WARNING to THE "APOSTLES"

WARNING to THE "APOSTLES"
-Andrew Strom.

An Open Letter to Peter Wagner, Dutch Sheets & Other "Apostles".

I recently received a report of a new "Apostolic Network" headed
up by Dutch Sheets which held a gathering in Florida last week to
"carve up" territories for it's 'apostles', etc. I need to put in writing
what I believe the Lord would say to these men.

But first I need to remind us all of something. On June 23rd, 2008,
a group of "apostles and prophets" under Peter Wagner's headship
stood on a stage in Lakeland at the Todd Bentley revival - to lay
on hands and commission him, etc. But it was far more than that.
Peter Wagner called it an "apostolic alignment." He made the
following statement before all the TV cameras and all the people:

"I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree
to Todd Bentley:
-Your power will increase.
-Your authority will increase.
-Your favor will increase.
-Your influence will increase.
-Your revelation will increase.
I also decree that:
-A new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry.
-A new life force will penetrate this move of God..."

Onlookers might have thought that Wagner was 'prophesying' the
above statements. But actually what he felt he was doing was
"decreeing" these things over Todd - since he was the 'head
apostle'. In a letter the following day, Wagner called this a
"groundbreaking event" and stated that, "We are now in a place
in what I see as the Second Apostolic Age..." (In other words,
a "new era" of real apostles).

So how did that work out for you, Peter? Well, literally within
weeks we found out that many of the "miracles" at Lakeland had
no foundation, and then Todd Bentley's wife separated from him
apparently over an affair he was having - and the entire 'revival' fell
to pieces in the worst way possible. That's how it worked out.

All the big Charismatic leaders that had stood on that stage hardly
knew what to do with themselves - they were so embarrassed.
And none more so than Peter Wagner - after making an "Apostolic
decree" like that. -Probably the most colossal disaster of his life.

So who pulled the rug out from under your "apostolic alignment",
Peter? I need to tell you that there are two responsible parties.
One is 'yourself' - clearly. And the second is GOD - because He
is now pitted against you and your so-called "apostles". He is the
one who did this to you.

You and your friends have presumed to an office and a place over
the Body that is simply not yours, and God is in the process of
taking you 'apostles' down - and all your "networks" with you.

Dutch Sheets - can I ask you please, what gives you the right to
carve up the Body of Christ in North America and parcel it out like
McDonalds franchises to all your buddies so they can be 'apostles'
over their own "territory"? Do you have any idea what you are
playing with? Don't you know that if your buddies are not real New
Testament Apostles then all they are doing is painting huge
targets on themselves and begging for the judgment of God?
How dare you treat the Body of Christ like a piece of Real Estate
that you can carve up for your own aggrandizement?

Because of men like you, God is about to judge the leadership
of the church. Do they call themselves an "apostle"? Well, God
is going to put them to the test. If they are not the real thing, they
make themselves His 'enemy' because they are blocking His
real Reformation. Every self-proclaimed "apostle and prophet" is
about to be put to the test. Oh, you call your group an "Apostolic
Council of Elders" or something similar? Expect God to come
calling, and if you are not the real thing, expect Him to take you
down. The Lord God is coming to take back His church with great
violence. And you guys are standing directly in His way.

I've heard that one of these big "apostles" in Canada once told his
network that their "apostle-ness" would be judged by the 'noses
and nickels' that they represented. (In other words, their "numbers"
and their reaping of money). Hmmmm. If I didn't know better, I
would call those the words of a hireling and a wolf.

As Lee Grady wrote about this 'Apostle-Mania':
"In some circles apostles demanded total allegiance from the
leaders who were "under" them. Some required a policy of "tithing
up," creating a monstrous organizational structure similar to a
spiritual Amway. So-called apostles with huge "downlines" made
exorbitant amounts of money. One leader even offered pastors the
opportunity to become "spiritual sons" by contributing $1,000 a
month to his ministry."

And yet here is what the TRUE apostle Paul wrote: "I think that
God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to
death... we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are
buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace... we are made as the
filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things..." (1 Cor 4:9-13).

Now THAT is true apostleship. Tell me, Mr. Modern Apostle, do
you match up to the New Testament apostles? If not, what on
earth do you think God is going to do to you if you claim that title falsely?

I believe that many true Apostles, when they do arise, will simply
REFUSE to carry such titles in any way. They will "minimize"
themselves, not exalt themselves. That is the heart of a true leader of God.

In closing, let me again warn those who have titled themselves
"apostle" or 'prophet' in the modern church. God is coming to
"clean house" and if you are not the real deal, expect Him to start
with you. It is as simple as that. You need to repent urgently of
your utter presumption. You have been warned.

Send feedback to- prophetic@revivalschool.com

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

WARNING to THE HIRELINGS

WARNING to THE HIRELINGS
-by Holly Dye.

One day, outside of a store I frequent, stood two boy scouts –
one at the entrance and one at the exit.

The boy at the entrance was speaking toward people, however,
because he was rather sheepish and his voice so low; no one
paid attention to him. They walked right past him into the store.

In contrast, the boy at the exit, being very bold, was not afraid to
confront people. Making sure he had their attention, he then began
to plead his cause. The situation struck me immediately that what
I was witnessing was a profound analogy of the preachers in this
land.

The god that has been preached in our pulpits – this god who is
effeminate and repressively tolerant, is not the true God. This god
who is a wish granter and life coach is not the God of the Bible.
This god who coercers you into sowing your seed into the most
successful ground for the sole purpose of you having all your
wealthy dreams come true, is not the same God who told us to
store up our treasures in heaven!

Oh how these false ministers have fleeced God’s flock!

The gods that have been erected in the minds of men are putrid
representations of the true God. Holy and righteous, He has been
reduced to some cupie doll that grants all our wishes.

The merchandizing of all that is holy shall be destroyed by great
judgment. Do not be deceived into thinking that in this great
Christian land, God will prevent His holy wrath from destroying
those who have thought to mock Him. Who has mocked Him
more, but hirelings who have disguised themselves as shepherds?
These have led the sheep astray, teaching as truth utter heresy!
“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them
astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill
they have gone. They have forgotten their fold. All who found them
have devoured them…” (Jer 50:6-7 )

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy,
and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD:
Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should
not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe
yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do
not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick
you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed
you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with
force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered,
because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the
wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the
mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over
all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As I live,
declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become
a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts,
since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have
not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves,
and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the
word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against
the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a
stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed
themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they
may not be food for them.” (Ezek 34:2-10)

The true gospel message is rarely preached in our churches. We
are given a soft message to digest. Nothing that offends or prods
or rebukes – and we are told this is love! 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is
used to defend everything in which they do not want to confront.

The false shepherds in this land have created effeminate sheep
that cannot bear to hear rebuke. They cannot bear to hear anything
that would make them uncomfortable enough to change.

As a friend of mine said, “If we just simply stood and read the
books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, it would empty our churches.”
– for the sheep cannot bear such harsh messages.

The false shepherds will not teach against error, because they
have been taught to keep their message positive and never, ever
teach against anything. So, the result of this quite obviously is,
false doctrine has invaded the church like never before. Deceiving
and being deceived, the sheep have been lulled into a false state
of comfort by the hirelings who speak peace instead of warning.

Jesus warned us about this very thing in John 10. A very
interesting fact is that every Christian can quote the first part of
John 10:10, which says, The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy… “Oh yes, that’s talking about the devil! The devil
is the thief! The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy!”

This seems to be the most quoted verse and yet the most
terribly misinterpreted. Let’s look at this verse in context.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold
by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and
a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When
he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will
not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the
voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them,
but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So
Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the
door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and
robbers, but the sh eep did not listen to them. I am the door. If
anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and
out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.I
am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does
not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep
and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He
flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
(John 10:1-13)

Verse 10 is not talking about the devil; it is talking about false
teachers!... False teachers.

That’s what John 10:10 is talking about. And because we have so
many hirelings in our pulpits today, the Word has not been rightly
divided. This is serious, folks. This is not a small issue. We have
not been taught about the dangers of false teachers therefore they
are glorified in American Christianity! But false prophets also arose
among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you,
who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the
Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way
of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you
with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and
their destruction is not asleep. (2 Pet 2:1-3)

These false shepherds have left the foundational doctrines of
Christ and have sought after spiritual experiences to qualify their
belief system. Scripture is then used in a very twisted way to
endorse every goose bump and spectacular display.

Altar calls are non-confrontational, with no calls for repentance.
“Just slip up your hand to acknowledge that you need Jesus.
We’re not going to embarrass you or ask you to come down
front. Just simply acknowledge that you need Him.” Some
churches don’t even go that far and just ask you to fill out a
card as you leave...

False shepherds working false conversions! Allowing men to think
they are okay with God, without meeting any requirements of
scripture! The Lord God, is against these shepherds, and will
require His sheep at their hand and put a stop to them feeding the
sheep such vile doctines! For we know him who said, “Vengeance
is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.
” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
(Heb 10:30-31)

O you hirelings, repent before your soul and the blood of others is
required of you!

Revelation 1

Hi all,
The #1 request I hear from people is 'How do I hear from God?' I'd like to help with that today.

Foundational
When Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus told him he received that revelation from the Father, not of earthly sources. He went on to say this revelation was the rock upon which he would build his ekklesia, his church. (Mt 16:16-20)

You and I each received the exact same revelation from the Father. If some examine Jesus from earthly means they say he was merely a prophet, a teacher, or maybe a magician who did tricks, but for the seeking heart, those truly seeking answers to life and truth, the Father reveals by the Holy Spirit who Jesus is and draws them to himself. Those who respond believe on him, and are born again.

Because the body of Christ is built upon this revelation, revelation related to Jesus being Lord, revelation is the way the Father communicates to us today. It all flows from that initial revelation from heaven.

Books and books
I would venture to say most every book and music CD in Christian bookstores is geared towards bringing us closer to the Lord. We have devotionals, word studies, versions upon versions of the Bible, maps, commentaries, cultural helps and so much more at our disposal.

I once had a missionary give me a list of 21 names of people who wanted to work with his ministry. He asked that I pray over the list and see what the Father told me. I asked why he didn't just take time to pray about it and he said this: "I'm too busy doing the work of the ministry to take time to pray".

If we focus just on books about the Lord or being busy for the Lord, they can lead to us not spending time with the Lord to get revelation. We learn about him when we actually need to know Him.

Personal revelation
Peter's revelation, and yours and mine, were both personal. Books can help, ministering to others helps us see aspects of the Lord at work and Him in the lives of others, but nothing replaces personal revelation.

Sometimes scriptures that appear to be blanket statements are not, yet when we read them because they appear as blanket statements yet aren't true in our lives, we wonder if scripture is lying. Such is this:

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)

This verse has sent more people running to memorize a verse a day than any other. We think that if we just hide his word in our heart we can have Carte Blanche with God - ask anything and it's done for us, oh that I could be that holy, that close to God that I could ask what I want and it would be done!

But Jesus actually said something very different, yet completely consistent with the flow from Peter's revelation, that rock of revelation the body is built upon.

Jesus used the Greek word "rhema" for "words" in this passage. Unlike the word "logos" which means the whole word of God from Genesis through Revelation, or for the totality of the person of Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, rhema is very different.

Rhema is a specific word spoken by God to you.

We read the verse like he said logos - "If you abide in me and the whole of my Word is in you, you can ask what you will..." But he actually said this:

"If you abide in me, and the words that I speak specifically to you abide in you, then you can ask whatever you want according to the specific word spoken to you, and it will be done."

Whoa Nellie, back up the truck!
That's right, a whole industry and a good many churches are built on getting the word into people - here is a daily reading plan, come hear this teacher, be on our 28 day prayer focus to change your life, etc.

Yet Jesus was very narrow here - and if you look at your life you will understand it.

When things went well for you acting in faith, was when you were acting on a word the Lord spoke to you, showed you, communicated through peace in your spirit even - but you received some revelation and when you asked for something related to it, it was granted. It goes smoothly when we do that. If we try to 'stir up faith' and push our way, it's hard. But when moving on revelation, the way is provided.

Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Can you guess the word for 'word' here is rhema, not logos? Right. Faith doesn't come by memorizing scripture. Faith comes by hearing a specific word (revelation from heaven) directly to you. The grace to do that word flows with it.

Back in 1979 my wife and I were moving from Charlotte, North Carolina to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She was 3 months along with our first child, and we didn't want to live in an apartment with a new baby; we wanted to rent a house. This is what I heard: "You can rent a house when you're in Tulsa, and after that I'll give you a ranch." (the ranch didn't come until 19 years later with many houses in between)

So I had the revelation from heaven, the rhema. Now I could ask whatever I wanted related to that word, and it would be done. Barb and I made a list: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, earth tones, fireplace, wood mantle, 2 car garage, window over kitchen sink, refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher provided.

We put our hands on the list, asked the Father to reveal his provision, asked him to send angels to make it so, took authority over the devil commanding him to keep his hands off, gave thanks, and that was that.

A 2 months later we had made the cross-country trip and were on our way to look at a house for rent, and my spirit leaped in me as we drove through the neighborhood, causing me to pull over and at the same time notice the 'for lease' sign in the yard of another house. I told Barb "This is it, I know in my spirit". (It was exactly what we'd asked for and more besides.)

How I study the Word
When I read the Word, I only read until I get a rhema. What I mean is that I rarely read the logos just to read the logos. I read with purpose. I treat it like its Christmas and the Father has a present waiting for me, and he is eager that I find it, its just up to me to read through until I find what present he has for me.

So when I read I am looking for a verse, a passage, a concept presented in the verse or passage, to jump out at me, to catch my attention, to make me want to dig further.

I've come to recognize these things as the start of a rhema, and I can receive if I'll just pause.

How many of us have read our 2 chapters a night and then couldn't tell anyone what we just read?!

I read until something hits me, makes me curious for more, or arrests my attention somehow. I feel a jump of recognition down in my spirit, an excitement, a curiosity, so I stop.

"Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out the mouth of God."

Can you guess which word is used? It's rhema - man is to equate hearing a rhema from God as our food. He doesn't say our logos, the whole of the Word is our bread, no, just the portion God speaks to our heart - either in print or about a future home to rent.

I treat the rhema in those pages or the revelation shown me in the course of my daily life, as being alive, living, and full of life. That means each rhema is equal to my daily food, which means I want to eat it and digest it until there is no more life (nutrition) to be had for that meal!

That means I have stayed on one passage or one subject in the Word for maybe 3 months, without ever going outside that verse or subject matter. For me, I'll immediately cross reference a verse that jumps out at me, and I'll think on those related verses for weeks and months.

I'll open the Word briefly, go to another related verse, flip back to the original chapter and verse, read the verses before and after, then close the Bible again for a couple days maybe. But all along I'm eating, I'm chewing, I'm digesting the rhema, the revelation I received - and my spirit man is stirring around, jumping with excitement, my mind going 100 miles per hour.

I stay on that rhema until there is no more nourishment in it for this season. In the ensuing 2-4 months I'll have been in a Vine's Dictionary of NT Words, various translations and paraphrases, a concordance, a couple word studies, maybe a commentary, and for sure cross referencing throughout the Bible, taking notes on paper and in the margins...until I'm full and can't take in any more. In fact, at times I have to stop just after one word study I get so full, so excited I can't stand it - I have to take time to digest the 'daily bread' from heaven.

Now multiply what I just said above times about 6 or 8 'rhema' passages all going on inside me at the same time, and you get an idea. That's my bread, that's what I live for. Whether revelation comes through conversational prayer with the Father, interpreting my own prayer language, or the Word - I live for rhema words.

Find the wavelength
When I was a teen I lived for revelation from the Father, as I do now. But back then I would receive something or hear his voice and then go about my business, wanting desperately to find that "wavelength" again. It was like tuning in a car radio (before digital precision). There were times I felt like I was just next to that wavelength and other times I was just spinning the knob on the dashboard.

What I'll share next week will help you find that wavelength, as I hope this week's "Thoughts" has.

But I wanted to share today what is SO key: #1, that we each have received and can now receive revelation, #2 that the Father communicates individually to each of us, #3, we are looking for a rhema, for that is where faith comes, where effective prayer starts, and #4 that each of us must start in effective Bible reading - just the rhema and only to the rhema - then stop, and chew until there is no more nourishment to be had!

Webinar registration below,
Blessings,
John Fenn
www.supernaturalhousechurch.org

Peace Be Still

Peace Be Still

Why do you look at the confusion around you says the Lord, when you know that none of it will bring you peace? For here I stand in the eye of the storm calling you to me to find your rest. My child, you do not have the strength or the ability to calm the storm around you. You can only come into my presence and then allow me to bring peace to the storm.

Consider my disciples who tried to outrun the storm and to fight it with all the knowledge they knew about sailing. However it was only when they came to me and I stood up on their behalf, did the storm calm down. And so as you look at your life and you see these things that are quickly getting out of control, stop struggling with them in your natural strength!

Stop trying to fight these things with your works and abilities. Run to me instead! Let me fight the storm on your behalf. Let me cover you with my hand and bring the protection that you need. Do you not see that I desire to cover and protect you? It was not me that has brought these things into your life. It was not me that wanted to see you suffer or struggle. In fact many of these things you called upon yourself. However I am not punishing you child! Instead I want to help you. I want to give you the strength that you need to stand up again.

I want to bring the storm to a place of stillness and I want to take you across this phase of your life and onto solid ground again. Will you trust me child? Will you take my hand? Come now and rest with me and then watch as I do in an instant, what you have struggled against for so long, says the Lord.