Post by Les Brewer on Dec 25, 2016 17:04:03 GMT
House or Home by Dave Bessey
Merry Christmas!
"Oh come oh come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel...which lay in lonely exile here, and when the Son of God appears...rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel has come to thee oh Isra-el!"
Apostle Axel Sippach wrote about Christmas today:
"If the invisible realm of heaven opened up in the womb of the virgin Mary for her to receive and conceive the seed of the Word of God that took upon itself flesh to live among us, then that same realm will open up in your spirit to conceive and birth when you say, "Be it unto me according to your word."
Are you ready to be pregnant with the word?
The theme of this message is Building! Yeah building...why talk about building on Christmas? We obey what He Tells us to say amen?
The Prophetic word: Yahweh is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him!” (Habakkuk 2:1–20 WEB)
So sometimes we make so much noise we forget to listen to Yahweh, amen?
Turn with me to the book of Ephesians chapter 2:19-22:
You may ask me why talk about building, when it Christmas! The reason: We are called to fight for these things:
Deliverance, Building, deployment, and occupation in this world system. Words we need to understand. The book of Ephesians is our "Art of Warfare" manual to advance the Kingdom. This Christmas as we remember once again the birth of our King, let us never forget the war we fight in and the mission for the Kingdom, to save the lost and set captives free.
Rather than do a four parted message today, I will be brief and address just the one of the four words listed, to build and equip the Kingdom.
What is the apostolic ministry that Jesus gave us to do? Let that soak in for a minute. Pray about it.
Apostle Ryan LeStrange said this yesterday:
"True apostolic ministry is not about self preservation or advance but about intentional generational building!"
We are here to advance the Kingdom by building up and equipping or training (aligning) the next generation of warriors...to seek Christ our King and reach the lost. Jesus called this discipleship.
Have you ever felt out of place as if you didn't belong. Has anyone ever called you foreigner? I have. Even at Christmas this can happen, you can feeI rejected even in your own family and home. Please beloved never let rejection become bitterness, be healed in Jesus name.
As believers we are foreigners on earth. This planet is no longer ours, we are aliens. We are citizens of heaven, of another more awesome kingdom, we are children of the King of kings Amen?
Is it evident to others, that is who are? Does your spiritual dwelling place look like it is earthy or a heavenly place? Are you building on the Rock of heaven or sand of this world? Do you look and act like Christ?
Let's read Ephesians Chapter 2:19-22:
"So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19–22 WEB)
Each of us as believers is part of the habitation that is being built. A house or temple of God,built, equipped or aligned, Kartartismos or make fit or correction like a medical adjustment of the back, in the Greek meaning, on the foundation of apostles and prophets. Yet with that said, is He our cornerstone really welcome here to correct us? Is it a home Our King built and would be welcome there? Does your body, in a physical and spiritual sense honor Him or even in the traditional sense "Church" fellowship, make Jesus truly welcome as in a warm cozy home? Are we Holy, humble, obedient and loving?
Today we celebrate Christmas and what this means to each of us. But are we truly that dwelling place, a holy temple, set apart to be used by Him?
May I share with you a story that Ravi Zacharias shared recently about one Christmas?
"The House of Christmas
Some years ago, we were spending Christmas in the home of my wife’s parents. It was not a happy day in the household. Much had gone wrong during the preceding weeks, and a weight of sadness hung over the home. Yet, in the midst of all that, my mother-in-law kept her routine habit of asking people who would likely have no place to go at Christmas to share Christmas dinner with us.
That year she invited a man who was, by everyone’s estimate, somewhat of an odd person, quite eccentric in his demeanor. Not much was known about him at the church except that he came regularly, sat alone, and left without much conversation. He obviously lived alone and was quite a sorry-looking, solitary figure. He was our Christmas guest.
Because of other happenings in the house (including one daughter being taken to the hospital for the birth of her first child), everything was in confusion. All of our emotions were on edge. It fell upon me, in turn, to entertain this gentleman. I must confess that I did not appreciate it. Owing to a heavy life of travel year-round, I have jealously guarded my Christmases as time to be with my family. This was not going to be such a privilege, and I was not happy. As I sat in the living room, entertaining him while others were busy, I thought to myself, “This is going to go down as one of the most miserable Christmases of my life.”
But somehow we got through the evening. He evidently loved the meal, the fire crackling in the background, the snow outside, the Christmas carols playing, and a rather weighty theological discussion in which he and I were engaged—at his instigation, I might add. He was a very well-read man and, as I found out, loved to grapple with heavy theological themes. I do too, but frankly, not during an evening that has been set aside to enjoy life’s quiet moments.
At the end of the night when he bade us all good-bye, he reached out and took the hand of each of us, one by one, and said, “Thank you for the best Christmas of my life. I will never forget it.” He walked out into the dark, snowy night, back into his solitary existence.
My heart sank in self-indictment at those tender words of his. I had to draw on every nerve in my being to keep from breaking down with tears. Just a few short years later, relatively young, and therefore to our surprise, he passed away. I have relived that Christmas many times in my memory. That year God taught me a lesson. A home can reflect and distribute the love of Christ.
The first time I walked through the noisy streets of Bethlehem and endured its smells, I gained a whole new sense of the difference between our Christmas carols, glamorizing the sweetness of the “little town of Bethlehem,” and the harsh reality of God becoming flesh and making a home among us.
Jesus’s earthly address changes our own. Christ comes this Christmas, and shows us what it means to live."
We like to think we make our place of dwelling, a place full of love, warnth and grace. A place where the Holy Spirit can dwell, but then we forget the heart is full of things which are not things you would ever present to your King on His birthday. We are far from holy.
Today is a good day to soul and heart search. A day to release those things which we have held onto in the attic, basement or hall closet of our spiritual home, our heart and soul. Let the junk go, all those old things, which if your home ever caught fire you could live without. I pray today you will catch fire!
"I heard the Lord say, "I am glorified in your dominion, your house." And, "My name is exalted as my Kingdom is established." When we take our rightful place in the earth we mirror the image of God in Heaven and that makes His name famous in the earth!"
When Jesus said He Was standing at the door of your heart and knocking in Revelation 3:20, He was serious. He wants us to repent and have true fellowship with him and bring His light to the world. When He comes in, will it just be a visit or a true habitation for Him to fellowship with you and works through as an instrument of love. It is all about about making Him feel welcome here as you King and Lord. The night He arrived there was no room in the inn for Joseph and Mary. How about you, is there room for Him in you, is He welcome in you?
We are a holy habitation...all of us together, is He welcome here? Really welcome? The home Jesus builds must have the proper foundation with Him as the cornerstone and the apostles and prophets leading the way as the foundation.
Are we even truly building each other up? We say yes, but what does this mean? To build up is to align or correct in a way that brings change or transformation to maturity in Christ. From this day forward we need to align with what Christ wants and not our own agenda or way. Align to His Word. The house should be a home for family, where love, unity and humility prevail Amen?
There should be no jealousy or envy named and Christ should be the center of everything:
Apostle Doyle Bradford said:
Disorder and confusion reveal jealousy is
present. Wherever jealousy is at work,
you will also find every evil thing!
Jealousy lurks in secret and causes
schism in the Body of Christ! Since we
are one body in Christ, jealousy actually
causes us to fight against ourselves. It
stops the flow of blessing and anointing.
Let us recognize this evil scheme of the
enemy and give no place to him! Let us
complete not compete! The church
walking in humility and unity is the
greatest threat to the kingdom of
darkness.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and
selfish ambition in your heart, do not be
arrogant and so lie against the truth.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition
exist, there is disorder and every evil
thing.” James 3:14, 16 NASB
And Apostle Bo Salisbury said
The presence of God was the center of
life for the Israelites. The tabernacle was
in the center of the camp. The Holy of
Holies was in the center of the
tabernacle. The ark of the covenant was
in the center of the Holy of holies. And
the presence of God filled the Holy of
holies because of the covenant within
the ark.
Today, we are the temple of the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit abides within our
innermost being, in our spirits. And this
is because of our covenant with the
Lord. But is the presence of God the
center of your life? Do you take your
cues from the cloud by day and the fire
by night? When God moves do you
follow Him or do you try to get God to
move in the direction you want to go?
When we put Christ first the house will be in order or truly holy amen?
Here is a good way to build the house, hub, center, church, or life. How do we pioneer ministry?
This was a great memory by Apostle
Kevin Seagle:
Has the Lord impressed into you to build a Revival Center or
Hub in your region? Here is a few things I would like to share
in helping you begin to get everything in order for your launch.
- Every move of God must start in prayer. We started our
ministry as a prayer group ( Fire House) two years before we ever launched our Hub. Everything we do must be seasoned in prayer. Gather up the hungry prayer Warriors in your area and begin to contend for your cities, counties and people.
- Write your vision. We wrote our vision down and begin to
pray in line with what we wrote. Your vision is very important and must be clear to those you bring on board.
- Let the Lord open the doors. Don't get into a big hurry (Don't manipulate ) on what God has said. God will bring to pass his words, just look for all signs and routes the Lord says to take and he will send help through things some will over look.
- Not only be persistent in prayer but in study also. You must
be instant in all seasons. My bible study time probably doubled as we begin to move into what God had said, this was a must for His word will take you to destiny.
- Look for places in your region to build your hub. Living rooms are great, but you will need space to do what the Lord has said. Space for equipping and mentoring a generation.
- Ask questions. Don't copy another ministry but, its ok to inquire about things and how things work and what don't work.
Here is some things to keep in mind while you are building:
- Not everyone is on fire.
- Not everyone has a vision.
- People will come on board and may leave when they find
you are not into programs and doing normal.
- Don't listen to the nay Sayers, there will always be those who talk against you.
- The greatest sign you are being led of the Lord, is when you begin to question yourself and compare yourself to Normal, and say maybe I should just do church. This always lets me know I am on track.
- Once you have reached a level of fire, you can't run in something that is less than the heat God has turned up in you, believe me I have tried.
- Stay connected. You are not the only one burning, there are more just like you. Satan's greatest weapon is to make you feel alone. Godly connections will come, let God connect.
- Alignment is Key: Never step out of alignment, always step in alignment. Covering is your best friend and structure will hold up this covering. If you are not in alignment with an
Apostolic foundation, Pray for it!!
God is building places of Presence in this hour places that are burning in Revival. And he is calling forth labourers to Build, Equip and Advance his Kingdom! What you have heard is a call to be a part of Revival!
Revival in Bacolod and Negros has started are you ready for the next level?
Merry Christmas!
"Oh come oh come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel...which lay in lonely exile here, and when the Son of God appears...rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel has come to thee oh Isra-el!"
Apostle Axel Sippach wrote about Christmas today:
"If the invisible realm of heaven opened up in the womb of the virgin Mary for her to receive and conceive the seed of the Word of God that took upon itself flesh to live among us, then that same realm will open up in your spirit to conceive and birth when you say, "Be it unto me according to your word."
Are you ready to be pregnant with the word?
The theme of this message is Building! Yeah building...why talk about building on Christmas? We obey what He Tells us to say amen?
The Prophetic word: Yahweh is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him!” (Habakkuk 2:1–20 WEB)
So sometimes we make so much noise we forget to listen to Yahweh, amen?
Turn with me to the book of Ephesians chapter 2:19-22:
You may ask me why talk about building, when it Christmas! The reason: We are called to fight for these things:
Deliverance, Building, deployment, and occupation in this world system. Words we need to understand. The book of Ephesians is our "Art of Warfare" manual to advance the Kingdom. This Christmas as we remember once again the birth of our King, let us never forget the war we fight in and the mission for the Kingdom, to save the lost and set captives free.
Rather than do a four parted message today, I will be brief and address just the one of the four words listed, to build and equip the Kingdom.
What is the apostolic ministry that Jesus gave us to do? Let that soak in for a minute. Pray about it.
Apostle Ryan LeStrange said this yesterday:
"True apostolic ministry is not about self preservation or advance but about intentional generational building!"
We are here to advance the Kingdom by building up and equipping or training (aligning) the next generation of warriors...to seek Christ our King and reach the lost. Jesus called this discipleship.
Have you ever felt out of place as if you didn't belong. Has anyone ever called you foreigner? I have. Even at Christmas this can happen, you can feeI rejected even in your own family and home. Please beloved never let rejection become bitterness, be healed in Jesus name.
As believers we are foreigners on earth. This planet is no longer ours, we are aliens. We are citizens of heaven, of another more awesome kingdom, we are children of the King of kings Amen?
Is it evident to others, that is who are? Does your spiritual dwelling place look like it is earthy or a heavenly place? Are you building on the Rock of heaven or sand of this world? Do you look and act like Christ?
Let's read Ephesians Chapter 2:19-22:
"So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19–22 WEB)
Each of us as believers is part of the habitation that is being built. A house or temple of God,built, equipped or aligned, Kartartismos or make fit or correction like a medical adjustment of the back, in the Greek meaning, on the foundation of apostles and prophets. Yet with that said, is He our cornerstone really welcome here to correct us? Is it a home Our King built and would be welcome there? Does your body, in a physical and spiritual sense honor Him or even in the traditional sense "Church" fellowship, make Jesus truly welcome as in a warm cozy home? Are we Holy, humble, obedient and loving?
Today we celebrate Christmas and what this means to each of us. But are we truly that dwelling place, a holy temple, set apart to be used by Him?
May I share with you a story that Ravi Zacharias shared recently about one Christmas?
"The House of Christmas
Some years ago, we were spending Christmas in the home of my wife’s parents. It was not a happy day in the household. Much had gone wrong during the preceding weeks, and a weight of sadness hung over the home. Yet, in the midst of all that, my mother-in-law kept her routine habit of asking people who would likely have no place to go at Christmas to share Christmas dinner with us.
That year she invited a man who was, by everyone’s estimate, somewhat of an odd person, quite eccentric in his demeanor. Not much was known about him at the church except that he came regularly, sat alone, and left without much conversation. He obviously lived alone and was quite a sorry-looking, solitary figure. He was our Christmas guest.
Because of other happenings in the house (including one daughter being taken to the hospital for the birth of her first child), everything was in confusion. All of our emotions were on edge. It fell upon me, in turn, to entertain this gentleman. I must confess that I did not appreciate it. Owing to a heavy life of travel year-round, I have jealously guarded my Christmases as time to be with my family. This was not going to be such a privilege, and I was not happy. As I sat in the living room, entertaining him while others were busy, I thought to myself, “This is going to go down as one of the most miserable Christmases of my life.”
But somehow we got through the evening. He evidently loved the meal, the fire crackling in the background, the snow outside, the Christmas carols playing, and a rather weighty theological discussion in which he and I were engaged—at his instigation, I might add. He was a very well-read man and, as I found out, loved to grapple with heavy theological themes. I do too, but frankly, not during an evening that has been set aside to enjoy life’s quiet moments.
At the end of the night when he bade us all good-bye, he reached out and took the hand of each of us, one by one, and said, “Thank you for the best Christmas of my life. I will never forget it.” He walked out into the dark, snowy night, back into his solitary existence.
My heart sank in self-indictment at those tender words of his. I had to draw on every nerve in my being to keep from breaking down with tears. Just a few short years later, relatively young, and therefore to our surprise, he passed away. I have relived that Christmas many times in my memory. That year God taught me a lesson. A home can reflect and distribute the love of Christ.
The first time I walked through the noisy streets of Bethlehem and endured its smells, I gained a whole new sense of the difference between our Christmas carols, glamorizing the sweetness of the “little town of Bethlehem,” and the harsh reality of God becoming flesh and making a home among us.
Jesus’s earthly address changes our own. Christ comes this Christmas, and shows us what it means to live."
We like to think we make our place of dwelling, a place full of love, warnth and grace. A place where the Holy Spirit can dwell, but then we forget the heart is full of things which are not things you would ever present to your King on His birthday. We are far from holy.
Today is a good day to soul and heart search. A day to release those things which we have held onto in the attic, basement or hall closet of our spiritual home, our heart and soul. Let the junk go, all those old things, which if your home ever caught fire you could live without. I pray today you will catch fire!
"I heard the Lord say, "I am glorified in your dominion, your house." And, "My name is exalted as my Kingdom is established." When we take our rightful place in the earth we mirror the image of God in Heaven and that makes His name famous in the earth!"
When Jesus said He Was standing at the door of your heart and knocking in Revelation 3:20, He was serious. He wants us to repent and have true fellowship with him and bring His light to the world. When He comes in, will it just be a visit or a true habitation for Him to fellowship with you and works through as an instrument of love. It is all about about making Him feel welcome here as you King and Lord. The night He arrived there was no room in the inn for Joseph and Mary. How about you, is there room for Him in you, is He welcome in you?
We are a holy habitation...all of us together, is He welcome here? Really welcome? The home Jesus builds must have the proper foundation with Him as the cornerstone and the apostles and prophets leading the way as the foundation.
Are we even truly building each other up? We say yes, but what does this mean? To build up is to align or correct in a way that brings change or transformation to maturity in Christ. From this day forward we need to align with what Christ wants and not our own agenda or way. Align to His Word. The house should be a home for family, where love, unity and humility prevail Amen?
There should be no jealousy or envy named and Christ should be the center of everything:
Apostle Doyle Bradford said:
Disorder and confusion reveal jealousy is
present. Wherever jealousy is at work,
you will also find every evil thing!
Jealousy lurks in secret and causes
schism in the Body of Christ! Since we
are one body in Christ, jealousy actually
causes us to fight against ourselves. It
stops the flow of blessing and anointing.
Let us recognize this evil scheme of the
enemy and give no place to him! Let us
complete not compete! The church
walking in humility and unity is the
greatest threat to the kingdom of
darkness.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and
selfish ambition in your heart, do not be
arrogant and so lie against the truth.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition
exist, there is disorder and every evil
thing.” James 3:14, 16 NASB
And Apostle Bo Salisbury said
The presence of God was the center of
life for the Israelites. The tabernacle was
in the center of the camp. The Holy of
Holies was in the center of the
tabernacle. The ark of the covenant was
in the center of the Holy of holies. And
the presence of God filled the Holy of
holies because of the covenant within
the ark.
Today, we are the temple of the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit abides within our
innermost being, in our spirits. And this
is because of our covenant with the
Lord. But is the presence of God the
center of your life? Do you take your
cues from the cloud by day and the fire
by night? When God moves do you
follow Him or do you try to get God to
move in the direction you want to go?
When we put Christ first the house will be in order or truly holy amen?
Here is a good way to build the house, hub, center, church, or life. How do we pioneer ministry?
This was a great memory by Apostle
Kevin Seagle:
Has the Lord impressed into you to build a Revival Center or
Hub in your region? Here is a few things I would like to share
in helping you begin to get everything in order for your launch.
- Every move of God must start in prayer. We started our
ministry as a prayer group ( Fire House) two years before we ever launched our Hub. Everything we do must be seasoned in prayer. Gather up the hungry prayer Warriors in your area and begin to contend for your cities, counties and people.
- Write your vision. We wrote our vision down and begin to
pray in line with what we wrote. Your vision is very important and must be clear to those you bring on board.
- Let the Lord open the doors. Don't get into a big hurry (Don't manipulate ) on what God has said. God will bring to pass his words, just look for all signs and routes the Lord says to take and he will send help through things some will over look.
- Not only be persistent in prayer but in study also. You must
be instant in all seasons. My bible study time probably doubled as we begin to move into what God had said, this was a must for His word will take you to destiny.
- Look for places in your region to build your hub. Living rooms are great, but you will need space to do what the Lord has said. Space for equipping and mentoring a generation.
- Ask questions. Don't copy another ministry but, its ok to inquire about things and how things work and what don't work.
Here is some things to keep in mind while you are building:
- Not everyone is on fire.
- Not everyone has a vision.
- People will come on board and may leave when they find
you are not into programs and doing normal.
- Don't listen to the nay Sayers, there will always be those who talk against you.
- The greatest sign you are being led of the Lord, is when you begin to question yourself and compare yourself to Normal, and say maybe I should just do church. This always lets me know I am on track.
- Once you have reached a level of fire, you can't run in something that is less than the heat God has turned up in you, believe me I have tried.
- Stay connected. You are not the only one burning, there are more just like you. Satan's greatest weapon is to make you feel alone. Godly connections will come, let God connect.
- Alignment is Key: Never step out of alignment, always step in alignment. Covering is your best friend and structure will hold up this covering. If you are not in alignment with an
Apostolic foundation, Pray for it!!
God is building places of Presence in this hour places that are burning in Revival. And he is calling forth labourers to Build, Equip and Advance his Kingdom! What you have heard is a call to be a part of Revival!
Revival in Bacolod and Negros has started are you ready for the next level?
