New Horizons and New Heights 2014!

Just recently the Father spoke in my spirit with a “Spirit of Expectation” about the coming year concerning “New Horizons and New Heights!  When you think about a horizon, or a “new horizon”, you think of a brand new day, looking for “new beginnings” and new things to take place.  We’ve crossed over to a new horizon, where “old things are passed away, and behold, the new and the fresh has come!”

New Heights means “reaching for a new place, a new stature, standard, and standing in a place we’ve never been!”  God told Joshua, after the death of Moses and getting ready to lead the people across the Jordan, “You have not passed this way before!”  We’ve been hearing this for many years, prophetically, but now is the time to enter into this new day!  You have to ‘see’ something before you can ‘enter’ it!  Jesus said,”Except a man is born again (from above) he cannot even “see” the kingdom of God, much less “enter” it!

Now, we need the “eyes of our understanding (heart)” enlightened, illuminated, and opened so that we may be able to see the hope of His calling in us. This hope to which we have been called to is to come into the full measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13)

The fullness of Christ is the body growing up to the Head… This is the new horizons and these are the new heights to which we have been called to in 2014!  We are born to grow, to mature, to change.  The body of Christ can no longer be at a standstill, am impasse, a plateau.  That’s what the preparation has been for, as Paul, the apostle, wrote in Gal. 4:19- “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is FORMED (FULLY DEVELOPED) IN YOU…

Concerning Giving and Receiving… (Communication, sharing and partnership)

Phil. 4:15-  Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church ‘communicated’ with me concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Gal. 6:6-  Let him who is taught in the word ‘communicate’ in all good things with him that teaches.

Philemon 6-  that the ‘communication’ of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

When we think of the word communicate, we normally think of that which is spoken with words between two or more persons.  But here, in these scriptures in the King James, the word “communicate” is the greek word “koinonia.”  Here is a complete description of this word:  “sharing, unity, close association, partnership, participation, a society, a communion, a fellowship, contributory, help, i.e. the brotherhood.”

In Phil. 1:7, Paul wrote –  just as it is write for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,…you are all partakers with me of grace, or literally, partakers of the grace of God in his life and ministry.  The main word used in the above three scriptures concerning communicating with Paul, is “sharing, or partnership.”  Paul was acknowledging throughout his book to the Philippians, how grateful and thankful he was that they were partaking, sharing, and partnering with him.  It was not just because He had need, for he had learned how to “be abased and how to abound.” (4:12)  His dependency was still on the Lord, but he recognized that even when they desired to give, they lacked opportunity. (4:10)  Sometimes people have a desire to give, or the Father has placed someone on their heart to support, but they do not have ample opportunity to do so.  Many churches Paul fathered and gave oversight had not even have desire to support his apostleship, even when they had opportunity.  So. Paul was commending this great church in Philippi for their generous support.

In the amplified bible, Phil. 4:15 reads like this-  And you Philippians yourselves well know that in the early days of the Gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church (assembly) entered into partnership with me and opened up {a debit and credit} account in giving and receiving except you only.  Vs. 16-20-  For even in Thessalonica you sent {me contributions} for my needs, not only once but a second time.  Not that I seek or am eager for {your} gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit– the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to you account.  But I have {your full payment} and more;  I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me.  {They are the} fragrant odor {of} an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.  And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever–through the endless eternities of the eternities.  Amen, so be it.

In other words, they were not just giving Paul an occasional offering to help him along, but they were literally “partnering” in being involved with his apostleship through partnership.  Their communication was to to open a “debit and credit” that is, be open and generous in their support of whatever he needed to accomplish his goal, even when he was in prison.  No other church had entered into this kind of agreement but these in Philippi!  Wow, what a statement!  Many times churches get caught up in “in house” ministry that no seed, no sharing, no communicating is going outside of the house.  Many local assemblies get bogged down in administration and maintenance because they simply do not reproduce or give outside of their own pursuit.  Apostolic ministry cannot put a demand on the churches they serve, else that would take away from the nature of their servant leadership.  But Paul as a father, was simply reminding them and encouraging them, that their service to him was not in vain.  Communicating with apostolic ministry “outside the house” relationally, ensures that God will keep the flow of finances coming into the house.  Churches that “partner” and share willingly with those that have them in their heart will flourish. 

That’s why this same apostle Paul wrote this in Gal. 6:6 (Amp)-  “Let him who receives instruction in the Word {of God} share all good things with his teacher– contributing to his support. Then, this prayer of the apostle will be fulfilled today:
Philemon 6 (Amp) {And I pray} that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding {thing} that is ours in {identification with} Christ Jesus– and unto {His glory}. Amen and Amen!!

Concerning apostles and saints, elders and deacons…

Phil. 1:1-  Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops (overseers) and the deacons:
This one verse probably best describes what New Testament government, order, and alignment was like in the early church.  “Paul and Timothy” –  Paul found Timothy in Lystra and Iconium and began to father him.  Timothy began travelling as a part of the team with Paul, and they were going to Troas and that is where Paul had the “Macedonian Vision.”
 
Phil. 1:10-12-  Now after he (Paul) seen the vision, immediately we (with Silas and Timothy) sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.  Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace , and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony  And we were staying at that city for some days.
I wrote that passage to show how important it is for apostles and prophets to be obedient to the heavenly vision when they are sent into cities and regions.  Philippi was a “chief city” and it became one of His most beloved churches.  While he was in prison, they ministered to his necessities and needs time and again.  They were the only church at that point who “communicated (shared and partnered) with him concerning “giving and receiving.”
But verse one sets the stage for New Testament order and alignment: 1)  Paul and Timothy, apostles and bondservants of Jesus Christ; 2)  The SAINTS-  Those holy ones set apart as “consecrated ones to Christ.” 3)  Bishops (overseers) –  These were the “elders”, who had the responsibility to 1) Shepherd (feed/pastor) and 2) serve as overseers to these saints, the flock of God. 4)  Deacons-  The servants, or ministers of the Lord given for the ministry of helps.
This order does not mean the saints are more important than the bishops and deacons, it simply implies that the saints are those that God has chosen to reveal what are the riches of the glory of the mystery of God, which is “Christ in YOU, the hope of glory.”  We are all Saints first and foremost, for our highest calling is what Paul wrote in Phil. 3:10-  THAT I MAY KNOW HIM…
The elders are best described in Acts 20:28 and I. Peter 5:2: Acts 20:28-  Therefore take heed to yourselves (elders) and to all the flock, “among” (simply means with and among) which the Holy Spirit has made you “overseers”, to “shepherd” (feed) the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood
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I. Peter 5:2-  Shepherd (pastor) the flock of God which is among, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly;
So, what is basically the scriptures saying?
The apostles and elders (bishops/overseers) have responsibility to serve the flock, the church of God for (1) apostolic alignment (vision, direction and purpose), and 2) feeding the flock, serving as overseers.  It appears the apostles did not have “local administration” as must as they were the ones who ordained the elders and deacons, had a “fathering Heart and spirit to impart to the sons, and equip the saints for the work of ministry…  (If we are not identifying the saints and putting them into “their”   ministry, we are not doing our job…)
The elders again, had the responsibility to 1) Shepherd (pastor/feed) and 2) oversee the work as a team, primarily made up of those mature men and women, with differing giftings, so as bring the saints to a place of purpose and provision.  They were normally those that were raised up as sons, then to be placed as elders, knowing the people and dwelling with and among them.
The deacons and the saints were called to serve the body of Christ as ministers and set apart ones, who also had responsibility to not only minister to one another, but to the world, with the ministry of love, prayer, evangelism and discipleship.
To sum it up, Paul the apostle, as a father to the leaders, shares in Phil. 4:15-17-  Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated (shared and partnered, partakers of) with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only.  For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

JB

The Covering of the Glory (IN THAT DAY)

Isa. 4:1-6 –  AND IN THAT DAY seven women (church systems) shall take hold of one man (Christ/apostle), saying, “We will eat our own food (teach our own doctrine) and wear our own apparel (Our own covering/order);  only let us be called by Thy name,(co-habitate/false authority), To take away our reproach.” (rebellion/lawlessness)  IN THAT DAY the Branch of the LORD (Christ in His church) shall be beautiful and glorious;  And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped.  And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy-everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem.

 When The Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning (cleansing of the temple/house and baptism of fire), then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion (region/city of the Lord), and above her assemblies (local house/assembly), a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night.  FOR OVER ALL THE GLORY THERE WILL BE A COVERING. (defense or “canopy of protection”, or a covering.)  And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.

IN THAT DAY…The Day of The Lord, the “Seventh day”  2 Thess. 1:10-12-  …when He comes, IN THAT DAY, to be glorified IN HIS SAINTS and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.  Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of The Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and The Lord Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11-13-  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope (appearing of Christ in His saints) and glorious appearing (appearing of the glory) of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,…

JB.

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD!

Zech. 4:6,7(NASB) Then He answered and said unto me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of Hosts. WHAT are you, O great mountain?  Before Zerubbabel  you will become a plain (level ground);  and He will bring forth the top stone (cap stone) with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”
Most of your translation say in verse 7 “W…HO” are you, O great mountain?  The nasb correctly translates this as “What” are you…This is not referring to a mountain of “fear, hindrance, lack, etc.”  This in that day was referring to the “temple”, the place the Jews put utmost attention to.  It was also speaking of the fulfillment of the temple being destroyed in 70Ad also prophesied by Jesus, the true cornerstone in Luke 19:41-44:
And when He approached, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!  But now they have been hidden from you eyes.  For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank (wall or mound for siege purposes) before you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the day of your visitation.”
Many are making the same mistake today!  Many go to the “temple of the Lord”, but do we know the “Lord of the temple (house)!”  Many are also looking for another physical temple to be built and hopefully finally bring them peace. But the Prince of Peace is looking for “sons of peace” who are letting Him build His temple and peace in them.    He (Jesus) is the cornerstone to this foundation and peace, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.
So, again, today, “It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit”, says the Lord of Hosts.  The House of the LORD has been brought to “level ground” once again, but He will raise up the headstone with shouts of “GRACE, GRACE, to it!”  Let us echo this shout of FAVOR, FAVOR and BLESSING, BLESSING, for the LORD is building His House, with grace and truth, and with grace and glory!  Ps. 84:11; Eph. 2:20-22)

THE WONDER OF WEAKNESS

Excellent post by my friend, John Noble. Sign up to receive His blog, you will be blessed…

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So many put on a brave face,a gritted grin,and a grim determination.

It was G.K.Chesterton who said,’hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way,’it was Pink Floyd who gave that expression a wider audience by adding music to it.

We now live in a society where bullying is the norm,from governments to cyber space.Weakness will always be victimised by evolutionists with a hackneyed ‘survival of the fittest’ mindset.In Britain we now have a great many ‘hanging on in quiet desperation’ as politicians of all hues become out of touch with reality clones,supported by shadowy power brokers.

Yet the Bible tells us that Gods grace is all sufficient,and that His strength is perfected in our weakness.Our brokenness allows Him access to our heart,our holy of holies.As John the Baptist put it,’I must decrease that He might increase.’ That is radical counter culture.

Servanthood by choice and not servitude is the…

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Two Wings of a Great Eagle

I have long been intrigued by eagles and the fascination of watching them. We know in scripture we have some great references to eagles. Our Jehovah God is Himself typified as the “Great Eagle!” Hosea 8:1- SET the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against My law. In Exodus 19:4, He bore them on eagles’ wings, and brought them unto Himself. In Deut. 32:11, “As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, and bears them on her wings. Psalms 105:5- Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

But probably the most recognized in scripture is Isaiah 40:31- But they that wait (hope/trust) upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up (soar) with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. My subject today is “Two Wings of a Great Eagle!” This reference is found in Rev. 12:14 which says, “And to the woman were given “two wings of a great eagle”, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished (fed and kept) for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

Many years ago, in fact, 20 years ago, Pam and I founded “The Eagles Nest”, a prophetic-apostolic training center, in DeRidder, La. Naturally, we taught about the eagle, about being “Eagle Christians”, or saints, caught up in soaring in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus! Here are some of the facts about eagles: 1) Their strength, 2) Fly High, 3) keen eye sight, 4) wing span 4-6 feet, 5) enemy- man, 6) nest, high above earth, and 7) they don’t fly by “flapping” their wings, they SOAR on the Wind, high above the storms and clouds!

Now, what about those two wings? We had another teacher teach that the two wings represented 1) Prayer, and 2) Praise. We also have a strong “right angle of Faith”, which helps us face the “storms of life!” Prayer and Praise defeats unbelief, discouragement and fear. In fact, there is “nothing too difficult for our God through prayer and praise!” In Acts 16, when Paul and Silas were cast in jail, they Prayed, and sang praises to God! They had plenty of opportunities to complain, and entertain self-pity,but instead looked to The Lord. Prayer and praise affects the physical realm and brings deliverance.

As some has said, “there are only two times when we should pray and give praise:” When we feel like it, and when we don’t!!!!

Let the church arise and be warring eagles in the earth, by soaring in the heavens. Blessings…

JB.

THAT ALL MAY SEE…

Ephesians 3:9-  …and to MAKE ALL SEE what is the fellowship (stewardship/administration) of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

What a statement made by Apostle Paul!  This is the same apostle who wrote in Philippians 3:10-  THAT I MAY KNOW HIM and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,…

This goes far beyond the thought of just having a personal relationship with Jesus so I can go to heaven someday!  He came that we 1) may KNOW Him, and 2) that all May see what is His eternal purpose to be accomplished in the earth.  He came from heaven to earth that we might manifest heaven “in” earth!   His eternal purpose brings His future and hope (destiny) in us!

Romans 8:29-  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 16:25-27-  Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith–to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.  Amen.

Colossians 1:26-29-  the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.  To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:  which is Christ in YOU, the hope of glory.  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT (mature and complete) IN CHRIST JESUS.  To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

JB.

Fathers, Young Men, and Children

I. John 2:12-14:

I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 

I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked on.  I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.