Recent words to Nate
Many years ago I read a little booklet, "The Calvary Road," by Roy Hession. In recent years the Lord has brought the book back to my attention. I believe that the truths in this booklet are so important that I can honestly say that I don't have much hope that any portion of the Body of Christ will attain GOD's highest without these truths becoming part of each of our lives. I strongly encourage you to get a copy thru your local Christian bookstore and prayerfully read it.
GOD bless you - N
WHAT IS GOD REALLY AFTER?
My wife is gone this weekend seeing her sister in California. I was laying in bed this a.m. (06-05-05) watching the wind and rain out the window when the Lord spoke the following to me-
What is God really after?
He is looking for people who will live their lives in constant fellowship with, and obedience to, Him.
Out of this relationship will flow - worship, intercession, evangelism, love and unity among His people, compassion toward the needy, social justice everything that He wants to happen in His Church and in the world.
Our focus must be to live in constant fellowship with, and obedience to, Him.
This may not be new to many but it was a reminder to me, bringing everything into proper focus and priority.
DESCRIPTION OF AN APOSTLE The Lord began to give me this in a dream last night (January 3, 2004) - and finished with additional details when I woke up. I hope you find it helpful - NK
An apostle - is a person of character, healthy family relations, and total yieldedness to GOD. is known for the presence of GOD that goes with Him has a heart for evangelism, missions, the whole world operates in a broad range of gifts and ministries releases people into their ministries is a pioneer, involved in starting churches and ministries is involved in much networking is sought for his/her wise counsel is a person of faith, trusting GOD for all necessary provision for himself and for the work.
GOD WANTS TO LEAD HIS PEOPLE
I hurt my back last week (May 1, 2003 to be exact) and have been layed up - not doing much - which means extra time to hear from GOD. I was resting in bed this afternoon (5-8-03) and GOD spoke to me "man handling" - and I knew what He meant! We all have a tendency to bring an agenda to GOD's people - some vision, some program, some teaching, something that we think they need - something that we bring to them and superimpose upon them. In the process we end up "man handing" them. GOD wants to lead His people - individually and corporately. GOD want to lead each of us personally - He wants to direct our path each day - where to go, what to do, who to see, what to say, etc. And He wants to lead us corporately. When we gather together He wants to be in our midst directly leading the gathering. In the "house church movement" now there are many "leaders", i.e., elders, apostles, etc. who have an agenda for GOD's people. They have some good program, conference, seminar, project, etc., that they think GOD's people need. And in the process, in my opinion, they "man handle" GOD's flock.
WHEN DO GOD'S PEOPLE GET TO HEAR HIS VOICE AND FOLLOW HIM?!
I even wonder if it would not be good to get rid of all home church "leaders" for awhile (if that were possible) so that GOD's people could learn to be led by Him alone! The great need of the hour is to teach GOD's people how to hear His voice - and encourage them to follow Him. Let's quit "man handling" the people of GOD! And I know that I have been guilty at times of doing this - and I ask your forgiveness. GOD bless you all - NK
TWO TYPES OF LEADERSHIP
Recently the Lord made more real to me than ever before that there are two types of leaders in the Body of Christ. There are visionary leaders (apostles) who need to give visionary leadership in the early days of something new. Then there are elders who watch over the sheep. The apostles are usually not too good at watching over the sheep - and the elders are usually not too good with vision. So we need both. First the visionary - then the shepherding - both behind the scenes releasing the saints to their destiny.
SOUL AND SPIRIT
On November 4, 2003 the Lord spoke to me - "the greatest hindrance to the Kingdom of GOD is Christians who live by the soul rather than the spirit". Hebrews 4:12 talks about dividing between the soul and the spirit. We can do great things with soul power - and much of what goes on in the Church is this - but it is not Spirit-wrought, lasting fruit. The fruit that remains will be brought forth only by the Spirit, working in and through our spirit. We need to learn to hear GOD's Spirit speaking and leading us through our spirit - and begin to live by our spirit, not our soul.