Casualties of War…

Pr 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ro 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Q. What do ‘carpet time’, meditation, soaking, the green line, the secret of Obed-Edom, and the searing, weeping fire of God experienced in worship have in common?

A. They are all manifestations of the presence of the living God, Holy Spirit meeting with people, directly, intimately, personally, and directly, in their lives.

I have watched some of my best friends, and fellow servants of the Lord die over the past couple of years, and though we are comforted in the truth that we will see them again, I asked God, WHY?

We will meet again, in glory, in heaven, but for now, their death leaves a hole in our heart, and provokes me to write some things that have been percolating within me for some time, as I have watched some of God’s tremendous servants die, or suffer horrible attacks of sickness, or infirmity, when the Word of God is clear:

Ps 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him,

I have watched people who I love, die, prematurely, and have hurt, and mourned their loss.

WHY?

And He has answered, and shown me, and no matter how politically incorrect it may be, I’m going to preach it, for this particular truth, will save many lives….

I heard Rev. Keith Moore preach a message at some point about developing a strong spirit. Brother Kenneth E. Hagin, preached and published a book entitled ‘Developing an Excellent Spirit’, and these foundational truths are what I must share.

It’s really simple, yet incredibly deep.

We are created in the image of God. God is trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We are trinity, spirit, soul, and body.

^{1 Thess 5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is much resource in the earth to develop our body and our soul, but few take the time to develop their human spirit.

I remember my pastor Billy Joe having a vision, a revelation, of people growing up, going to college, going to work, having children, buying a house, perhaps buying a lake house or boat or some kind of toys, then dying and going into eternity, without Jesus, or, if they had somehow become born-again in their life’s journey, stepping into eternity, with little or no eternal reward, because they had developed their soul, at the expense of their spirit, and

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Somebody once made the wise comment: ‘If the devil cannot stop you, he will get behind you and push!”

Seems that I have seen great people, often servants of God, that got ahead of God, and it cost them their lives.

Here in North America, foundations for buildings are generally made of concrete. You generally dig a hole in the ground, then fill it with concrete and steel, and if you have done it correctly, you can build a structure on it.

Someone once said, that you cannot pour concrete in a hurricane, and it seems that the same thing is true in our lives.

Generally, when the storms of life hit, our foundation needs to be deep, well-laid, and able to take the weight of the structure we are trying to build.

Some people have minds like concrete though, all mixed up, and thoroughly set!

In our own particular race, or journey through life, it seems that God is continually going deep within us, setting down deep roots in His Word and His love, so that the structures we build (family, church, businesses, organizations), easily stand upon the firm foundation of our faith, with no great stress to us.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

So we will face storms, trials, and struggles in this life, Jesus Himself promised them, but we are designed to overcome them all, and the way we must do this, is by faith.

In my book, I talk about the parable of the sower in great detail, but know this: that the spiritual battles we all face, are won, only by faith.

Yet, Jesus loves us, this I know, and Ga 5:6 faith which worketh by love.

Along the road of life, I have learned this about walking with Jesus: sometimes, we need to slow down, to speed up. We need to cultivate quiet, reflective time with Jesus, and allow Holy Spirit access to our deepest hungers, and needs for intimacy, acceptance, approval, comfort, encouragement, strength, and courage.

Job 34:29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?

Isa 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:

We are required to walk by, and fight the fight of faith, yet faith works by love. We must learn, in whatever way works for us, to allow the deep roots of God’s love to fill the deepest creaks and crevices in our souls.

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

This is done, daily, personally, in peace, quiet, and rest.

Since faith originates in the report, or comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, then we are shown that the great fight in each of our lives, is for this quiet time, this personal intimacy, the love of our heavenly Father, this one and only thing, that is the most precious thing in any of our lives, that is the presence of God.

As an addict needs their drug, as an alcoholic needs their next drink, as a drowning person needs their next breath, we need the presence and love of God in our lives. Nothing else will satisfy.

His presence is like the water that softens the soil of our hearts, that the Word of God might root, grow, and produce mountain-moving, nation shaking, history making faith!

Mt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Q. What do ‘carpet time’, meditation, soaking, the green line, the secret of Obed-Edom, and the searing, weeping fire of God experienced in worship have in common?

In what is now known as ‘The Toronto Blessing’, Holy Spirit revealed the love of the Father, to a group of hungry, broken, fatherless people, and when He came, we all fell down, and learned how to soak, usually for hours, on the lines that had been duct taped to the floor, all over the sanctuary. Some wept, some shook, some laughed, some went into a deep peace, other went into a trance like state, and many of us received powerful visions, words, dreams, or out of body experiences in the glory of God.

It was addictive! Yet, in my life, something beautiful began to occur: somewhere during the years I attended the 21 conferences in Toronto, I learned to receive directly from God, home in my bed, listening to the audio Bible, the deep needs met, that my heart hungered for.

I left Toronto in 1997 for Rhema Bible Training Center, and have only been back a couple times to Toronto since, yet still, to this day, ‘soaking’, is part of my experience with God, and though difficult to put into words, it is this ‘receiving’ that is what I am trying to describe here, for I am convinced that this is where the deepest needs of our heart are met.

Brother Hagin used to talk about meditating upon the Word of God, and I am convinced, that He met God this way, quietly spending the needed hours, to get his hearts hungers satisfied, and questions answered.

“Soaking”, has become a term, for this kind of experience.

In certain cases, holy, anointed intercessors, will pray for people, for extended periods of time, while the Holy Spirit, ‘marinates’ them, softening their hearts, and loving out their deepest, sickest secrets, trauma’s, and core pain issues, and showing them how precious they are to heaven, as royal, adopted, children of the most High God.

The Green Line is a humorous reference to the green lines in Dave Roberson’s church, where people are instructed to line up for prayer. I was listening to the band ‘Halo Jordan’s’ song by this title, and it is really funny, but the message is still there, and it is deep. Some of the band members have come out of horrible circumstances, and the drug scene, but they received healing, revelation, and restoration, directly and personally, on the green line. What happened? Exactly what I am trying to describe: Somehow, they were able to meet directly with God there, and His presence is addictive. Their song describes the hunger, and the meeting place they found with God, on the green line.

A friend and mentor of mine, the evangelist Daniel King, wrote a great book, ‘The Secret of Obed-Edom’. I liked it so much, that I read it to my children as a family devotion. In it, he describes the life transformation of Obed Edom, as he encountered, and became addicted to, the presence of God. Clearly, Daniel knows exactly what I am trying to describe here.

Finally, I wish to describe why I have attended Victory Christian Center here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For several years after we had returned from the mission’s field, we were attending three different churches each week, and they are all tremendously strong ministries. Then, I had a face to face prophetic encounter with Billie Joe Daugherty, that kept me up an entire night praying. We had never been members at Victory, and though we had heard much about the ministry, had never attended church there. So, my wife said: ‘Well, we love these other churches, but Chris, you are called to world missions. Do you honestly thing you can fulfill the call of God upon your life in any of them? Why don’t we check out Victory, and see what they are up to?”

That first service, sometime in worship, I had a searing, savage, encounter with our living God, that tore away my thin façade of civilization, and met me in my deepest, most painful places. Again, I was addicted to the presence of God!

Those two encounters, got us hungry to discover more about this ministry, and for the next six months, we were in some type of service, almost every night of the week!

For many years, every week, and in almost every service, at some point, I found myself meeting with God, deeply, personally; where God Himself speaks to me, often quite apart from whatever is being sung, preached, or ministered on. When a friend of mine asked me why I had left a previous church, when there was such incredibly anointed Bible teaching there, I found myself saying: ‘You’re right! Pastor _______ is one of the most anointed Bible teachers I have ever heard in my life! Each week, he breaks down the Word in such a way, that it is like he is talking to me personally, and showing me how to apply the Scripture to my day to day world. But, at Victory, I encounter the searing, passionate presence of the living God Himself, personally, and this is what I need in my life right now!”

So why all the discussion, trying to describe this?

Well, the Lord has shown me, that clearly, this manifest, personal presence of God, that fills our hearts, and meets with us, is the difference between life and death.

In the early years, I had such deep needs for a Father in my life, that Holy Spirit would come and meet with me, granting me affirmation, acceptance, comfort, approval, confidence, that empowered me to become the man I am called to be.

In most cases, we, as men derive our self worth, from what we do, accomplish, build, develop, perform. (please read: https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/not-by-works-its-all-about-love/)

God loves us, unconditionally, only because of the shed blood of Jesus, and our self-worth, our work, development, and performance is to be gauged by one yardstick: ‘Did we obey what He asked us to do?”

The Lord has shown me that many have been authentically called into their particular vocations, but have become so busy with the work of the Lord, that we forgot the Lord of the work, and like a hamster on a treadmill, we are running hard, but going no where.

In fact, this is how people die. They either work themselves to death, running, working, and laboring for acceptance, approval, love, encouragement, earthly reward, that they pour themselves out to the point, where they are so poured out, cored out, and exhausted, they cannot receive the deep, intimate presence they need, to restore, heal, and empower them for the next season of life and ministry.

Suddenly, heaven looks really, really attractive….

I remember on encounter with Jesus, on the carpet in Toronto, that bears repeating. My father had died of cancer, the church I had been attending had split, and I was hurting, badly. ,I had shut down emotionally, numb inside. During ministry time, a group of pastors and intercessors prayed for me, and I fell down under the power of God, but felt disconnected from what was happening. I kept whispering, ‘Jesus, I hurt, please heal my heart.” Suddenly, in a vision, Jesus was there! He was kneeling beside my head, and He was angry! He spoke to me clearly:

‘I am trying to heal you, but You won’t let me!’,

Suddenly, I saw the incredible wall in my heart I had erected to protect myself, and somehow, I allowed Him in! Deep, deep, searing pain, began to bleed from my heart, as He surgically opened the wound in my soul. Like a scab being torn off of a puss filled wound, He cut into my emotional pain, and purged, and healed me deep inside.

Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

He literally took out my heart of stone, and replaced it with a heart of flesh again…

Was reminded of the story of Mary and Martha today. Both were in the actual presence of Jesus, able to hear the same teaching, and words from the Masters lips, yet one was busy with the work of the Lord, trying to please Him through works. Mary got instructed, transformed, Martha got rebuked.

When the chips were down, and their brother Lazurus had died, Martha got a sermon, Mary got a miracle.

Seems God is a respecter of persons consecration, and attention to Him..

All comes back to this intimate, quiet time, consecrated to Him, each day…

Here’s how it is working in my life:

Pr 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

I study, I pray, I learn, and while I am working and praying, I deliberately, on purpose, pray in other tongues, usually for many hours each day.

If you have not yet experienced this miracle, please read: (https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/is-speaking-in-other-tongues-of-god/)

Then, at some point in the day, He comes…

When He does, I have learned to go to a quiet place, and let Him marinate me in His presence, as He gently fills every creak and crevice in my soul, and washes, and massages away the stress of the day, and imparts wisdom, revelation,understanding, comfort, healing, into places I had no idea I needed it.

This has been very difficult for a man like me, that is hard wired to work, perform, go, accomplish my To Do lists!

Yet, as important as fulfilling responsibilities is, He is Almighty God!

He can do more, in one second, than I can do in a lifetime, and this I know full well.

Seems as I slow down, He speeds up in my life, and things I have been working towards, suddenly happen, miracles happen, and projects get done!

Let Him search, and reach deep inside of you today.

I know not how to describe it, because, it is a literal, living encounter, with Holy Spirit, that continually recreates us into more than we were, so that

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Clearly, I see, that this living encounter, with our living God, is the difference between sickness and health, poverty and wealth, burn-out or empowerment, confusion or answers, human works vs the power of God!

Those that find, treasure, cultivate, and seek this, live long, prosperous, victorious lives.

Those that don’t, die prematurely, while those around them, wonder how?

Why?

Just the letter of the Scripture, will not produce this, nor will works of service. We must meet with Him, personally, intimately, daily…

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, only You can grant to those reading this, the experience of Your presence, I am trying, so hard to explain. Please take everyone who reads this, deep into your river, the deeper places of Your heart, Your presence, and feed, fill, lead, reveal to them, Your love, intimacy, person, passion, direction, power, miracles, and grace, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen”

The thoughts of the Diligent

I have been thinking about the word diligent this morning:

I read this Scripture, and decided to look up a few more:

Pr 21: 5 ¶ The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Saw the beaver picture, and my Canadian roots made me think about the industrious beaver depicted on our coins, a symbol of work…

Pr 10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Pr 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Pr 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Pr 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Our work produces prosperity, and it seems that when we are diligent in what God has called us to do, we see plenteousness, blessing, abundance, in every area of life. Notice here that abundance begins in our thought life, we need to see it first in our mind, and then in the hustle and bustle of our muscle applied to a dream or a project, great things occur. Notice Proverbs 14:23 here, there is work involved with the dream. Just talking about it doesn’t get the job done, in fact, it leads to poverty.

I could say I’m called of God, and then pretend to be praying, while surfing the internet, watching videos, or being entertained, but there would be no substance to what I teach or preach, you can get by on a few hymns, quips, and quotes to break the ice in a meeting, but God has no dumb sheep, we all have the mind of Christ. If we claim to be leading for God, we need to be going somewhere, and if we claim to be feeding the flock of God, we need to have fresh bread, broken and fresh from the oven of our prayer life, hot from the coals of heaven! No one wants stale, moldy bread, too hard to even break or chew!

Jesus is the bread of life, and I have determined to spend my life, preparing, baking, and serving the fresh bread of His Word to His people, in the heart and center of a God given vision being accomplished progressively for as long as He might leave me here in the earth. How about you?

Are you hungry?

Or are you filled up with the things of this life that will never satisfy…

There is a hunger in every heart, that only Jesus can fill!

Let’s pray:

‘Father, here we are again, hungry to know you more. Show us the area’s were are called to work for you, and help us to be faithful and diligent in them, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.”

Empty Enemies

Empty Enemies

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

And so we see the enemies of God: This worldly impersonal organized system devoid of love and life – the world, the Bible calls it.

Organizational structures that are sterile, void of care, concern, compassion, yet strong enough to endure generations. This is why we know the letter of the law kills, it is the spirit that brings life. If we build these empires, organizationally and administratively clean, yet without care and concern for the people these structures are supposed to serve and help, the very people we create these to serve, become crushed beneath their weight, the tyranny of unfulfilled expectations, that places people on a treadmill like a hamster: ever running, but going nowhere, making no difference, living and dying as fuel for the machine, blind to the rule of the one behind it, the god of this world, satan himself. The Nazi’s had order – just no love, nor life in their system.

Then there is the lust of the flesh: The savage passions for promotion, power, possessions, people, places and things, that can never be satisfied. Fallen flesh, that is ever hungry for more. More what? More money, more food, more power, more sex, more entertainment, more friends, more stuff, more knowledge. Always hungry, never satisfied: lust. No matter how much you feed it, it leaves a painful empty ache each time you indulge it, because you know that you fed the wrong thing, and your true hunger, for God, for intimacy, for purpose, for passion, for peace, for honor, for love, for holiness, was never met, no matter how much you indulge carnal appetites.

Is 55;1 ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

There is that which will fulfill our deepest thirsts! Come to Jesus!

Then there is the pride of life: Look at me, look what I can do, look at my house, my status, my company, my associations with the right people. Beautiful wife, beautiful life, empty, void of life. Spending time and money to impress people who neither understand nor care about you, or who you really are, For what?

Satan was Lucifer, the chief worship leader in heaven, closest to the throne before he fell. Why? He became proud. Those who are blinded by him, become like him – proud, selfish, screaming for entitlement, power and control. Love serves….

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Have you discovered the emptiness of life yet? Have you run hard enough on your little treadmill of work, relationships, activities, pleasures that leave you dry, weary, poured out and cored out – a hollow shell of who you are created to be? It may take some time to learn how to feed on that which truly does satisfy – to begin to feast on bread of life and things of eternal glory, but is is worth obeying that deeper nudge…that itch that has never been scratched by worldy pursuits, for you are created for much more than this world can offer. He created the universe – and is the only One big enough to fully satisfy and understand the complexity that is you!

It is Jesus who alone can satisfy the thirst and deepest hungers in your heart. Let all these enemies of God and you, die, slain at the cross, that you, like Jesus, might experience the resurrection life, found only in Him.

He is more than enough…

It has been said: ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears…’ Are you ready yet? He is waiting, still, with loving heart, and open arms. He knows, He cares, and He waits, until you are ready to receive Him…

Let’s pray:
‘Father, I see the tyranny of the world: The hardness, the severe toughness, of the daily rough and tumble of the world. It has left a coldness, hardness, and meanness deep within my soul. How well, I know see the foolishness of my own passionate pursuits, that have left me empty, dry, hungry for what truly satisfies. So I have fallen into the comparison trap, the competitive need to impress people I barely know, nor care about. My own self will, determined to do my own will, against you. Forgive me Father, and have mercy. Meet with me, and show me why I exist, Your highest and best for me and my life. Fill me with Your Spirit, for I hunger deep inside, and nothing satisfies me…help me Jesus. Amen’

Following Hard After Jesus!

Ps 42:1 ¶ «To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.» As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 ¶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Ps 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

This is my life. Broken often, finding myself weeping before God, then having Him touch me, speak to me, break through within and for me, and then being struck with passionate, hysterical, joy unspeakable glory!

Weird kind of existence, but one that is very much awake, alive, vibrant, and full of great things!

Face the injustices of life, head on. Feel them, let them wreck your heart in anguished prayer. Jesus will show up, and work miracles, and each time He does, you fall more in love with Him, more grateful, more humble, more wise, and walking in every increasing strength, grace, power, and wisdom….

Let’s pray:
‘Father, break my heart with what is breaking Yours today. Open my eyes wide to the pain of this life, and cause me to take it to you, in intercession, violent, anguished, consecrated prayer, that causes your power to be released in the earth, in my life, in this, my generation. As you do, grant me the gift of heavenly joy unspeakable and full of glory, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’

There is One we all seek…

There is One we all seek….

As I read this passage this morning, it comes alive to me!
Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
This is truth!

Whether people know it or not, all of us are seeking for one thing in life, Him!

He is the author and finisher of our faith, and our life, He is the one that can meet our deepest need.
Family is good. Relationships are good. Work is good. Money is good. Sex is good. Food is good. Exercise is good. Travel is good. Knowledge is good. Art and Music are good.
Yet, as good as all these things are, there is an itch that none of these can scratch, a deeper longing in every human heart, designed to be filled only by one thing: Him.
Whether rich or poor, from whatever country, language, or culture we come, there is One that we all seek.
His name is Jesus….

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, reveal Jesus to me. Meet with me. I need you. Show me why I am here, the purpose for which I am created. Jesus, I want to know you, hungry, for what only you can give, a hunger deep within, for you, the living God. Amen’

Ravenous Wolves….

As I learn to walk with Jesus, I again read this verse this morning, and see within it, deeper truth:

 

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

 

I know many people of God, who name the name of God, even Jesus, yet I watch the way they are treating people around them, manipulating, slithering around them, to get their own needs met.

 

Not just financial needs!

 

Sure we have seen people merchandise the ministry, making some practices look like the old fashioned ‘snake oil salesmen’ or schemers out of the proverbial shell game.

 

Yet it is not just ministry leaders that prey upon God’s sheep. I see it in business and politics too, ambitious, passionate people making merchandise of people with no concern for the care and needs of those they are using.

 

Ezekiel 22:27

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain

Isaiah 56:11

But the dogs have monstrous appetites. They never have enough. They are shepherds who don’t understand. All of them have turned to their own ways, every last one greedy for profit.

So what makes a spiritual wolf?

I believe it is all about hungers….appetites designed to be legitimately met by Jesus and the bread of His Word,  that feed on the flesh and brokenness of others.

It is all about the heart. We have passions that rage within ourselves, needs for love, intimacy, sex, food, success, to be noticed…

God will supply all of these, if we allow Him to break our hearts, and give to us the living waters of His Spirit that Jesus promises, but this is not a quick, microwave thing, it takes hours, daily, alone with Him in prayer, as He gently soaks us with His Spirit, washes us with His Word, feeds our heart of heart with His love, understanding, revelation, and peace, quieting our raging passions in the ocean of His presence.

Yet, I have learned that most leaders are way too busy for this degree of intimacy, and they gotta GO!

No realizing that in many cases the ‘gotta’ is an unmet appetite, that they are going to get fed in the rough and tumble of life.

Gotta make that deal, sign that contract, make that buck, conquer that person, have sex with the object of my desire.

Self…

Ravenous passions….

The tyranny of unmet expectations, the pursuit of unholy desires….

Jesus saw all this while He was on the earth, which is why I believe He told His disciples:

Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

He knew the pride and passion of sinful people, wolves, bloodthirsty predators…

So we walk with Jesus, allowing Him to meet with us deep within the secret places of our heart, and each day, He gently sends us out into this broken world as His sheep, in the midst of people who are as ravenous and predatory as wolves…

Yet His command is clear, walk with Him in their midst, as wise as a serpent, as gentle as doves…

Not all leaders are false, God does still call leaders!

Jeremiah 3:15

I will appoint shepherds with whom I’m pleased, and they will lead you with knowledge and understanding

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

There are still servant hearted servants of the Lord, laying down our lives for the feeding and leading of God’s people, because we honestly care…

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, thank you for Jesus. May we continually seek You First, and allow you to meet our deepest needs, directly by Your Word and through Your presence Holy Spirit. Protect us from our own raging passions and appetites, and may they rage only for You and Your kingdom. As leaders, may we gently lead, feed, protect, and empower your people, as You gently give us a good word in season, knowledge from heaven to meet the needs of your people. I ask this, looking to You Lord Jesus, the chief shepherd, my Lord, and my King, Amen’

Casulties of War…

Casualties of War…

Pr 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ro 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Q. What do ‘carpet time’, meditation, soaking, the green line, the secret of Obed-Edom, and the searing, weeping fire of God experienced in worship have in common?

A. They are all manifestations of the presence of the living God, Holy Spirit meeting with people, directly, intimately, personally, and directly, in their lives.

I have watched some of my best friends, and fellow servants of the Lord die over the past couple of years, and though we are comforted in the truth that we will see them again, I asked God, WHY?

We will meet again, in glory, in heaven, but for now, their death leaves a hole in our heart, and provokes me to write some things that have been percolating within me for some time, as I have watched some of God’s tremendous servants die, or suffer horrible attacks of sickness, or infirmity, when the Word of God is clear:

Ps 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him,

I have watched people who I love, die, prematurely, and have hurt, and mourned their loss.

WHY?

And He has answered, and shown me, and no matter how politically incorrect it may be, I’m going to preach it, for this particular truth, will save many lives….

I heard Rev. Keith Moore preach a message at some point about developing a strong spirit. Brother Kenneth E. Hagin, preached and published a book entitled ‘Developing an Excellent Spirit’, and these foundational truths are what I must share.

It’s really simple, yet incredibly deep.

We are created in the image of God. God is trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We are trinity, spirit, soul, and body.

^{1 Thess 5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is much resource in the earth to develop our body and our soul, but few take the time to develop their human spirit.

I remember my pastor Billy Joe having a vision, a revelation, of people growing up, going to college, going to work, having children, buying a house, perhaps buying a lake house or boat or some kind of toys, then dying and going into eternity, without Jesus, or, if they had somehow become born-again in their life’s journey, stepping into eternity, with little or no eternal reward, because they had developed their soul, at the expense of their spirit, and

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Somebody once made the wise comment: ‘If the devil cannot stop you, he will get behind you and push!”

Seems that I have seen great people, often servants of God, that got ahead of God, and it cost them their lives.

Here in North America, foundations for buildings are generally made of concrete. You generally dig a hole in the ground, then fill it with concrete and steel, and if you have done it correctly, you can build a structure on it.

Someone once said, that you cannot pour concrete in a hurricane, and it seems that the same thing is true in our lives.

Generally, when the storms of life hit, our foundation needs to be deep, well-laid, and able to take the weight of the structure we are trying to build.

Some people have minds like concrete though, all mixed up, and thoroughly set!

In our own particular race, or journey through life, it seems that God is continually going deep within us, setting down deep roots in His Word and His love, so that the structures we build (family, church, businesses, organizations), easily stand upon the firm foundation of our faith, with no great stress to us.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

So we will face storms, trials, and struggles in this life, Jesus Himself promised them, but we are designed to overcome them all, and the way we must do this, is by faith.

In my book, I talk about the parable of the sower in great detail, but know this: that the spiritual battles we all face, are won, only by faith.

Yet, Jesus loves us, this I know, and Ga 5:6 faith which worketh by love.

Along the road of life, I have learned this about walking with Jesus: sometimes, we need to slow down, to speed up. We need to cultivate quiet, reflective time with Jesus, and allow Holy Spirit access to our deepest hungers, and needs for intimacy, acceptance, approval, comfort, encouragement, strength, and courage.

Job 34:29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?

Isa 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:

We are required to walk by, and fight the fight of faith, yet faith works by love. We must learn, in whatever way works for us, to allow the deep roots of God’s love to fill the deepest creaks and crevices in our souls.

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

This is done, daily, personally, in peace, quiet, and rest.

Since faith originates in the report, or comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, then we are shown that the great fight in each of our lives, is for this quiet time, this personal intimacy, the love of our heavenly Father, this one and only thing, that is the most precious thing in any of our lives, that is the presence of God.

As an addict needs their drug, as an alcoholic needs their next drink, as a drowning person needs their next breath, we need the presence and love of God in our lives. Nothing else will satisfy.

His presence is like the water that softens the soil of our hearts, that the Word of God might root, grow, and produce mountain-moving, nation shaking, history making faith!

Mt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Q. What do ‘carpet time’, meditation, soaking, the green line, the secret of Obed-Edom, and the searing, weeping fire of God experienced in worship have in common?

In what is now known as ‘The Toronto Blessing’, Holy Spirit revealed the love of the Father, to a group of hungry, broken, fatherless people, and when He came, we all fell down, and learned how to soak, usually for hours, on the lines that had been duct taped to the floor, all over the sanctuary. Some wept, some shook, some laughed, some went into a deep peace, other went into a trance like state, and many of us received powerful visions, words, dreams, or out of body experiences in the glory of God.

It was addictive! Yet, in my life, something beautiful began to occur: somewhere during the years I attended the 21 conferences in Toronto, I learned to receive directly from God, home in my bed, listening to the audio Bible, the deep needs met, that my heart hungered for.

I left Toronto in 1997 for Rhema Bible Training Center, and have only been back a couple times to Toronto since, yet still, to this day, ‘soaking’, is part of my experience with God, and though difficult to put into words, it is this ‘receiving’ that is what I am trying to describe here, for I am convinced that this is where the deepest needs of our heart are met.

Brother Hagin used to talk about meditating upon the Word of God, and I am convinced, that He met God this way, quietly spending the needed hours, to get his hearts hungers satisfied, and questions answered.

“Soaking”, has become a term, for this kind of experience.

In certain cases, holy, anointed intercessors, will pray for people, for extended periods of time, while the Holy Spirit, ‘marinates’ them, softening their hearts, and loving out their deepest, sickest secrets, trauma’s, and core pain issues, and showing them how precious they are to heaven, as royal, adopted, children of the most High God.

The Green Line is a humorous reference to the green lines in Dave Roberson’s church, where people are instructed to line up for prayer. I was listening to the band ‘Halo Jordan’s’ song by this title, and it is really funny, but the message is still there, and it is deep. Some of the band members have come out of horrible circumstances, and the drug scene, but they received healing, revelation, and restoration, directly and personally, on the green line. What happened? Exactly what I am trying to describe: Somehow, they were able to meet directly with God there, and His presence is addictive. Their song describes the hunger, and the meeting place they found with God, on the green line.

A friend and mentor of mine, the evangelist Daniel King, wrote a great book, ‘The Secret of Obed-Edom’. I liked it so much, that I read it to my children as a family devotion. In it, he describes the life transformation of Obed Edom, as he encountered, and became addicted to, the presence of God. Clearly, Daniel knows exactly what I am trying to describe here.

Finally, I wish to describe why I have attended Victory Christian Center here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For several years after we had returned from the mission’s field, we were attending three different churches each week, and they are all tremendously strong ministries. Then, I had a face to face prophetic encounter with Billie Joe Daugherty, that kept me up an entire night praying. We had never been members at Victory, and though we had heard much about the ministry, had never attended church there. So, my wife said: ‘Well, we love these other churches, but Chris, you are called to world missions. Do you honestly thing you can fulfill the call of God upon your life in any of them? Why don’t we check out Victory, and see what they are up to?”

That first service, sometime in worship, I had a searing, savage, encounter with our living God, that tore away my thin façade of civilization, and met me in my deepest, most painful places. Again, I was addicted to the presence of God!

Those two encounters, got us hungry to discover more about this ministry, and for the next six months, we were in some type of service, almost every night of the week!

Every week, and now, in almost every service, at some point, I find myself meeting with God, deeply, personally; where God Himself speaks to me, often quite apart from whatever is being sung, preached, or ministered on. When a friend of mine asked me why I had left a previous church, when there was such incredibly anointed Bible teaching there, I found myself saying: ‘You’re right! Pastor _______ is one of the most anointed Bible teachers I have ever heard in my life! Each week, he breaks down the Word in such a way, that it is like he is talking to me personally, and showing me how to apply the Scripture to my day to day world. But, at Victory, I encounter the searing, passionate presence of the living God Himself, personally, and this is what I need in my life right now!”

So why all the discussion, trying to describe this?

Well, the Lord has shown me, that clearly, this manifest, personal presence of God, that fills our hearts, and meets with us, is the difference between life and death.

In the early years, I had such deep needs for a Father in my life, that Holy Spirit would come and meet with me, granting me affirmation, acceptance, comfort, approval, confidence, that empowered me to become the man I am called to be.

In most cases, we, as men derive our self worth, from what we do, accomplish, build, develop, perform. (please read: https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/not-by-works-its-all-about-love/)

God loves us, unconditionally, only because of the shed blood of Jesus, and our self-worth, our work, development, and performance is to be gauged by one yardstick: ‘Did we obey what He asked us to do?”

The Lord has shown me that many have been authentically called into their particular vocations, but have become so busy with the work of the Lord, that we forgot the Lord of the work, and like a hamster on a treadmill, we are running hard, but going no where.

In fact, this is how people die. They either work themselves to death, running, working, and laboring for acceptance, approval, love, encouragement, earthly reward, that they pour themselves out to the point, where they are so poured out, cored out, and exhausted, they cannot receive the deep, intimate presence they need, to restore, heal, and empower them for the next season of life and ministry.
Suddenly, heaven looks really, really attractive….

I remember on encounter with Jesus, on the carpet in Toronto, that bears repeating. My father had died of cancer, the church I had been attending had split, and I was hurting, badly. ,I had shut down emotionally, numb inside. During ministry time, a group of pastors and intercessors prayed for me, and I fell down under the power of God, but felt disconnected from what was happening. I kept whispering, ‘Jesus, I hurt, please heal my heart.” Suddenly, in a vision, Jesus was there! He was kneeling beside my head, and He was angry! He spoke to me clearly:

‘I am trying to heal you, but You won’t let me!’,

Suddenly, I saw the incredible wall in my heart I had erected to protect myself, and somehow, I allowed Him in! Deep, deep, searing pain, began to bleed from my heart, as He surgically opened the wound in my soul. Like a scab being torn off of a puss filled wound, He cut into my emotional pain, and purged, and healed me deep inside.

Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

He literally took out my heart of stone, and replaced it with a heart of flesh again…

Was reminded of the story of Mary and Martha today. Both were in the actual presence of Jesus, able to hear the same teaching, and words from the Masters lips, yet one was busy with the work of the Lord, trying to please Him through works. Mary got instructed, transformed, Martha got rebuked.

When the chips were down, and their brother Lazurus had died, Martha got a sermon, Mary got a miracle.

Seems God is a respecter of persons consecration, and attention to Him..
All comes back to this intimate, quiet time, consecrated to Him, each day…

Here’s how it is working in my life:
Pr 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

I study, I pray, I learn, and while I am working and praying, I deliberately, on purpose, pray in other tongues, usually for many hours each day.

If you have not yet experienced this miracle, please read: (https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/is-speaking-in-other-tongues-of-god/)

Then, at some point in the day, He comes…

When He does, I have learned to go to a quiet place, and let Him marinate me in His presence, as He gently fills every creak and crevice in my soul, and washes, and massages away the stress of the day, and imparts wisdom, revelation,understanding, comfort, healing, into places I had no idea I needed it.

This has been very difficult for a man like me, that is hard wired to work, perform, go, accomplish my To Do lists!

Yet, as important as fulfilling responsibilities is, He is Almighty God!

He can do more, in one second, than I can do in a lifetime, and this I know full well.

Seems as I slow down, He speeds up in my life, and things I have been working towards, suddenly happen, miracles happen, and projects get done!

Let Him search, and reach deep inside of you today.

I know not how to describe it, because, it is a literal, living encounter, with Holy Spirit, that continually recreates us into more than we were, so that

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Clearly, I see, that this living encounter, with our living God, is the difference between sickness and health, poverty and wealth, burn-out or empowerment, confusion or answers, human works vs the power of God!

Those that find, treasure, cultivate, and seek this, live long, prosperous, victorious lives.

Those that don’t, die prematurely, while those around them, wonder how?

Why?

Just the letter of the Scripture, will not produce this, nor will works of service. We must meet with Him, personally, intimately, daily…

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, only You can grant to those reading this, the experience of Your presence, I am trying, so hard to explain. Please take everyone who reads this, deep into your river, the deeper places of Your heart, Your presence, and feed, fill, lead, reveal to them, Your love, intimacy, person, passion, direction, power, miracles, and grace, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen”

Deep prayer, from a dream…

I was awakened, troubled….

Da 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
Suddenly, I saw many people I knew, that have died over the past couple of years, and the Lord caused me to understand why.

Pr 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Pr 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

I have seen a number of people suffer physical heart attacks, or simply give up, and die, because the pain of living each day, was simply too much to bear.

I was reminded of the Toronto revival, where God met us, repeatedly on the carpet, in savage inbreakings of His love, and we discovered that we have a Father that loves us, intimately.

I also discovered that I have huge, deep, emotional needs, hungers that only God, in His intimacy can feed and fill.

And so we would meet with God, and sometimes, what had been a silent prison of pain, a silent scream deep inside, was silent no more. We would shout, and weep, and God would come in passion and power, and wreck us, and meet us, and make us whole.

So I saw, so much ministry: filled with revelation, wisdom, strong teaching, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, but missing this one thing: this savage searing presence of our Father, that rips through our shattered walls, and meets us, heart to heart, with a love, intimacy, and passion, that no earthly love can compare to.

And then I saw it. People, good people, like walking zombies. Knowing that the answers they seek are in God somewhere, but stumbling from meeting to meeting, sometimes church to church, aching, seeking, longing for something real, and NOT FINDING IT, and quietly, giving up, and dying and going to heaven to be with Jesus.

God dealt with me that this, this intimacy and deep soaking in His love, must be the heart of all we do, or we will reach people, but not heal hearts, and they will die….

Our vision must be progressive, and there MUST be a corresponding deep move of the Holy Spirit at all times, that continually meets with and transforms wounded people into warriors, or they quietly check out emotionally at first, but physically eventually.

They kept hoping that the Holy Spirit ‘goose-bumps’ might actually meet the desperate needs of their hearts, and if we don’t get to them quick enough, their hearts become sick, and another child of God goes to heaven, earthly destiny unfulfilled, their ministry aborted, before it ever really got off the ground.

Having worked construction for many years, most foundations are made of concrete, and there is a saying: ‘It’s hard to pour concrete in a tornado!’

When a person’s life is shattered, when they did not grow up in a good home, and their foundation is destroyed, and all they feel, is worthlessness, pain, and numbness (because it hurts to much to get in touch with how we really feel), it is very difficult to build in them, a strong foundation in the Word of God!

Sometimes, only a terrifying, deep move of Holy Spirit is the only answer for them, and we, as leaders, must cry out until it comes, and no matter how messy it may look, in disrupting our services, we must let God out of the box, and let Him build, blast, and meet with His children.

If we don’t contend for it. They die, and for me, their blood is on my head, for I KNOW BETTER!

Stand with me, contend with me, for this one thing: this radical intimacy with our Father, that meets us at our deepest point of need, the sweeping winds of heaven, that again move with savage passion and power to reach those outcast, neglected, abandoned, traumatized by the brutality of their lives…

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, you put this in me, this hunger, passion, fervency, and recognition of the needs of Your children. Sweep through my life, blast away my religious habits, and grant again, Your deep, deep waves of searing intimacy, that heal, set free, and fill the deepest hungers, creaks and crevices in my soul. I cry unto you Lord Jesus, do it again, here, and now, Amen’

Hungry?

Desire the Sincere Milk of the Word!
1 peter 2:2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed]
salvation,
I had a pastor say to me one time, that pastoring is kind of like a nurturing a new born baby. First thing a newborn wants to do, is nurse. There is this innate ‘sucking mechanism’ that every healthy baby exhibits.
When I asked him how to decide, as a young pastor, where best to spend my time, when there are so many obviously hurting people in the world, I heard some wise counsel.
“Spend your time with those that want to be fed!”
While at Bible school, I had an instructor read this verse, that answered my question quite clearly:
Acts 20:28
Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of theLord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood
Amplified says it fairly plain, but good old King Jimmy English makes my point clearly:
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
He said: Chris, are the people you are counseling and pouring your life into attending church regularly?
The Word of God is clear, people need to be part of a local Body.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
He said, ‘Although I understand the good shepherd left the ninety-nine to go after the one, that one was still part of the flock. Chris, the Bible says to feed the flock of God. If they will not even attend church, they are not part of your church.
Again, I remembered the thoughts of that newborn infant, hungry to nurse.
If someone is hungry, they will eat. My job is to serve hot, fresh out of God’s oven, bread of life from the Word.
Yet, here, I don’t get to see all of you face to face. People stumble across this post, hungry for a Word from heaven, and I, in obedience to the Holy Spirit, am breaking the bread of God’s Word for you, daily, trusting that through this, Holy Spirit is feeding, leading, and ministering to you, just because He loves you, and I do too!
There are many verses on spiritual growth; we took an entire course on it at Bible school, and this is not the purpose of this teaching today, rather, to put before you a good meal from the Word, that will help you to be all you can be in Jesus.
With respect to church attendance though, the way I see it, we need to be either in attendance at a local church, or out pioneering or pastoring one.
Even if we are evangelists, prophets, teachers whose primary ministry is outside of the local assembly, we still need to bring our families into the house of the Lord.
Let’s pray:
‘Father, we desire to do only you will. Please show me clearly, what church I am supposed to be attending, supporting, serving in, or providing leadership to, at this point in my life and ministry. May I continually be in Your perfect will, intimately hearing Your voice, and moving fully obedient to You Holy Spirit, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’