Joey LeTourneau : Drawbridges Opening: A Unique Kingdom Invitation and Advancement

Joey LeTourneau:

Drawbridges Opening: A Unique Kingdom Invitation and Advancement

I was in a prayer time recently, asking God about a potential open door that looked to be guarded. While seeking to gain His perspective, I was taken aback by a vision of a drawbridgethat was being lowered for me. As I inquired about such, I heard Him clearly whisper to my heart, "Man may guard the doors, but it's the favor of the King that opens the drawbridge."

A drawbridge is an invitation into the special favor on our lives for this season, the unique identity we are called to live out for this time. Drawbridges portray a clear focus on kingdom, and no king invites you in lightly without a special appointment.

Advancement vs. Placement

We are often looking for doors of advancement, but the drawbridge is an even bigger entrance for the purpose of your own special placement. I believe this is a matter of authority. We are often seeking the Lord for how to move forward, and from our perspective that usually requires an open door. While we may be watching for such advancement, God is welcoming us into the greatest access of all to walk in the authority of our unique and specific Kingdom placement. (Photo courtesy: Travels With Nathaniel/Linda Orlomoski/Hawthorne Hotel)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

Advancement often requires striving, but true Kingdom placement is about identity and creates advancement through far fewer steps or strides. It is about knowing, appreciating, and accepting the special "niche" He has created us for and living this out toward the world.

Kingdom Alignment

But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the Body just as He pleased. 1 Corinthians 12:18

Think of a battery in an electronic device. You can put a brand new, full, top-of-the-line battery into the hatch, but if it is not aligned in its own specified way, the light or power will not be generated. This usually only requires the slightest adjustment and leads to a natural and steady flow of light and/or power. It is about alignment and knowing our own special grace for this time.

Who has He made you to be for this season in the world? How is He calling you to join Him? Such alignment always begins with our intimacy with Him and surrender to Him.

The animal kingdom demonstrates this wonderfully. On a recent trip to the zoo I couldn't help but take in the beauty of how "difference" is so wildly scattered for such strategic and even life-altering reasons. As you watch the animals or read the descriptive placards, you are reminded that they are created vastly different on purpose. They are placed in habitats or regions that are unique to their place in the animal kingdom. When an animal is taken out of its special habitat there is so much more necessary work just to help them function and survive. To the contrary, when an animal is living freely in its unique identity and natural alignment, it flourishes and causes other surrounding species to do the same.

Uncommon Unity

We often think of unity as an end that we pursue. It is commonly seen as a state of existence where everyone compromises to come into alignment. But unity in the Spirit is different. Unity in the Spirit is a seemingly misaligned alignment held together by the One who celebrates our diversity and created us to come together – not in spite of but because of our differences. Such unity is uncommon and marked by intimacy, identity, and difference. As we align with Him, He will align us in His ways with one another.

...And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil. Isaiah 10:27

Many of us are battling difficulties that seem to keep hanging on. But it is the anointing that breaks every yoke. When we step into our unique, different anointing there is an alignment, a special kind of uncommon unity with Christ, that releases the fullness of favor we already have, breaks off the yokes we've been carrying, and invites us in to the joys we've been waiting for.

Jesus' Final Prayer

That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:21

Drawbridges are opening, calling us away from the few doors we may all be crowding into, inviting us into a Kingdom alignment that will bring ultimate glory to God. You have been specially appointed by the King to walk in a new grace for this time. Will you leave the doors of the past to accept His special invitation?

Ground will not just be taken in the world by how we move forward, but exponentially so through how we move into and through intimate and diverse alignment. There is a power in this kind of different oneness that Jesus prayed for in John 17 that will cause the world to believe as we each release ourselves to live out His image of us rather than the one we ourselves have been chasing.

The sooner we understand such vital placement for ourselves, the more freely we can bless and empower others to live out their own – even, and especially, when it is different than us! Do you know your grace for this time? Are you struggling to accept it? Just say yes, and watch how the light comes on!

Joey LeTourneau
M.A.R.K. 10:14 Family/Heavenly Hope Ministries
Email: joey.letourneau@gmail.com
Website: bringhishope.org / uncommonvision.org

Joey LeTourneau, his wife Destiny, and their four daughters live near Denver, Colorado. They travel extensively, empowering the Body of Christ to draw near to their First Love and live out the life-giving testimony of Jesus to the world around them. They desire to see the Father's heart fully revealed to the world, and through such see a multiplication of life so abundant the whole world will know the true nature of our Father! Joey has authored two books, Revolutionary Freedom, and his new release, The Life Giver.

Carriers of Peace

Joey LeTourneau:

Carriers of Peace

Peace is an interesting subject to me, and a hot topic in the world. It is very needed, sought after, and hoped for, yet often so misunderstood. There are two things about peace I believe the Lord wants us to understand more clearly during this time. First, we already have more peace than we realize, for peace is a Person named Jesus, and He lives within us. Second, when we know Peace as a Person who already resides in our lives, we cease from being pursuers and we become carriers of peace to a world that is longing for such.

World Peace Or Your Piece?

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

We may not find peace in the world, but the world can find peace in us. Jesus tells us that in the world we will find difficulties, divisions, and the like, which we all can see happening. But, He also assures us that in Him we may have peace, because He has overcome the world. If we want to see peace in the world, or in our circumstances, it is us who will carry and deliver such as the world waits for the piece of the puzzle that is alive in you and me. God is raising up an army whose weapon is peace.

Misconceptions of Peace

...be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush satan under your feet shortly...Romans 16:19-20

We often misunderstand peace to be passive, and much of the time we are trying to "keep our peace." But God has called forth a people bearing His likeness who walk in peace as an offensive strategy who will give their peace away for the sake of the world, yet are never lacking such because the well of Peace is deep within them.

Another misconception of peace I come across in my own life is that we often relate peace with laziness or inactivity. When was the last time when asked how you were doing that you responded, "I'm peaceful"? I can't remember the last time I said that – it's just not a common response. Instead, we often respond with how "busy" we are, how "stressed" we've been, or how "crazy" life has been. Do we realize what we're saying?Are we afraid that someone will mistake us as lazy or unsuccessful? We must not speak strife into our lives, or, instead of breeding peace, begin to spread its counterpart.

Peace is very underrated because it moves so quietly, and often without being seen. It is difficult to value the unseen, but that is often where the greatest value hides. Peace can't be measured as some things can, but that should not devalue the anointing it can and will have through the lives of those who believe.

Shalom

Shalom, in a single word, is among the first of my go-to prayers. It is a power-packed, loaded word that brings holistic definition to our concept of peace. I declare shalom when praying over our family and over our house, and I have seen God heal sickness through a simple prayer of "Shalom."

According to Strong's#7965, "Shalom" is defined by: "completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord." Many of us are striving to have just a few of these words present in our life. Yet, with shalom, God has given us an "all for one" sort of deal.

This "whole" definition is very important because it takes every form of peace we often pursue externally and puts them together in one package that we as Believers already freely possess in order to freely give away. Sometimes we will pursue prosperity and, in doing so, lose our health. We might pursue perfectness but sacrifice true rest. We plug one hole of the leak only to watch another spring about, and therefore steal even more peace from our lives. That is the enemy's plan.

But Jesus is "Sar Shalom," the "Prince of Peace," and He lives in us. Just as shalom, or salam, is a greeting in so many nations across the world, our Heavenly Father has spoken shalom over us and even given such to us in the form of His Son. If we recognize that Jesus is alive in our life, then we also must recognize that we already possess every facet of the above definition of shalom. Shalom is a wellspring within us that will not run dry, and is the most pregnant form of peace that we may carry to the world.

Carriers of Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Jesus set the ultimate example, not just for the peace He carried, but the priority He gave peace as an offensive tool of transformation when sending others into mission. Look at the passages where Jesus sent the twelve and the seventy: Each time we find that He gave them one thing to carry, and hopefully, leave behind. "If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it" (Matthew 10:13), "But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it..." (Luke 10:5-6).

When Jesus blessed the peacemakers to be called sons of God, He gave us a clear mandate of the true intention and mission of peace. It is not something to be kept or simply hoped for, but Peace is the Presence that will mark the revealing of the sons of God so many are believing for (see Romans 8). We may not ever find peace in the world, but I thank God that the world will find Peace in us. May we, as carriers of Peace, now arise and go out to the world each day!

Joey LeTourneau
M.A.R.K. 10:14 Family/Heavenly Hope Ministries
Email: joey.letourneau@gmail.com
Website: bringhishope.org / uncommonvision.org

Joey LeTourneau, his wife Destiny, and their four daughters live near Denver, Colorado. They travel extensively, empowering the Body of Christ to draw near to their First Love and live out the life-giving testimony of Jesus to the world around them. They desire to see the Father's heart fully revealed to the world, and through such see a multiplication of life so abundant the whole world will know the true nature of our Father! Joey has authored two books, Revolutionary Freedom, and his new release, The Life Giver.

God is Releasing Expansion and Abundance! ~ Renew Your Mind Now by Dr. Sandie Freed

Excerpt from a larger article ~ 

God is Releasing Expansion and Abundance!

http://www.elijahlist.com/mobile/display_word.html?ID=12071

The Israelites were yoked with fear while in the wilderness. They were unable to fully trust God, so a murmuring generation died in the wilderness and never witnessed its promise. I believe they just couldn't see it! They refused to renew their minds and believe that what God promised was truly theirs. I want you to know that God has victory planned for your life. Keep this passage in the forefront as you continue to believe God for your breakthrough:

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am. If you take away from your midst yokes of oppression [wherever you find them], the finger pointed in scorn [toward the oppressed or the godly], and every form of false, harsh, unjust, and wicked speaking...then shall your light rise in darkness...And the Lord shall guide you continually.Isaiah 58:9-11 AMP (emphasis added)

Contemplate the previous passage right now and maybe for the next few days, while asking God to renew your mind. If you have contended against a spirit of Mammon in the past, know that it is possible that it will rise up again. You will need to renew your mind concerning God's desire to bless your future! In my book, Crushing the Spirits of Greed and Poverty: Discerning and Defeating the Ancient Powers of Mammon and Babylon, I have gone into great detail to expose the lies of accusing spirits that attempt to steal financial breakthroughs and expansion.

After meditating on Isaiah 58:9-11, take a few more minutes and read through Isaiah 54:1-4 (I have written this passage below for you to read). Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken you how to contend against anything attached to a sense of lack, poverty or loss. If you have opened doors to poverty due to a false belief system, simply repent. Christ paid the price on the Cross for you to have victory, expansion and prosperity!

Then, rise up and declare:

"God has great breakthroughs planned for me! He will break off yokes of oppression, doubt and unbelief. When I call, He will answer me with goodness. When I cry out He will say, 'Here I am!' Yes, I can truly trust the Lord!"

Again, it is a time to stand upon the promises in Isaiah 54, especially verses 2-4 (from The Message):

"Clear lots of ground for your tents!

Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!

Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You're going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family.
You're going to take over whole nations; you're going to resettle abandoned cities.
Don't be afraid — you're not going to be embarrassed.
Don't hold back — you're not going to come up short."

Beloved, if you can see it, you shall have it!

In Him,

Dr. Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries

Baptize Your Promised Land by Pleading the Blood

April 6, 2013

Sandie Freed:

Dear Believer,

I am always amazed at the faithfulness of God, aren't you? It's so easy to love a God like ours; especially when we recall what Jesus did at the Cross. I have noticed that the message of the Cross and the power in the Blood of Jesus are rarely discussed anymore. It's difficult to locate a church that truly focuses on the finished work of Christ. However, there seems to be plenty of churches and ministries that hold onto religious works and man-made traditions. Yet, Jesus died so that we can become completely free of religious performance.

Performance is a very hard taskmaster. In fact, under performance we can never do enough. For us to believe that God only loves us or approves of us because of what we DO for Him rather than WHOSE we are, is to actually demonstrate that what Christ did on the Cross is of no effect! In other words, we are believing that His death and the shedding of His Blood was not enough to place us in right-standing with God.

Righteous Because of the Blood

Dear one, we will never be righteous due to anything we do for God. Only the righteousness of Jesus Christ which covers us makes us righteous. This is why in Galatians 3:1, Paul addressed those in the Church concerning this issue. Paul was concerned that they seemed to have tossed aside the finished work of Christ and were back into the old belief system that involved the Law and performance. If they were truly doing this, and obviously Paul thought they were, then they were negating what occurred on the Cross! Read what Paul said to the Galatians:

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing – if it really was for nothing? Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Galatians 3:1-6

Foolish and Bewitched

Paul pointed out that the Galatians had become "foolish." He asked them if they received the Spirit by observing the law or believing what that had "heard." Let us all remember how faith in God comes – by hearing and hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). And, precious saint, we "believe" because we "hear," and not because of what we do! What we do for God does not make us righteous, nor does it cause our faith to become established. Our relationship with Him establishes our faith and our righteousness is only due to the fact that when Christ shed His Blood, we, therefore, became righteous.

Notice that Paul asked the Galatians who had "bewitched" them. This word means "cast a spell," (over them) or "fascinated" (them). Fascination and sensationalism are closely linked. All too often Christians like to be entertained. It's unfortunate that many Believers have "itching ears" to hear what merely flatters the flesh. Many church services are geared more to entertaining rather than preaching the grace of God to be saved, healed and restored.

When Jesus died on the Cross, He provided the fullness of sozo, a Greek word meaning not only salvation, but also healing, deliverance, provision and all that Heaven offers! Yet, if our relationship with God is somewhat superficial (meaning we want the sensation without the relation (relationship), we fall short of receiving what we need from God because we really don't know how to believe for His best!

Self-Focused Mentalities

It is unfortunate that many Believers have become self-focused rather than God-focused. By this I mean that we focus on what we need rather than the One Who shed His Blood to provide what is needed. Matthew 6:33 says that we are to "...seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (my emphasis). Did you notice that we are to seek first God's Kingdom and "His" righteousness? This means that we are not righteous without Him and that we are to seek His righteousness – this is clearly stating that we cannot be righteous due to our performance or religious works, but only righteous due to Christ's righteousness.

Secondly, when we do this "first," then "all" things are added to us. The term "all" in this passage refers to everything we need is already accomplished due to the finished work of Christ! We need not perform any longer believing that this makes us a better person or that God will bless us because of what we do. No! It means whatever we need is already done – at the Cross!

Christian Legalism

How sad it is for me to witness so many Christians bowing down to legalism and religious works. I have even witnessed some Believers saying that they couldn't wait until Resurrection Day so that they could be healed. My heart sank because many other people believe this way.

Dear one, if you received a bad report from your doctor that you had cancer, would you wait several months to pray for your healing? I just know you wouldn't! We don't have to wait for a certain time of year (or even wait until another church service!) to pray the prayer of faith. After all, our faith is in Christ and what He did at the Cross. Our faith is not centered around a certain day, date or year. While I am writing this article it is Passover week, but I have not waited until this season to apply the Blood of Jesus over my situation, no! I plead the Blood whenever I need to.

Let me give you an example. Years ago my mother had lung cancer which was diagnosed in the month of September. Though I knew that on Resurrection Day that God demonstrated His power through the resurrection of Jesus, we did not wait until then to believe for her healing. No way! We began to immediately pray for her and a few days later she coughed up the lung tumor which was cancerous! She was completely healed of lung cancer!

However, if I had been bound up in religious performance, we may not have had faith to believe for God's perfect timing for her healing. It is the same for anything I need; remember all things are supplied and they are supplied because of the finished work of Christ. Hallelujah!

Pleading the Blood of Jesus

I have learned to plead the Blood of Jesus over many different situations and therefore have witnessed various miracles. But I have also had to understand that to simply shout out a religious term or phrase, such as pleading the Blood of Jesus, without fully understanding what it truly means gives little results (this is an example of religious jargon). Precious Believer, when we "plead the Blood," we are proclaiming all that Jesus accomplished for us by shedding His Blood. Let's not just charismatically (or religiously) plead the Blood without full understanding the accomplished work at the Cross. To plead it with faith of all that Christ did on our behalf will release the demonstration and power of God!

Baptize Your Land Today or Any Day!

In my recent book, The Power in the Blood: Possessing Your Spiritual Inheritance (order through Elijah List), I explain how to baptize your land to possess all of your Promised Land. Let me first remind you that God provided the first sacrifice for the sin of mankind. He placed skins of a slain animal upon both Adam and Eve to cover their sin.

Later we notice that Noah, upon coming out of the ark after the Flood, made a sacrifice to God immediately upon stepping onto the land.

This is symbolic of our going to baptize our Promised Land by recalling what Jesus accomplished at the Cross (I go further into detail in my book if you desire more information). In other words, when we recognize what Christ did and that we are righteous due to His Blood, it empowers us to take our Promised Land! Wow!

Think upon this. Every time we receive a prophetic promise or prophetic revelation, we baptize that promise from God by renewing our mind concerning what Christ did at the Cross. We can, therefore, tell the devil to "get off our land," when we remind him that the battle is already won!

Free Indeed

Many of you are aware that I am known to be a freedom fighter! It is no accident that I married Mickey Freed – with "Freed" as my covenant-married name. I am destined to point the way to freedom. I don't just want you free – I want you free indeed. This means completely free, especially from a spirit of legalism or religious works.

So, therefore, precious freed-up-Believer of God, rise up and declare the power that is in the Blood! And, know that TODAY is your day that God will provide for your every need!

In Him,

Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net

Sandie Freed co-labors with her husband, Mickey Freed, doing the work of the Lord as a ministry team. In addition, Sandie is the Founder and Director of the School of the Prophets and Apostolic Training Center in Bedford, Texas. With a strong anointing of discerning of spirits, Sandie has been known to discern territorial strongholds and release churches and regions from spiritual assignments that withhold finances, deliverances, and breakthroughs. Prophetess Sandie and Apostle Mickey are ordained with Christian International Ministries, serving on their Board of Governors and the Board of Directors. Together they serve as the Mid-Southern Regional Directors of the Christian International Network of Churches, which is the Prophetic-Apostolic oversight for Texas and Oklahoma regions, as well as several other states and regions. They have been married since 1973, and have one daughter, Kim Putman.

Excerpts from a memo written by Bishop Carlton Pearson ~ Italics mine.

Do What you did before and Trust the Process . . . God is rebuilding His Temple!

Howard Thurman wrote, "Don't ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do it. What the world needs is people who have come alive".

Many have forgotten what makes them come alive, or what used to do so and does so no longer. A change indeed has begun and many are waking up to this reality. A curve in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to make the turn.

John 6:12, after more than 5000 people had been miraculously fed, Jesus is recorded to have instructed his disciples to "Gather up the fragments (leftovers) that none be lost." These are instructions given by Jesus after he had performed undoubtedly one of the most incredible and phenomenal miracles in his 3 1/2 years of ministry on the earth. He did so twice. 

Sometimes the Universe will use your past as a rehearsal for your future. ~ *Do what you did before and Trust the Process!  ~ God is rebuilding His Temple!

I've had some immensely profound moments and memories in ministry in my nearly 60 years on the planet and I am now feeling like Jesus may have felt after having fed so many hungry people both naturally and spiritually in ministry as I consider and even concentrate on the fragments; those precious and still valuable leftovers in and of ministry that once spiritually fed the multitudes and promises to do so again in much greater and more radically inclusive numbers.

I know what it feels like to experience the sense of fragmentation and be treated like a useless leftover that should be discarded, disregarded and thrown away, but I also know what it feels like to be gathered up again, or to gather myself and soul up again, so as not to be lost or forfeited. Gifts and callings are irrevocable.

Think of your own fragments: the pieces, parts and particles that have been bruised, broken and scattered throughout your life; broken dreams, fragmented relationships, a torn or tattered vision of a life you thought could have been but isn't. Gather them up! Jesus is showing us that every piece, every crumb is valuable and should not be lost, passed over or discarded.  Every experience you've had, everything you've been through, everything you thought was lost or was too far gone to retrieve, was necessary to make you not only the person you are today, but the person you were created, purposed and are indeed destined to be. So gather all those precious and pressured fragments up that none and nothing be lost.

Do what you did before and Trust the Process. Follow your Joy! ~ God is rebuilding His Temple!

~ For Sanctity of Life Sunday ~

To All Children 

who never had the chance to follow Your JOY . . .

... And the Old Man Became As A Little Child . . .

by

Madeliene L'Engle

He could not sleep.

The tomb was dark, and the stone heavy that sealed it.

He could not sleep for all the innocent blood he had seen shed.

He was an old man.  Too old for fears.

Not yet young enough for sleep.  He waited and watched.

Thrice he had spoken to him who had been sealed

within the tomb, thrice had the old man spoken,

he who was a disciple, but not one of the twelve,

older, gentler in all ways,

and tired, worn with time and experience and the shedding of blood.

He came from Capernaum

and after that his son

who touched the edge of death

was drawn back from the pit

and made whole,

the old man returned to Jesus and said,

"O thou, who hast today been the consolation of my household,

wast also its desolation.

Because of you my first born son died

in that great shedding of innocent blood.

Nevertheless, I believe

though I know not what

or how or why

for it has not been revealed to me,

I only know that one manchild was slain

and one made to live."

And the second time he spoke

when the Lord kept the children beside him

and suffered them not to be taken away:

"These are the ones left us,

but where, Lord, is the kingdom of heaven?

Where, Lord, are the others?

What of them? What of them?

And he wept.

And the third time he spoke

when the Lord turned to Jerusalem

and laughter turned to steel

and he moved gravely

towards the hour that was prepared

and the bitterness of the cup:

then the old man said,

"All your years you have lived

under the burden of their blood.

Their life was the price of yours.

Have you borne the knowledge and the cost?

During those times

when you have gone silent in the midst of laughter

have you remembered all the innocence

slaughtered that you might be with us now?

When you have gone up into the mountain apart to pray,

have you remembered that their lives were cut down

for your life, and so ours?

Rachel's screams still shatter the silence

and I cannot sleep at night for remembering

Do you ever forget your children that sleep?

When will you bring them out of the sides of the earth

and show mercy unto them?

I cannot sleep.

But because I have already tasted of the cup

I cannot turn from you now.

I, who live, praise you.

Can those who have gone before you into the pit

celebrate you or hope for your truth?

Tell me, tell me ~ For I am an old man

and lost in the dark clouds of ignorance.

Nevertheless, Blessed is he

who thou has chosen and taken, O Lord."

He did not speak again.

But he was there when the rocks were rent,

the veil of the temple torn in twain,

the sun blackened by clouds,

the earth quaked with darkness,

the sky was white and utterly empty.

The city gasped with loss.

Then, out of the silence,

the Lord went

bearing the marks of nails and spear

moving swiftly through the darkness

into the yawning night of the pit.

There he sought first not as one supposed

For Moses or Elias

but for the children

who had been waiting for him.

So, seeking, he was met

by three Holy Children

the Young Men

burning bright

transforming the fire into dew as they cried:

"Blessed art thou, O Lord God forevermore."

And all the children came running

and offering to him their blood

and singing: "With sevenfold heat

did the Chaldean tyrant in his rage

cause the furnace to be heated

for the Godly ones

who wiped our blood like tears

when we were thrust here

lost and unknowing.

The Holy Three

waited here to receive us

and to teach us to sing your coming

forasmuch as thou art pitiful

So they held his hand

and gave him their kisses and their blood

and, laughing, led him by the dragon

who could not bear their innocence

and thrashed with his tail

so that the pit trembled with rage.

But even his roaring could not drown out their song:

"For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship,

with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever,

and unto the ages of ages, Amen."

And the Holy children were round about him,

The Holy Innocence and the Holy Three.

They walked through the darkness of the fiery furnace

and the dragon could see their brightness,

yea, he saw four walkers loose

walking in the midst of the fire and having no hurt

and the form of the fourth was like the Son of God.

And He saw the Son of God move through hell

and he heard the Holy Children sing:

"Meet is it that we should magnify thee,

the life-giver

who has stretched out thy hands on the cross

and hast shattered the dominion of the enemy.

Blessed are thou, O Lord God, forevermore.

O Jesus, God and Savior,

who did take upon thee Adam's sin

and did taste of death

(the cup was bitter)

thou hast come again to Adam

O compassionate one

for thou only art good

and lovest mankind,

Blessed art thou, O Lord God, forevermore."

So hell has shriven

while the holy children, singing

transformed the flames to dew,

and the gates of heaven opened.

Then, by the empty tomb,

the old man slept.

The Transcendent Life

Francis Frangipane:

The Transcendent Life

Typically when I remind Christians that their core destiny is Christlikeness, most nod, affirming the general truthfulness of my statement. However, I can tell that they really do not believe becoming Christlike is the reason they exist. If they did, they would have a plan. They would be in obvious pursuit of their transformation.

Yet, when people think of their destiny, they often first think of something they will do for God, a task that involves the visible demonstration of a unique gift or ministry function. But neither our gifts nor a specific calling represent the core reality of our destiny. It is not what we do for the Lord but what we become to Him that matters. It is this inner surrender of the heart, this deliberate turning of our soul Godward, that defines our true progress.

Our responsibilities and gifts may be as varied as the seasons of our lives – and certainly we should spend time attending to them. But I am speaking of the deeper reality that must develop within us: becoming like Christ.

I am sixty-six years old. During my life I have served God in a variety of tasks. Yet whether I was church planting or selling computers, doing odd jobs or starting a training school, I never confused my calling with my destiny. Becoming like Jesus is why we exist.

Your Life Focus

The sad fact is we have seen ministry leaders whose gifts and callings were so powerful, so captivating, that they seemed capable of bringing Heaven itself to earth. Then, to our shock, we discovered later that these very same individuals were secretly in the grip of the most disgraceful sins. How could such things occur? When our primary goal is the development of our gifts or calling rather than our character, we become increasingly vulnerable to satanic deception.

You see, a time will come when, in increasing degrees, we begin to master our gifts. We learn how to preach and prophesy effectively; we can minister in perfect pitch in song or praise. We even master the tears of sincerity in our altar calls and ministry. Outwardly our spirituality is convincing, yet inwardly our soul is bored with our staged, religious performance. The challenge of our calling is gone. No one discerns our inner decline, not even our closest friends. In that state of mind, a door swings open to the world of the flesh. Scripture says,"Desire fulfilled is a tree of life" (Proverbs 13:12).

The life that sustains us – that should ultimately fill us – is not drawn from seeking our calling but seeking the Caller Himself. This was Paul's goal when he passionately wrote,"That I may know Him." This "being conformed to His death"was the "one thing" Paul said he truly focused on (Philippians 3:10, 13). Paul lived a transcendent life that unfolded "from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Beloved, God created man to be "in the image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1:27 AMP). The image of God is Christ, and it is our conformity to Christ that fulfills the purpose of our existence. We do not need crowds to see us perform nor applause to affirm our ministry. When we pursue the image of Christ, we possess the meaning of life.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org

Francis Frangipane is the founder of River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has traveled throughout the world ministering to thousands of pastors and intercessors from many backgrounds. Francis' heartfelt prayer is to see established in every city Christlike pastors and intercessors, united before God, revealing the love of Christ to their communities. Since 1985, he has written fourteen books plus a number of study booklets. Over the past decades, Francis has served on a number of other ministry boards. However, in recent years he has gradually resigned from these various boards. As of June 2009, he has also retired from his position as senior pastor of River of Life Ministries. In this more simplified life, Frangipane is devoting himself to prayer and the ministry of God's Word.