Why is Koinonia So Important for The Great Commission?

Rick Joyner:

Why is koinonia [fellowship] so important when we are talking about The Great Commission? One reason we have failed to fulfill The Great Commission has been our tendency of making converts rather than disciples. The Great Commission is to make disciples. If disciples are not being made, then we are failing in our commission.

What a disciple is has been clearly defined by the Lord. True discipleship is rarely found among Christians today. One reason for this is that true discipleship is not possible without koinonia, as we read in 1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship (koinonia) with one another, and the Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

As we have covered, this Scripture makes it clear that we simply cannot abide in the light without having koinonia. This is also essential for our cleansing.

I often say jokingly, but truthfully, that we simply cannot mature in Christ the way we are called to without all of the frustrations and irritations of Church life. The frustrations and irritations, the hurts and disappointments, are only a small part of what this experience is meant to be, but they are essential to our development. There are certainly far more positives to experiencing koinonia than negatives, but the challenges help us to mature.

The True Church Life

Either idealism about Church life or rejecting the Church will lead us far from the path of life. True Church life, koinonia, can be one of the most wonderful things we ever experience and one of the most difficult, as is true of any relationship, including marriage. As the Lord taught in the Parable of the Sower, many will depart when testing comes. Many depart from Church, and many are now even departing from marriage when the tests come. You can never pass a test by quitting.

The breakdown of marriage is related to the breakdown in Church life and vice versa. The same thing that heals one will heal the other as well. The Cross is a vertical post that represents our connection to God and a horizontal one that represents our connection to one another. One thing that taking up our cross means is that we must have both of these in our lives. Of course, our connection to God eclipses the importance of our connection to one another and must always be kept first. But if we have this and keep it first, we will also have the other. As John also wrote, we cannot love God who we do not see if we do not love our brother who we can see (see I John 4:20-21).

So, what can we do to promote koinonia in Church life? First and foremost, we must seek the presence of the Lord above all things. What good is the most glorious temple if God is not in it? Then we need to pursue relationships, not just wait to be pursued. Barnabas had to go and get Paul. Then they needed to get in the right place before either of them could get released into their own ultimate calling.

In those days, this was a supreme effort. It must have taken months for Barnabas to travel to Tarsus and then back to Antioch. Today it is hard to find those who will drive more than thirty minutes to church. What makes something a treasure is that it is either rare or difficult to obtain. Koinonia is one of the greatest treasures we can have in this life. It is not cheap or easy to find, but it will be found by those who value it enough not to give up on its pursuit. The city that God is building, that which Abraham sought, and all true sojourners seek, is built on Jesus with koinonia.

Seeking the presence of the Lord is far more than seeking His blessings, which so much of the present emphasis of church teaching is based on today. He will bless many things He will not inhabit. When He says that wherever two or more are gathered in His name He will be in their midst (see Matthew 18:20), the word "gathered" does not mean merely occupying the same room or space. It is where they have been "assembled together" like the parts of a bicycle have been assembled together. This is why we are told to "not to forsake the assembling together" (see Hebrews 10:25). This is not just a warning not to miss meetings, but to not fail to be assembled together as we are called to be. (Photo via Stock.xchange by Timo Balk, edited by Tawny Nelson)

To build a Church where there is actually Church life, koinonia, we must do things to intentionally promote interchange between members. This can include small groups, church fellowship dinners, mission trips, and various other activities. However, gatherings that really lead to koinonia will center on the presence of the Lord. All others can be helpful in getting to this, but just gathering together for activities can fall far short by themselves.

In every spiritual pursuit, we must keep in mind this principle: Between the place where we receive the promise of God and the promised land, or the fulfillment of the promise, there is almost always a wilderness that is the exact opposite of what we have been promised. This wilderness is meant to prepare us for the promised land. Do not be shaken when you start to pursue koinonia and the opposite seems to happen with relationship challenges breaking out everywhere. This is just a sign that you are indeed on the path.

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.

To Lean Or Not To Lean?

Tiffany Ann Lewis:

http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=13213

I would like to talk about Sampson and something that is seldom brought up: his natural strength. Generally, when we think about Sampson, we think about his supernatural strength or his fall to temptation resulting from dabbling with Delilah; however, I believe there is something else to be revealed here that we can all benefit from. I believe Sampson's greatest folly was not leaning on God because of his natural strength.

You see, I don't picture Sampson as a wimpy lad wandering around waiting for the Spirit of the Lord to come upon him, empowering him. The Bible says he was a warrior, so I believe he had plenty of natural strength of his own. He had to be ready to battle 24/7, in season and out.

Beloved, I believe that each of us has some natural strength that makes it possible to walk out what God has called us to do. Let me explain. There is a call, there are gifts, and there are talents – three different things. Each of us has received a call from God to be the light to the world around us. The gifts of the Holy Spirit empower us to reflect that light through the talents God has given us.

His Anointing

How that glorious Light is expressed through us will be uniquely different for everyone. A talent represents any kind of natural resource we are given. For example, a worship leader isn't a worship leader just because they can play an instrument or sing. A worship leader is called by God to lead others into His presence.

Furthermore, God may give that leader a supernatural gift of being able to hear His voice through the music so he/she can prophesy. Nevertheless, that individual has a natural talent of making music; there is skill that he/she needs to utilize in order to make that joyful sound to the Lord. With all that said, natural talent/strength can make beautiful music, but it can only touch the soul realm of the listener. Only the anointing of His Spirit will touch the heart.

The problem arises when we begin to gain confidence in our natural skill. I used that example because I was a worship leader long before I was a pastor, and it taught me a lesson I pray I never forget. When I began leading worship, I was scared to death. I would spend days praying and fasting in hopes that I could get all the way through a song without falling on my face.

Thankfully, over the years, I grew more confident and I didn't feel sick to my stomach every time I led worship. Unfortunately, as I gained confidence, I wasn't praying with the same intensity to make it through a service as I did in the beginning. Now, there is nothing wrong with confidence, but so often, as our confidence grows in that area, our prayer life diminishes in it.

Our Own Strength

In the Bible, prayerlessness is symbolized by sleep. It's no coincidence that Sampson was sleeping on Delilah's lap when his hair was cut. When he woke up, he just assumed that he could operate once again as he had always done before. Beloved, please hear this: Just because God anointed what you did yesterday, doesn't mean that He's anointing it today.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Evidently it was worth repeating, because it's quoted twice: both in Proverbs 14:12 and in Proverbs 16:25. So often we run out and do something assuming it will work just because it's worked for us in the past. Sampson ran out in the way that seemed right to him, and his enemies captured him. His greatest deception was not Delilah; it was his own strength. The deception comes when our natural talent causes us to lose sight of our utter dependency on God.

It would be very easy for me to lean on my experience or a good song list in order to lead worship "well," but then I wouldn't be leaning on Him anymore – I'd be leaning on my knowledge. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Sampson woke up finding himself once again in a situation where he needed to use his strength, and he said, "'I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!' But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him" (Judges 16:20).

Sampson got up and ran out as he had many times before, but notice, this time he didn't even know that the presence of the Lord had left him. O' God, how sad...how is this possible that he didn't even know? He must have been doing things for a long time in his own strength if he couldn't even discern the difference between when God was with him and when He wasn't.

Remember to Lean!

Tears sting my eyes and I tremble deep inside because I know firsthand what it's like to run out apart from the presence of the Lord. I know what it feels like to have turned left when God has turned right, only to find myself standing in my own strength and not His. I read this Bible passage and an alarm goes off in my spirit as if the Lord is shouting,"Warning, warning, please remember to lean!" What will it take us to get there? Does God have to cut our hair, or can we realize it through this glimpse into Sampson's life?

We have an opportunity right now to learn from Sampson's mistake. My calling today as a pastor is different than it was as a worship leader, and it's very different from Sampson's, and your calling is probably quite different from mine. However, one thing that we all have in common is our total dependency on Jesus Christ to help us walk it out.

The Lord wants us leaning on Him in all things, always!Seriously, think about it: all things, always – in raising our children, in doing our job, in all day-to-day affairs. He wants us leaning on Him emotionally, physically, and spiritually. He wants us leaning on Him for our next meal, our next promotion, and our next breath, in all things, always.

The Lord is inviting us today to take this leaning position. May we respond and choose to lean. Amen and Amen.

Tiffany Ann Lewis
Dancing With the Flame of the LORD Ministries
Email: tiffanyann@tiffanyannlewis.com
Website: tiffanyannlewis.com

Tiffany Ann Lewis is a prophetic worship leader and Bible teacher with a unique focus on Biblical Hebrew, and whose heart has been passionately awakened by a God who sees us in our shortcomings, loves us in spite of it all, and calls out to us so we can live (Ezekiel 16). Her vision is to create an atmosphere in worship where we can meet with God face-to-face, where the Spirit of God moves freely, releasing emotional, spiritual, and physical healing, and igniting a passion for our Heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus. Tiffany Ann has been ministering for over 15 years in the Body of Christ through worship and the Word. Her newest opportunity will be to serve as an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Hebrew at the Quest Bible Institute in Georgia where she is also a fully matriculated student enrolled in a graduate level Biblical/theological studies program at Quest Bible Institute and Seminary. Upon completion of her studies she will be awarded a Master's degree in Biblical Studies.

Tiffany and her husband Rodney have been married for more than twenty years and have one darling daughter, Ashley, a glorious granddaughter, Gloriana, and two precious pups that are also a part of their family.

Awaken Your Dreams!

Joey LeTourneau:

http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=13199

Awaken Your Dreams!
Imagine Nations Changed Because You
Lived Your Purpose and Dream!

"Now Joseph had a dream…" Genesis 37:5

We all have a dream! Somewhere inside us there is something that makes our heart burn with passion and burst with joy! It may be an old dream, or it may be fresh. It may be lying dormant waiting to be revived, or it might be on the verge of breathing new life into others. No matter what stage your dreaming heart is in, it is time to prepare for an awakening of your dreams!

Can They Live?

"And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?'" Ezekiel 37:3

We stand with the Lord looking upon the dry bones of our dreams that the enemy has tried to steal, kill and destroy. And God asks us, "Can these dreams live?" He is awaiting our answer. We must not speak out of hope deferred, but rather – we are to speak out into creation that which has already been conceived inside us and that which the Lord is waiting to partner with you to bring to life!

Much more than a word for you, I believe the Father is calling out the word from within you. He is asking you to begin speaking out your dream once more, and living it to His fullest; one step at a time with Him. Come back to the joy you knew before hope was deferred.

Old, dying or dormant dreams are more alive than you think, and you have more within you to live them out than you realize. There is a child inside you who knows not only how to dream, but how to live them in simple trust and belief.

"Talitha, Cumi"

Before we moved from Ethiopia, I had a very intense dream that felt as real on the outside as it was on the inside. The Lord took me into what seemed to be a mausoleum of sorts, where there were six coffins. He took me over to one specific coffin and said, "Stretch out your hand and prophesy life." I was still dreaming, but literally felt and heard my body and voice join the Lord on the outside as well. As I stretched out my hand and spoke, a child rose, sitting straight up.

I believe this child is a key picture for the time at hand. Almost two years later, having let go of that dream, God brought me a word that sparked its possibilities back to life from Mark 5:41-42:"Then He took the child by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha, cumi,' which is translated, 'Little girl, I say to you arise.' Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement."

It is a child such as this that is key to our dreams coming to life and being lived out in the world. To live out the dream inside us and see its Kingdom reality revealed, we must learn to walk with the Father like little children again.

That is how the Israelites crossed the Jordan into their Promise Land, they took one step at a time, living into their dream and promise. The first step came before there was any breakthrough in the waters – they just stepped, and lived it before it was there to be lived. That's what a child would do!

I believe the Father is birthing a youth-filled revival. It's the child inside you, AND the young person next to you. Both are being raised up for such a time as this. God has so frequently moved through unlikely people and strategies, and is now looking for those "empty vessels" (2 Kings 4) of the world who have room for His best rather than our own perception of such.

It's time to let the childlike faith inside you come to life and strengthen you in speaking forth the dreams of your heart. It's time to find the youth around you and empower them with permission to dream! Together, it's time to dream, again!

Not One Purpose Falling to the Ground

One of my dreams and promises I had put down has been coming back to life, and stronger than ever! It originates from the story of Samuel. Samuel was so young when he became the prophetic voice of his time, even during a time when the voice of the Lord was not being heard. He began to live this purpose with God at such a young age, a child co-laboring with his Father, not because of his qualifications or understanding, but because of his yielded nature – which began with Hannah.

So here we have a prophet of God, speaking on behalf of the Lord from such a young age and yet he had this testimony, "So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19).

This blows me away! How can someone speak for God for a living and still not have one word fall to the ground? We can speak words so frivolously, and yet, here is someone charged with speaking on behalf of the Lord, beginning as a boy, and still not one word fell to the ground unused. It makes me dream for each of us.

If not one word could fall to the ground between God and Samuel, how much more possible is it for not one purpose from any life to fall to the ground?

Our purpose is so uniquely God-given and specially placed. If not one of Samuel's words fell to the ground, than why should any purpose of any of God's children ever fall to the ground? That's why we must dream!

You have a unique purpose within you that no one else has. You have value simply because of who you are to the Father. His love for you is unconditional, and He believes in you. So do I! He is calling you into your unique and special purpose.

It's time to speak forth the dreams that are in you. It's time to walk with Him with childlike trust, live your dreams rather than the world's version, and see your purpose come to life. I pray not one purpose God has put within you will fall to the ground. It's time to dream, and we're not talking "pipe dreams" either. We're talking about the real deal, the dreams that will unveil your purpose to those in the world who need it the most.

Imagine nations changed because you lived your purpose and dream!Hope breathes through those who choose to be awakened.

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

Together, Joey LeTourneau and his wife, Destiny, have co-founded their new mission, Imagi-Nations LLC, and live with their five children near Denver, CO. They have lived and traveled across the nations and find such joy in empowering God's children to walk in their unique purpose and calling. Joey is a visionary and pioneer with contagious passion when he speaks, empowering each person to see differently, live differently and love differently; imparting the Father's blessing to be who God made you to be. He has authored five books, most recently: "Dream, Again: Re-Interpreting the American Dream: Through Founder's Eyes."

Why You Should Remind God of Your Prophetic Words

Jennifer LeClaire:

http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=13119

Is it time for you to remind God of the prophetic words you've received that haven't come to pass?

Remember how excited you were when you got that prophetic word 5, 10, or even 15 years ago? You set your heart to prepare yourself to walk it out. You confessed it out of your mouth. You declared it shall come to pass. You prayed it through.

You did everything you were supposed to do, but that prophetic word still hasn't come to pass. In fact, it may even look like the exact opposite is happening in your life. It may look like the enemy has already robbed your prophecy. It may seem like the prophetic word will never come to pass.

Now is your moment of decision. Will you give up on that tried-and-tested prophetic word that you know that you know that you know is from God? Or will you go back to the Author of that prophecy – Jesus – and remind Him of the prophetic word?(Photo via stock.xchng)

Jacob's Vow at Bethel

Jacob got a prophetic word from God while he was fleeing his angry brother, Esau, whom he cheated out of his birthright. Imagine the scene: Jacob was traveling alone from Beersheba toward Haran, and when the sun started setting, he decided to rest. He used a rock for a pillow and had prophetic dreams of "a ladder that was set up on the earth, and its top reached to Heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it" (Genesis 28:12). Next came a prophecy that was exceedingly abundantly above all he could ask or think:

"I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you" (verses 13-15).

Jacob believed the prophetic word, set up a pillar to God, poured oil upon it, and made a vow to give a tenth to God if He kept him safe during his journey, gave him food and clothing, and allowed him to reach his father's house in peace. Of course, God kept up His part of the covenant. Despite being cheated by his uncle Laban for more than a decade, Jacob prospered wildly in every respect in Haran. He had exceeding abundant children, livestock, and favor with God.

Wrestling With God

Finally fed up with Laban's dishonesty, Jacob decided to return to his country. Laban pursued him, and Jacob boldly confronted his uncle – but when Jacob learned that Esau was coming out to meet him, fear struck his heart. Jacob did what we need to do when it looks like our prophetic word can't possibly come to pass – when it looks like the devil is devouring our prophetic dreams. When the enemy comes in with fear that what God said will never happen, we need to take the prophetic word back to its Author in prayer.

"Then Jacob said, 'O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, "Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you": I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, "I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude"'" (Genesis 32:9-12).

But Jacob didn't stop there. Jacob wrestled with God over the issue until the break of day. You'll recall the determined words of Jacob's mouth: "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" (verse 26). Jacob got his blessing, but he walked away with a limp.

Of course, God always intended to keep His prophetic word to Jacob. There was never a question in God's mind that He would watch over His word to perform it (see Jeremiah 1:12). And the same holds true for you.

Although some prophecies are conditional, some are set in stone – no man on earth or devil in Hell can stop what God has planned. But we can stop it with our doubt, unbelief, fearful mindset, complacency, and apathy.

So if you've been waiting for months, years, or decades for a prophecy to come to pass – and when you're afraid people and circumstances are going to kill your promise – do what Jacob did: 

Pray.

Remind God of His prophetic word. Wrestle with God in prayer until you have the faith to get up and run toward His perfect will despite what things look like – even if you have to run with a limp. Amen.

Jennifer LeClaire
News Editor at Charisma Media,
Founder of Jennifer LeClaire Ministries
Email: jennifer@jenniferleclaire.org
Website: jenniferleclaire.org

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma magazine and author of The Making of a Prophet, The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel, The Heart of the Prophetic, and many other books. She is also director of the International House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale.

God is Moving - We Are at the Beginning of Something Beyond Anything We've Ever Seen

http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=13090

Robert Hotchkin:

All around the world the Body of Christ can feel the stirrings of a great move of God. We are at the beginning of something awesome, something global, something beyond anything we have ever seen. For years now, we have been believing for it, praying into it, and declaring it. God is moving. The key for the Body in this hour, is to discover how to move with Him and follow Him into all He has for us.

It may sound simple: We pray for God to move, He begins to move, we move with Him. But actually the early stages of a move of God can be the most challenging part. So often when God begins to move the response of the Body is not, "Yay! God is moving!" but instead, "Hey! God where did You go?!"

Seeing New Aspects of His Fullness

A move of God by definition involves God moving. Which means we may not "find" Him exactly where (or how) we have in the past – because He is doing a new thing. Mind you, He is not changing, God never changes (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). But He loves to reveal more of Himself to us in greater and greater depths and dimensions so that we can know more of Him (and thus make more of Him known to the world around us).

Often the way He does this is by blessing us with a season where He seems to not be doing things (or even meeting with us) the way He has in the past. He does not stop being who He "has been," but He adds to our revelation of all that He is by helping us see new aspects of His fullness. He woos us into a greater revelation of all He is by leading us from the comfort zone of what we have already come to know of Him.

Think of the Israelites in the desert. They knew the Lord as Deliverer, the One who brought them up out of Egypt. And now He was leading them – cloud by day, fire by night – across the wilderness into all He had spoken to them of in the Promised Land. Day by day the Israelites learned to look for and follow the presence of the Lord. Sometimes, for days, He would remain in one place with them, helping them to see and know Him as Provider, Healer, or some other aspect of I AM.

But then a day would come when the cloud would move. The Israelites had to be in active relationship with the Lord to realize He was not "where" He had been; they had to be lookingfor the cloud of His presence each day. When the cloud moved they had to trust that He was still with them and seek where He had moved to, so that they could follow.

It is the same for us today. God is moving. The key to following Him into all He is bringing us into begins with us trusting that – even if we are not finding Him where He "was," He is still present. After all, He never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5-6). God is wooing the Body right now in a powerful way. There is a great grace for increased intimacy and relationship with Him – a great grace to know Him in new ways and follow Him into new depths.

A Place of Song of Solomon

Prophetically speaking, I believe we are in a place similar to the end of Song of Solomon 2 and the beginning of Song of Solomon 3.

In Song of Solomon 2, the Lover is wooing His Beloved to a new place in verse 10, "Rise up, my beloved, my fair one, and come away," he invites. He then goes on to declare that "the winter is past…the flowers are springing up, and the time of singing birds has come…the fig trees are budding, and the grapevines are in blossom," and then he repeats his invitation for her to arise and come away with him (Song of Solomon 2:13).

The Lover is announcing that it is a new hour, a new season, and that he has new things to show her, new places to take her, new heights for them to soar to together. She is hearing him on some level (SoS 2:8), and yet at the beginning of Song of Solomon 3 we see that while she is yearning for her Lover, she is still reaching out for him where she has always found him – and discovers that he is no longer there (SoS 3:1).

She has a choice to make. She can continue to search for him where he has been, or she can respond to the invitation to arise and step into the uncertainty of the unknown, discovering him in new places and in new ways (SoS 3:2-4). She chooses the latter, and in doing so embarks on a journey with her Lover in which she comes to know him, rely on him, and lean into him to such a degree that she is completely transformed – so much so that her peers do not even recognize her when she returns (SoS 8:5).

Like in the Song of Solomon, we have entered into a new season. The Lord is beckoning us, wooing us, inviting us to come away from where we have been and arise into a new place with Him – a place of greater revelation and demonstration of all that He is.

If you have noticed lately that things seem different, or you're not quite finding God "how" or "where" you have in the past, do not despair; do not be discouraged. He is simply answering your prayers. He is moving. He is inviting you to come along with Him.

Arise Beloved!

Prayer Directives:

So let's pray this month for the Body of Christ:

1. Our hearts will be fully His, and we will follow where He is leading.

2. We will discern the times, know His intentions, hear His voice, and follow His lead.

3. We will value what has been and all that He has done to date, but we will also be excited and expectant about what He is doing and what is breaking forth in the earth.

4. None will be left behind, and all will hear and respond to His invitation to arise and come away with Him into this new time, this new season, this new move.

5. That we will love one another as He loves us, so even if some respond to His beckoning at a different pace or in different ways than we do, we will respond in love and with encouragement.

6. And most of all, that the fullness of what He has planned for this season will come forth and that He will receive all the glory and all He is due!

Robert Hotchkin
Email: robert@xpministries.com
Website: xpmedia.com/channel/rhotchkin

Robert Hotchkin fervently believes every Christian is a miracle-working explosion of the Kingdom waiting to happen. His ministry empowers Believers to live fully from their restored relationship with the Father through the finished work of the Cross. His preaching, teaching, and ministry inspires Believers to grab hold of their restored relationship with the Father through the finished work of the Cross and walk the earth as Jesus did – destroying every work of darkness everywhere they go! Rob is a passionate lover of Jesus Christ and that passion is truly contagious! He ministers with strong faith, releasing revelation, prophetic decrees, healings, miracles, and the love of God. He is a true carrier of the glory and revival. People have been healed, refreshed, set free, and empowered through his life. He believes for Heaven to impact lives and regions everywhere he goes.

The New Wine Has Already Begun Springing Forth

December 31, 2013

Angela Greenig:

http://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=12966

As 2013 comes to a close, you can feel the move of His "Quantum" Acceleration, and it has begun. The new wine is waiting to break forth faster than the speed of light. That is why many are feeling as though they are getting ready to go into labor. We are all so excited to see what lies ahead. It is as if we have stretched out the tent stakes as far as they can go, and for many of us, our ears are to the ground listening.

We are in a time of "quantum acceleration." The Lord says that"You will quantum leap into your past and take back the dreams and promises that God the Father has promised you. Then you can leap forward into your present time that will set up your future."

The new wine has already begun springing forth, releasing the anticipation of what God is getting ready to do. The number 20 means "redeem," and 14 means "salvation that brings deliverance." We will see a year of quantum acceleration of souls coming into the Kingdom. I can hear Acts 16:31, saying, "Families will be saved and the prodigals are coming home!"

On Passover, and also the Feast of Tabernacles of 2014 and 2015, there will be blood moons. This has not happened in a long time, or especially back to back, in so many years! These are signs from the throne room of Heaven. We cannot overlook these signs! We must "pass over" into the Promised Land and step into the Holy of Holies with full access and assurance of our role and what is asked of us.

We cannot contain the new wine in these old wine skins. We cannot contain what the Father has for us. This is our time to remember that Jesus came to be born in human form so that He could take us into the fullness of Heaven. Life would be fully in the Holy Spirit. From being a newborn, to the Cross, to Christ (The Anointed One), He came back and told those in the upper room to wait.

You Get the Victory!

I had a vision. In this vision, an angel of the Lord flew from Heaven. He had a horn in his right hand. A shofar horn full of oil. As he got closer, I could smell this aroma, like one I have never smelled before. This fragrance, once released, demolished darkness as pure light was illuminating for what looked like miles and miles. It hit the airwaves like an atomic bomb going off. As he poured out the oil, for what seemed only to be a drop, it released strategic regions here on earth. What once was barren will now bring forth 30-, 60-, and 100-fold back into whatever seed you have sown. You may feel like it's the winter months, but soon it will be springtime.

The Lord is looking for true purebreds, not show-horses!He is looking for men and woman of integrity. Our weapon in this hour is faith. Faith is what it will take in this next, new season. That, my friends, is you and me. Many of you have been hidden, and even felt forgotten. The Father's hand has been on you all this time, but in those times of feeling like He isn't there, that's where the testing and pruning takes place. As winter has just begun, I know it is time to turn over a new leaf. It's an old expression, but it's time to turn over those areas in your life that have been dormant and press through until you get the victory!

The winds and fire are going to expose and then consume your enemies like a fire with a back draft. I see gates being shut every time you step out into your sphere of influence.Whatever you're feeling as to enlarging your territory, now is the time. "Walk on the water and you will not fail," says the Lord.

Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness

We leave Haggai 1 behind us and step into this quantum leap of acceleration as we build the Kingdom of God as one. I hear Matthew 6:33: "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."Those of us who follow Jesus are urged to seek above all else God's Kingdom and His righteousness. The verb "seek" implies being continually absorbed in a search for something, or making a strenuous and diligent effort to obtain something.

As we seek Him and His Kingdom that we will be a part of, the greatest revival that we have seen for souls in these next three years will take place. Our key is just this: To allow Him to blow on the embers of our heart. It's our year to come out of exile; a time to possess the Kingdom of God! Signs, wonders and miracles! Apostolic prophetic alignment is a key to unleashing Heaven upon the earth!

Lord, let Your Kingdom reign here on earth as it is in Heaven.

Angela T. Greenig
Angela Greenig Ministries International
Email: angela@angelagreenig.com
Website: angelagreenig.com

Angela Greenig is founder of Angela Greenig Ministries International, is author of three books, has produced two DVDs, and hosts "Justice for All" media channel with XP Media. Angela's teachings and insights come from years of experience on the front lines of spiritual warfare. She is a seasoned seer/warrior for Christ, and is a leading force in deliverance ministry. For the past 27 years she has been a defender of the faith and a voice for those who have no voice, traveling the world, preaching the Gospel and training up the Body of Christ. For the past 21 years she has been blessed to be working on the streets of Seattle, Washington, helping to feed and clothe the homeless and those in need. Angela has built and released ministries in many cities throughout America and in many nations of the world. She has a heart of welfare for the salvation and deliverance of people.

Today in Paradise - A Christmas Story

Intro from Keith Koerner:

I wrote a short story about
Christmas, taking some artistic liberties.
Perhaps it didn't happen exactly like
this, but it may have.

Have a Merry Christmas and
remember the reason for the season.
It isn't about a baby's birthday.
It is about a Savior, a plan set in motion
to save us from our sins and
restore relationship between us and God.

If you enjoyed this story, please share it with others!
________________________________

Today in Paradise - A Christmas Story

Crouching down under the back of a wagon, I peer cautiously into the darkness. I can hear the soldiers shouting and the hoofs of horses in the distance. The whinny from a horse makes me jerk my head to the right. Twenty yards away, a mounted Roman soldier is searching the street. I inch backwards under the wagon, further from his view. I slide out from under the wagon and kneel behind a large box. The soldier's lantern swings by the wagon where I had been hiding under just moments ago. He continues slowly down the street and out of sight. I breathe a sigh of relief, trying to calm the pounding in my chest.

I squint through the darkness, trying to assess my surroundings. It appears that I got lucky. The chase has lead me to the edge of the town. Only a few houses separate me from the hills surrounding Bethlehem. Fifty yards and I'll be free. I stealthily move down the darkened street and into the low-lying hills. Using the trees as shelter, I make my way further from town. Once at a safe distance, I drop my bag. By the light of the moon, I peer at the contents. Close to twenty gold coins, a gold cup, and a small dagger. This is my best theft yet in my budding career. Poor tax collector, leaving his home unbarred on a busy night. Perhaps drunk, or perhaps too naive to suspecting that anyone - let alone a wiry twelve year old - would take something from his home.

I smile and put the contents back in the bag. I'll spend the night out here in the hills, away from the town of Bethlehem. Away from the soldiers searching for me. Tomorrow, I'll travel to Bethany. Hopping from town to town, I will prey upon unsuspecting victims.

Nestled amongst the trees, I prepare to sleep. I hear shepherds nearby, laughing and talking around a fire. Sheep bleat occasionally, more for the comfort of each other than for any real need. It is quiet. Stars are attempting to shine their magnificence through the partially cloudy covering.

I take my blanket from the pack and place it at my side. I form the rest of the pack into a pillow and pull the blanket over my body. As I lie back, I see a bright light appear in the sky very close by. I roll over to my side to peer through the trees. A light coming down from the sky. The shepherds laughter and talking immediately stops. They are staring too. I've never seen anything quite like it. I crawl out of my blanket and creep closer, strangely drawn to the unknown. Out of the light a figure appears, suspended in air about thirty feet above the shepherds.

Terrified, the shepherds turn to run towards the trees. Towards me.

"Wait!"

They stop, uncertain if they should run or listen to this figure.

The figure reaches out his arms in a welcoming manner. "Don't be scared. I have some great news for you. Not just you, but all people. Tonight, a mighty king has been born!"

The shepherds turn fully towards the figure. I emerge from the shadows, wanting a closer look.

"Here's how you know who this King is: You'll find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding trough."

I've hit the jackpot! A King. Wealth. Think of the treasures in His home!

Wait. A feeding trough? That doesn't make sense. Perhaps I heard wrong.

Suddenly the sky brightens, and hundreds of these figures are all around us. They sing and declare peace on earth. Frightening yet incredible. My senses are alive.

Then as quickly as they appeared, the figures all disappear. Silence and darkness. The shepherds stare at the sky, still trying to understand what they just saw.

"Let's go find Him," exclaims one of the shepherds.

It breaks the group out of their trance-like state. Quickly they gather their things and start walking towards Bethlehem. I quietly gather my belongings and trail along at the back of the pack. I should be leaving. I shouldn't be risking going back into Bethlehem, but the temptation is too great. I want to see this King. I want to see who He is. But I also know that this is an opportunity to steal more valuables than ever before. Perhaps I'd be able to steal enough to no longer have to steal again.

Walking back into town, one of the shepherds notices me.

"Did you see that?" he asks.

"Yes, I did!" I reply. "That was amazing. I want to see this King too."

"Come up here and join us. We will find this King. This is truly great news," he exclaims as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and gives a rough squeeze. Though a stranger, we have a camaraderie based around the hatred of our nation being subjected to the foreign rule of the Roman Empire. A King gives us hope.

I join the shepherds as they search for the future King. I try to stay in the middle of the group so I wouldn't be spotted easily by any soldiers who may still be searching for me. I think again of the treasures I could take from this King's house.

We arrive at a rundown inn close to the northeast side of the town. Just as one of the shepherds starts to knock on the door, we hear the distinct cry of a newborn baby. Turning, we see the small cave where the animals are kept.

Surely not in there. Surely a baby could not be in such a dirty place.

The shepherd in the lead spins on his heels and we as one enter the cave. Peering over an old donkey, I glimpse a family. Sliding around to the other side of the donkey while staying in the shadows, I am able to take a better look. A man and a woman sit along the back of the cave, huddled together for warmth. A small lantern casts shadows on the cave walls. In the dim light, I see that in the woman's arms is a little baby, crying softly. She wraps the blankets tighter around the baby, gently rocking Him.

Two of the shepherds tentatively step forward. The leader introduces himself and tells the young family what they just experienced in the field. The couple's eyes grow wide in amazement. As the shepherd tells the story, the woman continues to rock the baby and soon he stops crying and falls asleep. She looks down at the baby, her eyes filled with wonderment yet peaceful. It was as if she knew this would happen.

I move further into the cave and feel the squish of fresh manure beneath my sandal and curse under my breath. I smell the stench of the animals. I feel the cold air blowing in the cave.

How can this be? A poor family. A baby born in a cave? Where is the wealth? Where are the treasures? Could we be in the wrong place?

Yet I knew He was The One. There was something about everything that had been going on. This was not common. A future King. Peace on earth. But penniless. Not in a castle, but in a cave.

I look around the room one more time, looking for anything of value. A small bag is near the young man, but I don't have the heart to steal from someone who just had a baby.

Scraping the manure off of my sandal, I slowly slip out of the cave and into the cool night air. I hear the shepherd ask what the baby's name is. As I walk away, I hear her reply, "Jesus."

________________________________

For over thirty years since I began a life of crime, I have never been caught. Without a father and with a mother more interested in other men than me, I had turned to stealing in order to provide for myself. Now as I hide in the shadows of a rich young ruler's home, I think back to my humble beginnings. I remember the first loaf of bread I stole from a street vendor. I recollect the first time I snuck into a neighbor's house. I had known where he kept his gold. Quickly and quietly, I had taken several coins but purposefully left most of the coins since I had thought his daughter was beautiful. I remember the night I stole from the tax collector and almost got caught by the Roman soldiers. That reminds me of the puzzling encounter with the shepherds, floating figures in the sky, and a supposed baby King.

I wonder what ever happened to that baby?

My attention returns to the house as I hear the door open. The young ruler locks the door and hurries down the street. Now is the time. I make my way to the back of the house, looking for an opening. The courtyard gate at the stairs leading to his rooftop is not barred. I quietly open the gate and climb the stairs. On the roof, I crouch near an opening in the roof. Slowly I climb down the ladder and into his house. I've become very adept at searching homes in complete darkness. I feel my way around the room looking for a loose rock in the wall, a common hiding place for valuables. Behind that rock I know that there are many gold coins. I need to find those coins. I need to stop being a thief. It is getting harder to steal. The risk is getting greater. People are becoming more wise and hiding things better. The Roman soldiers are looking for thieves with greater persistence.

I find the loose rock! I place it on the ground and reach into the hole. I feel coins. Lots of coins. Jackpot! I begin to load my bag. My heart begins to race with the all too familiar thrill of stealing a large treasure. I'm a little sloppy in my excitement. Quickly. The coins are clinking as they hit the bottom of the bag. A little too quickly. A little too loudly. Loud enough to not hear the door open as the young ruler returned to get something he'd forgotten. Too loud to not hear him come up behind me. Suddenly a sharp pain in the back of my head. Darkness. ________________________________

My head is pounding in pain before I even open my eyes. I reach to feel where it hurts but my arm is stopped short. I open my eyes. My arms and legs are shackled together, allowing for only the smallest of movements. I lift my head and take in the surroundings. Across the room is a man that I recognize. Another thief. We had even planned and committed a few thefts together when the jobs needed more than one man.

I grimace in pain. My head is throbbing. My chest hurts when I breathe. My back feels like someone has made cuts all over it. My vision in my left eye is partially blurry and my face feels swollen.

I lean back against the wall. This is it. This is the end. Caught in the act. I know the punishment. I close my eyes to the physical and emotional pain.

________________________________

I try to sleep off the pain and not think about what is next. The head continues to pound and my body hurts. But I know it is nothing compared to the pain I will feel in a few hours. Sentenced to death just an hour earlier, I feel the weight of the judgment upon me. Terror rises in me. Helpless to do anything about it, I curse the air.

Down the corridor I hear the shouts of an angry mob of people. I look up to see the guards pushing a man down the hall. He is hardly recognizable. Covered in blood, chunks of His beard pulled out, His back ripped open from the whippings of the dreaded cat of nine tails. His face covered in spit mixed with blood.

A guard opens the cell door. He removes the shackles from the other thief and me. "On your feet," he barks.

We follow the crowd out into the open courtyard. For some reason, the mob is furious with this severely beaten man. I see the Roman soldiers and the crowd of mostly Jews begin to mock Him.

They cram a crudely made crown made out of large thorns upon His head. I see blood stream down the back of his neck. They put a robe on Him.

"King of the Jews?" They taunt him.

"You think You are so great. Just look at You now." A burly guard slaps Him across the face.

I am led across the courtyard to stand before Pilate, the ruler of the region. The other thief stands with me. Pilate is distracted by the mob. He wants to let this man go free, but the crowd is shouting, "Crucify Him."

"Jesus, what do You have to say?" Pilate asked Him.

Jesus? I vaguely recall the name. Many years ago. A King. My head is throbbing. I can't think straight.

I think back through the years. All the people I'd encountered. The ones I stole from. The ones I called friends.

A King? The crowd is wanting to crucify a King?

Shaken out of my thoughts by a guard shoving me forward, I wince in pain. The verdict has been passed. Pilate has waved me on. He will not save me. All three of us now must begin the march towards death. Weakened by the beatings, the crossbar they strap to my shoulders is almost too heavy. I have to carry it to the hill. The crowds are now even larger. Hatred spews from their lips. They curse at us, spit on us, yell at us. But I notice most of it is directed at the man they call Jesus.

Why such hatred? What did He do?

I stagger under the weight, nearly falling on my face. I attempt to regain my footing, bumping into someone. Jesus. Just a couple of feet away. He turns His head and I see His face. There is something in His eyes. I can see it. Not the anger of being beaten. Not the terror of being sentenced to death. Not the shame of a life of crime. It is something else. Something good. Beyond the pain being inflicted upon His body, His eyes are shining with... love! With love for the people!

It makes no sense. The crowd is so angry, so full of hate. Yet He is full of love.

We finally make it to the hill. The soldiers lay each of us down upon a large pole. They tie the crossbar onto the pole. I brace for what is next. I see the spikes. I see the hammer. I roll my head to the left. I look into the eyes of the ones they mockingly called the King of the Jews. He looks at me, eyes deeper than the ocean. They seem to look right through me, right to my heart. I look away, feeling strangely ashamed of what I'd done in my life.

The hammer falls. Worse pain than I've ever felt now courses through my body. Right hand. Left hand. I feel weak with pain. I look back at Jesus. His body trembles in agony, but He continues to look into my eyes. Right foot. Left foot. The pain of the stakes is almost too much.

They lift us up. I feel the blood rush to my feet and I feel dizzy. My body sags under the weight of itself. I push myself up on the cross to be able to breath. Unbearable pain. The crowd is screaming.

Jesus. A cave. Figures in the sky. Shepherds. A King. Peace on earth. A Savior.

The disparate thoughts all merge together.

This is Him! This is the One that over thirty years ago amazing supernatural events trumpeted His arrival.

I see the figures. The angels. "Glory to God in the highest. Tonight a Savior is born."

A Savior. Jesus - which means One who saves. One who will save us all from our sins.

I turn my head for another look. I see the eyes. Eyes of love for mankind. I understand who He really is. My vision blurs. I see the baby. The innocent baby is nailed to that cross! One who hasn't harmed anyone. The Savior. The King.

The crowd continues to yell. I know He is innocent, yet I see myself walk over to Him. I spit upon Him. I slap Him. I yell, "Crucify Him!" The baby just looks at me with love.

I put Him there! I was the one.

Jesus. The One who will save people from their sins.

I rejected Him. I had heard of His miracles but I wasn't interested. I was too busy committing crimes, living my own life. My sins are too many. I step away from the cross. I feel the guilt. My mind flashes back across the years. The things I had stolen. The things I said. The selfish life I'd lived. It was me. I understand in a moment that this baby was dying not for the crimes He had committed, but for mine. For everyone standing there. For everyone yet to come.

The innocent One. The pure One. The King of the Jews. The Son of God. For me. A baby. Fully God, yet fully man. A plan. A plan for all mankind.

I push myself up again. I'm so weak. My vision is starting to blur. I see the baby. I see the severely beaten man. I see the King. I see my Savior. I understand that His Kingdom was not of this world. He is opening the door to let us all have access to that Kingdom.

"Remember me when you arrive in Your Kingdom," I say to Him.

Eyes full of love. I feel the guilt wash away. The shame removed. The humiliation gone. I feel clean. My mind is clear.

"Today, you will be with Me in paradise," He says in a soft, kind voice.

Through the excruciating pain, a slight smile crosses His mouth. Without strength to say any more, I smile back. I feel a warmth at the back of my head. My vision blurs. White. Bright. Light. Nothing.

Paradise.

Copyright 2013 - Keith Koerner

Source: http://beingreal4all.blogspot.com/2013/12/today-in-paradise-christmas-story.html