The Inevitables

Today I have pondered on the inevitability of who You are:

It is Inevitable that your love will permeate the coldest heart

It is Inevitable that your promises are Yes and Amen

It is Inevitable that you will keep us safe

It is Inevitable that we will walk the streets paved with gold for eternity

It is Inevitable that you will turn all things to good

It is Inevitable that you will bring the light into a dark world

It is Inevitable that joy will bubble up as I read your word & hope will become my pillar by day

It is Inevitable that if I take those running steps into your arms that I will experience peace &           grace; I will send mountains into the sea, possess my land, comfort the mourning and rise on the wings of worship

It is Inevitable that the depth of your love will spill out over everyone I meet bringing with it   revival of heart after heart

It is Inevitable that one day I will meet you face to face and the only words tumbling from my lips will be “Thank You”.

It is inevitable that as I honor You, Worship You, Glorify You and walk in righteousness (as close as possible through each season of growth); as I call Heaven to Earth, healing to the broken of heart and/or body; as I cry out for more wisdom, love, peace and grace; as I dream the dreams you’ve given me with abandonment and faith You will show Yourself faithful!

Today I declare a release of faith over the dreams and visions that we have hidden in the recesses of our hearts.  You know the ones…those that we have lost hope in, that we’ve decided to put away until the right time and place or until the right person comes along to help manifest it.  Ours are ones of boats running up and down the Nile with medical supplies and bush planes full of rice and school supplies; Ipods and computers for all the missionaries; a home on the cliff with a yellow hummer, children running around our feet and a plane to get to any missionary in Africa quickly.  You have them too. They differ from ours but God has given you desires that cause you to long for that one thing, that place you go to when you are alone and it is quiet. 

Today God showed me a picture of a very, very long and beautiful river with trees shading the banks.   Roy & I were standing on a boat at the mouth of the river, longingly looking the length of it, when God’s voice so clearly rose above the sound of the motor saying, “It’s not that there is so far to go as there is so much in front of you.  Toss away the boxes you’ve packed your dreams in and cause a resurrection; place each one in the room with us and let’s talk about them. "But first be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval.   Then all these things will be provided for you." (Matt 6:33 Gods Word).  Together we will speak life into and over them; there are those waiting to be a part of a miracle, waiting for you to ask, waiting to pray, looking for their own ‘inevitable’.”

Today I pray you completely immerse yourself in the privilege and honor of God’s presence where the impossible dreams can be accomplished. 

On Earth As It Is In Heaven!

What an excellent word!

We recite it in private and pray it in unison; we have even sung it in reverence on select Sunday mornings. It's been a familiar prayer at somber cultural events. Yet, I wonder if we really grasp what was in Jesus' heart when He taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer?

The disciples asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). In response, the Lord gave them a prayer, not just to help them cope, but something that was militant in nature. This was more than a prayer – it was a proclamation.

For centuries the holy realities of the Lord's prayer have been obscured by traditions of religious unbelief, as though ritualistically repeating this prayer would provide access to Heaven when the supplicant died. The deception was that somehow all Jesus was speaking of was off in eternity, as though this prayer was disbarred from affecting conditions on earth. In recent years, however, truth is again filling the words of this heavenly anthem: "Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done!"

These are emphatic statements. They ought to be punctuated with exclamation marks. This prayer is Heaven's "Pledge of Allegiance."  This prayer is a faith-decree that God's will, through our living union with Christ, should be accomplished today on earth. Where is the room for compromise in those words? Jesus is saying that, with miraculous power, abounding joy and unwavering mercy, God's will is destined to be fulfilled on earth just "as it is in Heaven"!

We call this The Lord's Prayer, yet more appropriately, it might be called the Disciple's Prayer or the Kingdom Prayer, for it is something Jesus gave to ignite fire in the hearts of His followers. Indeed, this prayer is revolutionary.  We have been too polite with God. I do not mean we should be disrespectful or irreverent; I am saying the Lord's prayer is not a weak, pleading prayer. Yes, there is a time for pleading with God, but this is prophetic prayer. There is not a please anywhere in it.

We already know it is the "Father's good pleasure" to give us His Kingdom (Luke 12:32 NKJV). Jesus is not instructing us to beg for a blessing or two; He is commanding us to call for God's Kingdom to rule on earth, in our very lives and circumstances.  This is a prayer of authority. The Son of God wants us to pray like we were created to bring Heaven to earth. Our prayer simply aligns us with what is already God's great pleasure to give us.

Of course, it is vital we embrace repentance for our sins and the sins of our forefathers. But this is the prayer of those fully committed to the vision of God! It embodies the expanse of what Jesus came to establish. Although men and women are both called to proclaim the words of this decree, this is decidedly a masculine prayer. These are fighting words. 

Remember, this form of prayer is not my idea; it's Christ's. He told faltering, fumbling, often sinful disciples to pray like they were mature, victorious warriors. He didn't say this prayer should be prayed only when they had become perfect. No. He was saying this is how we should pray right now, even while we are imperfect. Yes, we humble ourselves; yes, we confess our sins. Yet, we must learn to pray with unsheathed spiritual authority, with heroic faith, and with the fire of divine possibilities burning in our souls.

Beloved, a time is coming when God's people will have reached the depth of their repentance. Knees bent and worn from the weight of prolonged kneeling will slowly creek upward. Heads will lift, and then hands. Like the rumbling of a volcano no longer dormant, the cry "Thy Kingdom come" will begin to gather and then rise from within the inner spirit of the redeemed.

Yes, even now, the armies of God in Heaven are beginning to unite with the armies of God on earth. Lightening-like power is beginning to fill the backbone of the redeemed. From every nation, a holy people shall stand upright before the Most High. In their mouths will be the words taught them by the Son of God Himself: "Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!"

Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org

The Wait is Over

All week I have searched God for a word to explain the anticipation in my heart.  Today when I read this word from Kim Potter, I realized I'm not the only one that is 'antsy'.  I know it's long but worth every minute of the read.  Then just 'take off' in the direction God is leading you!  I wrote this a few months ago on my mirror and read it every morning before I get into the day..."I fear missing the fullness of what You've called me to more than what it takes to get there". 

I have been excited in my spirit all week long - some would say it is because it is almost Christmas - but they would be wrong - it is much deeper than that.  It is a knowing that God is doing something so big on our behalf that my mind can't even comprehend it.  If I spend time sitting and pondering about it, I become so excited that I can't sit still.

            All day today I have listened for the Lord to give me a motivation for tomorrow - I would think of a 'word' I could send out and it would be okay - but I was purposely waiting on that 'word from God in due season.'  You know the one - for him who is weary.

            So I waited and waited. I don't want to miss the thing God is saying to us in this hour.  It seems in this season, more than any season I recall, God has been confirming what He is saying over and over - today was such a day.

            As I waited I received an email from a reader who shared a scripture with me that she had heard when she was listening to a message called 'The Wait is Over.'  I have to share this with you - it has had me on the edge of my seat today.  It is found in Ezekiel 12:21-28 and I am sharing the Amplified Version with you today.

            And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, the days drag on and every vision comes to nothing and is not fulfilled? Tell them therefore, thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall use it no more as a proverb in Israel. But say to them, the days are at hand and the fulfillment of every vision.  For there shall be no more any false, empty, and fruitless vision or flattering divination in the house of Israel.  For I am the Lord; I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall be performed (come to pass); it shall be no more delayed or prolonged, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and will perform it, says the Lord God.  Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, the vision that [Ezekiel] sees is for many days to come, and he prophesies of the times that are far off.  Therefore say to them, thus says the Lord God: There shall none of My words be deferred any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be performed, says the Lord God.

            This is what I feel in my spirit -that we are in a time when the words God has spoken are being fulfilled - coming to pass.  No more delays, no more promises being prolonged - fulfillment, as God has said.

            But let's look at another part of that scripture - you see, it says people were saying 'the days drag on and nothing comes to pass.'  They were having what they say - but now, God is saying to say a new thing.  My friends, we must begin to say what God says - we must begin to say 'the words that God has spoken to me are no longer delayed, they come to pass now.'  We must begin to declare that God's word spoken over our life will no longer be deferred - they will no longer be delayed - they come to pass now.  God has said so in His word.

            I know God is moving mightily - I can feel it.  I know things are happening and I also know it is as Jesus said in the word of God - according to our faith.

            Allow your faith to grab hold of this scripture and begin to proclaim - 'no more delays'  'no more prolonged prophecy'  'all comes to pass now!'  As you come into agreement with God and His word - He will amaze you - I am hearing testimonies from every direction - let the next one I hear be yours!  Oh, I am so excited in my spirit.  I hope you are too!

then this from Chuck Pierce!

A Time to be Mixed and A Time to be Poured Out!

During worship on Sunday morning, the Spirit of the Lord began to say, "I'm mixing some things that have not been mixed properly for you. I'm putting some things in your bowl and causing them to be mixed correctly this season. For the recipe for your life had ingredients removed and left out in the last season. I am leaving and finding some new ingredients to make you spicier and to make you more tasteful in days ahead. So allow Me to mix, allow Me to mix, allow Me to mix what has not been mixed in your life in the past season. For if you will, you will cause many to taste, to taste, to taste and see that I am good.

            "For just like My prophet pointed at the heavens and the heavens would close, you are in the season where you will point and the heavens will completely render unto your authority. In the old seasons the heavens (were) crushed by the power of the demonic structure and (would) not open. But in this season you will have such authority that no demonic structure will close the windows that I have intended for you to keep open. Dwell under the open heavens and windows that your hand will point and open.

            "Know that I am releasing angels to uncover things that have been covered up, ingredients in your life that you have not found in the past season. They will be placed in your path this season. And what was shut down will be opened up, and what was opened up that needed closing, will be closed. Many will taste and see that you are good, and by tasting of you they will taste the power of My Spirit and they will know that I, the Lord, am a Lord filled with goodness.

            "You see a hole but I see a gate! Every valley of Achor, every valley of trouble, I am turning into a door of hope, and (to) what you saw as a pit that you would never get out of, redemption has come. And that's how your alabaster box breaks open - when you thought you would never get out of that pit. But I am the Redeemer and every door of trouble will become a door of hope.

            "Pour out, pour out, pour out! I will mix you up in a new way and I will pour you out, pour you out, pour you out!"

 

 

What God says IS

Luke 1:35-45

New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God."(Some manuscripts read For the word of God will never fail.)

³⁸ Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

³⁹ A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰ where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

⁴² Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. ⁴³ Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? ⁴⁴ When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.⁴⁵ You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

The belief that what God says "IS" will permeate the atmosphere around you.  As you begin to carry the confidence of His promise into your everyday life; in your walk, your countenance, the way you speak to yourself and others, the environment around you will become richer.  Just as the babe in Elizabeth's stomach 'leaped within her', so will the thing God is birthing in those you pass by 'leap' within them and on and on.  You will become the conduit to revival- the process of bringing somebody back to life, consciousness, or full strength;  the belief (the faith), the honor (the obedience) that creates fulfillment of the things that are spoken (to our hearts) by God stretching across a family, a church, a city, country or nation.  

Your obedience to His words will be your testimony and the prophecy of Christ.  It begins with you.

I’ve Got Nothing

Cindy Grasso

The wind was howling when the alarm went off yesterday morning. It wasn’t my alarm, it was Bobby’s – he leaves for the church by 7am every Sunday. The rain beat against the window and trees shook. We came home from a mostly sunny vacation in So. Cal. to cloud covered Nor. Cal. storm. I rolled over when he turned on the bathroom light and the next time I opened my eyes, he was kissing me goodbye. I mumbled “drive safe, it sounds crazy out there” or something like that.

My own alarm went off the second Bobby stepped out the door. That would be my cocker spaniel, Toby. The second Bobby leaves, Toby begins to howl. Annoying as it is, it gets me up. The wind was giving the dog a run for his money as it whipped around the house.

When I got the boys up, Kyle said, “Look mom, the bedroom window looks like we are in a car wash “, as water was just pouring down it.

Justin didn’t say anything, he just groaned and rolled over. It took forever to get that boy up, in the shower and dressed. Kyle was up and ready in about 10 minutes (donuts are a top motivator). I thought I was going to lose my mind trying to get Justing going. I was scheduled to do prayer and communion in the first service and I really didn’t want to be late for it. I used up all my patience as the minutes ticked by. I finally got the boys bundled warmly into the car only to be faced with slow traffic and flooded streets.

By the time I pulled into the church parking lot, I was frustrated, tired and cutting it close. I knew that in a few minutes I would get up in front of the congregation to pray and then present a few words to prepare the them to receive Communion. As I sloshed through the mini rivers in the parking lot, I whispered a prayer:

“I’ve got nothing, Lord”

Then the verse I’ve been stewing over since last week returned to me with a sweet assuring sense of peace attached:”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 NIV)

I’ve got nothing- so I’m totally open to God’s everything.
Oh, yes.

I felt the frustration wash away and the worry lines in my forehead soften. I’ve got nothing but because of the Cross, I have access to everything. I am covered by grace. I am blessed. It isn’t about how much I have or how much I can do. Ministry life is about being honest with what I have (nothing) and be an open vessel to allow God to pour in all He isin.

I am so glad I don’t have to pretend to perfect. I would fail miserably, daily. I am also glad that the more I embrace my own weakness, I am given the key to walk confidently in God’s strength, power, and peace. Not by willing myself to be strong but by laying down the illusion I have strength. Not by working for God’s approval but by resting in His love. Not by memorizing words but by allowing the grace of God to permeate every fiber of my soul.

And by walking in the light of the forgiveness bought for me by Christ’s shed blood, I can find my son after I am done with Communion and ask him for forgiveness. Ask him to forgive me for getting frustrated and saying things I regret. When he gave me a hug, I was so thankful for the realization that “I’ve got nothing” because it lead me to the truth that in Christ I truly have everything.

My prayer for you, dear friend, is that you let go of trying to be strong enough and embrace the grace available to those who know they have nothing.