American, You Are A Politician!

Every citizen of the United States of America is a politician. America is a republic. This means that it is governed by the people. The highest authority in the land is not the President or Congress, it's the people.
Unfortunately, the American people have grossly neglected their office. We need to take office and steer our country back in place.

Many people have thought that Christians should not be involved in politics, that they are under God's authority and don't need to tangle with worldly things. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the opposite is true.

Peter wrote that the people of God are to "submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him..." (1 Peter 2:14). The government of the United States is a human institution. Our republic is a human institution that we, as believers are told by the Lord we need to submit to. In our republic, you are a ruling authority. It's time to submit to this institution, rise up and take the responsibility of your office!

Michael Farris in Constitutional Literacy says, "The Constitution is not a document whereby an all-powerful government grants certain rights and privileges to its citizens. No, it's the other way around. The Constitution is a document whereby the citizens of the United States grant certain authorities and power to their government."

Paul wrote that "every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." The authority of the American republic is from God Himself. The authority you have in governing this country is from God Himself. "Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." (Romans 13:1-2). Christians have resisted the authority God has given us as a ruling voice, and it has brought condemnation upon us. Our freedom to speak and to live as Christians is under serious attack!

What is your political job description as an American citizen? To vote representatives into office that will uphold the constitution and to hold them accountable while in office. You may also consider running for office yourself. But you can still take your rightful place in the office of a citizen. 

Constitutional Literacy, Copyright 2014 by Michael Farris, Apologia Educational Ministries Inc. Anderson, Indiana www.apologia.com

The Poor, the Producers, and the Providers

This morning, the Lord began talking to me about three groups of people called owners, workers, and beggars, also called the providers, the producers, and the poor. This has to do with growing in God's blessing and provision.

THE POOR: BEGGARS
We'll start with the poor because we are all born beggars into this world. Babies cannot take care of themselves at all so every one of us was completely dependent on another human being when we were first born.

We were designed by our Creator to grow to a place of caring for ourselves, but some people do not for various reasons. Basically, it comes down to those who can't and those who won't. So within the beggar group are two subcategories called the can't's and the won'ts.

Cant's
The cant's are those who are unable to take care of themselves for whatever reason. It could be a physical or mental condition that prohibits them from working to provide for themselves. An example in Scripture would be the lame beggar at the gate called Beautiful. He was carried there every day so he could beg from the people entering the temple. He could not work to provide for himself. He was dependent on others to give to him. Read the story about him here in Acts 3.

A "can't" moves on from the beggar group if he matures out of it, such as a child who grows up, or if he has miraculous intervention such as the man at Gate Beautiful. Notice once he was healed, they called him the one who "used to" sit at the gate and beg. Once he was healed, he could work to provide for himself and was no longer dependent on others to take care of him.

Won'ts
The won'ts are those who are unwilling take care of themselves even though they are able. These people don't want to work to earn a legitimate living. They want, maybe even expect, others to care for them without them doing anything for themselves. Paul reminded the Thessalonians that he gave them this order, that if any man is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either. They are not to live as busybodies, or an undisciplined life of not working. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

A lazy person, or a sluggard, will not put proper effort into providing for himself. "The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, but will not even bring it back to his mouth." Proverbs 19:24

Moving On from Beggar to Worker: 

Ideally, the "can'ts" mature into following a worker path, not a "won't" path. It requires maturity and willingness, and sometimes a miracle. As a child grows in ability, skill and knowledge, and has a willing heart, he will come out of the beggar group and into the worker group. He may also begin to discover his gifting and call during this process. Parents play a huge role in this.

A "won't" can change his ways through repentance of his laziness and doing what is necessary to provide for himself.


THE PRODUCERS: WORKERS
The worker group is made up of those who begin to work to provide for themselves. Ideally, they are continuing to discover their gifts and planning to work in the field they are called.

Faithful Workers
All workers are exchanging time, effort and skill for money or provision of some type. This is an equal exchange at this point. Time for money, or time, education, skill, etc. for a salary. There comes a point where the faithfulness of a worker pays off. It really is a growth and testing period. It is the fruit-producing stage in more ways than one. Faithfulness, patience, discipline, integrity and so on are tested. The fruit of the Spirit is grown here. As a person remains diligent through the tough times in this stage, he will reap the benefits of his hard work.

The Lord promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on those who would not rob Him, but give the tithes and offerings that are due to Him. Not only that, but He will rebuke the devourer from destroying the work of our hands. Malachi 3:8-12

The Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai that when we neglect the Lord's house and do not build it, but take care of our own needs instead, then its like putting our money in a bag of holes. Haggai 1:2-11. When we seek His kingdom first, and His righteousness--or right ways of doing things--then all of our needs will be taken care of.  Matthew 6:25-34.

Jesus taught His disciples that how you act towards the "little things" is how you will act with the bigger things. If you are not faithful with another man's things, who will give you your own? Luke 16:10-13. A faithful worker will treat his bosses business and belongings as if they were his own.

Impatient Owers
What happens sometimes is that the impatience of a worker causes them to enter into a sub-category that is not God's best--owers. These are those who go into debt to try and get the better life that they want or need. They want, and may legitimately need, increase but are impatient or don't trust the ways of the Lord to bring it about, or seek Him for the answers. The problem with following this path, is that you are enslaving yourself to your lender.

"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave." Proverbs 22:7

Some people become discouraged in this group and either live miserably, or give up, even going back into the beggar group.

Moving On from Worker to Owner: 
Its worth noting that although some people may buckle down and work really hard to try and provide, which is commendable, hard work alone will not bring them into the best God has for them. To move from the worker group to the owner group requires vision, faith, and fruit. It also requires God's grace. We can come confidently to the throne of grace and obtain the mercy and grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16. When we have needs, the throne of grace is where we need to go.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;" 2 Corinthians 9:8

God's grace brings you into the place where you have "all sufficiency" or are self-sufficient, so you can have abundance for every good deed. As you are faithful in the tough times, cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in your life, you will move from the place of exchange into the place of multiplicative increase.

THE PROVIDERS: OWNERS
These are the ones who have something to give. They have proven they are willing to work for their provision with a good and faithful attitude. They trust in the Lord, knowing it's His grace that enables them to do all things. They are both willing and obedient. If you are willing to do things God's way, consenting to and obeying what He says, you will eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19-20

Cheerful Givers
These are those who have not only grown in the fruit, but learned the principles of sowing and reaping. They've learned about increase through multiplication, not just exchange.

The boy who gave five loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus so He could feed the multitude received twelve basketfuls in the end. John 6:1-14. He experienced multiplication, not just exchange. This is how the kingdom of heaven works--by the law of sowing and reaping.

The givers give to the poor. They don't just work to make money for themselves. Proverbs tells us that he who gives to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay them. Proverbs 19:17. The Bible also tells us that he who gives to the poor will never want. Proverbs 28:27. It seems as if this would mean the poor "can'ts" as opposed to the poor "won'ts" because of what Paul said about those who don't work should not eat either. However, he also said if one doesn't provide for his own household then he's worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8. There is a certain amount of responsibility that comes to those who have been blessed and we should always seek the wisdom of the Lord.

Sometimes the givers might loan money, although the Lord told them not to charge interest to the poor or to His people. Exodus 22:25. Yet, He told the fearful servant who was given the one talent that he should have at least put it in the bank where he could have received interest rather than burying it in a hole. Matthew 25:14-29.

Greedy Loaners

These are those who have become "successful" themselves, but take advantage of others who need what they have. They charge a tremendous amount of interest and prey upon the impatient workers--tempting and inciting them to spend what they don't have, going into debt and becoming enslaved to them. These are those who have become "lovers of money." There are some who even fall from the faith as they have fallen in love with money. 1 Timothy 6:10-12. Jesus said you cannot serve God and wealth. Luke 16:13.

I hope this might help you identify where you might be, and be encouraged to know that God wants to bring a harvest into your life. There may be trying times to go through to get to that place, but don't give up. Stay true to Him and His Word and run to His throne of grace!

Your Connection to Your Land

There is a connection between our land and our lives.

I got to thinking the other day that the land we live in is a reflection of our spiritual condition. Think of Adam. He was put in a beautiful garden land. Everything was provided for, he just needed to work the land. He could plant, harvest, prepare food, eat, design beautiful and functional gardens, harvest seeds for replanting, and so on. Yet once they sinned, a curse came upon them and they were driven from this beautiful land into a land that, like their spirit, was cursed.

In this new land, however, they had the opportunity to overcome. The land reflected their spiritual condition, yet it also provided an opportunity for them to overcome the physical and spiritual challenges. They had to learn to work a land that was cursed. They had to learn how to handle drought and weeds. How could they survive in this condition? They also had to learn to worship God in this place, which would be more challenging than in the beautiful garden.

In the days of the flood, God brought Noah and his family into a land--the land of the ark. The rest of the world perished in the land that came to reflect their spiritual condition--death.

God called Abram out of one land and into another. He promised him this land, yet he lived there as a foreigner, not an owner at first. Before they could enjoy ownership in the Promised Land, they had to endure a period of slavery--hard work for the benefit of another. The opposite of freedom--working to enjoy the fullness of their hard work.

When Moses led them out of Egypt, their double-mindedness and rebellion caused all but two of the original travelers to die in the wilderness. The land reflected their uncommitted condition. They wanted to follow Moses, but they wanted to go back to Egypt. They wanted to serve God, but they created idols.

When they did finally enter the Promised Land, it was with an army who was willing to fight for the promise and claim ownership of what God had said was rightfully theirs.

The land reflects what is going on with us spiritually. It may represent the blessings on our life, or it may by symbolic of the obstacles to those blessings. It may be a reflection of our call and destiny, or it may reveal the enemy's opposition to that call. Take a look at the land you are living in. Look at your home. Look at your surroundings. What do you see? What are the blessings. What are the problems? ask the Lord to show you how it might reflect what is going on with you spiritually.

Jesus was driven into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He was driven to a land. This wasn't an indication of His spiritual condition, but ours. He was to die for the sin of all mankind and this land reflected that. He needed to overcome in this wild waste land.

You are in the land you are in for a reason. Where you are reflects your spiritual condition, as well as giving you opportunity to overcome the things you need to overcome in order to fulfill your destiny. Ask yourself, what kind of stuff thrives in the land you are in? What grows? What is the soil condition? What is the climate like? What is the population like? Is your house cluttered? Is your soil dry, or hard, clay, or thorny? Or is it good soil? The Lord has a purpose for you here. Ask Him to show you what it is, and how to overcome what needs to be overcome in order for you to live a flourishing life in Him.

He didn't lead you to this land to drop you off and forget you. But you need to work the land. You won't get anywhere if you sit on a rock and pout, or wonder what went wrong or what you should do. Get up and start working the land. Begin by exploring it. Start by looking at the physical place you live, your job, your surroundings, the people around you etc. Ask Him how to thrive in this land. He will show you!

How to Measure Your Spiritual Maturity

There is a way to measure your spiritual maturity.

Specifically, to gauge how well you know God and how mature you are in Him.





When we think of spiritual maturity, we usually think of what we are doing for the Lord, or how we are being used in His gifts. When we come to know the Lord, we are excited to grow and do things for Him. We are happy to give someone a prophetic word, or to pray and see them healed. These are good things and we should pursue them. However, this is not necessarily a measurement of how well we know Him or how we are maturing.

When we think of knowing God we often think of how well we hear Him. If we hear Him and are used by Him then we might think that we know Him well and are quite mature. But remember what Jesus said about those who did many wonderful works in His name and thought that would give them entrance into the kingdom. He said He never knew them and for them to depart from Him. (Matthew 7:21-23).

I don't say this to scare anyone or lay a guilt trip on you. On the contrary, if we understand this message, it will bring us into freedom and growth. The point is, just because we can hear someone doesn't mean we know them. Think of any public figure, you may be able to watch their videos, or read their books and Facebook posts, but that doesn't mean you know them.

Knowing someone involves two-way conversations. It also involves time and experiences together. I once heard someone who was involved with marriage counseling say that strong marriages and families come from having experiences together. Not just communication.

Those who did 'wonderful works' in the name of Jesus but were told to depart were not doing the will of the Father. They weren't seeing what God was wanting to do. They thought they were doing things for Him, but they really weren't doing what He wanted. Consider what Jesus said:

“...Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing;... John 5:19-20

Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing, and He is our example.

So how can we tell how well we know the Father, love Him, and do His will? How do we measure our level of maturity in Him?

"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."1 John 4:20

When I first read this Scripture years ago I was in denial. I thought there was no way this could mean that if I didn't love people I didn't love God. I thought it had to be wrong. God is so much easier to love than people. But finally, I realized it means just what it says and then I grieved over it. I knew I fell so far short, and every time I got angry or irritated with someone I thought of just how far short I was of the love of God. Then I felt guilty and tried to love people better, but I was often fake about it. That wasn't the way to go either.

Then there's this verse:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8

Everyone who loves knows God. When we love, it shows that we know God. So if I wasn't loving people then that meant not only did I not love God, but I didn't even know Him. This was difficult for me to accept, until I realized that I have Him living inside of me and I can do all things through Him who gives me strength! The love of God has been poured out into my heart by the Holy Spirit! (Romans 5:5).

Let's get back for a minute to our level of maturity. How do we gauge that?

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Rather than defining maturity, this passage of Scriptures defines immaturity. Which is jealousy and strife. When we are striving and jealous of our brothers and sisters then it shows that we are immature. If we love, we will not strive or be jealous of others. Love, once again, is a measuring tool, this time to define our maturity. It is the hallmark sign of knowing and loving God, as well as identifying our level of growth in Him.

Consider what Jesus said:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Once again, love for one another is the identifying factor that shows we are disciples of Jesus.

However, we can become more than His disciples. We can become His friends. Jesus gave us His commandment to follow, which if we keep we become His friends.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you."  John 15:12-14

Knowing that love is the measuring device relieves the pressure we might put on ourselves to work hard to please God. You are His child. He loves you already. Just receive His love for you and start from there. We love because He loved us first (1 John 4:19). We don't have it in ourselves to love first--we must receive His love first, which He freely gave. Get to know His love and believe that God loves you.

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16

You will abide in Him, and He in you, when you know and believe the love He has for you!

The White City

It's no longer just the House that is White in our nation's capital, it's the White City! Washington D.C. is not to be a city of darkness any longer. Instead it's a white city, a holy city, that stands for truth, righteousness, and justice.

Lord, we repent for the dark words of death we have spoken over our capital city. Many dark words have been spoken against it, even from Your people. But no longer! Now we say, The Light is shining bright in the White City. Turn up the Light even more Lord!

We hold up the arms of our President and those who stand for truth, righteousness, and justice. Light prevails in the White City, the holy city. As Joshua asked for the sun to stand still at Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Aijalon so they could win the battle against their enemies*, we ask for the Light to shine and remain in our capital city--the White City--so the foundations of our nation are once again established in truth, righteousness, and justice. Better than new. A stronger foundation.

Turn up the intensity of the Light so the darkness, the dark state, the dark words, the dark plans, will fully flee.

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne..."

Psalm 89:14

*Joshua 10

What is the New Sound?

There have been prophecies about the "new sound" that is coming. When The Call with Lou Engle came to Detroit, Michigan on 11/11/2011, there were prophecies that a new sound would be released. There was a recent prophecy from Glory Zion in Corinth, Texas on January 21, 2018  saying that there would be a new sound released from Detroit and the state of Michigan. There have been many others prophesying, especially recently, about a new sound being released from Heaven.

What is this new sound? I had been asking the Lord about this and once again this morning I asked, "Lord, what is this new sound!" I said that it seems like everyone is looking for a musical sound, but it doesn't seem to be a new musical style. It doesn't seem to be a new instrument that produces a different sound, (although the thought came to me later that there could be a new instrument that represents the meaning of this new sound).

As I persisted in asking the Lord about this new sound I began to hear a "chant" which sounded like a multitude of people saying, "What's the new sound, what's the new sound, what's the new sound, what's the new sound..." It sounded like a train going down a track. "What's the new sound, what's the new sound, what's the new sound, what's the new sound..." Then I heard a melody over the top of the train sound, "The sound, is a new barrier breaking." And later on a second verse, "The sound, is God's people in motion." As this "played" over and over I realized that the new sound is more to do with speed than with tone. It has to do with the power of the sound, more than a new, unique sound itself.

This new sound is a sound barrier that's being broken. This new sound will break the barriers that have stopped the sound from going where it needs to go. The train is on track, picking up speed and momentum so the barriers blocking the sound will be broken! We are breaking the sound barrier! This new sound is a power to break through obstacles, to penetrate the air, the ear, the mind and the heart, so the Word of God can bring life to those who are bound by deception and the lies of the enemy. This is the parrésia anointing that I've written about before finally being released in its fullness!

This new sound may be released through words, but not words alone. This sound-barrier breaking energy can be released through what you do--your work, your lifestyle, and the attitude of your heart. As you live your life in creative worship to God, you will release this new sound. Your life will break the sound barrier and set people free!

Check out the parrésia anointing blogs here:

God's Freedom of Speech Definition  and
The Parrésia Anointing
Glory Zion Prophecy on Facebook

Here is a (very rough) audio replication of what I heard
WhatsTheNewSound

The Cloud of Witnesses

I was brought up to the throneroom of God and was seated behind the throne with a "great cloud of witnesses." These were all people who were witnesses to the goodness of God. They were testifying of His goodness for all of eternity. While I was there among them, I realized that the words we had spoken on earth would speak throughout all eternity. These words would be a strong testimony of God's goodness and would stand up against the accusations of the enemy. The enemy would bring accusations against God Himself, and our words spoken on earth were a testimony that would prove those accusations wrong. I realized how vitally important it was for us to speak of God's goodness, and all of His attributes while here on earth. Those who would accuse God, blame Him, and be bitter against Him, would not be among this great cloud of witnesses. These ones were aligning themselves with the enemy, making themselves an enemy of God.

I was also reminded of what the Lord had shown me before about God's goodness. When we say God is good, it's not that we are judging Him and determining that He meets our standard of what is good so we call Him that. No! We realize that He IS good. He is goodness itself. Goodness is defined by Him. All that He says and does is good. When we say God is good, we are saying that we submit to His definition of what good is. We don't judge Him, but we see His goodness in what He says and does, and we honor Him for that.

We must repent of any accusations we have spoken against God. We must repent of any and all words we've spoken against Him, anything along this line at all. We must be washed in the blood of Jesus. He will forgive us. Then we must remain focused to speak of His goodness. These words are eternal. This is why praise and worship is so important. We are testifying to God's goodness in a legal procedure. This cloud of witnesses was seated as in a court proceeding. The words of our testimony are legally binding. I saw that there was something powerful about the words spoken on the earth. As we spoke of God's goodness while we were here on the earth, it had a greater impact than speaking those same words in heaven. When we speak of His goodness in the midst of trouble, and the temptations are there to doubt His goodness, His love, or His faithfulness, they are powerful words of testimony that silences the enemy. And they will do so forever.