowered to be rivers of Life and healing and salvation to the lost.

I know I can't love or be loved in my own strength! An admittance of this is the basis of humility, and the gateway to ministry that refreshes.

Much blessing, Kym.

Have a look!

Some new homages to the famous decree of William Booth...

"Heavenly Father..."

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin
and set us free. Amen!"

-Minister Joe Wright

Physical healing

Greetings! There seems to be two main theological views on the subject of physical healing that I wanted to discuss; the first thought is that God allows and very often gives sickness to people to help them grow in the Christian walk (this is not to say that it is His highest will for an individual to be sick but that He permits it in certain situations). The second view is that sickness is not of God and that He does not give or allow but merley tolerates sickness within humans. I am of the second view and will explain why, however, I must stress that this is a personal opinion, it is not prophetic and its view is not necessarily shared by other contributors of MercyPeaceGrace.

The main issue for me is that in mainstream Christian circles there is this theology that God gives or allows sicknesses in people to build character, or make them better people etc. The problem I have with this, practically speaking in ministry, is that I think it can do great holistic damage to people (and the Body) if it were in fact not His will for people to be sick.
When I pray for people it is always just by being an open vessel and letting God do the healing through me. Sometimes my hand fills with energy and when I place it on the sick area it shakes, when the shaking stops I 'know' the healing is completed. The issue is that when I am being used in this manner my thoughts are always on the sacrifice of Christ in making it possible, and, on the uncompromising Goodness of God – this is to say that there is no doubt that God is willing to heal and will heal, no doubts at all! My concern is that for me this is a faith aspect, because if I do not agree with Him for the healing and instead agree with the Devil through doubt, then the sick person suffers if the faith component does not release His healing power. If I start questioning particular cases or Gods healing/loving character is specific situations then the healing will not occur. This is not to say that healing is conditional on me, but very often it is conditional on faith (as seen by the fact that Jesus was unable to heal people because of their lack of faith and the commending of peoples faith who are healed by Christ).
I could be wrong but it seems to me that those who have the theology of a healing God at all times and in all situations have far greater fruit then those who hold the view that God gives or allows sickness and disease (which can be a great foot hold to doubt and fear!) Indeed, all the ‘spiritual giants’ of today do not hold the view that sickness is a gift from a loving God used to improve people; In fact, every great healer I have seen does not hold this view. This is not to say that if you believe God wills sickness on people that God won’t use you to heal others, but I dare say these are in the great minority and do not have close to the fruit of those who hold God as healer no matter what.
I must point out that I 100% hold the view that God does use sickness and disease, physical ailments etc in turning the worst situation into the greatest good, but I simply (almost frustratingly) cannot in turn say that God gives people sicknesses or even allows them (He does of coarse, tolerate them, as to not oppose the will). The will comes into play when the sickness is caused by a sin that will not be repented off, or one who simply will not agree with Him and receive there healing.
Knowing that it is a sensitive area, I still think it important to ask why is there a theology that God makes or allows people to be sick, and, I think that it is more often then not personal experience that leads people to this view – not Spirit guidance, not divine revelation, not the reading of Gods word, but personal experience. As an example, when someone gets sick, or loses someone close, they very often need justification, and so a spiritual, God-explaining theology is created, reducing the promise of Gods word to personal experience. But because they prayed an aunty Sally dies, does that mean it was His will? In turn, if I prayed for a three year old demonized child and they are not set free, does that mean it is Gods will? Do we then say that a Christian who dies from a long suffering illness failed to learn their lesson? In short, people with sickness or have had experiences with such scenarios are inevitably (at least subconsciously) bias on this matter. I believe people who have been through such situations have hurts, questions, and they want (read need) an answer to harmonise there hurt with a God they love. I do believe it is much more complicated, however, then to say “it must have been Gods will” . When it comes to healing, there are many, many reasons people are not healed, (generational curse, sin, emotional hurt being the root for physical trauma, faith, unforgiveness, etc – and even unique things as well) but does that make it His will or His portion for a person? Or, conversely, could it be that we are called to pursue a healing despite symptom, to trust In His love and character despite external appearance, to praise and glorify despite not understanding?
Further, as to why people are sometimes not instantaneously healed, I believe this greatly ties into spiritual warfare, something that is very neglected today! Daniel on occasion had prayers instantaneously answered, yet the physical result was not seen for 21 days). Could it be that we have to hold on to our healing, to contend for it, even when the answer is yes but there is no change to our symptom?
At this point I want to mention that I believe we are called to suffer, but suffering does not so much equate to physical inflictions but has much more to do with living between the tension of being a believer in an unbelieving world, of being set free and inflicted in a world that is in bondage and sickness.
Looking at the topic biblically, I honestly don’t think one can read His word and draw to the conclusion that God is an inflictor or Creator of sickness, but, it resonates with the complete opposite of a Lover, Healer, and Savior (from the penalty of sin - including sickness!)
Psalm 103 actually says in the same verse “forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases”. The ‘forget not’ and ‘all’ I think are very interesting. This is not some obscure verse, there is a plethora of such claims, such as “say to this mountain and it will be removed” (can this mountain not be sickness?) or “they will lay there hand on the sick and they will be healed’ or Isaiah 53:4-5, ”Surely He has borne our greifs (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows [pains]; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. The words "griefs" and "sorrows" were translated from the Hebrew words choliy and mak'ob . This is an unfortunate translation because 'choliy' actually means "sickness" and mak'ob, "pain" (physical and mental). Or we can even look at Matthew 8:17 “This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases" and Isaiah 53:5 ”…the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” It says that the chastisement that brought us "peace" was laid upon Jesus. In other words, Jesus was chastised so that we could have "peace". Now, the word "peace" is shalowm in Hebrew. Shalowm is a very rich Hebrew word. It does not just mean peace of mind or a nice peaceful feeling but 'shalown' actually means:
a) completeness (in number)
b) safety, soundness (in body)
c) welfare, health, prosperity
d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
e) peace, friendship
1) used of human relationships
2) with God especially in covenant relationship
To 'Go and heal the sick' is also a commision from Christ!
We can further note that the Bible tells us that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), as the curse of the law includes sickness, then obviously we have been redeemed from sickness. Further, as sickness is a curse, how can we be both cursed and redeemed? Sickness steals our health and it is the devil who comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). If Jesus paid for the penalty of our sin, how can He refund somthign that has already been bought?

These such verses are quite uncompromising. Indeed we can also drink poisons or be bitten by snakes, it is the same principle! Nowhere in the bible since the veil was torn is someone given a sickness by God who was His or desired to be free through Him.
I also think that we cannot say that it was His original intention to use sickness or give sickness as it was not in the garden of Eden, and He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow... there will be no sickness in the New Earth either! (Revelation 21:3-3).
The closest thign we can find in scripture of God giving or allowing a sickness in the New Coverannt is an Acts referenceto a man who was physically inflicted by God, but this man was an evil wizard who was not covered by Christs blood. I personally don’t think God will heal people of sickness if they do not love Him or will not turn to Him - in fact, He may heal people and they would not even seethe physical result!
It is true that People of God suffered through physical beatings in persecution; the difference is that the persecutors are not from or led of God. In fact, to say God allows disease is far worse then to say that He allows people (whom he loves so much) to be inflicted physically though beatings. Picture God with a fist punching someone or inflicting them with cancer, can one do this with peace or in Spirit and truth? I have no doubt that people have found Him through disease, but perhaps just as many or more have turned from Him or hate Him more because of it (let alone friends and family)? I dare say it is a false and unfruitful ‘salvation tool’.
Or look at the devouring nature of cancer, is this not the work of the Devourer mocking God and His children? Yet God as an inflictor of pain and torment is the theology of the masses (but put it a much nicer way – certainly no worship songs are sung about being blessed with a disease).
Why would God love someone so much to die for them, and then inflict them with the punishment Christ paid the penalty for? This is essentially saying the sacrifice of Christ was not enough, that further physical suffering is required as a penalty…it is watering down His blood and sacrifice.
I think also the example of Jesus is key in two aspects. Firstly, although Christ was 100% human and 100% Deity, in His earthly ministry He chose to act in His humanity only. This is staggering when we realize that Jesus did not once, ever, refuse anyone a healing. The same with the apostles, dare I say the same with us? He is our model, we are to be like Christ. Also, if we are to pray only for those who God specifically points out (which is admittedly a very safe and wise thing to do), then what are we to with those who request healing? How do you say to someone ‘God doesn’t want to heal you right now, but He does love you!” (?)
It could be seen as an astonishing coincidence that the multitudes who asked Jesus for healing were all, everyone of them, people who didn’t have sickness implemented by God to make them morally or spiritually better people. What about a Reinhard Bonke crusade where tens of thousands are physically healed in a single service? The same principle applies.
The second key example of looking at Jesus is in the context that Christ was and is the representation of the Father, His will and His heart. Why would it be that Jesus doesn’t refuse healing or give sicknesses but the Father does? I don’t think God is a respecter of persons, and His love and sacrifice are not conditional, but unconditional for those whom are willing to be healed in Him.
When Christ brought freedom on the cross, He brought freedom from all things evil, so how can He then say to someone ‘you can’t be healed right now’. How can He refund something that He had already bought? Salvation and deliverance/healing are often side by side in scripture, but no-one accuses God of not giving Salvation or declares that God will give salvation in the 'right time'; as Jesus said ‘It is finished’. In fact, when I pray for healing I am encouraged not to ask or petition it, but to be in agreement with the Great Healer and to partner with Him. The same thing for salvation: Would we dare say God won’t save some people? When I need to repent I don’t ask for forgiveness – it has already been bought! What I do is agree with God my mistakes and accept His gift of forgiveness.
Also, I believe that healing (on the page of John Wimber power evangelism) is a evangelical tool; this is to say that the God I know uses healing for salvation or repentance, not sickness. Imagine disciples going around inflicting people with sickness that they can improve spiritually!! No, we do the opposite, the way that reflects the Fathers heart and will. Faithfulness, long-suffering and patience are fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), not fruit of our sufferings and illnesses. The more we walk in the Spirit and in the revelation of God's Word - not in sickness -the more fruit we bear.
A couple more thoughts:
We are called to, in the Lords prayer, to pray that ‘Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is in heaven’, obviously there is no sickness in heaven!
Also, what about demons? Many diseases are as a direct result of demonic activity, and so would we say God puts demons in people to help them improve there character? Or substance addictions? Whatever enslaves you is your master.

Anyway, that had better do it, sorry this is so long it kind of just had a mind of its own! I’m sure there are many misunderstanding or holes in what I have written, please don't hesitate to point them out to me! I find it hard to attribute to God the work of the devil, but am still learning!

Realising I will likely be shot down for this post I emphasize that it is my theology at this point and is therefore my opinion, nothing else.
What are your thoughts on the subject?

Every blessing, Paul

My roadblock to Holiness

Having made a renewed commitment to complete holiness, I have found three things:
1. It is met with incredible opposition by the enemy;
2. God’s standards for holiness far exceed that of the Church, and
3. It is not easy.
Despite these three things, I am incredibly excited because who knows what can God really do with a holy Army? A divided heart or double minded person will receive nothing of the Lord (James 1:2-8) yet what can He do with a soldier that will not compromise? This is not to say that what we can do is in our strength and ‘holy works’, but how far can a vessel be used of Him when holes of sin and division that make this vessel leak are mended? John .G. Lake under scientific investigation allowed harmful bacteria to be placed on His hands and the holiness of God that was within Lake killed the bacteria - as the amazed doctors discovered. What plans does He have for a holy Army?

And so with the three things that I have found in my pursuit for holiness, as listed above, I respond as follows:
1. Bring it on.
2. Identification and a knowledge of sin that was once considered ‘petty’ can only be a healthy thing.
3. He is not a perfectionist but a Perfector, and he does not ask us to be something (‘be Holy as I am Holy’ – 1 Peter 1:16), or to do something (‘go and sin no more’ (John 8:1-11) if it is not possible and if He will not help. It is hard, but it is the type of hard that is the exhilarating feeling of climbing a mountain to a victorious summit. His victory, even when you struggle, is final, halleluiah!. When I sin I praise Him for making me aware of the sin, for this is moving towards holiness. Further, I don’t have the mind set of ‘not sinning’ but of living each hour in the freedom of the cross: If I can be holy for 1 hour, why not 24? Why not 240? Why not forever? There is complete freedom in Christ!

I called this post ‘My roadblock to holiness’ because I thought it could be helpful to others to share what I have found to be the greatest cause of compromised holiness in my life, and that is, believe it or not, buried or ignored emotional hurts and disappointments. Actually, the more and more I think about it the more convinced I become that many hideous sins we see today find there root in the individuals sinners own hurts, loneliness, and frustrations. I have found that every major sin I have committed was either out of a need to fill a hole that an emotional hurt created, or anger and resentment (most of the time subconscious) directed towards and separating me from God for disappointments or other bad things. For me it is not helpful to ignore problems, and the answer has been to really being completely honest with myself as to when I have been hurt and talking it through with Him and handing it over to Him. Also, worship ALWAYS opens my heart to Him, and it is here where Holiness begins ones more.
Ignoring emotion hurts is my roadblock to holiness, what d you think yours are? Why don’t you share your roadblock so others may not only identify with it but know that victory is possible?!

Holy is He, Paul

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty

Just got back from an Easter camp at Victor Harbor, South Australia.....and…well…He is moving. I am so blessed to be flanked with all my South Australian brothers and sisters in Christ from various Corps who will not sell out, are united in heart and spirit, and give of themselves to sharpen each other in Christ. To see youth run, jump, pray and speak into each other, kneel and face-plant in His presence in worship is so edifying and reaches the very heart of God...the revolution now begin? The revolution has began - I really believe it! This is a regiment that God is truly being molded to carry something special.
It was an honor and a privilege to listen to Lieutenant Rowan Castle from Ingle Farm Corps preach on Holiness...discontent with an elevator lifestyle (up and down spiritual lives inbetween camps) for believers, and dissatisfied with having an 'emotional cry night' and leaving things at that, Rowan was courageously obedient to the very heart of God. Rowan unapologetically threw away that stale offering of compromise and tolerating sin, exposing the lie of the enemy that we cannot live holy lives. Instead we were fed with something the Army is craving: Purity, holiness, undivided hearts and the full measure of FREEDOM that Christ bought for us.
The Army will die in compromise, it will live as a Holiness (holy-set apart for God) Movement (moving/advancing).

Grace, Paul

A vision

I saw what appeared to be angelic-type beings, messengers of valor and purpose descending from the third to the second heaven as eagles in flight. As they flew into the Earths atmosphere they each held something like a translucent bubble, a bubble with radiant colors of blue and pinkish hues projecting of its shimmering surface. In the 'bubbles' were newly to be born babes, naked, sleeping, innocent, and pure - gifts to the Earth to be birthed by parents of the Heavenly Fathers choosing.
Now the angelic beings dropped these babes as they were in the bubbles, and, in a manner of great eloquent beauty, these cherished gifts of the Fathers heart floated towards Earth.
Suddenly, fiery demon spirits of great evil and grotesque figure appeared from the darkness, and in darting flight consumed the babes of God.
I see one babe as he was, then as a 12 year old prince, now a thirty year old warrior, and finally a man of piecing and great wisdom; but he would not be, for he was one of the babes eaten by a beast of fire.
From the nostrils of a powerful beast came his putrid breath; As this cradle snatcher roamed the Earth this poison polluted the world into his corruption: The abomination of taking destined life that will never be on the Earth.
I heard His voice, and He said “A generation of valor, of a royal priesthood, of holy aptitude is being stolen. The abortion of my people kills my heart, yet they will live on for eternity”.
“Go!” says the Lord of hosts, “for the disease of infant murder is increasing. The devil is killing life that is to bring life to a decaying world. Pray, pray for parliament, pray for your leaders, pray for the holy vengeance of God, for He maketh all things new”.

‘Hush little baby don’t you cry, Daddy’s gonna sing you a lullaby’ - Toby Macheenan.



(Click on image to view, taken from Dannielle Stricklands page: http://armybarmyremix.blogspot.com/ )

Glimpse of God

This is a presentation that truly expresses the heart of God. Whether it is a Christian site or not, i'm not sure, but Elohim shines through:

http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/

There are amazing pictures in this presentation, and it reminds me of something the Lord impressed to me a while ago, "this place (earth) is hell compared with heaven, and heaven compared with hell". - Kym

Knock Knock

When you hear Fear knocking at the door, open it in Faith, and you will find nothing there!

Faith

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and recieves the impossible!

Time

Did you know that time is one of the most precious things we have, that it one thing we can lose and never get back?
Did you know that our time spent on Earth echoes for eternity?
Did you know that God holds us accountable to how we spend our time?
Did you know there are 1440 minutes in a 24hr day?
Did you know that if we spend 20 minutes with God per day that it is 1.4% of our day?
Did you know that 10 minutes spent a day of listening to God means that for 99.3% of the day He has been tuned out?
Did you know that a persons priorities in life can be seen by how they spend there time?
Did you know that He has all the time in the world just for you?!

-Paul

Stirring daily

Earlier this year whilst holidaying with friends in Aldinga, South Australia, we decided to visit a local church there (Incidentally I always feel like its a really healthy thing for believers to seek out cross-cultural experience, and this can simply involve visiting different churches on occasion such as a Catholic mass or a Pentecostal meeting).
Although I can't remember what this church we visited was called, what has stuck out to me (other then the service being held in an old granary) was part of the pastors message: he spoke about the 'need to stir up the Spirit on a daily basis'. It was one of those truths that I already knew, but it still kind off hit me over the head! The Christian walk is about participating with Him, and this involves consciously and willfully 'drawing near to Him as He drawn near to us'. 'Stirring the Spirit' involves worship, bible reading, fellowship, and prayer, and, if we don't do these things on a regular basis, His stream within us begins to still, and soon enough may even run dry or get dirty. I believe the physical discipline of having to eat each day is the same as satisfying spiritual hunger: The Word is our DAILY bread!

'I want you always to bear in mind that it is the nature of a fire to go out; you must keep it stirred and fed and the ashes removed' - William Booth.

Every blessing, Paul

Grace

Why does God love you?

It will take an eternity of experiencing His kindness and mercy to find out!

Even then, He'll probably say with a smile on His face: "because I do".

No room for striving there!

- Kym

Links

For a taste of some new Army music from Rowan Castle and the Ingle Farm Revolution band, hit up:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=103473749

Also, Wholly Holy has some very practical and proven methods of sharing the Word:

http://www.whollyholy.blogspot.com

Be the difference

Sometimes is hard to know what we can do to make a real difference in the world; how about child sponsorship? By denying yourself Macdonalds or afew coffee's a week you can change the destiny of a beloved child of God. Sponsorship can be done through such agencies as 'World Vision', 'Compassion', or 'The Salvation Army'. Simply google 'child sponsorship' and one of these organisations and all can be done through the net - its easy!
This video (copy and paste the url) is a must see of how Jesus Christ Himself can touch a family though sponsorship. A warning, you will feel His presence in this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31F-QBhCH_A

Another 'God directive'

Following ‘Engage’ Phobe, Paul, Colin, and Kym again gave ourselves to Him to be used how He wills. Phobe had to be home by midnight and Kym was physically wiped so this mission was shorter then our last experience. Before we headed out, the Lord made us agree that we wouldn’t share with anyone what He was going to do (to test our humility), and we agreed. However, upon agreeing (and in a sense passing this test), we believe we got given the go-ahead to share.

We drove to the large carpark behind Arndale Corps. The Lord revealed to Paul that we had to put all the loose trolleys back where they belong. This was an act of servanthood, yet the first trolley Kym came across had a perfectly new exercise book in it.
We felt led to pray over the carpark (which will be the sight of a new outpouring and revival that the world has never known). Kym felt the Lord say we should go to the (nearby) 'Dominoes' carpark where a mighty miracle earlier took place (this was the miracle where He supernaturally came and fixed our sister-in-laws car after she had an accident). The Lord said that fixing broken hearts is infinitely greater then having a broken car fixed, and if He is willing to do that without being asked, how much more will He do for those who love Him.
The Lord prompted Paul to go into the Dominoes and ask for free pizza (for us to give to someone). He and Colin got into clothes so that they had the ‘Red Shield’ logo, and the four of us prayed for divine favour, and that God would perform this sign. Phobe and Kym remained in the car and interceded, and before long out came Paul and Colin with 3 pizza boxes. Initially the attendant was shaking his head as if he wouldn’t give away pizza in a million years, yet ‘something’ suddenly made him change his mind. We ended up with 2 full (untouched) pizzas and one box with a few extra pieces.
We praised God and gave thanks, but they were cold, so we returned to Arndale Corps to reheat them. It was right to give the spare pieces to those who were setting up for the next days ‘Halo tournament’.
As they were heating, the four of us went in a side-room to pray and praise. Kym noticed some cartons filled with eggs on a side table, and our Lieutenant said it was fine to take a carton. Hearing that we were on another ‘mission’, she also gave us a blanket.
We picked up the pizzas, Colin grabbed a ‘Warcry’ and some pamphlets, and we were off. The Lord led us to Mcinery Reserve in Kilkenny, where we eventually felt led to give the pizzas to someone in a street adjacent the reserve. We came across a house that felt right. It (despite being in a dangerous area and it being late) had a light on and an open door. We offered the man who came if he wanted the pizzas, yet he abruptly said ‘no’ and we had to leave. We then felt led to try a nearby house, and a group of people were watching the soccer (ideal for two pizzas on a cold night). However, they also refused. Our discernment in following the Spirit is obviously not perfect, yet we rather believe the two refusals were people refusing a gift the Lord would have given them. Sensing this, we again sought the Lord as to who He would now rather have and also recieve the pizzas.
Driving along a nearby street, we noticed a man on his bike, and immediatly 'knew' they were for him. Jumping out the car, Kym offered them to him, and he gratefully accepted. His joy was very real, and he mentioned that there was a 13 year old boy who he was going to share them with (who Kym sensed would have really appreciated them). Kym's departing ‘God bless’ seemed to have reached him through the Spirit too. Revelation came to Paul that the Lord was going to nourish them spiritually as they ate.
Three of us were then independently given the word of knowledge that the carton of eggs (and a prophetic note in the exercise book) were to be left on the doorstep of an elderly Italian woman in Myponga St.
The Warcry with a note of encouragement was to go into the letterbox of a nearby believer’s house, and the Lord led us back to Mcinery Reserve to put the blanket and a note in a certain spot. We prayed over it, and a homeless person will be lead to it*

*the next morning this gift from the Lord had indeed been taken.

Father, we praise you for your abundant blessings, and the blessings of your abundance!

Always and forever, Paul.

God directive

What happens when four soldier sit in a car, hand the steering wheel over to the Holy Spirit, and ask Him "What would you like to do tonight?"

We drove to Macca’s so we wouldn’t have the distraction of hunger. On a fast, Kym didn’t buy anything, but had packed some food that afternoon for himself- even though he had no good reason to do so (it ended up being needed).
The Lord brought to our attention a number of young guys who were loitering and sitting about in their cars. It seemed pretty suss (drugs), yet we interceded for them a bit and the Lord led us to wind our car windows down and blast out praise and worship music. Pretty quickly, at least 3 cars of young people (not necessarily together) sped off. With God’s presence, people either embrace Him or flee, I guess in this instance it was the aroma of death - yet it still seemed to be a spiritual victory. The Holy Spirit rested on Paul, and he received a manifestation of heavenly oil. Two guys (aged 18-19) were hanging around outside of the shops, and so Paul and Kym decided to approach them for prayer; we were cussed at and threatened to be shot and robbed, yet they suddenly seemed afraid, and sped off as fast as they could on their bikes.
The four of us persisted, and again sought the Lord. Colin received the word of knowledge ‘Thomson St’; Looking up the street directory, there was sure enough a Thomson St nearby. Driving up the street, the number 36 came to Kym, mentioning it at the exact moment the car was passing number 36! We were led to intercede over the house, and had an inner assurance about the fruit of this.
Driving on, Kym kept receiving images of ripe figs being turned inside out to reveal all the little seeds inside. He didn’t have a clue what this meant, yet Paul received the interpretation: the figs represented our hearts, and the sharing of our hearts (figs inside-out) resulting in eternal seeds being planted.
Phoebe then felt that we needed to offer prayers for pure hearts, which we did. After this, revelation came easier and we felt the presence of the Lord even more tangibly. Paul then received a word of knowledge that we were to go to a Foodland and, as it turned out, there was one nearby. On the way there, the Lord showed Kym an image of two fresh baked loaves of bread, and the term ‘Kingdom leaven’ came to him. Arriving at the shops, the Lord told Kym to look for some large dumpster bins and he walked around the shop corner to find them. While gone, Paul was led to write a prophetic note with scripture (proverbs 3:6) and put it with some mail in front of a shop door. Kym found the dumpsters, and in some cardboard (clean) were two fresh baked loaves of bread! They were unwrapped and weren’t sliced – traditional looking. In the same shop car park, Colin and Phobe were led to tear down a poster inciting hatred and violence against Muslims.
We drove away again in faith, and the Lord led Colin to pull in front of a psychic ‘healing shop’. A Salvation Army thrift shop was next door, and Kym immediately noticed someone had left some items in front. Looking at them all, the Lord led him to a pair of men’s shoes (in really good condition). To test Colin and Phobe, he asked them which item did they think the Lord wanted us to have, and they said ‘definitely the shoes’. We put them with the loaves, and the Lord led us to intercede for the owner of the occult shop (revealed as a woman) and to pray against the evil inside. Phobe also wrote a prophetic note for the owner of the occult store. At the same car park, the Lord told Kym to check a nearby phone box for spare change, yet Colin bet him to it! He found 25 cents in silver coins. There was something ‘right’ about 25 cents, and we added it to the inventory.
As we pulled away, a broken streetlight flickered on, and the Lord gave Kym the name ‘Cranbrook St’, with the numbers 16 or 18. Turning to the street directory, Cranbrook St not only existed, but was in the same suburb. Sixteen and eighteen Cranbrook turned out to be two vacant lots next to each other that were for sale. Kym and Paul were led to cleanse the land and pray over it. The song ‘We’re standing on Holy Ground’ came to Phobe.
With the loaves of bread, coins, and shoes, Colin drove on through faith before Phobe and Kym then 'noticed' some items on the side of the road, and we backed up and inspected them. By now, we knew we were gathering a gift for a homeless person, yet didn’t know what the Lord wanted us to get from the roadside. Paul and Kym got out the car, and God told Paul “grab the suitcase my son”, and we were again on our way. The suitcase ended up being the perfect size to hold everything, and was ideal for a homeless person (good condition, had wheels, etc).
Phobe needed to go to the toilet, so we went to a nearby petrol station. Kym wanted a bottle of water as we got out the car, and, as we got inside, Paul noticed a special for two bottles of water and knew we were to get one for the homeless person. Colin bought them, and it came to Kym and Paul to ask the attendant for a bag for the loaves of bread. He handed us a white plastic bag; on it was written ‘baked fresh’ with a picture of a loaf of bread on it – God has a sense of humour! As we were walking back to the car, Kym thought the bag was far too small for both loaves, yet it turned out to be the perfect size for them.
Sitting back in the car, we interceded for the attendant and then noticed a woman nearby whose car wouldn’t start. We interceded for her, and the Lord led Kym to subversively walk by her car and touch it with my hand. We didn’t doubt it would start again, yet the Lord again led us to be off.
As we pulled away, Phobe's inside car light miraculously flickered on. It hadn’t been working (broken for months), and Kym had complained just earlier that it was too dark to read the street directory, and couldn’t get the light to work.
We knew we were to head for the city. We drove along the road beside botanic park, and we realised it was no coincidence we were driving near the place where the Army started in the southern hemisphere. We felt like primitive Salvos. We knew that out of the items for the homeless person (the loaves in the ‘fresh baked’ bag, coins, pair of shoes, bottle of water, and suit-case), we still needed a coat and witness for Christ. Suddenly it ‘clicked’ – the coat Kym was wearing was in good condition, yet it was getting older and he was intending to buy a new one. Colin knew before he made the decision to give up the coat that it was what he was to do. Kym also 'thought' of a small bible that the Lord led him to put in his backpack a while ago for such an occasion. In all, the Lord gave us 7 items - a significant number.
We were led to the car park outside of the weir and we packed everything in the suitcase and blessed it. Colin was led to look at a nearby plaque, on it was the name ‘Cawthorne’ – this name had come to him in a dream quite a while earlier. It was just another ‘Godincidence’ that we were on the right track – as if God was saying ‘follow the clues’. We also noted a small statue of a possum that was also nearby.
We crossed the weir looking out for our homeless person. We found an old blanket which someone had tried to light a fire on – another sign. We were led to sing a few times ‘Amazing Grace’ – not a song we usually sing.
We were led to follow the Torrens towards the city. A number of times, possums appeared and showed themselves on nearby branches. This was a prophetic sign which the Lord revealed to Paul: As we had just seen the statue of a possum and were now seeing them for real, so we had just passed the original Salvation Army statue in botanic park - the Lord is bringing the Army back to life.
The night was freezing cold, and we began to get impatient at finding the homeless person. We walked all the way along the Torrens to the bridge on King William Road. It came to us how it was under a very similar bridge where founder William Booth first told Bramwell to ‘do something’ about the homeless in need. We rested at the bridge wondering what to do next. The walk was trying, and it was freezing. It then dawned on us what God was doing – showing us that ministry isn’t always fun and games, and granting us compassion towards those who some-how sleep in such bitter cold. After realising this, Paul received the word that we were to go to the parklands along South Terrace. We walked back to the car, and eventually knew we had to stop at Veale gardens. No one was in sight. We crossed the small creek there and went into the darkness. The Lord showed us exactly where to put the suitcase and coat. We prayed over it, and knew without a doubt the Lord would lead the right person to it. Suddenly, things began to feel really uneasy. Out of nowhere, many men seemed to have come out of the shadows. They were dressed in black. The Lord told Paul to get out of there, and we headed back towards the car. Paul hadn’t said anything, but the Lord said to Kym ‘move quickly’.
We headed for home, finding it ironic that we found ourselves heading towards ACH (where Council of War was held) the place where our 'treasure hunt' had started. Laying out the front of ACH, was a homeless man. We had a deep inner assurance the suitcase wasn’t meant for him, yet the Lord moved us to buy him some food. At a nearby servo, Paul brought $5, and that was the perfect amount for a breakfast pack, which we got for the homeless man. Kym wrote him a note with scripture and Paul put it and the food on the man’s mat. At 2am, our mission was accomplished and we headed home, yet we don’t doubt we could be used of the Lord in such ways 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As the Nike god says: ‘Just Do It’.
“To God be the glory for great things he has done

In future we will be praying for more divine appointments and face-to-face interaction.

Fan the flame, Paul.

I'll Fight

The heritage makes my spine tingle, yet the Spirit makes me say 'we're going to go so much further'...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH3jrirsRGg

-Paul

3 in 1

No, i'm not talking about the Trinity, but a prophetic scripture that has 3 cool translations that I can't choose between.

(1) "A sound of tumult on the mountains, Like that of many people! A sound of the uproar of kingdoms, Of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts is mustering the army for battle" (NASB).

(2) "Listen to the noise on the mountains. It is like the sound of a large army. It is the sound of kingdoms and nations gathering together. The LORD of Armies is assembling his army for battle" (GWT).

(3) "The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of a great people! the noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah of hosts is mustering the host for the battle" (ASV).

(Isaiah 13:4) - Kym.

The Secret of Power

Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8

He is risen, He is risen! Hear the cry
Ringing through the land, and sea and sky.
‘Tis the shout of victory, triumph is proclaimed,
Heralds of God announce it, Death’s distained.

Shout the tidings! Shout the tidings! Raise the cry
Christ’s victorious, Christ’s victorious cannot die,
For the bars of death He sundered, Satan sees that
he has blundered,
As the shouts of angels thundered “He is alive!”

Catch the shout, ye earth-born mortals, let it roll,
Till it echoes o’er the mountains from the centre of the poles
That the Christ of Earth and Glory death has conquered.
Tell the story, He’s the Victor! He’s the Victor!
So am I.

For this reason that my random He has paid,
I’ve accepted His atonement On Him laid,
He, the Lamb of God that suffered all for me,
Bore my sins, my griefs, my sickness on the tree

I am risen, I am risen form the grave,
Of my sins, my sickness, my griefs, and the waves
Of the resurrection life, and holy power.
Thrill by being with Him new life every hour.

Now the lightnings of God’s Spirit burn my soul,
Flames of His divine compassion o’er me roll,
Lighting power of God’s own Spirit strikes the power of hell.
God In man, Oh Glory! Glory! All the story tell

I have proved Him, I have proved Him. It is true,
Christ’s dominion yet remaineth, ‘tis for you,
Let the fires of holy passion sweep your soul. Let
The Christ Who death has conquered take control.

He will use you, He will use you. Zion yet has Saviors still,
Christ the Conqueror only waiteth for the action of your will.

Given in tongues by the Holy Spirit to John G. Lake at 2 am, June 18, 1910. Cookhouse C.C South Africa.

-Paul

Parable Time

The story is told of a man who visited a Corps with an angel as his guide. Various people were in attendance, however, there was something strange about it all. The band blew their instruments, but no notes were heard. The pianist moved her fingers over the keys, but no music was apparent. The congregation sang and the songsters arose, but silence remained. The Officer came to give his message and went through all the motions of preaching, but even then not a sound could be heard. Puzzled, the man turned to the angel and said, “What does this mean? I see that a meeting is being held, but I hear nothing”. The angel replied, “you hear nothing, because there is nothing to be heard. You see this service just as God sees it. These are not putting their hearts into it, so God hears nothing. He hears only that which come from the heart, and not that which comes from the lips only”. As the angel was speaking, towards the back they heard a little girl giggling. “Jesus is my friend,” she whispered to her mother, but she was met with a stern look. The angel continued, “The Father heard that!”.

- Kym.