A Word through Deborah Kerekes Deborah's email: debinramah@hotmail.com

Two years ago in May of '99, the Lord spoke to me of a three-year period we were entering into. We are now in the last year of that time frame, and things are heating up. I felt I was supposed to write this out and share it.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE "MORE"

When God started raising up the office of Prophet and bringing that back to the church in a broader way, He also began calling all of us to be more willing to prophesy. The prophetic gift itself was made more available to the church.

Two years ago we were exploding with the release of the Apostolic call to the church. We saw many "called" at that time, but God is still in the business of "choosing". Some may even get in, but not all will be allowed to stay.

WE CAN SEEK THE GIFTS...LET GOD CALL FORTH THE OFFICE

At one time I saw people so distracted-- wondering if they were prophets or not, that they actually lost joy over the simple wonder that we--- as the people of God, can ALL PROPHESY! We had to encourage people to not worry about the office so much, but to grow in character, know Jesus and his Word, and stir up the gifts.

ENTER THE APOSTLE

Then, enter the Apostle! Everything from three-piece suits to camel-skins stepped forward and no one knew quite what to believe. But putting the office aside for a minute, this is what I believe God is saying to the church:

The Spirit is releasing the gifting of the Apostle to the church, just as He did the gift of prophecy. The offering of "bond-slave" is being made in a big way.

Read Mat. 20:25-27; and Mark 10:42-45. If we want to be great, we MUST be servants to God first, and to the Body of Christ. If we want to be the chief, we must be the slaves.

This makes things VERY simple.

Slaves don't have to stand up and tell everyone how much authority they have. They, like Daniel and Joseph, gain authority as the people around them see a history of honesty, integrity, accuracy, the power of God, kindness, patience, humility, purity, and a host of other characteristics. If you have to TELL someone how much "kingdom authority" you have, you are already in serious trouble.

THE DIFFERENCE

Many of us will have eternal life, enjoy the gifts, enjoy ministry and live our lives dedicated to God. But some, like the rich young ruler, want more.

Rom. 12-15:13 describes how we should live.

ICor.4 & 9 explains the difference of apostles.

When someone gets the call to be an apostle, it is an invitation to come and "die".

Ambition goes, your own plans and agenda goes, making sure you look good, goes.

IT'LL COST

When the rich young ruler asked what his "more" was, he couldn't do it, it hurt too much. It cost too much.

ASK GOD WHAT YOUR "MORE" IS

Ask God what your "more" is, and He'll tell you. Don't even bother guessing. His answer alone will pierce between joint and marrow, soul and spirit. And you know what? You too, may walk away sad, because you may not be able to do it. Maybe you just can't die there.

God may tell you to stop being co-dependent, give up precious friends who aren't going where you are called to go. He may call you to stop defending yourself, promoting yourself, or doing what makes you look good. He MAY even ask you to go further by passing promotions on to others, or giving others their chance at "glory" instead of you.

He may tell you to do horrible things like smile at someone you don't like, or ask counsel and blessing from someone you have judged or been arrogant toward. Or He may ask you to trust again after being betrayed.

He may ask you to spend yourself on Him instead of the schemes of man even if it costs you your position in the church or your reputation; and trust me, your reputation WILL be touched.

It is a call to humility, laying down that which is "ours", and yet a new establishing and keeping of Holy Boundaries. Not letting others trample on that which belongs to God, not man-pleasing or having unsanctified loyalty.

A slave or servant doesn't push their weight around, bully, or intimidate...not for long anyway...which leads me to the next point-

SCHOOL OF THE APOSTLE?

Those that are chosen will be those that obey God.

Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered.

The servant is not greater than his master.

THIS IS GOING TO HURT, GUYS!

The last two years, people have made some BAD moves. We've been self-protective, ambitious, proud, and angry, and we haven't had a short supply of self-pity, either.

Anything that has gotten between us and saying, "yes, Lord", has come under the attack of God, that is, IF we asked Him for the "more".

THE BAD NEWS

We are going to have to fight anger and frustration at others' failings and sins like crazy! Some ugly stuff is coming up in this heat, ---ours and theirs. Anger will keep you out. Don't do it. If you see that another can't pay the price of what's required for the change and promotion to come, don't judge them. Trust me, your price will be high enough to worry about. Remember, Jesus looked at the departing rich, young, ruler and loved him.

GOOD NEWS!

The good news is, we have another year to let God work this stuff out of us! This is the price for the anointing for the changes that are coming upon us.

More good news?

If we or others STILL mess up real bad, we'll have another three year go-round after that! (That really is good news!)

Remember, He's looking at us, smiling. Whatever's in there disqualifying us for the "more", He wants to get it out as much as we do.

Whatever makes us say, "no", whatever holds us back, He will deal with.

He is calling us to both serve and follow servants; Not just gifted leaders anymore, --but those with the mark of a slave; those with the fruit of love in their lives. Then we can go forward, taking this next step into what God has, together.

Debbie Kerekes debinramah@hotmail.com