“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” MATTHEW 25:21 (NKJV)

One of the most important traits Christ sought to develop in His followers was the characteristic of faithfulness. This is the quality that is the most rewarded by God, and the source of our unending joy. Whether you are a SAINT, SERVANT, Shepherd or SON, faithful is a character trait you must possess. 

The word “faithful” actually means to be “dependable” or “trustworthy.”  Did you notice the three things that result from faithfulness in our lives in the scripture listed above?

1. COMMENDATION or affirmation- “…Well done…” he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.

2. COMMITMENT leads to promotion “…ruler over many things…” You might be thinking of Joseph who went from the Pit to the Palace. Ruth went from working the field to owning the field.

3. CHEERFULNESS which develops into joy. “Enter into the joy of your lord” birthed after her own kind. The joy of the Lord becomes your strength. Doing it with the right attitude.

So, what exactly is this essential quality in a Joseph’s, Ruth’s or (add your name)___________life?  God’s way of developing and testing our faithfulness is by giving us responsibility as He did the three men in the Parable of the Talents referenced in Matthew 25:14-29. Please take time to read and study this out.

DEVELOPING FAITHFULNESS
 “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” LUKE 16:10-12

When God is developing faithfulness, dependability, and trustworthiness in us, He will test us in the three following areas:

1. WITH SOMETHING SMALL. “…faithful in that which is least…”  (being an usher, teaching in children’s church, Tithing)

2. WITH MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. “…unrighteous mammon…” (inexpensive automobile, starter home)

3. WITH WHAT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE. “…what is another man’s…” (Taking physical care of the church property, being a faithful servant in a department as a member not a leader)

As faithfulness is developed in our lives, it eliminates at least three aspects of our “old man” that correspond to the above, which are pride, love of money, and disloyalty. God desires to promote us all and bring us into everlasting joy, but first He must work this great quality of faithfulness into our lives.

It is not important to know the why behind His answer but to obey it. 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

We are commanded to trust Him and I have learned that He often speaks via different means. Please pay attention to his voice because connections can be very costly. God is so merciful. He let’s us test and retest, until we pass!
​
Remember to treat people right even after you got what you wanted.  We are in the family of God because of Christ’s work on the cross, defeating sin and offering us mercy and forgiveness. 

​Action Step: In what areas of your life is the Lord speaking to you about your level of faithfulness? Commendations? Commitments? Cheerfulness? 

MALACHI 4:5-6 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

The purpose of Creation is the father heart of God. His desire is to give and receive love in relationship with mankind created in His Image. (Americans, Kenyans, Ghanaians and Armenians)  Jesus prayed for the Family of God to come to “earth as it is in Heaven”  when He prayed the “Son’s Prayer” (often referred to as the Lord’s Prayer) of MATTHEW 6:9. As the only begotten Son of God, Jesus knew the will of the Father for earth was the same for Heaven where the Family of God resides. Apostle Paul was also mindful of this revelation as he prayed for the “whole family in heaven and on earth” to come to the mature understanding of God’s love (he called it the Fullness of God) in EPHESIANS 3:14-15. “For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named…”

I believe the fully functioning Family of God will bring the greatest expression of the Kingdom of God to earth, as Jesus said in the conclusion of His prayer, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” This is the goal of apostolic fathers today.

In the late 80’s, the message of “spiritual fathers” began to take root in the Church as prophetic voices taught about the transformation of religious leaders into spiritual fathers. This was the effect of the Elijah Anointing being released in power and revelation. Spiritual fathers were being prepared to receive the spiritual sons whose hearts would soon be turning (by the same Elijah Anointing) to find the heart of love in a spiritual father who would serve their destiny and seek for their fulfillment in ministry.

​
OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL GROW INTO THE SAME CHRIST-LIKENESS AS SPIRITUAL FATHERS CONTINUE TO GIVE THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF THE FATHER...
As the son’s hearts began to turn, four characteristics were being formed in them that brought conformity to the “image of Christ.” These are traits are found in Christ Himself as a Son of the Father.
Galatians 4:19 NKJV “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you…”


1.A SAINT. HEBREWS 7:26 NKJV “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens…” As a saint, the son has a holy heart free from the sinful habits Paul told Timothy to flee from, as a young apostle. 2 TIMOTHY 2:22 NKJV “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

2.A SERVANT. MARK 10:45 NKJV “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” As Christ is being formed in us, a servant heart follows a holy heart. We learn to serve by connecting to leaders in our lives who are set by God for our preparation. 2 TIMOTHY 2:24 NKJV “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” The servant is characterized by a humble heart.

3.A SHEPHERD. MATTHEW 9:36 NKJV “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” The shepherds heart is a caring heart and follows in formation after a holy and humble heart. I have noticed that many Christians have yet to arrive at the shepherds heart. Whereas the servant heart is the characteristic of a deacon, the shepherd’s heart is the characteristic of an elder. 1 PETER 5:1-2 NKJV “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly…” As we observe the maturity of our sons and daughters in process, we will see this progression develop by the Spirit of God. When the shepherds heart is formed in a protege, we no longer need to tell them to “check on this person or that person” because their heart is turned to the sheep and they begin to care for them by nature in a sacrificial manner, not regarding the cost.

4.A SON. JOHN 14:9 NKJV “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?” The fourth characteristic of the mature believer is a loyal heart. Loyalty is Royalty in the Kingdom of God. When a son or daughter has been conformed to the Image of Christ they will be a representative person, able to re-present someone other than themselves. Paul was sure of Timothy’s loyalty when he sent him to the Philippians.

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-22 NKJV “ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.  For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.  For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.”

The tendency for disloyalty has been eliminated from the heart fully turned to a father in the faith through the process of deliverance from the orphan/independent spirit which keeps a person bound to be a self-representor only. The big “I” of pride has been cut off at the root and replaced by love and trust in the relationship. God’s will has been achieved in the father/son relationship. Maturity has come, Christ has been formed, a “holy, humble, caring, and loyal heart” is now evidenced in the son, who is now ready to be a father to others.
​
Christ had a “Holy, Humble, Caring and Loyal” heart. He was a Saint, Servant, Shepherd, and Son in relationship with His Father. Our sons and daughters will grow into this same Christ-likeness as spiritual fathers continue to give the unconditional love of The Father to their spiritual families.

​Action Step: Which one of the four characteristics of being formed into the “image of Christ” are you currently identifying with and explain why?

Yesterday we discussed the division missions the Book of Ruth Chapter 2 talks about. Today I am following up with one final mission in the process of following God, divine appointments.

God wants to give you divine appointments. Today is one of those divine appointments. So, if you desire your life to be characterized by supernatural divine appointments, allow me to suggest the following points:

1. Be patient.
Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he does not know how. For the earth bears fruit by itself: first the blade, then the head, then the full seed in the head. But when the grain is ripe, immediately he applies the sickle because the harvest has come" (Mark 4:26-29).

Church growth leaders state that the average person has about six or seven encounters with the gospel before coming to repentance and faith in Christ. In other words, conversion is a process (so is Leadership-today is an encounter but there will be a process). We are called to plant and water the seed, but it is only "God who gives the increase" (1 Cor. 3:7b). So, #1 be Patient.
 
2. Be praying.
The Bible instructs us, "Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving, while praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may reveal it clearly, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom towards those who are outside, wisely using the opportunity" (Col. 4:2-5).

Jesus declared, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest, that He will send out laborers into His harvest" (Matt. 9:37).

We should pray for boldness and opportunities for ourselves and others to consistently share the gospel. Pray for Christians, especially pastors, to not merely preach about the trans-formative power of the gospel but intentionally engage in sharing it; and, pray for the salvation of loved ones, friends and associates to be convicted and turn to Jesus Christ.
 
3. Be prepared.
Scripture directs us, "Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and fear" (1 Pet.3:15).

Our Christian life is filled with God-given opportunities to share the gospel with the right person at the right time. They may seem like random encounters but in fact they have been carefully arranged by the Holy Spirit. Do we expect them, recognize them, and are we prepared when they come?

In the next 365 days, an average of 2.5 million Americans will die with a large percentage going into an eternity without Christ to experience the horrors of hell that Jesus described. "The love of Christ compels us" (2 Cor. 5:14) to evangelize these lost sheep for whom Christ gave His life.
​
In the remainder of 2019, we have choices to make.
Will we be bitter and walk away from those God brings us?
Will we be like the disciples, lay down everything and follow Jesus?
Will we press into those we know, understand and can teach us? Those who have more than we do.
Will you stay connected to those in your spiritual alignment or will you drift away (disconnect) because of the way they treat us; or because of something said, or perhaps not said?
Are you open to divine appointments?
Are you ready for divine connections?
Do you believe God has a divine strategy for you?
Are you aware of the His divine protection during your hard times, lean times, alone times, times of loss?

​Action Step:
I recommend you read Divine Appointments by Larry Tomczak. He is a cultural commentator of 46 years, Intercessors for America board member, best-selling author and a public policy advisor with Liberty Counsel. His new, innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com)

2019 has been one of the busiest years in life/ministry for me. I have preached, prayed and prophesied locally, nationally and now internationally again. I have had the privilege of going to Kenya, Ghana and now I am in Armenia; which by the way, the Lord had spoken to me over 30 years ago and put the people of Armenia on my heart. So, teachable moment. Never, ever give up on what God spoken to you; it will come to pass.

In the 2nd chapter of Ruth there are 5 points that we can contend for in the remainder of 2019 and until they “come to pass”.  As I stated earlier, I have already begun to see and experience these in my own life. I have seen them in the lives of those connected to me. Those of us called into our Redeemer’s field to bring in the harvest; and to the previous generations, those that have become weary will now be refreshed!

Prepare to move! Prepare to go where you have never gone before. My God says we are not to walk by sight but follow the spirit as He leads.

In Ruth 2, we find Ruth and Naomi in Bethlehem. Although this was Naomi's homeland, it was a foreign land to Ruth. She followed her mother-in-law out of loyalty. When you follow the Lord into a foreign territory out of allegiance to His heart, you can expect the following. (Foreign territory may be a new department or a new position, or a new job or new season in your life.)

1. Divine Connections
Ruth the Moabitess asked her mother-in-law if she could go into the fields and glean grain behind anyone in whose eyes, she found favor (Ruth 2:2). She happened upon the field of Boaz. This was a divine connection. She could have landed in anyone's field, but the Lord ordered her steps to one of Naomi's family members. Proverbs 16:9 NIV In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps!!!!!! May the Lord establish your steps!!!

2. Divine Strategies
Boaz took notice of Ruth and gave her a strategy in Ruth 2:8-9a, "Listen, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field and leave this one. Stay close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field in which they reap and follow after them." God has a divine strategy! God is going to bring the young into our churches, into our ministries, into our homes….I am prophesying to you -do not be afraid to bring the orphans, the widows, the young abandoned ones into your homes. Adoption is the Gospel. God adopted you! The young ones will give out of love for the direction and safety that you will provide. It will cause the Naomi spirit to break off of us—and release us from all bitterness of our past!!!

3. Divine Protection
Boaz also arranged for Ruth's protection, as it could be dangerous for a young woman to glean in the fields among the men (see Ruth 2:22). "I have commanded the men not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn" (Ruth 2:9b). God is protecting us even now from the world and the ways of the world. God does not want us cohabitating with the World. He does not want us becoming one with the ways of the world. God does not want us defiled. He will provide for us through divine connections! He will protect us! Go to the WORD-go to VESSELS of Gold (others that have living water and drink from what they have drawn.) I have had a new desire to go back to my spiritual mother & father’s teachings and learn again…drink again!

4. Divine Favor
In response to Boaz's strategy and protection, Ruth responded: She fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, 'Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should acknowledge me, a foreigner?'" Boaz answered and said to her, "I have been told all that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband, and how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to a people you did not know before. May the Lord reward your deeds. May you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge" (Ruth 2:10-12). If we want to produce in the natural we come under. We have got to come under at the right time! This is the right time! This is the season of fruitfulness. This is the season that we can become pregnant with the things God wants to birth on the earth-through us! Through you! This is your season. Don’t miss it by not being in position to receive. Don’t miss it by not being under!

5. Divine Harvest
Ruth was willing to work, but her divine connection and divine favor led to a divine harvest. "When she got up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, 'Let her glean even among the bundles, and do not harm her. Also pull out some grain for her from the bundles and leave it so that she may glean it, and do not rebuke her'" (Ruth 2:15-16). Handfuls on purpose!

Wrong alignments will hinder the harvest. Ruth's favor came from her right alignment. It's time to make sure we're aligned rightly in 2019, the Year of Harvest. 

​Today, I am continuing with the powerful prophetic truths of the Hebrew year 5779/2019. Let’s pause and take time to view this prophetic visual.

Hebrew number 9 (Tet), representing man, either bowed to King Jesus and surrendered to the spirit or the evil influence depicted by the snake. The Hebrew number 9 depicts duplicity, and prophetically for year 5779 and 2019, a choice is clearly evident; to bow to God and rise in the power of the spirit or passively follow the dictates of the snake, by yielding to and not dying to the demands of our fleshly desires and soulish ways.  The number 9 is also known to be an expression of the power of the Holy Spirit.  There are nine fruit of the Holy Spirit, nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, the calling to prayer was at the ninth hour “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.” Acts 3:1 As Children of God we are full and filled with all we need to succeed. (Succeed is in the seed) 

We will discern the voice and leading of the Living God by the power of His Holy Spirit over and above the dead voices that try to drown Him out. It matters what voice you give attention and power to. God’s still small voice will bring love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, as promised in Galatians 5:22.

May we never underestimate the power in His voice.
How sweet is the fruit His voice and His Holy Spirit produces in our lives, opposed to the dead internal voices of our emotions, intellect, will & then there are the external voices… The texts, emails, social media and demands bombarding from every direction; screaming for our distraction and attention. Their fruit is comparison, competition, conflict, confusion, inadequacy, jealousy, anxiety, stress and strife!
​
There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit depicted in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10: wisdom, knowledge, miracles, healing, faith, prophesy, distinguishing of spirits, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues. There are gifts within you that God is about to release through you in this hour that have been dormant, and in some cases, you had no idea they were there. Receive them, step out in faith and use them, they are God’s heavenly gift to you and His mandate over your life.  Remember the number nine (9) also means Harvest. 

Action Step: What actions do you need to take to make 2019 your year of Harvest? Tithe, Teach, Transition, Temper, Tarry.  Tell it! 
​

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed,
​rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Today I am on the mission field and I would like to share Biblical Truths, including numerology, with you today.  Let’s begin.

This is the Hebrew (Jewish year 5779) and 2019 it is time to rise and shine! 2019 is half over, what are you doing with the rest of your year?

God wants you to know with assurance that Heaven’s solution is always bigger than hell’s problem.

Look beyond the problems and chaos you see in your life and on the earth and as you see by faith, receive the solution that is yours to take, on your behalf and on behalf of others in the secret place of service and intercession! The Hebrew word for intercession means to “get in the way of” – that’s what we are called to do, get in the way of evil and replace it with good!
​
Nine in Hebrew is Teshah. “Tet” is the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and numerically equals 9. Pictorially it is illustrated in its ancient form to resemble a basket, womb, and even a coiled snake; representing fulfillment, concealment, fruitfulness and multiplication. The devil (that snake) may throw his worst, try to squeeze the life out of the children of God, but we will see clearly, overcome, flourish, prevail and power through with the Word of the Lord, prayer and praise anyway.

​5779 (2019) is significant. Five means grace and what an era of favor, grace and goodness we are in. Seven means God’s completion and perfection. Double seven means double portion blessing, and as for nine (9), well here goes…

THE PARADOX/DOUBLE SIDED COIN
In Hebrew the number 9 has an element of paradox to it, double meaning…. so much goodness, multiplication, increase and blessing indicated by the basket but yet the snake coiled is right there longing to thwart God’s plans, to have its wicked way, to steal, kill and destroy! The call is going out to yield to the Holy Spirit, surrender your ways to walk in the spirit and His ways. In this Hebrew year 5779 God is saying prophetically in the midst of evil we will know goodness, blessing, miraculous increase and victory!

The word ‘saved’ is the Hebrew word ‘Yasha’ and as well as meaning defended, delivered, helped and to get victory in every situation you face, it means ‘open, wide, and free’! Only in dying to ourselves are we fully alive to God – ‘open, wide, and free’ in spirit, soul and body to be all He has called us to be! Then, others will truly see Jesus and experience God’s unexplainable, undefinable and undeniable glory! (Proverbs 16:4)
 
THE WOMB
God will bring to birth dreams and visions in your life that have laid dormant for years… (Dream laid baby down). REVIVAL. This is a season of new beginnings, stepping out by faith into the glorious unknown. “They that know their God shall be strong and do great things.” It is time for the above and beyond to come forth as the great, miraculous works of God are birthed through your life.  (Daniel 11:32b)

It takes nine months for a baby to be birthed and a woman’s ‘due date’. Many of you have been through the discomfort and pain of waiting, your confinement is over!  Your concealment was necessary to mature all God will bring forth through you. We are prepared in humility, this is our time to rise and shine in all God has called us to do, appointed you to do.  Anointed you to accomplish. To know Him, to show Him & His Power is our purpose on the earth!

BASKET
Your basket will be full, your heavenly supply will never run dry. You will always have more than enough.
​
VICTORY
As for the snake, be aware, but don’t despair. He may rage, his anger roar, but he is a defeated foe. We will overcome Him with the blood of the lamb (the enforcement of Jesus' finished work and victory), the word of our testimony (for every mess that dirty devil tries to make we will declare the message of miracles and God’s grace, get ready to tell story after story for God’s glory), and we will love not our lives unto death (simply meaning we will die daily to our own mind, wills, emotions and fleshly ways; to rise, live and walk in the spirit – what a glorious life of victory and praise awaits as we continue to fulfill our purpose in the year 5779, and 2019.

Action Step: Please rehearse how you are living your Christian life according to Micah 6:8 reads, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”? Please share your in the comments section of the blog.