Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Recommended Books on Prophetic Ministry

What book(s) would you recommend to read to learn more about prophetic ministry? Share your recommendations here on a previous blog posting and read what others had to say on this very topic.

I had many wonderful responses to my previous question and I want to share at least one here from David Davenport:

"I share similar sentiments to those of your previous contributors. I have read dozens of books over many years, about prophetic ministry, many from household names and those at the forefront of prophetic ministry (some of whom I've rubbed shoulders with). Yet to date, none have taken me any place near the understanding I’ve gained through time spent with the Lord—in intimacy with Him.

Interestingly, there are a handful of books beyond the Word, that have grown my understanding of the prophetic, but they were not about prophetic ministry. Rather, they were, collectively, about living the Crucified Life and a life of intimacy with the Lord. Three such books stand-out as Kingdom jewels: The first is titled, The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis. This one must be chewed slowly, and savored, like a rib eye steak. The second is titled, The Autobiography of Madame Jean Guyon. I have read Experiencing The Depths of Jesus Christ, by Madame Guyon, which is great, but it doesn’t hold a candle to her autobiography—which happens to drip so heavily with anointing that you could smother your pancakes with the syrup. The third is titled The Heavenly Man, by Brother Yun. If you're not laying prostrate on the floor after reading this one, you have a few critters on-board."


And stay tuned for my recommended list in the near future.



Thursday, March 17, 2011

"AN APOSTLE I KNEW" by Grover

I enjoyed this simple, yet powerful story. There is much to be said today regarding those that feel the need to add a title to their name. Recently I read about an "Apostle Dr. so-and-so..." It make me cringe inside when I read such things. I have a hunch that the "doctorate degree" they have is very likely from a diploma mill; meaning, they probably never went through a true doctoral program that has the rigorous standards that a traditional institution that is truly accredited by state and federal agencies. Often this diploma mills will substitute a large percentage of the required class credits for past ministry experiences.

For those who have been given such a piece of paper by a diploma mill stating that they have a "doctoral degree", please do not propagate the lie that you have actually earned a doctoral degree by inserting "Dr" before your name. Do not hide behind the falsehood. Expose your own heart and the motivation that stems from the need for the affirmation and praise of men.

We have not even started talking yet about apostles and prophets.

Hear my heart on this matter, I believe 100% that there are modern day apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. However I do not see in the New Testament people using these as their title (i.e., Apostle John Doe, Prophet Joe Smith), but rather to affirm thier function and calling.

Is there a difference?

I will let you decide for youself. Enjoy the article.

"An APOSTLE I KNEW" -by Grover

Much ado is being made about modern day apostles and prophets. We hear of new "apostolic" networks and ministries, with their "impartation meetings" and "apostolic anointings." Everybody who is somebody in the body of Christ is now an apostle. Even the prophets are becoming apostles. Maybe the pastors are becoming prophets to fill the vacuum? Apostles are people who are sent by God to a specific people or for a specific mission. We've often used the word "missionary" in place of "apostle" because of the connotation. By definition, an apostle is a "sent one."

Anyway, the Lord reminded me of a very special apostle that I spent time with early in my Christian walk. His name was Tacho. He was probably in his mid 50's when Edith and I met him. He had been a laborer for most of his life, barely spoke English and was illiterate. He and his wife (Elfida) had been Catholic most of their lives, until meeting Jesus and being baptized in the Holy Spirit by a supernatural encounter. When Tacho was baptized in the Holy Spirit, he suddenly was able to read the Bible, both in English and in Spanish. We spent a lot of time with Tacho and Elfida, mostly in the ghettos of Mexico. I remember many times when Tacho stood up in the streets to preach the gospel, Elfida would fall to her knees and cry out to God, battling in the heavenlies, and the glory of God would fall on those filty streets. Demons screamed and left, people were healed and delivered, witches converted to Jesus, it was a glorious time. Edith and I learned through their example the role of husband and wife in a spiritual war that battled for the souls and hearts of men.

I never heard Tacho speak of anything except Jesus, even in conversations with others on the team. Jesus was his passion, his only vision, his entire life. Elfida was always right beside him, supporting, battling, praying for needs. What a powerful team that God had put together as a witness to His life and glory. These simple people had the most profound effect on our lives. They never elevated themselves in any manner, were always totally humble and poured themselves out to the poor people that they were sent to. When they weren't on the streets, they pastored some of the little churches that met in shacks and byways. They were always feeding the poor, taking clothing and necessities, even giving food and Christmas presents to sometimes thousands of children.

Edith and I didn't speak much Spanish, but we always knew what was being preached (in Spanish) by the Spirit. Once Tacho told me that the Spirit had told him to blow on someone and they fell down in the Spirit. He was humbled and amazed that God would use him like that. He truly did what the Spirit told him.

Nobody ever told Tacho that he was an apostle. He only thought of himself as a humble servant of the wonderful God who had saved him and filled him with His Spirit. I believe he served faithfully until he died as an unknown soldier of the Lord. Tacho was the greatest example of an apostle that I have ever personally known, though we grew up with several others who had similar callings. Tacho was the one who was of the least value to the world, but of immense value to the kingdom of God.

I have no idea how many souls were touched by the Lord through this precious saint. If I had asked him, I'm sure he would have had no idea that he had touched them. . . he only knew that the Lord had touched them. I suspect that hundreds, perhaps thousands of folks had a personal encounter with Jesus as Tacho crossed their path. Jesus working in a simple, devoted, humble vessel that hardly was aware of anything other than his Lord. If I could send a message to Tacho in heaven, I would say, "Tacho, I want to be like you when I grow up!"

God bless you all, and God bless you, Tacho....


Found on the Forum at http://www.revivalschool.com
YES! - You have permission to post these emails to friends or other groups, blogs, boards, etc. Go for it!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Bob Yarbrough | March Newsletter | Part 2 of 2

LIVING IN A DYING WORLD

I am impressed to share the insightful teaching of Hannah Hurnard, whose writings have been like a friend to me on my own spiritual journey. Her best known book, Hind’s Feet On High Places, has blessed untold numbers of souls over the years. It challenged me early on in my journey. The teachings that I will share in these pages over the next few months are from her book, Walking Among The Unseen, which is really a compilation of several shorter published booklets. Please read them prayerfully, and invite the Holy Spirit to give you “ears to hear what the Spirit is saying” to all those who will receive Spiritual insight through them.

“Stop sitting on the fence – do something to help alter all the evil in the world around you – change the terrible conditions under which the majority of people live!”

This cry of young people today, concerned about the evil and unjust conditions in this suffering world, expresses their impatient reactions to the older generation. And, of course, they are absolutely right- thank God for their challenge. Certainly, we are not to ignore the fact that terrible injustices, poverty, homelessness, ignorance, crime and suffering abound everywhere, and that multitudes of appallingly unfortunate people are suffering in the self-created dream world of fallen, self-centered mankind. Are we just to leave them in their suffering, hoping they will learn through such nightmare conditions to hate the evil which causes these hells on earth, while we live blissfully and uncaringly, fortunate enough to know how to create wonderful and safe little heavens of our own, oases of spiritual security?

No, indeed, God forbid! There can be no peace of conscience for any of us as long as we deliberately leave any soul, let alone, multitudes of them, to suffer in self-made hells. Because that kind of neglect is, in itself, a mighty wrong and evil. It helps to create the very hells which we ignore and to which we shall, in some way, have to gravitate and share if we continue such neglect. No, we must realize with unutterable joy that heaven is one great rescue mission. The highest joy is the joy of being able to rescue others from their hells as Jesus did.

However, it is tremendously important not only to ask, “why aren’t we helping to change the evil condition in the world?” but also the still more important question, “How are we to change them”? What is the successfully method?” Indeed, is it really possible to destroy evil conditions in a self-centered world where every nation is intent on guarding its own rights and prosperity and feels that that is more important than anything else? We choose for our leaders and politicians those men who will put our own nation first and then see if perhaps there is something left over that can be spared to help the less fortunate ones, always provided that those who are helped will gratefully support their benefactors against rival powers.

How can a world governed and controlled by a spirit of selfishness be rescued from the evils and sufferings which are the inescapable results of selfishness? [Selfishness is, of course, the foundation of all sins.] This is the problem which none of the world’s leaders and politicians have been able to solve. And what unfortunate people such leaders are – to be involved in the ghastly horror of war, and not to know how to bring it to an end or to extricate one’s nation as year after year the cost in armaments, suffering and destruction grow eve greater. Or to be the leader of a backward nation, perhaps ravaged by famine or earthquake or poverty or economic troubles, and not to know how to set things right and alleviate the suffering and distress. Can there be anything more unfortunate than now know how to escape such evil?

The only method which the world has depended upon for trying to control evil has been the use of superior strength and destructive force: imprisoning criminals by force, piling up more and more destructive armaments than those possessed by other nations threatening our own, so that if possible they may be deterred by fear from attacking us, or if they do attack they may be completely destroyed. If your enemies are planning to do something against you, discover it and do it to them first! If they use devilish inventions which cause appalling suffering to countless innocent people, then grudge no cost in inventing and acquiring and using even more devilish ones, even though countless more innocent people will have to suffer as a result of it. That is the only answer to the problem which the world has known and used.

But long, heartbreaking millennia of depending on destructive force as a deterrent to evil and a means of preventing it have shown not only that it is a complete failure, but, far worse, that it has actually increased evil. But such measures alone, with wrong motivation, merely increase the problem.

*************

[Let this rather depressing appraisal of the “way of the world” from which we are called to “come out and be separate” move us to prayerful pursuit of a better way. A repentant heart must lead us to confess that we have been, too long, a part of the problem, being “overcome by evil” rather than a part of the solution of “overcoming evil with good” [Rom. 12:21]. The continuation of these thoughts next month will speak of “The Way, The Truth, and the Life” to which Jesus calls us for “Living in a Dying World.”]

Bob Yarbrough

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Bob Yarbrough | March Newsletter | Part 1 of 2

Dear “Citizens of heaven,"

What joy to continue the journey to our Father’s House, surrounded by pilgrims on the journey to our heavenly home!

Already, I catch the sound of festivities being prepared for our arrival. I look ahead and I see some already entering the “… Beautiful gate… walking, jumping and praising God…” Like the once “…crippled from birth man…” who could only watch and beg from those going by, they have come under the power of “…the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… and have “…jumped to their feet and begun to walk….”[Acts 3: 1-10]. I follow them with joyful heart!

I look behind me on the road home, and I see children, born of God and growing up into Christ. They have left all to follow Him. They are alive unto God, filled with songs and excitement. Their zeal to entice others to go with them grows more intense as the darkness of this present world increases. They remind me of my forebears who sang their song:

I am bound for the promised land…O, who will come and go with me..

My frame cannot always catch the beat and cadence of their version of the old song, but I’m cheered by the sound of their enthusiasm to join the journey!

This leg of the journey for me is sweet. It was so long ago in earth years that I “…came to myself…” by the Holy Spirit and began my journey back to Father’s house. Thinking only of serving Him, being so unworthy of ever being His “Son,” I have labored and carried heavy burdens in my desire to please Him.

But now, while “…still a long way off…,” Our Father has looked on me with compassion. In His loving embrace, His kisses cascading over my being like cooling water on a thirsty soul, He has become my Home while still away from home!

His grace has bestowed a robe that covers the signs of my past shame. Instead of just a servant’s ring in my ear, He has put the Son’s ring on my hand. Now, I am finding the final lap of the journey, hand in hand with Father, is full of comfort and peace because of the sandals He commanded for my feet!

Please indulge my exuberance as these truths recorded in Jesus’ best known story of our redemption has been quickened to my soul! [Read it again for yourself in the Spirit, for it is the Life Story of all God’s Resurrection Children. [Luke 15:11-31].

Neither the darkness of this present age which grips our world, nor the fading “shadow of the valley of our death” should overcome the “sons of Light,” who live in God’s Now-Day. Instead:

Since we belong to the day let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” [1 Thess. 5:8; Prayerfully read vv.1-11].

The wrath that is now coming on those in the sleep of spiritual darkness worldwide is real. And though we may “…now for a little while…have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, … these… come so that your faith…may be found genuine and result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” [1 Peter 1:6,7].

Although this “…wrath of God [that is] being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness…[Rom. 1:18], those who put their trust in Christ are being “…shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”[1 Pet. 1:5] How comforting to know in our souls that wrath is not aimed at us, rather salvation is our portion now and forever! “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing” [1Th.5:10]

When we’ve gone the last mile of the way
We shall rest at the end of the day
And the trials of the road will seem nothing
When we’ve gone the last mile of the way.
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus
It will be worth it all when we see Christ
One look at His dear face all sorrow will erase
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.

Your fellow pilgrim on the way,

Bob Yarbrough