Showing posts with label commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commission. Show all posts

Sunday, April 5, 2015

"Celebrating Our Savior! The Worship of Our Lord by Martha, Lazarus and Mary" Catherine Brown, Glasgow, Scotland


"Celebrating Our Savior! The Worship of Our Lord by Martha, Lazarus and Mary"
Catherine Brown, Glasgow, Scotland
The Elijah List

...but only one thing is needed... Luke 10:42b

As we celebrate Resurrection Day, my heart is drawn once more into gazing into the face of Christ through Scripture. I'm certain that you, like me, long for a deeper place of holy intimacy with our Saviour. May we each experience this spiritual reality as we journey together this week in a fresh outpouring of grace and glory from Heaven. Yet, even as we long for new God-encounters, we come to pour out all that we are to the Lord. Let this Passover week be a time when we seek to give and not take, to serve and not seek to be served.

As I was meditating on John 12 I was blessed afresh by the profound picture of worship it paints through the lives of three extremely different siblings – Lazarus, Martha and Mary.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:1-3

It's so tempting to rush through a familiar portion of Scripture without waiting on the Holy Spirit to bring a fresh illumination. As I re-read this beautiful text, the Holy Spirit impressed this known truth upon me, and in the quiet place of humble waiting I grasped afresh how deep the worship of these three precious individuals was.

It was near Passover, and an occasion had been set apart to focus only on Jesus; a moment in time had been divinely mandated for pure and unadulterated worship of the Lord. A time had been consecrated to wait with Christ and soak up each second of His grace-filled presence. This wondrous encounter would precede the eternal mystery of God outworked on the earth through the beauty and brutality of Calvary. Here, in a little home in Bethany, Heaven came down to earth and the atmosphere inside the house was charged with glory.

A Time to Serve: Martha's Worship

Martha had once been rebuked by the Lord for placing service above worship (see Luke 10:41-42), but now there was not a single word of correction about Martha's service, and the reason was that she now flowed out of love for Christ as labor to Him rather than from a weary place of labor for Him. She was not functioning out of any misplaced sense of duty but rather used her anointed gift of hospitality in worship to her Savior. Long gone was the sense of "having to," now replaced with the reality of "wanting to" use her God-given talents in worship of her Savior. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

God has entrusted gifts, calling, anointing, and commission to every born-again Believer. May we endeavour to live in a place of focus and flow that allows the Spirit of God to permeate Christ's love through us to all those we are privileged to serve.

Perhaps, as she moved around the table catering to the Lord and the dear friends who had gathered at their home, Martha reflected on the words that had marked her as a woman of faith when they rose from within her as she spoke to Jesus at the death of her brother Lazarus: "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask" (John 11:22).

She came to Jesus believing that after four days the Lord would raise her dead brother. She had spoken out of the depths of desperation of a broken heart, but nonetheless she had spoken triumphantly above her circumstances, and her hope was not lost in Christ. Now here she stood to love and serve the One whose resurrection power had raised her brother from the grave. How her faith must have soared to inexplicable heights in those few brief days, and how her heart was surely moved in supreme tenderness to worship Christ with all that she was.

Precious saints, bow your heart with me now and surrender afresh to worshipping God with everything you are.

A Time to Rest: Lazarus' Worship

I want you to use your imagination for just a few moments to picture Lazarus reclining at the table with Jesus. Don't think about the food or the wine; don't deliberate about the table or the benches or even who the other guests might have been. For just one second reflect on the look of adoration that must have been on Lazarus' face as he gazed into the eyes of Christ.

Ponder the reality that here was the living, breathing body of a man once dead who was now alive and well by the side of the King of Glory. Don't you feel he might have nestled as close to Jesus as he possibly could, perhaps even laying his head on the Lord's chest to listen to His heartbeat? Don't you suppose the atmosphere of faith in that room would have been gloriously tangible?

When Christ draws near the things of this world fade away. (Photo by Kevin Moffatt "Come Out!" viaelijahshopper.com)

We can only contemplate what Lazarus experienced during those four days when his body lay dead. What visions had he seen of Heaven and angels and glory? What had he experienced of Hell? These are questions we can never answer this side of eternity, however, it is interesting to ponder. 

Lazarus was raised to testify to Christ as the Resurrection and the Life and to God's miracle-working power. Every second of Lazarus' existence would be devoted to being a witness for Jesus. May we, too, emulate his holy, fiery passion to make Christ known throughout the nations!

ElijahList Prophetic Resources

A Time for Extravagant Adoration: Mary's Worship

We often think of Mary as the one who sat in attentive wonder at the feet of Christ, and rightly so, for Scripture affirms this (see Luke 10:39). Mary was a woman given to extravagant God-ward action. Yet, interestingly, Mary was not the first to go to the Master when her brother Lazarus died, rather it was her sister Martha who went out to meet Him whilst Mary stayed at home.

Did she wait to pray for Martha's encounter with the Lord? Was it within Mary's heart that her only sister Martha would know the blessed place of adoration she had attained in her relationship with Christ? Or was it a very different Mary who sat at home: Was her faith failing? Did she feel disappointed that the Master had been so near to Bethany and yet had delayed His coming, and in the interim period her beloved brother had died?

We will never truly know why Mary delayed in going to Christ, but we are told that when Martha returned "she went back and called her sister Mary aside. 'The Teacher is here,' she said, 'and is asking for you.' When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him" (John 11:28-29).

The Jews at the sisters' home had been comforting Mary. I sense Mary might have been having a faith-crisis, but when she learned that the Master was asking for her personally, something broke in Mary, allowing her to move from grief to the glory realm of one-on-one encounter with God.

The speed of her going to Jesus was so rapid that the Jews who had been with her followed her, expecting her to run in her grief to the tomb (see John 11:32). 

But Mary didn't run to the tomb, she ran to the One who is Resurrection and Life and she fell at His feet and said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (verse 32). (Photo by Jennifer Page "Forgiven" viaelijahshopper.com)

What did Mary mean? She was acknowledging Christ as Healer, but it would seem she failed to fully comprehend that He could raise Lazarus back to life. Jesus was deeply moved by Mary's grief and those of the other mourners, too. There was no reproof or rejection, only the all-encompassing love of God expressed in Christ. Jesus wept with the brokenhearted and then proceeded to call Lazarus back to life. 

Envision the moment and rejoice, for we too will know this reality at the end of the Age when we are raised to eternal life in Christ.

In the meantime, let us also celebrate that God has personally called each one of us and meets us in every detail of our lives. He has an eternal plan and purpose for each of us, and Christ alone commands our destinies. Hallelujah!

Now consider the expensive perfume that was to be saved for the day of the Lord's burial: "Then Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:3).

Perhaps Mary had looked at her sister Martha enthralled in humble service and worship, then turned her attention to her once-dead brother now vibrant with life whose eyes were riveted with love on the Master, and she too remembered her season of agonizing pain, loss, and doubt now replaced with the wonder of resurrection glory. How could she withhold anything from the Lord?

She looked at that expensive perfume, and there was nothing that could hold her back. I envisage the multitude of angels that must have attended that occasion when all Heaven watched with bated breath as Mary picked up the nard. This was an unforgettable moment of holy awe, and out of the flow of Mary's heart came an action of dynamic worship and wonder and she offered Him her everything. All of it, every single drop of the expensive nard, was poured out on the Master as the alabaster jar was broken open. 

She loved Him so and nothing could be withheld; her beloved Savior was irreplaceable. 

She poured it out and the whole house was flooded with fragrance. (Photo by Lillis Boyer "Holy Incense" via elijahshopper.com)

I imagine the silence and then the outpouring of grace and the crescendo of angelic worship that trumpeted earthwards as holy beings celebrated and joined the adoring hearts of Mary, Lazarus, and Martha. Heaven and earth were joined in this moment of marvel as Christ was worshipped and adored.


May we live in the overflow of such expression of love to and for our Savior. I pray that our lives would be a fragrance to Jesus and that we would each breakthrough in victorious faith to live lifestyles worthy of His lovely name. We were made to worship and adore Him. He is worthy of all our praise. Today and always may God bless you and keep you in His tender love.

Your sister and friend,

Catherine Brown
Founder/International Director, Gatekeepers Global Ministries

Catherine Brown is the founder/director of Gatekeepers Global Ministries (GGM) and is a sought-after national and international preacher and teacher. She is presently leading a global evangelism and discipleship mission entitled "GGM 7 Million Souls" and is working with her team and valued partners from 32 nations/regions to achieve the vision objectives. As of January 2015, there are almost 150,000 new converts and 117 new church plants. 

Catherine operates in an impacting apostolic/teaching mantle with a strong revival thrust on her preaching, serving the Church and the lost through Christ's Gospel of love. She has ministered in Europe, Africa, Israel, and the USA and has had the privilege of seeing people saved, baptized, healed, and delivered in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with signs and wonders following. 

Catherine's passion for Christ and His Kingdom is contagious, and wherever she ministers people are envisioned, equipped, empowered, and mobilized. She is married to Stephen and they have four lovely grown up children and live in the West Coast of Scotland.

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Friday, June 7, 2013

The Lions Roars (Vol. 18) - Karla Shrake - "Who Will Build With Me, As Noah Did?"



A Prophetic Newsletter www.MantlesOfGlory.org
By Karla Shrake

June 6, 2013  Volume 18



Click here to subscribe to The Lion Roars Newsletter:



"And the Lord Roars from Zion...And utters His voice from Jerusalem." Joel 3:16


"The Lord utters His Voice before His Army; Surely His camp is Very Great,
For Strong is he who Carries out His Word." Joel 2:11



"I am Calling and Commissioning Noahs - Who Will Build With Me in this Late Hour?" asks your Father"

by Karla Shrake June 6, 2013

Pt. II of "He is Readying Us to Rule and Reign"

"For surely long ago I spoke to you about the last days, the days of My Son's return and how they would be like the days of Noah. Know that in My goodness I always have an ark - a way of escape - for those seeking truth and life. In the days of My servant Noah it was an ark of gopher wood and pitch that provided the way of escape through the deep flood waters. In your day I need many centers, many ark-centers that are built and established upon the saving and rescuing blood of Jesus."

Ark Refuge Live-In Centers:

"I need places to bind up the wounded and heal the brokenhearted. I am pouring out much grace in this hour My people, therefore I need containers and structures that I can pour this grace into so it can be accessed by the masses who so desperately need it. I have begun developing rescue-centers that will serve as prototypes for others to follow, but there is much left to be built and established. I am calling My people to create ark-centers, even cities of refuge in every region so they will be readily available to those who have need of them."




"Where are My Noah-Builders who will partner with Me in the greatest harvest of all time?" asks your Father.

Many Coming In Soon:

"For there are many who will be coming into My kingdom in a very short time," explains your Father, "and many will need a place to rest their weary heads and souls. I desire to raise up centers of healing, deliverance and housing, for it is not enough for the wounded and the needy to attend services, they need to have places to live where they are loved and restored to wholeness and strength. They need a place to be discipled in how to live daily life as an overcomer.

A Place to be Discipled:

I desire to manifest to these in need not only through the preaching of My Word, but also through the truth lived out in daily life, relationships, in marriages and families. As these broken ones come into wholeness they will in turn become mighty warriors who will have great anointing, wisdom and authority over the enemy who seeks to rob, kill and destroy mankind. Their healing is part of the foundation of their equipping for the great exploits I have planned for them."

"Where are those who have My heart of compassion for the lost and hurting? Who will build with Me and for Me," asks the Father of mercy. "Who will yield to Me and labor with Me in this all-important mission?"

Noah-Mantles:

"I not only want to offer food for the hungry and clothing for the naked, I also want to offer healing for sick bodies and souls. I am now beginning to pour out My delivering power as never before in the history of mankind and I need many Noahs to partner with Me in the liberation of multitudes of captives. The evil powers of this day have locked up many in dark dungeons of deception, delusion and despair, but know that I am throwing new mantles of Noah upon those whom I have called and am now commissioning for these mercy-missions." 


"Just as the animals followed Noah into the ark so will many souls follow you into the ark in this uncertain hour. From before the foundation of the world the ark of salvation was prepared - as the Lamb was slain for the sins of all," comforts your Father.

"In his day My servant Noah preached faithfully for 120 years and not one soul turned toward Me. But you My last-day Noahs will see the greatest harvests of all time as I bring them in just as I brought my animal kingdom into the ark in Noah's day. The animals came in two by two and in sevens as I instructed, in all types and species.

Master-Plan for each Region:

"As leaders in each region inquire of Me I will begin to unfold the master plan for your area. Each center is to be designed according to the region's unique characteristics and needs," explains your Father-Planner. "These centers will be hospitals for sick bodies, sick souls and sick families. 

I am very eager to pour out supernatural signs and wonders as never before. I am restoring all things as prophesied by My prophets Joel, Malachi, Jeremiah and others and I am needing willing vessels, agents of My mighty restoration power, to not only rescue lost souls but to also love them with My love and bring them into complete and total wholeness and soundness in every way."



"The last day storms are increasing, so quickly help the lost find their way back home" pleads the merciful Father.

Redemption Glory:

"For those who are obedient to hear My voice in the details of each center's design and purpose, you will see Me begin to pour out an abiding glory that will overshadow and redeem all that the enemy has tried to ravage and destroy in mankind. Centers of joy and new life in My resurrection power!" laughs your jubilant Father-Rescuer-Provider. "Redemption centers, reclaiming souls that some have deemed as hopeless. But I AM the Living Hope and My redemption lives and the power of My glory is ever-increasing!"



"My covenant faithfulness awaits each Noah-team as I pour out My latter-day glory," promises your Abba.

Abba Provides for Ark-Centers:

"Noah-teams.......My eyes are upon you...I am with you to build and to move forward into all I've put in your heart. As you yield, listen and obey My instructions be assured I will provide for the building and sustenance of the ark-center, even as I provided long ago for Noah the gopher wood, pitch, and the needed helpers.

Abba Provides for Noahs:

"I not only supplied for the building of the ark, but I also provided for Noah and all his household.....for most assuredly I provide for My faithful ones and for those who are about My critical last-day rescue business, for it is very dear to My heart as precious souls are gathered into My bosom," consoles your Father. "My heart longs for all tribes, nations, peoples and cultures of the world to come in to the ark of safety while there is still time."



Davidic Warriors,

Warm greetings to all of you! It is encouraging and strengthening to know our numbers are increasing as the Holy Spirit is stirring friends to share with new friends in our prayer-decrees. What a joy to know we are partnering with Him as we are pulling heaven's plan and purpose into the realm of the earth, that He would have His way in all things pertaining to our lives, destinies and families. And what a comfort and joy to know others are praying for our families and loved ones!

I pray you faith-eagles will feel a fresh breeze from heaven, even the Father's life-breath, to lift you up and refresh and strengthen you. How He loves and appreciates you! Take a pause and receive His loving embrace.....

And I send an embrace of appreciation and love, a hug to you as well -

Karla



Upcoming Ministry Events

Please visit our website at www.MantlesOfGlory.org for updates on upcoming ministry events.

For inquiries about speaking engagements or ministry invitations, we can be reached at: contact@mantlesofglory.org

A Prophetic Word to this Generation


Our heavenly Father is opening the storehouses of heaven and releasing a greater anointing that has been reserved for this generation. Empowered by the spirit of Elijah these mantles will bring restoration, including to those who wear them and to their households.

Written in a prophetic style, this book brings fresh perspective and strong encouragement to its readers. As you move through the pages of "Mantles" the Holy Spirit will unveil, stir and establish more of your own unique calling and mantle.

For more information, go to: www.MantlesOfGlory.org



Glory Conferences

Our ministry offers what we call 'Preparing for the Glory' Conferences.

We customize these for churches, prayer-groups, home-groups and even

businesses. In these we deal with the whole person, body, soul and spirit, in a very pragmatic way. The seminars and conferences are designed so that folks receive not only encouragement and inspiration during the meeting sessions, but also receive the very pragmatic tools to take home to bring about deep, genuine change and growth for themselves and their families. For more information, go to: www.MantlesOfGlory.org

Coaching/Personal Ministry

As time permits in between speaking commitments, Karla is available for phone or Skype sessions. For more information go to:www.MantlesOfGlory.org