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(c) Morris E. Ruddick
"Men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what to do." 1 Chron 12:32
Because of the significance of what the Lord is doing in Indonesia, this SIGN post merges the focus of my prayerful insights into understanding the times with conclusions from our August/September mission in Indonesia.
Because of the significance of what the Lord is doing in Indonesia, this SIGN post merges the focus of my prayerful insights into understanding the times with conclusions from our August/September mission in Indonesia.
Despite an unusual level of spiritual warfare; God's plan for this Indonesian mission has prevailed. Upon arriving, our host noted that having hosted many over the years from around the world, that none matched the warfare he encountered tied to the preparations for our God's economy program. So, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for praying.
Each of the three God's economy workshops was eagerly received. From successful
business owners to those eager to start new businesses, those attending were prepared for the times we're entering.
The Kingdom Leadership Conference launched the second half of our time in Indonesia. It was sold-out with 2000 in attendance. Reconnecting with Myles Munroe was very meaningful. My marketplace leadership sessions were well attended and well received. Business leaders traveled from outside Indonesia to attend.
The business community in Asia is truly a mobilized one. All are intent on discerning God's strategies for the time; intent on applying the biblical secrets that have made the Jewish people so successful economically and culturally influentially over the centuries.
Strategies of the Conflict
Spiritually, at the core of the dynamic unfolding is the battle between God's blueprint and the blueprint of the devil. The heroes of faith are the ones who identify God's blueprint. They pay the cost and prevail so that God's purposes are established. The bottom line in Kingdom leadership is discerning God's blueprint in a situation and in a people and then bringing it forth for those they lead.
One of the more subtle deceptions operating in the Body today is the myopia of those whose focus is in discerning the devil's blueprint for a situation and then trying to stamp it out. That was never the pattern for God's best; for establishing His order. The heroes of faith face the fire and give birth to restoring God's order.
The spiritual climate of the two islands on which we ministered on this Indonesian mission was totally different. We went from a Muslim dominant culture to a Hindu/New Age domain. The difference was striking. Yet the impact being made by the Indonesian church in both domains has been the same. They're changing the spiritual climate. They are impacting the culture. It's why it's the fastest growing church in the world. Carol's observation nails it: "Indonesia's greatest treasure is their people."
In one of my messages, I gave an example of the turning point for a company we had association with years ago. The turning came at a time in the early 70s when this firm was a successful $10 million company. They decided to make a corporate acquisition. The firm they intended to acquire was more than a $100 million in size; more than 10 times their size. Remarkably, they pulled it off. The Wall Street Journal wrote an article on this unusual happening. The title of the WSJ article was "The Minnow Swallows the Whale." That describes what's happening in Indonesia.
God is doing the impossible through ordinary people doing extraordinary things. That's been the bottom line of what we've seen on this entire trip. God has been doing some of the most remarkable things; far beyond our expectations. So once again, thank you so very, very much for praying.
Targeting God's Elect
Simultaneously, the dynamics and realities of what we see swirling all around us have brought home the truth of the importance of not going on our own strength. Many years ago, a man of God we were close to encountered a horrible tragedy with the unexpected death of his 17 year old son. Yet his response was an even worse tragedy. This man of God, whose exploits I couldn't hold a candle to, lost it. He left the Lord and left his family.
The subtlety is that it is never about what we can do for God, but rather what we allow God to do through us. Otherwise, when the fires come, we are overwhelmed; we're blinded and fall victim to the full impact of the devil's blueprint.
There are firestorms raging in the heavenlies. It's important to be discerning the right things. It's important not to be overreacting. It is likewise vital when God tell us to act, to be prepared and to know how to do it decisively.
I still intercede for that friend who lost his son back in the mid-80s. In interceding for one's like him; I'm intimately aware that but for the grace of God and the prayers of faithful friends, of the fine line of our response to the loss of our 30 year old daughter Trish in 1996.
Countering Evil Strategies
So it is when I see something in someone else, such as a blind spot, that I begin by searching my own heart for blind-spots. EVEN if it is only at a 1% level, I first repent for the beam in my eye, before I can truly begin to intercede for them.
This truth ties into a subtlety with which witchcraft/sorcery tries to entwine itself within those who love God. This process, in intercession, of first removing any elements of a "beam" in your own eye, helps to flag and remove the subtle snares that so mark the times we have entered.
This process helps eliminate the defilements that can be picked up when penetrating enemy territory. It keeps us in that place of fearing God and no other; a dimension that is needed to break the bondage of corruption.
It is the reason why judgment first comes to the household of faith. When properly responded to, the judgment that first comes to the household of faith, becomes the means of "turning" that brings the restoration of God's order. It's another reason why we fear God and no other.
Signs of the Times
Less than two weeks before this Indonesian mission, I received a revelation. It bears on the timing of this, our first mission to Indonesia. In short, there is a network, an evil infrastructure in the natural that parallels and fuels the activities emanating from the dark spiritual world; being orchestrated by high-level principalities; which has been subtly preparing for intrusions to spread its tentacles.
It targets seats of power and influence. It has epicenters around the world, recognizable only by the "swirls" of confusion, division, counterfeit religious influences, along with demoralization and the dismantling-type of destruction that is manifesting like huge "sink-holes." This evil infrastructure involves shrouded, entangled funding and investors from interests with legitimate business covers which reflect very subtle and distorted connections.
Its largely unreported and shrouded activities range from human trafficking; to the abortion trade, but also pograms reemerging in places like Russia; and initiatives to undermine Israel; and strategies to divide the Body. Insights into this shadowed, creeping evil can be gleaned from the stories of Gideon and the sword of the Lord against the Midianites; as does the story of Joseph in preparing; as does the story of Daniel and his influence in changing the spiritual culture of an infrastructure of sorcery.
A Time of Preparation
The Joseph-type preparations underway by those with ears to hear are a significant counterforce to these hidden gateways of evil. That's why the mobilization of the marketplace is so key; it's one of those "secret things" that the Jewish people have wielded over the centuries. So it has been, as we've ministered around the globe, the Lord is connecting us with those who are mobilized and those who are preparing.
An important key in all this will be the ones to be given a voice and influence that counteracts and disentangles these hidden gateways of evil. The importance of Jew and Gentile, operating as "one new man" in all this is going to be very strategic. Likewise, there is emerging, a very significant and unexpected impact that will result from heretofore under-the-radar and new, unconventional Christian media initiatives; along with alliances with "righteous" mainstream secular media outlets.
All this calls for heightened discretion and discernment; and a need NOT to give in to, nor especially to overreact to the enticements and diversions of "blind passions" or religious spirits. The snare is in premature action which short-circuits the needed preparation.
Back in 2006, after hearing of the tsunami that had hit Indonesia, I cried out to the Lord for the people. The Lord then gave me insight into this event. It came from Psalm 107. Knowing of the tragedies of persecution against believers that had preceded this event, Psalm 107 unveils that when God's people are "brought low through oppression, affliction and sorrow," there comes a time when the Lord pours out "contempt" (His judgment) on princes (those who abuse power). Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction and makes their families and communities like a flock. The righteous see it and rejoice and all iniquity stops in its tracks. So it has happened in Indonesia. The church in Indonesia is a forerunner for our times.
Discerning the Shifts and What's Next
There's more. But in short, there has been a paradigm shift. We need to understand that shift as we discern the times; and glean from the wisdom of what has been unfolding in these most vibrant Asian segments of the Body. We need to understand what's next.
Before us is a full schedule in October with our return to Vietnam. We've witnessed the
The Kingdom Leadership Conference launched the second half of our time in Indonesia. It was sold-out with 2000 in attendance. Reconnecting with Myles Munroe was very meaningful. My marketplace leadership sessions were well attended and well received. Business leaders traveled from outside Indonesia to attend.
The business community in Asia is truly a mobilized one. All are intent on discerning God's strategies for the time; intent on applying the biblical secrets that have made the Jewish people so successful economically and culturally influentially over the centuries.
Strategies of the Conflict
Spiritually, at the core of the dynamic unfolding is the battle between God's blueprint and the blueprint of the devil. The heroes of faith are the ones who identify God's blueprint. They pay the cost and prevail so that God's purposes are established. The bottom line in Kingdom leadership is discerning God's blueprint in a situation and in a people and then bringing it forth for those they lead.
One of the more subtle deceptions operating in the Body today is the myopia of those whose focus is in discerning the devil's blueprint for a situation and then trying to stamp it out. That was never the pattern for God's best; for establishing His order. The heroes of faith face the fire and give birth to restoring God's order.
The spiritual climate of the two islands on which we ministered on this Indonesian mission was totally different. We went from a Muslim dominant culture to a Hindu/New Age domain. The difference was striking. Yet the impact being made by the Indonesian church in both domains has been the same. They're changing the spiritual climate. They are impacting the culture. It's why it's the fastest growing church in the world. Carol's observation nails it: "Indonesia's greatest treasure is their people."
In one of my messages, I gave an example of the turning point for a company we had association with years ago. The turning came at a time in the early 70s when this firm was a successful $10 million company. They decided to make a corporate acquisition. The firm they intended to acquire was more than a $100 million in size; more than 10 times their size. Remarkably, they pulled it off. The Wall Street Journal wrote an article on this unusual happening. The title of the WSJ article was "The Minnow Swallows the Whale." That describes what's happening in Indonesia.
God is doing the impossible through ordinary people doing extraordinary things. That's been the bottom line of what we've seen on this entire trip. God has been doing some of the most remarkable things; far beyond our expectations. So once again, thank you so very, very much for praying.
Targeting God's Elect
Simultaneously, the dynamics and realities of what we see swirling all around us have brought home the truth of the importance of not going on our own strength. Many years ago, a man of God we were close to encountered a horrible tragedy with the unexpected death of his 17 year old son. Yet his response was an even worse tragedy. This man of God, whose exploits I couldn't hold a candle to, lost it. He left the Lord and left his family.
The subtlety is that it is never about what we can do for God, but rather what we allow God to do through us. Otherwise, when the fires come, we are overwhelmed; we're blinded and fall victim to the full impact of the devil's blueprint.
There are firestorms raging in the heavenlies. It's important to be discerning the right things. It's important not to be overreacting. It is likewise vital when God tell us to act, to be prepared and to know how to do it decisively.
I still intercede for that friend who lost his son back in the mid-80s. In interceding for one's like him; I'm intimately aware that but for the grace of God and the prayers of faithful friends, of the fine line of our response to the loss of our 30 year old daughter Trish in 1996.
Countering Evil Strategies
So it is when I see something in someone else, such as a blind spot, that I begin by searching my own heart for blind-spots. EVEN if it is only at a 1% level, I first repent for the beam in my eye, before I can truly begin to intercede for them.
This truth ties into a subtlety with which witchcraft/sorcery tries to entwine itself within those who love God. This process, in intercession, of first removing any elements of a "beam" in your own eye, helps to flag and remove the subtle snares that so mark the times we have entered.
This process helps eliminate the defilements that can be picked up when penetrating enemy territory. It keeps us in that place of fearing God and no other; a dimension that is needed to break the bondage of corruption.
It is the reason why judgment first comes to the household of faith. When properly responded to, the judgment that first comes to the household of faith, becomes the means of "turning" that brings the restoration of God's order. It's another reason why we fear God and no other.
Signs of the Times
Less than two weeks before this Indonesian mission, I received a revelation. It bears on the timing of this, our first mission to Indonesia. In short, there is a network, an evil infrastructure in the natural that parallels and fuels the activities emanating from the dark spiritual world; being orchestrated by high-level principalities; which has been subtly preparing for intrusions to spread its tentacles.
It targets seats of power and influence. It has epicenters around the world, recognizable only by the "swirls" of confusion, division, counterfeit religious influences, along with demoralization and the dismantling-type of destruction that is manifesting like huge "sink-holes." This evil infrastructure involves shrouded, entangled funding and investors from interests with legitimate business covers which reflect very subtle and distorted connections.
Its largely unreported and shrouded activities range from human trafficking; to the abortion trade, but also pograms reemerging in places like Russia; and initiatives to undermine Israel; and strategies to divide the Body. Insights into this shadowed, creeping evil can be gleaned from the stories of Gideon and the sword of the Lord against the Midianites; as does the story of Joseph in preparing; as does the story of Daniel and his influence in changing the spiritual culture of an infrastructure of sorcery.
A Time of Preparation
The Joseph-type preparations underway by those with ears to hear are a significant counterforce to these hidden gateways of evil. That's why the mobilization of the marketplace is so key; it's one of those "secret things" that the Jewish people have wielded over the centuries. So it has been, as we've ministered around the globe, the Lord is connecting us with those who are mobilized and those who are preparing.
An important key in all this will be the ones to be given a voice and influence that counteracts and disentangles these hidden gateways of evil. The importance of Jew and Gentile, operating as "one new man" in all this is going to be very strategic. Likewise, there is emerging, a very significant and unexpected impact that will result from heretofore under-the-radar and new, unconventional Christian media initiatives; along with alliances with "righteous" mainstream secular media outlets.
All this calls for heightened discretion and discernment; and a need NOT to give in to, nor especially to overreact to the enticements and diversions of "blind passions" or religious spirits. The snare is in premature action which short-circuits the needed preparation.
Back in 2006, after hearing of the tsunami that had hit Indonesia, I cried out to the Lord for the people. The Lord then gave me insight into this event. It came from Psalm 107. Knowing of the tragedies of persecution against believers that had preceded this event, Psalm 107 unveils that when God's people are "brought low through oppression, affliction and sorrow," there comes a time when the Lord pours out "contempt" (His judgment) on princes (those who abuse power). Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction and makes their families and communities like a flock. The righteous see it and rejoice and all iniquity stops in its tracks. So it has happened in Indonesia. The church in Indonesia is a forerunner for our times.
Discerning the Shifts and What's Next
There's more. But in short, there has been a paradigm shift. We need to understand that shift as we discern the times; and glean from the wisdom of what has been unfolding in these most vibrant Asian segments of the Body. We need to understand what's next.
Before us is a full schedule in October with our return to Vietnam. We've witnessed the
Lord doing remarkable things, from the far North to deep within the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The church in Vietnam is a praying church. It is a church that has gone through the fire. It is a church whose mantle is spiritually becoming like that of the "sword of the Lord" spoken of when Gideon, like the minnow swallowing the whale, penetrated the camp of the Midianites and sent them fleeing.
We're honored and we're blessed to be able to serve these brethren in Indonesia and those in Vietnam. We're poised and we're eager for the next steps the Lord is opening before us and them. Thank you again for your prayers as we depart for the long trek back on 12 September.
___________________________________________________
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.
Mr. Ruddick is also a contributor in the just released five-volume "Aligning with the Apostolic," edited by Bruce Cook with Forwards by Peter Wagner and Bill Hamon. It is available through www.KingdomHouse.net.
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 least of these our brethren. 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.
2013 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 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.strategicintercession.org
www.strategic-initiatives.org
