Heed the Lord’s Invitation – Karen Austin

“My Spirit that is upon you and within you shall be your constant companion – revealing hidden truths that shall be as stepping stones to guide you in this season. Heed His voice in even the smallest of matters because, unbeknownst to you, it could mean life or death. As you well know, the enemy of your soul comes to steal, kill and destroy. But remember, I came to give you life! These are crucial times but you need not fear.

I knew of these days and have prepared for these days long ago. I have been and am even now preparing for you to be victorious in this hour. I see you as an overcomer! There shall rise from your very midst giants of faith who shall lead and gather My troops.

The invitation is given to all, but not all will chose to take up this last day’s mantle. Remember David as he could not wear Saul’s armor? I have a mantle prepared just for you – not another man’s mantle. Upon the breastplate of your mantle shall be tokens of your previous victories. These tokens are not only to cause you to remember My faithfulness, but also will serve as tokens to remind the enemy of his defeat!

I say that victory is Mine! I have procured this as I led captivity captive and made a show of the enemy openly. Your victory is in the Blood! Your assurance is in the resurrection!”

The Crowd and the Crown (Conclusion) – Karen Austin

In conclusion to the messages regarding the “crowds” that come against us in life, I submit this word to you. We are to not only bring words of encouragement, but at times, we are to sound the alarm, which is released as protection and to bring an awareness. As we are coming out of this time of quarantine, know it is a time of passing over and we do not want to take any of the baggage of the latter day with us. It’s a new day, it’s to be a new way…a coming out of the wilderness and entering into our promised land. My prayer is that this will encourage you, while awaken you.

“A stampede of a variety of crowds are coming against My people in this hour to cause them to lose faith, to lose courage to stand up against the battle that is being waged against them. But I release this alarm to cause My people to awaken to the reality of the pressure of these crowds and to understand the significance of this hour.

The purpose of the crowds of the enemy is to lead My people down paths that I did not intend them to follow. The enemy desires to bring condemnation upon My people at the place where they have stopped and compromised, saying “Look at where you are! Look where you have failed.” But know this, the enemy is a liar! I will always have a plan of redemption for you, a plan to bring you back to My plan of life for you.

There has been a distinct attack of compromise and lethargy that has come against My Body. Be wise My people. Do not conform back to this world, but be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Follow the leading of My Spirit in all matters of your life. The price is too costly to submit to compromise… to remain complacent…to not recognize the lateness of the hour. For the enemy will attempt to bring one thing and then another to slowly move you from your place of abiding in Me. Just as a pioneer who would wander away from the camp would be open game for the enemy’s attack, so also will you be if you move from the place I have called you to stand.

Hear what I say to you this day. Know that the enemy is very subtle. His suggestions always sound good. They always have, but know he is a deceiver and a liar. There is not truth in him for he comes to steal, kill and to destroy. But I have come to bring you life and life abundantly!

Press on My children for I have the victor’s crown waiting for you. Know that I am for you and not against you. I have given you all that you need for the battle. I have overcome the world and you are more than a conqueror because of the victory that I have won for you. Walk in it. I have given you the power and authority to walk away from the crowds that seek to draw you from My best for your life.

I have a place of peace for you and in this place, you will see clearly – where you are to go and what you are to do. Receive My strength today. Receive My grace today. I love you and I call you an overcomer! You can do all things through Me, the OVERCOMER who strengthens you!”

Outpouring of His Comfort and Mercy – Karen Austin

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.”

Let the Walls Fall!- Karen Austin

One thing that I sense is that the Father’s heart is pleased as His Body is beginning to arise. I have seen multiple worship folks who got together to create live worship during the day to glorify Jesus on Facebook, even though they come from different churches. Live Facebook prayer gatherings are taking place. Messenger prayer groups are sharing prayer requests. People are watching pastors from another church’s services. Once again families are coming together in prayer. We are seeing neighbors talking to one another as they step out of their homes to get some fresh air.

My prayer is that the dividing line is coming down in His Body. It is going to take all of us laying aside our spiritual pride and our idols to see things change as we desire to see them change in our nation. Our nation’s leaders are doing a terrific job, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the Church. I truly believe church will no longer be as it was. We have known a shift was coming, but did not know that a virus would be part of what prompts this change.

The church as a whole has gotten very complacent regarding spiritual things as spoken of the Laodicean church. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:15-17. We lost our fire, our zeal and our passion for the things of the Lord. Now, I am not speaking of all who identify as believers, but I am speaking of the church at large. As long as things were going well in personal and professional lives and we had a quick Sunday service, we were satisfied. As long as there wasn’t much of a demand placed upon us to change and die to self, all was good. But times have changed and I believe it is a good thing.

We will look back at this time and see that this interruption in “normal” church life was exactly what was needed. As we can see from the early church in scripture, “normal” was not in their vocabulary. We read of boldness in the face of opposition and persecution. Healing’s disruption and elimination of disease. Deliverance from demonic possession. What the enemy has meant for destruction, if we as His church partner with Heaven, will turn this around for resurrection of His church. Interruption meant for destruction will instead result in resurrection! Can I tell you we should never be satisfied with where we are spiritually. There is sooooo much more!!

May we not go back to being comfortable and complacent!! Times have changed and will demand a church totally filled to overflowing by Holy Spirit, full of power and on fire for His Kingdom to manifest in today’s world!

Whats Eating You??? (Part 3) – Gary Florence

So here we are again, are you ready to walk down memory lane with me on a day that I was a total train wreck? I will ask you one thing, as you read this can you identify with what I am sharing and maybe even see yourself in it? It all started on a Saturday morning have you heard the phrases “waking up on the wrong side of the bed” and “a bear with a sore behind.” That is how my day started and ended and to make matters worse my wife works for a hospital and she has off every other weekend and it just so happens this is her weekend off.

So I am sure she was thinking “Really this had to happen on my weekend off and now I have to put up with this all day instead of only a part of the day?” Murphey’s law was in full effect, “anything that could go wrong will go wrong.” All day long one thing after another kept going wrong and instead of addressing it I kept stuffing it down inside of me until the volcano eruption took place. The smoke was billowing and the hot lava was spewing out all over the place. I could not reel myself in and needless to say my wife was getting the brunt of the storm. So I went to bed the same way I woke up. The next day (Sunday) I got up and took our dog a walk to try and release the stress that had built up from the previous day. The guilt, shame, and condemnation was coming at me from all sides as if it was a flood drowning me in it.

I literally was walking hunched over hanging my head in sorrow. I remembered 1 John 1:9 and was mumbling it over and over out loud to myself. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteous.” When I was a young Christian I remembered being taught this very verse because I was told you are nothing but a miserable sinner and you will have to say this scripture over and over. So at this point I am feeling pretty bad about myself “nothing but a miserable sinner” trying to convince God that He had to forgive me according to His word which He does time and time again, as this guilt, shame, and condemnation was eating away at me. Then all of a sudden the Holy Spirit arrested me and said “If you think repentance is something (a Law) that you have to do then it will be something (a Law) that you feel you must do (a Law) but if you look at repentance as a gift from God and receive it as a gift and not a law when you stumble and fall instead of being like Adam and Eve where they ran and hid from Him you will run to Him and freely open up this gift of repentance and forgiveness.”

I am going to end this right here and the next time we get together I am going to share with you what happened in my life when I took the advice from the Holy Spirit and received repentance and forgiveness as a gift and not as a law and opened it up and what the result had on guilt, shame and condemnation throughout my life. I will give you a hint, it’s exciting!!!!!

Shalom Over Chaos – Karen Austin

As I was reading Psalm 34 the other day, something in the commentary of The Passion Translation stood out to me. The scripture reference was Psalm 34:12-14 “Do you want to live a long, good life, enjoying the beauty that fills each day? Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words
to come from your mouth. Keep turning your back on every sin, and make “peace” your life motto. Practice being at peace with everyone.”
As you remember, I shared about peace last week. I keep being lead back to this topic and feel it is a vital concerning what this nation and others are facing with the coronavirus.

Here is what was stated in the notes: “Twice the Hebrew uses the word shalom. This word means much more than peace. It means wholeness, wellness, well-being, safe, happy, friendly, favor, completeness, to make peace, peace offering, secure, to prosper, to be victorious, to be content, tranquil, quiet, and restful. The pictographic symbols for the word shalom (shin, lamed, vav, mem) read “Destroy the authority that binds to chaos.” The noun shalom is derived from the verbal root shalam, which means “to restore,” in the sense of replacing or providing what is needed in order to make someone or something whole and complete. So shalom is used to describe those of us who have been provided all that is needed to be whole and complete and break off all authority that would attempt to bind us to chaos.”

Did you get that? “The pictographic symbols for the word shalom reads “Destroy the authority that binds to chaos”! Is chaos not what we are seeing take place? Chaos means complete disorder or confusion. A few synonyms for chaos are disorder, pandemonium, hell, confusion. Can you see what the plans of the enemy are in the situation we are currently experiencing? Some words that describe the opposite of chaos are order, tranquility, calm, clarity.

We have been given spiritual authority to break off the power of the enemy that is attempting to bind this nation to fear and afflict sickness and death upon the people. We must not come into agreement with fear and chaos! Remember it is stated in Genesis that Holy Spirit was hovering over the chaos [Genesis 1]. He is still hovering waiting for the Sons of God to arise and take their place and use their authority. There are angels ready to be dispatched on our behalf. But we must do our part.

First, we must be submitted to God. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. We must humble ourselves and repent of anything that doesn’t look like Him or act like Him. Get real with Him and allow Him to reveal any darkness in us. Then deal with any issues He may show you. Then we are to partner with Heaven, using the authority He has given us to bind and loose.

It’s time my friends to arise and shine. These are the days that we have been created for. I have heard other prophets say this is the beginning of “birth pains” that Jesus talked about [Matthew 24]. This is our call Bride of Christ. What will be our response? What will be your response?

Peace as a Weapon (Part 2) – Karen Austin

 

When we continue to abide in the peace of God, regardless of our circumstances, it crushes the enemy’s plot to use those circumstances against us. Abiding in His peace also allows us to see God’s plan and, at times, His purpose in them. Our Father is not in heaven wringing His hands. He knows the end from the beginning. His plans and provision are already in place to turn the situation around. Just as the enemy has a plan for our situation, our Father has a greater plan! All our days are written in His book [Psalm 139:16] and we will succeed if we come into and remain in agreement with His plans and follow His instructions, no matter how much they may offend our mind. If we are abiding in Him and seated with Him in heavenly places as we been given access, we have ability to remain in perfect peace.

The attacks of the enemy are first intended to rob us of our peace. The secret is abiding. So how do we abide? The word “abide” is a word that means to “remain” or “stay”. 1 John 4:16 says that we abide in Him and He in us. To abide in Him is to remain in constant fellowship, our hearts fixed by trusting Him and resting in His ability to keep us in all our ways.

“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7 TPT

Isaiah 26.3 “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You.” AMP

Peace (Shalom) means being safe, well, happy, friendly, also our welfare, good health, prosperity, favor, perfect peace, rest and wholeness.

I believe we can all use more peace!

~~to be continued

The Secret Place of Overcoming- Karen Austin

As you press into My goodness, I shall reveal the secret place of My goodness, your refuge, “in the Spirit”. As you spend time with Me, you will no longer wonder where you belong. This is where you belong.

It is here that I shall hold you close and wipe away every tear. I will speak truth to the places where you have believed a lie. You see this is the place of overcoming. You cannot overcome spiritual battles by your flesh or by your wisdom. I have given you My Word and My Spirit. The battles that are coming upon the earth, at times will be fierce. This is why you must know the way to My heart now, your place of refuge. For it is he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High who shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [Psalm 91]

It is only in this secret place that you will arise above every situation and circumstance. For you see, even My Son would separate Himself. He would go alone to this place to commune with Me. It is here that He saw what I was doing and would then have instructions to carry out upon the earth. All things that My Son did were birthed in My heart.

It is the same with you, my dear child. Come away with Me and learn of My. Learn of My ways and not just My acts. For you see, no one knows you as I know you. I know every pain, every disappointment, every fear and I know that which brings you joy. I long to spend time with you without distractions. I long to speak to those places in your heart that need reassurance of My love and My desire to do good unto you. Come away with Me…I am waiting…

Paradise lost? Or we just can’t see it? – Frank Work

STOP! stop right now and do me a big favor. Just stop what your doing, which is reading this, and sit back, relax, quiet your spirit and ask God to give you His shalom peace. Don’t talk, unless it’s your prayer language. Don’t raise your hands, unless you feel the unction of the Holy Spirit, and just be still. No music, no outside distractions. Come back in 5 minutes or if it is longer, come back then. But just take 5 minutes and seek God and see what the Holy Spirit shares with you.

Welcome back, how was your experience with God? Did you hear him? Could you feel the power of His love over you? Is your spirit man at peace? If the answer is yes then you have found something that probably half the people you know can’t seem to find. Paradise.

I bet you’re saying to yourself right now, “We will only find paradise when we come into His presence in heaven.” I say, that the moment you fell in love with Jesus, and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior is the moment you entered into paradise with Him. The death of our human flesh is not the only time we are in heavenly places, remember what scripture says about this; Eph 2:4-10

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Isn’t it amazing, just thoroughly amazing, that we can be walking in the realms of the heavenly places even while still here in our flesh? I am not speaking some hokey, new age nonsense here. As you read for yourself from the above scripture, that when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior our spirits were and are, sitting together with Jesus in heavenly places. Oh, are you one of those who think you can’t be seated with Christ? Let’s put it this way, if the simple truth of our salvation is a lie, then our entire concept of Jesus is a lie. Jesus promised us in Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Either Jesus was crucified, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, wrapped in linen and anointed for burial. As well as descended into hell, took back the keys and conquered hell, rose again on the third day and later ascended into heaven to take His rightful seat as King of kings and Lord of lords and will await the trumpet call of His return, or….or…it’s all a lie, and we have all been fooled. Do you know who wants you to believe it’s a lie? Exactly! The father of lies, the very one who is in direct opposition not only to Jesus, but also in opposition of your destiny in Christ.

I want to encourage the reader that the more time we spend in prayer, in His presence, the more we will have a taste of paradise through the power of the Holy Spirit. I promise you that God is true to His word when He tells us in 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Super Bowl Insights – Redeeming the Land – Karen Austin

Today I will lay the ground work regarding what I sensed about the Super Bowl game. Along with the prophecy that Bob Jones had given years ago, I sensed this game represented the great spiritual battle we now see taking place in the world. So, what I will share is from a spiritual perspective.

I am sure there are God loving people in the city of San Francisco and on the 49er’s team. Remember we wrestle not with flesh and blood but against principalities, powers rulers of darkness in this world and wickedness in high places {Ephesians 6:12]. .What I sensed during the game was a war between the spiritual dominions that reign in the areas of these two cities. We could readily see the spiritual battle with many players giving glory to God, praying vs the half-time show promoting sexual exploitation.

Mike Bickle began the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in 1999 with 24/7 prayer. Also God raised up prophets called the “Kansas City Prophets.” They were Bob Jones, Bill Hamon, Paul Cain, James Goll and John Paul Jackson. So we see the land being set apart for the Kingdom of God…to train and raise up other leaders in the Body of Christ, to establish the Presence of the Lord in that city. Although I am sure there are acts of darkness taking place in this city, what I am stating is the establishment of the Kingdom of God over the land for more than 21 years.

While I am not familiar with the spiritual roots of San Francisco, I am aware of the rapid decline of what was once a beautiful city now taking place on the land…outdoor drug markets, homeless taking over the streets, individuals with mental illnesses living in streets and parks, filth and the spread of disease. Government given authority to release murderers, rapists, child molesters, illegals, etc. The advancement of abortion and gay rights is prominent. The effects of darkness is blatant over this land. I do pray for light to invade the darkness to set the people free! Light always overcomes darkness and there is a redemption He wants to take place in this city.

I sensed not only the truth about revival and Apostolic Chiefs arising, but also that the tide has turned. Something has shifted in the spiritual realm. Just as Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be losing for 50 years, in truth, they were in training for this sweet victory.

Holy Spirit is moving as the wind beneath our sails causing us to rise up above this earthly playing field into the realms of Heavenly authority and victory. We will begin to see more and more spiritual victories. I sense that the Father has given His Bride an open playing field. He is not only inviting us to receive this end-time favor and victories for in the church, but in the market place, the schools, the political field, and wherever we find ourselves! As we maintain Heaven’s perspective of the battle, we will no longer become weary, but energized by the victories we see ahead of us. New vision is being released. New confidence is rising up in His Bride to become all He has called us to be and to do all He has called us to do! Arise Church! The victory is ours and our reward in Heaven will outweigh any Vince Lombardi trophy!