Monday, February 27, 2006

Forerunner Ministry

1Chronicles 12:32
“... the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times,
to know what Israel ought to do...”

Jeremiah 3:15
“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart,
who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

(A) Understanding the Times
Seven Theological Premises of the Forerunner Ministry

- the uniqueness of the generation when Jesus returns.
- the Father heart of God is going to be fully revealed and restored.
- three unprecedented activities of the Holy Spirit.
- revelation of three faces of the beauty of Jesus. (Isa 4:2)
- the primary focus of the Father’s labor is the poor.
- the strategy of God is to shake everything that can be shaken. (Hag 2:6-8)
- God will raise up the forerunner ministries to prepare the church.

(B) What is the Forerunner Ministry all about?

- Whenever God is about to do something “new” or “unprecedented”, he will raise a VOICE to announce, declare or to make sense of it. Amos 3:7 ~ “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

- The forerunner ministries are “proclamation ministries” and consist of people (forerunners) whom God will raise, to propagate / declare the message on his heart (trumpet His call), to prepare the church (His Bride) for his coming.

- The spirit of the forerunner is the Spirit that prepares the Bride for the End-Times.

The bible is clear that the forerunner ministry is specifically described at the end of the age. Most of the forerunner prophecies refer to the glory of God being released in a global dimension. The context of the forerunner ministry is to touch all the nations of the earth. Isaiah 40:1-5

(C) The motivation of the forerunner ministry ~John 3:27-29

(D) Biblical Models - Noah, John the Baptist

It is not about being a pioneer nor anything to do with temperaments. God will raise up the new generation of the Daniel People, David Generation, the 'John the Baptist's (burning and shining lamps), 'Anna & Mary's and Joel’s Army who operate in the Spirit of the Forerunner.

Daniel People
Dan 1:8; Dan 3:17-18; Dan 10:12; Dan 11:32b
Made up their minds to know God; fasted lifestyle and prayer; loved not their lives unto death.

David Generation
Jer 3:15; John 3:27-30
After God’s heart and lead many in the knowledge and understanding of God. One thing.

John the Baptist’s
John 5:35; Isa 40:3-5
Burning and shining lamps, voice in the desert

The Anna’s
Luke 2:36-38
Prayed and fasted in the temple. Saw the fullness of the Messiah through the boy Jesus, and bore witness to the Redeemer.

The Mary’s
Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-8
Recognized the time for Jesus’ death and anointed Him with the alabaster jar of perfume. Sat at Jesus’ feet.

Joel’s Army
Joel 27-32
Operate in supernatural power; Great Harvest

(E) KNOWING WHAT TO DO
What is the Purpose of the Forerunner Ministry?

1. To ANNOUNCE ahead of time what God is about to do.
2. To DECLARE what is unprecedented & uncommon in his/her generation.
3. To MAKE SENSE of what is happening & the heartbeat of God.
4. To PREPARE the Church to be in agreement with God.

(F) What does the Forerunner do?
4 unique functions of the forerunner ministry as seen in Isaiah 40:1-5

Sunday, February 12, 2006

ABG!! - Ambushed by the Bridegroom God

"ABG! ABG! Now that was what happened... If You don't mind dear God, could You please tell me that earlier? Save the struggle on my part? Ok, I get it, I needed that. Besides, it would not have been called an ambush if You have told me everything earlier.." She recalled what happened to her months ago...

"Where are You God, Your manifested presence, that tangible presence that I used to feel? Why are my times spent with you so... so... unfruitful? I mean I did the usual thing, prayed the usual way, but it's different.. what's happening to me? Have I been faithless?"

She was doing her own thing. Caught up (with the secular needful duties and stuff). And subconsciously she began to also 'do' the 'God things'. God watched. When has He ever slept or slumbered? Psalm121. He watched. His heart was burning passionately for His beloved as He watched.

He decided to launch an ambush. He will have to withdraw to launch the ambush. He will have to be 'invisible' for a while. He has to do this, as He knew just how she is. He sees and hears the cries of her heart for more of God, even before she knew it herself. He springs into action to a heart that says yes. But can His beloved understand? Can His beloved endure? Will His beloved seek Him? Will His beloved run to Him?

"I sleep, but my heart is awake.." ~ Songs5:2

What was that she heard? Accusations. 'So you are checking in on God now. You think He'll hear you? Where were you the whole week?' And the guilt talk went on and on... The beloved's heart was awake, awake to lovesickness... "Where is my lover, where is my Bridegroom God? The accusations are from the pits of hell... help!"

The One in ambush sent His word to His beloved.. "His understanding no one can fathom.." ~ Isa40:28

His beloved lifted up the word, without even knowing God was near. His left hand is under her head (Songs2:6). He has never left her, although she felt as though He did. With the word, she sent the accusation out of sight and out of mind.

"And my heart yearned for him. I arose..." ~ Songs5:4

But His beloved was alone, and lonely. What's happening? How to even begin to tell another what was happening when she herself knew not what was going on? She broke down in tears and exasperation...

But she decided to press in and seek God. Faint with love, eyes squinting with mustard seed faith, she arose as she looked to God. She thought, whom have I in heaven but You? Surely Jesus understands, and too, went through lonely moments of alone-ness. Her thoughts were drawn to the cross. To the garden of Gethsemane... Her tears slowly dried up as the scene and emotions of Jesus at the garden of Gethsemane filled her mind and whole being. Yes, God understands... He went through the loneliest moments on earth.

She fell asleep in weariness and slept soundly... She fell right into the arms of her bridegroom God who loves her and pursues her passionately, even when He had to withdraw His manifest presence to cause her to...

... to cause her to see her own heart that wants more of God! To cause her to realise how much God loves with a deep passion, even in her weakness, and not just 'do' more of the God things to 'earn' back His favour. To cause her to yearn for more of God in response! She exclaimed, "I am dark, but lovely!" Songs1:5. Her heart yearned and longed for more of God... Such love, such God!

"My heart leaped up when he spoke..." ~ Songs5:6

Now everything made sense... "God, you ambushed me! You set me up!" Now she truly KNOWS that He understands, and that He LOVES her unreservedly and passionately even in her weakness. Oh how God answers the prayers of her heart. His ways are not our ways... His thoughts are not our thoughts... they are higher! Isa55:8-9.

"Tell me God," her heart leaping at the revelation of His divine ambush, "tell me, what do I do now? Shall I give up everything to follow you? If you say so!" she exclaims, as her heart responded in passionate lovesickness, mixed with the human fears of needing to give all up, to give up the things she enjoys and loves doing...

And like Abraham, she passed the test. She was willing to give it all. But that was not what God wanted. He wanted to test her heart. Yes, He already knows her heart. He says behold...

And the beloved's journey continued. God sent many angels to refresh her along the way. Angels whose reward are in the hands of God, because of their hearts of love... He also gave her some gifts. Gifts that she knew were from God, and she cherished them. But the greatest reward for the beloved, was the unveiling of God himself to her through this divine ambush. Who is this God? What is His Name? Songs5:10-16...

Indeed, our Bridegroom God is our Joy and Great Reward...
Gen15:1 ~ After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
 
Site Meter