The Lord is Seeking, YOU – Karen Austin

I have been pondering the signs we see taking place before our eyes; the prophetic words that we are hearing that correlate with the Scriptures telling us that these are the last of the last days. We have prayed for these days. We looked forward to them with much anticipation. We have prayed for revival and get excited thinking of the revivals of the past that we want to experience again. But what if this move of God is completely different from what we have experienced before? Are we ready and willing to accept the responsibility that comes with being His last days generation?

There are multitudes that are waiting to hear the true gospel. There are many who are sick and have need of the Healer. There are so, so many who are trying to make the best of the circumstances they find themselves in, but are truly afraid.

When I think of the weight of what it means to be His disciple and a witness of Christ in this last move of God, I ask the Father, “Am I ready?” I am asking Him to search my heart because I want to be one who will represent Him well. I want to be one whose heart is pure so that my motives will be for Christ alone and point others only to Him. I don’t want to be presumptuous but be led fully by His Spirit.

The Word says “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully devoted to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9.He is looking for ones such as you and I. Of all the times in history, you and I have been chosen by the Father to be alive in this hour. He has placed inside each of us what it will take to represent Him well upon this earth. We each have experienced life upon the mountain tops and we have experienced life in the valleys. But yet, we are still standing. We are still loving Him just as much as the day we accepted Jesus…probably we love Him so much more…because we know Him.

The thing is this, He knows us. He knows our rising and our sitting down. He knows our thoughts from afar [Psalm 139:2]. He knows the words we will say even before we say them [Psalm 139:4]. He knows you. He has trusted you with His precious Holy Spirit. He knows our weaknesses and our strengths…yet He chose us… He chose you.

Our confidence must now be in Him, no longer looking at our own abilities or inabilities. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory that the world is looking for. I have been so blessed by the websites, Facebook pages and videos where His church is coming out of hiding, out of places of intimidation and turning from the fear of man to the fear of God.

Our Father knows the end from the beginning…and He has chosen you to be part of revealing His glory upon the earth. My brothers and sisters in Christ…it is SHOWTIME for the greatest move of God this earth has ever seen and YOU are chosen to be a part!!

What Does it Mean to be King? – Frank Work

You know when you read a portion of scripture and the Holy Spirit drops something into your spirit about what you just read? You know it has to be God, because of the impact that scripture, or that story has on you. Sometimes it can alter the way you look at God, and your perception of His love for you totally changes.

That just happened to me recently while reading the story of Saul, not Paul/Saul, but King Saul, the young boy who was the first king over a nation of people who wouldn’t allow themselves to be governed by the Creator of the universe. The only God who is God, the one true King who led their ancestors out of Egypt, which I have to believe at that time, was still fresh history to them. The Father of heaven had led them through the times of the judges who brought order to a people of chaos. The people of Israel wanted a human king, like the pagan cultures around them. They wanted to have someone to rule them who they could see, because the unseen was too much for their minds to handle, similar to how the human race has been, and continues to even to this day.

Let’s imagine for a moment when Saul, the tall good looking young man, full of energy, full of life. 1 Sam 9 says this about Saul the son of Kish, “2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.” So as you can see, he is everything that a carnal world is looking for in a leader, so far.

Obedient to his father when asked to search for the families lost donkeys. Armed with good intentions and enough food for a two day journey, Saul heads out with a faithful servant to retrieve his father’s lost animals. Let’s first approach the question that eluded me until revelation came concerning this question. Did the donkey’s wonder off by happenstance or did God lead the animals out into the wilds of Israel? I believe the animals were heeding the beckoning call of the Lord.

So here we have young Saul, with no aspirations whatsoever of being anointed king, let alone being called by the one true God of Israel, by name. It’s amazing what happens when we finally realize that God really does know who were are, and is concerned about our destiny in Him. Much like Samuel, he calls us by name to Himself, so that through us, we can walk and move and have our being. For the first few years of Saul’s life as the first king of Israel, he did the job asked of him. It wasn’t til later in his reign did he falter from the path that God has originally ordained for him, and the kingdom was “torn from him.” It even states in scripture in 1 Sam 10

6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.

Also this was said about Saul;

9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.

So Saul had become the man that the Lord had intended Him to be all because Saul was willing to be led by the Spirit of God, and not the spirit of man, which is the flesh.

Fast forward to my life today; All God is asking is that we become the men and women of God He has called us to be, both individually and corporately. Saul was a transformed man when the Spirit of God came upon Him. I believe that if Saul had chosen the fear of the Lord instead of the fear of man, he would have remained on the throne of Israel as their earthly king.

Lastly, before we are too harsh on Saul and the choices he had made, remember that Saul, nor anyone around him save Samuel, knew anything about being a king. Not to mention being a king so quickly and at such a young age. Saul had no idea whatsoever what it was to be a king over a nation that God deemed as His own. That’s why it’s vital that we listen to what the Spirit is saying in any given moment in our lives. I firmly believe that if we looked to God instead of looking to ourselves, we will draw closer to the heart of Christ and the destiny He has ordained for us.

God Created You to be YOU – Karen Austin

You have more to give to those around you than you know. Think back over your life and remember the life lessons that Holy Spirit has taught you. Remember the revelations that He gave you as you asked Him for wisdom? Where you have overcome, you have authority and wisdom to teach other how to overcome.

Spend time with Him. Worship Him. He longs to reveal to you those things that He placed within your heart – things that you are to pursue; areas where He desires you to press in and to grow. There are so many different streams in His Kingdom and they are all good and they are all necessary. But now is the time to focus on the area(s) that Holy Spirit is leading you to. You will know because you will feel a stirring, an excitement which is a witness in your spirit.

All are not teachers. All are not prophets. All are not gifted in hospitality or gifted in administration. This is why it will take the whole Body of Christ releasing their gifts and talents to manifest the Kingdom of God.

So today, I encourage you to just be who He created you to be and out of that place of being genuine, being true to who He created you to be, life will flow; wisdom will flow; love will flow; healing will flow. And in this place of being you, as you are filled with Him, such joy and peace will flood your soul. There will come a rest from trying to fit in where you were not made to fit. You are just one piece of His puzzle and you are needed to complete His picture on this earth.

It will take you. It will take me. It will take all of us to make His Kingdom visible upon the earth.

Social Distancing and Lockdown – Bill Chilcote

Social distancing is a God thing…. distance yourself from the world and get close to your Heavenly Father. Re-boot your life and come into alignment with the Lord. The voice of the world and the wisdom of man brings us into fear, this is opposite of what God is saying. Yes, lockdown can be a very good thing. Will you choose to listen to the world or enter the secret place with the Lord during this time, (Ps 91) to see what He is saying.

This lockdown is giving families the opportunity to spend more time together which strengthens relationships. As families break bread together and take the cup of communion, they remember and proclaim what the Lord has done. God is preparing us, He is re-booting us, realigning us and restructuring us. As a people God is asking us to come before Him in our brokenness, humbling ourselves, repenting before him and seeking His Face. (2 Chron. 7:14). This shaking is for our awakening to know Him and prepare us for what He is doing in this new era.

We are never going to be the same. Don’t miss what the Lord is doing as He brings us closer to Him. He wants to do a deep work within us.
The Lord is asking us to walkout Romans 12:1-2
The Lord is asking us to think on these things (Phil. 4:8)
The Lord is wanting us to understand our help comes from Him (Psalm 121:1-2)
My sheep hear My voice, I know them and they follow me.(John 10:27).
My word goes forth from my mouth.. It accomplishes and prospers where I send it (Is. 55:11)

This is the season to declare and decree the word of the Lord. It is a season of revealing the sons of God (Romans 8:19) To stand up and proclaim the word of the Lord. (Is. 61).

I will leave you with this last scripture (Ps. 32: 8 TPT)

I hear the Lord saying” I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult, don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before.

Bless you… Journey Well

The Harvest is Ripe – Karen Austin

Lately these words have been coming to me “Many, many in the valley of decision.” This comes out of Joel 3 and I would like to share this portion of scripture with you:

“Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full
and the vats overflow—so great is their wickedness!”

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

“Then you will know that I, the Lord your God,
dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy;
never again will foreigners invade her. “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water.
A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias” Joel 3:13-18

I believe these scriptures have prophetic insight to the days we are living. The harvest is definitely ripe and ready for harvest. Many are in the valley of decision. Many have come face to face with their own mortality and inabilities to hold onto what was normal just a few short weeks ago. Uncertainty is the new norm. But we see from scripture that Lord forewarned these days would come. He promises to be a stronghold or place of shelter for His people, for those who will run to Him.

It will be in times such as these and even as darker days appear upon this earth, in these times He has promised that new wine or the new things of Holy Spirit shall flow from the mountain of God. There will be living waters flowing to bring life to where there is death and destruction. It says water will come in the valley of acacias or valley of wilderness. The acacia tree was one of the only types of trees that would grow in the wilderness. The wood is dense and very strong and would endure for a long time.

I hope you are getting what Holy Spirit is saying to you! We, who are His, will not only endure but we will remain strong and out of us His living waters will flow to those who are in despair. We will release His life in places of death. We will sing of His glorious mercies that endure forever and the glory of the Lord will fill the house!

This is the house that the multitudes will run to. It will not be to hear an eloquent speaker. It will not be to one whose diamonds shine for all to see. No, they will flow to the house where the only garments they desire to wear are the garments of righteousness. They will flow to the house whose people have made a decision to be ones who minister to Him and out of that overflow will flow His miracles to the multitudes!

I have so longed for those days and my friends, they are upon us!

Watch for the Seasons of the Lord – Karen Austin

As I have been contemplating about this that we are facing and the timelines being set by those in authority, I keep coming back to His seasons never change. The enemy manifesting through man may try to change the days and seasons, but His Word and His seasons are forever settled in Heaven. But many in the church are not aware of the times and seasons of our Father. Many desire things to eventually go back as they have been.

I sense the Lord say “Things have shifted – a new season is upon you. My Kingdom rule and My Kingdom rein through those who are Mine is now the time you have entered. Many have said, have prayed, “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven”. But they have not embraced the part of My Son’s prayer “Your will be done”. The heart of many in My church is for Heaven to come so they may live a life of ease. For nothing to interfere with their life plans and schedules to further My Kingdom, but I have said in My Word, in this world you will have tribulation.

For your enemy is a legalist and My people are blind to the things that have given him a legal right. But I am raising up a company of those like Jeremiah who will uproot and will plant. I am giving sight to those who seek. I am causing those to raise up a standard as they come into agreement with Heaven. For in this time, there will be those with not only Heaven on their minds, but Heaven in their heart. It will be from this place of abiding in My will and My purpose that a path will be formed for others to follow. I am raising up forerunners who hear even the whispers of My heart. They are becoming so sensitive in this season to My desires that when they see them come to pass such joy will fill them such as they world can give; because they will know for this they prayed, for this they contended.

I say there is a river of revelation coming and this is what will cause My people to rise above the cares of this world, to begin to rule and rein from their Heavenly position. This will cause faith to come to a new level because they trust in Me. A partnering with Heaven is at hand and I desire you to be a part. Will you submit your desires to Me? Will you allow My desires to become your desires? I desire to trust you with the secrets of My heart. I have chosen you to be alive in this space of time, choose wisely.”

The Holy Spirit is…. – Karen Austin.

One day I was meditating on how much Holy Spirit means to me and began to write. I decided to share my musings with you today. I pray they will stir up your love for Him and remind you of all He wants to be and do in your life.

“How can I not love Holy Spirit? How can I not have Holy Spirit as my best friend? His thoughts towards me are always pure. He always sees the best in me. When He corrects me, I know He is showing me truth and not an opinion of man or tradition. Holy Spirit is so full of joy ready to lift my heavy heart. He knows the very heart of my Father – the One who created all things. For it is in the Father that all wisdom is hidden [Romans 11:33]. Holy Spirit accesses that wisdom and reveals it to my heart,

Holy Spirit is the spirit of my soon coming King [Galatians 4:6]. He empowered Jesus upon the earth to withstand all evil and temptation. He does the same for me. He worked through Jesus to heal the sick, cast out devils and raise the dead [Acts 10:38]. He does the same through me. He hovered over chaos and brought order. [Genesis 1:2]. He brings order to my chaos.

Holy Spirit imparted the purest, most powerful love within me as the Father poured His love into my heart through Holy Spirit [Romans 5:5]. Holy Spirit is the change agent in my life conforming me into the image of Christ [2 Corinthians 3:18]. He picks me up when I fall. He encourages me to keep pressing on when I want to give up. He comforts me in my brokenness. He gives me wisdom beyond my comprehension. He releases strength to me when I am weak. He imparts healing when I am sick. He imparts hope when I have none. He believes in me when no one else does. He leads me when I don’t know which way to go.

He is my bright light in times of darkness. He opens the Word to me giving me divine insights. He is always with me, communing with my spirit, even as I sleep. He is my confidant. He never shares my secrets with another. He convicts me of sin, but without condemnation.

He is unpacking all the potential and destiny my Father has placed within me. His nature gifts me with love, joy, unshakeable peace, longsuffering, gentleness, kindness and self-control, patience and goodness. His gifts me with His abilities: words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues.

How can I not love Him? How can I not have Him as by Best Friend?”

“And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.” John 14:16 TPT

“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11

Social Media or Jesus? – Frank Work

I often wonder how our fore fathers ever were able to get the any information out without the use of social media. To many ministries or people for that matter, have allowed themselves to be judged and swayed, by the opinions and comments of people who either like or dislike what has been posted on their social media sites. Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way against using social media to get the gospel of Christ out there. It’s when I am more concerned about whether I get likes or comments for any particular thread, than I am about pleasing and serving Jesus. If I distinguish what is good by the amount of feedback I get on every single post instead of seeking the heart of the Father, then I truly have lost sight of my first love.

Social media can be a great tool, when used in correlation in the leading of the Holy Spirit. I for one should be asking the big questions before I post anything. Questions like;

“Father should I post this to my social media for all to see, or is this just between you and I?”

“Am I posting this because you told me to post it, or am I posting it to get a rise out of people?”

“Is my post meant to bring hope in Jesus, or to cause controversy and therefore cause my brother to stumble?”

“Am I posting this to be popular and seek fame, or am I posting this because I just want to liked and noticed?”

Social media has become so warped in the past several years from its original purpose. Originally Facebook was meant for students on universities and college campuses to connect through their intranet network, purely as a means of communication through messages and pictures. Now we have what we have now. Facebook has created a generation of people that I have what I like to call, “Keyboard courage.” Basically they will say anything and offend anyone they want through social media, but are just the opposite when met face to face.

We are no longer walking as a people of purpose in spreading the gospel of Christ; we are a people dependent upon social media to do it for us. It’s a wonder that the first generation church ever made it at all. Paul the apostle was infused and connected to the throne of glory and his social media was preaching the gospel of Jesus where ever he went. Perhaps now, more than ever, I need to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit, and follow His leading instead of assuming I have it right. 

A dangerous mindset to have, in my opinion, is to walk through life with the theory of “I would rather ask for forgiveness later, than permission now.” Basically what is being expressed is, I want to do what I want to now, and I’ll worry about the repercussions later. Being selfish is a mindset of the enemy, and being chained by a spirit of selfishness is a gateway which opens up our hearts to many other spirits who will cling on to our spirit-man, and attempt to wrestle us away from turning to the Lord. Satan was filled with selfishness, as described by the scripture below;

Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV)

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’

Lord guard our hearts against haughtiness and selfish ambition. Protect our minds against the voice of the enemy who would speak lies in an attempt to turn our hearts away from you. Fill us Lord with Your wisdom and Your truth.

Be Still – Karen Austin

Do not despair because of what we see being reported by man. Man has limited insight as he mostly views the present from the past. Man’s statistics are based upon past statistics. The natural man lacks the insight to see possibilities that only God can bring. The truth that we seek is in His Word and what we hear His Spirit speak to us in times of stillness. It is easy to get quite, but harder to become still.

Quietness is when we turn off the TV, Facebook and instant messaging. We may even turn down the lights. Quietness is when we turn off the outside world, but many times inside, our “apps” are still running..

Stillness, however requires a setting aside of our opinions, our desires, our needs and focus solely upon Him, His greatness, His majesty, His faithfulness, His love. It is turning off all the inside noise that causes distraction from what He desires to share with us or do in us. Stillness is simply ‘being”. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”Stillness is about being in the present, not in the past, nor in the future. It is not a time to try to figure out your problems or the problems of those you love.

I have had many times of stillness when not a word was spoken between Him and I. But, oh my, there were times when He would begin to overwhelm me with His love for me. I did not go into this time with an agenda, just to be with Him. A. W. Tozer is quoted as saying: “If a man wants to be used by God, he cannot spend all of his time with people.”

Quiet worship is a good tool to help us enter into stillness. So i leave you with these two scriptures and some “stillness” music. My prayer is that you enter into times of stillness with the One who loves you.

“Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you…” James 4:8

“I am standing in absolute stillness, silent before the one I love, waiting as long as it takes for him to rescue me.
Only God is my Savior, and he will not fail me.” Psalm 62:

Am I that I Am – Karen Austin

“For many did not see this coming, but I did. I knew the plans of man and you will see me bring them to nothing. In the midst of what the enemy meant for chaos, I shall bring stability. In the place of great fear shall be great peace. You say, “How will this happen?” Know that I have a plan and it is being put into place even now by those whose hearts are close to Mine, those who have chosen to rise above the seen and enter the unseen, the realm of My Presence.

Have I not always had a plan to deliver My people? I am the One who knows all things and sees all things. My thoughts are above your thoughts and My ways above your ways. I will take the foolish things and confound the wise. You will see. I am the One who sits on the throne and through the prayers, through the worship of My saints, I shall release a deluge from Heaven that shall suffocate this that has come against you. Watch and see…and great shall be the rejoicing!

My name shall be proclaimed among the nations. Even now those in places of authority are calling upon My name and seeking counsel from those whom I have chosen. The harvest is now, even at the door, seeking the One whom you proclaim. These are the days that you have longed to see, but know this, they also come in the midst of great darkness. But I shall do as I have said in My Word, the knowledge, the awareness of My glory shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.”