Apostolic articles and newsletters from the ministry team at Emmanuel Ministries International. you can subscribe to our Blog on the links above. http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:35:20 +0800 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:25:55 +0800 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.9) http://www.feedforall.com
“ Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. 5 Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. 6 When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. 7 Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. 8 This is nothing compared to what is coming. 9 "They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. 10 And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other. 11 "In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. 12 For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes. 13 "Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. 14 All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.” (Mt 24:4-14 Message)
Undoubtedly we are in a time that parallels the time that Matthew speaks concerning, characterized daily by rumors of one type or another, together with conflicts and deceptions on every side. Yet the mandate is that in the midst of all of this the message of the gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the nations for a witness so that the fulfillment of the purposes of the God in the earth would become a reality.
It is my opinion that many of the things that are staged on local, national and international stages are intended to seek to interfere with the declaration of the message of the kingdom to the nations. If our focus is not clear we would fail to see this in all of the things around us. We must therefore respond to the things that characterize this present season in the earth by being resolved to fulfill the mandate, regardless the cost.
It is not purely accidental that having determined to have our family gathering in Mexico July 15-19, 2009, suddenly there would come up the “SWINE FLU” scare, arising out of Mexico, and allegedly spreading to many nations from there. The message is that Mexico is an unsafe place, do not go there and have nothing to do with people who either have visited there or who are nationals of that country. They might be carrying a deadly contagious disease. It has been important to the enemy to trumpet this declaration to everyone everywhere. Why at this time and specifically from this country, is also an important consideration.
I have an answer and a declaration.
I believe the Lord has determined to do something significant and special in our gathering in Mexico that would have a ripple effect on many nations, not only in Latin America, but in all of the earth. It is for this reason that a negative rumor has been spread about Mexico, to seek to influence many and have them stay away or turn away from gathering together with us.
Some of us got the message, but not the message that the enemy desired. We got the message that there is a rumor in the heavenlies that something significant will take place in Mexico during our time together that will impact the nations, and the enemy knows this and is troubled about it and wants to keep people away from Mexico.
Let me declare then, that the Lord will do marvelous and unprecedented things in the Mexico meetings in July that will impact many nations. It will be a significant time of gathering together and convocation with the Lord. The Lord will meet with us and speak to us and teach us of his ways. Transforming encounters with the Lord will be widespread among many and from Mexico a clearer sound will go to the nations than has been our experience in recent times. The Lord will do a new thing among us in Mexico.
Let it be noised abroad then that the gathering in Mexico, July 15-19, 2009 continues right on schedule and everyone should do all within their powers to be there and to bring others with you. Nothing will prevail against us that is more powerful than the covenant declaration and protection afforded us in Psa.91:1-16.

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Apostle John Boney

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html 7C071246-A281-4CA4-8FCD-EF822DD4DFF3 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:28:12 +0800
Season’s Greetings!

2008 was an eventful year for us the body of Christ, the United States and the earth in general. God continued to give to us an open door in Latin America. Several successful meetings were held in Brazil and Argentina and some of them were carried live on the internet. Other meetings were held in other parts of Latin America by the Latin Team as the Lord continues to give us an open door to declare his word in this continent.

The October conference in Cape Town was a significant event as the Lord enabled us to gather some of the significant individuals in the family around the earth. Many desired to come but were hindered by one things or another. Nevertheless, it was an important event as many had the opportunity to meet those who formerly were just names to them. There was and yet continues to be a sensing that the Lord has given us a significant and important function to fulfill in the earth, and for the most part it yet remains to be fulfilled. Many renewed their commitments to our mandate and to one other to work together to see that we do not fail to fill every corner of the earth to which the Lord has sent us, with the gospel of the kingdom.

The U.S. elections made significant headlines all over the earth. The unprecedented election of an American Black to become the president of the U.S.A. and thus presumably the most significant politician in the world bypassed the prophets. None could see it on the horizon. Many Christians prayed against it whilst blacks from everywhere made a cause célèbre out of Mr. Obama. The dream of Dr. Martin Luther King is now said by some to have become a reality, while others drool over him with messianic undertones. Some on the other hand have begun to declare that he is “The Antichrist”. Time will tell if he is the “Celebrated One” that some say he is.

Yet it is an undisputed fact that we have reached to a historic point in political history, when one who represents a people who had been slaves, no-class citizens, and people who were not expected to be contributors to the development of a productive society, has now bridged the gap and has come full circle from pauper to “king”. Predicted or not, accepted or not, it is now the reality.
There is an order and a pattern in God that has been clearly stated that causes us to take note of these proceedings, since they might signal important divine parallels that we cannot afford to miss. When such significant events occur in the natural there is often a spiritual counterpart, for which the natural is but a fading shadow, pointing us to the reality. At times the spiritual is already ongoing when the natural becomes publicly known or revealed, yet there is a definite correlation. Therefore we must declare without equivocation that the events of this past year have a spiritual counterpart that is already a present reality.

“39 Then again, all flesh is not identical. There is a difference in the flesh of human beings, animals, birds and fish. 40 There are bodies which exist in the heavens, and bodies which exist in this world. The splendor of an earthly body is quite a different thing from the splendor of a heavenly body. 41 The sun, the moon and the stars all have their own particular splendor; and one star differs from another in splendor. 42 There are illustrations here of the raising of the dead. The body is "sown" in corruption; it is raised beyond the reach of corruption. 43 It is "sown" in dishonour; it is raised in splendor. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. As there is a natural body so will there be a spiritual body. 45 It is written, moreover, that: The first man Adam became a living soul. So the last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. 46 But we should notice that the "spiritual" does not come first: the order is "natural" first and then "spiritual". 47 The first man came out of the earth, a material creature; the second man came from heaven.” (1Co 15:39-47 Philips)

Interestingly also, we are told that there is a definite correlation between some of these types or models and their message to a people who are at the end of one age and the beginning of another.
“Now these things which happened to our ancestors are illustrations of the way in which God works, and they were written down to be a warning to us who are living in the final days of the present order.” (1Co 10:11 Philips)
“These things continued to befall them as warnings to others, and they were written down for the purpose of instructing us, in whose lives the climax of the ages has been reached.” (1Co 10:11 Williams)

Every shadow is imperfect in comparison to the reality, yet it is clear that we are at a point in the unfolding of the divine plan, where several ages have reached their climax. The old order of things spiritually is passing away and is being replaced by a new order that has been reserved in heaven for this time. A people who have been held in captivity and slavery to the systems of religion have now begun to make a transition. Just like Joseph, they have been put on the short track from the prison to the throne.
“3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne say: "See! God’s dwelling place is with men, and He will live with them, 4 and He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no death any longer, no sorrow, no crying, no pain. The first order of things has passed away."” (Re 21:3-4 Williams)

“3 ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, [that is,] the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God’s own] possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph 1:3-14 NAS95)

Let us declare it clearly and boldly to you: All of the old order of religion is passing away. All of the systems of men and their self worship and personal kingdom buildings are about to be confronted, shaken and removed by the word of the Lord. They will be replaced by something of more enduring substance.
In the midst of all of this there yet remains the present realities of a world economy that is in the midst of its greatest shaking in recent history. Something spiritual has happened that has caused things that were secret and without little visible effect upon the monetary institutions of the world to now become public, together with the clear evidence of their impact upon international finance. Many of these things had gone on unchallenged for centuries with many of the powerful ones being party to them, yet now the covers are being pulled off so that the true state of the economies might become visible. There are more revelations coming soon!

The minds of men have no answer for the problems that are the direct result of demonic spirits and principalities that have ruled over this area just as the giants ruled over Canaan until the coming of the Lord and His People with power. All of the attempts at fixing the problem are at best band aids covering a deep festering wound that cries out for a solution. The solution is not in some new program by the World Bank but in A MAN carrying the anointing of God and the wisdom of God into the situation. As with the church the Lord does not simply give gifts to man and then send him, rather the Lord anoints a man and gives the man. His very presence brings solution to the problem because he is GOD’S ANOINTED for the task. He carries in his very DNA the solution, having been prepared from before the foundation of the earth for this mission. He, just like Cyrus is God’s anointed (MESSIAH) (Isa.44:23-45:7).

“1 ¶ But look! A king will rule in the right way, and his leaders will carry out justice. 2 Each one will stand as a shelter from high winds, provide safe cover in stormy weather. Each will be cool running water in parched land, a huge granite outcrop giving shade in the desert. 3 Anyone who looks will see, anyone who listens will hear. 4 The impulsive will make sound decisions, the tongue-tied will speak with eloquence. 5 No more will fools become celebrities, nor crooks be rewarded with fame. 6 For fools are fools and that’s that, thinking up new ways to do mischief. They leave a wake of wrecked lives and lies about GOD, Turning their backs on the homeless hungry, ignoring those dying of thirst in the streets. 7 And the crooks? Underhanded sneaks they are, inventive in sin and scandal, Exploiting the poor with scams and lies, unmoved by the victimized poor. 8 But those who are noble make noble plans, and stand for what is noble.” (Isa 32:1-8 Message)

A change must be declared in the nations and the long era of rogues and oppressors who have ruled over the nations and have raped them of their precious treasures that the Creator has invested in them for his benefits must now come to an end. Righteous rulers out of the house of the Lord must now be raised up and trained as leaders in every dimension of the kingdom. Heavenly messengers carrying an opened book have already begun to set their feet upon both the land and the sea declaring with thunders that there should be no more delay because the time was come for the mystery to be fulfilled.

“1 ¶ I saw another powerful Angel coming down out of Heaven wrapped in a cloud. There was a rainbow over his head, his face was sun-radiant, his legs pillars of fire. 2 He had a small book open in his hand. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land, 3 then called out thunderously, a lion roar. When he called out, the Seven Thunders called back. 4 When the Seven Thunders spoke, I started to write it all down, but a voice out of Heaven stopped me, saying, "Seal with silence the Seven Thunders; don’t write a word." 5 Then the Angel I saw astride sea and land lifted his right hand to Heaven 6 and swore by the One Living Forever and Ever, who created Heaven and everything in it, earth and everything in it, sea and everything in it, that time was up— 7 that when the seventh Angel blew his trumpet, which he was about to do, the Mystery of God, all the plans he had revealed to his servants, the prophets, would be completed.” (Re 10:1-7 Message)
This is not the season for aimless wanderings. The watchers on the earth have spoken into the heavens and both the heavens and the earth are in symphony. Counterfeit religion has paraded itself on the stage for too long. All the meanwhile the cloud of witnesses have been watching and longing for the kingdom of God to come to earth so they too can return to rule and reign on earth (Rev.5:6-10). They now declare that it is now time for the saints to take over the kingdoms of the earth (Dan.7:13-18). They also call upon the Lord to bring a complete end to the long age of Pentecost and to release fully the precious FEAST OF TABERNACLES upon the saints of the Most High and also upon the whole earth.

“For he is accomplishing his word and speedily fulfilling it in righteousness; for a speedily fulfilled word will the Lord execute upon the earth."” (Ro 9:28 Noyes)
Yes, change is everywhere.

There is a clear challenge from God to us now. As usual there are challenges before us and voices telling us that we cannot do it. At the same time the Lord speaks a strong word to us:
“13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 "The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." 15 ¶ And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to GO FORWARD. 16 "BUT LIFT UP YOUR ROD, AND STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry [ground] through the midst of the sea. 17 "And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 "Then the Egyptians shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen."” (Ex 14:13-18 NKJV)

The word of the Lord to us is “Go Forward”. There is a grace and an anointing available to us right now to move forward against any and every challenge that stands in our way. When God spoke to Israel the Red Sea was ahead of them, mountains on both sides and the Egyptians behind them. The Lord told them to move forward without considering the things that were besetting them on every side. If they would consider their circumstances then they would be overwhelmed by fear and would turn back. Turning back would only enable the Egyptians to bring them back into captivity and it would mean failure for the purposes of the Lord. In the things that the Lord has spoken to us concerning, we cannot turn back or turn aside. Furthermore, in any area where we had failed to move forward we must now marshal ourselves and move forward boldly.

The Lord also spoke to Moses and reminded him that he was not empty handed. His consecration filled his hands with a rod (Exo.28:41 consecrate Hebrew MALE to fill the hands). He may have forgotten what he had in his hand or maybe he did not know that it could be used in this situation. This rod that the Lord had put in his hand became the instrument of the parting of the Red Sea so that Israel could obey the command of the Lord to move forward.

There is an anointing that is upon us and it is a unique anointing. Our consecration has put a weapon within our hands that is greater than the weapons that are abundant in the religious circles. God has given to us a revelation of his purposes and of his kingdom. There are not many who are equipped in this as we are. God has also given us some other weapons, a company of sons and daughters who, though they may not be among the notables in religious circles, yet they are a people who are for signs and wonders in the earth from the Lord (Isa.8:16-18). They have been hidden by the Lord until their due season, but are now ready to be manifested. There is a great deposit of the Lord among us. These treasures are the weapons of our warfare and the arrows from the Lord of Host against any gate of hindrance that stands in our way. Our sons and daughters are arising and will step into the water, causing the waters to part so that the people of God move forward on dry ground. The people will volunteer freely in the day of the Lord’s power (Psa.110;1-3).

Some important announcements for 2009!

1. There will be two international conferences this year, one in South Africa and the other in Mexico. The Mexico conference will be held in early July and the South Africa conference is scheduled for November 1-8, 2009. Details on both of these meetings will be published on the websites and through other means immediately.
2. Look for information about the Egypt Tour scheduled for November 22-29, 2009
3. Look for significant news coming from Latin America early in the year as the word of the Lord continues to fill the territory
4. Australia Youth Conference? Ask Johanna janna1000@yahoo.com
In this New Year the Lord will do excellent, amazing and new things for us in this spiritual family.
1. The Lord will release, bless and establish us financially
2. The Lord will continue to add to us a company of faithful, loyal and covenanted sons and daughters
3. The Lord will continue to enable us and grant us favor to declare the message of the gospel of the kingdom in all of Latin America and other countries
4. The Lord will establish us in South Florida and we will see adequate facilities for the ministry based there
5. The Lord will cause us to see a resurgence in the work in North America
6. The Lord will cause give us at least three Antioch type churches
7. The Lord will cause several sons and daughters to take their places alongside me in spirit and in practical ways
8. Our sons and daughters will arise and we will move forward and defeat every impediment and obstacle in 2009

Grace and peace!
Apostle John Boney

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html A65D4E31-4D15-4C12-B988-402CB956598B Fri, 2 Jan 2009 11:26:06 +0800
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

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html BA8E5085-ED65-43D1-9D91-7DBF2079399C Thu, 3 Jan 2008 11:24:12 +0800
Jesus himself set an example and gave instruction on how we are to live our lives. In living a life with Christ and seeing His kingdom established in the earth, He did not ask for compromise in our lives, he asked us to give Him all of our lives. In accepting standards below that which is asked of us from our heavenly father and our Lord, we are putting ourselves in a position of compromise.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power
Mark 8:34-9:1 NIV

Unfortunately we have a tendency to make compromise in our lives in order to accommodate Christ. This places a great weight upon our shoulders, causing the cross to become a burden too heavy for us to bear. Gladly though, Jesus tells us to take his yoke upon us and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart. In Him we will find rest for our souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matt 11:29-30).

When we make the decision to receive Jesus, we are sacrificing our flesh, or worldly life, in order to attain to the purposes that God has for us in the earth. This is not about compromise as God does not make concessions. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever (Heb 13:8). It is in fact accepting standards far above what our flesh desires. Living in the fullness of Christ means living a life without compromise.

This is a hard pill to swallow as we think more deeply on the matter: For the sake of Jesus and the gospel we are to leave our houses, family and property (Mark 10:29) or even fortune and fame. Why would anybody want to? However, these things and many more that satisfy our flesh alone are idols that inhabit our time, thoughts, priorities and actions. The upside of living a life without compromise before God are the attached promises.

Assuredly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions and in the age to come, eternal life.
Mark 10:29-30 NKJV

It is important to understand that leaving these things does not indicate immediately filing for divorce and running away from our family and responsibilities. It does mean placing God first in every situation we find ourselves, and following Him alone. It means building relationship with Him and listening to His voice in order to fulfil all of the responsibility that He has given us, even in a hundredfold measure. In describing the characteristics of a deacon or elder, Paul tells Timothy that an elder or a deacon must be the husband of one wife, managing his children and household well (1 Tim 3:2,4,12). Therefore, we are not required to become monks or nuns in order to fulfil the words of Christ, but we are to live diligently, responsibly and above reproach.

If we choose to only live for now, we will place ourselves in a position of compromise, rather than placing ourselves in the centre of the will of the Lord, and the knowledge of the promises that lie before us. The scripture tells us that it will not always be easy, that there will be persecutions. However, there is a promise of something far more valuable than what we will receive in this present age, that of intimate relationship with the father (eternal life) in the age to come.

If we are content to live with compromise, and not fully submit our lives unto the will of the Lord, we are bowing down to idols that desire to control us. It is very easy to serve our flesh rather than our spirit, but to be in the will of the Lord we must resist the temptation to do so. It is impossible to serve two masters, and the Lord promises to clothe us, feed us and care for us as we follow Him in the fullness of His will for our lives.

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink? or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt 6:24-34 NIV

The scripture clearly states that the things of the world that pre-occupy our mind, time and actions are not what God desires, but we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us. Therefore, in order to live a life without compromise, we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Our response needs to be just the same as Andrew and Peter when Jesus said to them, Come, follow me. (Matt 4:18-19) They did not stop and hesitate, the scripture tells us that they immediately left all that they had and knew to follow him (Matt 4:20).
The hardships that come when living a life without compromise are due to the battle between our flesh and the Spirit. However, a fully committed life that involves submission to God rather than compromise is one of fulfilment and joy as we make Him and His desires our number one priority. As we have already seen, God’s desire is that we first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Paul describes this in further detail in Romans:

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Romans 14:17-18 NIV

This requires that we take time to listen and then respond. It is not about “me” (eating and drinking), but all about Him (righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit). No matter what others may say or do, we no longer have time to bury our fathers or return to our homes (Luke 9:59-62), attend our newly purchased field or test our new oxen (Luke 14:18-19). These are idols or excuses that fill our hearts and keep God out of position number one. He must be our priority and our life. When He calls we must respond. Being lukewarm will not suffice (Rev 3-.16), it will not help us grow or, in turn, attain to the fullness of God (Eph 4:13) and move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ (Heb 6:1).

The rich young man who approached Jesus is a great example of one who was not prepared to give up all that he had in order to walk in all that He had. Even though he believed in Jesus and the scripture, diligently following the law, he built up treasure for himself in the earth rather than in heaven, exemplifying how impossible it is for those that compromise and serve more than one master to enter the kingdom of God.

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
So Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but one, that is, God.
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery’, ‘Do not murder’, ‘Do not steal’, ‘Do not bear false witness’, ‘Do not defraud’, ‘Honour your father and your mother.’
And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go you way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow Me.
But he was sad at this word and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to the enter the kingdom of God!
And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:17-25 NKJV

Jesus was not asking the young man for compromise. He was in reality asking the opposite  he was saying that the only way to inherit eternal life is to stop trusting in and making idols of the things of this world and instead store up treasures in heaven. Jesus desired commitment and change in the young man’s life. After all, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God and be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Rom 12:1-2 NKJV

Jesus desired that the young man give all of his life to God, and submit himself to His teaching. This way he would not be conformed to the world, or find himself in a place where compromise was necessary. It is simply a reasonable service unto God, and the only way to inherit eternal life. In submitting ourselves to the teaching of Christ, our minds will be transformed and we can begin to walk in the perfect will of God for the earth and our lives.

Jacob was a man who lived out the character of his name. He was a trickster, a conman and a supplanter, even stealing his brother’s birthright (Gen 25:31-34) and tricking him out of his blessing (Gen 27). He was also determined and committed to the task at hand, taking whatever measures were necessary to achieve what he wanted. He was prepared to work seven years for Laban’s daughter Rachel, and when he did not receive her, he worked a further seven years (Gen 29:15-30).

Jacob was determined not to give up, no matter whom he was facing, and wrestled with the Angel of the Lord until he got what he desired – the Lord’s blessing (Gen 32:24-26). What he also got was a new walk when the angel touched his hip to remind him of his point of transformation (Gen 32:25), as well as a new name – Israel (Gen 32:28). From here on God no longer called him a “trickster”, but rather, a “Prince with God” or God prevails, and from this Prince the Government (12 tribes) of God would be established in the earth.

This moment of encounter was only the beginning of what was to come for Jacob. Although the new characteristics had been spoken / prophesied to him and the reminder of his Godly encounter was evident in his walk, the Bible does not describe Israel walking the earth until after the death of Rachel.

So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
Genesis 35:19-21 NKJV

Why is this significant? Israel could not be released into his fullness and absolute potential until his idol, the thing (or person in this case) he had lusted after for so long, passed away. In other words, not until we let go of the things that prevent us from putting God first and place in a position of compromise can we enter into the fullness of God’s promise for our lives.

Jacob was prepared to serve his uncle Laban for 14 years in order to receive his daughter. He had worked extremely hard to receive his reward, and all of the work was for his Father-in-law’s profit, not his own (Gen 30:30). It is no wonder that Rachel had become such an idol in his life. However, Jacob still could not walk in the fullness of the character that God had placed in him until the idol that he had worked so hard for was buried.

Seeking first the Kingdom of God and taking up our cross requires repentance (Matt 4:17; Mark 1:15), or in other words, a change in our mind. (Repent = metanoeo = to change one’s mind). It requires a change in our attitude, thoughts, priorities and at times even our character. It requires a burial of our idols in order to be proactive in transforming our lives. Repentance is far more than being sorry for our sins, for they were forgiven on the Cross. Repentance does not require compromise. It demands change.

God’s grace gave us Jesus (John 3:16), and the right to become children of God (John 1:12), and be transformed in His likeness. God’s grace asks us to come before Him with an offering, giving us an opportunity as kings and priests (Rev 5:10-11) to stand at the altar. Grace, however, does not just allow us to live as we please, but rather, it allows us to bring an acceptable offering before the Lord. Our offering is to be our first fruits, our best; otherwise we will be rejected and not able to enter into eternal life.

Cain and Abel give us a good example of this.

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.
Genesis 4:3-7

Abel gave an acceptable first fruits offering to the Lord, but Cain compromised and just made an offering. On the surface it is difficult to see the problem. After all Cain did bring a substantial offering to the Lord. However, God asks for the first fruits, the best (Ex 22:29-30). So even when we think we are doing “good” things, we can still face rejection if our life is not in line with God’s desires.

It is not a harsh God that loves us, but God desires that we give all of ourselves to Him. With this in mind, we must devote ourselves to living a life of absolute commitment and obedience.

Our lifestyle should reflect our commitment and devotion with our actions and deeds being a reflection of our inner character. Our external appearance should be a reflection of our inner self. We must follow our words with our deeds and live not just in knowledge, but have that knowledge and relationship with God become our heart attitude. For where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be also (Matt 6:21; Luke 12:34).

If we relate to God in an uncompromising, ever enduring way, that is where our treasure and heart will be, and how our life will be a reflection of God. It will not be a labour to live in an uncompromising relationship with Him. However, there is a good indication that other areas of our life have been placed ahead of Him if we find it difficult living according to God’s plan and purpose, or it is stressful to open ourselves fully to the Lord.

It may seem that placing God first is in conflict with God’s own command to honour our Father and Mother (Ex 20:12), but who is our family? We are to take care of our natural parents, but who are our Fathers and Mothers really? When faced with his mother and brothers wanting to see him, Jesus responded by saying that his family were those that do the Father’s will.

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and the said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking you.

But He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brothers? And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.
Mark 3:31-35 NKJV (also Matt 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21)

In order to fulfil the commandments “love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul,” and “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt 22:34-39; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27) we need to be 100 percent committed to the Father with uncompromising faith. Surely there are those that have wronged us, but we need to love them as ourselves. There are those that have persecuted us, spoken ill of us and not acted according to God’s will, but it is our duty to love and forgive, just as God does for us. As humans this is not possible as we have a natural tendency to judge and condemn, but when we live a transformed life and display the character of God, we can love one another without hesitation, even against our natural human judgement.

To live a life without compromise we must first recognise the areas of our lives in which we are in compromise. This can be achieved through prayer, and by asking ourselves the serious question – “Am I giving all of myself to God?” If our answer is no, then we are in a place of compromise and therefore outside of the perfect will of the Lord. He has a plan for you and I, which will be fulfilled, provided we submit ourselves unconditionally to His discipline, teaching and guidance. We no longer have time to work out what suits us best, and try to fit Him into our agendas.

We are to be presented to Jesus as a chaste virgin (2 Cor 11:2). If our life contains compromise, then this is not possible and we will become like the man who came to the wedding feast without a wedding garment who was cast into outer darkness (Matt 22:11-14). Alternatively, with compromise in our lives we are like the virgins who did not have any oil left for their lamps and subsequently missed the coming of the bridegroom and were locked out of the wedding feast because they were not adequately prepared.

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise answered, saying ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matt 25:1-13 NKJV


If we are not adequately prepared by living in an appropriate relationship with God, there can be no growth or development in us. When the time comes for the bridegroom to return we must be ready so that we will not be caught short and cut out of the wedding feast. God does not accept mixture, not even the smallest amount of compromise. He is a jealous God who will not accept our idols or our excuses. He simply wants us; committed, covenanted and uncompromising. Then he can fulfill His purposes in the earth.


Daniel Stephens
Finland

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html F8912E41-4A57-4A06-9A8B-36F690BB7D67 Wed, 2 Jan 2008 11:22:58 +0800
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.


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)

By
Daniel K. Stephens
Finland

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html 6C0AD593-C934-47BE-AF33-CB7844B23DCC Tue, 1 Jan 2008 11:20:16 +0800 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.

Apostle John Boney

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html F0E389DB-E4CC-4FD0-B89F-CFC943ED2DBD Sat, 15 Sep 2007 11:17:54 +0800
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

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html 3812A4FD-9BD1-4DA4-881B-BF8B48ABD9F7 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:16:55 +0800 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

]]> http://www.emmanuelministriesinternational.org/blog.html 10F3C178-FC6F-4064-B42F-F7188A5128D2 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:15:30 +0800 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 World view. 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

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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

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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

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