Prophetic Focus For June 2013 - I Shall See The Glory Of God - John 11:39 - 44

Double portion greetings in Jesus precious name.

Blessed be the Lord for His awesome presence in our midst all through the month of May particularly for clarity of divine guidance and diverse miracles, signs and wonders as testified by many in our midst. We also bless the Lord for the massive influx of souls into our various local assemblies and mass salvation and deliverance thereby validating our on-going season of in-gathering. To God be all the glory!!!

Remember when Paul plants and Apollo waters, it is God that brings the increase. It is also written, “....And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (1Cor 3:8, Act 2:47). But we have not seen anything yet; there shall be testimonies of explosive church growth in all our churches across the nations of the earth in this month of June. For “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand” - Isa 14:24 

But what is the Holy Ghost saying to us as Winners in this great month?

It is written; “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: SO IS EVERY ONE THAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT.” Jn 3:8

We must recognize that:

·         Every child of God is born a wonder to his world – Jn 3:8.

·         Every child of God is born for signs and for wonders – Is 8:18

·         The supernatural is the natural realm of everyone that is born again – Mk 16:15-19

·         But miracles are no accidents; they are the deliberate acts of God in response to the desperate faith of men – Matt 9:27-29

·         Furthermore, God is behind every manifestation of signs and wonders in the lives of men                            - Mk 16:20, Act 10:38, Act 19:11-12

However, it takes faith to move the hand of God - Is 53:1, Matt 9:27-29

But it is not just faith that provokes the miraculous but UNSHAKABLE FAITH – that is, TRUST            - Mk 11:23/ Ps 125:1-3, Ps 34:8

The stronger our faith, the higher our level of command of the supernatural – Matt 17:20

We also understand that signs and wonders are the manifestations of the glory of God - Jn 11:39-44

Signs and wonders will turn any stinking situation to a glorious testimony at the command of faith.

Jesus said; if you believe, you shall see the glory of God – Jn 11:40

It takes being God-confident to be in command of signs and wonders, thereby living as more than a conqueror – (Phil 3:3, Rom 8:35-38)

Confidence of faith is key to provoking signs and wonder – Dan 3:16-18/26-29

This is why we shall be exploring the hidden forces behind the supernatural all through this month which is one vital way of taking delivery of our ‘next levels’ package.

We discovered that everyone that experienced dramatic change of levels in scriptures got it through the manifestation of the supernatural. Examples here include:

*Joseph –Gen 41:38-44/ Ps 105:17-23                                    *Daniel–Dan2:17-46/Dan6:1-30                                                         *Shedrach, Meshach & Abednego - Dan 3:16-29                           *Nehemiah – Neh 2:8 etc., etc.

I therefore believe, there shall be humbling ‘next levels’ liftings in the lives of Winners across our churches worldwide this month through the raw manifestation of the supernatural. Every Winner is admonished to get set for the delivery of his/her turnaround package.

Therefore the prophetic focus for the month of June 2013 is:

I SHALL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD – Jn 11:39-44

Recommended books of the month authored by Bishop David O. Oyedepo include:

* Walking in the Miraculous           * Operating in the Supernatural  

* Releasing the Supernatural * Commanding the Supernatural

Remain ever blessed.  Jesus is Lord!

Bishop David O. Oyedepo

ANGRY PASTORS - Beware of Angry Pastors

 

by Joe McKeever

“Now, in the last days, difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self … boastful, arrogant, revilers … ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited … Avoid such men as these.” (II Timothy 3:1-5)

Veteran Christian workers get this a lot. People tell you of a conversation they had with you years or even decades ago in which you either said the magic words that changed their lives, or came out with something that infuriated them then and continues to bug them to this day.You don’t remember any of it.

In yesterday’s cybermail, I had two such messages, one of each kind. One young minister was thanking me and the other was venting. Both conversations had occurred nearly 10 years ago.
The second letter told of the time the writer sat in my office, seeking guidance for entering the ministry. According to his note, I asked what kind of church position he was interested in. And that’s what ticked him off.

“I was morally outraged by the question,” he said.
After all, he went on to point out, the issue was finding and doing God’s will, not what he was interested in.
He went on from there, updating me on his situation and asking for prayers, but my attention was riveted on those words: morally outraged. I’m unsure what that term means, to tell you the truth, particularly in this setting. My dictionary defines “outrage” as a severe insult or affront. But, “morally outraged”?

I could not be more surprised by this than if my question had given him a sudden craving for chocolate ice cream. One seems to have little to do with the other.

We never know what is going to tick someone off.
Unresolved anger is a scary thing. One never knows when it’s going to rear its ugly head, who it’s going to victimize, and what price the perpetrator may be forced to pay as a result of the damage he causes.


Any minister harboring unresolved anger in his heart is a ticking time bomb capable of doing a lot of damage to a great many people. What’s worse, it’s all done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The angry pastor will wreck his relationships with the other staff members, with the deacons, with anyone coming to him with a plea for help, and particularly with anyone bringing a criticism to him.
Earlier today, I asked a group of friends for their response to this question: “What does an angry pastor do?”

The answers poured in and piled up in a hurry:

1. Angry pastors take their aggression out on their staff.
2. They drive people away from the church.
3. Their preaching is harsh and graceless. They become “clubbers” from the pulpit, clobbering people with the Word.
4. They become vindictive, unforgiving, interested in payback.
5. The pulpit becomes a place to vent, to accuse, to belittle, to defend.
6. He is harsh to his wife and stern and unloving to his family.
7. He blames others for his failings.
8. He beats the sheep instead of feeding them.
9. He becomes bitter and sarcastic. “All sarcasm is rooted in anger.”
10. He crushes the hearts and spirits of the congregation.

A good pastoral counselor can be such a person’s best friend. We said a “good” one, please notice. The last thing an angry minister needs is a passive, nondirective counselor who will nod and repeat back his own statements. He must have someone who will look him in the eye, call a spade a spade, and hold him accountable for his misbehavior.

This kind of counseling can be painful, is usually costly, and can require numerous sessions over many months. Furthermore, it takes a severe toll on the counselor himself. An hour session with an angry person completely wipes out the counselor.
In many cases, the bitter minister will not be going for counseling, however. The problem as he sees it is everyone else, not him. The world needs to change, not him. Woe to the poor soul who ventures to suggest he get counseling for his problem.

When a pastor (we’re talking about any minister) admits to his anger problem and seeks out a pastoral counselor, he has taken a major step in the right direction. But to say he’s “halfway there” would be simplistic. Not by a long shot. He has a long road ahead, but the people who love him most and believe in him strongest will cheer him on and will be there to celebrate with him at the end.
At a gathering of pastors from across denominational lines, various ministers were sharing prayer concerns. An African-American woman said, “I am the pastor of Phillips Memorial United Methodist Church. We are in trouble. In recent days, we have learned that our church is built over a toxic landfill. The poisons in the soil are endangering everyone. We are going to have to relocate our entire church. Please pray for us.”
Anger poisons congregations as surely as the worst toxins in the soil.

It’s bad enough when church members bring active, unresolved anger into the congregation. It’s worse when the carriers of such ill will are leaders of the church. But when the mad men are the pastors and spiritual leaders of the church, the news is all bad.
From then on, it’s all downhill.

Yesterday, I had a phone call from a search committee chairman inquiring about a certain pastor. Among the things I was able to tell him was this: In spite of a difficult pastorate where my friend now serves, he has retained his joy in the Lord and a healthy perspective on ministry. He is angry at no one, and loves them all.

That’s the kind of person I want as my pastor.
It’s the kind of pastor I want to be.

ADDENDUM.
A friend suggests that Dr. Wayne Oates, longtime seminary professor in Louisville and widely acclaimed teacher of counselors, had something special to say on this subject in his book Behind the Mask. (I’ve just ordered a copy of that 1987 book.)
The following are notes from my friend’s blog, which he attributes to Dr. Oates …

The angry pastor wants people to fear him. He is antisocial. Prides himself on his bluntness. Intimidation is his first tool of choice in relationships. He loves a good fight. His motto is, “I don’t get angry; I get even.” He’s vindictive and people fear him, are afraid to confront him or cross him.

Manipulation and coercion become his tools of conquest. Everything is about him.

How to deal with him:

a) Tell him ‘no’ firmly and solidly.

b) Refuse to be frightened by him.

c) Use gentle humor with him. Gentleness is the believer’s great strength, a lesson this bully has never learned.

I’m grateful for these insights. 
 

 

After five years as Director of Missions for the 100 Southern Baptist churches of metro New Orleans, Joe retired on June 1, 2009. These days, he has an office at the First Baptist Church of Kenner where he's working on three books, and he's trying to accept every speaking/preaching invitation that comes his way. He loves to do revivals, prayer conferences, deacon training, leadership banquets, and such. Usually, he's working on some cartooning project for the denomination or some agency. More from Joe McKeever or visit Joe at www.joemckeever.com/mt/

"Covenant Medication" - A Shot of Holy Anointing Oil As Balm In Gilead For Total Restoration Of Divine Health

Double Portion greetings in Jesus name!

In response to the ever growing wave of afflictions, sicknesses and diseases and assaults of death many believers, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me asking that every winner be placed on a “covenant medication” of a shot of the anointing oil every night before going to bed for 21 days in a roll. Thus saith the Lord”.....For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord...” (Jer. 30:17).

We recognize that the anointing oil is one of the vital balms in Gilead for the total restoration of the health of God’s people. Mk 6:7/12-13; James 5:14-15.

Remember also that the anointing oil is a trans-generational mystery. “And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.” (Exodus 30:31)

John the Baptist by the Spirit of the Lord presented the Holy Ghost as a personality with a fan and fire in His hand and on a mission to thoroughly purge His floor, that is, we who are His temple, preserve the stuff, that is, the organs of our body, gather together the chaff, that is, all the things that should not be in our system and consume them with His unquenchable fire. Matt. 3:11-13; 1 Cor. 6:19.

But what is in the Oil?

·      The Spirit of the Lord. 1 Sam. 16:13; Isa. 59:19

·      The power of God. Mk 6:7/12; Lk 10:19

·      The fan and the fire. Matt. 3:11-13/Is 10:27

But we all know that we cannot sweep a house from outside, this is why we are hereby directed to embark on these 21 days of engaging the mystery of the anointing oil against all manner of sicknesses and diseases and all forms of satanic oppressions by taking a shot of the oil before going to bed. We should believe that by so doing, every yoke of the devil in our lives shall be destroyed before the 21 days are over. Remember that prophecies are fulfilled by faith. 

Therefore, we must engage this prophetic directive with every faith we can master and everyone is sure to return with testimonies that cannot be denied.

I hereby decree that the content of the bottle of oil gotten for this purpose blessed to become the anointing oil to fully deliver the purpose as contained in the epistle in Jesus’ name Amen.

We should all expect the raw manifestation of the power of God as we lay hold on our liberty in Christ. Every terminal disease shall be destroyed and all oppression of the devil shall be done away with in Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen

This is to be flagged off on Sunday 26^th May, 2013 in all of our churches around the world.

Jesus is Lord!

Bishop David O. Oyedepo

Understanding Divine Direction

Isaiah 48:21 - And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

 

One wrong step in life can lead to a major crash of destiny,

While one right step can lead to eternal pleasure and treasure.

When you allow the lord to lead you, the future is secure, the future is great.

Why Do We Need Divine Direction

Proverbs 14:12 (Prov. 16:25) - There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

It weighs ok, It is traditionally all right

On the balance of human wisdom, it seems all right

You are permited to think, but let God have the final say
Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

The one who created the wilderness Knows the way through it.

Psalms 32:8 - I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

The best of our wisdom and our logical thinking is not a substitute for God’s guidance.

BENEFITS OF DIVINE DIRECTION – Psalms 23:1- 6

1  Divine Provisions
Psalms 23:1 – 2
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Luke 22:35 - And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Psalms 105:37, 40 – 41
37 - He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

40 - The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

41 - He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

2. Peace

Psalms 23:2.......he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalms 85:8 - I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints...

3. Divine Confidence
It takes confidence to conquer

Psalms 23:3 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Confidence have rewards

Hebrews 10:35 - Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

4.Divine protection and Humbles your enemies
Psalms 23:5 - Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

No devil can stop you
Psalms 105:13 – 15
13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

5. Divine presence
Psalms 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Moses case
Exodus 33:15 - And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

6. Divine Certainty – Removes guess work: “Guess work does not work for long”  
Psalms 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Goodness = Good Wife, Good House, Good Job :    Mercy = Greater than Justice

Requirements:(Major Demand for Divine Direction)
1.You must be one of His sheep.
John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: