Leadership- Hierarchical and Humanly official

by Brett Jacobsen

This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)  

Programmes- Sterile services and Flamboyant events

By Brett Jacobsen

This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)  

Cursed be the man that trusts in man

By Brett Jacobsen
 

This says the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm [zerowa- strength], and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jer 17:5-8)

I resonate with many of Roger’s points in this article. Many who have come out of “traditional churches” have a hard time not becoming a mini-me of the very thing they thought they'd left behind. (It seems that no-one is exempt from this paradigm struggle). It is not enough to switch venues for church, we must move forward by the Spirit as He teaches us how to be the church rather than going there (even if it is in a house). If we learn, by the Spirit, to live the Kingdom of God all day every day, we don’t need event evangelism, nor do we need exciting meetings (even in homes). We will be living by the Spirit in everyday life, as well as when we gather together to break bread.

GLOBAL WARNING - Video Premier at Byron Bay

A good friend of mine (Steve Maloney) has released another excellent surfing film which glorifies Jesus and challenges those who don’t live for Him. Global Warning has some of the world’s best surfers surfing in Australia, Hawaii and Tahiti. Throughout the movie there are gospel seeds sown out in various ways which include music with overtly Christ-centred lyrics. You can see a trailer of the movie, or obtain a copy from www.jcunderground.com. This movie (as well as his other one called Resistance is Futile) is a good gift for anyone you know who surfs and doesn’t yet know Jesus (it’s good for Christ people too).

Many who have grown discontent with the arm of the flesh operating throughout the church- those who have moved out towards ‘Him who suffered outside the camp’ can feel great discouragement and loneliness at times. Although this discouragement and loneliness is usually from God and can often produce maturity in Christ, sometimes it is good to be encouraged that we are not alone. I have found that there are many others world-wide who are walking a similar lonely path. I’m sure that this short, potent word from Tozer will resonate with a number of readers, bringing encouragement to their souls. Some will say “it’s good to know there are others who ache for His Kingdom”.

Bretto

by A.W. Tozer 

A small team of us (an Aussie, a Kiwi, and a Yank) have just got back from a three week trip to a certain Asian country (which must remain anonymous if we wish to go back). Our main objective, which I believe God achieved, was to meet with pastors and leaders to teach and discuss reformational issues in the church. Wow, God is soooo good. Across four major cities (and a few stops in-between) we met with hundreds of pastors and leaders and sowed some huge Kingdom reformation seeds. They were very receptive to us and the teaching which we brought.

Some highlights of the trip were:

- The openness of many pastors to repent of Dark-Age structures and heart attitudes and begin a process of change.

A friend of mine sent me this little story. Although I think that our nights could be spent more wisely than sipping wine (perhaps Holy Spirit new wine), I think the story has an interesting truth to it. How much of our striving to succeed is a waste of precious time? Of course we should "with quietness […] work, and eat [our] own bread" but are we reverting back to being under the curse when we strive to "get ahead" (2 Thes 3:12)?

"In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground" (Gen 3:19)

This small article is an excerpt from my book Heaven's Underground Blueprint. It is a prophetic/teaching book about the current, ongoing reformation of His church. You can obtain a hard copy for cost price + freight, or a free e-version from http://www.christisall.org/hub-book. Peace.

by Brett Jacobsen
 

Crossing into the Promised Land is not a prophetic picture of salvation; that would be the exodus from Egypt. It is however, a representation of us walking into “the fullness of Christ”. Whilst coming to Jesus is wonderful, it is only the beginning of the heavenly journey which should gravitate towards the fullness of Christ, in and around our lives. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians lifts the standard from just scraping into heaven to a more complete faith:

Ron McGatlin seems to me to have a big heart for Christ's Kingdom. This article is from Ron's Open Heaven mail out which you can subscribe to at www.openheaven.com. It is of great importance that we find balance in this hour regarding leadership and authority so that we see Christ lifted up as the only head of His body.

Grace and peace,

Bretto 

Receiving God's Government

by Ron McGatlin

The current movement toward the governance of God continues at a rapid pace. Adjustments are not always easy. However, there is no alternative for God's people. Turning back is not an option. Life is before us and not behind us. Where we once found life there is now dry brush awaiting a spark and a wind to become a fire storm.

Are we biblically balanced in the area of finance?

I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about a biblically balanced life in the area of finances. God seems to be exposing many of the fancy “ministries” which thrive on excess, and survive by promoting the love of money. Conversely, there are millions of brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide who live way below any poverty line. Sure, we in the West may say, “these third world countries are heavily paganised and given to idols”… as if every Western country, even “Christian countries”, aren’t largely given to our own forms of idolatry and paganism. It is clear that a biblically balanced form of prosperity exists for those who are dead to self and alive in Christ. But why does the Lord prosper us and how much is enough for us before we should be sharing the wealth around? Did God not say that “it is he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant” (Deut 8:18)? So then, if the main reason that God wishes to prosper us with wealth is so that He can “establish His covenant” how can we justify lascivious living and selfish hording? Here are some sobering words penned by Paul the apostle which I would like to hear your thoughts on:

by Brett Jacobsen

…The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name… (John 12:23-28)

by Tom Sparks
                                                                                                                 

Today I’d like to share some things with you, on the subject of Intentional Gatherings.

I love that word - “Intentional.”  It has a ring to it that bears witness with something very deep within my spirit.  It is a term that is moving among the body of those who have come out of the traditional Church, so it’s not unique with me, but it says something very important.  For me there is a “knowing” that it is a God thing, a “deep that calls to deep” formation within me.

by Brett Jacobsen

This brief article is an excerpt from the author's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.

 
It was a shady church that nose-dived headlong into the Dark Ages and it is a shady church that has existed ever since. We would be kidding ourselves to say or think that it has been anything more than a shadow of the complete “fullness of Christ” church that God is searching out and preparing.

by T. Austin-Sparks

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).

It is interesting to notice the particular way in which the Apostle speaks of the world here. That term is a very comprehensive term and includes a very great deal. Here Paul gets right down to the spirit of the thing. You notice the context; it is well for us to take account of it:

"For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh" (Galatians 6:13).

An excerpt from Chapter 9 in David Orton's book,
"Snakes in the Temple: Unmasking Idolatry in Today's Church" 

Part 6 of 6

by David Orton

God views a human king as idolatry

Third, Samuel was shown that in rejecting him, as prophet, Israel was not only rejecting God but, in fact, pursuing other gods: “…but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods” (1 Sam 8:8 NIV). The kingship was the product of the nation’s idolatry and proven to be so by its unfolding history as the kings by-and-large led the people further in their pursuit of false gods.osea, as a prophet recognised the connection between idolatry and human government: “They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction” (Hos 8:4 NIV).

An excerpt from Chapter 9 in David Orton's book,
"Snakes in the Temple: Unmasking Idolatry in Today's Church" 

Part 5 of 6

by David Orton

WHAT IS GOD’S RESPONSE

TO HUMAN GOVERNMENT IN THE CHURCH?

As we have seen, just as Israel rejected God as king in their rejection of the prophet Samuel, the church rejected Christ as king when the office of bishop (the senior pastor) superseded the apostles and elders.

A few of us are going to Myanmar (Burma) in February/March to speak with church leaders in various parts of the country about the Kingdom of Christ and the current, ongoing reformation of His church. Myanmar is a very spiritual place, being about 89% Buddhist, and they are in desperate need of our King of kings’ saving grace. There is much oppression, poverty and political unrest in the country, and the churches are fairly stagnant, despite the fact that there are many wonderful Christians there. Traditional church and systemic sanctuaries make even less sense there than they do in the West. Real New Testament underground community would flourish throughout the country… if given the chance.

by Brett Jacobsen

This brief article is an excerpt from the author's book Heaven's Underground Blueprint which is available here - http://www.christisall.org/hub-book.

by Tom Sparks

For as far back as I can remember the Lord has been unveiling the competition He experiences with those things that oppose Him, and the story of my life is a journey from one exposure to another exposure of the religious systems that compete for centrality of life focus.

Let me make this as simple as I know how to.  Either Jesus is going to be the focus of our lives or religious systems are, but you are never going to find a religious system that maintains the focus on Jesus He is due.