July 31, 2010
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Whenever we stray too far from the Lord as individuals or a nation, we reap some natural consequences that can be very negative. The best way to think about them is “self-inflicted.” The enemy can certainly magnify the deception, the consequences, the fear and the calamity. We have the power at any time to reverse the process and get back under the blessing of God. We are in an hour of recession, political turmoil, unsustainable debt, and a growing and dangerous ideological bureaucracy that is willing to compromise personal liberty for an agenda not supported by the majority. Reaction – There is a poverty mindset that succumbs to fear of enemy intimidation, which attributes everything bad to the purposes of God. For example, if I believe in a soon-coming rapture, I expect the world to be overtaken by evil (God’s judgment) as I make my escape to heaven. Spiritual people can pick up on the plans of the enemy (discernment is a good thing). When we start to “prophesy” the will of the devil as though it’s God’s plan, that’s not so good. Most of us have seen a false anointing for the doom and gloom of conspiracy theories. I was just at a conference 2 years ago where one of the session speakers unveiled a secret plan that proved the dollar would not exist in 6 months. He was sincere and “sincerely” wrong. However, there was a deceptive anointing in the room that no one refuted. He correctly prophesied the will of the enemy, but misrepresented God in the process. The great conspiracy – Although the dark side really does have a conspiracy planned, and it’s not too hard to see what it is, there is a greater conspiracy that the Holy Spirit is executing through Kings. Many of us believe the enemy is coming in like a flood and have that emphasis in our spirit. Listen to the way the KJV translated. “The enemy has the initiative.” When
the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift
up a standard against him. Isa 59:19 KJV
Contrast that mistranslation with what the original really says: “We have the initiative!” The earth is about to be invaded by the goodness of God. We are the flood!!! So
they will fear the name of the Lord from the west And His glory from
the rising of the sun, for He will come like a rushing stream which the
wind of the Lord drives. Isa 59:19 NASU
The Alarm – Similarly, in Joel 2 the alarm is sounded and we assume it’s a fire alarm for enemy activity and our signal to run for the hills! Take the time to read chapters 1 and 2. Blow
the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live
in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at
hand — a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Joel
2:1-2 NIV
Verses 3-10 describe a great conquering army that instills fear throughout the land… but listen to who’s leading the army? It’s Jesus!!! “We” are the forces beyond number. We are those that are “mighty.” The
Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number,
and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the Lord is
great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
Joel 2:11 NIV
We win – To hear the alarm that is sounding, we have to adjust our theological expectations to winning instead of holding on until the end. We are not servants and serfs subject to the whims of the devil or circumstances or the politics of the day. We are Kings called to play a role in shaping the future so that one day the whole earth is filled with his glory. We really do win… in every mountain. Contrast the Plans – with that much introduction, let’s see if we can contrast the enemy’s plan with God’s plan in this hour. 1.
Nations - The enemy would like to strangle the light and
the glory. He would like to see the free nations of the world collapse
into the tyranny of central planning and bureaucratic corruption.
(repeat history)
a.
God’s plan is to simply set the captives free. More specifically,
spread free markets and the entrepreneurial spirit around the world so
people have the liberty to choose Jesus and experience abundant life.
It’s happening right now in
China and parts of Africa. It’s called redemption and lift…
People prosper and come to Jesus at the same time.
2. Freedom - The enemy would like to kill creativity in the arts, freedom in the press, entrepreneurialism in business, and replace parent-led education with government indoctrination. a.
By contrast, God is releasing His people to prosper and multiply the
Kingdom… “Liberty and justice for all” says it best. Wherever the
Spirit of the Lord is, there freedom to follow the desires of your
heart and freedom to join with the heart of God.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17 NIV 3. Attitude - The enemy would like to leave an atmosphere of hopelessness, depression, and apathy. He wants to steal every opportunity for freedom from the “serfs.” a.
Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is launching new initiatives to spread the
gospel of the Kingdom throughout the world (now in Muslim nations like Iran).
Evangelism, church growth, and marketplace ministry are related fronts.
The joy of building the Kingdom through your heart’s desire is
contagious.
4. Kings - In politics, the enemy’s tactic is “sliming” Kings that are entering the political realm. Christians running for office are exposed to media assaults and lawsuits designed to discourage them from their destiny. The ACLU would like to strip away every vestige of Christianity by rewriting history, reshaping culture, and suing every possible expression of Jesus. a.
The Holy Spirit is raising up 10 new Kings for every casualty, and for
every casualty there is exactly one resurrection. Believers are
starting to support Kings in the political sphere who use common sense,
have a plan, speak clearly and don’t wear their religion on their
sleeve. The “silent majority” is beginning to wake up to the
possibility of involvement and victory and Kingdom.
More than conquerors – we’re liberators: We are not trying to conquer the world to impose religion on others. Our goal is to subdue the earth; be good stewards and manage it. But for people, our goal is to free them into the desires of their hearts without “lording it over” them. The wheat and the tares will mature together until Jesus does return. Evil and wrong choices will not be eradicated as long as freedom exists. However, we can fill the earth with the glory of God in way that gives free people the opportunity to choose the grace of God and experience the love and abundance of the Father, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and forgiveness through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Praise
be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his
glory.
Ps 72:19 NIV
We have great power and authority as Kings to release the captives so they can experience the desires of their own hearts. Some believe that people are depraved, so they try to control the “serfs” thereby abusing their power and authority. I’ve decided people are created in God’s image to be Kings and, when they freely choose their heart’s desire, they will stumble right into the will of God. I did! Our God is the King of Kings. Some try to dismiss victorious eschatology as Christian imperialism. You can have a rapture and escape this mess or you can get involved and turn it around. I’m staying to change it! This alarm is a call to join His great assembly of Kings to “let thy Kingdom come on earth.” You’re invited. Can you hear the trumpet? Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; Joel 2:15-16 NIV Look who’s singing our song! PS: I'm experimenting with a recorded version of this newsletter. Take a look and let me know what you think... criticism is OK.
Desire to Destiny is available now at our store along with reviews. Not sure what your dream is? This book will help you pull the curtain back on your future. Newsletter - If your newsletter comes incomplete (filtered), you can always catch the latest version in our archive along with 200 others. 1800+ people from around the world get Kingly encouragement from our weekly newsletter. Invite a friend to subscribe - they will be blessed. How to Start a Small Group - Kings are increasingly getting involved in Bible study or mentoring groups to facilitate their "Release." Here are some helpful suggestions www.Releasing-Kings.com/Starting-a-Group.html. We've also updated our Vision Brochure with graphics to show how to become a King and how you can help Release Kings. Lastly we've created a guideline to help you take your dream to the next level by considering the elements of a business plan. See Write Your Business Plan. French Translation - Releasing Kings is now available in French thanks to the efforts of Cees Bakker and Support Ministries in the Netherlands. In France, copies can be obtained from Editions Menor or Librairie Chretienne CLC. The Title in French is “Libération des Rois pour le ministère dans le monde du travail”. Cees is also the guy who made the Dutch translation possible - available through his website. He can be contacted for Releasing Kings conferences in France and throughout Europe. Facebook - I'm posting more information on Face book at http://www.facebook.com/john.garfield1
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