"Office of the N.T. Prophet / Teacher"

by: Pastor Bill Cahill, BCh.M

"The Prophetic Office" 1) To constitute the Office of a Prophet, a person is first of all called to the ministry (i.e. a minister; has the calling of God upon their life.) *** We also see in: Judges 4:4-6 "Deborah the Prophetess" and II Kings 22:12-20 "Huldah the Prophetess" they also moved in the "Revelation Gifts"; In the N.T., Luke 2:36-38 "Anna the Prophetess" she also moved in the "Revelation Gifts". 2) They must have (according to scripture) at least two of the revelation gifts (The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge, and/or Discerning of Spirits) plus prophecy operating in their ministry. 3) A Layman may receive a Word of Knowledge occasionally, something might be revealed to them as they need it; the same is true of The Word of Wisdom; and Discerning of Spirits (these "Revelation Gifts" operate occasionally.); But to constitute the Office of a Prophet, there has to be a continued manifestation of these "Gifts", but if the person hasn't been called to be a minister/preacher of the Word, that would not constitute them to stand in a "Prophetic Office" (for this "Office" is a ministerial "Gift" of Christ to the Church, The Body of Christ; for the perfecting and maturing of his people. IF IT WASN'T, THEN NEITHER ARE THE OTHER FOUR MINISTRIES (Including the ministry of "Pastor")! (Ephesians 4:8, 11-13) 4) When Christ ascended on high, he gave gifts unto men. He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers (i.e. "The Five Fold Ministry"). It is God who has called us to this particular ministry and His Holy Spirit will equip us for that particular "Office" wherein we have been called and stand in! (Ephesians 4:8, 11-13) 5) Notice that the revelation gifts are not called: "The Gift of Knowledge", It's "The WORD of Knowledge" which is supernatural revelation by the Holy Ghost concerning people, places, or things in the present or in the past. The same is true with "The WORD of Wisdom" (Not natural wisdom, but rather Supernatural), It is supernatural revelation by the Holy Ghost concerning people, places, or things in the future. 6) Sometimes "The WORD of Knowledge" comes by inward revelation, (by impression of the Holy Spirit) also in an "Open Vision"; it can follow when calling out an individual or when addressing the congregation with tongues and interpretation or even after prophecy; (It bypasses the mind and like tongues and interpretation and prophecy, it flows out of the inner man... "The spirit man"). 7) Although one might have a "Word of Knowledge" that wouldn't necessarily make them a Prophet, the revelation gifts (The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge, and/or Discerning of Spirits) will operate in connection with prophecy many times. It is not called the "Gift of Prophecy" (they, the nine manifestations of God's Spirit, "Three Revelation Gifts"; "Three Power Gifts"; and "Three Vocal Gifts", these are called collectively "spiritual gifts" because they come from the Spirit of God (I Cor. 12:4-11), even as the "Five Fold Ministry", is called "Gifts" to the Body (Ephesians 4:8,11-13)), because the simple gift of prophecy has no revelation with it; The Word says, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to Edification, and Exhortation, and Comfort" (I Cor. 14:3). *** The simple Gift of Prophecy is not given for revelation. 8) Very often in the Prophet's ministry, the utterance they give will have revelation in it because they have other "Gifts" operating also (they have the revelation gifts, in order to stand in their "Office"). ~ The fact that one prophesies does not make them a "Prophet". The Prophet is equipped by the Holy Spirit to stand in this "Office" (as with the other four ministry's, an Evangelist is equipped for this "Office" different than the other ministries, a Pastor is equipped for this "Office", etc. (as the O.T. teaches us, all the Levites ministered about the tabernacle but only the "High Priest" was allowed (not when he felt like it, but once a year he could enter the most holy place to offer before the Ark of the Covenant.) to stand in this special "Office". Others have tried to offer up sacrifices when they were not called to this "Office" (i.e. The sin of Korah and those who followed him in his rebellion against those God ordained to this particular "Office" (Numbers 16); King Uzziah (II Chron. 26:16-21), etc.). 9) In the order of service: I Cor. 14:26-33 Tells us then when we come together we all have a psalm, a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation, let all things be done for edification... let two or three of the "Prophets" ("Ministerial Office") Speak, and let the others judge... vs. 31) For you all can prophesy one by one, (The laity using the simple gift of prophecy; The simple gift of prophecy has no revelation with it; The Word says, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (I Cor. 14:3). *** The simple Gift of Prophecy is not given for revelation. 10) *** Some Full Gospel Churches will permit tongues and interpretation and prophecy ("He That Prophesieth Speaketh Unto Men To Edification, And Exhortation, And Comfort" (I Cor. 14:3). ) as part of the acceptable service, but shy away from the "Prophetic Office". These same "Full Gospel Churches" accept all of the other "Four Ministries" (with some accepting the "Apostolic Office" as only "Overseer of other churches they might be associated with; or as Missionaries etc." ~ *** But these same Churches will with "Gusto" promote and allow to function to the fullest, God's Office work in the Evangelist; Teacher; Pastors (All pastors not only the Senior Pastor (i.e. associate, youth, etc.) 11) Some of the things that a Prophet's ministry may include are/maybe demonstrative (i.e. That of the Prophet Agabus in: Acts 21:8-11 took Paul's girdle and bound himself and proceeded to give the Word of the Lord under the revelation of the Holy Ghost! *** It is interesting to note that Agabus had four daughters who prophesied ("speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (I Cor. 14:3). *** the simple Gift of Prophecy is not given for revelation ... Agabus was a Prophet and as such did bring Revelation to Paul.)! 12) The "Office of a Prophet" is to be the mouthpiece of God to his people: Amos 3:7(Amp.) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the Prophets." ~ The "Office of a Prophet" / The Prophet's Ministry, is that, they speak for the Holy Ghost as we have seen with Agabus the Prophet, he did not tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem, he merely told him what would happen there and it prepared Paul for what was to come to pass if he went there; It was still Paul's choice, to stay or go; He chose to go knowing the fate which laid before him; (This prepared him to be prayed up and be ready). 13) The true test of a Prophet is accuracy and credibility which comes from the Holy Ghost, and is credible before men! (See: II Kings 6:9-12 Elisha tells the king of Israel the battle plans of the king of Syria, and the king of Syria was troubled thinking that there was an informer among his soldiers / household but one of his servants spoke up and said that the words that he spoke in his bedchamber were revealed by the "Prophet" Elisha!) 14) There are some that believe that we do not need a Prophet's Ministry in this New Testament dispensation since we all have the Holy Ghost; In the Old Testament the Holy Ghost did not come upon the laity, but upon the Priest, the King, and the Prophet to anoint them to stand and minister in those "Offices" and minister unto God's people; We see that although the King and the Priest had the Holy Ghost upon them, they would still go to the "Prophet" for guidance. Though we the New Testament believer, have the Holy Ghost, that doesn't mean we have the revelation gifts in operation; (i.e. The same is true of the "Office" of the Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, one could quote: Jer. 31:33-34 "... I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts... And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother... for they shall all know me..." ~ *** John 14:26 "... The Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance..." If we go by these scriptures then we have no need to have a Pastor/Teacher over us, to teach us and guide us; This would make the "Five Fold Ministry" of: Eph. 4:11-13 look out of place and contrary to itself; God set up each and every ministerial office for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: *** Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the "Knowledge of the Son of God". 15) We are not to blindly follow the Prophet's ministry, but we need to heed to the revelation, (listen to it, and pray about it, and wait for God's witness of the "Revelation"). We are led by the Holy Ghost, usually by an inward witness. The Prophet is used many times to confirm the leading that we already have from the Lord (we've seen this with Paul and Agabus the Prophet in "Acts") The Holy Ghost does use Prophets to reveal even those things that are hidden, spoken only in our prayer closet, as a confirmation to what God's purposes are and even to give guidance/direction from the Holy Ghost concerning our innermost questions etc. 16) When the "Word of Knowledge" and/or the "Word of Wisdom" are in operation in the Prophet's ministry they are "Supernatural" out of the mind of God (i.e. "Revelation Gifts") into the mouth of the Prophet, and directed to the heart of a person or congregation. ~ *** The "Word of Knowledge" and/or the "Word of Wisdom" are just what it is called, usually it is not a whole sentence but a part, a Word or Words; As with any of the nine gifts they operate by "Faith" some take more "Faith" to step out in, with only a word or impression/or being led by the Holy Ghost to operate! Why? Because we need (as ministers and humans), confidence that what we receive by whatever means, a Word, Impression, etc. is by the Holy Ghost and not by self, this comes by experience, by "Stepping out on the waters", by gaining credibility wrought by following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, even when our footing seems unsure, we must walk by "Faith" and not be afraid to make a mistake, repent if necessary and keep on walking! If God has truly called a person to the "Office of a Prophet" or any other of the "Five Fold Ministry" then he will equip them for that particular ministry, and they will be "Approved of God and man" as to your calling (i.e. you don't need to label yourself, it will be evident in your life as to what God has called you to!). 17) The "gift of prophecy" is often confused with the "Prophetic Office" There is the "Office of the Prophet", but not everyone that prophesies is a prophet. Someone may win souls but that doesn't necessarily put him in the "Office of an Evangelist"; For all believers are commissioned to witness, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 5:18) *** I Cor. 12:28 "And God Hath Set in the Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers..." We see the "Five Fold Ministry" in Eph. 4:11; Paul asked the question in: I Cor. 12:29 "Are all Apostles?" of course the answer is NO! Not everyone can stand or minister in that "Office", then he asked "Are all Prophets?" of course the answer is NO! Not everyone can stand or minister in that "Office" either. He then asked the same of the "Teacher" (and we could ask the same of the "Pastor" and "Evangelist" of course the answer is NO! Not everyone can stand or minister in that "Office" either. *** It is one thing to label yourself in one of those "Offices" listed, but only God can EQUIP you for it!!! (The old saying states: "Some were sent, and some just went!") Remember it is the ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT EQUIPS US FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY; Without it (the anointing) you are in DANGER of INTRUDING into an "Office" or ministry you are not called to and will answer to God for such an intrusion! *** The same is true if you know your calling and walk away from it, or do not allow it to function to its full potential... WE ARE TALKING ABOUT: ACCOUNTABILITY BEFORE GOD! ~ *** It is not your Ministry to do with as you please (Remember the parable of the "Talents" (Matthew 25:14-30) ). *** You have been given this "Office" for the "Perfecting/Maturing" of the body of Christ! Not for your personal Self Exaltation (Titles; Recognition; etc.) *** If you have to keep telling people what you are, then that is a good sign you are not walking in accordance to the calling of God, For he will EQUIP you and it will be "EVIDENT" of your Calling/"Office", God will "Promote and give Credibility to you calling!" (Acts 2:22 "... Jesus... a MAN APPROVED OF GOD among you by miracles and wonders and signs, *** which GOD DID BY HIM IN THE MIDST OF YOU, AS YE YOURSELVES ALSO KNOW." "The Office of the "Prophet/Teacher" 1) The Prophetic "Office" is usually not separated from the teaching ministry: The calling is usually "Prophet/Teacher", This is the way that God Conveys His "Revelation" to his People, through the ministry of the Teacher (Instructor/Guide). *** Although the Prophet may be a Teacher, not every thing they teach is by Supernatural Revelation! The "Gifts of their Office" as a "Prophet", "The Revelation Gifts" (The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge, and/or Discerning of Spirits) may not be in operation at the time they are teaching the Word of God, Granted what they are teaching is inspired of God and Anointed for that "Office" as a Teacher, and they will be equipped for it! (The same is true for The Five Fold Ministry, each will be equipped according to their Calling and may occasionally move as the Holy Spirit leads to minister by "The Revelation Gifts" (The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge, and/or Discerning of Spirits) 2) The main thrust of the "Prophet/Teacher's" message is: To call God's people to "Repentance" (i.e. Self Examination and Change) and "Revival" (i.e. To stir, to awaken, and recognize who she is and to deeper revelation of God) *** Our Theology ("Study of God"), would be totally impossible and useless, unless God gave Self Revelation (Ephesians 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets..."). ~ "The Prophetic Office" (continued) *** We have the Word of God to direct us and cause us to grow spiritually, but without the "Self Revelation of God" we would be blind to the deep truths of His Character/Attributes and very Being, for the letter has no life, but it must be breathe upon by the Spirit of Revelation (The Holy Ghost) to cause a "Self Revelation of God" to be seen! ~ 18) *** This is done not only through "Signs and Wonders" but by "The Revelation Gifts" (The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge, and/or Discerning of Spirits) *** Discerning of Spirits: This is not only evil spirits but all spirits good or evil and also to see into the realm or dimension of the spirit world; *** God is Spirit!!! ~ (Example: The book of Revelation, It is called the "Revelation of Jesus to St. John" it incorporates not only Discerning of Spirits (seeing into the realm or dimension of the spirit world; but also: The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge; all carried to the Churches by the tongue of Prophecy and written down for our understanding!) 19) John not only reveals the future of the Church but also warns the churches to straighten up or else... ! *** He also by the "The Revelation Gifts" foretells what is the past, present, and future; and what will happen to this world, as well as he foretold the condition of the churches then and now and to come! 20) The message of the "Prophet" is as a "Watchman" *** They Admonish, Warn, Direct, Intercedes, Teaches, and Counsels the Body of Christ (And some "Prophets" are called to minister to the World as the Mouthpiece of God; to Warn and call to Repentance before the wrath of God falls!). *** John 5:19 "... Jesus... said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he SEETH the Father do... these also doeth the Son likewise." ("The Revelation Gifts") 21) The "Prophet" as the O.T. calls him is a "SEER" (I Sam. 9:9 "... when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come and let us go to the "SEER": for he that is now called a "Prophet" was beforetime called a "SEER".") *** The "Prophet" sees what is in the mind of God as the Holy Spirit opens the "The Revelation Gifts" unto him while in this "Office" *** He is then moved to speak or to communicate/intercede for the situation! 22) Much Discipline, Training, and the Art of Listening (being still and hearing God is a must!!!) It is a life of total consecration to the will and purposes of God; It is constant Self Examination; Repentance; and Dying to Self in order to allow the "Holy Spirit" to have free access/movement as "He" sees fit to "FLOW". To be so submissive that self has no place in "His" operation (lit. seeing yourself standing on the sidelines as you allow "Him" free access to use your body as "His" own!!!). 23) Literally the "Prophetic Office" is unusual in that some things they do are "STRANGE" out of the "Norm" but the evidence is in the way God moves... God always gets results! And so the "Prophets" ministry/office is usually misunderstood by those around Him and of his own house/church. (Matthew 13:57 "And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save (except) in his own country, and in his own house." (Also see: Mk. 6:4) *** The problem was they kept their eyes on the messenger and could not hear the message! *** This is true today in that as soon as God raises up a Ministry people look not at what God is doing or saying, but rather who is doing or saying it, and they miss God altogether! (Acts 5:38-39 "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God!") 24) The Greater The "Office" The Greater The Responsibility; The More The Persecution!!! Satan is out to stop the "VOICE of GOD" from being effective and coming forth in the Church or the World! (*** John the Baptist said "I AM" the voice of one crying in the wilderness! "It was not John crying, but the Great "I AM" crying through him." Such is the office of the "Prophet.") This is also true of all the "Five Fold Ministry" *** WE MUST REMEMBER: "THAT IF PERSECUTION FROM SATAN DOESN'T GET TO US, LOOK FOR ITS COUNTERPART: "COMPROMISE" 25) We must be people of "Integrity" not only in our daily lives but in our ministry!!! *** Never Compromise Your "INTEGRITY" or that of your Ministry. Regardless of what people say of you, keep faithful to God and His Calling on your life, *** Strive to allow your "Office" to function to its fullest potential. 26) Above all any "Office" within the Church is SUBJECT TO THE "PASTOR" AS THE PHYSICAL HEAD OF THE CHURCH (i.e. the under shepherd of Jesus Christ!) As he that must give account for his "Office" and Calling, He has been given the Responsibility of Watching out for the Souls that have been entrusted to Him; And also with the Responsibility of allowing The "Five Fold Ministry" to "Function and Grow" within the Local Body as one that must give account for all Ministry that Functions within His Church; With Knowledge and Guidance from The Holy Spirit He Assist's these Ministries to "Function and Grow" to its Fullest Potential: and thereby as a Faithful Steward of God's Gifts ("The Five Fold Ministry") to the Church He also shares in their Reward! Amen! Pastor Bill Cahill, BCh.M

 

               Anathi Nuttz Tshobonga

The devil can't fight truth!he can't fight holiness!he can't fight Gods Spirit...so to defeat the enemy-denounce lies and deception and hold on to truth,Gods word which pulls His Spirit!you'll never gO wrOng..

We're called to a victorious life!a conquerous life!a life of overcomers...but to get it we need to be in the owner of this life!

There's a huge difference between knowing of or about God and actually knowing God!

The amorites,the Philistines,the Jebusites etc-they all knew about God but when they fought Gods chosen nation,Israel,God was making Himself known,moving them from knowing about Him to actually knowing Him...knowing Him as a God who gives victory to His chosen ones,thOse who walk with Him!

Move frOm being an Amorite,Christ made a way for all...God lOngs to call U His chOsen as well!

There's no victory apart from the victOr!
No healing apart frOm the healer!
No saving apart from the savior.

 If the church does not wake up they,much like Korah and his household,will find themselves with first class tickets to hell...

God z calling Us back to Himself!we have really lost the plot....it starts in the mind!if we want to win against all this gossip,accusation n false worship we see we need to first make up our minds!decide...enough z enough!

Oh Hannah!woman of prayer arise...Deborah!great leader arise...Gideon,Mighty man of Valor,arise....

Nows the time for TRUE worshipers to Arise!

Daily Devotional: Persist And Persevere By Bishop T.D. Jakes

Persistence—Holding Fast To Your Confession of Faith
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:22-23 KJV)
My brothers and sisters, you may be going through hell right now. The fact of the matter is you must accept the reality that God the Father, creator of Heaven and earth, is trying to mold you and transform you. God wants to change you into what He has declared as His purpose for your life, and that which He spoke about in His written Word. That Word says: You are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who loves you (see Romans 8:37). You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (see Rom. 3:22). Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4). You have the power to tread upon serpents and scrorpions and over all the power of the enemy (see Luke 10:19). No weapon formed against you shall prosper (see Isa. 54:17). You really are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, the rich and not the poor (see Deut. 28: 12-13).
You, my brothers and sisters, are indeed what God’s Word says you are. You are to appropriate what the Word says you are and what the Word says you have. It involves more than just “believing and receiving!”
You’ve got to be able to persist and move forward in the will of God for your life. Your persistence must continue even when everything seems to be falling apart and when it looks like nothing is turning out right. Stop whining. Learn to stand up under pressure. Set the vision of God before you like a flint and move forward full speed ahead with the plan of God. I don’t care how many times the lights get cut off. I don’t care how many times the water and heat are turned off. I don’t care how many times the rent is overdue. I don’t care if you don’t have a car and have to use the bus to get from point A to point B. I don’t care if you have to eat red beans and

A Shift into Greater Blessing

PastorJoel Osteen

Genesis 48 talks about when Jacob was an old man and very close to death. His son, Joseph, came to visit him and say his goodbyes. Joseph and his father were very close. In fact, Joseph was Jacob's favorite child, the youngest, whom he had given the multi-colored coat many years prior. At one point, Jacob thought Joseph was dead and lived very sadly until he found out that Joseph was indeed alive and living in Egypt. They reunited and here Jacob was at the end of his life.

Joseph was standing before his father along with his own two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. They were, of course, Jacob's grandsons and Jacob said, "Joseph, I'm going to bless your sons as if they were my own children."

In those days, a blessing proclaimed with the right hand was always the greatest. It belonged traditionally to the firstborn son. So Joseph put his oldest son, Manasseh, in front of Jacob's right hand and his younger son, Ephraim, in front of his left. Jacob was nearly blind. He couldn't see. When he went to give the blessing, Jacob crossed his hands and put his right hand on the younger son, Ephraim, and his left hand on Manasseh, the older son.

Joseph said, "No, Dad. You can't see. I had them lined up. I put Manasseh in front of your right hand. He deserves it. Give him the greater blessing."

Jacob said something very interesting that gives us insight into our God. He said, "No, Joseph. I've crossed my hands on purpose. Ephraim may have come second, he may have been in the back, he doesn't deserve it, didn't qualify for it, he's not next in line, but I'm shifting him to a new position. I'm taking him from the back to the front. I'm going to give him what he doesn't deserve."

Friend, that's the way our God is. He has shifts in your future that will put you in a position that you didn't earn. Just like with Ephraim, God is going to cross His hands and say, "I'm going to move them from the back to the front; from being unqualified to being suddenly qualified; from being looked down on or disrespected to being esteemed and respected."

God is saying to you what Jacob said to Ephraim, "I'm going to bless you on purpose. I'm going to move you up. I'm going to accelerate your dreams. I'm going to give you what you didn't deserve. I'm going to shift you into a position that you could have never gotten to on your own." Now, get ready for it. Stay in faith, stay in the Word, obey His commands and stay faithful because God is going to shift you into a place of greater blessing!

 Kennedy Prophetic

How can you feel the Spirit of God??

When Praying, Focus, Focus & Focus
When reading the word, Focus, Focus & Focus
When being tempted, Focus , Focus & Focus on the voice of God only.
You shall always feel the anointing everywhere you walk.

GOD has already send the Angels to protect us and every eye reading this, this night in Jesus name!

May the LORD remember you like
Noah
Favor you like Moses
Fight for you like the Israelites
Prosper you like Isaac
Promote you like Joseph
Intervene for you like Esther
Protect you like Daniel
Use you like Paul
Heal you like Naaman
Answer you like Elijah
Anoint you like David
and keep you safe like Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego
in JESUS Name

  

 Marcia Zibabo

Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The rock represence GODs foundation!
Rain, streams and wind represence attacks> e.g gossip, guilt, isolation, pride, rejection, suffering, pain etc

Meaning anything that you start if GOD is the source meaning the foundation of it all it will surpass every counter attack that comes in your direction because GOD was there in the beginning of it all!

Now sand represents mans own foundation!
Foolish man builds his house on sand meaning own wisdom where GOD was not involved now when the rain< streams and wind came it could not surpass that and now after everything has collapsed you as man now turn to GOD ans expect GOD to start building on your own foundation! GODs foundation and your foundation cannot stand together bacause yours is weak!

Revelation of of how GOD works

 
Thomas Dexter "T. D." Jakes, Sr. (born June 9, 1957) is the bishop/chief pastor of The Potter's House, a non-denominational American megachurch, with 30,000 members (which is also the main source behind his current net worth),^[1] located in Dallas, Texas.^[2] T. D. Jakes' church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter's Touch, which airs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Black Entertainment Television,^[3] the Daystar Television Network, The Word Network and The Miracle Channel in Canada. Other aspects of Jakes' ministry include an annual revival called "MegaFest" that draws more than 100,000 people, an annual women's conference called "Woman Thou Art Loosed", and gospel music recordings.
In the fall of 2009, Jakes planned on launching a secular daily talk show, syndicated through the CBS Television Distribution group; however, economic troubles in the industry may put his new program into jeopardy.^[4]
In 2005 Jakes accompanied President George W. Bush on his visit to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. In his book Decision Points, President Bush describes Jakes as "a kind of man who puts faith into action."
On January 20, 2009, Jakes led the early morning prayer service for President Barack Obama at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C., according to NBC News.

When he was 24 in 1981, he married Serita Ann Jamison.^[3] They have five children together (Jermaine, Jamar, Cora, Sarah, and Thomas Jakes, Jr.) Jakes is a strong advocate of abstinence^{[citation needed]} and has made appearances on the subject ranging from Good Morning America to Dr. Phil.
On the PBS program African American Lives, Jakes had his DNA analyzed; his Y chromosome showed that he is descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria.^[5][6] According to his family history, it was also suggested that he is descended from them through his grandmother.^[7][8] He is a second cousin once removed of vocalist Will Wheaton and first cousin twice removed of actor James Wheaton.


Jakes has received numerous honors, including 13 honorary degrees and doctorates. He has also received Grammy and Dove Award nominations for Gospel album "Live at The Potter's House." PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly named Jakes among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders." Time magazine featured Jakes on the cover of its September 17, 2001 issue with the provocative question: "Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?".^[9]

Faith to Faith Daily Devotional

From Faith to Faith -- Daily Devotional

Why Did God Create You?

Kenneth Copeland

What we have seen and [ourselves] heard we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have (which is a distinguishing mark of Christians) is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

– 1 John 1:3

Man is something really special. He is made in the image of God. He is made to have fellowship with God.
Some people get the idea that God made man so He'd have someone to dominate. But God is not a dominator. God is love and love needs to give to someone. That's why God made man. He made him so He could give him His love.
God could have given His love to the angels, and He did that. But giving to angels didn't provide total fulfillment. Why? Because angels aren't made in His image.
You're the same way. Let's say, for example, you have a puppy as a pet. You can fellowship with that little pet just so much, but then there comes a time when you need to talk to somebody. There comes a time when you need to have communication on your own level.
The reason you're like that is because you're created in the image of God. That's how He is. He has a desire to fellowship with someone like Himself.
Dare to believe you're something really special today--a one-of-a-kind creation made by God in His very own image. Dare to receive His love and dare to love Him back!
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:26-31

Pursuit of His Presence -- Daily Devotional

From Faith to Faith -- Daily Devotional

September 13, 2013

Real Intercession

Kenneth Copeland

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.

– Isaiah 59:16

When somebody hurts us, our natural human reaction is to strike back...to ask God to clobber them. But that's not God's way.
I realized that one time when some relatives of mine got robbed. I was praying about the situation and puzzling over it. "Lord," I began to ask, "why did You let that happen? Why didn't You just knock that thief over the head when he tried to do that?"
Suddenly, God enabled me to back up from that situation and look at it with spiritual, instead of just purely natural eyes.
When I did that, I knew the answer to my question almost as quickly as I had asked it. It was because of His mercy. God has great, great mercy. Not just for me and my family but for theirs too.
Think about that next time someone does you wrong. Instead of asking God to knock that person in the head, like I did, consider the fact that--as ornery as he may be--he may well have a grandmother somewhere who's praying for him to be saved. Stop and remember that God loved him enough to die for him, that He's longing to pardon--not punish him.
Then you can begin to pray for him instead of against him, uniting yourself with his grandmother (or anybody else who happens to be praying for him). You can go to the Lord for mercy for him and you can go up against the devil on his behalf. That's real intercession and it throws the forces of darkness into total confusion. They have absolutely no defense against it.
The Lord is looking for people who are bold enough, committed enough to do that. Dare to be one of them. When you're tempted to clobber somebody, dare to change his life instead.
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-36

                                Azrael

                      Archangel of Death

Azrael was one of the first Grigori created, and he was the first to be made an Archangel. Patient, meticulous, soft-spoken, he was so inobtrusive about his work that few of his fellow Archangels could be said to have known him, even before the outcasting of his Choir. The few who did know him knew that in addition to his other qualities, Azrael was above all kind -- one of the gentlest souls in the Seraphim Council.
Shortly after his creation, Azrael was assigned to study a phenomenon not well-understood by Heaven at that time: the disposition of human souls. The angels had long known that some human souls arrived in Heaven, and others did not. Reincarnation and oblivion had been offered as theories, but no one really knew where the "missing" souls were going . . . and the Seraphim Council intuited that following the Fall, this question might be very important. Azrael was given the Word of Death to carry out his duties (angelic Words were much less competitive and assigned with less deliberation in those days).
In his research, Azrael learned how to track human souls after death -- an accomplishment other angels have been unable to duplicate. He confirmed that reincarnation and disbandment both occurred, in some cases. He also discovered that many souls were anchoring themselves to the corporeal plane as ghosts, or to the ethereal plane as dream-shades. Some were drawn into the domains of ethereal spirits -- mostly pagan worshippers.
The greatest revelation was the fate of those humans who were weighed down by their selfishness. They were banished to a nether-realm on the celestial plane. At one time, this had been a bleak and empty place where the dead shuffled forever in miserable isolation. But then the Fallen arrived, and the place became known as Hell. The demons were torturing and sometimes destroying the damned souls confined there, and using them to supply Essence.
This revelation appalled Heaven. Azrael was elevated to the status of Archangel, and given the duty of making sure no souls were misdirected away from Heaven. He and his Servitors would gently separate ghosts and dream-shades from their anchors, retrieve pagan souls from ethereal domains, and prevent the demons from claiming any souls that didn't belong to them.
Azrael was extremely effective at his job. Angels of Death became the bane of pagan gods, and exorcised hundreds of ghosts that had been clinging to the corporeal plane. Azrael instructed his Servitors to also teach humans to accept Death; that it was merely a transition to their next state, and that if they lived their lives well, they had no need to fear it.
But Azrael also began a secret project. He could not accept that those souls damned to Hell must suffer for all eternity for mistakes they'd made in their too-short mortal existences. So the Archangel of Death began ministering to the damned, sneaking into Hell to locate human souls who might be converted to selflessness, and made worthy of Heaven.
Angels of Death were among the least involved with day-to-day mortal existence . . . they visited humans only at the end of their lives. So neither Azrael nor any of his Grigori Servitors were guilty of the crimes that got the rest of his Choir cast out of Heaven. Azrael had allies on the Seraphim Council, and might have been able to exempt himself had he fought the sentence. But Dominic had already begun sniffing around his visits to the infernal realm, just as the Archangel of Death was achieving some success at liberating damned souls from Hell.
Most of the Host believed Azrael declined to appeal for special dispensation out of solidarity with his Choir, and because he was indignant at David's brutal treatment of the Grigori and the humans who'd been fraternizing with them. This was true -- but a more important reason was that Azrael wanted to continue his most important project, and deduced that he would have more freedom to do so as an Outcast. So he left Heaven . . . but never stopped serving God.
The majority of Azrael's Servitors, except his Grigori, transferred to the service of another Archangel. Only a few of his most ardently loyal Servitors refused to leave him. To this day, Azrael is carrying on his work, with the help of a small number of angels who followed him into exile.
The other Archangels know Azrael is still alive, but he is not spoken of in Heaven. It has happened -- a few times in the millenia since the Grigori were cast out -- that an angel has researched Azrael's work, identified strongly with his mission, and sought out the Outcast Archangel of Death. Azrael automatically turns away members of the Host who manage to find him . . . but a very rare few have been persistent and sincere enough to persuade the Archangel of Death to take them into his service. (Azrael only takes in angels who remain dedicated to Heaven, but who also feel a genuine calling to Azrael's mission -- he is not a refuge for dissatisfied Servitors or Outcasts seeking patronage.)
No one knows how many Servitors Azrael still has, but the number is almost certainly below a hundred, and some say he has no more than a dozen followers left. If any of them are Grigori, they stay very well-hidden.
Azrael's Servitors are not true Outcasts, in that they do have Hearts. No one knows where Azrael keeps them -- not even his Servitors. If put into Trauma (or when they ascend to the celestial plane using their Hearts as beacons), they awaken in a dark and silent place, alone with their Heart in what seems to be an endless void. Azrael has no known Tethers.
Azrael and his Servitors do four things now. First, they seek to separate ghosts and dream-shades from their ties to the corporeal or ethereal plane, so these souls will move on to their final destinations. In this capacity, angels of Death search for haunted places on Earth, and often venture into the Far Marches, and the domains of ethereal gods (who regard them as "thieves").
Secondly, they hunt undead and destroy them wherever they are found. When Saminga became the Demon Prince of Death, Azrael was disgusted and appalled. Saminga would love to destroy Azrael, but finds his reclusive and subtle adversary impossible to confront directly.
Third, angels of Death try to reduce humanity's fear of death, reflecting Azrael's Grigori nature. When possible, they try to steer humans near death toward their destiny, and away from their fate, or at least give them a second chance on the wheel of life. In this capacity also, they are implacable enemies of Saminga's Servitors, who promote death as a gruesome, frightening, and evil thing.
Lastly, Azrael continues his mission of ministering to the damned. It's much more dangerous now, and he can only slip into Hell occasionally, meeting those souls that might be found far out on the frontiers of some of the more remote Principalities, like Abaddon and Gehanna. He does not discuss this aspect of his work, and does not generally permit any of his Servitors to join him (though it's rumored that one or two have shared in his salvation efforts). No one knows how many souls he might have saved, or how he removes them from Hell, or where they go after that -- to the Higher Heavens, to another reincarnation, or simply to oblivion -- but he must succeed often enough to keep him going back for more.

Dissonance

Azrael's Servitors may not interfere in the natural course of a mortal's life, except to counterract intervention by other celestials.
It is dissonant for angels of Death to cause or prevent a mortal human's death. (Healing someone who is injured is not dissonant, but healing someone who would otherwise die is.) The exception is when a mortal is threatened by celestial intervention, in which case the angel may intervene to save him.

Choir Attunements

Seraphim

Azrael's Seraphim are mediums who can communicate with the dead. With the mortal remains of a deceased human, they may make a Perception roll; if that human's soul is now in Heaven or Hell, or tied to the corporeal or ethereal plane as a ghost or dream-shade, he will be "summoned" to the Seraph's location (as if through the Song of Projection, and making a disturbance equal to twice his Celestial Forces), for a number of minutes equal to the check digit. Unwilling souls may resist with a Will roll. The Seraph (and anyone else present) may talk to the soul (who is not obligated to talk back).
If the soul has ascended to the Higher Heavens, reincarnated, or disbanded, he is beyond the Seraph's reach. Blessed souls who have been reborn as Saints also cannot be summoned. If the Seraph's summoning roll fails, he may not attempt to summon that individual again for a number of days equal to the check digit.

Cherubim (Restricted)

When Azrael became Outcast, most of his Cherubim transferred to Michael's service, and it is rumored that it was Azrael himself who taught Michael this attunement.
Azrael's Cherubim have the same ability as Cherubim of War: they know if anyone to whom they are attuned will die (without celestial intervention) within the next 24 hours. Unlike Azrael's other Servitors, they are also permitted to save the lives of their attuned without dissonance.

Ofanim

Ofanim of Death can follow a mortal soul to its final destination. They must assume celestial form next to the body of a mortal who has passed on within the last few minutes (no more than the angel's Celestial Forces). With a successful resonance roll, the Ofanite may then ascend to wherever the mortal's soul went -- Heaven, Hell, or an ethereal domain. If the soul became a ghost, the Ofanite will arrive at the soul's corporeal anchor (Corporeal Player's Guide, pp. 80-81). If the soul has disbanded, or gone on to reincarnate, the Ofanite will know this, though he will simply rematerialize next to the body -- unless the soul reincarnated and the Ofanite rolled a check digit of 6. In the latter case, the Ofanite will arrive next to the woman who bears the reincarnated soul in her womb!

Elohim (Restricted)

Azrael's Powers once worked closely with Servitors of Destiny, trying to steer those near death away from Hell. Now they must work alone. An Elohite of Death can "persuade" a mortal to go to Heaven . . . or at least, to stay away from Hell and try again on Earth. The Elohite must engage a mortal in conversation about his fate, and make a resonance roll. If successful, then if the mortal dies within a number of days equal to the angel's Celestial Forces, if he was Hell-bound (having achieved his fate, but not his destiny), he will reincarnate instead. If he was balanced between Heaven and Hell (having achieved his fate and his destiny, or having achieved neither), he will go to Heaven. This doesn't apply if (in the GM's opinion) the Elohite was unsuccessful in eliciting repentance from the mortal. Being able to divert mortal souls is a powerful ability, one that even Archangels do not have; Elohim of Death don't send their subjects to a better place, they induce the mortal to exercise his free will and go there. This must be roleplayed!

Malakim (Restricted)

With a successful resonance roll, a Malakite of Death will know, in addition to the usual information, where someone's soul would go if he died right now. They can detect undead with any successful resonance roll. (Celestials, of course, will register their native plane, but this doesn't automatically tell the Malakite that someone is an angel or a demon.)

Kyriotates (Restricted)

Kyriotates of Death can possess a corpse, if it died within a number of minutes equal to the Kyriotate's Celestial Forces. The host body will appear to revive, but it will die again after the Kyriotate leaves it (even if the angel healed any damage to the body). The Kyriotate will not suffer dissonance for this. (Azrael will disapprove of inflicting trauma on the living, of course.)

Mercurians (Restricted)

Azrael's Mercurians can perceive connections between the living and the dead. With a successful use of his resonance on a living person, the angel will learn the name of one family member or other loved one currently in Heaven, Hell, or anchored to the corporeal or ethereal planes (and which plane he is on). A check digit of 6 may -- at the GM's option -- reveal the name of a reincarnated love one, and the name of his new incarnation! Resonating on celestials will provide the name of a human soul beloved by that celestial. Individuals (mortal and celestial) who have no loved ones on any of the three planes will register a blank.
The Mercurian may also use this resonance in reverse on a ghost or dream-shade (but not undead). He will learn the name of a living person related to or beloved by the dead soul on whom he resonates.

Grigori

Azrael's Grigori can examine a corpse within a number of hours equal to the angel's Celestial Forces, and make a Perception roll as if detecting for disturbances (In Nomine, p. 55). On a successful roll, if the mortal was killed by celestial intervention, the Grigori will hear the echoes and receive information as if he'd been standing there at the time.

Servitor Attunements

Final Rest

For a cost of 2 Essence, the angel can send a ghost or dream-shade on to its final reward, or destroy an undead. The subject may resist with a Will roll; if successful, the angel may not try to lay that spirit or undead to rest again for a number of days equal to the check digit of the subject's Will roll.

Silence of the Grave

Quiet as the dead, the angel may absorb any disturbance he generates -- at a cost. Each point of disturbance inflicts 1 Soul hit on the Servitor. The angel may choose to absorb only part of a disturbance (or none of it).

Distinctions

Vassal of Death

Unless the angel wishes to be seen, no mortal may perceive the Vassal's celestial form, regardless of Perception. The exception is mortals who are dying, who have a normal chance to see the angel. Even other celestials (and Saints and undead) have more difficulty spotting him; do not add the Vassal's Celestial Forces to any Perception rolls.

Friend of the Dead

If a mortal dies in the angel's presence, he may temporarily delay the soul from passing onward; this allows the angel to talk to the soul, and use resonances upon him (including the Elohite of Death resonance, above). As long as the soul is willing to stay, the angel may continue talking to him indefinitely (but the soul's hold on the corporeal plane will end as soon as the angel leaves, and the angel cannot carry the soul with him). If the soul is unwilling, he may make a Will roll; on a success, the angel may only hold him for 6 more minutes minus the check digit of the roll. If the mortal's Will roll is unsuccessful, he may try again in a number of minutes equal to the check digit.

Master of Eternal Rest

The angel may escort a human soul in celestial form. The soul must be willing, but if he is, the angel can "carry" him anywhere the angel can go celestially. This power is usually used to carry ghosts or dream-shades to Heaven. No one knows if a Master of Eternal Rest can carry a damned soul to Heaven; it's rumored that those who haven't become sufficiently selfless will not survive the journey.

Relations

Azrael is technically an Outcast. The Inquisition does not hunt him, or his Servitors, though they will act to prevent angels of Death from interfering in the War, and they will monitor any activities they discover by the Grigori Archangel. Azrael despises Dominic for passing judgment on his entire Choir, and for being so uncaring of humanity, and for continuing to hunt the Children of the Grigori. He also resents Dominic's stationing the Angels of Final Judgment outside the gates of Hades -- they do some of what Azrael once did, screening out souls who don't belong in Hell, but they also make it impossible for angels of Death to minister to the damned before they are herded inside.
Azrael also bears a grudge against David, whose angels ruthlessly hunted down the Grigori, and killed many of them and their children.
Michael took over some of Azrael's duties after the latter left Heaven, and it's rumored that they still talk, from time to time. Azrael will also help angels of Destiny when he can, as they both work toward the same ultimate goal, though he hasn't spoken to Yves personally in over a thousand years.

                          Marcia Zibabo
 

It is written MY HOUSE will be called a HOUSE of prayer for all people. But you are changing GODs HOUSE into a hiding place for theives Mark 11:15-17

What have we now done to the HOUSE of my FATHER! We no longer wake up and go to church to praise the LIVING GOD but we go to partake in gossip and ungodliness and claim to know but better yet understand what it means to be HOLY and to be in HIS PRESENCE! In such a case how do you even say you KNOW HIM if you have no time for HIM!

You sit and tell HIM about the desires of your heart and expect HIM to listen and respond when you yourself cannot even give HIM what HE requires from you! You cannot seek HIS KINGDOM nor DELIGHT in HIM but you want all these things to be added unto you and for HIM to give you the desires of your heart!

QUESTION patiance!

Should your FATHER not answer your prayers as quick as you desire, instead on waiting on HIM as you should! you consider serving in the other kingdom because they promise results, not knowing that the time you began to ask, THE LORD already heard and sent forth your answer but because of your heart you delay you blessing! #you cannot dish into a dirty plait, why do you expect GOD to place a blessing into a dirty heard

#getrightwithGod

 

Pastor Benny Hinn

“And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, because you have joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish”. (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)

Jehoshaphat was no stranger to the awesome ways of God. The Bible says that the Lord was with him because he sought and yearned for the Lord with all his heart and did not walk in the ways of Israel. The Lord established the kingdom in his hand and prospered him. But Jehoshaphat had now aligned himself with the enemies of God and entered into a ship building business with Ahaziah, king of Israel. God did not approve of this alliance. He had no part in the arrangement so He destroyed the ships. God is clear about unholy alliances no matter the form or shape they take. He is displeased with the spirit of compromise that has taken hold of His people who have entered into marriage unions, business deals and other arrangements with unbelievers. He warns us in His Word not be unequally yoked because there is no fellowship between light and darkness, no communion between Christ and the devil (2 Corinthians 6:14). God says such alliances are not of Him therefore He will break them and destroy them. They shall not prosper. Be careful who you align yourself with.

Prayer: Lord, this day I dedicate my mind, body and spirit anew and I declare that they are holy unto you. Deliver me from unholy alliances known and unknown to me. Order my steps that I may walk in ways pleasing and acceptable unto you. Father, I pray that for each unholy alliance, give me the courage, boldness and strength to terminate it. I sever every unholy alliance that I have entered into and I commit myself to enter into only those alliances that are pleasing to you in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.