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October 23, 2005
Catherine
Brown: Cross-Pollination Vision
Catherine Brown
One Million Hours of Praise
www.millionhoursofpraise.com
 THE
LORD HOLDS THE WORLD IN HIS HANDS
During a time of prayer, I had a vision in which I saw the Lord Jesus
holding a small globe in His hands. As the Lord held the world in His
hands, the central axis of the earth opened up, forming two equal halves,
and swarms of bees emerged from the centre. Fascinated by what I had just
witnessed, I continued to watch the activity of the bees. Half the bees
worked on the fields on one side of the axis, whilst the other half worked
on the fields on the opposite side.
CROSS-POLLINATE
After spending some time observing the bees working, the Lord gave this
instruction: "Cross-pollinate!" In response, the bees began
to cross over into other fields. They continued their work of pollination,
but this time, they were in different fields and on the other side of
the axis of the world from which they had originally been working.
IT IS GOOD
Jesus smiled. He surveyed the work and crossed His arms; still smiling,
the Lord said, "It is good." I noticed that the blooms, which
were produced as a result of the cross-pollination, were extraordinarily
beautiful and unusual in their shape, color, and form. Their fragrance
was breathtaking. Isn't it lovely when God engages our senses in a spiritual
experience with Him?
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION:
MULTIPLY!
To cross-pollinate is to bring two elements (pollen and a flower or plant)
together, in order to reproduce a new bloom or fruit. The bee is the means
through which the Lord creates these new blooms. The vision speaks of
increased fruitfulness in the body of Christ, brought about through the
formation of new and unusual alliances inspired by the Holy Spirit. The
cross-pollination vision indicates multiplication in the body of Christ
as Holy Spirit strengthens existing Godly alliances and brings into being,
new and unusual gatekeeper relationships. This will result in a powerful,
spiritual shift in the nations to the glory of God, as we learn to co-labor
together in innovative and exciting ways.
KINGDOM ALIGNMENT
Ultimately, God's intention is to give His ambassadors access to "gates"
of nations to change and affect their destiny and bring them into Kingdom
alignment. As Holy Spirit directs the cross-pollination of ministries,
giftings, and callings, God will bring us together in unity, love, and
servant hood so that He can pour out His Kingdom agendas on the earth,
producing fruit to the glory of His name. Unity is God's strategy, and
dominion is His goal.
Spiritual cross-pollination will result in Kingdom deposits of wisdom,
revelation, gifting, and authority being produced and distributed
(and/or re-distributed) in different places or in a different manner than
we may presently be accustomed to. God may ask us to go to a new place
or to new people, either temporarily or permanently, as His ambassadors.
He may simply ask us to go and serve another who is laboring in the harvest
field. The vision and call to cross-pollinate speak of multiplication
of blessing and multiplication of our effectiveness as Christians here
on the earth. It is time for the Kingdom to come with great power and
signs and wonders. It is a time to love in Christ's agape, and in this
way, the multitudes will be won for Jesus.
GATEKEEPERS OF GOD'S PRESENCE
As worshippers, we are all gatekeepers of God's presence. We each have
a place where we have been assigned to co-labor with Holy Spirit and each
other. We have each been gifted in God's grace with His commission, with
His commandments, and with Holy Spirit's gifts and callings. Some are
called to be servant-leaders within the five-fold ministry. All are called
to be lovers of Jesus and to prefer one another in love.
GATEKEEPERS HAVE INDIVIDUAL
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
In order for the fullness of
these new Godly alliances to take place, we must be robed in humility
and be willing to be servants of love. Without this virtue, the bride
will be ineffective in her ability to communicate, collaborate, and cooperate
with Holy Spirit and each other in the dynamic of spiritual cross-pollination.
To the church in Corinth, Paul said this:
"We
do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.
When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with
themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond our
proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned
to us, a field that reaches even to you." --
2 Corinthians 10:12-13
Paul exhorts us not to boast in our works,
but to be humble and Christ-like. Paul loved to glorify Jesus and confined
his "boasting" to be about our glorious Savior: "Let him
who boasts boast in the Lord," (2 Corinthians 10:17). Paul explains
that we are each assigned a field in which we labor for God's glory, indicating
that there are individual spheres of authority within which we operate.
As Kingdom gatekeepers, we are each assigned a particular sphere or area
within which we may exert a Godly influence and operate in Christ's authority
and compassion. One of the first places we operate as gatekeepers is within
our family units.
IDENTIFY AND RECOGNIZE OTHER
GATEKEEPERS AND THEIR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
"We
are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had
not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ.
Neither do we go beyond our limited by boasting of work done by others."
-- 2 Corinthians 10:14-15
Paul recognized that others labored for
Jesus, and [he] was happy to commend them for their ministry of the Gospel.
We must recognize that there are others who labor and witness effectively
for Jesus. Once we understand our calling as gatekeepers, and recognize
others in their particular sphere of influence as gatekeepers, we can
begin to enter into Kingdom alliances that form a corporate expression
in this arena. Gatekeepers have spheres of authority in which they operate;
the individual gatekeeper has an appointed sphere of authority. This is
greatly enhanced when gatekeepers gather together and form a corporate
Kingdom expression of gatekeeper authority, wisdom, and revelation.
EXPONENTIAL INCREASE IN CORPORATE
GATEKEEPER ANOINTING
"Our
hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity
among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the
regions beyond you."
-- 2 Corinthians 10:15b-16
There is the potential for an exponential
increase of Jesus' Kingdom when individual gatekeepers form divinely inspired
alliances. This may be described as a corporate gatekeeper anointing.
We are not called to operate in isolation, since the overall work of the
Gospel is enhanced with cooperation, mutuality, and preferring one another
in love, which leads to Kingdom increase and multiplication.
WHAT IS A GATEKEEPER?
"But
the four principal gatekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility
for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the
night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it;
and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning."
-- 1 Chronicles 9:26b-27
A Kingdom gatekeeper is simply this: a
person whom the Lord has entrusted with keys of revelation, wisdom, and
authority and walks in intimacy with Jesus. Gatekeepers have guardianship
of the treasuries of the house of God. There are many different types
of gatekeepers, and each has a particular "field" of influence
(as previously mentioned). These include worshipping gatekeepers,
community gatekeepers, market place gatekeepers,
and apostolic or prophetic gatekeepers, to name a few. Our
first ministry, as gatekeepers, is to minister to the Lord.
GATEKEEPERS ARE THOSE WHOM
GOD CAN ENTRUST WITH RESPONSIBILITY
"Altogether,
those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They
were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had
been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer.
They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the
house of the Lord -- the house called the Tent." --
1 Chronicles 9:22-23
PIONEER GATEKEEPERS
Gatekeepers are often pioneers. Two Old Testament examples of pioneer
gatekeepers are Joseph and Daniel. Peter may be considered a New Testatment
example of an apostolic gatekeeper as he was given keys of revelation,
power, and authority:
"And
I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys
of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
-- Matthew 17:18-19
A gatekeeper has revelatory keys to unlock
spiritual gates. In order to more fully understand the function of a gatekeeper,
it is helpful to consider the purpose of gates.
JESUS IS THE GATE! HE GIVES
ACCESS AND GRANTS DOMINION
"Jesus
said, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.'"
-- John 10:7
The result of passing through the Gate
that is Christ is salvation!
GATES ARE A POINT OF ACCESS
"While
the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar
them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts
and some near their own houses." -- Nehemiah
7:3
In the days of walled cities, gates were
of tremendous significance. A gate was a point of access or a place where
access was denied to an unwanted intruder or enemy.
GATES ARE PLACES FOR DECISION
MAKING
The gateway was a place where
the elders of the city met to make decisions and settle disputes. Decisions
made at the gates affected the lives and destiny of those under the authority
of the elders. Today, as we consider the corporate effects of gatekeepers,
it is noteworthy that these will impact on a community, national, international,
and global level.
GATES ARE PLACES OF PUBLIC
ASSEMBLY
"When
the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,
all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate.
They told Ezra, the scribe, to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses.
. . " -- Esther 8:1
A PLACE OF HOSPITALITY
Any stranger could seek hospitality at the city gates (e.g. Lot at the
gate of the city).
A PLACE OF ENEMY ACTIVITY
"During
the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bighthana and Teresh,
two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and
conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the
plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving
credit to Mordecai." -- Esther 2:21-22
Satan recognizes that our homes, communities,
cities, and nations are gateways and have the potential for the release
of incredible power, either for good or [for] evil. The story of Esther
reveals that although the enemy conspired at the gate, God had his man
at the gate too, and ultimately, God's Kingdom-agenda prevailed.
A PLACE OF CONVERGENCE/TRANSFORMATION
"When
Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put
on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and
bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one
clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it."
-- Esther 4:1-2
Gates were places where lives were touched
and changed.
MILITARY AND STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE
Gates were the weakest places in the city's defenses. Gates, therefore,
had guards to watch over who entered AND who was approaching from far
away. If the enemy took the gates, then the rest of the city could easily
be taken. God is downloading "military" strategies and forming
strategic networks and alliances in order to position the Church to be
the soul winner in our cities and nations.
A PLACE OF OBSERVATION
"Then
the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper."
-- 2 Samuel 18:26
Gates are places where strategic reconnaissance
information is exchanged between the watchmen of a community or nation
and the gatekeepers.
A PLACE OF PROTECTION
"The
King was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept."
-- 2 Samuel 18:33
Spiritual gates that are won for Christ
are strongholds of the Lord where we can be hidden from the enemy and
find rest for our souls.
A PLACE OF PRAYER AND PROPHETIC
REVELATION
"I will
stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts. I will look to
see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
[Then the Lord replied,] 'Write down the revelation and make it plain
on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits
an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though
it linger wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'"
-- Habakkuk 2:1-3
A gate is a place of prayer and revelatory
impartation. Spiritual gates are where we are given prophetic utterance
to proclaim the decrees of the Lord. It is where Holy Spirit brings forth
breakthrough, blessing, and victory on the earth.
A PLACE TO MAKE APOSTOLIC
OR PROPHETIC PROCLAMATION
"The
people of the Lord went down to the city gates. 'Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, O Barak! Take your captives,
son of Abinoam.'" -- Judges 5:12
Gates are places where spiritual battles
can be won or lost. Deborah and Barak, along with all the people, rose
up to worship at the city gates.
A PLACE OF WORSHIP
"Those who
were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the
temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible
for the work day and night." --
1 Chronicles 9:33
As gatekeepers of God's presence, we are
all worshipping gatekeepers. As we praise and worship the
Holy One, we change the spiritual atmosphere in our homes, our cities,
and our nations.
A PLACE FOR PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES
In Biblical times, gates also had names that described the nature of the
part of the city they gave access to.
"By
night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and
the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken
down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved
on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool. . . "
-- Nehemiah 2:13-14
GATES HAVE ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE
Gates are places of spiritual breakthrough! In Hebrews 13:11-4, we read
how Jesus suffered outside the city gates in order that we might be forgiven
of our sins and have eternal life.
GATEWAYS
Gateways are portals of glory and places of Kingdom convergence. Gateways
are places of power encounters.
DEVELOPING A GLOBAL MINDSET
Daniel was the Lord's ambassador; Joseph [was] a pioneer gatekeeper and
administrator over Egypt. God wants us to develop a global mindset, particularly
as we consider:
THE CORPORATE MARKET PLACE
• Business
• Government
• Technology
• Media
• Communications
GOD'S AGENDA -- UNITY
IS THE STRATEGY; DOMINION IS THE GOAL
As existing Kingdom alliances are strengthened and new gatekeepers alliances
are formed, Holy Spirit will enable the Church to identify enemy and world
gateway systems and empower us to infiltrate these systems by releasing
bypass strategies. Bypass strategies are the means through
which God will bypass the agenda of hell and bring to pass His divine
will.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES -- AUTHORITY
AND DOMINION
God will enable the Church to identify modern-day Cyrus (Isaiah 45) and
Pharaoh type figures. Cyrus was a king (person) in authority in the world
system. He was a gatekeeper into the world's resources and seats of authority.
God used him to bring restoration and empowerment to his people.
GATES ARE SEATS OF
POWER AND HAVE POTENTIAL TO RELEASE KINGDOM RESOURCE
God's intention at the gates is to release:
• Worship
• Warfare
• Wisdom
• Warnings
• Wonders
• Witness
Consider some of the world gateways, as we consider the geopolitical
landscape:
• United Nations
• World Economic Forum -- global gateway organization of Trans National
Corporations (TNC's)
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
KINGDOM ALIGNMENT
God's intention is to give His ambassadors access to gates of nations,
to change and affect the destiny of nations and bring them into Kingdom
alignment.
Be blessed this day as a Gatekeeper of God's presence!
Catherine
Brown
One Million
Hours of Praise
www.millionhoursofpraise.com
www.gatekeepers.org.uk
~~~~
Catherine's Upcoming Itinerary:
October 23, 2005
Catherine will be preaching in
her home church of St. Andrews
West Kilbride, United Kingdom
October 31, 2005
All Saints Praise
Canterbury Cathedral
With Revival Fire Miistries
www.detlingministries.com
November 29 - December 4, 2005
Native American Reconcilliation gatherings
Oklahoma, USA
Organized by Daphne Swilling
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