Latest Apostolic Ministry articles and Teaching
click on article to view...
January 1, 2008
Dear Brethren:
2007 has been a challenging and exciting year during which we were
challenged and prevailed because of the great grace and favor of the
Lord upon our lives.
There is an awesome reality with which one is confronted when they
come to realize that God has chosen and selected you to be his
people. The choice has nothing to do with who we are or anything
that we have to offer to God. The only reason is because he set his
love upon us and chose us to be his people from before the
foundation of the earth.
When Moses spoke to the people of Israel on the verge of entering
into the Promised Land He challenged them with these awesome words:
Deut.7:6-8. The controlling factor was that they were objects of his
love; hence they were to be a holy people, separate from others and
belonging to the Lord.
This is the reality that has overwhelmed us for many months now. God
has had a vested interest in us from all eternity. The fact that we
are participants and co-laborers together with God is by no means of
our initiative, but all of God’s sovereignty, as the originator of
the covenant. We are his instruments in earth, not because we are
better than others or more spiritual than others. We are the earthly
watchers only because of his appointment. He loved us, chose us,
called us and anointed us, sending us to the nations of the earth,
revealing to all and sundry in heaven and earth that we have been
accepted in the company of the beloved, and are now privy to the
bosom of the Father. We are loved!
Bill Ward
2007 was a year of intense ministry from the very beginning all the
way to the end. This was also the year that Apostle Bill Ward graced
us with his presence and experience in the work. In February he went
with us to South Africa for the leaders camp, and there laid out
before us a focus for ministry to which many had been unaccustomed.
He ministered under the theme “Building for Eternity”. If you want
to build a solid church that will survive the vicissitudes of
culture and popular trends, you must build strong families, well
established in eternal biblical principles.
Apostle Bill Ward comes with a track record that is enviable. In
over 35 years of ministry in Delhi, New York they have not had one
divorce. At the same time the young people who are birthed in the
church and are taught the principles of the word of God, do not turn
away from the Lord and church and go out into the world. They remain
in covenant with the Lord and with the church and become the seed
for successive generations. This essential kingdom principle is the
norm among the churches planted by “Bro. Bill”, and this has made
them an example for us that we must not only emulate but also copy.
In other words, we need to receive his ministry and submit to the
principles that he has taught, unpopular though they may be.
Apostle Bill ministered also in Kenya in April and in Australia in
August with similar results. He will be with us in South Africa
again during the leadership meetings Feb.17-24, 2008. Return trips
to Kenya and Australia are being planned.
Latin America
In July 2006 the Lord sent Apostle Santiago Lastra from Mexico to
the WVCOM in Utenhage, South Africa, where we had the opportunity to
meet him and to sense a divine connection. In November 2006 I went
to San Luis Colorado, Mexico to be with Apostle Lastra. While there
the Lord spoke a word to me that was quite welcome. The Lord said
that with my coming to Mexico here to minister at this time, the
doors were opened again to Latin America and that this city was for
us a doorway into Latin America.
For almost 30 years we had gone to countries of Latin America with
limited results. In all of it we were challenged in many ways and
never felt that we were either fully received or that the will of
God was accomplished. We had ministered primarily in Venezuela, Peru
and more recently Argentina in South America. In earlier years we
had ministered in Guatemala and in English speaking Belize, but all
with the same sensing. But now there came a fresh word from the Lord
and things had to change in submission to the word of the Lord.
Apostle Eduardo Vargas of Kenosha Wisconsin has been laboring
diligently in Latin America and we together had gone to these places
over the years but with a continuing desire to see a breakthrough.
The word of the Lord prevails.
We have been ministering in Buenos Aires, Argentina, believing the
Lord for a breakthrough. Apostle Miguel Palomino and his wife
Matilde have been our hosts and have received with joy the message
of the kingdom that we have brought. They have also committed
themselves to work together with us for the furtherance of the
kingdom of God in Latin America. Now that they have received the
word, they have begun to invade other parts of South America with
this message. Recent trips have been made to Peru and Chile with
excellent results. Other trips are planned for Uruguay, Paraguay,
Brazil and other parts. Let us support them both in prayer and
financially as they pioneer many of these places.
For some time now we have ministered in Iquitos, Peru. Apostle
Vargas has continued to visit there and to help Pastor Nestor
Aricara as he seeks to establish churches and help the community.
This is a very needy area close to the borders of Ecuador and near
the Amazon River. There are no roads form Lima to this area and
access is primarily by plane. Yet there is a hunger for the word of
the Lord and we are committed to see the kingdom of God established
here also. In February we will take a team in for a time of ministry
and establishing among the brethren whom the Lord has made a part of
our family. They need our help and support in prayer and
financially.
In December I had the privilege of returning to Coro, Venezuela
together with Apostles Vargas and Lastra. Some brethren from Guyana
also came to fellowship with us there. It was a precious time of
breakthrough as Pastor Carlos de Leon and his wife hosted us
together with his local congregation. In May 2005 we had gone in
there and ministered, but after we left the major local denomination
had resisted our word and apparently had instructed the local
leaders to do the same. Only Pastor Carlos, to whom the Lord had
ministered in a sovereign way during our last visit, chose to break
out of the restraints and communicate with us, inviting us to
return. In April Apostle Eduardo went to them and was well received
and brought us news of their earnest desire to have us come to them.
This we did in December.
The word of the Lord cannot be denied! Approximately two months
prior to our return to Coro, some leaders in a nearby city invited a
major speaker in the Charismatic circles to speak to the leaders of
the area. It may be that they expected him to come speaking about
purpose, destiny or some of the other popular themes. To their
surprise he spoke on the kingdom of God. Even more surprising was
the fact that many of the very ones who rejected our word two years
earlier would now receive the word through this speaker, as some
thing that they had never heard before. Some however would come to
me during my visit to acknowledge that we had spoken the same word
and that now they were ready to receive it. You can’t stop the stone
that has begun to roll. It will become a mountain that will fill all
the earth!
In all of this we have come to understand that this new year of 2008
will be a significant year in Latin America, and by the grace of God
we will invade many new lands with the word of the Lord. April 6-12,
2008 Apostle Santiago Lastra will host a conference in San Luis,
Mexico, and we anticipate that the word of the Lord concerning his
kingdom will indeed be clear and strong not only for Mexico, but
also for all of Latin America. Information is available at
www.fundamentosapostolicos.com . Beyond that conference, with your
prayers we will forcefully advance taking this message to all, both
saved and unsaved. Pray with us and join us for this conference and
for some of our trips to Latin America.
Australia and Pacific
2007 was a significant year for Australia. God has begun to solidify
things in Bendigo and we have seen the vindication of Pastor Don
Ride and his wife Pat, who is a faithful intercessor in the kingdom
of God. As I ministered there in March I begun to realize that the
Lord in his grace had chosen Bendigo to become an Antioch-type city
and church, and that this was to be our vision. There are many young
people there who are hungry for God and Graeme and Lois Barker have
committed themselves to this work, laboring together with us to see
the kingdom of God established. Undoubtedly there are many treasures
hidden in the field there in Bendigo and only as there are those who
invest themselves fully and sell out all that they have and are to
buy that field, will the treasures come into the house of the Lord.
Apostle Israel Onoriobe has done much ministry across Australia this
year. He has been appointed as the director of Kingdom Ministries
Network Australia, and is responsible for heading up and
coordinating the work there and in the Pacific regions nearby.
September 23-30 he headed up a conference in Mackay that was
attended by brethren from other parts of the country. God enabled us
to see in this gathering the incipient seeds of a future indigenous
apostolic/prophetic company. Apostle Israel is a son in the Lord who
makes my heart rejoice when I sit under his ministry of the kingdom
of God. He has written three books about these things and
information can be obtained at his website
www.wvcom-international.com.
The word of the Lord is clear that he would raise up a people from
Australia and especially among the indigenous peoples, whom he would
use in a significant wave of the Spirit throughout that region. Not
only so, but that there will come a supernatural economic resurgence
in Australia in coming years by the hand of the Lord. Out of the
indigenous peoples of the country will come sources of wealth and
blessing for the country for the sake of the kingdom of God.
Australia itself will rise to take the place of other countries that
have begun to fail in the fulfilling of the kingdom purposes of God.
For this reason we are excited about what we have begun to see there
and have begun to move to plant other churches there, including
among the indigenous peoples. Initial steps were taken in this
during the months of November and December through the ministries of
Apostle Israel, Prophet David and Pastor Troy from Guyana. The
intensity of ministry will continue and increase in 2008.
Prophet David has continued to show himself as a faithful servant of
the Lord and a son of this ministry. Wherever he goes and ministers
the reports come back of the excellence of the grace of God upon his
life. The grace of God continues to grow in him and so too will he
increase in favor with God and with men. He has paid a price that
few have dared to pay in his service to me and to the work and he
and his family will reap the benefits and blessings of it both in
this life and in the life to come. He is worthy of the recognition
that he has received as one who is able to represent the Lord and
this message of the kingdom of God commendably. He also is a
faithful ambassador to me.
In April, Pastor Gladstone Williams of Jamaica went with me to
Dipolog City in the Philippines. We were invited by Pastor Boniface
Sembran who is doing an excellent work planting churches throughout
that region. Many of his leaders gathered together including a
harvest of young people to listen to the word. They gladly received
the message of the kingdom of God and the purposes of God. I expect
to return there and anticipate some excellent things as the Lord
gives opportunity for the development of a relationship between us
and them.
It was a joy and a rejoicing to hear Pastor Gladstone teach the word
in the Philippines under a grace and anointing that we had not seen
manifested before. There is a deposit of God in him that is
beginning to find its fulfillment. I believe that in the next few
years we will see him come to full stature in his calling and
purpose in the kingdom of God.
Apostle Israel made a trip to Fiji in December and brought back word
of the hunger and need of the people there. He reported that there
is much scattering among the peoples of God and that there must be a
concentrated invasion of that territory with the word of the Lord
immediately. Trips have already been planned for early 2008 to
follow up on his visit.
Scandinavia
In January 2000 during a time of seeking the Lord, the Lord spoke to
me in a dream which I did not fully understand. It was not until
November 2007 while ministering in Finland that I found myself in
that dream. Four months later a young couple (Dan and Karen
Stephens) were in a meeting in Australia when a servant of God
called them out and spoke a prophetic word into their lives. As a
result of that word they moved to Finland and became the links
through which we were invited into Finland to minister.
Finland and Scandinavia is Lutheran officially, and that presents
its own unique challenges for ministry there. As I went to spy out
the country the Lord began to speak to me and I begun to ask him to
give me some couples that I would disciple in what he has taught me.
I realized that my mission there was not to go from church to church
ministering for a period of time, but rather to disciple some people
who would fulfill that mandate. I have asked the Lord for at least
12 such couples. The Lord has begun to give us these among whom are
Dan and Karen, Matti and Linda and others. I know that with your
diligent prayers we will begin to see others added early in the New
Year.
Scandinavia is virgin territory and it must be local people who
reach Scandinavia. The season of the old time missionary who became
almost a permanent part of the fixture in the country is over. We
have entered the apostolic season when it must be a people who are
apostolically birthed with apostolic vision, who will in turn become
the apostles that the Lord raises up to invade the most challenging
areas of their region with the message of the kingdom of God. May
your partnership in prayer speed this on to its fulfillment.
Africa
For over 7 years we have been ministering in South Africa and going
at least four times a year to minister and to raise up kingdom
leaders. Though it is difficult for a people who have gone through
both spiritual and natural oppression to change quickly, yet some
have begun to catch hold of the word and of the vision. It has not
been without challenges and opposition, but some are beginning to be
changed by the word and by the Spirit.
For more than 20 years we have ministered across the continent of
Africa, preaching and teaching the things concerning the kingdom of
God. Immediately when we arrived in South Africa the Lord began to
speak to us and to give us a clear vision. The word of the Lord was
that we were to raise up, train and ordain men who would take the
word of the Lord to all of Africa and beyond. God would anoint
generals to whom strategy would be given concerning how to invade
Africa and other parts of the world with the vision.
As a result of this there have been several raised up who are
already fulfilling the mandate. Among them are Apostles Vincent
Valentyn and Lewis Dunn in South Africa and Rachael Amimo in Kenya.
There are several others also who have received the word and have
begun to respond to the mandate of the Lord upon their lives. There
will arise out of Africa a mighty army of men and women who will be
strong in the Lord and among them will be generals who will lead
many others to invade kingdoms and take strongholds and bring them
under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
In October we had a significant meeting at the Feast of Tabernacles
celebration in Cape Town, South Africa. Initially there was a sense
of dismay as we had to pull back from our desired level of
operation, but it did not take long before we saw the sovereign
purpose of the Lord in manifestation. From the very first meeting
the presence of the Lord was among us as we worshipped and
fellowshipped in his name. We had pulled back from the international
aspects of the meeting and limited it to a local celebration. Yet
the lord brought some significant men from other places, each of
them coming with gifts to bring before the Lord of the Harvest. As a
result of this God has heard our prayer and begun to open the door
to French speaking Africa. This is in answer to more than five years
of prayer. In the next few months we will begin to impact more and
more of this part of Africa with the gospel of the kingdom. Special
prayer is necessary for Pastors Jerome Mambote in Johannesburg and
Pastor Daniel Mulombo Muteba of DRC.
Plan to be with us in Cape Town, South Africa October 19-26, 2008
for the Feast of Tabernacles celebration and also for our EMI/KMNI
International Family Gathering. Information will be available soon
on our websites. Check out www.kmni.org for postings and updates.
ECON
For some time now the Lord has given us a vision concerning the
preparation of men and women, not just for church ministry, but for
the ministry from the church that will invade the marketplace by the
anointing of the Spirit of God, until the kingdoms of the earth
become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. Though in the past
we have sat and waited upon the Lord to do something supernatural in
this area, yet the realization has come that the mandate is upon us
to invade the kingdoms of the earth.
It is often the pattern of God to take the simple things of the
earth and use them to confound the wise. We admit that the task is
Herculean. Yet the same God who was with David is yet with us today.
We will raise up a school that is dedicated to the preparation of
men and women to invade the marketplace. EMMANUEL COLLEGE OF THE
NATIONS (ECON) is the vision that the Lord has given us as the means
through which we will answer this call of the Lord.
Dr. Winston Lewis has come under the burden of the Lord to see this
vision become a reality. He has dedicated himself to it as the
mission of his life, and will not turn back until it becomes a
reality. He has spent much time researching this project and drawing
up plans and protocols for the launching of this project. I commend
him for his persistence and declare that the Lord will reward him
and us in bringing to birth this vision. If you are an educator or
are able to help, please contact Dr. Winston at winstonlew@houston.rr.com.
He would welcome your communication and help.
We continue to believe the Lord for resurgence of the work in North
America and the Caribbean. Already doors are open and there are
strong pockets of interest. God has given us brethren in the regions
of Houston who are part of the family. There are brethren in South
Florida and in the Midwest who together with New York, who are
believing that 2008 would be the year of NEW BEGINNINGS.
We sense that 2008 will manifest itself quite early as a year of
powerful breakthroughs. We will continue to invade the nations and
not allow the shoes to be loosed from off our feet. We will continue
to see victories beyond what we saw in 2007. In at least two cases
some of our laborers were challenged physically, but prevailed. Both
Pastor Travis and Gladstone, among others, overcame and stand in
victory today.
We declare in faith that we will see victories in other areas. Some
of our workers have continued to believe the Lord for the
manifestation of provision so that they might work the work without
the challenge of finances. An expanded field requires increased
provision so that no one goes to battle at his own expense.
Opportunities prevail for internet radio and other means of getting
the message out and we continue to believe that the faithful Lord
will bring the increase. Michael Avery and his team at
www.lampstand.org.au continue to do an excellent job with our
websites so that the message reaches beyond the natural man-made
borders. Recordings of messages are continually uploaded to our
website at www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org so that the word
is not delayed or hindered. Other messages are available at
www.wvcom-international.org , the website of Apostle Israel Onoriobe.
The member’s site on our website is open to leaders and others who
are in relationship with us and is accessible only by our
permission. To request permission please write to rejoice@emmanuelministriesinternational.org
and she will communicate with you. If you did it before and did not
receive a response, please bear with us and do it again. Thanks for
your patience.
The Lord will not let us fail but rules over governments and rulers
for the sake of his kingdom. Visas and permits will be granted
because the House of the Lord rules over every other mountain. We
are a kingdom people under a kingdom mandate who know that the word
of the Lord prevails and that beyond the times of testing and
proving the Lord manifests himself for the establishing of his
kingdom and his people.
Specific prayer requests
1. For the releasing of the finances necessary for the advancement
of the work and the support of the ministers
2. For the continued protection and health of the servants of God as
they invade the nations for the sake of the kingdom of God
3. For the right connections, the wisdom and the provision for the
launching of ECON for the preparation of men and women equipped to
invade the marketplace.
4. For the releasing of laborers to help with the expanding work
into the nations
5. For the establishing and strengthening of offices in South Africa
and North America
6. For the establishing of solid intercessory teams to cover every
region of the work constantly with prayers
7. For those who would be able to help us with media, including
writing and preparing articles and booklets; maintaining our
internet presence; coordinating and organizing our tapes and cd’s;
helping us launch and maintain internet radio and the writing and
publishing of Emmanuel Messenger.
8. For the provision of someone with excellent organizational skills
who can help coordinate the work we do
How you can help
1. Pray for us daily, mentioning us by name to the Lord and asking
the Lord for his grace, favor, blessing and wisdom upon us so that
we might be competent to fulfill the mandate that is upon us
2. Tell others about the message of the gospel of the kingdom and
about our mandate in this area
3. Support us financially and encourage others to do the same
4. Pray and ask the Lord if you are the person he has appointed to
fill any of the afore-mentioned needs
5. Prepare yourself and offer yourself to go with us on a trip to
some other country as part of a ministry team
May the grace and favor of the Lord be with you as you press forward
in his will in 2008.
In His Love
Apostle John M Boney
Back to Top
Godly influence
By
Daniel K. Stephens
Pietarsaari, Finland
How could it be that Joseph, the eleventh son of his father and sold into
slavery was raised up to have influence over all of Egypt? How does it happen
that David, a mere shepherd boy, and youngest son can become the greatest king
of Israel? How can a man by the name of Jesus walk up to Simon and Andrew and
ask them to “come, follow me”, whereby they left their fishing nets and followed
this stranger?
The answer is simple – each of these men was chosen by God and had a
relationship with God. The level of their relationship affected their influence
upon others, and the level they were influenced by others.
Whether in our workplace, school, church or family, influence is something that
we all desire. Influence in itself, however, should not be taken lightly as it
is defined as the power to produce change. Many gain influence through money,
popularity or charisma, and most use their influence to push their own ideals,
opinions or agendas so that they feel or seem more powerful.
Real influence can only be established by the authority invested in us for a
given situation. This authority, or power, then produces change passively rather
than aggressively.
So often we have heard from the pulpit or read about having an impact on the
world around us. After all, Jesus did say, “Therefore go and make disciples of
all nations, baptising in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
This command has incorrectly become “go and get all of the world saved,” rather
than “go, disciple and influence the nations, bringing everything under the
authority and power of the one true God.” This misinterpretation has got us so
excited about “doing” something for God that we have designed programs and
created situations whereby we can have an “impact” on the community and see
people “saved.” Our goal is often, but not always, to meet people, have an
impact, and see them become part of the church. Unfortunately, seeing people
born again or saved is not the ultimate purpose of God, it is only a part of
Jesus command.
How do I influence the world for Christ then?
Many of us try our hardest to build relationships with those around us and
ultimately influence them to follow Christ. We put so much effort and energy
into getting people “saved” that it is frustrating that the message doesn’t seem
to be getting through. Word for word we follow procedures and guidelines as set
out in books or preached to us, but nothing seems to be happening. It seems we
are sometimes able to establish some good friendships and spend some quality
time with others, but that is about the extent of our efforts. If we are
successful in getting somebody “saved”, we then defer our focus to somebody
else, because we have achieved our goal.
To us it seems implausible that others would not want to receive “eternal life”
by accepting Christ. Equally, it feels so unfair that others tend to have a far
greater impact on others lives. Unfortunately we have become so hung up on the
result of getting someone to the first step of repentance or being born again
that we forget, or disregard what salvation actually is, and whom it belongs to.
Scripture tells us that salvation is a personal, ongoing process. Salvation is
not simply repenting of sins once and then your life will be changed, it is a
lifelong commitment to live for Christ and develop a relationship with him.
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my
presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13).
Many went to the Jordan to be baptised by John as a sign of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins. However, as Nicodemus found out, simple repentance from sin
and being “born again” is not enough to enter into the Kingdom of God. It will
help us to see it, but it does not give us entry.
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish
ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a
good teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous
signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of
God unless he is born again.”
4”How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot
enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
5Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the
Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You
must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound but
you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone
born of the Spirit.”
9”How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10”You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these
things? 12If I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how
then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”
(John 3:1-10,12)
Nicodemus wanted to understand the process of salvation, but he was hindered
from receiving the fullness of Jesus’ response because of the limitations of his
human thinking. He was a man of influence, Israel’s teacher, but he could not
grasp the concept that salvation was not a religious act, but in fact a divine
act of God. What Nicodemus struggled to hold onto was that salvation does not
belong to a person, institution, set of religious rules, or to man, but
salvation belongs to God.
9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could
count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne
and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm
branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
(Revelation 7:9-10)
1After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven
shouting:
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2for true and just
are his judgements.”
(Revelation 19:1-2)
Scripture confirms God as the owner of our salvation, and that all glory and
power belong to him as well. However, we must let go of our notion that leading
people to repentance (getting them saved) is, in fact, leading them to eternal
life. Paul makes it clear that we must continue to work out our salvation with
fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12-13). We need to understand that true
salvation does lead to eternal life, but it is a lifelong process that an
individual must walk through together with God, and not a single act of
repentance.
What then, is eternal life?
A simple definition of eternal life would be living forever. Equally, those that
are cast into hell are also confronted with eternal life, although this will
involve constant torment. Living forever is not sufficient to describe what
Jesus was talking about when he talked of eternal life. His prayer to the Father
in the gospel of John describes a quality of relationship with God, rather than
simply living forever.
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2For you granted Him authority over all people that he might give eternal life
to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know
you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought
you glory on earth by completing the work you have me to do. 5And now, Father,
glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world
began.”
(John 17:1-5)
The word “know” used in this text describes far more than believing in God.
Rather, it describes an intimate knowledge of, or relationship with the person
described, in this case being God and Jesus Christ.
1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have
gotten a man from the Lord.
(Genesis 4:1 KJV)
Paul uses “knowledge of God” to describe a person’s relationship with God.
Without this relationship we do not have eternal life. He describes the
knowledge of God as riches in his letter to the Romans.
33O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!
(Romans 11:33 KJV)
As a contrast to a relationship with God being riches, Paul also tells those
that were part of the church in Corinth but did not have a relationship with God
to sin no more.
34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I
speak this to your shame.
(1 Corinthians 15:34 KJV)
Here, Paul was talking to the church members who believed they were “saved”, but
they had still not “awaken to righteousness.” He goes on to describe the need to
use our spiritual weapons against all strongholds and areas in our lives that
keep us from furthering our relationship with God.
4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary,
they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every
pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Paul then describes the importance of growing in relationship with God in order
to please Him and receive the inheritance set apart for the saints, as he
continually prayed for the church.
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying
for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all
spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may
live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in
every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all
power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and
patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to
share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
(Colossians 1:9-12)
Those with hardened hearts have no knowledge of the Lord and therefore no
relationship with Him. This leaves them exposed to sin (1 Cor 15:34) and the
Judgements of God leading to a lifetime of torment because of their inability to
soften themselves before the Lord.
2Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do
not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”
(Exodus 5:2)
Pharaoh’s hardness led to the many plagues and judgements in Egypt because he
refused to let the people of God go. His selfishness and pride became the
stronghold that held Israel back from moving on in God at that time.
We can see that eternal life is something that requires our constant attention.
In order to attain to eternal life, we must continually grow in relationship
with God. We need to be open to Him and allow Him to work within us in order to
fulfil what He desires. Moses gives us the perfect example of this. The current
state of Moses’ relationship with God had no bearing on his desire to come into
deeper relationship with His creator. He knew that it was only a deep and
growing relationship with God that would lead him to salvation and eternal life.
11The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.
Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did
not leave the tent. 12Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead
these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have
said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favour with me.’ 13If you are
pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find
favour with you.”
(Exodus 33:11-13)
Moses saw that a constant and intimate relationship with the Lord, more than
simply doing good works, was what pertained to eternal life. Even though Moses
had obviously found favour with God and was able to speak to God as to a friend,
he knew that he needed to continue building his relationship unto eternal life.
He wanted the Lord to teach him His ways so that he could understand the
mysteries of God and enter into His eternal Kingdom.
Jesus clarified what Moses understood thousands of years earlier when he said,
21”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to
me on that day (day of Judgement), ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your
name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I
will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
(Matthew 7:21-23)
From this scripture it is clear that however hard we try to please God, even if
we do everything in the name of Jesus, our “salvation” does not give us
automatic passage to eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven. The most important
aspect of doing the will of the Father is to build on our relationship with
Jesus Christ.
5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we
know the way?”
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as
well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
(John 14:5-7)
Noah, Joseph, Moses, David and Jesus are names known and acknowledged in both
Christian and secular society. These are all known because of the influence they
had on culture and society, and how they transformed the world around them.
The constant among them all was their relationship with God. Noah was not a
famous boat builder, but a righteous man, blameless among the people of his
time, and he walked with God. (Genesis 6:9) The Lord was with Joseph and he
prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw
that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he
did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him
in charge of his household and he entrusted to his care everything he owned
(Genesis 39:2-4). Moses spoke face to face with God, as to a friend (Exodus
33:11). David had a heart after God (1 Samuel 13:14) and Jesus was the Son of
God. Without the relationship they had with God, they would simply be men of
history and not have the influence they continue to have in this day.
We would not have the opportunity to know of Jesus, be able to establish a
relationship with him or have influence upon others if it were not for the
original disciples of Jesus. If they had not continued in their relationship
with God after the death of Jesus, the message and influence of Jesus would not
be with us today. These people were with Jesus for 3 years, learning and being
influenced by him. Because of Jesus’ influence on them, they were able to
influence the entire world.
Whether those mentioned above were at a high or low point in their lives was of
no consequence. These men all maintained and continued to develop a close
relationship with their creator that gave them a mighty influence upon others.
Their influence was established by the authority invested in them by God through
relationship with Him.
It is the same with us today. If we truly desire to see God’s Kingdom come on
the earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10), and go, disciple and influence the
nations, bringing everything under the authority and power of the one true God,
then we must continue to pursue and develop a deeper relationship with God
through Jesus Christ.
The choice is yours.
23Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save
his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What
good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very
self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed
of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father of the holy
angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death
before they see the kingdom of God.”
(Luke 9:23-27)
It is simply not enough to say, “I am a Christian”, and expect automatic passage
to eternal life. It will also not give us any influence over others. We must
submit ourselves daily to the will of God and further our relationship with Him
through our devotion and actions. We must forfeit our lives, lay down our
agendas and opinions and allow God’s authority to rule in our lives.
It is here that we will gain influence with others, because it is no longer our
influence but God’s. It is simply not enough to attend church and try and get
others there as well. We need to allow God to influence our lives with daily
devotion, prayer, worship, study and discipleship so that we will also be able
to help others understand what salvation and eternal life truly are.
Authority and power can only be invested in us by the relationship we have with
God, and then by the relationship we have with others. In other words, the level
of our relationship with God affects the amount of influence we have with
others.
After completing this teaching I picked up a book my wife had recently been
given by a friend. I just happened to open to a page with the following –
written at some time during the 1930’s I believe.
January 10
INFLUENCE
When you come to Me, and I give you that Eternal Life I give to all who believe
in Me, it alters your whole existence, the words you speak, the influences you
have.
These are all eternal. They must be. They spring from the life within you, My
Life, Eternal Life. The words, the influence, go on down the ages forever.
You must ponder on these truths I give you. They are not surface facts, but the
secrets of My Kingdom, the hidden pearls of rare price.
Meditate upon them. Work at them in your minds and hearts.
(Exert taken from “God Calling”, edited by A.J. Russell)
Back to Top
Many of us have been under the impression that the Acts of the Apostles ended
with the book of Acts. This is not so. God raises up apostles to put in order
those things that He is set to accomplish in the earth.
For years the church has known the ministry of the evangelist and the pastor. In
the last forty years we saw the restoration of the teaching ministry. Then, we
had years of the prophetic ministry.
Teaching, preaching, healing and even prophesying are not sufficient to reap the
harvest. Another type of ministry is necessary.
The Apostolic Ministry in its fullness is the solution (Matt. 9:35-38; 10:1-15)
God has given the revelation of the mysteries of his purposes to the apostle and
the prophet (Eph. 3:1-7). The doctrinal foundation of a church cannot be laid by
a prophet alone, since we are told that the church must continue in the
Apostle’s Doctrine (Acts 2:42,43).
The Church has come to a restoration of the Acts of the Apostles. God is
imparting His Authority to some, for this purpose, and we must receive it,
accept it and release it. To deny the relevance of Apostles to this age is to
suggest that the Church is perfected and performing it’s God given mandate. It
clearly is not.
God is still raising up apostles because the church has not yet reached its
goal, because the nets are not yet fully mended. We are yet ineffective in our
ministry to establish the Kingdom and as such we are not yet ready for the
return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus will not return until all the things
spoken by the prophets are restored (Acts 3:19-21).
Most churches do not have the original foundations and are built upon man-made
doctrines and premises. Too many churches are raised up by non-apostolic
ministries and are therefore not fully formed, reflecting only the character of
the particular ministry that raised it up.
For God to reach His goal in the earth, the establishment of His Kingdom on the
earth, He must initiate a new apostolic era in the earth. This is what he has
already done, and we are in that New Apostolic Age.
Characteristics of the New Apostolic Ministry
The new apostolic ministry will...
1. Uproot and tear down those things in the church that do not line up with
God’s goal, while planting and building. (Jer. 1:9,10)
2. Show the house the state of the house (Ezek. 43: 10-12)
3. Demonstrate a new authority and revelation in declaration of the purposes of
God (Rev.10:5-11).
4. Present a new level of ministry to the people of God (Ezek. 44:23,24).
5. Operate in two dimensions bridging the gap between heaven and earth. (John
1:51).
6. Produce skilled craftsmen to counteract the work that the enemy has done
(Zech. 1:-21)
7. Become a ministry that will be a source of life and anointing to others,
reflecting the divine nature (Zec. 4:11-14)
8. Become the ministry that will finish the building of the house of the Lord
(Zech.4:6-10)
9. Begin to take the message out into the Outer Court where there is need for
cleansing and a ministry of true deliverance among the people of God, who are
yet oppressed and in various forms of bondage. (Matt. 21:10 –16; Rev.11:7,8)
10. Come down from the mountain to lead the ministry to the needy (Matt.
17:1-14)
11. Begin to blaze a new trail in evangelism by the power of God (Isa. 52:1-15;
Ez. 47:1-9)
12. Lead the church out into the world to invade the kingdoms of the earth to
begin to recover those things there that rightly belong to the kingdom (Micah
4:1-13; It will release the glory and the grace of God wherever they go so that
the communities will be impacted and changed by the authority of God (Joel
2:1-9)
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of
them, that they had been with Jesus.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are
virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
Those who lead this end-time apostolic ministry don’t follow men. They don’t
follow movements, they follow the Lamb wherever he goes, and the Lamb is going
somewhere. They are with the Lord (Mark 3:14). The Lord is revealing Himself to
them and they are in a place of communication with Him.
From Charisma To Character
Out of this encounter with God, the new ministry will be marked by its emphasis
on character. They will not simply be charismatic or gifted people, but people
who have been dealt with by God, formed and shaped into vessels that reflect His
Character.
The issue of character will be very important to this ministry for it must
command the respect and reverence of the church. The fear of God must return in
the lives of the people and they must come again to fear the servants of God
with a holy reverence and Godly fear
The Church should expect to see the emergence of this company of seasoned
apostles who will be the instruments of God in this new day, this Third Day,
this Day of the Lord. We should expect to see also the emergence of a new
company of younger apostles joining together with the older apostles as was
Timothy, Titus and Apollos with Paul. This company of apostolic ministries will
be the primary instruments God uses to restore the Church to its spiritual
heritage.
Son of Man
The four living creatures in the book of Ezekiel and in Revelation 4 and 5 give
us a picture of this new ministry.
They are part of the authority structure of God, operating from the throne realm
where stands the Lamb and the twenty-four elders.
You look upon their face, the place of the beginning of the manifestation of
their nature and character and what you see is revealing. We see this reflected
in:
The veiled glory over Moses’ face (2 Cor. 3:13)
The shining face of the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt.
17:1,2)
The seraphim in Isaiah’s vision likewise had to have their face covered because
of what was manifested from it (Isa. 6:2)
These living creatures are men of earth who have now bridged the gap, standing
upon the earth but with access to the heavenlies, so that Jacob’s vision of the
House of God which is the Gate of Heaven might become a reality (John 1:51; Gen.
28:10-18)
Apostle John Boney
>> Back to Top
1 Sam.15:17 NLT And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of
yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed
you king of Israel.
There is a problem of not viewing ourselves as God views us. This causes us to
constantly do things to seek to ingratiate the people to us and to seek to
establish ourselves and our names, whereas that is unimportant and irrelevant.
Ignorance concerning who we are often moves us to priorities that are contrary
to the divine mandates. We become people pleasers instead of God pleasers. We do
not recognize the ramifications of the things that we do and how they violate
the anointing and calling of God and his purpose in our lives. Ultimately they
remove us from being able to fulfill the divine mandate and cause God to reject
us, because we have devalued the calling of God upon our lives, which is the
greatest treasure we can possess. When this is not held in its correct place we
forget that the one who has called us is also the one who protects us and his
investment in us. In forgetting this we take steps towards self-preservation
. Considerations directed towards whether we deserved this calling are of
themselves non-productive and can become insurmountable obstacles. 1 Sam.9:21
shows us that Saul did not consider himself worthy of the calling of God both
because of his tribal heritage and his immediate family. He considered his tribe
and his family as nobodies. Therefore he also was a nobody and unworthy of the
great call and anointing of God. Such thoughts confront the majesty of the
sovereign God who determines the value of the vessel from before the foundation
of the world and fits that vessel for the task. God has repeatedly confronted
attitudes of self-deprecation in the vessels of his choosing. When they have
raised objections and excuses because of supposed inadequacies, God would
respond with a resounding rebuke; Say not I am a child, for you will go to all
that I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak”
(Jer.1:4-11). Many attempts at self-preservation and people pleasing arise out
of those feelings of inadequacy and move one towards disobedience or partial
obedience of God’s commands, because of our overriding need to protect
ourselves. The risk here is awesome. Ultimately we put ourselves in the place to
be rejected by God.
God’s program here was critical. Israel had been delivered from Egypt and they
were on their way to the land of promise. As soon as they set out beyond the
reach of the Egyptians stronghold they encountered the dreaded Amalekites, who,
being of demonic origin sought immediately to discourage and discomfit the
fledgling army who had not yet been fully delivered from the traumas and hurts
of over 400 years in captivity. Amalek was put down at that time by the hand of
God through Moses and Joshua. Yet God made a vow that he would eradicate them
from the land because of this. He would make war with them from generation to
generation until they were removed from the land (Exo.17:1-16). God in his
sovereignty prepared an instrument especially for this task. It took over 400
years to prepare this instrument, but God would never forget his promise. It did
not matter that this instrument did not know his full mandate from birth. It was
irrelevant whether he considered himself adequate for the task. There was only
one thing of importance. God had sworn by himself that he would totally
exterminate Amalek, and passage of time would not squander the resolve. Amalek
would be the subject of a tribal purge demanded by the governor of the whole
earth.
God is not obligated to us to tell us our full purpose at the time of our
calling and anointing. We may be incapable of appreciating or understanding its
full significance. Yet the word of the Lord to us would contain within it the
divine enabling and equipping. It is the word that locates us and point us in
the direction towards our future and destiny. Step by step God locates and
situates until he has us exactly where we need to be for his mission. It is not
necessary that we see the destination. It is only necessary that we obediently
follow him step by step. Always there would be those things along the way that
nag at us seeking to stop us, detour us or turn us back. Only as we determine
that we would not turn back in the face of trial, potential failure or some
other problem, do we demonstrate kingdom radicalness (Luke 9:59-62).
Even when we have made wrong decisions and choices in the past, the God of
covenant and grace comes to us to give us another chance. Through presumption
and fear over the circumstances, Saul stepped outside of his orbit and into the
realm of the priesthood, which was not his right (1 Sam.13:1-23). In that
incident he lost some of what would have been his inheritance and the
inheritance of his household. Yet the destiny was not aborted. God would yet
move him towards that in his grace. The issue at hand was more than Saul’s
failure of the moment. God had a score to settle with Amalek and he was God’s
man. He had a mission to fulfill and this would be the accomplishment of his
lifetime and his kingship.
God sent the prophet to him in rather ominous words; “I am the one that the Lord
sent to anoint you as king over his people Israel, now therefore listen
carefully to what the Lord told me to tell you (1 Sam.15:1). Saul missed the
importance of the confrontation. It is as though God was saying to him, Saul you
were chosen and anointed for this holy task therefore do not let the importance
of this moment, mission and mandate bypass you. Though he thought that he had
received the word of the Lord yet the importance of the moment and the mission
would by pass him because of those things secreted in his soul. He was a nobody
from nowhere and even though God had anointed him as king yet he would have to
be careful and listen to and heed the people and their wishes if he were to have
success and peace. Even after the fact he would yet consider that he had
fulfilled the divine mandate (1 Sam.15:17). He had not realized that he had
disregarded and rejected the word of the Lord and instead had chosen to exercise
his own discernment (1 Sam.15:9). He had not understood God’s personal interest
in the affairs at hand, his discernment being twisted by a critical flaw in his
soul. He was a people pleaser more than a God pleaser. A monster had now matured
within him, distorting the priorities of his life and totally controlling him.
At this critical time in the divine purposes Saul would rejoice over his victory
over the Amalekites as though this were the intention of God. He had forgotten
that total eradication was the mandate. He had not realized that God had waited
for generations to fulfill this word. He had failed to recognize that he was a
man of God’s choosing for this moment, thus, he would proffer token fulfillment
as total obedience. Further complicating his sin would be his trek up to Carmel
to set up a memorial to himself and his victory in the battle (1 Sam.15:12).
Saul was convinced that he had done the right thing and had fulfilled the word
of the Lord. But he also failed to realize how flawed his decisions were because
of the control these hidden motivations exerted upon his life.
The divine purpose takes no prisoners and would not be placated by any
sacrifice. The only sacrifice that is acceptable to the Lord is that which he
has initiated. The sacrifices of the bulls of Amalek were an abomination to God.
They were rejected just as if they were the blood of a man murdered as a
sacrifice to God (Isa.66:1-4). On the flip side of obedience is stubbornness,
arrogance, insubordination and idolatry. Its payday is rejection and a missing
of the purposes of God (1 Sam.15:20-23). It result in the precious anointing
being withdrawn and being replaced by an occasional religious spirit (1
Sam.16:14).
The ultimate acknowledgement of Saul was that he (1) had sinned; (2) he had
transgressed the commandments of the Lord; (3) he had transgressed Samuel’s
words; (4) he feared the people and (5) obeyed their voice (15:24). When the
voice of the people and what they say so controls our actions and moves us to
act in fear of them rather than in fear of God, we have indeed bartered our holy
calling and anointing on the altars of public opinion. His repentance and his
worship were then too little and too late and ICHABOD could be declared over him
and his household. No more would the word of the Lord come to him and neither
would he have the relationship with Samuel the servant of the Lord any more. He
had cut off his connections and severed his relationship with the Lord, his
servant and his word. Though he remained on his throne for the rest of that
generation, it would simply be a matter of time before God replaced him with a
neighbor who was better than he, and who would fulfill the divine mandate
concerning Amalek (15:28).
While many dash headlong into eternal insignificance, aborting the purpose of
God in their lives, is there yet any hope of redemption for those who, though
they have failed in the past, would yet desire not to miss out on the encounter
with Amalek? Surely God appoints another encounter at Bethel for those who would
hear his word and respond. Restoration is in receiving the Lord’s word and his
servant. Saul would have been saved from his own internal demons if he would
learn to discern the voice of the Lord and to regard the servant of the Lord who
was put into his life.
When we obey God, he in his sovereignty and by his anointing meets us to cut off
our sins and iniquities. The supposed smallness of our entire heritage is no
problem for God and in no way militates against the divine mandate, if there
would be an obedient heart. Saul had encountered the anointing of God before and
had been instantly changed by that anointing, together with the word of the Lord
(1 Sam.10:6-9). Could not this same anointing work within him? Was not this
anointing greater than the rejection of the masses (15:27)? Surely God provides
the grace to overcome all of these insignificant things when we chose to submit
to him. Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah overcame some of the same things in their
lives and went on to fulfill their destinies. When we begin to respond to God he
does within us the very thing that he demands of us (Phil.2:13). When we respond
he gives us boldness to represent him and his purposes without regard for the
consequences. When we respond we are delivered from all fear, including the fear
of man (Eze.2:1-8).
History is full of the stories of many, who like Saul have squandered away their
opportunities because of their considerations of themselves and the fear of
people and their opinions. Many they are who have been called by God and given
an opportunity that they did not deserve in the natural. Yet they were extended
the opportunity if they would be wholly obedient to the Lord and his mandates.
What Saul did determined the future of his kingdom and his household forever
(12:13). But his view of his background together with his desire for personal
fulfillment colored his decisions and caused him to fear the people. Promotion
does not come from the people but from God (Psa.75:6,7). Deliverance from
personal fears and inadequacies are mandatory if we would rise to the challenge
that God puts before us. God invests himself in the life of the instrument that
he has chosen to remove his age-old enemy. He who calls is faithful to equip
when we honor him (1 Cor.1:26-31). No Amalekite can survive if we would respond
and submit to the mandate of God.
Apostle John M Boney
>> Back to Top
I was fascinated by the book of John, and was prompted to read that book
again very carefully, as I caught sight of this verse of scripture: “Jesus
answered, Do you now believe?”
The disciples had been with Jesus, they had witnessed many awesome miracles: the
lepers healed, the dead raised, the deaf were made to hear and the blind to see.
Peter received revelation of the Christ. They sat at His feet and listened to
many profound truths that could not be disputed even by the most outstanding
minds of the day. Surely they heard Him say to Martha that: “…I am the
resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet
shall he live.” He also spoke about His own resurrection
After the Lord’s death, the disciples at the sea of Tiberius seemed to have been
bored with doing nothing, and no wonder. They had gone through some exciting
times with the Lord, now what was there to be done except go back to what they
had been accustomed to. After all, they had a life to live. They were strong
young men, probably with responsibilities and there was no time for playing
games – “I go a fishing!” the impetuous leader suggested, and of course everyone
followed Peter; but Jesus had spoken to them. They had received a mandate; they
had been given specific instructions:
There was no doubt, that their master Jesus, was “the Christ, the Son of the
Living God,” but He was gone, the Jewish Rabbis had successfully achieved their
purpose, because they were able to kill Him. Not even the faith that He taught
them could have changed circumstances. There were instances when Jesus accused
them of little faith, and it seemed justifiable at the time; He was not there to
change water into wine, feed thousands with a loaf and two fishes. Yet this same
Jesus had given them a mandate: “Go ye into the entire world…”
The haunting question is: Has God spoken to us in Emmanuel Ministries? Like
Peter and the others, we had the unique privilege to listen to the messengers
and delighted in the revelatory truths; we proceeded to search the scriptures
and found the Word brought to us to be true, sequential, fascinating, and
timely. We sang lustily, new songs from the Book itself. “Him that overcometh,”
“ He that dwelleth in the secret place…” “Some trust in chariots…,” “O house of
Jacob,” “Worthy art thou to take the scrolls…”
If Revelation 12:5 had occurred between1976, and 1984, we would have all been
caught up as the manchild company, leaving behind the disobedient church to go
to the wilderness, to be buffeted by the flood. We were waiting to point a
finger and say “I told you so; now you will listen to us. See, we had the truth
all along” Alas! A transformation like that of Peter and Paul had to take place;
a motivation to stand on the Word of truth, when all else has lost credibility.
The celebrated “remnant church” to which the orphans hungrily ran to hear this
new Word, was it a figment of the human mind, or was it God raising up a people
to accomplish His purpose in the earth? “But yet it shall be a tenth, and it
shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teal tree and as an oak, whose substance
is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance
thereof.”Isa.6:13 . Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant
according to the election of grace.”Rom.11:5
Many conditions have been hurled at this revelatory Word to make it consistent
with a Worldview. Like Thomas, some still say: unless I see, put my hand, thrust
in my finger, I will not believe. Where is the prosperity? The Son is going
through his preparatory period. He has passed through many tutors and governors,
but the Father is never too late! The Sermon on the Mount must still be proved.
What is it going to take for the remnant church to overcome its differences and
stand on a sea of glass, having the harps of God?
The Word spoken shall not return to Him void, it must accomplish what it was
sent to do. The Lord is calling back His sons and daughters. The time is at
hand; let us draw nigh. Elijah is here: “He is now turning the heart of the
fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…”
“Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
Evadne Richards
>> Back to Top
New day, new season, God is making all things new, new seasons begin with new
word. If you receive the new word and allow it to work in you then you are
brought into a realm of experience, a new dimension with God. God puts a
principle of corruption in yesterday’s manna so you need a fresh manna daily.
Eccl. 3:1 ‘… to everything there is a season and a time’
Divine order is absent where there is darkness. In Gen.1:1-2 the Spirit of God
was moving yet there was disorder in the earth. It takes the Spirit of God and
the Word of God to bring order and change. God’s answer to disorder is man. He
created you and extended himself in you so you could bring change the earth.
The earth is become a wilderness, the seed is nonproductive to the purposes of
God because of sin. God does not want to deliver you from the wilderness; he
wants you to change it. IS 43:18. God gave you the authority, like Adam to name
the beast and whatever you named it so shall it be. Your wilderness will reflect
what you name it (fruits of the lips).
The latter rain is not revival, God is after restoration. Out of your belly
shall flow rivers of living waters, the word of God says. Songs of Solomon 4:11
– milk and honey- their work spoken. Deut. 32:1-2 speaks of doctrine, God’s
speech – the rain from your mouth waters the ground. Job 29:21 – his words as
latter rain. The wilderness is about to change.
Apostle John M Boney
>> Back to Top
Granted, this is not easy, but herein is the test of character and maturity.
Can one sacrifice their Isaac to God? But maybe even more difficult could be the
declaration from God that the fruit of your loins, your Ishmael, can never be
acceptable to him as a seed worthy of his commendation. Though God blesses
Ishmael, yet he could never become a part of that lineage that God promised
Abraham. The record is clear; the religious realm is filled with many Ishmaels
that cannot be allowed to hold a place alongside that which is birthed
correctly. Though they are blessed by God, yet they do not meet God’s approval
and will never become the instrument of God’s pupose in the earth.
It is at this point that many take the easy way out. They claim that the
ultimate goal of God is to save souls. Thus if they are leading people to make a
confession of salvation, then they consider that they are fulfilling the
purposes of God and also have God’s approval. Mere salvaiton is not the ultimate
purpose of God for the individual. His desire is that this saved individual
would grow up to become the instrument through which this earth is restored to
its original (Rom.8:18-24 NIV).
Strong though this may be, one cannot become a father unless he has been a son.
Further, one does not declare himself a father. The fatherhood is named from
above and cannot be usurped. The curse upon Absalom was that though he had
daughters, he could never birth a son because he attempted to destroy his
father. His name would never continue upon the earth. His memory would be
blotted out of the records of the living. He, just as the children of Barzillai,
could not colabor with the priests of God to build the temple of God because he
could not show his heritage. He had denied it and tried to destroy it
(Neh.7::61-65).
If there is to be in the earth a ministry of the Melchizedek order, which will
endure eternally, the ministry must change and adopt the nature of the Lord
Jesus who humbled himself and chose to become nothing to fulfill the demands of
his father. If the ministry is to change, then those being brought up must be
prepared to minister in the holy garments of their fathers for many days, before
they are ready to minister clothed in their own garments (Exo.29:29,30)
Ultimately there are some time tested requirements for growth, maturity,
endurance and reproductivity in the Lord. These must be considered.
1. Child training Heb 12
2. Learning the voice of God through discipleship
3. Instruction and correction by one in authority over you
4. Learning obedience through the difficult experiences of life
5. Learning wisdom through submitting to and following the counsel of fathers,
mothers and elders
6. Being tested under authority and passing the tests
8. Belonging to a spiritual family
9. Making and keeping covenant relationships
10. Practically overcoming the world and the things of the world
11. Commendation and release of one over you.
It is for this reason that Jesus the master teacher would take three years with
his disciples. They had to be taught about ministry. They had to understand and
learn what were the roots out of which solid character grow. They had to
understand how to “be” as the father. They had to learn how to be “sent” out in
ministry, rather than “going” out into ministry. They had to learn how to
receive specific instructions and directions as they were sent. They had to
learn how to come back and to give account of their doings. They had to learn
how to be corrected and adjusted not just for the things that they did but also
for the motives behind their actions. They had to submit to the scrutiny of
another who had the right and authority over their lives to tell them that they
were wrong and further to give them instruction that would be remedial.
These men became world changers and apostles who laid a foundation for the
church for generations to come. They have been given a special place in the
kingdom of God as apostles of the Lamb. Their fruit remains and continues to
flourish even after centuries. This is sufficient evidence that this process
works.
Instead of releasing people into ministry immediately, we should wait for them
to be correctly processed and then they may be released with proper
commendation. Then they will bring forth fruit and their fruit will remain.
Apostle John M Boney
>> Back to Top
