"Surf's up" can you feel it, that excitement, that stirring, the talk that is going around. Hey dude we got some major swells coming.. far out! As waves are approaching surfers are preparing for that great ride and yes that perfect wave. Can you feel it, that rumbling that stirring? Have you been sensing something big coming? Put your ear to the ground and eyes to the heavens there is a huge wave approaching and it is bringing an awesome awakening with it. Wake up church for even the nations are perplexed over the roaring of the sea and the waves. This is gnarly man! People are fainting from fear and expectation of the things that are coming, and the heavens that are shaking. Grab your board dudes quite snoozing and prepared for the big wave. Luke 21:25

     

Like the sight of a monster dust cloud swiping across the dry desert bringing terror upon a city and engulfing everything in its path, is this present evil age that has been lurking behind the scenes is now coming out onto the stage making itself known to the whole world. Who and what is this evil that is picking up steam and hitting the shores of the church and society like a tsunami. Paul describes it as a perversion, a deserting of Christ  for a different gospel(Gal.1:4-6). We also read in (2 Corinth. 4:4) that the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving that they might not see the light of the gospel. Romans 12:2 do not be conformed to this age. But who is fueling this engine that at present is bringing terror to many nations? Bringing division amongst fundamentalist and charismatic alike? Pounding hard on the shores of society and church alike with the institution of marriage and lifestyles? We can differently link much of it to our sinful natures that when left unchecked or unredeemed can produce a vacuum sucking life out of our very existence. But there is also one that with his hordes of evil armies has produced a wave of deception,violence, death and perversion that has captured and lead astray whole cities, countries and nations. As we read Revelation 12&13 we see that it is non other than Satan himself, the prince of the power of the air, who has fought against Gods plans for mankind from the beginning. But there is another wave coming that will for a season overpower this present darkness opening up the waterfalls of heaven bringing a season of revival to people, places and events that will thwart and disarray the forces of darkness. A season of salvation and anointing that will recapture what the enemy has stolen, setting many free from the chains of darkness and this present evil age. The church must be aggressive in their warfare, cutting off the heads (high places) of the enemy, fighting the good fight of faith (unlike the wisdom of some who are all talk), interceding for one another and society, sending darkness back to the gates of hell (Isaiah 60). Could it be that another awakening is just on the horizon? Has the church become so paralyzed by this age that their eyes have become blind and ears dull of hearing what the Spirit is saying. History does repeat itself and revival, outpouring always seems to come onto the stage of deep darkness.

For the fields are already turning golden/white for harvesting. We cannot look upon the dark storm that wants to distracted the church from their purpose and destiny. Christ by the power of the Spirit is bringing a wake up call to the bride! It is not a time to snooze under the juniper tree like Elijah did, because of despair and the controlling spirit of his day, but to awaken and eat what the Spirit puts before you for the journey is great and without His nourishment we will be unable to accomplish the task. For the Bridegroom is calling His bride "awaken my love and come away with Me. Let go of the mandrakes of this life that will surly deceive and distract leaving you barren and fruitless. But arise now let us go into the cities and vineyards and see what is blooming that we may harvest for the Father. Under the apple tree on this life I am coming and awakening you from your slumber that you may birth sons and daughters more numerous than you can count" (Isaiah 54).

It is time to enlarge (make ready) the place of your tent, (where you are) stretch out and prepare for the outpouring! Many will say that you are crazy, peculiar. but even as Noah heard the call and prepared ahead of the flood, so you church are to hear the call of the Spirit and prepare for perhaps one of the biggest and may be the last outpourings before the church is taken, (caught up) to be with their Bridegroom forever

                                                   

"Soiled garments"

There is a strong urging, calling coming from The Spirit that is exhorting in nature. Like Paul in Rom. 12:1 he was urging the church in Rome to present there bodies a living sacrifice. Jude 1:3 is the same Greek word (Parakaleo) urging, appealing concerning the present situation and in Rom. 12:1 concerning the need to be completely surrendered, sold out that we can worship in Spirit and truth. Because of the times we are living in and the strong appeal from the Spirit I believe the Father is not only going to bring an outpouring upon this land but simultaneously bringing the church back to its true purpose and destiny. "I had a vision a while ago that disturbed me as I watched this figure crawling towards me. It was during a worship/intercession time with a group of saints. I decided to sit down in the back of the room and just close my eyes and be quiet before the Lord. As I sat there listening to the prayers and worship I noticed my eyes weren't closed and I began to see this figure crawling towards me. As it came closer I noticed it was a she and the ground that she was crawling on was sand and dirt mixture. About ten feet from me I saw that her hair was all wild and tangled like someone who didn't take care of herself for a while. She was also wearing a dress not an ordinary dress, but it was a bridal dress and it was all soiled and torn. As she came even closer I noticed she would put her face into the ground and like she would drink in or eat the sand and dirt mixture. As I continued watching she crawled passed me looking at me as to say help me". I struggled with this vision for a long time not having clear meaning of it from the Spirit and not knowing how to put it into words. This woman represents the bride of Christ, the one seen by John in (Rev 21:9-11) but not in her glorified state. Than again, what I should say is this is the bride of Christ in her earthly state, not as Christ sees her in the brilliance of her heavenly state. Christ wants His bride to see herself in that glorified state, but that can only happen when the bride admits to her weaknesses that the glory and strength of Christ can be seen through her. When the church is walking in the Spirit then the brilliance of Christ is seen. This bride represent a large portion of the body of Christ which means we are in need of an awakening. We may not want to agree but we all as the bride have garments that are soiled,  many areas and issues that need the good work of Christ to be perfected in us (Philip.1:6). What is awesome is that Christ our Bridegroom sees us now in that perfected state. Paul boasted of his weakness so that the power of Christ may dwell in him(2 Corinth 12:9). We must not allow our weaknesses to overcome us but that the grace of God and the power of the Spirit saturate us. As we grow/mature in Christ, walking in the Spirit the spots and blemishes begin to fade away and that soiled garment begins to be transform into a garment of brilliance. It is not working for brilliance but surrendering to His brilliance. Ephesians 5:27 speaks of Christ, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that she would be holy and blameless.

                                                                                                            "Is not Christ continually interceding for His bride that she would come to maturity. To show forth godly brilliance as this earthly tent can radiate. Christ is continually presenting to Himself the church, you and I in all its glory. In our weaknesses He presents us without spot or wrinkle that we would walk holy and blameless. In the midst of our enemies He presents us as His warrior bride. When we are down trodden, muddy and it seems like we are sucking up the dirt of this world, He washes us with the water of the word and presenting to Himself His glorious bride."Ephesians.5:26-27

 Christ through John addressed the seven churches in Revelation, one of which He seemed to exhort very strongly. Revelations 3 paints a very good picture of one of the churches that we in these last days should hear as Jesus is urging, appealing, exhorting the church of Sardis to wake up. 

This church in Sardis had a name of being alive, but Christ said they were dead. There are many churches today big churches that have the appearance of a church on the move, that have great plans of going forward. Building plans, needing more property to house more people, with more services. I don't believe Jesus was exhorting this church in Sardis for all that they were doing but because of what they weren't doing and relying on their works that gave the appearance they were alive. Our works, ministry, service all the outward signs of a radiant church will not last if the bride has lost her love for the Bridegroom. We have been joined to Christ by the Spirit as a pure virgin bride. Are we still a virgin? Have our eyes been for Him only? Are we tired of the dirt of this world that soils our garments? Have we been deceived by the enemy leaving the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ? Sardis was a pagan city with idol worship and orgies that began to creep into the church to the degree that it became acceptable. I saw this woman wearing this bridal dress that was all soiled from crawling around in the dirt of life, because she was unable to take a stand against the idols of this day and walk with the garments of salvation. I believe it goes even deeper. The infrastructure of the church became weak, they preached a  diluted gospel, the christian faith was being compromised and Jesus told the church of Sardis to strengthen the things that remain. I believe they lost vision and purpose and forgot what they had received and heard. Jesus was calling this church to repent so that they could wake up and continue with the vision that was given to them. She started out with the love of Christ, but because of persecution and lack of devotion, she began to embrace and worship the idols of that day which soiled her dress and took away the brilliance. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands but not in their heart. I believe as Jesus spoke to the church of Sardis to wake up, He is calling His bride today to wake up out of her slumber and put on the garments of salvation(light her lamps) and the robe of righteousness and stand up in the midst of the idols and orgies of this day and proclaim Christ. As it says in Hosea 6 "Come let us return to the Lord" Though your garments be soiled they will be washed in His blood. For it is His love and mercy that leads us to repentance. Fresh water will flow once again as your devotion to the Bridegroom is rekindled! The fire of the Spirit will burn in you for Christ alone and He will lead you in joyful adoration serving with fresh zeal.You will again walk as a bride adorned with jewels and the Lord will cause righteousness to spring up before all nations( Isaiah 61:10-11). Now we all are vulnerable to a form of godliness which is only an outward appearance, which can only bring attention to ourself our ministry and not the King whom we serve. But true godliness doesn't deny the power of God and the moving of the Spirit and will bring fruitful brilliance that will radiate Christ(2Tim.3:5). When we begin putting the word aside, stop praying, fellowship or being a witness, we become a prey for the enemy and gradually get swiped up by the spirit of this age, our garments become soiled. It is Christ alone that is our Hope, not Christ and a little of this world. Christ said " If you deny yourself pick up your cross and follow me then you are my disciples"(Mark 8:34). Matthew 25:1-13 Christ compares the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins. There were five prudent and five foolish. The prudent had their lamps filled with oil and also took oil in flasks as they went out to meet the bridegroom. The foolish only took oil in their lamps. They all became drowsy and slept as the bridegroom delayed.

We can have the appearances of being alive with oil in our lamps but if we are not constantly trimming them with the love of Christ and filled with the oil of the Spirit, waiting for our Bridegroom , we can begin to slumber and the cares of this life will ultimately put us to sleep. There is a shout from the Spirit "awaken church for your Bridegroom is coming! Fill your lamps with first love devotion, watch and serve your King until He comes to take you into the marriage supper of the Lamb."

"The worshiper" being filled with the intoxicating presence of the Spirit

"The worshiper"
     Many of us pride ourselves on certain things that seem to have gotten us through life without to many blunders or mishaps. I would say one of my biggest areas would be that I have been pretty healthy throughout my life with only one major surgery and that being a hernia that was non-evasive out the same day. Being in my sixties now, yes I've come to the conclusion I need to grow up and admit it, I am getting older, senior citizen and recently being faced with another more serious health issue that has left me a bit emotional and concerned. I find in these times a place that I have learn to count on, to carry me though life's storm's. I have found in my Rock, my place of refuge has always been the inner courts, that place of worship that overshadows lives issues. There are times like these(the heath issues) that the Father will use to speak to us, get through to us where we wouldn't or couldn't listen before. I can always tell when I am in His presence. I melt, my whole being becomes surrendered to the Spirit. As I linger, allowing the Spirit to move in me, I become filled and intoxicated. Worshiping is not just a Sunday go to meeting event. A time of orchestrated music that the body can sing along to. I must be honest here, there are times that I depend on the worship leader and team to get me there. The leader can't get me there, I must press in to Him, no matter what songs or how they are being sung. Getting to that place that I enjoy the most doesn't always happen at church, in a corporate setting. But when it does it is very powerful. I am reminded of Lydia in Acts16:14. It says that she

was a worshiper of God and as she listen to Paul her heart was opened. Lydia was a worshiper before she was converted and I believe that just intensified as she followed Christ. When we come into His presence with an opened heart we are changed. The Spirit begins to move in and upon us and we get lost in His presence and the word enters our heart and brings change. That is when we are worshiping in Spirit and truth! There is an intensity from the Spirit, a calling to come away from the issues and madness of this life, and get intoxicated in the Spirit. then the chains of this life will be broken and the church will lead the lost into an atmosphere of triumphal worship that will change them. There are many Lydia's beyond the four walls of the church, that have a heart to worship, they just need the Spirit to open their hearts that they can respond to the word.

Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25 sang songs and worshiped in the late hours being bond up in chains and behind prison doors. I know many times we as believers feel bond up and the chains of this life begin to suppress, depress and paralyze us. But we have a key that will unlock those chains and prison doors! It is called worship. I believe the Spirit is calling the church to such depth of worship that can shake the foundations of the kingdom of darkness and bring heaven to this lost and dying world. Are we willing to put format aside in a corporate setting and allow the Spirit to orchestrate the worship. Are we willing to trust the Spirit to order our steps. Phill. 3:3 says that we are the true circumcision who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

        In true worship an atmosphere of glory descends upon the worshipers and the eyes and ears are opened to what the Spirit is saying. Our High Priest is calling us into the Holy of holies by His blood that has made the way that we can stand in full assurance of faith having our conscience washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22). This atmosphere releases the gifts and callings in the church that will remove obstacles that are hindering the fainthearted and bond up from receiving. There is a place of surrender of presenting our bodies as a holy sacrifice which pleases the Lord. This offering up of ourselves releases a sweet smelling aroma which touches the Fathers heart and many times can bring His shekinah glory. Worship is so important for the believer and in this atmosphere the heart is changed from hardness to a soft teachable one. Where you would say no to His request in true worship you will melt and say yes to His voice. This Shekinah glory is; He causes to dwell to bring a visitation of His presence to earth. Our Father wants His children to be close to Him. Delighting in His presence, learning of His love and glory. To be filled with the Spirit is our coat of many colors. We can wear this coat anywhere and be in the throne room worshiping whatever we are putting our hands to in service of worship. Worship breaks up the stoning ground and releases the rivers of living waters that brings life (John 4:23-24; 7:38). Madness and chaos can encircle us but being wrapped in the coat of the Spirit is our defense and peace. In His presence there is fullness of joy (Psalms 16:11). From His right hand He releases treasures that will strengthen and equip you to   stand against the storms of this life. A life of worship will overcome the valley of death and cause us to see that it is only a shadow. In this life shadows move in Christ there is no variation or shadow of turning (Ps.23;James1:17). In the atmosphere of worship the Spirit illuminates the shadows to see what is really true and what false. You my find yourself surrounded by enemies, but remember He is preparing a table for you. So let us drink deep the wine of the Spirit, shake off the dust of this life and put on the coat of worship.

'Loose your mind'

                                         
Loosing your mind can be a frightful experience but in many ways life changing. For those in the world they go to great lengths trying to keep their sanity and in this world full of chaos with stress fueling the fire it is a challenge. Jesus said in John 17:15-16 that we are in this world but not of this world. We belong to a different government. It is a heavenly government, a kingdom without end. A change needs to take place with the bride that will transform their minds into the mind of Christ. That change happens when we surrender our will and come under the Lordship of Christ.  Rom.12:2 says not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. Simply said we must loose our minds in order to live with the mind of Christ. The natural man as mentioned in 1 Corinth.2:14 doesn't understand the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually appraised. We many times operate with the wisdom of the world because that is what surrounds us, but the christian can't trust in that kind of wisdom. It is the wisdom of God through the mind of Christ that we must trust in. Matt. 16:23 Jesus rebukes Peter because he was operating with his mind and not understanding Gods interest. It is time to loose your mind and walk in the mind of Christ which is ours because of the redemptive work of the cross. Now we can't physically take out our mind and replace it with Christ. But we are to conform to the kingdom thinking that our minds would be transformed to desiring His thoughts and His will. There is so much bombarding our minds that for us to do the Lords work operating with our minds we would end up destroying ourselves and others without the mind of Christ. We need His revelation the Spirit of wisdom to accomplish the work that He has set before us. We need a Christ mind which is a kingdom mind, thinking the way of the Spirit. His kingdom is about rule and realm. His kingdom is not a democracy, He is Boss He is in charge the government is upon His shoulders. The call today is that we the church must have the mind of Christ if we our to survive these last days. We must dethrone our mind and enthrone His. There is no duel thrones in Gods kingdom. Jesus said in Matt. 16:24 that if anyone wishes to follow Me he must deny himself pick up his cross and follow Him. There is a death that is required in order to live in the mind of Christ. Phillip. 2:5-8 We must have the attitude of Christ. To be emptied of self, humbling ourselves and allowing Christ to form us into His likeness. Dying is never easy especially to those close to you who don't want to dye. Your relationship to Christ is not about what others think or do but it is about you obedience To Him and walking with His mindset. Colossians 3:2 we are instructed to set our minds on the things above. It is kingdom thinking that will give us His revelation to what His good and acceptable and perfect will is. Psalms 51:17 A broken and contrite heart O God You will not despise. This is the victory for the bride of Christ even in these last days as He is making up His treasured possession. The ragged clothes of unfruitfulness are being exchanged for robs of praise.

"Emotions(Feelings)"
         Knowing that God created these feelings that we have, expressing themselves in different ways according to what we are going through, there seems to be a place that goes beyond what is godly or healthy, to a place of distress, anxiety, depression etc, that can spiral deep into a darkness that is very hard to get out of. There are feelings such as Acts 2:43 where the disciples had this sense of awe, or a fear (godly fear) of what was taking place through the apostles. But then there are those thoughts, speculations that need to be held captive under the lordship or obedience of Christ(2 Corinth.10:5). Finding myself in the mist of these emotions allowing them to be apart of the journey of healing I am going through. Also finding a need to place these feelings whether good or bad under the guidance of the Spirit to make sure these are held in the mind of Christ. A season of healing brings a season of mixed emotions. By the grace of My Father I go!

Mary, did you know!

And Mary the mother of Jesus (Acts1:14)

     The scripture says that they were all of one mind continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus. I think sometimes as we read the scriptures we glance over parts that seem meaningless, until we read the same scripture again and the Holy Spirit brings revelation. This is one of those times. I've read this scripture many times but this time the Spirit has brought illumination in a different way. Many times as I read the account about the disciples gathered praying in the upper room, my attention goes to the twelve and even the 120 but I don't always see the women or Mary. I think it is mostly because the way the scriptures are written they seem to use the masculine verb more often but really not excluding or preferring. It was on that day, the day of Pentecost that not only the men but the scriptures say all were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking with other tongues. Mary now perhaps in her mid to late fifties gathering with the rest of the women and men along with the apostles. A mother to at lest six children including Jesus, now waiting for the promise from the Father which her Son would send. Insignificant? not to those women and Mary and her daughters. Some worship Mary as the Virgin Mary. This is true only in regards to the birth of Jesus, she was a virgin betrothed to Joseph but it was the Holy Spirit that came upon her and the power of the Most High that overshadowed her.  The scriptures tell us that Mary also had four other sons and daughters ( Matt.13:55-56 ). This was a significant time in the life of these 120 brothers and sisters, but also for the future church. Mary along with the other disciples were the forerunners of the Holy Spirit. For in Christ we the church have become that virgin bride betrothed to our Bridegroom ( 2 Corinth. 11:2 ). The scripture says in Joel 2:28-29 upon your sons and daughters I will pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy. Mary was a daughter of Israel and a daughter of the King. In the upper room the sound of many different tongues and prophesying could be heard. What was taking place? Was it not the Holy Spirit praying to the Father through these saints. And when Mary began to prophesy was she not by the Spirit speaking over the church then and even for now! Mary along with the other women were being drenched with warm oil, the anointing of the Spirit filling them with words from heaven pertaining to the last days. The beginning of the early church in the upper room is the DNA of the last days church. The church today needs a drenching of the Spirit, to be filled with power to be witnesses to the remotest parts of the earth. The Mary's of this day need to turn their hearts to the next generation and mother the church. Malicah 4:6 speaks of the fathers turning their hearts to the children. I believe that same spirit is linked to the mothers to the younger generation. It is that spirit of Mary being drenched in the Spirit and turning their hearts as mothers to nurture the children in the Lord among them. Even those without children will not be desolate for she will receive numerous sons and daughters in the faith ( Isaiah 54 ). For you Mary's in the faith you mothers with children or without, come under the flooding waters of the Spirit and be drenched. For you will go forth as forerunners passing on the DNA of the early church and be a part of the last days outpouring.