This gathering has provided a springboard to further release us into our Lord’s purpose. Son of Man Arise!

Kingdom Ministries Bendigo

From September 23 to the 30, in the city of Montego Bay, we celebrated our worldwide family-of-God fellowship, which was attended by more than 120 Kingdom citizens from more than 16 countries. Among the nations represented were: India, Guyana, Venezuela, Australia, Reunion Island, Finland, Peru, Sweden, Guatemala, Chile, Panama, Mexico, the United States, Canada, Grenada and our host, Jamaica.

Upon our arrival at the Youth with a Mission facilities, the event venue, the spirit of unity, love and service was immediately felt among those present. That spirit began to permeate and touch the spirit of each and every one of those whom the Spirit of the Lord had awakened to go up and build the House of God.

The maximum predominance was given to fellowship time among the attendees, to mix and mingle with one another and strengthen the bonds of love between the members of God’s family.

During the formal meetings the theme: “Son of Man: Arise” was expounded on, which brought about a growing interest in those attending to receive the essence of this new revelation in their spirit, and brought conviction to some that we are the members of the Body of Christ, whom the Spirit of the Lord is raising up in the power of His strength, to receive the manifestation of the glory of the Lord.

We enjoyed a magnificent natural paradise amidst the flora and fauna of the island, and a marvelous view of the bay, besides enjoying the cool, heavy rain, which inspired those attending the meeting from the arid regions of the world to glorify God under the raindrops.

We congratulate the diligent event organizers, who, despite their small numbers, were given strength from the Lord to multiply their efforts and safety keep their promise to attend us with love, diligence and punctuality.

It was decided that our next Worldwide Kingdom Fellowship would take place in the city of Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela, from July 21 to the 27, 2012, for which the different commissions immediately sprung into action, to work towards the goal of having at least 500 persons in attendance from all over the world. We congratulate Apostle John M. Boney for his vision and obedience to God for these events to take place.

Apostle Santiago Lastra M., Mexico.

This desire has been used greatly by the enemy to introduce young people to the occult and to present it as a beautiful and noble pursuit. However, some gifted writers have been blessed by the Lord to use Fantasy fiction to present the Kingdom of God. Writers as C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkein have written powerful books that present principles of the Kingdom of God in a fun and imaginative landscape of characters and events.

Later, I was exposed to the principles taught by Miles Munroe, on the political structure of the Kingdom of God. By this time, I’d developed quite an interest in the subject. While I cannot claim to be a gifted Fantasy author, books such as these have allowed me to be able to visualize an amazing Kingdom, co-existent with and as real (if not more real) to me as the material world we see around us. Let me give you a glimpse of my vision of the Kingdom where we live.

Let us go on a voyage to Nusalem, a country where everything imaginable is possible. You have only to speak , and it is. Nusalem is a vast land of endless magnificent possibilities, where whatever we create lasts forever. In order to function properly, Nusalem’s citizens are committed to order, discipline, and a common unshakeable agreement to submit to a single vision established by the wisdom of the authority of the land. His name is Joshua.

A wise and gentle ruler, he has also proven himself as a powerful warrior and every one of his enemies has been decisively defeated. He insists on raising his people to the highest standards and takes a personal interest in every Nusalemian. He has spent years mentoring his charges, and teaching them the qualities of good citizenship so that they might be fit to participate in the government of the land.

Although Joshua is the rightful heir of Nusalem, it has been necessary for him to prove himself worthy to rule this kingdom, by demonstrating his commitment to his people and his land. The test imposed upon him not only established his rights in Nusalem, but secured the liberty of his people from their enemies forever. Citizenship is acquired by acknowledging this victory and committing one’s loyalty to King Joshua. No one may enter Nusalem without first accepting citizenship under King Joshua’s authority.

Nusalem can be difficult to recognize, as it coexists with other lands, and often occupies them without their people being aware of it. Nusalemians often feel that they are like visitors in these lands.
King Joshua, when asked about the marketing tools for his country’s development, responded cryptically, “Location, Location, Location.” The strategically located kingdom cannot be observed by the casual seeker as it is well hidden from view.

The Nusalem road is very narrow, and it is very easy to be sidetracked into more attractive and comfortable lanes. There are also robbers, and murderers on the way. However, Nusalem can only be reached by this single road. It appears that the road is so narrow that most travelers who have used it have been forced to relinquish all their baggage on the journey, generally arriving at their destination quite naked. During the long and arduous journey, they may endure many attacks, setbacks and difficulties. Many travelers have given up on the journey because of its difficulties. The best advice is to trust the guide. He will lead you to safe places for food and rest, and he will protect you from harm. You must obey his orders as he knows the way perfectly, and your safety is secure in his hands.

The guide is extremely competent and helpful, but each traveler is obliged to walk out the journey himself. Wealthy travelers are often disappointed to find that their currency is not accepted on this journey, and indeed, is worthless in Nusalem itself.

A few brave souls are determined to press on to Nusalem. Upon arriving, one realizes that it was not that far away after all, but that the difficulties of the journey have provided the very training that King Joshua requires for citizenship. One might say that the journey to Nusalem is the school of this country. The travel brochure promises that although we will in fact find the place to be delightful in every way, it is not a land of idleness. Every citizen is given a set of responsibilities there.

Nusalem is ordered like any other land, with a ruler, subjects, a unique language, an economy, cities, lands, government, schools, hospitals, an army, etc.

All citizens are required to give military service. Since the defeat of Nusalem’s enemies by King Joshua, there has been an ongoing process of destroying enemy military installations, and the expelling of their forces. This is a slow process which is done in an orderly fashion, so that the land may not revert to the wild. It is accomplished by citizen soldiers in order recover all the territory which was lost. Each citizen is expected to fight for his own territory and to assist his neighbours also. The king himself fights beside his subjects and is the general of his own army. As territory is gained the King’s authority continues to be established. Since the land is vast, citizens may in this manner inherit entire kingdoms, all subject to Nusalem and its king.

The plan of King Joshua is that every one of his citizens should be a king in his own right. In fact, King Joshua is known as the King of Kings.

The citizens of Nusalem are all fully aware of the dreadful slavery they endured when their land was overrun by a hateful gang of thieves, murderers and vandals. King Joshua personally sacrificed everything he had to free his people, so that every one of them understands how personally he feels about them. It is this personal relationship that causes them to honour him so highly. Nusalemians love him passionately, and some have been known to die rather than allow any dishonour to his name, or change their citizenship. They can be very annoying to non-citizens who do not understand the relationship between Nusalemians and their king.

Nusalem is organized like a family, where the king’s example is followed in acknowledging his father as the head of all things, and he is completely obedient to his father’s wishes. The relationship between the father and son is such that the father trusts the son completely and has given the rule of the kingdom to him. In fact, setting the precedent for a most unusual tradition, the father personally established the kingdom for the sole purpose of handing it over to his son, King Joshua. Another of Nusalem’s traditions is that King Joshua has adopted each and every citizen of his country and they revere his as their own father. The logical conclusion is that the citizens of Nusalem will receive the Kingdom at some point as an inheritance with King Joshua.

The family structure is pyramidal with heads of tribes, households and families. The people enjoy a perfect sense of security in all aspects of their lives. Again, the non-citizens among whom they live, are sometimes quite annoyed by their ability to be quite happy without the normal competition markers of those countries. True Nusalemians react to adversity in strange ways. They often laugh at disappointment, sing when deprived, and discuss everything with their King. He listens to each and every one attentively and teaches them how to overcome their difficulties, and provides them with necessary resources.

It is well known that King Emmanuel and his father have big plans for Nusalem, of which no one has been allowed to see more than a very small part. Even these glimpses have received rave reviews from the few who have been allowed to enjoy this privilege. This is a country with a great future. There is plenty of territory still to be taken and its ruler is aggressively recruiting as many citizens as possible. King Emmanuel has sent out orders to all his subjects to ensure that they deliver invitations everyone they meet, and to support each other in contributing to the future of their country.

Eventually the invitation to citizenship will close. Those who are citizens will be deemed to have matured to a level of competence, to be able to function as kings in Nusalem. At this time, one expects that the inheritance which has been prepared for them will be handed to them.

They will have been trained in the precepts, and vision of the King. Their creative skills will be unleashed and their achievements are expected to surpass anything this world has yet seen.

This is my home, where I live, breathe and have my being. It is far more than I ever thought or imagined or am able to explain. If I were to begin upon awakening and continued until bedtime I could not begin to open up all the wonders of this glorious kingdom. Our king is Jesus Christ and he shall reign forever.

By Angika Kovac ©
All rights Reserved by EMI Inc.

angika@emmint.org

Between the dates of August 20 and 30, Apostle Boney and Daniel Stephens had the opportunity to minister in Latvia, Denmark and France.  As we enter into the 4th year of ministry in Europe, it would appear that the Lord has given us a company of indigenous people that will begin to invade this continent with the gospel of the Kingdom.  We sense that the door is now open for the invasion of Europe and the team that will continue the work here is beginning to form.

Latvia.

Hosts:  Rufus and Natalie Abijoye.
Church:  Spirit and Truth (SAT) Church, Lielvarde, Latvia.

Latvia as a nation has been struggling economically since 2008, and as a result many people have been leaving the country to find work elsewhere.  This has left a large gap in the community and even in the church where people are trying to escape the problem rather than find the solution.  As a consequence, the church has been struggling to make headway, leaving the Pastor and his wife carrying a heavy burden and great stress.

During this trip, not only the ministry but also the Minister, were received with open hearts.  This lead to a group of key people within the church rising to the challenge the Lord was placing before them, and a depth of relationship being formed with Pastor Rufus and Natalie.  We see the Lord opening a door to the Baltic area, as well as Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union through this couple.

Denmark.

Hosts:  Anders and Jeanette Pedersen

In December 2009 a team of five of us travelled to Broenderslev, Denmark where the ministry was received primarily by Anders and Jeanette Pedersen.  Discipleship has continued with them since that time, and during this recent trip the Lord has formed a core group that received the ministry, and are already forming plans for how to take Denmark with the message of the gospel of the kingdom.

In this region of Denmark there are 4 “free” (non-Lutheran) churches, but not one of them has a Pastor.  Each have leadership teams that come under the overall control of their demoninations.  One of the couples that the Lord has added to the core group are the heads of the leadership of one of those churches.

France.

Hosts:  Eric and Jocelyn Gabillas

Challenges have been thrown at this church in Avignon, France over a period of time, but Pastor Eric and Jocelyn as well a key group of people have remained faithful to the Lord and the desire to see His kingdom established in the earth.

Daniel Stephens

The ministry itself raised many questions from the congregation which were answered through the subsequent ministry.  Old mindsets were broken down and the people were freed from the doctrinal stongholds that have resisted them moving forward in the things of the kingdom.

Overall, we sense a time of new beginnings in Latvia and Denmark, as well as the encouragement and strength to continue pushing onward in France.

Your prayer has enabled this work to take place, and we thank you for your involvement in the ministry to these nations.  Europe is beginning to open up and we need the wisdom and grace of the Lord to ensure that we do not miss this opportunity and see the principalities and powers over Europe pulled down, and the throne of the Lord established here once again.

Your intercession is the enabling factor for this work to take place, and I cannot find words to describe our gratitude and appreciation in making this work possible.

Yours in the name of our Lord

Daniel Stephens

Thank you for sending your newletter so I can be updated of what’s going on especially I am just beginning to be involved in Kingdom ministry for this was just revealed to me recently. However,  I have already experienced many miracles to prove that this is it.

Yesterday,  I and my family had a dire need of finances because our electric bills has a 48 hour-disconnection notice.Its implication is great because it means we don’t have power to drive mosquitoes dengue is about to break in our country almost 500 dies,etc. I gathered my wife and two daughters ages 16 and 13 we prayed to God for miracles before 48 hours expired.Somebody called me up completely stranger asked me of my problem I told him he gave me 2,000 pesos half of what was required and another miracle electric company accepted it and power is retained.

All along since we prayed I have been thinking, meditating, reading and praying.  I begin to realize through books that the disciples of Jesus for about 3 years had been trusting everything to him. When He  departed  the same experienced they had but through Spirit-person rather than physical. I began to apply that to myself Jesus is the King and I am in His kingdom what He did to His disciples He will do the same today.  Scriptures began to make clear to me so, last night we gathered for thanksgiving my wife and two daughters. tonight at 7P.M. for praying meeting I will that to the church about 10-15 will be gathered together and i am praying that everybody will experience the reality of “Right Here,Right Now”.

So thank you again for including me the lists I hope to listen and hear Apostles of God doing the ministry, being part of the body of Christ God will send some for us here so we will be established and be equipped for the ministry.

God bless us all.

Alonso Mantilla

Subscribe to our Newsletters Here

Santiago Lastra Morales

It has been the Apostle Boney, the instrument that the Holy Spirit has been used to guide us in the transition from the Outer Court dimension into the House of God. THE Lord has put in us us his spirit of understanding and wisdom, to receive the message, forbidden to many, but revealed to us his by his mercy.

Since then, when God used him sovereignly to radicalize our walk, we have had extraordinary spiritual growth, understanding our calling from God to fulfill our roles as priests, worshippers and intercessors. This has brought us tremendously closer  to the throne of the King to Minister only to Him.

Although we previously had knowledge about the kind of worship God wants of his people, we didn’t have the spirit of worshippers, but after the spirit spoke to our spirit, the word which had been deposited and planted in us became rhema and has given us new life.

Likewise, the spirit of the Lord has been purifying our lives and this has brought as a result, a greater and better quality of worship and intercession.

Every day, the spirit of the priest that God has for each of us is growing more and more to bring us near fulfilled his purpose: that we are facts in accordance with the image of his son Jesus Christ.

We have completely transformed our biweekly services, which are now of intercession and worship, preparing ourselves virtually all week, to present our offering of worship every Sunday, which is most excellent.

All the Congregation as ONE, erupts in songs of praise and warfare, new Psalms, dances, and corporate worship and praise songs making our meetings at a party where the guest and director of worship is our beautiful and beloved Holy Spirit.

We bless life of my Boney Apostle, and we thank God for his life and use in the construction of this part of the family of God.

Apostle Santiago Lastra

How could it be that Joseph, the eleventh son of his father and sold into slavery was raised up to have influence over all of Egypt? How does it happen that David, a mere shepherd boy, and youngest son can become the greatest king of Israel? How can a man by the name of Jesus walk up to Simon and Andrew and ask them to come, follow me, whereby they left their fishing nets and followed this stranger?

The answer is simple  each of these men was chosen by God and had a relationship with God. The level of their relationship affected their influence upon others, and the level they were influenced by others.

Whether in our workplace, school, church or family, influence is something that we all desire. Influence in itself, however, should not be taken lightly as it is defined as the power to produce change. Many gain influence through money, popularity or charisma, and most use their influence to push their own ideals, opinions or agendas so that they feel or seem more powerful.

Daniel Stephens

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.

By Daniel  Stephens

Compromise is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “an agreement reached by each side making concessions,” or “an intermediate state between conflicting opinions, reached by mutual concession.” Therefore, to compromise is to “settle a dispute by mutual concession or expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable

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.

Daniel Stephens

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.

by Daniel Stephens

Many of us have been under the impression that the Acts of the Apostles ended with the book of Acts. This is not so. God raises up apostles to put in order those things that He is set to accomplish in the earth.
For years the church has known the ministry of the evangelist and the pastor. In the last forty years we saw the restoration of the teaching ministry. Then, we had years of the prophetic ministry. Teaching, preaching, healing and even prophesying are not sufficient to reap the harvest. Another type of ministry is necessary.

Apostle John Boney

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.

by Apostle John Boney

I was fascinated by the book of John, and was prompted to read that book again very carefully, as I caught sight of this verse of scripture: Jesus answered, Do you now believe?
The disciples had been with Jesus, they had witnessed many awesome miracles: the lepers healed, the dead raised, the deaf were made to hear and the blind to see. Peter received revelation of the Christ. They sat at His feet and listened to many profound truths that could not be disputed even by the most outstanding minds of the day. Surely they heard Him say to Martha that: I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live. He also spoke about His own resurrection.

Evadne Richards

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