Author: FATHERS HEART HOUSTON

Isa. 52:8- Your watchmen shall lift up their voices; They shout joyfully together; For they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD restores Zion. https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee7ac187ade54bf37ee732dc9f731b7e?s=72&r=any&d=mm&time=45867569 Isa. 58:12- And those from among you shall rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

APOSTOLIC CENTERS!

~ FATHERS HEART HOUSTON ~ Leave a comment

APOSTOLIC CENTERS (kingdom ecclesia) are regional assemblies to distribute, gather, and assemble the saints of God, ministries, and gifts throughout the city/corporate expression of the body of Christ! Apostolic centers will be relational in nature, with a prophetic voice and an apostolic mission to make disciples, raise up, and send out sons/ambassadors of the kingdom!!

These ambassadors of Christ will be both mature in ministry and skilled in gifting to accomplish the apostolic strategies and purpose of God in the earth…they will be connected to apostolic father’s in ministry so that the sons will know who they are by inheritance and not by performance!!! The inheritance brings the “double portion” of fathers and sons, such as Elijah and Elisha!

Personality-minded performers operate off “single portions”, a minister with their anointing, but when their ministry is met by controlling spirits, they do not know their true identity in Christ! Therfore, an “orphan spirit” makes them feel defenseless, leading to depression and rejection… apostolic centers will bring both gifting and governance together in a community, city, or region and establish the spiritual DNA of the climate, releasing the prophetic atmosphere, culture, and environment to the kingdom ecclesia!!

Jim Becton's photo.
JB.

DOING and TEACHING-Being Like Jesus!

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OF ALL THAT JESUS BEGAN BOTH TO “DO AND TEACH…”

Acts 1:1-3- The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom also He present Himself alive after His sufferings by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forth days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

SPEAKING OF THE THINGS CONCERNING THE KINGDOM…

The kingdom of God is more than a message, it is a lifestyle… Jesus lived the kingdom with his apostles for three and a half years and then in the 40 days before His ascension He did nothing but speak of the things pertaining to the kingdom…

Not only is His message to be modeled, but His method as well, as the fellowship He had with his apostles was not based on just producing results, but ‘becoming’ whom He wanted them to be! I believe it was more than casual relationships and just eating and drinking, it had to do with righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)

In understanding our forum, the primary thrust of the kingdom is the restoration of relationships, being rooted in the order of “fathers and sons!” This being the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, as the spirit of Elijah coming in John the Baptist began preparing “the hearts of many in Israel being turned to Jesus…” (Luke 1:17)

THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS WERE UNTIL JOHN…

Luke 16:16- “The Law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” We are in the ‘called out’ of the called out, as there is once again a “crying out” for the rule and reign of God through our Lord Jesus Christ in the land. We can have no remnant, unless there has been “washing of the water with the word”, that is preparing this apostolic/prophetic company of sons to arise in the earth! Without His dominion, there is no kingdom!

YOU HAVE NOT MANY FATHERS…

I. Co. 4:15- For though you might have ten thousand instructors (boy leaders, boys teaching boys), yet you do not have many fathers; for IN CHRIST JESUS I have begotten you (became your father) through the gospel.

FATHERING is not about who brought you “to” the gospel, it’s about who is bringing you “through” the gospel of the kingdom! Acts 17:28 says, “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring…’ Once again, the kingdom of God is not just about “DOING” but “BEING”, about living in the kingdom of our resurrected and ascended Jesus Christ our Lord.

CONTINUING IN THE APOSTLES TEACHING and FELLOWSHIP.

Acts 2:42- And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayers….vs. 46,47-  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The thrust of the entire message of Jesus and the book of the Acts of the Apostles through the power and authority of the Holy Spirit was to present to the church the gospel of the kingdom so that the kingdom could be presented back to the Father! We are on a collusion course of heaven and earth once again bringing the kingdom so that we may “embrace the heart of the Father!”

THE BOOK OF ACTS BEGINS AND ENDS WITH THE KINGDOM.

Acts 28:30,31- Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Paul’s mandate as a Father in the Faith was to bring the rule of the kingdom and the gospel of Christ to a place in the sons of God that nothing could shake them out of the kingdom. On His last trip to Ephesus and speaking to the elders of the church, he said in Acts 20:24-28-“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God…

GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD- THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves (the elders) and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.”

These are the things which we must DO and TEACH! There is no living without an example. There is no teaching that that we must not do, or live. There is no doing without serving, and hence, there is no serving without being!  Matt. 20:28-  “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

LET US BE AND DO, SERVE AND TEACH… This is what our Lord Jesus Christ did, and this is the goal of Apostolic Teaching Fathers… (ATF!) Let us IMPART this to our sons and daughters, blessings…. Luke 12:32-  “Do not fear, little flock;  for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

JB.

APOSTOLICITY 101

~ FATHERS HEART HOUSTON ~ Leave a comment

Excellent for bridging the gap between the generation of apostles and apostolic fathers and sons…
Thanks Don!

DON ATKIN's avatarreview leadership

Don, an apostle—[special messenger appointed and commissioned and sent out] not from [any body of] men nor by or through any man, but by and through Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and God the Father, Who raised Him from among the dead—

You probably recognize this as the first verse in Paul’s epistle to the believers in the territory of Galatia. I have used my name to make a point.  Our sending out in 1968 was affirmed and confirmed by the local congregation, and by the laying on of the hands of elders (as Paul and Barnabas were sent from Antioch).  We also know what Paul understood:

When He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased to reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him,

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Administration of Apostles and Elders!

~ FATHERS HEART HOUSTON ~ 1 Comment

Matt.12:25- But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them:

“Every kingdom (jurisdiction, territory, region) divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided againt itself will not stand.”

The kingdom of God and the church (ekklesia) work hand in hand to carry out justice and judgment so that every region may have the rule and reign of the kingdom expressed through His commission! The Father chose “apostles and elders” to lay the framework… so that what takes place in the region through delegated authority may advance in the city (church) and house. (local assembly)

These elders have varying degrees of authority and commission, as Paul the apostle told Timothy, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of “double honor”, especially those who labor in the work (preaching) and doctrine. (teaching)” (I. Tim. 5:17)

There are local elders and there are city elders, even as Paul placed Titus in Crete as a ‘ruling’ elder, or bishop/overseer with an apostolic distinction: Titus 1:5- For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and ordain (appoint) elders in every city as I commanded you—”

These regional, or ruling elders, are simply mature statesmen, ambassadors of Christ and His kingdom, set in place by the charismata of apostles and prophets to help protect fivefold ministry gifts and operations so that the apostolic administrations may be effective and fulfilled! (2 Co. 5:20 – 2 Co. 10:12-16)

The “Stewardship of the Apostleship” brings forth a mature eldership, in turn establishing the foundation of Jesus Christ through “discipleship”! This will expand the government of God so that all elders and deacons, with the saints, be equipped, edified, and empowered to fulfill the apostolic mandate of the kingdom!!!

Romans 1:5- Through Him (Christ) we have received “grace and apostleship” for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,…

JB.

The Next Phase Of The Apostolic Restoration

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Excellent article by my friend Apostle Michael Fram!!

prophetic destiny's avatarLiving Faith Realities

Recently while Apostle Jim Becton was up visiting NJ for my Apostolic Commissioning, we were discussing where the Apostolic Restoration has been, and where it is going. Such great progress has been made since the Mid to Late 90’s to now in what many have called “The New Apostolic Reformation”. God has mightily used men like C. Peter Wagner, David Cannistraci, Jonas Clark, Bill Hamon, Hector Torres, John Eckhardt, Che Ahn and others.

The focus of this move of restoration was the restoration of the function, title and importance of the Office of the Apostle. The fact that it, like all of the other four Ascension Gift Ministries; were given UNTIL…Ephesians chapter 4. It focused largely on the fact that the Apostle was part of the Foundation of the Church (along with the Prophet) (Ephesians 2:20); and if the foundation be destroyed…what hope is there for the people of God…

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EAGLES and LIONS!

~ FATHERS HEART HOUSTON ~ 2 Comments

THE EAGLE AND THE LION!

Exodus 19:4-6 (NLT) ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you will obey Me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. And you will be My kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’

Amos 3:7,8- Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the LORD God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

It is clearly seen and without a doubt, that the EAGLE is the symbolic logo that we use on the forum! Nobody can miss that! smile emoticon
And, the second most symbol would certainly be the LION! We go through times that the Lion is used a lot, and then we go back almost exclusively to the eagle!

That is not the way the forum started, and it wasn’t an intentional thought of mine that the eagle would be primarily used to represent our ATF group! Yes, I have always loved eagles and believe the mighty eagle is so symbolic of the Father Himself, in the way that He reveals Himself to his people! Although the nature of the church is always a “prophetic people”, the mission and purpose of the kingdom and the church is apostolic! With that being said, the church without apostolic foundation will not be able to bring forth a KINGDOM of PRIESTS!!

The Father is always bringing a people out, always calling us out of the called out, just as ‘deep calls unto deep!’ He brings us out of the world and also out of the religious system, ‘on eagles wings’, because He must not only give us revelation of ‘who we are’, He must give us a ‘foundation’ to stand upon! His desire in His people has always been a “kingdom of priests!” Rev.. 1:6 says in some translations, “He has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father…” The literal in the Greek says, “He’s made unto us a KINGDOM, PRIESTS unto our God…”

This kingdom of priests is an “apostolic/prophetic” people who have the ‘kingly/priestly’ ministry of Jesus Christ! “And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation… and has committed to the “word of reconciliation.” Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, or literally ambassadors of the kingdom, sent on an apostolic commission to reconcile all men back to God, that ALL may see what is the ‘fellowship (stewardship) of the mystery…( 2 Co. 5:18-20; Eph. 3:9)

Eph. 3:10,11 (NLT) “…God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which He carried out through Jesus Christ our Lord. ” When the church matures, the ‘priestly ministry’ and the ‘kingly ministry’ will be in perfect harmony, and the counsel of peace will be between them both. (Ze. 6:12) It will be an “apostolic/prophetic” church!! It will represent both the EAGLE and the LION!!

I know many believe that the eagle relates solely to the prophetic, and that the lion relates solely to the apostolic! I actually believe, that although they can relate to both, that the EAGLE relates more to the apostolic and the LION relates more to the prophetic! However I do not make it an issue, because in the end, the eagle and lion come together in Jesus Christ, and the apostles and prophets are joined together until you cannot tell the difference! The lion and lamb are going to lay down together!!

One of the clinchers for me is the verse in Amos we started off with: “The lion (of Judah) has roared…. who can but prophesy? Surely the LORD God DOES NOTHING unless He first reveals it ot his servants, THE PROPHETS!”

THE LION ROARS, (bold as lions) and THE EAGLE SOARS, (high in the heavenlies…)

Eph. 1:17,18 to me speaks of “eagles vision!” “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints….”

Rev. 10:7- But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants, THE PROPHETS!!

Apostles———– Prophets————- Teachers…
Wisdom……………Understanding………Knowledge….
Eagles……………….Lions………………….Lambs

Prov. 24:3,4- Through wisdom (apostle) is an house built; and by understanding (Prophets) it is established: And by knowledge (teachers) shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Isa. 28:9- Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast.

Amen and Amen!!! King of Zion, Judah’s Lion!!!

Grace and Peace,

Apostle Jim

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REBEL WITH A CAUSE!

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The Renegades are coming! The Renegades are coming!

Outside the Establishment (religious) is a “band of brothers”, those who are a “Rebel with a cause”! IS THERE NOT A CAUSE? WHY IS THE ARMY OF THE LORD COWERED DOWN? WHERE IS OUR SOUND? WHAT IS THE SOUND? The Sound of the Lord is the VOICE OF THE LORD, IT IS A JOYFUL SOUND…

REBELLION OR REVOLUTION?!? RELEASE A CORPORATE SOUND TO CONNECT AND CONVERGE!

THESE REBELS ARE NOT REBELLIOUS, WHY? BECAUSE THEY HAVE A CAUSE! They are rebels to a religious establishment and system that says, “if we cannot be free, if we cannot die for a cause, we don’t want to live!!” A revolution is a “turning, an alignment, a revolt against the status quo…”

Sound familiar? What’s the answer?    GIVE US LIBERTY OF GIVE US DEATH!!!
(Dying to live…)

1) THE MAN?          THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!

2) THE Mandate?   THE KINGDOM EKKLESIA!!

3) THE Message?   THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!!

4) THE Method?    CONTINUING IN THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING AND FELLOWSHIP….

5) THE Ministry?   MATURING OF THE SAINTS TILL WE ALL COME INTO THE UNITY OF FAITH!

6) THE Mission?   MAKING DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS….

7) THE Mystery?   CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY….

1a)  The Corporate Man.

2a)  Conformed to the Image of Christ.

3a)  The Rule and Reign of Christ the King.

4a)  Breaking of Bread and in prayers.

5a)  Apostle, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers.

6a)  The Harvest-  Separation of the Sheep and Goat Nations.

7a)  The Glorious Riches of the Inheritance in the Saints-  Head and Body!

 

JB>