The River Ministries

The testimony of a Christian is a most precious thing. We all have known some with wonderful testimonies and some not as shining. A testimony is not just about how a Christian became a disciple of Jesus, but his life after that event. 

The Bible has a few things to say about people’s testimonies. In Revelation 2:4, Jesus reproved the Ephesian Church: “Yet I have this against you, that you no longer love Me as you did at first.” Paul warned of some, “They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him …” (Titus 1:16).  And in John 2:24, 25, “Jesus did not commit himself to them, because he knew all men, and did not need for any to testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”  The testimony was coming up short in the Lord’s eyes in each of these cases. These would not be testimonies for a Christian to cherish.    

We can be of a different ilk, thanks to God. The Lord has provided for us to shine like the sun. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). But amazingly, in Matthew 5:14 He also said, “You are the light of the world.” We realize that we are not the light by ourselves, but it is Jesus shining through us. So it comes down to yieldedness. We let Jesus live through us. Galatians 2:20 says, “Christ lives in me.” 

By the grace of God we can press in to have a testimony of shining with Jesus. We probably will have to make some adjustments, maybe repent of things that hinder the light. But Jesus is on our side. He wants us to succeed in this. He has made all of heaven’s resources available to us. He has even given us His precious Holy Spirit to live in us and through us. 

Let’s make the most of our testimony, so that all people will be drawn to Jesus.

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

I still remember my first encounter with God’s tangible Presence resting upon someone.  A smiling elderly couple took the empty seats in front of us at a Bible camp meeting.  Heaven entered the room with them.  I whispered to my husband, “Did you feel that?”  Eyes wide, he nodded solemnly.  My prayer became, “God, I want to hold Your Presence like that.” 

What does it take to carry His Presence so that we impact those around us?  In Old Testament times, the priests exclusively carried the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s Presence. The Lord set higher standards of holiness for them to live by than He did for the general congregation.  In our day, all believers are called to be holy priests unto the Lord: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation …” (1 Peter 2:9). 

The priests understood that extreme reverence was necessary in handling the Ark and God’s Presence.  When they bore the Ark upon their shoulders, they did not carry other baggage.  If we are to carry God’s Presence tangibly with us, we cannot carry baggage either.  Envy, unforgiveness, bitterness, criticalness, compromise, and worldly lusts are all baggage that many Christians are so used to carrying that they are not even aware of their burdens.  We cannot bear His Presence if we carry these things.  God does not tolerate a mixture of the holy and the unholy. 

Carrying the Presence requires great humility.  Numbers 12:3 tells us that “Moses was very meek, above all men on the face of the earth.”  Meekness is an old-time word meaning “humility with strength.”  

Moses spent much face-to-face prayer time with God.  Consequently, He carried the Glory-Presence: “When he came down from the mount … Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone, … and when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, … the skin of his face shone” (Exodus 34:29, 30). 

Moses was unaware of the glory emanating from his person and how it affected others.  Similarly, when we continuously bear the Glory-Presence, we probably will not be aware of it either, unless someone tells us or responds to its effects.  But carrying the tangible Presence of God will always have far-reaching impact on those around us.

Holiness, extreme reverence, humility, much time spent with the Lord, and leaving our baggage behind – these are the keys to carrying His Presence.

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

Recently I was thanking the Lord for His cross and suffering, and my eyes fell upon a plaque of three crosses hanging on my wall. I asked myself which one of these crosses best represents my life. 

In the crucifixion story, two of the crosses held thieves, symbolizing two types of people.  The thief who railed on Jesus represents those who have no time for Him. Even though their lives are a total mess they still refuse to get right with God through faith in Jesus. The other thief represents people who realize they need help from beyond themselves. Like the second thief, they understand that Jesus is their only answer. 

Neither of these crosses symbolizes the Christian.  Those who are true believers have already requested, like the second thief, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” and have passed from spiritual death into life. 

The Christian’s cross is the middle one, where Jesus hung.  The Apostle Paul said, “I die daily” [to natural desires] (1 Corinthians 15:31).  Paul also said, “I  have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

Jesus realized that the middle cross was essential to bring life to the world. In John 12:24, 25 He stated, “… Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone.  But if it dies, it brings forth a large crop.  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” Jesus fully lived out these verses. He gave up His place in heaven, surrendered His will to His Father, and finally went to the cross. He became that grain of wheat that fell to the ground and died. But look at the result of that dying: millions of souls have entered the kingdom of heaven.

If you have not yet made a decision to yield your entire life to Jesus, I encourage you to follow the example of the second thief – embrace Jesus as your Lord and ask Him to give you eternal life.  If you have already trusted Jesus for your salvation, go to the middle cross and die to your own desires, so that the new life of Jesus welling up within you can bring transformation to others in your sphere of influence.

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

Last time, we talked about our blood covenant with God through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  Because Jesus is the Son of Abraham, and we are counted as children of Abraham through faith in Jesus, we have both the Old Testament covenant promises of Abraham and the New Testament covenant promises available to us. 

Why then, do we so often fail to obtain those things that are promised?  Part of the problem is our lack of understanding of what is truly ours.  If we do not draw on (appropriate) the covenant promises, whether through ignorance or unbelief, we do not receive what is rightfully ours. 

There is another problem though – and it is a huge obstacle to obtaining the promises.  There are many in the Church who mistakenly assume the right of covenant, all the while breaking that covenant through disobedience to the Lord. 

The covenant is a blood covenant, and it has been made with us at a horrendous cost – the suffering and death of our heavenly Father’s precious Son.  This blood covenant only avails for us through repentance – the renouncement of all that would grieve His heart.  We dare not take the covenant casually.  God certainly does not.  He inspired the author of Hebrews to write, “How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29).  This is not written to nonbelievers, but to the Church. 

There is much available to us in our covenant with God through Jesus.  We must diligently seek to obtain those things which He has provided for us, for it pleases God greatly when we do so.  But we must do it rightly – honoring the God of our covenant with our full devotion, obedience, and holy respect for Him.

Previous: Covenant Inheritance (Part 1)

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

In recent weeks, the Lord has been speaking to me about covenant, especially in relation to healing and provision.  People of ancient times understood the responsibilities and rights of covenant very well, but we have since lost much of that understanding. 

God established covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15.  God had promised him a son and  inheritance of the land he lived in, but Abraham asked, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I inherit it?”  God’s answer was to perform a blood covenant ceremony with Abraham, involving animal sacrifices, thereby assuring him that what He had said He would perform.

The Israelites were deceived into covenant with the pagan Gibeonites, but the covenant was still valid, and when the Gibeonites needed protection from their enemies, Israel came to their rescue.  It was the Gibeonites’ right to be defended and cared for by Israel because of their covenant relationship (Joshua 9:3 – 10:7).

Covenant followed down to the descendants of those who originally entered into it.  Galatians 3:7 tells us that “they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”  Those of us who have by faith received the Lord Jesus, Who is the Son of Abraham (Galatians 3:16), have available to us every one of the covenant promises God gave to Abraham – all the Old Testament promises of healing, protection, and provision. 

But God went further still in establishing covenant with us.  He made yet another blood covenant with us through Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross.  The New Testament assures us in many places that this final covenant likewise provides for our healing, deliverance, and provision – but also eternal life and joint inheritance with Jesus (Romans 8:17).

Our covenant relationship with God through Jesus is the reason why Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13, 14).  It is our right, under covenant inheritance, to ask in Jesus’ Name and receive.

Next time we will talk about hindrances to living in our covenant inheritance.

Next: Covenant Inheritance (Part 2)

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

The River Ministries has been engaged in “Sixty Days of Abandoned Worship.”  We have our doors open nightly from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. for worship and prayer, through October 11.  Our family has been there nearly every night, and it has been wonderful to be with the Lord in that setting. 

For our family and many others, the opposition to focusing on the Lord has phenomenally increased during this time.  Health, relationships, technology, machinery – all have come under attack. It’s been a battle.  

But this is what I heard the Lord speak: “Don’t dwell in your problems.  Dwell in My Presence.” 

Setting problems aside to dwell in His Presence is easier said than done.  There is a pressing-through process to get there, and the victory is hard-won.  But we can do it.  God wouldn’t ask it of us if we couldn’t.  His Word has a promise for those who persevere to press through: “If you abide [dwell] in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). 

In the days ahead, I believe God wants to bring His people into Presence-dwelling to such a degree that we find the answers to every problem are met there in Him.  He desires to bring His Church into new understanding of what it is to depend on Him for everything – everything – and to find the needs satisfied as we focus on Him.  Presence-dwelling provision is what Paul was talking about when he said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 

Dwelling in God’s Presence makes it possible for us to successfully live out Philippians 4:6, 7: “Do not be care-filled about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

It’s all in His Presence.

On September 25, 2009, a statewide prayer rally took place in Madison, Wisconsin.  For a first-time event of this nature, the attendance of 250 to 300 people was very encouraging.  At least half the people who came were from outside the Madison area, including some who drove six hours to get there.  Those who drove from a distance expressed their understanding of how important the event was, and their seriousness about representing their particular region with their attendance. 

Our thrust throughout the day was to “open the heavens” in a spiritual sense over Madison and Wisconsin through prayer, repentance, and worship.  There was no political or special interest agenda.  Jesus Christ and His Kingdom being established in Wisconsin was our total agenda. 

We began the afternoon by prayer walking the Capitol grounds and State Street to the top of Bascom Hill in groups of two or three, repenting for the sins of Wisconsin and praying for our state government and education systems. We did this humbly, without banners, fanfare, or confrontation with anyone. 

After a short break, we all encircled  the Capitol and prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, blew shofars in unison at the four corners of the building to proclaim Jesus’ Lordship, and sang “We Exalt Thee” together. 

We gathered at the Best Western Inn on the Park for a full evening of worship, corporate prayer, and prophetic decrees for Wisconsin.  God’s Presence was very thick among us as we worshipped, and, although we came from many different backgrounds, the participation was enthusiastic and unified.  Prayer was lifted up for God’s Kingdom to be established in each of  seven areas that influence our culture – government, religion, business, media, arts and entertainment, family, and education. 

Young children were very much a part of the evening, with a group of them presenting a worship dance, and several of them praying and decreeing spontaneously. 

We truly believe that mighty things were accomplished in the spiritual realm for Madison and Wisconsin, and that those who took part in this event will also see breakthroughs for their regions in the weeks and months to come.  For the many of you who expressed your  disappointment in not being able to attend the rally for various reasons, but who faithfully prayed along with those of us who could attend, God knows your heart, and you will reap the benefits for your region as well. 

For another report on the Wisconsin prayer rally, please see All God’s People. 

 If any of you would like to receive the Wisconsin Intercessors Arise! newsletter, please contact intercessors@salt-international.com with “Subscribe” in the subject line. 

The River Ministries

Elijah came to the people and said, “How long will you halt between two opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”  – 1 Kings 18:21 

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching …, “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” – Matthew 3:1-3 

Elijah came as a lone voice, calling God’s people to repentance.  “How long will you waver between two opinions?”  It was a clarion cry for a heart-decision: serve the True and Living God and Him alone, without compromise – or serve Baal, the god of this world, the usurper of worship. 

In the time leading up to Christ’s revealing, God sent a man like unto Elijah.  John the Baptist again put forth the call: “Repent! Prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord.  Ready yourselves.  He is coming!”  He, too, called for a heart-decision: serve either the Lord or the world system. 

I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.  And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in.  Watch!  He will come, says the LORD of hosts.  But who may abide the day of his coming?  And who will stand when he appears?  – Malachi 3:1, 2

Malachi prophesied partially of John the Baptist, but also of an end-time messenger who would carry the spirit of both Elijah and John the Baptist.  As in the days leading up to Christ’s first revealing, so in these last days directly preceding His final revelation, God is raising up a prophetic cry in the hearts and mouths of many sold-out ones: “Prepare the way before the Worthy One.  Drop from your hands and lips anything that compromises true adoration of the King of Kings.  You cannot serve both Baal and Jesus.  You cannot love both the world system and the Lord of Glory.  Prepare!” 

He’s coming.  Who will be able to stand in the day when He appears?  “He who has clean hands, and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:4) and will “worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). 

Who will be an Elijah, a John the Baptist?  And who will purpose in his heart to serve King Jesus without compromise?

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous man runs into it and is safe. – Proverbs 18:10 

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble: and he knows those who trust in him. – Nahum 1:7

There are tactics in warfare, and the wise person knows which tactic to use and when.  King David knew when to openly press a battle charge, when to use guerilla warfare strategies, when to wait on the Lord for specific instruction, and when to spend to time in “the hold” (a stronghold of safety – 1 Samuel 24:22). 

The days we are in demand of us great wisdom as well.  Like David, we must know how to “encourage ourselves in the Lord our God” (1 Samuel 30:6).  We must know which fights to pick and which are only distractions presented by the enemy to get us off-focus or lure us into a trap. 

There is a time to see ourselves as “hidden” in the Lord’s stronghold, His place of safety for us.  It is a time of standing firm and holding our ground, of resting in His protective shelter, of not allowing our faith to waver – but during this phase we are not necessarily pushing forward a battle advance, either. 

Am I saying we should hunker in the bunker and just wait for Jesus to return and rescue us?  Not at all!  That line of thought carries a defeatist attitude with it.  Christ’s Church is meant to be a victorious people.  I’m talking about phases of a war and understanding God’s battle tactic in a chosen moment. 

God is telling some of you to press the battle hotly.  Advance and obtain your victory.  You may be hearing unusual strategies from the Holy Spirit.  Go ahead and implement them. 

But some of you may be in a place where the Lord is saying, “Come into My stronghold.  I am a safe resting place for you, and I’m going to do the fighting for you right now.”   It’s OK.  Be sensitive to God’s battle tactic for you at this moment in your life.  He knows what He is doing and how best to accomplish it.  He is always your refuge and strength, and He wants you to avail yourself of  Him. 

It is not weakness to spend time in God’s stronghold.  It is wisdom.

The River Ministries

The River Ministries

We all know that the greatest need for man to live is to breathe air. The next need is water and then food. When we have hunger pangs, we know how to satisfy them: we eat. Sometimes we eat too much. 

But what about spiritual hunger? How do we satisfy that need?  Is it possible to satisfy spiritual hunger?

Holy Spirit, the Source of spiritual hunger, speaks about this matter through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). Right up front He tells us that we who have hunger can be satisfied.

What should we do if we don’t seem to have a spiritual hunger and thirst?  We need to turn to El Shaddai (God Almighty) and ask for it. We must pray that we could be hungry for what God is hungry for.

Does God have a hunger? Does God have a need? The answer is YES. The thing that stands out in the Bible is that God is looking for fellowship. He is looking to have communion with His created ones.

That is why He gave us a free will. He wanted us to freely choose Him. A robot or android (a machine in human form) that had to do whatever God wanted just didn’t cut it for Him. Real love is given freely, not coerced.

Let’s satisfy the hunger of God and give Him our love and communion. Let’s do it more than on Sunday mornings or at a mid-week service. Let’s daily “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).

The River Ministries