Jesus Christ

Ekklesia: The Called out Ones – Karen Austin

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As I was reading the story in Exodus 9-12 regarding the first Passover, the words the Lord spoke to Moses stood out to me, “Let My people go.” The sins of God’s people were many, still, the Father’s heart was pursuing His people. After 400 years of hearing the cries of His people. He sent a deliverer named Moses.

Moses had many experiences with God. The first being when he saw the bush burning, but not being consumed by the fire. Most of you have had an experience(s) with God. They may not have been as dramatic as Moses’, but God revealed Himself to you. It could have been when you were saved or filled with the Spirit; or maybe through answered prayer. Somewhere along your life, He has made Himself real to you.

I am sure you are like me… like the Israelites, we rebelled against God, but in His faithfulness, He drew you out just as Moses was drawn out of the water. The Father drew you out and took you to Himself to nurture you in His ways. The Israelites knew his actions, but Moses knew His ways. The Father is searching for those who like Moses, those who will turn aside and look…not just pass by when He reveals Himself. He is looking for those who desire to know His heart, to seek His face and not just His hand – just what He can do for them.

I have heard it said that this is the first Passover that Israel has been shut in since that very first Passover. I sense there is something very significant about Passover this year and Resurrection Sunday. There are things that God is rearranging and putting in order that we may not be aware of right at this moment in time, but we will soon see.

The first commandment that God gave to His chosen people dealt with worship. “I AM the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, You shall have no other Gods before Me.” Deuteronomy 5:6-7.

Just as worship was the first commandment to God’s people when they were set free, worship should be our first response to being set free! The idols we have laid down during this time of being shut in; we must be mindful not to pick them up again. He must remain first and foremost in our lives. Once again He is saying to that which has had us bound…be it schedules, anxieties, fear or whatever has kept you from being near His heart, “Let My people go, so they may worship Me.”

Moses’ name means “Drawn Out”. We, His Bride are called the Ekklesia, the called out ones. He is calling those who have sought His face, those who have carried the burden of His heart….He is calling you out of this season of being hidden. He has delivered you to be a deliverer!

I pray that you and your family receive the fullness of what the Lord wants to do for you and in you during this holy season. May you be set free from all that binds and hinders you. May you walk into the freedom that Christ gave His life to set you free from. Be released! Be healed! Rejoice for the Lord your God has redeemed you with the precious blood of the Lamb….there is power in the Blood…the Blood of Jesus!

What Does it Mean to be King? – Frank Work

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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

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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.

Atmosphere of Heaven (Part 3) – Karen Austin

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In order to have the intensity of the Atmosphere of Heaven that the Father desires to manifest upon the earth will require sacrifice. It will require us lying down rote traditions, a dying of self-promotion and our preferences.

In order for us to walk in the “power of the age to come” spoken of in Hebrews 6:5, it will require a dying to self. Apostle Paul said he died daily. I do not believe that meant that he died by saying “No” to a Hershey bar. He said “No” to his right to be right. He said “No” to his own opinions. He died daily by putting the will of the Father above his own will.

This may mean if someone has come against you, Holy Spirit may direct you to bless them. He has had me do this by sending flowers to two friends who betrayed me. Was it easy? It was not, but I knew that I knew that I was instructed to do it. The Lord said when they reached out their hand to take the flowers from the delivery, Holy Spirit would convict them so as to restore relationship. At that time, they would be given grace to reconcile and if they did not, I was released from trying to reconcile the relationships. The Father always desires reconciliation. Sadly, they did not happen.

Another way we die to self is being a servant. Not being a servant to one who can give you a leg up, but being a servant to those who cannot give you anything in return. The Father is looking at heart motives!

You see, Heaven must have us before we can have Heaven! Jesus said the devil had nothing in Him. Can we say the same? I know I’m not there yet, but I am pressing in daily for Him to reveal to me what is in my heart that is not like Him. It is Christ in us – possessing us – which is the hope of glory.

It will not be getting the man of the hour to preach and release their anointing. Although that has been good, we have entered a new era. It is where we will experience the anointing and the glory! This is where it is all God – all Him moving in our midst. I do not desire to have meetings where people walk away saying “Wasn’t the worship good? Wasn’t the preacher on fire?” NO, I want us to walk away from a meeting with the fire upon each of us that we become as living burning beings where the world turns aside to ask “What is it about you?” Where there will be a glow about us to the extent where even our shadow will heal those who are sick as we walk by. This is the Atmosphere of Heaven that I am after. This is where God’s Kingdom rules and the deaf will speak; lame will walk and the blind shall see!

Atmosphere of Heaven (Part 2)- Karen Austin

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We talked last week about one aspect of the Atmosphere of Heaven is the atmosphere created by spirit and truth worship. It is where He alone is lifted up and the glory of the Lord fills the temple.

Another aspect of the Atmosphere of Heaven is an atmosphere where you are accepted. His amazing love prepared the way that you can come boldly to His throne of grace and mercy [Hebrews 4:16]. It is only because of His precious blood that speaks. “…in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in Heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all men, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from Heaven?” Hebrews 12:23-25

Through the shedding of His blood, you are cleansed, if you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. You are accepted in the Beloved. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7

So the atmosphere of Heaven is one of acceptance, not of rejection. It is not because I am supposed to love you because I am a Christian, but because I have His love within me. I become so consumed by His all-consuming love for me, which I cannot help but love those whom I come in contact with. His love within me is then free to flow out to those around me. Have you ever had someone say “I love you with the love of the Lord?” Sometimes that means “I really can’t stand you, but He says I must love you.” That is not what I am talking about.

Religion has portrayed our Father in Heaven as one waiting to hammer you when you sin. Of course, Holy Spirit convicts you of sin so you will repent and your relationship with your Heavenly Father will not be hindered or that a door for the enemy in your life would open. You have been adopted into the family of the Creator of all things. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

The word “Father” in Aramaic actually means “Daddy”. So He is your Heavenly Daddy! Being His child is the safest place to be. His love is unconditional and His love is constant…so unlike the kind of love in the world. The atmosphere of Heaven is a place of safety and love.

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

Atmosphere of Heaven – Karen Austin

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What is the atmosphere of Heaven and how to do we draw that realm into this realm? When I began my ministry about 17 years ago, I desired to create a place where the atmosphere was conducive to Holy Spirit. You see, it doesn’t matter if it is a church meeting or your quite time in your home reading the Word and Jesus – the focus has to be on Him, not our favorite worship song, not our favorite preacher, but Jesus Himself!

For too long, we have tried to fulfill the second commandment before fulfilling the first commandment. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

“This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:36-40.

Anything less than fulfilling the first commandment is dead works. When you have the first commandment, then it is out of a transformed heart and out of the abundance of His love, out of a heart of wholeness – then we speak and then we act. The only works that will be rewarded in Heaven will be ones with the fruit of Heaven upon them. All other works will be burned as wood, hay and stubble.

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done”, but “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” 1 Corinthians 3:12-14.

This does not mean we will not get to Heaven; we will, but if the motivation is for ourselves, even though we say it is for God, whether in word, deed or song; if we are doing it to be seen, then we have all the reward that we will receive….the reward or approval of man. If we say one thing but live another way, we are not glorifying the Father. All the works we do for selfish motives, to be seen and desire the accolades of man, then whatever we have done is all for nothing. It will be burnt up and be as smoke on that Day.

So again I ask, what is the atmosphere of Heaven and how do we create it?

1) It is an atmosphere of worship – true worship. This is where all focus is upon the King of Glory, the Lord of Lords and the Lord of Lords; the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. True spirit and truth worship is where everything must bow to His magnificent presence. A lot of the worship that we do is loving our favorite artist, or favorite song or our favorite beat. Anointed musicians point us to Him and lead us to the throne of God.

~~to be continued

The Harvest is Ripe – Karen Austin

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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

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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.

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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

Outpouring of His Comfort and Mercy – Karen Austin

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Ever since I heard President Trump was sending two Naval medical ships to aid the areas hardest hit with the virus, I sensed the names of the ships were prophetic as to what God is going to do in the midst of this pandemic. As we know, New York has the highest number of reported cases and deaths. California is now ranked third in this national emergency.

The first medical ship named “Comfort” is being sent to New York. The Biblical meaning of “comfort” is to give strength and hope, to ease the grief and to console. 2 Corinthians 1:13 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

The second medical ship, which I believe is being sent to California, is named “Mercy”. The Biblical meaning of “mercy” is “to withhold deserved punishment”. Romans 9:14-14 “..then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! For He says to Moses:“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy…”

Our nation has turned so far from our Christian roots and has had such vile blatant opposition to Biblical values that we hold dear. We deserve punishment. If we were God, we probably would have destroyed this nation years ago. But the Father is so long-suffering to show such mercy and comfort to those who oppose Him. He desires that none should perish and everyone come to repentance…to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Taking this down to a personal level, you and I know that we did not deserve His mercy and at times His comfort, but His love for us is greater than we can even fathom! Joel 2:13 “And rend your heart and not your garments ” Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness And relenting of evil.”

Note these two ships are medical ships…carriers of disaster relief and healing. I believe this is exactly what the Father desires to do in the midst this pandemic, fear and grief. From one side of our nation to the other, in the midst of this horrific demonic attack, the Father is sending an outpouring of His comfort and His mercy. He is releasing healing to our land for many have humbled themselves, prayed and sought His face. We are turning from our wicked, evil ways as He has been revealing them to us during this time of consecration. The Father has heard us from Heaven and will forgive us and heal our land.

I cannot remember a time when I have witnessed so much public prayer, especially on social media, some news outlets and by our government leaders. Even those who have not known Him are calling upon His help for our nation. I sense this outpouring of His mercy, the withholding of punishment we deserve; and His comfort, the giving of strength; hope and ministering to our grief, will play a huge part in demonstrating the great outpouring of His Spirit upon us. It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance. The catalyst for an awakening has begun. It is not yet complete, but I can see the flames of revival rising from our land!

Psalm 116:1 “I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.”