Hi all,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Barb had her gallbladder out December 1st and while in there they found gall stone blockage further 'downstream', which required a transfer to the main hospital and another procedure the next day. But she is up and around now and doing well. She has a few more tests in January for some other things, and I have my Afib/cardio consultation January 9 followed within the month by the ablation procedure on my quivering nerve in my upper left heart, but everything in its time.
It has
been rather weird for us to be so focused on ourselves the past few
months, no long trips, limited Skype and phone calls, limited
involvement with our Tulsa core - but needful for health’s sake, not
only ours, but some issues with Chris and his health, and the group
home. We look forward to the turn of the year and getting more active
along with the many trips on the calendar.
Remember this? Many will
recall how the Father told me earlier this year "2017 will be
a difficult time for the world" and other things related to the time
after the current US President leaves office. Last month you'll recall
the vision I shared of the 2 layers of clouds, separate, each layer
representing the efforts and focus each has.
If you think that through, it becomes
clear the lower cloud level which the Father tied to the soon to be
former President's efforts to change everything from voting district
boundaries to culture in the big cities and streets, and the upper level
being the new President's administration - it becomes clear there will
continue to be 2 streams in the US, the 'discussion' about the level of
involvement the federal government should have in the lives of its
citizens, and to what degree the federal government adheres to the
US Constitution. It is a matter of prayer, but the 2 streams that will
continue are clearly seen in that vision I've shared about.
You'll also remember that I was flying
in between the cloud layers, not touching either. I took it to mean I
was representing the larger body of Christ in doing so, showing me there
will be a time of protection flying between the layers as we weren't
the focus of either layer, and I take comfort in that. He (Father) told
me at the time of the top layer; "They will be focused on things which
will require their full attention" and of the lower layer, "They are
looking down, not up, and will try to affect you (Christians) indirectly
- but they will not now succeed." That left me wondering...not now...
One of the things the Lord told me recently
The words He used carry meaning and spiritual baggage for many, so I
need to establish the context because what some might think He was
talking about isn't at all what He was saying. Just this past week He
told me (the Lord, not the Father) we will see the rise of people
talking about 'kingdom culture', but His part of it is in a balanced
way, though many would veer out of balance with it.
He then started to explain what it was
not, saying I would hear of little sects and ministries here and there,
and larger groups claiming to be kingdom culture, but they are off
balance. It is rare for Him to make blanket statements, so I asked for
more detail. He said, "It is their movement, not something I'm doing on a
larger scale, but still, I will do what I can within many of them
according to the knowledge they have. If they have to advertise as their
main point that they are kingdom culture, they aren't. Kingdom culture
is who you are, in your spirit, and in your relationships, ever growing
and maturing in Me."
To Him, kingdom culture involves the core
elements we see from the Garden of Eden through the New Testament -
family and relationship based faith that is focused on living godly and
holy lives. When I asked for chapter and verse He said: "Sure. II
Timothy 1:9."The Father has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our efforts, but according to His purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal."
He continued: "The Father has saved you
and called you with a holy calling. Many who believe have turned aside
from this, being self deceived, thinking they can live however they
wish, their lusts finding justification they think, in Me." (He was
clearly angry at this, His emotion and appearance in His face proving it
to the point I was a bit nervous as He spoke, for it reminded me of His
instructions and warnings to the 7 churches in The Revelation chapters 2
& 3.)
"Kingdom culture in your world includes
all that I hold dear - the fruit of the Spirit, the strong and godly
character found in my true disciples - THAT is what I am doing, though
many will touch only elements and certain aspects and run with it,
saying 'We are kingdom culture!' From such turn away, for again I say to
you, if they have to announce it in a way to let all know that is their
main emphasis, they are not living it, but only have part of it right.
Balance son, always balance."
Those were some pretty cautionary words
and there were more things as well; He talked about how things we call
moves of God come and go with the seasons, but He said 2017 will see
more unity in the body of Christ where it counts. He told me of some
notable people who would die in the coming weeks and months and said to
observe the reactions of people. He said His timing is such that as
leaders from a past generation die the level of dependence people had on
them is revealed, forcing His people to either fall away or focus on
Him within. That was one of the most significant points of this
visitation - not just Him growing His kingdom within true disciples (and
the difference becoming more apparent between true disciples and those
who are believers in name only, but His perspective that as leaders die
it forces believers to turn inward to Him and them, not Him and that
leader's body of work and them. I'll share more at a later time, but for
me, I like to digest the visitations I have with Him, and let His words
echo around my being awhile...I think you know how that is, like
savoring a great taste or aroma.
Jesus is comfortable in any culture, because He is a culture within Himself - and we can be like that too
If you look at the Lord Jesus you see He was comfortable in whatever
culture He found Himself. When He was casting Legion out of the Greek
man in the 10 Greek cities called ‘Decapolis’* He was just as at ease as
He was in Jerusalem. (*Mk 5:20) When He was talking to the Roman
Centurion in Matthew 8 He was just as comfortable talking to the
Pharisees. Jesus was comfortable in whatever culture and surrounding He
was, because He was secure in Himself.
When
Christ is in us we can also be comfortable in whatever culture we find
ourselves –from the home of an unbeliever to an auditorium church to
someone’s living room – if we focus on Christ in us and His ease.
That the Lord Jesus was willing to come to
earth, let alone be born in a stable, shows us He is comfortable in any
culture – from a stable in Bethlehem to our own hearts.
Translators needed! We
are still looking for people to translate my Weekly Thoughts and
e-newsletters into Finnish, German, and other languages - even if you
aren't able to do it on a weekly basis, consider 2x per month on the
Weekly Thoughts - thank you! Contact Wil and Ank at cwowi@solcon.nl for
information.
Wil and Ank - they had an
accident that totaled their car as it was an older model so it didn't
take much to render it un-fixable! lol. But...their desire is to buy a
good used car outright to replace it and we are asking for help in that.
Barb and I have contributed as well as CWOWI, and are opening it to
others who want to help. They travel all over the Netherlands in the
work of the Lord, as well as use it for work and such, so the need is
genuine and urgent. If you would like you can contribute through the EU
web site or our US site, cwowi.org, or if in the US you can also mail a contribution - just mark 'for Wil' and we'll make sure it gets to them.
May we
continue to grow in Jesus’ culture however, focusing not so much on
what He can do for us, but how we might be conformed to His image and
His ‘culture’. Kingdom culture. Thank you for your giving and prayers.
Blessings and much love!
John & Barb
New cd/MP3 series:
Decision Making When You Both Want to be in Charge
Learning
how to argue successfully is a skill that will help you find peace and
the Lord’s will no matter the decision you face, while keeping your
relationships intact. This series teaches point by point the ‘rules’ of
arguing based on scripture and life experience that will get you through
the storms of life – together. For marriages, friendships, working
relationships and neighbors, learning the points in this series will
help you understand the other point of view while getting yours across
in a way that builds strength into the relationship. I wish someone had
taught these things to Barb and I when we were teenagers – we had to
learn them through the school of hard knocks – and now they are shared
with you.
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