PROPHETIC MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD MOVING THE REALMS OF HEAVEN TO US  Getting Impowered for HIS Service this is not a womens conference it is for all get empowered for your destiny! register here   Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark by Francis Frangipane (En Español) Consumer Confidence Sinks to 16-year-plus Low, so warned the headline of a recent Associated Press article. The article continued, “U.S. consumers are the gloomiest they've been since the tail end of the last prolonged recession. Inflation, sinking home values and soaring gas prices have pushed confidence to the lowest level since 1992.” You can feel the gloom seeping into our culture right now. Look at the stock market. the market is a barometer of the confidence investors have for the future. Nine months ago the stock market had climbed to 14,198. Today, it is down almost 3,000 points to 11,570. Two things control the mood of Wall Street: fear and greed. When times are good, the market climbs, but when people are fearful, their spending becomes conservative causing the market to drop. But, is gloominess justified? The article said that consumer confidence is at “the lowest level since 1992.” Does anyone remember 1992? In December of 1991 the Soviet Union had collapsed. Suddenly, the Cold War was over and America had won. Our values, vision and strength had prevailed against godless communism.  A “new normal” existed with unbelievable potential, yet most Americans were still so conditioned by the threat of nuclear war that six months into 1992 consumer confidence was lower than it is today. What happened next? Well, in spite of the cloud of gloom over most of civilization, investors began to realize that the world had become a better place. As a result, the longest economic boom in American history began. Christian missionaries also recognized the opportunity and began the greatest surge in evangelism since Christ. Missiologists were amazed! Since 1992 more people have given their lives to Christ than the sum of all those converted since the first century! So job losses, floods, fires and other disasters seem to be multiplying in our days. Yes, times are rough. Yet, while these are hard times, God still is working all things for good. “Hard” times do not mean “bad” times. It just means we must apply faith, keep listening to God, and for heaven’s sake, not lose our joy. Times of darkness are actually when the leaders of tomorrow are being forged. If you see light while others see gloom, your faith will inspire others to follow you into the future. A Time of Great Potential Personally, I believe we are on the brink of many new breakthroughs, both in the natural realm and also in the kingdom of God. Major breakthroughs are about to occur in the next three to five years. I’m not telling you to invest in the stock market, but I am saying, “Don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Heb. 10:35). Consider technology. New sciences are developing energy sources that have zero emissions and are utilizing resources that are abundantly available. Oil will still be necessary, but the idea we were running out of oil is wrong. Huge oil fields offshore in Brazil and also in the upper Dakotas and Canada offer hope for lower energy costs. New breakthroughs are also emerging in medical research. Health cures for many of mankind’s most devastating diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease, are on the horizon. These discoveries have the potential to be as stunning as Jonas Salk’s vaccine in eliminating polio. One may ask, what about Muslim extremism? Of course, we cannot relax our guard. The enemy is never more dangerous than when his end is near. However, for all the criticism leveled at President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, I believe the bulk of the terrorist challenge we faced seven years ago has been effectively countered. The fact is, the al Qaeda led jihad against the West has failed. Bin Laden’s dream of leading a worldwide uprising against America has morphed into his own worst nightmare: He is despised both in and out of Islam. “Al Qaeda has lost considerable popularity because its indiscriminate violence has provoked a backlash among Muslims, who have been its principal victims. Al Qaeda has murdered more Muslims than non-Muslims, more Afghans than Americans. Also more Iraqis than Americans,” says James Phillips, Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs at the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies. Today, the vast majority of Muslims consider bin Laden a false prophet and a heretic. Additionally, many high profile Muslim clerics are now teaching that the Koran does not call for military jihad, especially against enemies that possess vastly superior military strength. Yes, there is still Iran, and we must finish the job in Iraq and Afghanistan, but generally speaking, nearly every Muslim nation in the world has taken its stand against al Qaeda and radical Islam. Each is arresting radicals and putting them in jail. People on the Islamic street are quietly realizing the disproportional consequences of their war against the West. They know that when Muslim extremists bomb two buildings in America, America conquers two Muslim nations in the Middle East. Moderate Muslims may not love us, but they have come to fear making America their enemy. We can thank President Bush for his passion to defend America. Although peace is itself a worthy goal, the real outcome of the defeat of al Qaeda is a Muslim world that is seeking ways to accept the West without importing our wantonness. The shift is from confrontation to understanding the differences in our cultures and respecting them. And, this is good news for the spread of the Gospel. Locally You say, You don’t understand my problem. No, but I understand my problems. Here in Cedar Rapids we are dealing with the effects of a “500-year” flood. We can succumb to darkness and retreat into gloom, or instead, we can fix our eyes upon God and follow Him into citywide transformation. It may take a couple years, but the river of mud that overflowed the banks of the Cedar River has been countered by a river of life bringing healing, help and hope to the city. Indeed, the church here was united; thousands of volunteers had truly gird themselves to serve. Even so, we have grown deeper in our unity and compassion. God has been able to export into our city something that, in many ways, is like heaven to those in need. The testimony of a united, serving church has touched every level of government disaster relief. They have all stated the same thing: They’ve never seen churches working so selflessly or in such unity before. A new realignment has been created between the kingdom of God and our community. So, yes, our immediate circumstances are staggering, yet our eyes are on Christ and the power of His kingdom. For each of you who has been standing with us, God bless you! Your prayers and gifts have been a great encouragement. For those who have actually come here to physically help, thank you! To all, I say, stay encouraged. Don’t be afraid of the dark! The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Financial Help A continuing need is for finances so we can help people rebuild their lives. Most of the homes in the devastated neighborhoods had no flood insurance. Furniture, carpets, flooring, clothing, drywall, food, appliances - almost everything that experienced flooding now needs to be repaired or replaced. So, any financial gift you can offer is helpful. To donate, please visit our Ministry Supportpage for more information on how to give online. Don't forget to stipulate that your contribution is for flood relief, which you can do after completing your credit card info on the last page. Or, checks made payable to Advancing Church Ministries can be sent to 125 Robins Square Ct, Robins, IA 52328. Please note "flood relief" on the memo line. From the bottom of my heart, on behalf of Cedar Rapids and eastern Iowa, thank you for standing with us. May God bless you abundantly. Pastor Francis http://www.frangipane.org/?GXHC_gx_session_id_FutureTenseContentServer=0b63d91b25eba749   WHITEDOVE MINISTRIES June 2008 E-NEWSLETTER FROM: Paul Keith & Wanda Davis and Joann McFatter Greetings friends, I trust this newsletter finds you blessed and moving forward in the Lord's Kingdom. These are truly pivotal and compelling days in which we live. Our team just returned from a wonderful conference in Tucson, Arizona. There were numerous signs and evidences that the Lord took spiritual ground in the region and mobilized a body of people to occupy it. The Tucson area is incredibly strategic and marks one of the richest heritages within our nation. There were very significant things that transpired in the surrounding region during the 1960s. Like Elisha's word to the king of Israel, we must repetitively strike the ground until victory is complete. That is what is presently transpiring in numerous regions within our nation. Recently, I came across something John Wesley published during his 18th century ministry. Wesley is widely regarded as one of the most noble and anointed men since the Great Reformation. He and others were experiencing measures of revival which generated notable criticism and persecution. The circumstances sounded a lot like what we see taking place today. As a result Wesley felt inspired to formulate a covenant that he and other ministers that were joined in heart and vision entered into. Its intent was to fortify a hedge of protection around this company who formed a divine alliance so that division and separation could be alleviated. I felt it significant for our day as well. The Wesley Covenant:It is agreed by us whose names are underwritten to: First, that we will not listen or willingly inquire after any ill concerning each other; Secondly, that if we do hear any ill of each other, we will not be forward to believe it; Thirdly, that as soon as possible we will communicate what we hear by speaking or writing to the person concerned; Fourthly, that until we have done this, we will not write or speak a syllable of it to any person whatsoever; Fifthly, that neither will we mention it, after we have done this, to any other person; Sixly, that we will not make any exception to any of these rules, unless we think ourselves absolutely obliged to do so. I believe God is looking for character and people who will join their hearts together in a bond of fraternal affection that will be both fruitful and protective. As we enter what will perhaps be the most strategic era since the resurrection of Jesus, let us purpose in our hearts to walk in a Christ-like manner and fulfill the prophetic prediction of Jesus when He said: By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. -- John 13:35 Many blessings of favor and grace, Paul Keith & Wanda and the WhiteDove Team The Brides End-Time Harvest Anointing- Part 3 by Paul Keith Davis The Bible tells us in John 1 that in the beginning the Word existed; Then the Word (Logos) became flesh and dwelt among mankind. After 30 years of growth and maturity the time came for the Lord's work of ministry to fulfill His assignment in the earth. The Bible describes the Heavens opening with His baptismal and the Holy Spirit descended as the appearance of a dove. This was the point of empowerment for the Lord Jesus and the embodiment of the Sevenfold Spirit of God to achieve His mandate and mission. It was at that point that the Spirit of the Lord came in and upon the Lord to demonstrate the Spirits of wisdom and revelation, counsel and might, knowledge and the reverential awe of God. This reality is reiterated in Acts 10:38 where we are told: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. There was a specific anointing and empowerment to do the work of ministry. That same impartation will be made available to the bridal company to achieve the same mandate demonstrated by the Lord in His earthly ministry. We too must heal the sick; cast out devils and even raise the dead by the same Spirit through this army who will be "bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh." Types and Shadows When plans for the construction of the Tabernacle of Moses were being communicated to Moses, he was instructed to make all things that were a "copy and shadow of the Heavenly things." One of the primary implements in the Holy Place was a lampstand burning with seven lamps. This was a foreshadowing representation of the Holy Spirit and His operation through people who become the Tabernacle of God. Paul emphasized in 1 Corinthians 3:16: Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Furthermore, the prophet Zechariah utilized incredible language to depict the workings of God's Spirit in the earth saying: He said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side." Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, "What are these, my lord?" So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord." Then he said to 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. --- Zechariah 4: 2-6. "These seven lamps" of fire burning as a single lampstand are the Sevenfold Spirit of God. These are also the seven "sent out into all the earth" and the seven eyes of the Lord "which range to and fro throughout the whole earth." This is an Old Testament portrayal of the seven eyes of God and the seven horns illustrated in the book of Revelations. We glean further understanding of the Sevenfold Spirit of God through John's visitation and description saying: And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. -- Revelations 5:6 John saw the Lord portrayed as a lamb with seven eyes and seven horns. This is another allegorical expression outlining what the Father was going to manifest through His son. Horns are symbolic representations of power or authority; seven is the number of completion. Therefore we conclude that the Lord possessed complete and absolute revelation and power through the Holy Spirit in His earthly ministry. A Representation of God The Seven Spirits of God are not merely attributes or spiritual manifestations but a perfect representation of God's Spirit; the sevenfold and flawless activity of the Holy Spirit carrying out and fulfilling Heaven's purposes in the earth. Likewise, the seven eyes illustrate unimpeded revelatory insight, not only accessing the Father's heart, but also knowing the hearts of all man. The Living Word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of men's hearts as described in Hebrews 4:12. For the Bride of Christ to do the works Jesus did, and even greater works, we will also need the same manifestation of the Spirit in and through us. That is God's promise! There is a place of union with God that is so complete that He will live in and through this company of people and do through them the same works He did while on the earth in human form. It is clear that Isaiah 11:2 is a prophetic description of the Messiah and the spiritual empowerment that would identify His life and ministry. Jesus said as He was sent by the Father, so also are we sent by Him. If the Lord Jesus functioned in the Sevenfold Spirit of God then the Bride of Christ, when she reaches full maturity, will also function in this same manifestation of God! They are: The Spirit of the Lord The Spirits of wisdom and understanding The Spirits of counsel and might The Spirits of knowledge and reverential awe of God: The Spirits are placed in pairs because of the compatible nature of their functioning. In a previous newsletter I outlined the Spirits of wisdom and understanding with a brief analysis of their meaning and operation. In this article we will emphasize the Spirits of counsel and might. Counsel and Might Defined Counsel is defined as advice, plans or admonitions of prudence to provide leadership and proper decision-making to achieve God's plan and purpose. The term can be used to apply to secular or human counsel, but primarily counsel received from the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for counsel is "etsah" and is used numerous times in the Old Testament and translated either counsel, advice, advisement, or purpose. One of the first occurrences of the term is in Exodus 18: 19 when Jethro gives counsel to Moses concerning the leadership of Israel. According to Isaiah 9:6, the Lord Himself is known as the Wonderful Counselor. A counselor is one who gives advice or formulates a plan for the achievement of a specific goal. The Spirit of counsel grants advice from God's throne and provides the perfect plan or strategy to achieve a specific mandate. The Lord does not merely have counsel; He is the Spirit of counsel. Might is taken from the Hebrew word "gebuwrah" and is defined as power, strength, or force producing valor, victory and mighty deeds. The Spirit of might illustrates and demonstrates the marvelous acts and miraculous powers of the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 3:24 affirms this saying, O Lord GOD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? These two Spirits working in unison function through the Holy Spirit by giving advice or counsel which formulates a plan that demonstrates the mighty acts and miraculous powers of God. Spiritual Prototypes When I first began to study the lives of several 20th-century leaders I discovered there were a few that seemingly were set apart and functioned in this higher realm of power and authority. These included Maria Woodworth-Etter, John G. Lake, William Branham and others. It seemed that each came to a specific juncture of their lives requiring total and complete surrender that catapulted them over into a different spiritual realm that characterized their greatest ministry. I believe they discovered the reality of Hebrews 6:5 and "tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come." These ministries function as spiritual prototypes so that we can understand them and prepare to function as a bridal company in the same way. I remember specifically reading an incident that occurred in the ministry of William Branham that struck me as an incredible demonstration of the Spirit and a token of what is to come. It occurred in the 1930s shortly after his ordination as a minister in the Baptist Church. It first started with a revelatory experience while in prayer in which he seemingly found himself standing in a specific hospital room looking at a black man that had been run over by an automobile and penned against the wheel of a wagon. The accident had severely injured the gentleman causing many of his bones to be broken and severe damage to his internal organs. Some of the broken bones in his chest lay adjacent to his heart and lungs which prohibited any movement for fear of certain death. The prognosis was very grim. The minister found himself in the vision standing on one side of the bed looking at the man and understanding his medical condition. Furthermore, he watched as two white people came into the room and stood on the opposite side of the bed. At that moment he saw himself pronounce healing for the man who promptly leapt from the bed, dressed himself and proceeded out of the hospital; then the vision ended. A few days later the minister discovered that the gentleman was indeed in the hospital in the exact condition he had seen in his vision. He took a friend to the hospital with him and told him to wait at the front of the hospital because very shortly a black man was going to walk out the front door wearing a very specific suit and carrying a plum hat. Branham entered the hospital and found the room just as he had seen in the vision. There he found the gentleman just as he had seen him and entered to stand precisely where he had seen himself standing. However, he couldn't pray for the man until the two people came to stand on the opposite side of the bed as he had seen in the vision. While he stood there the gentleman's wife shared the terrible prognosis and how the doctors had insisted upon immobilization or he would immediately die of internal injuries. Finally, the two other people entered the room and stood on the other side of the bed. It turned out to be the people that were occupants of the car that accidentally ran over the man. When they entered, the man of God didn't just pray for healing... he announced it. It had already been illustrated in the vision. The moment prayer was offered the man immediately responded by throwing back the covers and jumping out of bed and declaring "I am healed." Needless to say the doctors and nurses were frantic to restrain the man for fear of immediate death. But the good news is, he was completely healed. He went to his closet put on the cloths that had been seen in the vision and walked out of the front of the hospital directly past brother Branham's friend, just as he had described that he would. This is a clear illustration of the operation of the Spirits of counsel and might. I especially enjoy this testimony because it was achieved just a generation ago. It is one thing to read the miraculous stories achieved in the ministries of Jesus, the Old Testament Prophets or the early Apostles. But it seems special and more readily attainable when demonstrated in the modern Church era through ordinary people like us. Adherence to Counsel Released Might The word of counsel was to go to the room and wait for a specific set of circumstances to exist; the faithful adherence to the word of counsel released the Spirit of might to produce a miracle. This is the same Biblical model we see demonstrated in the ministry of the Lord Jesus as well as the Old Testament prophets who functioned in this Spirit for a season. Naaman was instructed by the prophet Elisha to dip in the Jordan River seven times; his adherence to the word of counsel released the Spirit of might to heal his leprosy. Jesus applied clay to a man's eyes and told him to go to a specific pool to wash the clay away; his meticulous obedience to the word of counsel released the Spirit of might giving the man his sight. These are just a few of the many biblical illustrations outlining the function of the Spirits of counsel and might. Clearly, not every circumstance will be as vividly outlined as it was for this minister in his vision. Even so, whether received through prayer, the written word or prophetic utterance, our careful adherence to God's counsel releases the Spirit of might to do awesome things. The Lord's Counsel In Revelations 3:18 the Lord gives us a word of counsel saying: I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Our dedicated obedience to His counsel unleashes the empowerment to live the life of one who overcomes and victorious over the spirit of this age and all spiritual opposition so that we sit with Him on His throne as He overcame to sit with the Father.   Toking the Ghost: Why Christians Must Redeem Drug Culture, Part I    JOHN CROWDER WWW.THENEWMYSTICS.ORG   Ever since I first became a believer, I have had a constant addiction to the Presence of God. I do not know of any other way to live the Christian life, apart from a loving compulsion to continuously be near this God of Gladness. One of the primary things the Lord showed us years ago was that intoxication on Him is the very essence of “first love.” God is not interested in your dispassionate praise or disinterested service. He is going for the depths of your heart strings. The thing that intoxicates you to the core is the very thing you worship. There is a deep, inner craving that draws us outside ourselves and into the realms of divine ecstasy. This is our inheritance as children and lovers of God. The only kind of love that will lay down its life is a love that has transcended life itself.   Supernatural pleasure, inner raptures, ecstasies, trances and visionary encounters are our Biblical inheritance as believers. Sadly, the church culture of today has become far removed from true, joyful experiential Christianity. Instead, it has morphed into a mere classroom on ethics, while losing the true core of spirituality and encounter that are freely available to all believers who choose to access the open Heavens of the cross. The great revivalist John G. Lake explained it this way, when discussing trances:   “Now what is a trance? A trance is the Spirit taking predominance over the mind and body, and for the time being the control of the individual is by the Spirit; but our ignorance of the operations of God is such that even ministers of religion have been known to say it is the devil.”[i]   We are tired of seeing the church forfeit over inner trance experiences to drug culture, new age and the occult, which can only offer counterfeits at best and demonic counterparts at worst. As believers, we should be the most intoxicated people on the planet – blissed out on the God of ecstasy who has rivers of pleasure flowing at His right hand! We were never created for a dry, boring, sober religious existence. True spiritual “sobriety,” of which the apostle Paul speaks, is coming into a vivid awareness of the unseen realm of Heaven. In Acts 2 and elsewhere in the scriptures, this “spiritual sobriety” looked like complete drunkenness to the natural eye. The new wine of God’s Spirit is the daily fare of the believer. The church started in the heavy drunken Glory on Pentecost, and we are moving from Glory to Glory. God would never give us a lesser experience for a greater one. What the apostles tasted in part, we will overdose on in full!   Drink Your Fill   There is a supernatural bliss the world longs to see demonstrated in the people of God. To live by the rules and regulations of naturalistic religion, without encountering the Spirit of God Himself, is to already be drunk on the ways of the world.   The scriptures have long commended us to be inebriated without limit on God, as we are told to “… drink your fill, O lovers.” (Song Sol. 5:1). How thirsty are you? Theodoret of Cyrus, in the fifth century, comments on this single verse saying:   “He commands these persons not merely to drink, but to be drunken; for there is a drunkenness that works temperance and not delirium – one that does not enfeeble the limbs but lends them strength.” [ii]   We want to be those who partner with Heaven to see a redemption and restoration of true supernatural, mystical experience by finding our intoxication in the Holy Ghost! God will never put a limit on your joy levels. It will take all of eternity to explore the depths of God’s gladness.   Taking it to the Street   When I go out for evangelism these days, I rarely ever start with the “four spiritual laws” or try to convince people they are sinners. I say this not to criticize anyone else’s evangelism method. If it bears fruit for you, go for it. But most people already know they are sinners. Very often, I just ask them if they want to get high! And more often than not, they do. Use bait for fish, not repellant.   Presence evangelism is the most effective mode of making true converts, because people are not simply making intellectual decisions based on points of doctrine. Instead, they are truly encountering the Lord of Glory through a tangible experience, and the explanation follows. Yes – of course we must give a rational exposition of the gospel. But without tangible demonstration, the gospel will be all talk and no show. Everybody is looking for interior fulfillment at a heart level, and we are carriers of that to a broken world. We pray, and people get rocked. They feel. They taste. They see.   It is amazing how drug culture and all manner of sedation are so prevalent in our society today. At best, everyone is addicted to television, food and materialism. But more common than you realize, even in the church today, people are addicted to worse mind-altering substances from Prozac, Xanex and alcohol to marijuana or hard street and party drugs. I cannot begin to count how many people we have seen set free when the liberating pleasures of the Holy Spirit are released. The anointing breaks the yoke (Isa. 10:27). How many thousands have we seen get rocked, who once suffered from depression that also led to physical ailments such as chronic fatigue, chronic pain and fibromyalgia? All because the joy of Jesus broke a spirit of heaviness from their lives!   Man is designed to live in an alternate state of reality. You were made to walk in the Spirit. If someone is not plugged into the ecstasies of Jesus, they are naturally going to look for their fix in a perverted form. Although the source of our intoxication is two worlds apart, secular people at least understand the principle of intoxication. There is an issue of relevance and reality here. Although religious spirits hate it, I have no problem drawing parallels between the ecstasies of God and a drug induced state of consciousness. The latter is only a counterfeit of the former. My goal is to bring the spiritual principles to street level language, where people need the revelation. Most non-believers think God wants to take away their fun. I encourage them to “Toke the Ghost” or take a trip with psychedelic Jesus. Not by using drugs of course, but by imbibing on the Spirit of God.   A Personal Testimony   Drug-induced trances are only shallow, deadly substitutes for Holy Spirit trances. We can convince people that they don’t need drugs by getting them high on the Most High. Then, and only then, freedom and deliverance are simple, if not instant. The best way to convince them is to give them a taste of what they are missing out on! This is the “one-step program” for deliverance. I am living proof of this principle. I received an instant deliverance from drugs as a teenager, and I was the worst substance abuser of all my friends. The thing that finally broke my addiction was getting whacked by the thrilling pleasure of the infilling of the Holy Spirit! How could I ever choose a lesser substance after tasting Divine Bliss? Most of the strongest drug addicts consequently have the strongest call to raptures and the seer realm. Consider how every class of drug specifically imitates something produced in rapture. Sedatives only counterfeit the deep, supernatural peace of God. Stimulants, or uppers, only imitate the power and stamina of the breaker anointing when the Spirit of Might comes upon you. Hallucinogens only simulate the visionary realm. It is completely normal that people would want to experience peace, power and see things! These are God-given desires, but we should fulfill those desires in Him, rather than substances. Bono, from the rock band U2, makes a great point when he sings: there’s nothing better than the real thing!   We have taken it as a sort of personal mandate to influence the church toward the ecstasies and living a lifestyle of spiritual drinking. This is because the new wine all has to do with intimacy, and love is the highest way. God wants junkies, and I have resolved to be a Holy Ghost pusher. Pharisees often get offended when I talk about smoking “Jehovah-wanna,” popping a “taste and see pill” or drinking “Godka.” Of course we never have nor ever would encourage the partaking of drugs. But we strongly encourage the partaking of God! Hearing these sorts of analogies is like sweet water to the thirsty soul who was born to live an intoxicated lifestyle. I don’t give a rip about dancing a jig for a self-satisfied amen corner. Life is too short to try to force-feed a fat, religious cow. There are too many hungry, desperate people out there who are ready and willing to embrace a God who is tangible, loving, joyful and full of mystical surprises and intoxicating delight. This revelation of first-love intoxication drives young people through the roof. They know that this is what they were made for: to live more whacked than their friends who are on drugs.   The truth is that we are not really comparing God to drug use. The world has already done that! The very existence of a drug culture shows that the comparison has already been made. You do not need to inhale marijuana when you can inhale the ruah – the very life-breath of God’s Spirit! We are simply reversing idea that substances (or anything the world offers) can fill a void of pleasure and experience reserved for God alone. Shock language   Imbibing on the pleasures of God is the most critical, key component for the preservation of society. Finding God as our holy “addiction” goes much further than a tactic for ministering to drug users. We must all learn to love God at the deepest, most compulsive levels of our existence. All of mankind is called to find its identity as lovers of God.   The essence of true love goes far beyond our works or service. True love must find pleasure in the object of its affection. While Christianity is full of cliché terminology to describe love, joy, worship, adoration and the like, it is sometimes more effective to use shock language and wild demonstration to convey how extreme is the joyful possession He offers us!   We have many pastors ask us to “tone down” the vernacular when paralleling God encounters with drugs. But by the grace of God I will not tone down an ounce of what He is doing until the day I die. Jesus never toned it down, and he never held anything back. One of the very reasons we use this type of language is to dismantle the very religious strongholds that keep people from “going too far” in the Spirit. Heaven is all about a great party. Even the great evangelist Billy Graham has made the analogy between conversion to Jesus and drug use. Taking the stage at the request of rock concert promoters in the late 1960s, he encouraged young people coming to hear the Grateful Dead and Santana to “get high without hang-ups and hangovers” … on Jesus.[iii] Graham used to quote the testimony of pop star Cliff Richards in interviews saying, “When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior … this was 10,000 times more of a turned-on experience than any trip I took on LSD.”[iv]   It is also important to remember that God is not offended by our play! It is not blasphemous to enjoy God or crave Him for a fix. He is waiting for a people who are willing to come closer and play with Him more dangerously. Enjoying God in this way is the furthest thing from irreverence. It is time to show some irreverence toward those religious devils that prevent the people from drinking the Living Bliss of Christ. It is actually the “criticism” of such holy enjoyment that borders closest to blasphemy.   Next week we will share some radical testimonies from folks who learned to Toke the Ghost! [i]John G. Lake: His Life, His Sermons, His Boldness of Faith (Fort Worth: Kenneth Copeland Publications, 1994), p. 505.   [ii]Robert Wilken and Richard Norris, ed., The Church’s Bible: The Song of Songs Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2003), p. 190.   [iii]Chris Armstrong, “Christian History Corner: ‘Tell Billy Graham the Jesus People love him.’” Christianity Today (Vol. 46, Dec. 2002).   [iv]The Woody Allen Show (Interview of Rev. Billy Graham by Woody Allen, Sept. 21, 1969).    A PROPHETIC LOOK AT THE LAKELAND OUTPOURING by Joan Bowe http://sos-love.net As many of you know, my husband and I were blessed to head out to Lakeland, Florida the beginning of May. We really felt lead by His Spirit to go and looked forward to not only going to see what God was doing in Lakeland but to also finally meet face to face with two dear, precious sisters in Christ who we have been ministering with over the net for several years now. We left our comfortable home in Connecticut and headed out to sunny Florida with great expectation and excitement. What we did not expect was what greeted us upon our arrival home. Not even home yet, a call had been made from one of the woman at the new church we attend wanting us to call back so that we could set up a time to get together with the elders of the church. When I heard it, my heart sank. There are times when you just know what is happening, we were going to be challenged on what we had seen and received at Lakeland, Florida. I guess what grieved me the most is that there is no doubt in my mind that the people of this church love the Lord. The elders are precious saints who desire to do God’s will. Billy and I love them and are blessed to gather with them each Sunday. But we knew just by the phone call we knew that our trip to Lakeland and the Florida Outpouring was troubling them and I felt that Billy and I had become the ‘wandering lambs’ in their eyes. At this time, let me note that when we first came to their church I sensed a “religious spirit” in the midst. I mentioned it to Billy after the service and then lifted it in prayer, knowing that I did not have the full meaning of why the Holy Spirit revealed that to me. This revelation began to unveil itself more months later after we came back from Florida. And, truthfully, I do not want to get into a whole lot of ”he said” “she said” here. Billy and I would gladly stand beside these dear saints, our brothers and sisters in Christ, should the need arise. Their love for the Lord blesses our hearts and we know it blesses His heart as well. What is shared above is just to show that what happened to us when we came back from the Outpouring in Florida is happening throughout America within the body of Christ. Many are saying that this is not a move of God that is taking place in Lakeland but is coming from the enemy’s camp. Others are saying that God is pouring out His glory in this hour and that Lakeland is only the beginning. There is so much controversy over the Lakeland Outpouring and the man who is leading it that it could make one’s head spin at the velocity and force that is being stirred up. What I will say is that it is bringing great division in the body of Christ and many wounds to the precious saints with child-like hearts. How sad it is when brother fights against brother. Where is our confidence in the finished work of the cross? Do we not believe that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us to all truth? And how often do we seek His heart in a matter and instead take what man has said regarding a spiritual matter as being total truth? How come when Todd Bentley was healing the sick in foreign countries and bringing many to the kingdom of God through Christ Jesus no one had anything to say about him one way or the other? I’d be curious to know how many people each of us individually has brought to salvation through our Lord? How many of us were willing to leave our home country to follow what the Holy Spirit was doing in this hour? OK, you have questions about the man, but what about the fruit that is coming forth from this outpouring? Is that the work of satan or is it the work of God? Perhaps it is the fear of being in the end days that has caused us to “critique” the works of those who say they come in the name of Jesus Christ, fearing they might be deceived, after all Scripture says that “if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Well, if we are in fellowship with the Lord, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, it would not be possible to be deceived! Dear saints, it is not the following after man’s teaching that can and has saved us. It is not the many works that we do that brings about our salvation and right standing in God. It is not even how well we have memorized Scripture that has restored us back to God. It is the finished work upon the cross that Jesus did and it is our fellowship with Him and the one that He sent that opens our understanding of our heavenly Father’s will and ways. Do we truly believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him? If we go astray can He need lead us back to Him? It is imperative that we remember and walk in this truth, “Greater is He that is in you [me] than he who is in the world“(1 John 4:4b). Glory to God! Yes, we are to test the spirits and if they believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, Scripture says they are from Him. Todd Bentley, though speaking a lot in the first person, has many times said it is Jesus who is healing and that He deserves the glory. Todd tells the people to set their eyes upon Jesus, to worship Him and that it is Him that we need. He talks about the finished work on the cross and how we are to be fellow laborers with Christ Jesus, taking the gospel everywhere we go, not just confining it in our church buildings. I say, “Praise be to God! That is what we are called to do, take the gospel to the nations, healing the sick, setting the captives free, raising the dead. Glory to God!” Dear Saints, is that not what our Beloved Lord commissioned us to do? If God has chosen this man to bring forth revival, which I believe that Todd is being used as a revival fire starter, then we need to be praying for him rather than ridiculing him. WHY I BELIEVE THIS MOVE IS OF GOD About nine or ten years ago the Holy Spirit sunk in my spirit that God was about to move in a mighty way upon the earth where the name of Jesus would be declared to all the nations and there would be no doubt that Christ Jesus, indeed, is the only begotten Son of God. I saw the truth of John 3:16 coming alive to the people of the world, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This knowing in my being was not placed there by man but by the Spirit of God. It was so real and I anxiously awaited it to come to pass. As one year passed and a new one began I would cry out, “When, God? When?” The longing was deep to see His hand touch the earth and for the name of Jesus to be exalted and given the honor that was due Him. I would see the sin that was rampant in our country growing exceedingly so and my heart would break, crying out the more to God, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” As I interceded for this nation and the nations of the world I knew my voice was not alone, that God had raised up those who would pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” While darkness came we knew His light is greater. When despair of the surrounding circumstances seemed to envelope me, His loving arms always brought comfort and hope. Praise be to God for His wondrous love and goodness!!! He would do what He promised to do. Glory to God!!! During those years of waiting the Lord taught me how to hear His voice and discern what was from Him. My relationship with my Beloved grew and continues to grow. He let me know that this next move of God would not look like I might expect it to and He reminded me how many of the Jewish faith did not even recognize Jesus as their Messiah for He did not come in the manner that they had come to look for. This coming move would be the same, not looking like we would expect. He also reminded me of John the Baptist, the one who declared “prepare for the kingdom of God is at hand” who wore camel hair and leather, eating locusts and was rough in appearance. John wasn’t the typical person in that day and I was instructed to keep this in mind. At the end of 2004 the Holy Spirit began giving me prophetic words of what the new year would bring. In the prophetic word for 2008 the Lord showed me that this would be a year of kingdom building and of the realm of angels being opened up to the believer. He spoke to me that February was an important month and that we “are entering a day of greater understanding and fellowship with Him who holds the government upon His shoulders.” He said that He is birthing His glory upon the earth. It was revealed that we would see many signs, miracles and wonders taking place and that a new healing wave was coming forth. He spoke of more as well. When February came I not only looked forward to celebrating my husband’s 60th birthday and the birth of our three grandchildren, I also waited expectantly to see what God was about to do. When the month had passed, I thought I had missed Him or was off on my timing. When I heard of this outpouring taking place in Lakeland, Florida, I sensed this is what the Lord was talking about and I rejoiced (still wondering why I heard “February” as the time it would break forth and not April!). I sensed this outpouring was what the Lord had spoken to me about years before. And it was by the Holy Spirit’s leading we headed to Florida - not to receive healing but to be obedient and to take back God’s anointing and glory back to our state. But when we came back from our trip there we hit such opposition that we truly had our faith tested. Wish I can say that we stood firm and did not waver at all. To be honest, good arguments were given and we had to consider them and bring them before the Lord. Our own walk the Lord was brought to question and it was a hard time. We began researching about past revivals and seeking His will all the more. There were times when I just wanted to give it all up and, if possible, go into a cave where I could be with Him and close the rest of the world out! But here and there the Lord would provide us things to remind us that it was His will that we go to Florida and that He had been speaking to us, guiding us all along. Oh, if patient the Lord will give us the answers we put to Him. About a week and a half ago I was led to read a post from the Elijah List entitled “Revival Chronicles: Chasing Mantles and Receiving Anointings” by Jim Wies. In this article it spoke about the history behind the current Lakeland, Florida Outpouring which can be traced back 20 years ago. I found the article very interesting but the thing that nearly blew me away was found under the heading, “Catching the Fire and Giving it Away”. Here is what I read: “...It was 10 years later, in the beginning of [size=]2008 (February 20-23[/size]), that Patricia King invited Todd to be a keynote speaker at an "Extreme Prophetic" conference she held in Phoenix, Arizona, called "Raising the Dead." That conference turned out to be a significant milestone in the ongoing chronicles of revival. A man named Denny Cline, Pastor of the Vineyard Church in Albany, Oregon, who had been a friend to Todd and had hosted meetings with Todd in the past, came to the conference on a prophetic mission. He came with the sole agenda of proclaiming to Todd that there were new angelic hosts being assigned to Todd and his ministry to assist in a new wave of healing and revival fire. A Dawning of a New Day It was on one of the last nights of that conference that a prolonged and holy silence settled in upon the meeting at the end of a time of worship. After a long pause, a prophetic word came forth over the meeting, declaring the following: "For those in this place who sense that you have crossed over a new threshold, the Lord declares, 'Surely you HAVE crossed over a new threshold and have, as it were, turned the corner into a new day, says the Lord. For surely this is a new day, not only for you, but also for the entire Body of Christ. And even as there have been times in which historians looked back and said, "That was the dawning of a new day for the Church," even so, those with spiritual perception will look back upon these meetings and this time as the time when a new day dawned and a new level of breakthrough occurred for the Body of Christ.'" A few short weeks later, Todd began what was supposed to be a short series of meetings in Lakeland, Florida. They began with about 700 in attendance, but God poured out a glorious gusher of His glory and healing power, and the crowds quickly swelled into thousands. Many signs and wonders and dramatic miracles are taking place…” Glory to God! In February the Lord spoke through a man of God and declared that we have, indeed, crossed over to a new threshold and that it is for the entire Body of Christ - not just one man but the entire body of Christ if they are open and willing to receive. That was confirmation that I had heard the Lord correctly regarding the importance of February 2008. Praise be to God! In the days ahead I will be sharing more about the Lakeland Outpouring and what the Holy Spirit has been showing me about what is taking place upon the earth. After much seeking of the Lord and His Word, prayer and soul searching, my husband I a fully believe that God is moving through this young man, Todd Bentley, to shake the lukewarm church and to set ablaze those who desire to be used as His vessels of honor to carry His glory to a lost and dying world. But make no mistake, while we acknowledge God is moving through Todd Bentley and others, it is upon Jesus we set our eyes and our devotion, desiring to bring glory to the Father through the Son and to fulfill the commission given to ALL saints. Jesus instructed us to “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-9) Let us also remember what we read in Matthew 28:18-20, ’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." Amen.’ Dear Saints, this is not doing church as we know it. If anyone or thing is off it is the American church that has clung to a religious system being encased in the four walls of a building. A lot of the discord that is coming forth is from that religious system that does not want the American church to walk in the authority and calling given to her by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our hearts have gotten cold and we want “order and structure”. When Jesus came He shook up the religious system of that day and so will we if we follow after Him whose has commissioned us to walk in His authority. God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He can speak through a burning bush, a donkey, a stammering man, a man who sends another to his death, a woman judge, a locust eating man of the wilderness, a uneducated man, a man who struggles with homosexuality, a tattooed man and pretty much any one or thing He chooses to speak through so let us be sure we have discerned by His Spirit rather than our flesh, amen? Amen! May we continue to seek Him for His truth, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. A PROPHETIC LOOK AT THE LAKELAND OUTPOURING As many of you know, my husband and I were blessed to head out to Lakeland, Florida the beginning of May. We really felt lead by His Spirit to go and looked forward to not only going to see what God was doing in Lakeland but to also finally meet face to face with two dear, precious sisters in Christ who we have been ministering with over the net for several years now. We left our comfortable home in Connecticut and headed out to sunny Florida with great expectation and excitement. What we did not expect was what greeted us upon our arrival home. Not even home yet, a call had been made from one of the woman at the new church we attend wanting us to call back so that we could set up a time to get together with the elders of the church. When I heard it, my heart sank. There are times when you just know what is happening, we were going to be challenged on what we had seen and received at Lakeland, Florida. I guess what grieved me the most is that there is no doubt in my mind that the people of this church love the Lord. The elders are precious saints who desire to do God’s will. Billy and I love them and are blessed to gather with them each Sunday. But we knew just by the phone call we knew that our trip to Lakeland and the Florida Outpouring was troubling them and I felt that Billy and I had become the ‘wandering lambs’ in their eyes. At this time, let me note that when we first came to their church I sensed a “religious spirit” in the midst. I mentioned it to Billy after the service and then lifted it in prayer, knowing that I did not have the full meaning of why the Holy Spirit revealed that to me. This revelation began to unveil itself more months later after we came back from Florida. And, truthfully, I do not want to get into a whole lot of ”he said” “she said” here. Billy and I would gladly stand beside these dear saints, our brothers and sisters in Christ, should the need arise. Their love for the Lord blesses our hearts and we know it blesses His heart as well. What is shared above is just to show that what happened to us when we came back from the Outpouring in Florida is happening throughout America within the body of Christ. Many are saying that this is not a move of God that is taking place in Lakeland but is coming from the enemy’s camp. Others are saying that God is pouring out His glory in this hour and that Lakeland is only the beginning. There is so much controversy over the Lakeland Outpouring and the man who is leading it that it could make one’s head spin at the velocity and force that is being stirred up. What I will say is that it is bringing great division in the body of Christ and many wounds to the precious saints with child-like hearts. How sad it is when brother fights against brother. Where is our confidence in the finished work of the cross? Do we not believe that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us to all truth? And how often do we seek His heart in a matter and instead take what man has said regarding a spiritual matter as being total truth? How come when Todd Bentley was healing the sick in foreign countries and bringing many to the kingdom of God through Christ Jesus no one had anything to say about him one way or the other? I’d be curious to know how many people each of us individually has brought to salvation through our Lord? How many of us were willing to leave our home country to follow what the Holy Spirit was doing in this hour? OK, you have questions about the man, but what about the fruit that is coming forth from this outpouring? Is that the work of satan or is it the work of God? Perhaps it is the fear of being in the end days that has caused us to “critique” the works of those who say they come in the name of Jesus Christ, fearing they might be deceived, after all Scripture says that “if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Well, if we are in fellowship with the Lord, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, it would not be possible to be deceived! Dear saints, it is not the following after man’s teaching that can and has saved us. It is not the many works that we do that brings about our salvation and right standing in God. It is not even how well we have memorized Scripture that has restored us back to God. It is the finished work upon the cross that Jesus did and it is our fellowship with Him and the one that He sent that opens our understanding of our heavenly Father’s will and ways. Do we truly believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him? If we go astray can He need lead us back to Him? It is imperative that we remember and walk in this truth, “Greater is He that is in you [me] than he who is in the world“(1 John 4:4b). Glory to God! Yes, we are to test the spirits and if they believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, Scripture says they are from Him. Todd Bentley, though speaking a lot in the first person, has many times said it is Jesus who is healing and that He deserves the glory. Todd tells the people to set their eyes upon Jesus, to worship Him and that it is Him that we need. He talks about the finished work on the cross and how we are to be fellow laborers with Christ Jesus, taking the gospel everywhere we go, not just confining it in our church buildings. I say, “Praise be to God! That is what we are called to do, take the gospel to the nations, healing the sick, setting the captives free, raising the dead. Glory to God!” Dear Saints, is that not what our Beloved Lord commissioned us to do? If God has chosen this man to bring forth revival, which I believe that Todd is being used as a revival fire starter, then we need to be praying for him rather than ridiculing him. WHY I BELIEVE THIS MOVE IS OF GOD About nine or ten years ago the Holy Spirit sunk in my spirit that God was about to move in a mighty way upon the earth where the name of Jesus would be declared to all the nations and there would be no doubt that Christ Jesus, indeed, is the only begotten Son of God. I saw the truth of John 3:16 coming alive to the people of the world, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This knowing in my being was not placed there by man but by the Spirit of God. It was so real and I anxiously awaited it to come to pass. As one year passed and a new one began I would cry out, “When, God? When?” The longing was deep to see His hand touch the earth and for the name of Jesus to be exalted and given the honor that was due Him. I would see the sin that was rampant in our country growing exceedingly so and my heart would break, crying out the more to God, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” As I interceded for this nation and the nations of the world I knew my voice was not alone, that God had raised up those who would pray “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” While darkness came we knew His light is greater. When despair of the surrounding circumstances seemed to envelope me, His loving arms always brought comfort and hope. Praise be to God for His wondrous love and goodness!!! He would do what He promised to do. Glory to God!!! During those years of waiting the Lord taught me how to hear His voice and discern what was from Him. My relationship with my Beloved grew and continues to grow. He let me know that this next move of God would not look like I might expect it to and He reminded me how many of the Jewish faith did not even recognize Jesus as their Messiah for He did not come in the manner that they had come to look for. This coming move would be the same, not looking like we would expect. He also reminded me of John the Baptist, the one who declared “prepare for the kingdom of God is at hand” who wore camel hair and leather, eating locusts and was rough in appearance. John wasn’t the typical person in that day and I was instructed to keep this in mind. At the end of 2004 the Holy Spirit began giving me prophetic words of what the new year would bring. In the prophetic word for 2008 the Lord showed me that this would be a year of kingdom building and of the realm of angels being opened up to the believer. He spoke to me that February was an important month and that we “are entering a day of greater understanding and fellowship with Him who holds the government upon His shoulders.” He said that He is birthing His glory upon the earth. It was revealed that we would see many signs, miracles and wonders taking place and that a new healing wave was coming forth. He spoke of more as well. When February came I not only looked forward to celebrating my husband’s 60th birthday and the birth of our three grandchildren, I also waited expectantly to see what God was about to do. When the month had passed, I thought I had missed Him or was off on my timing. When I heard of this outpouring taking place in Lakeland, Florida, I sensed this is what the Lord was talking about and I rejoiced (still wondering why I heard “February” as the time it would break forth and not April!). I sensed this outpouring was what the Lord had spoken to me about years before. And it was by the Holy Spirit’s leading we headed to Florida - not to receive healing but to be obedient and to take back God’s anointing and glory back to our state. But when we came back from our trip there we hit such opposition that we truly had our faith tested. Wish I can say that we stood firm and did not waver at all. To be honest, good arguments were given and we had to consider them and bring them before the Lord. Our own walk the Lord was brought to question and it was a hard time. We began researching about past revivals and seeking His will all the more. There were times when I just wanted to give it all up and, if possible, go into a cave where I could be with Him and close the rest of the world out! But here and there the Lord would provide us things to remind us that it was His will that we go to Florida and that He had been speaking to us, guiding us all along. Oh, if patient the Lord will give us the answers we put to Him. About a week and a half ago I was led to read a post from the Elijah List entitled “Revival Chronicles: Chasing Mantles and Receiving Anointings” by Jim Wies. In this article it spoke about the history behind the current Lakeland, Florida Outpouring which can be traced back 20 years ago. I found the article very interesting but the thing that nearly blew me away was found under the heading, “Catching the Fire and Giving it Away”. Here is what I read: “...It was 10 years later, in the beginning of [size=]2008 (February 20-23[/size]), that Patricia King invited Todd to be a keynote speaker at an "Extreme Prophetic" conference she held in Phoenix, Arizona, called "Raising the Dead." That conference turned out to be a significant milestone in the ongoing chronicles of revival. A man named Denny Cline, Pastor of the Vineyard Church in Albany, Oregon, who had been a friend to Todd and had hosted meetings with Todd in the past, came to the conference on a prophetic mission. He came with the sole agenda of proclaiming to Todd that there were new angelic hosts being assigned to Todd and his ministry to assist in a new wave of healing and revival fire. A Dawning of a New Day It was on one of the last nights of that conference that a prolonged and holy silence settled in upon the meeting at the end of a time of worship. After a long pause, a prophetic word came forth over the meeting, declaring the following: "For those in this place who sense that you have crossed over a new threshold, the Lord declares, 'Surely you HAVE crossed over a new threshold and have, as it were, turned the corner into a new day, says the Lord. For surely this is a new day, not only for you, but also for the entire Body of Christ. And even as there have been times in which historians looked back and said, "That was the dawning of a new day for the Church," even so, those with spiritual perception will look back upon these meetings and this time as the time when a new day dawned and a new level of breakthrough occurred for the Body of Christ.'" A few short weeks later, Todd began what was supposed to be a short series of meetings in Lakeland, Florida. They began with about 700 in attendance, but God poured out a glorious gusher of His glory and healing power, and the crowds quickly swelled into thousands. Many signs and wonders and dramatic miracles are taking place…” Glory to God! In February the Lord spoke through a man of God and declared that we have, indeed, crossed over to a new threshold and that it is for the entire Body of Christ - not just one man but the entire body of Christ if they are open and willing to receive. That was confirmation that I had heard the Lord correctly regarding the importance of February 2008. Praise be to God! In the days ahead I will be sharing more about the Lakeland Outpouring and what the Holy Spirit has been showing me about what is taking place upon the earth. After much seeking of the Lord and His Word, prayer and soul searching, my husband I a fully believe that God is moving through this young man, Todd Bentley, to shake the lukewarm church and to set ablaze those who desire to be used as His vessels of honor to carry His glory to a lost and dying world. But make no mistake, while we acknowledge God is moving through Todd Bentley and others, it is upon Jesus we set our eyes and our devotion, desiring to bring glory to the Father through the Son and to fulfill the commission given to ALL saints. Jesus instructed us to “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-9) Let us also remember what we read in Matthew 28:18-20, ’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." Amen.’ Dear Saints, this is not doing church as we know it. If anyone or thing is off it is the American church that has clung to a religious system being encased in the four walls of a building. A lot of the discord that is coming forth is from that religious system that does not want the American church to walk in the authority and calling given to her by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our hearts have gotten cold and we want “order and structure”. When Jesus came He shook up the religious system of that day and so will we if we follow after Him whose has commissioned us to walk in His authority. God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He can speak through a burning bush, a donkey, a stammering man, a man who sends another to his death, a woman judge, a locust eating man of the wilderness, a uneducated man, a man who struggles with homosexuality, a tattooed man and pretty much any one or thing He chooses to speak through so let us be sure we have discerned by His Spirit rather than our flesh, amen? Amen! May we continue to seek Him for His truth, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. http://sos-love.net/forums/read.php?6,1341,1341#msg-1341