tag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:/blogs/blog?p=3Blog2024-02-23T13:05:25-04:00Stephanie Israelsonfalsetag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73560862024-02-23T13:05:25-04:002024-02-23T13:05:25-04:00Word of the Lord - Wild Abandoned Obedience<p>Word by Stephanie on Women On The Frontlines Livestream Feb 22/24: </p><p>"Daughter you need to be disciplined so that you will be ready at all times. Get up, gird yourself, and make ready! The time is now! You must prepare and be ready! The treasure chest that you hold in your arms of Words over your life, promises, prayers, faith, etc… I have unlocked this beautiful treasury and its go time! </p><p>I am about to blow the roof off of "Houses of Worship" (people and places of worship) No one will be able to deny my Name in this great move/day and hour!</p><p>This is a moment of great Equipping! For I will pour out from Heaven sounds and blasts of thunder like never seen before in the age of Church History. This will be called, “The Greatest Hour of the Church!” I will call many from among the Nations to my Throne-Room! The seas and all that is within them will feel my dread and glorify my Holy Name!</p><p>So be ready daughter, now is the time of fullfillment! BE READY! You've got to learn to follow my instructions. My voice will drown out all others, even your own voice! I'm calling you to wild, abandoned, obedience!"</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73467122024-01-31T08:00:00-04:002024-02-09T16:26:15-04:00Heightened Glory With Angelic Encounters<p>As I was preparing for my Women on the Frontlines livestream on Jan 24/24, (my first livestream in 2024 since Christmas break) I heard the Spirit of the Lord speak into me, <i><strong>“Tell the women that the church is going to start experiencing a heightened glory with Angelic encounters!”</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></i></p><p>I Heard:</p><p>“ANGELS ASSIST YOU IN THE MINISTRY!”</p><p>“ANGELS WILL ASSIST YOU WHEN YOUR WEAK!”</p><p>“ANGELS WILL BRING YOU MESSAGES!”</p><p>“WARRING ANGELS WILL HELP YOU WAR!”</p><p>“GLORY, WORSHIPPING ANGELS WILL BRING THE GLORY WHEN YOU WORSHIP!”</p><p>As soon as I began to speak of it on the livestream, a powerful glory Anointing came into my home and upon me instantly!<span> </span>Glory glory glory!!! Angelic Encounters!!! Bring it Lord!!! I felt to tell the ladies to <i><strong>speak this out and tell the Lord in faith that they receive the word of the Lord!</strong></i> </p><p>I pray as you read this your faith will be stirred and glory will come into your home and you will receive from this glory encounter as well!<span> </span><i><span><strong>Speak it out! “Yes Lord! I receive this word over my life, that as for me and my house, my family, we will encounter glorious angelic manifestations!”</strong></span></i></p><p><span>I will give testimony to our family tangibly experiencing glory from this already! One of my family members was in a car accident (after this revelation). It was a head on collission, airbags went off, vehicle was totalled. She doesn't remember feeling the impact of the airbags, she said it was like nothing! I believe there were angels protecting her - my precious family member! She came out of the accident without a scratch! Angels were surrounding her and protecting her. Furthermore, two firemen were on site, saw the accident and with skill looked after her and got her out of the vehicle till the ambulance arrived! The goodness of God was taking care of my family and angels were at work! Thankyou Jesus! </span></p><p><strong>Here are some scriptures below to meditate on:</strong></p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;">
<li>
<strong><u>Angels will assist you in the ministry</u> :</strong><span><strong> </strong></span><strong>ACTS 12:5-17</strong><span><strong> </strong></span>
</li>
<li>
<strong><u>Angels will assist you when you are weak</u></strong> : <strong>1 KINGS 19:7-8 </strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong><u>There are Angels of Glory: </u></strong><span> </span><strong>REV 7:10-12</strong><span> </span>
</li>
<li>
<strong><u>There are Angels that bring messages.</u></strong> <strong>DAN 10:12-14</strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong><u>There are warring Angels</u></strong><u> </u><strong><u>protecting you.</u> PSALM 91:10-12</strong>
</li>
</ol><p><br> </p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73467112024-01-27T08:00:00-04:002024-02-09T16:26:15-04:00A Lackadaisical Demon Stupor<p>I was awakened by Spirit of the Lord the night of <strong>Jan 26/24</strong><span><strong> </strong>at<strong> </strong></span><strong>4am</strong>. This is what I heard in my spirit and wrote down.<span> </span></p><p>There is a “lackadaisical spirit” that has been sent out from demonic realms <i>to cause the bride to sleep</i>. This spirit will literally put people in a stupor. Our seniors and young people have been greatly affected by this. The middle age working class slips in and out it as they work and then come home and slip into It. It’s like a cloud that hangs over homes communities/cities and regions.</p><p>This stupor has affected the body as a whole. It’s time for the church to come out from under this stupor. It’s time for the bride to awaken out of its sleep! It’s happening even now! <span style="color:hsl(0,0%,30%);"><i><strong>Those</strong> <strong>that are focused on Prayer and the Word of God this spirit cannot touch.</strong></i></span> Spend time in prayer throughout your day. Give moments to the Word of God to strengthen you throughout your day. <i><strong>Begin to worship and listen to My Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers teaching My Word. Strengthen yourselves with spiritual food!</strong></i></p><p>Likewise gird yourselves in the Spirit of the living God! <i><strong>Play close attention to My armour in this hour! Ephesians 6 is of great importance to you!! </strong></i>Consume it, understand it. My Spirit will reveal and give you depths of understanding. Thereby you will be ready for the waves of evil that have been sent out upon the whole earth. This is a wake up call, children awaken from this sleep, and watch where you spend your time. Don’t allow the devices of the devil to work against you. You must master and manage your time well in order to face the days that are coming on the earth. The devices of the wicked one are sly and sneaky. The devices of these demon realms have slithered into minds to cause a stupor of sleep. Practically not knowing up from down and down from up. <i><strong>Break this by the power of My blood off of your families. Treat this lackadaisical spirit with contempt. Don’t accommodate it and pet it, don’t let your guard down saints. Awaken from this sleep and arise into My intercessions in the earth.</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></i></p><p><i><strong>For such a time as this I have called you to rise up and take your sword and ride on top of demon waves. You will break the oppressions of darkness through intercessions of the Spirit and wielding My sword over your homes, communities and regions!</strong><span><strong> </strong></span><strong>For such a time as this I’m calling you to sore and ride the waves that are coming! I have given you the tools to overcome in this hour. I have given you all that you need to arise with overcoming power!</strong></i></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73467222024-01-20T10:00:00-04:002024-02-06T09:54:37-04:00Kenneth Haggin / Elijah & Elisha - "Mantles Are Falling Today!"<p>At our Epiphany gathering on Jan, 6, 2024, we were in PreService prayer, I went into a vision of Kenneth E. Haggin. He was praying in tongues and then he threw his head back and began to laugh! When he began to laugh I received into my spirit, <i><strong>“Kenneth Haggin’s mantle will fall on young people and individuals today!”</strong></i> I knew in the Holy Ghost his mantle was being revived for such a time as this! Then during the Epiphany service I had a vision of <i><strong>Elijah throwing his mantle to Elisha</strong></i>. Elisha persisted to receive the mantle, he stayed on course and would not give up till Elijah's mantle fell! There will be young people and individuals in this hour that will burn hard to receive from the Lord, and they will be clothed in these powerful mantles of Anointing!<span> </span></p><p><span>For those of you that don't know who Kenneth Haggin is, he would be considered one of the great Fathers of the modern day Faith Movement. He was Apostolic and walked in the five-fold ministry throughout his earthly assignment. </span></p><p>Since Epiphany, I came across a video of Dr. Billye Brim and Mumma Goodwin, prophecying over Kenneth Haggin’s son and the release of his mantle being passed from <i><strong>“One to one to one to one to one!”</strong></i> Hallelujah! What a confirmation!!<span> </span></p><p><i><strong>“Your mantle of the spirit so to speak is being passed on to your son, and then passed on to one to one to one to one!!! And it will affect the whole earth as the word of faith has affected it!”</strong></i> - Dr. Billye Brim</p><p>We ended up having a powerful move of God upon the young people that afternoon at our Epiphany gathering.<span> In the days following Epiphany I could not shake the "Mantles" prophecy! T</span>he Spirit began to speak to me on Jan 15th and develop the “Mantles” word further.<i><strong> </strong></i></p><p><i><strong>“Kenneth Haggin’s mantle will be picked up where it left off.”</strong></i> </p><p>We saw Kenneth touch the “Laughing Revival” then he moved to Heaven. It’s like he merely cracked it open. I saw an egg cracked but the inside not yet spilled out. We saw “small” off shoots. But the Lord showed me the <i><strong>greatest “laughing revival” is for the end times.</strong></i> <i><strong>The children of the Lord will need the joy of the Lord to get us through the “TIMES”.</strong></i> I literally spent the day laughing in the Spirit most of the day (15th of Jan). I had a horrible flu and yet I laid in bed laughing and laughing and laughing. I’m sure my children thought Mumma a little tipsy… lol but the overflow hit this word in me. (I laughed and cried) Even though in the natural I was facing a wretched sickness, the Spirit was poured out upon me so beautifully in spite of it all! I saw Kathryn Kuleman that day also. The Spirit is breathing on these Mantles, and Revivals of old!!! Phew!!!<span> </span></p><p><span>On Jan 20th, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me ever so glorious yet again and I saw Kenneth Haggin's Legacy and I heard </span><i><span><strong>“There will be a Paradigm Shift!"</strong></span></i><span> And I knew in my spirit there would be “</span><i><span><strong>Readjustments in the Holy Ghost in this hour concerning Kenneth's Legacy into Divine Purpose and Intent.” </strong></span></i></p><p> </p><p> </p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73467252024-01-14T10:00:00-04:002024-02-06T10:12:35-04:00Dream of 180's<p><span>I had a dream last week, I believe this applies to many in the body. We were in a house and people were coming to visit after a funeral, but half the house was unpresentable. There were “things” stacked so that the unpresentable parts of the house were blocked off and couldn’t be accessed or seen.</span></p><p><span><strong>Insight:</strong> </span><i><span><strong>Get your house in order!</strong></span></i><span> The greatest guest is at the door. Will you be ready for His arrival? The funeral represents the end. Finish what you started, account for what is in your home/life so you won’t have to hide any messes, have unpresentable areas.</span></p><p><span>Then the scene switched twice from the house to driving down the road in a car. The vehicle was full of people (representing many) and was moving fast in the right direction but the vehicle was “facing” the wrong direction. We were literally driving in reverse in the right direction. In both instances the back window from which to navigate forward) was so dirty it couldn’t be seen out of, making it hard to navigate forward. There was the tiny-est small hole to see out of. We literally navigated by looking out the front window which showed where we had been. When we realized we were driving ridiculously fast in reverse, we had to step on it even more to get away from the other vehicles (including a transport truck), we needed space to do a 180. Somehow supernaturally we turned the vehicle around to face the right direction without stopping! The car never stopped!! The forward motion continued even though the car did a 180, and we kept going. I dreamt this twice in a row. (I remember the feeling of the 180, completely supernatural it was like an out of body experience. I experienced this twice!)</span></p><p><span><strong>Insight: </strong>The speed in which we are heading is happening incredibly fast. We will arrive at destination sooner than you think because of the mere speed of the times. Many are trying to arrive to their destination from a “Backwards View” They’re focused on navigating from the past.</span></p><p><span>The Lord gave my husband Brad this scripture the day before my dream.</span></p><p><span><strong>Do not remember the former things,</strong></span><br><span><strong>Nor consider the things of old.</strong></span></p><p><span><strong>Behold, I will do a new thing,</strong></span><br><span><strong>Now it shall spring forth;</strong></span><br><span><strong>Shall you not know it?</strong></span><br><span><strong>I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19</strong></span></p><p><span>There is going to be a supernatural shift to activate the people of God to face the forward motion. There will be Suddenlies. The Holy Ghost will bring a supernatural 180! Some will need to distance themselves from others in order to 180.</span></p><p><span>I’m believing for supernatural 180’s for individuals, families, churches, cities, regions!!! And a mighty outpouring of refreshing, the Spirit of the Lord, to sweep the above said. Glory glory glory!!!!! Be blessed children of GOD!!!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73467262024-01-13T18:00:00-04:002024-02-06T10:16:32-04:00You Will Lack Nothing<p><span>You will lack nothing in this coming age. Truly there will be a Goshen and an Egypt. But for those who trust in my name, I will be a river of life to them. You will lack no good thing sons and daughters! Watch my hand move on your behalf in these coming days! Keep your hand on the plow and don’t look back. Don’t look back on Sodom. Come out from among Sodomy my children. Even now I am calling upon those hearts who have dwelt in Sodom! COME OUT and fill your lamps with OIL!!!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/73467512024-01-10T10:00:00-04:002024-02-06T10:49:22-04:00Testimonies from Epiphany<p><span>So I sat down at my keyboard for the first time tonight since Epiphany, and I noticed right away, my keys were just all oily, there was also some residue sparkly gold dust on the keys as well. lol I noticed the gold dust coming early during rehearsal that morning before the service even started. Such a presence of the Lord!</span></p><p><span>When I went to the healing rooms at Bethel in California, they asked me how I felt and I said “I feel waves of glory,” they said can we see your hands! I opened the palms of my hands and my hands were all sparkling with gold dust. I told them I’ve seen this before!!! But I never knew what it was!! Lol, they said gold dust often times will manifest with the glory of God in services. I’ve seen my keys get oily before, but this was unusually OILY… hahahaha!!! Gold dust and OIL! Oh Jesus manifest your glory upon the bride in 2024 like never before!!!!</span></p><p> </p><p><strong>Below are some of the Testimonies, Insights/Revelations and Experiences of others on Epiphany!</strong></p><p> </p><p><span>For me personally it felt like an oasis…so refreshing…there was so much confirmation that took place from hearing the words you all shared…and especially the impartation that happened to the young generation…we are definitely feeling the overflow or “ripple effect”</span></p><p><br><span>Thank you for this powerful time of worship and prophetic words. I experienced freedom from oppression and so much more! God is so faithful. - Shanon</span></p><p> </p><p><span>It was so refreshing! just what I needed! - Sharon</span></p><p><br><span>I saw a herd of galloping stallions moving across the nation. I heard the Lord say he was raising up leaders and we had to get on the horses and ride. You are to come into the US as I saw you galloping across making a powerful impact for the kingdom of God. I felt it was not just for you but each one in the room. Doors are opening and we must go through. - Lois</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Since this past summer/fall I had been struggling to worship like I used to, I felt uncomfortable and even listening to sermons I felt off and uncomfortable. I was also dealing with a lot of battles in my mind, feeling guilt, unworthy, doubting myself and feeling like no one liked me at church. I knew they were all lies from the enemy but it was still a struggle for me. I felt like I was letting God down. I had not felt his presence in a service or at home since last time you and Brad ministered at our church. All my life I have struggled believing in myself and my worth. Dec 17th service in the morning someone gave my son amd I words from the Lord and said He will restore my confidence ect. Yesterday, (Epiphany) a woman prayed for me, her prayer was all about my confidence and all that I have been struggling with. It was all from God, I never told her and never told anyone at church. Last night I felt like reading my bible again and began to start feeling God again. This morning at church I was feeling God and I felt good worshipping like I used to and I did not feel uncomfortable during the sermon. - Martine</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Still feeling the power from yesterday! - Kim</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Powerful day! great way to start the New Year! - Faith</span></p><p> </p><p><span>I heard the word STEP. Step forward. Step up. Step into. It’s as if I was seeing stair steps, going up, stepping into another (higher/deeper) level. God builds layer upon layer, from glory to glory. It just seemed like some (probably all) just need to take a step in the direction that God is leading. - Chantale</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Saturday I was healed and blessed in so many ways, I suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and one of your team members was speaking and he’s like I heard the name Wendy or Wanda that has intestinal problems well I was already up front Praying and I stood up and told him my name and my problem and he prayed and he got someone else to pray too and they later hands on my stomach and I came home and I ate cereal ice cream and yogurt and usually I would have pains and have to go to the washroom but no, nothing no pain, and before that while I was praying at the alter, someone came along and touched my head, well I knew this person had moved on but I felt a hand still on my head, and the most amazing feeling went through my head , I can’t explain it, it was like God had touched my head. Also today we had lunch with pastor Ron and Shanon, a group of us did, and usually after I eat I will get bad pains in my belly, but no nothing, no pain at all. And I have an appetite again. Amen and a praise Jesus. I am healed.</span></p><p> </p><p><span>One of the words I noted during worship Saturday was: A Pillar of Pride to be dismantled by humility. So “we must bow” - time to go low- kingdom authority is birthed in humility. - Tanis</span></p><p><br><span>Thank you Stephanie & Brad and your precious team… Epiphany was precious and powerful and so empowering!!! - Naomi</span></p><p> </p><p><span>In regard to last night, from the moment pastor Ron opened- “Ripples” was strong on my heart! These ripples are not just simply one ripple, but rather, every person there was impacted and will have a ripple effect on their individual circles of influence. As Edward Norton Lorenz once said, “the flap of a butterfly’s wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world”. - RIPPLE EFFECTS! Y’all know what I’m sayin? (I’m way too excited at the moment) - Matt</span></p><p> </p><p><span>I had a vision (or Epiphany) yesterday early in the morning…it was of Steph on her knees with her hands raised to heaven and Naomi was standing behind her with her hands raised and I heard Stephanie singing a song… there were many words, but the line that stuck out to me was “we must bow before we rise” - Neville</span></p><p> </p><p><span>Genesis 28:12-19. There is a ladder that goes from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending. In John 1:51 Our Lord Jesus says to Nathanael, "you shall see the sky (heavens) open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."</span></p><p><span>After his encounter with God Jacob said, Truly the Lord is in this place...In solemn wonder he cried out, "How awesome is this place!" This is nothing else but an abode of God and that is the gateway to heaven." He called the place Bethel.</span></p><p><span>On January 2nd I woke up with the song: "You are awesome in this place" going through my mind. I haven't heard that song for a few years. As you gather at Bethel Assembly, I pray that through your worship and prayer that a gateway to heaven is opened and the glory of God falls upon all of you. May there be fresh revelation, healing, deliverance, breakthroughs, and miracles. This is what happens, as you know, when heaven touches earth. I send my greetings, prayers and blessing to all who will be gathering with you. - Father Mark</span></p><p> </p><p><span>From Pastors Neil and Christine Barr - Lighthouse Ministries, Shubenacadie, NS.</span></p><p><span>As we step through this Door we need to have wisdom as our feet touch the floor. We need to have revelation to see what we have not yet seen in this war. Each step forward needs to be a concrete force. As we step away for the door and as it closes behind us, we move forth with the commander of the Hosts of Heaven. - Pastor Neil</span></p><p><span>“Sons and daughters as you stand on the threshold of 2024 move with courage through THE DOOR! I am a God of second chances. Many of you are holding dreams and vision in your hearts but have not moved into action. This year is going to be a time of action, not re action, but of response. You are going to hear My call clearly and as you lay down your idols so I will begin to give you downloads from Heaven.</span></p><p><span>God says “ Many of you have on Saul’s armour and it is not a fit and you have not been able to enter the batttle to kill the giants in your life!”</span></p><p><span>“I have trained you up as in David’s time to kill the bear and the lion. It is now time so say to the adversary “Who are you to Mock the King of King”.</span></p><p><span>This year Isaiah 22:22 will become clearer than ever before. “....... I will give him the key to the house of David – the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors no one will be able to open them”.</span></p><p><span>By June of 2024 you will see many “giants” in the political realm “slain” and “slain” publically. Prepare, prepare my people to advance and take dominion.</span></p><p><span>Mothers and fathers of the faith, prepare the youth in your sphere of influence. They hear My call and will come, but I need mothers and fathers to stand with them to hold up their arms in the season of battle.</span></p><p><span>The sound of the shofar will be heard across the land as I herald in the angelic forces to go to battle with the enemy. Let the decrees come forth that will thwart the plans of the enemy.</span></p><p><span>As you see the volcanos erupt on the earth so will there be great eruptions in the Spirit. As molten larva pours out in the natural, so much more will I pour out My Glory. I am training you to hold and carry the Glory. BE READY, BE READY BE READY! Says the Lord! - Pastor Christine</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72728002023-09-13T12:55:36-03:002023-10-16T11:44:13-03:00He Shall Have Dominion From Sea to Sea<p>I awoke in the night and the Lord gave me this below. It is instruction with a decree! Please join with me as we pray over Canada! </p><p>SPEAK to the land to respond to a holy call to spring forth with a harvest of righteousness. RIGHTEOUS sons and daughters arise now, this is your time, this is your hour! NO more delay!! The Mighty Ones of Valour, pick up your swords for battle, you are fit for battle array for such a time as this arise! </p><p>We Decree over Canada: A stop to the moral landslide. Righteousness is Canada’s call, from your very inception, the Lord formed you to arise for this hour. For such a time as this, for such a time as this, for such a time as this!!! (I heard this 3x!) Break forth, break out, and break free from the chains of wickedness and deception!! See I have called you by name in this hour, to be a shining light filled with my Glory, filled with Heavenly Oil, a desire of Nations. Lift your head higher Oh Canada, to behold your destiny, to align with God’s purpose and sore with eagles!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709762023-09-09T16:39:10-03:002023-09-09T18:28:02-03:00PREEMPTIVE ANOINTING<p><strong>I keep hearing:</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></p><p><strong>“PreEmptive Anointing” in the Holy Ghost!</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></p><p>We have experienced the preemptive to a degree in the church, but there is coming a great grace upon the church in this approaching era for the “PreEmptive Anointing”. Look for it, and perceive it when it happens.<span> </span></p><p>Just as the Lord was to Elisha, when he heard the secret plans and whisperings of the Syrian king in the king’s inner chambers, so the Lord will be to us as we walk in the PreEmptive Anointing.<span> </span></p><p><strong>2 Kings 6:8-12</strong></p><p>Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp <i>will be</i> in such and such a place.”<span> </span></p><p>And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”<span> </span></p><p>Then the king of Israel sent <i>someone</i> to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. (Repeatedly)</p><p>Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us <i>is</i> for the king of Israel?”</p><p>And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who <i>is</i> in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”</p><p><strong>I keep hearing:</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></p><p><strong>“A Step Ahead!”</strong></p><p><i>As you walk closely in the “Secret Place” with Me, you will find yourself “A Step Ahead” of your adversaries!<span> </span></i></p><p>Instead of dwelling in the blind side, I’m calling you to be a step ahead, and some will walk several steps ahead!<span> </span></p><p><strong>WORSHIP IS CRUCIAL!!!!</strong></p><p><strong>“STRATEGIES”</strong> and the<strong> “SPIRIT OF WISDOM”</strong> will be released during times of <strong>Spirit Filled Worship and Intercession</strong>. Corporately and in the secret place. Look for it! Listen for it! <i>It will be in your heart and come out your mouth!</i> PreEmptive steps in securing<span> </span>victory ahead of time. You must be <strong>INTENTIONAL</strong> to <strong>HEAR</strong> and <strong>SPEAK WHAT YOU HEAR.</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></p><p><strong>Sean Feucht “Worship Together”</strong></p><p>I wasn’t able to attend Sean Feucht’s “Worship Together” event in Ottawa. But as I’ve been watching videos emerge online, I have a quickening in my spirit that these “Worship Together” gatherings are the timing of the Lord NOW just before Rosh Hashanah. This is a TRIGGER moment for Canada! What Sean carries in the Holy Ghost was needed in Canada. These events matter, will you perceive and recognize what I’m doing?</p><p><strong>PROPHETIC WORSHIP</strong> IS A CATALYST for the “PreEmptive”, WARFARE WORSHIP! </p><p><strong>Assemble the PROPHETIC WORSHIPPERS!</strong></p><p><br><strong>Submitted Respectfully, Stephanie Israelson Sat, Sept 9, 2023</strong></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710032023-04-11T18:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:54:16-03:00Tribe Of Praise<p><span>“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Praise), the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” Rev 5:5</span></p><p><span>I can heart the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and his roar reverberating over the nations and how the tribe of praise is arising in unity to carry out her roar of praise. I want to delve a little deeper into what it means to be a part of this tribe.</span></p><p><span><strong>“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the PRAISES of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” 1 Peter 2:9</strong></span></p><p><span>From the children of Israel winning battles with trumpets and singing, to Moses’s sister Miriam’s song and dance of praise, to King David’s undignified heart of worship, history displays an array of peculiar people joining together with one heart doing one very important thing! PRAISING!</span></p><p><span>Why is Praise so important for us to do? I believe it’s because we were made for this! We are that peculiar people! It’s in our dna, we are praisers! Praise changes atmosphere’s, fights battles, leads us to victory, shifts hearts and minds, and lifts the downcast soul! Worship on the other hand, ushers in the presence and glory of God, and brings out the lover in us. (They go hand in hand if you were wondering!)</span></p><p><span>God is restoring the Tabernacle of David through individual Houses of Worship. He’s restoring the Tribe of Praise in this hour. “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:” Amos 9:11-12</span></p><p><span>Scholars think Israel will rebuild the temple, a temple made with human hands. (Which may also happen) But know ye not ye are the temple!!!</span></p><p><strong>“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Cor 6:19</strong></p><p><span>You are a House of Worship! You are Gods building and He dwells in you! You were made for praise! Join the roar of the Tribe of Praise! You have been built up in Christ Jesus for this very moment!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709872022-06-20T17:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:13:01-03:00Locking In With Strength - Speak To That Mountain<p><strong>Having Doves Eyes</strong></p><p><strong>SOS 1:15 says, “Behold you are fair my love, you have doves eyes.” </strong><span>It is time to lock in with the Holy Spirit, having eyes only for the Dove. Step by step lead me Lord! In the midst of a society loaded with incredible amounts of distraction, we can hone into a lifestyle of pure devotion and closeness with the Spirit of Truth in strength.</span></p><p><span>Jesus, led by the Dove, journeyed into the wilderness of “acquaintance.” With a fleshly mind we see a season of hunger and thirst, an earthy environment stripped of luxury and self deprivation. Yet when Jesus emerged from the wilderness He emerged in great power and Anointing, He had become acquainted with the Dove!</span></p><p><span>In your quest of “acquaintance with the Dove” you will recognize some harassment along the way as Jesus did. But Jesus locked in with strength.</span></p><p><span>Have you noticed an increase of harassing demonic activity? Distractions to take you off course, causes of confusion, half truth’s, or molehills that would appear as a Mount Everest? These are nothing more than harassing spirits sent to discourage and take you off course.</span></p><p><span>So what do we do? We are soaring with the Dove on the heights relationship with Holy Spirit and then bonk… we hit a mountain! I hear the Spirit saying, “</span><i><strong><u>Speak</u></strong></i><span> to that Mountain!!!!” This is exactly what Jesus did! </span><strong>Matt 4:10 Jesus</strong><span> </span><i><strong><u>said</u></strong></i><span>, </span><strong>“Be gone Satan!”</strong></p><p><span>As we follow the Dove, we mustn’t neglect to hide the Word of God in our hearts so that when the mountains or harassing annoyances come we can speak through the authority of God’s Word! Jesus cultivated a mind and heart filled with Word!!! Then He opened His mouth and spoke!</span></p><p><span>Open your mouth and SPEAK! REBUKE YOUR ADVERSARY SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ZION! Use God’s word to do it and lock into strength! </span><strong>For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Mark 11:23</strong></p><p><span>I join my faith with yours right now and agree with you! In the powerful name Jesus we speak to that mountain to go! We speak to that harassing spirit to be gone! Git out of here!!!! Keep your eyes on the Dove and lock in!!!! We stand with you!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709922022-06-06T17:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:17:11-03:00Gentle Work<p><span>We’ve been talking about the <strong>Dove leading us to our foundations</strong> in order to bring His redeeming power to areas that need healing.The reason for this return is for wholeness in the construction of our buildings. This is bridal preparation. You are a vessel of precious price.</span></p><p><span><strong>Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1 Cor 6:19</strong></span></p><p><span>God is processing and purifying his bride for union with the Bridegroom! Preparing a bride without spot or wrinkle! Our prayer is, “Take me Lord to my foundation, mold me and make me like clay in your hands!”</span></p><p><span><strong>…Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:25-27</strong></span></p><p><i><span><strong>I hear in the spirit that this is a “Gentle” work of the Holy Spirit</strong></span></i><span>. I’ve experienced the power of God in ways that have ranged from “Gentle” to the power of a “Violent Rushing Wind”, an electrifying encounter of God that shook me to my core and left me unable to move for hours! But I hear the whispers of the Dove, “This is a gentle work.”</span></p><p><span>He must be gentle as He mends areas here and there that will bring a finishing work to the whole!</span></p><p><span>Father I pray for the sons daughters of Zion today reading this, that You will bring those finishing touches to our buildings as we host the Presence of God in this hour! Shining lights! A city on a hill, filled with Presence and Word of God!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709932022-05-30T17:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:20:57-03:00Till Only Your Love Remains<p><span><strong>LOCK in with the Holy Spirit in strength!</strong> Follow the Dove and cultivate your relationship in the secret place.</span></p><p><span>As we follow the Dove, He takes us to places we never thought possible, and He takes us into places of dreams unfolding. He also takes us to the broken and less fortunate and uses our lives to help mend and heal others.</span></p><p><span>Recently for me, the Dove led me to some foundational places within. He said to me, “I will take you to your foundation so I can heal you!” I didn’t know I needed healing! I didn’t know I needed to return to my foundation for reflection and remembrance of how my foundation was built. The Lord literally physically took me back to my childhood church to speak at a women’s conference, the place where I had my first encounter with the power of the Holy Spirit! As an 8 or 9 year old child I was filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues.</span></p><p><span>There are just so many components in my life that make me the Daughter of Zion that I am today! My childhood church is def a part of that incredible journey. Paul says in </span><strong>1 Corinthians 3:5-6 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.</strong></p><p><span>There are undoubtedly many who helped worked the soil of your life and brought components from here and there, building materials that built the foundation and your house that now serves as a dwelling place of our dwelling God. I’m sure you can think of those individuals/builders right now, yet the scripture says it is God that gives the increase!</span></p><p><strong>1 Corinthians 3:9-13, 16 For we are fellow workmen with </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> for God; </strong><i><strong>you</strong></i><strong> are God’s garden </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> vineyard </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building. According to the grace of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it, for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw. The work of each will become known (shown for what it is) The work of each [one] will become known; for the day [of Christ] will disclose </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> critically appraise the character </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> worth of the work each person has done… Do you not discern </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> understand that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you.</strong></p><p><span>Would you too allow the Dove to take you on a journey to your foundation and ask Him if there are areas that need healing in your foundation. The Lord gave me a song that I wrote while on this journey. This one day I kept hearing in my spirit, “Till only Your love remains!” And then a song began to flow.</span></p><p><span>Would you allow Holy Spirit to remove components that in the end will not stand the test? Can you say to Him, “Till only Your love remains Lord!” This is my prayer for you and I today! Till only Your love remains God! Heal my foundation till all that remains is your love. We’ll talk more about this next time! In the meantime ask Holy Spirit to heal any areas that need healing. Areas you may not even be aware of. Comment below and let us know if we can agree in prayer with you.</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709962022-05-23T17:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:34:48-03:00Follow The Dove Part 1<p><strong>As Worshippers, sometimes we need to stir up the gift of God within us. Sometimes we hit stalemate. This can happen for a multitude of reasons, and it happened to Timothy.</strong></p><p><span>Paul says to Timothy in </span><strong>2 Timothy 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you!”</strong></p><p><span>Another version says, “Kindle Afresh” Yet another, “Fan into Flame” Holman says, “Keep Ablaze” The Aramaic Bible says, “Rouse the Gift”</span></p><p><span>Paul reiterates in </span><strong>1 Tim 4:14</strong><span> by saying, “Do not </span><i><strong>neglect</strong></i><span> the gift that is in you.”</span></p><p><span>For those of us that have struggled with a stalemate, or what seems like a deadlock spiritually I want to encourage you with these words from the Lord…</span></p><p><i><strong>“Follow the Dove!” Stir it up! Kindle Afresh! Fan into Flame! Keep Ablaze! Rouse the Gift! </strong></i><span>Lock in with the Holy Spirit! When you first fall in love with someone, you’ve heard it said about that person, oh he’s only got eyes for so and so! Have you eyes for the dove? We truly do become what we behold!</span></p><p><strong>In SOS 1:15 it says, “Behold you are fair my love, you have doves eyes.” </strong><span>I see the prophetic lining of this Scripture. Having eyes only for the things of the Spirit. We are all in! Locked in with the Spirit of Grace.</span></p><p><span>We have a gentleman in our church that is locked in! It doesn’t matter if I ask him to pray, or preach, or whatever the task maybe, I know he’s locked in with the Spirit and what pours forth from him is going to be fresh and anointed! This is something he has cultivated in his life, he’s been keeping his eyes on the dove!</span></p><p><strong>SOS 2:14 O my dove, in clefts of the rock in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your face lovely.</strong></p><p><span>These scriptures are the depiction of pure devotion and closeness. In the secret place, worship will bring forth the lover in us! Jesus said these very rocks will cry out. We can take that into a deeper meaning than just a pebble on the side of the road crying out praise. In the clefts of the rock, the secret, quiet places the lovers of God (those with eyes for the dove) are crying out their praise and their worship, their prayers! THE DOVE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE SECRET PLACES! He will lead your to the rock</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709972022-05-16T17:50:00-03:002023-09-09T17:40:09-03:00Follow The Dove<p><span>God is teaching us how to propel forward with precision in our movements, and trusting God that He will guide our steps! On Saturday I felt yet another beautiful thread of the Spirit speaking, and I heard, <strong>“Follow the Dove.” </strong>W<strong>alk, run, leap, dance, laugh, do life in lock-step with the Spirit! “Follow the Dove!”</strong></span></p><p><span>Our 1st reference to the dove in scripture brings us to Noah.</span></p><p><span>In </span><strong>Genesis 8:8-11 Noah decided to follow the lead of the Dove!</strong></p><p><span>“Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove </span><i><strong>found no place</strong></i><span> to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him.</span></p><p><span>He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a </span><i><strong>freshly</strong></i><span> plucked “</span><i><strong>olive leaf”</strong></i><span>. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.”</span></p><p><span>I see a prophetic gesture in this story, and for those who proclaim to be a “House of Worship.” We can liken the “Two Releases of the Dove” to 2 eras.</span></p><p><strong>THE FIRST ERA</strong><span> representing the time of Noah through the rest of the Old Testament, when there was a continual “coming upon” of the Holy Spirit for moments of great and incredulous exploits! The Spirit of God came upon particular judges, warriors, kings, and prophets. He empowered them and history was made through their mighty acts.</span></p><p><i><strong>King David</strong></i><span> said, “I will build a house for the Lord to dwell in!” But the reality is, God wanted yielded vessels, houses of worship not made with human hands, He wanted you and I for a house of worship a resting place where the “Dove”/“Holy Spirit” could permanently dwell forever!</span></p><p><strong>Isaiah 66:1 </strong><span>says,</span><strong> </strong><span>Thus says the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What </span><i><strong>kind</strong></i><span> of house would you build for Me? And what </span><i><strong>kind </strong></i><span>can be My resting-place?</span></p><p><strong>1 Sam 16:13-14</strong><span> The Spirit of the Lord </span><i><strong>came upon</strong></i><span> David… but </span><i><strong>departed</strong></i><span> from Saul…</span><strong> </strong><span>we see this coming upon, departing, coming upon, throughout the Old Testament.</span></p><p><span>David pleads with God after his episode with Bathsheba in </span><strong>Psalms 51</strong><span> and he cries out:</span><strong> “</strong><span>Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not </span><i><strong>take</strong></i><span> Your Holy Spirit from me…</span></p><p><span>We will name a few more, however there were many who experienced the </span><i><strong>“coming upon.”</strong></i></p><p><span>-In </span><strong>Numbers 11</strong><span> we see the Holy Spirit was </span><i><strong>upon</strong></i><span> Moses and a portion of the Spirit was taken from Moses and </span><i><strong>placed upon</strong></i><span> the seventy elders who ministered with him.</span></p><p><span>-We see in </span><strong>Exodus 31:1-5 </strong><span>that the Spirit </span><i><strong>came upon</strong></i><span> craftsmen and builders.</span><strong> </strong></p><p><span>-Then we see upon Joshua, who would become Moses’s successor, </span><i><strong>rested</strong></i><span> the Spirit of God. </span><strong>Numbers 27:18</strong></p><p><span>-In </span><strong>Judges 3</strong><span> the Spirit </span><i><strong>comes</strong></i><span> </span><i><strong>upon</strong></i><span> Othniel.</span></p><p><span>-In </span><strong>Judges 6</strong><span> The Spirit of the Lord </span><i><strong>clothed</strong> </i><span>Gideon.</span></p><p><span>-In </span><strong>Judges 13</strong><span> the Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord</span><i><strong> began to stir</strong></i><span> in Samson, and throughout his life, He </span><i><strong>“enabled”, “empowered”</strong></i><span> and </span><i><strong>“helped” </strong></i><span>Samson.</span></p><p><span>-The Lord says to Isaiah in </span><strong>Isaiah 59:21</strong><span>, “My Spirit who is </span><i><strong>upon</strong></i><span>you, and my </span><i><strong>words</strong></i><span> which I have </span><i><strong>put</strong></i><span> in your mouth…”</span></p><p><span>-I’ll wrap up our examples when the Spirit </span><i><strong>enters </strong></i><span>Ezekiel in </span><strong>Ezekiel 2:2</strong><span>, But we realize the Spirit didn’t stay, because In </span><i><strong>Ezekiel 3:22-24</strong></i><span> we see the Spirit </span><i><strong>enters</strong></i><span> Ezekiel yet again.</span></p><p><strong>THE SECOND ERA </strong><span>begins the moment the Spirit ascended like a dove and rested on Jesus at His baptism, and extends through the rest of the church age till now.</span></p><p><span>Remember Noah’s dove. The second time she was sent, she returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her mouth. In order for there to be a leaf, there had to be some maturing of the olive plant. The olive leaf speaks of “Fresh Oil”, “Fresh Anointing.”</span></p><p><strong>Matthew 3:16-17 says…</strong></p><p><span>And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God </span><i><strong>descending like a dove</strong></i><span> and coming to </span><i><strong>rest on him</strong></i><span>… (remember Isaiah 66:1, </span><i><strong>what kind</strong></i><span> will be my resting place?)</span></p><p><span>…and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”</span></p><p><span>Jesus emerged from the</span><strong> </strong><i><strong>water</strong></i><span> and John said, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He </span><i><strong>remained</strong></i><span> upon Him.” </span><strong>John 3:32</strong></p><p><span>In this new era we see not just a “coming upon” for moments of mighty exploits, but we see the </span><i>unfolding</i><span> and </span><i>maturation</i><span> of the </span><i>Olive leaf</i><span>, producing much fruit through the Oil and the working of the Holy Spirit that will </span><i><strong>remain</strong></i><span> for eternity within houses of worship “not made with human hands.”</span></p><p><span>Because of Jesus and his mission completed, the Holy Spirit will now unfold “</span><i>ripened</i><span> </span><i>process”</i><span> in the hearts of believers. The sin factor this side of the cross has now been dealt with once for all. And now the children of the Kingdom can </span><i>develop</i><span> and </span><i>mature</i><span>into Kingdom son’s & daughters that bring the very expression of Heaven into the earth through His love, compassion and divine nature.</span></p><p><span>What</span><i><strong> KIND</strong></i><span> is His resting place? The </span><i><strong>Jesus kind! </strong></i><span>The </span><i><strong>kind </strong></i><span>that </span><i><strong>“Follow the lead of the Dove”</strong></i></p><p><strong>1 Corinthians 3:16, “</strong><span>Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God </span><i><strong>dwells in</strong></i><span> you?” </span><strong>John 14:16, </strong><span>“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may </span><i><strong>abide with you forever</strong></i><span>!” </span><strong>John 14:20,</strong><span> “I am</span><i><strong> in</strong></i><span> My Father, and you</span><i><strong> in </strong></i><span>Me, and I</span><i><strong> in</strong></i><span> you!” Daughters of Zion!!! We are the Jesus Kind, and He is</span><i><strong> in</strong></i><span> us!!!! “</span><i><strong>WITH & IN!!”</strong></i></p><p><span>He has given us “Feet like the Hinds” and “Eyes for the Dove!” What is your next step? Follow the Dove!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710002022-05-06T17:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:48:00-03:00House Of Worship<p><strong>The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is calling to His Assembly to be a House of Worship.</strong></p><p><strong>For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10</strong></p><p><strong>“I am a House of Worship!” “I am a House of Praise!” </strong><span>It’s time for the sons and daughters of the Kingdom to find their expression! Worship and Praise is our expression. The Bible says that we are a “peculiar people.” We do a “peculiar thing.”</span></p><p><strong>But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the PRAISES of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9</strong></p><p><span>We are a peculiar people, and we do a particular thing! We sing! There is a reason why we come to church and half of the service includes singing and music! It’s because that’s what we do as people of God, we’re peculiar. We’re actually doing what we’re “supposed” to be doing.</span></p><p><span>Yes, we can do “Acts of Worship”, our lives can be the aroma of worship, but the actual act of worship, to lift up your voice or playing on an instrument, coming together with other believers to lift a voice of praise to God is so important!</span></p><p><span>All of God’s children who have gone before us did it. King David had prophetic insight, he saw the spectacle of what the procession to the sanctuary of the Lord was to look like!</span></p><p><strong>For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. Acts 2:25-26</strong></p><p><span>David had glimpses of the throne room! He saw the processions of God and attempted to replicate the worship that he saw.</span></p><p><strong>David writes in, Psalms 68:24-27 </strong><span>They have seen Your [i]procession, O God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after. Among them were the maidens playing timbrels. Bless God in the congregations. The Lord, from the fountain of Israel. There is little Benjamin, their leader, The princes of Judah and their [j]company, The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.</span></p><p><strong>(Passion Translation of vs. 27) Astonishingly, it’s the favoured youth leading the way princes of praise in their royal robes and exalted princes are among them, along with princes who have wrestled with God.</strong></p><p><i><strong>The favoured youth!</strong><span><strong> </strong></span></i></p><p><strong>Matt 21:16 And they said to Him, Do You hear what these are saying? And Jesus replied to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise?</strong></p><p><span>The devil knows all too well the power of worship, he can’t stand it when we worship. In fact satan was somewhat of an instrument himself prepared FOR worship.</span></p><p><strong>Ez 28:13-15</strong></p><p><span>You were in Eden, the garden of God;</span></p><p><span>Every precious stone </span><i>was</i><span> your covering:</span></p><p><span>The sardius, topaz, and diamond,</span></p><p><span>Beryl, onyx, and jasper,</span></p><p><span>Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.</span></p><p><span>The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes</span></p><p><span>Was prepared for you on the day you were created.</span></p><p><strong>14 </strong></p><p><span>“You </span><i>were</i><span> the anointed cherub who covers;</span></p><p><span>I established you;</span></p><p><span>You were on the holy mountain of God;</span></p><p><span>You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.</span></p><p><strong>15 </strong></p><p><span>You </span><i>were</i><span> perfect in your ways from the day you were created,</span></p><p><span>Till iniquity was found in you.</span></p><p> </p><p><i><span>Satan</span></i><span> at one point was a worshipper until iniquity was found in him and he began to worship himself.</span></p><p><strong>Praise changes atmosphere’s, fights battles, leads us to victory, shifts hearts and minds, and lifts the downcast soul! Worship on the other hand, ushers in the presence of God, and bring out the lover in us.</strong></p><p><span>I believe the end time church will replicate the Tribe of Judah , THE TRIBE OF PRAISE and restore the tabernacle of David.</span></p><p><strong>“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” Rev 5:5</strong></p><p><strong>A little history on Judah:</strong></p><p><span>Judah (meaning PRAISE in Hebrew) was the first of the twelve tribes of Israel to claim its territory in the promised land, they were the first to OCCUPY. And just like the Tribe of Judah, I believe the worshippers and praisers will be the first to take their seats with Christ and occupying in the heavenly sphere. (The Scripture says we are seated in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:6)</span></p><p><strong>Praise and Worship and Prayer weaponize us in ascending the heights to our allocated positions in Christ Jesus!</strong></p><p><span>From the Tribe of Judah (Praise) also descended royalty, the kings of Israel and ultimately the Messiah Jesus! From Judah, derives the word Jew and Judaism. Additionally most modern Jews today trace their lineage to the tribe of Judah. The tribe of Judah sprang forward in such prominence among his brothers! Judah also received the firstborn inheritance even though he was 4th in line as his older brothers (Reuben, Simeon & Levi) were disinherited. They were a tribe of PRAISE as characterized by King David himself, having a “heart after God.”</span></p><p><strong>Can you feel the rhythm of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in this hour? I Believe his heart beats to a rhythm love. </strong><span>God is restoring the Tabernacle of David through individual Houses of Worship. He’s restoring the Tribe of Praise in this hour. Most have thought that Israel would need to rebuild the temple, a temple made with human hands before the return of Christ. (Which could still be true, there’s always parallels)</span></p><p><strong>Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Cor 6:19</strong></p><p><span>You are a House of Worship. You are Gods building and He dwells in you.</span></p><p><strong>Doves Eyes</strong></p><p><span>Faytene challenged me when she spoke over my life prophetically, to have doves eyes. I didn’t know what she meant till the Lord showed me these scriptures.</span></p><p><strong>In SOS 1:15 Behold you are fair my love, you have doves eyes.</strong></p><p><strong>SOS 2:14 O my dove, in clefts of the rock in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your face lovely.</strong></p><p><span>Talk about honey in the rock, this is the depiction of pure devotion and closeness. Remember worship brings out the lover. Remember Jesus said these very rocks will cry out. There was a deeper meaning there. In the clefts of the rock, the secret, quiet places the lovers of God are crying out their praise and their worship, their prayers!</span></p><p><span>(With their young) </span><strong>Isaiah 60:8 Who are these who soar like clouds (clouds refer to great numbers), flying like doves to their portals. (The septuigant renders it “With their young!”)</strong></p><p><span>With their young reveals the Mother and Father heart of God through us to our children! It is so important that our children are shown the way to the secret places in the clefts of the rock</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710022022-04-18T18:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:52:08-03:00Who Are You O Great Mountain<p><strong>“Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.” Is 57:14</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>Happy Easter Monday! Tthe Lion of the Tribe of Judah and His great, overcoming strength in this hour in our #spirittospirit devotional! God is still rolling stones today! I perceive there are looming obstacles, mountains of great resistance, and stones of stumbling that have surfaced in front of the children of God. But God is giving His command, “REMOVE THE OBSTACLES!” Be thrown into the sea!</span></p><p><strong>Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:9,13 “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries…”</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>When God calls you to appointments, “For Such a Time as This!” our enemy predictably will tantrum.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The exiles had returned to Jerusalem with the task to rebuild the temple. In obedience to the call they were met with much opposition!</span></p><p><strong>Zechariah 4:7 For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who with Joshua had led the return of the exiles from Babylon and was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple, before him] you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it!</strong></p><p><strong>8 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying,</strong></p><p><strong>9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this house; his hands shall also finish it. Then you shall know (recognize and understand) that the Lord of hosts has sent me [His messenger] to you.</strong></p><p><strong>10 Who [with reason] despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice when they see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. [These seven] are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro throughout the whole earth.</strong></p><p><span>God says, “Who are you, O great mountain?” You are nothing! “You shall become a plain! A mere molehill!” I prophecy over you today Daughter of Zion that GOD WILL FINISH HIS WORK THROUGH YOUR HAND!!!! As in Nehemiah 4:17, with a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other! It will take PERSEVERANCE! It will take FAITH! IT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED!!</span></p><p><span>Don’t despise the day of small beginnings sons and daughter. The Spirit will rejoice over you when He sees you at work in the Kingdom! When He sees you persevering! The Spirit will say, “Look! Here is one that I can flow through!!!”</span></p><p><strong>2 Cor 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, </strong><i><strong>there</strong></i><strong> is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].”</strong></p><p><span>Liberty and freedom will be WROUGHT (shaped by hammering) through your hand!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710052022-03-28T18:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:56:33-03:00Take Your Seat<p><span><strong>“Far above all principality and might and dominion and every name that is named!” Eph 1:21</strong></span></p><p><span>You and I are seated in heavenly realms with Christ. I want to ask you today, are you occupying the seat that God has given you? Our calling and election is sure in Christ Jesus. Imagine if we had elected officials in our government that never took their seat of issuance, or accepted the place of authority for which they were elected? What if they never used their voice, or influenced decisions made?</span></p><p><span>You and I were predestined for this very purpose, to occupy victoriously. “And raised us up TOGETHER, and made us SIT TOGETHER in the HEAVENLY PLACES with Christ Jesus.” Eph 2:6 Christ, through His suffering, death on the cross and resurrection life, won your seat for you! You and I have been allocated special seating and granted access in the heavenly sphere from which we participate in supernatural dealings.</span></p><p><span>Unfortunately many of us are not operating our lives from this position of issuance and assignment. I am challenged by Holy Spirit in these days to occupy within my inheritance, to take my seat. Daughters of Zion, don’t vacate in the hour of pressing! Don’t allow your life to be so taken up with the circumstances of the natural that we negate entering in on a daily basis and occupy.</span></p><p><span><strong>“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Eph 1:3</strong></span></p><p><span>There it is! Every spiritual blessing awaits us in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus! You might say how do you do it? How do you ascend the heights of glory into this other realm? A place that is allocated to me? It belongs to me? Yes! It all in the most practical sense begins the moment you turn your eyes upon Him.</span></p><p><span><strong>“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” - Helen Howarth Lemmel</strong></span></p><p><span>Take your seat, dwell with Him in heavenly places. Direct the “choir” of your home, your city from the location of authority and dominion in Christ!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710072022-03-21T18:00:00-03:002023-09-09T17:59:23-03:00Battlefield Of The Mind<p><strong>“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Phil 2:5</strong></p><p><span>Do you realize that we wage a supernatural battle? We fight for our destiny, we fight for the souls of our families and the list goes on. There is another battle where we constantly wage war. And that is in the battle field of the mind!</span></p><p><strong>“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Cor 10:3-5</strong></p><p><span>I sense by Spirit that there is a war of condemnation being waged, when in fact Christ has won this battle for you! So I declare over you today the mind of Christ be installed where fear and dark imaginings have tried to hold you captive. There are arguments and lofty opinions of darkness that the enemy is raising. These are not of God. The knowledge of God concerning you is different, and speaks life over you. His knowledge speaks victory into your destiny and overcoming power!</span></p><p><strong>“So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, The Anointed One.” Rom 8:1 tpt</strong></p><p><span>When you come to Christ the case is closed! So why do we open the case back up? Well, I’ll tell you right now, we have an enemy that loves to dig into our past and current failures. “Put on the Helmet of Salvation!” Eph 6:17 When he is reminding you of your shortcomings, remind him and yourself that you are joined in life-union with Christ the Anointed One! Jesus is anointed, and that makes you anointed!</span></p><p><span>No matter how destroyed and wrecked we were when we came to the saving knowledge of Christ, we are fully accepted! We have full entrance acceptance and access!</span></p><p><strong>“Now Christ lives in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God. Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit what breathes life into you!” Rom 8:10-11 tpt</strong></p><p><span>This includes your mind! Marinade in His Word, just receive it and let the Word do its work in you, renewing your mind! I pray, Spirit of God breathe on my sisters today! Resurrection power renew minds and quicken hearts in Jesus name!</span></p><p><strong>“You will keep </strong><i><strong>him</strong></i><strong> in perfect peace, </strong><i><strong>whose</strong></i><strong> mind </strong><i><strong>is</strong></i><strong> stayed </strong><i><strong>on You,</strong></i><strong> because he trusts in You.” Is 26:3 nkjv</strong></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710092022-03-14T18:00:00-03:002023-09-09T18:08:29-03:00Power In The Name<p><span><strong>“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.” Phil 2:9</strong></span></p><p><span>All authority, dominion and power was given to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. As followers and disciples of Jesus, we are raised and seated with Him in the heavenly sphere. We have been given the power of the name of Jesus, and He expects us to invoke this power in the earth!</span></p><p><span><strong>“There is power to overcome everything in the world through the name of Jesus.” - Smith Wigglesworth</strong></span></p><p><span>We mustn’t be surprised in this hour when we face all kinds of diverse battles and adversities. Jesus warned us that they would come. Yet He has not left us helpless, and hopeless, rather He has given us an all encompassing authority of divine issuance! He has given us the recognition of His name!</span></p><p><span><strong>“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore.” Matthew 28:18</strong></span></p><p><span>I remember the story of Richard Roberts, who when he was young went to a bank to take out a loan. The banker quickly turned him down as his name had no clout, until Richard revealed he was the son of the Rev. Oral Roberts. The banker quickly signed up to offer Richard the loan he was looking for when he realized who his father was. The name of Richard’s father “Oral Roberts” completely changed the outcome of the situation!</span></p><p><span>The same is true for us! We possess the Name above every other name, the Name by which every knee will bow! His Name is JESUS!</span></p><p><span><strong>“Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Eph 1:21</strong></span></p><p><span>Sons and Daughters of Zion, invoke the Name that is above every other name, in your marriages, your families, your churches, your communities, your provinces/states! Let the roar of the Lion of the tribe of Judah roar through you as you pray!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709852022-02-08T17:00:00-04:002023-09-09T16:56:32-03:00Perseverance<p><span>I can literally feel the movement in the spirit, there has been a shift to MOVE FORWARD. As you align your heart with Heaven you will begin to feel it too if you haven’t already. There is hope, there is freedom, there is kingdom life to be lived beyond what we have seen in the natural the last few years.</span></p><p><span>I hear the word <strong>“Perseverance”</strong> so strong in my spirit! There is Anointing in this moment to walk in <strong>“Persevereance!”</strong></span></p><p><span><strong>Hebrews 12:1-3</strong> in<strong> </strong>The Passion Translation reads…</span></p><p><span>As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls, so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures.</span></p><p><span><strong>As for us!!! We will Persevere! We must run with passion and determination! Are you ready to give your all and not only hold the line but press forward?</strong></span></p><p><span>How many times have we started something for the kingdom and whether it be pandemic mandates or our own self will, we haven’t followed through? Maybe you’ve started prayer meetings and had to cancel, maybe you’ve been hindered in your children’s ministry, or outreaches into the community. That was a season, 2022 is the year of the <strong>open door</strong>. Let’s pass through the gates and linger no longer on the outside of purpose. Some of us have had legitimate excuses, that was then, this is now! God is saying now is the time to worship! Now is the time to pray! Now is the time to instruct my children! Now is the time to feed the poor! Now is the time to get up and move! Be obedient to My call! I will perform in perfection in these days, just get up and GO and follow my lead!</span></p><p><span><strong>Let us NOW run with PERSEVERANCE! (Hebrews 12:1)</strong></span></p><p><span>I know I’m giving a strong word today, I feel it in the core of my being. Personally, I have been faced with intense opposition in these days. Even so, I am all the more determined in my heart to move forward! Oh the grace that I experience as I am obedient to the leading of the Spirit. There is a grace and a rest that will come upon you, that will enable you.</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709862022-01-17T17:00:00-04:002023-09-09T17:06:41-03:00Pass Through The Gates<p><strong>“Pass Through the Gates” </strong><span>DON’T STALL ANY LONGER</span></p><p><span>“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars." </span><strong>Isaiah 45:2</strong></p><p><span>I awoke Monday morning and heard in my spirit, “Pass through the Gates!” I’ve been marinading in this word all week.</span></p><p><span>As I began to study, I quickly realized there are many different types of “Gates” referred to in scripture. Many kinds of gates representing different aspects of life. For instance…</span></p><p><span>Gates of praise,</span></p><p><span>Temple gates,</span></p><p><span>Gates of death,</span></p><p><span>Gates of cities,</span></p><p><span>Gates of righteousness,</span></p><p><span>Gates of salvation,</span></p><p><span>Prison gates,</span></p><p><span>And the list goes on and on…</span></p><p><span>I want to ask you, what “Gate” have you come to in your life? You are being led by the Holy Spirit, He has brought you to the “Gate” that you are now approaching. Will He not certainly open the gate and make smooth the rough places!</span></p><p><strong>I want to decree Isaiah 45:2 over you! He will shatter the great iron bars that seem of mighty resistance in your life!</strong></p><p><strong>Genesis 22:17 </strong><span>In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies.</span></p><p><span>In this scripture God was promising Abraham, that because God is God, because there is blessing in obedience, and blessing in having a heart after God, He says your Seed will possess the gates of His enemies!</span></p><p><span>Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son to show his level commitment to his God! In return God sacrificed HIS one and only son.</span></p><p><strong>God has given you the Gate that you have approached, now He says, “Pass through the Gate that I have possessed for you!”</strong></p><p><strong>Gate in the Bible symbolizes Power! And Dominion!</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. </span><strong>Matthew 16:18-19 nkjv</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The Amplified says it like this, “I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>The work is (already) done in Heaven! We pull the completed work of Christ into our atmosphere using our words and faith to receive it! We must align ourselves with the intent and culture of heaven, living by a kingdom not of this world while we are yet in this world.</span></p><p><strong>Isaiah 62:10 Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples!</strong></p><p><span>I believe God is prophesying this scripture over His church and over individuals today!</span></p><p><span>He has prepared the church for such a time as this! Trust that the “Gate” He has brought you to pass through, is His perfection at work in you.</span></p><p><strong>“I am the Gateway. To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction.” John 10:9</strong></p><p><strong>Enter through Him!</strong><span><strong> </strong></span><strong>PASS THROUGH YOUR GATE THROUGH CHRIST!</strong></p><p><strong>Experience the life, freedom, and satisfaction that His life-giving Spirit will add unto you as you enter and pass through in Him! IN HIM!!!</strong></p><p><strong>John 14:1-7 tpt </strong><span>“Don’t worry or surrender to your fear.[</span><u>a</u><span>] For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also.[</span><u>b</u><span>] </span><strong>2 </strong><span>My Father’s house has many dwelling places.[</span><u>c</u><span>] If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go[</span><u>d</u><span>] to prepare a place for you. </span><strong>3 </strong><span>And when everything is ready, I will come back and take[</span><u>e</u><span>] you to myself so that you will be where I am. </span><strong>4 </strong><span>And you already know the way to the place where I’m going.”[</span><u>f</u><span>] </span><strong>5 </strong><span>Thomas said to him, “Master, we don’t know where you’re going, so how could we know the way there?” </span><strong>6 </strong><span>Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth,[</span><u>g</u><span>] and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father[</span><u>h</u><span>] except through </span><i>union with me.</i><span>[</span><u>i</u><span>] To know me is to know my Father too. </span><strong>7 </strong><span>And from now on you will realize that you have seen him and experienced him.”</span></p><p><span>JESUS SAID… “I AM THE WAY! ENTER THROUGH ME!”</span></p><p><span>He is not leaving you to pass through your gate alone. He is promising His Anointing will be upon you.</span></p><p><strong>Hebrews 12:2 tpt </strong><span>We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention </span><i>and expectation</i><span>[</span><u>a</u><span>] onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection.[</span><u>b</u><span>] His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his,[</span><u>c</u><span>] he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation,[</span><u>d</u><span>] and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!</span></p><p><strong>tpt Footnotes say:</strong></p><ul style="list-style-type:disc;">
<li>
<u>12:2</u><span> Implied by the Aramaic word </span><i>chor</i><span>, which implies a gaze upon Jesus full of expectations that he is enough.</span>
</li>
<li>
<u>12:2</u><span> Or “He is the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”</span>
</li>
</ul><p><span>CHURCH, let us set our gaze in the right place.</span></p><p><span>Thursday Evening the Lord began to speak very strongly to us to call for prayer Saturday morning. I heard in my spirit, “Don’t miss this opportunity!” </span><strong>Don’t miss it church!!!!! </strong><span>I didn’t find out till Saturday morning that many ministries were calling for spur of the moment Saturday morning prayer! What a confirmation!! These are unprecedented times, “All we have to do is follow the voice the Spirit! As He speaks, we will be obedient!” We don’t have to be loud, unless he says to be loud. We are “KINGDOM PEOPLE”, we are people of the Spirit, we will walk in obedience to the voice of the Lord.</span></p><p><span>JESUS WAS MEEK. They spit on Him, they slapped Him, they blasphemed and swore crudely against him. He was like a lamb led to the slaughter, yet he rose as the Lion of Judah. If you want to know how to live in these days look closely at the life of Jesus in the scripture. The Father gave Him his directive through prayer and Jesus was obedient.</span></p><p><strong>Let us take this directive from the Lord today, “Pass Through the Gates!” Hell cannot prevail against you church! Move forward in victory! Possess the Key, Possess the Gate and MOVE FORWARD!!!!!!!</strong></p><p><span>In my devotions this morning, I heard these words, “STOP STALLING!” I send forth this word over the church in Canada, “STOP STALLING!!!” In Jesus name!!! Pass through and Possess!</span></p><p><span>Friday morning I was in a call with women on the frontlines and the girls started talking about how the prophets are declaring 2022 is the year of the “Open Door!” Wow!!! We're on the right track!! </span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72709842021-12-31T01:00:00-04:002023-09-09T16:45:23-03:00It Is Time For New Wine to Begin to Flow<p><span>Hosea 2:22</span></p><p><span>And the earth will respond to the grain, to the new wine and to the oil. </span></p><p><span>As 2021 was coming to a close I heard the gentle whisper of the Spirit, “It’s time for new wine to begin to flow.” New Wine! I’ve always been so keen to desire fresh oil from the Lord! But new Wine was different for me to hear! I believe there is something so fresh being poured on the people of God in 2022. The Oil and the Wine are flowing together in this new season! Wine of the Spirit flowing through sons and daughters! </span></p><p><span>Joel 2:19 The Lord will answer and say to His people,“Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied in full with them;</span></p><p><span>The earth will respond when the sons and daughters of the Kingdom are filled! Are you satisfied today? If not ask Him to send you grain, oil and wine! And surely you will sing my soul, my soul is satisfied!!! </span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710112021-12-20T18:35:00-04:002023-09-09T18:23:16-03:00Fill The Water Pots<p><span><strong>“My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.” John 7:6</strong></span></p><p><span>As we approach the hustle and bustle of Christmas and all that entails, I want to encourage you to be ready for the unexpected moments to draw from the wells of the Spirit. “But your time is always ready!”</span></p><p><strong>“</strong><span>And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine</span><strong>,” </strong><span>Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”</span><strong> </strong><span>His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do </span><i>it.</i><span>”Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw </span><i>some</i><span> out now, and take </span><i>it</i><span> to the master of the feast.” And they took </span><i>it.</i><span> When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the </span><i>guests</i><span> have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”<strong> John 2:3-11</strong></span></p><p><span>When faced with the unexpected this Christmas, be proactive! “Fill the waterpots!” I’m sure running out of wine for a wedding feat in those days would have brought much embarrassment to the family. As per Jesus’s instructions, they filled the waterpots to the “brim”. When I picture “to the brim”, I see an overflow pouring out when reaching in to draw the water/wine from the pot. Others will get wet as you draw. Draw for you, draw for your families and loved ones this Christmas. Be prepared with a heart full of Jesus to splash out on others!</span></p><p><span>I’m reminded of the lyric to the beloved Christmas carol Joy to the World,<strong> “Let every heart prepare Him room.”</strong></span></p><p><span>Just as the disciples, “Believed in Him,” when they saw the miracles of Jesus, I pray that your homes may be filled with manifested glory this Christmas as you spend time with family and friends.</span></p><p><span>Merry Christmas!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710122021-12-13T18:00:00-04:002023-09-09T18:25:25-03:00Sought Out<p><span>Go through,</span></p><p><span>Go through the gates!</span></p><p><span>Prepare the way for the people;</span></p><p><span>Build up,</span></p><p><span>Build up the highway!</span></p><p><span>Take out the stones,</span></p><p><span>Lift up a banner for the peoples!</span></p><p><span>Indeed the Lord has proclaimed</span></p><p><span>To the end of the world:</span></p><p><span>“Say to the daughter of Zion,</span></p><p><span>‘Surely your salvation is coming;</span></p><p><span>Behold, His reward </span><i>is</i><span> with Him,</span></p><p><span>And His work before Him.’ ”</span></p><p><span>And they shall call them The Holy People,</span></p><p><span>The Redeemed of the Lord;</span></p><p><span>And you shall be called Sought Out,</span></p><p><span>A City Not Forsaken.</span></p><p><span><strong>Isaiah 62:10-12 (nkjv)</strong></span></p><p><span><strong>Today I declare over you that you are chosen and sought out, you are a city not forsaken! </strong>Everything that you have been experiencing in your life to this point has been the preparation of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 8:28</span></p><p><span>God has been building up the highway and foundations of our lives. Think of a construction site and the work that goes into the building of a highway in the natural. Boulders and earth are removed, building materials are brought in. It’s dirty work in the muck and the mire! Like wise, life can be messy, there can be major stumbling blocks along the way.</span></p><p><span>Yet you are His workmanship! This scripture says, “Behold His reward is with Him, and His work is before Him.” Some versions say, “His work is EVER before Him!” He never grows weary of you and I. He is ever moulding, creating and at work in us!</span></p><p><span>As we approach the Christmas season and celebrate the birth of our Saviour, I pray that His Spirit breathe fresh life upon you. Just as a new day was proclaimed upon the earth by the angel messengers, we proclaim over you that you are the Redeemed, Sought Out! A City Not Forsaken! There is new life being birthed in your lungs and you will rise to the occasion.</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710132021-12-06T18:40:00-04:002023-09-09T18:28:02-03:00Possess Inherit Revive<p><span><strong>A New Day has Dawned upon the Horizon!”</strong></span></p><p><span>The Word of God says in Isaiah 57:13-15, “But he who puts his trust in Me shall POSSESS the land. And shall INHERIT My Holy Mountain. And one shall say, Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, take the stumbling block out of the way of My people. For thus says the High and Lofty One, Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”</span></p><p><span><strong>We declare Grace Grace! Peace Peace</strong> to you dear ones today! Arise from the ash heap, Arise from all brokenness, Arise from the oil press, Arise and Shine! Your light has come! The glory of the Lord is risen upon you! (Isaiah 60:1)</span></p><p><span><strong>I feel a prophetic overtone in this word! A new day has dawned upon the landscape of our lives! We will Arise together, Possess, and Inherit!</strong></span></p><p><span>In “Possessing the Land” I believe the Spirit is saying there is something tangible that you can see and touch that you are to possess. It speaks of natural, physical inheritance that belongs to you. I believe it is yours for the taking, go in and possess the land! </span></p><p><span>Secondly, the Lord says you shall <strong>“Inherit My Holy Mountain,</strong>” this speaks of the inheritance of His glory and His presence! Your supernatural inheritance and estate! The Oil of His presence is available in abundance, you haven not denied the oil press season, therefore Oil flows freely.</span></p><p><span>He has chosen YOU for HIS inheritance in this hour, because you Sons and Daughters of Zion have been faithful! He is yours, and you are His! He has come to revive your spirit, your heart. I see this picture of a healthy heart beating in strength. You may have felt so squeezed and crushed in the last season, but I declare His presence is reviving you today! A new day is dawning upon us, let’s embrace this together!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710082021-11-28T18:15:00-04:002023-09-09T18:06:00-03:00What Is Worship?<p><strong>Why are we a people called to Praise?</strong></p><p><span>WHY DO WE GATHER TOGETHER ON A SUNDAY MORNING AND SING SONGS OF PRAISE? WHAT IS WORSHIP? AND WHY DO WE DO IT??</span></p><p><span>The scripture says, “And all the ends of the earth will give Him the Honour He deserves and be in awe of Him.” God instituted the act of worship and we follow Heavens example as we praise.</span></p><p><strong>The first appearance of the word “worship” is in Genesis 5:22 </strong></p><p><strong>“</strong><span>And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the [</span><u>a</u><span>] lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.””</span></p><p><span>Already in the history of man kind, here is Father Abraham “going yonder” for a moment of worship with his son. Abraham’s worship was about to cost him something, something very valuable and dear to his heart. Never-the-less Abraham was not deterred.</span></p><p><strong>The very first reference to the act of worship is found in Genesis 4:26</strong></p><p><span>It reads: “Then Men began to call on the name of the Lord.”</span></p><p><span>Man had gotten busy with their primitive day to day lives. They were “BUSY” providing for their families, ruling the animals, tilling and harvesting the ground, having large families, and building cities when mankind began to remember their Creator and “THEN, Men began to call on the name of the Lord.” Implying the act of worship!</span></p><p><span>But really David sets the greatest example of what worship is in Scripture more than any other Bible character.</span></p><p><span><strong>Acts 13:22 says, “</strong></span><i><strong>After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.</strong></i><span><strong>‘”</strong></span></p><p><span>David lifted the “Song of the Lord” continually throughout his life. Beginning with his worship in the field tending his fathers sheep. Having the job of a “Shepard” in those days was very much like experiencing solitary confinement, out in the field alone with hundreds of sheep. Day after day, Just putting in time, watching and protecting. Yet, in those very crucial moments of David’s life while it seemed like nothing was happening in his life, David was cultivating a heart of worship, that would sustain him throughout his entire life.</span></p><p><span>Samuel Anointed David to be King of Israel, when he was bout 15 years of age, and guess what! After that event of being anointed and appointed, what did David do? He went BACK to tending his fathers sheep. His “Appointment” as King didn’t happen for another 15yrs. when David turned 30!</span></p><p><span>When David conquered Jerusalem, what is the first thing on his mind? Worship and the Ark of the Covenant!</span></p><p><strong>2 Samuel 6:12-23</strong></p><p><strong>12 </strong><span>Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.</span></p><p><strong>13 </strong><span>When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.</span></p><p><strong>14 </strong><span>Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might,</span></p><p><strong>15 </strong><span>while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.</span></p><p><strong>16 </strong><span>As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.</span></p><p><strong>17 </strong><span>They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord.</span></p><p><strong>18 </strong><span>After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty.</span></p><p><strong>19 </strong><span>Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.</span></p><p><strong>20 </strong><span>When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”</span></p><p><strong>21 </strong><span>David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord.</span></p><p><strong>22 </strong><span>I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honour.”</span></p><p><strong>23 </strong><span>And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.</span></p><p><span><strong>Verse 14 says, “David was dancing before the Lord with all his might!”</strong></span></p><p><span>Imagine the procession! The 1st time David attempted to bring the ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem, the Bible says he took 30,000 young men with him! Verse 5 says, </span><strong>“</strong><span>David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.”</span></p><p><span>New King James put it this way; ”Then David and all the house of Israel played </span><i>music</i><span> before the Lord on all kinds of </span><i>instruments of</i><span>fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.”</span></p><p><span>How did David know that worship was not just a sacrifice of an animal? How did he know to sing, and dance and play instruments?</span></p><p><span>The very first song ever mentioned in the Bible broke out upon the children of Israel in Exodus 14! When Moses and all the host of Israel discovered that they were delivered from the Egyptian army they broke out into the song of the Lord and they sang!!</span></p><p><span>The song is found in:</span></p><p><strong>Exodus 15:1 </strong></p><p><span>Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying:</span></p><p><span>“I will sing to the Lord,</span></p><p><span>For He has triumphed gloriously!</span></p><p><span>The horse and its rider</span></p><p><span>He has thrown into the sea!</span></p><p><strong>2 </strong></p><p><span>The Lord </span><i>is</i><span> my strength and song,</span></p><p><span>And He has become my salvation;</span></p><p><span>He </span><i>is</i><span> my God, and I will praise Him;</span></p><p><span>My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.</span></p><p><strong>3 </strong></p><p><span>The Lord </span><i>is</i><span> a man of war;</span></p><p><span>The Lord </span><i>is</i><span> His name.</span></p><p><strong>4 </strong></p><p><span>Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;</span></p><p><strong>Then there is the Song of Miriam and her act of worship in verses 20-21!</strong></p><p><span>Miriam, the one who watched over the promise of God, as a little girl she watched at a distance as the princess drew her brother from the water. Miriam too, like David, from the time she was a young girl watching over the promise of God, to the victory and defeat of the Egyptian army, had cultivated a heart of worship. This girl grew up in the midst of much oppression, heartache, and slavery. Yet she was considered a prophetess, and clearly she had the heart of a worshipper!</span></p><p><strong>20 </strong><span>Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.</span></p><p><strong>21 </strong><span>And Miriam answered them:</span></p><p><span>“Sing to the Lord,</span></p><p><span>For He has triumphed gloriously!</span></p><p><span>The horse and its rider</span></p><p><span>He has thrown into the sea!”</span></p><p><span><strong>I truly believe that these great men and women were filled with the Spirit of God and they were led to worship and praise by the Holy Spirit of God!</strong></span></p><p><span>When Saul was Anointed King in the flesh, it was little different than David’s appointment. David had already been cultivating a heart of worship. David was really the perfect candidate for king. But for Saul, Samuel knew that he had to get Saul with the prophets! It’s called associational absorption!</span></p><p><span>He knew he had to get Saul in the company of some Holy Ghost filled worshippers! Have you ever been in a dead church, come on somebody, and there is no life in the body! Then you get into a church of believers that engage with their hearts and you can feel the Spirit mfeel a shift inside of you during those precious moments.</span></p><p><span>Samuel knew that Saul needed some associational absorption and so he sent Saul to the prophets, to the worshippers! Here’s his instructions in;</span></p><p><strong>1 Samuel 10:5-13</strong></p><p><strong>5 </strong><span>And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying.</span></p><p><strong>6 </strong><span>Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.</span></p><p><strong>7 </strong><span>Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.</span></p><p><strong>8 </strong><span>Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.”</span></p><p><strong>9 </strong><span>When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.</span></p><p><strong>10 </strong><span>When they came to Gibeah,[</span><u>d</u><span>] behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.</span></p><p><strong>11 </strong><span>And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”</span></p><p><strong>12 </strong><span>And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”</span></p><p><strong>13 </strong><span>When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.</span></p><p><span>When the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and He gave him another heart, Saul’s instinct was to go to the high place! Verse 13,</span><i><span><strong> “When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.”</strong></span></i><span> The prophets had just come from the high place with their harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre. The high place was where they went to worship with their instruments. God gave Saul another heart, the heart of a worshipper.</span></p><p><span>The Spirit of God compels us to worship and to praise. You see it in Old Testament. You see it in the New, and Jesus made it very clear what kind of worship is acceptable!</span></p><p><strong>John 4:23-24</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”</span></p><p><span>God is seeking for those who will break out in worship as David and Miriam did, being led by the Spirit.</span></p><p><span>David made His praise as big as he could, as loud as he could, he danced, he played instruments, wrote songs, sang, he put together a procession of 30,000 young men to bring the Ark to Jerusalem! He gave it all he had. “The Bible says he danced with all his might!” If you remember David made a couple attempts to bring the ark to Jerusalem. Both times the Scripture records, “He danced with all his might!” One would think after the first attempt maybe David would walk in a slow reverence with the ark, but no, he engaged his heart, mind, soul and body in the act of worship as history was being made. His worship was ridiculous to others, but God was pleased. David’s heart was engaged, and his body too.</span></p><p><span>Google says; “An ancient document found at Qumran in Palestine claims that David wrote </span><strong>over 4000 songs</strong><span>. Tradition also attributes 73 of the 150 poems of the biblical book Psalms to him as well.”</span></p><p><span>And here is a cool point! You don’t have to be an amazing singer or composer to be a worshipper. The Bible doesn’t say “oh the eloquence of David’s singing ability!” It says he had a HEART after God.</span></p><p><span>Miriam had a timbrel and she danced!</span></p><p><span>We are just barely scratching the surface on the topic of worship. But I hope that your take away is God give me a heart of Worship, let me be one that will Worship in Spirit & in Truth. Let your Spirit take over me and give me a new heart if need be. I want to be one counted as a worshipper. I want to engage my mind, my spirit, my soul, my body.</span></p><p><strong>Read Psalms 68:24-27 passion</strong></p><p><span>I awoke this morning hearing, “Let the Song of the Lord Arise!”</span></p><p><span>God has called the church to be a vibrant, worshipping body, filled with the presence and Spirit of God. In this hour God is calling a people to that will proclaim His praise in the earth, and make His glory known in the Heavenly sphere! God teach us to love you more dearly, worship You ever more deeply. For Yours is the Kingdom and the Glory, dominion and power forever and ever AMEN!!!</span></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/72710102021-09-19T18:00:00-03:002023-09-09T18:19:19-03:00Travailing Prayer<p><strong>ISAIAH 61-62</strong></p><p><span>There is a “Travailing Cry” that is coming forth from the people of God in the Nations! This cry is going to shift hearts!</span></p><p><strong>Andrew Murray</strong><span> is quoted saying, </span><strong>“The man who mobilizes the Christian Church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history!”</strong></p><p><strong>-Sarah Maynard writes in her book “Canadian Mantles of Revival”</strong><span>, “Faith Filled prayer is a prayer that wrestles the resources of Heaven into our time and space. It knows exactly what it’s asking for and is locked on to it, believing that it will be obtained. It’s not vague or merely hopeful. It is aware of what the Lord desires, and it is determined that it will be realized. Faith is not just trying to stretch your imagination as big as you can,</span><strong> it’s discerning what God is doing,</strong><span> as well as what </span><strong>He’s poised to do</strong><span>and </span><strong>agreeing with Him.</strong></p><p><span>I believe God is calling the church into </span><strong>Prevailing Prayer</strong><span>, and like Sarah said, </span><strong>“Wrestle the resources of Heaven into our time & space.” There are people and places and situations that need you and I to surrender to the call of travail, so the shift can take place!</strong></p><p><strong>On my drive to Ontario I kept hearing the word “Shift!” God wants to shift the hearts of people into truth and righteousness and justice! God can and will bring the SPIRITUAL SHIFT through people like you and I!</strong></p><p><strong>Think of loved ones, people in your life that need to be shifted!</strong></p><p><span>Sarah Maynard writes: The marking features of historic revivals have been </span><strong>Humility, Hunger, Awakening, but above all Prayer</strong><span>, not just casual prayer, but deep groaning, travailing, persevering prayer, as Charles Finney calls it, </span><strong>“Prevailing Prayer.”</strong><span> D. L.. Moody said it simply: </span><strong>“Every great Move of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”</strong><span> Although Canada has had some amazing and glorious revivals in our nations history, national revival still has not yet swept across our land to light up the whole nation with God’s glory coast to coast. This is one of the great visions we press into in prayer: </span><strong>a nation fully engulfed with the fire of God’s presence.</strong></p><p><strong>Allow the Lord to fill your thoughts with what it would look like if hundreds of thousands, even millions, of Canadians came to Christ!</strong></p><p><strong>Travailing Prayer….</strong></p><p><span>Essentially, if it can be defined, is the cry and manifestation of the heart and desire of Holy God </span><strong>felt in the soul of a person</strong><span> during </span><strong>prayer.</strong><span> I believe travailing prayer is very powerful, it is a heavy lifter so to speak, much like fasting. </span><strong>There is prevailing power that comes in travail.</strong><span> Often times in scripture you will find that fasting and travailing prayer will go hand in hand as seen in the life of Christ, Hannah, Daniel and others.</span></p><p><strong>Travailing Prayer is a work of the Holy Spirit.</strong></p><p><span>We know this scripture in Rom 8:26-27</span></p><p><strong>So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid </strong><i>and</i><strong> bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer </strong><i>nor</i><strong> how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication </strong><i>and</i><strong> pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings </strong><i>and</i><strong> groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes </strong><i>and</i><strong> pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to </strong><i>and</i><strong> in harmony with God’s will.</strong></p><p><span>Partnering with the Holy Spirit in prayer releases the heart of God upon us, giving us harmony with God’s will. Sometimes in travailing prayer, there are no words, only a deep cry of sorrow and emotion that will be experienced.</span></p><p><span>Travailing prayer speaks of </span><strong>endurance.</strong></p><p><strong>Jesus refers to great emotion & travail in John 16:20-21 and follows up in verse 24 admonishing his disciples in prevailing prayer.</strong></p><p><strong>I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that you shall weep and grieve, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she gives birth to a child, has grief (anguish, agony) because her time has come. BUT… WHEN SHE HAS DELIVERED THE CHILD, she no longer remembers her pain (trouble, anguish) because she is so glad that a man (a child, a human being) has been born into the world.</strong></p><p><span>ANGUISH, TRAVAIL, SORROW & AGONY BRINGS TO THE BIRTH!</span></p><p><strong>Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name; but now ask </strong><i>and</i><strong> keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full </strong><i>and</i><strong> complete.</strong></p><p><strong>Prevailing Prayer!</strong></p><p><strong>You can see the posture of travail in Jesus when He came to the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:33-38.</strong></p><p><span>When Jesus saw her sobbing, and the Jews who came with her [also] sobbing, </span><strong>He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.[He was chafed in spirit and sighed and was disturbed.]</strong><span> And He said, Where have you laid him? They said to Him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. (The shortest verse in the Bible, and embodies huge implications for us to understand!) The Jews said, See how [tenderly] He loved him! But some of them said, Could not He Who opened a blind man’s eyes have prevented this man from dying? Now Jesus, again </span><strong>sighing repeatedly </strong><i><strong>and</strong></i><strong> deeply disquieted</strong><span>, approached the tomb. (We know the rest of the story…)</span></p><p><strong>Jesus wept in travail for Lazarus</strong><span>, he loved deeply, He allowed his soul to be moved with sorrow, with sighing, He was chafed in spirit. </span><strong>His deep love and travail brought Lazarus forth</strong><span> from the dead! </span><strong>He travailed first and then spoke!</strong></p><p><span>Have you ever sat with someone and held them and cried with them? Have you ever been moved </span><strong>by the Spirit </strong><span>with compassion and loved so deeply? </span><strong>The Spirit and Anointing of God will move in you to feel God’s heartbeat</strong><span> for one another when you quiet yourself and yield to it. King David said, “You have kept all my tears in your bottle.” </span><strong>Travail </strong><span>and a </span><strong>Voice </strong><span>that will </span><strong>Cry</strong><span> out is precious to God!</span></p><p><strong>Jesus’s sorrow and travail at the Garden of Gethsemane yielded Him to the Cross.</strong></p><p><strong>King David</strong><span> in no way eluded travail! As he penned many of the Psalms you can see the breakthrough power that David experienced as He learned to press into the heights of the presence of God in worship, but not before experiencing the travail of much grief, sorrow, and tears, longing for the presence of God!</span></p><p><strong>Hannah in 1st Samuel 1: had postured herself to travail with much fasting, weeping and crying out to God.</strong></p><p><strong>Verse 8:</strong><span> Then Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you cry? And why do you not eat? And why are you grieving? Am I not more to you than ten sons? </span><strong>Verses 10-11</strong><span> And [Hannah] was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly. She vowed, saying, O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid and [earnestly] remember, and not forget Your handmaid but will give me a son, I will give him to the Lord all his life; no razor shall touch his head.</span></p><p><strong>Hannah’s travail </strong><span>came up before the Lord. The scripture says, </span><strong>“And the Lord remembered Hannah!”</strong><span> Hannah gave birth to a son, the prophet Samuel. His name means, “The Lord has heard.” He was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament!</span></p><p><span>Apostle Paul wrote to the Galations</span></p><p><strong>My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. Gal 4:19</strong></p><p><strong>We must travail over our children and our grandchildren until Christ be formed in them!</strong></p><p><strong>Paul Travailed in prevailing prayer and power over his flock. He called them his children. He loved deeply, UNTIL Christ be FORMED IN YOU!!! This doesn’t sound like light prayers, but deep intercession and realization of great responsibility. He said I travail AGAIN… He didn’t just do it once, but he was doing it yet AGAIN.</strong></p><p><span>Prevailing Prayer is connected to the heart of God, it imposes the Love of God, and it will bring to the birth a National scale revival if we will yield to it! The Spirit of God is poised to shift the hearts of our loved ones, He is poised to shift the nations into truth and righteousness as we call upon the name of our God!!!!!</span></p><p><span>Here’s the thing about the Spirit of God - He is willing - Are we willing???</span></p><p><strong>I want to close a little history of Canadian Revivals that began with a praying, passionate people, or as D.L. Moody coined it, “A kneeling figure.” Their stories are worthy of remembering, of telling, and of inspiring!</strong></p><p><strong>Henry Alline:</strong></p><p><span>Henry Alline & the New Light Revival was perhaps Canada’s first revivalist. He was compared to John the Baptist, his tombstone reads: “Henry Alline, 1748-1784, died at the age of 35. Like a flame of fire, he swept through the land. He was a burning and shining light. After zealous travels in the cause of Christ, he languished on the way and cheerfully resigned his life. He was vastly esteemed as the Apostle of Nova Scotia.”</span></p><p><span>Henry Alline was aflame with fasting, prayer, and the spirit of revival! At the age of 27, Alline was powerfully converted through an intense encounter with the love of God. He recorded in his journal, “Redeeming love broke into my soul with repeated scriptures of such power that my whole soul seemed melted down with love.” Alline became known as the “Whitfield of Nova Scotia” rejected by the traditional church he gathered crowds in barns and open fields, relentless in his preaching and travel. His journal reads, “Rode 30 miles and although I was so fatigued by riding in heavy rain that I could scarcely walk when I got from my horse, yet when I began to preach, I had such a sense of the redeemer’s cause, that I almost forgot my bodily infirmities. I preached so often and rode so much that sometimes I would seem almost worn out and yet in a few hours would be so refreshed that I could labour again for 12 hrs. in discoursing, praying, preaching, and exhorting and feel strong in my lungs.”</span></p><p><span>In his wake, 8 “New Light Churches” were planted and 500 hymns penned. Many say, all of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick as well as parts of PEI and New England was awakened through his short, intense ministry. It birthed the Baptist movement in the Maritimes!</span></p><p><strong>Hamilton Revival of 1857:</strong></p><p><span>A methodist minister gathered 3 downtown Methodist churches in Hamilton, ON, he hosted a prayer meeting with 65 in attendance. He invited the fire brand evangelist Phoebe Palmer of New York City, she spoke and challenged the people to pray for revival. Some 30 people raised their hands indicating they would earnestly give themselves to engage in prayer for revival, and they would not only engage in personal, fervent prayer, but also seek to take fellow Hamiltonians with them to church. As a result, after 10 days of meetings, 400 had been won into the kingdom and the revival was stirring in the city of Hamilton.</span></p><p><span>The Newspapers even reported on the revival and read, “A revival After Apostolic Times!” “We are happy to report to our lovers of Zion, that a most glorious revival is now going on in Hamilton!” The Christian Advocate of New York City also reported on the revival on Oct 28, 1857, “The work is taking with its range, persons of all classes. Men from a low degree and men of high estate for wealth and position, all men and maidens, and even little children are seen humbly kneeling together, pleading for grace. The Mayor of the city with other persons of like position is not ashamed to be seen bowed at the altar of prayer beside their humble servant.”</span></p><p><span>In fact Mayor John Moore was one of the ones most deeply touched by the power of God as the Lord poured out revival on the city. The churches grew in attendance by a thousand percent. Humility became the hallmark of this revival as the altars filled with men and women of all social classes, shoulder to shoulder, equally in conviction and need of a Saviour.</span></p><p><span>New York City soon afterward also experienced the same spirit that was released in Hamilton when the Laymen’s Revival erupted out of the Noon Hour Fulton Street Prayer Meeting. In six months 96,000 new believers had encountered Christ. This became known as the 3rd great Awakening that circled the globe and took the nations by storm. It all began in Hamilton, ON</span></p><p><span>Samuel Logan Brengle wrote: “All great soul winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee work in the closet.”</span></p><p><strong>Winnipeg Fire - 1916</strong></p><p><span>Frank Small was born into a methodist home with a fervently praying mother. Before he was born, she covenanted with God that if He would give her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service for the ministry of the gospel. He arrived a twin, born Sept 12, 1873. Along with his praying mother, Frank was baptized in the Spirit in a home meeting in April 1907. With revival in Winnipeg his goal, he heard Maria Woodworth Etter was holding camp meetings in California. He attended and received a life changing experience. Small arrived back in Winnipeg now consumed with a burden for revival. The next few years Small’s main occupation was what he called, “Altar building and intercessory prayer” He sought out a building to hold meetings, and found a delapitated former Jewish synagogue. The first Sunday meeting as the makeshift sanctuary was being dedicated, he rose to read the Scriptures, and the Spirit fell upon him, knocking him prostrate on the platform. Everyone began to fall out as the glory of God filled the new sanctuary. Shortly after this dramatic dedication service, the revival began December 1916.</span></p><p><span>Frank is quoted, “At the altars, all that seemed necessary by way of instruction was to tell the seeker to lift their hands to heaven and immediately the power of God would fall upon them. The flood gates of Heaven were opened and what a sight to behold, night after night, week after week, month after month.” The history of miracles and great outpouring are too numerous to mention now, but the revival lasted 10 years. Through this time God established a large vibrant congregation, ten’s of thousands of souls encountered the love of Christ, most were filled with the Spirit and many thousands received healings.</span></p><p><span>One last </span><strong>excerpt from Sarah Maynard’s book:</strong><span> “2 fundamental areas that need to be established in a church to foster a culture of prayerfulness is a change in perspective, and a change of action.”</span></p><p><strong>#1.</strong><span> Prayer and Intercession is for everyone, not just an elite few. There is no gift of intercession, </span><strong>everyone </strong><span>has a calling in some measure to be exercised in prayer for others. One of the most powerful ways we can love on each other is by praying.</span></p><p><strong>#2. </strong><span>There is a pervasive weakness in prayer because we haven’t been discipled to </span><strong>persevere</strong><span>. We’ve allowed immature self centred prayer to become the standard prayer. So few are robust and mature in prayer. Intercessory prayer is hard work. Growing in prayer requires a commitment to faithfulness.”</span></p><p><span>When asked the secret of his spiritual success, David Yonggi Cho, pastor of the world’s largest church in Seoul, Korea said, “</span><strong>I pray and I obey.</strong><span>” He attributed obedience to the second half of his success.</span></p><p><strong>Who will commit to engage in Personal Fervant Prayer?” Will you be a “Kneeling Figure”?</strong></p><p><i>(many quotes compiled from Sarah Maynard)</i></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66985812021-07-26T16:20:14-03:002021-07-26T16:22:20-03:00Open Your Mouth Wide<p><strong>I am your only God, the living God. Wasn’t I the one who broke the strongholds over you and raised you up out of bondage? Open your mouth with a mighty decree; I will fulfill it now, you’ll see! The words that you speak, so shall it be! Psalms 81:10 (Passion) </strong></p>
<p>As we seek the Lord, may the Holy Ghost fill our mouths with supernatural decrees and prophetic words, dripping with His Anointing!!!!! </p>
<p>I believe we are on the very crux of the greatest revival of our generation, and we must continue to press in. He is moved by our faith to believe, and pray, and turn our hearts and face towards His!</p>
<p>On a Weds night after Prayer meeting (as referred to in Revival Wrestle), I was just so undone by the Lord’s presence, I was sitting on the front pew and I saw a supernatural geyser explode in the middle of the room, I saw Golden Oil flowing from the geyser! It was magnificent to encounter and royal to behold. It was huge!!!! I believe this geyser explosion of the Holy Spirit is for every church in the body of Christ that will set their face to prevail with the Lord! I see in my spirit geysers bursting forth all across the nation of Canada!!! I believe it will be the result and harvest of prayers and fastings sown by God’s people! It will be the fruit of men and women of God opening their mouths wide, so God can fill it with confident decrees and prophetic utterances! </p>
<p><strong>Psalms 81:10 in the (NKJV) says, “Open your mouth WIDE!!!!! And I will FILL it!!!” </strong></p>
<p><strong>Deut 32:13 He made him to ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him so suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock! </strong></p>
<p>(Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary of the Old Testament) </p>
<p>Honey out of the rock and oil out of the flint-stone, i.e., the most valuable productions out of the most unproductive places, since God so blessed the land that even the rocks and stones were productive. </p>
<p>The figure is derived from the fact that Canaan abounds in wild bees, which make their hives in clefts of the rock, and in olive-trees which grow in a rocky soil. "Rock-flints," The nouns in Deuteronomy 32:14 are dependent upon "to suck" in Deuteronomy 32:13 </p>
<p>This morning as the Lord was ministering this portion to me I literally saw in the spirit MOUTHS so filled with “Supernatural Honey” it was dripping down our faces. </p>
<p>Open wide your mouth and the Lord will fill it!! This is a tri-generational Word! This is not just for the adults, the moms and the dads to experience, this is for the youth and children too! </p>
<p><strong>Read - Deut 32:15 </strong></p>
<p>(They grew fat on the experiences of the previous generation.) </p>
<p>Jeshurun grew Fat! We must not be like the generations that followed Jacob. They grew fat on the Honey! </p>
<p><strong>Psalms 81:16 </strong></p>
<p>But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat (which represents the bread of His presence), and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you. </p>
<p>And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 </p>
<p>Open your mouth wide church and fulfill the yearning of the Spirit in this hour!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66634062021-06-18T13:27:40-03:002021-06-18T20:28:24-03:00The Revival Wrestle<p>The Revival Wrestle! </p>
<p>I had a vision Weds night (June 9/21) during prayer meeting at our church, I was singing my song “Glory Enter Here.” As I was singing the final two chorus's (Open Wide, Heaven’s Gates, Let Your Glory Enter Here), I heard the word<em><strong> "Portal"</strong></em> in my spirit and <strong><em>“Jacob’s Ladder”</em></strong>. Then I saw Jacob wrestling with the Lord, and above the wrestle I saw gates open up, and a staircase into Heaven with angels ascending and descending. </p>
<p>I believe the Lord wants us to enter into the wrestle for revival! As we set our face and hearts toward God, His glory is going to come and we will have an open Heaven with Him. Earlier that afternoon as I was praying and seeking the Lord, I heard the Spirit speak to me, He said, “Fasting is required for the things you want to see!” I could feel the weightiness of the call to revival with the realization that it will cost me something. I am calling the “Call” the “Burden of Delight!” </p>
<p>Take a look at this account in <strong>Genesis 28</strong> when Jacobs eyes were opened to really see! </p>
<p><strong>Gen 28:10-16 </strong></p>
<p>10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep[c] you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” </p>
<p>I declare, surely the Lord is in this place! <strong>Surely the Lord is in Canada</strong>!!!! Will we know it and recognize what He desires to do through us the church?! “How awesome is this place,” Jacob said! And I declare, how awesome is THIS PLACE! I have said before, God chooses <em>peoples, places, times and seasons</em> to accomplish His Kingdom in the earth! The Lord said to Jacob, “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and Isaac, and I will give you this land!” The Lord will give to the church the land, He will give this nation into our hands if we will cry out for it! If we will yield to the yearning of the Spirit! He will give us our families and the generations! </p>
<p>On Jacob’s way back to his Father’s house, let’s pick up in <strong>Genesis 32</strong>. </p>
<p><strong>Gen 32:24-32</strong> </p>
<p>24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank. </p>
<p>Jacob wrestled with God! Jacob said, “I will not let You go until You bless me!” In the vision on Weds night I saw Jacob wrestling with the Lord under the portal of the open heaven! There is a wrestle that we must enter into, until the Spirit can see THIS ONE has set his heart, he’s not giving up until I give My Blessing!!!! We may carry the scars of the battle just as Jacob did, Jacob limped the rest of his life, but he also walked in the BLESSING!! He wrestled and prevailed! Will you be one that will wrestle this out, grab a hold of God and say I am not letting go until I see the portal of Heaven open and revival fire burn in my family, my community and my nation!! </p>
<p>That night the Spirit said, "I don't respond to needs, but I respond to faith!" He responds to faith! The need that looms so mightily in your eyes, must not be your focus, must not be your gaze! But Faith! Faith in the One Who moves the mountains! Jacob didn’t give up, the scripture literally says, “When He, (referring to the Lord) saw that He did not prevail against him!” Jacob prevailed!! And we must prevail in faith! </p>
<p>I found this beautiful quote from #saramaynard today, “A faith-filled prayer is a prayer that wrestles the resources of heaven into our time and space!” </p>
<p>As we seek the Lord and wrestle this out, may the Holy Ghost fill our mouths with supernatural decrees and prophetic words, dripping with His Anointing!! I believe we are on the very crux of the greatest revival of our generation, and we must continue to press in. He is moved by our faith to believe, and pray, and turn our hearts and face toward His! </p>
<p>When everyone had left the sanctuary on Weds night, I was still so undone by the Lord’s presence, I was sitting there and I saw a supernatural geyser explode in the middle of the room, I saw Golden Oil flowing from the geyser! It was magnificent to encounter and royal to behold. It was huge!!!! I believe this geyser explosion of the Holy Spirit is for every church in the body of Christ that will set their face to prevail with the Lord! I see in my spirit geysers bursting forth all across the nation of Canada!!! I believe it will be the result and harvest of prayers and fasting sown by God’s people! It will be the fruit of men and women of God opening their mouths wide, so God can fill it with confident decrees and prophetic utterances! (<strong>Psalms 81:10 “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!”</strong>) </p>
<p>Friend will you enter the Wrestle for Revival and prevail with God? Will you pray and give yourself to the “Burden of Delight!” </p>
<p>Have a blessed day everyone! ❤️🔥</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66985702021-05-29T00:00:00-03:002021-07-26T15:59:03-03:00Anointing in the Olive Tree<p>Last Saturday I was planting my garden, not a vegetable garden but a garden with flowers and trees in it. A garden to enjoy the scenery and aroma’s. I was planting, pruning, digging up, & replanting. And as I was doing this the Lord was impressing on me the significance of the timing, and I began to see a prophetic gesturing unfold. </p>
<p>“You are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building.” 1 Cor 3:9 (ampc) </p>
<p>On Monday this week, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say to me, “Look to the Trees!” which I thought was a strange thing for the Spirit to say, but then I was reminded of all the scripture that refer to “Trees and the Planting of the Lord” in the Bible. </p>
<p>Jesus Himself is referred to as the tender shoot or Branch. In <strong>Isaiah 53:2 For He [the Servant of God] grew up before Him like a tender shoot (or plant), And like a root out of dry ground. Isaiah 11:1 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch!” </strong></p>
<p>The Prophet Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would not bruise the person that is broken or crushed, referring to the person as a plant. <strong>“A bruised reed he will not break.” Isaiah 42:3 </strong></p>
<p>Our Lord Jesus was also crucified on a “Tree”. </p>
<p>Immediately, when I heard the Spirit of the Lord say “Look to the Trees” the Lord took me to Luke 21. </p>
<p><strong>Luke 21:29 Jesus said, “Look at the fig tree, and ALL the TREES!” </strong></p>
<p>The Lord began to show me in scripture that He compares the “Likeness” and “Characteristics” of “Trees or Plants” to people. </p>
<p>In Luke 21 Jesus wanted us to recognize the signs of the times, Backing up to <strong>Luke 21:10 He says, “There will be upheavals of every kind.” </strong></p>
<p>You will recognize the signs of the times by what is happening in the earth and you will recognize the signs of the times when you see the transformation of the <strong>“Fig Tree and ALL the TREES!” </strong></p>
<p>The TRANSFORMATION of all the TREES - “GOD IS IN A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMING ME!” </p>
<p>Many scholars believe the “Fig Tree” represents the nation of Israel. </p>
<p>The ‘Fathers of Israel’ or Patriarchs are seen as the first-fruits of the summer crop: </p>
<p><strong>Hosea 9:10 “I found Israel .. your fathers as the first fruits on the fig tree.” </strong></p>
<p>In Jeremiah, before Judah’s deportation to Babylon, God refers to the people on “4 levels” of “Good Figs” or “Bad Figs”. Please Note: Not just the Patriarch’s were compared to the figs, but the common people of Israel were also compared. </p>
<p><strong>Jeremiah 24:3 “The Lord said to me, ‘What do you see Jeremiah?’ And I said, ‘Figs, the good figs, and the VERY good figs, the bad figs, and the VERY bad figs, which cannot be eaten they are so bad.’” </strong></p>
<p>The Lord is unmistakably referring to “Types of People” to the “Types of Figs”. </p>
<p>The Lord was showing the prophet the quality of the chosen people of God, as associated with the figs ripeness, unripeness, sweetness, good or poor, edible or un-edible quality. </p>
<p>When looking to the trees, you don’t have to look very far to recognize that the “Oak Tree” represents individuals that display the healing power and righteousness of God! </p>
<p><strong>Isaiah 61:1 (tpt) </strong></p>
<p>1 </p>
<p>The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh[a] is wrapped around[b] me </p>
<p> because Yahweh has anointed me,[c] </p>
<p> as a messenger to preach good news to the poor.[d] </p>
<p> He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted, </p>
<p> to tell captives, “You are free,”[e] </p>
<p> and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.”[f] </p>
<p>2 </p>
<p>I am sent to announce a new season[g] of Yahweh’s grace[h] </p>
<p> and a time of God’s recompense on his enemies,[i] </p>
<p> to comfort all who are in sorrow, </p>
<p>3 </p>
<p>to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion— </p>
<p> to give them a beautiful bouquet, in the place of ashes, </p>
<p> the oil of bliss instead of tears, </p>
<p> and the mantle of joyous praise, instead of the spirit of heaviness. </p>
<p> Because of this, they will be known as……. </p>
<p>“Mighty Oaks of Righteousness” planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory. </p>
<p><em><strong>Let’s look to the characteristics of the “Oak Tree”! </strong></em></p>
<p>Wood from an Oak Tree is very strong and hard. Oak Trees grow to heights of up to 80 feet, with massive crowns and dense, heavy trunks. To support this size and weight, they rely on a large extensive root system to prevent them from falling over. </p>
<p>The Psalmist writes, </p>
<p><strong>Psalm 1:1-3 </strong></p>
<p>1 </p>
<p>What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways![b] </p>
<p> He won’t walk in step with the wicked, </p>
<p> nor share the sinner’s way, </p>
<p> nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat. </p>
<p>2 </p>
<p>His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” </p>
<p> meditating day and night[c] on the true revelation of light.[d] </p>
<p>3 </p>
<p>He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree </p>
<p> planted[e] by God’s design, </p>
<p> deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, </p>
<p> bearing fruit in every season of life. </p>
<p> He is never dry, never fainting, </p>
<p> ever blessed, ever prosperous. </p>
<p>The NKJV says, </p>
<p>He shall be like a tree </p>
<p>Planted by the rivers of water, </p>
<p>That brings forth its fruit in its season, </p>
<p>Whose leaf also shall not wither; </p>
<p>And whatever he does shall prosper. </p>
<p><strong>You and I are “Mighty Oaks”!!! </strong></p>
<p><strong>The “Oil Tree” is the representation of the Kingly and Priestly role of the church, the people of God in the earth as we see in the books of Zechariah and Revelation. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Zechariah 4:1-6 </strong></p>
<p>And the angel who talked with me came again and awakened me, like a man who is wakened out of his sleep. </p>
<p>2 And said to me, What do you see? I said, I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl [for oil] on the top of it and its seven lamps on it, and [there are] seven pipes to each of the seven lamps which are upon the top of it. </p>
<p>3 And there are two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side of it [feeding it continuously with oil]. </p>
<p>4 So I asked the angel who talked with me, What are these, my lord? </p>
<p>5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, Do you not know what these are? And I said, No, my lord. </p>
<p>6 Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts. </p>
<p><strong>Zechariah 4:11-14 </strong></p>
<p>11 Then I said to him [the angel who talked with me], What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on the left side of it? </p>
<p>12 And a second time I said to him, What are these two olive branches which are beside the two golden tubes or spouts by which the golden oil is emptied out? </p>
<p>13 And he answered me, Do you not know what these are? And I said, No, my lord. </p>
<p>14 Then said he, These are the two [b]sons of oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah, the two anointed ones] who stand before the Lord of the whole earth [as His anointed instruments]. </p>
<p>At that time, Joshua the High Priest, and Zerubbabel the King of Judah, were raised up as the “Olive Trees” who would feed the Spirit of God to the Lamp-stand of their time, the “Children of Israel”! They would act as God’s instruments to hear the Word of the Lord, and they, as well as all of Israel would heed the Anointing! “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts!” </p>
<p>The “Olive Tree” represents PEOPLE who will stand before the Lord as instruments of His “OIL”. People who will be obedient to the call of God on their lives, and give themselves over to the useful purpose of birthing the Anointing in the earth, in our families, in our churches and in our communities! The “Olive Trees” feed oil to those around them. Revelation and Wisdom is on their tongues. They stir up the Anointing within them and lead out feeding oil others! </p>
<p>As a mother, Look at your family as your lamp-stand to feed Heavenly Oil to. Determine in your spirit that you will be the “Oil Tree”! You will say yes to the Spirit of God! </p>
<p>Be an Olive Tree to your sphere of influence! Be an Olive Tree in your church! Be an Olive Tree in your communities! </p>
<p><strong>Psalm 52:8 But I am like a flourishing olive tree, ANOINTED in the house of God. I trust in the unending love God, His passion toward me is forever and ever. tpt </strong></p>
<p>It’s so amazing when different ones in our church will stand up with a prayer to pray or share a word they feel burning in their heart, Some will stand and say I feel we need to do something in this service, they will proceed to heed the voice of the Spirit. We’ve given room for the “Oil Trees” in our church to feed the oil that God has deposited in them to our lamp-stand! When we do this our lamp burns ever brighter, and God moves in power amongst the body! </p>
<p><strong>Rev 11:3-6 tpt And I will authorize my two witnesses to prophesy, wearing sackcloth for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. (Or 3.5 years) These two witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lamp-stands that stand before the Lord God of the whole earth. 5 If anyone attempts to harm them, fire will flow out of their mouths and consume their foes. All who seek to harm them will die in this way. They have authority to shut the heavens so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophesying. They have authority over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague imaginable, as often as they desire. </strong></p>
<p>Passion Translation footnotes excerpt says, “Some scholars see the two Olive Trees as Moses or Elijah, others view them as believing Jews & Gentiles.” </p>
<p>Either way, the 2 Olive Trees are PEOPLE!!! Because God chooses to flow His oil through PEOPLE!!! They are INSTRUMENTS of the OIL of God, releasing the Word of God! </p>
<p>Notice that previously in Revelation 1:12, John saw “7 golden lamp-stands”. He saw 7 predominate churches, and now suddenly in Revelation 11 we have only “2 lamp-stands” left. It would seem either there was a huge falling away, or maybe the church would have come into a place of incredible unity and oneness! Maybe there is a little bit of both that has taken place! </p>
<p>Notice how the role of the “Olive Trees” was to prophecy the Word of the Lord and to move in the miraculous! </p>
<p>Think of the thrust of the church today and the powerful voices that have arisen throughout the generations since the inception of the church! Men and women of God! Oil Trees that put on sackcloth that they might become instruments of the OIL, yielded vessels to the glory of God! </p>
<p>I think of Kathryn Kuhlman a woman through whom the Anointing healed tens of thousands of people! Whenever asked what her secret was to the “Anointing” she would say, “It has cost me everything!” Or she would say, “One must YIELD.” </p>
<p><strong>Jeremiah 11:16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: </strong></p>
<p><strong>Isaiah 41:17-19 </strong></p>
<p>17. “The poor and needy are seeking water, but there is none; </p>
<p>Their tongues are parched with thirst. </p>
<p>I, the Lord, will answer them Myself; </p>
<p>I, the God of Israel, will not neglect them. </p>
<p>18. I will open rivers on the barren heights </p>
<p>And springs in the midst of the valleys; </p>
<p>I will make the wilderness a reed-pool of water </p>
<p>And the dry land springs of water. </p>
<p>19. I will put the cedar in the wilderness, </p>
<p>The acacia, the myrtle and the olive tree; </p>
<p>I will place the juniper in the desert </p>
<p>Together with the box tree and the cypress. </p>
<p>The Lord has placed the “OIL TREE” in the midst of the desert! The spiritual tongue of the wicked is parched and dry, but the Lord has planted Oil Trees on the barren heights! Where every tree is planted, it is promised that waters will flow. </p>
<p>For example: Because "Emily" is located in "Avondale", Oil will flow there because she is the planting of the Lord! Because of Emily is an “Olive Tree”, provision is made for others! </p>
<p>Because of your existence in your family, waters will flow! Because of your existence in the desert, waters will flow and rivers of supernatural life will be opened up! Because of your geographical planting, springs will burst forth! </p>
<p>You are the planting of the Lord in this hour!! You are key and vital to the lamp-stand you feed! </p>
<p>You are an Olive Tree in your Family!</p>
<p>You are an Olive Tree in your Church </p>
<p>You are an Olive Tree in your Community </p>
<p>You are an Olive Tree in this Nation, God has given you prophetic prayers to pray concerning the Nation of Canada. </p>
<p>We have come through an unprecedented time in the Nations, Stand tall like the mighty Oak, the Olive, the Cedar! God Bless you! </p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189332021-05-01T10:01:34-03:002021-05-01T10:37:11-03:00Happiness Is<p>There is a struggle for happiness these days. Happiness and peace seem to be a fleeting “Feeling” for individuals and families. I want to follow up on the last word the Lord gave me “Settle” and look at what keeps us from that place of being settled in life and how can we shift. </p>
<p><em><strong>“Why are you downcast oh my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God: For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 43:5 </strong></em></p>
<p>The writer of this Psalm was pleading his case to God and literally saying in the previous verses <em><strong>"Vindicate me oh God, plead my cause “AGAINST AN UNGODLY NATION.” </strong></em>He goes to the length of even blaming God a little, he said, <em><strong>“Why do You cast me off? Bring me to Your holy hill!” </strong></em>When you read the whole Psalm you can feel and see the struggle of how he felt and yet he knew truth and knew that God was faithful. He ends the Psalm with verse 5, <em><strong>“For I shall yet praise Him!” </strong></em></p>
<p>This struggle reminds me so much of what I see happening in the hearts and minds of my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ all over the place. By times I see it happening in my own home. A disquietness. The focus of our eye is focused on the actions of the oppressor, the mourning, oppression, the questionings. We find ourselves in a place of deep conflict inside because we know the One in whom our hope should rest. </p>
<p>I know we are facing heavy things in this season, I don’t need to list them here. It’s coming at us from every side, and even from surprising places. Society is pretty focused on everything that is wrong, and this way of thinking can really cling to you. So let’s you and I shift like the writer of Psalm 43! </p>
<p><em><strong>“Then I will go to the altar of God, TO GOD MY EXCEEDING JOY, and on the harp I will praise You O God, my God.” Psalm 43:4 </strong></em></p>
<p>When we go to the altar of His presence, suddenly we shift into Heaven’s Reality. (<strong><em>“In Your presence there is fullness of joy!” Psalm 16:11</em></strong>) It’s a shift of focus, It’s a shift of what is being poured in, it’s a shift of what will now be poured out! </p>
<p>Look at how the passion translations pens verse 4! <em><strong>“I will praise you with the harp that PLAYS IN MY HEART to You!” </strong></em>Wow, this sounds like an INTERNAL SHIFT!!!! </p>
<p>Lord I pray for everyone reading this that they will receive that internal shift as they enter Your Gates of Thanksgiving with hearts of praise! </p>
<p>Let’s remember <em><strong>Psalm 100</strong></em> (Passion): </p>
<p><em><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/21960/6a5d896b65e6dae38120706590ef440c8f317ca6/original/pink-mothers-day-facebook-post.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></em></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66152092021-04-27T14:41:21-03:002021-05-01T10:37:36-03:00Settle<p>I’ve been hearing the Lord speaking a word in my heart this week, “Settle.” Maybe this is a word your heart needs to hear also! I pray whatever you may be facing in your life that a calm and a joy would wash over your heart and mind as you “Settle” into His peace and the new thing the Lord has for you. Maybe you’re getting used to a “new normal”, maybe you have even physically moved to a new place, maybe you have been grieving over loss. I speak the word “Settle” over you. </p>
<p>My girls and I planted some early seeds this week and I see the imagery that we are the planting of the Lord, “Settle” your heart and let your roots take hold. </p>
<p>In <em><strong>Nehemiah 8</strong></em> the children of Israel had returned to re-establish Jerusalem and rebuild the ruins. They found themselves in a new place geographically. </p>
<p><em><strong>And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. </strong></em></p>
<p>Do not grieve any longer, let the Lord settle your heart and put roots down. Go your way, eat and drink, give to those in need, look after your own family and continue to build where God has placed you. </p>
<p>To provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair." "Then people will call them "Oaks of Righteousness", "The Planting of the LORD", in order to display his splendour. Is 61:3 </p>
<p>Have a blessed day everyone!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189472021-04-20T10:00:00-03:002021-05-01T10:37:49-03:00Gather<p><em><strong>Acts 2:4 On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were “GATHERED” “in one place.” Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! </strong></em>TPT </p>
<p>When they were “GATHERED TOGETHER”, in “ONE PLACE!” </p>
<p>For about a week I kept hearing the Lord say the word GATHER! Gather Body of Christ! Gather! I believe more now than ever we need community with one another and unity of Spirit! When the people of God come together, amazing things happen! </p>
<p>In <strong>Acts 4:31</strong> we see yet another incredible, supernatural manifestation of power as the disciples gathered in one place in unity of the Spirit. </p>
<p><em><strong>As they prayed the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness. Acts 4:31 </strong></em></p>
<p>When you get the right people gathered together at the right time in the right place things begin to move, and the power of God begins to pour out. There is a tangibility that happens when we come together in person and we can see and touch and hear! The enemy has been trying so hard to separate and keep apart! But that’s not God’s way, we were meant to live life together! With this word I am by no means inciting rebellion against government rule, however I am compelled to stir you up to kick back against demonic darkness that is behind the separation and seclusion of the peoples with prayers, fasting, declarations, and spiritual warfare. <strong><em>Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? Psalm 2:1</em></strong> The "Why" is most definitely grounded in wicked supernatural persuasion. </p>
<p>Yet the Spirit is yearning for the "Gathering" of His people! </p>
<p>There are so many examples of a “coming together” that we need to consider. My heart grieves for our senior population. Thinking of grandparents and grandchildren, and the impartation that belongs to the destiny of the next generation. Words muttered from their lips to our spirit. </p>
<p>I can think of moments of encounter with God that impacted my own life to never be the same again when we “Gathered Together!” Encounters that took place on church floors because a people gathered in a spirit of unity and the presence of God came and created an insatiable desire in my heart for more of God. Without the coming together there would not have been those particular encounters! </p>
<p>House prayer meetings and Bible studies! Amazing things happen when the 2’s, and 3’s, and 4’s “Gather!” I’ll never forget my grandmother being healed of terminal cancer at one of these powerful gatherings! I hear the Spirit saying, “Body of Christ around the world it is time to gather!” </p>
<p>I also heard the Lord speaking the word “Consummation.” </p>
<p>The word Consummation means: </p>
<p>The act of making something complete or perfect. </p>
<p>The apex, apogee, capstone, climax, glory days, height, hey day, high tide, high point, level up, peak, prime, plumb. </p>
<p>In that little study of words, The word plumb stuck out to me. In the Bible: A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to make sure a structure is centred. </p>
<p>I believe the “Gathering” of the people of God is going to be a “Plumb-Line” for the people in these days. In gathering together we will see the unity of Spirit, we will stir up the revival of our hearts, we will see the consummation of all things in Christ as we gather together! </p>
<p>It took Peter coming together with Cornelius, and it took Ananias coming together with Saul, it took Philip meeting with a eunuch from Ethiopia! It took people meeting with people, face to face for the works of the Spirit to be accomplished! </p>
<p>The “Gathering” doesn’t have to just be in churches or in homes, it can be gathering on the street corners, in parks, on the subway, it’s personal connection! Let us not settle in this spirit of seclusion, proclaim this word over the the body of Christ where you live. Let us take up our authority in the Kingdom and intercede for the unity of the spirit in the body of Christ. </p>
<p>I’ll close with <em><strong>Hebrews 10:23-25</strong></em> Passion Translation </p>
<p><em><strong>So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning. </strong></em></p>
<p>I believe when we’re “Gathered”, we are POSITIONED for the Spirit to move! Gathering together in a spirit of unity will be a plumb-line and bring the CONSUMMATION!! Lord bring the release as we invoke the name of Jesus over our towns, cities and regions!!!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/21960/ddc663aa12b28fc14025a5cf89ad4a13f617a489/original/togetherness.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189532021-04-06T10:00:00-03:002021-05-01T10:38:04-03:00Seedtime And Harvest<p>I’ve been hearing the Lord say SEED TIME & HARVEST! </p>
<p>We are truly in a time where we must look at our lives, our ministries, or what have you and survey the dry, fallow ground that God desires to plow up in our lives, sow seed and reap a harvest! Take a moment and think about any areas in your life that need sowing! </p>
<p>Do you have areas that are dry and parched and nothing is growing? </p>
<p><em><strong>Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. </strong></em></p>
<p>It is time to break up the fallow ground and sow seed! </p>
<p>THE LAW OF SEEDTIME AND HARVEST: </p>
<p>Seedtime and harvest is an operation of giving and taking, it’s reciprocity! You can’t have one without the other. If you want a harvest you have to sow seed that is pertinent to the harvest! </p>
<p><em><strong>2 Corinthians 9:10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. </strong></em></p>
<p>You may think I don’t have any seed to sow! Well, I have good news for you! He will give you seed! You have a kingdom supplier who will provide seed for you. He will impress on your heart what to pray, He will impress kindness and love, He will impress conversations, and circumstance to sow seed, He will impress thoughts in your spirit that will turn into seeds as you act in faith! He will give you your seeds! It’s up to you to plant them! He will send the sun and the rain to make the seeds grow! </p>
<p><em><strong>Hosea 6:11 ... a harvest is appointed ... </strong></em></p>
<p>Just as there is an appointed time to sow seed, there is also an appointed time for the harvest! Be assured people of God, if you sow, harvest time will come Hallelujah!!! </p>
<p><em><strong>Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>John 4:35-36 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.” </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Luke 10:2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” </strong></em></p>
<p>ASK THE LORD TO SEND YOU!!! </p>
<p>I shared this message with my Mommies Group and the Lord gave me a picture of every one taking a few moments to hear from the Lord and write down those seeds that the Lord would impress on their hearts! It was amazing what came forth, and the thread of the Spirit! </p>
<p>I also feel to encourage you, take a few moments, ask the Lord what are the seeds he’s giving you to sow? Are they prayers for your children? Are they conversations with strangers in the market place? Is it inviting your friends into your home and sharing communion and building community in the spirit? Is it heading up a new program of outreach in your church, starting a prayer group, a new Bible study, is it being bold to lay hands on the sick and believe for healing? The seeds of the Lord flowing from His fountain are endless!!! Take a few moments and listen to His impressions today and make your list and pray, and then act when He gives you the go! I pray that you will become filled with prophetic impressions and seeds to sow! God Bless!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189492021-03-01T10:00:00-04:002021-05-01T10:38:20-03:00Anchored In Hope<p>Good Morning Friends! I’m gonna dive right in this morning, I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying “YOU are ANCHORED in HOPE” Someone needs to hear this message today! Let’s see what the Word of God says about being anchored in HOPE in <em><strong>Hebrews 6:18-20 </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>18. "We who have fled [to Him] for refuge would have STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT and INDWELLING STRENGTH to hold tightly to the HOPE set before us." </strong></em></p>
<p>Do you feel discouraged today? Let’s take some revelation honey from this scripture! Paul writes, WE WHO HAVE FLED! Oh Hallelujah! Flee into the arms of grace today! Flee from the discouragement and hopelessness you see in this world. As Paul said, WE WHO HAVE FLED TO HIM FOR REFUGE! Flee the discouragements into the arms of a loving Saviour Jesus Christ. That you WOULD HAVE STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT AND INDWELLING STRENGTH! He will infuse into your soul a hope as we will see later on in this text, HOPE will provide PRESENCE of God! He says HOLD TIGHTLY TO THE HOPE SET BEFORE US! </p>
<p><em><strong>19. “This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an ANCHOR of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope! </strong></em></p>
<p>This hope will anchor your soul! Your soul represents your mind, your will and your emotions. Whatever you are battling with, God’s got this! Are you worried about your children? Your marriage? Your work? I declare over you today that you are anchored in hope! He knows what you deal with on a day to day basis, lean into this hope! </p>
<p>The text goes on to say, <em><strong>“A safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very PRESENCE of God dwells], 20 where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever…” </strong></em></p>
<p>Praise God! You are anchored in a hope that will usher you into the very PRESENCE OF GOD! How powerful is that! Enter in today friends with hope and full assurance, He is with you and bringing the deliverance you and your family need! Have a blessed day everyone!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/21960/01f755be5836f113e9759f06ab189ac2cc0a7474/original/ancored-in.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189502021-02-14T10:00:00-04:002021-05-01T10:38:59-03:00Love Covers - Valentine Blog<p>Today on Valentines Day 2021, I celebrate my 24th Wedding Anniversary with my husband Brad Israelson! 24 years ago today I said I do, I said be my forever Valentine! 24 years and 5 children later I’m still saying be mine!</p>
<p>I will never forget while we were dating Brad quoted to me a beautiful scripture. I remember the moment vividly, we were in my parents home in Bentley, Alberta, <em><strong>“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Pet 4:8</strong></em></p>
<p>I feel like this scripture has been foundational in our relationship all these years. These words <strong>“Love Covers”</strong> speak to me, reminds me how Jesus love covered for us. Have you ever had someone cover for you at work? You were on schedule to work and you couldn’t make it so your friend covered for you. Or maybe someone has covered for you when you were stuck in a situation and someone stepped up for you and covered you so you didn’t have the burden of carrying the situation alone?</p>
<p>Essentially this is what Jesus did for us. He covered for us. <em><strong>“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18</strong></em> Jesus covered for us and settled once and for all a debt that we owed and could not pay.</p>
<p>Have you ever considered this in your marriage? In a day and age where 30% of Christian marriages end in divorce we need to be intentional with “Love Covers.” Choosing to love and cover one another is not always an easy way, but as we see in the scriptures above it’s Gods way. God covers our weaknesses and loves us through our struggles. <em><strong>My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12:9</strong></em></p>
<p>Could Gods grace be sufficient for you when you encounter your spouses weaknesses? Could Gods grace literally flow THROUGH you TO your spouse? I believe it can! <strong>“Love Covers”</strong> is an extending of grace when our flesh would rather condemn.</p>
<p>Brad and I have had our fair share of ups and downs in our marriage, things haven’t been perfect, but we’ve learned to cover one another with love. I can see Gods love waving like a banner over my spouse, I will accept Gods invitation to enter that kind of love.</p>
<p><em><strong>Song Of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him].</strong></em> I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in “Love Covers”, settle it in your heart today and don’t look back! Happy Valentine’s Day friends!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/21960/61bdd9067f37820983d595a2d1b8e9f3b0d0a60f/original/love-covers.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189612021-02-01T11:05:00-04:002021-05-01T10:55:36-03:00Unshakable Unmovable Faith<p>God is calling you and I to unshakable, unmovable faith in this hour! Let the Word of God bring alignment to your Spirit </p>
<p><strong>There are 2 Camps:</strong> Faith and Religion That Lacks Power </p>
<p><em><strong>Hebrews 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. </strong></em></p>
<p>I heard the Lord say “Tell the people, Let Jesus do His job! Let’s Align our hearts with what God is saying in this hour. God is calling for an alignment of the outflow from our hearts through our mouths. Out of the abundance heart the mouth speaks. So we need to get the knowledgeable that we know into our hearts through meditation, therefore aligning our mouths with Heaven. </p>
<p><strong>In the secret Holy place is where we get aligned with Heaven. </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>2 Corinthians 3:16-18 Whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom) But we all, with open (unveiled) face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. </strong></em></p>
<p>The NIV puts it this way, <em><strong>"Contemplate on the Lord’s Glory." </strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Contemplate:</strong> Look thoughtfully for a long time at, think profoundly at at length, meditate </p>
<p>So as we contemplate on the Lords glory or spend a lengthy amount of time looking thoughtfully into the Lord we are changed from glory to glory in His presence. </p>
<p><em><strong>Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” </strong></em></p>
<p>YOU CANNOT GET SUPERNATURAL SUSTENANCE FROM NATURAL SOURCES. YOU CAN ONLY RECEIVE STRENGTH FROM THE SUPERNATURAL, THROUGH SUPERNATURAL SOURCES! </p>
<p><em><strong>Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” </strong></em></p>
<p>TAKE DOMINION! In May 2020 I heard the Spirit say, "Take Dominion of the Land!"</p>
<p>Take dominion over Covid in your area, take dominion and command the land to be healed and opened back up! If we don’t take our authority as kingdom people the demonic will run wild and rampant. People of God we have the upper hand, we know what to do to! Its time to do it! </p>
<p>Take authority over your town. Your Zone, Your Province/State. Be the voice of one crying out, an intercessor, a watchman on the wall! </p>
<p><em><strong>Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. </strong></em></p>
<p>The gates of Hell shall not prevail against us! We are in a war, take up your weapons in the Spirit, we are not fighting against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and forces in realms unseen. We win, the battle rages all around us, it’s up to us to put on the armour so we can successfully withstand. </p>
<p>You are unshakeable, & unmoveable, in Prayer, Word & Worship! Have a blessed day!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189792021-01-24T11:00:00-04:002021-05-01T11:12:27-03:00Better Word<p><em><strong>Hebrews 12:22-24 You have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, And to the church of the Firstborn who are registered as citizens of Heaven, and to the God who is judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, the redeemed in heaven who have been made perfect</strong>, <strong>And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant (uniting God and man), and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks (of mercy), a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel (which cried out vengeance) </strong></em></p>
<p>Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than Abel’s because Abel’s blood cried out for retribution, on the other hand Jesus’ blood cries out grace. Abel’s blood speaks of sin, Jesus’ blood speaks of righteousness and right standing with God. The word spoken by Abel’s blood alienated the sinner from God. Jesus’ blood is able to reconcile the sinner into the arms of a loving God. </p>
<p>Abel was gone, murdered by his brother Cain, yet his blood cried out for justice. </p>
<p>In <em><strong>Gen 4:13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Your face (presence) I will be hidden, and I will be a fugitive and an [aimless] vagabond on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, a sevenfold vengeance [that is, punishment seven times worse] shall be taken on him [by Me].” And the Lord set a [protective] mark (sign) on Cain, so that no one who found him would kill him. </strong></em></p>
<p>You see God had great compassion for Cain as well, He loved him… </p>
<p>The Lord had said to Cain previously, <em><strong>“Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed? 7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], BUT YOU MUST MASTER IT.” </strong></em></p>
<p>God tenderly and lovingly tried to instruct Cain before the sin happened and before his curse was brought upon him. </p>
<p>I tend to believe that God’s protection on his life was so that maybe one day Cain would learn to master the battle that had invaded his mind that led him to murder his brother, so God ensured that no one could harm Cain. </p>
<p><strong>Who Do You Identify With? </strong></p>
<p>Some days I identify with Abel… I’m a worshipper, I love the house of the Lord, I love God’s people. </p>
<p>Yet Some days I feel I have identified with Cain… And the battle field of the mind can cause me to cary such a heavy load if I don’t recognize the source of the battle. </p>
<p>What if I told you that the thoughts you struggle with were not your thoughts and you could close the door to the thoughts you struggle with? Those thoughts will only accuse you if you make them yours! </p>
<p>Church in this hour we can’t allow that door to be open to the devil! We must close the door on the demonic realm of influence in the battle field of the mind! This must be done every day! Take preemptive strikes on him!!!!! </p>
<p><em><strong>"Lift up overall (some versions say above all!!) the covering shield of faith upon which you quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one!"</strong></em></p>
<p>It takes faith to believe in this stuff!!!! <em><strong>"And take the HELMET of SALVATION!"</strong></em></p>
<p>The moment of SALVATION occurred for the saints when Jesus BLOOD was spilled and poured out for us! The precious blood of Christ cries out I am Healed! It cries out, I am forgiven! It cries out, I’m set free! It cries out my destiny! It cries out freedom from sin and shame! It cries out and says I’m not who I once was! </p>
<p>JESUS BLOOD CRIES OUT MERCY!!!!! IT CRIES OUT MERCY FOR ME, IT CRIES OUT MERCY FOR YOU, AND IT CRIES OUT MERCY STILL FOR THE UNSAVED!</p>
<p>The Blood of Christ has re-written your History, you are one that is redeemed! I heard the Lord say.. “You are Established in Righteousness!” You are the Ecclesia! </p>
<p><strong>Isaiah 61:3 "Says that we are the planting of the Lord, that we may be called oaks of righteousness."</strong> You are an Oak of Righteousness </p>
<p>Let the blood of Jesus speak a better word over you today! Have a blessed day everyone! </p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189852020-12-15T11:00:00-04:002021-05-01T11:21:42-03:00Arise Shine<p>Arise Shine! - I want to share with you what the Lord was ministering to me last evening. These words rang in my spirit, “Evil and corruption have underestimated the strength and power of the body of Christ!” </p>
<p>When Jesus the babe came lying in a manger so fragile and so meek Satan had no idea what God was up to, likewise in this hour, he has no clue what the body of Christ is capable of and the plan that God is going to carry out. </p>
<p>The early church began with 120 radical men and women filled with the Spirit of God! Now there are men, women and children from every nation, tribe and tongue filled with God’s Spirit! This all began with One when Jesus came and now His Spirit resides in millions!!! </p>
<p>Yes! The enemy is underestimating the people of God when we come into the unity of the Holy Spirit! </p>
<p>Imagine for a moment... Jesus came filled and anointed with the Spirit of God, He was then multiplied to 120! Since then the 120 has been multiplied by millions upon millions filled with the anointing and presence!!! That’s a whole lot of “Spirit of God” that has permeated the earth!!! </p>
<p>2020 has been a year of awakening and sobering for the church. The sleeping giant has been aroused! “Then I saw in my spirit a huge sleeping giant being aroused and awakened to its feet, to its foundation!” Standing tall and strong, standing high above all others! The demon hoards tremble at even the thoughts of such a sight let alone the reality of it! Shake off the heavy bands church! Lift up holy hands and worship! It’s not too late! Never give up, never give room to the doom and gloom of Satan! Arise Shine! Be the Light! You are the Light! </p>
<p>Bring on 2021!!!!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/21960/3cde7123ccf4226ebc5173c785319af2c37d33ee/original/space-quote-graphic-instagram-post.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189862020-11-25T11:40:00-04:002021-05-01T11:27:57-03:00Stay The Course In Persecution<p><em><strong>I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ Acts 22:7 </strong></em></p>
<p>Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? Persecution was very real in the early church and continues today. Saul who was zealous for the Torah and Hebrew teaching and traditions found himself kicking against God Himself in the face of Jesus Christ. He thought he was working and doing great service for God when he had a life surrendering encounter with Jesus! Jesus asked him, <em><strong>“Why are you persecuting Me?” </strong></em></p>
<p>Have you ever been persecuted by those you thought were on the same side? Fellow Christians? In this story Saul (soon to be Paul) was a Jew persecuting other Jews for their “Extreme Faith!” </p>
<p>Maybe you have been persecuted or misunderstood by others in your circles. I hear the Spirit whispering today, “Stay the course, don’t be discouraged, don’t be sidetracked.” </p>
<p>I have felt that way, more than once in my 42 years. People see me as a strong person in Spirit, but my journey didn’t start out that way. I’ve had to overcome fear and insecurities. I’ve had to overcome persecutions and misunderstandings. </p>
<p>If your in the middle of persecution right now I want to whisper in your ear, stay the course. Lay hold of your destiny and don’t let go. Don’t take off your breastplate of righteousness and stoop to the godless chatter of criticisms. <em><strong>Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14</strong></em> Stay the course my friend and never give up!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/21960/52adbe1b29ae88fecb4408c1482efd86a2596516/original/stay-the-course.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/64624942020-10-24T11:42:13-03:002022-04-22T08:39:02-03:00Esther Anointing<p><em>Bridal Preparations & Intercession</em> - Originally Released Oct 17/20 </p>
<p>I truly believe that we the church are living in the days of bridal preparation, the church is being prepared as a bride for the day of the Bridegroom. In Jewish tradition, preparation for the betrothal ceremony, the bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) are separately immersed in water in a ritual called the MIKVAH. </p>
<p>Jesus was immersed into a baptism of complete surrender to the will of the Father. Mark 10:38, "But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" </p>
<p>Just as the Bridegroom was immersed in the waters of surrender, the Bride too is immersed into a baptism of complete surrender, refining, and separation for the bridegroom. John said in Matt 3:11, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: </p>
<p>In this season of bridal preparation, the Lord is refining the bride in many areas, but a few that have been brought to my attention are those of <em><strong>Character, Anointing, & First Love. </strong></em></p>
<p><strong>2 Cor 11:2 </strong>For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.</p>
<p><strong>Rev 19:7-9 </strong>Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. </p>
<p>The Lord has been highlighting to me the record of the life of Queen Esther, She is a type and shadow of the church, the bride of Christ. To summarize the life of Queen Esther, first of all she was a jew and despised by her cultural society, she was orphaned, but yet she was summoned with all the other virgins to the Kingdom to seek the favour of the King, through which she underwent intense preparation for a time through the care and oversight of Hegai the custodian of the women. She gained favour in the sight of the king and became queen only to learn of the plight of her peoples future was to be one of destruction because of their scheming, hateful enemies. Under the direction of her adoring uncle Mordecai, Queen Esther again prepared herself through fastings and many tears to intercede for the fate of her fellow kinsmen the jews, that she might find favour in the eyes of the king to bring her cry before him. Her preparation and beauty was found delightful in the sight of the king and her intercession for her people brought a great deliverance in the land! </p>
<p>Lets look at the scripture text in Esther </p>
<p><strong>Esther 2:2-3 </strong></p>
<p>Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king; and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the citadel, into the women’s quarters, under the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, custodian of the women. And let beauty preparations be given them. </p>
<p>I want to highlight, and point out to you 2 things from this scripture as we continue to read. </p>
<p><strong><em>#1. Let’s look at Hegai, a type of the Holy Spirit </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>#2. The Beauty Preparations under the guidance of Hegai </em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Esther 2:8-9 </strong>So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women. </p>
<p><strong>Esther 2:12</strong> After she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. </p>
<p><strong>Esther 2:15</strong> Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. </p>
<p><em><strong>I see 4 Takeaways from the Scriptures above. </strong></em></p>
<p><strong>#1. The Oil of Myrrh: </strong>Represents our Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Myrrh was the main ingredient that the priests used in the temple for anointing oil and anointing oil represents Holiness. </p>
<p>This time of preparation that Esther underwent with the precious oil and perfumes for her beautification represents our preparation as the body and bride of Christ, the purification and beautifying of the bride! We are to be well acquainted with the baptism of oil, the Holy Ghost and fire. </p>
<p><strong>#2. Perfumes & Preparation: </strong>Represents the prayers of the saints. This aroma is sweet in the nostrils of God and our prayers are stored in vials in Heaven. </p>
<p>We are to be a praying church releasing the perfumes of prayer and worship arising to the very throne of God. Interceding on behalf of one another, interceding for governments and the nations </p>
<p><strong>#3. Best Place: </strong>(in the house of women) Represents our encounter in the secret place, our communion and relationship with the Lord. </p>
<p>Esther was provided with a <strong><em>“place” </em></strong>for her beautification, allow the Holy Spirit to draw you into the secret place, a place of fellowship, peace, communion, worship, protection from chaos of what might be happening on the outside, a “place” of encountering God. </p>
<p>The Lord really stirred my heart a few weeks ago to create a literal space in our home that is a dedicated area to the presence. I chose our living room. I have my piano set up in there, so a lot of worship already comes forth from that place already, so I removed the tv, and I dedicated that space to worship and prayer. </p>
<p><strong>#4. Esther Appropriated Only What Hegai Advised: </strong>Represents our dependance on the Holy Spirit to advise, teach and guide our lives with distinction. </p>
<p>We as the church must recognize the role of the Holy Spirit as Custodian of our lives just as Esther recognized the role that Hegai played in her preparation. </p>
<p><em><strong>And All of this!!!! </strong></em>The Bible says was “provided for her from the Kings palace.” As we look to the Kingdom of God and set our gaze there, we will find Kingdom provision. </p>
<p>I find it interesting that Esthers time of preparation was 12 months. Reminds me of the 10 virgins in scripture in Matt 25:6, “And at midnight (or the twelfth hour) a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out (come out from your “Place of Preparation”) to meet him!’ Upon the completion of the chaste virgins preparation and beautification, the cry was sent forth that the Bridegroom was coming! Their lamps were filled with oil, even though for a moment they slept in the waiting, they were prepared and ready upon Bridegroom’s arrival. </p>
<p><em><strong>In closing, let’s briefly look at “For Such a Time as This” </strong></em></p>
<p>The Lord had been whispering in my ears for the past several weeks, “For such a time as this!” On the 4th day of this week, Oct 14th, I couldn’t get away from my spirit crying out the words, “for such a time as this”, so I looked up the text in scripture. Much to my delight I realized that it was found in the 14th verse of 4th chapter of Esther! Thus confirming to me further that the Lord was leading me into study on this powerful story! To top it off, like icing on the cake, as I’m sitting their on my bed with my bible opened to Esther 4:14, I randomly picked up my phone and turned on facebook and there was a memory reminder that pops up! On Oct 14/17 we recorded the video for my sister’s song Chosen “Israel” downtown Fredericton in front of City Hall. Chosen “Israel” is a beautiful song of prayer and intercession for Israel! Amazing amazing! When the Holy Spirit is speaking, He has a way of getting our attention! </p>
<p>Looking in context at<strong> Esther 4:14 </strong>we realize that Esther is now queen and wicked Haman had been sent with the destructive decree that decimation was to be served to the jews! The kings command and decree sent the people of God into a frenzy of great mourning, weeping and fasting. Once again Esther finds herself in a place of receiving “admonition” from a source of leadership in her life, only this time it wasn’t coming from Hegai. This time it was coming from her uncle, a type of “Father” figure in her life. These were his words to her. </p>
<p>For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your fathers house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?<strong> Esther 4:14 </strong></p>
<p>Let’s take a moment to look at current events. There has been a modern day Mordecai cry released from the Fathers of our faith in the hour in which we now live. To name a handful we have heard this cry being released Jonathan Cahn, Franklin Graham, Dutch Sheets, Bill Johnson & David Demian, but there are many many more releasing this call of intercession! </p>
<p>Esther responded to Mordecai’s call with action! She took the advice of the “Father Figure” and admonished that all should pray and fast and seek the Lord in such a tumultuous time! Esther chapter 5 says that on the 3rd day she adorned herself in her beautiful royal robes and stood in the inner court of the the king’s palace! When the king saw her standing in the inner court she found favour in his sight! Could it be that in all her preparation from the beginning of her royal journey that God would anoint her to be the intercessor for an entire people? Could God be raising up anointed, prepared Esther’s all over the world in every nation to stand in royal robes of righteousness and beauty in the inner court of the King and intercede for the peoples? The king said to her, “Esther, what is your request? What is your petition?” </p>
<p><em><strong>God has placed you for such a time as this in His kingdom right where you are, to bring the Esther anointing into the earth! I believe our Kings response will be, What is your request? What is your petition?</strong></em></p>
<p>Here is one final scripture to portray the beauty of how God tenderly prepares those He loves. </p>
<p><strong>Ezekiel 16:8-14 </strong>'When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,' says the Lord GOD. “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of fine flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royalty. Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you," says the Lord GOD.</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66189992020-10-01T11:00:00-03:002021-05-01T11:36:07-03:00Worship Creates Breakthrough<p><em><strong>“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor 10:3-5 </strong></em></p>
<p>My heart’s desire is to see others enter into the realms of worship and glory that the Lord has in store for them! </p>
<p>We all have our story, mine is one of growing up in an atmosphere of constant ministry as my family had a traveling music ministry. We were singing evangelists and travelled coast to coast in Canada from the time I was just a little girl and all my teenage years till I was married and having my own babies. From very early on in my life, I had a deep awareness of the presence of God and would often times awaken my sister in the night (who slept with me). I would sit straight up in bed preaching or worshiping at the top of my lungs under the influence of the Holy Ghost, or cry out in tongues! She would tell me the next morning, “You were preaching in your sleep again!” Haha! Often times I would sing myself to sleep and dream the same dream over and over that I was prophesying and leading countless thousands in worship! Lol I remember those dreams vividly and the unction I felt in my belly that I now know to be the Anointing. </p>
<p>Yet as a young person always being on display in front of other people caused me to slip into a guise of perfectionism. I had to act perfect, look perfect and perform perfectly. Perfectionism will deal you a very difficult hand because no one can attain perfection, I began to experience depression as a young person, never feeling I could attain perfection, and I struggled with fear of man, simply being afraid of what people thought of me. I can still remember the feeling of the clutches of fear, my body practically being paralyzed with fear. </p>
<p>In my life depression was overcome through the power of worship! In moments when I couldn’t lift my own voice to praise I would turn on Darlene Zschech, and let Darls or Israel Houghton do the shifting for me! Haha, you do what you gotta do right? Worship brought an embalming and soothing presence that kissed my soul with peace. It shifted the atmosphere in my home! </p>
<p>The Bible says in <em><strong>Romans 8:21, “Creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God!”</strong></em> We have something that the world does not have, and that is our worship! Our worship is a weapon and our worship brings a shift in the supernatural realm, sometimes you can feel the shift in the natural, and a lot of times you don’t, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not happening! We can shift the atmosphere over ourselves and over others, in our homes, the atmosphere of cities and I believe of nations too! </p>
<p>Paul said in the scripture above, <em><strong>“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh!”</strong></em> There is a supernatural realm that coincides with this natural realm that you and I live in day in and day out. Our worship will bring us into that place of the supernatural and deal us the upper hand over our enemies! We worship a supernatural God that is just waiting to invade our spaces with His glory! </p>
<p>I remember a few years ago going to Kansas City to record one of my albums, I had never been there before, but when I stepped off the plane I could literally feel the residue of the prayers and worship in the atmosphere. Kansas City has been soaked for over 30 years in continual worship and prayer 24/7 at the International House of Prayer and I could feel it in the spirit realm. </p>
<p>So really, what happens when we worship? Why is our worship so powerful and create breakthrough? The scripture says in <em><strong>Psalms 22:3 “The Lord inhabits the praises of His people,” </strong></em>or other translations say, <em><strong>“He is enthroned on the praises of His people.”</strong></em> His presence comes when we praise! I heard someone explain it one time that it’s like our worship creates a throne and Holy God comes and sits in that throne as we worship! Where the Spirit and the presence of the Lord is there is freedom and liberty. <em><strong>(2 Cor 3:17) </strong></em>The angels of God attend to His presence and a supernatural space is created! Essentially the supernatural converges with the natural when we submit our flesh in praise and worship. My childhood Pastor said one time about worship, just start out in the flesh and you’ll end up in the spirit! Haha, sounds silly, but it does take a surrender of the flesh, a decision to worship, and the end result is a supernatural experience whether we recognize it or not. </p>
<p>Several months ago I was asked to sing a worship song at a prayer service. There had been others leading in worship that night and as they worshipped I sensed the movement of angels in the room. As I began to sing a song, “Praise Before My Breakthrough”, my pastor friend who was in the audience began to have a glorious vision! She saw a very large angel appear behind me who was waving flags in each hand in circular motion. She realized the flags had writing on them, one flag said VICTORY, and the other flag said SONG. Victory Song! Then she said that row after row of angels began to appear in the background and were singing the song along with me! There was a victory that was being birthed in the supernatural sphere that night as we worshipped! </p>
<p>I would like to conclude with this, our worship is powerful, and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God! Position yourself with a heart of worship as David did in <em><strong>1 Sam 30</strong></em>, David had lost everything, his wives and children, all his belongings, his own men had turned on him and were speaking of stoning him, when David did something that brought an absolute shift! The Bible says he encouraged himself in the Lord! David positioned his heart to worship, something that David was well acquainted with doing throughout his life! David had a heart after God. He encouraged himself in the Lord and went on to win a huge battle with a handful of men and all was restored back to him! </p>
<p>I want to encourage you to be a worshipper and worship even when you don’t feel anything, just worship anyway! Create a throne through your worship that the presence of God can come and inhabit your space. Encourage yourself in the Lord and fight your battles through worship and prayer. God Bless!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66190002020-07-05T11:00:00-03:002021-05-01T11:47:15-03:00Arise Like the Dawn, Lock In & Take Dominion<p>I hear the Lord saying these words: Arise Like the Dawn, Lock In & Take Dominion! </p>
<p><strong>#1. ARISE LIKE THE DAWN!</strong> </p>
<p><em><strong>Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. </strong></em></p>
<p>I continually hear the Spirit whispering in my ears, “Awake Daughter, Arise like the Dawn” </p>
<p>We are truly in a defining moment as sons and daughters! </p>
<p>Arise Like The Dawn! A new day is dawning upon you! The Lord gave me a beautiful picture of the sun rising in the East, The dawn is never late! It comes at its appointed time! The Lord is not late, He is right on time, He is performing miraculously in His people in this hour. </p>
<p><em><strong>Romans 13:12-14 MSG But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! </strong></em></p>
<p>The dawn is about to break, dress yourselves in Christ! </p>
<p><em><strong>Isaiah 52:1 Awake awake! Put on thy strength, O Zion! Put on thy beautiful garments O Jerusalem, the Holy City! </strong></em></p>
<p>This is a picture of intentional living, Put on thy strength, Put on thy beautiful garments! Now is the time as the body of Christ to live on purpose, and to purposefully live in Christ! </p>
<p><em><strong>David said in Psalm 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. </strong></em></p>
<p><strong>#2. LOCK IN! </strong></p>
<p>A couple weeks back I heard the Spirit say “LOCK IN DAUGHTER,” IT’S TIME TO LOCK IN NOT OUT! USE YOUR KEY TO LOCK IN!” </p>
<p>The church has been facing many obstacles, distractions, and warfare to keep us from being all that God has called us to be and do in this new era. But the Holy Spirit is whispering, “Lock In!” Lock into Me, Lock in to the ministry gift and call on your life, Lock in to commitment, Lock in to your family, Lock in to the things that God has called you to be and do. </p>
<p>The Holy Spirit and intimacy with Him in this hour is your key to unlock true victory in every aspect of your life. God is calling for commitment in His son’s and daughters in this hour. Every decision that we make and choices that are laid out before us, the Spirit is saying lock in! </p>
<p>He didn’t say it would be easy, actually He said we would have adversity, but <em><strong>John 14:26</strong></em> says that the Father would send us The Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counsellor, Strengthener, and Standby the Holy Spirit! </p>
<p>No matter what your vocation is, No matter what your battle or relational struggle, as you become a yielded vessel to the glory of God, the ripple effect begins to trickle down into every area and aspect of your human experience. </p>
<p>Old patterns and cycles are being broken now! This is the moment when you say enough is enough, this is a new day dawning upon me and my family! </p>
<p>It all begins with US! IT BEGINS WITH ME! </p>
<p>Example: </p>
<p>God is making us whole people! And it’s His Holy Spirit that makes us whole! Your spouse can’t make me complete, Your children can’t make you complete, Your parents can’t make you complete, Your job can’t make you complete, or coworkers, Your friends can’t make you complete, Your stuff can’t make you complete! </p>
<p>When we are in daily communion with the Lord, every area and aspect of our lives will flow from the unction that His presence in our lives gives. </p>
<p>LOCK IN!!! </p>
<p><strong>#3. TAKE DOMINION </strong></p>
<p>On May 7th I was driving onto our property of the church for prayer, and suddenly I heard the Spirit say, TAKE DOMINION! </p>
<p>The word Dominion is defined as control or power over, or the authority to rule. When a king has power over a certain territory, this is an example of a situation where a king has dominion over that territory. The Spirit is saying Take Dominion! Take your rightful place of authority and rule in the Spirit! </p>
<p><em><strong>Psalms 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet: </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Rev 1:6 ...and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Revelation 5:10 You have made them into a kingdom, priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth."</strong></em> </p>
<p>ITS LIME TO GET TO WORK! </p>
<p><em><strong>John 5:17 ...to this very day my Father is at His work and I too am working! </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. </strong></em></p>
<p>Let us be about our Fathers Business and TAKE DOMINION as He has ordained and ordered from the beginning of time! Friends, let us <b>Arise Like the Dawn, Lock In, & Take Dominion!</b></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/63084522020-05-07T21:42:53-03:002021-05-01T10:39:46-03:00Take Dominion! <p><em><strong>I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “Take Dominion! Take Dominion of this land, the buildings, the property!” </strong></em></p>
<p>This week when I was at the church for prayer on Monday, the Lord spoke to me as I walked to the altar to pray and He said the word, “Coals.” When I sat down at the altar I could see that there was coals with incense rising all along the altar. I didn’t completely understand what this meant at the time, but the Lord has been developing this revelation in my heart since. </p>
<p>As church leadership all around the world, most of us have settled into doing online services and using media for our platforms of Worship and Preaching the Word. We’ve encouraged our parishioners to create altars of worship in their homes and connect with God as individuals and families. The pandemic has brought about many different areas of opportunity for the body of Christ to come together virtually and seek the Lord, which has been amazing! </p>
<p>Last night the Lord spoke to my heart to go to the church property again this morning for a time of prayer. Half way on my drive there, the Spirit of the Lord began to manifest His presence to me in a very powerful way through tongues of fire, and as I came to the mouth of the driveway at the top of the hill, the Lord showed me to stop and plead the blood of Jesus over the property then I proceeded to park. When I got parked I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, </p>
<p><strong>“TAKE DOMINION!</strong> Take Dominion of this land, the buildings, the property!” He said, “Declare this place Holy unto the Lord! Take authority over your spaces and places of worship! Assemble the prayer warriors, it’s time for the warriors to arise to war! Lift up your swords for the battle, the war will be intense like no other, but you are prepared for such a time as this. I have prepared you! Join forces with one another, I have prepared you for this very moment and together you will arise a mighty army. My kingdom is at hand, I’m calling the warriors to assemble themselves in My presence. I am the God that healeth thee and I am your reward. Follow My lead, follow the voice of the prophets, My Word shall rain upon the earth in these days! Lift up your heads saints! Lift up the heads of the down trodden and the fearful. My Word is alive and active. All is not lost as some say, you have only begun, the work is great! Strengthen the weak ones with songs of praise. Hear Me! Listen to My voice! I have much to say in these days!” </p>
<p>Children of God its time rise up and take dominion over our places of worship, take dominion over our land! We must proclaim the reopening of our churches and gathering spaces of worship to the spirit realm. Our enemy the devil desires to take this freedom from us, but this is contrary to the will of the Father! The Lord says to take dominion! Enter the battle! Don’t just lie down and give up and give in! I will be very clear, your enemy is not the government or city officials, we wage a war that is supernatural, <strong>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12</strong> So we need to pray for our governments in their decision making, that they will allow us to return to our places of worship and do battle in the spirit realm on the spiritual front to take dominion. <strong>For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4 </strong></p>
<p>Our places of worship are important to the Lord. Places that have been dedicated to God! Yes, we are the temple, we are the church, we are the Body of Christ and His presence dwells within us, yet as I sat at the altar on Monday night and worshiped and envisioned the coals of fire and incense rising to the Heavens, I discerned the residue of supernatural worship that has taken place there. From the Upper Room to Azusa, or from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, all throughout history you can see that God has chosen places, times and people to reveal His power and pour His Spirit upon! We will see the Word of the Lord fulfilled and the greatest Harvest of souls yet to come! In this time of reset we have been aligning ourselves and consecrating ourselves to God for this very hour! Arise and take dominion Church! In my previous study the Lord was emphasizing that we are the “Joshua Generation”! In <strong>Joshua 6</strong> we see that soon after crossing the Jordan River the children of Israel were quickly positioned for battle to take Jericho. Proclaim this among the nations: <strong>“Prepare for war; rouse the mighty men; let all the men of war advance and attack! Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong!’ Joel 3:9-10</strong> It’s time for war church! Let’s put on His armour and declare the Word of the Lord in this hour.</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/63054692020-05-05T12:45:21-03:002020-05-05T12:45:21-03:00Joshua Generation - Crossing the Jordan<p><strong>Weds, April 22/20 </strong></p>
<p>In this time of uncertainty we certainly have the amazing opportunity to cling to the cross of Jesus Christ, the foundation and chief cornerstone of our salvation! I want to encourage you with these words I hear in my spirit for this hour, “This is the Joshua Generation!” You and I are the Joshua Generation of this era that will victoriously cross over the Jordan to the Promised Land which the Lord has commanded us to do! Our promised land is not that of this physical world, but just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan to take possession of the land of promise in Cannan,<strong> We press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14 </strong></p>
<p>Hear the Word of the Lord! 04/21/20 (40 days before Pentecost Sunday) </p>
<p>Women of ZION ARISE! (And Men!)</p>
<p>Ignore the distractions that have been sent. Your enemy wants you distracted. But I have come to focus you. Receive this focus now! You don’t have to do this on your own. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of host! Zech 4:6 Seek first My Kingdom in this hour of trial and refining. Allow the fire to burn away the dross. Enter the “Garden of My Presence”. Soak in my hydrating waters and see the deliverance of the Lord! Behold! The deliverance of My people not afar off. Prepare for war, prepare for battle by drinking deeply of my Spirit. It is soon time to cross the Jordan! </p>
<p><strong>1. Distractions </strong></p>
<p>Ignore the distractions that have been sent. Your enemy wants you distracted. But I have come to focus you. Receive this focus now! You don’t have to do this on your own. In this time of the quarantine that the world is currently under God has a purpose for you, He has some things that He wants to specifically accomplish in you in this time of rest. So we seize the distractions now by the power of the Holy Ghost! <strong>Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of host! Zech 4:6 </strong></p>
<p><strong>#2. Seek first My Kingdom in this hour of trial and refining. Allow the fire to burn away the dross. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Psalm 51:6-13 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy (oil of joy) and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy (oil of joy) of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then! I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You! </strong></p>
<p><strong>#3. Enter the “Garden of My Presence” </strong></p>
<p>In the beginning God created! What did God create? He created a garden of beauty, a beautiful place of rest and peace to nurture a relationship with man who He created. Man was created for fellowship with a loving God, and He placed in him in this environment of beauty and creativity. God’s original plan for man was for relationship! </p>
<p>Fast forward 26 generations later to Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt! The Israelites were never meant to be in the dessert for 40 years. It is said that the journey should really have only taken 11days, or hypothetically with such a large group, maybe 40 days, but it def shouldn’t have taken them 40 years! Yet because of Israel’s unbelief it took a whopping 40 years! </p>
<p>In contrast to the meaning of the word wilderness, the “wilderness” for the Israelites was supposed to be the place where they<strong> met </strong>with God, not so much a “wilderness” experience. Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh in <strong>Ex 5:1, “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness” </strong>And again the Lord said in <strong>Ex 7:16 Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” </strong></p>
<p>The wilderness was meant to be the place where the people would get acquainted with God. The Wilderness was to be the place where the Israelites would draw near to God and learn His holiness and righteousness. Being built into a spiritual house. <strong>Ex 19:5-6 If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me… And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Ex 19:10-11 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow… on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. </strong></p>
<p>But we all know the children of Israel feared and only Moses entered into the presence, the rest of Israel stood afar off (<strong>Ex 20:18-21)</strong> All of this was to display the holiness of God that the people might not sin against Him. </p>
<p><strong>Isaiah 41:18-19 I will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the “wilderness” the <em><span style="color:#c0392b;">cedar and the acacia tree</span></em>, The <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em>myrtle</em></span> and the <em><span style="color:#c0392b;">oil tree</span>; </em></strong></p>
<p>Isaiah 61:3 They may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord… </p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Cedar/Acacia Tree: </strong></span>represents the righteous man. </p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Myrtle Tree: r</strong></span>efers to the divine establishment of the people </p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Oil Tree: </strong></span>means to shine, richness, anointing, fat, fruitful, oil, ointment, to be brilliant </p>
<p>The<strong><em> “wilderness” </em></strong>was a place meant to bring refinement to a people that had the stench of Egypt on them, they had become like their surroundings. They worshiped the same Gods the Egyptians worshiped and the Lord would show them His <em><strong>“new” </strong></em>way of righteousness. To be Established in the Way of Righteousness and Anointing. </p>
<p><strong>#4. Soak in My hydrating waters and see the deliverance of the Lord! Behold! The deliverance of My people not afar off. </strong></p>
<p>In this time we are simply called to be still! And… See the salvation of the Lord! <strong>Be still and know that I am God Ps 46:10</strong> Drink deeply of His living waters, cling to faith, hope and righteousness. </p>
<p><strong>Ex 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. </strong></p>
<p>Also, let us take comfort in the words of Jesus. <strong>“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Luke 14:1-3 </strong></p>
<p><strong>This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven! Acts 1:11 </strong></p>
<p><strong>In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:52 </strong></p>
<p><strong>For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:16-17 </strong></p>
<p><strong>#5. Prepare for war, prepare for battle by drinking deeply of my Spirit. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. Luke 12:35 </strong></p>
<p>This may seem contradictory to “Be still and see the Salvation of the Lord!” But it’s not! Our preparation for battle flows out of our relationship with the Lord! Whether you are currently fighting a battle or are preparing for spiritual warfare in the future, your foundation is sure. Your foundation is Jesus, He is the chief cornerstone! </p>
<p><strong>Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. </strong></p>
<p><strong>#6. It is soon time to cross the Jordan </strong></p>
<p>I heard the Spirit whisper in my ears, “It is soon time to cross the Jordan.” </p>
<p>”Reference to the “Jordan” refers to the <strong>final step </strong>of the journey which is then complete. After wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites finally approached the boundary of the promised land. The Levites were to enter the Jordan first with the Ark of the Covenant, they were to hold the Ark of the Covenant in the middle the river while the children of Israel passed through to the other side. The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes<strong> “Faith” </strong>and the<strong> “Presence of God”.</strong> Joshua told the people the Ark of the Covenant was central focus because,<strong> “You have not passed this way before.” (Josh 3:4) </strong>We too as a people have not passed this way before, we must make<strong> “Faith” </strong>and <strong>“His Presence” </strong>our central focus. </p>
<p>Joshua commanded the people, <strong>“Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.” Josh 1:11</strong> I implore our you to <strong>Prepare</strong>! Make provisions for yourselves and your loved ones! Seek the Lord! We ask, increase our faith Lord! We press into the presence of God like never before! This is the hour when the sons and daughters of oil are being defined, the sons and daughters of His presence. </p>
<p>The name Joshua means, <strong>“Yahweh is Salvation”, “To Save!</strong>” Yahweh is mighty to save <strong>PEOPLE! </strong>Hallelujah! The Jordan River is considered the 3rd most holy site in the Christian faith after Bethlehem and Golgotha, because Jesus began His public ministry after being <strong>baptized in the Jordan River</strong>! As we look to Jesus and His words, “Greater than this shall ye do”, we pray for a mighty harvest of souls as the Joshua Generation reveals Yahweh’s Salvation in the earth! Pray for souls church! Pray for our loved ones!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/63054672020-05-05T12:31:05-03:002021-05-12T13:32:25-03:00Jesus Beckons Us - My Vision from the Altar of Coals <p><span class="font_regular">(This devo is a continuation from the “Joshua Generation” message the Lord gave me and crossing the Jordan. This can be found on Youtube and the notes are on my website.) </span></p>
<p><strong>Psalm 42:1-8 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em>Jordan</em></span>, And from the heights of <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em>Hermon</em></span>, From the Hill <span style="color:#c0392b;"><em>Mizar.</em></span> Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Word Study:</strong></p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Jordan</strong></span>: Yahweh is Salvation, (Mt. Hermon overlooks the valley of the Jordan) </p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;">Hermon</span>:</strong> Traditionally believed to be the place where Jesus transfigured, pointing us to the Glory of God! </p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Mizar:</strong></span> A small mountain, signifying His presence is with us in the journey, (can also be seen in the Jordan valley from Mt. Hermon). </p>
<p><strong>My Vision - “From the Altar of Coals”: </strong></p>
<p>Are you ready to cross the Jordan? Yesterday I sensed the Spirit focus my attention on the Oil of Joy. He told me to pray over different ones this Oil. I went up at our church in the evening and the Lord gave me a powerful vision while I was there. As I began to walk towards the altar, half way down the aisle I heard the Spirit say the word “Coals”. I knelt down at the altar to pray, and the presence of God began to come so strong on me, it was as if I was kneeling at an altar of coals and incense was rising, I could see the smoke rising. As I worshiped with the music I had playing, I then began to see a vision of Jesus who was holding my hand and He was tugging and pulling on my arm with great intensity. He was moving forward swiftly, as I went with Him we began to move out into deep deep waters! There was a brightness that was so beautiful and in His presence I began to laugh from deep within. Then I looked back from the direction we had come and I realized my other hand was reaching and grasping for my family and my worries and my burdens. In that moment I began to cry, this desire was really just so strong too, the struggle was very real, and my worries would almost overwhelm me, it pulled on me with such intensity like I was in a tug of war. Yet once again I looked back towards Jesus as He was still trying to take me deeper into the waters, when my gaze turned back to Jesus and I moved forward I would begin to laugh again and my burdens became so light like I didn’t carry them at all and His presence was so strong, I just wanted to go deeper and deeper. It went back and forth several times, this struggle, I was feeling the burdens that I carry, the weight and the worries, but when I looked at Jesus and followed Him and surrendered to His love the weight would begin to lift. There was a sense of just completely losing myself altogether when I followed Jesus, a sense of complete surrender and letting go, just completely out of control, swallowed up in Jesus and His presence, this incredible joy, peace, freedom and hydration! </p>
<p><strong>Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 </strong></p>
<p>I realized in this moment just how much I have been worrying and carrying my burdens myself. I also realized as I surrender the most precious and dearest things that I treasure in my heart here on earth to Jesus He is assuring me that everything is going to be ok. </p>
<p>Can I trust Jesus as I am Baptized into the Jordan? Can I trust Him with my family? Can I trust Jesus with the most dearest things that I cling to here in the earthly realm? As He called for my surrender of the things that I love, He also called for my heart, an abandonment all consuming. Am I ready to say yes to His beckon? Are you ready to say yes to His beckon? </p>
<p>In my vision I was only not even knee deep yet! This signified to me the level of my surrender. I wrote a song called Baptize Me on one of my new albums, the lyric goes like this… I will fall into the deep, I heard the call, and I believe, I will respond not just knee deep, as you take me down, immerse me please! So this really speaks to me. </p>
<p><strong>You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 </strong></p>
<p>Brothers and Sisters! Let us take Jesus’s hand and run into the waters!!! Dive right in! He is with us! He will never leave us or forsake us! Jesus wants us to surrender those things that burden and weigh down our hearts in this hour. </p>
<p>The Spirit is saying fear not loved ones fear not, for I am with you, leading you and guiding you through the Jordan to the Promised Land. Let Faith and the Presence be your central focus moving forward as I explained in the Joshua Generation message. Jesus will lift every burden and pour in the sustenance of the oil of Joy in this hour. </p>
<p><strong>When you pass through the waters, I will be with you! Isaiah 43:2 </strong></p>
<p>At first I wasn’t sure what the word “coals” represented as I walked towards the altar, but in Isaiah 6 we see that there is an altar of coals in Heaven. </p>
<p><strong>In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Isaiah 6 </strong></p>
<p>The coals in this scripture without a doubt point to the righteousness of God. As we spend time in the presence of God at His altars the righteousness of God cleanses and purges us, convicts us and heals us. Spend time in His presence take the Lord’s hand, He will prepare you and walk with you through the Jordan!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/62601282020-03-24T11:28:55-03:002020-03-24T19:47:26-03:00Prophetic Dream - Supernatural Reflexes <p><strong>Prophetic Dream - “This is how I’m going to make your Supernatural Reflexes!” </strong></p>
<p>I want to encourage you and share about a prophetic dream that I had last night. I believe the message in this dream is prophetic to individuals in this new era that we are currently living in! </p>
<p>In my dream I was driving our childhood vehicle, it was a big twelve passenger maxi van that we used for many ministry tours. I was going at a pretty high speed all by myself down the winding hill in Hartland, NB, my hometown as a child. As I began to approach the end of the road where the stop sign was to turn either left or right, (I will also note that there was a vehicle ahead of me that had already come to a complete stop), my foot couldn’t make its way to the brake! There was a lethargy in my leg and foot to get to the break and when I did get my foot on the brake I couldn’t press it hard enough to get the vehicle to come to a stop! This is a familiar feeling that I’ve had in a few dreams recently, but this time the dream became very memorable! Suddenly as I’m about to crash into the vehicle ahead of me (picture me laying on my left side in bed), my right leg comes flying out of bed (waking me up), and my foot hits the floor! In an instant I hear the Lord say, “This is how I’m going to make your Supernatural Reflexes!” </p>
<p>You can imagine my heart thumping experience in this moment! Waking up from a scene that I’m about to crash in a vehicle, to my leg flying out of my bed to hit the floor with a thud! Pain flooded my right side as I am still recovering from my recent kidney stone surgery! And then the quick, gentle, yet firm voice of the Holy Spirit, “This is how I’m going to make your Supernatural Reflexes!” </p>
<p><strong>I believe the meaning of this has a couple connotations…. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Firstly</strong>, let’s do a quick study on the word “reflexes” with Google Dictionary. </p>
<p><strong>Reflex </strong>(singular) Reflexes (plural): </p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought. </p>
<p><strong>2.</strong> a person's ability to respond quickly. </p>
<p>Let’s take the words of the Holy Ghost for face value! As we encounter different situations in this hour as individuals, I believe there is a grace that has and is coming upon us for a quickening in the Spirit to respond by the Spirit! Unconsciously responding to adversity with supernatural reflexes! Oh Hallelujah! So powerful! <strong>Gal 5:25</strong> NIV Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit! I believe this is the future for all those who live their lives by the Spirit of God. <strong>Rom 8:9</strong> NIV You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit! </p>
<p><strong>Please declare this prayer below out loud over your lives! </strong>I declare over my life and the lives of my friends and family today, a quickening in the Holy Ghost and supernatural reflexes to kick in as we daily deal in the experiences of our natural lives and spiritual warfare, in the powerful name of Jesus! </p>
<p><strong>Secondly</strong>, let’s look at the connotation of the out of control vehicle racing down a windy hill unable to stop! This message really hits home for me. The vehicle represents an era that has come to an abrupt halt. There is so much to unpack here! But in an attempt to keep my blog short and on point, the vehicle represents passed history, family, ministry, and momentum. God has put His foot down and brought an abrupt halt (which may cause temporary pain) to the way we have “done” life, by suddenly bringing a standstill to our momentum. </p>
<p>At the beginning of the year there were several words the Lord put in my spirit to chew on. One of the words was “Suddenly”! We all have experienced the suddenly in recent current events with the Covid 19 Pandemic. Suddenly everything has come to an abrupt halt, suddenly the way we do family and ministry, life in general has completely changed. God has brought a halt to our momentum and has declared a new era upon us. We will do life His way from here on through. </p>
<p>The Lord spoke to me last week as I was in my kitchen hobbling around trying to be useful still recovering from surgery. I had worship music playing and I was singing along, not really seeking a word. When suddenly He said to me, “There are 2 camps, which one will you be in!” Honestly I had a moment of feeling a little offended that He would have to ask me this question! Then the seriousness of the meaning hit me like a ton of bricks! </p>
<p><strong>The 1st Camp</strong> represents a people that are faith-filled and consecrated to a Holy God.<strong> 1 Pet 2:9</strong> But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; </p>
<p><strong>The 2nd Camp</strong> represents a people that have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. <strong>2 Tim 3:5 </strong></p>
<p>Children of God! I pray that you will find yourself in such abandonment to Christ in this hour! “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” <strong>Matthew 11:28</strong>. God has brought a halt to our labours, take advantage of this time as individuals and as families to align yourself with the Spirit today, take communion with your families, spend time in prayer and reading the Word, choose your camp and lean into what He has for you! Trust the unction of the Spirit and His supernatural reflexes bestowed upon you in this new era! </p>
<p>God Bless Friends!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/62575882020-03-21T17:08:33-03:002020-03-25T16:03:49-03:00God's Anointing Power Through Current Adversity<p>God’s Anointing Power Through Current Adversity - My Testimony the last couple weeks. </p>
<p>I want to share testimony to God’s anointing power through adversity as we face different situations like the current Covid 19 scare. You may be facing another battle like cancer, or financial defeat or family crisis. Whatever your fight, I declare today that you are surrounded by a mighty host ready to fight your battle with you as you walk in the manifested presence of God. </p>
<p>So Im gonna dive right in. Some of you may wonder why I’ve not had much social media presence the last couple weeks, I have been facing my own battles in the midst of all the craziness that’s been happening in our world. On Friday morning (March 6/20) at 2am I wake up in excruciating pain on my right side. I got up and took some pain killers and went back to sleep till about 3:30am, when I woke up again in so much pain I started throwing up. My husband googled my symptoms and he thought I must have appendicitis! I’m like no man it feels like a kidney stone! (I’ve had 2 other episodes already in my short 41 years.) And I could literally feel the stone moving downward from my kidney. Such excruciating pain! So I waited till about 5:30am and I couldn’t take the pain anymore, I was dry heaving by this time and feeling rather helpless! </p>
<p>We got to the hospital and they rushed me in for X-ray and blood tests, and then eventually a CT scan. My doctor came in with the results and said, “I have bad news, you have a very large kidney stone, you will need to have surgery to get this thing out.” The stone was sitting just above my bladder, the stone had made its way down that far! She said it would be best if your husband drove you to Fredericton, we’ll call and tell them you’re coming. She felt if I waited for an ambulance and a bed I’d be waiting at least another day just to get down there. So they gave me some pain killers and down we drove to Fredericton about an hour away where I could be seen by a urologist. </p>
<p>By about noon that Fri afternoon I got to see a urologist and he’s like we’re completely booked up, you might as well go home and I’ll make an appointment with you in a couple weeks to deal with your stone! My gosh!!!! I was in so much pain! I started crying and I said, “I’m sorry doctor I can’t wait for a couple weeks I am in so much pain, I can’t take it!” He told us how they were booked out straight, there were emergency surgeries that had come in and I wasn’t their priority. Meanwhile, I had several people praying and interceding and talking to God about my situation. So leaving the room the doctor said, “Let me see what I can do!” </p>
<p>While the doc leaves, my sister messaged me and encouraged us, so many people were praying! She said lay your hands on your belly and pray in tongues. My husband and I did this for about 30 minutes. The presence of God filled my hospital room and I heard the Spirit say get up and dance before me. We had the song Waymaker playing on my phone. Sometimes when God tells me to do sometimes embarrassing things or out of the ordinary, I will protest in my head for a bit, but generally He knows I’ll give in! So I stood up and just began to dance before the Lord. As I did this, all the pain left me and the presence of God was so strong I began to weep as the Lord filled my body with His presence. Near the end of the song the doctor walked back in and said we’re gonna keep you here till we can fit you in either tonight or first thing in the morning! A glimmer of light and hope filled my heart as the physical situation began to turn around! </p>
<p>The next several hours turned into more excruciating pain and dry heaving. I wasn’t allowed to have water or even ice cubes, because I could be going into surgery any moment. So I began to feel very dehydrated on top of the pain of the stone. By 9am on Sat morning I was finally taken in for surgery, and in my urologists words to my husband with a chuckle, “The stone was massive! I have no idea how it got down that far!” It showed up on the CT scan as an 8.6 but it was likely more like a 9 or 10 millimetre stone! </p>
<p>What I find incredible in the midst of the storm is the keeping power of the presence of God! There are times when people experience instantaneous miracles, but what I experienced that weekend was an overwhelming I will never leave you nor forsake you. Everyone’s journey is different. God isn’t a cookie cutter God. He works as He sees fit and I trust His sovereignty! There have been times when we as a family have experienced instantaneous healings. I have referred so many times to my grandmother being healed of terminal cancer instantaneously in a prayer meeting! The cancer literally came out of her body and materialized in her undergarments proving that she was healed, and she lived for another 40 some years. My mom was healed of a tumour in her womb. When the doctors opened her up the tumour was gone! Actually my first kidney stone I ever had had also made its way about half way down and got stuck, I remember my Aunt Shirley had prayed that God would crush that stone! And He certainly did, I passed the stone on my own and it came out in tiny little pieces. </p>
<p>I don’t know why God didn’t crush my stone this time, but I do know His amazing grace was all over me through my experience. His presence was in me and all about me and he worked out every detail for me to get through that experience and speed up the process for my surgery. I hope my story will encourage someone today to press into the presence of God. Whether you’re facing a mountain or a mole hill, God is greater than all. And especially through these times of uncertainty and the Covid 19, abide under the shadow of the Almighty friends. Love to you all!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/66190052020-01-19T13:00:00-04:002021-05-01T12:04:17-03:00Suddenly<p>I declare this is the hour of Suddenlies to the Body of Christ! </p>
<p><em><strong>Is 48:3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them; I did them SUDDENLY! and they came to pass. </strong></em></p>
<p>First I want to talk to you about Shifting Atmosphere’s. The Body of Christ sets the temperature of the atmosphere over city’s, regions and nations. It’s like entering a room in your house, do you know what baseboard heating is? There is a dial on the wall, called a thermostat! And you set the temperature to the degree you desire for the room to be! </p>
<p>The Body of Christ is like that person who set the temperature on the thermostat! I believe the church is to be an atmospheric changing church! </p>
<p>Every time you take your authority in the Spirit realm you are shifting the atmosphere! <br>Every time you pray, you shift the atmosphere! <br>Every time you lift a song of praise, you shift the atmosphere! <br>Every time you say Hallelujah! You shift the atmosphere! <br>Every time you give a word of testimony, you shift the atmosphere! <br>Every time you read the word of God out loud you shift the atmosphere! <br>Every time a prophetic word comes forth! You shift the atmosphere! </p>
<p>As you Position yourselves, you will have Perspective to Pray and Participate in the Presence. It is time for you to see fruit spring forth Suddenly! </p>
<p><em><strong>Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly!!!!! there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only [e]the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ </strong></em></p>
<p>This is the hour of Suddenlies! Suddenly the shift will come! Suddenly you’ll receive your miracle! Suddenly blind eyes will be opened! Deaf ears unstopped! Suddenly Revival will break forth! Suddenly your prayers will be answered!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/50619052018-02-05T08:48:32-04:002018-07-04T10:12:48-03:00Increased Grace and Presence <p> There is something so wildly amazing about this New Year 2018!!! I’ve heard different words from many reputable ministries that I follow. The two that have stuck out to me the most… this is the year of New Beginnings, this is the year of the Open Door… I have received both of these words into my spirit with open arms and would encourage you to do the same! </p>
<p> I too feel to declare and decree a word into the atmosphere! Since the New Year, I have said to those closest to me, this New Year has brought with it a release of vision and anticipation! A release to pursue, overtake and recover all! There is a sense of “Increased Grace and Presence” in this hour! Grace to dream and pursue the things of God, His Holy Presence to fill and sustain us for joys ahead! Thats what His holy presence will do, this increase will give you the sustenance that you need to fight your battles! Praise the Lord! You are truly surrounded by a heavenly host! What an awesome thought! </p>
<p> God bless you today! Receive this word into your heart and your spirit today! Don’t carry the things that you have struggled with from seasons past into this new season, this fresh new start! Leave them at the door and walk into the newness and freshness of this new season. </p>
<p> I declare over you today fresh presence of Holy God to be your portion, your delight and your joy! </p>
<p>Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/41634802017-01-09T13:00:30-04:002018-07-04T10:10:59-03:00Sowing Unto Righteousness<p>The Lord gave me these words one day, <em><strong>"Sow for yourself Righteousness."</strong></em><br><br>We sow our lives into many things in this day and age. Our time and attention is poured into many different areas of opportunity whether good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. On the upside we sow ourselves to our jobs and reap a harvest of provision. We sow time into our families and we surely reap what we have sown there, whether it be good or bad. Some have sown into the church, and I don't just mean giving of tithe, but some have sown their time and given their gifts to be used. Some sow their lives into the church by volunteering and through ministries of helps. We also sow our time and or money into many other things like the latest gadgets, media, movies, video games, for some hours are spent sown in front of screens completely consumed by the media overload. <em><strong>We will sow our time, our interests, our very lives… and we will reap a harvest according to what we have sown. </strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Sow for yourselves according to righteousness and right standing with God; Reap according to mercy and loving kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to require His favour, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you. Hosea 10:12 </strong>The question I want to stir up in your mind and heart today as you read this blog and cause you to pause and think is this, what are you sowing your life to? Most if not all of our sowing will knowingly have imminent implications and reaping. But there is a suttleness to some of our sowing that if we had known before hand we would not have sown there. This scripture above says, "break up your uncultivated ground." Suggesting that there is an action that we have to take. Shake things up, don't settle to just keep on keeping on, living the mundane. When you go to break up the dirt and plant seed in the ground for the first time it can be tough to take that uncultivated, hard soil and make it loose and usable for sowing the good seed. You gotta pull weeds and its tough work that you have to be committed to. The next time you sow seed it gets a little easier though because the ground has already been worked over. Have you heard of the expression "ground breaking?" Allow God to bring some ground breaking shake up to the soil in which you are sowing into! It is time to sow for yourself righteousness!</p>
<p>Here are some scriptures below to consider.<br><br><strong>He personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree as on an altar and offered Himself on it, that we might die, cease to exist to sin and LIVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS. By His wounds you have been healed. 1 Pet 2:24</strong> I have always quoted this scripture for my healing, but here I want to point out… and <em>LIVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS!</em> This scripture of healing seems contingent on living to righteousness. <br><br><strong>And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:18 KJV <br><br>Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.</strong> J<strong>ames 3:18</strong><br><br><strong>The effect of righteousness will be peace, internal and external, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. Is 32:17 </strong></p>
<p><strong>Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers). Galations 6:7-11 </strong></p>
<p><strong>May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness of right standing with God and right doing which come through Jesus Christ the Anointed one, to the honour and praise of God, that His GLORY may be both MANIFESTED and RECOGNIZED. Philippians 1:11</strong> SOWING UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL CAUSE US TO REAP A HARVEST OF THE GLORY OF GOD MANIFESTED AND RECOGNIZED!</p>
<p>(The natural formula of Sowing and Reaping)</p>
<p>1. First you have to have a seed. </p>
<p>2. You have to cultivate the ground to put the seed into. </p>
<p>3. You have to plant the seed into the cultivated ground. </p>
<p>4. You have to water the seed. </p>
<p>5. You need the warmth and light of the sun. </p>
<p>6. You need time to watch it grow. </p>
<p>YOU MIGHT SAY I HAVE NO SEED… But we serve a SUPERNATURAL GOD! </p>
<p><strong>And God who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your resources for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness, which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity. 2 Cor 9:10 </strong></p>
<p>SUPERNATURAL ABUNDANCE AND FRUIT IS OURS! </p>
<p><strong>Behold, the days are coming says the Lord, that the plow-man shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine and all the hills shall melt, that is, everything heretofore barren and unfruitful shall overflow with spiritual blessing. Amos 9:13</strong> </p>
<p>HAVING FAITH IS A SOWING UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS!</p>
<p><strong>For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith, disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith. As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith. Romans 1:17 </strong></p>
<p>In <strong>Romans 4:21-24</strong> Abrahams faith was accredited to him as righteousness… 24. Righteousness will be granted and credited to us also who believe! </p>
<p>LET US SOW UNTO PRAYER AND REAP MIRACLES! ! LET US SOW LOVE AND REAP A HARVEST OF LOVE! LET US SOW PEACE AND REEP A HARVEST OF PEACE! LET US SOW UNTO JOY AND REAP A HARVEST OF JOY! LET US SOW FINANCES AND REAP FINANCIAL BLESSING </p>
<p>Let us Sow according to righteousness, according to uprightness and right standing with God, in our daily lives, in our families, at work, in relationships & friendships, and with our time well spent. Everyday is a day of choices, choices for good or evil, choices for good or God’s best. Praise the Lord, let us choose the latter!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/45421792017-01-08T23:52:43-04:002019-11-14T14:22:13-04:00Are you ready for service in 2017?<p><strong>Matthew 21:18-20</strong> Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.<br><br><strong>Are you ready for service to the Master in 2017? </strong><br><br>This is the first message I preached in this New Year, and I want to share it here on my blog to challenge you in your faith.<br><br>Here are a couple questions below to ask yourself.<br><br>-Is your fruit ripe for the taking? <br><br>-Are you ready to give food for anothers spiritual good? <br><br>-Will you have fruit this year that will remain?<br><br>In <strong>Matthew 21</strong>, we read the story about Jesus and the fig tree. He is on a journey and He is hungry. He sees a fig tree in the distance, and according to Luke the fig tree appears to be in full bloom with leaves galore! On fig trees the fruit appears before the leaves. In study we find that this story likely happened in about April so the leaves that Jesus saw were from last years yield, as new blossoms wouldn't be ready till about June. In seeing the leaves Jesus hoped to find fruit on the tree that would have survived the winter months. And of course you know the story, the trees deceptive character caused Jesus to curse the tree.<br><br>Israel is often times compared to the fig tree in scripture. In <strong>Matthew 23:1-33</strong> we see that Jesus also rebukes the rulers of Israel for their hypocrisy and ungodly character. Appearing to be righteous they put on a facade of holiness, they looked the part, but inside their hearts were far from God. Causing them to be void of long lasting fruit. </p>
<p>Behold your house is forsaken and desolate. <strong>Matt 23:38 </strong></p>
<p>Even so, Jesus rebukes the scribes and pharisees and said <em><strong>8 times</strong></em> “Woe to you scribes and pharisees”! Had the scribes and pharisees repented in that moment of opportunity, their hypocrisy would have been forgiven as we see Gods grace always abounding in everything that He does. The number eight in the Bible signifies resurrection, regeneration and a new beginning. Eight is 7 plus 1 and since it comes just after seven, which itself signifies an end to something, so eight is also associated with the beginning of a new era or that of a new order. Even in the harshness of the rebuke, Jesus still offered hope! Jesus was interceding for them and they didn't recognize it.<br><br>Last fall the Lord began to challenge me with a question. After all is said and done, after every song is sung, after every message is preached and every deed is done, will I have fruit that remains?<br><br>If someone comes to you this year, someone who is spiritually hungry, will you have spiritual fruit to feed them? Will others be able to partake of you and find refreshment and nourishment by being in contact with your life. The scripture says, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. <strong>John 15:16 </strong>Maybe you have just come through a winter season in your life, I want to declare over you that your fruit has remained over these winter months! Maybe your feeling like the fruitless fig tree and you feel your not good for use for the master, please read this next beautiful scripture of hope found in Luke!<br><br><strong>Luke 13:6-9</strong> Then He began telling them this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any; so he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?’ But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit after this, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”<br><br>This is such beautiful hope that the Lord himself will intercede, till up the ground of our lives and nourish us back to spiritual health if we will turn to Him and seek Him with all our hearts! Whatever you may have faced last year, God can wipe your slate clean and give you a brand new beginning! Just like He offered to the scribes and pharisees, recognize the Lords outpouring of love for you in this new season!<br><br>Please pray this prayer below out loud!<br>Jesus give me open ears to hear, open eyes to see, an open heart to receive, a spirit of worship, willing hands to work, and fruit that remains!</p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/41194642016-05-03T07:29:00-03:002018-04-30T08:36:23-03:00The Fruit of our Lips<p>It has been a while since I've have done any blogging. Not by reason of having sufficient to say, on the contrary my heart is overflowing to write. I have simply lacked opportunity to do so. I am rather intrigued this morning through experiencing recent circumstances, the paradox of the tongue, and the sticky web of destruction ensued. <br><br><em><strong>And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? James 3:6-12 esv</strong></em><br><br>One Sunday our retired senior pastor came to church with a message of urgency he received from the Lord the night before. It was to break the curses that well meaning folk had unknowingly placed on fellow brothers and sisters that we had been fervently praying for breakthrough. The presence of God came in power as we prayed that Sunday morning, causing me to seek out more on the subject.<br><br>Its so easy to look at our neighbour and recognize the faults of others. But will we seriously take a look at our own lives and consider the fruit of our own lips. The notion that God gives us to refer to the fact that our lips bring forth fruit, would indicate that the words we speak out of our mouths are like seeds sown taking root and bringing forth a harvest. Reaping what we have sown. <em><strong>Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Pro 18:21</strong></em> Death and life are in the tongue? Do we really realize the power in our mouths when we speak? We either speak forth blessings or cursing, life or death. We literally set in motion a course of action for blessings with the fruit of our lips towards others, or ensnare with curses and death.<br><br>To give you an example, I had a friend in my younger years that had a little brother. My friend for whatever reason would call his little brother Satan and teased him that he was gay. He called him other not so choice names as well. If you have any wisdom at all concerning the fruit of our lips you will not be surprised when I tell you that this young man grew up to have a very difficult time with rebellion and turning his back on God. These words were constantly confessed over this boy. Of course the older brother was oblivious what the fruit of his lips would be and had no understanding that his words would produce a harvest in his brother's life. Such an unfortunate situation. I've seen other situations in peoples lives where parents peg one child in their family as the "sick child", well guess what? That child will likely be the sick child in the family. There are so many examples we could look at of words that are so easily spoken but not so easily turned back in their power to destroy. So and so is so lazy, this person is this way or that... <br><br>Judgments and criticisms will lead to the cursing of others but also produce an unwanted harvest in the life of the criticizer. <strong>Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1</strong> Is it possible that we recognize the faults of others because we are familiar with our own actions that replicate the accused? <br><br>If you feel caught in a trap of the sin of judging and cursing others, there is one simple solution! <strong>When I create the fruit of the lips: Peace to the one who is far away or near," says the LORD, "and I'll heal him. Isaiah 57:19 </strong>This is the beauty of our lowly earthly estate and the redemptive power of serving Holy God! Ask the Lord to supernaturally create the fruit of your lips! The Lord says in this scripture, "When<strong> I create</strong> the fruit of the lips!" The scripture above in James states that no man can tame the tongue, but here is the good news! God can! With man it would be impossible, but remember, with God, ALL things are possible! Oh God create the fruit of my lips to bring forth praises and blessings! Heal me and heal the others in which I have condemned! Isaiah 57:14-21 is such a beautiful scripture for those of a repentant heart. <strong>And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18</strong> This is my prayer today, Lord God, cause me to be a peacemaker! Bring forth a harvest of righteousness in my life and in the lives of my loved ones. </p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/39256922015-11-17T23:14:40-04:002018-06-27T00:11:48-03:00I Was A Stranger And You Took Me InLast weekend Brad and I had the privilege of attending Faith Christian Fellowship's family conference in Ajax Ontario. There we were blessed by the ministry of Jeremy and Sarah Pearsons and also attended our ordination service. It feels rather strange to see Rev. Stephanie Israelson on my certificate of ordination, but I know that God has prepared me for such a time as this. Last week was such a beautiful journey for me in God, He revealed to me His intricate weavings in my life, threads of colours representing people, places, words, dreams and a calling of God that I could never have imagined such a delicate tapestry to be mine in the making all these wonderful years. I am overwhelmed by His amazing grace.<br><br>Yet in my world of bliss and thankfulness, our hearts were gripped with the reality and sadness of unfolding events of terror that took place in the heart of France during our trip. We got to our hotel Friday night and turned on the news to be shocked as I'm sure the rest of the world was as we watched with horror. We live in a fallen world that so desperately needs Jesus. In the wake of such devastating terror I've noticed the constant bombardment and divided opinions on social media concerning the status of the refugee crisis. I have to be honest, with our newly elected Prime Minister Trudeau bent on keeping his campaign promises of allowing 25,000 refugees into our country by January 2016 seems farfetched and unrealistic, but also something inside gnaws at us wondering if allowing such numbers into our country so quickly would lower the screening process and allow for possible terrorists to infiltrate with the refugees. <br><br>Its an interesting position that we find ourselves in as North Americans. Just because we live on the other side of the world of such suffering does not mean that such suffering does not exist. My heart cries out to the living God, come Lord Jesus come, you are the only one that can make sense of such a mess and set the world on a path to peace and righteousness. <strong>For when they shall say; peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. 1Thess 5:3</strong> I think we all feel it in the air that our cushy comfortableness could easily be ripped out from under our noses in a moment of time if the world continues on the path that it is currently racing towards. <br><br>Yesterday on our way home with a 12 hr drive ahead of us we had lots of time for conversation amongst the passengers that were with us. The Paris attacks were brought up several times and the refugee crisis. As I was considering and reasoning all these things within myself, I heard the Lord say, "I was a stranger and you took me in". I immediately got out my phone and looked up Matthew 25 on my Olive Tree app and read the discourse of Jesus talking about the last day when He will sit in glory on His throne to judge the nations and He likens the nations to goats and sheep revealing how He will bring separation to them. I find it very interesting how the nations are faced with a refugee crisis in what many, including myself believe to be the last of the last days. This migration and displacement of peoples will likely only grow more serious and astronomical as we come into the hours that lay in wait to unfold. Could it be possible in part that Jesus would consider governments and their treatment of refugees in His just judgements of separating the sheep from the goats and fulfill the prophetic gesturing of this text below in Matthew 25. It has been my prayer that Canada will enter into the millennium a sheep nation. Will you also consider the words of Jesus to be relevant in your own life as you develop your opinion of the coming world crisis of displaced peoples and people in need. I know that many argue, we have our own homeless to deal with in our own nation, and what about the terrorists that could infiltrate with refugees and on and on the arguments go, I'm not looking to address all of these opinions, but I do ask you, will you develop your opinion on all of this in light and reflection of the words of Jesus and the heartbeat of His divine ministry of love, healing, giving, grace, mercy etc. In these critical hours I implore you to pray for our new young Prime Minister. He seems to have his heart set on bringing refugees into our nation by the thousands. Instead of arguing over whether these things should be done we must get on our knees and pray and ask God to cover this process with divine intervention and that families that are truly in need will reach our borders and that God will stay the hand of terrorists outside of our borders and cause their plans to be unsuccessful concerning our nation. <p><strong>“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46</strong></p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/38995272015-10-15T19:33:16-03:002018-06-15T08:38:19-03:00An Open Heaven & Powerful PrayerI am praising God tonight for all He has done in our lives this fall, and we are only at the midway point in October! Whenever we minister in different places I am always seeking God for an open Heaven. You may ask what do I mean by an open Heaven. The Lord started talking to us about an open Heaven for the first time in Jan 2014 when we went to Kansas City to record our album The Prayer. There we sensed the open Heaven of 24/7 worship and prayer. Picture it like this in your minds eye, envision Jacobs ladder with angels ascending and descending attending to the orders of the Lord and carrying the prayers and the praises of the people to the very throne of God.<br><br>In the last few weeks as we have ministered we have had several people come to us and share visions that they experienced during our concerts and Oasis House of Prayer. I want to share a couple of these here.<br><br>When we were on tour with Rend Collective a few weeks ago for their Maritime shows, I asked the Lord why He wanted me there. He said to me so clearly, "Prepare the way of the Lord". It gave me such a peace I knew for certain what my purpose in being involved in the tour now was, and He gave me such a confidence to sing and declare the words that He has given me in my music. After one of the shows, a particular man came and said to me he had a vision while I was singing the song "The Prayer"! He said a screen opened up in front of him and he saw huge ancient doors open in Heaven, he saw a white horse come riding through, he said there was flames of fire shooting out everywhere as the horse came riding through. It was so powerful! This vision is a direct confirmation of what the Lord had been saying that we were there to prepare the way of the Lord!<br><br>During Octobers Oasis, a woman came to me and said she saw "An Open Heaven" during the worship as we were singing! The Lord opened her eyes to see a golden stair case come down from heaven and she saw angels ascending and descending upon it! This just overjoys my heart as I pray before we minister that God will give us an open Heaven as we worship and pray! This is such a direct answer to prayer. <br><br>Lastly I want to share a vision that I had myself at Tabernacle Life during Oasis. As we were praying I seen a vision within my spirit of all the hills in Carleton County filled with white horses and angels mounted upon the horses. In every direction as far as the eye could see there they were, warring angels on horses surrounding the church waiting for our prayers to be released. As we prayed different groups of angels would take our words and declarations and go to war and battle on behalf of our prayers. This was such a powerful site to behold! The Lord moved powerfully on the people of God that night to pray! Another lady that night had prayed and also saw angels going into peoples homes as we prayed and bringing readjustment according to the prayers. When the evening was done I was speaking with an individual and they had been given a word to pray but was too shy to stand up and speak it out. So I said, well lets pray about that word right now, its not too late! When I closed my eyes once again the Lord showed me the hills of Carleton County, only this time the hills were empty except for one large group of angels on horses who had been waiting for this final prophetic prayer to be released! As we prayed this final prayer I saw the angels take our prayers to themselves and off they rode! This was such a lesson to me, how we must be obedient when the Lord gives us prayers, words and prophetic utterances! We must be obedient to release them into the atmosphere! Our prayers are important and God hears each one!Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/38178342015-08-13T11:06:30-03:002018-06-15T08:37:12-03:00Household Salvation PrayerI'm inspired this morning to encourage you concerning your unsaved loved ones! I want you to ask yourself this question! Do I have unsaved loved ones? Do I have family that are not serving the Lord and if they were to pass into eternity today or should the Lord Jesus return this day to gather His bride to Himself would I have loved ones that would spend eternity in Hell or be left behind? If your answer is <em><strong>yes</strong></em> then please keep reading!<br><br>This message is of utmost importance! If you have answered yes to these questions then I implore you to begin to pray for the unsaved that are within your sphere of influence! A few years ago the Lord put a heavy burden on my heart for our unsaved loved ones. We held Household Salvation Prayer gatherings in Carleton County and even my little prayer group at the time that met weekly began to intercede for our loved ones and we were awakened to the importance of intercession for them.<br><br>In a nutshell, this is what intercession for the unsaved means:<strong> Strive to save others, snatching them out of the fire! Jude 1:23 </strong>The result of such prayer has been astounding in our family and God has done incredible things! I have seen it with my own eyes!<br><br><strong>Pray also for one another, that you may be healed and restored to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. The earnest heartfelt continued prayer of the righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in its working. James 5:16</strong><br><br>The Lord will hear the prayers of the righteous and respond according to this scripture above! Here are some keys below that I use in prayer for my unsaved loved ones.<br><br><strong>#1. Make a list of names</strong>! Haha... this is the easy part! Don't leave anyone out!<br><br><strong>#2.</strong> <strong>Pray Out Loud!</strong> This key is true in all manner of prayer and must also be used when praying for the unsaved. It is of utmost importance that you speak your prayers out of your mouth out loud and <em><strong>call them out by their names!</strong></em> Don't just say prayer within your spirit or inside your head. The words must be spoken out of your mouth! If saying prayers within your self were sufficient then God wouldn't have "Said" "Let there be light" and it was so. In the same manner we must declare with the words coming out of our mouths. Our words go forth and are carried to the throne room, our words are released and the enemy has to obey, our words are released and they go to work and take action in the spirit. <br><br><strong>#3. Pray The Word Of God</strong> (out loud) over them. Ask God to give you a specific scripture that is pertinent to your family members lives. Find out what the Word of the Lord is over them and pray these things specifically.<br><br><strong>#4. Declare Their Sins Are Forgiven</strong> You might say sister that is sacrilegious! Then you tell me why Jesus said it! <strong>Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you. And when He had said this, he breathed on them and said to them "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. John 20:21-23 </strong>The word settles it in my mind! I pray that the sins of my loved ones are forgiven every time I get my little list out and pray for them.<br><br><strong>#5. Pray Luke 21:36</strong> Declare that as for you and your loved ones you will be counted worthy to escape all the things are coming on the earth and to stand unblemished in the presence of Yeshua! <strong>Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36</strong><br><br><br> <div style="text-align: center;">Lastly the Holy Spirit is your Helper! He will intercede through you! Just be that yielded vessel that He can flow through! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 19, 32); font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(253, 254, 255);">In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible </span><span style="text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(253, 254, 255); font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><font color="#001320" face="Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">groaning</font></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 19, 32); font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(253, 254, 255);">. Romans 8:26</span></strong>
</div>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/56813452015-07-25T09:35:00-03:002019-03-15T09:42:15-03:00House With No Foundation - Luke 6<p><strong>Dream: “House With No Foundation” </strong></p>
<p><strong>Luke 6:46-49</strong> Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock. But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”</p>
<p>Hello Everyone, I awoke a few days ago with a powerful dream embedded into to mind and spirit. I want to share the dream here with you. I feel this dream has spiritual meaning. It was so vivid, so real and so heartbreaking... </p>
<p>I dreamt there was a very massive house, so large it was about 5 or 6 times the size of our house, and that's big, because anyone thats been to our house say, "you guys have such a big house"! Anyway, in my dream my husband was suppose to be helping build a home but for whatever reason he didn't feel to be a part of it, although we had come to look at it after being asked to help. As we were standing a great distance away all the sudden the loudest sounds of snapping and rumbling began to take place and we could see each 2x4 beginning to snap right in half and the house began to come down, section by section this massive home was destroyed, one section would go down and then you would think no more was going to be affected, then another section would go down and so on until the entire house was destroyed, the difficult part of watching this seen of horror was the men that were on the inside didn't have time to get out, you could see them running trying to escape, but they couldn't outrun the destruction of the house, it was too massive and too sudden. Another thing that stuck out in my dream was that they had been building this house for 6 years and it still wasn't completed. At the end of my dream before I woke up, there was a woman that shook her head and said, the house went down because the house had no foundation. Under each doorway the thresholds were missing. </p>
<p>After I got up I spent some time in prayer and the Lord gave me a poem called <strong>The Race</strong>. </p>
<p>After sharing this in a blog, I had a major response from my readers as to what the Lord had shown me. I also shared the dream I had at our local church. So I just want to recap on it as some have asked if the interpretation came for what I wrote. And yes I believe the Lord has revealed to us the meaning behind the dream. I believe the Lord also took it and ministered awakening to many others relating to their own lives. </p>
<p>Firstly, I'll share that the dream jolted me to my core as to what my own foundation was being built upon. If our lives are not being built upon the Word of the God we have not footings, no foundation that will last in the coming hour that is to be revealed upon the earth. So I would have to say this has impacted me the most from having that experience. Our foundation must be founded upon the Word. In a practical sense, this has been making me dig deeper into the scriptures. </p>
<p>I had the dream on a Thurs night in July, by that Sunday morning a dear friend of mine from Virginia that I haven't seen since we were teenagers messaged me and felt her husband whom the Lord has used many times to interpret dreams by the Holy Spirit would interpret my dream. I want to post his response here as he wrote it to me, however I will leave out the more personal details he shared with us. But I will share the broader message that he felt he received from the Lord as I feel it shows a picture of the church as a whole. </p>
<p><strong>Dream Interpretation: </strong></p>
<p>Sunday, July 19, 2015 10:07 PM by Charles Walker </p>
<p>On Friday evening, July 10th my wife, Sarah approached me and said that you were a friend from childhood and that you recently had a dream and Sarah said she felt confident that I would have an interpretation for you. I shied away from it initially because I hear so many people that claim to have a dream or vision from God and there are either A. no markers that would classify it as a God given dream or worse B. they're wanting an interpretation to fit their own expectations or desires. However Sarah assured me that you came from a long line of prophetically gifted and were of extremely high character dedicated to ministry so I thought I should at least look at it. Immediately I sensed urgency in your writing that gave me a sense of compassion so immediately I prayed, "God is this dream from you and if so what are you trying to say?" Sometimes it can take me awhile to dissect the parts of a dream and view it in the proper light of scripture however this time after praying, without hesitation, I saw the dream unfold like a vision before me. </p>
<p>The only thing that threw me off a bit was the fact that you stated after the dream you spent some time in prayer and that God had given you a word that you felt related to the dream. I said, "God this word seems so unrelated to her dream and kind of like a hodge-podge of a mess. Does this have anything to do with the dream or is Stephanie just grasping at straws?" I felt the Lord respond, "They are related. The dream is the message, the word I gave is her response." Then it clicked and made sense as it will for you also. </p>
<p>(For the record at this point I would like to make clear that I was completely unaware of Stephanie's ministry past or current involvements and it wasn’t until after I spoke the interpretation I was given that she disclosed anything related to personal or ministry life.) </p>
<p>Components of Dream </p>
<p>Large House- this house represents comfort, shelter, food, family, connection. In this case it represents a church that is seeking to provide and meet these needs to the community at large by welcoming people in through various social service ministries. </p>
<p>Abnormal Size- this house was 5-6 times the size of a nice family home. It actually is several houses put together to make one. It represents different churches coming together for one purpose, one common good. </p>
<p>Six Years- This is significant. It is not to be viewed as a literal time frame. It represents the fact that it is not 7. Seven is the number of completion throughout the Bible. Whatever project this is it will not be completed. </p>
<p>Now God Is Going To Show Us Why </p>
<p>Woman Trying To Draw Your Attention- This woman represents the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is grieved and desperately wants to show you something vital. </p>
<p>No Foundation- the Holy Spirit drew your attention to the fact there was no foundation to this house. Our foundation as a Christian, as a church, as a denomination, fellowship or whatever have you must be the Word of God. The Word must be viewed as infallible and inspired. Many of the before mentioned groups have already begun to question and even rewrite Gods Word to fit their own agenda or for fear of offense. These are the groups gathering to build this house. </p>
<p>Doorways- The doorways in this house had no threshold. The threshold is also called the footing. You need firm footing for a threshold or the doorway will collapse. This represents how we call others to follow Jesus. It is the invitation in. Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.' For fear of offense many have made a claim to a wide open door open to all without requiring repentance. It is a door open to all but it absolutely requires repentance. To make a claim otherwise removes the firm footing of the gospel. Again this is the theology of the groups wanting to be involved with the building of this house. "From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Matthew 4:17 </p>
<p>Cracking Timbers- As you gazed at the size of the house and admired what was being built, you heard timbers crack. This was scary, devastating and sad. Again this is not a work that will be finished and you will be there to watch its demise. </p>
<p>Man Inside- Inside you saw a man crying for help. He represents 2 types of people. First, the ones who entered through the door with no footing. At some point they were desperately seeking God and wanting answers. They accepted and believed the false gospel but it's no good for them and will give no relief. Now they are trapped in a false teaching and have no foundation in God's Word to help them escape. The second person trapped represents the remnant. God always leaves a remnant. Although many denominations and churches have forsaken the infallibility of God's Word and the true gospel that does not mean all of its members have. Many remain because they feel a loyalty to the church and a desire to pray for and become an influence from the inside. The problem is that they are left feeling alone and trapped and as if they have no outside help they feel people are just gazing at them. </p>
<p>Implication </p>
<p>Regional/Global- On a broad scale this dream represents the state of affairs of the current church. Many of those are mainline denominations but it also includes any church or individual seeking to align with an ecumenical, social service only oriented ministry that has turned away from the true gospel and the infallibility of God's Word. The good news is that although this movement seems to be gaining ground and that they are overtaking the true followers of Jesus, they will not prevail. The work will not be completed! 6 years is not 7! </p>
<p>The Race- This is where the word that God gave you during prayer that you titled "The Race" comes into play. It shows us how we, the church, arrived at this junction. It shows us our options for response and gives us hope to persevere and finish. The question we have to ask is, "Where are we in the race?" </p>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/37740972015-07-11T08:34:39-03:002016-05-02T14:29:11-03:00The Race <div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>THE RACE</strong></em><br> <br>We are all racing toward the finish line of life. Some race with blind folds. They think they can see, but in reality they are way off course. They need someone to guide them back to the race track and release them from their blindfold. Others however have no blindfold, yet they are distracted along the way. Drawn off course, seeing clearly but unable to stay committed to the race because of all the distractions. Then there are those that have their eye on the prize, eyes wide open, undistracted by the others, striding forward at a rapid pace. They know their almost to the finish line, they've almost completed the race. For those that are at this point, the last leg of the race will be the toughest, you will get thirsty, your vision may get blurry, you may have hunger pains and muscle aches, but keep your eye on the prize, don't stop for a rest and fall asleep at this point, you will win and victory will be yours to gain. As for the others, now is the time to get back in the race! There's little time to do so, for in a little bit the race will soon be over. How will you finish your race?</div>
<div> </div>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/35914622015-03-11T13:06:25-03:002015-03-11T13:06:25-03:00Season of New Beginnings!Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive <i>and</i> know it <i>and</i> will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness <i>and</i> rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen,<b> </b>The people I formed for Myself, that they may set forth My praise [and they shall do it]. Isaiah 43:18-2 These words have been ringing in my ears! Behold the Lord is doing a new thing! Don't look to the past whether the past was good<em> or</em> bad, leave it behind and see what God will do in your life and your ministry TODAY! The Lord is springing forth rivers in the desert and new life all around to those that will seek His face! Today at our prayer meeting the Spirit was speaking through us to declare "This is the day of New Beginnings!" Declare this over your life, your children, your extended family, your church, your ministry, our Nation and everything that pertains to you that needs fresh new life to spring up! We are in a season of New Beginnings and an acceleration as things are ramping up all over the world for the return of our King. Pray for the bride to be awakened and the persecuted church! We need one another's prayers!Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/35541392015-02-24T13:45:06-04:002017-01-11T10:30:44-04:00The coming glory and deceiving spirits - Stanley Frodshams 1965<h1 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 44px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; line-height: 54px;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">The Coming Glory and Deceiving Spirits</span></h1>
<div class="entry-meta" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; margin: 15px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 15px; color: rgb(170, 170, 170);">
<a class="author" href="http://www.ihopnetwork.com/index.php/author/admin/" rel="author" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(58, 58, 58); text-decoration: none;">Ben</a> / <a class="entry-date" href="http://www.ihopnetwork.com/index.php/2014/05/23/the-coming-glory-and-deceiving-spirits/" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(170, 170, 170); text-decoration: none;">May 23, 2014</a>
</div>
<div class="entry-content" style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 1.5em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); line-height: 20px;"><div itemref="comments" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Article" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div itemprop="articleBody" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="at-above-post addthis-toolbox at-wordpress-hide" data-title="The Coming Glory and Deceiving Spirits" data-url="http://www.IHOPNetwork.com/index.php/2014/05/23/the-coming-glory-and-deceiving-spirits/" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div>
<div class="at-above-post-recommended addthis-toolbox at-wordpress-hide" data-title="The Coming Glory and Deceiving Spirits" data-url="http://www.IHOPNetwork.com/index.php/2014/05/23/the-coming-glory-and-deceiving-spirits/" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div>
<h3 style="border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 40px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(96, 96, 96);">
<a href="http://www.ihopnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/stanley-frodsham.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(17, 123, 184);"><img src="//www.ihopnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/stanley-frodsham-150x150.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="stanley-frodsham" height="150" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; border: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px;" width="150" /></a>Prophecy given at Elim Summer Bible Camp – New York in the Summer 1965</h3>
<h4 style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; clear: both;">By Stanley Frodshams (who had travelled with Smith Wigglesworth)</h4>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When I visit My people in mighty revival power it is to prepare them for the darkness that lies ahead. With the glory shall come great darkness. For the glory is to prepare My people for that darkness. I will enable My people to go through because of a mighty visitation of My Spirit. Take heed to yourselves lest you be puffed up and think that you have already arrived. Many shall be puffed up in that hour as in the days of old. For many then did receive My message, but they did not continue in it. Did I not anoint Jehu? And yet the things I desired were not accomplished in his life.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Listen to the messengers that I will send, but do not hold any man’s personality in admiration. For many whom I shall anoint mightily with signs and miracles and wonders shall become lifted up and put upon a pedestal, but they shall fall by the wayside. I do not do this willingly, for I have made provision that they might stand. I call many into this ministry and equip them, but remember many shall fall in that hour. For Babylon shall not stand. They shall be like bright lights, and the people shall delight in their ministries, but they shall be taken over by deceiving spirits and lead many of My people astray.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hearken diligently concerning these things, for in the last days shall come seducing spirits. (1 Timothy 4: 1) They shall turn many of the anointed ones away. Many shall fall through diverse lusts, and because sin abounds in their lives. But, if you will seek Me diligently, I will put My Spirit within you. When one shall turn to the right hand or one shall turn to the left hand, you shall not turn with them.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My people must be diligently warned concerning the days that lie ahead. Many shall turn after seducing and deceiving spirits. Many already are in the midst of the body seducing My people. It is those that do righteous that are righteous. Many cover their sins by their great theology and their great theological ways. But I warn you of seducing spirits who instruct My people in an evil way.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Many of these I shall anoint, that they may purify and sift My people, for I would have a holy people. Many shall come with seducing spirits and hold out lustful enticements. You will find, that after I evicted My people again, the way shall become more and more narrow, and few there are that shall walk therein. Be not deceived, it is the way of the righteous that is My way. For though Satan will come as an angel of light, hearken not unto him.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For those that perform miracles and speak not righteousness are not of Me. Those that have large crowds that follow them, but speak not of purifying and holiness are not of Me. I warn you, with great intensity, that I am going to judge My house, and have a Church without spot or wrinkle when I come. I desire to open your eyes and give you spiritual understanding that you may not be deceived, but may walk in uprightness of heart before Me, loving righteousness and hating and despising every evil way. Look unto Me and I will make you to perceive with the eyes of the Spirit the things that lurk in darkness. They are not visible to the human eye. Let Me lead you in this way, that you may precede the powers of darkness and battle against them. It is not a battle against flesh and blood, for if you battle in that way you will accomplish nothing.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But if you let Me take over and battle against the powers of darkness, then they are defeated and liberation is brought unto My people. I warn you to search the Scriptures diligently concerning these last days, for the things that are written shall indeed be manifested.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There shall come deceivers among My people, in increasing numbers, who speak for the truth and shall gain the favor and the hearts of the people.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For the people shall examine the Scriptures and say, “Is not what these men say true?” Then, when they have gained the hearts of the people, then and only then shall they bring out their wrong doctrines. Therefore I say unto you and warn you, ‘Oh people, do not give your hearts to men, nor hold people in admiration, for by these very persons shall Satan enter into My people.’ Watch for the seducers. Do you think a seducer will brandish a new heresy and flaunt it before the people? No, he will speak the words of righteousness and truth, and will appear as a minister of light declaring the Word.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And the people’s hearts shall be won over by their words, then, when their hearts are won, they shall bring out their doctrines, and the people shall be deceived. The people shall say, ‘Did he not speak this and that? Did we not examine it from the Word? Therefore, he is a minister of righteousness. This that he now has spoken, though we do not see it in the Word, it truly must be right, for everything else he has said is true.’</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be not deceived. For the deceiver will first work to gain the hearts of many, and then bring forth his false doctrines. You cannot discern those who are of Me and those who are not of Me when they start to preach, saith the Lord. But seek Me continuously, and when these doctrines are brought out, you shall have a witness within your heart that they are not of Me. Fear not, for I have warned you. Many will be deceived. But if you walk in holiness and uprightness before the Lord your God, your eyes shall be opened, and the Lord God shall protect you all the days of your life. If you will constantly look unto the Lord, you will know when the doctrine changes. And you will not be brought into this thing, if your heart is right, saith the Lord. I will keep you. And if you look constantly unto Me, I will uphold you. The minister of righteousness shall be on this wise, saith the Lord: his life shall agree with the Word, his lips shall give forth that which is holy truth, and it will be no mixture in his ministry. When the mixture appears, you will know that he is not a minister of righteousness. The deceivers speak first the truth and then error, to cover their own sins which they love.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Therefore, I exhort and command you, saith the Lord, to study the Scriptures relating to seducing spirits, for this is one of the greatest dangers for the Church in these last days. I desire you to be firmly established in My Word, not in the personalities or the ministries of men. You shall not be moved as many shall be moved. I would keep you in the paths of righteousness. Seek Me, diligently inquire of Me, that you may hear something, that you might know. I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly, and that you might triumph, even as I have triumphed. On the cross I triumphed over all the power of Satan, and I have called you to walk in the same path. For those who will not minister the crucified life and cross of Jesus Christ, do not understand righteousness. It is when your life is on the cross that you shall have victory which I have experienced. As you are on the cross and seated in Me, you shall know the power of My resurrection. When I came in My glory, the principalities and powers in heavenly places were broken.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fear not, for I have given you power whereby you may tread upon the powers of darkness and come forth victorious. It was on the cross that I triumphed over all things. My life shall flow through you as you enter into these precious truths. Look unto Me and appropriate My life. As your eyes and desires are towards Me, and you know what it is to be crucified with Me, then you shall also know what it is to be resurrected by Me. It was not in My life that I walked upon the earth, but it was in My life when I was upon the cross that I openly spoiled the principalities and powers of darkness.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am showing you truths, that you shall come to know, that you too can be an overcomer to have power over the wicked one. This truth shall liberate you, and it will liberate those around you. You shall know also the fellowship of My suffering, saith the Lord. There is no way by which you can be partakers of the heavenly glory and reign with Me without drinking of the Cup of My suffering. If we suffer with Him, the Word says, then we shall also reign with Him. I desire to make these truths real within you. Have revelation given to you, that you may have power to overcome the wicked one and bondages that are in you life. If you will indeed judge yourself, you shall not be judged. As you shall seek My Face and desire to be cleansed by Me, in all truth and sincerity of heart, I will judge you in the secret place. And the things that are in the secret place of your heart shall not be made manifest to others round about you. I shall do it in the secret place and no mind shall know it. And the shame that shall be seen on many faces in this last hour shall not be seen on your face.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Therefore, in love and mercy I am instructing you. And therefore, I have said that if a man judges himself, he will not be judged. It is not My good pleasure, that the shame of My people be seen by all.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How can I judge the world if I judge not first My own house? Hearken unto these things which I tell you. If you will not hearken unto Me, then the shame shall be evident unto all. I would have you consider My life on earth: the anointing upon Me was great and yet, the temptation was great on every side. In one form and then in another, offering Me first the glory of the kingdoms of the earth, and then reviling and courting and intensifying on every point and persecuting Me. There will be great glory given to My people, and yet, I would have you to know that in this last hour, the temptations shall intensify on every side. The glory to My Church shall be great, and so shall be the temptation from the enemy to turn My people from the directed paths which I have ordained.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I warn you, that when the glory shall be manifested, the temptations shall be great, until very few that start shall finish the race. First, they shall be offered the great worldly possessions, prosperity and then reviling and unbelief shall overtake them. Consider your purpose in this last hour. At times everyone shall rise up against and try with everything to turn you from that course of holiness. It is written of Me, that I set My face as a flint to go the direction My Father had prescribed for Me.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, hear the Word of the Lord, if you are to finish the race with great victory and glory, you must determine to set your face as a flint with great determination. You must walk in the course laid before you.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Many of your loved ones and those who follow with you shall persecute you and even try to turn you from your course. With many words that seem right in the natural mind, they shall try to turn you. Did not Christ rebuke Peter who tried to turn Him off the course that God had prescribed for Him?</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Understand these two things and meditate upon them solemnly in this last hour. The persecution and the darkness shall be as great as the glory, in order to try to turn the elect and the anointed ones from the path which the Lord God has laid down for them. Many shall start, but few shall be able to finish the course, because of the greatness of grace that shall be needed in that hour to endure to the end. The temptations and the persecution of your Lord were continuous. He was tempted by Satan in many forms through him, and He listened not, but He laid down His life upon the cross.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Think not that there shall be a time of no persecution. Think not that there will be a time of no temptation. For it shall be from the time of your anointing until the end of the course. Difficulties and great persecutions unto the end. The Lord must prepare you to be an overcomer in all things that you may be able to finish the course. The persecution shall increase, even as the anointing shall increase. Hear these words, ‘My grace is sufficient for you’ in that hour. In paths of justice and of righteousness shall the Lord God lead His people and bring them into a place which He has chosen for this time. For the Lord has chosen a place of righteousness. It is a place of holiness where He shall encamp round about them, and all who will be led of the Lord shall be brought into this holy place. For the Lord delights to dwell in His people. The Lord delights to manifest Himself through His people. The holiness of the Lord shall be manifested through His people. Let the Lord lead you into difficult places.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He led His people of old through a place where no man dwelt, where no man had passed through. It was a place of great danger and in the shadow of death. The Lord will indeed lead His people through such places, and yet, He will bring them into a place of great glory and victory. Understand that the way towards glory is great danger, but the Lord shall grace thee in that hour. Put your trust in Him and He will bring you into this place of holiness. For He desires to bring His people into this great joy and life. Put your trust in Him. Trust no man. It is a place where God will protect those from the voices that would try to turn them from the given path. He will bring them into a place where He will speak and lead His people. It is a place of great grace and glory. He will indeed camp round about them. Put your trust in Him and He will surely bring you into this new place. Fear not the days to come. But fear only this: that you shall walk in a manner pleasing unto the Lord. It is a time I am ordering and setting up My Church. It shall indeed be without spot or wrinkle. I will do a work in My beloved that has not been seen since the foundations of the world.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I will show you these things that you might seek the Lord diligently, with all your heart, and that you may be preserving of His marvelous grace. Run not to this or to that one, for the Lord has so ordained thy salvation, it is in Him and in Him alone. You shall not turn to this shepherd or to that one, for there shall be a great scattering upon the earth.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Therefore look unto Him, for He will indeed make these things clear unto you. You shall not look here or there for wells that once held water, they shall be no more.</p>
<p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But, as you diligently seek Me, He shall increase your strength and your faith, and His grace and enable you to prepare you for the time that is to come. The truth that I have revealed unto you must become a part of you, not just an experience, but a part of your very nature. Is it not written that I demand truth in the innermost parts? It is a truth of the Lord expressed in your very being that shall hold you and sustain you. Many shall experience the truth, but the truth must become a part of you and your very life. As men and women look upon you, they will hear not only the voice, but see an expression of that truth in our innermost being. Many shall be overcome because they are not permitting the truth to become a part of them at all times. But I am showing you in these truths, that they are to be a part of you, that you might be prepared and having done all, to stand, stand in this last hour. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit now speaks to His Church.<br><br>Taken from <a contents="www.ihopnetwork.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.ihopnetwork.com" target="_blank">www.ihopnetwork.com</a><br><br><br><br> </p>
</div></div></div>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/35400902015-02-18T15:33:25-04:002015-02-18T20:54:07-04:00Be Being Filled<strong>And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52</strong> What amazing joy to be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit. <strong>Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.' John 7:38</strong> Some versions of scripture say from his belly shall flow, others say from within him shall flow. Regardless the interpretation it is from your inner most being that you are infused with the power and presence of God. To those who don't see the necessity or need to continually be filled I will use this analogy... imagine one day saying you didn't need to drink water anymore... you will become <em>very</em> thirsty. So it is spiritually, Jesus said it so pleasantly... <strong>Anyone who believes in me may come and drink. John 7:38</strong> He didn't say that you had to, but it was instead a free gift to believers. There are so many spiritually thirsting people within the community of the family of God. They are saved and heaven bound yet have never tasted what "more" in God means. <strong>If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13 </strong>If you are thirsty for more, go to the Lord today in prayer and ask to drink of Him.Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/34905402015-01-28T00:15:26-04:002022-06-20T13:54:24-03:00Are you a spring or a desert?... you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. Is 58:11 I want to encourage you today, if you feel like a desert spiritually, don't give up! Thats just exactly what the other side would like for you to do! Give up! No, we have this blessed promise for all who believe! ...from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 Holy God is desiring an intimate relationship with you! That is an astonishing thought that the creator of the universe desires my time... as you cultivate spending quality time with the Lord in prayer and reading the Word of God, you will feel the reviving of your spiritual life. Don't allow yourself to be so swallowed up in our worldly culture that it eats away at any possible moments of an intimate relationship with the Father. Paul's writings warns of last day apathy in 2 Tim 3 ... for people will be lovers of self and utterly self centred... they will be lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than lovers of God. For although they hold a form of piety, true religion, they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it. So I will ask again? Are you a spring of refreshing water or a desert? God wants you to be overflowing and bursting with fresh water. This comes by being filled with the Spirit of God (Eph 5:18) spending time with Him and ... by the washing of water with the Word. Eph 5:26. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands and then with them mount up in prayer to God in Heaven. Lam 3:41 Wow, mount up in prayer to God in Heaven! This is how we can be seated in Heavenly places! (Eph 2:6) Our prayers give us an audience with God in Heaven! Such an awesome awesome thought! Don't delay dear friends, this spring or well of living water is for us today! Let the power of God in, don't deny Him... be filled! Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/34307252014-12-23T13:10:02-04:002018-06-25T00:40:28-03:00What is Your Assignment?Did you know that life is full of seasons and assignments from the Lord? Even in the busyness of this Christmas season, I keep hear the whisperings of the Lord in my ears "What is your assignment?". Our Autumn took an unwanted turn for my family as my beloved father in law passed away while they were vacationing in our home in November. At the same time management changes occurred at the Worship and Prayer Barn where I had been ministering for the last nine months. The day before we left for our trip to head to BC for my father in law's funeral, I was packing and praying and I heard these words come up inside, "you've been here nine months, you've learned what I needed you to learn, now your released to go home". Our busy autumn left us little time to get ready for Christmas, but as we have been getting settled back into our home for Christmas I keep hearing the whisperings and tugging of the Lord. I'm reminded of this scripture in <em>Acts 16:9-10. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got up at once and to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the Gospel to them</em>. God speaks in many ways showing us His way, His plan and His purpose. Do you know what your assignment is? Do you recognize where you are in your season/assignment? There can be many assignments in a season, some assignments are longer than others and vice versa. Maybe you are at the beginning, middle or end of an assignment. I encourage you to ask the Lord how you are doing in your assignment. The ultimate fulfillment will be to one day hear the Father speak these words from His mouth, Well done my good and faithful servant, you were faithful to every assignment I gave you. Even during this busy season of Christmas take time to listen for the whisperings of the Father, He is always speaking... sometimes we are just not always listening. Blessings and Merry Christmas to all!Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/29670402014-05-23T11:34:34-03:002018-06-25T00:42:49-03:00Entertaining the Presence of GodWhat keeps us from entertaining the presence of God? I want to ask this question. What is so important in our daily lives that we can't seem to squeeze even a half hour of God time out of our busy schedules. Just to sit at His feet and cry Holy is the Lord God Almighty, listening, waiting, soaking in His presence, reading scripture, praying… whatever the moment calls for, but ultimately entertaining His presence for just a few moments. Last night the Lord taught me such a lesson. I had been at The Worship and Prayer Barn doing my evening shift of worship from 6-10pm, in the middle of the worship the Lord impressed on me to spend the night at the barn. So I was obedient. The couches there are small and I was cramped, but when I awoke this morning the Lord impressed on my heart so strongly the joy that I had brought to Him in entertaining His presence, even though I was just there to sleep! I'm reminded of when someone special comes for a sleep over, my mind goes to my sister… We have such a special relationship, we like to spend every minute together that we can, and if she comes for a visit and she sleeps over, we talk late and even though when its bed time and we are sleeping, we have the joy of knowing we are all together in the same house. If I could bring joy to God by sleeping in His presence at the barn last night, how much more pleasure and joy do we bring to the Father's heart when we purpose to spend waking moments seeking Him and spending time with Him! When I initially came to The Worship and Prayer Barn just a few months ago, my thoughts on leading worship for 2 hours straight was a daunting thought let alone doing the six hours that Jerry wanted me to work into. But the more time you spend with the Lord, the more you just want to continue! I'm now leading worship at the barn 6 hours a day and when I have to leave I feel like I'm going to miss something and I can't wait for my next shift! <br><br>Last thought… What significant or insignificant thing would you be willing to give up in your day to just give him at least a 1/2 hour of your time to love on Him and entertain His presence? Please let me know if you will take this thought to heart and comment below! Blessings!Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/29492612014-05-15T15:29:15-03:002014-05-15T15:32:36-03:00Loving on Holy God Our approach to worship at <a contents="The Worship and Prayer Barn " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.worshipandprayerbarn.com" target="_blank">The Worship and Prayer Barn </a>is a little different in concept from how I traditionally have considered church worship. As a worship leader and someone that has traveled in music ministry, I have led worship on what seems like countless church stages. The thrust of church worship leading in my mind has always been on how can I get the worshippers that are attending the worship service or concert to effectively engage in worship and encourage abandonment in their worship. Worship leaders carry the weightiness in the spirit of successfully being able to accomplish being this catalyst of drawing people to worship or even in some cases to have the <i>desire </i>to worship. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is the true worship leader and you are accommodating Him takes some pressure off, but you still feel the weightiness of it all. After being here at the barn for really only a few months so far, its been so different to have to change the mechanical process of what I do and strip it all back to just worshipping God! I don't have the pressure of... Is the sound ok? Are the people worshipping? Am I saying the right things? Did I pick the right songs? etc… All I simply have to do is worship God in spirit and in truth and attend to Him. It's simple and yet so incredibly awesome and fathomless at the same time. I feel so "special" (haha, for lack of better words) that He would call me to be in this place at this point in my life to officially just be spending time with Him and loving on Him. The only weightiness that I feel is the weightiness of the Spirit that is so awesomely expressed at the barn every time I'm there to worship. Thank-you God for this awesome gift and opportunity to worship you daily here at the barn! This experience has revolutionized my concept of worship that I know will overflow in all aspects of my life and ministry. If I can encourage worship leaders today, I will leave you with this one last thought... worship God as if He is your only audience!Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/25257742014-02-05T11:29:49-04:002020-10-24T08:44:39-03:00Reflections on 2013 - Bring on 2014!As I look back on 2013, I just have to give glory and praise to God for all He has done and I want to share it with you! At the very beginning of the year the Lord spoke to my heart to not live 2013 like I had other years, He was challenging me to go deeper spiritually. So right then and there I took on His challenge and determined in my heart that I would not settle into a mundane year of spirituality in my christian walk. As a busy mother of 5 children I determined that every spare moment to spend with the Lord would count. As the Lord called me into my prayer closet I heard Him say, "I am giving you an insatiable desire for lost souls". At first I didn't even know what the word insatiable meant, so I looked it up and it means unable to satisfy or un-appeasable. By April I knew that fasting was required and the Lord called me to 120 days (by the end of the year) of fasting a meal a day and praying. I started a weekly prayer group at my moms home consisting of several aunties and friends. Our focus for prayer was our families and awakening. The Lord showed me that we need to take dominion over our families and proclaim household salvations for our loved ones. We began to see the Lord move powerfully in our midst with many testimonies of answered prayers. By the fall we felt to host Household Salvation Prayer gatherings in our county and cry out to God for souls and revival. The gatherings last fall began a flame in people for prayer and it was so exciting to see people responding to the call to pray! During the fall the Lord also started birthing several songs in my heart! I believed the songs were prophetic for our nation and the more songs that came the more I realized we must record them. So Jan 1st of this year I was flying down to Kansas City and we recorded our new album The Prayer right across the road from the International House of Prayer! (thats a story in itself!) haha… I'm as equally excited to enter 2014 and I have an anticipation in my heart for breakthrough in prayer for my loved ones, your loved ones, and to see the power of God displayed with His manifest presence in our midst! In sharing my testimony with you, its not to bring attention to myself. I believe that our testimonies hold the anointing of God to minister to others and if what I share will encourage you to be challenged in the same way then its worth me taking the time to blog! Love to you all!Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/17161852013-09-26T00:00:00-03:002018-06-15T08:37:48-03:00Ist Household Salvation Prayer Gathering Sept 6/13Our first Household Salvation Prayer Gathering on Sept 6th, 2013 held at Abundant Life Center in Meductic, N.B, Canada, was such a powerful night, as we all recognised that the hand of the Lord was orchestrating the whole evening. Pastor Darrell McLellan represented the Maritimes, my father Pastor Dale Shaw represented Quebec and Ontario, Pastor Cliff Paul of Cross Canada Ministries represented Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the North, and my husband Brad Israelson represented Alberta and British Columbia in prayers for awakening in the body of Christ all across our land. I've added the podcast so you can listen to the ministry that took place that night.Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/10604012013-07-03T07:09:10-03:002018-06-15T08:36:08-03:00Being Steadfast Believers<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY and make special request for you, asking that you may be filled with the full deep and clear knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things. Col 1:9</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Paul confirms several times throughout this text in Colossians that he was unceasingly in prayer for them. He mentions how Epaphras in Col 4:12 was also "STRIVING for you EARNESTLY in his PRAYERS, pleading that you may as persons of ripe character and clear conviction stand firm and mature in spiritual growth, convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God."</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Be EARNEST and UNWEARIED and STEADFAST in your PRAYER LIFE, being both ALERT and INTENT in your praying with thanksgiving. Col 4:2</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Paul established that they were in prayer, so obviously this was important to him to be in prayer for his fellow believers as is expressed in other of Paul's writings. If it was important to Paul (and it was) then it should be important to us as well.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Then we need to look at WHAT was so important that he was praying so earnestly and steadfastly for? If you look at the scriptures above again (and the whole book of Col) you will see that Paul was completely consumed with his desire to see the people be successful in their growth, expressing the importance and fervour of our need to continually be growing and come into deeper insight and revelation of God and relationship with Him. In verse 28-29 he says...</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom, comprehensive insight into the way and purposes of God, that we may present every person mature full grown, fully initiated, complete and perfect in Christ the Anointed One. For this I labor unto weariness, striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">My heart has been heavy as I hear news of happenings around us in our North American Church of such things as worship leaders sleeping with their boyfriends on the weekends, a Pastor living with his girlfriend after leaving his wife and children of many years, alcohol use and partying, etc... all in the name of grace and being accepted by believers as the new norm. It makes me so mad at the devil to twist the message of God's grace to steep to such base carnality and lusts of the flesh.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">"Grace is a license to live Holy" -Sarah Pearsons</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">I echo Sarah's quote!</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">So kill, deaden, deprive of power the evil desire lurking in your members, those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed, covetousness, for that is idolatry.... It is on account of these very sins that the holy anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience, those who are apposed to the divine will. Col 3:5-6</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Let us be in prayer for our families and fellow believers to not get caught up in these manmade teachings and ideas, and that we all will continue to grow in the knowledge our Lord. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">As Paul taught and prayed...</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Have the roots of your being firmly and deeply planted in Him, fixed and founded in Him, being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit idle fancies and plain nonsense following human tradition, mens ideas.... Col 2:7-8</span>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/10603682013-07-03T07:02:06-03:002013-07-03T07:02:06-03:00Camp ShiktehawkIt was my priviledge to lead worship for family camp at Camp Shiktehawk this past weekend! What a wonderful time we had, I marvel at the faithfulness of God in all that He did in our hearts! I love you and pray for you all that... "He may grant out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality. May Christ through your faith actually dwell settle down, abide, make His permanent home in your hearts!" Eph 3:16-17Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/7964052013-05-22T13:03:36-03:002018-06-15T08:37:28-03:00Pray with Watchfullness, Purpose and Perseverance<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Its been a while since I posted here, mainly because we've been away! We went to a ministry conference in Mississauga. On the Sat night of the conference as sister Terri Pearsons prayed I felt such an adjustment in the spirit, I felt like she was praying into our ministry alone! It was awesome! She was calling forth souls in prayer, and this is what the Lord has burdened my heart with, for many souls for the Kingdom! Praise God! It was such a privilege to be there!</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">That Sunday we ministered in the Joshua Centre with my sister Naomi</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "> and brother in law Michael Knoll</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">. We had a wonderful time of worship and Brad preached, we had prayer with people after and it seemed the altar was flooded with people, it was wonderful to hear some testimonies of the what the Lord was doing in peoples lives after.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">The next weekend we were all the way down to Bears Point in Nova Scotia, the most southern and eastern tip of Canada! We went to NS for Brad's sisters wedding reception (Tracy Mader)</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "> which was awesome, but then we ended up doing the evening service at the little Christian Advent Church there. Tracy told us to bring our instruments we would prob end up doing some music there. And we did indeed. Have you ever heard of 7 people, luggage for 7 people, 2 guitars, a keyboard (Tracy played with us), a sound system including speakers, mic stands and music stands to boot all fitting in a mini van!!!??? Haha, well thats just how it all went and we had a wonderful time singing and preaching there. As I spoke on prayer I could see people begin to look at one another with smiles and I knew I was a hitting a nerve that the Lord was already prodding at in them! While we were there I sensed the Spirit's desire for a harvest of souls in that place, and I pray oh dear God that it will happen in Jesus Name!</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">I'm so excited about what God is doing! I want to share a little tidbit from my notes that I shared this morning at our prayer...</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Will you enter the "Prayer Fight" ?? We all know the scripture in Eph 6:10-18 about putting on the whole armour of God, knowing that our fight is not with flesh and blood. Lets look at verse 18. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and WATCH with strong PURPOSE and PERSEVERANCE, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Eph 6:18</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">So we are to pray at all times, be unceasing in prayer in the Spirit. Your prayer life will awaken you to begin walking in the spirit continually. As this happens the Lord calls us to a WATCHFULLNESS in the spirit in prayer. As the people began the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah the men and the women had shovels in one hand busy building and swords in the other hand protecting, as they worked and built, they watched and protected! God is calling us even in the midst of our busyness to pray in the spirit and WATCH! Jesus said in Luke 21:36 Keep awake then and WATCH at all times (be discreet, attentive, and ready), praying... Notice a shift happen in your life as prayer becomes your focus, a watchfullness in the spirit will increase. In Eph 6:18 my next point is to have PURPOSE! It says to WATCH with STRONG PURPOSE! The Lord will give you purpose as you begin to pray for others and show you specific things to pray! And lastly pray with PERSEVERANCE! Daniel 10:12 Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of and in response to your words. When Daniel set his heart to pray, from the very first day the Lord heard his words, but Daniel pressed on through and persevered so he could receive the message the angel had for him. Too many times we pray and seem to touch something in the spirit or receive partial breakthroughs but don't press on in to the fullness of the breakthrough or all of what the Spirit has for us. So press in and press in some more and don't stop at 30% victory or 70% victory press in with perseverance for the complete 100% that is yours in Jesus name!</span>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/4908232013-04-09T01:04:31-03:002019-08-30T05:13:23-03:00On Fasting<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">And when you fast, do not look as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:16 NLT</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">The key point in this scripture I want to look at is the fact that Jesus said "WHEN you fast". He did not say IF you fast, but WHEN you fast! "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then THEY WILL FAST in those days." Luke 5:35 This scripture is speaking of us! In years past I used to think that fasting was such a horrible dirge and I had to inflict self punishment upon myself as the men of the Old Testament would sit in sackcloth and ashes and would pain and punish themselves. The enemy had made it so hard and difficult in my mind that I rarely ever did it! But these men in the Old Testament were under the old covenant and the law, they would beat themselves up for their sins, they didn't have the provision we have. We today have Jesus our High Priest and advocate that has already done the work of the cross and lifted us to be seated with Christ in the heavenlies! Eph 2:6 Therefore we are not to be about punishing ourselves with a beating of the chest kind of fast. And not many will God call to a complete 40 day fast like what Jesus did. But if He does, you had better know it is the voice of your Creator calling you to do it because you will need His divine grace to fulfil such a calling. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">But Jesus said "when you fast". Every believer is called to fast. In the church today some people like to fast different things like TV, internet, movies, or sports to show devotion to the Lord and this is honourable, but the fast that Jesus is talking about here is definitely a fast that involves not eating. Otherwise why would the pharisees disfigure their faces? They were hungry! In fasting FOOD in particular which was what Jesus was talking about, its the act of denying ones self, putting yourself in a place of submission, saying no to your flesh, telling your body I need Spirit more than I need food and setting apart time to seek God. He will honour this in your life. Also in quoting another preacher he said, "if you don't pray and read your Bible while you fast you might as well call it a diet, because thats just about all you'll get out of it is losing a few pounds" When you fast you need to set aside time to read His Word and pray and not going about doing other things. Give the Lord your time or your fast will be useless.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Most believers in our day have lost sight of the needfulness as a follower of Christ to fasting and this kind of submission to our God. We are a society of self gratification and the lies of Satan himself to perpetuate this self gratification to the the very core of our desire. You see it way back in the garden when Adam and Eve took the very first bite they believed the lie that they could better themselves and it would be good for them to taste the apple, a completely selfish act drove them to disobedience and out of the garden. They believed the lie. Just fast TV for 40 days and then turn it back on again and you will be shocked in just a few commercials the constant lie of me, myself and I, sitting on my throne. The world screams I am the king/queen of my own kingdom. But fasting slams this thinking of self being king/queen in the head (or stomach), with the fact that Jesus is Lord and Head of my body, I'm not ruling, He is! denying your flesh this food puts your flesh down to the point of being able to hear the Spirit speaking more clearly. </span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Fasting is the dying to self that we so desperately need in our culture of constant self glory. Hell trembles when a child of God grabs a hold of the truth of fasting and applies the truth of it to their lives.</span>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/4691452013-04-04T06:26:18-03:002021-11-16T08:40:59-04:00Lord of the Harvest - song lyrics<pre id="from_pre" style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word; line-height: 20px; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; ">
<b>Lord of the Harvest - </b><i><b>Imperials</b> </i>
See the fields, ripe and white as snow
Up from the seeds of faith we planted long ago
So many the hearts in season
With every prayer they've grown
You have made them ready
But we must bring them home
Chorus:
Lord of the harvest place your fire in me
Servant you need now, servant I will be
Give me the eyes of your spirit,
Your heart of compassion to know
Lord of the harvest, show me where to go
Time like a free wind, so quickly slips away
Too soon today's tomorrow, too soon yesterday
So little time for the reaping and the laborers are few
Lift your head to the fields of white
The work that you must do
</pre>
<div> </div>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/4691432013-04-04T06:21:09-03:002013-04-04T06:21:09-03:00The Harvest<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">I had a really cool experience yesterday I wanna share. The Lord has been impressing on my heart about "The Harvest". The labourers are few and the harvest that God is desiring is so great! It seems that the church in north america (as a blanket statement) has somewhat lost this urgency in these past years to be prepared for the second coming of Christ. But!! There is a big "but" here, the Lord is stirring this message again in His saints if we will listen to His voice. I'm so thankful for the medium of internet, we can be connected with believers all over the world within matters of seconds! God is using this in the end times we are undoubtedly living in. The Lord is desiring a much greater harvest than we have seen or are even prepared for in our churches. For years I travelled with my parents preaching and proclaiming "There's gonna be a Great Awakening, there's gonna be a great Revival in our land"! (some of you may remember that song) I believe we can say we are on the very crux of that "Awakening"! God is Awakening His people all over the world to this message, and the burden of those receiving this message is prepare with prayer and seeking the face of God, believing for many many souls for the Harvest! And this includes believing for our loved ones! Can I get an Amen?? "The harvest is the close and consummation of the age..." Matthew 13:39 Its so wonderful when the Lord confirms what He is speaking by giving signs, yesterday He brought across my path the song "Lord of the Harvest" by the Imperials, its an old song, but I'll put the words up so you can be encouraged by them too. Also, last night I had asked the Lord to lead me where He wanted me to spend the hr and 1/2 I had to wait while the kids were at awana. So I started driving and ended up at a church, I went in where they were going to be having a bible study and when I walked in the doors I looked to the left and they had a bookshelf of books people can borrow. My eyes immediately hit the title of a book titled "The Harvest"! Haha! God is so good, that book is now in my possession and I'm reading it! If you don't have a burden for the lost right now, ask the Lord to give you His burden for the lost, His compassion and mercy and love is so great for the lost, if He were to give you a speck of His heart the size of a piece of dust particle that floats in the air that we can't hardly see unless there is a sun-ray beaming through the window would set a fire in your soul that would burn and completely consume all of you and set you on a path hunting for the souls of men! Dear Lord, do it in all of us in Jesus name!</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">Joel 2:24-32</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left; ">24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. 25 "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. 26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. 27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. 28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.</span>Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/53402013-02-08T07:25:00-04:002022-06-20T13:54:45-03:00Tommy Hicks' End-Time Vision I was listening to Billye Brim the other day online teaching on the book of Revelation (awesome). She told some of the vision given to Tommy Hicks about the end-times. I want to share this info with my readers too as I feel this is relevant to the day and hour we are living in. Paste the address below in your browser to read the vision. <br>
http://www.kcmcanada.ca/pdf/tommy_hicks.pdf<br><br><br type="_moz">Stephanie Israelsontag:stephanieisraelson.com,2005:Post/53392013-01-21T06:30:00-04:002018-02-22T07:45:13-04:00The Art Of Leading Worship - Notes & Scriptures from Engage Worship Conference Oct 2012<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 14px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">THE ART OF LEADING WORSHIP</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">The Four P's.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>PRAYER, PREPARE, PRACTICE, PRAISE </b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>~First, I want to share nuggets of truth from Gods Word that can revolutionize our worship leading if we actually do them!~</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>~At the end I'm going to share practical tips, simple things I have learned that have helped me through the years.~</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>1st "P" PRAYER </b></span><b>(Our Lifeline):</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>I</b>n this first section I want to bring to your attention the utmost importance of what a prayer life can mean to some one that is in ministry and especially someone thats in a worship leading position in the local church.<b> </b>What constitutes the heart of a worship leader? As worship leaders we stand before people and encourage and exhort them to worship God. We lead by example, people watch what we do and mimic us. So our lives not only need to be passionate and overflowing in the things of the Lord on stage but just as importantly off stage as well. I believe if you are a passionate worshipper in front of the crowd, you should be just as passionate in the crowd or away from the crowd where your invisible life take place.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">Lets take a lesson from our ultimate example Jesus and how He portrayed His life!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">Jesus was a man of mission and purpose, his pursuit in life was to fulfill the call that God had placed on Him. Probably the most important thing that Jesus constantly did in His lifetime on the earth was his prayer life. Jesus was in such incredible close communication and contact with the Father at all times. Jesus didn't act on his own, he only acted according to the purpose of the Father. In fact as we all know, Jesus' ministry in its entirety began with a 40 day fasting and prayer period. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">His <b>prayer life</b> was His <b>Lifeline!</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="middle" style="width: 411.0px; margin: 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px">
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="color: #000000"><b>Matt 14:23</b></span><span style="color: #0092f2"> </span>After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="color: #000000"><b>Mark 1:35 </b></span>Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="color: #000000"><b>Luke 6:12</b></span><span style="color: #0092f2"> </span>One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="color: #000000"><b>Luke 9:28-29</b></span> About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.<span style="background-color: #bbe0ff"> </span>As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Jesus understood the power that was available to Him through His prayer life!</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Luke 5:16</b> NIV But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="color: #000000">WNT</span><br>
But Jesus Himself constantly withdrew into the Desert and there prayed.</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="middle" style="width: 411.0px; margin: 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px">
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; text-align: left; ">Clarkes Commentary on the Bible of <b>Luke 5:16</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">And he withdrew himself into the wilderness - He made it a frequent custom to withdraw from the multitudes for a time, and pray. Teaching us hereby the ministers of the Gospel that they are to receive fresh supplies of light and power from God by prayer, that they may be the more successful in their work; and that they ought to seek frequent opportunities of being in private with God and their books. <b>A man can give nothing unless he first receive it; and no man can be successful in the ministry who does not constantly depend upon God, for the excellence of the power is all from Him</b>. Why is there so much preaching, and so little good done? Is it not because the preachers mix too much with the world, keep too long in the crowd, and are so seldom in private with God? Reader! Art thou a herald for the Lord of hosts? Make full proof of thy ministry! Let it never be said of thee, "He forsook all to follow Christ, and to preach his Gospel, but there was little or no fruit of his labor; for he ceased to be a man of prayer, and got into the spirit of the world."</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Amidst the sometimes chaos of life and business of our North American ways we must take time to come before the Lord in private and be still before Him. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="color: #000000"><b>Psalm 46:10</b></span> says, Be still and know that I am GOD!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">There are sooooooo many things that are vying for our time, what will we give our precious time to?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I love this quote…..</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>Its so easy to put work before worship, duty before devotion, the common before communion!</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Psalm 46:10</b> says, Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Is it in our quiet times that pure praise and worship begins in our hearts!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I want to encourage you to quiet yourself and be still before the Lord, take the time to shut yourself in with the Lord and seek His face. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">In my own experience, some of the most precious times I've had with the Lord have flowed out of my personal devotional time with the Lord, not on the big stage in front of throngs of people but in private alone with the Lord!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">It is through these times with the Lord that our cups are filled and the overflow will affect those around us, and if your a worship leader it will affect your worship leading.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Elijah sought the Lord in his time of trouble and this is how he explained hearing God's voice… in <b>1 Kings 19:11-13</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">How will we be able to hear that still small voice of God in our lives if its completely drowned out by all the busyness and cares of the affairs of this world. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>We have to purpose to be still before the Lord!</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">If something is important to you, you make time for it! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Its the same with our passion for the Lord, if His presence in our lives is a priority its going to show by how much time we purpose to give to Him!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">In <b>John 10:27</b> Jesus says, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Its been my hearts cry throughout my life and ministry to hear the authentic true voice of God. Its a constant prayer for me that the Lord would shut out all other voices so I can concentrate on His. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">So how do we hear the voice of God speaking to us? He has given us His Holy Spirit.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>In John16:13</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Jesus says, When He the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not <b>speak</b> on His own authority, but whatever He <b>hears</b> He will <b>speak</b>; and He will <b>tell you</b> things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and <b>declare</b> it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that <b>He will take of Mine and declare it to you.</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>1 John 2:27</b> says, But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you. The New Living translation says it like this, But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">The referral of Holy Spirit and the Anointing in this text are interchangeable, they mean the same thing.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">So going back to how do we put ourselves in a place to be able to hear the authentic true voice of God? </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">First of all we need to…. <b>Quiet our souls</b>…. be still and know that I am God! Get out your Bible and shut yourself in your prayer closet.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Secondly…. <b>take confidence that His Spirit abides within us</b> and He will speak into our hearts as we seek the Lord. He has anointed us with an unction from the Holy Spirit!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Gills Exposition of the Bible explains the anointing like this…. But the anointing which ye have received of him,.... The Spirit, and the grace of the Spirit, which they had received out of the fulness of grace which is in Christ; and is compared to oil or ointment, for Christ, the anointed, is the fountain of it all, and it is had from him in a way of giving and receiving. the fountain of the oil of unction, this abideth in you. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">When John says the anointing you have received from God abides in you, He is referring to the Spirit of God abiding in you.<b> The Spirit of God is the oil in the vessel of the heart!</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>What does oil do? </b>It is the substance that makes mechanics operate smoothly! <b>Without</b> the oil, a vehicle will not run smoothly and will eventually seize up! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Oil is the substance that makes a recipe moist! <b>Without</b> the oil, our recipe will easily go stale and dry out!<b> </b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">In the Old Testament the anointing of oil qualified Kings!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>1 John 2:27</b> says, But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Oil may seem like an insignificant ingredient or component, but just try going without it and see how lacking everything will become! Likewise, spiritually if we are not tapping into the freshness of the flow of anointing that is available to us by the Spirit of God dwelling within us, our worship leading will seem dry and stagnant. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Have you ever come away from a worship service and said "that was so…. Dry! Haha… well, now you know why.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">When we spend time in communion with the Father and reading His Word, that is when he fills the reservoir of our hearts to overflowing and in turn our lives can overflow to others through ministry.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Purpose to spend time in Prayer and communion with the Father, being still before the Lord, quieting our souls, take confidence that His Spirit abides within us and has anointed us as His ministers.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Jesus knew that His prayer life was His life-line to the Father.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>So to Cap off the first P:</b> Spend time in prayer, Be still before the Lord, and take confidence that His Spirit has anointed us</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>2nd "P" PRACTICE</b></span><b> (Practicing the Presence of God): </b></p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I want us to think outside the box for a few minutes and think about a different kind of practice. What would you think about practicing the presence of God? </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Practicing the Presence of God on a personal level. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Exodus 20:18-21</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. then they said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said to the people, do not fear, for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin. So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Can you imagine living in Moses day when God himself is actually coming down and desiring to speak with His people! I cannot imagine being one of those that would not want to hear His voice, they wanted to hear the message that God had for them, but they didn't want to receive the delivery themselves! They were scared! They said MOSES!! YOU DO IT!! And so the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near to where God was!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>James 4:8</b> Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Another version says, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. </p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr>
<td valign="middle" style="width: 641.0px; margin: 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px; padding: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px">
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>We need to apply this verse to our lives on a daily basis!</b> <span style="text-decoration: underline">You</span> have the responsibility of taking the first step. When you begin to draw near to God, He will automatically draw near to you. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">Cleanse your hands; and purify your hearts: single up your mind. Start to seek the Lord. Come out from the world, separating yourself from the things of the world, and fixing your heart and mind on things above. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">As worship leaders we may not struggle with the "BIG" sins, but face it, we live in a world that is constantly throwing is cultural garbage our way!</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Much is to be said for drawing near to God.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Remember, we will never be able to take the people where we ourselves have never been.</b> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "> Jesus's ministry reflected who he was as a person and the time He spent with the Father. Likewise, our ministries will reflect who we really are and our spiritual condition.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I remember the first time I really felt a connect with God's presence in my life as an adult. I had grown up in a traveling family music ministry, and you could say like most PK's kids that your riding your parents coat tails for the most part. As an adult I remember just crying out to God in my prayer closet that I just wanted God to confirm to me that all this stuff that I accepted from my parents belief system as a child was truly real, that God was real, that all He supposedly had for me was real! I needed to experience and know in my heart of hearts for myself! I cried out to God any chance I could for months! God took me seriously in my persistence and revealed Himself to me so beautifully. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><span style="color: #001220">The scripture says in Luke 11:</span><b>9 </b>So I say to you, Ask and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>b</b></span><b>]</b>keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>c</b></span><b>]</b>keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>d</b></span><b>]</b>keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. <b>10 </b>For everyone who asks and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>e</b></span><b>]</b>keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>f</b></span><b>]</b>keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>g</b></span><b>]</b>keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened. <b>11 </b>What father among you, if his son asks for <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>h</b></span><b>]</b>a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? <b>12 </b>Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? <b>13 </b>If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>i</b></span><b>]</b>that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and <b>[</b><span style="color: #651300"><b>j</b></span><b>]</b>continue to ask Him!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I have learned since from experience that <b>we don't have to strive for the presence of God in our lives</b>, </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Heb 10:22</b> <b>Let us go right into the presence of God</b> with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies having been washed with pure water. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Let us go right into the presence of God! We don't have to strive for Gods presence in our lives. King James says, Let us <b>draw</b> <b>near </b>with a true heart!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Psalms 73:28</b> says, But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">So this is what I mean by practicing the Presence of God! Draw near to Him, Seek His Face, and call upon the name of the Lord. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I like to imagine what our churches would be like if our worship leaders and teams were in one accord when it comes to this personal devotion of closeness to the very heartbeat and presence of God in our lives. To be completely enveloped and consume by desire to know the presence of God in our lives. I feel I have just a small taste or glimpse of what He wants to pour into my life concerning knowing and understanding His presence in my life.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Have you ever gotten a little taste of something in your mouth and it tasted so good that you wanted more… and you got a little bit more and then your taste buds are just going crazy and you gotta have more!!! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Have you ever heard of the expression, this will whet your appetite? If something Whets your appetite, it interests you and you want more of it!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">How much more when you have tasted of the Lord and seen that He is so good, we will desire more and more. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>So, to cap off the 2nd "P"</b>, let us practice the presence of God in our lives on a personal level and the overflow of practicing His presence, I believe will directly affect your ministries in your local churches!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>3rd "P" PRAISE </b></span><b>(Worshiping the Father in Spirit and in Truth): </b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">If you have done your homework so to speak, if you have done your first 2 P's well, Prayer and Practicing the Presence of God, I believe the praise and the worship will come forth with power and anointing and you will be led by the Spirit of the Lord.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">All that said, the enemy may still try to come in and try to bring distraction or use whatever he can to bring you into your flesh.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">How many would admit to the fact of mind wandering during worship? After all the hard work and effort put into the time of worship that we so diligently prepare for, don't you hate it when suddenly you feel your mind drifting into Lu Lu Land??</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Matthew 15:8-9</b> says, these people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. and in vain they worship Me.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Psalm 141:8</b> says, But my eyes are fixed on you oh Sovereign Lord</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Isaiah 26:3</b> You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">The King James Translators translate the mind as: thought, or imagination, so the Lord will keep him in perfect peace who's mind or thought or imagination is stayed on the Lord.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Barnes notes on the bible conclude in this verse, that the mind is actually <b>supported</b> by God</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">When we are leading worship, we need to let the cares of the world fade away from us and fix our eyes upon the most high. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">Has anyone other than me ever wondered what worshipping the Father in Spirit and in truth could possibly mean when Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">J<b>ohn 4:23, 24</b> says But the time is coming--indeed it's here now--when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">So what could this mean to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth? </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I believe worshiping the Father in Spirit and in truth simply means to be operating out of a completely surrendered heart!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Again, <b>Jesus i</b>s our perfect and most excellent model of the completely surrendered heart! Jesus truly worshipped the Father in Spirit and in truth in everything that He did! He did this all throughout His ministry, every act of kindness and miracle He performed, every truth that He spoke from His mouth, every action of our Lord was done out of obedience to the Father, and through His acts of obedience flowed <b>pure worship</b> to the Father! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">The highest act of obedience that Jesus surrendered to, was when He said, not <b>my will</b> but <b>Your will</b> be done!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>Luke 22:42 </b>“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">When we give our passions and desire's over for <b>obedience</b> to the Father, <b>we set ourselves up for completely "surrendered" hearts</b>!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>That is how we Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth! </b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">I referred earlier to Jesus starting out His ministry with a period of 40 days of fasting and prayer… do you know what Jesus was doing? Has anyone here ever fasted before? Some of you know how difficult it is on our flesh to fast! Jesus was overcoming His flesh in the very earliest stages of His ministry! He was telling the carnality of his being a human, that He was not going to serve His flesh, but He was going to serve His Father's will in Heaven above all else!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">The Father is looking for such obedience from us, and abandonment to the drawing and pulling of fleshly and worldly things that so easily tug and pull at us.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">Worshiping the Father in spirit and in truth is going to look very much the opposite of serving the flesh.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires</b>; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. <b>6 </b>The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. <b>7 </b>The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. <b>8 </b>Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. <b>9 </b>You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">As we fix our eyes on the Lord and shut everything else out as we lead, may we not operate from our flesh which signifies <b>(us holding onto the reigns)</b>, but may we operate by the spirit, out of completely surrendered hearts, giving the reigns over completely to the Father! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I don't want to just be getting by with the mediocre… saying phew, one more service down! and High five the team on the way out! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I want to operate from the power that is available to me, to us, from God.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">As worship leaders I pray that we can take up our cross and follow Jesus example.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Lastly, I want to encourage you, as we lead people into worship, we are just a small piece to the huge puzzle. Remember there is a great and mighty host already in Heaven that surrounds the throne of God and continuous worship is going on up there already! We are just joining in on whats already taking place!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Rev 4:8</b> says that Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty--the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>Lets review the 3 "P"s we've been looking at.</b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>PRAYER (Our Lifeline): </b>Jesus is our ultimate model and prayer was His lifeline, prayer should be our lifeline as well!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>PRACTICE (Practicing the presence of God): </b>Be still and know that He is God, practice the presence of God in your personal life and the overflow will greatly affect your ministry.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>PRAISE (Worshiping the Father in spirit and in truth): </b>Fix our eyes on the Lord and worship the Father in Spirit & in truth, through obedience to the Father with completely surrendered hearts.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>4th and final "P" PREPARE</b></span><b>: Practical tips, simple things I have learned that have helped me through the years.</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Never short change yourself to be prepared for the worship task ahead. Remember! A soldier will never be sent into battle without first being prepared and equipped for the task he is assigned to. Look at your worship leading as your assignment from God, and you are going to do your best to be equipped and prepared for the challenge.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I have some simple tips that may make the process a little smoother in your preparation process.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Get Organized with your music:</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Binders with plastic insert holders</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Separate Hymns, 80's, 90's, 2000 - Current (now) binder</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Filing system</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Songselection, How to pick out your songs</b>:</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Communication with the speaker - </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Get their main scripture & points (to be forewarned is to be forearmed)</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ask him if he has a particular song he may suggest that will go with his theme?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Pick out your songs accordingly-</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Using Speakers suggestion</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What songs has been ringing in your heart all week</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Songs of the "Season"</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Theme songs for series</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Go through music books</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ultimately let the Spirit lead you in your song selection</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">The Journey:</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Your setlist should be like a journey from beginning to end, taking you and the congregation to where you feel the Lord would have your final destination. Be purposeful. Start out with faster songs (praise) about God, who He is, etc… and can be more celebratory. Use a medium beat song to transition into the slower more worshipful songs, allowing people to connect in their worship and adoration towards most Holy God. Keeping in mind sensitivity to the Holy Spirits leading and guidance. Throughout your set list you should have prepared a few moments in support of your song-selection to read scriptures, share thoughts of inspiration or stories to help draw your audience in, engaging them with the message in the songs. Ultimately ones goal should be to take the congregation to a deeper place of worship than they have experienced before. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Before you meet with your team:</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Take time yourself to go through the songs, figure out keys, make sure your songs transition well together and you have a sense of flow. I never go to the next level of rehearsal with the team until I have done this first on my own. When you do this, you may find a song sticks out like a sore thumb, or the key to a song isn't quite right from the last time you did it… whatever the case may be your going to go into your rehearsal with your team that much more prepared!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Have a mid-week Rehearsal with your Worship Team:</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">I know this may sound like a no brainer, but it happens all the time in churches. With a midweek rehearsal your level of excellence will skyrocket and Sunday mornings will no longer be the mad rush to get the worship practice done before people begin to arrive for Sunday morning service. Sunday morning rehearsal then becomes a touch up for any struggling areas from your midweek rehearsal, you and your team will have more confidence that you did your part to be ready as a team! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Incentive for commitment to midweek rehearsal:</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">If a mid-week rehearsal is new for your team you may want to hold off on this next point till your team is used to taking the time from their schedules for this. But for churches that are currently doing a mid-week rehearsal and your having difficulty getting people to commit, the best way to get them to commit is to <b>have a rule that if you don't show up for midweek practice your not allowed to play or sing that Sunday morning</b>. I've been involved with churches that had this rule and it was very effective on reigning in the loose ends of the worship teams and ultimately gave us a tighter more committed group to work with. Now I understand this may be tougher for smaller churches that depend on a certain few musicians, so you may want to instead change your rehearsal night to fit accordingly but always try your best to get that mid-week rehearsal in if at all possible. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Tuning: </b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">My official musical pet peeve is an instrument that is not tuned properly! To me it is as annoying to have an untuned instrument as it is to have someone singing that is is flat or sharp with their vocal... It throws everything off. You can hope that people won't notice, but people that know nothing about music will be able to tell you when music sounds good or when it sounds bad! They may not be able to pin point what instrument was out of tune or what singer was out of key but they will be able to tell you something went wrong and it didn't sound good!</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Continue learning and improving:</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Never let yourself feel like you've finally arrived! Always make room for improving your skills and getting better at your craft. Learn a new instrument, get vocal lessons, try writing your own music. Don't allow yourself to get stagnant. (my producer pushed in artistry, songwriting, recording, can always be better)</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(50, 51, 51); "><b>Open your eyes and connect with the people</b>! Quoting Vicky Beeching: I was trained to lead music in Church with my eyes clamped shut and without saying a single word to the congregation. Allegedly this was to make the music leader ‘invisible’ so I wouldn’t ‘get in the way’ of them connecting with God. Nowadays I think this is simply crazy! God has always used people. The Bible clearly shows this. Paul said “follow me as I follow Christ”. God has always used living people, with faces, names and personalities to lead. I think it’s important when you lead music in Church that you look out at the congregation at least at the start of a song, so that people sense a connection between you and them. Lots of people involved in contemporary Church music like to sing with their eyes shut, often saying it’s because they are personally connecting with God while they sing. But who wants to follow someone they don’t connect with or resonate with? No one. Having your eyes open at the start shows that you are aware of what’s happening in the room, rather than just diving into your own little world with God. Worship leaders need to be pastors and care that everyone in the room is doing ok. You can’t do that unless you are looking. Also, don’t be afraid to smile at people as you start to play.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><span style="color: #323333"><b>Don't get in the way of God's leading:</b> Quoting "David Lindner of Headline Worship Leading" </span>In the midst of being ourselves and being the leader the congregation needs us to be, we need to make sure that we don’t get in the way of what God wants to be doing. It’s easy. You practice, you think through the things you would like to say, do and sing differently, and before you know it, the worship set is over and God was merely the music in the restaurant. You knew it was there, but didn’t really pay any attention to it. Listen to the promptings of the Spirit when you’re leading worship. If you feel led to raise your hands, but you don’t normally do that, do it. If you feel led to sing the chorus again, even though you didn’t practice it that way, do it. If you feel led to ask the congregation to close their eyes, or to kneel, or to pray silently, do it. God wants to use you to do amazing things. But, just like He has a vision for you and your life, He has a vision for His church. While you are an important part of that, God is still the reason everyone is gathered there. People have come to connect with an eternal God. Make sure you don’t do anything to keep that from happening.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); "><b>Internet:</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">There are many tools to help make worship leading so much easier, just make sure the site is a reputable website. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">Paul Baloche www.leadworship.com </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">www.worshiptogether.com </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">www.theworshipcommunity.com </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; color: rgb(0, 18, 32); ">www.churchleaders.com/worship</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><span style="color: #001220">Kari Jobe Worship Teaching </span>http://youtu.be/Fn775PDljhg</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">www.songselect.com</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">www.ccli.com</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">Book, The Heart of Worship Files compiled by Matt Redman</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; min-height: 15px; "> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "><b>Final review on the last "P"</b> <b>PREPARE: </b>A soldier never goes into battle without first being equipped and prepared for his task! </p>
<div> </div>Stephanie Israelson