Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Missing You!


This free button comes from Split Decisionz



Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Write with her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Until Next Time




Button courtesy Split Decisionz
Announcement: On Friday, November 14 I'll be a guest blogger over at Slurping Life. This is a huge honor for me as I share my nature pictures and words, something Melody is so gifted at in her own blog. I'd love for you to check her blog out!



It was nearly a year ago God gave me a vision for a new blog, a team blog. He showed me immediately what the theme would be (deeper things of Christian faith) and who the other bloggers would be (Kim and Maria, of course!) It took a few months of prayer for the right timing and for all of us to feel the same way, but here you have it, The Narrow Gate Invites.


It's exciting to see us evolve as much as the blog has. Kim felt such a strong desire to return to Romania, and she did, with so many awesome testimonies and a refined vision. Maria is surrendering fears and stepping out of her comfort zone, sometimes on national TV (see Joel Osteen sidebar on right)!


Me, well next week I feel God is going to do a new thing with me. Physically I'll have surgery that I'm believing will put me in a new season of life. It's been a long road and I wonder if a lot of it was His preparation for the next step in the journey. I'll have a good amount of bedrest and I really look forward to that quiet time with the Lord and just reading.


With that, I'm going to be taking a break from blogging here. I want to use the time of rest to seek perspective and wisdom and have fresh, anointed ideas. Besides here, I blog at my personal blog, Sundays at the Christian Writers Forum and I have two monthly columns at Take Root and Write. The Take Root ministry is so much of my calling, and with that comes groups with the social network, Christian Women Take Root. I facilitate the groups associated with the columns, so it's a fair amount of upkeep. Women are hungry for God's love through marriage and surrender. I'm willing to be a vessel for that as long as He calls me.


So pray for the Narrow Gate Girls. My hope is that Kim and Maria will continue to blog in my absence and that I'll be back in December sometime with renewed vision and a refreshed spirit.


If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments about what you'd like to see here, please leave a comment or e mail us at jarduini@faithwriters.net. We're so thankful for you!


Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl." Julie's surrender story is featured in the Run Like a Girl website launch.
You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Write with her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Even More On Deborah---Rise Up Women of Israel!

Julie's note: This year I've read so much about Esther and Deborah, and I don't think it's a coincidence. I really enjoyed this article on Deborah, which is a part 2 off the Elijah List. Years ago I had a dream where women were rising from the pews stating, "I am a woman of Israel." I think the time is now!





Jill Austin:
"Awake, Deborahs, Awake! Part 2"
Below is Part 2 of Jill Austin's "Awake, Deborahs, Awake" article (
click here for Part 1).

Deborah's Resume
We tend to think of multi-tasking as a 21st century phenomenon, but Deborah was functioning in five major roles - Intercessor, Judge, Prophetess, Mother of Israel, Deliverer/Military Strategist. Let's review them:


1. Intercessor
Many scholars believe that one of Deborah's roles before becoming judge was being a "lamp lighter" in the temple. In the Bible, oil is often a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Deborah was married to Lapidoth, whose name means to shine, lamp, flame, burning lamp, lightening, torch. Isn't it interesting? He, too, was a lamp that had oil!


Deborah was a keeper of the oil and light, gingerly tending the lamps. This shows us that she was a woman who was passionately spending long hours dwelling in the temple. She was a woman of prayer and of worship. She lived between two villages - Ramah and Bethel - in Ephraim, which means the valley of fruitfulness. Biblical names often have profound prophetic meanings.


The ancient village of Ramah was known to be the seat of high adultery. Bethel was known as the house of the Lord with open Heavens, where Jacob had his ladder experience in Genesis 28. She stood in the gap, interceding between the seat of high idolatry and pagan worship and the house of Bethel with its open Heavens.


Now the imagery becomes a little clearer: Deborah was raised up by God to intercede against idolatry (Ramah). She wanted to turn the hearts of the children of Israel back to the house of God (Bethel) to inherit a double portion of fruit (Ephraim).
Deborah's relationship with the Lord was very precious and intensely intimate. I believe that in those twenty years of captivity, Deborah stood in the gap and interceded to change the course of Israel. God promised Abraham, in Genesis 18, that He would save a nation for the sake of ten righteous men. I believe that the righteous prayers of Deborah availed much!


She worshipped and had a deep intercessory life with God. She would go into the temple and fill the lamps with oil and ask God for revelation for people around her in great darkness. She was prepared in this secret place as she stood in the gap in radical intercession for her people and her nation. She would hear from God and would bring down great wisdom and counsel. She spent long hours in the temple. This dedication moved the very heart of God and changed the very heart of Deborah. He led, she followed. She led, Israel followed.


Oftentimes we have the misunderstanding that worship is merely the thirty-minute time slot before the sermon when we sing songs of devotion to God. This is part of worship. But doing small things with great love unto Him is living a life of worship. Deborah was a worshipper who loved the oil of the lamps - Holy Spirit.


We need to be like Deborah, a people of prayer. Sincere and passionate prayer is the key to unlock our relationship with Almighty God. Many struggle with praying because they feel that their intercession is not much more than empty cries to an invisible God who seems so distant. We think that our prayers bounce off the ceiling and back to us unheard and unanswered. But, Beloved, God loves communing with you! He promises that He will hear you and answer! It takes only a few seconds of a face-to-face encounter with God to change the course of human history for you, your city, or your nation.


In fact, communing with God is the highest purpose for which you were created! "This is eternal life, to know Me" (John 17:3, paraphrased). Our hunger for God is what fuels our prayer life. When His presence is our passion and our hunger is for His heart, we can approach the throne of God boldly with the confidence that our Daddy loves our prayers; but having this first love is so important.


For Deborah, intercession was a dialogue in which He began to download strategic war plans, blue prints from Heaven, and keys to open doors that no man can shut and shut doors that no man can open (see Isaiah 22:22). How else could she wisely judge so many civil cases with the Israelites?


2. Judge
Ehud was the third judge of Israel. After his death, Israel was without a strong leader and once again fell into idolatry and sexual perversion. They were desperately in need of godly leadership. It was the role of the judge to hear and resolve the disputes of the people, but they also attempted to keep the nation from idolatry (see Exodus 18:20; Judges 2:17), they taught God's Word (see Exodus 18:20; Judges 2:17), and they interceded for their people (see Deuteronomy 9:18-20, 25-29; Deuteronomy 10:10).


The Scripture tells us that judges were raised up by God to that office (see Judges 2:16). All the judges before and after Deborah were men. So Deborah must have walked in quite an unusual and unique grace to be chosen as both the natural and spiritual leader of Israel. The Word says that she was a judge for 40 years. She held her court sitting under the palm tree, which represents righteousness.


In ancient Israeli culture, there was not the separation of church and state that now exists in our governmental infrastructures. To be appointed as the judge over a nation was equivalent to also being established as the spiritual head over the country. Great responsibility came with great authority. She took care of the civil disputes of men, women and children. We aren't just talking about the local judge down at your courthouse. We are talking about the executive leader over the whole nation of Israel. She was leading Israel (see Judges 4:4-5).


3. Prophetess
Deborah operated in a heavenly dimension of a spirit of wisdom and revelation. It was almost as if God had supernaturally implanted a divine compass in her, always guiding her to Him. She walked in such dependence upon every move of the Omnipotent One. The judging that Deborah did so well might have been because of her gift as a prophetess. She would have been able to make wise decisions if she saw well in the Spirit. Although it isn't certain, many theologians feel that Deborah was from the tribe of Issachar, which means that she knew the times and the seasons. Samuel was the only other judge also listed as a prophet.


In "Matthew Henry's Commentary," he writes:
"She was a woman of illuminations, or of splendors, one extraordinarily known and wise, and so came to be eminent and illustrious. She was intimately acquainted with God, she was a prophetess, and one that instructed others in divine knowledge by the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and had gifts of wisdom, to which she attained not in an ordinary way; she heard words of God, and she probably saw visions of the Almighty. She was totally devoted to Israel. After Jehovah, Israel was her first love."


Deborah means "bee" or "wasp" or "queen bee." She was one who would set things in order and bring honey, but also bring the sting of a bee when necessary. A basic principle in spiritual warfare is that our level of attack against the devil must be intimately related to our level of authority and intimacy in our relationship with God.


Deborah was one who received fresh mandates from Heaven, and though she knew how evil the oppression of King Jabin was, she also knew that with God anything was possible! Something in Deborah knew how to pull on the resources of Heaven, stand in the counsels of the Lord (see Jeremiah 23) and open her mouth and let Him fill it (see Psalm 81:10).


4. Mother of Israel
What made this woman a mother of Israel? Deborah loved well. The Lord must have peered over the balcony of Heaven, looked through the lattice of time and watched the way that she so tenderly stopped for the one. Imagine facing the seemingly unending line of people all needing a touch of Heaven. I imagine her tired eyes stretched out on the faces of His creation as she felt the ache in their hearts for God. They had come so far, how could they leave empty-handed? The eleven other dispersed tribes of Israel walked for miles and literally risked their lives on the dangerous highways as they pushed through to hear from God, through Deborah's voice.


"The highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways. Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then there was war in the gates..." Judges 5:6-8


I believe that Deborah could hear the groans of the Israelites who were oppressed for 20 years and feel the pounding pain in God's heart over His peoples sin and oppression. I believe that it was her ability to hear His heartbeat that allowed her to save a nation in a day. Deborah ruled with the sword of a prophet but the staff of a shepherd - she truly loved God's people. She always led well. She led by loving.


5. Deliverer/Military Strategist
Deborah was more than a judge; she was used to deliver Israel from the second longest captivity. As a prophetess and military strategist, she called the nation to war. She was a military strategist who not only wielded the hand of God but also operated with the heart of God. You see, Deborah was a deliverer! She loved the people and they loved her. She delivered them from a great enemy.


The Lord literally dropped a clear prophetic word to summon Barak, the Israeli commander, to rally the rag-tag troops for battle against insurmountable odds. The Hebrews had no weapons - none. They had all been confiscated by the Canaanites.


The famous historian, Josepheus, writes about the enemy force:
"Under the command of his general, Sisera, he had 300,000 footmen, 10,000 horsemen and 900 hundred chariots of iron. These chariots not only controlled the highways and roads of the land, they could be driven through an army of men and with the swords in their wheels, they could cut off the legs of the strongest and bravest of soldiers. They were feared, as tanks are today. The people of Israel had no answer to such deadly weapons of mass destruction, forged in the bowels of hell."


God showed her revelations of how to win the battle. Seeing in the heavens and moving with prophetic proclamations, she released the warrior angels of the Lord to fight ancient demonic principalities. She knew the enemy's schemes and helped to empower the war in the heavens, destroying the enemy. She brought holy reversal to the evil plans. In her moment of crisis, she decreed the Word of the Lord, and creation bowed to her command. Her prayers and military governmental leadership shifted the course of history and saved the nation of Israel. When the city gates were at war, Deborah, a mother of Israel who was willing to lay down her life for her God and country, arose.


God's Word Brings a Shift in Roles
Deborah sent for Barak and told him the Lord commanded him to take 10,000 men of Naphtali and lead them to Mount Tabor. There the Lord would lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and troops, to the Kishon River and would put him into his hands. Barak was a military commander of Israel. He was a man of war, but he lacked courage.


"Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, I will go! But if you don't go, I won't go!'
"'Very well,' Deborah said, 'I will go with you, but because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours for the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman'" (paraphrased, see Judges 4:9).


He was dealing with heavy oppression and he did not have the faith to go. He needed Deborah to be his salvation or he would not have gotten into place for his calling. How many of you are willing to be Deborah's to help to put the Barak's in place governmentally?


So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed them. You see, she gave a prophetic word and it started to launch, shift and change not only Barak's and Israel's destiny, but also her own destiny. It shifted her out of sitting under the palm tree and lighting the lamps in the tabernacle. Suddenly she was getting on a horse and was thrust onto the front lines of the battle.


Revival and War Are Running Mates
When we are dealing with this great oppression in the land, when we are crying out for revival, we need to understand that revival and war lock hands. Revival and war are running mates. Our intercession and our prayers tip the bowls of justice from Heaven and fire falls down. When you are crying out for freedom and breakthrough, you are tipping the bowls in Heaven that contain justice. So on one hand, we want to see a mighty outpouring of God to set people free, but when you are crying out desperate prayers of revival and visitation, you are also crying out for God's justice to come.


Out of their brokenness, they needed a miracle. With 10,000 soldiers, they were going on a suicide mission. But Deborah stood as a prophetic symbol; a signpost as a woman who was weak, but she had the word of God! She had a history of going in and lighting the lamps. She had a history of hearing the voice of God in the secret place. So suddenly, when the hour came for her to literally go into war like a Joan of Arc, she was ready. She was in the place to say yes because she knew the voice of her God. She knew she had the living word of her Lord, and 10,000 men believed her enough to risk their lives, too.


We are in a season of great warfare, but in the midst of it, will you be like a Deborah where you can hear God's voice and give radical mandates to men, women and children for such an hour as this?


Do you love the Lord so much that when you hear the cries of the suffering and oppressed around you, you will volunteer to be a mother of Israel?


Is there a cry in you that says, "I am willing to stand against sexual pornography, sin and abortion? I am willing to stand in the house of prayer with angels ascending and descending. I will be a woman who will stand in the gap and go before God and cry out in intercession."


Let's Pray: Lord, we need revival! Lord, we need the Kingdom of God to break in with the resurrection power of life! This is a call of war! This is a call for you to say that you want to hear the voice of God from the secret place. Lord, we want to make a fresh holy covenant with You. We want to move as holy revolutionists, but we want to move with purity and humility. We want to be ones that will come out of the secret place and wrestle with a holy desperation and go to the place of war.


The journey of Deborah is a testimony of the power of just ONE life fully set apart for God. May her song be an invitation to you that a revolution can begin - with one person.


Jill AustinMaster Potter MinistriesEmail: info@masterpotter.com


Jill Austin's Itinerary:


Tour of England:


November 7-8, 2008Maranatha MinistriesWhipton Barton SchoolHill Lane, WhiptonExeter EX1 3JP EnglandConact: andrewpearkes@googlemail.com


November 12, 2008Chiswick Christian CentreFraser St, Chiswick, LondonW4 2DA EnglandContact: 0208 742 1100


November 14-16, 2008Betty King Ministries Internationaland The River Centre ChurchMedway Warf RoadTonbridgeKent TN91REContact: 01732 770707 or 01732 770707


Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Write with her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.


Thursday, November 6, 2008

Don't Despise Small Beginnings



That verse in the above title became a mantra between my friend and mentor Sheila Davis, myself, and a bunch of ladies seated around tables. God gave Sheila a vision for a women's ministry named "Women of Grace." Through family transitions, job changes, a boat load of health issues, Women of Grace has found secure footing and I want to share it with you.




Sheila and the Women of Grace team still minister in Northeast Ohio, but they also are taking God's love and words of wisdom to women online. You can find their ministry at Women of Grace Bridging The Gap.




At our blog here we notice that our readers might not leave comments (although we'd welcome them as long as they are respectful) they come from all around the world. We don't boast big bloggy numbers, but we boast an amazing, huge, miraculous God.




The Women of Grace Bridging the Gap site does the same thing. They are in small beginnings that they are thankful for.




I encourage you to check the entire site out!


Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Writewith her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.



Wednesday, November 5, 2008

His Ways Are Not My Ways...





Well, last week I wrote of a door the Lord has recently opened in my life.
He has petitioned me to be a worship leader.
I look back at that post and kind-of chuckle.
Oh wise me---I asked the Lord to open a door, I knocked—and He answered.

What I didn’t realize or want to admit last week was that I had a grand picture of what it was going to look like on the other side of that door.

Then, He showed me His picture—and boy was it different than mine.

And then He reminded me that He had been the one that placed this gift inside me.
And He is the one that gave me the spirit of leadership many, many years ago.
And He is the one that placed the desire in my heart to lead worship.

Now I was to do it His way.

His thoughts are not my thoughts.
His timing is not my timing.
His ways are not my ways.
And as the good Pastor Osteen would say, “The enemy fights you the hardest when God has something great in store for you…”

And in the midst of my frustration last week, because He knew I would not be reminded of these things on my own, He sent my many wonderful sisters in Christ to remind me of these things He placed in my heart—and to not be weary.

All of you know who you are, and once again, I feel blessed that He has placed all of you amazing women of God in my life.

One of my sisters said something like, “If He showed you the end of this hallway behind His door right now, you would never take one step through the door. Because what He has in store for you is beyond your thinking, and if you knew the details, you would be too scared to take the step.”

So I will trust that He has gone before me and prepared the way. He is lining up all of the hearts and spirits of people to receive the way He wants me to usher people into His presence.

His way, not mine.

So if you have a dream in your heart that you know He put there--- you must be willing to trust each and every step to Him.

And the only doors He will unlock are those that require you to lean your entire being on Him….


Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy.Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com.Maria's first published work is in Jan Ross and Jeanice McDade's Women of Passion's anthology, "Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God". Both Kim and Maria have been selected to have their work tentatively included in Lori Wagner's upcoming book, Quilting Patches of Life, Volume 2.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Wondering or Walking

Wonder . . . to think or speculate curiously, to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe, to doubt. Wonder . . . what are you wondering about today? A new job, falling in love, pursuing a lifelong dream, walking in your calling? We all spend time wondering, dreaming, wishing, hoping, and praying for the 'desires of our heart.' Often times we picture what life would be like if we actually fufilled those dreams, those desires . . . the picture may look rosy and filled with joy. Wondering . . . it can be a safe place to be and stay.

But what happens when the day comes when the Lord opens a door to one of those dreams? A friend shares a new job lead, you casually meet a person you may be interested in, a friend invites you to come and immerse yourself in her ministry, or your pastor asks you to be a leader? What is your response? Do you ignore it - brush it off with doubt thinking . . . oh nothing will ever come of this why bother? Do you ponder it eventually talking yourself out of it? Do you call everyone you know and get their opinion first before asking His? (I must confess I am talking to myself here.) Or do you pray, seek Him, talk to Him, listen for His voice, seek wise council, and start to walk?

To walk is defined as . . . to advance or travel on foot at a moderate speed or pace; proceed by steps; move by advancing the feet alternately so that there is always one foot on the ground in bipedal locomotion and two or more feet on the ground in quadrupedal locomotion. Walking, not running, where one foot is always on the ground!!!

A few weeks ago I began to walk in a dream, a calling, that I have felt for years. I traveled with two other women to Romania to immerse myself in a small, remote village so that I could feel and experience the needs of the people. Before I left I 'imagined' how my experience would look and feel . . . an image filled with love, appreciation, and smiling faces; however, what I soon discovered was my own insecurities and that fufilling a dream or calling does not always 'look' like what I imagined it to be and that takes it takes hard work, perserverance, strength, and guidance which can only come from heaven above. If I wanted to pursue this dream vs. turning around and running away as fast as I could (believe me this crossed my mind more than once) then I needed to slow down, to walk, even crawl, and keep one foot grounded . . . in Him, in His word, in His promises, in His presence, and in His love. I needed to depend and lean on Him and not my own understanding.

Now that I am home it would be easy and 'safe' to return to just wondering and re-thinking what 'my dream' would look like. That would be easy, that would be safe. And then the Spirit reminds me of a few things . . . the parables about the 'talents,' the dreams He has placed in my heart, and the faces of the children who are waiting to hear and experience the Good News. And I know that I need to keep walking.

(This photo is of the Roma children in the village waiting behind the church gate for our arrival.)

If you would like any more information about the work we are doing in Romania please e-mail us!

Blessings, Kim

A Prophetic Look at the Election

Julie's Note: As I've noted before, I follow Jesus Christ. Yet, there are folks God uses just as He did with Daniel, Jeremiah and Jonah. I know some people think the Holy Spirit's work is obsolete but for me, I'm living proof. I'm just not smart enough to sense some of the things God has given. With that, you be discerning. I have read with interest Kim Clement's messages over the years. Even if you disagree with him and his ministry I admire his heart for the Lord and America. He in the past has gained favor with leaders and shared God's heart with them. Again, I'm not saying Kim Clement holds the election in his hand---God does. But if this is of interest to you, here is information. Be blessed and be praying!


WATCH LIVE ONLINE this Monday, November 3 at 6pm PT "God's Plan For America - A Prophetic Look at the Upcoming Election" by Kim Clement
Kim Clement Ministries : Oct 30, 2008



WATCH LIVE ONLINE this Monday, November 3 at 6pm PT
"God's Plan For America -
A Prophetic Look at the Upcoming Election"
by Kim Clement



Steve ShultzFrom the desk of Steve Shultz:

I want to HEARTILY and avidly recommend that you watch Kim Clement's event this Monday, November 3 at 6pm PT. Kim is a dear DEAR friend of mine and of this ministry. He came to the USA from South Africa, and he LOVES AMERICA.

I truly love it when a prophet from outside the country comes TO our country, and instead of cursing us, he (or she) blesses us. This is more rare than you would think. Kim and his wife Jane, family, and team love the USA.

Kim is a true prophet and I want you to watch. How can I say it more strongly? You truly need to watch. I can tell you that I WILL BE WATCHING, and I encourage you to watch also.

I love Kim Clement's encouragement over our land.

Watch and be edified.

Under HIS Wings,


Steve Shultz

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The ElijahList & ElijahRain magazine
http://www.elijahlist.com



Join Kim Clement LIVE at www.kimclement.com for a special online event as he shares:

"God's Plan for America - Let us go to the other Side."


kim clementIn this event, Kim will be discussing in detail the prophetic insights that he has received over the years regarding this ELECTION and the plans of God for the Church! This will be a special one-time event that you will not want to miss.

If you know of someone who may be interested in this event, please help us spread the word by sending them a copy of this email to invite them to WATCH online too.

This event will be FREE to all on:

November 3, 2008 at 6pm Pacific Time at: www.kimclement.com.


Thanks in advance for helping us spread the word!

Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
www.kimclement.com

Kim Clement logo








Kim Clement's Itinerary:

November 1-2, 2008
Regency Christian Center (7:30pm)
7038 Pickering Ave.; Whittier, CA
Contact: 562-945-2647 x15 or email rcci_info@rcci.org

November 7-9, 2008
Ignited Ministries (7pm)
20320 Superior St.; Taylor, MI
Contact: 734-407-5100

November 16, 2008
Secrets
Mott Auditorium (7pm)
1539 East Howard St
Pasadena, CA 91104

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Ask. Seek. Knock.



A few months ago I wrote a post entitled, “True Worship.” I knew the Lord was petitioning me to worship Him—to truly go after Him, and create an atmosphere for people to worship Him—I just didn’t know how or where…

Since then I have been just seeking His face, His voice, His guidance…
And trusting that He was going to show me the avenue He would have me use this gift of worship He has given me.

I have been asking Him.
I have been seeking Him.
I have been knocking on His door.

Then one day last week, He unlocked the door.

And I said to myself, “Wait a minute, I know I have been asking for this, but I’m not certain that I want to turn the door knob!”

It was just confirmation of His faithfulness, and I was in awe.

I knew in that moment that He really is who He says He is, and He is really listening to me….He really is.
I have been a leader all of my life, He made me that way. He has trained me for this week for a very long time, and it is amazing to see the door starting to creep open.

I have been asked to lead worship at my church. This week is my first practice as the leader of the worship team. I have been praying for and anticipating this day for many, many months—and He has been listening to me all the while—

He set this all up, just in time—His time.
So please pray for me tomorrow as I push the door of this new journey He wants to take me on wide open….

I am excited and anxious—but I know that I know that He will be right next to me, holding my hand on each step of this journey—

He has been planning this all along, and I know He will be smiling down on me tomorrow, happy to see many of the gifts He has given me come to life—thanks to the door He has been waiting to open just for me.

Keep asking.
Keep seeking.
Keep knocking.

He will unlock the door for you, too….


Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy.Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com.
Maria's first published work is in Jan Ross and Jeanice McDade's Women of Passion's anthology, "Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God". Both Kim and Maria have been selected to have their work tentatively included in Lori Wagner's upcoming book, Quilting Patches of Life, Volume 2.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

More On Deborah

As I've blogged before at the Surrendered Scribe during Thursdays Political Roundup that Governor Palin has a contemporary Deborah and Esther spirit about her. It doesn't mean she is perfect or that my allegiance is pledged to her, but of course to the Lord.

Yet to have a Deborah spirit is a good thing, and I thought the following article explains this quite well. The article is off the Elijah List. It was probably over 5 years ago I had a dream where women in our church at the time started rising and announcing, "I am a woman of Israel."

Perhaps that time is now, and that is the Deborahs who are rising.

Jill Austin: "Awake, Deborahs, Awake! Part 1"
by Jill Austin
Oct 28, 2008


The Body of Christ is in a radical transition time due to the global shaking that is happening all over the world. The acceleration and advancement of radical Islam throughout the earth, the new surge of power with the Hamas, and the critical dangers that face Israel every single day will only be won on our knees.

Intimacy with God is the highest purpose for which we were created, but are we REALLY seeking His highest purpose for our lives? If we really understood God's love and heart for us, we'd be making radical choices to be with Him more than any other activity in life! If we had a revelation of His true jealousy to have uninterrupted time with us, we'd turn the world upside down like His disciples did!

But instead, we've been lulled to sleep or are enamored with the trinkets of life while missing the real treasures of God. Many believers are experiencing "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," so they're leaving the Church because they have no passion, no purpose, no power, and no sense of His presence, but they have no secret life in God either! Will it take a crisis to bring us into an intimate relationship with Jesus?

What was it about Deborah that caught His gaze? Her uncompromising dedication moved the very heart of God and He changed the very heart of Deborah. She spent SO much time in the temple in prayer and worship that she was dripping with oil. Because of that, she could hear the Lord's voice clearly, operate with keen discernment for the times and seasons she faced as well as her daily decisions with the people, and when the call to battle came, she was absolutely ready!

Deborah was being prepared for battle in the secret place! This is where the true victory lies in communing with Him one-on-one. That is our place of safety and truth!

It is time to stop talking about intimacy with God - it's time to REALLY do it!

Who Was Deborah?

Imagine a teenage girl being elected as Pope and single-handedly tearing down all the walls of division between Catholics and Protestants. Hard to even fathom that possibility isn't it? Now imagine a middle-aged, gray-haired, Jewish housewife and mother being raised up over 3,000 years ago to lead Israel in one of the most improbable military victories of history!

Allow me to introduce to you our unlikely candidate and heroine of the faith: Deborah. I have heard very little being taught about her. I always hear about Gideon, Samuel and some of the other judges, but when I studied Deborah, I fell in love with her. Deborah is very unique and a little controversial because she was a woman who held the highest executive office in the land of Canaan, or Israel, at the time.

An ancient Joan of Arc, Deborah appears in the sacred annals of Israel's history as the nation's fourth judge, the third woman prophetess (after Miriam and Rachel) and a deliverer of God's people. Deborah was in a class of her own; her leadership role was unprecedented and unparalleled! She was a woman who led a nation to victory against all odds. And she did this in a patriarchal era where there was no precedent for women leaders.

Cycles of Israel's Rebellion and Deliverance

The whole book of Judges covered approximately 325 years. After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Joshua and the elders died and the 12 tribes of Israel were separated in the land of Canaan. The tragic pattern of the Book of Judges is this: the people went into rebellion - they worshipped other gods and intermarried into pagan tribes.

The Lord brought judgment against them. They cried out to God for deliverance. The Lord would raise up a judge, there would be a battle, Israel would be delivered and peace would be on the land for a season. After the judge died, the people went back to rebellion and the Lord once again brought heavy oppression. This cycle happened six different times!

Gwen Shaw accurately pens in her book, Deborah and Jael:

"Their homes were raided and ransacked, their crops plundered, their maidens raped, their fathers mocked and their sons murdered. People could not walk in the highways anymore. They were locked up in their homes, and some even had to forsake their lands and dwellings because the enemy took possession of them. They lived in caves and dens. Their sheep and goats were stolen from them; their harvests were carried off as soon as they were reaped. They lost their olives, dates, figs, grapes, wheat, barley, and their pomegranates. This left them hungry, destitute, and desperate. They throw God out of their schools, laws, their hearts and lives, claiming they don't need Him. But when they are in trouble, they wonder where He is, and why He didn't save them and prevent tragedy."

The Lord is so jealous for each one of us to love Him and know Him. When we start to move away from Him, He allows evil kings to oppress us. The Word tells us that God is the one who appoints evil kings and magistrates, but He also raises up the godly judges and kings! Deborah was the fourth judge, and for the first 20 years of her 40-year reign, the nation was oppressed by one of history's most powerful and cruel Canaanite kings: Jabin, and his cunning military commander, Sisera (see Judges 4:1-4).

Deborah Captured the Gaze of God

What is astounding is that the Lord raised up a woman to deliver a nation! What is especially surprising is that it happened in the Middle East thousands of years ago! Deborah was not only a wife, mother, intercessor and prophetess, but also a judge and a national deliverer. This is not a bad resume for a middle-aged woman living in that oppressive Middle Eastern culture.

Against great odds, God used her powerfully. Deborah broke outside of her culture, but she wasn't in rebellion, she was in obedience - to her God. She was used radically and set her people free, and the people loved her. It's a wonderful story of faith in God, and it champions men and women partnering together in a war to save their nation from great oppression.

When we read about this radical prophetess and judge, it expands our theology of women being allowed to lead governmentally. But I really feel that God is raising up a company of end-time Deborahs. There is great global shaking that has only begun, and the Lord is calling not only the men, but also the women of God! The Lord is saying:

"Wake up, Deborah, be a part of the army of the Lord!"

God's eyes are searching to and fro over the earth looking for a heart that is fully His (see 2 Chronicles 16:9).

What caught His gaze when He came to Deborah? Was it the uncompromising fire of holiness, an unwavering faith, or an unrelenting love that set her apart? Was it something about the integrity of her character, the otherworldliness of her wisdom, and the richness of her kindness which bred confidence in both men and women?

There are two root words for "consecrate" in Hebrew: naver (separating from) and kadesh (separating unto). Deborah, like the other champions of the faith, was separated from the world and unto God. She did nothing on her own but spoke just what the Father taught her. This is where the true victory lies in listening to Him.

(...To be continued in Part 2.)

Jill Austin
Master Potter Ministries
Email: info@masterpotter.com

Jill Austin's Itinerary:
Tour of England:

October 30-November 2, 2008
Chiswick Christian Centre
Fraser St, Chiswick, London
W4 2DA England
Contact: 0044 208 742 1100 or email mail@chiswick.cc

November 5-6, 2008
Revival Fires Apostolic Resource Centre
117-120 Wolverhampton Street
Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 3AL UK
Contact: + 44 (0) 1384 239 943

November 6-8, 2008
20 Station Road
Pinhoe
Exeter EX1 3SA England

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Writewith her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

With One Week to Go


I received this as an e mail forward.
Please specifically pray mercy, grace, and that as a nation we would prayerfully consider the next 40 years, not just the next 4.

And then let's all remember this! (Me, most of all!)



Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election


1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

AND GOD APPROVES THIS MESSAGE!

ISN'T IT A GREAT REMINDER TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL !?!?




Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Writewith her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

28 Days or So

It's official. I'm a candidate for a total hysterctomy and will have the surgery before Thanksgiving. If you're new to this blog it might seem weird that I would be so excited. I'm not yet 40 and this is a decision I did not take lightly, nor did my doctor.


For over 13 years I've had various aspects of polycystic ovaries. Once told having children might prove impossible, I was blessed years ago with a surgery that not only gave me a decade of being pain free, but we have two children.


Two years ago the physical symptoms returned (as my surgeon at the time warned me, in fact the pain came back later than he predicted) and with it, all the symptoms of menopause but the permanant pause on those monthly things. Sorry men readers.


This threw me into a tizzy. When I didn't feel well, I'd run upstairs and hide because I didn't even understand what was going on, how would anyone else? It reached the point where I was hiding more than anything. Hungry all the time. Headaches. Sleeplessness. Anxiety. Weight gain. Crying, no wait, sobbing for hours on end for no good reason. Exhausted. Pelvic pressure.
There was temporary relief for 6 months this year when I was given monthly injections in the stomach. They numbed me so well I didn't feel a thing so I was devastated when I learned I no longer could have the injection. Apparently long term use leads to bone loss. I was so desperate I was willing to take the risk.


My doctor wasn't. He tried one more thing, the new pill called Lybel that stops your cycle just as the injection did. The thing is, the side effects are bleeding and cramping which again, sorry men, is exactly what a monthly is. So I had all the above symptoms plus those side effects, dizziness and at times, a faster heart rate. When I burst into tears on the phone with my husband, then exclaimed I wish I were dead, and then let him know I never meant for our vows to take on all the negatives (poorer, sicker...) I knew I wasn't being dramatic. I knew I was quickly hitting rock bottom. My husband as gently as he could---agreed big time!


So here I am. The doctor needed no convincing at all. The injections I did so well with most closely represent how my body would respond to the surgery. Yes it will throw my body into instand menopause but I'm not sure how different that could be than what I have going on. Yes, I'm late to church because I have to change clothes because I broke out into a huge hot flash---twice!



I'm hoping here you aren't going to notice when the surgery is or when I'm in recovery. During that time I'll be doing the NaBloPoMo event where I blog for 30 days over at http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. I plan to do this by using guest writers (ahem, YOU) who will write why they are thankful. So far I have received submissions that are amazing poems, stories, articles, and even a sentence. It's all good. These folks also included a bio and optional picture and sent it all off to me at jarduini@faithwriters.net.


There are about 13 slots left I think, first come, first serve. If you are swamped but want to participate, I so understand. Perhaps you can direct me to a FaithWriter work you did in the past that resounds of thankfulness? Give it some thought, I'd love to have everyone represented.


So that's my story. I'll take your prayers, though honestly, I'm awake more at night praying for the election than the surgery. I will have family help while recovering, and that gives me great peace. I am vain enough my biggest worry is how on Earth will I shower, I hear you don't until you go back home. Taking a shower is like having a morning coffee. I NEED a shower. So you can see how vain I'm being.


Now, your story. What are you thankful for? I'm waiting for your submission! Thanks for reading!


Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Writewith her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I Vote Mercy

Praise the Lord, Kim is back! It was thrilling to receive their updates, it was so obvious God was mightily moving in Romania. I can't wait to hear more specifically what He has done, is doing, and what He will do in the future!



I'm going to give you this link not because I follow a person as a Savior (in this case, Julie Meyer). I follow Jesus Christ as Savior. I know that there are Christian folks who have come out and said God said this one about the election, or He wants that one to win....I know that can get very controversial.



I'm sharing this message for two reasons. 1. I'm living in Ohio and I am in complete agreement with that she shares about how important Ohio will be in the election. I am up nights just praying the nation would repent, seek Him in all things, and that Ohio would be especially wise in using their vote as Godly stewards. This is not the first word I have heard regarding Ohio, and I am taking it seriously.



2. I pray mercy. Years ago I was bold (and immature enough) to declare who everyone should vote for and that some candidates were so bad they were the antichrist (I've read enough to know now this person is going to have specific roots that so far, our candidates have not nor do not have so I had no right to go there!) God has put on my heart to pray unity. To seek His will, to encourage others to vote as HE leads them, not as I lead them. I know my voting runs red for the most part and there are going to be folks that are going to pray and perhaps vote blue. I just want us to be prayerful and in her message, I just don't see how praying mercy could ever be wrong. As a nation we have been corrupt, selfish and downright sinful yet God is in the redeeming business. He loves us. We need to be on our faces confessing our sins and asking Him to turn this nation around by grace and mercy.


Watch Now here! Click on YouTube video on home page.


Again, this video might not be your cup of tea and I understand. I'm just asking you pray mercy and if it's on your heart, that the people of Ohio would seek God's heart before, during and after election day. Thanks!



By the way, during the month of November I am participating in the NaBloPoMo challenge at the Surrendered Scribe. Last year I blogged every day on thankfulness and it was life changing. This year I'll be posting YOUR thoughts on thankfulness. I have slots open, first come, first served. Write a sentence, a story, whatever length you would like, as long as it is about thankfulness and is family friendly. Send your submission along with a bio and optional picture to jarduini@faithwriters.net. I'd like to get in as many before November so I can post ahead. I'm anticipating surgery next month and want to be all set with thanks! I look forward to YOUR submission! You do not need to know me or have a blog to submit.



Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, The Surrendered Scribe. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she also blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. One of the books will be a quote in Kathy Vick's Simon and Schuster/Howard's gift book, "Run Like a Girl."You can also find Julie the third Wednesday of each month over at Take Root and Write with her columns, Finding Freedom through Surrender and Marriage: Striving for Oneness. She facilitates groups by the same name at the sister social networking site, Christian Women Take Root.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Our Week In Romania

It has been an amazing week.  One filled with joy, tears, laughter, frustration, prayer, and most of all love, His love.  I have so much to share with all of you and so much to 'talk' to the Lord about. In the weeks ahead I will share stories and photos.  So stay tuned!


Thank you for praying for us, Kim

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Glory to God

Glory to God

Where can one go and completely surrender to the love and mercy of God?


Where can one go that just being there causes them to tear down walls that they have been building on the inside for years?


Where can one go and let go of all of their doubts and fears and go all out for God?


No fear, No barriers, No insecurities, No giants to face. Just be in the presence of the Lord, totally and completely.


Where is this place that one can go that is like no other?


The Mission field.


The word Mission is defined as: a sending or being sent for some duty or purpose; those sent.
Think about the magnitude of that….those sent are actually the definition of Mission. They are sent to perform a duty or purpose that has been placed in their heart by God. I like to think of “those sent” being synonymous with the phrase “those chosen.” You must first be chosen to go before you are sent. So these missionaries, whether they are going to perform a duty around the corner from where they live for a few hours, or they are off to a foreign country for a few days…or even if they pick up their entire family and move to a new land, they all are obeying God’s call—The chosen. They have a burning desire to bring His grace and mercy where it is needed most. And most of the time, the missionaries go to save souls, and their souls get saved all over again in the process. God provides them with the strength and love it will take to perform His Mission of love.


Their hearts are forever changed as they embark on the journey to find the lost, weep for the hurting, love the unloved, bring joy to the sad-hearted, heal the sick, all the while being the example that God wants them to be. One of his grace and mercy. One like His son, Jesus. They are to act, talk and walk like Jesus. If Jesus were where they are going, what would he do? They will be the heart, soul, hands, eyes, ears, feet, and mouth of Jesus.


I have the personal privilege of knowing 3 amazing women that are currently fulfilling His call of love to the children and adults of Romania.


I feel deep within my heart that they are going there to do the obvious—hold babies, bring supplies, pray over children, etc….But what is so amazing about hearing the Lord’s voice and obeying, is that He will do things in you that you never thought possible…so beyond the obvious-Way down deep in my spirit man, I know that I know that these women will see miracles from God first-hand. Not only will they see them, but they will perform them. He tells us in His word over and over again that one’s faith is so powerful, it can heal. Even in the midst of doubt and unbelief that we all have from time to time in our natural mind, obedience will reign. These women are following their hearts and traveling to an unknown place to fulfill what I know is only the beginning of God’s purpose for their lives. They will see and do in a very short period of time what most of us will not see in our lifetimes. I am honored to be praying for their journey, but even more so to be a witness to the act of love, grace, courage, and obedience to the lord they are about to complete. They will come home doing only one thing-giving all of the glory of the fruits of their labor to God.

“Each one of us did the work God gave us to do. …I planted the seed…But God is the One who made it grow. So the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God, who makes things grow, is important.” (1Corinthians 3:5-7.)



...Please be in prayer for our friends, Kim, Barb and Wendy as they are in their final days in Romania...


Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy.Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com.
Maria's first published work is in Jan Ross and Jeanice McDade's Women of Passion's anthology, "Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God". Both Kim and Maria have been selected to have their work tentatively included in Lori Wagner,s upcoming book, Quilting Patches of Life, Volume 2.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

As the prayer team prayed over Wendy, Kim and Barb, they linked hands and looked just like a scene from Wizard of Oz. When we prayed we felt such a strong sense of purpose for them, that the trip would be about love. Giving love, receiving love, being love, pointing them to Love through Jesus Christ.

Prayers continued and they further related to the movie. Beyond love they felt courage and wisdom take root. Their trip is winding down. They have taught children songs, led crafts. They are visiting families and giving love through tangible helps.

There have been flying monkey episodes where the darkness choked them. They kept linking together in Him, moving forward. The road doesn't look yellow or golden--not now. But through their obedience we are believing seeds are planted that are going to yield an amazing harvest.

Keep praying!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Father Loves

I was at a ministry meeting when a neat question was asked in the spirit of the movie, Chariots of Fire.

"When I ________, I feel God's pleasure." In the movie, the answer was run.

To hear from Kim, Barb and Wendy in Romania and know there is a team of people covering them in prayer, it's amazing and exciting. They are overwhelmed in a neat way (children flocking to them wanting candy and pictures taken, singing King of Kings together) and in a hard way (the poverty, the oppressive spirit in the air, vehicle issues). My guess is it will be the most rewarding yet hardest thing they have done.

I have never been on a missions trip but when I received the invitation and prayed, I knew God was asking me to be the "homeland intercessor." God assembled a team of ladies with a passion for God and a heart for Romania. The homeland team is receiving from the Holy Spirit different songs and verses to stand on in prayer. The ladies out there in the field are teaching VBS and modeling the theme, "A Father's Love."

The Father loves when we obey. I have a feeling all of heaven is rejoicing for the seeds being planted in Oradea and Gepish. Darkness is fleeting, light is on the horizon.

Please keep Kim, Barb, Wendy, Alina, the children, teens and families of Oradea, Romania in prayer.

Hot Off the Elijah List: A prayer Focus

This is off the Elijah List in entirety. I do not treat messengers of God as Savior, just Jesus. However, I will say God has used Chuck Pierce as a vessel to absolutely transform our family. When I receive a prayer focus with his byline, I pay atention. Again, go to God on this.



Chuck Pierce: "Why Watch in the Morning Watch? The Fourth Watch Breaks Open The New Day! (A 24-Day Prayer Focus)"by Chuck Pierce Oct 10, 2008

Dear Watching Pray-ers:

If ever we have entered a time for the need to Watch - that time is now! I sensed an urgent nudge from the Spirit of God yesterday when I returned to my room to finish this Prayer Focus. This will help us stabilize our emotions and assist us as we seek the Lord over the next 25 days. So much is happening. Dramatic changes in our economic system could have adverse effects on how we shift and reposition ourselves for the future. Your emotions could actually cause you to make some major mistakes during this time.

Also, the election for President in our nation will produce a major shift in the world. Do not forget to vote. Vote for righteousness to rule this nation! We need to stay focused in prayer. Stay focused, watch and pray!

Remember that this year, 5769, "A Year of Goodness in the Midst of Suffering," can also mean that "A Serpent Stands at Your Door to Constrict Your Future!"

NOW THE BREAKING OF A NEW DAY MUST BEGIN!
So many of you have been faithfully praying during the Midnight Watch and I am sure that many of you have found that this watch is your best time to seek the Lord. However, through November 3, I know the Lord is shifting our call to pray to the time called "the Morning Watch."
Anne Tate, from Glory of Zion Ministries, has shared with me many times some of your responses. I believe we are seeing much evil turn because of your praying. Now is a time for a new day to break open. Anne will be available to visit with you via email on what you are hearing and to pass on to our prayer leaders how you sense us to pray. Here is a note from Anne:
"Dear Watchmen:
"We have had a wonderful season of prayer in the Midnight Watch with many of you, and people are still signing up in that watch. We have received testimonies of families being saved, finances and jobs secured, problems solved and lots of 'now' words from you. There have been dreams and visions and prophecy sent in that the Lord has shown you as you have watched. We have connected with many nations as they have been watching with us in the night.
"We have entered a new season with the Head of the Year, and in this season many of you will want to move with us into the morning watch from now until November 4.
"In I Samuel 11, after Saul had been anointed by Samuel to be the King over Israel, Nahash the Ammonite set up camp to fight the people of Jabesh Gilead and to take them captive along with their resources and land. The Elders of Jabesh Gilead asked Nahash to make treaty with them so that they would not be overtaken. Nahash would only agree to make treaty if all their right eyes could be gouged out.
"The men of Jabesh asked for grace for seven days to send messengers throughout Israel to see if any would come and rescue them. The messengers went to Gibeah and reported the terms to the people. When Saul heard the words, the Spirit of the Lord fell on him. Saul divided the people into three companies. The three groups entered the camp of the Ammonites during the morning watch and kept attacking until the heat of the day, until those who remained were so scattered that no two of them were left together.
"The Morning Watch is the fourth watch. This watch waits for the dawning of the new day. In Chuck's book, Reordering Your Day, the morning watch is described as beginning at 3:00 AM and ending at 6:00 AM. This watch is linked with the approaching of the morning light and the breaking of the day. We are beginning a new day! There are many enemies aligned against us and the purposes of God for this generation. How we discern and advance is very important and we must see and hear clearly concerning everything that would threaten our perception and perspective of what is before us.
"Chuck has written a 24-day prayer focus for this watch that will make it very meaningful and will increase the fruit we produce as we follow along together. We will be a force to be reckoned with! This is an important, critical time and we all want to watch and see what the Lord is doing in our midst this season.
"Let me know if you are watching with us. As you see and hear things from the Lord, be sure to send us what you are getting as well as your testimonies. Just respond to chuckp@gloryofzion.org or annet@gloryofzion.org. Please send an email with 'Morning Watch' in the subject line and give us your address and location.

"Let us know what is going on in your territory. Be sure to tell us if there are others watching with you. May God's richest blessings be upon you and your house as you pray and praise in the morning."
Blessings,Anne Tate
Watch for You Know Not...the Fourth Watch: The Morning Watch - A New Day Dawning! (3 AM - 6 AM)

The Lord instructed us to watch and pray (Mark 14:38). We must be WATCHING! We have entered a time of the maturing of the watchman anointing.
"I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." Isaiah 62:6-7 (NKJV)
To WATCH means: to look out; to peer into the distance; to investigate or get a new scope on something; to see an approaching danger (2 Kings 9:17-18) and WARN those endangered. Women were called to watch after their household (Proverbs 31:27) which means to SEE so you can GUARD your FUTURE.
I see the Lord restoring the actual WATCHES of the night so we can see things we have never seen before. God is reordering our day so that we enter into His timeframe and experience the power of seeing what He sees.
Several words linked with watching are: shaqad (to "be alert") - to be wakeful, so you can see either for good or evil (Jeremiah 31:28; 51:12, Isaiah 29:20); shamar (to "protect") - may mean a day or night watch; thus, there was a guard of the king's house (2 Kings 11:5-7, Nehemiah 4:9; 7:3); gregoreo (to "keep awake, to watch") - to take heed, lest through remissiveness and indolence one be led to forsake Christ (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38); nepho (to "abstain from wine, be sober") - used in the NT figuratively, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect (1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Timothy 4:5).

Awaken!

In the Bible, we find a pattern. Watchman on the wall are watching for the enemy and announcing what they see. Matthew 24:43 says, "But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up." I believe these words of Jesus are some of the most important words for us to understand today.

Let me paraphrase this scripture: If we would watch then we would understand the time of visitation of the Lord. We would also recognize the thief when he comes. If we would watch then we would not have to suffer and be scattered in directions. We would remain whole. This verse has a dispensational connotation but also has a reality for today.

The first watch is linked with the call of God upon the life of Israel. This is synonymous to the call of God on our lives. If we will enter into the watch, then we can see His time of visitation. There is a time of visitation for each one of us. Every nation has a time of visitation. Of course, this verse refers to the nation of Israel but is applicable to each one of us as well.

The second watch comes when we get scattered. As we can see from the verse above, if we do not watch, then we get scattered. If you never develop a personal discipline of watching, then you will find your life scattered, instead of being ordered. The second watch also represents times of Israel's scattering.

The third watch is linked with the concept of Peter's denial. The third watch represents the trial of our faith. Instead of watching, Peter hid for fear and the Lord warned that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed. There have been times when Israel, as a nation, has denied the Messiah's coming. If we will watch prior to the crowing of the cock, our faith will be made strong.

The fourth watch comes during the Lord's time of revealing His glory. There is a breaking of a new day. This is where the identity of our future is established. Even with all of Israel's problems throughout history, as a nation, they have a wonderful future. They are God's chosen nation of example. All nations align and reconcile around their relationship with Israel.

This watch also represents the power of resurrection as we watch with the Lord. If you will continue to watch with the Lord, then you will experience His glory. There is an ultimate returning of God's glory to Israel. So this watch progression looks like:
The FOURTH, or Morning, Watch is NOW Being Restored!
The FOURTH WATCH is linked with the approaching of the morning light and the breaking of the day. There are several words in the Bible linked with this watch! The Lord said if we would arise when He called us, then we would hear and see during the night so we could rule during the day. We are in a war! This war over covenant blessings means that we are entering:

• A time to awaken to latter day blessings and leave our wanderings (Hosea 6:1-3).• A time for religious rituals to break (John 2:1-10).• A time for a new reality of His power to overtake His people (John 4). • A time when our faith is being tested (Psalm 66). • A time when our vision and provision for our future is being released (Genesis 22). • A time to MANIFEST a new bold identity (Esther 5). • A time that the Lord will give us His plan to RESTORE ALL! (Luke 19). • A time to see God's desire upon His enemies (Psalm 92).• A time to sound a clear warning of the enemy's plan to take Your inheritance (2 Chronicles 20)!
We are not just watching on behalf of the Church, but on behalf of a Kingdom that is in conflict and advancing in the earth. I am declaring that as you watch, you will see where and how the thief entered in and stole your blessings. Once you understand what the thief has done, you can call back your loss as a seven-fold increase.

Allow the Lord to reorder your day and bring you into a new place of watching with Him! As you order your prayers, He will order your steps and begin to reorder the timeframe of your day. You will then develop His mind for increase and multiplication, and see His restorative plan manifested in your life, family, church, city and nation.

Many watches were developed so that protection would be established for God's people. One of the greatest studies on the watch is linked with 2 Kings 11. The fourth watch is the last portion of the night, so we always need to be ready to arise and watch. The word generally refers to the day and means the hour of dawn or soon after (Genesis 19:2, 2 Chronicles 36:15, Hosea 6:4, Luke 24:22). Ask the Lord to meet you early so you are prepared for the day ahead.
Here is the Prayer Focus. This will give you faith to pray for your supply, stay steady, and watch the Lord break open the next day that is ready to dawn on His people! Break Open a New Day!
Declare the Breaking of a New Day

Day 1: Memorize Isaiah 50, especially verse 4: "The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned" (NKJV). Ask the Lord to give you a right word for every moment throughout your day ahead.

Day 2: Read Psalm 5. Set you alarm clock, get up, and let God hear your voice at the breaking of the day.

Day 3: Read Psalm 30, especially verse 5: "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (NKJV). Decree that when day breaks, joy will also break loose within you.

Day 4: Read Song of Solomon 6, especially verse 10: "Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?" (NKJV). Ask the Lord to cover you with His banner. His banner over you is LOVE.

Day 5: Read Exodus 14, especially verse 24: "Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians" (NKJV). Ask God to trouble your enemy during this time. When you sense the Lord's presence, ask Him to cause your enemies to go into confusion.

Day 6: Read Exodus 34, especially verse 2: "So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain" (NKJV). During this watch ask the Lord to set your boundaries for the future. Present yourself to Him and tell Him that you are not willing to go into the day without Him.

Day 7: Read Genesis 19. Ask the Lord to deal with iniquitous structures in your life, family and city. Get up and stand before the Lord and decree that there will come a cleansing to the land that you are a part of.

Day 8: Read Genesis 22, especially verse 3: "So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him" (NKJV). Let the Lord show you how to meet Him in the midst of your faith being tested. Watch for Him to reveal Himself as Jehovah-Jireh.

Day 9: Read Genesis 26, especially verse 31: "Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace" (NKJV). During this watch, ask the Lord to re-dig "wells" of revival from your past. However, ask the Lord to bring you into a new place of enlargement.

Day 10: Read Genesis 28, especially verse 18: "Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it" (NKJV). Read Luke 11. Ask the Lord to open the heavens and connect Heaven and Earth where you are. God has a place to connect with you, and you to connect with Him so He can establish your future.
Stabilize Your Emotions and Break Open a New Supply Line

Day 11: Read Joshua 6 and Romans 9. Learn the principle of Firstfruits as you enter a new season. Jericho was the firstfruits of a new land. If you give God the best at the beginning, all the remainder will be blessed. Declare that everything that is invincible, that would keep you from advancing into the fullness of God's promise, will be removed.
Read Joshua 7, especially verses 14 and 16: "In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to families; and the family which the LORD takes shall come by households; and the household which the LORD takes shall come man by man...So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken" (NKJV).
If you feel like you have missed a step somewhere and your path seems blocked, ask the Lord to show you anything in your home that should not be there. Protecting Your Home from Spiritual Darkness can help you discern any items that are giving demons legal right into your home.

Day 12: Read Ruth 2, especially verse 7; read Ruth 3 (especially verses 13-14), and Ruth 4. Watch God shift you from gleaning to reaping.
"And she said, 'Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.' So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house." Ruth 2:7 (NKJV)
"'Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you - good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down until morning.' So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, 'Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor'" Ruth 3:13-14 (NKJV).
From the gleaning of the day before, ask God how to favor you in such a way that your past can be redeemed and your future established.

Day 13: Read 2 Chronicles 20, especially verse 20: "So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper'" (NKJV).
Sing a song to the Lord. Ask the Lord to send confusion into the enemy's camp. Declare that you will take the spoils of the enemy. New songs break old cycles, so spend time listening to new songs and new sounds. Worship and watch the enemy go into confusion.

Day 14: Read Ecclesiastes 11, especially verse 6: "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (NKJV). Ask the Lord what to sow in the morning so that your seed will prosper.

Day 15: Read 2 Kings 7. Know that He can change supply lines and economic conditions around us in a day!

Day 16: Read Isaiah 58, especially verse 8: Fast today! "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard" (NKJV). Declare that your health will spring forth at the breaking of the day. Ask the Lord for you to judge righteously and not form a critical, religious spirit.

Day 17: Read Matthew 20, especially verse 1: "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard" (NKJV). Ask the Lord to help you find the help you need for the coming day. Ask the Lord to position you in the harvest.
Confront Powers Contending for Governmental Rule and Break Forth a New Day

Day 18: Read Mark 1, especially verse 35: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (NKJV). Find a place to have a quiet time before you enter the day ahead.

Day 19: Read Matthew 6:24, Ephesians 6 and Daniel 10. Declare that you will not be ruled by Mammon. Ask the Lord to find your footing so you can stand.

Day 20: Read Isaiah 21, especially verse 12: "The watchman said, 'The morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; return! Come back!'" (NKJV). Tell the Lord what you see. Read Isaiah 28, especially verse 19: "As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report" (NKJV). Declare that any shroud of death that has been holding you captive will be removed. Also, declare that your spirit will be free of all vexation.

Day 21: Read 1 Samuel 1-3. Ask the Lord to break any spirit of barrenness. Many times during this watch you will experience travail. Travail like Hannah to bring forth the future. Declare that in the war from your last season, you are overcoming the structures that would hold you and keep you from your next promotion. Declare that all mocking spirits are defeated. Declare that what the Lord has conceived in you can be brought forth.

Day 22: Read 1 Samuel 4-6. Declare that an old system will let go and be judged. Stand and decree that the PRESENCE of GOD will return in fullness to your life, the church, your city, and this nation.

Day 23: Read I Samuel 7-9. Ask the Lord to have us agree with Him on the decision of the leader for our future and not just demand our own desires. Refuse to have a Saul structure reigning in our midst. Refuse to be a nation and people who can no longer be heard by the Lord!

Day 24: Read Psalm 84. Celebrate the BREAKING OF A NEW DAY by singing a new song to the Lord! Read Revelation 4, 5 and Psalm 100. Declare a new strength will arise in you.

Blessings,
Chuck D. PierceGlory of Zion Ministries
Chuck Pierce's Itinerary:October 15, 2008Special Tabernacles Meeting on the Land Denton, TX Contact: 940-382-7231
October 17-18, 2008Gathering of Native Leadership Conference Great Falls, MT Contact: 406-338-5697
October 19, 2008International Church of Las VegasLas Vegas, NV Contact: 702-242-2273
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