Two of the Most Beautiful Words Spoken

November 26, 2013

Kathi Pelton:

http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=12837

Are You Hiding?

Lately I have sensed a deep longing in the heart of the Father for His children who feel far away from Him. Feelings of shame, fear and regret have always caused men and women to hide from God, but our Father always waits with arms open to restore any of us to intimacy with Him. Mankind has been dealing with this issue since creation, beginning with Adam and Eve:

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?'"(Genesis 3:6-9).

God made garments for Adam and Eve, to cover their nakedness. Although a high price was paid and continues to be paid for the choice of sin, in mercy God met with His first children and covered them. He is still doing the same for us today. He has provided for us a Garment of Righteousness to cover our sin and shame in the form of His precious Son, Jesus Christ. The enemy has been deceiving men and women since the very beginning of our creation. He continually places temptation before mankind and then tries to entice them with convincing words that will create an atmosphere of compromise. That is what he did with Eve, and he still does it today.

So...what do you do when you have given into temptation, deception, and compromise?

Do you run to the One who is there to forgive you and wash you from your sin, or have you run away and hidden from Him? If you have run away, trying in vain to hide from the Father, He wants you to know that He loves you, awaits your return, and has provided a covering for you.

God's Thoughts Toward Peter

Peter was a friend and disciple of Jesus. He had seen miracles, he had looked into the Messiah's eyes and felt His embrace, and he had walked with Him, learning from Him firsthand. Peter loved Jesus and Jesus loved Peter! Jesus knew Peter intimately and knew that he had a weakness in the area of fear. He also knew that Peter would deny Him three times on the night of His arrest and betrayal. He knew that Peter would not be with Him as He hung upon the Cross with the sins of the world pressing upon Him. He knew that Peter would run and hide. But in the midst of this story of denial, we often miss two of the most important words in the New Testament.

When they [Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome] entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body. Now go and tell His disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there, just as He told you before He died. Mark 16:5-7

"Including Peter..." 

What powerful words! God wanted the women and all of the disciples to know that Peter had not been excluded from His family. Peter is the only one exclusively mentioned. This was the beginning of Peter's restoration, yet Peter was not even there. Jesus was about to appear in His resurrected body before His closest friends, and even though Peter had denied Him three times and abandoned Him as He suffered upon the Cross, the first thing Jesus did was make sure that the angel included Peter in the announcement of His resurrection. He wanted everyone to know Peter was still a part of the family!

I honestly cannot imagine the pain of knowing that you denied your dearest friend and your Messiah. The shame and regret that would ensue would overwhelm even the strongest man. But Jesus' first communication (through the angel) after His resurrection has a wondrous, often-overlooked message of reconciliation within it: "Including Peter." I find these to be two of the most beautiful and powerful words that have been spoken.

Including YOU!

Can you hear the Spirit of the Lord speaking to you? Perhaps He is speaking to you through this article, because you cannot hear Him through your own shame, fear, and regret. He has an appointment to meet with you and restore you to His family. He is saying:"...including _____" (insert your name). His garment of righteousness is available to cover your shame, His love is present to heal your heart, and His embrace is waiting for you to melt away all your fears. Regret is not your friend; it is a set of handcuffs that keep you bound from embracing Him in return. I don't know what you have done (or are presently doing) but Jesus has not excluded you, and moreover, He is including you and mentioning you by name.

We have ALL sinned and fallen short of His glory, but that is why He came. He came to pay the price that we could not pay, to live the life that we could not live, and die the death that would provide everything that we need to free us from eternal separation from God.

Wherever You Go...

You cannot hide from Him – and He does not want you to try! He is with you right now. His thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand upon this earth and outnumber the stars in the sky. His thoughts toward you are for good and not evil, just as they were for Peter. (Photo courtesy: Ben Birchall/PA)

As I write this, it occurs to me how often each day I think about every one of my children, and how all of my thoughts toward them are loving and kind. I want them to be blessed, happy, loved; I desire them to experience deep relationship with Jesus. I think of them when I wake up each morning; I think of them as I cook, clean, shop; I pray for them continually. If I, being human, think of my children that often, then how much more does your Heavenly Father think about you?

I want to leave you with Psalm 139 (ESV):

"O LORD, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to Heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with You.

For you formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You.

Oh that You would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against You with malicious intent; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Search us, O God! Lead us and restore us...and thank You for including us!

Kathi Pelton
Compassion Arise
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net
Website: compassionarise.org

Kathi Pelton has a passion to encourage, uplift, and serve. As well as being a published writer, she has traveled extensively with Watchmen for the Nations, spoken at conferences, been a member of a national prophetic round-table and co-directed a house of prayer. Her favorite pastime is to spend time with her husband and children.

The Coming Wave of Glory: "Run Toward the Shore of My Presence..."

Garris Elkins:

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word_pf.html?ID=12749

A Vision of Waves and Lines Drawn in the Sand

Recently in worship the Lord revealed an image to me. The image was of a person standing on a beach looking out to sea. There was a sense of longing on his face. The scene changed where I could now look out through his eyes at the developing image.

Before me was the sloping sand of a shoreline that extended down to the ocean's edge. In the distant horizon I saw an approaching series of waves making their way toward the shore.

When I was a young man, I learned how to surf. I also learned how to read the ocean. The older surfers told me that waves move from the ocean to the shore in a series of waves called "sets". Many times the largest wave in the set comes at the end of one of these series of waves.

As I looked across the beach toward the shore, I saw lines that had been drawn in the sand. These lines looked like marks made by a stick, something many of us do when we visit a beach. As I pondered the image, I realized the lines were judgments made because of disappointments, assumptions, fear and unbelief. These lines had captions like, "I won't do that." "That is not of God!" "This is as far as I go!"

With each approaching wave some of the lines were erased by the water and foam that climbed up the beach toward where I stood. I knew the waves represented the different moves of God's Spirit that had taken place in the past. Each new wave that came onshore carried with it the power to erase these lines of judgment.

"Run Toward the Shore of My Presence..."

The Lord began to speak as I continued to look across the beach and out into the ocean:  "I see a sorrow in your heart – a sorrow of what could have been. I gave you revival to carry. What I gave you was dropped and broken through human failure and fear. This was not My plan. Why do you think I do not have another wave to break into your midst? I am not asking you to pick up the broken pieces from the past and try to reassemble them and call it "new." I always bring something new. What is coming is completely new and birthed in My presence.

"I will erase your unbelief, if you place your belief in Me, not in what you have demanded of Me. You have no idea what this wave will look like because it was created in a place outside of human fear and failure. When I move, it will not always be familiar. In that place of unfamiliarity I ask for your trust.

"I am asking you to leave behind a human wondering that is marked with unbelief – wondering if and when I will move again. I am calling you to a place of wonder where you will be like a child unwrapping a gift. My joy will become your joy and wonder.

"I will remove the pain of regret from among you. This regret has birthed a sorrow like a person who mourns a death. My joy is always before you. Only fear and disbelief would have you look and see death. Remove this blindness from your eyes and look up and out. See it! See what I have prepared. It is good and it is making its way toward you and it will break over your judgments if you run toward the shore of My presence and embrace the wave of My glory."

A Mighty Wave of God's Glory

As I looked out onto the ocean I saw the last wave in the set. This wave was huge and I knew immediately it represented a powerful move of God that was approaching our shores. The lesser waves that erased the lines of judgment were an opportunity to get our hearts ready in preparation to receive what God was sending our way.

Like a child would run toward an incoming wave and jump into it with joy and laughter, so will those who have allowed the lines of judgment in their hearts to be erased by God's presence.

Those who choose to continue to live trapped above the waterline, behind lines of judgment and disbelief, will not be able to run forward to embrace this new work of God. They will remain above the waterline immobilized in fear and judgment.

As this mighty wave of God's glory falls into our midst it will reshape the shoreline of our culture and more importantly, the boundaries of the Church itself.

Garris Elkins, Senior Leader
Living Waters Church – Medford, Oregon
Email: info@prophetichorizons.com
Website: garriselkins.com

Garris Elkins' ministry, Prophetic Horizons, is a ministry of teaching, writing and prophecy committed to raising up a prophetic generation to speak to the cultures of our world with the empowered voice of Heaven. Garris and his wife, Jan, are the Senior Leaders of Living Waters Church in Medford, Oregon, and have two grown children, Anna and David.

A Special Word to the Women of God

A Special Word to the Women of God

Before I begin this message, let me provide a short disclaimer: although I do encourage women to move freely within the order provided by God in their local churches, my goal is to exalt and celebrate a primary grace that God has placed specifically within women, which the Lord Himself has used in past times to release revival.

The Genesis Distinctions

When the Lord created humankind, He placed unique graces in man and separate but equally unique graces in woman. He told Adam to name the species of life on earth "and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name" (Genesis 2:19). This "naming" was much more than calling the dog "Spot." Adam was created with an organizational, administrative capacity that enabled him to identify and define the world around him. By naming the living things, Adam not only brought them into his consciousness, but he introduced order and structure to the human experience. Adam did not create the world, of course, but by defining the things God brought to him, he helped establish reality.

Within the genetics of this original man, there also existed the powerful, but dormant, qualities of the woman. While Adam slept the Spirit took from the man a rib. Fashioning it into a woman, the Lord created for Adam a companion. Not only was she suitable for him, but she powerfully expanded man's creative capacities. Indeed, the woman brought many new graces into Adam's world that did not formerly exist – the foremost of which was the power to conceive and give birth.

It is important to remember: God created male and female in His image, according to His likeness (Genesis 1:26). Of course, in certain ways, both Adam and Eve as individuals possessed reflections of the divine nature. They each could think, speak, dream and create. 

However, it was in the union of Adam and Eve, in their mutual respect of one another's strengths and graces, that mankind would possess a more perfect expression of the fuller nature of God.

As Adam beheld this first female, he said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man" (Genesis 2:23). The term woman was a delineation used by Adam, identifying her as a unique variation in the species of man. My wife says, "Think of her as the upgrade." In some ways, she is right, for the nature of the woman was twice refined. Adam was created of earth; the woman emerged not from the earth but from the man. She is both more complex and emotionally sophisticated.

Soon Adam began to understand the greatest power of his counterpart: her ability to conceive and bring life into the world. Recognizing this quality, Adam named her Eve, which meant "life." Eve would play an integral part in the unfolding of life's new beginnings. "She was the mother of all the living"(Genesis 3:20).

The Power of a Woman's Prayer

The Lord gave Adam a primary ability to name and establish reality; He gave to woman the unique capacity to conceive and then birth reality. The primary strength of each gender is that man establishes, woman births. Remember, these qualities are not merely "human": they are reflections of the divine. Man's ability to bring order to one's world, to take what was random and give it definition and structure, is a divine facility. Woman's ability to conceive and incubate life, and then deliver life through birth, is also an aspect of the divine nature.

Note also that Adam named the woman Eve (or "Life") before they had children. God gave the woman an ability not just to have babies but to release life in a variety of its expressions. In fact, one translation says that Eve means to "enliven."

Alone, Adam had been downcast; it was not good that Adam was alone. Eve enlivened Adam in ways no other creature on earth could. Adam could build a house; Eve made it a home. When Adam named Eve "Life," he was not only speaking prophetically of the first mother, but he was speaking out of his own experience: Eve brought life into the structure of Adam's world.

We are speaking in generalities here, but when we observe the spiritual realm, we see this same divine encoding replicated in the ministries of men and women. Jesus laid the foundation of the Church with twelve men whom He called to be apostles. This didn't mean there would never be women in leadership, but that one of the better skills given man from God was the ability to bring order and structure. By the same token, prior to Christ's birth we find Anna, a prophetess, engaged in much prayer and fasting.

In my opinion, it is quite possible that this woman was not alone in her intercession, but the leader of a prophetic prayer ministry that lived in anticipation of her times. Women excel in intercession, in spiritual sensitivity and the release of new beginnings. Note: this does not excuse men from prayer! Actually, some of the Bible's best examples of intercessors are men! We are speaking in generalities in reference to the spiritual tendencies of both genders. Neither distinction is more important than the other. Both are absolutely vital for the unfolding of God's will upon the earth.

Today we are fighting the advance of satan in many arenas. Whether the topic is wars and terrorist attacks or the ever-increasing expansion of iniquity in our world, we need revival. To possess a national awakening, the "birthing" power God has placed in women must be released. All the efforts of man to establish laws and govern righteously will not truly transform our culture. We need something greater; we need the presence of God poured out. I believe the Holy Spirit is raising up a prayer army of women who are rising in power on behalf of their families and nations.

My Mother's Prayers

I personally know the power of a woman's prayer: my mother's. In the late sixties, I was a very lost young man living in sin and rebellion. Judging from my appearance, I looked hopeless. Yet in spite of my outward condition, my dear Catholic mother stood before God for me. Resist as I did, divine power, uniquely escorted to Earth through her prayers, began to hunt me down. Her cries were relentless and unceasing; often she would pray through the night for me. She was pregnant with prayer for her son. In 1970 God finally answered, and during the Jesus Movement revival, I came to Christ.

Years later I asked the Lord about the Jesus Movement revival. As you may know, it has been part of my assignment to help engender citywide unity and establish prayer, things that precede revival. Yet, to my knowledge, no citywide unity or organized prayer fueled the Jesus Movement. So I asked the Lord how revival could occur without a prayer movement at its source. The Lord quickly corrected me, saying that there was a great prayer movement: He had heard the prayers of a million praying mothers, each crying to Him for their children.

From all denominations, in a "unity of desperation," God heard the cries of believing mothers. His heart was touched, and as a result, multitudes of sinful kids found repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ. This is the army God desires to release again today, but now with more vision, more power from the Holy Spirit, and with the support of men as well!

Women of God, the fact is, Heaven needs you! You have been created by the Almighty to birth breakthroughs on planet Earth! God has uniquely designed you with a latent ability to release life through your intercession. Together with you, we men can build and establish, and we are learning to pray, but you have a special grace to release new spiritual beginnings. Whether your prayer focus is for your husband or church leadership, whether you are interceding for your children, city or nation, you possess in your spirit the seed-realities that, through prayer, can release God's life into the world.

Yes indeed, a battle rages; there still exists "enmity between [the serpent] and the woman" (Genesis 3:15). Satan especially hates you because it was your seed that bruised the serpent's head. It is amazing to me that God chose to bring His Son into the world, not through the heavens nor even through a woman impregnated by man, but through a woman made pregnant by God! God Himself came to earth through the woman's power to give birth!

Today the Lord is giving women a new grace, a new confidence against the powers of Hell. Out of their oneness with Christ, these godly women will prayer-birth powerful ministries on earth, both male and female. They will release new beginnings to the Body of Christ.

I also want to commend and personally thank the many women's ministries and prayer groups that have stood with me, interceding for my life, my family and my ministry. Many, many times I have suddenly experienced divine protection or unexpected spiritual breakthroughs. When I questioned the Lord, He's said, I'm answering the prayers of [such-and-such] ministry. To each of you, I say a special thank you. In a unique way, you have been a mother to me. May the Lord multiply His grace toward you and give you the desires of your hearts!

Finally, Revelation 12:1 speaks of a "woman clothed with the sun." This word is not only talking about Israel or the Church. It also reveals how the Most High sees spiritual women: They are honored and crowned with distinction – pure and clothed with the glory of God. With confidence, they tread upon the powers of night. Dear army of praying women, it is your inherent destiny to birth that which shall rule the nations.

Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, This Day We Fight!

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

Preparation for Kings and Priests

October 4, 2013 Paul Keith Davis:

The Anointing of Jealousy - A New Mature and Extraordinarily Fruitful Priesthood is Emerging in These Last Days

Preparation for Kings and Priests

The pain of the past is our preparation for the future. That is the expression I heard from the Lord in a visionary encounter a few years ago. Like Joseph, we must reconcile ourselves with the past in order to make our future more fruitful.

Though many aspects of the past season may have been unpleasant and difficult, they were nevertheless necessary to prepare us to function as both Kings and Priests. The agony of captivity clearly equipped Joseph for the ascension to the throne of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Joseph demonstrated this truth in the naming of his sons.

Genesis 41:51-52 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, "For," he said "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household. He named the second Ephraim, "For," he said "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

A new mature and extraordinarily fruitful priesthood is emerging in these Last Days in the order of Melchizedek. In order to posture ourselves for this we must reconcile in our hearts and minds the past season, no matter how difficult or trying, in order to be ready for what is coming.

As the Scripture teaches, the Melchizedek priesthood consolidates the two offices of King and Priest. This Presence driven ministry will take us from Church Age into Kingdom Age, removing the leaven of human reasoning and tradition.

The Church Age was a season of earnest or down payment but the Melchizedek priesthood is the promise for fullness. This grace is assured to God's people to usher in the great harvest and the Lord's coming. Part of that anointing is "godly jealousy" producing and unwavering devotion to God and His Word.

In the Order of Melchizedek

The concept of the Melchizedek priesthood is simply God as the Living Word fully occupying His people, the Body of Christ (John 1). Revelation 5:9 identifies a company of people who sing a "new song." In it they declare that the Lord is the only One worthy to take the sealed book and open it for His people.

Those described in Revelation 5:9 are an overcoming bridal company positionally placed to function as both Kings and Priests. As I began to ask the Lord about the qualities these will possess one of the key attributes that has been highlighted to me is being jealous for Him.

A Loyal Priesthood like Phinehas

As A. W. Tozer once wrote, "within the fold of Christianity there are to be found increasing numbers of persons whose religious lives are marked by a growing hunger after God Himself. They are eager for spiritual realities and will not be put off with words, nor will they be content with correct 'interpretations' of truth. They are athirst for God, and they will not be satisfied till they have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water."

There is emerging today those that Tozer prophesied about who are desperate for God with a holy jealousy. This reality is typified in the Old Testament figure of Phinehas. This loyal priest received a divinely issued covenant of peace because of his jealousy towards the Lord and his commitment to the Word.(Photo: A.W. Tozer)

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned away My wrath from the sons of Israel in that he was jealous with My jealousy among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.

"Therefore say, 'Behold, I give him My covenant of peace; and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, a covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel.'" Numbers 25:10-13

The Bible teaches that God's dealings with Israel are given as an example. The lives of the patriarchs and faithful men and women of old are adopted for our instruction in the ways of God and the different aspects of His Person and anointing. We see this truth especially exemplified in the life of Elijah and the anointing resident in his life that will also characterize a company of people in this generation.

Likewise, many will begin to emerge in this hour with the "anointing of Phinehas" and enjoy personal covenants with the Lord. These will be priests providing to God's people inspired revelation of the Word by calling upon Him that He might show us great and mighty things which we know not.

They will bear a heavenly "jealousy" and integrity by rightly dividing the Word of Truth without mixture or compromise. This anointing will produce in many a healthy ardor and "Zeal of God" for the Spirit of Truth; Furthermore, they will not shun to declare the whole counsel of God nor tremble at the fear of man (Acts 20:27).

Mouth of Brass

The name Phinehas means "mouth of brass." This is a depiction of those who will begin to "judge and discern the thoughts and intents of the heart" and help others identify the entanglements that so easily distract them (Hebrews 4:12). When the Living Word is present, all things are open and laid bare before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Nothing is hidden. This is not something to fear but embrace to facilitate maturity and purity of soul to access Heaven.

The Bible depicts the revelation gifts unveiling the secrets of the heart so those who observe it will fall on their face and say, "surely God is in this place" (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). This manner of revelation is not rooted in suspicion, but genuine insight from the Lord and disclosure of divine secrets ministered in charity and faithfulness.

This work of the "Phinehas anointing" will usher the Fear of the Lord back into the Church and pave the way for divinely granted repentance leading to the knowledge of the Truth. This will produce a more righteous Body with whom the Lord will become intimate and share His mysteries and power.

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. Romans 13:10-11

The Anointing Released

There have been two specific occasions in which I have witnessed this anointing being imparted to leaders. The first occasion took place several years ago during a MorningStar conference. On this unique morning, Bob Jones was taken into the realm of the Spirit.

In the experience an angel approached who had been sent from Heaven with a unique commission for a specific individual. He disclosed that he had been released with the "anointing of Phinehas" to be imparted to one of our close friends, Bobby Conner. Bobby later confirmed that an angel visited him that morning and imparted to him "the spear of Phinehas." Clearly, possessing jealousy for God is evident in the life of Bobby.

On a separate occasion, Wanda and I were involved in a conference in Louisiana and were instructed by the Lord to release the "anointing of Phinehas" on a specific leader chosen by the Lord for this region. Since that time, this brother has told us that he is specifically aware of this anointing when it comes upon him.

In his ministry, this anointing assists in releasing a quest for purity and righteousness among those being groomed for a significant release of anointing and authority.

Eleazar—A Faithful Example

In giving true expressions with a heart of jealousy towards God, we will then begin to ardently obey the doctrines of Christ. According to John 14:23: Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."

All those willing to make this commitment will begin to be adorned in fresh garments and endowed with the Spirit's gifts and anointing. These will then be delegated a commission like the one given to Eleazar.

Eleazar, the faithful servant of Abraham, was sanctioned with the great responsibility of obtaining a bride for Isaac. He was given notable gifts, jewelry, clothing and oil to take to the one set apart to be the chosen bride of the promised son. In like manner, the Holy Spirit desires to impart to us the gifts, anointing and the Spirit's manifest Presence to prepare a bride for the Royal Seed of Abraham, the Lord Jesus.

In order to flow in this great responsibility, we must also possess the faithfulness that characterized Eleazar. Great was his devotion and loyalty in the presentation of the gifts. He made certain that Rebekah fully recognized they were not from him but from the one by whom he was sent.

Speak the Truth in Love

Whenever we speak the Word of truth in love, it will have significant effect and will not return void. The present work of the Holy Spirit is to cleanse and nurture a Body of people to faithfully represent the Living Christ to this generation.

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:25-27

We are being delegated with a new heart fully devoted to God with jealousy. That will enable us to speak the truth in love allowing our words to be galvanized with charity. As the Scriptures point out, love never fails.

Paul Keith and Wanda Davis
WhiteDove Ministries
Email: inquiries@whitedoveministries.org
Website: whitedoveministries.org

Paul Keith Davis has written numerous articles appearing in various Christian publications, including the MorningStar Journal, Charisma and Church Growth International. He has also written four books including "Thrones of Our Soul," "Engaging The Revelatory Realm of Heaven," and "Books of Destiny," all dealing with prophetic mandates placed upon the end-time generation. His newest book, "Angels That Gather," provides a Biblical outline for the harvest and insight to help access our end of the age inheritance. Paul Keith and Wanda reside in Orange Beach, Alabama. Together they have five children.

The Church is Called to be a Family, Not Just an Organization

Rick Joyner:

Koinonia - The Bonding Relationship of the Saints

The whole world is dealing with ultimate issues now. This is "The Valley of Decision" that was prophesied (see Joel 3:14). The foundations of civilization are being shaken. At the same time that human governments are failing, the Kingdom of God is growing.

We are in the times when Daniel 2 is being fulfilled. The statue that represents all of man's kingdoms is crumbling while the little stone that represents the Kingdom of God is growing into a mountain or government, and it will keep growing until it fills the whole earth. Which are we building our lives on?

If we are to fulfill The Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations, the Church is going to have to become the city we are called to be – a city on a hill, elevated, so that all can see its light. It was this city that compelled Abraham to leave Ur of the Chaldeans, the greatest culture of his time. He wandered in a wilderness not even knowing where he was going, but he knew what he was looking for – the city that God was building, not man. Being a sojourner is still the nature of the true Christian walk of faith.

There are two basic Greek words used for Church in the New Testament. One is ecclesia which speaks of the structure and government of the Church. The other is koinonia that is the bonding relationship of the saints, which is loosely translated "fellowship" or "communion." The ecclesia exists for the koinonia, not the other way around.

Fellowship and Communion

The Church is called to be a family, not just an organization.We need organization, but the structure given to the local Church in the New Testament was the most basic and simple imaginable – there were elders and deacons – that's it. The life and power of the Church was its koinonia not the ecclesia

In 1 Corinthians 10 and 11 we have the only reason given in the Bible for Christians being weak, sick, or dying prematurely. The reason for this is not having koinonia. The Apostle Paul warned us not to partake of the ritual of koinonia (the Greek word used for "communion" in this text) in an unworthy manner because doing so would bring judgment on ourselves.

To partake of the ritual in an unworthy manner is when people partake even when they do not actually have what the ritual symbolizes and reminds us to have – koinonia. It is noteworthy that nowhere are we given such a warning about not having ecclesia.

Koinonia is far more than greeting each other and exchanging pleasantries before a service once or twice a week. This word represents a bonding together to such a degree that the parts cannot be separated without dying. This is why the apostle warns that not having this in our lives will result in weakness, sickness, and death. It is that vital to the Christian life.

Some may maintain that they have fellowship with the Lord and that is enough for them, but the Lord said that this was not enough. We cannot be rightly joined to the Head without also being rightly joined to His Body. I've heard many say that they love God but just don't like His people. However, as John wrote, we do not really love God if we do not also love His people. John also wrote that:

"If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we will have fellowship (koinonia) with one another, and the Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

If my hand is severed from my body, it will die quickly because the life blood cannot flow through it without being connected to the body. The same is true spiritually. We must have koinonia to have the true life of Christ flowing through us.

We can't have all that koinonia implies by just having good chats with our friends over coffee. We can't have it by looking at the back of their heads in services either. This level of relationship is a vital part of true Christianity, yet it is rarely found in Christianity today. We must find it.

Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries
Email: info@morningstarministries.org
Website: morningstarministries.org

Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the Senior Pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He is the author of more than forty books, including The Final Quest, A Prophetic History, and Church History. He is also the president of The OAK Initiative, an interdenominational movement that is mobilizing thousands of Christians to be engaged in the great issues of our times, being the salt and light that they are called to be. Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.