THE TIMES AND STRATEGIES (c) Morris E. Ruddick

THE TIMES AND STRATEGIES (c) Morris E. Ruddick "That which has been is what will be, for there is nothing new under the sun." Eccl 1:9 Despite Solomon's prescient grasp of the cycles of the times, he lost his focus. His priorities became muddled. Under his reign, the seeds were sown that undermined Israel's season of unity, peace and prosperity engineered by his father. From the beginning, the age-old struggle of evil's intent against good rears its head at unexpected and subtle junctures. The foundations shift as the times change with new generations. While God has provided the wisdom to build from one generation to another, new generations cannot simply ride the momentum. Again and again over the centuries, during times of spiritual slippage, evil has enveloped God's people, seeking to destroy them. On the other hand, the Lord has always had His Davids, His champions, who would risk everything to stand against evil and prevail. "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." Acts 13:22 NKJV During this last generation, there has been an incredible dismantling of the assaults of evil against God's people; ranging from the fall of Nazism, to a standoff of the onslaughts against God's people in Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia. Many champions have stood and resisted, some at the cost of their lives. "A Song in Siberia," by Anita and Peter Deyneka (1977, out-of-print) is one of the most gripping accounts of the severe persecution against believers in Russia during the 1960s. Many excellent accounts have described the plight of the church in China during the Cultural Revolution. The spiritual struggle of God's people, as cultures within cultures, has again and again reemerged in this recurring struggle between good and evil. Alongside those resisting the onslaughts of persecution, God has raised up outsiders, even King Cyruses, championing the cause of those directly impacted. In this last generation, these champions have wielded God's mantle and strategy and undertaken the risks and the burdens of the brethren walking through the fire. They are ones who have heeded the heart of God to walk into the heart of darkness and destabilize and thwart the intents of evil. They have wielded God-strategies to pierce the darkness resulting in many miraculous shifts in the spiritual climates. The Simple Things In God's way of doing things, it has always been the simple things that confound the "wise." In the early 1970s, a gospel singing group and band known as the Living Sound accepted an invitation to conduct a concert in Poland. What they and their founders, Terry Law and Larry Dalton, didn't realize was that the invitation had come from the Communist Youth Party and that their performance was at the organization's headquarters. When they arrived, their hosts realized the group's spiritual foundations. Serious flashpoints followed, which included its leaders being interrogated and threats given to try to prevent their "witness." Still, with an overflow crowd already seated, the concert took place. The anointing and God's presence pierced the atmosphere. Hearts were deeply touched. Members of the audience lingered long beyond the concert, until after 3 a.m., as the team prayed for and led great numbers to the Lord. What followed from that concert was a chance meeting with a Catholic Cardinal (Karol Yozef Wojtyla) who subsequently opened the doors to Living Sound for another concert in Eastern Europe, this one with over 100,000 in attendance. This Cardinal went on to become Pope John Paul II. Strategy in the Face of Darkness These events were strategic. They were a part of the change of seasons underway at that time. They were a part of God's strategy to break the stranglehold of the brutal persecution against His people. The spiritual climate change that resulted became a part of the spiritual reverberations and strategies that has since changed nations. Subsequently, within another time-frame, as the iron curtain was falling, a similar and parallel strategy emerged. This strategy targeted the "lost sheep of the House of Israel." Jonathan Bernis, along with the Messianic Jewish praise group, Kol Simcha (Joyful Noise), began identifying key strongholds in Eastern Europe, the Former Soviet Union and other lands, in which to hold stadium-sized festivals to attract the persecuted Jews of these areas. Our first God's economy workshop was for a vibrant Messianic Jewish congregation that was birthed following one of these festivals in Eastern Europe. What began with our first God's economy workshop has been a part of God's strategies. These efforts taken to targeted groups of the persecuted and oppressed have exceeded chance expectations in the way they have taken root. That's because they have been a part of these initiatives, birthed by God, to restore His people in lands of persecution. Diverse but Parallel Streams A wide range of brethren from diverse segments of the Body responded to God's heart during those days with effective and parallel strategies to assist the persecuted. I spent many years on the board of a ministry, in which one of its founders, during the days of the Iron and Bamboo Curtains, made many dangerous, yet timely, undercover trips into "closed-access" nations to impart words of wisdom, to pray with, and to encourage the leaders among the persecuted brethren. In instance after instance, I recall how within months, that reports of changes came, that exceeded human capabilities, which only could have been the result of the Hand of God. These divinely ordained connections with those who many had forgottten, like the efforts of Living Sound and Kol Simcha, were matters very close to God's heart and as such, an important part of His strategies being released. These initiatives were birthed during as well as following, days of revival. The Shift Change results when God's people, as a whole, fervently seek Him. When that fervency wanes, darkness finds subtle inroads. Historically, the seedbed for revival is either a time of deep moral darkness, national depression or severe persecution. While evil's seeds of destruction provoke these factors, when amassed and combined with God's people truly seeking Him, they trigger God's judgment. "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."   Isaiah 26:8-9 So, at the change of a generation, which has so incredibly rolled back the tentacles of persecution in lands defying religious freedom, has come a creeping evil. Its target is the foundations of religious freedom in these free societies. The right response of God's people in times of both persecution and creeping evil is a fervent focus on God's ancient standards of seeking Him. When that takes place with broad consistency, God releases strategies for change. God's strategies spark miracles. God's strategies penetrate darkness with tangible spiritual climate change. However, with the waning, has come a shift in the spiritual tempo of our times. With that shift in the spiritual tempo, has come a shift in strategies. The message for "free societies" now comes from brethren in lands of persecution, who have paid high costs for their religious freedoms. The message taps the shift in strategy for lands of "freedom," where evil subtly, but systematically has been eroding religious freedoms. Responding to the Shift Responding strategically to the tempo of the times requires a war-time mind-set. It demands the courage of Elijah to confront evil and a willingness to risk all. It calls for repentant, forgiving hearts with an acceptance of the diversity represented in the various streams comprising the Body. These factors carry the need for a maturity that reflects the discipline to diligently seek God and His priorities, with a revelation of our identity in God, that we are who God says we are, and as such, a light shining on a hill that cannot be hidden. A War-Time Mind-Set. Far too many within the Western Church have become complacent to the systematic erosion of both righteous standards and the freedoms at the foundation of our society. It is time to draw a line in the sand. There is a war underway that is both spiritual and cultural. There is a critical need to embrace a way of thinking, a war-time mind-set that responds in a manner parallel to the days of WWII, when our freedom was seriously brought into question. Elijah-Level of Courage to Confront Evil. Elijah put his life on the line in confronting the prophets of baal and asherah. Yet, it wasn't done arbitrarily. It was God's strategy and Elijah was God's champion to draw the line in the sand. Elijah not only brought judgment upon the perpetrators of the spiritual erosion evident among God's people, but he demonstrated the reality of God to bring restoration to those who were being subjected to the seductions. Sacrificial Hearts Poised to Quickly Repent and Forgive. During war-time, the expectation is for everyone to be sacrificially operating with and moving toward the same objectives. That requires hearts to be right before God and those we live and work with. We cannot afford the luxury of being offended. We need one another. One of the primary indicators of this type of heart is the readiness to repent when wrong, along with a heart that quickly forgives. Maturity to Grasp the Essentials of Common Ground. Maturity and being of one accord go hand-in-hand. We work on doing that with those we consider kindred spirits, those with whom we choose to worship. However, there are many streams within the Body with many significant, yet diverse functions. None have the full picture. Yet, we need to understand the essentials, the primary things, representing the common ground of our faith and to embrace a respectful acceptance of the functional and even doctrinal diversity that is comprised within the Body. Discipline to Diligently Seek God and His Heart Priorities. War-time requires great discipline and sacrifice on the part of all. That begins with giving our first priority to our time spent with the Lord. Seeking God should always be our first priority, but the reality is that there is a tendency toward slippage that comes during the comforts of peace-time settings. The discipline required to diligently seek God's heart and align ourselves with it is critical for this change in seasons. Unequivocal Identity in God. It takes an unequivocal revelation of one's identity in God to survive the brutalities of persecution. That means understanding what God's word says about who we are and what our role is in this world. That viewpoint should define our priorities. The root of our standing strong in the fire of adversity begins with our identity in Him. That requires a proactive renewing of our minds with His truth and an interactive prayer life that has a foundation in Psalm 15, of speaking truth within our own hearts. The story unveiled in "A Song in Siberia" gives evidence of how congregation after congregation, at great personal cost, embraced the essentials of Kingdom priorities with one accord. Leaders were jailed. Some were martyred. Despite that, new leaders came to the plate. Against all odds, they prevailed. The fire of persecution not only melded them together, but became a demonstration, a witness, of the reality of God that shouted at their neighbors. Great numbers came to the Lord because of the faithful response of the believers, to God and to each other, despite the harshness of the persecution. Strategies for the Times Jesus gave a strong admonition to be alert to the signs of the times and the change in seasons (Luke 12:54-56). The US is divided. Russia is advancing its territories. Rogue states are thumbing their noses at the West. Terrorism and lawlessness abound. Alliances of totalitarians and Muslims threaten advances in Africa. In the face of these developments, those now emerging from years of severe religious persecution are a model for us, in lands where freedom and culture are at-risk. Jesus came to refocus things, to restore the true foundations for those whose identities are in God. He came to raise the bar. So it is today, that the bar needs to be raised. Jesus came to give us the tactical means to pierce the veil and establish God's domain, His Kingdom, in what the Apostle Paul referred to as "the bondage of corruption" and what Pope John Paul II famously referred to as "the culture of death." So it is today, that there is nothing new under the sun. Centuries ago, God spoke to Abraham and told him to leave his family and his nation. What he left was the land of the Chaldeans, the heart of sorcery and the occult. Today, we need to draw the same line in the sand. We need to call the culture of death for what it is: the occult seedbed for activities of Satan. We need to recognize that our lives have been bought with a price and that our citizenship is first, as God's people. The core message from those emerging from the fire is one of stewardship: to prepare and make the decisions of life, as if our freedom might be lost, but to pray fervently to preserve those freedoms, and to live our lives with a faithfulness to God and to the brethren, so that those around us will recognize the difference. "The servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." Luke 12:47 ___________________________________________________ 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 www.Amazon.com, www.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 atsign@strategicintercession.org for access information on our secure web-site. Likewise, email us to schedule a briefing for your congregation on the current state of the persecuted church and the strategies gleaned to counteract the challenge to and erosion of religious freedom manifesting across the globe.   2014 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. 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

When Jezebel’s Witchcraft Keeps You Up at Night by JENNIFER LECLAIRE - Charisma Magazine

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When Jezebel’s Witchcraft Keeps You Up at Night

3/27/2014 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Every year about this time there’s an onslaught of witchcraft attacks against me—and many people I know. This year the enemy used a different tactic. Since the spiritual forces of darkness could not slow me down by day, the attacks are coming at night.

First, let me explain what I mean by witchcraft. During Lent, some people have a tendency to exalt Mary, the mother of Jesus. But we know that's not God's will. God has "highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that He is Lord, to the glory of the Father" (Phil 2:9-11). Let me be clear: I am not Catholic-bashing here. This is not about a religion or a denomination. It's about spiritual practices in which some are engaging.

Where Mary is exalted, I believe it empowers the spirit of Jezebel and her witchcrafts. Some people in some religions refer to Mary as the queen of heaven. But Ashtoreth, the chief pagan goddess of war and sex mentioned in the Old Testament, is also known as the queen of heaven. And it’s the Ashtoreth spirit that’s behind Jezebel. The Lord speaks of the queen of heaven in Jeremiah 7, noting that the people of Judah were giving offerings to other gods and provoking Him to anger. The Old Testament Jezebel’s father, Ethbal, was the high priest of the goddess.

What Witchcraft Feels Like

Again, exalting Mary seems to empower the queen of heaven, also known as Jezebel. When Mary is lifted up to a place where only Jesus belongs, it unleashes demonic activity in that territory. As demonic activity increases, people report feelings of oppression, fatigue, strong spiritual warfare against the mind that makes you feel like quitting, and even physical manifestations for which doctors can’t find a reason. Are you experiencing any of these things?

When witchcraft is particularly heavy in the spiritual climate, my eyes actually burn. Everything seems like a much bigger deal than it really is because witchcraft works to take your eyes off Jesus by magnifying the problem. The enemy can use people to release witchcraft against you through word curses, but this spiritual force seems to sometimes hang over your head like a dark cloud—unless you break it.

This year, witchcraft couldn’t get me by day. I was ready for the onslaught. So instead, witchcraft attacked me at night—in my sleep. I have had some of the worst nightmares in the last two weeks that I’ve ever had in my entire life. Things I won’t even speak out loud because the power of death and life is in the tongue. Indeed, the enemy wants me to speak out the disturbing pictures he offered to give them life. But I refuse. And I break that assignment in the name of Jesus!

What’s more, I’m waking up to especially nasty messages via email. Although it’s not unusual to get a nasty message, the religious spirits have come out in droves to attack—out of the blue. They are releasing shame upon me, making false accusations and otherwise releasing word curses over my life. I bind them in the name of Jesus, bless those who curse me, and move on. 

Pushing Back Powers of Darkness

Of course, these witchcraft nightmares left me exhausted. Don’t you know it’s so much more difficult to work with one hand and battle with the other when you are physically exhausted? And to wake up to a string of email attacks from the religious spirit starts your day focusing on the wrong thing if you let it.

And if you let it, it’s all downhill from there. The devil wants your thoughts and words because then he can sway your actions. Thankfully, I discerned what was going on, and I’m changing my battle plans. I've spent many, many hours in worship and prayer seeking revelation on how I can better gird up the loins of my mind.

Always remember, we aren’t wrestling against flesh and blood, yet we do need to put on our whole armor and engage in the battle. Passivity isn’t going to deliver you from Jezebel’s witchcraft.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

When it comes to witchcraft, we have to withstand it. The Amplified Bible says to “be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]” (1 Pet. 5:9). It’s easy enough to give in to witchcraft, especially if you don’t know what is attacking you. So again, when you feel like giving up, when you feel tired for no reason, when you have strong confusion, when you are fighting an intense battle in your mind and when infirmities are manifesting, it could be witchcraft. Resist it at its onset. Cast it off. Submit yourself to God. "Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you" (James 4:7, AMP).

Again, submit yourself to the lordship of Christ. Exalt His name. Thank Him for His blood. Rejoice in the Lord. Praise and worship carry breakthrough. That’s often all it takes to change the spiritual climate in your home. And worship is where we should start because He is worthy of our adoration.

If worship doesn’t break the witchcraft, take authority over it in the name above all names. Witchcraft has to bow at the name of Jesus. But make sure you don’t have any common ground with the enemy. Repent for any rebellion in your heart, and surrender your will anew to God. Remember, we are more than conquerors in Christ, and no weapon formed against us can prosper—not even witchcraft. Our job is to be spiritually discerning enough to catch the devil at his onset, resist him, rebuke him and praise God for the victory. Amen.

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel and The Making of a Prophet. You can email Jennifer at jennifer.leclaire@charismamedia.com or visit her website at www.jenniferleclaire.org.

Trailblazers "Ablaze With His Glory - Fierce Lions Against the Kingdom of Darkness" - Elaine Tavolacci

Elaine Tavolacci:

Trailblazers "Ablaze With His Glory - 

Fierce Lions Against the Kingdom of Darkness"

The Elijah List

The Lord is showing me that He is raising up a new generation of trailblazers. Many great men and women of God have passed away within the last few years, but the Lord is raising up men and women who are strong, adamant, uncompromising, and will do great exploits in the days ahead. 

The definition of a trailblazer is a person who blazes a trail for others to follow through unsettled country or wilderness.

"They Have Been Chosen to Deliver"

The Lord says, "I am looking for the trailblazers who will prepare the way to release My glory on this earth as it is in Heaven. I am looking for the leaders who will rise up and help others find their way to what they were called to do. They will not go in their own strength, but they will go in the anointing and authority that I have placed on them.

"They will trumpet My voice and teach others My ways. They will be used to demonstrate My Kingdom with miracles, signs, and wonders following.

"Many of them have been delivered from the depths of Hell themselves, therefore they are adamant, courageous, and fearless against the onslaught of the enemy. They will go into the enemy's camp, and places where others fear to go, to rescue the captives. 

They are as fierce lions against the kingdom of darkness, and they will stand immovable in the face of adversity.

"They will train others how to run, and teach them when to stand. 

They will reach down to help others out, when they have fallen into a pit. They are those who never settle back into their old ways, or partake of the things that they were once set free from. They will rescue and deliver those whose lives are in disarray, fear, and confusion. They have been chosen to deliver others from the very things that they were set free from, and nothing will derail them from their mission.

"Their Expectations Are Far Above Human Reasoning"

"They will release My glory wherever they go. They will carry My anointing into the highways and the byways, because they have become ablaze with My glory. I have made them to be a flame of fire to carry My Word to the nations. They are those who stand in the face of adversity and will not be afraid to go forth in My power. They are conduits of My anointing because they are not ashamed of My Name or My Word.

"They are unique and have been set apart for such a time as this, and they know that they are chosen for a particular assignment. These trailblazers are steadfast in their convictions and uncompromising in their walk with Me. They are the ones who will go forth and do great exploits, as they are tenacious in faith and not lax in prayer and intercession. They will impart to others what I have given to them.

"Their expectations are far above human reasoning. They will create a path and deliver the captive out of dilemmas because they are the forerunners who will lead people out of the wilderness.

"Just as John the Baptist was called to prepare the way, I am calling the trailblazers of this day to go ahead and prepare the way once again, because I am about to come and release My Glory on this earth, in this time and season," says the Lord.

Psalm 104:4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.

Jeremiah 20:9 "Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not."

John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father."

Elaine Tavolacci
A Word in Season

Email: Elaine@awordinseason.info
Website: awordinseason.info

Elaine Tavolacci resides in Staten Island, New York. She has been a student of the Word for twenty-nine years. She has a prophetic gift as well as a ministry of encouragement, which teaches the Body of Christ to walk in the fullness of what the Lord has called them to. 

She teaches others how to be overcomers in every area of their lives and understands the power and authority that Jesus has assigned to them. Her ministry, "A Word in Season," has been an encouragement to others for nine years. She has learned the transforming power of the Word of God and encourages others that nothing is impossible with God.

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March 23, 2014 Elaine Tavolacci: Trailblazers "Ablaze With His Glory - Fierce Lions Against the Kingdom of Darkness" From the desk of Steve Shultz: I know there are some great "Trailblazers" who God is raising up... and you'll be greatly encouraged by Elaine Tavolacci's prophetic word here. As Elaine shares: The Lord is showing me that He is raising up a new generation of trailblazers. Many great men and women of God have passed away within the last few years, but the Lord is raising up men and women who are strong, adamant, uncompromising, and will do great exploits in the days ahead. It's truly a Kairos time to be a part of the Body of Christ! Blessings, Steve To receive daily, encouraging prophetic emails from The Elijah List to your inbox CLICK HERE. *** Note from Steve Shultz: Your support for the Elijah List helps to pay the cost to deliver daily Words from the Lord to you for FREE. You help us by simply purchasing your prophetic and other Christian resources from a selection of over 6,000 products directly from us at: elijahshopper.com. We appreciate our dear readers and we thank you for supporting your Elijah List staff! Blessings, Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News  http://www.elijahlist.com http://www.breakingchristiannews.com To subscribe to The Elijah List go to: http://elijahlist.com/subscribe NEW! The Pleasure of His Company: A Journey to Intimate Friendship with God by Dutch Sheets $16.99 Book NEW! Creation Waits for WHO? by Anne Elmer Book, E-Book, Audio Book on CD or Audio Book MP3 $13.99 $10.99 $19.99 $14.99

Lighthouses. Shine on!

 

I like lighthouses. Always have. I named my business decades ago, "Martin Lighthouse Services". I believe it was the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew) guiding me even then.

It may be cliche', but let His light shine through you today. The darkness needs to be broken!

Shalom and ahava (love in Hebrew),

Steve Martin

Love For His People