Hi all,
The
Internet is alive with speculation about what is going to happen this
fall ranging from an asteroid hitting the earth in September to complete
economic collapse and everything else in between. But for me, He has
told me nothing about an economic collapse this fall – collapse, yes,
and I have concerns about this September-October time frame, but what He
described was a larger world-wide process over a couple of years
between this summer and ending with, "2017 will be a bad year for the
world."
The
vast amount of what He has said to me has to do with the body of
Christ. I encourage you to read this coming Friday’s “Weekly Thoughts”
which is the first part of a rare-for-me spiritual dream, and I will
write it out over the course of a couple of weeks, which contains more
information about the body of Christ and what He is doing.
My
encouragement to you in this space is to focus on what He is asking you
to do right now, today, in your walk with Him. He is the 'I AM', the
ever-present One, so remain in the present by being in His presence and
conversationally throughout your day, talk to Him and listen in your
heart for His response. Concerning world events - If He isn't telling
you directly to do ‘this or that’ to prepare for ‘this or that’, then He
has your ‘this or that’ taken care of - rest in that and be about the
Father’s business!
Our focus
One day when I was complaining to Him
that others were saying economic collapse and other disasters this fall
but He was only talking to me about what He is doing in the earth, (not
that some of that will or won't happen I don’t know), but to me He said:
“Look
at the letters of the New Testament and events of that time. Where was
their focus?” When I took a step back to think about the pages of the
New Testament, I realized that for all the cultural and political
persecution of the day, and all the intrigue of Roman politics, the
pages of the NT are all about growing up into maturity in Christ and
doing all to walk in love, not on current political, economic and
military events.
They
were so enthusiastic about Christ in them and what that meant to
themselves, their families, and those around them, they weren’t moved by
world events, though they were aware of them.
Paul did write the coming of the Lord will be like a thief in the night to the unsaved, but not to the saved. So it means we will be
able to view world events as pieces fitting into a puzzle leading up to
the return of Christ.
Excerpt from my dream – about the US and believers
“The
collapse will come when conservatives are in charge, and they will be
blamed for the nation’s ills, though what will happen is actually the
result of poor decisions made by many before them. Conservatives,
Christians, and Jews will be blamed for standing in the way of progress;
then will come to pass the words I told you in 2003: ‘Laws that are
designed to protect my people will one day be used against them.’ US
culture is about to change in ways many thought could never happen.
Remember what I told you in 2005, that in 10 years you won’t recognize
your country for what it has become, and truly that has come to pass.”
“Remember
when I told you the nation would face disasters natural, political,
economic, and more, like a conspiracy of events and circumstances one
after another, which will overwhelm the nation. Those days are soon
coming, but those are days when many of those who know me and are
walking in what I’ve been saying to them, and as I’ve said to you, will
prosper and be lights in a dark world. They are the ones who will not be
shaken, but will walk as giants in the land, for many will rise and be
blessed in many areas during this time and become leaders to those
around them. House church will become THE way of doing church in the US
and much of the world and one of the marked differences in Christians
you’ll be able to discern is those caught up in fear, and those who are
walking circumspectly in peace.”
I’ve
hesitated sharing even this small part of what He has told me, and
though this e-newsletter goes to many nations, what happens in the US
affects the whole world, so I thought it would be of interest. Many
people are wrapped up in spiritual fear, not just natural fear, but
under the influence of a spirit of fear that rules the news outlets and a
good portion of ‘Christian’ news outlets, that the fine line between
prudence with common sense, and ‘the sky is falling’ fear is often
blurred. But the reason people are stirred in the first place is because
almost everyone realizes ‘something’ is changing, ‘something’ is going
on, and there is a sense in many believer’s spirits that we are on the
edge of massive changes – and that is correct.
When
the Lord appeared to me in early November 2001 and said “I want you to
start a house church and house church network…” and I asked why, He said
“It’s against a time to come. Be a resource for them, for it’s against a
time to come.” So from the start we’ve known family based church meeting in the home
would come into its own in the future, and all we’ve done to this point
has been foundational, flowing with the preparations of the Spirit.
Ahead of, or behind the curve?
I’m
not trying to sound doom and gloom, but I am trying to communicate the
seriousness of the times, and how your greatest resources are people who
are on the same spiritual page as you. Gone are the days of throw away
relationships in Christ – it is time to grow up and work through
differences and walk in love, seeing the bigger
picture.
Chris
Just
today plumbers were here installing and hooking up Chris’ bathroom
sinks, the one being open and shaped so a wheelchair can roll under,
with the other side being ‘normal’ with a cabinet under it. We are SO
thankful to have sinks and water in those bathroom sinks! It sounds so
minor, but it has been so long, the final sink having arrived just
yesterday afternoon – special order for handicapped access.
Content in Christ?
I
was spending some time about 3 weeks ago with one of our granddaughters,
age 6, and as she sat on my lap she said matter-of-factly as she patted
my stomach: “Grandpa, your tummy is pretty big, but it’s not too bad.” I
chuckled quietly to myself at her transparent innocence, and asked
looking for hope; “It’s not too bad?” To which she affirmed, “No, it’s
okay, it isn’t too bad. It could be bigger, so it’s not too bad.” And
just a couple days ago she made note of it again when I took she and her
sister to dinner, telling me with a pat on my stomach it was still big
but still not too bad…hmmm…ok Lord, I get it, I get it already!
I
realized I may have become a bit too content with the size of my
stomach, which was confirmed the next morning when I stepped on the
dreaded teller of truth that spares no feelings – the bathroom scale.
Somehow her sweet remark made me think about a spiritual fat stomach I’d
been content with – for me the area of impatience and resulting anger –
and resolved to ‘work on it’ and lose that weight, both physical and
spiritual – like by overlooking drivers who don’t know that little stick
on the side of the steering wheel can actually indicate which direction
they might turn, or the person who thinks the left lane (in US) is the
go slow do-not-pass lane, and making a choice to overlook general
incompetence…growth and stretching as you know what they say about
praying for patience – don’t! He will answer that prayer by giving you
multiple opportunities in each day to exercise patience.
I
regularly pray Paul’s prayer of Ephesians 1:17-18 and Colossians 1:9 for
myself, that the eyes of my understanding would be opened and I’d have
spiritual wisdom and understanding, but it has been awhile since I’ve
asked for help with that spiritual stomach that needs to get smaller.
The larger issue is not being content to spiritually tread water, but
rather seek continual growth in Christ, to be more like Him in every
area – not only to know the power of His resurrection, but also the
fellowship of His suffering, no matter what form that takes. And for
right now for me, it means working at making that stomach and spiritual
stomach, a bit smaller.
So
what has He been asking you to do? It probably isn’t to build a backyard
bunker ready to hide from world events, but more along the lines of
your own ‘spiritual stomach’. Focus on that, for we know that while we
live in nations, our true home and citizenship is really in a place
called heaven, and that is our focus.
Thank
you to all who donate to help us do what we do. I so appreciate the
emails and notes hearing how the teachings have brought balance and
insight into the ways of the Lord – you are our greatest reward.
Planned
travels as mentioned last month include Washington State and Vancouver
areas August 2-9, Osawatomie, Kansas August 22-23, Florida September
23-30, New England October 13-20. If interested email me at
cwowi@aol.com for information.
Blessing and thank you SO very much for being part of our lives,
and allow me (us) to be part of yours!
John and Barb
New cd/MP3 series:
(2 CD's $15 or MP3 $5 each)
Identifying and Understanding Your Energy Gifts, the 5-Fold, and How to Move in them Part
2 completes the teaching on the energy gifts, and defines other gifts
including the 5-fold in proper context - not what you've heard before.
Going into the Old Testament which Paul quoted in his teaching on the
5-fold in Ephesians to gain cultural understanding, part 2 takes the
teaching on a person's gifts out of the auditorium and into normal
everyday life as intended. You'll have a more complete understanding of
who you are in Christ and confidence He is living through you in
everyday life, ordering your steps daily!
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