From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This is a great and encouraging word by John Mark Pool for the new year. He writes about "Pressing In" for the goals God sets before us this year. I like what John Mark shares here:
"God has given us such an array of spiritual gifts, the living powerful Word of God, the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the love of our Heavenly Father with Jesus Christ our Savior forever making intercession for us - and all of that includes a huge family of God to encourage each other so that all might be able to begin afresh pressing toward God's goals!"
We do have so much available to us to press forward. Be encouraged as you move toward pressing into the goals God sets before you.
First, here are a couple of products that will also be a great encouragement to you:
Blessings,
Steve Shultz
John Mark Pool:
"Pressing toward God's Goal!"
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 (emphasis added)
Many have heard this familiar Scripture rightly used for encouragement for us to finish the race and get the prize in Heaven. However, the Apostle Paul used a word for "mark" that is worth reviewing. The Hebrew Word, skopos, is derived from the ancient languages, which interprets this word as meaning "watching skeptically and looking very carefully."
Yes, skopos does incorporate the meaning of a "marker" or goal set before us, but together both meanings combined gives us a better understanding of what I feel Paul was offering us: "Watch and pray as you proceed to your goal!" We must now be observant in the spiritual realm as never before. That means we must abandon the "cerebral" (carnal mind) for the "spiritual," pressing in to God's heart.
If you want something you have never had in your walk with God, you will have to do something you have never done to get there!
Watch and Pray!
"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 (emphasis added)
This is a Greek word, gregoreuo (pronounced: gray-gor-yoo'-o), which means to keep awake, to be vigilant, to be watchful, and to be alert. Although skopos and gregoreuo are two different words for "watch," it carries the same connotation to be very wary, prepared and alert so you can "dig in" and let nothing come between you and the goal of the High Calling of God.
Consequently, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 speaks about us being very watchful and prepared for a long night season! Oh yes, and remember that He is coming back for His spotless Bride, and no one knows the time, but we have equal time to be vigilant, sober, on guard and watching! Remember, Christ's parable ended with: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 25:13).
Also, Paul places a reminder that in watching, in pressing toward that goal, in praying to keep ourselves wary of the wiles of the enemy, we are becoming hyper-focused in order that we may be rewarded in the end with a prize for completing the high calling of God - through Jesus Christ! There is a key to watching and praying - Jesus Christ - the Author and the Finisher of our faith!
"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (emphasis added)
We Press into Establish a New Year's Pattern
Incentives are good, and when we are in the first of this new year of 2009, many of us are pressing into God for more of Him. My wife and I and our ministry team are indeed in a corporate fast and prayer time in support of Bethany World Prayer Center - here in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We know many of you across the nation also are doing the same at this season of the new calendar year.
I was asked today by one of our office personnel, "Why is it that we do all this fasting at the first of the year as this makes everyone go through so much pain?" My answer was, "We fast to remove our flesh from the equation of desiring more of a spiritual hunger for God. We press in to establish a New Year's pattern that will affect the rest of our year and further our walk with God. What we do now will be reflected much throughout our entire year and contributes to the reception of all God has for us as the family of God in 2009."
This seemed to satisfy the hungry of heart, although it sure was not a hot plate of Jambalaya and Crawfish Étouffée! (My specialty a la Baton Rouge, Louisiana!).
Be encouraged, as my wife and I also constantly lift each other up for the "pressing in" toward the mark or the visible reason for the goal God called us. You are a valuable part of God's family, and we stand also for your calling, healing, breakthrough and harvest! It seems the more we pray and fast and love on Jesus, the more we care about you (the Body) and your precious families.
But even more, we find our hearts now broken again for the lost that really need to see Jesus through us instead of the flesh around us! We gladly die to our flesh that Jesus will shine brighter in us, giving us more compassion for the lost and more love for the entire family of God. Let us pray as Jesus did, "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).
Don't Let Trials and Hardships Get You Down
As we have just begun this New Year of 2009, do not think it strange that you go through many trials and hardships, but remember, in our weakness, we become strong. If Jesus had to embrace the shame and suffering of those whom He created - yet He came for one purpose: to save all - how much of the suffering do you think we must escape if we are to be His family? Remember that the sufferings of Jesus made Him qualified to be the leader of mankind's salvation.
The Apostle Paul (with a "doctorate on suffering" for the sake of Christ) did not look for affliction in the process, he simply came to consider it a part of the blessings that Jesus had given him. Also, Apostle Paul considered it his portion, causing him to press harder for a greater reward! Yet in the end, if we press towards that goal of the High Calling of God, we can also say as Paul, in whatever assignment that God has placed us here on this earth:
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8, emphasis added).
God has given us such an array of spiritual gifts, the living powerful Word of God, the fire of the Holy Spirit, and the love of our Heavenly Father with Jesus Christ our Savior forever making intercession for us - and all of that includes a huge family of God to encourage each other so that all might be able to begin afresh pressing toward God's goals!
Always a voice for God,
John Mark and Sandy Pool
Word to the World Ministries
Email: MarkandSandyPool@aol.com
February 5, 2009
The Siege, Hosted by SwiftFire Ministries
Acts 10:27 Church
569 Florida Blvd.; Denham Springs, LA
Contact: 225-791-7696 or info@swiftfire.org
February 12-14, 2009
Prophetic Ministry Meetings for Lubbock, Texas region
Lubbock, Texas
Contact for meetings, times and location info:
806-535-1884 or alkkivie@yahoo.com
February 15, 2009 (10:30am and 6pm)
Prophetic Ministry hosted by Kingdom Life Fellowship
Clyde Junior High School
211 South 3rd Street; Clyde, TX
Contact: 325-893-4438 or office@klfonline.com
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John Mark Pool |
John Mark Pool explains his life's journey from a young boy to the present, detailing his spiritual, ministry, and marriage experiences. His childhood was spent in an idyllic, rural 1950's environment where his family, especially his mother, played an important role in building his spiritual formation. His teenage, college, and subsequent years were spent in the city and he became involved in many worldly vices - winning and losing fortunes and marriages. Throughout the manuscript he faces abandonment, death, banishment, and betrayal, but clings to his love of the Lord Jesus to see him through each situation.
.... (more)
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Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda |
The Watch of the Lord is a powerful corporate move of God sweeping the globe, as men, women, and children gather for all night prayer and worship. Mahesh and Bonnie teach the foundational truths upon which the Holy Spirit birthed this powerful work. These downloads will prepare your heart to begin the Watch of the Lord in your area and equip you in the work of prayer. This series is full of the anointing and practical wisdom you need to get started in The Watch of the Lord.
Message titles include, "The Watch of the Lord: Foundational Teaching" and "Watching for Isr'l" by Mahesh Chavda, plus "Corporate Prayer" by Bonnie Chavda. Experience an impartation from Charlotte N.C., The Watch of the Lord "Watch Headquarters" as you listen .... (more)
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