BELOVED SAINTS - pt1

by Belinda Jabore

Beloved saints, 

We must in this season drop everything that could hinder us from the call of God on our life.

Some are idle and some are busy, getting distracted, distracted, distracted and not focused on what God is asking them to do. I see in some places a long way away from where they should be, oblivious as to where they should be, just totally in the wrong place wasting time. Idle because of distractions of every kind.

The church needs to come away from the old religious mindset of the pastoral gifting running the church, not allowing the saints to have opportunity and platforms to sharpen their 5- fold gifts to be trained and equipped in their specialty, not being spectators but fruit producing saints. There is a changing of the Godly order and we must come into 5-fold order with apostles and prophets at the helm together with the rest of the 5- fold. Who are you in God? What has He truly called you too? What are you naturally drawn to? What prophetic words have you had from God? Are you advancing towards it? We must be brave to find out who we are, willing and able to communicate the same, united and uniting in the five fold functioning church.

Ephesians 4: 11-16 - 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 the 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 be 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.

JOURNAL ENTRY - pt 1

by Jesse-John Jabore

Morning Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I am restricted or ‘in’ time but you are 'outside’ it – I say Morning anyway. 

You say....we say....as long as we are communicating – we understand you like no other.

That’s the thing – it’s this knowing that you know that transcends speech. 

Truth, yet imagine a baby trying to speak. It’s important those first words are heard and so we’re all ears. Your words to us are always heard and understood.

Because of your omniscience we can speak directly – anyplace, anytime. Can you help me describe this? 

I am the Holy Spirit. You are learning the language of the Spirit. I rule and overrule the spiritual domain. In Me you have dominion on this earth over fallen forces. The spiritual realm over earth suffers violence. When you humble yourself and acknowledge the loving Father and magnificent Son my power is unleashed. I am the annointing of the Annointed One – the burden remover and yoke destroyer. So I have power over time and distance and this equals omniscience.

My eyes adored you.....though I never laid a hand on you – my eyes adored you!

OH lord, that I would only have eyes for YOU and things ordained of you. I choose this day like Job to make covenant with my eyes so that what I look upon would be pleasing to you. 

My eyes search to and fro upon the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are blameless and are FULLY committed to Me (2 Chronicles 16 v 9)

Then I say like David did before me “unite my heart to fear your name”.  What’s the key to allowing you to unite my heart? 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.....ACCESSABILITY.....ABANDONMENT

Acknowledge –in this case the recognisation of a need. A genuine sober accessment of the state of your heart (Jeremiah 17 v 9).....’ the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (twisted and off-track) : who can know it?

 Accessibility – ‘behold I stand at the door and knock’ (Rev 3 : 20).....heart to heart communion will result in a divine transplant.

Abandonment - Psalm 34: 18 ‘I the Lord are near unto them that are of a broken heart; and save such that are of a contrite spirit.’

WORDS

by Glenice Mills

Words! So many words!

Have you ever wondered what Father God hears with the billions of conversations taking place through out the world?

Just think: He knows what we will say even before we say it.

It is mind boggling to think. Yet we will be judged for the words we speak. That is very sobering.

Consider all the words you have spoken today. How many of them have been affirming? How many are prattle, of no substance and use to anyone?

Maybe your words have spoken life to someone, bringing clarity to a situation, or wisdom that has brought resolution to a problem.

Perhaps your words have created emotional damage to someone and caused your reputation to be tarnished?

The truth is you can’t take words back once they are spoken. They have gone out there. We have all been guilty of speaking unwisely. We have all hurt someone by our words. However we can stop, and become more aware of the words we do speak. Scripture tells us to be slow to speak.

There are a number of problems that arise with words.

They can be taken out of context – This is particularly dangerous when there is an agenda to try and twist what is spoken by taking one sentence and elaborating on that without considering the complete context. We see this happening all the time when politicians say something. The media then makes it say something it is not.

One-liners can be throwaway lines but they are often scathing, mocking, and appear smart, but are in fact stupid and foolish. They can do a lot of damage.

We hear this a lot, and we then joke about ‘foot in mouth disease’. It is not a laughing matter.

Opinions – there are so many opinions out there, many not founded on fact but rather hearsay. How much misunderstanding has occurred because of someone’s strong opinions?  These opinions have swayed and impacted many people.

How often do we hear the loud minority speaking as though they are representing the silent majority? We are seeing this at the moment with the debate on same sex marriage. If we hear something being said for long enough we then begin to subtly embrace it as truth. That is how compromise sneaks in.

Are you one who has lots to say? You find it difficult to restrain yourself from passing an opinion or thought. You just can’t seem to stop speaking. It is often because of anxiety, because you feel uncomfortable in a situation.

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 17:27,28 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Perhaps we all need to learn to be wiser with our words, rather than being foolish. It is not an easy thing to do.

It is the ‘how’ we deliver words which is often the problem. If our tone is argumentative, angry, forceful or harsh no matter what we say will be misinterpreted leading to great misunderstanding. Maybe we come across as patronizing, making people feel put down, and ‘small’.

Matthew 12:34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Bad attitudes are expressed in our words. These bad attitudes come from our heart issues. It is always good to reflect on what we say and particularly the attitude as we say something. We know our hearts are wicked and are a true reflection of our sinful nature. Be quick to repent of our heart issues. The Lord can change hearts when we repent and choose to speak and behave in a Godly way.

Let’s be aware that we don’t speak lies. Lies are a cover up for fear and shame and before we know it we have dug a hole for ourselves that can take some undoing.

Let’s use our words to speak truth instead of lies, words of honour rather than dishonor, respect instead of disrespect.

God is requiring a higher standard of us. The world is watching and one of the most obvious ways we can display righteousness is by the way we speak. Use our words to build one another up, rather than tearing down, don’t come in agreement with gossip by using words in judgment of one another.

Matthew 12:35-37 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Words are powerful! Watch what you speak!

AN OPPORTUNE TIME

by Glenice Mills

The Lord has been speaking to me about an opportune time. I looked up the word opportune in Scripture and saw whenever this word was used it was in relation to the enemy.

Luke 4:13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

We know we have an enemy who is prowling around waiting to tempt us at a time when we are vulnerable. It always happens when our guard is down, when we least expect it.

I find it interesting that the word opportune is also part of the word opportunity.

Opportune means well timed. We all have choices and sometimes they can be split second decisions that can have positive benefits or negative consequences.

The opportune moment is often a test to see what we will do. 

We are all on a knife-edge of walking in obedience or walking into the trap of disobedience.

In 1 Kings chapter 13 we read about the man of God, a prophet, who delivered an accurate prophetic word to King Jeroboam. However we also see how very shortly after bringing the word, he allowed himself to be seduced and enticed by an old prophet. This resulted in him losing his life.

There is much we can learn from this man of God’s life and also the old prophet.

This is a cautionary example of a man of God who got some things so right but in the end got it so wrong.

We have to be on the alert particularly in this hour as there are many things that are seductive and enticing, particularly to our flesh, that have the potential to derail us. We live in an age where evil is increasing, and the main access for him is by taking us off track with something that makes us feel comfortable, and has us settle. Once we settle this stops the move of the Holy Spirit, it blocks and holds us in to what appears as a safe place. We become complacent and before we know it we are being led down a wrong track.

Also, let’s be careful we don’t rush ahead of God. He has His perfect timing. Many are on the cusp of break through; we know it is very near. However, this is the most critical time.

It is crucial in this hour we are accountable to Godly leadership. It is our protection. They see things we don’t. God never intended us to be an island, in isolation. He is about relationships.

Opportunity means chance or opening offered by circumstance.

Many divine opportunities are opening up to those who have been obedient. There is a networking of relationships that are pivotal in this hour as we all come with our different gifts and abilities to work together to do the work God has assigned for us. It is an opportune time for this to happen; however we need to be on guard that we are wise with whom we are to share what with. The enemy comes at an opportune time to try to abort the plans of God. We have to be careful we are not tempted by an opportunity that seems right.

Opportune and opportunity are about chance – the chance for good to come or for evil to try and have its way.

Let’s be on guard for what is the opportunity and what is an opportune time for the enemy to come and tempt us in our weakness.

ENTRENCHED JEALOUSY

by Glenice Mills

One of the biggest downfalls as women is our entrenched jealousy. Sadly I have observed women older in years harden their hearts against fellow women who appear to be getting ahead. The tragedy of this is it is against God and His precious daughters. So how does this happen?

As young children we are raised in competitive environments where we try and find our place among our friends. Already some children show leadership qualities and because they stand out, they are the obvious and subtle objects of competitive jealousy. Child leaders alike are jealous of one another, as are their followers. This on flows into teenage years where the jealousy is more blatant. There is a competitive push to belong to the ‘it’ crowd and when you are cast out jealousies root takes deeper ground. By the time we reach adulthood and particularly parenthood this stronghold has entrenched itself in and through our lives. Women are often seen at their worst as parents. It becomes all about the children – who are brightest, sporty, musical, best looking and myriad other ways we judge. Jealousy that already has a hold is now becoming more bitter and resentful. This develops into a deep hatred that flows over the children. This continues the iniquity of jealousy down through the generations. So by the time women reach older years jealousy is like a rotting crusty hard shell.

Jealousy that is already ugly is uglier in an older woman. I am particularly centred on women because it is what the Lord is highlighting to me at this time.

We have a problem because we should show a higher way, a Godly example for those who are watching us. Women, we are our own worst enemy. Jealousy with its roots of judgment, comparisons, resentment, bitterness and resulting hatred causes divisions, competitiveness, backbiting and betrayal.

It is interesting that as I have waited on the Lord and He has been speaking to me that He would use the word ‘entrenched’. The dictionary meaning of entrench is to establish firmly in position, and surround as fortification. In other words jealousy takes a position in our soul area and we then fortify it as a protective mechanism. Anything that is fortified appears to stop attack however it is a false strength that needs to come down so we can let others in. At its core are insecurity and a fear of missing out.

Why am I writing this at this time? The Lord has been alerting me to entrenched jealousy because it is actually bringing bondage on both the perpetrator and the victim of the jealousy. It is a cause of strife among women in the body of Christ and does nothing to build up or encourage one another. If we are to be examples to the younger we need to be careful of our words and actions.

I am particularly alerted at this time with the mature in years because it is and will have the potential to actually hold us, and keep us in the old. We will resist the new move of God, and worse still become a stumbling block to the young ones who are being raised in this hour.

Romans 14:12,13

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

To resolve is to make up one’s mind, to decide firmly with a firm mental decision or intention. This is a choice – to purposefully hold one’s back or choose to want the best for them.

The truth is God is raising a new generation of young ones whose growth is exponential compared with many of us who have battled for decades. We dare not begrudge the younger from a place of entrenched jealousy because this is displeasing to God. This word is not meant to be critical but we have to be very careful we don’t put bondage on the younger ones because they ‘appear’ to have it easier than we had. They will have different battles to face and the Lord has uniquely forged some things in their lives that will be required for their walk in the coming times.

However there is good news! We don’t have to bow to jealousy. We can also choose to stop it continuing down through the generations. Repentance is the key. Acknowledging our behaviours, attitudes, and the words we speak, stop jealousy becoming entrenched in our lives. We need to examine the insecurities and the ground where this became a stronghold.

Older women are to train up the younger. We are charged with this responsibility and our Godly behavior and example are powerful influencers.

God is requiring a higher standard from us more mature ones. Let’s come in unity, encouragement and most importantly love. Love conquers all! 

THE KNIFE EDGE OF OBEDIENCE

by Glenice Mills

We are all on a knife-edge of walking in obedience or walking in the trap of disobedience. We have choices and sometimes they can be split second decisions that can either have positive benefits or negative consequences.

I have an alert, a warning, for many who would be classed as ‘mature in God.’

You face critical choices right now. It is a very defining knife-edge walk of obedience. What may appear or seem right is in fact a test for whether you will hold onto and keep the Lord’s command that was given to you. You know you heard clearly from God, and you know the weight of responsibility in this pivotal time. Be careful of the split second decision!

Don’t fall in the trap of what appears to be right. Remember the man of God in 1 Kings 13 who did an amazing exploit at the command of God, but in a moment of weakness of the flesh listened to a lie. This is a cautionary example of a man of God who had the word of God so accurate, so right, yet in the end got it so wrong. That is a warning for many, particularly those who are seen by many as a man or woman of God. You hold a leadership position and many look to you for direction and instruction. Keep alert!

Many of you are at the cusp of breakthrough coming and you have waited for a specific dream/word to come to pass. You know it is coming soon, you sense it, you see it, it is tangible but it is waiting on you doing something specific to usher it in. The action not only requires a step of faith, more importantly and extremely pivotal - it requires a step of obedience. It will cost you something, something very dear to you, however many people will be influenced and affected by your choice.

There is a big picture that has not yet been revealed. The Lord has kept it hidden because it is a protection, so you don’t run ahead of Him. Significant people need to be in position so the full benefit will reap much fruit and impact many people, bringing change to areas, regions and nations in profound spiritual and practical ways.

There are key strategies about to be released to God’s apostles and prophets that will make a way for breakthrough both in the heavens and in people’s lives. Great reform is about to come through one’s who have been faithful to hold their position, and move only when directed by the Holy Spirit. Obedience is the key.

You only see in part, however for those who are faithful, obedient and very careful with the anointing for the specific project, will reap great rewards. You do not do it for a reward however there will be answered prayer, which only you and the Lord know about. You will truly know Him as a personal, caring, God who is faithful to do over and above what you even think or ask for.

I sense an important key at this time is to be careful with the anointing. Again it is a fine knife-edge choice between being led of the Spirit, and only speaking and doing what you know you are anointed for right now. It is a time where you dare not move in your flesh, or what you think and want in order to bring a quick resolution to a problem you face right now.

Remember what may seem right to a man leads to death, don’t go that way!

Many are weak right now and this is also opportunity for an enticing, seducing spirit to come and bring what appears as the answer to some difficult circumstances right now. Again be aware and alert to what feels good in the moment. Don’t let complacency win at this crucial time. If we bow to compromise because we feel a sense of peace – remember it could be a false peace, a peace sent by the enemy.

It is a time when we need one another to watch out for each other, to stand as one, united in our passions and dreams, ready to move forward, to take the ground that has been given to us. This is not the time to be independent, to think you know what is right. Don’t isolate, you will get picked off and if you are not careful will open doors for deception to come!

This is a heavy word, but I know and sense an alert I have not felt for some time.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 are key verses right now to declare over your lives.

“Now it came to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.

Following are some specific blessings the Lord wants to release at this time:

Verse 6: Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

Verse 7: The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Verse 13: And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and be careful to observe them.

Breakthrough is coming to the obedient!!!

RESPECT - WHAT DOES IS LOOK LIKE? CULTURE'S SNARE

by Glenice Mills

Everything in life is about balance. As one called to women I need to address an issue that runs deep in our society. Our focus at the moment at Women’s Apostolic Alliance is domestic violence. It is an issue on the Lord’s heart right now. However I am mindful that we need to bring correct balance so we do not paint a picture of all men as violent and abusive. As we know this is a serious issue both here in Australia and internationally and it has to be addressed. Domestic violence by men toward women is rife and it is time for this issue to be exposed. However we need to remember it also goes the other way too – with women abusing men.

We as women must be mindful how we too can be tools in the enemy’s hands to bring division between the sexes. There is a higher way that we must also conduct ourselves, particularly as Christian women. 

Scripture tells us in Ephesians 5:33 Amplified version

However, let each man of you (without exception) love his wife as his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband (that she notices him, regards him, honours him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly).

This Amplified version lays it out very clearly what needs to happen in order to respect someone. We know this Scripture is in the context of the marriage relationship however it goes much deeper than this. It is about our relationships with one another. I particularly want to focus on the female/male relationship, that is not just within marriage but also in other relationships.

There is something in the sinful make up of a woman that readily speaks words that disrespect a man. For us to understand respect we need to look at disrespect first. So what do we, as females do that is disrespectable toward males?

DE-EMASCULATE A MAN WITH OUR WORDS:

We have all heard a woman use words to cut a man down. We can judge, and criticize, with a tone of voice that is deriding and condescending. Our words can cut into the core of a man’s soul, and wound like a knife cutting at flesh.

THE COLD SHOULDER –MANIPULATING BY USING SILENCE:

When we give men the cold shoulder we disrespect them by using our silence as a weapon against them. It is a subtle put down, bringing alienation in the relationship. The issue never gets dealt with, and it leaves things hanging ‘in the air’ without proper resolution. It is a subtle form of manipulation that makes the man feel he has to earn his way back into the relationship. He feels dishonored and a pawn in a game. This is disrespectful.

PLACING WRONG EXPECTATIONS ON MEN:

Unfortunately we as women have put a yoke on our men by placing wrong expectations on them. We expect them to be great providers, parents, spouse, lover, plus being able to do practical things for us to name a few. When they are unable for what ever reason we use it against them, putting a yoke on them that says ‘they are a failure’. The reality is no one can do everything well. We all have different skills and gifts and to expect a man to do something that he is not able to do is unfair. To deride him because he does not fit an image of the ‘perfect’ man who can do all things is wrong. It is disrespectful of him and who he is.

PUTTING MEN AS AN IDOL – AS A SAVIOUR:

We women have been raised on fantasy stories where the man is our handsome prince coming to rescue us and provide a life for us where we live happily ever after. As we all know the reality of this life is just not so. However, ingrained in our thinking is this false picture that we use as a template of how we think men should be. When they let us down, which they do, then this false man who we have put as an idol, and built as a false image, has to be smashed. We react in our hurt and out of the hurt will turn on the man by disrespecting him. As we put them as an idol, to save and give us all we feel we need, it is often on an emotional level. The truth is only the Lord can fill this void – and we dare not place any person, male or female as an idol.

MEN PORTRAYED AS BUFFOONS – MOCKERY:

There is a slow eroding of honor as men are portrayed as some bumbling idiot. We see this in television programmes where the man is someone to be laughed at as he behaves like a buffoon. It is a perverse humour, it mocks men and when we as women come in agreement with this we are in fact disrespecting the core identity of who they are as men. We need to be very careful we don’t subtly agree with what the media say we should align our thinking and humour with.

WITHHOLDING:

Perhaps one of the biggest weapons a woman uses against a man is withholding. We can do this in many ways – it is a subtle form of abuse and a wrong use of power. We withhold emotionally by closing down and putting up a wall between us that says ‘don’t come near me’. We can also withhold in many other ways such as sexually, financially, in their relationship with their children and by not speaking with true honesty.

These are just a few ways we as women can disrespect men. I am sure there are many more however we need to be aware where we fall into the trap by using any of these ways. There is a gradual erosion that is a downward spiral bringing discord in relationships.

Following is the pattern that can happen when issues are not dealt with:

MISUNDERSTANDING – ANIMOSITY – ANGER – HATRED – VIOLENCE

The dictionary meaning of respect is to show deferential esteem towards a person or quality, to treat with consideration.

As Christians we need to recognize where we have actions and behaviours that are not godly. As the Lord’s women we need to recognize where our ways are not God’s ways and choose to repent and ask the Lord for His help as we learn to come in the opposite spirit. God has created us as men and women to need one another. We are not in competition with one another but rather to complement. Let’s draw on one another’s strengths and weaknesses to help to build our lives on a Godly foundation.

Let’s be aware of the way we conduct ourselves.