Believer's Blog

Kingdom Finances as Sons, part 2

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:34-39

Last Sunday, we began to introduce you to this line of thought that there are principles of the Kingdom of God that we must understand in order to become administrators of the Kingdom. As our text demonstrates, there is a certain way we are to release what has been given to us and we must have an understanding of the Kingdom. We were made for the Kingdom and the Kingdom was made for us. As we understand the plan of God, the mysteries of God are revealed to us as we transition into our tight positions as sons of God. Not when we get to heaven, but in the here and now as we do His will on earth as it is in heaven.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
I Corinthians 4:1

Last Wednesday, we gave a definition of the word steward. It is defined as one who manages the financial affairs or property of another. Every born again believer is a steward of the Kingdom of God and manages the finances that come to you for the work of the Kingdom. God’s Word teaches us that if you are faithful over a little or a few things, He can and will trust you with much more.

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:21

As we are coming into a new revelation of understanding wise stewardship concerning what we have, we sing a song that was written by our head musician, Minister Mike, “Use what you’ve got. Use it a lot. You’ve got something somebody needs.” This song describes the attitude of those that have the understanding of moving in Kingdom Finances as sons of God. In our text, the needs of others were met because of a heart of compassion that was honoring the Word of God “Love thy neighbor as thyself and what was done to the least of these was done as to the King himself.” We have to change our thinking from being about us to being about someone else. Understanding Kingdom Finances will break the spirit of poverty; break the tightfisted mentality about money and loose a spirit of generosity that will cause you to be a resource for the will and the purposes of God for the advancement of the Kingdom, for the house and for each other.

Let’s look at this from another angle.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:9-15

The Apostle Paul is reminding us and making clear that we have traded our poverty for the riches or the benefits of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. He became poor so we could become rich in our inheritance. Paul is speaking to the Corinthians about what they entered into a year ago but didn’t see it through up to that point. It sounds as though they began to walk in Apostolic Kingdom revelation and became sidetracked.

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:32-35

In the book of Acts, the Body received Kingdom revelation knowledge and destroyed lack in the church and started walking in Kingdom finances as sons. We have to release that “bless me so I can bless someone else” mentality and “Use what you’ve got. Use it a lot.” What are you doing with what you have been entrusted with? Do something with what you currently have right now!

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:5-7

When we come to an understanding of using what we currently have, it is not to get more. That will happen soon enough. Sons understand the Kingdom principle of reciprocity, which can be found in Proverbs 13:21: Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

Reciprocity means mutual action and reaction to; to give and return mutually’ to make a return for; to give in return’ to interchange, as to replicate favors. It’s the love God releases to cheerful givers based on relationship and obedience, not of necessity or what you need. We don’t give to get. That’s a mindset of witchcraft, manipulation and slavery from the old man. When a son has a right relationship with his Father whether it is spiritual or natural, it’s based on right relationship. There is a level of intimacy that only comes through honoring the one you love and serve.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

This is Apostolic Kingdom principle that sons walk in. It follows the right relationships that are founded on the truth of the Word of God, born out of love for and giving into that relationship to further the Kingdom through the vision and endeavors of the man and woman of God. Giving obediently and out of love will cause all of my needs to be met. The son will have faith for more than enough whereas a poverty mindset will always dwell in the land of barely enough.

Commanding Prayer: Season of Authority

Now a watchman stood on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, “I see a company of men.” And Joram said, “Get a horseman and send him to meet them, and let him say, ‘Is it peace?’ ” So the horseman went to meet him, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu said, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “The messenger went to them, but is not coming back.” Then he sent out a second horseman who came to them, and said, “Thus says the king: ‘Is it peace?’ ” And Jehu answered, “What have you to do with peace? Turn around and follow me.” So the watchman reported, saying, “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!” 2Kings 9:17-20

As we are seeing this time unfold, we are to be listening and learning how to watch and use our authority against the plans of the enemy. It's a time to see and to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the church.

To set a watch is a term used to speak of awareness. It is to be on guard; to act as a sentry; to safeguard. It is a position of prayer watching. The church like never before needs to be in a position of watching and executing the will and purposes of God in the earth, just as the watchmen were on the walls watching and seeing the coming and the going of what was entering into their city-their sphere of authority. That is what watchmen do. They watch and discern by the Spirit of God. They are the prayer watchmen, made up of the Body of Christ; believers from every age, gender and denomination who are not bound by the cares of this world. They are people who know the power of answered prayer. We have taught our prayer T.E.A.M.'s (Together Engaging In Apostolic Ministry) here at Believers Church International how to pray. We as five-fold ministers are to be learning and then training all those who desire the skill of prayer, teaching warfare and informed intercession along with the ability to understand how to use the prophetic and anointed preached word of God to open and close places in the Spirit to overthrow the enemy. This type of prayer allows us to use the power and authority that Jesus gave us to preach the gospel of the Kingdom with authority as a team, not just on your own, for one can put a thousand ot flight and two, ten thousand to flight. All for the glory of God!

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1

Jesus said men ought to pray and not faint, lose heart or give up. That's the word to all saints and Satan's word to his kingdom is to keep you from praying. He wants you weak, fainting, loosing heart and hope, giving up thinking you have no power or authority. He wants you to believe that fate rules and what will be will be. NO! God Rules! My friend Pastor Tim at FWCC says God Rocks! Glory to God!

Satan has a plan to cause the prayer ministry to be unsuccessful and to cause it not to fulfill its purpose. Jesus said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." It cannot be a house of prayer without watchmen. Not only watchman on the walls, but in leadership as well. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and the people make up the T.E.A.M. support for the house or the church. It is not a laity ministry-it's an everybody in the house ministry!

His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory.Isaiah 56:10-11

These are spirits sent against the house of prayer, the prayer watchmen and the leardership: blindness, ignorance, dumb dog, sleeping, greedy dogs and shepherds who lack understanding who are only out for themselves.

Blindness-Without sight. Every watchman has to see. If there is no sight, there is no revelation; no ability to warn or advance or sound the alarm.

Ignorance-The state of not knowing; uninformed. People, according to Hosea 4:6, are perishing for lack of knowledge. This has been the state of the church for many a year. Watchmen, leaders and intercessors must not be ignorant to the supernatural nor the prophetic voice of God. They have to be able to be teachable and not full of pride, which is the sister of ignorance. They are ignorant and their pride refuses to submit to correction or to learn anything new. That is why they are uninformed, unteachable and perishing.

Dumb dogs-As in a person that is speechless; put to silence; unable to sound the alarm; dogs as in a painful yelp; to attack a dog; also a male prostitute. This is a bondage where the person is bound in disobedience, perversion and weakness. They can't respond to an alarm for themselves or anyone else. They don't bark, they yelp and it is not loud enough to alert. They are like lap dogs, useless, eating, sleeping and being taken care of. They are looking out for themselves and their comfort only.

Sleeping is an assingment meant to hinder you from being about hte Father's business. When you sleep on the job, it is a curse. That speaks of laziness, lack of character, the wrong attitude and mindset. This robs you of your ability to pray and watch, not fulfilling your calling and purpose and place on the wall. Don't pray in bed! Get on your feet! Be obedient! Get up! Be lovers of God more than lover of sleep. We cannot afford to have leaders and watchmen that are bound by this spirit. This season, we must be about discerning and watching; hearing and seeing; acting on the word of God to see restoration. We must be about subduing kingdoms and releasing the alarm of the Lord to advance. We are not to just shut the gates and retreat. We are to open gates and go into the places when the Lord says, "GO!" There is a "Go up and take the land" alarm that is ready to be sounded. An alarm to signal the Body of Christ to repossess, take back and take over.

My question to you is will you hear it and be able to respond so that His will shall be done in the earth on your watch?

Marketplace Ministry (part 1): Harvesting the Kingdoms of this World

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

The Church is moving into the greatest time of revival it has ever known. As the church begins to do business God’s way and invade the marketplace, souls and lives will be saved for the Kingdom.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16

Jesus has declared that he is building His Church. He has a plan and that plan includes everyone in every aspect of life. To fulfill this plan, we have to adhere to the truth of the Word of God and begin to do church unusual. We need to walk in the fullness of present day truth in order to do that. We must change our way of thinking about the call of ministry and where ministry is taking place. The early believers saw this and were trained to believe that they were ministers with a mission. They received the Great Commission with great zeal and won many souls to the Kingdom. We have to transition to thinking outside the four walls of the church. The current apostolic reformation in which we are living calls for the restoration of the five-fold gifts. This truth is causing emerging apostles to begin to arise and come forth and begin to get into the place that God has ordained them to be in. This is the precursor to the saints movement. We know apostles in church, but they are also in the marketplace. In the business sector, there are marketplace ministers serving God the same as a pastor would in the church. They pastor the people on their job. They pray for the sick. They are ministering to and healing those who have ears to hear the truth of the gospel of the Kingdom. We have to have a larger vision and release that vision in the marketplace. Church is more than where you go; it’s what you take with you when you go. The world is hungry for the truth of the Word of God and you are that truth in the marketplace.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

The Word declares that we are all ministers of reconciliation. It didn’t say that reconciliation had to happen in the church. You are to reconcile men and women to Christ wherever and whenever they will receive the gospel of the Kingdom. That’s the word to the saints of God. We must transition from the mindset of clergy and laity. There is no clergy and laity in the Bible. Clergy is a person ordained for religious service and laity are the people not included among the clergy. This is a Dark Ages mindset. Jesus had disciples, not laity. He was not clergy. He is the cornerstone: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. He rose up disciple followers who were obedient to the truth of God’s Word. And they saved souls! Jesus did most of His ministry in the marketplace with the unchurched and saved folk. We have had too many people with the notion that they could not serve God in ministry and have a job. The disciples did it. Folks are waiting for God to open up a door, but the door is already open. Put your hands to the plow and go to work for the harvest is ripe and the laborers are few. We have that same mindset about effective intercessors. I can pray and have a job. Most of the Body of Christ, about 98%, works in the marketplace. That’s the harvest field.

Many churches have failed because they brought in someone who was successful in the marketplace, saved and loving the Lord, yet they were ineffective behind the pulpit. Why? Because the marketplace was their harvest field. They were not anointed for pulpit ministry. Being out of place is just as bad as not being in the right place.

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15

Why do we need marketplace ministers? Because the kingdoms of this world are not coming to see us, the church. So as apostolic sent ones, we are going into all the world. The kingdoms of entertainment, communication, commerce, business, education and government must submit to and become the Kingdom of our God and our Christ. This is His Kingdom come and His will be done as it is in heaven. We have the power to do this in every area of life as we have been given dominion. (Genesis 1:28) This is Kingdom thinking. We have to train people, businessmen and businesswomen, to walk in effective marketplace ministry. I thank God for marketplace apostles like Jon Grieser who are teaching and training the Body of Christ through CIBN (Community Impacting Business Network, a division of Christian International) to think and to act with a Kingdom mindset in the marketplace. This is the function of the church-to train, equip, activate and mature all the Body to do the work of the ministry in the marketplace; the places where they have influence. Ministry is for all saints, not just pulpit ministers.

Builiding the Stronghold of the Lord in You

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen Matt. 28:16-20

To become the stronghold of God, we must be filled with His word and walk out the promises of His will in obedience. There is a new anointing that is arising. It is coming upon prayer and intercession. It is coming in the power of God to propel the Body of Christ into its Sonship anointing. This anointing will enable prayer warriors to move into dominion authority. In order for this to happen, we must upgrade our thinking, move past vain traditions and weak concepts regarding prayer and intercession. I am speaking about new wine for new times in the new season we are in.

Prayer, not the plans of men, will bring us into the will of God, which is where He wants us. To do this, we must be willing to change. Prayer is not only a personal event, but it is a team event when the Body of Christ comes together corporately in one accord to intercede. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we are to be the stronghold of the Lord, which is not saying we do not need the Lord to be our stronghold as in Psalm 18:1-3: I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Because we are to grow by relationship in Him and because of a better covenant, we have greater promises as the Word was made flesh as an example of faith; God’s ability to keep His word to men. We are to be a stronghold to others because of what has been given to us by word of God. As we come into the knowledge of who we are in the earth, then what God is, so are we to be in the earth. As He is our stronghold, we are to be a stronghold of Him to others. We represent his Kingdom. Let’s see how to build a stronghold in us.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; II Corinthians 10:4

A stronghold is a fortress, a fortified place, a place of protection, of holding something strongly. A stronghold is also a mindset, paradigm, a way of thinking. It is reason, perception, theory, the root foundation of what you believe. It is filled with logic that is homespun from the “isms” of world: philosophies, humanism, atheism, religions, racism, materialism, rejections and a host of other doctrines of devils masquerading as truth. A Godly mindset is a stronghold that comes from the renewing of your mind to the doctrines of God; its Truth and its Power. It is the knowledge of God that has set you free which builds a stronghold of His word on the inside of you when you receive it and believe it.

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. II Chronicles 20:20

The stronghold of the Lord begins when you believe in the Lord your God and that which you believe will establish you. Believing in the prophetic word, which includes the Bible, His prophetic word, you will prosper.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. II Samuel 22:31

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Psalm 118:8, 9

To become the stronghold of the Lord’s word you have to trust His word and not your word, your feelings nor your fears. Trusting the word of the Lord is a covering. His word is the foundation of all that you believe. Faith comes by hearing His word. You have to trust what you hear. We build trust in God and not men. Trust in men and not God is the reason we have faithless prayer. Men fail; God doesn’t. God is still the same-still perfect and still full of power and the truth of His word.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and is so justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. The scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.
Romans 10:10, 11 Amp.

What you believe about Jesus is the cornerstone of the foundation to becoming a stronghold. That truth of what you believe is the word of God and that word is the binding agent of that truth to the souls of men. It produces the faith to believe and to pray in the power of our God. Jesus said the truth shall set you free. It does, if you believe it!

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

What you do with what you have heard determines what kind of stronghold you will become. We live in a time where reality is what people are seeking. Look at TV shows. If you never act on the word you hear, you never come to a place of reality in the word of God. If you only hear and never put the word into practice, then you have little faith and no experience of having faith in the word, the Son or what He has declared His purposes are for you life. The word of the promises that you hear, you know, those that are sharper than any two-edged sword, have the ability to change your life. These belong to the believers, the sons of God, not to hurt you but to build you up and mature you, growing into the faithful, believing intercessors who are now the stronghold for others. Sons of God who do the works of Jesus Christ.

Sharpen Your Sword

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17-18

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. Psalm 55:21

We have entered into a new season with the beginning of the new Hebrew year 5767. It is a time for proper alignment. It is a time to shift our thinking and upgrade into the level of warfare that is going to overtake every enemy that has been sent to overtake you. It is time to defeat all those old enemies that until now have been holding you back. We must move into the promises of God for this season and allow the word of God to bring us into the proper mindset for victory.

Most of our spiritual warfare is in the battlefield of our minds. There are mindsets that need to be broken that have, as yet, not been.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

This is not the time to be caught between two opinions, half-in and half-out, nor part time. This is a time of commitment and diligence to stay in the narrow gate and be about the Father’s business. Use your sword, the Word of God, to open up places in the spirit when you pray. Until now, those places have been inaccessible because of the lack of understanding on how to use the Word of God in our prayer. The Word has the ability to unveil and unlock everything that has been put in place to stop the Body of Christ from accessing all that God has prepared for us and to reveal all that has been hidden by the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air.

1 Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
And His praise in the assembly of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
8 To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute on them the written judgment—
This honor have all His saints.
Praise the LORD! Psalm 149

Use your sword of the Spirit to unlock the sound of the Kingdom: praise and worship. The prize for this hour: who will receive our praise? Will it be the God of all creation or the false god of darkness who has distracted with the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this world? Our praise and worship is at the root of our warfare. Only the children of God have the praise that stills and paralyzes the enemy. We need to take back the spoils the enemy has stolen. I want my stuff back. How about you? This is a good time to be alive! Shout for joy! Give God glory, for the victory is ours!

Testing of Love

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-19

We are called to train up and prepare the next move of God in His people. It is going to be a move of power with the anointing of God moving at such a stronger degree that miracles and signs that defy science and baffle the minds of skeptics win the souls of unbelievers.

In order for this to happen there are testing and trials that will lead us to greater levels and positions of faith. We are going to have to pass the testing and trials of our Christian walk to bring about maturity. God is causing us to shift our thinking in a lot of areas in the season we are entering, a season of the power of God manifesting itself though us at greater levels. We are entering a deeper walk. It is time to see His power manifest in the ministries that we are called to. I believe that to whom much is given, much is required, thus the place of testing and trying of our faith.

The release of the power of God will come when we move in to a greater level of love. I am talking of the kind of love that is active, not hidden, but out in the open; genuine love, not just lip service.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

Don’t you feel as if there is a testing of your love for the members of the Body of Christ?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2

Testing and trials are the tools that God uses to measure the progression of our character and resolve to be more Christ-like. Jesus said that the world would know we were His disciples by the level of and kind of love we show to one another. Isn’t it amazing that this testing of love is among the saints and not the world? If we cannot show love to one another, the world does not stand a chance. How are you fairing in the testing of your love? Who are the current tests in your life? Each time we overcome, we are more than able to move to the next level.

We all desire to move in the signs and wonders that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12. This comes by faith. Belief in Jesus causes the signs and, as Jesus put it, works, but faith is powered by love. As Ephesians 3:16-17 states, love is the power that flows from your inner man by the Spirit of God and is the foundation in which we all must be rooted and grounded. I am talking about the love that is as the love of the Father; that you make available to anyone and everyone, even to those who test your metal, those who are part of the assignment you have been given. As much as you try, they may have not gotten it. They hear, but cannot seem to do. They stumble and cannot get it together. Yet the Father’s love is still available through you. We cannot remove the test or assignments. We must love. We can choose to do many things on our own, but this is one that cannot. Who or what is requiring you to release love from a place that is beyond your comfort? What is God trying to get you to do?

It is time to put some things to rest and move on to the next level. Love covers a multitude of sins. Forgive, let go and love. Pass the test! How well you do will determine the fullness of your future and maturity in the things of God. Don’t be stuck in the muck of the flesh. When we understand the love of Christ and release it to others, it releases in us the ability to be filled with all the fullness of God. It will allow us to participate in all the blessings, resources and wisdom of God. This is what love brings.

Authority To Win

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might…...For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10, 12

You must understand that you are coming into a place where you will see the hand of God move on your behalf, as you have made up your mind to see the power of God move in every situation. But you must fight! And not just fight, but fight to win! It’s time to break free from the torment brought about by the enemy of your soul. There are assignments to keep you bound, but know that God wants to set you free. Though we wrestle not against flesh and blood, the spirits of deception are hard at work to confuse us as to who are enemy really is. Their desire is to cause us to wound other saints through friendly fire. Spirits of passivity, helplessness, torment and fear attack to add to our dilemma, yet if God be for us, who can be against us.

We are well able to overthrow the powers of darkness. It is the will of God for us to be victorious. We have to use the weapons that God has given us to overcome the devils that have risen up to stop the plan of God for our lives and His Church. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. They are mighty in God and from God to us. They are invisible and silent. That is, until we release them and then they become deadly and destructive against the devils that torment you. The most destructive and powerful weapon we as believers have been given is the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, sharper than any two-edged sword. It’s the way we destroy the works of the enemies of God. That is, if we release it by speaking it. It is the power of what we speak! Jesus said in John 6:63 that the words I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life. This is the weapon in the spirit realm with which we do battle in our prayer life. Prayer is the delivery system we use to attack or rebuke the enemy. If you don’t pray, you have no offense or defense. We are to SPEAK the word of God in our prayers, which breaks the power of Satan. We are to decree and declare that Jesus is Lord over all the earth and we are to keep warring until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom s of our God, the only true and living God.

Our prayer must be strong in the confidence that God’s word is able to do what it is intended to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). In these last days, our communication in the earth realm must be the will of God. It has to be what the Spirit is saying to be done in the earth. It is not a time to shrink back but boldly speak and declare the will of the King. Through prayer, we manifest the dominion that Jesus has purchased for us. We are militantly enforcing the authority of the King. That is what “occupy” means in Luke 19:13. This is our right as heirs of righteousness. Understand that there is power in what you say. I Peter 3:12 says that the ears of God are open to our prayers. Use the Sword to pray what needs to be prayed. Decree and declare the will of God today and each day forward. Build up your most holy faith especially when not under attack by the enemy so as to stay strong when you are. We have been made to sit in heavenly places, not as a spectator, but to receive the blessings in order to cause great discomfort to the god of this world.

Boldly speak God’s Word into your situations, believe that He will be faithful to that Word and watch Him move on your behalf.

Covering For Today

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.  Ephesians 4:11-15 NKJV                

As we have been studying, covering is one of the patterns that God is restoring to his church. With the restoration of the five fold gifts, He is releasing apostolic revelation in these last days, and for this end time generation .This revelation will cause the church to upgrade or to shift into its proper place as the apostolic church of the Lord, releasing the power and the grace to expand the kingdom of God. This is the fruit of the strong apostolic church His Spirit is manifesting in the Body of Christ.

Apostolic covering is the spiritual demonstration of the blessing and the protection of God over the Body of Christ. It's the apostolic pattern for the foundation of the New Testament church. With the restoration of the apostolic comes order, patterns and the truth of God.  Our covering personally and corporately must be by apostolic relationship. You have to know and have accountability and acceptance God's way, not mans way.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. I Corinthians 3:10-15 NKJV

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. I Corinthians 12:7

Apostolic covering is the pattern that our Lord laid as He was training the first apostles. It's a foundation that has to be built upon.  As the Apostle Paul stated, you can build of gold, silver, precious stones, wood , hay, or stubble, and many have done just that, but as he also said, be careful what you build, for the day will come that fire will show what kind of reward you shall receive for what you have built. This means that the quality of your spiritual life, teaching, influence, your ministry and the church will be tested. That why it is so important to be under the right covering and building on the true foundation. Please hear this as many have built upon the wisdom of men. We have substituted denominations for the apostolic pattern of God. They have offered comfort, accountability, accreditation, and relationship. It wasn't apostolic, however. It was an organization whose purpose was to grow a certain way and help promote the gospel. The work of the apostolic in which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone was designed to perfect and train up the saints of God to do the work of the ministry, not only in the church but also outside of the church, by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus sent the apostles with a “go ye” He meant what He said.  We sing the song “Cover the Earth with His Glory”. This is the covering of the apostolic that Jesus brought forth. It covers, all men and women of all nations and the full spectrum of colors between black and white and everything in between. Why? It is the fact that the apostolic covering must bring us to a place of the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the son of God. This level can only come by the Holy Spirit.

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 NKJV

The apostolic covering is essential from the foundation for the maturing of the New Testament Church and the saints of God and the releasing of the level of faith that needs to be restored to its Lord and Creator.  This is the rock of the revelation that Jesus said He would build His church upon.  A church that moves like He moves: in signs, wonders and miracles, and that the Church that has the right covering. And those sent ones are raising saints of God to do the work of the ministry as Jesus did.

A Shift In Your Thinking

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

The word of God teaches us that what we believe is very important to what we will do.  Whatever we have faith in or what we believe is the difference between life or death, bondage or freedom, peace or torment; heaven on earth or hell everywhere.  Where you are right now in your life is the fruit of what you have believed and, in some instances, what you have spoken.  Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  Let me define a belief system.  A belief system can be described as what you think as being the foundation through which you filter what you believe as truth. 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

I am sure you have heard people say at times, “I have made up my mind.”  That means they have made a decision to walk out, or to take action based on information they have believed to be true, whether it is or not. 

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

Sooner or later, what you think in your heart will come out of your mouth. Our minds are under attack and we need to, as never before, guard what and who we listen to.  The truth of God cannot be changed because it may not be politically correct.  The world wants to change the truth of God and require you to live by that revision.  There are all kinds of theories, doctrines, allegations, and thought that come to change the word of God into a lie.  Just look at the news or current events.  Da Vinci Codes, false doctrine, false Christs.  The very foundations of what you believe are being challenged by people that don’t know the God you love and worship.

Our text says be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Why?  Because what you process as truth in your mind is what you believe and what you will act on.  What you believe will determine the level of success or failure of your walk in the promises of God.  Renewing your mind must be done to replace the mindsets, belief systems, attitudes, false truths, and fears that are not based on the truth of the Word of God.  John 8:31-32 states “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”” (NKJV)  Saints of God are becoming conscious to the fact it is not enough to know verse 32, but we must first live verse 31.  We must manifest this life at all times for the world to see.  The world bombards us daily with examples of how to live the unsaved life.  We must renew our minds to a new level of living righteously and must shift our thinking to our new assignment in the kingdom of God.  God will challenge what we think to rid us of anything that is not Him.  Renewing of your mind is an ongoing part of Kingdom living as the Kingdom is built on revelation.  There are new levels of revelation and understanding coming to those who “study to show themselves approved, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.  In short, a disciple, a disciplined follower of Christ, lives John 8:31 and receives John 8:32.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:1-3

This was a time of shifting in the minds of the disciples.  They had been with Jesus for about 2 ½ years and thought they had finally arrived.  They had experienced much and were beginning to believe and were jockeying for position.  But God had a plan.  Our minds have to be open and child-like.  A child believes whatever he or she is told.  That is the child-like faith that can move mountains and make the impossible possible.  This is how we shift into the Kingdom: by believing the Truth and walking it out.  Jesus said the same is the greatest in the Kingdom.  Shift your thinking to knowing what the Word says, believing it, standing on it and receiving it.