Emmet Fox: The Sermon On The Mount

     I finished reading Mr. de Arteaga's wonderful book on Agnes Sanford and Her Companions... 
(see post on January 26) which I loved and highly recommend.  It reminded me of why I was so attracted to the spiritual giants I met through CFO.  They really were ahead of their time.  Since being exposed to them so many years ago I have been looking for the same deep faith and understanding of the Gospel wherever I go, and have not yet discovered it to the depth they exemplified  I plan to read the book again when I get it back from our oldest son to whom I loaned it yesterday.  I'm thinking I may just have to get another copy so I will always have one to loan and one to refer to.
      In the meantime, I have started reading Emmet Fox's The Sermon On The Mount which was mentioned in de Arteaga's book.  I immediately ordered a copy from abebooks.com but then found I already had a copy which was brought from N.C. when they were cleaning out Tommy Tyson's library after his death.  I have begun reading it and absolutely love it, also.  In fact, it is so practical that I'm hoping to find some other like-minded souls who want to read the book with me and do an experiment on putting it into practice.
      If that interests you, let me know.  I guess if I can't find anyone locally, maybe we could have an Internet discussion group.  With Skype, Facetime, etc. I'm sure we could figure out a way.

As an example, here is a quote from Mr. Fox's discussion of the beatitude, Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.  (The highlighting is mine because I truly want to remember this and practice it.  What a much better way to see a situation than to get angry and retaliate!)

..."Let us be merciful in our mental judgments of our brother, for, in truth, we are all one, and the more deeply he seems to err, the more urgent is the need for us to help him with the right thought, and so make it easier for him to get free.  You--because you understand the power of the Spiritual Idea, the Christ Truth--have a responsibility that others have not; see that you do not evade it.  When his delinquency comes to your notice, remember that the Christ in him is calling out for help to you who are enlightened--so be merciful..."

How to Grow Morel Mushrooms! At HOME!

We are going to try this once we find some mushrooms this spring!

Milky Way is Back!

 

      Last March when I was in Rochester for surgery, Milky Way disappeared.  Now, over 9 months later she has re-appeared.  It would be so interesting to know where she's been.  She came to us 2 or 3 years ago pregnant.  And stayed from then until March, having 3 or 4 litters of kittens.
      We don't know where she came from the first time, or now, but she doesn't appear to be living here so far this time--at least not in the cat house.  I think she is a wanderer--doesn't like to put down roots too long but enjoys the benefits of several people caring for her.  Until she returned, our only cat was Brown Kitty who was from her last litter.  When they met again they didn't seem to like each other much.  Now they appear at different times to be fed.  There must be some sort of communication and pecking order between cats.

Virtue Excesses and Deficiencies Charts

     I came across these charts on the excesses and deficiencies of virtue on the Internet recently.  The first one is attributed to Jim Lanctot, the other to Aristotle.  They are worth pondering, I think. As always, extremes in either direction do not honor God.

Lord, I Need You

Another beautiful song, I just now discovered.  I see it was written by Matt Maher

Agnes Sanford and Her Companions: The Assault on Cessationism and the Coming of the Charismatic Renewal by William De Arteaga

       Our family was active in Camps Farthest Out for many years so I am finding this book, Agnes Sanford and Her Companions:  The Assault on Cessationism and the Coming of the Charismatic Renewal, wonderfully educational and well-resarched because it includes much information on CFO and its founder, Glenn Clark.  It affirms what I have learned from so many different sources over the last 30+ years.  No matter what mainline churches say, healing prayer, deliverance, etc. are for today's Christians.
      Agnes Sanford was a mentor to me through her books and tape recordings.  She is the one who inadvertantly helped me discover CFO and introduced me to Tommy Tyson, Glenn Clark, Francis MacNutt, and many others through her talks.  I am so grateful to her!
       When Greg Camp told me about this book, I could hardly wait to get a copy. I am about half way through it and am so excited about what I have learned so far!  What Mr. De Arteaga does in the book goes way beyond my expectations!  He lays the foundation and gives the background of how the gifts of the Spirit--and particularly the healing ministry are central to the gospel and the many detours that have been taken over the years to divert this ministry.
       I highly recommend this book.

King of My Heart (w/ spontaneous) - Steffany Gretzinger & Jeremy Riddle

     As I've mentioned before, Steffany Gretzinger & Jeremy Riddle from Bethel Church in Redding, California, are my favorite worship team!  Yesterday we were watching the ibethel.tv January 17 worship led by Jeremy with Steffany when they sang this song.  We had not heard it before (where have we been?) but LOVED it.  I looked it up and discovered John Mark McMillan wrote the song.  Then I found this segment of worship of the song from an earlier worship session posted on YouTube.
     Steffany is one of the most free worshippers I've encountered.  It is obvious from watching them togehter that she & Jeremy work so well together to inspire us all into more freedom and joy in worshipping the Lord.

Continued Thoughts On Impossibility

     Here is the continuation of Tuesday's post of "Thoughts on Impossiblility:"

The essence of Christianity shows itself only as a gift from another world – though even then it is often obscured by great jumbles of “Christian” activity. Even so, each of us can hope for it, and find it for ourselves. Even the impossible can be made possible by the silent power that surrounds us and bubbles over with life and splendor.        …Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (1842-1919), Now Is Eternity, 2002 p 44

Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or, anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.        ...C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), “Charity,” Mere Christianity, 1956

When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others - not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favourites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.      ...C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), “The Three Personal God,” Mere Christianity, 1956

The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas.  Nor is it a command to do the impossible.  (God) is going to make us into creatures that can obey his command…He meant what He said.  Those who put themselves into His hands will become perfect, as He is perfect—perfect in love, wisdom, joy, beauty, and immortality.             ... C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), “Counting the Cost” Mere Christianity, 1956

It is God’s delight to make possible to us that which seems impossible, and when we reach a place where He alone has right of way, then all the things that have been misty and misunderstood are cleared up.   …Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947), Faith That Prevails, GPH Publication, 1938 ch 2

If all things are possible with God, then all things are possible to him who believes in him.            ... John Wesley (1703-1791), Sermons on Several Occasions, v. II, New York: Carlton & Phillips, 1855, p 446

I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.         ... Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), The Interior Castle, 1577, tr., E. Allison Peers, Garden City, N.Y.:  Doubleday, 1961, p 33

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”       …Luke 18:27 NIV Bible

Rufus Moseley on Prayer

     I thought you might enjoy this wisdom from J. Rufus Moseley which is so relevant today even though it was included in an article published in December, 1930.  Thank you, Greg Camp, (who is doing research and compiling Rufus Moseley's writings for publication) for sharing this information with me.   

       "...The three conditions for answered prayer that Jesus emphasized were first, that we must forgive others and we would be forgiven; second, that we must believe that God hears us and that we receive what we ask for; and third, that we must abide in Him (Christ), the source of our life and everything, for without Him we can do nothing and with Him we can do everything.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray for everything good, for the coming of God’s kingdom, for god’s will to be done on earth as in heaven and in us as it was done in Him, for our daily bread and daily needs, for deliverance from evil, and for being perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.  He healed every sick man that came to Him and never refused anyone of the grounds that it might not be God’s will for him to be healed.  It is also clear that it is the will of God as revealed in Jesus for us to be every whit whole, to be healed of all of our diseases as well as to be set free from all of our sins.  Healing was just as easy to Jesus and just as frequent as the forgiveness of sins.  In fact, Jesus revealed and reveals that it is the will of God for every enemy to be put under our feet and for us to have dominion over what we call matter and the forces of nature and for these to be plastic to the word of God and the Spirit of God speaking and working in and through us..."

Sugar Identified as a Top Cause of the Surge in Cancer by Dr. Mercola

    An interesting article on the topic of sugar as a cancer producer can be found here on Dr. Mercola's website.  This article also has some surprising info on cancer screening and ways to keep from getting cancer.

Some thoughts to ponder on impossibility

      I had saved this compilation of thoughts on impossibility, but can't remember where I found the original.  If anyone recognizes the list, let me know, I would be glad to give the original author credit.

For nothing is impossible with God.  …Gabriel speaking to Mary in Luke 1:37 NIV Bible

Your religious life is every day to be a proof that God works impossibilities; your religious life is to be a series of impossibilities made possible and actual by God’s almighty power.               ...Andrew Murray (1828-1917), Absolute Surrender and Other Addresses, Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1897 p 62

"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." All around you there is a world of sin and sorrow, and the Devil is there. But remember, Christ is on the throne, Christ is stronger, Christ has conquered, and Christ will conquer. But wait on God. My text casts us down: "The things which are impossible with men"; but it ultimately lifts us up high—"are possible with God."  Get linked to God.  Adore and trust Him as the omnipotent One, not only for your own life, but for all the souls that are entrusted to you. Never pray without adoring His omnipotence, saying: "Mighty God, I claim Thine almightiness."   ...Andrew Murray (1828-1917), Absolute Surrender and Other Addresses, Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Association, 1897 p 68

The man that believes will obey; failure to obey is convincing proof that there is no true faith present. To attempt the impossible God must give faith or there will be none, and He gives faith to the obedient heart only. ... A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), Man: The Dwelling Place of God, Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1966 p 33

An invitation to prayer is, therefore, an invitation to omnipotence, for prayer engages the Omnipotent God and brings Him into our human affairs.  Nothing is impossible to the man who prays in faith, just as nothing is impossible with God.   ...A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), “What Profit in Prayer?” The Set of the Sail, ed. Harry Verploegh, Camp Hill: Christian Publications, 1986 p 33

And so the word "impossible" becomes itself impossible when the soul of man is in fellowship with the Lord of Hosts. The pliant will becomes an iron pillar. The weak heart becomes "as a defended city" when it is the home of God. Dumb lips become the thrones of mysterious eloquence when touched with divine inspiration. …John Henry Jowett (1864-1923), Feb 27, My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year, 1914

Indifference to religion is impossible where the preacher is a flame of fire. ... Samuel Chadwick (1860-1932), The Way to Pentecost, Hodder and Stoughton, 1932; Fort Washington: Christian Literature Crusade, 1969 p 18

To be continued...

"2016: A True Year of Jubilee" by Johnny Enlow

        This was posted on the Elijah List today.  In case you don't already subscribe there is a link at the bottom, if you're interested.

"2016: A True Year of Jubilee" (Trump, the Presidency, Muslims, the Economy, and Justice)

Johnny Enlow, Santa Clarita, CA

We're entering another phenomenal year of unprecedented Kingdom advancement. Many markers tell us that 2016 is a very special year. It's a Leap Year, a Presidential Election year for America, and a most unique Year of Jubilee. 2016 also comes at the beginning of what is forecast to be the biggest El Nino weather phenomenon ever. Furthermore, this is all taking place in an era of renaissance in the knowledge of God and in the age of the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21). 

A Prophetic Review of 2015 

Obviously it's become clear that the doomsday scenarios predicted for the United States during the months of September through December haven't taken place. The economy didn't collapse. We weren't hit by a catastrophic meteorite. There weren't any destructive earthquakes or tsunamis. The rapture didn't occur. We aren't under martial law. ISIS didn't bring our country to its knees and neither Russia nor China invaded.

Instead, an estimated 100 million people became followers of Jesus Christ, including perhaps up to a half-million Muslims, though this comes from sources that can't be quoted. The number of Holy Spirit-filled Believers (700 million) reached almost one in ten on the planet, which is the highest ever. The extreme poverty rate in the world dropped to its lowest ever, abortions dropped to almost one-half the rate they were in 1990. Divorce rates continued their recent substantial drop. Teen pregnancies decreased to their lowest rate since 1940, when statistics were first recorded. (see p. 52 of my book, The Seven Mountain Renaissance, for cited sources).

Many incorrectly perceived the signs of the historic blood moons, the upcoming jubilee season, and the warmest year ever recorded for the planet. What they thought portended to disaster, instead, spoke of an acceleration of the advancing Kingdom of God. 

God's Kingdom On the World Stage

While many fretted and announced the advancement of satan's kingdom, the reality is that our Father's Kingdom showed up on the world's stages in unprecedented ways. Allow me to give you some real-life examples. 

In Hollywood, faith-themed movies made over 300 million dollars. In fact, a whole stream of faith-based movies are on their way. Perhaps even more significant than that, is the fact that billions of box office dollars in 2015 came from hit movies that promoted the Kingdom values of courage, redemption, honor, forgiveness, integrity, and love. It's become common on the various singing/dancing reality shows for Christians to be celebrated for their excellence and anointing. 

Jordan Smith was the winner of The Voice through his amazing performances of "Mary Did You Know?" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Jennifer Phillips from The X Factor UK brought the judges and crowd to their feet when she sang Mary Mary's worship song "Shackles." The anointing is truly being showcased on the biggest platforms of the world and you can see it visibly affect the judges and the audience. We've watched Justin Bieber awaken to his call as he recently expressed in a Rolling Stone interview that he just wants to be like Jesus. His latest album, "Purpose," is full of references to God and Justin's desire to connect a generation to Him. It's becoming cool in Hollywood to go to Bible Studies and to have a pastor. The whole entertainment industry is in the midst of an extreme makeover and it's creating unprecedented opportunities for the King's kids who know their assignment to bring glory to His name. 

A great example of this is Tyler Perry, a Christian who's an excellent movie producer and businessman, and has become a key player and heavyweight in the industry in recent years. A brand new complex, heavily advanced by Chick-fil-A owners, called Pinewood Studios in southern Atlanta, has suddenly become the place to film movies. It's now known as Atlanta's 6 billion dollar film industry – and it's Believers who are making the big difference. 

The shift in the last three years alone has been monumental and it's all just getting started. We're headed to a time when it will be more of the exception when an award or a prize doesn't go to an open follower of Jesus Christ. Papa's show time has just begun!(Photo via flickr)

We can see the same trend in the major sports' platforms as well. Derek Henry of Alabama, winner of the Heisman Trophy, spoke boldly in his acceptance speech of his love for God and how he prays to Him every day. Dabo Sweeney, coach of the undefeated #1 Clemson team, began his comments after the big Orange Bowl win by thanking God for His goodness and stated his desire to give Him glory. Boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao, is also very overt in his love for God. 

Recent surprise UFC world championship winner, Holly Holm, was referred to as "the preacher's daughter." PGA Tour, 22 year-old sensation, and player of the year Jordan Spieth is a Believer. NBA MVP, Stephen Curry, is an avowed Believer, as are many of his NBA Champion Golden State Warriors teammates. 24 of the starting 32 quarterbacks in the NFL, including Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Aaron Rogers, and Peyton Manning are followers of Jesus. World best soccer team, Barcelona, has the 2015 breakout star Neymar, who is an open follower of Jesus. 

I could go on and on, but the point is, while many have been obsessing with the giants in the land, it was a breakout year on the world stages for sons and daughters of the Most High. It's already at an unprecedented level and this will continue to be the prevailing trend.

The Shift Towards Grace-Consciousness and Hope

Furthermore, a huge shift is taking place within Christianity itself that many are worried about, but it's a good thing. This shift is away from sin-awareness and fear towards grace-consciousness and hope. Those who tend to be more sin-focused may be tempted to panic over this trend, but be assured that this a good and necessary one. What you focus on you make room for. We've been highlighting sin for centuries and reaped accordingly. We're now seeing a shift and movement to let grace rule and we're going to see the fruit of grace like never before.

There are major voices such as Joseph Prince, Andrew Wommack, and more recently Creflo Dollar preaching an emphasis on the power grace. They may or may not have every i dotted and every t crossed perfectly, but on the other hand, that's the idea of grace. It's about His work versus our work and it's about inside-out dynamics, rather than outside-in. To the degree that we remain in an outside-in mentality, we are essentially stuck in an Old Testament paradigm, which undermines the work of Jesus on the Cross. 

External pressures cannot produce inner transformation – and transformation is the goal. Individuals who have been transformed by grace can then transform their world, expanding the same inside-out dynamics. God desires that we engage Him with our hearts and then allow Him to change our external behavior as an overflow of His love and acceptance. When we don't understand that about Him, then we represent His heart incorrectly and attempt to legislate hearts and behavior through laws and imposition rather than simply represent His heart of love and solutions. (Photo via Pixabay)

As a last example of God's advancing Kingdom in 2015, we have several prominent and impacting voices of hope. Joel Osteen isn't just "an inch deep and a mile wide," as some say, but is clearly carrying a huge anointing on his life and message. In fact, I saw that God has assigned the largest angel of hope on the planet to him. The sin-focused crowd generally blasts him, while millions of unbelievers are watching him in over 100 nations and are receiving a much better perspective of God than our old "turn-or-burn" voices of days past. Joel's message of hope has him nicknamed as The Smiling Preacher, with New York Times Best Selling books to his credit. He and TD Jakes carry the titles of America's most influential pastors. TD is also an important voice of hope in a hope-starved world. To these names we could add Bill Johnson, as he champions a good God who's in a good mood and desires to pour His power and healing to us and through us. 

The Kingdom of God will forcefully advance in 2016, but we will have a difficult time recognizing that if we don't realize that it was already forcefully advancing in 2015. As we transition into a new year, it's imperative to look back and identify some of these breakthroughs we experienced. If you can't properly perceive Him at work in the past, then you may have a vision defect that needs to be healed before you can correctly see Him moving forward. The good news is that God is actively working in our midst to teach us how to see and perceive Him and His heart correctly.

Trump and The Year of Jubilee 

2016 brings to us a most remarkable synergy of time, personages, and events. When we connect to the Hebraic calendar we discover that we're in the midst of the 70th Jubilee since Joshua and Caleb went into the Promised Land with the children of Israel. It's also the 40th Jubilee since Jesus was on the earth. The number 70 is a very significant number in the Bible that speaks of restoration. It's a multiple of 7/perfection and 10/completeness. Furthermore, the original Year of Jubilee spoken of in Leviticus 25 started on the 7th month and the 10th day. We certainly don't want to miss the impacting fact that we're now in a 70th Jubilee time period.

Leviticus 25 gives us the central tenets of a Year of Jubilee. First of all, it was a year for the ground to rest from production. More applicable for us, it was a year all who were indebted were forgiven their debts. The shofar/trumpet was to be blown everywhere as a sound that proclaimed a new season of liberty. At the sound of the trumpet everyone received a fresh start, so it was a time of renewed hopes and dreams. This was God's idea and gives us an amazing view of His character and heart of mercy. The qualification was never about the people deserving it, but all about His generosity towards those who need it the most. Each one of us needs to really grasp this as a truth and reality that we can personally believe and embrace as God's heart for us.

I believe this Jubilee will actually continue over a 7-year period because it's the 70th Jubilee since Israel entered into their Promised Land. Your Promised Land is your appointed area for maximum fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God. It isn't about you becoming rich and famous, although aspects of both of those may take place as you discover your unique role in advancing His solutions and correct reputation in the earth. 

So what does Donald Trump have to do with the Year of Jubilee? I don't believe that it's merely a coincidence that a political figure who's garnering so much attention all over the world is a man whose name is Trump and is turning 70 years old during the 70th Year of Jubilee. The symbolism of his name and age draws our attention to the trumpet blowing of a most unique Jubilee season. Whatever else Donald Trump will do or stand for is at minimum a reminder of the unique year that we are entering into.

The Presidency?

I will clearly state that the Lord hasn't shown me who will be the next president of the United States. Let me also state that I personally have my doubts that it will be Donald Trump. I think many feel that God is saying something through the appearance of Mr. Trump on the political scene, but most also admit that they aren't necessarily saying he'll be elected president. If Trump is a trumpet or shofar sound that God is using, then we must follow the Biblical pattern. (Photo via Pixabay)

The shofar was never the thing God was doing, rather it was only that which activated, facilitated, or proclaimed what God was doing. The trumpet was not the Year of Jubilee itself, but the declaration of it. The appearance of Trump in the political arena has clearly made this election a hybrid like no other. Normal rules are out the door. The candidates that seemed best positioned in terms of resources and organization haven't seen that translate directly into the typical advantages we'd expect to see. 

As it relates to Trump's primary political stances, I believe that many of them represent what God is judging in the United States, as opposed to what He's endorsing. If you draw up a Kingdom blueprint for who God would place in the position of authority as president, you wouldn't pick a three-times married, divider, polarizer, and significantly challenged in the fruit of the Holy Spirit, brash individual. A recent survey has said that 50% of Americans would be embarrassed to have Trump as president. I believe he's presently operating as a bull in the china shop of the 2016 elections. Ultimately, will he run the shop or just initiate its rebuilding? I don't know, but I do believe the process will reveal that God has been much more sovereign than many of us imagined and that Donald Trump will prove out to have been used strategically for the purposes of God.

In this election year, it's important to understand that God is being very efficient and proficient with the process by using it to educate us in His ways. I believe we're going to see a manifestation of Psalm 76:10 in this electoral process: "Human defiance only enhances Your glory, for You use it as a weapon."

As it relates to the presidency, what I'm sure of is that, whoever ultimately becomes president, will in fact have been orchestrated by God. The reason we so often miss being in agreement with His choice for president is that we're often not aware of what God is working on next in society. We're out of time and rhythm with Him. We don't understand His patience and long-suffering and therefore wrongfully assume that what we feel should be the priority – must be His priority too. Many others don't even have Him in the equation at all and are literally justifying why they should be entitled to their fears. 

It is of utmost importance to be in the right narrative of the day. With the wrong narrative, we make decisions based on a storyline that's out of sync with the overall plot and direction. With the wrong narrative, we'll fight political battles with the wrong mindset and be convinced we must vote for a candidate that God has no intention of endorsing. What we believe regarding illegal immigrants, Muslims, ISIS, the state of our economy and the day we live in, is what will affect our choice of presidential candidate. 

If we're more fearful about the issues, then we'll vote one way. If we're more hopeful, then we'll vote another way. God is very, very involved in this election. If there are elections where He says, "Well, I'll just give them who they want," – this election is not one of them. The intentionality of God will rule supreme, even in our freedom of democratic expression. When you're God, you can do that! (Photo via Wikimedia)

Muslims

Muslims are key protagonists this year, as well as in the future. Because of this reality, many aren't sure if they're the next Nazi force to be feared and defended against, or if they're our next harvest field. The answer is the latter and it's an answer we must be right about or we'll miss a great opportunity. Fear keeps us out of Kingdom advancement, while love and courage connect us to it. More Muslims have come to Jesus since 9/11 than in the lengthy history of Islam. Most of the amazing things taking place in Muslim nations cannot be cited or shared openly because of the added persecution it would bring to them. Reportedly there are in excess of 25,000 coming to Jesus every day. Many, many Muslims have had dreams where Jesus has revealed Himself to them.

I've recently heard about the exceptional quality of many of these new converts to Christ. It's obvious that their radical, courageous brand of Christianity is going to infuse the whole Body of Christ with a much needed upgrade. We need what the Muslim converts bring to us almost as much as they need Christ. Christianity is not meant to be the second or third most passionate religion on the planet, but rather the most passionate. That passion is meant to be a reflection of the love of God, as opposed to the rules and rituals of religion. 

Muslim converts will be champion demonstrators of His love, His hospitality, His courage, His faith, and His supernatural capabilities.The blinding principality that has had Muslims in its vice grip is being decimated and weakened as never before. In time there will be a virtual crash of that principality that will rock the planet into turbo Kingdom acceleration. The whole world being challenged with Sharia Law is not our future narrative. A half a billion Muslims coming into the Kingdom is the direction we are headed into and soon enough it'll be a headline story. As Believers, we can either accelerate or decelerate that based on our participation with the right or wrong narrative.

The Economy

The one constant before us remains the same – change. A generation of superhero Believers are about to rise and challenge the status quo everywhere. They will rise on every mountain of society (media, economy, family, government, arts & entertainment, education, and religion). They'll bring our Papa's better way of doing everything to every area of society. 

As a major part of that, God showed me that the great angel of the Mountain of Economy has been released with his armies and activated over us. He will care for the world's economy, as well as provide the wisdom for the better systems that must replace the systems of Mammon. There is no present economic crisis in any nation where the solution for that crisis doesn't already exist in the sons and daughters of the King. 

The United States' 18+ trillion dollar debt is only an impossible situation with man. It isn't IF there is a solution – only WHAT the solution is. The year of the 70th Jubilee is perfect timing for that to begin to be dealt with and we must represent the heart of God and His mercy towards us by carrying a voice of hope in that regard. If the world economy's future were up to humans alone, we would indeed be headed for devastation in the soon coming days. Everyone with understanding in the economy who can do the math on it can see that. (Photo via Pixabay)

However, there won't be a world economic crash because we're going to partner with the heavenly help that is being sent to us and find His solutions in the coming years. Satan wants to crash the world economy because he wants to sabotage the current world harvest that's taking place. He isn't going to succeed because God continues to have mercy on us. Of course we'll have hick-ups and bumps, but that will just allow for more sound and transparent systems to be implemented. Remove yourself from the fear associated with the economy, as that only strengthens the principality of Mammon.

Monitor Your Spiritual Blood Pressure

I recently had a vivid dream that I was having my blood pressure taken. To my surprise it registered a very low 111 over 70, which is much lower than anything I have ever seen in real life. The numbers from my dream stuck with me and I realized the Lord was speaking through the numbers themselves. For those of you who've been following some of my prophetic words, you know that 111 is a significant number in this season. As previously stated, the number 70 is also quite important for us.

I believe the Lord desires us all to maintain a 111 over 70 spiritual blood pressure. This is even more important than your natural blood pressure. In looking at the meaning of these numbers, 70 represents a time of restoration and Jubilee. 111 is about crossing into the Promised Land and living by faith. Jubilee and faith are two key words for us to walk in this year. Joshua 1:11says, "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready...go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.'" Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of what we don't see." Faith is the opposite of certainty. 

In order to maintain your spiritual health this year, you must remember these three words: fun, faith, and fruitfulness.This is the essence of the spiritual blood pressure that God has available for us. Fun may seem to be most inappropriate for certain situations, but it's perhaps the most appropriate. Paul instructs us to count it all joy even when we fall into diverse trials and to rejoice in the Lord always.He also told us that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. In 2016, be sure to keep your fun on, your faith on, and your fruitfulness on! It's the Year of Jubilee and you don't want to miss its benefits.

Your Guarantee for a Jubilant 2016: Psalm 16:5-9

"O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rejoice in hope." (NKJV)

"The Lord himself is my inheritance, my prize. He is my food and drink, my highest joy! He guards all that is mine. He sees that I am given pleasant brooks and meadows as my share! What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the Lord who counsels me; He gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do. I am always thinking of the Lord; and because He is near, I never need to stumble or fall. Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy." (The Living Bible)

As we are going into 2016, I believe there are one of two distinct paths that you'll find yourself on. 

On one of those paths, many of you have been (or will be) suddenly thrown into transition – a reboot mode that's similar to a GPS that's recalculating. It will prove out to be divinely orchestrated. The times and seasons of the Lord are going to hit you like a whirlwind and there'll be no more business-as-usual for you, but you'll be divinely repositioned for greater fruitfulness. Be assured that He has a "good inheritance" for you and He has "lines that fall to you in a pleasant place" as you make the Lord Himself your portion and your inheritance. He is the One that maintains your lot and guards all that is yours. It is in Him you live, and move, and have your being. 2016 may briefly feel like you're in a "night season" of being clueless as to how to proceed, but He will instruct your heart with wisdom and lead you into your Jubilee. 

On the other path, I see a year of acceleration and abundance. For those, you've already seen the "lines that fall in a pleasant place" and you'll be shown an even greater vein of treasure. You're already in the right field of inheritance and fun, faith, and fruitfulness is your immediate track. 

Whichever path you find yourself on, remember to maintain the 111 over 70 spiritual blood pressure: fun, faith, and fruitfulness along with an expectation of restoration in the Year of Jubilee. We must all shift to a mentality of abundance and stay in that, no matter what the test or the contradiction. All things are possible at any time. Nothing is impossible in 2016!

A Time of the Justice of God

Justice will be a big theme in 2016. We'll see it emphasized and applied in many areas, including our own justice system that's presently highly and inexcusably unjust. Justice will come as judgment (a rendering of a verdict) to the house of God. Matthew 20:16 and Luke 20:16 are appropriate passages for this year. 

Matthew 20:16 says, "The last will be first, and the first last." This will be a reality in many situations. Luke 20:16 is a little stronger and says, "He'll come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others." The vineyards speak of churches, denominations, and ministries (especially TV) who have wrongfully represented the Lord in the areas that He gave them stewardship over. 

While the Church has been pointing its judgmental finger at society, the Justice of the Lord will focus on His house. Many vinedressers have assumed that the vineyard where they operate is theirs, but they'll soon discover that it's His vineyard. In 2016 God will be initiating a lot of promoting and demoting in His house, where the last shall be first and the first shall be last. This is all a part of the Year of Jubilee. (For more on 2016, read my Rosh Hashanah word for 2015, The Year You Will Roar.)

All in all, 2016 will bear out to be a wonderful year of Kingdom advancement. The spiritual atmosphere is clearing up and demonstrations of glory will increase. Voices and eyes of hope will experience the greatest favor and help from Heaven. God will be greater than every challenge and He will have a solution for every crisis. Abundance is also a key word for now and we must shift our paradigm to one of abundance. If we'll gaze into His face we'll see written there, "All is possible." If you will keep your mouth in agreement with who He is, your greatest year is ahead of you!

(A word from Elizabeth, Johnny's wife: If you're inspired by this fresh prophetic perspective for the new year, then you'll love Johnny's latest book, The Seven Mountain Renaissance.)

Johnny Enlow
Johnny and Elizabeth
Email: Contact@JohnnyandElizabeth.com
Website: JohnnyandElizabeth.com

Johnny Enlow is a social reformer, international speaker, spiritual mentor, and author of The Seven Mountain Prophecy, The Seven Mountain Mantle, and Rainbow God. He and his wife Elizabeth are focused on awakening individuals to their call to provide practical solutions from the heart of God for every problem in society – until the real God of all of life is displayed in the seven primary areas of culture in all nations: Media, Arts and Entertainment, Government, Family, Religion, Economy, and Education.

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Interesting but little known fact

The number of words in Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is 645,000. The Bible has about 700,000 words. The number of words in the Federal Tax Code: 3,700,000.

It might be time for tax reform--don't you think?

His ways are not our ways...

       Yesterday I heard a comment on Matthew 25:14-28 --the parable of the talents.  It was eye-opening.  Bill Johnson mentioned the parable and commented that God's ways are opposite of what we think is best.  He took from the one who had little and who didn't use what he had, so that He could give it to the one who had the most.  This is contrary to what those with a liberal agenda are pushing.  They are promoting income redistribution where they want to take from the ones who have the most and give it to those who have little.  As Bill suggested God is into excellence and using gifts and talents.  There is no incentive for anyone to work if those who excel do not reap the rewards of their labor.

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

Is Ted Cruz Eligible to Be President? By Allyne Caan

     This was included in the Patriot Post email today.  Because of the importance of this campaign we need to know the truth and not get side-tracked by worried politicians who have ulterior motives in what they say.

Is Ted Cruz Eligible to Be President? By Allyne Caan What? I'm just sayin'. If you thought the end of Barack Obama's presidency would (thankfully) mark the end of controversy of a politician's birthplace, think again. Thanks to Donald Trump, the issue has returned, though this time with a bull's eye on Ted Cruz — not coincidentally one of Trump's most formidable primary opponents. Cruz was born in 1970 in Canada to a U.S. citizen mother. The Constitution requires that the president be a "natural born" citizen of the United States, and Trump suggested Cruz's Canadian birthplace might imperil his presidential eligibility — or at least he suggested thatother people might suggest it. Perish the thought. Trump claimed Cruz's birthplace was a "very precarious" issue that could be detrimental to Cruz should he cinch the nomination. "Republicans are going to have to ask themselves the question: 'Do we want a candidate who could be tied up in court for two years?' That'd be a big problem," said Trump. He added that "a lot of people are talking about it," and that he'd "hate to see something like that get in his way." Yes, we're sure he would simply hate that. But is there any validity to Trump's "concern"? In a word, no. The Congressional Research Service, the arm of the Library of Congress which for more than a century has been tasked with providing (allegedly) non-partisan research and legal analysis to members of Congress, has described a "natural born" citizen as one who is a citizen "at birth" or "by birth," as opposed to a "naturalized" citizen. According to the U.S. Code, those who are citizens at birth include "a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years." Cruz's mother was born and raised in Delaware and attended college in Texas, more than fulfilling this requirement. Furthermore, Neal Katyal and Paul Clement wrote for Harvard Law Review last year, "Despite the happenstance of a birth across the border, there is no question that Senator Cruz has been a citizen from birth and is thus a 'natural born Citizen' within the meaning of the Constitution." The pair liken the case to that of John McCain, who "was born outside the United States on a U.S. military base in the Panama Canal Zone to a U.S. citizen parent," as well as Sen. Barry Goldwater and Gov. George Romney, who each ran for president without problems regarding their places of birth. In short, despite Trump's musings, Cruz is constitutionally and by statute eligible for the nation's top elected office. Still, it's not surprising that Trump has summoned the ghosts of eligibility to haunt the campaign trail — conveniently blaming "other people" for raising the topic. What better way to stir up doubt among Cruz supporters in the weeks leading up to Iowa — where by the way Trump trails Cruz — than to use the Left's typical tactic of passive aggressively wondering, "Nice candidacy you've got there; shame if anything happened to it." Indeed, although Trump still leads most polls, in Iowa as well as in delegate-dense California, Cruz is in front. For a campaign that's big on splash and much smaller on substance, going after the birth issue is only par for the course. It's worth noting that Trump seems to be following the same political playbook as Obama, using radical leftist tactics drawn from Saul Alinsky for his own political gain. Suggesting Cruz's ineligibility for the presidency, for example, aims to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty among the "enemy" — Alinsky's third rule. Throw a grenade and watch the scramble. In truth, Trump's raising the citizenship issue says more about where his own campaign is heading than it does about Cruz's eligibility. Next thing you know, Trump will be challenging the validity of the Constitution itself. Oh wait, he already has. Footnote: In addition to all the above considerations for Cruz's citizenship, those of us who hold the life of unborn children sacred believe they have citizenship standing as well.

Earlier Post That's Relevant Today

     The following is a post from this blog on October 27, 2012.   Now seemed a good time to bring it forward.  I'm hoping to have extra time to read in the next couple of wintery months.

What Should I Read Next

      If you love to read, as I do, I thought you might want to check out this website.  I had bookmarked it a long time ago to look at when I had more time, but forgot about it.  As I was cleaning out the bookmark folder on my computer I rediscovered it.  I'm certain it could be very helpful.
      I find it so exciting to read a good book by an author I like.  But then when I'm finished I wish I wasn't, and begin searching for another like it.  This site lists other books written by each author and also helps you find similar ones written by others.

http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/search

A Very Nice Christmas

      I pray you had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Ours was very nice Christmas except for the fact that one of our grandson's was sick.  He had so looked forward to his cousins coming from Nebraska and then he had a fever and was unable to play with them until the last night they were here, even then he really didn't feel like it.  We were all disappointed for him and the cousins who also were anticipating lots of "cousin time."
       I haven't yet put away the Christmas decorations or taken down the tree.   I think that might be a first for me.  I usually get everything put away as soon as possible after Christmas.  Our tree was/is so beautiful I really hate to see it go.  That will probably happen this weekend, so I thought I would post a photo so I could easily remember.

     On Christmas day all my extended family came for dinner.  I had an idea that I believe was inspired by the Lord.  I printed a list with everyone's name on it and then invited them to give the gift of helping others see themselves as we see them.  Everyone was to write at least one word beside each name to describe a gift they saw in that person. This included the children--who did an excellent job!  A couple of days ago I made a list with each person's gifts and delivered them to each.  See example below.  I think this might become a new tradition in our family.  All seemed to love getting this gift.

Time to be frustrated!

      It is time for new phone upgrades--something we don't get excited about at our house.  Actually, it is also time for a new computer upgrade--or at least a new operating system upgrade.  To do that I need to back up our entire system (I should have been doing this all along--another source of stress & frustration) but don't have an external hard drive large enough which leads to an entirely different tech problem--how to choose a hard drive--how much storage do I need, etc.  I approach these things reluctantly and only by necessity, but once the phones, computers, iPads, iPods, etc. get so out of date they don't work right, or aren't compatible with other devices, there seems to be no choice but to 'bite the bullet' and change. So right now I'm in that frustrating and time-consuming period of trying to figure  out how to transfer data from one device to another and why some things don't transfer in the switch--like calendar events and personalized ringtones.  I wish so much that we had a 'techy' living at our house.  Unfortunately, I'm the closest thing to a 'techy' and I'm pretty far away.  Country Guy refuses, so he is helpless--and hopeless--in this process.
      Consequently, this has been a week of stretching for me.  Not only am I working on updating the phones--our daughter also got me a Fitbit for Christmas so I had to set that up this a.m. on my new phone.  I  also spent much time last weekend going through our son's photos of our trip to Europe so I could use some of them for an album I want to make for our granddaughter.  Once those were chosen I had to figure out how to get them from his newer model computer to our old one.  That took me quite awhile, but I finally managed.  After combining them with my photos, I must delete several and then get them uploaded to Snapfish to begin the book!  It seems one thing leads to another time-consuming, frustrating, mind stretching task.
      I wonder why change is so difficult for me? And why I feel so stressed in the process. I try to embrace the experience as an adventure but somehow the process breaks down when I wade into water too deep for me.  Then, of course, I cry out for help.   If I wasn't forced to change would I ever do anything differently?
     Isn't God wise to make it so that we can't stay the same no matter what area of  life we're adventuring into?  And to make Himself always available when we cry for help?
     I have to say, I'm ready to get back to some humdrum sameness right now, though :o)--at least to be doing something that doesn't involve technology!

Chinese Kaleidoscope Christmas Tree

     So amazing and so creative!!  I only wish someone had translated so we could know what the announcers were saying.