A NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER

Yesterday citizens of this country celebrated our annual day of Thanksgiving. Families gathered to embrace each other in the exuberance of love and connection. But I am sad to report that many of us who prepared great feast to share with those that we love have no idea of the real meaning of this special day. Even among the people of God in America  many of us don't know why this day is known and celebrated as Thanksgiving. Reading the statements of many believers on Facebook at times we seem conflicted by a day of thanks because we are directed by the Word of God to live our lives in thanksgiving. Several of my Facebook friends wished me a happy thanksgiving and then admonished me to remember that every day is a day of thanksgiving. So if we as Christians celebrate this one day out of the year as a day of thanks than are we somehow missing the message that every day is a day of thanksgiving. I don't think so. But I do think that the problem with reconciling a day of thanksgiving with a lifestyle of thanksgiving is because we really don't know what this day represent to this nation. So today I want to share with you the reason why the fourth Thursday of November is called Thanksgiving.

This day was proclaimed by President George Washington on October 3, 1789. In that proclamation President Washington was asked by both houses of Congress "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER, TO BE OBSERVED BY ACKNOWLEDGING WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS THE MANY AND SIGNAL FAVORS OF ALMIGHTY GOD..."

The first president of the United States and the members of our first legislative branch known to us as Congress called the nation to set aside a day to give thanks to God. They are many secularist and atheist who are trying to remove the acknowledgement of God from our history. But here in this presidential proclamation President Washington not only recognizes our God but set aside an entire day for Him to be recognized nationally.

Furthermore President Washington wrote, "NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being..." This day was set apart to serve God. The original intent of today was declared by the President and the Congress to be a day of service to God.

President Washington also stated in his Proclamation, "that we might then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions..." On this day the first President of the United States asked the citizens of this country to ask God to forgive the national sins of this nation.

Today's Day of Thanksgiving is so far removed from its original intent and purpose but also the presence of our God is far removed from the face of this nation. Materialism and consumerism now fill our holidays and our feed our greed with no satisfaction. Prayer to God is shunned from the market square of our nation. Darkness increases over our land and evil is called good. How far have we as a nation fallen from the sunlight of God's favor but it's not too late to turn and to return to Him who was declared by the pen of the first President. If we return to God as a nation, then the words of George Washington will manifest in our times. "WHEREAS, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."

As a Christian I enter His gates each day with thanksgiving but as a citizen of this nation I see a great need for this country to return to the original Day of Thanks and Prayer. The Divided States of America need the God of George Washington who does rule nations and exalts nations as well as bring down nations. It's not too late for this Nation to humble itself under His mighty hand and be exalted to shine as a city on the hill.

The picture below is a copy of President Washington's Proclamation that appeared in the Massachusetts Centinel on October 14, 1789.

WATCHMAN ON WALLS INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

 

 

There has been days when I wasn't sure that I would make it to today. The political jargon, divisive accusations and partisans taunts have grieved the Holy Spirit who lives in me and has caused me to shudder in His leading. Many of those who live, breath and move in the realm of politics, whether they be Republican or Democrats, I'm sure was doing what they thought was best and what was required of them, but the rancor has been over the top and the one thing that I've seen missing is the love of God among His people who have been called out of the darkness into His marvelous light. This year the church has walked more in darkness than in light.

 

Over these last few years Holy Spirit has been calling me to give up many things that I have pursued and enjoyed over these years. I have been called to leave the wild wonderful world of sports. This is no reflection on anyone else and please receive my words in love and not criticism, but there is a spirit operating among sports and it is not the Holy Spirit. I have been called to leave the world of reality television. There is a spirit operating in that industry that is not of God. Most of the television shows that I have watched and enjoyed I have been called to leave. Now that I have been called to leave them I am in a greater place to intercede for the souls that are in these places doing what they believe that must do to perform and entertain mankind.

 

I am lead today to share with you a new work that God has birthed in my life. From the time when I  published and released my first book Do You Wanna Be Made Whole in December 2009 I have sensed a Call on my life to gather others who are Called to create through writing. In my travels throughout my community and across the country I have met many creative artists who have the desire, and the gift to write and release the stories that are moving in the midst of their imagination but many of them don't know where to go and where to find a mentor to help stir the gift that is in them.

 

From my many conversations with writers in my community I sensed that I was being Called to help these wandering artist find their purpose and ignite what God had set in them. So I set forward and attempted to do this through a Writer's group. But I found no one willing to join this community, there was a lot of talk but no action. After a few attempts I gave up assuming that maybe I was in the wrong place or in the wrong time.

 

Last fall I was visiting home which is Cleveland Ohio. My beloved grandmother was celebrating her 90th birthday and I joined the members of my family to celebrate this incredible woman who gave birth to my mother and raised her to be the loving and incredible woman that she was. While home I visited a church that is known for its prophetic ministry. After the services was over I introduced myself to Apostle Joseph Prude and thanked him for his ministry. After a few moments of conversation he said to me, "The Spirit is saying that you are dragging your feet. It's time to raise your banner, they are waiting for you." I thanked the Apostle and left. But that Word didn't leave me. Faith was activated in me to move forward and raise the banner. That fall Sunday in October 2011 Holy Spirit set me on what would be one of the life changing years I have encountered in my life.

 

From that word in the fall of 2011 to now I have been preparing to raise the banner that Apostle Prude declared and finally in September 2012 the Banner was lifted. The ministry that God set in my heart to bring forth is Watchman On Walls International Fellowship. The banner for this fellowship was designed by Apostle Carol Engledow. In Psalms 60: 4-5 in the Complete Jewish Bible it says, "To those who fear You because of the truth You gave a banner to rally around, so that You love can be rescued, so save with Your right hand and answer us."

 

Watchman on Walls, also known as W.O.W. is the ministry that God has entrusted to me to impart the Word of the Lord that will stir the creative gifts that lay dormant in those who are Called to represent the Call of God in the lives of man and to stand in intercession with those who are seeking direction and course from the Lord. The first ministry activity of W.O.W. has been weekly prayer Calls offered on Mondays at 9:00 p.m. EST. The first Call was held on Monday October 1, 2012 and we have been meeting every Monday since. This Call is specifically for those who are writers and authors in any genre, and although it is a Christ centered Call all are welcome.

 

 

 

And I give God praise for the people that He is gathering and for the Word that He releasing. Gifts and assignments are being activated to write and I sense that many of the spoken Word and written Word artists in this group are going to release great works that reveal the glory of the Lord in the earth.

 

All of the teaching that I have given are available on W.O.W. facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/watchmanonwallsinternationalfellowship. If you visit the page please like it so that you can receive more information about what this ministry is doing. I have so much more to share with you and I will. If you want more information about the weekly Prayer Call please email me at watchmanonwalls@yahoo.com.

 

When you vote today pray for this very divided nation and pray for the church, which is just as divided as the country. Shalom.     

A WORD FOR THE CHURCH: IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE STREETS

Last night in a dream the Holy Spirit showed me what is happening in the church (Acts 2:17-21). I saw two groups and one group was speaking out of their flesh. they were saying things that should not be spoken among God's people. And when I cried out for them to stop saying those things the entire group started to laugh at me. And then I saw another group that had congregated on the street and they were praying and the gifts of the Holy Spirit was manifesting in their presence. A person with a demonic spirit that was manifesting confusion came to stop them from praying but he could not stop their intercessions (Acts 16:16-18). 

The Holy Spirit woke me up at 3:30 a.m. and I started to intercede for the Church and the leaders of the church And I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding of this dream and this is what the Holy Spirit began to show me and say to me.

There is a division in the house of God. There are two fellowships in the church.  There is a fellowship of flesh that is operating in the spirit of this world. They have no fear and they speak the things of this world. They have received the spirit of his world and the things of God are foolishness to them. When I saw the first group they were all huddled in a room and they were content to stay in that one room and enjoy each other. 

And then there is a fellowship of the Holy Spirit that are seeking Him and are hunger for Him. They have been praying for the Holy Spirit to me in their midst and He says I have heard your prayers, and I am coming on you in signs and wonders and gifts that have not manifested in you yet. And Holy Spirit says that this group will move out into the streets because I am anointing them to have great influence in the earth in this earth. This fellowship that desires Me I will send them forth as my witnesses and they will rise in such influence that many of them will become My Voice in the marketplaces and the workplaces. The Nicodemuses will seek them out in the night to hear my Word (St John 3:1-2). 

In the dream when I saw these two groups. The one group was in a hotel. In a room in a hotel. They were content to be among themselves. They were content to stay in that one room. But the second group was out on streets, they were praying and gathering on the streets. They were forming a fellowship on the outside.

The Holy Spirit said to me that I saw them on the streets because that as were He was positioning them. He led me to Mark 6:56, "And whithersoever, He entered into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the STREETS, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the hem of his garments, and as many as touched Him was made whole." This group will operate in the anointing and whereever they go their will be healing. The Holy Spirit has anointed them to heal in the STREETS.  

And then the Holy Spirit led me to Luke 14:21, "So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the STREETS and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind."

This group will also operate in an unction that will cause them to bring off of the STREETS of cities, towns and villages the broken into the House of the Lord.

Something that is important for us to consider is the reason why I saw the second group moving out to the streets is because they started praying on the streets. They were not ashamed to cry out to God in the public square. The Lord is saying in this hour to His church, "If you will confess (acknowledge, praise, cry out to me) me before men (on the streets) that is where I will send you."

I bless you and I'm praying for you. Holy Spirit is calling you out into the STREETS.               

UNAUTHORIZED INTERCESSION!

"You shall not offer strange incense on it." (Ex 30:9).

In my last post I shared the story of two men recorded in Luke 18 who went into the Temple to pray. The first man stood in pride and declared his righteousness before God. The second man bowed his head and cried out for mercy. Jesus said that the second man went home justified and the other did not.  I want to share with you today what Holy Spirit is leading me to speak on this pressing matter of intercession in this season. The first man, the Pharisee, prayer was not accepted by God because the Pharisee offered "strange incense" before God. In other passages the word strange recorded in Exodus 30:9 is "Unauthorized." Please receive this revelation in the spirit. As much as our God loves everyone and desires that all would come to Him in intercession, praying and crying out to Him in fervency God will only accept the intercession or prayer that He has authorized.

There is a deceptive mindset in the Church that teaches that I can come to God anyway that I want. I can say to God anything that I want to say. I can come to God and He will accept me and whatever I do in any way.   But I must expose that delusion, for it is a lie that had created deception in the House of the Lord. The pattern that God gave to Moses reveals spiritual principles that dictate and determine our entrance into the presence of our King.

When God gave Moses the specificity to build the Tent of Testimony, a picture of the manifest presence of God in the midst of His people God told Moses to build the altar from WOOD and then God said cover it in GOLD. Wood is the prophetic picture of humanity. Gold is the prophetic picture of Deity. If you love the Lord and have received Him as your Savior and Lord then you are an altar, you are the place where God desires to meet you. But God wasn't satisfied with just your humanity, He placed Himself in you and called you His temple, the place where He lives. Yes you are human but now you are more than human. God lives in you. Deity is in you. You are Gold, made righteousness in the sight of God by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Because of who you are you must always offer to God the incense that He has ordered. You must offer the intercession that He requires. He will not accept your unauthorized intercession. The first man, the Pharisee offered to God strange fire. He offered  to God an intercession that exalted himself. It was a self righteousness petition and God judged it and called it UNAUTHORIZED. That man stood before God and praised himself. He despised others. He declared his acts of righteousness. He offered God what God did not authorize. And God would not receive it.

In the house of God on this Sunday September 23, 2012 much incense will be offered and God will judge it as UNAUTHORIZED. Many will offer intercession that comes from pride. Many will pray with an unforgiving heart. Others will pray without repentance. Many will pray in the name of Allah. And God will judge it as UNAUTHORIZED! Don't let that be you. Hear God through these words. He will accept what He appoints. He only receives what He authorizes. Learn what is pleasing to Him and offer Him what He calls SWEET.   

IS YOUR INTERCESSION A SWEET AROMA TO GOD?

Exodus 30:7, "Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning....a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations."

If you read my last blog you read that God is calling forth believers who will be altars where intercession is being offered day and night. Again I say that the incense burned on the altar in Exodus 30 is a prophetic picture of intercession or prayer. If you have not read that blog then visit http://www.bernardboulton.blogspot.com to read my entry on September 11, 2012.

Today I want to share with you how intercession is received by Adonai our Lord God. Aaron, the high priest,  was commanded to offer sweet incense to the Lord. This sweet incense was made and offered to the Lord and it carried a fragrance that not only filled the Tabernacle but ascended toward the heavens to the very throne of Adonai. From this principle Holy Spirit is saying that the attitude (represented by odor) is just as important as the act of intercession. Because our intercession is an act of worship before the Lord it must be presented to Him in a way that is pleasing to Him. You may be thinking isn't it enough that I pray? Shouldn't the Lord be pleased that I took the time to pray? And I believe that He is pleased but because God is a God of order revealed in principles, patterns and protocol it should move us to know what His Will is so that He may be pleased with everything that we do.

Holy Spirit showed me that this word, "sweet incense" is talking about the attitude that you release your intercession from. Immediately my spirit was led to see Isaac who humbly allowed his father Abraham to lay him on the altar at Mount Moriah as a sacrifice. God loves humility and intercession offered from a humble heart is a sweet fragrance before Him. A humble spirit says before God, "I'm coming to You but I am weak and I need You."

Again I am led by the Teacher Holy Spirit to the parable that Jesus told in Luke 18. There were two men in the Temple, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee prayed, "God I thank you that I am not like this tax collector." The tax collector prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner."Jesus said, in my words, the tax collector prayer was a sweet incense before the Lord and the Pharisee was not. Why? Because the tax collector stood before the Lord in humility and the Pharisee stood before the Lord in pride.

God is calling intercessors who are humble before Him. Intercessors who knows that they need Him and are willing to say so and show so. Is your intercession a sweet aroma before our Lord? My intercession for you is that you can say yes.

Pastor William McDowell calls us to intercession in this musical offering to Adonai. Receive it and be blessed.

YOU ARE AN ALTAR

Exodus 30:1 "You shall make an altar to burn incense on..."

Moses was called to the mountain of God to dwell in the presence of God to receive the revelations of God. God gave Moses intricate details on the construction of the Tent of Meeting and the furniture therein. In chapter 30 of Exodus God told Moses to construct an altar of incense.

Prophetically the altar is the believer who is a sacrifice to God and who makes sacrifices to God. Once the sacrifice is made the anointing is released. Many in the church want the anointing on their lives and ministry but they are unwilling to become a sacrifice and make sacrifices to God. Then the altar is the place where God comes to make an agreement at the altar. Your sacrifice and anointing will bring God to you to make a covenant agreement with you.

In this hour the Lord is calling for the believer to become an altar where incense is being burned. Incense is the symbol of intercession. In Psalms 141:2 David said, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense." In Revelation 5:8 John saw this scene in heaven, "...the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Beloved of God you are the altar and upon this altar is incense which is a picture of intercession. Again God is looking for intercessors in the earth. God is calling a people who will stand in intercession until the manifestation of heaven comes down into the earth.

Please understand that intercession is more than just praying, or praying for others. Intercession is ENTERING INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. In intercession we INTER SESSION with the Judge of the all the earth. Here we receive INSTRUCTIONS, IMPARTATION, and INVITATION. Then we receive from Adonai His will to release in the earth through prayer. Intercession is not me going to Him with what I want. But it is me going to Him to receive from Him what He wants. The heart of intercession is always, "Let Your Will be done in earth as it is heaven."

A few weeks ago the Democratic National Convention met in Charlotte North Carolina to nominate President Barack Obama for a second term to the White House. But also heaven and hell met in Charlotte North Carolina. Intercessors gathered on the weekend before the start of the convention to intercede for the meetings. Muslims gathered in Charlotte to pray to their god, Allah. It appeared that hell had struck a great blow in the Democratic Convention when the name of God was removed from the platform of the Democratic Party. But when this was reported God's name was placed back in the platform. In the spirit I see that this move to remove God's name was a demonic scheme, the devil always operates in the dark, when it was brought forth the demons retreated.

When we release intercession in the earth it is received and stored in the heavens until the opportune time that God releases it in the earth to cause a shift or a realignment.

Will you say yes to the Call of God to become a altar where intercession is being offered day and night? Will you become the altar and the intercessor? The future of America is being weighed in the balance as it awaits your answer.     

Bernard's Word introduces Yvonne Wright; Author of Spice to Eternity: Discovering the Main Ingredient to a Life of Fulfillment and Purpose

I am pleased to introduce Yvonne Wright of the United Kingdom to you. On tomorrow Yvonne will be launching her book Spice to Eternity: Discovering the Main Ingredient to a Life of Fulfillment and Purpose. You can find Yvonne's book on Amazon and her website, http://wwwyvonnepatwright.weebly.com and I'm encouraging to go and purchase a copy or a few copies tomorrow. Yvonne loves the Lord and it is demonstrated by her consistent release of His Word. She and I met a year and a half ago and since I've come to know her, her light and love for Jesus shines through every word that she releases to encourage the people of God.       Yvonne was born in Kingston Jamaica and lived there until she relocated as an adult to London England. While she lived in Jamaica Yvonne demonstrated the Call of God on her life to write creatively as she wrote scripts for Radio and Television for the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation. Yvonne has demonstrated her giftedness to write by publishing a church magazine, writing instructional lessons for her teaching ministry in the local church where she serves as a Teacher and Lay Preacher. She trains new members in the fundamental of faith. Yvonne is definitely walking out the Word of the Lord. Spice to Eternity has been described as part memoir, part inspirational, part cooking and part educational. For more information you can reach Yvonne on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/home/yvonnepat And tomorrow her books will be available at http://www.amazon.com

 

A CONVENTION THAT PRAYS

When the Judge Samuel stood before the people Israel he declared, "Far be it from me that I might sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and right way." (I Sam 12:23). Samuel felt an unction to continue to stand in intercession for God's chosen people. The greatest stand of any person called and anointed of God is the stand of intercession. Intercession is going before God to stand for a people, declaring the will of God in the presence of God and agreeing with God for His will to be in His people so that it might done in the earth.

With this same mandate and unction the President of the National Primitive Baptist Convention Elder Doctor Bernard C. Yates, the pastor of the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Pensacola Florida, has called the people of this convention to gather in intercession and petition. This morning at 7:00 a.m. God caused a people to assemble in the Great Lakes Center of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn Michigan and stand in the presence of God to cry out for His favor and function to manifest this week.

Led by Elder Benjamin Adams, the pastor of the St John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater Florida and the Chairman of the Board of Evangelism and Missions National  Primitive Baptist Convention the people gathered to intercede in the Great Lakes Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn Michigan for President Yates, Vice President Duke; the Senior pastor of the New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church Miami Florida,  and the leaders of the convention. We interceded for the people of the convention and the various needs represented.

We took our stand and hell knows that we are present in Dearborn to tear down its strongholds in this city and region. But then heaven knows that we are here as God descended in the midst of His people pleased with our faith and function as intercessors     

Led by Elder Benjamin Adams, the pastor of the St John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater Florida the priests of  God called on God for His protection, His power, His plans, His provisions to show themselves in the people. In one voice, in unity we prayed for President Yates, Vice President Duke, the leadership of the convention, the people and various needs.

We took our stands as the army of God declaring the  pulling down of strongholds, demonic strategies, and the principalities that operate in Dearborn and Detroit. We made our presence known in hell and in the heavens. Every morning we will gather this week to build the stronghold of God; the stronghold of unity and agreement. And destroy the stronghold of hell. A convention that prays is a convention that glorifies God and terrifies hell.  

    

10 DAYS OF MANIFESTED GLORY

I had to share this with you. As long as I live I don't believe that there will ever be anything as precious to me as experiencing the manifested presence of God. And I've been doing that today. This record is a testimony of the kind of day I've had in His presence. I feel like Moses standing on the mountain watching God write the Torah.

Starting Sunday August 5, 2012 a teleconference revival has been taking place on Facebook. This virtual move of God is being hosted by Apostles Kevin and Candace Ford of Chicago Illinois. I have done more writing on this couple this year than anyone outside of my own family, but in my spirit I feel as if they are my brother and sister. They are a unique apostolic couple, unlike any I've ever witnessed. Their spirits and manner of ministry reminds me of Aquila and Priscilla, and like this apostolic couple in the Book of Acts the Fords are a dynamic duo in business and religion. The world will one day know of the Fords and I'm praising God that He let me introduce them to you through Bernard's Word.

This telerevival is called 10 DAYS OF MANIFESTED GLORY and it is a time of Preaching, teaching, prophesying and intercession. The participants are being encouraged to fast each day until 6:00 p.m each evening. The Call begins at 8:00 p.m. EST.  I've been on the Call and in the presence of the Lord all three days but what I wanted you to know was what happened to me today as a result of last nights Call.

Yesterday I was extremely tired and unable to focus on what I needed to do for the day. As result of my tiredness and a nagging sinus headache I was unable to perform. By night I was ready to write Monday off as a lost day and go to bed. I knew that the Call was going on but I wasn't planning on attending. I was sitting in front of the television waiting for the clock to strike nine so that I could go to bed. At about ten minutes before eight my spirit started pulling me toward 10 Days of Manifested Glory. I dragged myself to the land line and marched myself to the desktop. I called in and waited.

Pastor Marnisha Thomas of Chicago started to minister and immediately my spirit quicken under the flow of God's Word out of this woman's mouth. By the time Prophet Pernell Robinson released a prophetic word my spirit was leaping. More prophetic words and decrees came forth from Apostle Candace and Prophetess Samonia Whisonant of Baltimore Maryland. By the time I went to bed I was walking under the glory cloud.

This morning when I rose from bed I was still in the glory. I declared that today I would press toward my goals. Immediately I began to write a chapter in a book that will be finished this week, I decree it to be so. In a couple of hours I had written a chapter and started on the next chapter. I then turned to my homework. I was planning to complete an assignment on yesterday to be on schedule but I didn't do any work yesterday. By the time of the Prayer Call, 8:00 p.m. EST I was almost complete with the second assignment as I listened to Prophetess Joyce Jones preach and teach on Abiding (With all these folks from Chicago land ministering I hope somebody told President Obama to attend; he needs this!) I completed my second assignment.

This is how the Glory is manifesting in me. I did two days work in one day! When you walk in the glory it accelerates your movements. That's Manifested Glory!

One of my favorites passages on the Glory is Isaiah 60.In verse 7 God says, "I will glorify the house of my glory."
When God said I will glorify God is saying that He will declare, He will speak plainly.

The house that God refers to a dwelling place. it also refers to the Temple where God's Spirit dwells.

God's glory is His rank and honor, it also refers to the weight of God.

This verse is what I've been experiencing today. Through His mouthpieces God has been declaring His honor and weight in me who is His house where His glory lives.. The glory of God always starts with the spoken word of God.  

I'm inviting you to 10 Days of Manifested Glory, there is still seven days left and I promise you that one thing will happen to you, and this is my witness, because you are the house of God, if you are trusting  Jesus as your Savior and have accepted Him as your Savior and Lord, God will glorify you and His glory will descend over you, your house, your family, your business, and whatever concerns you.

If you don't believe that Jesus died because He loves you and desires to have a relationship with you based on his love I invite you to this call and I promise you that if you say yes to God drawing you He will come in you and make you His house where He will glorify the glory that He will set in you. God has enough glory for all of us.

Meet me at 10 Days of Manifested Glory. For more information go to www.facebook.com/groups/edenelitegroup/

SUMMER WITH PASTOR BERNARD BOULTON

I pray that you are having an exciting summer. One full of fun, faith and setting things in order for your future. I've been having an incredible summer. I'm not sure when I've had summer like this one. I want to share with you what Holy Spirit's been doing in my life.

First I have been blessed above measure with the brothers of Global Men Prayer Network. This group of men gather every Monday night to receive exhortational teachings from Apostle Kevin Ford. Although Apostle Ford is the head of this network he is an humble servant of God who doesn't mind sharing the moments of teaching with others, including me. As we enter the presence of the Lord in worship many prophetic words have come forth in these weekly prayer gatherings . That's what happened to me on Monday June 4, 2012. One of the brothers, Prophet Pernell Robinson released a word over me that SET me in a new place. I'm still walking under the mantle of the word. I praise God for the fellowship with these brothers, intercessors establishing the kingdom of God in the earth. If you are man of God looking for a place of fellowship and agreement please join us this coming Monday night. Go to WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/groups/gmpnetwork for more information.

Second I entered into one of the most unusual educational experiences that I have ever encountered in my life. I am a student in the VOICES OF CHRIST LITERARY MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL. I am being mentored and trained as  a Present Day Scribe by Apostle Theresa Johnson. This woman of God has been raised up and commissioned by the Lord to impart into those called by God to write and stand as worshippers in the earth the unique identity and calling on these creative artists. The courses that I am taking have stretched me and humbled as I'm learning what God has called me to before the foundation of the earth. I'm being led in unusual ways as Holy Spirit is taking me into new realms and giving me new experiences. if you are a writer and are not sure about the will of God for your gift I recommend VOICES OF CHRIST to you. Apostle Johnson has the heart of God and walks under a unique mantle for those who are wandering in the writing wilderness. Go to WWW.VOICESOFCHRIST.COM for more information.

Third I am getting ready to release my second book titled DIVINE FAVOR: GOD ACTS FOR YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES ACT AGAINST YOU. Divine Favor is already available as an ebook at www.bernardboulton.com/dfbook.html  but next month it will be released in paperback. In preparation of this event I now have a new website. The designer is LOVE CLONES, www.loveclones.com   owned and operated by Apostles Kevin and Candace Ford. Please stop by the my website, WWW.BERNARDBOULTON.COM and take a look.

There's a page on the website called Divine Favor, www.bernardboulton.com/divine.html  where you can leave your own testimony about how God has favored you and you can leave your prayer request as you seek God's favor in your life and I will stand in agreement with you for His favor. Psalms 102: 13 says, "For the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come." I declare this word over your life. Leave your petition for favor and I will believe with you that this is your time for favor.

I've got more to share and I'll be back. God bless you.

DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE

Today July 4, 2012 the United States of America celebrates the birth of this great nation. On this day in 1776, 236 years ago the Continental Congress released a statement that declared the thirteen American colonies independent from the British Empire. This statement has been known ever since that day as the Declaration of Independence. The men who gathered in Philadelphia, as representatives of the American, declared the American people free.

As I was leading the congregation of the New Mine Creek Church on this past Sunday I was led by Holy Spirit to declare over God's people that we are free. Free from sin and free from eternal death through the declaration of Jesus Christ. On the cross Jesus declared, "It is finish." When that declaration was released in both the earth and the heavens it set every person, who would believe on Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord, free.

And as I was praying on July 1 I released a declaration, not of independence, but of dependence. I started declaring our dependence on the kingdom of God. Today as the citizens of the United States of America celebrate independence and the forming of this nation I invite you to stand in agreement with me and make your declaration of dependence.

America declare its independence because it no longer wanted to be under the sovereignty of the British Crown. But for we who are free in Jesus Christ we need to be dependent on God our King. We need Him to help us be who we are called to be. We need Him to lead us where we are going. We need him to heal our hearts. The body of Christ cannot afford to be independent form the Lord. He is our vine and we our His branches. Our very life flows from Him.

Today I make a declaration of dependence:
1. I declare that I am chosen in Him to be holy and blameless before Him in love.
2. I declare that I am predestined to be a son of God.
3. I declare that I am accepted in the beloved.
4. I declare that I am redeemed by the blood.
5. I declare that my sins are forgiven.
6. I declare that I know God's will for my life.
7. I declare that I am an heir and joint heir with Christ.
8. I declare that I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

I declare, with heaven and earth as my witness that I need You Father. I need You. I come to Your throne of grace for help in my time of need. Abba Father I need You to order my steps. I need You Holy Spirit to lead me in all truth. I declare in the earth that I am dependent on Your grace Lord Jesus and Your resurrection power. I need You Father. I need You every hour.

Abba I stand in the gap for the United States. I declare that this nation needs You. Abba we need a restoration of values that reflects Your love and truth. Abba I declare unity and cooperation in our government. Abba I declare national deliverance from the strongholds of opposition and I declare that You are building a stronghold of cooperation. Abba I declare that Your righteousness is flowing in America. Abba I stand before You as an intercessor for this country that I love and I humble myself under Your mighty hand for this nation and I declare Abba that You are exalting this nation when You see humility in this nation. Abba I declare that where curses have been released in this nation because of its disobedience Your blessings are overtaking America.

THE ALTAR

I was at a conference with thousands of believers. We entered into the presence of God as His royal priesthood. We praised God without shame and the manifest presence of God honored our praise by coming into our midst to establish His throne in our presence. Psalms 22:3 says, "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." This eternal principle operates wherever God's people offer Him the sacrifice of praise. As preist we offered our praise to God and God received our offerings and confirmed His pleasure by coming into our midst to set His throne there and reign in our presence as King of kings.

We had assembled ourselves at the altar of God. Psalms 43:4 "Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy: And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God." We were standing on the holy hill of God and we had entered His tabernacle. It was a glorious place to bask in the glory of God and receive His presence and all that He was pouring out on us.

We remained in the presence of God until the conference host showed us an excerpt of his movie that was coming out soon after the conference. As the trailer of the movie played I sensed a shift in the atmosphere but I wasn't sure why or what had happened and then as understanding came forth. The manifest presence of God had lifted. The throne of God had moved. We were still in the same physical place but we were not in the same spiritual place. I felt sad and then my sadness turned to offense.

I was offended when the conference preacher stood to preach the Word of God and within the first twenty minutes of his mesage people started to get up and walk out. There were walking out on the Man of God as he stood to give us the Word of God. My offense were with the people. I started to call them immature and selfish. I said to myself and I said to a freind a few days later, "This is what is wrong with the church. Leadership is so selfish and undisciplined. If leaders (It was a leadership conference) are so disrespectful to the Word how can we expect any difference from the people."

Days later Holy Spirit brought my offense forward and said to me, It wasn't the people's fault that they walked out. They left because they had no hunger for my word because they changed altars. They were hungry when they were at my altar, they were hungry when they were expereincing my presence but when the conference shifted the altar shifted. My people were directed from My altar to the altar of the golden calf. They left from worshipping me to being entertained. Whenever my people are gathered at the altar of the golden calf they will never have an appetite for my Word."

I was blown away by this revelation. Whenever God's people gather at His altar not only will we experience His manifest presence but our spirits will hunger and thirst for His rightoeusness revealed in His Word. But when God's people worship at the altar of the golden calf we will not have that hunger (Please read Exodus 32 and pray to Holy Spirit to give you understanding). Holy Spirit began to show me how churches all over this world are gatheirng at the altar of  the golden calf to be entertained. Everything in their service is designed to tickle their flesh and make them feel good about themselves. They may talk about God and pray to God and sing songs about God but the purpose is to give the people what they want.

When Aaron created the golden calf in Exodus 32 the Word says in verse six, "Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Israel's worship of the golden calf appealed to their flesh. It was a worship of entertainment at the altar of the god that had created for themselves.

The altar that you worship at determines your appetite.

I'm going to continue sharing what Holy Sprit has revealed to me concerning worship and altars in the coming weeks. Today ask Holy Spirit to reveal what altar are you worshipping at.

WHO I AM

I declare and decree blessings to every Father, biological and spiritual. May this poetic offering deposited in me by Holy Spirit bless you and cause you to overcome every plot of the enemy to steal your identity.

WHO I AM

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am constructed uniquely by the hand of God. I am blessed by His word spoken over me before there was me.

I am His image. I am light called out of darkness. I am creation manifesting purpose.

I am man molded from earth. I am vessel of Holy Spirit living because of His breath in me.

I am soul. I am self. I am spirit. I am standing in the earth. I am reigning in my place. I am planted. I am prospering. 

I am master. I am manager. I am man. I am son of God. 

Written by Bernard Boulton 2012. All  rights reserved.  

          

Pastor Bernard Boulton releases second book "DIVINE FAVOR: GOD ACTS FOR YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES ACTS AGAINST YOU

Divine Favor: God acts for you when your enemies act against you is a Spirit based real life story that illustrates a principle of Divine Favor. That principle is Divine Favor is God reacting for you when your enemies act against you.

This is a personal story from the life of Pastor Bernard Boulton that chronicles many instances where God showered favor on him as he experienced the hand of his enemies growing up in Cleveland Ohio and in ministry as a preacher and pastor. Divine Favor is a testimony of God's favor being released at pivotal moments in Bernard's life.   

Bernard uses as a backdrop to his story characters from the Scriptures who also experienced God's favor in response to the hand of their enemies. A few are:

Leah, a woman unloved by her husband and favored by God.
Gideon, the poor farmer struggling to etch out a living under the oppression of his enemies raised up by God to be a mighty general.
Job the grieving father who experienced favor when he interceded for his harassers. And many more.

Divine Favor will encourage you to see the favor of God operating in your life because of the presence of your enemies.

This book is available as an ebook at Smashwords. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/167696. Get your copy today for .99.  
   

MOTHER BERNICE LOWE: A PRIMITIVE BAPTIST GIANT NOW RESTING IN THE LORD

Today, Saturday June 9, 2012 in the sanctuary of the Chestnut Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Church in Westfield North Carolina an overflow crowd, that filled the sanctuary and spilled out to the foyer, gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Mother Bernice Cox Lowe. Mother Lowe made her transition from earth to glory on Friday June 1, 2012.

Many eulogistic remarks were given by friends and family. The most remarkable eulogistic remarks were delivered by the Elder Doctor Thomas W. Samuels. Samuels is a legendary figure in the Primitive Baptist Church. His life and membership in this denomination spans from birth where he was raised in a Primitive Baptist parsonage in Miami Florida. His pastoral career spanned almost five decades when he retired from the Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist in Charlotte North Carolina after leading the church to construct a multimillion house of worship and center for ministry. Doctor Samuel is currently in his last year of serving as President of the North Carolina/Virginia State Convention after being president for thirty five years.   

Doctor Samuel shared with the congregation his relationship with the members of the Cox family for seventy years. Doctor Samuels shared his familiarity with many members of this family throughout his years. He described Mother Lowe as a faithful member of the church. He enumerated her many sacrifices to attend the meetings of the National Convention, in February and August for many years.

Doctor Samuel talked about Mother Lowe commitment to the North Carolina/Virginia State Convention as an officer in the Women's Congress and a stalwart supporter for the expansion of the state headquarters building in East Spencer North Carolina. Doctor Samuel shared Mother's Lowe partnership in prayer with him that God would show favor to the State Convention and cause the building that was completed in 2006 to come to fruition. And as God heard Jabez so He also heard Thomas Samuel and Bernice Lowe.

Doctor Samuel shared with the congregation that Mother Lowe was a consistent and fiery advocate for the rights of women to have a voice in the Primitive Baptist Church a position that was passed on to her from her mother, the venerable Mother Minerva Cox, another giant in the Primitive Baptist Church.    

Doctor Samuels was eloquent in both his remarks and the reading of poetic verses. He received an ovation at his conclusion.

Other highlights at this four hour long celebration was the eulogistic remarks given by Elder James Strickland. Elder Strickland is currently serving as the pastor of the Kings Mountain View Progressive Primitive Baptist Church in his 55th year, one of the longest serving pastors in one church in the Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Strickland, a member of Chestnut Ridge shared his long time relationship with Mother Lowe and her active participation in the Sandy Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Association for many decades.

Two eulogistic messages were delivered by Elder Kenneth Smith, the son in law to Mother Lowe and the pastor of the Holly Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Concord North Carolina and Reverend Nelson Staples III, the pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Beckley West Virginia.

Other persons of note in attendance were Elder Henry Wright, the moderator of the Sandy Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Association. Deacon John Jessup, the president of the Sandy Ridge Church School Convention. Mother Wyvette Dillard, the president of the Sandy Ridge Women's Congress. Mother Grace Byers, the president of the North Carolina/Virginia States Women Congress. Sister Lula Brown, president of the North Carolina/Virginia State Church School Convention. Elder Harry Love, the moderator of the Southwestern Primitive Baptist Convention. Elder Doctor Larry Tatum, the president of the National Primitive Baptist Church School Congress and pastor of the New Sardis Primitive Baptist Church in Cleveland Ohio, my home church.

Mother Lowe was the last member of her generation. Her legacy lives on in her children, Lashene Lowe, First Lady Jill Smith and Julia Bratton and her grandchildren.

I celebrate Mother Bernice Lowe for her leadership and for her life. She served well as a Wife, Mother, Educator and believer of the Lord Jesus Christ. When God created man and woman He said to them to fill the earth. That meant that within every human being is the innate ability to announce to the earth that I am here and after we have departed this earth our presence will speak about us in the minds and hearts of those who we have impacted and influenced. Such can be said about Mother Bernice Lowe, she filled the earth with her presence and she testified in her words and works about the One that she lived for.

Doctor Samuels said as he closed his remarks, "It's not goodbye but only goodnight." I agree and concur with those same sentiments. Goodnight Mother Lowe.  

IT'S A NEW DAY

I was awakened at two o' clock this morning. Whenever I'm awaken at this hour it is the Holy Spirit getting me up to pray during the fourth watch of the night, which begins at 3:00 a.m. For years I didn't understand the purpose of getting up to pray at this time and I would protest to the Holy Spirit for awaking me at this hour. But finally illumination came from Chuck Pierce's book God's Unfolding Battle Plan. In this book Chuck teaches on the purpose of the four watches that are revealed in the Scripture and the purpose of each watch.

With understanding I now embrace this call to pray and keep watch in this hour whenever I am led to. It is a sacrifice and it is worth it for what God is calling me to do with Him and what He is doing in me.

As I am ending this watch, it's almost six o'clock, the Holy Spirit wanted me to share with you as you read this that the end of the fourth watch is  a new day. And that where God is calling you, a new day. I know that it doesn't look like it but you've got to see what I am saying with your spiritual eyes. As long as we continue to see with our natural eyes we will never see new days.

The fourth watch which ends at 6:00 a.m. declares that a new day is dawning. This watch is greatly demonstrated in Exodus chapter 14. The children of Israel had left Egypt and Pharaoh was coming to capture them. When they people saw Pharaoh and his great army they became afraid. In this new day God is calling you out of fear. Fear had confined you. It has caused you to stop advancing in what God is calling you to do. This new day is a day where God says be not afraid.

It is a new day because God is speaking to you through the Moses in your life. Moses told the fearful people, "Do not be afraid, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today." The reason why many of us has missed former new days is because we refused to hear God speak through Moses. Sometimes we can be so concerned about moving that we miss a vital key to movement which is hearing what the Spirit is saying. We can't move until we hear. Today God is giving you ears to hear. And what you hear will cause you to move.

It is a new day because God is separating you by His glory. God separated Israel from Egypt by a cloud. The cloud was the glory of God. What was light to Israel was darkness to Egypt. The glory of God is separating you from those who are your enemies. The glory of God is separating you because God has ordained that you are going forward in your destiny from those who are chasing after to destroy you before you ever realize the full manifestation of your destiny.

It is a new day because God is opening a way for you to go forward. What was once closed (The Red Sea) is being opened by God. And that's why God has been waking you up before 3:00 a.m. He's been calling you to Stand still (watch and pray) and see (Gain a vision or prophetic sight) the salvation (the manifestation of His action on your behalf).

Go forward and witness how God is going to defeat your enemies. There is an open door before you. There is a way before you. I declare that you are going forward. No turning back. It's a new day.

Bernard Boulton's latest book DIVINE FAVOR: GOD ACTS FOR YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES ACT AGAINST YOU

Divine Favor was written during a season of transition where I was learning the purpose of past seasons and the significance of present seasons. One day I was reading my favorite psalms, number 23 and when I reached verse five, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.." The Holy Spirit caused me to stop and meditate on this verse. Prior to this day I was very familiar with Psalms 23. It was the first passage in the scripture that I memorized. The congregation of my childhood recited Psalms 23 each Sunday as our responsive reading. But on this particular day I was being lead to consider something that I had never consider about this verse that I had grown up with and could recite without thought.

The Holy Spirit started teaching me from this passage and begin to speak in my spirit about the presence of spiritual enemies in my life. He showed me the times that I had been injured by enemies in ministry and about the times I had encountered attacks that I wasn't sure I would overcome. And the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that the very people who were used by Satan to do me harm had actually provoked the hand of God in my favor.

From the revelation of Psalms 23:5 I was led throughout the Old Testament to see others who were the candidates of God's favor because of malicious attacks from enemies. David the writer of this Psalms knew the hurt that enemies afflicted on him but the more David faced enemies the more the favor of God was released in his life.

The Holy Spirit gave me this story, which is my second published book, to teach and impart this truth to the Body of Christ. It is the enemy in your life that causes God to react to you with favor. The pages of this book is my personal story written with a backdrop of biblical characters who faced pain, persecutions and problems and saw God move on their behalf. I offer this story to you to encourage and edify you. May this account cause your eyes to be open to see the real blessings of  enemies in your life.

Divine Favor is currently being offered as an ebook at Smashwords, http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/167696  It will later this summer in hard copy. Please go to Smashword and read a free sample of this story. If it blesses you purchase it. The price is .99.
 

NATHAN "NATIONS" ALLEN: KINGDOM POET

I am pleased to introduce to you an anointed poet who ministers with grace and ability. His name is Nathan S. Allen and I had the privilege to listen to his presentation one day last week and the Holy Spirit led me to invite him to share his ministry and experiences as a poet on Bernard's word. This is the first time that I have presented a poet on this site and I know that you will be blessed by his story and his poetic ministry that will offered at the bottom of this page. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you through Nathan's words.

Nathan S. Allen is a minister, poet, spoken word artist and author of Expressions from A Contrite Heart. Writing from an early age, Nathan has been charged to minister to the body of Christ through the pen. A prophetic scribe through Voices of Christ Literary Ministries International, he ministers especially in the areas of sexual and relational brokenness. His spoken word name is "Nations" and he ministers at various events around the Atlanta area. He also maintains a blog that can be found at http://www.spiritualhardcandy.wordpress.com.

Nathan obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee in the summer of 2000.

1. When did you first know that you were a poet? I knew that I was a poet from an early age because I always had a way with words. Probably came from always having the longest Easter speech out of the kids when I was little. I always won writing contest when I was in them during my grade school years.

2. Do you have any mentors who influenced your art? Theresa Johnson and the VOC ministry are the only real mentors I can think of. This ministry has shown me the real reason the Father has given me the gift of writing. I no longer I try to write from the flesh. I do my best to make sure what I write is under the leading of Yeshua and that my motives for being a poet/spoken word artist is pure.

3. Share with us your first public appearance as a poet? My first appearance as a poet came in a secular club. I read a piece I had written and it was well received. The piece was secular in nature and I had become infatuated with Def Poetry Jam that came on HBO. I wanted to be seen and noticed.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Aspiring poets should be authentically themselves and not try to mimic anyone else. They should also learn to hear the voice of God and write His words, not theirs. They need to ask themselves if their writing moves people to change or at least challenges them. Is what they're writing increasing heaven or increasing hell?

5. How has the church embraced your gift? For the most part the church has embraced my gift. I have received several invitations to minister in different congregations. My home church loves it when I come to town because I do a piece during Sunday service. I believe that my gift is embraced because I'm ministering through poetry, not entertaining.

6. Do you have any future projects? I am currently working on my first novel and am looking to record a spoken word CD.

Be blessed by this poetic offering from Brother Nathan titled "It's time to move forward."

GRADUATION! IT'S TIME TO MOVE

Today my son, Bernard Quincy Boulton. known as Quincy, graduates from the George Washington High School in Danville Virginia. I've been reflective of Quincy's journey from kindergarten to graduation, since yesterday when I attended the graduation of Dan River High School because three of that class of graduating seniors, Vivica, Mariah, and Antwone, are members of the church that I currently serve as pastor.

As I reflected on my son's graduation today a memory appeared. I saw the first day that I carried Quincy to school. I walked him to his classroom and when I turned to leave he said, "No Daddy don't leave me." He was afraid and my heart was breaking as I assured him that he would be fine and I would be back to pick him up that afternoon. I was an emotional wreck as I walked out of that building crying silently to myself, not wanting anyone to see how affected I was by son's entrance into the school system, change had entered his life and our lives as well. The next year we moved him to another school, after we was so callously treated by the principal of that "Christian School." That School, Abundant Life Christian Academy, wold be Quincy's school for the next year and a half. Me and Vantoria was resolved in getting Quincy a Christian education because we wanted him to shaped by an institution that embraced our Christian beliefs. In Quincy's formative years we wanted him exposed to an environment that supported the manner in which we were raising him. It was difficult because we had very little money, but the sacrifice was worth it.

Along with his attendance in school we also enrolled Quincy in Sylvan to strengthen his reading skills. The closest Sylvan Learning Center was in Burlington North Carolina and twice a week me and Quincy drove to Burlington, an hour's drive from Danville for his studies. Quincy's initial tuition was paid for by his Godmother, Daveida Wallace. Daveida, known as Dee, went home to heaven in January of this year.

In the spring of 2000 the Boulton's moved across the country, twelve hundred miles to serve in another church. Not sure of the Christian schools in that city we decided to enroll Quincy in public school. Our first conflict with his teacher came when she suggested that Quincy stop talking about his father so much because it was making the children who didn't have fathers at home self conscious. For the first time me and Vantoria  had to assume our roles as Quincy's  defenders and advocates. After dealing with us that teacher very quickly backed away from her "Quincy can't talk about his father in class anymore" stance.

After a year in that state Quincy would continue his education in two more public schools system. Because he has had such a love for the Lord and a consecrated walk as a believer he has faced many challenges and persecutions. Many days he would be so tired and discouraged from the price he has paid to walk before his peers as a Christian. But I've taught him that his assignment in every school that he has attended is to love his enemies and pray for them. And to confess his faith and believe God for greater things.

Graduation means, a completion and a move. Today my son completes his primary school education, but he is completing so much more. Today when I watch him walk to receive his diploma, he will do it with confidence. My son is no longer that scared little boy who didn't want me to leave him on that first day, he is a confident young man, confident in God and in himself. Quincy's completion of his public school education is also his completion of a season in his life that has been full of potential. problems, promises and persecutions. At times Quincy has not always liked what he has gone through but he has grown because of it.

The Spirit revealed to me recently that I as ascend in the things of the Spirit so will my son, because of our covenant commitment to one another. Where I go he follows me. As I receive promotion in the Spirit my son will receive promotion in the Spirit.

Because Quincy has completed this season in his life now he can move on to the next season of his life. And he will have many moves because God is the God of movement. God is taking Quincy from glory to glory and from faith to faith. I am excited about my son's future because of his sincere desire to serve God and do his will. And it has been my great privilege in his life to speak into him what God has for him. Just a few days ago Quincy looked at me with a little concern etched in his face and he said, "Dad what if it doesn't happen?" When I looked at him and saw the fear in his face the Spirit released this word from me, "It's going to happen son. What you are desiring is going to happen. God says so." The concern on his face was replaced with resolve.

My son is qualified to move because of what he has completed. I am led to speak to many in the body of Christ this morning. You are qualified to move because you have completed a season in your life. You stayed focused and faithful in the season that you were in. You have endured some hard places and faced some hard situations but you stayed and now God says to you "Graduate." It's your time to move. Move.

         

KINGDOM THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE ON FACEBOOK

I'm always blessed when I read about God kingdom connections that are being made on Face book. Some of the most fruitful kingdom connections that I have made in the last two years have been made on face book. I want to share with you one of those kingdom connections.

It was a Tuesday night in April and I was coming home after teaching at the New Mine Creek Church. On that particular night there was an urgency in spirit to get home get in on a conference call that was being sponsored by the Financial Breakthrough Network, headed by Samonia Whisonant. Teaching on the conference call was Apostle Kevin Ford. His presentation was electric. It really ministered to my spirit and released a fresh rhema word to increase my faith in the area of finances.

Apostle Ford leads a prayer Call on Monday nights for men through his network called Global Men Prayer Network. I've attended every prayer Call but one, since I heard Apostle Ford that Tuesday night in April. Although it's a prayer Call it's more than a prayer Call. It is a time for men to get together and encourage each other. It's a time for men to receive the wisdom of Apostle Ford as he teaches the meditations that the Holy Spirit places on his heart. It's a time for men to connect on the phone from different  places throughout the United States.

A brotherhood is being built through weekly Monday night Call. An international brotherhood is being birthed. Men with the heart of David are connecting across denominational lines, and doctrinal lines and racial lines. We are being unified in the Spirit and I haven't seen this kind of concerted effort reaching out to men since Promise Keepers in the 1990's.

Brother I challenge you to find your way to this gathering tonight. The Prayer Call starts at 9:00 p.m. EST. The call in number is 1-218-895-0196. The access code is 6367729#. This is a safe place and a refuge from the isolation that men sometime find themselves in. I can guarantee you that you will not regret being here. The link for Global Men Prayer Network is http://www.facebook.com/groups/gmpnetwork                

PURE MINISTRY Part 2

2 Corinthian 11:3 "BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST"

On last week I started a discussion on the topic of pure ministry. I was challenged by the Holy Spirit to examine my own ministry and determine it's purity before God. Of course ministry is the continual act of service to either God or man or both. Ministry is the work that one does because they have knowledge of their spiritual gifts, abilities and assignments that God has given to them to perform.

Pure ministry is ministry done without hidden agendas and ulterior motives. It is being faithful in executing your call with the desire to please God and bless people.

Today as I continue this discussion I want to discuss what defiles pure ministry.

Once a person starts to operate in their gifts which determines the ministry that God has called them to they must always be on guard for Satan. He is our arch enemy and he loves defiling what is pure. 

Paul reveals the strategy of the devil in 2 Corinthian 11:3. Satan uses deception to corrupt pure ministry. Deception is being cheated by believing a false appearance. First Satan works on the vision of the ministry. In the beginning the person is all about God and doing His will. But if a person in ministry is not careful the vision will become more about his will and desires over God's will and desire for that ministry. And that where deception comes in.

If Satan can get you to change the vision of ministry then you will change the voice of ministry. In the beginning it was all about saying what God said. Your motive was representing the Word of God to the world. But now it's more important about what you say and what you think and what you want others to hear.

A deceived ministry is motivated by what Satan has shown it instead of what God has said. Satan deceives through three areas: The lust of the eye (what I see is what I want), the lust of the flesh (what  I want is what I should I get), the pride of life ( I do what I want with what I see and what I can get). Ministry loses purity when it loses God's vision and God's voice. In Revelation 2 the church at Ephesus lost pure ministry when they lost their vision which was to love Jesus first. And Jesus warned them that they were about to lose their voice if they didn't get back their vision. Their voice was their lamp stand which is influence in their community. History records that this church did lose their lamp stand because they lost pure ministry.

Satan loves nothing more than corrupting pure ministry by corrupting the mind of the one who ministers. If Satan can corrupt the mind he can corrupt the the ministry which comes from the mind. It is vitally important to protect your mind because it is the gateway to ministry. Out of the mind comes knowledge, thoughts, creativity, memories and understanding.

Pure ministry comes from the knowledge of God which fills the mind with the thoughts of God. The thoughts of God releases your creativity, which is the fruit of your imagination. The memories of times that you shared with God and which God used you to bless others with your ministry becomes sweet recollections that you can relive over and over again. And you come to understand God's will and purpose for your life.

When the mind is corrupted the knowledge of God is replaced with self knowledge and human knowledge. Thoughts become self centered and egotistical. Your creativity becomes motivated by money and altruistic motives. Your memories become self seeking and distorted and your understanding becomes cloudy.

When Satan gets the mind he gets the ministry. Don't let Satan corrupt your mind. Fill it with the Word of God. Think the thoughts of God which comes out of God's Word. Protect your creativity by recognizing that all your gifts and abilities comes from God to be used for His glory and not your bottom line and reputation. Keep the memories of God's presence in your life and in all things get understanding that comes from knowing God's plan and purpose for your life.

If your ministry is impure repent and ask God to restore you to purity which in Jesus Christ. I believe that the God's people are in a season where God is judging ministry with fire and the only ministries that are pleasing God are those ministry that are pure like gold and silver, and precious stones. Judgment is in the house of God and impure ministries are being exposed and dismantled by the fire of God's judgment (1 Corinthian 3:12-15).  

PURE MINISTRY Part 1

2 Corinthians 11:3 "BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST."

I've been teaching at the New Mine Creek Church on finding and maintaining balance between soul, spirit and body (1 Thess 5:23). As I wrote the material that I taught yesterday I was led to the verse from 2 Corinthians that is written as the introduction of this post.

From this one verse the Holy Spirit took me on a journey yesterday that continues to this very minute as I write these words. I was led by the Holy Spirit to examine my ministry and to judge it asking myself if it is pure. And as I judged the ministry which God has given me the Holy Spirit caused me to share with you the same challenge. Is your ministry pure? As I consider the meaning of the word pure I was led to another word that describes pure ministry and that is word is sincere. Sincerity is the ability to be honest and open. A sincere ministry will operate without hidden agendas and ulterior motives.

As I considered pure ministry I looked at the ministries that God has given me. He has called me to be a worshipper and an intercessor. He has given me the ministry of husband and father. he has given me a ministry of pastor, preacher and teacher of His Word. He has given me the ministry of scribe, writing stories, life lessons and teaching material. He has given me a publishing company that published my first novel in 2009 and will be publishing my second book this summer.

As I looked at all of these responsibilities that I operate in according to the gifts and abilities that Abba Father has deposited in me I took a careful look at the purity of the ministry that He has called me to.

I considered a second word that describes purity and that word is faithful. A pure ministry will be faithful to God, and faithful to people. Pure ministry is consistent. It is being devoted to what you have been called to do.

Then I dealt with why is pure ministry so important? The analogy that the Holy Spirit brought to my mind was that of running water washing over and cleansing everything that it touches and flows through. In that same way your ministry is like flowing waters touching and reaching every person who receives it. If the ministry is not pure than what pours out of you affects the person to whom you minister. If what comes out of you and me is contaminated then we contaminate the person that we minister to.

Pure ministry cleanses and purifies the one who receives it. Our ministry is pure because the source of the ministry is Christ and He is pure, without blemishes and spots. As we operate in Him who is pure then what pours out of us will be pure.

David, the second king of Israel had a pure ministry, although he was not perfect. His ministry was pure because he was a God seeker. He was sincere about what he did and he was faithful to the very end. When confronted about his sin he was humble. Not only did David bless his kingdom as he ministered to Israel but he is still blessings today thousands of years after he died.

Seek to be pure in your service to God and man. Be pure in what you do in the service of the Lord. Don't contaminate the gift that God has given you by selfishness and ambition. Let the waters of your gifts flow out of you to bless every person who receives what you give. Be the river that is needed to cleanse the house of God.

The next time I write I am going to show us what defiles pure ministry. God bless you.     

WHAT HAPPENED TO CARLTON PEARSON?

I would like to qualify this post by stating that I am in no way condemning Carlton Pearson or joining the choruses of blogs and news sites that vilify Carlton Pearson. I am writing this post from a deep place in my spirit that is concerned about this man who was such a blessing to me in the past.

I saw Carlton Pearson last night being interviewed by Bishop George Bloomer on the Word Network. Although the context of the interview, if we can really call it that, was interesting my heart was grieving for this man who had, at one point been such a powerful emissary in the Body of Christ but who now has fallen into biblical and theological error.

And so I share with you the question that plagued the heart as I watched this man espousing a teaching that is damnable and tragic. WHAT HAPPENED TO CARLTON PEARSON?

I searched for an answer as I listened to Carlton last night.

First I believe that Carlton has been terribly deceived by the enemy of his soul. Last year I did a series of teachings on the Seven Signs of the End Times that are recorded in the Bible. One of the signs was spoken by Jesus in St Matthew 24: 4-5, "TAKE HEED THAT NO ONE DECEIVES YOU. FOR MANY WILL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING THAT I AM THE CHRIST, AND DECEIVE MANY."

The word deceive means, to be cheated, to be given a false impression, to be caught in a bait, to wander."

The evidence that Carlton is deceived was made stronger, in my opinion when he said to Bishop Bloomer, "I am wandering."

But deception is only the fruit of a more deadly root. The root of deception is boredom. Carlton mentioned that he was in a meeting with men and and possibly women who were leaders in the Church. He said that he was there physically but he was not there mentally and emotionally. He admitted that he had become bored with Church. Then he said that it was during that time that he was looking for another audience. 

Carlton's boredom with church was, I believe, his first step toward deception.

But then something else that he said gave me more of an answer. Bishop Bloomer called Carlton the Nebuchadnezzar of the 21st century and Carlton agreed.  Nebuchadnezzar was a great king, an instrument of God's judgment on God's chosen people but when Nebuchadnezzar became full of pride God judged him and Nebuchadnezzar became insane. I'm not suggesting that Carlton is insane, even though he said so himself, in a joking manner but could it be that pride elevated Carlton until he became so full of fame and fortune and power in the Church that he thought he could introduce a teaching in the Church that would be acceptable because he was Carlton Pearson. Did his own personal pride set him up for his great fall?           

My heart breaks over the decline of this very gifted able man of God. But what should the Church do in response of his heretical stand? We should pray for our brother. We should pray that God opens his eyes to see once again the truth that Carlton lived and preached. It has been in my heart to pray for Carlton for the last two years that he will repent and return to the Church. And I will continue to do so until he returns or until God lifts the burden from my heart.

Would you please join me and pray for the spiritual restoration of Carlton Pearson.

WHEN MEN PRAY

1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

All of heaven listens when a man pauses to pray. The creation bears witness to this incredible sight as it remembers the first man Adam and his unquenchable thirst for the presence of Elohim. What a sight it was to behold this first human, created in the image of God walking through the Garden in intimate conversation with His maker. The first man shared with his heavenly Father the awesome opportunities that had been given him as the steward over the earth that God had made for him.

In my imagination I perceive that the prayers of the first man was devoid of religion and pretense. It was man communing with God. It was God walking with man. It was relationship. It was love.

When Adam lost it all I believe that the thing that he missed the most was the place of intimacy with God. Hearing the sound of God walking in the Garden. God walking toward him, God walking with Him. God hearing him and He hearing God.

What the First Adam lost the Last Adam restored. The Last Adam, Yeshua restored this privilege of communing with the Father in prayer. The Father that we were cut off from we now can enter into His presence once again. The Father whose Voice we couldn't recognize is now very familiar to us. Now because of this restoration of relationship we can return to the Garden that we lost and we can resume the relationship that was severed.

Brothers we have our place back. We're back in the Garden and the Father is there with us hearing us when we pray and responding to us as He said that He would.

Paul said in 1 Cor 11:7 that man is the glory of God. I believe that the glory on a man is best seen in his prayer life.

I saw this manifestation of glory last night when I joined Apostle Kevin Ford and the men of the Global Men Prayer Network. It was edifying to me and glorifying to God for these men to take dominion over the phone lines and lift their voices in concerted prayer. Apostle Ford taught on the identity of a man and we prayed that God would restore the understanding in men to know and walk in their identity in Christ.

This network is only a few weeks old but I see God using it to release a new season in the Body of Christ. I call every man who seeks a genuine place of fellowship with brothers to become a member of this Network. http://www.facebook.com/groups/gmpnetwork  Join today.