From the desk of Steve Shultz:
I Corinthians 14:1-3 says that prophecy is for encouragement, edification, and comfort (some versions use the word "exhortation"). This is a word I would consider one of encouragement.
In my entire life, I've never seen more saints go through more hardships than at this time. But it's at THIS TIME that God is speaking about His SUDDENLY coming to His temple (which is us), and giving us revelation, healing, breakthrough, and the ability to get rid of the choke holds which have kept us held in an uncomfortable place for far too long.
Be encouraged. I certainly am!
Just below are some brilliant resources along this line. Even in tough economic times, try to get as much of these materials as you can, so you can get them into your spirit—they are food to your being!
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Luke Holter:
"Breaking the Choke Hold"
The last several months I have found myself studying creation and the creative power of God as it relates to all of creation. I feel as if the Lord has given me specific insight into an area that is completely rocking how I interact with God and people.
I have been studying the story of Samson and learned that the same Hebrew word for "Samson's strength" is the same word for Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word used for Samson's strength is "Ruach," which literally means "wind" or "spirit" of God. In Judges 14:19 we read that "the Spirit" (or the Ruach) of the LORD took control of Samson and he went to Ashkelon and killed 30 of their men.
I have been speaking with many saints who have been fighting against the spirit of depression as of late. People have literally felt as if this depression has choked the color and beauty out of their lives and churches. I myself have had to war against this thing's slow, tightening grip. It wasn't until lately that the Lord helped me overcome, and I know that He wants to help you do the same!
When I was meditating in prayer, just dialoging with Holy Spirit, He spoke to me and said, "You have the ability to call upon Me for the strength to overcome! You need Me to help you stand against sin, to pursue holiness, to worship God, or to even love God. I AM the Spirit of adoption! I have the ability through the act of salvation to activate your sonship in God! I activate the promises of God in your life!"
I know it may sound simple, but this reality totally penetrated my heart! I realized that Holy Spirit activates the promises of GOD! This means that every promise that God gives us in the Word is accessible to us and for us through Holy Spirit. The Word penetrates the soil of our body, mind and soul, and Holy Spirit makes it rain on that seed, causing it to COME FORTH!
The Lord says, "There is so much life already in you just waiting to be called forth into breakthrough!" We have treasures hidden in earthen vessels and Holy Spirit can expose those treasures just when you need them! Just like Samson needed strength to overcome, so we need strength to overcome! We need the "Ruach" to be our portion! I felt Holy Spirit say, "You can call on Me to help you."
The Trip
I was brought to the Scripture in Isaiah 6 where the angels are crying out, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the Lord God almighty, the whole earth is filled with His glory." I went on a journey with Holy Spirit where I was shown the earth filled with the Glory of God. Every fiber and molecule was filled with the Glory of God. I realized that everyone had the Glory of God hiding in their bodies, minds, and souls. This could be breathed on by Holy Spirit and the Glory of God could literally be called forth in someone, leading unto salvation.
I saw sinners all at once receive revelation, and the Glory of God came forth in them, leading to salvation! Then Holy Spirit took me to a hospital and I was in the doctor's office and people were being diagnosed with all kinds of sickness and terminal illness. I started walking around, and I started calling forth the Glory of God in each one, and they became healed and whole.
Then Holy Spirit took me in a vision to the scene from the book of Acts 5 where "many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever Believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed" (verses 12-16).
There was great faith for even Peter's shadow to heal the broken and sick. This was because there was literally a physical bond between the body of Peter and the Glory of God. The whole earth is filled with His Glory! When we build intimacy in our relationship with Jesus we walk in a real level of Glory and Power!
Do we dare to believe? is the real question that Holy Spirit is asking. Do you dare to believe that you are the NOW generation that will walk out the beauty, power, and love of Jesus on this earth? All of creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Will we allow the truth to penetrate our hearts? Will we be revealed? Will we allow Holy Spirit to be our portion and bring us from strength to strength?
Luke Holter
Prophetic Sheep Ministries
Email: propheticsheep@yahoo.com
Luke Holter has ministered with Bobby Conner, Bill Johnson, Patricia King, Rob Hotchkin, and LaVonne Chandler. As an expert in real life issues, Luke and his wife, Grace, are Apostolic Prophetic Leaders and College Pastors. Luke is an author as well as being certified through the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) as a Biblical Counselor. He and his wife Grace are currently leaders with Fairmont Christian Center in Houston, Texas. Bringing with him eight years of experience in prophetic leadership and life coaching, as well as a unique set of giftings, Luke's passion is to connect people's hearts and give language to take on their destiny. Luke and his team have also started a prophetic etiquette school called "Prophetic Etiquette 101."
Luke has just signed a three-book deal with Destiny Image Publishing and his first book, "A Beautiful Kind of Broken," will be available in June 2010. The book is about overcoming abuse and rejection through the power of relationship and forgiveness.
