Prophetic Dream: The Year of Authentic Identity - RYAN JOHNSON CHARISMA NEWS

Do you want to be the wheat? (Lightstock )

Prophetic Dream: The Year of Authentic Identity

 1/31/2016 RYAN JOHNSON  charisma news

Recently I had a quick but very intense dream of a large field filled with wheat swaying back and forth with the wind.

In the dream, I specifically saw large, rolling hills of wheat going up and down through the large amount of land. It seemed to be covering every aspect of land that I could see in every direction.

As the wind picked up, the wheat naturally began to take the impact of the effects. It was then in the vision that I began to notice a distinct sound due to the wind hitting the wheat. It was almost like a scene from a movie but the wheat became enlarged to my eyesight and I noticed that the wheat was taking a beating from the tares that were in the field as well.

The noise I heard appeared to be coming from the tares themselves. It was an odd noise in which that the only way I can describe it was like an abusive attacker. As the wind picked up, the tares keep thrashing the wheat that began to go lower than the tares. It appeared that the tares were actually beating the wheat down to the ground.

As this was happening for a while the wheat became superimposed again, but this time when I saw the wheat (because it was so close to my eyes), I could no longer see the tares. It was then that I realized that the tares were not actually beating the wheat down, but the wheat where becoming prostrate and, through that, the wheat were producing fruit. Immediately when I saw this, I yelled out in my dream, "Lord I know this! I recognize that the wheat will produce fruit and bow down."

Immediately the wind stopped and I heard in my spirit, "Son, I am going to use the wind of my Spirit in such a way that the year before you will be a year of authentic identity. What has seemed like a battle from those who only appear righteous, is a part of what I am releasing. I will position many to be brought forth from the field, from the depth of hills and valleys, where no man has seen or recognized the voice of the fruit they will bear. They will no more be hidden and what has appeared to be violent at the hands of those who desire to see the wheat fail, I am using the wind of my spirit to raise authentic fruit from a prostrate position."

In my dream, I began to weep as I heard the voice of the LORD and as I wept, I began to say over and over, "Lord, I want to be that wheat. I want to be that authentic identity." As I was doing this, the wind began to pick up again, but this time it felt like it was surrounding me. It was then I woke up.

I have weighed this dream in my spirit and I believe that the LORD is calling every son and daughter of God to realize the importance of being real—not what a denomination says you are to be. Not what a group says you are to be. Not what the TV evangelist, your pastor, the guest speaker and so on. ... God is calling you to be who you are to be ... authentic.

The time of imitations, echoes and Internet sermons is coming to an end. God is calling forth those who have been planted to be exactly who He created, destined and dreamed you to be. With that, I believe that 2016 is the year of Authentic Identity. God, unlike days before, is establishing authentic apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists, deacons, elders, revivalists, pioneers, forerunners, worshippers, dancers, artists and authors through a distinct wind of His Spirit.

Ryan Johnson is a part of New Breed Revival Network (nbrevival.com), which is under the leadership of Ryan LeStrange, Jennifer LeClaire, Joe Dawson, Ken Malone and Barbara Yoder. Ryan has been a part of crusades in Chile and Nicaragua; Missions Home Building Project with YWAM in Mexico, guest speaker in many different churches, conferences, and/or special events throughout the United States.

For the original article, visit ryanjohnson.blog.com.

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Lt. Gen. Jeremy Boykin prays & prophecies over Rick Joyner - MorningStar Ministries

Lt. Gen. Jeremy Boykin & MorningStar elders 

pray & prophecies 

over Rick Joyner

MorningStar Ministries

12.31.15

Published on Jan 2, 2016

Lt. Gen. Jeremy Boykin (Ret.) prays and prophecies over Rick Joyner, Joined by elders of the ministry - Jorge Parrot, Dave Yarnes, Tom Hardiman, Justin Perry, and others - MorningStar New Year 12.31.15

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Why Are the Elders Following the Youth? - Michael Brown

Why Are the Elders Following the Youth?

5/4/2015 MICHAEL BROWN  charisma news

Why are the elders of the church looking to their youth? (Flickr/Creative Commons)

I believe in today's young generation and I am deeply committed to this young generation, but I do not believe that the older generation should be following the younger generation. To the contrary, young people should be following their godly elders.

There is a reason that 25-year-olds cannot run for president.

There is a reason that 14-year-olds are not given driver's licenses.

There is a reason that the Scriptures call on the youth to submit to the elders rather than the elders to submit to the youth (see, for example, Lev. 19:32; 1 Pet. 5:1-6).

Of course, that doesn't mean that young people can't be wise, nor does it mean that young people don't have important perspectives on life, perspectives that their elders often miss.

That's why my ear is always open to young people, especially when it seems that there is a disconnect between the generations.

Wise elders not only lecture, they also listen.

A pastor recently commented to me that when my generation hears the word "homosexuality," they think of an issue; when the younger generation hears the word, they think of a person.

In this case, both perspectives are important, and if we don't take into consideration both the societal issues and the people involved, we will not have God's heart and mind in full.

At the same time, it is a terrible mistake to make our decisions or to make public policy based on how the younger generations feel.

Instead, it is our job to set godly examples for them, to learn to communicate effectively to them, and to do our best to shape their thinking and guide their conduct based on what is right and good.

It is true that the younger generation has more influence today than ever, and it is true that they are often the shakers and movers of our society. But that doesn't mean their perspectives are right or mature, nor does it mean that, rather than setting the path for them to follow, we should start following them. Whoever came up with such an idea?

To be clear, I'm talking as a leader in the church, where the Scriptures set the standards for us and where children are called to honor their parents and youth are called to honor their elders. I'm not expecting your average non-believer to show the older generation that respect (although, before the 1960s, your average young person was taught to show that respect). Yet even in the church, such respect is often lacking because of the over-exaltation of youth culture today.

To give you a case in point, a younger colleague of mine is good friends with a well-connected leader who hosts major conferences for young adults, and this colleague urged him to have a nationally known speaker address the conference. (The speaker was in his late 50s.) His friend replied, "That wouldn't work, because the speaker is too old. They'll hear it better from their peers."

Do we realize how wrong this is?

A good youth leader will inculcate a spirit of respect and honor for the older generation as well as for authority figures in general, to the point that they would consider it a special privilege to learn from an older man or woman of God rather than thinking, "What's that old geezer got to teach me?"

That kind of attitude is totally out of line, not to mention terribly destructive.

To repeat: I believe in this younger generation and I'm deeply committed to this younger generation, and I hold young people in high esteem.

Since 1983 (when I was pretty young myself), I've poured into college-age young people on an almost weekly basis and, to be honest, I'm with them so much and I feel so youthful in heart, mind and body that I'm always surprised when I look in the mirror and see how old I look. (Seriously.)

I'm in touch with young people day and night through social media, and I have plenty of open doors to minister to them, so in no way do I feel shut out or cut off. And I absolutely believe that young people can do mighty exploits for God.

One of my spiritual sons, Daniel Kolenda, who now heads up Christ for All Nations (which was founded by Reinhard Bonnke), led millions of people to faith in Jesus before he turned 30, and he is one of many being used by God at a young age. (Some are even younger.)

In that same spirit, Paul instructed Timothy to let no one despise his youth (perhaps he was in his 30s too) but to set an example for the body (see 1 Tim. 4:12).

The problem is the mentality of our culture, which has turned things upside down in a destructive and harmful way.

When our daughters were in their mid-teens (they're now in their mid-30s, each with two kids), they told my wife, Nancy, and I that we were too strict and that they didn't like our household rules. I told them, "I want you to make a list of everything we're doing wrong as parents and then to write out what the rules should be, and I want you to look at the list once you have your own kids."

We laugh about it today (their kids range from 14 to 8), since their list included things like, "No curfews and no restrictions."

That's why parents raise children rather than children raising parents, and that's why a few years ago, our older daughter said to Nancy, "I'm so glad you raised me the way you did."

Last week, I spoke to 2,000 teens and young adults at a conference in Singapore, and I asked them, "If it was up to you, would you have no mandatory school, classes and tests?" They responded with an enthusiastic "Yes!"

But of course. They're young people.

The fact is that the same generation of Christian young people that is much more "tolerant" about things like homosexuality is also dreadfully illiterate biblically, also having lower moral standards in general. (I fault the parents and pastors for this more than the kids.)

Why should we be following their lead?

To be sure, we should try to see the world through their eyes and be sensitive to the valid perspectives they have, especially when it comes to issues of social justice. But having done that, we should now help them integrate those perspectives into a biblical worldview.

When I was a hippie teenager, one of our mottos (spoken or unspoken) was, "Don't trust anyone over 30." You can see where that got us, and you can see how unbiblical that is. (For some excellent reflections on this, with important insights from the Scriptures, see "On the Value of Being Older" by cultural commentator Bill Muehlenberg.)

The fact is, our perspectives change over the years (in other words, it is not inevitable that the younger generation will hold to the same value system or worldview when it becomes the older generation), and a society that follows the counsel of the youth and scorns the wisdom of the elders is a society headed towards self-destruction (see 1 Kin. 12).

Thankfully, it's not too late to turn the tide in America and beyond, but that means that we of the older generation need to get our acts together and, with wisdom, maturity, sensitivity and compassion, live our lives worthy of the respect and honor of the youth, people who are called by God to be world-changers in the best sense of the word if we can help them find their way.

Michael Brown is the author of 25 books, including Can You Be Gay and Christian? and host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show "The Line of Fire." He is also president of FIRE School of Ministry and director of the Coalition of Conscience.

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Ron Cantor - "Even 'God’s Anointed' Leaders Can Abuse the Flock" (CHARISMANEWS)

Even 'God’s Anointed' Leaders Can Abuse the Flock

10/29/2013 RON CANTOR, charismanews

 

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Ron Cantor

“It doesn’t really matter what you say I have done. God has called me here, and you can’t stand in His way.”

According to a friend of mine, these were the words a leader of a congregation used as he responded to a congregant, who sought to challenge him on issues of deep concern—issues of sin.  

It reminded me of something that happened while I was in Bible school. I had been attending a church on Long Island led by a dynamic preacher. Everyone loved his fiery teachings. He was truly anointed. However, I became concerned when, during a service, he physically attacked an usher. The usher had laid his hand on someone, and the wife of the pastor removed his hand, as he was there to usher, not to pray. The usher reacted angrily to the pastor’s wife, and both he and the pastor had to be physically restrained. 

I stopped going to this congregation. A few weeks later, some of my college buddies came back to the campus with glowing reports of Pastor Phil’s (not his real name) latest message. “You’ve got to hear it, Ron!” they crowed.

I popped the cassette into my Walkman (it was 1986!) and listened as Pastor Phil screamed at the people and blamed them for this and that. I did not sense anointing but human anger. 

A few weeks later, I was told that Pastor Phil prophesied over a young lady in the church, just after he returned from a four-day prayer retreat, in which it was discovered he brought the very same young lady with him. Someone saw them return together, and Pastor Phil was confronted regarding his adulterous affair.

When the elders sat down with Phil and his wife for this confrontation, the very first words out of his wife’s mouth were, “He is still anointed.”

Most women would have hit him, yelled at him and called him a cheating #$%^—yes, even believing women. But this wife's greater concern was for her husband's authority in the congregation—that it would not be forfeited. While this was an elder-led team, she had much freedom as the senior pastor’s wife and loved being in that position. 

In her mind, Phil was God’s anointed, even if that anointing did not help him with his zipper! It was like she was saying, "David committed adultery, and he was still king. Who are these elders to remove us from power? We are God’s anointed!"

The theory that leaders can only be removed by God comes from 1 Samuel 26:9-11, where David warns his trusted friend Abishai not to kill King Saul:

"'Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives,' he said, 'the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord's anointed'” (NIV).

A Dangerous Doctrine

From this text, some leaders have derived a very dangerous doctrine regarding a senior leader and accountability. According to this doctrine, the senior leader is understood as having a position like the ancient kings of Israel. He is "God’s anointed"; therefore, he is not to be removed by any process of men—no matter what he does. He is beyond congregational discipline. While he may have elders or a board, they are advisers only, and all decisions are his to make. Within his sphere, he is the final authority (or, as I call it, dictator).  

If he abuses people or they do not like his decisions, they have two choices. They can either submit to his leadership and entrust the situation to God, or they can quietly leave the community. In any case, they are to make no waves or protest in their leaving. Those who do are labeled rebellious troublemakers and often become the target of malicious rumors and gossip.

In these circles, the authority of the senior leader is taught in very absolute terms. We are told, “Touch not God’s anointed.” I believe it is a destructive and devilish doctrine, and people should separate from those who teach it. 

To be clear, we should honor and respect those who have embraced the yoke of leadership, but leaders should be held to an even higher standard than those in their congregations: 

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly" (James 3:1).

The Leader Is Not a King

In the New Testament, congregations are not led by kings. Yes, I know in many circles the pastor and his wife are treated like royalty. Some even refer to the pastor’s wife as first lady. 

Just this morning, a pastor friend was telling me of a young elder who said, “Now that I am an elder, people will respect me.”

My friend told him that it was quite the opposite: “Now that you are an elder, you give up your rights in order to serve.”

In Hebrew, the word for minister (mesharet) is the same word for servant. A leader is called to serve, not to be crowned. Yeshua said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

New Testament congregations should be governed by teams of elders under the direction of a senior leader who is accountable to the team. Both Titus and Timothy, who were senior leaders, were encouraged to appoint elders (Titus 1:5; 1 Tim. 3:1-13). And elders govern the congregation:

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17, emphasis added).

David Had a Conflict of Interest

One of the reasons why David did not take Saul’s life is because he knew with Saul out of the way, he would be the new king. Therefore, in killing Saul, he would have been taking his destiny into his own hands. He wanted God to make him king—not to take the kingdom by the strength of his sword. 

Saul did not declare himself God’s anointed.

It most cases today, it is the senior leader who declares himself to be God’s anointed and therefore untouchable by man. In the case of David and Saul, it is Saul’s enemy, David, who calls Saul God’s anointed. It is a dangerous thing for a man to declare himself God’s anointed. 

In Bible school, I had the opportunity to meet the great English Bible teacher David Pawson. After one of his messages (he was teaching all week), I was deeply moved. I felt like I had heard from a prophet. I walked up to Mr. Pawson and asked, “Are you a prophet?”

He wisely said with his beautiful British accent, “That is not for me to say, but you.” And he walked away.

I was blown away. He was right. You don’t become a prophet or God’s anointed because you post it on your Facebook page or business card. You can’t declare yourself an apostle, as did the drunk and abusive character that Robert Duvall played in The Apostle. No, others affirm the gift of God in your life.

So let us be done with this wicked doctrine. It is inspired from below. May God raise up strong leaders who are secure enough to be accountable to their elders. If you find yourself in a situation where a senior leader refuses to be accountable because he is "God's anointed," my advice is to run! Find a congregation that has clear standards of morality for its leaders.

Ron Cantor is the director of Messiah’s Mandate International in Israel, a Messianic ministry dedicated to taking the message of Jesus from Israel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Cantor also travels internationally teaching on the Jewish roots of the New Testament. He serves on the pastoral team of Tiferet Yeshua, a Hebrew-speaking congregation in Tel Aviv. His newest book, Identity Theft, was released April 16. Follow him at @RonSCantor on Twitter.

Happy New Year! Jews Will Blow the Shofar (Ram's Horn) in Synagogues

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Happy New Year! Jews Will Blow the Shofar (Ram's Horn) in Synagogues on Thursday and Friday (Re-posting) Posted: 02 Sep 2013 03:41 AM PDT Yemenite Jew blowing the shofar (circa 1935) "Blow the Shofar at the New Moon...Because It Is a Decree for Israel, a Judgment Day for the God of Jacob"  - Psalms 81 Jews around the world prepare for Rosh Hashanna this week, the festive New Year holiday when the shofar -- ram's horn -- is blown in synagogues.  The American Colony photographers recorded a dozen pictures of Jewish elders blowing the shofar in Jerusalem some 80 years ago.  The horn was also blown in Jerusalem to announce the commencement of the Sabbath.  During the month prior to Rosh Hashana, the shofar was blown at daily morning prayers to encourage piety before the High Holidays.    Ashkenazi Jew in Jerusalem blowing the shofar to announce the Sabbath Yemenite Rabbi Avram, donning tfillin for his daily prayers, blowing the shofar View the American Colony Photographers' collection of shofar blowers in Jerusalem here. Click on the pictures to enlarge. Click on captions to view the original picture. Receive Israel Daily Picture on your computer or iPhone by subscribing.  Just enter your email in the box in the right sidebar of the Internet site www.israeldailypicture.com