We, the Body of Christ, should be a revolutionary force on this earth, not a sub-culture bound by the walls of our buildings and our lifestyles. If you look around you in the culture today, we are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the people. Our families are in decay, our cities are in decay, our nation has become a nation of godless people living for themselves in rebellion to God. We really don't want to address the problems, instead most of us that claim to be Christians bury our head in the sand and refuse to look. Instead, we go to church rather than becoming the Church that God ordained. We even build doctrines around our lack of concern for what's happening around us and become even more self-centered and ineffective. Then we wonder why even our own families are falling apart. Is it surprising that the divorce rate in the church is the same as the secular world? Not really, because you can't find any difference with the modern church and the world; we copy all the things that they do. In reality we have become them.

I am about to bring up a couple of points that will anger a whole lot of people, but I really don't care if it causes them to think. The first point is the whole "We can change this land in the political arena." This is not true and should be examined. Consider this, does the River of Life flow out of Washington DC or out of the body of Christ? Does the healing flow come from the halls of the most corrupt Congress ever, or from the Holy Spirit? If not, why do we spend so much effort and time trying to get man-made nstitutions to take over this work? We should be in the process of a complete world takeover by the Kingdom of God, by carrying out the mandate of Christ our King: go into all nations making disciples. Would this not bring about the change needed on this
earth or have we, in our foolishness, come up with a better plan than the Great Commission? I think not!! Instead, we have created a man-made religion that has no power at all, and a secular gospel that has no power and, in fact, is no gospel at all. Our idea of the Great Commission is to create a Christian castle filled with people all looking for something for themselves - not to sacrifice their life for Christ.

This system of religion is simply a business designed to grow and support itself. Their idea of being radical is to send out emails telling everyone they know to get stirred up about such holy things as taking the little plastic baby Jesus out of the courthouse square. I get hundreds of these emails where people think they are fighting the good fight by getting into such things. God help us if that is radical faith. I really don't care if they take the little plastic Jesus out of the city hall or courthouse square and I don't believe Jesus does either. Part of the problem is that the little plastic Jesus is the only Jesus that most of our country recognizes. They don't know the King of Kings, nor do they take Him seriously. If they did, they would get radical about living His message instead of rushing to the mall on black Friday to prepare for what the culture calls His birthday. Wow, is that how Christ would want us to remember Him, by filling up our shopping carts and credit cards with more junk we don't need, instead of bringing people into His Kingdom? Would He rather us spoil ourselves even more or would He have us put our money and time to good use by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, taking care of widows and orphans? Or what about sending out preachers and ministers of the Gospel to take over this world - do you think Christ would choose this or the commercial American Christmas? Guys, I'm telling you that Christ will return to this earth to judge it and He will not return as the little plastic Jesus that you can buy at Wal-Mart made in China - no, He will come back as a roaring Lion with fury and there will be no excuse for those who are truly His disciples.

At judgment day Christ will not ask for your voter registration card to make sure you are a republican or a democrat, He won't even ask you if you were mad about them taking down little plastic Jesus or saying "Happy holidays." Friends, He won't ask you if you protested the taking down of the Ten commandments off of the courthouse wall or how many Christian t-shirts you wore, or even if you bought all the latest praise CD's. No friend, He will ask questions like these: What did you do for the least of these? Did you care for the widow and orphan, feed the hungry, give without expecting anything in return? Did you love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as yourself without expecting his friendship? Did you repent and live a life that shows it, did you forgive so you could be forgiven? Yes, these are the questions that will be asked and no amount of religious activity will make up for these things, the sheep and the goats will be separated.

Many of you may say right now I never hear this at my church. If this is you, I say get out of there as fast as you can and pray for a true body where you will be challenged to get this right.

To say this as simply as possible.... we must become radical and I would say even militant. Read Matt 11:12. Yes we must forcefully take hold of the Kingdom and advance it with all we are. We must truly bombard this land with the truth. We must charge the gates of Hell and tear them down. Matt 16:18. We have the power from on high - why don't we use it? We would rather stay in our comfortable buildings and homes and hope maybe the Lord will forgive our lack of passion for Him. Why is this true? Because we are just like Demus that deserted Paul - 2 Tim 4:10. We love this present world.

You say its not that bad; well, I beg to differ. This world is heading to Hell on a runaway train and for the most part the modern church is adding fuel to the engine. The ones out here trying to throw on the brakes are called "too radical, extremist, critical" and even divisive. Brothers, I would rather be called all these things than "complacent" or a casual Christian. We are doing all we can to get this message out and are looking for like minded people from all over this world to join the fight. If this is your heart please let us know. The Revolution has begun and man will not be able to stop it. The question is whether are not you will join.

Are you willing to lay down your life and take up your cross and follow Christ? Will the Christ that shed His blood for you on the Cross and beat death and hell for you be your Christ or will the little plastic Wal-Mart Jesus be the one you choose?

-Darren Smith,
www.streetscapeministries.com
www.revivalstreet.com
www.unitethefight.com  

The prophet in his day is fully accepted of God and totally rejected by men.

Years back, Dr. Gregory Mantle was right when he said, "No man can be fully accepted until he is totally rejected." The prophet of the Lord is aware of both these experiences. They are his "brand name."

The group, challenged by the prophet because they are smug and comfortably insulated from a perishing world in their warm but untested theology, is not likely to vote him "Man of the Year" when he refers to them as habituates of the synagogue of Satan!

The prophet comes to set up that which is upset. His work is to call into line those who are out of line! He is unpopular because he opposes the popular in morality and spirituality.

In a day of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers, there is not a more urgent national need than that we cry to God for a prophet! The function of the prophet, as Austin-Sparks once said, "has almost always been that of recovery."

The prophet is God's detective seeking for a lost treasure. The degree of his effectiveness is determined by his measure of unpopularity. Compromise is not known to him.

He has no price tags.
He is totally "otherworldly."
He is unquestionably controversial and unpardonably hostile.
He marches to another drummer!
He breathes the rarefied air of inspiration.
He is a "seer" who comes to lead the blind.
He lives in the heights of God and comes into the valley with a "thus saith
the Lord."
He shares some of the foreknowledge of God and so is aware of
impending judgment.
He lives in "splendid isolation."
He is forthright and outright, but he claims no birthright.
His message is "repent, be reconciled to God or else...!"
His prophecies are parried.
His truth brings torment, but his voice is never void.
He is the villain of today and the hero of tomorrow.
He is excommunicated while alive and exalted when dead!
He is dishonored with epithets when breathing and honored with
epitaphs when dead.
He is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, but few "make the grade" in his class.
He is friendless while living and famous when dead.
He is against the establishment in ministry; then he is established as a saint
by posterity.
He eats daily the bread of affliction while he ministers, but he feeds the Bread of
Life to those who listen.
He walks before men for days but has walked before God for years.
He is a scourge to the nation before he is scourged by the nation.
He announces, pronounces, and denounces!
He has a heart like a volcano and his words are as fire.
He talks to men about God.
He carries the lamp of truth amongst heretics while he is lampooned by men.
He faces God before he faces men, but he is self-effacing.
He hides with God in the secret place, but he has nothing to hide in
the marketplace.
He is naturally sensitive but supernaturally spiritual.
He has passion, purpose and pugnacity.
He is ordained of God but disdained by men.

Our national need at this hour is not that the dollar recover its strength, or that we save face over the Watergate affair, or that we find the answer to the ecology problem. We need a God-sent prophet!

I am bombarded with talk or letters about the coming shortages in our national life: bread, fuel, energy. I read between the lines from people not practiced in scaring folk. They feel that the "seven years of plenty" are over for us. The "seven years of famine" are ahead. But the greatest famine of all in this nation at this given moment is a FAMINE OF THE HEARING OF THE WORDS OF GOD (Amos 8:11).

Millions have been spent on evangelism in the last twenty-five years. Hundreds of gospel messages streak through the air over the nation every day. Crusades have been held; healing meetings have made a vital contribution. "Come-outers" have "come out" and settled, too, without a nation-shaking revival.

Organizers we have. Skilled preachers abound. Multi-million dollar Christian organizations straddle the nation. BUT where, oh where, is the prophet? Where are the incandescent men fresh from the holy place? Where is the Moses to plead in fasting before the holiness of the Lord for our moldy morality, our political perfidy, and sour and sick spirituality?

GOD'S MEN ARE IN HIDING UNTIL THE DAY OF THEIR SHOWING FORTH. They will come. The prophet is violated during his ministry, but he is vindicated by history.

There is a terrible vacuum in evangelical Christianity today. The missing person in our ranks is the prophet. The man with a terrible earnestness. The man totally otherworldly. The man rejected by other men, even other good men, because they consider him too austere, too severely committed, too negative and unsociable.

Let him be as plain as John the Baptist.
Let him for a season be a voice crying in the wilderness of modern theology and
stagnant "churchianity."
Let him be as selfless as Paul the apostle.
Let him, too, say and live, "This ONE thing I do."
Let him reject ecclesiastical favors.
Let him be self-abasing, nonself-seeking, nonself-projecting, nonself- righteous,
nonself-glorying, nonself-promoting.
Let him say nothing that will draw men to himself but only that which will move
men to God.
Let him come daily from the throne room of a holy God, the place where he has
received the order of the day.
Let him, under God, unstop the ears of the millions who are deaf through the
clatter of shekels milked from this hour of material mesmerism.
Let him cry with a voice this century has not heard because he has seen a vision
no man in this century has seen. God send us this Moses to lead us from the
wilderness of crass materialism, where the rattlesnakes of lust bite us and where
enlightened men, totally blind spiritually, lead us to an ever-nearing Armageddon.

God have mercy! Send us PROPHETS!

About the author: Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) was a well-known British evangelist who brought many people to Christ through his straightforward preaching of the Word. In 1959, he and his family moved to the United States, where Ravenhill continued to travel, ministering in tent revivals and evangelistic meetings. He placed great emphasis on the subjects of prayer and revival, and though he wrote many books, he is probably best known for Why Revival Tarries. ("Picture of a Prophet" was taken from ravenhill.org and used by permission of the author's son, David Ravenhill. Copyright (C) 1994 by Leonard Ravenhill.

Source: Charisma.com

I have come across a lot of heresy hunters in my time of ministry, some of them are even friends on Facebook. I have even gone on the occasional hunt myself being swaddled and swayed into following this disastrous practice that some believe is a ministry. I have even had a lady pull my website and entire ministry apart after a prophetic word I released and it saddened my heart.

Right off the bat, I want to apologize for writing this article to all my friends and my foes – because this seems to be a legitimate ministry in the body of Christ to some. My purpose here is not to refute its validity or even argue about whether God wants it to be part of ministry to the Body of Christ.

All I endeavor to do is deliver a prophetic word God had me speak out into this realm regarding this issue. I wrote it down and want to publish it here for your discerning ears to hear and judge it as I believe this is something the body of Christ needs to hear.

Following is the word:

All heresy hunters do the entire day is hunt heresies. They are addicted to and find their fix by finding a doctrine, ministry or supposed heresy to expose. But God says you have not the anointing and have long ago tasted my Glory – too long ago.

It is impossible for you to have experienced My Glory and do what you do. Repent! For the Word says do not touch my anointed and do my prophets no harm. Instead of preaching the Gospel you bring guile to Me and My name by ridiculing, criticizing and reproving my servants.

You discredit, badmouth and criticize everything I do. You are Nazareth! I was born in Bethlehem and came up in Nazareth, a place of identification only, for Nazareth have always persecuted Me, tried to push me off a hill and stone me, I had no place too lay my head and received no honor from you. I was identified as Jesus Christ of Nazareth because this is where I am from. When Nathanial found out about Me, he was flabbergasted to hear of Me because it was unbelievable that the Messiah comes from Nazareth, because nothing good can come from it.

This is not about a Nazarene vow where you consecrate yourself and shave not your hair or not drinking from grapes. You’re ministry is Nazareth because nothing good can come from it.  

Shortly after Elijah was carried to heaven in his fiery chariot, a group of young prophets asked Elisha to go with them to build new living quarters near the Jordan River. While one of the young men was cutting down a tree, the blade of his axe fell in the water and sank into the murky depths of the riverbed (see 2 Kings 6:1-7).

The construction project came to an abrupt stop. This was before the days of flashlights and sonar devices. These guys were in trouble.

Knowing that his friends could not replace this expensive iron tool they had borrowed, the young prophet cried to his mentor Elisha for help. The wise prophet threw a stick in the water where the axe head had sunk. Immediately the heavy iron blade floated to the surface-defying the laws of physics and proving that nothing
is impossible with God. Elisha's faith saved the day.

We can gain so much comfort from this story. It reminds us that God has power over the natural world. It also proves that He cares about the seemingly trivial details of our lives-and that He is even willing to bail us out of the messes we make.

As I have meditated on this passage in recent days I've also applied it to our current situation in the American church. It illustrates how desperately we need to recover what we've lost.

Perhaps you've noticed that our blade is missing. I don't know exactly when it fell off the handle, but it seems as if we've been trying to build God's house without the sharp edge of His genuine anointing. We've traded the real for the phony. We've cheapened Pentecost to the point that it's been reduced to dry religious programs and circus sideshow antics.

We've mastered the art of hype. We know how to fake the anointing. We push people to the floor during our altar times. We know how to manipulate music and crowds so that we can create the atmosphere of the anointing. But in so many cases the real anointing isn't there. In its place is a hollow imitation.

Some charismatic leaders today are even selling specially handcrafted oils that promise the Holy Spirit's power. Others sell scented candles that claim to bring God's presence. And last year one brother was traveling the country with feathers in a jar - claiming that these belonged to an angel with healing powers.

Lord, forgive us for our charlatanism. We need the blade back! We must cry out to the God Who has the power to raise iron from the bottom of a river.

We are not going to advance Christ's kingdom, or build His victorious church, using scented oils, fake charms, ear-tickling prophecies and goofy charismatic gimmicks. This is all wood, hay and stubble destined for the furnace. What we need today is the sharp blade of the Word that is empowered by the Holy Ghost and fire.

In my world travels during the past few years I have met humble Christians who carry the genuine anointing of the Spirit. I've spent time with Chinese believers who see miracles inside their prison cells. I've met an Indian evangelist who has seen six people raised from the dead. I've met a Pakistani apostle who regularly sees
Muslims healed during outdoor gospel meetings.

Last week I interviewed an Iranian church leader whose ministry is leading 5,000 Iranians to faith in Christ every month. In the midst of persecution and political upheaval, a New Testament-style revival is erupting in that Shiite Muslim stronghold-all because the church in Iran is weilding the axe head of genuine Holy Spirit
anointing.

Where is the God of Elisha? There is a cry in the American church today that resembles the cry of the desperate young prophet in 2 Kings 6. We have not been good stewards of the Holy Spirit's gifts, and now the precious power of God has eluded us. We dropped it. Yet we are beginning to acknowledge our blunder.

Let's fully humble ourselves. Let's repent of fakery and fraud. Let's ditch our counterfeits and our cheap substitutes, and ask the Lord to restore the axe blade. Let's cry to Him for a pure, unadulterated, genuine, life-changing, planet-shaking revival.

-J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.

Ever been in a crowded room straining to hear when someone is trying to talk to you, but you can't hear anything because of all the noise!  That's how I've been feeling lately in the Christian arena. There's so much noise that I can't seem to hear anything that makes sense anymore.

It seems like everybody has a message they have to tell us - as if we've never heard this great new revelation before.  I'm glad that all these folks are excited, but pumping out the same old stuff in broad strokes is getting kind of old. When are we going to stop talking, and start doing something besides preach to each other? How about taking the message to the streets and winning souls?

Then there's all the modern prophets that abound with their great magnanimous words from the Lord that all have that same homogenized, bland feel to them. Nothing new there either.  Same ol' God loves you stuff about how He's going to do great things in your life. It used to be that prophets were broken, crucified men who had paid a price of decades before the face of God before He released them to bring a word of repentance to the Church.  That's all changed now. I guess God figured that wasn't working anymore and didn't fit with today's socially acceptable Gospel, so he's decided to use every Tom, Dick, and Harry novice with a word of "peace and safety" so that it would encourage everybody to just "love on Jesus".  Those old judgmental, cranky old men are just not with the times anymore.  Besides, it's so easy to pump out these "feel good" messages that everybody can do it ... and so they do.  But it just ends up making a lot more noise.

Filling in the cracks are the guys with their messages about how bad the churches are - which I'll admit is an easy target, but I already got the message. How many different ways can you say it and still not offer any definitive solutions?  If everybody is wrong (which I am not debating), then please tell me what is right and I will listen to you.  Give me some concrete examples, some definitive directions, or something other than sweeping generalizations that lose their significance in the wide spread of their ambiguity.  Worn out expressions like, "You just have to seek the Lord", or "Stay in the Spirit" are great sound bites but have no distinct significance if you don't know how to do that.  Let's face it, everybody thinks they are seeking the Lord and staying in the Spirit.  It's the other guy that they think is off the true path and out of the Spirit.  So we end up with just more noise.

As a matter of fact, even this letter is beginning to sound like a bunch of noise.

I haven't been able to write a column for almost 2 months now. I'm tired of hearing all the same old stuff and not seeing anything come from it. I'm tired of saying the same old stuff and not see any reactions to it.   What's the point? Just to hear ourselves pontificate? Yeah, I know that faith comes by hearing, but after a while I can't hear anything because of all the noise!

At some point, the jangling has to give way to action.  Just before the Lord left to ascend into Heaven, He gave us one last instruction. We call it the Great Commission. He didn't ask us to build humongous ministries, study for ministerial degrees, or yak ourselves into a mind-numbing trance - He told us to go win souls.  It was the last thing He asked us to do. Think it might be important?  Have we done that, or are we so busy making noise that we can't hear the voice of God leading us to go out and win souls.

If you want to get away from all the noise, go out to the streets and witness. It's real quiet out there because so few have chosen to deny themselves, pick up their cross (instead of their microphone), and follow Him. 

But out in the quietness of that solitary walk, you will hear the Spirit of God speak as clearly as you will ever hear Him.

"And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:  And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire:

And after the fire a still small voice."  1Kings 19:11,12

Brother Dale Garris

Today we see many fledgling prophets trying to set the house of God in order, often creating disorder instead. I spent a couple of years in this category, standing in churches, "warning them" and being rejected. Rejection led to anger, and suppressed anger led to bitterness. Bitterness led to unforgiveness and pride. What started out as a gift given to a lowly believer, turned into the festering, stinking sore of pride. James wrote:

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (James 4:4-6, NKJV)

This is the story of how God dealt with me in His wilderness.

One day in 1980 I was praying and seeking the Lord for direction on what He wanted me to say in my church home meeting, He showed me a vision of myself standing on a pedestal in a white robe with all the people in my home group on their knees around the bottom of the pedestal giving glory to God. As each word of praise went upward to heaven and passed me by, I reached out and grabbed it and tucked it in my robe next to my heart. After seeing this I cried out, "Oh God! Is this what I am doing to you? If it is, then Lord kill it!" The gift in me was releasing praises to God, but in my immaturity and desire to be recognized as valid I had sought to be exalted above others and thereby invalidated the gift He had given me.

You see when one is truly dead to self and alive to Him, there is no offense taken when your word is rejected and no pride generated when it is received. There is only one way that I know that God can work so great a death in an individual and that is through tribulation and wilderness.

Shortly after I prayed that prayer of death, God started answering it. First He asked me, "Michael, if I cease to move by my Spirit in your meetings, will you try to fake it?" I said, "No Lord, you quit and I quit." The next day two of the key families in the group called me and told me that they were not coming to the meetings any more. I blessed them and told them that I thought the Lord was telling me that I was to shut it down. The following meeting I announced to the group that it was the last meeting that we would be coming to, but that they were free to continue without us. They had one more meeting and it died.

Next, the church that I was affiliated with was split by a prophetic holiness cult. As the leaders of this group called me in on the carpet and tried to rein me in and get me under their authority, I refused and came under attack and curses by them. My response was to say to them, "I have had all this fun with you Christians I can stand. I'm out of here! I'm heading for Midian on the back side of the desert. I'll see you in about 40 years!" The leader said a most curious thing, "Michael, it need not take that long."

After that meeting I was mad at the Church and mad at God. The next thing I knew His clear voice, which spoke to me so often, ceased to be heard. The scriptures that had so nourished me seemed dead and dried up. I could not find meaningful fellowship with any other Christians. My prayers seemed to fall off the edge of my lip and hit the floor. I felt so alone and betrayed.

Then the Sabean raiding parties started coming in (Job 1:15). I could not find work anywhere! I had three journeyman licenses in my billfold and was sure that I would always have a "meal ticket," but no way! I had been cut off from my supply. I was too proud to accept unemployment, and we (my family of six) were reduced to gleaning food from muddy farm fields and diving in supermarket dumpsters at night for food. Some days I was so depressed I just laid in bed, curled up in a fetal position.

About this time, my wife was near the end of her rope. She prayed one day, "God this school for prophets is very hard. Why do I have to audit all the classes?" The Lord spoke to her clearly, "You are not auditing the classes. You are a matriculated student." She saw me through my wilderness and now she is in her own wilderness, being purified by God.

Finally when we were just about to get a third month behind on our home mortgage and the banker was about to foreclose, I found work. It was humbling to accept a job opportunity through my Mormon uncle, but it was work. The job was an electrician position on Akutan Island in Alaska's Aleutian chain, a treeless, wind-swept volcanic rock on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Now I was in a literal wilderness as well as a spiritual one, and my family was not allowed to come.

I was cut off, dying inside, missing my family, but most of all missing my Lord. At one point in my tenure on that rock, sitting on my bunk in my depression I watched my consciousness get up out of my body and head for the door as if to say, "I can't stand to live with you anymore, I'm leaving." I cried out to Jesus to please hold me together long enough to get me back home to my family again. He did.

From that point on it was a very slow and gradual ramp up out of that terrible pit, but for the next ten years He kept drawing me to Him with invisible cords, but not enough that I could perceive it. I spent 14 years in all in that spiritual wilderness.

I had a significant encounter with Him in 1990 at a men's' retreat in Idaho. The pastor had another brother and myself stand in the midst of the men and explained to them that God had called us to the prophetic and that He had us in a time of wilderness, asking them to pray for us. The next day I confessed to the men and to God that I had been mad at God for letting Christians attack me and for taking away from me all things that were spiritual for all those years. I confessed that I had sinned by judging God and His church and asked for forgiveness. That started the "big thaw" in my spiritual winter. Things were finally coming back into perspective, "He is God, I'm a sinner," not the other way around.

In 1991 I had my first real Holy Ghost encounter with God in eleven years. I was at a Vineyard conference and His presence came down on me with such intensity that I could hardly breathe. I was back at the Motel between meetings, sitting on the floor in the laundry room between two washing machines reading the book of Jonah. All of a sudden He filled the room! The book of Jonah came alive! Every word was jumping off the page and straight into my heart.

There were more encounters with Him and more testings and trials at the hands of Christians after that, but I kept "short accounts" and had learned to forgive and keep seeking His face in each one. I had determined that I was tired of a diet of, as my friend called it, "roast pastor." I was not accepted with open arms back into church ministries for I still saw things from that prophetic prospective, but I didn't make it my duty to set all of them "right," either.

Jesus said of the Pharisees, "They are blind guides leading the blind. Leave them alone, they will fall into the ditch.""All good gifts come DOWN from the Father of lights." God opposes the proud and lifts up the humble. Sometimes, the best cure for a disease is to let it run its course. When one is on his back in a ditch, it might just be the first time that he has ever looked up and become humbled enough to seek help! Saul the persecutor of the Church found this out.

Well, I said all that to say this... You who are called to be prophets, study the scriptures and see the common thread of wilderness in the lives of God's prophets and invite His mighty humbling hand to prove your heart in His crucible of affliction, that He might truly use you as His purified instrument. Even after this period of wilderness, called by some "the dark night of the soul," I find that He continues to work His death in me as I continue to follow Him and speak His words. As Paul said, "So then death is working in us, but life in you." (2 Corinthians 4:12, NKJV)

The servant is not greater than the Master.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice [came] from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matt. 3:16 to 4:1)

Source: www.awildernessvoice.com/wilderness.html

I received a forward email from my friend Andrew Strom who in turn received a report from a brother in Finland about a youth revival bursting forth. Here is that report:

"I thought you'd be interested in what's happening here in Finland.

There is an extraordinary movement of the Holy Ghost here. Something unprecedented in its size and growth.

Young people are Coming To Faith; they have an immediate desire to go out into the streets and bring others into the fold. There is NO interest in "church" or religion at all!

They want teaching and spiritual fathers & mothers; they know "only milk" yet go out and teach that to kids in the streets ...  And they Come To Faith!

We have had to open our houses to them ( we were told to buy an old village school 20 years ago...  so surprise-surprise  we have two classrooms where we can train groups of future leaders ). Kids are leaving the churches and seeking The Lord elsewhere because they can't find Him in the religion and ceremonies and that applies just as much to Pentecostal as to Free church, Lutheran, Orthodox, Anglican, Baptist as it does to ALL Organised Religion: they WANT what I call "inspired disorganisation" where MAN doesn't do the organising; we just LISTEN ... And then do as we are told!

One young man ( to whom I have lent my copy of Out Of Church Christians before I even read it myself ! ) is co-ordinating these groups and acts as an enabler; bringing teaching from elders ( in the "mature Christian" sense ) to beginners; arranging meetings and encouraging these young people to keep going ! Very Book Of Acts!

The LORD is doing extraordinary things in India, in Andaman and in Finland ... Thought you'd like to know!

-Dr Mike Story".

Healing evangelist Oral Roberts was remembered Monday as an extraordinary but imperfect minister who was driven by a passion to obey God.

Thousands of mourners filled the Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Okla., to honor the legacy of a man Crystal Cathedral pastor Robert H. Schuller called one of the most inspiring voices of Christ of the last century. Roberts died Dec. 15 of complications from pneumonia. He was 91.

Among the attendees at Monday's memorial service were Bible teacher Marilyn Hickey, Atlanta pastor Creflo Dollar, Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson and Fox News anchor Kelly Wright, an ORU alumnus who sang during the service.

ORU President Mark Rutland said what made Roberts an "extraordinary" man was that "he experienced a gracious and powerful God."

"There was something when Oral leaned into that television and said, ‘Something good is going to happen to you today.' There was something that leaped inside of us and said, ‘It's true.'" Rutland said.

Roberts rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. His message of seed faith and divine healing spread around the world through his books and television broadcasts. In 1963, he founded ORU, which is now one of the nation's leading Pentecostal universities.

Roberts emerged at a time when the church was "weary and dreary," Rutland said, and "made us believe in a God who enjoys blessing people." 

"He was not a perfect man; he was an extraordinary man—a giant who served a perfect God," Rutland added. "What an interesting and historical irony that He took a young man with a speech impediment and caused him to be named Oral, healed him of tuberculosis and made him a world-changer, a healer of the sick and an inspirational leader. That is the God of Oral Roberts, and that is our God as well."

He called Roberts controversial seed-faith message "entirely biblical" and not "some unusual or bizarre doctrine from the edge of Christianity."

"Jesus himself said, 'Give and it shall be given unto you,'" Rutland said. "Oral didn't make up those words, but he made them manageable and bite-sized."

Roberts' surviving children, Richard Roberts and Roberta Potts, remembered their father as a man who was committed to obeying God despite the fact that it often meant he was absent from home.

"He left his family behind, knowing they would be hurt," Potts said. "He chose to go where God's light is dim, then he chose to build that university that God called him to build. ... There may be some of you whose fathers or grandfathers made a similar choice. It hurts. You have to make the decision as to whether you believe he made the right choice. I know my father made the right choice. And I'm so proud that he made that choice."

"He was singing at the top of his lungs," Potts said. "Then he would stop for a while and say: ‘I'm going home. I'm going home. Hallelujah.'"

Richard Roberts read statements from Christian leaders including Schuller, Korean megachurch founder David Yonggi Cho, Lakewood Church founder Joel Osteen, healing evangelist Benny Hinn, Trinity Broadcasting Network Paul Crouch and evangelist Billy Graham, who said he it was a privilege to count Roberts among his friends.

Richard Roberts recalled how his father was dedicated to God before he was born and was healed of tuberculosis at age 17 in 1935 during a tent revival. "Two months later he preached his first message, ‘Healed by the Power of God,'" Roberts said.

He said God healed his relationship with his father when he was 19 and had gone through a season of rebellion. From that time forward, Richard said he walked beside his father in ministry. "I have been with him every step of the way—until he drew his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven," Roberts said.

He said his father taught him "Jesus is a healing Jesus. He taught me how to walk in love. He taught me how to forgive."

Marilyn Hickey, whose mother was healed while watching Oral Roberts on television, challenged the attendees to follow Oral Roberts' lead in building altars and making sacrifices so God's fire will fall.

She said Roberts sacrificed his finances and his reputation amid criticism of his message on seed faith and divine healing. She added that he could have given up faith when his daughter, Rebecca Nash, died in an airplane accident and his oldest son, Ronnie, committed suicide after a long battle with drug addiction.

"But he put his depression on the altar. He put his grief on the altar. And what happened? The fire fell," Hickey said. "Because he sacrificed, he produced thousands and thousands of sons and daughters."

Yesterday I spent some time with the Lord and seeking him for personal things I believe he wants me to seek. During my time spent with Him, I saw a vision and during this time I wondered why the Lord hasn’t opened up ministering opportunities for me to preach. As I did this my meditation moved toward the prophetic words spoken over me and the Lord directed me to the most recent one I received a little over a year ago; some of you might remember.

He said: “Remember that Word?”

“Yes?” I said.

He said “What was it about?”

I said “You anointed me to write…”

“So”, the Lord answered me,” Why do you want speaking dates if I anointed you to write? And you wonder why you can’t be speaking?”

I speak enough. Youth, podcasts… Yes, it would be great to travel and minister under the anointing in congregations and stadiums, but let me be faithful with what I am commissioned to do.

As I was spending time with the Lord I saw a vision and I really want to see more, to go deeper into the spirit and have even perhaps the veil of the unseen open up to me. I’ve seen some, but nothing definitive or imagery.

The vision I DID see was two great big worker ants pushing closed two great big steel doors to heaven. And the interpretation I got from the Lord was that the workers in the Church are deliberately closing up the heavens to the rest of the church. What does this mean?

Well, I’ll have to tell you a couple things so it may make sense to you if you understood my context.

A little while ago I visited a Church and we haven’t really stated worshiping yet, but we simply sang a chorus. And as I sang I closed my eyes. I saw a vision of me stepping onto the platform and holding a mike. I thought: “yeah, right. I’ve seen that before.” And wonder upon wonder the worship leader called me forward and asked me to pray as the spirit lead me. As I stepped onto the stage I flowed with the remainder of the worship because I myself loathe it if someone doesn’t flow with whatever is going on and just starts to pray. So I flowed with the Holy Ghost and ministered through the Spirit.

As I was singing, the worship band let the music die down and what was actually supposed to happen was we were supposed to carry on. I submitted under the leadership and prayed. Afterward, some days onward from there, many people came to me and said there was a great anointing when I was on the stage and felt the worship had to continue.

Now, I am not sharing this because I think it had anything to with me. To share my heart I must take you to another example, but before I do, let me make the vision I saw practical.

I have written volumes about the clergy and leaders in the Church holding back so much of the potential that is available to the body in their congregations which you could find in articles called: “No permission needed” and perhaps my controversial article “Above the Priest”. What is important to understand from the vision I saw is that unfortunately, or fortunately, I don’t know which word is appropriate in this case, the clergy and their workers are keepers of the heavens, of sorts, especially when we congregate for Church meetings.

What happens is they vaccinate us, when you get a flu shot you are injected with just enough of the flu virus so you do not contract the full virus. And this is what Church leaders are doing. They give you just enough so that you won’t contact the full things, just enough of heaven and the glory of God so that you may be able to get by.  

I had the privilege of raising a small army unit for the Lord a couple years ago and we had a great time of spiritual visions, importations and revelations from the Lord. The Pastor came to me one day and told me that he wanted us to take it slow. He commanded me to give the kids just enough so that they come back the next week. Never give them all of what is available.

Like the worker ants in the vision, the workers in the Church are shutting the full potential of the heavens to us so that they may “control” what we get, like handing out rations in a concentration camp.  I hope you see the seriousness of this. It’s a spiritual principle that God allows. They will be answerable, yes, but we will LOSE out!

To understand the steel doors of heaven they are closing, you have to look at how engineers control the flow of water at a dam wall. They let out just enough at the doors so that the wall doesn’t burst and don’t let out too much for fear of a flood. This is exactly what Church is like. We have a mega Church down the road from us where this is sooo practical, and every time I leave that anointed apostolic Church, I am sad and grieved.  

This concept is completely scriptural as we look at the prophet Elijah when he told the King it would not rain unless upon his word. The heavens were shut for three and a half years. And even though it was a supernatural experience it affected natural things. So, we can affect natural things by our spiritual actions. What we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and what we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Let’s open our eyes!

I don’t know exactly what we could do about this but I know there’s more. I was at a Camp meeting once a couple years ago, and as we were worshiping I felt compelled by the Spirit to cry out more and more, louder and louder: “There’s more!!!” We received an amazing outpouring on that day. And once again, it has nothing to do with me, it has to do with your hunger.

So, what I want to encourage you to do is to get to God yourself. Don’t live on the rations the Church gives you, because if Church meeting on Sunday is your only Spiritual food, I’m afraid I have to tell you that you’re spiritually starving and you’ll be dead soon. All that’s happening is you’re being vaccinated every Sunday.

We had a spat of xenophobic attacks in March last year here in South Africa that resurfaced a little in the late part of this year. I wrote a couple poems about it but an incident that happened there is very applicable to what I’m trying to teach you.

All the refugees were staying together in a refugee camp and as it came time to hand out the food rations, thugs and criminals somehow took over in the food line and made old ladies and defenseless women pay for their food. They were supposed to get it for free, the food was donated. Don’t let this happen to you in Church.

Your soul is your responsibility too! The Bible says that Pastors have responsibility, but if you feel you are not getting the Spiritual feast the way the Lord had prepared it, better you eat at home first as explained in Paul’s instruction on communion where he said everyone must eat at home.

You cannot live on bread alone! And the Glory and revelation you have seen and received along with all your experiences is NOT EVEN a drop in the ocean. It’s a joke how little it is.

You can walk in the anointing every minute of everyday. You can have your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and don’t need priest to stand proxy for you. You can receive your own revelations from heaven every single day without having to rely on the ration meal the preacher gives you on Sunday.

You’ll get to heaven and you’ll be severely disappointed seeing and hearing of all that was available to you and you never saw, seen, tasted, smelled or felt them.

Please note: I’m a Pastor too, but I’m on a mission to get mine! How about you?

Ivin Viljoen

I have been to a lot of Revival prayer meetings lately.  They seem to be springing up more in these last 5 years than in the previous 20.  Perhaps that's because the need is increasing as the church world seems to be drifting more and more toward a social Gospel that is more consumer-friendly than abrasive.  The harshness of messages of repentance have not only become rare in this new modern Churchianity, but is becoming more and more frowned upon as unnecessarily judgmental, critical, and ungodly.  My, how things have changed!

Sin, however, cannot be scrubbed away so easily.  It takes soap to clean dirty clothes, and soap's active ingredient is lye.  God is a holy God, and cannot, will not, fellowship with sin.  If you want an outpouring of the Holy Ghost, sin has to be scrubbed away.  This Emperor does not wear dirty clothes.

Is it a small wonder that so many souls are left hungry, searching for a church where they can experience the real power of God and the real meat of the Word, rather than an anemic, social version of it?  Their choice seems to be either go naked or wear dirty clothes.

 The prophet Joel wrote that, in the last days, people would be groaning like beasts for pasture, but would not be able to find it.  We have arrived at those days.  I am told repeatedly from real, sincere, passionate Christians that they have given up in their search for a real church that is full of the power of God.  Some compromise by going to a church just to go to church; others have just quit looking.

But oh, how I hear of people praying for revival for their church!  I hear it all the time, "God send revival to our church and pour out the power like You have in times past!  Revive us, O God!" 

Excuse me, but haven't you missed the focus?  The true purpose of revival is not to pump up your church or to energize your services and make you feel so much more excited.  The purpose of revival, true revival, is to win souls - first, foremost, and final.  Energizing your church is only a by-product, not the real focus.

When we forget that, we shift our focus onto ourselves and away from the mass of humanity that are flowing like a great river into the pits of Hell.  We are willing to do all sorts of stuff for our church, but how many are willing to go to the streets and witness to the lost and dying?  Listen to what we ask for when we are asked for prayer requests.  It is always about us, never about the lost.  And yet, was that not the last request that Jesus left us with just before He ascended into Heaven?  Have we forgotten? Or are we so wrapped up in our Church that we no longer care?

Throughout Africa, wherever I would preach, I always emphasized this one point: the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about you.  It will never be about you.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about others, others, others.  If you do not grasp this principal, you will never understand the Cross.

Revival is about winning souls, not pumping up church services.  It is the flowing of Blood to wash away sins.  It is the pumping of the very heart of God from which the Blood flows. 

When you forget the true purpose of revival, you lose your mandate from God. 

Brother Dale

Source: Revival ministries mailing list

THIS WORD IS SO AWESOME, IT HAD SET ME FREE RIGHT NOW! PLEASE READ IT ANDCOUPLE IT WITH MY ARTICLE "NO PERMISSION NEEDED AND GO AND DO GOD'S BIDDING!!!

If God has called you to be really like Jesus He will draw you into a life of crucifixion 
and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience, that you will not be able 
to follow other people, or measure yourself by other Christians, and in many ways He 
will seem to let other people do things which He will not let you do. Other Christians 
and  ministers who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull wires,  
and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it, and if you  attempt it, 
you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make  you sorely penitent.

Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day out of an unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.  He may let others be great, but keep you small.  He may let others do a work for Him and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious He may let others get credit for the work which you have done, and thus make YOUR REWARD TEN TIMES GREATER WHEN JESUS COMES.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an Infinitely Sovereign Being, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own.  He may not explain to you a thousand things which puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell yourself to be His love slave, He will wrap you up in Jealous Love, and bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the inner circle.

Settle it forever, then that you are to DEAL DIRECTLY WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others.  Now, when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this PECULIAR, PERSONAL, PRIVATE, JEALOUS GUARDIANSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OVER YOUR LIFE, then you will have found the vestibule of Heaven.

In April of 2006, during the worship service of a conference at which I was scheduled to speak, an unusual presence of God began to settle upon me. The heavier God's presence became, the more caught up in a heavenly realm I was. I found myself in the middle of an IMAX or 3-D-like experience. It was as if I were in the middle of an action movie.

I saw an unusually large number of men coming toward me, dressed like rugged, ancient men. They were scruffy-looking, strong and muscular—almost scary—and were wearing animal skins. They had swords, clublike weapons, axes, bows and arrows, and shields. Many of them were on horses. The best way to describe them is to liken them to the army in the movie Braveheart. They formed a massive ancient army.

All of them were rushing toward me in attack mode. The army was so aggressive and intimidating in its advancement that I asked the Lord, "Are they for us or against us?"
He said to me, "They are for you."

As soon as the Lord answered me, it was as if I were taken up into the sky to the altitude where jets fly. I looked down at the United States and saw that there were very few lights on anywhere in the nation. The whole nation looked like very rural or remote places I had flown over. There was one light here and another light there, far removed from each other.

However, as this army galloped across the nation, lights began to turn on in the places that the army was moving through. Furthermore, the lights remained on in the places they had already passed through. The lights increased in number until the cities and towns across the nation were completely lit up. It was as if a massive fire had been set that engulfed entire areas.

Going back to Earth, I saw that the galloping army was not deterred by anything; it galloped through walls, buildings, obstructions, fences—anything that stood in the way. Nothing slowed the men down or stopped them.

They were supernatural in strength and courage. There was no hesitation in them. It was as if someone had placed a computer chip inside of them that said, "Straight ahead; don't stop or look back until you have reached the other side of the nation." Billboards, buildings, skyscrapers and houses flew every which way as they galloped right through them.

The further they advanced, the more lit-up the nation was, until there were huge areas where the lights had become contiguous. What had been dark was now fully lit. I looked down on almost blindingly bright cities, towns and even rural areas.

The Lord said, "This is My army."

When I first received this vision, I interpreted it spiritually. In other words, this was not a physical event but a spiritual one—one that happened invisibly but had natural results.

However, now that I have been observing the unfolding of current events both nationally and globally—both in the church and outside of it—I believe that the army I saw is one God is sending to level entire organizations or certain aspects of them, as well as various structures, corporations, governments, churches and so on that are not in line with God's purpose or His nature and character. God is doing something brand new. He wants to fill us with Himself.

Just as what Cain built was outside the presence of God (see Gen. 4), so is much of what has been built in our day. But we are on the verge of a great awakening, a revival of unprecedented proportions. God's presence is going to fill His people in such an all-encompassing way that what we thought was the glory in times past will pale in comparison to what is about to be manifested. William Seymour, the leader and visionary of the Azusa Street Revival, prophesied that there would be another move of God about 100 years after Azusa that would outshine it. His timeframe would put us into the present day: 2009-2010.

But before God can come in this all-encompassing manner, certain things have to be moved out of the way. We are in a massive restructuring and rebuilding "program." God has removed and is removing His blessing from those things personally and corporately that are not carriers of His presence and power. He is allowing them to fall or to fail. He is even throwing "grenades" into programs and activities that keep us busy and distracted from our No. 1 priority: Himself.

God also has to break our trust in everything that neuters our faith in Him. He is looking for a people who are radically surrendered to and dependent on Him. The kingdom of God can move with the greatest power and demonstration only through those who dare to risk all and believe.

Do not fear or be anxious about what you see falling apart or breaking down in this season. I believe God is orchestrating the destruction to:

• Cleanse us of the things we put our trust in that will keep us from leaning wholly on Him
• Break down formal structures that impede His presence and movement so the original intent of Pentecost as a grassroots, bottom-up movement (not a hierarchical, rigid structure) can be recaptured
• Move out of the way the things that consume our time, energy and devotion but are no longer our assignment
• Restore our focus on relationship rather than tasks. It is relationships—first with God and then with people—that frame the mandate for our tasks.
• Create desperation. When everything we have been, done and trusted in breaks down or goes awry, we begin to cry out. There is a crying out that not only saves but also delivers. The Israelites experienced it in Egypt (see Ex. 2-3). But the cries weren't birthed until the way they were living no longer worked for them.

Do not fear the breakdowns occurring all around you. Begin to lift up your voice and cry out to God. God is about to light up every person, every place that cries out in honest desperation.

The army has arrived and is marching across this nation. Things are falling apart on every side. However, the purpose of the collapse is not destruction but transformation. If we respond to God, the lights will turn on across this nation with the greatest awakening in history—greater than Azusa Street.

It is time to cry out. Don't delay! Lift up your voice and unabashedly cry until God hears, comes and pours out His salvation.

About the author: Barbara J. Yoder is the founder and senior pastor of Shekinah Christian Church (shekinahchurch.org) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is known for her cutting-edge apostolic and prophetic breakthrough ministry. She travels nationally and internationally ministering in churches, conferences and seminars. Yoder is the author of several books, including Taking on Goliath (Charisma House). To order a copy of the book, click here.

If you google “Tiger Woods” right now, you will get around 40 million returns and over 7,000 news articles.

I’m pretty sure this isn’t the kind of popularity he desires right now.  The mainstream media is (as expected) executing the typical “pile on” maneuver and reporting on anything they can get their hands on, and if you’re like me, you’re ready for this story to run its course.

Of course, it won’t anytime soon.  We’ll be treated to headliner stories and sordid details that the generally morbid population feeds on like sharks in frenzy. We’ll get theories, speculations, and allegations that may go on for weeks - even months.

Until, that is, somebody else in the limelight pulls a different bigger-than-life train wreck that turns into the next menu item for TMZ and all manner of gossip-loving folks who love to read about failures so they can feel better about themselves.

But it should be different for Christians. While it may be virtually impossible for us to escape the story, rather than judging or condemning, as Christians, we should focus on what God can teach us through Tiger’s transgressions. 

So…what can we take from the saddening saga of the Woods family?

First, look up.  Our personal failures and spiritual breakdowns so often happen as a result of not keeping our focus on Jesus Christ.  Here’s the way the writer of Hebrews puts it:

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I have no clue as to Tiger’s spiritual condition, nor is it my place to evaluate or judge since I don’t know him - I haven’t even met him.  But this story reminded me that if I take my eyes off of Jesus, I’m headed for a crash that involves a lot more than a fire hydrant and a tree.

Second, look around.  There are people everywhere who carry a load of loneliness, emptiness, and even depression because their deceptive worldview tells them that contentment and happiness can be found through something material.  Do we really need another story like this to be reminded that all the money, fame, success, and possessions in the universe still do not come close to providing a real and satisfying life?  God created life, so doesn’t it follow that life without a relationship with Him is pretty, well, lifeless?

There was a king named Solomon who lived thousands of years ago who had more bank and bling than anyone has or probably ever will.  He went on a party journey for quite some time to see if he could find contentment and happiness with things here on earth.  In fact, this is what he wrote:

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
       I refused my heart no pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:10).

In the end, he found himself in a darker place than he ever imagined and he came to the conclusion that without God everything is “meaningless.”  Why?  Here was his reasoning:

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

What Solomon is saying is that there is a “God-shaped hole” in each and every one of us and trying to fill a spiritual void with a thing or an experience is an absolute waste of time.

But what isn’t a waste of time is the pursuit of God.  Here’s the promise from Jesus Christ:

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Revelation 3:20).

This “meal” He is referring to is a spiritual feast that no earthly possession or experience can rival.  If you’ve trusted Christ, you already know this, but again, please look around at all the people that are desperately looking to fill the eternity-sized empty space in their hearts.  What they want is what Tiger Woods wants and it is what you have found: Jesus. 

Don’t keep this great discovery to yourself - knock it off the tee like you were playing for your life and the lives of your friends…because you are!

Source: Dare2share
Image: scrapetv.com

South Africa is a country riddled with so many different cultures, beliefs and heritages that it’s hard to keep track of everything. The result is that as a politician you have added to your plate, pleasing the people that submit to different cultures rather than those reasonably acceptable and provided for in the constitution. That’s besides trying to please the alliance parties you cannot rule the country without.

I guess everyone wants a piece of you and you have to please almost everybody, otherwise you may be facing public protests, political demonstrations and strikes. But I guess this is the result of serving a political office in a rainbow nation.

I want to however address the religious side of an issue that has caught my attention in the past month, and that is the Zulu practice of killing bulls at the hand of obedient youths so the King might be strengthened. I kid you not.

This is where we have to discern Christ above culture.

I strongly believe that South Africa is a little way from revival but these attitudes and religious/cultural rites is driving a wedge in the spoke of God’s countrywide visitation. The issue was raised in an article before, probably by a Citizen reporter that thought this is a huma… I mean animal rights issue, and rightly so. Why?

The practice is that a black bull gets driven into a sizeable kraal with a considerable amount of sheep. The sheep is then let out and the bull remains. Zulu youths then chase the bull until it has been completely tired out and then strangled to death. The sangomas then come and skin the bull, harvesting meat they need, and then the rest is burnt along with the bones. The meat may not be eaten, sound familiar?

This is done so the king might be strengthened, because with age he is of course weakening. And through public caucus and interaction with the courts it has been stated that this cannot be interfered with because it may upset the ancestors.

When will South Africans realize that God’s hand is on this country? For instance: where do you think it is ever possible for a country to host an esteemed event like the FIFA World Cup having the highest crime rate on the entire planet, incomplete infrastructures and an irresponsible and a useless soccer team who will by no other way have part in the event unless they were the host country? That’s called God’s favor and Grace. We are truly blessed of God. This is just one way of looking at it. And now we want to honor the forefathers?

South Africa, you have but a year or two at most left to repent. Let your idols and cultural customs go. We MUST let our worship of the forefathers go too. The reason why I think this is such a relevant issue is that were it but an individual or a tribe it was probably different. But in this case the high court ruled in favor of the practice, reportedly because of pressure from cultural leaders.

I am not by any means an animal activist, setting aside my love for animals, but the question we have to ask ourselves is: Who will we bow to? Because you cannot bow to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Jehovah, the upholder and giver of justice, the creator of both the cultural leaders and the bull; and the ancestors. Scripture is very clear that you cannot serve or worship both.

This is a very important issue because the Word of God is very clear on the judgments a nation may receive were they to keep on observing this practice and refuse to repent. My heart is set on South Africa’s salvation, praying, preaching and prophesying the way for South Africa to receive the full blessing of God on this nation.

My point is that the word of God is very clear and the cultural leaders will tell you that observing this tradition is over 3,000 years old. So you see, the problem is not a new one, it was addressed in the New Testament by the writer of Hebrews:

“¹FOR SINCE the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come--instead of fully expressing those things--it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].

“²For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had ^[a]once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin. ³But [as it is] these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins [to be atoned for],” Hebrews 1:1-3

See, what these sacrifices do, be it to the honor of a Zulu king (which has so many things wrong with it) or be it to honor the forefathers (another red flag going up?) or simply practicing the tradition for the sake of the Scriptural application, all counts bring South Africa before the judgment seat.

We must remember that we as South Africans are held accountable for what we observe and who we honor. This is why the book of Exodus teaches us that those who love God will be blessed for a thousand generations to come, but, and on the other side of that  coin it also means that those that love other gods will have visited upon them the sins of their fathers two to three generations before them. That means that in our current state, we are doomed.

Let us return to God and repent from our ways so we may see the blessings God has extended to us and have in store for the nation of South Africa. God is our heritage and revival is our portion.

Ivin Viljoen.

PS. Ivin Viljoen is a youth minister and provides political commentary in the light of God’s  Word. He is also the moderator for 220genraton.com

All aspiring DJ’s – Audition now!

Have you ever thought of becoming a DJ? Not? Have you ever been frustrated because you cannot find an avenue or platform to live out your calling and passion for the Lord? Do you feel that you have a message that nobody’s hearing at the moment? Do you have a vibey personality mixed with passion for God that you feel could minister to the different youth cultures in our society today?

Well, I know I have, and yeah, you could probably start your own podcast and get your own voice out like that and do your own thing. What we offer you is a family, support and a body of soldiers that bring the Gospel with various flavours to a world of young people who are bombarded with a lot of negative influences in media. We want to offer them a Holy alternative. This is why YOU should audition.

Our next project is a big project, we will be launching a radio station from the website 220generation.com and it’s going to be massive! However, we don’t have the time or the capacity to do everything ourselves. So, if you’ve been to our website and been checking it out, you’ll have seen that we aren’t about ourselves, we are about you and yours, showcasing the very many talents that God has blessed us all with.

The 220 is aptly called so, and not ivin viljoen ministries because the vision of the site is not about lifting me up and making my own ministry prominent, but it’s about all of us getting involved in bringing Christ to the world, filled and lost and confused young people.

So, here is the commission: We need around 168 aspiring DJ’s, from cultures and countries worldwide who want to produce a weekly radio show to feature on our 220radio station or 24 dedicated DJ’s who will commit to a show a day. We have secured the stream and we are getting sponsors for the stream but the 220 airwaves are gonna be pretty dull without varied programs.

As soon as God provides the stream finance we will put up 220radio with some of Pastors Ivin Viljoen’s revival messages, lots of revival comps (these are messages with  either hymns or hip-hop beats in the background), some podcast shows from many of our partners, from partner ministers’ music and interview programs for the meantime.

We want YOU to audition by recording a program and sending it to us.

How do you audition? Here’s how: you enter the audition process by simply entering the following info in our contact form found on our website and title it “220 radio dj auditions”.

* Required fileds

Name *

Surname *

DJ name.

ID number *

FB URL (if applicable)

Twitter account (if applicable)

MySpace account (if applicable)

Daily email, *

Any message or info you think we might need. Add to that your motivation for                 submitting an audition. *

Level of commitment: one program a week or 1 program a day, keeping in mind that we expect a show of 1 hr from DJ’s passing the auditions and a minimum commitment from them of a 6 month period. Quote for instance: “I commit myself to (program regularity, and period), and *

A short bio *

You will probably need the following:

1. Audio recording equipment (or you could just use a computer – this makes it easily accessible for anyone to record a show)
2. A mike (you can use your webcam audio input too, if you have one).
3. A program to record in. We use http://www.audacity.com
4. Content. (Many different content is found on our website and we actually prefer you use it to audition with).   

Guidelines:

1. You may use any of the material available on the 220generation website

2. Any music used in your show may not be signed to a record label i.e. we DO NOT pay royalties, any music used must be submitted for promotion reasons only and carry the full permission of the creator/s.  

3. Your clip must be in MP3 format

4. Your clip must be 15 minutes long, give or take a few seconds.

5. Your clip must have a tag or intro “jingle” that will help people identify with YOUR show

6. The rest of the show must be Christ centered, embrace youth culture, driven towards saving souls and keep in  mind the mandate of the 220 website (the host of these auditions) to bringing revival to young people. 
7. Use any music/genres that apply to youth culture.

8. A separate recording promoting your show.

9. No pet doctrine may be propagated. Anything presented in the program must be Christ centered and lifting Him up.
10. Of course no vile language, sexually explicit material or worldly music or topics of the same kind are allowed. Make it Holy as He is Holy. 

11. You may preach, act, talk (interviews) etc. anything you think will attract listeners to your show.
12. You may give shout out’s and promote your Church, your youth group or any events and programs directly connected to your church or ministry, but we reserve the right to do the advertising.

13. Your show must unfortunately be in English.

14. Unfortunately, the following ages need only audition – any youth ages 16 – 35 years of age.

15. Your show opening must include the following: Your DJ name and 220radio@220generation.com. 

Disclaimer:

Any jingles, taglines or catchphrases used in any audition or show will become property of 220generation.com when you pass the auditions. I.O.W you wave all copyright by entering.

We reserve the right to air your audition program as to be listened to by the listeners of 220radio and used in a competition should we decide to do so. 

Please take note of this very important piece of information: the idea of these auditions is to recruit young people or moderately young adults that have a passion for young people, love Christ and want to see the harvest as spoke of in John 4.

Therefore, we DO NOT pay any salaries to any of the DJ’s chosen to form part of the line-up on 220radio. The entire project is volunteer driven and you will be serving Christ in a very big vision God has given to many prophets worldwide regarding a youth revival in the world. What we do offer you is an opportunity to be part of a great move of God.

Please note, we are by no means professionals, so don’t be intimidated. We are also feeling this out as we go along. It was hard enough to figure out how to get the stream up and connected. But we learn fast. Check out our website, we built that starting a year ago with NO KNOWLEDGE of web designing or programming language at all.

What are the benefits? You’ll be provided with a voice!

OH, also, the judge’s decisions are final.

Promotion: marketing will be done on the following platforms.

Your social networks, 220 platforms which include the mailing list, FB group, Twitter Fam, the 220 website (line-up), video promo’s (Youtube and tangle) and audio promo’s.

Remember: you need to impress the fans/listeners, they vote you in, however, judges have final word.

To give you an idea what we’re looking for, I want to quote a portion Peter Greig’s “vision:

“Herald the weirdo's! Summon the losers and the freaks!”

The opening date for auditions is 6 December 2009 and the auditions close 28 February 2010. We are entering the holidays, so everyone should have ample time to put something together.

Don’t let anything stop or discourage you. If you need guidance or help, don’t hesitate to get in contact with me.

Get recording and good luck!

COMING SOON! Creative designing competition, 220radio launch, 220liveTV launch

Ivin Viljoen

Moderator: 220generation.com

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and  pray too seldom.  We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.  We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.  We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.  We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.  We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.  These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
 
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; Indeed, these are the times!

God gave me a vision 1 1/2 years ago about one of the biggest names in the Christian world and showed me what this person and many other leaders are doing to the body. I saw a HUGE "SUBTLE" written in the sky after this person's name came up. I was sobbing like I've never sobbed before. It was breaking the heart of Jesus. I kept asking Jesus what was breaking his heart so badly and that's when this scripture came to mind..."How I wish I could gather you as a mother hen gathers her chicks but you would not listen." I knew that Scripture and cried even harder because I knew that Jesus wanted the church to turn from her deception and follow Him. That told me that Jesus is very much aware that many in His body are being lead astray. They are deceived and the only one who can open their eyes and get them to repent is Jesus. It's a mixture or amalgam of the truth and lies.

The sense that I got was that much of the church had been contaminated. Poisoned and didn't even know it. Doctrine of
demons had entered, New Age/occult ideas and books had infiltrated the body (many are in the Christian bookstores) and famous pastors were leading thousands down the "Apostate Church " road. Not the true church of Jesus Christ. They were leaving out the name of Jesus, the cross, repentance and the blood. It has become a "Social"gospel to many in the church. Just do "good things" and attach the name of God to it... Oh how I pray that people in the church will wake up!!

Well, that was my interpretation of this 20 minute sobbing session that I had with Jesus. Even though I felt like Jesus was extremely sad at how easily His leaders and sheep were lead astray...I still felt like He was going to do some shaking and gather back as many "chicks" as possible from the enemy's camp. He doesn't need a huge army... he just needs a few people that will do what he tells them to do and HE will make the needed changes. Not everyone has fallen into deception. That's the good news. Just like Elijah thought he was the only one left and God showed him that there were 7,000 other people that didn't bow their knee to Baal. That's the situation with the church today. Praise God!!

Source: http://www.revivalschool.com

We all know what that means. Well, it’s time we all do.

How does it work? Well I’m not from the pink society but I have many friends that belong to this fabulous, free and liberal group in our society. All Christian opinions to the side, all I know is Jesus loves everybody, not wanting us to carry on in our convictions, however, there is an interesting concept coming from the great revealing (erm) of this very peculiar part of society, and that is their struggles to,… - well, come out.

It makes sense that before one comes out, one is inside…? Um. You know what I mean. Well, as you might know, I am a very visual person and process everything visually, and this is how God speaks to me. So, I tried envisioning, physically coming out of the closet. I realized by doing this exercise, that I could apply it in two ways, biblically… through Christianity.

For my first example, I would like to speak to and address unbelievers. There’s something peculiar about coming out for heterosexual individuals, out into the gay and lesbian community… and as I understand it, it’s quite a big deal.

Well, if you become a Christian the principle is the same. Yes, you step into a new community, but more-so, what happens is you step out of the dark closet of the world into the light of the Gospel. And therein is not only the great unveiling, but also finding of salvation for the soul.  

There is a passage in the book of Colossians sharing with us how the salvation experience happens practically. In the first chapter and verse 13 which tells us that we have been translated (that implies we speak an entire new language) from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Son of his love.

When one is part of a Kingdom, and you can check this principle in pop-culture and fantasy, you realize that you serve it when you’re in it. Simple. So, being part of the darkness might imply that you are still in the proverbial “closet” and haven’t experienced the brilliance or excellence of a new creation like illustrated in the C.S Lewis novel adapted for the big screen – The lion, the witch and the wardrobe. 

Come out today!

Next example is for Christians. Closet Christians. And the term speaks for itself I’m sure, and is probably more applicable to the gay culture than the previous.

See, as I understand it, many people believe some people are born gay, and that may be partly true, as we are all born sinners. But, the practical side here is that many gay people “coming out” says they believe they were gay all along, fancying someone of the same sex or having softer tendencies. They either “come out” by themselves or they are pushed/nudged out by friends of theirs. And believe me, there is a lot of conversion going on that people do not necessarily see or know about. And that my point.

“Coming out” as in the gay-lesbian community means that you stop keeping your orientation to yourself and let everyone know what you are… Stand up proudly and tell everyone that your are in fact… well gay/lesbian.

I know that I will probably be razzed for this article by said community, but I want to apply this to Christianity. Imagine the next conversation:    

“John, I’ve been thinking about this al long time, and what I want to share with you I’ve been hiding it so long that I can’t even remember, and I thought it’s only fair that you know.

It really makes up a big part of who I am and my convictions are so strong that I need to let everyone know, shouting it from the rooftops as it were, but before everyone knows, or the news spread, I wanted my friends to know first. I hope it doesn’t make a difference to our friendship or the way you see me, but I wish for you to respect me for my decision. And, I hope you will allow me to share my story with you and explain how I got here and why I had to change, I couldn’t be the same anymore.

I have been changing a lot lately and I owe it all to my best friend. He showed me what it was to live, fulfill your purpose and be completely free from your past. He made me see that I wasn’t true to myself and therefore my turning or great revelation is radical and I will probably seem to have changed 180degrees. But it is natural in this case… for my case.

He also showed me that I cannot live or do things in my own strength, I need a partner, someone that can carry me  everyday and help me by pleading my case when it’s needed, show me love when I feel like I deserve it the least and give me a home I can feel safe in.

I realized you can’t be on the fence about it. I needed to decide, am I going to be on the one side or on the other side. John, I have decided and I want you to know. I’m coming out of the closet today and I want you to know, I’m gay!”

Now, imagine that same conversation ending simply with the words: “I’m a Christian”

Be a man, have some guts and tell everyone who you really are. Stop being ashamed because it will cost you dearly in the end.  

Come out of the closet today!

Tell everyone you are a Christian.

Ivin Viljoen

Pastor Ivin Viljoen is a youth minister, published author and moderator of 220generation.com

It was a dark eerie night. The smells from the sewers and human waste inside them seared into the streets, mimicking death and enclosing all living beings walking around the paved streets of the city. The click-clack of Dolce high heels and Italian designer shoes draws a dark nuance from the thick smog filled air.

Down a small street the paved walkway doesn’t reveal much to be recognized save for a dim light at the bottom. At the top stands a bulky, stern faced man with five-a-clock shadow and a Texan cigarette hanging droopily from his mouth. He’s dark, meager and seems ill-to-do as he slowly reveals a smirk, eyeing the light at the end of the walkway.

Slowly, but not cautiously, he takes his first step down to where the light is. He’s holding a chain, playing with it by pulling it up and down with his fingers as he rolls it carefully between his fingers. At the end of the chain, providing a small but sufficient weight is an omen, a sign within reach that’s separated by only a few small chain connections.

Down in the street is a building providing a fitting end to the picture displayed from the top of the paved walkway. A light is coming from a room with embedded wooden windows. The stage inside the buildings ground floor foyer are hidden slightly by bright, immaculate curtains of the finest cloth that would make the most skilled weavers envious.

The inside of the building is something everyone will experience, depending on certain things some may enter and others not. As one approaches the entrance a doorman dressed in the finest couture opens the magnificent wooden door. Upon entering the building, following the beckoning of the doorman it’s difficult not to notice the pure love and kindness coming from his honest, friendly face. His eyes sparkle as he graciously pulls you by the hand into the foyer.

A servant approaches you extending a youthful, yet mature hand by accepting your coat and scarf from you welcoming you from out of the cold, dangerous, unpleasurable darkness.

If you’re still not awed and impressed you do stop dead in your tracks noticing the brilliance coming from the closed white door. Death for the last time. Adding to the door’s brilliance are carefully embedded stones of the purest, most beautifully cut diamonds.

But the brilliance is strangely not coming from the stones on top of the door. It is coming from behind. The light is really blinding ones sight and it penetrates your retina only from ones slightly enclosed eyes.

“Are you sure he is coming Father?”
“I am confident about it. Leira has a job to do and the game tonight has great stakes. It won’t only influence our purpose, but there are many more people that stands to lose if we mess this up”

To be continued...

© Ivin Viljoen

Last month God used a poor pastor from Malawi to challenge my suburban American priorities.

When I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, last month to conduct a woman's conference, my host, a journalist named Gideon, mentioned that my "pastor friend from Malawi" was waiting to see me. I was surprised to hear this, since I wasn't aware that I had a pastor friend from Malawi. I've never been to that country and I didn't remember talking to anyone from there.

"He says you've been e-mailing each other," Gideon said. "And he arrived today to see you."

Then I vaguely remembered receiving a message a few months earlier from a man from somewhere in southern Africa. He asked if I would come to his country to speak at a woman's conference, and I told him that I can't do events like that with people until I have met them and established a relationship of trust.

In a few hours I met this man, Pastor Peacepound. After a few minutes of small talk I learned that he had traveled on a crowded bus from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, to Nairobi. It was a four-day journey.

Four days on a bus? I was stunned. I've never met anyone in the United States who has traveled that long to attend a Christian meeting. We simply aren't that spiritually desperate. But this guy was so concerned about the way women are abused in his country—through domestic violence, molestation and mutilation—that he made an astonishing sacrifice.

Then he stunned me again with a question. "You said you could not come to Malawi unless we met. Now that we have met, will you come?"

What was I supposed to say? I almost laughed out loud as I imagined a possible response. "Well, pastor, I'll have to pray about that," just didn't seem appropriate. How could I deny this man's petition when he had paid such an incredible price?What was there to pray about?

This pastor's request reminded me of the apostle Paul's vision of a Macedonian man who said to him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us" (Acts 16:9, NASB). Pastor Peacepound's appeal was as sincere as it was humbling. Before the afternoon was over I had committed myself to coming to Lilongwe. It was the least I could do in light of this man's faith and tenacity.

I'll have to make a few sacrifices to go to Malawi next year. I don't enjoy being away from my family that long. But when I consider the fact that my plane ride from Florida to Africa will take less time than Pastor Peacepound's famous bus ride, it puts things into perspective.

In my recent travels in the developing world I have met so many precious men and women like Pastor Peacepound. They know little of our Western comforts. They've never seen granite countertops, flat-screen TVs, iPods or GPS systems. They can't imagine needing garage door openers, leaf blowers, security systems or the other suburban niceties we think are so crucial. The concept of gated communities or home theaters is an unthinkable concept to them.

These people live in poor countries where many people don't even have access to clean water or reliable electricity. They are just thankful to have enough rice and beans on the table. (Meanwhile some of us are obsessing about whether our gourmet vegetables are organic.)

As I have built friendships with Christian leaders in the developing world, God has totally messed with my suburban values:

• My friend Raja, who rescues throwaway baby girls from trash cans in southeastern India, runs an orphanage for dozens of kids yet lives on a miniscule salary.
• Lydia, a Christian lady I met in Kenya, runs a charitable school in Nairobi's largest slum and cares for numerous special—needs children—even though the school cannot cover her own living expenses.
• Oto, a pastor I work with in Guatemala, feeds more than 100 needy children every day—but he has no health insurance or retirement plan and he has never been able to afford a vacation.

It's uncomfortable to think about these jarring disparities, but I think we should let reality sink in. So much of the world today is struggling while we Americans—even in an economic recession—are living at a level of unimaginable abundance

I pray we will hear and answer the Macedonian cry coming from so many parts of the world. I pray we will act. I pray that someday soon you will meet your own version of Pastor Peacepound, and that you will begin to view the world through his eyes.

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma. He is ministering in Canada this week. You can find him on Twitter at leegrady.

In this season we must rehearse the Word! We must meditate on what God says until the power of that revelation enters our bloodstreams and cell structures. We also must learn to worship and minister in our homes. Doing so will allow our gifts to be activated in new ways in small groups. When the time comes that we are not free [to worship publicly in our church buildings], we will already know how to continue in our homes. Take the points below and use them to speak into your life and the environment around you.

Linda Heidler is a scribe in God's house who tries to capture the revelation that is coming forth each time we meet for corporate prayer, discuss in meetings what the Lord is saying from heaven and prophesy. We then "watch" and war with this revelation. Below are 10 key revelatory war points she gleaned during the last two weeks of October for you to decree into your atmosphere:

1. In the season of Ayin, or "The Eye," when God will open your eyes to the demonic realm in a greater dimension, you must see beyond the dark structure that you have discerned and view into the realm of God. The Lord is showing you the demonic so you will know what is resisting you or what will attempt to block or discourage you. When you see these foes, do not be overwhelmed. Remember Elijah saw the "word and the demon gods" that Jezebel was aligned with and ran from his position of authority (see 1 Kings 19:1-2). His actions postponed the Lord's plan to change the government of Israel.

2. The Spirit of God is giving you the prophetic revelation you need before you need it. Be alert to look again at what He has already said to you in the past seasons. He will refresh His voice so you can gain the revelation you need now and see a manifestation of His grace and promise in your life.

3. God has released engineering and conducting angels. The Spirit of God wants many things engineered (as in construction) and conducted (as in electricity) in this season. We are entering into a new 16-year building season. The apostolic leaders who are being raised up today will be downloading heaven's building plan for His kingdom projects. Invite these angels as messengers to bring God's plans.

4. God will be sending some of His people into dark structures. Do not fear the darkness. He will give you "night vision" to see a path of righteousness through any unrighteous structure. This will be like moving in the Gulf Stream through the normal ocean currents. The Gulf Stream is a warm stream that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, goes through the Florida Straits and then moves into the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The demon forces will part like the Red Sea and will be held back while God's children go into their new assignments.

5. We must go up to the source of the river. Do not look at just "jumping in the river" in this season, but go to the source—the place where the river is beginning. Go to the high places. Topple old thrones of iniquity, follow the river down, and break all dammed structures. Find the supply sources that have been withheld from you in the last season. God is opening your eyes to see those in need and is filling your mouth with the word that will bring them past the plan of the enemy.

6. There is a shout rising from us that will cause God to meet us with His shout. He will open the fountains of the deep to release the revelation about how [we are] to enlarge our tents and walk forward in this season. There is a shout deep in your belly where the "springs of living waters" exist. Play skillfully with this shout as it rises and flows from your mouth (see Ps. 33).

7. There is a new "drink" [spring] bubbling up within us that will expel bitterness, pain and sorrow.

8. God will open our eyes to things we could not see in the last season so that He can activate the vision within us and finish what He has begun in us. He is Alpha and Omega. Alpha will show you what needs to be finished. Omega will show you how to walk things to the end.

9. God is making our minds new. The crowns you received in the last season need to be cast at His feet. Those crowns were meant to be given to our Lord and not worn into this season. He is fitting us and giving us new crowns to present to Him. He is putting new turbans on our heads and developing a new mindset for a new season. Read Zechariah 3.

10. You will see Babylon arise in a new way. Do not fear. The kingdoms of the world are becoming His. This will happen as we are sent, as Daniel was, to be the greatest influencers in the Babylon system.

About the author: Chuck D. Pierce is the president of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas (gloryofzion.org). He is known for his accurate prophetic gifting and has been used by God to mobilize prayer throughout the world. Pierce is also the author of many books, including his two most recent, Interpreting the Times and Redeeming the Time (both Charisma House).

Source: Charismamag.com

Even with the box office success of Passion of the Christ and Fireproof, Christian films still conjure thoughts of bad acting, flat storylines and syrupy Sunday school lessons. But the producers of a new Christian horror film say they have created an atypical thriller that is genuinely scary.

Dangerous Calling will be screened in churches this weekend as an alternative to traditional Halloween events.

The film centers on a new pastor who faces dire opposition from his leadership as he attempts to make changes to their small-town church. Although it lacks the gory scenes often seen in films of this genre, the movie is sure to hold the attention of young people, the film's distributor says.

"Because there are so many occultish or dangerous films we wanted to provide churches an alternate," said Andre van Heerdan, CEO of Cloud Ten Pictures, the film's distribution house. "Dangerous Calling delivers in a big way and is genuinely watch-through-your-fingers scary in a number of spots."

Van Heerdan, whose company is best known for producing the Left Behind series, says the film is not overtly Christian but that it will minister to young people through it's subtle messages of faith situated in everyday circumstances.

"[Faith] is part of the story," van Heerdan told Charisma. "You have elements of faith, but it's really everyday people dealing with everyday things."

The movie's writer/director duo, Josh and Jeremiah Daws, say they pulled from their father's experience as a pastor and from their time in youth groups to create the film. They believe the movie's realness will cause it to minister beyond the four walls of the church.

"I believe there's a market for this type of movie within the body of Christ and beyond," Josh Daws said.

Recently Dangerous Calling sparked an online debate about whether Christians should produce or even watch faith-based thrillers.

"A film like this would encourage negative thought patterns, paranoia and fear," one poster stated. "These are the tools of Satan to rob us of our God given joy."

But another blogger, referring to Paul's sermon on Mars Hill in Acts, said Christians should be willing to use nontraditional tools to reach people with the gospel.

"Some folks who would never watch a typical Christian movie will watch a film like Dangerous Calling," the poster wrote. "I personally believe that we need to stop preaching to the choir with our films and use the 'unknown god' of filmmaking to our advantage to reach the lost world for Christ."

The PG-13 rated flick will not be played on the silver screen but will be released on DVD in 2010. Churches that want to show the film this weekend can purchase a public license on the film's Web site.

We often pray for more of the Holy Spirit's anointing. But if God gives you His power, will you actually use it?

A few years ago the Lord challenged me about my level of spiritual hunger. He showed me that even though I had stood in many prayer lines and repeatedly sung the words, "Lord, I want more of You," I wasn't as passionate for Him as I thought I was.

In 1999 my church sponsored a conference on the Holy Spirit. At the close of one service I was lying on the floor near the altar asking God for another touch of His power. Several other people were kneeling at the communion rail and praying quietly for each other.

Suddenly I began to have a vision. In my mind I could see a large pipeline, at least eight feet in diameter. I was looking at it from the inside, and I could see a shallow stream of golden liquid flowing at the bottom. The oil in the giant pipe was only a few inches deep.

I began a conversation with the Lord.

"What are You showing me?" I asked.

"This is the flow of the Holy Spirit in your life," He answered.

It was not an encouraging picture; it was pitiful! The capacity of the pipeline was huge—enough to convey tons of oil. Yet only a trickle was evident.

Then I noticed something else: Several large valves were lined up along the sides of the pipeline, and each of them was shut.

I wanted to ask the Lord why there was so little oil in my life. Instead I asked: "What are those valves, and why are they closed?"

His answer stunned me. "Those represent the times when you said no. Why should I increase the level of anointing if you aren't available to use it?"

The words stung. When had I said no to God? I was overcome with emotion and began to repent. I recalled different excuses I had made and limitations I had placed on how He could use me.

I had told Him that I didn't want to be in front of crowds because I wasn't a good speaker. I had told Him that if I couldn't preach like T.D. Jakes does, then I didn't want to speak at all. I had told Him that I didn't want to address certain issues or go certain places. I had placed so many cumbersome conditions on my obedience.

After a while I began to see something else in my spirit. It was a huge crowd of African men, assembled as if they were in a large arena. And I saw myself preaching to them.

Nobody had ever asked me to minister in Africa, but I knew at that moment I needed to surrender my will. All I could think to say was the prayer of Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord, send me." (Isa. 6:8). I told God I would go anywhere and say anything He asked. I laid my insecurities, fears and inhibitions on the altar.

Three years later I stood at a pulpit inside a sports arena in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. As I addressed a crowd of 8,000 pastors who had assembled there for a training conference, I remembered seeing their faces in that vision. And I realized that God had opened a new valve in my life that day in 1999. Because I had said yes, He had increased the flow of His oil so that it could reach thousands.

Many of us have a habit of asking for more of God's power and anointing. But what do we use it for? He doesn't send it just to make us feel good.

We love to go to the altar for a touch from God. We love the goose bumps, the shaking, the emotion of the moment. We love to fall on the floor and experience one filling after another. But I am afraid some of us are soaking up the anointing but not giving it away. Our charismatic experience has become inward and selfish. We get up off the floor and live like we want to.

Pentecost is not a party. If we truly want to be empowered we must offer God an unqualified yes. We must crucify every no. We must become a conduit to reach others; not a reservoir with no outlet.

Search your own heart today and see if there are any closed valves in your pipeline. As you surrender them, the locked channels will open and His oil will flow out to a world that craves to know He is real.

I have been bullied, lambasted and had my chops busted because I reached a place I thought was good for me to be. I floated high above the ground, was mesmerized by angels and prayed for any person I though had a slight ailment God can heal. Little has changed, sans a few isolated things, but today I am slightly more bearable.

I have always been a loaner even though I was surrounded by people, lots of people… And it wasn’t long before I got branded, yep, branded… and branded properly.

Once I was branded I was proud of it. I was classified into a section of the Christian society very few got to be classified in. I was proud about my new stature… but that was just the problem,… it made me proud. It made me look down on others that didn’t have the faith that I had, that couldn’t believe what I could believe for. A bully with a Bible in my hand.

In I walk into an auditorium as our youth group was rehearsing their hip-hop set for a danced number we were to perform as guest performers at a Church near where I lived. I liked the venue… the fact that it seemed the people had money and the opportunities. I realized however they might just need a Pastor to be assistant to their Senior Pastor, an assistant Pastor – I was in fact looking for a job…

I have been eyeing up the SP’s mannerisms and looking at what kind of person he was. I knew people and could read them well, not necessarily a spiritual gift, but hey! I walked over speaking to God about how this is the perfect opportunity for Him to bless me. Open doors, you know. Well, it seems God agreed, because he told me “You were begging me for a Church to work at close to home… well, here you go”. Today, I’m not entirely sure it was His will for what I was about to do, but over I went.

I came closer to the SP and immediately realized that our personalities would clash… heavily. It’s not that he won’t like me much (I later learnt it was rather the “board” that didn’t like me), but it was that I didn’t like him much. Hey! Jesus said love your neighbor, not like him… anyway… As I came closer I said to God: “Oh Lord… I can’t do this… It’s gonna be very hard for me to get along with him. He has the personality and mannerisms that REALLLY irritate the bugs out of me.

Well, the rest of that story is for another time, but what I want YOU to take away from that is that there was a certain “feeling” or inclination that we will not jell well. Next story.

I took our youth out a couple times to a fast food joint, coffee shops etc. and what we’ll do is take up a communal offering, order what we want and trust the Lord that there would be enough to pay for everything. It never failed me. Then after we had our fill we I would share a parable with them from some object lesson God would share with me in that week. But one day, two or three of the youth members got the brand too!

They stood up immediately, not because of my lesson, because my lesson was about letting go of sin, they responded they want to go pray for EVERYBODY in the coffee shop. Some of you might say that’s the way to go… and I would usually agree. I love and condone going into the streets, preaching the Gospel and praying for the sick and oppressed. But these kids didn’t serve God, had lots of questionable motives and were unfaithful. As much as I knew that was probably the right thing to do… It didn’t seem like it was this time. Let me tell you why:

Myself, the Senior Pastor in my story and the youth all had something in common. We were branded! We carried around a specific brand that is offensive to everybody, Christians and non-believers alike. Also, along with that branding comes a certain characteristic, personality and fruit… albeit bad ones.

The brand is SUPER-SPIRITUALITY.

Well, to conclude my story, I was supposed to start broadcasting a radio show two weeks or so back and when I got the hook-up I was very excited. I mean this will not only be great but also good for the website. Imagine every two minutes: “You are listening to 220radio, broadcast ministry of 220generation.com!” Awesome eh. Well, that didn’t materialize.

First, my material had to first be “listened to”… to screen and watch for good sound doctrine and I understand 100%, but that doesn’t make sense if you were looking for a friend request from me and told me about “…we’re inviting people to broadcast on our show”. I thought: “What a break!” and was excited but should have listened to my inclination when I went and tuned in to sample the show.

All I heard was “praise the lord…” and “we pressing in for the anointing…” and “we cry out to you Father…” which is all good an Biblical… but the tone and … I don’t know something was off. And I didn’t listen to God voice when he said: “Hey! Remember Pastor so and so? How you almost turned around before doing your ministry pitch to ‘em?” – “I remember…” I said as we shared a chuckle. Yep, it okay… you can share a laugh with God. After all, He said He’s your friend.

I wouldn’t remember or write down this account if it didn’t hurt me so much. First, I should be offended after someone approached me and then once I sent my material told me that they haven’t heard from God if we should broadcast on their station. What in heavens name are we speaking to each other then? – but that’s just me.

Then, once or twice, on a status update and a personal message here and there I asked what was happening… Because this “station” was very unprofessional. Luckily I haven’t shared with anyone where I was going to broadcast, so no-one knows which station or who I’m speaking about. We were agreed on a time… twice. Now if you have any professional courtesy and experience of website marketing, you will know that when you tell people something’s gonna happen, you best make it happen. Because otherwise people lose faith in you and your “product” suffers.

It was simply unacceptable to me. I mean, I made sure from the station manager the times, we agreed on a slot etc. Of course, like any person in my position would have, I got in contact and explained my disappointment. The response I got is that I can not be disappointed as it is a blessing – i.e free. Always being the least and keeping my nose clean I apologized and asked what is the next move. We agreed on another time.

When the second time I awaited my program to air, imagine my amazement as I heard someone else preach in my slot. And then songs, in the slot we agreed upon. Now I got angry, because I haven’t been in ministry too long (compared to veterans) but I have been serving God diligently for six years. I work hard… and  I spent a considerable amount of time preparing and recording the show. It had music, messages of mine and other news, missionary focus, prayer focus, scripture and website of the day. It was aimed at youth and therefore vibey etc. Can you see where my anger comes from? And the more the program launch dates pushed on, the news given in the program of almost three weeks ago is now… well, old news.

I got angry because this is another time where an agreement was  made between myself and a “man of God” flowing in the anointing… spirit filled etc. etc. Another agreement broken and promises dissipating to lies. I was tired of this.    

I told the dear brother that he was being a stumbling block to me. You know what he told me? I should pray more, yeah, and He says what I’m saying is a lie from the pit of hell. He, he says, is a blessing! “Well,..” I thought, “brother, a blessing ain’t such if it isn’t received”.

Well, according to Him God opened the door and I closed it. Lol! Most of you know me, and some of you would even brand me. So, if I brand someone, you know it’s real intense.

Let’s place our feet back on earth. Before you criticize this article or vent on other platform, go listen to my messages on my website (link below) and see where I’m coming from. I get it, but let’s stop thinking we glow in the dark, fly with the angels and walk through walls (I have a friend who left the Church because the Pastor couldn’t – see what I mean?) … C’mon.

We are people, who have to deal with people. Jesus knew that, that’s why he sat with sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors and he told them parables. The simple man understood Jesus well, but the Pharisee who is supposed to “get it” didn’t . Why? Because he was branded: Super Spiritual. “You’re a teacher of Israel, and you don’t know these things?” Jesus said to Nicodemus. “You don’t believe me if I tell you of earthly matters. How can I explain to you the things of heaven…”.

In short, here is a list of characteristics common to a Super-Spiritual:

1. SS’s always have to “pray about…” everything. No decision can be made without days of prayer on the subject.  I agree if it’s a life changing decision, but to meet someone or to help someone out – yes or no would do! Most of the time it’s a lie until someone can think of a good excuse.
2. SS’s will always tell you to go pray more. Even if they don’t know you, you need to pray more and you’re definitely NOT on the same spiritual level they are!
3. They always pray in tongues, loudly! I always pray in tongues too, in fact all the time, but not loud so everyone can hear me. Pray loud if you’re by yourself, if you have to or in a prayer meeting/service, sure. But at your workplace or even in church… C’mon. Refer to what Jesus said the guy praying on the street corner’s reward is.    
4. They always have to check people out. If someone is so spiritual, couldn’t your discernment tell you what’s the deal? No, you have to go pray about it and so on and so forth… Not so spiritual after all.
5. SS people have a lot to “share”, always have wisdom from either the Bible or some vision/ dream they had and suffocate you with it. If you don’t understand, you’re not spiritual enough.
6. Finally, SS people can do all the spiritual things; speak in tongues, claiming to pray for hours, heal people… some may even claim to do crusades on a daily basis in countries you’ve never been to, of course. However, you fail to see much fruit from it. In their ministries and their character.

What’s the difference? How do we see the true “spiritual” man? BY HIS FRUIT. What fruit you might ask? Well, for starters, the ones in Galatians 5:22. Start there, that is challenge enough.

…and honor your word, answer your emails or messages, make the appointment you said you will get back to someone to make, meet deadlines YOu set, Make sure you’re conversation is finished before loggin off, …ag wat!

These are just personal gripes and experiences. Can you share any? Comment below!   

“First the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear” Jesus said. “Precept upon precept, line upon line”… the prophet said. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual”.

“But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated”

Let’s be very spiritual, and walk with Jesus through fellowship with Holy Ghost ON EARTH, like Jesus did.

If you’re offended with this article, good! I was once just like you, I hope I helped you.

Pastor Ivin Viljoen is an author, youth minister and moderator of 220generation.com.

Go to our website http://www.220generation.com

Hey everyone. I make this appeal to all who wants to get into writing or have been writing for a while and fancy having their work published. I have an assignment for you.

Before I tell you what I would like for you to do, I must first clarify the word publishing. Right now, I could go on the net and copy/paste some clever definition from a unaccredited online dictionary, giving you the description of what publishing really is.

Well, since the interweb weaved itself into our lives everything changed… the world became significantly smaller. People that were faaaar away from us can now be instantly connected with in a simple click and ideas shared across cultures and corporate divides without boarding a plane.

Things have surely changed. And so have publishing.

Let’s look at it for real. If you’ve been blogging… on a recognized platform perhaps, you’ve been published. Simple. No arguments can be afforded. People think that you are published once you’ve got a book on the shelf in CNA, Cum or Exclusive books (not necessarily the best sellers shelf), but they are wrong.  I am of the opinion that if you’re material would, whatever format or genre it befits, be found in a shop or even a warehouse, it’s simply braking you’re real potential. There’s other means of getting you’re voice out there other than the tradition bound copy book.

Don’t get me wrong, the concept I am explaining is rewarding, but should not be confused. I want you to understand two things. First, there is the Author, you are an author if you write… no matter how utterly disastrous you are. Secondly, you are published if you have even one article published in such a way that it is available for someone to read. I could have written an article on Benoni attack beetles destroying the roses of the old age homes in the vicinity, crushing the meaning for life for our dear senior citizens… and being mildly successful, it might have even rallied people of all ages to action and protest. That’s effective publishing.

Now being paid for publishing is a different story and that’s where I want to encourage you. Don’t think because you are no Wilbur Smith, writing a novel over the weekend and having it on the New York Times bestsellers list the next, you are not worthy of writing. You are. Not all published, paid authors are noteworthy… I mean look at the latest, horrific renderings of author Dan Brown. That alone should encourage you that you could also write good pieces of litterature… Anyone for that matter. That opinion is perceived as biase, I’m sure… but it IS my opinion.

When getting started, you shouldn’t focus on getting paid. Do it as you’re hobby, and for the love of it. Just that. You hone your skills over the years and sharpen your pen every article you write and eventually, if you persevere with this as a dream, it might become profitable for you.  

How does one get started? Well, as the simple metaphor explains, crawl before you walk… or run for that matter. And I would like to get you started. You do an assignment, and I’ll publish it for you… I need you and I can do something for you in return. Once you did the assignment, I will publish it as widely as possible… people will read your name, and if you’re work is good, you might even be picked up by a magazine or as a columnist of a paper. You might have better luck than me.

I am not promising you anything, make sure you understand that… All I’m offering you is giving you an assignment. Let me tell you what it’s all about:

I have a website called the220 and it is located at http://www.220generation.com It exists for one reason, and that reason is found on the page called “The vision”. I read an article three years ago and it changed my life. I realized that if we are gonna see a revival of religion (not traditional, but in the sense of returning to God), we gotta embrace the times. I would love to see young people embrace the tools our time has provided us with reaching other people with the Gospel.

We are periodically launching various projects from our website to promote revival among young people (of which I have extensively written in the past, and been published on) and to get them involved in evangelism. One of those projects, which is a poetry competition, has already launched and here is another one.

Okay, I have explained everything properly, here is the assignment: I have several things that I need reviewed, and here is an opportunity to start at the bottom of the ladder (we all have to) and write your first piece (if you have been writing for a while I would appreciate your input too!) and get it published.

Simple.

First assignment: go through our website http://www.220generation.com and surf the site extensively, give your opinion and be brutal. I value the public’s opinion on my writing. Comment on the design, the content, opinions, the bias (if any) etc. Do your review extensively. When you’re done tag me on Facebook (ID ivintherevivalist), email the review to ivin@220generation.com or sned it to me via @the220 on Twitter.

I hope you enjoy the site and I hope to receive your review soon!

Ivin Viljoen

Pastor Ivin Viljoen is an author, youth minister and moderator of 220generation.com.

Go to our website http://www.220generation.com

I have thought about Facebook as a ministry tool and I’m sure the subject has been discussed tirelessly. I believe I have a few angles I could add to the never-ending process of learning and development of our skills and networking abilities.   

See, I have cursed Facebook at first and spoke of it as a tool of the devil… and it could be, if you use it in the wrong way. But by being equipped and trained, I believe you can use Facebook to the benefit of the Kingdom and for reaching souls and submitting to the works set out in Isaiah 61:1-3.

I have read a book called Facebook for Pastors http://ministrymarketingcoach.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/facebook-for-pastors-by-chris-forbes.pdf but I want to offer unconventional tips and guiding points that I believe haven’t been looked at before. I will approach them out of a “revelation” standpoint as something I haven’t read before. The Church of God has been using platforms like Facebook etc. but I believe the tools and tricks have not been exhausted and haven’t been fully explored yet, however, I believe God’s people can do with some training in etiquette and integrity. I hope you find it educational and a measure of equipping.

As you may have realized, I endeavor to tackle a measure of issues that I feel the Lord asking me to address and provide guidance about. This will make part of a series of posts that will be posted as notes on Facebook or on the blog on my website. Here goes:

I want to start of with deleting Facebook “friends” as a springboard to this series. I have two cases to share with you:

Firstly, as a Christian, using the platform of Facebook to not only connect with ministers all over the world, but you are also able to reach out with the Gospel to people you may think are unbelievers. Speaking of deleting “friends” on Facebook, it is very interesting to note that (and sure, this is a personal experience) the people that delete you are Christians.

Now, I don’t know what you do, but I like to post articles, videos and mp3’s that is related to revival and winning souls on my “personal” (please note the word “personal”) Facebook profile page. Now, Facebook is designed so that all your updates appear on a page cleverly bringing all your posts and your friends posts on one page – thus promoting everyone’s interaction and contributions equally. This helps you as a person to see all the posts by all your friends, “share” them with others on your profile, or comment when you have a view, an opinion that might differ from others, or even if you agree.

What happens is that Christian “friends” then delete you from their profile (not that I am sore about a person deleting me from their “list”). This, of course happens because of two reasons: One, they either say that your posts and updates are too much – crowding up their home page (C’mon, are you serious? That’s what the home page is for…) or… two, they don’t “agree” with what you (yes, they think it’s you…) are saying (now, posting a video or article rarely makes it my opinion. That’s why there is a button next to the article/video reading: “share”… not “when you press this button you are expressively  proclaiming to all and sundry that THIS is by no doubt or debate your  expressive opinion”.

It is interesting to note that rarely, if ever, an “unbeliever” (and I use this term with the uttermost respect as referring to a person that does NOT serve Christ) has ever deleted me from their “friend” list because of what I posted. Actually, I know of one person that did – the rest are all loser Christians that cannot communicate or play with others. If you don’t know, these are tools God has made available to use for His glory. By you commenting on a video or article I posted an unbeliever friend of yours may see it on your profile… (yes, they are watching you) and actually receive something from the Lord, perhaps even receive salvation… but nooooo! You’re too spiritual for that. In fact I bet all your friends on your profile are all Christians.      

This makes me think: is it a confirmation that a lot of Christians are lukewarm and don’t really have a passion for souls? The reason we are so ineffective is because we are “herded” together like sheep ( we are sheep, I know…) and  never will we meet other sheep of other herds or farms… share with them grazing techniques, lustry grazing spots or techniques for evading that ferocious wolf we all herd (hehe) about. No we take after and care for our own… all ten or even hundred of us.

The problem here is actually deeply seated in many things I have not space enough to write about. But to name a few: one, we cannot receive from each other, two, we cannot biblically interact… (if a brother is off the path, make errors or even offends, there are biblical ways for us to deal with them – but excommunicating them? I think this action defeats the point of ministry) and; Three, we have been “classifying” ourselves in such a measure that we cannot agree, and anyone that doesn’t agree with us is “not of us”.

I know I could be over the top, too much and I test even my wife’s patience and degree of love (bless her heart), but don’t you think people like me (and others of course) have been placed on earth, or in your Facebook domain, so that YOU can work on your character and develop patience and exercise faith etc. I don’t know how many people actually read the articles I write, but isn’t it possible that you could actually learn something from me (and visa-versa of course).

Then for my second point (and I hope this opens your eyes): There are two kinds of “deletion” scenarios. One, you could be deleted by some conceited badger who thinks life is to be lived in hibernation and hiding… because they either don’t like you or your posts,… or… two, you delete someone because ”something doesn’t feel right in my “spirit” when I read his updates or look at his profile pic”. And I’m realizing this instance because I also did the latter.

Perhaps this post is a bit biased because I am an acute “rejection-sufferer” (and don’t pass me your sympathetic comments. You didn’t care before…), but also because there is a certain “power” trip you get from deleting someone… especially after an argument or fall-out about something really trivial (if you go and think about it).

Recently I also had that “super-spiritual”, I have a check in my spirit about someone…, “picking something up…” kinda feelings and deleted two people from my Facebook. I have been looking at both their pages frequently (sinners and unbelievers who are generally “lost” fascinate me), and looking at both their pages I realized, only afterward, that their profanity etc changed, they aren’t posting unsavoury or derogatory comments and even the “boxes” on their profile about weird groups and questionable pages have been removed.

Here it is important to follow the voice of the Holy Spirit in everything you do (without being super-spiritual, there’s a difference), because as soon as I deleted them the profile flashed before my eyes in a vision. And it’s only then that I realized; “Hey! They don’t have those compromising things on their profiles anymore.” And then the thought:; “Is it possible that I had some influence in his life with all the various forms of ministering?”  And it’s as if God slapped me upside my head and said; “why do you think you get in touch with them through Facebook. You have nothing in common with each other. Now you done and deleted them!” Gulp.

Sometimes we are too spiritual and misuse the “power” you have to delete people. In my case: “Well, everybody deleting me, I think I might as well delete some people too. Let me see who’s avatar looks the worst and writes the most ungodly thing…” Not realizing that it’s them who needs Christ… not the Christians!

So, all Christians, please delete me from your profile now, because what I have to say and what I do can help you nothing. I am sold out to get souls saved and then equip them to share their faith with the different tools I’ll teach them how to use. I’ve been trying to show you but you delete me… (I’m joking of course, if you’re offended right now, please refer to Revelations 3:15-17). The sad thing is, those that I have deleted , I cannot find anymore.

Sigh.

Of course, if you are being stalked, harassed or abused; block, report or inevently delete. By all means. But in other circumstances… Who do you think you are anyway?

My only regret in this article is that those “delete everyone I don’t like or agree with”-Christians won’t be able to read this… unless the article is shared.

[End note: What is the difference of being super-spiritual and being led by the Holy Ghost. The one is submitted and obedient and the other is hypocritical. The superspiritual and hypocritical tells everyone he listens to the Holy Ghost for what he wears, eats, speak to, being friends with etc. The submitted, obedient one you will probably not know about that trait, because he doesn’t proclaim THAT from the rooftop but listens to the Lords voice regarding everything. Don’t ask constantly “what shirt should I wear Lord, should I eat whole bran, cornflakes or pronutro for breakfast… or says” I’ll pray about it” every time he is asked something, etc. He just heeds to the voice of God in all matters)         

Ivin Viljoen

Pastor Ivin Viljoen is an author, youth minister and moderator of 220generation.com.

Hello everyone

It's been a long time since I've blogged about anything, but I've been discouraged, burnt out and looking for fruit - I didn't really see any the last three months or so. However, I am making great connections all the time... it just takes time to get to them.

Great news is that season 2 of The Wartley's have jumped off this week and I should have the cartoons I scripted up soon. Also, I made a connection recently in New York where I will be broadcasting on internet radio daily from 12h00 - 12h00 New York time. That's very exciting for me, and  I have been writitng articles for a magazine in India.

Well, bless God. I'm sure you don't want to hear me brag about all the stuff I'm doing :p Please look at our poetry competition and see if you can enter. Also, get involved with the 220 as we are brining revival wherever you are.

I will start blogging again soon and hope you will read my politically inspired and christian views on the news posts everyday.


Your in revival.

Ivin a.k.a Tony2Cents

Times are tough, for everybody. And if you’re carrying burdens of people and have compassion for your neighbor the way Jesus told us to have love for our neighbor (Matthew 22:39)– for you, it’s going worse.

I’ve been talking with a couple Pastors since I-Net Bridge announced we are in a recession and what I’ve been saying for a year now I need to repeat: The Church structure, all the things man built, our hierarchies, the temples and buildings … all of it is coming down!!!

We are facing foreclosures everywhere and financial pressures are rife. It really seems this is happening. And for those of you who want to razz me about where this is in Scripture, I gladly oblige...:

MATTHEW 21:12,13.

Let’s start with where Jesus burned with passion for the Temple (Church in today’s terms) that he DROVE OUT the people selling stuff with the moneychangers. We DON’T preach THAT in our congregations!?!

“Let’s talk today about how Jesus drove out hawkers in the church buildings… Before we do tho’, take a look at this beautiful sandblasted clock with the Church logo on it: This particular piece costs RX and we have it at a special…”

Ah, you salesman you, if we “sold” the Gospel “without price” (Matthew 10:8) more we would probably get somewhere quicker than the snail pace at which the Gospel is advancing right now.

Maybe there’s a reason why He drove them out; perhaps because we have put the light in the Church (under a bushel?) and everyone who HAS a light hide in the four walled buildings. I just see my dog shuddering in the cold and my heart cringe. Last night, on the way to prayer meeting, the wind blew so strong that I didn’t know how to keep my scarf etc on because of the force – and did I mention it was cold? I caught myself praying: “Thank you Lord, that I have a roof over my head with a wall to protect me from the elements. And the question a friend of mine often ask is: “How many beds do you have that’s empty?” Umm. Yeah.

JOHN 2:19

What about Jesus speaking to the Pharisees about the temple (which He just drove out from the Church (sorry, temple) – look at after Stephen’s standing,  how God allowed persecution through the very vessel He was to use later to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and writing 2/3’s of the New Testament.  What did God allow that for? Perhaps to DRIVE OUT the Church OUT OF JERUSALEM!!!

He told these guys that he will destroy this building (Temple/Church: remember?) completely and then rebuild it in three days. The Bible CLEARLY states he was talking of HIS BODY! (John 2:21)

He was passionate about it! Instead of being the Body, walking in the street (Peter’s shadow healed people while walking IN THE STREETS! – Meantime we’re “manufacturing” miracles to seem “authentic”. Maybe we won’t have to if we were where we are supposed to be)  we lock ourselves into a building.

JEREMIAH 1:10

God calls Jeremiah as a prophet and 2/3rds of his calling is to “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down”

Assess your motives, or the motives of your Church (if you’re not in power [lucky person!]) and see if what is happening and what you’ve built is from God and His direction, or is it from YOUR PLANS & PROGRAMS.

If it is from God, it will stand, but one thing is sure; the structures and hierarchies are coming down. You may ask like the disciples did after Jesus said it’s hard for the rich to get into the Kingdom: “Who then can be saved”.

Being in the will and direction of God is key. Find out from Him what should the Church look like in your town, and what should they be doing, TOGETHER…

Finally, a last Scripture for those who seek such support for a post of prophetic insight:

“And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken,

as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”

Hebrews 12:27

The current climate of all things are designed to bring revival. It’s ripe and coming.

Who will be used? Those that cannot be shaken.

Who will not be shaken? Let’s look at this:

“And every one that heareth these sayings (God’s word – what Jesus taught) of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” Matthew 7:26,27. Emphasis mine.

Yours in revival!

Ivin Viljoen

 

         

Hello everyone.

I hope you have been blessed and that you are excited about revival in south Africa and all over the world. The times, as they say, are ripe with opportunities to preach the Gospel.

Some news from my side is that the 24.com platform I have been using to blog my Tony2Cents stuff from have been closed down. I am archiving all the posts there to see what I can do with them, However, I have moved the blog onto Wordpress for lots of different reasons. If you are familiar with it the writings, here is the new link http://tony2cents.wordpress.com/ I just started a new series of posts that might just make it into a book. It’s called “Surviving in South Africa: A practical guide for Christians to survive South Africa’s hostile climate”. I hope you will follow me there…

This message is actually to familiarize yourself with the 220generation website. I have already posted to you the “Hot Tip# 1” a couple weeks ago and I hope you went and played with it a little bit. It’s a great way to share the Gospel without actually preaching one on one, street or on platforms. Here though, is Hot Tip # 2 :

The thing that started almost everything I do regarding youth ministry was sparked by a vision I saw – and funnily enough I read a one page blurb of a vision someone received and wrote it down. Aftyer reading Pete Greig’s rendition of “The Vision” I flipped, but like completely. It was something that puts into words exactly what I felt God was about to do.

Now what I want to you to check out is the many renditions of this vision many youth groups and even Pete’s staple “transformations” have done of the written vision. Go to the page called “The Vision” at the website http://www.220generation.com or use this direct link http://www.220generation.com/page2.htm. Here you can read a transcript of it, download the pdf and watch the many videos posted there.

Now first thing you can do to inspire your friends and everyone your meet for revival, especially among young people, is to hand out the printed “vision”. That alone will start a fire.

Also, what you can do is choose your favorite video, let it play right through, then when the screen goes small you’ll see two codes: one is to embed with – usually the bottom one (share it on your blog and website if you can) and also you’ll find the “link” that directs straight to the youtube page from where it plays. Copy it.

Now, on the websites menu, go to “downloads”. Click on the pic that says “download youtube videos”. Download the program and then go here http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/ffdshow.cfm download it and install. Now, open yotube downloader and it will automatically register your youtube link you copied. The button “Download video from Youtube” should be marked, Click OK. Let it download. Then, select the button that says “Convert Video” but make sure that you go into the folder you saved the download from and choose that exact same file (it ends in flv.) Then click OK. There you have the file of “the vision” video you like.

Now, altogether now: “Print it on CD/DVD’s, write http:/www.220generation.com on the disc with permanent marker and give out as many as you can”

Well, that’s hot tip # 2 for our website and give me some feedback huh? On the site, these tips, the group, whatever.     

Please invite your friends to this group or tell them to sign up for my newsletter.

var addthis_pub="the220";

Hello everyone.

The 220's "slogan" is "embracing youth culture, appropriating revival". Revival is all about having people realize God's call on them and embracing Him as their Savior.

Well, I want to call on you to get busy. Have you ever heard of Christian comps? It's a relatively new concept that people started with around 2005. It's a tool for people who have a heart for the lost but don't feel quite comfortable to preach open air (God knows the pulpits are forbidden ground...).

So, what you can do is make use of tracts... I know, I know, those boring, seem-to-be-clever papers that have some lame cartoon or illustration on them everybody since my grandma saw. No, no, this is very different, and radical I might add...

Do you think you can share CD's with your friends? You do? Well, go to the flea market and get some empty or blank CD's, the cheapies would do. We all get about a hundred at a time which should cost you about R1, $0.10 per Cd.

Do you have a CD writer? If not, get a friend who has one involved and he could even help you hand them out. Then, if you like hip hop, go to our Sermon Jams page here http://www.220generation.com/page47.htm They are radical revival sermons snippets over hip-hop beats. Listen to a couple you like and download them by right clicking your mouse and click "Save as". Then drop them onto a Cd and hand them out to everyone you feel you want to reach but don't have the boldness to preach open air yet.

On the CD, you can then write our address http://www.220generation.com with a permanent marker on the CD. It will then direct them to the site which could help people find the Lord through he Gospel preached, cartoons, video's, other audios and even some pages that provide answers to many of peoples struggles today.

That's it.

Don't like hip hop much? Don't think your "patrons" would like such? Go to  http://www.220generation.com/page7.htm where you'll find revival preaching over hymns and worship music.

That's our HOT feature fro this week. Please invite your friends to the 220? http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?sid=2a2d2b0c3f6e4316034c2cc390393c19&gid=21128536683&ref=search

God bless.

Ivin

What does God really want from us? Have you ever asked that question? I know I sure have. So many times I have cried out to the Lord and asked Him that question, “What do You want from me Lord?” His answer is usually one of two responses. He either says, “I want you to obey Me”, or He says, “I want you to trust Me”.

Have you ever considered that those two desires that the Lord has of us are so closely related? Why would we obey Him if we don’t trust Him? The truth is, if we won’t obey Him concerning any particular thing that He tells us to do, then we don’t trust Him. If we really trusted Him, then we would rest assured that He knows what’s best for us and that He wants what’s best for us.

If we don’t believe and know those two things, it’s probably because we have some distorted view of what kind of Father He really is. How we see Him is far too often determined by things that have happened in our lives. Maybe our earthly dad or some other authority figure in our life had abused us in some way.

Maybe we look at God through a distorted lens because of our own expectations of how we think God should act or what we think a father should look like. I’ve even known people to have a false expectation of God because they believed that their earthly father was a better father than God is. This happened because their earthly father gave them what they wanted and God wouldn’t do that.

Instead, God gave them what they needed. The truth was that their earthly father had made a spoiled brat out of them and they wanted God to do the same, something I too have been guilty of. Whatever it is, there is obviously something that is holding us back from seeing God for who He really is so that we can trust Him and obey Him.

I know that many of you have heard me use this same verse many times (Proverbs 3:5&6), but that’s because God has used this one verse to make such an impact on my life and to teach me so many things. This is what Proverbs 3:5&6 says,  “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge God, and He will direct your paths.”

I find it quite amazing how this verse relates to what the Lord is having me share here. This verse lays out three things that we are supposed to do, and then it tells us what God will do.

First of all He wants us to trust Him, in fact, it isn’t just a request. He is not asking us to trust Him. In that verse He makes a statement. He commands us to trust Him, but He does it in a very gentle way. He does it like a Father.

Secondly, He wants us to lean not on our own understanding. He wants us to stop trying to reason things out. Our ways are not God’s ways. Our understanding is not God’s understanding. We don’t see the big picture. But God does.

- Many times the Lord tells us to do things that make no sense to us, but that’s why He wants us to trust Him. He knows everything that we don’t know and He sees everything that we don’t see. His understanding is way better than our understanding is because He sees everything and His plan is perfect.

Thirdly, He wants us to acknowledge Him in all our ways. Simply put, that means to ask Him about everything. He wants us to ask Him what to eat and when to eat. He wants us to ask Him what to wear and what time we’re supposed to get up in the morning. Why? Why does He want us to ask Him about even the smallest details of our daily lives?

Well, here’s an example of what I’m talking about. God knows whether your wife has a special dinner planned for the two of you when you get home from work today. If you get an invitation from one of your buddies to stop off at the local café and grab a bite to eat after work, and you don’t ask God about it or He just tells you No and you don’t obey Him, then how happy do you supposed your wife is gonna be when you get home.

To take it a step further, when you get home and realize why God told you “No” about eating with your buddy and you don’t confess that to your wife and ask her forgiveness, then how much do you really love God or your wife?

We are humans and we make mistakes and we sin. The question is, once you sin and you see the repercussions of it, what are you going to do about it? Will you try to hide it and just let the damage to your wife, your marriage and the rest of the body of Christ continue, or will you stop the cycle of ravish that you put into play and confess your sins to your wife and ask her to pray for you so there can be healing?

 I believe that you understand how this example relates to every detail of our lives. If we trust and obey God, it puts Him in charge and we don’t sin.

That’s exactly what the last line in that verse pertains to. If we trust Him with all our hearts, if we don’t lean on our own minuscule understanding, if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, then He will direct our paths. He can direct our paths so much better than we can because He sees and know all that we don’t. He’s Daddy, and He’s really good at what He does.

Isn’t it time that we let go of the steering wheel and let Him drive? If you have a distorted view of who God is or who you think He should be, will you ask Him to seek out and destroy any distorted views that you might have of Him so that you can trust and obey Him? I’m not pointing my finger at you. If I’m pointing my finger at anyone, I’m pointing it at myself.

Isn’t it time for us to work out our trust issues with God so that we can trust and obey Him? Obedience is better than sacrifice, and if we don’t obey God then we will sacrifice and it will probably cost us far more than we are really willing to pay.
 
P.S. If you need someone to pray with you, please feel free to contact me and maybe we can pray with each other.
 
I love you all
Chris
rancherforChrist@gmail.com

This article was a very difficult article for me to write. I realize nostrils will probably flare up and animosity could be created because of what God has shared with me in this specific word, and the word is this: the days that the clergy had first and only dibs on Holy things and revelations are finished.

"Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?" 1 Sam. 21:1 KJV

David had constantly been in war, sent to it by his king, king Saul. However, because of David's success in the battlefield and the praises he received from the people, Saul got jealous and pursued to kill David. David knew God and heard his voice very well, we know that by simply looking at his life and also reading the Psalms. David and God were like peanut butter and jelly.

However, David knew the practice of honoring men. He has been fighting the many battles of King Saul against the Philistines, a nation Saul was too afraid to fight himself. David rescued king Saul from Goliath and for all of this he only got persecuted by the very people he served.

But knowing honor, even though he knew the Lord and his voice, he went to the priest Ahimelech. The fame of David had spread all over the land and stories of exploits were rife all over society. David sought counsel, he sought solace and comfort because he was being pursued and persecuted.

After Johnathan honorably brought him the message that he was to flee away, David arrived at the priest.  However, here from verse one it seems that the priest was afraid of him. Ahmelech asked him two questions:

1) Why are you alone?

2) Why is there no man with you?

Now here, we need to ask a pertinent question: why was the priest afraid of David? David had just come out of fierce battles with the enemy, one of which he paraded the champions head in the streets with his armour in keep; the women singing his praises.

The priests are also always asking for "references" from young people, not understanding that, like David, they have been anointed as kings, here to serve. Also, references are few, because they had just been called by God, like Jeremiah, and don't have much experience - save perhaps a calling that God provided.

There could also be some time spent in the wilderness which produces character and maturity. The thing about the wilderness is that it is an obscure place few are aware of or know what happens there.

The priests or clergy hold onto what they have so tight that the Spirit of God Himself is seldom welcome in their midst. The priests don't like it if young men of God, those with no reputable backgrounds, no published books on the shelves, no TV programs or thousands following them suddenly rise up out the ashes and start moving in God's power.

They can't understand how it's possible for young people, without having gone to a Bible school like they had, not having sucked up to the mainline pastors for years like they had, suddenly grab the helm of a revival or a major move of God. They can't and won't accept it.

But like in Malachi 4:6 the hearts of the children will be turned back to the fathers and likewise the fathers to the children - this is God's design. But what the hierarchies are concerned, Jesus clearly taught that last will be first and the first will be last. These last days are days when these Scriptures will become very relevant.

There is a place for facilitating and accountability, but the days of the clergy squashing the fervour and the fire of young people because they are young will be no more! Ask David, Jeremiah, Moses and others how that applied to them. This move has been muzzled and downtrodden for too long. I want to remind you of what Gamaliel said:

"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or

this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest

haply ye be found even to fight against God" Acts 5:38,39.

The clergy is so scared of losing their place of prominence and stature that they are doing everything in their power and influence to keep this move from happening because they are the spiritual authorities and need to be in control. It's reminiscent of the Catholic Church in Martin Luther's time.

It took Samuel laying down in the very presence of God to receive a very tough word for his master, Eli, like this one I'm giving you now for instance for instance, and deliver the judgment of God to Eli. Judgment because Eli hadn't fulfilled his Biblical, Divine responsibility.

What preceded this conversation in 1 Samuel 21:1? King Saul had been looking on as

the fame of David spread through the country. There will be a time when young people will take the spotlight from the clergy and noblemen and envy will break out in their camps.

The person who fights the system and the accepted norm in which God's purposes gets lost

will not be a favorite in the congregations, but neither was John the Baptist. An even he got offended with Jesus when He was getting more followers that John while in jail.

Many time men and women of God get entangled behind "prison doors" because they pursue some fleshly exploit - like perhaps a new building or a television ministry. And those who are rather pursuing the presence of God and His word will get used and anointed at the time - because they are doing what the Father was doing (John 5:19).

Jesus did not say build a building, he said I will build the temple in three days. Then pastors try build a building in the natural putting the responsibility for the hundreds of thousands or millions needed for it on the people.

Jesus did not say "start a television program" or "build a channel". Weighing up the disgrace televangelists produce for Christians and the good, what is the balance in all this? I agree that souls are the most important and they are being reached in the darkest corners of the world - but God didn't say we must do this; He said "If I am lifted from the earth, I will draw all men onto me" (John12:32).

I might be shot down here by many, and perhaps contradict myself when I spoke of a media revival - but is television ministry God's plan? Isn't going out physically and making disciples, preaching the Good News the Great commission? Perhaps a smile and a warm heart could be much better in person than on a cold television screen. I think that's why called it the Body (a warm one) of Christ and not the broadcasting of Christ.

Listen to me: don't look for favor witH the clergy, young man or woman, you won't get it, and if you receive it, you're truly blessed. Do what God called you to do in this time. Don't seek for the nod and assurance from the priest class; they won't give it to you. The clergy is a protected and revered class.

I said this in a previous article: there's too many of us laity and servants of God outside the priest class for al of them to "okay" everything God has called us to do. Respect for young men of God is very little and I respect any man or women of God which respects and honors the anointing or calling on a young persons life.

As a prophetic voice I have only but received resistance and persecution. I want to warn you: when you follow the vision and the purpose of God for your life, you will be alone for the most part - because you'll wrestle in the spirit and fight for the cause and when this thing breaks out, they'll act like it was their idea, a result of their prayers and divinely inspired by them.

They'll put you on TV, interview you and praise the Lord for this generation two minutes after

they rebuked your plans, fervor and fire. So don't expect a pat on the back; we are the nameless and faceless generation and that's how Jesus wanted it.

Jesus didn't take Glory for Himself, even though it was the Glory of the Father, but He bounced it back to the Father. John the Baptist even declared: "He must increase and I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Joseph had an awesome revelation from God; his peers, brothers and elders laughed, mocked him and scoffed at him. There will come a time at the great revelation, when the young ones will shine and the Pharaohs will promote them to rulers of countries because the supposed seers and clergy couldn't produce revelation that changed their world.

There is NO NONE greater than and that has the authority OVER God's purpose and call for this generation. That's where from the title of this article: "Above the Priest". The order of the priests and clergy has kept back this generation for fear of substitution and omission - but those days are gone!

"And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and

hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business where about I send thee, and

what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place"

1 Samuel 21:2

The King, Jesus, and God our Father has charged me with a business to be revealed at the appropriate time and for an appointed time it was necessary to keep it secret and hidden. The Scriptures revealed to me that the appointed time is now. But what is David speaking about when he says "let no man know anything about the business"?

"Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls

before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces"

Matthew 7:6 AMP.

I have found this to be true many times over in my life. You share something sacred with a

supposed man of God and they simply turn around and destroy you with it or present it as their own great new revelation THEY came across. Best keep it to yourself, young man or woman, until you know the time is right.

Many times Jesus said to people: "My time has not yet come". People that saw Him doing miracles and heard Him teaching the crowds shouted in the streets "THE MESSIAH HAS

COME!!!" Jesus Himself admonished them by saying: "Don't tell anybody!".

He healed a lame man and said: "See that you tell nothing about this to anyone; but go,

show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, for a testimony [to your healing] and as an evidence to the people" (Matthew 8:4)

When you give a sacred and exciting revelation, like this one for instance to people prematurely, they won't understand. It has been kept hidden like the Mystery of the Gospel until an appointed time (Collisions 1:26).

"I have appointed the young men to a certain place". This generation is going to do great things for God. They will be heard by traveling all over the world. The greater part of denominations will swoon to hear them preach with fire and zeal.

Their mission is clear and from a higher authority that trumps the priests or any clerical order. Why does God jump the hierarchy like this in this case? God has been doing such many times in history.

When people get in His way, He either removes them or jumps over their heads. The previous generation had its opportunity to impact this world and it's kept the Glory and the Light indoors and the young men caged and bound in the pews with the excuse that faithfulness and maturity need to manifest first.

"Now what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you may have"

1 Samuel 21:3.

Jesus asked His disciples the same thing: "What do you have? Give me what you have!" God is simply looking for what you do have, not what you don't have and send you away to attain it first.

The five loaves held in the priest's hand here is very significant. Bread represents life, the very

perfect and everlasting life Jesus presented Himself as on the last day of the feast (John 6). The young people of today want life, they are hungry for truth and want revelation.

But, what does the priest do? The priest answers him that there is no common bread (bread meant for or from laity) but only Holy Bread. Just like David, young men are hungry for life giving Bread and Word that gives Life. God speaks to them about a revolution and revival that's eminent in our time.

Who answers on their behalf: the priest! "No common bread here!", like they are the only ones with revelation or are the keeper of Holy things from the Lord. Hasn't the veil been torn open (Matthew 27:51)? Don't we now have boldness and access (Ephesians 3:20) to go beyond the veil (Hebrew 10:19-22)?

The time has come when God also speaks to young people, and even more revelatory than before, or some of the stubborn clergymen that dare muzzle the young men in the harvest field.

Let me ask the Pastors something; have you ever had a young person come to you and present you with something the Lord gave him and unction to do, and you doing one or two more of the following things?

1) Said you'll get back to him and you didn't?

2) Had the request gnaw at you and you had to suppress it?

3) Spoke to your elders and had it laughed off as immature fervor amounting to

   nothing? etc.

4) Took the suggestion and acted like it was yours?

Isn't it at all possible that perhaps you have quenched the Holy Ghost? "But they wanted too much money!" Release it. Sow it! "They asked to use a portion of our auditorium". Let them use it! Give it! "They wanted to use Church resources". Permit it! "It didn't fit in with the "program" or the direction the church was going. You have a proud heart.

With guidance they might just have brought your much needed, sought after and prayed for revival. We need men of God and leaders that will invest in this generation. Your Church might not be growing. isn't it possible that you've missed the demographic?

".but there is hallowed bread--if the young men have kept themselves at least from

women" 1 Samuel 21:4.

 Young people, present your bodies as a sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:2) Focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). You will be called to separation and holiness for a period of your life. Don't shun it or run away from it. Even a butterfly has to be hidden away from the world so that the pupae could develop into the beautiful butterfly it is destined to become!

".and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the

vessel" 1 Samuel 21:5b.

Young people have an immense hunger for God; there are those who want to be a vessel of holiness but because of the general norm kids are overlooked because there is a general "darkness upon the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2a).

What God is about to do in this generation will make young people very holy and their lives will become sacred. Holy vessels of clay in which living water could change into new wine, the best for last (John 2).

So the priest relented and he gave him the holy bread. I want to say to the clergy, at this time, it's too late now! If you tell young men and women to buzz off because you are busy with sacred and holy things and don't include them, you will wake up one day and it'll be too late! You would have missed the entire move God appropriated through them!

Young people won't trust you again. Young people will also produce Holy Bread. They receive their own revelations and direction from God, that's why yours is stale. New Holy vessels fresh from the baking oven, new fresh Bread from the Chief Baker.

The veil has been torn and revelation is open to all. The bread the priests had prepared and put out in front of the Lord was to show off with - it has become stale!

".for there was no bread there but the shewbread,." 1 Samuel 21:6.

While this generation comes forth in the Glory of God, speaking the oracles of the Lord to a dead and dying world, God is putting this move higher than anything that has ever been done before in history. This move will be documented as one of the greatest, if not the greatest move of revival ever seen or experienced.

Because of being ashamed, the clergy will be forced to remove their stale bread from before the Lord and put out fresh bread, Bread of life.

This move will be the most talked about, the most documented, the most commented, it will

be the biggest buzz ever created. The news media will pick it up and carry the cost for the privilege of documenting the story. It's going to be the biggest move known to man and like Pete Greig's "The Vision" states: "it makes children cry and adults angry"

"For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in

a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to

face! Now I know in part (imperfect-ly), but then I shall know and understand fully and

clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by

God]" 1 Corinthians 13:12 AMP.

I want to encourage everyone; young, old, laity, clergy, learned or uneducated, to seek God's perfection to us all - especially in relation to where we all stand before God. Does God deem one of us higher than the other? Is He a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)?

Let's look at the Lord, face to face so we can understand fully and clearly, the way we are clearly and fully understood by God Himself.

Ivin Viljoen is a youth pastor and moderator of the website called 220generation.com. He has been serving the Body of Christ with a Word about young people bringing a revival to continents all over the world.

Hello everyone.

As per my previous email,  please keep in mind I am a pastor as well.

God is really speaking to lots of people on both sides of the Church fence about "the Clergified Church", and how the "Clergy" and the "laity" has become so removed and divided from each other.

I hope you received my previous email entitled "No permission needed". Refer to that and read this article and a couple other thoughts regarding the issue:

Over the last several years and specifically the last 6 months or so I have been wrestling with the issue of calling. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has called me to be a pastor. Now, here is the issue I am wrestling with: is my calling a "higher calling" than my friend who would say that he believes beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has called him be a teacher? Five or ten years ago I would have boldly answered "YES!" Recently, I am not so convinced.

I am beginning to see that ALL Christians are called and all calling is equal. Just because I am called to be a pastor does NOT put me on a higher level than someone who has been called to a different profession. My calling does not elevate me above other believers. Believing that my calling is as a pastor is a higher calling emphasizes the false belief that there are separate groups in the church: the clergy and the laity. This false belief emphasizes that the clergy can only do certain things (i.e. preach, administer communion, baptism, etc.). This false
belief forgets that God says that ALL Christians are priests; that ALL Christians have the same access to God. This false belief has led to lots and lots of burnout amongst pastors because there are incredible unrealistic expectations that are placed on them.

I believe very strongly that the call to being a pastor is a very important call that comes with high accountability and high responsibility. It also comes with the willingness to make some sacrifices. To me, this still does not make my calling a higher calling than anyone else's. Also, levelling the call "playing field" does not diminish the value of pastors. What it does is it encourages the priesthood of all believers. It encourages ALL believers to see their workplace is their inistry. It encourages believers to not think in terms of secular and sacred (i.e. Monday to Saturday is secular and Sunday is sacred). It encourages believers to see that everything they do is an act of worship and it should be treated that way.

Like I said at the beginning, I am WRESTLING with this. I am curious to hear what others think about this. What are your thoughts on this
issue? Is the call to be a pastor a "higher calling" or is it just another "calling"? 

Kevin Martineu http://kevinmartineau.blogspot.com/2009/03/higher-calling-or-just-calling.html

Also, see this quote:

"We have to recognize that we've created the system that we loathe. I don't think the reason 15 percent serve is because 85 percent are lazy. We've created a system that glorifies the clergy and marginalized the laity. We got the outcome we created programs for. We've become ‘clergified.' There's a three-tiered structure: laypeople, clergy and missionaries. ... All religions tend to create a class of people who are above others so 1) they
can revel in that and 2) the rest of us can say it's their job. Christianity was started without any of those structures, and ended up like so many false religions do when they create a ministry caste structure. When we see real movements of God take off, they happen when people are free."
-Lifeway Research director Ed Stetzer [rev.org, 2/09]
http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-news/65-news-main/18312-the-clergified-church

This issue needs to be addressed because it causes a rift between the two "classes". There's something more alarming God has been speaking to
me about in the light of this subject which I will discuss and speak on later.

Love and God Bless.

Ivin Viljoen

While reading this article - please keep in mind that I am a Pastor myself.

I have always gotten a sense that I needed to ask the pastor permission, or his "blessing" when I get inspiration from the Spirit to do something. There was always the constant back and forth, having meetings about the "concept", does it fit into our doctrine, is this the Church's direction for now, how does the elders feel, what will it cost the Church, will the Church's name be used? - We always think like that. Like we need to put our stamp on everything we or our followers do.

Does anyone else go through that? The spiritual turmoil of feeling there was something that God was calling you to that nobody else really understands. You can speak to someone but they usually write it off as "young fervour" or "the zeal of youth". And the more I am faced with this situation I get more and more frustrated.

Why is there no release from the clergy or the "authorities" in the Church to let the youth of today do what God has called them to? These questions have haunted me until a couple days ago when God gave me a very clear "release" from what I was going through.

Revolutions against control.

I always wanted a man of God to okay those things I felt God ask me to do, wondering if what I was planning perhaps caused a rift between people. The thing is, however, when people became divided in the presence of Jesus it was "because" of Him.

I have a message from God that will set you free today. Free to do what you feel God is asking you to do, that if it is principled in the Bible and you have accountability, it IS okay.

Do you feel you need to go feed the hungry; do it! If you feel God is calling you to console the sick in hospital - do it! Do you feel to go to the river and baptize people?  do it! Do you feel you should preach on the street corner? Go!

There is too many of us God has called and too little clergy to okay everything God is commanding us to do. Why is the Church still so small? If we take today's Church growth in relation to the Church in Acts: why has the Acts Church grown with approx 8000 people in the space of a couple of days and we cannot even find most of our converts in fellowship today? It's because of this one thing.

If you have watched the matrix trilogy - you would have realized the recurring theme - "revolutions against control". Morpheus told Neo he needs to free his mind.

If our minds are freed from the constraints the Clergy has put upon the Church, we would progress so much farther than we are now. Think about it. Why has Jesus felt He needed to tell His disciples: With God all things are possible? (Mathew 19:26).

We have let men dictate to us what we can and cannot do. We always seek the blessing of people when God has already blessed what we do.

Why submit to rules & regulations?

"If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world's crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?--such as] Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that],Do not even touch [them], " Colossians 2:20,21 AMP.

No one in any church is to tell you what you can and cannot do. No one is to rule over you but Christ. You are to submit yourself to Christ and to one another. This is where accountability comes from. This is where authority comes from. Submission.

Everyone who knows me will witness to the fact that I am very prone to teach submission to your pastor and your spiritual leaders, because they are guardians over your souls and are more accountable to God for the position they have. I am not speaking about rebellion against the house or its authority, I am speaking about a revolution against the systems that man built.

The origin of control.

I went and looked up the word "control" in the Amplified Bible and looking at the Gospels it is always connected to something controlling a person or someone having control over someone (obviously?) - no, you're missing the point. We need to get free. Sin controls people. Impulses control people. Demons controls people. Certain people control others. Can someone yell, Jezzebel! Get out!

I want you to carefully look at a Scripture with me:

"[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love," Colossians 1:13 AMP.

What I'm going to say now could offend people and I hope there's a pastor or two who reads this: The Father has delivered us from one place and transferred us somewhere else. He transferred us from the CONTROL AND DOMINION of darkness to - not the control but the KINGDOM of His Son of His love.

So, friend, if you are controlling someone or something that belongs in or to the Kingdom, you are operating from darkness. The Kingdom way is not to control, but where people FREE-LY serve God.

We are all called.

Look at what Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church.

"For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls and makes slaves of you, or devours [your substance, spends your money] and preys upon you, or deceives and takes advantage of you, or is arrogant and puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. To my discredit, I must say, we have shown ourselves too weak [for you to show such tolerance of us and for us to do strong, courageous things like that to you]! But in whatever any person is bold and dares [to boast]--mind you, I am speaking in this foolish (witless) way--I also am bold and dare [to boast].

They are Hebrews? So am I! They are Israelites? So am I! They are descendants of

Abraham? So am I! Are they [ministering] servants of Christ (the Messiah)? I am talking like one beside himself, [but] I am more, with far more extensive and abundant labors, with far more imprisonments, [beaten] with countless stripes, and frequently [at the point of] death". 2 Corinthians 11:20-23.

We are all called. We are all ministers. We have all been anointed.

I am NOT saying that you may lay hands on everyone at our Church and prophesy to everything on two legs or counsel people as you please. That IS the pastors' turf and you should respect that. In that respect, the pastors' word is final. When it comes to that, you submit to the one who has been ordained into the authority in that house.

But it seems to me that God is moving the Gospel to the street. God is going to do something to make THE Church grow so that it cannot be contained in one building, or even one organization. It will be too huge! The Church will be revealed for what it actually is: The Body of Christ.

What I AM speaking about is that no man of God has the authority to tell you what you can and cannot do. "You cannot go and preach in the street corner - I forbid you". "You cannot go and minister to orphans - I forbid you!" Who are they to forbid anyone? But no man on this earth has the authority to control the calling and unction of people - the Spirit does. 

Submission to the commission.

We have been led to believe the blessing of ministry lies with a select few - and it doesn't, because God has made us ALL kings and priests (Revelations 5:10). God told Joshua that nothing shall be able to stand before him all the days of his life (Joshua 1:5). The only time someone stands before someone else is to constrain him/her. We have ALL been given a commission:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" Matthew 28:19-20.

Also;

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" Mark 16:15-18.

And here is the point of this entire article; and this is what I have mentioned God said to me in the beginning of this article.

YOU DON'T NEED ANYONE'S PERMISSION TO DO THE GREAT COMISSION!!!

The great commission has been given to everyone that believes.

When there is a move of God, especially among young people, many want to control it and put it under some "covering". Let it loose! There is a place and a desperate need for Fathers, guidance and facilitators - to keep the youth accountable and from straying into error. However, that's for an entirely different article.

I want to end off with the words of Paul's teacher, Gamaliel:

"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" Acts 5:38-39.

Love,

Ivin Viljoen.

I have such a desire right now. A desire for a real Church. I want to be part and pastor (in the humblest sense) a Church one day that must have different criteria’s to what we think is fitting for a Church today.

I have been working as a full time youth pastor once and I got sad, really quickly. The reason was that I realized that I have become a hireling. Read in the Bible what a hireling is, he doesn’t take care of the flock and runs away when there is a wolf or a jackal.

I ran away too… - because I was a hireling.

Today I have passion for the people I serve. And I serve them with a different view in mind. Without getting paid. Without receiving anything. Giving, giving, giving…

Yes! I want to have a Church. One that meets together where there is honor among all. Everyone gets an opportunity to preach anointed by the Holy Ghost. People getting together for the community – to be Church.  And if there is a offering, it is an Acts offering. Brining possessions etc. and food to distribute among the needy. We all work secular jobs, no-one is paid by the Church for anything. IF God doesn’t sullpy it, we don’t really need it. We all have responsibility… coming together to meet with the Church and share with each other what the Lord is doing…  

Oh what a day!

For A While now I have been pondering upon Mark 16: 15-20. I kind of felt stuck there as if there was some point i was not getting. I read it againg and again  until... i saw the post on 220 generation '' Today's church lacks the Fear of the Lord'' And suddenly I got it..the  key i have been waiting For.. 

There is a relationship between the Miracles signs and Wonders that are prevelant in Revival and The Fear Of The Lord. Its always been that Way It will always be that way.

Exodus 14:31
And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Joshua 4:23-24 (King James Version)

 23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:  24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.

1 Samuel 12:17-19 (King James Version)

 17Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.  18So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.  19And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

I belive ALL the work the Lord  does is Great ,mighty and wonderous.God is so mercyful and loving that he pesuades our unbelieving hearts..God's work is increadilble and always beyond our hopes ,dreams and imagination- and yet we dismiss it as usual. Surely, is it not fitting to tremble, shake, quake, cry, sing, shout , groan , freeze in the presence of Such a tremendous God??? Many a time in The Word of God when God interacted closely with man the encounter is accompanied by the phrase '' Do Not FEAR''. It is therefore a fearsome affair to be in the Presence of God and of the beings that are continually in His Presence.The problem is we the church to not understand the importance of the Fear of The Lord and thus we do not carry it as we should. Does the world feel the Fear of Lord when you interact with them? Why not ? The people feared  Lord and  Samuel  because Samuel was saturated withGod's Presence.The  Signs and Wonders are there to point us to WHO God Is and to The magnitude of  the God whose Presence we all desire or claim to have. We have relegated the word fear to mean just respect in the church...REALLY Do We  REALISE WHO WE ARE DEALING WITH?  If we look at the type of Power God operates in we must really fear  of Him...

Job 28:23

"God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it. He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven. After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters, Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning, He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready. Then he addressed the human race: 'Here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord—that's Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.'"

Psalm 25:13-15 (King James Version)

 13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.  14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Psalm 111:9-10 (King James Version)

 9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.  10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

We need to know  the secret of the Lord that is only revealed to them that fear the Lord.  We need to operate in the wisdom that comes from the Lord. The Fear of the Lord brings to life the promises .It make all things possible. We have to learn the Fear of the Lord  and as we meditate on His Word and see and know who God is and catch a glimpse of His Greatness and Magnificence...only then does it dawn on us that ''O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.''

by Andrew Strom

I am writing this from Limpopo in South Africa - right near the Zimbabwe border.I have been here for about 10 days so far - ministering in different parts. It has been a great visit. The situation here is quite
unusual.
 
Of course, South Africa has gone through massive changes in the last 15 years.It used to be the white South Africans who were in charge - ruling the country and keeping the black people down. But these "apartheid" laws were done away with in 1994 - and now the ruler ship of the country is
basically in black hands.

There has been quite a lot of turmoil and difficulty during this transition period - and one of the interesting things that I have noticed is how this has affected the white people. A genuine spiritual hunger has been taking hold.
 
People here are very aware of what has been happening to the white farmers in Zimbabwe, just to the North. They know that many were forced off their land or killed - and that Zimbabwe has virtually fallen apart. Even in South Africa many white farmers have been murdered in recent years. And the crime rate has soared. This "threat" overhanging the country has caused many people to begin crying out to God. There is a spreading spiritual hunger in the land.
 
There is a Scottish farmer here named Angus Buchan who began holding big Christian prayer gatherings around the country. He is a very simple man - not theologically trained - just an ordinary farmer full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Last year Angus held a men's gathering on his farm. They were expecting perhaps 30,000 men. But 60,000 showed up to seek God. This year they expect 200,000. Something is happening in South Africa. People are repenting, reconciling - getting right with God. I think it is just in the early stages.
 
When I was in Bloemfontein last week, I was with a man who is leading a growing prayer network in that area. He said he has full permission to go into the High Schools and present the whole school with a talk on prayer. He then launches large prayer meetings in each school, where the students come together regularly to pray. Blacks praying with whites. Whites praying with blacks. It is awesome.
 
The sense of apathy and complacency that I often see in other Western nationsis simply not present here. The "threat" overhanging the country is too real.The potential crisis is too obvious. And so people pray. And they also become spiritually "hungry".
 
I wonder what it is going to take to wake up our other Western nations in this way? What level of "shaking", what level of threat or crisis will it take to finally cause the West to become spiritually hungry again? We desperately need a wak eup call. And being here in South Africa has shown me yet again how a long grinding crisis is the very thing that is often needed to cure our apathy and lukewarmness. Lord, bring "whatever it takes" to turn us back to you!
 
Thank you so much for your prayers, my friends. It has been a wonderful trip, with people repenting, getting baptized and also filled with the Holy Spirit.Glory to Jesus! This week I head to Capetown and Western Cape before heading back home. Please pray for my family as I minister here on the other side ofthe world.
 
Thank you so much and God bless you!
 
Andrew Strom.

I came across an article of Our friend Andre (Koos Kombuis) "ek het sy van vergeet". He writes Koos se plakboek; previously called "Squatting with Koos".

Koos had the mike at the NG kerk in Pta East and spoke a couple words it seems. Haven't done much "sleuthing" (MM) to know if he blogged about this but Neels Jackson from Beeld wrote about it in Beeld's Friday edition 30 Jan 2009.

It was one of the songs on Kombuis' recent offering; "Bloedrivier", with the word "mercy" in it that brought him back to God. He got "converted" as he calls it but wouldn't rush to a Church anytime soon. It was the reason (The Church) that he first got to going astray after his first conversion - after some friends explained to him a simple Gospel, pondered over it for a week and then went down on his knees before God. The second time he did this excersise, he leant to Judiasm, harbouring much interest in the Old Testament. He didn't follow through much when it came to thinking of circumcision.

God uses a song an artist wrote himself to minister to him through a word he wrote - using talent this God gave him in the first place. BEAUTIFUL! He said through this recent experience where he has come back to God has at its centre symbols of the Cross, Christs suffering and death and His resurrection.

Can you imagine this was the same man who ridiculed Angus Buchan the other day telling him that if he were God, he would sue the potato farmer. And here I thought the man was an atheist - come on, you lot thought so too right? Goes to show you: Revival is in the land!

Ivin viljoen

Exposure or Repentance

  Which do you want? We’ve already talked some about having a right heart with our giving and how important it is to God. Having a right heart is equally important in other areas of our lives as well. Have you ever heard someone say something, and you knew that they were telling a lie? Maybe you’ve witnessed a brother or sister in Christ doing something that you know was sinful, and you felt that it was your biblical responsibility to expose them. If you did so and that was your motive, then you were wrong. 

Ephesians 5:8-13

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

There have been so many people that have used verse 11 to justify their wrong motives while they were supposedly exposing sin in someone else’s life. Do you think it’s possible that God is talking about exposing the works of darkness in your own life rather than in the lives of others? There is an expression that most all of us have heard at one time or another, “any time you point a finger at someone else, there are three more pointing back at yourself”. Maybe it’s time for us to stop pointing our fingers at anyone. We rely on the Holy Spirit to bring about change, repentance and revival in our own lives. If someone’s life is changed because I ministered to them, then it is not I who ministered to them, but rather, the Holy Spirit in me. We can’t even change our own lives, how arrogant of us to think that we can change someone else’s life. How soon we forget verse 8, but remember verse 11. Have we all forgotten that we were once darkness?

Have we forgotten this verse?

John 8:7

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

 Who among us is worthy to throw any stone at anyone? Is the Holy Spirit no longer able to convict us of our own sins anymore? Is it not God who holds and distributes the gift of repentance? Is it not God who reveals our sins to us and leads us into repentance? Why would any of us believe that we are holy enough to expose someone else’s sin? Why would anyone think that they have the right to expose someone else’s sin when we won’t even be transparent about our own? We try to hide our own sins so that others won’t see, and yet we often try to expose sin in the lives of others. How can that be a right mentality for anyone who is a part of the body of Christ? Loosing the yokes of oppression does not mean that we are to expose another person’s sin. Exposing other people’s sin is not our job. That falls under “Daddy duties”. Since God is Daddy, maybe we should let Him take care of the Daddy duties. He is the only one holy enough to do so. If you think that you are, then you have deceived yourself. I’m not trying to condemn anyone and I’m not poking at anyone. This is just a very real problem within the body of Christ and I see it almost every day. I am no less guilty than anyone else in this matter. If I wasn’t already allowing the Lord to deal with this very issue in my own life, I don’t believe He would even let me write about it now. Every word that the Lord wants us to share with others, should always be applied to our own lives first. Please, let each of us who are members of the body of Christ, confine our finger pointing to ourselves. Your walk with the Lord is just that, “your walk with the Lord”. It is not for others to say how you walk that walk. It is also not for you to say how they walk their walk. Their walk is between them and God. That doesn’t mean that we can’t minister to one another and fellowship with one another. There is a verse in the bible that simply says,

Romans 12:18

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

If that’s not enough for us it also says in

Proverbs 16:7

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Maybe it’s possible, that if we’re not living in peace with everyone around us, that some of our ways are not pleasing to the Lord. The point in all this is simple. If we look to God for change in our own lives, then maybe we should look to God for change in the lives of others too and not try to take things into our own hands. Exposing someone else’s sin does not lead to repentance. Such actions will only lead to strife.

I love you all,

rancherforChrist

rancherforChrist@gmail.com 

At 5:26 (Pacific Coast Time) this morning my bed shook and the house creaked for about 5-10 seconds as I experienced my first earthquake. I am in the United States and I am staying with a dear brother on the West Coast in the state of Washington. When I say the West Coast, the house is about 2 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. I was lying there awake and the short quake startled me to say the least. I had no clue what was happening but it gave me a rather eerie feeling inside because I didn’t know what was going on. Immediately I somehow related it to God in my mind. Before it had ended, my brother hollered from the other room and asked if I felt that earthquake. It was only then that it sank in that I had just experience my first earthquake.

At this point in my life I am a man that no longer believes in coincidence. I wouldn’t make a statement like that unless I believed I could back it up with some clear evidence. I believe that God is sovereign, in control of everything and that He left nothing to chance. We can’t have it both ways. Either God is in control of everything, or He did leave some things to chance. I will also add that if God did leave anything to chance, we are in big trouble.

When I typed the word sovereign into the google search box of my internet browser, the very first definition that popped up was this: “not controlled by outside forces”. Wow, now that sounds like our sovereign God, thus leaving no room for coincidence. Now that we have settled that, let’s get back to the subject at hand.

When things happen in my life it usually seems that the normal thing for me to do is to question God. After the earth stopped shaking this morning, I realized how odd that was, especially that it happened right at that moment. You see, two things had just happened right before the earthquake. First, I had just laid down in bed. Secondly, I had just questioned the Lord about what He wanted me to write for the next blog. I know, you might be thinking, “so what are you saying, God wanted you to write about earthquakes?” No, I’m not saying that at all. Though many questions dashed through my mind immediately following the earthquake, what is really on my heart to talk about is the sovereignty of God. Think about that definition I gave you for the word “sovereign” in the previous paragraph. “Not controlled by outside forces.” Here is a daring question. Tell me, exactly what forces are outside forces where God is concerned. Now, let us not forget that we are talking about the Creator of all things. There is nothing that is not a created thing other than God Himself. With that being said, I believe it is safe to say that there is no such thing as an outside force where God is concerned. I know that you may be wondering what my point is right about now. Well, my point is a simple question. How much faith is required for you to trust a sovereign God with total abandon? I’m not going to leave it at that though. I’m talking about a Sovereign God who refers to you as the “apple of His eye”. I’m talking about a Sovereign that said that no created thing can separate you from His love. I’m talking about a sovereign God who watched His beloved Son Jesus get tortured, mocked, spit  on and hung on a cross to die for your sins and it was within His great power to stop it from happening. That’s how much God loves you. Now let me ask my question again. How much faith is really required to trust a sovereign God with total abandon? Please, stop and consider my words here. Do you really want to continue down the same old empty road that you have been on for so long? Won’t you please turn your heart to Jesus and thank Him for what He did for you and tell Him you’re sorry for what you did to Him? The faith of a mustard seed is more than enough to trust a God who is sovereign and who loves you so much. Did you just feel the earth move? If you did, that was God!

I love you,

rancherforChrist

PS   If you need prayer, if you just need someone to talk with, if you just need someone to listen or if you need Jesus, you’re are welcome to email me. I don’t want anything from you. I just want to help however I can. You can contact me at rancherforChrist@gmail.com 

I am finding it very difficult to go to Church these days. Or, it’s okay to go, but when you leave the building, all I feel is used and unhappy. Why do you feel like that Ivin? Well, there’s a couple reasons:

I have always had squabbles with the sound guy. Why? I don’t know. It’s always a struggle for me to see eye to eye with whoever is in charge of the sound desk. It’s funny, but I have an anointing to tick him off. Besides the sound man, I have this intense burden this morning, and it’s because I realised something. And I’m saying this because I experience this in many Churches, with the various people I network with and also the various “men of god” I come in contact with.

I’ve realised this, happening in the Church right now: We are tolerating each other. And amidst a discussion I had with someone via Skype yesterday, I realised this fact as if it was Eureka coming to me good and bright.

This is what the Lord told me this morning: There’s no more love between the Brethren. And it’s evident. And when people like Andrew Strom says “We have lost the Gospel”, I tend to agree. Because if we read the chronicles in the Bible; especially in the Book of Acts regarding what Love the people had for each other. Even the praise the apostles Paul had for the Churches he wrote to, commeding them because of their love for one another. This of course sprang from the joy bestowed in the Gospel to even slaves; being slaves felt freer than a freed man.

How? They became disciples…

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”

John 13:35.

Jesus proclaimed it in their ears. “If you love one another, … People will KNOW that you are MY disciples…” Why? Because God is Love (He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love 1 John 4:8)

This is the simple Truth in that last portion: If you don’t have Love toward your Brethren, you DO NOT know God.

What is love then Ivin? Well, always revert to Scripture:

“Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-

mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;

love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its

faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal” (1 Corinthians 14:8).

I need not remind you that in previous verses it says that speaking in tongues is a noisy gong;, inspired preaching, knowledge and understanding of all sercret things and even mountain moving faith is nothing; giving Away everything you have and offering your body to be burned does you no good; IF YOU DON’T HAVE LOVE.

Finally, there was a rebuttal with Jesus and the Pharisees about the Law and different commandments in it. We CANNOT keep the Law, but we can fulfil it by the following, which was Jesus’ answer when asked which is the first commandment:

“…thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” Mark 12:30,31.

Jesus wipes away all the laws and gives us one, great, new commandment:

“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” John 13:34, John 15:12.

See it’s like a triangle, which shows us how we can enter into a love “covenant with our Brethren.

Place Triangle here.

At the top you could put God, obviously. The two sides is yourself on the left and your neighbour/brother on the other side. And I’m gonna make a very shocking statement and then qualify it.

The way I see it is like this: People in the church DO NOT have a great relationship with God. Faith has fallen away and we have come to trust in ourselves alone. When a relationship between a Father an dhios chiuld deteriorates, so does fricktion and worsening relationships occur in the “family”. You go check it out, without fail, dis-harmony causes division and strife.

So, the further we move away from God, our Father (It’s time to look at the tringle now), the further we move away fro our neighbour. The closer we move towards God our Father (look again), the closer we move towards our brethren. Simple.

Patch up your relationship with the Father today. It is imperative for harmony in your household and in your Church “family”.

This way love will be restored between brethren and we will not only “tolerate” each other like what would happen in a household-family situation.

I truly hope you will receive what I have told you today as this is a heavy burden for me right now. I feel for the Church as we “tolerate” each other and the Love is gone…

Love,

Ivin Viljoen

I am commisioning some guest bloggers to post on this blog, sharing their experiences and nuggets they might receive.Here is our first guest post by RancherforChrist.

A few years ago I worked as the manager for a company out of Kansas City, Missouri. Because my job required that I traveled, I usually found myself on the road 4 to 5 days a week and then home on weekends. I traveled about 75,000 miles per year with my work. During that time I was desperate for more Jesus and a deeper relationship with Him. Because I spent that much time on the road in a vehicle alone, I spent much of my time crying out to the Lord. It was during one of those quiet times alone on the road that I began to ponder the meaning of love.

Needless to say, it didn’t take much pondering before I began to realize that I really had no clue what love is or how to define it. Just the idea that I couldn’t define love after all these years, made me feel very helpless and very inadequate. In my distress, I admitted to the Lord that I had no idea what love is and asked if He would please explain that to me and define love in a way that I could understand. Well, I didn’t hear an answer to that question immediately but a few days later, without any warning, the Lord just spoke the simplest most profound definition of love to me that I had ever heard. He simply said, “love is giving of yourself to meet another person’s needs expecting nothing in return”.

I have to admit that His definition was not at all what I had expected. Over the days and years to follow, He began to teach me through hands on experience, what He meant when He gave me that definition. He broadened my understanding of love so much that it literally wrecked my life. God’s definition of love has totally re-defined my understanding of “relationship”.

I guess I was expecting some warm fuzzy definition of love that would give me butterflies in my stomach, but what I got instead absolutely turned my world upside down. Love is not a word, a feeling or an emotion. Love is a gift. Love is not just any old gift though. Love is the greatest, most selfless, most humbling, most sacrificial gift that anyone can ever give to another person. Love is the most costly gift that you will ever purchase. Remember the old saying, “you can’t buy love”. Or how about this one, “you can’t put a price on love”. Well both of those old sayings are wrong. I know what love costs. Would you like for me to tell you where you can buy it and how much it will cost you? Are you ready for this? Do you really want to know?

If you want to buy the gift of love, you can only buy it from Jesus and here’s what it will cost you:

$EVERYTHING

I know, right now you are probably wondering exactly what I mean by that. It’s simple! Love will cost you all that you have, all that you are, all that you hold dear, your hopes and dreams, even your choices. If you want to buy love, you will have to go to Jesus and lay everything at His feet and tell him that you don’t want Him to give any of it back to you even if you whine and complain. After you have done all of that and He takes your corrupt, sinful heart out of you and puts the heart of Christ in you so that you can actually love someone. Then He will most likely tell you to give that gift of love away to someone that hates you.

Now I know that all of this sounds really overwhelming and ominous, but here’s the really cool part. Because you were willing to pay that humongous price for the gift of love, you get free refills for the rest of your life, as long as you continue to give it away to whoever Jesus tells you to. That is the amazing thing about God’s economy. If you’re faithful with a little, God will give you more. There is a small little user agreement that you have to sign off on though, but thank God He didn’t put it in fine print and try to hide it from you.

User agreement:

YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE WITH A RIGHT HEART. YOUR MOTIVE CAN NEVER SELFISH. YOU CAN NEVER GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT GOD IS GOING TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING IN RETURN, NOT EVEN MORE LOVE.

I know that’s a lot for God to expect from you, but there is more good news. Do you remember that part about giving with a right heart? Well, that’s God’s responsibility. It’s God’s responsibility to make a right heart in you. He’s really good at what He does too, but He does like it when we ask Him to. It’s ok! Go ahead and just ask Him to make in you a right heart. It’s gonna hurt because you can’t do a heart transplant without a little pain, but He won’t hurt you one bit more than what He has to in order to accomplish His perfect will in your life. It’s also gonna leave a little scar tissue, but that’s ok because it will be a good testimony for you to share with others later. I know, this may sound a little scary, but don’t worry. It’s gonna be ok. God won’t ever take it too far. He won’t ever put more on you than what you can bear, and it will build really strong spiritual muscles in you and in the body of Christ.

Jesus loves you and so do I,

rancherforChrist  

The blog that has touched thousand of lives is only one click away...

 

What is happening to the Body of Christ? I’m convinced that if we all had been shipwrecked we will definitely not get into the same lifeboat! And in one Christian boat there will be people who sat in the same cabin on the boat and the other are all the dignitaries from the upper deck. The one’s PA system will be louder than the other and the ones high walls is scoffed at by dignitaries and comments are made they don’t really need those.

Here’s the problem: The one has an oar and the other one has the other oar, but do you think they will work together? Ha, guess again.

I cannot see why people cannot be brought together realising that we need each other; … and don’t let me get into the parable of the body.

There are so many Christian websites on the net with great resources and do you think people want to share? Do you think links can be exchanged. Will we visit and engage in each others forums. Will we become accountable for our utternaces, our ministry and actions. I just have an idea of how it should work and what we can help each other with. Is the Church the dog eats dog world we feared it to become?

No, we each start our own facebook group and invite the spam out of spam companies to have our group the greatest numbers. Somehow, we are missing the point! If we become one we will flourish, if not, we can forget it completely!

Sometimes I get so frustrated with Christians getting into severe tiffs over who is Truthful and who’s not? They are involved with catfights like a bunch of sorority girls vying for popularity forwarding their cause with all sorts of manipulative ploys to further their own doctrine, plan or organization.

Sometimes I’m ashamed to be called a Christian. I shake my head sometimes when people bite off the heads of other people who are Christians and destroy each other with discrediting articles, “watchman” reports and all sort of indiscriminant activities on the net, television, blogs and pulpits.

Really, what are we here for? Didn’t Jesus clearly commission us? Did he ONCE tell his disciples to discredit other ministries, children of God? Paul had severe persecution and most of that came from others who were supposed to Glorify Jesus. These became the very mouthpieces of satan. 

If we have to constantly defend ourselves against “heresy hunters” and doctrinal police are we not wasting our time with defending? Isn’t this perhaps what Jesus said we’ll be persecuted? Should we be persecuted by ”Christians” like a commonplace dark ages Church reformation?

Surely we are missing the point? I received and sms by a lady who worked in the kitchen of one of the Churches I used to serve at and after she saw me serving at a conference at a church told me that the Church is serving Baal and idols because they preached about being blessed and taking up offerings. Then she said something that shook me: “ pray that hopefully you and your wife will wake up one day..”

What? Anyway, is that really relevant? Is it really Biblical to engage in this kind of rhetoric? Do I need to wake up because I served at a Church as a guest, helping out and engaging with ministry friends? Then she spoke something about witchcraft, sorcery etc. etc.

Now this is the reason for this post. Something that these “heresy hunters” and doctrinal police have in common is speaking or trying “exposing” deception and trying to tell people what is Truth and what’s not.

Now here is the dividing line between where I listen and where I shut my ears – (or eyes). If said person comes to me and “chastise” me then I want to first know where do you fellowship, in which ministry there do you serve and who are you submitted to?       

See, if you don’t fall into one of these categories then I am weary of listening to what you have to say… Because those rebellious, out-of-Church Christians who don’t have any accountability system or “covering” and come out at big, respected men and women of God telling them they are this and that… Who gives a person the right? Who gives one the authority to speak against so many places and people that do credible work for God.

Sure there are a LOT of atrocities  going on in the Church today but are we to judge so that we likewise be judged? Many can be fooled and many have documented how even the very elect recently have been deceived and fooled. Oh, how we need God to give us discernment.

Is it in the hands of us as Christian to tell off others for what they are doing. Isn’t it God who will judge us? I don’t think any Christian has the right or authority to do so.

We need to really get with it and start walking together in what is a time where we must manifest the Gospel in a time when freedom and deliverance through the powerful Word of God being preached is desperately needed.

Tony2Cents

Hello everyone.

I feel deeply impressed after reading an article from Steve Strang about the economic downturn hitting places of worship hard. We already know of Thomas Weeks and Paula White rumored to having to close shop, but it seems the impact is going wider everyday, and of course it’s understandable. Where would God’s people be in faith today if it wasn’t for famine…

We know that in the days of famine Isaac sowed and he collected a harvest of a hundredfold (Genesis 26) and therefore I feel compelled and correct to share this word with you.

What is a major percentage of the financial outlay of Churches for? Well, it’s salaries of course. I did a thing last year and I’m not really downtrodden about it; I resigned my full time position. Sure, there were outside factors but from a spiritual side there was none better for me to have done. 2008 has been one of the most trying times spiritually and faced some of the worst opposition for what I write, preach and do. But I learnt something valuable in practice what I teach fervently everywhere: Serving.   

You might even be one of those who are facing the chop, and don’t blame those making those decisions for it; because it’s called being good stewards. Amidst these changes we need to do something for which I want to beseech you…

Please, please, please do not go away from the church… or stop serving. Be honorable and if you can, keep on serving the Church in an unofficial capacity the way you have before, even if you have to put in less hours. But try as much as you can to keep serving the Church you were at. I can assure you that when things turn around, you will be rehired…

What do I do now Ivin? Well, you do what I’m doing now, and what Paul has been doing… Build tents: taking care of your financial needs by doing something for income other than burdening the Church at this time. It might not be as spectacular and the limelight might disappear,  and trust me, it’s gonna be tough once you realize it’s gone. I want to exhort you and tell you that it’s for your own good.

God is calling us all to serve in this hour in the Church as tentmakers. And more servants are needed than before. Because of those previously in full time ministry now able to afford less time toward the Church, we need more servants to help fill the gaps. There will be a greater load on the senior team but these are difficult times in which we need to strategize, manage situations and people better and however, we CANNOT let the Church suffer at this point. Now is the time for us to be in full force, more than ever.

I beseech you.

I hope you listen today because I believe this is what God wants us to do…

“And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and

right and truth before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the

service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his

God, he did it with all his heart, and PROSPERED”  2 Chronicles 31:20,21 KJV.

Love,

Ivin.

Like any Christian who loves Christ, I was aghast at the blatant blasphemy by the ruling ANC party here in Sa comparing its leaders’ suffering to that of Jesus’.

The comparisons arose, as some opposition party members highlighted, to draw comparisons between the ANC, its president Jacob Zuma and  of course Jesus during His time of ministry here on earth; for the sole purpose of course of drawing hopeful poor voters and Christians.  

They compared the breakaway party’s actions of resigning from the party to that of Jesus’ disciples running away and abandoning him. The breakaway party C.O.P.E have been compared to the donkey Jesus rode in on; thinking he was the one being praised and honoured with the palm branches and everything. He then realised that it wasn’t the case when returning to the city a day or so later and people beating him, chasing him away.

ID leader Patricia de Lille has strongly condemned these comparisons citing that Jesus was never accused of corruption. She commented it is a ploy to gain votes from the poor and vulnerable. “Adultery, the machine gun song and Zuma’s failure to condemn war talk and hate speech by the ANC rank and file are examples of why it is insulting to compare Zuma with Christ” de Lille said.

All these condemnations were loosed over Ace Magashule, the ANC’s Free State leader who claimed Zuma was suffering just like Jesus did.

Other religious rhetoric that was lambasted at the break away party C.O.P.E’s Sandton convention last month was a poster saying “Jesus has come unexpectedly” referring to ANC presidents’ comment that the ANC will rule until Jesus Christ returns. Some placards also read: “Zuma, any relation to Lucifer?”

Backtracking at an address outside the NPA hearing in PieterMatizburg, Magashule said he was a Christian too and although he thinks the comparisons shouldn’t be uncomfortable he never said Zuma was Jesus. Quote: “HE CAN’T BE JESUS” unquote… He said it was merely a comparison to the excessive and knocking persecution.

Magashule also claimed Jesus had 70 disciples, but in the end had only 12 remained with him, trying obviously to justify all the comparisons. Prof Hermie van Zyl, Lecturer in NT at NWU said the statement is not correct as proper study will show that the ones close to Jesus was called apostles and His disciples were never accounted to have diminished… Even the 12 deserted him in his hour of need so the apostles weren’t there anymore.

Prof Andre agreed with de Lille comments saying that statements of this kind aimed at placing Zuma on a high moral ground by linking him to a figure with such a high moral status.

In Kempton Park last week, Zuma had commented along with others reported here that South Africa is a country based on the rules and principles of God (I.O.W he  means Kingdom principles) and the time has come for the religious fraternity to identify it’s role and place in our constitutional democracy.

He then detailed the long history between the Church and the ANC. However “right” he may sound in what he says, he still parallels God and the ancestors on the same footing; which should warn any God fearing (which he encourages us to be) Christian of lukewarmness, idle talk and saying what people want to hear (which he is famous for).

ANC chaplain general Reverend Vulike Mehana told Zuma he must feel safe because, and I quote: “as we prayed for your predecessor, we will continue to pray for you. (here it comes) Don’t shake. The God, your ancestors are here…” That should probably sum up the ANC doctrine pretty good and give warning to all who read this post.

An Eastern Cape representative had added to the rhetoric that Zuma is a burning bush that will never be consumed (- probably referring to Zuma being like The Angel of the Lord who spoke from the bush).      

What is my point? Don’t believe the hype and don’t be swayed by this in your vote. When you vote, it should be a matter between you and God, and we need His guidance to make that decision, not the media’s.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” Matthew 7:15 KJV.

“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” Matthew 24:5 KJV

“Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them” Luke 21:8 KJV.

Here’s the true question and test for this time. Is Zuma prepared to carry on him the sins of the entire nation (John 11:50) and die for them at the hands of the religious leaders and the very ones he had met with, ones he loves? This is why Zuma will never be able to even remotely come to the standard of Christ.

Selah.

Tony2Cents

(Sources: News24, sapa, Volksblad)  

I want to quickly refer to my post on Grinaker and revival in the building industry. It seems there is a mighty revival spreading, not only around Sa, for which this blog and newsletter exist to report on, but also specifically in the building industry.

Yesterday during our Celebration service, someone came and gave an extensive testimony about how God has given him so much favour these preceding years and what he is telling us is simply unbelievable and miraculous. We’re talking about prominent positions in business to influence nations and industries.

Most of these great, powerful and influential men are serving God for the expansion of the Kingdom and without them preaching people are coming to Christ. It’s like a major scale compared to the story of Grinaker.

Then God gave me a verse to confirm it and it spoke to me concerning South Africa.

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant” Jeremiah 1:10 KJV.

He gave me this verse to give to the man that was testifying. But this is a very significant verse for me and I believe for South Africa. See, I once gave a prophetic word over this generation, be it young people or the Body of Christ, but it was specifically prophesied to a group of young people in a specific youth ministry. The context of the prophecy was of course a bit broader, spanning from verse 5. This specific verse then, in verse ten, were supernaturally highlighted amidst knowledge and prophetic inclination I had already gathered.

What is happening in this country is that we have suffered a great deal of rooting out, pulling down, destroying and throwing down. You know what I mean? Then God told me the following (and I deal with this in my book: vision for a generation): remember that in this verse there is a two core, three part process? The last one is to build and to plant. This is where I got illumination that God is busy using builders in this country, big construction and related industry companies to spiritually revive certain parts of the country.

So, I believe that’s what God wants to say in this hour: “It is time for the prophets in South Africa to build and to plant. Too many things has been rooted out, pulled down, destroyed and thrown down. This day I’m appointing prophets like Jeremiah, young and old, to serve South Africa with spiritual authority and might, building and planting amidst the ruins caused by the thief”

Well, Thanks for checking in with the 220 and our Sa Revival Watch.

We hope to update you soon

God bless.

Tony2Cents.  

By this time you might have heard me speak or even preach about how I believe the devil is using evil to deliver an onslaught on the youth of today. Many clergy preach from the pulpit that “we have overcome the devil” and “he is under our feet”

By this time you might have heard me speak or even preach about how I believe the devil is using evil to deliver an onslaught on the youth of today. Many clergy preach from the pulpit that “we have overcome the devil” and “he is under our feet” and I believe this all to be true; however, we should use this knowledge.

See, since 1996 people like myself, Kim Clement, Marc Bredencamp, Johan van Wyk and other voices have been writing, prophesying and preaching about a generation, mostly young people, that will rise up above the ashes and take up their rightful place in accepting their calling they have been summoned to.

This generation has a great anointing on it to do what Jesus came to do: “destroy the works of the devil” And since we are the Body of Christ – you should know what WE should be doing. I have become aware of something happening in the spirit by simply reading newspapers everyday. I believe in Good News but like to know what’s going on a round me.

One day in January this year (2008) I started picking up on “on-fire” Christian youth which has a calling on their lives, strategically positioned by God like Joseph and Daniel to bring about a revival in their cities and change in society, dying senseless, unexplainable deaths periodically throughout 2008.

When I’m talking about these young people, I’m speaking of them because they were reported to have the desire and calling from God to bring change in schools and revival in society. Their loved ones knew this is what they were chasing after very well and gave public testimonies about them.

Bad news came across my desk again today. I admit that around 30% of the kids I wrote about or reported on haven’t been tagged with being followers of Christ, but an onslaught exists nonetheless:

Yesterday morning, at around 05:49 am, a Toyota Condor was driven by a drunken man onto the Woodmead offramp; which means, if you’re not familiar with this road in the east of Johannesburg Sa that he went onto the highway the wrong way. His vehicle crashed head on with a Volkswagen Golf being occupied by 5 young people, students. They died instantly.

Why am I so punchy about this issue? People die everyday, right? Well, my friend, if that’s your attitude, I’m sorry to say that you’ve become a leper; someone who has lost complete sense of feeling. 

Because, once again, it’s senseless deaths of young people. They are the only ones I believe that can change the country back to a God fearing people. There IS a revival coming, but the Bible clearly states: “How will one believe unless they hear? And how will one hear unless someone preaches?”

Everyone in prominent positions of influence (young people) are being killed senselessly; albeit being stabbed, shot, accidents… I have done extensive research on this. What I felt in my spirit since January has been confirmed by many natural reports.

Of course I don’t know the names of the people, hence anything of their background, so it’s hard to say if they were anointed. But, if you know me and the way I preach, you’ll know all young people are called and anointed to me. I don’ care if he serves satan and kills his friends like a samurai warrior does with a sword; I believe in this generation!

What can we do? Well, I prophesy when God speaks to me and preach to the 25 kids that visit the youth I’m at now, and of course I pray, but that’s about all I am able to do at this moment; the Lord hasn’t opened anything else up.

You can pray or get onto our website and read some of the stuff, watch the videos, listen to the audio – profound stuff on there.

Be expectant of this revival: “even though it may tarry… wait for it !”

Then, a report has come from Florida officials of a teenager who committed suicide in front of a live webcam audience after blogging about a plan to kill himself. This is why it’s so urgent for what I believe needs to be done:

19 year old Abraham Briggs died on Wednesday 19 November from a toxic combination of opiates and benzodiazepine, a depressant used to treat insomnia. The onlooker had logged onto a body building website with some in the audience egging him on while some tried to talk him out of it. Then other debates ensued whether the dosage was lethal etc.

The moderator was informed and notified authorities with the teens location but Biggs was dead by the time they got there.

Convinced yet? Need more passion?

Young people in the metropolis of Tswane, South Africa has realized they CAN make a difference holding at the helm a white cross that symbolizes freedom and saving power to those who put it’s trust in it and the one who hung there…

A picture of a girl about young years old is pictured on the front of the Beeld Newspaper today, Wednesday 26 November 2008 shows her holding up a cross made from what looks like polystyrene and has an insert of one of the pictures drawn by  one of the thousands depicting violent crime.

The kids succeeded in an attempt that drew half as much people Desmond Dube got together for his million man march against crime earlier this year. 2400 kids from two primary schools and one high school came together in another protest action where they had took up their crosses representing the death of many young people that has died this year of senseless deaths.

Around the same number of kids coming together wrote President Kgalema Mothlante letters expressing their plight for him to do something drastic about crime in the country. Among other things they mention  that they are afraid at night and therefore sleep little, many telling of family members who died of crime and asking to return the death penalty.

Many political party representatives were present adding their authority to the young voices. Many expressed their gripes that it took our ruling government 14 years to admit there is a problem. The question on everyone’s tongues is: Will their voices be as wind or will this generation’s prophetic proclamations have an effect in the heavenlies affecting change through the power of God.

Well, this vigil is the second of it’s size this year where many took to the streets at the senseless killing of Emily Williams who was shot in the head by a stray bullet from a robbery at a house.

Our generation is dying and I pray they realize their power God has anointed them with and appropriate it in this hour. Revival is coming to South Africa, and you will see young people rise up and make a crashing dent in the power of darkness. Demons will bleed, lose limbs and the power of the enemy will be destroyed!

Also, ANC President Jacob Zuma or Msholozi as he is also known has addressed various people in townships lately providing people with a taste for the upcoming campaigns to be done by the ANC, South Africa’s ruling party.

When he was addressing the issue of Education ha has uttered many thing of which a few is worthy to be noted. School should be compulsory until matric. If one student battles with matric, training should be given to help such a student, but here is the crux of it:

“How do we educate children about religious values?” – Um. We don’t Mr. Zuma. Your party is single handedly responsible for eradicating such out of schools very early in your parties reign. In fact, I believe it is the very reason we are faced with so much violent crime in schools etc. Then; “I believe the Church has serious role to play in schools” Ya think?! Shall we keep muzzling the ox? “Education was previously used by opressors to oppress us (speaking of non – whites0 of course), I believe it should now be used to free people” Amen brother! “Should we return to praying before school  as we did previously?” Uh, yeah…

I did some video’s for my website about youth ministry on youtube and while speaking to parents I received a revelation about our current situation in Sa, If you ask the question why things are so terrible at schools with crime, drugs, pregnancies, rape, student – teacher liaisons etc. I can tell you exactly why… Schools are an easy target for the devil. The Word has been removed, no prayer is being done (which spiritually protected everyone in the school – whether he believed or not.         

So, now, schools have become soft and easy targets for atheists, Satanists and various other cults because removal has provided the enemy with an open door. Simple as that.

While addressing moral values he said Christian leaders should not be silent when something (laws) offend them”. Ha slammed sex and violence on television and said idle young people land up in taverns producing babies which become a liability to the state and families. Such mothers should go to school by receiving aid from their families.

Then, something was quoted that seems right but raises questions: “Religious leaders should participate in the teaching of what is right and wrong. They should be taught respect and to fear God” Mmmm, that’s is the right thing to say and I couldn’t agree more. Stop muzzling the ox Mr. Zuma. However, Zuma has been lambasted by being accused of telling people what they want to hear. Typical politician you might say. No, it’s deeper than that. He speaks to the heart of the people, every race, group and demographic but it’s very dangerous because we tend to put our trust in them instead of putting our trust in Christ.

Here could be the caution: Zuma speaks of South Africa being a overly Christian country and it is evident in the foreword of our constitution where God’s help is being asked. It’s also evident because the initiation of members of parliament ends their creed with “So help me God”. He said we should address it if laws are being amended or passed when it conflicts with the Christian faith. “AS long as Christians live in South Africa they are touched with what happens here”.

There you have it. It could be that Zuma is saying our concerns count but as long as we are in majority; sounds very political. Well, I just reported on many kids standing up about what they believe is wrong. Well, have to wait and see what will be done or if these voices will be like the wind once more…            

I will record a youtube public address to young people tomorrow and speak about this very intensely.

Please suffer me to tell you more of what is happening here in Sa: as much as there are things for concern, there are also exciting news where it is evident that mirroring recession and political unrest, revival takes it’s rightful place.

In the town of Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa, the police force, Church and other interest groups have started a different approach to their bid to fight crime. A company called Hygienic environmental Solutions will soon install new dustbins in the larger area of Benoni encouraging people to keep the streets clean.    

They might evemn reach the spirit of man with this effort as they are pasting a picture of Jesus’ face on the dustbins, which will be seen in all roads, and attached to it will be the Scripture found in John 14:6: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” No-one comes to the father except though me”.

The purpose is of course to encourage people to turn to God, will it speed up revival in Sa, or Benoni perhaps. I’m sure it’s a step in the right direction. However, I know this prophetically: God has shown me for around a year now that revival in the eastern part of Gauteng will not break out in Benoni, but in Brakpan. We’ll report as this manifests.

I hope you keep praying for me, and never stop please. I need all the help I can get. At this moment I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness what this generation of young people is concerned; yes, there are other, but they are very few and far between and they definitely ain’t pushing hard enough. We need soldiers and we need them now! Volunteer today!

Love,

Tony2Cents.      

In this revival obedience, boldness and absolute trust will be the key.

I read a report via email of a construction worker called Viaan. God told him in a vision to go to Grinaker (a construction company) and he must tell the project manager that God sent him to lead their staff and workers to the Lord and baptise them in a Caterpillar Digger Loader. Of course, like Moses, Viaan asked God how they will know “for sure” that He sent him.

So God gave Viaan a word: “ My son Michael…”. That it?! You may ask… Wait. He went to the project manager and gave him the Word the Lord gave him. The project manager looked at Viaan with great big eyes, immediately picked up the phone and called someone to the office they were now both experiencing the anointing in. Viaan thought he was going to be kicked out… But no, … A black man called Micheal came in the door…

God has been telling Michael for longer than five years to do exactly what Viaan came there to do that day. Michael is a Christian (son) and have been telling the project manager that they must put God first in their business but have never really done so, but this day they agreed to do it!

The very next day Viaan started to disciple them all and everyday 5 – 6 people gave their hearts to the Lord and two weeks in God has blessed them with 75 bibles + 40 + salvations, he baptised all of them and they started a little Church at work.

More than 75 + believer meet today, everyday at lunch for praying, praising and worshipping, healing the sick and teaching each other the authority in Christs’ name.  They are still growing stronger each day.

We here at the 220 have been speaking of a Sa revival, especially among young people for four years now, Angus Buchan believes strongly and tricles are happening all over the country. Very soon it’s going to burst like a pent up pimple…

Please pray for us as we are entering a difficult political time with our own elections coming up nextyear,  election rallies and protests are rife, corruption in law oficcials an their helpers, people take matters into their own hands, polittians and jusges get death threats everyday and racism is lifting it’s ugly head again.

We believe revival is on the brink, and did you know that revival doesn’t always touch everyone. There will be those scoffers and blasphemers who refuse to beleiv the Word of the Lord…

I am so excited, as I face great fear and tribulation in people. We need God and we’re going to get it. As I write this, I’m thinking we should get together to pray for this to intensify… Let me make a couple calls.

Here are some pictures:

By this time you might have heard me speak or even preach about how I believe the devil is using evil to deliver an onslaught on the youth of today. Many clergy preach from the pulpit that “we have overcome the devil” and “he is under our feet” and I believe this to be all true; however, we should use this knowledge.

See, since 1996 people like myself, Kim Clement, Marc Bredencamp, Johan van Wyk etc. have been writing, prophesying and preaching about a generation, mostly young people, that will rise up above the ashes and take up their rightful place in accepting their calling they have been summoned to.

This generation has a great anointing on it to do what Jesus came to do: “destroy the works of the devil” And since we are the Body of Christ – you should know what WE should be doing. I have become aware of something happening in the spirit by simply reading newspapers everyday. I believe in Good News but like to know what’s going on a round me.

One day in January this year (2008) I started picking up on “on-fire” Christian youth which has a calling on their lives, strategically positioned by God like Joseph and Daniel to bring about a revival in their cities and change in society, dying senseless, unexplainable deaths periodically throughout 2008.

When I’m talking about these young people, I’m speaking of them because they were reported to have the desire and calling from God to bring change in schools and revival in society. Their loved ones knew this is what they were chasing after very well and gave public testimonies about them.

Bad news came across my desk again today. I admit that around 30% of the kids I wrote about or reported on haven’t been tagged with being followers of Christ, but an onslaught exists nonetheless:

Yesterday morning, at around 05:49 am, a Toyota Condor was driven by a drunken man onto the Woodmead offramp; which means, if you’re not familiar with this road in the east of Johannesburg Sa that he went onto the highway the wrong way. His vehicle crashed head on with a Volkswagen Golf being occupied by 5 young people, students. They died instantly.

Why am I so punchy about this issue? People die everyday, right?

Because, once again, it’s senseless deaths of young people. They are the only ones I believe that can change the country back to a God fearing people. There IS a revival coming, but the Bible clearly states: “How will one believe unless they hear? And how will one hear unless someone preaches?”

Everyone in prominent positions of influence (young people) are being killed senselessly; albeit being stabbed, shot, accidents… I have done extensive research on this. What I felt in my spirit since January has been confirmed by many natural reports.

Of course I don’t know the names of the people, hence anything of their background, so it’s hard to say if they were anointed. But, if you know me and the way I preach, you’ll know all young people are called and anointed to me. I don’ care if he serves satan and kills his friends like a samurai with a sword; I believe in this generation!

What can we do? Well, I prophesy when God speaks to me and preach to the 25 kids that visit the youth I’m at now, and of course I pray, but that’s about all I am able to do at this moment; the Lord hasn’t opened anything else up.

You can pray or get onto our website and read some of the stuff, watch the videos, listen to the audio – profound stuff on there.

Be expectant of this revival: “even though it may tarry… wait for it !”

Love and peace,

Ivin Viljoen

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock" Acts 20:29 KJV.

Has Jesus left the building? Have we been handed over to the wolves? What about the flock?

A while back I spoke about the Church and the general consensus that the Mega Church model is not quite what Jesus had in mind. If we look at the rapid growth of the Church after Peters Pentecostal sermon in Acts 3 and forward we see congregants of between 5-8 000 people gathering together.

It’s not long after that that persecution broke out that drove the entire Jerusalem Church into other regions and countries around it. Wasn’t it for that blessed persecution we would probably have a faith centre for Christianity in Jerusalem only with pilgrimages to Jerusalem like the Muslim parallel pilgrimage to Mecca.

It’s ironic to note that Paul was the hand executing the persecution but is the very same person who would travel to establish the Churches outside of Jerusalem and beyond even strengthening them.

Well, the Mega Church syndrome has hit hard as bigger Churches constitutes in bigger mortgage repayments and more pressure on the congregants who inherently carry the entire burden of the Church.

We are busy constituting and preaching (me and some friends of mine) about the destruction of the Mega Church format and the city Church that is the blueprint God has designed for the Church. Didn’t Jesus speak about Him destroying the physical, structural buildings of the Church(Temple)? And the promised that after three day He will raise it up again?

Perhaps we have this happening again. Perhaps we see the building destroyed and Jesus brining back revival among those who are humble enough to understand that it was never about “men of God” but about God’s Son. Therefore we might see in the near future the model practiced in China, like the Church in sities during the period after the exodus out of Jerusalem: meeting from house to house, in the temple courts and healing and public confessions of faith in the streets.      

When we gather to and build mega Churches, it becomes so easy to establish another denomination, as if 37 000+ is not enough already. The Church is under attack and it seems the clergy has become the sheep/lambs rather than shepherds as factors that seem outside of their control have come in and ripped them apart leaving the Body bleeding and gasping for air.

It was reported in Charisma magazine that a lot of foreclosures have already been happening on the Mega Church front, and it is not because of anything except an attack on the family, the physical and spiritual family.

Most of the problems we face today is because of divorce. Thomas Weeks II and his wife, Yuanita Byunum divorced in June this year; he was charged with assaulting her in a parking lot in August. He got escorted out of the building of Global Destiny ministries by building owners for $ 511,000 in back rent while a service was in progress.

Remember the bestseller “Deal with It” by Paula White? It seems the protégé of Bishop TD Jakes is finding it hard to take her own medicine as their Without Walls property was foreclosed on November 4 amidst demands to immediately settle a $ 12 m deficit. Once the fastest growing congregation in America this great megachurch has succumbed under the oldest trick in the book: dividing the body. This has followed the announcement  of their divorce in 2007.

There’s a couple things important to notice here:

The megachurch is not God’s design. The City Church is; but Doug Perry could tell you more about that, and perhaps Mike Bickle. I believe this church structure is going down, and amidst those that have suffered, there will be more… Because Jesus promised to destroy the temple made by hands and raise up a new, Living Body after three days. This could perhaps be God’s plan.

Like when the Baptist union “divorced” from Charles Spurgeon because of him taking a stand against what he believed was heresy; the Church started lending “other” doctrines a friendly ear (Edwin Orr) and before you knew it Charles Darwin’s “origin of the species” was an “alternative” taught in seminaries…

Like we’ll find in many Christian Ethics courses where you are encouraged to consider and choose the “lesser evil”. The same premise has happened today for one simple reason. Christ is the standard and at the centre of everything, if not, we fall into major error.

Therefore the reports in said article by Charisma about the strangest teachings you could possibly expect from the pulpit; like for instance Thomas Weeks’ premise to use profanity during lovemaking to enhance their experience.

With Mega Churches comes Mega error, simply because we become elevated above responsibility and accountability towards our fellow Christian and we become the law and mouthpiece setting religious trends. We could say stuff and no-one questions what we say.  Just look at big churches in Klerksdorp and Randburg South Africa for examples.

We need to pray that maidst God’s plans for the Church to be restored, that His will be done and so also the flock will be protected. My question to you is: those megachurches that close down, where are the flock going now? We need to pray the shepherds find the one lost and straying from the 99.

Blessings

Tony2Cents