Book of Matthew

Becoming a Move of God – Karen Austin

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As we await a tearing down of evil laws and unrighteous influencers in our nation, many believe as we sit and wait, it will all just happen. I speak of both Republicans and Democratic political parties. Many believe if we get the right people in office things will change, and they will to a certain degree. But dare I say, this is what got our nation where it is today. Now, we are to absolutely vote for political leaders who share our Biblical worldview. It takes not only righteous leaders, but it takes us, the church, to pray and be a beacon of light to our nations. We are not to be a light-filled city hidden under a basket. It takes us, His representatives, to be His voice of righteousness. God paid a great price for His church to carry and release His governmental authority in our nations. Political leaders can only do so much. We, the people of His Kingdom, have the responsibility to regulate the spiritual temperature of our nation.

While this is true of our nation, my focus is on the church. Our nation will change when the church changes. All of us are praying and desiring a great spiritual awakening. I do know it is going to happen! But I also believe to accomplish all the Father desires to release, we must change our focus from waiting and depending on our spiritual leaders to be the only catalyst. Absolutely, they carry great weight in the spirit and are vital! To fulfill the magnitude of what God desires to release around the world, it will be impossible for our Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelist to do it all. It must also be, we the people, just as for our nations.

It is a time for a “Let My People Go” movement. Each one of us have gifts and talents that the Lord has given us to use as we represent Him in the earth. We must stop seeing ourselves as “less than” when it comes to being used by God. Every one of you were chosen by our Father in Heaven. He looked down through eternity to this day and He chose you to be alive and to be a part of the end-time generation. I believe those who have gone on before us, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others longed to see this day that we have been given the privileged to not only see, but to be an active participant. Just imagine, many of them prophesied about this very day that you are living in!

This will take us departing from our spiritual cruise ships of comfort and spiritual apathy to step out into the deep with Jesus. Anything achieved, which has resulted in a lasting value, had a price. It is time for us to count the cost and rise up to obtain our inheritance and give Him the reward of His suffering!

It is time we took hold of the scepter the King is extending to His Bride and accept our God given destinies. We will accomplish much together as we wield our Sword of the Spirit – the Word. As each of you step into your position, whether as an executive, a worshiper, a child care worker, a janitor or if you are called to the five-fold ministry, we ALL have a place as a dispenser of His Kingdom authority.

Every one of your prayers can shake nations. Every song of the Lord you sing releases His frequency to shift atmospheres. You are a light being and when you enter places of darkness, you are to release your light and darkness must flee!

Rise up and ask the Father to allow you to see yourself as He sees you. You are a mighty warrior! You are a Kingdom carrier! You are destined to be an overcomer and to change the world around you! You are a move of God! When we finally come together with this mindset…look out world! We will shift the culture. The biggest wave of His Spirit will flood this earth to rescue and reap a harvest of souls!

“Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-17

Walk as Children of the Light (Part 1) – Karen Austin

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What I desire to do today is to give you an overview regarding light. I want to then focus on the light of Jesus and how it relates to what I sense He is doing in this hour.

”And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:13-17 ESV

In this scripture we see the first place Jesus ministered, after being tempted in the wilderness, was in the land of Zebulun. This fulfilled prophecy spoken by the prophet Isaiah many years prior. This was a place that people were dwelling in darkness and there was a shadow of death over them. Sounds familiar also to our days. Zebulun was one of the twelve tribes of Israel who failed to drive out the Canaanites as commanded. Much like us, at times we have chosen to go on our own path rather than the path the Lord set before us. As we see, even in this example, when we turn back because of our love for God and His love for us, He draws us back to His desired path.

What I want to emphasize today was a great light dawned upon them. This is actually what is meant in Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.” Light always overwhelms darkness. A picture of this we have in the natural is daybreak. The sun rises in the East and releases light that dispels the darkness of night.

Matthew 24:27 “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”Some characteristics of lightning is brilliance, speed, cloud. The feature of lightning that stands out the most is its brilliance or brightness. This is a parabolic meaning of light in Scripture and a picture of Jesus’ soon return as His brilliant light will be seen by all.

Life Flow (Conclusion) – Karen Austin

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Have you ever come from a delicious meal but still did not feel satisfied? You wanted something else, but wasn’t sure exactly what it was that you still wanted. It is the same with our spirit man. We can come from an eloquent service but not have encountered God. We still feel dissatisfied. Now, our soul may be satisfied because we did what we are supposed to do, but our spirit man will still be hungry. The Father created us to come to Him for our life source, our sustenance.

Isaiah 28:11,12 “He will speak to His people, to whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest and this is the refreshing.”

REST – place of stillness; peace; a quiet place.

Psalm 23:2,3 “He leads me beside the still waters, the waters of quietness. He restores my soul.”

Acts 3:19 “. . . . times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

God’s heart is to bring restoration to our life and to those in the world. When we come into His Presence, allow Him to speak to you, heal you and give you direction. Don’t just give Him our list of needs, but listen to what He would say. There is nothing that the world has to offer that will give us the confidence, peace and refreshment as sitting in His Presence. The world is looking for peace, security and rest. They are choosing substitutes, but they know they are not truly satisfied. Only our Creator can truly satisfy and give us true rest.

There is a place, especially in spirit and truth worship, where we experience a tangible heavenly atmosphere. This is the place where the life flow of God will bring life to the very cells of our body. It will refresh our soul. In this place we will experience this God life flow….where discouragement, oppression, sickness begin to fall away. We must go to the source of life – our Father in Heaven. Rev. 22:1 “And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

His invitation is “Come unto Me, all you who labor and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.” Take My yoke upon you and you will find rest, relief and ease, and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiteness for your soul.” Matthew 11:28-29. Yoke up with the One who created you instead of yoking up with your problems and what the enemy is telling you.

In His Presence, we breathe in His strength, His life. We must take the time to sit at His feet and enter into His life source. The Word says “If He be lifted up then He will draw all men unto Him”.

I sensed the Lord saying: “I have a high road that I have prepared for My people. A way, that to the human reasoning, does not appear to be profitable. But I say, I know all things. All things are in the power of My hand for My people. Just as I led My people out of the bondage of the Egyptians; as I led Lot out Sodom before the destruction of the land, I too, will lead you out of bondage of the world’s system. I will lead you out before the end of all things. Trust Me, My children in the hour of turmoil. Know that these things I have said in My Word will come upon the earth. All the earth is groaning for the revealing of the sons of God. As you stay connected to your life source, My very Presence, you will hear in stillness My spirit speaking to you, you will hear My will and My desire for you. Know that I love you with a love that you cannot even comprehend. But oh, you may come, taste of My love. I have called you and chosen you to stand out from the world. You who hear My voice, listen to what the spirit says. Do not forsake your daily time in My Presence. My Word to you is life to you and health to all your flesh.”

Living In the Fullness of the Kingdom – Barbara Potts

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In a sentence, God’s Kingdom is where His government rules and His supernatural life is manifested. 

     In Matthew 13:11, Jesus said: “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom.”  Jesus personified the Kingdom. He spoke the Kingdom, He lived the Kingdom, and He demonstrated what life in the Kingdom should be like: Jesus commanded the elements, walked on water, exercised authority over demons and sickness, made Himself invisible and walked through crowds, saw inside of people’s hearts, accelerated time, turned water into wine, multiplied bread and fish, and raised the dead!  This was the Kingdom manifesting on earth.  

     For a number of years now I have been on a journey of discovery about who we are and what we have in Christ and how we are to manifest and proclaim the Kingdom as Jesus did. The truth is: because the cross defeated the curse that came as a result of Adam’s sin, we are opened to a whole new realm of living! Galatians 3:22 tells us: 

“Jesus is the Savior who brings the Kingdom realm to all who believe.”

     I would like to share a little Kingdom analogy that has flowed out of my experience of walking in and declaring Kingdom realities: 

My husband and I love to hike. When you are hiking in mountain country, sometimes there is a long hike just to get to the foot of a mountain. This hike along the trail to the mountain affords you a beautiful, yet limited, view. Then, as you are making the ascent, you are so focused on where to place your foot that you only see what is directly ahead of you. When you finally reach the summit and turn around to see from whence you have come, it takes your breath away. A whole new vista is opened up to you that was there all the time, but you just couldn’t see it from your earthbound vantage point. This is life in the Spirit that reveals the Kingdom!

 I feel like most of my life I have been hiking along the valley, and now I am climbing the mountain. I am not talking about having a “mountain-top” experience in the traditional sense. I am talking about gaining a Kingdom perspective that lifts you out of the natural and into the supernatural, out of time and into eternity, out of limitation and      into “nothing is impossible.”

      This is how Jesus lived on earth. And since Jesus, the Creator of all that is, lives inside of us, should we expect anything less? 

     As Paul reminds us in the letter to the Colossians: 

Christ’s resurrection from the dead is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power; honor; and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God as you live within the Anointed One … . And every time Christ Himself is seen for Who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with Him in His glory!   Colossians 3:1-5, The Passion Translation 

      Seated with Christ in heavenly places, at one with Him in His Glory, declaring HIS KINGDOM COME AND HIS WILL BE DONE. This is to be our life in the Spirit!

     This is how we proclaim Heaven to Earth prayers. This is how we are going to demonstrate the Kingdom of Power and Light against the increasing darkness that is coming upon the world in these last days. Only a supernaturally-living and speaking people can accurately reflect the image of a supernatural God and bring the reality of the life of His eternal Kingdom here on earth — now — as it is in Heaven!

Stability in the Lord – Karen Austin

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Today, I am going to speak from my heart regarding uncertainties. As I was spending time with the Lord today, the word “stability” came to me and I began contemplating its meaning especially in regard to what the world is facing right now. One definition of stability is the strength to stand or endure. The opposite is instability which means “the quality or state of being unstable; lack of stability or firmness. The tendency to behave in an unpredictable, changeable, or erratic manner: emotional instability” as per Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Times of this pandemic has caused many things to become unstable. Things we took for granted are no longer there for us. Jobs were shut down. We can no longer gather at our house of worship. Some have been faced with empty shelves at the grocery store. The ability to visit loved ones or friends is not permitted in many areas. Watching our children/grandchildren play their favorite sport is something we hope to do soon, but the timing of that is also uncertain. So many uncertainties have cause many to become unstable in their emotions when in times past they were as solid as a rock. It is like the floor beneath us is being shaken and what we once depended upon is no longer something we can depend upon.

I feel this is especially true for the Western church. Our brothers and sisters in Christ that live in other areas of the world have faced much persecution and even death for their faith. Others live in areas of deep poverty and have to believe God for every meal to feed their families. I don’t think the Western church and nation has understood just how blessed we are. I sense the greatest enemy we are facing is fear in these times of uncertainty. Afraid a loved one may contact the virus, and if they do, will they live. The lack of employment enabling us to provide an income for our families is another great cause of fear.

I cannot imagine facing what we are facing without having a knowledge of the Father’s love for me and having history of His faithfulness. Over my lifetime, I have seen My Father’s hand provide financially when I did not know how we were going to make it. I have witnessed His healing touch upon those whom I love and even raise them multiple times from their death bed. I have experienced His calming voice speak to my heart in times where there was absolutely no reason for me to experience peace. He has put me back together when I had nothing left inside of me to continue on. You see, I have known Him in the good times and I have experienced His tender care in the hard times. One thing I can tell you is this, He is faithful. The Word says He is close to the brokenhearted. This too, I have experienced.

I encourage you to get to know Him in His Word. Maybe begin reading the Book of Psalms until you find what you are feeling. King David wrote of his ups and downs, but always ends with praising God for His faithfulness. Spend time just talking to the One who loves you more than anyone else on this earth. He is waiting for you to come to Him no matter how unstable you feel…no matter how many times you have failed. No matter how unworthy you may feel. He has answers for those things in your life that seem to have no remedy. He has such peace to give you that you cannot even begin to imagine. Allow Him to bring stability to you in times of uncertainty.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28