THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT - Morris E. Ruddick

Morris Ruddick

THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT (c) Morris E. Ruddick "Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud nor to those who lapse into falsehood." Ps 40:4 The religious spirit has plagued the thrust of God's people from the beginning. Since the first century church, its counterfeit antics have perverted the household of faith's quest for more of God. Its modus operandi is subtle, seductive and entangling. At its root is the perversion, the misapplication of the glory and blessing. At its gates even the elect stumble trying to do the right thing for the wrong reason. Its undermining tactics are why, for so many, that the power is either anemic or it backfires. Combined with mammon, its potential is magnified with an influence bleeding into the infrastructures of culture, economies and seats of power. The core application of the glory and blessing was labeled by Paul as the law or the principle of Christ (Gal 6:2), which he described as "bearing one another's burdens." This core application should be a banner we uphold. The long-standing foundation of this dynamic is outlined in Isaiah 53:4 and Matthew 8:17: "Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows."   Paul wrote Timothy (2 Tim 3:5) to be cautious in dealing with those who are caught up in themselves with a form of godliness, but whose lives are a denial of God's power. The psalmist (Ps 40) describes those who have turned to the proud or lapsed into falsehood. When combined with those who are ever learning without coming to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7), you have a snapshot of those caught in the grip of the religious spirit. The Stumbling The churches in Revelation 2 and 3 demonstrate how communities and institutions of believers can "get it" partially, yet still significantly be blind-sided. Only two of the seven churches noted garnered the Lord's approval: the persecuted churches in Philadelphia and Smyrna. Part of the church at Thyatira had kept their focus and wasn't seduced and waylaid, like their brethren, by religious falsehoods and devices. The rest were clearly instructed to repent, corporately. The pathways into their spiritual slippage included: the presumption of living on past exploits, having lost their original zeal and purpose, along with being encumbered with the cares of the world and straying into becoming compromising and lukewarm. At the core of these revealing judgments against the churches missing the mark was a religious spirit, which distorts and misapplies the glory and blessing. It illustrates the intensity of the battleground within institutions where replacement of the vibrancy and direction of the move of the Spirit has taken root. It punctuates the importance of upholding the mantle and standard that defines true biblical leadership. It is humbling that the churches judged in Revelation were within the generation of churches birthed by those who had walked with Jesus. Since its inception, one of the most subtle deceptions operating against the church has been in accurately assessing the enemy's actions. Evaluating the enemy's capabilities by using the same yardstick used to measure ourselves has been the soft-spot in the tactical underbelly for God's people over the centuries. The lure has been in "being like everyone else." From the beginning God has had His own playbook for His people. In selecting leaders, Moses' father-in-law advised him to choose from those exhibiting not only competence and the fear of God, but those who were truly trustworthy and who had a track record of avoiding covetousness (Ex 18:21). Jesus advanced the secrets from this playbook. They are the principles of the Kingdom. On an individual basis, there are several key factors by which the religious spirit erodes one's purity of heart. It begins with pride and fear, but simultaneous taps covetousness (greed), deceit, division and confusion. Paul's prescient response to this fine-line issue is a key Kingdom principle: that in our weakness, God's strength would be manifested. So it was with the two churches gaining the Lord's approval in Revelation. The others in need of correction, in one way or another had aligned themselves to operate on the same basis, using the same standard and criterion, as the world around them. The Issue Compounded Christian groups, from churches, to ministries, to marketplace organizations seeking to overcome the world, too often measure their success -- and approach their goals as an issue driven by money. In the Kingdom, that is the cart before the horse. In reality it is a matter of stewardship. The loss of this focus leads to the influence of mammon, whereby the love or quest of money rules. Jesus said: "he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10). Good stewardship will prevail in its mastery over whatever resource is truly managed. However, when the religious spirit is compounded with the love or quest of money, then the gates are opened for disorder, division, critical distrust and an array of controlling, manipulating spirits. Given free reign it digresses into sorcery and the misuse of the anointing by what some refer to as Charismatic witchcraft. Many years ago, the Lord spoke a most unique word to me concerning the business I was operating. He instructed me that: "whatever sphere of influence you walk into, to immediately begin looking beyond it, lest it overwhelm you." While I recognized the wisdom this pointed to in applying the dynamic of faith, this word yielded even greater insight into avoiding the breakdown of stewardship in which either mammon or a religious spirit or both could gain access. Illustrating this point of stumbling within Christian organizations was a prayer initiative that was birthed when George W. Bush became president. Designed to mobilize and provide the prayer support needed for the national task of wielding righteous power in corrupt settings, it initially blossomed. The realities of supporting this effort required fund-raising. However, as the initiative evolved, the fund-raising began morphing the focus on prayer until the initiative stalled and then fizzled. The means became the end. It was clearly the right thing done in a wrong way. Curbing the subtle power of mammon begins with the awareness of its devices, even within the context of good stewardship. The ability to make or raise money is not the answer. However, those with a true Romans 12 gift of giving hold the most potential in its mastery. The antidote to this alliance between the religious spirit and mammon begins with unity among those over finances wrapped into a foundation of godly maturity, humility/trust and leadership. The Maturity Factor In His relationship with His disciples there came a time when Jesus told them that He no longer considered them servants, but friends. Jesus was raising the bar. He said that servants don't understand what their master is doing, but that He had made known to them ALL that the Father had shown Him. With that, He extended trust and imparted the essential dividing line for Kingdom maturity. It was the point that their calling and their lives were not about them. "He who loves his life will lose it, but he who hates his life in this world will gain it eternally." John 12:25 Jesus penetrated the spiritual veil (Heb 6:19-20) to embrace the pure power that scatters darkness. This is the process restored. It is the demonstration of the fullness actuated by Jesus' victory over death. This mantle has been passed to those anointed leaders willing to pay the cost and persevere to access the veil and fulfill the law of Christ by destroying the works of the devil. Unfortunately, far too many short-circuit the process and succumb to making an idol out of the calling. Those genuinely anointed to lead, whether as priests, prophets or modern-day Josephs will wield the glory and blessing, often walking into the face of darkness with a purity and authority that risks everything, but makes darkness flee. "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love; ...be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by defiled flesh." Jude 20-23 NIV The Humility and Trust Factor The anointing to lead can result in overcompensating for the enormity of the calling. Cindy Jacobs once told me that many true modern-day apostles, which include today's Josephs, operate with a false humility. Godly humility cannot be contrived. It is forged in the fire and carries with it a recognizable authority. Godly humility is devoid of arrogance and deceit as those who recognize true authority serve as pure God-pleasers. "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with solders under me and I say to this one 'go' and he goes and to another 'come' and he comes." Matt 8:8-9 Stripped of position, Joseph the Patriarch had very little he could depend on, other than the Lord's daily guidance and the authority that came from the mantle of God's blessing that he wielded. Joseph was groomed in a fire of humility to where it became a part of his nature. With the brandmark of humility was the integrity of heart and trust that he could always be counted on to do what he said he would do. With his chief advantage being the guidance and wisdom God was giving him, there was little to no room for pride or scheming. That is the combination needed for true spiritual maturity and the foundation for biblical leadership. The Leadership Factor Understanding the significance God had for Joseph the Patriarch lends a glimmer into understanding the long and very arduous wait-times being endured by many modern-day Josephs. In raising the bar, Jesus described the criteria for true friendship and love, as the willingness to sacrifice for those counted as friends (John 15:13). He defined friends as those who could be trusted with the details of God's strategies and purposes. That dynamic is the foundation for His standard for love -- and with that the real foundation of humility. Without trust, the mantle falls short and is prey to the scheming and selfish ambition provoked by the religious spirit. Weathering the devices of the enemy's onslaughts against Christian organizations takes both maturity and leadership. Mature, godly, sacrificial leadership will have no other foundation apart from humility and trust. Against such, the enemy cannot stand. "This is my instruction, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13 The Fine Line God's preparation time for Joseph galvanized him against the religious spirits and sorcery that prevailed in Egypt. That inoculation gave him mastery over mammon in his role as chief administrator of resources in averting tragedy for those under his charge during the famine. Joseph became the model of a true prophetic steward. His example is the counterpoint to those succumbing to religious spirits who have deviated from the narrow path in their time of preparation. Entrance into entertaining religious spirits is too often triggered by short-cuts. It takes discipline and resolve to hold the course. Joseph's path into maturity and leadership was enriched by humility and the trustworthiness he exhibited in the years of abiding in God's presence. As it was for Joseph, there are no short-cuts. This path into abiding with the Lord involves a fine line described in Hebrews as the "dividing asunder between soul and spirit." Perseverance and waiting on the Lord and His established times are not options. They are in fact the crucible that weeds out the many who are called from the few who are chosen. "The way of the righteous is level and smooth. O Upright One, make the path of the righteous straight. While following the way of your judgments, we have eagerly waited for You. At night my soul longs for You. Indeed my spirit seeks you diligently. For when the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." Isa 26:7-10 ____________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooksand www.BarnesandNoble.com. Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card athttp://strategicintercession.org/support/ Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your congregation on the wisdom the persecuted church has for the West or on anointing the creative. 2015 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org

SHARED ANOINTINGS (c) Morris E. Ruddick

SHARED ANOINTINGS (c) Morris E. Ruddick "Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask! What may I do for you,  before I am taken away from you?' Elisha said,  'Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.'"  2 Kings 2:9 Elijah's God-encounter in the cave which followed his  exploits against the prophets of Baal and Asherah began  a transition for Elijah's ministry, as well as for Israel. After  challenging Elijah's hideaway with the words: "What are you  doing here;" the Lord then restored him to fulfill his next task.  Soon afterward, Elijah was connected with Elisha as his  protege and the process of Elisha's nurturing began.  (1 Kings 19:16). The authority of Elijah's anointing shut up the heavens and  brought judgment on a reprobate Israel. Then his daring  confrontation with evil changed Israel's spiritual climate. In  so doing, God's people began coming out of the closet. So when Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit,  it was no small thing. Elijah bore a disruptive anointing; an  anointing that short-circuited the inroads of evil. His authority  in the spirit stopped the sorcery in its tracks. It had no equal  in that day. The fulfillment of Elisha's request for a "double-portion" was  evidenced not only by the startling miracles of his ministry,  but by the angelic host unveiled around him in his encounter  with the army of Syria (2 Kings 6:17). 2 Kings 13:21 then tells  of a burial interrupted by a band of raiders. The dead man was  abandoned in the tomb of Elisha and scripture indicates that  when "he was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he  revived and stood on his feet." So Elisha's double-portion of  Elijah's anointing not only worked unusual miracles, it commanded  the authority of a host of angels and carried a presence that  even transcended his death. God's highest priorities are always about His people. For  both Elijah and Elisha, their greatest accomplishments  involved the impact on the spiritual climate to mobilize God's  people and impart the prophetic wisdom as advisers to  protect those known by His Name. These dynamics raise two very important issues. First is what  Elisha reached for: a dimension in God beyond the incredible  spiritual threshold that operated through Elijah. The second  is the issue of the anointing itself, and with the anointing the  authority, available for the challenges within the church of  this day. The release of the anointing comes at a cost. It involves a  stewardship. The stewardship is in the reach one makes for  God's presence; which in turn abides in the place of His glory.  The operation of the anointing requires a God-perspective,  which means adjusting our mind-sets, to thinking according  to God's order and standard. The release of the anointing  manifests when operating in the Spirit beyond ones human  capacities. Shared anointings come from mentoring and  cooperative assignments directed by the Spirit for the  purpose of the community at large. Operation of the Anointing Jesus taught his followers how to apply righteous power in  corrupt settings. This is the way of the Kingdom. It begins  with our thinking. "Let this mind be in you which also was  in Christ Jesus." Phil 2:5 The anointing flows when there is not one vestige of  variation between God's order and purposes; and our  actions or words. It is an emptying of ourselves in  humility to allow the unhindered flow of the Holy Spirit  through us. "Who emptied Himself, taking on the form of a  bondservant." Phil 2:7 Jesus taught His followers to abide. Jesus spent hours  at night in prayer with the Father. He imparted the  wisdom that He always did what He saw His father  doing. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who  abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for  apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5-6 Upon His resurrection, a new thing happened. Jesus made the Holy Spirit available to all believers (John 14:26-27). The ongoing release of the Spirit follows the pattern of Jesus in spending time with the Father and abiding. Many were those who followed after Elijah, but only Elisha stayed the course to embrace the "double-portion." The Release of the Anointing The anointing serves as a catalyst, an igniter of righteous power. Abiding in the place of His presence, the place of His glory penetrates the veil. It is the place where the supernatural power of God to trump evil is revealed. Yet the anointing is released when what we see in the Spirit-realm is put into action. From his place of abiding Elisha discerned the very words the King of Syria spoke in the privacy of his bedchamber. From that he advised the King of Israel. So in 2 Kings 6 when the armies of Syria came by night and surrounded Elisha's city, he knew exactly what was unfolding and he knew what he was to do. Joseph the Patriarch, a slave without position, brought blessing to the household of Potiphar. Genesis 39 indicates that everyone saw that the Lord was with Joseph and made all that he did to prosper. Joseph knew what it meant to abide in God's presence, but as a faithful steward Joseph put in action what God showed him. He carried the mantle of his great-grandfather Abraham, as a catalyst of blessing to those around him, indeed to the nations. Shared Anointings Individual anointings are multiplied exponentially when combined and released with the anointings of others. The scope of Elisha's mantle expanded as Elijah mentored, nurtured and prepared him. It is the reason why biblical community represents a safe-place to foster the diversity of gifts and anointings; where they are allowed to incubate and work together. However, since Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, shared anointings have taken on an even greater potential. The charismatic revival of the late sixties and early 70s began when believers hungry for more of God, began gathering to seek Him more diligently. What resulted was shared and passed on by the laying on of hands. Ripples went out that became a torrent of revival as the anointing was imparted and the presence of God manifested to satisfy the growing hunger of those not satisfied with the status quo. Over the years, within my calling in the marketplace, I have been given opportunity to apply my gift and impart my anointing as a consultant to a number of respected ministries, ranging from CBN to Oral Roberts, to Morris Cerullo to Marilyn Hickey. In each of these cases not only did result come from the application of my gift; but I emerged with a dimension of the anointing from these ministries I had served. When anointings merge to serve God's purposes, new dimensions are released on each side. Many years ago, I received a prophetic word from a minister I had never met before who had no awareness of my situation or background. His words to me simply were: "You sir, have a spirit of prosperity on you. Financially, you may be broke or you may be a millionaire. It doesn't matter. Prosperity is not about money; but comes from within to bring blessing and increase to others." That word came not long after I had lost my position with a firm I had been working for. My financial situation at the time was not good. Yet, the words of truth this man of God spoke penetrated the darkness trying to enshroud me at that time. It bore significantly on assignments I had had in the past bearing on opportunity and increase for my clients; as it has become foundational to the role I now serve with the persecuted church within God's purposes in making them the head and not the tail. Yet, what has resulted, as a consultant, a board-member and a teacher-mobilizer comes from shared anointings, which combine the dimensions of my own anointing being blended with the unique dimensions of those I have served and am serving. As a young Christian, I was greatly influenced and mentored by two incredible men of God. Both might be described as world-class prayer warriors; men of faith. Yet one also had a unique anointing for developing strategy; while the other's distinctive anointing was tied to being a catalyst for revival. Now over forty years later, prayer, developing strategy and revival are still by-words of the way my anointing operates. The more you impart to apply and give your anointing away, the more it grows. It is a dynamic of the Kingdom. The Cost and Application The issue comes down to two factors. The first is the cost of the anointing. The second is in applying the anointing. The anointing of an Elijah or Elisha does not come passively. It is developed and nurtured. It flows with ones gifts and calling. Every believer has a sphere (2 Cor 10:13), an area of influence of their anointing. Within the boundary of that area of influence is the authority to break asunder what Paul refers to as the bondage of corruption. Presumption in operating outside that sphere is asking for trouble. The bottom line ties to changing the spiritual climate. Daniel excelled professionally and spiritually in a culture of sorcery to the level that he was described as ten times better than ALL the sorcerers within the king's realm. From that juncture and standard, there came stages of challenge: the king's dream; walking in the fire; and the lion's den. Changing the spiritual climate will not generally go unchallenged. However, there comes a point in prevailing when one's spiritual authority becomes established. So it was, later in Daniel's tenure as advisor to the court. It was in that context that the handwriting on the wall manifested. It was a major shift from the lion's den and walking in the fire. The handwriting on the wall parallels Joseph's promotion alongside Pharaoh, when the anointing prevails and has established God's authority in a domain. When it does, everything changes. Yet, the mantle bearing the anointing will require a cost. Many years ago, a great man of God I studied under told the story of a young man who came to him and audaciously told him he "wanted" his anointing. Very few in that generation had an anointing to equal the authority this man of God wielded. His response to the young man very simply was: "Are you willing to pay the cost?" We impart and share the anointing generously. However, to fully embrace the anointing of others, a cost will be paid. Sometimes the cost already has been paid at the point of impartation and reflects a "next step" for what the Lord has planned. That very much has been the case with the persecuted segment of the church we have been honored to be working with. They have been through and have been purified by fire. Elisha had been prepared by the best and was ready for the double-portion. Yet for others, the impartation will result in having to face and then walk into the fire. It has never been about man's glory, but God's; and His alone. The Word of God tells us that God is a consuming fire. His presence does not "abide" with the soulish. It disrupts and then consumes it. God's anointing applied will bring change and the restoration of the order required to establish His purposes. The key for the Elijah-Elisha impact, the "double-portion" in today's time of turbulence, is to be found in exercising the anointing through community. We need the authority of Elijah's anointing to shut up the heavens and bring judgment. We need God's people to come out of the closet. We need those who are either aligned with or overwhelmed by the world to arise and take their place among the remnant of the faithful, who have been applying their anointings. It is time for the spiritual climate to be challenged with the explosive power of shared anointings from God's chosen. The release of the anointing  involves stewardship.  Shared anointings ignite one another and bring  enlargement. This type of prophetic stewardship  requires a consistent priority of spending time with  Him so that our perspective is a God-perspective. It  means defining our gifts and like Daniel, becoming  the best in the sphere we've been given. That means  operating in the Spirit beyond our human capacities. Entering this dimension requires focus given to mentoring and cooperative assignments directed by the Spirit that provide opportunity for shared anointings to manifest at the community level. This premise will evoke what will manifest as revival, as the fullness of His presence takes root. "I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing.  And I will cause showers to come down in their season;  they will be showers of blessing. Also the tree of the field  will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its increase, and  they will be secure on their land. Then they will know that  I am the LORD." Ezek 34:26-27 ___________________________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for  the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As  founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of  the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program,  Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community  builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and  non-Western world.   He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy,  Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;"  and "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World," which address the  mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to  impact their communities with God's blessings. They are  available in print and e-versions from Amazon.com,  BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.   Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is  a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled  by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors  whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted  church to be the head and not the tail.  Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives  and mailed to  PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237  or email us at  sign@strategicintercession.org  for access information on  our secure web-site. Likewise, email us to schedule a briefing for your congregation  on the state of the persecuted church and how you can more  effectively pray for them.   2014 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a  SIGN adviser. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN)  has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting  strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous  posts or more information on SIGN,  check: http://www.strategicintercession.org

Morris Ruddick Global Initiatives Foundation www.strategic-initiatives.org www.strategicintercession.org

“Less IS More.” - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

                    

                                              “Less IS More.”

“So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” John 6:67,68 NAS)

Dear family of friends,

My good wife is right. But it has taken me awhile to admit it.

It used to be whenever she’d say, “Less is more,” it was irritating. How can something less be something more? Are you kidding me?

But now I am a changed man. Yes, I believe less is more, as in what the Lord intends to do with His people.

In my previous Ahava Love Letter, #98, I wrote on “How Shall We Then Give”, in regards to those we support with our financial gifts. The encouragement I gave in advising readers was to give your support to those whom you personally know; more so than giving to big ministries, with big budgets, whom you have little knowledge of where your money actually goes. This being because it is about relationships, not just giving money.

If we see Yeshua (Jesus) as our model for ministry, as we should, we know that He gathered twelve together, with whom He spent the majority of His three years teaching. There were certainly the big crowds on occasion, but that wasn’t His main effort. It was the small settings, the intimate moments, the relationships with the ones who would be faithful to go forward. This is a critical lesson for us. Indeed, less is more.

We all know that Sunday church attendance is way down, especially in America, the UK, and Europe. There are many reasons for this, but I am not so certain we have to be discouraged about it. Perhaps it was the “wrong model” and God the Father is showing us that. Allowing the large church buildings to fill less and less might just be pushing the committed Christians into closer relationships with those who are in it for the long haul. We are to form those connections that the Lord is really after.

Just as it happened to Yeshua Himself towards the end of His earthly ministry, the crowds dropped off considerably. We hate to see it happen, but He has always seemed to prefer using small numbers to accomplish His purposes, rather than large crowds. You really can’t have much fellowship with hundreds of people attending a two hour service, and then each go off in every other direction afterwards. But you can build solid relationships when you are in the trenches with your brother and sister, spending real time with them.

I envision that the days of "large" ministries, with large budgets, are going to be over soon. Especially in America, where too much emphasis has been placed on the "one man, large ministry" model. This will end.

One very real sense I have had from the Lord is that He is taking us down to smaller numbers, in smaller settings, to build teams of solid believers properly jointed together. Just as He did Himself in His ministry. Just as Paul and the other apostles did with their small teams in the first century. And they changed the world.

The Lord’s concentration and life flow will take place through the close knit, one to one relationships He is establishing. These relationships will be where ministry for each other occurs. The end result will be to touch the nations with effective spiritual activity, flowing out from us.

As for my wife and I, we are seeking to get rightly jointed with the local body we attend, and be part of a team that will touch the nations. We must be committed to His purposes and desires to have His Bride joined properly together. I hope you are doing the same.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder, Love For His People

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless the known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. 

Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINEGIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People

If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

I hope you read my first two books The Promise (CreateSpace/Amazon 2013) and Ahava Love Letters (Xulon Press, 2013). Both available through Amazon.com Xulon Press.com, plus other website book stores.

You can also order both books, The Promise (on Amazon.com for $7.19 plus $3.95 S/H) and Ahava Love Letters Xulon Press for$14.90, plus $3.80) or you can get both from our office for $29. Send check to the address above. I will autograph all copies ordered through our office. (Hey, and please include a contribution for Israel too!)

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

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           Ahava Love Letters

           

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Ahava Love Letter #99   “Less IS More”   Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (01.12.14) Sunday at 7:00 pm in Charlotte, NC).

Pink Hair by Kathie Walters

Pink Hair by Kathie Walters

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I had a "stunning" experience one time. God really used it to point out something to me. I had been away for a couple of days, visiting and praying with a close friend of mine who lives in Gainesville, My friends there had a great ministry raising up churches on the campuses of the U.S. and in many other nations. They had discipled and raised up thousands of young people, trained to take the Gospel to the nations. 

My teenage daughter, Faith, had stayed home with a girlfriend to take care of our house and pets. Like any other parent, I had given many instructions about the care of the house, yard, animals, and pool. Faith is very sensible and capable, so I didn't worry about anything. I had called a few times and everything was fine.  (Note Faith is a parent herself now). 

Faith's Hair 

Returning home, I was not prepared for the shock that was awaiting me.  As I turned the car into our driveway, the dogs came running to meet me as they usually did. I got out of the car and petted them, taking a second look at Faith's Chow, Koa. He was usually a pretty, beige color, but his coat had turned to a shade of pink, at least down his back and tail. I wondered if he had fallen into a strawberry patch! 

I entered the house, looking forward to seeing Faith, who being a home-schooler, was sure to be in the house. I went inside and began to ascend the stairs. At the top of the stairs was Faith. She greeted me, smiling demurely. I returned her smile, but my smile faded very quickly. Suddenly, I saw it! A bright pink, wide streak down one side of her pretty blond hair! Not a pale hint of color, but a peppermint pink! 

"Faith, what has happened to you?" I cried. I thought there must have been some terrible mishap. She was joined by Haley, my then secretary's daughter. Haley was grinning from ear to ear. Her dark hair was now deep green on one side and blue on the other! I freaked out! Faith laughed at my reaction - big mistake. 

I ranted and raved a while and she agreed to wash the pink out (dog too). A short while later, as I looked at her, I thought it didn't really look so bad. I let her keep it for a few days. I began to think about all this later and about my visit with Rose. 

While I had been with my friends in Gainesville, another friend had called to tell her about a book he had recently read. It was offering the reader reasons as to why we are not in full scale revival. Leaders who had made mistakes and had gotten off track here and there by over-emphasizing various truths were named as being a major part of the cause for our lack. 

My friends had been mentioned in this book, along with other people that I knew well. I understand that the writer was concerned about the Body of Christ, but still I couldn't stop weeping whenever I thought about the "policeman" trying to get us all straight. 

I couldn't stop thinking about Faith's hair, and my reaction to it. Her hair had gotten my attention and so my mind had to deal with what I saw.  It took my attention away from all the things she had done over that weekend. It had been a hard job to look after the pool, because our area had been badly affected by floods and it was full of muddy water. 

God's Grace and Patience 

Our house is a big house to clean, but it was neat and tidy. We have three phone lines with people calling all of the time. She had taken care of everyone. Our dog had been hit by a car a few days previously and needed a lot of attention. He was fine. 

Not only had my things been well taken care of, but a family in her church had lost everything they owned in the flood. What was left of their house was under two inches of mud, and she had been over to help them clean. She had brought home three large bags of washing to do for them. She took care of the office. I had missed it all because of the pink hair. We can be so blind. Thank God for His endless grace and patience. 

I then thought of the various books that had been written about the mistakes my friends and many other ministries had made at one time or another. They were obvious. Like the pink hair, most people could have seen them right away. But I thought, "What about all the thousands of young people who were saved and filled with the Spirit through their ministry on the campuses of America and many other nations? What about the thousands of kids who were dedicated to the call of God on their lives?" 

Thousands of young people received a very real sense of destiny in their lives because of the ministry and revelation of my friends who had given their lives for the Gospel. I wondered how it was that none of this was mentioned in these books. Maybe my daughter's hair is over-simplifying it, but it's the same principle to me. 

Jesus, the Great Shepherd 

When my friend, Rose told me about a very generous gift that had been given them for their China outreach, I felt so blessed myself. I wanted to write to the often maligned faith teacher that had given it and tell him, "You blessed me because you blessed my friends." When I heard about the negative things that were said in the book, I had a great desire to write to the author and say, "You hurt me because you hurt my friends." 

I don't know of a ministry that has been around for any length of time that hasn't goofed at some point, said some dumb things from time to time, or headed off in a wrong direction occasionally. But, Jesus is the Great Shepherd; He will shepherd His sheep. He knows what He is doing. 

It is the Holy Spirit who moves on God's people to convict and change.  There is one thing more miserable than people trying to change themselves, and that is when we try to change each other. I can point out what is wrong with you, but I don't have the power to change it.  When the Holy Spirit convicts, He does have the power to change it. Big difference! 

Next time you are tempted to see only the obvious mistake in someone, say to yourself, "Pink hair."   Maybe it will remind you that there are many wonderful things you have forgotten regarding that person or ministry. Jesus hasn't forgotten. He loves them so very much! 

We would put our hands over our mouths like Job, when God asked us, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (Job.38:4), or, "Were you there when I brought forth My Son from the grave? Were you there when I brought forth the first fruits of THE CHURCH?" 

Kathie Walters

www.kathiewaltersministry.com

kathiewalters@mindspring.com 

From Kathie's book The Spirit of False Judgment available from Identity Network.

The Spirit of False Judgment

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By Kathie Walters
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