MERCYPEACEGRACE

2011-02-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philiosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing.

Where is the wise man (the philiosopher)? where is the scribe (the scholar)? where is the investigator (the logician, the debater)? of this present time and age? Has not God shown up the nonsense and the folly of the world's wisdom?

For when the world with all its worldly wisdom failed to perceive and recognise and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured through Christ and to be had through Him] to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him.

1 Corinthians 1:19-21 (Amplified Bible)

What gives?

2010-06-17T01:14:00.000-07:00

However we choose to label it, collection, offering, tithe...when it comes to giving God our money this is a question that I believe we in the Body need to ask ourselves: "what gives, selfish ambition or selfless gratitude"?
Recently I was at a church service where there was a message given just for the offering. This is not at all uncommon, in fact, many churches choose to devote a good portion of the time to giving a 'mini' message in preparation for the offering. It seems this time is devoted to enticing the congregation to give, an attempt to convince people to be generous. I know people who label those who give these talks 'professional beggars', and personally, it's not hard to see why that is the opinion of some.
My question is, should people need convincing in order to give, and what is the motive of those who are making the plea?
I believe the act of giving money is a very important part of worship, money generally is what people hold onto the tightest, it can certainly be a master, and so to give to the Lord can be a sincere and powerful method of exspressing love, gratitude, adoration and trust to our God. However, if one is needed to be convinced to give or to give more by some preacher, is it a true offering? Can an offering or worship be genuine if it takes a preacher to play on peoples emotions (particularly guilt or shame) rather then coming from ones heart. Should we not come prepared to give, and if not, then does it impress the Lord to give becasue some person in a suit told us to?
I genuinly belive that if we give to the Lord he will bless us, in abudance, for what is given. I may even go as far to say that it is a spiritual law that if we give we will recieve what is given in return in increase, we simply cannot out - give God! However, the problem with the prosperity doctrine is not the principle, but the heart behind it. Although I belive if we give we will get, we should NEVER give to get. Unfortuanly this line has been blurred and very often we are told to 'sow in', to give that we may be blessed or recieve a greater abundance. This is ridiculous, evil, and the antithesis of the Gospel. Freely we have recieved, freely give.
Although we should not give to recieve, it is easy to see how many people choose to give at such a temptation. Is the God who gave His Son impressed when we empty our wallets so that He will refill them again? We should be on our knees in gratitude for His person and generousity, He owes us nothing and we owe Him everything! And He gives to us DESPITE of us.
Motive of the heart is so important, and I hope peoplel will prayfully consider when paying a huge sum to see some preacher come by; even if it is a conference, I simply don't belive in paying to go to church! Surely a homeless person has the right to attend a church conference? If preachers have faith for our finances when we give where is there faith for there finances rather then begging the people for it? Perhaps some people are happy to pay for a word or experience but in my unprofessional opinion this is lunacy!!
Why I am ranting, I understand itinarant ministers need support, but love offerings should be the essence of that they preach. Further, why is it that we must give to a particlar ministriy or church alone when we are in there services, that God will bless us if we give to them alone? Give your offering to aids research or to human trafficking instead, and give what is on your heart, even if it hurts.
Ask youself...'what gives?!"

Pain

2008-03-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

"If I am lifted up (on a cross), I will draw all men unto me" - Jesus Christ (John 12:32)

Has anyone ever stubbed a toe, or had an accident and cursed the physical pain that is felt? There is actually a rare disorder called 'congenital insensitivity' where the connection between the nerves that sense pain and the brain's recognition of pain is missing - essentially pain cannot be felt. At first this condition may seem wonderful - after all, who likes to feel pain? However in reality this condition is actually a devastating nightmare, because injury can occur without the knowledge of it, and subsequently much worse things can happen. Imagine looking at your body only to discover you are bleeding or have been burnt without realizing it - it could be a really serious and life threatening thing. Pain is a warning - it is our body telling us that something is wrong and needs healing and fixing. Spiritual trauma? Mental anguish? Emotional hurt? These are all symptoms that, although by no means pleasant, can be a revelation that something is wrong and an opportunity to be made whole. It is Jesus who makes us whole and we remember at this Easter period the pain He felt in every way that we may be made whole in Him.

Happy Easter!

Sign and Wonder

2008-01-16T06:09:00.000-08:00

'Every good and perfect gift comes frm above' (James 1:17). After worshipping on the piano, Melissa Sullivan (www.myspace.com/mdrsullivan) received golden glory on her hands...The following is a short clip of the manifestation, praise be to HIS name!

2008 - for such a time as this

2008-01-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

A be-lated happy new year to everyone! Has anyone noticed that the local gym is full of people because of new years resolutions to get fit? What are some spiritual resolutions (perhaps more bible reading, worship, intercession for others?) that you could make this year - it’s not too late!

I'm digging a post made on ArmyBarmy.com recently:
"We've said this many times in the past but we'll repeat it here. We want to get people saved, discipled, and sanctified. But it is very difficult to do that. and, if we are highly committed to the mission, it really takes it out of you and weighs on you when it isn't working very well.

So in the midst of all of this struggling it is easier to feed, clothe, and bed people in need than to save, disciple, and sanctify them. If you can remind yourself that you fed 150 people, clothed 28, and bedded 72 that day, it is easier to sleep at night.

Do you get that? When it is easier to sleep at night because you justify your efforts by secondary results, it isn't surprising that sometimes the secondary results supercede and even replace the 'main thing' (saving, discipling, and saving)(not to suggest that feeding and bedding and so on is easy, just that it is easier and more easily measurable).

Let's be aware of the temptation. As difficult as saving, discipling, and sanctifying process is, let's not be distracted."

Also, before I forget, last night a friend of mine from Adelaide Congress Hall, following heartfelt worship to God on the piano, received ALOT of the glory manifestations of heavenly oil and gold sparkle on her hands! Some was on her clothes and some passed to myself and another friend also! We were able to capture parts of this sign and wonder on video and I will hopefully post it soon to the glory of God!

Grace, Paul

2007-12-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-10T02:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-08-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

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

Jesus

2007-08-14T23:03:00.001-07:00

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

2007-08-14T02:03:00.001-07:00

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

2007-08-12T03:24:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-18T02:36:00.000-07:00

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...'

2007-06-07T03:53:00.000-07:00

'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

2007-06-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

'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

2007-05-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

"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)

2007-05-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

*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)

2007-05-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-01T04:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-30T01:53:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-26T04:33:00.000-07:00

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

"Heavenly Father..."

2007-04-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

"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

2007-04-14T03:39:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-12T04:15:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-25T22:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-14T02:50:00.000-07:00

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

Faith

2007-03-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

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

Time

2007-03-06T00:36:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-25T23:01:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-24T03:26:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-20T03:28:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-14T16:58:00.000-08:00

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'

2007-02-10T02:59:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-01T05:04:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-29T21:26:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

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.

He is speaking to His Army

2007-01-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

Just got back from 'Boot Camp' - an awsome time of glory, physical and emotional healings, holy laughter, and salvations... just a regular Army camp :) Nathan Casey preached a powerful message on the first night about being light in darkness, and just as this call came there was a blackout! Seeing silhouettes of youth handing themselves to the Lord, followed by singing "Our God is an awsome God..." for almost an hour straight in the darkness will never be forgotten...all I could say was "God is here, and this is You!".

If you hav't checked out Andrew Bales blog ( http://beyondthebrook.blogspot.com/2007/01/prophecy-for-salvation-army-from-isaiah.html )
it is a must - read. Two days before Andrew posted the prophetic word the Lord told me something incredibly similar (17 Jan blog) : " However, along with uncompromising holiness, I believe it is humility that God wants to speak to His Army at this time: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). This humility is becoming the wagon as Christ become the horse, letting go of the reigns, having smaller heads and bigger hearts - less of us and more of Him."
Also, without knowledge of Andrews post, Kym (21 Jan blog) further supported its prophetic words: "Perhaps we ought to stop asking "is God speaking?", and start asking "are we listening?" and further speaks of 'less respectibility' and more 'irresistable conviction of the Holy Spirit'.

Amen - Paul.

Dream

2007-01-21T03:56:00.000-08:00

God is good! A friend recently sent me this dream. Perhaps we ought to stop asking "is God speaking?", and start asking "are we listening?".

'I dreamt that I was in some church hall with hundreds of believers around me sitting on wooden pews and they "came out of the woodwork" and each one of them was standing up and making a stand against some major issue in society that is immoral [eg. Abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia etc]. I was surprised that so many believers were making such righteous stands because many do not want to "rock the boat" and/or lose their reputation for the sake of Christ and I was utterly amazed to see such unity among believers which I have never witnessed before. I think the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said something along the lines that in the coming times, the Body of Christ [those who are the sheep of the good Shepherd and who are truly saved] will have a significant change of heart and will fall under the irresistable conviction of the Holy Spirit and in this way they will not be content to stay silent and/or tolerant when they should be protesting. Such a dream is a prophecy of the coming move of God that we are on the brink of and the change of heart in all believers that will follow as a result.'

Our gracious Father is repeating this message to His prophets and people over and over again. He must mean it!

Mercy, peace, and grace, - Kym

What about this ‘gold dust’ stuff anyway?

2007-01-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

The manifestation of gold dust is not intended to be just a Church phenomenon, but a Church revelation. I believe that Christ will not return until He sees holiness, mercy, compassion, justice, and humility in the Bride. The reason why this blog is stressing the glory of God of late is that TSA are largely on the fore – front of mercy, compassion, and justice, and is further beginning to understand that it is as a ‘Holiness Movement’ that it will be paramount to Kingdom ushering; However, along with uncompromising holiness, I believe it is humility that God wants to speak to His army at this time: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). This humility is becoming the wagon as Christ become the horse, letting go of the reigns, having smaller heads and bigger hearts - less of us and more of Him. God will do whatever it takes to get out attention, and glory manifestations are a wake –up call that is only going to intensify. He is shocking His Body, and at the same time testing the waters as to whom will be open to His workings and Person.

Feathers, oil, gemstones, colored sparkle and gold dust are accelerating; the following is what part of the gold dust revelation may signify:
Gold is a substance that is highly-valued because of its rarity, beauty, workability, and durability; therefore, it is something that is seen to be precious, valuable, and sacred; it is a sign of wealth, power, and royalty. As gold signifies all of these things, Kings and Queens therefore display there gold - King David wore a gold crown. Something that is to be revered of and held in nobility is therefore adorned with gold, such as the Ark of the Covenant; the 24 elders of Revelation 4:4 “had crowns of gold on their heads”. When we think of God in the context of our ‘Highest Priest’ and ‘King of Kings’, a demonstration of gold is thus more then fitting.
As a sign always point to something or to someone, to receive the sign of gold is to see the gold that signifies something precious, valuable, and sacred - of wealth, power, and royalty. To receive the sign of gold is to thus see an indicator of its Giver; In Daniel 10:5 Jesus is therefore adorned in gold “ I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist”; and Revelation 1:13 “among the lamp stands was someone ‘like a son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest”; God shelters His people with golden wings “Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold (Psalm 68:13) and “Out of the north he comes in golden splendor, God comes in awesome majesty” (Job 37:22).
God said to expect signs that would point to Himself. He did this in Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know”, and will be doing it today as such signs continue after the ascension: “I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke” (Acts 2:19). The manifestation of gold is a sign and wonder that points to His internal and external qualities, part of a visible representation of an invisible God.
In Chronicles 32:27 it can be seen that “Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables”. The God of endless riches and honor also has a treasury of his eternal valuables and blessing “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10-12). God has a treasury of gold that is open, and the reality of the gold of heaven is described in Revelation 21:18, “The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass”, and Revelation 21:21, “…The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass”.
As the manifestation of gold can be seen as a sign from heaven pointing to God, it is also an indicator of the manifest glory of God - the Hebrew word for both ‘gold’ and ‘glory’ actually come form the same root word. Gold and glory are intertwined as Gods ‘golden glory’, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord Almighty. 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty. 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the Lord Almighty" (Haggai 2:6). Haggai 2 is indeed a passage for our generation; we are temples of His holy habitation, and He is building and decorating His house.
As gold is revered and honored (even as a counterfeit God and idol) in the bible, so it points to the reverence and honor of the real thing - the true Living God. So we look to the Giver of the gold, and not the gold itself; as Jesus said in Matthew 23: 17 “…Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?”.
The gold is for a reason, certainly to be enjoyed, but not simply to be played with. Gold is a representative pointer, pointing to Jesus and to His invisible Kingdom - the things that invisible are of the eternal realm, something that God is making visible in answer to the prayer “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
The manifestation can be seen as an outlet for seeking God; a means of humbling oneself into holiness admits His visible presence; a witness (to those present); as well as an evangelistically tool (such as showing unbelievers, scientists, etc).
Further, like a gold engagement ring, God can be seen to be adorning His Bride (the Church) in preparation for the upcoming wedding.
Gold may also be seen as a symbol of purity, that God is purifying his Church, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness” (Malachi 3:3).

“…and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you” (Job 22:24-25)

“God is doing a new thing, and sharing with his people the glory of his face, and a little of his splendor is rubbing off in the form of dust, so that the individual may be edified, as with tongues, the Church strengthened, the sick healed, and the lost brought into the Kingdom of God” - Robert B. Smith.

Blessings!!! - Paul.

For the Seers (and those who enjoy sparkle)

2007-01-16T00:23:00.000-08:00

Our Lord is pouring out His Spirit and love on His beloved in new and exciting ways. His children and soldiers are increasingly receiving dreams and visions and manifestations of Glory involving the use of color. So, for those who may need some help in interpretation, here is the meaning of the symbolic colors you may encounter:

BLUE = Holiness, Heaven.
GREEN = Regeneration, Life.
RED = Sacrifice, Suffering.
BROWN = Repentance.
ORANGE = Danger / Harm, Energy.
PURPLE = Royalty, Wealth.
PINK = Healing of the Bride.
BLACK = Sin, famine, Death.
WHITE = Purity / Righteousness.
GOLD / SILVER – Refining Fire, Shekinah Glory.

A member of the household recently arrived from DHQ with many of the above colors glimmering on her hand – check the post below regarding this manifestation of God’s Spirit. As many colors appeared here, my interpretation of these many colors appearing (in an oil-like substance) is that God is Love and God likes Color!

Blessed are the child-like and humble in heart! - Kym

The Army is not Exempt….

2007-01-16T00:03:00.000-08:00

The Salvation Army is not exempt….from the manifest Glory of God! The Living Christ is speaking new Life into old bones and blowing Fresh Wind into church doors. God’s glory has recently been manifesting in the form of signs and wonders in many churches worldwide, particularly among those congregations who are willing to accept that Yahweh truly inhabits the praises of His people. Dental miracles, healings, and gold dust from Heaven falling in meetings has regularly occurred (Check
http://www.cesnur.org/testi/goXgold_01.htm).
Recently my Salvo brother and sisters have manifested God’s lavish love many times in the form of gold dust, heavenly oil appearing on hands, and a hunger for more of our God (or rather, an openness to what He already has given us through the Lamb:). In Salvationist meetings, God is slowly but surely preparing hearts and minds for the coming Awakening of His beloved Army.

As we as a contingent of the Creator embrace the refining fires and healing glory that He is releasing within our Corps, we can rest our weary heads under the shadow of His wings and simply enjoy Him. Does our Father want slaves working feverishly in their strength, or sons and daughters who abide in Him, listen to His whisper, and embrace and enjoy His glory?!
One of the colored sparkles I have received in my hand in a recent Army meeting at Arndale was blue. Blue symbolizes Holiness and Heaven invading Earth – Amen to that for His Army of Salvation! - Kym

Poetry in Motion II

2007-01-15T23:02:00.000-08:00

I wrote this poem recently, to complement the previous post, 'Band of Brothers'. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever! (just felt like saying that:)

Daughters of Deborah

Weepers of the Father’s heart,
Singers of the Spirit song,
Incantation of the angelic choirs,
Reservoirs of the impartation of love.

Kisses that make Yahweh quiver in delight,
Imparters of His Holy presence,
They are to darkness as the sun to night,
Elohim’s cassia and myrrh is their fragrance.

Planters of a thousand orchards,
Worshipers who enlarge the hearts of others,
Healers of the wounds of War,
Deadly archers in the heat of battle.

Faith that makes the mountains tremble,
Intercessors of Divine guidance,
They send demons pleading to their knees,
The merciful become merciless.

Citadels of purity and blinding holiness,
Prophetic awakening will hearken to their cry,
Rain drenches the camp as they minister,
Their spirit of wisdom will turn death’s river dry.

They dance in the delight of the Father,
Not ashamed to be joyful in Him,
To their sensitive hearts He will whisper,
In His Name unleash flames of fire.

Their communion is with the Lord of Life,
Hosts flock to do their bidding,
They pave the path to Catherine’s revival,
And throw living Water on the sleeping.

Grace that pours New Wine before the dying,
Collectors of manna in the desert sands,
They bring forth new life from the Vine,
Influence destinies with faith-filled prayers.

Warrior-princesses who laugh at danger,
Takers of the higher ground,
Blossoms of the Spirit’s gifts,
Cunning in Knowledge of the Way.

Dreamers of an unfolding vision,
Drenched in the inner glory,
Rulers of the flocks of Gilead,
Open heaven in religion’s sanctuary.

Women of Warfare who look ahead,
Stirrers of Bethsaida’s water,
They give out of love not obligation,
Turn the pages of TSA’s new story.

- Kym

Once again...

2007-01-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

Once again shall My church be a Salvation Army that occupies the city streets! Once again will My glory be revealed in the alley ways and the hedges. This is the place that Gideon will break the clay pots and let My glory shine. In the streets, on the corners, in every place My name shall be declared! Surely I will work with you! Confirming the word with signs following! No longer will the world hear the sound of bells on corners asking alms, but rather roars of My people declaring my power and glory! This is the hour to break the clay pots and let My glory be revealed in YOU!

IT IS TIME TO MARCH
I say to you O 'Salvation Army', it is time to march! It is time to shine! It is time that every street, every Samaria, every den of thieves and harlotries hear the sound of My people's feet! It surely is the appointed time to set the captives free! For see, I have poured this anointing on thee, to bind up and pull down, to set free, and to bind, to conquer and comfort, to set ablaze the earth and to shine. This is that hour, this is that prophesied by the prophet Joel, this is that time says the Lord.
Every place of business shall witness My glory. Every Athens shall hear the Truth declared, every Samaria will see My people there, they will, 'see and hear the miracles' that are done by My servants. A dispensation is upon you, unto the weak I will give strength, to the poor I will fill your baskets, to the lame and the cripple you shall leap and walk. For this is that which was prophesied in days of old, "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and NEW things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them..." (Isa. 42:9)

TIME FOR MARRIAGES TO BE RESTORED
Marriages that have faltered will now be restored. My generals will rise with wives and husbands by their side. In this hour two will be better than one. A double portion I declare to you says the Lord. A double portion. My Salvation Army is rising with healing in their hands, they will lay hands on the sick and they shall surely recover. In their hands will be My anointing for the healing of the nations. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the mute shall speak. Watch and see these things coming to pass in thee. Watch and see...

SENDING TWO BY TWO
A time of appointing, sending them two by two, Surely My power will confirm, The places you go and the things you do, For I am with you, and I will work with you, says the Lord. In this hour 'three hundred' will cause the enemy to flee, The steps of two or three, Will again lead captive captivity, And the lost will be found and the captive set free! By the works I do through thee! Watch and see! Watch and see! A Salvation Army is marching through this land, Pulling down strongholds and revealing my divine plan, Hearing the words of My command, 'STAND! And having done all, STAND!' And I will reveal My power even through your hands! Do you understand? Do you understand?

THE LAME WILL WALK---FINALLY THE ADDICT WILL BE FREE
The lame man will leap, The blind man will see, The addict will be free, The skeptic will believe, By what I do through thee! Religion will bow at My feet, Giving up her captives and setting them free! Do you believe? Do you believe? A Salvation Army will march to this beat, The sound of eternity. The prodigal will hear the sound of his destiny. Jonah will come from the fishes belly, To declare My word and prophecy!

BUT YOU SAY, "I AM UNCOMELY"
This is the hour of the 'Uncomely!' Kings will bow and confess, The poor and needy will be blessed, The wind will blow from the North South East and West, Bringing life to dry bones, The orphan a family, the widow a home, Can you feel it blow? Can you feel it blow? Prophesy My people Prophesy! Say to the wind, "LIFE! LIFE" Say to the sinner, "You don't have to die!" "Jesus was crucified! " "He is alive!" "He is alive!" "He is alive!" My army is marching. My army is rising. My army will bring salvation like a flood.

Consuming Fire Min.: www.televar.com/~destiny Chad Taylor's email: destiny@televar.com

Where Have The Hallelujah Bands Gone?

2007-01-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

I found an interesting article in the Salvation Army Historical Society Magazine, written by Major Stephen Grinsted. It talks about Hallelujah bands- the way the first salvation army meetings used to be. Here are a few excerpts:

‘Hallelujah Bands were not a Salvation Army, let alone Christian Mission, idea. They started in the Black Country around Birmingham in about 1862 during a time of great spiritual awakening when thousands of men and women were being converted. (Led by Rev. T. Whitehouse)’

‘William Booth heard of Whitehouse’s exploits and he copied them. And not only did he copy them, Booth improved and developed them to greater effect.’

‘In June 1877 William Booth said: ‘I do not know where the name Hallelujah Band came from; all I know it is there, and has come to signify a certain sort of service different to the usual proper orthodox order of Divine Worship. We all know what that is like- first a hymn, then a prayer, then another hymn, then a chapter, and a sing again, then preach, another hymn, the benediction, home to dinner, then a nap.’

‘Booth continued: ‘Now the Hallelujah Band stands out in contradistinction to all this: it is the very opposite to what I call the dry, desolate, styled, one-man system. It begins with a platform crowded with the holiest and liveliest people you have with a sort of Chairman, who mostly stands and selects the most effective speakers around him, who deliver addresses from five to fifteen minutes in duration, interspersing with earnest prayers and enthusiastic song, bringing all to a close with a prayer- meeting and penitent form.’

‘Booth said that the four things necessary to an effective Hallelujah Band were a good leader, a hallelujah people, unity of aim on the part of the speakers and finally an ability to draw the net in at the close. The Mission Superintendents embraced these tactics and new vitality was breathed into The Christian Mission, which would soon became The Salvation Army.’

‘William Booth and his missionaries, Corps Officers and Soldiers freed up worship. They made it accessible and exciting. People were uplifted and as a result their lives were changed.’

William Booth talked about the Hallelujah Band being so different to the proper orthodox worship. He describes the orthodox worship like this. ‘first a hymn, then a prayer, then another hymn, then a chapter, and a sing again, then preach, another hymn, the benediction, home to dinner, then a nap.’

Does this sound like your standard Salvation Army meeting? This is exactly what William Booth didn’t want! He had been around these meetings, but he was stirred up for more. Have we completely done the opposite of what William Booth wanted?

Where have the Hallelujah Bands gone? The meeting that William Booth describes with the Hallelujah Band in it sounds incredible! I would love to be a part of that!The Hallelujah Bands saw in thousands of conversions to Christ. I’m not saying this is a formula for revival, but it saw results. It made worship in the Army exciting and free! Bring them back!

I think we need to pray for freedom in worship in Army Meetings! In fact let’s step out in faith and do it! Even if we are the only ones in the room being free before the Lord, it will set something off in your meeting, a true fire of the Lord, that won’t be extinguished.

I know someone who simply raised his hand to the Lord in a Salvation Army meeting. The next thing he knew, he saw others feeling free to do the same.

I want to encourage you to feel free to worship God however you need to in Army Meetings. The more people see others so overcome by the presence of the Lord and just so in love with God, I think they will seek after God’s presence more and more. One day in the near future I honestly believe that we will see complete freedom in worship in Army Meetings, flowing from a far more intimate relationship with God. People will be lead off the streets, come into a meeting and just be so overcome with God’s presence that they fall to their knees and confess that Jesus is Lord! This will be so awesome!

Wouldn’t it be interesting if we brought back Hallelujah Band style meetings? HBs brought new life into the very beginning of the Salvation Army, I wonder if it could do the same in the Army today?

Blessings!
Phoebe

Poetry in Motion

2007-01-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

Many worldwide in the Army of Salvation are finding (or at least they will) that the Lord is speaking unity of heart through the Spirit over different Corps, territories, and nations. Like pieces on a chess board, He is forming divinely-appointed relationships across nations and within individual congregations, and especially small groups as He breathes His breath on those who will receive.

The Lord gave me this poem as an expression of His heart for this remnant He is raising up. At the time, it was written with God's sons in mind, but may it be a blessing to the daughters too. God too is raising up Deborah's, the next poem will be specifically for them. BRING IT ON!!!

Band of Brothers

Empowered as champions of justice,
Equipped to stand in righteousness united,
Held in Abba God’s embrace,
With flaming hearts in Spirit fire they stand knighted.

Restorers of strength through kingdom proclamation,
Prophetic power unleashed through the banner of love,
Kind in mercy, tenderhearted in compassion,
Piercing eyes that dwell on things above.

Demon slayers marching from the east,
Beacons of light to the tides of the west.
Bastions of purity and healing to the sick, dying, least,
Weariness attacks, but under angelic wings they rest.

Royal sons of Christ’s inheritance,
Contrite in heart and glorious in humility,
A congregation born not of chance,
They rally and roar in passion: darkness flees.

Quietly knowing they are blessed,
Praising with boyish abandon,
Cherishing goodness and faithfulness,
Cravers of Fatherly discipline.

Out-muscling oppression and the corrupt,
Standing in the honor of integrity,
Hearts bursting in assured triumph,
By the General they are led.

Anointed oil drips from their brows,
Fearless and incorruptible in deed,
Inhalers of the Pentecost breath,
To the shadow of the cross they lead.

Armed to the teeth,
Reckless in abandon,
Holy washers of other’s feet,
Brotherly love makes it fun.

Wielding lethal weaponry and sword,
Beholders of inner resilience,
When praised they point upwards:
‘Worthy is the Lamb’.

The fresh force of the Army of Salvation,
Institution and respectability make them seethe,
Visionaries of Booths revival drum,
The will of the Father is their only creed.

Onward and upward, higher and faster,
Unwittingly have they been masterly trained and taught,
Shekinah presence flows in from their Master,
Hungry to praise - the glory of One is sought.

God Bless you! - Kym

Whisper from God

2007-01-10T15:49:00.000-08:00

"Everybody's Thinking, nobody's Drinking".

- Kym

No Neutral Ground

2007-01-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

Matthew 12:30 "This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things worse. (Message Remix Version)

When you think about it, Jesus is making a pretty full on statement here. We are in a war right now, fighting to save lost souls. As soldiers of The Salvation Army we are fighting against the powers of darkness in order to win the world for Jesus. This part is all pretty straight forward.

The next part really hits it home for me. There is no neutral ground. With magnets, positive and negative forces repel each other. They cannot stay next to each other- it's impossible. And the same should go with good and evil - they oppose each other. Catherine Booth always used to talk about how these opposing forces should never be able to live comfortably together. There should never be neutral ground!

When we are sitting on the fence, when we are not out there saving souls, we are actually helping the enemy. We are allowing his work to continue- which is ridiculous!

To be blunt here, when we are not taking up a stand against the evils in our society & in our world, we are not fulfilling God's call for us & we give the devil room to do what he wants. Jesus has already given us all authority to do His work on earth and we have victory in Him! Jesus defeated the power of death and of the devil when He died on the cross and rose again!

So why do we still allow the devil the freedom to destroy this world when Jesus has already conquered him?
Why do we allow sex shops to stay in business and continue to destroy men's lives?
Why do we just sit by and watch teenagers have their hearts torn apart over and over by giving themselves sexually to each other, outside the covenant of marriage?
Why do we let the paralyzed stay paralyzed, when they could be miraculously healed in Jesus name, walking & jumping for joy!

As an Army at war for the salvation of souls, let's stand up and fight! Let's fight for the lost, the last and the least! Let's fight against the evils of this world and make a difference. Let's reach out to the hurting, the dirty and the dying- tell them about Jesus and the hope for which he has called us.

I want to send out a challenge for everyone reading this blog this week. For once, let's not take the neutral ground this week. Let's fight for what we believe in- take up a stand against the evils of this world. Don't stand by this week and see someone get picked on- stand up for them! Don't watch a homeless man go hungry- take him out for lunch! Don't let your friends go on more second without sharing with them the love of Jesus.

These are only just my ideas- there is so much more that you could do! Make a difference this week- even the littlest thing you do could make the biggest difference in someone's life. I'm just feeling that the littlest thing that someone does for someone this week, could turn someone from wanted to end their own life, to giving their heart and soul for Jesus.

We are in a war- let's stand and fight!

Blessings!

Phoebe

P.S. I'd be interested to hear if anyone took up my challenge this week- let me know how it goes!

2007-01-04T04:13:00.000-08:00

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient (possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation).
2 Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified Bible)

- Colin

Kingdom Gazing

2007-01-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

‘So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal’ (2 Corinthians 4:18). I have been kind of enamored by this verse of late, because it basically speaks to me that everything seen in this world is temporary, so gazing at the things of the world is next to useless. I think this is why people want to see more then what is seen, because no person is comfortable with the thought of living in a world that is temporary or in decay (Romans 8:22). Is it just me or does there (maybe because of this uneasiness of mortality) appear to be within people of all walks of life that place in the heart that longs to see eternity, an inward witness that the best things are yet to be seen? Its funny when something really good occurs that it is very often passed off as something that is to good for this world or to be seen; expressions such as “this is out of sight!” or “that’s out of this world!’ seem appropriate.
However what really gets me thinking about this verse is that the Apostle Paul doesn’t just tell us not to fix our eyes on what is seen, but he tells us to fix our eyes on what is unseen! How can we look at something if it can’t be seen? Actually, we’re told not to just ‘look’ or ‘glance’ but to ‘fix our eyes’ on what cannot be seen; nevertheless it seems like an almost contradictory suggestion! However, in recent times, the instruction to fix my eyes on the unseen has actually dramatically improved my sight! Paul mentions ‘We live by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 7), yet I think I am discovering that by faith we are granted sight.
Recently at a conference in Bordertown the prophetic decree was given that the floodgates of heaven had opened, and that it was raining upon this Church. Incredibly, as many of us looked upwards, we could see with our eyes that it was actually raining indoors (ironic when there was a drought outside!). For the rest of the conference this ‘indoor’ rain could be seen in the building with physical eyes, and it would sometimes change direction and density. It was when the prophet looked at what God was doing in His Kingdom that the rain could be seen inside, and the Kingdom reality became an Earthly one in that church: ‘Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6:10). A secret of the Kingdom is that the Kingdom can be accessed, visited, and prayed down onto Earth today! Kingdom gazing is not looking at the world, not trusting in sight, but looking at the King and seeing what He is doing – it is at this place where the Kingdom can be seen on Earth. When the Kingdom reality of health (there is no sickness in heaven) comes to Earth through prayer and intercession, sickness flees. When the kingdom reality of peace (there is no turmoil in heaven) comes to Earth through prayer and intercession, worry and anxiety is no more. A missionary holding an orphan child – this is Kingdom love descending.
Did you know that we can be vessels of the Kingdom, and unbelievers can see the Kingdom in believers? In His book ‘When Heaven Invades Earth’ Bill Johnson accounts of when his youth group were playing music in a small circle in a shopping centre – the Kingdom was there by way of music and praise; lo and behold some people walking by began to manifest demons, one drug addict walked up to the group, took all his drugs out of his pocked, placed them on the ground, and kept on walking by without a word.
The Lord is showing me that the more we look (or fix our eyes) at His Kingdom reality, the more we talk and listen about the Kingdom, the more real this seemingly invisible Kingdom becomes. It is like those old ‘Magic Eye’ books, the more we gaze, the more the reality will pop out of seemingly nowhere, and the reality will become easier and easier to see next time, though to others we are looking at something that looks to them like a jumbled mess!
Lets fix our eyes on what is unseen, because what is unseen needs to be seen!!

Thy Kingdom Come…..Thy Kingdom be seen… :)

- Paul

A Message For The Ladies

2007-01-01T03:39:00.000-08:00

God is calling the women of the Salvation Army to stand up and fight for a lost generation! As a women myself I know it can be very easy to fall into the trap of thinking women's ministry belongs in the kitchen washing dishes and baking cakes. These things aren't bad, but I know God wants more of us than that! The Salvation Army needs women on the frontline of battle and it always has.

In 1865 when the Army began, it was unthought of for women to preach. However from the very beginning Catherine Booth (co-founder of the Army!) was preaching and fighting alongside her husband William on the frontline- reaching out to the lost, the last and the least, bringing so many lost souls to Jesus. In another case there was a 16 year old girl called Eliza who became an officer! The Salvation Army has always been at the forefront of supporting women in ministry- this paved the way for other churches to follow!

God is going to do something so incredible in our generation which will see the women of the Army rising up away from cultural expectations and all the stupid stuff that holds us back, to rise up from all of that, and be involved in the biggest harvest for the kingdom that the world has ever seen!

In these days there will be 5 years old girls prophesying & healing the sick. There will be women working with teenage girls, healing their broken hearts in the name of Jesus and casting out demons of anorexia and bulimia. There will be women just so full of compassion and love, fighting for justice for the prostitutes & seeing them break free from prostitution and being won to the Lord. It is going to be incredible! God is going to manifest himself to us in increasingly more powerful and supernatural ways.

God is stirring up and raisin up more Catherine Booths & powerful women of the Salvation Army! I want to encourage you ladies (and even all the men out there) just to seek after God with your whole heart and just be obedient to Him- God will take care of everything else and He will use you in ways you never dreamed possible. Remember its not by your own might or strength (you can't do it on your own!) but by the spirit of God!

So remember ladies- let's support the men in the Army. Let's support women's ministries like home league, but remember there is more to ministry and life than that! Let's fight for lost souls to be won to Jesus! Go hard for God!

I would love to write more, but I'll keep it for future blogs :)
God bless,
Phoebe

Fear of faith?

2006-12-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

God has really been challenging me this past year or so about real faith. Of the many meanings for faith, He has really highlighted one aspect of it to me: that of complete trust. To have faith in God is so much more then hope, it is a firm belief in whom He is: His character, integrity, and person. If I am praying for healing that is not based upon Gods integrity as revealed by His Word and Spirit but rather pray based on mere hope, is this what we can really call faith?
In this time as Gods Spirit seems to be doing an acceleration of new things in the Body, we really need to start trusting Him! I am of firm belief that true ministry stems out of intimacy with Him and so this is where faith should stem from also. By all means we are to be discerning and to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21); yet from what place is such testing done - fear or faith? Do we dismiss what God wants to do out of fear that the devil may be involved, or do we trust Him to guide us into all truth as promised (John 16:13) ? Do we have greater faith in the devils ability to deceive or in God’s ability to reveal truth? Sometimes I think we can be inclined to test the things of God in a manner where our own intellect or understanding is the benchmark, yet this is a bit of a worry when we remember that this is of coarse our finite minds trying to confine an Infinite God! Lets continue to test by the Word, Discernment, and Fruit, yet lets shift perspectives on what testing is, from fear to faith: let us not recoil in fear that the Devil is on the prowl, but march forward, confident that if something is amiss, He will show us!
Bill Johnson of Bethel Church fame (http://www.ibethel.org/) says “Christ was not afraid that when He would return He would find people who made mistakes; no, His concern was that He would return to find people with no faith (Luke 18:8)”.

-Paul

Angelic Encounter?

2006-12-27T03:22:00.000-08:00

Since being acquinted with the Holy Spirit, a close friend of mine is becoming accustomed to life in the supernatural. Recently while praying or reading his bible, he has seen "an unatural rainbow move from being in its original arch shape to then forming a perfect circle" (check Revelation 4:3), and the shekinah Glory of God - "It was awesome and it was like golden lights and bronze lights radiating together in perfect harmony while kept woven together by this brighter than the sun magnesium fire-like light fusion that had probably a hint of chrysolite but its like a colour I have never seen before".

He recently recounted a close encounter of the angelic kind which took place approximately 4 years ago. He writes: "If I was as spiritually mature and not so sceptical back then when I received what was most likely an angelic encounter, I would have asked the lady many more questions and I would have made sure I was more polite!". This is the story of his visitation:

"It was about 12:45pm and I was taking the tram home from high school but strangely enough we had to get off this tram and get on another - something which has never happened before. The next tram took a long time in arriving and this old German lady just struck up a conversation with me. I thought it was odd that she spoke to me - a perfect stranger. We talked about things in general - the weather, the tram arriving late and why we had to change trams. Then we slowly began to drift away from each other and then the tram arrived.

In an attempt to avoid talking to her again I sat right at the front of the tram and then, after a few moments she comes waltzing over and sits next to me and says "ahh there you are!" And starts nudging me with her elbow. I laughed and thought to myself “this woman is crazy!” We then spoke to each other again right up until the tram stopped across the road from the shopping centre. At the tram stop she talked to me for a good 40 minutes and then as I was politely trying to walk home via the shopping centre she started walking with me again - still talking. I thought it was extremely weird; it was as if I were her grandson. We crossed the very busy street, walked passed a few buildings and went into the shopping centre together and slowly walked into the food court. It was at this point she asked me, "Do you pray?"

To that I replied "yes, of course I pray." And I think I asked if she did and I think she said "Oh yes, prayer is very important, never stop praying…never stop tee hee hee!" Then I told her "Look lady it was nice talking with you but I must go, it is getting late".

Strangely enough she had this great smile and then took my left hand and gently rubbed it and said "you do take care of yourself, God bless you" at this point she was facing the entrance to the stairs of the cinema and turned her head around and kept smiling at me as I was walking away and I kept turning my head around and still saw her from about 25 metres as she was smiling at me and then I turned around again and I am telling you the truth, she was not there and it was as though she disappeared and while she was walking and talking with me, it was as though no one else could see her but me. She was quite mysterious because:

1). She asked me about spiritual things (praying etc) and it was if she already knew. After all, why would she take such a risk and ask me if I prayed if I would laugh at her? She must have known.

2). The way she spoke to me was as if I had known her all my life.

3). How she stood in the middle of the food court and it seriously did not seem that anyone else could see her and therefore she was not self-conscious of just standing there and smiling at me.

4). The way I turned around and saw her smiling at me, looked away and turned around again and she was gone still puzzles me to this day. She did not walk off to the shops or anything straight after talking to me. Instead she just stood in the middle of the food court and no one else looked at her at all. I cannot understand how I could be looking at her one second, look away, then look again and she had gone in an instant!

When I got home that day I told my parents about what had happened and what is the first thing mum says to me other than, “she was probably an angel in disguise!”

I beleive God has confirmed in both our spirits that this was indeed an angel in the form of an elderly lady. God has a sense of humor. To Him be the glory!

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).

- Kym

Fresh manna

2006-12-26T00:08:00.000-08:00

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28 (King James Version)

Vision, 26/12/06

2006-12-25T19:15:00.000-08:00

The Lord showed me a small boy, a boy who lived in poverty; he was William Booth. A mighty angel of the Lord descended from the heavens and gave William a seed, this seed was The Salvation Army. When the right season had come, William planted this seed, and behold it grew into a great tree, a tree of solid root and foundation, a tree of influence. Out of the tree came ants, ants whom are the soldiers of that day. Each ant had a lantern, a light that it carried. The ants brought light to Great Britain, and soon, the light of holiness, righteousness, and justice reached the world.
After a time, some of these ants began to move 'off track' and gaps in line from the original Army tree began to eventuate. There were black sparrows that would come and eat some ants, whilst others were swept away in black rain. Still the light shone all over the world as the ants did His work, but the lineage to the original tree was far and few between, only a faithful few still came directly from the tree.
The Lord showed me a Mighty Being, an angel of Christ Himself I do not know, but He carried with Him three rods, and came to the tree. One rod was burning on fire, but was not being consumed; the second rod was hollow, and a rushing wind passed straight through it; the third rod was made of bronze, and it was drenched and dripping in blood. The Being then, one at a time, tapped the tree with each rod, and then ascended once more. There was a great stirring in the tree, for it was on fire, breathing of wind, and covered in blood; the tree grew in strength and height, it was prominent, mighty, majestic, and influential, it became a curse to the world, one that was attacked, scoffed at, and persecuted - yet it stood tall, proud, and holy. As all this was happening multitudes of ants, far more then before, stormed out of the tree, an army that had a the heart of a warrior, an unrelenting uncompromising force. And I heard the Lord saying "This is my Army, in them I am well pleased".
I saw these soldiers in human form, they were an old woman, making soup in a kitchen; they were a woman, holding up a prostitute and bathing her; they were a boy, laying hands on the sick and healing them; they were a young girl interceding with Kingdom authority; they were an old man, raising the dead, they were a man, willing to stand, and stand some more.

- Paul

Welcome!

2006-12-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

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